Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Skeletons in my Closet ( Chapter 32 )

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….

Surprised visitors and a peeping George.

 

Chapter 32: Skeletons in my Closet (Team Fat)

 

Faye eased out the shower and padded into the bedroom. She ignored the other people in the cabin, assuming it was Ed, Spike and Ein. An unfamiliar chuckle caused her to spin and clutch her bathrobe. She dashed to the door and tried to kick it shut, only to have it bounce back and off her shoulder. She stumbled and rushed towards the bathroom. A hand gripped her arm and tugged her away. Knocking her off her feet she fell, staring up at Wolfe and Lihas. Angie whined pathetically from her position across the room.

Wolfe glared at her, “Shut up.”

A frightened peep answered.

He focused on Faye, a knife flicking out and against the redhead's throat. Lihas grinned, happily eyeballing the damp bits of Faye peeking from the clutched robe. Wolfe snarled, “Get dressed quickly.” Faye glared at him. He tossed a pile of clothes at her and pressed the knife harder, a thin line of red oozing over the metal. “Hurry, I don't have much patience.” Frowning, Faye tugged the chosen clothing on. She grinned when she clasped her simple necklace- she liked what it promised. “You done?” She nodded and groaned when she was roughly jerked out of the room. Why is it always the same?! She glanced at Angie, trembling on the couch. Why can't Spike get kidnapped for once or Jet? What happened to karma? Mine can't be that bad!

“What's this about?”

Lihas grabbed her jaw, “Like you don't know.”

Faye frowned and tried to pull away, “No. I don't.”

“You took out Tony and the Spider. Jerked me around like a tool and let that filthy cowboy around.”

“What's wrong with Spike? I like…”

She grimaced when a hand cracked across her cheek. “Mind your place, skank.”

Wolfe chuckled, “Oh poor Maxwell girl. Not used to this kind of treatment are you?”

Lihas grinned and tugged Faye closer, “Maxwell, huh? Which family?”

Faye snarled and spit, earning herself another rough slap.

“Tie her up.” Wolfe scurried over and secured Faye's hands behind her back. Lihas grinned and tugged a door open, “Throw her in here with chubby.”

Wolfe caught Angie's hair, “Don't fuckin' peep, or I'll make sure you and that cowboy's whore regret it.” Angie nodded mutely and followed Faye into the enclosed space.

 

Jet scowled at the Bebop crew snoozing before the fireplace. He rubbed his head and eased into the crisp air. Spike stirred. “What time is it?”

Jet paused in the door, a cigarette propped in his lip. “Late. You slept for hours.” He glared into the campground. “Wonder where Faye is.”

Spike shrugged, “Go ask George. He has the place wired doesn't he?”

Jet grinned, “Yup.” He blew a stream of smoke, “He knew exactly what you and Faye were up to.”

Spike frowned, “Thought so.” He rolled his shoulders and stood, “Guess I should go ask for copies, huh?”

Jet sighed, “I'll stay here with Ed.” Spike was already half way to the office. He gave a half wave before Jet ducked back inside.

Ed twitched and sat up. “Where's Faye-Faye?”

“Don't know, why don't you check on Tomato.”

“Oh, yeah.” She yawned and tugged the red contraption closer with a toe. “Faye-Faye. Faye-Faye, where are…” she visibly perked, “Her dot is…” she scurried to the window and pointed, “There.”

“That's her and Spike's cabin.”

“Should Ed go check?”

“No. Stay put. Let's see what Spike learns first.”

She frowned and chewed on her lip, glaring at the screen. “Faye-Faye's not moving and the beeps say she isn't even in normal people places.”

“Wait.”

 

Angie sank next to Faye, tears visible. “I'm so sorry.” She shook her head, “I mentioned that I thought you two weren't married `cause of something you said when we were talking and he flipped.” She gave a shivery breath, “He started talking about cowboys and dirty double crossing women.” Another hiccup, “Wolfe's changed.” Her lip quivered, “He's the one that first threw me in here.” She shifted, “I'm sorry I didn't warn you, they told me if I made so much as a peep to warn you they'd shoot you in the head.” She sniffled, “I should've gone with Jeff like he wanted me too.”

Faye nodded and fiddled with her restraints. Angie carefully studying her every move. Faye sighed and turned, showing her back to the girl, “What'd they tie me up with?”

Angie frowned at the bindings, “Looks like zip ties.”

Faye rolled her eyes, no wonder her hands were going numb. She glanced at the nervous girl, “Sit back.” Angie `eeped' when Faye kicked the door. “Hey!” She kicked harder, “HEY!!”

The door was wrenched open revealing a livid Wolfe, “What?!”

She glared at him, “You need to loosen these restraints a little.”

“Why?”

“Because, dumbass, my hands are turning purple.” She grinned, “I doubt my husband's going to give you what you want if you damage me.”

“Pff…” Lihas strutted close, catching her chin he grinned, “You two aren't even married and I already have what I want of his.”

She smiled, “Prove we're not. I'm from Maxwell. Daddy set me up with one of his rising stars. He set it up so it'd look like we eloped. That way there wouldn't be noise about nepotism because Spike was promoted.” Her grin turned wicked, “You're lookin' at the wife of the man destined to take over for Daddy.”

“Bullshit!” Faye blinked away the stars. “Wolfe redo the restraints and hog tie her.”

