Disclaimer: I do not own Trigun. I do not own Meryl, or Milly, or Wolfwood, or Vash, or Knives or even the cute little black kitty. I simply write fanfiction in my spare time. Though sometimes I really, really, really wish I *owned* Vash. (hehe)
Author's Notes: Gasp! I'm actually still alive! I know some of you reviewers out there thought that I was no longer writing. I am. Really. But it's difficult to concentrate at this point. I only put up this chapter now because I have two papers due by Tuesday and I couldn't think of any other way of de-stressing than to hang out with my adorable Vash. So here's a new chapter. Enjoy! That is, after you go through the rambling list of acknowledgements. As always, have fun finding yourselves.
Priestess_Midoriko: I hope the waiting paid off!
Cloud-Bahamut: I also hope your waiting paid off!
Melodic: I HAVE to finish this? Is that an order? Would you like fries with that? LOL.
vashfan331: Hmm… "cliffhangers will be the death of me"…*pokes at prostrate body with stick* Are you still alive? Because I don't know how to explain dead reviewers to fanfic.net.
Just A Weirdo: *returning stick* Thanks for the poking stick. I, er, used it to poke a reviewer. I hope you don't mind.
Neptune21: *shouting* You don't have to stand so far away anymore! I'm done writing this chapter now so you can read over my shoulder. I won't mind.
silent otaku: Surprisingly, I'm not as hilarious in real life. I wonder why that could be. *snaps fingers* Oh yeah! I forgot. The voices in my head tell me not to be. "Shut up!" "No you shut up!" "I am too funny!" Ahem. Excuse me while I medicate.
Zarina: You thought you were reading a "Romance"? My dear, you've got it all wrong. I'm writing "Suspense." LOL.
FireDemonKitsune84: "Update soon"? You know me better than that!
angelspice_22: Why? What did your chem teacher do?
Exeter: You think I don't ramble? Why thanks! As I was saying. . .
the old fart: Always lovely to hear from you. Review and re-review as many times as you wish. And by the way, I'll have you know the kama sutra read-along DOES have sound effects. Or so I've been told. *grin*
kitty-jinxx: *evil cackle* Please grovel. I don't mind groveling. Or donuts. Or Vash feeding me donuts. Ahem. Where was I again?
Chiruken: I'm here to please!
AnonymousTrigunOtaku: Thanks!
Neptune Butterfly: I repeat: NO ONE is too old for stuffed animals. And I'm glad you liked the kitty!
Sweet Sere: *re-reading review* Umm…thank you.
Alpha Draconis1: Nope. No donuts left. I think Milly may have hidden them.
Sets17: Love and peace to you too!
Scarlet Rurouni: *drools in jealousy* I wish I had a cute bishounen slave to do things to…er, for me.
Rainy-days13: Dum dum dum! And here's the next update!
Vashfan: Hmm…have I seen you before?
PurpleRoses: Softening up? Knives? Are you kidding me?
Dreamer_of_Night: Fireworks? Do they celebrate Fourth of July on Gunsmoke?
Bourgeois Babe: What do you think is going to happen?
Magicalfoci: *in Sigmund Freud's voice* Yes. I believe Vash ze Stampede suffers from donuteculitis and Merylicutitis.
Chibi Atto-san: *shaking head* And I thought _I_ was the only one around here with voices in my head.
Weiila: Yes. Vash is silly ain't he? But that's what makes him so totally huggable!
Tough Cookie: Do that again…the part where you quote me. (I just saw "Ever After" and that line, though I modified it, always gets me all…tingly.)
Vashra BloodReeper: PMS? Meryl? Nooooo… *bonk* Ow! Damn it!
wheelers_hanyou: New Mexico, huh? For some reason I thought you were Australian. But anyway…another chapter. Yay!
evil squeede: Mood swings? Noooo *bonk* Ow! Damn it, Meryl! That comment was about Vash! Meryl: Sorry. Reflex.
NeptuneHelena: Don't fall off the edge of your seat.
