Sometimes I step into timeless zone
And I lose my way
I don't know where I am
Sometimes I feel like I'm in the Milky Way
And I lose myself
I don't know who I am
I discover whiskers of a cat in a timeless zone
And I put them on my face
In a moment I become a sweet little cat
And I dance on a flying saucer
I am a cat
I am a cat
I am a cat
I discover ears of a cat in the Milky Way
And I put them on my head
In a moment I become a sweet little cat
And I dance on a flying saucer
Faye strolled down the sidewalk, licking her strawberry ice cream cone leisurely. She felt like a new woman. Those hateful clothes were in a dumpster in the back of the shop were she'd bought her new outfit – an ankle-length, cotton green skirt and a cream colored blouse. She'd also bought a pair of brown sandals, with straps that went across the toes and around the ankles. It was simple yet elegant ensemble that flattered her slim, busty figure. The skirt hugged her hips becomingly and tapered out. The blouse was unbuttoned a few inches below her breastbone, revealing very minimal cleavage. It clung to her breasts and flat stomach, twisting gracefully with her every movement. The sleeves were loose and made of a finer, lighter material, almost transparent. Faye hoped they adequately covered her bruises. When she'd first entered the shop in her skimpy outfit, the lady behind the counter had 'tsked' and looked at Faye sympathetically. It made her cheeks burn just remembering it.
Faye finished the last bite of her ice cream cone, just as she felt a sharp pinch from behind. She whirled around, glowering, and came face to face with a happily grinning old geezer. Faye relaxed and flashed him a dazzling smile. The old man almost fainted. There was something else – she wasn't attracting as much attention from the unsavory types. Not that she enjoyed being hit on by old men, but she considered it a step up from greasy, perverted teenagers with cheesy pick up lines. And the geezer wasn't the only man to notice her since her change of attire. She'd caught other men staring and smiling, the type of men who might take her out to dinner a couple of times before inviting her back to their apartment to fuck.
Faye hummed to herself softly, swinging her shopping bag as carelessly as a child. The shopping bag contained clothes more akin to Faye's usual style, including skin-tight, black leather pants that sat low on her hips, an equally skin-tight dark red, midriff tank top, and dainty black boots. Faye told herself that they were 'bounty hunting' clothes. No matter how much she liked her current outfit, she had to admit it'd be pretty difficult to chase down a bounty in a skirt and sandals. She was just about to cross the street when a car ripped around the corner in front of her, tires skidding.
"Hey, watch it!" Faye shouted angrily, leaping back. Suddenly an explosion rocked the street and Faye had to grab onto a nearby lamppost to steady herself, shielding her face from the flying debris that sprayed up. "Son of a bitch!" There was no mistaking the sleek red craft hovering over the street just above her.
The speeding car slammed on its brakes and swerved, but couldn't avoid the smoking hole created by the Swordfish II's blasters. Faye lifted her head just in time to see a man pull himself out of the hole and stagger to the side unsteadily. Five police cars came to a screeching halt behind him, policemen jumping out of their cars and drawing their weapons. The man seemed to collect himself and drew his own gun, firing a few shots while running in the opposite direction. Spike landed the Swordfish II directly in his path, leaping out of the craft before it had completely settled on the ground. The man looked around him wildly, then ran directly at Faye.
He had her in a tight grasp, arm around her waist and gun pointing at her head before she could do more than mutter, "Oh shit."
"I kill her!" the man shouted desperately in a thick Italian accent. "Don't shot or I kill her!" The policemen stood their ground, but Spike approached slowly, gun raised.
"She's got nothing to do with this Armand," Spike said soothingly. "Just let her go and - Faye?" he squawked, lowering his gun. Faye rolled her eyes expressively.
"Well it's obvious you're not going to be very helpful!" she snapped. Spike just stared at her. Faye lifted her foot and stomped heavily on Armand's toe, grinding her heel down viciously. Armand yelped in surprise and let go of her. She whirled around and grabbed his wrist, twisting it painfully so that he dropped his gun. She caught it before it hit the ground, then gripped his chin tightly and pulled down so that she could shove the gun into his mouth. He goggled at her.
"Now, be a good boy and go with the police quietly," Faye said, smiling sweetly.
Although he was still trying to comprehend that that was Faye, dressed in those utterly un-Faye-like clothes, Spike vaguely realized that she was about to claim the bounty money he desperately needed. Something drastic must be done.
