AN: Phew…(wipes forehead in relief) I'm glad no one bitched to me that Knives was out of character last chapter. I was afraid that perhaps I over did Knives reaction a little, but then again I felt justified in doing what I did.

Anyway Enjoy

Vash and Meryl followed Fred into the kitchen.

Vash looked around curiously mildly surprised at what he saw. The place looked a lot nicer on the inside than the out. The kitchen while not large was very clean and had a rather homely feeling to it. The walls were freshly painted staring back at him in a light pale purple color. There were a couple pictures of fruit and one of a sunset placed neatly on the walls. And a flower curtains in the windows.

It was all…err…very feminine.

There was a large table set in the middle of the kitchen with enough chairs for all of them. And a strangely familiar black cat sleeping contentedly on said table.

"Please sit. Would you like something to drink? Tea or perhaps some coffee?"

Meryl opened her mouth to protest being served and that she could very well do it herself, but Fred beat her to it.

"Miss. Meryl, I do not mind. It is the way I was programmed."

She sat back uncomfortable but deciding to let it go and let Fred do what he wanted.

"Sure…coffee, black if you would please."

"Got any whiskey?"

*smack*

"OUCH!"

Vash piped up, only to be smacked up side the head by his wife.

"You are not going to get plastered tonight MR!"

"Awww Meryl you're no fun."

Fred's face was neutral as he placed twin cups of hot coffee in front of Vash and Meryl.

Vash made a face at the coffee. He didn't like coffee all that much. Never really had. He could remember watching Rem put down cup after cup, and even as a child who worshiped that woman and wanted to be just like her, he couldn't stand the it. He never understood why people drank the nasty stuff.

Vash opened his mouth to whine, only to snap it shut when Meryl glared at him. Meekly he took a small sip, which he promptly choked on.

God it was horrible tasting!!

"(Cough) So…Fred. Where did Millie find you? The only robots I remember were some Med droids and cleaners."

Fred tilted his chin up a little in a gesture of pride.

"I was special order. And Millie did not find me, we found her."

"We?"

Fred looked away, and out the window where Millie was still talking to Knives. He could just make out the two from the window. They were talking, whispering to each other really. Since if they had spoken in normal tones Fred would have been able to hear them. As it was he could not.

"It is not my story to tell."

He finally said facing Vash.

"Hey…"

Meryl suddenly said looking around.

"Where is Millie?"

Meryl stood up instantly worried for her friend. When a murderer like Knives was around you do not trust any disappearances. Especially when said murderer had already expressed an interest in the disappeared.

"I believe Miss Meryl, that she is having a conversation with Knives-sama."

"What!?"

Meryl made to go to the window, however Vash grabbed her by the arm.

"Drop it Meryl. Let um talk."

Meryl blinked in disbelief as her husband. She couldn't believe her ears. With a sound that surprisingly sounded like it should have come from a rabid dog instead of a human, Meryl yanked her arm out of his grip.

"Are you saying that I should just 'let' that monster talk…ALONE…with my best friend! Jesus Vash, he's already confessed to trying to kill her once!"

"DON'T call my brother that word MERYL!"

Vash snapped rising out of his seat.

"TOUGH Vash! That's what he is! You may just want to forgive and forget but I will not!"

Vash glanced at Fred who was listening although trying to seem like he was not.

"I do not want to talk about this right now!"

Meryl rolled her head to the side in a gesture of disbelief. She stomped her foot lightly to empathize the motion.

"I can't believe you Vash! How can you be so stupid!? Sticking your head in the sand will not make it all better!"

Vash was warming up nicely to Meryl's anger. All the stress and anxiety he had felt over the last couple of day was really building up, he felt like he was going to explode.

"WHY THE HELL WON'T YOU GIVE HIM A CHANCE!"

Vash suddenly roared making both Fred and Meryl jump from its sheer volume.

"From the moment you met him Meryl you have done nothing but put my brother down! I have asked you nicely TWICE not to call him a monster, yet you totally ignore me!"

"VASH! HE TRIED TO KILL MILLIE! And…have you forgotten what he said yesterday!"