Orion Kohaishu: Hmm…do you mean falafel? That's a type of bread, right?
And speaking of bread. . .I love rye bread. I've just discovered grilled cheese sandwiches using rye bread is mmm. . .yummy. You just have to be careful that you clean the ironing board afterwards because that damn cheese doesn't come off so easily from your shirt that you need to use to get to work. That's my tip for all of you for today. Enjoy the chapter!
**************
Chapter 12
Four helpings of stew and a box of donuts later. . .
"Wow, Mr. Vash," Milly giggled. "No leftovers again!"
"I guess not," I grin. It wasn't all my fault that there were no leftovers left. "Thanks for helping me, Milly."
"I don't think you needed any help at all, Mr. Vash."
I bowed to her graciously over the empty bowls. "But you insisted, Milly!"
She blushed and her giggle turned into a full laugh. "Sempai is going to be very happy that it was all gone."
"I don't know about that Milly," I say. "She didn't really eat much and I doubt she's going to be very happy when she finds no leftovers in the middle of the night."
For a moment, Milly looked contritely at Meryl's empty place. But the moment quickly passed. "Well there's always the other box of donuts," she says brightly.
"That's right," I say eagerly, ready to sprint for the other box still left on the kitchen counter.
"Mr. Vash," she gently reprimands.
I hesitate. "Huh?"
"Sempai, Mr. Vash," she says gently. She gives me a meaningful look, raising her eyebrows as if I should have figured it (whatever *it* was) out already.
"But it's donuts, Milly! Donuts!"
She blinked and the expectant look was gone. "Sempai might be hungry later, Mr. Vash."
"Oh. That." The sweet delicacy and instant gratification of donuts and Meryl completely pissed off at me? Or. . . the agony of letting food go to waste and having Meryl worry (and probably also pissed off) that I didn't eat the donuts? There was no way in hell I was going to win so. . ."But Milly–" I raise my eyes imploringly. "Donuts."
Milly smiles at me, that smile that always makes me think she sees the world as children see it: innocent, hopeful. "Fine," I grumble. *sigh* It's Meryl over donuts any day anyway. Well, maybe every other day. Meryl one day, donuts the next. Or yummiest of all yummies. . . Meryl feeding me donuts. Yummm…."I was only hoping, Milly."
"I know you were."
"What?" Did I say that last yum out loud? "Uh, what was that?"
"I knew you were hoping."
"Hoping for what?"
Millly's puzzled look was classic. "For donuts, Mr. Vash. Isn't that what you said."
"Er, yeah. Of course, the donuts. He he," I laugh uncomfortably.
She laughs again and I knew that the laughter was genuine. "You are funny, Mr. Vash. I can't understand why sempai always gets mad around you. You're always funny."
"And charming," I add.
She grinned. "That too," she responded and stood to start cleaning up.
"Wait a minute," I protest.
"What is it?"
"It's my turn to clean up."
"No, it isn't," Milly said in surprise. "It's sempai's."
"Well, yes, technically it is, but I should do it. It's only fair." Yeah, because who knows what reason that woman's mind can come up with just to be angry at me. She's probably going to scream at me for never helping out and blah, blah, blah.
"You should let me help," Milly says cheerfully.
"No, it's okay. I'm trying to be fair."
"Are you sure, Mr. Vash?"
"Of course! I haven't broken _that_ many dishes," I joke. "Besides it's the least I can do after such a good meal." I grin wider and pat my very satisfied stomach.
Milly giggled.
"I didn't know you were such a good cook, Milly!"
Milly beamed brightly and grinned. "Thanks, Mr. Vash, but – "
"Don't be modest, Milly," I nudge her playfully. "You're a good cook."
"But – "
Thinking she was protesting all the more, I grab one of the soiled plates from her hand and add, "Even Knives finished it all and didn't complain! Well, didn't complain as verbally as usual."
Milly's smile widened. "You're welcome, Mr. Vash. But I really didn't do anything."
I wag my finger at her in admonishment. "You shouldn't say that, Milly."
