Author's Note: This chapter is a bit of a denoument of the adventure across the desert and helps get ready for experiences to come. As always thank you for reading and thanks to those of you who have reviewed and will review.

"Spiky, do you hear that?" Wolfwood asked.

"Yeah, it sounds like the vertebras in my spine are crushing together." Vash frowned.

"I think we've made it! Spikey, I think we're in Marington! Listen!"

Concentrating, Vash searched for the outside noise as the vehicle came to a screeching halt followed by an obnoxious note of the horn. Both the Priest and outlaw let out sickening noises as the cross punched into different parts of their bodies, giving them little mercy.

"Hey!" Their driver yelled. "I told you I didn't want my windshield washed! Get the heck out of the street! I'm not paying you a dime!"

"I was wrong Wolfwood- that loud cracking noise you just heard, I think that was my spine."

"Sh!" Wolfwood ordered, readjusting himself.

They listened intently. Vash was so caught in the moment that he jumped when the driver yelled again.

"Want me to run you over? Move!"

Then all at once the vehicle jolted forward. Vash was relieved to hear no desperate yelling or feel no body under the wheels. These teenagers were trouble makers, but he didn't think they would actually have the nerve to run someone over, especially a homeless person trying to make some money.

One of the teenagers' voice crept towards the trunk of the car in a rebellious tone. His words brought both Vash and Wolfwood a slight sense of relief, but his pitch made them uncomfortable, like a tack embedded in a fluffy donut.

" 'Ey, smokers, where abouts do you want to get off?"

"Are we in Marington?" Vash asked.

"Well, duh! It's about the only city around these parts."

Before one syllable had even left Vash's lips, Wolfwood answered desperately.

"The next store you come across- wherever they sell tobacco products!"

"The smoker wants tobacco!" The teenager reported to the others. None of them took the courtesy of silencing their snickers. "They want to be dropped off at the closest store."

Only several seconds passed before the driver slammed on the breaks again. This time Vash and Wolfwood quickly wiggled out of the way before the cross jammed back into their aching flesh. They heard a teenager curse loudly.

"Idiot! Can't you see my windshield is clean? Get the heck out of my way! I'm not paying for that!"

"Hey, Jones, just pop the back open- there's Judd's across the street. There are cigarettes over there." One of the other teenagers spoke.

Without much more for a warning, the back of the vehicle suddenly burst open. All at once Vash, Wolfwood, and their luggage tumbled out onto the street. Dust puffed up in the air, making Vash cough. And a loud honk welcomed them to reality. Vash looked up to see a driver looking agitated with their choice of departure. They had landed in the middle of a busy street in front of a sleek sporty car. The driver honked again. And then a squat man, who was balding, began to wipe down the man's windshield as if the honk had been a signal for him to hurry up. In reply, the driver glared angrily at the squat man, who pretended to be oblivious to it.

Vash and Wolfwood gingerly got up, picked up what was left of their luggage and stiffly walked off the street, where vehicles were beginning to pile up.

The first feature Vash noticed the city possessed was life. Even after darkness had settled over Marington, people were still rushing around stores- in and out of buildings. Teenagers were gathered around corners, couples were holding hands on a stroll, and tired mothers were darting in and out of stores to pick up items they may not find time to get tomorrow. Lights pushed their way outside buildings, fighting for citizens' eyes. Vash could hear music extending out open doors of a building across the street, and laughter drifting from a bar.

They couldn't have looked more out of place- tired, dirty, burned clothing, and arms full of luggage. Wolfwood looked completely secluded from the surrounding world; his bloodshot eyes rested on a small store that had burning red letters displaying Judd's.

"I don't think I can make it, Spikey… it's so far away." He said hoarsely.

The petite building was half a block from them, but Vash understood his words too perfectly. He was aching all over and dehydrated.

"We have to. Come on Wolfwood." Vash took a small step.

"We're going to get there and he'll close the doors on our faces and then we'll die. I know how your luck works."

For the first time, Vash realized the Priest was shaking horribly. His shoulders quivered, but down towards the ends of his arms, where his hands gripped his dark green bag, he tembled violently. Vash knew Wolfwood's head was aching in addition to his quaking body, he was suffering from withdrawal.

"Come on Wolfwood." Vash said again.

After roughly taking a deep breath, the Priest feebly followed behind the outlaw, one step at a time.

