Hi everyone! Where did January go? How did it get to be February already? Again, my apologies for taking so long to get this chapter out, I've been making wedding plans (May 23rd!) so things have been pretty hectic. Don't know when our next chapter is coming but Dwellin and I are still working to get it completed (she might even be back to writing with me again! Yay!) Anyway, thanks again to our reviewers, Aine and Erin, you two are the best! Thanks to everyone else who has read this far but haven't reviewed, I hope your inner romantics enjoy this chapter! Thanks again for reading! MillyT

"We are not responsible for any stock market fluctuations, acts of nature, or the common cold, only for the story we are submitting. If you have any thoughts we would like to hear them (kind ones are acknowledged, mean ones are fed to our pet dragon, Slumberbumpkin the Not So Fierce.). We don't own Trigun, (wish we did though!) and we certainly don't own Vash (I know, I already checked into it) , and we don't own Nightow (do I need to repeat myself?), all we own is not really worth mentioning here. Please enjoy your stay and keep all hands and arms inside the ride at all times, and your seats...well, you don't have to keep them in the upright positions! Enjoy your stay!"

Chapter 24

Sweet Seconds

[Stardate: 11-02-0110-17:00]

Ice cream. The moment Meryl left the hotel room that evening, that's all Milly could think about. She needed ice cream, and lots of it. She smacked her lips together and went through her wallet trying to figure out how much she could spare for a nice treat. Then, after locking up the room, she headed down to the lobby to find out where she might pick up a cold snack.

Of course, her mind wasn't entirely on ice cream. It was partially on the little bracelet Nicholas had given her, and her fingers unconsciously played with it as she walked down the hall. It wasn't really fair in her mind that Meryl could hang out with her crush, whereas Milly was stuck in the hotel room merely thinking about hers. Although it made her blush merely to say the priest's name, especially since he was a priest, and what was he doing giving her fancy bracelets anyway? But of course she hadn't been able to spend time with Livio either, and he had no such restrictions, and yet, because of her job she was forced to merely think about them in her spare time.

Meanwhile, Meryl had dressed up to the nines in her brightest whites, her best hose, and carrying one of the fancy Prada bags she'd bought back in May City to go on her date. Of course, Meryl said time and again that evening, "This is not a date Milly, this is merely an apology dinner between friends." Milly doubted Meryl even believed that and was secretly wishing that Nicholas or Livio had done something so they could have taken her out on an apology date… but she doubted they carried such big secrets as Mr. Knives had! Or perhaps they did and she had yet to discover them?

"Excuse me? Do you know of a good place in town for ice cream?" The tall insurance girl stopped in the midst of her thoughts to ask the woman tending the hotel desk. Milly suspected it was actually the owner's wife, but then again she looked young enough to also be his daughter. Just as she was about to ask which it was, the woman replied to her former question.

"We don't have an ice cream shop in town I'm afraid, but the local grocery is just a block down from here and they have some great flavors in their cooler." The woman smiled and Milly smiled brightly in return, thanked her, and was on her way yet again to fulfill her craving.

Little did she know that a few minutes after she had picked up her pint of ice cream made by a couple of guys by the names of "Ben & Jerry" that she'd find two sets of hands on her dragging her down to the floor. Milly started to yell, but another rough hand wrapped across her face, and in desperation, she looked around at the men who were holding her in an uncomfortable position on the hardwood floor of the grocery. The boards squeaked under her as she tried to move her ankles, already in the seconds they had forced her down, they were starting to go numb.

Frantically, Milly freed her head enough to turn and look at her captors. A dark suited man was pressed up against her right, and the other wore a white t-shirt, but their faces were craned, peering around one of the displays. Confused, she let go of her precious ice cream and tapped Wolfwood on the shoulder. He turned to look at her and whispered, "Don't say a word okay?" Milly nodded and he let up his hand from her face and slowly both of them let loose their grasps on her.

After a tense moment of hiding from who knows what, Livio slumped back onto the floor with a sigh. "We lost him."

