Disclaimer: I am sooo so so so sorry this took so long to update! O_o;; I…^^; I started high school a couple weeks ago. That should explain the jest of it all. But if you deem me a whining little freshman who can't take the pain, then how about this – I got writer's block. So feh. Anyway, this chapter is really, really short. Gomen! x_x I did this cause the next chapter is gonna be pretty lengthy and filled with lots of Vash/Meryl goodness. I guess this is a pointless chapter, but my story is pretty pointless in the long run. ^^; Ah well. Everybody needs shameless Vash/Meryl-ness every once in awhile!

Thank you all for your wonderful reviews. ^^ I didn't know how people were going to react to that last chapter, but hey. I'm taking a leap of faith here! *poses*

And without further mindless rambling, I bring you chapter four. *bows and runs*

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A full circle of luminous orbs hung unwavering in the sky, light hanging down in glowing streamers and brushing against the quiet city below. All were cozied up in warm beds, dreams slowly filling the minds of weary inhabitants. Except for one house that stood out against the darkened streets, lights flooding out of the windows in pools of gold across the dusty road. Silhouettes of pacing figures tainted the golden puddles, shadows twirling and imitating every move being mimicked inside the window.

Two men and a woman exited the door, the blonde gunman seeing them out with a stern expression, quite a rare side of the man indeed.

"Well, Mister Stampede, she wasn't wounded seriously. The bump on her head wasn't enough to cause a concussion, so sleep will not be an issue for her," concluded the first man, stroking fine gray whiskers.

The assistant next to him chimed in with a brittle voice, "In fact, all that she really got was some scrapes and bruises. She'll be sore for awhile, but I can't honestly think of anybody who really isn't after such a traumatic experience!"

Vash had to resist the urge to smack the man.

The first doctor spoke up again. "We strongly urge you to let the other girl to take care of her. Usually rape victims have a tendency to have a large fear of men…it might take her awhile to – "

"I understand," Vash cut him off. He couldn't listen to anymore of this. What the doctor was saying was that Meryl was going to be afraid to be near him, most likely. The small insurance girl, crazy and madly in love with the blonde gunman, scared of him and his peering aqua eyes. It was unbearable.

"I will be coming by every afternoon to check on Ms. Stryfe," stated the female nurse, "so you have nothing to fear. Just be sure to remain patient and willing to any request she might have."

With a few bits of unheard requests and advice, the trio went their separate ways, leaving Vash to himself. He closed the door and hoping to catch a moment's piece to gather up his thoughts, turned to go to bed early. Of course, luck being something he was lacking thereof, he was face to face with the big girl.

"Is sempai going to be okay?" the outright question came. Vash looked at her silently, her wide crystalline eyes filled with innocence. Could he really shatter them with the hammer that was the truth? Could he bear the guilt of telling her that the adored insurance girl could possibly never be the same? He kept considering the consequences of his actions while the tall insurance girl watched him with an urgent gaze fixated on his eyes, giving him no room to escape her bombard.

"Vash-san!"

How he longed for the glasses to hide behind. "Meryl is going to be fine," came the half-truth.

"Really?! That's wonderful!" A relieved look brightened Milly's features in a ray of light that made Vash want to snatch it off her face so he could have it for himself. The big girl immediately went strolling into the kitchen gaily with a merry smile, "I'll make her some of her favorite soup! That'll make her feel better! Big sister always said that the cure to the blues was a spoonful of sugar!" She giggled to herself in a chipper tone. "Of course, there won't be sugar, but it's just as good! I really hope sempai will like it!"

Milly continued to happily make the soup for her partner while Vash watched her, eyes hollowed out as if someone had taken a large spoon and scooped out all of his emotions. He felt empty…oh-so empty…

"Rem…Rem, what do I do? I'm alone and confused, Rem, what do I do? Help me, Rem!"

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Meryl lie in the bed, staring out the window with eyes outlined with black circles. The swollen lips had begun to heal, but a nasty bruise left its mark to signify the traumatic experience she had been put through. A large bandage entangled its way through Meryl's hair and clung to the stitches holding together the gaping wound she had received when thrown into the wall. Her body was stiff and sore all over, she couldn't move even if she wanted to. But at least she was alive.

Meryl cursed her luck.

Death…it seemed all too welcoming at the moment, a final rest to end the turmoil welling up within her like a great bubble. As she gazed out the window with a frayed expression, she tried to calm her every nerve standing on end in her body. She dare not move, dare not speak in fear of the visions of the rape coming back to mind. It was best to think of something else. So, she concentrated on the moons lying in the sky. Undeniably gorgeous and a soothing light shining down from the Heavens, it helped to bring a blank mind with nothing to disturb the placid state.

A gentle and obviously hesitant knock robbed the moment of its peace. Meryl did not move or speak.

"Meryl?" It was Vash.

Silence followed soon after, haunting the call like a lost cause. But again, he persisted.

"Meryl, I'm coming in," Vash warned gently. Yet again, no response. The door slowly opened and Vash stepped in, face drained of all light-hearted humor or good will. All that showed was his concern and compassion. Meryl kept her gaze out the window blankly. She could not face him as much as she wanted to. Overwhelming shame boiled over inside of her whenever she looked into those beautiful aqua eyes, knowing that she was such a burden to the man now. She had robbed him of his freedom for so long now, and because of her foolish decision to work late, he now had to bear the responsibility of her breakdown. All she wanted was to embrace Vash and then cast him free to do as he wish, but it was no longer possible. She was clinging to him again and it wasn't fair. Thus, she had no right to look upon his perfection that was a superior breed. She had no right.

A looming presence next to her snapped her out of her depressed thoughts. Blue eyes slid to the side to catch a glimpse of the tall man. He looked pained, and as much as he tried to suppress it, some spilled over the sides like a glass filled to the brim with tears.

"Meryl…I…" The gunman swallowed, the serious demeanor slowly taking its place as he calmed himself into a state that surprisingly helped the air around the two to become less tense than it had originally been. Finally, he found his courage and the words he had to say. "I'm here for you if you ever need anything, alright? The doctor said I should help you anyway I can."

Somehow, those weren't the words he had in mind. He opened his mouth to say something else that nibbled at the fringe of his mind, but nothing came out. His throat tightened and he found that despite any will or fear he felt, he could not say the words that should have been said. No, rather, perhaps it was not the time. No. It was not. Another time, Vash…another time…

More choking silence. Vash pursed his lips into a tight line to keep from pleading for the short insurance girl to say something – anything! Anything would do! The way she constantly worried and fussed over her work, her scornful tone when she droned on about how he should act his age, the way she asked him with disgusted delight how he could eat so many donuts at one time, even a small "okay" would satisfy him! If only she would just say something!

His gaze fluttered to the floor and remained there for a long moment's passing. "I guess," whispered the outlaw, "that's all I wanted to say. Sweet dreams." Swiftly he turned and walked out the door, not bothering to turn and give her another look. Meryl did not want to say anything, and that was that. He couldn't force her, nor would he make her.

Meryl didn't argue as the door closed. It shut silently, a dreadful sound that consumed her whole and flung her to the floor of her conscience like a rag doll. She couldn't take it. Great, monstrous tears welled up in her eyes and her throat convulsed, causing a small gasp to wrench from her dried lips. Her lips quivered and pulled back as her face crumbled and she curled into a huddled form, an enormous heaving motion spilling the sob out in a ragged sound. Tears fell in great streams and she nestled her face shamefully into the pillow as quaking fingers lightly traced a great bruise on her thigh.

She was useless.

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