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-Three: Dollars to Donuts

I would never have bet that anything like this would have happened. Not double dollars and not donuts, but I should have. I'd be a rich man if I did. It looks like we will have a beautiful future, all of us, it will be so beautiful.

"Doctor! He's on the floor! The man who brought Milly in!" A nurse shouted at the doctor from the room where she knelt over the body of the priest.

The doctor, just wiping the sweat off his brow that he earned from delivering new life into the world, rushed into the room. He looked at the Wolfwood with a frown. "Well, let's get him onto the table and see what the issue is, did he just collapse?"

"I don't know, I just found him this way." The nurse helped sit the man in black up.

"Well, he seems to have hit his head; we'll have to have a look, what do you say?" The doctor began inspecting the priest.

"Of course doctor. Oh, and Milly, is she?" The nurse looked up hopefully.

"Everything is great; she's healthy as are her new babies. She had a little girl and a little boy." The doctor smiled. "She's gonna be just fine. She's pretty tough, all things considered. But she's keeps asking for people I don't know, I don't even know if they exist. I can't tell you how much I hate to see a sweet girl like her all alone at a time like this."

The priest on the table stirred momentarily. Nicholas struggled to clear his foggy mind. He had to get control, he had to wake himself. He had to see her. Her. It was like a light that pierced the darkness and his eyes flew open. He saw himself walking beside her. He saw her sleeping form in a pool of moonlight. He saw her crying over a couple of young, foolish lovers. He saw her offering him coffee. He saw her cuddling with little children. It was enough. "Milly." He grunted.

"Yes, yes, she's just doing great, you need to relax my friend, can't say what happened to you, but you wound up on the floor." The doctor smiled. "Just stay put, you can see her and her new little ones in a few minutes."

"Little ones?" The priest choked. "As in more than one?"

"You bet." The doctor grinned.

It was a surprise to both of them. Knives closed his eyes in embarrassment. I'm sorry.

Whatever for? Marianne smiled up into his face.

Knives opened his eyes and stared down at the blushing woman in his arms. Whatever for? Whatever was he sorry for? For kissing her of course! He was sorry that he kissed her! Was he? Knives blinked. No! He wasn't! He liked it! He liked it? Yes he did!

"Yes I do!" He nodded his head defiantly.

I must have missed something. Marianne's cool voice came clearly in his mind.

Knives smiled. What is this feeling? I don't know if I've felt it before?

Can you describe it? Marianne peered up at him.

I feel warm and sort of light inside, like I've just eaten a sun. Knives smile widened. I think I understand why Vash is so… so…

Knives, are you telling me that you understand why your brother loves us humans? Marianne raised an eyebrow.

"Yes! I think I am." Knives laughed.

"Who would have guessed?" Marianne grinned.

"Vash would have. He bet me…" Knives ran a hand through his soft blonde hair and looked up at the sky so blue. "He knew, and I'll be damned if he didn't win the bet."

Vash and Meryl rounded the corner, their plan had to be precise, one wrong move and they'd be in a real pickle. Knives and Marianne were sitting on her front porch, surprisingly they were sitting next to each other and they were speaking to each other softly. Vash stopped in his tracks and raised a suspicious eyebrow. What's that all about? He looked at Meryl.

You don't suppose he's doing anything wrong do you? Meryl looked apprehensive.

I don't know. We'll have to see….

Vash walked over to his brother and the Marshall and waved a 'hello'. The couple returned his greeting. Now it was Meryl's move. She stepped up next to Vash and smiled at Marianne.

"Marianne, I was wondering if I might trouble you for some assistance in packing. I'm leaving as soon as possible."

"Leaving?" Marianne looked shocked. "Well, of course I'll help you, but I'm surprised that you're leaving so soon!"

"I have a partner who will need me soon." Meryl smiled.

"Then why don't you both go?" Knives spoke up. "Vash, you can't possibly be thinking of letting her go traveling alone."

Vash and Meryl looked as if they'd seen a ghost. "What did you just say?" Vash gaped at his brother.

"I asked if you were going with her. You really should you know." Knives got to his feet and put a hand on the Marshall's shoulder. Vash and Meryl exchanged looks.

"You mean you want me to leave here with Meryl? Just the two of us? Alone?" Vash looked confused. "Without you?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I want you to do. After all, Marianne and I are going to want some time alone too… And for that matter, I should let you know dear brother, you won our bet."

Meryl's jaw dropped. "You mean, you two are… are…"

Marianne laughed as Knives threw an arm around her shoulder carelessly. "Yes. Definately." He smiled.

Vash could hardly contain himself. "I knew it! I knew you'd see! Aren't they amazing! I love you brother! I knew you would understand one day! Knives! Aren't women the most beautiful things on this planet?"

"Sure." Knives grinned. "Sure they are. They're better than anything else I've known."

Vash grabbed up Meryl and gave her a wet kiss. "They sure are. Meryl, you're better than donuts."

The End… (Or close to it)

I'll probably do an epilogue here in a while, just to tie up those lose ends. Sorry Demon007 that I didn't put another villain in here, I was just losing speed so I thought I'd cut my losses. Anyways, hope you liked it. Cheers! lisa