Disclaimer: I don't own Trigun.
Note: Okay I've decided I will actually do a wedding for Vash and Meryl seeing as two people have asked me now. I wasn't going to, seeing as I'm not really a wedding person and wasn't interested in making Vash or Meryl either, but as I'm writing for you lot then I want to make you happy. It probably wont be in this chapter though...I might save it for the very last one.
Thanks to reviewers: (I got 18 reviewers, wow that's my new record so a double thanks to everyone)
Pyro - No need to thank me for reviewing your fics. They were all so good and trust me when I say that. You definitely have a lot of pure talent and with a bit of practise you will be one of the best. Yes Knives is in love whether he admits it or not...guess I'll have to give him a little push in the right direction. Thanks for your review.
Blue and TK - Aww poor TK seems to be getting a little emotional Yes I am doing a Wolfwood story soon...I'm not sure how it'll turn out though seeing as I haven't read a single story based on him yet...I must get round to doing that. I was thinking about doing a two part fic where he comes back to Millie in a dream or something...but I'm not sure if that's been done already so I think I'm going to go lurk in the Wolfwood fics for a bit. About Meryl being a plant, a couple of people have asked me about that and I'm going to extend a bit on her abilities soon, although I'm still not sure how far I will take them. Thanks for your review, as always it made me laugh.
Magnet-Rose - Yeah it really does suck when things just don't come out the way you want them too and you keep writing it again and again. It was stressing me out on the first re-write so I don't want to imagine what it would be like writing it five times. You have much more patience then me that's all I can say. I'm glad you liked it and I couldn't resist putting in that 'wimp' comment about Vash. Thanks for your review. As always it is much appreciated.
SapphireWhiteTiggress - Ahh -hides- not Kuroneko anything but that. Anyway here is your update and thanks so much for your review.
Silverado6000 - Thanks so much for your review, I'm glad you still like it and I think my spontaneous nature is probably what helps this story along. It seems to work anyway so I'll keep it up. I'm glad you liked my Meryl's POV I was actually going to start with a Knives' POV but I'm glad I stuck with Meryl. I'm glad the background wasn't a bit over the top or anything because that did worry me a bit. The scene with Millie's family was the most difficult to do. I got so confused with names and people that I had to double-check it to make sure I hadn't got anybody muddle. It was a lot of fun though and I'm glad it went well. I find Vash's POVs usually quite hard to write. I don't know why but I think it's because he is such a complex character with many different sides to him it is hard to distinguish whether he would be the serious or goofy guy or a mixture of both. It's very confusing. I think I'm being very mean to Knives really, putting him through all that mental torment...but it just seemed fitting, he seems a character who would like to think things through and not say anything to anyone. He is definitely my favourite character to write and I didn't put as much of him in the last chapter so I'll make up for it in this one. Thanks so much for all your kind comments and I hope that this chapter is just as good.
NinaWilliamsTheSilentAssassin - wheeee thanks so much for your review, it made me really happy. I updated as fast as possible just for you cos I don't want you to die, so I hope you like it. I guess Meryl will have to tell him that won't she, I mean hell yeah. That's a great idea. I might quote you for when Meryl tells him. Thanks again and enjoy.
Rukato86 - Yeah...I have...-counts- four exams to go but never mind; I can wait a little longer for total freedom. Glad you liked my last chapter and thanks for your review.
Sasssieygirl - I'm glad you like the Knives/Millie pairing, I've learned to love them too, I think they are so cute together and I know what you mean by Vash and Meryl but there is something about that couple I adore as well. Finishness in my dictionary is a word, and even if my dictionary isn't accurate then no matter that's something I'll deal with later ; Don't worry, mindless chatter is always the best, so I hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks for your review.
Tiff - Ooooo cookie -gnaws on the cookie- well thanks for your review, and I know that sometimes I reject this story but I promise it won't happen again...and yeah 17 chapters...wow that's pretty amazing for me seeing as I've only ever finished one story in my whole entire life and that only came to 97 pages...this one has already reached 158. Anyway that was pretty pointless information for you...now I'm just chatting on about nothing...okay thanks for your review!