"Really, Mr. Vash. I didn't do anything."
"Of course you did," I insist, a little confused. "Who else would have done the cooking? Meryl?" I add in disbelief.
Milly's eyes crinkled in amusement. "I didn't do any of the cooking."
Oh no. Meryl? "What?" She can't be serious. Meryl can't cook. "But who – ?"
"Well, I wanted to say goodbye to all the kids at the bank. I _had_ to say goodbye before they left with their parents. I just couldn't let them go after all we've shared without one last goodbye so. . .so I told sempai."
I almost drop a plate. "You what?" I say loudly, my mind reeling. Wait a minute, wait a minute! What the hell was going on? Meryl *can't* cook. I mean she never did. I – I. . .Oh hell. I sneak a look at the black cat for answers but he too was asleep. I refuse to believe what my mind is trying to imply. "What – what did you say?"
"I told sempai." Milly shrugged and tears shimmered in her eyes momentarily. "I couldn't help it. I had to tell her that we lost our jobs and that I just had to say goodbye to the kids. So we switched for today. She offered to cook and I would do tomorrow's shopping. She didn't mind. She even said something about waiting for you to show up. Then we all had ice cream and cookies and donuts before they left."
"You what?" My, I was repetitive today. "You and Meryl had ice cream and cookies?"
Milly stares at me as if I had just turned stupid. Not too hard a stretch if it was Meryl. But from Milly the look seems. . .disturbing. "The kids and I. I just told you over dinner. It was fun. You would have liked it Mr. Vash," she added. "Sempai probably got here before me to have finished so much cooking."
"To – to cook?" I stutter.
"Yes." Milly laughed girlishly. "You didn't think she could cook, did you? You should be complimenting her on her cooking." A light seemed to suddenly go on in Milly's eyes and she snapped her fingers. "Maybe that's why she's upset, Mr. Vash. You should go and tell her you liked her cooking."
"But – but what about the tray?" I ask, my voice rising slightly in panic. Okay. I can believe the cooking but I refuse to make the connection with the tray. She couldn't have! She just couldn't have!
She tilted her head in question. "Tray? What tray?"
I giggle nervously. Screwed. I am so totally screwed. And dead. Yup. She's heard the confession. Meryl has heard me confess to Knives. Oh yeah. I might as well have shouted it out loud. I am so totally screwed. Knives is going to be sooo pleased that I am going to be sooo tortured.
"Mr. Vash? What's the matter?"
"Oh nothing, nothing." Nothing but my ass on the line. I hope that Meryl didn't hear me. I hope she didn't hear Knives either. I hope that I'm wrong on both hopes.
Dammit. I know I might as well stop hoping. I *know* she heard us. How could she not have? I might as well have put up a sign over my head with her name surrounded by big glowing hearts. Yeah. That would have totally scared her.
Oh dear.
"Maybe you can go tonight and tell her."
That I love her? "Tell her what?"
"Tell her that she's a good cook, Mr. Vash. What else?"
What else indeed? You are an idiot, Vash! Why didn't you notice? She must have heard you. She must have! There was no other way she couldn't have. The tray. The cooking. The medical kit ready on the table. She'd been there the whole time. She'd been getting ready to take care of Knives (well, to glare at Knives anyway). She'd been there. How could she not have heard? Wait a minute! Why didn't she knock!? Oh wait. Of course she wouldn't have knocked. Why would she? It wasn't like there were any secrets in the house. It wasn't like she usually knocked on Knives's door. Oh damn, I'm rambling.
"Mr. Vash?"
"Yes, Milly?"
"Are you really okay?"
"Yes, Milly."
"Do you want a donut?"
I smile at her, goofy as always. I can't refuse. She's going to know that something really is wrong if I refuse. "Sure!"
Milly laughed. "I don't think we should, Mr. Vash. Sempai might be hungry later, remember?"
"Right," I reply brightly but inside I don't really feel it. In fact, I feel like the stew and the first box of donuts were having the worst gunfight on Gunsmoke ever. She knows. What the hell am I going to do now?
