beingA/N: Do not own DBZ or any songs written by The Cure

Chapter Eighteen: Introducing the Prince of All Saiyans

Vegeta fell heavily onto the bed; the poisons were starting to get the better of him. He was quickly losing the battle against the tranquilizer. His body screamed with fatigue, and he longed for the total body shut down sleep could give him.

But Vegeta was savvy enough to realize that this would slow down his immune system and effectively hinder the battle his blood stream was engaged in against the toxin

The adrenaline created during his short-lived battle with Ginyu had worked as a restorative serum and he knew if he were going to survive the up-coming night with Bulma, he would need to fight the poison from his body.

Vegeta pulled himself out of bed, giving it one last longing look and then sighed. He had promised the Woman he would be her escort her tonight to her stupid human function. He turned and eyed the gaping hole in the wall and wondered exactly when it was that he had turned into a 'good guy'.

The previous incarnation of the Saiyan Prince would never have put another's needs or desires before his own. He had lived a lifetime of self-devotion. To have lived and loved would have meant weakness. Weakness amongst Frieza and his minions would have meant certain death. Although Frieza had been long dead for months now, Vegeta found the metamorphosis into a 'normal' life as much of a struggle as simple survival under the glaring eye of Frieza had been.

Vegeta focused his energy to produce a scowl. A lifetime of building defensive walls, walls built to protect and preserve; an asylum to save his sanity, walls penetrated and corroded by the love of a pretty blue-eyed scientist. His scowl changed into a lop-sided smile.

He had changed from his former life: the Dark Prince Vegeta, exterminator of millions to a man who picked flowers just to see the enchanting sparkle of a woman's eyes. But not just any woman, HIS woman and Bulma was as much his passion as his obsession.

Vegeta snorted, closing his eyes for a silent moment of reflection. By all rights the Woman was truly more of a distraction, than anything. But her affections had become inherently welcome into the voluntary self-imposed exile of his blackened heart.

If he were a gentleman, like Kakarott, he would have the decency to release Bulma from the bonds of their newly blossoming relationship. But he was not anything like his Saiyan counter-part. Kakarott was good and light, like Bulma, both with ample amounts of human compassion and loyalty, willing to give their hearts and souls to their friends and enemies alike.

He on the other hand, was an admitted arrogant bastard, a selfish rogue, born with the promise of greatness and a fervent desire to fulfill his destiny. It mattered little to him who he hurt (or killed) along the way. He had no regrets. The hundreds of thousands of corpses of the innocents he had killed weighed little upon his conscience.

But Bulma's heart was another matter. He was incredibly fond of the Woman and even more importantly he had a lust for her that rivaled the blood thirst of a fearsome battle.

He wanted her. He wanted to consume her in full. He wanted to make her his own, to hear her screams of pleasure, her cries for mercy from the unbridled passion that boiled within his veins.

He was no gentleman. He would take her tonight, fuck her until she couldn't see straight and then fuck her again. Bulma would have no more use for mere human men, once she had the taste of the Prince of All Saiyans.

He chuckled at the thought and warned off his growing arousal. He needed to conserve his strength; he had to find someone to spar with, to fight the poisons out of his weary body.

A shadow of a smile crept across the hardened features of the face that had launched a hundred battles. He had the memory of Bulma's luscious body to fuel his will power and the promise of heaven on Earth within her arms to give him strength. With a guttural roar, he launched himself through the blasted hole in the wall and went off in search of some familiar ki.

His face cut through the icy cold water like a knife, as he kicked his way down towards the bottom of the lake. Gohan giggled to himself as his over-heated body responded to the severe temperate chill of the lake. The deeper he went, the colder the water.

He paused for a moment to allow his eyes time to adjust to the darkness of the lake bottom and then resumed his dive until he reached the sandy floor. He blew out a few bubbles and sat posing in a reclining position, not for any other reason than that he could. He waved at a school of fish and puckered his lips and bulged his eyes in a child-like imitation of their natural expressions and giggled again when they darted away.

Gohan paused for a moment longer, enjoying the peaceful silence of the underwater sanctuary. It was nice down here; no nagging mother, no threat of androids and best of all, no homework!