"No matter how fast we are he always seems to be able to track us like a blood hound…" Nicholas laughed, sitting down now as well and wiping his brow as he looked at Milly. "How have you been Big Girl?"

Milly looked from one to another with a confused expression. "Who were you hiding from?"

"Master Chapel," Livio replied as he got to his feet and then offered her a hand. Milly took it willingly, but made sure to scoop up her pint of ice cream on the way to her feet. "With our Master out tonight, he wanted us to go through training practice with him, but we played hooky… and he can always tell where we've gone."

"I think we're safe for now, he gets tired a lot more easily than he used to," Nicholas added, his dark eyes sparkling. "We actually came to see you, since Miss Meryl is gone as well; I figured you might be in the need of some company."

Glancing down at her ice cream, Milly figured it would probably be enough to share, and as long as they didn't make too much of a mess in the hotel room she would enjoy the company. Truthfully, her heart was pounding in her chest at the mere mention of spending any time in secret with these two, even though she really couldn't decide which one she liked better, nor had either of them approached her in such a way as to say they were interested in her as more than a friend. But still, a girl always thought about those things no matter how tomboyish she might seem! After going through all of the arguments in her head that spoke for Meryl and possibly her mother too, about bringing boys back to her room un-chaperoned, Milly smiled, "Feel up to sharing some ice cream?"

To Date

[Stardate: 11-02-0110-17:10]

This really wasn't at all like her. Meryl had never been nervous about going out for a casual dinner with a friend before, and even though she kept telling herself the same thing, at the same time her heart was pounding. Maybe it was fear of Knives? Yes, she told herself that, even though at the same moment the sound she was hearing in her chest beat out a rhythm telling her she liked him rather than feared him. Darn it all, why in the world was her body going against her? Her brain was rational enough to tell her that any office romances were doomed to fail, especially when it came to someone who wasn't even human most likely, although he had yet to explain just exactly what he was! Add on top of that the fact that since she stopped spending any time with him, the moment she did, Meryl had the urge to run up and kiss him silly.

She clutched her Prada bag tighter and clenched her teeth. This was not the way of a professional businesswoman! Instead her body was turning into some crazed Amazon that wanted to pounce on any hot man flesh that was put in front of her! What was going on? Was this what some of those older women talked about when they said their 'clocks were ticking'? No, Meryl had no urge to procreate the species, and yet just remembering the way Knives kissed her… oh gosh no she didn't even want to dwell on the fact that his brother had been just as hot and both of them seemed very much fond of her! Not to mention how fascinated she was with the two of them, no matter how scary they might be or the fact that Vash nearly killed her the last time they met.

Meryl decided as she walked that this was the clincher. This evening she would put all of her emotions for the twins behind her and get on with the job. Very soon they would be arriving in Jeneora Rock and she could hand off the job to someone without any emotional attachments.

At the same time, her stomach tightened when she thought about never seeing either one of them again. Then she started to feel sick and it was worse than butterflies, it was this confusion that caused it. Darn her feminine urges and these stupid crushes! Meryl really wasn't sure how Milly could do it. Tell Milly to be professional and the girl would snap to it and be right as rain the next minute. Meryl doubted the tall girl was having the same sorts of feelings she was having! No way, Milly was not the type to think about such things as wondering how a guy would taste if she kissed him after eating, say, a bowl of pudding.

Suddenly, she found herself outside of the restaurant Knives had asked her to meet him. Meryl could see him standing inside near the host stand waiting for her. Again the butterflies! He was so incredibly handsome this evening though! Meryl patted her cheek, as she looked him over from outside. He must have been freshly shaved and had a brand new haircut. He wore tight black jeans that showed off his ample muscular structure and a silver studded belt around his slim waist. A dark shirt covered his chest and arms, it was freshly pressed and looked as new as his haircut. He was the picture of manliness from where she was standing, and as she watched, he turned his brilliant aqua blue eyes toward her and he smiled.

