A/N: I would give a reason for my tardiness but all I have are excuses. My sincerest apologies with a chapter.

Testing the Limits

For the longest moment time seemed to stand still for the four, each of their thoughts mulling over what Vash had said. The blond had evidently spoken to his brother and the conversation had taken a dark turn, leading to his startling words. Finally Meryl broke the silence with a question which confused both her and her partner.

"What are you talking about?" Meryl asked slowly, looking into the green-blue orbs.

"Knives" Vash finally spoke after a moment of silence, the name telling all the increased trouble which was now upon them. "He...contacted me, through our link" he explained, reliving the conversation even as he told the others of the interaction with his brother.

Vash sighed and pulled Meryl closer, as much to comfort her as himself. He didn't want to tell them what had been spoken between the two, knowing the worry would burden them further. In Meryl's condition such an emotion was not healthy for the child.

"What did he say, Vash?" Wolfwood questioned, lighting a cigarette with a calm he didn't feel. The problems just continued to mount; the man in black half expected the vampire himself to show his face.

"He wants our son, but for what I don't know" the gunman answered, his voice quiet and his face turned away from the watching group.

Each person within the room fell silent as the possibilities in Vash's words arose in their minds. Meryl looked to Millie, the two partners' eyes both holding worry. Wolfwood's, however, held a different sort of emotion as he trained them upon the gunman silently holding the short girl. The gaze was almost suspicious, brightening for a moment before a small frown creased his lips.

"You know something you're not telling us" the priest suddenly accused, leaning against the dresser near the bed. "We don't have time to deal with your foolin' around, Vash. You know the reason he wants your kid, so why don't you tell us?"

There was a long moment of silence, during which Meryl and Millie looked to the blond for answers. They knew the response would not be good, but truthfulness was vital during a time when they had to watch their backs. Not only did the night hold enemies, but since the short girl's kidnaping, the day was also dangerous.

"I think he wants to make our son into a vampire, so I'll join him" Vash sighed, running a hand soothingly through Meryl's hair. "But don't worry" he tried to assure, "I won't let Knives touch him."

Meryl gulped silently, her hand instinctively reaching out to grasp his own. The thought of their unborn child in danger was enough to shake her nerve, along with several more revelations. The psychotic vampire had a strong hold on Vash, one which she was afraid would be used to destroy him. Would he truly be able to kill his brother in order to save the people now nestled in their homes, even the people around them? But looking into his eyes, Meryl saw he would not willingly sacrifice anyone for the good of others. The peaceful gunman would protect everyone with his own life; she only hoped he would do so without dying in the process.

"How are you feeling?" Vash asked, breaking Meryl from her thoughts.

"A little sore" she admitted, rubbing her swollen stomach soothingly. "But most of the pain is gone and I think I can move around without any trouble."

"We should see what bond we have before you go anywhere" the blond spoke slowly, realizing the difficulty with how to explain their unusual predicament. "Maybe we have a connection similar to what Knives has with me, which would be really helpful" Vash attempted to comment casually, forcing a smile upon his face.

Meryl scrunched up her face in some disbelief, not quite understanding what connection the half-vampire had with his brother. She knew of the detection Knives could employ to find Vash, having been told, but other than the previous fact she knew next to nothing of the blood tie. The insurance girl was even unsure if the two had a bond, being as they both had Knives' blood in their bodies and not each other's.

"We'll go slow and find out together" Vash soothed, having seen the doubt flashing across the short girl's features. "But first" he began, his usual grin falling into place, "we find you something to eat. I know I'm hungry."

"Me too!" Millie quipped in, giving the group a large smile. "What do you want me to get you, Meryl?" she asked, turning her full kindly attention to the soon-to-be parent.

"I-I don't really know" Meryl stuttered, biting her lip in thought. "I mean, I'm hungry but I don't know what for. Not blood, though" she added with a hint of a smile

For a moment there was a long silence as each pondered what Meryl could eat. Vash, also being a half-vampire, was on a strict sugar diet with the occasional unpleasant bloodlust. Fortunately the blond had found donuts as his substitute for people and had happily stayed on the self-imposed diet; but now what could the short girl eat? A sudden exclamation from behind the said woman caused three pairs of eyes to turn toward the gunman with curiosity.

