Thank you everyone for the reviews, thank you so much! You guys are what kept me coming back to this story. I'm sorry it took me so long to update, life and school really just threw me a couple fast ones for a few weeks there and I had no time to work on stuff for pleasure.

I don't know if anyone is interested about the inspo behind this story. At least one of you asked if this is a "they both get S.O's and get jealous story," and it's not exactly that! The original inspiration was actually thinking of Faye jamming out listening to "New Rules" by Dua Lipa lol. (Especially the MRK Club Remix) Vowing to get over Spike, making rules to keep that vow, then breaking all those rules! But then I started writing and it just came out as a Spike POV story kind of naturally. Because I do think Spike has always been at least somewhat interested in Faye, though of course otherwise "committed." But admitting that would break all kind of rules for Spike so we'll see where that goes my dear readers!

M'wuah!

Spike had spent an embarrassingly long time continuing to brood over Faye and her new beau that night in his room.

Does she think I'm some schoolboy that she can make jealous? The way I acted this afternoon I guess she's not so far off...

Maybe he had shown too many of his cards reacting so strongly to her flirting with that nobody at the bar. At the time he had honestly just been frustrated that she was distracted by yet another one of the loverboys that seemed to throw themselves at her feet wherever she went. She just attracted too much of the wrong kind of attention, when she was the one who should have been keeping one eye on their target at all times. It annoyed him. Never one for delicacy, he had voiced that opinion. He could see how perhaps, someone might read that as jealousy.

But Faye had gone above and beyond even fucking up the Swordfish. No, she had actually brought home and paraded around Mr. prince charming Ben, who wasn't even intimidated by Spike. Where did she find this guy anyway? He didn't strike Spike as one of the regular low lifes or horndogs that flocked to worship at the temple that was Faye's body. (Just worshipping never guaranteed access of course) Spike had seen men literally kiss the ground Faye walked on, and while it was obvious to him she enjoyed the attention, at least to a certain degree, he had never seen her go home with any of them. She usually preferred to do the pursuing, it seemed. And she had caught herself a decent specimen this time, though Spike wasn't supposed to care… he couldn't help comparing. Ben had a tailored suit, that actually looked like it had been dry cleaned and pressed in the last month, as opposed to Spike's perpetually wrinkled one. He was well spoken and very tall with dark skin; his perfect white smile stood out against his darker features. Even Spike could see how most women would be dazzled by that warm smile.

Oh god… am I jealous?

NO. No way.

Spike had more self-control than to let Faye play him like that. He wouldn't let himself be manipulated into wanting only what he couldn't have. He kicked off his boots with a little more force than necessary.

Rule no. 1 Spike-o. Don't get attached. Stop thinking about this….

But of course that didn't quite work out. The brooding continued as he peeled off the layers of his clothing, taking care to hang up his shirt for once on the metal rack next to his currently unused gun holsters and a couple spare undershirts. Besides the Jericho, his lighter, and the Swordfish these were his only worldly possessions. His old suit and trench coat had been completely ruined, and everything from before the Bebop had to be left behind during his escape from the Dragons. It was ok, Spike was used to being a 'only the clothes on his back' kinda guy. As long as he had good food.

He climbed unceremoniously into bed still thinking about Faye; his room was very spartan, there wasn't anywhere else to sit. The perhaps sexual connotation of thinking of a woman whilst laying in bed didn't even cross his mind.

You have no reason to be jealous because you never laid any kind of claim on her because you've never wanted her that way, remember?

Spike lit a cigarette lazily, so ingrained was his habit now, that he subconsciously took care not to burn the sheets as he tossed and turned and smoked.
If it was Faye's strategy to make Spike jealous in bringing Ben over, if it was indeed a strategy at all, then the whole idea banked on Spike's physical attraction to Faye at the very least.

It wasn't totally out of the realm of possibility. They were both good looking, young, adults of semi-sound mind. Saying that there was absolutely zero attraction there, even before he had "died," would be a lie. Spike could bend the rules to admit to that much, though it was difficult to precisely name the spark that existed between them. But Spike had never, ever, wanted to act on it, whatever it was. Always considering Faye more trouble than she was worth, he knew he would have had to keep one eye on her and the other on his wallet at all times. But the more Spike dwelled on the whole situation, clearing through some of his self righteous anger, the more he came to believe, in a sort of round about way, that it made him and Faye even.

