Dreamer: It's me again! Ok, since I promised to update this week and I got such encouraging reviews from my readers… I have written this up as quickly as possible! Thanx to everyone who reviewed, especially Usako, whose reviews were very long and helpful! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: Hmmm… I don't own it yet, but as soon as I take over the world… Cowboy Bebop will be MINE!!! Just Kidding. I don't own Cowboy Bebop and unless Bandai/ Sunrise Inc. want to give it to me… I never will! *cries in the background*
** **=Flash backs
* *= Poem words
" "= Speaking
' '= Thoughts
~~~~~~WildFire~~~~~~
~~~~~~Searching the Stars~~~~~~
Have you ever wondered why we always have dramatic
dreams at night, as we sleep? At night, when the stars
are shining mysteriously above us? What if the stars hold
the key to our dreams? How far would you travel to find out?
~~~~~~~
Spike shifted uncomfortably in his sweaty seat. It was burning hot as they entered the atmosphere, and having Faye leaning heavily against him wasn't helping. Normally he was have just shoved her off him, waking her and accepting the consequences of shrew girl's outrage. But not today. She was sleeping soundly, her head rested daintily upon his shoulder, her hair tickling the side of his neck. Sweat pored down his forehead, slipping hazily into his eye. Spike just gave a weary smile. He didn't have the heart or the strength to rudely wake her from her slumber, as he fantasized. Man he was getting soft.
Faye mumbled something incoherent as they landed roughly on the rocky ground. She started to fall drearily into the control panel, but Spike noticed, quickly caught her and pulled her back softly to her original position. Faye peeked open an eye and spied on him from his shoulder. She smirked amusedly when he finally peered down at her, startled. "I was awake lunkhead." She mused simply, watching curiously as a slight pink tint appeared on his face, but disappeared just as quickly. "Was that a blush?" Faye taunted with an evil grin. Spike glowered down at her and then with a sly smile, flipped a switch on the control panel. Faye yelped instinctively as the cockpit opened and she fell out, flailing her arms wildly.
Spike jumped out cockily beside Faye, who was now sitting on her rear, fuming in rage, on the sidewalk. He glanced down at her, then making sure he had her attention, gave her a quick grin and started to walk victoriously toward some buildings not too far away. Faye stealthily grabbed a pebble and fired it at his head. He turned around just as it was about to hit him and caught it in his hand. Tauntingly pulling a lighter out of his pocket, Spike lit a cigarette and blew a thick stream of smoke in Faye's direction. Then, without another word, he swirled back around and resumed his walk toward the broken down buildings.
Faye dramatically rose to her feet, clenching her fists and narrowing her eyes. "Oh, you're so gonna get it Fro Boy!" Faye muttered at his back, and then stumbled along after him, already planning how she would get him back.
~~~~~~
They had been wandering around the city for hours, hours that had been spent in almost undisturbed silence. Faye was starting to get hungry, and more than a little irritated. She had walked at least 15 miles in the past few hours, in a city that she didn't even know the name of. She had attempted to ask Spike moments before, but he had just waved her off, waved her off like she was nothing more than a fly. What gave him the right? What gave him the freaking right to ignore her like she was nothing? He was the one who had kidnapped her and brought her there, and then dragged her around the stupid city without even an explanation. She had no idea where they were or even why and when she even tried to get a reasonable bit of information out of him, he just pretended like she wasn't even worth the time of day. Well screw him! She didn't need him! She didn't even know why she had agreed to come with the moron in the first place. He needed her? Yeah right! She didn't care if this guy had been in her dream. A dream was all it was. She was going to just ditch him and find a real life. She didn't have to follow him around like a little lost puppy. Not her.
Faye glanced up from her thoughts long enough to check that Spike still wasn't paying any attention to her. He seemed to be searching the buildings for something. Probably a name. What did she care? This guy just showed up one day and woke her from her cryo- whatever it was! She didn't even really know him and now he was taking her somewhere and acting like she didn't exist. 'Grrr… I need to go somewhere and think about this.' Faye realized suddenly. Here she was, with a complete stranger who obviously didn't give a damn about her. What was she doing? Had she lost her mind?
Faye was suddenly unexplainably afraid. It was true, she didn't know this man. For all she knew, he could be some killer who had been monitoring her dreams and just dressed like the man she dreamed about… maybe he was even a physic and he was the one who gave her the dream. Faye watched Spike nervously. He was totally oblivious to her fear and confusion, and just continued checking the fronts of the buildings still searching for whatever it was. A horrifying thought occurred to Faye, ' Maybe he is trying to find a place to kill me!' She had to get away from him.
