Title: Forever Broken
Author: Elle
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 7-Earthbound
Faye laid spiraled on a bed of lush grass and flowers, her eyes on the cloudless sky and a gentle breeze sweeping past her. The more she thought about it, the more she knew it was truth. This was the only thing she had missed the most. Those lazy, endless days of spring that would slowly fade into early summer. It was here, in the quiet beauty of nature, that she made the promise never to come back to this planet. And now, here she was, years later, wondering what brought her back here. Or better yet, who.
As if on cue, Spike came into her line of vision. His lips were curved in a familiar smirk that made her heart skip a beat. Cradled in his hands was a large bouquet of assorted flowers. Faye smiled, raised her open palms and he placed them in her awaiting hands. She inhaled them deeply before nodding as if in approval.
"These will do," She said. "Arigato, Spike."
"No problem," He replied. "But, if you don't mind me asking, what are they for?"
Faye shook her head and finally stood up. She dusted any grass from her attire. "Not what, who." Her smile widened as he gave her a questioning glance. "Follow me and I'll show you."
Spike obeyed and they made their way through the small meadow with Faye taking lead. Not too long ago, they had arrived on Earth. Instead of renting a room at a hotel, they had opted to go to a park and watch the sunrise. He would be lying if he said there was no reason for not coming to Earth. Spike's main goal was to find out more about this woman. He didn't care if it was the littlest of information, at least it was something.
For most of the day, they just went sightseeing. But since the unfortunate gate accident that occurred years ago, there wasn't much to see. But they made the best of it, and so far, the day had been comfortably placid. What Spike didn't understand was why Faye needed a bouquet of flowers. But he knew that he would soon find out.
Faye led him down a wide, pebbled path to an old, rusty, but large gate that must have been an entrance to a home. Extending her hand, she pushed the gates open and started walking again. Everything was exactly the same. The long hill she'd run up and down to and from school. The grassy cliff that overlooked the crystal, navy ocean. Her gaze shifted towards the top of the hill and out of the blue, she broke into a run.
Faintly, Faye could hear Spike calling her name but she was too lost in her memories, in her past. The very thing she had tried to hide and forget. But even after all this time, she could remember it all. She ran faster, harder. She wouldn't stop, not until she reached her destination.
She remembered running up this hill. Her dolls clutched in her arms and her sunhat perched atop her head, flopping wildly in the wind.
She remembered the very first time when Okaasan hit her.
She remembered running down this hill. In the rain, her clothes soaked, and the taste of salt on her tongue from her tears.
She remembered her father's eyes. A pair beautiful green orbs that were always flooded with some unexplainable sadness.
"You ungrateful brat!" Her mother exclaimed, long violet hair just like hers but eyes that were as clear as the sea. "I hate you! You ruined everything!" Faye could feel those slender fingers wrapped around her neck, slowly choking her. She would brace herself every time her back was slammed against a wall. There was no use fighting back. All she needed to do was say nothing, do nothing, and the pain would go away.
Her legs were starting ache from the exertion, but Faye didn't care.
She clutched the bouquet of flowers to her, she was almost there. She licked her lips in anticipation, almost there....almost there.
Suddenly, Faye stopped and fell to her knees. Spike was not too far behind her, but his attention shifted to the single gravestone that was in front of her. He looked at it closely and there was only a simple name, 'Valentine.'
Faye was quiet for a few moments before she placed down the bouquet and balled her hands into fists. She bent her head low. "I don't understand," She murmured. "For so long, I didn't understand. Why did you hate me so much? Was it...because of Otousan?" Her pale hand fell against the rough stone. "I wish, sometimes, things could have been different between us."
A strong wind picked up that swept past them both. Faye was clothed in a sundress and when the breeze brushed her hair to the side, it gave Spike the perfect view of a deep scar on her back. It was strange though, she had always worn thin-strapped dresses before but no one, not even him, had ever noticed that scar. Faye had hidden it so well.
"This grave...belongs to your mother." Spike said, his statement firm.
