Sunlight filtered through the lavender chintz curtains of Faye's tiny bedroom window. Turning away from the light, she snuggled deeper in to the warm body at her back.
Wait a minute...warm body? A pregnant pause in her thoughts. Spike. Her lips curved into a smile as she placed her head on his shoulder. Stirring from his exhausted sleep, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer tucking her head under his chin.
Sated and warm in Spike's embrace, she drifted to sleep once again, letting the bliss she felt fill her soul.
Flowers...why do I smell flowers? His nose tickled. An arm flew up to smack the offending object away.
"OW! What the hell was that for you asshole?" An irate Faye Valentine was glaring at Spike with murder in her eye. A naked Irate Faye Valentine.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry Faye! Something tickled my nose..."It began to hit him. "That smelled like flowers...just...like...your hair..." He dropped his head on the pillow and closed his eyes in anticipation of Faye hitting him. He really did it this time.
Where is it? Why isn't she beating the shit out of me for that? The bed began to shake slightly. Cautiously he cracked his right eye open. Letting the eyeball slide to the corner, he surreptitiously viewed Faye. She was trying rather unsuccessfully to muffle her laughter. Catching his eye on her, she gave up on hiding it.
"Haha! You should see your face! What's the matter Spike? Never been with a girl long enough to wake up next to her before?" For all Spike's charm and skill, he was still a dunce.
Relieved that he wasn't going to die at Faye's hands, he relaxed and let his head drop to the pillow once more. He pulled her near, craving the feel of her skin against his. His voice was a low rumble in her ear. "Actually, no, I never have woke up with any of the girls I've been with. It was always casual or had to be kept secret. This is a first for me."
Another unspoken reference to Julia. Faye gave herself a mental shake. There's only room for two in this bed, lets not have her here too.
Spike tucked her head under his chin and let the flowery scent of her hair fill his senses once more. "How are you feeling today? Better than yesterday I hope."
Faye draped her leg over his and leaned closer, pressing her lips to his. "A thousand times better." When she smiled, the light of a thousand stars shone from her eyes.
He was drowning in her eyes. His soul felt as though it were becoming one with Faye's, just like it had last night. At the last moment, he managed to break eye contact, but it didn't stop the thudding of his heart, nor the thunder of hers.
Spike shot straight up, ruining the moment. The sheet dropped to his waist. "I almost forgot. Jet left a package for you. He said you owe him the shipping. I swear, if I have to find you another beta player..." He left the threat unspoken. "I'll be right back."
Without further ado Spike rose from the bed and strode to the tiny living room. Sitting up as well, Faye lit herself a cigarette and took a satisfying drag. As Spike's naked body moved with fluid catlike grace, she could only think one thing.
I hate to see him go, but I LOVE to watch him leave!
Giggling, she took another drag.
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"Yes?" Disembodied, the voice floated through a room made cool by central air. Even without a physical presence, the voice had the power to make men cower in fear.
This messenger was braver than the last one. He didn't stand as though he was going to wet himself at any moment. Straight and erect, only a close observer would notice the sweat on his upper lip and the slightly erratic breathing.
Taking a deep breath, he began to spill his information. "Sir, we have located Spike Speigel. He is at an apartment on the lower East side leased in the name of Faye Valentine. We have it on good authority that Miss Valentine is not in peak health. What are your orders sir?"
This messenger was a braver man than the last.
"Retrieve them. I think it's time we had a little reunion."
Bowing, the messenger walked out the door, shutting it quietly behind him.
From the ashes of the phoenix shall rise the dragons. He looked out his large window. The storm was clearing up, revealing a rainbow in its wake. "That rainbow is only signaling the calm before the real storm begins." Absently he fingered the hilt of the katana at his side. Spike's turn would come. He, Vicious would be dealing the deathblow. It was just a matter of time and planning.
"Vicious, you must go after the new foes. Put your petty hatred aside until the greater purpose is served. Remember that you'd be dead without me. I gave you your life back in return for you doing my bidding."
Vicious looked at his reflection in the plate glass window. "Petty hatred? It goes much deeper than that my friend."
His reflection spoke back. "You must find the possessors of the diamonds before they learn how to use the power. Only then can I defeat them."
Bright red, yellow and green streaked across the indigo sky as the rainbow grew in length and intensity.
