The Disclaimers are the same..now on with the action.
Chapter Six: Cheating Death and Killing the Mood
Just as the three Beboppers stood up the bullets began to fly. Bullets zoomed past their head smashing into the bottles behind the bar. The bartender standing beside Spike got hit in the head and went slamming into the mirror. Spike watched him fall and then caught the eyes of his shipmates. The three took refuge behind the bar again, bullets still flying wildly above.
"Death has friends." Jet yelled. "I don't think they're all his friends." Spike said as a bottle crashed above him. "I'm betting we weren't the only bounty hunters to come in here." "I didn't even get a shot off." Faye yelled ducking her head a little as a bottle shattered. She put a protective arm over Ed's head. Ed was very quiet, staring at the lifeless body of the bartender. Blood beginning to pool behind his head. Spike reached out and grabbed the bartender's gun. "Neither did he." He said slamming the clip of the bartender's gun back in place. He looked up to Faye who had a 'no shit' look on her face. He smirked. More bullets crashed above, and the windows to the bar began breaking. A table flew over the bar and smashed to pieces. "Shit, we've got to separate." Spike said, quickly looking to his left and then to his right. Jet was already beginning to inch towards the right end of the bar. Spike nodded at him and then began to scoot down to the other end. "Hey, where are you two going?" Faye yelled grabbing for both of them but coming up empty. "You know we could just wait here and let the others get killed first. Then take Death for ourselves." She was telling the bar as she checked her gun, slamming the clip into place again. "But NOOO!!! We have to do things the hard way." "The Haaaarrrrd Way." Ed said in a small voice beside her. Faye looked over at her, Ed was inching towards the dead bartender, her hand almost in the blood. Faye grabbed her wrist quickly. "Don't touch it Ed." Faye said looking at the blood on the floor. "Trust me, it's a bitch to get off." Ed nodded and tucked her feet to her chest.
Spike and Jet had made it to the opposite sides of the bar. A man lay dead on the floor beside Spike, his eyes wide and staring at the ceiling. He didn't have a gun, an innocent by-stander? Spike looked back and caught Faye's eyes, her gun was ready pointing to the ceiling, she was going to hop from behind the bar. He nodded to her, and she rolled her eyes and nodded back, patting Ed on the shoulder. Spike looked past her to Jet.
Jet was peaking his head from his side of the bar. He could see Death, standing in a beam of blue light coming from the hanging neon lights that had broken during the shoot out. The shooting had all but stopped. Everyone was crouched behind tables planning out their next moves. Death had a couple sidekicks. The skinny man who had come in with him was standing beside him, his gun drawn, a smile wide on his face. Two men stood on the side of the bar closest to Jet and two more stood on the side by Spike. Each man had a gun, each one trying to decide who to shoot first. Jet looked back and caught Spike and Faye looking at him. He signaled what he saw with his hands. The two nodded in return. Jet took a deep breath and sighted his gun at the closest person to him. Spike mirrored his movements on the other side of the bar. Faye took a deep breath, and looked at Ed. "Don't move that chain, got it." Faye said lifting the cord that attached Ed to the bar. "Rodger-dodger, Faye-Faye." Ed said saluting her. Faye pushed her head down as another shot rang out. A single shot. That was the signal for another all out brawl.
Jet shot Death's lackey in the knee, blood pouring from the wound as he went down. His gun firing. Itchy trigger finger. He rolled out from behind the bar, shooting blindly the whole time. He made it to a table just as the wild gun fire began again.
Spike threw himself on to the floor and shot the man closest to him in the chest twice. He picked the dead man beside him up and used him as a shield as he moved across to the next barrier.
Faye shot up from behind the bar and shot the skinny man beside Death in the hand, and then turned and did the same to Death. The guns flew from their hands. A loud laugh came from Death as he ran to hide behind a broken table. Faye jumped over the bar and rolled behind another table. She found herself close to another man hiding behind a table, he had a large shot gun and a not so friendly face. "Hey, there. Nice gun." She said giving him her best smile. He did not return it. "Death's mine." He said pointing the gun at her. "Hey, can't we just work together." Faye said getting a little angry. The gun clicked and the table beside Faye blew into chunks. "Guess not." She said returning fire, and throwing herself to another hiding spot. She ended up with in shouting distance of Jet who had been firing at another bounty hunter.
"I don't think we're just going to walk out of here with Death." Faye yelled over to him. She then sighted behind him and took out a blond haired bounty hunter. Jet smiled over at her and tipped an imaginary hat to her. She returned it with a salute of her gun.
