Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Life’s Journeys: Meetings ( Chapter 42 )

 

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 42: Life's Journeys: Meetings

 

 

 

Meryl was tired.

 

She was tired of the oppressive heat, tired of the sand that found its way into the most inappropriate of places, tired of gallivanting all over Gunsmoke, and tired of riding on smelly old buses. And what made it worse, was the fact that it only had been ten days since she and Milly left December on their latest undertaking. Unfortunately, she knew that it would be quite a bit longer before they tracked down their new assignment and she was dreading every moment to come.

 

The first eight days and seven nights where spent on a bus, heading to Neo Colorado, in the hopes of picking up the trail of one Caden Walker. Fortunately, they did. However, after discussing the matter with the deputy sheriff, they found out that the outlaw had left the city that very morning by bus. They also found out that he left only minimal damage in his wake, a destroyed saloon because of a brawl he started, which wasn't insured by Bernardelli. (Another fortunate occurrence) So, they didn't have to worry about filing a claim for the incident and immediately walked back to the bus station. After speaking with the attendant, they received confirmation that a man matching his description bought a ticket heading east, to the tiny town of Corchie. Another five days away and, as luck would have it, back in the direction they came from.

 

So, here they were, the very next morning, on a bus heading back east.

 

She used to enjoy the anticipation of getting closer to a target. But, now it seemed almost disheartening, like going to the annual insurance seminar in September City that all senior representatives were required to attend, if they weren't out on assignment. No, her heart and soul wasn't into the chase like how it was for their last assignment. It never would be and Meryl knew that. However, that didn't mean she would shirk out of her duties. A Stryfe never backed out of responsibility and would put her typical 120 percent into the effort.

 

Once she actually got some sleep, that is.

 

She was really hoping that once they started their search for the Bringer of Chaos that it would take her mind off the other outlaw, allowing her to relax and, hopefully, rest. Nevertheless, every time she would try to get some sleep, her thoughts would instantly return him. She would wonder if he was happily married yet or if he ever thought of her… missed her. Then she would immediately push those treacherous thoughts away and focus her energies anything else. Of course, that only led her already incredibly frazzled mind becoming severely overworked, resulting in another night with little to no sleep.

 

Sadly, the lack of sleep only made traveling worse. Firstly, because her already nettled nerves were so frayed that quite literally everything was getting to her. Even Milly's ever cheerful nature was starting to rub her the wrong way. Then, of course, it didn't help matters that their first lengthy assignment had been him and every aspect of their new one reminded her just how much she missed being with the former. It just didn't feel right sitting on the bus and not having him looking out of the window in the seat next them or stretched out with his feet dangling over the edge. Meryl even missed how he and Milly would joke around, while entertaining the other passengers.

 

“Perhaps this was a mistake, after all,” she muttered to herself before realizing that Milly wasn't sitting next to her. Assuming that her partner went to the bathroom at the back of the bus, she casually looked about the cabin too observe her fellow passengers. The bus was, for the most part, filled to capacity with only a few people lucky enough to stretch out, because of not sharing their seats with another.

 

In the very back there was a group of young men returning home from a stag party in Neo Colorado. Their hoots and hollers from earlier in the day had died down to snores and whimpers as the effects of the alcohol had worn off. And few seats ahead of them, a young family was trying to get their ever wide-eyed children to settle down and sleep as the twin suns set in the west. While the other passengers followed suit, preparing to bed down for the night. The man, who was sitting directly behind them, was also asleep and had been for hours. A fawn-colored Stetson covered his face while his back and shoulders were leaning up against the window. He even had a brown blanket lying over his chest and draping down his legs that were resting on the seat, bent at the knees.

 

`Must be nice,' she thought, taking her silvery gaze off of him as she involuntarily shivered because of the dropping temperatures. She then proceeded to move her interest to the passengers toward the front of the bus, until movement from the back caught her attention. Sure enough, it was Milly emerging from the restroom.

 

“Gosh Meryl, you really should try and get some sleep,” Milly suggested as she returned to her seat.

 

“I know,” Meryl sighed before adding, “I just don't know if I can.”

 

“You'll never know until you try.”

 

“I know that, too,” she muttered, leaning against the window and yawning. She then closed her eyes for a few moments, while trying to settle down enough to get at least a couple of hours of sleep. It didn't work. Instead, a thought immediately came to mind and Meryl knew that if she didn't smother it, then it would fester and keep her up. Thinking that perhaps it would be best to talk about it, she peeked over at her partner and softly asked, “Do you think he's married yet?”

