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Wolfwood awoke the next morning to a soft ringing sound. He opened an eye groggily. Meryl looked over at him from her bunk and put her finger to her lips. Her eyes then turned back to Vash the Stampede.
He had moved the table and chairs out of the way and was going about his morning practice. He had tossed the small glass cup that the steamer provided into the air and caught it on the barrel of his gun- balanced on the rim. Vash moved the gun away and back, the glass seeming to stay exactly where it was in the air. Every time the gun barrel touched the cup's rim it made the soft ringing noise that had awakened Wolfwood.
'Damn, he is good,' Wolfwood thought as he watched the gunman. Vash used the gun barrel to throw the cup higher in the air, holstered his gun and then caught the glass neatly in his fingertips. "Do you do this every morning?" Wolfwood asked. Vash turned and shrugged.
"Mostly. Have to keep practicing, you know."
"I do." Wolfwood cocked his head. Milly's soft snores were still issuing from he bunk above his. "What say you and I go find breakfast, Vash?"
"All right." Vash toweled off as Wolfwood headed for the bathroom. He sat down next to Meryl. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Much better," Meryl smiled at his frown.
"You know I don't trust your opinion." He leaned over her and she pulled her nightshirt to the side so he could check the bandage. "Good- no blood. We can take this off for awhile today- the wound needs air." He gently undid the bandage. The wound was red, but not streaky. No signs of infection yet.
"How's she doing this morning?" Wolfwood came to stand next to Vash.
"Why aren't you asking me?' Meryl demanded- but softly, so as not to wake Millie.
"Because he doesn't trust you either," Vash replied. "She's okay. As long as she rests." Wolfwood grinned as Meryl stuck her tongue out at Vash.
"Whatever you say, Dr. Stampede. Weren't you going to get breakfast? Or- I could go..."
"No," Vash rose to his feet. "We're going."
"So..." Wolfwood said as they walked down the hallway. "What did you and the small girl talk about last night? I noticed you couldn't get away from dinner fast enough to get back to her."
"Maybe I left because I was feeling like a third wheel..." Vash replied, raising his eyebrows at the priest. "You and the big girl seemed to be having a great time." Wolfwood smiled unrepentantly.
"Millie is a wonderful girl and I'm lucky to have met her," he said, tone serious. "But I asked you a question, Vash. And I'm waiting for an answer."
"We just talked about you and Millie actually. And then we went to bed."
"Bed, huh?"
"You know what I mean."
"Unfortunately I do." Wolfwood sounded vaguely disappointed. Then he laughed. "I really am getting sentimental these days."
"How so?" Wolfwood stopped for a moment, expression growing serious.
"Vash, you love her."
"But.. I don't." Vash replied a moment later.
"Yeah right." Wolfwood shrugged and began walking again. "You're a terrible liar, Tongari."
"What makes you think I do?" Vash asked, keeping pace with him.
"I know you do." Wolfwood replied. "I'm not blind." Vash took a deep breath, his shoulders dropping.
"Damn. I hope no one else noticed."
"Why?"
"My brother- his allies... if they've noticed then I just dropped her in more danger... this isn't good." Vash shook his head. "I am an idiot."
"Give yourself a break Vash. It not like you can help it. I mean- wasn't she already in danger just by being close to you?"
"Of course she was," Vash's tone had grown cooler. He was already closing himself off again, Wolfwood realized. "But if Knives knows how I feel about her he'll do something really bad. Maybe I should try and send her away again. Tell her that I can't have her tagging along anymore."
"Send her away? With no explanation? Just-quit tagging along after me?" Wolfwood's anger broke through. "That's not nice, Vash."
"It might keep her alive," retorted Vash.
"And what if it doesn't?" Wolfwood pointed out. "Could you stand that, Vash? She dies anyway- never knowing that you cared? I mean, she almost did already. Think about it- what if that bullet had been lower and hit her lung? She would've died before we got there. You never would've gotten to say goodbye- much less tell her how you felt." The gunman was silent. Wolfwood took pity on him. "Sorry, needle noggin. Guess my brain's been in a bit of overdrive since we entered that lobby and saw that guy with his gun against Millie's head."