*****************
Author's Notes: I almost forgot! Happy Valentine's Day everybody!
Author's Notes: Gasp! I'm actually still alive! I know some of you reviewers out there thought that I was no longer writing. I am. Really. But it's difficult to concentrate at this point. I only put up this chapter now because I have two papers due by Tuesday and I couldn't think of any other way of de-stressing than to hang out with my adorable Vash. So here's a new chapter. Enjoy! That is, after you go through the rambling list of acknowledgements. As always, have fun finding yourselves.
Priestess_Midoriko: I hope the waiting paid off!
Cloud-Bahamut: I also hope your waiting paid off!
Melodic: I HAVE to finish this? Is that an order? Would you like fries with that? LOL.
vashfan331: Hmm… "cliffhangers will be the death of me"…*pokes at prostrate body with stick* Are you still alive? Because I don't know how to explain dead reviewers to fanfic.net.
Just A Weirdo: *returning stick* Thanks for the poking stick. I, er, used it to poke a reviewer. I hope you don't mind.
Neptune21: *shouting* You don't have to stand so far away anymore! I'm done writing this chapter now so you can read over my shoulder. I won't mind.
silent otaku: Surprisingly, I'm not as hilarious in real life. I wonder why that could be. *snaps fingers* Oh yeah! I forgot. The voices in my head tell me not to be. "Shut up!" "No you shut up!" "I am too funny!" Ahem. Excuse me while I medicate.
Zarina: You thought you were reading a "Romance"? My dear, you've got it all wrong. I'm writing "Suspense." LOL.
FireDemonKitsune84: "Update soon"? You know me better than that!
angelspice_22: Why? What did your chem teacher do?
Exeter: You think I don't ramble? Why thanks! As I was saying. . .
the old fart: Always lovely to hear from you. Review and re-review as many times as you wish. And by the way, I'll have you know the kama sutra read-along DOES have sound effects. Or so I've been told. *grin*
kitty-jinxx: *evil cackle* Please grovel. I don't mind groveling. Or donuts. Or Vash feeding me donuts. Ahem. Where was I again?
Chiruken: I'm here to please!
AnonymousTrigunOtaku: Thanks!
Neptune Butterfly: I repeat: NO ONE is too old for stuffed animals. And I'm glad you liked the kitty!
Sweet Sere: *re-reading review* Umm…thank you.
Alpha Draconis1: Nope. No donuts left. I think Milly may have hidden them.
Sets17: Love and peace to you too!
Scarlet Rurouni: *drools in jealousy* I wish I had a cute bishounen slave to do things to…er, for me.
Rainy-days13: Dum dum dum! And here's the next update!
Vashfan: Hmm…have I seen you before?
PurpleRoses: Softening up? Knives? Are you kidding me?
Dreamer_of_Night: Fireworks? Do they celebrate Fourth of July on Gunsmoke?
Bourgeois Babe: What do you think is going to happen?
Magicalfoci: *in Sigmund Freud's voice* Yes. I believe Vash ze Stampede suffers from donuteculitis and Merylicutitis.
Chibi Atto-san: *shaking head* And I thought _I_ was the only one around here with voices in my head.
Weiila: Yes. Vash is silly ain't he? But that's what makes him so totally huggable!
Tough Cookie: Do that again…the part where you quote me. (I just saw "Ever After" and that line, though I modified it, always gets me all…tingly.)
Vashra BloodReeper: PMS? Meryl? Nooooo… *bonk* Ow! Damn it!
wheelers_hanyou: New Mexico, huh? For some reason I thought you were Australian. But anyway…another chapter. Yay!
evil squeede: Mood swings? Noooo *bonk* Ow! Damn it, Meryl! That comment was about Vash! Meryl: Sorry. Reflex.
NeptuneHelena: Don't fall off the edge of your seat.
Orion Kohaishu: Hmm…do you mean falafel? That's a type of bread, right?