 

“I know he isn't married yet,” the big-girl replied with a reassuring smile. “Remember Sempai, Miss Mac said that Jessica hadn't even set the date yet. Well, at least that was in the last letter I got. Besides, who knows, maybe Mr.Va… I mean he came to his senses and is coming after you as we speak.”

 

“Not likely,” the raven-haired beauty despondently whispered as she moved considerably longer bangs out of her eyes before closing them again. At least Milly's answer eased her mind enough to help her relax. She just might be able to get a little sleep, after all, even if she was only grasping for straws. Settling into the corner of the seat and window, Meryl yawned again before quietly muttering, “Good night, Milly.”

 

“Good night and sleep well, Meryl,” Milly softly expressed with a faint smile before gazing out the window to watch as night approached and to think about her own lost love.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

A couple of hours later the light tremors resonating throughout the well worn green bench seat had jostled Milly from a deep sleep. With a big yawn and a scratch of her head, the big-girl looked over at her partner. Assuming that she was awakened again by Meryl's futile attempt to hold back the tears from missing Mr. Vash, she fully prepared herself to offer comfort. However, the petite beauty wasn't crying or even trying to stifle her shudders. Instead, her partner was sound asleep, only shivering, because of the ever dropping temperatures that accompanied traveling at night out in the middle of the desert.

 

“Oh Sempai…” she whispered, thinking that if Meryl would only eat better, then she wouldn't be so anemic and could withstand the drop in temperatures, like how she used to.

 

Milly hated seeing her partner so distraught. She was used to seeing the petite beauty strong and confident, ready to take on the world. Traits that she only wished she could emulate from her best friend. Sometimes, Milly just wanted to break down and cry over the sheer injustice of it all, especially when her Sempai was at her weakest. She knew, without a doubt, that Mr. Vash and Meryl shared an unconditional love like her and Nicholas had. And to have it all torn away like that, had been just as bad, if not worse, than what it was like when she lost her beloved priest.

 

At least Milly still had Nicholas in her dreams.

 

Unfortunately, Meryl didn't even have that. All she had was the acidic feeling of deceit burning a hole through her soul and the never-ending thoughts that she wasn't good enough for him, except for maybe as a mistress. Of course, Milly knew that wasn't so. But, every time she tried to voice her opinion, the petite woman would dismiss the whole idea by stating that if she were anything more to him then he wouldn't have proposed to Jessica. She even tried to tell her that Miss Mac said that he was miserable without her, too. Meryl simply dismissed the statement and said that if that was the case, then he deserved every bit of the pain.

 

She knew it took a lot of courage to withstand Mr. Vash's relentless pursuits before they left the ship. Though, she couldn't understand why she didn't just talk things through with him. After all, ones pride was only good for so long and, when it came to matters of the heart, sometimes it was best to swallow it. But then again, she had never been in a predicament like what Meryl found herself in. The thought of giving yourself to the love of your life, only to have him become engaged to another the very next day would be devastating. Even if he never intended for it to happen, which Milly was certain was the case and had also told her partner that. The short-girl didn't believe that either.

 

Meryl was at least trying move on and Milly was very proud of her. She, essentially, remained the ever confident woman, at least in public, and had even decided to make some changes to help with the healing process. Her hair, for one thing, was growing and it almost brushed the collar of her shirt. She had also exchanged her skirt and thigh highs in for a pair of white pants to accompany the original shirts and cape. The snug fitting material hugged her lithe curves, like a second skin, and flared just enough from her knees downward to slip her boots under.

 

`Can't forget about taking this assignment,' Milly thought as she started to unbutton her over coat so she could drape it over Meryl. However, once she reached her third button, a brown blanket had been dropped from over the back of the seat. “Oh… hello…” the brunette muttered curiously, wondering where the blanket had come from.

 

“It's only gonna get colder,” said the smooth baritone voice from behind her.

 

“Huh?”

 

“It's for the smaller woman lying next to you,” the voice elaborated. “I could tell she was shivering.”

