Trigun is owned by Yasuhiro Nightow.

Farewell

Vash and Meryl returned on the footsteps of Knives and Stella. The good doctor was sitting in the kitchen when the four returned.

"I heard there was a bit of a scuffle." He said as greeting, his face still a mask of calm.

"Yeah you could say that." Mumbled Stella as she sat, Knives went to the window and leaned against the frame.

Vash mumbled something unintelligible and sat down with Meryl in his lap. Stella leaned over and began to brush away the sand and smudges of dirt.

"Well Jessica won't be back tonight and I believe with Knives' help I will be able to finish with the guns over night. I know you have some things to take care of Vash, so don't worry. Jessica will get over it. But I would suggest you stay away for a few years. And maybe it would help if when next you came Meryl was pregnant."

It was meant as a joke but Vash's head fell, depression filling him. But when he felt Meryl's hand on his cheek he graced her with a soft, gentle smile.

"Well then since that has all been taken care of. Vash get my sister upstairs and cleaned off. I still have to patch her shirt, and pack some previsions for the morning. I'll get Knives to call you when dinners ready." Stella finished in a dismissive tone and turned to Knives.

Vash sighed and rose.

"Vash."

Vash turned slightly, "yes brother?"

"Your mate is strong. She wouldn't have done what she did if she didn't have a reason."

Vash nodded numbly and held Meryl closer. Meryl mumbled under her breath about non observant, pig headed, brother-in-laws.

The two made their way back up to their shared room. Vash stood by the door while Meryl showered, going over what had happened, and how to bridge the gap that had now settled between the two.

Meryl stepped out and sat on the bed, nothing but a towel to cover her battered body. They made eye contact and Vash fell to his knees before Meryl. His hands reached out to gingerly touch the bruises that marred her pale skin.

"Meryl…I'm sorry." He whispered

Meryl shook her head and pulled Vash into a hug. "It was for us, for our future. Don't ever feel sorrow for something you could not help. She made her decision and I made mine. I promise you I'll never kill anyone with out just cause. Jessica was just upset; there is no cure for that but a good catfight.

Now come on, I'm rather wasted after all that, I think a nap would help us."

Vash nodded and crawled in behind Meryl to hold her close.

----

Knives called them down to dinner, a dinner without Jessica. At first the four looked around wondering if they should eat or not until the doctor raised his fork and took the first bite. Stella had cooked and he complimented her on her skill. After, Stella and Meryl went back to the bedroom to begin drawing up the plans for their infiltration of the Seed building.

Knives and Vash went to aid the doctor. It was well passed midnight when they retired. Knives stripped and lay down with Stella, who mumbled about cold fingers. Vash smirked lightly and ran his fingers threw Meryl's ebony locks. She sighed and rolled towards the hand. Vash's smirk widened and he soon followed his brother.

----

The sisters rose before the brothers and began to stock the truck. Stella and Meryl had decided that they were going to drive first since it seemed that the brothers had spent most if not all of the night making the new guns, speaking of which were sitting pretty and very normal looking on the kitchen table. They were packing the last bag when Knives and Vash came down. The doctor had been up since before the sisters had risen and greeted them happily.

"It's best that we leave." was all that Knives said and took the bag from Meryl's hands and headed to the truck.

Vash smiled, slightly embarrassed by his brothers harshness. "He is right doc, we'll be going."

They made their way to the truck while Meryl and Stella settled into the cab, Knives and Vash stowed themselves in the back. Just as Meryl was going to start the truck a screamed 'Vash!' reached her ears. Meryl stuck her head out the window and regarded Jessica. She stood her hands clasped in front of her and her eyes down cast.

"I…I just wanted to say good luck and goodbye Vash, and that…that I'm sorry."

Vash looked from Jessica to Meryl, her face was soft and she nodded for Vash to do what he wanted. Vash jumped nimbly from the boot of the truck and took Jessica up in a tight hug.

"I know you are Jessica, thank you for caring, and I wish you all the happiness that you can have." He let her go and settled back with Knives in the back.

"Goodbye." Yelled Meryl and Stella over the roar of the engine and they pulled out.

Jessica stood with the doctor resting his arm over her shoulders. "Farewell…" she whispered.