AN: Sorry for taking so long again. I have been sick as a dog for about two weeks. Not only that, about a week ago I crashed at work. I'm a delivery driver for a pizza place and well…umm…my bad. It was terrible. I hit this little old man. He wore a pressed white shirt complete with a little red bowtie. I felt so baaad!

Well anyway no one was hurt and the damage on his car was almost nothing. However my driver fender and headlight area was smashed in. So I'm stuck at home right now. *grumble grumble* It really really sucks.

Umm other than that nothing really, other than I bought inuyasha eps 103 through 126 (I think, might be 124, can't remember off the top of my head) I also bidded on a trigun thingy, but I won't tell what it is *grins*

That's it…and no I'm not dead and I'm feel good now. I was actually planing on this being the last chapter, but it just keep getting longer and longer. But that's a very good thing I think. I hate it when I read these awesome stories and the ending are just so blah!!! It was like they didn't care anymore about the story. I'll try my very best to make this totally awesome all the way through.

So looks like we'll have at least one more chapter if not two more. Depends on my muses.

Peace

***

Rem once told me that everything would be ok. That someday the world would be perfect, would be peaceful, would be like….like Eden.

She said that despite all the evils in the world that men were, in their souls good.

Evil would never triumph if we stood against it.

If we held on to our ideals and didn't let go of the most basic truth of the universe.

The truth that, no matter what…no matter the circumstances, life should not be taken.

If we held onto that…we would be ok.

We are judged by our mistakes. And who is to say what is good today, will not become evil tomorrow. And if that is true, if good can become evil…can evil become good.

They say two wrongs don't make a right. Who are they to say?!

Who are they to judge?!

I don't care anymore about them, they and who.

They are not here. They can't understand.

They…can't help me now.

Truthfully, they never could help.

I am alone. So very alone.

I am scared.

And in the dark I wait.

****

Millie followed Knives through the maze that was the S.E.E.D.S ship. Left, right, left again and again, three more rights, it all because to confusing. Knives was going too fast, making her almost run to keep up with his long strides, for her to keep trace of it all.

Her heart slammed against her chest, making her feel short of breath.

However, she was sure it had nothing to do with the pace.

She was scared.

Scared of what she wasn't sure. She didn't think it was of Knives. He had frightened her on numerous occasions, and this time it wasn't so much that she was scared of him, as much as it was she was scared of something 'about' him.

The taste of fear made her mouth bitter and dry. She tried to swallow to dampen her throat. However she just couldn't make her muscles obey her. The only thing she seemed able to do was be dragged by her hand as Knives went to wherever he was going.

Knives what…what have you done. I know something is happening. Something so terrible that even I can feel it. I can feel the tension in the air. I can smell the fear and hate you have created.

"Knives…please."

Millie felt his hand on hers tighten. He looked back at her, his eyes about as lifeless as she had ever seen them. However despite what his eyes said he smiled.

"It's alright Millie. You don't have to be scared."

"I…I wish I could believe you."

Millie said truthfully as Knives stopped in front of a large double door. It was unlike any she had seen up to this point. Unlike the other doors that opened by swishing from one side to the other. This door opened at a diagonal…and was cut through the middle so one door with up and to the left, the bottom down and to the right.

And then, in large bold red letters the words, Plant bay 4 were written.

Knives frown at what she had said, and for a second Millie thought she saw something in those ice blue eyes. It didn't last though, and might have been her imagination. For Knives simply reached out and tapped in a code to the door.

"How did you know the code?"

She asked curious. Knives didn't answer until the door was completely open.

"I used to live on this ship. This was the lead ship…Rem's ship."

Millie gasped.

"Did you think I wouldn't figure it out!?"

He suddenly roared at her. Millie shrieked in surprise as he literally pushed her into the room. She didn't think he meant to hurt her, but she lost her balance from the unexpected push and fell hard onto the steel floor.

Her wrist screamed in protest from within it's cast.

Only about a second passed before she just managed to sit up, and he was already beside her. Kneeling down with a concerned look on his face.

"I'm sorry."

Millie's eyes flickered up at him in surprise. What was going on? Granted he wasn't a reliable guy when it came to his moods. He had more mood swings that her Big Big sister when she PMS'ed. However he was changing so fast this time. Like a pendulum swinging back and forth.

This couldn't be good. This wasn't normal, and Millie feared in her heart that Knives had…or was going to do something so terrible that…

"I said I'm sorry."

Knives interrupted Millie's thoughts as he pressed for her to answer. She could tell by his expression and tone that he had to hear it was ok.

"Its…ok Knives. I'm fine."

