Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Dark Duke ❯ The Crisis Omnibus ( Chapter 28 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ, or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. But if I did own DBZ, there would have been so much more romance. And love triangles. And declarations of love in rainy settings, as the music swells...Yeah, it's probs best I don't own it.

Warnings: Cussing (always. You should know that)

A/N: So the last chapter--it has the most reviews I have every gotten on any single chapter. You have no idea how humbled and grateful that makes me for all of my readers and reviewers, old and new. If I haven't said it enough, I love you all, every single one of you. The fact that a simple chapter could incite so much passion in you guys has me amazed--I'm almost afraid to keep going since I know some of you are going to disappointed, while other's are going to be doing fist-pumps, yelling "I knew it!" Also, thank you to anyone who is reviewing for the first time, you have no idea how happy it makes me that you would take the time just to say good job. Or how high of a compliment I consider it when you say you haven't slept in four days b/c you were reading my story...Seriously. I have the best story readers. EVER.

As usual, thank you to Lilpumpkingirl who gives this story the extra polish it always needs!

Okay, enough with the author's notes...on to the story!

(And I'm still trying to bring omnibus into your daily lexicon. Deal with it! (Hee hee))

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Crisis Omnibus

Vegeta had his hands up protecting his face, ducking and swaying, trying to avoid getting punched in the face by Piccolo as he panted, sweat dripping off of his brow. He did not know why, but sometime in the last few weeks workouts with Piccolo had been taken up a notch. Vegeta was having a hard time keeping up with the Indian on their twice-weekly meetings. Hell, Vegeta was having a hard time keeping up with Nappa--truth be told--but he would rather die a slow painful death than admit that to anyone. He had not even bothered to challenge Kakarrot over these last few weeks as he was sure it would just be an embarrassing ass-handing for him, and Vegeta still had his pride, dammit.

Well, his pride when it came to fighting. It was hard to say you were being prideful when a short, curvy blue-haired woman could have you diving for the closest doors you could find whenever you caught even a scent of her. No matter that those doors sometimes led to closest or very, very, surprised servants. But Vegeta was mindful enough of himself to admit that even just being around Bulma weakened his defenses when it came to his decision to cast her out of his life. For his own good. Or so he kept telling himself, even though 'for his own good,' was starting to seem like it was doing him absolutely no good. He was not eating right, he had stopped sparring as much--hell--he had even stopped training, his spy work falling by the wayside as Zhelonie proved more and more slippery. Vegeta felt like he needed a break. A break from being him. From being the Duke of Vegetasei, with all that entailed, from the man who had an agenda to get his revenge, finally, on those that had wronged him, for the spy who was constantly thinking five steps ahead. Just for one day.

He would kill for that one day. Hell, he had even found himself fantasizing what that one day would be. It was getting harder and harder to admit that Bulma would not be a large part of that day. Bulma and a large, four-poster bed that had the comfiest mattress anyone had ever made. He was no spring chicken anymore (what with being past the age of thirty now), and he was not afraid to admit that actually having sex with Bulma in a bed (rather than a couch, or outside) sounded like some sort of unbelievable fantasy that he needed to come true.

His daydreams of Bulma on a bed, her welcoming thighs parted for him invitingly, were rudely forced out of his head with one forceful right jab to the temple, which succeeded in knocking all thoughts (Bulma related or no) out of his head. When Vegeta could see again after that hit, when the room stopped spinning and he stopped cursing every deity he could think of, he was taken aback to realize that Piccolo was no longer fighting with him, instead just curiously watching him. Catching the Duke's eyes, Piccolo gave a respectful bow before taking a step back, turning to move to the side of the ring they had been training in. Vegeta stood, puzzled, wiping sweat off of his brow, and breathing hard as he stared at the retreating man's back.

"Do you have to leave?"

Piccolo looked back over his shoulder at Vegeta as one of Korin's trainers untaped his hands from the gloves they were currently in, his eyebrow quirked as he watched Vegeta. "No, but you are done fighting for the day."

Vegeta frowned, pushing away from the ropes he had been crowded between, standing erect, his gloves on his hips as he frowned at the other man. No one had a right to tell Vegeta when he was done--only Vegeta said when he was done! His tone was glacial as he quietly asked, "What do you mean I am done for the day?"

Piccolo sighed, flexing his hands once his gloves were off, turning back around to observe Vegeta with that quiet serenity that seemed to inhabit the Indian whenever he was not fighting. His tone was neutral as he explained. "You have been off your game for the last couple of weeks, and are too unfocused to really provide me with a challenge. I will not continue to spar with you when neither of us is getting anything good out of it."

Vegeta flinched at that accusation as if he had been physically struck again but said nothing, knowing it was the truth. Hell, had he not been just thinking nearly the same thing? It was just that much worse coming out of someone else's mouth. He guessed it was time to admit that ever since he had made the decision to cut Bulma out of his life, to stop her from infecting the wound she had already cast on his persons, Vegeta had been off. On everything. He was grumpier, moodier, and surlier, could not focus, and just generally walked around feeling miserable. Which he took out on everyone around him.

