Title: Forever Broken

Author: Nirvana

Rating: R

Category: Romance/Angst

Summary: AU. Set in the year 2066, Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine meet and an inevitable attraction arises. Unintentionally, the two begin a possessive affair under the worst circumstances.

Disclaimer: We all know the drill, but I must say it anyway. I do not own Cowboy Bebop or any of the characters they rightfully belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 2-Deadlock

"A bit of vodka. No ice."

The bartender placed a small glass in front of her and Faye took it into her grasp. She stared at the contents for a while. She was under aged to be drinking; but that was the beauty of it, right? To be able to take part in tasting the forbidden fruit, yet in this case, alcohol. She sipped, the familiar and welcomed liquid burning as it went past her throat.

Her gaze darted to the entrance every now and then; he still hadn't arrived yet. But Vicious was only being himself; it could be five minutes to five hours before he decided to show up. So she had decided to make herself comfortable at the bar. Maybe if she drank enough, she could make up an excuse about being drunk and go home early for the night.

Faye had never liked private parties, where the richest of the rich and the classiest of the classy all decided to chat and eat caviar and crackers. She craved for the sounds of coin machines and the feel of money between her fingers. Fast-paced, lively, and all risk; the casino was her place, not soirees. Drinking the last of her vodka, she requested another. Even though she never enjoyed galas, she still liked to dress for them if forced to go. Her apparel for that evening was elegant. She had chosen one of her best dresses; a deep crimson colored, thin-strapped material that clung to every part of her body leaving little for the imagination. The cleavage was dangerously deep, yet that was the way she liked her more formal outfits. Nor did Faye mind any and every compliment given to her, she would basically indulge herself with the praises.

After her fourth glass of vodka, Faye had finally grown impatient and irritable. Not only was she supposed to meet Vicious but also friends of his. Yet she could only stand to wait for a person for so long. If she did, she would probably appear desperate for a relationship and that was not her intention. Even though they had been seeing each other for a few weeks, and Faye did have strong affection for him; she was not ready to know about his life. If that even made sense. He knew so little about her own personal life and she planned to keep it that way for a few more weeks. Or at least until she could trust herself to talk about such touchy subjects. Talking about her past...talking about her mother...had never been to her benefits.

But she could never honestly say her and Vicious' relationship didn't have its own confusion. Sometimes, out of the blue, he would treat her so coldly. Like a complete stranger. But Faye could never understand why he couldn't trust her. She had heard the rumors, especially when she visited him while he was at work. It had started when she and Vicious begun dating. She remembered how some people believed she was just some shameless prostitute. How Vicious had 'hired' her to be his personal whore.

Faye smirked, the vodka was finally taking its toll on her. "But I know from experience," She murmured quietly. "Sex with Vicious is never about tenderness and passion." Slipping from the stool, she made her way through the crowded hall and onto the silent balcony which overlooked a well-lit garden and fountain.

Spring weather was at its prime but the night air still chilled her skin to the bone. Faye wrapped her arms around her bare shoulders to keep the much needed warmth. It was either bare the cold or go back inside. But the sudden feel of a jacket being slipped around her stopped her from turning. Gratefully, she grabbed the jacket's arms, not caring who had given it to her. But who, she asked herself mentally, was the person? Her inquiry was answered when they spoke.

"Pretty cold tonight, isn't it?" The person, a man, with a voice as blithe as anything. She had still not turned from her position, opting to keep her eyes on the water fountain.

"Hai," Faye whispered. "Arigato, for the jacket."

"No need for thanks." He replied. There was placid silence before he spoke again. "So...do you come here often?"

Her eyebrow twitching would have been the only warning he received, if he had been able to see it. Faye couldn't even remember the last time any guy had used that pick-up line on her. She frowned in distaste, turning to look at the stranger.

"If you're going to use a corny pick-up line like that, you might as well take your jacket, turn around, and leave." She said, the annoyance she felt laced in her words.

He was not unnerved by her reply, he only grinned. "I know it was corny, that's why I used it, to get your attention. I wanted to look at you face-to-face and not at your back." He watched as the aggravation in her emerald eyes vanished to be replaced with pure curiosity. Oh yes, he had definitely gotten her attention.

Faye studied him; he did look different from a regular looking guy and was well over six feet. If they were to stand next to each other, she would probably be able to barely brush his shoulder with her head. He was lean, made up only of sharp angles and ends, the complete opposite of her. His eyes were a chocolate color, maybe lighter, but it was hard to tell from this distance. What seemed to grip her the most was his hair. She had no way to describe it. How many men did you see with an afro? Well, she was exaggerating. It wasn't necessarily an afro, more like puffy, unruly curls of mossy green; almost black in the darkness. He wore the standard tuxedo, the jacket missing, which was still draped around her. But still, even without the jacket, there was an air of mystery around him.

She smirked unexpectedly, looking him up and down. "Tall and lean in an ungraceful way."

"Does it bother you?" He asked, a certain glint in his eyes.

"Not at all. Just my way of defining you as a lanky man." What Faye did next surprised him slightly. With a small dip in her shoulders, the jacket fell into her arms before she tossed in his direction. He caught it easily. "You've seen my face, and you got my attention. So there's no reason for you to stay any longer." She turned away from him, assuming that he would leave. But instead, he stood his ground and dared to move closer to her.