 

“Oh… yeah…. thank you, kind sir,” Milly happily replied before covering Meryl with the added protection from the chill. Once satisfied, she turned around and looked at the man behind her while smiling sweetly. “I really appreciate the use of your blanket. This is the first time that my partner had been able to really sleep in days. But wait…” Pausing for a moment, she tilted her head to the side in thought. Then with her gaze still on the shadowed form behind her, she added, “Aren't you gonna need it?”

 

“Don't worry about me... miss…” he trailed off, hoping she would supply her name.

 

“Oh… my name is Milly Thompson,” Milly replied after a slight pause.

 

“Well, Miss Thompson, I am much better off than your girlfriend there,” he stated with a nod of his head, making the Stetson resting upon it to point in the general direction of the petite beauty.

 

“My girlfriend?” she then asked with confusion apparent in her tone, while scratching the top of her head.

 

“Ahhh… you know… your lover,” he awkwardly supplied, hoping that he didn't make a serious mistake.

 

“Well, gee mister… I'm really not sure what you mean by that. But, Sempai is my best friend and a girl and I do love her a lot,” Milly said with a clueless smile.

 

“Sempai?”

 

“Yeah Sempai and I work together for the Bernardelli Insurance Society,” she clarified, still smiling.

 

“Shit… that's what you meant by partners,” the man mumbled to himself, bringing a hand up to his face and rubbing. Still hiding behind his hand, he quietly berated himself by adding, “Smooth move idiot, next time open your mouth bigger, so, you can get both of your feet in there!”

 

“Why sure I did! What else could I have meant? And why would you want to stick your feet in your mouth? Wouldn't that taste kinda icky, in all? Not to mention, you'd have to be really flexible,” Milly asked in rapid succession, while not taking a moment for a breath. However, before he could reply, the sleeping woman started to shift, a definite sign that she might wake.

 

“Milly…” Meryl whispered, while trying to get comfortable again.

 

“Shhh… Sempai, go back to sleep,” Milly comforted as she turned to her friend and tucked the blanket more securely around her.

 

“I wish I could stretch out a little,” the smaller women mumbled as she tried to stretch her legs out.

 

“Oh Meryl… I wish you could, too.”

 

“Miss Thompson…” the man slowly began. Then after a deep breath, he added, “If you would like, you my sit back here… next to me. So, your partner can get more comfortable.”

 

“Well… Meryl really does need her sleep,” Milly said, while thinking the proposition over. Then with an `alrighty then,' she rose from the seat before leaning over to tell Meryl that she could spread out. Once finished, she then moved to sit in the now free seat behind her. “Thank you again mister… Oh… I don't even know your name yet!” she realized, turning in the seat a little to look at the man next to her.

 

“You may call me Ian, Miss Thompson. Ian… Cahill.”

 

All right Mr. Ian and thank you again for letting me sit by you,” Milly chirped as she buttoned her trench coat back up.

 

“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Thompson,” Ian said, just as the third and fourth moons' reflective rays shimmered in the bus, showing his charming smile. “It isn't everyday that I get the chance to sit next to such a lovely young lady, especially one with such amazing blue eyes.”

 

“Gosh Mr. Ian… ummm… I don't know what to say,” Milly quietly replied as she looked down to her lap and blushed prettily over the compliment.

 

“Well… you don't have to say anything I suppose,” he shrugged before adding, “I was just stating a simple fact, is all.”

 

“I should at least thank you, though. So, thank you Mr. Ian,” She stated shyly once she looked back up at him. She could see that he was still smiling, but, just barely as the moonlight continued to flicker throughout the space. Unfortunately, the rest of his face was still in shadow thanks to his hat. She did, however, notice that he had to be pretty tall since his shoulders rose above the back of the seat and it seemed as if his knees were practically touching her previous one.

 

“Then you are quite welcome, Miss Thompson.”

 

“Oh please… call me Milly. Miss Thompson makes me feel old. After all, I am only twenty-two!” the big-girl chirped.

 

“So… Milly, why are you and your partner all the way out here?” he asked, shifting a little and leaning against the window. “Is it for business or for pleasure?”

 

“Strictly business, Meryl and I are disaster investigators and we are out on assignment to track down a wanted criminal that's causing lots and lots of damage. And if there's damage then claims are filed and that means it's costing Bernardelli tons of double-dollars. So it's our job to make sure he stays out of trouble,” Milly rapidity explained.

 

“You mean, Bernardelli sent two beautiful and very young ladies out after an outlaw, just so he won't cause any more damage?” Ian incredulously asked as he moved is left hand up to scratch the side of his head.

