Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Duck and Run ( Chapter 26 )

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….

Stranded!

 

Chapter 26: Duck and Run (Three Doors Down)

 

Lihas pulled himself from the wreckage and scowled, Where's Jeff and Wolfe? He grinned when he realized the cowboy and the college girl were just over the next rise based on the ribbon of smoke swirling upward. Hopefully he's dead and I can take my time with her. He studied the mangled remains of his ship, the extra storage had survived and with a satisfied air he pulled out a few of his favorite weapons. He studied his surroundings, deciding on paying the red ship a wake-up call before he began trekking towards the dim light perpendicular to the line between him and the annoyance. I'll remind that cowboy and the girl who they're messin' with while they're down, get some rest, Wolfe and some food then I'll deal with the trash at my leisure. He snorted and spoke aloud, “It's not like they can get very far on this rock.” With a pleased cackle he made his way towards the Swordfish. Destruction and mayhem on his mind.

 

Spike kicked, something or someone was close by. He cracked his eyes open when he heard the unwelcome intruder bounce off a panel and cuss. Faye groaned as she rubbed her head, “Ass.” She collapsed in a wheezy puddle on the floor, “I was just checkin' you for a fever. What the hell?!”

He tried to shrug, “Why are you half dressed in my room?”

“We're not…” a noise from outside the ship stilled her. “Shh. Stay put.” She glanced at him. He was still pale and weak. “Pretend you're dead.” She peered out the side of the hatch, grimacing at the bruises on top of bruises as they pulled and protested.

“Faye, what the hell's…” the ship jerked. Dirt and sand spraying around the mangled cockpit.

Faye remained rooted glaring out the window. “Huh. Well now I know we can breathe out there. She stared in shock as another projectile raced their way. After impact she opened the hatch.

“Where you…”

“Stay put.” She flung a leg over the side, “I'll get rid of Lihas. You stay here,” their eyes met, “Please.” Before he could respond she'd slid down the side and run away from the ship.

He tried to yell at her, but she'd resealed the hatch on her way out. “Faye! FAYE!” She gave a half wave and disappeared into a crater. Groaning he sat up and waited for the world to settle before he could make himself move. He studied the barren landscape, then the stars and flickering colored rings above. Where have I seen this… He grinned when the moon's name came to mind, Pandora. He glanced out the window, Faye was skirting another crater and limping. He scowled when she ducked, the snap of a gun meeting his ears shortly after. Not needing further incentive he cracked the hatch and began sliding out the ship. Something caught his eye, on the console, shining dully sat his Jericho. He growled, She left unarmed? “Shit, Faye!”

 

Faye groaned, certain she'd stepped on every sharp rock between the Swordfish and Lihas. She shivered and hid behind a large rock. She'd caught sight of the small campground. It looked abandoned, but the slowly curling smoke said otherwise. With a grin and a tiny sliver of hope she tried to decide: Go back and get Spike or Keep Lihas busy. The sound of gravel shifting made the decision for her. With a panicked yelp she kicked out towards the intruder.

“Watch it Faye.” He slid next to her, his arm still bound, jacket hung limply off his shoulders. He grinned, “You're thorough I couldn't get out of this.”

She smiled and dug at her foot, “Didn't want you ripping' out my half-assed stitches.” She shrugged, “Or pull the glue.”

“What?”

“I superglued the cut.” Shrug, “You didn't have enough thread.”

He frowned, “We should get to that campground.”

She nodded. “There's people there.”

“Yup. You seen Lihas?”

She shook her head, “Not for a bit.” She frowned, “I think he went back to his ship or he's headed to the camp too.”

Spike nodded and stood, “Let's go.”

 

Lihas grinned when he spotted the oddly placed, scrubby trees and tiny campground. All he'd have to do is get a room and wait for one of his stooges to make an appearance. He scowled, certain the girl had disabled Jeff. Well, that dumb ass is no longer useful. He headed back to his ship. He had some merchandise to make sure remained unharmed, or there'd be hell to pay. Silently berating himself for forgetting it as he retraced his angered march to the Swordfish.

 

Spike shrugged on his jacket and made his way towards the bedraggled little camp. Faye followed behind, limping and shivering slightly. He paused and groaned. “Faye?” She chattered close. “Faye, untie me.” She scowled. He sighed, “Just do it.” She complied, only to get his filthy jacket draped across her shoulders as he tugged his battered shirt back in place. He glared at her feet, “They hurt?”

“Huh?” She followed his gaze, “Oh. No.” chuckle, “They're pretty numb now.”

He nodded and began the trek again. The camp was just a bit further. Hopefully they'd have some clothes she could have and some running water to clean up the various bruises and gashes littering her body. He scowled, Why do I care? They tripped up the dilapidated porch and on into the small foyer. A short, thin man shuffled towards the pair. “Well, I'll be. We haven't had customers for years.”

Spike nodded. Faye shifted.

“What the hell happened to you two?!”

“Ship crashed. Can we borrow a communicator?”

“Nope.”

Faye blinked, “What?”

“Don't have one.”

She deflated, missing the elderly woman who materialized next to the grizzled man.

“Honey, you look a mess.” She caught Faye's arm. “George, get these two a room. I'm going to see if we don't have something these poor kids can wear until help arrives.” Faye smiled and hobbled after the woman. The old man tipped sideways to study Faye's exit, “You two together?” Spike nodded. “Lucky boy.” He passed Spike a key, “It's small but comfortable. Mom loves to cook, just come back here and we'll feed ya.” He whistled, “Damn lucky, you keep an eye on her or some young buck'll try to snatch her from under your nose.” He chuckled, “I saw another ship land a bit ago. We'll have a handful of kids `bout her age here pretty soon. She a college girl?” Spike nodded, “Be careful. They're a grabby lot. Come here to avoid folks and nosy guardians.” He stuck out his hand, “Name's George. Me and my wife run this place. Welcome…”

“Spike.”

The old man smirked, “And the girl?”

“Her name's Faye.”

“Hey, where's your ship?”

Spike grinned, “Off that way.”

“Oh… ok.”

Faye appeared with several bags of clothes. Spike gave a weak nod, spun the key and meandered back towards her. She clutched the piles and provided a thin smile. “Let's go.”

 

Spike and Faye dropped their baggage and surveyed the small space. Faye disappearing into a back room to discern the sleeping situation. She returned with a displeased grimace, “I call bed.”

Spike shook his head, “We're adults, we can share.” His thumb jerked towards the tiny couch, “I'm not sleeping on that or in the tub. You can if you want.” Faye chewed her lip and nodded. Not wasting time she dragged the bags into their room and began unpacking. Spike made his way in to investigate when she groaned.

“What?”

“It's an interesting assortment.” He tried to see the handful of fabric she had bunched in her hand. “I'm gonna shower.”

He nodded and waited for the door to click closed before rummaging through the assortment of lost and found clothing. He snorted, Khakis? The water shut off, Faye appeared, toweling off her hair. Spike grinned when he realized she was wearing a simple dress- Faye never wore simple dresses. She ignored his smirk and tugged her hair off her neck with a clip. “Shower Lunkhead, so we can make a plan on how we're goin' to get out of this hole.” He nodded and disappeared into the steamy bathroom. Grumpy, Faye flopped on the couch and flipped through the ancient magazine.