He wished for a brief moment that he could just hide down here with the fishes, forever. But as his lungs were moments away from bursting, he knew he would have to return to the world of oxygen. Gohan took one last look around and used the lakebed to propel himself towards the surface.

"Besides," he told himself as he shot upwards, "You'd miss Dad an Piccolo too much, and Dad would probably mistake me for a fish and eat me for lunch." This thought produced a chuckle as he shot into the warm summer air. Gohan was just about to shout out to his father and mentor to join him in the cool lake water, when he noticed both men were engaged in a serious discussion with Vegeta.

"Vegeta!" he heard himself exclaim out loud. "What in Kami's name is he doing here?"

Unable to control his young curious mind, he quickly swam over to the shore and climbed out of the cool water. He shook himself dry and sprinted over to where has father stood. He wasn't afraid of the caustic Saiyan Prince.

Once upon a time, Vegeta had scared the pants off of Gohan, but since Namek the young hybrid had gained a better understanding of what made the older man tick. Gohan especially had a window into what "ticked" Vegeta off, so when he reached the small gathering, he fell in beside Piccolo and held his tongue.

Gohan had missed a large portion of the conversation but caught on easily to the gist of Vegeta's problem. The Saiyan Prince had a run-in with Captain Ginyu and was now desperately trying to purge his body of the poison that he had the misfortune of being ambushed with.

Gohan watched with interest at the interaction between his Father and their fellow Saiyan. He felt himself stand proud as his Dad refused to be intimidated by Vegeta, who with his usual arrogance was demanding a fight with both Piccolo and Goku.

"Bah! What do you know anyway, Kakarott? I think both you and the Namek are just afraid to see how powerful I've really become!"

Gohan heard the words come from Vegeta's mouth but they lacked their usual conviction. He guessed the poisons must have been affecting both the speech and the motor functions of the Saiyan Prince, as both were sluggish and slow.

Goku scratched his head in his usual method of puzzling a situation out. He smiled at Vegeta, careful not to show too much concern or even worse pity. "Vegeta, I don't doubt for one minute that you've been training hard, but I think you are under-estimating the affects the tranquilizer is having on you. If you fight us both, we could end up really hurting you. That's not going to help you one bit for your date with Bulma tonight."

Gohan's ears perked up at his father's last statement. 'Did he just say that Vegeta has a date with Bulma? Wow! Who ever thought that would happen?' he mused. In retrospect, Gohan decided that if anyone could tame the wild Saiyan it would be Bulma. Gohan had been on the receiving end of her sharp tongue enough times, to know this.

Vegeta's eyes flared in anger. "It's not a date Kakarott, I'm simply escorting her to her silly human function, that's all. Not that it is any of your business anyway!" he spat.

Goku grinned his usual goofy grin and laughed, "OK, sure Vegeta, whatever you say. But you still have to admit that getting the crap beaten out of yourself, is not going to make things any easier for you. Why don't you start off with Gohan? Then when he gets tired and the toxins start to wear off me and Piccolo can jump in."

Gohan blushed at the thought of Vegeta having to start off with him rather than the others, because he was so much weaker than the grown-ups. But he was secretly glad to have the chance to spar with Vegeta, injured or not, the Saiyan Prince had a veteran battle sense about him and Gohan knew he could learn plenty. Besides the fact, that he was still holding a grudge against Vegeta for laughing at the news of his Father's death on Namek.

Vegeta glared at Goku for a few moments and then turned the intensity of his gaze towards the half-breed Saiyan child. He grinned as Gohan shifted uneasily under the scrutiny of his stare and said, "Very well, Kakarott, I'll fight your Brat. But first he needs to get dressed. I refuse to fight anyone in their underwear." (A/N: Yes, Vegeta is still in his underwear. He is wearing black boxer briefs that look similar to his black spandex shorts :-P)

Gohan blushed again, realizing he was in fact clad only in his boxers. His father placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and said quietly, "Go on and get you clothes on Gohan. Let's show Vegeta how much you've learned."

