Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ An Alternate Ending ❯ The Calm Before The Storm ( Chapter 6 )

An Alternate Ending

Part Six: The Calm Before The Storm

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Trigun doesn't belong to me and I am not making any money from this so please don't sue. The butchering of the end continues!)

" You two take care and we'll see you when we get home, okay? " Meryl said to Vash and Wolfwood as they sat on the porch of the tiny house, each of them in rocking chairs. It had been several days since Vash had gone to the cliff and he was doing much better… thanks to the girls watching him like hawks. Wolfwood was doing much better too but wasn't getting as much attention as Vash because he was in much better shape and didn't need to be watched over quite so closely.

Once Vash was well enough, Meryl got a job to do her share even though she didn't like being a waitress. Vash over heard Meryl griping because someone had the nerve to grab her ass while she was working. It was all he could do not to laugh when he heard what had happened next. Meryl had actually bent a serving tray over the guy's head to put him in his place.

" Okay, " Vash said and nodded.

" See you later, " Wolfwood added. " I'll try to keep needle noggin out of trouble. "

The girls walked away from the house, talking and they could hear snatches of the conversation. They were talking about how wonderful it was they were getting well. Wolfwood smirked and looked over at Vash just in time to see him get scratched across the hand by a black cat. Vash jerked his hand back, " Ouch! "

Wolfwood shook his head, " They aren't gone five minutes and you get hurt? What the hell is wrong with you? "

Vash held his hand in his lap and looked at the scratches, " The cat looked friendly enough. "

" Whatever. I could really use a cigarette and some whiskey, " Wolfwood started rocking in his chair. He wasn't as cold any more but had started going through nicotine withdrawal and it wasn't pretty. He had also started having nightmares like he heard recovering drunks were supposed to when they were drying out. He had been shaking too but that had calmed down just a little bit.

" If I had a double dollar for every time I have heard you say that… " Vash muttered.

" You'd buy me some, right? " He watched as a truck pulled up to a building across the wide street. It looked like a delivery truck and he wondered what the shop sold. His next thought was if he had any money on him or if that was also in his suit that Vash had taken off of him.

" No. I would have a lot of money, " Vash looked at the store too. " Besides, you don't need them. "

" Like I didn't need that rib either, right? " Wolfwood muttered. " What did you go and do that for anyway? "

" My, aren't we in a crappy mood this morning? " Vash quipped half-heartedly. " Are you still having problems with your girlfriend? "

" Leave Milly out of this, " Wolfwood grumbled. " I want to know why you took my damn rib, not to tell you about my personal life. "

" It would have taken too much to heal the bone AND your wounds. I had to make a choice of you being in excruciating pain for a month and a half or you getting an infection that would have killed you, " Vash said, his eyes narrowed. He knew his next statement wasn't true but he wanted to see how Wolfwood would react, " I could have just let you die after I found out the truth and you could have kept your damn rib. "

Wolfwood looked down at the plain white shirt that the girls had gotten for him because it had become very interesting all of a sudden. When they left Tonim Town, they grabbed some of the clothes that had been left out to dry forever under the suns when their owners vanished. This shirt was one of those articles of clothing as were the faded black pants he wore. His stare went to the porch as he muttered, " Then that wasn't an angel I saw, was it? "

" No… far from it, Nick, " Vash said quietly.

" You know then? " Wolfwood looked towards the road. He didn't know if he could face Vash… not if he knew. " Look, I… I… "

" You told me everything I needed to know then, Wolfwood. I understand and I forgive you. I don't know what they told you about me… " Vash looked down the road at the shop for a moment.

Wolfwood looked in the same direction that Vash was looking, " It was all lies. I thought it was true at the time… just like everything I was taught to believe when I was a kid. Vash, once this is all over, I'm going to start over and do everything the right way. "

" That's good. Remember, your ticket to the future is blank, " Vash said quietly.

