Author's Note:

I'm back! Thanks for being so patient. As if you had a choice, right? I go on

vacation for a few weeks and come home to all these lovely reviews. You're so nice! I don't know if things will work out just right in this chapter since I've only seen the entire Trigun series about two times, so bear with me. But enough of my drivel. Enjoy! (Language note: Gomen = I'm sorry)

When It's Over

Chapter 7: High Noon

Meryl swallowed nervously as her mind raced with a quick response that would appease Knives long enough to think of a plan.

"You're exactly the way I pictured you, Knives Millions," she answered calmly.

Despite her demeanor, inside she was a bundle of shaking nerves.

"Who wants to know?" he demanded suspiciously, keeping the gun to her head.

"My name is Meryl Stryfe. I've come to see you about your brother."

Knives pulled the gun away, but kept it pointed at Meryl as she slowly turned around.

"You're mistaken. I HAVE no brother," he replied coldly. His voice was laced with such hatred that it sent shivers down Meryl's spine.

She couldn't help, but wonder what could have driven Knives to the edge of insanity. He and Vash had grown up in the same environment and had the same opportunities. How could he be so different from Vash?

"You and I both know that's not true."

"I really don't like being contradicted, especially by an insignificant wench."

"Is it because I remind you of Rem?" she challenged.

His eyes narrowed. "Just who the hell are you?"

"It doesn't matter who I am. I came on Vash's behalf. He needs a blood transfusion…and you're the only one that can help him."

Knives began to laugh hysterically.

"You want ME to help Vash? You're kidding, right? Give me one reason why I should help him?"

"Because he's your brother. And despite your protests, deep down, there's still a part of you that cares for him."

"He was my 'brother' when he shot me four times," he replied sarcastically.

"He was also your brother, whose arm you shot off. And he was also your brother when he spared your life," Meryl shot back defensively.

"And I'm supposed to be grateful?"

"Why do you hate Vash so much? What did he ever do to you?"

"I don't have to answer to you or anyone."

Meryl could tell that he was definitely affected by the topic of his brother. And then it suddenly dawned on her.

"You were jealous of her, weren't you?"

Meryl found herself sprawled to the ground after being slapped by the back of his hand.

"I am sorely running out of patience."

She gingerly wiped the thin trail of blood from the side of her mouth, before getting up slowly. He could have killed her by now, but for some reason, he didn't.

"I don't know why I never realized it before. It makes perfect sense. You weren't jealous of Vash because of sibling rivalry. It was because in your eyes, Rem took Vash away from you."

"Shut up! You know nothing about it! Vash and I were born as superior life forms and we were destined to rule mankind. It was our rightful place. Everything I did, I did it for both of us. But SHE poisoned his mind and turned him against me, his own twin brother. That's why I had to teach him a lesson he would never forget."

"And what about all the other innocent bystanders who got killed in your quest?" Meryl demanded angrily.

"Some have to be sacrificed for the greater good," he stated, as a matter of fact. "Vash never understood that."

"He understood more than you give him credit for. And for your information, he never stopped caring about you, Knives," she answered softly. "That's why he spared your life, even when you tried to destroy him so many times."

"Liar!" he yelled.

"Why would I lie? I have nothing to gain from it."

Knives smirked haughtily. Humans could be so transparent.

"Oh, I think you do. You wouldn't happen to be 'in love' with him, would you?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm and contempt.

Meryl's eyes involuntarily reflected recognition. She had to take control of this situation here and now.

"So, you won't help Vash," she responded, hoping deter his attention away. It was bad enough that she was at the mercy of this deranged psychopath, but now he knew how much Vash meant to her.

"The day I help him is the day hell freezes over."

"Then you leave me no choice."

Taking full advantage of his overconfidence, in a swift move, she kicked the gun out of his hands and whipped out her derringers from inside her cloak.

Knives barely flinched and just smiled evilly.

"Well, well, well. So the cat has claws after all."

"Knives Millions, you're coming with me, even if I have to drag you all the way."

"I think not."

Before Meryl could even blink, he grabbed hold of both pistols by the barrel and managed to wrench her arms behind her back so that she was helpless. She resisted like a hellcat, struggling and kicking, but it was to no avail.

"I have to give you credit for trying, but as usual, your pathetic human attempts were futile."

