Helo! This is a flashback chapter. Gives you a little insight about how Bulma and Vegeta got together.

Thank you to all who reviewed and read the past chapters. =) And as always, thanks to Springandbysummerfall!

onward!

Disclaimer: No…I don't own DBZ.

Bulma painted over her horribly chewed nails. The bright and cheerful pink made her digits look less abused, but not by much. She had chewed them down so bad that it hurt to even use her fingers…but who could blame her? Her life had turned upside down in the past two months, causing her to gnaw her nails till they bled, lose countless hours of sleep, and barely eat.

She blew on her nails and looked up at her reflection. Her makeup was done to perfection and her hair was partly up, the rest flowing down her back, covering her back and her shoulders. Careful not to smudge the paint, she carefully smoothed the white, silken tea dress and took a deep breath, but it hardly helped.

"Why me?" She whispered to her reflection and shook her head once the familiar sting of tears stung her eyes.

This whole mess started when she had answered a hail on her video communicator, thinking it was the team of explorers Capsule Corp had sent up into space over five and a half months ago. It was a big deal, nothing like that had ever been attempted before.

She had accidentally intercepted an alien communication while fooling around with a long range communications device she was developing. This discovery excited the young genius, and it left her hungry for answers about life that wasn't human. Within a year, she had a team trained, a vessel built and the funding backed by Capsule Corp to explore far off planets and make contact with the aliens she had heard on the communications device.

It had been over a week since her team had checked in with her, and she was starting to get worried. The tracker on their ship was seemingly on the fritz, so she couldn't tell where they were. She practically lived in her lab just so she wouldn't miss them checking in. The teams spouses and family members were starting to freak out on Bulma and she was catching major heat from the board of directors since the team had failed check in. She assured everybody that they were probably out of range or they were experiencing some sort of interference.

She quickly realized that it was not Captain Voight of her exploration team who was hailing her. A slender but well built alien stared back at her. His red eyes seemed to stare through her, sending a chill down her spine. His arms were crossed and his index and middle finger tapped impatiently on his purple bicep.

"You are Bulma Briefs of Capsule Corporations?" He spoke elegantly, but his English was somewhat broken, although not bad enough to be unable to understand.

"Yes…?" She answered, not completely sure if she should or not.

His lip twitched and his eyes brightened just a little. "You, a female are the one who has invented these?" He held up a capsule.

Bulma nodded slowly. Something about his guy didn't seem right.

"And you are the one who built the ship these…humans came on? Among other interesting gadgetry they came with?"

"Yes, that would be me." She answered, straightening her stance.

He smirked then, showing his jagged teeth, making him look all the more scary. "I am Lord Cooler. And I understand that the band of humans that landed on my planet belongs to you?"

"Yes. I would appreciate it if I could speak with Captain Voight." She answered sternly.

"He's occupied at the moment, and as a matter of fact, the whole band of humans are occupied."

She didn't like the sound of that. She should be jumping up and down with glee. She had been contacted by a person that wasn't from Earth! But the look and the vibe this guy was giving her was telling Bulma this guy was no good. "Ok, then. What can I help you with Mr… uhm.. Cooler."

He glared at her, probably because she didn't call him by his proper title. "Yes, well, we shall get right to the point then. The technology you have come up with is quite impressive, especially the capsule. It's a wonder your planet is so behind in space travel." He played with a capsule with his long fingers. "I want it."

"Then take it."

Cooler stopped playing with the capsule and smiled devilishly at her. "Let me rephrase. I don't want just this capsule. I want everything."

Her blue eyebrow rose as far is it could up her forehead. What was this guy talking about? "Are you wanting to make a business deal?"

"No, my dear. I've managed to get quite a bit of information out of your so-called crew. They told me things about you and your family…and your planet."

"I want to talk to Captain Voight. Now." Bulma said in a steady and calm voice. It was clear this guy was off his rocker and she was starting to really fear for the team of explorers she had sent this guy's way.

