♠
"Freya?" Faye called as she stepped onto the star deck. "Freya…?" The female was just lying there. Sleeping probably, or just faking it… "Freya…" Freya had been like this all week, ever since they left the opera house. Something about seeing Vicious and the way he let Faye go had made Freya go silent.
"Freya…What happened to you? You got all silent after I told you what happened with Vicious…" Faye looked down at the female whose hat was covering her face. "You ok."
"He knows where I am now. I was careless to think that I would have been able to walk in and out without being leeched off of." Freya hoarsely said.
Faye furrowed her brows. This could pose as a problem. If Spike found out that Vicious could show up at any time, there would be a shoot out on the Bebop. The entire ship would go up in flames Spike, Vicious, and Jet (simply because it was his ship) along with it.
"So do you think-?"
"No…He wouldn't show up here…probably make a few calls first…maybe none…" Freya shifted, "I don't have any hard feelings about it. He didn't bother to kill you because you were with me. Normally he wouldn't have given a rat's rectum but I think… and I repeat…I think he wants to stay on my good side."
"Got you a whipping boy I see…" Faye tried to joke but Freya remained serious.
"Don't try to jinx me. I've been with the same man too long; it's time to move on." Freya got up and started to descend down the star deck ladder. "I may leave soon, so you and Spike need to get your shit together!" she smiled faintly, then disappeared.
Faye came down from the star deck a few moments after and realized that Freya was gone. She strolled into living room and sat on the couch next to Spike. On a normal everyday basis she wouldn't have been within ten feet from him. However, this was a little different. In a sense Faye actually wanted Spike to acknowledge her presence.
"What are you watching?" she asked casually.
"Nothing much, just flipping through some channels." Spike answered back. He had been watching her from the corner of his eye.
Faye pulled her legs up to her chin and keeled over. Her head landed in Spike's lap and she stretched out. She stared up at the masculine face staring down at her. Faye tried her best to keep the blood from rushing to her face as their gaze locked.
"What the hell are you doing, woman?" Spike demanded, "Get the hell off of me?"
"No!" she turned over, grabbed the remote, and continued to surf the channels. Her head was still leaning on her comrade's lap. Spike nudged his leg but Faye didn't budge. The male sighed, stood up and watched as Faye tumbled to the floor.
"Damn You! You'll pay for that!" she hissed.
"Yeah…right…whatever…" he waved off as he began to walk away hands in his pocket. Without warning a load landed on his back as he crashed to the floor.
"What the-!" Spike exclaimed as Faye was sitting on top of him.
"EDWARD! Pass me a pillow QUICK!" Faye grinned. "I meant what I said."
"Hell no if you think I'm going to let you beat my ass with a pillow!" Spike turned her over on her back.
Faye grinned and braced her knee against his abdomen and launched Spike over her head onto the floor. She caught the pillow in mid air and proceeded to beat the living crap out of Spike who struggled to fight back. Spike managed to grab the pillow from Faye's hands and turn the tables on her. Not only did he decide to clobber her with the pillow, he also tickled her.
Faye doubled over in s much laughter that Spike had stop briefly so she could get some air. At the third interval Faye grabbed the pillow continued to abuse Spike with suffocation and blows to the head and torso. At this point jet walked it at all the noise and was quite taken aback by the sight he beheld. He and Ed stood on the steps just staring until Ed found the need for a pile up. Spike and Faye laughing as the pillow burst into hundred of little feathers as Ed landed on them. Faye was still sitting on Spike holding her abdomen in laughter while Spike had a vice grip on the two females.
"What the hell is this?"
"It's just one of those rare moments, Jetster!" Faye laughed as she copied Edward.
"No! It seems like everyone had a cup of stupid except for me!" Jet snapped.
"Maybe we did! Man can't live on carbohydrates alone!" Spike said sarcastically as the three sat up. Jet just walked away grumbling about stupid people and little children.
"I haven't laughed like that in a long time…" Spike whispered. Faye studied his facial expression for a minute.
"Me neither." She stood up and held out a hand to his. He took it and she pulled him up. Faye started to walk away when Spike asked nonchalantly.
"What are you doing tomorrow night?"
Faye hesitated for a moment. She stared into Spike's chocolate brown eyes for some sort of emotion…a nagging…but there was nothing. Spike just looked like any old person looking for an answer. Faye chewed the inside corner of her mouth. Should she bother to tell him hell yeah or say o she's busy? Either way what difference would it make? Spike was just going to say oh it was nothing and walk away. Despite her every whim to turn him down her mouth and tongue went in a completely different direction.
