AN: WOW another chapter bits the dust. (sigh) And yet again I add a twist that will prove to lengthen this story yet again. I swear…this was supposed to be a really short love story. Something to write on while I was having major writers block on my other story "Power Within". Now I've actually written more pages on this than PI.
Anyway to everyone that answered the riddle.
The correct answer was "Burnideli Insurance"
Sorry to all of you that just said 'Insurance'. However don't fret, You'll all get the read the 'Lost Chapter' I'll probably post it separate on FF.net in a day or so…whenever I get around to it.
Enjoy :)
****************
Millie sighed miserable as she walked toward her place of work.
Gods above, it got harder each day to show up. She should just quite and get it over with.
She never had been the type to torture herself over something as silly as a job. It wasn't like she had planned to do this forever anyway. This was only a job to go and travel. It wasn't even worth that anymore now she had a desk job.
I should just stop now and go home.
No…she couldn't do that. She had to give her two-week notice. She wasn't so silly and impulsive that she would leave this company office short handed.
Millie might dislike her co-workers but her boss was ok. He was an older gentleman.
Mr. Nickles had been really kind to her through out her transfer.
He deserved a two-week notice at least.
Suck it up Millie. You've faced bandits and mass murders without fear. So why does going to work scare you?
Millie opened the door to her work and hurried toward her office. If she was lucky she could get by without seeing anyone.
"Millie?"
Damn…no such luck.
Lindsey came walking up with two cups of coffee. Sheepishly she handed the black steaming cup to Millie.
Millie took it and had to stifle the urge to throw it in her face.
"Thank you."
She said the words but she really didn't feel them.
Lindsey coughed self-consciously.
"I'm sorry about yesterday Millie. We all are. You know the rumor mill, once it gets going nothing short of a sand steamer can stop it. We just got carried away."
Millie raised an eyebrow.
"I don't much care for my sanity…or lack of to be discussed like it's a debate topic. Now excuse me."
Millie made her way around a stunned Lindsey and went to the boss's office. With a gentle rap she knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Said an elderly and kind voice.
Millie opened the door and smiled. Her boss Mr. Nickles was a medium sized man with gray hair and laughing gray eyes. He was a wonderful boss and a caring man. Millie felt bad for what she was going to say…but…
I'm slowly going crazy here.
"Ah Millie Thomson, how can I help you. This isn't about yesterday is it?"
Millie blushed slightly.
"You heard about that already?"
Mr. Nickles sighed and nodded sadly.
"People are heartless. I'm really sorry dear."
"That's alright sir. It wasn't your
fault. However…I did want…sir I want to give you my two week notice."
Mr. Nickles wasn't a man easily startled. However this did surprise him. He
blinked a few times at Millie before he found his voice again.
"May I ask why? You're a wonderful employee."
"I just…I haven't been feeling well lately."
"That's no reason to quite Burnedeli. Is this because of what happened? Don't lie Millie. I know it is."
Millie sighed and rubbed her aching head slightly.
"Everyone knows now that I was Meryl's partner. I've…just can't do this anymore."
Mr. Nickles nodded as he rubbed his stubbly chin in thought.
"I've got an idea. How about this Millie? You take two weeks vacation, starting today…and if you still feel this way you can quit. Ok?"
Millie thought about this a moment. There really was no polite way to say no. But how could she tell him about how she felt. She couldn't, it was as simple as that.
Mr. Nickles is trying to help me. The least I can do is try this. I'll be out of here and that's what I wanted. Who knows…maybe I'll fell like coming back after two weeks.
"Ok Mr. Nickles."
"Good, thank you Millie. Well you better start home then…Oh Millie, could you drop this off at the bank on the way?"
Millie smiled and took the small envelope. She was happy that Mr. Nickles trusted her enough to take his reports and some of the cash they kept in the office to the bank. As far as she knew this was a first time he ever asked someone else to do it.
"Alright sir. See you in two weeks."
With that Millie turned and left the office. She didn't say hello, or explain where she was going to any of her co-workers.
In no time at all she arrived at the bank.
It feels good to be on my own without a care. Granted this will only last two weeks unless I decide to quit. I'm not so sure now. Oh well I won't think about it.
Millie walked into the bank not even bothering to look up from her pondering.
