Title: When Death Comes To Play

Author: Beckzy

Dislclaimer: I don't own Cowboy Bebop.

Chapter Eight

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Playing With Fire

Monitors were linked to her body; IVs attached to the back of her hands.  Her breathing was shallow as she hung on to life.  She had almost bled to death before they got her back to the syndicate.  Four days had passed since the shoot out at the bar and she still hadn't awoken.  She could go to the hospital though; they were working with the ISSP to bring down the syndicates worst, so she resided in the recovery room in the Red Dragon compound.

Mao still couldn't figure out were some many of the White Tigers were coming from since they had practically destroyed them with the explosion.  So he had some men scan the city to find information, but nothing had come up yet.  Vicious stayed with Faye yet for the four days that he had been there he hadn't look at her; not even once.  Spike would come and go to support him friend; nothing more.  He couldn't help but want to kill someone for this, yet he didn't know why.  She wasn't on his favorite list and he sure thought she was the most annoying women in the world, and it wasn't his fault that she had gotten shot.  So he still questioned why he felt guilty.  It had to be pity, he thought.

Spike watch his friend looking out the window as he reached into his coat pocket for a cigarette, with successes he put it in his mouth.  Just as he was about to light it, it was snatched from his mouth.  Mao stood in front of him, angry that he was about to smoke in the same room where his unconscious niece lied.  Spike eyed him with bewilderment as Mao pointed to the sign next to him.  No Smoking.  

Spike pouted as Mao walked away.  She already smokes, not like its going to hurt her anymore, he thought.  Mao worried a lot when it came to his family, that's why he had guards look over his brother's family.  But they didn't do much in protecting anybody since they were killed before the enemy even came into the house.  So what was left, was his niece and he was going to do whatever it took to make sure she lived out her life.  He was somewhat annoyed with the fact that Spike hadn't been taking care of her like he told him, but the shoot out had be something none of them had expected.  So now all they had to do was find the White Tigers and make sure all of them were going to be brought down this time.

Mao walked over to Faye.  She should have awoken two days ago, but the most she would give anyone was a moan or sometimes her fingers and toes would move, but nothing more.  So they all became worried.  Julia hadn't come to visit; they were never the best of friends; well actually Julia didn't like her at all.  Julia was never one to get jealous but something about Faye set that feeling off.  Spike looked once again to his friend; he did look angry or sad; he didn't look anything, but he knew he was.  Though Vicious hadn't admitted to having feelings for her; he knew he did. 

Spike wondered what he would do if someone was trying to kill Julia; he'd kill them; that's what.  Lately Julia was being more concealed that usual; always keeping to her self.  He didn't know why she was; he knew something wasn't right.  Vicious and Spike they were the best and for that reason; always sensing when something was about to happen before it actually did, but something just wasn't right about that night at the bar.  None of them had known.  He was brought out of his daze when he heard a voice.

"Hey guys." Her voice wasn't loud; it was a harsh whisper.  She moved slightly at the pain and her face was calm yet she looked exhausted.  Mao could only smile at her niece.  Vicious still didn't look at her; he looked as if him something else on his mind.  Faye looked over to Spike who was still pouting from not being able to smoke his cigarette.

"It's about time you woke up."  Spike smiled a lop-sided smile; that same one that used to get on her nerves, now made her somewhat happy.

"Happy to see you to."  Her voice spat with sarcasm.  She looked over to Vicious and her face quickly fell.  She looked back over to her uncle and nodded.  He got what she meant and waved to Spike to leave.  She looked back to him after they had left.  "Hey you."  He looked over to her, but said nothing.  Something was wrong.  They didn't say much for a while; only sat in silence, but it had to be broken sometime.  "What's wrong Vicious?"  He voice was still nothing but a harsh whisper.  He walked over to her, sitting in the chair next to her bed.  She looked at him; his face looked rugged and tired.  She reached her hand out and managed to touch his cheek.  She looked at him ignoring the pain; she smiled.  He hadn't even noticed but he had his hands in fists.  He had almost lost Faye; he didn't want to feel this way; angry that they were out to kill her, but he couldn't control his emotions anymore.

He used to be so well at hiding them that it made everyone fear and ignore him, except Faye.  She was almost like him yet she was different; she was strong yet sensitive; she caring yet selfish; she was his.

+

It had been a few weeks since she had awoken now.  Faye's wounds were healing nicely and she could pretty much make it on her own.  Information on the White Tigers had come up not only days ago.  They were residing in an abandoned building just north of the Red Dragon syndicate.  It was on the beach and the ocean covered three sides of it.  So now all they had to set-up was the plan.  Its was either that or go in guns blazing; whatever worked.  Spike stood inside the building they were told they were in.  The White Tigers were holding a banquet; invitation only, but Spike found a way in with out having to make a scene.  He wore a white suit with black lining around the sleeves and collar; his matching hat covering his eyes from view. 

He lingered in the crowded for a while, making a mental note where all of the guards were.  As he looked around he noticed one woman in particular… it was Faye.  He shook his head in frustration as he walked over to her.  She had her back turned to him while she looked around for something.  He grabbed her by her arm a turned her around.  She was somewhat startled by the sudden movement by it quickly faltered when she noticed who it was. 

"What the hell are you doing here?"  His voice was a hushed whisper.  She looked at him somewhat annoyed and pulled her arm out of his grasp.

"I'm not going to let you kill Carlos with out me being there… and anyways it's none of your business."

"You're not well yet and your going to get your ass shot again."

"What's it to you?" Her voice was rising but she didn't let it get out of control.

