Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ The Ways of Parting ( Chapter 55 )

 

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 55: The Ways of Parting

 

 

 

“Your mother was?” Vash questioned, seeking confirmation for what he thought he had just heard.

 

“Yes,” Caden replied telepathically, turning his attention from Knives to the golden blonde. Noticing Vash's shocked expression, he smirked as he repeated his answer out loud, so everyone else would know what he had just said. “And she was beautiful… with long blonde hair and expressive sapphire blue eyes,” he added before pausing to sigh, turning nostalgic. Then taking a deep breath, he continued, “I remember she was always smiling and she liked to lightly run the back of her fingers down Regan's and my cheeks before kissing us on the forehead…”

 

“Oh Mr. Ca… Caden, she sounded lovely,” Milly said sweetly as she reached over and gently placed her right hand on his shoulder. “What was her name?”

 

“Tessla…” he answered before gently grabbing her hand so he could hold it. He had a feeling he was going to need her support.

 

“Tessla… I know that name,” Knives muttered to himself, while trying to figure out why it sounded so familiar. With his left hand, he reached and absently rubbed his forehead until long-forgotten memories rose to the surface.

 

The plant ships, christened Genesis ships, mainly carried samples of animal and plant life from Earth and were manned by a small team of scientists. During the long voyage, the members were awakened out of cryogenic stasis to run maintenance on the ship and its cargo. Once the information was collected, it was sent to the flag ship of Project SEEDS, their ship, to be archived. Knives remembered reading about the female Plant through the reports sent, but since it wasn't long before `it' happened, he must have locked the memories away in some deep corner of his mind.

 

At that point, Knives knew Caden was telling the truth, especially since he, himself, had discovered the mutation caused by the co-mingling of two different species. And seeing that Tessla was the only free-born Plant on the Genesis-3, then that meant Caden's father was a human mutating into one. His theory was correct and the living proof was sitting just a few feel away. The whole discovery excited him immensely, but right now he needed details. “I remember reading the logs about your mother and some of the tests run on her. So what you are saying has merit, however, I want to know exactly how the ship managed to escape the great fall. Not to mention, everything else that happened since. If you know, that is…”

 

“I know exactly what happened,” Caden sighed as leaned forward, while letting go of Milly's hand so he could clasp his own together. With his forearms resting on his thighs he advised Vash that he had better sit down because it was a long story. After Vash returned to his seat on the bed, Caden closed his eyes for a moment, while taking a deep breath. On the exhale, he reopened his emerald orbs to stare unseeingly at the faux-wood floorboards and began. “The crew of the Genesis-3 consisted of Plant engineer June Cahill, ship engineer Trent Mitchell, navigator David Albright, and botanists Craig and Kathryn Walker, along with their eight year old son Ian. Well… about a year and a half before the great fall, the team was awakened for routine maintenance and systems checks. That's when June found my mother and I guess, in a sense, you could say she adopted her.”

 

“And she grew abnormally fast, correct?” Knives supplied for Caden.

 

“Yes, that is correct,” Walker agreed before continuing, “When June found her, the crew decided not to reenter their cryogenic chambers, instead they chose to keep her company and to… well… monitor her. By the time the great fall occurred she was almost the age of the Walkers' son, only with an IQ that surpassed anything ever recorded.”

 

“She's the one who saved the ship, didn't she?” Knives surmised.

 

“Also correct, and I guess once she had overridden the autopilot on their ship, she started to hack into the flag ship only someone else beat her to it.”

 

“Rem…” Vash whispered sadly, as the memories from that tragic day flashed through his mind.

 

“Rem?” Caden questioned as he tilted his head up and focused on Vash.

 

“Yeah… Rem was our mother. Well… she adopted Knives and me. She was also the chief botanist for Project SEEDS and the one who saved everyone,” the ex-outlaw replied, giving Walker a teary-eyed smile.

