Millie watched her cards carefully trying to think of something she could do with the worst possible hand a person could get.

Man she sucked at cards. Old maid was about the only thing she could play and actually win sometimes. While she knew the rules to other games and played them often there was just something about the cards she could never get. Either that or the cards just plain hated her and insisted on giving her a hard time every time.

She could believe that.

Glancing up Millie watched Knives carefully. He hadn't yet learned that a 'poker face' could help him in this game. She wasn't going to tell him this game either.

He looked thoughtful yet without that angry look he always got when he was losing. That was probably bad for her, he was way too calm.

Which probably meant he had a good hand.

He's changed so much this week. It's really amazing. I've never thought someone could turn around like he has.

Millie thought for a moment.

Lets see…today is the 7th day I've taken care of him. Yep one week…Vash and Meryl should be back soon.

Millie frowned for a moment. Vash was coming back. Which would probably mean that Knives might relapse a little in his attitude.

True Knives was no longer hostile toward her like before, but she could still tell he was angry inside. And no doubt a lot of that anger was at Vash.

Well there was nothing she could do about it. Knives was a very…how should she say it…unstable person. He seemed to ride the winds of emotion without any kind of line to the ground. What he felt was what he believed…not the other way around as most people were.

On the good side this made Knives easily adaptable, on the bad side he was also in danger of going back to the way he was.

Millie placed a card on the table, winching slightly when Knives smiled at this.

He must have a really good hand if he was actually smiling.

"I fold."

Millie said before she lost anymore of the cookies that she had bought…and were losing. (Since Knives didn't have any money that's what they were using for bets)

Knives raised an eyebrow at her before lowering his own cards to show…a worst hand than she had.

"Hey!"

Millie said annoyed. Knives just smiled again.

"You were bluffing?"

She shook her head in amazement. Knives was certainly crafty she'd give him that much. Not only that but he seemed to be a natural card player. He had picked up the game faster than anyone she had ever met before.

"Alright you win."

Millie sighed as she pushed all her chocolate chip cookies toward Knives.

"I guess I have to go buy more cookie's now."

Knives only smirked at her.

"So now what do you want to do?"

Knives shrugged his shoulders before looking out the window again.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

Millie smiled widely as she snapped her fingers in front of his face. He snapped out of the daze he had fallen in and blinked at her.

Millie placed her hand against his forehead searching for that fever that kept popping up and surprising her. Not finding it there she switched to touch his cheek as well, just to make sure.

She felt Knives stiffen beneath her hand. She found it strange really the way he just froze whenever she touched him. He hadn't done that before, in fact today was the first…she thought. But then again maybe he had been doing it all along and she just didn't notice.

"Hm, you feel a little warm. Maybe you should get back to bed."

Millie frowned slightly as she studied his face. His eyes were wide and his cheeks had a decidedly flushed look about them.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

He choked out before turning away from her again.

"You've been acting weird today. Are you sure?"

Millie let her frown deepen slightly. She really didn't like to frown but there were times when it was needed.

Maybe he's still depressed.

"I know!"

Her voice seemed to startle him. His head whirled around to stare at her with wide eyes. Millie would have found his expression strange if she had seen it. However she was to into thinking about ice cream to notice.

"You do?"

He asked unbelieving.

"I know what you need. You need some ice cream! Or maybe a cholomode en la crème!"

Millie smiled breathtakingly again as she thought about her favorite frozen treats.

Surely even Mr. Knives would cheer up with them.

"Hm…Mr. Knives would you rather sit here and wait or do you want to go to the ice cream pallor with me. They have these really nice tables outside and it's just wonderful!"

Knives eyes narrowed as he studied her a moment.

What was that? She had said she knew and something nearly exploded inside me. I don't understand. What did I think she meant? I don't know.

God he hated this. He hated the fact he was starting to have trouble talking to her. He was having worst trouble being near her. What was with that?

What was wrong with him?

It wasn't because he couldn't stand her. He knew this because despite the fact he felt so uncomfortable about her; he also wanted to be around her so much it hurt.

The strange feeling in his stomach wouldn't go away.

It was just all so strange to him.

Knives nodded not bothering to answer as he then forced himself onto his feet. Millie made the weirdest squeak as she suddenly moved to help him.

His legs felt like shit but surprisingly they didn't hurt all that bad. They felt more tired and sore than anything. Like they were two lead weights holding him down and keeping him still.