Let it be open. Let it be open. Wolfwood prayed. If they got there and the store closed, he didn't think he could handle it. And (he glanced at Vash) he would probably attempt murder if he had the strength.

Finally they reach the small square store. Wolfwood cringed as Vash reached for the door, but felt relief sweep over him when it opened. They had been saved.

Inside the store, Vash found a variety of miscellaneous items. Several pocket watches were enclosed in a plastic case, a jug of milk and a carton of juice occupied a cold shelf, cat food was in the corner, and toiletries were on a rack in the middle of the floor. In addition to these objects, Vash spotted bottles of water against the wall parallel to him. Immediately he made his way to the succulent fluid, where he dropped half their luggage. Before thinking of anything else, he popped the cap off of a large one, and began guzzling the substance in ecstasy. The water wasn't particularly cool, just a degree or two less than room temperature, making it easy to chug. His tongue immediately absorbed the fluid, and his dry cracking throat felt rejuvenated when it splashed through it into his stomach. He drained the entire bottle and grasped another. Popping off the cap he made a jubilant statement about feeling alive again, and then proceeded to let more water into his mouth.

Meanwhile, the Priest slapped his dry cracking hands on the counter, where a skinny old man stood behind. Excess skin was dangling from his arms and cheeks, his eyes were hazy, and when he asked what Wolfwood was he was looking for, his yellowing-brown teeth blared magnificently.

"Tobacco, nicotine- whatever they put in those things these days. Please, I need a cigarette, old man."

"What brand?" The old man asked hoarsely.

"Any brand."

"This one is my favorite," the old man shared, placing a pack on the counter.

"Fine. I'll buy it."

"$$30."

"How much?" Wolfwood asked, pulling out his wallet which was full of dust.

"$$30." The old man answered again.

"$$30?" Wolfwood bellowed in his scratchy voice. "I just want one pack."

"It's $$30."

Wolfwood's eyebrow twitched. His head felt like it would cave in, and this man was taking advantage of him. Irritated, the Priest searched through his wallet, which took a while because of his shaking hands. He was five double dollars short. Slowly he looked to the outlaw. Several empty bottles were near his feet, and he looked like he was quite enjoying himself, the idiot.

"Hey! Needle Noggin." Wolfwood growled.

"Yeah!" Vash answered gleefully, taking no time to wipe his mouth of excess water.

"Get over here- I need to borrow $$5."

Humming a joyful tune, Vash picked up the few empty bottles, grabbed another one off the shelf, and bounced over to the cash register. Without a word he gave the money to the Priest, who purchased the pack eagerly.

After removing a cigarette, Wolfwood pocketed the rest in his other pocket as Vash let the empty bottles clatter onto the counter. Each one let out a hallow-ringing noise as it engaged with the hard surfaced counter.

"$$280." The old man answered.

Vash's smile disappeared from his face, but he remained silent as he handed the man the money. His happiness seemed to have departed as fast as it had come.

Once both Vash and Wolfwood were back outside, the Priest lit his cigarette and inhaled the smoke.

"Ah," he sighed. "That feels better…"

"That's $$40 per bottle…" Vash said thoughtfully. "I wonder why it's so expensive."

"Spikey, that man was ripping us off. I can't believe you let him take advantage of you so easily." The Priest answered and began walking again, in no particular direction. Vash followed him.

"I was dehydrated, Wolfwood, I had already drank most of it- there wasn't much more for me to do. Anyway… where are we meeting the girls? They never told me exactly where they were staying."

"Both Millie and Meryl are staying at Meryl's family's house," Wolfwood answered. "But Millie told me that Meryl suggests we stay at a hotel called Novinian. And I told Millie to tell Meryl that we would. So I suggest we find one or the other." Wolfwood informed the outlaw.

"Where was I during all of this?" Vash inquired, feeling slightly irritated that Wolfwood knew so much about the city that he wasn't invited to.

"Buying your Sandsteamer tickets." Wolfwood scoffed.

"Alright, so do you have a map?"

"Even if I had brought one, I hardly doubt it would have survived through that desert." Wolfwood answered. They had been walking for several minutes, and the Priest had finished the cigarette, tossing its remains to the ground. Vash watched it tumble into the street before speaking.

"I wish you wouldn't do that." He spoke.