 

“I see…” the long haired man muttered quietly. They were even more closely linked than what he initially thought. Returning his attention to the floor, he ran a right hand through his bangs before going on. “Shortly after, David Albright located an underground lake just an ile beneath the surface of a large valley in the Great Northern Pass and landed the ship there. According to protocol, the team was supposed to begin terra-forming and they did. Through the years, the valley turned green and the transformation was a big success.”

 

“But what about your mom and dad?” Mac asked, while rubbing her temples. She hadn't hurt this much since Knives overloaded her head with the images from his past.

 

“Woman, what did I tell you?!” Knives quickly interjected before Caden could answer her.

 

“I'm fine, Knives,” She replied in annoyance prior to telling him telepathically to stop acting like a mother hen. Then before he could come back with a sarcastic comment, she brought her attention back to Caden. “I think it's pretty safe to assume that Ian Walker was your father.”

 

“He was,” Caden absently smiled, before elaborating. “Mom and dad grew very close over the years. And it took them a while, about fifteen years actually, but they finally admitted their love for one another. I remember dad saying that after they became intimate, he began to experience changes, so they started running test on him.”

 

“His PNc levels were increasing and he was showing Plant-like qualities,” Knives declared, fully knowing where the conversation was leading. “McKenna is experiencing the same mutations.”

 

“That's right,” Caden confirmed as he sat back on his chair and rubbed his neck. Bringing up memories of the past and what he lost in one day was much harder than he expected, to the point that he could feel the tears starting to form. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to focus and felt someone take his unoccupied left hand in theirs. Upon opening his eyes, the outlaw instantly saw that Milly was holding his hand again. Looking up to her, he saw concern etched all over her sweet face. `I don't deserve her,' he thought to himself, before giving her a small smile of reassurance, while thinking maybe it wasn't so bad sharing his past with her.

 

“Gee… is your brother older than you Caden?” Milly wondered as she tilted her head to the side. “I mean you weren't born for another twelve years…”

 

“Actually, Regan's my twin and I'm older by about twenty minutes,” Walker replied as his smile broadened, she definitely made everything seem brighter. “It just took mom and dad a while to conceive us.”

 

“Interesting,” Knives pondered, while rubbing his chin in thought. It made sense that it would take longer for a human male to transform. “Fluid transferals from a female to a male are significantly smaller in doses than from a male to a female during intercourse. So, it is perfectly logical to assume it would take longer for the male to mutate enough to produce offspring.”

 

“Okay… what happened next?” Vash asked impatiently. The theory of Plant evolution could wait until later. Right now he wanted to get through the interrogation so they could plan on how to get Meryl back.

 

“Well… dad wasn't the only one who fell for my mom,” Caden sighed before adding, “Trent also had a thing for her and when it was noticeable that had dad stopped aging, it kind of sent him over the edge. You see, when the ship landed, the average age of the crew was around twenty-eight. Then, the years started adding up, five, ten, twenty, then twenty-nine and finally thirty years went by. Being almost sixty and looking like it didn't set well with Trent. I guess you could say that over a period of time, Trent's mind went, especially when it was obvious that mom and dad still looked like they were in their twenties.”

 

“And…” the collective audience asked at the same time.

 

“And…” he slowly breathed before halting for a moment to squeeze Milly's hand. This was the part of the story that he dreaded telling the most. With a shuddering breath, he closed his verdant orbs for a moment, internally telling himself that he could, and would, continue, “One night Trent just snapped and went on a killing spree. He brutally murdered my grandparents and David in their sleep with a large knife. Then he came to our quarters after dad, Regan and me.”

 

“Is that when you got your scar?” Mille asked her eyes bright with tears.

 

“Yeah, it is blue-eyes,” the disturbed outlaw replied quietly, squeezing her hand again. “Fortunately, Regan and I were still awake, sneaking a midnight snack. When the door slid open, Trent saw us awake and immediately went after my brother. I remember diving for Regan and pushing him out of the way, just as Trent sliced downward. He got me good, but luckily it wasn't too deep.”

 

“How did you survive?” Vash quietly inquired, while wiping his own eyes.

