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 11-Hegira
Her heart was racing, her hands shaking. She could honestly say that she had never been so scared in her life. Images started running through her mind. The echoes of her screams as she tried to fight back. The sharp and excruciating pain that would leave her mute. And her dead body spiraled on the floor, a pool of her own blood surrounding her. Faye took another step back.
"You killed her," She said again. Her eyes darted to the front door. It was too far away to run to. Going back up the stairs would leave her in a dead end. But where else could she go? His voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Julia told you," He stated without question. "Told you about my little secret." Briefly, he smiled and Faye shivered. She couldn't understand it, what had happened to him? This was not the Vicious she knew. The man that was compassionate, quiet, hardworking, and sweet was gone. Replaced with...she couldn't even describe him now. Vicious extended his arms out, the blade in clear view. "You know all about me Faye. So...what do you think of me now?"
Breathing hard, Faye whirled around and started up the stairs. At the last second, Vicious grabbed her ankle. She shrieked before twisting her leg and delivering a kick to his forehead. He stumbled back and she took those precious moments to keep climbing up the stairs. She ran down the corridor before finally choosing a random bedroom to hide in. Faye locked the door. She ran to the bedside and clutched at the nightstand. With a hard shove, she pushed the piece of furniture up against the wall. Now, she had some time. Her eyes scanned the room.
Underneath the bed was too obvious, in the closet was even more so.
She could hear his footfalls, hard and fast.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Where? Where? Where?
The window, no, it was too high.
When he pounded against the door, it was like a thunder clasp. "Faye!" He screamed her name, his voice torn between anger and something else she couldn't place. He charged again and she knew the door would break down soon. But there was no place to hide, nowhere to go. She wrapped her hands around herself, shivering. Spike, she thought, where are you?
Faye's eyes widened when Vicious burst through the door...
To find that she had completely vanished.
Slowly, cautiously, he looked around before stepping inside. Everything was covered in darkness and it only took a second before his eyes adjusted. He didn't understand why, but he was excited. Vicious licked his lips in anticipation, the rush of it all thrilled him. He was like a predator, determined and ruthless. The chasing was what drove his adrenaline and the capture would make it only sweeter. Once he was in the middle of the room, he began to speak.
"I will find you," He promised. "But there is something I have to confess." Vicious turned around quickly, checking every single corner, every moving shadow. "I know what you're thinking, Faye. Vicious is the bad one, he's the murderer." He stepped towards the closet. "That may be so, but Spike and Julia, they're just as bad as I am." He grabbed the handles and pulled the door open to discover nothing.
The room suddenly flooded with the light of thunder and Vicious, just barely, caught Faye's shadow. "Julia," He murmured, "she's the manipulator. She hates women like you, Faye. That's why I loved you." He moved quietly towards the bathroom. "You take the attention away from her, you put her in her place, you make her realize she's only second best compared to you. She wanted you gone so badly." He pushed the door open and stepped in.
Faye pressed herself against the wall, behind the bathroom door, as best she could. She held her breath, even though her lungs were painfully aching for air. She heard him speak again.
"And Spike..."
The bathroom door was abruptly pushed aside and Faye felt renewed fear course through her. She tried to run but Vicious easily managed to grab her. He pushed her against the wall, even after she fought to get away, punching, hitting, kicking, nothing worked. Then she stopped all of her attempts when she felt the sharp blade press against her neck.
Vicious stared at Faye for a moment. Then he said, "If I ever catch you with Spike again..." He trailed off for a moment, pressed the blade deeper, and smiled when the first drops of her blood hit his fingers. "I'll kill you."
Eventually, he let her go, fixed her with one of his dangerous stares, and was gone in an instant. Faye crumbled to her knees, shaking uncontrollably. She couldn't understand it. How did she get herself into all this? How could she get herself out? If she had known that this would have happened, she would have never come to Mars. Faye didn't know how long she stayed there. Maybe a minute, maybe an hour. But finally, she rose and walked very slowly down to the entrance hall. Vicious was nowhere to be found.
Faye took that opportunity to leave.
Now, more than ever, she wanted to escape everything.
