I know, I'm late. I'm sorry and I won't bore you with my excuses. However, I got over my writer's block and now have the rest of the story figured out, if not written yet. As an appology (and because this is still a short chapter) and because I'm rather eager to finish this, chapter 13 will be up on Saturday! Look for me then, oh yeah, and I own nothing. Except my new pet and her loverly DVDs and computer stuff.

**

Zazie had decided he liked this new life. Here he was, girlfriend, friends. Everything was finally going right. He and Isabel had spent the last couple days together. He didn't have to worry about taking care of Legato or cleaning the house. The worst he had to worry about was Wolfwood killing one of the others, and the preist had at least enough control not to do that. He smiled and leaned over, kissing Isabel on the nose.

The girl blinked at him. "What was that for?"

"A thank you. You have made everything go right for me." They both laughed and continued down the street.

Isabel was the first to stop, her eyes catching sight of a worn and tattered poster attatched to one of the walls. "No one's caught that guy yet?"

Zazie looked at the paper and his breath caught to see that it was a wanted poster for Vash. "Why are these things still up?" He snatched at the poster, tearing it away from the tacks. "When are humans gonna get the idea that he's a good guy?"

"My dad told me he destroyed an entire town. He said that guy's a terrorist that's killed a lot of people."

"Well he's not!" Zazie screamed and then frowned as he saw Isabel flinch. "Or, well, it wasn't his fault."

"Geez, I'm sorry, okay?"

Zazie sighed, crumpling the paper and throwing it away. "I'm sorry I yelled. But I know him and he gets a lot of shit he doesn't deserve."

Zazie turned to leave, Isabel's hand cradeled in his own. He was shocked to see a large man standing in his way, unfolding the tattered poster. "You know this goofball?"

Zazie snorted, "That goofball is a good man."

"Never said he was't. He hasn't been shot recently, has he?" Zazie gulped, dropping Isabel's hand and stepping back slightly. "Kid, that ain't very beautiful. You will take me to him, won't you?"

Zazie turned and shoved Isabel. She tripped over the porch, tumbling through the door of the small shop. Zazie ran, he could hear the angry man behind him, "Grab him!" Zazie cursed, his feet losing traction in the loose sand. He could feel hands shadowing his movements, but didn't dare lose the time it would take to look over his shoulder.

Finally he stopped, ducking and sprinting in the directly opposite direction. It was an excelent surprise tactic. It even almost worked. One of the two following thugs managed to grab hold of Zazie's shoulder. The next thing he knew, his face was shoved into the sand with a heavy weight on his back. The mysterious man knelt in front of him. "You ain't shining, kid."

"If you hurt Isabel-"

"I'm not touching the girl, not the way I handle things." He smiled, revealing two sharp canines. "'Sides, I got you. And you're the only one I need."

**

Midvalley yawned as he packed away his sax with care. He'd just finished a rather long set and was eager to go home and collapse. He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and turned to see the middle-aged bartender smiling at him. He smiled back, "Hello Catherine."

"Nice job tonight. I like your music kid, I've told you before. To bad you have to cut out early, you feeling all right?" She handed a small envelope to the musician as she spoke and Midvalley took it gratefully.

He pocketed the money, still smiling at the woman. He didn't answer her question and she shrugged, going back to her job. Midvalley knew he was lucky to be able to play tonight at all, after only taking one night off to heal. He could hardley stand upright and he knew it affected his playing, Catherine didn't know who complimenting she was to say he still sounded good. He picked up his case, wincing as the weight stretched the gunshot wound. He wrapped one hand around his chest, trying to balance his precious Sylvia in the other.

The lights were still on at the house and Midvalley was surprised. It was nearly eleven, the others were usually asleep when he got back from a late gig. He pushed open the door and Legato was instantly there. The blue-haired boy took the saxaphone and wrapped his other arm around Midvalley's shoulders to steady the musician. The sax player smiled, "Jeez. I knew you were worried about me pushing myself to hard, but you didn't have to wait up for me." His eyes drifted across Wolfwood at the table and he sobered instantly, taking in the priest's upset look. "What's wrong?"

"Zazie hasn't come back. He's always been home to make dinner, except the few days he helped out at the plant."

Legato detached himself from Midvalley and sunk into a chair. "I already checked with Vash and Isabel's family. The girl's parents told me she stopped by earlier in a panic, but now she's missing, too."

Midvalley frowned and bit his lip. If the little blonde was in trouble, and he saved him, it could mean his third deed.He shook his head quikly, ashamed for thinking of his friend in such terms. He was still berating himself when Wolfwood spoke again. "If he was just out with his girlfriend, it would be different, but we know for a fact they aren't together and it sounds like she was worried about him, too. We need to do something."

Midvalley had just taken a sip of water and he coughed, choking on the liquid. "What? You're worried? Bad enough to risk staying out all night, maybe missing work? When Legato went missing, you hardly blinked. Now Zazie is gone hardly half as long and your ready to call in the sheriff!"

"Midvalley, if Nicholas is worried, it's a good thing." The boy paused, looking thoughtful. "Well, sort of."

"I know that, but for all he knew you could have been dead. What makes this any different?"

Wolfwood was glaring at the smaller boy. "I happen to put a little more stock in Zazie's life."

Midvalley jumped to his feet and cringed as the movement jerked his injury. "You have no right! Don't you remember what Angel said?! The only reason we're here is because of a second chance given to him!" Midvalley jabbed his finger at Legato who was frowning and starting to look uncomfortable.

Wolfwood was almost screaming now, "The things he did-"

"-Have no bearing on his life now! If anything, his life is more valuble than any of ours." Midvalley was suddenly on the ground. His first response was to curl around his now burning side. A split second later he gripped his jaw, realizing he'd been punched and that was why he was no longer on his feet.

Midvalley looked up, expecting to see Wolfwood as his attacker. He was speechless to see the priest still at the table, his own eyes wide with shock. Legato stood over the musician instead, face pale and fists clenched. "Shut up." His voice was barely audible, but the anger was palpable. I've said before to let Nicholas do as he wishes, even if that means hating the two of us."

Midvalley was still in shock. "I . . . I was just trying to help."

"You can't! You don't even understand. I sacrificed my deeds to help Knives, everyday I give my earned money to the rest of you, I would gladly die to save any of you. My life is meaningless."

"I didn't mean it that way. I know all life is valuble. I just meant-"

"No, you still don't get it." Legato raised his voice, but was still speaking softly. Midvalley thought it would have been less disturbing if he yelled. "You will never understand so long as you value your life like you do! Living is not what matters." The blue haired boy put a hand to his eyes before raking it through his hair. Midvalley caught sight of his braclet, now a pristing white. Legato turned without another word, leaving before the musician could say anything.

Wolfwood stood slowly and moved to Midvalley's side. The musician glared, but didn't say anything as the priest unbuttoned his shirt. "You tore your stitches, you're bleeding pretty badly."

Midvalley sucked in a hissing breath and looked at the dark haired man in wonder. "This is the first tme you've been civil to me since you went to December."

He nodded. "Hearing you get chewed out like that helped my conscience catch up, I think. What you did in the past was unforgivable," a misplaced touch made Midvalley cringe and he was certan it was intentional, "but that doesn't mean I can let you lay here bleeding."

"I don't-" Midvalley paused, clenching his jaw as a towel was shoved into his side. "I don't understand why he was so upset."

Wolfwood sighed and settled into a more comfortable position. "That, I think, was his point."

**

Hello all. There you have it. Not much to say, really. Remember to check back this Saturday for new stuff. Reveiws are appreciated ^_^