A/N: 05.10.2020
Here is, what is essentially, part 2 of the previous Session! If you missed the last Session, since I'm posting them the same day, go give it a read to know what's going on!
Enjoy!
Session XXV: Until The End
"Why give up, why give in? It's not enough; it never is, So I will go on until the end" ~ Breaking Benjamin, "Until The End", Phobia, 2006
The Bebop was flying through an astral gate, going as fast as they could back to Mars. They ditched the fan as they as could and everyone got aboard the Bebop. Jet was piloting with Elektra, Jordan, Dice, and Juarez all on the bridge as well. Jordan, Dice, and Juarez had all taken public transport to Europa to keep a low profile.
"That's again for the ride, Jet," Dice said.
"Hey, you guys saved us out there," Jet said. "No problem."
"I'm sure you would've been fine without us."
"Yeah, maybe. Probably would've had more bullet holes in us, though."
After Juarez signed, Jordan said, "He's asking what's next?"
"No clue," Jet answered. "Faye killed Hagen. I don't know what happened to Vega or Kaito."
"But you offed the Europa queen, right?" Dice asked.
"Had a little help."
Elektra smiled.
Jordan smiled. "My girl's finally getting laid, I'm so proud!"
Dice laughed while Juarez just grinned as wide as he could. Jet started to blush.
"I hate you so much," Elektra said to Jordan.
Jordan just laughed.
Dice stopped laughing and folded his arms. "I'm just worried about what Spike might do."
Jet focused the hyperspace passing them by. "Same."
In the common room, Faye was lying on the couch and Spike was sitting on the table, while holding Faye's hand. They had been staring at each other in silence for a while.
"I think I get it," Faye whispered.
"Get what?" Spike asked.
"What made you go after Vicious." She smiled. "Because… dammit, how you're looking at me right now…"
"Faye…"
"I know what I said about Vega. But, Spike… I never want you to die for me. I never want you to die because of me."
Spike swallowed the lump in his throat.
"So, if you wanna get that asshole," she said, "and, believe me, I get it… don't do it only for me. Do it because you know, for a fact, he won't stop coming after us unless you do."
"Faye…"
"This is not a dream, Spike," she said, defiantly, taking him by surprise. "I don't know if there's… an other side. Ya know, after we die. But I know this side is real! I'm sorry you, Julia, and even Vicious saw it that way so you never saw anything else, but all of this is real! We live. We're alive. It hurts to be alive sometimes but that's the reality. Trying to play it off as a dream… makes it seem like nothing we do counts. It does! All of it! The good, the bad, and the horrible. It's crappy sometimes but…" she paused, staring into his eyes. "…but crappy's worth it… when you meet the right people."
He was silent for a few seconds. "I'm sorry, Faye. Sorry for… me. For my bull. Sorry I keep putting you in harm's way because I never figured life out."
"You're an idiot. I don't have it figured out either. And harm's way? I was there with or without you. I just like it better when you're around."
Spike stared at her. "It's the right."
"What?" Faye asked.
"It's right eye. That's the one that's fake."
"Spike…"
"I'm telling you because… you deserve to know. And… you're right. I get it now. I see the full picture."
Faye smiled. "Thanks."
Spike smiled back at her.
Faye suddenly looked stunned then blinked a few times. "Wow. Julia."
"Huh?"
"Julia," Faye repeated. "She was beautiful. That golden hair. Her eyes. That coat she was wearing. I'd kill for that style. Even her car was gorgeous. I wonder what happened to that car."
"Faye?" Spike asked, confused.
"If we ever have a kid," she said, almost in trance, "and it's a girl, we can name her Julia, okay? It's fine. I won't be mad. Julia was nice. And so pretty. I won't be mad if we name her Julia. I won't be mad. She was nice. She was nice."
Perplexed, Spike looked at Faye's gauze and saw the blood beginning to show.
"Ah, shit!" Spike said, pressing down on the wound. "JET!"
They landed on Mars an hour later and Spike took Faye in the Swordfish II to the hospital, leaving everyone else on the ship. As Spike met Dr. Jolton and his nurse, Michael, and they took Faye inside the hospital, Spike remembered how Faye recounted getting him to the hospital after she found him at the Red Dragon headquarters. Now, he understood how she felt during this.
And he'd never felt more guilty in his life for putting her through that.
As Jolton and Michael wheeled Faye into surgery, Spike remembered Faye's words to him just before she started to go into shock.
His fist tightened. He started breathing slowly.
He was going to find Vega.
Because he wanted this to end.
Because he wanted his friends to be safe.
Because Vega tried to kill the woman he loved.
An hour later, while Jolton still had Faye in surgery. Spike was in the waiting room, sitting and staring at the wall, when Jet and the others walked in.