However Millie's surprising strength was more than enough to get him moving. With one arm around his waist and the other across his chest they slowly made it out of the house.

Knives once again felt like blushing as he felt the warmth of her arms and body pressed against him. It felt nice, very nice. In fact he really liked it.

"The shops just across the street Mr. Knives."

Millie said sweetly with only the slightly strain in her voice.

Knives didn't answer as he concentrated on not falling.

"There."

Millie said once they got to the tables. With gentle hands and movements she lowered herself down to allow Knives to sit.

"That wasn't so bad. You're an amazing healer Mr. Knives."

Millie sat down herself and picked up a menu.

"What would you like Mr. Knives? I think I'm going to have a triple thick banana crème sundae surprise with extra chocolate sauce and…and caramel on top."

Knives raised an eyebrow at Millie as she looked like she was about to drool over just the description of the icy treat.

Knives took his own menu and looked it over. Truth be told he could barely even remember what Ice cream tasted like. It had been years and years since he had some. However he did remember that he liked it.

"Chocolate sundae."

He said before lowering his menu. Millie smiled and got up so she could order their treats.

Knives took the moment to study the town around him. Unlike earlier when he had gone to the bench, there were quite a few people walking around. No doubt it was because of the wavering heat as the suns sank lower in the sky.

He watched them as they went about their business.

After a moment some playing children caught his eye.

It was a small group only about six kids, and they all seemed to be fighting over a large yellow ball.

No…there not fighting…playing.

He watched them quietly.

Vash and I never played like that? We didn't have time. In only two years we had reached our full growth. Besides Rem wasn't like that. She liked the quieter games like Chess and such. She never encouraged us to do this.

The children seemed to be having so much fun. It was like for them the pains of the world didn't exist. They weren't living on a desert planet that would some day no doubt kill them. They didn't care that this was no Eden, that people stole things, killed each other, and hated each other.

To them there was nothing but that damn yellow ball.

They were in a world they created all by themselves, a child's world.

Their own private Eden.

"Mr. Knives?"

Knives blinked and looked up as Millie came back with their ice cream.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

Silence…

"Millie…"

"Hm?"

Knives stopped a moment unsure how to ask his question. No doubt she would find it strange…but it was something that was bothering him at the moment. He really wanted to know.

"What's it like…being a child?"

He glanced over at the kids he had been watching. They were still playing with that damn ball. What was so special about that ball? He just didn't understand.

Millie looked at him confused.

"What do you mean? Weren't you a child as well once?"

Knives shook his head.

"We were created…and in two years we were as you see us now."

Millie remained silent a moment. Staring down at her untouched ice cream.

"Being a child…is like being an innocent angel. There is nothing wrong with the world as a child. And what you do see as wrong the answers are so simple you wonder why the grown ups can't figure it out."

Knives made an hmm sound as he thought over what Millie said.

"I've never just watched humans before. I've never looked closely at the spider."

Millie's eyebrows drew together again.

"And now that you have what do you see Mr. Knives?"

Knives turned toward Millie his blue eyes penetrating. Millie's breath caught in her throat.

She watched as Knives studied her his eyes moving back and forth as his frown deepened.

"I don't know."

Looking down at her ice cream Millie took a small bite trying to overcome the extreme uncomfortable feeling she was getting from Knives right now.

A silence settled, one that was strained and uncomfortable…but also one that Millie had no intention of breaking.

Knives followed her example and went to work on his own frozen treat.

"SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!!!!!!"

Meryl, Lina and Grandma watched curiously as Vash the Stampede the greatest gunman known to man threw yet another temper tantrum.

He jumped up and down a few times and actually kicked the car once for good measure.

Finally with a high pitched wail that sounded like it came from a three-year-old child instead of a grown man Vash flung himself to the ground to pout.

"Why does this always happen to me?"

He asked no one in particular.

The car that B.D.N had let him borrow hissed angrily at him in reply as smoke slowly curled up from the engine.

Lina hung over the door with a forced smile on her young face.

"Well look on the bright side Eriks. We're in town."

"Ya, in the wrong town! With no money what so ever to even get bus tickets! Much less get this piece of Thomas shit fixed."

"Eriks! Watch you're language! Especially when talking to Lina!"

Vash cringed then smiled weakly at Grandma.