Lyn - This story is way too fun to abandon so don't worry about that. Yeah I liked the Ashley part too, it's just so fun making Meryl and Vash get all embarrassed. Don't worry I'm sure all the angst will finally give in to romance, I just can't help putting it in, I always love writing angst. If it's a wedding you want it's a wedding you get, not sure when it'll be though so keep your eye out. Thanks for your review.
Dustdragon - Glad you liked the chapter, and those parts were my favourites too so I'm glad you liked them. Thanks for your review.
Veilinglife - Yeah when I went back to edit some of my older chapters I realised that I left that part out...I felt so stupid as well but the problem is I can't really remember why I mentioned it now. I know it was supposed to be something important but because it has been so long, I forgot. My memory is really really bad, I do things like that all the time. Maybe I could include it in one of these chapters...but I'm no sure if it'll be too late. Thanks for your review and I'll get thinking about the whole jewel thing.
Sharpshooterjane - Yeah I know what you mean with the change of views, I sometimes get confused with them as well, which is why I try and connect them the way I do. Thanks for your review it is much appreciated.
Neptune Butterfly - You're continuing your story? Ahh! I must read it! I'll be waiting for it. Thanks for your review and I'll try to make the whole situation with Meryl ease out in this chapter. Thanks again!
Darkraven - Yeah Knives has been getting a lot of sympathy lately, the poor guy. Oh well maybe I'll be easier in this chapter...maybe.
ICENFS - Thanks for your sweet review and here is your update.
Bigunit94 - Thanks for your review, it's much appreciated and here is your update.
Davis45108 - Millie and Ashley let her out, I'm assuming...although I couldn't find that part so I can't quite remember. I'm glad you like the story and thanks for your review.
Chapter 18 - Kiss
Vash's POV
I was dragged from my peaceful sleep by a soft sound that floated quietly around the room. Opening my eyes I glanced at an unfamiliar wall and rolled over to look at an even more unfamiliar room.
Rubbing at my eyes with my palms I sat up and glanced around before finally remembered where I was. Lying down on my back I shut my eyes to try and go back to sleep, there was a comfortable warmth in the room and sleep would have been easy if the same soft sound hadn't interrupted the silence again.
My attention was turned to the bed on the other side of the room, that one corner had been veiled in a blanket of foreboding darkness and I shivered slightly. Even the moons' rays could not reach the corner and carefully I sat up again and swung my feet out of the side of the bed.
She was crying again but trying so hard not to make a sound that it was painful to listen to. I needed to help her and if she refused to talk to me then there was no way I could. gently I stood up and watched the patterns of the moons dance and skitter across the floor from being filtered through the lacy curtain that was flapping at the window.
As I neared the side of the bed I could see her; a darkened shape huddled up in the blankets, her face buried into the pillow and her hands clutching the blankets. Being as gentle as I possibly could I sat on the edge of the bed and watched her for a few moments. Her sobs had stopped and she had gone rigid from realising I was no longer asleep.
"Meryl..." My throat felt tight from the tears, which I was managing to hold back and I waited patiently for her to answer. The silence lasted longer and longer and I realised that her answer would never come, she was hoping I would go away but no...there was no way I was leaving her. Even being on the other side of the room was too far apart for my liking.
Carefully I stood up again and tugged the blanket out of her grip before sliding in beside her. I paused for a few seconds before snuggling closer to her ignoring the tension that built up in her muscles. Reaching out I wrapped an arm around her trembling form and brought her to rest back against me.
"Don't cry...please don't cry." I murmured as I brought her back up against my chest and lowered my face to bury it against her neck. "Please don't cry anymore..."
"I'm sorry." She whispered and shifted so that she was facing me, wiping at the tears, which were welling up in her eyes.
"What for?"
"For acting this way." She gave a sad little laugh "I don't even know why I'm doing it."
"Are you sure about that?" I looked deep into her eyes and could see the sadness inside of them. Something was definitely bothering her.
"Well, it was something Knives said in the car before." She admitted shyly and I thought I saw a trace of a blush on her face before she buried her head against my chest.
