The short insurance girl walked stubbornly on as the tall one followed her pleading.

"He told us to stay out of it!"

"I don't care, Milly."

"Did you even notice what that man did to that wall? We're lucky we weren't killed!"

"When have you ever been shaken up by a little gunfire! Don't fake it now for my sake."

Milly stopped. "YOU'RE REALLY HARD HEADED YOU KNOW THAT?" She knew this wasn't their fight. Meryl was supposed to be the cautious one. But put Vash in some real danger and she loses her cool. What the hell was Milly supposed to do? Knock her unconscious and drag her out of town caveman style?

Meryl rounded the corner and froze.

Milly glanced up. "What is it?" She broke into a run and slid to a halt beside Meryl with her revolvers drawn. Her heart sank at the sight before her.

Bodies lined the entire street. Men, women, and children...bloodied and vacant eyed. Tears welled up in Meryl's eyes. "That monster..."

Milly spoke softly, never looking away. "Do you believe me now? This is above us."

"I know it is..." Meryl lowered her head. "But I have to know he's alive."

"Meryl..."

The short girl kept walking and Milly had no choice but to follow.

Relief washed over her. There he was...standing alone in the middle of the street. He had his back to them. Meryl took a step forward.

"STAY BACK!"

Both girls stopped cold. His voice...his voice was frightening. It didn't even sound like the same man. Meryl stared at him. "Vash..."

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

The girls watched helplessly as he walked away from them. Meryl's tears were flowing freely and her eyes looked terror stricken. "Milly...that is not the same man...that is not the man I know..."

The manner she had seen before, in the jailhouse. That was it. Was this the true Vash The Stampede? Milly was actually afraid. As he was now, she was afraid of him.

Meryl stammered. "We can't let him go...if...if we let him go now...he'll never come back...he'll never come back..."

She knew Meryl would be in hysterics, if she wasn't so horrified. "But we can't stop him...I don't think anyone can right now..."

Meryl clenched her fists. Who was he! Who was the real Vash the Stampede?

Against all her better judgement, here she was again...still in this town, still lagging behind Meryl. But the fight was over now. He had taken Monev to the ground and was screaming at him in a rage with the gun arm shoved into his face. It seemed even Vash had found his turning point. Could he really stick to his beliefs? Milly watched him painfully. His usually kind yet sad face, distorted with hatred. She wondered if that's what her face had looked like...the time she'd had the gun to Victor. Was Vash stronger than she was? God she hoped so. No matter what Monev had done. She did not want to see one more person's life splattered across the dirt like some gutted animal. Tears were forming, she prayed he wouldn't. A soul like his wouldn't be able to handle it. She didn't want to believe she might be wrong about him.

Vash leaned back crying. He couldn't decide. To take the life or not. This man did not deserve to live! But he didn't have the right to make that decision. His mind screamed for Rem's guidance. Someone...anyone to tell him. Tell him what was the right choice. This wasn't even his choice to make!

Meryl was crying. She wanted to run to him, she wanted to help him. The man she knew was breaking back through. The pain in his face was all too clear. Please...someone help him.

2 DAYS LATER

Milly lied across the bed while Meryl typed up the latest report. The events of the last town still held heavy on both girls' minds.

Milly buried her face into the welcoming pillow. She couldn't stop thinking about it now. Everything she'd pushed away for so long had come back to her in an instant...the moment she saw that horrible look on Mr.Vash's face. It reminded her of that day...the day she'd finally found him. She'd only been 18 then, but he'd recognized her the moment she'd stepped foot in that bar. He said he knew she was one of James' girls by the color of her eyes and the look within him. It didn't hurt that the custom Magnums had once belonged to her father either. She'd wanted answers. She wanted to know why Victor had ruined her the way he had. But nothing had gone the way she expected. She'd gotten angry, he'd egged her on. There'd been a fight. It scared her to remember the one-track mindset she had been on at the moment. She had actually ended up wanting that man to die. It was surprising the bar had even managed to remain standing. And when she'd finally gotten to him, she'd tackled him to the floor with her gun to his head. Victor had smiled, taunting her with vicious words...making it worse with the details of her family's brutal end. He said she was too soft hearted, not a true coyote. Just the same scared little pup he'd left for dead all those years ago. Milly had only had one bullet left and she'd almost smiled as she pulled back on the trigger. It was so easy, too easy. And it didn't end the way it should have...

Meryl threw a notebook at her. "Milly?"

"What?" Her head raised out the pillow.

"Jeez, snap out of it. You didn't hear any of that noise just now?"

Milly sat up. "Is something wrong?"

Both girls listened as some men continued their overly loud conversation from downstairs. They were voicing their disapproval of Vash the Stampede staying in the same hotel and were discussing whether to run him out or not.