A muscle in Knives face twitch, but that was the only thing that gave away anything. Presently he nodded and helped her up.

For a moment Knives didn't let go of her hands. He just stood there looking down at her.

"I was so angry. So much of this I thought I had destroyed….and here it was all this time. The rec room, the med bays…even all the equipment that survived."

Knives took a small step forward, pressing his body against hers. Millie swallowed as she stood her ground and looked up at him.

"My mother died because Rem had…had contaminated her. She would have survived if she had let those useless humans die!"

"Knives…don't."

Millie whispered as she saw how his face twisted as if undergoing an unnamable torture.

Leaning down Knives grabbed Millie chin and forced it up so that they were looking each other straight in the eyes.

"When one goes into the dark, we all do. We all feel the winds, we all feel the cold."

Knives looked up at something behind Millie. She wanted to turn her head and look, but his grip on her chin wouldn't allow it.

"I never understood what that meant until…until now."

Looking back at Millie, Knives abandoned her chin to grab both her shoulders.

"My mother is in that dark place! The place with the wind and the cold….so cold."

He trailed off his face twisting even more, but then he shook it off.

"But it doesn't have to be like that. We can still have Eden Millie."

He laughed, and Millie stiffened.

Knives didn't seem to notice as he let go of her chin and forced her up against his body in an almost crushing huge.

Her breath came out in a loud whoosh as he squeezed the air out of her. But it wasn't a painful squeeze. It was just enough to be uncomfortable.

"Knives…"

Millie felt tears come to her eyes as she let her head rest against his chest.

She knew was he was doing. The bit about Eden gave it away. Vash had told her and Meryl all about Knives sick plan to kill everyone and have Eden.

Is he…is this the terrible thing I feel. Is the terrible thing I see in his eyes?

Millie felt her body start to shake as she tried to find comfort in the warmth of his body. She loved Knives. She loved him with all her heart and soul. It hurt to be away from him. But…it also hurt to be with him.

Is he going to kill me as well? I'm human…no more than a spider. He certainly doesn't love me.

'No Millie…never you. I will never hurt you again.'

Millie gasped as she heard a strange voice in her head. No…not strange, she had heard this voice before. This was the voice she heard in the sand storm. This was the voice that lead her to that beautiful room.

"What? What was that?"

She asked almost too scared to voice it.

"We are connected. Much like Legato was to Vash…only not through flesh. And on a much deeper level."

Millie felt her mind whirl. Was this the connection that Knives mother told her about, was it what Fred talked about. She was hearing Knives in her head.

"I will never hurt you again Millie. We'll have Eden for ourselves."

"What…what about Vash then?"

Millie mind spoke softly, wondering if Knives could really hear her.

"My brother…"

She felt Knives rest his head on top of hers. She could feel his breath as it stirred her hair with each exhale.

"Him and his play toy will be with us. Just us…us four…for as long as you humans live."

"His toy…? Is that all I am to you Knives."

Millie gripped Knives shirt in her hands. She felt the cloth bite her skin, and her wrist twitch in protest. But she didn't care. Pain was the least of her worries right now.

Leaning back a little Millie tilted her head to look Knives in the face. He looked back, and she couldn't see what he was thinking. His poker face was solid as rock.

"Is it? Am I just a toy? IS this just a game? Knives…I have to know. What am I to you? Am I a game…a challenge what?"

Millie felt the irony. She had said those words before. It seemed like such a long time ago. In that little house, by themselves as Knives healed. She had spoken those words only moments after they had first kissed.

And they were as bitter as they had been back then.

Knives eyebrows drew together as worry wrinkles appeared on his forehead. She could see the question in his own eyes as he looked at her. He didn't know.

He really didn't know.

"Knives…"

Millie whispered softly. With a slight adjustment she was able to reach up and touch the side of his face. Knives closed his eyes and leaned into her hand.

I can't let him do this. He has to stop. My family…my loved ones. Everyone I know, even the ones I don't like. I can't let them just die.

"Please don't do this….please."

Millie didn't want to cry. She had been crying enough the last few months to fill the rest of her life. But she couldn't stop; she couldn't force the tears back into her body.

"I love you."

She didn't know why she said this. She hadn't meant to. The last thing on gunsmoke she needed was for Knives to know the truth of her feelings.

She watched terrified as his eyes snapped open.

He stared at her. Didn't say anything, but just stared at her.

"Millie…."

He finally breathed out. Before stepping backwards, out of her reach.

And Millie's heart broke.

Just a toy, just a spider. Nothing to him but lust and hate.

