Standard Disclaimers Apply, I am less broke now because I'm 'saving' money, just don't sue

**Author's Notes: I'm having some formatting glitches; I've switched from AppleWorks to Microsoft Word so yeah. I believe this . . . was represented with just. this last time. I'll go back and fix it here eventually. After this only 1 more chapter until the end of this story, pretty exciting ne? I think I might have said there was going to be another chapter but there's not only 1 left which will really be an epilogue of sorts then a little thank you chapter from me.

Also I'm sending out a HUGE cry for help in formatting, I've tried the .doc, .txt, and .html and NONE of them will supports italics or the single spacing I want to use for the songs. If anyone could help that'd be amazing!

Chapter 18~My Strongest Suit~

'May I return to the beginning

The light is dimming, and the dream is too

The world and I are still waiting

Still hesitating, any dream will do

May I return, to the beginning

The light is dimming, and the dream is too

The world and I, we are still waiting

Still hesitating, any dream will do

Give me my colored coat

My amazing colored coat

Give me my colored coat

My amazing colored coat'

The complete rush of adrenaline as I stand here taking my bows is unlike anything I've ever felt before. I weaved my way off stage with everyone else all the way to the lobby. There I found Jet and Ed waiting anxiously among the upper crust of Mars. They spotted my almost immediately within an instant Ed had her skinny arms wrapped around my waist.

"Good job Faye-Faye!"

Jet came next and provided a backbreaking hug.

"Way to go Faye"

"Ed liked the part with the pom-poms and Faye-Faye dancing crazy!"

"Go go Joe? I was a terrible dancer Ed"

Ed proceeded to demonstrate some moves that consisted of a lot of kicking and twirling. I watch Carrey make his way over to us. He snuck up behind Ed and lifted her up over his head.

"Car Man!"

"Ed darling how are we?"

"Why Car Man, just divine!"

The ring of Jet's communicator stopped it all, he fished it out of his pocket.

"Hello?"

"Hi this Sandy from Saint Jude's hospital, Mr. Spiegel has woken up. If you want to stop by I think that would be helpful to . . ."

"If we WANT to! Of course we do!"

In a flash Jet, Ed, and I had loaded into Carrey's car and the four of us sped off towards the hospital. I sat in the front passenger seat of Carrey's car as he weaved his way through traffic, honking and cussing appropriately. I couldn't get calm. It was that feeling all over again. I was sweating and my breathing became shallow. 'Not now! Please not now!' We were stopped abruptly by a red light. Carrey looked over at me. He took my hand and gave me a smile.

"Don't lose yourself now Faye. No matter what happens remember I'll be here, I'll pick you back up again."

The light turned green and we were on our way without another word. When we arrived at the hospital Sandy was waiting for us.

"Hi guys!"

"Where is he?"

"Follow me"

We followed Sandy down the halls of the hospital. We passes Spike's old room, it was empty. The sheets and been clean and made.

"Why isn't he in his room?"

" Would you want to stay in that room once you woke up?"

"I guess not"

She led us to a large set of double doors and stopped. My heart was racing, this was it. I didn't know if I should cry or scream or laugh. I was experiencing hundreds of emotions all at once. Sandy opened one door; I was first to peer through the door to see him sitting comfortably in a wheelchair talking to some other men. He was laughing and smiling, I really had missed his smile.

"You're welcome to go speak to him"

"You first Faye"

I looked at Jet as he motioned me to go in. I stood there, my arms wouldn't move. I found myself physically unable to step into that room. Without a second thought I bolted for the bathroom. I flung open the doors and locked myself in the handicapped stall.

"Faye-Faye!"

Thank God it was Ed, I needed no lectures from Jet, Carrey, or the fucking hippie Sandy.

"Faye-Faye?"

"I'm here Ed"

Ed's head looked under the stalls, she finally spotted me crumpled on the floor hovering by the toilet. She slid under the door and sat up to greet me.

"Howdy Faye-Faye"

"Howdy Ed"

There was silence; she just sat there watching me. There were no 'Faye- Faye why. . .' Or 'Faye-Faye's stupid . . .' There was just silence.

"Spike-person didn't fuck over Faye-Faye. Edward feels bad for calling Spike nasty names."

"What names did you call him?"

"Fucker, bastard, bastardfucker, fuckerbastard, poo-headed fucking bastard, and poo-headed bastard fucker."

I couldn't help but laugh, Ed was still Ed with the new vocabulary or not.

"What's wrong with me Ed?"

"Faye-Faye is not used to direct emotional confrontations. Faye-Faye fears being fucked over by poo-headed bastard fuckers like Spike-person were thought to be by the very wrong Edward."

"What do you think I should do then Ed, if I fear bastard fuckers like you say?"

"Poo-headed bastard fuckers."