"Do what? I didn't want to keep it, and I can't see a trash can anywhere. There's plenty litter here, I don't think one little cigarette butt makes much difference." Wolfwood answered with an agitated tone. Vash was always being the saint, which made Wolfwood, the Priest, look terrible. He could hardly stand to listen to the outlaw because he often felt like he was secretly passing judgment on him. Wolfwood had thought he was doing pretty well considering he had founded an orphanage, but once Vash had entered the picture, he had felt increasingly ill of himself.

"No, not that," Vash spoke. "I meant smoking. That stuff kills you, you know." He sounded calm and sincere, but Wolfwood didn't seem to hear the emotion in his words.

"And who are you to talk? Waving a gun around like a maniac! Blowing up cities! Even attacking your brother." He growled.

"What?" Vash asked, feeling uncomfortable with the Priest's last words. He tried to detect some hidden message behind them. He shrugged it off- the Priest was always coming up with new phrases.

"You stay out of my personal business, and I'll stay out of yours," Wolfwood answered to Vash's surprised expression.

"That old man at the store, he used to be young too. He ran around and had hopes and dreams, but now he's confined, constricted in his abilities, and you must admit, he looks terrible, even at his age." Vash acknowledged.

"That's enough. You shouldn't make stuff up about other people. Maybe that man never had any dreams." Wolfwood suggested simply, but Vash thought he could hear an icy undertone in his voice. "I'm too tired, Needle Noggin, and we're almost there."

Vash was about to ask where there was until he spotted a gigantic building that had the word Novinian embellished above the entrance. A couple was walking inside- the man held the door open for the lady, who was taking small steps in her tall black heals.

Whatever hotel they stayed in last time, Vash was sure this one would make up for it. The outside looked elegant, and he had a feeling the inside wouldn't disappoint him. As they reached the glass front door, the sight caught him by surprise. The front desk was neat and clean with a granite top and a rack of keys. The walls were painted a rich teal and had luxurious lamps placed in front. But what caught Vash off guard were not the beauties of the room, but the two women talking to the person behind the counter.

"You're sure they haven't checked in yet? Haven't received any messages about them? Or even heard anyone talk about them?" Meryl was asking tensely when they entered. She sounded like she was losing patience, and Vash felt tempted to walk back out of the building. He and Wolfwood were supposed to be here a long time ago, and they had probably stressed both of the girls with their absence. He wondered how close Meryl was to snapping and if she would send him on a huge lecture.

"No, ma'am, neither of those men have entered this room." The man told her. He was clean cut and wearing a white buttoned down shirt. Vash could tell he was also agitated, and thought he was doing a very good job at trying to hide it. His green eyes sparked, but the rest of his appearance was calm.

"Well, if you see them-"

"I know- I'll have a message sent to you."

"Thank you," Meryl sighed and turned to leave with Millie at her side. "Millie, I just don't know what I'm going to do. Should we go look for them? In all this reunion business, I've completely lost control of my job. I'm supposed to be with Vash. I'm supposed to keep him out of trouble."

Someone was trying to get inside the building, and Vash moved out of the way. He and Wolfwood had been standing silently in the entrance, and only now had he realized a small line had developed behind him.

"Excuse me," Vash said kindly, stepping aside.

Like everyone else at the moment, the man didn't look too pleased. Vash tried to give him a small smile, but before it was fully formed, some force nearly knocked him to the ground. After catching his balance he looked down to see a bunch of violet hair. At once he realized arms were wrapped around his middle, and two seconds later his brain registered that Meryl was hugging him. He could feel her body moving up and down with each breath, and feel her inhalation on his skin. Stunned, he let the luggage handles slip through his fingers, and the luggage plopped down at his sides. Behind Meryl, Vash saw Wolfwood give him the thumbs up sign next to Millie.

He wondered if he was blushing.

Now Wolfwood was mouthing something about gelatin, but Vash continued to look dumbfounded in hopes that the Priest would think he hadn't understood.

Meryl's arms loosened and left him. She caught his eye and a small ruddy patch developed on her cheeks. Looking away she broke the silence. Behind her Wolfwood was continuing to mouth, spending excess time on each syllable.

