Planet Gunsmoke

Milly sniffed, and Sister Mary sighed "Well the reason there was no record of marriage was because there isn't a marriage. The child was conceived out of wedlock Father, Nicholas has been in my care for sometime like I said before he's like a son to me. But he is well known for hardheadedness and living his life by the gun.

I'm afraid to tell you this father but young Nicholas was a priest of the Church of the Gung Ho Guns as was I at one time. I believe the sect has dissolved in these past few months, but I have no reason to lie to you father. Nicholas has not always made good choices in his life, but him being with this young woman was not one of them. She smiled at Milly, Milly looked at the Father with teary eyes "So he really doesn't remember anything Father" she asked with a quiver in her voice.

"I'm afraid so my child.'' said father Ezekiel with great sympathy. '' The lord god has guided me here for a great number of reasons It seem. We will remain here. I scene there is much work that needs to be done. It may take time. But with Prayer and Faith perhaps the lord will see fit to return that which is lost to Brother Wolfwood.'' he slowly pats milly's hands '' Faith my child, have faith.''

Vash shook his head in disbelief. '' Pissh....'' he hissed outta the corner of his mouth. Ezekiel looked sternly at vash. " Perhaps I could also be of some service to you for you also seem to be wary from much toyal.'' Vash shot a glance at the old bishop. '' No offence Father. But my problems are a bit beyond you comprehension.'' Vash turned and walked outta the Orphanage. '' Hummf perhaps.....perhaps not my son.'' mumbled Father Ezekiel.

Vash Walked back into the house and handed the darenger back to Merly then sat down at the couch and told her everything about what had happened Includeding details about wolfwood. ''.....and also that bishop had the Gul to think he can help me with my issuses. There's nothing wrong with me. I'm just busy thats all I mean who else can stop Knives.''

Meryl stood there and smiled then sat next to Vash,"Well you know what I don't know if it was God or what. But you were out of this house all morning, I went up and fed him and everything and nothing same old Knives. But there was a change in someone" she looked him in the eyes and smiled. "You went and helped Milly today without a thought of whether Knives was going to wake up and destroy the world. I'm proud of you Vash." she said.

Milly sat on the couch as sister Mary prodded the bandits as they repaired the damage they had wrought. After they were gone of course without weapons or cash, the old nun stepped out on the porch where Wolfwood was leaning against a post. She smiled and put her hand on his shoulder, "You may not remember me son but I know you very well. I cleaned many a scraped knee and black eyes of yours" she said. "The one thing I ask of you not for my sake but for that beautiful young woman in there, who's confused and crying her eyes out. Please just talk to her at least, she used to be very important to you" she sighed and knew that was allot to be asking after everything "In the end it's your choice whether you want to remember her or not. But just talk to her and try to ease her mind, you may find what your looking for", she walked away leaving Wolfwood to his thoughts.

###

"Knives sit up a little for me, you need to eat" Knives felt himself helped into a sitting position, small soft hands. The taste of milk mixed with something else Knives let the flavors mingle in his mouth and the food slide down his throat into his stomach. Her voice was pleasant to the ears, different then listening to Vash babble all the time about everything. He heard the wound of the chair across the room move and sit next to the bed. "Listen I don't know if you hear me or not Knives and I don't know what you think about humans or other wise anymore. But all I ask is that you... be kind to Vash when you wake up. He didn't have to let you live and frankly I think your a lucky being to have a brother like him. But I can't let you hurt him anymore... it tears me up inside to see him the way he is". Knives continued to sit there and listen to this woman's voice that sounded so familiar even though he had never heard it before. "She must really care for him" he thought to himself "She reminds me of Rem" for a moment his vision cleared and he could see, she had just sat there sewing something. Shoulder length dark hair, she was much shorter than Rem had been, but she had that air of caring that Rem had. He could see why his brother was in love with her, "I've taken her away from him once what kind of brother would I be if I did that again' his vision faded again and he found himself in the nothingness again. "I'm alone with my shame again I assume" he just sat there once again Rem appeared in the distance once again.

vash looked down at the floor. '' Meryl I think its time......I think its time that went back to that creator that me and knives Burned in the world with our angle arms a....and.'' he said in a quivery voice. '' I need those guns back. our.....sibling Knives called them. The black and silver gun's but I need to leave Knives here. Alone with all of you here.....and venerable.....a...and if he wakes up and something terrible. but I need those weapons.

