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! I also have to say, I am doing this against my better judgment, I feel very at odds with this decision, so, for those of you who aren't fans of this storyline, I'm sorry all the more, but I'm mainly doing this for those of you who are fans of raising someone from the dead...

Chapter Twenty: NDW

What the difference a man can make. It's been said that to everything there is a season, a time for laughing and weeping, a time for love and for hate and most of all, a time for death and a time for life.

Where should I start… First I want to teach you how to communicate with me without having to speak. Vash reached across the table and took Meryl's hand in his.

Meryl blinked. "How do I do that?"

Just feel and think the words instead of saying them. He smiled.

Silence followed. Meryl looked intensely up at Vash. "Did you hear me?"

No, but don't worry, nobody gets it on their first time, try again.

Meryl scrunched up her nose, shut her eyes tightly, and succeeded. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Vash winced. Yes, that time you got through, but there's no need to shout. He winked.

I did it! Alright! Meryl clapped her hands together momentarily, before returning to her naturally composed persona.

Vash grinned. It made him so happy to see her happy. Now, about the future…

Without warning Meryl threw up a hand and stopped him mid-sentence. Wait Vash, I have to say this first. Milly is, um, pregnant.

Vash almost spewed the mouthful of water he had just taken in. He coughed as he responded to her. She is? How did she? When did she? Oh. He frowned.

Yea, it was him. So, please, I have to get back to her, she's no doubt ready to go any day now, I've taken way too long in finding you. She's going to need me.

I see. Vash's serious expression came over his face.

Of course I feel emotions. I feel very strong emotions towards my family and also towards humans. Knives pushed his plate away from him. But I fail to see how that fact would lead you to understand what 'makes me tick'.

So you admit that you feel strongly. Marianne also pushed her plate away. Then have you ever empathized with your brother or with any human?

Empathized? Knives looked confused.

Yes, empathized, you know, put yourself in the other person's place, explored what it is to feel as they do, or as you would in their position? Marianne smiled casually.

Why would I do that?

So you can take full responsibility for your behavior.

I can see the expense of my actions without placing myself in the situation.

I disagree.

How did I know you would say that? Knives rubbed his temples and sighed.

What? Marianne looked insulted.

Never mind.

Milly wasn't one for worry or concern about much, the way she saw it, things usually take care of themselves so there's no good reason to worry about them. However, Meryl had been gone for some time now, over three months in fact, and there were things happening in her life that made her miss her partner. There were things, more specifically which made her need her partner. She didn't want to be alone anymore.

Her arms were full as she exited the market place. She had to make fairly large trips to the store nowadays because it was such a challenge to get out and walk across town. But today the sun was shining so brightly and the sky was so blue that she felt energized. In short, it was a beautiful day and even at nine months pregnant, Milly felt like getting out. It had been difficult to make the trek to the market, and it was even more so with her arms laden with bags. But her spirits were still high as she peaked above her full grocery bags, waddled back towards her home, and thought about the upcoming events of her life. As she passed certain shops, some of the townspeople who had grown accustomed to Milly waved to her and gave her encouraging compliments. Milly smiled, she knew she was going to deliver any day now, hopefully sooner rather than later. But she still felt a little scared about delivering the baby alone. She shifted the bags that she was carrying creating a clear view of the road before her and stopped short. She couldn't breathe.

A tall, dark haired man was scratching his head as he bent to examine the fruits of a local vendor. He stood back to his fullest height and smiled warmly, digging in his pocket for the correct change to purchase the apple. He didn't have enough. The clerk refused the small amount offered and snatched the fruit away from the dark haired man.

"Aw come on, have a heart! I'm starving to death!" The man pleaded and his voice echoed like shattered glass in Milly's ears.

"No way, pal. We don't do discounts!" The vendor crossed his arms and shook his head.

Milly stepped forward, placed her bags on the ground and gave the correct change to the clerk, who thanked her kindly and handed the apple to the tall man. The man turned and looked blankly at Milly, who in turn stared back at him. Suddenly, he smiled and laughed warmly.

"Well thank you! I was pretty sure I was gonna go hungry! You're a saint!" He grinned. "Allow me to introduce myself! The name's Nicholas D. Wolfwood. I'm just a priest passing from town to town in search of souls in need, and if I may say so, you look like just that sort of soul. Hey, will you allow me to assist you with those bags it's the least I could do? I have to say I don't think a woman in your condition should be out wandering the streets alone anyways! What would your husband say?"

Do you hate me? Be honest! lisa