Well, I'm back! Where did I go, you ask? I went to summer camp for my
last year! (tear) and I can honestly say that I look beat up. I have a
bruise that goes all the way up my upper arm and is varying shades of
purple, plus many other bruises all over my arms and legs. But hey, all had
fun, and that's all that matters. So, sorry about the delay on this
chapter: here we go!
Sentences surrounded by '//' are thought speech, by the way.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Meryl's descent into consciousness was slow and content. A smile crossed her face as she woke up. The sunlight streaming through the open window didn't faze her. In fact, she welcomed it with an even bigger smile.
That was when she noticed something: she had three legs! One of which was covered with loose sweatpants. Actually, she had four legs, now that she turned her head to look more closely.
Meryl gasped as she came to the realization that, in actuality, she wasn't alone in her bed. She turned her head, ready to clobber the intruder. She stopped instantly when her livid gaze took in the sleeping form beside her.
Meryl's heart stopped.
His hair fell in his eyes during his slumber. His face was actually void of the usual torment that he carried during the day.
But what, Meryl wondered, was Vash the Stampede doing in her bed?
Meryl began to panic. She hadn't done anything she shouldn't have, did she? She thought back desperately to the night before.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
After the unexpected kiss, both Vash and Meryl had leaned back, staring at the other as if they faced a stranger. Then Vash smiled, and Meryl followed suit. Gently reaching out, he drew Meryl close, and she went willingly to lay her head against his shoulder, while his arms enfolded her tenderly.
"I've wanted to do that for a long time." Vash whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
She stared up at him quizzically "Liar" she accused "You didn't even notice me for the longest time"
"Well, I WAS a little.distracted for a while.. but you grew on me.and soon I couldn't get you out of my head."
Meryl smiled. She didn't want to argue. She just wanted to be happy. They fell into a comfortable silence. Meryl felt Vash's lips graze the top of her head, and she smiled, snuggling closer. This was so uncharacteristic of her. Where had her control gone? She was usually so rigid. But Vash had taken down her confrontational nature (which she used as a shield against people) as easily as if he were snapping a Popsicle stick. It worried her. It had been too easy to fall in love with him.
Wait. Fall in love? Meryl Stryfe did not fall in love. She was too down to earth for that. She just liked him a lot, that's all. She found him attractive. Yes, that must be it. Still, there was that little voice telling her that she had never felt like this. That maybe this could be that emotion she had been so afraid of for so long. She chose to ignore it for now, though.
Soon she was getting tired. It had been a very long day, and her exhaustion had caught up with her.
Vash glanced down at Meryl as they sat in silence. He saw that her eyes were half closed, and how she was struggling to remain alert. He smiled, and stood, sweeping her up into his arms as easily as carrying a rag doll. But he didn't carry her with a doll. Instead, he carried her as one might carry some rare artifact. He held her like she was the most precious object in the world.
Still, Meryl was not pleased.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Her shell masked her shock, and the hint of pleasure that warmed her cheeks.
"You're tired. I'm taking you to bed."
The innuendo in his sentence made her blush profusely. She was all too glad that it was dark.
"B-but I'm perfectly capable of walking up there myself"
His grin took on a wolfish character "Probably, but it's so much more fun to carry you"
Meryl stamped out her protests. She liked this, she decided. He swept her into the hotel, up the stairs to her room. Nobody was around to notice, which she was grateful for. She couldn't believe she was allowing herself to be toted around like some food sack.
With a bang, her door was open. She blushed as they entered her room. This was way too intimate for comfort. Of course, all things considered, they had already made out on the front porch.
With loving care, Vash laid her down on her bed. Meryl's blush deepened, but rather than start something Meryl wasn't sure she wanted yet, Vash moved to take off her shoes, letting them thump to the floor.
Meryl bit her tongue as a nasty retort burbled up her throat.
However: when Vash started to lean in close, Meryl stopped breathing.
He kissed her again. This kiss was slower... MUCH slower. He took his time, as if memorizing the feel of her lips against his. She felt his tongue slide across her lower lip, almost teasing. Her lips parted. He dove inside. Tongue touched tongue, almost seemed to dance around each other. Her arms slid around his neck, pulling him closer, not seeming to be aware of what she was doing. His hands pressed into the mattress on either side of her head.