Spike threw the body of his dead man shield at the other of Death's lackeys. The man swatted it with his gun and the body went flying, Spike's foot then came up and knocked the gun from the man. The man countered with a kick to Spike's abdomen, and Spike caught him with an uppercut that sent the man flying across the room. The man landed in a heap right in front of Faye. She looked up and him and narrowed her eyes. He smirked and picked up the extra gun, throwing it in her direction. She caught it and spun on her to her knees taking out another of the lackeys. Spike smirked. Suddenly a bullet zoomed past his ear, a small cut appeared on his face. Another friend or foe? He ducked down as three more bullets rang in the air. Foe. He brought up his gun and took out the bald man fat man that had been shooting at him.
Jet was getting closer to Death's position, he was five feet from the curtain he was hiding behind. He aimed his gun and shot three times. A bloody hand with a gun came from behind the curtain. Jet fired again. The man fell from behind the curtain. It wasn't Death. "Oh man." Jet said loud enough for Faye to hear. She looked over at him and he shrugged. He suddenly raised his gun and pointed it at Faye, her eyes widened. "Behind you!!"
The skinny man that arrived with Death had a handful of her hair and had her on her feet. Jet was still aiming his gun at them, but couldn't get a good shot. Faye was struggling to get her gun hand free, but the man squeezed it and made her drop the gun. Faye started to tug at his hand as it encircled her throat. A shot rang out. The man spun, releasing his grip halfway through, sending Faye into a pile of broken tables. She laid there in a heap, broken wood surrounding her not moving form. The skinny man had his gun out and staggered as he tried to point it. Spike stood like a statue still pointing his gun at the skinny man. He pulled the trigger again and the man went down. Death lunged from a corner beside Jet, his arm came around Jet's throat and his gun was at ribs. Jet was struggling but for some reason Death was really strong.
Spike's gun immediately aimed at Death, looking for a shot. He couldn't see anything but the arm encircling Jet's shoulders and throat. If he shot at the arm the chance was too great that the bullet would go through it and into Jet. Spike kept his gun up. Another man bounced up from behind a table beside Spike. A young bounty hunter with red hair and sunglasses, his gun was pointed at Death. A shot rang out, Spike's finger twitched but his eyes never moved from Death and Jet. The red haired bounty hunter fell in a bloody heap, as one of Death's other cohorts emerged from a shadow beside Spike. "Drop it." The man said as he neared Spike. "I don't think so." Spike made a move to lift the other gun in his hand, the man was close. Spike reconsidered. If he chose to shoot the other guy he would chance Death shooting Jet. Sure he could get them both, but at what cost? He dropped the gun in his left hand, keeping his gun pointed at Death. No temptations. "You are truly an opponent." Death said as pushed his gun further into Jet's ribs. Jet yelled out as one snapped inside him. Spike didn't waver. His gun never moved. "Drop the gun or I drop your friend." He snapped another rib.
Spike let the gun spin and hang from his index finger. Death smiled, Spike did not return it. Another yelp from Jet sent a wave of anger through Spike. The bulky lackey that had appeared beside him took his gun away and turned him so he could frisk him. Death had taken all the other bounty hunters out. Spike had his arms behind his head and his head down. The bulky guy grabbed his cuffs from his back pocket and put one on his right wrist. Spike's attention was caught by Ed's head popping from behind the bar. He narrowed his eyes at her and she went back down quickly. He then looked over at the heap of wood in front of him. His arms were brought down and the other cuff snapped shut. He looked at the heap again and caught Faye's open eye, she smirked at him and closed her eyes as she slowly began to move her body. He didn't show anything on his face.
Jet and Spike were now cuffed to two support columns on the side of the bar that Jet had come out on. Death was sitting on a barstool smoking and laughing. His bulky friend was kicking bodies, and he was getting awfully close to Faye. Jet and Spike shared a look. Jet returned his gaze to the side of the bar, where Ed was sticking her head out. He tried to motion for her to get back behind it, but it didn't work.
"Hey check this out." The bulky guy said kicking at the heap of tables. "We've got a live one." Death turned his head away from Spike and Jet. Ed used the opportunity to get behind Jet and Spike, nicely hidden by the shadows. She began to fumble slowly with the handcuffs. Jet was looking at her over his shoulder, a cut on her cheek and forehead. He looked back to Death, now he was pissed. Spike remained still, staring ahead of him. His fists were clenched in anger. Faye.
"What do you have there, Sid?" Death said sliding off of his barstool and making his way to the man. Sid smiled as he lifted Faye to her feet. "Hey, be careful. Didn't you guys ever learn how to treat a lady?" She slammed her heel down into Sid's foot. He yelped and started to lift his hand to back hand her. "Sid." Death didn't yell, but he put enough force into it to make anyone stop. "Bring her over here." Sid hesitated, but finally put his hand down and began to drag her to Death. Faye walked with a bit of a limp at first but it went away by the time they reached Death. She was completely out of weapons, she had wiggled slowly the whole time trying to find a gun, but couldn't. They had fallen from her as she flew at the tables. She snuck a look over Death's shoulder at Spike and Jet. Death followed her gaze, and smiled when it landed on Spike. "Do you know what they call me?" He said moving closer to Faye. Sid moved out of the way and sat at the bar, a smile playing on his lips. "Maurice." Faye said with putting a hand on her hip. Spike smirked as he watched. She always had to have an attitude. Death laughed. "Some." He said between large laughs. "Not many. More people call me.Death." He said flipping a large knife in front of her face. He put it to her cheek and lightly drew it across. She didn't even feel it cut the skin, it was that sharp. Spike and Jet watched as a paper thin line under Faye's eye began to swell over with blood. They looked at one another. "Hurry, Ed." Jet said in a breath of a whisper. Ed just nodded, knowing better than to give herself away. Her fingers began to work a little faster. Spike's eyes moved around the room, spotted a gun. He then looked back to Faye and Death.
