Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Are We There yet? ( Chapter 16 )

 

Disclaimer: Hmmm... I own my kids (Because I made them) I own my husband, (Because the Marriage License says so) and I own a REALLY big mortgage. (Because I'm stupid and signed on the dotted line.) However I don't own Trigun. (Because if I did, I wouldn't have said mortgage.)

“blah blah” : talking

`blah blah' : thinking

“blah blah” : telepathic talking

blah blah : other misc. stuff.

 

*~*~*

 

Forever Mine

 

Chapter 16: Are We There Yet?

 

 

 

Milly woke when she heard the distinct sound of a car door closing or more to the point and truck door. `It can't it be morning already,' she thought, while rolling over and trying to convince herself that she could sleep for the rest of the day. She hadn't really slept in ages, especially a restful sleep since he had died and she knew that a few more hours would be beneficial.

 

Unfortunately, her Sempai and Mr. Vash had deemed it time to get moving and were up even before the suns were. Milly could hear both of them talking outside of the truck's bed quietly. That is, up until Meryl screeched and told `the broom-head' to put her down. Then she distinctly heard a smack and, finally, Mr. Vash yelping before he started to whine, saying that he only wanted to give her a hug. Milly couldn't help but giggle at the two who represented an alarm clock to her.

 

Still giggling lightly, she sat up while raising her long arms up to stretch and turned her laugh into a yawn. That's when she felt eyes upon her. Causally looking over her shoulder, she saw that Knives, who was still lying down, was intently staring at her.

 

“Well, good morning Mr. Knives,” Milly chirped as she gave him a warm smile. “Did you sleep well?”

 

“Hardly.”

 

“Gee… that's too bad. Were your injuries bothering you? You should have told me, I would have gotten your medication for you,” she rushed as she grabbed his medication and a canteen of water. “Would you like some now?”

 

“I will shortly, lowly peon. However, I need my brother's immediate assistance,” he crisply answered.

 

“Oh… okay Mr. Knives. I'll go and get him for you,” Milly smiled as she got up and moved to open the door. She gave the platinum blonde one more glance and told him that once his brother was finished helping him go to the bathroom that she would check his wounds and get him something to eat. Then she opened the door and hopped down to the sandy floor of the cave. Upon her departure, Knives rolled his eyes and mumbled that he could hardly believe that such a scatterbrained twit could also be so damn observant at the same time.

 

Milly strolled around the corner of the truck and saw in the dim pre-morning light that the two lovebirds were putting away their bedding. Well, actually, Meryl was folding the brown blanket while Vash was standing right behind her with his hands on her hips and lightly nipping at her neck. She heard Meryl tell Vash to stop and that she was trying to get things done right before he replied with a `so am I.'

 

`Gee… they must have had a good night,' Milly thought before happily calling out, “Good morning, Sempai, Mr. Vash!”

 

Eyes wide, the couple snapped their heads to the statuesque woman and instantly blushed. Then without pause, Vash jumped away laughing while raising his right hand to scratch the back of his head before mumbling something about being busted. Milly just laughed as she walked up to her red-faced comrades and declared, “You two are really funny. You both know that I know how you two feel for each other, but you still insist on trying to hide it.”

 

“Well…” Meryl began before looking down at her feet.

 

“Well what, Sempai?”

 

“It's just… kinda… weird, is all.”

 

“Hey! What do you mean by weird, short-girl?!” Vash defensively complained.

 

“I don't mean strange weird. I mean different weird,” a still blushing Meryl pointed out while bringing her gaze up to meet Vash's.

 

“Oh…” both Milly and Vash stated at the same time.

 

“So, is my brother up yet, big-girl?”

 

“Oh yeah, I almost forgot!” she chirped. “He's up and said that he needs your help. I believe he would like to get out of the truck and go to the bathroom.”

 

“Alrighty then… I suppose that I should go and help Mr. High and Mighty,” Vash sighed as strode around to the back of the truck, leaving the insurance girls alone.

