Gunshot Serenade

Dislaimer: I don't own Cowboy Bebop, but I do own this story.

A/N: Sorry, I had to change the name of the chapter. Didn't like to other one. :) There is fluff in this chapter, and the romance plot gets off and rolling. Sort of. Important plot point, make sure you read it! Thank you so much to all of the the reviewers, you guys really rock! Luv and huggies!

Chapter Five:

Sing me to Sleep

Someday,

When my life has passed me by,

I'll lay around and wonder why

You were always there for me?

-Sugar Ray

Spike looked good. Spike looked damn good. Slowly, almost reluctantly, Faye tore her eyes away from his shadowed form. He stood in the corner of the dark elevator they both rode in, staring out the glass back of the small square as they rose higher. The lights of Tharsis threw his features in sharp relief, giving him a stern look that gave Faye goose bumps and the impression he was thinking of Julia. Uncomfortable with the thought that Julia still haunted him, Faye closed her eyes.

It didn't make much of a difference. She was still seeing Spike, looking the same as he always had. Faye sighed and opened her eyes. There he was, still gazing out the window. He was beautiful. She hated herself for thinking it, but it was truth. Fucking beautiful.

"I hope you realize you're leaving first thing tomorrow morning." Faye's voice had more bite then she had intended.

"Damn. I was hoping for a continental breakfast. And an elevator with a working light." Spike's voice was light, erasing the heavy mood Faye had felt pressing down on her.

"Do you want the maintenance man to get up at three in the morning just to give your majesty some light?" Faye could see Spike grin in the darkness.

"It couldn't hurt, now, could it?" A short laugh followed. Faye couldn't help but smile. She felt slightly ill from the shock of seeing him again so suddenly, but it was comforting to know he was nearby. After the way he had... dealt... with Sam, Faye was confidant he would help her out of her current predicament.

The ding of the elevator startled Faye slightly. The doors slid open to reveal a stuffy hallway, lined with a seemingly infinite number of plain white doors. The salmon colored carpet clashed horribly with the flowered wallpaper, something that Faye tried to ignore as she stepped out of the elevator.

"Your wallpaper is making me dizzy." Spike said from behind her.

"Get used to it." Faye replied as she turned left and began down the hall. She walked, Spike trailing behind her, for about five minutes before stopping at a door marked 1255. The numbers were shining in the soft sconce lighting, despite the fact that the golden paint on them was chipping.

Faye paused to dig her keys out of her purse, turning to face Spike as she did so. His eyes were scanning the numbers, committing them to memory. Faye felt a little flattered as she snagged the keys and turned back around to the door, selecting a key and sliding it into the lock. Maybe he was planning on visiting?

The door swung open on its own. Faye entered the hallway and turned on the lights in the hall, living room, and kitchen before taking her coat off and tossing it across her white couch. Spike wandered into the living room, inspecting.

"Hmmm.... Boring." Faye turned to face him, an eyebrow delicately raised.

"You don't have to stay." Spike grinned at her.

"I know. So, are you going to give me a tour?" He jammed his hands in his pockets and leaned against the wall. He had taken off his black suite jacket and trench coat, leaving them on the floor next to him.

"No. This is the only room you need."

"Where am I going to sleep?"

"On the couch."

"I'm too tall."

"Then sleep on the floor. Or you can ask Ed if she wants to share her room with you."

"Ed is here?" Spike looked mildly surprised.

"Yeah. The dog, too. They're sleeping." Spike nodded, pushing off the wall to flop down on the couch. He quickly recovered the remote from in between the seat cushions and clicked on the TV.

"I didn't know Ed found you."

"I didn't know you were alive. Now keep it down. If Ed wakes up, there'll be hell to pay." Faye turned away from Spike and wandered into the kitchen, picking up her communicator and taking a seat on the counter. She knew she shouldn't call Jet so late, but Spike would be gone in the morning. So Faye called Jet Black.

She hadn't spoken to him since she had left the Bebop. He had occasionally sent her a little bit of money, for Christmas mostly, but never directly spoke to her or wrote much in the cards he sent. So it took Faye a moment to realize that the tired, low voice on the other end of the line was Jet.

"Hello?" The voice was irritable, not happy with having to say hello twice.

"Jet?" Faye asked. The picture was dark.

"Faye? Is that you?"