"Not a thing, baby boy…not a thing…" Faye waved him off and resumed her walk.
"Meet me at the Belasis casino on Saturn tomorrow night…" Faye just glanced back at him with one eye open.
"If your game that is…" he was baiting her, and she knew he was, but what harm would it cause if she went?
"Oh I'm game! Dress your best love I was also invited to an exclusive party at the same time!" she grinned slyly and went off to her room.
♠
Faye went out that morning on an all day affair. She went to find a dress to wear to the casino and she dragged a reluctant Freya with her. Freya had a black cowboy hat tipped low on her face. Faye noted that the female wasn't sulking but she wasn't her bouncy self either. Oh well at least it was time to tell Freya why the hell she was going through all of this.
"Spike asked me out on a date…" Faye said casually.
"That's nice…" Freya said at first but then it finally registered. "No way in hell would he ever!"
"Ok so he didn't but he told me to meet him at the Belasis Casino tonight."
"Now say he invited you not he asked you out on a date…" Freya settled back down and took a sip of her frappuccino.
"What the hell's the difference? How does this one look?" Faye emerged from behind the curtain with a pale yellow spaghetti strap dress…
"Huh uh…it screams sun and that you need a tan, even white would look better." Freya answered, 'And the difference is don't get your hopes up for one that's just a "meeting" and get your hopes up for one that is a formal 'go out with me.'"
"So what…" Faye pulled on a blood red strapless dress. And showed it to Freya who smiled but then said,
"That one suggests you're ready to get some tonight…You're moving a little too fast with Spike."
"Oh shut up that's not what I'm suggesting…but I'll buy this one simply because…" Faye said.
"Lady this isn't Rent-A-Dress boutique! This is Buy-A-Dress-in-a-Four-Star-Boutique!" Freya chuckled. "Besides, don't tell me you've forgotten about Ritchie's party."
"No I haven't. That's why I told Spike to dress his best."
"Well in that case we better get him a damn suite." Freya got up to the men's section.
"I thought you bought him a suite."
"Yeah but I feel like getting him another…He is my big stupid brother after all…" Freya grinned. Faye stepped out form behind the curtain on last time. She was wearing a sun burnt orange strapless dress. It twisted and wrapped around her waist to one side leaving her second leg exposed and one cutting edge bow on the back that was modeled after a paper bow and the back dipped low. Faye slipped on the wrist length gloves and smiled….
"Well?"
"That one screams 'I'm DEFINITELY going to get laid tonight', and 'I know I look damn good!' Yeah…you can wear that." Freya jest.
♠
Spike secretly marveled at the female on his right arm. Faye was spectacular. And how did she get an invitation to such an exclusive party. As he kept checking her out every few minutes with nonchalance, many different ideas went popping into his head. Although he found Freya with her fuchsia halter kimono with a purple nightingale on the side of the skirt that covered her leg, looked great. Faye had stolen his eye for the night.
Freya seemed to be flying solo that night and Spike was wondering why. Yes, she likes to do her own thing but at the same time Freya would usually carry a 'whipping boy' to these types of events. As the three approached the door Spike tensed. Vicious was standing at the entrance in a white tuxedo that strangely similar to the one Spike was wearing (all the men had been wearing white). The two males stared each other down without saying a word or budging until Faye tugged on Spike's arm. That's when Vicious spoke.
"I apologize for stealing one of your dates tonight…Mr. Spiegel…" Vicious held his arm out to Freya who sighed and took it.
"Are you ok with this Freya?" Spike asked still staring at the fair haired male before him.
"Yes. It was much rather I left you and Faye alone for tonight. It's a matter of everyone getting theirs…" she winked at Faye, smiled faintly, and walked in carrying the man on her left arm.
Faye watched at how the two complimented each other as the four parted ways. She wondered whether it was the same for herself and Spike. Faye maneuvered Spike towards Ritchie. The silver haired smiled at Faye and kissed her on the cheek.
"How are you, my little valentine? Who is your friend?" Ritchie grinned. He knew very well who it was. Spike Spiegel's name never faded from the underground world. He was legend…just like Vicious was becoming.