"STICK UM UP!"
Millie gasped as she looked up into the barrel of a rifle. She gulped and smiled nervously as she slowly lifted her hands up.
The bank was being robbed!
There were four of the robbers all together. They were wearing black masks and all were heavily armed.
Even if she weren't completely taken off guard (and if she actually had her gun on her), she wouldn't have risked her stun gun. There were to many innocent people that might get hurt. Not to mention she didn't think she was fast enough to take out all four before one of them got a shot off at her?
"Ello Sweetheart. My you're a big gurl ain't cha?"
Millie frowned as the robber shoved his gun under her chin to get a better look at her.
"Yo boss…how about we take this one as the hostage. She's purtier than the other one."
Millie's eyes got really wide as she realized what he meant by that.
"Don't care Charley, just hurry up. We gotta get out of here."
Millie yelped as the robber suddenly moved behind her and wrapped a great thick and hairy arm around her neck. He leaned in so that his nasty hot breath was in her ear.
"Don't fight me honey. Don't wanna die do ya?"
Millie instinctively reached up to try and pry the death grip he had on her throat.
"Let me go."
Her voice wasn't anything like she had hoped. She had hoped to sound like a woman that had seen death and destruction before. She had seen the fifth moon incident, traveled with Vash the Stampede, survived the GunHo Guns, and had personally taken care of Millions Knives. She wasn't a weak thing to be pushed around…however you couldn't tell that from her voice.
"Shhh Honey. You shouldn't be this
way. After all, after we get away me and the boys plan to get to know ya
better."
Millie shivered as he chuckled into her ear.
She wasn't even aware of the time that pasted as the robbers finished with the bank and started outside. She however did notice as the man holding her tried to hustle her into a car. Instinct as old as the female gender itself realized her danger and white-hot panic shot through her body. She started to fight back!
"NO! LET GO OF ME!"
"Bitch!"
The robber muttered as he tried to hold onto her. He was amazedly strong, but then again so was she.
"Charley get her under control and into the damn car!"
"HELP ME……..Meryl…….KNIVES!"
BANGA shot rang through the air and someone screamed.
Millie was only aware of the pain. Her arm…it hurt, it really hurt.
He shot me.
Came the dim thought, however pain was something she wasn't very good with and even now the earth was starting to waver. She felt the man that shot her haul her to her feet. He didn't seem to care about the bleeding wound in her upper arm.
"Get up Bitch unless you want another spanking!"
Millie grabbed her arm to try and stop the bleeding. It was a useless gesture really. She needed a cloth or something to dress it.
Do not fear.
Millie laughed softly as she heard a strange voice in her head. This was it. She had officially cracked.
She was going to be rapped and murdered by some low level common thugs. After all her adventures with Vash the Stampede, she was finally going to meet her end. It was kind of degrading really; after all she had been through, to die like this.
Millie found herself being forced into the backseat of the car. The thugs didn't waste any time as they took off.
The way was rough and Millie had a hard time trying to get her arm to stop bleeding with the way the car kept lurching her around.
Luckily however she wore a necktie as part of her Burnadelly uniform. Nothing worked better to stop bleeding than a necktie.
"This is great boss!"
Millie flinched and glared evilly at the man who had shot her as he yelled out.
"We get the money and some entertainment!"
The man leaned over and kiss her ludely on the cheek. Millie cried out as he pressed against her injured arm. She started to struggle against him again as hands tried to find inappropriate places. However she was at a distinct disadvantage considering she was wounded and she just wasn't in a good position to fight back like she wanted.
"Jesus Charley, wait until we set up camp! Leave the poor thing alone for now."
"Awe you ain't no fun."
Despite his whining the man left her alone. For that Millie thanked the 'boss'. She was feeling a little weak and light headed. She just didn't have the strength right now to fight against a rapist.
Leaning against the side of the car Millie suddenly came up with a plan. It was stupid and probably would get her killed. But it was a risk she was willing to take.
She had to take it. After all if she didn't she was probably dead anyway.
The boss doesn't seem to keen about me. I'm guessing he's not into rape unlike 'Charley' here.
Millie's mind voice was filled with disgust as she glanced at the thug.
One chance. Hopefully they won't bother to stop.
