Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Ticket to the Future ❯ Calm before the Storm ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Standard Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own it, not making money on it, etc…

Ticket to the Future: Chapter VI

Calm before the Storm

2 weeks before Knives awakens…

Meryl speaks…

I guess I knew he'd come back with that gun and that crimson coat, but didn't want to admit it to myself until I saw him walk through the door of the house. I slumped into the nearest chair, gaping at the gunslinger known as Vash the Stampede. The Cross Punisher was on his back and the silver revolver was at his hip. He looked every inch the man he had wanted to leave behind.

"Now Meryl… before you get too upset, please let me explain." His eyes were wide and pleading for me to understand. His voice seemed to beg understanding.

Suddenly though, I really didn't care. I was angry and hurt that he'd pick up his gun again. I wanted to live quietly. It didn't matter the reason Vash came back with more than the Cross Punisher. "Vash, I don't really think you need to explain. The way you are dressed says it all."

Vash loomed over me as I sat in the chair. He reached out to grasp my upper arms. "Meryl, something or someone is out there, waiting in the shadows to create havoc again. I can't let it happen. Not again, I promised to take care of the problem."

Shrugging out of his grasp, I rose quickly and made my way to stare out of the window. Tears began to fall down my cheeks. "I'm afraid, Vash. I wanted us to live as normally as possible."

Strong hands gripped my shoulders and pulled me back into a firm embrace. "Sshhh…don't cry. Maybe it's nothing; maybe I over reacted out there since I was all alone. You know I'd never do anything to hurt you. I have to be prepared, though. If something or someone is there, I have to be prepared. I can't fail. If I do, everyone will die and it will be my fault. Please, Meryl.

Say you understand."

I turned to look into those brilliant aqua eyes. "Tell me the truth, Vash. Is it Knives?"

"Truthfully, I don't know."

I nodded and with determination said, "We'll deal with this crisis when the time comes then… together."

"Together…" he whispered as his lips claimed mine.

********

2 weeks later…

Milly is still spending way too much time in the room with that creature. I have heard her talking to that thing numerous times and have wanted to go in there and pull her from the room and shake her until she realizes that thing is responsible for all that has happened. She's in there now, wasting her time by rubbing ointment into his already healed wounds and telling him all that goes on here. Why is she spending time with the creature that for all purposes murdered her lover, the father of her baby?

I stomp down the stairs angry at Milly for being so naive, angry at myself for being unable to control what is happening around me, angry at that thing for causing this entire mess. As I step into the living room, I see Vash, sitting there casually reading a paper as if nothing at all were out of the ordinary. My eyes spy the gun strapped to his hip and my anger explodes beyond my control.

"Can't you take that thing off in the house at least?" I heard the viciousness in my voice, but I didn't care. I was spoiling for a fight.

Vash looked up from his paper, "What's the matter Meryl? Has something upset you?" His tone was even and for some strange reason, that seemed to upset me more.

"Yes, it has. Milly is talking to that thing again. It's not good that she spends so much time in there. He's the reason you're wearing that gun in the first place. If you had killed him, then we wouldn't be facing another crisis."

I turned and stomped back in the direction of the stairs. I had to get control of my emotions. Vash started up the steps after me. I could hear the determination in his steps as he trailed after me. "What has upset you so about Knives and my gun?" His voice held a note of cold anger as he spoke.

"You want to know? Fine! I'll tell you! I thought you wanted to live a peaceful life?"

"I never promised you that I wouldn't pick up a gun again…"

"You said that Knives wasn't going to cause any problems, that you had everything under control…"

"I never told you that! I don't know what's or who's even there causing me to feel this odd sensation."

"Are you even sure that something is there? Knives lies unchanging in the same room you dumped him in 2 months ago. All of the Gung-Ho Guns are dead. You're the person that killed the most deadly of them."

"Shut up! I was forced to kill Legato to save your ass. I broke a promise to save you."

