Disclaimer: Trigun is not mine. It will never be mine. I've accepted that. So quit rubbing it in!

The next morning Vash was sitting in the hotel's small cafe with a coffee and the newspaper, scanning for any clues on Knives's whereabouts. Wolfwood came down and joined him when he was halfway through the paper. "Hey Tongari- already packed?"

"Huh?" Vash looked up. "Packed for what? We're staying here a few days so the small girl can heal." Wolfwood grinned.

"You need to tell her that. She insists that you had a schedule, wanting to get to Januaria by next week..."

"I did, but now..."

"She made us pack up already. The big girl and I loaded the car and she's finishing up her report for Bernadelli. Now that I think about it, she probably sent Millie to pack for you."

"What?! Is she crazy? All that jolting in the car will just aggravate her injury."

"I told her that already. She insists that she's fine. Plus she looked me right in the eye and pointed out how many times you've tried to give us the slip. She was not going to give you an excuse this time." Wolfwood shrugged. "She's a very strong-willed girl." Vash sighed and stood up, handing the paper to Wolfwood.

"I'll be right back."

"I'll be waiting in the car," was Wolfwood's laughing response. Vash met Millie on the stairs, his travel bag slung over her shoulder.

"Uh, isn't that a bit heavy?"

"Oh, not at all Mr. Vash! I hope you don't mind me packing for you, but senpai said we had a schedule to keep."

"I don't mind, but we're not going. Where is she?"

"She left to mail the report a few minutes ago. She said she'd wait by the car." Millie looked at him, her big blue eyes serious. "Why? Aren't we going?"

"She's supposed to be resting. We might hit some rough road today- it wouldn't be safe."

"I don't think that will stop her, Mr. Vash," Millie replied and walked past him, down the stairs. Vash followed Millie out to the car. Meryl was there all right, sitting in the backseat, her feet resting on the running board, looking up at Wolfwood who was leaning over the open door and explaining the map to her. Wolfwood gave Vash a sly grin as he handed the map to Meryl and went to help Millie stuff Vash's bag in the trunk.

"What are you doing?" Vash said to her without any preamble. "The doc said you were supposed to get some rest."

"I am," Meryl pointed out. "I'm sitting aren't I?"

"That's not what he meant! He meant bed rest!" Meryl bounced a bit on the backseat.

"Well, this is softer than the mattress at this hotel. Are you two ready?" She asked Millie and Wolfwood.

"Yep," Wolfwood climbed behind the wheel.

"Yes," Millie slid in next to him.

"Aren't you guys going to back me up?" Vash demanded.

"We already argued with her for an hour this morning." The priest gave him a sardonic grin. "In my opinion, she's too stubborn to die. She'll be fine." Wolfwood started the engine. "And, might I add- you're the one who told her we had to be somewhere specific in a timeframe." Meryl lifted her feet in the car and slid over. Vash, realizing he was beaten, joined her in the backseat. Mentally he was berating himself. Why oh why had he said anything? She was going to end up in bad shape if she didn't rest!

"Don't fret, Mr. Vash," Meryl patted his arm gently. "I'll be fine."

Wolfwood and Millie kept up a cheerful conversation as they drove. The other two joined in at times, but it was more fun to listen to the priest and the big girl. Millie and Wolfwood obviously enjoyed each other's company and Vash enjoyed listening to them banter with each other. As time passed, Meryl seemed more and more subdued. Vash was concerned. Damnit, she had to be hurting- Wolfwood was taking it easy, trying to keep the jolting to a minimum, but even so... Her head was bent; hair hiding her eyes, but her mouth was still smiling as she listened to Millie and Wolfwood. Should he say something? Or- it was almost eleven- a bit early to stop for lunch but Meryl could take more of her pain medication. Wolfwood cursed suddenly as the car bumped over a large rock. Vash saw Meryl bite her lips, and her hands curved around the seat as she tried to brace herself.

"The road here looks a bit rocky," Wolfwood said over his shoulder. "We're going to bounce a bit- are you okay small girl?"

"I'm fine," she replied easily, even as her hands tightened on the seat, as her face turned paler. The car started rocking as they progressed down the road. Vash bit back a curse. The wound was near her left arm; almost right at the shoulder- it must hurt her even to hold on. Her left elbow tapped against the door as they hit a bump, and she inhaled sharply. He slid closer to her, put her right arm around his waist, and braced her between himself and the door. "Mr. Vash?" She didn't even try to punch him, he thought grimly- she was hurting.

"It's got to hurt, Meryl. Let me hold on for you, okay?" She blinked, surprised at the use of her name. He must be worried.

"Okay," she agreed, leaning into him. He was right; it was better now as he stabilized her.

"Can I say I told you so?" She laughed a bit.

"Just this once, I suppose you can." She relented. "But we had to go. My boss would never have forgiven me if I'd let you out of my sight again."