 

“Hearing the ruckus, mom and dad came rushing out of their bedroom and saw that S.O.B. hovering over me with the knife high in the air. I remember mom screaming Trent's name and dad getting ready to attack, but she stopped him when Trent threatened that I would be dead before dad could reach him. So, mom pleaded with him for my life and he told her that if she became his then he would let us go…”

 

“And she agreed…” Knives inserted after Caden trailed off to rub his right hand over his eyes, removing the tears that were threatening to fall.

 

“Ahhh… yep,” Walker choked out. He just couldn't stop them any longer and the tears started to fall in earnest. All these years the pain had been buried deep inside of him, but it was just as fresh and raw as the day it had all happened. While their dad was alive, he and Regan had never mentioned it. Even after his death, the two brothers were in unspoken agreement not to bring it up. This was the first time he had allowed himself to openly remember.

 

“It will be alright, Caden,” Milly whispered, while turning in her seat and placing her left hand over the top of his that tightly held her right.

 

“I know,” He whispered back, accepting the comfort she was offering. Before continuing on with his story he drew in a shaky breath and thanked her for being so wonderful. “I must have passed out from blood loss because the next thing I remember, dad was driving us away and then there was an explosion ripping through the trees south of the ship. Dad slammed on the brakes and screamed mom's name…” Pausing for a moment, Caden took another shaky breath, wondering if he could hold himself together to finish the tale. On the exhale he finished, “…he… ahhh… felt her die.”

 

“Oh no,” McKenna breathed, raising her right to her mouth as Milly shot from her chair and enveloped Caden in a big hug. There wasn't a dry eye in the room, even Knives was a little misty. Though, he would never admit it.

 

“Why didn't your mother, stop him with her Plant abilities?” Knives asked after a moment, while running his index finger over his eyelashes to remove the moisture.

 

Pulling away from the statuesque beauty's embrace, Caden grabbed one of her hands and kissed it to thank her again, while telling her that he appreciated the hug as it was exactly what he really needed at the moment. Then turning his attention to Knives he shrugged, while replying, “She didn't know how too. The only thing they discovered was that she was a telepath and when dad started to change he became one, too.”

 

“What about you and your brother?” Vash asked.

 

“I just know how to use my telepathic abilities and block others out, that's it,” Caden sighed, looking over to the spiky haired Federal Marshal. “We didn't want others to suspect we were different, so we didn't cultivate them. As a matter of fact, I didn't even know I was capable of doing what I've seen you two do.”

 

“With proper training, I could teach you,” Knives simply offered before quickly adding, “Of course, it will have to wait until after Meryl is safe and you are properly punished for your indiscretions.”

 

“Of course,” the long haired man mockingly replied, while shaking his head. Knives really was something else. “You have a plan to get Meryl back, don't you?” he then inquired of the platinum blonde.

 

“I do,” Knives replied with an arrogant grin before looking over to his mate. “Woman, you said the blonde spider never saw you before, correct?”

 

“That's right,” McKenna confirmed.

 

“So… it's safe to assume they don't have any idea that Vash and I are with you,” he continued as his ice-blue eyes started to twinkle dangerously. “We are going to separate. Walker, you will head toward Espoera and, as requested, will meet Cruz alone at his estate with the map. Meanwhile, Vash and I will infiltrate the property and wait for your arrival.”

 

“But we can't risk him getting the map!” Walker instantly protested before quickly adding, “If he were to get his hands on it, the whole planet would be in danger!”

 

“What is he planning, Walker?” Vash bit out, while thinking if they need use the map in order rescue Meryl, then they were going too. No questions asked.

 

“Arturo Cruz wants to use the lost technology to take over the Federal government.”

 

“What?” Everyone in the room yelled out at the same time.

 

“He's completely unhinged, isn't he?!” McKenna blurted out incredulously, while openly gaping at Caden. She knew it would be nearly impossible for someone to overthrow bureaucracy. The amount of man power alone would need to be in the tens of thousands. Then she remembered that Knives and Vash basically did the same thing just a few weeks ago. Of course, they were Plants with extraordinary capabilities and Cruz wasn't. “Do you realize how many men he would need to stage a coup de tat, like that?”

