Wolfwood shuffles the papers in his hands thoughtfully, rereading several paragraphs. "Well, it's certainly different."

Vash, who is slightly tipsy from the 'story complete' party that's going on, glomps the priest around the shoulders. "Isn't it great?! I get hugs and kissis. And I saveded him!"

Legato is on a chair not far away. "Don't you mean I saved you? You chose Chapel in the desert, not me."

"Don't call me that!! My name is Wolfwood! I am not the freak anymore."

Kalanoa glomps tightly on to Wolfwood and squeals. "You're still a freak though. Living contradiction! I just love it!"

Deadly Beauty pries the fanatic author off of her bishie. "You can't have him. He's Millie's, remember?"

Kalanoa starts pouting. "I keep giving him to Millie in stories. I should keep him to myself." Kalanoa begins crying, only to be hugged by Vash.

"Don't be sad! Everyone should be happy! I mean look at this story, it's so cool!"

Deadly pulls cookies from hammer space and passes them out. "Speaking of the story, IT WAS SO COOL! I mean, Vash. And Leggie! And . . ." she trails off in a happy smile.

Vash takes a cookie and grabs another beer. "Oh yeah, I loved the story! It was cool. I love my little Bishie!"

He throws himself at Legato, bringing both of them to the floor. And spilling half of his beer. Legato struggles to get his arm unpinned. "Well, I guess it was good. Not sure I would have done it that way, but, yeah sure." He opens his mouth to say more but Vash silences him with a kiss.

Immediately, the whole room bursts into a loud 'awww'.

"Well, I think it was horrible. I mean, the plot was all right, and it was written well. But it was still horrible."

Kalanoa stares sideways at Meryl, who's pouting in a corner. "Aw, you're just mad because you're hardly in this at all."

"Darn straight I'm mad! I have a job to do after all, how dare you keep me away from Vash. Do you have any idea how much work –"

Deadly shoves a cookie in the insurance girl's mouth to shut her up. "Give it up, you know it was a good story."

Wolfwood stumbles over to Kalanoa and gives her a kiss on the cheek. "Yes, excellent story. I got my Big Girl, and needle noggin at least didn't blow anything up this time."

The sentiment is ruined as a large explosion comes from the stove beside Vash. "I didn't do it! I didn't do it!!" He shouts as he dashes to get water for the flames. Kalanoa sweatdrops and remains quiet.

"Well, I think the story was garbage. Completely irredeemable, not that I could expect more from a pathetic spider."

Kalanoa suddenly looks very pissed and lightning crackles around her. "I am the author, Knives! Don't make me make you a spider!" The blonde pales and Kalanoa smiles smugly.

Deadly walks over to him and kicks him in the shin. "Besides, no one asked you, you Evil Bastard." She and Kalanoa exchange high fives and return to enjoying the party.

A couple hours and many – many – beers later, even Knives is apparently enjoying himself. Wolfwood and Millie have disappeared, and no one is too eager to find them. Kalanoa has begun randomly praising her reviewers: 'Thank you Chelz, and Li. Many thanks to Pandora.81. I love you Tewks!!' And Deadly is enjoying a game of poker with Leggie.

"Ha! I win, full house! Off with the shirt, phsycic boy!"

Legato frowned. "We agreed this wasn't strip poker. You've lost the last ten hands anyway."

"But I won this hand. You took off your coat last time I won!"

"That's because I was hot, silly girl. I won't strip for you."

"I'll bet I know who you'd strip for!" Kalanoa runs over and glomps Vash. "I'm so happy! Everyone loves my story!"

The two collapse on the floor, unable to stand, and Meryl slowly helps them both to chairs. "Maybe we should get headed home. You two are wasted!"

Kalanoa looks at the clock. "But it's hardly even midnight! What with New Year's so recent, I haven't been going to sleep until four or five in the morning!"

Merly's eyes widen. "You mean we're staying another four hours?!"

Kalanoa nods once. "Yup." Vash, Kalanoa, and Deadly all jump into the air, cheering.

Meryl grabs a beer and sits heavily. "It's going to be a long morning."

JA MATTA NE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!