A diamond in the rough
Spikes POV
I watched worriedly as the Lobster sped away from the blown open window. Faye looked pale in the last few minutes that I spent with her. Her eyes seemed to lack that certain emerald luster that captivated me from the start. She seemed so weak and tired; I hope that doesn't mean much. I wish I could take it all back, just turn back time. It didn't work that way though, life made it so that you have to live with the choices you make. I would do anything to see Faye live through all of this; even if it meant rounding up every woolong in the universe; I'd do it without a second guess.
I looked at her necklace I still held in my clamped shut fist. The diamond radiated a small sparkling prism of light when held up to the sun. Diamonds are beautiful, rare, exquisite, strong and one of a kind. They remind me of Faye.
I didn't know what to expect, Scythe said she would last more than eight hours, but he doesn't know how strong Faye is. Faye on the outside doesn't seem like she could handle much, but deep down, I know, she could fight with the best of them. She was a survivor, pure and simple. She survived the gate accident; she survived every bounty she ever went on. She even mentally and emotionally triumphed over not even remembering her past. If every girl were as strong as she, then certainly men all over would cower in fear.
I almost laughed thinking of a galaxy of Faye Valentines, god that would be both wonderful and scary at the same time. I put the necklace in my pocket, unnoticed.
I tried to look like my wounds were nothing to me as I leaned up against Shin. He stood defiantly against the uncertain future; I was attempting to do the same. Shin has become strong, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. I thought of how he is probably trying to be like his brother, Lin. Lin was one of the very few people in the Syndicate I could label, a friend. I tried to free myself from Shin's helping hand and stand freely, but I soon realized that my injuries are more fatal than I probably first thought they were.
"Spike, don't worry." He said with slight wisps of worry lacing his strong voice
"That poison, do you think they will have a cure?" I asked him hiding my nervousness
"I don't know, perhaps, the scorpion is a very old creature." Shin looked into my eyes filling them with empty hope
"Scorpion venom…I hope they have a cure, but there is a funny feeling in my stomach that they don't." I straightened my legs up to a standing position as Shin propped me up further.
"That feeling is the bullet stuck in your gut." He chuckled sadly pointing to my hard to miss blood drenched coat.
"Don't worry about me; I have been shot up worse." I admitted proudly
"I know you have been shot up worse, but have you been through worse?" he asked gravely
I raised my head to look at the imminent sunrise. The sky was turning a scarlet-saffron color that seemed to illuminate the surrounding buildings in a fiery light. The indigo clouds poured in their own lapis glow into the holy crimson sky. The crystalline cerulean water glistened quietly as they humbly reflected sisters' sky saffron fire. I never paid that much attention to sunrises before, maybe I should more often. Sunrises represent not only a dawning of a new day, but a renaissance of people everywhere.
"I don't think so… I won't let Faye die Shin, I can't. No matter what the cost I will make sure she will live." I gritted my teeth, how dare Scythe try to take Faye from me!
"She'll make it, she's strong Spike." Shin smiled faintly
"Hey, how did you survive a fall from that window?" I asked trying to change the subject; I needed to think of something else besides Faye or I think my heart will explode
"Believe it or not, the Lobster was going up as I was falling down. I fell on it and they landed, and quickly bandaged me up. We were coming back up when we saw Scythe plummet and hit the pavement." Shin laughed
"I bet that's never happened to you before." Shin smirked as if he had the upper hand
"Actually I saved a bounty head that way once, but he died after I rescued him." I grinned ironically
"Sure Spike…" He smirked as he squinted to see if the hammerhead was coming.
"Shin, who is next in line to rule the Syndicate?" I asked curiously
"Well that fat man that is decaying over there was…I suppose, it's me, now that I think about it. Although I am not sure." He bit his lip as if he was thinking hard "The syndicate changed Spike; It changed when Vicious took over, and it changed even more when Scythe took over." He admitted
"How so?" I asked "What could Scythe do to change it so badly?"
"He split the Syndicate. The two factions, the Radicals, they favored Vicious' way of ruling, and the more conservative, old school, if you will. I fear that if the Syndicate does split, it will unleash mayhem that would lead in countless casualties and annihilation." He looked down at the building. "The reason why you weren't caught in those two years, wasn't because of you evaded us; it was because half of us didn't want you to be found."
"I see, so the radicals wanted me dead and the conservatives wanted to move on?" I asked. I am really confused, how could things get so out of control?
