DATEUPAY: Oh my crap, she is alive! Sigh. Sorry, sorry, a billion times sorry. You wait and then you don't even get a good chapter. This was supposed to be longer but I was just like hell with it and gave you what I had. But I have not lost interest. I want to write it's just I've been stressed and bummed out and all kind of other things. School's a big factor in it. I've been doing less than stellar and finals are coming up and I keep oversleeping and I don't know things are just nuts. It's 2:00 am and I should be asleep but here I am typing so I'll probably oversleep again tomorrow morning. I am my own worst enemy. But enough feeling sorry for myself. Vashluver1! Don't be sad! I read all yall's reviews and comment randomly. No favoritism because I appreciate all the things you guys say. I swear there are times I flat out laugh at certain reviews. People probably think I'm nuts at the public computers. Like when you guys were talking about the tight and tan math problems. That one definitely got me. You reviewers are a fun group. I need to review more. Spread the love. I haven't been reading much lately though. Waiting on a little more Tasting Gunpowder for one. Hear that KawaiiBabe14? Heh, you're probably as bogged down as I am. Just can't find a dang time to write. Anyway, I don't think this chapter is developed enough. Not much really happens then it all kind of happens at once and it's over. Uh...wow I am one articulate girl, no? Oh well. Here's to future updates and me passing Chem class! (chugs)

White. Everything was white. It was really all you could notice after hours of just sitting here. Nothing to divert your attention anymore, nothing exceptional to distract your thoughts. All you had was the inside of your head after this long, and that was a place you just didn't want to be. Not when optimism was down to only a weak flicker.

"Your coffee's going to be cold."

Milly blinked at the sound of the soft voice, suddenly remembering the cup in her hands. She gave a small smile looking back down into the dark liquid. At least that was something that broke the pattern...regardless of the styrofoam that contained it. She probably would have gone crazy if Meryl had brought milk. "Hai, thank you for reminding me."

Meryl relaxed a little as the tall girl finally began to drink. It was a bit unnerving. No, that was a lie...it was downright frightening. Frightening to see Milly this quiet. The short girl rather wails and sobs than to just see her friend staring at the floor like this, waiting for the next report on his condition. They were all going to be sick by the time this was over. No, that was another lie. They were sick now. Exhausted in every way possible. She held back a sigh, turning her gaze back to the clock. The moons had probably already risen. Not that there was a window to be seen. Nothing in this hallway but bright white tile, numbered doors, and the hum of fluorescent lighting. That and these chairs they were sitting in. The chairs they'd been sitting in since nine o' clock this morning.

The medical staff had rushed Nick into the operating room only seconds after Vash had carried him through the front door. Even the doctors' faces had been pale at the sight of their new patient. Meryl was actually surprised no one had asked too many questions. She doubted people in this town ever witnessed much violence. They were so far from everything. Vash, or 'Eriks' as he'd called himself to prevent a riot, had only told the staff Wolfwood was a priest and that he had gotten caught up in a bad fight. No one had asked much more, but Meryl sensed the distrust. These people were afraid they'd just let trouble in and she couldn't blame them. It's not like their little foursome hadn't damned other places before just by stepping foot in them.

So far they hadn't been allowed to see the preacher since. He'd been in and out of emergency surgery all day and his heart had even stopped twice right on the operating table. They said it got harder to revive him each time and if it happened again they probably wouldn't be able to. His body just kept tiring out, everything was working too hard to keep him alive. The doctors couldn't understand how he'd remained stable all that time in the car. His veins were practically dry and he'd sustained massive trauma to about every part of his body.

The only possible answer of how he'd even made it here was given earlier, rather matter-of-factly by Vash. He said the preacher wouldn't have wanted to die in Milly's arms. He wouldn't want to do that to her. Now a reasonable person could easily contradict that with the fact that there is absolutely no way in hell that Nick could have known where he was at that point in time. But Meryl had seen the way he'd rested his head against the tall girl in the car. He was damn well aware of who was taking care of him in the backseat, whether he'll even remember or not.