The young boy nodded eagerly and scampered off to find his clothes. He wondered briefly why Vegeta was complaining about his meager state of dress, when the Saiyan Prince himself wore only skin-tight spandex shorts. But he was wise enough to keep that opinion to himself as he quickly jumped into his training attire.

The sparring with Gohan took much longer than Vegeta had anticipated. Kakarott and Piccolo kept jumping in to advise the boy on his technique and form.

For this, Vegeta was secretly grateful, as the boy was much stronger and more skilled than he had imagined. Every break gave the Saiyan Prince a chance to catch his breath and to desperately try and find his second wind.

It was during such a break that the Saiyan Prince took the opportunity to observe Kakarott's child from afar. As Vegeta stood gasping, trying his damnedest not to collapse, his fellow Saiyan was patiently showing his son the correct way to block a volley of blasts. Vegeta watched as the child listened intently, soaking up any and all knowledge. It made the Saiyan Prince wonder what a child of his own would be like? Would his own son be as attuned to battle as young Gohan?

He would never admit to anyone his hidden admiration for the young boy. Gohan had traveled as a child to Namek with only Bulma and Krillan and had attempted to defeat Frieza. "The kid certainly has some balls," the Saiyan Prince decided. Young Gohan had accomplished more abilities in his early adolescence than the rest of weak Earthling warriors all put together. "And now he's kicking your ass all over the countryside," he berated himself with vehemence.

Having caught his breath, the smaller Saiyan marched over to the father and son duo and announced, "Enough of this horse-play! I came here for a real fight, not to shadow box with your brat. You and the Namek will fight me now! I am running out of time and patience!"

Vegeta did not relish having the snot beaten out of him by the Third Class and the Namek, but his ego could accept the loss against the two adults much better than a royal beating by Kakarott's child.

Goku gave Vegeta a bewildered look. "Are you sure Vegeta? It looks like you could barely keep up with Gohan here maybe we should-"

"Of course I'm sure Kakarott! How dare you question my judgment!" snapped Vegeta while giving Goku a venomous death glare. "So, are you going to fight me or not?"

Goku sighed and resigned himself to the inevitable battle with the royal Saiyan. He bent down and whispered something quiet but urgent into his son's ear. Gohan listened attentively and nodded in affirmation. "Right away Dad!" he announced and with a wave shot up into the air and tore off through the sky.

"Where is your brat going Kakarott, going home to cry to his mommy?" sneered Vegeta. He knew this not to be true, but he was sick of the taller man's pussy footing around. He was on a schedule and Kakarott was wasting precious time. "Or is the screeching banshee calling him home to do his homework?"

Goku watched his son until he was a mere pinpoint in the sky. He turned and gave Vegeta a big smile, "Nah, I just sent Gohan off on an errand. I figured the less witnesses the better."

Vegeta cocked and eyebrow and took a defiant stance. "Witnesses for what, Kakarott?"

Goku returned a wry grin. The Namek had joined him, also sporting an amused smile. "To us squashing you like a little grape, Vegeta."

Vegeta smirked, "Bring it on Third Class, bring it on."

Bulma unconsciously sucked in her breath as Simon gently fastened the zipper on the

back of her gown. He turned her around so she faced her full- length mirror. She felt herself suck in a gasp of surprise. She almost didn't recognize herself!

Simon and his team had truly worked some magic on her, transforming the pretty Capsule Corp scientist into a ravishing beauty. "Wow," she murmured.

"Wow, does not even begin to describe how amazing you look Bulma," whispered Simon. "You are the most beautiful woman on this planet. Just wait until that sexy Vegeta feasts his eyes on you."

Bulma felt as though the magic wand of a Fairy Godmother had touched her. Simon had her long blue tresses piled elegantly atop of her head with cascading curls framing her pretty face. The crystallized flowers glittered like rare gems amidst an ocean of cerulean blue, offsetting the color of her matching eyes. The makeup applied to her pale face, simple but refined.

Her dress hugged her body in all of the right places and flowed at her feet like a fairy's gown. The low- scooped neck showed enough cleavage to tantalize without ever being too vulgar, the fabric sheer enough to hint at her nakedness underneath but not transparent to give cause for immodesty. He feet were clad with flat Grecian type sandals that glittered like the flora in her hair. She had chosen not to wear heels, as any amount of height would make her taller than Vegeta, even with his towering mane of ebony black hair.