Meryl stood up. "If he's here we should go check on him."

Milly looked out the window. It was already dark and she was tired, but she slid off the bed anyway. "Coming..."

Meryl had already knocked twice. "Vash, are you in there?" She tried the doorknob and the door just came open.

The girls stepped in and Milly looked at Meryl. "So we're just going to break into his room?"

"Well, it's not like he bothered to lock the door."

Vash strolled out the bathroom in just his boxers, with a towel slung around his shoulders.

The girls froze. They'd never seen anything but his neck and face. His chest, his legs, his arms...he was scarred all over. He had metal plates and pins bonding old wounds here and there. After they'd already had plenty of time to take the whole sight in, Vash blushed, leaping backward and the girls nearly fell over.

"DON'T YOU PEOPLE HAVE ANY RESPECT FOR A MAN'S PRIVACY?"

Meryl got in his face. "HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF LOCKING YOUR DAMN DOOR?"

Milly crossed her arms and looked to the side. She felt like she was invading some couple's bedroom.

The girls sat to talk with him while he opened a drink. Actually it was more Meryl...Milly kind of just listened quietly.

Meryl's eyes were very sad. "So...this is the price you paid for sparing your enemies' lives?"

Vash nodded while taking a swig of his beer. "It's not something I really want girls to see, you know?" He looked at his cybernetic arm then at the metal strips on his chest and ribcage. "I'm kind of like some Frankenstein or something." He smiled a little. "I'm sure most girls would find it completely disgusting."

Meryl's voice suddenly became very self-assured. "I don't think it's disgusting."

Vash smiled at her. "Well you girls have known me awhile. I guess it doesn't matter what I look like, I'll always be that idiot Typhoon right?" He grinned.

"I don't think you're an idiot..."

Vash and Milly both stared at Meryl. "You don't?"

She glared at both of them, and became defensive. "Just because I think you can act like one, doesn't mean I think you are one!"

Vash shot from his chair and lifted her up in a bear hug. "THAT'S THE SWEETEST THING YOU'VE EVER SAID TO ME!"

He was all wet, he had no shirt on, he smelled good, and his body was pressed against hers...what wasn't there to blush about?

Milly grinned as Meryl turned bright red.

She knew that grin...what the hell was Thompson thinking? Meryl glared at Milly from over Vash's shoulder.

Milly stretched and yawned, standing up. "Meryl, I'm going to bed early. I'm really tired..."

Meryl blinked trying to escape Vash's grasp. "Alright, but wait. I'm coming too."

Milly walked to the door and opened it. She turned slightly. "No, one of us has to stay. If we both leave this room and one of those men from downstairs decides to start some trouble, then that will be risk we didn't manage." She smiled. "Night, Sempai!"

"MILLY!"

The door shut with a mischievous click.

It was strange having the room all to herself. She didn't even bother to change. She just ditched the suspenders, boots, and skirt then leapt onto the enticing bed. Milly stretched out, getting comfy. It was nice to be alone for once, but she couldn't help but be a little jealous. Even though Meryl was probably mad as a hornet right now, it was for the best. Sometimes people needed nudges in the right direction. She wrapped her arms around the pillow. Milly found herself wondering about him. Where was he sleeping tonight? Was it bad to wish he was here?

"I can't believe her."

He got another beer. "I'm not that horrible am I?"

She ignored him. "My pajamas, my toothbrush, my hairbrush...everything is over there. And she just expects me to sleep here...no big deal?"

"Well, it really isn't. You can brush your teeth in the morning, it's not gonna kill you to sleep in your he-woman cape, and no one cares what your hair looks like...look at mine."

The vein came out her forehead. "HE-WOMAN?"

"Oops..." Did he say that out loud? Vash broke into a mad run and dove into the closet.

"OPEN THIS DOOR YOU JACKASS!"

"NO!"

"I'LL KICK IT IN!"

"GO AHEAD, YOU'LL BREAK YOUR FOOT!"

20 MINUTES LATER

He slowly crawled from the closet. But she was nowhere in sight. This was not good...

Meryl tackled him and they went rolling across the floor. "WHERE DO YOU GET OFF CALLING ME HE-WOMAN?"

Vash cocked an eyebrow. She had him pinned on the floor. "How about amazon war goddess, is that better?"

She rolled her eyes and got off. "Forget this crap. I'm going to sleep."

"Hey, just don't assume you get the bed because you're a girl!"

"If you're any kind of gentleman you'll sleep on the floor." She smirked. "Spot."

He went into his dramatic throws of agony. "THAT'S NOT FUNNY! HOW DARE YOU TAUNT ME WITH THE MEMORY OF MY LOST LOVE!"