She shifted her gaze around frantically, looking for a way to escape. Suddenly Spike muttered something under his breath and forgetting about her, ran over to a telephone booth and started flipping through the pages of a phone book. Faye saw her chance. She wasn't stupid. Moving as quietly as she could, Faye snuck into an alleyway, and then, with one last uncertain glance at Spike's shadowed form, she fled.
~~~~~~
Spike flipped quickly through the phone book. " C'mon! I know the CD Warehouse is in here somewhere!" He had been doing this for a couple of minutes now, just flipping through the directory pages looking for an address. Spike sighed. This wasn't working.
He had received a short message from one of his secure connections while Faye had been asleep during the flight. It stated simply:
**Spike,
The hacker Radical Edward was last seen on Venus, working in the abandoned CD Warehouse in Valice, the capital city. I don't know the exact address. But she is on the bottom floor. Good Luck. **
Spike shook his head, the source was reliable… there had to be an address in here somewhere. 'Finally.' Spike dredged as he spotted the address, '14th St. Good, now we can go find Ed… if she's still there.' Spike smiled tiredly and spoke without looking up from the page, " Ok, Faye. I found the address, we can go get Ed now…" Spike trailed off abruptly as he suddenly noticed that Faye was nowhere to be found. He jerked up, spinning around and darting looks around the deserted street. "Faye?" Spike called out into the shadows. No reply. Damn it! Where was she?!? Spike searched the area desperately until he spotted the alleyway, a lone red lipstick discarded carelessly, glinting in the moonlight. His eyes widened. "Faye…" He uttered, barely breathing. And then, without another thought, he raced into the alleyway, calling out her name.
~~~~~~
Faye finally stopped running, out of breath and exhausted. She had no idea how long it had been since she had fled from Spike will he was at the phone booth, all she knew was that she felt more lost than ever now. But she couldn't go back… she was strong and independent. She could survive without that man, a man who probably was going to kill her anyway.
Faye shook her head vigorously, trying to force the thought from her mind. He had seemed so nice, and even when he had started acting like she was nothing, she had gotten a subtle sense that he cared about her well-being. Yeah, sure he did. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at he sidewalk. Even in her dream he hadn't cared, he had just walked off and left her crying and shooting bullets into the ceiling, when the thing she needed most was for him to turn around and tell her he wasn't ever going to leave. Where had that come from? Faye clenched her teeth as she suppressed the question from her mind. Of course she was attached to him slightly… he was the only person in the entire universe that she actually knew. And she didn't even really know him… only a dream. He didn't care. She didn't know what he wanted from her, but she did know that he didn't care at all about her. And she didn't need to care about him either.
Shuffling quietly down the street, Faye stuffed her hands in her coat pockets as she continued her deep reflection. Feeling the coat's material, Faye glanced down at it, only to realize that she was still wearing Spike's brown trench coat. She foggily remembered him draping it over her after she had fainted. Tears rose to her eyes. She fought them with curses and cruel words, commanding herself to push them back. Faye didn't want to cry. Why should she? How would that help her or anyone else? How would that get her out of this situation?
She was wandering down a deserted street, forlorn and alone, with nothing but a worn trench coat to comfort her. That was right, alone with only a trench coat, his trench coat. A tear fell from her emerald eyes, shimmering as it slid down her face. Spike was all she had in the entire universe full of life and stars. He was all she had. She had no memories, no past and no one, but him alone to turn to when she felt lost. But she had run away from him. And why not? She asked herself bitterly. The man could be a murderer for all she knew. Just because he had taken care of her and protected her and was the only one she had any notion of, dream or reality, didn't mean that she should stay with him.
The tears that she had been fighting throughout these thoughts, finally broke free of her emotional chains, streaming down her face and reflecting every speck of pain and frustration that she could not over come. She needed him. Faye Valentine actually needed someone, but not just someone, she needed… him. And it was killing her. He was the only one who knew her, the only one who held anything for her future. She didn't even know herself! She needed him, needed him to be there for her and help her until she could find her life, and stand alone, without human aid. Needed him to help her find out who she was. And she had run away. One panicking thought and she had fled. Her, the untouchable shrew woman as 'he' put it. She suddenly realized it… Spike wasn't going to hurt her. He wasn't going to leave her, or kill her or anything. Because the truth was, he needed her as much as she needed him. He was just as lost as she was… and he was just looking for a way home too.
She had to find him, no matter how much it would hurt her pride and dignity, she needed to find him. He had promised to help her, he had promised to be there for her. And she needed him, she needed his help. All he asked in return was that she help him back. They were looking for the same thing… their lives. And they could help each other find them, they didn't have to be friends and stay together after that, but they needed to stick together until then. Faye turned around, tears still streaking her pale cheeks… she had to go back.
