Wolfwood grabbed Vash's arm and pulled him into the hall. "Whatcha want Preacher Man?"
"I wasn't going to say anything in there but Alexis Jones is the name of Midvalley's daughter. He and Dominique were a secret couple. Not even Legato knew about it."
"What?! You've got to be kidding!"
"Shh! I'm afraid not my friend, but shut your mouth before someone hears you!"
"Do you think she knows?"
"Of course not you dope! I don't blame him for not telling her either."
"I need to have a little talk with that brother of mine." With that Vash walked back into the den. "Knives. Could I speak to you for a moment?"
"Vash I'm tired. Can't we talk tomorrow?" Knives pleaded, his eyelids drooping .
"No. I need to talk to you now." Vash's voice was stern and determined.
"Fine. But make it quick Vash. A good man like me needs rest." The bonde ex-murderer stood up and followed his brother into the guest bedroom in which he would be sleeping in every night until he returns to his own home. "Okay Vash. What is it that was soooo important?"
"Does she know?"
"Does who know?"
"Alexis."
"Does Alexis know what?"
"About her parents."
"How the hell did you know about that."
"Wolfwood told me. But that doesn't matter now. Does she know?"
"Of course not. I can't tell her that. She would hate me forever."
"She will find out sooner or later."
Milly and Wolfwood had long since left to check on the cake for the wedding. Ready for the last minute arrangements to get fixed. With them gone it made Alexis and Meryl have a chance to get to know eavh other in private.
Meryl was the first one to make an attempt at small talk. "So....How long have you and Knives been dating?"
"On and off for about for about two months. What about you and Vash? How long were you two dating before he proposed to you?"
"Believe it or not we were only a couple for about a month. Then he gave me a beautiful ring in a beautiful way." Alexis looked away from Meryl's gaze to stare at the floor. As if embarassed. "Are you waiting for Knives to propose?"
"Not really. I have this thing... I never wanted to get married without my parents there with me."
"I guess that's a reasonable request. To have your parents there with you to see you off to your new life." Meryl was becoming more comfortable with the little girl. She wasn't as mean or demented as she looked. "What would you say if he asked?"
"I would uh....I...I don't know."
"Well I'm sure you will when the time comes." Meryl put a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "Don't worry about it so much."
"Hopefully it will be later rather than sooner." Vash's eyes narrowed and he glared at his brother.
"I am only telling you so that she doesn't find out some other way."
"If you tell her Vash I swear I'll-"
"Not me. Legato's brother is coming to the wedding. He may be upset about Legato's death and know exactly how to get revenge on you."
"Why the hell did you invite Staccato anyways??"
"Because he is a lot nicer than Legato. It is the least I can do really. But he knows it was your order to get him killed or he would have never accepted my invitation. Besides I didn't know about Alexis or her parents until today."
"Oh. Well let me have a few more days to think about how to tell her."
"Okay. But you better make it quick." With that response slightly comforting to him he went to bed. The secret still lingering on his mind.
Vash walked back into the den with his bride and Alexis. "You look tired Alexis. You want to go to sleep?"
"Yeah... That would be nice." Meryl stood up and dusted off her skirt.
"Let me show you to the guest room with Knives."
"You don't mind?"
"You are both adults. I'm sure you know what you can and can't do." Alexis blushed.
The soon to be married couple showed the girl to her room, then went to bed themselves.
In bed the couple spoke silently. "Who's Midvalley?"
"A man who was a gun-ho gun. He killed himself as ordered by Knives."
"Oh God."
"I know. Alexis doesn't doesn't know though. Knives said to give him a few days to think about how to tell her."
"I understand." With that she gave Vash a quick peck on the nose and went to sleep. "G'night Vash."
"G'night....insurance girl."
Knives awoke from his slumber feeling that Alexis wasn't there. He got up from the bed, walked through the door, and went in search for her.
"He looked in then kitchen. Nope, she wasn't getting a late night snack. Next was the living room. No late night reading either. She wasn't getting fresh air on the porch. This confused Knives. Where could she have gone. After looking a bit longer, he went to Vash's bedroom to see if he knew where she was.
Yet down that hallway, sobbing next to Vash's door, was Alexis.
Obviously she hadn't noticed his presence or she would have looked at him. But she just sat there, her face in her hands, her knees packed into her chest. Her back was heaving from sobs. Knives had never seen her in this state before. Never seen her shed a tear before. This made him angry. The fact that she shed a single tear made him want to shoot whatever, or whoever, did this to her.
