I just want to say thank you very much for your opinions and suggestions. It really helped me to make the decisions that needed deciding on. Once again, thank you very much. Now to the fun part. A shout out to:

Preston- Wow, I'm extremely flattered. For this chapter, it turned out differently than how I envisioned it to be but I'll keep that suggestion in mind. Thanks for reviewing!

Kawaiibabe14- You must be related to Vash then… I was thinking of seeing that movie when I had time. It seems like a very geeky movie. Should make me laugh. Your computer went bezerk on you. NO MORE DONUTS FOR THE COMPUTER!!!! O.o Whoa, don't know where that came from…

Niea- No problem! I've alternated the chapter a bit so just bare with me on this. I've come to realize something that if I had written down the original material in the first place, it would've been kind of wrong for one of the characters. I think you might understand what I'm talking about if you read the chapter.

Psychobunnygrl13- (gets all teary eyed) I HAVE MY OWN VASH PLUSHIE!!!! (squeezes living daylights out of Vash plushie). Yeah, now that I think about it, I'm not going to make it that explicit at all. I mean it won't go into detail but I'll still warn the readers it'll be a love scene or a 'lemon'.

kawaiirock86- Awww…that was so cute! Yes, I've survived school. On Monday, it's back to the torture chamber (not that kind!). (sigh) I love the Bishies Quartet!

balletanimerose- Someone else gave me that suggestion too. I really don't want to post this story somewhere else so I might just keep the love scenes really soft core and nothing too explicit.

Pryo- Cool! I'll definitely read it! Thanks for reviewing!

Rose the Dark Warrior- It's kinda hard to pronounce his middle name. No matter how many times I try to say it smoothly, I always stutter somewhere. I'm extremely glad you liked the fight chapter. I think I should've extended it. Hopefully, there will be more in the future.

vashluver1- I agree. I think if they do have sex in this chapter (or not), I'll warn everyone that it will be a lemon because at least I have the courtesy of warning them so. Plus, it wouldn't be fair if it got deleted when there are tons (and I'm not exaggerating) of stories that have highly explicit content. Thanks!

jewelofbeauty- Hmm…you are correct. I do want Meryl to do it for love too. Well you'll see my decision in this chapter. Oh and about being helpless with Knives, there are a few things to consider. Knives is extremely stronger than Meryl even if Meryl is quite strong herself. Then there's the height difference… But then again, you're right. I should've taken that into consideration. Next time, I'll be more careful! Thanks for pointing that out though!

KeNsHiNs GuRl- This was a sad chapter. The things people do when they're in love. Don't worry about reviewing twice. My inbox loves reviews! Hopefully if you're still alive by then, you'll get to read this chappy! Here's your update! (crickets chirp) KeNsHiNs GuRl? (silence) Uh oh…my bad… HEY WOLFWOOD!!! YOU HAVE ANOTHER GIG HERE!!!

blackman- My day at school was lame. In my World Hist/Cul Class, I have a bunch of slackers and druggies. That's kinda an insult to me… NEways, thanks for reviewing!

Me: OKAY!!! Disclaimer time! Who wants to- (Spike from Cowboy Bebop appears)

Everyone: Who the hell are you?

Me: WOW!!! Spike Spiegel? How in the hell did you get here? (runs up to Spike and flings arms around him)

Spike: I really don't know. Who cares? Anyways, whatcha doin' good lookin'?

Me: Nothin' much handsome. (blatantly flirts with Spike while Vash and Wolfwood hold Knives back from pummeling Spike) Wanna do the disclaimer for me?

Spike: Of course!

Disclaimer (by Spike): The young foxy lady (Knives' eyebrow twitches) says that she "doesn't own Trigun or any of its characters".

Knives: Who the hell are you?

Spike (snobbishly): Nunya!

Knives: (?.?)

Spike: Nunya business dork!

Knives: That's it! Time to die! (takes out his .45 Long Colt)

Me: Commercial break! (elevator background music plays)

Chapter 16: My Angel

Vash blinked rapidly. Did I just hear what I think she just said? thought Vash. He looked at her face. There she stood in front of him in her angelic state. Does she really mean it?