Meryl didn't think, she merely felt. Everything felt so perfect. No other kiss turned her upside down like this did. She savored the feel of it, without worrying about what would happen tomorrow. She simply lived in the moment.
Then quick as it came, Vash broke away. His lips pressed to her forehead, then they were gone. Too far out of her territory. Meryl's breathing was harsh as she realized that she hadn't taken a breath since their kiss had begun. Vash was grinning devilishly.
Then he left. He simply walked out of her room. Meryl stared after him, unsure of what to think of it. The empty doorway gave her no answers, so she rolled over onto her side, trying to squash the feeling in her heart that felt almost like disappointment.
She was almost asleep when her senses picked up on a shadow draped across her. Her eyes flared open, stared in open-mouthed shock at the figure now crawling into bed beside her.
"Vash! What. what are you doing?" Was all she could get out.
Vash said nothing. He merely laid down facing her, and drew her speechless form into his arms. He had changed from his red coat to his baggy nightclothes. That must have been why he left temporarily.
But Meryl wasn't letting him get away without an explanation as to why he was invading her room. She began to squirm, trying to get away.
Vash sighed. "Lonely." he muttered.
"What?"
"Lonely. My life is very lonely, Meryl. Every night I go to bed thinking about all the people I've lost. I'm haunted by all the sadness that's so constantly around me. I close my eyes and see the hate that people have for each other. When I sleep, I have vicious nightmares. They remind me of everything that's happened. They try to make me believe that it's my entire fault. Sometimes the pain grows to the point that I wonder how it is I'll go on. But."
Meryl was silently listening to this, her eyes changing from anger to concern. On top of the shock that he was so close to her, she was now shocked at how easily he was opening up to her.
"But what?" She prodded gently, her hand resting gently on his chest, right above his heart.
"But.when I look into your eyes. when I'm surrounded by your presence. it all goes away. I no longer hear the voices of hate and sadness. The torment goes away. I'm free to be happy. And I am. When I'm around you, I'm always happy"
Meryl was speechless. His eyes were gazing into hers with such sincerity. Such.love?
"I didn't want to go back to my room, back to the darkness I usually live in. Please, Meryl. I don't want anything from you tonight but the opportunity to watch you sleep"
Lamely, she nodded. She couldn't think of anything else to say. She was afraid that if she attempted to speak, that she would choke up. She couldn't believe the way he was talking to her. He seemed like such a different person. But she had to admit that she loved this side of him. Come to think of it, she loved all the sides of him. Alarms went off. There was that love thing again. There was no sense in feeling such a strong thing for someone who didn't feel the same way. And anyway, Meryl Stryfe didn't fall in love.
Vash was smiling now. He was beaming, really. She could almost imagine rivers of happy tears flowing down his face. Hell, he looked happier than he had at having a bag of fresh donuts.
Once again she was enfolded in his long arms. She let it happen, even going as far as wrapping her own arms around him.
Her head came to rest against his chest, where she listened to the steady beating of his heart beneath her ear. A sense of peace spread over her. A lazy smile graced her lips. This was nice.
"Meryl?" His voice rumbled in her ear, as it was pressed to his body.
"Yeah Vash?"
He pushed her back far enough that he could stare in her eyes. His expression was suddenly serious. It made Meryl fall into a serious mood as well. She was suddenly feeling quite nervous.
"The last time I told you this, you were too deep in sleep to hear me."
Meryl had to wonder why her heart was threatening to beat right out of her chest.
"Meryl.."
Time had slowed down. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. And then the bomb dropped.
"I love you"
Alarms rang in her head, threatening to deafen her. This isn't real, she thought. It can't be. It was.it was.
It was exactly what she wanted to hear. Now that she thought about it, she had always wanted to hear those words from him. And now that she'd heard them, she wasn't really sure how to react. She didn't even realize that she was staring in slack-jawed amazement.