She shook, her body unable to comprehend the vastness of her mistake. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to get back the warmth of his body against hers.

"I…no matter what you say Millie. I'm not going to stop."

Knives turned from her.

"I will kill the humans. And only you…Millie, and my brother's plaything will live. I have chosen you. Be happy Millie…don't cry anymore."

And he walked away.

He walked away from her. Millie stared in shock as Knives made his way toward the thing he hadn't let her look at before.

It's a plant…but…not like Akako Hana. This one is…she's dead.

It was true, the huge glass bulb, and all the equipment around it was the same as with Knives mother. But…but the plant inside, the living force of the plant was dead. There was no soft glow, they was no heat or light. Nothing but darkness and death.

Knives reached up, placing his hand against the glass.

"The glass is cold, lifeless."

He paused.

"She died in the crash."

Knives let his hand drop as he then turned to some computers. With a few quick typed in commands he was finished.

"She shall avenge her death. Together, me and her will kill the humans."

"Knives…please…"

"SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DIE!"

Knives suddenly screamed as he whirled around. Millie squeaked in surprise her eyes wide.

"She tried everything in her power to live! She would have lived if it wasn't for REM!"

Knives sneered his face twisted into some strange monster.

"Rem told us we don't have a right to choose who lives and dies. DOESN"T that also include plants! WHAT ABOUT HER! Didn't she have the right to have a chance to live too? Rem was filled with bullshit! You have to choose you have to make sure the ones that deserve life live! Who cares about the garbage, about THE FUCKING SPIDERS! Let them die…let them all die!"

Millie took a step back.

"No…"

"Its to late Millie, the process has already begun. In little under an hour…this world will be covered in her power. The overload with my help will be enough to kill all the humans…expect for you and Meryl. I'll let the power surge overlook you."

Knives laughed, and Millie turned white. He wasn't kidding, he wasn't joking around. He was going to kill everyone.

"It's been over a hundred years, and finally, finally this game comes to an end. Checkmate."

********

"This is it."

Fred jerked the stickshift forward and let the crawler start to slow. Such a large vechile took a moment to come to a stop.

Vash didn't bother to wait as he leaned far out of the door trying to look around. He recognized this place. They had been here before when searching for Millie.

He hadn't even imagined a ship was under this sand. And he still couldn't see any sign of it. The years had hidden this ship all to well.

"Where can we get in?"

Vash yelled out as he jumped out the door, checking his gun. He didn't even look where he was jumping, yet he still landed with inhuman grace.

He barely even disturbed the sand he jumped on. The crawler on the other hand sent up a huge cloud of sand dust as it finally came to a stop.

"Its that way about 50 ft."

Fred pointed toward the west as he started to shut the engine down.

Vash nodded and didn't even wait for Fred as he started out in a light jog.

"Fred…"

Meryl said as stared at the retreating figure of Vash. He was already almost there.

"Yes Miss Meryl?"

Fred asked his eyebrow rising slightly in question.

Vash looked around the sand carefully. He searched for tracks, an unnatural dip in the sand or anything that might indicate a way into the ship below him.

We have to hurry. Knives is dangerous. We can't wait for him to kill everyone. I won't make the same mistakes this time.

However no matter how hard he looked he couldn't make anything out.

"FRED! Where is it? I can't find it."

To Vash it felt like the world was coming to an end. Everything he stood for was in danger under this sand. His brother, the same brother he used to cry to as a child, the same brother he gave a second, and then third chance to, he was under here doing terrible things.

Millie, hold on. I'll stop this. Please…do what you can to distract him…to delay him anything. I don't know what's going on between you two. But I hope it can help. I need time.

Vash laughed slightly as he saw how ironic this was. He was a being outside of time. He was over a hundred years old. He would never grow old. He would never die like a human would. For all he knew he was truly and utterly immortal. Yet….he was out of time.

When he needed it the most, time was just as much his enemy as his brother.

"And the time ticks away, falling like sands through an open hand.

And in this world, blood is split upon the land.

We can't amend our past, our sins, but we can still change fate.

Nothing holds us, neither chains, time nor hate."

The ticket to the future is always open.

"I still believe this Rem.

Rem…you understand right. I have to do this. Or…or you're memory and you're sacrifice won't matter. You gave you're life so we could live.

It's only fitting that Knives be made to do the same."

Vash paused a moment, as he tried to force the tears coursing down his cheeks to stop.

I've killed a man Rem. His name was Legato BlueSummers. I will never forget him, or that horrible smile on his face as he died. I still have nightmares about that Rem. I know I did bad, but I didn't have a choice. And despite the fact I don't have a right to choice his life over…over the girls. I still did.