" Speaking of futures, " Wolfwood looked over at Vash, " Are you making any headway with Meryl? "

Vash whipped his head to face Wolfwood, " What? Why are you asking me that? "

" Haven't you realized that she cares about you? " Wolfwood furrowed his brow. " You're not THAT dense, are you? "

Vash sighed and put his hands over his face, " I know she cares but I don't know what to do about it. "

Wolfwood arched an eyebrow, " You don't know what to do about it? I thought you were supposed to be a ladies' man… a womanizer. "

Vash let his hands fall away from his face, " Who told you that? "

" I heard rumors but after I met you, I thought that they were exaggerated. I wouldn't go any further than to say you are a hopeless flirt, " Wolfwood smirked, " Vash… tell me the truth… "

Vash narrowed his eyes, " It's my business if I am or if I'm not. "

" You don't even know what I was going to ask you, " Wolfwood shook his head.

" I have a pretty good idea, " Vash muttered. " I could always ask you but I already know the answer to that. Whatever happened to a vow of celibacy? "

Wolfwood rolled his eyes, " I said to leave her out of it, needle noggin. That is my problem and I am trying my best to deal with it… if she would just speak to me. "

" If you say so, " Vash smirked, " I just wouldn't piss her off. She looks like she could send someone through a wall if she got mad enough. "

" Yeah, " Wolfwood nodded. " But back on the subject of you… "

Vash shook his head, " No. It's my business. "

" I have this feeling that you… " Wolfwood continued.

" Shut… " Vash said, raising his voice.

" Have never… " Wolfwood made his voice louder.

" UP! " Vash shouted over Wolfwood.

Wolfwood blinked and remained silent for a long moment before saying, " Madelovetoawomanbefore! " as fast and loud as he could.

Vash turned red in the face but Wolfwood couldn't tell if it was from anger or embarrassment. " I swear… if you were closer or I felt like getting up, I would SO kick your ass for that! " Vash ground out. He looked at his gun arm and back at Wolfwood. " Hmmm… "

Wolfwood had a good idea of what was going through Vash's mind and he didn't like it. " I was just playing! " Wolfwood put a hand up. " Truce! Truce! "

Vash lifted his arm and acted like he was going to transform it but he let it down. " Nah. It wouldn't be worth the pain. "

Wolfwood let out a sigh of relief, " It's not like I'm going to tell anyone. "

" You better not, " Vash said.

Wolfwood chuckled, " I heard of saving yourself but this beats all. "

" Well, I didn't want to hurt anybody, " Vash mumbled. " That and I am saving it… for someone special. "

" Have you found her yet? " Wolfwood asked.

Vash looked down the road again, " I think so but I want to wait. The timing has to be right. "

" You've waited long enough, Vash, " Wolfwood got up from his chair and walked over to him. " It's time to let her know how you feel. "

Vash narrowed his eyes, " And you expect me to take advice from you? I'm crazy, not stupid. "

" Hey, I just don't want you to mess up, " Wolfwood smirked, " Come on, let's go make a pot of coffee and I'll tell you what NOT to do. "

" But I need to know what to do, " Vash stood up slowly, letting his equilibrium adjust.

Wolfwood threw an arm around Vash, " That will be a piece of cake when you know what not to do. "

Vash sighed, " If you say so. "

**

" You're late, " The shopkeeper said to the man as he got out of the cab of the delivery truck.

The man narrowed his eyes, " You just better be glad we're still here. You know about all those mass disappearances, right? "

The shopkeeper nodded, " Yep. "

" Ten villages… Damn it man, half of my family is missing and almost all of my wife's family have vanished, " The delivery man looked down the road at two men sitting on a front porch. He frowned, " I haven't seen those two around here before. "

" Oh yeah. A couple of girls brought them here almost three weeks ago. The blonde one was full of bullet holes and no one thought he would live. The black haired one was really pale and looked like he needed a few good meals, " The shopkeeper said.