"It's all right," Vash responded quietly. "But I can't put her in more danger." Wolfwood's eyes narrowed.
"More danger? Let's say we do leave the girls behind. What would prevent Knives from taking them then? After all, you won't be around to stop him..." His voice grew colder. "He could do whatever he wanted to her. And afterwards- how much pleasure would he get from tormenting you? Showing you..."
"Stop it!" Vash's gun hand was suddenly pressed under Wolfwood's chin. "Don't make me doubt you, Chapel of the Evergreen." He said coldly. Wolfwood froze.
"Why..why are you.."
"It's your name, isn't it? The one you took for yourself? The man who rings the black funeral bell?" Vash's icy gaze traveled over his face. "My friend is Nicholas D. Wolfwood. Chapel of the Evergreen works for my brother. So, which one are you? Are you warning me or threatening me?" Wolfwood swallowed, mouth dry. He looked Vash in the face.
"I'm warning you, Vash the Stampede, as one friend to another. Asking you, as a friend, to help me protect them. You saved Millie the other day when I froze. I'm trying to help you save Meryl." His dark blue eyes looked haunted, but his voice rang with sincerity. "I swear to you Vash, I would never do anything to harm those girls. Believe me." Vash's gun hand reverted back to normal and rested gently on Wolfwood's shoulder for a moment.
"I do believe you, Wolfwood." Vash's serious expression vanished. "We'd better get breakfast before Millie wakes up!" He headed down the hallway at top speed.
Meryl had watched Wolfwood and Vash leave. Then she had carefully levered herself out of bed and went to fetch her typewriter. She was due to send a report in tomorrow, and the sandsteamer would be stopping in Sweethaven this evening before continuing on for two days without stopping to reach Januaria. She had to get one done before they reached Sweethaven.
She changed out of her nightshirt and into a loose fitting pair of pants and a baggy shirt before she carried the machine back to bed with her. She also made sure her derringers were still in easy reach. God knew they'd had enough trouble on these damn sandsteamers. She propped the typewriter on her knees, knowing Millie could sleep through the noise. She did her best to only move her left hand, not her arm, but she still winced in pain occasionally. Unfortunately, the report had to be a bit longer than usual, due to the 'agent injured in the line of duty' section. She was halfway done when Millie suddenly sat upright.
"Meryl! Ma'am! What are you doing?"
"Report's due tomorrow, Millie. I'm almost done."
"I'm surprised Mr. Vash is letting you type it."
"He and Mr. Wolfwood went out to get breakfast. They'll be back soon. I'm feeling much better this morning." Meryl gave her friend an affectionate smile. "You got in late." Millie smiled back.
"Yes, I'm sorry Ma'am!"
"Nothing to be sorry for Millie. The humanoid typhoon was snoring. You were off-duty. Did you have a good time?"
"Yes," Millie smiled dreamily for a moment then swung down off her bunk. "Is there anything I can do to help you Ma'am?"
"Can you get those other forms done? For the hotel damage?"
"Of course I can!" Meryl's fingers began to move over the keys again. Millie grabbed her paperwork and sat down at the table.
Vash and Wolfwood were headed back down the hallway when the faint sound of typing reached their ears. "That had better be Millie," Vash said to Wolfwood.
"You know it's not." Wolfwood grinned at him.
"I do." Vash opened to door. Millie looked up from her paperwork and smiled.
"Perfect timing! Let me just get this out of the way."
"Don't you girls ever take a break?" Wolfwood asked. Meryl tugged the sheet of paper out of her typewriter.
"Not when we have to mail reports tonight. You all done Millie?"
"Yes Ma'am." Millie was busily putting papers into an envelope. "Report?"
"All finished." Meryl held it out to her. Vash sighed and set the food down on the table.