-
Spike unlocked the door to his apartment and stepped in. His gaze traveled to the window and he stared in contempt at the rain. His own home had been miles away from Vicious', so he ended up walking, in the pouring rain, back his apartment. It didn't take long before he was soaked from head to toe.
Not wasting any time, Spike began to strip. He walked towards the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes in his wake. However, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Julia spiraled on the bed, dressed in one his button-down shirts, a cigarette pressed between her lips. When she looked up, when she saw him, when she smiled, Spike knew, something was not right.
Julia sat up before slipping off the bed. She stepped towards him, looking Spike up and down appreciatively. Then suddenly she wrapped her arms around him before running her fingertips over each firm ripple of muscle on his abdomen. "You smell like her." She whispered bitterly.
"What did you do?" Spike asked.
Julia moved away from him, once again, collapsing on the bed. "I didn't do anything." She responded. "Except let Vicious in on your 'well-kept' secret." She smiled before she took another puff from her cigarette. "So tell me Spike, was it fun? Did you enjoy yourself? Did you tell Faye that you loved her?" She raised her eyebrows before looking away. "I don't even have to ask you that. I know you do. I see it, every time you look at her."
His heart was racing with apprehension, but he kept his face impassive. "What did Vicious do?"
"I know you remember what happened to Elise." Julia answered. "Maybe something along those lines happened to Faye." She reached over, smashing her cigarette into the ashtray. "Oh well."
She didn't fight back when Spike quickly pinned her beneath him. Julia looked into his eyes before she smirked. "You can't blame me for this." She stated. "At least not all of it." She frowned. "And you know what? Faye, is a selfish bitch." And for a single moment, she let all of her defenses down. It didn't matter what Spike did to her, she would always love him. "But then again," She murmured softly, her frown vanishing. "When it comes to you, Spike, I guess I'm a selfish bitch too."
Spike's grip on her wrists tightened. "Julia-"
"I didn't do anything!" She cut him off. "I was just jealous. Don't you get it?! You were mine! She stole you away from me and you left me for her!" She began struggling, her eyes burning. "I hate you! I hate you!" Julia wanted to hide when she felt the first tears stream down. "I didn't care what happened to her! All I wanted was Faye gone! All that mattered was you, not her!"
Julia turned her head to the side and that was when the first sob escaped her lips. She had promised herself she wouldn't cry anymore. But here she was, weeping uncontrollably. Finally, Spike let go of her before collapsing on the bed. No matter which way he looked at it, Julia was right. He had cheated on her and he really had no right to be upset with her. Spike reached out, grabbed her, and dragged her towards him.
He tucked her head under his chin and was just about to soothe her when Julia pushed him away. She shook her head vigorously before she headed towards the closet. She opened the doors, pulled her clothes from their hangers, and piled them on the floor. Spike watched her for a moment before he stood and tried to get her to look at him.
"What are you doing?" He had to ask, even though he already knew what the answer was.
"Aren't you happy now?" Julia inquired. "I'm leaving, isn't this what you wanted?"
"Julia, listen, I never-"
"Yes you did." She interrupted once more. "You..." She trailed off, her head bowed. Then seconds later she was moving towards another closet. She opened the doors and grabbed the largest suitcase she could find. She needed to get away, being here with Spike was killing her.
Spike shut the suitcase. Julia stared at him incredulously.
"And what are you going to stop me with?!" She exclaimed. "Apologies? Hugs? Kisses?" Her eyes darkened. "Don't fool yourself Spike. You can barely stand to be around me."
Swiftly, Julia stuffed her clothing into the suitcase. She made frequent trips to the bathroom, to the living room, gathering every belonging that would fit into her suitcase. She already had planned on running away. She would stay in a hotel, get all of her money and disappear. Many years ago, she had done it before. But somehow, Spike had been able to find her. But this time, she knew he wouldn't even try.
Julia eventually shut her suitcase and suddenly found it so difficult to move, to breathe. This was it. After six years of beautiful bliss, it all came crashing down the second Faye came. But still, she turned her attention back to Spike then looked away just as quickly.