"Do you like ice-cream?" Vash asked hopefully.

"Well..." Meryl began hesitantly, not sure whether a life of cold, flavored ice-cream would be to her liking.

"Banana cream sundae is Meryl's favorite!" Millie chimed in.

Meryl almost glared at her friend, silent wishing the big girl would not be so helpful against her; though the idea of ice cream was beginning to appeal to her. Her thoughts were justified soon after a rumbling erupted from her stomach, causing her to blush sheepishly around the room. Vash smiled and turned toward the two still standing near the doorway to the bedroom.

"Can you guys get some ice cream?" he pleaded, looking to his discarded coat hanging over a lone chair not far from the bed. "There's some money in the pockets and I'm sure some of the stores are still open at this time."

"Sure thing, Mr. Vash" Millie replied, walking over to the red coat and digging through the clothing. "Anything for you and Meryl. Will this be enough?" she questioned, holding up a large roll of bills.

"Come on, dear. If we don't get moving the shops will be closed" Wolfwood spoke, grabbing Millie gently by the hand and walking in the direction of the door.

"Dear?" Vash asked with a smirk.

"I told you she was good, didn't I?" Wolfwood answered, giving the blond a wink and leading the big girl out the door.

Meryl huffed at the priest's parting words, crossing her arms over her chest and sinking back into Vash's arms. She knew she was being more irritable than usual, but could contribute the extra anger to the mood swings of pregnancy.

Among other worries.

"Relax" Vash murmured in her ear, wrapping his arms tighter around her.

"How am I suppose to relax when my stomach is visibly growing as we speak and your crazy brother has already threatened our child!" she exclaimed

Silence filled the room as Meryl realized what she had said, watching with guilt as Vash's eyes held a pained look. She reached up and cupped a cheek in her hand, rubbing her palm soothingly along his face. He gave her a shaky grin, some of the pain leaving his lit orbs as he leaned into her touch.

"I'm sorry, Vash" she murmured, dropping her hand and nuzzling her cheek into his shirt. "I...I just feel so useless sitting here waiting for something to happen."

"It's alright" Vash spoke, chuckling as a grin spread across his face.

What a bearcat.

"And what do you mean by that!" Meryl almost snarled, once more on the offensive. "Who wouldn't be a bearcat with a broom-head as a husband?"

Vash blinked in confusion, almost positive he hadn't said those words aloud. However, the fuming woman in his arms was enough proof he'd said something wrong. He inwardly groaned, wondering how long the trip for ice cream would take their friends and hoping they arrived before Meryl decided to get physical.

Which was his last thought before a pillow was slammed into his face.

"Hey, what'd you do that for?" he whimpered after removing the fluffy object from his head.

"For you sighing so loudly" Meryl irritatingly told him, crossing her arms once more and turning her face away from the confused blond.

Now Vash was positive he hadn't vocally created a noise. Then did the blond's eyebrows raise as the situation fell into place, realization with what had occurred coming to his mind. However, he still wasn't certain with his hypothesis...which meant an experiment was in order.

God, she looks sexy when she's mad.

A hard smacking sound was suddenly heard as the blond yelped in pain, stinging tears appearing in his eyes.

"You're such a pig, Vash!" Meryl yelled, retracting her hand from his face. "How can you think about sex when I'm as big as a whale and your brother is trying to finish what he started?"

As Vash brushed his hand against his now bruising cheek, he admitted to himself he'd taken his luck a little too far with the experiment. However, a new problem presented itself when his 'test subject' attempted to remove herself from his lap, still angered over his less than appropriate comment. He trapped her against his chest, despite her growling protests, and gave her a flashing grin.

"And what are you smiling at?" Meryl nearly snarled, the tips of her small fangs peeking over her lips. The short girl's eyes held a glint of red, telling Vash he was pushing the safe level of teasing.

"We have a mental bond" Vash quickly informed the hot-tempered woman, his smile quivering at her glowing eyes. However, the blond breathed an inward sigh of relief when a puzzled expression crossed his mate's face at his words. "You've been reading my mind for the past few minutes."

