Gunshot Serenade

Chapter Ten:

Prelude To A Kiss

I just want someone to say to me

I'll always be there when you wake

You know, I'd like to keep my cheeks dry today

So stay with me and I'll have it made!

-Blind Melon

Faye yawned and leaned over the stone railing of the terrace. The slightly raised half-circle of medium stone was lit by a hundred or so candles in more red and cream, softening Faye's content features as she looked over the dark gardens. She brought the champagne glass in her hand to her lips, finishing it off and placing it next to her elbow on the rail. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Spike step onto the terrace. He joined her shortly.

"You want?" He asked, offering her his glass of bubbly. Faye nodded gratefully and accepted it.

"Thanks." She replied belatedly, taking a sip. Faye saw Spike shrug.

A few moments of silence passed. They stretched on and on, an awkward display of Faye's inability to communicate with her ex-partner.

"Bored?" Spike asked suddenly.

Faye half nodded before replying, "A little. I never liked being arm candy."

"Understandable."

More silence. Faye was dieing. The band inside started a new song. It was a pop hit from a long time ago, the lyrics echoing in the back of Faye's mind. The band brought out a singer, and Faye was in heaven.

"Faye," Spike said, a smile on his face, "Dance with me."

Faye quirked an eyebrow, "It's not nice to tease like that, Spike."

He watched her closely for a few moments. "Seriously," He said, taking her hand. "Dance with me."

Faye couldn't refuse.

She had danced with Spike before, when they were bounty hunters. Somehow, they had always ended up playing lovers, so dancing was just something they didn't.

But never, of his own accord, had Spike asked her.

But no matter the circumstances, every time she danced with Spike, she became certain he was her drug.

Just the feeling of his arms around her waist made her lightheaded and giggy enough to let him lead without complaint. Spike didn't push his luck, and remained silent as he gently guided Faye in a sloppy circle around the dance floor. More than once, they came close to smacking into other couples.

Faye was too far gone to notice.

Spike just didn't care.

Either way, neither of them noticed Alex approaching until he laid a hand on Spike's shoulder. Spike stopped short, sending Faye crashing into his chest.

"What the crap is your problem, Spike?" Faye demanded once she was on her feet again, popping a hip. She glared over Spike's shoulder at Alex, who smirked at her and winked.

"Wait for me on the terrace, Faye." Spike said, his voice cold and hard.

He pushed past her, following Alex, leaving Faye reeling at the sudden mood change.

The library Alex lead Spike to was on the second of three stories. It was a long walk from the ballroom, through several halls and up a sweeping staircase, but neither man was winded when they arrived in the closed off room.

It was a massive chamber they stood in, but felt so small and cozy. It was long and narrow, done in dark wood and royal blue carpet. In his old age, Alex's father had collected books, and now that he was dead, Alex himself had continued on with the hobby. The most valuable volumes were kept at the back of the room in air-tight cases, but the rest of the hundreds of books were stacked on floor to ceiling bookcases of dark wood.

The two man stood facing an enormous window overlooking Tharsis. The room was completely dark, save the light from the outside city.

"You've fucked up, Spike." Alex said, his voice dangerous.

"Have I?" The taller man replied arrogantly.

"Yes."

"How kind of you to let me know."

"You know what you've done."

"Yeah, I know. Can I get back to doing it then, mommy?"

"Shut up, Spike." Alex snapped.

He complied.

"I've given it a lot of thought, Spike." Alex continued. "I realize I can't run the Dragons without you. I'm not stupid. But I can't have you acting out like this.'

"So what do you plan to do, Alexander?"

Alex smiled. "You know I would keep Faye alive if I could. Hell, I would probably fuck her myself. But that's not an option, anymore. And what she's done to you… Come on, Spike. She's more trouble than she's worth."

"I agree." Spike replied.

"I'm glad you see it my way, Spike-o. So here's what I'm going to do." Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out something silver and shining. A gun. He handed it Spike, who held it up to the light. "Spike… I want you to kill her yourself."

No emotion registered on Spike's face as the words registered. He just inspected the glimmering gun in the moonlight.

Alex took that as consent. "Tomorrow, at 6:00 sharp, pull that trigger. At 6:30, give me a call. We'll talk then. I'll expect to see the body."

Spike shrugged one shoulder and slipped the gun into his own pocket.

"We need to go."

Faye jumped at Spike's sudden appearance. She could feel his breath on her ear, his chest pressed into her back as she stood back on the terrace. Faye turned to face him, their faces closer that she had expected. She casually searched his eyes but found nothing.

"Alright." She replied, shrugging.

The party had definitely been unusual, and she wasn't mourning the end.

Faye struggled to keep up with Spike as he stalked across the dance floor. She glanced at the clock. Twelve fifteen. She had to run to catch up to Spike, who was already in the hall.

"What's with the rush?" Faye asked casually as Spike retrieved his coat from the man at the door.