"Don't look at me that way." She pleaded. "You know more than anyone else that I don't like pity. Especially from you." Breathing easier, she moved to the closet and quickly changed before moving her suitcase to the front door. She slipped her coat on before wrapping her hand around the doorknob.
One last time, Julia turned around. Spike was expecting her to yell at him, hit him, anything but grace him with a quirky smile.
"I'll see you later," She promised before opening the door.
And before Spike could stop her, she was already gone.
-
Catherine Valentine, with a good amount of effort, took her hands and wrapped them around her daughter's wrists. She struggled blindly, her piercing emerald eyes sparked with determination. But her mother was just as stubborn, she wouldn't let her go. If anything, her grip became tighter. With much difficulty, she managed to pull out her keys and unlock the front door. The girl in her grasp was now yelling and shrieking, bringing the peeping eyes of neighbors in their direction. But quickly realizing who the pair was, they went back to their business as if nothing had happened. Catherine's constant problems with her daughter, Faye, was normal nowadays.
Catherine pushed open the front door, and literally had to drag the protesting child inside. Once she closed and locked the door behind her, she turned to see Faye curled up on the floor in a tight ball. She remembered relatives warning her about first born children. You'll spoil them to death and they become impossible to deal with by age six. With incessant tantrums and deafening crying sessions, it can drive a mother insane. Her daughter was four now, but she had suddenly become so different. A few weeks ago, Faye had been the perfect little girl. She couldn't understand what had happened.
Maybe it was because of her husband. Ever since he had disappeared, things had not been quite the same. Catherine knew she could no longer stay on Earth the day he vanished, so she ended up dragging her daughter across the whole solar system. She prayed, hoped, and wished that he was safe and would come back. No matter how many places she went, how many people she asked, it was always a dead end. But that...was over a year ago. She was over him, she would make it...somehow.
Somehow I will, Catherine thought, someway.
But she always lost all her resolve every time she looked into her daughter's eyes. They were green, just like his.
Slowly, Catherine approached her daughter before sitting down. "Faye, look at me." She requested gently.
Still as persistent as ever, she only looked further away from her. Faye kept her attention on the wall and she stiffened when her mother's hand touched her arm. Quickly, she moved away from her and was on her feet again. "Faye, I won't leave you alone until you tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong." She responded sharply. It was the first words she had said to her in days.
"How can you tell your Okaasan that?" Catherine inquired. "How can you lie to me?"
"I'm not lying," Faye answered. "Everything's fine."
Catherine was silent for a moment as she scrutinized her daughter. She'd have to take a different approach to open her up. "Then how come your acting so strange? Faye, a few weeks ago you were so well-behaved. Now, your teachers and I don't know what has gotten into you. This is the third time I had to take you home early from daycare because of your behavior. Please, won't you tell me what's wrong?"
Faye was silent, but Catherine's attempt this time had worked. Her daughter's eyes were glassy. Taking a chance, she moved closer to her and placed her hands on Faye's shoulders. "Your teachers told me you started a fight, is that true?"
Faye nodded solemnly, and her head gradually lowered. "The things they said..." She trailed off.
"What?" Catherine urged tenderly. "What could they have said to make you act that way?"
"The kids at school talk about me all the time. They called me a freak." The first tear sped down Faye's face. Then another, until she was crying freely. "They tease me. They said that I smell like garbage."
Catherine's eyes widened as everything became clear. She smiled in sympathetic understanding before her arms trailed down to Faye's waist. A deep blush crept up on her cheeks when her mother enveloped her in a warm embrace. Her sweet mother was always very kind to her, but for some reason, she was never the physically affectionate type. Faye had depended on her father for that. But for her mother to hug her, it was so rare. Catherine's long, pale fingers began to gently rake through Faye's violet hair.
"What were those kids talking about?" Catherine asked in a surprised tone. "You're not smelly at all."
Faye's voice was filled with innocent wonder. "Really?"
"Really," Catherine replied firmly. She pressed her cheek next to her daughter's as she whispered her next words. "Next time, Faye. When other people are making fun of you, or making you feel bad about yourself, ignore them. Words can never hurt you. Will you do this favor for me?"
