Gee, it's just amazing how long a frickin' computer virus can keep me from posting…. Sigh. I was really lucky that it didn't totally gut my computer, but I lost the internet for several weeks. Oh well….. I got over a mild case of writer's block and I think you guys will like this chapter!! And thanks to all my reviewers; I'd never dreamed I'd get so many!!
Anime-fangirl 1: That's so funny! I'd never thought of that connection before… I hear ya on the couples too! Amen sister!!!!
Neptune Butterfly: I've said it before, I'll say it again… I don't accept dentist bills!!! Read at your own risk!!! Honestly though, I hope it wasn't too much. It was mostly a filler chapter, 'cause I totally lost the direction I wanted this fic to go in. But I've got it now! Thanks for the review.
Pyrotess: Anything for my beloved reviewers!
SapphireWhiteTiggress: I'm happy you like my story! I'll try not to keep you waiting too long in between updates.
Orion Kohaishu: Hey hey! Glad to see you came back again! I always enjoy your reviews! (slips Orion another cookie) Hee hee. The Vash/Meryl fluff is coming, I swear on my honor as a…. part of an angry mob in-waiting!!!! ….. 00; I'm still happy you like my fluff, but don't overindulge, look what happened to poor Butterfly!!!
Tsunaharu-Haru: OH my gosh… (blushes) I'm really sorry, I must have misread what you wrote. But I'm still happy you approve. Your comments always make my day! I'll get up the chapters as soon as I can.
White Ninja Spy: Thank you, thank you very much. I'm so gonna read your fic! You're so nice!
itzjustme: Yeah, it happened in episode 25, I think (anyone who knows, correct me if I'm wrong). Good catch, eagle-eye. (maniacal laughter) Nothing gets by you. Come on back now, ya hear?
WW: (blinks) Am I really that creative? Dude, I thought I just slipped between the cracks of the other fics that are so much better than mine…. YES!!! That's awesome!!! (big hug) Oh, I REALLY needed that encouragement. You are awesome.
koratlover333: Muchas gracias. Little bits like that encourage me to write just as much as the long reviews do!
Warior: So I didn't scare ya off huh? Good! (hands Warior a cookie) Just don't tell Orion, kay?
kuraku: You go! It's a darn good thing you checked before you just offed me like that!!!! I'll try to keep it more clear as to who's speaking from now on. Also, it's gonna stay in third person unless noted otherwise. One final thing: "speech" and 'thoughts'. I'll try to use the whole Vash thought, 'thoughts' and Vash said, "speech" thing to keep it easy to read. Thanks for dropping by.
Cherry Blossom Princess2: Thank you much, I'm glad you like it. Computer zombie??? You gotta love moms. lol
NinaWilliamsTheSilentAssassin: It makes me happy that you think this even comes close to Trigun in any way, shape or form. (faints) I hope you keep reading and review me! I want as many opinions as I can get.
dark-pyro-angel-2: Don't worry, it's coming!!!! I just want to torture you a LITTLE bit longer….. lol.
On to useless A/Ns! As if you all care about my life…. I'll probably be able to post more often the rest of this month and the next, assuming I don't have any more problems with my computer… So, here's the reason you're all here:
Liquid Sunlight
Chapter 10 - Truth and Lies
For probably the billionth time that day, Wolfwood stole a quick glance at Milly, who sat in the passenger seat with a strangely thoughtful look on her face.
"Honey, are you gonna tell me what you're thinking about, or am I gonna have to drive myself crazy wonderin' about it?"
Milly snapped to attention. "Did you say something darling? I wasn't listening, 'cause I was wondering why Mr. Knives was all alone yesterday. I thought he'd hang around Mr. Vash and Meryl… I'm kinda worried." She smiled at her husband who just gave her a look of disbelief before turning his attention back to driving.
"If you're worried about Meryl and Vash, they'll be fine. The most notorious gunman on Gunsmoke and the feistiest agent in the Bernardelli Insurance Society…" Wolfwood trailed off with a shrug. "As for the psycho brother, I'm pretty sure he'll survive being alone. Who knows, he might find his cronies out in the desert somewhere."
"OH, don't EVEN say that!" Milly squeaked. "Then he'll remember all the bad things and Mr. Vash-"
"I know, I know," Wolfwood said, wrapping an arm around Milly's shoulders. "I was joking!"
Milly pouted at him. "It wasn't very funny Nicholas."
"Sorry honey." Wolfwood squeezed her tight.
"It's alright." Milly smiled up at him. "So, where are we going?"
"The mountains. Not many people realize it, but there are hot springs up there, if you know where to look." Wolfwood grinned.
Milly's eyes went wide with excitement. "REALLY?! Wow, who knew?"
