Chapter Text
When Vegeta opened his eyes his body was wracked in pain, bones broken and body burned. It took him a few minutes for his mind to clear, vision unfocused, images swimming in his head like a lava lamp. He shook his aching head until the oxygen mask fell from his face and glanced to his right.
There she was, fast asleep on her desk, peaceful and serene. Not what he had expected, especially after blowing up the ship and almost wrecking her house.
What’s she doing here? he wondered. If he could just get up and sneak out without waking her he could rezoom training. He couldn’t just lay there like a sorry weakling. The Legendary was within his grasp. He had to keep training, regardless of how much his body screamed for him to stay put.
Work through the pain.
“Vegeta?”
Dammit!
“You’re finally awake,” she said in relief.
Oh, no. He wasn’t going to let this stop him, now that he was so close!
“I have to train,” he groaned as he moved to sit up.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she admonished as she nudged him to lay back down. “We’re not going through this again.”
“I’m fine. Now, leave me al-”
“You’re not fine,” Bulma said firmly. “I fact, you’re lucky you’re even still alive. Multiple lacerations, massive internal bleeding, concussinon, broken bones!”
“I’ve suffered worse!” the Saiyan insisted, but she wasn’t buying it.
She raised a brow. “Really? Vegeta, you just survived an explosion that would’ve turned any human into pink mist. You’re not going anywhere.”
“Out of my way, woman!” Vegeta once again sat up only to collapse again.
“There, you see? You’re in no shape to be training. Even if you were you no longer have the facility to train in. Not until dad and I can build another one, and that’s gonna take a few days.”
“I can train in the desert.”
“And collapse and die if you don’t let yourself heal first. Given your Saiyan physiology, it shouldn’t take you long.”
Bulma gave him some water, assisting him until he signaled that he had enough before she stood.
“I’ll let mom know you’re awake so she can fix you something to eat.” She turned to the door. “Meantime, get some rest.”
Bulma headed for the door before Vegeta caught her attention.
“Why do you care?”