A/N Hey all, this was originally supposed to be a one shot, but I started to get very detailed and … well you know how one thing leads to another. :3

Her breath came out in unsteady, rushed huffs as her room heater proved absolutely useless. She had been staying on planet Uneiso for a week now, where it was 10 degrees cooler than an arctic summer yet just as humid as a tropical rainforest.

What kind of freak weather is this!?

Chilled to the bone, she cupped her hands around her mug of warm broth, blowing on the top before slowly sipping in the warming soup. She really couldn't afford to get sick, not when everything was riding on this next meeting

She scoffed at the thought and tipped up her mug.

Who were they trying to kid? The only reason she was deemed "earth's newest savior" was so the media could squeeze as much coverage out of this debacle as possible. But was she actually all that important?

She frowned.

As indispensable and precious as they made her out to be she was furthest from. She, as well as the rest of the planet, knew she was here for one reason and one reason only: to take the place of Dr. Briefs as second best. While her death would be a very unfortunate blow, it would not be nearly as catastrophic. Besides, both being geniuses and business savvy they seemed to have equal chance of negotiating peace.

She blew her bangs out of her eyes.

While she gladly took her father's place, it wouldn't have killed them to at least pretend this was a bad idea.

Instead, before she even mentioned she'd go, it already made headline news.

Social media gobbled up rumors as feminist airwaves proclaimed her the next female Ghandi.

So, here she was, Miss Expendable Briefs whose beauty and bravery mattered less than a handful of old, crotchety politicians sitting in some stuffy board room. Why didn't they have the balls to handle this political snafu?

She sniffed and rubbed her nose realizing what a rhetorical question that was.

The heiress looked at the time and nodded.

Might as well face the music sooner than later.

She gathered her capsules, charts, findings and other knick-knacks and was just about to head out when she checked the mirror.

Her attire was simple yet stylish.

A matching charcoal pinstripe blazer and skirt covering a silken aquamarine undershirt was enough to convey femininity and intelligence. And that was all she needed. Though she hasn't had much experience in international arbitration, she knew that if she were ever to be treated seriously she had to look the part.

The heiress flicked on a pair of black rimmed glasses and walked out the door.

4 hours later

Bulma gave the aliens a warm smile and wave.

Well that wasn't bad, they actually listened to what I had to say.

Indeed, unlike back on earth, Bulma was treated not only as an equal but a veritable genius. Sure, everyone back home knew she was a prodigy and she had no inhibitions bragging to anyone about her feats. But demanding versus inspiring were two different animals and she is quickly learning that she appreciated the latter much more.

She sighed wistfully at the thought.

Life on earth was not always as straightforward nor fair.

When she subbed for her father at a board meeting, all they would appreciate was her physical assets. She rolled her eyes at the thought and was thankful these aliens related maturely in retrospect. Beings of all imaginable shapes and sizes were present, and they were all interested in her peace plan, though a few representatives were conspicuously absent. She didn't think anything of it but, the others nervously insisted on meeting again.

As she continued walking towards her room, she lifted her wrist.

8:09pm West City Time.

Later than she thought but not too bad considering how much she got done. As she looked down, lost in thought she didn't see herself walking right into a solid figure.

"OW!"

Bulma held her aching head. It felt like she hit a brick wall when she heard a low…growl?!

I the dim flickering street light the form of a man stood silhouetted in front of her. Though, not very tall, he was solid, extremely well-built and had, what looked like, a swishing tail. Knowing a lashing tail meant irritation from Scratch, she pressed her lips and backed away slowly.

"Sorry for bumping into you, sir."

She stepped to the side and tried to pass, but the figure blocked her escape.

Slowly, she reached for her mace but before she could even budge, the wind was knocked out of her.

Bulma flinched, cradling her head when she noticed thick, corded muscles pinning her to the wall.

She trembled as the growl grew louder. She looked up and as a ray of light shone on his face her eyes widened in surprise. Her attacker not only looked human but was definitely not unhandsome. He had a regal air about him, sporting aristocratic features that put European debutantes to shame. Yet, there was something off, something very off with this man.

