Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ Moving Onward ( Chapter 62 )

 

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 62: Moving Onward

 

 

 

Blue.

 

The color stretched as far as the eye could see with the occasional wisp of white floating clouds breaking up the consistent hue. Even the ground below was enshrouded with the vast expanse of sapphire firmament. It was completely surrounding him, as if he was standing amongst the clouds high above or the sky had fallen, enveloping the planet. But that was impossible, wasn't it? Unless it was a dream, a very realistic dream, but, if that was the case, then whose was it? It wasn't his, it couldn't be. He hadn't had a dream since he was a child. Only nightmares plagued his subconscious and even those had all but disappeared now.

 

“Where in the hell am I?” the mystified man asked, although he knew no one would answer. Taking a tentative step, he slowly moved forward while openly observing the dreamscape. It was quite peaceful, he mused as his doubt and confusion melted away leaving him more confident with the surroundings. Although, he still wasn't sure what was happening. He just hoped that the answers turned up soon as he detested being kept ignorant of what was going on.

 

Fortunately, after a few minutes of walking, he found the answers.

 

There before him he found two men sitting, one in red with spiky blonde hair and the other in black with shaggy raven hair that fell in his eyes. Then just as he was about to call out to the two, the dark haired one stood and motioned to him right before the other man turned his head to look at him.

 

“Ohhh…” the red clad man breathed right before he stood as well. With a tilt of his head, he asked, “Knives, what are you doing here?”

 

“That's funny, I was going to ask you the same thing, Vash,” Knives bit out as he walked up to the two. Coming to a stop, he momentarily brought his attention to the other man to acknowledge him. “Wolfwood.”

 

“Knives,” Nicholas replied back with a slight nod.

 

“Where the hell are we?” Knives then asked, returning his attention to his twin.

 

“Well…” Vash started while scratching the back of his head. “Technically, you're still in bed sleeping, but mentally, I guess you could say that you're in my mind. You see…” He paused for a moment to laugh nervously before going on. “I come here to talk to… well… I used to talk to Rem, but now I talk to Wolfwood about… things.”

 

“Interesting…” the paler twin mumbled as he looked down, while digesting the information. “I can still feel McKenna lying next to me,” he quietly commented before realizing what his brother just said. Returning his ice-blue eyes back to Vash, he coldly bit out, “Why am I here? If you come here to discuss all the tedious details of your life with him, then I am not required to be here!”

 

“I don't know,” Vash hastily replied, knowing that Knives didn't like the idea that he preferred talking to a dead guy about what was bothering him. “Maybe because I have been talking to you lately… but that's only a guess.”

 

“Actually, I can answer that question,” the preacher interjected making the Plant twins look expectantly at him. With a smile, he pointed behind the two just as the wind picked up and red petals started fly about the space and supplied, “Someone wanted to see the both of you.”

 

Vash and Knives simultaneously turned to see who Wolfwood was pointing to and once they cast their eyes on the person they immediately gasped before whispering, “Rem…”

 

There she was standing no more than fifteen feel away. With her back facing them, Rem casually had her hands clasped behind her back while her long ebony her hair flowed in waves along with the breeze. The geranium petals danced merrily around their childhood mentor giving her a whimsical appearance even though she still wore a plain pair of blue jeans and a white tee shirt. At first the twins thought it was an illusion within an illusion. One believed that simply because he thought Wolfwood was her replacement and the other because he felt that he didn't deserve to see her.

 

Then Rem's unmistakable twinkling laughter rang throughout the dreamscape right before she turned around.

 

“I can't believe you two,” Rem proclaimed with a bright smile that made her brown eyes twinkle. Moving her hands to hold them out in front of her to invite the twins closer, she added, “I arranged for our reunion and you two won't even come over here and say hello?!”

 

“What's the matter, Tongari, black cat got your tongue?” Wolfwood inquired with a wide grin as he started to step away from the trio.

 

“Where are you going, Wolfwood?” Vash quickly asked, glancing back to the preacher and noticing his retreat. For some reason seeing Rem again after so many months was making him extremely nervous. Of course, quite a few things have happened since their last conversation. Not to mention, Knives was standing right next to him.

 

“I have a previous engagement,” he replied, the grin on his face turning sad as his body started to melt into the background. Once he completely faded out of the dreamscape, the preacher's faint voice caught on the breeze as he got in one more jab against the Humanoid Typhoon. “Don't worry Vash, I'll be back shortly to hold your hand if you need me to…”

 

While Vash was grumbling about inappropriate preachers, Knives simply stood there and stared at Rem. Externally, he was perfectly composed, showing absolutely no emotion as his eyes took in every detail of his mentor/tormentor. Internally, however, he felt like he could explode at any moment because of the conflicting thoughts rushing through his head. Part of him wanted to lash out at her for the years of hatred harbored against her and what she turned Vash into, while the rest of him, the recently reawakened part, wanted her comforting arms wrapped around him while he asked for her forgiveness. Instinctively, the platinum blonde palmed the holster on his right hip only to find that his black long colt was missing. `The bitch thought of everything,' he thought right before Rem spoke again.

 

“Well now… if you two won't come to me then I guess I'll just come to you,” Rem declared, still smiling, as she started toward the two. “My, you two still look exactly alike,” she remarked, stopping just a few feel in front of them while her gaze lingered on their adult features. “Both of you have become quite handsome, haven't you, not to mention very tall.”

 

“Rem…” Vash breathed in awe and with a hint of uneasiness, while Knives remained stoic.

 

“You've already said that, silly,” she laughed, looking up to the golden blonde. “Aren't you going to say hello, Vash? It has been quite some time since our last visit.”

 

“Hello, Rem,” Vash replied. “Not that I'm not glad to see you, but why are you here? I thought Wolfwood said that he was replacing you. And what about Knives, he's never been here before? Did I do something wrong?” he anxiously blurted out, curiosity getting the best of him.

