Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Of Forgiveness and Hostile Takeovers ( Chapter 39 )

 

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 39: Of Forgiveness and Hostile Takeovers

 

 

 

“I can do this,” Vash firmly said to himself right before raising his prosthetic hand and knocking on the door. An instant later, the door opened revealing Jessica, who looked as if she had been up the entire night fretting over something dreadful. Her clothing was severely wrinkled and her normally neat braids were rather loose with stray strands of brown hair sticking out messily. While her usually cheery face was quite sullen with ruddy spots marring her creamy cheeks. She also had deep dark circles under her normally bright green eyes that were now faded and red tinged from shedding millions of tears.

 

“Ummm… hiya Jess,” Vash started, overly cheery, while internally reciting his mantra of `I can do this.'

 

“I had a feeling that you would come here this morning,” she sadly replied, motioning for Vash to enter. “Would you like some breakfast?”

 

“Why sure I would,” the anxious blonde exclaimed, while following Jessica into the kitchen. “Jessica, why have you been crying?” he added, concerned about her welfare, as he watched her start some coffee before heading over to the monitor on the counter.

 

“I don't really feel like fixin much. Would doughnuts from the replicators be okay?” she asked, without looking at Vash and ignoring his question.

 

“Sure! You know I love doughnuts! They should be a food group, after all!” he said with a goofy laugh, trying to get the brunette to at least smile. It didn't work. She simply keyed in her order and then moved to grab a couple of cups for the coffee from one of the cupboards. “Jessica, why have you been crying?” he asked again as he placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her from moving away or avoiding the question. “Please tell me.”

 

“Didn't you speak to Knives?” she whispered after a few moments, still not looking at the gunman.

 

“About?” he prodded.

 

“About what happened yesterday afternoon.”

 

“No, what happened?” Vash asked, while wondering if she was referring to Knives' sudden interest in his affairs and the use his silver colt. However, before she could answer, the coffee finished brewing. Remaining quiet, she poured two cups and handed one to Vash before turning to lean up against the counter, still not looking at her `sort of' fiancé. “Jessica what happened?” he asked again, only firmer and after taking a sip from his cup.

 

“Could love me Vash?” she asked instead.

 

“I do love you, Jessica,” he simply replied before adding, “You are like the sister I've never had.”

 

“No… I mean could you ever love me like how you love… her?”

 

“Oh Jess,” he sighed, while running a hand through his still damp hair. “I'm really sorry, but I could never love anyone like I love Meryl. She's a part of me.”

 

“Not even Rem?”

 

“The love I have for Rem is different.”

 

“Oh….” she just whispered as she looked down at her feet to hide the newest bout of tears that were threatening to fall.

 

“So, are you going to tell me what happened yesterday?” Vash asked again, setting his cup on the counter as he stepped up to stand right in front of her before raising her chin with his real hand.

 

She instinctively looked up to Vash, revealing her teary eyes and tried to answer him calmly, but completely broke down instead. Flinging herself into his arms, she starting to sob uncontrollably over what she had done to him with her deception. “I...I'm ssooo… sss…sorry! I…I didn't mean to hhh…hurt yyy…you. I…I just wanted you hhh…happy and instead I…I completely rrr…ruined it with mmm…my selfff…fishness…”

 

“Shhh… It's okay. I understand,” he said, while wrapping his arms around her and letting her cry into his shirt. He was now certain that she had fabricated the entire situation that resulted in their engagement. It saddened him to think that she would actually resort to such deviant means just to get him to marry her.

 

Now that he was able to reflect on the entire situation, he began to realize why Jessica had gone to the extreme. It wasn't that she loved him, not really. It was because she was `in love' with the idea of being in love with and married to Vash the Stampede. After all, she took great pride in exclaiming that she was his fiancée, and just loved planning the event itself. But, it was almost as if she made it seem like a conquest, a goal she achieved, especially since her amorous attentions had severely lessened after Meryl left.

 

Sure they would still meet for dinner every Thursday night and she came to the construction site regularly, where she would cling on him every chance she got. However, the rest of the time, she seemed perfectly content planning the wedding and without his help. He didn't even think she knew that he normally spent his free evenings at the local saloon, drinking himself to a stupor. As a matter of fact, she never even asked him why he was never around anymore.