Wolfwood watched as Sister marry left. Wolfwood sighed and put out the cigerett on the heal of his boot and walked back inside milly was sitting there crying. Wolfwood put his hands in his pockets. '' uh.....hay....uh how-uh.....hows it going.'' said wolfwood as he looked at the ground. Ezekiel looked at wolfwood and stood up . ''I should take my leave.'' Ezekiel walks outta the room. " no wait father I....uggghh.'' wolfwood groan's

Milly looked up and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "Hello Mr Priest... I'm fine" she watched as he struggled when Father Ezekiel left. She didn't want him to feel bad and she knew that Sister Mary had said something to him about her. "Listen... you don't have to do anything", she struggled to stand up from the couch placing her hand against the back of the couch and easing herself up. "It's not like you remember anyway so its alright you... you.. can do whatever you like. I don't want you to worry you've already lost so much" she tired to not let her voice crack when the words she said came out of her mouth. She smiled and started to leave the room but stopped in the doorway "Im just so happy to see that your alright".

Meryl nodded, "Don't worry I'll take care of Knives Vash and maybe we can get Wolfwood to help us if something bad happens. He may not remember us but..." she stopped she wondered how Milly was doing right now. "But maybe he'll help if we need it" she said.

Wolfwood watched her leave. " Damn whats with everyone. There all worked up over me.'' Wolfwood sat on the couch. '' aw damn it. come on Nick you can rember something right.'' he mumbled. '' okay think... the kids...back then now was this the same place...No it can't could it...maybe...damn its so hard the think....and would it kill her to call me by my name for a change after all we....what the hell... Ugh..'' his head begin to throb as the sound gun shots and filled his head and a pleging image of a man in black where goggles


Vash looked at Meryl through his yellow sunglasses. '' uhhh...actually I was thinking If you would come with me. uhhh but if your too dangerous. I could go alone. But I was thinking that Marry could stay and look after Knives and Uh....well. You know what forget its my problem and I shouldn't put you in danger

"Uh me..." Meryl looked down at the floor for a moment she'd never thought that he would want her to come along. She had followed him around for years making sure he didn't blow up another city, she never expected that he would want her company. "You really want me to come with you.." she thought some more. She bit her lip and looked up at him, "Okay Vash I'll go, besides you need me to keep you out of trouble".

Milly stood next to Father Ezekiel "Father I'd like to invite you and Ni... I mean Mr Wolfwood over for diner tonight. I also offer you a place to stay I have an extra room at my house and I'm sure they'll be enough room for you both there. Father I don't care if he remembers me right now but just have him back makes my heart lighter. Maybe someday he will remember and he'll be able to have a relationship with his child." she smiled at the kind Priest. "I also want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring for him and even though you didn't know you were, bringing him back to me".

Father Ezekiel Nodded. '' We would be delighted to accept your gracious invitation, And try not to give up. I know you want your companion back fully. You must not settle with just having him here in person. I Theorize that if Wolfwood is to regain his complete memory you must reach out to him attempt to draw out the his memories. You spend so much time helping other. That you neglect the things you desire most.'' Consoles father Ezekiel

vash goes and get stuff ready to leave. but not before passing knives's room. '' Knives.....god Knives I wish you could hear me. hay look i'm going after the guns. I..I left when Brought you here. but I need mine now, and I'm sure you want yours back.....'' he sighed. '' look knives I can't take care of you forever. In fact....I don't think I even want to anymore. I know It would've made Rem sad. She probably beg me to keep looking after you....but I can't. So i'm leaving for a wile....I'll y'know bring your gun back....so um..yeah.'' vash looked at knives. ''ohh whats the use.'' then he moved on to his room

Meryl begins to pack her things hoping the Milly will be able to care for Knives during her absents . She puts on her white dress boots and her cape lined with her derringers. As she comes down the stairs Milly a priest and... Wolfwood come through the door. Meryl sighed and put her suitcase down "Milly I need to talk to you"

Milly walked in the door she hadn't said anything since Father Ezekiel had agreed to come and stay at her house. When Meryl told her she need to talk to her, Milly could see the surprise in Meryl's eyes when she saw Nicholas walk in. Milly nodded "Sure thing Meryl".

