Dedicated in loving memory of Devon Lee Eggleston…

You'll always be my angel

(Death Date: Tuesday December 9, 2003)

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One is the Loneliest Number (A/N: Most of you will never know how true this is)

Chapter 11

Awaken to Freedom

She shot up from where she was laying and suppressed a scream as pain shot through her body. Kat collapsed back onto the yellow couch and stared up at the odd ceiling fan panting heavily. 'I feel as if I just got hit by a truck. What the hell happened? Geeze, it hurts so much I think I'll just die!' Golden eyes and red hair appeared above and stared curiously at her.

"Hello Ed," Kat greeted in a slightly annoyed tone.

Ed squealed, "Ed person thought you died! But now Kat person is awake!"

"Nice to see you too Ed," Kat laughed then coughed weakly. She noticed her stomach was heavily bandaged. "How long have I been asleep this time?" Kat asked as she picked at one of her bandages.

"One week, two days and twenty three hours!" the girl smiled happily.

"No wonder I'm so hungry," Kat commented and stuck out her tongue.

"Jet person made you beef and bell peppers!" Ed chimed as she handed Kat the plate.

"If it's called beef and bell peppers then where's the beef?" Kat asked.

Ed laughed, "Ed person likes to call it fried bell peppers but Jet person insists on calling beef AND bell peppers."

Kat ate a little of the meal before standing, "Do you know where Vash is?"

"Ed person knows but Kat person shouldn't be up," Ed said as she stood on her head.

"Could you do me a favor and tell me where he is anyways?" Kat asked.

"Ed will be happy to tell you if you answer Ed's question," Ed said as she wiggled her feet at Kat.

"On second thought I'll find him myself," Kat said flatly.

Ed laughed, "He's in the tippy-tip-top of the Bebop!"

"Thanks Ed," Kat waved to her.

She traveled around the ship for some time before she was able to find the place Ed had told her Vash was. By the time she found him, her wound was throbbing like crazy. 'I should just lie down and die! Ow!!!'

Vash looked up from where he was sitting and a huge grin spread across his face when he saw her. The black cat jumped out of his lap to rub against Kat's legs. Kat wobbled a bit from the pain and Vash caught her when her legs gave out.

"It hurts," she whimpered.

"You shouldn't have come all the way here to find me," he scolded.

Kat snorted, "You wanted to see me as much as I wanted to see you."

Vash grinned sheepishly and set Kat down next to him. "What were you doing all the way up here?" Kat asked as he wrapped part of the blanket he had been using around her.

"Looking at the stars. I haven't been so close to them in over one hundred years," he replied.

"They are beautiful aren't they?" Kat commented. Vash nodded as a tear trailed down his face. "What's wrong?!" Kat asked as she began to panic.

"I destroyed the entire town," he said simply.

Kat threw her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, "They deserved it."

"I shot a man," he sniffled.

"You did it to save me. Surely that wasn't a mistake," Kat said.

"Rem taught me never to kill," he cried.

"Maybe it's time to put her behind you," Kat suggested.

She sniffled from all her memories. She had been lied to all her life. Her entire life had been a lie. A lone tear spilled over. Vash noticed she was crying and dried his tears. He hugged her around the shoulders making sure not to touch the spot she had been hit.

Kat's tears soaked through his coat, "I'm sorry."

"For what?" he asked her. Kat remained silent and just sat there crying. "I thought I would loose you," Vash spoke, "I snapped because I thought I had lost you."

Kat looked up at him.

"I don't know what I'd do if you had died," he whispered as tears spilled again, "You scared me back there."

Kat hugged him tighter and voiced what she felt, "I love you."

Vash shifted to meet her gaze shocked. His shock wore away and he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I love you too."

His lips brushed against hers and a light blush spread across Kat's cheeks.

^_^

"Aren't they cute?" Fea asked Jet.

"I wanted to tell them that Ed managed to locate his brother, Knives," Jet answered.

"Now is not the time," Fea said from her hiding place.

"Where did you go anyways?" Jet asked her.

Fea grew sad, "I finally remember my past. There's no where to go home to though but here."

Jet sighed, 'women…'

They left the two love birds alone for the moment.

(A/N: Give me a break. I'll post the next chapter tonight. PLEASE REVIEW!!!)