"It's nothing to me, but Mao's g…"  Faye cut him off as she put her arms around his neck and shoved her body to his.  He looked down at her with bewilderment.  She dug her nails into his flesh and he put his arms around her waist and began to move with the music.  She lied her head on his neck and tried to hide her face from view.

"They're watching us."  She whispered into his ear.  He turned his head to one side to look at the men, but he didn't make it too obvious.  He looked back down to Faye and smiled.

"Didn't know you wanted me that badly?"

"Don't be a lunkhead."  Spike looked at her with some kind of feeling welling up inside of him.  Spike…  It wasn't a comfortable feeling, but he couldn't help but think she was beautiful.  Spike…  Damnit what the hell are you thinking, he thought.

"Spike."  He was brought out of his daze when Faye spoke his name for the third time. 

"What happen?"  He arms were no longer wrapped around his neck.

"You can let go of me now."  He let go of her and pushed passed her.  He couldn't fall for her; not now and not ever.  She followed close behind him.

"Where are we going?"  She asked as they walked into a deserted hallway.

"Where are we going?..."  He turned and looked at her.  "… I'm going to find Carlos; you're leaving."  He turned back around and kept walking as she pouted angrily. 

"Hey I'm not going anywhere!"  She followed him again as he removed his gun from his coat.  She looked at him as he looked around for anyone before turning into the hall.  "You're not going in there guns blazing, are you?"  He looked around another corner; it was clear.

"I told you to leave."  He opened the doors that lead to stairs he made sure there was no one there and proceeded.

"Argg.  I said I'm not leaving… what part of that don't you understand?"  She now removed her gun as they began to walk to the roof of the building.  He knew where he was going; she could tell.  When they finally reached the last door, he kicked it open.  He pointed his gun in front of him and there sat a man in the distance.  Faye looked over Spikes shoulder at the guy.  He sat on a chair; a small table next to him; a cup on top of that.  The night shadowed every detail, but Spike knew who it was. 

"Well hello Spike I've been awaiting you… and I see you brought Miss Valentine along with you… well that just adds more victims to the pile, now doesn't it?"  He grasped the cup next to him and sipped some while standing up.  Faye could only look at the man before him.  Her gun never left her side as memories began to seep into her mind.

'Daddy!'  The young child's violet strands began to fly in the wind as she ran to the man who laid on the ground. 

Blood poured from his leg as he sat up.  A tall tan man pushed the child to the ground before she could get to her father.

'Faye, run along to mommy.'  Her father's voice was full of pain.  It hurt.

She could control herself.

"You asshole!"  She aimed her gun at him and began firing.  Every shot missing.

"What the fuck are you doing Faye!"  Spike pushed her to the ground as Carlos removed a something from his coat, but it wasn't a gun.  Faye pushed him off her and looked up at the man; anger was evident.

"Now, now, Faye that wasn't the right thing to do."  He inched his finger near a button on the object.  Spike looked at it as he stood; it was a weird shape and it looked something like… a bomb detonator.

Spike pointed his gun once again at the man.  He looked back for Faye but she wasn't there.  Damn woman, he thought. 

"Put it down Carlos."  Spike looked in the direction of the voice and there Faye was near the edge of the building with her gun point at Carlos.  She always had a way to mess things up.  While Carlos was distracted Spike ran to the man and kicked the detonator from his hand and caught it in his.  Spike smiled and looked to the man whose face still hadn't faltered.  Carlos leaped forward and punched Spike in his face.  There began the brawl.  The detonator had fell out of Spikes hand a few seconds into the fight.  Carlos was on the floor and Spike was on top of him punching him to oblivion.  He hadn't noticed Carlos's hand edging for the detonator and then it was in his hand.  Spike looked to it but it was already to late… he pressed it.  Spike stood up just as the explosion started from the other side of the building.

"Shit."  Carlos could only grin was the bombs went off one by one.  Faye watched as Spike ran her way.  Her eyes widened as she realized just what he was about to do.  He grinned a lop-sided grin as she looked over the side; ocean waves hit the side of the rocks; he grabbed her and jumped just as the whole building blew.

Faye coughed as she crawled out of the water and onto the beach.  Spike had already swam to shore and laughed as she crawled near him.  Her hands balled into fist and she began hitting him.

"You bastard!  You could have killed us!"  She stopped when her hands began to hurt and sat next to him Indian style.  Spike was smiled at her wet form.  She looked over at him; a mix of anger and frustration written on her face.  "What?"  He reached his hand over to her hair and pulled out some seaweed.  She looked to it in disgust but that quickly vanished as she felt his hand rest on her cheek.  She looked at him a bit surprised.  He edged his face closer to hers and she didn't resist.  Then they kissed.  It was soft and calming and the way he had looked at her made twitch, nothing like Vicious, she thought.  Vicious!  She pushed him away and broke any contact they had.

"I can't do this."  She looked away from him as he looked at her; his face emotionless.  He stood up and began to walk away as she stood.  "Spike, wait."  He didn't stop and this time she didn't follow.  "Spike."

"Nothing happened."  He was angry and embarrassed.  She stood there until she couldn't see his form in the shadows.  What the hell had they done?

DEATH WILL COME TO PLAY

Author's Note:  Hey was this chapter any good?  I didn't like it much, but then again I've had worse.  Almost everyone who's reviewed likes Vicious and Faye's pairing, but now I'm going to take a vote… Faye and Vicious or Faye and Spike?  So start voting now in your reviews for the last chapter pairing!  Don't worry there's going to be more chapters before the final one.  Bye!