Here I go again, I'm getting these chapters out pretty fast actually. I plotted it out, there are going to be nine chaps total. Fun. Luckily, this one of my muses is being cooperative and allowing me to get it out fast. *Glares at 'The Priest's Rose'* That muse, however, I still must hunt down. Anyway, here's the next chapter, with a new narrator! So you all know, I consider Millie the highly intellectual, if a bit naive type that is a lot smarter than people realize. That should eliminate some confusion. Enjoy ^_^ Oh yeah, and I own none of this beyond plot. Ja!

**

~~Millie~~

I had to stay late for work today, the well needing a little extra attention. The suns are already setting as I climb the stairs of the porch in front of our little house. It's in bad need of repairs, the paint chipping and the wood completely warped from daily heat. I'll get around to fixing one of it one of these days, but tonight I'm too tired. Besides, despite all it's faults, this is home and it's very cozy.

Still, it would be nice if the door didn't squeak as I open it and shuffle into the dark living room. I spot Legato sleeping lightly on the couch and take a moment to just look at him. His blue hair is ruffled, falling to cover both eyes at the moment. He is lean, almost thin to the point of sickness, dressed in just his tight fitting shirt and looser pants. He looks handsome and vulnerable and I take a moment to think how someone like him could have done the things he did.

I shrug and go to the kitchen where I can smell something wonderful cooking. I know Meryl is working even later than me today, so it must be Vash making dinner. He turns around as I enter the room and we exchange bright smiles. We don't need to speak to know how we feel. Life is finally going right, despite the few bumps still in the road.

"I'm almost done with dinner, all right? Could you wake up Legato? He promised to eat with us tonight."

I nod and go back into the living room and over to the figure on the couch. I put a hand on his shoulder and shake him gently. Almost immediately, his eyes spring open behind that lush blue hair. They're afraid. He sits quickly and I pull away and offer him a bright smile. "Mr. Vash told me to wake you."

He still looks scared, but it's more subdued, hidden. "Vash?"

"Yeah! You're hungry, right?" He nods and stands, fumbling with his cane. I wonder what I did to frighten him so much. Maybe Knives used to wake him the same way, though judging by the reaction, he didn't look forward to such awakenings. I shake my head, I am thinking too much into it. He's in a strange place, surrounded by people who were considered his enemies not so long ago. That's all it was.

We eat dinner quietly, no conversation seeming to last more than a few lines. Shortly Meryl gets home and joins us at the table, complaining about jerks and perverts in this town. However, beyond that, her presence does nothing to bring conversation to the table. So we eat in silence.

Vash really went to a lot of trouble with all this. There is turkey - cut bite size, small bowls of applesauce and corn. Everything designed to be easily eaten one handed. Yet despite all the trouble Vash went to, Legato is clearly uncomfortable. Half way through the meal, he stands, intent upon leaving.

Vash stands also. "Legato!" His face is hard and I realize he's trying to seem like Knives. Legato sees it as well and pauses, looking at him. "You said you'd stay." There's a long pause before Legato slowly sits back down and stares at his plate. "Thank you." Vash smiles. I can tell he didn't want to do that, but it seems there was no other way to convince our guest to socialize with us.

I catch the blue haired man's eye and offer him another smile. He doesn't return it, but he seems to relax a little. The rest of the night is still spent in silence, but it's a little more comfortable at least.

**

"Millie. Millie, come on! You're going to be late and you're going to make me late too!" I crack my eyes open as Meryl continues to try and get me out of bed.

I groan and roll over, trying to block the light. "I have a day off today, sempai. Didn't I tell you?"

"No, Millie, you didn't tell me. Now I'm going to be late for no reason."

She hurries out the door and I pull the blanket around me once more. I don't mind working hard for a living, but it's nice to have a day off. Finally I drag myself out of bed and head downstairs for some food. I've slept quite late, the suns already approaching noon.

I never get to the stairs however as I hear something in the other room along the hallway. It's Legato and Knives speaking. Carefully I push the door open and peek inside. Legato is standing over Knives, wrapping his wounds gently while the blonde speaks softly to him. I can't hear the specific words, but the look on Legato's face is pained. He straightens and I expect him to move to Wolfwood to clean his wounds, I can see the bandages need changing, but instead he calmly leaves the room.

He looks surprised to see me as he steps into the hall. I'm rather surprised myself. "Why isn't Mr. Vash taking care of them?"

"He went into town again. Asked me to do it." He tries to slide past me towards the stairs, but I am big enough to block the hall completely.

"If you agreed to take care of them, why aren't you?" He looks confused at my accusation and I set my face into an angry frown. "I saw you leave without taking care of Mr. Priest."

"Oh, is that all? I will not waste my time on a dead spider."

How can he say something like that? He forces me aside and moves to the stairs. I whirl on him. "You tried to take him from me once and failed. I will not lose him again because of you. I hope you enjoy the comforts we provide during your stay here, Legato-san." I turn my back on him doing my best to force the guilt into his mind. I can almost see the hurt in his eyes. But I know it's not there, he is heartless and cold and could care less about my feelings or Wolfwood.

I enter the room myself and clean Wolfwood's wounds, pointedly ignoring Knives as he tries to goad me into a reaction. I have more important things to deal with than the infuriating blonde. I'll have to tell Vash about this of course. I leave and find Legato still perched at the top of the stairs, apparently waiting for me.

He says nothing as I close the door and look into his eyes. "Why do you serve someone like Knives? You seem very kind, a good soul. Yet because of him, you're letting an even better man die!" There's a stretch of silence and Legato avoids my eyes. Finally I walk past him. "Wolfwood has a fever, I think it's an infection. He may really die because of you after all." I really didn't mind that Legato was here. I thought he could change, heal, maybe even become a friend. I'm not so sure now . . .

**

So, did this chapter make sense? I like the way it came out, and I wanted to portray some fairly important stuff, but I'm not sure if that really happened. Oh well, it looks like once again Millie got through to the 'bad boy'. Maybe her influence still can heal our favorite bishie (well, one of my favorites. The smoking priest tops my list^_^!). And next chapter is the one you've all been waiting for-the first sort of big romance scene! It's not written yet, but like I said, they're all planned out. So tell me what you think and I'll keep writing. Ja!