The house was blazing with flames. She saw it all through a haze of grief. Men on horseback galloped around the farmyard screeching and whooping madly. They were all clad in all black. Even their horses were black. Each one of them were armed with flaming torches or smoking guns.

Paralyzed with fear she stood and watched. The men were torching her home and everything she held dear. She watched them lasso the seedling apple trees her mother had planted that spring and wrench them from the ground. Their roots reached for the sky as if begging god for mercy. Fruit was trampled beneath pounding hoof beats, fleshy insides squeching into the earth. Cries of pain and despair split the air. The horses still in the barn were being burnt alive. The smell of sizzling flesh and acrid scent of smoke was carried on the breeze to her.

Her family was in the house!

She put her horse in a gallop and headed for the house. She had to save her family!

A shot cracked through the air and pain lanced her shoulder, knocking her from the saddle. Everything went black.

Faye sat up straight in her bedroll. Her eyes were wide and unseeing. Tears coursed down her porcelain cheeks. Gasping for breath but never seeming to get enough she noticed Spike kneeling next to her.

"Y'all right?" Concern resided in his eyes. He didn't know what demons haunted her. He fought enough of his own to feel sympathy though. The urge to shelter her from her fears manifested. Why do I feel this way? She means nothing to me!

"I...I'm fine. Leave me alone." She started to pack up her bedroll, ignoring Spike, not meeting his eyes. Of all the times to have that dream again! I will hunt him down, and when I find him I'll kill him in the most painful way I can think of! I swear it. On my parents lives I swear it.

Spike watched her from a distance as he packed his own gear. The only thing he missed about having Faye for a slave was that now he had to pack his own stuff. That was a hell of a dream, to subdue her this much. With a wicked grin Spike decided to bring the Faye he knew back.

He strode to where she was standing and stole the cigarette from her fingers just before she lit it.

"Thanks for the smoke, Shrew." He lit it and began to mosey over to Whiskey. Her snarl of rage alerted him that she was coming for him. He leapt into Whisky's saddle and took off running.

"Phhhwwweeet! STAR!" with a shrieking whistle she summoned Star. Bounding into the saddle she gave chase. How dare he think he could get away with stealing her cigarette! "It took me a whole minute to roll that one!" Mumbling about arrogant bastards under her breath she urged Star to greater speeds.

Spike was only ahead of her by a few lengths*. Well, I guess I fixed her mood. Whisky wasn't going his fastest, but it was close. That's a helluva horse to keep up with us this far. Who am I kidding, that's a helluva rider too. They weaved through the sage and rocks, ducking under branches and leaping over fallen trees.

As the miles fell away under their pounding hooves, Faye felt her heart lighten. I'll get him someday. But first I have to get this jerk. She admired how well he handled the big roan. No green horn this one. With a final burst of speed Star caught up with Whisky and over took him. Cutting him off, Spike only saw emerald eyes probing into his.

He flicked the ash off of the cigarette.

"Want it?" Holding out the cigarette she saw that it was only a small burnt stub.

"You asshole." Turning Star she headed back to the trail.

Spike smiled to himself and followed her, flicking the used stub to the ground. He was glad she was back to normal.

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"Were the hell are they? The tournament was two days ago. TWO DAYS! You want to hire someone for a job, then they don't show. What's with kids these days? Don't they have any responsibility?" Jet was pacing his office and trying not to pull any more hair out.

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The midday the sun was scorching. It beat down frying everything in its path. Faye had removed her duster and lashed it to her cantle*. Her sleeves were rolled up showing slim forearms. Around her neck was a yellow bandanna soaked in precious water. Sweat formed dark red stains on her back and ran freely down her face. Star had a sheen of sweat covering her shoulders and flanks with a dark line making its way down her belly.

Spike and Whisky were dressed and sweating similarly.

"Holy shit. I can't believe this heat. I think there's a spring ahead. We'll rest there." Nodding her assent, Faye wearily steered Star to follow.