He put a hand on her shoulder, the back heaving sobs stopped, but she didn't look up at him. "Alexis. Are you okay? What's wrong."
"I'm not okay. You're what's wrong!." Knives kneeled down to her side.
"What are you talking about?"
"You... You killed them." Knives knew what she was talking about, but actied as if he didn't. Maybe it wasn't what he thought. There is still a chance...right?
"Killed who? What are you talking about?"
"YOU KILLED MY PARENTS!!!!" She screamed loud enough to wake the dead... and Vash.
The tall blonde ex-gunman ran out of his room, the light of the hallways burning his eyes, causing him to squint. He looked down at the couple and understood completely what happened. "Oh shit." Meryl walked to his side also knowing as soon as she looked at them, but unlike Vash, she didn't say a word.
Knives sent his brother and soon to be sister-in-law a cold glare. So cold that the devil himself would freeze while looking at it.
Vash and Meryl backed away into their room so that Knives and Alexis could talk.
"Alexis...I'm sorry."
"Is sorry going to bring my parents back?? Is it going to erase everynight that I spent in an orphanage?"
"That was then! I regret everything that happened back then!"
"Yeah well...I regret ever loving you!" She walked off, knives followed. He followed her to the bedroom he was sleeping in only moments before. He wasn't allowed in though. The door slapped in his face, and was locked.
"Damn it Alexis! Please listen to me!"
"No you listen! At the wedding next week I'm coming for Vash and Meryl. You had better stay the hell away from me!"
Knives woke up and lifter himself from the couch. 'How can I get her back?' His answer was simple, but he hated to do it. Soon enough he found himself in Vash's room, seeking help.
Vash crossed his legs and closed his eyes. "So you want my help in getting her back right?"
"Stop the bull Vash. I know you're not meditating, but yes. I need your help."
"Sing."
"What?!? I can't sing Vash!" Knives took a deep breath to relax. "Now Vash... Is there anything besides singing that could help?"
"Yeah...But remember that the author wants a musical."
"What song." he sighed.
"I have the perfect one."
Vash set everything up. Alexis would be eating with the girls, thinking the guys were eating dinner in another room. When they were in the middle of dinner, Vash would start the music and Knives would walk out into the kitchen.
Meryl and Milly would make sure she didn't get away. Yes everything was perfectly figure out. Nothing could go wrong.
But something did go wrong. Alexis went out for dinner when no one was looking. Therefore she wasn't hungry at dinner time with everyone else.
So there you go. All the plans ruined all because she wanted to eat out for dinner alone. Knives was pissed. "Vash!"
"Yes oh dear brother of mine?" Vash looked at him innocently.
"Alexis ate dinner out by herself." He mumbled through clenched teeth.
"Well time for plan B."
"What's plan B?"
"You'll see." With that Vash left to his room.
Late That night
Vash and Knives had already discussed the new plan, dinner was eaten, Alexis had went to bed expecting Knives to sleep on the couch as he has been. Everything was set up nicely.
Knives picked the lock on the door and snuck in, a lamp in hand. He made sure the lamp was off before pugging it in, sure not to wake Alexis. He started up the song, turned on the lamp, and watched Alexis awake sleepily and surprised.
"I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do.
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know."
Alexis ran towards the door, but found it locked and a rope was tied around it. She will not get out until she hears his plea. His apology.
"I found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you."
She knew what he was doing but was determined not to let the song get to her. She would ifnore him until maybe just maybe, he would go away knowing that his plan isn't, and never will, work on her, Nothing will change the way she feels and make her forgive him.
"I'm sorry that i hurt you
It's something I must live with every day
And all the pain I put you through
I wish I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear."
'You can't. There is no way you can bring my parents back you bastard.' She cursed in her mind. How dare he aske her forgiveness for something like that. A single gear streamed down her cheek. The tear meant pain, anger...and confusion.
"I found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you.
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you."
He screamed out the lines as Alexis actually became more interested about her choices in whether or not to forgve him.
"I'm not a perfect person,
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know.
I found a reason a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
I found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you."
Knives dropped the mic. 'This is hopeless.' He knows that there was no way in hell that she would ever forgive him. He found her siting by the door, knees curled back into her chest, like before, hands covering her ears.
Knives layed a hand on her shoulder. "Would it help at all if I tell you I love you? That I'm sorry?"
Alexis looked up at him with tear soaked eyes. "It would do better than that crappy song."
he laughed under his breath. "Yeah I'm a horrible singer. Hehe."
"The lyrics sure helped my decision of whether to forgive you."
"Well?"