Meryl could have floated. Why was he so handsome? This was the same feeling she had the moment he swept her off of her feet and to safety a few months ago. How could she fall for someone so incredibly dangerous but in such a gorgeous package? Gosh…no thinking about his package! Meryl flushed red and went into the room, swallowing down a huge lump that had suddenly formed in her throat.

"You look stunning," Millions said, carefully putting his hand on Meryl's elbow and leading her to the table.

"You…you look great too…" Meryl stammered, as he pulled out the chair for her at their table and sat down. He leaned down to push her in and she could smell mint on his breath.

Knives smiled, "I'm glad you came," he went around the table to the other side and sat. "I hope you don't mind, I took the time to place an order ahead of time. Unless that was too presumptuous?"

Meryl shook her head, "No, no, not at all." She set her purse down on her lap and she looked around at the small restaurant. It wasn't really a high-class establishment, merely a small hole in the wall. It was comfortable though, and she could see by the décor they served Italian. "Really, I'm not sure why you didn't just come to the hotel room yourself and apologize, this really seems like too much for something that simple."

He leaned forward, his elbows on the table, his chin on his fists, "You think so? From your reaction to my story I was surprised you followed us for as long as you did." Then he leaned back, "But that is most likely because you know where I go, so will my brother, and that's who you're really here for, isn't it?"

"Perhaps," Meryl said sheepishly. It was bad enough she was thinking about both men, but throw into it the fact he had to mention his brother made it worse. "I mean… yes, we need to find Vash, because that is our job, but we could have gone on ahead without you. I just thought this might be safer and since you weren't making us leave or anything…"

"You should leave." Knives admitted, "But if you did, I fear that Vash might do something to you." He stopped speaking for a short time while the waiter placed water and breadsticks in front of them. Meryl grabbed her water instantly, she felt so thirsty all of a sudden. Knives went for a breadstick and took a bite as he watched her. "I've really become quite fond of your company…and I've been missing it lately. That is why I really asked you here tonight."

Meryl nearly spit her water back into her glass. She coughed and set it down a bit roughly, splashing her hand and cast her eyes at the gunman.

He was looking at her with a serious expression on his face. Knives hated to tell lies, and he felt it wasn't the right time to beat around the bush. Of course, there was the simple fact that even if somehow Vash were to leave them alone, he knew it would cause him too much pain to even consider a relationship…however, he couldn't deny the fact there was something there between them. He could hear his own heart pounding louder, and as he said these words his mouth became dry. He had gravely missed the little insurance girl during her long avoidance of him. "I take it those weren't the words you were wanting to hear."

"No…I mean yes…I mean…" Meryl sputtered, wiping her hands off with a napkin she was holding maybe a little too tightly. "I can't. I mean, I won't. I just… we aren't allowed to like anyone and I've missed being with you and…no…" She shook her head and took a long deep breath before looking up at him again. "Mr. Knives, it's not that I don't enjoy your company, because I do. But I also know about the terrible things you did and it seems you told them to get rid of me. And now you're saying that you'd rather have me around? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense, now does it?"

Knives looked at her for a long few seconds and then laughed, putting his hand to his face, "No, I suppose it doesn't." His fingers moved to cover his mouth and a guilty, slightly childish expression came over his face. "Truthfully…I didn't even really want to do this, but Doc said if I didn't put it into words with you then I wouldn't be ready for the fight against Vash because I'd be too busy thinking of other things…"

Meryl opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. Oh. So it really wasn't his idea after all to tell her? Knives was merely following orders, was that it? She slumped a bit in her seat, "Oh. I guess I can understand that. Things were pretty close during the tournament, but they wouldn't have been if I hadn't been there?"

He nodded brightly. "Yes, exactly. You do understand." He heaved a sigh of relief and took another bite of his bread stick. "I'm glad I got this out in the open. So you will stay with us until we reach Jeneora Rock, and keep me company, won't you? Until I go up against Vash, then you will have to be safely stored out of harm's way…" He paused, Meryl's frown had formed and she was staring at him like a bug. "What is it?"