"He's been saying that for a hundred years!"

"He's a murderer VASH!"

"YA WELL SO AM I! ARE YOU GOING TO START CALLING ME A MONSTER TOO!"

Looking frantically between the two, Fred deemed it necessary to interrupt. This was getting way out of hand.
 "There is no need to fight Miss Meryl, Vash-sama…they are both coming in now."

Fred spoke as smoothly as he could hope to cool tempers.

Although both fell silent and sat down again, they still glared at each other, this argument was not over…only postponed.

"Knives-sama, would you like so coffee as well?"

Knives, who was coming through the door right then twitched slightly. Fred just freaked him out all the way round. To see someone seemingly living after he killed them (indirectly of course) was disturbing, even to him. Of course it did help a little that Fred acted nothing like Rowen had.

"No, water will do."

Vash frowned at his brother, worry etched across his brow. Despite their differences, and all the hell that Knives had forced Vash through, Vash still loved his brother dearly. Which was the cause of the fight really, Meryl just couldn't understand that.

Vash was worried about him. It wasn't right too not eat and sleep for days at a time.

"Come on Knives at least drink some coffee, or something. You haven't eaten in a day and a half."

Knives shrugged as he pulled out a seat and sat down.

"So…did we interrupt something brother?"

Vash flinched. He didn't like his brother to know that him and Meryl were fighting. Mostly likely he would use it against him to try and convince him all humans were evil again.

"No…nothing at all."

Meryl suddenly snorted in disgust. She abruptly stood up almost knocking her chair over.

"This is disgusting! Excuse me Millie…I'm not feeling very well. May I lay down on your couch?"

"Uh…sure Meryl. Or if you want there are bunk beds in the Sand Crawler."

"That will do. Thank you Millie."

Millie followed Meryl as she stormed out of the kitchen. She glanced behind her at Mr. Vash and smiled.

"I'll talk to her Mr. Vash."

She whispered quietly so Meryl wouldn't hear. If Meryl thought even for an instant that Millie was 'on Vash's' side then she wouldn't listen and anything Millie had to say would be a wasted effort.

Fred coughed and muttered something about wanting to check something or other. He quickly left as well leaving the plant brothers alone.

An uncomfortable silence set in. Vash trying to ignore it sipped on his coffee. His face scrunched as the bitter brew and he had to actually fight not to gag.

"Why do you stay with her brother? Surely the sex isn't that good?"

Vash choked at Knives rather crude and blunt question.

"I love her!"

He said perhaps more forcible than was needed. Knives gave him a disbelieving look as Vash lifted his chin stubbornly hoping he was managing with the I'm-dead-serious-about-this look.

Finally Knives looked away and shrugged carelessly.

"You always were the stupid one Vash. I don't see how you could love someone that treats you so badly."

Vash frowned.

"She does not treat me badly!"

"She a demanding, bossy bitch Vash!"

Knives shot back with quite a bit of feeling. It seemed that Meryl dislike was more than mutual.

"We were doing fine until you…you…"

Vash swallowed hard suddenly very nervous. He was treading on dangerous ground. On a topic that more than likely would end with his brother's temper blowing up. And Knives really mad just wasn't something he enjoyed.

Over the years Vash had done a great deal to try and keep his brother calm. A calm Knives was a slightly less bloodthirsty one. When Knives was calm he was vastly less likely to go out and start randomly killing people.

So over the course of the years Vash had learned to keep silent on touchy subjects. Killing happened to be one of those subjects…that was the reason Vash didn't want too talk about it. Not only had he trained himself to keep quiet, but it was also to keep his brother somewhat placid.

After the ships had fallen, for 17 years he had silently followed his brother's lead. Letting him do as he pleased and occasionally raising a fuss during the heat of the moment (when he was about to kill someone) usually Knives would stop, although a few times he had not.

Vash shuddered…he still had nightmares sometimes about those poor souls. Even now he could hear their screams.

And after Knives had stopped (or not) he fell back into silence. Speaking about it would only anger his brother and cause pain.

