Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Generation Gunsmoke ❯ Do You Love Me? ( Chapter 19 )

Standard Disclaimer: Not mine, making no money, etc…

Generation Gunsmoke: Part XVIII

Do You Love Me?

"…What a beautiful feeling," Nickie thought as she glided along, feet barely touching the ground. She felt so much love surrounding her as she heard people call her name over and over. Nickie squinted at the brightness that surrounded her. Whoever called to her was there, just up ahead, their tall silhouettes casting long shadows toward her.

She smiled brightly, running forward to the sounds. She knew whom it was that called to her. "Mamma, oh, mamma… you're so pretty," she cried as she flung herself against the tall woman before her. Strong arms embraced her tightly as she cried gently against the lapels of a brown coat. "Hey, don't you have a hug for your old man, too?"

Nickie looked up into the dark blue eyes of her sire for the first time. "You look just like Nick," she cried before flinging herself into his embrace. Wolfwood and Milly exchanged a small smile over their daughter's head.

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Lazarus carried his precious burden up the short steps to Dr. Jones' office and placed Nicole on the table indicated by the nurse. He stepped back as they worked frantically, cutting the black sweater from Nicole's frame, and peeling away the black lacy bra as well. Lazarus was brought up short by the sight of the large gaping hole in Nicole's chest.

"Put more pressure on that wound. She's lost too much blood already." The nurse hurried to comply with the doctor's snapped orders. "Just like her mother… just like her mother." Dr. Jones muttered under his breath.

"Blood type? Young man, what is her blood type?" Lazarus stared stupidly at the small man for a moment. "What? Blood type? How the hell should I know? It's not something that comes up in everyday conversation."

"We need to know immediately. Miss Wolfwood is on the verge of dying."

"Her brother… her twin. He's right outside the door. Call him in here and arrange a transfusion."

"Doctor Jones, I can't get this wound to stop bleeding. It's just too massive. I believe an artery has been severed."

Meryl burst through the door with Nick at her heels. "Dr. Jones, please, you must save Nickie." Her voice betrayed her fear as it trembled slightly. "She can't die, not after coming so far…"

"Miss Meryl, please…." Dr. Jones snapped. "I cannot possibly deal with a hysterical woman right now. Yes, she could die, but we are going to do everything possible to save her."

He looked up at Nick for a moment. "Do not stray far young man, we will need some of your blood for a transfusion, if she doesn't die on us first. A bullet punctured an artery, and that's causing the blood loss. If we can find the hole in time, we should be able to save your sister, but I will not make you any empty promises. Nicole could very well die."

Nick paled visibly at the thought. His sister couldn't die and leave him alone. He glanced at Lazarus wondering what was going through his mind and realizing that part of this was entirely that one's fault.

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"What are you doing here, Nickie? What happened to you?" her parents each questioned rapidly. Nickie looked between them very confused for a moment. "She's you all over again, big girl." Wolfwood told Milly. "Same wide-eyed, confused look you always give me."

Nickie frowned at them with a very confused look before replying, "I think somebody shot me."

Milly looked at her child in disbelief. "You were shot while bounty hunting?"

"No, someone was trying to kill Lazarus and I couldn't let them."

"Legato's boy?" Wolfwood asked sharply. "Didn't Meryl and Vash teach you anything? Just what in the hell are you thinking getting mixed up with someone like him in the first place?"

"Nicholas D. Wolfwood, watch your language! Please remember where we are." Milly snapped at him. "Now Nickie, I am sure your pappa wants what is best for you, but why would someone want to shoot him?"

"It was someone working for Knives."

Milly looked horrified at the thought. "You stay away from that man. He is not a nice person. He does evil things to people. He…"

"Mamma, it's ok. I don't know where he's at. Nothing bad will happen to me like it did to yo…" she stopped abruptly as she realized the direction her statement was heading.

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Lazarus stood blankly by, staring at the pair that worked over Nicole's body. He watched as her blood dripped in a steady stream to the floor. Blood loss… his mother killed by causing blood pressure to rupture veins. Maybe she could help Nicole. He called to her silently.

Lawren heard her son's frantic calls. "What makes you think I can help her?" she asked as she threw open the door to the small office.

