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 Eleven: Truth's Test

Trust does indeed need to be earned. I was too hasty, and he snapped under the pressure I had laid on his shoulders. But there isn't time to test him now that she's back. How can I do with him? I need to be with her but can I trust him with her?

Meryl Styfe was not the sort of women who could easily 'blend in' with the crowd. Her petite frame, for one, among all the men surrounding her, made her stick out like a sore thumb. But, she had to wait, like everyone else, in order to send her telegram back to Tomin Town. She sighed and raked her hands through her dark, shiny hair. Ooh, I need to get a haircut, it's getting long again. She sighed a second time. Oh Milly, I wish you were here to help me. She grinned at herself. It should be the other way around, shouldn't it?

Turning her back to the building she was standing in front of, Meryl examined the town that was attempting to grow around her. It had been years since it's original destruction, and now the town was getting back up on its feet. I can't believe how stupid he can be, shooting his gun offso close to that water reservoir, those generators were bound to blow. She shook her head. And now just look at this place, it'll be another few years before the water goes back down. She arched an eyebrow with irritation. And it was all because he went nuts over that stupid lady Marshall. Meryl smiled. Actually, she turned out to be pretty smart after all, now, what was her name? As if fate were listening in on her thoughts, the answer came to Meryl in a most unusual way.

"Hello Marshall Marianne!" A voice towards the front of the line said. Meryl turned towards the front of the line in time to see the woman in her thoughts coming towards the line with a smile.

The man was waving madly now and the Marshall's cheeks turned a faint pink color. She looked past the man and at the line behind him and saw Meryl. Their eyes met. In a moment she was standing before the ex-insurance girl, with a smile on her face.

"Why, hello there! It's been a long time since I've seen you. Meryl, isn't it?" Meryl nodded at her. Marianne tilted her head, as if she were trying to think of something difficult. "But, weren't you with a few other people?"

"Er, yes. I was with my partner, Milly, who is now in Tomin Town, a few months pregnant." Meryl paused. "Er, and there was a tall, blonde idiot, you'll remember, who claimed to be Vash the Stampede."

"Ah yes! He was quite the man. Whatever happened to him?"

Meryl laughed nervously. "Well, it's funny that you mention that. You see, I'm on my way to find him now. He, um, actually turned out to be the real Vash the Stampede after all." She laughed again.

"Oh? But then why are you going after him then? More insurance work?"

"Well, no, I actually don't work for them anymore, I – "

"I see." Marianne interrupted with a smile. "It's no longer work is it?"

Meryl sighed dreamily. "Yes, I guess it's true. I, er, sorta fell in love with him."

"I would be interested to hear the story of how that came about." Marianne said. "When did you last eat?"

Meryl's face lit up. "Actually, I am a little hungry."

"Then, it's settled! As soon as you finish sending your telegram, meet me in the diner across the road for lunch!" The Marshall waved as she walked away.

The twins were panting with every step across the desert, sweating profusely. Knives looked irritated and Vash merely looked tired. The brothers stopped to take a drink out of their cantinas and discuss their situation.

"I can't believe they kicked us off that stupid ship just because we were trying to save them." Knives stormed.

Vash stared at his brother is disbelieve. "What? I can't believe you're saying that? You didn't try to save those people at all! You just wanted to fight with Neon! So you go waving your gun all over the place and people freaked out! You scared them! You got us kicked off that ship!"

Knives was looking off towards the desert indignantly. "Whatever brother, the point is we're in the middle of nowhere."

"No we're not. While you were recuperating, I was traveling this planet, remember? Let's see." He paused and reflected. "Of course! This is where I met that cutie Marshall." Vash's eyes sparkled.

Knives cleared his throat. "I thought you were solely interested in finding your short insurance girl?"

Vash snapped out of the trance he was in. "Er, yeah, I am. But, a little pit stop never hurt anyone. Come on, this way."

Meryl pushed back her plate and smiled at Marianne from across the table. The sun was sparkling through the window of the diner they were eating their lunch in. "So, that's all. Pretty ridiculous isn't it?"

"Hm." Marianne frowned. "I have to say, when you admitted being in love with him, I hoped he had a brother, but this Knives sounds like quite the demon."

"Yes, he is a monster. I only hope that Vash is alright." Meryl got to her feet. "Thank you so much for the meal, but I really must get on the road if I'm going to find him."

"Yes, I understand." The Marshall was on her feet as well. "It was good seeing you, please let me know if there's anything I can do."

Meryl opened the door of the diner and stopped short. The man, who had been haunting her dreams, plaguing her thoughts and consuming every ounce of her energy to find, was standing right before her. Meryl thought for a brief moment that her heart might possibly beat itself out of her chest from the shock of seeing him again, had she not had a distraction. She saw, beside her beloved, his twin, who's cold, icy blue eyes stared into hers with an emotion she couldn't detect. Meryl couldn't move, she couldn't breathe – she felt dizzy.

"Well speak of the devil." The Marshall spoke with laugher in her voice, over Meryl's shoulder.

"Hello!" Vash raised a hand and smiled that careless smile of his.

Oh my god was the last thought Meryl had before she felt darkness swarm over her eyes and body.

Alright – so I caved under the pressure and brought them together. So, I guess we'll see what happens next. - lisa