 

You got it, Mr. Ian! Though, don't let my young age fool ya,” she exclaimed proudly before adding, “Sempai and I have been doing this for over four years now and have saved our company, I'm sure, quite a bit of money. Though, our last assignment did have a tendency to destroy stuff, anyway.”

 

“If you say so… but, I still say it's awfully dangerous for you two out in the wilds of Gunsmoke, without protection.”

 

Well… gee wouldn't be dangerous for anybody without protection?” Milly asked, while yawning as she covered her mouth with her left hand.

 

“Good point,” Ian replied with a chuckle. Then after a few quiet moments, he asked, “So, who's the next assignment?”

 

However, the question went unanswered for the statuesque beauty had fallen asleep with her chin resting on her chest. He simply smiled over the sight and prepared to bed back down again, that is until the woman shifted slightly and ended up leaning against him with her head resting on his shoulder. He couldn't help but think that she was way too sweet and innocent to have such a hazardous job. But, at the same time, he also knew from experience that naivety didn't necessarily mean that the person was incapable of taking care of themselves. And the woman next to him definitely seemed to know how to do just that.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

Sunlight filtered through the grimy windows of the bus signaling morning. It had been a peaceful night, allowing all of the passengers on the bus to sleep soundly. Including the petite woman, who still was snugly wrapped up in the donated blanket. As the bus slowed, preparing to enter one of the few towns along the way to Corchie, Meryl rustled in her sleep before waking for the day. With a yawn and a stretch, she opened her eyes to take in her surroundings and realized the she was lying down on the bench seat.

 

“What the…” she muttered, while rubbing the sleep from her eyes and sitting up. She didn't know where Milly was and apparently, by the position she found herself in upon waking, the brunette hadn't slept next to her last night. “Ummm… Milly?” Meryl called out, while yawning and running a hand through her hair.

 

“Oh, good morning Sempai,” Milly chirped in greeting from the seat behind her.

 

“What are you doing back there?” the raven-haired woman asked as she turned and peaked over the green vinyl. There she saw her partner sitting next to the once sleeping man from the night before. “Did I miss something?”

 

“Nope, you sure didn't,” Milly chirped before realizing the Meryl was pointedly staring at the man sitting next to her. “Oh I forgot… you two haven't met yet! Sempai, this is Mr. Ian Cahill.”

 

“My name is Meryl… Meryl Stryfe. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cahill,” Meryl said, extending her hand over the seat's back in order to grasp the one he held out.

 

“Like wise, Miss Stryfe, but, please call me Ian,” he replied after shaking her hand.

 

“All right, Ian and it's just Meryl,” she then said with a smile right before realizing that the blanket was the same one that was covering him the night before. “Oh this must be yours,” she added, while untangling the material from her legs and giving back to him. “Thank you, for letting me borrow it.”

 

“No problem, it seemed like you needed it more than I did. You were really shivering for a while there.”

 

“I…I was?” Meryl asked with a small blush covering her cheeks.

 

“You sure were Sempai and you know it's because you still aren't eating like you should,” Milly scolded as she wiggled her right index finger at her friend.

 

“I know,” she sighed. “I promise once we make it to Corchie, I'll eat properly.”

 

“You had better,” the big-girl added right before the bus came to a complete stop. The bus driver stated that there would be a twenty minute layover to recharge the bus's energy cells and the unloading and reloading of passengers.

 

“Unfortunately, this is my stop,” Ian simply advised, before asking Milly if she would let him by. The big-girl immediately advised him that she didn't mind at all right before standing in the isle to let him up.

 

“Wow! You're even taller than Mr. Vash!” Milly blurted out, in amazement, as she took in the man's height as he stood right next to her.

 

And he was, Meryl noted, taking in the appearance of the man before her. Ian was almost a full head taller than her partner, or at least she assumed, since he was still wearing the hat. He had it angled low and over his eyes mostly covering his face, except for his straight nose and about three days of brown stubble covering his square jaw line. She couldn't really tell if he was handsome or not because of the hindrance, but she had a feeling that he probably was, especially if his physique was any indication.

 

Even with his stature, he was proportioned nicely, with broad shoulders tapering down to narrow blue denim clad hips that were visible, thanks to his open brown overcoat that brushed past his knees. Then there was his shirt, the color of sand, with the top three buttons undone, which showed the striations of muscle on his sun bronzed chest. Even with the unfastened darker brown vest lying over top of the shirt, Meryl could tell that there wasn't an ounce of fat on him and that he was in stupendous shape.

