Heat Wave

Disclaimer: I do not own Trigun and I'm pretty sure that won't change anytime soon.

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In a grubby saloon where not even the glass of whisky in his hands was his friend, Vash sat perplexed and poignant.

He wanted to curl into a ball on the floor and die, or to run out of the town and forget everything she had said.

This, of course, proved that she was right in her accusations.

How did she do that?

The ice in his whiskey clinked against the glass in response, which wasn't any help at all.

In the corner of his sunglass-covered eyes, Vash notice a regular enter the bar and waved to the bartender.

"Hey Pat, how's it goin'?"

Pat sat in the stool next to Vash. "It'd be goin' better if it weren't for this goddamn heat!"

The bartender nodded and handed him a beer, "Ya know, I hear it's finally gonna break tonight."

"Ya don't say," The man then took a healthy swing of his beer. He looked over at Vash, "Hey buddy, no need to wear that in here." He was obviously talking about his jacket. "Ya gonna get heat stroke!"

Vash just shook his head and looked down at his drink.

"Oy, are ya wearin' sunglasses, too? What a card." Vash ignored him, he wasn't anywhere near the mood to talk with anyone.

"Don't bother with him, Pat." the bartender warned. "He's been sittin' there, not talkin' at all, all night."

The outlaw switched his attention to the window and absentmindedly heard the conversation between Pat and the bartender.

"Hear about that con-artist whose been hoppin' from town to town?"

At that moment Vash saw two figures walking past the Saloon window.

"Yeah, some guy with dark brown hair posing to be some lawyer or somethin'."

Meryl and Mark.

"Didn't they say he may be in the area? That's pretty scary!"

Vash then slapped a couple of double-dollars on the bar, and got up. The bartender continued the conversation as he left.

"There are some pretty deranged people out there!"

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He knew it was a bad idea.

He didn't care.

Vash had his hands in his pockets, his collar up, and his sunglasses on. As long as he stayed pretty far behind them, he was sure they wouldn't notice him.

In the back of his mind, the conversation at the bar replayed over and over.

Mark was trying to wrap his arm around Meryl as they were walking. Vash felt his blood boil and clenched his teeth together.

He had never felt the urge to kill before, ever, until that very second.

Part of him was thankful that his gun was left behind and now buried in the dessert sands far away. A part of him that was lost and forgotten as his jealously and rage took over his being.

And Mark was going to get a personal demonstration of that if he didn't back off Meryl in five seconds…four…three…

His steps came to halt when Meryl had shrugged off Mark's arm. Vash could've screamed to the heavens, if it didn't mean blowing his cover. Instead, he made a soft squealing noise in the back of his throat.

The couple had stopped moving, and by the looks (and sounds) of it, the tiny woman was very upset by Mark's pass at her.

Wait a minute…she was upset?

Then she didn't like him!

Again the urge to scream overwhelmed the outlaw, but the urge to spy on the couple conquered it.

Vash swiftly made a beeline across the street and heard bits and pieces of their argument.

He heard Meryl say, "Don't…not…it's only dinner, Mark."

And lawyer boy reply with, "Why…c'mon…one day…you know."

Then, to Vash's surprise and trepidation, he saw Mark grab the girl by her forearms and force her into a nearby ally.

Automatically everything about being secretive was forgotten. Vash was on autopilot and rushing to the scene. He got there as soon as Mark pinned a clearly distressed Meryl to the wall, and attempted to kiss her.

He attempted because Vash had punched him in the face before he had the chance too, immediately sending the man to the dusty ground.

Mark had finally done what very few men on Gunsmoke had.

He unleashed the Stampede.

Mark quickly sat up and held his chin, "Who the hell-" He was interrupted by Vash kicking his face and sending him back to the ground.

Vash took deep breaths to try to clam himself as he thought of the ways to kill Mr. Mark Galvin.

There was skinning alive and sprinkling with salt, but Vash was concerned as to where to find salt that late at night.

There was also bludgeoning and scalping, but that would probably be a little too messy.

Ultimately, Vash decided to simply beat the living crap out of him.

Knives would be so proud.

Mark Galvin shakily stood up from the dirt and looked upon his oppressor. His eyes widened with recognition, "Y-you're Vash! That guy from the house!"

The blonde continued to stare at the man, maybe bludgeoning wouldn't be so bad. He could probably clean it up later.

"I was just trying to get Mer home. Honest!" By now the "lawyer" was standing straight on his feet. "I thought I saw someone and wanted to bring Meryl to a safe plac-"

While grabbing Galvin's neck and pinning him to the grimy wall, Vash noticed how easy it would be to kill the man. It would really only take a twist of the wrist.

Only the gagging noises were irritating and the blonde delivered a punch to Galvin's gut before letting him drop back to the ground.

After a coughing fit Mark looked back up at Vash, "Y-y-you're…you're really…him…Vash the Stampede!"

Vash couldn't help but smirk. "Yup," He lifted his long leg and was about to kick the man into oblivion, before he was stopped by a tiny voice.

"Vash…don't…please."

He instantly swung around to see Meryl curled in a ball with her forehead resting on her knees, "He's not worth it…just stop it." He made his way to the insurance girl and kneeled in front of her before gathering her up.

"Meryl…"

The woman looked up; her silvery eyes were filled with tears. She whispered one word before passing out into his arms,

"Diablo."

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(AN: Well that was an emotional roller coaster! And guess what loves…

The next chapter is the last chapter! (Gasp!)

So send me reviews, my dears, and soon you'll finally see how this all ends!

Another special shout-out to Rak who is far too awesome and nice for an account! I send you hugs, kisses, and doughnuts of all kinds!

And one for the amazing igbogal who sent me such an awesome review that they now get a special notification!

See? Reviewing DOES pay off!

I love you all so much!)