~Fallen Seraphim~
~Adieu~
The Bebop, being a converted fishing ship, wasn't really designed all that well for anything else…but it didn't have to be. The only real way in or out was through the hanger, out onto the deck and over the side. You could probably make another exit if need be, but that wouldn't leave it space-worthy. Then again, with the way the ship was treated, it was amazing it still is space-worthy.
The hanger door slammed shut following the two bickering bounty hunters, Faye currently yelling at Spike for leaving her to fend for herself in the street while he made a break for the fire-escape. Spike, meanwhile, ignored every word coming out of her mouth as he sauntered through the hallway still carrying the assault rifle and the vest. He figured he should clean it, but first he wanted to find out what he got and to do that he needed a place to take a load off.
Making a sharp right, he made his way into the rec room and grabbed a seat on the couch, making sure to cover enough of the couch to keep Faye from sitting next to him. Picking up the gun, Spike pointed the barrel at the ceiling and pulled down the bolt; the remaining cartridge was ejected from the barrel and he removed the clip. Placing the unloaded gun on the table, he reached for the vest when he realized that Faye had suddenly stopped talking.
He cast a glance at her; she was still standing at the side of the couch. "Faye, don't worry about earlier-"
"Don't tell me not to worry!" she snapped, her eyes rising to meet his. "Don't tell me that 'Everything's okay' and 'You don't have to worry about it'. Don't give me that shit Spike! You and I both know exactly what happened…I wasn't prepared and that almost caused a bad situation to end up being a worse one! Don't tell me that 'Shit happens' and there's nothing you can do about it. I almost got both of us killed and you had to save the day so don't give me it!"
"Well, if you don't like the idea of me saving your ass over and over again, I guess I'll just leave you to a large group of men to do what they want with you." Spike's smirk vanished as soon as he finished the sentence. You're not helping the situation dumb ass… "Faye, listen to me, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once. We; you, me, and Jet, are a team. It's my job to watch your ass just the same as it's your job to watch mine. So don't get your panties in a twist the second you can't come out on top. Shit happens." Am I really watching out for their collective butts by doing this?
"Spike, I…" her voice faltered, betraying her unease with Spike's non-argumentative statement…well, the last half.
"Don't worry about it…I'm sure you'll save my ass someday and we'll be even." I sincerely hope not…but shit does happen, especially around here.
Faye remained standing in the doorway, unsure of what to say after Spike's little display of chivalry. She decided to give up on any type of answer and gave a half-hearted nod in his general direction. Coming to the conclusion that things were going to get very awkward in a few seconds, she made her way out of the rec room and towards her own; still somewhat dazed by Spike's speech.
Spike's eyes followed her body until she vanished from view, his attention once again returning to the gun in his hands. If we're really a team, that means we do what's best for everyone. The Brotherhood is going to go after me until I'm dead, there isn't really any second place here…I take them down or they take me…the others can't be involved…or else they just become collateral to the Brotherhood.
"Choice," the voice filled the room causing Spike's attention to be pulled away from the gun towards the source; even though he already knew who it was. "Choices are unique to the human race…every other creatures merely follows instinct, nothing more. But we decide to do or not do everything that happens during a day."
"Spare me the psycho-babble, you a shrink along with a mercenary?" Spike interrupted, Seraph gave no visible sign of annoyance at the outburst…and to Spike's disapproval, no sign of stopping.
"You can stay on the Bebop and make the ship a sitting target or you can go off on your own and hope the Brotherhood doesn't decide to do away with your shipmates," Seraph's eyes displayed neither happiness nor sadness, pleasure nor pain, just a focus on the moment. They say the eyes display your emotions and that they are the windows to your soul…if you show no emotions…does that mean you have no soul? Spike's mind took a rapid detour…who the hell is "they" anyway?
Spike rose to his feet, his left hand curled around the handle on the assault rifle. "Well, since you think you know so much about me," Spike began walking towards him, "why don't you tell me what I'm gonna choose then, huh? Why don't ya, smart guy?" Spike face was a mere foot away from Seraph.
"I know, because you're predictable," Seraph stated, a smirk forming.
Spike's right fist covered the distance from his side to Seraph's grinning face before the mercenary could even react. Spike's knuckles slammed into the other man's face and he was sent stumbling backwards, cupping the place he was hit.
"Surprise, how's that for predictable?" Spike said, his trademark grin covering his face.
Seraph was back on his feet before Spike had a chance to move, his face a few inches from Spike's, a slight gleam of anger shinning in his eyes. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't beat the shit outta you right now."
"'Cause you know I'd win," and without another word, he moved past Seraph and into his room…there wasn't much, but he needed to pack…Teams look out for each other, that's what I'm doing now…right?
But Spike didn't know of the conflicting thoughts running through Seraph's mind, for if he did, Spike wouldn't have turned his back on him. Nor would he have turned his back if he had seen Seraph's hand reach into his jacket and grab a hold of his Beretta. But he didn't shoot Spike in the back, whether it was out of honor or the mere fact that his employer wanted him alive, he didn't shoot him, and that merely prolonged this questionable truce they had struck.
- - - - -
She wasn't even sure of exactly what she was doing; yet she was here. Being grateful isn't exactly my style. Yet I'm still standing in front of his door debating whether to knock or leave. Think Faye, this isn't rocket science damnit. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her hand and tapped the door.
"Spike, .I…uh, I just wanted to say something, could you open the door?" Her voice didn't even seem audible, almost as if most of her words never escaped her throat. Maybe he didn't hear me. "Spike, look…I just wanted to say this and then I'll leave you alone." No answer.
I don't believe this. I'm trying to be nice and that bastard won't even open the door to look at me! You know what, screw him!
A low rumble echoed through the ship's hallways…that sounds like a ship…the rumble grew louder, reaching it's peak in a roar and then disappeared…like it was flying away…Spike.
She grabbed the door to Spike's room and pulled it open, revealing a barren room. All his things had been removed, granted there weren't many to begin with, but they were gone. All that was left was a mattress, but there was something sitting on the mattress. She took a few steps closer to get a more detailed look at the small object when she realized what it was: it's my doll.
How did he know? Why did he…she didn't even remember walking the last few steps, her memory started up again as she knelt before the bed and took the doll into her arms. As she did so she noticed a small piece of paper lying beneath it. She picked up the paper and her eyes skimmed through the note.
FYI
I left the other ships working 'cause I know Jet would bitch if I did anything to them. Just don't follow me.
Spike
A single tear ran down the side of her face and fell onto the doll's hat. It doesn't make any sense…why does he keep leaving me?