Greetings! Vacation was wild...and I've been wanting to continue my little fic, but things have been so hectic ever since I got back in town. For one thing, we're trying to move and my house is just in complete upheaval right now. I was rereading this story too, and realized just how choppy my grammar is. Ick! I'm not a writer by nature, and the whole idea was really only a whim to quench my summer boredom...so I'm surprised it's gotten so many reviews. To anyone reading this, thanx for taking an interest cuz I realize it's no masterpiece!

STORY RELATED INFO: This is completely random but I'd also like to take this moment to clarify the way I view the romantic pasts of our four heroes.

Milly-I'd say she's had her share of lighthearted flings here and there(possibly alcohol involved), but never anything serious. She's never been in love and she's never gone all the way, regardless of Wolfwood working his charms 24/7. In all, she's still very innocent and definitely the more chaste of the two.

Nicholas-He might have been a loner, but he's still no stranger to a good roll in the hay. I'm sure quite a few women have awoken to an empty bed and lingering memories of a mysterious dark haired traveler. But he's never wanted or had any kind of real relationship, and it's probably very frightening the way Milly has managed to easily send all his emotions into overhaul.

Meryl-The most normal of any of them. I would imagine she's had a few long term relationships with straight laced practical men of her choosing. But in the end she's never been much of a romantic and paperwork prevailed over any kind of kids and a white picket fence scenario. And even if she had envisioned a Mr.Right for herself, Vash would not be the man she pictured.

Vash-Loneliness would be an understatement. Despite all the skirt chasing, he knows nothing could ever last. And even though he's extremely pure hearted, I really think over all the years he would eventually have times of weakness. And has most likely had at least a few brief partners. Not to say there haven't been plenty of heartbroken girls in the wake of that pretty face...

(End of pointless author interruption.)

She opened her eyes after the wind finally subsided. The fire had long since died out and everyone else was sleeping soundly. Meryl buried her face against him as the sand kicked up yet again. They would all be filthy by morning. And it'd been nearly three days since her last shower as it was. Maybe this life was fine for the rest of them, but sandy grease hair wasn't exactly her idea of an acceptable travelling effect. After a little while, her thoughts turned back to Vash. She looked up at him. At least he seemed a little happier lately, that made her feel better. But he still hadn't really said anything about that impromptu kiss the other night. Meryl wasn't sure why it had surprised her so badly. Hadn't it been a long time coming anyway? Maybe they were finally advancing to some kind of mature relationship. His face twitched and she cocked an eyebrow. Was he dreaming?

The Stampede let out a huge sneeze, completely misting the horrified short girl. He wiped at his nose while mumbling. "stupid sand..."

Rage instantly replaced affection as she took him by the hair. Her voice was deafening in the silence of their barren surroundings. "YOU ASSHOLE!"

Milly awoke to the horrible screams, kicking her legs out on reflex to try and get up. But in the confines of the sleeping bag, the only thing she managed to accomplish was to effectively nail Wolfwood right between the legs.

The preacher doubled over as his hands automatically cupped his wounded area. He forced himself to breathe as the pain shot to a nauseating level.

Vash was now very awake. He cried out, trying to escape as she slapped him across the face. "WHAT DID I DO?"

"YOU'RE DISGUSTING, THAT'S WHAT!"

The priest had his head lowered to Milly's chest as he breathed laboriously. He looked like he was fixing to pass out. She put her hands on his shoulders. "Nick! I'm sorry! Oh my God, I'm so sorry! Please be okay!"

What a way to wake up. Was this divine retribution for those 'interesting' dreams he'd been having about her lately? His face contorted into a painful smirk. "You...shouldn't...say the...Lord's name...in vain."

Milly blinked as he suddenly jerked away from her and vomited onto the sand.

Vash and Meryl came to a momentary cease-fire at this distinct sound, finally taking notice of the other couple's dilemma.

Nick growled, wiping his mouth and trying to regain his composure. Honestly...why did that have to be a man's Achilles' heel anyway? Not only did it compromise your judgement all damn day as it was, but one well aimed hit from anything and even the toughest guys went crumpling to the dirt.

Meryl looked to the other insurance girl. "What's the hells wrong with him?"

Guilt was written all over her face as she turned to answer. "Um, I kind of hit him..."

Vash blinked at the priest's pained demeanor. "Kind of? Damn! And I thought Meryl was bad!"

She decked him and kept talking. "Jeez Milly, what'd he do?"

Vash rubbed at his bruised face. "Did he sneeze on you?" He glared at Meryl. "Because apparently such an act is to be punished with extreme brutality..."

They were discussing him like he wasn't even there. Nick sat up angrily, regaining his breath. "I didn't do anything dammit! She hit me in the freaking crotch because you two scared her!"

The Typhoon's face changed to understanding. Now that was true pain. "Ouch...sorry man." He pointed at the short girl beside him. "But blame her though. All I did was sneeze, and I wasn't even fully awake before she started beating me!"

Meryl rolled her eyes at Vash's immature tone. "I'm sorry, okay? But can we all just go back to sleep now?"

