Jackie; 'hands Aine a bottle of Captain Morgan and a three leter bottle of coke' ENJOY!

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Chapter 15;

Mira's eyes blinked open as she heard something large hit the floor. Then she heard another shoot which broke the lock on the door and flung it open. There was her hero.

Knives stood before her like some dime novel Romeo, bear chested, aside from his make shift bandage, and shining with sweat. He charged in and emptied his gun into Captain Morgan. He growled under his breath, "Slime, that's more than you deserved."

Mira should have been shocked, appalled by the violent side Knives was showing. She was, sort of, but she was also excited. She was excited by the raw power that was dripping off of him, excited by the fierce look in his deep blue eyes. Her darker side agreed with him. That WAS more than Morgan deserved.

Knives put his gun away and turned to Mira. His eyes went wide and then he looked away. He felt the urge to empty another round into the man. Knives shivered as he said, "What did he do to you?"

"What?" Mira asked, "Nothing, you got here just in time."

"You're covered in blood," Knives nearly whimpered, thinking he had been too late.

"It's not mine," Mira said, "Could you get me off this table and find something for me to wear before your friends arrive?"

Knives looked back at her and knelt down. He ripped the cloak off of Morgan's dead body and took it over to Mira. He laid it delicately across her, drew his gun and shot off the locks on both shackles. Mira instantly brought her hands up and rubbed her wrists.

"Thank you," Mira said softly.

She rose and wrapped the cloak around herself as she stood. She noted how quickly Knives turned away from her. Even his back was handsome, but he seemed ashamed of something. She had a dreadful feeling that she knew what it was. She frowned and said, "You can take it back… If you want."

Knives blinked and asked, "Take what back?"

"Well," Mira started, "I kinda pressured you into saying it. I mean, it was just a heat of the moment confession, and I'm sure you just wanted to comfort me. I'm, ah, what I mean is that you can take it back. I won't be upset."

Knives arched a brow. She hadn't stopped to take a breath while she was talking. He had never seen her act this way. He walked over to her and asked, "Are you sure you are feeling alright? You aren't making any sense."

Knives reached for her forehead and she swatted it away. She began crying and said, "Don't play with me! I know you couldn't have possibly meant it. Only horrible, abusive, criminally insane men want me!"

Mira's eyes flowed over him before she turned her eyes away. She just checked me out. She crying and she checked me out! It became clear all of a sudden. Knives cupped her chin in his hand and looked at her in an appraising fashion. He had that matter-of-fact look he always got when he was about to speak to you like a small ignorant child. Mira's temper flared, and her eyes flashed. That was exactly what he wanted.

"Don't even think about it," Mira said darkly.

"About what?" Knives asked, arching a brow.

"Don't you dare use that tone of voice," She said softly.

Now, with Mira, a soft voice was a warning. She didn't yell when her anger was building. Her voice would get softer and softer, until you leaned in to hear her and then you would get it. Knives smiled brightly. Oh, how he loved her fire!

"This tone of voice?" Knives asked, "The, 'you are full of nonsense' voice? Well, deal with it because you are."

Mira would have clubbed him good if he hadn't suddenly pulled her to him, securely locking her arms down beneath the tightly wrapped cloak. It hurt to hold her like this with his wounded arm, but he couldn't have cared less. He removed his other hand from her chin and stroked he cheek lightly as he said, "Because I meant it. I meant every word. Don't you ever notice me staring? Don't you see the difference in the way I look at you? Are you that dense?"

Mira's eyes got hotter at the same time her cheeks flushed from his touch. She didn't know weather to be mad at him for talking to her that way or if she should melt in his arms. Knives slid his hand around to the back of her neck. His grip became firm, locking his fingers in her hair, as he said, "Tsk, tsk, so intelligent, and yet, so blind. Let me make it clear to you."

Knives's lips crashed down on hers before she could protest. He claimed her lips feverishly, demanding entrance. To his surprise and delight, she moaned and yielded. He hungrily claimed the inside of her mouth. He broke the kiss and pulled back her head, forcing her to crane her neck toward him. He nipped and kissed all the right spots to make her shiver. Then he whispered in her ear, "Have I made myself clear?"

"I--" Mira started.

"Hey!" Vash chimed peaking around the doorway, "Is this a bad time?"

Knives gave Vash a look that promised LOTS of pain. He released Mira and held out his hand to her. She took it, and they walked out together.

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Jackie; Oh, come now. You didn't REALLY think I'd kill her?