She stopped dead. Not 2 feet from her were 7 men, casually gripping silvery blades. "What's a matter honey? A pretty thing like you should be crying out in the middle of the night like this. But don't worry, we'll make you forget all about it." A tall, greasy man with sandy blond hair sneered, his eyes glinting with blunt malice. Faye glared from the one man, to the others, and then felt a large lump grow in her delicate throat. The men slowly came towards her, grinning demonically as the searched her hungrily. 'Please god, not now.' Faye prayed under her breath. Feeling doom sink in on her, Faye swiveled around and tore off into the night, the gang of cruel men close behind.
~~~~~~
Spike slowed his pace and intensely scanned the area. Every shadow, every stealthy movement seemed to catch Spike's eye. But still no Faye. He had been searching all over the city for 3 hours, just trying to find that stupid woman. His body started to tremble slightly under the anger rising savagely in his mind. Why had she left? Where was she?
Spike spun around and slammed his fist into the decaying wall of a building behind him, causing the entire structure to quake. He clenched his teeth together tightly as his body strained, trying irrationally to control his fury. That stupid slut! What did he care if sure was murdered or raped? It would be her own freaking fault. She was always like this. Even when he dreamed she had been like this! Always getting into trouble and then expecting Spike to come and save her. Not this time. He didn't need her. Who needed someone like that?
Spike brutally shoved his hands into his pocket and turned around; deciding to just walk back the way he came, find Ed and leave. Who cared about Faye? His hands clenched as he thought back to what he had told her.
** Spike gently put his arms around Faye and softly tried to quiet her. " Faye, It's ok now. I will help you; I will help you get back, if you want. But you're going to need to trust me and be willing to help me. I know that it must be hard for you, but you have to pull it together…"**
How could he have been so kind to her? He had saved her life, and comforted her when she needed him. How could she just run off and ditched him after all of that?!? Well, he didn't need her, and he didn't want her. All she had ever done was annoy and cheat him. She had never meant anything to him anyway! She was nothing but trouble. In fact, if he hadn't needed her to get back to his dream, then he wouldn't have wasted even a moment on her. She wasn't even worth it. But he didn't need her now. He could just go find Ed and then track down the Bebop. He would just ditch her, leave her alone and lost on this pathetic planet and go on with his life. And if he ever found his dream again, he would make sure that she knew just how much he despised her. That's right, he hated her. ' I hope you go to hell Faye.' Spike growled mentally.
Suddenly Spike halted, just staring absently at the object that had interrupted his thoughts. It was a small black cat, black as the night. It regarded him curiously, its eyes glinting in the moonlight. He just stared right back at it. Its sleek black fur and cute, soft face seemed to taunt him. Its eyes were so pure, an odd shimmering green that seemed to plead with him. It reminded him so much of Faye. It made him sick. His blood burned with heat as he thought once more about her. Spike glared at the cat in his rage. " Why don't you go find the wench? I'm sure she could teach you how to betray someone who showed you kindness!" Spike spat hostiley at the innocent kitten, then stalked off hotheadedly.
Spike strode into the street, still too caught up in his own emotions to notice the sturdy truck speeding toward him. Cursing Faye, Spike stopped to pick up the cig he had dropped on the cold road. Suddenly, a mouth-full of sharp, tiny teeth sank into his leg. He cried out in surprise and jumped up just in time to see the truck, almost on top of him. Spike leaped out of the way and the truck swerved, missing him by mere inches, then disappeared quickly down the solemn road. Spike took a moment, still laying face down in the gutter, to let his heart rate go back to normal. His breathing was labored as he started to pick himself up. Peering to the side, Spike started in surprise as he noticed the small, black kitten, sitting worriedly a few feet from him. Just as he realized that the kitten had saved his life, Spike watched it slowly turn around and pounce into the shadows of an alleyway, only letting him see it's prancing green eyes for a moment before slipping into the darkness. It was almost as if it was smirking, and then it was gone.
Spike stared into the darkness where it had disappeared for a silent moment. It still hadn't quite sunk in that he had just been saved by the mysteriously black kitten that he had cursed just seconds before. The cat that had reminded him of Faye. Spike swallowed slowly, a feeling of guilt burning the back of his mind. He was going to just leave her. There was more to that black cat than even he could see. It had been exactly like Faye, even its movements. Spike shook his head as an image surfaced in his mind. Faye. Standing with a gun in her hand, shooting at the ceiling, sobs wracking her small frame. Her greens orbs had been filled with so much pain.
Oh, god. His eyes stung. Behind everything he said and told himself, the truth couldn't be escaped. Not only did he need Faye, need her help and her memories, but he owed her. After all he had done to her, all they had been through, he had almost forgotten what he was searching for just because she ran away. Faye was important to him, and he had been about to leave her, alone, completely alone, because she had left. Could he really blame her? She had no memory, and no past, and she wasn't even sure if she would have a future. Spike forced his eyes closed, tears were for the weak, they didn't help anyone. Spike brought his eyes to the street ahead of him, deserted and broken, littered with garbage and filth. Just like his scarred soul.