 

“No, Vash, you didn't do anything wrong,” Rem replied warmly before turning her attention to Knives and adding, “Neither of you did. Actually, I wanted express just how proud I am of what you two have done!”

 

“Oh please… Spare me from your idealistic nonsense…” Knives spat sarcastically as he closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “It's nothing but bullsh…”

 

“Knives,” Vash scolded, cutting his twin off while shooting him with a withering glare. “You shouldn't talk to Rem like that!”

 

“No Vash, it's all right,” the deceased woman asserted, while raising her right hand to stop the twins from bickering. “Actually, I deserved that,” she then said as she lowered her hand and clasped it with her left, resting them on her stomach. Setting her saddened eyes on the platinum blonde, she elaborated…

 

“Knives… I don't know what I can say that will ever make up for what happened to you. How Steve treated you…” She paused to glance at Vash and added, “…the both of you and…” before pausing again as she turned her attention back to Knives. “I completely understand how you could hate me, especially after what he did to you in the cold sleep chamber. I didn't know… I should have, though! You were in my care and I shouldn't have let anything happen to you, ever! I thought of you as my own… both of you! You were my Angels! You still are!”

 

Knives jaw tightened upon hearing Rem's sincere words and even though he knew it was a figment of his imagination, or at least Vash's, the apology affected him more than he thought it possibly could. It was offering him closure. And if he accepted the apology, would it help him let go of his tragic childhood and the decades of bitterness? He already had, to some degree, but he wasn't so sure if he could completely let go yet. Taking a deep breath, he ran his right hand through his short spiky hair before opening his artic eyes on the exhale. “I'm not entirely certain that you should be held liable, any longer,” he whispered, looking down. “I never told you…”

 

“That doesn't matter, I should have seen the signs that he was abusing the two of you,” she replied guiltily as she lowered her head as well. “I remember how much he hated you and God… the bruises.”

 

“But Rem, we always told you that the bruises were from us being clumsy,” Vash interjected regretfully as he tried to keep his emotions in check. He knew he should have told her the truth back then.

 

“You were clumsy, Vash, not me,” Knives pointed out, looking over at his brother.

 

“Yes, you were quite the clumsy little fellow, weren't you, Vash,” Rem agreed with a small laugh as she remembered how the slightly younger twin would always stumble over his two `left' feet. It was quite amazing that he now had the agility of a cat (when he wanted to) instead of a loping baby calf. Then her reflections turned sad again as she muttered, “All of your childhood memories must be horrible ones…”

 

“Not all of them…” Knives quietly admitted before elaborating, “The time we spent in the rec room was rather… enjoyable.”

 

“And you taught us a lot, Rem,” Vash quickly added, right before Knives said Joey did as well. “Not to mention you would always tuck us in at night and read us a story. Do you remember? And if I recall, Knives' favorite was The Pokey Little Puppy!”

 

“No, Vash,” the fairer twin said, correcting his brother, “That was your favorite; mine was Where the Wild Things Are.”

 

“Oh yeah… I forgot,” he laughed sheepishly while scratching the back of his head. “So you see,” Vash quickly continued so he could steer their conversation away from any potential memories that he could be teased about later, while lowering his hand and letting it fall to his side. “Not all of it was bad and, besides, you were there, so I would say we, for the most part, had a good childhood!”

 

“Well, I'm glad then,” Rem exclaimed, her face brightening a little even though she was still haunted by her lack of intervention. If she would have known and stopped it before things went too far then maybe the Great Fall wouldn't have happened and she could have spent more time with her boys. “Though, I wish I could have been there for you more than I was.”

 

“Then you should have gotten in the escape pod, instead of staying behind,” Knives snidely remarked, instantly taking offense to what Rem just said. He didn't like what she was insinuating one bit. “Then you wouldn't have died while saving those parasites! You could have stayed with us!”

 

“Oh Knives, that's not what I meant…”

 

“Oh really?” he interrupted with sarcasm evident in his tone. “And what exactly did you mean, Rem?” Knives asked as his anger started to get the best of him. First she had the audacity to apologize to him about being ignorant of the abuse that he and Vash had to endure, and then, not even five minutes later, turned around and blamed him for her untimely death. Technically it was all her fault, wasn't it? After all, if it wasn't for the abuse, then the Great Fall would have never occurred and she would have been able to grow old with them. But, what he didn't understand was why the sensation of guilt was, even now, burning a hole in his gut and before she could answer his question he tried to smother the feeling by lashing out. “Then you must have meant because of what I did! All of it!”

 

“No Knives, I would never do that. I lo…” Rem tried again to soothe things over only to be cut off again.

 

“Bullshit!” the platinum blonde roared at the top of his lungs as he flung his hands to his sides, fisting them so tightly that his knuckles cracked. “How could you even possibly say that you love something like me after what I have done? I caused the Great Fall, destroying everything that you could have possibly hoped for, your Eden! I mercilessly killed millions and took perverse sense of enjoyment out of it! And theoretically, I even killed you!”

 

“Knives, that's enough!” Vash barked, stepping to stand directly in front his brother, preparing to snap his brother out of his frenzy by using any means necessary.

 

“No Vash! Steve was right, I am a monster! I don't deserve anyone's love or forgiveness!” He shouted in his twin's face right before Vash took matters in his own hands. The next instant, the younger sibling sent his right fist flying, punching Knives in the jaw with such force that blow sent him to the floor of the dreamscape. A moment later, Knives pushed up off of the ground and rolled into a sitting position before muttering, “Fuck…”

 

He knew that he had gone too far.

 

“I'm sorry, Knives,” the golden blonde began before Rem touched his shoulder, instantly silencing any further apology. Stepping around Vash, she knelt before the fallen man and raised her right hand up to his face, wiping the blood away from the corner of his mouth.

 

“You're just as silly as Vash,” Rem stated with a small smile before elaborating while moving her hand to cup his cheek, “You deserve love, Knives, and you have it. You have mine and your brother's, not to mention that pretty redhead's. I also know that Vash has already forgiven you for what happened and so do I. Don't you think it's about time that you forgave yourself?”