"Vegeta!"

Just the thought of the wickedly sensual Saiyan Prince gave her goose bumps. She tried to suppress an electric shiver, which traveled down her spine and exploded in a burst of sexual anticipation in the lower half of her body. She hoped she could persuade him to dance with her and imagining the feel of his hands exploring her body through the gauzy material of her dress make her shudder all the more.

Trying to stay focused on the task on hand she checked the clock and then frowned. It was a ten after six. Vegeta should have arrived by now.

Bulma pressed the main intercom to summon the head housekeeper. "Mrs. Lee, this is Bulma. Has Vegeta arrived for me yet?" she frowned again as she heard the reply.

"Are you sure?"

She glanced at the clock once more. Another minute had passed. "Mrs. Lee, can you please buzz me the moment he arrives? Thank you."

Bulma began to pace the room. Simon started to fuss over her make-up. He was positive her frown lines were causing her eye shadow to crease.

Bulma halted her movement and absently pushed Simon away. She strode over to the window facing their bungalow and stamped her foot with frustration. "God Damnit Vegeta! You better not be standing me up or I swear I will level that fucking Gravity Room!"

Gohan arrived back at the lakeside in time to watch Vegeta fall like a dead weight from the sky. He stopped in midair and flinched as the unconscious Saiyan smashed into the ground.

The young halfling flew down and peered into the crater caused by Vegeta's bodily impact. As the dust cleared he could make out a battered and bloody torso. Vegeta appeared lifeless and still.

Gohan waited until his father and Piccolo joined his side and asked, "Did you kill him Dad?"

Goku chuckled nervously and patted his son reassuringly on the shoulder. "No son, I just knocked him out. I guess I don't know my own strength!"

Piccolo looked down into the mammoth-sized hole and forced a small grin. Vegeta had lasted much longer than either man had expected. Piccolo felt a deep sense of admiration for his fellow alien. The odds had been totally stacked against Vegeta, but he never backed down and he never gave up the fight.

Watching the Saiyan Prince battle with desperation, fueled only by his pride, moving on pure instinct, gave Piccolo a tiny glimmer of hope for their future. With a warrior with Vegeta's determination on their side, the Z Fighters were sure to be victorious over the androids.

Piccolo turned to Gohan, "Did you get the senzu beans kid?"

The young boy nodded in earnest and patted the small bag tied at his waist. "Yup, but Yajirobe said we have to start bringing something to trade with, like Mom's cooking. He said cultivating the beans is hard work and he is tired of working for free."

The two older men knew full well that Yajirobe used any situation to bitch and complain about any amount of effort he had to put forth in helping the Earth's Special Forces. They also knew that it was actually the mystical cat Korin that tended to the magic healing beans and not Yajirobe who usually concentrated all of his energy to stuffing his face.

Goku flew down into the opening and returned carrying the still form of Vegeta. He placed the smaller Saiyan onto the ground and then looked to Gohan for a bean. "I hope you got a couple of senzu beans, son. Vegeta's going to need more than one to heal and we're going to need some for us when he wakes up. He is going to be spitting mad because we beat him up."

Piccolo and Gohan agreed in silence. Vegeta would be pissed, but hopefully his prior engagement with Bulma would distract him from imperial demands for a rematch. They watched as Goku pried open the smaller Saiyan's mouth and forced two beans inside.

Bulma rode in the back of the luxury limo in a moody silence. She felt an uneasy churning in her stomach and she felt as if she would vomit.

She had stormed over to the little house to confront Vegeta, furious for having been stood up. She had been certain she would find the Saiyan Prince training in the GR, oblivious to the time and her feelings. But she had found the Gravity Room empty along with every other room. Bulma's anger swept from rage to despair as she realized Vegeta had gone AWOL.

She had choked back a heart wrenching sob when she when she walked into his room and saw his designer tux still hanging exactly where she had left it earlier that morning,

She never had a chance to bawl over being stood up once again (and this time by Vegeta) because the gaping hole in the wall turned her cry of self- pity to one of anguish.