The outlaw was the only one who heard those metal doors swing open again from all the way down the hall. His muscles began to tense at the sound of footsteps heading their way. Even though his mind leapt erratically back and forth from anger to sadness, he still didn't want to hear any more bad news. What could you possibly think when your best friend...a man you'd somehow come to trust with your own life, suddenly turned out to be against everything you stood for from the very beginning? Nicholas D. Wolfwood was a murderer. He knew that now. Zazie couldn't have been his only victim...because he'd been one of Knives' soldiers all along. No doubt passing information along to him and Legato, all the while keeping up that charming air of his...flirting with Milly and joining Vash in drinking games and wild adventures like it was only natural. How could Wolfwood live with himself? Acting like he cared about them, knowing all the while he had a hand in most of the danger they got into.

Milly glanced up through her bangs as one of the doctors stepped in front of them. Her eyes suddenly became aware again as she straightened up to observe his grim face. She didn't even sound like herself as she blurted quickly. "How is he?"

The man ran a hand through his gray hair with a stressed sigh. "He's alive if that's what you mean. We got the last of the bullets out and sewed up that knick in his aorta. One of his lungs had some hefty damage too. Probably got jabbed by one of his ribs when they broke. That's the main reason he was hacking up all that blood when you first brought him in. We set the breaks but we're gonna have to keep him on pure oxygen for awhile because of that lung. There was some good news with that bullet on his side though, it did hit one of his kidneys but the damage wasn't as severe as we'd thought, so we didn't have to actually remove the organ. Should function good enough once it heals. As for the blood loss, we did finally get his level back to a more reasonable range. It's still pretty low, but at least his heart's got something to pump now. Man's damn lucky he's an AB positive. I'm not gonna get into all the specifics of it, but it's the only type that can receive all the others. If we had to be selective about what we put in him, we might have ran out of what he needed.."

Meryl interrupted, getting to the point. "So you're saying he's stable now?"

Milly spoke almost simultaneously. "Can we see him then?"

"Well he's as good as we can get him, but he's still a far cry from being in the clear." He adjusted his glasses, looking at them gently. "You see, even though we've gotten the bullets out and stopped the bleeding, your friend's body is still extremely weak right now. Truly, I can't swear he'll make it 'til morning. And even if he does, there's still a good chance he may never wake up again." The doctor turned his gaze directly to Milly. "Miss, you said you weren't sure how long his heart had been stopped by the time you found him, so we have no way of knowing how long his brain went without oxygen, the damage may be irrevers-"

The tall girl cut him off, not wanting to hear him say it. "But he was breathing all on his own on the way here, it can't be that bad!"

The doctor nodded a little. "As he still is Miss, but the brain is a very complex mechanism. Unconscious things like breathing and heart rate are controlled by an entirely different region than that of say, voluntary movement or even the ability to form cognitive thoughts. We can't know what's been affected..." He paused a moment, seeing the hurt look on her face. "Miss, I'm not saying you're wrong to hope. I've seen people deny the laws of medicine more times than the average person would think, and the fact that he's lasted this long has to say something for him. But I'm just telling you the facts. Spend what time you can with him now because you may not get another chance."

After a moment to the let the words settle in, the tall girl stood up, wiping at her eyes as she glanced back at her friends. She was afraid now. She didn't want to go alone. "Coming?"

They both nodded, getting up to follow her stiffly down the all white corridor.

As soon as she'd seen him she'd wanted to look away. She'd wanted to, but something hadn't let her. Vash kept behind her, ready to catch her if she did decide to faint or something...but she simply kept on towards the bed. Milly took in the hurtful scene, trying weakly to convince herself that it could always be worse. But that was small consolation in the face of someone you loved so much...someone so strong, lying vulnerable and broken before you.