Piccolo was not done talking though, as he continued, pointing behind Vegeta, "Also, there is someone here for you."

Vegeta turned, his frown deepening as he saw Nappa standing, waiting for him, wondering how much his second had just seen. Knowing Nappa, everything, though the older man would have to be incredibly foolhardy (or drunk) to bring it up. Vegeta's tone was strict as he frowned at the bald man. "Nappa? What are you doing here?"

Nappa was holding his hat in his hands, his fingers curling in and out of the soft fabric as he spoke, belying his nervousness. "I think it would be best if I told you in private, your Grace."

Piccolo seeing his cue gave another small bow, saying, "I will let you guys have the room," before taking Korin's trainers with him as he exited, shutting the doors behind him.

Vegeta stuck his still gloved hands out, and Nappa obediently started to take the tape off as he spoke. Nappa wasted no time in launching into his tale, though his eyes did not meet Vegeta's, clueing Vegeta in to how nervous he was. "I was in the stables, your Grace, and I overheard Kakarrot and that bald midget speaking." Vegeta stared at him waiting for him to continue, hoping that this was not just a gossip session Nappa felt needed to be shared as soon as possible. Even Nappa was not as foolish as that. No way. Nappa finally met Vegeta's eyes once he pulled off the first glove. "He's running away."

Vegeta pulled the second glove off ripping the tape off of his exposed skin, taking some hair with it as a large rrrrrriipppppp rented the air. He hardly noticed the missing hair or skin though, instead shouting, "WHAT?! Where in the fuck does he think he's going?!"

Nappa gulped wishing he was done with his tale, what with the way Vegeta's whole face had shot to a shade of red, his nostrils flaring, his whole body tensing, also knowing Vegeta would like the next part even less. And Vegeta angry meant that he would lash out, and lashing out usually meant that Nappa walked around with a broken rib, a black eye or a split lip--undeservedly so!--for the next few weeks. So could anyone blame him for hedging the truth a bit as he took a step away from the ring? "He left about two hours ago...he said he was going to Gretna Green, then he was going to head back to America."

Vegeta who had been cracking his knuckles threateningly, stopped, his dark eyes meeting Nappa's, the fire that had been absent these past few weeks flaring in the dark depths. It was times like this that even Nappa had to admit that Vegeta's nickname, the Dark Duke, was well earned. Vegeta's voice was soft, though that did not take away from the real threat that was in his words as he questioned, "Gretna Green?...Why would he...That is for people who intend to elope...." He froze, realization in his eyes, his voice subarctic when he spoke next, "Who is he running off with? Some unsuitable woman, I'm sure."

Nappa gulped, taking a small step away, so he could duck easier when he said the next part. He waited a second too long, Vegeta's head cocking towards him, his hands already in fists as Nappa unstuck his tongue from the roof of his mouth to admit, "Bulma."

Vegeta reacted quicker than Nappa was expecting, but not in the way he expected. Vegeta was already outside of the ring going towards the changing rooms when he yelled over his shoulder, "Have Midnight prepared as soon as I get home in five minutes. I will need a traveling bag, and I need you to make sure it is full of food and water. I am not stopping until I catch them!" Vegeta froze as he reached the closed door, his hand on the handle as he turned around, his black eyes blazing, looking more alive than Nappa had seen him look in weeks -hell- months. "You will tell no one of this, and especially not the dowager. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

Nappa shocked that all of his body parts were intact, only nodded, letting out a slow breath he had not realized he was holding as Vegeta left the room, and then turned tail and ran back the way he had just come. He was shocked he had made it out of the boxing arena without getting hit, or at the very least verbally abused, but he was not going to stand around waiting for Vegeta to change his mind either. Not even he was that thick.

~~&~~
Krillin stood just outside of the Saiyan Halls kitchen, wringing his hands, waiting for Chi-Chi to come out like some sort of villain in a bad play. His afternoon had definitely taken a turn for the weird, ever since Goku had come to him that afternoon to let him know that him and Bulma would be getting married. Goku...and Bulma...married?! Krillin still had the hardest time trying to picture it. They were siblings in his mind, and even though he knew they were not blood related, those two acted exactly like any other brother and sister pair would. To imagine them now as husband and wife? It was just too weird for comprehension. In fact, his brain kept putting up roadblocks whenever he tried to imagine them doing anything more lascivious than holding hands or hugging.

Thank you brain, he thought, I owe you one. I promise not to take any head shots the next time I fight someone.

