Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Waking up Beside You ( Chapter 17 )

I do not own the characters of Cowboy Bebop. They are the property of Sunrise, Bones, and Bandai Visual (2001). They make the money, not me. Nor can I take credit for most of my chapter headings- they are the product of their authors. Sigh.

And now….

A lesson learned the hard way.

 

Chapter 17: Waking Up Beside You (Stabbing Westward)

 

Spike stirred, surprisingly comfortable and content. Eyes still closed, he made an attempt to dislodge a kink only to meet resistance. “What the..?” Taking stock of his surroundings he found the warm obstacle. What's Faye doing? With practiced ease Spike extricated himself from Faye's loose embrace. Landing with a soft thud on the floor, he glanced at himself, Still dressed, good. The only indication she was disturbed was the soft moan and repositioning of her head. Carefully peeking under the blanket he tried to verify that nothing occurred beyond sleep. Her shirt had ridden up slightly, exposing her back. Spike hoped that it was from his abrupt change in position and not traveling appendages. He glanced at his hands, looking for any tell-tale signs they had wandered into forbidden territory. All he found was Ed's teeth marks and the bandage. How'd that get there? Gentle prodding proved that the hand was indeed injured and had been wrapped skillfully. He studied the familiar x pattern and smiled, Faye must've patched me up. He scowled, why and when was the problem. Wanting answers he decided to interrogate Jet, but paused. Faye needed to know she should never take snuggling liberties. That was the priority. Perturbed to find himself in such a compromising position, he stalked off to the hangar. He had supplies to collect. He needed a shower too, he smelled like oranges.

 

Jet found Faye still sleeping on the couch as he headed towards the kitchen. Passing a damp Spike, arms full of various cords, he turned and followed the man back to the main room, gathering any strays that slipped from the pile.

“Mornin' Spike, what ya doin?” Jet returned the collected bungees.

“Just buckling' Faye in.”

“What?” He gaped as Spike gently, almost tenderly, repositioned Faye on her back and began to lash her to the yellow couch. “Uh, hey Spike. I… uh… Do you think that's a good idea?” Spike's shoulder hitched as he flipped a cord over her feet. Not wanting to witness the carnage destined to follow, Jet decided to hide in the safety of his bonsais, “I had nothing to do with this. Nothing…” Is he nuts? Jet's constant muttering of innocence could be heard until a door blocked him from the rest of the ship. Gently returning the blanket over Faye's form, Spike watched her settle deeper into the couch, her mouth falling open as she tried to turn. Glancing at his hand, he decided it was time to get answers from the reticent horticulturist.

 

Spike snickered in the doorway, there in a position of honor was a small cactus, just preparing to bloom. Jet was hunched over one of his beloved plants, staring at the various limbs, contemplating where to snip for the most aesthetically pleasing shape. Tenderly he slipped his scissors around a misshapen stick, trying to avoid the main branch.

“Jet!” The scissors slid shut.

“Son of a bitch,” Jet watched disgusted as half his bonsai fell to the table. Turning a murderous glare to the noisy intruder he spat, “What!? What is so important you have to barge in here, startle the Bejesus out of me, and force me to maul one of my oldest and favorite…” he couldn't finish, resorting to pointing to the fallen limb instead. With a sad, defeated sigh, “It even survived Ed!”

Spike's eyes slid to the destroyed plant, snapping back towards the fuming gardener. He raised his bandaged hand, “What the hell happened last night?”

Jet robotically lowered his shear clenched hand to the table, forced his fingers open and released the sharp blades. “Lihas.”

Spike's brow twitched, irritated his mouth pressed to a tight, thin line, “Why don't I remember?”

“Probably because he used the same blade he divides samples with,” Spike's face hardened, Jet chuckled not wanting to think about the previous night's stresses he sidestepped the issue, “Why did you strap Faye to the couch?”
“Why was I her pillow?” Always counter with your own questions.

Jet shrugged. “Probably `cause you both fell asleep there.” Never give a counter all the information until your original question is answered.

“I would never sleep with Faye.” He pulled a face, realizing what he had just implied.

Jet couldn't help it, he laughed in the younger man's face, “Bullshit. You two looked very content.” He eyeballed Spike's twitchy countenance, “Look Spike, that drug you were slipped only lowered your inhibitions. You acted on what you wanted and didn't worry about consequences.” Jet gave a good natured shrug, “I thought you'd beat Ed to a pulp, eat the dog and blow the ship up.” He chuckled, “Who knew that what you really wanted was some cuddle time with Faye-Faye?” He smirked as he teased, “Did lil' Spiky need a hug?”

Spike glared, moving slightly he blocked the exit, “Don't fuck with me Jet, what happened last night?”