 

However, she did notice one unusual thing about the man before her, while completely ignoring the fact the Milly was now telling Ian about her whole family and their extraordinary height. And that peculiarity was when she took note of his powerful thighs. He wasn't wearing a gun. Or, at least, he didn't have a holster strapped on one of his legs. And going without a gun, especially way out in the boonies would be considered suicidal.

 

“Well ladies, I am really sorry I have to cut this short,” he said with a disarming smile, showing off the dimple in his left cheek. “But, unfortunately, I do have to get off the bus.”

 

“Good bye… Mr. Ian,” Milly called, while waiving erratically as he proceeded to go around the bus to pick up his gear from the back. Once he was out of waiving distance, she sat down next to her partner and noticed the calculating look on Meryl's face. “Is there something wrong, Sempai?”

 

“Hmmm… I don't know,” she absently replied, mentally going over the Caden Walker description check list in her mind. `Very tall, check; Dimple left cheek, check; stubble on his face a dark brown, sort of check; but no gun? Hmmm… I wonder if Milly saw his eye color?' she thought before asking her partner, “Hey, Milly do you know what color Ian's eyes where?”

 

“Gosh, no Sempai,” the big-girl answered as she pulled something out of her pocket. After un-wrapping the small item, she popped it in her mouth before adding, “He had his hat on the entire time and I couldn't tell.”

 

“Okay…” Meryl sighed as she felt the engine on the bus roar to life. Then she smelled it, the distinct scent of peppermint filling the air and it was coming from her partner. “Milly what are you eating?”

 

“Oh, I have a peppermint candy. Would you like one?”

 

“And where did you get it?”

 

“Well… Mr. Ian gave it to me, why don't you like peppermint, Meryl?” Milly asked, not fully understanding why Meryl was asking such strange questions.

 

“Shit,” Meryl bit out, instead of answering the brunette's question as she stood. “Come on, Milly, we are getting off.”

 

“Why? I thought we were going to Corchie?”

 

“We are going where the Bringer of Chaos is and I have a very strong suspicion that he is very close by and has been for the past twenty four hours,” Meryl declared, practically pushing the taller women out of the seat and ushering her off of the bus.

 

“What do you mean by that Sempai?”

 

“I mean… that I believe that Mr. Ian Cahill isn't Mr. Ian Cahill, at all. But, actually, the Bringer of Chaos, Caden Walker!” she elaborated once outside of the bus and heading around the back to request to have there luggage brought down from the roof.

 

“Do you mean that Mr. Caden stole Mr. Ian's name?” the big-girl asked as she stopped for a moment to scratch the back of her head in confusion. “He was very nice and didn't seem like the type to steal.”

 

“You're kidding right, Milly?” the smaller woman asked in disbelief as she stopped momentarily to look back at her partner. “He probably didn't steal his name, I'm sure he just made it up.”

 

“Ya' think so, Meryl?”

 

“Yes Milly,” she replied in irritation, before continuing to the back of the bus with Milly immediately following. A few minutes later, they were off again hunting down their next assignment, knowing that he couldn't have gone too far.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

“Maybe he could have gone too far,” Meryl mumbled dejectedly to herself as she scooped up another bite of her banana Sunday.

 

They had been looking for the man who stated that he was `Ian Cahill' all day, but with no luck. The two tried everywhere, including hotels, saloons, and the market place, but, came up short. They even peeked into the town's only brothel with hopes of spotting the extremely tall man. Unfortunately, he wasn't there. However, once they mustered up the courage to step inside to question the `staff,' the lovely ladies received some curious stares and very interesting offers from some of the patrons and employees. Nobody saw him. At least, they said they didn't. It was like he just upped and disappeared and, for a man of his size, that should have been impossible.

 

“Don't let it get ya' down, Meryl,” the big-girl said, trying to cheer her friend up. “I mean we don't even know if Mr. Ian is Mr. Caden and, besides, at least we found this lovely café and are now sitting on the patio enjoying a nice dinner. Oh and look Sempai… you ate everything on your plate again!” Milly happily exclaimed, while clasping her hands together showing how proud she was of her partner.

