Disclaimer: not mine no money yada-yada-yada u get the picture already. The stuffs with stars and quotations is from a song that can be heard at http://www.geocities.co.jp/Milkyway-Lynx/9043/c-song.swf

Chapter 7

~

Both anger and hate surged through Faye's body. She'd never felt more alive as she ran down the hall of Mikako's ship. Nothing could stand between her and the one she loved now.

*" Wishing on a dream that seems so far off
Hoping it will come today
Into the starlit night……….."*

Faye tried to be quiet, since Mikako hadn't found her yet. At least, that's what she thought. Mikako slowly slinked behind her, her most powerful gun in hand. All she wanted was for Faye to be dead. Dead forever.

Faye stopped dead. She heard footsteps. She quickly pulled a gun out. "Show yourself!"

*" Foolish dreamers turn their gaze
Waiting on a shooting star………"

Mikako stayed where she was. Faye's whole body shook as she looked around. Then a shiver was sent down Faye's spine as that heartbreaking scream that she had heard over the phone filled the room.

*" But what if that star is not to come?
Will their dreams fade to nothing?.........."*

"Spike where are you?!" she called. Faye continued. She walked into a dark room, Mikako following.

Faye felt something soft, yet rough, barely touching her leg. She looked down, but in her point of view, she shouldn't have ever looked down. There was Spike, tied to a support beam. Faye's eyes filled with tears again.

*" When the horizon darkens most
We all need to believe there is hope……….."*

"Spike…." Was the only whisper that would leave her lips. Although she couldn't talk, her eyes wouldn't shut up. And for probably the first time ever, Spike could speak their language.

*" Is an angel watching closely over me?
Can there be a guiding light I've yet to see?........."*
Mikako still stood closely behind, just watching the two. Her expression was strange. Like she was trying to keep herself from showing what she really felt.

*" I know my heart should guide me but
There's a whole within my soul…………….."*

Just then, Jet tracked Faye. "Faye! Do you copy?!" he said, rather concerned. Faye knew he would worry if she didn't answer, but she couldn't feel her arms. They were unmovable. Spike and Faye continued to swap questions and answers without so much as a peep. Faye knew she should stop.

Mikako's face tightened. "Now." She murmered to herself. She jumped out of hiding and held her gun towards Faye. "Now!" she said louder. "Faye must die!"

"Faye! Lookout!" Spike yelled with all he had. Faye jumped at the last second, and a riggerous battle continued between the two women.

*" What will fill this emptiness inside me?
Am I to be satisfied without knowing?..................."*

A punch here, a kick there. The guns became like a teacher's ruler in a classroom; a tool for beating. Faye quickly hit Mikako in the arm, causing her to drop her gun. She yelped with pain, holding her serverely bleeding arm. Faye picked the gun up and pointed it at Mikako's head. "Why do you want me to die?" she asked, it sounded curious yet rough.

*" I wish then for a chance to see………"*

Everything was silent. Mikako found it hard to reply. "Just kill me." She said. "Just kill me. I beg you. Just do it."

Faye's hand didn't move. "Do it." Mikako said, half demand and half request. Spike watched, puzzled.

*"What is my destiny?..........."*

Faye thought hard. She closed her eyes tight. A gun shot was heard. Mikako fell to the floor. Faye stopped. At the moment she pulled the trigger, every moment that Mikako and Spike had spent together in the bar entered her mind. Faye quickly bent down to Mikako, wanting to know one last answer. "You…?" was all she said. Mikako still understood.

"Imagine… Even the dimmest stars are fed sunlight….." And with that, she closed her eyes and let the darkness consume her one last time. Spike bowed his head. Faye teared and stood up. She just stared at Spike. Jet radioed her again. "Faye! You there?! Is Spike okay?!"

*" Now all I need desperately……….."*

Faye slowly raised the walkie-talkie to her mouth and smiled. "I'll have to get back to you later. I have some unfinished business to attend to."

And with that, Faye turned it off. She turned to the one who she longed for. He returned her smile. Faye quickly untied him, laughing the whole time. She was so happy, it was hard not to. She let Spike lean on her as he stood up, but didn't keep walking until their lips met. They finally broke free and just looked at eachother. "Welcome back." Faye whispered. Spike nodded as the re-united lovers returned to the Bebop and a concerned crew.

*"……. Is for my star to come."*

Faye and Spike were joyful as they left, yet Mikako's sorrow stayed with them for years. It would be quite a while before they learned the truth.

~

Mikako woke from her dark sleep and stared down at her gun. There was a note wrapped around it. She picked it up and read it. "In loving memory of Mikako Nagamine. RIP, Faye and Spike."

Mikako held the note close to herself and cried.