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From above a lone human watched them. He noticed their dress and pegged their identities. The two people in the bounty. How convenient they were traveling together. He noted quality of the horses and the value of their possessions. The woman was attractive as well. If the money wasn't enough, their possessions alone would be.

They were hot. The travelers were not paying attention to their surroundings. They would be easy prey.

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The spring loomed cool and heavenly. Water softly bubbled and gurgled from the ground. Weeds and a few small trees grew lushly on the banks. A small flock of birds took flight as the weary riders came in to view.

Star and Whisky buried their muzzles deep in the cold stream. Spike loosened his cinch* and removed his hat. His fuzzy green afro was plastered to his head like a dark green helmet. Dipping his hat in the water he put it back on his head full, spilling water over his shoulders. Dark stubble covered his jaw, turning him into a soggy desperado.

Faye couldn't help laughing at the picture he made. Even in this heat he looked thoroughly water logged.

"What are you laughing at Princess? It's not like you look much better."

He was right, of course. Her normally sleek hair was mussed and sweat soaked. Her shirt was stained with sweat. She stuck out her tongue and repeated his motions with the hat.

Both content they rested in the shade. Taking out his tobacco, Spike rolled two cigarettes. Handing on to Faye he lit it for her.

"I owe you one anyway." With a shrug he lit his own. They lay there for a while, relaxing tired muscles, relishing the rest and lost in their own thoughts. Nearby the horses grazed.

A sudden movement behind a rock alerted Faye. Catching Spike's eye, she looked in that direction. He gave a short, almost imperceptible nod to say he understood. At the same moment they both dodged, Spike left and Faye right. They took cover behind handy rocks, guns cocked and ready.

Two arrows twanged into the trees they had been leaning against.

Seeing a flash of brown, Faye fired at it. There was a red splash and a downed body. One down. They just had to figure out how many there were.

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Well at least I won't have to worry about protecting her. She's not bad for a girl. But what did you expect from Faye Valentine? A wilting flower? A bush moved to his right. With an eager grin Spike fired into it. Another downed body. Party time!

Just then he spotted a brave wearing a small pouch around his neck. That's it. That's the leader of this little party!

"Faye," he hissed in her direction. "That's the leader. Take him out and they think their medicine has gone bad. They'll retreat."

Nodding her comprehension she lined her gun. The brave was now creeping along the ground, making his way to Whisky. Before either of them could get a clear shot off he grabbed the saddle horn of the dancing horse and leapt in the air. Unfortunately, Spike had not tightened his cinch yet. The saddle rolled around to Whisky's stomach. The horse reared up and both front feet came crashing down on the brave. his hooves kept raising and falling with piston like motions until there was only a smear on the ground left of the brave.

"That'll teach him to steal a man's horse." His voice was gravelly and low. Even Spike had to look away from the violent scene before him. Faye was retching behind the bushes.

At the sight of their fallen leader, five braves turned tail and ran. Their medicine was bad. The gods were not smiling on them or their mission.

"We'll stay here for the day. Then we'll bury what's left of the one you got tonight when it's colder. Not much point in burying the leader. Whisky did it for us."

Once more Faye nodded her assent.

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"Ed, see if you can find them. Bring them to me." Jet was getting worried. There had been rumors of bounties being put on Faye and Spike.

The bounty said Wanted: Dead only.

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Well, what do you think? Faye and Spike are begining to work as a team.

I am so glad that people read this story and liked it. It was an idea that was burning a hole in my mind for a while.

Birdychick, I promise I will work Andy in here somehow, I just don't know when. I don't really have plots for my stories, I just write as it comes to me.

Please everyone, Review! Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated, and if they fit, I'll use them and give you full credit!

Length- I believe a length is the length of a horse. That is usually about 6 feet or so. Correct me if any one knows otherwise.

Cantle- the back of a saddle, raised on a western saddle.

Cinch- a cinch is also know as a girth. It's the strap that holds the saddle on and goes around the horses belly.