Note to self and all readers…I do not own DBZ…. nor do I own the song by The Cure that inspired this story……….

Just Like Heaven

Bulma entered her last few pieces of data and then hit enter. She cracked her knuckles and sighed with a dramatic flair of satisfaction. A glance at the lab clock told her it was long after midnight.

"Wow, I haven't pulled an all- nighter since I cracked the code on that Saiyan scouter," she thought aloud to herself. She stretched her arms high above her head and twisted to crack her back, first left and then right.

"Ahhhhh… much better." She hit the release button on her computer and the drawer slid open, revealing a disc with her new program finished and saved. She plucked the disc out of the tray and eyed it obvious pride. She opened a plastic disc holder and snapped it inside. She placed her hard work on the counter beside the new robotic simulator she had created earlier that day.

"I think I'll wait until morning to have Dad run a diagnostic check on my new program. If it works, I'll be able to give it to Vegeta right away." Her eyes glowed at the prospect of presenting the surely Saiyan her "newest" invention. "Not that he'll show any gratitude for all of my hard work," she muttered to herself. But she knew he would appreciate the upgrade in technology, in his own way. If things worked out he would be able to take his training to a whole new level and the thought made Bulma swell with pride.

It had become increasingly important for Bulma to prove herself to the indifferent Prince that resided with her. He was certainly impossible to please and about as ungrateful as a spoiled brat, but Bulma knew, instinctively that it was mostly an act. Vegeta played the tough guy to a tee. She knew that a lot of his sarcasm and indifference were an act to keep people away. Bulma had long ago given up trying to get close to him, as she would have with any "normal" person. Open acts of kindness and affection only caused him to push back with defiance, sarcasm and disdain.

No…. Bulma knew there was no pushing the proud Prince. She had decided to treat him with the respect he demanded…. (Though respect was something he would not give in return). She held her tongue when he was in one of his dark moods and loved to surprise him with her "brilliance'. She worked hard to upgrade the Gravity room and the robotics he used to train and his own way…. she knew…he appreciated her hard work.

Yes, it was true, he never missed an opportunity to tell her what an "idiot" she was or how all Earthlings were "weaklings", but these words lacked the vehemence they once had. Vegeta only lived to become stronger that Goku, but Bulma found herself living for Vegeta. For Bulma had admitted to herself, not so long ago, that she had fallen in love with the tempestuous little Prince. And the fact that he barely tolerated her existence was incredibly depressing.

Bulma stretched again, this time a full body stretch and then patted the training robot on its "head".

"I'll see you in the morning, little guy. We'll have Dad give you a look and then you can meet your new friend Vegeta." Bulma turned her computer off and then killed the switch on the lights. "Time to get some much needed sleep," she said aloud while yawning. She gave herself a few moments to adjust to the darkness and then proceeded up the stairs into the living quarters of Capsule Corporation.

Vegeta yanked the door of the refrigerator open and peered inside. He had finished his training for the day and needed to re-hydrate his body. "A little snack would be appropriate too," he thought to himself.

His body ached from the extreme workout of his training regime, but at least he had survived the day without receiving any major injuries. He had a high thresh-hold for pain, but as that annoying woman loved to point out (much to frequently to his liking) injuries only slowed his progress. There had been an occasion or two where he was hurt so severely, his training had to be put on hiatus. Recovery slowed his progress to his destiny, his reason for being. He had to achieve the status of Super Saiyan. He had to become stronger than Kakarott.

He was close, so close…. he could feel it. He was getting stronger everyday and now it was only a matter of time. He pulled he huge bottle of cold water and a plate of cold fried chicken from the fridge. He snapped the top of the bottle and gulped thirstily. Sating his thirst, he began to make short work of the chicken.

Bulma climbed the stairs and stepped quietly into the kitchen. She blinked at the bright light and then saw Vegeta, his back to her. He was consuming their leftover super with gusto and drinking a huge bottle of water. There was a pile of chicken bones on a plate beside him on the counter and he pulled the towel from around his neck to wipe the crumbs and wetness from his mouth.

Having done this, he had revealed his naked upper torso. Clad only in skin- tight spandex black shorts, his body glistened from the sweat of his workout. Bulma suppressed a loud sigh of admiration and took in the sight of his beautiful body. "No need to stoke his already bigger-than-life ego," she thought to herself.

She walked quietly behind him, enjoying the view of his well -muscled backside, until he surprised her by turning to look at her. "What do you want?" he sneered.

Bulma stopped short and placed her hands on her hips. She watched him take another huge swig from the water bottle and used his temporary distraction to quickly appreciate the frontal view of his body. She was still staring at his well -endowed lower half, when she realized he was no longer drinking, but looking at her.

"What?" he snapped. Bulma reluctantly raised her eyes to meet his. She knew she would have to come up with a good retort to hide her obvious admiration of him.

She locked her gaze with his dark frown and quipped, "I wouldn't recommend drinking all of the water right before bed. We wouldn't want to have the Prince of all Saiyans to have an "accident" in his sleep, would we?"

Vegeta scowled and then purposely took another long drink from his water. He wiped his mouth off and smirked at her. "Why, do you speak from experience, woman?"

He watched in delight as her eyes flashed in annoyance and he braced himself for her verbal retaliation. He found himself soon disappointed, as she merely "harrumphed" and spun quickly out of the room. A verbal spar with the feisty woman would have been a perfect end to a good day. But since it was not to be, Vegeta returned his attention to the remainder of the fried chicken.

Bulma stalked out of the room and stopped once in the safety of the darkened living room. Her heart was beating faster than usual and she exhaled a slow breath to relax herself. "Must not let the Prince know I am attracted to him…must not let the Prince know I find him irresistibly sexy…" she chanted. Giving herself a few more calming breaths she allowed herself the brief fantasy of the near naked Saiyan as she trudged wearily to bed.

"He is as sexy as Hell, and you are going to have to control yourself, Bulma. He doesn't want you or even like you for that matter. So, stop daydreaming about the Demon Prince and go to bed," she told herself as she pulled her nightshirt over her head. She crawled onto her bed, set her alarm clock for 7 a.m. and was asleep before her head hit the pillow. She was snoring loudly as Vegeta passed by to collapse into his own heavy sleep.

Now on to chapter one…