Okay Faye's still unconscious in the Swordfish II, and this is her dream/flashback sequence…
"David Yung?" A girl with long, dark brown hair and glasses sat down next to Faye and looked at her incredulously.
"Well, yeah," Faye said, blushing faintly and twisting a strand of hair around one finger.
"But he's so…" the girl, Diane, floundered for the right words. "He's so quiet! And he's always got his nose stuck in a book. He's a bit of a nerd, if you ask me."
"Well I didn't!" Faye retorted indignantly.
"Yeah, Diane," teased a short, heart-faced girl sitting across from them. "Maybe he just likes to study… Maybe he actually wants to pass some of his classes!"
"Hey, you might want to try that sometime Diane!" laughed Michelle, a tall, long-legged girl sitting on the opposite side of Faye. Diane grinned and stuck out her tongue.
"Alright, alright, sheesh! Is everyone here in love with David?"
"He has gotten a little taller since last year," the heart-faced girl, Beth, commented, glancing at his lone figure across the lunchroom. "And more muscular!" she giggled.
"He has that dark, mysterious quality about him," Michelle mused.
"Yeah, I guess I can see that," Diane grumbled grudgingly. "So he's tall and muscular, dark and mysterious, and intelligent. God Faye, you'd better make your move before the rest of the school discovers Mr. Perfect over there." Faye blushed and ducked her head while the others giggled. "But seriously Faye," Diane continued. "There are plenty of boys – dare I say it – at least as cute as David, who are dying to go out with you. What makes him so special?" Beth, Michelle, and Diane waited curiously for Faye's response.
"I suppose," she began slowly, tugging on her hair, "it's the way he looks at me." Faye glanced up quickly, then back down. "I mean he stares at me, so intensely, like he's trying to burn a hole through me to see what's underneath…to see what's inside. And when I look back…" Faye trailed off and her four friends leaned in more closely. "When I look back…his eyes…"
"His eyes?" Beth prompted breathlessly.
"I can't explain it," Faye said softly. "It's as if I can see all of his thoughts and feelings and dreams, all swirling around. I feel as though, behind that quiet mask, there's chaos and turmoil. It draws me to him." Michelle, Beth, and Diane sighed collectively.
"You're so lucky, Faye," Michelle said enviously. Faye smiled and looked away.
"Hey, where'd he go?" Diane asked suddenly. "He's gone!" Faye followed her friend's gaze, acknowledging with considerable surprise that David had indeed disappeared. Beth, Diane, and Michelle jumped up and began scanning the noisy lunchroom.
"That's weird!" Beth commented. "He was there just a minute ago. I – "
"Hi Faye." All three friends screamed as Faye whirled around. David, who had materialized behind her, took a step backwards and made as if to run.
"David, wait!" Faye said quickly. He paused, looking bewildered. "My friends are, uh, kind of jumpy today." David nodded, looking at them tentatively as the three girls nodded vigorously and sat back down.
"Oh. I was just wondering if I could talk to you for a moment, Faye." Faye felt her heart flutter.
"Sure, David," she said shyly, standing up. He led her through the crowded lunchroom and out to the courtyard. The courtyard was fairly empty, although it was a beautiful day. Faye marveled as a warm breeze collected loose cherry blossoms, sweeping them up into a delicate dance. David paused under the shade of a cherry blossom tree, his hand resting lightly on the rough bark. He gazed at Faye steadily, pale pink blossoms raining down on them. Faye waited, unconsciously holding her breath.
"Faye," he began softly. "I know we don't know each other that well, but I feel…close to you. I like being around you, Faye. Do you feel the same way?" Faye stared at him in amazement. For all his quietness, he wasn't in the least bit shy. He was so honest with his feelings, and didn't seem at all embarrassed. She felt that even if she were to say no, he'd simply nod his head and accept her answer with matter-of-fact dignity.
"Yes." It took Faye a moment to realize that the soft, breathless response was her own. David smiled, a slow, genuine smile that made her chest ache. She couldn't be sure who took the first step, but suddenly they were inches apart, David running his fingers through her hair, Faye leaning against him. He traced her jawbone with one finger, tilting her head upwards. Still smiling, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers softly. Faye felt herself die a thousand times.
Empty of tenderness
And empty of joy,
Faraway from here,
Faraway from you.
Nothing of more sadness
Than my sighs,
When the day comes
That I must leave.
Song of innocence,
You live always in my heart.
You, the most sweet!
You, the most tender!
It's the song
That always says:
In your spirit
I will live forever.
It's the song
That always says:
In your spirit
I will live forever.
Spike shoved the still unconscious Faye aside and crawled into the cockpit, cheerfully ignoring the honks and curses of the cars around him. He flew off, traveling only a small distance before landing on the roof of a deserted warehouse. Beside him, Faye murmured in her sleep. Spike looked at her thoughtfully, then leaned over.