"What happened? You look awful." Meryl frowned. The outlaw was caked in dirt, his hair looked out of control, his skin was sunburned, his lips were cracking, and he looked several pounds lighter. Judging by him and the Priest, it looked like a fire had tried to scorch them alive followed by a mad truck running them over. They had scabs, cuts, bruises, and were swelling. She felt pained to even look at them.

Vash could see that dust and a few other particles had clung onto Meryl's clothes from her hug. Even a smudge was on her left cheek. Now he watched Millie grab an agitated Priest's hand and pull him over to himself and Meryl.

"Yeah, Mr. Vash, you should have seen Ms. Meryl. She was so worried about you; I don't think she's gotten any sleep." Millie shared.

Vash turned to Meryl to find reinforcement of Millie's statement, but the short insurance girl seemed to have found the tile of the building very interesting.

"Yeah, well, Spikey got us into a lot of trouble this time," Wolfwood sighed. "Almost cost me my life."

"Well, I suppose I can't pretend to be surprised." Meryl looked up again. "What did he do?"

"I'll tell you what he did, for starters he blew up my bike!" Wolfwood exclaimed.

For a moment Vash considered arguing, but the desire quickly melted away, and he stood silently as the Priest animatedly reported the incidents across the desert. Vash felt that many of the experiences had been twisted and exaggerated, especially when the Priest described the last breath of the motorcycle, in which it apparently asked for a proper burial. And Wolfwood was unable to give it one after Vash had thrown a jug full of gasoline on it in resentment.

"And then the punks wanted to charge us $$300." Wolfwood finished with distaste. "So we got a ride back here cramped in the back!"

"Sounds like Marington High Schoolers." Meryl answered. "There's a spot out there where a lot of them like to race their cars- show off what's new on them."

Wolfwood's mouth dropped, leaving his face with a vacant expression in Meryl's direction.

"Enough students can afford cars to take them out and race them?" Vash asked, surprised. Most people on Gunsmoke traveled by foot, only wealthy businesses seemed to be able to afford a car.

"Most of them can't, but a lot of parents buy them a car, or let them use theirs." Meryl answered, and then attached a half smile at the look on their faces. Vash's eyes had widened slightly, but Wolfwood looked utterly appalled.

"What idiot would give a car to a teenager?" He asked. "Those things are out of control! They'll never learn how to work for a living." Bitterness snuck into the Priest's words. He sounded partially jealous. After all, he had worked hard to earn his motorcycle. Vash could only imagine how he felt knowing that kids here sometimes got their own with no more than a thank you.

"Tell them about the thomases, Ms. Meryl." Millie inclined.

Wolfwood stared fixedly back at the short insurance girl, daring her to make his day anymore worse. He had chased after wild thomases, who chased after him, landed in a face full of dung, wandered aimlessly without water, rode in the back of a vehicle- cramped, had found out teenagers were often seen inside cars, and he had been through most of this without a cigarette. He clenched his teeth. Yes, Meryl, tell him about the thomases, please.

Meryl took one glance at the devilish glare on Wolfwood's face and immediately turned to Vash, who looked a lot friendlier at the moment.

"We've heard about the herd of thomases. I read it in the newspaper. They immigrated here several months ago, and because of all the food left behind by all those teenagers, they've resorted to finding food inside bags. I guess there have been a lot of problems with them making a mess of people's items." Meryl explained.

"So I guess it's a good thing." Millie inserted. "People almost thought bandits were out there in that desert."

Wolfwood's eyebrow twitched, and his teeth tightened. He reached for another cigarette, thankful to find a pack in his hole-less pocket. Vash, Millie, and Meryl watched him light one and deeply inhale the smoke. He closed his eyes, trying to regain himself as the orange glow began eating away the substance at a slow pace.

"So," he finally spoke, his eyes much more serene than before. "How about you girls? How was the Sandsteamer?"

"Oh, it was great, Mr. Priest!" Millie clasped her hands together with excess energy. "The conductor was very good, he said we made it here in half the amount of time it normally takes. We didn't encounter any sand storms, and I taught Ms. Meryl private chess lessons!" Millie's sky blue eyes sparkled.

"Did she beat you?" Wolfwood asked.

"No, but she got really close." Millie smiled.

"That's fun," Wolfwood said casually. "So do we need to get some rooms?" He asked.