 

“So… Sempai…” the taller woman slowly began as she turned her attention from the outlaw to the petite woman in front of her. Meryl looked up into her best friend's crystalline blue eyes and smiled brightly with her own silver orbs sparkling. “Can you believe it, Milly?”

 

“Sure can! I'm so glad, Sempai!” the brunette squealed as she embraced her partner. “I just can't wait to be an Aunt!”

 

“What?!” Meryl instantly sputtered, with shock apparent. “Don't you think it's a bit early for that?”

 

“Well, I'm not expecting anything right away, maybe in the next year or two!” Milly explained as she pulled away from her partner still smiling. “So, what happened last night, Sempai? Did you tell him or did he tell you?”

 

“Well…” Meryl whispered as a blush returned to her cheeks before she choked out, “Do you want to know everything?”

 

“Not everything… Wait! You didn't, did you?” Milly asked as her cheeks started match her best friends.

 

“Oh no… we… ahhh… didn't get that far,” Meryl exclaimed before adding with a sheepish smile, “Though… I… ahhh… well… I wanted to.”

 

“Well, what happened?”

 

“Ummm… we told each other that we were crazy about one another and then we started… to make out,” she stammered, returning her gaze to the sandy earth at her feet.

 

“And?”

 

“Well, I told Vash that I had never done it before, but wanted too… with him.”

 

“And?”

 

“And… Oh, you won't believe this!” the petite woman blurted out, setting her gaze on her partner once again. “He said that he never had either.”

 

“Really, Sempai?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Well… what stopped you?” Milly curiously asked.

 

“Knives and his impeccable timing,” Meryl sighed as she ran a hand through her cropped locks. “I guess Vash was sending him some of his thoughts and his brother didn't appreciate it.”

 

“Well gee… Sempai, that wasn't very nice of Mr. Knives.”

 

“Yeah tell me about it…” Meryl grumbled.

 

“I bet Mr. Vash was pretty frustrated as well,” Milly interjected with a knowing smile. “Don't worry too much Sempai, I'm sure that you too will be able to do it soon enough…”

 

“Milly… I can't believe you just said that!”

 

“What? What's wrong with it? I mean it's a wonderful way to express your love for one another. It's only natural, after all.”

 

“I know… it just seems so surreal,” the smaller woman added as she handed the blanket over to Milly and picked up the two pillows sitting on the passenger seat of the tuck. “I mean he has only been back with his brother in tow for what… fives days and now we are only about two hours away from his home and he and I are… well… I'm not really sure actually…”

 

“Oh Meryl, I wouldn't worry too much. Mr. Vash is nuts about you!” Milly chirped as both women started to head toward the back of the truck in order to return the items in their hands.

 

“I'm nuts about him, too,” Meryl added with a smile.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

After Knives had been seen too and breakfast eaten, the eager travelers began the final leg of their journey just as the twin balls of fire made their presence known by painting a brilliant array of colors on the eastern horizon. Soon after, the stunning sunrise evaporated from the pale mauves and periwinkles to a never-ending expanse of cerulean blue. While the ride itself had been quite serene, making the three almost believe that the treacherous storm, from the previous evening, never happened. That is, if they had not experienced it first hand.

 

Just like the trip began, Vash drove while Meryl sat to his immediate right and Milly sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window. All because the fairer twin adamantly declared that he would rather be left alone for the remainder of the trip. Even though, he had taken his pain medication and would be incapacitated for the remainder of the day. The three simply shrugged off Knives' attempt to be bothersome and enjoyed the light conversation throughout the early morning.

 

“Gee… that was a breathtaking sunrise,” a smiling Milly exclaimed as she turned her attention from the eastern sky to the other two occupants in the cab. “Wouldn't you agree, Sempai?”

 

“Yeah, it sure was Milly,” Meryl agreed as she returned her friend's gesture and added, “It's kinda hard to believe that a sandstorm hit overnight, huh?”