The hospital bed was reclined up slightly, propping him up a little so he wasn't just lying flat on his back but wasn't exactly sitting up either. Wolfwood was shirtless with the blanket pulled to his waist. Many bandages covered his surgical incisions and bullet grazes, while the bruises randomly darkened the rest of him. He had IV's hanging from his arm and an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth. The only sound was of his shallow breathing and that of the machines as they monitored his vital signs in eerie tones.

Milly noticed that there was even still dirt and dried blood on some parts of him. She examined each of the main bullet wounds separately before giving an odd glance back at Meryl. The short girl understood, and turned politely so she wouldn't be flashed as Milly pulled back the blanket to see how they'd fixed up that hole in his thigh. The doctors had said that out of all of the gunshot wounds, this one deceptively held the most potential to leave him with permanent problems. It had severed a lot of nerves and torn his muscle as it had passed through. He might not ever be able to walk the same on it again even if he made it through this. She sighed, replacing the blanket up to his stomach and Meryl turned back around. Milly pulled a chair away from the wall and sat down in it at his bedside. "I'm sleeping here tonight."

They hadn't expected anything less, but Vash nodded anyway trying to ignore the lump in his throat that came every time he looked towards that bed. It was disturbing on a number of levels, not just because the obvious reasons like their friendship and closeness, but also because it seemed impossible. Impossible for Nick to be lying there like that, because they all knew that Nicholas D. Wolfwood never lost. He was nothing less than cut throat when it came to his own life. At least that was what Vash had always assumed. Why...after everything would the priest want to change now? "Right, well why don't you girls stay here and keep an eye on him. I'm gonna go get us a room at the hotel down the street just to get all our junk out the car before someone steals it."

The short girl pulled up another chair to sit beside her friend. Her voice was distant. "Okay, but don't take forever."

"I won't." He hesitated in the doorway, looking back at them. "Hey Milly did you..." His eyes softened like he might be about to say something hurtful. "Should I...I mean do you want me to just leave it at the inn or bring it up here when I come back?" He paused again. "I know how he doesn't like it out of his sight."

She actually smiled a bit, instantly understanding the vague question. "Well if it's not too heavy for you, you can bring it and the bindings up here and I'll wrap it again. It'll give me something to do."

He smirked, glad to finally see someone smile. "Are you saying I'm weak, insurance girl?"

Now Milly actually gave a slight giggle. "Sorry, but you're no priest Mr.Vash."

He shook his head and shut the door with a grin.

Once Vash was long gone, Meryl sighed in annoyance. "He tries too hard..."

The tall girl smiled again. "It's a good trait, Sempai. I don't mind."

Meryl didn't sound entirely convinced. "I guess."

THE NEXT DAY

She was slouched over in the chair with her arms crossed on the bed's edge and the side of her face resting against them. Some meaningless dream occupied her thoughts, but the glare of sudden sunlight quickly brought her back to the real. After remembering where she was and what was going on, the pain drifted back into her mind as she looked groggily over her shoulder to the only other one awake.

"Huh?" Meryl paused from opening the room's curtains, regarding the tall woman now staring at her. "Oh, sorry Milly...I just wanted to see something besides these four walls you know?"

A sudden snore caused her attention to turn and she glanced down at the man in red who was now lying dead to the world on the cold tile as he made the raspy sound again. "I thought he said he wasn't tired..."

Meryl sighed. When she'd woken up, Vash had been sleeping on the floor with his back propped against her legs, his arms crossed, and his head leaned back onto her knees. She'd had to knock him over to get up. Why the hell he hadn't just gone and found another chair, she hadn't the faintest. "Yeah, he's a liar. Want me to send him out to get us some food?"

Milly yawned. "Nah, I wish I could sleep that good...we should let him be." After a moment, she relaxed looking back at Nicholas. It still hurt to look at him. "Has he moved any?"

Meryl leaned against the windowsill, not wishing to return so soon to the uncomfortable chair that had been her own bed the night before. "Not that I've noticed, but I've only been awake for a few minutes."

She frowned not sure why she even bothered asking that question. "Well has anyone come yet?"

