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 3-Blackjack
Julia drank the cold water slowly before setting the glass down on the marble table. She was nervous, edgy, apprehensive, and worried. Any of those words could fit the bill, but it was for all kinds of different reasons. At the moment, it was this meeting she was conducting. Speaking in front of people had always made her heart skip a beat. Yet from years of practice, she was able to attain a cool demeanor. Spike had said once, it was one of the reasons why he loved her. She was cool-headed under extreme pressure.
Her eyes shifted to the overhead screen. "So, as you can see ladies and gentlemen; from years of hard work and the occasional struggles, our company has finally been rewarded with good fortune. Our revenue is up, costs have dropped, and our stock has never been better. If we continue to do our jobs successfully, we will maintain this balance for the next decade." Julia smiled brightly when she saw the content looks of each member of the board. She glanced at her watch. "Ladies and gentlemen, this meeting is adjourned. I'll see you all bright and early tomorrow morning."
When the final person left her office, Julia let out the breath she did not realize she had been holding. Her stressful day was finally over. But still, there was some extra paper work that needed to be done. Sighing, she sank in her chair, preparing herself for a long night. There was a knock at her door before the secretary entered.
"Julia-sama," The woman said. "there's a call for you on line one."
"Arigato, Mary. You don't need to stay. I'll lock up office. Good night."
"Oyasumi nasai, Julia-sama."
The door closed and Julia picked up the phone, pressed it to her ear, and pushed the small button marked 'one.' "Moshi, Moshi? This is Julia."
"Oi, Julia; you're still there?" Spike asked from the other end. "I thought you would have left after your meeting."
"The meeting took longer than I thought, but it went very well. I just want to get some work done before I leave."
"You work too much, and so does Vicious."
"And you work too little."
Julia could almost feel Spike grin. "I work, I just get mine done more quickly. Speaking of Vicious, I think he's there."
"That's good, I needed to speak with him anyway. So what about you? It's Friday and the night's young."
"I don't know. They're so many things to do on Mars. Give me your suggestion." Spike responded.
"What about a casino? That's where I'd be if I wasn't working."
"A casino. I'll do that. Try and win myself some money. Wish me luck?"
Julia smiled. "Hai, Spike. Good luck. Ja ne." Hanging up the phone, she stood up from her chair and left her office making her way to Vicious' office. It amazed and bothered her how the whole building look completely different at night. It was deserted, dark, shadowed, and quiet. A shiver ran down her spine, but she shook her head; chiding herself gently.
Julia passed by the secretary's desk before stopping in front of two wooden doors. She knocked softly and entered. Either Vicious had not noticed her or he did not care to because he hadn't taken his eyes off his work. It wasn't until she was right behind him did he look up. He frowned deeply.
She winced. "You're still angry with me, ne?" Her tone was quiet. "Gomen nasai, Vicious."
"Why?" He inquired. "Faye is-"
"Just be careful, that's all I'm asking of you." Julia touched his shoulder. "I've seen women like her before."
"And how would you know? From experience?"
A frown curved her lips to match his, but she had deserved that. Her frown quickly disappeared. She answered. "From woman's intuition."
Faye, trying her best to fight down a yawn and failing, placed down her set of cards on the blackjack table. She glanced at the man in front of her. "That makes twenty-one, I win."
"Nani! But how!"
"If you can't figure that out, you shouldn't be here. You don't have enough skill." She extended her hand. "I believe you owe this casino fifty million woolongs. If you can't pay that amount tonight, you have three days. And if those three days expire, you'll...be taken care of by the manager of this establishment." She yawned once more. "You can leave now."
Defeated, the man stood and left the small room and just when he was out of sight, Tara strolled in. "Ah, Poker Alice has won again."
Faye shifted in her seat. "It was too easy, I really wouldn't call it a victory. Is it just me, or are the men that are coming in here getting worst and worst?"
"I don't know, but look on the bright side, Faye. You only have three more hours until your shift is over. Me, on the other hand, I have to work until I see the first light of dawn."
"Then you get off for the rest of the day and night. Tara, do you think I should quit? I've always wanted to be a bartender."