Spike glanced back at her momentarily, shrugging as he turned back to the huge open door. His shoes clicked slightly on the stone steps as he descended, Faye trailing after him like a confused puppy.

"We just have to get out of here, is all."

Faye furrowed her brow, moving to stand beside him as the valets brought the Swordfish II around. She considered questioning him further, but decided not to push it. Eventually, the ship was brought around.

Faye took her seat on Spike's knee tentatively.

"Where are we?"

Faye was confused. Not to say she wasn't impressed with the beautiful penthouse apartment.

She just didn't know why she was there.

So she repeated her question.

"Spike, where the hell are we?"

Faye watched as Spike stepped out of the elevator and into the huge, minimalist living room. Very minimalist. Shockingly minimalist.

Faye stepped inside. Minimalist as in the mattress from Spike's bunk on the bebop and a phone.

"This is my house." Spike replied, turning back and grinning at her.

"Umm…. Where's the furniture?" Faye did a full turn around, finding nothing but a twisting glass staircase and a few peeling kung-fu posters.

Spike shrugged.

"This looks just like your room on the Bebop…" Faye muttered. "But much, much bigger…"

What she had said was true; the apartment was supposed to modern, and the high ceilings and industrial steel flooring certainly achieved that look.

Spike smiled, "I guess it does…" He replied, taking another look around.

"Is that your mattress from the bebop?" Faye asked, heading towards the lonesome objects in the center of the massive room. It was covered by a beautiful blanket and plush pillow.

"Yeah."

"How do you…" Faye stopped mid-sentence, choking on her words.

"Fit two people on it?" Spike finished for her.

Faye nodded, her cheeks coloring.

Suddenly, Spike was very close to her.

"Do you want to find out?" He whispered.

Faye smiled and pushed him away, laughing it off and sauntering towards the enormous window on the left side of the room. It overlooked all of Tharsis, a stunning view that made Faye a little dizzy.

"You really should stop fantasizing aloud, Spike." She drawled.

She saw Spike grin and wink in the reflection of the window as he flicked the dim overhead lights on. Without a word, he turned and exited the room through a door on the right of the staircase. Faye followed quietly.

The door lead to a kitchen, lit only by the open freezer overflowing with ice and a small, dim lamp on the stainless steel and black marble counters. Spike stood at the counter fixing two short glasses of whisky, four fat cubes of ice in each.

Faye felt herself smile. She took a seat on the wooden kitchen table, slipping off her shoes and placing her bare feet on the chipped chair.

Spike, an amber drink in each hand, brought her a small glass of liquor.

It was filled three-quarters of the way to the top.

After handing the glass to her, Spike retreated to lean against the counters.

They stood in silence. Fay took the opportunity to look Spike over.

His beauty never failed to amaze Faye, especially in the half light of the freezer and lamp. She sighed and watched the ice in her drink begin to melt.

When she finally did speak, Faye's voice was soft. "Why did you bring me here?" Faye had meant it to be a conversational question, but it came out a 'We need to talk' statement.

Spike only sipped. He replied a second after swallowing. "Honestly?"

Faye nodded.

"I have no idea." A grin cracked on Spike's face.

Faye chuckled quietly and sipped.

They had finished two drinks each and still sat in silence.

Faye swirled the ice around in her clouded glass before placing it, a little drunkenly, on the table. She sank down beside it in a lying position, her feet still propped on the chair.

She heard Spike's footsteps near her. Soon enough, his face appeared above her.

"Faye," He said, his voice smooth as silk.

"Yeah?" She relied, smiling gently.

"You asked earlier how I fit two people on my bed."

"So?"

"I thought I would answer your question."

A wider smile cracked on Faye's face as she felt his rough hand gently grip her upper calve. "Really?" She replied sarcastically.

"Yes." He said, grinning.

Faye was grinning now, too. "Go ahead, Professor."

"I don't."

Faye quirked an eyebrow. "What?"

Suddenly the chair propping up Faye's legs was gone. There was only Spike, holding both of her legs under her knees and leaning down towards her. She rose the upper half of her body to meet him halfway. They stopped with their faces inches apart.

"Usually," Spike's breath smelled of whiskey and mint, "I prefer the kitchen table," He whispered.

Faye had to laugh. "You, Spike Spiegel, are crude!"

He gave her a soft smile and leaned in, kissing her gently and moving his hands to prop up her head. Faye smiled against his lips, tangling her hands in his hair.

Spike pulled away. "But loveable." He added.

"You have no idea," Faye relied softly, pulling him down into a laying position with her.

Spike kissed her again, their chaste teasing lost.

Faye scooted back a bit, giving Spike room slide onto the kitchen table between her legs. She didn't know if he was serious about the kitchen table. But at that moment, it didn't matter.

All she knew was that she had never thought she would be in this position.

And now that was, she intended to enjoy it.