She screamed as he twisted her arm tighter, inflicting tremendous pain.

"Did you REALLY think you could catch me so easily?" he demanded angrily as he spoke into her ear.

Meryl suddenly felt a gun at her temple.

"How ironic. I have the opportunity to take away something precious to Vash, yet again."

"Gomen, Ai-chan," she thought silently, and closed her eyes. Her last thoughts were of her little girl, Milly, the kids at the orphanage, and especially Vash. "I won't be coming home after all."

"Knives," a familiar voice called out to them from across the distance.

Meryl's eyes shot wide open. That voice…no, it couldn't be…

A tall figure with spiky blonde hair stood at the bottom of the ridge and began to walk slowly, but determinedly toward them.

The folds of his long red overcoat billowed around his legs as the wind blew eerily. There was no mistake. It was Vash the Stampede.

"Vash…" she whispered in shock and disbelief. He was in no condition to fight, but he still came after her.

"Let her go, Knives."

"You want her? Come and get her," his brother taunted.

Vash pulled out his gun from his holster and pointed it at Knives, without hesitation.

"Vash! Don't!" Meryl screamed, as he fired several rounds.

The bullets screeched past her with deadly accuracy, causing Knives to dodge out of the way. It was just enough time for her to break free and run for cover. She watched helplessly as Vash and Knives squared off.

"You haven't lost your touch, Vash."

"And you haven't changed at all," he responded in a poignant voice. "I don't want to fight with you anymore Knives."

"You started this. But I'll finish it. And I'm going to enjoy watching you lose everything again," Knives replied belligerently and started firing at Vash.

Vash scrambled for cover, taking refuge behind a boulder. He felt a sharp pain in his leg. Knives had managed to shoot him in the upper thigh, returning the favor from several years ago.

"Damn it!" Vash swore in frustration, as he attempted to stop the bleeding. His illness had made him so listless that he couldn't move as quickly as before. But he wasn't going to give up.

The only sounds permeating the dry arid wasteland was the ricocheting of bullets and rapid gunfire.

"Give it up Vash, you've lost!" Knives yelled from his position. He knew that he got Vash in the leg. He couldn't go very far.

Knives inched his way closer to where Vash was hiding. He would finally get his revenge.

"What the hell?" he remarked in surprise when he pulled his gun on Vash, only to find his coat billowing in the wind, but no Vash. Sensing his brother's presence nearby, Knives pivoted around and pointed his gun at Vash, who had also pointed his gun at him.

"It's over, Knives," Vash said quietly.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and shoot."

Vash shook his head negatively. "I promised that I would take care of you."

"I never asked you to take care of me," Knives responded resentfully and pulled the trigger.

Vash realized too late that he was not Knives' intended target, as the bullets whizzed past him and wounded Meryl.

"MERYL!" he screamed in agony, as he saw her slumped form on the ground. "No! Dear God, not again!" he thought to himself as he relived those last moments in the escape pod as Rem closed the door, so many years ago. He thought nothing would ever compare to the emotions he had experienced then, but he was so wrong.

Consumed with rage, Vash let out a feral scream and fired at will. Knives' body contorted with every bullet that hit him until he fell to the ground. Although he was wounded severely, he was in no mortal danger. Even in his rage, Vash made a conscious effort not to hit any vital organs.

"Damn you, Vash," Knives murmured, as he stared blankly into the sky.

Vash's body heaved, as he tried to get a hold of himself. He dropped his gun and hobbled over to check on Meryl.

He gathered her gently into his arms. Tears ran down his cheeks as he caressed her cheek, willing her to wake up.

"Don't you dare die on me, Meryl Stryfe," he whispered vehemently.

Her eyes fluttered slowly open as she focused on Vash.

"Vash," she said softly, in recognition.

"Meryl! Are you all right?"

She winced as she tried to move her arm. Fortunately, it wasn't serious. A couple of more inches further and she would have been a goner for sure.

"I only have one thing to say to you, Vash the Stampede."

Meryl smiled for the first time in weeks as she looked up into the face of the man she loved.

"What took you so long?"

Vash smiled broadly and gathered her into his arms again.

To be continued…

Written by: Babboo on Aug. 28, 2003

Well, kiddies, how was that? Don't worry. It's not over yet. I still have a couple things I want to include.