Meryl recognized her friend's effort to try and at least keep light conversation. "What's her name did, you know that one we were talking to last night. She changed the drip out and-"

Milly cocked a thoughtful eyebrow. "Helen?"

Meryl shrugged. "I don't know, you're better at remembering names than I am."

The tall girl crossed her arms, sinking back into her seat. "Remember Helen was the one that told us her mother owned a diner not far from here..."

She smiled a little, rubbing her tired eyes with one hand. "Yeah I remember now, and doofus here wanted to know if he could get a donut discoun-"

"GOD! PLEASE! WHY WON'T ANYONE LISTEN? WHERE IS EVERYONE? I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

It was ear piercing. A violent female scream quickly heading their way. They both froze, not even sure how to respond anymore. And for one guilty instant, neither of them even wanted to. They didn't want to care or take responsibility even one more time. They had already given so much. But the voice just kept on in a horrible way that shook them to the core. They couldn't deny who they were and had no choice but to abandon the boys and run for the hallway. The girls got there a good four and a half seconds before the just-waking Stampede could even hope to follow. And what they saw was a single nurse running towards them, eyes wide and panicked. The woman kept a hand to her throat, never ceasing her wounded cries. Red dripped slowly from under her palm and down onto her chest as she nearly moved right past them, oblivious in her hysteria.

Lord, her throat was cut. But it couldn't be too deep if she was still able to scream this way. Milly caught the woman by the waist, easily stopping her. "WHAT'S GOING ON? WHO DID THIS TO YOU?"

The stranger kicked and flailed helplessly in Milly's stronger grip. "NO! LET ME GO! CAN'T YOU SEE HE'S GOING TO-"

They both stared as the woman abruptly fell unconscious right in her arms. Meryl tried to wake her to no avail as Milly wiped the blood away with her shirtsleeve to see the woman's wound. It was mainly superficial after all, but a man's sudden laughter made them both snap back to attention. And then there was the doctor. The one they had spoken most with the previous evening. He was walking leisurely towards them, his kind face distorted in an arrogant smile.

A bloodied scalpel still remained clutched in his right hand as he drew slowly nearer. Once the disbelief subsided enough for her to speak, the short girl screamed indignantly without retreating. "HOW COULD YOU?"

The man cocked an eyebrow, keeping that odd smile. His voice was strange. Spoken through the same vocal cords but accented in a different way. "What an ungrateful woman you are. Surely you know there is no true distraction from pain except to receive more..." He paused, the false smile suddenly growing as he looked past them to the real reason he was here.

He didn't even draw the long colt. There was no point. This man was merely a vessel now. And Vash's own fear was probably evident in the way he awkwardly moved in front the girls, taking what he knew as a futile protective stance. But he worried for more than just them. There should be tons of people in this hall after the way he had made that girl scream. Had he already killed everyone else? Was he here to finish Nick? He could kill any of them with a single thought. If he was close enough to control someone this completely then they were all at his mercy. The Stampede's face was pale as his voice barely managed to conceal the desperate anger building within him. "Leave them out of this Legato..."

He looked almost disappointed, as if he'd been expecting a more dramatic reaction. "Hmph...now where have I heard those words before? It must have been you that contaminated Chapel with that foolish sentiment. He seemed to believe these women were worth dying for as well. I wonder if he'd be so sure now."

Vash's eyes narrowed dangerously, but still the feeling of helplessness did not fade. "Is that why you're here?"

Milly felt the cold fear beginning to travel up and numb her, but her expression never changed. Meryl remained just as motionless, sensing through Vash's body language just how slim their chances really were. Why was fate always against them? Why did everything always end in vain?

"Don't insult me. You label me as a blind destroyer because you are too ignorant to see the logic in what I do. Chapel was given a warning. He took no heed and in his arrogance met this fate by his own doing. Normally the punishment for such betrayal would indeed be death as it was intended to be. But your selfish interference has changed the circumstances. As things stand now, to kill him would only be an act of mercy." Legato's characteristic smile again edged onto the doctor's face. "Don't you understand? Even now, I can delve into his mind as well as I can your own. The fool is trapped in between. Neither alive nor dead, broken thoughts of fear and suffering are all that forms in the darkness that imprisons him. Tell me...how is it punishment to give a soul what it seeks?" He laughed slightly at the look forming on all their faces. "Your friend wishes to die."