" Two girls huh? " The deliveryman said. " What did they look like? "

" They look like normal girls except one is really freakishly tall and she's strong. She's helping on the well project and the smaller one is a waitress, " The shopkeeper replied.

" GET IN THE TRUCK, JIM! " The man at the steering wheel of the truck called. He sounded like he was scared of something.

" Hold your Thomases! " Jim barked and turned back to the shopkeeper. " Is that your whole order? "

The shopkeeper looked at the invoice, " Yep. "

" We'll send you the bill, " The truck driver was now hanging out the window. " Let's go, Jim! "

Jim got into the truck and the driver gunned the engine, tearing away from the store at high speed. Jim slammed back in the seat hard and glowered at the driver. " What the hell is your problem, Simon? " He growled.

" That blonde guy on that porch… " Simon was shaking, " That was Vash The Stampede! "

Jim looked into the rearview mirror, " Are you sure? "

" No doubt about it… " Simon said. " We have to tell the others. "

**

Milly and Meryl got home after dark and went into the house. It was rather quiet and it was unsettling. They went to Wolfwood's room first and found him in bed. He opened his eyes, smiling at them. " You two are home. "

" Yes we are. How was your day? " Milly said, her tone emotionless. It was one of her usual questions before she would give him dinner then he wouldn't see her again until breakfast.

" It was good, " Wolfwood sat up. " It was rather eventful. I watched a lot of sand blow in the wind, got to see a cat nearly take Vash's hand off and made probably the worst pot of coffee I can remember. "

Meryl went pale, " How is Vash? Is he okay? "

Wolfwood chuckled as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, " It was just a few scratches, no big deal. He got pretty hopped up on the coffee though. "

Meryl went across the hall and opened the door to Vash's room. " Where is he? He's not in his room, " Meryl called.

" I was just getting to that, " Wolfwood said. " He went out to the cliff again. I volunteered to stay here so you'd know where he went. "

Meryl nodded, " Okay. I'll go check on him. "

" Don't scare him, " Wolfwood called. " He's not expecting company. "

Meryl's answer was the sound of the front door slamming shut as she dashed off into the night. Milly looked down at Wolfwood, " Do you think she heard that last part? "

" Probably not but I don't think Vash is any mood to be pulling out a weapon anyway, " Wolfwood smiled at Milly. " So… why don't you tell me about your day? "

" It was okay. I'll go fix your supper now, " Milly said and turned but Wolfwood stood up, grabbing her by the arm. She looked over her shoulder at him with a puzzled expression, " What? "

Wolfwood sighed, " Honey… don't be like this. "

" I'll be any way I want to be, Mr. Wolfwood. "

Wolfwood looked away from her for a moment, letting the sting of her sharp tone dull. Ever since he had said he needed time to think, he had seen less of her. He had gotten well enough to bathe himself so she didn't need to do that anymore but she was only bringing him his meals and asking the same two questions every night: 'How was your day?' and 'Do you need anything else?' He looked at her, " When are you going to stop treating me like this? "

" Like what? " Milly blinked and acted confused.

" You know what I'm talking about, " Wolfwood shut his eyes. " Honey… "

" My name is Milly, Mr. Wolfwood. "

Wolfwood let go of Milly's arm, " I don't know why I am even bothering to try. I keep thinking I'll get through to you but how can I when you won't listen? "

" Why do you keep wishing it never happened? " Milly asked quietly, turning around as she shut the door. He would try to get her to talk to him every night but she would fluff him off. She tried her hardest to ignore the suffering he was experiencing due to the lack of nicotine and alcohol but found herself crying most nights when he would scream because of the nightmares he was having.

She didn't know why but today, she wanted to hear what he had to say. Maybe she was tired of being so cold to him but he had hurt her deeper than anyone else ever had. She thought he loved her but now she wasn't sure about what he felt for her. She hoped he had figured it out… she had let him have time but had it been enough?

