I'm back for the final chapter! It's taken me seven years to complete this story, but as promised, I did it. This story is my baby, and I had to finish it. Like I've said before, it's so hard for me to wrap up stories. I just don't want them to end! Thank you to everyone who reviewed and followed this piece. Please enjoy the final chapter of "Blending In."

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Chapter 31: Return

Golden rays from Earth's Sun warmed the cabin of the ship, causing Vegeta to stir from his stasis-induced slumber. He stretched, soaking in the pleasant feeling of waking after a much-needed nap. More than a nap, he realized. The memories from Bulma's sacrifice during his battle with Frieza resurfaced with painful clarity. Vegeta opened his eyes, squinting as they adjusted to the glare from the Sun's beams. Earth filled the lower portion of the panoramic front windshield of the ship. Vegeta leaned forward to get a better look. The big, blue marble of a planet took his breath away. How could he have called it a mud-ball when he'd first arrived? It was beautiful, and it was home.

Next to Vegeta, Goku yawned, signaling he was waking as well. Vegeta pulled himself away from the windshield to check on his friend.

"Whatever you do, don't accidentally press any buttons this time," said Vegeta as Goku stretched.

Goku laughed mid-yawn. "No. I'm letting you do the driving this time. Where to first?"

"Capsule Corp," said Vegeta, steeling his nerve. "I have to tell Bulma's parents what happened. This is not going to be fun."

The Briefs must have been watching the skies, because even before they'd fully landed the ship on the Capsule Corp. helipad, Bulma's parents were already standing by. After Vegeta finished the docking procedures, he and Goku disembarked. They still wore their battle-damaged armor from the fight on Planet Pangol. Vegeta wished they had had the forethought to change before they left. Even if King Sunda had healed their wounds, they probably still looked like bloody messes.

"Where in the universe have you three been?" asked Dr. Briefs as they exited the craft. "We've been worried sick!"

"Dr. Briefs-" Vegeta started, but Mrs. Briefs cut him off.

"Three, dear?" Mrs. Briefs asked. "I only count two. Vegeta? Goku, where is Bulma?"

"Dr. Briefs. Mrs. Briefs, I'm so sorry." Vegeta's words came out in a harsh whisper.

"Vegeta, what happened?" asked Dr. Briefs.

Vegeta wished he had a better answer. "I couldn't… I wasn't strong enough to save her."

"Save her?" Dr. Briefs took a step back. "Save her from what?"

"A monster," said Vegeta, looking down.

Goku straightened. "She's at peace now."

Mrs. Briefs let out a whimper. "My baby… my Bulma died in outer space?"

Vegeta nodded once. He couldn't bring his eyes up from the pavement to look at Mrs. Briefs as she sunk down to her knees, sobbing into her hands. Her cries cut into him.

"Your daughter," Vegeta continued as Dr. Briefs knelt down to comfort his wife. "Bulma sacrificed herself so that we could live. She was incredibly brave."

"It's my fault," said Goku in a rush. "I launched the ship without meaning to. We spent the whole time just trying to get back."

"No. It's my fault," said Vegeta, moving forward to kneel next to Bulma's parents. "I was the one who asked her to build the ship in the first place. I gave her the coordinates. I put her in danger. I am responsible for what happened, and I am sorry."

Dr. Brief's ever-present cigarette quivered in his mouth as he stood. If he needed to punch someone, Vegeta would let him strike him, unguarded. He deserved it. Instead, Dr. Briefs took a small puff. "Did she suffer?" he asked.

Thankfully, Vegeta could answer honestly. "No," he said. "It was quick. Not painless, but quick."

Dr. Briefs replaced the cigarette between his lips and shuffled towards the house. "Come inside," he said in a hollow tone. "You must be tired."

Vegeta helped Mrs. Briefs to her feet. "Actually, I was hoping you'd let me in Bulma's bedroom," he said.

Mrs. Briefs dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, fighting a losing battle with her running mascara. Her voice still hitched from crying. "What ever for, dear?" she asked.

"I'd like to borrow the Dragon radar," said Vegeta. "If you'll let me."

Mrs. Briefs covered her mouth with the handkerchief. "You're going to wish her back!" she gasped.

Dr. Briefs turned back, hearing the hope in his wife's voice.

Vegeta nodded. "The Dragonballs have reformed by now. I can wish her back just like we did with Nappa."