"Why?" said Vash, the only word he managed to speak out loud. Meryl slowly walked up to him until she was barely an inch away from him.

"Because I don't think I'll be able to live through the rest of my life without knowing what it would be like to be with you," said Meryl.

"Meryl, I told you I won't die. Do you have so little faith in me?" asked Vash softly. Meryl took in a shaky breath.

"Vash, it's a gunfight!" said Meryl, nearly shouting at him. "Someone is bound to get hurt and if Knives ever shoots you the right way…" Meryl swiped away the tears that were falling down her face. "I'll never see you again." Vash wrapped her in his arms.

"Meryl," he gently murmured. "I promise you with all of my heart that I won't die." Meryl pulled slightly back and stared at him through empty eyes. Slowly, she reached behind her and silently pulled the zipper of her dress down. Then with both of her hands, she pushed off both straps and Vash watched her dress pool at the bottom of her feet. Even though the situation was wrong, Vash couldn't help but stare at her nearly naked figure. Only two scant pieces of cloth covered her body. She closed the distance between them and pulled his head down for a lust filled kiss. Vash succumbed to her advances and pressed her head closer to his. He had to snap out of it. Something felt wrong here. "Meryl, I don't think we should be doing this…"

"I don't care Vash. I want to be with you. I don't care about how many countless girls you've had sex with. I just want-"

"Hold on one second," said Vash, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Do you actually believe everything that Jessica says?" Meryl blushed.

"Well I know you were sort of a 'ladies man' so I kind of put two and two together and…" Meryl trailed. Vash gave a deep chuckle.

"Look, I've never had sex before. Simple as that," said Vash.

"Oh," said Meryl, looking down at the floor. "I just expected you to be more experienced than me."

"Isn't it great that I'm not? We can learn together," said Vash. "When-" Meryl silenced him with another kiss. When the right time comes, Vash finished in his head. He suddenly became aware that his jacket had fallen to the floor and his shirt was already unbuttoned. How the hell did she do that? He didn't have any more time to ponder the idea when he felt her hands rest on his hips. "M-Meryl," he stuttered.

Meryl swiftly pushed him onto his back on her bed. She leaned over him and placed tiny kisses on his torso, slowly making her way down to his pants. Vash watched as Meryl unbuttoned his pants and pull the zipper down. He gave a tiny yelp when Meryl fiercely yanked his pants off. Whoa, vicious! thought Vash apprehensively. Seductively, Meryl slowly climbed onto the bed and Vash scrambled backwards until he hit the backboard. Meryl straddled Vash and kissed him.

"Touch me," she murmured.

"No," said Vash weakly. Meryl growled and placed his hands on her breasts. She pressed herself harder on to him, making him groan. Meryl continued to move on him while kissing his jaw. Unconsciously, Vash began to thrust upwards.

"Give in to me," she whispered seductively. Vash shook his head and let his hands slip to her waist to keep them still. He swiftly brought her body underneath his. Meryl wrapped her legs around his waist and tipped her hips upward. Vash bit his lip to keep his moan in. He let his weight drop onto her gently to keep her still. "Meryl," he said sternly, or at least tried to.

"What?" she asked. Her eyes glazed with lust and tears.

"You don't want to do this. You're not ready," he said gently. Meryl frowned.

"I am ready. I want to be your woman," Meryl said, her voice wavering from keeping her tears in.

"I don't have any protection Meryl," said Vash seriously. "What if you get pregnant? Then what?" A few stray tears crawled down her cheeks.

"I don't care!" Meryl croaked. Vash knew this wasn't the real Meryl talking. So he waited patiently for her to stop speaking. "I'll get pregnant if I have to! I want to have my first time with you Vash! If I don't, I'll regret it for the rest of my life!" Vash slid to the side of Meryl and pulled her into his arms. Her stubbornness getting the best of her, Meryl faced her back to him. Vash sighed.

"Please don't take this the wrong way. I do want to make love to you but if we did it now, we'd be doing it for the wrong reasons and we're not even prepared." Vash didn't receive any comeback. Okay, on to Plan B, thought Vash. He tightened his arm around her waist and nuzzled her shoulder blade with his nose. Vash placed hot, open-mouthed kisses on her back. He felt Meryl squirm from his administrations. Vash smiled smugly. He could feel Meryl's barriers begin to ebb away as his mouth gently suckled her neck.