Faye, after a while, stood up and turned to face him. But he was not expecting her to smile. "There's a beach nearby," She began, her emerald eyes went to the ocean. "why don't we go for a walk there? It should be deserted right now."
And without waiting for his reply, she began walking down the hill. Almost as if nothing had happened. But, for one reason or another, it only fueled Spike more to find out what Faye was hiding. There was no possible chance he would give up after coming this far. With renewed confidence and determination, he followed her without a word.
-
"Close your eyes," Spike requested gently. Faye glanced at him in puzzlement then apprehension when she noticed the toothy grin he wore. Obviously, he was up to something, but she did as she was told. She felt his fingertips drag up her arms, shoulders, neck, and finally rest upon her eyelids. She shivered despite herself and he noticed immediately. "Cold?"
"Not really," Faye responded, she clutched at his arms for reassurance. "just what are you trying to do?"
"I'm trying to make you, Miss. Valentine," Spike responded. "rediscover." She could feel his lips just barely pressed against her ear. The tension between them was too much, and Spike knew it too. Ever since they arrived here, the knowledge that they were all alone sunk in with each shy caress. And Faye hoped, one of the reasons why Spike brought her to Earth was to just be in the company of her. Her ponderings ceased when he spoke again. "Now, start walking and just...memorize everything over again."
Faye was a little confused by what he meant but took a slow, hesitant step forward. Her feet were bare, due to Spike's insistence, and she could feel the icy waves move past her ankles. She knew he was in front of her at arm's length, just in case she happened to trip and fall. Gradually, Faye's fear lessened and she understood what Spike was trying to accomplish. She had heard that if a person were to lose one of his senses, the remaining four would somehow become stronger. Faye inhaled deeply and the strong smell of water hit her. She could hear the crashing of the tide and the faint cries of seagulls in the distance.
Faye stopped once her fingers grasped the hems of Spike's jacket. She leaned on him for moment. Then she felt his hands veer her in a certain direction before they slipped back into place over her closed eyes. The same apprehension came back tenfold. What was he up to...?
"Now that you're more relaxed, I need you to do something for me, Faye." Spike said.
"And what would that be?" She inquired. She felt his fingers move away from her closed eyes.
"Take a deep breath." He advised. With a gentle but firm push, Faye, a loud shriek escaping her lips, began to plummet into the water before she could even open her eyes.
Everything fell silent and Faye felt herself slowly drifting downwards. She was more than furious at the moment. All this time, Spike had just wanted to push her into the ocean. But she would get him back, and she vowed her revenge would be sweet. With an inward sigh, she began to swim to the surface. She had almost reached it but felt a tug at her feet before she was dragged down further into the sea's depths. Faye glanced behind her but saw no one there. But she knew better. Spike was here, always playing tricks on her whenever the opportunity arose, which was very often.
She felt something touch her shoulder and she turned to see Spike floating beside her, smirking triumphantly with the utmost satisfaction on his features. Faye, frowning deeply, pointed to the surface then to her mouth. She was running out of air, and soon, she would have to swim back up. With a half-hearted glare, she turned away and started kicking to better her speed. But still as persistent as ever, Spike grasped her ankles.
Faye stared at him, panic was starting to creep up on her. But the fear she felt left her just as quickly as it came. Spike turned her to face him. She didn't know how long he stared into her eyes, but it felt like hours. All the while, she could feel his fingers over her skin. He cupped the underside of her face before he grazed her neck. Slowly, his hands trailed down her arms and finally came to rest upon her slim waist.
Then, Faye could feel Spike's lips press against hers and the sudden burst of air filling her lungs. She couldn't believe it. Spike...was kissing her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her body against his. A beautiful and sudden warmth coursed through her frame, a feeling she could barely describe in words. And Faye, finally snapping out of her stupor, just barely started kissing him back when Spike pulled away.
He smiled again before he pointed to the surface. Faye nodded and they both swam quickly to the top. It wasn't until they had reached dry land, that what had just happened, wasn't part of her frequent reveries. She pressed a hand to her lips as a deep blush decorated her cheeks. She suddenly felt like a high school girl with a crush. But what she felt for Spike, was so much more...