"You really don't get it do you? I'm going with you, I'm finding Vash, and I'm doing my job."

Knives frowned. "You'll get killed."

"I'm quite aware of that."

"Aren't you the least bit afraid of Vash? Even after everything that has happened?"

Meryl crossed her hands over her chest. "Are you?"

"Yes."

"Well, so am I. But I still have a job to do. You still have your job to do too, correct? That's not stopping you, is it?"

"Well, no."

"So there you go. I'm going with you, just like I'm sitting here eating this dinner with you. We might not have the same intentions for being here, but we're here anyway, correct?" Meryl felt like she wanted to cry. For a small time she had truly thought that Knives had wanted her to be there because he wanted to spend time with her. And yet suddenly it seemed as though he only wanted her there in order to tell her, once again, to leave. Oh, but first keep me company because I like you? What kind of male logic was that? Come on! He really was a child, no matter how aloof he might have seemed at first! Meryl shook her head, men were all the same. They were all masculine and macho until a woman came into their lives and then suddenly they were like little boys wanting candy or cookies! Of course once they got what they wanted, that was it!

"Here you go, Sir, Madame," the waiter set down their plates. Pasta of some sort with a light orange colored sauce Meryl figured was probably some mixture of tomato and cheese sauces. She didn't bother to wait to see if Knives had anything more to say, she merely started digging into her dinner.

By gosh, she might be turned away, but she wouldn't be turned away hungry!

Triple Scoop

[Stardate: 11-02-0110-18:00]

Ice cream melted and dripped down the cone to his fingers. But he would prevail. He sat staring at Milly and Wolfwood, waiting for one of them to budge. They too had ice cream melting down their waffle cones, daring the other person to give up first. It was a test of sheer will and determination. Willpower was the champion here, who would last the…

Milly suddenly bit the end off her cone and sat back licking her fingers. "Sorry…I couldn't stand it anymore!" She laughed as she shoved the last bit of the cone in her mouth and watched the two men as they continued the last round of the contest. Milly used to do this with her older brothers and sisters at least once every summer. The trick to waffle cones was to eat the ice cream before it melted the bottom of the cone and it dripped down the hands. But once it had, the contest began, to see who could continue to eat their ice cream without giving in and licking the bottom. Of course, Milly rarely won the contest. It was too hard to stand the gooey stuff dribbling down her hands to her elbows. However, the game was fun, and she wondered whether Nick or Livio would manage to hold off the longest.

Livio was still watching Nicholas, both of them slowly licking their ice cream. They'd both eaten so little ice cream in their lives that it was hard to see the ice cream go to waste as he sat there with the cream melting down his arm and pooling at the crook of his elbow. The priest had taken off his coat and rolled up his shirtsleeves at the very beginning, and he too was starting to get a sticky trickle down his tanned skin.

"You lived in an orphanage, don't tell me you're going to waste it all by letting it melt!" Wolfwood chided Livio. He licked the cone and smirked at his friend. "Think about the orphans…"

"Same goes for you," Livio replied, swallowing a bite of the waffle, savoring the wonderful flavor. "We grew up together if you haven't forgotten! I can't wait to tell them back at home what a child you are, playing silly games."

"Now, now," Milly said lightly, "This is a fair contest, I don't want any name calling or anything to start up!" She stood and pushed back her chair, "I'm going to go wash my hands." The insurance girl walked off, both boys watching her backside as she disappeared into the bathroom.

Wolfwood sighed, "She sure is special, isn't she?" Livio nodded. He looked down at his ice cream; only a few more bites left, but they had fallen into taking turns to see who could now last the longest. Who would take the last bite? Wolfwood watched his expression change and he smirked, "What do you say we just eat it, count of three? Then we'll be tied."

Livio glanced up, his eyes narrowed, "What proof do I have you aren't just going to let me eat it while you don't?"

With a chuckle, Nick ran his free hand through his hair, "You're pretty sharp for someone so dull."