 

“Rem…” Knives breathed wide-eyed as a tear slipped down his cheek. She still had the uncanny knack to see right through him. The very next instant, he felt her delicate hands slipping around his neck and head, pulling him close and cradling him against her chest. He just sat there for a moment unsure of what to do. Should he give in and accept the comfort or stubbornly pull away. Finally, with a shaky breath escaping, the one time human hater wrapped his own arms around Rem's back and accepted the hug. It really did feel nice having her close. `I'm truly sorry for what I did to you…' he thought to himself, but started in surprise when Rem answered.

 

“Don't be,” she whispered before adding, “It's in the past and no matter how badly you wish you could change it, you can't. But, please… please remember that you still have the future to look forward too and it's up to you what you do with it…”

 

“The ticket to the future is always blank…”

 

“That's right… Alex,” Rem replied slowly, pulling away and giving her eldest `son' a reassuring smile. That is until the distinct sound of sniffling erupted next to them, though not an unusual reaction given the source. Looking over her shoulder, the raven-haired woman brought her attention to her other `son' and questioned, “Vash?”

 

“That was sooo beautiful,” Vash sobbed, while wiping his eyes with his real hand.

 

“Oh Vash, you're such a baby,” Rem laughed as she stood.

 

“Some things will never change,” Knives grumbled, also rising to his feet while trying to ignore the fact that he allowed himself to show vulnerability, especially in front of witnesses. At least Vash was the only other person to see the display, not including Rem, of course.

 

“Geeez, Tongari, do you need me to hold your hand, already?” Wolfwood interjected as his outline formed a few feel behind Vash. Once finished rematerializing, he stepped up to his best friend slapped him on the back before adding, “Maybe I should offer you a hankie, too!”

 

“Oh man, how can you be so cold?!” Vash groused. “That was a touching moment and you just had to come back and ruin it!”

 

“Yeah it was pretty touching,” Nicholas agreed, looking pointedly at Knives and giving him a broad smile.

 

`Crap, the damn priest saw,” Knives thought to himself as uneasiness over the situation took root. It was time to leave before he became even more uncomfortable than he already was, but he wasn't sure how he could make a dignified escape. Then the `how' presented itself. Opening his senses, he felt McKenna starting to stir. Ignoring the preacher, Knives turned his ice-blue gaze to Vash. “How do I get out of here? McKenna is waking and…” he began only to pause a moment as his eyes started to glimmer and a devilish grin broke across his face. “…I would like to say good morning to her properly…”

 

“AAA…All you have to do is… ahhh… wake up,” Vash stammered, while blushing profusely. He couldn't believe that Knives had just said that in front of Rem! Of course, it didn't help that Nicholas had to guffaw over the implication.

 

“Very well, then,” the fairer twin muttered before giving Rem a small smile, while internally thanking her. The very next instant, he slowly disappeared from the dream.

 

“So, Vash… are you going to stay the same color as your coat the rest of the day, or are you going to own up to the fact that you've finally had sex?!” Wolfwood taunted as he wrapped his left arm around Vash's shoulders and gave him a teasing shake. “Though, it did take you… what… one hundred and thirty odd years to do so!”

 

“Wolfwood!” Vash screeched, escaping from the preacher's grasp. “What kind of churchman are you, anyway! You shouldn't be talking about my sex life, especially in front of Rem!”

 

“Vash, I'm not naïve. I remember what it was like, you know!” Rem laughed. “Besides, it's a wonderful way to express your love for one another.”

 

“I'll say,” he agreed dreamily before he realized what he said and `eeped.'

 

“Anyway,” Wolfwood butted in, wanting to get on with it right before the clicking noise of a typewriter started to ring through the space.

 

“Wait… do you hear that?” Vash asked as he looked about the blue and white. “Meryl's awake and is probably typing a report. Ya' know, Wolfwood,” he then said looking over to the raven-haired man. “This also reminds of the first time we talked like this. Kinda like deja` vu, huh?”

 

“Except for the smoke, right Tongari?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“I guess it's a pretty fitting farewell then, don't you?” Nicholas muttered as he walked over and stood next to Rem.

 

“Wait… what do you mean by that?” Vash asked, utterly confused.

 

“What Nicholas means is that you don't need us anymore,” Rem added right before stepping up to the ex-outlaw and wrapping her arms around his waist. Instantly complying, Vash returned the embrace. Finally, after a few quiet minutes, his surrogate mother pulled away and said, “Vash, I really am proud of you. You took care of Knives and I have a feeling that everything is going to turn out just fine.”

 

“But that doesn't mean I won't need you anymore!” he pleaded as a tear fell down his cheek.

 

“Oh Vash, we will always be here for you, just not as we are now,” she responded, giving him a watery smile. “You have Alex and Meryl to talk too now…”

 

“I know,” Vash sighed. “But I will miss you terribly!”

 

“And we will miss you, Vash,” Wolfwood added as Rem stepped back to stand next to the preacher in black again. “But don't worry; it won't be as bad as you think. We are figments of your imagination and I guess you could say that you are telling yourself that it's time to let go.”

 

“I guess I never thought of it that way,” the Marshal said introspectively as he rubbed his chin.

 

“Of course you didn't, Tongari! That would have meant using those few brain cells in that otherwise empty noggin of yours!”

 

“Gyah!” Vash sputtered, sharply bending over as if in pain from the barb. “Can't you be nice for once, preacher-man?” he then asked straightening himself and noticing that Rem was snickering behind her left hand. “Oh Man… you've even turned Rem against me!”

 

“I guess I just can't seem to help myself!” Wolfwood laughed. “You're such an easy mark! Besides, I have to get them in while I still can!”

 

“Whatever… you ex-chain-smoking, gun-toting preacher, who has a penchant for buying stupid broken down old motorcycles!” Vash retorted with a big grin as Nicholas turned red from irritation.

 

“Hey, and I told you not to dis my shiny beautiful Angelina Two!” Nicholas grumbled.

