Greetings! Once again, many apologies for the long droughts in between chapters. I should quit my job and write full time (I wish). Thanks for your responses! I hope I don't disappoint you all. This time it's a little short, but it's better than nothing. Enjoy!
When It's Over
Chapter 5: Shadow of Fate
Meryl felt a gentle nudge on her shoulder and woke up groggily from her uncomfortable position. She had spent the night keeping a constant vigil outside of Vash's room to make sure that he was safe. The last time the locals discovered his true identity, it almost got him killed.
"Milly? What are you doing here? Who's taking care of the kids?"
"I sent a telegram to my sister, Sarah in August. She came over this morning and said that she would watch over them for as long as we need her to. Senpai, you've been here all night. Why don't you go home and rest? It won't do you or Vash-san any good."
"You know I can't do that. In his condition, he's an easy target for every bounty hunter in the county."
Milly gave her a worried look, but realized that Meryl was right.
"How is he?"
"His condition is stabilized, for now. But he needs a blood transfusion."
"You're not suggesting…" Milly asked uneasily.
"I have no choice. I'm going to find Knives," Meryl replied somberly.
"Senpai! You can't go alone. I won't let you!"
"I don't have a choice. There's no guarantee that Ai will be a match. Besides, I couldn't put her through that kind of ordeal. I need you to be here, Milly. Please. I'm counting on you."
"Aren't you afraid of what will happen if you go?"
Meryl looked down at her clasped hands in her lap. "I'm more afraid of what will happen if I don't," she admitted.
"Mama!" Ai greeted Meryl happily when she came home later that evening. Meryl hugged her daughter with a heavy heart. It took every ounce of self-control not to show how much the situation was tearing her apart.
"Where is Tongari-san?" Ai asked curiously.
"Ai-chan, Mama has something to tell you. Come here," Meryl replied softly, and put the child on her lap, while keeping her within the circle of her arms.
"Tongari-san is very sick right now. He's in the hospital."
"Make him better, Mama," Ai replied automatically.
"It means that I have to leave you for a little while. Is that okay with you?"
"I'm not a baby," the child protested.
Meryl smiled indulgently. "Of course you aren't."
She hesitated for a second, but resolved to tell her daughter what she had been avoiding all along.
"You like Tongari-san, don't you?"
Ai nodded her head enthusiastically.
"He's funny and he makes me laugh."
"Ai-chan, he's…he's your papa," Meryl finished with great difficulty.
She had debated back and forth whether or not to tell Ai about Vash. After all, she might have resented that fact that Vash had been absent all of her young life. Even if that wasn't the case, what if she couldn't find Knives? Ai would be heartbroken to lose her father, just when she found him.
In the end, Meryl decided that she couldn't leave with telling her daughter the truth. She owed it to her, and to Vash.
"My…papa?" the child repeated in confusion.
Meryl nodded her head affirmatively, and waited anxiously for her response.
Ai's face lit up with joy when she realized what her mother was telling her.
"I wanna go see him, Mama. I wanna see Papa!" she replied excitedly, already squirming out of Meryl's arms.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, but you can't go right now. You can see him tomorrow in the morning."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Mama?" Ai asked in a drowsy voice, as Meryl was putting her daughter to bed later that night.
"What is it?" Meryl replied gently, tucking the covers under her daughter's chin.
"Does Papa love me?"
"Of course he does. He loves you more than anything in the world."
"Then why did he stay away?" she asked in all innocence.
There had been no malice behind Ai's question. Just a lingering curiosity that Meryl had been pondering herself.
"I wish I knew the answer, myself," Meryl murmured softly.
"Does he love you?"
Meryl froze. "Out of the mouths of babes…" she thought silently to herself. It took several seconds for her to regain her composure.
"Your Papa loves everyone," Meryl responded carefully.
Thankfully, Ai seemed satisfied with her answer and proceeded to fall into blissful sleep.
Meryl sat there and stared at her daughter, who reminded her of Vash in every way.
She kissed her daughter's forehead in silent farewell, as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Vash blinked his eyelids several times to adjust his eyes to the sunlight as it slowly filtered into the room. He took a quick glance at his surroundings.
"Why am I in a hospital?" he thought to himself.
He felt as weak as kitten as he tried to sit up in bed. All he remembered was playing dodge ball with the kids and then nothing, as he suddenly collapsed.
"You're finally awake," a familiar voice came from the doorway. Milly put on her usual smile so that Vash wouldn't suspect anything. Meryl had already left on her quest to find Knives last night. Even if Vash went after her, she would have a considerable jump on him. And Milly was counting on Vash to do exactly that.
"Milly, what am I doing here?"
"Senpai brought you to the hospital after you passed out. The doctor says that you are very sick."
Vash stared at her, sensing something was very wrong.
"How sick am I?"
Milly hesitated.
"Please, Milly," he urged. "Tell me the truth."
"You'll die if you don't get a blood transfusion," Milly said finally, trying to keep back the tears. She proceeded to fill him on all the details, excluding the fact that Meryl was already gone.
Vash leaned back against the pillows as a torrent of emotions swam through his head as he let the news sink in.
He had been on this planet for so long, escaping death more times than he cared to remember and was not afraid to face death. There had been occasions when he wished he had died to escape the unbearable pain he felt sometimes. But now…now he had a daughter to consider. There was so much lost time to make up for. He wanted to teach her everything the Rem had taught him. To embrace life and live everyday to the fullest.
He HAD to live for her sake…and for Meryl's.
"Ai doesn't know about this, does she?" Vash asked worriedly.
"No. She just knows that you're ill. That's all."
"Aunt Milly, can I come in now?" Ai asked poking her head around the open door, and came up to Vash's bedside.
"Hey," Vash greeted her warmly.
Her blue-green eyes shone with unconditional love for the man who was her father, and climbed onto the bed to hug Vash.
"Papa," she murmured happily against his neck.
Vash froze immediately. Were his ears playing tricks on him? He pulled Ai back and looked into his daughter's eyes.
"What did you say, Ai?" he demanded.
"You're my Papa. Mama told me so," the little girl replied as a matter of fact.
Vash's expression softened. He didn't think that Meryl would tell Ai, so soon. Maybe she didn't hate him after all. She certainly put up one hell of a front.
"Did she also tell you that I happen to love you very much?"
"She says you love everyone."
He chuckled in spite of himself. "Yeah, I guess I do."
Vash held his daughter close to his heart and closed his eyes. "Ai-chan, no matter what happens, remember that I love you more than anything in this world."
Ai began to cry softly.
"What's the matter?" Vash asked concernedly.
"Don't go, Papa," she pleaded, as her arms wrapped around his neck tightly.
"I'm not going anywhere," he replied soothingly. "Why do you say that?"
"Mama went away. I don't want you to go away too."
Vash was stunned. He couldn't believe that Meryl would leave Ai. It was inconceivable. There was no doubt that she loved her daughter fiercely. Maybe the child was confused.
"What are you talking about, Ai?"
"Mama said she was going to help you."
Vash turned his head toward Milly and found that she too was crying silently.
"Ai, be a good girl and wait for Aunt Milly outside. I need to talk to her."
He looked in Milly's direction again, when Ai left the room.
"I think you'd better tell me everything," he replied somberly.
To be continued… (honest!)
Written by: Babboo June 18, 2003