1. What's In a Name?

Neither Vash nor Rem was surprised to see Knives enter the Rec Room in a huff, a stack of books that should have been far too advanced for the young child griped precariously in arms that were just too short. They greeted him in their usual way. Glad to be rid of the books, he let them drop with a THUNK on the grass.

"Who named me 'Knives?'"

"I did, honey," his non-mother answered. He gestured to the books...all with titles mentioning 'Biography of...' or 'People of...'

"What kind of a name is that?"

Vash grinned. "It's a good name."

2. Regret

No peace in her final moments, just frantic labor over a stubborn computer console. The tears cascading down her cheeks were more for herself with every passing moment. No time to look back, not a chance to regret, to think on what could have been. A prayer to God and thoughts of Alex was all she could allow herself to hold on to. Yet, when it was over, when all she could do for humanity had been done, her thoughts, words and tears turned to her boys, drifting further away.

"I would have liked to hear them call me 'Mother...'"

3. Taking Responsibility

I don't regret her death. But I didn't kill her. Don't blame me, brother. How was I to know she would sacrifice herself?

I was pleased to see him go. But I didn't kill him. The message Chapel gave him wasn't from me. He was to guide and protect you, brother. Not kill you. Never kill you. I wouldn't have punished him for sparing your life.

I was thrilled when he died. You made the choice to protect your butterflies, brother, and killed your spider. But you still did not learn the lesson and there is nothing else to lose.

4. Hero's Welcome

Knowing what she saw was real, she began to run towards him, just like she had always wanted to. This time, there was no other girl.

For his part, he had been expecting the hug and slid the bundle that was his brother off of his good shoulder, laying him gently on the ground. He stood up just quickly enough to catch the Insurance Girl projectile. Her arms were around his shoulders, her feet didn't touch ground. His good arm wound around her waist, holding her tightly.

Vash expected Meryl to hug him like this.

He didn't expect the kiss.

5. Twenty-Four Hour Surveillance

He wouldn't stop looking over her shoulder and fidgeting. It had been irritating Meryl ever since she sat down and began typing, only three minutes ago. Even though she found him more endearing than irritating, she couldn't help but snap at him.

Vash reeled back and under the heat of her glare, nervously stammered, "Do you have to write everything I do in those reports?"

"It's my job."

"But it's embarrassing..."

"You should have thought about that before."

Blushing, he traced invisible circles on the desk.

"Don't you think it's worse for me? I know the people who read these."

6. Garden

Ever since he had been able to move without help, he spent long hours behind the house alone. The girls and his brother knew he went to the well everyday, bringing back as much water has protesting muscles would allow. They didn't know what he did with it. They didn't ask, he didn't offer. They all thought the water and the solitude must be related, as they were all he seemed to care about as of late.

One day, with a smile, he led Vash to a lush, grass-filled backyard and said, "I'll teach you to grow flowers
for her."