"Vash," she moaned out. Meryl turned towards Vash and kissed him. He took control of the kiss so that neither of them got carried away. Once they broke apart for air, Meryl spoke. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "for pressuring you into something you didn't want to do."

"It's alright. I just want to make sure that we're both ready," said Vash gently. Meryl lazily traced the muscles on his chest and smiled softly.

"Funny what love does to you. It can make you do things that you'd never expect yourself to do," said Meryl.

"It sure does," said Vash, thinking about his gunfight with Knives tomorrow. Meryl knew Vash was thinking about Knives. This time Meryl pulled Vash to her and Vash laid his head on her shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her slim body.

"Sleep," she whispered and gently stroked his head. She waited for Vash's breath to even out before she let herself drift away into sleep.

Meryl was the first to wake up. She glanced at Vash. Somewhere in the middle of the night, their positions changed so that she was wrapped up in Vash's arms. She snuggled into his warmth some more and sighed. Why do so many bad things happen to you? Vash slowly opened his eyes to be greeted by two gray eyes. He closed his eyes again and pulled Meryl closer to him.

"This is how I want to wake up everyday," murmured Vash. Meryl pulled the sheets back without realizing that her and Vash were only in their underwear (and in Meryl's case, her bra too). Picking up a shyness attack, she pulled the sheets toward her successfully leaving Vash bare. Vash laughed softly. He gently pried the sheets from her grasp and Meryl blushed. "Don't be ashamed Meryl. I've seen most of you already." She blushed even harder.

"I'm going to get up. How about you?" asked Meryl, sitting up.

"I'm just going to stay here for a few more minutes," said Vash. Meryl slipped out of bed and made for her bathroom. She washed her face and brushed her teeth. Slowly she brushed her hair while humming a small tune. In the reflection of the mirror, she watched Vash's lanky frame walk up behind her. He wrapped both arms around her middle and buried his head in between her neck and shoulders. She giggled as she felt his tongue darting out.

"That tickles!" she said. Vash chuckled. He brought his head up and rested it on top of Meryl's head.

"My angel," he murmured. He brushed his fingers across Meryl's angel pendant. "My angel."

"What took you guys so long?" complained Wolfwood as Vash and Meryl sat down to eat breakfast. "Got to bed late last night? I know I did." Meryl darted her eyes towards Milly who had a very red face.

"For your information Mr. Priest, nothing happened last night," said Meryl. Wolfwood patted Vash's shoulder.

"That's okay buddy. Maybe next time," said Wolfwood.

"Shut up," muttered Vash.

"So Vash, have you been keeping up with your gunplay at all?" asked Wolfwood. Meryl visibly winced.

"Not really," said Vash. "But I think I could give him a run for his money." Meryl stood up suddenly.

"Please excuse me," and Meryl walked out of the room. Milly excused herself too to soothe Meryl.

"She's still worried about me," said Vash. "She wanted to have sex with me last night because she's afraid I'll die and she wanted me to be her first." Wolfwood looked thoughtfully at Vash.

"Who stopped this from happening?" asked Wolfwood.

"Me," said Vash.

"I must say I'm proud of you Vash. You did the right thing," said Wolfwood.

"You don't have to come you know," said Vash quietly.

"To the park with you?" Vash nodded. "Don't be ridiculous. You know I'll be there," said Wolfwood.

"I don't want Meryl to see this but I know she would find a way to come even if we locked her in a closet," said Vash. Wolfwood chuckled half-heartedly.

"I don't think I'll be able to stop Big Girl from comin' either," said Wolfwood. He stood up. "I'll need to pick up something from home. It's a little project I've been working on. I'll meet you at the park when it's time."

Meryl glanced up at the sky. The air was cold and she could see her own breath in little puffs of fog. She held Vash's hand and Milly's hand as they walked to wear Vash and Knives would have their duel. Meryl looked up at Vash. His face held no emotion whatsoever. She squeezed his hand gently and Vash let his hand slip around her waist.

