Chapter 9: Nervous Anticipation

By all accounts this was a normal day. People shuffling through the streets. The suns baking away as usual. Something would be different by the end of this day though.

Meryl: Milly, have you seen Vash? he's been gone quite a while.

Milly: Mr. Vash said he had a personal errand to take care of.

Meryl: [sigh] Fine. But he better get back soon. Lousy Broomhead.

Nicholas doing double in the kitchen overhears the conversation.

Nick: Relax it's not like it's terribly busy today. I'm sure ol' Needle Noggin will be back soon. After all he's the selling point of this place.

Meryl: Well, where could he have gone? In the middle of the day no better have been important.

At that moment Vash walks in. A seemingly cheerful aura about him.

Milly: Hello, Mr. Vash.

Vash: Hello, Milly.

Meryl: You've been gone a while.

Vash: Sorry about that. I had something i had to take care of.

Meryl: Well get back to the kitchen.

Vash: All business aren't we?

Meryl: I take all my assignments seriously.

Vash heads back to the kitchen to relieve Wolfwood of his cooking duties.

Nick: Didja get it?

Vash: Yup

Nick: You sure about this

Vash: Yeah

Nick: I only ask because there will be ramifications. There will be certain issues you will have to deal with a far while down the road. This is a long term thing in and of itself. For you it's a difficult long term thing.

Vash: I'm well aware of that. My life has been nothing but one big giant long term descion. I've dealt with things like this before.

Nick: But not exactly like this.

Vash: I don't need anymore stress. I'm already a bit nervous about it all.

Nick: If your sure about it, that's all that matters.

The day passes as usual. Night falls on the town. Closing time at the steakhouse. After cleanup Wolfwood sits at the bar. A cigarette clenched between his lips.

Milly: You know, Mr. Wolfwood those things are called coffin nails for a reason.

Nick: Heh, shall I put it out?

Milly: Well I mean, if you want. I know it helps you relax and whatnot. It doesn't really bother...

Nick: [interupts] It's ok. I'll put it out. I really should quit.

Wolfwood couldn't help but think about how nice it is have someone who cares. Someone you want to be with. At that instant Meryl comes in from the back. A quizzical look on her face.

Meryl: Where is Vash? This is the second time he's disappeared today.

Milly: He went up to the roof, Meryl.

Meryl: Why'd he go up there?

Nick: Don't ask me. I'm not supposed to watch over him.

The priest grinned to himself over the irony of his words. Meryl headed up to the roof to find Vash. The red robed gunslinger was standing on the roof staring peacfully at the stars. A certain joy was seemingly racing through his mind. Meryl almost wanted to just leave him be. She knew that these moments of tranquility were so rare for him.

Meryl: Vash?

Vash: Hm? oh hey.

Meryl: What are you doing up here?

Vash: Just star gazing I guess.

Meryl: You are such a spacey dreamer sometimes, you know that?

Vash: [grinning] Yeah I guess so.

Vash turns to to Meryl. Gazing into her lavander eyes.

Vash: You know what makes looking at the stars better?

Meryl: What?

Vash: Having someone there with you.

Meryl: [smiling] Yeah It does make it better.

Vash: Meryl...

Meryl: Yes.

Vash: How would you like to watch the stars with me for the rest of your life?

Meryl: Vash...what are you asking me?

Vash pulls a small gold band out of his duster. He kneels down in front of Meryl.

Vash: Meryl, I know there's a lot of things to work out. I mean, I am over 100 years old. I've got a lot more time left than a normal human being. Not to mention that bounty on my head and probably a whole myriad of...

Meryl: Yes.

Vash: What?

Meryl: Yes Vash. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Vash: Are you sure?

Meryl: You are the most caring, loving individual I have ever met. If only everyone could meet someone like you.

Vash: Outstanding.

Vash slips the ring on Meryl's finger.

Vash: I know it's not much but...

Meryl: It's beautiful.

She looks down at Vash still kneeling on the ground, cupping her hands around his face.

Meryl: I love you, Vash the Stampede.

They embrace in a soft, passionate kiss under the moonlight. As long as they had each other, nothing else mattered. For once in their lives, they had a sense of joy and peace.

Author's note: I finally finished. I finally got past that block I had for 8 years. Sorry for making you wait so long. I'm sure there is undoubtedly a change in writing style between the first 7 chapters and the last 2. Hopefully for the better. I think I ended it well though. I think I finally can unleash some good writing. I think in the future I might abandon the "script" style. But I tend to write better that way what with being a former film major. Not sure. Either way I hope you've enjoyed what I've churned out.