 

Besides, it probably became a habit for Jessica to `love' him. After all, she had been doing it for over twenty-five years and he had a feeling that she would probably realize that, too. Once she sat down and really thought about it. How could she really love him? He was never around for her to get to know him long enough to be able to do so. He was always gone, wandering around the planet with his nomadic lifestyle, while trying to find a way to `save' Knives.

 

“But how could you understand?” she finally whispered after a few minutes of crying, bringing Vash out of his thoughts. Then pulling away from his hug, she asked, “You don't even know what I…I did?”

 

“Yes I do,” the outlaw said quietly before adding, “At least I have a pretty good idea.”

 

“I made Meryl leave because of what I did. You should hate me.”

 

“Ya' know, I could never hate anybody, especially my little sister,” he said with a warm smile that made her crack a smile in return.

 

“Thank you, Vash. I…” she started until the replicator indicated that the doughnuts were done. She efficiently pulled the treats out and placed them on the table, with Vash following closely behind with both coffee cups in hand. Once they were both seated and Vash had eaten three of the perfect circles of heavenly goodness, she sighed, “I… ahhh… suppose I should tell you about what Knives did.”

 

“Hmmm…” All Vash could say as he shoved another doughnut into his mouth while bringing his attention to her.

 

“He basically told me how miserable you were and I was the… ahhh… cause of it.”

 

“He told you that?”

 

“Well… it was more like be made me feel about this big,” she replied, while lifting her left hand and indicating with her thumb and index finger a very small margin. “And he got in my face and yelled really, really loud. And boy, if looks could kill!”

 

“I'm sorry he did that to you,” Vash said before taking a sip from his cup to wash down yet another doughnut.

 

“Don't be. I deserved it!” Jessica exclaimed right before she looked down into her cup for a moment. With another sigh escaping her lips, she whispered mostly to herself, “Now… I suppose I should make things right again, huh.”

 

“What did you say, Jess?” Vash asked right before shoving his sixth pastry into his mouth while looking back up at her.

 

Their eyes immediately locked making her smile softy, before clearly stating,

“Vash… I would like to break off our engagement.”

 

“What?!” Vash yelled in shock as the crumbs from his sixth treat flew out of his mouth. He couldn't believe it. She was actually making it easy for him. He wouldn't have to break his promise to her, after all! And he was really happy about that! Now, all he had to do was gain some courage and go after Meryl. “Really?” he asked, wanting to make sure he heard her correctly.

 

“Yeah… really and I'm very sorry, Vash. If there is any way that I can make it up to you, all you have to do is ask,” Jessica replied with conviction as the heaviness melted away from her heart. “Besides, I realized something,” she added as a little spark returned to her eyes.

 

“Oh yeah… What's that?”

 

“I can now say that I broke up with the legendary gunman, Vash the Stampede,” she answered, while giggling making the blonde laugh as well.

 

“Yeah you sure can!” he laughed, while internally thanking God for his good fortune.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

“I am so sorry I'm late,” McKenna rushed as she flew through the Infirmary doors and immediately walked up to Carla, who was wrapping some gauze over some recently made stitches on one of the workers from the construction site. “I hope I didn't inconvenience you too much this morning,” she muttered as an afterthought, vaguely hearing the blonde's reply that everything was fine. She simply sat on one of the stools as her thoughts wandered to why she was late.

 

It was already past ten and she was three hours late according to her schedule. All thanks to a certain egotistical pompous ass that had a body of a Greek god. Not to mention, a newly discovered sexual appetite of a randy college boy, who found himself with a free pass to spend the weekend in an all girls' school. She maybe got four hours of sleep last night and had little twinges of pain shooting from all of the unused muscles that haven't been worked like that since… well, ever.

 

McKenna had never felt better in all of her life.

 

She could still feel his tender caresses and his sweet kisses lingering all over her body. The acute desire of wanting him to make love with her again, flowing through her. He made her weak with want, even more so, knowing that he needed her. McKenna still couldn't believe that he admitted that. Knives would never admit to needing anything, except, maybe, for Vash. But, that was completely different. They were family, after all. He did say it though and he definitely proved it last night, with his body and soul.