"Are you sure I can't shoot Knives when he's not looking?" asked Meryl. She had brought a single derringer with her.

"No," said Vash sternly. "If you shoot Knives, either Dominique, Legato, or whoever he's brought along will shoot you back. It's not worth it."

"Is there nothing I can do to help you?" asked Meryl softly.

"I'm afraid not. Please promise me that you'll stay on the side by Wolfwood and Milly where it's safe. I doubt Knives would shoot you but please stay by them." Meryl didn't answer him. Vash stopped her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Promise me," he whispered. Meryl nodded.

"Alright," she said softly. As they continued to walk, Meryl could already see the figures of four people. She squinted and she saw Knives, Legato, Midvalley, and Dominique. Knives turned around and smiled sinisterly at the trio.

"Where's the gay priest?" taunted Knives. It took all of Vash's and Meryl's strength to keep Milly from pummeling into Knives.

"For the thousandth time, it is not I that is gay, but you my dear utensil," said Wolfwood, who stepped out of the shadows. He was carrying what seemed to be a cross wrapped in a white cloth strapped by black belts.

"What the hell is that?" asked Midvalley.

"It's part of my gospel of course," said Wolfwood. Knives ignored him and turned to Vash.

"Ready dear brother?" asked Knives.

"Of course," said Vash. Everyone backed away. Vash and Knives faced each other. Meryl had to control her breathing. She jumped as Knives fired the first gunshot. Everyone gaped. Vash had merely moved to the side to dodge the bullet.

"What the fuck?" came the monotone voice of Legato. Everyone looked at him weirdly. Legato wasn't one to swear and with his emotionless voice, he almost sounded comical.

"I guess you've still got some skill," said Knives. Vash only smiled. "You better hope your luck lasts." Vash pulled out his gun and fired at Knives. He dodged it and stood behind a tree trunk. Vash did the same and for a while the only thing that could be heard was the firing of a bullet every ten seconds. A long pause was held after the last shot.

At the same exact time, Knives and Vash ran out from their hiding places and shot at each other. Meryl held in her breath. Why are they just standing there? A painful moan pierced the air and Meryl saw Vash stagger to the ground. He was holding his right shoulder. Bright red blood slowly seeped through his shirt.

"VASH!!!" Meryl screamed. She reached into her coat to pull out her derringer. Dominique saw this and caught Meryl's wrist.

"Oh no you don't," sneered Dominique.

"LET GO OF ME BITCH!!!" screamed Meryl, yanking her wrist out of Dominique's grasp. Meryl punched her across the face, effectively knocking her out. She wanted to go out to Vash but he made her promise that she wouldn't go out there. Meryl watched helplessly as Knives slowly closed the distance between him and Vash.

"So Vash, I guess you just weren't good enough," said Knives amusingly. Vash gave a last attempt to raise his gun and Knives merely smirked and kicked it out of his hand.

"Vash," whimpered Meryl. She made a move to walk towards him.

"STAY BACK!" yelled Vash. Meryl stopped in her tracks. She cried right there on the spot. He was in pain. Knives raised his gun and pointed it at Vash's head.

"Any last words?" said Knives. Vash glanced up angrily at Knives.

"You're supposed to be my brother," Vash growled out quietly.

"And your point is?" That broke Vash's heart. A single tear fell from his eye. "Say good-bye to your girlfriend. Once you're dead and gone, there will be nothing you can do to stop me from having my way with her." Vash blinked at Knives. So this is how it ends. Meryl was right after all. Vash closed his eyes. I'm sorry I broke my promise…

"NO!" screamed Meryl. She couldn't bear to stand there and watch Vash being killed. The world seemed to move in slow motion as she ran with all her might towards Vash. Meryl faintly heard the sound of various clicks and Milly screaming but she did not care. She had to save Vash, she just-

BANG!

I'm sorry to say that there wasn't a love scene or lemon in this chapter. I was planning to write one when one of my reviewers wrote something that I had overlooked and I realized she was right. Thank you jewelofbeauty. Don't worry though. I promise you there will be a love scene no doubt. It probably won't be explicit seeing as it doesn't really need to be.

So y'all know what to do!