DISCLAIMER: Consider this chapter disclaimed.


The tall building was not only a business center for the Syndicate but apartments for those who chose not to live elsewhere. Mostly the big dogs and single footmen took advantage of the building's living quarters, the higher ups for the protection and the young soldiers to save money. Vicious led Tilly across the lobby toward the elevators, Shin breaking away to speak with some of the men standing around a large security desk. Tilly glanced back briefly at him before following Vicious into the lift.

Neither spoke a word as the elevator rose. They both stared straight ahead, losing themselves in their own thoughts. Tilly's nerves were stretched thin, about to snap when a soft buzz signaled their arrival. The door opened and Tilly looked to Vicious who smirked and motioned for her to step out first. Tilly exited the elevator but stepped aside immediately for Vicious to take the lead. He led her down a small hallway and Tilly soon noticed there were only three doors on this floor. Vicious walked straight to the door at the end of the hall.

"This will be your apartment," he said in a bored voice. "It can lock from the inside, but I have the only key to the door." He crossed the dark room and turned on a lamp. An astonished gasp escaped Tilly, and vicious drank in her appreciation. The room was simply beautiful. The walls were winter white with bold paintings of landscapes and ethereal dancers. The furniture was a mixture of modern lines and classic comfort, mixing plain cushions with dark wood. Everything was clean and plush with a comfortable feel, leaving Vicious looking horribly out of place in so… domestic a room.

"The door over there," he motioned to a dark doorway. "Leads to the bedroom. The bathroom is just beyond. We'll dine in my suite tonight."

Tilly turned back to him as he strode toward the door. He called back to her over his shoulder.

"There's a dress laid out for you on the bed. I hope it fits." Vicious flashed an arrogant smile and pulled the door closed.

Tilly stared at the door a moment in disbelief, and then exhaled a shaky breath. She sank onto the couch and looked around, suddenly wishing she was back on the Bebop, and then immediately pushed that thought away in favor of being in a park with the kids.

From the dining area the scent of wildflowers and roses calmed her and she rose to check out the bedroom.

When she flipped the light switch she saw it. The dress was laid across the foot of the bed - a deep russet gown with a low back and full, long skirt. She approached the bed and noticed detailed beading. Tasteful and probably heavy, the beading would ensure the dress draped properly.

A sudden yawn left Tilly feeling completely exhausted and she crawled onto the bed, careful not to wrinkle the dress, to fall asleep almost before her head hit the pillow.

"Wake up, Tilly."

She inhaled deeply and stretched, rolling onto her back. Slowly she opened her eyes and a face came into focus. Smiling, she closed her eyes again and yawned.

"Hello, Shin," she squeaked through the yawn. Shin smiled, chuckling at Tilly.

"Hey there, sleepy." He stood from where he'd been sitting, at the foot of the bed, and tucked his hands into his pockets. "Time to get up. Dinner's in half an hour."

Tilly grimaced at the thought and sat up with reluctance. She hated knowing Shin only came for Vicious.

"Thanks," she grumbled and slid off the bed to stand and face Shin. "You're too good to be with these people, Shin." She called over her shoulder as she walked past him into the bathroom. "You're too good for him. You should be married with fat babies."

Tilly turned on the water and smiled softly in the mirror at Shin, at the thought of him surrounded by a dozen kids. Shin stared back at her, eyes open wide in surprise, telling her something she refused to see. Their eyes locked for a moment and Tilly become serious again.

"You should have stayed far away from the Syndicate. You were never cold enough to hurt people. You weren't meant to kill." He dropped his gaze and leaned against the door.

"Not like Vicious or Lin, you mean." He stared down at his feet. Tilly frowned in compassion. "Or Spike."

"Or me," she replied softly. Shin grunted in surprise and looked up at her, an odd look on his face. He started to speak but a communicator in his pocket buzzed, cutting him off. He answered, still watching Tilly as she started to wash her face, breathing a relieved sigh.

"Yes? Yes, she's awake." She could hear him move away into the living room. "No, I just woke her. I told her. Alright. Not yet." He was silent for a moment and Tilly strained to hear over the water. "Are you sure? I understand. Fine, right away."

The conversation seemed to be over and Tilly turned off the water and dried her face. She followed Shin into the living room and was surprised to see the angry expression on his face.

"Shin?" He looked over to her but she couldn't read him. Fear was mixed with anger. He looked hurt and confused, as though he felt betrayed.

"Dinner is in ten minutes. Vicious expects you to be prompt." With that, he stalked out the door without another word.

Tilly sighed, frustrated that a sigh was her only response lately, and walked back into the bedroom. Stripping quickly she returned to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror, trying to decide on makeup. She smirked as she realized that wearing nothing would annoy Vicious and she left the bathroom, deciding to go without.