Slowly…ever so slowly Millie let go of her bleeding arm and grabbed the door handle. Still going so slow that the thugs didn't notice what she was doing Millie opened the handle. She was half expecting the door to have some silly child locks on it.
However she had to bit back a sigh of relief as the door came unhitched.
On three…one, two…"THREE!"
Millie suddenly threw herself against the door. The door went flying open and she spilled out. Pain, hot and fierce shot through her as she landed heavily onto her wounded arm.
She rolled a few times, getting bruised and scraped against the hard ground.
She had been hoping for more softer sandy ground…but no such luck.
Finally after what seemed like an eternity of rolling she came to a stop. Her body flopped limply as it came to a rest.
Her mind was whirling in a dizzy haze. That was much rougher landing than she had expected.
Got to get moving. Can't let them catch me again.
Millie rolled onto her stomach and slowly lifted herself up. The world spun out of control and Millie couldn't help herself as she emptied her stomach onto the hot sand.
She fell back down just barely missing her own mess.
I can't do it.
Millie closed her eyes almost willing the blackness on the edge of her vision to come and take her.
Get up.
Millie frowned.
There was that voice again. What was with that? Why was she hearing voices in her head?
I guess Corre and the others are right. I'm insane. I've finally snapped, too much pressure I guess.
Get up now. Don't let them catch you.
The voice was annoying. Didn't it know she was dead tired? Her body hurt like…well she didn't know what it felt like but it was bad. She had never been shot before. Sure she had been damn close a few times…but never did a bullet actually hit her.
It hurt and she was so exhausted.
They are coming back for you. Run…hide…MOVE IT HUMAN!
Millie jerked up as the voice went from a soft whisper to a painful roar. Her head hurt from the sound. It throbbed and ached. Not as painful as the rest of her body, but enough to snap her out of the shock she had been slipping into.
Finally crawling to her feet she looked around. She had rolled quiet far. She could just see the car. It was stopped…no wait…it was turning around.
"SHIT!"
She cursed as the voice turned out right. They were coming back for her. But what could she do. She didn't have any weapons and she couldn't outrun a car.
Hide.
Yes that's what she had to do. She had to hide. Hopefully the thugs wouldn't waste precious getting away time to look too hard for her. But where could she hide?
Looking around Millie noticed with depressing acuteness of the limited hiding areas.
God no.
Millie made her way toward a pile of rocks. As far as a hiding place it sucked, but it was the best she could do. She had to get away from those men. No doubt they weren't to keen on coming back and getting her.
A long and probably painful night awaited her if she was found.
This won't do! They will find me here.
Come to me.
Millie stopped, that voice was really starting to scare her.
I've never heard voices before. Surely simple stress doesn't cause this.
Millie took a step toward the direction the voice had come from. Granted the sound was in her head, but it still had a distinct direction just like a spoken word.
"Hello?"
Millie felt really stupid wondering away from her shelter like this. But something…was defiantly going on. She couldn't put her finger on it but…
I am here…below.
Millie suddenly screamed as something surged from beneath the sand at her feet.
Something square made of gleaming metal and glass rose slowly out of the ground; piles of sand and rocks fell away from it as it reached its full height.
With a whooshing sound that scared Millie almost as much as the bandits, a doorway opened in the strange looking box.
Come…, you will find safety here.
Millie swallowed hard as she looked over the metal box. She wasn't so sure about this.
BANG BANG
Millie jumped in fright as two bullets barely missed her. Screaming she dove into the box without a second thought. Anything, even the unknown was better than what those men had planned for her.
Curling up into a ball she shivered as with the same whooshing sound the door closed again. The box jolted, and she watched fascinated as the sand swallowed her and the box back into the ground.
"Oh my god, oh my god…"
She muttered to herself as the elevator from hell kept going deeper and deeper into the ground.
This is something out of a nightmare. I'm going to suffocate down here. There can't be more than a few hours of oxygen in this box.
Feeling panic and hysteria starting to rear their ugly heads Millie forced herself to take a deep breath and think of the plus side of things. If she didn't get herself under control she would really start to freak out.
Well…at least it'll be an easy death. I'll just go to sleep and never wake up.
She thought a moment…that really didn't help much.
Suddenly and without the least bit of warning, the door opened again. Millie screamed, expecting sand to come pouring in, to crush and suffocate her.