"Oh yes, that man behind the counter will help you out," Millie smiled. "His name is Stephen, and Ms. Meryl and I have gotten to know him very well. He seems like a pretty nice man, one time he even asked if we wanted to eat his lunch, although I don't think he really meant it because he kind of said it under his breath. I wouldn't have taken it though, even if I was hungry."

"Good," Wolfwood answered, letting out a small chuckle of relief.

"But you and Mr. Vash must be tired, and you probably want to get cleaned up" Millie said.

"And we need to hurry and file another report," Meryl told Millie.

"Oh yeah…" Millie's stature seemed to shrink a modicum. "But I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Priest. I think Mr. Vash and Ms. Meryl will be quite busy with the reunion."

"And so will we, I mean, busy, you know." Wolfwood added. He felt dirty looks rest on his face from Vash and Meryl. He resisted the temptation to laugh, he was dancing circles around their heads, and both were clueless.

Millie gave the Priest a big hug, while Vash and Meryl redirected their eyes uncomfortably. Meryl turned her thoughts to the next morning in the silence and introduced a quick new topic.

"I'll come over tomorrow," Meryl told Vash. "To give you a few more odds and ends before the reunion."

"Sounds good." Vash agreed, shifting slightly as he caught the other two out of the corner of his eye.

Wolfwood and Millie broke apart. Meryl grabbed Millie's attention.

"Come on, Millie."

"Yes, ma'am." She answered and they began to depart, Meryl as a brisk pace.

"Goodbye Mr. Vash and Mr. Wolfwood!" Millie called.

"See you tomorrow, Hun!" Wolfwood called back.

Meryl's face was occupied by another irritated look which she took no liberty of hiding from the Priest. In return, Wolfwood showed no signs of noticing, but when he turned away from them, Vash thought he could see a shadow of a smile under his skin.

Once both Insurance Girls were out of view, Wolfwood turned to the outlaw.

"You completely missed the moment!" He bellowed. "Why didn't you kiss her? Did you forget about our deal!"

"No. But I wasn't going to do it right then," Vash answered, feeling himself go red. He grew suddenly thankful of his already sunburned face.

"Why not? It was perfect! Gr! Needle Noggin! She hugged you- the moment was perfect!"

"Last I checked there was a big difference between a hug and a kiss," he answered, his cheeks burning. "Just because she hugged me doesn't mean-"

"Bologna!" Wolfwood spat. "Spikey, you didn't kiss her because you were afraid!"

"I wasn't afraid!" Vash insisted.

Wolfwood shook his head in disbelief. "Vash, you are terrible at lying. You should have seen yourself, stunned to silence after that little hug she gave you. It's clear to me that you two never did any of the grocery shopping. Now you're going to have to kiss her sometime tomorrow, and believe me, you will if it's the last thing I do!"

Offended, Vash opened his mouth to argue, but the Priest interrupted him.

"No, I don't want to hear any excuses- a smoking room please," he told the man called Stephen, who was looking tired now behind the granite counter. He retrieved a key from the little rack, and handed it to Wolfwood. "- And don't you think you can wiggle out of this one, Spikey, because I'll be keeping an eye on you!"

And with that, the Priest marched away with his cross and his dark green bag, never taking the time to hear Vash's words.

Feeling more bitter with the Priest than he had during their entire trip, Vash vaguely remembered acquiring his room key, but somehow he had reached the staircase when he began to think of ways to possibly get back at the Priest. Who was he to dictate his life? He didn't even know him. Like a stray cat, he popped into Vash's life spontaneously.

Once again he pictured himself kissing Meryl, and it wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't for the awful expressions he imagined on her face afterwards. But she did hug him, he remembered and at once a sense of self esteem seemed to rush through him. She had never hugged him before. The memory grew vivid in his mind. Maybe she did like him… or maybe they were just close friends. He was her job after all, just like she had said to Millie, she was stuck with him. Would it even be legal for her to like him under those circumstances?

But still, it had been her choice to give him a hug.

Vash suddenly caught his thoughts. He grew annoyed with himself, what was he doing? He was a hopeless case… Wolfwood was right, all this over a little hug. If he was worked up about that, how in the world was he supposed to give her a kiss? The reunion was in less than 24 hours… and somehow he had to solve this dilemma by either kissing her or deceiving the Priest. Yet he could think of nothing that would trick Wolfwood into believing him. He knew there had to be something so simple that he hadn't thought of it. Something that would satisfy everyone…but what was it?