Shotgun Part Two of Three:

You can't catch me cause the rabbits done died.

Aerosmith, Sweet Emotion.

He was tall, darkly tanned, with bleach blonde hair, the exact opposite of Spike, without being different at all. Spike watched the fear build on Faye's skin like sweat on a silencer, puddles of mud looked over at the blonde and a growl slid from the captive. The blonde chuckled darkly reaching Faye in the middle of the room. "So this is the infamous Spike Spiegel." He laughed turning Faye to look at the man as he stood behind her, "Taken down by a women." His hand slid down her tank-top and she didn't react as her nipples pulled taunt against the cotton. Dark fingers pulled up the edge, stroking a line from her bellybutton to the top of her jeans. "But what a woman to be done in by." He kissed her softly, feeling her tremble. Green eyes were empty with fear and Spike strained against the chains. The button of her pants came open and he slid his fingers through the batch of curls, Faye's breath caught hard in her throat. The man laughed softly, fingers moving, the front of her jeans bowing. A whimper, quiet as a prayer, cut through the air and Spike snapped the chain, with a roar he launched himself at the man, who cast Faye aside without a moment and hit Spike watching the leaner man fly into the counter. Faye dragged herself up the wall, leaning against it for support as she trembled.

Spike's gaze flashed to her and he hauled himself up again, rushing the man. The sickening crunch of a body falling through a wooden table echoed around the room as Spike landed square in hers. The blonde laughed as Faye pushed herself off the wall, screaming for him to stop. She caught his arm and stared up at him, "Stop it Robbie!" she gasped and he flung her into the wall, following her to the sheetrock. Pain stabbed through her side and she whimpered as he dragged her up.

He pressed her to the rock as Spike struggled against the six men holding his beaten body back. Robbie slid a hand down Faye's body once more, "We talked about you giving me orders." He growled, the sound of the zipper on her jeans echoing. Faye shut her eyes and turned her face away from him. "I'm in charge," He whispered, "even of you."

She screamed as he plunged into her like a battering ram. Her whole body jerked ridged and he slapped her, watching her head twist as he rocked in her. Spike screamed his rage as she sobbed softly and Robbie raped her. Dark tanned palm struck her again then caught her chin tilting her face as he caught her lips with his. Faye's green eyes opened for a moment, and Spike blinked as pleasure soared there for a single moment, then plunged like Icarus from the sun. Robbie grunted as he forced himself into her again and again 'til she screamed body thumping back into the sheetrock, hearing the crackle as it dented behind her. He came against her, spilling into her as she shook. Blonde hair brushed against her throat as he kissed her softly, buttoning her jeans then letting her slid down the wall as he turned away. "Leave him." He barked and his men dropped Spike. Footfalls echoed around his head as he crawled toward her, sound of Robbie's laughter filling his brain, sight of Faye as a crumpled doll filling his eyes.

The door slammed shut as he reached her. "Faye!" he gasped, touching her face gently. Her lips parted as she pulled in a breath, Spike fell back as she opened her eyes to look at him. She looked like she had when he had been too rough with her, and a shudder slid down his skin. Green eyes were hollow as she watched him, unable to think of anything, then they shut as she turned her head away in shame.

She had enjoyed having him inside her again, the way he had touched her, the way he had controlled her. A broken doll. "Faye." Spike's voice rolled through the fog in her brain, he touched her face gently, pulling her back to reality. "Faye look at me." Green eyes framed in violence looked up at him, and his eyes caught on the drop of scarlet on her bottom lip. He dabbed it away with his cuff and sighed, lifting her gently off the floor; she gasped as she shifted in his arms falling against him. Spike looked down at her, face hard, glad that she had her face buried against him so she couldn't see the rage that built against his brain, spilling out his eyes.

Soft cotton sheets cradled her body as he laid her into the bed, pressing a soft kiss to her temple before pulling the blankets up around her and walking out the sound of his boots falling echoing around them. He stared at the dent in the sheetrock, then threw the half empty bottle of beer at it, listening to the glass shatter. Long pale fingers stretched through poofy green hair as he sank onto the couch. His face disappeared into his palms and tears fell hot against the skin.

He had done this to her. He had destroyed her. He had raped her. A sob racked his body as he sat there, unable to find comfort. The couch groaned as he stood and walked back into the bedroom. He stood in the doorframe, watching sunlight drift lazily across her body to catch on the tears that she shed even in sleep. Rage bloomed and died in his eyes as he watched her. He punched up the Bebop on his communicator, listening to the way the ring echoed in the small house.

