Disclaimer: I don't own Trigun or any other anime - I just like making up stories…oh, and this is my second official fan fic and my first Trigun fan fic so I'll just apologize now if it sucks. Sorry!

Chapter Ten: Impass

A tortured mind is capable of horrible things, but so is an innocent one, I heard everything he had to say, and I knew he wasn't talking to me, but to himself. I can't touch his pain, but I can touch him.

The whirl of action on the deck was so rapid that for several moments the Bad-lads had no idea what they should do. Once their eyes adjusted to the movements and sounds they realized that the control of the situation was no longer in their leaders' hands.

Vash stood where he had before, breathing heavily whilehis gun lay on the deck several feet away from him. Neon was also where he had been before, his gun also several feet away. The one factor that changed the situation was that Neon was now on his knees because of the man who stood beside him, with a gun against his temple.

Vash stared at his brother. "Knives! What are you doing?"

"I don't understand brother, what are you doing playing with filth like this?" Knives growled.

"Put down that gun and we'll talk."

"He was going to shoot you Vash!" Knives screamed at his brother across the deck, a look of insanity in his eyes. "He was going to kill you. He was going to hurt you!" The gun in his hand began to shake as he kept speaking. "Brothers protect brothers, I – I can't let him do anything to you. I won't let any worthless, murderous creatures hurt my brother anymore. No one can hurt you! I won't just stand back! This is what I was talking about when I said they were evil. Humans are evil! But I won't let them hurt you. I won't because I - I'm your BROTHER!"

Vash dropped his jaw, horror-struck at the words of his brother. "Knives. Put the gun down. He wasn't going to hurt me. He wouldn't. It's just a game. There's nothing to be upset about. He hasn't hurt me. Don't kill him."

Knives jerked his head towards the man he held at gunpoint. "You were pretty stupid to try and do anything to him Steve. That's why you died. That's why they all died. I don't care about me, but if you even think about touching him – if you even THINK about it! I – I can read your thoughts you know, Steve. I know what's going on in your mind! I KNOW!"

"S- s-steve?" Neon's shaky voice spoke softly. He looked towards Vash. "Stampede, what's going on here?"

Vash started walking. "Knives, that's not Steve. That's someone else. Steve's dead, he died a long time ago, he hasn't hurt anyone in years." He stood a few feet away from his brother and the thief. "Knives, it's Vash, you're gonna make Rem sad if you pull that trigger."

"Rem! I hate her!" Knives cocked his gun and closed his eyes tightly.

"No! No, please Knives! It's me, Vash, you're gonna make ME sad. You said you'd spare the people I care about, and I care about him."

Knives opened his eyes and stared at his brother.

"Why?"

"Because he's alive, Knives. Because he deserves the chance to live, and it's not your right to take his life."

The Bad-lads held their breath as the man threatening their boss started to shake.

Vash reached out and put his arm around his brother.

The gun dropped.

The morning light shone through the window's curtains and alerted Meryl that the day had begun. She yawned and threw back the covers of her bed. For a moment she sat there, a little dazed from her practically sleepless night and her disturbing night tremors. I know I wasn't imagining things, last night something bad happened and Vash might very well be injured. Or worse… But she didn't want to think about what could be worse.

Meryl kicked her legs off the bed and let them dangle for a moment while she reviewed her options. With a sigh she got to her feet. That's it. I don't know what else to do. Shemoved quickly and went about addressing her freshening up needs. Minutes later she was packing. This has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever done. No, on second thought, scratch that; meeting and falling for Vash has to top the list. I can't believe I'm doing this.

Meryl stopped momentarily in front of the hallway mirror before trying the door next to hers. Well, I've looked better, I guess. She sighed and reached for the doorknob beside her. Poking her head into the room she noted that Milly was still asleep. A slight smile crossed Meryl's lips as she whispered. "Goodbye my dear sweet friend." She dropped a note onto the nearby dresser and softly closed the door behind her. I can't ask you to leave here, at least not until…until… I know…

Milly sat up and stretched. She blinked out the window at the blue sky and smiled. It's so beautiful Mr. Priest. Nicolas. I'm sorry you can't be here to feel it, to see it, to hear it. I know how happy you'd be, I wish I could have told you in person. She wrapped her arms around her waist and flopped back onto her bed. She giggled and spoke out loud.

"I hope it's a boy, I know just what I'll name him, his name will be Nicolas just like yours!"

After her morning rituals, Milly stepped into her work pants and noticed the letter on her dresser.

Dear Milly,

I'm sorry I did this in a letter. But I just couldn't bear to say goodbye in person, please don't think I'm a coward. I know this will sound a little crazy; it does to me even as I write it. But, I love Vash. I have to find him. I have to tell him. I don't know for sure where to look, but it's been months and I know that the more time I waste the worse the pain in my heart will grow. I promise that I'll come back when I find him. If my suspensions are correct you'll need some extra help and income in a few months anyways. I'm sorry my dear friend if you feel abandoned by me. I promise I won't be gone long, I have this feeling like my heart will just lead me in the right direction.

I'll write.

Much love,

Meryl

Milly put the letter down.

"Well, it's about time." She smiled.

Oh no! It's another one of those "Milly''s Pregnant" fan fics! Sorry, but it had to be done. -lisa