"Yeah," Wolfwood said, "and they're very therapeutic, good for the baby."
"And when will we get there?" Milly shrilled with anticipation.
"Couple of hours."
"Aw, man…"
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When Meryl woke up, she discovered that she had grown extra sets of both arms and legs.
With a groan, she attempted to escape Vash's grasp, debating where to land her first punch. "Vash, if you don't move your arms-" she gasped "-AND your hands, I swear to you I'll-" With a funny little scream, Vash jumped out of the bed. Meryl sat up, ready to come after him with a vengeance.
"Not going to TOUCH me huh?" she screeched as she prepared to pummel him.
"It was an accident!" Vash cried while dodging her blows. "An honest mistake, really!! I forgot where I was and I thought you were a soft, cuddly teddy bear!!!"
"TEDDY BEAR?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!" Meryl shrieked. "I'll SHOW you TEDDY BEAR!!!! And it isn't gonna be soft or cuddly you idiot!!!!"
Vash grabbed a towel and fled the room with a squeal. "Gonna take a shower!" he called back when he was a safe distance away.
The door next to Meryl's was flung open and an angry, disheveled man stormed out. "Can you people keep it down?!?!" he shouted.
"YOU KEEP IT DOWN!!!" Meryl yelled back through gritted teeth. The man cowered and ran back into his room. Meryl retreated back into her room as well, slamming the door as she went.
"Damn that man!" she rampaged. She opened up her suitcase and drug out some clean clothes to wear. She got everything else ready to go, and it wasn't until she had almost finished straightening the bedclothes that she realized what had happened: Vash had held her in his arms, probably all night!
'Maybe that's why I was so warm, and my dreams were all sweet,' Meryl thought before blushing and clapping her hands to her face. 'Meryl Stryfe does not get all lovesick over men, especially not THAT man!!!' she reminded herself. But the way he had just snuggled up with her and didn't try anything was kinda adorable… Meryl felt the heat rise to her cheeks.
Vash stood in the doorway watching her mental exchange with herself. 'What is she doing?' he thought as she blushed again, the reddest he'd ever seen her. He decided to wake her from her reverie. "Um, Meryl are you okay?"
She whirled around and turned even redder, if that was at all possible. "F-fine!" she stuttered out. Confused, Vash let her pass by him to the bathroom at the end of the hall.
Meryl slammed the door, berating herself. 'Why am I acting like some love-sick teenager?!?!'
Back in the room, Vash was just as confused. 'Why am I not unconscious?' he wondered, packing his few belongings back into his bag. 'She didn't even hit me once! But even if she had….' he grinned evilly to himself 'It would have been worth it, just to hold her and breathe in her scent. I think it was lavender. Mmmm, she smelled wonderful. Just being with her made all my nightmares go away. I haven't slept so well since…well… a really long time!' He walked over to the bed, and finished making it.
"Most peaceful night I've had in a while," Vash said, his voice echoing around the room.
Meryl standing in the hallway, heard him sigh. She took a deep breath of her own, putting on her best no-nonsense face and heading into the room.
"Finally ready to go?" Vash asked with a goofy smile. He inched backward from the glowering look Meryl gave him in return.
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Wolfwood gave Milly's shoulder a gentle shake. "Milly… honey… c'mon wake up." Milly opened her eyes and smiled at her husband. "We're here sleeping beauty," Wolfwood teased. Milly gave him a light smack on the arm.
When she climbed out of the car, Milly saw they had reached a tiny inn. Behind it, she could see wooden fences, steam pouring over their sides.
"Is that-?" she began excitedly.
"Yep," Wolfwood said. "Hardly anyone knows about this place. Hell, they only have two rooms they rent out!" He offered his arm to Milly and walked her to the door.
In the front room, two men, one old, one young, sat at a round table playing cards. When the couple entered, the older man jumped up. "That you Wolfwood?" he asked with a cockeyed grin.
"Yep, it's me!" Wolfwood returned the grin and stuck out his hand. "How've you been Pete?"
"Good as an old man can be: alive." Pete cackled at his own wit before extending a hand to Milly. "And who might you be little darlin'?"
"I'm Milly Thompson - er - Wolfwood!" She gave his hand an enthusiastic shake.
Pete glanced at Wolfwood. "The missus? Never thought of you as the marrying type, but stranger things have happened I suppose." Gesturing towards Milly's expectant tummy he added, "And you certainly didn't waste any time in starting a family." Milly blushed a little. Wolfwood scratched the back of his head.
"Who's your friend?" Milly asked sweetly, pointing to the young man still at the table. He had messy, tousled black hair and grey eyes. The kid leapt to his feet and stepped forward.