 

Oh and did he prove it and several times! Knives was amazing. The way he touched her, the way he made her feel. If she didn't know for a fact that last night was his first time with a woman, then she would have chucked it all up to experience. However, she knew that wasn't case, it was something completely different. It was all the emotions and sensations that he exuded for her, while making love that, when mixed with her feelings, somehow formed a special bond between them. She could feel it. There was something tightly knit there now, more so than ever and she welcomed it with open arms. She welcomed him with open arms. It just couldn't be helped because…

 

She had fallen in love with Millions Knives.

 

“Hello… McKenna, are you there?” Carla asked curiously as she waived her hand in front of the younger woman's face. She had never seen the redhead look so out of sorts.

 

“Huh?” she replied after blinking a few times and finally realizing that it was just her and Carla in the ward now.

 

“Wow, you were really out of it there,” she laughed before adding, “I said that Keith said goodbye to you.”

 

“Oh… I'm sorry Carla. I was thinking about something else.”

 

“Obviously,” she muttered, before leaning against the center island. “So… how was it?” she then asked with a twinkle in her eyes making the young doctor blush, matching the color of her hair.

 

“Ummm… how was what?” she asked back nervously.

 

“Your experiments with Mr. Knives, of course,” Carla simply clarified, knowing that Mac knew what she was talking about.

 

“Okay,” McKenna whispered as she fidgeted with her glasses, trying to hide her embarrassment.

 

“Just okay?”

 

“Well…”

 

“McKenna Madsen, you were alone all morning with that gorgeous specimen that all other males pale in comparison too and you're just saying, okay?”

 

“It was more than okay…” she admitted with a big smile as she looked up to the other woman. `It was also more than just the morning, too,' Mac added to herself as her eyes sparkled, remembering the incredible night before.

 

“Yeah, I bet,” Carla snorted before adding, “I know I would love to have him use me for some experiments!”

 

“Carla! You're married!”

 

“Yep, for eight wonderful years, but that doesn't mean I'm dead!” she replied, making McKenna laugh. “So, where is your testing partner, anyway? I half expected him to show up with you this morning.”

 

“Well… he went down to see the Doc for a minute and said he would come here once he was finished,” the redhead answered right before the unit's doors opened, revealing the Doc and Knives.

 

“Ahhh… good morning ladies,” the Doc said with a smile, while they walked into the space. Receiving immediate smiles and replies from both ladies. He then intently watched as Knives walked over and stood directly behind McKenna. His smile brightened upon seeing the Plant's possessive nature and couldn't help but wonder just how differently things could have turned out for Vash's brother if the auburn-haired wouldn't have found her way to the ship. `Mac is definitely good for him,' he thought before turning his gaze to the blonde woman and said out loud, “Knives, asked if I could watch over the infirmary for the remainder of the day. So, Mac can assist him further. Will you be alright, Carla, if I have to leave from time to time?”

 

“Sure, if a problem arises, I'll simply contact you.”

 

“Excellent,” he exclaimed, before looking to Knives and Mac. “I should be able to remain down here for most of the morning if you two would happen to need me.”

 

“Well… wasn't Vash going to meet us down here?” McKenna asked Knives as she turned on the stool and looked up at the Plant.

 

“I have been in touch with him and he is going to meet us at your quarters shortly,” he advised, before gently grabbing her hand and pulling her from the stool.

 

The next thing McKenna knew, she was being practically dragged out of the infirmary by the insistent man, who was quickly heading to her quarters. An instant later, he had the door opened and once they entered into her apartment, he attacked; kissing her like there was no tomorrow.

 

“I...Isn't your brother… ahhh… coming here?” she breathed after he drew away and started kissing her neck, while unbuttoning her shirt.

 

“So…” Knives muttered, tearing away from her pulse point long enough to step over to the couch and sitting in the middle. Then in a few effortless motions, he pulled her down on his lap, effectively making her straddle his lean hips. Without waiting to hear the redhead's protests, the incensed Plant immediately started kissing her again, while slipping his arms under her completely unbuttoned cotton oxford and splaying his hands on her back and ribs.