"Bebop calling!" the voice of a young girl spun down the line.

"Let me talk to Jet." Spike muttered.

"Lookie lookie! I spy-spy Spi-Spi!" the hacker cart-wheeled to find the Jet person.

Jet's haggard face came on screen a moment later and he blinked in surprise. "Spike. I thought Faye had taken you."

"She did. Listen Jet, I need you to track down a guy for me." The ex-cop nodded surprised by the tear tracks that showed faintly on the younger man's face.

"Who is he? New bounty?"

Spike shook his head, "Name's Robbie. Six ten, probably two-hundred and ten pounds, blonde. Look for prior rape charges."

Jet had been scribbling down the info but the pen slid out of his hand as he heard the last bit, "What's going on Spike?" he said watching Spike run a hand over his face.

The sound of a sigh crackled static down the line. "He raped Faye, Jet. Not more then ten minutes ago." His voice cracked but he continued, "I couldn't stop it." And tears slid down the young man's face. "I couldn't..."

"Where are you?" the older man growled and Spike shook his head tears falling onto his thighs.

"Don't come. Just get me that info." Then the line went dead and Jet punched the dash.

"ED!" he yelled and the girl rolled into the room, "I need you to look for somebody for me. Name of Robert Fullton." Then he turned back to stare at the communicator and sigh. "Fuck."

Faye woke up with a scream, only to find Spike there, concern on his face. They sat for a moment staring at each other, then she threw herself at him, sobbing into his chest as he clutched her to him. Her body shuddered against his, sobs making her back heave. Spike stroked her hair, pain burning its way into his chest again. He rocked her as she cried herself back to sleep, then lay her back gently and picked up his coat. Her skin was cool against his lips as he pressed them against her temple. "I swear I'll kill him for what he's done to you." He whispered hate blazing in his heart as he looked at her and the bruises on her arms, his fingers fit perfectly in them as he traced over them in her sleep.

The TV was on when she woke hours later, sitting up and feeling the ache of Robbie stir between her thighs, across her arms, the dull ache of bruised ribs against the sharp pain of scrapped knuckles. Spike's coat was hanging over the chair in the corner and she half smiled at it. She eased off the bed and stood on wavering legs.

Minutes later the shower rolled on and Spike looked up from the TV, he stood, body unfolding off the couch; long legs carried him into the bedroom, and he pushed open the cracked bathroom door. The silhouette of her body against the dingy plastic shower curtain hit him below the belt, and the rush of water onto her skin caught his breath. He stilled himself and leaned against the doorframe. "How many of those scars are his?" he asked softly and watched Faye still.

Her hands were back in motion, rubbing soap across her aching body, "More than I'd like to think about." She muttered standing there letting the water beat down on her, she knew he was watching her. Her hands were moving again, running across her body, checking and rechecking for busted ribs, jammed fingers, joints out of place, and the ever present bruises. Spike watched her hands and resisted the urge to shed his clothes and press her back against that cold tile. The water trickled to a stop, and she stepped out of the shower, skin steaming as he watched her long legs. Water traced ribbons down her skin and he stepped toward her. He swallowed looking at the scars running there, his fingers traced over the bullet scars in her shoulder down her arm to the spiraled scar, and crooked cross that had been branded into the pale skin on the inside of her wrist. Boots thudded heavily on tiles as he walked around her, the matching bullet holes took a moment of his attention, the six inch knife scar that ran around her side, claw marks that stretched around her left hip and down. He fitted his fingers into the grooves and traced them. Violet hair shifted as she tilted her head toward him. There were scars on her inner thigh, his fingers slid over them and she shuddered, falling into him.

Gently he ran a hand up her back to the cigarette burns on her shoulder. "What are these?" he asked softly, hardly wanting to hear the answer but needing to know the truth.

Faye's sigh brushed the steamy air as she savored his touch, "They're Robbie's." Spike's hand tensed and she turned to look at him, his fingers trailing around her shoulder, "When he completely dominated me, he would mark me. Twisted game. He has a few." She said softly, and Spike blinked at her. "They're like tally marks, if he wins he gets a point, if I win I scratch one into his skin."

Spike's breath trembled out of him. "I did this." He said softly, letting his fingers fall down her body and to his side.

Faye shook her head, "You can't take all the credit lunkhead." She said turning away from him and walking, still damp, into the bedroom. "I knew Robbie before I knew you. You just gave me an excuse to do something stupid."

