Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Letting Go Slowly ( Chapter 61 )

 

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 61: Letting Go Slowly

 

 

 

“Gosh, Mr. Ca… whoopsies…” Milly started with an alcohol induced giggle as she placed her right hand over her mouth to try and cover her slipup. “I mean Caden!” she then corrected, lowering her hand right before the long haired man motioned for her to enter the hotel room ahead of him. As she stumbled through the threshold, the big-girl added, “It's awfully wonderful of you to let me sleep with you tonight!”

 

“Uhhh…” Caden gaped, momentarily at a loss over her choice of words as he quickly grabbed her arm to keep her from tumbling over. Only in his wildest dreams could he imagine that when Milly said `sleep' she meant not really sleeping, but something more physical. Sadly, he knew better. She was just too innocent to come out and say that she wanted to be intimate with him. “It's really no trouble at all,” he replied with a shrug after he let go of her arm and entered the room right behind her.

 

After securing and locking the door behind him, Caden walked over to the dinette table sitting across from the only bed in the room and proceeded to shrug off his over coat, vest and shoulder holsters before placing his Stetson on top of the table. Then turning on his heel, he brought his immediate attention to Milly, who was chattering on about how she really liked his friends at the saloon and that it was quite remarkable that she and Caden didn't have to pay for a single drink all night long!

 

With a broad smile crossing his handsome face, he watched the statuesque beauty set her stungun on the floor and take off her trench coat before hanging it up on the coat-rack in the far corner by the closet. She really was amazing he thought, before snapping out of his daze and heading over to his duffle bag to get them both something to sleep in. It was late, past midnight, and he really needed a shower and a decent night sleep, even more so since the alcohol in his system was muddling all logical thought.

 

Reaching into his bag, the brunette pulled out a pair of dark green pajama bottoms for himself and a long-sleeved cream-colored Henley for his guest to wear. Straightening from his bent over position, Caden looked over at Milly again, while beginning to say that she could use the bathroom first and fully intending to give the shirt in his left hand to her. However, once he set his emerald eyes on her, what was left of his rational mind disappeared as he tightened his hold on the articles of clothing in his hands and his eyes widened, but even more so after her pronouncement…

 

“Is it just me or did it all of the sudden get really hot in here!”

 

`Sweet… Jesus…' the now ex-outlaw thought, while staring intently at the stunning woman before him as she pulled the tie from her collar and started to unbutton the white oxford shirt. Caden thought he had either died and gone to heaven or was a whole hell of a lot drunker than what he originally thought, because his eyes had to be deceiving him! There was absolutely no way that the object of his most erotic desires was stripping right in front of him. Walker quickly closed his eyes and shook his head, hoping that the arousing vision would disappear. It definitely wouldn't be a good thing going to bed with a raging hard on because of the impromptu striptease he was witnessing. It was going to be bad enough just with having Milly lying right next to him. However, when he did open his eyes, she was still in the process of taking her clothes off…

 

“MMM…Milly,” Caden stuttered as her shirt fell to the floor, revealing her bra made of white lace that had a cute little pink bow resting in between her very well endowed breasts.

 

“Gee… why do you sound so funny, Caden?” Milly asked, while unzipping her khaki pants before sliding them over her hips and letting them fall to the floor. Keeping all of her attention on the task at hand, the big-girl pushed her loafers off of her feet, which proved to be quite difficult since her pants were in the way, before stepping out of the potentially hazardous pile of leather and cotton. Finally, bringing her attention to Caden, she tilted her head to the side and asked a series of questions. “Is there something wrong? And gosh, why aren't you changing into your PJs? Don't ya' wanna go to bed yet?”

 

“Uhhh…” Was all he could get out as his blazing eyes slowly traveled up and down her long, lithe form. God, Milly was breathtaking! With long shapely legs, full curves and smooth skin that looked like the sun left feather-soft kisses all over her body. Every inch of her was tone and tight with muscle and Caden could tell that she had led a very active lifestyle. Of course, working on a farm when she was younger and now chasing after insurance liabilities were major contributors. Then he brought his attention to Milly's stomach that rippled with every breath before glancing lower the tiny white lace panties. “Oh god, they match,” he groaned, not realizing that he said it out loud.

 

“Of course they match! That's how I bought them! Miss Mac said that she had to go shopping for a present for Mr. Knives and I saw these when we went into the lingerie store. I liked them so much that I just had to buy them! Aren't they pretty!” she exclaimed with a giggle before closing the distance and standing right in front of the transfixed Plant. “Is that shirt for me?”