We continued our tirade at each other as we made our way down the hallway. I threw open the bedroom door, not even sure why I came back up here. Vash was seconds behind me and slammed the door shut behind him. "You want to know something? You can be a real bitch at times, Meryl." He crossed the room and grabbed me by the arms. Pulling me close to his chest, his aqua eyes bored into mine. "There are times that I'm not sure if I should beat you or fuck you senseless."

I gasped at the harshness of his words. My eyes narrowed as I issued a challenge to him… "I… dare… you…"

An unholy light entered his eyes as his lips descended on mine in a soul-scorching kiss. Vash snaked one hand through my short hair, pulling my head back as his lips trailed a line of moist kisses down my throat. I couldn't move as he held me close to his body with one arm. I was still angry, but could feel the overwhelming urge to give in and forget this entire episode.

Vash swiftly stepped back from me. His eyes still glittered a dark shade of aqua. We both stood there gasping for air. He reached one hand toward me, grabbed my blouse by the neck line, and swiftly yanked downward. The material split with a loud tearing sound as buttons cascaded to the floor. I stood there, momentarily shocked. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

Vash calmly started to remove his shirt. "I'm going to strip you naked, toss you onto our bed, and fuck you until you scream." I lunged at him and quickly found myself caught in his arms again. He skillfully managed to unhook the front of my bra. My system tingled in awareness as my nipples came in contact with the planes of his scared chest. Our lips met and locked together again. I felt fire burn its way through me as callused hands stroked my heated flesh and warm lips sucked at my nipples, drawing then into tight aching peaks.

Vash slid his hands down my back and began to tug the buttons free on the short skirt I was wearing. He pushed my skirt and panties down over my hips until they fell and pooled around my ankles. True to his word, Vash picked me up and tossed me back onto the bed.

Determined not to give in so easily, I tried to scramble off the bed, but quickly found myself pinned under him. "You don't play fair. You're still dressed and I'm not."

He tugged his gun belt from his hips and hung it over the post on the headboard of the bed. "Then next time, maybe you'll be more careful when you start an argument with me." His hips thrust against mine, allowing me to feel how aroused he was. The rough fabric of his denim pants bit at the insides of my thighs.

His eyes slid closed as his lips met mine once again. I moaned softly against his mouth and wrapped my arms around his back. Some of the metal strips on his chest bit lightly at my own, but it was nothing I wasn't used to. He levered himself partially off me and tugged at the buttons of his pants. I wanted him now.

I pushed his jeans over his hips until I could grasp the firm muscles of his ass. With no hesitation, Vash thrust his hard length into my body. I felt my passage stretching to accommodate his size. He slid partially out of my slick passage before brutally ramming himself back in to the hilt. I gasped at his rough treatment, but my body was demanding more.

I wrapped my legs around his waist in an effort to pull him deeper into my body. My nails dug into his shoulders as he continued to pound my wet channel. My blood had turned to fire in my veins and only this man riding me could give me what my body craved. My mind dimly registered the tapping of the headboard against the wall.

My breathing was harsh and ragged. Vash was pushing my body to its limits. I felt as if I was a spring, wound too tightly, that would shatter if something didn't happen. A moment later, I screamed as a powerful orgasm released itself deep inside my center and spread to all parts of my body. A hoarse groan shortly followed and I knew without a doubt, that Vash had joined me in this mind-consuming pleasure.

Lying locked together, harshly breathing, and with sweat dripping from our bodies, Vash looked down at me and smiled; mischief glinting in his eyes. "You know, if you want me to make love to you in the middle of the day, all you have to do is ask."

"Pervert…" I answered blushing furiously.

"To tell you the truth, though," he began while sliding off my body. "I think I enjoyed it more than you did. Maybe you can start an argument with me later tonight." He grinned hugely while pulling his jeans back into place and grabbing his shirt from the floor.

"Why, you…" I flung the pillow at his head.