Faye was alone somewhere, maybe even beaten or dying painfully. Spike shook his head frantically. Damn it. He had to find her.
~~~~~~
Faye cried out in pain as the hand struck her hard against her face. A thin streak of luscious blood bloomed across her cheek. She harshly forced her mouth shut, glaring at her tormentor with all the hate and fury that was humanly possible. She wouldn't cry out in front of him. Not in front of this pathetic excuse for a human being. She wouldn't let him see her fear… only her rage.
The man gave her a hideously cold smile, his eyes lusting for her pain. Scattered around them were the other 6 men, bleeding and broken, lying face down on the dusty floor. Faye smirked at her work. She may have no memories, but she wasn't a wimp. They wanted an easy target, they picked the wrong woman.
The blond haired man slapped her savagely across her already battered face, splitting another bruise over the marks and cuts he had already given her. He wasn't as amused as she was by the defeat of the other men. She bit her lip to keep the tears from spilling over her determined eyes. Looking down upon the fallen men once more, Faye wondered how she had managed to take down six, using various methods of battle, only to be captured by one.
She didn't know exactly what had happened, but she had an idea. After the vicious gang had finally caught up with her, she had just started hitting them. She knew that she had used some form of martial arts, but it was nothing that she recognized, nor did she understand how she knew it. Eventually she had wound up with a knife and had slashed a few of them. She had taken down six when something hit her from behind. She had blacked out. And now, here she was.
Faye curled back her lips, letting out a brutal snarl as she strained against the ropes that bound her to the pole she was leaned on. The ropes cut into her wrists, searing a burning sensation through her body. She didn't care. She would get this bastard no matter how much it hurt. She would make him pay, she would make him tremble with fear. The man laughed at her violent attempts to free herself from the rough ropes, to attack him, an evil grin splitting on his face. He leaned in close to Faye, just barely out of her personal space. Faye thrashed out towards him, and then spit on him, her eyes blinded with hate and pain. The man frowned at this, and then his eyes took on a glint of malice. Pulling out a bloodstained dagger, he put it to her chin.
"Cry for me." The man commanded hungrily, applying a slight pressure to her delicate chin, with the sharp blade. A look of fear flashed through Faye's eyes for only a fleeting moment, and then she closed them tightly shut. An image filled her vision, an image of a smirking man with a fluffy mop of green hair. Faye smiled sadly. After a second of silence, Faye pointedly opened her green orbs once more. Looking him straight in the eye, courage and determination refusing to give in, Faye hissed, " I will…right after I kill you." And with that a pain filled scream pierced the silent night, as the blade sliced in.
~~~~~~
Spike stood silently outside the abandoned warehouse, uncertainty edging into his thoughts. 'What if I'm not doing the right thing? I'm mean, Ed might not even be here.' Spike wondered quietly. He shuddered. He couldn't afford doubt himself now. The longer he took, the larger the chance that he would find Faye in a body bag. He clenched his fists. Anyone stupid enough to do that would regret it.
Sighing, Spike shook the unwelcome doubt from his mind and quickly trotted into the building, glancing around corners as he went down a hallway. The hall way was long and dark, spider webs swaying carelessly in the slight draft of the broken down building. It was dusty, a think and noxious smell reaching Spike's senses. He coughed slightly and a whirlwind of dust came up, swirling restlessly, and then settling back down onto the floor. Spike watched the dust off handedly for a moment. For a split second, Spike wanted nothing more than to be a piece of dust, still and silent on the floor. Just to wander through life, unfeeling and small, studying people from the distant floor. You would never have to care about anyone, because no one would ever care or even notice you. A piece of dust could just live its life out, doing as it pleased with nothing to hold it back. It would never have to have a past or a future. It would just be there.
Spike was still reflecting on this oddly, when something came down hard on the back of his head. Spike heard a loud squeal, and then slipped into darkness.
~~~~~~
** Spike slowly stumbled back onto the Bebop, blood dripping from his forehead. He moaned as his toe caught against one of the corners, and then hopped toward the lounge. All he wanted to do was go and fall head first into the lush, golden couch. He rounded the corner, entering the lounge, only to find a slight problem. There Faye lay, sprawled out with her eyes closed, on the couch. Spike growled slightly. She was always in his way. Unfortunately, he didn't have to energy to get in an argument with her.
Limping over to the edge of the couch, Spike casually leaned over Faye's head, and demanded, "Faye, are you awake?" No reply. Spike sighed in irritation and bringing one of his hands to Faye's shoulder, he shook her harshly. Before he had time to react, a hand came up and swatted at his face, hitting him and causing him to fall over. Spike closed his eyes, his lips pursing as he tried subtly to control his annoyance. Screw that.