This gigantic opening, with the charred and singed edges could mean only one thing; trouble. Someone had blasted through the house to get to Vegeta, or Vegeta had created it as a means of escape. Either way her Saiyan Prince was more than likely in grave danger and there wasn't a damn thing she could do to help. She had no clue where he was or with whom he was fighting.

A sudden burst of inspiration had her calling Chi-Chi, who was also worried. Gohan and Goku were late for dinner, something that never happened unless bad guys were running amok.

Bulma had fought back uncontrollable panic at the news; had the androids arrived earlier than predicted by the boy from the future? Or had some new menace decided today would be a great day to take over the world? Her mind ran through the list of obvious suspects: Pilaf, Garlic Jr., Doctor Gero-

"Oh it's no use! He could be fighting just about anyone and I have no way of even finding him right now. Besides the fact that I'm already late for the Charity Ball," she had thought with dismay.

And so with a heavy heart she had decided to fulfill her obligation to her Father, with a solemn promise to break away at the first opportunity and commence a search for Vegeta.

The only thought keeping her spirits up was the fact that Yamcha would be at the Ball and he would surely know what was going on.

Bulma knew that nothing, not even the safety of the Earth would bring Yamcha to break a date with a centerfold model and he could read the ki levels to tell her where the Saiyans were fighting. She just hoped the evening would not drag on too long and she prayed that all was well with her friends. "Please be all right, Vegeta," she murmured. "Please be all right."

"Do you mean to tell me that you had access to senzu beans this entire time? You idiot!" raged the under-sized Saiyan. "Why didn't you tell me? You've wasted my time you clown!"

Vegeta was beyond pissed, not only did he get his ass beaten by the Third Class, but now to find out the fight could have been avoided by merely eating the magic beans.

Goku, unfazed by the outburst laughed in embarrassment. "I guess I didn't even think about it Vegeta. I was just so excited to spar with you and I really only thought of the senzu beans because I knew you wouldn't want to all scuffed up for your date with Bulma."

Vegeta clenched his fists and started to hiss when un-Earthly noise interrupted his tirade.

I've already told you Kakarott, it's not a date it's a- what in the Hell was that God-awful noise?"

All heads turned to Goku was laughing sheepishly, while holding his loudly protesting belly.

"That's the noise Dad's stomach makes when he misses a meal," explained Gohan.

Both Piccolo and Vegeta shot the Saiyan a disgusted look. The Namek had heard this before, but it never failed to turn his stomach. The Saiyan appetite was an abstract concept for a being that lived on only water.

Vegeta had been raised amongst Saiyans and he had never in his life heard hunger pains as loud and revolting as the ones emitting from Kakarott's body. "Exactly how many meals have you missed Kakarott? It sounds as if you haven't eaten for weeks!"

Goku thought for a moment and then turned to look at his son, "We must be late for dinner, huh Gohan?"

The young boy nodded eagerly and wrapped his arms his middle. "I think you're right Dad, I'm starving too!"

The two gave each other a knowing look and turned to fly back towards their home, where an undoubtedly angry Chi-Chi would be waiting for them.

"Wait a minute! Where do you think you're going Kakarott? If it's past dinner -time, then it means I am late for my date with Bulma! I demand you use your little parlor trick from Yardratt to apparate me back home. I have to shower, change and if she doesn't kill me on sight, meet up with the Woman for her Society function."

Goku gave Gohan a loving pat on the head. "You go ahead on home son. Take Piccolo with you to protect you from your mom. Tell her I'll be there soon"

The young Saiyan and his mentor took off for home and Goku turned and gave Vegeta a sly smile. "I thought you said it wasn't a date Vegeta."

The Saiyan Prince stood poised for argument when he realized his slip of tongue. He scowled at the taller Saiyan and snapped, "Oh shut-up Kakarott! Just get me back home and assist me with that damned monkey suit the Woman expects me to wear tonight!"

Goku nodded and focused on the energy of the little black kitty at the Capsule Corporation and then placing a hand on Vegeta's shoulder, both men disappeared.