"Meryl, shouldn't get dressed? I thought you and Milly were going shopping this afternoon?" Vash reached for his gun belt and buckled it around his hips. "Don't look so worried… I'll take care of everything." Placing one last kiss on my lips, he turned and made his way out the bedroom door.

"Then why do I have the uneasy feeling that everything is about to change?" I ask the emptiness of the room.

************

Milly Speaks…

Drawing my clenched hands back with a startled gasp, I stared into the open eyes of a man that I should by all accounts hate with every thing I had in me. What should I do? Should I call for Mr. Vash and Meryl, should I leave the room immediately, should I stay where I was…? I didn't know what to do. So, I merely sat where I was and waited to see what would happen.

His eyes moved slowly over the room, taking in the simple furnishings and glancing down for a moment at his bare chest before finally returning to meet my gaze. His eyes narrowed as they met my own. "Where are my clothes and my gun? What has been done with them? And who are you?"

I spoke gently in what I hoped was a reassuring, friendly voice, "My name is Millie Thompson. I am a friend of your brother, Mr. Vash the Stampede. Mr. Vash brought you back and put you in those loose fitting shorts so we could care for your wounds. I washed and mended your clothes and they are in the closet over there," I nodded in the direction of the closet. "As to your gun, I have no idea where it is. Maybe it is still out in the desert?"

A smile crossed his lips briefly, but it wasn't what I'd call a friendly smile. His smile was cold and lifeless and did not quite reach his eyes. Those piercing, icy blue orbs that lacked the warmth and feeling like those of Mr. Vash. "Yes, I know who you are… You are the annoying creature who has been in this place chattering away incessantly at me. Hasn't anyone ever told you to 'shut up and go away' before?" He straightened and gingerly eased himself to a sitting position.

My temper flared to life briefly. "Mr. Knives, has anyone ever told you that you are a rude, ungrateful man?"

"But, you see, I'm not a man. I'm a plant… a vastly superior breed of being than you mere humans."

"Very well, you are a rude, ungrateful plant," I added in a nasty voice.

His eyes became mere slits as he glared at me. "For such a pathetic being, you seem to have no fear of me? Why?"

"Why should I be scared of someone who has been lying here helpless for the past couple of months? I've spent a great deal of time in here caring for you and trying to make you as comfortable as possible and from what I've seen, you are in no condition to be much of a threat to anybody." I watched in secret amusement as his face went red then purple and then back to red.

"I could kill you as easily as squashing an insect. I would think no more of killing you than I would of killing a bothersome gnat. You should be fearful of me." His voice held a note of barely controlled anger. I wondered how far I could actually push him before he lost it completely.

"I don't think so… You see, I think I feel more pity for you than fear."

"I don't want you pity," Knives snarled in a vicious tone. "If you don't care so much for yourself, then perhaps you should be more concerned for the offspring you carry. I could kill it as easily as I disposed of your precious Mr. Wolfwood."

I drew back with a startled gasp. Tears gathered briefly in the corners of my eyes. I dashed them away quickly. "Yes," I began softly. "Mr. Wolfwood is dead because of you and partially because of me." His brows rose slightly at that. "You see, I hesitated that day because I promised him I wouldn't get involved." My voice grew stronger and I was surprised to hear the firm ring of truth in my next words. "But, you make one move to harm my child and I will kill you and think no more of it than I would of killing a bothersome gnat." I rose swiftly from my chair at his bedside and made my way to the door.

"Wait…" The sharp command brought me up short and I turned to look back at Knives for a moment.

"You will come back at sunset and we will continue our conversation. I find that I am suddenly intrigued by a human, a female of the species no less, that shows no fear of a superior being."

I supposed I should have been angered even further by his attitude, but I still felt nothing more than amused pity for Knives. I nodded and closed the door.

******

Leaning heavily against the wall just outside the room that contained Knives, I sighed to myself. "I just threatened to kill someone…" I had to get a grip on my emotions. Mr. Knives was a nasty man… no plant… a vastly superior breed of being, but I couldn't let him get to me. "Mrs. Wolfwood, stress is bad for you and the baby… you must try to relax and not worry about things so much…" I could hear Dr. Jones' instructions to me running through my head.

