Disclaimer: No, I don't own Cowboy Bebop, but I wouldn't mind owning Spike -_-'.

~ Thank you for your reviews ^.^. I didn't think I'd get any! Oh, well, I better get to writing the story, and stop wasting your time with my pointless babbling, lol. Enjoy!

Unwanted: A Cowboy Bebop Fanfic

By: Katie S.

Rated: Pg-13

Category: Romance/ Drama

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Chapter 3: Strawberry Shampoo

Faye's weary eyes fluttered open slowly. Everything around her seemed like a blurry mirage, and she blinked twice trying to refocuse. All of her senses were beginning to awaken, and the strong scent of roses and champagne entered her nostrils. She blinked again, but after realizing her blinking wasn't doing much, she shut her tightly and moaned lightly.

' Where the hell am i?'

She attempted to roll on her side, but a sharp sensation shot through her right shoulder, leaving her helpless. She opened her eyes once again, but this time everything began to focus. The room was dark and lit only by a small candle placed on a side table not to far from Faye. She glanced at the foot of her bed and a familiar form caught her eye.

' Spike?'

He was peacefully curled up in a chair, a blanket wrapped snuggly around his lanky body. There was a strange look of concern etched on his face....

It was then Faye realized where she was and what had happened. She had selfishly tried to catch the bounty herself, and wound up almost getting killed. But somehow, Spike had heroically saved her and brought her back to the hotel room to mend to her wounds.

She glanced down at the bullet hole in her right shoulder. It was wrapped securely in gauze, but the blood was still beginning to soak through. She lightly traced her fingers along the bandages, a blush staining her cheeks.

' He fixed it for me....'

Finally realizing how bad it hurt to touch her wounds, she winced and cried out lightly. She covered her mouth, seeing how loud her cry really was. She glanced over at Spike again, and his chocolate eyes fluttered opened slowly.

She shut her eyes tightly, hoping he hadn't notice her awake.

" Faye? Are you awake?" She could feel his body moving towards her, and hovering over her bed.

She had planned to pretend to sleep, but she just wanted to look into those amazing two-toned eyes, and search for every emotion that hid behind them.

" Spike...." She moaned, before slowly opening her emerald eyes.

" Faye!" His voice was enthusiastic and full of happiness.

She glanced up at him and smiled weakly, which even that caused her pain. She shut her eyes again, shuffling her body to face him.

And all she felt was pain....

" Faye, don't move! You'll open your wounds!" Spike insisted, reaching out to hold her body still.

Faye smiled again, and followed his orders. She layed her head back down and glanced out the window at the starry sky. Every little speck seemed incandescent against the indigo palette....

" Spike..." Faye's soft voice broke the long silence between them.

Spike inched closer and smiled slightly, mentioning that he was listening to her. She glanced at him, and stared at him for a while, a troubled look tugging on her soft features.

" Why...." She paused, and glanced out the window again, " Why... did you save me?"

Spike stared at her, and wasn't sure if he should worry or not. " Well, because your my partner, I had to."

A sudden look of anguish flashed through Faye's emerald eyes." H-had to?" She felt like crying right then and there. She had always been the rock in your shoe, and the oppressor, the one you were forever trying to rid of.

She could feel the tears brimming in her eyes as she continued to stare griefly at the star painted sky.

Spike was confused as ever as he watched her try to hide the pain.

" I-I've always been like that.....you know?" She gripped the silk sheets tightly

" Huh?" Spike scratched his head and cocked his head to the side.

" I've never been the one everyone loved.... I-I'm just another lifeless soul taking up space.."

" What-" Spike's voice cut off when he saw the look in Faye's tear- filled eyes.

" Julia.... she always beautiful and everyone loved her... and her sparkiling soul," Faye paused, holding back tears, " She wasn't just the one everyone wanted in their bedroom, she was also that soul every man wanted spend the rest of their lives with..." Tears were beginning to flow freely down her cheeks.