"And now he rapes you and you enjoy it?" Spike asked, grabbing her arm pulling her around to stare down into her face.

She leaned up, naked body leaving water stains on his shirt, "I can remember you when he touches me." She whispered, "I can remember the way you fucked me when you were pissed about something, the way you were totally raw. I remember those things, and I can't get him out of my head." Her voice was raw ringing harsh against his ears. "And all I ever think about is you." She shoved him away from her, anger flaring across her face. The black eye that swelled to life on her cheek bone had him stilled once more. Faye sighed and ran her fingers through her hair baring her chest to him, "Nevermind Spike." She muttered turning away from him. He caught her arm pulling her around to him, his fingers fitting perfectly into Robbie's bruises.

Brown eyes searched her face ignoring the way her body felt against him "I'm sorry Faye." He whispered and she almost smiled.

She leaned into him feeling the easy heat of his body. "Vendetta suits you." She said softly as he brought his arms up to hold her against him. A pillow of violets held his cheek as he stared off into the oblivion of his rage. She pressed against him, comfortably naked in his arms. He stroked her hair, letting his fingers drop sliding down her spine. Faye let herself have the moment then pushed away from him and walked into the bedroom to dress. "It doesn't change things Spiegel. You're still my bounty." Her voice was soft and cold, like silk in a wound.

Spike walked into the room behind her, "Wouldn't have it any other way." His voice rolled over her as she pulled clothes on. He could see that she was sore, stiff, and aching. She winced slightly, glad he couldn't see her face, and pulled her holster on over her long sleeved black shirt. Loose army drab pants hung off her hips, bleach splotches running down her thigh, barely touching the hem of her shirt as she moved there was a flash of pale skin that taunted him.

Faye plucked the Jericho off her nightstand. "Come on." She said, "And tell Jet that he doesn't need to find Robbie. I'll deal with it."

"Like you dealt with it this time?" he asked she snapped a rubber band around her wrist and growled at him.

"Don't make me shoot you again. I get the bounty even if you are a little damaged." She said, braver in the daylight where she could hide her flaws in the shadows. Things were easy when she didn't have to see her demons. Robbie she could deal with in the daylight, Spike she could handle in the sun, even getting to Mars was easier when she knew it was daylight somewhere. "Move." She said, "now."

"Why're you doing this Faye?" he asked and she turned snapping cuffs back onto him; she leaned into him and kissed him, lips intoxicating against his, body taunt all hard muscles. Her tongue pressed into his mouth, tracing over his teeth. Pulling back she sucked on his lower lip before turning and walking out of the room. Spike stood for a long moment, blew out a sigh of frustration then followed her out, he didn't feel like fighting her, or this deranged arrangement.

Her ship sung to life under her touch and he reached for another cigarette. She shoved aside the feelings of familiarity and the ache for things to be the way they were, leaving only a desire to finish this job. Spike was watching her drive out of the corner of his eye, the universe out the window and nothing as beautiful as her in that moment. He pushed the feelings aside with a long moments thought and concentrated on pulling every last bit of nicotine from the cigarette.

Faye was watching her mirrors, searching the skies for the bounty hunters she knew would be after Spike. Her mouth was pulled into a soft frown as she entered hyperspace. "What's up with this thing?" Spike asked suddenly, toeing the ship.

Faye looked over at him and blinked, "What are you talking about?"

"You aren't flying the Redtail any longer?"

"I do, its just not very bounty friendly. The cops got upset when they had to cut their criminals off the roof." She had looked back at skies before the first words had even left her lips but Spike was still watching her, looking at the line of her jaw, the way her lips were perfect in silhouette to him. He swallowed, and she reached for the radio.

Something came over, brand new rock and roll blaring through the speakers, and she tapped to the rhythm, constantly searching the skies as Spike lit another cigarette. There was a jerk, an explosion, and Faye struggled to keep control, as ships flanked her on either side. "Fuck it!" she hissed, "Damnit Spiegel! She yelled still fighting for control in the endless space. Venus loomed ahead and she cursed, fighting for control as the surface loomed forward. "Fucking assholes!" More explosions rocked the ship and Faye gasped as they plummeted, street getting closer and closer.

Spike looked over at her and winked, a slow plummet of long lashes. "Whatever happens, happens." He drawled lighting another cigarette and passed it to her, before tapping out another.