 

“Hah gotcha!” Vash chuckled, making the preacher laugh out while agreeing that Vash did in fact get him. Then once the laughter died down, the ex-outlaw noticed that both Rem and Wolfwood were, ever so slowly, turning transparent. Turning somber, he gave the two a sad smile before saying, “Well… I guess this is it, isn't it?”

 

“Yes, it is,” Rem agreed as a tear slipped down her cheek. “We will still be watching over you, Vash. I promise.”

 

“So, make us proud and don't do anything needle noggin-ish!” Wolfwood added as he wrapped his right arm around Rem's shoulders and winked at the red clad man. “And make sure you have fun making all of those babies with short stuff!” He quickly added to get in one more poke right before the two disappeared.

 

“But wait…” Vash implored as he looked about the space hoping that they truly weren't gone yet. “I didn't get to say good bye…”

 

“Goodbye…” Rem's voice replied along the dieing breeze. “Vash…”

 

“Goodbye Nicholas,” Vash quietly muttered, closing his eyes as a poignant smile fell across his face. It really was time to let go, he realized right before he breathed…

 

“Goodbye… Rem…”

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

The squeaking of bedsprings was the first indication that the man lying behind her was finally waking. Lifting her fingers from the keys of her typewriter, Meryl twisted her petite frame to sit sideways on the faux wood chair. Upon turning her gaze to the bed, she was greeted with a warm smile and untroubled sparkling aqua eyes. Vash looked different somehow. It was almost as if he was completely free. But, she knew that didn't make much sense, since he hadn't been a wanted man for quite some time now, unless it was freedom from something else…

 

“Hey,” Vash quietly spoke in greeting, while interrupting her thoughts. “Whatcha thinking about, insurance girl?”

 

“I was thinking about you,” she replied truthfully before clarifying, “I don't know what it is, but you look different. But, I don't mean physically… it's in your eyes. Does that even make any sense?”

 

“Yeah it does. I feel different, unburdened,” he said in agreement, his tone light, right before something changed and he screwed his eyes closed in extreme discomfort. Then before Meryl could even ask him what was wrong, Vash was bolting out from under the covers, rushing to his bag, and grabbing something within its depths before immediately heading to the bathroom.

 

`What the hell?' she thought, wondering if she said something that she shouldn't have, until Vash emerged a few minutes later. With a broad smile on his face, the Plant happily exclaimed that he was glad he made it before his bladder exploded and that it also felt good to have fresh breath, again. Then the petite beauty realized something. He was completely naked…

 

“VVV…Vash…” Meryl stuttered as a blush tinged her cheeks pink. “Ummm… do you think you could put some pants on or something?”

 

“Why?” Vash asked back as his grin turned roguish and his eyes darkened. “They would only get in the way, since I'm planning on stripping you down naked and worshipping every inch of that delectable body of yours!”

 

“Oh!” she said breathlessly before smiling herself. She was planning on doing the same thing to him once she finished with her report, after all. Though, she was going to let him eat first. “Well… ummm… aren't you hungry?”

 

“I think I can wait,” he replied, stepping closer. “Besides, I don't want to leave the room quite yet,” he added right before his stomach grumbled loudly.

 

“You think you can wait, huh?” Meryl laughed, unable to control herself. “There are doughnuts and a cup of coffee on the table for you. So, why don't you slip on a pair of pants and eat. Then once you're done I'll let you strip me down naked and worship my body!”

 

“Oh all right…” the blonde sighed overdramatically as he moved to his bag and grabbed his grey pajama bottoms. After slipping them on, he headed over to the table and picked up his breakfast before stepping over to sit on the bed. “Good morning, by the way,” Vash then said, setting the bag of doughnuts against his right thigh so he could reach in and grab one of the golden cakes that were glazed to perfection.

 

“Don't you mean good afternoon?” the short-girl corrected as she rose from her seat and sat next to Vash on the bed. “It's almost one o'clock.”

 

“Wow, really?!” he exclaimed in surprise before plopping the entire doughnut in his mouth. “My muft mave meen mretty morn mout!”

 

“Vash… don't talk with you mouth full!”

 

“Oh right,” he laughed sheepishly after hastily swallowing from her light scolding.

 

“Now, what was that you were trying to say?”

 

“I said, `I must have been pretty worn out',” he informed her before raising the coffee cup in his prosthetic hand up to his lips.

 

“Sorry, but that's probably cold now,” Meryl quickly inserted where Vash shrugged while stating that he didn't mind before taking a sip. Cold coffee was better than no coffee, after all.

 

“So, what were you typing?” Vash asked a moment later, while reaching into the bag for another doughnut. “I assume it's a report to Bernardelli…”

 

“Yeah,” she sighed unhappily, glancing over to the pristine white sheet of paper cradled within the typewriter.

 

“What's wrong?” he asked in between bites.

 

“Well…” the raven-haired women began slowly, while returning her gaze to her mate. “I guess I really don't want to notify them of the change of events, especially since you told me Caden's no longer an outlaw. I know that they'll pull Milly and me off this assignment just as soon as they receive my report.”

 

“Yeah, they probably will…” he agreed, before eating yet another treat. After swallowing, he added, “If that happens, what will you do? I mean, I know Milly won't want to leave Walker's side.”

 

“I know…” Meryl sighed again, images flashing through her mind of her partner in bed with the Bringer of Chaos, before softly speaking, “I'm not really sure what to do? I love my job, but at the same time, what would happen when we have to go back? Or when we take another assignment?”

 

“I'm sure we would find a way to make it work, but… if you want my opinion,” Vash started, setting the coffee cup on the floor before shifting slightly and taking her hands in his. “I think you should quit!” he declared with conviction, repeating the opinion he relayed to Wolfwood in his dream. However, he also wanted to make sure that Meryl understood what he was trying to say. “I mean… I make more than enough to live comfortably on, so, you wouldn't have to work. Not to mention, I have money set aside for us. So, money won't ever be an issue. Besides, Meryl, you have taken care of me for so long and it's high-time that I took care of you. You deserve it. Also, it would be easier when we have children. Ummm… that is if you want them?”

