Hey all! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I appreciated it mucho much. I
love reviews! They rock! Anyway, so, as I was thinking over my outline for
this fic, I realized I had a few problems that could be possibly fatal to
the plot, but I worked them out. So that's good. However, it does make me
nervous about this whole posting every chapter the very second I finish it
deal, because it means I won't be able to go back and fix little details I
make mistakes on once I get my work out there. And that bothers me. But
it's okay, I'll keep posting, because I'm sure most of you all would loose
interest if I just posted the completed Troubles With God six months from
now. (Not to mention I'm a sucker for reviews.) SO! Now that I'm done with
my neurotic rambling, on with the fic!
*
O, My Troubles With God
By Rio Grande
Chapter Four: Of In-Laws And The Brooding
*
"Twenty-two bottles of beer on the wall, twenty-two bottles of beer." Faye hummed quietly, filing her nails and letting one leg dangle leisurely off the Walker's tree, hardly focusing on the task at hand. It scarcely seemed worthwhile anymore, she had been staking out Ricky Walker's mansion (AGAIN.) for about forty-five minutes now, and, as usual, he seemed to have somewhere more important to be that day, and had dragged his family off with him, making for a very uneventful three quarters of an hour of spying on a totally vacant house.
"Take one down, bash it over Spike's ugly, confusing, obnoxious, mixed messaging, nonchalant, stupid head."
Faye really didn't want to be spying on Ricky's house again, hadn't planned on it, but, there she was, perched back up on the very concealing tree, alone, giving herself a home manicure. And all because of one silly death threat. Like, honestly, she didn't know what Spike was so suspicious about; she got them all the time!
".Pass it around."
However, when she had received an anonymous death threat taped to her coffee cup at the café earlier that morning, Spike had insisted she go back and check up on their four, dear friends again, as it looked like this was most likely their work. Typical, sloppy, and unprofessional sounding. unlike Yoloko who seemed to be more the type to just go in for the kill, if Faye had been correct in her hypothesis that it had been one of her men aiming the bazooka at her head just the other night. You couldn't GET much more direct than that! So, now Faye was back in the dumb tree again, not really planning on visiting ALL of those STUPID rich guys houses, if Ricky's seemed relatively innocent. It would just be a waste of time.
"Twenty-two bottles of beer on the wall,"
Besides, she had some serious brooding to do today. She had even cut away a special slot of time where she would be allowed to just mope around the hotel and BROOD. Mainly about Spike. And his infuriating tendency to mess up her life, not to mention love life. Why was he giving out such confusing signals!? And she wasn't seriously considering actually falling for Spike again, was she? It just hadn't worked last time she had, and she was seriously doubting the possibility that it would work now, seeing as how he was dead and all that jazz.
She was such a dumb ass, she truly was.
"Twenty-one bottles- Aw, fuck it! I don't need this! I could be back in my nice comfy bed at the hotel right now! Let SPIKE stake out all of the houses, if he's so goddamned worried about it!" Faye decided, firmly, swinging her leg back over the branch, and gathering her things. Mainly various shades of red nail polish she had scattered around the broad branch.
Okay, so, she didn't want to say anything, but the death threat HAD freaked her out, just a bit. If not only because it meant someone was spying on her. Spying on her well enough to follow her to her usual café, and caring about it enough to tape a death threat to her chai latte. She didn't think they had discovered where her hotel was yet, but if they were keeping close tabs on her. how long would that last? Another day, maybe?
Speaking of how long things were going to last, Faye was almost through with her once impressive amount of money, and knew her time was running out with her beloved hotel. She would soon be kicked out, on the streets, homeless, and didn't really know how she was going to continue with the case from there. She had jus assumed the darned thing would be closed by this point, and she would be carting her 15,000,000 Wong out to some colony to go be happy and rich at, by now!. She hated to admit it, but things had been easier when she just lived on the Bebop. Her own Swordtail was currently being fixed up in some shop she planned to go to when she got back enough money to claim it, and it really wasn't the type of ship you lived on, anyway.
Faye let out a large sigh, digging through her pocket to get out her bottle of Aspirin-Plus, feeling another one of those lovely headaches coming on, now that her nail polish was all carefully stashed away. She had just gotten out the small, but very revered bottle, when someone's gold laden hand gripped her tree's bough, and got enough leverage to heave themselves onto Faye's own branch, taking the bounty huntress by complete surprise, and scaring her half out of her mind.
"Hello," they gasped, companionably.
"EEEKK!!!" Faye replied, in kind.
*
Spike eyed the delectable looking six-pack of beer sitting innocently in its little freezer longingly, waiting for the only other customer in the store to hurry up and purchase his damned potato chips, so that the invisible Spike could slip out the door with the beer, unnoticed. People, as he'd found it, tended to not like it when they saw their merchandise floating away from them. got 'em all paranoid and crap.
Now, while Faye had intended to go broad around the air-conditioned hotel room that day, Spike had intended to go broad at a nice cheap, dark bar somewhere. However, finding, much to his dismay, that there weren't many of those in this neighborhood, and the best thing he could find being Faye's hotel's bar. Which was still pretty fancy, and he just couldn't lower himself to that level just then, though he had a feeling Faye must have, on one occasion or another. So, he planned to steal himself a six pack, and saunter on down to the park where he could sit on a bench by the fake little pond and eerily perfectly groomed ducks, and. well, broad.
The elderly man finally having gone to get his chips rung up, Spike grabbed the beer and made a sneaky dash for the door, bursting into the cool morning air.
While Spike may have been better at hiding is chaotic emotions than Faye was, in certainly didn't mean the man didn't have any. This is why he was going to go do his brooding, to get it all out of his system, in private. After all, for one to suggested the man wasn't the least bit fazed after nearly making out with the possibly one of the most dysfunctional women on the planet, on the ground of a burning down restaurant, would be insane! Damn straight he was freaked out, and he needed to sort his thoughts out properly if he was going to continue to work with Faye on this wacky case.
He was really starting to doubt if pursuing this bounty was even worth the 15,000,000 Wongs Faye was promised. It was too. messy. Suspicious. Not that he hadn't worked on far darker cases himself, but that was different. However, he HAD made a deal with Faye, and he didn't plan to back down on it now. He'd help her turn this woman in, and, in turn, she'd have to do some soul searching with him, if he ever wanted to R.I.P.
Sneaking around in the shadows, hoping no one would notice the levitating six-pack, Spike let out a breath of relief when he detected the park a half block off, quickly running into it and loosing himself in the artificial wilderness, keeping both eyes peeled for a vacant bench.
Why had he done that? Why had he nearly kissed her? Why had he even had the urge to in the first place? The entire event was sort of blurry in the first place, but the ghost dimly remembered being on the floor with Faye, just after the explosion, and looking into her eyes. They were. surprising, was possibly the adjective he was searching for. And they had so spurred him to kiss her; he was hardly able to stop himself! Yee gads, what would have happened if he HADN'T? What if he had actually kissed the bounty huntress!? Deeep breaths. calming, deep breaths.
All right, so, what HAD he seen in her eyes? What had been so extraordinary about the window's to Faye's soul? He remembered seeing. fear. She had been afraid, obviously. Someone had just tried to blow her to tiny, tiny bits. And that fear had made her deep turquoise orbs look vulnerable, something Faye usually was, but never actually showed. And she had been startled. She had been confused as to why Spike was there, leaning over her, and why he had come to her rescue. She had even voiced these questions, and that had made Spike (Though he would never admit it.) feel a bit crushed. A bit stupid. Sure he always acted laid-back and blasé when it came to rescuing Faye. but he always DID it. It wasn't as though he would have REALLY left her there any of those times, for dead.
But had she known that?
No, and, looking back on it, he hadn't wanted her to. And what had scared him in the restaurant was that, looking down on her face, that suddenly looked so much prettier than he had ever imagined it, was that he wanted Faye to know he would always be there for her. He had never wanted anyone besides Julia to know that. No one.
Well, maybe someone.
Maybe some peoples, more like.
He would not deny that in the time he had spent on the Bebop Spike had gotten almost uncomfortably close to the crew, to the point where he would consider doing anything for THEIR safety, for THEIR well being, never thinking once about himself. Back then; it had terrified him, made the man feel as though his soul was constantly being bared. Now, since he was dead, and didn't have to worry about what the future would hold when it came to the choices he made, it just baffled him. He couldn't understand why such a ragtag crew had been so close to his heart.
Had he really cared about the Bebop so much, had he really been so connected to them all? To the father figure Jet? To the girl genius Ed? To the data-dog Ein?
To 'Poker Alice' Faye?.