"Sometimes we aren't given a choice Rem. Sometimes we must chose between evils. WHAT DO I DO REM!"

You never said anything about that.

"What do I do….?"

"Vash…."

Vash stiffened as Meryl spoke softly behind him. He had been so into his own thoughts and words that he hadn't heard her walking up. With a sniffle and a quick wipe to ride himself of the tears, he started to turn around.

"Vash…you don't have to choose…not this time."

Vash eyes widened as suddenly he saw something move quickly out of the corner of his eye. He never did fully see what hit him. But he sure felt it. He tried to scream as he felt his limbs freeze and his mind start to be overcome by darkness.

"M…Meryl!"

He tried to ask her why…or maybe what she was doing. But the words never made it past his lips. Then with a slightly smoking burning smell, Vash the Stampede fell to the ground in a dead faint.

"I'm sorry Vash."

Meryl whispered as she dropped a small black object. It sizzled slightly as it hit the sand, but then lay quiet.

"Are you sure that was wise Miss. Meryl?"

Fred asked as he turned the plant over and checked him. He opened one eyelid to look at Vash's unfocused and slightly glazed eye.

"He'll be alright in a few hours."

He finally said after checking his vitals. Fred then moved Vash over to a large boulder. The humanoid typhoon should be safe and sound there until he woke up.

"Yes, I'm sure. Vash…He doesn't deserve to hurt anymore. And killing Knives would break him."

Meryl kicked the tazer she had zapped Vash with away from her in disgust.

She felt dirty…and cheap. She had stabbed Vash in the back so to speak. He had trusted her and she had betrayed him.

But I love him too much to let him do this. I'll handle this Vash. Knives doesn't know we're here. He doesn't think we can even get in. I'll have the drop on him.

And I'll finish this Vash.

"Ok Fred….how do we get in."

Meryl grunted as she tried to force her way through a small vent like opening. When Fred had mentioned a robots access door. She had assumed it would be for robots like him. Larger, humanoid ones. Unfortunally the space had been so terribly small that only she could fit through it anyhow. Vash might have been able to maneuver through. He was after all very skinny and could contort his body in the strangest of ways. But Fred had told her out right he could not make it.

So that left her alone. So very along in a long and narrow passageway.

The way was tight, it was dark, with the only light for her to see by being some kind of weak as service light.

I guess I should be thankfull for that at least, not matter how dim the light is.

Of course Meryl had a flashlight. A very strong one given to her by Fred. But she didn't want to test its batteries for extended use, or have to give up a hand to hold it. She was having enough trouble going through this dust tunnels.

Meryl grimaced in disgust at the dust. Dust three inches thick or better coated everything she touched.

Thank God it seemed to be basically clean, well as clean as dust went. It also seemed to be thankfully bug, and spider free. Meryl didn't know what should would have done if she had to plow through spider webs and fight off rodents.

The service ducts were also very slippery. Already she had slipped just crawling on her hands and knees. It was some kind of metal. Although she didn't know what kind, it looked like tin, but seemed a lot stronger. It didn't give to her weight despite the fact it seemed very thin.

Fred said to go down, 20 feet then turn left at the…seco…no third duct. Then go all the way down it to an elevator shaft. From there I can get to the main floor.

Meryl turned left, and started to crawl again as she searched for the elevator shaft.

Fred got in contact with the med bots…or something. They said that both Knives and Millie were in a plant dock. All plant docks are on the main level.

Meryl gripped the piece of paper that Fred had written instructions and a tiny map on tightly in her hand. She lost this, and she became lost totally. She wouldn't be able to find Knives, or get out. This was her only lifeline to anything.

Ok Meryl, don't freak out. You freak out here, you'll never get out.

Meryl's eyes widened as she came to the elevator shaft. It was covered with a thin grail but other than that it didn't seem to be hard to get to.

Carefully turning Meryl positioned her body so she could kick at the thin wire.

BAM!

Wincing at how loud the sound was, Meryl didn't stop as she hit it again, and again. And then finally on the fourth kick, the wire gave way.

"You have got to be shitten me."

Meryl whispered as she looked over the edge and into the elevator shaft.

"I can't even see the bottom."

She swallowed and scooted backwards slightly. It had to be…like 50 floors or better. She could see a good ways thanks to some small lights that went down the side of the shaft, but even those didn't help as the darkness swallowed everything a 100 feet down.

Meryl closed her eyes, tiny drops of tears finding their way down her cheeks.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. I'm not like Vash. I can't go crawling like a bug up and down buildings and through elevator shafts. I'm not like that. I'm only human!