"I have my moments," came the reply.

"Alright then, how about this? If I don't, I forfeit the chance to kiss Milly goodnight tonight."

"Alriii…. WHAT?" Livio looked up stunned at Nicholas, his mouth gaped open. "What did you just say?"

"Just what you thought I did," the priest replied. "I've been giving it a lot of thought, and I'm thinking about asking her out."

Livio's ice cream dipped dangerously, "But you can't! You're…"

"I'm retiring… or whatever it is that priests do when they decide they don't want to 'priest' anymore. Of course, that is, unless you're interested in going after her yourself."

"But I…never…I couldn't… she's…we…but no!" Livio frowned, "On the count of three."

Wolfwood smiled softly. "One." He turned his spoon toward his face. "Two." Neared his lips and watched Livio mirror him. "Three!"

Both men shoved their last bits in their mouths just as Milly came out. She stopped; saw them licking their fingers and arms before laughing. "You two do everything the same, don't you? I guess we won't have a winner after all!" She sat back down at her seat and both boys were looking fiercely at one another. Although, Milly had no idea it was because they were both at war over who would get to kiss her goodnight.

Livio and Wolfwood stared each other down, looked at her, and then returned to the new contest of wills… Meanwhile Milly just laughed and handed them napkins and started cleaning up the pools of melted ice cream on the table in the little kitchenette. She was blissfully unaware of what they were doing behind her, fiercely curious about what was going on with Mr. Knives and Meryl on their date.

Double Dating

[Stardate: 11-02-0110-20:35]

Meryl didn't talk to Millions much after the initial conversation at the beginning of their meal. However, she was having a horrible time keeping quiet, especially after a musician with a violin came out and started to serenade them. Meryl wondered whether that had been Knives' idea or the waiter's. Whomever the cause, the romantic music, the delightful food and the comfortable atmosphere lifted her spirits a tad. Slowly, she dropped her fork and looked up at Knives. He was busy eating his meal, but at her movement, his aqua eyes came up to meet hers.

For a moment, neither of them talked. Knives was patiently waiting to see if Meryl would change her mind and agree to allow him to find somewhere safe for her to stay. Meryl, over the course of the meal, had decided on an alternate route, and she sat back in her chair. "I've decided," she said slowly.

Knives inclined his head, nodding slowly for her to continue. Meryl set her hands in her lap, "We're going to stay here while you go face Vash."

"Wha…? You are?" Shocked, it took him a moment to process the information. "So you won't follow me into Jeneora?"

"We'll stay here, as long as you think we're safe from your brother."

He pondered this for a moment. "Yes, I believe there are enough people around for your well-being." Knives was relieved, and yet at the same time, there was an odd sensation that he saw a flicker in Meryl's eye as she took a sip of her water. "What changed your mind?"

Meryl leaned over the table slightly, waving a finger for Millions to do the same. She bit her lip, "Bernadelli is planning on giving our jobs to someone else upon arrival at Jeneora Rock. Truthfully, I'm worried that there is something going on at the headquarters. Misinformation… Deception… I believe that if Milly and I were to go into the city with you, you might be in grave danger. But please, no one must know about this! Milly and I have been investigating on our own for awhile now, and I think there is a deeper plot going on."

The gunman took in Meryl's expression and nodded. "I understand. I will keep an eye out for more 'insurance agents'," he said.

"Good," Meryl replied. She stood, "Well then, shall we go? I'm worried about leaving Milly alone in that hotel room for too long. The last time I did she had reorganized my paperwork thinking she was 'helping' and it took me three hours to get it back the way I wanted it."

Knives laughed at the sudden change of topics, and once he had paid the waiter, they headed back to Meryl's hotel room. They walked side by side. Knives relaxed that finally he had solved the problem of keeping the girls safe, but he would most likely ask a few of his men to stay behind in order to keep an eye on the girls. And also dreading what was coming next, Jeneora was only a few days' drive away now. Vash would be waiting for him.

