A/N: So, I just realized that the previous chapter, "Crossing...", is pretty darn short, and that's just not fair to all of you lovely people. So, here's another, longer chapter. Equally, if not more entertaining than the last. So, in turn, I didn't lie to you all, after all. Hope you continue to enjoy, so; here ya go!

Just say die,

"Duck!" yelled a green haired man, as a bullet came barreling towards his partner.

It had been just over a year since these two had paired up, and needless to say, they were a match made in syndicate heaven.

"Head's up!" responded the silver-haired man in kind.

They were basically unstoppable. They had an uncanny way of feeding off of one another, fueling each other to become a ridiculously perfect machine.

"Don't worry, I got him!" yelled the youth as he smirked.

Needless to say, Spike had gotten over his difficulty with killing. Now, it was just as simple as breathing. And Vicious had to commend him for that. Adding his martial art skills along with his natural skills, Spike was amazing. And at times, Vicious was actually a bit jealous. If anyone could every actually hurt him, Spike would be the man to do it.

"You're a mad man, Spiegel!" Vicious shouted to him. 'And thank God for that,' he thought to himself.

And that would be pessimistic…

It didn't take too long for the two to get out of the mess. It was a hit gone wrong. Let's see…it was supposed to be in and out. Spike and Vicious were supposed to walk in and strike up a casual conversation with the men at the back table. Then, once they got the trust of the men, Spike and Vicious were supposed to order them a drink. A drink that would, of course be spiked. Then, Spike and Vicious were to hail the men a taxi cab, since they would start to feel woozy. And then, Spike and Vicious would simply kill them in the alley next to the bar. Just a simple twist of the neck, and that would be it. In and out.

The men that they were going after were from a rival syndicate. The Jade Foxes. Though this syndicate was far from being powerful, it still posed a threat to the Dragons. So, what is the best way to deal with a threat? Why, no longer make it one, of course. However, these men weren't as gullible or as stupid as Spike and Vicious had hoped.

The two Jade Fox agents almost immediately knew that there was something off about the green and silver-haired youths. Playing along with their rouse, the agents where able to deduce that these to boys were here to kill them. So, being men who enjoyed their lives, they did the only thing that they could. The pulled their guns and shot at the boys.

In your mind…

Bad idea on the agents' part, though. Spike and Vicious knew that they had been found out and they had their guns drawn before the agents could even reach into their jackets. Bang, bang, and the men were dead. However, their troubles weren't over. Turns out that this bar was a Jade Fox hangout. Killing two meant killing them all. Heaving sighs, the partners looked at each other and got ready to fight.

Flipping over the table that they were sitting at, they were able to stave off the barrage of bullets that flew at them. Hearing many of the men pause to reload their weapons, Spike and Vicious quickly fired off all of their rounds, effectively taking out several of the foxes.

Well, after about and hour and several bullets later, the Jade Foxes were sprawled on the floor, dead. Spike and Vicious, slightly exhausted, surveyed the scene.

"Well, that was quite unnecessary, wouldn't you say, V?" Spike asked as he took a sip of someone's drink.

"Stop mooching off of the dead, and let's go, Spiegel," was Vicious' reply.

"Yes sir," Spike replied rather militaristically. He gave Vicious his usual one-fingered salute, and followed him out of the bar.

We can walk across water…

Spike and Vicious stood in front of the Elders. Word about their barroom brawl had reached them. Vicious hated being here. He hated the Elders and their insistence of clinging to the old ways. Vicious also hated the way the Elders looked down at him. Over and over, they would tell him of his potential. Then they would tell him that he would never have enough potential. 'Damned old fools' is what Vicious thought of them. Damned old fools, who clearly deserved to die.

Spike, however, had no qualms about them. He didn't necessarily like being around them, but he didn't dislike them. Perhaps that's because they were a definite boost to his ego every time he saw them.

"That was quite and unexpected show," one began. "It was supposed to be simple and there were only supposed to be two deaths. How did it go so wrong, Vicious?"

Refraining himself from saying something snippy, Vicious recounted the story. How typical, he thought. He was obviously being blamed for the way things happened.

"That's enough," another interrupted. "Quite a good job, though. If you had to fail, at least some good came from it. You are an amazing fighter, Spike. One of the best there has ever been in this syndicate. No doubt did you protect Vicious during the skirmish. You could establish yourself as something great, you know."

"Ahh, you're too kind," Spike said. "But don't sell Vicious short, he saved me just as much as I saved him. And besides, he taught me all I know, so kudos for him, too."

The elders simply nodded and dismissed the two.

"Thanks…for that," Vicious quietly muttered.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I know they get on your nerves. I'm sure they're just jealous of you, seeing as though they're all wrinkly and you're not."

Vicious couldn't help but smile at his friend. Wait…friend? Vicious furrowed his brows at this thought. He could never recall ever having an actual 'friend'. There were a lot of lap dogs and such, but no true friends. Wow, this Spike Spiegel really was something.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were coming on to me, Spiegel. Never took you for a fag."

"Hey, shithead, watch it," Spike replied, slugging Vicious in the arm.

"Whatever," he said, punching him back. "Let's go."