He could further admit to being somewhat perversely jealous based on a very superficial attraction to her because Spike felt the basis of Faye's initial attraction to him might have come from a similar place of perversity. Wanting most desperately that which you cannot have. Not necessarily fertile ground for a loving and trusting relationship to grow, but what the fuck did Spike know about that anyway?

Spike felt safer assuming that he had probably been one of the first men she had met after waking from cryosleep who hadn't started drooling at her feet immediately upon meeting her. While he hadn't exactly liked her, he had never looked at her just as a sex object to become another notch on his metaphorical bed post either. Perhaps in turn, Faye had seen Spike at first as more of a challenge. He assumed Faye would still revel in taking him down a peg, to watch him, "Mr. Perfect," beg for her attention, but that her feelings had grown. Or at least that's the impression Spike had formed. She talked tough, but it was pretty obvious that under the surface Faye was a very lonely woman who had been robbed of any frame of reference, and was desperately searching for something. Belonging probably.

At least part of her once wished she could find that belonging with me. Not that long ago too. Hmph.

But now, what, suddenly she had this Ben guy, Spike had realized he wanted her all along?

No. No way he was that simple. He had just gotten used to the idea of Faye pining after him, that's all.

Still, he would have to do something about this. About himself.

He had been the one to blow up earlier that day for basically no reason. For what, because some stupid kid had been drooling over her tits? That happened all the time, why had Spike chosen to get upset over it now? Because even before she had brought home Ben, Spike could see that he was beginning to lose his pull over her. There was at least some part of his ego that had gotten tied up in that, in Faye's feelings for him, and that was a big no no. He would have to fall back hard on rule number one and sever those ties.

Rarely, so rarely that he felt like his brain had to be pretty traitorous to think of it now, when Spike really couldn't bear the idea of living through yet another day, he was comforted by thoughts of Faye. Her brute determination to keep him alive, even against his own wishes, meant at least one person saw something good in him. Alternatively, most of Spike "knew" that she had wasted her efforts, he was just the fucking shell of the person he used to be. That he could not be saved. When he was feeling particularly cruel, Spike felt that it served her right, and that she could go on pining for him forever as punishment for bringing him back. His power over her vis-a-vis her unrequited romantic feelings for him was like a drug that could distract him from his self-pity.

But Faye wasn't really culpable for anything except saving his life; she had made no real demands of him since then; so that meant that Spike should probably apologize. Especially if he wanted to stick to his story that he really didn't care who she spent her time with.

Guys who don't care who girls give their attention to don't do what I did. So I'll apologize because I flew off the handle for no reason during the job, if only to assert that I don't give a shit about her love life.

It was an ok plan Spike thought but, he hated apologizing.

The next morning he stumbled toward the small kitchen, bleary eyed after a poor night's sleep. To his surprise Spike could smell coffee, and hear the sounds of someone making something, banging around pots and wooden spoons. Bebop folks tended not to be morning people in general. You were lucky if someone had bothered to clean out the coffee pot from yesterday so you could start a fresh one if you were the first one up.

However this morning, Spike walked into to the kitchen to find none other than Faye, who was positively glowing, whistling a happy tune over the stove. Someone had gotten laid, that's for sure, and Prince Charming must have been a pretty good one too from the way she was flouncing around like Christmas had come early this year.

"Jesus Faye, tone it down a little bit for the rest of us poor suckers would you?" Despite his resolution to apologize, Spike couldn't help himself it seemed. She really was over the top, especially for so early in the morning.

"Oh Spike. Spike, Spike, Spike." She punctuated each time she said his name with a little shake of her head, but that was her whole reply. She didn't turn and look at him, just continued with whatever she was making. Eggs by the look of it.

"So, is he still here?"

"Who?"

Faye loves to play coy, that's for sure.

"You know who."

"No, he left earlier."

"So, who are you making the eggs for?"

She laughed a little, "Me!"

"Huh… and who's money paid for those eggs?"

She finally turned to face him, giving emphasis to her words by gesticulating with the wooden spoon.

"Oh no, you don't get to play that card anymore cowboy. I paid for them with the money I brought in from my last solo job. So you can just wipe that smug look off your face."

"Whatever."

This is too much bother, screw it.

