Title: Halfspeed
Author: trickygrin


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Disclaimer: I DON'T WANNA WORK, I JUST WANNA BANG ON THE DRUM ALL DAY....and not work and I don't own Trigun or anything, really. Cept my maxxed out swank ass bike. But that's a whole nother story.

Also, it occurred to me that Vash doesn't have his coat after the anime. Well, damn. Oops, but I like the coat, so it stays (for a bit anyways).

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Chapter 2: The Devil's Apprentice.

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Nobody was giving her a straight answer. Vash would be okay--they thought. No permanent damage--they hoped. He would wake up--if all went well. No hard answers, and the only hard thing left to do was to wait. Wait and see what would follow. And Vash? Vash had been in the midst of those non-answers for the past four hours. And no answers. She shivered slightly.

Meryl wasn't good at waiting. Never had been, never would be, in all likelihood. Millie could wait, and had, for her letters, for Wolfwood to come back, for the search for water to yield something other than dust. She'd waited her entire life and was used to it. Meryl though, was more of an in the now' kind of person, surprising as it sounded.

Ms. Stryfe? A kind faced orderly placed his hand on her shoulder, You should go get some rest.

Her voice seemed tiny even to her, and she wished that somehow she could seem taller, bigger, less afraid. What had happened? What was going on?

Normally when she was faced with a problem, especially when it involved Vash, she had more of a lead-in. Threatening letters in the mail, a few warning shots, something ominous and disturbing that made no sense. A warning of things to come. There were always warning. Except this time.

What had happened?

Thing's had been quiet for quite some time now. Millie and Meryl were kept as Vash's bodyguards' as a mere formality, and in Meryl's case at least, at her request. She kept Millie close to keep an eye on her, she had not really recovered from the loss of Nicholas, and Meryl didn't want to see her taken advantage of in this state. Bernardelli, all too happy for their outstanding participation in the whole Knives debacle, had granted the position to them without a second thought. On constant hazard pay, no less. And since they no longer moved from city to city like they had previously, the paychecks kept them all comfortable as they reevaluated what had occurred. Millie grieved, Vash rested, and Meryl breathed. As for Knives? When Vash had come back to town after their fight, he had Knives draped over his shoulder, unconscious. Since then, Vash had kept his comatose brother in the local plant, where the fearful being kept watch, ready to alert at his slightest move. The word had gotten out the Knives, while wanting to create an Eden for the plants had been willing to sacrifice one or two of his sisters in the attempt, and the plants were now cemented on Vash's side. Everything was blissfully quiet.

Or at least it had been until earlier this evening. After she had screamed for his name, people had rushed out of their rooms, out from the bar below, all curious and vaguely worried. Vash was no longer considered an outlaw and his bounty had been removed, but everyone on Gunsmoke knew his reputation and of the whispers about July and Augusta. Rumors even went so far as to claim that he had blown the hole in the moon, but most discounted that as superstition. No mere man, devil or not, could wield so much raw power. It was more than likely just a resurgence of the lost technologies. More than likely.

People had rushed up the stairs, surrounding her and gawking, but not helping until Millie burst in to find her sobbing and crying out incoherently over his broken body. It was only then that she, Millie of all people, threatened to start hurting people if they didn't go get a doctor, any doctor. And then the doctor had come and shook her head woefully, whispering something to the nurse next to her and having two men in the crowd handle the stretcher as they hauled Vash to the local hospital.

Which is where she was now. The orderly had been talking to her the entire time she'd been here, trying to get her to lie down, to go to sleep, to go do anything but just wait here. But Vash had not come out yet, word had not yet come assuring her of his recovery, and until that happened, she didn't plan on leaving.

Please ma'am? the orderly, whose voice was now a little ragged. Just like she felt. Please, just eat something or read something or just do--something. He was obviously new at this job, as she had to imagine that many people whose friends and relatives ended up in this ward had the same uncompromisingly empty look as she now bore. Shuffling his feet uncomfortably, he looked up and sighed, relieved. Oh, you're back! he breathed.

Yes. I'm bringing Miss Meryl some food and drink. It was Millie, her voice seemed overly cheery in this environment and Meryl couldn't tell if she was overcompensating or if Millie's natural tone just seemed wholly inappropriate for this place. Without looking up, Meryl could hear Millie rummaging around in the sack she was holding, apparently fishing out some food for her. Miss Meryl, drink this.

the orderly hesitated for a minute, There's no alcohol in this hospital.

I know, Millie pressed a bottle into Meryl's hands, That's why I had to go back and buy some. Meryl took the bottle. Don't worry, I brought my own cups.

