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 Eighteen: Dilemma

Pride is a poisonous monster that kills honesty. Pride takes a man who should admit what's on his mind and torture's his mind until he has nothing but anger and confusion. What am I going to do? He thinks, but until the monster leaves him, he can never know.

The following morning, Vash was in an incredibly good mood. He opened his eyes and suddenly, everything seemed much more, vivid. The sky was blue, the sunlight warmed his skin. He tasted his lips and could have sworn there was something pleasantly sweet still lingering there. I kissed her. I did it! It was wonderful. He grinned and stretched himself out and sighed. What took me so long? He rolled out of bed, washed his face, shaved, spiked his golden hair and began humming while he hurriedly clothed himself. He scratched his head when he realized he had misplaced a boot. I must have kicked it off last night before I went to bed. He smiled, even a missing boot didn't matter, he was far too happy. I am the luckiest man on the face of this planet. He strolled into the living room area of the hotel room that he and Knives shared to find Knives was sitting in the chair by the window staring out. It was obvious that Knives hadn't slept. Vash tilted his head curiously at his brother before deciding that it would be best to not comment on Knives' appearance. Instead he opted for his usual morning performance.

"Good morning dear brother! What do you want for breakfast?" He grinned at the grumpy looking Knives while searching the room for his missing boot.

"I'm not hungry." Knives didn't look back at his brother.

Vash raised an eyebrow. Hm. What's eating you?

I just told you that I wasn't interested in eating!

Er – I didn't - did you even hear what I said?

Knives blinked. "What?"

"I asked what was eating you, not what you wanted to eat." Vash frowned. "You really aren't yourself today are you? Get up on the wrong side of the bed?"

Knives didn't answer but turned back to the window. Vash shrugged and half-heartedly returned to the search for his boot while the other half of his heart stayed with the dismal brother who sat so gloomily near him. Vash eyed his brother again. He looked tired, he needed a shave and of course something to eat. I wonder what's up.

In truth, Knives was distracted, and he hated it. No, what he hated were his thoughts. That Marshall - Marianne! She was consuming his thoughts.

Last night, during dinner she was coy, smug and rude. She was attacking. Then Vash and his short woman left the room and suddenly she became so - interesting. Or maybe she had been interesting before. He frowned. Hell. He didn't know! She had caught on quickly to his telepathy. She showed no fear. She stood up to him. Does she even know who I am? She must! Surely the insurance girl blabbed the whole story to her. But then…why didn't she fear me? And when Vash and Meryl had rejoined them after dinner, she changed yet again! She's an annoying creature! She's a stupid woman who hasn't even come close to experiencing the education and power that I have. Yet, she is so…alluring. What should I do with her? Damn women! They prove my point about the evils of mankind.

Meryl would never have over-slept under normal circumstances, but these circumstances certainly weren't normal. I've found him. He's alive. She blinked at the sunlight in her eyes, rolled over away from the pest and scrunched down into her sheets. He's alive and he's here, no more than 10 minutes away from me. I had dinner with him! His voice, he spoke to me in a way….that I've never experienced before! She sighed. He kissed me! Everything is different now. Meryls smiled and giggled despite her naturally cynical personality. He kissed me! He needs me! Er, well of course he needs me, that moron can't do anything right unless I'm there making sure he doesn't mess it up! What will happen when we settle down and have a house? I'll have to watch him like crazy or he'll burn the place down! But he'll be a great father. Unexpectedly, Meryl's heart was pounding in her ears as the realization of her thoughts impacted her to the fullest. He'll be the father of…my children!

A sudden rap at the pulled Meryl from her dreams mercilessly. Meryl peeked out from the covers and called out. "Who is it?"

"It's Marianne." The answer came.

"Oh, sure Marianne, I'm awake, come in." Meryl set up in bed and attempted to make herself look as awake as possible.

Marianne entered the room in a rush and then stopped short. "You're still in bed?"

"Er, yea, I was very tired." Meryl attempted to smile.

"I see." Marianne blinked and suddenly began to pace the room. "Alright Meryl, I've got to talk to you about Knives."

Meryl pushed the covers of her bed back and stretched out her legs as she answered. "Knives? What about him?"

Marianne stopped her pacing again and gave Meryl a deadly look. "He's a criminal."

Meryl got to her feet and began looking around for her clothes. "Well, I guess that's true."

"I have to arrest him." Marianne said.

"You what?" Meryl turned around in shock.

"He is solely responsible for hundreds of people's deaths. He's a murderer. He has to be held accountable for his crimes." Marianne continued her pacing.

Meryl stood still and watched the Marshall without speaking.

"Furthermore, he is a dangerous person, criminal or not. He's far too powerful for his own good, he can…" She paused. "He can make his voice echo in your mind without actually speaking to you."

"I know." Meryl hung her head a little.

"You do?" Marianne gasped.

"Vash can do the same thing." Meryl softly whispered.

"Then…how? I mean, how do they do that?" Marianne took Meryl by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. "Do you know? Is there something you haven't shared with me? You told me they were responsible for July and the rumors that fly around Vash…there's something about them – they're not normal."

"Well, that's true, they're not. Vash gave me some details, but, I don't know if I can share them with you Marianne. There's a great deal of history and sorrow between them. But listen to me Marianne, trying to arrest Knives would be a big mistake. He is dangerous."

Marianne stepped back from Meryl and looked at her suspiciously. "I don't understand you Meryl. I have a job to do, I thought you'd understand that."

"I do understand the importance of a job, trust me, but believe me when I say that some jobs have to be studied before you can complete them. You have questions about the twins; maybe you should ask them for the answers. Maybe the answers will surprise you. It's possible that there's more to them than I originally thought…" Meryl's voice drifted off as she was obviously chasing her train of thought in her mind.

"Perhaps…" Marianne turned to leave. "I'm sorry for interrupting you. Please, when you're ready we'll have breakfast downstairs. Take your time." Marianne waved as she quickly pulled the door closed behind her. She leaned against the door and breathed in deeply. What am I going to do? Yes, he's a criminal, he's a murderer! But he's so – captivating. Maybe she's right; maybe I should just observe him and see what happens. But what if he kills again? Damn man! Oh, what am I going to do?

To Be Continued...

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