Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Unforeseen Complications ( Chapter 32 )

 

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 32: Unforeseen Complications

 

 

 

“God, I'm becoming a nympho,” muttered the raven-haired beauty while walking back to the ship after meeting Vash for lunch. Blushing profusely, she recalled what happened during that hour and she just couldn't believe that they did it again, especially where and, for the simple fact, that anybody could have walked in on them.

 

Vash had told her that he knew of a place where they could eat their packed lunch all alone and took her up to the second floor of one of the recently built homes. Upon entering the room, he took the basket from her hands and set it on the floor before he hastily pinned her against the wall, intently kissing her. He then told her that he needed her again before he slipped his hands under her skirt to pull her panties down, while muttering that he just loved her thigh highs…

 

“What would Karen say if she knew,” Meryl said with a laugh, while casually thinking about her blonde friend at Bernardelli HQ. She knew that Karen would never believe that she was capable of doing anything so outrageous, so spontaneous. Especially with the infamous outlaw Vash the Stampede, but she did and Meryl was very tempted to write her friend to tell her. `She would flip,' she then thought as she entered the ship.

 

Twenty minutes later, after dropping the basket off and freshening up in her quarters, Meryl walked into the infirmary. What she saw took her by surprise. McKenna was sitting in front of the monitor, while typing furiously at the keyboard with look of extreme vexation crossing her features. Walking up to her friend, she asked, “Ummm… McKenna, is something wrong?”

 

“Yeah, I'll tell ya' what's wrong!” she bit out as she pushed away from the island and started to pace, while sporadically raising her hands in pure frustration. “It's called an egotistical, pompous ass who doesn't care if he shreds another's feelings to bits, making them feel like they are of no value whatsoever unless he wants something from them. He only cares about himself!” She yelled with vehemence before she stopped her pacing and the tears started to fall. “That bastard!” she finally choked out as Meryl came up to the emotional woman and embraced her in a gentle hug.

 

“Shhh… Its okay McKenna,” Meryl said in a soothing voice while letting the redhead cry into her shoulder.

 

“And he was actually being civil last night,” she muttered into the insurance girl's shoulder before pulling away so she could wipe her eyes from under her glasses. She then dejectedly added, “How could I have been so stupid?”

 

“What did he do?” Meryl wondered as curiosity took over.

 

“He kissed me…” she whispered, while looking at the slightly shorter woman to gage her reaction.

 

“What?!”

 

“He… kkk…kissed me…”

 

“Knives kissed you?” Meryl asked with shock apparent on her lovely features, while needing verification.

 

“Yeah,” McKenna quietly confirmed as her cheeks stained pink from embarrassment.

 

“Wow… I didn't even think he would know how to kiss,” Meryl added incredulously, which made McKenna laugh in spite of herself, before she replied by saying that he definitely knew how to kiss. “Well happened then?” raven-haired beauty then asked.

 

“Well…” the lady doctor started prior to telling her friend how Knives had initiated the kiss and how things heated up dramatically, until the Doc came. She then told Meryl how he acted as if nothing happened and left the space without even a sideways glance at her.

 

“Oh God… and now I'm sure he thinks that I'm nothing but some cheep floozy,” she groaned after retelling the story. Sitting down at the center island, she crossed her arms on the cool surface and laid her head on them before mumbling, “Ugh… especially with how I wrapped my legs around his waist.”

 

“He's such an ass,” Meryl simply stated while shaking her head at what her friend just told her. “And I wouldn't worry about what he thinks of you. We know that you're not and I'm sure he knows it, too.”

 

“Yeah, but now what am I supposed to do?” she groaned into her arms before turning her head to look at the short-girl. “I can't face him anymore, it would be too embarrassing!”

 

“Hmmm… I know,” Meryl answered with a gleam in her silvery gaze.

 

“What Meryl?”

 

“Simple, just pretend that it never happened.”

 

“Huh?” Mac questioned as raised her head from her arms and blinked repeatedly as if waiting for verification from her friend.

 

“I said, pretend it didn't happen.”

 

“And how, pray tell, am I suppose to do that?”

 

“Simple,” Meryl declared with a brilliant smile. “Do what you usually do… ignore him, argue with him, and make sarcastic comments. Only make sure to dig a little deeper when you do say something. I promise it will at very least make you feel a little better.”

 

“And if it doesn't?”

 

“Then do you should do what I do whenever Vash is acting like a complete idiot!”

 

“Oh yeah, what's that?” Mac asked, realizing that the situation wasn't as hopeless as what she originally thought.