"Sorry Grandma."

Meryl sighed as she looked around.

Hey this looks familiar. Wait a minute I know where we are.

Suddenly a small idea poped into her head. It was insane and probably would only get her fired…but what the hell.

"Don't worry Vash. I have an idea."

"You do?"

Vash said as he got up off the ground. He ignored the people that were giving the man in red weird looks.

Meryl smiled forcibly.

"I work here…this is were Burnidelli Insurance has it's main headquarters."

Meryl shook her head. She couldn't believe she just told Vash that. Knowing him he was going to want to go with her and that would cause problems. She could just see it now. Her boss having a heart attack as she brought in her new boyfriend Vash the Stampede mankinds only localized humanoid disaster. What would her co-workers say…?

Meryl stopped as something akin to evil thoughts entered her head.

Suddenly Meryl smiled evilly.

Suddenly this didn't sound like such a bad idea.

"Lina, Grandma could you stay with the car? Me and Vash have to go to work."

"We do?"

Vash blinked as Meryl grabbed him by his coat sleeve and started walking. Vash tripped over his own feet as he tried to gain his balance. After they were out of hearing range he spoke up.

"What are we doing Meryl?"

Meryl smirked to herself as she transferred her grip from his coat to his hand.

Vash smiled as well as he entwined their fingers in the classic boyfriend, girlfriend handhold.

"We my dear Vash the Stampede are going to show you off a little."

"Huh?"

Meryl chuckled again as she took a left at a street corner.

"What I mean is, I'm sure if I take you to work the boss will do anything to get you out of town. Including either buying us bus tickets or even giving us a car. Its that simple."

Vash frowned as he looked down at Meryl. Was it just him or did she seem overly happy about this. With a heavy sigh he just dropped it. Women were a mystery to him and always will be. He was just happy that he got to hold her hand…maybe…

Looking down at Meryl Vash timidly took another step closer to her so that her shoulder brushed against hers. When she didn't seem to mind…or punch him he tightened his grip on her hand and smiled like an idiot.

There relationship was still to new to him to be sure what Meryl would do. Would she hit him for getting to close in public? Or would she just let him?

Well this time it looks like she didn't mind and that put a bigger smile than before on his face.

He loved being close to her. He loved to touch her and to heart the sound of her heart next to his. She was so alive and it gave him happiness in that life

God that sounded corny.

Vash thought to himself…but then when he thought about it he realised he really didn't give a damn.

"There it is. God it feels good to be back…even if for a moment."

Vash looked to where Meryl pointed and was somewhat impressed. He had always known that Meryl's Insurance Company was a big one but he never imagined they were so well off. The building was huge over 5 stories tall and fairly dwarfed the others around it. It was also very expensive looking with fancy windows and everything.

"Umm Meryl…are you sure you want me going in there?"

Meryl raised an eyebrow and looked back at him.

"Of course…I can expect you to behave right?"

Vash gulped at the glare that threatened to be sent his way.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Good, now come on."

Meryl walked confidently through the main doors and after showing off her ID was off toward the elevators.

As the door closed Meryl became aware that Vash had gotten even closer to her. In fact he was starting to push he back against the elevator wall.

Meryl opened her mouth to tell him off when he suddenly bent over and nuzzled her neck.

Her warning turned into a giggle.

"Vash stop it."

"Hmm."

He said.

"I mean it. I don't want any funny business from you. This is where I work! I somehow doubt by boss would like it if he found out I was with Vash the Stampede in more ways than one."

Meryl felt Vash chuckle against her.

"Well ya, it keeps me under control and out of trouble right?"

"Vash!"

Meryl said before pushing him away. Just in time too cause not two seconds later the elevator doors opened to their floor.

"Stay right here until I call for you."

"I'm not a lost puppy you know."

Meryl crossed her arms.

"You were willing to be dog for that plant engineer."

"Eek…um woof I'll be good."

"Good."

Meryl nodded to herself confident that Vash wouldn't wonder off somewhere and get into trouble.

With a final glance at him that particularly screamed stay right where you are. She opened the door that led to where she worked when at 'home' so to speak.

"Meryl?"

Meryl smiled at Karen a pretty blonde that she worked with. They were fairly good friends but Karen was to…to mild for Meryl's taste. She was always trying to get her to stay in the office and out of danger. Meryl was touched that she cared so much, but also annoyed at the same time. Especially when Karen wouldn't listen to her about how Vash really wasn't such a bad guy.