Spike would maybe try to apologize later, if he still felt like it. Right now it was too early and she was being a pain again. He moved efficiently across the room to grab a mug of coffee, then turned to leave. He didn't want to look at her and cursed himself for feeling slightly self-conscious about how much space he took up in the tiny kitchen, trying to give her a wide berth.

He heard her click the knob to turn off the burner on the stove then,

"Spike… wait."

Her tone stopped him in his tracks, and he turned slowly toward her, pulling out one of the stools they kept around to perch on. Spike arched his eyebrow over his coffee, when she did not immediately continue.

"Yes?" he prompted her.

"I'm sorry... I guess, Spike. I'm pissed that I've gotta be the bigger man and apologize first, but I want to get this off my chest so just listen. I'm sorry for picking a fight last night when I brought Ben back, and I'm sorry for damaging the Swordfish but," and she sighed deeply, looking pensively at the floor.

"But as you so kindly pointed out to me before you," she searched for the right word for a moment before she met his eyes, "left… we are nothing to each other. You have no ownership over me, or my time and who I chose to spend it with. I'm getting pretty sick of the patriarchal bullshit."

Here she backtracked slightly, "That's not to say I want to leave, or I don't think we can work together anymore. I do like you - and Jet. I'm grateful to be here, it was like pulling teeth, but you guys made a space for me in your home, however reluctantly. But… I like Ben too."

To Spike's dismay a creeping shy grin crossed her face as a light flush worked its way up to her cheekbones, like she was genuinely telling the truth. It made her look younger. Pretty even.

"I'm still pretty distrustful of it, but I'd like to see him again. So I hope you can - I mean we can, not... fight about it."

Spike couldn't help but feel awkward in the face of her vulnerability. He could do the bickering, he could do the yelling, that kept the comfortable distance between them. But this? This was new. But isn't this what he had been brooding about last night? He wanted this? This is the closest she had ever come to explicitly admitting that she had ever felt any type of way about Spike. He thought they would never be able to talk so freely, even though her words also contained an inherent rejection.

Is that even what I had been brooding about?

All he did know was that now that he was here, he had no idea what to do. She had him all turned around, damnit. Spike wasn't exactly the poster boy for emotional intelligence or sensitivity. So he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away from Faye for a second while he gathered his thoughts.

He started slowly, his sentences were stuttered and short, as he was still forming his ideas as he spoke; she had blown his planned half-assed apology out of the water.

"It's ok Faye. You shouldn't really be the one apologizing. I picked the fight first yesterday, it was stupid. And you're right. I don't have any say over what you do, and I don't want that responsibility anyway. I just… jesus I can't believe I'm saying this. I guess I just hope he's a… good guy," Spike finished lamely.

Faye's face went from good natured disbelief to a school girl's grin and she slugged him on the arm.

"Easy there cowboy! Ha! Maybe I will share some of my eggs, I really didn't think I was going to get an apology out of you."

Spike tried to regain some dignity, "I can still surprise people," he said somewhat indignantly.

"Oh we know that Spike. You're full of surprises. That was never, never up for debate."

She scraped half of the scrambled eggs in the pan on a plate, and slid it over to Spike with chopsticks.

"Don't get any ideas, this isn't going to be a regular thing. But here."

The eggs actually looked pretty good too. They were golden and fluffy, nothing like the weird brown mushy things that Jet passed off for eggs. He took the first bite and his body thanked him for the real honest to god protein that wasn't from an instant ramen pack.

"Hey, these aren't bad. If I knew all it would take to get you to cook was a good lay, I would have-"

Spike cut himself off mid bite, fully realizing he may have wrecked whatever had just transpired between them. Foot, meet my mouth. Get acquainted.

God must have been smiling down on him, or Prince Charming really had given her the best sex of her life last night, because Faye just laughed, grabbing her own plate and coffee leaving the kitchen presumably to have breakfast in bed.

"For that Spike, I'll let you take care of the dishes!"

Spike was full of surprises, but so, he was learning, was Faye.

The next few days passed in much the same way as time did on the Bebop before Ben's auspicious arrival. The only difference being that Faye did not actively avoid Spike anymore, and it seemed to have lifted a certain tension that had been hanging over everything. Spike wouldn't have even noticed it was there, if not for it's sudden absence.