Now he was stuck waiting like Goku had asked, giving them a four hour head start, basically trying to find anything and everything to occupy his mind, the same mind that was racing and unable to focus on any one activity. He kept expecting Vegeta, or Nappa, or the dowager even (who he thankfully only knew by reputation) to jump out at him and flay him alive for keeping this secret from them. The only good news was that this distraction was keeping his mind from wandering, as it so often did when he had too much time to think ever since he had come to England, to Eighteen. For once he was too distracted to be completely caught up in his morose thoughts of her.

So far today, he had already found Dr. and Mrs. Briefs delivering the news to them that their children had run off together to get married, leaving them in their stunned silence before either of them could pounce on him for further information. Not that he had much...or any really...further information to give, but still, he did not want to have to be there to see how the Briefs' would react. Probably not too horribly, as they were rather laid back parents, especially in respect to Bulma and Goku's upbringing, but Krillin feared more for Mrs. Briefs reaction once she realized she had been robbed of planning a wedding. Now there was a hissy fit he was not upset to be missing.

He was kicking around outside, watching every single person who used the door that led from the servants quarters to the kitchen, knowing this was his best chance of getting Chi-Chi alone so he could talk to her. It was not like he had Goku's easygoing charm (or his title, Krillin though without even a trace of bitterness, which spoke magnitudes about how far his and Goku's relationship had progressed since they first met, both pupils of Master Roshi) to just waltz into the kitchens and seek the woman out. In fact, despite Goku's quite close relationship with the woman, Krillin had only spoken to Chi-Chi a handful of times, but he knew the woman was unlikely to leave the kitchen before dinner was completely served (unless the kitchen was on fire, but even then he was not so sure). Instead of waiting in the bushes all night, he had sent one of the scullery maids downstairs with the news that he wanted to speak to her out in the gardens with regards to Goku's food dislikes.

If this woman knew Goku as much as Krillin suspected she did then she would easily be able to realize that Goku had no food dislikes, and that Krillin desperately needed to speak with her alone. If they were in the gardens at least they would be away from the kitchens, and Krillin would feel like they were on more even ground. Not that he thought they were on uneven ground--just that...well, he was not sure how Chi-Chi was going to react to what he had to tell her, and maybe she did not want an audience. He had heard Goku speak about how much time he spent in the kitchens with this woman, and while his best friend might not realize the signs, Krillin did. Chi-Chi felt some sort of claim on him, or some sort of connection to Goku. If Krillin's suspicions were correct, she would be less than pleased to hear he had run off to marry some other woman.

Well, his suspicions must be correct if even clueless Goku had asked him to apologize to this woman for him.

Krillin continued to wring his hands, waiting for her to come out of the kitchen, wondering where she was, when his thoughts began to drift again to the thought of returning home soon, if all went according to Goku's plan. Krillin was not naive enough to think that returning home would make it just like it had been before--too much had happened to all of them, for them to go back to how it once was. In fact, the thought of going back to America, back to his old life, did not thrill Krillin as much as he hoped it would. The more he thought about it, the queasier he got.

Sure, going home meant that he could at least stop feeling like he was inferior because he was here as Goku's valet and not his second, and it meant he could return to his life as a paid boxer (which, dammit, he was pretty fucking good at)...but leaving England also meant leaving behind Eighteen. Things between them were estranged at the moment, but he always had those few seconds to look at her as a footman before she entered a party that kept him (pathetically) going. To actually leave London meant he would have to give even those up, meaning that he would never see her again.

He shuddered at that thought.

As if on cue, dragging him from his progressively deeper and deeper thoughts, Krillin saw Chi-Chi finally come above ground, frowning at him as she wiped her hands on her apron. She looked more like a general being torn from battle than the head cook in that moment, her face imposing, her manner overbearing, but Krillin forced himself to stand tall. He motioned her over to him, before disappearing behind a bush, finding a bench to stand by as she followed him.

She looked even more frustrated at being forced to follow him, and as she approached she ignored his gesture to sit, standing with her legs spread, her arms crossed, and a large frown on her face as she queried, "Ye sent fer me?"

Krillin nodded, gulping, trying to find the willpower to speak, but instead he only motioned, futilely, for her to sit again. She did not. Instead, her face grew even more pinched, and Krillin gulped again, trying to get some moisture into his suddenly dry windpipe. Why was this so much harder to say to her than it was to the Briefs??

Finally, just when it seemed like Chi-Chi was about to give up and walk away, Krillin forced out in an extremely strangled voice, "I have a message from Goku."

The change in her was instantaneous, and it only sunk Krillin's stomach further. Her eyes brightened, and she smiled, her face going from pinched and harried to eager and bright. "A message? From Goku? Where is 'e?"

"He couldn't be here."

Chi-Chi's happiness turned to confusion. "He couldnna be here?" She blew out a frustrated breath, throwing her hands up. "Where is 'e then?"