And he did that…over and over again…up until the day when Knives made the guns. Then he had been given no choice but to stand up against his brother. Vash had known if he didn't do something right then, then he might as well kill those people himself. Because standing idle and not helping, when you could was just as evil as if he pulled the trigger himself.

So I shot him and ran away. I waited then over one hundred to face him again. By then he had killed more times than I could count. I never wanted to think about it. I was scared since I let him get away with it, that somehow their deaths were one my soul. I always tried to rationalize my actions. I thought 'I have to stay away. I have the guns, I have to keep them away from him'. God I'm such a coward. Maybe Meryl's right. Maybe…I am being stupid.

Vash swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth that no longer had anything to do with his coffee and forced the words out.

"Until you threatened Millie. Millie is Meryl's  friend. They are like sisters."

Knives snorted.

"Like Millie needs another one of those."

Vash shrugged as he held his cup with both hands trying to gather comfort from its warmth. He looked at his two hands. He could only feel the cup with one. The other might as well not been there. His fake arm had no nerves and thus no feeling to it. He might be able to hold the cup, but he couldn't feel its smooth glass, or the heat radiating from the hot liquid it held.

Vash lowered his head slightly in bitterness.

This is what I got for being a coward. I refused to face Knives until it was too late.

I lost my arm, Rem's relative…and the city of July in one massive mistake.

But what can I do?

"Knives…about yesterday?"

Knives didn't respond, he didn't even raise his head to look at his brother.

"I wish you would tell me what's going on?"

Vash trailed off looking at his brother for any kind of sign. However Knives didn't even twitch to say he had even heard his brother. But then again…he wasn't getting angry, and that gave Vash some courage to continue probing.

"Brother, why did you come to this town? Was it because of Millie?"

"I already told you Brother."

Knives said softly, as he sneered the word brother.

"I haven't beaten Millie as chess yet."

Vash shook his head. He didn't believe that for one second. Although he didn't try to pry into his brother's head, he could still tell there was much more than just that.

"That's not it."

"Shouldn't you go and try to make up with your pet? She's probably waiting for you."

"Uh?"

Said Vash suddenly very confused.

"You can tell her if you want, that I'm not quite ready to destroy the humans. And she certainly doesn't need to worry about the tall one. So she can at least try to relax. "

 "Knives?"

Vash started feeling a little more than concerned. What the hell was going on? He didn't understand anything his brother was doing. All the normal mannerisms and signs were mixed up. He simply couldn't guess at what his brother was thinking. Even their mental link together was totally blank. It was weak, to the point that he could barely feel it, even though he was right beside his brother.

Once again Knives refused to meet his brothers eyes. Vash frowned, but slowly stood up anyway. There was nothing more he could do really.

"Ok Knives…behave all right."

*****

"Meryl? Were you and Mr. Vash having a fight?"

Millie peeked from under her bangs as she spread a blanket over one of the bunk beds.

She studied her friend for a moment as she made the bed fit for sleeping.

Meryl was very tense. Millie could literally see this tension by the way she moved and by how stiff she kept her spine. The poor woman didn't even seem to notice that her hands where clenched so tight that the knuckles were white? Or how she gritting her teeth together in anger.

Meryl was pissed!

"Sometimes that man's the limit!"

Meryl suddenly snapped at nothing. Millie was expecting this outburst, so she didn't even flinch. She had traveled with Meryl as her partner for a very long time. She knew exactly what to expect from her friend…especially when she was mad.

"Don't be so harsh Meryl. I'm sure he's doing what he thinks is best."

"That just it!"

Meryl said a little louder than was necessary. She tossed her arms up in a gesture of total frustration. Millie raised an eyebrow. She hadn't seen Meryl this upset since Vash had got wasted at that bar in Campel city and accidentally wrecked the place.

"He's not doing anything!"

Suddenly Meryl was right beside her. Millie blinked.

"Millie are you alright? Knives didn't hurt you did he?"

"What?"

Meryl leaned forward a little and placed her hand on Millie's arm.

"Knives told us he tried to kill you before. He didn't do or saying anything outside did he?"

Millie tried really hard not to blush. It didn't work. Millie felt her cheeks heat up and she was suddenly very glad that the Sand Crawler was as dark as it was.

