Jackie: I ALWAYS finish my stories. Have no fear. Millie and Wolfwood?... 'Tries to look innocent' I don't have ANY plans for them. 'Whistles innocently'.

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Chapter Eight;

Vash came in and dumped Knives's laundry in the basket. Then he went upstairs to collect some clean clothes for him. Knives was checked out of the hospital three days prior but he refused to leave Mira's side. When Vash had everything packed up he headed down to the kitchen to see what was for lunch.

Meryl was amazing as always. A warm plate of cheese and pasta with a freshly baked roll was waiting on the table of Vash beside a packed lunch for Knives and Mira. Meryl flew past him saying, "I'm running late!"

"We still on for tonight?" Meryl asked from the doorway.

"Sure thing, hottie," Vash said with a wink.

Meryl blushed and disappeared out the door. Vash smiled after her and sat down to eat his lunch. Meryl and the big girl were doing so much for him and his brother. He only hoped they could repay the girls when this was all over. Greedily he ate up his lunch and headed back to the hospital. He had a few stops to make on the way.

Vash stopped by the flower shop and ordered a single rose to be delivered to a table he had reserved for tonight at exactly 6pm. From there he stopped by the tailor to see if his new clothes would be ready in about two hours for pick up. His final stop was a jeweler who was creating a custom piece just for Meryl. Millie had come up with the money for it all. Vash inwardly thanked the big girl again. He arrived at the hospital at 1pm.

Mira and Knives were playing chess again. She had woken up the day before, and the doctors felt like she was improving. You couldn't tell looking at her though. It was obvious the long stay and severe wounds had taken a large toll on her. Vash set the lunch box in Mira's lap and said, "How are you doing, pretty lady?"

"Better everyday," Mira whispered.

"The doctors think she's going to make it," Knives added, "In only three days she's made great improvement."

Knives seemed to puff up with pride over his last statement. Mira blushed slightly and busied herself with rummaging through the lunch box. Vash smiled a secretive smile. Mira didn't know yet how fond Knives was of her, but he was sure that the feeling was mutual.

"Well," Vash said, "I have to go."

"Wait," Knives said as he got up.

Knives pulled Vash outside the room and closed the door. Knives looked like he was considering something very carefully. He looked at Vash seriously and said, "You need to go to my hideout."

"What?" Vash sputtered.

"The last of my army has dissolved," Knives said tapping his head, "I've been keeping tabs on them. You must go there there's… There is something I took from you there."

"Something you took from me?" Vash asked darkly.

"Yes, something you'll be wanting back," Knives said as a nurse passed by.

As a precaution Knives opened a link to Vash and said, 'Look, I know you have no reason to trust me, but you must do this.'

'What are you talking about?'

'For once could you just do what I ask?'

Vash looked long and hard on his twin. Knives was good at fooling people, especially his brother. Could everything Knives had done, everything he seemed to feel for Mira, be another lie? Vash studied him for several moments and then remembered the desperate sound in his brother's voice, and the tears in his deep blue eyes. Vash nodded slowly.

'I'll need to tell Meryl and…'

'NO! You can't take them with you. I don't want them to see that place. When I'm done here I plan to destroy it.'

'They already know what you've done. Why should it matter if they see--'

'Absolutely not!'

'Okay, okay, on one condition.'

'Yes, what?'

'Swear to me on Mira's life that it isn't a trap.'

'I swear.'

That had been easy. Knives didn't even flinch. Vash's instincts screamed at him, but he nodded to his brother. Vash turned to go and Knives sent a final message.

'It's in the plant room. Beside it is an old desk. Take it and the contents of the top, middle drawer of the desk.'

'okay.'

Knives went back into the room with Mira and Vash walked slowly out of the hospital. He wasn't looking forward to canceling his date with Meryl.

Knives sat down beside Mira and asked, "Whose move is it."

"Yours," Mira answered.

Knives was reaching for his knight when the delivery wagon rolled up. It delivered flowers and chocolates to people who had friends who were kind enough to arrange it. It never stopped for Mira, so both Knives and Mira were quite surprised.

"Miss Mira McClintock?" The cheery young man asked.

"That's me," She answered.

The boy handed her a box of cordial cherries and a card. She blinked and said, "Well, cordial cherries are my favorite but who?"

Knives shrugged his shoulders and Mira opened the card. Mira's entire expression immediately changed. She crumpled up the card and threw the box of chocolates violently across the room. She turned away from Knives and said, "Go away."

"What?" Knives asked with surprise.

"I said GO AWAY!" Mira barked, "I want to be alone."

Knives blinked. He didn't know what else to do so he got up and shut the curtain. He sat down across the room and looked down at the crumbled card. It was wrong to read it, wasn't it? But he felt compelled. He snatched of the crumpled card and went out into the hallway. He closed the door to Mira's room and sat down. Knives pressed the card as flat as he could and opened it.

I see that you are still alive, and you have a little puppy guarding you. I'm glad you lived because now I can really make you pay. He can't protect you forever.

That was all it said. Knives boiled with rage. How dare anyone threaten his Mira! Bloody coward of an insignificant spider! He would pay! Knives crumpled the card back up and stormed back into Mira's room. He flung back the curtain and stood there, staring at her.

Mira blinked and looked up at him. She had never seen Knives look so fierce. The raw intensity surrounding him amplified his good looks ten fold. His deep blue eyes stared into her, and she fought the urge to cover herself. He made her feel so… exposed. Still she matched him, stare for stare.

"He's never going to hurt you again," Knives said darkly, "He's wrong. I CAN protect you forever, and I will. If he steps within an ile of you that will be the last step he takes. I promise you that."

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Jackie; da, da, DAAAAAA! I like this chapter.