Faye looked beside her to see Spike standing there. Silently, he scrutinized her and she became nervous but excited. However, those two emotions were replaced anger with herself, and especially Spike. Things were not supposed to go this far, they both knew it. He was not supposed to kiss her. Balling her hands into fists, she began to pound on his chest. But it was too hard to stay mad with him.
"You lunkhead!" Faye exclaimed, her body was shaking. "What gives you the right to push me in the freezing water, drag me down until I have no more air, and then..." She trailed off and her hands fell slack to her sides. Her blush deepened but she didn't look away from him. "Why, Spike?" She whispered. "Why do you...?"
Spike smiled, almost sheepishly. "There always has to be a reason for everything with you, Faye. You always have to be so logical. But, for your sake, I'll be straightforward." He stepped closer, his smile vanishing. "I wanted to kiss you," There wasn't a trace of amusement in his voice, and she knew he meant every word. He raised his hands and cupped her face. "just like I want to right now."
"What about the rumors?" Faye protested quietly. "If someone finds out...What about Vicious...what about...Julia?"
Spike stopped midway and merely stared at her. He was trying to make her understand, but not so much through words. He no longer cared about what others would think. And in the back of her mind, Faye knew she didn't either. She had daydreamed, hoped for so long that this would happen. Now finally, her wish was coming true. She didn't put up a fight when Spike closed the remaining space between them. He kissed her so tenderly that it left her heart racing and her body limp against his.
-
Their last stop for the day was a small ice cream shop. The sun was slowly setting over the horizon, and the sky was bright with red, orange, and a hint of pink and purple. Spike and Faye were seated at a small table across the street from the shop. They looked on silently at a large lake, and were shaded by a tall tree of sakura blossoms. When the wind gently blew, a cluster of the pink flowers would flutter from their place on the branches, and settle themselves on the pavement.
Faye dipped her spoon back into her hot-fudge sundae, making sure to get a mix of everything. She raised it to her lips and cupped her mouth around the spoon, tasting the to-die-for sweet, frozen dessert. She remembered stopping by this very shop, for a cone of ice cream every afternoon, just after school. Vanilla swirled with chocolate one day, and chocolate cookie dough the next. Back then, ice cream had been her only bliss. It had kept her mind off everything that went wrong in her life. She was about to go for her second spoonful when she noticed Spike watching her. She raised an eyebrow.
"Haven't you seen a girl enjoy her ice cream?" Faye asked jokingly. A content sigh left her as she had another taste of the sinful delight. "It tastes exactly the way I remember it. This has to be the first time I've eaten ice cream in months."
Spike had already finished his, in record timing no less. He watched Faye eat her ice cream, taking as much time as she could to enjoy each bite. Occasionally, a very quiet moan of appreciation would come from her when she got a little extra chocolate from each mouthful. He looked away from her eventually, his cheeks warm.
A few minutes later, Faye took her last taste and placed the spoon in the empty glass. She sighed and turned her eyes to the lake. She stood up, raising her arms above her head and yawning softly. She leaned her elbows against the railing, a small smile played across her lips.
"I've never been so happy," She admitted softly. Faye snuck a peek at Spike, her smile widening. "I'm glad you took me along with you."
"I wouldn't have gone if you didn't want to, Faye." He answered. "This whole trip was for you." He got up from his seat as well, and joined her at the railing.
"And please, Spiegel-sama, how should I repay you for your wondrous deed?"
"Just one thing," Spike responded. He stepped behind her, his eyes fixed on her back. He leaned in until his face was slightly brushing against Faye's. She stiffened quickly. "Do you trust me?" Dumbfounded, she tried to look at him but he kept her from doing so. She was forced to look ahead. He repeated his question. "Do you trust me?" She could feel his breath against her as he buried his face into the crook of neck. And there, Spike planted a very light kiss. Faye shuddered.
"Yes, I do." She replied solemnly. "But what...?" She trailed off when she felt his long fingers bring her face to his and kiss her. Responding, Faye closed her eyes and let herself fall into the taste of him and the exquisite sensations that flowed through her body. Spike's kisses were addictive, almost like sampling the most sweetest candy in the world. And she couldn't help but want more each time.