 

“Smack him upside the head, of course!” she exclaimed seriously before laughing out at the very idea of Knives getting hit in the head by a woman from an `inferior' breed.

 

McKenna just looked at Meryl and blinked again until she realized just how comical it would be to actually do that to the arrogant Plant. She instantly laughed at the promising idea and stated that she would do exactly that if warranted.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

“These are for you…” the strawberry blonde stammered as he thrust the bag of pudding cups at the statuesque brunette.

 

“Oh why thank you, Mr. Curt!” Milly happily exclaimed as she accepted the offered treats.

 

“Would it be alright if I walked you home?” he asked sweetly as his soft brown eyes met her baby blues in a silent plea.

 

“Ummm… sure, why not,” she replied with a smile, while moving her free hand up to her hard hat and wiggled the brim to adjust how it was sitting on her head. He instantly smiled back before they started the short trek back to the fallen ship.

 

“So… Miss Milly?” Curt started after a moment of companionable silence.

 

“Hmmm…” she absently replied, while opening the bag to see what he brought her that time. “Ooooh… tapioca! I love tapioca!” she added with a squeal of delight.

 

“I ahhh… had a great time last night,” he said with a chuckle over the tall woman's antics.

 

“Oh yeah… me too!” Milly declared as she brought her full attention back to the man walking next to her. “You sing really good, too, Mr. Curt.”

 

“Why thank you, Miss Milly.”

 

“Yeah, you're welcome!”

 

“So… Miss Milly,” he started again as they stepped up to the ship's entrance, only a little more anxiously this time. “Ummm… they're having open singing at the saloon tomorrow night and I was… ummm… well, I was wondering if you would like to go… with me that is?”

 

“Gosh, Mr. Curt… what about Sempai?” she asked, not quite realizing that he was asking her out on a date.

 

“Oh… well… I suppose I could see if Jason would like to go and we could double date.”

 

“Gee… I don't know about that. Mr. Vash might get awfully upset if Sempai went out with Mr. Jason.”

 

“So she is the Stampede's woman. I thought they were just friends and he was seeing Miss Jessica,” Curt blurted out with surprise apparent in his tone. “Of course, with his reputation, he probably has hoards of women.”

 

“Oh no… not Mr. Vash, he only has Meryl and he thinks of Miss Jessica as a little sister. At least that's what he told us,” she quickly supplied before adding, “I had better get going. Supper should be about done and I still have to shower. See ya' later, Mr. Curt,” she added before waiving to the young man as she ran off into the ship.

 

“Wait… what about tomorrow?” he called out where he heard an `I'll ask Sempai' coming from the depths of the grounded spacecraft.

 

Once reaching the main elevator, she sighed loudly. The tall woman knew that he was asking her out on a date, but she just couldn't bring herself to tell him `no' outright. He was so sweet and if things were different, she would have just loved dating the gentle young man. However, they weren't and Milly knew that she wasn't ready to date. Not yet at least…

 

Maybe not ever.

 

She truly loved Nicholas and missed him terribly. Even with the dreams she had. The precious hours in her subconscious where he would visit, come to her nightly in a massive field of bluebells where they would hold one another, either making love or talking. She only wished it was real and had him always, rather than what her imagination held.

 

“The bluebells,” the blue-eyed girl whispered as a tear slid down her cheek. She remembered seeing a photograph of the very same spot once when she was little. Her mother had told her that, at one time, their ancestors lived in the great state of Texas and the picture was taken on their land. Milly loved that picture, the way the sea of the pale blue flowers seemed to flow in great waves under a loosely knit forest of towering trees. It reminded her of home and of family, something that she could only share with her beloved priest in dreams.

 

“Oh darling, I miss you,” Milly said to herself right before the double doors opened to the long corridor. Wiping her eyes, she stepped through the doorway and headed to her quarters while wondering if she would ever experience that twittering sensation in her belly from being close to a love interest. Or if she would ever have someone make love to her again, like the tender night that she shared with Nicholas. The night before he died, the beautiful hours where she willingly gave him her heart and virginity.

 

Even during their mystical meetings, Nicholas repeatedly told her that he didn't want her to grieve and that she should move on, to find love again, especially lately. So, for his sake, Milly said that she would not weep for him (at least try not too) and that she would eventually try to find someone else. She just didn't make any definite promises.

 

`And I won't,' Milly thought internally as she stopped in front of her doorway and hit the key pad to open the door. While walking in to the space, she took a deep cleansing breath before calling out, “Sempai… I'm back!”

 

“Hi Milly, how was work?” Meryl asked as she walked into the living room and saw her partner in the kitchen fishing out a spoon.

