A/N: (sigh) Okay, I decided to change the chapter. Nothing too explicit, so the PG-13 rating can stay for the rest. Thanks to the readers and reviewers!
Found
Knives had remained physically uncomfortable for the rest of the day, and what was worse, he didn't know why. All searches in the computer databases for the reason were disturbing to his unemotional mind. Physical reaction for mating. The thought of him with anyone was disturbing, but with a spider!?
But she isn't a spider his mind reminded him. That thought put less weight on his moral discrepancies, but what was he to do with this new problem? To say that he was uncomfortable around her now would be an understatement. Knives had never before felt lust or the type of love he was experiencing now. The emotions were confusing to him, but somehow enjoyable.
Still, for the past few days Knives had avoided Erica whenever he could, even foregoing meals. He would make the excuse that he was researching or working on the computer system. Neither of which Vash nor the spider seemed to believe.
Erica was just fine with the way he was acting toward her. When she'd seen Knives rush out, her first instinct had been to march after him and physically injure him to an inch of his plant life. But she hadn't trusted to her feelings at that moment, and had opted to ignore him.
And Vash was caught in the middle of the very confused and frustrated couple. He needed to think of a plan, and fast, or they would be at this game for the rest of their long lives. An idea suddenly came to his mind as he munched on his fiftieth donut of the day, and he merely needed to piece together the details.
Sitting at his computer a week after the incident, Knives absently ran the scheduled maintenance check on the ship. Knives wanted to find out what he felt for the spider, knew he had to before he went insane with the emotions. But how to get his idiot brother out of the way to find out long enough to discover the truth? But then, Vash was doing everything in his power to get them alone. The trip to town, the training exercise, and probably the incident in the cargo room. His mind was still preoccupied with how to remove Vash from the ship without being too obvious or forceful, when suddenly the door opened behind him. The problem of his thoughts walked through into the room, and Knives knew Vash was serious about something. The usual idiotic grin was nowhere to be seen, and Vash wasn't tripping over everything and causing his general chaos.
"Knives, we need to talk" he said, leaning against the computer monitor in front of Knives. Vash was even interrupting his work to speak with him.
"There's nothing to talk about" Knives grumbled, getting up from his chair and pacing the room. "Nothing happened" he lied, hoping to throw the blonde gunman off the trail.
"So you did almost do it" he commented casually, as if they were talking about the weather. Vash knew Knives was still uneasy about his body's reaction, so thought it best to not unbalance him more by teasing him. His goofy acting would also get in the way right now, since there was quite a lot at stake here. Including the possible future happiness of his brother.
Knives nodded his head guiltily, ashamed that Vash knew of his actions. Now he would never hear the end of it, especially with his brother's big mouth traveling all over Gunsmoke.
"You were projecting rather well" Vash continued, staring him straight in the eye. "I had a hard time trying not to spy on your activities. You should be more careful next time, or our sisters will find out."
Knives couldn't believe what he was hearing. Vash, the biggest crybaby and womanizer in all of Gunsmoke, was giving him a lecture on controlling his emotions. And what did he mean by 'next time'?!
Vash watched his brother's face turn from disbelief to outright embarrassment at his comments. The donut crazed plant knew more than he let on, and right now he saw his brother put into a position he'd never thought he'd see him in. Being physically and emotionally attracted to a female who only a few weeks ago had been part of the species he was intent on killing. Fate was certainly playing the irony rather strongly for this chance coupling. Well, I may as well help the old lady out.
"Well, anyway, I came here to tell you I'm off to town" he said, suddenly walking toward the door. His usual cheeriness had returned, and the famous $$60 billion grin had appeared. "I'm gonna be gone for the night. Have to write to Meryl, get a new stock of donuts, and party at the bar." He waved to Knives, then abruptly walked out the door.
Staring speechless at the now closed door, Knives suddenly realized what Vash was doing. His idiotic brother was giving him time alone with her. A lot of time. But what to do with it?
Later in the day found Erica and Knives walking through the ship together, neither saying a word. The deranged plant had caught the girl in the kitchen, feeding Pussy his meal. He'd rather abruptly grabbed her arm and marched her out of the room, muttering something about more training.
Erica had gone along willingly enough, though Knives hadn't explained his actions any further. Looking around, she suddenly realized that the hall was familiar. They were in the 'restricted' area, as Knives had described the portion of the ship on her tour with him. Coming to a pair of doors, the plant opened them and stepped in. She followed, wondering why they were here and what exactly he wanted. Looking around, she was surprise to find where they were. The two of them were in the quarters she'd previously noticed, when she'd taken her own personal tour of the ship. The ones she had wished were hers.
"My room" was all Knives said, his face turned away from hers.
Erica blushed at the answer, considering her earlier thoughts. Unless Knives gave them to her, there was now only one way to have these rooms as hers. And it involved two people and one bed. But the idea did appeal to her.
Shut up!! she yelled to herself, suddenly remembering that Knives had heard her thoughts before. But could he hear them all the time?
"Um, can you hear all my thoughts?" she asked suddenly. Great, that won't make him suspicious, and maybe curious.