"We can't leave you alone for a minute," he complained as he began to unpack the bags. "Don't you know the meaning of the word 'rest'?"
"Of course," Meryl smiled sunnily at him. "As well as you do." Wolfwood helped her lift the typewriter from her lap. "Thank you, Mr. Wolfwood."
"You're welcome, small girl." He put the typewriter down on the table, and then gave her a hand up. "Vash, how long have we all known each other now?"
"Sheesh- do you think I keep track?" Vash complained. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of being 'mistered' by my friends." He looked at the girls. "Can't I persuade you insurance girls to call me 'Wolfwood' or 'Nicholas'? I don't care which as long as it's not 'Mr. Wolfwood' or "Mr. Priest'." He gave Millie a smile and she blushed. Meryl looked at Millie, a faint smile on her lips.
"Oh, I think we could be persuaded," Meryl said dryly. "Of course, you would have to also start referring to us by name." Wolfwood handed Millie her tea and turned his smile on Meryl as he handed her a cup of coffee.
"I think I could do that." He looked at Vash. "Couldn't you?'
"I guess so," Vash said doubtfully. "I've kind of gotten used to them being 'insurance girls'. It is descriptive."
"If you like descriptive names, maybe we could call you Tongari, like Nicholas does," Millie giggled. "It definitely describes you and it doesn't give away your identity."
"If he needs an alias, I think Mr. Doughnut would be better," Meryl grinned behind her cup. "Descriptive and respectful..."
"Respectful?!" Vash raised his eyebrows.
"Hmm... I did wonder why he wasn't called Vash the Doughnut Devourer instead of Stampede...." Millie giggled.
"Because," Wolfwood inserted smoothly. "Who'd be afraid of a doughnut devourer?"
"A doughnut of course!" Millie answered. Vash rolled his eyes.
"Millie, please, be merciful. You can call me Vash, or Tongari- I don't care. But Doughnut Devourer? No." He looked at Meryl, a hint of laughter in his eyes. "No Mr. Doughnut either. Got that, Meryl?"
"Of course, Vash." Her eyes twinkled back at him.
After breakfast Millie straightened the room with Wolfwood's help as Vash stored the rest of the groceries. Afterwards, Vash stretched out on his bunk, a book in one hand and a pencil in the other. He read quietly, scribbling notes in the margin. Meryl was lying down again. Her shoulder ached, probably because of the typing, but it wasn't as bad as yesterday. Wolfwood and Millie sat at the table, playing chess. They spoke in soft voices, too soft for Meryl to make out, but the affection in their glances was obvious. There had to be something better to do than avoid watching them. Vash wouldn't let her near the typewriter, so she quickly thought of another option. She got up slowly and took her case to the bathroom.
"Need help, Meryl?"
"No thanks, Millie. Just getting cleaned up. You keep on beating Wolfwood."
"Who says she's beating me?" Meryl looked at the board and raised an eyebrow.
"I can just tell." She went into the bathroom and cleaned herself up, swapping her loose pants for jeans, but keeping the baggy violet shirt. Her uniform blouse was still wet, but all the blood was out of it. She hung it up carefully to dry. She took her medication and examined her shoulder. Healing nicely, she thought. Today with the meds the pain vanished, yesterday it had just dulled the pain. So she was doing better.
Vash was still reading, Wolfwood and Millie still playing chess when she came back out. Meryl looked at the board. It was obviously the beginning of another game. Wolfwood gave her a don't-even-say-it look and she grinned. She rolled her case back to it's resting place. 'Move quickly', she told herself.
"I'm going to get some air," Meryl told them, hand on the doorknob. "I'll be back soon." She was out the door a second later, before they even had time to protest. Their room was close to the stairs, so she reached the deck minutes later. She leaned against the railing, enjoying the breeze and the clean scent of the air. She looked out over the desert, struck again by how beautiful the stark landscape could be. Maybe someday the whole planet would be a beautiful lush green, but in that change, something would be lost.
"Nice escape, Meryl." Vash leaned against the railing next to her.
