Hey kids! Looks like I'm back in working order. I suppose you're wondering what the hell's going on here, right? Well, to be perfectly blunt, as I usually am, I HATED that story. It sucked. Not to mention it wasn't going where I had intended it. So, I give you my completely revamped version! It's delicious and nutritious! Or, at least, I like it. And that's what counts! I'd like to take the time now to say that this was a LOT more fun to write...and I'm actually feeling motivated to work on it! So, I hope you enjoy, and without further adieu, I give you the disclaimer:

I don't own Trigun (unless you count my DVDs), or any of its characters. The afore mentioned story-line and characters belong to one, Yasuhiro Nightow. This is completely non-profit and just to indulge in my creative urges as a so-called writer. If you have the audacity to sue me, you'll receive a cell phone, a couple books, and maybe some pocket lint. It's not worth it, trust me. Really, it's not even a good phone!

Beta-read by: Magnet-Rose. (She's so awesome! ::glomps her::)

Enough of my rambling...go read the story.... Don't forget to review!

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Midvalley groaned as light slowly filtered into his room, awakening him from a dream...one he'd been having every night since he'd met her. He was on the stage at Wild Bill's Saloon in the city of December, flawlessly performing his favorite number, when he spotted her amidst the crowd of drunks. She was quietly sipping tea, which he later found to be tainted with liquor, drowning out her worries no doubt.

He wasn't sure what had been wrong, she wouldn't open up to him, buzzed or not. She just kept saying it was too complicated. He couldn't even remember her name, for that matter. She was just the woman with hair blacker than his sins.

Ever since that night he'd watched for her, waiting to see her in that very bar, but she never reappeared. He decided it was hopeless, and just quit looking for her.... He had to move on. Anyhow, he and Legato were just passing through on... "business."

He kicked off the sheets, exposing his half-naked torso, as the stifling heat of the night filled his room. He tried not to think of her, failing miserably, and so picked up his sax, Sylvia.

"At least I'll always have you, baby," he sighed, caressing a low ballad through the horn before running up a blues scale, and working some fast runs under his fingers. It was while he was trilling in his highest octave that Legato quietly stepped into his room and, without a word, ripped Sylvia from Midvalley's mouth, letting her drop to the floor.

"Not this early." He hissed, softly closing the door behind him as he disappeared back into the hall.

Midvalley stood shocked, in the middle of his room, staring down at Sylvia. "Who the hell does he think he is? No one treats my Sylvia like that," he muttered, plucking the horn from the floor and setting her on her stand.

He sighed, running a hand back through his hair as he sat down on his pitiful excuse for a bed. He lit a cigarette and took a few puffs, but quickly stamped it out as he remembered he couldn't afford to diminish his lung capacity any further, and recalled his meeting with the short black-haired girl just weeks ago.

God, it felt like it had been a year...but he'd never forget her face, or sweet smelling perfume....

-That night-

Meryl Stryfe sat at a back table in Wild Bill's Saloon, hands clamped around a cup of "Irish" tea. Not that the liquor was helping any. Thoughts of Vash, Wolfwood, Milly, that strange man with the blue hair, Bernardelli, her last claims report, the chief, her and Milly's lack of money, and anything else that could worry her were running through her mind at a thousand iles a minute.

Where was Vash planning to go next? What was he really after? Why do bad things seem to follow him? What's with that priest? Could he be trusted?

He seems alright, I suppose, Meryl thought, but there's something unsettling about him! And what's the deal with him and Milly? They seemed awfully close before we got sent back....

And WHO was that strange man with the blue hair? She vehemently slammed her fist on the table.

"Whoa, what's got you so worked up, Hun?" asked the smooth voice of a man.

Meryl's head shot up and her mind started working double time, which is astonishing, considering the rate of her thoughts to begin with, as the slick man seated across from her took her hand in his.

Wait a second—when did he get there? For that matter, who the heck was he? Instead of actually voicing one of these questions, all she could manage was a shy, "Uhm... hi." and a small smile.

Midvalley chuckled at her bewildered demeanor, and pulled his hand back after giving hers a reassuring squeeze. "So, what's a pretty girl like you doing alone in a rough bar like this?" He smiled, sweetly.

He sure is cute...but what a cad! I WAS having a drink and doing some thinking, until you showed up! What did it look like?

For being so cynical in her mind, it sure didn't leave her lips like that...it sounded more like, "Just waiting for you, handsome. Glad you decided to show up!" Oh dear, she'd just had to add liquor to her tea, didn't she? This is why I don't drink! This is why I DO NOT drink!! she screamed at herself.

Boy, was she going to be a bitch tomorrow. Watch out December!

"Good thing I came over then." His smile broadened as she flirted right back with him, despite the dark look in her eyes. He could tell those weren't her first thoughts, but found it incredibly cute that even she seemed confused with her tongue.

She must be buzzed.

Well, that's okay; I bet she's a pistol when she's sober. And a real kink in bed! something in the back of his head called out.

Or was that coming from his pants?

Either way, he thought the voice was probably right. "So, tell me, what are you really doing here?"

She was a little surprised that he was pursuing a real conversation, rather than trying to buy her a drink to get her back to his room. Of course, that was inevitably his goal for the night, and they'd undoubtedly end up down that road at some point, but for now, she'd bite. "I was just trying to relax after work."