His guise was worn by life and brutality. His skin and flesh, whipped by beatings and tortures she'd never imagined. And his eyes…his eyes were gaunt and hollow.

Seasoned depths that looked haunted as if they had seen death. Too much death.

She choked on her fear and prayed to Kami for a miracle as she heard him growl.

As the witless woman cringed, the dark prince wondered what the hell was wrong with him.

He already had to put up with Nappa's incompetency for an entire day, making their arrival late by 5 hours. So to say he was in a very, very foul mood was an epic understatement. Therefore, when this bitch had the gall to not only touch him, but bump into him, she should have been nothing more than a stain on the floor.

Yet here he was stilled by her face.

It was pathetic really, how a seasoned, trained royal like himself would be tempted by a Saiyan-like succubus such as she. True, her coloring was different and made her ethereal, like a goddess. And with the way her hair curled and undulated like the bluest oceans, skin pale and made delicate like the silvery moon, he couldn't blame anyone for thinking she was plucked from the heavens by the Legendary Saiyan gods themselves.

But he wasn't simply anyone. He was Vegeta, the damned Saiyan prince of lore and as he gazed at her beauty his hawk eyed vision picked out a Uneiso counsel name label.

Uneiso Counsel? Does this bitch know something?

He narrowed his eyes and saw through her guise. Years of interrogation taught him how to weed out the liars with a simple glance, but when he scanned those large, endless pools all he saw was fear and confusion.

He smirked.

He released his hold and backed off just enough to give her a taste of freedom. Bulma wobbly collected herself straight when she heard a voice.

"Hn…did the poor little creature get lost?"

Bulma froze at his haughty baritone.

He knew her language?

"Ummm… no. Err yes. Sorry for bumping into you..."

She ducked underneath his arm when a loose yet unmovable hand latched onto her wrist. He tugged her back with a pathetic amount of force and she flew into his chest. She squeaked as he peered down with hooded eyes.

"Doesn't a fragile thing like you need protection from predators?"

The way he cooed his words should have made her shrink in horror but then she felt it.

Arrogance.

She dared to look up and saw a glint in his eye and a knowing smirk.

He was toying with her.

Instantly Bulma's left eye twitched, her sass welled up along with her courage.

He wants to play hard ball, I'll give him hard ball.

"Predators like you!? Hands off!"

Vegeta stood stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief as the little female turned 180 on her emotions. Suddenly he leaned back and broke out in laughter.

Vegeta was amused, very, very amused. Not only was she clueless of his infamy, this female had fire.

So much fire.

Bulma was getting pissed. Very pissed and she snapped her fingers in front of his face to get his attention.

"Hey, were you listening? I said get your mitts off me!"

She pointed downwards towards her wrists that were still trapped in his hands, while he wore that shit eating grin. Suavely, he unhanded her as he placed both hands up in an apparent gesture of surrender.

The heiress blinked in surprise.

Well that was easier than I thought. Although…

She narrowed her eyes warily, and backed away as he leaned sideways into the wall. Every single part of him screamed sex and sin, and a stupid, very, very, very stupid part of her brain felt disappointed that he wouldn't get his way with her tonight.

What the hell are you thinking, Idiot! You are a committed and happily engaged woman!

Still the dark stranger dripped sex appeal and she had to forcefully break off eye contact so her traitorous body would stop ogling.

As he watched her form recede into the distance, Vegeta memorized her tiny, little ki and waited until she was out of sight.

He was smirking in delight, thinking of ways he'd torment the little git until Radditz and Nappa suddenly appeared kneeling before him.

"Your highness! We apologize for the wait but we have finally found suitable quarters."

Vegeta looked shocked for a moment, then that infamous scowl returned. He turned, tail lashing irritatedly as he growled.

Just when he had found the perfect entertainment for the night, the imbeciles had to up and ruin it.

Nappa and Radditz looked at each other as the prince muttered quietly. He did not give his usual grunt of recognition and so they remained kneeling.

Impatient and fuming, Vegeta turned and yelled.

"Well!? What are you morons waiting for? Where is the blasted living quarters!?"

Submissively, the two Saiyans stood, treading carefully lest they manage to set off one of Vegeta's murderous tirades.