Lazarus looked down at his mother. "I don't know if you can or not. I just want you to try."

"If I can help her, will you swear by her life that you will end mine when the time comes?" Lawren demanded harshly of her son. "Are you willing to pay my price?"

"Now is not the time for this insane discussion again," Lazarus snapped back. "I have repeatedly told you that I will not hand you your death."

"Her life is slipping away while we argue. Decide now, my son."

Lazarus noted the curious looks of Vash, Meryl and Nick as he verbally spared with his mother. They would be devastated if anything happened to Nicole. He would be lost as well. He sighed and spoke aloud, "It will be as you ask mother."

"Do not forget when the time comes." Lawren walked over to the pale girl on the table and placed her hand against Nickie's cool face. Her mind expanded calling to the girl on the table. No thoughts surfaced to greet her intrusion. "Call to her Lazarus, make her answer you. She's almost too far gone as it is, my son. You must make her come back and answer you."

"Now, see here," Dr. Jones spluttered. "I don't allow any of that fake quackery to be practiced in my office. I am a respectable doctor and this sort of thing is worthless."

"Let them try, Doc." Vash commanded. "You just said yourself, Nickie's bleeding to death." Dr. Jones opened his mouth to protest again, but Vash held up his hand. They can do… things… that other people can't. Let them try."

"Nicole Meryl Wolfwood, don't you dare die on me. Come back to me Nicole. Don't you leave me here to finish this business with Knives alone." Lazarus called to mind over and over with his own.

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Wolfwood cocked his head to the side. "You hear that? There are people calling to you, Nickie." She listened for a moment, hearing the distant voices from very far away. Lazarus' voice stood out clearly from the rest.

"Choose, Nickie. You must make a choice to either go on with us or to go back to where you came from."

Nickie felt tears well up in her eyes. "But, I just found you and mamma. Can't I stay here for a while and then go back?"

Milly smiled sadly at her child. "No, I am afraid you can't. We belong to this life now and if you stay much longer, then you can't ever go back."

Nickie stepped toward her parents and stopped, listening as Lazarus' voice became clearer, "Nicole Meryl Wolfwood, don't you dare die on me… do you hear? Don't die on me…"

Wolfwood and Milly smiled at her sadly. "He's waiting for you, you know."

Nickie flung herself at her parents, sobbing hysterically, "I'll come back one day, I promise…"

"Of course you will, but for now, you must go back…" Wolfwood told her gently. He and Milly hugged their child close. "Close your eyes, Nickie and in a few moments, you'll be back where you came from."

"I'll never forget you. I love you, pappa and mamma…."

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"Do you love me?"

From very far away, Lazarus heard the bright tone of Nicole's voice. He stood silently beside her unconscious frame, listening to the sound only he could here.

Lawren struggled to command the blood in Nickie's body to slow, the tiny veins to seal and repair themselves. Her head started to ache. This was something she had never tried to do before and it was very difficult, much more so than killing an individual. Over and over she forced her commands of repair to the girl before her.

"Do you love me?"

"What kind of insane question is that? Come back this instant, Nicole. Do you hear me? Come back right now."

"Not until you admit you love me."

Lazarus grit his teeth in frustration. Even near death, Nicole was being deliberately stubborn. "Fine," he snorted at her. "I love you. There. I said it. Are you happy?"

"Perfectly."

Dr. Jones," the nurse called excitedly. "Look, the bleeding has almost stopped." He stepped up and looked at the wound in disbelief. "A miracle…" he breathed. Dr. Jones held his stethoscope to her chest. He marveled at the increasing steady strength of her heartbeat. "Her pulse is steady, Doctor."

Lawren stood clutching the edges of the exam table. Blood was flowing freely from her nose. "The debt must be repaid…"she mumbled before slipping silently to the floor.

Lazarus leapt to his mother's side. "For what you have given me, mother. I will fulfill your request when the time comes." He whispered softly.

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To Be Continued…

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Greetings from the land of Gunsmoke! Come on and let me know what you think of this latest chapter.

You didn't really think I kill off Nickie, did you?

Love and Peace,

Blackhat(^_~)