"I'm afraid you're not in the position to order me around, little human. I am titan and you are a mere bug that I can squash. I don't think you are quite grasping what I am asking. I want your brilliant mind and your skillful hands to make me weapons…amongst other things."

Bulma shook her head and rolled her eyes dramatically. "Ya, you and half the males here. Listen, pal. I'm growing impatient with your crap. Put one of my men on."

Cooler cocked his head to the side. "Fine." His form left the screen for a moment and then reappeared. "Captain Voight, I believe." He said nonchalantly and lifted the severed head of the Captain's. The shocked face staring blankly back at her. His eyes and mouth still open, looking like he had been decapitated mid scream.

She back pedaled from the large screen and crashed into the table behind her, making objects fall to the floor with a loud crash. Her hand flew to her mouth and the other clutching her stomach, trying hard not to lose her lunch all over the floor. "What have you done!" She screamed at the smiling creature.

"Oh him?" He turned the severed head towards him and tsked. "He was strong willed and didn't want to answer questions about you. And wouldn't you know it? I went through three of the humans until the rest started talking." He shook his head and carelessly tossed Captain Voights head over his shoulder. "Listen to me, Bulma Briefs, I am only going to throw this proposition at you once; I am in need of a technological genius to further my cause and I am in need of a wife. And since you are both a genius and a beautiful female, I don't see why I can't use you for both needs."

Bulma shakily straightened herself up, and looked hatefully at Cooler. "And if I refuse?"

He smirked at her and turned, revealing the massive ship her team had traveled to Cooler's planet in. It was easily the size of three football fields. And with a flick of a wrist a small but bright pink ball of energy ejected out of his sharp fingertips and disintegrated the ship right before Bulma's large eyes. "I can do that to planets. Do you catch my drift, human?"

She had made a deal. In order to save her planet, she'd trade her life for her beloved Earth, She'd become the wife of the creature and enhance the alien's technology. He had promised he'd arrive on Earth to fetch her in three months time.

She had walked around like a zombie for a month of that time. Her parents were a mess. Her mother either weeping or screaming at her father to do something, get the military involved, anything. Her father was mostly silent, keeping to himself. Something he did when he was upset.

Nothing could be done. Cooler had specific instructions: if retaliation was dealt, he'd destroy the planet.

Then month two came along.

It was late at night when she begrudgingly answered the hail. Her unwanted fiancé had made it a habit to check in on her, making sure she hadn't skipped town or reneged on their agreement.

She was surprised to see a man flicker onto the screen. His black eyes were harsh, and like Cooler's, his eyes seemed to pierce her soul, but unlike Cooler's, she could tell right off the bat that this man was different. He stood tall, tanned and bare muscular arms crossed tightly over his armored chest. His jet black hair swept up into a flowing point. It reminded Bulma of the flickering flame of a candle, and the widows peak that graced his forehead surprisingly added to his attractiveness. He was maybe a few years older than Bulma, but that was only a guess on her part.

"Can…can I help you?" She asked cautiously.

"I am King Vegeta of Planet Vegeta-sei, King of all Saiyans. You are the so-called genius human Cooler is to marry?" His rough, gravelly voice matched him perfectly and he too carried a brogue, a cross between an English and Irish accent, but not as heavy as her fiance's. His English was perfect though, it came out smooth, unlike Cooler, who seemed to have trouble enunciating some words when speaking to her.

Bulma looked at him cautiously. "What is it that you want?" She was hesitant to answer… the last time she held a conversation with an alien, she was got roped into marrying him and becoming his technological slave.

The King's eyes narrowed on her, making her shrink back. "Answer the question." He growled.

She contemplated just hanging up on him, but wasn't sure if that was a good idea. What if this guy could destroy planets like Cooler and would resort to doing so just because she ended their call?

"Yes…unfortunately." She said, defeated.