Wolfwood raised his eyebrows, " Oh. You're actually going to talk to me? "

" Yes, " Milly leaned against the door. " I have accepted that I made a foolish choice in letting you be my first but I think I'm ready to hear what you have to say. "

Wolfwood looked into her eyes but didn't see what he had hoped to. She didn't have love in them but something that looked like a cross between distain and a hint of pain. " Hon… Milly, I can't change the past, I know. There are some parts I want to change worse than anything in the world. "

" Does that include us? " Milly asked quietly.

Wolfwood thought for the right thing to say… something that wouldn't get him slapped across the room. He hung his head when he couldn't find any other word than, " Yes… "

" Oh. I see. "

Wolfwood put his hand up, " Hang on a second. I'm not done yet. "

" You're not? What else is there to say? We've both realized we made a mistake so why don't we just move on? " Milly's voice shook a little as she tried to be strong.

" You didn't make the mistake, hon… Milly. It was me that made the mistake. I feel like I took advantage of you, " Wolfwood shook his head. " You were so open and caring after the ship fell and I took advantage of that. "

" You and Mr. Vash were so depressed after that happened and I couldn't stand it. I just wanted everyone to be happy again, " Milly said quietly as looked down at the floor. " You know, I really liked you. "

" I know and I took advantage of that too, " Wolfwood shook his head. " The circumstances of the situation are so hard to understand now and they were back then… "

" You were with them, weren't you? That's how come you knew about the boy not being a boy at all, " Milly looked up and locked eyes with Wolfwood. She didn't have to say what 'them' she spoke of… he would know. " You were suppose to kill him… I'm right, aren't I? "

Wolfwood felt his heart still in his chest as his body went cold because it scared him how Milly could tune into the truth without any warning whatsoever. His mouth moved but no sound came out. He put a hand over his eyes and sat down on the bed. He took a breath before muttering, " Yeah, I was with The Gung-Ho Guns and I was supposed to kill Vash. "

" Why did you want to kill Mr. Vash? " Milly took a step forward. " How could you even think of harming him? "

" I wasn't supposed to at first but the orders changed, Milly. I thought I was going after some womanizing bad ass that was responsible for everything horrible that had ever happened on this planet, " Wolfwood looked around, hoping a pack of cigarettes would just fall from the ceiling or materialize through the floor. " They fed me lies. "

" That's what we thought we were going after too, " Milly took another step forward. " But we were wrong. "

" So was I, " Wolfwood sighed. " When I found out who he really was, I knew I had a hard decision to make. "

" But why did you have to kill him? What did he ever do to you? " Milly took two steps forward.

" It the job… they were going to give me money to help with the orphanage, " Wolfwood hung his head and sat back down on the bed. He sighed, " He never did anything to me personally except show me I have been wrong all along and he made me realize how bad I want to start over. "

" It's never too late to start over, " Milly reached out and brushed Wolfwood's cheek with her fingers. He looked up at her and she said, " After all… he did give you the chance to start all over. "

" I know… he said the same thing to me earlier, " Wolfwood put his hand on Milly's. " Do you think we could start over? "

Milly chewed her lip then sighed, " I don't know. "

" Can we be friends until we figure out what exactly is between us? " Wolfwood pleaded for another chance with his eyes.

" We'll try it, " Milly said.

Wolfwood's stomach growled and he smirked, " I think my stomach wants to make fast friends with a bowl or two of Meryl's soup. "

" Mine too, " Milly smiled and sighed as she stepped away from Wolfwood. She walked to the door, turning to say, " I'll be right back. "

" I'll be right here, " Wolfwood smiled at her.

**

" So… On the first evening, pebbles fall upon the dreaming world, " Vash sang the song that Rem always did when she was happy. It used to make him happy as well but he doubted anything would make him happy ever again. He felt numb emotionally and was afraid he had lost all of his emotions.

