Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Ticket to the Future ❯ A Jumble of thoughts ( Chapter 9 )

Standard Disclaimer: Trigun is not mine… etc… etc… I'm not making money…etc…etc…

Ticket to the Future: Part IX

A Jumble of Thoughts

The house was silent as I tiredly made my way up the stairs to take a nice hot shower. My mind was a turbulent jumble of thoughts, my shoulders ached and my back hurt from the strain of trying to shoot Wolfwood's gun. But, I was secretly pleased with my efforts of the last couple of months. Everyday, I managed to break a few more of the bottles I set up for practice. And by now, I was no longer being knocked back by the recoil either. The problem was, my expanding waistline was hampering my mobility.

While it was no problem to lift the Cross-Punisher or fire off a few rounds. I was finding it harder each day to increase my speed with the thing. I could not whip around and bring the gun in line as quickly as I felt I needed to. I still did not know what was driving me to master this weapon. I felt as if something were looming over the horizon, just beyond my sight and I was determined to meet whatever it was head on. I had lost Nicholas to my inaction. I was not going to be caught flat-footed ever again.

Meryl was really against the idea of me wandering out into the desert to practice. I had also been met with stern resistance from Dr. Jones. He was standing outside his office the first time Mr. Vash had brought me back from that first practice session. I had actually spent more time flat on my back or being pushed backwards by the recoil than I had anything else that day.

Dr. Jones was a funny little man who took his profession seriously. He was about as tall as Meryl with quick, sharp eyes that missed nothing. His balding head shined brightly in the sun and his round glasses glinted in the afternoon glare. After listening to his tirade of over doing and listening to Meryl scold me incessantly, I meekly submitted to another exam just to shut them up. My own mother had given birth to all of my brothers and sisters and never took as many precautions as these two were harping over.

Dr. Jones was a nice man, but I didn't really care for him touching me. Still, he did have my best interests at heart and after that exam, he had given me another bit of news that I had kept to myself. I knew I was being selfish, but what right did I have to worry Meryl and Mr. Vash even more, especially when they were both trying so hard to be helpful.

I slowly peeled my clothes away from my aching body. Just for a moment, I wondered if I really was over doing it just a bit, but the thought of my mother working so hard right up to the time she had given birth… That was the scary part. I didn't want to experience childbirth, but… I guess it was too late to be worried about it now.

Pausing a moment before the floor mirror, I took in my ever changing shape. I honestly hated the way my body was beginning to look. While I had never really cared whether or not people found me attractive, I hated the attention I received. You would think folks around here had never seen a pregnant woman before. I guess it was partially my fault. I was the one who told them that my husband had died and now everyone wanted to make sure the poor tragic young widow was making out all right.

I hated to drag this belly of mine around, and its size was only going to increase. My larger clothes were comfortable enough and I could still wear my over coat so I felt somewhat shielded from prying eyes. But, it was hard to believe that 7 months had gone by so quickly. I missed Wolfwood and sometimes I would catch myself talking out loud to "Mr. Priest." I wonder if I would have called him Nicholas or Wolfwood if he had lived and come back?

Ripples made their way across my stomach as I watched my reflection in the mirror. I laughed out loud and raised my hand to trace the baby's movement. "So you want mamma to stop brooding and give you a bit of attention?" I felt a kick against my hand in response. "I know, I'm always the one who says brooding never accomplishes anything. We can't change the past now can we?" A harder kick answers my question. "Give it a rest. Mamma is tired and you'll just have to wait another couple of months to put in an appearance. I wonder if you know how much I love you yet?"

A churning of what had to be tiny legs left me gasping for breath momentarily. "Stop kicking me under the lungs kiddo, unless you want us all to wind up on the floor." I smiled as I ran my hand over the tightness of my belly. The baby settled down for what I hoped was a nap. I could use one of those myself.

Stepping carefully into the tub, I turned up the water until a pleasant heat descended on my back. I leaned my head against the end wall and stood there several minutes. Life was going pretty well, but there was a slight snag in my happiness…Mr. Knives.

Suddenly wanting to lie down and rest, I quickly finished my shower. Stepping carefully from the tub, I reached for a towel to wind around my hair. Grabbing another towel, I lightly ran it over the majority of my body before winding the oversized towel around my torso. It more than covered my upper body and fell just short of mid thigh. Bless Meryl for buying these large oversized towels.

I opened the door a crack and peaked into the hall. No one was there. I listened intently. The house lay as still and as silent as when I had entered earlier. I didn't want to attract any attention as I made my way to my room. I stepped into the hallway and started to my room at the end of the short passage.

"You know," a warm voice caressed my neck. "I be delighted to help you dress… after I help you remove those wet towels."

I stiffened momentarily as a pair of hands closed around my upper arms and soft lips trailed a brief kiss down the side of my neck. Fire sprang to life in my veins and I leapt forward to escape. Turning, I glared into the icy blue eyes of Mr. Knives Millions. They held as much humor as I had seen. I clamped my feelings down quickly and lectured him in what I hoped was a stern tone about being proper and leaving a grieving young widow alone.

"Hmmm… I wonder if you grieve for Wolfwood or for the lack of a man in your bed? My brother and his woman spend a great deal of time every night enjoying each other. I wonder if you will be able to endure much more of listening to them at night. I would guess that Vash is very creative as much I hear your friend scream some nights."