Spike flipped up and, lifting Faye in his arms, he tossed her carelessly onto the floor, smirking as he heard a loud 'thud'. Letting out a satisfied breath, Spike flopped down into Faye's spot, no longer paying any attention to her.
Faye's eyes shot open as she peered around the room in confusion. What was she doing on the floor? Hadn't she just been sleeping on the… Her wonderings cut off abruptly as she spotted him, lying in her spot on the couch. She quickly realized what had happened. Her eyebrow twitched in anger. Faye remained on the floor for a few seconds, trying to keep herself calm. Oh forget it! Like that was going to happen!
Faye leapt up from her embarrassing position on the floor and went to stand right in front of Spike's face, tapping her foot. Spike just ignored her. Taking in a deep breath, Faye shouted into his ear as loudly and shrilly as she could, " I WAS LYING THERE LUNKHEAD!!!" Spike winced, and pulled a pillow over his head. Faye was indignant. There was no way in the entire freaking universe that he was getting away with this. Faye spotted something sticking out of Spike's pocket. A wicked grin appeared on her face.
Reaching quickly into Spike's pants pocket, Faye snatched out his cigarettes. She happened to already know they were his last ones. Spike's eyes shot open and his hand reached down toward his pocket. Too late. Spike flung the pillow off his face and glared angrily up at an amused Faye. "Looking for something?" Faye inquired innocently. Spike just narrowed his eyes. "Give them back Faye." Spike growled at her. Faye only grinned evilly. "Oh yes, of course… NOT!" Faye stated victoriously. Spike took a deep breath. Crap. He needed those.
"Alright, Faye. Name your price." Spike whispered grudgingly. Faye's grin only get bigger. " Ok, get off of my couch and…" Faye started happily, glancing around the room for something she might want. An idea suddenly popped into her head. "And… get me Ed's tomato." She finished, her eyes glinting wickedly. She had him, and she knew it. That would teach him to mess with Faye Valentine.
Spike's eyes widened. She had to be joking. Taking Ed's beloved computer? You might as well commit suicide because that would be a lot better certainly then whatever Ed would do. He glanced at her, praying that she was joking. But of course, she wasn't. Spike clenched his teeth. " No way, Faye. Just give me back my cigarettes." Spike insisted coldly. Faye smirked. Oh yeah, she was really just going to give them to him.
Faye shook her head sadly, not really. He was going to regret that. "Then you leave me no choice, Spike." Faye sighed, though she was really enjoying her act. She quickly turned and sped into the kitchen, knowing Spike would catch on pretty quickly. Spike watched her in confusion and then jumped up after her. Dammit! The kitchen sink. Spike reached the kitchen just as Faye was dumping the last of his precious cigarettes… down the drain. "NOOOO! STOP!" Spike yelled, causing Faye to turn to him with a smirk.
She was holding the last cig, the very last one, between her fingers, right over the drain. Spike lunged for it. Faye let it fall just as Spike reached to sink.
Spike stared in horror as the last cig dropped quickly out of view and down into the bottomless. He just sat there, gazing in disbelief at where the cigarette had disappeared, while Faye grinned at her revenge. Suddenly Spike glared up at her, his anger unhidden. Faye just glared right back at him. Jumping up, Spike grabbed one of the champagne bottles that Jet had just bought to celebrate their latest bounty. Faye's eyes widened in terror. Spike grinned and, pointing it in her direction, popped the top, sending a stream of wine all over her. Revenge was sweet.
Faye screamed as the liquid hit her, cursing Spike and his horrible cleverness. How could she have not noticed the bottles sitting just within his reach? The splurge of wine slowly died down, revealing a smirking Spike into the drenched Faye's line of vision. Faye gritted her teeth as Spike laughed at her. "Had enough yet?" Spike smirked. Faye only narrowed her eyes. "No where near it Cowboy!" Faye shouted, grabbing angrily for one of the unopened bottles.
~~~~~~
Ed, who had been chasing Ein around on all fours, suddenly heard taunting and yells coming from the kitchen. Stopping and blinking blanking, Ed grinned. "Yay! Ed go and help Faye-Faye and Spike-person!" Ed yowled, before hopping into the kitchen, Ein tagging along behind.
Ed's eyes lit up with glee when she took in the sight before her. Spike and Faye were both yelling and trying to shield themselves from jets of wine as the sprayed each other. Eyes sparkling, Ed ran toward them. " Ed wants to play too!!!" Ed shrieked happily. A stray burst of champagne hit Ed in the Faye. Ed licked her lips and grinned tipsily. "Yumm… Ed like!" Ed shouted to no one in particular before getting down on all fours and licking the wine up from the floor beneath the warring Spike and Faye, Ein following suit.