"I'm Rigel Harbin," he said. Wolfwood guessed his age to be around 20 or 21. He smiled. "Nice to meet you both."
"Rigel's from Adden Town. Part of some kind of movement to join the cities, and spread prosperity. Basically a load of crap."
"You say that now, old-timer, but we'll be up and running before even you bite the big one!" Rigel said contentiously.
"Whatever. Keep dreamin' kiddo," Pete rasped. Crestfallen and cursing the old man under his breath, Rigel sat back down.
"I think it's a wonderful cause!" Milly said huffily.
"His cause is the reason he's stuck here. He wrecked his car and has no way back to Adden. He can't even get a letter to them, 'cause the mail don't came 'round here too often. And the boys from October town only check on me every six months!" Pete cackled again. "Fool kid is stranded. But I suppose you folks are tired of listening to an old man. You came for the springs, right?"
Milly nodded eagerly. "Yes!" She and Wolfwood followed Pete to a room built right at the edge of the hot spring.
"Holler if you need anything. I'll have the kid put some towels in here for ya. Enjoy." With that, Pete was gone.
"Oh boy!" Milly cried out, trying to wriggle out of her clothes as fast as she could. Wolfwood laughed at her antics and gently helped her out of her shirt. He disrobed quickly and followed her out towards the springs. The stars shone brightly over the cold desert as the couple climbed into the warm water. Milly laid back with a sigh.
"This is wonderful," she cooed. Wolfwood just smiled at her and smoothed her hair back.
"Anything for you honey," he whispered lovingly. Milly giggled.
"You were right, too: it is good for the baby. She's never been so calm before." Milly placed a hand on her stomach.
"A few days here and we'll all be calmer than usual, especially without Tongari around," Wolfwood joked.
"I really hope they're okay…" Milly murmured, leaning against Wolfwood and staring up at the stars.
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Vash heaved a sigh. Meryl shot him a death glare before looking back down at the endless pile of paperwork before her.
As it turned out, a faction against the use of plants took responsibility for the explosion. This didn't mean any less documentation for the Insurance Society, however, and much of the paperwork fell to Meryl to complete, as the highest-ranking agent there.
She was also one of the most respected, because of the man she still seemed to be keeping out of trouble.
"Mer-ryl," Vash whined, "Are you almost done? You've done nothing but paperwork for the entire afternoon. We only spent about an hour at the disaster site, and I couldn't determine if Knives has even been here!"
Meryl rubbed her temple. "Vash, can you shut up for a while?" she grouched. "I have to get this done and into the mail as soon as I can! And without even Milly to help, it could take a while. Go on and get some dinner if you want. I'll probably be up late tonight working on this." She sighed deeply, hands flying across her typewriter.
"Meryl, you should really take a break," Vash said gently. "You need something to eat and I'm sure you're exhausted from the trip here."
"I told you Vash, this needs to get done now!"
Vash grabbed both of Meryl's hands in one of his and drug her towards the door. "C'mon, just come eat with me. PLEASE? I won't drink, I promise!"
Meryl looked unconvinced.
"Okay, maybe just a little," Vash conceded with a goofy grin. "But I need a drinking partner. Whaddaya say, huh? Just loosen up for tonight." He pulled Meryl in front of him and gave her a light shove toward the stairs.
"Oh, alright," Meryl agreed. "But just for a hour or two. I am NOT going to watch you party all night long, got it?"
Vash nodded and his smile grew. "All RIGHT!!!" he shouted, pushing Meryl out the door. He walked along behind her, his hands still on her tiny shoulders, guiding her towards the restaurant. Her muscles felt stiff and hard through the cloth of her shirt, and without really thinking Vash started rubbing.
Surprisingly, Meryl didn't lash out at him. She came to a dead stop in the street and murmured, "Wow that feels great."
"You're awful tense," Vash scolded. "Probably from all that paperwork you've been doing. When we get back to the hotel, I'll give you a good massage."
Meryl blushed a bright red and started coughing. "You… you don't have to do that…" she choked out.
"Don't worry about it. You can give me a massage too, if you insist!" Vash said merrily as he pushed open the door to the restaurant. Shocked, Meryl let the door close behind him, barely registering the riotous laughter from the other side.
When she'd collected herself, Meryl reached for the doorknob. At that moment, a brown-headed man opened the door from the inside and shoved past her with a dark look.
'Tough guy, huh?' Meryl mused as she watched him head down the street. 'Jerk.'
"Meryl!!!" Vash called. "You're missing the fun!!!!" When Meryl entered, what she saw was enough to make any girl's eyebrow twitch in annoyance.