"Hi Karen…oh hi Mark."

Meryl waved to Karen's other half. Where one was the other wasn't far behind. They were the best of friends.

Meryl liked Mark all right. But he was just to…to clueless.

"What are you doing here Meryl? I thought you were still on assignment."

Mark asked his face curious.

"Um I am."

"Well what are you doing here then?"

Karen backed Mark up.

Meryl smiled crookedly. Granted she did feel a little bad being so mean to them but hey it was all in fun. As long as Vash didn't blow anything up.

Meryl opened her mouth to say exactly why she was back when a shrill scream caught her attention. Everyone in the office heard it and started talking to one another about what it might be. Meryl managed to take one step toward the door when suddenly the door was thrown off his hinges and Vash showed up in all his glory. It was really a spectacular entrance…he couldn't have done better. Everyone was in awe of the huge tall man in the doorframe, with his red coat flaring slightly and the silver gun at his hip. It was spectacular really.

He of course then had to totally ruin that entrance. He did that by suddenly stiffening and screaming again.

"AAAAHHHHHHHH"

And in an amazing show of agility he jumped into the air, did a summersault in mid air then ran across two tables and someone's head as he ran to get to Meryl. After which he promptly hide behind her like a little girl.

"What?"

Vash pointed and Meryl along with every other person in the room looked.

In the door way was Mrs. Lepod an old woman that worked here part time. She had a huge smile on her face.

"SHE PINCHED MY BUTT! TWICE!"

Vash cried out as he burst into tears and the old woman smiled wider.

"I couldn't help myself sonny. You're just the cutest thing these old eyes have seen in a long time."

"Oh my god!"

Meryl covered her eyes with her face and shook her head in wonderment. Why did these embarrassing things always have to happen to her?

And…and why was Vash still crying and clinging to her…and why was his hands…hey wait a moment!

With a gasp of outrage Meryl spun around and punched Vash in the cheek. With a wail he fell over onto a desk and twitched.

"Just because you get grabbed Pervert doesn't mean you get to grab me!"

"I'm Sorry!"

Vash cried out in his most whinny voice.

Meryl just shook her head and growled. So much for being proud of her boyfriend.

"You know for a legendary gunman you're pathetic!"

Finally after a moment of silence Karen finally spoke up.

"Who is he Meryl?"

Vash seeing that it was time to do magic jumped up and gave Karen his 'serious' look.

"Hi there!"

He said in an overly deep voice.

"Um Karen my name is Karen, and this is Mark."

Karen pointed to the guy standing next to her.

Vash nodded before looking around.

"So this is Burndelli. A lot nicer than I expected. The way Meryl always bitched at me about how much money the company lost over me I assumed the place was almost bankrupted."

Karen blinked…so did Mark.

"Wait a moment…lost money over you?"

Vash turned and with his hand behind his head smiled.

"Ya I'm really sorry about that."

Vash held up his hands in a shrug.

"Meryl who is this weirdo?"

Meryl smiled…

"I would like you to met Mr. Vash the Stampede."

The entire room, which had been listening in suddenly became bone-chilling quiet.

"You've got to be kidding me."

Karen finally managed to choke out.

"Nope, he's the humanoid Typhoon. But don't worry he won't cause any problems. Isn't that RIGHT?!"

Suddenly Vash fell forward wrapping his insanely long arms around Meryl's neck.

"That's right! And you know why! Because I have totally been whipped!"

Vash rubbed his cheek against Meryl's a lovey duvey look on his face.

Meryl's eyes got really big as a huge blush burned her cheeks.

Karen and Mark looked at each other then at Meryl.

"Meryl!"

Karen said in shock!

"AM GOING TO KILL YOU VASH!"

"EEEEEEECCCCCKKKKKK!!!"

Vash jumped back as Meryl's fist went flying at him.

"You are so dead Broom head!"

Karen and Mark together suddenly reached out and grabbed onto Meryl's arms.

"What are you doing Meryl!?"

"Ya don't get him mad! We like this town and our lives."

Meryl continued to struggle and Vash started to pose.

"Yes I am the one and only, the man that does the most terrible of awful of things. The man with the 60 billion double dollar bounty on his head Vash the Stampede. Yes I am that man!"

