It was some time later when the two boys came back. Andrea sat there at a small table eating. Neither man questioned where she had gotten the food, they knew she had her ways. Wolfwood sighed and chewed on the butt of his unlit cigarette. Vash took a deep breath.

"Andrea...We've um... Ow what was that for!?" The latter was directed at the priest who gave Vash a look.

"You're going to stay at Granny's house with Vash while we're here." he said, turning back to Andrea.

"We thought it best if your exposure to humans was limited for right now."

"We, Needle Noggin?"

"You're included in this too you know Wolfwood." That of course sparked an argument. Andrea watched with slight amusement. If they really wanted to limit her exposure to humans, they wouldn't let her out of the room. She looked back at them, the yelling was getting on her nerves now.

"-CARE OF A KID!!" Vash yelled in the sudden silence. He looked around, Wolfwood was giving Andrea a death glare. She in turn was glaring right back. "Andrea, let him go." When there was no response he tried again. "I'll give you a cookie." She turned her glare to Vash, what was she five? "Come on, he can't be all that bad." There was noise from Wolfwood's direction that made it sound like he was growling. Vash chuckled nervously, "No offense Wolfwood. Andrea pppllleeeaaassseee..." There was a flash of something in Andrea's eyes before her prisioner fell to the floor. Oh God, anything to keep Vash from begging.

Wolfwood jumped up, "You didn't have to push me you know!!" Vash jumped in front of him.

"Now now Wolfwood I'm sure it was just accident. You don't need to pick a fight with her."

"This is the second time she's messed with me! I've had enough, I'm teachin' her a lesson!" Andrea looked at him as he tried to get by Vash and calmly went back to eating her food.

"Lemme at her!!"

"Wolfwood! Wolfwood stop she's just a kid! Ow!" A stray hand had whacked Vash in the nose. Wolfwood took the opening but found that he couldn't move...again.

"God damn it!!" He was only feet from taking revenge on Andrea. Vash winced as he held his nose.

"Andrea...I think we should go." She looked at him, wanting to play with her toy some more. Vash made sure his nose wasn't bleeding before running a hand through his long hair. "He'll be here tomorrow." He said with a small smile. He was right though, Andrea read Wolfwood's mind, and even though he was plotting his revenge, he was planning on leaving when he said he was. She finished her food then went to the door. She didn't let go of Wolfwood until they had left the building. She was almost suprised that he didn't run out after her.

Vash sighed in his head. He had to figure out how to get Andrea to change her mind, but he wasn't completely sure how. The best way was probably to show her just how kind the humans were. It wouldn't be too hard to do that, he just had to keep her from killing the humans he pointed out.

He watched Andrea look at the people, a look of disgust on her face. It would a take awhile for him to change her mind, he just hoped that he could change her mind, or if he could, had the time to. He took a breath, sooner rather than later he supposed.

"Andrea, I know that Knives has taught you that the humans are bad, that they destroyed their own planet and they use our kind with no remorse. And while that's true to some extent, I believe the humans should be given a second chance. If we help them, they won't make the mistakes of the past again." Andrea looked up at him. She knew about human history, and they were constantly repeating themselves. She didn't see why this would be any different.

"Granny, I'm home." Vash called as he lead Andrea into the living room. An old, stocky woman came, hurriedly, out of the kitchen.

"Ericks! I'm so glad you're all right. I was worried about you."

"I'm fine. It'll take a lot more than that to get rid of me." Vash grinned.

"Oh Ericks..."

"Granny," Lina poked her head out of the kitchen, "dinner's rea- who's that?" She had spotted Andrea, who was standing just behind Vash.

"Yeah, about that..." Vash started, he turned so both women could see. "This is Andrea, a...friend's daughter. I gotta watch her for a little while."

"You mean the priest's?" Lina asked, walking over to the rest of them.

"NO! No, not his." He answered quickly, "He just brought her." 'Thank God she's not his kid.'

"It's very nice to meet you Andrea." Granny smiled, "I'm sorry you first day here had to be such a bad one. Though with that wretched man gone I'm sure things'll get better." Vash shot a glance at Lina, who shook her head. She hadn't told Granny about his true identity.

"Where is she going to sleep? Ericks has the only guest bedroom."

"She can sleep with you Lina. After all, you both look to be about the same age." Granny turned to go back to the kitchen so dinner could be served. Vash did some finger calulations, Andrea would be fourteen in human years. He quickly followed behind Granny to go help. Lina smiled at Andrea before she too left to eat.

Andrea frowned, she already didn't like these people. Yes, they had been genuinly worried and cared for Vash, but there was just something about them. They were...too caring she supposed. It almost seemed fake to her, but she had read their minds and it was truly what they felt. She thought she was going to be sick.

"Andrea, are you coming?" Lina's voice broke through her thoughts. She glared at the other girl and headed for where the others were.

Andrea layed in her makeshift bed trying to figure out what the good in humans was. The group that had held the town hostage was only a prime example as to why the humans should be wiped out. They had shown bloodlust, and regular lust, as well as the ever present greed that drove just about every human decision. So what were their good qualities again?

She sighed and glared as Lina groaned and tossed in her bed. She was having a nightmare about the inccident. Andrea rolled her eyes, if she had been in Lina's position, she would have fought back. The girl was stupid for not trying.

"Ericks..." Lina mumbled. Andrea growled, this girl was keeping her up. She could have done something, could have made the go away, but that would require her being nice to Lina, and there was no way she was going to be nice to a human. At least, not in the way Vash would approve.

With a grin she slipped into Lina's mind, searching for the part controlling the dream. She found it, and waited. She also spread out to another key spot, a slight mental pressure to this one, and Lina would wake. After a while of shakey monitoring, Andrea sensed that the time was right, and woke Lina. She was "being nice" but it was more for personal gain than anything else.

Lina gasped as she shot up straight. She had been dreaming of the day before. She had been so scared when Vash had been shot, even more so when she was kidnapped trying to help him. She took a breath to steady herself. Things were all right now, Vash was fine and in just in the next room over. She sighed, the townspeople wouldn't stand having Vash the Stampede in their town for long. They'd try to run him out, or catch him, or...worse. It wouldn't matter how well they knew him as Ericks. She felt a lump form in her throat and fought it back. It would hurt having him leave, he had grown so close to her.

She looked around the room, and faintly flushed when her eyes landed on Andrea. She had forgotten that the girl was there. She wiped her eyes and took another breath.

"Did I you wake up?" She asked quietly. Her answer was a brief stare before Andrea layed down, turning her back to her. Lina sighed, Vash has said at dinner that Andrea wasn't one for words, even though she did have the ability to speak. Lina sighed and went back to sleep.