Jackie; 53 reviews! YAY! 'does a cartwheel'. You guys are the best! 'sniff' 'tear' I love you guys! 'turns on her best party music and boogies on down'

I'm also doing smashingly well on my diet! I was on bedrest for a view years and needless to say I lost my girlish figure. I'm getting it back slowly but surely. It was a small price to pay for my two perfect babies.

DISCLAIMER; I don't own Trigun

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The next morning Knives was making breakfast. Mira woke up to a loud "OUCH" as a spatter jumped from the pan to Knives's hand. He was getting better and better at cooking, but he still needed a lot of work. Mira smiled as she entered the Kitchen, re-wrapping the robe around herself.

"Morning, handsome," Mira said with a hint of a smile.

"Morning, Beautiful," Knives said and cursed as another spatter hit his hand.

Mira grabbed his hand and kissed it lightly. As she turned down the heat she said, "You've got the stove on to high, and you should drain the grease like this, periodically."

Mira pulled out a can of congealed bacon grease and drained off some of the liquid excess in the frying pan. She left the can there on the counter so he could do the same as needed. She sat down at the table and continued to smile at him as he toiled.

"You keep the grease?" Knives asked with a hint of disgust.

"Yes, unrefined it works well to grease the farm equipment," She started, "What doesn't get used for that I filter and sterilize for shortening."

"I see," Knives said, "What is shortening for?"

"Lots of things," She answered, "like greasing a cake pan so it won't stick when you bake it."

"Will you show me?" Knives asked.

"How is it that you never learned?" Mira asked, "You seem to have a great thirst to learn new things. I can't believe a man of your age doesn't know how to do such things for himself."

"I was distracted," Knives answered softly.

Knives put together a plate of food for each of them and set one in front of Mira while he sat down with the other. Mira readily ate her food, but she realized Knives was only picking at his. She took a drink of water and said, "Okay… So what's wrong with you this morning?"

"I guess I'm just waiting and dreading," Knives answered.

"About what, love?" Mira asked.

"You know," Knives said.

Knives replayed the conversation to Mira through their link that he had never bothered to let drop.

'…What are you?'

'I'll explain later. Besides does it really matter?'

Mira interrupted.

'I believe I said that, as a matter of fact, it didn't'

'You need to know'

'Why?'

'You just do.'

'Then show me'

Knives took a deep shaking breath and replayed the whole story. Every laugh shared with Rem and the crew, every time Steve beat him, how he caused the big fall, all the people he slaughtered…

Mira's face contorted in disbelief. Only assholes and the criminally insane want me. She began to cry.

'STOP! Oh please, stop!'

'Wait, the next part is important.'

Then he showed her his times with her through his eyes. He made her privy to every thought that passed through his head. She watched him from the inside, changing. When it was done, Knives could only sit there watching her. He waited, waited for her to reject him.

"I did that?" She breathed, "I changed you?"

Knives nodded. He shook as he said, "It was wrong, last night, I should have told you before… I…"

Knives felt the beginnings of tears sting his eyes. Geese, I'm becoming a big baby like Vash. He stood up and faced away from her as he said, "I understand if you want me to go."

"Sit down," Mira growled.

Knives did as he was told… THERE'S A SHOCK. Mira looked at him for a long time before saying, "I SAID it didn't matter didn't I? I love you. Nothing you did makes sense to me, but that's not who you are right now. Who you are right now is who I love."

Knives blinked at her and said, "You realize that the day will come when I will have to face what I've done."

"I understand," Mira nodded.

"Thank you," Knives said with a sigh of relief, "For everything."

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Jackie; No chickens. You're only supposed to try for 4-5 days past the hatch date. 'frowns' I don't suspect this hatch will make it, in spite of the fact I can see them moving around in their shells. I keep hoping that I'm going to hear them peep. A peep is a good sign that hatching is less than a day away. This may sound stupid but I cheep at them everyday, because it can encourage them to hatch. They hear other birds and want to get to them. 'crosses fingers' There's still time for them to make it. Go eggs, go!