"Give it up, Faye! You know I'm going to beat you!" Spike shouted over the splashing of the champagne. Faye shielded her eyes from a splatter of the liquid and yelled back, " No way! I'm winning and you know it! So clam up or give up! Your choice!" Spike was about to give his cocky response when a loud voice bellowed over all the noise, " WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?" Spike slowly lowered his still foaming champagne bottle and Faye looked up from reaching for another bottle. Jet stood in the entrance the kitchen, fuming. Ed just continue licking up the wine like a dog, too drunk to hear Jet anymore.
Spike gulped and Faye quickly hid an empty bottle behind her back. Jet glowered at them, waiting impatiently for answers as he overlooked the room. Chairs knocked over, empty bottles discarded everywhere, and Ed and Ein, totally drunk as they slurped up the champagne all over the floor. " Well… uh… I mean…" Faye and Spike stammered at the same time, neither really knowing how to explain the scene. "Spike-person and Faye-Faye were playing a game and Ed is, hic, playing too!!!" Ed answered for them, her eyes glazed over, and then went back to licking to floor. Spike and Faye glared at her. It definitely didn't help to have a wasted Ed try to describe the situation. At this point, Jet exploded. "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TWO DID THIS! LOOK AT MY KITCHEN! IT'S A MESS! NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CLEAN ALL OF THIS UP JUST BECAUSE THE TWO OF YOU COULDN'T RESIST GETTING AT EACHOTHER'S THROATS!!! AND, UH NO! LOOK AT ED! SHE'S PASSED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MESS YOU TWO CREATED! WHAT KIND OF IDIOTS ARE YOU?!? HOW COULD YOU LET A 13 YEAR-OLD GIRL GET DRUNK RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU?!? WHEN I…" Jet roared, Spike and Faye flinching at every word.
As Jet continued to bellow at them in rage, Spike glanced over at Faye. A small grin sparking on his face as he got an idea, Spike started subtly waving his hands, trying to get Faye's attention. She finally caught on and raised an eyebrow at him. Spike flicked his head to the side, motioning toward the 2 unopened bottles sitting innocently between them. Faye's face lit up and nodded.
Spike and Faye simultaneously grabbed the bottles, as Jet raved something about them being childish. Spike and Faye glanced at each other, then with a hesitated nod, popped the corks from the bottles. "What the?!?" Jet yelped as two streams of champagne splashed into him, Spike and Faye laughing victoriously and grinning. **
~~~~~~
"Ohhh… Look tomato! Ed thinks he is waking up!" A high voice squealed as Spike's eyes slowly fluttered open. Spike's vision was blurry and he could barely see. He blinked a few times and reluctantly opened his eyes. A grinning, redheaded girl's face was shoved curiously a few inches from his. Spike jolted and fell off the worn couch, landing at the girl's feet. Spike groaned, holding a hand to his head. "Great… I've died and gone to…" Spike started quietly when Ed interrupted him loudly, "Ed's house!!! Ed is so happy that you have come to visit Ed!" Spike suddenly jerked his head up and, jumping to his feet and grabbing Ed by the front of her shirt.
"Hey! Let go of Ed's shirt! Ed don't think you know who Ed is… Ed is…" Ed started to squeal but Spike just shook her. " Look, Ed, I know who you are! I need your help right now!" Spike shouted desperately. Who knew how long he had been out, what if Faye was… He didn't finish the thought. Ed blinked at him blankly and then grinned. " You need Ed's help? Ed would love to help! How can Ed help?" The perky redhead demanded in an excited tone. Spike dropped her. " Get your computer and come with me." Spike replied shortly, and then turned walking out of the room.
~~~~~~
"So, how exactly did I end up getting knocked out?" Spike asked absently as he watched Ed downloading information. Ed didn't look up, completely absorbed in her work and responded mechanically, "Ed thought you were a bounty hunter so Ed hit you over the head and you went 'clunk'." Spike shook his head. Leave it to Ed to act like that was a normal thing. Spike sighed and stared out the window. How long was it going to take?
Spike and Ed were sitting in the cockpit of the Swordfish II, where they had arrived just moments earlier, after leaving Ed's hideout. While searching for Faye earlier that night, Spike had remembered something. Faye was wearing his coat. His keys to start to Swordfish II were in his coat pocket. That's when he realized that if he could get Ed to hack into his ships control system, then they would be able to track Faye down by the signal from the keys. Spike had explained all this to Ed when they had been heading for her ship and she seemed to know what she was doing.