"It's not that simple, the Radicals want the Red Dragons to reign supreme. They thought you dishonored the Red Dragon name and caused them to loose their grip on the other Syndicates; that is why they wanted you dead. The Conservatives want the Red dragons to uphold the honor and integrity it once held. They want to feel like they are doing the right thing. The last time most can remember they felt like they were the 'good guys' was when you were still in the Syndicate. They still hang on the hope that they will be what they once were." Shin spilled out as if I was the student and he was the teacher.
"Wow I didn't know I made such an impact on the Syndicate." I pondered
"You don't seem to realize the impact you make on anything or anyone…" Shin said bluntly
"Are you going to stick by the Syndicate?" I asked
"I don't want to see the Syndicate fall Spike; The Red Dragons aren't evil, they just got corrupted as new, horrible leaders rose to power." Shin had a certain spark in his eye when he spoke of the Syndicate. "The Syndicate, whether I want it to be, or not, is my home. I will help it flourish no matter how corrupt it may be now." Shin insighted
"Nothing good comes of the Syndicate Shin..."
"That's why I am going to change that. I am going to rebuild the Syndicate, I am going to cleanse it of its conceit and its corrupt people and standards. I am going to model the Syndicate after how I wish it could be. I am doing this for Lin, he would love that more than anything."You know, when Vicious was the head of the Syndicate, he overseen by Scythe. Scythe was the real head of the Syndicate. Whatever Scythe instructed, he would do, Vicious was Scythe's 'dirty work guy'. I didn't know about that until Lin died, Vicious came to me and wanted my help in tracking you down. I asked him 'why not do it yourself?' He responded, 'Even Scorpions and snakes need help.' Vicious, I think, was stuck in Scythe's evil vortex of hate and he couldn't escape.
"I see…" I murmured gently as the Hammerhead came into view. Thank god, I felt like I was in a confession booth and Shin was the priest. I also would like someone to take the bullets from my body so I can walk without regretting it.
"Spike and Shin quickly coooooooome!" Ed called urgently. Shin helped me to the hover cab as we sped quickly around to the hospital
"Ed is Jet with Faye?" I asked
"Yes, Jet father is with Faye." Ed smiled as she turned violently to miss a building
"Why do you call him Jet father?" Shin asked
"'Cause I don't have a father, and he is the closest thing to one." Ed grinned as she slammed on the brakes and did a u-turn
"God Ed what is with your driving?" I asked her "You were fine with the Swordfish." I rubbed my head where I bumped it on the steel
"Ed is very worried that is all." Ed landed at the hospital as Shin half-carried me to the door
"Help we have a gunshot victim here!" He yelled across the lobby. Three doctors came and put me on a stretcher and began to wheel me to the north wing of the building.
"What is his name, son?" I heard a doctor ask Shin
"His name is confidential business of the Red Dragon Syndicate." He told the doctor with a certain superior edge as the doctor quietly nodded
"Well is there anything we need to know, allergies and that type." The doctor quivered
"Nothing, accept I will be taking care of his hospital bill, and there will be a little extra if you do it promptly." Shin smirked as he made his brown eyes flash intimidating
Good old Shin, he's smart, he still knows I am 'dead'. I reluctantly let them put a breathing mask over my mouth as I inhaled the anesthetic. I fell into a restless deep sleep that seemed to last eons. I awoke to find myself in a hospital bed looking out into the midday sun. I quickly took the IVs out of my body and quietly ran to the door. I had to find Faye, I had to be with her; I had to make sure she was alright. I found my newly washed clothes and put them on. I found the necklace in the same packet that I put it in. I found myself in the main hallway of the North Wing. I peered into the lobby and saw Shin there.
"Shin, where is Faye?" I asked him in a hoarse whisper knowing full well that if I were caught they would send me back to my room.
"She is in the West wing, look for Jet first though." He told me reluctantly.
"How is she? Is she ok?" I asked anxiously
"She is alive, the doctors are running the last test on her now; the results should be imminent." Shin tried to smile but his eyes couldn't.
"Is there an antidote for the poison?" I asked lowly
"I am not sure; they are still trying to figure it out. The doctors are getting suspicious about your identity. You make sure you stay away from them as much as possible, and whatever you do make sure no one speaks your name." He cautioned me as he looked to the receptionist at the desk taking phone calls.
"I will be with you as soon as I clear your bill." Shin got up and went to the receptionist.
