Chapter 5: I Bid You Adieu

…Meryl's POV…

Oh my god, what's that awful noise? It can't be! Someone is screaming my name! Milly??? It sounds like a…a foghorn…only Milly could sound like that! I've gotta shut her up before the whole town gets freaked out! Aaarrrhhhggg….she's coming through the door!

"THERE YOU ARE MERYL, I THOUGHT I'D NEVER FIND YOU!"

"Please, Milly, quiet down, there's no need to shout!"

"WHO'S SHOUTING?"

"You are, for heaven's sake. Sit down and be quiet."

"BUT…I THOUGHT…AND…MR. VASH SAID…"

"Shhh…"

"…ooooohhhhh….I'm sorry, am I still talking too loud? Well, anyway, I was just worried about you Meryl. And so was Mr. Vash…at least he was until he kind of went weird on me and walked off by himself, which I just don't understand, even though…"

"What are you talking about Milly? Where did Vash walk off to, and why was he worried about me?"

"He said he needed to be alone and walked out of town. I think maybe he left because his feelings were hurt because you're with another guy. And besides, he says that guy is dangerous."

"Well….you ladies must be talking about me. Should I be flattered or annoyed?"

"Oh…ah…Legato…I mean, well, this is my associate Millie Thompson, and we weren't really talking about you, so, uh, there's no reason for you to think anything at all."

"Hmmm, I think otherwise, ladies. You were discussing both Vash and me, were you not?"

"WELL SO WHAT …if we were? Huh? Oh, I know Meryl, I don't mean to shout…it's just that I've been so worried!"

"Here is your coffee Meryl, my dear. Would your friend like a cup? What a strange girl you are, Milly Thompson. Now tell me, why would you be so worried over the rather innocuous occurrence of your, uh, associate having a cup of coffee with someone? Hmmm? Perhaps I can guess. Ah…yes…I perceive Vash has been spreading rumors about me. No? Well, I must admit, if he told you I was a dangerous man, he was telling you the truth. I am a dangerous man. To him! However, my admiration of our dear Meryl renders me helpless to do her violence, I can assure you."

He admires me?! Can I believe him? Do I want to believe him? "Really Legato, you haven't known me long enough to know if I'm admirable or not. So don't talk such nonsense. And yes, I'm sure Milly would be glad of a cup of coffee, wouldn't you Milly, and she takes it with…"

"…lots of cream and sugar. Yes, I know."

"But how do you know?"

"Have you forgotten already? How disappointing. I was sure you'd realized I'm no ordinary mortal man of little perception such as, say, your so called friend Vash. I know many things about you, about both of you, things that he hasn't even begun to wonder about. Really, I must say, how barren his life must be to have so little perception or curiosity regarding those with whom he has spent so much time."

"Hey you, don't you talk about Mr. Vash that way!"

"Thank you Milly, but it's not necessary to defend me. I'm not bothered by anything Legato has to say about me."

"VASH! I thought you'd gone!"

"Meryl, how could you think I'd walk away and leave you to be manipulated by this evil creature. Besides, he and I have unfinished business, don't we Legato?"

…Legato's POV...

What in hell is all that yelling? Oh no, it's that big girl, and just when things were about to get very interesting. Perhaps I should kill her now and get it over with. But…no, my little lady wouldn't be happy with me, would she? I must keep that in mind. Fortunately, that big girl won't be hard to handle, and it won't even require a tenth of the subtlety that my fascinating Meryl requires, to get her to go away. I know, I'll send on an errand, and while she's gone I'll get Meryl out of here so we can be alone.

"Barman, where's that coffee, how dare you make me stand here like your lackey waiting until you deign to serve me?"

"Oh, ah, sorry sir. Here it is. I was waiting for a fresh pot to brew. I could tell that a man such as you would only want the very best my humble establishment has to offer. Please sir, forgive me for keeping you waiting."

"Enough groveling you fool. Give it to me. Make up another cup, one with lots of cream and sugar, and deliver it to my table yourself. Right away. I've had enough of being treated in this manner."

"Oh, uh, of course sir, yes sir, right away sir."

