QUOTE THE LOSER: Hey. Short chapter...I'm really tired today. I also wanted to say there won't be any updates for a little while. Me and my best bud have decided to go on a road trip to the ever exotic Florida this weekend. I have to drive and she's going to navigate. AKA, we'll probably never be seen again. But we're going to be down there getting our sand, salt, sun, and jellyfish fix for at least a week...so definitely no writing. I'm not sure if that bothers anyone or not. But, just in case you cared.

"Come in."

Meryl opened the door, peering in. Nick was lying on the bed but Milly was nowhere in sight.

Wolfwood answered before she could ask. "She's in the shower."

Ugh...a warm bath would be so good about now. But Meryl doubted she had the energy for anything like that. She was surprised Milly did. "Well I just came to get my clothes."

He said nothing as she walked across the room and gathered her things back into her little suitcase.

It didn't take long to get all she needed. Just as she was leaving, Wolfwood spoke again startling her.

"He still upset?"

Meryl stopped in the doorway. His voice was pretty emotionless, considering the subject matter. What'd he expect her to say? Today's events would traumatize anyone with half a soul, and they both knew Vash wasn't the type to just put things behind him...no matter how many fake smiles he'd give them in the next few days. "He's a little better..."

Nick waved his hand dismissing her. "Eh, I guess that was a stupid question anyway. Go on and get back to him."

She nodded slightly then left, closing the door behind her.

Milly stepped out in a t-shirt drying her hair with the towel. "Was that Sempai?"

Vash looked up as the door opened.

She paused, meeting eyes with him. "You're still awake?"

"Can't sleep."

Meryl shut the door and rolled her suitcase to the corner. She quickly forgot about her own exhaustion, regarding him with concern. "Well you want me to make you anything? Tea? Soup?"

"Nah." He laid his head back on the pillow.

The short girl didn't seem too convinced. "You sure? I swear I wouldn't mind. In fact I was thinking of brewing some tea anyway."

It was odd having her fuss over him like this, but as long as it made her happy. Vash smiled. "Only if you insist..."

Having won the battle, she walked confidently over to the little stove and turned the burner on. "Don't worry, it's a good flavor and it'll help you relax."

Milly climbed into bed and looked his bandaged knee over. "Does it still hurt?"

He was getting sick of all this moping around. Unlike Vash, Wolfwood wasn't about to keep stressing over events he couldn't change. They'd all done their mourning, now it was time to move on before they lost their sanity. Nick grinned, then leaned against her with a pathetic look on his face. "You kidding? My whole body hurts...can you make it feel better big girl?"

She blinked. Out of nowhere it was that salesman tone.

He kissed her neck after she didn't respond. "Come on..."

She pulled back with a smile. "What's gotten into you?"

He moved forward. "I just can't resist..."

Milly blushed as she was easily pinned.

Wolfwood hung over her with a devious smile. He just wanted to play, but she sure wasn't putting up much of a fight. "Well? I haven't heard a no."

Was he joking or not? She smirked. "But you're too hurt, remember?"

He cocked an eyebrow and big girl just yawned. Definite no go. "Dang." Nick sighed and laid down on her. "It was worth a shot..."

She gave him a consolation kiss on the cheek. "You poor darling."

"That's all I get?"

Milly smiled, closing her eyes. "Uh huh...now go to sleep."

He put his face against hers. "But you're supposed to take care of your man."

She grinned. "I wasn't aware you were a possession."

"Hah, you've had me ever since you busted my jaw on the bus. And hate to tell you babe...but you're stuck now. You ain't ever getting rid of me..."

Milly opened her eyes and looked at him. She knew that was Nick's version of sweet nothings. "Come here."

Wolfwood got his real goodnight kiss.

An empty kettle sat in the sink with a couple brown stained mugs keeping it company. Meryl walked out the bathroom in her pajamas. She wasn't going to set the alarm. For once, they were both going to sleep as long as they damn well pleased.

He felt her get in the bed and he slid some covers her way. "They really don't invest much in insulation when they build these places do they?"

Meryl fluffed her pillow. "Please, they'd rent you a patch of dirt and a cot if they thought you'd pay for it."

Vash smiled. "True."

They both lied on their backs watching the ceiling and wondering what the other was thinking.

Just as his eyes began to close, the bed moved again waking him. He glanced over. Meryl had curled up with a frown on her face. Vash turned to face her. "Cold?"

The blue-grey eyes opened slightly. "I'm okay."

He suddenly reached a hand out and pulled her to him.

She froze as he wrapped his arms around her.

He spoke softly. "Thank you for helping me today."

She was much too tired to really protest this new setup. Meryl relaxed, letting her head rest against his chest. "I just wish I could have done more."

"You did fine..." Vash lifted her chin in his hand and looked into her confused eyes. The day's events had made him so emotionally weak. He didn't want to wait for them to come around in their own way. He'd been given a cruel reminder of the concept that was mortality. Either one of them could have died today. He wanted her to know. He didn't want to be alone anymore.

Her eyes went wide and her heart all but stopped as he leaned down, bringing their lips together.

The kiss was one-sided and after what seemed like a small eternity, he pulled away with apologetic eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to force you..."

She stammered. "No, it's...it's alright, I just wasn't expecting you to...well...what I mean is...um...it was a good kiss."

He watched as her cheeks went completely red. Vash laughed a little. "At least you aren't cold anymore right?"

Meryl glared in embarassment then put her head back against his chest so he couldn't see her face. "That's not funny."

He smiled, hugging her to him. His heart felt a lot lighter now. Vash had the feeling he'd actually sleep soundly tonight.