Alexis walked towards the door. "I still love you." She said. Whistles and laughter were heard coming from the other side of the door. Everything was well
"I wasn't going to say anything in there but Alexis Jones is the name of Midvalley's daughter. He and Dominique were a secret couple. Not even Legato knew about it."
"What?! You've got to be kidding!"
"Shh! I'm afraid not my friend, but shut your mouth before someone hears you!"
"Do you think she knows?"
"Of course not you dope! I don't blame him for not telling her either."
"I need to have a little talk with that brother of mine." With that Vash walked back into the den. "Knives. Could I speak to you for a moment?"
"Vash I'm tired. Can't we talk tomorrow?" Knives pleaded, his eyelids drooping .
"No. I need to talk to you now." Vash's voice was stern and determined.
"Fine. But make it quick Vash. A good man like me needs rest." The bonde ex-murderer stood up and followed his brother into the guest bedroom in which he would be sleeping in every night until he returns to his own home. "Okay Vash. What is it that was soooo important?"
"Does she know?"
"Does who know?"
"Alexis."
"Does Alexis know what?"
"About her parents."
"How the hell did you know about that."
"Wolfwood told me. But that doesn't matter now. Does she know?"
"Of course not. I can't tell her that. She would hate me forever."
"She will find out sooner or later."
Milly and Wolfwood had long since left to check on the cake for the wedding. Ready for the last minute arrangements to get fixed. With them gone it made Alexis and Meryl have a chance to get to know eavh other in private.
Meryl was the first one to make an attempt at small talk. "So....How long have you and Knives been dating?"
"On and off for about for about two months. What about you and Vash? How long were you two dating before he proposed to you?"
"Believe it or not we were only a couple for about a month. Then he gave me a beautiful ring in a beautiful way." Alexis looked away from Meryl's gaze to stare at the floor. As if embarassed. "Are you waiting for Knives to propose?"
"Not really. I have this thing... I never wanted to get married without my parents there with me."
"I guess that's a reasonable request. To have your parents there with you to see you off to your new life." Meryl was becoming more comfortable with the little girl. She wasn't as mean or demented as she looked. "What would you say if he asked?"
"I would uh....I...I don't know."
"Well I'm sure you will when the time comes." Meryl put a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "Don't worry about it so much."
"Hopefully it will be later rather than sooner." Vash's eyes narrowed and he glared at his brother.
"I am only telling you so that she doesn't find out some other way."
"If you tell her Vash I swear I'll-"
"Not me. Legato's brother is coming to the wedding. He may be upset about Legato's death and know exactly how to get revenge on you."
"Why the hell did you invite Staccato anyways??"
"Because he is a lot nicer than Legato. It is the least I can do really. But he knows it was your order to get him killed or he would have never accepted my invitation. Besides I didn't know about Alexis or her parents until today."
"Oh. Well let me have a few more days to think about how to tell her."
"Okay. But you better make it quick." With that response slightly comforting to him he went to bed. The secret still lingering on his mind.
Vash walked back into the den with his bride and Alexis. "You look tired Alexis. You want to go to sleep?"
"Yeah... That would be nice." Meryl stood up and dusted off her skirt.
"Let me show you to the guest room with Knives."
"You don't mind?"
"You are both adults. I'm sure you know what you can and can't do." Alexis blushed.
The soon to be married couple showed the girl to her room, then went to bed themselves.
In bed the couple spoke silently. "Who's Midvalley?"
"A man who was a gun-ho gun. He killed himself as ordered by Knives."
"Oh God."
"I know. Alexis doesn't doesn't know though. Knives said to give him a few days to think about how to tell her."
"I understand." With that she gave Vash a quick peck on the nose and went to sleep. "G'night Vash."
"G'night....insurance girl."
Knives awoke from his slumber feeling that Alexis wasn't there. He got up from the bed, walked through the door, and went in search for her.
"He looked in then kitchen. Nope, she wasn't getting a late night snack. Next was the living room. No late night reading either. She wasn't getting fresh air on the porch. This confused Knives. Where could she have gone. After looking a bit longer, he went to Vash's bedroom to see if he knew where she was.
Yet down that hallway, sobbing next to Vash's door, was Alexis.
Obviously she hadn't noticed his presence or she would have looked at him. But she just sat there, her face in her hands, her knees packed into her chest. Her back was heaving from sobs. Knives had never seen her in this state before. Never seen her shed a tear before. This made him angry. The fact that she shed a single tear made him want to shoot whatever, or whoever, did this to her.
He put a hand on her shoulder, the back heaving sobs stopped, but she didn't look up at him. "Alexis. Are you okay? What's wrong."
