Disclaimer: If it's cool, it ain't mine. This includes everything you might not think belongs to me.
Sorry for the page long A/N, it's called CYA (Cover Your Ass)
"Faye, you can't be serious. This is a man's sport. You're gonna get hurt playing with the big boys." Exasperation filled Spike's voice. What did this woman think she had to prove? why had she entered in the rodeo? She should be sitting on the sidelines cheering him to victory. Faye was already tougher than any woman he knew. She could play cards better than most men. Rumor had it she could shoot as well as...well, him.
Who did she think she had to prove something to?
Her voice held an edge when she replied. "Spike, maybe you just don't get it. I'm not doing this to prove anything to anyone. I'm doing it because I enjoy it. Also, I think I have a fair chance of winning. Sorry if that offends your macho male ego." Faye was getting pissed. Did she really look like the Susie Home Maker Type to these egotistical men? She could do anything they could, and better at that!
A loud voice announced that they would be starting with the barrel racing. The announcer went on to describe barrel racing to the crowd. "There are going to be three oil drums, also known as barrels, set up in a cloverleaf pattern. The object is for our cowboys and cowgal to get through the pattern as fast as possible with out knocking any barrels over. For each downed barrel, they will get five seconds added to their time, so it's in their best interest not to knock any over. Here comes our first competitor now!"
A cowboy on a big black horse was first. His horse hustled through the pattern but on the last barrel his toe clipped the edge of it. The barrel wobbled, yet remained standing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, that time was a 17.2-second time! Let's give him a hand!" The crowd roared, adrenaline making their cheers even louder.
Spike and Faye gave separate smirks. They knew they could beat that time. They had both done it consistently.
Spike looked to the small warm up area to his left. Faye was loping small circles to limber up her mare. He couldn't help but notice what a pretty picture the pair made. Faye's green shirt was the perfect compliment for Star's bright red coat and blond mane and tail. Star and Faye moved as one, as if they shared a common mind. She caught him looking and slowed her pace.
"Tell ya what Cowboy," her voice was cocky and teasing now. "Let's make this interesting. If you win, I'll go back to being your slave for a day. If I win, you get to be my slave. What do ya say?"
Spike's eyes glittered. He could think of a few things that she could do as his slave...he jerked his mind back to the present and out of the gutter. He held out his hand. "You got yourself a deal Princess." They shook on it, Faye's small fine-boned hand engulfed by his large long fingered one. The announcer called his name. Heading Whisky to the starting chute he called back over his shoulder, "I hope you like being owned Faye!"
Whisky lunged through the chute.
C'mon boy, I know we can beat that female!
Dirt churned under his feet. He was digging in with everything he had. Around the first barrel they spun, heading straight to the second.
There ya go, look at the third.
Around the third barrel. Whisky turned so tight his nose was on top of the barrel the whole way. Whisky lunged so hard coming off the last barrel that Spike had to grab the horn to stay on. Like a pink streak of lightening they crossed the finish line.
"That's our new leading time folks! 16 flat! Give that cowboy a hand!" Exhilarated by the great run, the crowd cheered louder than before. With a smug smile Spike trotted over to Faye. As his horse was dancing under him he stuck his tongue out at her. "Beat that! I mean, try to beat that!" He dismounted and began to calm his mount.
How mature. Poor little man. He thinks that's gonna win? "We'll show him Star."
"Our last rider will be Faye Valentine!"
With a pat on the neck she aimed Star at the chute. A wild YEE-HAW broke from her lips as she galloped down the alleyway. Dirt clods flew from the mare's feet. Star was going so fast that wind was making Faye's eyes tear.
First barrel, look, look, pocket.
"Star!"
Faye yelled to tell her horse it was time to gather herself for the turn. They swept through it, barley checking their speed.
Spike's jaw dropped from where he was watching. They were fast! It helps that Faye weighs next to nothing he mused to himself. But what there is of her sure is nice! He mentally slapped himself for that thought.