 

“Oh yeah… I completely forgot about that!” the big-girl said before giggling, while her partner just shook her head and the outlaw laughed at the brunette's obtuseness. “So about how much longer do we have, Mr. Vash?”

 

“Well, we didn't loose too much time with our slight detour last night. So, I would guess that we should be able see the ship in about an hour or so. Then after that, maybe another thirty minutes before we actually get there.” Vash answered as he glanced over to the women next to him before returning his attention back to driving. “I hope we make it soon, though. I'm getting kinda hungry!”

 

“But you just ate a little over an hour ago!” Meryl pointed out.

 

“Yeah, but that was only some apples and a couple slices of bread,” the blonde whined before adding, “Man… what I would do for some bacon and eggs right now!”

 

“What no doughnuts?” the taller woman asked.

 

“Yeah, I could go for some of those, too!” Vash sighed.

 

“Actually, a doughnut does sounds pretty good right now… just like the ones from yesterday,” Meryl suggestively added. Vash openly gaped at her before groaning as he remembered how delectable his short-girl looked while eating his favorite treat. He immediately sent her a message, mentally calling her a tease. The petite beauty couldn't help but laugh over his `scolding,' which made him chuckle as well.

 

Milly just looked at the two and asked if she missed something. Both started to laugh harder and told her that it was an inside joke. She just smiled and said that it must have been a good one to make them both laugh as hard as they were. Then with a scratch of her head, she added, “Gee…Sempai, I didn't even know you liked doughnuts!”

 

Both started to laugh even harder.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

True to Vash's calculations, the towering ship rose from the barren expanse about an hour later and, soon after, the outskirts of New Oregon had been spotted. He told the insurance girls that it would probably be only about ten more minutes. So, they started to talk about what they were going to do just as soon as they were settled. While Vash raised his prosthetic arm to his earring and turned the mini transmitter on in order to contact his friend and mentor, Doc.

 

“I'll tell ya' I can't wait to take a long shower!” Meryl practically groaned, but before she could elaborate, she heard Vash say `Doc are you there' and instantly brought her attention to the man next her. It seemed as if her `quasi' boyfriend was having a one-sided conversation with someone's doctor, but only the three of them were in the truck. She glanced at her partner and saw an equally dumbfounded expression on Milly's normally cheery face.

 

She brought her attention back to the man next to her and wondered how in the hell he was having a conversation with someone else, especially since he wasn't using his mental telepathy. Then she noticed that his left hand was touching something on the other side of his head. His earring, she realized and suddenly she remembered that he had talked through it before on the sandsteamer back when he saved it over three years ago. `He must have a tiny two way radio in it or something,' she added internally before being drawn out of her contemplative thoughts by Vash.

 

“So, short-girl, did you say something about a shower?” the outlaw asked with his eyes twinkling. “Mind if I join ya'?”

 

“What?!” Meryl breathed, wide-eyed, while Milly just laughed. She immediately called him a pervert and told him that she was going to shower alone. Vash just pouted and said that he only meant that he wanted to wash her back for her.

 

“So, Mr. Vash… who were you talking too?” Milly inquisitively asked.

 

“Huh? Oh, I was talking to Doc,” the blonde answered, glancing over to the big-girl.

 

“How, Mr. Vash?”

 

“Well… my earring has a little transmitter in it and once I'm in range, I can talk to whoever has access to the right frequency.” he explained.

 

“So what did the Doc say, Vash?” Meryl then asked.

 

“He said that he has an apartment on the ship ready for you and that he will be waiting outside.”

 

“Really? You mean we won't have to pay for a hotel or rent anything?” the astonished short-girl asked.

 

“Nope! You won't even have to worry about food!” he exclaimed before adding with a wink, “Well, unless you wanna take me out on a date, of course!”

 

“Isn't that great, Sempai!” the big-girl cheered as she looked out to see the ship right in front of them. Then she noticed the new sandstone structures being built just north of the depilated spacecraft. “Wow, what are they building, Mr. Vash?”