 

“Children…” Meryl repeated, her eyes losing focus as she mulled over the idea. She didn't have that added to the `what to do about the job' equation. Though, the thought of bearing Vash's babies did please her immensely, even more so after what he told her last night. With a crooked smile floating across her face, she added, “I suppose I could handle having a couple… just as long as they get my looks and brains!”

 

“And my height!” Vash interjected, making the petite beauty try to pull her right hand from his grasp so she could smack him upside the head. Unfortunately for her, the smirking Federal Marshal held tight, which made her growl while telling him to let go. Unable to help it, he laughed out loud while proclaiming, “Now why would I let go of your hands when I know that you're just going to inflict some bodily harm on me!”

 

“Then don't tease me about being vertically challenged and you wouldn't have to worry about the consequences!”

 

“Yes, Ma'am!” he replied, trying not to laugh even harder at the annoyed look on her face. She really was too cute for words and he couldn't stop himself from leaning over and kissing her softly on the lips. After pulling away, Vash saw her closed eyes and the dreamy look on her lovely face, which made him smile. Letting go of her hands, he grabbed another doughnut from the bag and munched while looking quite smug. He really loved getting the best of her.

 

“That was absolutely no fair, Marshal Saverem,” Meryl groused, albeit breathlessly, as she slowly opened her now heather-colored orbs.

 

“Yeah, I know!” he agreed after finishing his fifth doughnut and reaching for the sixth. “But I just couldn't help myself. You know that I love it when your eyes flash when you're all worked up!”

 

“You are something else,” she said while shaking her head before laughing. He always managed to diffuse her irritation so easily, but she couldn't just let him get away `unscathed' this time! And she knew just how to get back at the tall blonde. “Boy, those look pretty good,” Meryl announced innocently, while looking at the partially eaten doughnut in the Vash's right hand. “May I have one, Vash?”

 

“Ummm… sure,” the ex-outlaw answered absently, popping the rest of the one in his hand into his mouth before reaching in the bag and grabbing two more. Then with a `here you go' he handed one to his short-girl.

 

“Mmmm… this smells great!” the petite beauty purred provocatively, prior to closing her eyes and taking a tiny nibble. “Ohhh… and it tastes heavenly, too,” she then moaned out, trying her best to provoke the doughnut-loving pacifist, deliberately imitating what she unknowingly did back when they were heading to New Oregon.

 

And it worked like a charm!

 

“MMM…Meryl,” Vash stuttered, audibly gulping at the erotic sight of his short-girl slowly eating a doughnut. God, how he loved her mouth!

 

“Yes Vash?”

 

“Uhhh… what…” he started, wide-eyed, only to stop as she took another bite. She was slowly killing him and before he could stop himself, he groaned, “Oh God…”

 

“What is it?” Meryl asked, giving the enamored man a dazzling smile, while thinking that she couldn't wait until he broke down and pounced!

 

“Oh right!” the handsome man hastily sputtered, quickly closing his eyes and shaking his head, while trying to be firm in his resolve. He couldn't let her distract him, at least not yet. First, he needed to know if she would quit her job. “What…” Vash began again as he opened his intense jade-colored eyes and pinned her with them. Then completely serious, he continued, “What are you going to do about Bernardelli?”

 

“Well,” she sighed, stopping her amorous teasing and turning serious as well. “It would depend on what Milly says. Though, knowing her, she would tell me the same thing she told me the last time this problem arose.”

 

“Huh?!” Vash asked, completely confused. “You thought about quitting before?”

 

“Yes,” she smiled over the knitting of his brow before explaining, “Actually, it was just before your birthday and I was afraid that we would get called back because you weren't causing any trouble. So, Milly and I decided that we would quit if that happened…”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“Oh Meryl…” Vash murmured, his heart bursting over the magnitude of her confession just before springing into action. With his forward momentum, the bag of doughnuts fell heedlessly to the floor knocking over his cold cup of coffee, but neither noticed as Vash pounced. The very next instant, he had his mate pinned to the bed, thoroughly plundering her mouth with his own, uncaring that the rest of his breakfast would go to waste.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

Several hours later, Vash and Meryl were not only completely satisfied from their lovemaking, but absolutely famished as well. So, rectifying that problem, they found themselves dining under a white awning of a quaint little bistro located on the town square, just down the street from their hotel. A light breeze kept the afternoon heat from being oppressive, while the combined scents of freshly made entrees and delectable desserts coming from the restaurant coursed through the air, giving everything a mouth watering scent. The birds chirped, citizens went on with their daily activities, and children, who were just let out of school, laughed merrily as they ran by with books in tow. It truly was a wonderful afternoon.

 

“Boy, that sure looks good, short-girl,” Vash said with hope apparent as he eyed the apple dumpling ala mode that Meryl just sliced her fork through. “You don't suppose I could have a bite do you?”

 

“Ya' know…” the raven-haired woman began as she slowly lifted a forkful of white a golden brown to her mouth only to stop, letting the bite hover in front her mouth. Smiling sweetly, she finished, “If you wanted dessert then you should have ordered some!” Then without pause, she slipped the treat through her parted lips.

 

“But, I thought we could share,” the golden blonde pouted, sticking his lip out as far as it could possibly go.

 

“Well… you did eat almost all of the doughnuts earlier…”

 

“Please, Meryl… I promise to make it up to you later,” he pleaded, with puppy dog eyes.

 

“Hmmm… I don't know…” she said slowly, while `thinking' it over and taking another bite. “This is really, really good! I guess it would depend on how you plan on making it up to me!”

 

“Well then… I guess I had better show you what exactly I plan on doing then,” he rumbled telepathically, his tone blatantly sexual, right before sending her some snippets of memories from their previous bouts of lovemaking. “So, will that suffice… insurance girl?”

