a/n: so i meant to have this chapter out earlier, but as usually, the site was being screwy. but here it is, in all of it's belated glory. it's just a simple second chapter, nothing big or crazy. another short one, but things will be longer next time around. well, get to readin'!
2. Aye, aye, Captain Jet-person
He studied her from his seat on her bed, watching intently as she flittered from one side of the room, to the other. For a moment, he wondered how she could maneuver so quickly, she did have a growing belly to watch out for. But he quickly turned to other thoughts as he watched her apply her make-up.
Spike would never necessarily come out and say that he was worried about the woman in his sight, but with his current actions, he didn't have to say it. Faye Valentine, he thought. She wasn't the kind of woman that he was supposed to fall in love with, but he went and did it, anyway. She wasn't dainty like Julia, and she wasn't sweet and soft-spoken liked the deceased blonde, either. Hell, the only real similarity between the two women was just that: the fact that they were women. That and the fact that he loved them both.
As he watched Faye drop some medieval make-up applying tool, and cursing at the fact, he knew that he loved his shrew more than he ever could his angel. He heaved a sigh, fully aware that he was getting soft, and gave in to the smile that crept up on his face. This may not have been the life he asked for, bounty hunting and impending fatherhood with a thawed out vixen of a girlfriend, but he was more than happy to have it. Now if only he could convince said vixen of a girlfriend to not go out on this hunt.
"Even though I agreed to it, I'm still not okay with this, Faye."
"We've already been over this, Spike. He's a small fry, and I'm still capable of doing this. Furthermore, I am doing this," she answered him as she glared at him in the mirror.
"I never said you weren't capable, I just don't want you to do this. I…I just don't have a good feeling about this."
Letting out a light chuckle, Faye turned and faced him, an appreciative smirk on her face.
"So, Mr. Hunter has a bad feeling, eh? How funny. And to what shall I attribute this feeling, too?"
"Ha ha, very funny, Faye," Spike drawled at her allusion. So what if he had the occasional sympathy symptom? Faye should have thanked him, in his opinion. It wasn't her that was hunched over the toilet in the morning.
Continuing with his observing, Spike watched Faye as she wiggled into her attire for the evening. It was a simple outfit, just a flowy sundress that allowed room for her tummy. It was a far cry from her old clothing, and Spike was secretly glad for that. It had irritated him enough when they weren't together, the way men leered at her barely covered form. Now that they were, he definitely appreciated the change of wardrobe, and obviously thanked himself for said change.
Faye slipped her feet into a pair of white heels, which accentuated the flecks of white that where in her deep blue and white polka dotted dress. As she turned around to admire herself in her full length mirror, she mused on the fact that she actually looked good in dots. Well…cute was a better word for it. But then again, she got that word a lot, now that she was showing. Catching Spike's eyes in the reflection, Faye faced and approached him.
"So you're really worried about me, huh?" She asked as she stood in front of him, arms over her chest and hips popped to one side.
"I wouldn't go so far as to say 'worried'," Spike half-joked. "But I'd really just prefer if you let me and Jet take care of this. While I'm sure you can still work your 'feminine charm' on the guy, I'd much rather work my masculine fists on him, instead."
"Christ, Spike, you're such a guy," Faye said as she smiled at him.
Returning the gesture, Spike reached out and took hold of the woman in front of him. He pulled her to him and rested his head on her stomach, the stomach he was responsible for. Faye snaked her arms around his neck and relished in the rare moment of tenderness.
It wasn't often that Spike broke down and acted like a human with emotions, but when he did, Faye couldn't help but try and blink back the tears. In these moments, she was positive that all of the shit that he put her through was all worth it. The heroin, the overdose, the rehab; all of it. When he rested his head on her stomach, when he finally gave in to the feeling of a father, Faye knew that this was how it should be.
In a similar state of mind, Spike reveled in the warmth and scent of Faye, and grinned at his baby's movements. A kick here or a punch there was more then enough to ease the cowboy's soul. He probably still wouldn't believe it until the kid was finally in his arms, but Spike was pretty sure that he'd take to fatherhood rather well, indeed.
"I really do hate to break up such a tender moment," Jet said as he stood in Faye's doorway, "but we need to brief you on the plan one more time, and make sure everything's in order."
Almost pushing Faye away, Spike practically leapt up from the bed and headed towards the common room, the stain of a blush barely hidden in the dim light. Sighing lightly and shaking her head, Faye made her way after him.
"I really am sorry, Faye," Jet said as she got to the door.
"It's not your fault, Jet," she assured. "You know he's still…iffy about the whole situation. Things happened fast and we can't expect to make a good boyfriend and dad out of him so easily, now can we?"
"I guess he didn't earn the name 'lunkhead' for no reason," Jet comforted as he gave her belly a gentle pat.
"So, you sure you got everything?" Jet asked as he closed out another window on the computer screen.
"I'm pregnant, not stupid."
"Now you're just counting hairs."
"We do still have separate rooms, you know."
"Oohh, Spike-person's gonna be in the doggie woof, woof house again!"
Rubbing a hand over his face, Jet mentally counted to ten, trying desperately to keep his temper in check. Between a pregnant Faye, a moodier than ever Spike, and a "maturing" Ed, Jet was sure that he'd loose his sanity by year's end. For the love of God, it had taken them nearly an hour to get through a fifteen minute plan!
"Will you three cut it out already!" Jet yelled.
"Did we make Jet-person mad again?" Ed asked, innocent as ever.
"No, Ed, Jet-per…I'm not mad," he ground out.
"Then why is that vein popping out on the side of your neck again?" she giggled as she stood on her hands.
Choosing to ignore the girl, the aging cowboy silently handed something over to Faye.
"The frequency on the wire should be set to channel seven. Make sure that it is."
Agreeing easily, feeling remorse for all the stress that Jet had to deal with, Faye checked her wire and confirmed that it was set to the appropriate channel.
"Good. Well, let's head out, then. Remember that Spike's gonna be across the street in the bar, and I'm going to be in the Hammerhead, just around the corner. If you need us, just say the safety phrase, and one of us will be there as quick as we can. Wait…you remember the safety phrase, right?"
"What did I just say? Pregnant, not stupid. The goddamn phrase is 'a tall latte, iced'. There, did I do good?"
Satisfied, Jet rose from his spot and headed towards the hanger. Spike and Faye fell in step, all three of them silent, and all for different reasons. Ed cartwheeled behind them, singing another nonsensical, made up song. Ein brought up the rear, as always, whimpering lightly at the situation.
After helping Faye into her craft, Spike went and boarded his. Jet went over things one more time with Ed, since one can never be so sure when counting on the easily distracted teen. As she nodded furiously at him, her orange hair bouncing along with her, Jet shook his head and prayed for strength.
"Okay, Ed, close the hanger and open the hatch," Jet yelled from his ship. "And for the love of God, stay out trouble!"
"Aye, aye, Captain Jet-person. Edward will not let you down!"
Fully aware that this mission would probably be a disaster, Jet secured his ship, started his engine, and the three hunters headed off to their hunt.
and that's then end of that chapter. just another little one. i guess it's a setup for the next chapter, though. did you see the foreshadowing? if not, that's okay; i think it's pretty subtle. well, thanks a ton for stopping by!
phoenix