Before he could continue down that path of daydreams Faye was past the second barrel. Star was moving so fast she may as well have been running free without a rider.
"Star!" They were around the third barrel. As Star made the last lunge in her turn, she pushed off so hard Faye was thrown to the back of the saddle.
"THAT WAS OUR WINNING TIME! That little lady just ran a 15.7-second pattern! Do all of you know about Faye Valentine? She's our only female competing today! Let's give a big hand for her and that pretty little mare of hers!" The crowd was positively rabid. They had just seen the fastest barrel run any of them could remember and it was by a girl!
Neither Faye nor Star was even winded. With a cocky grin she passed the green haired cowboy.
"Beat what Cowboy?" Her voice was raw silk on his ears. The most innocent look graced her features.
Spike just scowled and walked away.
"Faye one, Spike zero."
The wranglers were setting up for the next event. As they hurried to remove the barrels a clown amused the crowd. He was an athletic man dressed in rags. His pants were about six sizes to big and his shirt was filled with holes. Bandannas adorned his waist, tied to a belt and hanging free. His purpose right now was to amuse the crowd while set-ups were being completed. Later, it would be to protect the competitors during the bull riding.
As the clown told raunchy jokes to the crowd broncs were being saddled.
"Hey, why do they say rough stock riders make bad lovers?" The crowd was silent.
"Because they think eight seconds is a long ride!" The crowd erupted in laughter with some boos for the corny joke.
"Thanks for being so patient and tolerant of Bubba the clown folks." The crowd murmured in laughter.
"Our next event is about to start. This is going to be the bronc-busting contest. The object of this event is for our riders to stay on the bronc for eight seconds. Our judges will be scoring them on how hard the horse bucks and how well they ride the horse. Let's have our first contestant!"
"Wow, I feel sorry for that announcer. He must have no voice at the end of the day." Spike's low rumbly voice was in Faye's ear, making her jump.
"I'm sure they pay him well enough to make it worth his while." She was trying to ignore the fact that he was right behind her. She could feel the heat his body radiated through her thin silk shirt. She thought back to when he had been holding her last night...Stop it Faye! You need to concentrate. Even if he is damn handsome!
"Life isn't just about money Faye. There are some things that matter more." His face was hard. Faye wondered what he was thinking about to make him look so cold.
They were sitting on the rails of the chutes observing their prospective mounts. Spike had drawn Firecracker, a small bay with a reputation for being unpredictable. The ugly little horse was glaring and baring his teeth at anyone or thing that got within ten feet. In short, this horse hated everything.
A chute door swung open and a bronc came flying out. He bucked and twisted in mid air. The cowboy didn't last long. He hit the dirt and kept on rolling, head over heels. Bubba the clown ran in and distracted the little mustang. Two men were mounted and herded the bronc back to the chute.
"Poor bastard. Couldn't even last five seconds." Disdain was evident in Spike's voice.
"Let's see you do better." Challenge rang in Faye's words. Boy is he cocky.
He grinned at her. "Watch me."
The next cowboy was taking his time getting ready. To prevent the crowd from getting bored the announcer began to give the crowd some more information.
"Bubba will be distracting the broncs after our riders' dismount. Ron and Charlie are our pickup men." The two mounted riders saluted to the crowd. "Their jobs are to safely retrieve our cowboys and cowgal from the broncs when they don't get thrown. They also herd the bronc back to the chutes. Looks like our next cowboy is ready to go."
Spike grabbed Faye's shoulders and turned her to face him. "Faye, you don't have to prove anything. Are you sure you want to do this?" Faye was mesmerized by his nearness. His dark garnet eyes were looking right into hers, probing for any unshared secrets. Her breath caught in the back of her throat. Was that concern she saw lurking in the depths?