 

“I suppose,” the petite beauty sent back, trying not to show how the erotic images were affecting her. Forking another bite, she lifted the treat up to Vash's open mouth and fed it to him.

 

“Mmm… this is pretty good,” Vash blissfully muttered with his eyes closed with the ice cream, cinnamon-flavored apples and honeyed shell on his tongue, absorbing the burst of flavor before letting the concoction slip down his throat. The restaurant's dumpling was good, but he knew how to make it even better. “But you know… it could be better…”

 

“Oh yeah… how?” Meryl asked while offering him another taste.

 

Accepting the bite, Vash chewed slowly while Meryl scooped another forkful for herself. After swallowing, he patiently waited for her to do so as well and once he heard her ask again, he gave her a devilish grin, while declaring. “It would better if I were able to eat it off of you, insurance girl!”

 

“Vash!” she screeched, blushing profusely while letting the fork fall from her fingers to the plate below. “You broom-head, I can't believe you just said that out loud! There are people around us!”

 

“Yeah… so?” he asked, nonchalantly, as he picked up the fork and snagged another bite.

 

She just gaped at him. There he was, happily munching away as if he was completely innocent of any wrong doing. Not that letting Vash do something like eating dessert off of her body was a bad idea, but you just don't say stuff like that in public! It was indecent, after all! Not to mention, he probably only said it so he could get free dibs on the rest of her dessert and Meryl wasn't going to let him get away with that, too!

 

“Hey, give me that back!” she yelled, while trying to snag the pilfered utensil back from Vash's hand.

 

“Nope!” he laughed, easily dogging the `attack' by holding his right arm high in the air before speedily going in for another fork full.

 

“But it isn't yours, broom-head!” the insurance girl protested, trying another swipe as he brought the fork to his mouth. She missed.

 

“Possession is nine-tenths of the law, short-girl! Vash exclaimed, laughing even harder, easily eating the tasty morsel.

 

“Says who?!”

 

“I do, of course!” the joking Plant answered, while she tried yet again to take back what was hers only to come up empty handed. “Remember I am a Federal Marshal!”

 

“A thieving one!” she groused folding her arms over her chest and leaning back on her chair with a `humph', while debating on whether she should give him a good thump on the head for trying her patience.

 

That is until a group of kids ran by with a red ball.

 

Vash slowly turned his head toward the peals of laughter and keenly watched the children run to the other side of the plaza as they excitedly yelled about wanting to play dodge ball. He didn't say a word as he absently set the fork on the plate while becoming so absorbed with the game that he forgot all about the dessert and their banter. Meryl observed his brilliant aqua eyes and the whimsical smile on his face that spoke volumes. It was quite apparent that he really wanted to join them, but the petite beauty knew he wouldn't go without her saying it was okay first.

 

“Go.”

 

“Hmmm?” Vash muttered, not really paying attention.

 

“I said that you can go and play with the kids,” Meryl clarified before adding with a laugh, “That way I can finish my dessert in peace!”

 

He heard her the second time.

 

Without a moment to lose, Vash swiftly rose from the table and gave Meryl a quick kiss on the lips before bolting out of the restaurant. All she could do was smile as she watched him go. He looked so happy, like a kid in a candy store, and the insurance girl wondered when was the last time the ex-outlaw had been able to be carefree and hang out with a group of kids. Looking back, it was probably before his birthday she figured, which was unfortunate. He really loved children and it made her wonder what he would be like when they had children of their own…

 

“Oh… he'll probably act just like them…” Meryl murmured to herself, while chuckling and shaking her head over the thought of putting the Humanoid Typhoon in `time out' for being naughty. Though, there wasn't any doubt in her mind that he would be a great father and, when needed, he could even be firm. At least she hoped. She didn't want to end up being the `mean' parent.

 

As her chuckles slowed, the raven-haired woman reached for her fork and scooped up a big bite of melting ice cream. Promptly eating the thawing treat, she let her thoughts turn to her partner and wondered what exactly happened between Milly and Caden the night before. They did look quite cozy together and Meryl couldn't wait to quiz her partner about the whole thing. She had always suspected that Gunsmoke's newest ex-outlaw had a thing for her partner and visa versa for Milly. But she wasn't certain to what extent. Well… she knew now, especially after what she saw this morning. Not to mention, what the big-girl told her yesterday about Walker and his admitted feelings.

 

“Milly really does deserves it,” Meryl reflected as she looked up from her dish and out toward the concourse, absently watching the ebb and flow of pedestrians as they strolled by. Then she recognized two of the people amongst the traffic heading to the restaurant. `What timing,' she thought with a smile before raising her hand in the air and calling out, “Milly, McKenna.”

 

“Oh hiya Sempai!” Milly chirped, waving ecstatically as she and Mac started toward the white awning.

 

Upon reaching the short-girl's table, both ladies proceeded to seat themselves on two of the three unoccupied chairs while exchanging greetings just as a waiter approached the table with menus in hand. A moment later, the young man in a short white jacket and black slacks had jotted down their drink preferences, Milly ordering Ceylon tea and McKenna coffee. Then with a broad smile, he advised the three that he would be back shortly with their drinks and a coffee refill for Meryl before moving away to fill their requests.

 

“So, where are Caden and Knives?” Meryl asked before eating the last bite of her dessert.

 

“Well, the inattentive mayor wanted to talk to them for a spell. So, they're at the hotel still,” Milly supplied, not having the slightest clue that she called the city's temporary mayor negligent.

 

“Errr… `inattentive,' Milly?” the short-girl questioned, while simply raising an eyebrow. She couldn't wait to hear that explanation.

 

“Yeah, you know, he's going to be tending to the city until a real mayor can be found!” She responded logically (for Milly anyway) with a big smile on her face. “In-a-tend-tive, ya' know what I mean, Sempai?”

 

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” she replied, trying to stay as serious as possible, though it was quite difficult, since McKenna was stifling a laugh behind her right hand. “But I think you mean `interim,' Milly…”

 

“Oh yeah that, too!” the big-girl giggled giving the other two the `freedom' to laugh as well.

