Okay, this is my little attempt at fanfiction. It will refer to major spoilers so read at your own risk. Also, this takes place after the end of Trigun. I took some small liberties with slightly altering certain events and characters to suit my story, but hopefully they should be okay. It's basically what I would have wanted to happen. I can always dream…I'll continue if there's enough interest. Thanks! ^_^

All Characters and Original Story were created and is owned by Yasuhiro Nightow-sama. Arigatou! (Language Note: Ai = Love)

When It's Over

Chapter 1: Reunion

The two suns of the dry and arid planet that had been populated by Earth's colonists over a century ago, beat down mercilessly on the parched land even as evening was approaching. A young woman with short black hair fanned herself in an attempt to keep cool as she sat on the veranda taking a needed break from her duties. The black cat at her feet slept lazily on the floor swinging her tail back and forth, yawning from time to time.

Meryl Stryfe shifted her gaze over to the other woman sitting across from her on the bench and smiled. Milly was making cooing sounds to the infant in her arms causing the baby to gurgle happily in response.

Nicholas Wolfwood Junior, or "Woody" as they liked to call him, was the spitting image of his father from his smoky blue eyes to the thatch of thick black hair. After Wolfwood had passed away, Meryl had been shocked to discover that her younger protogée was pregnant with his child. It had been a blessing in spite of the circumstances of his death. She had no doubt that Milly would be a good mother.

Meryl sighed quietly to herself. It had been months since Vash left them to confront his brother Knives. She was beginning to give up hope that he would return someday…if he was still alive and in one piece. Even he was, would he really come back? After all, Vash the Stampede was a complicated man with a tortured past that refused to leave him alone. And he carried with him, the memory of the one woman he truly loved and would always love…Rem.

Meryl leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes in contemplation. She had let him go, despite her fears and reservations, without telling him how she felt about him.

"Not that it would have changed anything," she thought bitterly.

She should have realized that a long time ago when she started to fall in love with the infamous, enigmatic, and often misunderstood gunman with the huge bounty on his head. She still didn't know how it happened. One minute she was grumbling about how he was nothing but a womanizing, irresponsible, good for nothing. The next thing she knew, she had fallen in love with the man.

"You're a fool Meryl Stryfe to think that there could ever be anything other than friendship," her sensibilities chastised her. As long as he held onto his past, Vash would never involve himself in a serious relationship. Maybe he had suffered too much to allow himself to ever be truly happy. The mere thought of that possibility touched her soul to the very core.

"Are you all right, senpai?" Milly asked concernedly, shaking her out of her reverie.

"You don't have to call me that. We don't work at Bernadelli Insurance anymore."

"Gomen nasai, senpai," she replied smiling sheepishly, but continued to address Meryl as her senior.

"I'm fine Milly. It must be the heat getting to me."

"You were thinking about him again weren't you?" Milly asked observantly.

"Was it really that noticeable?" Meryl replied with a chagrin.

"I hate seeing you like this."

"So do I. So, why don't I stop feeling sorry for myself and get dinner started?"

"No, you rest some more. It's time for the baby's nap anyway."

"Thanks," Meryl replied gratefully.

She put a hand on her swollen abdomen, gently massaging back and forth to comfort the child she was carrying in her womb.

"I can't wait for you to come..."

Several years later…

A lone figure with spiky blond hair stood on the outskirts of the town of December and pushed his peculiar yellow sunglasses against the bridge of his nose, as he surveyed the people going about their daily business. He shifted his duffle bag onto the other shoulder before heading toward the local orphanage. It was time he paid his respects to the cause Wolfwood had poured his heart and soul into. As he walked through town, people would stop momentarily and stare at him and quickly scurry away when they realized who he was.

The name of Vash the Stampede still carried fear and astonishment even after all these years. He had hoped that the rumors and stories about his escapades would have died down by now, but that was probably asking too much. Nevertheless, he would never give up spreading his message of love and peace…but first, he would get something to eat.

Suddenly a rubber ball hit him in the back of the head, making him fall flat on his face onto the ground. All he could see for the moment was stars spinning around in circles, as he felt someone turn him over to his back.

"Is he dead?" someone asked worriedly.

"I don't know. Let's poke him with a stick and find out."