Vash flushed at her silence. "I know. I'm as surprised about it as you are. I don't. experience love that often. Sure, I chase after some girls. Ok, maybe a lot of them. And once, I loved Rem. But with you.it's different. It's a lot different. And it took me forever to figure out what exactly it was I was feeling. And even then, it was difficult-"
"Vash." Meryl cut him off. Her voice was only a whisper. Before she knew what she was doing, she had said the unthinkable.
"I love you too"
Now it was Vash's turn to stare at Meryl in disbelief. He briefly wondered if his ears weren't betraying him. His doubts were swept up in the most incredible wave of happiness that he had known since.ever, really.
"You do? You really, really do? Truly?" He sounded like a little boy. Meryl could only smile and nod. The response from Vash was a hug that almost crushed her ribs.
"This is truly a great day!" He cried, squeezing the woman he loved with all he had. He stopped at her squeak of discomfort though, and instead took the initiative to rain kisses down onto her beautiful face.
She was laughing. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't felt this happy in a painfully long time. And what was worse was that she felt no restraint in this. She was simply reveling in the moment. Letting herself be loved, and loving in return. Perhaps Meryl Stryfe could fall in love after all.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Meryl was bright red at the memories. She couldn't believe the way she had acted last night. It was so unorthodox for her. And what if Vash hadn't been serious? Or he had just been acting on a whim and needing some comfort?
One look at his happy face told Meryl that wasn't true. He seemed so much brighter than usual. He actually seemed free from the usual night torments he went through.
Gently, her finger traced his strong jaw line, admiring his beautiful features. Her fingers sifted through his droopy blonde hair, marveling at its softness. She had to smile to herself. How long had she wanted to do this? To think, Vash the Stampede had actually fallen asleep in her arms last night, and she in his. It boggled her mind. Love did strange things.
Love. Yes, she was in love. She was becoming unafraid to admit it now. She loved the man sleeping beside her with a force so powerful it gave her a new source of strength.
A hand came up to close around her wandering fingers. It was brought down to soft lips, which pressed to her palm. She flushed.
"Good morning" Vash smiled, his aquamarine eyes shining at her sleepily.
"Good morning" She returned, a shy smile softening her features.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Vash sat up, pulling Meryl close to him.
"Meryl," His voice sounded almost frightened, "Did you really mean what you said last night?"
"Of course I did, Vash. I wouldn't joke around with a thing like that. You were serious too, weren't you?"
In answer, Vash kissed her. He kissed her, and he kissed her, until she was breathless and didn't have another doubt left in her head.
Meryl felt free. She felt alive. She felt.full. It was as if a gap in her soul had suddenly been filled up by the love of this crazy outlaw.
She wondered briefly if this was how Millie felt about Wolfwood.
Meryl's eyes widened.
"Oh my god! Millie!"
Startled, Vash looked around the room "What? What is it?"
Shame washed over. In her ignorant bliss she had completely forgot that Millie was pent up with that psycho Legato, and the new Wolfwood. It was disgusting of her. Millie was her best friend. They had been through so much together. And Millie had been there for her so many times.
"I forgot. I completely forgot about Millie!! We have to go! We have to go rescue her!"
Vash pulled Meryl back down as Meryl attempted to leap from the bed.
"Don't worry. I have a plan. I haven't forgotten about Millie and Wolfwood. But I do think you're right. We have to go. Legato won't wait forever."
With a quick kiss on the lips, Vash stood. He smiled at her lopsidedly.
"I'm going to go change and pack. I'll meet you downstairs in 10 minutes"
Those 10 minutes found a frantic Meryl dressing and putting on both her holsters and her pistols. She was afraid. Both of what she would find there, and just what exactly she was going to do when she got there. But Vash had said he had a plan. She was determined to trust him.
She met him at the bottom of the stairs. He pressed a set of keys into her hand.
"Ready to go?" He asked. She merely smiled, and nodded. The pair moved onto the front porch of the hotel.
//You honestly intend to take her with you?//
Vash stopped dead in his tracks. The echo of the voice rang through his head. But it wasn't Legato that was speaking to him now. It was.