"Why thank you." Meryl looked up at him and smiled.
"But unfair. You left me there. With them." He made a face and then laughed. "I never thought of chess as a sensual game, but..."
"Third wheel feeling again?"
"Yep. And after that name thing this morning..."
"You caught that too?" Meryl laughed. "Did you notice Millie didn't even hesitate when she said his name this morning?"
"Well, now they won't have to worry about messing up in front of us." Vash grinned at her.
"I think that was the idea." Meryl looked back out at the desert. "It's really beautiful, isn't it?"
"Huh?" Vash blinked.
"The desert- this planet..." Meryl nodded at the horizon where a series of rocky mountains faded into golden sands.
"But, it's not green..."
"It doesn't have to be." Meryl's eyes looked dreamy. "We've all been dreaming about creating a green Eden on this planet- a new garden." She didn't notice Vash start at her words. "What if this is an Eden? A desert Eden?"
"A desert Eden?" Vash repeated.
"The bible talks about Eden as a garden, where Adam and Eve lived without the knowledge of good and evil. After they gained that knowledge, they were sent out of the garden and into a desert-like area. We left Earth- a garden we had turned into a wasteland and came here- a wasteland we want to turn into a garden. Should we change the nature of this planet just to suit us?"
"I.. I don't know.." Meryl shook her head and turned a smile up at him.
"I'm sorry it must be the medication making me drone on like this."
"It's all right." Vash looked out at the sands. "It is beautiful, in it's way." He stiffened.
"What?" Meryl looked in the same direction. "Oh hell. Not again!" She turned from the railing. Vash's hand caught her.
"Where are you going?"
"To get my guns!"
"Meryl! You're injured, remember? Send Wolfwood and that cross of his up here to me. I'll let the crew know. Stay down there with Millie where it's safe, okay?" He saw her mouth tighten and he shook her a bit. "Promise me!"
"I promise!" He let her go and she headed for the elevator. Vash rushed off to find the crew.
Wolfwood awoke the next morning to a soft ringing sound. He opened an eye groggily. Meryl looked over at him from her bunk and put her finger to her lips. Her eyes then turned back to Vash the Stampede.
He had moved the table and chairs out of the way and was going about his morning practice. He had tossed the small glass cup that the steamer provided into the air and caught it on the barrel of his gun- balanced on the rim. Vash moved the gun away and back, the glass seeming to stay exactly where it was in the air. Every time the gun barrel touched the cup's rim it made the soft ringing noise that had awakened Wolfwood.
'Damn, he is good,' Wolfwood thought as he watched the gunman. Vash used the gun barrel to throw the cup higher in the air, holstered his gun and then caught the glass neatly in his fingertips. "Do you do this every morning?" Wolfwood asked. Vash turned and shrugged.
"Mostly. Have to keep practicing, you know."
"I do." Wolfwood cocked his head. Milly's soft snores were still issuing from he bunk above his. "What say you and I go find breakfast, Vash?"
"All right." Vash toweled off as Wolfwood headed for the bathroom. He sat down next to Meryl. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Much better," Meryl smiled at his frown.
"You know I don't trust your opinion." He leaned over her and she pulled her nightshirt to the side so he could check the bandage. "Good- no blood. We can take this off for awhile today- the wound needs air." He gently undid the bandage. The wound was red, but not streaky. No signs of infection yet.
"How's she doing this morning?" Wolfwood came to stand next to Vash.
"Why aren't you asking me?' Meryl demanded- but softly, so as not to wake Millie.
"Because he doesn't trust you either," Vash replied. "She's okay. As long as she rests." Wolfwood grinned as Meryl stuck her tongue out at Vash.
"Whatever you say, Dr. Stampede. Weren't you going to get breakfast? Or- I could go..."
"No," Vash rose to his feet. "We're going."
"So..." Wolfwood said as they walked down the hallway. "What did you and the small girl talk about last night? I noticed you couldn't get away from dinner fast enough to get back to her."