Faye smiled. "In the flesh. Long time no see, old man." The light clicked on at the other end of the line, revealing an aging Jet. He looked good for his age, just the same, but with more wrinkles and occasional grey hairs.

"It's been a while, that's for sure. So why the hell are you calling me in the middle of the night?" Jet's annoyance had completely evaporated when he saw her face for the first time in nearly three years.

"You'll never guess who's sitting on my couch right now."

Jet thought a moment before responding. He grinned. "Madonna?"

"Who the hell is that?"

"Alright then... Edward?" Faye tilted her head to one side.

"Well, she is here, but that's not why I called you at three in the morning.

"Then who is it?"

"Spike."

"Excuse me?" Jet's smile disappeared. Faye smiled.

"Spike is alive. And he's here. Right now. On my couch." Jet frowned. It surprised Faye. She had thought for sure Jet would be happy to hear Spike was okay.

"Are you shitting me?"

"Um... No... What's the matter? Is something wrong?"

"I need to talk to him. Now." A little worried, Faye put the communicator down and exited the kitchen. When she entered the living room, it was dark. Spike sat on the couch, his face illuminated by the kung-fu movie on TV.

"Spike..." Faye's voice was soft. Why the hell had Jet been so upset? Spike was alive!

"What?" Spike asked, his eyes flitting to Faye's face.

"Jet wants to talk to you. The communicator is in the kitchen. And turn this crap off." Spike smirked and stood, making no move to shut off the TV as he passed Faye and made his way to the kitchen.

Faye followed close behind, passing the kitchen and entering Ed's room, where she kept the spare blankets and pillows. She could see a lump on the bed, and assumed it was Ed. Sure enough, Ed was curled up under the blankets, fast asleep. Ein, however, was nowhere to be seen.

Faye quickly opened the closet and grabbed a blanket and pillow, careful not to make too much noise. The last thing she needed was Ed to wake up and start screaming and dancing. Faye glanced at the digital clock on Ed's bedside table. 3:15 am. Groaning, Faye closed the closet and headed back into the hall.

She was surprised to see the kitchen door shut. She could hear Spike's voice inside.

"So you heard? Who told you?" Jet's reply was muffled and completely inaudible. Faye paused outside the door.

"I didn't really have much of a choice in the matter. You and Faye had disappeared somewhere. The opportunity came up, and I took it." A pause while Jet replied. "Then my brains would be spattered all over the sidewalk."

Faye furrowed her brow. What the hell were the boys talking about?

Spike spoke again. "I know my situation. But if you knew the circumstances..." He was cut off by Jet. Faye strained her ears, trying to hear Jet's muffled reply. "I'm not going to do that again. I'm done with that. I'm only trying to-" Spike was cut off again. It was silent for a moment. "...Yes. I'll never stop."

Faye took another step closer to the door.

"Jet... Just trust me. I'm doing you all a favor here. You'll thank me later." Again, Faye could hear Jet's muddled voice. Then, "Sure thing, buddy. I'll get her right now."

Faye took that as her queue to scram. She hustled into the living room. Spike entered just as she threw the pillow and blanket on the couch.

"Faye, Jet wants to talk to you." Faye caught his eye and held it for a moment, looking for any traces of emotion. She found none. Giving up, Faye made her way to the kitchen and picked up the communicator.

"Hey, Jet. What's up?"

Jet looked tired and upset. His reply was short and gruff. "I'm coming to stay with you. I'll be there in two days." The com link closed. Faye stared at the blank screen for a second, confused. What the fuck was going on?

"I'm too tall for your couch, Faye." Faye turned to find Spike smirking, leaning on the doorframe.

"Since when was that my problem?" She shot back, a corner of her mouth tilted up. Spike raised and lowered one shoulder, pushing off the doorframe and into the kitchen.

"You aren't a very good hostess, ya know."

"I'll survive." Faye retorted, giving Spike a pat on the arm as she exited the kitchen. Spike stood in place and watched her leave, a smirk still on his face.

$$

Faye couldn't sleep. She didn't understand why. It was four o'clock in the morning and she was exhausted. For some reason, however, she was still awake, sitting upright in bed, watching the Tharsis nightlife.

"Can't sleep?" Faye jumped nearly a foot in the air at Spike's voice. She turned to face him, still in bed. He stood slumped against a wall of her room, staring out the window.

"No. How 'bout you?" Spike shrugged.

