Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Little Red Ridinghood ( Chapter 27 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

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 walk in the woods.
 
Chapter 27: Little Red Riding Hood (Rolling Stones)
 
Faye grew weary of the three year old magazine. With a frustrated growl, she tossed it on the couch, stood and slipped outside. Spike grinned when he heard to door latch. He had purposely taken his time, wanting to hide out alone.
Hungry, Faye meandered towards the diner. It was obvious the place never had a tourist season. Entering the small office the woman who had helped her find clothing shuffled closer, “Hello dear.” Faye smiled. The woman gasped, “Where's your husband?” She shifted, “or is it boyfriend?”
“Showering and it's husband.”
“Oh. Well, you must be starved. Come on, come on.” Faye allowed the woman to tug her through the many rooms the smell of food making her mouth water.
 
Spike glared at his reflection. He looked like some wealthy punk's project. With a groan he stuffed himself into a jacket and trudged outside to find Faye. He scowled when he noticed her green sweater through the window of one of the smaller rooms connected to the registration office. Letting himself in, he eased close and smiled at the old woman refilling Faye's plate.
The woman blinked, “Ahh… so you're the young fellow my George was talkin' about.” She grinned. “Hello, I'm Annette.”
Spike bobbed his head. “Spike and Faye.”
The woman blustered, “I noticed your girl appeared really hungry so I started feeding her without you. I hope you don't mind.” He gave another nod and glanced at the selection of pastries. Faye shifted, wanting nothing more than to eat in peace. Annette inhaled sharply, “Sit. Sit!!” She scurried off and behind a tattered pink curtain, leaving a grinning Spike and fidgety Faye.
He snickered, “How do you get into these things?”
She shrugged, “Talent, I guess?”
“Here you go!” Rang from behind a curtain. Annette returned with several more plates, “Why were you two runnin'?”
Faye shrugged, “My family doesn't approve of our marriage.”
“Ahh… you eloped?”
They nodded. Both repressing the urge to gag.
Annette cooed, “Well, you're safe here until you two can get help and sneak away.”
Spike smiled and slung his arm around Faye's waist, “Thanks, ma'm.” For effect, he kissed Faye's temple. She pinked.
Annette tipped over to pinch his cheek, “I don't know why her folks would be worried.” She clucked, “Such a good, handsome boy, you are.” She caught Faye's as well, “You're one lucky girl, Missy.”
Faye smiled and gritted, “I sure am.”
Annette jumped, “Oh my! No ring?!” Immediately she disappeared. Returning with a pleased grin, “These've been in the lost and found for ten years.” She displayed a simple ring, “Try it.” Faye glanced at Spike and slipped it on. Decent fit. Annette beamed and passed a band to him. Repressing the urge to gripe he slid his on as well. “Perfect. Now if any of those scruffy kids run into you, they'll realize you two are married.” She shook her head, “No respect for anyone, those rich kids come and go and swap partners like they should be trading their undies.” Her head bobbed and her lip extended in pious indignation.
Faye studied the link, “Uh… Thanks. We'll return `em when we leave.”
Annette shook her head, “No. Keep `em and the clothes.” She smiled, “They are our gift to you for your wedding.”
“Uh…” Faye glanced at Spike unsure of protocol.
He smiled, “Thanks. Only gifts we got.”
Annette smiled and disappeared. Spike studied Faye absently fiddling with the simple ring, a small smile tugging at her lips. His grin slipped when he glanced at his own, remembering a time before when he had really planned on appearing married. Sensing his slip down memory lane Faye sighed and began studying the landscape outside the window. It's all pretend, anyway. She shifted slightly, Just like the club, and the night on the couch. She jumped when two mugs clunked onto the table. Annette offering a small smile before disappearing. Faye chugged the drink, stood and headed back to the cabin. She wasn't feeling much like pretending. In fact, she was sick of it. Spike watched her go and frowned, unsure what had brought on the morose mood. Annette returned to refill his cup, “What's wrong with your sweetheart?”
Spike glanced at her and shrugged.
“Hmm… she looked almost like she'd cry. Poor thing. Did you two have a fight over the problems you two've gotten into?”
Spike grinned and shook his head, “No. Just all the excitement from yesterday finally gettin' to her.”
“Poor thing.” Annette studied Faye's posture as she walked past the cabin and on into what could loosely be described as woods. “You two should get a nap, then you can take her on a nice walk.” She smiled, “A lot of our old visitors used to like that. There's a pond back in there, it's warm and private.” She winked, “Great place to swim.” Spike nodded, not really listening, “I can pack you a lunch, if you decide to go. Our fake light doesn't get there so it's dimly lit. Like dusk. We purposely keep it that way so people can hide out and relax.”
He gave another nod, “Eh... thanks.”
She smiled and disappeared into the kitchen.
 