"Maybe I left because I was feeling like a third wheel..." Vash replied, raising his eyebrows at the priest. "You and the big girl seemed to be having a great time." Wolfwood smiled unrepentantly.
"Millie is a wonderful girl and I'm lucky to have met her," he said, tone serious. "But I asked you a question, Vash. And I'm waiting for an answer."
"We just talked about you and Millie actually. And then we went to bed."
"Bed, huh?"
"You know what I mean."
"Unfortunately I do." Wolfwood sounded vaguely disappointed. Then he laughed. "I really am getting sentimental these days."
"How so?" Wolfwood stopped for a moment, expression growing serious.
"Vash, you love her."
"But.. I don't." Vash replied a moment later.
"Yeah right." Wolfwood shrugged and began walking again. "You're a terrible liar, Tongari."
"What makes you think I do?" Vash asked, keeping pace with him.
"I know you do." Wolfwood replied. "I'm not blind." Vash took a deep breath, his shoulders dropping.
"Damn. I hope no one else noticed."
"Why?"
"My brother- his allies... if they've noticed then I just dropped her in more danger... this isn't good." Vash shook his head. "I am an idiot."
"Give yourself a break Vash. It not like you can help it. I mean- wasn't she already in danger just by being close to you?"
"Of course she was," Vash's tone had grown cooler. He was already closing himself off again, Wolfwood realized. "But if Knives knows how I feel about her he'll do something really bad. Maybe I should try and send her away again. Tell her that I can't have her tagging along anymore."
"Send her away? With no explanation? Just-quit tagging along after me?" Wolfwood's anger broke through. "That's not nice, Vash."
"It might keep her alive," retorted Vash.
"And what if it doesn't?" Wolfwood pointed out. "Could you stand that, Vash? She dies anyway- never knowing that you cared? I mean, she almost did already. Think about it- what if that bullet had been lower and hit her lung? She would've died before we got there. You never would've gotten to say goodbye- much less tell her how you felt." The gunman was silent. Wolfwood took pity on him. "Sorry, needle noggin. Guess my brain's been in a bit of overdrive since we entered that lobby and saw that guy with his gun against Millie's head."
"It's all right," Vash responded quietly. "But I can't put her in more danger." Wolfwood's eyes narrowed.
"More danger? Let's say we do leave the girls behind. What would prevent Knives from taking them then? After all, you won't be around to stop him..." His voice grew colder. "He could do whatever he wanted to her. And afterwards- how much pleasure would he get from tormenting you? Showing you..."
"Stop it!" Vash's gun hand was suddenly pressed under Wolfwood's chin. "Don't make me doubt you, Chapel of the Evergreen." He said coldly. Wolfwood froze.
"Why..why are you.."
"It's your name, isn't it? The one you took for yourself? The man who rings the black funeral bell?" Vash's icy gaze traveled over his face. "My friend is Nicholas D. Wolfwood. Chapel of the Evergreen works for my brother. So, which one are you? Are you warning me or threatening me?" Wolfwood swallowed, mouth dry. He looked Vash in the face.
"I'm warning you, Vash the Stampede, as one friend to another. Asking you, as a friend, to help me protect them. You saved Millie the other day when I froze. I'm trying to help you save Meryl." His dark blue eyes looked haunted, but his voice rang with sincerity. "I swear to you Vash, I would never do anything to harm those girls. Believe me." Vash's gun hand reverted back to normal and rested gently on Wolfwood's shoulder for a moment.
"I do believe you, Wolfwood." Vash's serious expression vanished. "We'd better get breakfast before Millie wakes up!" He headed down the hallway at top speed.
Meryl had watched Wolfwood and Vash leave. Then she had carefully levered herself out of bed and went to fetch her typewriter. She was due to send a report in tomorrow, and the sandsteamer would be stopping in Sweethaven this evening before continuing on for two days without stopping to reach Januaria. She had to get one done before they reached Sweethaven.