 

“Oh god… I think I created a monster,” McKenna moaned in delight after he tore his mouth from hers and proceeded to lay opened mouthed kisses along her neck again.

 

“I already am a monster. I just found a more satisfying way to channel my energies,” Knives telepathically replied with a chuckle.

 

“You sure have,” she sent back, slipping her hands under the hunter green sweatshirt to caress the smooth skin of his muscled back.

 

In response to her magical hands, the Plant moved to the clasp of her bra where he started to undo the hooks, until he felt his bother near by. “Damn, Vash is here already,” he sent to her with a sigh, before moving away from her neck to give her a tender kiss. Leaning back on the couch, he groaned in frustration as he took in her disheveled state before he unwillingly let her go. Unfortunately, they both needed to right themselves prior to Vash's inevitable knock on the door.

 

Sure enough, just as soon as McKenna had her shirt buttoned and her glasses straightened, a knock was heard. She quickly pulled the binding out of her hair and ran her fingers through the mass, while Knives, who was yet again perfectly composed, let his brother in. They both looked at Vash and immediately noticed that something was different about him.

 

He was smiling.

 

“Hey guys, what's going on?” Vash said, while looking between the two with a glimmer shining in his aqua orbs. Though, he already knew, simply by feeling the heat flowing through his twin and red's kiss swollen lips. He had just interrupted a heavy make-out session. “I have a feeling I already know,” he said, while wiggling his eyebrows up and down, making the new couple blush. “Would you two like for me to come back in about an hour or so?”

 

“Ye…” Knives started until McKenna immediately cut him off.

 

“No Mr. Vash, I believe you and your brother have things to discuss,” McKenna interjected as she motioned for Vash to have a seat in the arm chair.

 

“Okay I'll stay… on one condition, red.”

 

“Oh yeah… and what's that Mr. Vash?”

 

“No more mister. It's just Vash from now on,” he replied with a smile, sitting in the chair. “I can't have you calling me Mr. Vash all of the time when you and my brother are… well… ahhh… you know… close.”

 

“No I guess not, huh,” she said with a laugh before agreeing to his request. “Vash it is then. Now, if you will excuse me, I'll make myself scarce,” she added right before turning to head toward her bedroom.

 

“I don't think so woman,” Knives stated as he intercepted her retreating form and started to pull her to the couch. “This involves you, too. You are going to stay and listen, so, I won't have to tell you the details later.”

 

“But why does this involve me?” she asked once Knives had her sitting on the couch next to him.

 

“Because… when we leave, you will be going with us,” Knives high-handedly advised.

 

“And what if I don't wanna go?” McKenna asked in irritation.

 

“You are mine now. You have no choice.”

 

“I am not yours, Knives and you most certainly cannot make me go with you!” Mac practically yelled, because Knives' authoritative nature was really starting to piss her off.

 

“Ummm… guys…” Vash started to intercede until his twin cut him off.

 

“I can and will make you go, woman!” Knives bit out as he narrowed his eyes and glared at the redhead, while completely ignoring the fact that Vash had something to say.

 

“Guys…” Vash started again, only to be stopped by the young doctor and her rant, who was also ignoring him at the moment.

 

“Of all of the overbearing, obstinate things to say, you are really are a pompous ass, aren't you!” she seethed before standing in order to look down at the platinum blonde. “Just because we slept together, does not give you the right to tell me what I can and can not do, Millions Knives!”

 

Vash just shook his head over their petty argument and decided to sit in the chair and watch the two bicker. He thought it was quite amusing to see his brother acting… well human. Six months ago, he would have thought that the scene playing out before him would have been impossible. But, here he was, watching Knives argue with a human woman over the fact that he wanted her to join them on their pending journey. It was just too bad that the younger twin wasn't exactly certain whether they would be making the trip or not.

 

“I don't know if I want to go after her,” Vash finally said, loud enough to immediately get both of their attention.

 

“What?!” both Mac and Knives yelled in disbelief as they turned to look at Vash, who was nervously sitting in the chair, while rubbing his hands on his pants.

 

“I… uhhh… said that I don't know if I want to go after her,” he repeated, stopping his hands and looking at the ground in between his feet.