 

“Oh… fine Sempai. So, what's for dinner?” she murmured, while pulling a pudding cup out the bag before placing the rest in the refrigerator.

 

“Actually, McKenna invited us over tonight.”

 

“Oh yeah?”

 

“Yeah, Knives upset her pretty bad and she would really like some company,” Meryl elaborated as the walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. “You don't mind do you?”

 

“Gosh no… not at all in fact,” she proclaimed before popping opened the container and digging in. “Mmmm… tasty! Would you like some Sempai?” she asked as she held out a spoonful of the creamy substance.

 

“No thank you.”

 

“So… what did Mr. Knives do?”

 

“Well,” Meryl started with a sigh before taking a sip of her café Verona. Once she set the cup down, she added, “He kissed her and then it went a little farther, until Doc interrupted.”

 

“Gee… is that all?”

 

“Ummm… no… Doc came looking for Knives and when they both left the space, he completely ignored her.”

 

“Well, that wasn't very nice of Mr. Knives now was it?!” she declared after throwing the now empty container away and placing the spoon in the sink. “It's probably because he likes her and he just isn't used to expressing his feelings yet, is all!”

 

“Yeah, I kinda got that vibe, too,” Meryl said with a sigh before leaning against the counter and chuckling. “They fight worse than Vash and I do.”

 

“They sure do Sempai! Oh… speaking of Mr. Vash, is he going to join us for dinner?”

 

“No… its Thursday remember.”

 

“Oh yeah, I forgot…” the big-girl muttered as she took off her hard hat so she could scratch her head. “Do you think he will tell Miss Jessica?”

 

“I really hope so,” the short-girl groaned. “I'm really getting tired of hiding.”

 

“Well, it didn't look like you were hiding the way you two danced last night.”

 

“Yeah… and look what it got us… interrupted by Jessica and a conga line.”

 

“That was pretty funny,” Milly giggled. “You would have seen the look on you face, Sempai. I thought for sure you were going to pull a derringer out.”

 

“I probably would have if I had room for one in my dress,” Meryl added as she started to laugh over the situation.

 

“So, is Mr. Vash going to come over afterward?” Milly asked after their laughter died down.

 

“Actually, he asked me to meet him in his… ummm…”

 

“Secret spot?” Milly finished as she watched her friend's cheeks turn bright pink.

 

“Yeah…”

 

“Okie dokie, Sempai! You'll just have to tell me what happened between Mr. Vash and Jessica tomorrow then,” Milly happily advised before stating that she had better head off to shower or they would be late for dinner.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

The woman in braids looked at the table before her and smiled. Everything was perfect, the meal, the atmosphere, the choice of drink, everything. Now, all she had to do was wait for Vash to come striding into her quarters, so, she could set her plan in motion. Jessica never really liked resorting to trickery, unless in extreme cases. And the possibility losing the man of her dreams to someone else would definitely be considered as such. She knew that Meryl was something more to Vash than the `annoying insurance girl' and she wasn't about to let her step in and take him away. She had wanted him for too long to let that happen, even if she did like the raven-haired woman.

 

Originally, she was going to simply prove that she was better for him, until the events of the past few days happened. First, with the way Vash immediately went to Meryl and held her, right after he flew through the infirmary doors on Monday. Then on Tuesday with his comment on how he wanted to `fill her up.' Jessica knew exactly what he meant by that. And, finally last night, she saw how they were dancing and knew that an interruption was in order. So, she started the conga line and made sure it came by to sweep the gunman up. Then they both coincidently disappeared with fifteen minutes of one another…

 

“Don't think about that,” Jessica muttered, scolding herself before a knock on the door got her attention. With a deviant smile, she thought `show time' before walking through the living area to let her dinner date in.

 

“Hiya' Jessica, it sure smells good in here!” Vash declared with a bright smile.

 

“Oh Vash, I'm so glad you're here!” she chirped happily as she pulled the blonde into her quarters. “Dinner is almost ready. So, why don't come on in and have a drink.”

 

“What's this for?” Vash asked after walking into the kitchen and picking up the bottle of Jack Daniels that was sitting on the table.

 

“Oh that's just left over from last night and I thought that you might like some, is all,” she sweetly advised him as she took the bottle and poured a healthy amount into a glass.

 

“Well… you know I'm never one to say no to a glistening glass of the amber liquid,” the outlaw declared with a laugh as he took the glass and downed a large swig.