He smirked at her response. "Judging by your response, you aren't looking forward to yours and his union. I don't blame you. He's a foul creature, just like his father and brother."

She nodded her head in agreement. "Agreed." She narrowed her eyes at him. "What is it you want, King Vegeta?"

"I believe we can help one another."

"Oh?" Her stomach fluttered at the thought of being saved from this mess.

"I despise Cooler. The only reason I haven't killed him yet is because he has taken something from me. And so I want to take something from him." He smiled, showing off his slightly elongated and pointed canine teeth.

Bulma's brow furrowed and then her eyes grew wide with realization and then immediately felt fury fill her body. "You want me?" She said through gritted teeth. "You have got to be kidding me? Do I has some sort of sign on me telling all alien leaders to marry me? I'm not just some object! Damit!" She pounded her fists into the table in front of her. Her chest was heaving from the large and angry breathes she was taking. And before she knew it, she picked up the wrench that was sitting next to her hand and tossed it hard across the lab, letting it crash into a pile of spare parts for an old capsule car.

The loud crash made her feel a little better. She finally looked back at the Alien King, who just stood there with a bored expression on his face.

"Are you finished?"

She breathed in through her nose and exhaled out her mouth three times before she answered. "How do I know you're not some murdering bastard like he is? Are you going to force me to marry you and work me to death, like he plans to?"

The King's smile melted away. "I do not plan to work you to death, no." He looked at her thoughtfully. "I am willing to barter with you, if you agree to marry me."

Bulma rubbed her palm on her forehead. Could her life get any more complicated… and what was it with aliens wanting her to marry them? "What would you gain by taking me away from him?"

He sighed heavily, impatience spreading across his face. "Like I said; he took something of mine that meant a great deal to me. Taking you as my bride would not only embarrass the hell out of him, but it would most definitely hinder his plans in getting alien technology that will no doubt help him in a battle that he is barely losing to me." He paused and narrowed his eyes on her again. "You have my word that I will not work you to death, as you say. You will live a comfortable life, I'll see to it."

Bulma shifted her eyes away from the screen and bit her lip. "If I decline?" She asked, her brow peaking upward in question.

"Then enjoy your life of servitude." He deadpanned.

Her eyes shifted away from him. She had to accept his offer. It was definitely the lesser of two evils. "Ok." She looked back up at him again. "If I agree, you have to protect Earth as long as Cooler poses a threat."

"Deal."

"Oh, I'm not done yet." She shot back, her old self finally breaking through. "I want to be able to visit my parents at least a few times a year. You will not beat nor will you rape me," she counted each point on her fingers, "and if any of the aforementioned points are broken, you must return me to Earth."

King Vegeta's left eye started to twitch. His forefinger and middle tapped his bicep. He stayed silent for a while and then finally said: "Fine." He growled. "I can tell you're going to give me issues already."

She smirked at him.

"I will be there in ten days."

…

True to his word, the Saiyan King arrived in ten days, along with a small army.

And, They. Were. Huge. The King was one of the shorter ones, and he towered over her five foot five frame. And they were all heavily muscled, even the women seemed to be body builders. They all seemed to be dark haired. Dark red, dark brown or black. And they had tails!

But more importantly, and thankfully, the King didn't give her the evil vibe Cooler gave her. He was very crude and had a no-nonsense air about him and was unbelievably stubborn. Within an hour and a half of him landing on Earth and meeting Bulma, they were already bumping heads on the silliest things. But she'd take that over a psychopath alien who liked to behead innocent men and disintegrate planets. This man held himself with honor and pride.

A soft knock jarred Bulma back to reality.

"Darling. We're ready." Her mother's voice rang through the door.

"I'll be right out." She said and looked at herself one more time through the bathroom mirror. She nodded her head, a small smile on her face. "I can do this."

The wedding was simple. Her mother and father and the horde of Saiyans were the only ones that were there. This arrangement was to remain a secret. Both parties agreeing that the people of Earth were not ready to learn about alien existence.