"I'm not okay. You're what's wrong!." Knives kneeled down to her side.
"What are you talking about?"
"You... You killed them." Knives knew what she was talking about, but actied as if he didn't. Maybe it wasn't what he thought. There is still a chance...right?
"Killed who? What are you talking about?"
"YOU KILLED MY PARENTS!!!!" She screamed loud enough to wake the dead... and Vash.
The tall blonde ex-gunman ran out of his room, the light of the hallways burning his eyes, causing him to squint. He looked down at the couple and understood completely what happened. "Oh shit." Meryl walked to his side also knowing as soon as she looked at them, but unlike Vash, she didn't say a word.
Knives sent his brother and soon to be sister-in-law a cold glare. So cold that the devil himself would freeze while looking at it.
Vash and Meryl backed away into their room so that Knives and Alexis could talk.
"Alexis...I'm sorry."
"Is sorry going to bring my parents back?? Is it going to erase everynight that I spent in an orphanage?"
"That was then! I regret everything that happened back then!"
"Yeah well...I regret ever loving you!" She walked off, knives followed. He followed her to the bedroom he was sleeping in only moments before. He wasn't allowed in though. The door slapped in his face, and was locked.
"Damn it Alexis! Please listen to me!"
"No you listen! At the wedding next week I'm coming for Vash and Meryl. You had better stay the hell away from me!"
Knives woke up and lifter himself from the couch. 'How can I get her back?' His answer was simple, but he hated to do it. Soon enough he found himself in Vash's room, seeking help.
Vash crossed his legs and closed his eyes. "So you want my help in getting her back right?"
"Stop the bull Vash. I know you're not meditating, but yes. I need your help."
"Sing."
"What?!? I can't sing Vash!" Knives took a deep breath to relax. "Now Vash... Is there anything besides singing that could help?"
"Yeah...But remember that the author wants a musical."
"What song." he sighed.
"I have the perfect one."
Vash set everything up. Alexis would be eating with the girls, thinking the guys were eating dinner in another room. When they were in the middle of dinner, Vash would start the music and Knives would walk out into the kitchen.
Meryl and Milly would make sure she didn't get away. Yes everything was perfectly figure out. Nothing could go wrong.
But something did go wrong. Alexis went out for dinner when no one was looking. Therefore she wasn't hungry at dinner time with everyone else.
So there you go. All the plans ruined all because she wanted to eat out for dinner alone. Knives was pissed. "Vash!"
"Yes oh dear brother of mine?" Vash looked at him innocently.
"Alexis ate dinner out by herself." He mumbled through clenched teeth.
"Well time for plan B."
"What's plan B?"
"You'll see." With that Vash left to his room.
Late That night
Vash and Knives had already discussed the new plan, dinner was eaten, Alexis had went to bed expecting Knives to sleep on the couch as he has been. Everything was set up nicely.
Knives picked the lock on the door and snuck in, a lamp in hand. He made sure the lamp was off before pugging it in, sure not to wake Alexis. He started up the song, turned on the lamp, and watched Alexis awake sleepily and surprised.
"I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do.
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know."
Alexis ran towards the door, but found it locked and a rope was tied around it. She will not get out until she hears his plea. His apology.
"I found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you."
She knew what he was doing but was determined not to let the song get to her. She would ifnore him until maybe just maybe, he would go away knowing that his plan isn't, and never will, work on her, Nothing will change the way she feels and make her forgive him.
"I'm sorry that i hurt you
It's something I must live with every day
And all the pain I put you through
I wish I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear."
'You can't. There is no way you can bring my parents back you bastard.' She cursed in her mind. How dare he aske her forgiveness for something like that. A single gear streamed down her cheek. The tear meant pain, anger...and confusion.
"I found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you.
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you."
He screamed out the lines as Alexis actually became more interested about her choices in whether or not to forgve him.
"I'm not a perfect person,
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know.
I found a reason a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
I found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you."
Knives dropped the mic. 'This is hopeless.' He knows that there was no way in hell that she would ever forgive him. He found her siting by the door, knees curled back into her chest, like before, hands covering her ears.
Knives layed a hand on her shoulder. "Would it help at all if I tell you I love you? That I'm sorry?"
Alexis looked up at him with tear soaked eyes. "It would do better than that crappy song."
he laughed under his breath. "Yeah I'm a horrible singer. Hehe."
"The lyrics sure helped my decision of whether to forgive you."
"Well?"
Alexis walked towards the door. "I still love you." She said. Whistles and laughter were heard coming from the other side of the door. Everything was well