What had Knives said to her in the car? He had been quiet for the most part...I tried to think of what it could be but failed miserably, I just couldn't remember.
"What did he say?" I asked finally but she didn't answer and finally I drew her away from me and used one hand to tilt her head up to look at me. Her face was flushed and her expression was one of embarrassment and a sense of discomfort.
"Well it was more of what he implied." She mumbled and I nodded, finally we were getting somewhere.
"So what did he imply?" I asked and she tried to look away from me. Suddenly I remembered! "Are you talking about what he said when Millie asked him where he was going to stay?"
Her eyes widened slightly as if she hadn't expected me to remember and then her mouth opened as if to reply but instead she lowered her gaze in what appeared to be shame. After a moment she nodded and tried to speak again but all that came out was a surprised cry as I crushed her against me in a tight hug. I couldn't believe that's what she had been so worried about and relief swept over me so fast I felt dizzy.
"You should have spoken to me about it before."
"I thought that you might be annoyed with me, because...well." She trailed off.
"You think I care about any of that? Meryl for crying out loud I love you for who you are and not because of what I can get from you. It doesn't matter to me, and if you want to take things slow then that's fine." I grinned at the expression on her face, obviously she hadn't expected that answer.
She was crying again, this time from relief and I pulled her against me again and let her rest in my arms, one of her arms hung around my waist whilst the other clung to my shirt. Her face was buried against my neck, her warm breath and tears tickling against my skin.
Normal POV
Meryl felt much warmer than she usually did in the morning, it wasn't uncomfortable but the feeling was strange all the same. Opening her eyes slightly she was surprised to see nothing but a grey blur and for a moment she thought she was blind. She tried to move but found her legs were entangled with something; panic gripped at her. It was only when she managed to pull away slightly that she looked up into the calm face of Vash. His eyes were closed and skin smoothed over in relaxation, he was so beautiful in sleep just like she had seen him before in the car.
She felt the luckiest girl in the world.
For a long while she lay next to him watching him sleep and was content to do so all day if she had the chance. Sighing happily she moved closer and glanced up to see his eyes were no longer shut. They were open and clouded with sleep but beautiful none-the-less. She smiled shyly up at him and tightened her grip around his waist as he moved slightly.
"Good morning." He mumbled sleepily as he yawned and tried to get his eyes to focus.
"Morning."
"What's the time?"
"I don't know." Meryl sighed and Vash's stomach chose that time to speak up.
"I think it's breakfast time." He grinned and received a smack round the head. "Ouch, what did I do this time?"
"Nothing."
"So I get hit for doing nothing?"
"Yes." She grinned and reached up, kissing the corner of his mouth before untangling her limbs from his and sitting up. "So what do you feel like having for breakfast?" She asked as she slipped out from under the covers and stretched.
"Do you really need to ask?"
"Well no, just thought I'd be polite..." She grinned and ran a brush through her shoulder length hair, which glistened in the morning sunshine. After a moment she turned around and looked at him, he was sitting up, his blonde hair hanging around his face and bright aqua eyes fixed on her.
"Well are you hungry or not?" She asked with a frown before reaching over and grabbing a towel from a pile and leaving the room. Vash sighed and flopped back onto the bed, clutching the pillow and burying his face into it.
Life was good.
Knives was awoken by the irritating sound of laughter down in the living room and growled angrily. He was beginning to wonder whether he should go live outside whilst they were here, at least he would get more peace.
Mumbling irritably he got up and glanced out of the window, the suns were already climbing a steep angle into the sky, slicing into the ever-lasting blue and casting vivid light into the room. Running his fingers through his short, pale hair he glanced over at the folded change of clothes that he had left on a chair the night before and headed for the shower.
The water did nothing to soothe his irritation and after getting changed into fresh clothes he headed back to his room. He didn't feel like going down into the lounge, which was no doubt filled with people, and he wondered whether it would be possible to sneak out unnoticed. Another loud burst of laughter made him sure that if he tried to escape he would be caught.