She could feel Spike's hands trail down to her back and slowly unzip her dress. Surprised, Faye attempted pull away from him and demand what he was doing. But when she felt Spike's fingers run across her scarred back, she froze.
In a flash, memories flooded her thoughts.
Those scars had been a 'gift' to her.
Faye looked up and watched as the petals fell from the sakura blossom tree. All she needed to do was concentrate on that, not the pain. But she shut her eyes and she bit down on her lip when she felt the sharp metal tear her already bruised flesh. Her throat ached from yelling, her legs and arms burned from fighting back. There was no more use. She remembered screaming for her mother to stop, but...she never, ever would. Faye felt a sakura petal land on her cheek before dreamless sleep wrapped around her. It was the only way she could escape the pain.
Faye kept still as Spike's hand roamed her back as his lips kissed hers just as passionately as before. His eyes were boring into hers, memorizing every single emotion that passed through them. He closed his eyes for a moment, picturing it in his mind. He could feel knife cuts, burns, and slash marks. All molded together traveling down her spine. When he finally opened his eyes and pulled away, his hands were shaking on their own accord. Carefully, he zipped up Faye's dress and moved away from her.
Faye turned to look at him and she wiped a hand across her face. But not before he saw a single tear stream down her cheek. She seated herself and played with her spoon idly, letting it hit against the glass. The wind blew past her, exposing the scar on her back. She was no longer hiding it from him. Spike sat across from her. She looked at him again, her eyes strangely dark.
"I had this feeling," Faye began. "there had to be more of a reason for why you brought me here."
Spike reached out to grasp her hand, but had barely touched it before she flinched away and glanced at the lake. The sky was darker now, the bright colors had swirled into a blue and the stars were gradually appearing. They were both quiet for a long time before Spike sighed in defeat.
"You wanted to know what happened to my eye." He stated, just like he predicted, it had gotten Faye's attention. "I lost it in an accident."
"What kind of accident?" Without a word, Spike extended his hand and formed it into the shape of gun. He stopped once his forefinger was so close to Faye's right eye. He moved his hand away and shrugged. "That's basically it."
"When did it happen?"
At this question, Spike smiled. "When I was seventeen and very stupid." Again, he shrugged. "But what matters to me is that I can still see. I don't know why, but people tell me they get this strange feeling when they look into my eyes. Almost as if I'm doing something to them that can't be described in words." His smile faded. "Okay, enough about me. Now it's your turn."
Faye was silent for a few minutes before she spoke in a very quiet tone. "I remember what it was like before everything happened. Okaasan use to be so happy then. She would tell me always, every single day that she loved me." Despite herself, she smiled. "Okaasan had very long, beautiful violet hair and eyes that were so blue, I felt like I was in the ocean when I looked into them. She had gardens full of flowers. Roses, dandelions, daffodils, sunflowers, peonies and much more.
"She was married to one of the most famous chief executive officers in the whole solar system. Okaasan loved him with all her heart and she'd tell me about how they met and how they instantly fell in love with each other. Otousan and I were her support, her family. We had been through so much together. But when I turned five, everything suddenly fell apart and my whole world turned upside down."
Faye began playing with the spoon again, hitting the metal against the glass. "Out of the blue, Otousan left her and me and just disappeared. No one knew where he had gone and it was talked about for months. There were rumors and tabloids about how he was with other women or how he had committed suicide. But, I guess, no one ever really found out the truth." She suddenly dropped the spoon into the cup, her eyes flooding with a pensive wistfulness. "I...can barely remember his voice. Or the way he use to smile when he saw me. But...he always smelt like cinnamon rolls, coffee, and cologne. His eyes were just like mine, except...they were so sad, and his hair was as dark as midnight.
"Before he left, we had spent the whole day together. He bought me expensive dolls and took me wherever I wanted to go. We went to the zoo, then an amusement park, the beach, and finally my favorite ice cream shop. I didn't understand why, but I had just assumed that I was being spoiled for a day for being on such good behavior. Yet, there was one thing that kept bothering me. Before I went to sleep that night, Otousan hugged me for the longest time and I thought he would never let go. If I had known that I would never seen him again, I would have told him I loved him.