"I would've waited for you." Meryl shook her head.

"You have to be in Januaria in a few days. It's my job to follow you, not slow you down."

"You are a very stubborn woman," Vash sighed. She raised her eyebrow at him.

"You're just now realizing that?"

An hour later they had pulled over to the side for lunch. The worst part of the road was behind them, but Vash did not like how Meryl flinched whenever she moved.

"How much further to the next town?" He asked Wolfwood. The priest consulted the map.

"Only a few iles, but we planned to stop in the one beyond that- Luna- which is another 30."

"Hell with that." Vash looked at Meryl who was sitting next to Millie, wearily eating her sandwich. She had swallowed her pain medication without objections, but Vash didn't think it was helping her much.

"Fine with me, if you can make her agree to it. The next city is a bit out of our way, but not more than an ile." Wolfwood raised an eyebrow. "At least the roads are getting better again." Vash squared his shoulders and approached the girls.

"No," Meryl said, looking up at him.

"Huh?" Vash was thrown off guard.

"No. We can't stop in the next town. We have to go on to Luna city." Meryl's eyes narrowed. Millie rose to her feet and went to join Wolfwood, deciding it was safer to be out of the line of fire.

"No we don't!"

"We can't stop in that town!"

"Why not?" Vash demanded angrily. "You're hurting! We need to stop!" Meryl rose to her feet and grabbed his sleeve.

"Because," she protested. "You aren't allowed in the next city. It's the one where you fought Monev the Gale? They aren't going to be very happy to see you." Vash paused for a moment. The sheriff had told him to get out and never come back.

"Ah, crap. I didn't know. But..."

"No. I can make it. Really. Better that then to have you thrown in jail again. I'm sure they've rebuilt it by now." She raised her eyebrow. "Besides, we want to catch the sandsteamer in Luna- we don't have time to stop."

"It doesn't matter if we miss it."

"Yes it does. You rarely ever say you have to be somewhere at a certain time. It must be important, even if you won't tell us what it is." Vash sighed.

"I suppose it's useless to ask you to just let me go on my own- I'd come back..."

"It is useless. Are you trying to get me fired?"

"I think your boss would understand..."

"No he wouldn't. He'll tell you that he worked through the great sandworm attack aftermath of 129 with a broken leg." Meryl grinned at his expression.

"All right. You win." Vash frowned at her. "But I'm not happy about this." Meryl put a gentle hand on his arm.

"I know. Thank you, Mr. Vash."

"Stubborn insurance girls...." Vash grumbled as he followed her back to the car.

Wolfwood was whistling tunelessly under his breath as he watched Meryl and Vash argue. "Bet he wins this time," he said to Millie.

"I wouldn't, you'll lose," she replied with a smile. "Trust me on this one. She's going to win."

"No way." Wolfwood turned his head to look at her. Her blue eyes were sparkling merrily and he had to smile back.

"Fine. What would you like to bet?" Millie asked.

"Dinner."

"Okay," Millie grinned at him, then nodded towards Vash and Meryl. "I won." Wolfwood turned. Sure enough, Vash's shoulders were drooped and a look of defeat was on his face.

"How did you know?" Wolfwood looked at Millie.

"Several reasons," Millie said airily.

"I'll bet you had insider information." Millie giggled.

"Of course I did, Mr. Priest." She took pity on him. "The closest town was the one Monev the Gale showed up in. They don't want Mr. Vash back there again."

"Ah, so that's it. You knew we couldn't go there! I've been tricked." He grinned at her. "But, I'm a man who pays his debts. Dinner's on me tonight."

The ride was less bumpy than before, but Vash still kept a close eye on Meryl. He was driving now, Wolfwood insisting that he needed a nap. He and Millie were leaning on each other in the backseat, eyes closed. Occasionally Vash caught a soft murmur of sound, thanks to his acute senses, but for all intents and purposes they appeared to be asleep. Meryl seemed better, the medication taking effect. She held the map, giving him directions and advice, smiling cheerfully whenever he looked at her. Vash couldn't tell if she really was okay or was trying to prove to him that she was fine. He let her talk at him, even though he knew where he was going, letting the sound of her voice wash over him as he mentally fretted. The road was not a good one- no rocks but plenty of potholes he couldn't always avoid. And since he was driving he couldn't brace Meryl. She had been thrown forward several times when he'd been unable to miss one.

"We should be able to see Luna soon," said Meryl, an hour into their drive.

"It won't be soon enough for me," Vash replied. "When does the steamer leave?"

"Tonight. We'll have to get into town and buy tickets right away." They hit another pothole, this one sending Meryl into the dashboard- bad shoulder first. She hissed in pain but shook her head when Vash said he'd pull over. "The sooner we get there the better," she said. Wolfwood leaned over the seat and thwapped Vash on the head.