"Any news?" Elektra asked.
"Not yet," Spike replied, somberly.
"The fact that she's still alive proves she's tough as well," Dice noted. "I've seen lesser people die from a wound like that."
"Faye's stubborn," Jet whispered.
"Something I bet you're grateful for, despite how ya tried to make that sound."
Jet didn't answer.
Juarez tapped Spike on the shoulder, getting his attention then signed.
"I don't know," Spike answered. "After Vega stabbed Faye, he ran off. I know… Kaito's dead."
Everyone looked down sadly. Something about how Spike's tone when he said that proved to them that he wished for a different outcome.
"And Faye got Hagen, right?" Elektra asked.
Jet nodded.
"So… they're done then, right?" Jordan asked. "I mean… that's two syndicates in one day that just got wiped out."
"Almost wiped out."
"So, now, here's the question," Jordan said, "where's Vega gonna turn up next?"
"That's one question," Elektra said. "There's one more."
"What's he gonna do when he shows back up?" Dice asked.
"Spike?" Jet asked.
Spike didn't say a word.
"Spike. You with us?"
Spike kept starting at the wall. He knew where Vega would go. But for some reason, he knew he wasn't there yet.
But Vega would go there. Soon.
Venus.
It was night when Olivia woke up, feeling like someone was in her room. She slowly reached for a knife she had in her nightstand. She turned suddenly to see Vega sitting on her bed.
"Vega?" Olivia asked, confused.
Vega turned and to face her.
Olivia could clearly see it on his face. Something had gone horribly wrong. It was rare when she could see it, but she could clearly see it this time.
Vega was tense. Possibly, even worried.
"What happened?" she asked. "And where's Kaito and Hagen?"
"Dead," Vega said, immediately. "They're dead. Everyone… everything's gone."
Olivia set the knife down and moved to sit next to him, "Hanan won?"
"No. She's dead, too. But so is…" He exhaled. "Everyone's gone."
They sat in silence for a long time, realizing what that meant. The Red Dragons eliminated Europa but, with no soldiers and very little capital, there was nothing left. It was a hard thing to realize but Vega had to admit.
The Red Dragons were dead.
"What are we going to do, Vega?" Olivia asked.
Vega shook his head. "There's nothing to do. It's… it's all gone."
"I've never heard you give up. You must have something planned."
"No. Not anymore."
She stared at him, worriedly. "Vega?"
"Everyone is gone," he said. "And you don't belong in this world, Olivia."
"But…"
"You'll be safe. I promise you that. All record of you connected to us is gone. Like it never happened at all. Your roll is done."
"I don't…"
"I want to thank you," he interrupted. "This was the closest to peace… as I had found in a very long time. I'm terribly sorry I didn't do the smart thing and just walked away when I could. But I hope you make a better life than what I could give you."
"We can still make that life!" she argued.
"No, we can't. I've done too much. And I have to answer for it."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… good-bye, Olivia. Have a good life."
"Ve…"
Vega swiftly struck Olivia on the neck, hitting a nerve and knocking her out. He caught her and gently laid her back on the bed. He stared at her and exhaled. Vega used Olivia's home computer and transferred all the remaining money the Red Dragons had to her account, making sure the money was transferred in a way no one could trace back to him or the Red Dragons. Once he was done, he looked at Olivia one more time then left.
There was one last thing he had to do and one last place to go. No matter how this ended, he knew he would never see her again.
Alba City, Mars.
After being in surgery for hours, Faye was moved to the ICU, still not allowed to have any visitors yet. Jolton managed to repair most of the damage but the amount of blood Faye lost kept her at risk, requiring her to be monitored for a while to make sure she would recover properly. Spike was still in the waiting room, refusing to leave the hospital. The rest of the group were at a nearby hotel, getting some sleep. Near the early hours of the morning, Dice arrived at the waiting room with two cups of coffee. He saw Spike asleep in one of the chairs.
Dice sighed. He walked over and kicked Spike's foot.
Spike woke up with a start, inhaling sharply. He looked up at Dice. "Did you kick me?"
"Yep," Dice answered. "What are you gonna do about it?"
Spike stretched. "Nothing."
"Hm." Dice handed a cup to Spike. He took it and Dice sat down.
"Not the biggest coffee person," Spike grumbled.
"You need it." They both took a sip. "Talk."
"About what?"
"Faye. Are you gonna go die now because she nearly died?"
"No."
Dice looked at Spike, taking note of his tone. "Oh, I'm sorry. Was that a stupid question to ask? It's not like you haven't thought something stupid like that before."
"Not this time," Spike replied.
"Explain."
"Julia was a part of me I lost a long time ago."
"I'm asking you about your girlfriend and you bring up your ex?" Dice asked.
