Trigun is owned by Yasuhiro Nightow.

Where have you been all my life?

Meryl stood, her body nothing but a silhouette against the blazing heat and suns of the desert around her. She made a move to walk back to the group but found that gravity had suddenly taken hold of her and was pulling her down. Meryl had stepped too close to the edge of the cliff and it was collapsing under her, allowing her petite frame to be pulled back to the ground.

Meryl watched in slow motion as Stella shrieked her name and reached out a hand that was too far away. Millie also too far away to do anything covered her mouth in shock, tears already welling in her eyes. Vash, the crazy fool, sprinted to her. His desperation etched in his handsome features. Finally her feet fell out from under her and she was in free fall. Her eyes focused on the faces that peered over the edge in alarm and panic, when her arm was caught. The movement so sudden it ripped her shoulder free, dislocating the limb, but saving her life.

Meryl hung there catching her breath and trying to pull her suddenly useless body up, she closed her eyes in frustration. The pain of her torn limb screaming in annoyance, even though it saved her life the feeling of muscle parting from its counter part was painful…to say the least. Breathing deeply Meryl opened her eyes and looked to her saviour. Her eyes widened in shock and terror.

There above her holding her arm with a death like grip was Nicholas D. Wolfwood.

"Well hi there short girl. What are you dropping in for?" he grinned at her, while gingerly pulling her up. When Meryl was situated on the ledge that Nick had been hiding on did she speak.

"Mr. Wolfwood…what are you doing here?" she panted, breath controlling the pain.

Nick smiled and picked Meryl up, her small body fitting nicely in his arms. "Well since you sent me that letter about telling them everything I really couldn't wait, so I came here to pass the time. I knew that I couldn't stay in the town, so I came out here. Found this nice little spot and got comfy." While Nick chatted away he walked up the incline to where the others were staring with wide eyes.

Stella was the first to Meryl's side when Nick sat her down. Stella wrapped her arms tightly around Meryl. "Oh god Meryl. I was so scared, oh god." She chanted in Meryl's ear. Meryl gingerly patted her on the back with her good arm. The other sat at an odd angle and listed toward the centre of Meryl's back.

Millie and Vash still stood by the edge looking with wild eyes at the apparition that had saved Meryl.

Nick looked to the two and gave them a dumb grin. "Hey Vash, long time no see!" Nick then looked to Millie, his smile softening. "Hey big girl. I missed you."

Vash took unsteady steps to Nick and once he was within touching distance clamped his hands over the other man's shoulders and squeezed. Vash bowed his head and his shoulders began to shake, when he looked up large grateful tears were streaming down them.

"But Nick, I thought you…" began Vash.

Nick smiled, "well you know what I was supposed to, but" Nick looked down to Meryl who was still held tightly in Stella's arms, "but it seems I have a guardian angel."

Vash followed his friend's eyes and settled on Meryl. Quickly she looked to the stones around her. She was not meeting anyone's eyes, even that of Stella.

Nick freed himself from Vash's grip and went to Millie, his hands out stretched to touch her. "Millie, my big girl. I could never leave you."

Millie opened and closed her mouth numerous times but nothing came from them. She blinked her eyes trying to make the apparition disappear, but it never did. When Nick was no more then a few inches from her she finally collapsed. Nick carefully cradled her in his grasp, a soft smile on his lips.

Meryl looked on with quiet satisfaction. She had been able to do some good; Millie was finally reunited with her dear priest. Now to tell them all what her and Stella really were.