Sighing he sat back down on the bed and glanced around the room, how had he ended up like this, in this house surrounded by all these caring and happy humans? He would never have believed this scenario in a million years...it was surprising how quickly he had changed.
"Oh there you are Knives." A cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts and he raised his head to glare at Millie who had entered the room. "I was starting to think that you were going to sleep all day." She continued as she put down a pile of towels and turned to face him. "I expect you are hungry right?" She didn't seem to care that he never replied, "Well there is plenty to eat down in the kitchen, most of the others have gone out so if you want to go down when it's quiet I suggest you do it now."
He looked at her curiously and nodded before standing up, not once taking his eyes from her. His blue orbs piercing into her own as they stared at each other for a moment.
"I guess I will." He finally spoke and Millie nodded and led the way down the stairs.
The kitchen was bright and much larger than any of the ones he had seen; it was fresh and extremely organised for such a busy household. Millie showed him where all the necessary things were and he paid attention without saying a word.
"Most of the time there will be something quick you can just have, that'll usually be in the top cupboard there." She pointed it out. "The draws here have the knives and forks...things like that and this here is where the dry foods are stored. You can help yourself." She turned to look at him and he nodded silently.
"I'm going to go and see Meryl later and see if they want to come round for dinner, do you mind?"
"Why would I?"
"Just asking, you don't have to get all defensive and suspicious." She laughed and shook a finger at him, "now, now don't put that frown on. You look much nicer without it." She scolded lightly.
"I'll frown if I want to human."
"Okay Mr. Knives..." Ignoring his cold comment she turned to the sink and busied herself with washing some dishes that had been left over from breakfast.
Knives sat down and ate his food slowly, paying close attention to the woman in front of him. She was turned away; her long hair reaching halfway down her back was loose and waving in a slight breeze that was coming in through a small window. Her eyes were glossy with happiness and there was a young, refreshed vitality in her that shone brighter then the suns. When she started to sing quietly he found himself startled, she didn't seem to be the kind of girl to sing, but her voice - although clumsy - was beautiful and he found himself entranced by her.
He was so taken in by her voice that when she stopped suddenly he found himself quite annoyed. Looking back up at her he noticed that she was looking down at her hand, her eyes, which had once been happy, were now pained.
"What's wrong?" The question came before he could even think about stopping it.
"Oh just me being clumsy again. My big big brother always said I had a knack for hurting myself." She smiled over at him.
"Let me see." He stood up and crossed the room before reaching out to take her hand.
Knives' POV
I cradled her hand in both of mine and watched the blood steadily drip from the gash she had made on her once perfect skin. For a moment I was lost in the flow of that red liquid, remembering the times when I had been the reason for so much blood loss in people. Now here I was helping this human woman to stop its natural flow.
Looking around I spotted a small cloth hanging on the handle of a cupboard and grabbed it before pressing it to her wound, she gave a little gasp and bit on her bottom lip to stop the tears, which were quivering in her blue eyes.
"Did it hurt?" I asked, cursing the soft kindness in my voice.
"Just a little." She admitted and sniffled back the tears.
"Do you have any bandages?"
"Bottom draw." Her hand shook slightly.
"Here hold this to your wound." I left her nursing the gash in her hand and knelt down to search for bandages which didn't prove too much of a task. Then I unwrapped a length of the material and began to wind it around her hand, being careful not to pull it too tight. "You'll need to go and have this checked up. It might need stitches." I told her and she nodded and smiled at me.
That smile almost knocked me senseless and the whispered; thank you, sent my heart racing. We were too close for comfort, I could smell her perfume, which was sweeter then I ever remembered it being before.
"Knives." I looked at her.
"Yes?"
"You can...let go of my hand now."
"Oh right, sorry." I blushed instantaneously and dropped her hand looking at anything but her. What had I been thinking? Sometimes I think that I'm more like that idiot brother of mine then I'd like to admit. This was something that he would do...not me - not the stern, sensible brother.
"Well I should go get this checked on." Millie spoke up and I nodded. "It's a good job you were here Knives."
"It's nothing." I blushed.