Drawing another deep breath, I tried to rationalize Mr. Knives' behavior, "I'm sure that Mr. Knives is just saying those mean things because he is not sure of how to cope with his situation." I hate it when I have to think my way through a problem. My stun gun was usually the answer I reached for in a difficult situation. Well, I would whine and throw a fit to get my way on occasion, but I really didn't think either of those would work in the current situation.

"Hey, Milly…how's my brother today? Is he giving you a hard time?" Mr. Vash was approaching me, grinning hugely. There must be something special about making love in the middle of the day. I guess I'll never know what though. I smiled brightly as I answered him, "Oh yes, Mr. Knives was just telling me how much better plants were than humans."

Vash looked as if he had just swallowed a piece of lemon. "What did you say?" He did look stunned at my words. I repeated them slowly. "I said, 'Mr. … Knives… was… just… telling… me… how… much… better… plants… were… than… humans…"

"Milly, are you saying that Knives is awake?" Meryl asked as she walked up behind Mr. Vash in the hallway, her face held a look of total satisfaction as she slid her arms around his waist. My heart clenched tightly for a moment. I stood away from the wall and pointed in the direction of Mr. Knives. "He is awake and let me tell you, he's not the best of company."

Vash and Meryl exchanged looks of disbelief. "Well, Vash?" Meryl said pulling away from him to look up into his eyes. "He's your brother. What do we do now?" My head swiveled between the two of them as Mr. Vash and Meryl stood there looking at each other. It didn't matter what Mr. Vash or Meryl or me or anyone did from this point on… I felt in my heart that the future would change… Mr. Knives was awake… and I had the distinct feeling that even Mr. Vash had no idea of what we should do now.

I watched quietly as Mr. Vash opened the door and walked inside the room. Meryl and I followed. I saw the flare of recognition in their eyes as each brother regarded the other. Just looking at them, you'd know they were related, but you'd never know they were twins.

"Hey Vash, these women been treating you well?"

"I can't complain so far."

"Mmmm… so I heard a few minutes ago." Mr. Knives gave Meryl a speculative look.

Meryl gasped at my side and looked up at me. I nodded at her and suppressed a grin as she blushed a brilliant shade of crimson. "It's ok," I whispered at her. Mr. Vash's eyes narrowed at his brother. There were no words spoken aloud, but it looked as if they were some how communicating with each other.

Mr. Knives suddenly spoke up. "Not to worry, Vash. I'm in no hurry to kill everyone here. I think I will see what is happening in the world since my minions are all dead and I have been unconscious."

"That's good, Knives. Give yourself time to relax and get to know some of the people here. Maybe you'll see that all people are not bad and worthless."

"If you don't mind," Mr. Knives began again. "I find I am rather fatigued. Would you please allow me to rest a bit more? Milly, remember. I wish to see you at sunset."

I nodded as Mr. Vash and Meryl looked at me with astonishment. "I won't forget. I will be here… although why I'm not sure."

We all turned to leave the room, but Mr. Knives had one more thing to say. "Vash? Why are you wearing that gun? Is there some reason you think you need it?"

"I don't know, Knives. You tell me. Will I need it?"

"Perhaps… then again, perhaps not. Even the knowledge of the future is beyond our understanding."

*********

To be continued…

*********

Happy New Year to all you out there from Planet Gunsmoke! I finished chapter 6 and thought I'd get it posted before the new year rolls in.

This is sort of a combo chapter where Meryl and Milly are both speaking. I hope I haven't confused the hell out of everyone with it. At times, I felt confused myself.

Chapter 7 is well under way and I hope to have it finished in a couple of days.

Please R&R for me and let me know what you think.

I hope everyone has a safe, prosperous, and Happy New Year and I wish for the entire world…

Love and Peace.

Blackhat (^_~)