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 Twenty-One: Unexpected

A wise man once said that a sudden bold and unexpected question will many times surprise a man and lay him open. When the woman is the questioner, how much truer is that statement.

Meryl didn't expect Vash to be so steadfast about her decision to go back to Milly. But then again, he was full of surprises. After the meal, during the walk home, he insisted on stopping several times at local stores to purchase items for the trip. Knives wasn't in a shopping mood, which didn't surprise Meryl, and Marianne seemed to be quite distracted by something, so when Vash asked them to go on, they both agreed. It was shocking to Meryl that they agreed to go together, but who was she to say anything. The other shocking thing about Vash's behavior was the amount of goods he was purchasing, at least two of everything. He was obviously planning on accompanying her.

"Um, I don't drink that much water." Meryl attempted to get some honesty out of him.

"I know, but I drink tons." He grinned. "Of course you won't mind an escort, will you?"

"Vash, are you sure you want to come with me?" Meryl raised an eyebrow at the blonde juggling bags beside her. "I'm going to help her deliver a baby you know."

"Of course I know! But Meryl, I can't let you go wandering the planet all by yourself! Besides, I love babies. And you might need me, I do know a great deal about new life." He grinned.

"Er, you do?" Meryl's face expressed her astonishment a little too well. "Vash have you delivered a baby?"

Vash didn't give much of a response, but his face quickly grew red.

"That's what I thought!" Meryl stopped walking and put her hands on her hips. "You have no clue about babies! Vash, have you ever even held a baby?"

"Well! There's more to a baby than just holding it!" Vash attempted to stick up for himself. "There's…you know…other stuff."

"Like maybe changing its diapers or feeding it? I suppose you know all about that!" Meryl's voice was rising. You're so full of it! Alright Vash, it's time for the truth, why are you so hell bent on coming with me?

"Alright, I give! I just don't want you to be away from me." Vash's teary eyed expression came over his face. Meryl, it's taken us so long to get together, can I help it if it would kill me to see you leave?

The walk home may have been the longest walk that Milly had ever taken. Every step was a challenge, not only because she had to endure her pregnant weight but also because her heart was heavier than her body. She ached. He commented on what seemed like a million things. She was only half listening. He wasn't saying anything about her, about them; he wasn't saying anything, important.

Milly's mind was a caught in the torments of reckless, raging fury. What. What had happened? He was alive? She was walking beside him, he was carrying her groceries, she was answering his questions, and he was smiling. It was all wrong! When someone dies, they cannot be walking, they cannot be talking, they cannot be eating a god damned apple! She blinked. Why was she swearing? Why did her heart hurt so much? What did it all mean?

She didn't say anything. She just walked. It wasn't until the pain in her heart exploded and shot through her body that she even realized that her eyes weren't the only part of her body that was leaking. She was soaking wet around the ankles. She stopped; her eyes grew large in pain and panic. She turned to him.

"What are you doing here Nicholas? Why are you alive?" She said softly.

"I – what did you say?" He looked shocked.

That's when everything went black.

Knives was irritable. Somehow his brother had abandoned him for a woman yet again. He walked beside the Marshall and tried to ignore her smiles. Since when did he allow humans to berate and lecture him? Him! And this was no regular human, she was a woman! No human woman would tell him what to do! She was over confident! She was too conceited! She was –

You're being quiet? Cat got your tongue?

He rolled his eyes. She was interrupting his thoughts. I have nothing to say.

You're either dumb or a lousy liar. She smirked at him. You have already admitted that though you believe you're a higher life form but that doesn't match up with your own descriptions of yourself. You admit you can't communicate very well with your own brother. You also admit that you've killed countless people. You also admit to feeling emotions, very strong emotions I might add. It's not adding up Knives. You long to have a relationship with your brother, you long to share feelings with him, that's exactly what every other human feels! You're no different than everyone else! You've killed people; don't tell me that it doesn't mean anything! You had to have felt something! In your heart you know I'm right, and furthermore you know that you do feel when you kill! Tell me it's true! I want to hear you say it!

Knives turned and glared into Marianne's eyes.

You can lower your pistols Knives, I'm trying to help.

"I don't have my weapons raised." His voice was like ice.

"Your eyes." She whispered. "I've looked into shotgun barrels that are friendlier than they are."

"If you knew, you would understand." He turned away.

Marianne reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you tell me? Help me to understand!"

"Why should I!" Knives shouted as he stepped closer to the Marshall. "You'll be a disappointment, like so many others have been! Mankind is evil! You think you're helping, but you're a fool! You'll only end up destroying me!"

"Try me!" Marianne shouted back as she moved just inches from his face, not to be outdone.

Knives was furious. He places his hands on her shoulders, one of two things would happen next. He would shake her so hard that he snapped her neck. Or.

It was a kiss that she could feel in her toes. Passionate is the closest word that could describe it. She had seen the bloodlust in his eyes and for a moment thought she was a goner. But this would have been a worthy way to die. He was forceful and strong, but not violent. In fact, it was just the sort of kiss that Marianne would have begged for. He had slid his hand down to her waist and pulled her closer, crushing her hard against his chest. She would have protested, had she not just melted in his arms.

Ewww – gross! What was I thinking! Sorry everyone, that came outta nowhere!

By the way, I was asked how much longer this story was going to go, I'm not really sure, but I'm trying to wrap it up…I've got other stories brewing in the coffee pot of my mind…

OH! Everyone should say Happy Birthday to me…it's less than a week away. Dang I'm old. lisa