I woke up, having fallen to the floor. Rubbing my head, I slowly climbed back onto the couch and yawned. I stopped halfway through a stretch when my eyes fell upon Knives: He sat in the same chair as last night, staring intently at me.

"I see you're awake," he murmured, his signature smile creeping onto his face. I turned my head to the side arrogantly.

"I see you've noticed," I retorted. I looked back again and flashed a mocking glance. Knives arched an eyebrow and looked over to the partially opened door, where Meryl was sleeping.

"So."

"So what?"

"Why didn't you?" I smiled at him indignantly.

"Because I don't have to." I paused to recompose myself. "Why do you care?"

"Just looking after my brother," he responded with a shrug. "I care about my brother." Knives looked at the door again.

"Don't even think about it," I growled as I stood and walked over to the window. I stared out at the lifeless earth and sighed.

"Don't think about.. what?" Knives asked, his voice lowering to a whisper.

"Hurting Meryl."

"I wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't you?" I turned and stared at him coldly. Our eyes hadn't met like this in a long time, and I shuddered and looked away. A long, awkward silence hung heavily in the air until Milly burst through the door noisily.

"Hello!" she yelled happily. I jumped and turned around; Knives was laying on the couch with his eyes closed.

"Hi, Milly," I said, smiling. I walked over to her and took hold of one of the bags she was carrying.

"Thank you!" she chirped; I shuddered. Her perpetual happiness was somewhat frightening at this hour of the morning.

"What's this?" I asked as I peered into the bag. "Clothes?"

"For your friend!"

"I told her to get him some normal clothes," Meryl said angrily from the doorway to my room, "so people wouldn't think he was stupid or something." I glanced at Knives; his eyebrow was twitching in fury. I laughed loudly and tapped his head.

"Wake up, Knives! We come bearing gifts for you!" I cried, dancing around the couch quite stupidly. He jumped to his feet and pulled my gun from its holster as I grabbed his from the table; both of us had the other's gun pressed against the other's head.

"Anxious, Knives?" I whispered.

"Think you'll get lucky again, Vash?" he whispered back. Suddenly, I felt a cold pressure on my temple. Knives saw it and grinned until a gun was pressed against his, too.

"Standard risk prevention procedure #483," Meryl growled. "Drop your weapons and sit down." Knives and I looked at eachother.

"She has a point," I said.

"Are you going to listen to that—?"

"Now!" she screamed loudly, pressing her derringers more firmly against their heads. "Drop them!"

"On the count of three?" he asked.

"One," I said.

"Two," he replied.

"Three!" I placed his gun back onto the table, and he placed mine back into its holster. Milly squeaked from behind the couch, where she had taken cover. Meryl sighed.

"I hope the rest of our time together isn't spent like this," she growled, glaring at Knives. He smiled and kissed her hand. "I am—."

"Go to sleep, dearest lady," he said smoothly. She blinked and decided it was best not to retort. Meryl backed into my room, dragging Milly with her, and slammed the door shut.