Faye slogged past the little cabin; she didn't have a key anyway; and into the shabby, stringy woods. They appeared quiet and still green. She grinned at the various little creatures and plants growing across the path. Enjoying the crisp air and feeling of being away she meandered deeper into the pathetic growth, certain she could find her way back. She stilled when she came to a small pond. Collecting a few rocks she settled on the edge and took her time pitching the stones into the water. Bored she stuck her hand in. It was warm. She sighed, Why do I let it bother me? “Because you want it to mean something, just once.” She groaned at her answer. Tired of feeling robbed or cheated every time one of Jet's plans forced them to act too close or she saw Spike without his damaged baggage. She pulled her legs in and rested her chin on her knees. This last job had been hard. It almost felt like they'd been something more than coworkers. Not only was she able to go back to school, and remember more, but Spike had played the perfect role of doting suitor. Then there was the flirting at the coffee shop, the possessive actions at the club, the protective nature he displayed during the fight. She frowned, it was just all too confusing and comforting.
 
Full, Spike made his way back to the cabin and frowned in the doorway. It was obviously empty- he had the key. Where's Faye?
“You lookin' for that hot chick that came with you?” Came a voice from two cabins over.
Spike's brow rose and he nodded, Shit. When'd more people show up? He covered with a friendly smile, “You mean…” he rolled his eyes, “my wife?” The kid looked familiar, but Spike wasn't able to place him.
“Wha'? No shit? Dude, you're lucky.”
“Thanks.” Spike watched the kid fiddle with a lighter. “You here long?”
“Nah. Just stopped by to drop off a girl and pick up some shit.” The kid took a long pull off his pipe, “She went into the woods.” The kid grinned, “Don't worry, my buddy went to see if she needed company.”
Spike gave another nod and followed where the kid had indicated, His buddy's gonna get a nasty surprise if Faye wants to be alone.
 
Faye stilled when a twig snapped. She ignored the intruder, certain it was Spike. She jumped slightly when an unfamiliar voice came from behind, “Isn't smart for a girl like you to wander the woods by yourself.” He grinned, “I'm sure you've heard of the big, bad wolf.”
Faye chuckled, deciding to keep her role as a newlywed, she turned towards the beaming college boy, “Is that a pick up line?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged, “Maybe it's a friendly warning. My buddies noticed you walk by.”
She snorted, recognizing the kid from her time at M. Tech. She shrugged, “I'm not worried. I married a pretty scary fellow.” She grinned at the flicker of unease, “Trust me, no wolf would dare touch me unless he wanted to be skinned.”
The kid stepped closer. “Maybe I'm a wolf.”
“Then you'll get your head chopped off soon enough.” She shrugged, returning her attention to the water.
“You were in my history class at M. weren't ya?”
“Possibly. I'm in a lot of classes there.”
Deciding to provide the woman with some space he settled a few feet away. “Pff… you were one of those good students, always on time takin' notes. Why you missin' class to hang out here?”
Faye wiggled the fingers of her left hand, “Decided to get married, quickly.” She smiled, “I'll head back after the honeymoon and my folks settle down.”
“So. If your hunter's so special, why isn't he out here with you?”
Faye turned, grinning, “He knows I can handle myself.” She shrugged, inside she groaned, He'd have to give a shit, first.
“Pff…” the kid leaned back on his elbows, “I bet he keeps a closer eye on you than you think. I've seen you two around.”
“What are you a stalker?” Faye stiffened.
“No. You've been floatin' close to some circles I hang with.” He snorted, “One of my buddies had his eye on you.” He tossed a rock into the water, “Still does.”
She snickered, “And who was this buddy?”
The kid stilled, “You don't remember Kevin?”
“Should I?”
“Whoa. I don't get it. Kevie has money and sway.” He popped something in his mouth, crunching filling the space, “Why'd you take a no one like that skinny fellow?”
She shrugged, “Because I love him and he isn't a nobody.”
Spike eased through the branches and scowled, Love? Who? Shrugging he made his way towards the pair, with a pleasant smile he dropped next to Faye. He made sure the kid was watching before his hand settled on hers. She turned towards him, confusion and small whispers of shocked discomfort flitting past before the mask slipped back. He grinned and leaned close, still aware of the audience. “Why'd you slip away so quickly?”
She frowned, knowing the audience was facing her back, “You were still eating and I wanted to take a walk.”
He glanced around her at the grinning student, “I see you found someone to keep you company.”
“He found me.” She gave an icy smirk, “He thinks he's a big, bad wolf.”
An eyebrow rose and he slid closer, grinning when the chilly mask slipped to show nervous uncertainty. She resisted the urge to scoot away, their audience spell bound. His hand snaked behind her back and rested possessively on her hip. With a firm tug he pulled her close, noses touching. Nerves still evident on her features he leaned closer. She swallowed. He grinned when he heard their audience stand and meander away. Not finished, Spike's lips connected with Faye's. He chuckled at the sharp gasp and leaned into the kiss, causing her to tip back slowly. Enjoying the docile Faye, he brought his other hand to rest on her stomach. His fingers skirting to her leg and across the exposed skin below the raised hem. He felt the small shiver at the contact and deepened the kiss. Her hands drifting up, nervously, to touch the sides of his face. He slid the hand on her back lower, easing her flat. Following, he rested on an elbow, never releasing the connection. One of her hands eased to his chest, her movements careful, uncertain. Taking advantage of the temerity he deepened the kiss, his free hand slipping under her sweater and towards her back. She arched and gasped at the contact, pressing her body closer. He moved from her mouth, taking his time toward her ear. “This is much better than at the club…” She blinked, her brain stuck in happy comfortable.
“Yeah.”