"He told you? What else did he say?"

"Other than he wants to destroy the humans species? Nothing really…and that scares me. I don't know what he's planning."

Millie sighed softly. She had been afraid that maybe Knives had let something slip about them. And explaining why she would kiss a man like Knives was not something that Millie was looking foreword to doing. Of course she should have known that Knives would have been just as mortified as herself if anyone found out about…their kisses.

"So he's still raving about killing humans? I would have thought he would have dropped that already."

Millie forced a laugh. However inside she was a little worried. Granted she didn't know Knives all that well, but he didn't seem the type to make idle threats.

Meryl shook her head. She was so tired. Tired of being on edge and tired of fighting Vash. She tried…but failed to keep her eyes dry. A single tear fell from her eye and trailed down her cheek

"Vash won't say anything to him. I don't want another episode like with Legato."

"It's ok Meryl. I swear it is."

Millie felt suddenly very bad about keeping her and Knives relationship a secret. Meryl was worried and stressed over trying to figure out why Knives would come to this town…and Millie had the answer (she thought). Yet she couldn't tell her the truth. More than likely that would just make her worry more. Meryl hated Knives. She didn't trust him and if she knew about them she would have a heart attack.

Well…at least I think I have the answer. I hope he missed me as much as I missed him. I hope he wants…what I want.

The thing about that was, was that Millie didn't know what she wanted. She knew she loved Knives. She got all sad and depressed when he wasn't around.

And now he's here…I feel…I feel wonderful. I'm so happy, even though I'm worried about Meryl. I'm still happy that he's here

"Millie…what happened at the house? Why was Knives so obsessed about finding you?"

"I don't know."

Millie said trying to sound innocent. She then chuckled softly.

"I guess I made an impression. He's even wearing the clothes I bought him."

One of Meryl eyebrows went up, and Millie cursed herself for letting that slip.

If there's anything to find out other than the past. I don't know what Knives wants.

"Really…"

Meryl said drawling out the word. She tapped her finger lightly against her chin.

"Now that you mention it, I remember Vash mentioning that this was the first time he had seen Knives in 'normal' cloths."

"Meryl, you really should go to bed. You're exhausted."

"You're not putting me off Millie! What happened in that house!"

"What do you mean?"
Millie squeaked half a hair away from spilling the entire truth.

"Duh! What happened when Knives tried to kill you? You keep changing the subject…he didn't really hurt you did he?"

Millie didn't know how she kept the look of relief off her face. She had been scared too death for that second, that somehow Meryl had seen the truth behind everything. Millie wouldn't doubt it one bit if Meryl did figure it out. She was way to perceptive for her own good. Although in favor of Millie, Meryl would probably deny it for quite a while like she had done with Vash.

"I'm not sure I should tell you. It would just make you upset. After all I'm not hurt."

"Tell me!"

Millie sighed.

"He almost to cut my throat."

Millie pointed to the tiniest of scars. It didn't look like anything, especially something that could have been life threatening. Scars from mosquito bites have looked worst.

"Oh Millie…"

Meryl whispered…

"He didn't do it Meryl! He didn't kill me, or even hurt me really. That's what's important. I know you don't like Knives, but…I don't think he's all that bad."

"But all those things he said?"

Meryl looked confused, worried and scared all at once. It was strange…Millie had never seen her this upset over something. In fact she had never seen her boss be anything but fearless. It kind of worried Millie.

Is Knives really scaring her this much? Why is she so worried? There's more to this than what meets the eyes.

"I think…"

Millie started, and felt a blush come to her face. She couldn't help herself, and she really hoped that Meryl didn't see it.

"That Knives doesn't know how to act any other way."

Millie felt her face redden more as she thought back to their time together. During that entire time Knives had seemed rather confused. He asked questions that hadn't made sense. And responded with anger when challenged in any way.

She was just guessing of course. She didn't know Knives all that well. But it was just something she had thought about and this was the answer that came.

"Who knows, maybe he's being so nasty because he feels threatened by your relationship with Vash?"