"I can...read your mind?" Meryl spoke in a hushed voice, disbelief apparent in her words. Vash nodded his head, his eyes twinkling with both humor and pride at her ability. "But how? I don't know how to read minds" the short girl argued.

"It must be because of our, uh, bond" Vash explained with some embarrassment, fondly nuzzling her currently unruly hair.

"Oh" Meryl answered sheepishly, blushing. One of her hands drifted across her large stomach, which had thankfully stopped shifting, and smiled.

"You've gotten stronger, too" Vash commented teasingly, rubbing his still sore cheek. "I haven't hurt this bad since a herd of thomas ran me over."

"I'm so sorry!" Meryl exclaimed, having forgotten her earlier physical outburst. She attempted to stand in order to retrieve a wet towel but Vash's arms still held her tightly. "Um, Vash? You have to let me go sometime."

"Do I?" he asked with an innocent smile, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "I'm comfortable. Besides" he added, his voice slightly more serious, "we should find out if you have any other, um, abilities."

"What else could I have?" Meryl asked curiously. She could not recall any of the vampire's powers from the old tales, only knowing they preyed upon people at night to suck their blood.

"Well, I really don't know" Vash honestly replied, rubbing the back of his head. "I've never tried to use anything before because, you know..." His voice faltered slightly, his smile slipping off his face as his eyes seemed to cloud over with a deep sadness.

"I understand" the short girl responded with a comforting smile, snuggling into his chest. "You didn't want to seem different. It's alright; we'll just have to experiment, that's all."

"Experiment?" Vash questioned with a suddenly lecherous grin. The hand still wrapped around Meryl's stomach began to creep higher, brushing over her swollen abdomen with affection before sliding toward her breasts. The encouraging gasp from the short girl caused a wicked chuckle to escape his lips. "Does this experiment involve our clothes on or off?"

"Can't you keep your mind on the task at hand!" Meryl yelled, knocking his hand away with a gentle slap. "I try to be serious for one moment and yo-"

The remaining part of her sentence was cut short as a pair of lips descended upon her own, knocking the breath from her with its intensity and possessiveness. After a few long moments which involved not a little tongue she pulled apart, her eyes partially lidded and her breathing ragged. As Meryl realized what Vash had done a scowl began to appear on her face, but her coming rage was stilled as her stomach suddenly growled loudly. The gunman chuckled as her face blushed.

"I wish Millie would hurry up" Meryl grumbled impatiently, embarrassed by her stomach's rebellious nature and trying to hide the emotion.

As though summoned the pair suddenly heard the front door downstairs open, the sound of two voices drifting upstairs showing the food had arrived. Vash, with a low groan of defeat at the intrusion, reluctantly stopped his teasing assault of Meryl's body and leaned back against the head of the bed. A few moments later the door to the bedroom opened, Millie briskly strolled into the room with a paper bag in her hand and dragging a protesting priest behind her. With a large grin the big girl proudly dropped her package on the bed, also releasing her 'captive' from her strong grip.

"Who wants ice-cream!" Millie yelled with merriment, throwing her hands up for emphasis. The big girl, however, stopped as Meryl noticeably flinched at the loud noise, her smile turning into an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Meryl" she spoke, rushing to her friends side. "Loud noises must hurt pretty bad right now with your new hearing."

"My new hearing?" Meryl questioned curiously, softly rubbing her ears. "I don't know what you're talking about, Millie."

"Sure you do" Millie insisted, smiling again. "You keep rubbing your stomach in time with the baby's heartbeat" she said, looking at all the puzzled expressions around her. "Now who wants ice-cream?" she asked, though in a softer voice.

With a jerk Meryl realized her friend's words were true, her eyes traveling downward to see her hand indeed over her stomach. Vash chuckled behind her, placing his hand over her own and matching her rhythm.

"I think Millie might be right" Vash whispered teasingly, laughing as the short girl batted his hand away with annoyance. "Come on, Meryl" he said, holding his hands up in mock surrender.

"I'll deal with you later" Meryl said, turning her scowl away from the blond and back to her beaming friend. "But how did you..." she was about to question until she remembered the 'change' Millie had also gone through. "I guess you're right, Millie" she admitted, giving a small laugh. "Now, about that ice-cream."