She changed out of her nightshirt and into a loose fitting pair of pants and a baggy shirt before she carried the machine back to bed with her. She also made sure her derringers were still in easy reach. God knew they'd had enough trouble on these damn sandsteamers. She propped the typewriter on her knees, knowing Millie could sleep through the noise. She did her best to only move her left hand, not her arm, but she still winced in pain occasionally. Unfortunately, the report had to be a bit longer than usual, due to the 'agent injured in the line of duty' section. She was halfway done when Millie suddenly sat upright.
"Meryl! Ma'am! What are you doing?"
"Report's due tomorrow, Millie. I'm almost done."
"I'm surprised Mr. Vash is letting you type it."
"He and Mr. Wolfwood went out to get breakfast. They'll be back soon. I'm feeling much better this morning." Meryl gave her friend an affectionate smile. "You got in late." Millie smiled back.
"Yes, I'm sorry Ma'am!"
"Nothing to be sorry for Millie. The humanoid typhoon was snoring. You were off-duty. Did you have a good time?"
"Yes," Millie smiled dreamily for a moment then swung down off her bunk. "Is there anything I can do to help you Ma'am?"
"Can you get those other forms done? For the hotel damage?"
"Of course I can!" Meryl's fingers began to move over the keys again. Millie grabbed her paperwork and sat down at the table.
Vash and Wolfwood were headed back down the hallway when the faint sound of typing reached their ears. "That had better be Millie," Vash said to Wolfwood.
"You know it's not." Wolfwood grinned at him.
"I do." Vash opened to door. Millie looked up from her paperwork and smiled.
"Perfect timing! Let me just get this out of the way."
"Don't you girls ever take a break?" Wolfwood asked. Meryl tugged the sheet of paper out of her typewriter.
"Not when we have to mail reports tonight. You all done Millie?"
"Yes Ma'am." Millie was busily putting papers into an envelope. "Report?"
"All finished." Meryl held it out to her. Vash sighed and set the food down on the table.
"We can't leave you alone for a minute," he complained as he began to unpack the bags. "Don't you know the meaning of the word 'rest'?"
"Of course," Meryl smiled sunnily at him. "As well as you do." Wolfwood helped her lift the typewriter from her lap. "Thank you, Mr. Wolfwood."
"You're welcome, small girl." He put the typewriter down on the table, and then gave her a hand up. "Vash, how long have we all known each other now?"
"Sheesh- do you think I keep track?" Vash complained. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of being 'mistered' by my friends." He looked at the girls. "Can't I persuade you insurance girls to call me 'Wolfwood' or 'Nicholas'? I don't care which as long as it's not 'Mr. Wolfwood' or "Mr. Priest'." He gave Millie a smile and she blushed. Meryl looked at Millie, a faint smile on her lips.
"Oh, I think we could be persuaded," Meryl said dryly. "Of course, you would have to also start referring to us by name." Wolfwood handed Millie her tea and turned his smile on Meryl as he handed her a cup of coffee.
"I think I could do that." He looked at Vash. "Couldn't you?'
"I guess so," Vash said doubtfully. "I've kind of gotten used to them being 'insurance girls'. It is descriptive."
"If you like descriptive names, maybe we could call you Tongari, like Nicholas does," Millie giggled. "It definitely describes you and it doesn't give away your identity."
"If he needs an alias, I think Mr. Doughnut would be better," Meryl grinned behind her cup. "Descriptive and respectful..."
"Respectful?!" Vash raised his eyebrows.
"Hmm... I did wonder why he wasn't called Vash the Doughnut Devourer instead of Stampede...." Millie giggled.
"Because," Wolfwood inserted smoothly. "Who'd be afraid of a doughnut devourer?"
"A doughnut of course!" Millie answered. Vash rolled his eyes.
"Millie, please, be merciful. You can call me Vash, or Tongari- I don't care. But Doughnut Devourer? No." He looked at Meryl, a hint of laughter in his eyes. "No Mr. Doughnut either. Got that, Meryl?"