However…that did not happen.
"What in the world."
Millie slowly stood up and walked out into another world. Or at least that's what she thought. Everything was so strange yet oddly familiar at the same time. She stopped and did a complete circle looking around her in awe. She knew what this was…she had seen stuff like this in picture books.
"This…is a space ship?"
Correct. This is one of the Seeds Ship that carried your people to this world.
Millie looked around at the metal wonders of the ship. Everything was still working…it was amazing. She could see lights flashing from computers and hear sounds of working machinery. Everything was just like it was back then.
"This is amazing…How?"
Because of me.
Suddenly the room was lit up with a blinding white light. Millie gasped and covered her eyes from the painful brightness. She grimaced at the flashing dots dancing behind her eyelids. After a moment the light dimmed a little and she carefully lowered her arms to take a look.
Millie's mouth dropped to the ground.
Sitting before her in a huge metal bulb was…was a plant.
But not like the plants she had seen before. She could see a creature inside the gigantic structure. She had never seen anything like it before.
It was a strange looking woman. She floated calmly in the middle of her bulb, smiling down at Millie like some sort of Angel.
She's so beautiful.
Millie took a step forward staring up at the woman. She had white hair streaming down her back in gentle waves. It was thick and luscious and seemed to flow like water it was so smooth. Her face had an ageless quality to it with high cheekbone, white skin and oval shaped eyes.
Her ears looked a little strange to Millie. They were longer than a humans and were decidedly pointed at the top.
Her eyes were a beautiful and clear blue.
"Are you…are you a plant?"
Millie asked still in wonder.
I am.
Millie blinked in confusion. Ok…underground space ships that looked like they could take off at any second, she could take, strange very human looking creatures in plant bulbs she could also handle. But one thing confused her.
"How then…can you talk to me? Can all plants talk like you? If so then how come they never do?"
The plant woman smiled softly down at her and Millie felt her voice die in her throat. She swallowed a few times trying to wet her dry throat. Finally she trusted her voice not to break and asked.
"What is your name?"
Long ago I was called Akako Hana.
"That's a beautiful name. What does it mean?"
Red flower
Millie opened her mouth to ask another question, however Akako Hana spoke first.
No questions human Millie. You are tired and your wounds must be seen to.
Suddenly a small car looking thing pulled up beside her. Millie jumped in surprise.
This will take you to the medical lab, and then to your room. I will answer all after you have rested.
Millie nodded although she personally thought her questions were much more important than sleeping right now. Her mind was buzzing with thoughts and uncertainties.
However she carefully got onto the cart. She couldn't say no to getting her arm fixed. All the new stuff had taken her mind off it, but now it was starting to hurt again.
The same cart glided smoothly of the polished metal floors of the ship. Millie eyes just got wider and wider as she took in how truly huge this ship must be. Corridor after corridor showed down endlessly long halls. There were rooms upon rooms and stuff…strange wonder lost technology that Millie never even imagined existed.
Finally the small cart stopped and she arrived at a small room labeled 'Medical Lab'.
Millie slid off the car and opened the door. She wondered what was in a med lab of her ancestors and whether or not she would be able to figure it out and fix her arm.
**********************
Vash wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stood up in the car for a better look. All around him nothing but the desolate wasteland he had grown in surrounded him. Far off though in the distance, much father away than a normal human could see, was a tiny speck against the light colored sand. A tiny dot of color in the muted tones of Gun smoke.
That was the city of Cola.
"I see it. We're probably just a few hours away."
Meryl nodded allowing Vash to sit down before she put the car back in gear.
"You think we'll get there before Knives?"
Meryl voice was calm, however Vash knew how terrified Meryl was for her friend.
Knives asking questions about a human was not a good thing. Both Meryl and Vash understood this, although why he was showing interest in Millie nether of them knew.
"I think so. I couldn't get a lock on his location, but I believe he was much farther from this town than we were."
"Good."
Was all Meryl said.
Vash didn't even bother to ask her to elaborate. Meryl at the moment wasn't the friendliest of people on the planet. She was worried out of her mind for her friend.
And when Meryl worried she often became violent…and while that could be nice if handled right, Vash knew they didn't have time for that right now.
They had to find Millie and tell her about the danger.