"Well that's… that's wonderful!" said Mrs. Briefs as she pulled Vegeta into a hug. "Yes, why don't you go on up to Bulma's room and get it? Also, you should both take a shower while you're here. You smell like you haven't bathed in weeks." She pulled away slightly from Vegeta as she spoke. "Vegeta dear, I'm sure we still have some of your clothes from when you were staying with us. And Goku, some of Papa's clothes should fit you. What in heaven's name are you both wearing anyway?" She gestured to their battle-damaged armor. Vegeta hoped she didn't recognize the stains as blood. "I'm sure you'll both stay for dinner?"

Goku's stomach rumbled in response. He laughed and put an arm behind his head. "That would be great!" he said.

Vegeta smiled tightly. Bulma's parents were hospitable to a fault. He would accept the shower and a change of clothes, but not dinner. He didn't deserve it. Not after what he'd put their daughter through.

In Bulma's bedroom, a freshly showered Vegeta set down the pile of blueprints and travel-sized gadgets he'd plundered from Frieza's laboratory on Bulma's desk. Her room looked like she'd never left. Piles of half-finished experimental doodads littered the floor. Very Bulma. Her parents must not have touched it in hopes that she'd soon return. What he'd give to be able to listen to her here and now, rambling on about experimental new energy sources while she tinkered with some new handheld gadget.

He'd been in her room several times before but never alone and never for very long. Much of the time Vegeta spent with Bulma at Capsule Corp. was consumed in the labs, watching her work on one project or another. He smiled at the organized chaos of Bulma's bedroom. He was going to need a specialized radar just to find the Dragon radar. Honestly, he was a little frightened of opening drawers at random. What if he accidentally stumbled upon something vulgar, like her underwear, instead? His felt his face flush at the thought.

Vegeta stood in the center of the room with his arms folded, calculating where Bulma would have put the Dragon radar. He looked under the bed, in the bottom of her closet, and shuffled through some of the experimental piles. Nothing. Finally, he found the radar at eye level on the top of a filing cabinet. He pocketed it and sighed. He was going to have to talk to her about hiding important items more effectively. What if a thief broke into the compound?

Outside, the Sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon. Vegeta made his way to the rear entrance of the Brief's living complex and adjusted the straps on the camping backpack he'd borrowed from Bulma's room.

"You're not going to stay for dinner?" Goku had taken a shower as well and was wearing some of Dr. Brief's Capsule Corp-emblazoned loungewear. The cut along his hairline from the battle with Frieza had healed completely. Not even a scar remained.

Vegeta shouldered the pack. "No. I can hunt or something once I get out of city limits. I've no trouble surviving on my own."

"Let me come with you," said Goku. "Or we could call Krillin and Chi Chi, and we can all go together again. Wouldn't that be better than doing it alone?"

Vegeta shook his head. "This is something I need to do by myself, Kakarot."

"It doesn't have to be."

A somber silence stretched between them for a moment before Vegeta spoke. "Tell Bulma's parents I'm sorry I couldn't stay for dinner. And let Nappa know not to worry. I'll be home soon." He trotted a few paces before lifting off the ground. "I'll call as soon as it's done," he added before blasting off towards the setting Sun.

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It took longer to find the Dragonballs hunting solo than it had as a group, but searching alone had its advantages. Vegeta could fly farther and set simpler camps. The solitude was welcoming. However this time, the Dragonballs really were scattered at the far corners of the Earth. It took longer to get from location to location, but spending each night sleeping under the stars relaxed Vegeta in a way that surprised him. Each night, he refreshed his memory of Earth's constellations. He never wanted to forget them again.

This time around, Vegeta made it a point to never to steal a Dragonball from its owner. Bulma wouldn't want to be wished back via plundered treasure.

One Dragonball had been found by a native tribe, which they freely gave to Vegeta once he told them the honorable way he intended to use it.

An impoverished family living in a small town had another. He traded an afternoon's worth of game hunting in a nearby forest for the ball. It was enough food to last for months. The kids loved him.

A third ball belonged to an appliance store owner with an oversized shipment of washers and dryers, employees out sick with food poisoning, and no forklift. An afternoon of single-handedly moving appliances earned Vegeta the admiration of the owner and a Dragonball.

Three balls were tucked away in various natural hiding places, undiscovered by humans.