Please don't cry…

"So, who's the girl?" Spike casually asked Vicious at the breakfast table.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Vicious replied.

"You can't lie to me, ya know. I've known you for two years, now, and I can practically predict your next move."

"Really? Then predict this." Vicious said calmly as he chucked his butter knife at Spike's head.

Effortlessly catching it, Spike tossed the utensil back at him.

"Careful, you still need to 'butter you roll'," Spike mocked.

"God, you're disgusting, ass."

"Whatever. So, who in the hell is she?"

'You're not gonna leave me along about this, are you, Spiegel?"

"Nope. I'll get it outta ya somehow," Spike said darkly as he tossed his partner a clever look.

"Fine," Vicious said, giving in to the stare. "She's in the lower ranks. I believe she is new. She has long, golden hair and the most amazing blue eyes…"

"Gee, sounds like Barbie," Spike scoffed as he shoveled eggs into his mouth. "What's her name?"

"I think it's Leeman. Julia Leeman."

"Sounds like a tool to me."

Poor Spike didn't see the fork coming. All he knew was that it was now sticking out of his left hand. He looked at it, rather horrified. Then, he looked at Vicious, who had an evil scowl across his face.

"You…you stabbed me with a fork?" Spike shrieked.

"Watch how you talk about people," Vicious calmly replied as he settled back into his stoic, relaxed self.

"God!" Spike yelled as he pulled out the fork. "Ya sick fuck! If you liked her so much, all you had to do was tell me, God!"

Spike sprung up from the table and went to bandage his hand. A smug smile settled over Vicious' face.

"If you want me too, and if you'll apologize for my hand," Spike yelled from the bathroom, "then by all means, I'll even help ya get the girl, ya jerk!"

"If you promise not to fall for her yourself then be my guest," Vicious replied. He knew he was no good around girls, though they flocked to him. Spike, however, had that effervescent personality that allowed him to talk to anyone of any station of any gender at any time.

"She's your girl, V, therefore, I don't want her," Spike answered, returning to the kitchen. "But I still can't believe you stabbed me with a fork."

"Yeah, sorry about that…" Vicious murmured, flashing Spike a cocky smile.

It's just a prayer for the dying…

The monthly mixer. It was always somewhat amusing and out of the ordinary. Then again, the thought of a mafia having a "get to know your fellow assassin" party didn't necessarily scream normalcy. Spike and Vicious normally avoided the circus. They were the only assassins they cared to associate with. However, tonight was different, and they had a very good reason to go 'mix' with the newbies.

"So, you see that guy over there," the young man crooned as he pointed in the direction of a silver-haired man, who was wearing a slightly uncomfortable look. "He wants to jump your bones, simple as that."

The young woman looked at him, big blue eyes boring into his mismatched brown ones. She briefly wondered why his eyes where like that, but then her attention went back to what he had said. A slight blush stained her fair cheeks as she tossed a smiled towards the man in the chair.

"Really? Vicious? But he's so high up…" she said, her voice was hushed and excited.

"Yeah, but love knows no rank. Now, why don't you take these drinks," he said, handing the girl two glasses of scotch, "and go talk to him. Trust me; it will be worth your while." The man winked at her, then got lost in the crowd.

"Hook and line, V," Spike said as he popped up behind Vicious. "Now, all you need to do is sink her," Spike said the last words with an emphasis that could only mean one thing.

As they watched the girl nervously walk towards the table, Spike headed towards the door.

"I'll just get a room tonight, V. So don't worry, there'll be no interruptions from me!"

'Damn you, Spiegel. Don't shout it to the world,' Vicious thought. His thoughts were quickly put to a halt, though.

"Um…hi…Vicious…" the timid girl shyly stuttered.

"Hello…Julia. Please have a seat."

I just don't know what's got into me.

As Spike walked out of the ballroom, he smiled to himself. His friend was gonna get laid. And it was all thanks to him. Well, maybe him and a little bit of fate. But mostly him.

He pushed open HQ doors and stepped out into the warm summer night. He lit a cigarette and strolled down the street, oblivious to the world. His thoughts were on something. Well, someone, more accurately.

She was pretty, the Julia girl. Very pretty, indeed. That hair, like gold. That skin, like porcelain. And those eyes. Good grief, he almost thought he was going to drown if he looked in them too long.

But what in the hell was he thinking? He couldn't feel this way. This was his friend's girl. He couldn't dare have feelings for her. He wouldn't. Vicious was too good of a friend, his only friend, really. And Spike would be damned if he ever let a girl come between him and his best friend.

Best friend? Heh that was a funny thought in his head. I mean, yeah, he had friends and everything. Some of them were good friends, too. The brothers, the Shin/Lin's as he and Vicious called them, were nice enough. But Vicious was Spike's best friend. His brother forged in blood and death and the love that came with knowing someone always had your back.

No, he just wouldn't let it happen. Spike was prone to doing stupid things, but he was never going to let some girl break apart the best friendship he ever had. So, he'd just put this Julia out of his mind.

God, sometimes he just didn't know what got into him.

A/N: So, here ya go again. And you know, I just realized: I do a lot of these A/N's. But hey, I just wanna seem personable and such. Until next time, I s'pose. And next time, I won't hesitate to post 2 chapters:)