Spike was startled out of his contemplations when Ed shrieked merrily, "Ed found Faye-Faye person, Spike person!!!" Spike jerked his gaze to the screen. There was a small, beeping, yellow dot in the corner of the screen. Spike stared at it for a second before Ed waved a sheet of paper in front of his face, cutting of his vision of the dot. Spike took them and looked back up at Ed. Ed grinned. "Coordinates for Spike-person to find Faye-Faye." Spike glanced back down at the paper and smiled. "Thanks Ed." Spike whispered. Ed only looked at Spike strangely. "Yes Ed?" Spike asked, sensing that Ed wanted to ask him something. " Can…can Ed come with you and meet Faye-Faye?" She question pleadingly. Spike only hopped out of the ship and shook his head. "Stay here with my ship Ed. You can meet Faye when I bring her back." Spike offered sincerely. Ed bounced around the cockpit. "Okie-dokie Spike-person!" Ed called down to him. Spike only shrugged and turned, running off toward Faye's location. A thought pricked the back of his mind. 'Please let her be alive…'
~~~~~~
Faye cursed, her entire body burning with pain. She slowly raised her head, glaring at the horrible man in front of her. He slashed her once more across her battered arms, splattering blood against Faye's cheek. A muffled cry escaped her lips. No. She wouldn't let him have to satisfaction of hearing her cry out. She would defy him until she no longer had the ability to breath. The man trembled with anger at her defiance, this slut was starting to enrage him. A malicious smile over took his disgusting features. Faye's eyes only narrowed more. What was he going to do to her?
Groans suddenly escape from the swollen mouths of the fallen men around them. Faye's eyes widened in horror. She was already feeling lightheaded, her body no longer even able to react to the violent attacks of her tormentor. Now there would be 6 more. She had beaten those ones once before, but she hadn't been tied to a pole with her body ripped to shreds then. Tears stung her fearful eyes, forcing her to close them to keep them from spilling down her bruised and bleeding cheeks. The other men achingly rose from the ground and turned around to see the one who had beaten them. Vicious smiles rose to their lips. They were going to have some fun with this one, yes they would indeed.
The blond haired leader menacingly raised his arm, preparing to stab her through with his bloody dagger. Faye shrank back from him, this was it. After all the pain and anguish, she was going to die. "Spike…" Faye whispered sadly, knowing she would never see him, and the man howled, bringing the knife down toward her chest.
A single gunshot rang out, breaking the silence of the night. The man was just standing there, the knife a mere inch from Faye's chest, stopped in mid-motion. Faye quickly opened her eyes to see the blond man crumple to the floor, a bullet hole in his forehead. She let out a startled scream and one of the other men came flying by her and into the wall behind her. She curtly brought her gaze up to the scene in front of her. There was Spike, his figure outlined by the moonlight as he sent another bullet through a man that came toward him with a knife. Faye almost cried out to him.
Flipping one man into another, Spike discarded his gun and flicked a knife from one man's hand, only to fire it at another man. Spike savagely delivered blow upon blow to two men below him, until they were to bloody and torn to even recognize. Standing up darkly, Spike shot a murderous glare at the last man, who was gaping at him in shock. Taking the hint, the last man turned tail and ran out of the building as fast as his puny legs would carry him. Breathing heavily, Spike slowly turned around, bringing his eyes upon Faye.
Faye watched him visibly flinch as soon as he saw her. Her face was nothing but a blossom of bruises and brutal cuts, her arms and legs no longer a creamy white, but a blood-streaked dark purple. Faye smiled at him weakly, and then broke down as tears spilled from her eyes and down her battered face.
Spike softly walked over to her and gently cut the ropes that bound her to the pole. She started to crumple to the floor, but Spike's strong arms caught her and cradled her uncertainly. Faye cried openly, no longer caring if he could see her tears. She had almost died, almost lost her soul to those lowlife bastards. And if Spike had not shown up exactly when he had… she couldn't even bare to think about it. It had been that close… to being over.
Spike reassuringly turned Faye into him, letting her sob inconsolably into his chest. He said nothing… there was nothing for him to say. Nothing he told her could take away the pain she had suffered at those men's hands. Instead, he just silent rocked her, trying to comfort and quiet her as she cried. Finally Faye's agonizing cries subsided and she gently pulled back from him, so that she could see his face.
She was slightly startled when she glanced up painfully into his eyes, only to find that he was staring into hers, tears shimmering reluctantly in his mismatched orbs. And for a while, they just sat like that, staring into each other's eyes, neither having the strength or the will to look away.
Spike fought back the tears. But it was just so hard. He had almost lost her, had almost lost the chance to ever look into those emerald-green orbs forever. He almost choked, but managed to suppress the emotion. Finally breaking her gaze, Spike stared in anguish at the floor. Interrupting the stillness of the room, Spike gently put his arms back around Faye and carefully started to life her. "Come on, Faye. Let's go." Spike decided quietly, his voice almost breaking with emotion. But Faye grabbed onto his arms and stared at the ground, her cheeks still streaked with tears. " N..no, Spike… I'm not leaving." Faye stammered, tears filling her eyes once more. Spike stopped, peering at her in dark confusion. When he didn't move, Faye raised her voice and, closing her eyes, tried again, " I said no Spike, just put me down and leave me."