Bulma eyed the Governor's Mansion with trepidation. 'Did she really have the guts to go stag tonight?'

She knew Yamcha would give her a hard time, initially, but would clam up upon learning of the possible peril.

No, what she really dreaded were the salacious grins of her fellow socialites. Those women were beyond catty and cruel and she knew her name would be rolling off the tongues of the snobby bitches in the weeks to come. 'Bulma Briefs couldn't even drum up a date for the biggest event in West City society.'

Bulma sighed and forced herself to thicken her skin. "Who cares what anyone has to say! Your self- opinion is not dependant on what other people think of you. You are the richest and most beautiful woman in this city! You have wonderful friends who would risk their own lives to save you! You have been through far worse than facing the scrutiny of a bunch tongue- wagging shrews! And if this night can be salvaged, you will spend the night in the throes of passion with the sexiest man alive, Vegeta!"

With a firm resolve she rapped on the window to notify her driver that she was ready to exit the car. The chauffeur bounded from the car and quickly rounded the car to open her door. With her head held high and her heart bursting with pride, Bulma prepared herself to make her grand entrance.

As Bulma made her way up the stairs through the throng of the "fashionably late" arrivals, two men materialized (from seemingly no-where), in front of the trajectory headlight beams of a parked limousine. They began to argue immediately as they made their way towards the mansion, leaving behind a dumbfounded chauffeur, who decided that smoking that last joint hadn't been such a good idea after-all.

"You are such an idiot Kakarott! How am I going to find Bulma in this madness? We would've gotten here much sooner if you would have helped me into the suit, instead of raiding our refrigerator!" admonished Vegeta as he pushed his way through the crowd.

Goku followed the smaller Saiyan apologizing to all of those who got in Vegeta's way. "I was hungry, Vegeta! Besides, I thought as a Prince you'd be used to dressing up all fancy for stuff like this."

Vegeta continued to rudely shove his way towards the large and elegant house, all the while keeping his senses attuned for Bulma's ki levels. He could feel her, but how would he ever find her amongst so many humans?

He stopped to concentrate but not before admonishing his fellow Saiyan. "I only lived as Royalty as a child and we certainly never wore 'get-ups' like this!" he explained gesturing at his designer tux.

Truth was, Vegeta knew he looked good. The admiring glances of the Earthling females told him as much. They had been flashing coquettish smiles and batting their eyes his way even as he plowed his way through.

His suit was perfected tailored to fit his compact muscular form. And it was a dark navy blue, one of his favorite colors. It was an ensemble befitting Royalty and it gave his darkly handsome good looks a refined sculpturesque quality.

Vegeta took a quick moment to bask in the admiration and envy of the humans as he focus his thoughts to Bulma. "Where in the Hell is she?" he growled. He looked to Kakarott who stood a full head higher than he for any indication of her locale.

Goku however had forgotten Bulma for the moment as the intoxicating scent of roast beef had suddenly hit his nose. He stood and inhaled the succulent aroma and wondered if he should stay and help Vegeta find Bulma or return home to his waiting dinner? Another loud growl from inside his body told him he should choose food.

"Vegeta, you can find Bulma right? She's somewhere at the top of those steps, I'm going home to eat! Have a good time on your date tonight- and if I don't see you for awhile- have a healthy baby!"

Vegeta turned to growl at Kakarott, but he was gone, having disappeared in an instant using his instant transmission. "Blasted Third Class Fool!" muttered the Saiyan Prince.

And then he saw her and all thoughts of Kakarott evaporated. Vegeta would never have recognized Bulma in a million years, if not for her signature ki signal. The vision in blue looked nothing like the day- to -day Bulma he lived with. She was almost reluctantly entering the large arched doorway and he could sense her apprehension.

Vegeta began to push his way up the steps, "Bulma!" he yelled, still trying to make himself more visible to her. "Woman!"

The crowd parted somewhat inauspiciously for the urgency they heard in the man's voice, leaving him open and vulnerable to the woman in the doorway.

Bulma turned at the sound of Vegeta's voice and gasped with relief when she saw him. She lifted a hand to her mouth to conceal her pleasure from the throng of on-lookers. "Vegeta…!" she cried and rushed toward her Saiyan Prince.