"What should I call you?" Faye said with a gulp. She was scared, and she hated showing it. He laughed again, loud. His head went back, the knife still flashing in front of her face. She was about to make a move to take it, her hand came up. In a second Death returned his attention to her, grabbed her up turned wrist and moved around her. It looked like they were dancing. He ended up behind her, his left arm twisting hers at a painful angle. His right arm was on her shoulder, the knife in his hand floating in her vision. Their bodies were close, she could feel his breath on her neck. She struggled against him. "Death." He said as he brought the knife across her collar bone. Again she hardly felt it at first, not until it began to bleed. She took in a sharp breath and a small moan. Spike's nails were digging into his flesh. Jet's one hand was free, they were almost there. Spike watched as Death put the blade to Faye's stomach, tip first. Blood was running down from the cut across her collar bone. He looked over at Jet, and then back at Ed. "Hurry." Spike said in a breath. Ed moved over and put something in Spike's hands. A lock pick. Spike turned his attention back to as he heard another sharp intake of breath. His hands moved with the small needle like tool. If Faye could do it, so could he. Jet was watching Sid at the bar. Sid's smile made him sick. He was enjoying the sight of Faye getting hurt. Sid signed his own death warrant.
"Want to see her really squirm?" Death asked Sid. Sid nodded and laughed. Faye struggled a bit more, as Death let go of her already hurt shoulder. He placed his left arm around her shoulders and neck, his body still closer to hers. She put her hand up on his arm. Death looked over at Spike and smiled. "Do you?" Spike's gaze didn't waiver. He kept his mind on the task at hand. He could fee the tool clicking into place. Just a few more seconds. Death laughed again, and put the knife behind Faye's back. Spike mentally shook, he didn't like not seeing the knife.
Faye screamed as she felt the tip of the blade slowly enter her flesh. Death then slid the knife across the skin. It was the same torture as before only this time he made sure she felt it. At that moment she saw Ed rush back behind the bar. Faye knew she had to make the first move. Death took the knife from her back and brought it up for everyone to see. Suddenly Faye slammed her heel into Death's foot, she felt it touch the floor. He screamed out, she bit him in the arm he had around her shoulders. He dropped his knife to the floor and brought his other hand to her throat, squeezing. Faye kicked at him and grabbed at him as he lifted her from the ground. "Any time you guys." She croaked out. Death turned his attention just in time to see Spike and Jet fly from their seats.
Jet grabbed Sid by the collar of his suit, grabbed the gun from his holster and used him as a human shield. Death fired wildly at them and threw Faye over to heap of broken tables again. She landed with a hard thud. Spike had rolled over the gun he spotted and was now crouching behind a table. Sid was full of holes from Death's firing. Spike watched as Jet returned fire, hitting Death in the shoulder. Death didn't stagger. Suddenly Jet went down in a rush of sparks. Death had hit his robotic arm. Jet fell, Sid's body crushing him. Spike got up and fired at Death, hitting him twice in the shoulder. Death turned and fired at Spike. A bullet tore through Spike's stomach and gun hand. The gun went to the floor. Spike doubled over, his head came up at a sound.
