Title: The Rookie and the Pro
Author: Jake's Girlfriend
Rating: T
Summary: Faye Valentine is the new rookie of the Red Dragon syndicate. Spike Spiegel is the old pro of the Red Dragon syndicate. When they're assigned as partners you can be sure there'll be sparks.
Author's Note: Check at the bottom!
Faye was in her room. It was part of the building. There were twelve floors, including the basement. She was on floor seven in room 358. Faye's mind was on the man she'd met in the lobby. Vicious. He'd been so nice to her...
She shrugged off the feeling. 'I can't get attached to anyone.' She said it mantra-like. It was rule number one in her Book of Rules. There were only five:
1. Don't get attached to anyone or anything
2. Carry a gun at ALL times
3. Try and get along with everyone
4. Keep a clear head
AND
5. Stop and think before you make a move
Too bad she was such a flirt. Well, it was only a "past-time" as she liked to put it, just for kicks. Besides, flirting didn't mean you had to get attached. Still...if she were going to be serious about this job she could get by without it. Not like she had skills or anything. I mean, she was still a–
A loud knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She quickly closed the bedside drawer which held a loaded gun in its mouth.
She opened the door an inch. "Whaddya want?" she asked. It was that jerk. Her teacher. What was his name again? The name came floating back. Spike...
Spike frowned at her. Halfway up the elevator he had remembered the suitcase in his hand–her newbie pack–and had gone back down to give it to her, but she had disappeared by then. He'd looked around for over an hour trying to find her room. He wouldn't ask Mao (the ONLY one who knew everyone's room for security reasons) out of his own determination (a.k.a. stubbornness). Heck, he hadn't even known she was gonna be in her room, but he'd gone with his hunch–which he depended on, never logic, even though it was logical. He cursed The Practice Round which was his own "clever idea."
The Practice Round was an idea he had come up with on his own one rainy afternoon. He was only 23 at the time. This was the basic idea: He left his students to fend for themselves for at least a week before he taught them anything so that they could get used to their surroundings.
They wouldn't have time to explore with his training.
It wasn't going too smooth for the first time in his "many" years as an R.D.I. (Red Dragon Instructor) and he was far from happy with–'What was her name?' He was momentarily struck with guilt and was about to ask, but changed his mind when she fixed him with a glare.
"WHY are you here?"
He snorted and pushed open the door, stepping into the room. Faye's mouth stood agape as he sat in a cerise chair laden with plush pillows that stood next to her matching bed.
"Hm, not bad. Needs some character though."
She stood there for a moment, just staring at him before erupting. "GET OUT!" She pointed a shaking finger at the closed door.
"I'm your teacher. I need to be treated with respect," he said seriously a little freaked out by her sudden outburst.
She laughed, a sarcastic laugh that he very much disliked. "Treat you with respect? Get real. You left me in that lobby all by myself, you JERK!"
"What?" That's why she was mad? 'Women...' "Jeez Louise Mary Anne, it was supposed to be a test."
"WHAT? Well whoever came up with that test was an idiot! What does that prove? And my name's Faye by the way," she said angrily, realizing for the first time that he hadn't even asked her her name.
Spike was going to yell back that The Practice Round was a brilliant idea before she said her name. 'Faye.' It was as if he had heard it somewhere, that he had known it was her name before she had said it. Was that why he hadn't asked her in the first place? Spike's superstitious mind worked thorough the puzzles of his thesis. He was unaware of the fierce tugging at his suit until he was out the door, in the hallway, the door shut in his face. 'Faye.'
"Talk about a one track mind," Faye said leaning against the door, her hand to her forehead.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews you guys! Since you were my very first reviewers here's my own personal thank-yous:
coldqueen: Thanks so much for reviewing again. Some people just review once saying they liked it and never review again. But back to what I was getting to: I know who Faye's going to end up with, but I'm leaving you guys to guess. Hope it's fun! I know I'm evil. Thanks for adding the comment on "Cowboy Bebop" I LOVE it when reviewers notice those little things! As for Vicious. He's awesome, but Spike's just got that funk which is why he's MY man. Jk!
swunshine: Thanks for saying my story's sexy lolz!
breezy1028: Thanks for the review! See how quick I've updated. I'm proud of myself.
I don't know if I'll add a comment to everyone who reviews, but I will if it's lengthy and has questions or if there's something about it I like. If it's not one that just says "Nice story, keep going" I'll probably write you back at the end of the story. Anyway, much love! Thanks for the support!