No, I mean... but someone was yelling at him to come into the room where Vash was, and his confused protests were cut off.



I know. But just sitting here won't do you any good. At the least, I think getting some whiskey in you will warm you up. Meryl realized that she was still shivering, but didn't think it was the chill of the room. She couldn't describe it to Millie though, not to her of all people.

Millie didn't see Wolfwood. Meryl did. And while Meryl didn't know what to make of the whole strange situation, one thing that didn't need to be stirred up without any definitive proof was one Nicholas D. Wolfwood.

But Wolfwood was dead. They had buried him, Vash had taken his cross up against Knives, had used it to break the tie between them and stop Knives from uniting and using both Angel Arms at once.

They had buried him.

And Meryl had seen him shoot Vash, had seen him crash out of his bedroom window. He had been looking for her, he said.

This made no sense. Why her? She and Wolfwood had been companions, not close friends, and certainly not lovers like she suspected Millie and him had been, but they certainly hadn't been enemies. She didn't know what had gone between Vash and him just before the confrontation with Legato, but the dynamic had shifted. But even then they had still been companions.

Why did he want to kill her? And if he wanted to kill her, why was he in Vash's room?

What was going on? How could it be Wolfwood? Somewhere in the pit of her stomach the twin certainties battled. One, she knew they had seen him die. Two, she knew he had been in Vash's room this evening.

And another certainty, one she had almost forgotten with the Vash-hospital concern. Wolfwood had killed or injured others before reaching her. What had that teddy bear been? She had recognized it, but for the life of her, she couldn't remember from what? Immediately following the incident, the sheriff had taken the various things that the assailant had left in Vash's room. As evidence, he had assured her, though they both realized that someone who had taken down the Humanoid Typhoon was not likely to be taken in by any authority.

Where had she seen that bear? It was out of context, so it was difficult. But she didn't know many children to begin with...only the few that Vash had interacted with and her niece--

The Whiskey bottle she'd been cradling with half of a mind crashed to the floor.

Nicole?'

She didn't know for sure. She shouldn't assume. She hadn't seen or heard from her sister in awhile it was true, but that bear.

Say hi to Auntie Meryl now. Her sister shoved the unwilling and shy child away from her legs and towards Meryl. Give her a second, Meryl. She takes the whole Not talking to strangers' thing very seriously. A slight laugh. Come on, say hi, Nicole.

Nicole.

Nicole buried her face in her mother's leg, looking crosswise at Meryl.

Don't worry about it, if she doesn't want to meet me, we can meet later. Meryl didn't especially understand kids, but felt that there might be crying out of this one if her sister forced too hard.

No, this is really not like her. Her sister frowned and patted the child's head. Nicole, remember what I said about manners? You're being very rude here. The child shook her head and pouted for a second, but at another warning glance from her mother, let go of her leg and stepped sorrowfully towards her aunt.

She didn't meet Meryl's eyes, I'm Nicole. This is Nickie. She proffered the stuffed animal clutched in her tiny hands. Nice to meetya. Turning back to her mother, Can I go now? Her mother sighed and nodded, before ushering Meryl in the house to have tea.


This time it was Millie talking to her, not the orderly. She was using Meryl's name even. Meryl must have her totally worried.

That was Nicole's bear... Millie looked at her quizzically. Nicole? But that's your-- And her face went through several changes all at once: confused, horrified, worried, and settling on anger. Are you sure?

Yes...I don't know...I think so... The image was crystal clear, the bear was in her hands once again, bloodied and heavy...too heavy for a mere stuffed animal. She closed her eyes, holding back the urge to scream. Now was not the time to lose it. This whole situation was utterly insane.

Mis---Meryl...you have to be sure. Millie's voice was oddly somber for her. Her eyes were hard, staring at something Meryl couldn't see.

What? What did they find?

I went to the sheriff to see if he had found the bad man, her choice of words seemed oddly incongruous with her tone of voice, And he hadn't, but he had looked at the teddy bear. She swallowed, almost nervously, Are you sure it's Nicole's?

I don't know. I only saw it once, but I don't know that many kids...maybe it's some other-- Meryl threw her hands up helplessly. I don't want it to be. I fear it is though. None of this makes sense. What did they find?

Millie said nothing for a second, adjusting herself to move her feet out of the glass shards from the broken bottle of liquor.



I--they--the man took the bear and ripped out all of the stuffing. And he put--someone's... Her voice caught in her throat. Some people's, she corrected herself softly, ...parts...in it. He...he hurt or killed some people and put parts of them in the bear he gave you. The sheriff has an alert on the radio, but no one has reported back yet. The bear...