"BANG!!!! Bang, bang, bang." Ed's sing-song voice rang out. Spike's head shot up, but dizziness from the wounds got him and he staggered to his knees. Jet was desperately clawing at the body on top of him, his one arm completely useless. More of his ribs broke under the weight of Sid. Spike searched desperately for a gun. Ed stood her eyes wide as Death turned on her, she froze as he pointed the gun at her. A wide grin on his face. "Ed!!!!" Faye's voice yelled out as she ran for the girl. A shot rang out. Time stood still, action that took mere seconds, looked like hours. Spike's head snapped up. Jet's hands froze. The bullet had gone into the back of Faye's left shoulder. Her left arm draped around Ed, in a kind of a hug. She brought her right arm out in a swoop of motion. Gun pointed at Death, his eyes went wide. A shot rang out and Death bent over. She got him in the stomach. Suddenly red and blue lights invaded the dark bar. Faye scurried with Ed behind the bar and sat with her back up against it. Her breathing was labored. She looked down at her shoulder, no exit wound. "Here, help me out." Faye said removing her red sweater. The shooting had stopped, had she killed Death? Ed took the red sweater and wrapped up her wounded shoulder. "I thought I told you to stay put." Faye said as Ed wrapped up her shoulder. "No. Faye-Faye said not to move the chain." Ed said with a smile. "Ed did not move the chain." Ed pointed at the cord that was still attached to the bar. She sighed. Suddenly Faye saw Death make for the back door, still hunched over a little. He staggered out. Spike was hot on his heels, hunched over a little himself. She got to her feet with a little help from Ed. "This time I'm telling you. Stay put, help Jet." Faye started for the door. "Rodger-dodger," Another salute. Faye ran out the back door. Ed went over to Jet and helped Jet to remove the body from on top of him. She then gave him a big hug which caused him to yelp in pain. "Everyone come out with your hands up!!!!" A loud voice boomed in to the bar. Jet let out a large sigh and lay back on the floor. Ed mimicked him, which made him sigh, this time out of relief.
The chase was on in the small dark alley behind the Blue Rhino. Death was in the lead, Spike a close second and Faye right on his heels. Spike was firing wildly at the retreating figure of Death. When he ran out of bullets he threw the gun at him, missing by about two feet. Faye was running, trying to bring her gun up and focus on a target. She was about five feet from Spike when she suddenly stopped. "Spike! Get down." She yelled. He looked back and saw she stopped, and was pointing her gun. "Shit." Spike said as he dropped to the ground. She fired. Taking out Death's right leg at the knee. He stumbled but kept going, she fired again, left knee. He fell, and continued to crawl, for about two feet. Suddenly he went limp. Faye walked up to Spike who was now on his knees getting to his feet. He whistled. She bent down and helped him up. "Why didn't you just shoot him in the first place?" Spike asked still looking at the body, making sure he didn't move. "I didn't have a gun." Faye said also looking at the body of Death. "I didn't get it until he dropped my arm to poke me with his knife." "You pick-pocketed him?" Spike asked now looking at Faye. She smirked. "You cheated Death." "Again." Faye said putting the gun in the front of her pants. Spike looked back at the body and then to her. And whistled again. "Fancy shooting. I'd hate to be on the other side of that gun." He put his hand to his wounded stomach. And noticed the blood dripping from her shoulder and neck. "I guess this means we're even, for the whole yanking of the cord thing." Faye said smirking at Spike. He brought his gaze up from her bloodied neck and met her eyes. Staring deeply into them. "Not yet." He said as he brought his hand up to the cut under her eyes. His fingers traced it lightly. Faye hardly even realized it. "Not yet!! Not yet." Faye began to yell. "I took out Death for you. Me. I got him. You didn't even hit him once back here." She huffed, and made eye contact with him. It was then she realized he was touching her. His fingers by her ear, his calloused thumb wiping away the blood on her cheek. "What exactly am I going to have to do to get rid of this debt." Faye asked, her voice not as sure as her mind was. She was staring into his eyes, deep red-brown pools. One slightly off-color. He stared in her green pools and smiled, a lazy wide grin with tons of possibilities. "One more thing." He said as his hand snaked its way on her face. His thumb moved down to her upper lip and over it. A small shudder ran through her. Their eyes had remained on each other, each stealing quick glances at the other's lips. But now, their eyes were locked. The pain from the wounds they had received was a dull throb in the background now. They were moving closer to one another, their eyes closing as the distance lessened. Spike's hands was around the back of her neck now, their mouth less than an inch apart. Eyes nothing but slits, almost closed. Faye could feel Spike's breath mingling with hers. Lips barely touching. It had seemed like such a close distance before, but now, it was miles apart. A slight brush of lips and.
"Yo! Spike. Faye!!" You two alright." Jet's voice filled the alley at the other end. Spike and Faye flew away from each other, the pain of their wounds coming back as they moved apart. Spike turned away from Faye and looked down the alley at the body of Death, slowly being lifted onto a gurney. He caught Jet's waving arm in the light at the other end. He heard Faye move beside him, but didn't look at her. He didn't want to make eye contact with her again, every time it happened, he did something stupid. Faye was having the same thoughts as she put her right hand to her now throbbing shoulder. The two walked in silence each one lighting a cigarette on the way to their comrades. Ed stood beside Jet swinging off his good arm. She slowly stood still and watched as Faye and Spike approached. She looked up at Jet who was smoking a cigarette of his own, and holding on to her hand. "Way to kill the mood, Jet-person." Ed said putting a hand to her hip. She then saw the lights from the police cars and ran at them. "Huh?" Jet said as Faye and Spike got to him. "What?" Spike said. Jet looked at him, and then to Faye. He shrugged and they walked towards the flashing lights.