"Will ya let me finish?" Spike replied.
Dice nodded.
"I thought… when Julia died… that was it. I didn't have any reason to believe in this world."
Dice opened his mouth.
"And before you say it, yes, I get it. That was a stupid way to see things. Everyone has told me that already."
Impressed, Dice simply took another sip of coffee.
"I guess…" Spike said, "…I never expected to feel like this again. Especially not for Faye. I could not stand her when we first met!"
"And now?"
"I feel like crap for putting her here."
"So, you're finally growing up. 'Bout damn time." Dice thought for a second. "Where's Vega?"
"I have a pretty good idea," Spike admitted.
"You're going after him?"
"I'm… not sure."
Dice looked at Spike, surprised. "What was that?"
"Faye," Spike answered. "She… asked me only to go after him if I knew he wouldn't stop coming after us. At this point, I'm not sure if he will or not. He's got nothing left. But… if I go after him and get myself killed… for real, this time… I'm letting Faye down again. And she doesn't deserve that."
Dice's eyes widened. "What the… you're actually in love with her!"
Spike scoffed and smiled a bit.
Dice looked around then back at Spike, "I know this goes against most of what I've said to you your whole life but listen."
Spike looked at him.
"You do what you gotta do. If that means putting one in this guy's skull, do it. You don't let someone threaten your family, kid. Not when you can do something about it."
"You think I should go after him?"
"Hell, yes. But only for the right reasons. Look, Spike: I get why you went after Vicious after Julia died. Despite myself, I really get it. But if you go after Vega, it really is your decision, you do it keeping in mind that you have somewhere to go home to. Someone to go home to."
Spike considered all of that. He nodded. "Thanks, Dice."
Dice nodded, "You're welcome, kid."
Faye spent most of the following day in the ICU before it was deemed safe enough for her to be taken out. Once she was cleared that night, she put in her own room. Jolton decided to keep her sedated for a little while longer so she could recover more. Spike, Jet, and Elektra stood outside of Faye's room, staring at her through the window as she slept. This was the first time they had seen her since she entered the hospital. As expected, it was difficult for Spike to see Faye like this, but even Jet and Elektra found this worrying, causing them to hold one another's hand. Dice, Jordan, and Juarez were still in Alba City. So far, things seemed to be safe, but they were choosing to be over cautious.
"At least she'll be okay," Elektra whispered.
Spike didn't reply. His gaze fixed on Faye.
"Bob called and told me they've been rounding up Red Dragon and Europa guys all over the place," Jet said. "Plus any remaining cops on either payroll. They're all afraid someone will come and kill them sooner or later so everyone's making deals. But, as far as why two major syndicates just went down, no one left knows the real reason why it happened. As far as Bob can tell, we're in the clear. Both syndicates are done."
Spike was still silent. He heard every word but he couldn't turn his attention away from Faye.
"But… there's been no sign of Vega."
"I know where he is," Spike whispered.
"What?" Elektra asked.
"He's waiting for me."
"Where?"
Spike didn't say anything.
Jet groaned, "Spike, don't…"
"He's in Cydonia," Spike interrupted. "Here on Mars."
Jet and Elektra looked at him, stunned.
"It's where he was exiled. The Van kept him alive but out of the way. A big, ugly mansion the syndicate owns. Owned." Spike paused for a while. "He's waiting for me."
"What are you gonna do?" Elektra asked.
"I'm gonna finish this. Once and for all."
"Spike…"
"If you don't hear back from me in five hours…" Spike looked at them and smirked, "come save my ass, would ya?"
"Are you admitting you need help?" Jet asked.
"I'm admitting I don't want Faye to kill me if I get myself killed."
Jet smiled then chuckled, "If you're dead, she can't get to you."
"I don't wanna test it," Spike replied.
"Yeah," Elektra agreed. "Faye would find a way."
All three laughed as Spike turned to leave.
"Hey, Spike," Jet said.
"Yeah?" Spike stopped.
"Don't die."
"Not trying to. Not this time."
"And you've got five hours," Elektra reminded.
"Thanks." Spike paused. "And I mean… for everything. Jet. Elektra. I… really appreciate all you guys have done. I can't thank you enough. And trust me… I'm not going to die. Or to find out if I'm alive or not. I'm going to settle this. To put this behind me… behind us… for good."
Elektra nodded, "Got it."
"Whatever you have to do," Jet declared, "how ever you have to do it… end this."
Spike nodded. He left the hospital, heading toward the Swordfish, to face Vega for the final time.
To Be Continued...
A/N: It's amazing how we can change as people, isn't it?
Next Session, it's time.
Spike vs. Vega.
Next Session ~ God's Gonna Cut You Down