"Only human…"

Meryl said.

She listened to the strange hollow echo her voice had in this place. She hated this ship. Already she hated it to the core of her being. When she had knocked Vash out she hadn't expected these kinds of challenges. Hell she hadn't even gotten to the real fight. She still had to find a way to kill Knives.

I can't give up now. I have to do this or Vash will…I have no choice now. I can't back down.

Meryl thought as she made herself move, and once again look over the edge.

Her inner voice was right. She had to do this for Vash. No matter, how far she could fall. Or how hard it would be to do this. She had to do this, or die trying.

Looking around, Meryl saw something her first glance hadn't seen.

A ladder.

Swallowing her fear the best she could Meryl stuffed her map paper firmly into her pocket. She then reached out…

"OUCH!"

And yelped as she jerked her arm back in. Instantly she grabbed at her arm as red blood started to stain her jacket.

What in the world?

Then she saw it. The edges…the edges of this duct were sharp. Not just sharp but razor sharp. She had just brushed up against the edge and had cut herself.

Looking at the wound she didn't like was she saw. It was bleeding badly. It didn't look particular deep so it wouldn't be a problem if she could stop the bleeding.

With a quick flick and a tearing sound, Meryl tore a piece of her cape off. She then wrapped it firmly around her arm. That was all she could do right now. She would look at this later.

I have to be careful. How am I going to get to that ladder without touching the edges?

Again she reached out, with a grunt she tried to reach the ladder. It was just out of reach on her left.

No…this isn't working.

She crawled back, and then turned back around so she was feet first again.

She slowly let herself slip out of the duct and into thin air.

Her breath came in quick pants as she got her legs totally out into nothingness. She had nothing hold onto and only her balance kept her from totally slipping and falling to her death.

Just a little more.

She spoke in her mind as she felt the sharp edges cut into her clothing. Thankfully her cape seemed to be protecting her legs.

Swinging her leg to the left she tried to find the ladder.

Blindly she groped around as she held onto the smooth surface of the duct with all her might. Sweat ran her face, as the area was drenched in the stench of fear.

Her foot touched something.

She could feel one of the ladder rungs.

Careful…careful Meryl I'm not safe yet. I have to get my hands firmly on this thing.

She let herself slip a little more. She then turned sideways so that she could get both feet onto the ladder.

Meryl tried to swallow again to ease the terrible parchedness in her mouth; it didn't work as her throat simply refused to work. Her arms shook violently as she let herself move a little more outward. She was now totally relying on her arms to keep herself from falling to her death.

Sweat poured off her forehead, dripping onto the dust and into her eyes.

"Just a little more…."

She tested her foothold. And found she had a good enough one to put some weight on it.

With a quick jerk that left her breathless she moved one hand to the outside. It rest against the elevator shafts wall. She tried to dig her nails in, although they didn't do much against the metal walls.

Her other hand was now hold her up, it pressed against the bottom of the duct.

Her whole body shaking in terror she reached over…so far so good.

I can't…can't reach.

Meryl felt tears run down her face as her fingers brushed against the ladder. She could just get the very tips to touch. It wasn't good enough to get a safe hold.

So she hung there…hung suspended between life and death. She couldn't get back into the service duct. There was no way she would be able to get back in without cutting herself to ribbons. She was extremly surprised she hadn't cut herself more getting out. She had two feet on a ladder. One hand against the duct floor, and one reaching for the ladder. One move and she would fall…

Her eyes narrowed as she cursed her short arms and legs. Vash no doubt wouldn't have a problem reaching. His arm reach was ridiculous.

I could just let go. Let go of life and fighting. It wouldn't even hurt. I would probably die of a heart attack even before I hit bottom.

As soon as the thought hit her…her eyes widened.

"NO!"

She hissed out as she shifted a little. Her fingers got a little closer.

She wouldn't give up now. Not like this. She was going to see Vash again. She was going to tell him he didn't have to worry anymore. She was GOING to do this!

"I'm NOT GIVING UP! NEVER! NEVER!"

SCREAMING out Meryl let her arm muscles bulge as she pushed against the duct bottom in as much as a jump as she could with it. She felt her body move toward the ladder. This was it. She had to grab it or die.

Screaming pain ripped through her hand. It didn't quite make it past the edges without touching. She didn't pay attention though as nothing but a rung on the ladder came into focus.

Only that tiny piece of metal. Nothing mattered but grabbing it. She had to catch it. She had to hold on.

Still screaming, she felt her feet slip.

NO!

She couldn't fall. Not now!!

The ladder came closer…her hand reached out.

And she missed.