OMG! I opened my mail box and there were seven - yes, SEVEN reviews there! I was ecstatic! THEY LOVE ME! THEY REALLY, REALLY, LOVE ME!!! (Can we tell I was happy?:-D) Thank you to everyone who took the time to hit that little button thingey! Also, thank you to everyone who took the time to read my other story as well. (Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chappy as well. Have I said thank you enough yet? LOL)

Since I forgot this on the last chapter, here goes.

Disclaimer: If it's cool, it ain't mine. This includes Cowboy Bebop and Spike in a black tank top.

***********************************************************

The stars were a million tiny lights in an inky sky. A lone man stood on a tiny fire escape smoking a cigarette. Letting the smoke form a cloud around his head, he appeared deep in thought. The large window opened and he remained motionless. A woman climbed through, her purple hair gleaming in the moonlight.

"What are you doing off the couch? I didn't hear you wake up." Spike was still staring into the night.

"I'm fine. I've seen you live through worse. Did work call? I never showed up tonight." She joined him leaning on the wrought iron rail. Their eyes did not meet. Typical night sounds filled the air; a car passed, tires making squelching sounds on the wet pavement. Spike lit another cigarette and handed it to Faye.

"No, I called them and said you couldn't make it. Told them you had gotten shot. They were concerned, but are ok with it." They both took drags and released them to the slight breeze.

"So...any idea who those bastards or why they were after you?" Faye looked at his strong profile; damn was he hot when he was broody like this!

"Nope." Spike inhaled and began to blow smoke rings.

"Do you care?" Her voice was dry now and laced with sarcasm. She shivered and inched closer to Spike's body heat.

"Not except that they hurt you." He moved behind her and put his arms on the railing on each side of her, his lean stomach against her bare back, effectively sharing his body heat. His chin rested on her shoulder, cheek next to hers. They stayed this way for a bit, both comforted by the physical contact.

"Spike?" Her voice sounded tiny and unsure.

"Hm?" His gravelly voice was next to her ear.

"Does Jet know you're alive? Did you let anyone at the Bebop know you're alive?" Her voice floated on the wings of the night to his ears.

"No. You're the first one I've seen. Haven't had a chance to let anyone else know." His arms slipped around her waist and cradled her against his body. God was she beautiful. Faye closed her eyes and gave in to the moment letting the sound of his breathing sooth her. Toughen up Valentine! Or you'll be in the same mess you were before! Don't let him get to you again! Be strong.

"Speaking of which, the Dragons are probably worried shitless about where you are." She pushed away from him. Cold air hit her like a hammer. She stumbled a bit but Spike caught her elbow before she fell.

"They waited two years for me. They can wait till I make sure you're ok." His eyes probed hers, looking for signs of faintness. It felt so right to hold her. Why did she just push away?

"The great Spike Spiegel is concerned for little old me? I'm flattered." Faye's voice filled the air with bitterness. "I've survived this long with out you; I don't need you to take care of me." Her words spoke on thing, but her heart screamed the opposite. Please don't leave me again!

"Faye, how many times have you looked after me? Let me do this. For my own peace of mind." He was wheedling now, trying to talk her in to his help. Really he was begging. Don't. Not now. Don't shut me out Faye!

"No! I think you should leave Spike. Leave now." Faye had withdrawn into the shadows. He has to leave. There is no way I'm going to let him burrow his way into my soul again. It was almost crippling to go on without him the first time. A second would kill me. He's a Red Dragon now. There was no room for me in his life. I won't allow him in mine.

If he leaves again, it'll kill me.

Spike looked at her intently. Is she bluffing? She really wants me to leave? After two years she's in such a hurry to get rid of me? I can't leave her like this. She can barely stand, let alone take care of herself.

Indeed, Faye was slumping against the wall. Her face had paled noticeably in the starlight. A red stain appeared on her shoulder. Damn, must've done a shittier job than I thought on her stitches.

"Is that what you really want? Me to leave?"