And speaking of bread. . .I love rye bread. I've just discovered grilled cheese sandwiches using rye bread is mmm. . .yummy. You just have to be careful that you clean the ironing board afterwards because that damn cheese doesn't come off so easily from your shirt that you need to use to get to work. That's my tip for all of you for today. Enjoy the chapter!
**************
Chapter 12
Four helpings of stew and a box of donuts later. . .
"Wow, Mr. Vash," Milly giggled. "No leftovers again!"
"I guess not," I grin. It wasn't all my fault that there were no leftovers left. "Thanks for helping me, Milly."
"I don't think you needed any help at all, Mr. Vash."
I bowed to her graciously over the empty bowls. "But you insisted, Milly!"
She blushed and her giggle turned into a full laugh. "Sempai is going to be very happy that it was all gone."
"I don't know about that Milly," I say. "She didn't really eat much and I doubt she's going to be very happy when she finds no leftovers in the middle of the night."
For a moment, Milly looked contritely at Meryl's empty place. But the moment quickly passed. "Well there's always the other box of donuts," she says brightly.
"That's right," I say eagerly, ready to sprint for the other box still left on the kitchen counter.
"Mr. Vash," she gently reprimands.
I hesitate. "Huh?"
"Sempai, Mr. Vash," she says gently. She gives me a meaningful look, raising her eyebrows as if I should have figured it (whatever *it* was) out already.
"But it's donuts, Milly! Donuts!"
She blinked and the expectant look was gone. "Sempai might be hungry later, Mr. Vash."
"Oh. That." The sweet delicacy and instant gratification of donuts and Meryl completely pissed off at me? Or. . . the agony of letting food go to waste and having Meryl worry (and probably also pissed off) that I didn't eat the donuts? There was no way in hell I was going to win so. . ."But Milly–" I raise my eyes imploringly. "Donuts."
Milly smiles at me, that smile that always makes me think she sees the world as children see it: innocent, hopeful. "Fine," I grumble. *sigh* It's Meryl over donuts any day anyway. Well, maybe every other day. Meryl one day, donuts the next. Or yummiest of all yummies. . . Meryl feeding me donuts. Yummm…."I was only hoping, Milly."
"I know you were."
"What?" Did I say that last yum out loud? "Uh, what was that?"
"I knew you were hoping."
"Hoping for what?"
Millly's puzzled look was classic. "For donuts, Mr. Vash. Isn't that what you said."
"Er, yeah. Of course, the donuts. He he," I laugh uncomfortably.
She laughs again and I knew that the laughter was genuine. "You are funny, Mr. Vash. I can't understand why sempai always gets mad around you. You're always funny."
"And charming," I add.
She grinned. "That too," she responded and stood to start cleaning up.
"Wait a minute," I protest.
"What is it?"
"It's my turn to clean up."
"No, it isn't," Milly said in surprise. "It's sempai's."
"Well, yes, technically it is, but I should do it. It's only fair." Yeah, because who knows what reason that woman's mind can come up with just to be angry at me. She's probably going to scream at me for never helping out and blah, blah, blah.
"You should let me help," Milly says cheerfully.
"No, it's okay. I'm trying to be fair."
"Are you sure, Mr. Vash?"
"Of course! I haven't broken _that_ many dishes," I joke. "Besides it's the least I can do after such a good meal." I grin wider and pat my very satisfied stomach.
Milly giggled.
"I didn't know you were such a good cook, Milly!"
Milly beamed brightly and grinned. "Thanks, Mr. Vash, but – "
"Don't be modest, Milly," I nudge her playfully. "You're a good cook."
"But – "
Thinking she was protesting all the more, I grab one of the soiled plates from her hand and add, "Even Knives finished it all and didn't complain! Well, didn't complain as verbally as usual."
Milly's smile widened. "You're welcome, Mr. Vash. But I really didn't do anything."
I wag my finger at her in admonishment. "You shouldn't say that, Milly."
"Really, Mr. Vash. I didn't do anything."
"Of course you did," I insist, a little confused. "Who else would have done the cooking? Meryl?" I add in disbelief.