Yeah, he had. And now he felt as though the bond he was sharing with Faye was becoming something more intimate and perhaps even more romantic than he had ever seen it being. Well, that was a lie. Even when he had been alive, he had always been very aware what could have been between he and Faye, and circumstances had been different. It wasn't as though he was letting his heart lead him on a totally random and sporadic path, what he was starting to feel very acutely around Faye. had always been there. It scared him, and at the very same time he sort of felt happy about it. Warm inside. or as warm as a corpse could feel. But how could he do this? How could he fall in love with a woman who would sell her soul for the right amount of money?
He didn't know how, couldn't explain it, didn't want to explain it . but . Spike realized then and there, sitting on his little green park bench with his beer and wrinkled blue jacket, that.
He was falling for Faye Valentine.
"Ohhhh nooo." he groaned into his palms, shaking his head. How could this have happened to him? Especially when his soul purpose on Earth was to get back to his one and only up 'there'? How when he was dead, and could never lead a successful relationship with ANYONE since when he tried to the touch them half the time his hand would slip through their body? If anything were to happen between him and Faye, not only would it be cheating Julia, who had spent a good part of her prime years being on the run from some of the most vicious men in the universe just to be dedicated to him, it would be cheating Faye too. For if she returned Spike's sentiments, which he had a feeling she did, she would never know what it was really like to be with Spike, since she would only be getting half a man.
Fuck. Shit. This was bad. And he had to get her off his mind. But every time he closed his eyes, every time he let his mind wander as it pleased, pictures of her, lying there with the big innocent eyes and the pleading expression, as though she were asking him to help her, to be with her, would simply pop up and drive him crazy.
Faye was killing him. Not that that was so different from what she usually did.
However he couldn't let this one sit, couldn't push it to the back of his head and pretend it didn't exist, as he had done with most other problems, especially when he was alive. He was going to confront Faye about it. Yep. That was what he was going to do! In a very. discreet. indiscriminant way just in case she really DIDN'T return his feelings. That would be bad. And very like her. Always with the mixed messages!
What was he getting himself into? Faye was the embodiment of EVIL! How could he be in love with someone like her, after being in a relationship with someone like Julia?
But as soon as he'd thought that, Spike knew he had to STOP thinking like that. He couldn't compare Julia to Faye, or, on some rare occasions, visa versa. They were two different women, and two very different things had happened under two very different circumstances with them, so he couldn't evaluate them as one person when they were obviously two very separate people with their own faults and strong points. They had nothing to do with each other. except. except.
Except that they both had a piece of his heart.
Only question was, who had the bigger piece?
*
"So, let me get this straight. you were Yoloko's dead husband's brother?" Faye asked, swearing with a tongue that could make a particularly raunchy sailor blanch in her head, as she realized she was out of aspirin plus.
"Yes," Shinji Tsow confirmed, nodding his preposterously attractive head in conformation, an all too welcoming smile on his features. If Faye were the type to be taken in by a pretty face, she would have been blushing.
"Oh." Faye replied, blushing.
After nearly falling out of her tree when none other than Shinji Tsow, a muscular, attractive man with a boyish face, climbed onto her branch and completely startled her, Faye had been assured by the blond man that he meant no harm, and in fact had come to give her help with her current bounty. Yoloko. Faye had quickly added Shinji to her list of people she loved very very very much, and followed him to a local (very upscale) diner, needing no further explanation.
Although now that she had one, her head was spinning slightly.
Wowzers! She hadn't actually believed she would ever be able to talk to an actual relative of Yoloko's! Okay, so he was an in-law, but in some ways this was better, since it was Shinji's family who was supplying most of the reward money. Shinji could prove to be a most valuable asset if he actually knew anything about Yoloko and the murders she committed about two years ago now, and could maybe even give the woman her first real break.
"I wanted to tell you some very valuable information about Yoloko and the murders she committed about two years ago now,"
Would the wonders EVER cease?
'This is my lucky day!' Faye thought gleefully. 'He could tell me some good shit about Yoloko, that could be leads as to where to find her!'
"Really? That's great, Shinji! See I've actually been having a sort of dry-spell when it comes to this case, I have to admit." Faye said, leaning over the table so that the man got a most luscious view of her chest, and staring into Shinji's eyes entrancingly. Shinji grinned.
"Are you kidding, you've come farther than any other bounty hunter we've had come after this bitch yet!" he scoffed, actually looking a bit regretful. Faye cocked her head.
"I'm sure your just saying that," she said, speculatively.
"No, I'm not! You're the only one who has been able to spot her, or get under her skin like this, in such a short period of time! No one else has been so targeted by Yoloko specifically as you are!" Shinji blurted.
"But that's . that's really bad!" Faye pointed out.
"You're telling me? We've had hundreds of bounty hunters come out here to try and catch Yoloko, but so far, they've all ended up leaving this cursed town in a huff!" Shinji explained, looking very grim indeed. Faye winced, realizing that if things didn't pick up with this case, that she might too. "You're our best hope to catch Yoloko, Faye Valentine, and I stopped by because I wanted to make sure you had all the information you needed!" he explained.
"Well, that's really nice of you Shinji, but what sort of information do you have? I mean. unless you've got a map to Yoloko's hideout somewhere in there," she said, casually giving Shinji the once over from her side of the table. A slight heat rose to Shinji's neck, and he smiled politely.
"Well. no. But I can probably tell you just about anything else you might want to know," Shinji offered graciously. Faye bit her lip. Okay, so she hadn't really expected Shinji to have that map. but what more did she need to know about Yoloko?
'Who am I kidding. I have tons of questions!'
"Well, maybe you could tell me a little bit about Yoloko before the. incident," Faye said, broaching the subject carefully, and keeping in mind that it WAS Shinji's brother and nephews who were brutally murdered. "Was she always the insane, homicidal type? Or did something push her off the edge?"
"Good question," Shinji admitted, leaning back in his chair, as Faye leaned forward, curious. "In truth. Yoloko used to be a totally normal person,"
"What?" Faye deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.
"I know it's hard to believe, especially for those who have actually met her as she is now," Shinji said, chuckling darkly at Faye's aghast expression. He ran a hand through his hair and sipped his tea lightly as he spoke. Very sexy. "But it's true. In fact, when I first met her, I even liked the bitch. A lot. I was the one who encouraged she and Ryo to tie the not, even. of course, looking back on it, I sort of wish I had just blasted her head off and had been done with it," Faye winced. Nope, there weren't any spiteful emotions THERE!
"So, what caused the change, if she was this totally ordinary, good person?" Faye asked, blatantly. So far, all she was getting was more confused, and that really wasn't the direction she had been hoping to go in.
"It's hard to say. Although, the scenario wasn't anything like one moment she was this fun, loving, great mother and wife, and the next thing you know she's a vicious murderer. No," Shinji shook his head, not even noticing as Faye flinched at the word 'vicious'. "It happened gradually. She started drawing away from her family slowly, almost subconsciously, after a certain point in time, about a year before the killings. We didn't think much of it; Yoloko had always been a bit unusual. The 'cool' mother for the boys, and slightly oddball in law, if you know what I mean. Always the one playing with the kids during the family reunions, and smoking with the guys afterwards. Because of this, Mom and Dad thought nothing of it when she became more withdrawn and odd that year, even though I had my speculations. I knew Yoloko pretty well, and something was obviously bothering her."
"Like a primal desire to kill?" Faye suggested, causally.
".Er, don't know,"
"Just a thought," Shinji smiled at Faye, his eyes twinkling, apparently appreciating her attempted good humor, and continued on. Faye felt her breath get caught in her throat.
"At one point actually, she came to me, apparently worried about Ryo. that's my brother. Though I don't know why, Ryo looked as jolly as ever, SHE was the one having a panic attack, and for no reason I could disconcert. I told her this, but she just got worse. She said it wasn't her, it was him, there was something wrong with HIM. though when I asked her, she wouldn't say what exactly was wrong with her husband. She said she wasn't allowed to. It was such a weird night, It should have been my tip- off that things weren't exactly healthy up there," Shinji admitted, placing his teacup down carefully. Faye suddenly looked up at him with a whole new compassion in her eyes. What a terrible situation for a brother to be in.. The whole thing must have been a living nightmare for the horribly gorgeous man.
"Towards the end, I think Kurama and Takashi, the sons, noticed the tension too. The difference. But they could hardly do anything about it. this was their mother! Though they did put up a bit of a fight when push came to shove. so to speak," Shinji said, as though his own phrasing of the situation pained him. Faye cocked her head.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, after she was done shooting up Ryo, and had turned on her sons. they put up a bit of a fight. It was how she got that long scar down her arm."