Meryl took her aside on the front porch, "Wow he really is alive it's amazing leave it to Vash to assume someone is dead just because he doesn't see him." she hoped that Milly wasn't feeling too down because Wolfwood didn't remember her. "Milly I'm letting you know that Vash and I are leaving he has something he needs to find and well he asked me to go with him and I said that I would. But that leaves you to take care of Knives... If he does anything that puts you in harm... kill him" said Meryl quietly trying not to let the priest and Wolfwood hear her.

Milly swallowed hard when she heard that she would taking care of Knives, but she was also happy for Meryl to be able to have some time with Vash to herself. She knew that her friend was in love with Vash and way too stubborn to admit it fully, this would give her the opportunity to get through to herself and to Vash. But Knives was another dilemma, Milly can say that she doesn't typically hate someone but... for sure she hated Knives. But for her friends she would do this thing and like Meryl sad if anything goes wrong, to not hesitate. There was a difference between killing someone out of spite and killing someone because they're trying to kill you. "I can do it Meryl don't you worry besides, Father Ezekiel and..." she paused and turned to look at Nicholas; "and Mr Wolfwood are staying here was well, so I wont be alone with Knives".

Meryl sighed with relief it was nice to know that the men were staying along for awhile, and maybe it would Wolfwoods mind some more time to heal. "Thats good you still have the Punisher in your room right?" she asked quietly.

Milly nodded "Yes it's in my closet"

"Take it out and put it somewhere you can get to it quickly if you need to" said Meryl putting her hands on her shoulders.

Milly nodded and put her arms around Meryl, "I wish you the best Meryl and you two hurry home soon".

Meryl nodded and went over to the priest "I believe Milly said your name was Father Ezekiel it's a pleasure to meet you, and Nick even though you dont remember me I'm glad to see you".

Father Ezekiel Nodded to Meryl. '' and you my dear.'' Wolfwood just shrugged. ''Yeah that's what everyone is telling me.'' Then he looked up to see vash coming down the stares. Vash and Wolfwood just stood there exchanging glance's. Finally Wolfwood just says. " why dose looking at you. Just annoy me.''

Vash smirked. '' I don't know maybe you should ask yourself that question Wolfwood.'' Vash continues to walk to the door. '' come on Meryl its time to go.'' vash walks out to the car the stops to look at knives bedroom window. He clenched his fist and girted his teeth feeling unsure weather he should go through with leaving everyone with knives should he wake up. the he saw meryl and just got in the car with out looking at her.


Wolfwood watched out the door as meryl and vash got in the car. Then turned to father Ezekiel. " Father is this really necessary I mean staying here with these people I mean I just don't like it here. I don't I don't know anything here but everyone else know everything about me.'' father Ezekiel placed his hand on wolfwood's shoulder.
'' calm yourself brother. come let us play a game of chest shall we.'' wolfwood pushes Ezekiel hand off his shoulder. '' THIS JUST CAN'T JUST BE WISED WAY BY A FREAK EN BORED GAME DAMN IT." wolfwood shouts as he storms outta the house.

Father Ezekiel Nodded to Meryl. '' and you my dear.'' Wolfwood just shrugged. ''Yeah that's what everyone is telling me.'' Then he looked up to see vash coming down the stares. Vash and Wolfwood just stood there exchanging glance's. Finally Wolfwood just says. " why dose looking at you. Just annoy me.''

Vash smirked. '' I don't know maybe you should ask yourself that question Wolfwood.'' Vash continues to walk to the door. '' come on Meryl its time to go.'' vash walks out to the car the stops to look at knives bedroom window. He clenched his fist and girted his teeth feeling unsure weather he should go through with leaving everyone with knives should he wake up. the he saw meryl and just got in the car with out looking at her.