Krillin forced himself to stay in a neutral stance, and to make direct eye contact when he spoke next. "Goku wanted me to pass along the message...well he wanted me to tell you, so you would not have to find out from someone else...." He stopped for a moment, a deep breath, before he told her in his most serious voice, "He's getting married."

Chi-Chi, who had been staring at the bald man in front of her, who she had only talked to him once or twice in the whole of his time at Saiyan Manor, suspiciously, felt her face fall, her heart and stomach not far behind it. Whatever filter she usually had between her mouth and her brain was gone as she cried out, unable to affect the thick Scottish accent she had perfected, "WHAT?! HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO ME?! DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE DECENCY TO TELL ME HIMSELF! THAT FUCKING BASTARD!"

Krillin put his hand behind his head, unconsciously copying Goku, which served to further feed Chi-Chi's rage (unbeknownst to the poor messenger). His voice, at the very least, was sincere, though it barely pricked through the anger that Chi-Chi was currently feeling. "No, Chi-Chi...it's not like that! Goku's a good guy--he just had to leave before he could tell anyone, since, well, he's marrying Bulma, and they thought it would be best if they were far away by the time people discovered what they were doing so they couldn't stop them."

Chi-Chi's rage disappeared as quickly as it came once she heard who Goku was marrying, confusion replacing as she latched onto the only information she could really process in Krillin's statement. "His sister?"

Krillin nodded, and at that, Chi-Chi let out a soft, "Oh," before she sank to the bench, staring up at him with wide eyes, pleading for more information as she said (carefully making sure he accent was back in place), "If 'e's marryin' 'er, 'e must have a good reason then....He said he dinna love her like that."

Krillin took the spot next to her on the bench, putting his arm around her, not knowing what else to do. The woman had changed from an angry harpy to a sad, dejected creature, right before his eyes, and the male in him, and the part of Goku that had long ago rubbed off on Krillin, wanted to comfort her, to make her feel better. His voice was sure as he said, "He must...you know Goku. He would do anything for those that he loved."

Chi-Chi nodded, staring ahead at nothing, her face going whiter by the moment. Krillin just hugged her closer, smiling at her, "Goku also wanted me to tell you that he will miss your cooking."

Chi-Chi, who had let herself get drawn, numbly, into the warmth of Krillin's arms, pulled back, looking at Krillin, tears forming in her eyes as his words sunk in. "'E said that?"

Krillin nodded, and continued as he delivered the rest of Goku's message, a small smile on his face. "He also wanted me to tell you that he's sorry things could not be different between you two."

At that Chi-Chi's tears started to slide down her cheek, her mouth opening in a soft 'oh,' as a gasp of air escaped her lips. Chi-Chi was not a loud crier, instead her pain written extremely well on her face as two streams of water sliced down her cheeks, and that broke Krillin's heart even more. Without thinking too much, Krillin pulled her back into the comfort of his arms, awkwardly wishing that Goku could have asked anyone but him to do this task. Krillin could not even handle the woman he was in love with, let alone the woman who was in love with his best friend. All he could do was hold her close and pat her back, not saying anything, but trying to give her some small measure of comfort in his arms.

~~&~~

After Krillin had left them behind in the blue room (the room Dr. and Mrs. Briefs had taken to having their tea in) they both sat in stunned silence for a long beat. Neither moved for a long while, besides the astonished blinking of their eyes, before Bunny completely dropped her teacup, uncaring of the spilled liquid on the carpet.

"Oh my!"

Dr. Briefs shook himself out of his thoughts at his wife's words, looking at her, his mouth working up and down, open and close, before he finally closed it, letting out a very small, "Well...."

It seemed that the Briefs were both in shock. A very rare feat to be sure, especially since they were both shocked into silence. It was a shame neither of their children were there to comment on the fact, but seeing as it was their children's decision to get married that had left them in such a state, maybe it was for the best.

Bunny seemed to rouse herself from her stupor long enough to close her mouth and open her eyes just enough to stare down at the cup she had dropped, sighing at the sure to be brown stain on the Aubusson carpet. The dowager would not be pleased about this, but Bunny had not come back to England to try and please the old coots like the dowager. Realizing that her thoughts were drifting from what the actual issue was, Bunny opened her mouth to say something, thought better of it, and stood, walking to the door that was open, sighing as she closed it, before she returned to the couch, sitting closer to her husband.

Trying to find the appropriate words for this situation but feeling herself floundering, again, Bunny only said what came to mind first, "I guess our children are getting married."

Dr. Briefs stroked his chin at her words, frowning as he hmm'd. He turned to look at Bunny as she leant into him, putting his arm around her as he spoke, "I guess so." Another silence, before he admitted, "I did not think they even loved each other like that. People warned me that taking in a boy so close in age to Bulma was just asking for bad things to happen. But Goku was just so innocent, and Bulma adopted him as her little brother so quickly I never thought...."

