Disclaimer: Don't own Trigun. If I did, Wolfwood would never have died in the first place.

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A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to update. I've been having a slight virus problem with my computer (all better now!), tons of schoolwork (I have three 5 page papers due in the next week. Yipee!), and an overall lack of inspiration. I guess that's what I get for leaving you guys with such a big cliffhanger.

Anyways, you should thank Luna-Kitsune-Blu for this update. I got inspired to write this after reading her brand new fic, "White Flag." I suggest everyone go read it, it's really awsome and it just spoke to me. Wherever you are, Blu, I thank you! *Bows in thanks*

On with the show!

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Desert Sands

By: Batbabe

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Chapter 8

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He looked down at the small trinket in his hand, debating whether or not to give it to her. It wasn't like he had been planing to give her something, but it just seemed to call to him from the jewelers window as he passed by. She'd yell at him for spending money that they didn't have, but that was her way of showing her love. He smiled slightly as he realized she was meant to have this.

Hearing a noise from the other room, Vash tucked the gift carefully into his pocket where it wouldn't be seen until he was ready for it. /I just hope she likes it...../

Looking up from the kitchen table, he saw the shorter insurance girl coming in from work with an exhausted look on her face. With Milly not working anymore, Meryl had to work twice as much as she did before. Since Vash could only get odd jobs that lasted a couple of days at the most, she was the only one who had a steady paycheck. He knew that it put a strain on her, being responsible for taking care of four (soon to be five) people, and he admired her for taking the burden on herself without complaint.

"Hey short girl! How was your day?" He beamed at her.

"Well, aren't you cheery today.....even for you." Her tone dripped with sarcasm as she turned away from the sink to face him. He had a humongous grin on his face, a genuine one for once. One of her eyebrows cocked up in curiosity at what had put him in such a good mood.

/Go on Vash.....before you lose your nerve!/ His mind screamed at him.

"Well, I was just thinking about how good it is to be back and be with you lovely ladies again...." The look on her face went from curious to dubious at this. "And I just wanted to let you know how much I....uh....like you and how I'm glad you let me live here??"

That wasn't what he had meant to say AT ALL. Where had his brain gone? As soon as he began what was to be his declaration of love, or at least attraction, his mind went blank and he spoke without thinking. /Lord, Vash......you are an idiot!/ Even she was surprised at his odd choice of words, her eyes were wider than before and her eyebrows were shooting up her forehead.

She uncrossed her arms and stood away from the sink she had been leaning on. "That's good to know Vash. Thanks for sharing." She turned back to what she was doing before.

He stood swiftly from the table and crossed the room in seconds. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he gently turned her back to face him. She looked up at him, surprise all over her face. He was surprised too. He had no idea he was going to do that, he just did. Instinct is funny like that sometimes.

"That's not what I meant to say..." he began, looking into the grey depths of her eyes and seeing his face reflected in them. "I....I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate what you do for all of us....what you do for me." Her eyes grew wider and seemed to mist slightly. "And, I wanted to give you this," he fished his gift out of his pocket without breaking eye contact. "I wanted you to know how much you mean......to me." Now his eyes were watery.

He gently grasped her hand and placed the small trinket in it. It took her a few seconds to gather the courage to look at just what Vash had given her, and when she did she almost broke down in tears.

She lifted her hand to look at the small golden locket, the light in the kitchen reflected brightly from its surface. It was a smooth and oval- shaped....and the most beautiful gift she had ever received. She gazed back up at him, a tear running down her cheek, and she smiled.

"Oh, Vash. I don't know what to say. It's beautiful. You shouldn't have done this."

"I wanted to. I wanted you to have something pretty, something nice. You deserve it."

It was then that she realized just how close together they were standing. She could feel his breath lightly on her face. He smelled like spice and sun, a unique combination, but one that suited him. All traces of the facade that he used to keep people at a distance were gone, and she knew that she was looking at the real Vash. The one that he hid from the world to protect it. She was moved and felt her heart pound in her chest more than it ever had before.

He raised a gloved hand to gently wipe away her tear, never once looking away from her eyes. She realized suddenly that his face was much closer to hers then it had been a second ago, and that it was getting closer still. She smiled and anticipated finally kissing him, experiencing something that she had dreamed of for a long time.

His lips were less than an inch from hers when the front door slammed.

Both Vash and Meryl jumped apart in fright, blushing furiously. Their embarrassment was forgotten as they heard pained sobs coming from the living room.

When they entered the room, they saw Milly sitting on the couch with her head in her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Milly? Milly what's wrong??" Meryl rushed to her side, concern evident in her voice.

"He....he.......he.....!" She chooked out between sobs.

"He who, what?" Vash asked from his kneeling position in front of the bigger girl.

She looked up at him, pain and anger evident in her pale eyes, "It's Nicholas......he's not dead....."

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A/N: So, what do you think?? R&R!