Ah, how I love to see the fear on their weak and pallid faces. They are disgusting, these humans, but still, they provide me with a bit of amusement now and then. My master would be happy to have me kill the lot of them, but I suspect I would miss them on some days. Once they are gone there will be so much less to amuse me. My existence is tiresome enough even with them to amuse me now and then. Right now, the only thing on my mind, other than the thought of bringing eternal pain and suffering to that fool Vash, is Meryl. Hmmm…I don't feel the slightest urge to kill her, even though her impertinence would be insufferable coming from anyone else. Actually, though, I find it charming. What does it mean? Can this be what love feels like? I find it oddly pleasant. I've always considered love to be foolish and completely useless when compared to the fear and loyalty a minion feels for his true master. Until now that has been the pinnacle of my ambition, to be the most loyal of my master's servants. Now I wonder. What would it be like to use my talents to bring happiness to this woman instead? WHAT AM I THINKING? Have I been lured into some kind of trap here? NO! That isn't possible. I am merely amusing myself. That's all. Besides, getting close to Meryl may open a useful path to Vash. A path that will lead to even more pain and suffering than even I've imagined before. That's it! That's it! That's how I will explain it to my master if he should be angry with me. Will he be angry with me? Enough! I don't want to think about Knives right now. I don't even want to think about Vash. I just want to think about getting closer to Meryl. I just want to continue exploring these new sensations that she brings out in me. But first I have to get that big girl out of my way.

…Vash's POV…

What was I thinking to run out of town at a time like this? I must find Meryl. But how? The last time I saw her was by the fountain. I know I should go back there and start a search. But that may take too long. I've wasted so much time! What the hell? Is that Milly I hear shouting? Where's the sound coming from. That way! There she is going into that restaurant. Could Meryl be inside. I have to hurry!

There they are. Meryl, Milly, and that snake Legato. What's going on? Milly is mad at Legato! Uh oh…….

"Hey you, don't you talk about Mr. Vash that way!"

Hearing the loyalty in Milly's voice makes me want to cry, especially when I think of how short tempered I was with her earlier. How could I be so insensitive? She deserves better. She looks so happy to see me. But…Meryl. Is she happy to see me? She looks so strange. Excited and annoyed. I know that annoyed look very well. That's the way she usually looks when she sees me. But the lurking excitement beneath the annoyance, is that because of Legato? Can she…does she…like him? Oh no! That can't be! Okay, maybe I'm a jealous. Just because I've finally admitted to myself that I love her, that doesn't give me the right to assume she loves me back, no matter what Milly says. I know that. She may get angry if I interfere, but do I have any choice? If I don't he'll hurt her, and he'll hurt Milly too. That's all he's good for; being Knives instrument of pain and destruction. I have to get him out of here, away from them. I have to keep them safe. I have to!

"Thank you Milly, but it's not necessary to defend me. I'm not bothered by anything Legato has to say about me."

"VASH! I thought you were gone!"

"Meryl, how could you think I'd leave you to be manipulated by this evil creature. Besides, he and I have unfinished business, don't we Legato?"

"Really Vash, is it necessary to insult me in front of the ladies, hmmm?"

"Yes Legato. It's not only necessary, it's imperative. They have the right to know what a manipulative evil scumbag you are."

"Really Vash, you're being so rude!"

"No Meryl, I'm not being rude, just truthful. Isn't that right Legato?"

"Well perhaps. But I've already informed these ladies that I am a dangerous man. Did you think I would be ashamed to admit it? On the contrary, I'm proud of it, Vash. But I've also told them that they have nothing to fear from me. The person who is in danger is you Vash. Only you."

"Milly, Meryl, I want you to leave."

"No Vash, you don't have the right to order me around!"

"I'm not ordering you Meryl, I'm trying to make you understand you're not safe here, with him."

"Come on Meryl, I think Mr. Vash is right. Let's go."

"Shut up Milly, this is between Vash and me."

"No Meryl, this is between Vash and Legato. Isn't that right Mr. Legato?"

"Yes, Milly, perhaps you are right. And perhaps Vash is right. You two should leave, and let Vash and I have a little chat."

"No, no, no, I'm not going anywhere! Milly, let go of my arm!"

"Vash, you and I need to take a little walk. I don't like seeing my darling Meryl so upset. Let's go. Ahh…here is your coffee Milly. Relax and enjoy it. Meryl, I'll see you later."

"Right Legato, let's go." His darling Meryl, has it gone that far? How can that be? Is it possible that he is capable of really caring about her? I can't believe that. He is all that is evil.

"Fine, you two go and have your little boy fight. Millie and I will finish our coffee like civilized people, and then we're going back to the hotel. I think you are both acting like idiots. No Millie. don't say anything, just drink your coffee."

Oh no! Meryl is so angry with me. And Milly looks so scared and upset. And now I have to figure out how to deal with Legato. Right now I don't care what Rem said. He deserves to die. But I've never taken a life before. It's so wrong. And how much more wrong would it be to take his life if Meryl cares about him? But…he's no good for her! Admit it Vash, you're no good for her either. Wherever you go misery follows. This is just one more case of misery. "Good-bye girls. I'll see you later. Come on Legato, let's get this over with."

"As you say, Vash, let's get this over with. Meryl, I bid you adieu, for now."