" So… On the second evening, the children of the pebble join hands and compose a waltz, " A woman's voice continued the song and Vash knew who it was. It was Meryl. She fell silent and waited for him to react but he didn't. After a few seconds, she sat down next to him but not too close.

" That's a nice song, " She said, breaking the silence. She looked up at the stars and he glanced at her.

" Yeah, " Vash looked back towards the stars. ~I hope this goes okay. ~

Meryl glanced at him, nearly melting on the spot because he looked so different. He wasn't the same man that annoyed the living crap out of her… he was who he really was under that façade. She looked down at her lap, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, " You… "

" Hmmm? " Vash looked over at her. Was she shaking? Her slender shoulders trembled slightly as she tried to finish her sentence.

" You can stay here permanently if you like, " She finished, her eyes still fixed on the ground.

" That sounds good, " Vash said gently and she gasped. He looked back at the stars and continued, " That might not be so bad. "

Meryl smiled and looked back at the stars. She didn't realize Vash was moving closer to her until the gap between them was only a third of what it had been. He gently took one of her tiny hands into the hand on his gun arm and she was surprised at how warm it was. " It's pretty out tonight, isn't it? " She whispered.

" Yes. Can I ask you something? " Vash said, his eyes never leaving the stars.

" What is it? " Meryl stiffened. She knew he was going to ask her to go back and leave him alone.

" Can you sit with me out here for a while? " Vash glanced at her sideways. " Nights like this are much better with company. "

" Sure, " Meryl whispered, fighting the urge to pinch herself. She felt like she was dreaming and didn't want to wake up. She wanted this dream to last for as long as it possibly could. She leaned her head over on Vash's shoulder, his solidness telling her that she wasn't asleep at all.

**

" Shhh, " Meryl whispered as she opened the door. She crept inside with Vash right behind her and shut the door once he was inside. " I don't want to disturb Milly or Wolfwood in case they're asleep. "

" I didn't realize it was getting so late, " Vash whispered back. " I'll make you late for work now. "

" It's okay, " Meryl walked down the hallway to Vash's room while he followed her. She opened the door and went inside. Vash slipped in behind her, shutting the door. She shivered and he went to her.

" It got a little cold out there, didn't it? " Vash wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to his chest. " I hope you don't get sick because I don't know if I would be as good at taking care of you as you were taking care of me. "

Meryl let her body mold to Vash's as she let his heat warm her up. She could feel the grate over his heart but it didn't bother her. She could feel his breath at her ear and nearly jumped out of her skin when he pressed his face to the side of her neck. " Vash? "

His arms fell from her waist, " I shouldn't have done that… "

Meryl turned to face him, " I don't mind if you do that or anything else. "

" That's not it, Meryl. I lose everything… " Vash was silenced when Meryl pressed a finger to his lips.

" You can't lose them all, " Meryl whispered and moved her finger so she could kiss him timidly.

Vash wanted to return the kiss but he didn't. He let Meryl finish kissing him and she looked up at him bewildered. He stared into her eyes and saw she was confused. " No. Not tonight… the time isn't right. "

" What do you mean, Vash? " Meryl whispered.

" I mean the time isn't right. Meryl, I care very deeply about you but we have to be sure before we take the next step. I don't want you to get hurt, " Vash ran his fingers through Meryl's hair. " Even if I can't lose them all, I could lose you because of crappy timing. "

" I'm sure that won't happen, " Meryl stroked Vash's cheek with the back of her hand. " This is what I want and it had been something I have wanted for a long time. "

Vash grabbed her hand in his and held it to his face as his eyes became serious, " Damn it Meryl, you know what I have to go do. There's a good chance I will come back injured or maybe even… " His voice trailed off.

" Don't you dare say that! " Meryl said forcefully. " You have to stay positive. "

" I'm being realistic. Even if I do stop him, it could… " Vash was surprised when Meryl slapped her hand over his mouth.