 

“Doc said that most of the families have decided to move out of the ship, so they are building homes for them. I guess they also found another water vein about a few isles below the surface, so they are planning on tapping into it,” Vash advised before adding with a smile, “I told him that I had brought a well digging pro and that she would just love to help out!”

 

“You got that right!” Milly happily agreed.

 

“What can I do Vash?” Meryl asked.

 

Vash looked at his insurance girl and smiled. He thought of several different things she could do, but none of them would be beneficial to anyone else except for him, though. He told her that she could help with his brother and, if she had enough time, she could see where else she would be needed. Meryl smiled back and said that she would do just that.

 

Bringing his attention to what was in front of them, he started to slow the truck and a few minutes later, he pulled up to the western side of the craft and stopped. Standing outside of the fallen ship were three men, including an older short man wearing brown robes with his baldhead glistening in the sunlight and a broad smile on his face.

 

“Look there's the Doc!” the outlaw exclaimed as he jumped out of the truck with the insurance girls following right behind.

 

“Vash! It's good to see you my boy!” the Doc happily exclaimed right before he got picked up by the taller man and hugged. “Oh, okay Vash… you can put me down now!”

 

“Oh sorry about that…” Vash goofily laughed as he put the Doc down and sheepishly added, “I guess I'm just glad that we finally made it.”

 

“I'm sure you are. You remember Curt and Jason don't you?” the small man asked, referring to men standing behind him.

 

“Of course, Hiya fellas!”

 

“They are going to help you get your things to your quarters and I'll escort you there once we get Knives to Mac in the infirmary.” Doc said to Vash as the other two men proceeded to walk around to the back of the truck. “I'm sure that all of you are very weary from your journey and would like to rest,” he added, while bringing his attention to the two ladies that accompanied the outlaw. “So, Vash are you going to introduce me to your lovely companions?”

 

“Oh yeah, I forgot that you never actually met,” Vash muttered sheepishly before beginning the introductions, “Doc, meet Milly Thompson, insurance girl and well excavator extraordinaire,” he started by motioning to the big-girl his open right hand.

 

“Hello,” Milly chirped brightly as she raised her right hand in greeting.

 

“And this exquisite beauty is my short-girl!” beamed the blonde as pulled Meryl to him and wrapped his real arm around her shoulders.

 

“Vash!” Meryl shrieked, her cheeks once again as red as a cherry as she pushed away and smacked him on the arm. “Don't embarrass me like that!”

 

“But Meryl…” Vash whined.

 

“Don't but me!” she interrupted before turning calm as she brought her attention to the laughing Doc. “I'm Meryl Stryfe from the Bernardelli Insurance Society. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir,” the raven-haired woman said as she brought her hand out to shake the hand of the man in front of her.

 

“Well, I must say it's a real pleasure to meet you, Miss Stryfe! I'm glad to see that Vash has finally met his match!” the bald man chuckled as he accepted the offered hand in greeting. “A pleasure indeed!”

 

“Thank you, sir,” the petite beauty said before adding, “Milly and I would also like to thank you for your hospitality.”

 

“The pleasure is all mine and please call me, Doc.”

 

“Okay… Doc,” she smiled.

 

“So, are you guys ready to get going?” Vash asked as he started to head toward the entrance of the ship.

 

“Ummm… Vash?” Meryl questioned.

 

“Yeah Meryl?”

 

“Aren't you forgetting someone?”

 

“Huh? Oh yeah, my brother,” Vash laughed, realizing that he needed to get his brother out of the back of the truck. He then turned around and headed in that direction to retrieve the incapacitated twin.

 

“Wait for me, Mr. Vash!” the big-girl called as she followed the retreating blonde around to the back of the truck. After a few minutes, a few muttered curses, (from Vash) and a few clunking noises, the gunman and the tall brunette walked back around to the smaller insurance girl and the Doc with a comatose twin and a Cross Punisher.