"No." Faye gasped the whole situation a bit too morbid for her liking.
"Yeah, that was Kurama, the older one, twelve at the time I believe. We don't know exactly what happened, but luckily, the boy left enough of Yoloko's blood samples scattered around after the incident, that we were able to pint point some odd substances in her blood stream." Shinji admitted. Faye's brow furrowed, this was the important shit. If she could maybe figure out why Yoloko did what she did, she might be able to figure out what the woman was doing now.
"What did you find?"
"Drugs, basically. Really strong, potent. drugs. The doctors weren't ever able to really establish EXACTLY what drug, but they were thinking maybe opium. more likely Red Eye." Faye sighed lightly and put her cheek in her hand. Oh to be rich and be able to afford to partake in drugs like Red Eye.
"So you're saying she killed her family while she was under the effect?" Faye asked.
"That's what all of the evidence is pointing to. She fled the scene the second she was done with her dirty work. It was such a shock. she had loved her family SO MUCH, no one could understand just what had spurred her to become such a sadistic killer! And me, after having her come to me specifically asking for help? I could have shot myself," Shinji said, softly. Faye felt her heart go out to the man.
"You couldn't have known. she wasn't even asking for help for HERSELF, for God's sake! She was talking about Ryo!" Faye pointed out in a soothing voice.
"Still.you know how it is. All of those 'If onlys'. Obviously, you can see why my family put out such a large reward so quickly," Shinji said.
"Yes, and I want to really thank you for helping me like this. I haven't been able to find ANYTHING about the case! This is the best break I've had in forever!" Faye admitted, happily.
"Well, my family wanted to keep it all really hush hush, so there's not really any valuable information open to the public. we do own a very powerful firm you know. Having one of our own children killed by his maniac wife is bad press,"
"Er, right!" Faye agreed, shrugging. As if she'd know anything about that. "Although, I do have one last question Shinji. As nice as it is that you're helping me. how come no one else has been able to find Yoloko when she's staying in such a small area, and how come I'm the first bounty hunter you've bothered to lend a hand to?" she asked, skeptically. Shinji looked hesitant to reply.
"Well, not to scare you or anything, Faye, but odd things have been known to happen to bounty hunters who pursue Yoloko for too long," the man said carefully. Faye snorted.
"Oh yeah, I know all about that," she said, waving her hand casually.
"You do?" Shinji asked, confused.
"Absolutely. I've been beaten up and shot by Yoloko's bodyguards, got jumped by some rich asses who live in the neighborhood and have a soft spot for the woman, I've been sent a death threat and an anonymous tip, and, oh, here's my favorite, just the other night someone tried to blow me to smithereens with a bazooka when I was eating at a seafood restaurant,"
". You DO know all about Yoloko's seafood fetish-?"
"-Yes Shinji. Yes I do."
"Hmmm. curious," Shinji admitted, stroking his chin. "But, I must say, you are by far the most hounded bounty hunter we've had yet! Usually they give up and leave after the first attack, but you're holding up surprisingly well!" he congratulated.
"I am?" Faye asked flatly.
"You are! Bravo! See, this is why I came to help you. I've been so fed up with incompetent bounty hunters giving up after the first lynch, I knew you would be able to really help put my brother's murdered behind bars!"
"I don't know whether I should be flattered or worried here. Are you telling me that this town has been getting rid of all of the bounty hunters that try to get Yoloko?" Faye asked, folding her arms.
"In a nut shell. we believe so." Shinji divulged, nodding.
"That's ridiculous! Why haven't you brought these people to justice though? It would probably speed up the incarceration process!" Faye pointed out sharply.
"Because we have no solid proof that they actually scared off this bounty hunters! They always manage to leave the scene before they get caught. In fact, the first time they were arrested was with you! And even if you did come forward to make a complaint about them, the system wouldn't listen. They're just too influential in this town, and you're a bounty hunter. You guys may be above the law, but you're also not protected by it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but cops don't usually worry about mass assassinations of bounty hunters." Shinji summed up.
"Ch. Yeah, that sounds about right." Faye growled. It was the reason why she hadn't made a complaint to the police station when her rich attackers were let out Scott free. She wasn't naïve to the fact that many a local police officer wouldn't be elated to have her leave Neptune City. (A/N- HA! I bet you forgot that was the name of the town Faye was staying in!- Ah, don't worry, I did too. That's why haven't mentioned in like, the past three chapters.)
"Faye, not to put too much pressure on you, but my family is really counting on you now," Shinji said earnestly, taking Faye's hand, and squeezing it.
"Um, that's a rather bad idea Shinji dear." Faye admitted, looking sort of embarrassed; when was the last time someone put his or her total confidence in HER? Usually, people tried to put as little responsibility on her shoulders as possible, and she was feeling sort of swamped here.
"I highly doubt that! I've been reviewing your actions from the past few weeks, and I KNOW you can crack this one if you really put your heart into it," My, he was turning out to be quite the romantic. Cute. "Plus, I'm willing to give you all the help you need! Just ask!" Faye froze at that, the gears in her head cranking at warp speed.
". Any sort of help?"
"Anything! I'm at your service!" Faye let a sort of well, wicked grin slip onto her features, and she folded her hands in front of her carefully.
"Well, now that you mention it. I have been sort of . low on money. and it's expensive, staying in the neighborhood."
*
"Spike!"
"Faye!"
The couple cried in unison as they met up in front of the hotel. Faye looked overjoyed, nearly bouncing on the balls of her feet with contentment- where as Spike appeared rather wary hesitantly jogging up to her with a carefully guarded expression. Faye hardly noticed as she launched into her own story first.
"Spike, you'll never believe what just happened- I just had the biggest break ever!" Faye declared, stopping in front of the spirit, nearly gasping for breath.
"Really?" Spike asked, pretending to be very interested, as any normal bounty hunter would be. But, apparently, he wasn't a normal bounty hunter. Nooo. he had to be a crazy one who had fallen in love with his mentally unhinged partner in crime. Stupid him. He tried not to linger too much on how the afternoon rays hit Faye's face perfectly, making her looking pretty and youthful.
"Yes! I was checking out Ricky's place again, when this guy climbed up my tree and almost scared the fuck out of me!"
"Sounds enlightening," Spike commented, folding his arms, while mentally preparing the steps he needed to take to make his possible confession. You know what they say, not time like the present!
"Shut up! I'm not at the good part yet, Spiegel. He's Yoloko's brother in-law!" she got out quickly, softly.
"You mean. from her husband she murdered?"
"Yep." Okay, now Spike's interest was a bit piqued, and he pushed away his soul bearing thoughts for a later date, until they had this all straightened out.
"What did he say?"
"Well, he told me a lot of useful things about Yoloko, but, more importantly, I got him to finance our entire stay!" Faye got out, breathlessly.
"How?!"
"Well, the guy's loaded up to the armpits with cash, and he said he would do anything to have turn Yoloko in, so I brought up the fact that I'm a little loose on change. and bam! He's letting me stay at a recluse house he has in the area, in case people try to come after me at my hotel, and he's paying for more ammunition!" she practically giggled.
"Cool," Spike acknowledged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "But what is this guy like, and what sort of information did he tell you? Does it seem like we can trust him?"
"Well, I think so," Faye admitted, brushing some hair away from her eyes. Spike mentally slapped himself as he found himself watching the silky purple strands drift around her shoulder almost hypnotically. He had to get over this. or get it off his chest at least. Now just didn't seem to be the right time though. Well, there went all of his plans. "He seemed pretty passionate about just turning Yoloko in, and the stuff he told me was surprising but reasonable. I think we can trust him." Faye said folding her arms and turning to head into the hotel. "Come on, I'll tell you all about it while I'm packing. I want to get out of this place as soon as possible. I don't really feel safe anymore. Especially after that threat. Who knows when the natives could get restless and decide to fire bomb the hotel?"
"Of course," Spike said, following Faye through the glass doors, a wistful expression on his face as he realized perhaps the timing wasn't the only thing wrong with this situation. It was the fact that he was being a coward, as well, and was having second thoughts. Was this too spur of the moment for his cautious heart? Could he really bring himself to admit to Faye that he had feelings for her that went deeper than friendship?
Was he just being a coward?
Spike Spiegel did NOT enjoy being called a coward.. And he would just have to amend this situation.
Later. when he was more positive of what exactly he wanted to tell Faye.
Right.. Coward.
*
Yoloko raised an eyebrow as she watched Lincoln waddle into the room, fingering her black, hooded jacket as she did so. So. now he was coming to her! He was really getting desperate then.
Just as she'd planned.