 

“He isn't planning on using force,” Caden clarified. “He wants to move up the political ranks and with the technology from the ship. The climb would be faster and easier.”

 

“Well… I don't really give a damn what he wants the map for!” Vash exclaimed as he rose from the bed and crossed arms over his chest. Narrowing his eyes, he glared at the outlaw as he spat out. “He has Meryl and if giving him the map means the difference in getting her back safely or not, then we are going to give it to him! You got that?!”

 

“Yeah… I know…” Caden sighed in frustration as he brought his hands up to his head and lightly pulled on his chestnut-colored locks. Meryl's well-being was more important than what the risk would be if Cruz got the map, but at the same time, if he just gave it to the power hungry man then the two and a half years he spent on the run would be in vain. Not to mention, his brother's supposed death.

 

“Well… gosh if this Mr. Cruz guy got the map, he could use it to kick Miss Mac's daddy out of a job and we can't let that happen, either.” Milly pointed out, while scratching her head. She knew there had to be a way to give him the map, but not. Then she figured it out. With a snap of her fingers, she exclaimed, “I've got it!”

 

“What do you have big-girl?” Vash questioned, while giving her a funny look.

 

“I know how to give the map to Mr. Cruz and not give it to him at the same time!” she chirped happily, while clapping her hands together.

 

“Please… enlighten us with your brilliance?!” Knives sarcastically uttered, while rubbing his eyes in frustration, they didn't have time for her silly notions.

 

“Gosh… it's simple really, Caden said that Mr. Cruz has never seen the map before, so we make a copy of the map only have it send him someplace funny. Then if he does get away, he's only gonna get lost because we have him going in the wrong direction!” she advised them with a big smile as her eyes twinkled merrily. Milly then looked around the room to read everyone else's expressions, to see if it the rest of the team agreed with her solution. By the looks of things, it was obvious that they did.

 

“Fine… we will make a copy of the map and pass on the fake to Cruz if it gets that far,” Knives confirmed, before adding, “We will also need to acquire another vehicle and prepare for the journey. How far are we from Espoera?”

 

“Less than a day,” Caden responded as he stood from his chair.

 

“And what is the closest town and how far is it from the city?” Knives then asked.

 

“That would be Johnstown and its only fifty iles northeast,” The outlaw replied.

 

“Good, that's where you will go,” the platinum blonde started as he pushed away from the wall. “Walker, follow me. I assume you have been to Cruz's estate and will require details. I will also give you the necessary funds to purchase a vehicle. Then you can see to that.”

 

“Okay,” Caden agreed with a short nod of his head.

 

“Vash,” Knives called, snapping his brother out of the pessimistic thoughts that were plaguing his tortured soul. Once Vash raised his aqua orbs from the floorboards to look at him, Knives continued, “You will make the second map while I head out to send a wire to McKenna's father.” Then looking around the room at the others, he finished his instructions with, “We will meet in two hour's time back here to go over last minute details before Vash and I head out. And in the morning, Walker, you will leave for Johnstown.”

 

“But what about Milly and me, Knives?!” McKenna huffed as she slid her legs off the bed and stood. It had not gone by her unnoticed that he had neglected to mention what their jobs were going to be.

 

“You two are to remain here and wait for our return,” he advised her in a tone that meant there was absolutely no room for argument. Glancing at Caden, Knives told him that it was time to go and coolly started for the door with the younger Plant on his heels. Reaching for the doorknob, Knives paused in his tracks, nearly causing Caden to collide with him from behind. Ignoring him, Knives spoke to McKenna telepathically saying, “I fully expect you to heed my instructions, woman and without complaint. Now go back to our room and lie down!” Then without another word, verbally or telepathically, he walked out with an irked and frowning outlaw right behind him.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

In the blink of an eye, two hours had passed, and the team, minus McKenna, met once again in Vash's room to go over last minute plans. After another thirty minutes, everything was ready. The counterfeit map was given to Caden, times of arrival, for both Johnstown and Cruz's estate had been established, and last minute details even the most inconsequential were covered. It was almost time for the Plant twins to depart and Knives only needed to accomplish one more task before they could do so.