 

“Yes,” Caden whispered absently, eyes still transfixed, unable to hand the item over as the `nice' side and the `naughty' side of his subconscious started fighting over just what he should do. One side was telling him that Milly and he were still pretty inebriated and it wouldn't be the right to take advantage of her. She was just too sweet and deserved better. While the other side, the more devilish side, was emphatically exclaiming `come on, what could it hurt?'

 

Then the red horned and tailed imp became quite convincing as it started to subliminally scream in the ex-out-law's ear, `Walker you moron, that's a come if I ever saw one! She wants you! Let me go down the list if you want proof!' And proof he had. For example, if she didn't like him then she would have said so after he confessed that he was falling in love with her and she wouldn't have kissed him back. Not to mention, the most obvious. The statuesque beauty did strip right in front of him and on her own accord! Besides, it really had been quite a while since the last time he had been with a woman. Not since the night he hid the map in the bedpost at Sylvie's.

 

“Why thank you, Caden!” the big-girl chirped happily as she plucked the shirt from his grasp and quickly headed for the bathroom.

 

Without a word, the long-haired man simply watched, his head swiveling on his neck as she made her way to the bathroom. Once the door closed behind her, he cupped his face in his hands and groaned. She was going to driving him absolutely crazy with want and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it! He knew the moment the words `well you can sleep in my room' escaped his lips that he was going to be in big trouble. Well, unless she came out of the bathroom and begged him to make love to her. But he knew that wouldn't be likely… unfortunately.

 

`This is going to be the longest night of my life,' he thought dejectedly right before the bathroom door opened. Milly emerged, wearing his shirt that looked far better on her than it ever did on him, even if it was too big, with the sleeves falling over her hands, and the hem brushing mid thigh. Then Caden noticed that she had her bra in her hand, which reiterated what he just thought. He knew right then and there that if he slept next to her in the bed, he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off of her. Well, unless she said `no.'

 

Maybe it would be better not to risk temptation.

 

“Milly you take the bed and I'll sleep on the floor, okay,” Caden hastily muttered, right before rushing to the bathroom to take a very cold shower.

 

“Oh… okay, Caden,” she replied in bewilderment as the bathroom door closed behind him this time. Walking over to her pile of clothes, she thought that Gunsmoke's newest Federal Marshal was acting pretty odd and wondered why. It almost seemed like something was making him extremely nervous, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out what it was. `Maybe I did have a little too much to drink,' Milly thought as she picked her clothes up from the floor and laid them on the dinette table next to Caden's hat. Then she stepped over to the bed and started to turn down the covers…

 

“Oh my goodness…” Milly breathed as her eyes widened. She instantly dropped the material, as if the covers burned her fingers, and took a step away from the full bed, the only bed in the room. She just realized why the Bringer of Chaos was suddenly acting so strangely. They were going to be spending the night together and he was trying to be a `gentleman' about it. He even stated that he would sleep on the floor. Then the big-girl remembered that she took her clothes off in the middle of the room and right in front of him. “Millicent Eleanor Thompson, you sure can be a dummy sometimes,” she moaned, while smacking her forehead with the palm of her right hand.

 

She had obviously sent Caden some pretty mixed signals. After all, what woman would willingly strip down to her underwear in front of an incredibly handsome man and not want to take things further? It just wasn't possible for her to want something to happen between them, was it? No it wasn't. She wasn't ready to become that emotionally involved and sex in her book definitely included emotions, a whole lot of them. Milly knew that Caden had already gained a special place in her heart, there was no denying it, but he deserved to have all of her heart and soul if they were to become intimate with each other. And that was something that she couldn't give, not yet. Nicholas still held way too much of both.

 

But then again…

 

With her hand still resting on her forehead, she turned her head to the left and looked at the closed door. She could hear the running water and the mental image of a naked Caden Walker invaded her thoughts. Oh and what an image it was! The virile Plant was standing under the spray of water with his eyes closed and head titled back, while he slowly ran his hands through his long, slicked backed hair to rinse out the shampoo. Muscles were flexing with the thorough movements and every inch of his chiseled body was glistening with moisture.