 

“Knives, did say that they shouldn't be too long,” McKenna supplied after their laughter died down.

 

“I suppose I shouldn't wait to ask then,” Meryl cryptically mumbled as their waiter returned with the drinks. After fresh drinks were set about the table, McKenna advised him that they would wait for the rest of their party before ordering food. The young man advised the ladies to wave if they needed anything before stepping away again. Once he was out of earshot, the petite beauty looked to her partner and asked, “So, Milly, what happened last night?”

 

“Gosh… what do you mean by that?” Milly squeaked, blushing to the roots of her chestnut colored hair, though she already knew exactly what was meant. Her luggage made it to Caden's room somehow.

 

“I was kind of wondering that, myself,” the redhead added, smiling brightly. She noticed that something different was going on between Stungun Milly and the Bringer of Chaos, this afternoon.

 

“I saw you in bed with him,” Meryl clarified with her eyes twinkling, while Mac's mouth fell wide open. She didn't know that was the `something!'

 

“NNN…Nothing, happened…” the statuesque beauty quietly stuttered, looking down and through the glass tabletop. She still didn't know how to feel about what happened and what didn't. It really confused her, even more so now that she was sober, and she didn't know what to do or think. But she knew that her girlfriends would be able to help. Looking up from the table, she gave both women a small smile before speaking. “Well… at least nothing too bad.”

 

“Too bad?” Both women questioned simultaneously before Meryl asked her to clarify what she meant.

 

The big-girl told them everything, all about her growing feelings for the long-haired gunman and what started to happen until she stopped it because she felt like she was betraying her beloved Nicholas. She even admitted that, coincidently, her lost love came to her in a dream during the night, reminding her that he wanted her to move on. Also, that she and Caden talked earlier and he was more than willing to take things slow, since he knew she was the one that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

 

“So…” Milly sighed before adding, “I guess we're gonna to take itty bitty baby steps.”

 

“I think that's a good idea,” red said with Meryl instantly agreeing. The next thing she knew, she felt a familiar presence entering her mind, advising her that they were on their way. She just loved it when Knives enveloped her senses. With a fanciful expression floating across her face, she informed the insurance girls. “Speaking of steps, the men will be here any minute.”

 

A flurry of motion immediately brought the ladies' attention to the town's square where, at that very moment, the once previously occupied throng of people parted before stopping their hurried movements in order to stand along the wide path they just created. The insurance girls and doctor intently watched the goings on about the space, while wondering what exactly was happening. The buzz was almost deafening and it seemed as if someone important was approaching, like royalty. Then in wake of the parted people, the women saw three masculine forms confidently striding toward them from across the square.

 

Vash and Knives were walking side by side, with the panels of their scarlet and grey dusters rustling in fluid movements about their long legs. While their shades, one pair as bright as the twin suns and the other as black as the night, were perched upon their handsome faces, giving them the air of the untouchable… superior. Whereas Caden, who was centered and just a step behind the twins, had his fawn colored Stetson resting low on his head to cover his face and his russet-colored pony tail hung freely down his back. With every step, the afternoon sunshine glinted brightly off of the silver stars pinned over their hearts, proving that the men were just as formidable as they looked.

 

The entire populace knew that they were the ones, who in less than an hour, took down Arturo Cruz and saved their town from the merciless oppressor.

 

“That's impressive,” Mac commented to the other ladies before the men reached them.

And it was. She had never seen a crowd treat anyone with such reverence before. The looks on all of their faces held awe and wonderment for the three, like they were heroes or gods.

 

“Just don't tell them that, though,” Meryl cut in, while lifting her coffee cup to her lips and taking a sip. “Their egos are big enough as it is!” she added, setting her cup down before laughing as the other two immediately joined in.

 

“What's so funny, short-girl?” Vash asked as he moved his chair and sat right next to her, while Caden and Knives grabbed empty seats from other tables and placed them around the table prior to sitting as well.

 

“Gosh… Mr. Vash don't ya' know?” Milly asked as if it was the most obvious thing in the world before blurting out, “Your great big ego from what those town folk just did is what's funny, of course!”

 

“Milly!” Meryl shrieked, blushing profusely, while Vash `pouted' over the implication. “You weren't supposed to tell them that!”

 

“Whoopsies! Sorry Sempai, I just couldn't help myself!”

 

“I don't see why it would be considered… funny,” Knives highhandedly remarked, removing his shades and pocketing them as Vash followed his lead. The very next instant, their waiter rushed over to set complimentary appetizers, a pitcher of beer, and three mugs on the table. The waiter said, yet again, to go ahead and motion for him when they were read to order, before he quickly left the group. “We should be revered,” he then arrogantly pointed out, after the server left, while moving his right hand, palm up, over the table motioning to the `gifts' presented to them. “We are the superior breed and should expect such treatment from our inferiors.”

 

“Ugh… whatever…” McKenna sarcastically groaned, while rolling her eyes. “God… you'll never quit will you?”

 

“Such insolence,” he grumbled, pinning his artic blue gaze on her. “Remember woman, you are the honored mate of a superior race and you need to act accordingly!”

 

“Anyway…” Caden interrupted before the irritated redhead could retort and reached for the pitcher of beer. “How about we talk about something a little less… controversial,” he added, while pouring the ale into the mugs. He then handed Vash and Knives each one before lifting the third one to his lips and taking a healthy gulp. Setting the mug down, he gave Milly, who was sitting to the immediate left of him, a warm smile before looking around the table and suggesting, “How about we talk about what we are going to do next?”

 

“Well… I still need to finish my report,” Meryl said, looking at Vash before the both of them looked to Milly. “But, I'm not exactly certain as to what to write and I'm hoping you can help, Milly.”

 

“Gosh Sempai, you want my help? Really?” the big-girl asked, with surprise apparent in her tone. Usually Meryl did the reports all by herself.