"I will not be thwarted again." Vicious and his reflection spoke as one.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As Spike entered the bedroom, he stopped in his tracks. All he could do was look at the goddess half covered and smoking a cigarette in the bed. Giant green eyes beckoned to him, calling him back between the sheets. Smoke curled around her head, creating a halo for a fallen angel.
The angel removed the cigarette from her lips and spoke. "Spike? You ok?" Concern creased her smooth brow.
Giving another mental shake, he sat next to Faye and put his arm around her. "Merry Christmas." Handing her the package, he reached to the nightstand and lit himself a smoke. Balancing the small ashtray on his knee, he looked at Faye expectantly.
"Are ya gonna open it?" He blew a few smoke rings to the ceiling.
Faye's forehead was furrowed and she was biting her lip. Green eyes looked up, unconsciously begging Spike to protect her from the world. "What if...what if...Spike what if it's more memories I don't remember?" The last words came in a rush, like a river bursting past its damn as tears filled her eyes.
"Then you'll have those memories back." He tightened his arm around her shoulders. "This box can't hurt you if you don't let it Faye. I don't think it feels like a tape anyway." He propped the cigarette on the rim of the ashtray and laid his strong lean hands over hers. "I'm here Faye. If you don't want to open it, don't. But something tells me one of us has to."
Stubbornly setting her chin, she began to rip the brown paper covered in postage. I'll be damned if I let him open my package! Tearing furiously shreds of paper soon littered the bed and floor.
Dumbfounded, Faye stared at the book that rested in her hands. The cover was buttery soft leather that seemed to mold around her fingers, as though made for their shape. Obviously old, the pages were yellowed parchments. The tarnished silver medallion on the front cover added to the archaic look.
"What the hell is this?" She mused aloud. Flabbergasted, Spike lifted it from her fragile hands.
Opening the book up, he began to flip the pages, skimming through the text, looking for familiar words. "What ever it is, even I don't know the language. It's not in any code I can decrypt either."
Faye started. She had almost forgotten about his syndicate connections. "What do you think we could sell it for?
Spike shrugged, effortlessly rolling his shoulders. "Don't know. I can find out."
Removing the ashtray and the cigarette dangling from Spikes lips, she slipped her arms around his neck. "Find out later Cowboy."
The book fell to the floor forgotten. It was a long while till they left Faye's bed.
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Jet walked up the stairs to Faye's apartment. He had left the kids at the ship with explicit orders to Sarassa not to cook. If they were hungry, they were to order out. Shuddering at the crying she had done when it proved that none of her 'dishes' were edible, he walked faster.
The condition of Faye's bonsai tree sickened him. He had come to rescue the poor tree from Faye's inept trimmings. Patting the small pouch at his waist, he smiled. It was his 'bonsai first aid kit' containing plant food, his trimmers, and if necessary, a blind fold to use on Faye while he tied her up and made off with the dwarf tree. Hoping it wouldn't come to that, he walked through the door.
"Faye, where are you?" Hearing the shower running and no answer, he ran to the bathroom. She could have passed out and drowned in the shower with no one here. Where is that Lunkhead anyways? He was supposed to be watching her! Irate, Jet opened the bathroom door and recoiled in horror. Apparently they had heard him coming and were trying to spare him the full show.
Hastily dressing, they resembled the proverbial deer caught in the headlights, ceasing all efforts to cloth themselves. Before anyone could take action, Jet slammed the door and bolted.
That's it. I'm gonna get the tree and get out. I did not just see what I think I saw. It was a dream. Where's the damn tree? Frantically, Jet turned a circle looking for the tree, ignoring the scurrying sounds coming from the bathroom.
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Well, here's the next one. Sorry it took so long; it's been a long week.
On a happier note, I have this story totally mapped out. I know what is going to happen and how it's going to end! YAY!
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I was going to make it longer, but it's been so long, I wanted to get it out.
Lets-Play-With-Matches: Glad you liked it. I try! -.
Forever His: So happy you are happy! I think this story certaintly qualifies as different...:D
Birdychick: You wrote a novel this time! The fire thing...I kinda stole that from Disney's Pocahantas, but modified it my way. I'm happy you like the love scene. I wasn't sure about it, I didn't feel really moved...I thought it could have been a bit lame...I am going to totally revamp this story once it's finished. My mom says the ideas come from reading too many "Nightmare Books" as she puts it and eating before going to bed...
I do plan on using that idea you gave me, but not quite in the way you put it. Thanx!
If you don't mind, drop me your email address.
Remember everyone, please review! I seem to have lost a few reviewers along the way...:(