Meryl sighed and relaxed against her friend's arms. They both had horrified looks on their faces.

"He's just hamming it up. Don't worry this broom head wouldn't harm a fly."

Vash's face fell as his game was ruined.

"But I thought you wanted me to."

"Just shut up!"
Karen still holding on to Meryl whispered into her ear.

"Meryl, what is Vash the Stampede doing here?"
Meryl frowned at how terrified she sounded.

"Karen…don't worry. I'll already told you he won't hurt anyone. Vash isn't that kind of person. KAREN!"

"Make him go away. I don't want to die Meryl."

Meryl frowned.

"Did you hear me. I said he won't hurt anyone. Karen? Mark?"

Meryl shook off her co-workers arms and backed up to Vash.

Her face was that of disbelief mixed in with a good amount of hurt.

"I can't believe you people!"

Meryl turned around in a circle staring at each one. Seeing each persons terrified look that Vash would hurt them.

"Open you're eyes people. Does he really look like someone to be scared of? This man has saved my life more times than I can count. He not…he's not what the rumors say! LISTEN TO ME!"

Meryl felt tears start to swell into her eyes. She had thought…she had really thought her friends; her co-workers would be smart enough to see past the reputation. She had really thought they would see Vash the way he was, the way she saw him.

"Meryl…don't. Its ok."

"No its not! You haven't done anything wrong! Yet look at this! Look how they look at you!"

Vash sighed and took Meryl into his arms. With a sob she started to cry against him.

"Come on Meryl. Lets go."

Vash looked around the office and saw nothing but scared puppets.

We will not get any help from here.

With an arm still around her shoulder they left the Burndelli office.

Once they were outside Meryl once again buried her face into Vash's coat.

"Why Vash. Why couldn't they see? I don't understand?"

Vash's eyebrows drew together as he gently stroked Meryl hair.

"Shhh, don't worry about them Meryl. We don't need them. We have each other."

Meryl nodded and forcable gathered herself up.

"Sorry Vash I don't know why I'm so emotional."

Vash smirked.

"Well at least you're not being Bitchy. I consider this an improvement."

"What did you SAY!?"

"AH nothing, nothing at all. Just that I was thinking that stealing a car would be easier than dealing with this stuff."

Meryl sighed and wiped the rest of her tears off.

"Fine whatever. I can see where this is headed though."

"Here let me help you get that off."

Millie smiled as with quick hands she unbuckled the dark green coat and slipped it over Knives head.

She smiled as she put it up and went about trying to undo the many clasps and buckles that made up his outfit.

Knives tried to ignore her. He really did.

He hadn't said a word to her since they had finished at the ice cream store and she had half dragged him back to the house.

He didn't say anything as she had put him in the bed saying he really should rest now, and he didn't say anything as she started to undress him.

But damn did he feel stuff.

He felt hot and strangely aching inside.

It was strange really. He had never felt this way before. He didn't know what to do about it either.

All emotions demand a response. Anger with violence, sadness with tears, happiness with laughter. But what does this feeling want?

Knives suddenly came out of his thoughts by Millie's hands at his waist undoing the buckle down there.

His eyes widened to the point he thought they would fall out as he grabbed her hands.

"I can do that."

He said his voice sounding hoarse and strained.

Millie blushed as she laughed nervously.

"Oh of course, how silly of me."

Millie stepped back and went about tidying the living room as he undid the belt and tried to slip his pants off.

Tried being the key word.

As he stood up to take them off he cursed at a particularly painful twitch in his leg.

"Fuck!"

That in turn made Millie turn around…

"Are you ok?

Right when he lost his balance and fell forward.

Millie gasped and reached out to stop him from falling and got taken down as well by his weight.

With a short scream she fell down hard with Knives somehow landing on top of her.

As they fell their heads met with a resounding crack that nearly busted both their heads open.

Knives vision went black for a second before the stars came.

Gasping for breath Knives forced himself to focus and not pass out from the pain.

God damn that hurt!

Knives face rested in the crock of Millie's shoulder and neck. She didn't say anything probably since she had also been stunned by the fall and the head butt.

"Sorry."

He muttered into her sweet smelling skin. However he didn't try to get up yet. His body not yet healed was protesting the fall extremly and every part of him hurt.

He just needed a moment.

"That's…ok."

Millie gasped as she lay beneath him. She also made no move to get up.