Wolfwood watched out the door as meryl and vash got in the car. Then turned to father Ezekiel. " Father is this really necessary I mean staying here with these people I mean I just don't like it here. I don't I don't know anything here but everyone else know everything about me.'' father Ezekiel placed his hand on wolfwood's shoulder.
'' calm yourself brother. come let us play a game of chest shall we.'' wolfwood pushes Ezekiel hand off his shoulder. '' THIS JUST CAN'T JUST BE WISED WAY BY A FREAK EN BORED GAME DAMN IT." wolfwood shouts as he storms outta the house.

Milly jumped when Nicholas yelled "I'll make you something to eat" she said as she headed to the kitchen. Soon a plate full of sandwiches was sitting on the table. Milly was never as good a cook as Meryl was but she could make some pretty tasty sandwiches. "Here father help yourself". She sat down on a chair at the chess table and sat and waited for Nicholas to return.

Wolfwood went into the nearest saloon and sat at the bar stool scratching his head '' bar tender Give me something strong, I Don't know who I am and at the moment I don't really care. so line'em up.''


Vash and Meryl where now on the rode to where Him and knives had they'er final dual. the wind blew Vash's long hair outta his face. so for once he looked some what normal. The way seemed all too familiar considering last time he walked it carrying knives on his back. '' feels so strange....going back to it all.'' vash said. Vash still remembered the whole intire fight as if it where yesterday. The blue Turned red from the power of the angle arms, the one single tree that sprouting out. instantly demolished as Knives an Vash's tremendous power's clashed

Meryl looked over at Vash he seemed to be... happy she hadn't seen this side of him in what seemed like forever. It would take them several day to get to their destination, with stops along the way, but she was glad to be with him. "Vash what are you planning to do once you get the guns back, and why go back for them".

A large bosom'd girl poured up a shot infront of Wolfwood, she leaned down on the bar and you could see down her tight fitting shirt all the way to July. "You look like a man with allot on his mind penny for your thoughts" she leaned in closer "Maybe I can help you forget, other then just slinging shots at ya".

Wolfwood chucked. '' More like stuff missing from my mind, Your Talking to a man who everyone in this town know's everything about. But the man knows nothing about himself. Try and fix that Sweet cheeks.'' he said as he took a swig. " That house is full of people that seem to know everything about me. but how what did i hold that place in a hold up or something. that pregant women looks at me she just started crying. What did I do in the freak en past to upset someone like that.

Vash kept his eye's forward. '' Its the only weapon I'm capable of using properly. I need it if I'm going to better defend everyone I'm gonna find them and remove the primary core that activates the angle arm function. I don't suppose I'm making much scene right now.

Wolfwood chucked. '' More like stuff missing from my mind, Your Talking to a man who everyone in this town know's everything about. But the man knows nothing about himself. Try and fix that Sweet cheeks.'' he said as he took a swig. " That house is full of people that seem to know everything about me. but how what did i hold that place in a hold up or something. that pregant women looks at me she just started crying. What did I do in the freak en past to upset someone like that.

Vash kept his eye's forward. '' Its the only weapon I'm capable of using properly. I need it if I'm going to better defend everyone I'm gonna find them and remove the primary core that activates the angle arm function. I don't suppose I'm making much scene right now.

Meryl smiled "No I don't understand but that doesn't matter" the moon and stars were wizzing by and she could feel sleep starting to catch up to her. She yawned leaned over and laid her head on Vash's shoulder. "Wake me up when we get to the next town will you Vash".

The bar keep girl laughed "Well mister I don't know ya, but I'd sure like to", she licked her lips and smiled. When he talked about the pregnant girl and her crying when she saw him, "Hmm well pregnant girls will cry over just about anything, when they're happy or sad hormones out of wack and all. Maybe you to had something before you lost your mind" she winked. "Sounds awfully romantic if you ask me".

'' Romantic Yeah right... do I look like the romantic type hardly. I just.....wish I could remember something.....anything.'' he said Knocking back another drink. He was fully aware that this random bar chick was trying to get some, and obviously his story wasn't boring enough to her.

