DISCLAIMER: I don't own Trigun.

Knives was boiling with anger. How could she go to a dance instead of eating dinner with him? She wasn't even going with a particular man. She had every intention of dancing with several! Typical human fickleness. Not just that, it was insulting! She would rather dance with a bunch of sweaty human males than have a perfectly lovely night at home with him? It didn't make any sense at all!

He should reach out and call his minions. He could take her away with him by force if necessary. She was HIS! There would be none of this mingling with leaches. She was too good to-

Then it hit him. He wasn't thinking of her like his weapon any more. She was all woman to him. Somehow, she had bewitched him with her silver eyes. He was jealous. Plain and simple... He was jealous that he wasn't the one taking her to the dance. He ground his teeth in disgust and frustration. How had she done this to him? Was this some sort of human trick?

Just then Vash bounded through the door.

"Yo, Knives!" Vash said pulling Renee's chair over and straddling it.

Renee had acquired that chair a few weeks ago. She said it was the most comfortable chair on all of Gunsmoke. Vash leaned over the back of it causing it to creek a little with strain.

"Get off of that!" Knives barked, "You oaf! You'll break it!"

Vash jumped up awkwardly and tripped falling to the side. He quickly jumped to his feet and rubbed the side of his head as he said, "Owwww, I hope your chair was worth my skull! Geese, where's all that brotherly love and stuff?"

Vash pouted at Knives. He looked so utterly ridiculous. He shouldn't be surprised really; Vash was 130 years old and still hadn't grown up. As Knives shook his head grievously Vash pulled a different chair up between his legs and leaned over its back. Knives ground his teeth with frustration. He didn't need this distraction right now.

"It's Renee, isn't it," Vash said looking cautious over his folded arms at Knives.

"Don't be ridiculous," Knives sniffed, "She's a bloody insect, just like the rest of them."

"Then why is her chair so important?" Vash asked with an annoyingly cute grin, "Yes, I knew it was her chair. And why are you so twisted up about her going to the dance tonight?"

Knives gaped at Vash. Had he really become that transparent? Knives huffed and rolled toward the wall saying, "You're an idiot, burn the damn chair if you want."

"And why are you still here in bed Knives?" Vash persisted, "You've been fully able to walk since almost the second day after you woke up. It can't be because you are afraid you'll loose you're beautiful nurse?"

"I said leave!" Knives snapped, throwing a pillow over his shoulder at Vash, "God you always were such a nosy little brat. Why don't you grow up?!"

Vash easily dodged the pillow and said, "Fine, fine. I'm an idiot, but just in case your legs need a stretch there's a new outfit in the living room closet that just MIGHT fit. Not that it said, 'Tailored for a big jerk' or anything, but I think it will look good on you. You know, in case you take a walk, and, you know, that walk just happens to be by the dance."

"Would you just leave already?" Knives growled.

"Okay, okay," Vash said throwing up his hands, "I'm going."

Vash stood and walked to the door, just before he closed it he turned back and said, "In case I'm not wrong I think you should know there are more than a few men with their eyes pealed for Renee tonight. If you intend to make a move, you'd best make it quick."

With that Vash closed the door behind himself. Knives eyes bulged. There were men attending the dance just to get a chance at Renee? He shouldn't be surprised, she was utterly enchanting. Even now he could smell her clean scent. NO! No one would dance with HIS Renee. NO ONE but him!