 

With a moan, she moved her hand from her forehead to her cheek before grasping the borrowed Henley just below the collar. The very idea of feeling his skin against hers sent shivers of anticipation down her spine. Maybe making love with him wouldn't be such a bad idea. Milly knew her body was more than willing to bond with the handsome Plant and there wasn't any doubt in her mind that he wouldn't have minded either. And not just because he was a man with needs. He did say that he was falling for her, after all. Perhaps it would help in the mending of her slowly healing heart.

 

But then again… again…

 

Would making love with the incredibly hot ex-outlaw be considered cheating on her beloved Mr. Priest, even if he wasn't with her? Well, at least not in the physical sense. She just wasn't sure and the conflicting thoughts swirling around in her already fuzzy head were really confusing her. But there was one thing the big-girl was certain of. It wouldn't be fair to make Caden sleep on the floor while she slept in his bed. It was a pretty big bed and they could share… no problem.

 

“At least I hope it won't be a problem,” she muttered, while pulling the covers the rest of the way back.

 

“What won't be a problem? Caden asked, stepping out of the bathroom and walking toward her.

 

“Oh well gosh, Mr. Ca… ahhh… Caden that was an awfully speedy shower!” she said in a rush, while trying to make it seem like the awkward situation didn't bother her in the least. Not to mention, that he wasn't `bothering' her, even though he was shirtless and looking too good for words!

 

“Well as cold as it was, it kinda had to be,” he murmured mostly to himself as he walked around her and up to the head of the bed before reaching for one of the two pillows.

 

“Wait!” Milly blurted out just as Caden picked up the pillow. Then when he turned his head to regard her, she rapidly added, “What I mean is… well… it would be silly if you slept on the floor in your own room while I slept in the bed. It is plenty big after all! Not to mention, the floor would be cold and uncomfortable and, besides, when's the last time you got to sleep in a real bed, hmmm?”

 

“About three days ago,” he answered truthfully, while dropping the pillow back to the bed and turning to face her. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him? “I don't think that would be such a good idea, blue-eyes…”

 

“Gosh… why not?”

 

“Because I'm having a hard enough time keeping my hands off of you as it is,” he exclaimed with extreme frustration apparent as the `naughty' side of his conscience forcefully shoved `nice' side out of the picture and took complete control. The very next instant, Caden reached out and pulled the innocent seductress in his arms and crushed his mouth against hers.

 

The conflicting feelings plaguing Milly instantly evaporated as her mind focused on only one thing, and that was how the Bringer of Chaos was making her feel. His burning kisses were setting her insides on fire, while his hands sliding under her shirt and up back made her skin shiver in awareness. The hot and cold sensations were making her dizzy with need and all she wanted to do was get as close to the creator as possible.

 

Instincts now in charge, Milly moved her hands from hanging freely at her sides to his hips before slowly running them up his waist. Reaching his rib cage, she extended her thumbs out from the rest of her fingers and continued the upward caress, while using all of her digits to delicately explore every bump and hollow of his muscled torso. When the entranced woman's search shifted to his broad chest, the tips of her thumbs met over his sternum to lightly pull apart, outlining the ridge of his pectorals before sliding up to his stiff nipples as the rest of her fingers fanned out over the well defined mass.

 

“Oh Milly…” Caden rasped as he tore his mouth away before tightening his hold on her and shifting their bodies toward the bed. A small `oof' escaped their mouths as the two fell on the soft mattress with Milly lying on top of Caden. Both of them were breathing heavily while simply staring at one another as the intensity of the moment threatened to consume them. Then the very next instant their mouths met in a frenzied kiss right before the long haired man proceeded to roll over.

 

Now on top, Caden smoothly slipped his right hand up and under Milly's shirt to her left breast, while his free one floated down the back of her long and tone thigh. Reaching her bent knee, he hitched the leg over his while snugly resting his hips against hers. He couldn't help but groan out over the more intimate contact as he tore his mouth from hers long enough to breathe her name again before moving his mouth to her neck and ardently kissing her along the pulse point. None the previous encounters in his long life could hold a candle to this. She felt absolutely incredible and the passion-induced whimpers that were escaping from her heavenly mouth were driving him stark raving mad.

 

Mad with lust and love.

 

“I love you, Milly…”

 

The muffled declaration breathed against her neck made Milly freeze as the jabbing pain of guilt stabbed through her heart. What she heard wasn't Caden's words of endearment, though they were similar, and the voice that spoke them didn't belong to him either. The raspy timbre belonged to someone else…

 

I love you, honey…

 

It belonged to Nicholas D. Wolfwood. Right then and there she realized that she wasn't ready to move on and if they finished what they started then she would regret it for the rest of her days.