"Maybe, but thanks anyway."
"Don't mention it..." I said awkwardly "I just did what anyone would ha-" My breath was knocked from me as she pulled me into a crushing embrace and I was surprised at how strong she was.
"You're a good friend." She continued in her cheery way and I stood helplessly not being able to move.
She looked up at me and I drew in a sharp breath, I had never been so close to anyone in my life, I was aware only slightly that her arms were still loosely around me and of the warmth that was spreading through me. Her eyes were bluer then I had ever seen them, so deep that I was drowning in them. My heart ached and a little voice in my head urged me to close the gap and in that brief moment when all rational thought was lost...I did.
Meryl's POV
I sat opposite Vash, watching him with such affection I was pretty sure that if anyone looked at me they would be able to read me like a book. At one time I would have hid my feelings for this man behind barriers and barriers to stop people from knowing. Now I could finally let them out, those trapped emotions flying free and settling on the man who sat barely a meter away.
As usual he was stuffing his face with one donut after another but I couldn't care less, he was with me...me not anyone else. My heart swelled with joy, and the thought that I would spend the rest of my long life with this man made things so much better.
He paused in his eating and glanced up at me giving a sheepish grin and swallowing the last mouthful. "These are really good." He pointed at the box, which was now nearly empty and I nodded, a small smile creeping onto my face.
"I can tell."
"So what are you going to do today?" He asked and I leaned forward, cradling my head in my palm.
"I need to stock up on things for the apartment so shopping most likely."
"Shopping...great."
"You don't have to be so sarcastic."
"Well it's hard to be cheerful when I think about things like...shopping." He glared at the last couple of donuts.
"Well do you really expect me to carry all the things I need by myself?"
"Guess not." He was sulking, and I watched as he ate the last couple of donuts and crushed the box before throwing it in the bin from where he sat.
I smiled at him, he could be so childish sometimes but he was so incredibly cute when he pouted like that. "Fine." I said as I stood up, he looked up at me with a startled look. "If you help me with the shopping I'll..." I trailed off and he looked up at me expectantly. "I'll buy you as many donuts as you can carry." I grinned 'how could he possibly think about eating more donuts after all the ones he just consumed a minute ago?' but none-the-less the bribe seemed to work. He regained his cheerful grin and instantly got to his feet before walking up beside me.
"Well let's go." He said and I nodded and walked beside him, one arm linked with his. Things couldn't get much better than this, I was pretty sure of that and I wouldn't let anything take this away from me.
"So where to first?" He asked completely oblivious to the fact that there were about fifty places I needed to go. Smiling secretly I led him down into one of the main streets.
A few hours later saw Vash collapsed on a bench buried under bags of things that I had needed to buy.
"Are you alright?" I asked sweetly as I loomed over him with a smile.
"I think...I'm going to die." He whimpered.
"You're such a baby."
"And you're so mean." He forced himself to sit up. "I can't believe you brought so much stuff...is it even possible?" His eyes filled with tears, "And I didn't have the strength to carry even one box of donuts along with all this stuff."
"Come on let's get back." I leaned down and picked up as many bags as I could, leaving Vash to struggle with the rest. The rest of the way home he complained about women and how they loved to shop and why I had refused to bring the car.
"Well we're home." I said as I unlocked the door and walked into the room.
"Thank...god." Vash staggered after me and collapsed in the open doorway. Laughing at him I stepped over his motionless form and picked up some of the bags before transferring them onto the table and going back for more.
"Wouldn't it be more comfortable to lie on the couch rather then on the floor?" I looked down at him and he blinked and nodded slowly before standing up and sitting down again on the couch, his eyes falling closed and his taut muscles relaxing.
I sidled over to him and sat down on his lap pressing a soft kiss to his throat and snuggling up against him. "I'm sorry for making you carry all of that." I murmured softly.
"I guess I'll forgive you."
"How sweet."
"That's just the kind of guy I am." He smiled, his eyes remaining closed.
"I love you." I murmured against his neck and his arms shifted to wrap around me.