Knives closed his eyes as his senses felt like they were being over run. It felt strange and extremly nice for Millie's softness to be beneath him like this.

Her scent and her very being seemed to wrap around him in a warm cocoon.

It made his dizzy and his stomach knot up.

"Mr. Knives?"

"Just a moment."

Knives breathed out breathlessly. His head was still swimming and he didn't think he could get up right now.

However he was starting to become unnerved by a strange new heat deep in his belly. He had never felt that before and it made his even more nervous.

So with great pain he forced an arm to move and gather under him.

With a grunt he forced himself up a little.

And his eyes met the beautiful blue eyes of Millie.

Her eyes were very wide just like his, and there was a deep blush on her face just like his.

He studied her face, which was so close to his carefully.

He noted her skin and how flawless and soft it looked up close. He saw how her eyelashes were a deep dark brown and how her eyes…were so clear and startling up close.

"Is something wrong?"

She asked.

"I feel strange, when I look at you."

He said after a moment.

Under normal circumstances he would have never said anything like that. And he wouldn't have said anything like that if he hadn't just received a rather nasty knock to the head. He felt unbalanced and confused. And had be unable to stop the truthful answer before it left his mouth.

Knives head felt heavy and it lowered a little closer to Millie.

"What are you doing?"
She asked a little startled by how close his face was to hers. She could tell by looking at him that he was totally out of it.

"I don't know."

He said truthfully some of his confusion and uncertainty showing in his voice.

Knives felt his world close on him…narrowing down until there was only Millie's face. Then it focused even narrower onto her moist lips.

He watched them a moment and the way they moved as they parted slightly.

Knives didn't even realize his head had moved, but suddenly his lips were on hers.

It was a very innocent kiss. There were no exploding bombs or insane hormones thrown into the mix. There was no open mouth and no tongue. There was no franticness and no fright. There was only a sweet and tender whirl of emotions.

Knives closed his eyes feeling the warmth of Millie's lips on his. He felt like he was going to fly away. He felt so strange inside almost like he made of jelly and had no bones.

Kiss…

His startled mind said to himself.

I'm kissing Millie.

And the weird thing was he liked it. He liked it a lot.

He felt so warm and she felt so soft and gentle.

Gentle Millie

His lips tingled strangely and a part of his mind connected this tingle with the strange feelings he had been feeling within. His mind told him this was it. This was the action that his emotions wanted. He was doing the right thing.

And just like that he wasn't as confused anymore.

Knives finally lifted his head up his eyes wide. Millie blinked at him her face that of total astonishment.

"I…I'm sorry."

He said unable to think of anything else to say.

Despite the pain Knives forced himself to lean back and get off her.

Millie sat up her eyes still wide. She then touched her lips with her hands as if unsure what had happened.

A faint reddish tinge of a blush stained her pale cheeks.

"Why…did you kiss me?"

Millie asked her voice quiet and unsure.

However she wasn't afraid or disgusted. Knives considered that a plus on his side.

His side? Since when did he have a 'his side' when concerning Millie?

Why did I kiss her? That's a human thing. Humans kiss, humans kiss other humans.

Why?

Millie leaned forward, which made Knives really nervous. Her face and its emotions were totally open for him to see. She didn't seem offended, only curious.

Reaching up she gently cupped the side of his face. He felt a jolt as the warmth from her hand penetrated his skin. He took a shaky breath unable to stop the strange feeling he got whenever they touched.

I should be disgusted that a Spider is touching me. Why am I not disgusted? Why do I want her to touch me?

Knives felt her thumb brush against his skin and shivered.

Millie is beautiful. She's gentle and innocent. She's warm and caring.

Knives eyes narrowed in confusion as he reached up and took Millie's hand into his own. He stared at it a moment, comparing her soft hand to his own. Her hand despite the rest of her body was small and dainty looking. Or at least that's how it looked inside his own hand. Her skin was smooth without the rough calluses he had and her skin was darker.

It was so similar yet so very different…in more ways than one.

Millie's not a spider. She's not a butterfly.

The thoughts came slow as if they were a great revelation to him…and they were.

He was looking closely at a spider and realizing it wasn't what he thought it was. It wasn't a spider, it was something else. But what he saw he didn't understand.

The spider had changed its nature.

Knives suddenly felt a great urge to touch her…so he copied her motion by bringing up his hand to touch her cheek.