Millie smiled softly when Millie looked anything but convinced.

"Don't worry Meryl. Mr. Vash loves you very much. That's all that really matters. What happens with Knives will happen. You just worry to much."

"You're right Millie."

Meryl chuckled softly.

"You're always right."

Millie didn't know what to say to that. Hell she didn't even know what Meryl meant. However she decided not to press the issue and quickly left so Meryl could sleep in peace.

Once she was out of the Sand Crawler, Millie breathed in deeply. The night air was very cool, bordering on cold. But she didn't care, it was fresh and clean feeling. It cleared her mind and lifted her spirits. And that was something she really needed right now.

She didn't want to admit it, even to herself. But she was scared…well terrified really, of her still growing feelings for Knives. Hell just being around him, made her feel funny inside.

And she hadn't even really got to talk to him yet.

Oh what am I going to do? What should I do?

Well first thing first. She had to give Mr. Vash and Knives the black boxes their mother had given her. However…

I'll wait until tomorrow morning. They're all exhausted. It can wait until then.

Millie nodded to herself as she took note of Vash climbing into the sand crawler. He probably hadn't even noticed her.

She smiled and quietly moved away out of hearing range. If she knew Meryl and Vash…well…she didn't want to hear anything embarrassing.

Once she was sure she was out of hearing Millie sat down in the sand. The sand was still warm from the double suns daytime heat. It was comfortable and rather relaxing.

Especially since she could both look out to the city Barbell far off in the distance, or as she was doing now, looking up at the stars.

It's so beautiful out here. Cola's small enough that any lights don't mess with the beautiful sky. Not only that…but I can just make out the glow of Barbell's plant. Nothing quite like it.

Millie drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them.

Should I tell Knives how I feel? I'm sure he feels something for me. Why else did he comment my eyes?

Still Millie couldn't help but feel…a little apprehensive about coming clean with Knives. He just wasn't some guy down the road. He was a hundred plus year old plant. He's seen things Millie could only imagine. He's caused pain and death, and was the soul reason they were even on this planet.

Knives had done such terrible things.

He murdered Wolfwood.

A frown graced Millie's face. Truth be told…she really didn't blame Knives that much. She didn't know why. Maybe because it was technically Legato that had killed Wolfwood, or maybe…maybe she just didn't want to blame him.

However She didn't want to delve to deeply into those thoughts. They were bad thoughts with agonizing emotions. After all if she blamed him for that particular pain, she would hate him.

Who said 'it's a thin line between love and hate'. I wonder if anyone else has ever proved it more true than myself?

As Millie watched the glow of the plant in the distance flickered. Strangely enough she thought she could almost feel it. She could sense on another level a strange humm from that direction.

Wolfwood's just another push against Knives. There's so much against him, logic says I should just stop now. I shouldn't be thinking about this even!

Millie leaned forward so that her chin rested on her knees.

He hurt me so badly when he told me about Wolfwoods betrayal. He didn't have to say that! Wolfwoods dead…what was the purpose of saying that!

Still…no matter how hard she tried, and she did try, she couldn't hate Knives.

In fact every argument only cemented her feelings.

I'm going crazy! This isn't normal. Any sane person would see where this is going.

Millie looked longingly up into the star lit sky.

Are you up there somewhere Mr. Priest? Is what I'm feeling for Knives wrong? I know I'm probably being silly…but, he seems so very lonely.

Millie had to fight back tears.

Just like me.

She shook her head. She didn't even know why she was thinking about Wolfwood right now. Of course she still missed him terribly, and the pain she felt from his death was by no means gone. However…she had come to terms with his untimely death. She had talked to him…talked to the sky for many, many days afterward. She had poured her heart out to his spirit.

She had no regrets, except maybe the one that sometimes whispered that she should have gone had helped him in the street that day. So…in her heart and dispite the fact she tried to bring it up, Wolfwood had nothing to do with how she felt toward Knives. She wasn't She wouldn't use Wolfwoods death as a means to force bad feelings…it just wasn't the way she worked.

And now I'm here…Knives is here.

Well he was here, but she had no idea what to do about it.