//Knives! You're awake!! //
//Not quite, dear brother, but I am almost at my original strength. In fact, I should be healed by the time you get back here.//
//Knives.I may not be coming back for another little while.I have some business to take care of.//
Vash heard laughter sing through his mind.
//I will be waiting for you at the ranch house. Legato will be kind enough to show you in.//
//The ranch house? But I left you in.//
//Yes, you left me in that insufferable, tiny village. You left me there to rot while you dawdled with that HUMAN of yours.//
//Knives.//
//It doesn't matter. She's just a spider. And she will die like the rest of them. Perhaps sooner than later.//
Meryl stared at Vash. No matter how many times she called his name, he still continued to stand in the doorway, staring off at some distant point off the horizon. She was starting to get really worried. What was wrong with him?
//Knives, if you intend to do anything to her.//
//Are you seething with anger now that I've threatened your precious little predator? Don't make me laugh. She'll be all too easy to kill off.//
//I swear if you lay one hand on her I'll.//
//You'll what? You know as well as I how fragile these humans are. You bring her here, Vash, and I will kill her. This is between you and me.//
"Vash?" Meryl called again. She was relieved to see she got a response from him. His dazzling smile lit up his face.
"Are you alright?"
"Of course! Just spaced off for a minute there," He draped an arm around her shoulders and led her in the direction of the little car he had, "Let's go rescue Millie and Wolfwood."
"Yeah." Meryl smiled, obediently hopping into the driver's seat and starting the car. She watched Vash swing himself into the passenger seat, stretching out his long legs. Vash had undergone a transformation in the last few minutes. Meryl was suddenly scared.
They rode in silence. Inwardly, Vash struggled. He had promised Meryl that she could come with him. But he knew that Knives would indeed stay true to his word. Meryl was no match for Knives. He could kill her easily. And Vash couldn't bare the thought of it.
"I'll protect her," He thought, "No matter what it takes. I will not let her get hurt"
A sense of foreboding fell on the both of them. Neither said a word, too wrapped up in their own fear. Instead, they watched the sands of the desert that stretched before them and counted off the too small amount of miles between them and the bowels of hell.
Knives voice echoed through Vash's mind.
"I'll be waiting"
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Next Chapter: Wolfwood and Millie
Sentences surrounded by '//' are thought speech, by the way.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Meryl's descent into consciousness was slow and content. A smile crossed her face as she woke up. The sunlight streaming through the open window didn't faze her. In fact, she welcomed it with an even bigger smile.
That was when she noticed something: she had three legs! One of which was covered with loose sweatpants. Actually, she had four legs, now that she turned her head to look more closely.
Meryl gasped as she came to the realization that, in actuality, she wasn't alone in her bed. She turned her head, ready to clobber the intruder. She stopped instantly when her livid gaze took in the sleeping form beside her.
Meryl's heart stopped.
His hair fell in his eyes during his slumber. His face was actually void of the usual torment that he carried during the day.
But what, Meryl wondered, was Vash the Stampede doing in her bed?
Meryl began to panic. She hadn't done anything she shouldn't have, did she? She thought back desperately to the night before.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
After the unexpected kiss, both Vash and Meryl had leaned back, staring at the other as if they faced a stranger. Then Vash smiled, and Meryl followed suit. Gently reaching out, he drew Meryl close, and she went willingly to lay her head against his shoulder, while his arms enfolded her tenderly.
"I've wanted to do that for a long time." Vash whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
She stared up at him quizzically "Liar" she accused "You didn't even notice me for the longest time"
"Well, I WAS a little.distracted for a while.. but you grew on me.and soon I couldn't get you out of my head."
Meryl smiled. She didn't want to argue. She just wanted to be happy. They fell into a comfortable silence. Meryl felt Vash's lips graze the top of her head, and she smiled, snuggling closer. This was so uncharacteristic of her. Where had her control gone? She was usually so rigid. But Vash had taken down her confrontational nature (which she used as a shield against people) as easily as if he were snapping a Popsicle stick. It worried her. It had been too easy to fall in love with him.