"George, so good to see you! It's always a pleasure to have one of my most dedicated clients stumble in at an odd hour of the day, asking for favors I'm sure," she said dryly, as to of her guards flexed their muscles in what was a threatening motion a bit behind her. They all stood in what looked to be a warehouse of sorts, wide open spaces and boxes stacked on top of each other piled all about. It was a bit cold, but that wasn't the reason Mr. Lincoln was shivering.
"Of course. yes-right!" he stammered stupidly, obviously having no idea what he was talking about. Yoloko resisted the urge to roll her eyes, and cut to the chase. She had an order to pick up.
"What is it that you want? You are already in debt for your last order, and besides paying me, which I have a sinking feeling you do not intend to do, what else would you bother me for?" she snapped. The guards growled. Mr. Lincoln smoothed his sparse, oily hair back.
"I-I-I need another. order." Old George got out carefully, tugging on his silk tie to the point where he could possibly be choking himself. Yoloko blinked at him, mentally beaming triumphantly, and outwardly looking convincingly shocked.
"You must be kidding," she chuckled, putting one hand to her heavily makeuped mouth. "You can't possibly afford another shipment at this point!"
"B-But I will be able to!- soon."
"How? You're all-powerful company is going to the dogs, is how I hear it. And possibly because of your bad leadership!" Yoloko pointed out maliciously. Lincoln winced, but forged onward.
"I'm going to sell Lincoln to Techio! That will give me enough money to pay for whatever I owe you, and then some!" he said, showing the barest signs of a backbone. "And I will be wanting a. substantially larger order this time, if you want your money, in any case." Lincoln pointed out huffily.
"Is that a threat?" Yoloko asked, arching an eyebrow slowly.
"Erk!- No!" Okay, forget about the backbone. "I-I'm just s-saying. that in order to get Techio to buy Lincoln. I'll have to do some charming. So we're having a party in their honor in a week or so. and I thought."
"That you could buy their affections with my help?" Yoloko supplied helpfully. She was far from inexperienced when it came to conniving businessmen ways. After all, her late husband had been one.
"Yes! Yes exactly! Now do you see..?"
"Well, I suppose," she admitted, casually walking towards Lincoln, eyes averted. "Though it would be a risk on my part. for if your idea doesn't work, and Techio doesn't buy you over. where would I be?"
"I-I-. well." Lincoln looked a bit devastated.
"Although I guess we'll never know if we don't try!"
"Yes!" George perked up considerably, and Yoloko hid a smile.
"So, I believe I could have a large order ready by next week, if that's the way it has to be. I'll know how much to supply, and you should know that it's going to cost you a pretty penny, what with your combined dues from the last shipment. Oh- I really shouldn't be doing this." she said, trailing off suggestively.
"No! Please! Yoloko I'm BEGGING you!."
"WELL, if you're begging!"
"Please!"
"Fine! Just stop sniveling," the woman snapped irritably, folding her arms and frowning, no longer liking this game. It was getting boring.
"Thank you! You are so generous... and lovely. and kind.and forgiving." Yoloko let the dreaded man trail on for a bit, resisting the urge to slash him across the face with her impressive nails. Finally, she dismissed him, fully assured that he was effectively humbled, just as planned. In fact, all of this had been preordained by Yoloko, right down to knowing that Lincoln and Co was going bankrupt, and that Techio would want to buy them for their connections. Was she a genius or what?
Everything was going according to plan, and soon she'd be off this planet, rich as you please.
*
"Faye, no offense, but I'm not so sure if this Shinji guy helped us much. I'm practically more confused about the whole situation than when we started." Spike admitted, hanging off the couch and watching Faye shuffle around her room with two bright blue suitcases she was arbitrarily throwing things in, as she retold what had happened at the diner.
"I know. I sort of got that feeling too," she admitted flatly. "But it's better than nothing."
"I guess." Spike conceded doubtfully. "Not to rush you Faye, but I would appreciate it if we could wrap this whole thing up quickly, and get started with the more important parts of this expedition. It's just taking too long, and we need outside assistance," Spike said, firmly, while sitting up. Faye didn't even stop packing as she replied in a tight knit voice.
"I know we do, okay! But whom could we ask for help? I can't think of anyone who specializes in this sort of thing." She sighed while realizing the sheer oddity of her situation, and not too sure who could give her any good advice for this bounty.
"Are you kidding? Intelligent people who specialize in crazy bounty hunters with impossibly weird situations looming over their heads? Tell me Faye, who does that bring to mind?" Faye nearly dropped her makeup kit at those words. He couldn't mean.
"Spike, I." Seeing her slightly panicked expression, Spike knew the pretty woman had guessed right.
"Come on Faye, you know it would be the fastest way to get this all done,"
"But we left on such bad terms. well. at least, I did."
"And now would be a perfect time to reconcile! You want that, don't you?"
"I-I just don't know," Faye admitted, stuffing the makeup kit away, and then turning to look Spike in his multicolored eyes. She had never quite understood his eyes, but, none-the-less, whenever she looked into them, she got the distinct impression he was searching her soul. It was sort of nerve racking, but she wouldn't turn away. What more did she have to hide at this point? He basically knew everything about her. Well, all of the important things.
"Think about it Faye, hasn't this been going on too long? You know that now, with me, you'll have to face them eventually anyway, and don't tell me they wouldn't speed up this case. Remember how fast we used to zoom through bounties? With them. this would be cake," he said convincingly, silently adding that it would also be getting a step closer for him in terms of figuring out his ungodly situation. Faye looked a bit lost. She sat down carefully in a chair opposite him, a fortified expression playing across her features.
"It would just be very hard for me. There are too many open wounds with that group. Always have been. They all. just know what to do to push my buttons, and get me to say the most revealing things that I would have never considered telling anyone before. Not to mention they make me act all. I don't know, almost happy," she admitted softly.
"Tell me about it. Those were weird times, when we were all together." Spike agreed, as he watched Faye dig around her pants pocket for a cigarette.
"But they were good times,"
"Good times indeed."
"I sort of miss them."
"They were exiting, memorable people."
"Yeah, I guess It has been a while since I've seen any of the crew. and now with you here."
"A very opportunistic time for sure,"
"Okay. I'll do it,"
"Great!" Spike cheered, mission accomplished. Faye sat in silence, smoking and watching him carefully for a minute.
".Damn, how do you do that?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about,"
"Yes you do! You just convinced me to invite the entire Bebop crew back over! You just made me . made me. reopen a chapter in my book of life!!"
".What?"
"Never mind. Whatever. I guess. I guess I'll try and go locate everyone. They're pretty scattered." Faye sighed, rubbing her head and going to dig her laptop out of her bags. It was time for some e-mailing. God, how did she get herself into ruts like this? What was she going to say to JET? Oh no.
"Sounds like a plan," Spike acknowledged, a triumphant smile on his face as he lay back down on the couch, with his arms as his pillow, and a bigheaded smirk on his face. Yep, he was slick. Faye watched him take a short nap from her room, staring at him carefully. Well. that was Spike for you. Probably one of those most cunning people she knew, who could be just as thick at the same time. Didn't he know what sort of an affect he had on her? He could run her heart around in circles all day without missing a beat, then make her do whatever he wanted if he put his mind to it, and she wouldn't deny it. She might act tough, but she was a sucker for love.
Love? Oh God, not this again. She needed a drink. She was nearly positive that even if she did have some rekindled feelings for the fuzzy haired man at this point, they weren't mutual. He used her like nothing else half the time, and she wasn't blind to it, let him to do it in fact, if it meant she got to work with him some more. She would never tell anyone but, back in the day, she would have done anything to keep the Bebop crew together after she realized they were falling apart, and that was probably why she was so quick to buy into Spike's reasoning for reuniting the crew, even though she knew he mostly only wanted it so he could try and communicate with everyone once more. And hopefully get one step closer to being with. Julia. Not Faye, Julia.
Faye took in a painful breath, and turned on her heal, taking solace in packing her bags to get her mind off Spike. And even as she did this, she was unaware that Spike had watched the startling variety of emotions pass over her face, all notably miserable and poignant, and was quite confused himself as to just what was going on in Faye's head.
Things were getting quite messy on Mars, and neither bounty hunter had any idea what to do about it. They couldn't hide their true feelings forever, but what sort of people had they gotten involved with? A gambling, really old, voluptuous woman who lied constantly about . well, everything? And a dangerous man who used to be part of a syndicate and had more bones in his closet than one could effectively look at without getting queasy? Not to mention the lunkhead lied about... well, everything.
Soul searching was in order.