Brother…what are you planning? Why did you tell me to bring Meryl? And what does Millie have to do with this?
Vash dug into his pocket and withdrew his orange glasses. Still deep in thought he placed them on his face.
He knew better than to expect Knives to play nicely. And while he couldn't form his angel arms, he was still very dangerous. Knives was planning something again.
Maybe it was the same thing as before…to make him suffer and to learn the pain of living. Maybe Knives planned to kill Millie and Meryl, the only two humans (that Knives knew of) that Vash was really close to right now.
I won't let you hurt them Knives. I know I promised Rem to take care of you…but even I have a breaking point. Legato taught me that.
Vash shivered feeling suddenly cold and clammy inside.
God he hated this. Why did Knives have to be like this? Why did he kill and hurt people?
Why did Knives feel such joy over his own brother's pain?
He didn't want to hurt his brother. He didn't want to shoot Knives, or cause him pain. Vash didn't want to do any of those things. But somehow it always came to that…to blows…and violence. No matter what Vash did, death and destruction followed him.
What did Knives do to Millie those lost days? Millie wouldn't tell us anything…only that he hadn't physically hurt her. Does that mean, he did hurt her only not bodily? Does that mean he hurt her mentally?
Vash sighed to himself.
He just wished he knew what was going on.
First Millie takes off with the most dangerous person on the planet. Takes him to meet her family…apparently gets in some sort of argument with him and then gets totally depressed suddenly.
And what amazed him more out of all of this was that not one person had been killed yet. So far they had yet to find a body they could link to Knives.
"Gods I hate this."
Vash muttered drawing Meryl's attention.
"Hate what dear?"
"Everything, all things considering we should be somewhere nice enjoying a honeymoon or something. Instead we're traveling after my crazy brother."
Meryl smiled and reached over to take Vash's hand in her own.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. Besides, its not like we're waiting for our honeymoon to get to know each other. We've been screwing each other senseless for months now."
Meryl laughed lightly at Vash's extremly embarrassed look. He rubbed the back of his spiky head with his free hand.
"Meryl…do you have to put it that way?"
All Vash got was a smirk and…
"Well that's what we've been doing. What else would you call it?"
"Making
love."
Vash said very seriously.
Meryl sighed looking longfully out at the desert and squeezed his hand tightly.
"That's what makes you so perfect Vash. I love it when you say stuff like that. And get that look off your face, I was teasing you."
Vash smiled softly at Meryl. He turned slightly in his seat so he could look at her.
Meryl…his wife.
He would never understand how a woman like her could love him. He was a monster, a mutilated hundred and thirty some year old freak of nature. He was an outlaw worth more money than…well…than anything really. He was literally by definition a walking catastrophe. Burnadei Insurance Company had labeled him a human disaster. No other human (oid) could claim that.
His body was a wreck, marked with pain and suffering on nearly every inch of his body. He had metal in his body all over the place just to keep him together.
He had a fake arm.
So how was it that Meryl Strife Peace had fallen in love with him?
Meryl was so perfect, sure she had a temper but that just made her interesting. He loved it when she got mad. Loved the way her eyes would flash and her cheeks would get all flushed. Sure he usually got hurt in some way if he pissed her off…but he really did like getting beat up by her.
"Will you stop staring."
Meryl snapped finally letting a little of said temper show. Vash's smile
widened.
"Why? I like looking at you."
A familiar red blush stained Meryl's cheeks as she tried to concentrate on the road ahead of her.
"Stop being such an ass Vash. We have work to do."
"All work and no play Meryl."
Vash brought Meryl's hand up to his face and kissed it gently. Through the skin contact he felt her shiver slightly. However she didn't rise to the bait.
Meryl snorted loudly.
"That's so cliché I'm not even going to dignify it with an answer."
"Maybe you could do something about it once we get to town."
Meryl remained quiet a moment.
"You are a pervert."
Vash smirked.
"So you have told me countless times Meryl. But tell me, who's the bigger pervert, the one that asks for it or the one that demands it. I happen to remember a few nights ago when…"
A loud growl interrupted Vash and he couldn't help but let his grin get wider.
"That is quite enough Mr. Vash! I don't want to hear another world out of you! I mean it!"
"Yes SIR!."
(few hours later)
"I'll go over to the office. You
get a room for tonight Vash."