"Faye, behind you!" he hollered.
"Huh?" Faye looked at him over her shoulder, puzzled. Armand took advantage of the situation beautifully. He delivered a heavy blow, throwing her backwards and into a brick wall. She slumped to the ground with a slight sigh.
Spike winced when her head contacted with the brick, but focused his attention on Armand. He was weaponless and Spike needed to work off some frustration. Spike stepped forward, positioning himself in a fighting stance and smiling at Armand irritatingly. Armand roared and charged at him, fists flailing. Spike shook his head pityingly and side stepped the brute with ease, bringing his leg up to knee him in the stomach. Armand doubled over, gasping for breath, and Spike struck him on the back in one sharp, swift motion. Armand hit the pavement and lay still. Spike waited for the police to rush over, and demanded his bounty card before going over to check on Faye.
She was still unconscious, lying on her side, skirt hiked up over her knees. Spike knelt beside her and turned her over on her back carefully, brushing silky strands of hair from her face with long, delicate fingers. He noted interestedly that her hair was longer than it seemed with that yellow headband, and that the absence of her widows' peak gave her face a softer, less bony look. Her lip had split and was bleeding a little, and by tomorrow she'd have a sizable bruise on her right cheek. To match to one I gave her, Spike thought guiltily, poking that bruise gently. Faye groaned and stirred. Spike sat back on his haunches and gazed around him, but could not locate the Red Tail.
He lifted her weight easily, holding her legs beneath the knees and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Her head rested on his shoulder peacefully. Spike was about to turn when he caught sight of a shopping bag. After glancing around and noticing the general lack of people, he decided that it must be Faye's. He slid both Faye and her shopping bag into the cockpit of his ship and climbed in after them.
"Well this is rather crowded," he remarked, tossing the bag in the back and squirming to find a position in which he could operate the Swordfish.
They arrived at the bank a few moments later, Spike landing obnoxiously in the middle of the street. He stopped at the appropriate machine first, to collect his bounty money, then entered the bank. The teller who'd attended him previously was still there, just finishing with another customer. Spike swaggered up and slapped the 500,000 woolong on the counter.
"There. Now take me to Schlage's safety deposit box."
"Er, of course, of course… I just need to speak with my boss first and – " Spike jerked Thomas up by his jacket.
"No," he growled. Spike had a strong suspicion that 'the boss' would just give Thomas another excuse to keep him from that safety deposit box.
"Oh," Thomas squeaked. "I-I need your key then, sir."
"Key?"
"Yes, the key to Mr. Schlage's safety deposit box. I must have the key to open it." Spike released Thomas with a disgusted snort. Now he'd probably have to go all the way back to Ganymeade and search Schlage's place. Spike snarled wordlessly and reached into his pocket for his cigarettes. Once he had the carton out, he stared at it in confusion. It wasn't his usual brand…
"Of course!" he exclaimed, opening it hastily. Inside, wrapped in several tissues, lay a simple brass key. Spike presented it to Thomas triumphantly.
"Very good, sir," Thomas groaned.
Spike followed Thomas closely, shoving him from behind each time he began to drag his feet. When they reached the vault, Thomas pulled out a ring of keys and shifted through them in a painstakingly slow manner. Spike considered pulling out his gun, but then remembered that banks and guns generally don't mix well. Finally Thomas found the right key and unlocked the vault, the heavy door creaking loudly as he pulled it open.
"Now let's see… What was that safety deposit box number?" Thomas said aloud, holding up Schlage's brass key and studying it closely.
"Gimme that!" Spike snapped, snatching the key from him.
"Hey! You can't do that!" Thomas protested. Spike ignored him, scanning the small key for the number. He found it, very worn and faded, stamped near the top of the key: 227. Spike transferred his gaze to the rows of boxes in front of him, locating 227 a few rows to his left.
"I'll be right back," Thomas said in a rush, slipping away before Spike could protest. Spike considered going after him, but curiosity drew his attention back to box 227. He unlocked it and pulled the door open, peering inside.
"Hmmm…"
Whoa, a rather long chapter, neh? Jeez, I spoil you guys… But I make up for it by leaving you w/cliffhangers. Song: "I Am A Cat," lyrics by Shonen Knife. Isn't that a kewl name? Shonen Knife…hooha! I love cats… Annnnnyways, REVIEW! Or I'll never tell you what Spike found in the safety deposit box. HA!