Disclaimer: Trigun is not mine. Again, thanks for your patience and all your reviews. Warnings: Knives. That says it all really.

Meryl helped her mother adjust the skirt of her wedding dress. "You look great Mom."

"You do too, dear," her mother smiled back at her. "I just hope everything goes well. The first time I did this the minister dropped the prayer book in the middle of the ceremony and lost his place."

"Mr. Wolfwood won't do that," Meryl smiled and added mentally- [if he knows what's good for him!]

[Now, now,] Vash teased her. [You know you can't do anything to him. Millie would kill you.]

[I know, I know... But then I could practice!]

[You don't need practice, love.]

She smirked. The plant had given her a few lessons in controlling her power and Meryl had taken to them like a duck to water. It was what she was created to do after all.

She still didn't like the idea of being created to destroy, but she knew that she could use her gift to benefit mankind somehow. She'd find something that the destructive power could be used for. But not today, today was a day of creation, and she was going to enjoy every minute of it.

...................

The whole town had turned out to see the wedding. They held it in the town square by the cement marker that all towns on Gunsmoke had. Bright colored tents covered tables laden with food for the reception. Children were out in their Sunday best playing tag in the dusty street.

Meryl smiled, she remembered when she was younger and ran carefree like that. Yes, this town held many pleasant memories for her, and – she wished fervently – may someday host another wedding for her to remember. She smiled at the thought and brushed at her changed hair self-consciously. It had remained that odd half and half color, even during her 'lessons'.

[Is something wrong Meryl?] Vash asked.

[No, just nostalgia at being home again, and seeing mom get married.] She responded with a mental hug.

[Hey, cut that out, that tickles!] Vash protested weakly.

Meryl grinned and turned her attention over to the "portable" alter that Wolfwood had set up. It consisted of a rectangle shaped folding card table covered by one of one of Mrs. Strife's best knit table cloths draped over top of it. Millie had donated the large cross necklace she always wore so that the front of the "alter" would have a holy symbol on it. But the crowning glory was the large cloth wrapped cross that was set atop a footstool and over looked the scene.

Meryl was still a bit miffed that he had chosen to use his cross punisher as a prop for the wedding, but Mille had talked her into it. Some of the smaller girls had strung flowers across it and the resulting image had made Vash laugh, though he wouldn't say why.

Then it was time to start. The soon-to-be married couple stood in front of the preacher, hands clasped, as their family and friends gathered around them.

Thanks to Millie, Wolfwood looked nearly respectable as he addressed the couple in front of him.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."

---

As the ceremony progressed Meryl began to feel twitchy. There was no other way to describe it. She constantly fought the urge to look around and search for a threat that something was telling her was there.

She looked over at Vash. He looked calm, but those yellow sunglasses of his were blocking his eyes and she couldn't be sure.

[Vash?]

[What?]

[Do you- feel something?]

[Yes.]

[What is it?]

[Knives. He's coming here.] Meryl stiffened. [Don't. He's not here yet.]

[We have to do something!]

[I'll lure him out of town before he gets here.]

[You think...] Meryl stopped.

The suns had been beating down with fierce heat as always, illuminating everything with light. That light suddenly vanished.

"If there is any reason..." Wolfwood paused and looked up. "Oh hell."

A SEEDS ship floated above the town. It was battered and in bad shape, but menacing all the same.

"RUN!" Vash yelled.

"What is that thing?" Sam demanded. Most of the townsfolk had run, but the cavalry unit had held their ground.

"Go protect the others!" Meryl called out to her brother and cousins. "Go! We'll handle this part!" Wolfwood had already unwrapped his cross.

Her brother opened his mouth, but Meryl glared back. "Vash can handle this! Go! The townspeople need you!"

"Please!" Millie added, as she unslung her stun gun. "Make sure they get to safety."

Sam nodded and gestured to the others. They took off after the already-vanished townsfolk.

Seconds later the streets were empty except for Vash and his three companions.

"Now what?" Wolfwood demanded.

"He's here." Vash looked towards the marker.

A soft clapping broke the silence. "Nicely done my brother." Knives appeared from behind the marker, a sardonic smile on his face.

"Knives," Vash had his gun out and pointed at his brother in the next heartbeat. "What are you doing here?"

"I can't stop in and visit? Isn't that what you are doing?" Knives's eyes traveled over Vash. "What have you been doing to yourself my dear brother? You seem a bit- drained."

"I can still take you out."

"Try and this town goes with me. My ship's weapons are fully operational." Knives smiled as Vash snarled. "Ah, I thought that would change your mind." His eyes moved over the other three. "Good to see you Chapel."

"Wish I could say the same." Wolfwood growled back.

"And the insur..." Knives paused as he finally took a good look at Meryl. "What is this?" He took a step towards Meryl and Vash moved in front of her.

"Leave her alone."

"What is she? She feels like one of us Vash!" Knives turned on his brother. Vash didn't answer. God only knew what Knives would do with Meryl if he knew what she really was.

"Vash!" His brother snapped. "What is she?"

"She's mine." Knives's eyes darkened and he frowned.

"If you won't tell me, then I will find out myself!" He made a gesture and a windstorm suddenly kicked dust into the air, making the others cough and cover their eyes. Even Vash had to squint behind his glasses.

When Vash finally managed to rub the grit out of his eyes, Knives was gone and the ship was starting to drift away.

"Everyone okay?" He managed.

"Fine," Millie coughed.

"Okay," the preacher managed.

"Meryl?" Vash said after a minute and cast a glance around the square. "Meryl?"

"Oh no!" Millie looked up at the ship. "That's what he meant!"

"Damn it!" Vash swore.

"How are we going to get her back?" Wolfwood asked again.

"I don't know, but we are." Vash frowned at his brother's flying ship.

........................................

Meryl blinked at her surroundings. Where the hell was she? A metal room? She looked around cautiously. She was alone. How did she get here? A moment ago she had been standing on the street with Vash and the others. His brother had been angry over something Vash had said and for a minute Meryl had feared for her town, for her family. Knives was an unstoppable evil. The exact opposite of...

[Vash?] She reached out to him and was relieved to hear him answer.

[Meryl?! Are you okay?] He sounded frantic.

[Am I on the ship?]

[Yes...] His voice sounded faint. He couldn't be nearby.

[You aren't though- you're on the ground?]

[Yes. Don't worry. We'll get you back.] The floor was swaying a bit under her feet. She was in Knives's ship. The others weren't. A glimmer of an idea formed in her brain.

[Are we near the town? It feels like the ship is moving.] If they were far enough away..

[It is, but we'll catch it. Hang on til we get there!] This was her chance to use her gift in a helpful way. She took a deep breath.

[No. This is my chance Vash.] She told him and felt his anguish as he realized what she meant.

[NO! You can't! You'll die too! The whole ship will go up!]

[Maybe, but Knives won't ever be able to hurt you again. Everyone will be safe.] That was the important part. It didn't matter what happened to her.

...................................

"Vash!" Millie was shaking him.

"She's going to blow it up," Vash said dazedly.

"But- it's way up there! She'll die too!" Millie panicked.

"I KNOW THAT! She's not listening to me!" [Damnit Meryl! You can't do this to me!] Vash pleaded with her.

[He's coming this way. I have to do this now.] He recognized the tone. Meryl was a very determined woman and she was set on this path. He tried anyway, desperate.

[You can't leave me alone... Meryl- please- don't leave me!]

[I love you- always. Take care of yourself.] Another mental hug.

[No! Meryl!] "NO!!" He yelled.

The ship exploded.