 

`I know you're not,' she smirked to herself before heading over to finish dinner.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

After spending a couple of relaxing hours with her girlfriends, Meryl found herself standing in the doorway looking out to Vash's secret spot. “No, our secret spot,” she amended with a light smile, while recalling what had transpired amongst the pile of comforters and pillows less than twenty-four hours before. If she would have known that it was going to be that good, she would have jumped on him sooner, much sooner. Perhaps, just as soon as they met up again after his two year hiatus, even with the pain.

 

Yes it hurt, a great deal, especially right at first. However, it soon melted away into something completely wonderful. And with their preceding encounters, the pain lessened every time they made love. To the point, it merely gave a slight twinge and that was only when he first entered her, but after was nothing but bliss. Then their session this afternoon…

 

“Pure rapture,” Meryl moaned, recalling their escapade at lunch. A faint blush crept to her cheeks at that very pleasant idea of having him do that to her again. Then she thought of what she would like too do to him, returning the favor. The very erotic images making her burn with want as her eyes began to smolder.

 

Willing herself to settle down, the aroused woman took her eyes from the bedding and looked up to the darkening sky. She figured that Vash would be joining her shortly, which made her smile as the naughty thoughts quickly started rise. So, deciding to get comfortable in order to fantasize a little, she slipped her boots off and sat amongst the mass to wait for him.

 

Where she waited….

 

And waited…

 

“Damn it Vash! Where are you?” she groused as she stood from the pillows and moved over to the edge of the platform before sitting on the top step. It had been over two hours since she first arrived and she expected to wait a little bit for Vash. However, by the positions of the moons, she knew that it was well past eleven o'clock and there was absolutely no way that he could possibly still be at Jessica's. None whatsoever, particularly since he said that he should have been done by nine-thirty at the very latest.

 

`Unless he wanted to still be there,' she negatively thought, remembering their conversation while actually eating something during his lunch hour. It was, to say the least, very puzzling.

 

“Jessica stopped by about an hour and a half ago,” Vash simply advised her before shoving a salmon sandwich in his mouth.

 

“Yeah and?”

 

“And… what?”

 

“What do you mean what?” Meryl bit out in exasperation. “What did she say?”

 

“Just that I should come over around six-thirty, is all,” he replied with confusion apparent.

 

“Vash… didn't you tell her?”

 

“Tell her what?”

 

“About us, you idiot!” she bit out as she crossed her arms over her chest.

 

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” he said with a nervous chuckle, while scratching the back of his head. “I'll… ummm… I'll tell her tonight…”

 

“Do you promise?”

 

“Ummm… sss…sure.”

 

Then she remembered what Vash had said right before his lunch was over…

 

“Meet me at my secret place tonight, Meryl, please?” the outlaw pleaded into her hair as his grip around her tightened. “I… I gotta have you at least one more time…”

 

“What in the hell did he mean by that, anyway?” the raven-haired woman muttered, while wrapping her arms around herself in comfort. It was all becoming confusing. Did he or did he not want to announce their relationship to the public? Or could it have been something else…

 

`Meryl Elaine Stryfe, that's quite enough,' she mentally berated herself while trying to think of a logical and positive explanation as to why Vash would be so tardy. Then she remembered Knives and McKenna's little encounter. “Of course…” she said out loud with a snap of her fingers. Vash was probably talking to Knives about his shocking display of affection toward the auburn-haired woman. Smiling again, she sat on the stoop and simply gazed at the stars as relief washed over her. That was it. It just had to be and she knew that Vash would join her at anytime or he would, at very least, contact her.

 

So, she decided to continue waiting…

 

Where she waited….

 

And waited…

 

Until…

 

Dawn broke and morning came, waking Meryl as the twin balls of fire's sunlight brightened the once darkened sky. Blinking in confusion, she looked around the walkway, while trying to figure out why she was alone in amongst the mass of bedding and where Vash was. She remembered waiting up for the blonde gunman until after 1am and he never showed. As a matter of fact, he didn't even contact her.

 

“Where in the hell is he?” she growled while reaching for her boots and slipping them on. She quickly stood and proceeded to head back to her quarters to take a quick shower and a get cup of coffee before starting her search for the M.I.A. Vash the Stampede. About ten minutes later, she walked through her room's sliding door and saw Milly standing in the kitchen eating some breakfast. “Milly, have you seen Vash?” she asked with obvious annoyance in her tone.

 

“Why no Sempai, should I have?” Milly asked, frowning over the question.

 

“No… I guess not,” Meryl sighed as she walked into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.

 

“Didn't Mr. Vash meet you last night?”

 

“No, he didn't and I…I don't know where… he is,” she admitted as the irritation turned into sadness.

 

“I'm sure there's a perfectly logical explanation,” Milly said with a reassuring smile. “Have you gone over to his apartment? Or even ask Mr. Knives?”