"This…is my comrade, Mr. Spike Spiegel." Faye unconsciously said Spike's name slowly and seductive, while grazing her hand up his arm. It was rather normal for her to get this way around Syndicate Company. The mossy haired male looked down at the mauve haired female rather dazed. He smirked at how possessive Faye became instinctively when in the mafia presence. It was almost as if she had always been in the ring of fire for years.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Spiegel, I'm Ritchie. I never bother to give my last name…" Ritchie grinned slyly.
"I'm glad you fine so, Ritchie. Now I must take my date and we shall have a good time." Spike swirled Faye around to the middle of the dance floor.
"I thought you didn't dance."
"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't make an effort." Spike said casually, trying his best not to smile.
"Besides, this is the quickest way to the gambling tables." Two more spins and Spike plopped down into the extra stool and joined the game.
"Although you almost never win…" Spike bantered, "it would be nice to have an expert gambler at my side!" he pulled Faye onto his lap.
"Are you suggesting we cheat?" Faye whispered in his ear.
"Nope. Just watch how the gentlemen play the game." Spike winked at the female dealer and she blushed as she dealt him in.
"Thanks cutie." The female just nodded, blushing furiously.
♠
Freya wasn't paying much attention to Vicious at all. When she looked at him, it was as if she wasn't. Her eyes were always glazed over as though hypnotized. Sometimes Vicious would catch her looking at him out of the corner of his eye as though she didn't know the man before her. In a sense it felt as though they weren't have a good time, but just as soon as Vicious would think that, Freya would pull him over to another table to gamble with her. She would smile at him, even when it wasn't a joyous one.
Vicious sat on the stool and played a game of roulette, concentrating on two things at once. Freya's arms were draped over his shoulders and her light breathing was down his neck. Vicious refused to let himself shiver over something so trivial. Vicious felt Freya's weight lighten and looked up at the female with hot pink tips in her hair. She was staring at something across the way. Vicious followed Freya's gaze to see Spike and Faye laughing and having a good time, but for some reason Vicious felt that that was not what the female was looking at.
"Win one for me, love." Freya kissed Vicious on the cheek and slid off. She gave him a reassuring smile that she would be back soon.
♠
Freya had been having a good time, but for some reason she couldn't convey that too Vicious. The situation between them was too awkward. As she kissed him on the cheek she felt her heart go soft. Freya felt as though a dark curtain had been lifted as she gave him a reassuring smile. The task she was about to complete, however, just may ruin her night. It was better her to ruin her evening than Faye and Spike's. Freya smiled at the thought of being a cupid and a Good Samaritan. Jeez, what was wrong with her? Then again…what was right?
Freya sashayed her hips through the crowd. She made her way behind a blonde female wearing a yellow dress. It was the same one Faye had tried on earlier that day. Freya tugged at the blonde's elbow and locked arms and escorted her to the bathroom.
"Good Evening, Julia. How did you manage to scourge up an invitation to this party?" Freya asked rather meekly.
"I wasn't bothering you, Freya!" Julia snapped.
"Temper, temper, darling, let's keep this polite. I realized you were directing yourself straight for Spike."
"And what's it to you?"
"I told you to stay away."
"No, you lied and said you knew nothing about Spike or Vicious' whereabouts!"
"So I did, so I'm warning you." Freya said, keeping her temper, "Back off both or I'll break your scrawny little neck!" Freya snapped.
"And look whose talking about temper…" Julia walked out of the restroom, Freya following not too far behind.
"You know something Freya, I never pegged you as the clinging type." Julia had a new bounce in her step. "And I never thought that you'd still hold the grudge that Spike slapped you over something I did!" she drawled as she faced Freya with a triumphant smile. "You know something…As long as Spike never knows the truth about what really happened that night, I'll always remain on top…"
Freya suddenly felt the need to wipe that damn smirk off Julia's face.
"I tell you what…Here's how low you've sunk in every other book besides yours." Freya back handed Julia twice leaving a red mark on the female's face. Julia was stunned and just stood there. If Julia decided to retaliate it would show how childish she really was. She had no smart comment to make, since the people around had heard her wise ass comments about being triumphant. Julia had no chance. These people knew Freya and Freya knew them well enough to know that they wouldn't step foot in an argument or fight with her. Julia turned and walked right out of the Belasis Casino.
Freya stared after her, violet and gold eyes cold as the rings of Saturn itself. Freya felt the world return to normal as a cool touch encircled her hand. She turned to see Vicious looking into her shining eyes and for the first time that night she grinned in appreciation. Freya wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"How about we ditch this joint to have a little fun?" She grinned as Spike and Faye walked up.
♠
