Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Does that cover it? Or do I have to actually say I don't own Cowboy Bebop or the movie Maverick which some people have likened this story to? ( By the way, I've never even seen the movie! lol)
Da-dum. Da-dum. Whisky plodded down the trail listening to the two on his back bicker.
"How dare you say you own me? No one owns me without my say so!" Faye was seated in front of Spike. He could feel the anger coming off of her in waves. With a big sigh she blew her bangs out of her face.
"Didn't I tell you to shut up? I could have sworn I told you that." Spike reached into his pocket and put a cigarette to his lips. He inhaled the smoke feeling more relaxed at once. There was a nagging feeling he needed to assuage. Someone was following them.
"You might've, doesn't mean I listen though." With a smirk Faye reached around plucking the cigarette from his lips accidentally sliding closer to Spike. Quickly she scooted to the front of the saddle again, but not before noticing how strong his thighs felt under hers. "So do I get a name Cowboy? Or do you think I'll call you 'Master' for the rest of our association?" Faye took a drag and blew the smoke in Spikes face. She had laced the word 'Master' with as much poison and sarcasm as she could possibly manage.
"Why are you so surly anyways? What did I ever do to you?" Faye was trying to turn in the saddle but only succeeded in wedging herself closer to the cowboy again.
"Yeah you get a name. Shrew seems to fit you pretty well. All you've done since I rescued you is bitch and moan." Spike stole the cigarette back. He needed it after having this obnoxious woman that close to him. Something about this woman put him on edge Spike was in no mood to talk. Winning the huge pot at the tournament and getting Chet again should have elated him. Unfortunately he was in a foul mood and it had quite a bit to do with the violet haired beauty in front of him. . He received a hard elbow to the ribs for his comment.
"That's not what I meant, asshole. Do you need me to spell it out for you? Or just speak loud and clear for your teensy-insy brain to comprehend the question? What is your name?" Faye spoke loud and slowly. She was getting exasperated now. Of all the possible rescuers - not that she had needed rescuing - why did she have to get this cantankerous jerk? Ok, this very handsome cantankerous jerk.
"Spiegel. Spike Spiegel." He gave a satisfied smile as her jaw dropped. Apparently she recognized the name. Spike threw the rest of the cigarette to the side and urged his horse to a trot. He knew of a place to camp for the night up head that would be safe from who ever was following them.
*************************************************************************************************
Jet was sitting in his office. His large frame made the spacious room look almost tiny. He was pleased with himself. Faye was rescued with out adding to the small bounty on her head. Spike would be delivering her to him. Jet thought back to all he had heard about Spike Speigel and Faye Valentine. They were both dangerous when riled. If he recalled correctly they both had short tempers. He hoped they made it to him without killing each other first.
*************************************************************************************************
"Set up camp." Spike issued the order and walked away to his horse. Faye whipped around to stare at his back. "Excuse me? Do I look like a slave to you? Who do you think you are to just order me -" Spike walked back to Faye. He stopped when he was about a foot away from her. "I won you in that game. Until I say so, you are my slave. I own you. Don't forget it. Or would you like to be in Chet's possession again?" By now he was almost nose to nose with Faye. Their eyes met and locked in a fierce battle of wills. Realizing he was right she turned away and began to unroll his bedroll.
"There is an extra blanket in there. You can use that tonight." Seeing Faye's surprised look he couldn't resist. "Sorry Princess, not every guy wants to get you in the sack." Spike sauntered away bracing himself for any missiles she might launch at his back.
Faye picked up a cooking pot and debated whether or not to aim for his head. Deciding against it she settled for a "Go to hell Speigel."
***********************************************************************************************
Spike stared into the fire. He saw golden flame morph to golden blond hair before his eyes. The flames danced and flickered casting light on his surroundings creating an ethereal aura.
He watched the flames engulf her golden hair. She screamed in agony but he was too far away to do anything. The bandits took off over the plains. He was half a mile away from the small house when the roof caved in. A scream of unbearable pain rent the air, then was silent. The angry inferno devoured everything inside.
Every object.
Every life.
A log snapped sending a blaze of sparks to the sky. Spike was brought back to consciousness. He was listening, trying to figure out if they were still being watched or followed. His gaze wandered to the blanket across from the fire. Faye had gone to sleep already.