Faye groaned, when she was flipped onto her stomach, arms and legs tied, and then bound together. Lihas grinned as she was lugged up and tossed back into the closet. “Now be still, bitch.” The door swung back open, a gag slapped over her mouth. Faye huffed but remained silent. She waited, listening to the men move about the small space. From the snippets of discussion she could catch, over Angie's nervous weeping and mumbles about being tricked, the two were scared and out of their league. She grinned when they began bickering about the newest load of supplies due that night. Lihas wanted Wolfe to go. Wolfe was certain his partner would lose his cool and start playing with the new toy before they'd finished business with their angry client.

“Bullshit.”

“I've seen the way you ogle her.” Frantic pacing, “She's high level Syndicate and you want to fuck her. Shit! We're already in it, especially if he's a second in command and not a bounty hunter.”

“The dickweed's a cowboy, I'd bet on that.”

“I wouldn't!”

 

Spike eased into the kitchen and smiled at Annette. She grinned back. “Where's George?”

“He's back there.” She jerked with her thumb. “Don't kill him, please.”

Spike snorted, “Hadn't crossed my mind.” He slipped behind a curtain to find George staring at Faye swimming. He cleared his throat, grinning when the older man jumped and spun. “How many times you watched this all the way through?”

He blinked, “Enough.”

“Good.” Spike stepped closer, pulling out a smoke. He grinned, “She looks better in person.”

“I'd believe you.” George's grizzled eyebrow rose, “You're not here to swap pleasantries.”

“Nope. I need you to tell me where the other three visitors are.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to know.” Spike flicked his lighter, “You know how I earn my keep. It's time to pay bills.”

He nodded and flipped a few buttons, “I don't… Oh shit.”

“What?” Spike glanced over his shoulder.

“They're in your cabin. They went in just after Faye.” The old man chuckled, “Nice kiss by the way.”

Spike rubbed his forehead, “Can you tell what they're doing now?”

He snorted, “I have some decency!”

Spike gave a sobering glare.

George cleared his throat, “No cameras in the cabins. I can tell you they haven't left though.”

Spike turned to leave, pausing at the door. “Two choices old man.” George blinked. “You erase that video or I do.” Spike dropped his cigarette on the floor. “Trust me, you won't like how I get rid of it.”

George nodded and watched the cowboy disappear down the hallway, Scary kid.

Spike grinned when he heard the crack of plastic drift from the opposite end of the hall.

 

Faye rolled up on her knees, her shoulders protesting the stretch. Thick plastic cutting into her wrists and ankles. She groaned and eased back onto her butt, pulling her wrists under her legs and beside her feet. Carefully she bent her knees while leaning forward, back popping, and caught the tape between her fingers. She gave a slight moan when it ripped off and tugged on her swollen lip. Angie `eeped' at the movement and inched further away. Faye rolled her eyes. It was painfully obvious the girl had reached her limit of useful. Damn. Mouth free she rotated her jaw and began to study what was hanging around her. She grinned when her eyes landed on a familiar, wrinkled, filthy, blue jacket. She caught it with her teeth and tugged. She shivered, unconsciously, at the uncomfortable sensation of cloth between enamel. The coat fluttered to the floor and with a few strategic bites and pulls, Faye was able to search the numerous pockets. She grinned in triumph when her fingers found one of Spike's many disposable lighters. She frowned at the restraints, preparing herself for the burns that were sure to follow. With a well practiced flick of her finger across the mechanism a flame sprang forth, bathing the small space with shadows. Faye bit her lip when the flame rested too long on her skin. She lined the fire up with a part of the zip tie, grimacing when drips of hot plastic dribbled onto her ankle. Softened the plastic separated easily, freeing her hands. Wasting no time she did the same for her feet and pocketed the light- you never know when something like that may be handy.

 

Jet scowled as the younger man eased back into the cabin. “Wolfe, Lihas and Angie all broke into our room just after Faye returned.” He glared at the cabin through the window.

Jet's stomach dropped, “My bet is she's either tied up or dead.”

Spike shook his head, “She's not dead.” He grinned, “They think she's from Maxwell and knowing her she's spun me into some Syndicate honcho or up and comer. They won't touch her for fear they'll gain the wrath of a whole mob and their allies.” Shrug, “Besides, Lihas hasn't had a chance to play with her yet.”

Jet chuckled, Faye was that good. “Ed used the bug in her necklace. She's in the coat closet on the opposite side of the bedroom.”

Spike nodded and studied one of the men as he slipped out the front door. “Guess he's off to pick up supplies.”

Jet nodded. “Yup.”

Spike grinned, “I think I'll go check out the neighborhood.”

Another nod, “I'll go run interception at the edge of the campground.”

“Got it.”

Jet turned to Ed, “Keep an eye on things for us, understand?”

She nodded and refocused on her screen. “Ed has hacked into the cameras here.” She snickered, “Does Spike want video of him and Faye-Faye swimming?”

“No Ed. Erase the whole thing and leave George a nasty surprise for being a pervert.”

“Got it.”

Jet scowled, “Don't watch it!”

Ed appeared scandalized, “Gross! Ed does not want to see Spike and Faye-Faye sharing the same square foot.” She pulled a face, “That's like Ed seeing Papa Jet and someone share that kind of space.” She stuck out her tongue, “Bleh. Barf. Icky. Bleck.”

“I get it Ed.”

“Good. Ed did not appreciate the mental picture.”