Jackie: 'still wearing her fifties radio announcer outfit' When we last left our heroes… 'Tears off the outfit a tosses the mic' Okay, so I'm not very good at acting. Besides, I'm sure you would rather I just got back to the story, right?

Thanks for the reviews! 'tear' You guys are so AWESOME. I wasn't going to post again today but I'm such a sucker for good reviews that I sat myself right down and got typing.

Disclaimer; …. Um, I don't own Trigun. 'sets up a lawyer to banter off in legalese' this guy will say that in at least 100 times the words, enjoy.

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Chapter 12;

Knives strained to hear the conversation before the man left the bar, but he couldn't pick up anything past the first thing the man said. Knives gritted his teeth. Suddenly the odds weren't so in his favor, and he doubted five more tickets would help. On stage, the song ended, and Knives held his breath.

Sal walked up on stage saying, "Isn't she wonderful folks?"

Sal concealed between the mic and his hand a ticket. It was the winner that he had chosen. That scum could have bought 5000 tickets and it wouldn't have made a difference. Sal put the jar on a stool that was slid forward for him by the base guitarist. Sal switched the mic to his other hand and thrust his baited hand into the jar, pretending to stir it around. Sal smiled and said, "Is everyone ready?"

The crowd cheered. Almost every man in the house was on the edge of their seats. Sal thrust his hand back into the air and said, "AND… The winning ticket is… Drum roll please?"

As the drum roll started Mira looked out into the crowd. She froze as her eyes found Knives. He was on the edge of his chair with what must have been a hundred tickets or more. His hands were shaking; his eyes were intent, like he was trying to will one of the tickets to be a winner. Mira's heart started to pound in her chest. She looked around the room again. She couldn't see the back tables but she was sure no one had bought half as many as Knives. Could that mean…

Mira looked him over. He was wearing a pair of new black jeans and a Deep blue, button-up shirt that matched his eyes. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his muscular forearms. The top two buttons were undone showing off the top of the chest she so wanted to lay her head on. He had kept his hair the same as it had been the day she saw him. It suited him. God, but he was handsome.

He had been so gruff and cutting the first days they were together in the hospital. Then, slowly he seemed to change, revealing a tender loyal side. Maybe change was the wrong word. She felt like it had always been there beneath his surface. As much as he seemed to be aggravated by his brother, she had sensed a deep devotion between them. She wanted that devotion. She wanted it so badly. Please god, let him win.

Did she dare to believe his crassness, which developed into civility, and later friendship…? Did she dare to believe it had gotten as far as love? She dreamed of it. Being the object of his affections, but she had never been fool enough to hope…

His eyes flipped up to her and both of their hearts stopped. Sal brought the ticket down and pretended to read it, "Ticket number 32206."

Knives looked down at his tickets, feverishly searching for the correct digits. His heart was in his throat. 32204, 32205, 3220…

"I've got it!" Knives roared in triumph as he jumped to his feet. Mira couldn't help smiling. The girls smiled and nodded to Sal as Knives went up to the stage.

Knives got five paces from her and stopped. What if she doesn't want to kiss me? He looked into her eyes for something. To his surprise she had already bridged the distance and wrapped her arms around his neck. Just as his lips were about to meet hers the stranger in the back came forward and growled, "Just a goddam, minute thar' lover boy. I think I got the winning ticket right HERE!"

He flipped back the hood of his cloak and motioned to his gun. The crowd screamed and started climbing over each other like animals to get out. Knives didn't need to turn around to see who it was. By the look in Mira's terrified eyes, he knew. Knives spun around and shouted, "Piece of trash! I will KILL you!"

Knives was going to link to his mind and crush it like a rotten grape! But before he could a shot rang out from beside him, cutting through his left arm and lodging in his chest. Knives was thrown to the floor.

"NO!" Mira cried and threw herself down beside him.

It was the Cavemen, and their terrifying leader, Captain Morgan. He was called that because he liked rum almost as much as he liked to inflict pain. He ripped Mira up and threw her to two of his men. Over twenty men had appeared from the crowd. This attack had been well planned.

"Serves him right," the captain sneered, "Nobody touches MY Mira."

The Captain pointed his gun at Knives's head.

SLAM!

The saloon doors flung open. Vash and Wolfwood staggered in looking very much like they would die of thirst. Almost immediately Both Vash and Wolfwood registered their mistake and dove in opposite directions.

"Kill them all" Morgan shouted with a sick grin, not affording anyone time to decide weather they were going to fight him.

He shoved the two men holding Mira out the back. As the bullets began to fly Knives staggered to his feet and ran after them. He slid to a stop outside. Mira was slowing them down considerably. As always she was fighting with everything in her, but she hadn't slowed them enough. As Knives reached out with his mind again the car started and raced out of sight.

"DAMN!" Knives howled, gripping his side.

He couldn't take someone's mind that he didn't know from this distance. That wouldn't be a problem for long. Knives Millions bubbled to his surface. His face drained of emotion and his lips curved into a wicked smile. You will pay for touching what is MINE, spider.

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Jackie; there, an extra chapter today, just cause 'sniff' I love you guys so much!