*
Notes: Once again, sorry about being late. I hope I don't loose too many readers if this continues. And I hope I don't confuse people to the point of insanity with this messed up fanfic, as well. Whatever. Now, since I'm desperate to know, tell me if you think anyone is out of character, because I have some real bad feelings about Faye. Or it could just be me. Anyway, review review review and it'll make me sooo happy! Thanks, bye!
Rio Grande.
*
O, My Troubles With God
By Rio Grande
Chapter Four: Of In-Laws And The Brooding
*
"Twenty-two bottles of beer on the wall, twenty-two bottles of beer." Faye hummed quietly, filing her nails and letting one leg dangle leisurely off the Walker's tree, hardly focusing on the task at hand. It scarcely seemed worthwhile anymore, she had been staking out Ricky Walker's mansion (AGAIN.) for about forty-five minutes now, and, as usual, he seemed to have somewhere more important to be that day, and had dragged his family off with him, making for a very uneventful three quarters of an hour of spying on a totally vacant house.
"Take one down, bash it over Spike's ugly, confusing, obnoxious, mixed messaging, nonchalant, stupid head."
Faye really didn't want to be spying on Ricky's house again, hadn't planned on it, but, there she was, perched back up on the very concealing tree, alone, giving herself a home manicure. And all because of one silly death threat. Like, honestly, she didn't know what Spike was so suspicious about; she got them all the time!
".Pass it around."
However, when she had received an anonymous death threat taped to her coffee cup at the café earlier that morning, Spike had insisted she go back and check up on their four, dear friends again, as it looked like this was most likely their work. Typical, sloppy, and unprofessional sounding. unlike Yoloko who seemed to be more the type to just go in for the kill, if Faye had been correct in her hypothesis that it had been one of her men aiming the bazooka at her head just the other night. You couldn't GET much more direct than that! So, now Faye was back in the dumb tree again, not really planning on visiting ALL of those STUPID rich guys houses, if Ricky's seemed relatively innocent. It would just be a waste of time.
"Twenty-two bottles of beer on the wall,"
Besides, she had some serious brooding to do today. She had even cut away a special slot of time where she would be allowed to just mope around the hotel and BROOD. Mainly about Spike. And his infuriating tendency to mess up her life, not to mention love life. Why was he giving out such confusing signals!? And she wasn't seriously considering actually falling for Spike again, was she? It just hadn't worked last time she had, and she was seriously doubting the possibility that it would work now, seeing as how he was dead and all that jazz.
She was such a dumb ass, she truly was.
"Twenty-one bottles- Aw, fuck it! I don't need this! I could be back in my nice comfy bed at the hotel right now! Let SPIKE stake out all of the houses, if he's so goddamned worried about it!" Faye decided, firmly, swinging her leg back over the branch, and gathering her things. Mainly various shades of red nail polish she had scattered around the broad branch.
Okay, so, she didn't want to say anything, but the death threat HAD freaked her out, just a bit. If not only because it meant someone was spying on her. Spying on her well enough to follow her to her usual café, and caring about it enough to tape a death threat to her chai latte. She didn't think they had discovered where her hotel was yet, but if they were keeping close tabs on her. how long would that last? Another day, maybe?
Speaking of how long things were going to last, Faye was almost through with her once impressive amount of money, and knew her time was running out with her beloved hotel. She would soon be kicked out, on the streets, homeless, and didn't really know how she was going to continue with the case from there. She had jus assumed the darned thing would be closed by this point, and she would be carting her 15,000,000 Wong out to some colony to go be happy and rich at, by now!. She hated to admit it, but things had been easier when she just lived on the Bebop. Her own Swordtail was currently being fixed up in some shop she planned to go to when she got back enough money to claim it, and it really wasn't the type of ship you lived on, anyway.
Faye let out a large sigh, digging through her pocket to get out her bottle of Aspirin-Plus, feeling another one of those lovely headaches coming on, now that her nail polish was all carefully stashed away. She had just gotten out the small, but very revered bottle, when someone's gold laden hand gripped her tree's bough, and got enough leverage to heave themselves onto Faye's own branch, taking the bounty huntress by complete surprise, and scaring her half out of her mind.
"Hello," they gasped, companionably.
"EEEKK!!!" Faye replied, in kind.
*
Spike eyed the delectable looking six-pack of beer sitting innocently in its little freezer longingly, waiting for the only other customer in the store to hurry up and purchase his damned potato chips, so that the invisible Spike could slip out the door with the beer, unnoticed. People, as he'd found it, tended to not like it when they saw their merchandise floating away from them. got 'em all paranoid and crap.
Now, while Faye had intended to go broad around the air-conditioned hotel room that day, Spike had intended to go broad at a nice cheap, dark bar somewhere. However, finding, much to his dismay, that there weren't many of those in this neighborhood, and the best thing he could find being Faye's hotel's bar. Which was still pretty fancy, and he just couldn't lower himself to that level just then, though he had a feeling Faye must have, on one occasion or another. So, he planned to steal himself a six pack, and saunter on down to the park where he could sit on a bench by the fake little pond and eerily perfectly groomed ducks, and. well, broad.
The elderly man finally having gone to get his chips rung up, Spike grabbed the beer and made a sneaky dash for the door, bursting into the cool morning air.
While Spike may have been better at hiding is chaotic emotions than Faye was, in certainly didn't mean the man didn't have any. This is why he was going to go do his brooding, to get it all out of his system, in private. After all, for one to suggested the man wasn't the least bit fazed after nearly making out with the possibly one of the most dysfunctional women on the planet, on the ground of a burning down restaurant, would be insane! Damn straight he was freaked out, and he needed to sort his thoughts out properly if he was going to continue to work with Faye on this wacky case.
He was really starting to doubt if pursuing this bounty was even worth the 15,000,000 Wongs Faye was promised. It was too. messy. Suspicious. Not that he hadn't worked on far darker cases himself, but that was different. However, he HAD made a deal with Faye, and he didn't plan to back down on it now. He'd help her turn this woman in, and, in turn, she'd have to do some soul searching with him, if he ever wanted to R.I.P.
Sneaking around in the shadows, hoping no one would notice the levitating six-pack, Spike let out a breath of relief when he detected the park a half block off, quickly running into it and loosing himself in the artificial wilderness, keeping both eyes peeled for a vacant bench.
Why had he done that? Why had he nearly kissed her? Why had he even had the urge to in the first place? The entire event was sort of blurry in the first place, but the ghost dimly remembered being on the floor with Faye, just after the explosion, and looking into her eyes. They were. surprising, was possibly the adjective he was searching for. And they had so spurred him to kiss her; he was hardly able to stop himself! Yee gads, what would have happened if he HADN'T? What if he had actually kissed the bounty huntress!? Deeep breaths. calming, deep breaths.
All right, so, what HAD he seen in her eyes? What had been so extraordinary about the window's to Faye's soul? He remembered seeing. fear. She had been afraid, obviously. Someone had just tried to blow her to tiny, tiny bits. And that fear had made her deep turquoise orbs look vulnerable, something Faye usually was, but never actually showed. And she had been startled. She had been confused as to why Spike was there, leaning over her, and why he had come to her rescue. She had even voiced these questions, and that had made Spike (Though he would never admit it.) feel a bit crushed. A bit stupid. Sure he always acted laid-back and blasé when it came to rescuing Faye. but he always DID it. It wasn't as though he would have REALLY left her there any of those times, for dead.
But had she known that?
No, and, looking back on it, he hadn't wanted her to. And what had scared him in the restaurant was that, looking down on her face, that suddenly looked so much prettier than he had ever imagined it, was that he wanted Faye to know he would always be there for her. He had never wanted anyone besides Julia to know that. No one.
Well, maybe someone.
Maybe some peoples, more like.
He would not deny that in the time he had spent on the Bebop Spike had gotten almost uncomfortably close to the crew, to the point where he would consider doing anything for THEIR safety, for THEIR well being, never thinking once about himself. Back then; it had terrified him, made the man feel as though his soul was constantly being bared. Now, since he was dead, and didn't have to worry about what the future would hold when it came to the choices he made, it just baffled him. He couldn't understand why such a ragtag crew had been so close to his heart.
Had he really cared about the Bebop so much, had he really been so connected to them all? To the father figure Jet? To the girl genius Ed? To the data-dog Ein?
To 'Poker Alice' Faye?.
Yeah, he had. And now he felt as though the bond he was sharing with Faye was becoming something more intimate and perhaps even more romantic than he had ever seen it being. Well, that was a lie. Even when he had been alive, he had always been very aware what could have been between he and Faye, and circumstances had been different. It wasn't as though he was letting his heart lead him on a totally random and sporadic path, what he was starting to feel very acutely around Faye. had always been there. It scared him, and at the very same time he sort of felt happy about it. Warm inside. or as warm as a corpse could feel. But how could he do this? How could he fall in love with a woman who would sell her soul for the right amount of money?
