A/N: I am a bad monkey. I haven't updated in centuries, though mainly it isn't my fault. But instead of boring you with real life details, why don't I just let you get on with the story ya? ::grin::

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The Student, The Typhoon, and The Closet

**Chapter 12**

The walk home from the bus stop that day was peacefully pleasant. It amazed me how different this walk was from the few times I had walked that route with Vash before. Usually, he was full of questions and amazement, always asking why so many houses were so close together, how we had gotten so many trees and flowers to grow, why we had paved sand, dirt, and grass with "those little black rocks". But today he was quiet, as though he was thinking hard about something very important. For once I could hear birds singing their sweet yet neverending melody. It was heavenly.

For about five seconds anyway.

I was not used to silence, six years of band (and counting) had taught my ears to revel in every loud and obnoxious cymbal crash, bass beat, and trumpet flare. I found it difficult to even think straight unless there was noise of some sort going on around me. I was in desperate need of something, anything to distract me from the quiet of the afternoon. So, music freak that I am, I began to hum.

Of course, being in a choir, I wasn't the kind to be content with simply humming for long, and after a minute or so I found myself singing softly.

"What's that you're singing?" came Vash's curious voice.

I suddenly felt very sheepish, "Er… just a song I learned in class one day…"

"Sounds kinda nice."

I smiled slightly, "Well, I think it's pretty. Besides, the chorus sort of fits my mood at present." He glanced down at me with one of his adorably innocent smiles, and in an instant I knew what he was going to ask.

"You were singing too soft for me to hear the words."

Damn… I sighed slightly and raised one eyebrow in a playful expression. "I suppose you want me to sing it for you then?"

Suddenly the brave Vash the Stampede was very interested in looking at the trees ahead of us on the path.

Sighing once more, I took a deep breath…

"My life flows on, in endless song,

above earth's lamentation.

I hear the real, though far off hymn,

that hails a new creation.

Above the tumult and the strife,

I hear it's music ringing.

It sounds an echo in my soul.

How can I keep from singing?"

We had stopped walking once I began to sing, mainly because I closed my eyes. Oh sure, I could stand before thousands of people in a packed theater and sing a solo with nothing but a track to back me up, and I had done exactly that more than once. But sing for an audience of one? A capella?? In my mind, that was far more frightening than a large crowd of strangers, especially when the opinion of the one person who's listening actually matters to me..

"That's really pretty." he said softly.

I fought of a blush, never having been one who took compliments well. "Thanks."

"Liz?"

"Yea?"

"You can open your eyes now…"

I blinked, right. Forgot I closed them… Glancing up at him I realized he was trying very hard not to laugh at me. Though my insecurities made me doubt the only thing he found amusing was that my eyes had been closed. "Quiet you." I told him, pouting slightly.

"I didn't say anything!" he whined.

"Yeah, but I can hear you thinking." I retorted, never missing a beat. "Come on." I said, beginning to lead us once more towards my house.

"No you can't!"

"Of course I can, for I am the mighty Liz, she who knows all." I declared, adding quickly, "Or something like that anyway…"

He grinned at me and laughed a little, "Alright, then prove it. What am I thinking now?"

I made a great show of standing up on my tiptoes, trying to get to eye to eye with the gunman. Of course, it didn't help my pride any when he bent his knees slightly and met me half way.

"You're thinking that I'm short." I deduced logically.

"Nope!" he declared happily. "See? I told you you couldn't read my mind!"

I rolled my eyes as we continued on our way, the blue door of my house now in sight. "Fine, then what were you thinking?"

"I was wondering why you don't sing more often." he admitted.

I gave him a curious look, "I sing all the time."

He shook his head, "Not in front of me."

I blushed slightly, "I… I'm not used to singing in front of people… Well, not when I care about what they think of me anyway. I guess I'm just a little self concious of it."

This time he was the one with the questioning look, "Then why'd you start singing just now?"

I grinned slightly, "Because I'm in a good mood, and it was too quiet for me. You weren't talking and I needed something to fill the silence."

He chuckled, "You know, you're the second person I've met who sings when they're happy."

I grinned a little brighter, "Yeah, but Rem sang better than I do."

Vash shot me an amused glance, "It really isn't fair you know, you knowing everything about me and all."

"Well, I already told you a lot about me. When you think of more questions, I'll give you more answers." replied, unlocking the front door and stepping inside, knowing he would follow.

Behind me I heard him laugh a little, "Then I guess I'll have to think about what I want the answer to."

"How about the answer to life, the universe, and everything?" I said, turning to face him.

"You know that? Really??"

"Sure. It's practically common knowledge here."

"What is it??"

"Forty-two."

The utterly confused look on his face was all it took to make my day even better.

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A/N: Here's hoping it won't take me so long for the next one, eh? ::grin:: Though I don't think it will. Acknowledgements will come with the next one.