Back at the bed she pulled the dress on, the silk sliding like hands over her skin. Unbidden, Spike's face appeared before her. His eyes burned in her mind as she pulled up the zipper, his words echoed in her ears.

"You know I can't turn you in."

She knew logically that he had only said that because of Annie, but something in his look, in the way he said it, told her he meant something more.

She crossed the bedroom to a full-length mirror and let her hair down from its thoroughly decimated bun. Long, loose curls fell down her back, the longest strands just above her waist. Working some body into the waves, she could almost feel Spike's fingers in her hair. Tilly stared at her reflection for a moment, wondering why he haunted her now. With a sigh she checked her watch. With all her daydreaming nearly fifteen minutes had passed.

Let him wait, she thought pulling on some shoes that had been sitting under the dress. With a last look in the mirror she turned away to keep her date, knowing it unwise to tempt Vicious's patience.

Tilly knocked on his door gently, hoping against hope that he had forgotten, and it opened silently. She found herself looking up into Vicious's eyes and she instantly knew that he had spoken to Annie.


Last night on the Bebop

"Did you set up everything, mom? Honestly?"

Annie's eyes hardened in indignation. "Of course I did. Is that all you called for?"

"No," Tilly answered, checking over her shoulder and motioning to Annie to be quiet. "I also called to see how the kids are. And to ask a favor." Tilly chewed her lower lip. "How are they?"

Annie sighed and looked over her shoulder to a closed door. "They're okay. Sleeping now, poor kids. They miss you."

Tilly felt the tears threatening. "I know mom. I miss them too. It's killing me to have to leave them like this. It's the only way to keep them safe." Annie snorted.

"Bull, Tilly. You know there's another way. You could come get them and leave with Spike. He'd look after you and-"

"No, mom." Tilly cut in to stop that train of thought. "There'd be no guarantee of their safety and what would happen if she came looking for them? How would I be able to explain why we took off, and why we left with him? No go, mom. Their safety has to be my first priority." Annie snorted again in derision.

"A lot of good your 'priorities' do you if Vicious has you."

Leaning back now, Tilly smiled coldly. At the sight of that expression Annie got nervous.

"That's why I called, mom. And that's where the favor comes in." Annie's expression was thoroughly lost. "I want you to make another call tomorrow. Once Spike calls to tell you Jet's back, he's gonna probably try to concoct some plan with you. Let him rant, but don't let him do anything. And once you're done with him, call Vicious."

Tilly had thought it impossible, but Annie became even more confused. "Huh?" she grunted.

"Call Vicious and let slip that I've been with Spike. That he caught me. Make it sound like you'll trade info for my safety or something. I don't care how you do it, but make sure he knows Spike caught me, and that I came on my own." Annie couldn't process this.

"Why? He'll kill you once he finds out."

"Maybe," Tilly responded flatly. "But if Vicious knows, the Shin knows, and that means I have a get out of jail free card."

"What are you planning, Tilly?"

"To get off Mars with those kids. Lin's wife is free of the Syndicate. They had that farm on New Texas. I'll drop the kids with her. They'll be safe and be able to run and play."

"You're leaving with Spike after all?"

"I'll leave with a circus if I have to. I only want the kids to be safe." Annie was obviously unhappy, but Tilly saw she finally understood what was going on. Annie stared down at her hands as if searching for answers.

"I'll do it."

"Good," Tilly nodded. "I'll come for the children the day after tomorrow. Have them ready."


The Present

"Good evening, Tilly. Won't you come in?" Vicious stepped back to allow Tilly to enter the room, hiding his reaction to her. Even without makeup she was still beautiful, her distinct scent of fresh rain and wildflowers reaching him, calling to him, as she stepped into the room. Red walls and wooden furniture suited both the mood and Vicious's personality.

"You look lovely, Tilly." Her name sounded like a poisoned seduction on his lips, tempting and deadly. "Good enough to eat." The door latched shut on his last words and Tilly turned to face him, head held high and eyebrow arched.

"Thank you, Vicious. I see you chose not to dress for dinner. Nice scarf."

A smile played across his lips as Vicious pulled the scarf from around his neck and draped it over Tilly's head to rest around her neck. He stepped forward, closing the remaining distance between them, and Tilly was forced to lean her head back to meet his eye. His breath caught as the light played off the soft skin of her throat.

"I'm glad you like it," he murmured. "It's the one you left with me." Tilly's eyes softened.

"That was a good day." He stepped closer, pressing his body lightly against hers, forcing her to lean her head back even further.

"I always enjoyed our days together." Tilly couldn't read his expression, but she could feel that her eyes betrayed her. She turned away quickly, confused by the feelings she thought she had long since gotten over. Her head dropped and she noticed for the first time that Vicious still held the ends of the scarf. Slowly the silk pulled gently at her throat and she raised your head again, nervous about what he might do. The tension became stronger and her eyes widened as fear built in her stomach. The silk continued to pull but Tilly remained still, waiting.