Vash pouted. "Whatever, but if you girls got your own sleeping bags...things like this wouldn't happen."

She crossed her arms as her eyes narrowed. "Well if you two would actually let us take a damn bus instead of walking from town to town, then we wouldn't have to sleep out in the middle of freaking nowhere anyway!"

Milly sighed as the two began to argue yet again. She turned to Nick. "I am so sorry! Are you mad at me?"

His manhood was still throbbing. He looked up at her. "Aw come on big girl...don't look so depressed! Things happen, I'll live." Nick gave a slight smile. "You just gotta learn not to be so jumpy. I'm here with you now. No one's gonna get us." He needed to get that horrible taste out of his mouth. Nick started searching the pockets in his jacket. "But right now, I think I'm just going to sit here and recover for a minute if you don't mind."

She watched as Wolfwood grew more and more frustrated when he couldn't find what he was looking for. Milly reluctantly handed him his pack of cigarettes from inside the sleeping bag. "Here. They must have fallen out."

The priest actually had a slight glint of shame in his eyes as he took them from her. "You know I can't quit..."

She gave a sad smile, and kissed him on the cheek. "Don't worry about it."

"DAMMIT VASH!"

"Okay, okay! You're right! You're always right! And I'm wrong! So will you stop screaming?"

Meryl smirked. "Well, as long as you admit it..."

"Hmph." The Typhoon stole a quick kiss before she could fully react. "I admit it."

She blinked as her anger faded. "Tricks like that won't work forever you know..."

Vash gave his goofy, ladies man smile. "Then I'll just have to make new ones, won't I?"

Meryl put her head down with a sigh. "You're such a dork."

THE NEXT DAY

"So how's your um..." Milly trailed off hoping he wouldn't make her say it.

Nick smiled, glancing at her over his sunglasses. "A little sore...but I'm sure we can still have plenty of kids, honey."

She laughed and tugged the brim of her hat down. He still knew how to make her blush. "Is your mind really that one-tracked Mr.Priest?"

"What can I say, I gotta follow my heart."

Milly grinned. "Somehow I don't think that's your heart talking."

Meryl called out from a ways behind. "Hey! You two! Can we please take a break now? It's the hottest time of the day and we've been walking for three hours straight!"

Wolfwood glanced back at the Needle Noggin and his little harpy of a woman. They'd never make it to town at this rate.

Vash was well aware of the priest's disapproving stare, but stopped alongside Meryl anyway, signaling his decision.

When Milly tossed her backpack to the ground, Nick knew he'd been beaten. He sighed, shoving the base of his cross into the sand and taking a seat in the small amount of shade it provided. "Fine, but you're the one always complaining about how bad you need to get to civilization to take a damn shower..."

The short girl shot a venomous glare and Milly quickly sat down beside him. "Heh, he's just kidding Meryl!"

"No I'm n-"

She took a sudden grasp of his arm. "Sooo, do you have any of those meal bars left Mr.Priest? I'm totally starving!"

Nick looked down at her. "Eh? Hey wait a minute!"

Vash smiled as Milly began ransacking Wolfwood's duffel bag to steal his attention. Now why didn't anyone ever protect him from Meryl's wrath like that? Lucky stiff.

Meryl mumbled sitting down. "What does she see in that man..."

"Aw come on, she obviously has a thing for bad boys." He sat down with a smirk. "Just like you have a thing for the handsome outlaw type." Vash leaned in with an uncharacteristic, predatory look in his eyes. "Am I right?"

Her eyebrow twitched as she looked away. "Ugh...don't press your luck, blondie."

He fell back with a loud whine. "It just isn't fair! How does Wolfwood do it?"

Nick raised his head at the sound of his name. "Are you talking behind my back Tongari?"

Vash sighed looking skyward. "Relax preacher man. It was only a compliment..."

2 HOURS LATER

Meryl huffed, following in Vash's footsteps. "I detest sand dunes..."

He looked over his shoulder with a smile. "Want me to carry you short girl?"

"No! And don't call me that."

Vash paused to let her catch up. "And what would you prefer?"

"Meryl works just fine."

"But that's no fun..."

A sudden outburst from Wolfwood interrupted them. "Milly?"

They both looked ahead as he broke into a run.

By the time he'd called her name, Milly was already halfway down the other side...sliding towards the body she had seen in the sand. She fell to her knees beside it, checking for life.

It didn't take long for the other three to catch up with her. Meryl took the scene in. The body was that of a young woman. She seemed so out of place in the desert like this. Barefoot in nothing but a short, torn dark green dress. Tangled blonde hair obscured her face, but dark bruises were all too apparent across her limbs. "Is she..."

Milly relaxed slightly. "No, she's only unconscious. But we've got to get her out of here."

Vash's voice wavered. "Who would do this?"

To someone like Wolfwood, their were only a few likely explanations. She was probably some bandits' discarded plaything. Or a girl who'd gotten mixed up in the entirely wrong occupation. Either way, it was tough luck on her part. And as much as he hated getting involved in other people's problems, he knew they couldn't just walk away. "Well someone's going to have to carry her..."