To his surprise she didn't draw away from him.

There was no fear in her eyes despite the fact he could easily kill her. He had even once tried to do that and she still did not fear him.

Millie tilted her head a little, surprising him as she actually leaned into his touch.

"Will you…"

She said suddenly sounded very very shy.

"Kiss me again?"

Knives eyes widened a little at her request. Millie herself turned so red she looked like she had sunburn.

Unable to deny her this request he leaned forward still holding her face and once again pressed his lips to her.

This kiss was more passionate than the other but still rather tame and innocent.

Knives pressed harder against her lips wanted to feel her heartbeat through the tender flesh there.

Are all humans this alive?

He wondered as he felt Millie shivered against him.

Knives felt his shoulders stiffen as Millie's strong arms wrapped around his neck.

The action was non-threatening yet unnerving since he had never let anyone since Rem and his brother touch him in anyway.

However the rightness of the embrace…and the distracting presence that was Millie made this concern disappear as if it never bothered him.

Breathing hard through his nose Knives felt Millie open her mouth slightly.

Countering her he did the same wondering what she was doing. He had never kissed anyone before so he was as they say, was winging it.

He was thus dazed when he felt Millie's tongue shyly run across his lower lip. He felt a very strong electric shock at the feel of her soft tongue.

His lips tingled more telling him this was good.

He opened his mouth more allowing her tongue to enter his mouth.

This was something that he never thought would happen. A human was exploring his mouth with her tongue and he was actually enjoying it.

Millie's tongue almost had an emotion in itself as it shyly and unsurely explored him.

Knives sighed she ran her tongue against him.

I can taste her.

He thought to himself. It was her and it was other things as well, all mixed together, a strange combination of her personal taste, mint and ice cream.

He countered her and timidly touched his tongue to hers unsure of what her reaction would be.

Her reply was a soft moan as her tongue ran the side of his causing tiny electric shocks to coarse through his body.

Knives hand left Millie's face to wrap around and hold her head. He tangled his fingers into her soft and silky hair.

Knives taking control moved his tongue into her mouth. He wondered momentarily what he tasted like to her. Did she like what she felt?

But those questions were far away and definitely could be answered later.

Knives wanted to know…wanted to know every part of Millie's mouth. He did not care about answers.

His tongue felt along her straight white teeth, her gums, and her tongue. He felt the different textures marveling in them.

To Knives it felt like he was falling. Falling yet weightless at the same time. He didn't understand why he was feeling this way, but he knew that he liked it.

He felt the strange heat build in his lower stomach again. This heat was wonderful yet for some reason slightly embarrassing at the same time. He became unnerved. So he slowly withdrew his head from Millie's.

Both of them were blushing slightly and were out of breath.

They both searched each other's faces wondering about emotions and whether they would see them or not.

"Knives?"

Millie whispered and for the second time without the Mr. in front of his name.

"Hmm."

Knives muttered his eyes half closed as he studied her face.

Millie had yet to remove her arms from around his neck and did not seem like she wanted to. With a great sigh she leaned forward and rested her head against his chest.

On instinct alone Knives wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her close.

"Knives…I have to know. What am I to you? Am I a game…a challenge what?"

Millie tilted her head up so she could look into Knives face.

"I can't tell what your feeling. Your poker face…"

Millie smiled at her reference to their game.

"Is much to good. I can't tell."

Knives was confused again. Humans used these emotions as a game? But these feelings seemed to serious and to powerful to be used that way. That wasn't right? It was even cruel. But then again he didn't know anything about humans. He did know they tended to be stupid so maybe they did create games out of these emotions.

But what did he think? What was Millie to him?

She wasn't a game he knew that. He understood there was more to it than just a game. He understood the subtle tone of Millie's voice. Calling it a game just gave it a name. If he were to guess, it was where one human messed around with another making them think he or she felt one way but actually didn't.

It was like in poker, bluff and double bluff.

Like a spider spinning a web of deceit for the butterfly.

Millie wasn't that to him. He knew that for sure. Knives would never lower himself to that level. He had no reason to. He felt what he felt and he would make sure everyone around him knew that.

So what was Millie then?

He felt for her. He really did but he just didn't know what he felt.

"I don't know…"

He said after a moment.

"No games…I simply just don't know."

Millie smiled sadly.

"Then you're just as confused as I."