"Hai, Okaasan. I promise I will." Faye lifted her arms and hugged her mother back, the blush on her cheeks became darker.
"Arigato," Catherine said. Her hold Faye became tighter, her fingers still running through her daughter's hair. This girl was her whole world, her only family. "My dearest Romani. Do you have any idea how much your Okaasan loves you?"
-
"That's right," Faye murmured to herself. "She use to call me her little Romani."
It was strange and unexplainable. Out of all the times in her life, she didn't have the slightest clue as to why she was thinking of her mother at this particular moment. Not only now, but several times a day. The memories, good and bad, would swim in her thoughts, leaving her restless but pensive.
Faye glanced at herself in the mirror. She knew that she had always been a pale woman, but she looked whiter than usual, almost sickly. Climbing up and down stairs, she would stumble from sudden waves of dizziness. And the bathroom had now become her hiding place during her long periods of vomiting. Running a hand through her hair in frustration, Faye looked at her reflection more intensely. She was hoping to find some answer there, but she knew better. At first, she had brushed all her symptoms off as sickness. But the days passed by and still, she was miserable physically and emotionally. She even attempted to go to work today, but Tara had personally escorted her back home. Faye placed a hand to her chest, her heart was racing.
"I'm scared," She declared. "I don't want to think about the possibilities. I'm sick, I'm just sick."
But no amount of lying was going to help her.
She hugged him to her, breathed in his scent. "Love me, Spike." She pulled at his coat until it hit the ground. "Just this once," Her breathing became uneven, shallow. "Love me like I love you." Faye worked on the buttons of his shirt, on his tie. Her fingers were patient but swift.
And he did. He loved her, touched her, surrounded her in a way that she could barely describe in words.
Thinking of that, thinking of him, sent a shiver down her spine. With nausea hitting her like a crashing wave, Faye, in an instant, was on her knees in front of the toilet, vomiting. This couldn't be happening, this could not happening Faye eased away from the toilet before falling against the tub. I don't want to be like my mother, she told herself, I don't want to be alone, bitter and...
Faye never finished her train of thought as the tears came.
-
He couldn't describe the feeling coursing through him. He was thrilled by it, and a little frightened by it. The feeling only came over him when he was about to pay his 'best' friend a visit. He remembered, years ago, when he was seventeen, when Julia had feelings for Vicious and he, had purposely stolen her away from him. From then on, it was like a competition to win her heart. She had only indulged herself in all the attention.
Julia.
He smiled, he couldn't bring himself to miss her. He didn't regret that she left him, he almost felt...relieved.
Spike stepped out of the elevator and started walking down the winding hall. Even though it was late in the afternoon, employees still crowded the hallways. A few would politely greet him and he would do the same. There were too many people here, but there was nothing he could do about it. The news about what was going to a happen would spread like wildfire.
When he was seventeen, he had carried a gun wherever he went. But years later, he had abandoned it and was proud to say he could fight without a weapon. When he was seventeen, he had done so many stupid things. He couldn't understand why he was thinking of it now. Eventually he reached those grand doors and knew Vicious was there, waiting patiently.
He turned the knob, pushed the door open and...
...found no one there.
Spike closed the door before he whirled around, stepping out of the way just as Vicious grazed his cheek with a blade. Like tears, he could feel blood slipping down his cheek. He carelessly wiped the blood away with the back of his hand.
They hated each other, always had, always would. Now, it just couldn't be kept at bay any longer. He had already dealt with this side of Vicious before, he knew he could do it again.
"You were slow," Vicious commented. "I could have killed you."
Spike was silent for a moment, then, "Where's Faye?"
He wanted to run away with her. Grab his belongings, deposit all the money from his account, and take her with him. Spike wasn't afraid to say that he missed her, worried about her, loved her. But he had not seen Faye in weeks and he was on the verge of losing his mind if he did not find her.
-
Faye sat quietly, dizzy, anxious, and tired. She gripped at the armrests of her chair, until her knuckles were white. All she needed to do was leave, they would never notice her. But, she was so scared, she wanted to know so badly. And if it was true, what then? Where would she go? What-?
"Miss Valentine," Faye glanced up to see a man staring at her. He looked just as young as she did. "Please come with me."