"Of course, Vash." Her eyes twinkled back at him.
After breakfast Millie straightened the room with Wolfwood's help as Vash stored the rest of the groceries. Afterwards, Vash stretched out on his bunk, a book in one hand and a pencil in the other. He read quietly, scribbling notes in the margin. Meryl was lying down again. Her shoulder ached, probably because of the typing, but it wasn't as bad as yesterday. Wolfwood and Millie sat at the table, playing chess. They spoke in soft voices, too soft for Meryl to make out, but the affection in their glances was obvious. There had to be something better to do than avoid watching them. Vash wouldn't let her near the typewriter, so she quickly thought of another option. She got up slowly and took her case to the bathroom.
"Need help, Meryl?"
"No thanks, Millie. Just getting cleaned up. You keep on beating Wolfwood."
"Who says she's beating me?" Meryl looked at the board and raised an eyebrow.
"I can just tell." She went into the bathroom and cleaned herself up, swapping her loose pants for jeans, but keeping the baggy violet shirt. Her uniform blouse was still wet, but all the blood was out of it. She hung it up carefully to dry. She took her medication and examined her shoulder. Healing nicely, she thought. Today with the meds the pain vanished, yesterday it had just dulled the pain. So she was doing better.
Vash was still reading, Wolfwood and Millie still playing chess when she came back out. Meryl looked at the board. It was obviously the beginning of another game. Wolfwood gave her a don't-even-say-it look and she grinned. She rolled her case back to it's resting place. 'Move quickly', she told herself.
"I'm going to get some air," Meryl told them, hand on the doorknob. "I'll be back soon." She was out the door a second later, before they even had time to protest. Their room was close to the stairs, so she reached the deck minutes later. She leaned against the railing, enjoying the breeze and the clean scent of the air. She looked out over the desert, struck again by how beautiful the stark landscape could be. Maybe someday the whole planet would be a beautiful lush green, but in that change, something would be lost.
"Nice escape, Meryl." Vash leaned against the railing next to her.
"Why thank you." Meryl looked up at him and smiled.
"But unfair. You left me there. With them." He made a face and then laughed. "I never thought of chess as a sensual game, but..."
"Third wheel feeling again?"
"Yep. And after that name thing this morning..."
"You caught that too?" Meryl laughed. "Did you notice Millie didn't even hesitate when she said his name this morning?"
"Well, now they won't have to worry about messing up in front of us." Vash grinned at her.
"I think that was the idea." Meryl looked back out at the desert. "It's really beautiful, isn't it?"
"Huh?" Vash blinked.
"The desert- this planet..." Meryl nodded at the horizon where a series of rocky mountains faded into golden sands.
"But, it's not green..."
"It doesn't have to be." Meryl's eyes looked dreamy. "We've all been dreaming about creating a green Eden on this planet- a new garden." She didn't notice Vash start at her words. "What if this is an Eden? A desert Eden?"
"A desert Eden?" Vash repeated.
"The bible talks about Eden as a garden, where Adam and Eve lived without the knowledge of good and evil. After they gained that knowledge, they were sent out of the garden and into a desert-like area. We left Earth- a garden we had turned into a wasteland and came here- a wasteland we want to turn into a garden. Should we change the nature of this planet just to suit us?"
"I.. I don't know.." Meryl shook her head and turned a smile up at him.
"I'm sorry it must be the medication making me drone on like this."
"It's all right." Vash looked out at the sands. "It is beautiful, in it's way." He stiffened.
"What?" Meryl looked in the same direction. "Oh hell. Not again!" She turned from the railing. Vash's hand caught her.
"Where are you going?"
"To get my guns!"
"Meryl! You're injured, remember? Send Wolfwood and that cross of his up here to me. I'll let the crew know. Stay down there with Millie where it's safe, okay?" He saw her mouth tighten and he shook her a bit. "Promise me!"
"I promise!" He let her go and she headed for the elevator. Vash rushed off to find the crew.