Bunny put a hand on his leg, shaking her head against his shoulder as she sat up, speaking authoritatively, "Oh no, dear, don't worry. I don't think it's like that at all. They don't love each other like that. They really only see each other as brother and sister."

Dr. Briefs let out a breath, deflating with relief as he spoke, "Oh thank Kami. I don't think I could handle seeing them in that light. They'll always be my children, no matter what, but to imagine them as truly husband and wife...." He trailed off before he sat straighter, biting his thumb, thinking. Bunny could almost see the cogs and gears behind his eyes turning as he spoke aloud. "Well if it's not because they're madly in love and are trying to avoid our wrath, what could it be? What could cause them to run off to Gretna Green of all places without telling us? And why would they think they could not tell us?"

Bunny shook her head sighing as she crossed her arms, trying to think. "I don't know. I wish they had told us themselves. If they really do get married tonight, I wish I could be there for my children." Bunny waited in silence again, frowning, before she spoke what she was thinking. They had been married long enough that Bunny knew that speaking what she was thinking through with her husband would help them decipher what her sometimes muddled thoughts were. "It's odd though. Goku and Bulma have always been close, yes, but I really thought Bulma and Vegeta were getting close ever since he returned from France. They can't seem to stay away from each other...Well until Bulma sprained her ankle. Bulma and him have both been super moody, and I have not seen them together at all. Hmm...."

Dr. Briefs studied her as she looked off at nothing, quirking his head. "Do you think that has something to do with it?"

Bunny frowned, swallowing hard at just where her thoughts had taken her. "Well, I-I wonder if something happened between them. The only reason I could imagine that Goku would marry Bulma would be because she's...she's...well, that she's--"

Her husband surprised her by cutting her off, already a few steps ahead of Bunny. "Pregnant."

Bunny looked at him, her hand squeezing his knee, as she gave him a sad smile. "You thought the same thing?"

Dr. Briefs shrugged, looking down at her, covering her hand with his own and squeezing it back. "I spoke to Goku a few weeks ago about how he would have to help protect and take care of Bulma when we left...all I can think is that Bulma has found herself with a baby that the father does not want. I know Goku would do the right thing and stand by his sister, offering her protection. We raised both of our children right."

Bunny gasped, snapping her fingers. "That must be it." Her face fell though as she continued, "Oh poor Bulma. I wish she would have told us. Surely she knows we would have loved her and taken care of her no matter what."

Dr. Briefs sighed, going back to stroking his chin, knowing that while that was true and that in no way, shape or form, did this change how much he loved his daughter, that life was never that simple. "We would have, but the truth of the matter is that our protection, our money, our reputation--they would not be enough for an unmarried pregnant woman."

Bunny scooted away from him, so she could look into his eyes. "Honey?"

Dr. Briefs met her with his own, reaching for her cheek as he tried to explain. "I'm not saying we would not have loved and cared for Bulma any differently because she has had a child out of wedlock--but it would not have stopped the gossiping and name calling Bulma and this child would have to endure for the rest of their life." He grew angry thinking about the future Bulma would have had to face if she did indeed have a child out of wedlock. "All that Bulma has worked for in the science and industry field would have been for naught--we both know people are always looking to take Bulma down, dumb her down, say she is not as pretty and as smart as she really is. If she had come back to America with a babe and no husband...she would have given them enough ammo to last them a lifetime." He forced himself to calm down a little as he spoke next, "Goku will be able to provide her with a life, as a husband, someone to help her raise this child, and protection from societies questions and judgment. If whoever got her pregnant is not going to offer for her--Goku did the right thing."

Bunny frowned, an unusual motion for her, but she sighed, leaning back into her husband. "Oh, I suppose you are right. It does not make it any easier to accept though." She waited a beat before throwing her arms wide. "Just think of the wedding we could have thrown them!"

Dr. Briefs tried to smile, letting out a chuckle, but went back to frowning at the wall far too quickly, his thoughts focused on his son and daughter. He hoped that they would be okay, glad to have raised such strong children, but wishing that they had trusted their parents...who knew problems they would run into on their way to Gretna Green.

~~&~~

Eighteen could not believe she was doing this. She could not believe she was here, at her ex-lover's London residence, a place she never dared go unless invited over for a party, or for tea, looking for a man who she had never even kissed. And what was worse was that she had entered the property at the side, hidden entrance, praying that no one had seen her. She had already tried the more direct route of coming through to see Krillin by seeing Bulma, but that visit had been...well it had been odd to say the least. Bulma had been far too shrewd for her liking, and though Eighteen had thought that the two of them were getting along, Bulma must have heard something when she came back with the cook that turned her downright frosty towards Eighteen.