Faye gasped, hands loosing their grip on the wheel as the shock of the pavement rattled up her arms. The road buckled ahead of the ship as it slid and Faye gasped jerking toward the windshield. She screamed and Spike caught her, cuffed hands holding her tight as they went hurtling. Then nothing. Just empty darkness.

Pain screamed through her system, hammering against her brain, pulling her out of oblivion as heavy hands pulled her from the ship. Consciousness dropped onto her and she screamed, kicking and scratching before she could think clearly enough to land a solid blow. Spike was being pulled out the other side, fighting hard against six assailants. Faye screamed again, in frustration and rage, "Get off me!" she yelled, and Robbie caught her chin.

"Hello babydoll." He said softly. "Welcome to Venus." He fisted his big hand into the hair at the nape of her neck. "You fucking little tramp." Faye reached back and hit him, blood transferring from his split lip to her knuckles.

"Don't be such a bastard, and stay the hell away from my bounty."

"He's my bounty now." There was a dull hiss to his voice, and she grinned at him.

That disasterly smile crossed her face, "Have fun with him, though he doesn't really run that way." The back of his hand burned along her cheekbone.

She lunged at him again, and two of his goons caught her and tossed her onto the pavement. Robbie waved a hand at them, giving them free reign. One of them caught her arm, kicking her hard in the ribs. She grunted, body curling in on itself. The toe of his boot dug into the skin above her ribs and the crackle rolled across her. Robbie leaned against the wall, watching them kick the shit out of her. Dark green eyes stared up from an already bruising face, then fell shut as another blow landed. "Let's go." The man growled, twitching his hand. The goons dropped her and Faye held on just long enough to watch them drag Spike away, then let herself sink into the half gray of semi-consciousness. Without really thinking she hauled herself up the steps of a building, cold gray steps. Then she was gone, lost to emptiness.

Faye growled as she pressed herself off the bed with a half stifled moan and somewhere far off a choir started singing. The nun that had dragged her off the steps of the cathedral, stood, leaning over the woman. "How are you feeling?" she asked softly, cool palm against her forehead. Faye blinked and opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She dropped back onto the pillow with a growl. "You've been through a lot," the nun said softly, "just rest." Faye rolled very green eyes and sighed.

Hours later she woke again, the nun still sitting next to her bed. "You're up?" Faye motioned for the water pitcher on the desk, the sister rose and got the woman a glass of water; holding it to her lips as she sipped from the glass.

"Thanks." Faye said, voice rough, eyes scanning the tiny cell. "Where am I?" she asked softly, shifting to sit up with a grunt.

"Our Lady of Eternal Weeping." The nun said voice still feather soft.

"Catholic?"

"Yes." The nun nodded softly.

Faye grinned bitterly, "Only you guys." She said.

"Is there anyone who we can contact for you?" the nun asked, touching her hands.

"No one cares about me." Faye mumbled brushing her hair back and grimacing at her broken ribs.

Icy hands gripped hers tightly and she looked up into the sister's wrinkled face, "God cares."

Faye laughed harshly, reaching for the holster and pulling it on. "You know your life's shit when the only one who gives a fuck is a deity no one's seen." She stood, barefeet hitting the cold stone floor. Pain marked green eyes, a dozen pinpricks then fading.

The sister took her arm to steady her, "You shouldn't move." She said softly, "Your ribs are broken."

"I know." Faye said softly, "They've been that way many times. Doesn't change what I have to go do."

The old nun looked at her, soft brown eyes looking out at her from a wrinkled face, "You don't believe in God, or heaven, so why is it that you seem so willing to die?" she asked softly, and watched Faye's eyes fade.

"Sister, have you ever loved something so much that you would do anything to keep it?"

She smiled softly, and that wisened old face nodded, "Yes."

Faye looked at her, eyes flashing in the faint light, "That's what they've taken from me. They took something from me that I love very much. The only man that I have ever loved." She reached up and touched the woman's kind face. "That's what they took from me, and I'm willing to die to keep him safe."

The sister shook her head, "It's not worth dying for."

Faye laughed softly, drawing the Jericho and testing its weight. "Sometimes the time comes that you have to prove to your friends that you're worth something, " she popped the clip out, "and I'm going to need those bullets to do it."

"Violence isn't the answer." But she reached into the drawer and pulled out the bullets, which clattered around in a little wood box.