Vash kinda Jumped when Meryl laid her head on his should he tried to stay quite till they reached the next town. when they did vash pulled into to the nearest inn. he wakes up meryl. they walk into the in. on the wall though was a famed old vash the stamped wanted poster. so vash kinda hide his face in his hair

The girl smiled again "Are you sure your really want to remember, men who drink like your doin typically don't want to remember nothin. Maybe you should head home to your little woman so you might remember somethin". "Ruby stop trollin and pay attention to the other customers orders too", she rolled her eyes and went to another man at the bar.

Meryl walked up to the counter the old elderly woman at the counter smiled "Should I get you lovely couple a room".

Wolfwood got up '' Well this was helpful...'' Wolfwood walked outta the saloon it was getting late so he reluctantly went back to the House to go lay down and go to bed. he started walking up to the house and milly was still sitting out side on the porch probably waiting for him.

Vash ignored the lovely couple comment not makeing eye contact with the old women. this had really been the first time he's been out sence the reported death of vash the stamped and he wasn't sure if he didn't stand out as well as he did

Milly stood up when he walked up to the porch, "I'm sorry I shouldn't have put this all on you so soon. I just wanted you to have a place to stay thats all. Theres some sandwiches made up in the fridge if your hungry. Father Ezekiel has already gone to bed for the night. If you need anything just let me know. I told the father he could sleep on the bed in the room and there's a cot in the corner for you if you don't mind too much". She went to turn back into the house "Good night Mr. Wolfwood".

"Yes a room would be lovely one with two beds though: said Meryl. The old lady smiled and nodded then handed a key to Meryl here you go dear and sorry about the couple comment I didn't know". Meryl smiled "Oh it's alright I don't mind, come on Ericks lets go get some rest we'll need to be leaving early in the morning. Do you know where we can pick up some fuel for our car that will be open in the morning?" she asked. The old woman nodded her head "Yes theres a station in town I think it opens up about 6am there's also a diner attached so you can get you bite to eat if you'd like as well" said the woman. "Thank you so much for the help" said Meryl as went to go find the room.

Wolfwood just shrugged. " ah forget about it...I was being an ass. So yeah....later.'' Wolfwood went to the kitchen and open the fridge to find the sandwich's. he went to pick him up and it suddenly remember. " wait an minute. These sandwiches. I've had them before.....It was right before I......I....ah....come on, last time I had these I was about to do something.'' Wolfwood put the sandwiches on the table. '' God I'm tired of this What's the use everywhere I turn there is something that reminds me of something else. What if I didn't like what i was before.'' before he realized it he had fallen asleep right there at the kitchen table. both from booze and frustration.

vash walked in the room and there sat two beds. Vash looked at meryl.'' uhh its kinda small. I'll go ahead and walk out if you wanna change into you pajamas's.'' vash began to walk to give Meryl privacy.

Meryl yawned "Its alright I'm too tired right now, I'll just sleep in my dress" she said as she draped her cape over one of the chairs. She threw part of the covers to the side and crawled into the bed. "Good night Vash" she said as she pulled the covers over her.

Vash turned the light out and Laid in the bed staring up at the ceiling as a small fan rotated. then memories of him fighting Knives back in that desert. one of the things that stuck out was when knives said '' Your not a human being, your a plant. Your a superior being.'' he looked at the palm of his hand and whispered.

" Your not a human being.'' he clenched his fist. '' Your going back there Vash the Stamped.'' then he turned to look at meryl sleeping calmly.'' how can she have so much faith that knives will change. After Everything he's done. how can she be so sure.'' Vash kept thinking till he finally drifted to sleep

Milly woke in the middle of the night with a start, she grabbed her house coat and headed downstairs to get a drink of water. When she got into the kitchen she smiled. Nicholas had fallen asleep at the kitchen table, she shook her head, and then walked up to him she gently brushed a piece of hair out of his face. He was just as she remembered her, the lines of his face, his lips, how she wanted just take him in her arms and kiss him. Like they did in the fairy tales but just the other way around, she leaned in and whispered in his ear "Nicholas... why don't you go to bed dear" she said as she gently caressed his back. "Here I'll help you up", she took his hand in hers.