" Faye..."

" NO!! It's true! No body loves me! They just want some time with my body every once in while!" She was screaming by now, firmly gripping the sheets to keep back the sobs.

" Why couldn't I have chose my destiny?! Why couldn't I be able to choose if I was frozen or not?! Why couldn't I just die right then?! I don't want to live in this life...with no past, no memories..." She began to pant, as the tears streamed down her face.

" You're forgetting the future you hold..." Spike finally spoke.

Faye glanced up at him, astonishment dancing in her troubled eyes. " W-what future?" Her voice was weak and broken.

" You act as if your destiny has already been decided...." Spike paused and grinned slightly, " Don't you understand? You do choose your destiny... Because your destiny is what you're living right now, it never ends..."

When in the hell did a lunkhead like this become so wise and comforting? Maybe she was dreaming....

" Listen you better get to sleep, you need your rest..." Spike was so good at doing that, slyly changing the subject when things were at their best.

Spike turned to leave, but Faye reached out and grasped his arm tightly, pulling him back towards her.

" S-Spike, I want...." Spike waited for her to say something to bewilder him, " ..... a shower..."

After that long suspensful pause, and all she wants is a damn shower?!

Spike smiled, that was so like Faye. She practically lived on showers. It was like some kind of drug she was addicted to.

" Sure, Faye..." Spike chuckled lightly.

" What?"

" But don't expect me to help you...." Spike grinned sheepishly.

" What!? What the hell are you talking 'bout Spike?" Faye blushed furiously.

" I'm talking about your wounds, woman.... It will be very painful you know..." It almost seemed like he was concerned there for a second...

" Oh, yeah... I know..." Faye continued to blush when she realized the mistake she had made.

" Well, come on then..." Spike tugged slightly at her arm, helping her out of bed.

" Ow!"

" Told you..." Spike teased, still continuing to help Faye into the bathroom.

Faye moaned at every step. Why did he always have to be right?

Spike quickly flicked on the light, the bright rays blinding Faye for a few seconds. She opened her eyes again, and saw Spike leaning into the closet, pulling out a few towels for her. She smiled at the sight of him.... Why was he being so nice?

She glanced in the mirror and saw the shiner planted gracelessly on her right cheek. She cringed at the sight of it and raised a frail finger to brush against it.

" That's a pretty nasty bruise you got there," Spike was suddendly standing right behind her, watching her through the mirror.

" I-I thought for sure we'd get a bounty this time... but I failed... miserably..." She sighed, pushing a few violet hairs out of her wounded face.

" No you didn't... everyone makes mistakes you know?" Spike smiled, handing her a few towels and a shampoo bottle.

She shyly took them, blushing a little bit. He was being too nice again....

" If you do need I help, I guess I can spare some free time, considering your condition..." Spike sighed, making his way out of the bathroom.

Faye didn't say anything, she just nodded as she watched the confusing bounty hunter shut the bathroom door solemnly behind him. Was he playing mind games with her? Why was he being so.... generous? Like he actually cares?

Faye sighed lightly as she began to slowly peel off her clothing. She winced at the pain and she cried out lightly. Why the hell did she have to be wearing such a tight dress? Everything always has to go the hard way, doesn't it?

As she slowly stepped out of the rest of her clothing, she rolled them up and tossed them in the corner. She sighed angirly when she realized they had only gone half the distance she had hoped them to. Quickly shrugging off her aggravation, Faye stepped carefully into the shower, turning the faucet on hot. As the hot water hit her wounds she screamed out loudly, and fought to turn the water down colder.

" Faye? Are you okay?" She could barely hear Spike's voice over the sound of the shower.

" Just peachy Spike!" Her words came out a little more harsh than she had expected.

After finally setting the water on stone cold, Faye realized that every temperature was bound to make her wounds ache. She furiously reached for the soap and lathered it all over her body as fast as she could. Maybe hot water was better than cold....