Spike couldn't understand it. What was she doing? What was she saying? Faye painfully started to thrash in his arms. "Let me go, I said! LET ME GO!" Faye shrieked helplessly. Spike struggled to hold onto her. Seeing that she was only hurting herself farther, Spike finally shouted in irritation, " Stop this Faye! What's wrong with you?!?" Faye only continued to thrash harder until Spike finally lost his grip on her and she fell in agony to the floor.
Spike quickly kneeled down beside her, his face contorted in annoyance, and attempted to pick her up again. But Faye struck out at him, slapping hand away and crying out in pain. Spike finally lost control of his anger and seething, demanded, "What the hell is wrong with you?!? Why won't you let me help you?!?" Faye became still and closed her eyes tightly to avoid his angered gaze. Taking a deep breath, Faye spoke, her face hidden behind her blood-crusted violet hair, " Spike, you don't care about me… you hate me and I can't let you waste your time on me. I'm nothing to you and I already know it… so just leave! Just freaking leave!!!"
Spike was stunned by her sudden outburst, his anger diminishing as her words. 'You hate me.' She had told him outright that she believed he hated her. He felt numb and something inside him went cold, but he couldn't understand. She thought he hated her. After all he had done for her, all he had risked to save her more than once… she thought that he hated her. But what else had she said? She didn't want him to waste his time on her. This pained him in a way that he could not explain. She was speaking to someone she hated, and yet she was trying to tell them to live her to die. Even though she felt he hated her… she didn't want to burden him. She would rather stay there and die than make him take her with him. The tears burned at Spike's eyes again and he had to blink to keep them from falling. Falling. Like he was right now. Wait, he was falling? Yes, he was falling into pain and sorrow, but what else? He shook his head. It didn't matter. What mattered now was Faye. She was in pain… and she was going to die if he didn't do something.
Spike finally broke off from his thoughts, thoughts that chilled him to the very hear of his being. Faye was struggling painfully to keep tears spilling over her swollen eyes. One tear dropped silently from her eyes, tracing its path down her cheek. Instinctively, Spike reached his hand up and gently wiped it away with his thumb. Faye jolted slightly at his touch and turned to look at him. Their eyes locked. Letting his arm slid gently down her bruised cheek, Spike stopped as it came to rest lightly upon her fragile chin. Looking deep into her eyes, Spike whispered quietly, "I could never hate you, Faye." And without another word, Spike wrapped his arms around her and carefully lifted her, never breaking her gaze. Faye just stared at him in shock.
The sound of a ship crashing light onto the sidewalk caused Faye to jump and Spike to whirl around. Carrying her quickly from the building, Spike came outside to see Ed waving to him from his now scraped up ship. His mouth fell open and despite her condition, Faye laughed hysterically into his shoulder. Spike glared from her back to Ed and his ship. Ed flipped the cockpit open and squealed cheerfully, "While Spike-person was away looking for Faye-Faye, Ed found Spike's papers about a ship called the Bebop! Ed decided to track ship down to make Spike happy and Ed found it! Ed has the coordinates! Ed found the Bebop! Ed found the Bebop."
Spike and Faye glanced and each other, and then Spike grinned. "Well, I guess were heading to the Bebop, then." Spike smirked, not quite able to hide his happiness at finally finding the ship that had been his home from so long in his dream. Suddenly Faye's eyes widened in disbelief and annoyance. Spike raised an eyebrow at her. "Yes?" Spike prompted impatiently. Faye groaned. " In case you haven't noticed… THERE ARE NOW THREE OF US THAT HAVE TO RIDE IN YOU STUPID ONE PERSON SHIP AND THERE IS NO WAY IN THE WORLD I AM SITTING ON YOU LAP AGAIN!!!" Faye shouted into his ear. Spike grinned. " Fine, sit on the roof then, but I have to warn you, it gets pretty cold up there." Spike countered with a smirk. Faye groaned again. This was going to be a very long trip.
~~~~~~
*The wind sweeps through his fluffy hair
Then leaves him in the dark
For all the battles he has fought
The world has felt his mark*
~~~~~~
Note from Me: Sorry this took so long to update, but as you can see… THIS THING WAS SO FREAKING LONG!!! Hehe, ok kinda lost it there, but it is 4 something in the morning and I have been typing for a few hours. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter… I put a lot of work into it. Sorry if there are any mistakes… I don't really have the strength to edit it tonight. Well, until next time! Please Read and Review!!!