Wait. Fall in love? Meryl Stryfe did not fall in love. She was too down to earth for that. She just liked him a lot, that's all. She found him attractive. Yes, that must be it. Still, there was that little voice telling her that she had never felt like this. That maybe this could be that emotion she had been so afraid of for so long. She chose to ignore it for now, though.
Soon she was getting tired. It had been a very long day, and her exhaustion had caught up with her.
Vash glanced down at Meryl as they sat in silence. He saw that her eyes were half closed, and how she was struggling to remain alert. He smiled, and stood, sweeping her up into his arms as easily as carrying a rag doll. But he didn't carry her with a doll. Instead, he carried her as one might carry some rare artifact. He held her like she was the most precious object in the world.
Still, Meryl was not pleased.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Her shell masked her shock, and the hint of pleasure that warmed her cheeks.
"You're tired. I'm taking you to bed."
The innuendo in his sentence made her blush profusely. She was all too glad that it was dark.
"B-but I'm perfectly capable of walking up there myself"
His grin took on a wolfish character "Probably, but it's so much more fun to carry you"
Meryl stamped out her protests. She liked this, she decided. He swept her into the hotel, up the stairs to her room. Nobody was around to notice, which she was grateful for. She couldn't believe she was allowing herself to be toted around like some food sack.
With a bang, her door was open. She blushed as they entered her room. This was way too intimate for comfort. Of course, all things considered, they had already made out on the front porch.
With loving care, Vash laid her down on her bed. Meryl's blush deepened, but rather than start something Meryl wasn't sure she wanted yet, Vash moved to take off her shoes, letting them thump to the floor.
Meryl bit her tongue as a nasty retort burbled up her throat.
However: when Vash started to lean in close, Meryl stopped breathing.
He kissed her again. This kiss was slower... MUCH slower. He took his time, as if memorizing the feel of her lips against his. She felt his tongue slide across her lower lip, almost teasing. Her lips parted. He dove inside. Tongue touched tongue, almost seemed to dance around each other. Her arms slid around his neck, pulling him closer, not seeming to be aware of what she was doing. His hands pressed into the mattress on either side of her head.
Meryl didn't think, she merely felt. Everything felt so perfect. No other kiss turned her upside down like this did. She savored the feel of it, without worrying about what would happen tomorrow. She simply lived in the moment.
Then quick as it came, Vash broke away. His lips pressed to her forehead, then they were gone. Too far out of her territory. Meryl's breathing was harsh as she realized that she hadn't taken a breath since their kiss had begun. Vash was grinning devilishly.
Then he left. He simply walked out of her room. Meryl stared after him, unsure of what to think of it. The empty doorway gave her no answers, so she rolled over onto her side, trying to squash the feeling in her heart that felt almost like disappointment.
She was almost asleep when her senses picked up on a shadow draped across her. Her eyes flared open, stared in open-mouthed shock at the figure now crawling into bed beside her.
"Vash! What. what are you doing?" Was all she could get out.
Vash said nothing. He merely laid down facing her, and drew her speechless form into his arms. He had changed from his red coat to his baggy nightclothes. That must have been why he left temporarily.
But Meryl wasn't letting him get away without an explanation as to why he was invading her room. She began to squirm, trying to get away.
Vash sighed. "Lonely." he muttered.
"What?"
"Lonely. My life is very lonely, Meryl. Every night I go to bed thinking about all the people I've lost. I'm haunted by all the sadness that's so constantly around me. I close my eyes and see the hate that people have for each other. When I sleep, I have vicious nightmares. They remind me of everything that's happened. They try to make me believe that it's my entire fault. Sometimes the pain grows to the point that I wonder how it is I'll go on. But."
Meryl was silently listening to this, her eyes changing from anger to concern. On top of the shock that he was so close to her, she was now shocked at how easily he was opening up to her.
"But what?" She prodded gently, her hand resting gently on his chest, right above his heart.
"But.when I look into your eyes. when I'm surrounded by your presence. it all goes away. I no longer hear the voices of hate and sadness. The torment goes away. I'm free to be happy. And I am. When I'm around you, I'm always happy"
Meryl was speechless. His eyes were gazing into hers with such sincerity. Such.love?
