Trigun is owned by Yasuhiro Nightow.

Surprise

Meryl returned from work late that night…if you called three in the morning night. She was exhausted, every muscle ached and she could barely keep her eyes open. She opened the door as quietly as she could and tiptoed her way to the bedrooms.

"Meryl?"

She stilled, her body unable to move after hearing her name uttered from his lips. She turned in the direction of the voice and found Vash standing in the window. He had been looking out for her all night. He had, after hours of Meryl not returning asked Millie where she was. Vash was slightly disappointed that Meryl had not told him she was working so hard but his fears were quelled knowing that she was at lest somewhere close. As he looked at her now, the suns already rising in the sky she looked radiant. He knew that she felt like shit after working all night (who wouldn't?), but Vash could not help himself as he quickly closed the distance between them and hugged her.

Meryl was to say the least, shocked. Here they were three in the morning hugging each other as though they were long lost friends. But there was something different in how Vash hugged her, he held her as though she was going to disappear as suddenly as she had walked through the door. Meryl relaxed and gently hugged Vash back. Still unsure of where his affections lay.

Vash pulled back but never let Meryl go as he addressed her, "why didn't you tell me that you were working tonight? I would have come and gotten you."

Meryl smiled slightly; even when he should be looking after himself he was always looking after everyone else. "I'm sorry, after I got the letter I completely forgot. I was even late because of it." Meryl graced Vash with a wide smile, her eyes closed. She didn't want Vash to know yet. Her sister would be here soon; there was no need to rush.

Vash sighed. Meryl was keeping things to herself once again, and knowing the stubborn woman that she was would not tell them until it was absolutely necessary. "Alright sorry, go have a shower, and get some sleep. I know you're tired." Vash reluctantly let her go as he watched her stifle a yawn.

Meryl smiled meekly and turned to leave, "thank you Mr Vash."

"Meryl?"

"Hmm?"

"Please drop the 'Mr'."

Meryl smiled and nodded her head. "Of course…Vash. Good night."

----

Meryl slept deeply. She never noticed Millie rising for work, or Vash as he entered their room to check up on her. Meryl normally woke well after ten on the days that she worked a double shift and today was no different. Finally around 10:30 she got out of bed and descended into the kitchen. There was Vash in an apron cooking…what Meryl could only guess.

"Morning." She mumbled and plopped down in one of the chairs.

Vash turned and smiled brightly. A true smile, one that made your heart swell with light, something Vash was very good at.

"Morning sleepy. Have a good rest?"

Meryl smiled, "yes for once. It's been a while since I have had a real deep sleep. Maybe since things are finally over I can actually get some rest…instead of waiting up to see if a certain man was going to run off." Meryl looked pointedly at Vash to see him sheepishly rubbing his head, eyes closed and grinning.

"Well you don't have to worry anymore. I'm not going anywhere."

Meryl had to smile. There was just something so infectious about Vash's smiles that would make even a cold-hearted killer want to grin. Meryl took up the food offered and began to dig in.

Vash watched as his insurance girl devoured her food and he found that his words didn't sink in, as they should have. He had meant to say 'without you' but found that he couldn't bring himself to finish. She just looked so perfect there in the nearing noonday sun, her skin glowed with health, and her eyes sparkled with suppressed energy. He continued to stare when something fluttered in the open window.

Both looked to the disturbance. Vash saw a bird, appearing well taken care of and looking expectantly at the two. Meryl on the other hand saw the end of her charade. She sprang to her feet and stretched out her wrist to the bird. It bobbed its head and hopped from the windowsill to her out stretched arm. The claws dug deep into Meryl's wrist and she suppressed her flinch.

Vash looked on amazed. This type of bird was well known for attacking anything and everything, and here it was freely sitting on Meryl's wrist. "Umm…Meryl, what's up with the bird?"

Meryl visibly sighed and dropped her shoulders. "We have a guest coming soon. This is her messenger."