"What the hell are you doing up there?"

The foursome boarded the sandsteamer. The ticket man had sold them the last second-class cabin. Meryl didn't even grumble about having to share it with the men. She had simply given the money to Wolfwood and let him handle the transaction. Her face was pale, but she smiled cheerfully enough at Millie, who was talking at top speed. Vash watched her carefully behind his glasses.

"Shall we go up on the deck?" Wolfwood asked as they boarded the steamer.

"Oh yes!" Millie replied happily. "Is it okay, Ma'am?" She asked.

"Of course it is Millie. I think I'm going to go lie down, though. Give me your bag and I'll take it down there for you." She smiled ruefully at Vash and Wolfwood. "I don't think I can take yours."

"That's okay, we'll take ours later. Here's a key." Wolfwood handed it to her. "Room 432."

"Got it." Meryl vanished inside the steamer. Millie and Wolfwood headed towards the stairs.

"Coming, Mr. Vash?" Millie stopped and turned around.

"I think I'm going to go to the cabin too," Vash replied. Wolfwood met his eyes and nodded slightly. Then he tossed his bag, and the cross punisher at Vash, who just managed to catch them.

"Okay, needle noggin."

Vash made his way down to the fourth level of the steamer. The hallway was almost empty; most of the passengers were up on deck. The few that passed him looked a bit askance at the cross punisher, but Vash ignored them. The door to their cabin was slightly ajar. Vash opened the door quietly. Meryl had just taken off her cape. She turned slightly and Vash saw that her shirt was stained with blood.

Meryl looked down at her shirt. Well, that explained why she felt so light headed. Her wound must've reopened a little. She sat down at the small table and put the roll of bandages next to her. Slowly she started to unbutton her shirt, wincing in pain. Hands pushed her fingers out of the way.

"Why didn't you say something!" Vash demanded as he deftly unbuttoned her shirt, pulling the material away from her wound. Meryl didn't protest, which made Vash even more concerned.

"I didn't really feel it until we stopped. I didn't want to worry anyone..." Vash snorted. The blood had soaked the bandages. Vash gently pulled them off and placed a new pad against the wound.

"Hold this," he told her. He went and dug around in his bag and then in hers. Meryl kept her hand tightly against the wound, wishing that the pain would stop soon. Vash returned a moment later, more bandage material, a bottle and a handful of white cloth in his hands. He placed the items down on the table. Vash moved quickly, before Meryl realized what he was doing, he had her blouse off, giving her the white cloth to cover herself with. He used the liquid in the clear bottle to clean her wound. It stung a bit, but afterwards it didn't hurt as much as he re-bandaged the wound. The white cloth proved to be Meryl's nightshirt, which she carefully pulled on as he turned his back. She managed to slide off her skirt and tights and he helped her to the lower bunk.

"Thanks," Meryl murmured, her eyes closing. "It does feel better."

"It's all right." He replied as he dumped her stained clothing into the sink and ran cold water over it. He put away the extra bandages and the bottle, then leaned over to check her bandages again. The bandages were still white, but Meryl's skin was slightly flushed. He laid a hand against her forehead. She was warm. Not a good sign. She should've stayed in bed today, not traveled 50 iles over awful roads! Why hadn't he just locked her in her room or tied her to the bed or something?

"I said I could do it, Mr. Vash," Meryl murmured. "Stop blaming yourself." He blinked. How did she do that? How did she always know when he was upset? Was he that obvious?

The door opened and Millie and Wolfwood stepped in.

"How's Ma'am?" Millie asked quietly. Wolfwood's nostrils flared at the scent of blood in the air and he glanced at the sink.

"Her wound opened?"

"Kind of. The stitches pulled a bit, and she started bleeding again. Now she seems a bit too warm..." Millie leaned over the bunk.

"She's running a slight fever. It might be slightly infected. Did she take the medication?"

"It's not time yet." Millie nodded.

"True. But we can give her aspirin for the fever and try to bring her temperature down."

"I have aspirin," Wolfwood volunteered, and went to get it from his bag.

"I put more antiseptic on it," Vash told her.

"Good thinking. That will help too." Millie went to the sink and soaked one of the washcloths in cold water. She handed the washcloth to Vash as she took the aspirin from Wolfwood.

"Ma'am?" she said softly as she sat on the bunk next to Meryl.

"Yes Millie?" Meryl opened her eyes, then closed one of them attempting to focus.

"Take this," Millie helped her take the aspirin and then held out her hand for the washcloth. She placed it gently on Meryl's forehead. "That should help," she said cheerfully to Vash and Wolfwood.

"This brings back memories, doesn't it Millie?" Meryl smiled faintly at her partner.

"Yes, but this time, let's not let the wound get infected. I'm still surprised the doctor didn't amputate that leg."

"He was a quack," said Meryl and closed her eyes again.

