One - Written by PhantomScribe72
Vegeta had put up with about all he could stand. He had listened to Kakarrott's silly story about murderous robots with little interest. That purple-haired freak might be from the future, but Vegeta wasn't really worried. He was confident that he could defeat the androids with no problem. Vegeta's ears were still ringing from that stupid Chi Chi's scream when Kakarrott had told her that her little brat was going to die. Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien also moaned and groaned. To his credit, that idiotic Namek had remained silent, but Vegeta thought it was probably because he was just too stupid to think of anything to say. Vegeta was bored out of his skull. Everyone kept droning on and on about training and strategies. He didn't give a flip about planning to defeat some stupid cyborgs that weren't even supposed to show up for three years. What he wanted to know was how that purple-haired snot had turned into a Super Saiyan. There were only three Saiyans left in the universe; Vegeta, Kakarrott, and that little brat Gohan, so where did that freak come from? It was bad enough that the kid was a Saiyan, but a Super Saiyan? That really infuriated Vegeta. It was bad enough that that third class loser, Kakarrott achieved Super Saiyan status before the Prince of all Saiyans, but now there was a stupid kid to deal with too. It made Vegeta want to kill something...or someone.
His eyes drifted across the landscape, taking in the fearful faces around him. It was then he realized that the stupid fools were really worried about the coming androids. He mentally marked them all as cowards and decided that it was time for him to leave this circus sideshow. He was about to make his escape when he felt that someone was staring at him. He turned his head slightly and saw that it was that loud mouth woman, Bulma. She was standing next to, practically on top of, that coward Yamcha. Vegeta met her gaze with contempt, hoping that his glare would make her look away. Instead, it seemed to have the opposite effect. She raised her chin and looked him square in the eyes, sending him a silent challenge. Vegeta smiled an evil smile and let his gaze fall from her eyes and move lazily over her body, boldly undressing her with his eyes. Bulma blushed bright red, but she didn't look away. Vegeta raised an eyebrow, silently commending her bravery. Most men were afraid to look him in the eye. Yamcha suddenly sensed that something was going on between Vegeta and Bulma and jerked his head up looking quickly from Vegeta's face to Bulma's and back. Vegeta smirked at him and pushed away from the rock he had been leaning on. He walked up and stood right in front of Yamcha.
"Do you have a problem, weakling?" Vegeta challenged.
"Umm...no... not really," Yamcha stammered.
"I didn't think so," Vegeta said in a menacing voice. "Well, I've heard enough fairy tales for one night," Vegeta said to no one in particular and strutted away, leaving looks of shock and contempt behind him.
Vegeta was about to blast off into the sky when he heard a voice calling out to him.
"Vegeta! Please! Wait!"
Vegeta turned around and saw that it was that annoying woman again. She was running after him, trying to catch up. He sighed and considered flying off, but there was a part of him that was just curious enough to stick around to see what she wanted.
"Well Woman, what the hell do you want?" Vegeta asked when she finally made it to where he was standing.
She was panting, trying to catch her breath. "What do I want? I want to know where the hell you think you're going!" Bulma screamed at the top of her lungs.
Vegeta was suddenly very amused. "Why do you want to know? Is it your day to watch me? Or do you just want to be able to locate a real man after you finish with that idiot Yamcha tonight?"
Bulma turned bright red. She wanted to explode, but she forced herself to calm down and talk to him in a reasonable tone. "I want to know because I think you should go back and listen to what Goku has to say."
"Oh, please," Vegeta groaned, "Surely you are not taken in by that nonsense. I am not surprised that the rest of those fools are spellbound by that story, but I thought you were more intelligent than that."
"They are NOT fools and I AM intelligent," Bulma replied shortly, "Vegeta...you saw him yourself. He got rid of Freeza without even breaking a sweat. Even you and Goku could never quite manage that."
"Watch your mouth, Woman," Vegeta warned. "Yes, I saw him. He was certainly impressive, but just because he's strong doesn't mean he's not crazy."