 

Leaving Vash in the truck to wait, Knives climbed the steps of their hotel so he could give McKenna a present he bought for her while running his errands and to say his temporary farewell. Something he really didn't want to do. He would much rather have her with him, but he knew she would be safer staying in Inepril City. It didn't make it any easier, though. This would be the first time he had to go without his brash hair-colored, insolent little mate for any significant amount of time and he was really going to miss her. And it wasn't just for the way her voluptuous form molded perfectly against the muscled planes of his, either. Quite simply, he was going to miss her period, even her little quirks and imperfections. At that very moment, he wanted nothing more than to hold her close, while offering comfort and easing her anxieties over what the next couple of days would bring. Regrettably though, he didn't have much time.

 

Knives could feel that Vash was chomping at the bit to head out to Espoera, so he get close enough to contact Meryl. He desperately needed to lie some of his fears of to rest and the only way for him to do so was to verify that she was unharmed. However, Knives knew that would only temporarily ease one of the many emotions swirling through his twin. The others, anger and guilt, would not be appeased until they were able to safely pluck the raven-haired beauty from the Cruz's clutches and one Bardeaux Keele had been severely punished.

 

Upon seeing his desired mate's earrings, Vash's blinding rage moved to the background as the crushing guilt over her abduction moved to the foreground to consume him. Knives knew then that his brother remembered why Meryl was out on the cliff. She had gone there to seek him out, except Vash wasn't there and Keele took advantage in his brother's self proclaimed mistake. After all, he did say he would be there and the realization that he left her prone was eating the ex-outlaw up inside as he took all of the blame on his bruised and battered shoulders.

 

Though, it wasn't just Vash's fault and Knives was fully aware of that fact. He was also to blame and would do anything to rectify his own miscalculations. McKenna was with Meryl when the bastards had struck and he was sure that a six-pronged star was the only thing that stopped them from taking her as well; or worse, killing her right then and there since she didn't figure into their plans. He was grateful for that, but it still greatly bothered him that she was put in such a perilous situation to begin with, especially since she had no means to defend herself. McKenna simply refused to carry a gun and he, to a point, could see why. She was a doctor, after all. But, after what happened this morning, Knives decided it was time for her to have one. After sending the wire to Theodore, he immediately went to the nearest gunsmith and bought her one.

 

Now all he needed to do was advise her to keep the weapon on her at all times, which should prove to be quite exasperating he decided as he walked up to their room. Knives knew she would adamantly refuse and he really didn't have time to argue with her. Vash's patience was growing paper thin as it was and further delays might send him over the edge. With a cynical `here we go,' he opened the door and stepped into the room.

 

And there she was, sitting in the middle of the bed with bare arms, courtesy of her sleeveless shirt, wrapped securely around her bent knees. McKenna looked, breathtakingly beautiful and undeniably distressed at the same time. Her flaming hair was loose and spilling down her back and shoulders, while her golden hazel orbs glistened with tears that were falling down her cheeks and past her full trembling bottom lip. Unease had been flowing from his mate ever since he adamantly told her to stay put, but he never truly expected to see her like this. Knives anticipated that she would be bristling like a wet cat mad over his decision, not miserable. And he really hated seeing her like this, and worse, leaving her in such a state.

 

“You're leaving now, aren't you?” McKenna whispered as she laid the side of her head on her knees, while gazing fixedly at him.

 

“Yes,” he replied uncomfortably. Walking up to the bed, he stood there for a moment and silently regarded her. He didn't know how to deal with her tears, he never had to before. So, he decided the best course of action would probably be to set her fears to rest. “Your tears are unnecessary. I will be fine, you know.”

 

“I know,” she said with a broken laugh as she straightened her back and moved her delicate hands to wipe her eyes. She couldn't help but feel more at ease, thanks his haughty nature.