Jet was waiting on a replacement part for the Swordfish, so they were currently docked on Mars between two actual fishing vessels in the port, and between jobs without much to do. However on the third day something interesting happened. Spike was going through his Jeet Kune Do routine, relishing in the hard work and the way sweat beaded at his forehead, when he heard the ringing of a comm and then felt rather than heard thundering footsteps running from across the ship, undoubtedly to catch the call in time.

Always the curious type, Spike grabbed his old shirt to towel away the sweat, and peeked out of the old control room that he used for his exercises. The hallway was empty, but he thought he heard Faye's excited voice coming from the bathroom, so he continued to investigate. As he made his way down the hallway, Faye's voice became louder, and when he turned a corner, Spike was stopped suddenly by Jet's bulky frame blocking the way.

Jet was standing with his arms crossed, leaning on one hallway wall, with his eyes closed in an expression of utmost calm. Only his occasionally twitching eyebrow belied his real feelings.

Through the bathroom door, Spike could make out the muffled noises of Faye's shrill voice. Made shriller because it seemed like she was speaking at least an octave higher than usual. Spike didn't catch the first part of what she had said, only heard,

"I would LOVE to Ben. You don't have to worry about me, I can mingle with the best of 'em. It'll be a treat just to get away from the smell of motor oil and old fishing boats. I'll have to dig out a dress!"

She paused, Spike assumed to listen to Ben's response before she continued swooning.

Spike, hoping to protect his eardrums from her voice that seemed to be getting higher and higher, put one finger in the ear that was closer to Faye. He gestured to the closed door with his free hand, grunting to get Jet's attention.

"What's going on?"

"I'm not certain other than he must have called. I was about to walk in there to use the john and she blew past me. Like a teenager trying to get away from her parents. She could have gone to her room, but no."

Spike himself was actually having a pretty good time observing the current situation. Jet fit right into the paternal role, contrasting perfectly with the middle schooler Faye had turned into, at least when it came to all things Ben. Resulting in the slightly warped domestic scene unfolding before his eyes. If Spike felt like getting a good punch from Jet, he might have commented on it, but knowing just how powerful even Jet's human arm could be, he held his tongue.

Even Jet's patience had limits it seemed, though Spike's bemused gaze probably compounded things, and he stepped forward to start banging on the door.

"There's only ONE bathroom on this ship Faye!"

She opened the door and Jet almost fell bodily on top of her.

"Jeez Jet, no need to be so rude, I'm on a call."

She was holding the earpiece of the comm to her neck and covering the mouthpiece with one hand.

Jet looked like he might start spewing steam from his ears and Spike tried to contain his amusement, pretending to examine the pipes along the ceiling, for fear of that punch.

"Fine here, it's all yours," and Faye stepped forward gesturing to let Jet past.

Once the door had hissed closed Faye gave Spike a quick once over and mouthed, 'What do you want?' as she returned the comm to her ear, "Ben, you still there? Yes I'm sorry about that…" Spike shrugged and turned to leave, no need to hear this, when he heard his name.

"Spike? Yeah… he's here, why?" She paused to listen to something Ben was saying on the line, and Spike turned back toward her. Faye was looking at him too, and they made awkward eye contact. Her posturing suddenly didn't seem so confident, Ben had said something to her about Spike? She continued speaking into the comm turning away from him,

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, I'm sure you know somebody far more appropriate? - That's sweet…. I promise I'll ask ok? Ok, I'll wait to hear from you tomorrow, I can't wait! Bye~~~~"

She ended the call in such a breathy sing songy voice, Spike had to resist laughing. She sounded like she was trying to do an impersonation of one of those old Earth movie stars. He continued to look at her expectently as her entire demeanor changed from 'sexy school girl' to 'really pissed off woman,' the moment she hung up the call.

"Well, you're supposed to ask me something aren't you? Out with it."

Spike always was a 'rip the bandaid off' person. She turned to face him in the hallway again, exhaling slowly in an supposed attempt to calm herself.

"I'm supposed to ask you to a party."

Well that certainly hadn't been what he was expecting and he let his surprise show.

"Why does Ben want me to come to a party?"

"Well… Just hear me out, it kinda has to do with something I told him about you."

Spike began to glower, but he didn't say anything, waiting for her to continue.

"See last time he came over, when we fought in front of him? To smooth things over I kind of told him that you were strictly like a brother to me…"

"I'm beginning to get the impression you are about to ask me for a favor, Faye Valentine."

