Jackie: Look at all the reviews! You guys are SOOOooOOOOOO Awesome!

Hello to my new reviewers! Welcome to my den of insanity!

The chickens are well, and my goat is going to kid any day now.

I just finished a LOAD of homework, and still have TONS left to do. sigh Why do I torture myself with a double-full time course load? Oh well, here's to procrastination!

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Chapter 35;

The base seemed hauntingly empty. They encountered almost no resistance in raiding the supply room and escaping to their car. It was almost as if no one cared enough to stop them, so they just let them go.

Millie, Nick, Vash, and Meryl took shifts driving home so they could get there faster. Knives hovered over Mira, spooning broth down her throat and changing her bandages regularly. Vash couldn't help smiling from time to time at his brother. Vash had always known Knives had a loving side to him. It was good to see it expressed.

"You never explained," Knives said cradling Mira in his lap, "What happened? Why didn't the bulb make you insane?"

"I was kind of wondering that myself," Wolfwood said.

"Well, about the time you turned Rem into a child molester," Vash started and Knives winced, "It became clear that it just wasn't real. I concentrated really hard. I made a dark little place in my mind. I pushed all the horrible thoughts and feelings of negativity I had into that cold, dark place. When I felt myself being drawn from the bulb, I shoved that space out into the void. Actually, it was quite therapeutic! I'd say I'm more myself than I've ever been!"

Knives blinked at Vash and grumble, "You always were annoyingly good at getting out of my traps."

"Yeah, I guess so!" Vash said and laughed.

"You don't have to gloat," Knives growled.

'SO…. You and Meryl haven't, eh, had your first night as man and wife have you?'

'Nope, we kind of got interrupted, remember?'

"Aren't you happy I figured it out?" Vash asked.

'So, what are your plans?'

'I don't know, the house I'm having built shouldn't be ready for us yet, and I feel a little awkward about doing it in the same house as Millie and Wolfwood'

"Yes," Knives said simply, "But must you be so annoying about it?"

'You're such an idiot! How could you possibly STILL have issues about this? You aren't really going to make her wait even LONGER?'

'Well, I…'

'You are such a moron; I can't believe we're related. Besides, if it's that big a deal, that's what a HOTEL is for!'

"Hey that's not nice!" Vash whined. No one knew what he really meant by it.

Even with shift changes, driving straight through was difficult. Everyone was more than a little happy to see the town come into view a few days later. They rushed Mira to the hospital and waited for hours before a doctor finally came out and told them that Mira was alright. They had given her a blood transfusion and done some skin graphs, closing the gaping wounds with stitches. She would have a nasty scar, but she would live.

"I'm staying here," Knives said, "So if someone would like to make use of the house…"

"Oh, I think we'll be fine," Vash said.

"No," Knives sneered, "You won't."

'For goodness sakes, Vash! Are you that dense? Take the house and TAKE your wife!'

'But she's probably really tired and-'

'Vash I swear I will remove your right to call yourself a man if-'

'okay! Okay! Gee, and here I thought you were past the whole violent psychopath thing'

In spite of not being linked like the brothers, Meryl seemed to sense what was going on. She stepped toe to toe with Vash and Knives and said, "Don't you think it's a GOOD idea, Vash. The house would be REALLY CROWDED with four newly weds in it."

Vash looked down into Meryl's lavender eyes. She was giving him her famous 'do it or I will hurt you' look. He threw up his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, I suppose it would help," Vash said, "The house only has one shower, and with four people that's a lot of waiting."

"EXACTLY!" Meryl said, unable to hide her excitement.

"And we'll pick up your children, Kni- I mean, Triston," Millie chimed, "The sitter is probably wondering what happened to us, even if Mira did tell her it would be a few weeks."

"Thanks," Knives said, "Richard?"

"Yes?" Vash asked.

"We have a fireplace," Knives said with a wink and a nudge, "In case you get cold."

With that Knives went into Mira's room and the two newly married couples went to separate houses.

……………………..

Jackie: Vash x Meryl fluff to ensue. Thanks for your patience!