"Why are you standing out here by yourself?"

Faye stared at him thoroughly; he was more handsome than she had originally thought. She didn't answer right away. "I wanted to be alone. I was waiting for someone; they haven't shown up yet." Reaching for her purse, she pulled out a cigarette and a lighter, lit it, and inhaled. It was her newly found addiction. Her attention went to the sky. Cloudless and clear, the stars were brighter than usual. She looked at him again without turning her head downwards, she grinned. "I'd offer you one," she waved her hand, the cigarette pressed between her fingers. "but these things aren't good for you."

"I know from experience." Was his quiet response. His answer sent the feeling of deja vu through her.

Once more, calm had surrounded them but it wasn't an awkward silence. Faye glanced at him one too many times before having the courage to ask her next question.

"What's your name?"

He met her gaze. "Spike Spiegel. And yours?"

Her smile was genuine. "Faye Valentine."

-

Faye Valentine? Spike's eyes narrowed slightly, taking in her features again. Emerald eyes, violet hair. This was her? The one he heard so much about? In all honestly, he had been expecting something so much more...different. This girl, no...woman, acted nothing like an eighteen year old. Maybe it was just the make-up that made her seem older to him. Or it could be the way she acted. His attention was redirected to her lips when she bit down on them in an unknowingly sultry way. He turned his face away but spoke.

"So you're Vicious' girlfriend?" Spike asked, already fully aware of the answer.

Faye's smile returned. "Yes, and you must be one of the friends he's been telling me about."

Their casual talk lasted for only a few more minutes before they both reentered the hall. Faye scanned the room, searching for the recognizable mane of gray hair. When she did, she was about to join Vicious when her eyes came across the woman who had her arm swathed around his shoulders. Her head was tilted to his ear and she was whispering something. Involuntarily, a pang of anger and jealousy hit Faye. Was Vicious with this woman the whole time she had been waiting for him? But she had to admit; the woman was extremely beautiful. Each man that passed her stared for a couple of seconds too long. Rich, full, wavy blond hair pooled itself around her upper body stopping just above her waist. Her eyes were a bright blue that added to her already angelic features. Her gown was exquisite if not clean-cut; sleeveless and slits on each side that showed more than a fair amount of her pale legs. And just like Vicious' suit, it was the color black.

"Who is she?" Faye breathed to no one, but Spike, who stood beside her, answered the question.

"She's the woman in my life." He sounded pleased, and didn't seem bothered at all that his lover was hanging all over her own. Nothing seemed to upset him and Faye briefly wondered why.

Vicious spotted them and stepped closer, the woman in tow. "You two have already met." Both nodded. He turned to the lady beside him. "Faye, this is Julia."

Julia...the perfect name for her, Faye thought. She smiled kindly in her direction.

But a skeptical expression had settled on Julia's face, and it was obvious for all to see. She looked Faye up and down, almost inspecting her. Deciding whether she had merit to even speak to her. Finally after examination, she gave a small, strained smile.

"Hello, Faye." Was her greeting before her arm loosened around Vicious' shoulders and she took Spike's hand in hers, leading him away.

Faye's hands balled into fists, her eyes narrowing considerably. Julia had not insulted her verbally, but her eyes had said everything. She was acting like a stuck-up, arrogant little...her train of thought ended when slim hands touched her shoulders. Vicious turned her around to face him.

"Gomen nasai," He said softly. "Julia can be like that sometimes. She means no harm."

But for the rest of the night, the way Julia had stared at her still plagued Faye. It was well into the wee hours of the morning when the party came to a close. The quartet said their good byes and went their separate ways.

Julia walked swiftly down the concrete path to her awaiting car. Her whole body ached from the exertion of the day, and she had been literally dragged to this party. All she wanted to do right now was go home and sleep. But her wish wouldn't be granted as Spike caught up with her in a few, long strides. He regarded her for a few moments, and took note of the deep concentration etched in her face.

"Matte, Julia. Are you all right?" When she did not reply, he easily caught her wrist in his hand; halting her steps. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." Her answer had been too hasty, completely giving her away.

"You don't like her." Spike stated simply.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Don't do that. You know who I'm taking about. Faye Valentine, Vicious' girlfriend. You don't like her."

"It's not about her."

"Julia, please. You looked at Faye as if she was the most hideous thing in the world." A thought struck him. "Do you think she's ugly?"

"Iie, Spike." Julia murmured heavily. "She is beautiful...in a wild sort of way. But Vicious, he could have done so much better." She winced mentally at her cruel words. "There are plenty of other pretty women on Mars."

"Julia-"

"Besides haven't you heard those rumors about her? I know Vicious has, but he ignores them anyway."

"Vicious knows better than to believe it. You know it too. I've-"

She turned around to face him; her previous look had vanished to be replaced by her happy façade. "I'm just worried that's all." Julia shook her head, then started walking again, holding her lover's hand. She glanced back at Spike. "It's late, let's go."

Author's Notes: Dun, dun, dun! Yes that's right, Julia is part of this story, I would never leave her out! So, good or bad? Let me know. The story may be getting no where at the moment but believe me, romance between Spike and Faye is just in the next chapter. I don't have much to say except for my thanks to all who read and reviewed, hopefully, I'll see you review for this chapter. Until next week, see ya!