 

“Huh?” Meryl replied in confusion, until looking down at the plates in front of her. Sure enough, everything was gone, including the dessert that she just happened to finish off. “Wow, I must have been hungrier than I thought,” she added until remembering the first part of Milly's exclamation. “What do you mean that you don't know if Mr. Ian is Mr. Caden?”

 

“Well Sempai, I just don't know, is all,” Milly quietly replied, right before taking a sip of her Ceylon tea. “I mean he was so nice…”

 

“So? Remember when we first met… ummm… him,” Meryl mentioned, still unable to say Vash's name. “He wasn't anything at all like how he was described. And I couldn't believe that it was really him?”

 

“I know,” she sighed until another thought crossed her mind. “But, Mr. Caden is supposed to have long hair and Mr. Ian didn't. Oh, and remember what the deputy sheriff said about him leaving the day before we did? I mean how could he have been on both buses at once?”

 

“Hmmm… well, it's not like we could really tell, since he was wearing a hat. Besides, he could have gotten his hair cut,” the petite beauty pointed out, explaining away the discrepancies her partner had revealed. “And as far as him leaving the day before, well… the sheriff could have been wrong and… oh crap! Remember, we didn't ask the ticket clerk what day he purchased the ticket for. We just assumed it was for the day before.”

 

“That's true, but what about a gun? I mean, he wasn't wearing one.”

 

“That's true,” Meryl said with a deep sigh, knowing that he couldn't be a wanted criminal involved in shootouts without a gun. “I suppose we should head back to our room. I need to type up a status report.”

 

“Okie Dokie, Sempai,” Milly chirped, while standing as her partner left enough money on the table to cover their tab and a tip.

 

That's when they heard it, the distinct sound of gunfire coming from just a couple of blocks away. Looking at one another, both women exchanged curious expressions until a gleam of knowing flashed through the smaller woman's silvery gaze. With a `come on Milly,' Meryl rushed off the porch heading in the direction where they last heard the blast. Sprinting the few blocks toward the raucous, the ladies quickly turned the corner and saw several pedestrians hiding in doorways or any other place that offered shelter. In that instant, they knew they had almost reached their destination.

 

“Over there,” Meryl yelled, after hearing another series of shots coming from the darkened alley as she pointed toward the corridor. Pulling out a couple of derringers, she slowed her momentum and started to cautiously step into the space, with her partner close behind, stungun ready.

 

Sure enough, after walking about twenty more yarz into the catacomb, they found themselves peaking around another corner, watching the back of a tall man, wearing a trench coat, the color creamed coffee, and a matching cowboy hat. He was in the process of talking heatedly with the four men before him. Then they heard his venom filled voice yell that he would never give it to them, even if it meant his life, which instantly triggered the four to start shooting their semiautomatic weapons.

 

Springing into action, the taller man instantly dove ahead in a somersault, while crossing his arms over his chest. Loosing the hat in the process, a long pony tail emerged, whipping with the motion as he rolled up to one knee before the men with matching black nine millimeter glocks in his hands. Before his hair could fall to his back, he squeezed the triggers on the guns, shooting in rapid succession to not only to shoot away his opponents' weapons, but to also injure two of the four by shooting them in their gun arms.

 

“Now get the hell out of here and you can tell that bastard Cruz that he can kiss my ass!” the man spat as he stood, while watching the two injured men get up from the ground and immediately scurry behind their cohorts. Once they rounded another corner, he breathed a sigh of relief before calling out, “Its safe… you can come out now.”

 

With caution and derringers ready, Meryl stepped out from around the corner and instantly pointed the guns at the man's back that was now sporting a russet colored ponytail down the middle of it. “Drop your weapons and no harm will come to you,” she confidently stated, which made the man laugh.

 

“Now Meryl, you aren't really going to shoot me are you?” he asked, still chuckling over the entire situation. “However, I'll play along, if you want me to,” he added before letting the guns drop from his hands.

 

“Gosh, Meryl, why did you threaten Mr. Ian like that, especially when he let you borrow his blanket last night?” Milly asked, slightly annoyed, while stepping up and standing next to her partner.

 

“For crying out loud, Milly, I didn't threaten a man named Ian,” Meryl groused in exasperation, while keeping her eyes on the outlaw's back. Then with a smirk and a matching tone, she added, “Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Caden Walker? Or do you prefer Mr. Chaos?”

 

“Caden is just fine, Meryl.”