 

“I'm sorry, Caden. I…I can't…” Milly whispered sadly as unshed tears glistened in her baby blues.

 

“What's wrong, Milly,” Caden started as he quickly moved away from her neck and looked at her beautiful, yet pain-filled face. “Did I hurt you?”

 

“NNN…No, it isn't anything you did, it's me,” she choked out before the dam broke and the tears started to fall in earnest. “I jjj…just can't. I'm not ready for this…”

 

“Shhh… its okay,” he whispered, while gently rolling off of her to lie on his side and pulling her now shaking form into a comforting embrace. “I'm sorry, I pushed you…” he added, while tenderly running his left hand through her hair as she cried into his chest. She was the last person he ever wanted to hurt and if she didn't want to continue then they wouldn't, even if it meant he would be extremely uncomfortable for the rest of the night.

 

Eventually Milly's sobbing lessened to muffled hiccups against his chest and Caden wasn't sure how long he cradled her in his arms before she finally fell asleep. And quite frankly, he didn't care. All he cared about was having the opportunity to be there for her, while offering her comfort within his arms. He just loved the way that she fit so perfectly against him and truly hoped that this wouldn't be the last time that she clung to him for support. He wanted to be her solstice and comfort for the rest of their days.

 

Lowering his lips to the top of her head, he lightly kissed her russet locks and thought, `maybe I won't be so uncomfortable, after all.'

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

“Oh… he did get me good, didn't he,” Meryl muttered to herself as she looked into the bathroom mirror at the reddish colored bruise in between her neck and collarbone. Raising her right hand, she lightly grazed the love-bite with an index finger before shaking her head. Vash the Stampede had given her a hickey and she couldn't help but love the idea, even if it wasn't proper. Though, she was glad that it was low enough so her over-shirt would cover it. After all, it would be quite embarrassing walking around in public with that kind of advertising. Then with a small chuckle, the petite beauty slipped her white shirt on and proceeded to button it up.

 

Once completely dressed, the insurance girl stepped out of the bathroom and silently walked over to the twin bed where Vash was still sound asleep. He was simply lying on his back with the thin sheet pushed down to his hips, leaving his heavily scarred, yet impressive upper body exposed. Golden strands of hair fell about his face making him look absolutely adorable, while with his prosthetic arm was resting on his stomach and the right over his head. He looked so peaceful lying there, Meryl mused as a soft smile graced her lovely features. Not to mention, she noted, he was looking incredibly sexy and it was taking every ounce of her willpower to keep from stripping down and climbing back into bed with him. However, instead of giving in, she let her appreciative gaze roam over his tempting form for a few more moments as the thought that she was the luckiest woman in all of Gunsmoke drifted through her mind.

 

The ex-sixty billion double-dollar man was all hers.

 

Then with a sigh, she bent over and kissed Vash lightly on the lips and whispered that she would be back shortly. A small smile floated across his serene face as she pulled away and straightened herself. As another sigh escaped her, Meryl turned on her heel and headed over to the closet so she could finish getting ready. After slipping her white kid boots on, the insurance girl reached for her cape and securely fastened it around her neck before quickly grabbing Milly's suitcase. Giving the bed one last look, the petite beauty sighed for a third time before walking to the room's exit.

 

Meryl really would have preferred crawling back in bed with Vash, but unfortunately, she had things to get done, one of which was to find her partner. Though, the astute woman did have a pretty good idea as to where she should start her search. Milly stayed at the saloon with Caden after Vash joined her last night and she had a feeling that her latest assignment would have made sure that the statuesque beauty would have gotten a room of her own. So, all that needed to be done was ask the Bringer of Chaos what the room number was.

 

A few moments later, Meryl reached his room at the end of the corridor and promptly rapped on the door. When Caden didn't answer or even call out right away, she knocked again, only this time using a little more force. After patiently waiting another minute, she knocked for the third time while calling out Caden's name and asking if he was in there. Finally, she heard the faint squeaking of bedsprings and a muttered curse before the Bringer of Chaos groaned out a `hold on would ya.' An instant later, she could hear the door unlocking right before it opened, revealing a barely conscious gunman.

 

“What's up, Meryl,” Caden mumbled out during a yawn, while running a hand through his tousled unbound hair before absently scratching the back of his head.