"I love you too insurance girl" I breathed in the sweet smell of his cologne and listened to his deep, rhythmic breathing and the sound of his heart beating beneath my hand.
Things were perfect.
Normal POV
Knives blinked as he pulled back from Millie, their faces hovering centimetres apart. His eyes were wide with shock; he couldn't believe he had actually...kissed her! The strange thing was that she hadn't resisted him at all. The kiss itself had been fleeting, shy and almost too gentle and brief to be called a kiss at all. But it had affected them both in a way neither of them felt possible.
He pulled back suddenly, releasing her so quickly that she almost lost her balance. For a moment they stood staring at each other in disbelief. Knives swallowed and tried to say something...anything that would make this situation less uncomfortable. The worse thing was that the small kiss they had shared had awoken an emotion he never thought he could have.
Without saying a word he dashed from the room and upstairs to sit in silence and think about what to do next. Millie watched him leave, completely stunned by his actions. One hand gripping the back of a chair whilst the other rose up to touch her lips. That teasing, feather-light kiss had been so powerful that it had left a tingling sensation on them.
She pulled the chair out and walked round to sit down on it, her mind whirling with all the emotions that had been provoked inside of her. She hadn't felt like this for a long time, not since she had met Wolfwood. Tears gathered in her eyes as she sat alone in the kitchen and she let her head drop forward into her hands.
"Millie dear, what's wrong?" Rose enquired as she entered the kitchen and knelt down beside the chair, stroking the long hair away from her daughter's face. Millie looked up, her eyes widened with shock.
"I didn't know you were back?" She choked.
"I only just got in...tell me what's wrong." Millie's mother begged.
"Oh there's nothing wrong with me mom, I think its all the excitement of being home with my family and everything." Millie smiled as cheerfully as possible and got up from the chair. Her mother stood up as well and embraced her daughter in a tight hug.
"We're glad to have you back as well but I have the feeling that's not all that is on your mind. You would tell me if something was bothering you won't you?"
"Mom I've never kept anything from you before have I?"
"No. You haven't...but I'm here to listen if you want me to." Rose smiled and looked down, noticing the bandage wrapped around Millie's hand. "Oh what have you done there?"
"Cut myself on a knife when I was washing up."
"Oh you silly thing, have you had it checked out?"
"Not yet, I was going to go now."
"I'll come with you then." Rose said and led her daughter to the door.
Ashley had gone with Millie's big sister to the shops to buy some food for their dinner. They were planning on making it a big welcome home occasion for Millie and Ashley had instantly become good friends with the older woman.
She was two years older than Millie and the second youngest child in the family and she bore a distinct resemblance to the insurance girl; the same cool blue eyes and honey coloured hair, which had been cut in such a way that it feathered around her face.
"So Ashley, you said Vash and Meryl rescued you, were you in danger?" The woman continued.
"Well in a way...I was a slave in some weird mine. Mom was captured as well and she saved me from getting hurt whilst we were in there. Dad was the one who broke us free." Ashley was getting used to referring to Meryl and Vash, as mom and dad and she liked having someone to refer to as her parents, it felt good to finally belong.
"Your parents are very brave."
"Kathy..." Ashley said quietly.
"Yes?"
"What's it like to have so many brothers and sisters?"
"It can be a pain sometimes, but I have never been lonely and it's nice to have so many loving people around."
"It must be nice, do you think mom and dad will have a baby?"
Kathy laughed and smiled down at the girl, her eyes twinkling and her face pulled into the friendliest smile that reminded Ashley so much of Millie.
"They might do, just give them time. A baby is something that doesn't come lightly in this world Ash...there is so much danger and then the expenses, it's not an easy thing to bring up a family."
"I suppose so."
"Don't be so down Ash...you never know what the future might bring." Kathy smiled as they reached the counter and paid for the food they had chosen. Then they left the cool shop to battle the intense heat of the suns as they soared high above them, the ground blistering beneath their feet.
"Do you think Millie had a chance to ask mom to come for dinner?" Ashley asked as they headed through the busy street.
"I'm not sure, she went to check on Mr. Knives as we were leaving so she might have done."