Silently, she obeyed. She stood up on wobbly legs and followed him down the hall. She hated hospitals. They were always too white, too clean, too depressing. Her mother had always threatened her after she hit her. Don't you ever go to the hospital, she would say. Her voice would be laced with sadness, her eyes hurt, and Faye would lose all of her resolve because this woman would flawlessly become her sweet mother again.
You don't want your mother taken from you, do you Faye? She would whisper it, soothingly, while her fingers painfully dug into her fresh cuts and bruises.
Faye felt her eyes watering just thinking about it, she always did as her Okaasan told her.
"I'm sorry," The man apologized. "I didn't introduce myself. My name is Doctor Robertson."
Faye tried to smile, she really did, it only came out as a grimace. "Nice to meet you."
He led her down so many endless corridors, then finally, they reached his office. He sat her down, offered her something to eat, something to drink. He seemed to pity her more than she liked. Faye wanted to leave, so she cut straight to the point.
"Am I sick?" She asked. "Just tell me what's wrong with me."
-
"Does it matter where she is?" Vicious replied. "You have Julia."
"Julia is gone." Spike said. "She left me."
Vicious was quiet for a moment before he shrugged his shoulders nonchantly. "It was going to happen, sooner or later." He moved towards his chair and sat down. He looked up at Spike, smirking. "But do you want to know what I said to Faye? The last time I saw her?" When Spike said nothing, Vicious continued, his voice almost affectionate. "She was sleeping when I finally got home and I knew you had been there, I'd just missed you by a few, precious seconds. But I waited for her to wake and when she did..."
"If you did kill her, you wouldn't be telling me this-"
"But I was so tempted to." Vicious interrupted, confirming Spike's suspicions "It was like an adrenaline rush, Spike. Hunting Faye and chasing Faye. You should have seen her. She was hoping that her knight in shining armor would come to rescue her." He stood up. "I threatened her." He stepped away from his desk, approaching Spike. "I told her if I ever saw her with you again, I would kill her." His smirk widened. "Believe me, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. Just like I won't right now."
Before Spike could even move, Vicious' fist connected with his face.
-
"Congratulations, Miss Valentine, you're pregnant."
Faye stopped breathing.
Noticing her reaction, the doctor stood up but stopped once he heard her start laughing. It was soft at first but gradually built. Her hands were balled into fists as her back hunched, and her eyes closed. But she was laughing hysterically, until she felt tears of joy streaming down her face. This had to be the funniest thing in the world. She tried to stop laughing, but she couldn't. But still, a part of her was scared beyond words.
"That's really funny!" Faye managed between bursts of laughter. "Pregnant! Please, I could never be a mother! But seriously, doctor, what's really wrong with me?"
"I'm not joking, Miss Valentine, you are pregnant."
She was quiet for a moment, then, the denial came.
"You're lying!" She exclaimed abruptly, her emerald orbs blazing. "I can't be pregnant! This can't be happening!"
Then the anger.
"Do you know how old I am?! I'm eighteen! I'm still a girl! I haven't even started my own life, I can't support a child!"
Then the sadness.
Faye couldn't see, her eyes were too blurry. "I don't want to be like my mother." And she couldn't control her sobs. She remembered so vividly her mother's words.
I was eighteen when I had you, Faye. I gave up everything I wanted to be for you. Your father left me because of you.
It couldn't be true.
He left me because he hated you!
Faye covered her mouth to keep from crying out loud. She didn't want to be her mother, abandoned, drinking, angry, destructive.
Silently, the doctor handed her a tissue. "However, Miss Valentine, there are options."
"Options?" Faye echoed. "What kind?"
The doctor cleared his throat. "Well, there is always adoption. There are several families on Mars or any other planet who are more than willing to bring a child into their family. Especially for wives who are barren and cannot have children of their own. Probably in the second trimester, we would contact you, and Miss Valentine, you would choose the family that is acceptable. Once the baby is born, there is the paperwork, and then, the baby is theirs."
"And my other options?"
"The only other option is abortion."
"Abortion?"