If Eighteen had to guess, it probably had something to do with the affair she had had with Vegeta, but Eighteen was too preoccupied with her own romantic entanglements (or lack thereof!) to really care about analyzing someone else's. Plus, her reason for visiting Bulma in the first place, to at least see Krillin, even from afar, had been futile, and now she was forced to take more direct measures to see him. This was ridiculous. It had been far too long since she had laughed or smiled, and she could not drum up any enthusiasm about any other men, and she was becoming way too maudlin and moody in her day-to-day life. She preferred being unemotional to this current mess she was feeling, but it seemed she could not control her feelings as simply as that.

The truth of the matter was that she missed Krillin.

She missed him enough to risk her reputation, to risk her good name (or what was left of it), all just simply to see him, and to apologize. She could not change her actions of that night, that horrible night, but she could...she could apologize.

Even thinking the word had her feeling clammy--she was not good at apologizing. She had not had to hold herself accountable to many people since Gero passed all those years ago, and so she did not need to apologize for her actions all that often. But with Krillin...she needed to. She needed him to know that she did not feel right about what had happened between them, about how she treated him and just how much she had missed him. Also--WHY THE HELL WOULD HE NOT SEE HER ANYMORE?!

But no, she had to keep reminding herself that she should not go to him, yelling and screaming, like any other woman who was being ignored by the man she had feelings for would. She needed to remain calm and composed, like she always did. Eighteen was not an overly emotional person on the outside, even if her inner thoughts were a maelstrom, and she would always remain that way. When did yelling and screaming ever get her anything?

Which is exactly what she should have reminded herself the second she rounded the back gardens, finding herself staring at Krillin as he held a slight woman with black hair to him, the two of them entwined on a bench, oblivious to anything or anyone else around them.

Before she could stop herself, Eighteen found herself screaming, "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"

Krillin's head popped up from the woman's shoulder, his eyes going wide as he saw just who was in front of him, screaming at him. He was relieved for a second to see that it was not a member of Vegeta's staff that would surely get him and Chi-Chi in trouble for behaving so, but then he was hit with confusion and a little bit of resentment as he recognized the beautiful woman was currently glaring at him. "Eighteen?!"

Eighteen crossed her arms, forcing herself not to reach for him to throttle him as the other woman pulled away from Krillin, keeping her back to Eighteen as she stomped closer to the two. She was able to keep her voice down a bit more, though she could not keep out the anger or the accusations as she ranted, "Who the hell is this Krillin? Is she why you wouldn't kiss me?! Because you already had some tramp waiting for you at home?!"

The other woman turned, and Eighteen felt a flush of embarrassment at her words, especially as she recognized that it was the cook she had gotten the recipes off of the last time she had been here, though she knew it was too late to take them back. The other woman kept Eighteen's eyes locked with her own, drawing the force of her anger especially as the cook stood, cocking her fist. "No one calls me a tramp!"

Krillin's eyes bulged, standing quickly, going between the two women, sensible enough not to touch either of them women in that moment. "Chi-Chi, Eighteen! Calm down--this is all just a misunderstanding!"

Eighteen let out a hollow laugh, "I find you holding another woman and you try and tell me it's a SIMPLE MISUNDERSTANDING?!"

Chi-Chi glared, cracking her knuckles. "I dinna care if you are above me in class! Keep yellin' at Krillin like that and accusin' me of nasty things when all he was trying to do was be nice and I will show you just how my father taught me to take care of people like you!"

Krillin's head was turning red, especially as it whipped between the two women trying to keep track of just exactly who was angrier, before he turned towards the part in the hedges that led to the garden at large. He was sure that the yelling of the two women was soon going to be drawing some attention, and that if someone stumbled upon this scene it would not do well for either of the women's reputations. "Chi-Chi, no! Eighteen is just angry! Please, please...just let me talk to her."

Chi-Chi growled, baring her teeth to Eighteen, but she nodded. "Let me ken if she does need to be put in her place. I 'ave no problems attacking this blue-blood." Eighteen bared her teeth right back, but crossed her arms, resisting the urge she had to hiss at the younger woman.

Krillin nodded, his face still bright red. "I, uhm, I thank you. But I don't think that will be necessary."

Eighteen, whose arms were tightening around her body at the easy way these two spoke to each other, was glaring at the both of them trying to decide who she wanted to kill first, and who she wanted to kill more. She waited, though, until Chi-Chi was gone around a hedge, before she turned back to Krillin, absolutely furious. "Just what in the hell is going on here Krillin? Is this why you've been ignoring me this last month?!"

Krillin stared at her, mouth agape, looking incredulous at Eighteen even as he stood before her, palms out. His voice was hurt when he spoke next, "How can you possibly think that about me Eighteen?"

Something about the sad way he was looking and speaking to her had Eighteen's anger temper, though she could not help but ask him, "Then why Krillin? Why haven't you come to any of the parties?"

Krillin's head ducked, his voice low as he answered her. "We both know the reason I haven't seen you in a month was because the last time I saw you, you ripped my heart out of my chest and tore it into little shreds."