 

“Yeah, I do,” the short-girl admitted before giving an explanation. “I have a feeling that once I notify the chief that Caden is no longer a wanted man then he will want us to return to December. And I don't want to do that…”

 

“So what do you want to do then?” Milly asked, prodding her partner after she trailed off. However, before Meryl could answer, the blue-eyed girl rattled on, “Gee… do you want to quit or something Sempai? You know, like how we discussed on the shiny fallen ship? If so, that would be okay with me. We are partners, after all, and if that's what you wanna do then, by golly, so do I!”

 

“Oh Milly, you are the best!” Meryl declared happily, while Vash pumped his left fist in the air, while yelling `yes.'

 

“Okay, now that that's taken care of,” Knives commented dryly before bringing up the next area of discussion. “We are needed back in New DC for Cruz's hearings and eventually the trial, which will be held the third week of November. So, I propose that we head back there immediately.”

 

“We can stay with father and since it's one of my family's traditions to celebrate Thanksgiving, we can all be there for the festivities,” McKenna suggested with a hopeful smile.

 

“Very well then,” Knives conceded after looking around the table and seeing the mutual nods.

 

“What about Christmas?” Milly asked. “It's coming up and my family always has a great big celebration. It would be nice if all of you could join in!”

 

“It really is a lot of fun!” Meryl interjected before adding, “Besides, we would need to head to December anyway to officially tender our resignation.”

 

“That sounds good to me, almost ex-insurance-girl!” Vash exclaimed happily. “And while we're there, I can meet the in-laws!”

 

“The in-laws?” Meryl choked out, her silvery eyes going wide.

 

“Sure… since I'm the one that deflowered you, I suppose should at least be responsible for my actions!”

 

“Vash… you, you… ugh!” she stammered, while blushing profusely before smacking him upside the head for being an idiot. “You broom-head! Why would I want to marry a good for nothing loser like you?!”

 

“Because you are deeply and madly in love with me,” he answered cheekily, while rubbing his head where she hit him. It was just a love tap really.

 

“Gee… Mr. Vash has a point, Meryl. You two are in love, though I'm not really sure what he meant by taking flowers from you?” Milly said, putting her two cents in before immediately asking, “So, can I be a bridesmaid?”

 

“Ahhh… sure,” she muttered. Sometimes, it was just better to humor Milly. “So what about after Christmas?” the petite beauty quickly asked to change the subject. “With the three of you being Federal Marshals, will you have a set jurisdiction? And if so, will we be heading there afterward?”

 

“Actually, Knives, Caden, and I were talking to red's dad and we decided that it would be best if we went on a special mission,” Vash answered obscurely, while lowering his right hand from his head and casually draping his arm on the back of Meryl's chair. Looking about the table, he noted that all eyes were on him and smiled broadly before elaborating, “We decided to see what exactly the `X' is marking on Caden's map.”

 

“Are you sure that you're okay with that Caden?” Meryl asked. She now knew the exact story behind map, thanks to her partner telling her all about it yesterday afternoon.

 

“Yeah, I really am,” Walker quietly replied as Milly grabbed his hand to hold it. Looking down to their entwined fingers, he gave them a reassuring squeeze before looking up and smiling at his love interest. “Thank you, blue-eyes,” he whispered before turning his emerald gaze back to the short-girl and adding, “It's time to go back. Regan and I both agreed that someday we would and I would like to see it through. He would do the same thing if our roles were reversed and, besides, he had that damn thing memorized. So, there's a chance that's where he disappeared to.”

 

“Well it's settled then,” Knives said with finality, while laying his left hand on McKenna's thigh where she immediately covered it with her right. He then reiterated their plans, “We will head back to New DC first. And after the trial and Thanksgiving, we are traveling to December to finalize Milly and Meryl's affairs and to spend the Holidays with their families. Then finally, we can locate the Plant ship and at long last have some peace and quiet!”

 

“Sounds like a plan, Knives,” Vash declared, his eyes shining brightly. Rem was right, everything was going to work out just fine and he couldn't be happier! He had his brother, his woman, and his friends by his side and they were all going to Eden together. Now all they needed was a dramatic exit! “So are we going to ride off into the sunset?” he asked, unable to hold back a chuckle.

 

“Ahhh… no,” Meryl replied dryly before laughing as well. “That would be in the wrong direction.”

 

“Oh… well… how about we ride off into the sun-rise then?” Vash `the Stampede' Saverem corrected himself, before raising his left hand into the air while crossing his middle and index finger making his signature peace sign. Then with his `macho' voice, he exclaimed, “And we'll do it for `Love and Peace'!”

 

“Ugh… somebody please stop him before he hurts himself,” Meryl moaned, while the collective table rolled their eyes.

 

“Oh come on, short-girl, you should say it with me now!”

 

“No, I shouldn't…”

 

“Why not?” he whined before stating the obvious, (at least to him) “You're going to be my wife, so, you should love my mantra as much as I do!”

 

“No I shouldn't!” Meryl retorted, while folding her arms across her chest. She had to at least give him a little grief for embarrassing her earlier, after all. “Besides, who says I'm going to be your wife?”

 

“You mean you really don't wanna?” the golden blonde muttered sadly, while removing his arm from her chair and slumping over in his own. Maybe everything wouldn't work out, after all.

 

“If I say I will… will you stop bugging me about the `love and peace' thing?” she asked after a tense moment (at least for the ex-sixty billion double-dollar man) had passed. When she saw him solemnly nod his head, she warmly added, “Okay, I'll marry you.”

 

And with that Vash, snapped his head up and immediately set his glistening aqua eyes on hers before reaching over and pulling her onto his lap while wrapping his arms around her petite frame, hugging her tightly. “I love you, Meryl,” he breathed telepathically as his tears fell into her raven hair. “You'll forever be mine,” he then whispered out loud, while kissing her temple.

 

She smiled over his heartfelt words before pulling far enough away so she could look into his beautiful eyes and whisper…

 

“Forever mine… I like the sound of that!”