Vegeta found himself awestruck and mesmerized by first her joy and then her beauty. His mouth fell open and he discovered his voice was momentarily lost, a condition foreign to the very loquacious Prince.

He fell to one knee, to honor the exquisite Woman before him and bowed his head in an ultimate gesture of respect. Bulma stopped, unable to mask her happiness and delight. She watched his elegant genuflect and when he raised his head to meet her eye, she curtseyed in response. She wanted to throw herself into his arms, but was still very much aware of their high society audience.

She smiled as the Saiyan reached for her hand to place a chaste kiss upon it. "So, you made it after-all," she murmured.

"I would not have missed this night for anything, Woman. You look like a Goddess." He whispered huskily as he rose to stand before her.

And in truth she did. Never before had Vegeta been so taken with the physical appearance of any female. Bulma had transformed from a lovely Earthling to a creature of ethereal divinity. It was all that he could do not to take her as his own, right then. But as a Warrior and a Prince, he understood obligations, so he offered her his arm instead.

She smiled warmly, her cheeks blushing a slight pink and hooked her own graceful arm through his, "You look pretty amazing yourself, Your Highness."

The humans surrounding the couple parted, to allow the Royal pair access. A quiet had befallen the crowd and Bulma could pick out hushed comments involving her name and the 'mysterious' handsome stranger at her side.

Bulma and Vegeta climbed the stair followed by the on-lookers, "At least these humans are beginning to know their place," the Saiyan Prince said smugly, indicating the entourage behind them.

Bulma giggled at how Vegeta never missed an opportunity to remind her of his status. But she did take a moment to address him as they entered the mansion. "Where were you Vegeta? I saw the hole in your bedroom wall. I was worried about you."

Vegeta tilted his head to the side and shot her a cocky smirk, "Worried about me? So you do care after-all!"

Bulma frowned as they passed through the Main Hall. "Of course I care about you, but don't let it go to that big head of yours."

Still smirking, Vegeta leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "You think this head is big, you should see my other one."

Both the tickle of his breath and the meaning behind his words caused a shiver to run through out Bulma's body, but before she could counter she realized they had reached the ballroom. A man was waiting to take her guest card. She fished it from her bag and placed it in his out stretched hand.

A look into the room told her they were among the last to arrive. The doorman cleared his throat and announced, "Ladies and gentleman, our guest of honor: Miss Bulma Briefs of Capsule Corporation and her escort Vegeta, Prince of All Saiyans."

The couple negotiated the few steps into the Ballroom and was greeted with applause and paparazzi. After many photo ops and obligatory conversations with various Government officials, Bulma was finally able to grab a couple of glasses of champagne and lead Vegeta into a quiet corner.

"I want to know what happened to you today Vegeta. Whom were you fighting with?" she asked unable to contain her concern. He certainly looked well enough and she hoped this meant the threat had been thwarted.

"Hell, he looks downright delicious," she thought as she scanned him for injuries. Her mother had outdone herself by dressing Vegeta. His tight fitting tux accented every heavenly muscle in his body, from his broad shoulders down to his perfect tight ass. He appeared unscathed by whatever battle he had participated in.

Vegeta caught her appreciative glances and returned more than a few of his own. He wanted this night to be over, so he could explore the luscious curves barely hidden beneath her flimsy dress. He met her eyes and noted the troubled apprehension within their depths.

"I was attacked by Ginyu, but he is no longer a threat. I killed him, but I was injured in the process. Kakarott gave me some senzu beans and I am fully restored."

Vegeta watched as relief flooded Bulma's face and waited for the barrage of inevitable questions.

But further inquiry on Bulma's behalf was interrupted by the on-coming approach of Yamcha and his date. Bulma's eyes widened at the actual chest size of her ex-boyfriend's companion.

She spun her body into Vegeta's and taking his free hand she placed it upon her ample bosom. "Just remember Saiyan, mine are real and hers are fake!"

Vegeta, turned on by her brashness, gave her full breasts a thorough once over. Just to make sure they were as soft and firm as she claimed.

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