 

“And why the hell not?” Knives ground out, while McKenna sat back down in utter disbelief. “After all that I went through!”

 

“Well…” Vash whispered before trailing off.

 

“Damn it Vash, look at me,” he snarled, making Vash look back up to him. “Why not?”

 

“Well… there are several reasons really…”

 

“And” Knives pushed.

 

“Okay…” Vash sighed as he closed his eyes to try and stop the emotions from taking center stage. After taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and gave both Knives and red a sad smile before adding, “One reason is, because if I go after her and find her, then by some miracle she takes me back, she will be at risk of being hurt or worse by bounty hunters. Besides, we will always be on the run. Remember, I am the outlaw with Gunsmoke's largest bounty ever on my head. I don't want that kind of life for her, you know…”

 

“What are the other reasons?” McKenna asked as she absently placed her left hand on Knives thigh.

 

“Besides, she has probably hates me now and doesn't want anything to do with me. Or worse… she met someone… else.”

 

“Oh Meryl doesn't hate you. She's really upset over what happened, but she could never really hate you,” red pointed out, while giving Vash a small smile. “And I know that she isn't seeing anyone else.”

 

“How do you know?”

 

“Well… Milly has been writing…” she started until realizing that the letters prove that Meryl was far from over him. “Oh… I forgot about those,” Mac added, right before hopping up from the couch and scurrying into her bedroom. A moment later, she came back out holding four envelopes, three from Milly and one that was severely wrinkled and stained. With a `here you go,' she handed the letters over to Vash.

 

“What are these?” Vash asked, watching McKenna return to her seat next to Knives.

 

“They're letters. The three came from Milly and I believe you may recognize the fourth,” McKenna answered, watching as comprehension dawned on the handsome blonde's face. The fourth was the very same letter Meryl left for him six weeks ago. The one that he thought was gone forever, because of his temper tantrum. “I picked it up after you left that day. I… ahhh… thought that you might like to read it… someday,” she supplied, as an afterthought, while watching a pained expression sweep across Vash's face.

 

“Thank you,” the outlaw whispered before taking a deep breath and opening the letter. After carefully pulling the paper from the envelope, he exhaled slowing and closed his eyes to ward off his apprehension stemming from what was written on the single sheet of white paper. After the pause, he finally opened his eyes and saw the elegant script of Meryl's handwriting and began to read.

 

Knives and McKenna watched as the tears started to flow from the gunman's sad eyes as he read through the letter Meryl left him. The effect that the missive had on the outlaw was quite obvious. He cupped his mouth with his real hand and quietly cried for a few minutes after finishing before slowly folding the paper up and placing it in his jeans pocket. He then started to read the three from Milly. A play of emotions moved over his ever youthful face as he read each excerpt from every letter, from laughing through the tears over the big-girl's antics to stifling a sob when reading about Meryl's newly formed eating and sleeping habits.

 

“God… I am such a fool,” Vash finally muttered as he set the last letter down on the coffee table. He had wounded Meryl far worse then he ever imagined and knew that he had to do something, no anything, to make it up to her. The hurt and betrayal the short-girl felt since his sudden engagement to Jessica was agonizing and he knew that she never deserved any of it, even more so, after reading her letter.

 

In the letter, Meryl never berated him for being an idiot nor did she tell him that she never wanted to see him again. Instead, she simply told him that she would always love him and that she truly hoped for his happiness. She just wished that they had more time together before Vash decided to move on, which she said she knew would eventually happen.

 

“She even apologized for leaving without saying goodbye,” Vash then whispered as he wiped the tears away from his eyes.

 

“So Vash…” Knives started, patiently waiting to receive the attention of his twin. Once he had it, he added, “Have you decided yet?”

 

“Yeah, I have,” he replied before closing his eyes and taking a calming breath. Opening them again, he looked back to his brother and declared, “I will do anything to make her happy again. And if it means, going after her just so she can beat the crap out of me before throwing me off of Bernardelli's roof then… so be it.”

 

“Well, it's about time you got your head out of your ass,” Knives complained as he sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.

 

“I know…” he sighed before adding, “I just wish I could do something about the bounty.”