Vash immediately shot up and backed away quickly, while still on all fours. Several scruffy looking kids were staring curiously at him. It seemed like every time he came in contact with children, they always wanted to turn him into a human pretzel.

"He..he…hello!" he greeted them.

A tall brown-haired woman with a bag of groceries rushed over and made her way through.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I saw the whole thing. Are you all right?"

She stopped immediately and stared at Vash. She almost didn't recognize him at first without his trademark red overcoat.

"Vash-san?"

"Milly?" he asked at the same time, in equal surprise.

"What are you doing here in December?" she asked, helping him to his feet.

Vash put his hand behind his head and gave her a goofy grin.

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

"It's been a long time."

"Too long," he replied softly. "Got anything to eat?"

Milly laughed. Yup, it was really Vash.

"So you're running the orphanage now?" Vash asked in surprise, as he sat in the small kitchen of the local church.

"I think it's what he would have wanted," Milly said in a soft voice.

"Are you really okay?"

"Of course I am!" she replied in her usual cheerful voice. "I will always miss him, but I have Woody. And I need to be strong so that I can tell him about his father, and what a wonderful man he was."

"It must difficult, running the orphanage and raising a child on your own."

"Don't worry Vash-san. I'm strong, and I have senpai to help me."

"MERYL is helping you?" he asked incredulously. He thought she'd be sitting behind a desk somewhere typing reports for the rest of her life.

"Well don't sound so shocked," another female voice replied dryly.

Vash turned around to find Meryl leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed over each other, looking annoyed. For the most part, she didn't look like she had changed much, except that she had filled out in a few areas, which only accentuated her petite figure.

"So you decided to show up after all. I guess we should feel honored."

"Senpai!" Milly protested.

"Yup, same old Meryl," Vash commented, grinning from ear to ear. He was glad to see that some things never change.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING OLD!" she demanded, suddenly getting into his face.

Vash tilted backwards in his chair, flailing his arms as he lost balance, and crashed to the ground. Meryl made no attempt to help him up.

"Serves him right," she thought to herself. She had always been a little sensitive about her age.

He got up and rubbed the back of his head gingerly. "Just kidding."

"Hmph," Meryl just grunted angrily. "Why didn't you tell us what happened to you?" she demanded.

"Why? Were you worried?" he replied in a silky tone, and then cried out overdramatically with tears in his eyes, "That is SO SWEET!"

Meryl just sweatdropped in embarrassment. "I can't believe I actually fell for him," she thought to herself.

Milly had to keep a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud, but instead quickly excused herself out of the room. It would give them a chance to catch up.

An awkward silence filled the room as they stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, as far as Meryl was concerned.

"What really happened, Vash?" she asked softly.

"I took care of Knives," he replied.

"You mean he's…"

"No. We both survived. I managed to beat him at his own game. I also gave him a chance to change his ways."

"Why did you let him go? He'll only hurt more people. Aren't you afraid he'll try to seek revenge on you?"

He smiled sadly. "He's my brother. What choice do I have?"

Meryl was about to protest some more, but decided to hold back. His faith in people was both his strongest and his weakest trait. But really wasn't any of her business, as far as he was concerned. Besides, he never listened to her anyway.

"I'm glad you're okay," she said in a soft voice.

"Yeah, me too."

Suddenly, a blond-haired little girl in braided pigtails burst into the kitchen and ran up to Meryl, hugging her legs, while looking up into her face. She was probably no more than 3 years old.

Meryl smiled as she picked up the child in her arms, completely forgetting that Vash was there.

"What's the matter, sweetie?"

"Aunt Milly says it's time to eat."

The little girl turned her head to look at the stranger in the room, whom she suddenly realized was there, and shyly hid her face against Meryl's shoulder, while keeping her gaze glued on Vash.

It was only then that Vash got a good look at her face. His legs became weak as he stared at the child in shock. She had the same aquamarine colored eyes as his and even had the same birthmark under her eye on her left cheek. He could have been looking into a mirror.

"Meryl?" he asked in a shaky voice.

Meryl silently swore under her breath. There was no turning back now.

"This is my daughter, Ai…OUR daughter."

End of Chapter 1

To be continued…

Written by:

Babboo

3/7/03