“Not sure. I was dumping off bounties. From what Ed said you bitched about having Faye clean up your hand, then everything went quiet. When I got here you were snuggling with `er on the couch.” Jet shouldered past. “I doubt she fell asleep on you purposely considering the flu meds I left for her. She probably couldn't help it after all the stress of worrying about you was gone.” He scowled, “Tying her up for helping you seems a bit overboard, doesn't it Spike?”

He shrugged, “Nope. I still owe her for the new smokes.”

Jet shook his head, “I think you remember more then you're willing to let on.” He gave Spike a knowing once over, “Do me a favor, when she puts the pieces together I want you to keep as far from me as possible.”

Spike grinned, “Hey Jet, where's Ed?”

“Faye's room last I knew.” Turning on his heels Spike headed down the hall. Jet scowled, Why's he so upset about falling asleep next to Faye? He sleeps on that couch all the time. You'd think a pleasant Faye would be a… Comprehensions dawned. Jet grinned, deciding to let the hand play out- for now. His stomach growled, sending him to scrounge up some breakfast.

 

“FAYE-FAYE!!” Ed screamed above the sleeping woman's head. “FAYE-FAYE!” Spike hovered in the doorway, not wanting to miss a moment of the impending comedy. The stairs offered the perfect view. Ed turned towards him and shrugged, “Faye-Faye won't wake up.”

“Try pinching her nose shut.” He demonstrated, his eyes crinkling when Ed complied. Faye's eyes shot open in alarm and tried to fend off the attack. Something had stopped her from breathing!! Crossed and panicked eyes locked on the hand at her nose, followed the attached skinny arm to a shoulder and on up to... Her vision began to spark and blur. Trying to brush the offensive hand from her face she thrashed, knocking the blanket off. Having been bound and gagged one too many times she forgot to open her mouth and began flopping her head side to side trying to dislodge the persistent hold; strange little grunts and terror stricken groans escaping between her tightly pressed lips with each twitch.

Spike noted the slight bluing of Faye's cheeks and her eyes beginning to roll to the back of her head, “Ed stop pinching her nose!” Immediately Ed released. Faye's labored breaths flooded the room. Her heart still pounding she began to shake, trying to process where she was and with whom. Her breathing was harsh and choppy, Is she hyperventilating? A few tears escaping down the side of her face and melting into her hair. Spike took a step forward, Holy shit. She having a panic attack? Guilt subsided as Faye's breathing regulated. It was apparent she was studying her situation while forcing herself calm. Spike had to admit, he was impressed. She went from terror stricken to analytical in an impressively short time.

Ed's face appeared. “Faye-Faye why do you look scared?” Oh. I'm on the Bebop. Again, Faye tried to sit up.

“Urk!” Her torso slammed back into the couch cushions. “What the hell!?!” She tried to move her legs, lifting an inch or two before having them forced back into yellow. Spike chuckled at her antics, drawing a seething glare from the bound woman. At least that was the intention, but the restraints only allowed her to glare peripherally. “Hey Spike,” hissed deadly composure. He stifled his mirth and glanced at her. “You happen to know how I ended up like this?” He draped over the banister, Faye's eyes following his movements, and feigned confusion not bothering to hide the mischievous glint in his eyes. Faye turned her attention to the hacker, shifting uncomfortably by her shoulder. “Ed, do me a favor and unhook these.” Returning her gaze to the cowboy, who had retreated to the door she missed Ed flip the bungee off the edge.

FWACK!

“Holy FUCK! That hurt! ED!! DON'T just let those…”

FWACK!

“cords go.” Her steam lost in the second assault.

FWACK!

“Ed, c'mon.” Faye whined, three welts blossoming on her arm and torso.

“Sorry Faye-Faye, they slipped.” Setting the fourth gently on her stomach, Ed moved to Faye's hips. Spike, enjoying the show, dug out a smoke and leaned into the door frame, trying to hold himself upright, his laughter drawing Jet from the kitchen. Sneaking a peek around the oddly jovial man, he made out the sleep mussed hair of Faye as she pulled cords off. Ed's head bobbing at the other end of the couch, releasing Faye's feet.

FWACK!

“Dammit Ed! That really hurts!” Spike collapsed and Jet felt himself smile at Faye's predicament. Ed was also struggling to hide her grin, her teeth digging visibly into her bottom lip, while Faye busied herself with the last of the bungees. Finally free, Faye stomped towards the snickering Spike several of the offensive cords clutched in her hand. In a flash, she hooked onto his waistband, pulled back, a vicious snarl curling her lips.

FWACK! FW-FWACK!

She didn't even pause to check damage as she rounded into the hallway and disappeared. Spike gently rubbed his abused back, dropping the handful of bungees on the floor. Jet chuckled at the turn of events and shot in parting, “Put those away,” before returning to his cooling coffee and burnt toast.