He didn't know how, couldn't explain it, didn't want to explain it . but . Spike realized then and there, sitting on his little green park bench with his beer and wrinkled blue jacket, that.
He was falling for Faye Valentine.
"Ohhhh nooo." he groaned into his palms, shaking his head. How could this have happened to him? Especially when his soul purpose on Earth was to get back to his one and only up 'there'? How when he was dead, and could never lead a successful relationship with ANYONE since when he tried to the touch them half the time his hand would slip through their body? If anything were to happen between him and Faye, not only would it be cheating Julia, who had spent a good part of her prime years being on the run from some of the most vicious men in the universe just to be dedicated to him, it would be cheating Faye too. For if she returned Spike's sentiments, which he had a feeling she did, she would never know what it was really like to be with Spike, since she would only be getting half a man.
Fuck. Shit. This was bad. And he had to get her off his mind. But every time he closed his eyes, every time he let his mind wander as it pleased, pictures of her, lying there with the big innocent eyes and the pleading expression, as though she were asking him to help her, to be with her, would simply pop up and drive him crazy.
Faye was killing him. Not that that was so different from what she usually did.
However he couldn't let this one sit, couldn't push it to the back of his head and pretend it didn't exist, as he had done with most other problems, especially when he was alive. He was going to confront Faye about it. Yep. That was what he was going to do! In a very. discreet. indiscriminant way just in case she really DIDN'T return his feelings. That would be bad. And very like her. Always with the mixed messages!
What was he getting himself into? Faye was the embodiment of EVIL! How could he be in love with someone like her, after being in a relationship with someone like Julia?
But as soon as he'd thought that, Spike knew he had to STOP thinking like that. He couldn't compare Julia to Faye, or, on some rare occasions, visa versa. They were two different women, and two very different things had happened under two very different circumstances with them, so he couldn't evaluate them as one person when they were obviously two very separate people with their own faults and strong points. They had nothing to do with each other. except. except.
Except that they both had a piece of his heart.
Only question was, who had the bigger piece?
*
"So, let me get this straight. you were Yoloko's dead husband's brother?" Faye asked, swearing with a tongue that could make a particularly raunchy sailor blanch in her head, as she realized she was out of aspirin plus.
"Yes," Shinji Tsow confirmed, nodding his preposterously attractive head in conformation, an all too welcoming smile on his features. If Faye were the type to be taken in by a pretty face, she would have been blushing.
"Oh." Faye replied, blushing.
After nearly falling out of her tree when none other than Shinji Tsow, a muscular, attractive man with a boyish face, climbed onto her branch and completely startled her, Faye had been assured by the blond man that he meant no harm, and in fact had come to give her help with her current bounty. Yoloko. Faye had quickly added Shinji to her list of people she loved very very very much, and followed him to a local (very upscale) diner, needing no further explanation.
Although now that she had one, her head was spinning slightly.
Wowzers! She hadn't actually believed she would ever be able to talk to an actual relative of Yoloko's! Okay, so he was an in-law, but in some ways this was better, since it was Shinji's family who was supplying most of the reward money. Shinji could prove to be a most valuable asset if he actually knew anything about Yoloko and the murders she committed about two years ago now, and could maybe even give the woman her first real break.
"I wanted to tell you some very valuable information about Yoloko and the murders she committed about two years ago now,"
Would the wonders EVER cease?
'This is my lucky day!' Faye thought gleefully. 'He could tell me some good shit about Yoloko, that could be leads as to where to find her!'
"Really? That's great, Shinji! See I've actually been having a sort of dry-spell when it comes to this case, I have to admit." Faye said, leaning over the table so that the man got a most luscious view of her chest, and staring into Shinji's eyes entrancingly. Shinji grinned.
"Are you kidding, you've come farther than any other bounty hunter we've had come after this bitch yet!" he scoffed, actually looking a bit regretful. Faye cocked her head.
"I'm sure your just saying that," she said, speculatively.
"No, I'm not! You're the only one who has been able to spot her, or get under her skin like this, in such a short period of time! No one else has been so targeted by Yoloko specifically as you are!" Shinji blurted.
"But that's . that's really bad!" Faye pointed out.
"You're telling me? We've had hundreds of bounty hunters come out here to try and catch Yoloko, but so far, they've all ended up leaving this cursed town in a huff!" Shinji explained, looking very grim indeed. Faye winced, realizing that if things didn't pick up with this case, that she might too. "You're our best hope to catch Yoloko, Faye Valentine, and I stopped by because I wanted to make sure you had all the information you needed!" he explained.
"Well, that's really nice of you Shinji, but what sort of information do you have? I mean. unless you've got a map to Yoloko's hideout somewhere in there," she said, casually giving Shinji the once over from her side of the table. A slight heat rose to Shinji's neck, and he smiled politely.
"Well. no. But I can probably tell you just about anything else you might want to know," Shinji offered graciously. Faye bit her lip. Okay, so she hadn't really expected Shinji to have that map. but what more did she need to know about Yoloko?
'Who am I kidding. I have tons of questions!'
"Well, maybe you could tell me a little bit about Yoloko before the. incident," Faye said, broaching the subject carefully, and keeping in mind that it WAS Shinji's brother and nephews who were brutally murdered. "Was she always the insane, homicidal type? Or did something push her off the edge?"
"Good question," Shinji admitted, leaning back in his chair, as Faye leaned forward, curious. "In truth. Yoloko used to be a totally normal person,"
"What?" Faye deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.
"I know it's hard to believe, especially for those who have actually met her as she is now," Shinji said, chuckling darkly at Faye's aghast expression. He ran a hand through his hair and sipped his tea lightly as he spoke. Very sexy. "But it's true. In fact, when I first met her, I even liked the bitch. A lot. I was the one who encouraged she and Ryo to tie the not, even. of course, looking back on it, I sort of wish I had just blasted her head off and had been done with it," Faye winced. Nope, there weren't any spiteful emotions THERE!
"So, what caused the change, if she was this totally ordinary, good person?" Faye asked, blatantly. So far, all she was getting was more confused, and that really wasn't the direction she had been hoping to go in.
"It's hard to say. Although, the scenario wasn't anything like one moment she was this fun, loving, great mother and wife, and the next thing you know she's a vicious murderer. No," Shinji shook his head, not even noticing as Faye flinched at the word 'vicious'. "It happened gradually. She started drawing away from her family slowly, almost subconsciously, after a certain point in time, about a year before the killings. We didn't think much of it; Yoloko had always been a bit unusual. The 'cool' mother for the boys, and slightly oddball in law, if you know what I mean. Always the one playing with the kids during the family reunions, and smoking with the guys afterwards. Because of this, Mom and Dad thought nothing of it when she became more withdrawn and odd that year, even though I had my speculations. I knew Yoloko pretty well, and something was obviously bothering her."
"Like a primal desire to kill?" Faye suggested, causally.
".Er, don't know,"
"Just a thought," Shinji smiled at Faye, his eyes twinkling, apparently appreciating her attempted good humor, and continued on. Faye felt her breath get caught in her throat.
"At one point actually, she came to me, apparently worried about Ryo. that's my brother. Though I don't know why, Ryo looked as jolly as ever, SHE was the one having a panic attack, and for no reason I could disconcert. I told her this, but she just got worse. She said it wasn't her, it was him, there was something wrong with HIM. though when I asked her, she wouldn't say what exactly was wrong with her husband. She said she wasn't allowed to. It was such a weird night, It should have been my tip- off that things weren't exactly healthy up there," Shinji admitted, placing his teacup down carefully. Faye suddenly looked up at him with a whole new compassion in her eyes. What a terrible situation for a brother to be in.. The whole thing must have been a living nightmare for the horribly gorgeous man.
"Towards the end, I think Kurama and Takashi, the sons, noticed the tension too. The difference. But they could hardly do anything about it. this was their mother! Though they did put up a bit of a fight when push came to shove. so to speak," Shinji said, as though his own phrasing of the situation pained him. Faye cocked her head.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, after she was done shooting up Ryo, and had turned on her sons. they put up a bit of a fight. It was how she got that long scar down her arm."
"No." Faye gasped the whole situation a bit too morbid for her liking.
"Yeah, that was Kurama, the older one, twelve at the time I believe. We don't know exactly what happened, but luckily, the boy left enough of Yoloko's blood samples scattered around after the incident, that we were able to pint point some odd substances in her blood stream." Shinji admitted. Faye's brow furrowed, this was the important shit. If she could maybe figure out why Yoloko did what she did, she might be able to figure out what the woman was doing now.