"That's good, I wonder if they minded me staying with you instead of with them."
"Why did you decide to stay at our house?"
"I wanted to give them some time alone, they haven't had any since they got together. Plus I really like Millie, we've been through so much together and she's nice to be around."
"Little sister tends to have that affect on people." Kathy agreed with a smile.
The rest of the way home they chatted mainly about their families and Ashley got to know even more about Millie's brothers and sisters. It was only when they neared the house that they spotted Millie and Rose who were coming back from the doctor's. They met with a cheerful 'hello' and 'how are you' and Kathy made a great fuss over Millie's bandaged hand.
"So have you asked Meryl and Vash to come round yet?" Kathy asked as they stood in the street.
"Oh I completely forgot!" Millie exclaimed.
"How about you go round now and Ashley and I will start on preparing the food. What do you say Ash, are you up for it?"
"Definitely." Ashley jumped up and down and Rose laughed at her antics before continuing back to the house, leaving Millie to head in the opposite direction.
Knives POV
I can't sleep...I try to but my mind is whirling and spinning so fast that it wont let me relax enough. So now I'm pacing in this tiny, stupid, pathetic human room wondering what the hell I'm doing. This place reeks of those humans, disgusting creatures that they are...and me...me of all people actually kissed one. That one stupid girl who caught me completely off guard.
I stop in my pacing and glare around the room, it makes me sick...everything here makes me feel so sick that I just want to destroy it, destroy the humans who had made me look like an idiot. Then I would kill her, the woman who had crawled inside my head and messed around with my emotions, manipulating me and...possessing me to do such a thing.
Vash would be pissed at me for breaking my promise to him, but he can rot in hell! I don't want to feel this way anymore, I don't want to be so damn confused that I don't know which is up or down. That Millie woman is the reason behind this, my crazed curiosity for that human has grown out of control and now I don't know who I am anymore.
But, is the answer really to kill?
Would that break my bond that I have built with that woman?
In my heart I knew it wouldn't, she had already wormed her way inside of me...and was it possible...that I could actually have feelings for her that went beyond simple companionship? She hadn't rejected the kiss; she had been shocked but not disgusted. I had to laugh at that, Millie being disgusted didn't seem like something that was possible.
I lay down to sleep...my head pounding from all the thoughts, which refused to give me a break. Rolling onto my stomach I buried my face into the pillow and sighed. That woman was driving me crazy.
Meryl's POV
His breathing had long ago fallen into the deep rhythm of sleep and his arms had fallen limp around my waist. My cheek was pillowed against his chest just beside the grate that was embedded into his flesh, and I could hear his heartbeat reverberating in my skull. I snuggled closer.
The shopping excursion had completely tired him out and I smiled slightly at how sweet he had been, going from one shop to the other just for me. I felt a little guilty about not getting him any donuts but it was about time he learnt to eat something else other than those sugary things that I had never liked that much.
Shifting slightly in his lap I reached up and nuzzled into his neck, trailing light kisses over his throat and feeling the light pulse beneath his skin. He sighed softly and I couldn't help but grin as he tightened his grip around me.
"Vash?"
"What?" He asked sleepily.
"Nothing, just wanted to see if you were awake." I replied and he opened his eyes and lowered his gaze to look at me.
He grinned suddenly and pulled me closer, our faces only a couple of centimetres apart. My eyes found his in the blur of love that had enveloped us both, and my heart raced as he closed the small gap between us and kissed me. It started off gentle and innocent but quickly heated up as he turned, shifting me slightly round and pushing me back against the arm of the chair so that he was leaning over me.
For a moment he pulled away and looked at me as if for permission to continue and I couldn't help but smile. He was too good to be true and I nodded very slightly and felt the warmth of his lips on mine once more. Here in the warm circle of his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent and feeling the gentle caress of his hand on my cheek I felt brave, braver than I had ever felt before. If he asked me whether I wanted to continue, I wouldn't be able to say no.
A sharp knock on the door brought me crashing back to reality and grabbing Vash's shoulders I pushed him gently away, noting the confused look in his eyes. He obviously hadn't heard the knock.