"Maybe so," Bulma returned, "but what harm would it do for you to help us...just in case?"
"I'll tell you what harm it would do. I would have to waste my time training for a battle that probably will never take place against an enemy that probably does not exist. Not to mention the fact that I would have to put up with all of you for three years, and that would drive me stark raving mad!"
"Is that really what is wrong, Vegeta?" Bulma asked snidely. "Maybe you're just upset that now Goku is not the only fighter that is stronger than you. Maybe you're upset that a mere boy has bested you. Or...maybe...just maybe you're just a coward. Maybe you're afraid that what the boy said was true, that those androids would kill you, and you're just running away to save your worthless hide."
Vegeta moved so fast that he took Bulma completely by surprise. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her tightly up against his body. He bent his head so that is nose was almost touching hers. "I should kill you for that, you bitch. No one has ever called me a coward and lived." He moved a hand to circle her neck. "I could snap your neck with no effort."
Bulma stared at him in utter terror. "I know you could kill me easily, Vegeta," she managed, "but it would better serve you to let me live."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow, "Really, and just how did you come to that conclusion?"
"You need me," she replied quietly.
Vegeta laughed rudely. "And just what do I need you for Princess?" he used the nickname Yamcha had given her. It made her skin crawl. "What do I need from you that I couldn't get from any cheap whore on the street?"
Bulma stiffened, but she refused to back down. "You need me because I can build you a gravity machine. You can train to become as strong as Goku, maybe stronger. You can stay with me at Capsule Corp while you train. I'll feed you, clothe you, put a roof over your head, and give you the best training facility on Earth. That's why you need me."
Vegeta was genuinely taken aback. "Why...why would you do that? What's in it for you?'
"I'm scared Vegeta," Bulma said quietly. "I don't know why, but I believe everything that boy said. We need you if we have even the tiniest hope of defending ourselves against those androids. You and Goku are the only hope we have."
"What about that weakling boyfriend of yours and the rest of those misfits?" Vegeta asked sarcastically.
"Look, they're all great guys and they're good fighters...but you and Goku have more power than the rest of them combined."
Vegeta stared down into Bulma's eyes, considering what she had said. His mind raced. She was offering him a deal that was really to good to refuse. With a gravity chamber, he could train at a level he had never been able to attain before. Even if the stupid androids never showed up, the time would be well spent. He could finally become stronger than Kakarrott.
As Vegeta considered all of this, he suddenly became aware of the fact that he still held Bulma pressed against his body. He noticed that she had relaxed against him, apparently deciding he would not hurt her. Vegeta smirked his evil smirk and decided to have some fun with her. He removed his hand from her throat and cupped her chin with it, forcing her face up so she would have to look him in the eye. He used his other hand to press into the small of her back, bringing her body even closer to his.
"So...you're telling me that all I have to so is promise to help those idiots fight off the androids if they ever show up and you'll provide me with food, shelter, and a facility to train in? Are you sure you don't have another reason? Maybe you just want to keep me around."
Bulma pressed her hands against his chest with all her might trying to push him away. He held her tightly, as if he didn't even feel the pressure. "You conceited son of a bitch! Why would anyone want to keep you around other than for your fighting ability? You're mean, nasty, and stupid, not to mention short and ugly!"
Vegeta burst out laughing and released her. "You're mouth is really going to get you in trouble one day, Woman," he said lightly. "I accept your offer. I will be moving in tonight." With that remark, Vegeta picked her up flew back to the cliff. He deposited her on the ground next to Yamcha and turned to face Goku.
"I will train to help you defeat the androids, Kakarrott," Vegeta growled, "but don't think this changes anything between us. When this is over, I will find you and we will finally find out who is the most powerful Saiyan."
"Sure, Vegeta," Goku said good naturedly, "whatever you say."
Vegeta muttered a curse and blasted off into the air, leaving an amused Goku and a bewildered Bulma behind with the rest of the Z team.
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