Well, there you have it, a little bit of romance in a pretty action filled chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it. And please review. Next Chapter: The Love Bug
Chapter Six: Cheating Death and Killing the Mood
Just as the three Beboppers stood up the bullets began to fly. Bullets zoomed past their head smashing into the bottles behind the bar. The bartender standing beside Spike got hit in the head and went slamming into the mirror. Spike watched him fall and then caught the eyes of his shipmates. The three took refuge behind the bar again, bullets still flying wildly above.
"Death has friends." Jet yelled. "I don't think they're all his friends." Spike said as a bottle crashed above him. "I'm betting we weren't the only bounty hunters to come in here." "I didn't even get a shot off." Faye yelled ducking her head a little as a bottle shattered. She put a protective arm over Ed's head. Ed was very quiet, staring at the lifeless body of the bartender. Blood beginning to pool behind his head. Spike reached out and grabbed the bartender's gun. "Neither did he." He said slamming the clip of the bartender's gun back in place. He looked up to Faye who had a 'no shit' look on her face. He smirked. More bullets crashed above, and the windows to the bar began breaking. A table flew over the bar and smashed to pieces. "Shit, we've got to separate." Spike said, quickly looking to his left and then to his right. Jet was already beginning to inch towards the right end of the bar. Spike nodded at him and then began to scoot down to the other end. "Hey, where are you two going?" Faye yelled grabbing for both of them but coming up empty. "You know we could just wait here and let the others get killed first. Then take Death for ourselves." She was telling the bar as she checked her gun, slamming the clip into place again. "But NOOO!!! We have to do things the hard way." "The Haaaarrrrd Way." Ed said in a small voice beside her. Faye looked over at her, Ed was inching towards the dead bartender, her hand almost in the blood. Faye grabbed her wrist quickly. "Don't touch it Ed." Faye said looking at the blood on the floor. "Trust me, it's a bitch to get off." Ed nodded and tucked her feet to her chest.
Spike and Jet had made it to the opposite sides of the bar. A man lay dead on the floor beside Spike, his eyes wide and staring at the ceiling. He didn't have a gun, an innocent by-stander? Spike looked back and caught Faye's eyes, her gun was ready pointing to the ceiling, she was going to hop from behind the bar. He nodded to her, and she rolled her eyes and nodded back, patting Ed on the shoulder. Spike looked past her to Jet.
Jet was peaking his head from his side of the bar. He could see Death, standing in a beam of blue light coming from the hanging neon lights that had broken during the shoot out. The shooting had all but stopped. Everyone was crouched behind tables planning out their next moves. Death had a couple sidekicks. The skinny man who had come in with him was standing beside him, his gun drawn, a smile wide on his face. Two men stood on the side of the bar closest to Jet and two more stood on the side by Spike. Each man had a gun, each one trying to decide who to shoot first. Jet looked back and caught Spike and Faye looking at him. He signaled what he saw with his hands. The two nodded in return. Jet took a deep breath and sighted his gun at the closest person to him. Spike mirrored his movements on the other side of the bar. Faye took a deep breath, and looked at Ed. "Don't move that chain, got it." Faye said lifting the cord that attached Ed to the bar. "Rodger-dodger, Faye-Faye." Ed said saluting her. Faye pushed her head down as another shot rang out. A single shot. That was the signal for another all out brawl.
Jet shot Death's lackey in the knee, blood pouring from the wound as he went down. His gun firing. Itchy trigger finger. He rolled out from behind the bar, shooting blindly the whole time. He made it to a table just as the wild gun fire began again.
Spike threw himself on to the floor and shot the man closest to him in the chest twice. He picked the dead man beside him up and used him as a shield as he moved across to the next barrier.
Faye shot up from behind the bar and shot the skinny man beside Death in the hand, and then turned and did the same to Death. The guns flew from their hands. A loud laugh came from Death as he ran to hide behind a broken table. Faye jumped over the bar and rolled behind another table. She found herself close to another man hiding behind a table, he had a large shot gun and a not so friendly face. "Hey, there. Nice gun." She said giving him her best smile. He did not return it. "Death's mine." He said pointing the gun at her. "Hey, can't we just work together." Faye said getting a little angry. The gun clicked and the table beside Faye blew into chunks. "Guess not." She said returning fire, and throwing herself to another hiding spot. She ended up with in shouting distance of Jet who had been firing at another bounty hunter.
"I don't think we're just going to walk out of here with Death." Faye yelled over to him. She then sighted behind him and took out a blond haired bounty hunter. Jet smiled over at her and tipped an imaginary hat to her. She returned it with a salute of her gun.
