A/N: The chapter's a little short, but the content is definitely interesting. And to nicksama, I apologize for the loss of your sandwich (snicker). Thanks everybody!!!

Confusion

During the return trip, Knives grew worried with Erica's condition. Not once did she stir in her seat, and her breathing was irregular. He couldn't see any outward signs of injury, but thought maybe her transforming arm had caused her to go into shock. But the girl's state would be better analyzed after they arrived at the ship.

As they approached the large dome, the normally calm plant began to wish the spider beside him would make any movement. Her breathing was still abnormally fast and beads of sweat were starting to form along her brow. She might be more seriously injured than he first thought, and at the moment, Knives could do nothing to help her.

In front of the ship, Knives could see his brother standing with Pussy in his arms. They were waiting for their return, and were in for an unpleasant surprise. He parked the car as close to the entrance as possible,

"What's wrong?" Vash asked quickly, seeing his brother's pale face. He ran over to the vehicle and felt his panic rising as he watched Knives lift Erica's limp body from the seat. "What happened?"

"A group of foolish spiders attacked her. In self-preservation, Erica almost created an angel arm" Knives said, pushing past his brother and rushing into the ship toward the medical facility. Thankfully, his obsessive cleanliness had kept all areas of his home well sterilized and stocked, including the medical equipment.

Reaching the medical facility, Knives kicked open the door and quickly walked over to one of the long white beds, placing her on the soft covers. He placed his hand over her heart, feeling the organ move erratically beneath his palm.

Thankfully, Knives had read quite a bit on human anatomy, so he was able to recognize a deep state of shock. Though ironically, his initial purpose for learning medicine was not to help them. His knowledge had been meant to kill the filthy spiders, through the use of biological disease. Now here he was, using the skills to help one of the creatures he so despised.

Unfortunately, Erica had also contracted a high fever and her body temperature was quickly rising. Her body began to shake as the sickness quickly worsened, while the sheets became soaked with her sweat. Knives was glad he hadn't taken her to the angels, because the fever may have spread from her body to theirs.

Walking over to one of the many cabinets lining the walls, he found the medicine he was looking for. An injection of antibiotics was quickly administered, while Knives placed a damp towel on her forehead and prepared several more for later.

Meanwhile, Vash looked on with Pussy still in his arms. He watched the whole process calmly, trusting in his brother's ability to save Erica. He'd never seen Knives so focused, and would never have believed the reason was because a human was injured. Besides, something his brother had said was occupying most of his thoughts, especially when he saw the deranged plant's shoulders relax.

Knives breathed a sigh of relief as Erica's breathing slowed and the shaking had disappeared. Her fever was still raging, but he had a foot hold on the sickness.

"She has what humans used to call a 'brain fever'" Knives said, addressing his anxious brother. "The shock of seeing her own arm transform into a weapon was too much for her mind to comprehend, so her body was affected."

"So she'll be all right soon?" Vash asked quietly, cautiously entering the room.

"Yes" Knives said, busily checking the wet cloth on Erica's head and putting the medicine back into the cabinets.

"I wanted to ask you something, Knives."

"What?" Knives asked absently.

"Do you realize you said her name?" Vash suddenly asked, catching Knives off guard.

Knives stopped his cleaning, rethinking the words he'd said since they'd arrived back. His eyes widened in disgust and amazement when the psychotic plant realized that he had said the abomination's name. But he quickly shook his head and gave Vash a glare. "Now is not the time for such foolishness, Vash. She still has a fever, and even plants can die from disease."

Vash shrugged his shoulders and left the room, closing the door behind him. Knives returned to his work, but was interrupted by the sound of movement from the bed. Glancing over, he saw that Erica was staring around the room.

Erica looked around herself, momentarily confused as to where she was. She recalled having been attacked by a group of men, then something had happened to her arm. There had been so much pain, she thought someone was ripping her arm off. And then Knives had suddenly been by her side, and he'd made the pain go away. Then darkness, and now she was here, wherever here was.

Erica's vision was slightly unfocused, but as she looked around she managed to recognize the ship's steel ceilings. She turned her head to the side and saw Knives standing beside some cabinets, staring at her. She tried to sit up, but quickly fell back upon the pillows as her arms collapsed under her weight.

Knives strode over to the bed and grabbed her by the shoulders, stopping her from trying to rise a second time.

"Don't try to get up. You have a fever" he said briskly. Kneeling down, he picked up the wet cloth from the ground where it had fallen. Knives reached for a clean one and placed the new small cloth on her head.

"Thank you" Erica suddenly whispered, catching Knives off guard. Her voice was hoarse, and she could barely keep her eyes open to look at him.

"It was nothing" he mumbled, feeling slightly embarrassed at Erica's gratitude. He stepped away from the bed, realizing how physically close they'd been.

Giving him a small smile, Erica closed her eyes once more. Her breathing became deeper and Knives knew she was sleeping peacefully. He watched her for a few moments, observing the steady rise and fall of her chest, the small smile still on the corners of her mouth, the red tinge of her luscious lips.

Knives put his hands over his eyes, trying to mentally block out the sight of her laying there. "Those thoughts again" he grumbled to himself, slapping his forehead in frustration. He was confused by the emotions he was feeling, but her lips looked so inviting.

What's wrong with me he thought to himself, honestly confused by his desires. The feeling reminded him of Rem, of how he'd cared for her before he found out the horrible truth. The truth about Tessla and what they'd done to her. But somehow, this feeling of affection was a different sort, more deep and penetrating to his emotional barrier.

Wishing for some different air, and as much space as he could put between himself and the spider, he exited the infirmary. Turning, he was surprised to see Vash leaning against the wall near the door, his eyes closed and his mouth showing a hint of a smile.

"You have feelings for her" he stated, rather than asked.

"Don't be ridiculous, Vash" Knives stuttered, his face turning red at the assumption. And the possible truth in what his brother was saying. "You're the only person I care about. The spider means nothing to me."

"So she's back to being a spider?" Vash asked quietly, pushing off from the wall. He faced Knives, giving him a careful stare.

"Knives, you have to find your own life, away from mine. I'm not trying to push you away, but we can't live like this. Hiding from everyone in this ship like frightened children, with only each other to keep us company. I can't live like that, and I don't think you can either." Vash gave his brother a sad smile, showing how painful it was for him to say those words. "Do you really want to live in this shell for the rest of your long life?"

"Shut up!" he yelled, losing his normal composure. The strain of Erica's illness and his own uncontrollable thoughts were taking their toll on his restricted emotions. "There's nothing there and there never will be! She hates me and I hate her!"

Vash gave him one last long look, and turned to leave. "That's not true, Knives. I think Erica wouldn't mind spending her life with you" Vash said over his shoulder.

Knives, too shocked by his brother's words to reply, merely watched his retreating form in silence.