"But sometimes it's the only option." Faye took the box from her, ignored the Virgin Mary on the top and flicked it open with one hand sliding the bullets back into the clip with the other. "See, here's the thing, he's gone, and I have to go get him back." Faye shrugged, wincing at the way her ribs bit. She shook her head, purple hair dancing in the sunlight. "Its as easy as that." The nun got her back as she turned, tilting her face away from the sunlight streaming through the window, then she looked back, face framed at an odd angle by her hair. "Thank you Sister. May the Lord grant you more peace than He did me." As the girl walked away the nun knelt by the small bed, folded her hands, and her old lips moved with silent prayers.

Faye stood on the steps of the cathedral, staring out at the spores falling like snow, she searched her pockets for a cigarette, tucked it between her lips and lit up. Ash drifted from the tip of her favorite poison as she tapped her hand against her thigh. Boots shuffled on the wide stone steps and she flicked the cig on the last, "God I hate Venus." She drawled, shrugging to resettle her holster, ignoring the fact that people were staring and heading for the crashed ship.

She slid into the cockpit, wincing as every part of her body screamed its protest. "Shut up." She growled as the communicator bleeped out its warning, and then the picture blurred to life. It was Edward's face, framed by all that wild orange hair.

"Look it Faye-Faye!" she somersaulted off the screen and Faye sat utterly still, waiting for the churchbells to ring out her doom. They tolled suddenly, making her jump and Jet flickered on over the receiver.

"Faye?" his voice rolled down the line like gravel.

"It's me." She said softly, making sure to stay clear of the camera. "Did you want something?"

"I want you to let Spike go." He growled.

Faye smiled slightly, "Not to worry much, I don't have him. Some dear old friends took him."

"Robbie?" Jet's voice flickered, and Faye tilted back to the camera. "Jesus," he hissed staring at the girl's battered face. "What happened to you?"

"So you need to help me get him back." She said softly, "I'm stuck on Venus. And they have at least two days head start on me. Get Ed to track him for me will you? He has at least two ships in his name."

"Fine." Jet let silence drift for a long moment, "Is there anything I can do? For you I mean?"

Faye shook her head, "No. Just find me that ship." She reached over and pushed a long button, shutting him into blank gray. She twirled the engine to life, listening to it stutter for a moment then catch full on. The sky soared open before her, spores falling as she looked down on the sulfur colored planet speckled with green islands. Then she looked to the skies, soaring through the gates and slipping into hyperspace. He had to be headed for Mars, that was were the money was. But then, Robbie was a sadist.

She traded the banged up ship for the Redtail and sat in her hanger for a long moment, wondering about why she needed to do this. It only took reaching over and pull his picture from between the seats. Jet had taken it for Ed a while ago; the little girl sitting happily in front of Spike and Faye. It was a sweet memory and Faye smiled softly remembering the day it was taken.

It had been raining for days and they'd been stuck on Ganymede with a busted up engine. By the end of week one Jet's bonsais looked like hell, Faye and Spike were ready to kill each other and they were totally out of money without a bounty in sight. By the middle of week two the tension was so thick you could cut it with a spoon. Faye was sitting on the stairs staring out into nothing after doing her nails for the nth time; Spike was passed out on the couch, the last of the ships booze running through his already battered system and a three month old newspaper spread across his face.

Faye was busy reading the headlines upside down when Ed came flying in. "Faye-Faye!" the youngest member of their ragtag band came zooming in arms wide, soaked to the skin, tangerine hair sticking out at odd angles. "Outside Faye-Faye! Twirly whirly Noah's birdy!" Faye blinked in confusion as she was dragged down the stairs and to the door, "Jet person! Lunkhead person come on!"

Sunlight glittered off the bay and Faye slid her sunglasses down her face. "It stopped." She said softly, holding out her hand like she could catch the sunlight.

"You dragged me out of bed for this?" Spike asked, leaning against the hanger door and lighting up with a grunt.

Jet meandered onto the deck, "At least now we can get out of here."

"And find a bounty." Faye commented with a grin.

"Bounty shmounty! Picture Picture!" and Ed started clicking off shots as fast as the deranged piece of ancient photography equipment would allow. Jet lifted the vintage camera out of her hands and started barking orders.

Ed sat cross legged on the deck, Ein caught in a bear hug in her lap, Spike stood just behind and to the left staring off into space and smoking his cigarette and Faye was looking dead into the camera, hair caught back with her Audrey Hepburn style sunglasses and a smile on her face. "Cheesey wheezy!" Edward screamed, baring that derangely happy grin at Jest, who compliantly snapped the picture.

Faye shook her head and stuck the photo into her dash as the memory faded from her mind. The Redtail purred to life and she shot out of the hanger. It was time to end this thing.