They were sitting in the dark on the bed, the blanket still around Vash. They both looked at each other, Vash holding on to Meryl like she might fly out of the room. For a moment, Meryl thought she could die happy just looking into those aqua eyes with that blond, floppy hair falling around his face. Vash spoke up nervously. "Umm...I think...we need...to talk."

Oh no. Meryl was sure this was going to be the final blow. Vash had read all her "love letters." Vash knew how she felt. He was probably going to tell her that he was going to leave, and it was because of her. Unknowingly, tears started forming in the corners of her eyes. She had been so angry at herself for not telling him how she felt, and now he knew and didn't care. She was so concerned with the thought of Vash rejecting her that she didn't even realize when he pulled her close and wrapped her up in the blanket with him.

He whispered in her ear. "Meryl, I'm sorry I embarrassed you. Please don't cry. I was just joking."

She flew off the handle. "That's the problem with you! You're always joking! Nobody ever takes me seriously! I just got you back and now you're going to leave me again!" She was sobbing now, her head on his chest, her fists clutching the material of his shirt.

What? "Shhhh....What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere." He ran his hands through her hair. "Don't say things like that. You know if I didn't have you, I don't know what I would do." She stopped crying and looked up at him in disbelief. "I missed you so much when I was away. I told you this earlier, but you were...um...asleep..." He blushed. "All I could think about was getting back to you and telling you everything."

"Everything?" she asked shyly.

"Yes." He brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. He suddenly looked sad. "But, if you don't want to have anything to do with me, then I'll understand."

"What? Why would I not want to have anything to do with you?"

"Because of a lot of things, but mostly because of my brother. He's going to wake up eventually. I will never let him hurt you, and that is a promise I will always keep, but I understand if you decide to leave. I don't want him playing mind games with you and Millie. Especially Millie." Both of them silently thought back to Wolfwood's death. "I don't want her anywhere near him."

Meryl cupped his face in her hands. "Vash, you know I would never leave you. You need my help, and I need to be with you." She raised her eyebrow at him and sarcastically asked, "I mean, did you actually read those reports, or did you just decide to tidy up last night?" She was getting her sense of humor back, which was always a good thing.

Vash gave her a look of utter appreciation. No one had ever been so steadfast in their care for him. He couldn't think of anything to say that could adequately convey his gratefulness, so he just told her the truth. "God, Meryl, I love you so much."

Meryl didn't know what it felt like when someone's heart exploded from happiness, but hers seemed to be doing just that. She was positively beaming. The rational side of her brain managed to ask, "Are...are you serious?"

Vash smiled. "I hope you know I wouldn't lie about something so important."

She threw her arms around his neck. She was pulling on Vash's bandages, causing him a little discomfort, but it really wasn't that painful, especially considering how happy he was. "Meryl, whatever happens, I'll always love you and I'll never let anything hurt you. I promise."

Vash could have said anything at this moment and she would have been fine with it. "Okay! That's great! I love you, too!"

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They talked for a few hours about all things Vash and Meryl. By the time they got to the topic of Knives, the suns were already rising.

"So...you're telling me that he can read minds..." Meryl looked at Vash with a bit of disbelief.

"Yes, and he can also move things with his mind, so you have to watch out for that, too." Vash looked concerned.

Meryl's thoughts were on a slightly different path. "Umm...so...can you read my mind?" She suddenly felt very self conscious.

"Technically, yes. But...don't worry. I haven't. I mean...It's not like I've never wanted to..." he said with a smile. "It's just that I don't. It's not right to invade other people's thoughts. I will need to show you how to block your thoughts before he wakes up so he can't use you when he comes to. He has a nasty habit of trying to brainwash people."

"Oh my god! You have to show Millie, too!" She looked a little frantic.

Vash laughed. "Of course I'll show Millie." He looked very serious. "Meryl, I don't know how to tell Millie about Knives. I don't want to have to tell her that he is the one who ordered Wolfwood's death...but I have a feeling if we don't tell her, Knives could use it to his advantage... I don't know what to do about it."

"Don't worry. I'll tell her. We need to stick together and keep each other safe."

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A/N: Um...I hope this didn't suck. BUT HEY! That's what reviews are for!