"Yes. I advise you, if you choose this option, it would be beneficial for you to have the procedure done as soon as possible. Just to avoid emotional and physically attachment."
Faye looked away from him, her thoughts racing. Abortion seemed so much easier than adoption. It would be quick and painless. Then, Faye thought, why do I feel like crying? Why do I feel so guilty?
The doctor interrupted her thoughts. "Miss Valentine, you do not have to give me your decision now. Why don't you come back in a few days and-"
"I want to keep it." She heard herself say.
Don't ever be like me. Her mother's voice kept saying.
I won't ever be like you, Faye promised.
He was quiet for a moment. "Are you sure?"
Faye knew he wanted to lecture her. It's such a great responsibility, taking care of a child. But she wouldn't listen. She was still upset, still sad, yet she could feel it. The very beginnings of joy were creeping inside of her. Without realizing it, Faye touched her stomach.
"I'm having a baby."
-
Faye packed everything and left almost everything behind. Her music box, her beautiful piano, and anything else that reminded her of growing up. She only took the essentials because she wanted to start over again and knew where she wanted to begin. She rushed back and forth, but was careful. She vaguely remembered the doctor saying the first few weeks of pregnancy were the most dangerous, the most vital.
"A mother," Faye said to no one in particular. "Why am I so happy about this?"
She suddenly fell onto her bed, her eyes going to the ceiling. Faye had everything planned out in her head. Get off of Mars was the very first thing on her list. But what about...?
Spike.
It didn't matter, she reasoned. He was probably back together with Julia, all their problems resolved. And he and Vicious were probably best friends again. Faye was fully aware that what had happened between her and Spike would never happen again. Besides, he would most likely want nothing to do with the baby, and she was all right with that. And once again, his life could be perfect. Faye knew if she could silently walk out of Spike's life just as silently as she stumbled in, she could handle anything. He wouldn't notice, he wouldn't care.
Her own father abandoned her, what would keep Spike from doing the same?
Sighing, Faye sat up and reached into her nightstand drawer. She pulled out an envelope and reread the address, her lips curving into a smile.
Ganymede, Jupiter.
That's where she had grown up, met her most valuable friend, gained her undying love for seafood.
Faye rested her palm on her stomach. "Nothing but the very best for you."
-
"How much?" Faye asked.
"Fifty thousand woolongs." The man responded. She studied him intently. He was too tall, too lanky, had eyes that spoke of things she could barely imagine. He reminded her too much of Spike.
"Twenty-five thousand." Faye bargained.
He smiled. "You'll have to do better than that."
"Why? This thing looks like it's thirty years old."
"Even still, I've taken good care of her. Frequent oil changes, repairs, any part replaced if necessary. Even though she's ten years old, it looks brand new."
What he said was the truth, Faye would have never guessed it was already a decade old. It was a simple, silver zip craft that still, in her own eyes, had a touch of sophistication. She liked it, she liked it a lot. But there was one problem. For the nth time, Faye reached into her pocket and ran her fingertips over the remaining money she had. It was only seven thousand. If she lost this, she would have nothing except her tiny, compact suitcase. She had very little options.
"What's this ship called?" Faye asked.
"The Redtail." The man responded. "Maneuverable, with remote control functions, twin missile launchers and machine guns." He ran his hand over the surface appreciatively. "It was just stocked with weapons this morning. So if you decide to purchase it, you just need to complete the paperwork and it's all yours."
"Twenty thousand woolongs." Faye answered.
He reasoned quietly, then, "Forty thousand woolongs and I will not go any lower."
She sighed. "All right, I'll take it."
He gave her a lopsided smile and Faye's heart skipped a beat. This man is not Spike, her mind told her.
He came back with the paperwork and set it down in front of Faye. He reached into his pocket and revealed a key and a spare one to the Redtail. He was just about to speak when someone, maybe an assistant, asked for his help. He turned to Faye.
"I'll be right back." He promised before disappearing into another room.
Once Faye was sure that he was gone, she grabbed the two keys and dug a hand into her pocket. She pulled out the seven thousand woolongs and placed four thousand back into her pocket leaving the rest for the man. She already felt guilty enough about stealing the ship, but he'd get over it. Despite herself, Faye smiled mischievously.