A saiyan priest gave a simple ceremony and Bulma's mother had a made enough food to feed the men and women for afterwards.

No kisses were exchanged and hands were not held. It was awkward. The only time they touched was when a soldier named Kakarot came up to them grinning. "One for Cooler to put in his memory book?" He held up a slender box, that looked like an advanced camera.

The King grinned wickedly, as did Bulma. He grabbed her by the waist and Bulma gripped his forearm, making it look like they were in a loving embrace. They both grinned ear to ear, both having a mischievous twinkle in their eye.

The first couple of months were rough for the newlyweds. They both learned early that they matched each other in stubbornness and their anger seemed to bubble over when they were together. All the men and women that were always around the King were used to his moods swings. But since their Queen arrived, his swings got worse and his men at arms took the brunt of his frustrations. The Palace workers even had betting pools when their King would either kill or get rid of the human.

The cleaning staff's work load doubled as well. Their new queen had a thing for throwing objects at their King and said objects would either break from her missing or would be piles of ash from Vegeta blasting it before it hit him.

The arguments were about small silly things that, again, the men and women that were close to them at all times knew it wasn't because they hated each other. They were kindred spirits, and knew that it was only a matter of time until the petty arguments ended.

The end of their childishness was when Bulma got violently ill. Her human immune system couldn't fight the cold she had gotten. It was something that if a Saiyan caught, it was no big deal. That was not the case for Bulma. She felt as if she was going to die, and she almost did. It took a month to get better and back to her normal strength and it was her near death that made her look at things differently. Since she was bed ridden she had more than enough time to analyze her new life. She really didn't have it bad here on Planet Vegetasei. She was a Queen after all, and she deduced that she was projecting her home sickness and frustrations out on Vegeta.

She knew she was acting childish and so was he. Looking back at it, she was the instigator of some of their petty arguments. But that wasn't to say he had started some too.

Bulma took her almost dying of an alien cold as a queue to turn a new leaf and enjoy her new life as a wife to a man that she barely knew and a Queen of a planet she didn't know existed until just recently. She refrained from saying snide remarks and , even though it practically pained her, she bit her tongue when Vegeta would purposely say something rude or goad her into a verbal fight.

It took a few weeks, but Vegeta followed her example. They still sparred verbally, but it was all in fun, both of them finding enjoyment in their playful banter.

And soon they grew close. She found that Vegeta was almost always gruff, but like she saw the first day she met him, he held so much pride and love for his kingdom. He was compassionate and ruled with a stern fist, but was also merciful… to an extent. It took a while for Bulma to get used to the fact that the Saiyans were a warrior race. They solved their problems by beating each other up, something that made Bulma shake her head.

As their new truce stretched on for another month, Bulma started to grow on Vegeta. He was seen speaking softly and calmly to her and returning physical gestures to Bulma, something nobody, not even Kakarot, his closest friend, had witnessed before.

A long with their King, the kingdom soon embraced Bulma as their Queen. She grew to love her new kingdom, just like her husband.

"I'm glad I'm here, Vegeta." Bulma whispered into his bare chest.

His large, battle warn hand paused mid stroke through her long hair for a moment and then continued. "Oh?" He grunted.

"Yup." She sighed and snuggled deeper into this embrace.

She couldn't see it, but he smirked into the darkness and tightened his hold around her naked form. "Well, I'm not."

"I love you too, Vegeta."

"Hn."

"Happy one year anniversary, Husband." She yawned and closed her eyes.

He rolled his eyes. "Humans and their silly rituals." He mumbled. He waited for her to retort, but felt she had grown heavy on top of him and her breathes sounded deep and relaxed. "I love you, Wife. I am glad you are here too."

beta'd by: Springandbysummerfall

Oh gods, the mush!
Hope you guys enjoyed this flashback chapter. =)
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