A. Note! It's been some busy months for me. if all goes well you'll have the last chapter by...Monday...Once again thanks for the reviews.
Faye stood in the captain's quarters of the Bebop nervously playing with her newly grown shoulder length hair. Those huge glass windows usually brought comfort but now all it brought was doubt. Twenty minutes ago Jet came into the room, unusually timid… but that wasn't the only shocking part. He specifically went up to Spike and whispered the words in Spike's ears. At first, Faye found it awkward and made a joke. But when Spike's face sort of faltered although he tried to maintain the smile, she understood it was something serious…something she didn't want… Spike had asked Jet if he was sure and again Jet confirmed…Julia…Bebop… Faye sucked in; she heard two words she never wanted to hear. Never!
She watched as Spike stood up and said he'd be right back. She knew Spike eyed her curiously because Faye's face was blank. Faye wasn't sure if Spike knew that she knew well enough about Julia. Why was Julia on the Bebop…Why? What a silly question to ask one's self… She knew very well why Julia would have arrived here. Faye wrapped her arms tighter around herself. Breathe…erase the doubt… Spike would know what to do. Spike would make the right choice, right? Faye realized she had to find some sort of reassurance before breaking down.
Her train of thoughts was broken by a barely noticeable sound. Faye twitched her head out of habit to the source and beheld Spike standing next to a blonde female. The two didn't exactly compliment each other but there was an odd mutual agreement. Faye realized she hated that woman without even knowing her personally. Spike leaned awkwardly against the glass window and opened his mouth to speak.
"Julia, Faye. Faye, Julia." He said rather wearily. Not looking at either female. Julia nodded and smiled at Faye. It was more out of respect for Spike than common courtesy for Faye. Faye's eyes narrowed; so Julia had found there little moving hideaway. What now? Faye nodded but also moved towards the small island in the middle where Jet always played Chess. On the table was a knife…next to an apple… how convenient. Julia the treacherous snake, Faye with the apple, and there stood Spike, the man caught in between. However, Faye had the oddest sensation that Julia was going to inject her poison directly instead of the usual round about way.
Julia spoke first, "I hope you don't mind that I borrow your man for a little while."
Faye smirked, cutting the apple, "I don't lend certain things to people, and my man is one of them…considering the fact if I had one. I know women… lend 'em something they don't bring it back. Which is typical in your case, right Julia?"
"What are you inclining?"
"Nothing we women wouldn't know about…" Faye popped another piece of the apple into her mouth. The temptation… Such temptation that Faye was so good at throwing knives, she would hit Julia square dead in the heart, causing it to explode. However…that would cause Spike to hate Faye, and there wouldn't be any gain in it all.
"Faye, that wasn't a fair statement." Spike injected.
"Pff." Faye said nothing at first, "I suppose I should let you two get comfortable and talk. I'll leave; I see I'm not wanted." She slid off the stool and crossed the room to the door, taking the knife with her.
"Faye…we'll finish our conversation later." Spike added reassuringly, causing Faye to pause momentarily. She didn't look back at him, or smile, but resumed her walk.
♠
Spike had watched Faye leave the room without looking back. Now he was walking towards the female's room. He knocked once on the door… then twice… then thrice (three and twice put together equals thrice.lol) Still no answer he received and opened the door. Faye wasn't there. Spike walked away with a queasy feeling in his stomach. Julia had returned. Julia returned now of all times when Spike was perfectly willing to let go. Julia wanted Spike back, even though she taunted Faye into lending and borrowing concept. Spike knew he would never- ever come back if he left with Julia. It would take Julia's death for him to be parted with his woman. There were those words…
Spike flopped down on the couch and called Ein to him. The dog wouldn't come. Ein tilted his head to the side and stared at Spike rather precariously. Julia had left twenty minutes ago and now his dog was looking at him funny. Spike sighed, he called again, Ein inched closer cautiously but then bounded away. Spike growled, "Stupid dog." But he knew fully well why Ein ran. Spike was a traitor. He'd made up his mind from the moment Julia began to talk to him. He knew something wasn't right but he decided to take Julia's bait anyway.
Faye stepped through the portal with shopping bags in her hand. However, this time, she didn't have her usual bouncy after shopping attitude. Spike got up and walked behind her as she went to drop her bags off. He leaned against the doorpost and began.
"Julia's gone."
"Not for long." Came the reply. It was rather monotone.
"She…she wanted to know if I could help her with a job she had to do."
"And then you'll never comeback…" Faye's weary words hung in the middle of the air. Spike bit the inside of his lip, a trait picked up from Freya. Faye swallowed hard. "Continue."
"I… I- there isn't much to say after that." Why was he lying to her? She was right, chances are he had Julia and he'd never look back. He hated to admit Faye was right.
"Liar."
"Come again?"
"LIAR!" Faye had lost her control. "You're lying to me and you know it! Why Spike? Why!"
"She needs me Faye!"
"Needs you! NEEDS You! Where the hell was she when you got shot! When you had to face off with Vicious! Do you remember that!" Faye pounded Spike's chest at the end of her sentence. "She faked her death because if she really loved you, she would have come back! You hadn't seen her for three years! Three! The fucking Bitch!" She hit him again.
"Don't Call her that!" Spike tried to ignore the prior comments but he knew she was right. "Julia was recuperating for two out of those three years."
"Don't fucking make lame ass excuses for her! Don't!" Faye was crying now. "I cried for you not to go! I came to get your body that day. Me! Me! And Me! I should have known you'd be the ungrateful son of a bitch!" Faye sobbed but she was still pounding away at Spike's chest. Spike didn't try to block them although they really hurt. He understood why Ein had run away. Faye was coming, commotion was coming, and rejection was coming.
"I'm not leaving you for good, Faye." Spike tried to comfort her just a little.
"WHAT?" Faye shrieked, "I'm the other woman! Get the fuck out!" Faye grabbed the glass vase off the dresser and flung it at him. To her annoyance Spike caught it. "Get OUT! You're a liar! You've been lying to me the entire time I've been with you!"
"No! I Haven't!" Spike was getting frustrated. "Listen, Faye! This was the one chance I've been waiting for. Can't you understand?"
Faye's chest heaved. "Yeah…yeah… I understand…" She first quieted. "She's going to use you. Why Spike, Why? I was the common whore. I was the fucking scapegoat!" Faye's voice was building. "Stupid fucking me. How could I have not seen it!"
Spike saw a glint of silver and ducked. Faye had thrown the knife at him. She was really hurt. In a way it did seem to Spike that he had used Faye as the scapegoat but that was never his intention. He could see Faye was really seriously hurt. There was nothing more he could do. No more explanations could help Faye now. She wanted him out of her sight and she was serious this time. Spike backed out of the room and closed the door behind him. Her heard a lock and Faye sobbing. How could he have hurt her like that…