Vash nodded without saying anything as he gathered his bag and Meryl's.
Meryl watched him a moment, loving the way her husband moved. He was so cat-like and graceful when he wasn't thinking about it.
Sure most of the time he was a total cluz but Meryl had a feeling he did those stupid things of purpose. He made himself look stupid so others wouldn't be as uncomfortable around him. They would feel like he wasn't something to be afraid of.
But every now and then, at times like this, Meryl would catch him not thinking about it. It was then she got to admire his perfection.
She didn't care that he had scars head to foot. Vash had gotten those scars helping people that couldn't help themselves. Those scars while full of pain were also symbols of something more. They reminded her what kind of man Vash was.
And for that she liked them.
Ok girl stop staring and get to work.
Meryl headed toward the Burnadeili office. It was a small office built for a small town, but it wasn't hard to find.
Walking in through the front door, Meryl smiled at the receptionist.
"May I help you?"
"Yes please, I was needing to speak with Millie Thomson."
And the red haired woman suddenly burst out in tears. Meryl was so shocked by this she could do nothing but stare as the woman started to wail.
"Um sorry did I say something wrong?"
The woman continued to sob and Meryl wasn't sure what to do about it. Finally a young man hearing the commotion came forward and gently rubbed the woman's back in a comforting gesture.
"I'm sorry, I just asked to see Millie Thomson."
The man sighed sadly as he continued to comfort the woman.
"Millie was kidnapped yesterday."
"WHAT!"
Meryl screamed out in shock.
Oh god no! Was it Knives? Please lord let it not be that monster!
"wh…What happened?"
"Bank Robbers…they took her."
The man shook his head sadly.
"Do you know which way they went?"
Meryl tried to keep her voice worried sounding. However if it was just bank robbers, common thieves, then Millie could take care of herself. It was Knives that had Meryl worried.
"Why?"
Meryl sighed more than slightly annoyed. But then again she couldn't blame the young man. She would have asked why to if she was in his position.
"Millie Thomson is my friend. I want to go look for her that's why!"
The crying red head surprisingly was the one to answer.
"Shut up Matt! I'll tell you…they went west! (sob) The sheriff went after them but came back when he found no sign."
Meryl gently placed a hand on the woman. She obviously must have been a friend of Millie's or something.
"Don't worry. Millie can take care of herself. She's been through a whole lot worse than this."
The woman finally looked up. She gasped, as her eyes got wide with recognition. Meryl shifted uncomfortably. She knew very well the rumors that were going through the company about her.
"You're Meryl Strife."
"Uh that's Peace now. I got married."
The woman's mouth dropped open and she actually forgot a moment to cry.
"Oh god its true isn't it! Everything Millie said was true! Is…he here to?"
"Yes…Vash is outside."
Meryl said uncomfortable again. She really didn't like to let people know about who Vash really was. It led to awkward situations.
Suddenly the woman surged forward and grabbed Meryl's hand. Meryl was so taken off guard at the unexpected move that she almost yelped.
"Please Mrs. Peace PLEASE! Send Vash the Stampede after those men! He has to go save her!"
"Didn't you hear me? I said Millie Thomson can take care of herself! I have no doubts that she's already safe and sound."
"But she was hurt!"
Meryl gasped.
"what…"
She said softly.
"Those men had shot her! She was hurt. I know that normally Millie is a strong woman. But what can someone with a hole in them do against four full-grown men! PLEASE I BEGGING YOU! Have Mr. Vash save her!"
Meryl nodded and for the first time felt the cold grip of fear in her heart.
If Millie had been shot then this became something totally different. They might very well have to save her.
Meryl suddenly turned and bolted out of the office before more questions could be asked. She ran across the street toward the car. Vash was already waiting patiently for her.
"VASH!"
Vash startled as she screamed out his name.
"Millie was kidnapped by some bank Robbers yesterday!"
Vash's eye's got really big but he didn't seem overly worried.
"She's a big girl. Probably already
take care of everything."
"No Vash you don't understand! Millie
got shot, she's injured."
Vash suddenly became serious.
No matter how many times Meryl saw that look it still unnerved her. That was the look that legends such as his was made from.
"Vash…what should we do?"
"Seems we both arrived a day too late."
Said a very familiar voice.