A horn broke her from her trance. "Looks like you're up Cowboy." Their eyes were still locked. Spike's hand reached out and gently brushed her cheek. His voice was a seductive whisper. "I'm still gonna beat you." Before Faye could punch him he bounded to his chute and forked his mount.
Asshole.
Strapping his heavily gloved hand to the horse, he tucked his chin and raised his arm. With a stiff nod the chute opened and Firecracker exploded.
He started with stiff-kneed bucks. The fancy blue and white chaps Spike had donned for the occasion swirled around his long legs.
One second.
His body was jerked back and forth like a rag doll.
Two seconds.
His legs were raising and lowering with the horse's movement.
Three seconds.
Firecracker was not satisfied. This evil burden was still sticking to him!
Four seconds.
The little horse tried another tactic.
Five seconds.
He began to rear and buck in mid air.
Six seconds.Every now and then he would jump straight in the air and come down stiff legged.
Seven seconds.
Spike's spine was taking bone-jarring abuse. Silver spurs flashed in the bright sunlight.
Eight seconds.
HONK! Charlie rode alongside Firecracker and released his bucking strap. He immediately lessened his bucks. Spike released his gloved hand and did an aerial flip, landing on his feet. The crowd roared once more. He raised his hat to the crowd, basking in their adoration.
"That ride scored our cowboy ninety-three points ladies and gentlemen! He's our new leader!"
As Spike walked back to the rails his eyes searched for Faye. He found her getting ready to mount her horse. "Nice ride Cowboy. You set the bar pretty high. I'll see it and raise it seven." With a wink she dropped down on her bronc.
Crankshaft was a rawboned pinto. He was mostly white with large black splotches here and there. Fires gleamed in his eye and steam blasted from his nostrils. No one had ridden him to this date. Faye planned to change that.
I can't believe she's really doing this. The bottom dropped out of Spike's stomach. When he was riding, he only felt adrenaline, much like when he had gone after criminals with the Rangers. He didn't worry about his safety, only the thrill of the hunt. Seeing the slight woman on the fire breathing horse just made him feel dread.
Faye tucked her chin and raised her arm. She nodded and the door flew open.
Crankshaft stood motionless.
The crowd was silent.
One second.
Someone booed.
Crankshaft went berserk.
Two seconds.
It seemed that all four feet were going in a different direction at once.
Three seconds.
One minute he was on the ground, the next he was doing aerial maneuvers never seen before.
Four seconds.
Faye began to loose her balance.
Five seconds.
Sensing his rider's unsteadiness he headed for the fence.
Six seconds.
At a dead gallop he tried to scrape Faye off using the fence.
Seven seconds.
It worked.
Faye hit the ground with an audible thud.
Eight seconds.
HONK!
"Lets give that cowgal a hand folks, because that's all she's leaving here with tonight. That and a few new bruises."
Shaking her head briskly Faye stood, brushing dirt from her black chaps. Thank god she had been wearing them or that fence would have done even more damage than a few bruises. She raised her now dirty black hat to the crowd and limped back to the rails.
"Are you ok? Look at me." Spike had one arm around her waist. His hand tilted her chin up so he could look at her face. Why was she limping? Had she injured her leg?
"Easy Cowboy. I'm fine. Just banged up. Nothin' I can't handle." She was touched. Did he actually care?
"Good, I can't have you injured when I collect my day of slave labor from you." He turned and walked away. Thank god she's not hurt.
What an arrogant bastard! "Don't worry Cowboy, there's still two more events!"
Faye one point. Spike one point.
Two events to go.
I know I said this chapter would be the rodeo, but it's just too long. The next chapter will be rodeo part 2. PLEASE DON"T KILL ME!!! It's already 13 pages long. Then again, like 3 pages are author notes and stuff!Everyone who has put me on their favorites list or author alert, I am truly honored. Thank you.
I am so glad that everyone is enjoying this story! Believe it or not, I almost gave this story up. It seemed no one was reviewing. If you want more, you must review!!!