Vash, with his trademark tie wrapped around his head, had already gotten the party started. Everyone in the bar was singing and swinging cups around, generally making a drunken ruckus. Vash rushed over to her. "I saved you a seat!" he told Meryl proudly as he ushered her across the room. He sat her down at a table with two drinks already placed across from each other on it. He threw himself into a chair, and Meryl seated herself across from him.
"The people in this town are great!" Vash exclaimed over the shouting.
"Yeah, just wonderful," Meryl muttered as a bottle flew past her head.
Vash shook his finger at her. "Ah ah ah! You gotta lighten up Small Girl!"
Meryl just sighed at him and took a sip of the drink. "Hey Vash, how did you know what I like to drink?" she asked suspiciously.
He gave a nervous laugh and said, "Well, whenever you do drink with us, you always have that, right?"
"Right," she agreed. Then she thought to herself, 'I can't believe he noticed something small like that!' But it made her feel kind of happy and special too.
A waiter fought his way through the crowd and took Vash and Meryl's orders, then hurried back to the kitchen, careful of those who'd begun to dance around the room. Tables and chairs fell over as often as cans, bottles, and glasses did.
"So really, what's tougher about your job, me or the paperwork?" Vash asked sheepishly.
Meryl laughed. "Close call sometimes." Vash pouted and she laughed louder. "But most of the time the paperwork is much more tedious. And not near as fun," she added as an afterthought.
Vash's eyes lit up. 'She thinks I'm fun!' he thought to himself.
"Ever since I was a kid, I've never had much patience, so just sitting and doing paperwork really annoys me. That's why I'm always kinda cranky when I'm working on it, I guess." Meryl smiled at Vash. "My dad always said I would have an outdoorsy, adventurous kinda job."
Vash's serious smile jolted Meryl back into reality. 'Dammit!' she scolded herself. 'I just gave a little more of myself away…'
As though he read her mind, Vash leaned forward and whispered, "Why are you so afraid to let me in? Or anyone for that matter?"
"I- uh- what I mean is- er-" Meryl stuttered. Vash grinned condescendingly and Meryl gave him a quick punch to the forehead.
"I could say the same thing to you mister!" she shouted angrily. "You won't let anyone share your pain, your happiness, your fears… You just… you close everyone out, like we don't care about you!" The singing came to an abrupt halt and everyone stared at the tiny woman accosting the huge man.
"Meryl…" Vash said sweetly.
Meryl blushed at her outburst. "It's nothing. I'm going back to the inn." And with that, she stormed out.
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"I win again!" Milly cried happily. Rigel gave her a weak smile before gathering up the chess pieces.
"I've gotten a good enough thrashing for tonight, I guess," he said sheepishly.
He put the chess set on top of the ancient cabinet in the front room, then strode back across the floor, giving old Pete an evil stare on the way back.
"So, Rigel… what's your whole movement thing about, anyways?" Milly asked.
Rigel heaved a sigh. "It's not much of anything right now. Just an idea some of my friends and I came up with. We want to get greater communication in between the cities, and exchange ideas and information that can help us all live better." His eyes glittered as he continued: "Mainly, the idea came from the people of a town called Rayne. They have been trying their hardest to unite the scattered towns, but some people are so used to the seclusion…" He shrugged.
"So… so, what are you gonna do?" Milly inquired.
"I gotta meet the leader of the town. He's gonna be at a summit in the city of Calis soon, but I dunno how I'm gonna get there in time."
Milly brightened. "Hey darling, aren't we headed for Calis?"
"Huh?" Wolfwood asked distractedly. "Yeah, Calis. Huge city. We're headed there soon."
Milly gave Rigel one of her trademark smiles. "Maybe we can take you there!" When Rigel gave Wolfwood a fearful glance, she added, "Don't worry about him. I can talk him into it." She winked.
To change the topic, Milly said, "So, Rigel isn't a very common name…"
Rigel grimaced. "My father named me. He's an astrologist, and Orion is his favorite constellation. I've always hated the name."
"I think it's cute!" Milly exclaimed indignantly.
Rigel rolled his eyes. "Well, I'm gonna go to bed. Thanks so much for your offer. I really appreciate it, more than you can imagine." With a bow, he headed for his room in the back.
"What offer?" Wolfwood asked Milly suspiciously.
'Oh boy….' Pete thought. 'How's she gonna get outta this one?' He decided to make himself scarce, and moved as fast as his arthritis would let him towards his room.
"Never mind darling. I'll tell you all about it later," Milly whispered, planting a kiss on Wolfwood's cheek. He turned his head to catch the kisses with his lips and sighed.
"You certainly are very secretive these days," he said, pulling her closer. "But I kinda like it." Milly giggled.
Okay, there it is!!!! All I have to say is, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!! That little purple button needs a good click. Love you guys, and promise to update soon!!!