"What did you find?"
"Drugs, basically. Really strong, potent. drugs. The doctors weren't ever able to really establish EXACTLY what drug, but they were thinking maybe opium. more likely Red Eye." Faye sighed lightly and put her cheek in her hand. Oh to be rich and be able to afford to partake in drugs like Red Eye.
"So you're saying she killed her family while she was under the effect?" Faye asked.
"That's what all of the evidence is pointing to. She fled the scene the second she was done with her dirty work. It was such a shock. she had loved her family SO MUCH, no one could understand just what had spurred her to become such a sadistic killer! And me, after having her come to me specifically asking for help? I could have shot myself," Shinji said, softly. Faye felt her heart go out to the man.
"You couldn't have known. she wasn't even asking for help for HERSELF, for God's sake! She was talking about Ryo!" Faye pointed out in a soothing voice.
"Still.you know how it is. All of those 'If onlys'. Obviously, you can see why my family put out such a large reward so quickly," Shinji said.
"Yes, and I want to really thank you for helping me like this. I haven't been able to find ANYTHING about the case! This is the best break I've had in forever!" Faye admitted, happily.
"Well, my family wanted to keep it all really hush hush, so there's not really any valuable information open to the public. we do own a very powerful firm you know. Having one of our own children killed by his maniac wife is bad press,"
"Er, right!" Faye agreed, shrugging. As if she'd know anything about that. "Although, I do have one last question Shinji. As nice as it is that you're helping me. how come no one else has been able to find Yoloko when she's staying in such a small area, and how come I'm the first bounty hunter you've bothered to lend a hand to?" she asked, skeptically. Shinji looked hesitant to reply.
"Well, not to scare you or anything, Faye, but odd things have been known to happen to bounty hunters who pursue Yoloko for too long," the man said carefully. Faye snorted.
"Oh yeah, I know all about that," she said, waving her hand casually.
"You do?" Shinji asked, confused.
"Absolutely. I've been beaten up and shot by Yoloko's bodyguards, got jumped by some rich asses who live in the neighborhood and have a soft spot for the woman, I've been sent a death threat and an anonymous tip, and, oh, here's my favorite, just the other night someone tried to blow me to smithereens with a bazooka when I was eating at a seafood restaurant,"
". You DO know all about Yoloko's seafood fetish-?"
"-Yes Shinji. Yes I do."
"Hmmm. curious," Shinji admitted, stroking his chin. "But, I must say, you are by far the most hounded bounty hunter we've had yet! Usually they give up and leave after the first attack, but you're holding up surprisingly well!" he congratulated.
"I am?" Faye asked flatly.
"You are! Bravo! See, this is why I came to help you. I've been so fed up with incompetent bounty hunters giving up after the first lynch, I knew you would be able to really help put my brother's murdered behind bars!"
"I don't know whether I should be flattered or worried here. Are you telling me that this town has been getting rid of all of the bounty hunters that try to get Yoloko?" Faye asked, folding her arms.
"In a nut shell. we believe so." Shinji divulged, nodding.
"That's ridiculous! Why haven't you brought these people to justice though? It would probably speed up the incarceration process!" Faye pointed out sharply.
"Because we have no solid proof that they actually scared off this bounty hunters! They always manage to leave the scene before they get caught. In fact, the first time they were arrested was with you! And even if you did come forward to make a complaint about them, the system wouldn't listen. They're just too influential in this town, and you're a bounty hunter. You guys may be above the law, but you're also not protected by it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but cops don't usually worry about mass assassinations of bounty hunters." Shinji summed up.
"Ch. Yeah, that sounds about right." Faye growled. It was the reason why she hadn't made a complaint to the police station when her rich attackers were let out Scott free. She wasn't naïve to the fact that many a local police officer wouldn't be elated to have her leave Neptune City. (A/N- HA! I bet you forgot that was the name of the town Faye was staying in!- Ah, don't worry, I did too. That's why haven't mentioned in like, the past three chapters.)
"Faye, not to put too much pressure on you, but my family is really counting on you now," Shinji said earnestly, taking Faye's hand, and squeezing it.
"Um, that's a rather bad idea Shinji dear." Faye admitted, looking sort of embarrassed; when was the last time someone put his or her total confidence in HER? Usually, people tried to put as little responsibility on her shoulders as possible, and she was feeling sort of swamped here.
"I highly doubt that! I've been reviewing your actions from the past few weeks, and I KNOW you can crack this one if you really put your heart into it," My, he was turning out to be quite the romantic. Cute. "Plus, I'm willing to give you all the help you need! Just ask!" Faye froze at that, the gears in her head cranking at warp speed.
". Any sort of help?"
"Anything! I'm at your service!" Faye let a sort of well, wicked grin slip onto her features, and she folded her hands in front of her carefully.
"Well, now that you mention it. I have been sort of . low on money. and it's expensive, staying in the neighborhood."
*
"Spike!"
"Faye!"
The couple cried in unison as they met up in front of the hotel. Faye looked overjoyed, nearly bouncing on the balls of her feet with contentment- where as Spike appeared rather wary hesitantly jogging up to her with a carefully guarded expression. Faye hardly noticed as she launched into her own story first.
"Spike, you'll never believe what just happened- I just had the biggest break ever!" Faye declared, stopping in front of the spirit, nearly gasping for breath.
"Really?" Spike asked, pretending to be very interested, as any normal bounty hunter would be. But, apparently, he wasn't a normal bounty hunter. Nooo. he had to be a crazy one who had fallen in love with his mentally unhinged partner in crime. Stupid him. He tried not to linger too much on how the afternoon rays hit Faye's face perfectly, making her looking pretty and youthful.
"Yes! I was checking out Ricky's place again, when this guy climbed up my tree and almost scared the fuck out of me!"
"Sounds enlightening," Spike commented, folding his arms, while mentally preparing the steps he needed to take to make his possible confession. You know what they say, not time like the present!
"Shut up! I'm not at the good part yet, Spiegel. He's Yoloko's brother in-law!" she got out quickly, softly.
"You mean. from her husband she murdered?"
"Yep." Okay, now Spike's interest was a bit piqued, and he pushed away his soul bearing thoughts for a later date, until they had this all straightened out.
"What did he say?"
"Well, he told me a lot of useful things about Yoloko, but, more importantly, I got him to finance our entire stay!" Faye got out, breathlessly.
"How?!"
"Well, the guy's loaded up to the armpits with cash, and he said he would do anything to have turn Yoloko in, so I brought up the fact that I'm a little loose on change. and bam! He's letting me stay at a recluse house he has in the area, in case people try to come after me at my hotel, and he's paying for more ammunition!" she practically giggled.
"Cool," Spike acknowledged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "But what is this guy like, and what sort of information did he tell you? Does it seem like we can trust him?"
"Well, I think so," Faye admitted, brushing some hair away from her eyes. Spike mentally slapped himself as he found himself watching the silky purple strands drift around her shoulder almost hypnotically. He had to get over this. or get it off his chest at least. Now just didn't seem to be the right time though. Well, there went all of his plans. "He seemed pretty passionate about just turning Yoloko in, and the stuff he told me was surprising but reasonable. I think we can trust him." Faye said folding her arms and turning to head into the hotel. "Come on, I'll tell you all about it while I'm packing. I want to get out of this place as soon as possible. I don't really feel safe anymore. Especially after that threat. Who knows when the natives could get restless and decide to fire bomb the hotel?"
"Of course," Spike said, following Faye through the glass doors, a wistful expression on his face as he realized perhaps the timing wasn't the only thing wrong with this situation. It was the fact that he was being a coward, as well, and was having second thoughts. Was this too spur of the moment for his cautious heart? Could he really bring himself to admit to Faye that he had feelings for her that went deeper than friendship?
Was he just being a coward?
Spike Spiegel did NOT enjoy being called a coward.. And he would just have to amend this situation.
Later. when he was more positive of what exactly he wanted to tell Faye.
Right.. Coward.
*
Yoloko raised an eyebrow as she watched Lincoln waddle into the room, fingering her black, hooded jacket as she did so. So. now he was coming to her! He was really getting desperate then.
Just as she'd planned.
"George, so good to see you! It's always a pleasure to have one of my most dedicated clients stumble in at an odd hour of the day, asking for favors I'm sure," she said dryly, as to of her guards flexed their muscles in what was a threatening motion a bit behind her. They all stood in what looked to be a warehouse of sorts, wide open spaces and boxes stacked on top of each other piled all about. It was a bit cold, but that wasn't the reason Mr. Lincoln was shivering.