Spike threw the body of his dead man shield at the other of Death's lackeys. The man swatted it with his gun and the body went flying, Spike's foot then came up and knocked the gun from the man. The man countered with a kick to Spike's abdomen, and Spike caught him with an uppercut that sent the man flying across the room. The man landed in a heap right in front of Faye. She looked up and him and narrowed her eyes. He smirked and picked up the extra gun, throwing it in her direction. She caught it and spun on her to her knees taking out another of the lackeys. Spike smirked. Suddenly a bullet zoomed past his ear, a small cut appeared on his face. Another friend or foe? He ducked down as three more bullets rang in the air. Foe. He brought up his gun and took out the bald man fat man that had been shooting at him.
Jet was getting closer to Death's position, he was five feet from the curtain he was hiding behind. He aimed his gun and shot three times. A bloody hand with a gun came from behind the curtain. Jet fired again. The man fell from behind the curtain. It wasn't Death. "Oh man." Jet said loud enough for Faye to hear. She looked over at him and he shrugged. He suddenly raised his gun and pointed it at Faye, her eyes widened. "Behind you!!"
The skinny man that arrived with Death had a handful of her hair and had her on her feet. Jet was still aiming his gun at them, but couldn't get a good shot. Faye was struggling to get her gun hand free, but the man squeezed it and made her drop the gun. Faye started to tug at his hand as it encircled her throat. A shot rang out. The man spun, releasing his grip halfway through, sending Faye into a pile of broken tables. She laid there in a heap, broken wood surrounding her not moving form. The skinny man had his gun out and staggered as he tried to point it. Spike stood like a statue still pointing his gun at the skinny man. He pulled the trigger again and the man went down. Death lunged from a corner beside Jet, his arm came around Jet's throat and his gun was at ribs. Jet was struggling but for some reason Death was really strong.
Spike's gun immediately aimed at Death, looking for a shot. He couldn't see anything but the arm encircling Jet's shoulders and throat. If he shot at the arm the chance was too great that the bullet would go through it and into Jet. Spike kept his gun up. Another man bounced up from behind a table beside Spike. A young bounty hunter with red hair and sunglasses, his gun was pointed at Death. A shot rang out, Spike's finger twitched but his eyes never moved from Death and Jet. The red haired bounty hunter fell in a bloody heap, as one of Death's other cohorts emerged from a shadow beside Spike. "Drop it." The man said as he neared Spike. "I don't think so." Spike made a move to lift the other gun in his hand, the man was close. Spike reconsidered. If he chose to shoot the other guy he would chance Death shooting Jet. Sure he could get them both, but at what cost? He dropped the gun in his left hand, keeping his gun pointed at Death. No temptations. "You are truly an opponent." Death said as pushed his gun further into Jet's ribs. Jet yelled out as one snapped inside him. Spike didn't waver. His gun never moved. "Drop the gun or I drop your friend." He snapped another rib.
Spike let the gun spin and hang from his index finger. Death smiled, Spike did not return it. Another yelp from Jet sent a wave of anger through Spike. The bulky lackey that had appeared beside him took his gun away and turned him so he could frisk him. Death had taken all the other bounty hunters out. Spike had his arms behind his head and his head down. The bulky guy grabbed his cuffs from his back pocket and put one on his right wrist. Spike's attention was caught by Ed's head popping from behind the bar. He narrowed his eyes at her and she went back down quickly. He then looked over at the heap of wood in front of him. His arms were brought down and the other cuff snapped shut. He looked at the heap again and caught Faye's open eye, she smirked at him and closed her eyes as she slowly began to move her body. He didn't show anything on his face.
Jet and Spike were now cuffed to two support columns on the side of the bar that Jet had come out on. Death was sitting on a barstool smoking and laughing. His bulky friend was kicking bodies, and he was getting awfully close to Faye. Jet and Spike shared a look. Jet returned his gaze to the side of the bar, where Ed was sticking her head out. He tried to motion for her to get back behind it, but it didn't work.
"Hey check this out." The bulky guy said kicking at the heap of tables. "We've got a live one." Death turned his head away from Spike and Jet. Ed used the opportunity to get behind Jet and Spike, nicely hidden by the shadows. She began to fumble slowly with the handcuffs. Jet was looking at her over his shoulder, a cut on her cheek and forehead. He looked back to Death, now he was pissed. Spike remained still, staring ahead of him. His fists were clenched in anger. Faye.
"What do you have there, Sid?" Death said sliding off of his barstool and making his way to the man. Sid smiled as he lifted Faye to her feet. "Hey, be careful. Didn't you guys ever learn how to treat a lady?" She slammed her heel down into Sid's foot. He yelped and started to lift his hand to back hand her. "Sid." Death didn't yell, but he put enough force into it to make anyone stop. "Bring her over here." Sid hesitated, but finally put his hand down and began to drag her to Death. Faye walked with a bit of a limp at first but it went away by the time they reached Death. She was completely out of weapons, she had wiggled slowly the whole time trying to find a gun, but couldn't. They had fallen from her as she flew at the tables. She snuck a look over Death's shoulder at Spike and Jet. Death followed her gaze, and smiled when it landed on Spike. "Do you know what they call me?" He said moving closer to Faye. Sid moved out of the way and sat at the bar, a smile playing on his lips. "Maurice." Faye said with putting a hand on her hip. Spike smirked as he watched. She always had to have an attitude. Death laughed. "Some." He said between large laughs. "Not many. More people call me.Death." He said flipping a large knife in front of her face. He put it to her cheek and lightly drew it across. She didn't even feel it cut the skin, it was that sharp. Spike and Jet watched as a paper thin line under Faye's eye began to swell over with blood. They looked at one another. "Hurry, Ed." Jet said in a breath of a whisper. Ed just nodded, knowing better than to give herself away. Her fingers began to work a little faster. Spike's eyes moved around the room, spotted a gun. He then looked back to Faye and Death.