 

“Do you know what room Milly's in?” the short-girl asked, while mentally noting the gunman's disheveled state. His eyes were heavily lidded with dark smudges underneath from lack sleep and most likely a hangover, while his hair was falling messily over his bare shoulders and down his back. Not to mention, all he had on was a pair of loose fitting green pajama bottoms that hung really low on his narrow hips, almost like he just put them on. It appeared as if he had quite an interesting evening last night.

 

“Yep,” he muttered, barely coherent, as he turned and wandered back toward the bed, while motioning for the raven-haired woman to enter. The very next instance, the lethargic gunman crawled back into bed and immediately wrapped his arms around another person with light brown hair, who was still sleeping deeply.

 

“Oh my…” Meryl breathed with a wide-eyed expression as she openly gawked at the two who were now snuggling underneath the covers. She knew right away that the other person in the full-sized bed was her partner and it seemed as if Milly was quite happy with the sleeping arrangement. The both of them had obviously had quite an interesting evening and Meryl knew that now wasn't the time to play twenty questions. She probably wouldn't get much of a response from either of them, anyway. After snapping out of her shock, she tried her best not to disturb the two and gently set Milly's suitcase down before silently leaving the room. However, once she had the door quietly shut behind her, the short-girl erupted into a fit of laughter as she started for the stairs.

 

“Well, at least I don't have to search for her now!”

 

Now all she needed to do was buy some doughnuts and a couple of cups of coffee before heading back to her room to type another report. Then once she was done, she could crawl back into bed with Vash and go back to sleep. Or even better yet, wake him up…

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

“Well… I bet you're feeling pretty good about yourself now, aren't ya,” stated the preacher in black as he looked over to the man sitting next to him.

 

“I wouldn't exactly describe it as pretty good,” Vash replied dreamily as he stretched his long legs out and leaned back on his arms. Then as he tilted his head back to look at the never-ending expanse of blue, he added, “It's more like utterly astounded! Never in a million years did I expect to finally have a chance for a normal life!”

 

“You lead a normal life? Sure… Tongari,” Wolfwood snorted before laughing out as the blonde gave him a withering glare. “Oh come on, we are talking about you here! You wouldn't even know where to begin.”

 

Oh man… you're probably right…” Vash groaned, letting his arms go slack so he could fall backward with his arms spread wide. Wolfwood had a point. What did he know about living normally, let alone starting a family? Hell, he had a hard enough time staying out of trouble and now he wanted become responsible for little ones, too? What could he possibly be thinking?

 

“I must be completely crazy!” he then started as hollow gales of laughter were forced through his lips, trying to make light of subject. Unfortunately, the attempt failed miserably as his laugh turned morose, while he added, “I mean… come on. We are talking about me here, Vash the Stampede, the first ever localized human disaster! Can you imagine me, going to the local Circle J after work to pick up milk and eggs for Meryl, or even worse, being a father?”

 

Nicholas just sat there and watched over his shoulder as self doubt dampened the ex-outlaw's spirits. He didn't mean that Vash wasn't fit for family life. It was just that he wasn't a `white picket fence' kind of guy. The sedentary lifestyle of most of Gunsmoke's inhabitants wouldn't suit him and the preacher knew that he would soon become bored. The ex-outlaw was the type that needed space to spread his wings and adventure to keep his long life interesting. Though, he was certain that Meryl could quite easily maintain an air of excitement for the Humanoid Typhoon, and in more ways than one! They would just need to find their own little niche in the world to call their own.

 

“Well… for one thing, short stuff probably wouldn't trust you to buy the milk and eggs,” Wolfwood commented with a small grunt, while twisting his body so he could face his best friend. Then as he crossed his legs to sit Indian style he added, “But as far as you being a father? Yeah, I can easily picture that!”

 

“Really?!” Vash asked hopefully as he tilted his head toward Wolfwood so to see if he was serious.

 

“Sure…” Nicholas replied with a smile before his titanium-colored eyes turned mischievous. “Especially since you act just like a child all of the time! You would already know how to relate to the little tykes!”

 

“Hey! That wasn't very nice, preacher-man!” the golden-blonde groused before he crossed his arms over his chest while turning his head away from the priest and closing his eyes, clearly pouting.

 

“Oh come on, Tongari. I was just playing,” Nicholas laughed as he reached over and punched the ex-outlaw on the shoulder.

 

“Hey, that hurt!” he complained, while cupping his left shoulder with his right hand.

 

“You're such a wuss, Vash! Come on, I didn't hit you that hard!” he pointed out, while still chuckling over the gunman's antics. “I can't believe the Feds actually think you're man enough to be a Federal Marshal!”