"Door." I muttered breathlessly as I stood up a little shakily and made my way over to let who ever it was inside.
Millie's smiling face greeted me as I opened the door and I couldn't help but notice the distant look in her eyes.
"I didn't know you would be coming round today." I said as I let her in and closed the door. "Do you want a drink?"
"Yes if you don't mind Meryl. My family wants you and Vash to come to my house for dinner." Millie chirped and waved at Vash cheerfully as I turned to make some coffee. I had to admit I was a little disappointed about the interruption, but it couldn't be helped and there would be other times; plenty most likely.
"That'll be good, you're family are really nice but you better check with Meryl." Vash replied and I turned to Millie and handed her the steaming mug of coffee and took a sip of my own.
"I suppose we could, I haven't started on any food yet." I added, I wasn't really in the mood for cooking.
"I expect you've been too busy with Mr. Vash." Millie nodded and I choked on the coffee violently, the heat of a blush spreading over my face. I caught Vash's mischievous grin and sent him the most evil look I could conjure. He flinched and directed his eyes back at Millie who was looking over at me with concern.
"Are you okay Meryl, you should be careful drinking hot drinks like that, you could burn yourself." I nodded and tried to catch my breath.
"I'll try, and yes we will come round." I smiled and hoped the blush on my face wasn't too noticeable.
She nodded and sat down on the chair next to Vash, the same distant look in her eyes as I had seen before.
"So how do you like December Mr. Vash?" She asked and I sat on the edge of the table and watched them.
"It's very different, after living in that small town for so long a busy place like this is really exhausting."
"I suppose so, but I didn't realise how much I liked this place, although I never used to live in a city when I was a child."
"Where did you live?"
"It was a very small village named Faith, I used to help my parents and siblings work on the fields, I really enjoyed that type of work."
"So why did you move to the city?"
"The village went downhill, our water supply was cut off and without it we couldn't survive or make anything grow so it was abandoned. We came here because it offered a lot of jobs and that's how I met Meryl."
"Yeah." I smiled at the memory, "You asked for directions to the store, you wanted to buy pudding."
"I was very hungry that day." Millie explained, "Then you helped me get a job at the insurance company"
"They would have given you the job anyway Millie, all I did was show you where the building was." I laughed and took another sip of my drink.
"You girls sure have been through a lot together." Vash said.
"That's true, but I have no regrets, the decisions I have made have all worked out in the end." I said seriously and Millie nodded in agreement. Vash looked as if he was going to comment further but quickly decided against it and nodded. "I'm glad you two were chosen to follow me around." He grinned.
I paused to think and look around at the three of us sitting here in my small apartment, finally I had achieved happiness, the love I had desired ever since I was small had been found in these two people.
"So how has my brother been?" Vash asked curiously and I frowned as I saw Millie tense up and the distant look return to her eyes. There was something wrong with her and I was pretty sure now that it linked to Knives.
"Uh I haven't really spoken to him today, well I better get going everyone will be wondering where I am. Thanks for the coffee Meryl, I'll see you later." She paused at the door and gave a small wave before leaving.
I glanced over at Vash who was staring blankly at the door and sighed, there was something seriously wrong with that girl. It had seemed like she was finally getting over Wolfwood and now she was putting on false smiles again.
"I'm worried about her." I murmured and heard Vash get up and approach me, his arms wrapping loosely around my shoulders.
"She's a strong girl, she'll figure out a way to get through it." His mouth found its way to the sensitive skin just behind my ear.
"I just wish she would tell me."
"Hey don't worry, trust her judgement."
"I do...but..."
"Shh don't worry about that now." He said in a soothing voice and I sighed and leaned against him.
"What now?" I asked trying my best to ignore the kisses he was pressing against my neck.
"How about we carry on where we left off?" He suggested and I gave a small cry of surprise as he lifted me up off the ground.
I am so sorry for the long wait; I had my exams and my revision classes so I haven't had much time for writing. I'll get the next chapter out as soon as possible.
Well anyway leave a review if you want and I'll get started on the next chapter right away.