A series of clicks locked the radar onto the last of seven Dragonballs, located in the mountains near the Northern Capital. Vegeta tested the sack, listening to the familiar clinking of the six balls he'd already found. Then, he put the sack safely in his backpack. He wouldn't be taking it off until he was ready to make his wish. With a final glance at the radar, Vegeta launched himself towards the Northern Mountains.

As the Northern Mountains came into view, Vegeta marveled at the sheer size of them. The cliff faces rose out of the ground at sharp angles, hiding rocky caves and channeling whistling wind gusts through the dusty peaks and valleys. It was difficult to find the final Dragonball amid the layers of rock, but suddenly Vegeta saw the shimmering object, catching the light through a crack in the cliff. He plucked it from its hiding place.

In a field at the edge of the mountain range, Vegeta arranged all seven balls on the ground and summoned the Eternal Dragon.

Swirling clouds and crackling lightning signaled the dragon's arrival. Even though Vegeta had seen it before, the sight was still awe-inspiring. He let the wind swirl through his clothing as he watched the giant serpent appear out of thin air.

"I am the Eternal Dragon," said the beast. "Speak your wish."

This time, there was no hesitation. No desire for immortality or infinite power. After all, what was the point of living forever if you couldn't spend it with the one you loved?

Love. The emotion wasn't one Vegeta had ever expected to feel. But with every beat of his pounding heart, he knew it to be true. He spoke his wish.

"I wish for the Earthling, Bulma, to be restored to life here in this field," he said, this time specifying an exact location. It would be truly unfortunate if he had to return all the way to Planet Pangol to pick her up.

The Eternal Dragon's eyes glowed red. "Your wish is granted," it said in a booming voice before vanishing in a strobe of blinding light.

The Dragonballs scattered, but Vegeta didn't watch them go. For a moment, he couldn't speak. Standing in the middle of the field where the Dragonballs once lay, living and breathing and more beautiful than he'd ever seen her, was Bulma. Perfect and whole again. She faced away from him, blinking uncomprehendingly at her new surroundings.

"Hi," said Vegeta softly, unsure of what to say.

Bulma turned, surprised by his voice. "Vegeta! Did we die?" she asked. "Is this Heaven?"

Vegeta crossed the space between them, gathering Bulma in a tight embrace.

"Where are we?" Bulma asked.

"On Earth," said Vegeta. "Bulma, we're back home."

Bulma pulled away. "How? What about Frieza?"

"He's dead," said Vegeta. "But you're not. Not anymore."

Bulma searched his eyes and suddenly understood. "You won! And you wished me back!" she exclaimed.

"Bulma, I'm so sorry. I couldn't protect you," he said, struggling to stop the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes.

Bulma reached out, cupping his cheek with her hand. "What happened is not your fault, okay?" she said. "I'm sorry I made you so worried."

Her grace never ceased to amaze him. Giving compassion so freely to someone so undeserving. But that was Bulma, wasn't it? Kind and gentle and smart. And Vegeta loved her. He pulled her towards him, pressing his lips to hers with a kiss he hoped would never end. Bulma melted into him, returning the kiss wholeheartedly with an earnestness that surprised him. Vegeta pulled back, suddenly breathless.

"That's for all the time we wasted on that ridiculous spaceship," she explained, pressing her body into his.

He kissed her neck as she pulled him close to her. They sank into the grassy field together under a bright blue sky.

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Vegeta had not planned ahead on how he was going to get Bulma back to Capsule Corp. Thankfully, buried at the bottom of the camping backpack was a package of DinoCaps, including a hover car of Bulma's own design. They were able to make good time. Bulma drove, and Vegeta was content to just dwell in her company.

They called ahead, letting Bulma's parents know they were on their way. Bulma's phone's tiny speakers almost burst at the elated yells from her parents when she called.

As they pulled into the driveway of Capsule Corp, Bulma turned to Vegeta. "Come inside," she said. "Mom and Dad are going to want to thank you."

"I would," said Vegeta. He exited the vehicle. "But I've got some serious explaining to do with Nappa. I haven't talked to him since before we left."

"You think he'll be angry with you?" she asked.

"I'll let you know how long I'm grounded for after I talk to him. Probably for the rest of my life," said Vegeta.

Bulma laughed and collapsed the car back into its capsule. "Well then, I'm glad I got to spend some alone time with you before you're under house arrest until after I finish college."

Vegeta turned to go, but Bulma grabbed his hand. "Vegeta," she said. "Thank you. For everything. There were other things you could have wished for."