I stood there silently seething. If one word could be used to describe Mr. Knives at moments like these, it was crude… well vulgar could be used too, but that did not change the fact that he was unsettling to me.

"Do you want to know what I think?" he asked in an all too casual tone.

"Not really, but I'm sure you are going to tell me." I snapped at him viciously.

"I think that you will be in my bed, giving me a great deal of pleasure before much longer."

Outraged, I turned on my heel and entered my room, slamming the door behind me amid the sound of Mr. Knives all to familiar mocking laughter. I leaned heavily against the locked door as I struggled to gain control of my racing emotions. Mr. Knives was a cruel, vicious person. I hoped God would punish him for all his wickedness. But hidden deep in my heart, I knew the truth about what I felt for him.

I wanted Knives with an intensity that I found alarming because on the surface it seemed all so wrong, yet when he touched me, however briefly, it seemed all too right.

*****

Dressing in my pajamas, I lay quietly back on my bed and thought about Mr. Knives. How did this situation get so out of control? One day he was simply an unconscious man in a bed and the next, he was baiting me at every turn. It had started out with killing more people and then on to Wolfwood. The encounters had turned into a contest of wills since the day he had unexpectedly stolen a kiss from me.

I knew I was alive and that Wolfwood was never coming back. But, why did it have to be him that caused me to feel things I had not experienced until that night I shared with Wolfwood? Now it seemed at every turn, Mr. Knives was close at hand, offering his unwanted advice, reaching out with those warm hands, or taunting me with smug looks as if he knew what I was thinking.

I guess he had become my permanent shadow the day Mr. Vash had followed me into the desert. I had hoped no one would notice me missing, but I should have realized that gunfire would attract attention in this little town.

I stood there admiring my success in breaking a bottle during my first day of practice with the Cross-Punisher. I had lowered the weapon to my side when I realized that Mr. Vash was standing silently a few feet behind me.

I wondered why Mr. Vash did not seem surprised to find me out in the desert. I waited for him to ask me why I was there, but the questions never came. Instead, he asked if I was ready to return to town. I had nodded my answer to him and made ready to lift my new gun to my shoulder.

Imagine my shock when another pair of strong hands easily gripped the Cross-Punisher and lifted its weight away from me. Mr. Knives held out his arm as if to offer me assistance. I hesitated momentarily before grasping his arm and making my way to the truck. Mr. Knives assisted me inside and hopped nimbly into the bed with his heavy burden. I looked back at him for a moment trying to figure out what his motive could be.

I smiled briefly as I recalled the stunned look on Mr. Vash's face. He was not quite sure of what to say or do when I took Mr. Knives' arm. Sighing heavily, I had thought then that I should still be angry with Mr. Knives for the terrible way he treated me the other evening. But something inside of me had enjoyed the feel of his lips against mine. I was a wicked person. There must be something wrong with me that I would enjoy the way Mr. Knives had made me feel.

We drove back to town that afternoon in silence. Mr. Vash driving, Mr. Knives sitting in the open back, and myself glancing every now and then in the mirror to study Mr. Knives. Meryl and Dr. Jones had disapproved of my actions and in spite of all my protests, they were set to lock up the Cross-Punisher to keep me in town and safe as they called it.

I protested heartily, but to no avail. It was too much they both said for a pregnant woman to go alone into the desert and bother with such a heavy firearm. My wails of protest had been met with deaf ears until a voice in the shade of a nearby porch spoke up, "Perhaps a chaperone is what Mrs. Wolfwood needs? I would be happy to lend my services in that capacity."

For a moment, I couldn't tell who was more stunned… Mr.Vash, Meryl, or me. Only Dr. Jones smiled brightly at Mr. Knives as he came forward from the shadows. "If you can personally guarantee that Mrs. Wolfwood will not wear herself out, then I will allow her to resume this piece of idiocy on a limited basis. It is obviously important to her and I so not wish her to become to upset over this matter."

"I personally guarantee that nothing will happen to cause harm to this particular human."

Dr, Jones looked startled by Mr. Knives answer, but he said nothing. Meryl had turned angrily to Mr. Vash demanding that he do something to keep Knives as far away from me as possible. I stood there confused, looking at each one of them. Mr. Vash and Mr. Knives exchanged one of those long silent looks again. Mr. Vash threw up his hands and gave in. "Meryl, if Milly wants to go we really can't stop her. At least Knives will make sure she doesn't over do."

Meryl looked suspiciously at Mr. Knives a moment before asking, "And just who will keep an eye on him?"

Mr. Knives had shrugged carelessly. He picked up the Cross-Punisher and easily put it across his shoulders. "Milly, this will be in your room when you get back." I nodded as he made his way up the street to the small house we all shared.

I yawned hugely for a moment and lay there staring at the ceiling. I kept wondering why I was so attracted to Mr. Knives as my eyes closed and I drifted off to sleep.

*******

To Be Continued…

*******

I found a few minutes to get this short chapter typed up and ready to load ff.net willing.

What had Knives been doing these past 2 months to intrigue Milly so?

Stay tuned and find out in the next chapter…Milly dreams

Love and Peace,

Blackhat (^_~)