"Right, right poo-headed bastard fuckers. I know Spike isn't one, why is this so hard?"

"Edward believes Faye-Faye has other gifts that she can use to express feelings very well."

"Like what?"

"Edward noticed a piano in the corner of that room"

"Ahh I see."

"Edward feels that Faye-Faye is very expressive through music."

"Thank you Ed. If I sing Ed, will you sing back up?"

"Edward would be delighted"

After a brief discussion of song choice, Edward and I headed back to the room. Jet and Carrey were already talking to Spike. We motioned to Sandy, she was reluctant at first, but Ed used her patented 'sad child' eyes. No one can resist those eyes and neither could our hippie nurse. We made our way to the old baby grand piano in the corner of the room. Sandy tried to get the group's attention.

"Excuse me, for your entertainment, we have Faye Valentine a member of the Mar's Theatre Company. She'll be playing some music and taking requests, so without further ado."

She went to take a seat by Carrey and Jet. I smiled down at Ed who was sitting to my right on the piano bench. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, 'don't fear the fuckheads' and with that I began.

"The moment has come to face the truth

I'm wide-awake and so are you

Do you have a clue what this is? (I don't know)

Are you everything that need? (Don't talk so)

We'll just have to wait and see (wait and see)

And if things go right we're meant to be

The surface is gone we've scratched it off

We made some plans then let them go

Do you have the slightest idea? (No don't)

Why the world is bright when you're near? (Oh is that so)

Stay awhile and wait and see (wait and see)

I things go right we're meant to be

Oh what a world this life would be

Forget all your Technicolor dreams

Forget modern nature this is how it's meant to be

The time is here for being straight

It's not too early and never too late

People say I should watch my face (what do they know?)

Think how you spend all your days (they all say so)

They'll just have to wait and see (wait and see)

If things go right were meant to be

Oh what a world this life would be

Forget all your Technicolor dreams

Forget modern nature this is how it's meant to be

Do have the slightest idea?

Why the world is bright when you're near

Stay awhile and wait and see

If things go right we're meant to be

Oh what a world this life would be

Forget all your Technicolor dreams

Forget modern nature this is how it's meant to be

Forget modern nature this is how it's meant to be"

I turned to look at Spike, he began to roll wheelchair over to us. He made it to the bench and gingerly took my hand and started to pull me out of the room. Carrey, and Sandy all stood there dumbfounded at Spike's suddenness. Ed merely waved and gave me a thumbs up.

"We need to talk Faye"

He pulled me out of the room and down the hall to his old room. We stopped outside the room, he looked up at me with a smile.

"Close your eyes Faye"

He continued to pull me into the room. We neared the bed, I bumped into it on the way there.

"Watch yourself"

"Can I open my eyes now?"

"Nope, okay lay down on the bed."

"How can I when I can't see!?!

"It's not difficult just lay down."

I felt around on the bed and found the pillow. I awkwardly lay down on my back. I couldn't help but wonder exactly what was going on, 'he can't have sex in his condition . . . can he?'

"Can I open my eyes?"

"Nope"

"Is that all you're going to say to me 'nope?'

"Nope"

"Right . . ."

I could hear him close the door and flip off the lights. It became a great deal darker under my eyelids. I heard him fumble around for a while, and then something clicked. Immediately music filled the room.

'It's marvelous night for a moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes'

"Wait a second! How did you . . .?"

"Shh"

I shut up and the music played on.

'A fantabulous night to make romance

'Neath the cover of October skies'

I could hear him wheel over to the bed. He made a grunt and hoisted himself up onto the bed.

"What on earth?"

"Shh, quite Faye"

'You know the nights magic seems to whisper and hush'

He wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his head in my neck.

'You know the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush'

"Spike?"

'Can I just have one more moondance my love?

Can just make some more romance to you my love'

"Open your eyes Faye"

I opened my eyes to see stars littered across the ceiling. Stars and stars all weaved themselves into patterns above me.

"How?"

"Glow in the dark stickers, Sandy found them for me."

"Fucking hippie . . ."

He nuzzled my neck and planted small kisses on my shoulder. I couldn't take my eyes off the ceiling it was spectacular.

"Stars on the ceiling."

"Stars on the ceiling."

'Can I just have one more moondance my love?'
**Author's Notes: Ahhh, done sorry it took so very long. I was on break and I don't update from home, so yeah. Hopefully everyone caught all the references to earlier chapter at the end there. The songs in this chapter are AWESOME so definitely get a hold of these. First "Close Every Door" from Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, then "Modern Nature" by Sondre Lerche, and then finally "Moondance" by Van Morrison. One chapter left that will be pretty short and epilogue really, that should be up within the next couple of days or maybe in the next couple of hours. I have a new Kenshin fic up called 'Red roses for a Blue Lady' please go check it out!

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