"Thanks Shin." I told him simply as I ran from the main lobby quietly. I soon found myself in the mouth of the West wing. I began to hunt for Jet and Ed as I wandered around the West lobby. I saw Jet's bald head and Ed's puff of pink-red hair sticking from an uncomfortable couch. I snuck up behind Jet and put my hand over his mouth
"Ssshhhh Jet it's me, don't say my name." I hissed quickly and let go looking at Ed sleeping soundly.
"Hey, I think that is the quickest recovery I have seen. Your injuries were supposed to be life threatening, but I see you put them to shame pretty quickly." He chuckled
"Yeah, speaking of life-threatening… how is she?" I asked him
"She is alive, but no one knows for how long. The poison has contaminated almost her entire bloodstream. They are running the last test to see if in fact, there is a cure." Jet poured out a report
"What if there isn't a cure?" I asked him hesitatingly
"I don't want to think about it." Jet looked down
"Can I see her?" I asked him sadly
"They are running tests, not right now." Jet gritted his teeth
"Ok-" I was cut off by a doctor walking briskly in from the hallway. I instinctively ducked behind the couch as he approached Jet.
"Mr. Black" he addressed
"Call me Jet, now what is it?" he asked neither sadly nor hopefully
"Jet, the results of the tests are in. I'm sorry, unfortunately there is no cure for the particular toxin she has." He reported gravely, his. My jaw dropped, I wanted to scream till I couldn't scream anymore.
"What can we do?" Jet demanded
"The only option at this point is a full-body blood transplant, but there is a problem." The stressed doctor ran his fingers through his thinning gray hair.
"What could possibly be the fucking problem?" Jet shouted
"Her blood type is very rare, A negative to be exact. That blood type is not easily found, especially in the quantity we need. I am sorry there is nothing we can do now." The doctor bit his lip. Jet sat back as his jaw dropped and he put his head in his hands.
I stood up from my hiding place "Do not tell me there is nothing you can do, find a damn donor!" I yelled angrily, how dare they tell me that there isn't anything they can do!
"There are no donors! No donors have the blood she needs, now who are you?" He doctor asked
"Cant you use my blood?" I asked desperately
"No, even if you did have A negative blood, you have to be a donor!" the doctor yelled back exasperated.
"Listen, you don't have that blood type, neither do I or else I'd be doing something." Jet explained
I felt as if my heart had shattered into a billion pieces. The one thing I feared for so long; is here. Faye is going to die and it's all my fault. I let her down, I let Jet and Ed down. My life has no meaning. I have failed to do the one thing I set out to do; protect Faye. I wanted nothing more than to have her smiling face with her glistening emerald eyes look at me and tell me she was ok.
"Jet, this is all my fault." I slumped looked down at the floor
"Sp- don't say that, you did everything you could to save her, we all did." Jet's voice sounded comforting, but little could comfort me now.
"Jet, if I hadn't been so blind, she'd still be here." I yelled at him angrily
"You act as if she is dead… she isn't! Go and see her for yourself." Jet snapped
"Tell me where she is…" I sighed defeated
"Visiting hours are open, her room is A34" The doctor said quickly as he was surprised by Shin sprinting into the lobby
"How is she?" He panted running into the west wing lobby he quickly studied the faces that he saw
"She needs a blood transplant, but there are no donors…" I spat out. I couldn't even fathom losing Faye, but she was dying and there is nothing I can do.
"There are no donors?" Shin asked in disbelief
"Her blood type is rare, A negative, there are no donors with that blood type." Jet told Shin quickly. I looked up to see that Shins eyes were wide with disbelief
"Shin, are you ok?" I asked him uneasily
"I…I have that blood type…let me give her my blood." Shin told the doctor
"How on earth could you possibly have that blood type?" I asked in astonishment
"It runs in our family, my brother Lin had it also. He would be alive today if it wasn't for his stupid rare blood type. He could have had a blood transplant. I myself, would have given him my blood, but the doctors said I was too young at the time to give blood." His face darkened
"Please, let me save Faye. Give her my blood; I need to do it for Faye, and my brother."
"I can't just take blood from you, it's not that easy." The doctor sighed "You have to be a donor, it's the new hospital policy. People will come in and sue us if we don't make sure they are a registered donor." Shin looked at him sharply his eyes were of those of a Syndicate leader, fearless, stern and determined.
"That man over there is about to lose the woman he loves, why would you pass up this opportunity to save her?" Shin glared unbelievably at the doctor
"I can't, she needs a full body transplant; you will die in the process more than likely." The doctor frowned "My hands are tied."