"I didn't want to go back to my room, back to the darkness I usually live in. Please, Meryl. I don't want anything from you tonight but the opportunity to watch you sleep"
Lamely, she nodded. She couldn't think of anything else to say. She was afraid that if she attempted to speak, that she would choke up. She couldn't believe the way he was talking to her. He seemed like such a different person. But she had to admit that she loved this side of him. Come to think of it, she loved all the sides of him. Alarms went off. There was that love thing again. There was no sense in feeling such a strong thing for someone who didn't feel the same way. And anyway, Meryl Stryfe didn't fall in love.
Vash was smiling now. He was beaming, really. She could almost imagine rivers of happy tears flowing down his face. Hell, he looked happier than he had at having a bag of fresh donuts.
Once again she was enfolded in his long arms. She let it happen, even going as far as wrapping her own arms around him.
Her head came to rest against his chest, where she listened to the steady beating of his heart beneath her ear. A sense of peace spread over her. A lazy smile graced her lips. This was nice.
"Meryl?" His voice rumbled in her ear, as it was pressed to his body.
"Yeah Vash?"
He pushed her back far enough that he could stare in her eyes. His expression was suddenly serious. It made Meryl fall into a serious mood as well. She was suddenly feeling quite nervous.
"The last time I told you this, you were too deep in sleep to hear me."
Meryl had to wonder why her heart was threatening to beat right out of her chest.
"Meryl.."
Time had slowed down. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. And then the bomb dropped.
"I love you"
Alarms rang in her head, threatening to deafen her. This isn't real, she thought. It can't be. It was.it was.
It was exactly what she wanted to hear. Now that she thought about it, she had always wanted to hear those words from him. And now that she'd heard them, she wasn't really sure how to react. She didn't even realize that she was staring in slack-jawed amazement.
Vash flushed at her silence. "I know. I'm as surprised about it as you are. I don't. experience love that often. Sure, I chase after some girls. Ok, maybe a lot of them. And once, I loved Rem. But with you.it's different. It's a lot different. And it took me forever to figure out what exactly it was I was feeling. And even then, it was difficult-"
"Vash." Meryl cut him off. Her voice was only a whisper. Before she knew what she was doing, she had said the unthinkable.
"I love you too"
Now it was Vash's turn to stare at Meryl in disbelief. He briefly wondered if his ears weren't betraying him. His doubts were swept up in the most incredible wave of happiness that he had known since.ever, really.
"You do? You really, really do? Truly?" He sounded like a little boy. Meryl could only smile and nod. The response from Vash was a hug that almost crushed her ribs.
"This is truly a great day!" He cried, squeezing the woman he loved with all he had. He stopped at her squeak of discomfort though, and instead took the initiative to rain kisses down onto her beautiful face.
She was laughing. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't felt this happy in a painfully long time. And what was worse was that she felt no restraint in this. She was simply reveling in the moment. Letting herself be loved, and loving in return. Perhaps Meryl Stryfe could fall in love after all.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Meryl was bright red at the memories. She couldn't believe the way she had acted last night. It was so unorthodox for her. And what if Vash hadn't been serious? Or he had just been acting on a whim and needing some comfort?
One look at his happy face told Meryl that wasn't true. He seemed so much brighter than usual. He actually seemed free from the usual night torments he went through.
Gently, her finger traced his strong jaw line, admiring his beautiful features. Her fingers sifted through his droopy blonde hair, marveling at its softness. She had to smile to herself. How long had she wanted to do this? To think, Vash the Stampede had actually fallen asleep in her arms last night, and she in his. It boggled her mind. Love did strange things.
Love. Yes, she was in love. She was becoming unafraid to admit it now. She loved the man sleeping beside her with a force so powerful it gave her a new source of strength.
A hand came up to close around her wandering fingers. It was brought down to soft lips, which pressed to her palm. She flushed.
"Good morning" Vash smiled, his aquamarine eyes shining at her sleepily.
"Good morning" She returned, a shy smile softening her features.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Vash sat up, pulling Meryl close to him.