Vegeta brushed her cheek with his lips. "None that mattered," he said and lifted off, disappearing into the clouds.

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Vegeta landed at the front door of the tiny house and hesitated. The porch light illuminated the doorway, and Vegeta couldn't see inside, but he could sense Nappa in the kitchen. Should he knock? He didn't have his keys. He'd left them in his pants pockets on the spaceship when he'd originally changed into his armor. Who knows where they ended up. Instead, Vegeta found the spare key, hidden behind a small potted plant Nappa had bought after they rebuilt. Vegeta turned the lock and entered. The living room was dark, but the kitchen light was on.

"Hello?" called Vegeta, shutting the door behind him. "Nappa?"

Nappa rounded the corner. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been?" he asked. The light from the kitchen spilled onto his back, obscuring Nappa's face in shadow. Vegeta couldn't read his expression. "I thought you were dead."

"I'm sorry," said Vegeta quickly.

Nappa flipped the living room light on. "Frieza could have killed you the moment you entered that spaceship," he said. "I'm amazed he didn't. And worse, you put Bulma and Goku in terrible danger."

"Everything went wrong," explained Vegeta. "I had a plan, it just all went wrong."

"You could have talked to me about it," said Nappa. Vegeta could tell he was fighting to control his voice. "That's what I'm here for. To keep you from pulling stupid stunts that get people killed."

"I know," said Vegeta. Fresh guilt resurfaced. "I should have. I would have. I'm sorry, Nappa."

Nappa didn't respond.

"So I'm grounded forever, then?" asked Vegeta, attempting to use humor to break the silence.

"Grounded doesn't even begin to cover it." Nappa sat down on the couch with a sigh. "But," he hesitated. "If what Goku told me is right, something good did come of this."

"Frieza is dead," confirmed Vegeta.

"You killed him?"

Vegeta nodded. "Mostly. I had some help."

Nappa absorbed the news. "We're free."

"We're free," echoed Vegeta.

Nappa wiped away the beginning of a tear with his thumb. "I always knew if there were any of us that could beat him, it would be you. Your father would be so proud."

"The stories you used to tell me. About the Legendary Super Saiyan? They were true," said Vegeta.

"You ascended?" asked Nappa in disbelief.

Vegeta nodded.

"What- what was it like?"

"Frieza killed Bulma right in front of me, but I couldn't stop him. Then, something happened. It was like something inside me broke. And all this energy… all this power came flooding out. Like when Zarbon killed you, except this time it was so much more intense. Like I was just channeling the power instead of owning it," Vegeta explained. "I think my hair changed color? It took everything I had to kill him. I should have died."

"But you didn't," said Nappa.

"Barely," said Vegeta. "Kakarot and the local ruler pulled me back."

Nappa smiled and sheepishly looked down. "Okay, so I'm gonna level with you. I just told you those stories when you were little to keep your hope alive. I didn't actually think the Super Saiyan was real."

"Well it is," said Vegeta. "And it's… something. Wait, you really thought it was just a story?"

Nappa laughed. "Yeah, it was basically just a fairytale for little kids. And speaking of tails, where is yours?" Nappa noticed Vegeta was missing a very important Saiyan appendage.

It was Vegeta's turn to look away. "Long story," he said. "You wouldn't believe what we've been through."

"We've got the time," said Nappa. "Try me."

Vegeta and Nappa sat in the living room of the tiny house as Vegeta recounted his adventure from Goku accidentally launching the spaceship way ahead of schedule to Vegeta using the Dragonballs to restore Bulma to life. And how Bulma came up with a plan to stay alive onboard Frieza's spaceship. They would have been killed instantly without her.

"It looks like my master plan worked after all," said Nappa when Vegeta finally finished.

"Yeah, in a roundabout way, blending in with Earth's population did end up working in our favor," laughed Vegeta. "I guess you were right after all, Nappa."

"There's a first time for everything," said Nappa, leaning back into the couch.

Vegeta smiled, feeling truly at ease for the first time in a very long time.

THE END

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That's it! The end of "Blending In!" Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this fic. Your constant support (and reminders to update) kept me from abandoning this story. I can't thank you guys enough for sticking with me. "Blending In" is the longest piece of fiction I've ever written, and I'm so proud to have finished it.

And since this is the final chapter, please take a moment to review, whether you've been here since the beginning or just found this story recently. I'd love to know your final thoughts. I can't believe it's over!