So I have an inkling desire to turn this into more than a one-shot =O ::GASP:: But I think I have a clear idea of where this is headed. But we'll see... Anyways this is POST RFB and although I personally think Spike died the end of the series, this is also a good alternative =D. So read. Tell me if you loved it, liked it, or hated it. I can't get anywhere if I don't have directions.
I don't own Cowboy Bebop...
Spike knew that everything Faye did was a performance. A loud obnoxious show, the lights red and yellow and green, flashing like the gaudy ones in Vegas. He knew that as soon as she walked in a room, bells and whistles would start going off to announce her presence. She'd walk in, her boots clacking annoyingly, her mouth spewing curses and shouts of how much she hated being on this goddamn ship. He knew it was all an act.
One night as he attempted to sleep, he'd heard it. It was barely audible even to his ears. But he'd seen and heard enough of it in his time to know that she was crying. Against his better judgment he sauntered on over to where the sound was coming from. And sure enough there she was. Faye Valentine in all her glory, sitting on the dirty kitchen floor. Her head resting on her knees, hands tangled in her violet silky hair. At first Spike thought she was wasted, she had to be or else she wouldn't be breaking down in the kitchen where anyone could stumble upon her. Her sobs were quiet and she hiccupped ever now and then. He didn't know what to do, Spike wasn't the best at dealing with emotions especially those that weren't his. But he couldn't just leave her like that.
"You alright?" he asked after eons of staring like an idiot.
She stirred as if she hadn't heard him. Maybe she was too deep in her sadness that she couldn't hear him. Something he knew all about.
"Faye? You ok?" and for some reason he couldn't remember why he was even bothering, she would probably just get up and call him an asshole or hit him and stomp off. But the way she raised her head and looked at him. Well he couldn't help but stare. Something about her current misery made her extremely beautiful in a fucked up kind of way. Maybe she reminded him of someone, he didn't know. Her face was clean of that increasingly bright make up she always wore, her bangs free, little hairs sticking to her face. Her eyes were wet and glassy, her face red and splotchy from all that crying, her lips pouting like a little kid. He then noticed just how tiny she actually was, for someone who was always flailing arms and limbs, screeching like there was no tomorrow, sitting there on the floor made her look like a child.
"I---I'm fine" she whimpered her lower lip trembling to stay put.
"Come on then, no use crying" he said stepping closer to her, Christ she really did look a kid, all wide eyed and innocent. He extended a hand towards her which she hesitantly took, helping her stand up.
"Thanks" she whispered and quickly left the kitchen. Leaving him in a foolish stupor. What the fuck had just happened?. He always knew women were weird, especially the ones with an attitude. But this really was too much. He went after her, following to her room.
"Faye?" he asked, lightly tapping on the door.
"Faye, come on open up" he heard the muted sounds of her bare feet padding towards the door. The door hissed open, revealing a desolate Faye Valentine. Apparently she'd decided to rid herself of that tiny get-up she called clothes, and Spike was pleasantly surprised to find her in black panties and one of his old t-shirts. And apparently she didn't give a damn who saw her, because currently she wasn't making an attempt to hide her panty-wearing ass.
"That's my shirt" he pointed out. She wore it well.
"I know- it's just when you left…"
"You ransacked my room?" he raised an eyebrow. She scowled and went to sit on her bed.
"What do you want Spike?" she sighed, "If you're here to make fun of me then you can just go to hell" she attempted to insult him, but it came out lacking that Valentine ardor she was so good at spewing.
"I just wanted to see if you were ok" he admitted. And for the most part it was true, but really Spike just wanted to see what had caused the mighty Faye Valentine to cry. "You seemed pretty bad" he stared at her, watching the mask she always wore slowly crumble before his eyes. Jet had warned him that ever since her memories came flooding back, she just wasn't the same. 'Don't push her over the edge Spike' Jet had scolded, Jesus Christ he was acting all parental. Faye should come with a disclaimer. Caution! Handle with care.
She bit her lip "The coffee made me cry."
"What?" he asked incredulously, "The coffee made you cry?" Maybe it was time for Faye to visit a doctor, this wasn't healthy behavior.
She nodded, "My dad use to love the stuff" she was picking at the hem of his shirt; she looked nervous. "He use to drink it all the time… The smell reminded me of him" she said shakily. He walked towards the bed, understanding. He use to have the same shit happen to him all the time. A flash of blonde hair, or the smell of gardenias would make him pissy and moody the whole day.
"I don't know what to do" she was crying again, "I remember everything, but they're just memories…I can never go back to that anymore" her little shoulders shook with each sob, she was a little girl again. He sat next to her, and did the only thing he could think of. He pulled her into his lap, wrapping his wiry arms around her tiny frame. He'd seen Mao do the same thing with his toddler granddaughter after she fell off a bike.
"Shh… It's ok" he soothed, running a hand along her back. Seeing her crying like that, made something inside him snap. She shouldn't be so fucked up like this. Once upon a time Faye had a father, a mother, and possibly siblings who loved her very much. She'd been a privileged girl with her whole life ahead of her; 'till fate screwed her over. And now she was stuck with two losers with enough problems to fill up a whole stadium. It wasn't fair, and even Spike had enough sense to know it.
She cried for a long time, periodically making remarks about how much she loved her daddy, and how she wished she hadn't turned out such a fuck up but gradually her sobs diminished. Making way for little sighs and hiccups, that reminded Spike too much of his kid sister. She was still nestled against his chest, her long legs folded against her body when he spoke again.
"You ok?" he asked for the millionth time, running his hand through her hair. It was almost shoulder length now, and felt like spun silk in his calloused hands. She nodded.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" she asked, her big green eyes looking at him with all the vulnerability of a broken girl. And it took all the self-restraint Spike never knew he had to not kiss her silly. He shrugged, "I felt like being nice 's all" and again he was being truthful. The recent near-death experience was working wonders! Everyone should try it, it's cheaper than therapy.
"Thank you" she spoke softly, her unruly bangs covering her eyes. Quickly she lifted her head and planted a quick kiss on his cheek, he didn't fail to notice the way her cheeks blushed as she scrambled her way out of his lap. It was cute, and completely startling. Spike was beginning to like her even more. He made a move to stand up, but her hand swiftly made a grab at his wrist.
"I'm not going anywhere" he chuckled, looking at her over his shoulder. "I don't like sleeping in it" he said, pointing to his wrinkled suit. She let go, and he stood. Unbuttoning his shirt as he looked her over, his pretty little Faye. She probably didn't know it yet, but he was slowly sinking his teeth into her. It was only a matter of time before either would notice. His shirt slid off his arms dropping to the floor, his hand deftly unbuckled his belt; and he wondered how long it'd been since someone watched him undress. Too long, perhaps. His pants came off with great ease, leaving him in his gray boxers and undershirt. She moved towards the other end of the bed as he lay down, only to be brought up against him once he found the right position. Her breath was warm against his neck as he pulled the covers over both of them. Her eyes looking on curiously. Finally he settled peacefully, laying on his back; Faye against his chest. He closed his eyes and tried going to sleep, but of course she didn't. He could feel her eyes watching him.
"Go to sleep" he said, his voice groggy with sleep. Something in the way he said it, must have clicked; because just then she lay her head against him. Her breathing coming out evenly. Too bad he couldn't asleep anymore.