At his softly spoken words, the force of guilt, weighing about ten tons, knocked her straight back, and Eighteen let out a soft, "Oh." His words hit her like a sharp jab right in the solar plexus, taking the air from her lungs. Yes, the reason she had come was to apologize, and that was exactly what she should be doing right now...but to hear the words from him, so soft and deadly...it made her remember the way he had stared at her that night.

Unblinking, Eighteen went to the bench and sat on it, dejected, looking at nothing in particular as she softly said, "You're right."

Krillin, hating to see any person looking so dejected, and feeling his heart break when he realized it was the woman he would always be in love with, even if he never saw her again after today, went to her, ready to make it better. He moved so he was next to her on the bench, putting his hand on her forearm, trying to get her to look at him. "Hey, Eighteen. What's going on? Why are you even here? You know nothing is going on with Chi-Chi and I. She was just sad and I was trying to comfort her." He gave her a smile, chuckling, "I'm a nice guy, remember?"

Eighteen turned to him, her eyes large and unblinking as she said without too much forethought, "You are a nice guy, and Krillin...I've missed you. I can't stand how you last saw me, I hate being that woman around you. I like who I am with you. No one else but you knows the truth about me, knows the real me. No one has ever cared as much as you have to find out. Krillin...I want to find a way for us to work. I need to find a way that I can still see you. I...." She paused, wondering if the she could say the next words out loud, words she had never said before and took a deep breath before looking him in the eyes, saying instead, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to see that, and I'm sorry I treated you that way."

Krillin gave her a sad sort of smile, his eyes locking into hers. "Thank you. I know how hard it is for you to apologize for anything. Now come here." He pulled her into a hug, bringing her head to his shoulder as he rubbed her back. His words were soft, only loud enough for her to hear, as he whispered in her ear, "Kami, Eighteen, I've missed you too. I don't like when I can't see you."

Eighteen held him closer, breathing in the warmth of the short man in front of her, wondering just what she had done to deserve someone so nice. His next words were spoken sort of louder, as he said, "And I...well...Eighteen, I love you."

Her eyes grew wide as she pulled back from him, her mouth opening, and she whispered, hardly daring to believe it, "You do?"

He chuckled, turning a bright red, as he started to rub the back of his head with his hand. "Of course I do. You're kind, and nice, and you make me laugh, and you're sweet...and you are the most beautiful woman I have ever known."

Words of her beauty did nothing to Eighteen's reserved exterior or interior, but the compliments before that, words such as kind and nice and sweet, they were as foreign to her as love was. Her eyes grew even larger, and she had no idea how vulnerable she looked in that moment, or even all of the emotions in Krillin she was awakening. "I am?"

"Yes."

The single word, that affirmation, did more to life her spirits than anything ever had before in her life, and Eighteen felt herself smile, really smile at Krillin as she pulled him back to her, her hands going to his face as she said without hesitation, "I love you too. Oh Kami, I do. I love you."

His own face broke out into a resounding grin and before he could stop himself he had pulled her close, and there, on the bench where they had first spent the whole night talking (though neither of them realized it at the time) Krillin and Eighteen shared their first kiss.

~~&~~

Vegeta arrived in Gretna Green sore, cranky, tired, angry, and thanks to the lovely weather he had encountered on the way too damn long horse ride up here, wet. Which only served to fuel the anger, the crankiness, the tiredness, and the soreness. Not that he let any of those emotions, or indeed, the other hundred that had turbulently running through him since the second Nappa had told him just who indeed Kakarrot had run away with show as he swiftly slid from his horse, his boots carrying him further into the courtyard of the inn he was praying that Bulma and Kakarrot were in. There were not that many in the small border town of Gretna Green, but still, the longer it took for him to find them, the more uneasy he had grown.

Time was of the essence here, he needed to be sure to stop this wedding. It only took a few minutes for a ceremony to take place in Gretna Green, and though he was sure that Kakarrot and Bulma could not be that far ahead of him (they had been in a carriage, he had changed horses three times all to make sure that he never lost speed), he did not like to think about what would happen if he was too late.

The whole ride up here, he had had time to think, loads of time to think as his horses' hooves had pounded the roads, and Vegeta did not like what he found. Yes, part of him was riding up here at top speed to make sure that Kakarrot would not marry an American heiress with no title, since she would one day by the Duchess of Vegetasei, and yes, he was riding up here to curb gossip before Kakarrot's flight up here became known and shame was brought on the Vegetasei household...but the largest part of him had been the one who was howling at him to go after her, to get her, to get his woman.

When Nappa had admitted earlier that it was Bulma who was running off with Kakarrot, Vegeta had felt something in him come alive, some part of him that he had thought dead ever since the night he had decided to walk away from Bulma. The animalistic part of him that roared that she was his and his alone and that no other man could ever or would ever have her again. It had roared loudly in his head, speeding him to the house and back, it had roared at him to change horses the second his own became too slow, and again a few hours later, when the rented one had grown fatigued. It roared at him when he stopped, telling him to keep going, it roared at him to check every damn hotel in Gretna Green until he found them.