Meryl couldn't believe she was hearing this. This was not real, couldn't be. Wolfwood, Vash shot, and some people murdered or maimed and given to her in a child's toy. In something that she was hoping with all of her might was not her niece's bear, as awful as that sounded. What sorts of... But Millie was sobbing now, her shoulders heaving. A high pitched keening could be heard through the hands mashed against her face. Oh Millie... The cool she'd kept on the entire evening began to crack, and she found tears streaming down her face as well.

T-this is just awful... Why are people so evil?

I don't know, Millie, I don't know. Their arms were around each other, soaking each other's coats with their tears. After both of them quieted down slightly, only shuddering occasionally but preferring to remain within the warm safety of the other's comforting arms. Meryl felt damp, drained, and dirty. And tired. For the first time she was feeling that she'd been up since dawn and had been under intense stress for the latter half of her day. Or latter quarter, whatever.

In front of them, the orderly burst through the swinging doors, his face at once drawn and hopeful. Um... Ma'am? Um...it's over. He's safe! He'll be okay! He was cut off by a doctor emerging from the room behind him, scooting the orderly to the side with a wave of his hand.

He'll be okay, but he is still in a coma. He's lost a lot of blood, but he seems to have a remarkable tenacity. It's a wonder he's alive. The doctor pushed his glasses up on his nose and shook his head wearily. It's a miracle, ladies. You were very lucky. He--was very lucky.

Out of the room the lady doctor from the bar emerged, carrying a clipboard, worrying a pen cap in her mouth. Seeing them, she removed the cap and smiled tiredly at them. I assume he told you, Vash is going to recover. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. He's still asleep, but that is probably largely due to the shock of the loss of blood and the anesthesia combined. So, while he won't be dancing or... She paused for a moment, evidently finding what she had been about to say highly inappropriate given the circumstances, He'll be awake and stable. If you want, we've gotten permission from the hospital for one of you to stay in there with him this evening, if it will ease your mind.

Thank you. Meryl's voice was rough. Millie nodded at her, encouraging her to go into the room and watch over him, as she knew Meryl would have done anyway.

Millie's voice was soft, Try to get some sleep though. The sheriff said he had all of his men around this ward. You'll be okay tonight. I'll go check in and see about your family. Don't worry. Just watch Mr. Vash.

Meryl swallowed before the doorway. She still hadn't told Millie about Wolfwood, hadn't really told anyone anything substantial about what had occurred in Vash's room. And she didn't think that any man who could take out Vash himself would be stopped by local officials. But she was too tired and too depressed and angry to care anymore. All she wanted to see was that Vash was asleep, breathing easily. Breathing deeply was a start, and the fact that he continued to was enough to give her some sort of hope.

Tomorrow she would go see about tracking down the pieces and seeing what was going on here. Tomorrow she would contemplate what this meant. Tomorrow she would begin to find that man, so that she could hurt him for hurting those dear to her. And after it was all done, she would let herself cry for as long as it took. But until then, no weaknesses.

Goodnight, Miss Meryl. Millie messily blew her nose before putting on a brave face and trying to smile. Try to sleep.

You too. Millie turned to leave, And Millie? Thank you. Millie tried to smile again, sniffled, and exited.

Meryl herself entered the room that the doctors directed her towards, settling in the chair beside the bed heavily. Electronics buzzed and whirred as IVs dripped their contents into his arms. He looked as tired as she felt, and she settled herself in, watching as he drew breath of his own power.

And thank you, she whispered, If you had died, I might have gone and done something really stupid. She sighed, and before she'd even realized it, her head had settled on her shoulders and she was asleep, her whispery breaths matching Vash's own.
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Outside the window to Vash's hospital room, a lone figure perched on the hospital wall. Seeing the girl's---Meryl's---head sink onto the patient's--Vash's--bed, her hair sliding over his shoulder.

the man muttered to himself before hopping off the wall. Makes me hungry.

Taking one last glance at them, he stepped lightly into the dark. Seeing them had made him think of something, but he couldn't quite recall what it was. Or who it was, as a flash of something that felt feminine struck his memory. Hm. Blue eyes. Odd. Whatever it was, the man formerly known as Nicholas D. Wolfwood was more concerned with his own appetite at the moment than the half memory of a face. It was one of the advantages to being a blank slate. No concerns. No worries. And now, no fears.

Behind him, the first sun began to creep beyond the horizon. It was a brand new day. Shining and limitless in its possibilities. This too excited Wolfwood.

What would she do now?

This would be fun.

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Author's Notes: I'm on crack. Seriously. I've been listening to RBF's Somebody Hates Me' entirely too much and I totally believe it to be gospel truth now. So go on, flame away, my bitches. I'm prepped. : )