A/N: I don't own Cowboy Bebop! …cry Anyway, It has been a while since I updated this fic so I am sorry if they seem a little ooc in this chapter. Three years is just…too long. I'd like to give a shout out to everyone who reviewed the previous chapters.

Also, in this chapter, you will be seeing more of Faye's thoughts, because I feel I need to clear things up a bit. Okay! On to the story!

Last time:

He smiled at her. "Yeah...I was kinda hoping..." 'Oh shit! ...I almost said it." he thought.

"Hoping...what?" she looked at him confused.

"Ahh...nothing." He looked down and put his hands in his pocket. "Just my mindless rambling" He looked up at her then back down quickly. 'That was close...I have to start watching myself. I almost said that I was hoping I'd get to kiss her...wait...I'm thinking about kissing...Faye"

It All Lead Up To This

Chapter 4

By Miru88

The elevator seemed to have reduced its speed by ten as the awkward silence filled the area. Faye's eyes shifted from looking at the elevator buttons, to her hands, and finally to him. Spike's expression gave away the fact that he was in deep thought. In fact, he had that same look three floors ago. 'What is that Lunk-head thinking of?' In nervousness, Faye began to drum her fingers against the metal rails in the elevator. She let out a heavy sigh, waiting for the elevator to make its long awaited stop at the lobby. Faye Valentine was never one for awkward silences anyway. "I never thought I'd say this, but say something. What the hell are you thinking about?"

Her voice was strange. It seemed almost void of emotion, but there was a faint hint of playfulness and sarcasm. Spike was brought back to reality when he heard her. Well, he couldn't very well TELL her his thoughts. Slightly baffled, Spike responded using the best response known to a man, "Huh?"

He tried to regain his composure as quickly as possible. "What do you mean?" he asked calmly.

"You've had that look on your face forever. Its like you're stuck in a daze." She paused and looked up, thinking of something to say.

He leaned back on the wall of the elevator, putting his hands in his pockets. "Is that a problem, Faye?" he responded with a slight smirk on his face.

She shrugged. "Sort of…" her voice trailed off, followed by a sound that was disguised as a scoff. "Whatever. It doesn't matter anyway."

"Apparently it does," he commented with a smug look on is face. Her response to his words intrigued him, thus he continued to speak, "Otherwise it wouldn't be bothering you."

The elevator was three floors away from the lobby. 'Yes!' she thought to herself as she gazed at the floor indicator. "Well, why are you so curious?" she questioned, half wanting to know the answer and half just playing along with him. Her thoughts we're running wild. 'This is strange. Why are we acting like this all of a sudden? Why are we getting along so well?' Faye's thoughts ceased as soon as he began to speak.

"I'm not," he stated simply.

Her heart sunk ever so slightly. She took a deep breath and sighed. 'I'm getting all worked up over nothing,' she thought. "I want a cigarette," she muttered under her breath.

"Now, now, Faye... This is a hospital." Spike stated.

She laughed and asked in disbelief, "And you're telling me you're not craving anything?"

"Nope." He lied. The look on her face clearly indicated that she knew he was lying. "I am to an extent, but at least I can control myself." He admitted in a slightly irritated voice.

Words seemed to fail her at this point. She desperately wanted to say something to him, but she had no idea what that something was. Faye Valentine has gone soft for a damn weirdo. As she thought about the situation, she tried to justify her reasons and plan out what she would do about it. 'I'm a woman. He's a man… its only natural. I can always ignore this feeling, or try to…' Little did she know, her thoughts had taken her away from reality and she was blankly staring at the elevator door. Another thing crossed her mind. 'This is guilt, right? Because he took that damn bullet for me..?' Faye thought. Due to her profession and old habits, she suppressed this emotion the most. Since that one day, from that one time, she made up her mind. 'I don't need anyone. They'll just get in my way and bring me down…like everyone else. All of my friends...comrades… are gone, I was ditched. So I don't need anyone, right?' She hated second guessing herself. Faye continued her thoughts and let out a soft sigh.