Meryl, on the other hand, was thinking about how long of a head start she would have to give him before she and Milly would follow. It was true, what she had said about Bernadelli, because she was worried if they showed up together, Knives might be in danger. But she was still going to Jeneora Rock, and she was still going to find Vash the Stampede herself. Milly might miss traveling with the men folk, but it was the best way to make everyone happy.

Upon getting to the hotel, Knives offered to walk her to her room. Meryl nodded. She was somewhat crestfallen about the fact that he didn't seem to like her in the same way she thought. Company-wise perhaps, but not in a romantic sense. She'd read about that sort of thing in her romance novels. He had kissed her, yes, but it was probably… Meryl shook her head, no, it was probably just a momentary thing, and now her mind was clear. Yes, she saw it all very clearly now, her job was to find Vash the Stampede and bring him under the watchful eye of the Risk Prevention Team. Perhaps Knives might later stand in her way, but it didn't matter, she did have a job to do!

Just outside of the apartment, Meryl paused to dig out her key. She was just about to put it in the door when from the other side there was a scream. Millions grabbed Meryl out of the way, thrusting her down the hall, and brought his long leg up to kick the door in. It flew open, splintering, and Millions jumped in, pulling his long silver gun from hiding, although Meryl had no idea where, she hadn't seen it all evening. "Hold it right there! I know how to use…this…" Knives trailed off.

Meryl adjusted her traveling cape, her heart pounding a million iles and hour, and she slowly poked her head into the broken door. That had definitely been Milly's scream…she knew it…but the scene which played out before her was anything but what she had expected.

Rather, Milly lay on the floor with Nicholas and Livio crouched around her. Wolfwood's hands were still on Milly's sides, Livio had her bare feet. Milly was in tears on the floor, her hands to her face. Meryl stormed in, "WHAT IN THE FIVE SANDS ARE YOU DOING TO MILLY?!"

"It's not what it…" Livio started, he backed off instantly as Meryl's derringers came out of hiding.

Knives jumped in, "Hold it there!" He reached for her cape, dragging her back. "Don't you dare shoot my men."

"Milly! Are you okay?"

Nicholas and Livio both got to their feet and Milly's hands came down from her face. She was grinning from ear to ear, and she choked, then laughed. "Oh my gosh Meryl! They got me! They really did, I wasn't expecting it but they knew… somehow they just knew!" She crawled weakly to her feet and started to laugh again. "Oh my sides hurt!"

"What did you do to her?!" Meryl demanded, waving her derringers at Livio, and then Wolfwood, still not quite understanding what was going on.

The priest laughed, "She's really quite ticklish."

"Head to toe," Livio replied sheepishly.

Millions laughed. He let Meryl go and put his hand to his mouth, trying not to bust out as he watched the young insurance agent climb to her feet. "Oh Meryl," Milly said when she could speak again, "Oh gosh we had so much fun while you were gone. We were eating ice cream and then decided to play a game of truth or dare… Yes, I know, it's sort of something a teenager would do, but we didn't have any board games and the hotel manager said that she had loaned out her last deck of cards. Livio had seen some children in an orphanage playing this game once and before I knew it they dared me where I was ticklish and… and…" Milly clutched her sides, "Oh I was laughing so hard, and my sides still hurt!"

Heart pounding, Meryl nearly exploded, but then she coughed and started to laugh. Milly was surprised she wasn't going to be in for a speech since she had invited the two bodyguards back to the room. Instead, Meryl was laughing, she had been so afraid something horrible was happening in the room, only to find it was something…so childish…so innocent, that only Milly could come up with. She needed to sit down, she plopped down on the bed in relief. Milly walked over and bent down, "Are you okay Meryl?"

Meryl nodded, "Yes Milly, I'm fine. More than fine." She nodded to Wolfwood and Livio, "Thank you two for keeping an eye on Milly." Then she turned to Knives, "And thank you for dinner. It was a very pleasant evening. I hope you all have a good trip when you start off tomorrow."