"What is she talking about?" Wolfwood asked Millie as he sat on the bunk across from them.

"Oh, our assignment before this one. We had to try and track down the Desert Rats for risk prevention purposes."

"Desert Rats?" Vash asked as he sat down on the other end of the bunk.

"Outlaws," Wolfwood said quietly. "Bank robbers to be precise. They got captured in a shootout about 4 years ago."

"We know." Millie replied. "We were there."

"What?!" Wolfwood looked at Millie in shock.

"We were. Our second field assignment." She shook her head. "We made contact with them right before the Calvary closed in and got caught in the crossfire. I knocked out a few with my stungun..."

"A few?" Meryl repeated. "Half the gang, Millie!"

"They were awful," Millie frowned. "They were going to shoot the hostages! So Ma'am and I stopped them." Wolfwood was looking at the girls with new respect.

"And you got shot in the process?" He asked Meryl.

"Of course." She sighed and slid the blanket down and the hem of her nightshirt up a bit to reveal a large scar that cut down the side of her thigh.

"That's a big wound for a bullet."

"The doctor had to open it up when it got infected," Millie explained. "I think he cut a bit too far, though."

"He was a quack," Meryl repeated, yanking the covers up again.

"At least he didn't try to cut your throat like that Dr. Smiley guy." Millie said sympathetically.

"Smiley? Dr. Sam Smiley? The assassin?" Wolfwood's eyes grew wider.

"Our first field assignment," Millie replied.

"He tried to cut your throat?" Vash asked Meryl.

"Uh huh. That's why I have to wear high collars." Meryl turned her head to the side and tugged her nightshirt collar down. A long jagged scar started at the side of her throat and vanished towards the nape of her neck. She placed the wet cloth back on her head.

"I wondered why they sent two sweet things like you out after Vash the Stampede," Wolfwood commented. "Now I understand. It's just all in a day's work for you."

"It seems like it," Millie beamed at him.

"So, how did the Smiley case wind up?' Vash asked. Millie launched into a long story that amazed and horrified her listeners. Meryl lay quietly as Millie talked, the wet cloth slowly drying on her skin. Vash was the one who noticed and replaced it for her. She gave him a weary smile of thanks. He brushed a finger over her cheek. She did seem cooler.

"I think your fever is dropping," he told her with a faint smile. She just nodded and closed her eyes again.

"Hey, I'm hungry," Wolfwood suddenly commented as Millie finished up her story. "Shall we go eat? We'll bring you something back, small girl- okay?"

"Okay."

"Do you want someone to stay with you, Ma'am?" Millie asked as she rose to her feet.

"No, I'll be fine."

"Just like you were fine riding in the car?" Vash said sarcastically. "I don't know if I'll ever believe that word from you again." Meryl lifted the cloth off her eyes and looked at Vash.

"Look, broom boy- we made it to the steamer on time, right?" Wolfwood laughed and grabbed Vash's arm before the outlaw could reply.

"Now now, let's not tempt the small girl into smacking you, all right? We don't want her to rip her stitches open again!"

Vash was the first one back from dinner. He had brought Meryl hers and she sat up to eat it.

"Feeling better?"

"Much. Where's Millie and Mr. Wolfwood?"

"Have you ever heard the expression 'third wheel'?" Vash asked with a grin. Meryl giggled.

"I wondered if you'd noticed it too."

"Even I'm not that dense," Vash raised an eyebrow. "But now that we're talking about it, how do you feel about this?"

"How do I feel?" Meryl repeated blankly.

"Well, Millie is... Millie and Wolfwood has a bit of a dark past and even now..." Vash stopped himself. Maybe she hadn't thought about Wolfwood's motivations.

"Even now we don't know what his true reasons are in following you," Meryl finished, tapping her fork thoughtfully. He smiled faintly. He should've known she'd have realized it too. "But, I just can't think... I can't believe that he's a bad man... I can't." She looked at him pleadingly.

"Neither can I." Vash added quietly.

"As far as Millie's concerned- she loves him and he cares for her. I think she's good for him." Meryl said after a moment.

"I'm glad to hear you say that." Vash's expression lightened. "Are you going to eat your dinner or just stare at it?" They wrangled amiably as Meryl ate.

Meryl curled up in her bunk. Vash had vanished into the bathroom to change. He reappeared a few minutes later and pulled down the bunk that hung over hers. She shot him a puzzled look.

"Better view," he explained, nodding at the door. She smiled in return.

"Worried about bandits, or wanting to spy on Millie and Mr. Wolfwood?" Vash grinned.

"Both actually." Vash said as he climbed into his bunk. "I'll bet Wolfwood and Millie will give us some kind of show. A kiss at least..."

"Pervert," Meryl teased.

"Oh like you won't be looking either," Vash replied lightly. "Good night, small girl."

"Good night, Mr. Vash."