During this whole time, Spike knew something big was running through her mind. The odd thing was, she would normally yell at him or complain about it, whatever it was. After quietly observing her for a few moments, he spoke up, "What is it?" he asked.

"It's nothing. I'm just hungry," she lied.

Spike, being the observant man he is, plainly stated, "You don't sigh when you're hungry."

She gave a short laugh. "And how would you know?" 'Its amazing.' She thought.

He knew she wasn't telling the truth, but then again… he did have an eye for her deceptions. Like that one time, 'When I first met him in that casino… he knew I was cheating.'

Spike glanced at Faye, who actually looked interested to see what he had to say. He smiled at her, as if he was going to answer her question and closed his eyes instead.

She pouted and glared at him. 'He thinks he's soooo smart, does he?' She shot him a look, "You could at least answer me, ya know!"

ding! The elevator doors opened slowly. Faye wanted to see if Spike would answer her then, but proceeded to walk out as soon as the doors were fully opened. Spike put his hands in his pockets and watched her leave before him. He loved to make her like this; and with that sense of success, a smile formed on his face. He walked out of the elevator and came up behind her. Finally, he answered her question, "I live with you, my dear." She paused as he laughed and walked past her.

"So what!" she spat, walking after him. "Its not like… ugh! Never mind!" she spoke, rather loudly. Faye wanted to get a reaction out of him, and she was pleased with herself when she saw him turn and stop.

"What?"

"Nothing." she chimed. As she caught up to him she spoke, "Look, I have a bountyhead to catch."

The confused look on his face was priceless. 'I just get out of the hospital and she plans to ditch me to grab a bountyhead,' he thought. "Well, what the hell am I supposed to do?" he questioned, quite angrily.

Then Faye began to laugh. "I'm kidding! There hasn't been anything out there, so we're flat out broke."

"What's new?" Spike asked flatly, though it sounded like more of a statement.

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Back at the Bebop, Ed was eagerly awaiting Spike-person's return. She worked all day on a card for him, which she decided she would present to him when he came back. As she ran about she spotted Ein. "Taaaaaaaaarget! Launch! Shoooooom! Zoooom!" she yelled as she ran towards Ein and scooped him into her arms.

Jet was busy cooking. Faye had suggested that he make something out of what they had for Spike…which was very odd. 'Now why in hell is she thinking of someone besides herself?' Thoughts similar to that one were circling his head as he prepared his bell peppers and beef, minus the beef. At least he knew that Spike wouldn't be complaining about it. 'My cooking is much better than that crap they serve at hospitals anyway.'

To Ed, the wait for Faye-faye and Spike-person to return home seemed like millions of years, when finally, she heard them arrive. "Faye-faaaaayeee!" the orange haired girl screamed as she ran to her target.

Faye had her, 'Get the hell off of me look,' plastered on her face. She still, however, greeted Ed. As if she didn't want to do anything with the 'Welcome Home' shindig, she proceeded to walk to her room.

Ed picked up the card she had designed specially for Spike. As he walked into the room she ran and tackled him. "Spike-person! WELCOME BACK!" she yelled while shoving the homemade card into his face. "Look! Ed made this for yooou!" she explained, still clinging on to him.

"Thanks." He replied, though it sounded like it was a question. He dragged Ed along with him to greet Jet in the kitchen area. "Hey." He said matter-of-factly.

Jet was just finishing up cooking their meal, "Bell peppers and beef," he stated.

"No beef." Spike and Jet said in unison.

Spike smirked and ran his fingers through his hair, "Some 'Welcome back! We're glad you're alive meal' this is."

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A/N: I figure that this chapter isn't as great as the others…sorry 3 years is a little long. I'll get back into the flow soon and hopefully finish this! Please R&R. Id love to know of any suggestions for plot and of course things I can improve on. I'm sure there are many.. how do you tab these things? ;;