 

“Not only am I man enough…” the Plant exclaimed as he stood up. Then as he placed his hands on his hips, he added in a `macho' voice, “but I look damn good with the Silver Star on my chest! Besides, chicks dig a man in law enforcement!”

 

“You better not let Meryl hear you say that. She'll wallop you for sure!”

 

“Yeah, you're probably right about that one, too,” Vash chuckled as he sat back down before leaning forward so he could rest his arms on his bent knees. Then as their chuckles died down, the ex-outlaw turned melancholy and asked, “Do you really think I'm not suited for a normal life?”

 

“Yes,” Wolfwood sighed, knowing that he had better explain himself before Vash became even more depressed. Boy, he really wished he could have a cigarette, but he didn't want to make Rem unhappy. “Look Vash, I don't mean that you shouldn't stay with short-girl, nor do I mean that you two shouldn't start a family. Actually, I think that's exactly what you need,” he clarified as he watched the gloom drift away from the blonde's face and perplexity replacing it. Then with a reassuring smile, he continued his explanation, “I just mean that you would get bored staying in one city day in and day out, while going to a regular job doing the exact same thing everyday. Sure, at first you might find it peaceful, but eventually you would miss the adventure. Besides, you know that your brother wouldn't exactly fit in.”

 

“Yeah, I know,” he sighed, while resting his head on his arms. “Knives, has come a long way, but he still hates being in populated places. He's only doing it now because of what happened and well… because red is with him.”

 

“Hah! I told you that all he needed was to get laid!”

 

“You sure did!” Vash agreed with a small chuckle, while remembering the conversation they had months ago. “McKenna's really good for him and she doesn't take his crap! You would like her.”

 

“Well… how could I not like her?!” Nicholas declared before adding, “She must really be something else if she can keep Knives in check!”

 

“She is! And her father's the Attorney General, hence how we became Federal Marshals, though you already knew that.”

 

“I did and ya' know… I think the job suits you. You should keep it.”

 

“I agree and it should keep me quite entertained, too!”

 

“Yeah it should, all right!” the preacher agreed with a chuckle. Then as a thought crossed his mind he scratched his head while asking, “So… what about Meryl and her career? Won't it be kinda hard having the both of you traveling all over Gunsmoke because of your jobs?”

 

“Actually, I'm kinda hoping she quits,” Vash replied sheepishly, raising his head and running his left hand through his spiky hair. “I mean… I make more than enough money to support us and not to mention Walker's no longer an outlaw. So, it's only gonna be a matter of time before she and Milly are removed their current assignment. Who knows what kind of psycho they could end up with next?!”

 

“Walker, huh?” Wolfwood muttered as his smile turned sad.

 

“Yeah…”

 

“So, what's he like, really?”

 

“Are you sure you wanna know?”

 

“I wouldn't have asked if I didn't needle-noggin!” Nicholas grumbled as he scowled at the ex-outlaw.

 

“Okay, then,” the Marshal sighed. “Well, he's rude, obnoxious, always speaking his mind, whether you ask for his opinion or not, and he really likes to cause trouble. He's a real pain in the ass if you ask me!”

 

“You like him don't ya'?”

 

Yeah… I do,” Vash admitted, giving his friend a sympathetic smile. He knew exactly why the man in black was asking. “He's a good man. Actually, he kinda reminds me of you.”

 

“And he loves Milly…”

 

“Like I said, he reminds me of you,” he reiterated before pointing out, “Though, Milly isn't quite ready to move on yet.”

 

“I know,” Wolfwood sighed, while running his right hand through his ebony hair. “I would be lying if I said that doesn't make me happy…” he then said only to pause in order to take a deep breath, before going on again. “But she deserves a chance for happiness and pining for a dead man isn't going to get her anywhere.”

 

“No it won't, but…” Vash started as he reached over and placed a hand on the preacher's shoulder. “…you still give her comfort and for right now that's enough.”

 

“I suppose…” he mumbled before something, or more to the point, someone over Vash's shoulder caught his attention. Rising to his feet, Wolfwood gave the blonde a small smile before advising him that someone was here to see him while nodding his head toward the newest arrival in Vash's dream.

 

“Who is it? Is it Rem?” Vash asked excitedly, before turning his head to see who it was. Upon seeing the newest arrival, his eyes grew wide as he breathed out, “Ohhh…”