"Yes Spike. Go." Faye's voice was a hoarse whisper. Get out of my life. Don't make me love you a second time.

Spike turned on his heel and crawled through the window. Leaving Faye to the shadows he slung his red shirt over his shoulder and exited the building fading into the night. Something in the shirt poked his back. Upon closer inspection he saw that it was the dragon pin Raze had given him. Yes, Faye is definitely like this dragon eye. Every now and then you get a glimpse at the real Faye beneath the hard shell.

Now he was headed to the Red Dragons Headquarters. He had some unfinished business to take care of.

*************************************************************

The Red Dragon Headquarters loomed imposingly over the city. First time visitors were always awed by the sheer immensity of the glass and steel building.

Landing his Swordfish II in the street before the building, Spike stormed through the front doors. Passing all security he slammed his hands on the receptionist's desk.

"Do you know who I am?" He demanded of the scared girl. His voice was low and dangerous. Trembling she nodded her head, gray eyes wide.

"Good. Send Raze to my office. NOW!" Spike stormed to the elevator and punched the button to take him to the top floor. He entered his office and folded in to the huge leather chair behind the desk. His desk had two telephones on the surface, a flat screen computer, and a custom-made ashtray. It was gold leaf with two red dragons rearing. Spike lit a cigarette and made use of it.

"Spike, where the hell have you been? Are you ok? DO you have any idea how much hot water I have been in for loosing you?" Raze was as anxious and frantic as a mother hen, checking Spike for injuries.

"Don't worry about it. It's none of your business where I was. Raze, I am the leader of the Red Dragons, aren't I?" Spike fingered the dragon pin and watched it flash in the lights.

"Yes, why?" A suspicious look made its self at home on Raze's face.

"What's the situation here? Who has been running the place for the two years I was in a coma? Who is loyal to us? Who are out allies? Who are our enemies?" Spike fired the questions in quick succession. His eyes had narrowed. With his face closed and cold, he looked like a dangerous predator on the prowl.

"Well, I have been the leader in your absence. I rebuilt the whole syndicate after you killed Vicious. As you know, the elders are all dead, thanks to Vicious as well. Our most loyal allies are the White Panthers. Many who were loyal to Vicious disappeared after the coup attempt. Intelligence tells us they have formed a syndicate called the Black Phoenixes."

Raze was breathless at the end of this monologue. He looked at Spike to see if there was more he needed to know. Spike was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. When Raze stopped talking his eyes opened. There was an evil glint lurking in the depths. His mouth quirked in a sick sneer.

"Find everyone in the 'Black Phoenixes'. Find them all and kill them. Every last fucking one of them. You are dismissed."

Spike spun his chair so that the back was to Raze and he could gaze out the window upon the city he now ruled.

"Wait Raze. Find me a person. I need to know where a Jet Black is now. May as well kill two birds with one stone."

*************************************************************

OMG! What's going on? Is Spike turning evil? Or does he have a reason to kill people? Why is he looking for Jet now? Is it for a reunion? What does he mean kill two birds with one stone? How is Faye doing? Hope I left you with lots of questions!!!

As always, review!

THANK YOU again to all my reviewers from last chapter! Remember to read Bebop in the West!

Birdychick: Thank you for reading Bebop in the West. The funny thing about that story is that I had never seen trigun or the movie Maverick befoer I wrote it. I didn't even know the general plots to those shows!lol

I'm trying ot make everything as origional as possible and throw the reader for as many loops as possible. Working?:P

n_aniek&sess: Thank you as well for reading my other story! For your first review, I loved it!:P I'm glad you are enjoying my stories.

J: Thank you for reviewing, it was exactly what I asked for!

XHatori-SohmaX: Spike in a black tank top. Good imagery, huh?;)

Lets-Play-With-Matches: I LOVE THE NAME! Sounds like something I would do drunk...haha. Glad someone besides me is sick of stripper fics. lol. Glad you enjoyed it.

DracoTelitha: hehe, Guess you enjoyed the story? LOL

Shadowfox38: Thank you for your past reviews. They were great!