"But my mother was determined to find him. She followed any leads of his disappearance, even after the ISSP gave up on the case. We ended up leaving everything behind on Earth and moving to Ganymede. Okaasan kept searching and searching and when she finally realized Otousan was not coming back, it shattered her."
Spike watched as Faye's hands curled into fists until her knuckles were white. "Okaasan started drinking a lot, crying almost every night. One day, at my school, they were having try-outs for a lead pianist in a play. She wouldn't let me tryout and I became so angry with her. To the point that I was screaming and yelling. I told Okaasan I hated her. I hated that she drank, how she cried, and how she wouldn't move on with her life. I told her father was never coming back. I remember being so surprised when she slapped me before she pushed me down the stairs. I ended up breaking my arm and I was never able to tryout for the school play. After the incident, Okaasan apologized and stopped drinking for a while. But I should have known things would go from bad to worst.
"She started beating me, using anything from her hands to knives. I guess, it was the only she could relieve her anger. She said it was my fault that Otousan left her and I started to believe her at one point. I thought, if I hadn't been born, maybe he would still be here with Okaasan. They would have been so much more happier without me. People would always wonder where I got the bruises but I would never tell them. I would make up some excuses and ignore the pain. I was ignorant and naive enough to believe that I could change her. Make her be the woman she use to be. Before Otousan left, before she started drinking, so...we could be a family again.
"There was thing I remember the most, the last day that I saw her. I had been in my room, playing my piano when she walked in. Okaasan was so quiet, like she was brooding or upset but it hadn't come to the surface yet. I could tell she had been drinking again and I was preparing myself for another painful session. But this time, it was different. She had a teapot in her hand and I remember seeing the steam coming from the spout."
Faye closed her eyes when she felt her vision become blurry, but she continued. "I tired to run away from her, but I knew it was inevitable. When she had finally straddled me beneath her, I started screaming. I was all alone, no one could help me. I felt the bottom of the teapot touch my back..." She trailed off with a ragged sigh. "I became unconscious after it was all over and when I woke up again, I found Okaasan in the tub. Her wrists cut, bathing in her own blood, and her eyes blank. I watched her for so long before I packed my things and left."
"Where did you go?" Spike asked faintly, his face unreadable.
"I stayed with a friend. He was the only one who knew what was happening to me. I wouldn't let him tell anyone else because I knew I would be sent away to some orphanage." Faye smiled. "He told me one day, I was the reason why he joined the ISSP. So he would never have to bear witness to what happened to me ever again. He would have the power to stop it. I wonder...what he's doing right now." She looked back up at Spike. "So, I left Earth when I was little. Lived on Ganymede then went to Venus for a while. That's were I learned all my gambling secrets and I hitchhiked my way to Mars. A few months later, I met Vicious...and then, you." Her smiled widened. "Now you know my whole life story. Happy now?"
Spike said nothing, only stared at her in wonder, and if she was not mistaken, pity.
Faye turned away from him. "Don't look at me like that. That's the reason why I never told anyone. I've come to learn that life is not fair, I was just taught the hard way. I don't tell people about my past because it's none of their business and I would get sympathy I didn't ask for. Right now, all I can do is be thankful and not take things for granted. I try and live my life to the utmost fullest, any way I can."
"Faye..." But Spike trailed off, he didn't know what to say next.
"I think I have left you speechless, Spiegel-sama." She rested her head in the palm of her hand. "That's why I can't stand it when people believe they know everything about me. They presume that I'm a whore because of the way I look or sometimes, the way I dress. It's the same way with Julia. You tell me every time that I need to have a little more patience with her, but I can't. The woman hates me and my feelings for her are mutual."