"I told you the couch was too short."

"You could always rely on Ed's generosity." Spike gave her a look and pushed off the wall, wandering slowly to the windows. "Ok... Don't." Faye rolled her eyes and stood, joining Spike at the window. There was silence.

"How have you been, Faye?" The question was sudden, uncharacteristic. Faye opened her mouth, but found she had nothing to say.

"I've.... Umm..." She didn't know how to answer. With the truth? No... She didn't want to tell Spike that she was dieing without him. That she was empty. That he haunted her. "I've been fine." Emotion flickered across Spike's face, but disappeared the moment it arrived. Faye couldn't tell what it had been.

"That's good. I'm happy for you." Spike's voice was flat.

"What is it?" Faye asked. She wasn't stupid. She could tell he wasn't telling the truth. He looked at her for a moment before replying.

"Nothing. Why?" Faye shrugged.

"I don't know." Spike turned back to the window. The two stood in silence again.

Faye was no stranger to silence. It felt like almost her entire life before and after Spike had been in silence. She couldn't figure out how one man could bring her to life, but he did. Even the quiet that now pressed on her ears had a song. Faye savored it. In the morning, it would be back to dead air.

"Do you think about it much?" Faye jumped.

"What?"

"Do you think about your life before you became a Popsicle?"

"No."

"I thought you had your memories back?"

"I do. But I saw what your memories did to you. I don't ever want that to happen to me." Even though it already has... Faye thought to herself, keeping her gaze focused on the street below. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Spike nod. Another moment of silence.

"I guess you're still getting into trouble." A smile broke on Spike's face.

"Yeah. But now I don't have you to get me out." She grinned, pressing her forehead against the window.

Spike scratched his head and shrugged. Faye yawned and stretched, still smiling.

"The only reason you ever came is because Jet got your lazy ass out there." Spike shrugged again.

"Maybe."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." Faye eyed him suspiciously.

"Fine. I'm going to sleep." Faye turned and wandered over to the bed, sitting on the edge. Spike still faced the window. "Umm... Spike. I'm going to sleep now. That means get out."

Spike turned to face her, smiling. "I'm going. Don't have a cow, Romany." He began to meander out of the room, hands jammed in his pockets. Faye sat in place, still facing the window, listening to his footsteps.

"You never minded the couch before." The footsteps stopped. She could hear Spike half turn to look at her.

"You're right." He turned back around.

"Spike, you can stay in here if you want." Faye cursed herself silently. She hated that couch.

"I wouldn't want to stick you with the couch, Faye."

"Bullshit." The rustle of fabric indicated a shrug. "Well, you never cared before."

"You're right. I think I will stay in here." Spike made his way toward the bed, slipping off his shoes and shirt before flopping onto the bed behind Faye. She shot him a glance. Sighing, she pushed off the bed. He caught her hand.

"What?" She asked, turning to face him. A corner of his mouth was turned up.

"Why don't you stay in here?"

"Excuse me?"

"Stay in here. You do have a king bed. Room for two." He released Faye's hand and patted the empty side of the bed, smirking.

"What are you on?" Faye asked, taking a step back. Spike laughed.

"Nothing." He snuggled down and closed his eyes. "You can always sleep on the couch. Or ask Ed if you can sleep in her room..." Faye rolled her eyes and lay down on the bed, pulling the covers up to her armpits. She closed her eyes.

"If you touch me, I'm going to kill you." She said, flopping onto her stomach.

"Don't worry. I won't." Spike replied through an enormous yawn.

"And stay on top of the covers." Faye shot back. She fumed as Spike clambered under the blankets. "Or not..." She muttered.

"The couch is waiting, Faye." Spike reminded her. Faye shot up.

"This is my house! If anyone is on the couch, it's you!" Faye heard Spike's breathing steady, and knew he had fallen asleep.

"Lunkhead..." She muttered to herself, settling down and turning on her side. She didn't want to face the stupid man next to her. Just as Faye began to drift off, Spike's arm snaked its way loosely around her waist. Her eyes shot open. She swatted it. It didn't move.

Sighing, Faye gave in and closed her eyes. In a matter of moments, the sleep that had evaded Faye for three years washed over her. And Faye Valentine welcomed it.

The next chapter may not be for a little while, cause I'm going to Arizona tommorrow. I'll update ASAP. Until next time, rock on!