"Meryl," His voice sounded almost frightened, "Did you really mean what you said last night?"
"Of course I did, Vash. I wouldn't joke around with a thing like that. You were serious too, weren't you?"
In answer, Vash kissed her. He kissed her, and he kissed her, until she was breathless and didn't have another doubt left in her head.
Meryl felt free. She felt alive. She felt.full. It was as if a gap in her soul had suddenly been filled up by the love of this crazy outlaw.
She wondered briefly if this was how Millie felt about Wolfwood.
Meryl's eyes widened.
"Oh my god! Millie!"
Startled, Vash looked around the room "What? What is it?"
Shame washed over. In her ignorant bliss she had completely forgot that Millie was pent up with that psycho Legato, and the new Wolfwood. It was disgusting of her. Millie was her best friend. They had been through so much together. And Millie had been there for her so many times.
"I forgot. I completely forgot about Millie!! We have to go! We have to go rescue her!"
Vash pulled Meryl back down as Meryl attempted to leap from the bed.
"Don't worry. I have a plan. I haven't forgotten about Millie and Wolfwood. But I do think you're right. We have to go. Legato won't wait forever."
With a quick kiss on the lips, Vash stood. He smiled at her lopsidedly.
"I'm going to go change and pack. I'll meet you downstairs in 10 minutes"
Those 10 minutes found a frantic Meryl dressing and putting on both her holsters and her pistols. She was afraid. Both of what she would find there, and just what exactly she was going to do when she got there. But Vash had said he had a plan. She was determined to trust him.
She met him at the bottom of the stairs. He pressed a set of keys into her hand.
"Ready to go?" He asked. She merely smiled, and nodded. The pair moved onto the front porch of the hotel.
//You honestly intend to take her with you?//
Vash stopped dead in his tracks. The echo of the voice rang through his head. But it wasn't Legato that was speaking to him now. It was.
//Knives! You're awake!! //
//Not quite, dear brother, but I am almost at my original strength. In fact, I should be healed by the time you get back here.//
//Knives.I may not be coming back for another little while.I have some business to take care of.//
Vash heard laughter sing through his mind.
//I will be waiting for you at the ranch house. Legato will be kind enough to show you in.//
//The ranch house? But I left you in.//
//Yes, you left me in that insufferable, tiny village. You left me there to rot while you dawdled with that HUMAN of yours.//
//Knives.//
//It doesn't matter. She's just a spider. And she will die like the rest of them. Perhaps sooner than later.//
Meryl stared at Vash. No matter how many times she called his name, he still continued to stand in the doorway, staring off at some distant point off the horizon. She was starting to get really worried. What was wrong with him?
//Knives, if you intend to do anything to her.//
//Are you seething with anger now that I've threatened your precious little predator? Don't make me laugh. She'll be all too easy to kill off.//
//I swear if you lay one hand on her I'll.//
//You'll what? You know as well as I how fragile these humans are. You bring her here, Vash, and I will kill her. This is between you and me.//
"Vash?" Meryl called again. She was relieved to see she got a response from him. His dazzling smile lit up his face.
"Are you alright?"
"Of course! Just spaced off for a minute there," He draped an arm around her shoulders and led her in the direction of the little car he had, "Let's go rescue Millie and Wolfwood."
"Yeah." Meryl smiled, obediently hopping into the driver's seat and starting the car. She watched Vash swing himself into the passenger seat, stretching out his long legs. Vash had undergone a transformation in the last few minutes. Meryl was suddenly scared.
They rode in silence. Inwardly, Vash struggled. He had promised Meryl that she could come with him. But he knew that Knives would indeed stay true to his word. Meryl was no match for Knives. He could kill her easily. And Vash couldn't bare the thought of it.
"I'll protect her," He thought, "No matter what it takes. I will not let her get hurt"
A sense of foreboding fell on the both of them. Neither said a word, too wrapped up in their own fear. Instead, they watched the sands of the desert that stretched before them and counted off the too small amount of miles between them and the bowels of hell.
Knives voice echoed through Vash's mind.
"I'll be waiting"
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Next Chapter: Wolfwood and Millie