At these words, it brought Spike out of his thoughts. "That's not true." He said. "For Julia, it just takes her a while to adjust to newcomers and-"
He was cut off from Faye's quick and bitter laughter. "Julia and I have known each other for a long while. I'm no longer a newcomer. Thanks to her I've been classified as a paid prostitute pretending to be Vicious' girlfriend. Honestly," She stood up, her attention going towards the lake. "I never knew what you saw in her."
Spike was quiet for a moment, not single hint of anger on his features. "It's true," He began quietly. "I catch myself asking that same question all the time. But," He pointed at her. "I know you think about it too, Faye. There is only so much Vicious will show you about himself. He'll never be able to trust you completely. He's a puzzle, even I can't figure him out sometimes." Faye did not respond, which coaxed Spike into his next question. "Do you love him? Or are you just pretending to so you can prove a point to Julia? Are you trying to show her you are something more than what she thinks of you?"
"I love him," Faye responded so firmly, that for a brief second, Spike had been hoping she would say she didn't. She smiled, but it was obviously forced. "It's been a long day. Why don't we go back to the Swordfish and head back to Mars."
Without another word, Faye passed by him and started on a slow pace. Spike stood up seconds later and together, they walked back to the barren docking ports of Earth.
-
Faye closed her eyes as the strong smell of gasoline surrounded her. It had taken her and Spike a good hour to reach the docks, and he had estimated they would be on Mars just before dawn. Throughout the whole walk, they never said a word. There was nothing but uncomfortable silence and Faye would have done anything to somehow lessen it. But instead of attempting to take on that task, she opted to watch Spike the way she had before. She studied him as he whistled that unfamiliar tune while he slipped on his fingerless, leather gloves. He stopped whistling briefly and threw her a lopsided grin before he returned to prepping the Swordfish.
Faye stepped towards the ship, her fingers sliding over the cold surface. Her hand would momentarily sink into several dents made from reckless flying and landings. But what surprised her was how well it could fly without the engine suddenly breaking down. So lost in her thoughts, she never noticed Spike's hand grasp her own. It wasn't until she felt his lips brush against her cheek did she snap out of her musings. Faye stiffened when she felt him lightly kiss her chin, then trail down to the underside of her face before grazing against her own.
Faye attempted to step away but Spike's hold on her hand tightened, silently begging her to stay. "Stop," She pleaded once he pulled away from her for breath. But he was kissing her again in a matter of a second.
"Why?" Spike asked eventually. His arm snaked around her waist bringing Faye closer. "I've waited too long..."
"How do you make me feel so vulnerable?" She answered with an inquiry. Asking herself more than Spike. When I'm with you, she thought, I can't trust myself.
Faye was pressed against the side of the Swordfish now. The cold metal against her back, and Spike's warm body molded against her front. His lips had made a path down to her neck. She gripped at him when he bit down suddenly, and then, he was licking, nibbling, and sucking all at the same time. A sigh of welcome escaped her lips. Faintly, she could feel his fingers begin to gradually unfasten her dress.
"Not like this, Spike." Faye said, but her frame was quivering with a barely suppressed excitement. She could feel his palm sliding up her thigh and in one fluid motion, he effortlessly picked her up and wrapped her legs around his torso. Spike kissed her again. Thoroughly, deeply, and feverishly. He moaned into her mouth, his free hand raking through Faye's hair, completely marveled by its softness. Despite himself, he could feel a small, arrogant smirk tugging at his lips when he noticed Faye's struggling becoming less and less. She was kissing him back, silently telling him to continue his advances.
Spike pulled away from her, and Faye gave a quiet whimper of protest. She opened her eyes to meet his. Those beautiful eyes she loved so much were darkened over in lust, and driven by wanton. It seemed unfathomable to her. She was the one who made him feel and act this way. Slowly, she extended her hand and placed her palm against his cheek. She smiled affectionately and he returned the gesture.
"I don't care what other people will think." Spike stated. "Faye," He leaned in until their noses were brushing. "please let me have this moment with you."
It was that simple request that had sealed her fate. Faye closed her eyes and tilted her head up until she felt her lips press against Spike's once more. He responded quickly, his weight pushing against her and he lost himself in the taste of her. Their kiss was heady and Spike felt like he was spinning head over heels, falling deeper and deeper into a sensation he didn't want to escape. And without thinking, he pushed his hips into Faye's, trying to satisfy that burning, building, ache.