"Of course. yes-right!" he stammered stupidly, obviously having no idea what he was talking about. Yoloko resisted the urge to roll her eyes, and cut to the chase. She had an order to pick up.
"What is it that you want? You are already in debt for your last order, and besides paying me, which I have a sinking feeling you do not intend to do, what else would you bother me for?" she snapped. The guards growled. Mr. Lincoln smoothed his sparse, oily hair back.
"I-I-I need another. order." Old George got out carefully, tugging on his silk tie to the point where he could possibly be choking himself. Yoloko blinked at him, mentally beaming triumphantly, and outwardly looking convincingly shocked.
"You must be kidding," she chuckled, putting one hand to her heavily makeuped mouth. "You can't possibly afford another shipment at this point!"
"B-But I will be able to!- soon."
"How? You're all-powerful company is going to the dogs, is how I hear it. And possibly because of your bad leadership!" Yoloko pointed out maliciously. Lincoln winced, but forged onward.
"I'm going to sell Lincoln to Techio! That will give me enough money to pay for whatever I owe you, and then some!" he said, showing the barest signs of a backbone. "And I will be wanting a. substantially larger order this time, if you want your money, in any case." Lincoln pointed out huffily.
"Is that a threat?" Yoloko asked, arching an eyebrow slowly.
"Erk!- No!" Okay, forget about the backbone. "I-I'm just s-saying. that in order to get Techio to buy Lincoln. I'll have to do some charming. So we're having a party in their honor in a week or so. and I thought."
"That you could buy their affections with my help?" Yoloko supplied helpfully. She was far from inexperienced when it came to conniving businessmen ways. After all, her late husband had been one.
"Yes! Yes exactly! Now do you see..?"
"Well, I suppose," she admitted, casually walking towards Lincoln, eyes averted. "Though it would be a risk on my part. for if your idea doesn't work, and Techio doesn't buy you over. where would I be?"
"I-I-. well." Lincoln looked a bit devastated.
"Although I guess we'll never know if we don't try!"
"Yes!" George perked up considerably, and Yoloko hid a smile.
"So, I believe I could have a large order ready by next week, if that's the way it has to be. I'll know how much to supply, and you should know that it's going to cost you a pretty penny, what with your combined dues from the last shipment. Oh- I really shouldn't be doing this." she said, trailing off suggestively.
"No! Please! Yoloko I'm BEGGING you!."
"WELL, if you're begging!"
"Please!"
"Fine! Just stop sniveling," the woman snapped irritably, folding her arms and frowning, no longer liking this game. It was getting boring.
"Thank you! You are so generous... and lovely. and kind.and forgiving." Yoloko let the dreaded man trail on for a bit, resisting the urge to slash him across the face with her impressive nails. Finally, she dismissed him, fully assured that he was effectively humbled, just as planned. In fact, all of this had been preordained by Yoloko, right down to knowing that Lincoln and Co was going bankrupt, and that Techio would want to buy them for their connections. Was she a genius or what?
Everything was going according to plan, and soon she'd be off this planet, rich as you please.
*
"Faye, no offense, but I'm not so sure if this Shinji guy helped us much. I'm practically more confused about the whole situation than when we started." Spike admitted, hanging off the couch and watching Faye shuffle around her room with two bright blue suitcases she was arbitrarily throwing things in, as she retold what had happened at the diner.
"I know. I sort of got that feeling too," she admitted flatly. "But it's better than nothing."
"I guess." Spike conceded doubtfully. "Not to rush you Faye, but I would appreciate it if we could wrap this whole thing up quickly, and get started with the more important parts of this expedition. It's just taking too long, and we need outside assistance," Spike said, firmly, while sitting up. Faye didn't even stop packing as she replied in a tight knit voice.
"I know we do, okay! But whom could we ask for help? I can't think of anyone who specializes in this sort of thing." She sighed while realizing the sheer oddity of her situation, and not too sure who could give her any good advice for this bounty.
"Are you kidding? Intelligent people who specialize in crazy bounty hunters with impossibly weird situations looming over their heads? Tell me Faye, who does that bring to mind?" Faye nearly dropped her makeup kit at those words. He couldn't mean.
"Spike, I." Seeing her slightly panicked expression, Spike knew the pretty woman had guessed right.
"Come on Faye, you know it would be the fastest way to get this all done,"
"But we left on such bad terms. well. at least, I did."
"And now would be a perfect time to reconcile! You want that, don't you?"
"I-I just don't know," Faye admitted, stuffing the makeup kit away, and then turning to look Spike in his multicolored eyes. She had never quite understood his eyes, but, none-the-less, whenever she looked into them, she got the distinct impression he was searching her soul. It was sort of nerve racking, but she wouldn't turn away. What more did she have to hide at this point? He basically knew everything about her. Well, all of the important things.
"Think about it Faye, hasn't this been going on too long? You know that now, with me, you'll have to face them eventually anyway, and don't tell me they wouldn't speed up this case. Remember how fast we used to zoom through bounties? With them. this would be cake," he said convincingly, silently adding that it would also be getting a step closer for him in terms of figuring out his ungodly situation. Faye looked a bit lost. She sat down carefully in a chair opposite him, a fortified expression playing across her features.
"It would just be very hard for me. There are too many open wounds with that group. Always have been. They all. just know what to do to push my buttons, and get me to say the most revealing things that I would have never considered telling anyone before. Not to mention they make me act all. I don't know, almost happy," she admitted softly.
"Tell me about it. Those were weird times, when we were all together." Spike agreed, as he watched Faye dig around her pants pocket for a cigarette.
"But they were good times,"
"Good times indeed."
"I sort of miss them."
"They were exiting, memorable people."
"Yeah, I guess It has been a while since I've seen any of the crew. and now with you here."
"A very opportunistic time for sure,"
"Okay. I'll do it,"
"Great!" Spike cheered, mission accomplished. Faye sat in silence, smoking and watching him carefully for a minute.
".Damn, how do you do that?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about,"
"Yes you do! You just convinced me to invite the entire Bebop crew back over! You just made me . made me. reopen a chapter in my book of life!!"
".What?"
"Never mind. Whatever. I guess. I guess I'll try and go locate everyone. They're pretty scattered." Faye sighed, rubbing her head and going to dig her laptop out of her bags. It was time for some e-mailing. God, how did she get herself into ruts like this? What was she going to say to JET? Oh no.
"Sounds like a plan," Spike acknowledged, a triumphant smile on his face as he lay back down on the couch, with his arms as his pillow, and a bigheaded smirk on his face. Yep, he was slick. Faye watched him take a short nap from her room, staring at him carefully. Well. that was Spike for you. Probably one of those most cunning people she knew, who could be just as thick at the same time. Didn't he know what sort of an affect he had on her? He could run her heart around in circles all day without missing a beat, then make her do whatever he wanted if he put his mind to it, and she wouldn't deny it. She might act tough, but she was a sucker for love.
Love? Oh God, not this again. She needed a drink. She was nearly positive that even if she did have some rekindled feelings for the fuzzy haired man at this point, they weren't mutual. He used her like nothing else half the time, and she wasn't blind to it, let him to do it in fact, if it meant she got to work with him some more. She would never tell anyone but, back in the day, she would have done anything to keep the Bebop crew together after she realized they were falling apart, and that was probably why she was so quick to buy into Spike's reasoning for reuniting the crew, even though she knew he mostly only wanted it so he could try and communicate with everyone once more. And hopefully get one step closer to being with. Julia. Not Faye, Julia.
Faye took in a painful breath, and turned on her heal, taking solace in packing her bags to get her mind off Spike. And even as she did this, she was unaware that Spike had watched the startling variety of emotions pass over her face, all notably miserable and poignant, and was quite confused himself as to just what was going on in Faye's head.
Things were getting quite messy on Mars, and neither bounty hunter had any idea what to do about it. They couldn't hide their true feelings forever, but what sort of people had they gotten involved with? A gambling, really old, voluptuous woman who lied constantly about . well, everything? And a dangerous man who used to be part of a syndicate and had more bones in his closet than one could effectively look at without getting queasy? Not to mention the lunkhead lied about... well, everything.
Soul searching was in order.
*
Notes: Once again, sorry about being late. I hope I don't loose too many readers if this continues. And I hope I don't confuse people to the point of insanity with this messed up fanfic, as well. Whatever. Now, since I'm desperate to know, tell me if you think anyone is out of character, because I have some real bad feelings about Faye. Or it could just be me. Anyway, review review review and it'll make me sooo happy! Thanks, bye!
Rio Grande.