She shivered lightly as she rinsed her body off.

" Damn it!" She hissed under her breath as she reached for the shampoo bottle, whimpering slightly.

She quickly lathered the shampoo in her violet hair, cursing under her breath as the frigid water ran down her back.

Spike could hear her constant cursing and whimpering, and chuckled lightly.

' I told you...'

He shook his head lightly, trying to ward off the constant need for sleep. He had been towering over Faye for the past five hours, awaiting her impatiently. Sure he had gotten in a few winks of sleep, but only for a few minutes or so.....

And suddendly, there was a very loud thud.

Spike's eyes shot in the direction of the bathroom, widening slightly in fear.

" Faye?!"

No answer...

Spike quickly shuffled to the bathroom, forcing the door open.

" Oh my god! Faye!" He ran over to Faye's limp body lying on the ground, a towel wrapped loosely around her small frame. He took her in his arms and shook her lightly.

" Faye!" He called out again, but with more worry in his voice.

Faye's eyes fluttered open slightly, and she shuffled her body towards Spike, hugging him closer. A crimson shade crept up on Spike's face.

" There was a puddle of water... and... I-I think I fell.... maybe..." She was obviously suffering some type of amnesia. Spike chuckled softly, for the fact that she was okay.

" Faye..." He lowered his face to hers, looking deeply into her emerald orbs," I... I think you should change," He motioned to the towel that barely covered her. She looked down at the towel, and then back up at him, blushing slightly. She cleared her throat, and pushed away from him, motioning him to leave. He shrugged, and followed her orders, dragging his feet slightly as he made his way out of the bathroom.

Spike shut the door behind him, and shuffled his tired body towards the bed, plopping his weary form on the silk sheets. He inhaled lightly, and the sweet aroma of Faye entered his senses causing him to smile slightly. Why was she suddendly making him so happy all the time? She was the one he was constantly trying to get rid of...

but now...

All he wanted to do was be near her, and it frustrated him.

He glanced over at the bathroom again, and saw Faye emerging, dressed in a loose t-shirt and shorts. Her face looked a little pale, and her body seemed a little shaky...

" Faye?" Spike quickly sat up, and cocked his head at her in confusion.

" Spike.... I-" Faye's body slowly gave out underneath her, and Spike swiftly ran over towards her, catching her in his arms. He held her tightly as he pulled her closer. He felt her grasp onto his shirt tightly.

" I-I'm really tired...." Her voice was quiet and angelic, as she pulled him closer to her, burrying her head in his chest.

Spike smiled down at her, and carefully picked her up, carrying her over to the bed. He set her down lightly, brushing a few violet hairs out of her face.

" Good night Faye..." Spike inched towards her as he pulled the silk sheets over her weary body.

He turned to leave, but he felt her hand grasp his arm tightly. He turned towards her, a look of suprise tugged at his chocolate eyes.

" Don't leave me... Like everyone else... please..." Her voice was soft, but pleading, and a stray tear grazed her cheek as she gazed up at him.

Spike stared at her for a while, still suprised by her actions.

" Please..." She begged again, releasing Spike of her grasp.

He nodded and smiled at her reassuringly. He wasn't really sure why, but it was almost like he wanted to stay with Faye....

He slowly climbed in bed and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, pulling her closer. She pulled the sheet up over him and wrapped it around him, cacooning her with his warmth. She smiled as she rested her head on his chest, hugging him tightly.

Spike glanced down at Faye, noticing how radiant she had become. He burried his head in her hair, taking in her scent. It was the same as always, sweet and innocent....

But his time, it seemed to be mixed with the sweet scent of her strawberry shampoo...

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Yay! It's sorta a short chappie ^.^, but that's okay, it's all pure Spike x Faye fluff, I told you it was coming.... Anyways, I hope you liked it! And please review! I will have another chapter up as soon as possible! Thanx ^.^!