"Faye," he said, patting her cheek gently. "Hey, Faye, wake up." Faye stirred slightly, eyelashes fluttering. She lifted her hand heavily and stroked Spike's cheek. He froze, staring at her in shock.
"Faye?"
"David…" she mumbled, letting her hand drop. Spike waited a moment, listening intently, but she didn't say anything more.
"Faye," he said at last, more loudly. Finally, Faye groaned and opened her eyes. Emerald green stared into mismatched garnet.
"Spike?" she said in confusion, attempting to sit up. "What happened? Where are we?"
"We're in the cockpit of my ship," Spike answered, choosing to ignore the first question.
"Why? What happened?" No way you're getting out of this one, Spike Spiegel.
"Uh, well, there was this bounty," he began nervously, watching Faye closely. "And he grabbed you, and, uh…" Spike gulped as he saw anger begin to replace confusion in those emerald orbs.
"What the fuck did you do?" she raged. "That bounty was mine!"
"Hey, I saw him first!" Spike protested, fighting off another guilt attack.
"Yeah, well, you had your chance and you screwed it up."
"Everything was fine until you got in the way!"
"Got in the way? Got in the way!" Faye said furiously. "Listen, you bastard, I was minding my own business when you show up, guns blazing, almost blowing me up with that piece of crap you call a ship – "
"Don't talk about my ship like that," he interrupted, glowering dangerously.
" – and when I finally get everything under control, you purposefully distract me!"
"Well, you shouldn't allow yourself to be distracted," Spike said uncomfortably. Faye snorted, but sensed she'd won that round and was able to move on to her next grievance.
"Jeez, Spike, my head really hurts!" she said plaintively, touching the bump gingerly.
"It can't be that bad," Spike retorted, trying avoid the memory of Faye colliding head first into that wall. Faye just sniffed. "Here, let me see," he snapped, leaning forward.
"No! Ow, ow, it hurts!" Faye howled.
"I haven't even touched it yet!" Spike told her, exasperated. "Just…hold still!" He placed both hands on either side of her head, tilting it downwards so he could see the bump.
"Don't, Spike!" Faye grabbed his wrists as he reached out to touch the bump.
"Relax, Faye," he muttered, probing the swollen area with skilled, gentle fingers. Faye braced herself for sharp stabs of pain, but only felt a slight tickling sensation. "You'll be alright," Spike said, resting his hands on his lap. "But you should ice it when we get back to the Bebop." Faye nodded, feeling foolish, then noticed she still held Spike's wrists loosely. She snatched her hands away nervously and Spike raised an eyebrow. Suddenly, Faye found the Swordfish II unbearably suffocating.
"How much was the bounty on that guy anyway?" Faye muttered, fighting to keep her cheeks from burning.
"Hmm? Just 100,000."
"Is that all?" Faye asked, disappointed. "Oh, well, it's better than nothing. I deserve at least half, wouldn't you agree? Where's my fifty?"
"Spent it," Spike said shortly.
"What?! Yeah right… You expect me to believe that?" Faye demanded, scowling. Spike reached into his inside jacket pocket and produced a small disc. "Please don't tell me you spent 100,000 woolongs on a CD," Faye growled. Spike grinned.
"Nope. A safety deposit box fine."
"You don't have a safety deposit box."
"How would you know? But you're right. This particular item belongs to a Mr. Shota Schlage."
"Who's Shota Schlage?"
"He was a spy."
"So what's on the disc?" Faye asked interestedly.
"I'm about to find out," Spike responded, popping the disc into his cockpit computer. The screen was fuzzy for a few moments, then abruptly focused. The picture revealed a bare, spacious room with warped, dusty floorboards and stained glass windows. Faye sat in one corner, hands cuffed over her head. Vicious stood opposite of her.
"Comfortable, Miss Valentine?" That dry, raspy voice finally triggered the present Faye into action. She jerked forward, hands frantically reaching for the disc player. In such a cramped space, it was easy for Spike to intercept her, seizing her wrists and holding her back.
"I'd be more comfortable if you'd undo these handcuffs." Hearing her own voice emitting from the speakers only made Faye redouble her efforts. Spike grunted as she lashed out, kicking, clawing, twisting. He finally ended the struggle by twisting one arm painfully behind her back and wrapping his free arm around her waist. She pulled away from him a few times before recognizing the helplessness of her position. Panting, she leaned against him heavily and rested her head on his shoulder. The figures on the screen sat in silence.
"Spike," Faye cried in frustration. "Why do this? What happened then…it's none of your damn business!"
"I think it is," he said harshly, his breath stirring her hair. "I think it has something to do with why you killed Vicious. And where Vicious is concerned, it's always my business."
Puh-lease tell me there are some Vicious fans still following this fic! Next chappie, find out what happened b/twn my man Vicious and Faye…..
"Chansons D'Enfance," ("Song of Innocence" – originally in French - I pasted it on in its translated version). Music by Andrew Lloyd Weber, lyrics by Don Black & Charles Hart