"Like fuck they are." Shin grabbed him by the collar "If you don't give her my blood fast I will send the Red Dragon Syndicate after everyone you love. Would you put your family at risk over a frivolous rule?" Shin's brown eyes flashed as he put down the doctor.
"Ok…ok I understand, I…I agree, I just need you to type in this computer some information…" He went to the computer and told Shin to type in some information. Forms and paperwork became obsolete and slow in the hospitals. They switched over to a much faster way after the gate incident.
"Shin, I can't thank you enough for what you are doing…" I stood in astonishment that he will save Faye
"Just don't make any more stupid decisions ok?" Shin grinned as the doctor took him to a room to prep him for the operation.
"Don't worry Shin, I am sure that I won't any more." I smiled as I began to walk to Faye's room.
I soon found the room; it didn't take that long, it was only around a corner. I peered in the darkened room, in spite of it being almost noon. Faye was lying limply on the hospital bed, unconscious. IVs and an oxygen mask covered her making sure she would stay alive. I walked over to her as I saw that she had barely a heart beat. Her life line was almost straight.
"Faye don't you worry everything will be alright." I spoke to her softly even though I knew she couldn't hear me. I held her hand, bony and frail from the poison. Her once soft skin, now felt paper thin and looked almost transparent. Her violet hair was disheveled and matted to her forehead with sweat. She looked so fragile, like a glass doll. Her hand felt almost cold as I held it gently, but firmly. I took my finger and ran it softly around her visible facial features.
I still didn't know if this operation would work or not, but I had to believe it would. Somehow, I feel like if I believe it will happen, it will actually happen. I still couldn't believe out of all the blood types, and all the people; Shin would have the same blood type as Faye. I still can't believe it; I used to think 'whatever happens, happens' but now I am beginning to believe that fate must play some role in this life of mine.
"Sorry to interrupt…" Jet bit his lip, as he leaned up against the door frame
"Jet it's fine, really, she is doing to be ok now." I grinned as I stood up from the floor
"Ed wants to see Faye!" Ed tried to push through Jet but he grabbed her leg as she attempted to come in. Ed started to growl and bit Jet on his mechanical arm, in which she recoiled in pain. "Ed's mouth hurts."
"Jet I said its FINE, she can come in." I raised an eyebrow at the struggling redheaded creature. Jet let go and Ed stuck out her tongue and went to Faye's bed.
"Faye is going to be fine Ed knows!" Ed smiled largely
"Oh, and how are you so sure?" I asked with a teasing edge
"Ed knows about hospital stuff, transplants, and tumors and…stuff. Ed is S-M-A-R-T!" Ed smiled even larger if that is even possible
"Yes Ed…" I rolled my eyes
"Ed, could you possibly keep it down?" Jet asked exasperated
"I will be quiet as a foxy woxy, but I need to tell you something!" Ed somersaulted from the bed to Jet. What in the hell is a foxy?
"What could it possibly be?" Jet asked raising an eyebrow
"Shin might nooooooooot liiiiiiiiiiiiive!" Ed said melodramatically as she fell over and played dead.
"Huh Shin?" I asked to Jet It never really occurred to me that Shin might not make it
"I donno, it would make sense, I mean if he gives Faye his blood, then he wouldn't have any." Jet crossed his arms and kicked at the motionless Ed lying flat on the hospital floor.
"Call me stupid, but that never crossed my mind. I guess I was preoccupied…" I glanced over at Faye quickly
"Excuse me sirs… and ma'am" he looked at Ed on the floor "We need to take Mrs. Speigel to the ER for the operation." A different doctor with a clipboard and two other nurses behind him with a…damn…one of those beds with wheels…. only its portable…god Spike you can't even think straight!
"Mrs. Speigel, I like the sound of that." I grinned to Jet as he picked up Ed from the floor with one hand on the back of her shirt
"Well, that is her name after all…" I soon got what Jet was talking about, if the hospital staff knew she was Faye Valentine with all the debts; they'd kick her out.
"Wait Faye's name is Va-" Jet clamped his mechanical hand over Ed's mouth
"He he he…Kids…" Jet sweatdropped
"Yes..of course…" The doctor and his nurses moved around Jet and I as they carefully put Faye on the ….whatever you call it…rolly bed and wheeled her down the hallway to the ER.
"You three can wait in the waiting room, it will only be a few hours." The nurse smiled politely as she took Faye's IV stand with her.
"Yeah some of the longest hours of my life..." I snorted at the seemingly naive nurse
"Don't worry Spike, Faye will be alright!" Ed shouted before I could clamp my hand over her mouth. The doctor turned back around and looked at me suspiciously
"Who are you?" The doctor asked
"Oh me? My name is Spike...Valentine." It was the only thing I could think of.