 

“Hmmm… maybe we could go and talk to my dad and tell him of your innocence,” McKenna interjected as she scratched her head in thought. “I mean, he is the Attorney General and has the power to remove any bounty, even yours, Vash.”

 

“Yeah right,” Vash snorted before sarcastically adding, “We could just walk into New DC, talk to your dad… then let them hang me. Sorry red, but I don't know if walking into the Federal building would be a good idea. That would make it just too easy for them. There has to be another way.”

 

“And there is,” Knives said, bringing both set of eyes upon him. With a calculating glint flashing through his ice-blue eyes, he advised, “We will go to New DC, but instead of visiting the Federal building, we will take it over.”

 

“What?!” both Vash and McKenna screeched in disbelief.

 

“It's rather elementary really,” he simply advised while standing and stepping around the coffee table. Turning to look back at the two, who were still gaping incredulously him, he added, “We use our superior powers to prove that it would be futile to keep the charges and advise them that it would be in their best interest to exonerate you.”

 

“Doesn't that seem a little extreme, Knives?” Vash asked who was still in shock. “I…I mean we're not only talking about the police force, but the Federal building is located at New Fort Bragg, the Calvary's main base. Besides, my powers aren't anywhere near yours.”

 

“True, but you did say that you would do anything to make Meryl happy again,” the deviant Plant pointed out before advising, “Plus, once the bounty is gone, you won't have to hide any longer and will be able to spend forever with her. Also, think of it like this… you can tell her that you did it all for her.”

 

“If we do this… and I'm not saying that I think it's a good idea, but if we do… no killing Knives. It would kinda defeat the purpose. If you know what I mean,” the outlaw exclaimed, realizing that Knives made some very valid points. He knew that if the reward was gone then life would be a whole hell of a lot easier. Running his real hand through his considerably longer locks, he muttered, “Oh god… this is absolutely nuts!”

 

“Well… if you wait and attack when the troops are out on maneuvers, then the amount of Calvary men being there could be cut by, at least, two-thirds,” Mac supplied as she pushed her glasses up her nose. “And I could get you in through the main gates easily enough. Plus, I know the layout of the compound and most of the facilities.”

 

“Even easier then…” Knives prodded as he felt his brother sway.

 

“I can't believe that I'm actually considering this…” Vash groaned as he slumped in the chair and looked to the ceiling. “I have gone completely insane.”

 

“You are Vash the Stampede, aren't you?” his twin asked. “And aren't you supposed to be completely insane?”

 

“True,” Vash smiled as he turned his head sideways to look at Knives. “Besides…” he then started as his aqua orbs glinted dangerously. “It kinda sounds like fun, doesn't it?”

 

“Definitely,” Knives agreed as his own ice-blue's started to flash as he smiled wickedly. “However, if we are to pull this coup off, you need to embrace your Plant side, Vash.”

 

“I know. We can start training today.”

 

“No… tomorrow. I have other plans today,” Knives said as he briefly glanced at McKenna before returning his attention back to Vash. “Besides, you should probably catch up on some sleep. You are going to need it.”

 

“Riiiggght,” Vash said with a wink before standing. “So, do you know when maneuvers usually are, red?”

 

“Well…” she started, while standing as well. “We should be in luck if we can get home before the end of October.”

 

“Excellent, we can train for a month…”

 

“A month!” Vash cried, effectively interrupting his brother. “I can't wait that long Knives!”

 

“You need to be properly trained,” Knives scolded. “If you would have embraced your Plant side, then we wouldn't have this problem, now would we!”

 

“Not a month!”

 

“Fine, three weeks.”

 

“That's still too long.”

 

“Vash, do you honestly believe that you will be able to learn something that has taken me decades to perfect in less than three weeks? It would probably take years, but unfortunately, we do not have that luxury.”

 

“Alright Knives… three weeks,” Vash said with a sigh before walking around the chair and heading to the door. “I had better go and rest if we have a long three weeks ahead of us,” he added right before opening the door.

 

“Oh Vash… wait,” McKenna called out, stopping the golden blonde from leaving.

 

“Yeah red?”

 

“I have something else to tell you. It's about your truck and Meryl's earrings...”