This roaring, clawing fury was new to him, this need to possess another human being so completely foreign to him he had almost been scared by it. But he had not been confused. It made sense. Bulma was his woman, and he did not care what her reasons could possibly be for wanting to marry another man. No other man could have her. She was, and would forever be his. He did not care how damn selfish that was. It was the simple truth.

Vegeta entered the inn, his face as calm as a lake on a windless day, basking in the dry warmth of the room for a second before the fury had reared his head, and he had made his way to the woman serving food. She turned to him as she finished putting some food down in front of some other customers, a ready smile on her face. It flickered when she saw who was coming towards her, Vegeta sure that even his still face held a hint of the anger he felt inside. But she was professional as she greeted him, "Hello sir, welcome te Gretna Green, can I get ye a room?"

Vegeta took out some coins and passed them to her, noting the greedy way her eyes lit up. "No, what you can get me is some answers."

The woman looked at the coin before nodding as she wiped her hands on her apron, hiding the coins in it. "How can I help ye?"

Vegeta folded his arms against his chest, putting on what he knew was his most intimidating face. Not that it was hard, what with the turbulence of emotions he was feeling. His voice brooked no argument as he stated, "I'm looking for a man and a woman, both American. The woman has bright blue hair, the man tall with black hair, and they would be staying together. Do you have anyone of that sort in your inn?"

The woman's eyes were calculating as she took in Vegeta's stern expression, weighing it against the fine cut of his clothes, the obvious expensiveness of his boots, the quality of his coat. He could almost hear the greed in her mind racking up the prices she was going to charge him for information, and her words were no surprise. "Hmm...I sees a lots of people coming round 'ere. I canna really remember anyone like tha'...maybe some more coin to help my memory?"

Vegeta was too tired, sore, cranky, angry and wet to try and bribe this woman more, and he had to stop himself from grabbing for her as he growled out, "I do not have time for this!"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Well then I canna remember seeing them. Sorry--."

Her words were cut off as Vegeta heard his name being called from the stairs of the dining room, his eyes and the waitresses, and everyone else's in the room swinging to the bottom of the stairs. There stood Kakarrot, his back straight, his voice soft but stern as he cut the waitress off. "Vegeta. I was not expecting you."

Vegeta took in the taller man, the way his mouth was set in a firm line, his hard eyes sparking flames, and Vegeta left the server in the corner, instead going to his cousin, his own voice soft, "Then you underestimated me."

Kakarrot tilted his head, examining him, and muttered, "Perhaps I did. What exactly are you doing here?"

Vegeta's jaw tightened, his fists clamping, his anger coursing through him as the rage returned. It was roaring at him to kill, to maim, blood be damned, Kakarrot had dared to run away with Bulma--Vegeta wanted him punished. But instead he kept his voice deadly as he answered, "What do you think I'm doing here. I'm here to stop you from ruining the family name by marrying an American."

Goku's own mouth grew thinner, his face clouding over. "I see. So you are not here to see Bulma?"

Of course I am. Vegeta kept that thought to himself, instead tossing his head, snorting. "No. This has nothing to do with Bulma, and everything to do with you."

Goku only stared at him, his hard eyes blackening further, enhancing his resemblance to his departed father as he stared at Vegeta for a few moments in silence. "Come with me. We need to speak in private."

Vegeta hated being ordered around, but since Kakarrot had yet to reveal where Bulma was or if they were married yet, he followed Kakarrot outside, through the rain drenched courtyard, into an empty stable. As soon as they were inside of the lit area, dry, Vegeta spoke, "Kakarrot, I demand you tell me if you two are wed."

Kakarrot turned to him, an eyebrow raised as he softly asked, yet again, "So you're really not here for Bulma? You're here for me?"

Vegeta only nodded, his patience wearing thin. "I already told you this! I could care less about the woman! Now stop fucking around and tell me if you are married or not!"

Vegeta was expecting an answer from his cousin. What he was not expecting was the sharp right hook that Kakarrot threw at him that hit the still sore spot from his spar with Piccolo from earlier in the day that completely knocked him on his ass.

~~&~~
A/N: Okay, even if I have to admit I'm being evil ending it there--two chapters in a row, ending in cliff-hangers?! But a lot happening in this chapter. Some anger, lots of confusion, and some Krillin and Eighteen sweetness thrown in to...uh...sweeten the whole thing. But honestly, if I had even gone a little bit further this chapter would have ended up forty pages, and nobody wants to read a chapter that long.

Well I have some serious writing to do for the next part, love to you all, and tune in next time for the next exciting installment of the Dark Duke!! (I need a theme song for this fic...any rec's?)