"Didn't she try to kill you?"

"It was just a lover's spat..."

Meryl kicked off her boots and threw her cape on the floor. She climbed into bed. "Right..."

He blinked. "I AM NOT SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR!"

"Yes, Vash...you are."

He glared. She honestly thought something like verbal commands worked with him when he was actually being serious? He smiled, diving into bed with her.

Meryl screamed. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!"

"Well if you didn't stretch out over the whole damn bed, maybe I wouldn't touch you!" He relaxed on his back and put his hands behind his head. "Get on your own side!"

She set up a pillow barrier between them. "You cross this during the night...and I swear I will shoot you."

"Fine, fine whatever." Vash rolled over so she couldn't see him smile. Why, did they act like a pair of two-year-olds whenever they were alone?

Milly sat up. Something had woken her up. She looked at the clock and sighed. 2:06 in the morning. The tiny town was silent except for some awful sound outside. She did a zombie walk to the window and opened it to look out. The moons cast eerie shadows on the dirt road below. She could swear she saw the glint of something metal. It was a...Milly went wide-eyed as she connected it to the sound she had heard. She was probably crazy, but she had to check this out anyway. There was no way she'd be able to fall back asleep unless she did. She slid her skirt back on and grabbed a revolver as she left the room. Why didn't anyone leave on any lights in this place! She had to go down two staircases in near complete darkness.

Meryl thought she heard an engine outside. She shifted and the person next to her made a noise. All her memories of whose bed she had gone to sleep in rushed back to her and she froze. Meryl looked down slowly. His hands were around her waist. She looked over her shoulder slightly. Vash was sleeping quietly with that innocent look on his face. Meryl wondered if he was even asleep at all. She sighed. The room was cold, he was warm...and he did look peaceful. She could live with it. But if his hands went up or down in the slightest, all hell was going to break loose.

Milly stepped outside the hotel. It was cold out and she suddenly regretted not taking the time to put on more clothing. She was excited but remained cautious. Who knew who could be lurking around here at this hour? Milly walked up to the thing she had seen from the window. It really was! She was right! She doubted anyone had a bike customized that way and even if they did, it certainly wouldn't have the punisher leaned against it. But where was he? She sat sideways on the seat of the motorcycle and waited. No way he'd leave his things unattended for long, no matter if the entire town was asleep or not.

Nick cussed his own judgement as he relieved himself in the alleyway. He was on his way to Jeneora Rock to take up some new job for a man named Legato but his bike had started cutting up on him again. He'd decided to make a late night pit stop in this little one-thomas town. He figured the hotel clerks would still be awake, but obviously not. Looks like he'd just have to keep moving and hope his ride could hold out. He zipped up his pants and started walking back to the street.

Milly crossed her legs then crossed her arms, still keeping the revolver in one hand. Dang it was freezing out here. Amazing how this planet went from one temperature extreme to another. Where the heck was he? And why was she being such a crazy stalker like this? She'd seen one motorcycle and came downstairs like the hotel was on fire. She heard footsteps in the alley and she looked up.

Wolfwood froze. Who the hell...

Milly smiled innocently. "Um...hey!"

A girl...on his motorcycle?

"It's me!"

"Milly?"

She paused. Was that the first time he'd ever called her by her real name?

It really was her, perched on his bike like some calendar girl. "How the hell did you get here?"

She nodded towards the building behind him. "We're staying in that hotel. Your motorcycle woke me up, so I came out to investigate."

Wolfwood checked out her hastily thrown on attire. Wrinkled white button up, crooked brown skirt, and socks now smudged with dirt. Her hair was a little tussled as well. He smiled. "And if it hadn't of been me?"

She smirked, twirling the trigger guard around her finger. "I had it covered..." Milly jumped off the bike. "So what are you doing out here anyway?"

"I was heading for the Augusta area, but my damn bike's started messing up again. I was hoping the hotels would still be open around here."

Milly cocked an eyebrow. In truth, they still weren't much more than acquaintances, but she believed in instinct. And even though she'd never do this for any other guy, her gut told her it'd be okay to invite him up. "You can stay in our room."

Wolfwood leaned on his motorcycle and lit a cigarette. "That's nice of you big girl, but I doubt your friend would appreciate that..."

"She wouldn't know the difference. It is me and Meryl's room, but she's staying with Vash tonight."

Nick's cigarette almost fell from his mouth and he looked at her wide-eyed. "Those two? Seriously?"

Milly glared. "It's nothing like that. I kind of forced her to...she's gonna be so mad. But anyway, do you want somewhere to sleep or not?"

He grinned. "Yes please."