 

“Come here,” Knives murmured softly as he reached for her. Immediately complying, McKenna crawled over to the edge of the bed to kneel in front of him right before he pulled her into a comforting embrace. Accepting his hug, she wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed as she laid her head on his chest. Sighing himself, he closed eyes and simply enjoyed holding her. It really was too bad he couldn't stay with her and after a few quiet minutes, he kissed the top of her head before letting go. “It will only be for a few days and we'll be back before you know it,” he stated as he reached in one of his pockets and pulled out a brown leather case with a flap on the widest end that was used to close it.

 

“What's that?” she asked, eyeing the case suspiciously, while watching as he unsnapped the flap from the main body of the small satchel. However, she knew exactly what it was and became quite perturbed over what he was insinuating.

 

“It's a 9x19 millimeter Glock 26…” the platinum blonde started as he pulled the matte black gun out of its carrier and set both items on the bed.

 

“You don't really expect me to use that do you?” she asked, looking up at him incredulously, while crossing her arms over her chest.

 

“Each magazine will carry ten rounds of ammunition,” he continued, completely ignoring her question as he pulled out five loaded clips from another pocket and placed them on the bed as well.

 

“Alexander?!”

 

“And it is small enough for you to either keep it in your pocket or, preferably, holster it on your hip, using your belt,” he then added, while picking up the case and turning it over to show her the slits on the back.

 

“Damn it, Al…” McKenna started only to be cut off as Knives swooped down and silenced her with a kiss. After his lips left hers, she tried to voice her refusal again, but was deterred for the second time by an unyielding Plant and his intoxicating lips. Deepening the kiss, Knives pulled her into his arms as his tongue slipped into her compliant mouth. In slow deliberate motions, he turned her to putty in his graceful hands and when he finally pulled away for the second time, all she could do was whimper over the loss. She just stared at him for what seemed like forever, until she remembered why he kissed her. “You know I don't like guns…”

 

“I am aware of that,” Knives sighed as he ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. Before he could leave with any sense of comfort, he needed to know she would carry the gun on her at all times. He didn't want her to be caught unprotected, like she was just a few hours ago. Taking a deep breath, he let his profound unease show in his normally cool eyes and added, “McKenna, I won't be here to keep you safe and I don't want a repeat of what happened this morning. Do you understand?”

 

McKenna just watched him as he closed his eyes, as if he was trying control himself. She could feel his frustration and even anxiety over the situation. Finally, when he did open his eyes, their azure depths were filled with deep penetrating worry and she knew that carrying the gun would grant him peace of mind even before he said anything. Then he spoke and the tone of his voice spoke volumes. “Okay, I will keep the gun with me, but once you return you can have it back.”

 

“Good,” Knives exclaimed with a relieved smile. “Do you know how to use one?”

 

“Yes,” she replied with a roll of her eyes, before picking the handgun and a magazine up. After inserting the cartridge into its cradle, she sharply pulled back to cock the weapon before double checking to make sure the safeties were set. Once everything was in order, she accepted the case from Knives and placed the weapon inside. “Father insisted that I learn how to fire a gun after mother was killed,” she added, while unbuckling her belt and slipping the case on.

 

“Well at least your father has some common sense,” he declared sardonically, while reaching for her again so he could cover her lips with his before she could utter a complaint.

 

This time the kiss was desperate and needy as the all consuming emotions of love and desire made both of them wish that they didn't have to be without one another for even a moment. But, regrettably, they had to be and this time when the couple separated, Knives hugged her tightly to his chest as he murmured softly in her ear that he would return in a few days. He knew it was past time to go and when he pulled away, for the last time, he kissed her softly on the forehead prior to gently setting her back on the bed. Finally, he gave her a small smile and walked to the door.

 

“Alexander wait,” McKenna pleaded as he stepped out into the hall. She had one more thing that she needed tell him. When he turned and their eyes met, she gave him a tender look while breathing out, “I love you…”

 

“Of course you do,” Knives brashly declared as he reached for his shades. Slipping them on, the platinum blonde gave her an arrogant grin before closing the door between them. However, before the annoyed redhead could even mutter a scathing comment about his pompous attitude, she mentally heard Knives's sincere words float through her head…

 

“I love you, too, woman…”