"Oh, well, go in the waiting room..." The doctor eyed me once more before leaving
"Ed!" Jet and I chorused
"What did Ed do now?" Ed sweatdropped
"Never mind, lets go to the waiting room." I walked past them to the 'happily' painted waiting room. It made you remember you were supposed to be sad.
"Spike doesn't seem worried." Ed told Jet behind my back
"Believe me Ed, he is."
I sighed as I plopped down in the hard waiting room chairs. The room looked as if it was made to break bad news to people. I wanted her to live so badly, I am willing to do anything; it is out of my hands now. I am not in control and that scares me, all I can do is just hold her hand and stay by her side, nothing else. I hate being helpless like this, it drives me insane. If I were a doctor, then I would be of help, but I am not a doctor, I am Spike Speigel. I am the bounty hunter who is in love with a girl, who's heart I broke. This ordeal was tearing away at my heart, trying to shatter it, trying to make me lose my mind. I won't though, I will be ok and so will Faye. I have to believe it, or else... or else life would have no meaning.
I put my head in my hands as I looked out of the corner of my eye to see Ed sit down in a chair and stare at the ground.
I felt someone sit sown beside me, I could only assume it is Jet. He just put his hand on my shoulder, nothing else. No words, no philosophical insight, not even a facial expression. That is what I needed right then, even though, I still won't admit it openly, That is exactly what I needed. I needed the presence of someone, to know I wasn't alone, to know I had someone to turn to if things took a turn for the worse. He didn't need to say anything, he didn't need to give me a smile or even a nod, he just needed to be there.
I smiled as I slowly realized that the tension was being released from my body.
That's when it hit me like a ton of bricks, I was that person for Faye and I deserted her. I was that hand on her shoulder and when she remembered her past, when she needed me the most I let her down. Why didn't I see that before? That is a sign of true love, having being there for someone, and having that someone to be with you. Julia never needed me, she never needed me to be there for her. She never needed anyone, she never wanted to be there for anyone who needed her either. That is what defines family, being there for your loved ones. Julia was never there, she never needed me, she just wanted me. Faye needs me, and I need Faye, I need Ed and Jet too.
Although it is a strange sense of having to need something, and not being so independent. It's definitely worth breaking down my tough, thick facade to reveal that I need my loved ones, it's worth showing my emotions toward another about how I care about another. I don't know if it was worth it for Julia, I don't care, she is...dead. I wish she wasn't dead, but for some reason, I think it was fate's doing that she died that night. Even if Julia was alive, I wouldn't go back to her, I don't need her.
I took out the necklace from its hiding place and looked at it. Diamonds are beautiful, rare, exquisite, strong and one of a kind. That is Faye, that is definitely Faye, Faye is a diamond in the rough.
I could feel Jet's eyes on me, I looked up at him, I don't know how I looked to him, but he smiled.
"You know, I gave that to her not too long ago..." He told me breaking the silence
"I'm...I'm glad that you did." I answered back
"What do you mean by that?" Jet chuckled slightly
"Someone needed to be there for her, I'm glad it was you, but I wish it was me." I confessed as I held the necklace
"You know I wouldn't just leave her without a place to go, you lunk head." he grinned
"I was...I was never there for her...I regret it." I sat up in the chair, I was pulling down my tough facade already
"Well, I would like to argue but unfortunately you weren't there, but you are now, and you will be in the future." Jet crossed his arms
"Yeah...your right, like always pops." I smirked
"You bet I'm right, kidd-o." He retaliated "Do you think Shin will make it?"
"I don't know, I hope not, that kid is too bright to die." I answered "You know...he was talking to me about rebuilding the Syndicate, making it honorable again."
"Spike, no offense, but Syndicates are bad news." Jet warned me
"Be that as it may, the Red Dragons meant a lot to Shin, I hate to see it fall into the wrong hands." I looked up to him
"Spike, for once, I trust you to do the right thing...so don't blow it." Jet crossed his arms as a doctor stepped out of the room
"Mr. Black, Mr Valentine, we have good news and bad news."
"Ok..."I stared at him blankly
"Mrs. Speigel will be fine, she might not recover consciousness for a while, but she had been through a lot." He reported happily "The bad news is, the man that gave her the blood went into cardiac arrest and he never recovered, he died soon after." I am sorry
Thank you Shin... I owe you one...I think I know how to repay you also...