It was then that Faye's eyes snapped open. It was then she realized what she was doing and what it was leading to. Her hands fell to her sides as her body became completely unresponsive. At that moment, as Spike continued to ravish her with kisses, a single person was swimming in her thoughts. She remembered a few months back. Before she had met Spike and when she and Vicious were still not an official couple. Blissfully lost somewhere between friends and lovers.
Faye remembered the way he use to watch her when it was only them. Away from constant gossipers and prying eyes. She remembered the way his eyes would fill with an indescribable warmth while his lips would curve into a rare and genuine smile. He would hold her to him in a gentle but always possessive embrace.
You have no idea what you do to me, he would later that night admit to her, his lips pressed against the crook of her neck. I would do anything and everything for the sake of being with you.
And after those sincere words, Vicious kissed her for the very first time. And Faye remembered feeling like the happiest woman alive.
But everything had turned inside out the day she met Spike. Everything had become so wrong.
How, Faye wondered, her eyes starting to brim with tears from uncontrollable guilt, how could she do this to him?
"Faye?" She was brought of her thoughts from Spike's voice. She looked at him blankly. "Daijoubu desu ka?"
"Iie," Faye whispered. "let go of me."
"Tell me what's wrong?"
"Let go of me, Spike." Her voice was stronger, and had risen in volume.
"Faye, I-"
"Let me go!" She yelled, her voice echoing. Faye pushed herself away from Spike once his hold on her loosened. Silently but hastily, she straightened her dress and started walking away. She stopped as Spike came in front of her, blocking her way to freedom. "I can find another way back to Mars."
"What's the matter with you?" Spike demanded. "What did I-?"
"How can you ask me that?!" She exclaimed. "You know just as well as do that things were not supposed to go this far!" Her voice suddenly dropped to a murmur. "I...was about to make the stupidest mistake of my life."
"Is that what you think this is?" Spike felt his hands clench. It felt like he had been punched in the face. "A mistake?"
"Yes," Faye hissed. "I don't want to see you, I don't want to talk to you. I'll do whatever I can to get rid of these...feelings I have for you. I don't love you, I love Vicious." She smiled bitterly. "It's better this way, Spike. So you and Julia can just leave me alone. I won't have to deal with her anymore, she can have you." Her smile vanished. "But I won't hurt Vicious. Not anymore."
And with those words, Faye walked past Spike into the night. The farther she walked away, the more certain she felt about her choice. But still, if she was making the right decision, why did it hurt so bad? She quickened her pace, then started running, hoping this pain would go away. Yet it never did, it only became stronger. She remembered touching her cheek and realizing that it was wet.
Author's Notes: Okay, I want to apologize to each and every person who has read or reviewed for this story. From the bottom of my heart, I'm so sorry. I'm sure like must of you know or have experienced, the daily dramas of school. Each night, I have so much work to get done, I have no time to even come near my computer. So please, if you know my situation, you'll understand. Again, I am sorry!
Now that I have gotten my apologies out, how did you like the chapter? I made this chapter extra long just for all of you! Ah, the tension is building between Spike and Faye. And if you've been here from the beginning, you know what's about to happen: The Scandalous Affair. I know all of you have waited so long for this. I never had any intention of rushing through the romance between Spike and Faye, I never will. And now your patience has finally been rewarded. But, the affair is not the only thing that's going to happen. After chapter eight, you'll be, hopefully, on the edge of your seat by the story's end. Believe me, you're going to love it!
Now, with my closing paragraph, y'all know the drill. Questions, suggestions, comments, and constructive criticism is always good. If you want improvements and don't tell me, how am I supposed to know and make this story better? If you have some questions, I can answer them in the next update, whenever that will be. Hopefully soon. Once more, thanks a bunch to all my reviewers, I've finally gotten past lucky one hundred! When an author posts up a story, they never believe it will be so good! Thank you, your praises are my inspiration!
~Nirvana.