Eventually, Faye managed to seat herself in cockpit and glanced over everything. She had only flown a ship once in her life and had forgotten everything she'd learned. Oh well, there was always a first time for everything. The engine roared to life when she turned the key, and it was at that moment, the man came running back, screaming at the top of his lungs.
The Redtail lurched forward and Faye quickly glanced back at the man before she winked. In a matter of seconds, the ship was off the ground, flying away from the docks and further towards the sky. The ship moved in zigzags, making sharps turns and stops as it ascended higher and higher while Alva City became smaller and smaller. There was even one second in that span of time Faye truly believed that she was going to die. But once she had left Mars behind, her flying became smoother, and she became excited. She was doing it again, leaving everything and starting over, it was a new chapter in her life.
Faye turned her attention towards the navigator and set her coordinates for Jupiter. It would take a few hours to get to Ganymede, even if she went through hyperspace, but she was in no rush. Her eyes slowly drifted back to Mars, it only took a second, but she felt it, the sadness weighing down on her shoulders. Her rational side was talking to her now. She was being irresponsible, childish, foolish.
How can you leave and not let Spike know?
Her rational side wanted to go back to Mars, find Spike, love him, not give a damn about Julia's or Vicious' threats. It hurt so bad just to stay in this ship, because whatever way Faye looked at it, she was running away. But isn't that what she always did? When she knew she was going to be left alone? When her mother relentlessly abused her after her father's disappearance? When she knew everything became to demanding? Running away was always so much more simpler.
Faye leaned against the glass. "Spike," She whispered longingly. "Where are you?"
-
"Here you are, sir." The elderly woman beamed, handing him the bouquet.
Spike smiled in return. "Thank you very much."
"Are the roses for a special young lady?"
"Yes," He answered. His heart was racing with anticipation. Spike glanced around before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a velvet box. He handed it to the woman. "And I hope she says yes."
The elderly woman giggled before taking the box and opening it. She gasped as she saw the diamond ring. "It's so lovely. It reminds me of the night my husband, Eric, proposed to me." She handed the box back to Spike. "Go get her, and I hope she says yes too."
Spike thanked the lady once more and with a wave of farewell, he continued towards Faye's apartment, whistling. Nothing, nothing in the world could describe how elated he was. Everything felt right, and he couldn't help but get his hopes up. He would take Faye to dinner, propose to her at desert, and explain the whole situation with he, Vicious, and Julia. Once that was cleared up, they would leave Mars, go to another planet (he had always been particularly fond of Jupiter, and had heard that the lobster was to die for), buy a house, get married, and eventually start a family.
Faye would never have to worry about their financial status. He had so much money under his name, she'd never have to work, neither would he. Their children would get the best of everything, attend the best schools. Their life would be perfect, golden, blissful. Spike couldn't help but get his hopes up, he was on cloud nine. He couldn't believe he had been so blind for too long. He was in love with Faye Valentine, madly, deeply, hopelessly. Head over heels crazy for her and it felt wonderful.
Spike reached Faye's apartment building shortly after his trip to the flower shop. He raced up the flights of stairs to Faye's apartment and knocked on the door. He waited, no answer. He knocked again, still no answer. He became a little suspicious, he knew for a fact that this was Faye's day off from her job, she should have been home by now. He knocked again, this time louder while calling out her name. When no answer came, Spike turned the doorknob and was more than surprised to find it open. Cautiously, he stepped inside and searched every room but never found Faye. How could she leave without making sure no one would break in?
"Spiegel-sama?"
Spike turned around to see a young woman had stepped into the apartment. He recognized her immediately.
"Tara," He smiled in acknowledgement. "How are you?"
"I'm fine." She smiled back, even though it was strained.
Spike glanced around the apartment again. "I know you work with Faye at the casino, have you seen her?"
At this, Tara's eyes darted to floor. She noticed the bouquet of roses in his left hand, the velvet box in his right. She frowned deeply. She stepped back when Spike stepped forward. Fear was silently creeping up on him.
"Is she hurt?" He asked urgently. "Did Vicious do something to her." He clutched at her shoulders. "Please tell me, did something happen to Faye?"