Milly's eyes crinkled in amusement. "I didn't do any of the cooking."
Oh no. Meryl? "What?" She can't be serious. Meryl can't cook. "But who – ?"
"Well, I wanted to say goodbye to all the kids at the bank. I _had_ to say goodbye before they left with their parents. I just couldn't let them go after all we've shared without one last goodbye so. . .so I told sempai."
I almost drop a plate. "You what?" I say loudly, my mind reeling. Wait a minute, wait a minute! What the hell was going on? Meryl *can't* cook. I mean she never did. I – I. . .Oh hell. I sneak a look at the black cat for answers but he too was asleep. I refuse to believe what my mind is trying to imply. "What – what did you say?"
"I told sempai." Milly shrugged and tears shimmered in her eyes momentarily. "I couldn't help it. I had to tell her that we lost our jobs and that I just had to say goodbye to the kids. So we switched for today. She offered to cook and I would do tomorrow's shopping. She didn't mind. She even said something about waiting for you to show up. Then we all had ice cream and cookies and donuts before they left."
"You what?" My, I was repetitive today. "You and Meryl had ice cream and cookies?"
Milly stares at me as if I had just turned stupid. Not too hard a stretch if it was Meryl. But from Milly the look seems. . .disturbing. "The kids and I. I just told you over dinner. It was fun. You would have liked it Mr. Vash," she added. "Sempai probably got here before me to have finished so much cooking."
"To – to cook?" I stutter.
"Yes." Milly laughed girlishly. "You didn't think she could cook, did you? You should be complimenting her on her cooking." A light seemed to suddenly go on in Milly's eyes and she snapped her fingers. "Maybe that's why she's upset, Mr. Vash. You should go and tell her you liked her cooking."
"But – but what about the tray?" I ask, my voice rising slightly in panic. Okay. I can believe the cooking but I refuse to make the connection with the tray. She couldn't have! She just couldn't have!
She tilted her head in question. "Tray? What tray?"
I giggle nervously. Screwed. I am so totally screwed. And dead. Yup. She's heard the confession. Meryl has heard me confess to Knives. Oh yeah. I might as well have shouted it out loud. I am so totally screwed. Knives is going to be sooo pleased that I am going to be sooo tortured.
"Mr. Vash? What's the matter?"
"Oh nothing, nothing." Nothing but my ass on the line. I hope that Meryl didn't hear me. I hope she didn't hear Knives either. I hope that I'm wrong on both hopes.
Dammit. I know I might as well stop hoping. I *know* she heard us. How could she not have? I might as well have put up a sign over my head with her name surrounded by big glowing hearts. Yeah. That would have totally scared her.
Oh dear.
"Maybe you can go tonight and tell her."
That I love her? "Tell her what?"
"Tell her that she's a good cook, Mr. Vash. What else?"
What else indeed? You are an idiot, Vash! Why didn't you notice? She must have heard you. She must have! There was no other way she couldn't have. The tray. The cooking. The medical kit ready on the table. She'd been there the whole time. She'd been getting ready to take care of Knives (well, to glare at Knives anyway). She'd been there. How could she not have heard? Wait a minute! Why didn't she knock!? Oh wait. Of course she wouldn't have knocked. Why would she? It wasn't like there were any secrets in the house. It wasn't like she usually knocked on Knives's door. Oh damn, I'm rambling.
"Mr. Vash?"
"Yes, Milly?"
"Are you really okay?"
"Yes, Milly."
"Do you want a donut?"
I smile at her, goofy as always. I can't refuse. She's going to know that something really is wrong if I refuse. "Sure!"
Milly laughed. "I don't think we should, Mr. Vash. Sempai might be hungry later, remember?"
"Right," I reply brightly but inside I don't really feel it. In fact, I feel like the stew and the first box of donuts were having the worst gunfight on Gunsmoke ever. She knows. What the hell am I going to do now?
*****************
Author's Notes: I almost forgot! Happy Valentine's Day everybody!