" You are not going to die, Vash! Stop thinking that you will, " Meryl's eyes seemed to bore into his as she stared at him in the moonlight that came through the window. " You have to stop him or everyone will die. "

Vash cast his eyes downward and Meryl moved her hand. He took a deep breath, " I know that. That's what has me so scared. I don't know what I'll do when I see him. "

" Do what is right, " Meryl whispered. " You'll know it in your heart. "

Vash was silent for a long time before looking back into Meryl's eyes. " You know what? "

" What? " Meryl said.

" You're right. I'll just do what my heart tells me to, " Vash smiled a little before he kissed her on the forehead. " I'm also going to do what my heart is telling me to do right now. "

Meryl looked up at him, her breath catching in her throat, " Yes? "

" Go to bed, Meryl. I told you I am not ready yet, " Vash let his arms fall away from Meryl. " Don't take this the wrong way but I want to wait… I want it to be special. "

" You're scared that what happened to Milly and Wolfwood will happen to us, aren't you? " Meryl stepped back as she clenched her fists at her sides. It wasn't out of anger though… she was trying not to cry.

Vash nodded, " Yeah, something like that. "

Meryl looked down at the floor, " I suppose you do have a point there. I never knew they were doing anything until I found her in his room in Tonim Town. I still don't know all the details but they must have been doing things when we weren't around. "

Vash sighed, " I am to assume so. He never said anything to me about it until today. He didn't tell me all the sorted details but he said that he really screwed up and said he'd kick my ass if I screwed up as bad as he did. "

Meryl giggled, " I guess we should wait then. "

Vash smiled, " Now, you go to bed. I've already kept you up too late and you have to go to work in the morning. "

" Don't remind me, " Meryl groaned. " I can't wait until I can quit that job. "

" At least you don't have to worry about getting your ass grabbed anymore, " Vash smirked.

Meryl laughed, " True… so very true. "

Vash looked at his bed and back at Meryl, " I guess this is goodnight then? "

Meryl nodded, " Yeah. Goodnight, Vash. "

Vash watched as she walked to the door but she turned to look at him. " What's up? " He arched an eyebrow.

Meryl pressed a finger to her lips and threw the door open. She blinked when she saw that there was no one out in the hall. " Nothing. I thought we had an audience, that's all. "

Vash shook his head, " It wouldn't have surprised me one bit. "

**

Wolfwood listened at the door and Milly was crouched down, listening as well. Wolfwood looked at her, motioning for her to keep quiet when he heard Vash's door open. " Nothing. I thought we had an audience, that's all, " He heard Meryl say.

" It wouldn't have surprised me one bit, " Vash replied and the sound of the door shutting followed. Meryl's light footsteps went down the hall then another door opened.

" I can't believe you told Mr. Vash! " Milly whispered sharply looking up at Wolfwood with her eyes narrowed.

" I didn't tell him ANYTHING! " Wolfwood held his hand up, " I just told him not break Meryl's heart… now hush or we're going to get caught! "

" Milly? Where are you? " Meryl called.

" Ah crap, " Wolfwood muttered. " Quick! In the bed! "

Milly looked at him and blinked, " I thought we agreed… "

" Just get ME in bed! " Wolfwood hissed. He dove into the bed and Milly started to tuck the covers in around him.

" Is there anything else you need? " Milly said as she heard Meryl open the door.

Wolfwood shook his head, " No. I'm sorry I had to wake you up. "

" It's okay, " Milly said. She looked over her shoulder at Meryl and jumped. " Oh! How long have you been there? "

Meryl motioned over her shoulder, " I just got home. We should be in bed, Milly. We both have long days at work ahead of us. "

" I know, " Milly sighed, looking back at Wolfwood. " Are you sure you don't need anything else? "

Wolfwood nodded, " I'm sure. I promise not to wake you for anything else tonight. "

" Goodnight then. I'll see you in the morning, " Milly patted his shoulder and left the room with Meryl. He let out a sigh of relief. ~Damn, that was almost too close. ~