The sound of hoof beats broke the silence.
Jumping up Spike's head snapped around. That was a horse, but it wasn't Whisky. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Faye mounting an outfitted chestnut horse and beginning to gallop off.
"How the hell... Whisky! You ornery mule! C'mere!" Spike bellowed into the night for his horse. Whisky thundered past Spike at a full gallop never breaking stride. Reaching out a hand he grabbed a handful of mane and bounded to his horses bare back. Urging him to faster speeds he began to holler to Faye.
"Dammit woman! Where the hell do you think you are going? Did I give you permission to leave?" The horses thundered through the trees and over rocks. Spike was even with Faye now. Trusting Whisky to stay parallel he leaned over and slid on to Faye's horse behind her. Wrapping his arms around Faye and holding on with his legs he ignored the branches whipping past them and managed to slow her horse. He couldn't ignore how perfectly she fit in his arms or how good her hair smelled though.
"Leave me alone! This is my horse! Star is mine! I didn't steal her! You don't own me! I'm no one's slave! You can't make me stay! Let me go!" Faye was screaming at him. His face sported claw marks from her scratching. Grabbing her waist Spike drug her off Star's back.
"You are not allowed to go anywhere. I need you to collect a reward." Spike was lying on top of Faye to restrain her. He didn't need anymore injuries from the shrew. Faye's eyes widened and her struggles renewed. "So you're that kind of cowboy! No way in hell that you're taking me in!" Faye whistled for Star.
Spike heard hoof beats behind him and dodged just in time. Star's teeth had just missed his shoulder. "Stupid nag! Faye listen to me. I'm not collecting a bounty on you! I'm getting more to take you to a man instead of the authorities. Why am I explaining myself to you anyways? I own you!"
"What do you mean 'a man'?" Faye stopped struggling and thought back to the flyer she received persuading her to attend the poker tournament. Someone had wanted her there and for a reason. Her getting kidnapped was just an unforeseen mishap. Hopefully all they wanted to do was talk to her. Whatever the reason they wanted it bad and wanted it bad enough to pay.
Her mind flew back to Spike. She knew his name. He had been a respected and feared Texas Ranger and widely known until a few years ago. He had mysteriously dropped out of sight. It was rumored in trail end towns that he had turned to the other side of the law. Some said he died in a shoot out in Chicora. They say he had vengeance on his mind, but no one knew for who or why. Faye decided to bluff.
"Didn't you used to be a Ranger? You can't turn me in to someone! Who knows what I'll have to do them to get away? What if I have to kill him? Could you live with a man's life on your hands?"
Spike's eyes grew cold. His face closed up tighter than a vise. Julia's life was on his hands. She died because of him. "Shut up Faye. Believe it or not he wants you and I to work together. I really don't see that happening, but he's still paying me to retrieve you for him."
"Wait, all he wants is for you to bring me to him? What's it worth to ya?" Faye had a calculating gleam in her eyes. They sparkled with mischief. Spike grew suspicious and rightly so.
"What do you mean? Handsomely rewarded was how he phrased it. Why?" Spike was becoming suspicious. She was suddenly cooperative.
"If I go with you and don't give you any problems, I get half. I also don't play maid anymore." Faye looked at him shrewdly. "What do ya say Cowboy?"
Spike thought about how much of a pain this girl was. It would be nice to have her agreeable. He could sleep at night without wondering if she would pull another stunt like this. He wouldn't have to eat her cooking again. His stomach cramped thinking of the meal she had prepared - if you could call it that. Handsomely was a lot of money. Wasn't it?
Spike met her eyes. "Can I trust you?"
Faye's lips curved in a seductive smile. "What do you think?"
Spike seemed to fight an internal battle. He thought about the money and a full nights sleep. No more of Faye's cooking.
Spike held out his hand.
"Deal."
They shook on it sealing the pact.
*************************************************************************************************
Do we detect a bit of sexual tension? hee hee. How did Julia die? Who was Julia to Spike? What does Faye have to gain out of this? And why does Jet want them to work together? Review and some of these questions will be answered in the next chapter!