"Iie, Spiegel-sama." Tara replied. "She's gone."
"What...?"
She looked at him finally. "She came to me this morning, told me that she'd quit her job, that she was leaving Mars. I asked her if it was about you but Faye denied it and wouldn't give me an explanation. I came by to see if she was still here, but I guess she left already. Gomen nasai, I have no idea where she is."
Spike was silent for a moment, letting the information sink in. Then he stepped back before brushing past Tara and out of the apartment. He ran down the stairs. Gone, Faye was gone. Just like that, just as suddenly as she barged into his life, she just as quickly left it behind. He couldn't understand it. Why did she leave? Why? He had thought that Faye loved him.
Then the anger came.
Spike threw the bouquet of roses against the wall and watched as the petals glided to the floor. He would have done the same thing to the engagement ring, but he didn't have the heart. No, Faye couldn't be gone, she had to be here. She couldn't just leave him. He wanted her, he needed her, he loved her.
Spike stumbled before he hit the ground, spiraled out on the stairs.
Faye was gone.
He would never see her again.
If only he had done something different.
If only he had told her he finally realized he loved her.
Spike closed his eyes, his hands clenched into fists. "Faye..."
-
Faye had parked her new ship nearby and had opted to walk the remaining distance to the docks. It was dusk when she reached Ganymede, and everything looked exactly the same. The buildings, the people, the sounds, the smells. With just a few renovations, Ganymede had still managed to remain her familiar home. She loved this place with all her heart. When she inhaled deeply, the smell of saltwater enveloped her senses, along with too many memories. But Faye kept that in the back of her mind.
She finally reached the docks and stopped for a moment to look around. Once she found the ship she was looking for, she couldn't help but smile. Faye stopped in front of that big, brown piece of junk called a ship and stared at it in wonder. When she ran away from home, she had come here a lot. It was either this ship or her friend's home, either way, he was always there to comfort her.
Faye spotted him on the landing deck, polishing another, large ship. He hadn't noticed her, but when she took another step, he spoke.
"You might as well try another ship." He said gruffly, he sounded so much older. "I won't buy it."
It was then Faye took a really good look at him. He was taller, obviously older. When she had been years younger, people had mistaken him for her older brother. Now, he looked like he could possibly be her father. Time, unfortunately, had not been too kind to him. She cleared her throat.
"I told you," He answered sharply. "I won't-"
"Jet Black," Faye interrupted.
He stopped and looked at her. Then his eyes widened. "Faye...?"
She stepped forward, smiling brightly. "Hey, long time, no see." Briefly, her eyes came across red lettering on the side of the ship. Squinting, Faye finally made out the word. "I never knew this ship was called the Bebop."
Yes, she would start her new life here, on Ganymede. With her oldest friend.
Author's Notes: Everybody jump and cheer because I have finally finished the eleventh and final chapter of Forever Broken. Now all of you know who Faye's 'friend' is. But I know, a good amount of you are all sitting in front of your computer screens, going huh?! Questions are flying everywhere, what happened to Vicious and Spike's fight? What happened to Julia? Faye's pregnant?! Is Spike going to go after Faye? Is Faye going to stay on Ganymede? And Jet Black is part of all this?!
I have the answer to all of these questions: draw your own conclusions, make up your own endings...for now! Come on, did you actually think I was going end this story right here, with all the questions that need to be answered. I think not! So to answer all your inquiries, yes, there is a sequel coming, but I need your, the reader's, help. Okay here's my situation:
1.) Should I continue and make a chapter 12 that will be a sequel but will also continue the story?
2.) Should I branch out and start a different story with a new title? (If you want this one, give me title suggestions, I'm all out!)
Anyway, there you have it. Either way, this story will be continued and I have such a big surprise that when we reach end, all of you are not going to believe it. And now that it is summer, I can write and update more frequently. I'm sorry I had to keep you guys in wait for so long but my school year is over and I can get back to what I love the most. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for everyone's reviews, suggestions, and comments. I can't believe so many of you enjoy this story so much. So until the next update, see ya!
Nirvana.