"What should I call you?" Faye said with a gulp. She was scared, and she hated showing it. He laughed again, loud. His head went back, the knife still flashing in front of her face. She was about to make a move to take it, her hand came up. In a second Death returned his attention to her, grabbed her up turned wrist and moved around her. It looked like they were dancing. He ended up behind her, his left arm twisting hers at a painful angle. His right arm was on her shoulder, the knife in his hand floating in her vision. Their bodies were close, she could feel his breath on her neck. She struggled against him. "Death." He said as he brought the knife across her collar bone. Again she hardly felt it at first, not until it began to bleed. She took in a sharp breath and a small moan. Spike's nails were digging into his flesh. Jet's one hand was free, they were almost there. Spike watched as Death put the blade to Faye's stomach, tip first. Blood was running down from the cut across her collar bone. He looked over at Jet, and then back at Ed. "Hurry." Spike said in a breath. Ed moved over and put something in Spike's hands. A lock pick. Spike turned his attention back to as he heard another sharp intake of breath. His hands moved with the small needle like tool. If Faye could do it, so could he. Jet was watching Sid at the bar. Sid's smile made him sick. He was enjoying the sight of Faye getting hurt. Sid signed his own death warrant.
"Want to see her really squirm?" Death asked Sid. Sid nodded and laughed. Faye struggled a bit more, as Death let go of her already hurt shoulder. He placed his left arm around her shoulders and neck, his body still closer to hers. She put her hand up on his arm. Death looked over at Spike and smiled. "Do you?" Spike's gaze didn't waiver. He kept his mind on the task at hand. He could fee the tool clicking into place. Just a few more seconds. Death laughed again, and put the knife behind Faye's back. Spike mentally shook, he didn't like not seeing the knife.
Faye screamed as she felt the tip of the blade slowly enter her flesh. Death then slid the knife across the skin. It was the same torture as before only this time he made sure she felt it. At that moment she saw Ed rush back behind the bar. Faye knew she had to make the first move. Death took the knife from her back and brought it up for everyone to see. Suddenly Faye slammed her heel into Death's foot, she felt it touch the floor. He screamed out, she bit him in the arm he had around her shoulders. He dropped his knife to the floor and brought his other hand to her throat, squeezing. Faye kicked at him and grabbed at him as he lifted her from the ground. "Any time you guys." She croaked out. Death turned his attention just in time to see Spike and Jet fly from their seats.
Jet grabbed Sid by the collar of his suit, grabbed the gun from his holster and used him as a human shield. Death fired wildly at them and threw Faye over to heap of broken tables again. She landed with a hard thud. Spike had rolled over the gun he spotted and was now crouching behind a table. Sid was full of holes from Death's firing. Spike watched as Jet returned fire, hitting Death in the shoulder. Death didn't stagger. Suddenly Jet went down in a rush of sparks. Death had hit his robotic arm. Jet fell, Sid's body crushing him. Spike got up and fired at Death, hitting him twice in the shoulder. Death turned and fired at Spike. A bullet tore through Spike's stomach and gun hand. The gun went to the floor. Spike doubled over, his head came up at a sound.
"BANG!!!! Bang, bang, bang." Ed's sing-song voice rang out. Spike's head shot up, but dizziness from the wounds got him and he staggered to his knees. Jet was desperately clawing at the body on top of him, his one arm completely useless. More of his ribs broke under the weight of Sid. Spike searched desperately for a gun. Ed stood her eyes wide as Death turned on her, she froze as he pointed the gun at her. A wide grin on his face. "Ed!!!!" Faye's voice yelled out as she ran for the girl. A shot rang out. Time stood still, action that took mere seconds, looked like hours. Spike's head snapped up. Jet's hands froze. The bullet had gone into the back of Faye's left shoulder. Her left arm draped around Ed, in a kind of a hug. She brought her right arm out in a swoop of motion. Gun pointed at Death, his eyes went wide. A shot rang out and Death bent over. She got him in the stomach. Suddenly red and blue lights invaded the dark bar. Faye scurried with Ed behind the bar and sat with her back up against it. Her breathing was labored. She looked down at her shoulder, no exit wound. "Here, help me out." Faye said removing her red sweater. The shooting had stopped, had she killed Death? Ed took the red sweater and wrapped up her wounded shoulder. "I thought I told you to stay put." Faye said as Ed wrapped up her shoulder. "No. Faye-Faye said not to move the chain." Ed said with a smile. "Ed did not move the chain." Ed pointed at the cord that was still attached to the bar. She sighed. Suddenly Faye saw Death make for the back door, still hunched over a little. He staggered out. Spike was hot on his heels, hunched over a little himself. She got to her feet with a little help from Ed. "This time I'm telling you. Stay put, help Jet." Faye started for the door. "Rodger-dodger," Another salute. Faye ran out the back door. Ed went over to Jet and helped Jet to remove the body from on top of him. She then gave him a big hug which caused him to yelp in pain. "Everyone come out with your hands up!!!!" A loud voice boomed in to the bar. Jet let out a large sigh and lay back on the floor. Ed mimicked him, which made him sigh, this time out of relief.
