I don't own Cowboy Bebop

=Faking Life=

"Bang."

It was over. He was dead, and he no longer had to worry about anyone or anything.

It was done. He could finally leave the pain behind.

He smiled slightly as he fell into the darkness.

===

"That's the last thing I remember," Spike said as he shoveled more food into his mouth.

Jet just stood back and watched his old comrade. "And now you're here? Seriously, Spike, how come you're alive?"

Spike stopped eating and stood. He walked up to Jet and stared into his eyes. "That…I don't really know."

It was a lie, and Jet could see it. However, the older man didn't say anything. "Just eat the rest and get some sleep. We won't be near Mars until tomorrow morning…three days is the latest."

Jet wanted to say more--he hadn't seen his best friend for the longest time--but right now, he was worried about Faye. Spike was not in the realms of danger like Faye was. Faye. Spike would have to wait.

Spike nodded slightly and backed away. "I'll turn out the lights when I'm done."

Jet didn't argue. Instead, he disappeared somewhere, to think and worry. This was going to be a long night.

===

There was a soft humming at the periphery of his hearing. Faye. She was sitting somewhere near him playing with a deck of cards.

He shook off his weariness and tried to look at her. Bandages made it hard for him to move, but that didn't stop him.

She had said something then. Her voice, silky and beautiful, made him wince. He liked listening to it, wouldn't admit it, but liked it…a little.

"Tone deaf," he had muttered…

That was his first memory when he had woken from the fight with Vicious. He had half expected to see Faye standing before him, ready to curse him out for doing something completely stupid. He had half expected to see Jet, with his worried eyes, and grateful smile handing him that disgusting thing called "food…"

Instead, he had been in a sterilized room, alone. Women and men, who he had never met, fed him, changed his sheets then left as soon as their task was over.

Not having much to do, he was left with his thoughts. "I'm hungry" and "I need a smoke," came to him often, but not as much as thoughts of her.

Her short purplish hair…her red lips…her haunting green eyes. She was there with him, eating his food, chasing some bounty, warning him not to go…She was there singing softly, walking out of the bathroom after using up all the hot water…She was haunting his thoughts…

Months of torturous rehabilitation, and still, he couldn't forget her. It surprised and angered him. Why would he think of her? Out of all the people who had meant so much to him! He tried to remember Julia, but thoughts of Faye always resurfaced. He tried to remember everything before her…but she kept stubbornly pushing her way into his thoughts…she was always like that.

When it was time for him to leave the hospital, he thought of seeing her…But would that hurt her? He could always go to some other place. Once again, he was alive, and he could disappear into the mist…

"Sir?" A nurse who was working late at night came up to him. "You can wait until tomorrow to leave, you know."

"That's okay," Spike said. He didn't have the money to pay for the bill. It would be better just to slip out…

The nurse grinned up at him and returned to her post behind the desk. "Well, good luck, sir. You were lucky that someone brought you here or you would have died."

Someone brought me here? He had always suspected that an ambulance carried his carcass to the hospital. "Do you know who took me here?"

The nurse looked at a few sheets and shook her head. "I was here the day they brought you. He didn't leave his name or address."

"Can you describe him?"

"Well, yes, I guess. He had shoulder length white hair and--"

"Did he carry anything unusual?" Spike interrupted. It couldn't be…

"Well, he was carrying a sword. He looked pretty banged up too, sir. Almost like he was dead. We took care of hi--"


The nurses voice began to fade. Why had Vicious wanted him alive?

===

Spike sat by the television in the living room, reminiscing about those moments. He still had no idea why Vicious would keep him alive, or why he took Faye. All he knew was that he needed to get her back before Vicious hurt her.

===

Faye heard the call of sleep. It was intoxicating as it beckoned to her. She would have fallen into the depths if it weren't for the fact that Vicious was standing in front of her. She couldn't fall asleep knowing that he was there.

She glanced up at Vicious. "What are you going to do to him if he comes."

Vicious' back was facing her. "You don't think he will?"

Faye didn't answer. She didn't want to admit that she doubted Spike would come after her.

Vicious turned toward her, a slight evil smile played across his face. "Well, then, Spike just needs a little incentive. He hit the record button on the camcorder and lunged at Faye. He pulled her head back until she looked up at him.

Faye felt fear surge through her. Out of all the things in the world, she did not want to get raped. She tried to twist her head away…

===

The television came on.

Spike, who was half asleep, was instantly awake. He stared into the screen, and saw Faye. Her wide large eyes seemed freaked out by something…or someone. In the corner of the screen, Vicious darted toward her. He pulled her head back.

"If you don't come within three days, Spike, she dies."

He could see Faye trying to pull away as Vicious' head descended.

Faye…

It was a brutal kiss. Spike could see the fear in Faye's eyes, and was instantly angered. She was screaming, trying to get out of this punishment but she was tied. She was helpless…

Suddenly, Vicious broke the kiss and stared into the camera. "Don't worry, she'll be in one piece for three days. I won't even touch her again. After that, however…" Vicious let his voice die away.

The transmission was cut, and Spike was once again left in the darkness.

=End Chapter=

Sorry if I ruined Spike. It's been awhile since I've seen CB so if anyone has any suggestions, please tell me how I can make him, Faye, Vicious, or Jet any better as far as characterization goes. Oh, and that kiss is dedicated to one of my reviewers, Sith. That kiss really worked out here. ^__^

Faking Life is another song title from Five Iron Frenzy.