Milly stayed close to Nick and Meryl. It was like Jeneora Rock all over again.

The short girl was just as uneasy. "I can't believe this. Do you think they all ran because of him?"

There was damage to a lot of the buildings they passed. It looked like they'd just missed some kind of fight. Wolfwood frowned. That stupid broom head better not have got himself killed.

Meryl bent down to pick up a piece of torn material from the ground. "His coat..."

A blinding light overtook them and the girls screamed.

Nick shielded his eyes as a voice intruded his thoughts. Do you intend to die Chapel? Legato? Retreat. If Rai-Dei survives I expect you to finish him. He glared. "WE HAVE TO GO!"

Meryl yelled at him. "WHAT ABOUT VASH?"

There was no time for female sentiment. "HE WON'T MEAN ANYTHING IF YOU'RE DEAD!"

Milly looked at him. "BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS!"

He grabbed her by the wrist and forced her to run with him. "WHAT DOES YOUR GUT TELL YOU? MERYL, DON'T MAKE ME DRAG YOU TOO!"

She knew she had no choice. Meryl took one last look then ran after them. What was going on? Please let him be okay.

The terror overtook him. The fear of being completely out of control. That hellish power. The force that destroyed July. He couldn't stop it. Why couldn't he stop it? He screamed in true agony as the light ripped through him and towards the sky.

The three bunkered down in the sand, watching the city from afar.

He'd never seen anything like it. That light...a demon's light. Could that idiot really be responsible? The evil power that had made him a legend? It was like God's own wrath. Unbelievable.

The beam met with the fifth moon and everything went white. Wolfwood held each girl to the sand as the shockwaves blew across the desert.

Milly opened her eyes when the sand no longer stung her face. He removed his arm from her back and she sat up. The sky...the sky was red. All the clouds were pushed back, the city was in ruins, and the moon had a glowing scar.

Meryl stared. Did he...could he really be responsible? Just like July.

Take care of the loose ends, Chapel. Nick stood and brushed the sand off. "Things are too dangerous here. Go back to town. I'll look for him, then meet you there." He lifted the punisher and began walking back to his motorcycle.

Milly stood up. "But Mr.Priest..."

He lifted his hand without looking back. "I promise."

Meryl looked up at her. "We're really going to trust him?"

"He promised."

THAT NIGHT

Meryl was bent over the sink washing her face. They knocked again. She called out while reaching for a towel. "Milly! Go answer the door!" About time that priest showed up.

Milly ran for the door and opened it with a smile. Not exactly who she was expecting. A shriveled old man looked up at her through coke bottle glasses. He spoke. "Are you Ms.Stryfe?"

"Um, no sir. But she's in the bathroom."

Meryl sighed while looking in the mirror. Gosh, Milly didn't have to tell them that.

The man pulled an envelope from his pocket. "Well then you can give this to her. It came over the wire just now."

Milly took it with some puzzlement. "Really? Then it must be urgent." She nodded to him. "Thank you sir."

Meryl walked out after the man was gone. "Who was that?"

"I don't know." She handed Meryl the envelope. "He said this was for you. I think it's important."

Milly went get ready for bed while Meryl read the letter to herself. When she came back, Meryl was sitting on the bed on the verge of tears.

She quickly kneeled in front her friend. "Meryl what's wrong?"

She shoved the piece of paper at Milly. "Read it."

Milly sat back on the floor and skimmed the letter. It was from Bernardelli...they'd already heard all about what happened in Augusta today and come to the decision that Mr.Vash would now be given the same treatment as an 'act of God' in the insurance policies. Therefore, the company could cover no claims from his damages. If the company didn't have to pay for anything he did, then the girls' job was meaningless. They were being called back to headquarters. This was bad news. She looked up. "Oh, Meryl...please don't cry."

"Milly...how can you say that? They're making us come back." She hung her head as tears began to streak her cheeks. "We won't get to follow him...what good do they think this will do now?"

She could only watch her friend helplessly. "Do you want me to make you some tea? I'll make your favorite. It'll make you feel better."

Meryl nodded trying to regain her composure. "Yes...that would be very nice, thank you."

She had just put the kettle on when someone knocked at the door again. Meryl went to stand up but Milly cut her off. "Don't worry, I got it."

He smiled as big girl greeted him in nothing but a long t-shirt. But he knew the mood was somber the moment he stepped into the room. Meryl looked to the priest in false hopes...Vash wasn't with him.

Wolfwood pulled the damaged Long Colt out his jacket and placed it in front of Meryl. "This was all I found."

The tears built up all over again as she picked it up. "Do you think...he's alive?"

Nick sighed. He'd better be. "I would have found the body if he wasn't. I spent a long time digging through that rubble."

Milly walked back in with the kettle and some cups. She sat beside Nick on the floor. "Would you like some tea Mr.Priest?"

"Um...sure."

Meryl smiled a little as Milly handed the embarrassed clergyman a dainty little teacup.

He pondered it for a moment then downed it like a shot of whiskey. Milly promptly hit him in the shoulder. "That's not how you drink tea!"

Meryl started laughing.

THE NEXT MORNING

"I just want to tell him bye. I'll meet you outside before the bus gets here. I promise."

Meryl started to walk off. "Alright...just don't lose track of time."

Milly looked confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She smiled. "Nothing! See ya in a few."

When Meryl was gone Milly knocked on the door. She heard shuffling inside and after a moment it came open. She felt the warmth instantly begin to build in her cheeks and prayed it wasn't noticeable. Nick was leaned against the doorframe with messed up hair and nothing but his boxers on.

He yawned. "What's up big girl?"

She smiled. "Nothing...I'm sorry if I woke you up. I just wanted to tell you bye."

He blinked. "Don't tell me you guys already got a lead on Vash?"

"No, actually our assignment's been cancelled." She looked down. "We're going back to December."

He stood up straight. That meant neither of them would be around anymore...ever. He suddenly became very Vash like. "I can't believe you're being so nonchalant about this! You're telling me I'll never see you again?"

"Huh?"

"Come on, don't deny it! Aren't you gonna miss me in the least, big girl?"

What kind of question was that? "Of course I'll miss you! But making a big deal about it isn't gonna help anything. Meryl may never see Mr.Vash again either."

But those two had a thing for each other. So was she saying he and she had kind of the same thing going? "Well don't I at least get a hug or something?"

She blushed as he pulled her to him. After the surprise faded, she wrapped her arms around him as well. Milly suddenly felt very sad. He was so warm. Why did they have to go back?

He whispered in her ear. "Don't be surprised if I show up in December one day, looking for you."

She smiled. "I'll look forward to it."

He let her go slowly, reminding himself that he was too cold to ever have a girl like her anyway. He smiled. "Well, see ya around big girl."

She waved. "Goodbye Mr.Priest! Take care now!"

He waved back with a grin. "I'll be good." She walked down the hall and out of sight. He sighed and closed the door. Nick grabbed a cigarette and jumped back on the bed. He lit it and put his hands behind his head while he stared at the ceiling. What was this feeling?