"Well, you don't look relaxed to me. Ya nearly split the table right down the middle with that fist of yours!"

"Yeah, well, the operative word there was 'trying.'" She let out a bitter laugh, and sighed, resting her head on her hand, as she looked the man over. Not bad at all. Dark hair, strong jaw-line, gorgeous eyes...and what's that hanging around his neck? Oh...must be a musician. Very sexy.

Somewhere, her sober mind was yelling for her to get out of there before she did something she'd regret, but it was faint enough she could easily ignore it.

"So, what's on your mind, Doll?" his voice broke through her thoughts.

Meryl laughed hysterically at the question. What's on my mind? What isn't on my mind? She calmed down, blushing as she realized how foolish she must have looked. Ah well, no matter, too late now....

"A lot. Tons, really. But there's this thing at work that just won't leave me alone...and I'm not sure that I want it to...but it sure is annoying...and gangly...and goofy...." She let her voice drop, the sober part of her mind stopping her before she said too much about Vash and his 'qualities.'

Midvalley cocked an eyebrow at her, "This thing at work, you say?"

"Yeah," she lightly blushed again. Why was he having this effect on her? No one ever broke through her cool, calm, collected exterior! Okay, so maybe sometimes she lost her cool...and she certainly wasn't always calm...but by God, she sure as hell was always collected! So why not now?

"Hmm...this thing sure is sounding an awful lot like a man.... An ex-lover, perhaps?" Bold. Real bold to try that.... But who knows, it might just work.

Meryl just about flew off the handle, "WHAT? No way! Definitely not an ex-lover. Not even a possible future lover! You were hardly even there with 'man'! An overgrown boy is what he is!"

That got her blood boiling...now it was time for him to swoop in and calm her down.... And maybe take her back to my—no—her place (damn Legato) for a little fun.

There goes that voice again! Get out of here, would you? Midvalley silently yelled at the unwanted voice. "Whoa, calm down, Sweetheart! I didn't mean to upset ya like that!" Yes, I did. "I was just wonderin', with the way you were talkin'. But clearly, I was wrong."

"Yes, you were." She said pertly.

"I'm sorry about that. Let me make it up to ya. You're probably ready for another cup of tea by now, right? That one's been sitting there since my second number! How 'bout it, can I buy ya another?" He smiled sincerely at her as she thought over.

Against her better judgment, she accepted. "With a shot of Vodka in it, please." And requested that with worse judgment.

"Comin' right up." With that he got up, and made his way to the bar.

When it came time for last call, the two were seated in the back corner, drinking, chatting, and laughing away. Meryl letting loose some of her adventures from the Vash hunt (leaving out Vash, of course), and Midvalley recalling some wild times in some of the bars he'd played in. It wasn't long after that that the barkeep came back to shoo them out, using the standard, "Ya don't have to go home, but'chya can't stay here."

They stumbled out, completely inebriated, laughing, and lucky if they could remember where they were staying.

Fortunately, they could.

"May I have the pleasure of walkin' you home, Ma'am?" Midvalley asked with a bow.

"Yes, I think you may, Sir." Meryl replied with a smile. "Which way?"

"I dunno...I never been there...."

"Me either!" They burst into giggles once more before Meryl spun around and pointed down a road exclaiming, "I remember! That way!"

"Talley-ho then!" he cried, taking her hand as they started wobbling in the direction Meryl had pointed.

"Boy, you sure are cute!" Meryl slurred as they stopped in front of a building on a corner.

"Aw, well, so're you!"

"I wish I could take you home with me!"

"Ya kinda are.... Which way is that again?"

"Oh, uhm...." She turned around a few times, studying everything in site. "Hmm...this building sure is pretty...I think I live here!" Lucky for her, she was right. "Well, I sure had a great time tonight, Mister...uhh...Mister.... What's yer name again?"

"Midvalley," he drawled, "the HornFREAK!"

"Ooh, well, g'night Midvalley...thanks for th' great time! Oh, and the alclolol!"

"Anytime, Babe!" He leaned down and gave her a kiss, "Anytime...."

"It's Meryl."

"Well, goodnight, Meryl." He kissed her again before she stumbled into her apartment building.

-Morning after-

Meryl woke up with one killer hangover.

"Ooh...my head!" she mumbled as she struggled to find the ringing alarm. She swatted at it a few times, and sat up holding her head in her hands. "Ooh! My stomach!!" She ran for the bathroom, making it there just in time.

Once her stomach had been completely emptied (and then some), and she'd brushed her teeth to get rid of the horribly bitter taste, she recalled the events of the night before. Utterly disappointed in herself for getting that drunk, she stepped into the shower.

"Why the hell did I let that happen?" She asked the running water. "How did I let that happen?? I only bought one drink, and I hardly even touched it...." She moaned as she remembered the man showing up in the seat across from her at the small table.

"Meryl Stryfe, how could you let that man get to you? Who knows what could have happened? You're lucky you didn't end up back at his place, or worse—beaten in some back alleyway!" She scolded herself. "But, oh, he WAS cute! And he didn't try anything funny. I'm here...he's not...and there's not a scratch on me.... I just have this hangover from hell!"

Ah, well...he was a good kisser.... That more than makes up for it! something yelled in her head. "Yeah, maybe...but what was his name...?"

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