 

The Doc instantly recognized the weapon and quietly asked Meryl where the owner was. She sadly told him that he, unfortunately, didn't make it and that Milly probably felt more comfortable taking care of the item herself. With understanding apparent in his eyes, the Doc said that he would ask Vash the details later as the two walked back up to them.

 

“Okay, now are you guys ready?” Vash asked as he shifted his brother so that he would lie a little more comfortably on his left shoulder. Everyone said `yes' and just as they were about to turn to enter the ship, the outlaw added, “Hey Meryl, could you do me a favor and get the colts and give them to Doc for me? I have them wrapped up and under the passenger side seat.” She gave Vash a small smile and said `of course' before heading to grab the guns.

 

Finally, everyone was ready and entered the grounded ship. Once inside, they stepped onto a metal platform where the Doc pushed a button and, much to the girls' surprise, the floor began to rise. A few minutes later, the group walked through double sliding doors, which led to a long concave corridor littered with doors every few yarz. While walking down the hallway, Milly and Meryl could not believe what they saw as they continued to gape at the lost technology surrounding them.

 

“Wow, this is amazing!” Meryl breathed in awe before adding. “I just can't believe this.”

 

“This is nothing, short-girl,” Vash said with a warm smile as he looked to the woman walking next to him. “Just wait until I show you the recreation room. I'll make sure to give you a guided tour tomorrow,” he added before turning his attention to the smaller man directly in front of him. “So, Doc, how much did you have to shut down because of losing the two plants?”

 

“Well, not much, actually. Since we no longer need the thrusters to keep us afloat, we saved quite a bit of energy there. So, we only had to close off three floors of living quarters and we really only did that because no one was using them,” the bald man answered.

 

“That's good,” Vash said. “So who's Mac, Doc? I don't think I have ever met him.”

 

“Oh… well, Mac joined us about a week after you left and has helped out immensely, especially after losing… Dr. Smythe when we… ahhh… crashed,” the Doc replied, mumbling the last part while ushering everyone along. At the next crossway, they turned the corner, heading down a wider corridor and past the main control room.

 

Just as they walked past the heart of the ship, a younger man stepped out and asked the Doc if he could help him with something. The Doc immediately agreed and, with a chuckle, told Vash that, since he was so familiar with the medical ward, he should know how to get there without any problems. Then he said that he would meet up with them shortly. So, the remaining party went on ahead, turning another corner and a moment later, they stepped through the infirmary's double sliding doors.

 

Upon entering the white room, two of the three walking on their own, took in what seemed to be a laboratory. The two sidewalls had counters running along their length that were adorned with control panels and large flat rectangular pieces, which looked like smoky-slate glass, hung from the walls. The far wall had three doorways that led to separate rooms. While in the center of the large room was an island, full of drawers, with a metal chair covered in a white material attached to the closest end and smaller stools were littered around the mass. On top of the free standing table were a smaller control panel and another rectangular piece of gray glass, only smaller and sitting on top of a stand.

 

“Geee… Mr. Vash what are those?” Milly wondered as she pointed to the gray items after placing the Cross Punisher down next to the double doors.

 

“Oh, those are monitors, big-girl,” Vash advised as he looked to Milly. Upon seeing her perplexed expression, he told her that he would show her what they were used for later, before looking around the room and calling out, “Hello… is anyone here?”

 

A moment later, they heard the muffled `I'll be right there.' An instant later, a petite woman wearing a white lab coat over baggy beige pants and a white button down shirt walked out of the center doorway across from them. Her riotous russet color locks were pulled haphazardly into a low ponytail and it looked like a pencil was sticking out above her left ear. Upon her face, lay a pair of wire rimmed oval shaped glasses that covered her golden hazel eyes. She immediately smiled warmly to the newcomers and said, “Why hello, you must be Mr. Vash and his companions.”

 

“Umm… hello, Miss…” Vash began as he continued to look expectantly to the door behind her. “Could you please tell me where Mac is?”

 

She looked at the tall blonde and gave him a funny look before answering, “I'm Mac.”

 

“BBB…But… you're a girl!”