Author: kur0nek0sama
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, angst
Summary: Post TRFP. 99% dialogue. Spike's survived, and there is so much to be said after his return... but who'll be the first to speak? ONE-SHOT, will not be continued!
Thought-speech is in italics. Confused? It'll make sense eventually.
.....
"Where are we?"
"Why am I still alive?"
"En route to Jupiter. You've been out for almost a week."
"We didn't think you'd make it through surgery."
"Why are you here?"
"It's good to see you..."
"Oh, I was just checking your bandages... I'm sorry if I woke you..." Her green eyes settled on his bruised face for a brief moment before she stood up.
"I've been by your side all week."
"No, you can stay. For a while, anyway."
"Thanks, Faye."
She gingerly sat back down, her hands clasped in her lap.
"So..." She stifled a yawn behind the back of her hand, and stretched out her legs in front of her. "You're healing up nicely. Like that's anything new."
"Even heroes need to bleed, Spike."
His mismatched eyes locked with hers. She looked exhausted. Spike guessed she hadn't slept in days, judging from the smudged makeup and tousled hair. And yet, here she was, sitting with him and talking his ear off like nothing was out of the ordinary.
"You look like you've been missing out on your beauty sleep, Faye."
"You look like hell."
She rolled her eyes and examined a chipped fingernail. "Yeah, pampering myself asn't exactly been at the top of my list of priorities lately."
"That's because I haven't had a decent night's sleep since we found you."
"Oh."
"You were that worried about me?"
Faye pushed her messy hair out of her eyes and put a cigarette to her lips. "So, are you ever going to tell me what happened?"
"Did you find what you were looking for? Are you 'alive,' Spike? Was all the worrying, grieving, and panicking on our part worth your miraculous 'epiphany?'"
"Doubtful."
"Life is just a dream, you know. I had to die twice to see that."
She took another drag of her cig. "Lunkhead."
"Spike?"
"Shrew."
"Yeah?"
She sighed and looked at him. "Things are going to be different now."
"I have something I need to tell you."
"How so?" he asked her, carefully turning his head to meet her gaze.
"Hm?"
"Ed's gone. I've got my memories back. You're... here. And Jet... Well, Jet's still Jet. But it's going to be different with just the three of us."
"I think I've fallen in love with you."
"You mean you're going to stay here? With us? You and your constant whining and bitching and all-around bothering?"
"I know."
"I've got nowhere else to go. I asked Jet if I could hang around for a bit longer until I decide what to do... He said I was welcome to stay." Pause. "But if you really want me gone... I can leave. I'm good at that."
"And?"
Spike shrugged, a painful movement for his bandaged body. "It's up to you."
"Just don't wait for me."
~ FIN