"I choose not to" he answered calmly, though inwardly he wondered why she was now asking such a question. What would her thoughts tell him? "I am able to block out all but the loudest thoughts. I got tired of hearing Vash's thoughts on women and donuts."
"Why are we here?" Erica asked, swiftly changing the subject.
"To give you a lesson on how to bring forth your powers. My room is the most comfortable space in the ship, and one needs to focus everything on merely calling the energy."
"Is that why Vash can't use his powers very well?" she asked curiously.
"Mostly" he said, giving her a small smile. He had to agree with her assumption, since his brother was very easily distracted. Though Vash's refusal to embrace his plant side was another large part of the stunted development. "Which is a good thing, because his emotional outbursts would have destroyed the planet by now."
Erica snickered at the joke, then realized that Knives had just made a joke. She scrutinized his face, wondering where the turn had come from and why. The girl didn't quite trust his intentions, ever since the incident in the arboretum. But then, her mind was definitely not thinking clean thoughts at the moment.
"Exactly where are we going to practice in here?"
"On the bed, unless you'd rather we sit on the floor" Knives said, his face turned away from her.
Looking around the room, Erica noticed there wasn't anywhere else for them to sit. Strange she thought, even my room has a table and chairs. And how strangely convenient. Mentally shrugging and slapping herself for the last comment, she brushed the thoughts aside.
Erica looked to the piece of furniture mentioned and noticed with some curiosity that it had no headboard, the pillows merely resting against the wall. Nervously she walked over to the bed and tentatively sat down. Just as she had surmised on her first look, the bed was more comfortable than her own. But she jumped when she felt the bed sink, as Knives settled down beside her. Very close beside her. As in their bodies were touching and she could practically feel his breath on her neck.
Erica shifted her body farther away, and was shocked when Knives followed her. She could feel her body starting to react to his intimacy, making her wish she was somewhere else. So deep in her thoughts, the girl nearly shrieked when she felt the plant's hands occupying her own.
"You can't pull the power from yourself alone yet. But I'll show you how" he almost whispered, sending a shiver down Erica's spine. She nodded her head numbly, trying not to shake from...what? Excitement? Fear? She wasn't sure, but her body was quite willing to find out.
Knives' mouth turned up in a smirk as he watched Erica's face become bright red. Closing his eyes, he concentrated at the task at hand. Feeling his way through her mind, he found the proverbial door to her untapped strength. Releasing her energy would be easy, but getting her to sustain the force would be the difficult part. He started opening her mind's door, careful not to let too much out at once.
Erica watched Knives' face as he closed his eyes, wondering what she was supposed to be doing to help. Suddenly, she saw a glow and looked down at the source, her eyes widening as their hands began to emit a faint light. Warmth spread up her arms, eventually engulfing her body in a comforting embrace.
"Now hold it" Knives commanded, guiding her mind with his. As he felt her mimic his actions, he slowly took his hands off hers. The light between them wavered when the connection was severed, but only slightly.
Erica felt a little regret when he let go of her hands, causing a dip in the amount of energy she was releasing. Shutting her eyes, she quickly regained control of the power. After a few minutes of retaining the level, she began to wonder how long she was going to have to do this. Suddenly Erica's eyes shot open. She distinctly felt a pair of hands wander across her stomach, then sliding down behind to catch her buttocks. She jerked her head up and looked into the very possessive eyes of Millions Knives. What in the hell is he doing?! she screamed in her mind, flinching away from his touch.
Knives had been watching Erica's concentrating face, her eyes closed tight in the effort. Almost against his will, he tentatively reached out. Brushing his hand across her flat stomach, he found himself exploring farther down. He was almost disgusted with himself, but the feel of her curves was definitely getting a pleasurable response from his body. Though when Erica jerked away, he wondered if she was enjoying his 'pettings'. But he needed to find out why he felt this way about the girl before him, and what she felt about him. Whether the attraction was one of a physical or emotional need.
Erica looked openly shocked at Knives' sudden outburst of affection, with her mind frantically trying to figure out why he'd done such actions. But as she remembered the look in his eyes, she realized his intentions weren't of an evil nature. And she definitely wanted to feel more of his touches, possibly carry on what they'd started a week before. Taking a deep breath, Erica decided to make her own move. Hopefully I won't regret this she thought nervously. Suddenly leaning over the small distance between them, she caught Knives' mouth with her own.
Knives was more than a little surprised when Erica's soft lips were brought against his, catching his mouth open. A very willing tongue took the opportunity to slide into his mouth, shyly playing with his own. He obliged with an answering groan, grabbing the girl's hips and closing the distance between them to nothing. After a few moments, their mouths finally parted, each gasping at their close embrace. Erica moved farther down the bed, laying herself out before him. And Knives willingly followed...
Some time later found Erica resting on Knives naked chest, each catching their breaths after their 'training session.' Neither could believe what had happened, but the truth before them was obvious.
"Don't tell Vash" Knives said, hugging her against him.
"I won't" she answered softly, tracing circles along the contours of his chest. Her heart was singing in gladness, but her mind couldn't believe what she'd found. She'd uncovered an emotion in the genocidal plant that she'd never expected to find. Love. She couldn't believe she was in love with the most destructive creature on the planet.