The chase was on in the small dark alley behind the Blue Rhino. Death was in the lead, Spike a close second and Faye right on his heels. Spike was firing wildly at the retreating figure of Death. When he ran out of bullets he threw the gun at him, missing by about two feet. Faye was running, trying to bring her gun up and focus on a target. She was about five feet from Spike when she suddenly stopped. "Spike! Get down." She yelled. He looked back and saw she stopped, and was pointing her gun. "Shit." Spike said as he dropped to the ground. She fired. Taking out Death's right leg at the knee. He stumbled but kept going, she fired again, left knee. He fell, and continued to crawl, for about two feet. Suddenly he went limp. Faye walked up to Spike who was now on his knees getting to his feet. He whistled. She bent down and helped him up. "Why didn't you just shoot him in the first place?" Spike asked still looking at the body, making sure he didn't move. "I didn't have a gun." Faye said also looking at the body of Death. "I didn't get it until he dropped my arm to poke me with his knife." "You pick-pocketed him?" Spike asked now looking at Faye. She smirked. "You cheated Death." "Again." Faye said putting the gun in the front of her pants. Spike looked back at the body and then to her. And whistled again. "Fancy shooting. I'd hate to be on the other side of that gun." He put his hand to his wounded stomach. And noticed the blood dripping from her shoulder and neck. "I guess this means we're even, for the whole yanking of the cord thing." Faye said smirking at Spike. He brought his gaze up from her bloodied neck and met her eyes. Staring deeply into them. "Not yet." He said as he brought his hand up to the cut under her eyes. His fingers traced it lightly. Faye hardly even realized it. "Not yet!! Not yet." Faye began to yell. "I took out Death for you. Me. I got him. You didn't even hit him once back here." She huffed, and made eye contact with him. It was then she realized he was touching her. His fingers by her ear, his calloused thumb wiping away the blood on her cheek. "What exactly am I going to have to do to get rid of this debt." Faye asked, her voice not as sure as her mind was. She was staring into his eyes, deep red-brown pools. One slightly off-color. He stared in her green pools and smiled, a lazy wide grin with tons of possibilities. "One more thing." He said as his hand snaked its way on her face. His thumb moved down to her upper lip and over it. A small shudder ran through her. Their eyes had remained on each other, each stealing quick glances at the other's lips. But now, their eyes were locked. The pain from the wounds they had received was a dull throb in the background now. They were moving closer to one another, their eyes closing as the distance lessened. Spike's hands was around the back of her neck now, their mouth less than an inch apart. Eyes nothing but slits, almost closed. Faye could feel Spike's breath mingling with hers. Lips barely touching. It had seemed like such a close distance before, but now, it was miles apart. A slight brush of lips and.
"Yo! Spike. Faye!!" You two alright." Jet's voice filled the alley at the other end. Spike and Faye flew away from each other, the pain of their wounds coming back as they moved apart. Spike turned away from Faye and looked down the alley at the body of Death, slowly being lifted onto a gurney. He caught Jet's waving arm in the light at the other end. He heard Faye move beside him, but didn't look at her. He didn't want to make eye contact with her again, every time it happened, he did something stupid. Faye was having the same thoughts as she put her right hand to her now throbbing shoulder. The two walked in silence each one lighting a cigarette on the way to their comrades. Ed stood beside Jet swinging off his good arm. She slowly stood still and watched as Faye and Spike approached. She looked up at Jet who was smoking a cigarette of his own, and holding on to her hand. "Way to kill the mood, Jet-person." Ed said putting a hand to her hip. She then saw the lights from the police cars and ran at them. "Huh?" Jet said as Faye and Spike got to him. "What?" Spike said. Jet looked at him, and then to Faye. He shrugged and they walked towards the flashing lights.
Well, there you have it, a little bit of romance in a pretty action filled chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it. And please review. Next Chapter: The Love Bug