 

“NNN…No.”

 

“Well, let's go then!” she chirped while trying to cheer her partner up. Meryl just nodded her head in agreement before taking a healthy drink from her cup and setting it on the counter. Then both ladies walked out of the space and across the hall to the twins' apartment where Meryl instantly knocked on the door.

 

“So… what do I owe for having the honor of you two at my door at such an early hour?” Knives sarcastically questioned as he leaned against the now opened door frame.

 

“Knives, where's Vash?” Meryl demanded, completely ignoring the Plant's tone.

 

“I thought he was with you?” he asked back, clearly puzzled, as he straightened himself and ran his left hand through his short spikes. “He has had his linked closed off since about nine last night.”

 

“No, he never met me,” she whispered before looking down to the ground. Then just as quickly, she snapped her head back up and asked, “You mean he didn't come back here and talk to you about McKenna?”

 

“Why would he do something like that?” he bit out, while becoming very irritated. He knew that she was referring to the little `test' that involved the distracting redhead.

 

“Well, I just figured that was why he didn't meet… me,” she replied defensively before realizing that there was something dreadfully wrong with the situation.

 

“Oh dear, you don't think Mr. Vash is hurt do ya'?” Milly exclaimed with worry apparent and at the same time changing the direction of the platinum blonde's thoughts.

 

“Not likely, since I didn't feel anything,” Knives simply stated as he felt the relief wash over the insurance girls. “Have you checked with Doc or in the infirmary yet?”

 

“No,” Meryl whispered as she looked away from Vash's twin.

 

“I would suggest going to the infirmary first then,” he said before stepping out into the hallway, causing the door to close automatically behind him. “Lets' go,” he then added before the three made their way to see McKenna.

 

A few minutes later, they walked into the infirmary and saw the Doc and McKenna sitting at the center island going over something on the flat panel monitor. Both smiled at the newcomers (except Mac's wasn't meant for Knives) and wished them a good morning.

 

“Have either of you seen Vash?” Meryl asked in a desperate plea. She was really becoming worried about the absent outlaw. After all, he hadn't gone missing in such a long time, not since the first time they were in New Oregon together. And even then, he, at very least, wrote them a note. Not this time, however. This time was very abnormal.

 

Meryl could feel it…

 

Then she heard both the Doc and Mac say that they haven't seen Vash and her stomach dropped. She knew that something was definitely out of sorts then and that left only one person who could possibly know of his whereabouts… Jessica.

 

`Or even worse, I scared him off with wanting to make our relationship known,' she thought while trying to fight off the pending tears. “No… can't be. Knives is still here,” she mumbled to herself right before McKenna touched her shoulder.

 

“Meryl, are you okay?” the redhead asked as she took in the ragged appearance of the petite woman.

 

“I…I don't kn…” Meryl started in a daze before Knives cut her off.

 

“Vash is coming now,” he advised, turning to the doors expectantly.

 

A moment later, the frantic outlaw rushed through the doors and quickly strode up to the raven-haired woman. “Meryl, I need to talk to you, alone,” Vash desperately uttered before grabbing her hand and trying to pull her out of the room. Upon is haste, the small woman instantly balked, while planting her feet and becoming very angry.

 

“No,” Meryl barked, pulling out of his grasp so she could cross her arms over her chest. She glowered at the man before her as she took in his scruffy appearance. His hair was a complete mess, while his severely wrinkled white shirt was un-tucked from his dirt covered pants and splattered with what looked like stains from split drinks. Then she smelled him…

 

With a growl, she stepped up to the gunman and started to wag her finger in his face while yelling, “Just where in the hell have you been! You smell like a bar! Please don't tell me that you went out boozing it up instead of meeting me. I was worried sick! Of all of the stupid, idiotic…”

 

“No, Meryl please…” Vash interrupted as he grabbed her forearms and looked to her in a silent plea. The petite woman looked up into his distressed eyes and realized that something was really wrong.

 

“Vash… what's wrong,” she breathed as an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her already bottomed out stomach.

 

“Not h…” he began before turning his attention to the door for a moment. He then mentally told her `I'm sorry' before he let go of her arms, took a few steps backward and looked to the cool white floor as if showing defeat, or guilt.

 

Then very next instant, Jessica bounced through the doors and immediately moved next to the gunman, grabbing his now dangling right hand. With a big smile, she looked at every person in the lab and exclaimed, “I'm so glad that everyone is here! Vash and I have excellent news!” Then without waiting for someone to ask what the news was, she ecstatically chirped out…

 

“Vash and I are getting married!”