Should she just go into the house now 'Glomp' him and express words of undying love?

Millie rolled her eyes at that. Ya she could defiantly see that going over well. He would probably freak out and never talk to her again.

In the distance the plant flickered again. Millie watched the beautiful lights created by the beautiful creature.

Akako Hana said that plants sleep most of their lives. I wonder if they dream then? And if so what do they dream of?

Feeling the chill of the air Millie sighed deeply and got to her feet. After brushing the sand that clung to her off, she started toward the house again. A nice cup of Tea sounded

wonderful to her right now.

It happened then…taking her totally unaware and unprepared!

One moment she was fine…the next Millie was lying on the ground grabbing her head as the worst headache of her life hit her.

Millie couldn't do anything for a few seconds as pain like she had ever felt pounded between her eyes. She couldn't even breath it hurt so badly, much less scream. A small gasp escaped her lips as she closed her eyes tightly to try and fight off the pain. Unable to help herself a single tear traced a line down her cheek.

Then slowly…the pain melted away, leaving only a mild tingling feeling to prove it had ever happened.

Breathing hard Millie sat up in the sand.

WHAT THE HELL!

Gently she rubbed her temple still feeling a little weird.

"What the hell was that?"

"So you felt it. I thought you would."

Millie jumped as Fred's smooth voice broke the silence of the night.

He reached out and help her to her feet. Then kept a grip on her arm to steady her.

The world spun wildly for a moment before finally settling down.

"Fred?"

Fred didn't say anything as he looked away and out into the desert. Millie vaguely took note that he was looking in the direction of the hidden space ship.

"Fred, what was that? I know you know…tell me!"

Fred looked back at Millie. His dark brown eyes were rather piercing considering they weren't real. Millie gazed back at him with what she hoped was a strong expression.

"You felt…Akako Hana."

"Felt her? What the hell does that mean?"

Millie actually voicing the curse word, spoke a lot about how upset she was. That was just not normal! People didn't suddenly feel like they were dieing only to be ok the next moment. That had hurt even more than getting shot. And she was dead serious about that too! Never had she felt anything like it! And she didn't want to ever again.

She felt deep in her soul, all the way to her bones that something had just happened. Something that Fred knew about and wasn't telling her.

"You felt…through you're connection. I'm only surprised that Vash-sama and Knives-sama didn't feel it."

"What? Connection…that's the second time you mentioned that."

Fred turned toward her his expression grim.

"Why do you think you could talk to Akako Hana? Why was you able to see her and speak to her?"

"I don't know? She wouldn't tell me."

"And maybe for good reason. It's still very new and raw. I'm actually worried about that. What's happening may be too much for you. In fact this is the reason Akako sent you away with those boxes. She wanted you to be away when this happened.

"When what happened?"

Millie gasped as she felt another wave of pain. It was smaller this time. Nothing compared to the first. She didn't even fall, but of course that might have had more to do with Fred holding her up than anything else.

"Fred? What is happening? Please tell me."

Millie finally gasped out when the pain stopped.

Slowly Fred nodded. He actually looked sad, like he knew of some grim thing and had accepted what it meant. Millie didn't like that look one bit.

"Akako Hana….Millie, she is…"

To be continued….

AN2: BWWHAHAHAH (blink blink) umm sorry about that.

Anyway I'm doing this AN2 as a courtesy to all you fans out there. Sorry about the cliffy but as an EVIL authoress I felt it was my duty to do something evil like this to really…well to tell the truth I wanted to piss you all off. Hehehe. Anyway sorry about not updating at lucky 300. You guys took me by surprise and I wasn't able to write fast enough. Also I just wanted to say…

Go to my website…I have the 'Lost Chapter' of CHECKMATE there. You know…the lemony chapter.

I also have a wonderful story up called Ensuing Chaos by MoMo.

Which I highly recommend you all read. In fact if you all read and review her (on ff.net), I might be able to post another chapter in another day or so…(hint hint) I just feel so bad for her, she has such an awesome story but hardly any reviews.

So all you die hard fans of CHECKMATE…get to work!!!!

Ok I'm done now. Peace.