For my wonderful people who did review:
Thank you so much! I love hearing what everyone thinks of my work!
(Let's just see how many flames I get for the rodeo thing though!)
I have concerns of getting out of character. If anyone thinks I am, let me know. I'm trying to stay true to the Bebop!:P
Birdychick- I will include Andy. I have a really good idea for him that I think you'll love, but it may not be for a while. Don't worry, I don't type chapters before hand. I post them as I write them. This is a 'fly by the seat of my pants' thing for me. I don't even have the whole story figured out in my head yet, let alone typed!
Please be patient! I also have an idea for VT and Doohan. LOVED THE LONG REVIEW!
About that cliffy...Don't worry, I have more in store for your guys! (Evil laugh)
Neverwinter-I am glad you are enjoying this. Glad you aren't disappointed about their relationship. I read where one author said that they thought it was 'rude' to cram characters into sexual relationships with out there being an actual relationship first or something like that. I agree completely with that. Plus, ever read a book, and halfway through it the girl is already pregenant? Once they get together I think stories loose some of their appeal. Not that I'm saying that I will never get Spike and Faye together, Just not till it seems right to me. Thank you for your review!
Sanima- I'm sorry to hear that you have been dumped in cactuses!
That must be a very painful thing. Besides breaking my arm and hitting a tree headfirst, the most painful thing I ever got dumped on was a stone wall. I am sorry that you miss your horses. I don't know what I would do with my time with out them. I loved your line at the end of your review. Can I use it in a story?
Ah, cowboys. How bland the world would be without your stubble faces and musky horsy smell .
Xhatori-SohmaX- glad you liked the descriptions. Everyone seems to like the detail, so I'm trying to keep it interesting. I'm so sorry that you don't like Julia. Neither do I. Heehee. Actually, I kind of do, I just think Spike belongs with Faye. Lol. Notice, Julia is dead. I'm the author! I can kill whom ever I want!
If anyone wants to read my other stories, I'd be honored. (I'm also a review whore! :P)
In On My Own, Spike is about to realize how he truly feels for Faye. Did I mention that he is now the leader of the Red Dragon's and becoming evil? And that Jet has a new job?
The Things I'll Do for a Bounty- Spike is a Chippendale dancer and pranks are breaking loose on the Bebop. Need I say more? Very humorous, not a literary breakthrough or profound statement by any means. Just pure stupidness.
Now that I have spent the last page shamelessly self-promoting, I'm ending this.
Remember, I was going to end this story! REVIEW!!
Loping- a three beat gait. Also known as a canter. Its is generally one of the smoothes gaits to ride. one step above a jog/trot, one step below a gallop.
Alleyway-most rodeos have a chute that you run your horse down for barrel racing. As soon as you exit the chute the timer starts. As soon as you enter it, the timer stops. For speed purposes, its best to run in and out. You don't loose time that way. You have to be very careful though, I once saw a girl misjudge the opening and slam her knee off of the metal pipes. It wasn't pretty.
Pocket- When running around a barrel, to get the best turn out of your horse, you make a pocket. Going around the barrel, leave about a 3-5 foot space between your horse and the barrel. The size depends on how tight your horse can turn. This way, when you come off the barrel, you can look up and be in line for the pocket at the next barrel. Every hundredth of a second counts in speed events.
Rough stock rider- bronc or bull rider. Eight seconds is an eternity when you are on a ton of muscle that only whishes your demise. Eight seconds is a long ride. I thought this joke was hilarious when I first heard it. I was dating a rough stock rider at the time. Heehee. Thank god that joke didn't apply to him! .
Bay- Horse color. Usually chestnut (reddish brown) with black points (legs, ears, muzzle, mane and tail) Just mane and tail is ok too. There are variations on this color, but they are not relevant to this story, a least not yet.
Pinto-Think Tonto's horse. In this case, its a white horse with splashes of black on its coat. Also know as a paint.