"Iie, don't. Then this place will be too boring without you."
Faye was about reply but there was a light knock at the door. Tara stood, and opened the door and immediately began to inspect the tall man that was in front of her. He's new, she thought with a grin. She turned to her friend. "New client, Alice. Have fun." And she walked past the stranger down the hall.
Emerald eyes widened slightly once she got a good glimpse of him. "Spike...what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to do what everyone else is doing." He sat down in the chair that was once occupied by Tara. "To take a risk, win money, gamble. What better place to do that than in a casino. And of course, I heard about the infamous Poker Alice and how she's never lost a game. I want to change that."
Faye stared at him for a moment, sleep and weariness far from her mind. She smirked. "You won't win."
"Deal the cards and we'll see."
Four hours and several blackjack games later, Spike placed down his set. "Eighteen."
Faye followed, grinning wildly. "Twenty-one. I win again."
His hands rose in mock surrender. "I guess I was wrong. You won every game, Poker Alice. But I'm not too lucky, and I'm not nimble either." He glanced down at his last poker chip.
"Then what are you?"
"Generous." Spike answered simply. He grabbed the chip. "I think I'll keep this for reminiscing." He stood from his seat, making for his leave. "Goodnight, Faye."
"Matte!" Faye exclaimed, frowning. She had been louder than she had wanted to be. "What happen to you being generous." She extended her hand. "The chip? Wouldn't you like to give it to your lovely hostess?"
"No." He replied easily. "Besides, why should I? I played fairly through all our games, and you," He pointed an accusing finger at her. "cheated the whole time."
How did he know! That sentence had been so close to slipping out, Faye had to bite down on her lip to stop it. She needed to be calm, not give herself away. But as she replayed the last few hours in her mind, she finally realized how he did know. His eyes. He had watched her all night. He memorized her movements, her expressions, everything. And the strange thing about it was, knowing this excited her. She raised an eyebrow, challenging him. "You can't prove that."
"Oh, but I can." He assured her. Stepping closer, Spike leaned over the small table and using his thumb and forefinger, reached into the sleeve of Faye's blouse and pulled out three aces and a jack. Waving them teasingly in front of her bewildered features, he placed them on the table and smirked smugly. "The Poker Alice never cheated in any and every game she played. They say that she was a natural born winner."
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing." Her slender hand brushed away a few purple strands. "It's something that's become part of me. Gambling, my hobby; cheating the specialty. It goes hand-in-hand with each other." Spike said nothing but only half smiled as he turned away from her and headed to the door. But Faye quietly spoke again. "Wait," He looked over his shoulder, waiting patiently. She gazed down at the ground and back up at him, playing with her hands all the while. "will you be back? Tomorrow night?" She averted her eyes suddenly, coughing. Then quickly added, "I mean, it's usually really boring around here and I have to admit that you're really good at playing blackjack." Faye waved her hand dismissively. "But if you don't want to come back, I can understand."
It had only been a few seconds, but if felt like hours as Spike stared her, not answering her question. He made her feel nervous, dazed and she had no way to explain why. Finally, a soft grin graced his lips and he nodded.
"Hai, I agree. I had fun with you. I think I will come back. Ja ne." Once she could no longer hear his footfalls, Faye sank back into her chair and sighed. "Faye," She looked up to see Spike standing at the door. "I almost forgot. Here," He tossed something into the air and it landed in her hands. It was the poker chip. Her eyes filled with wonder as she stared at him. "A gift," he explained simply. Spike gave her a friendly wink. "for my lovely hostess, of course." And with a quick wave, he was gone.
Faye looked at the spot where he had once stood and the sudden but familiar feel of heat and pressure was on her cheeks. It was then she realized that she was blushing.
Author's Notes: So ends another chapter. I hope it was enjoyable. I know the Spike and Faye scene was not too romantic but just a little more patience and it'll be here in no time. Obviously, I'm sure some of you readers were remained of session #3-Honky Tonk Women. Anyway, same as always, review tell me what you think and chapter 4 will be up by next week. See ya!