Shecouldn't listen even a second more. The fear burnt away as her anger rose at the intolerable words.Her tongue was always the first thing to loosen in the presence of raw emotion and this time was no exception. Milly's eyes were tearful as she screamed at the messenger to silence him. "LIAR!"

Vash kept his eyes on the doctor but instantly raised his arm, barring Milly's way if she did try to move around him. He was ready to scream as well, but somehow prevented himself. "Dammit, what do you want from us..."

"Want?" He smiled again. "I want and deserve nothing. But I have been entrusted to end your stalling. And I shall by any means necessary."

Vash's breathing shallowed even more. So this was an ultimatum. Knives wanted him to keep moving or more would die. "Have you killed the others?"

The short girl paled as that realization finally occurred to her. The staff...the patients...all the townspeople. God, where was everyone?

"As of now, they only sleep. Head eastward as soon as this conversation ends and they shall awaken."

What choice did he have? He was lucky to even have this option. The blonde nodded gravely without a moment's thought. "I swear it, just don't hurt them."

Meryl's emotions were greatly mixed. How could Legato say those things? And it was disgusting how these people were always using the innocent as leverage to control Vash. But how could this work now? Vash would leave on his own wouldn't he? He was going to leave them.

"Good. I expect you out of this town within the next twenty minutes. And don't bother searching for me. We will meet again when the time is right." With one last smirk, the presence fled him instantly sending the doctor's body limp upon the floor.

15 MINUTES LATER

Best friends. Sisters really. And the argument had come to downright yelling. "FORGET THE DAMN JOB, I AM NOT LEAVING YOU HERE!"

Milly's glare didn't weaken. "THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE STUPID JOB!" She paused, realizing they didn't have time for this nonsense. "Look, I understand how you feel but our lives are falling apart Meryl! Are you really gonna let what happened to me and Nick happen to you and Vash? I know you love him, so just don't let him walk out of your life like this!"

Why did she have to throw the L word into this. It had nothing to do with that. This was about everyone. "Even if I did leave with him, then what the hell is going to happen to you? You can't just live alone here Milly!"

She was holding back tears. Either from frustration or from finally facing reality, she didn't know. "Of course I can! I'll get a job, I'll do whatever I have to do! I am not going to let Nick die alone in this place and I am not going to let you stay either! I'll find you again, alright? Just get the heck out of here!" She pointed sternly at the door, ignoring the way her friend looked like she might cry as well. "You're supposed to be the tougher one! Now go before you lose him!"

And that made her angry all over again. "DAMMIT, HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THAT I MIGHT NOT WANT TO LOSE YOU EITHER?"

"YOU AREN'T GOING TO! I'LL FIND YOU GUYS AGAIN! IT ISN'T THAT HARD! NOW HURRY! TIME'S ALMOST UP!"

Meryl looked hesitatingly from the door, back to her partner, and then back to the door again. Who needed her more? This was insane. Never a moment's respite. She clenched her fists ready to punch just about anything. "DAMMIT, I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M LISTENING TO YOU! YOU BETTER NOT GO AND GET YOURSELF KILLED!"

Milly groaned in exasperation. The clock just kept on ticking. "You think I plan to?"

"Don't get smart with me Thompson!" Meryl surprised her with a sudden hug, unbelieving that this was really happening. "I'm gonna pray for both of you alright?"

She nodded, not really finding the statement uncharacteristic. Dire straits always had a way of bringing out the religion in even the most reserved. "Same here. Take good care of Mr.Vash, goodbye and good luck."

Meryl let go, running for the door. "Don't say that! This isn't goodbye! I'm holding you to your word!" And then just like that she was gone and only one insurance girl remained.