"Well it's not like it's a chore, you'll get free food and free booze! What more do you need?"

"What's the catch?"

"You have to be my strictly platonic date to get in the door, because Ben already promised his Mother he would take his younger cousin, who is in town. But you'll charm her off her feet because you're so charming, and then Ben and I can be together on a date because we are dating."

Spike had to take a second to think about how he wanted to respond,

"And Ben asked you to do this? To ask me?"

"Yes, he thinks it would be kind of like a double date and a good opportunity to get to know you, my brotherly figure, and he would like very much for me to come even though he was technically already spoken for."

Spike doubted the integrity of Prince Charming's intentions. Just from that one meeting he had struck Spike as slightly more calculating. Spike suspected that Ben had perhaps seen through Faye's excuse of "brotherly love," and had wanted Spike to come to the party in order to sniff out his intentions towards Faye.

No need to go to so much trouble. She's all his.

"I don't have anything to wear."

"So you'll do it? You'll go?"

Faye bounded forward clutching her hands together in front of her heart, looking up at Spike with sparkling eyes. It made Spike itch uncomfortably.

"I haven't agreed…"

But Faye bowled over that,

"Oh I'm sure Ben could lend you a suit, you and he are pretty similar builds! I guess I have a type," and she slapped Spike's chest playfully.

"Oh so we've graduated to joking about it now? Good to know. And what makes you think I would want to wear one of Prince Charming's suits anyway?"

"Prince Charming?" Faye asked, delighted.

Shit.

That was Spike and now Jet's, private nickname for Ben, they'd never mentioned it to Faye.

"Yeah, well with the way he reduces you to a useless quivering pile of swooning mush it seemed appropriate."

Faye took the insult in stride, and considered Spike's explanation thoughtfully. She paused and then posed,

"You know you can do that too. Make girls swoon. I've seen you do it, it's like a switch you can flip on, and boom there's the patent Spiegel Smile guaranteed to get the info you need out of just about any woman with two eyes. It's just the same as me with the worthless men on all our jobs. Who knows, maybe you'll like this girl enough to take her home and get yourself laid and me and Jet won't have to deal with you moping around all the time?"

Faye smirked at him, but Spike felt like he could see some of her insecurity behind her words. Like she was grandstanding, to cover up that she probably still did care on some level who Spike slept with.

"You're a sweet talker Faye, but I still haven't agreed. I don't want to deal with some stupid chick, I don't care enough. And I know you don't really want me corrupting Ben's little cousin. That might ruin things for you with him. Sweeten the deal."

"Ugggghhhh. What do I have to do?"

She reacted without thinking, temper rising.

A little devil whispered in Spike's ear and a shit eating grin grew across his face.

"So you really want to go to this party?"

"Yes!"

"And you can't really go, unless I go too, right?"

"Right…"

"And so you'll do anything to get me to go, because you really like this guy right?"

"..."

Sure he would go to the party, he would gorge himself on rich people's food and drinks. If Ben wanted to confront him, maybe he could even get a little fun out of the evening. But he was also going to milk Faye for all she was worth.

What fun would there be without that?

Faye seemed to realize that she had gotten herself in a little deeper than was comfortable, and took a half step back. Spike loomed, shirtless, looking down at her with a superior smirk.

"Faye, are you sure you want to ask me to do this? To put yourself in debt, to me?"

Commendably she didn't back down,

"You decide later what you want, I'm telling Ben you're coming."

She turned and began to march away, resolutely not looking back.

"You better believe I'm going to decide, and I'm going to collect my payment Romani, sooner rather than later, you won't be able to run from me so easily!" he called after her.

The bathroom door hissed open, slightly delayed behind the sound of the toilet flushing. Jet stepped out of the bathroom as casually as he could. Spike regarded him awkwardly, he had forgotten where he and Faye had been talking.

"So, going to a party huh?"

Now it was Spike's turn to bristle as Jet's bemusement.

"Yeah and what of it?"

"Nothing, just didn't think you'd agree so easy," he said lightly, but Jet patted Spike on the shoulder in a gesture that could only be read as pity as he passed by, leaving in the opposite direction as Faye had.

Spike didn't know how to feel about that!

He was firmly under control of the situation, wasn't he?