Milly tilted her head to the side, "We're going with them, remember, Meryl?"

Her superior shook her head, "Nope. We're staying right here until they get back, isn't that right Mr. Stampede?"

Knives smiled and nodded. Although he couldn't promise he would return. He waved at his bodyguards, who were shocked to silence. They were…leaving the girls behind? "We'd better return to camp to prepare to leave in the morning," the gunman said, and waved his men out of the room.

Livio followed immediately, but Wolfwood lagged behind. "But I thought you…" He closed his mouth abruptly and followed his master out into the hallway. Meryl went and closed the door behind them. Although, down the hall she could hear Nicholas complaining, "But we can't leave them behind, what about Vash? Won't he do something to them… No, we can't!"

Meryl turned to the stunned Milly. It looked like her tall friend was about to break into real tears of sadness this time. "Meeeeryyyyllll," Milly burbled, "We can't…I thought we had a job to do…and I was having so much fun… Pu…puleezee, don't say we're really…really staying."

Quickly, Meryl went to the window, she remained quiet while Milly babbled about how much she was going to miss Mr. Knives and Mr. Wolfwood and Mr. Livio. But Meryl was watching, and the moment she saw the three men down on the street and walking out toward their camp, she turned on Milly and set her hands on her friend's shoulders. "Don't worry, Milly. We're not staying behind."

"Bu…butt…you jus' said…" Milly babbled.

"I know what I said, but that's because that's what Knives wanted me to say. Truth is we're going to let them get a head start and we're going to follow behind them." Meryl shook her friend slightly, "Don't worry Milly, I'm not giving up that easily. But I'm worried about the news Bernadelli sent and I've been thinking we're going to report that we're not going to follow. Let them find Vash on their own, ha! They won't! Besides, I think something fishy is going on and I want to get to the bottom of that just as much as finding Vash and curbing his destructive tendencies."

Milly wiped her eyes and blinked down at her friend. "Really, Meryl? You think we can do all of that?"

"Of course! Don't you have faith in me?"

"Well, yes I do! But why couldn't we have just stayed with…"

"Because, quite frankly, they're in danger from Bernadelli. If we're seen with them then whoever is pulling the strings might think about shooting first and asking questions later."

The big insurance girl scrambled for the bed and sat down, snuffling into her sleeve. "Are they really that dangerous? Maybe we should have warned them…"

Meryl waved a hand at Milly, "I've already taken care of that. Now, however, we're going to wait a half a day here and then get on the road. We're going to get to Jeneora Rock without Bernadelli knowing and we're going to find Vash the Stampede ourselves."

Milly nodded. She took a deep breath, "Okay Meryl." She toyed with the bracelet on her wrist and then stood, "I think I'll get ready for bed now."

"That's probably a good thing, we'll need to be up early to get supplies to travel on our own from now on." Meryl tapped her finger to her forehead. "Always got to keep on our toes, Milly."

"Yes, I guess so, Meryl." Milly looked a bit disappointed as she slipped into the bathroom. The truth was, she had just worked up the courage for the next round of the game to ask Mr. Wolfwood if he liked her…and then all of this happened so suddenly. Now she didn't even know if she would ever be able to talk to him again! Meryl seemed all happy, so she supposed it was a good thing. Had something happened during the dinner? No, probably not, Milly thought. Because if Mr. Knives told Meryl that he liked her, most likely they wouldn't be having this sudden split. Milly turned on the showerhead and waited for the water to warm up. In that case, most likely he had instead crushed Meryl, so her friend would have to take an alternate course.

Milly stepped into the shower. Slowly, a smile crept over her face. Maybe, just maybe then, Meryl had realized she liked Vash the Stampede instead? Maybe this was her way of going to see him without Mr. Knives knowing? Milly secretly rooted for them, even if Mr. Vash had nearly killed them the last time. She shook her head, nah; she doubted he would try to kill Meryl again. It would be okay or her last name wasn't Thompson!