Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Unveiled Emotions ❯ Arrival ( Chapter 28 )

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

Vicious stepped out of his ship onto the rocky terrain of Earth. He winced slightly at the pain then stood up at the pain. He had to continue for her. He didn't know why for had it been anyone else, he would have killed her almost instantaneously. He glanced at his bird, who sat on his shoulder silently staring at the world. He closed his eyes and forced his thoughts through the pain then leaned against the ship's hull for a second.
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Rei wished she could mute the voices of the people around her. It had begun to be too much again. She dropped her glass suddenly and Pheonix looked at her.

"Well I'm glad you didn't choose anything expensive but why the hell did you have to spill it on me?" he asked then noticed the dazed look in her eyes. "What's with you? Are you all right?"

"He's...here..."she replied and stood up. "He's here! Come on!"

"Hey! Damn it! I wasn't finished with that!"

He pulled out of her grasp and sat back down at the bar to order another drink. Rei walked up to him and placed her arms around his neck. She ran her fingers over his ear and he grabbed her wrist. He pulled her to the side and gazed coldly at her.

"We'll leave when I'm ready," he said. "Be glad you're so much in his favor, otherwise I would have killed you."

"He wants me," Rei said.

"The outside has grown in danger since we came in here. It comes with the night."

"But if we don't leave soon he might think something has happened."

"Do you want to go out there now and have something really happen to you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"There's something going on out there. I'd like to wait until a cease fire has been arranged. Also, if he starts wondering where we are, he can contact me."

"I just want to see him. I want to know what happened."

"You'll find out soon enough. I would much rather explain why you're late than why you're dead."

Rei sulkily sat down and laid her head on the bar. Pheonix glanced at her for a moment then picked up his drink. A round of shots were fired outside as Pheonix casually drank his drink. The other patrons in the bar glanced up for a moment then glanced down when an authoritative figure entered the building. Pheonix shook Rei and she glanced at him.

"Let's go. There's nothing left there," he muttered.

"I don't think that person wants anyone leave," she said.

"We're leaving. It's fairly safe outside now."

Pheonix stood up and took her head. He led her to the door then stopped when the newcomer stepped in front of him.

"No one's going anywhere," he said and Pheonix glanced up at him. He was a round, muscular man, the type one would find in professional wrestling and Pheonix studied him for a moment, trying to figure out the best way around him.

"We're free to leave when we choose," Pheonix said.

"Not until I get some answers."

"And what authority do you have?"

"Galactic Police."

He took out a badge and Pheonix looked at it. He then winced at the static in his ears and laid a finger on the communicator.

"We'll be there as soon as we can. We're kind of stuck in the middle of something," he hissed.

"Who was that? Your cronies?"

"My employer and he's currently someone I really don't want to piss off. Now look, we're just visiting this world so can't we just leave?"

"Visiting, huh? Where's your paperwork?"

Pheonix handed the officer a card and he swiped it through a data reader. He gazed at the information for a moment then handed the card back to Pheonix.

"All right, let me see hers."

"My what?" Rei asked and Pheonix looked at her.

"Your info card. Wait. He didn't forget..."

Pheonix's voice trailed off and the officer grinned.

"All right. You two are coming with me," he said.

"On what charge?!" Pheonix demanded.

"Accessories. Let's go."

"Hey, Vicious. I've got a bit of a problem."

"I'll take that communicator," the cop said and Pheonix looked at him.

"What if I say no?" he asked.

"I wouldn't want you to get accidentally shot," the cop said.

"No guns!" the bartender cried and the cop glared at him.

"This ain't your jurisdiction anymore," he said then reeled in pain at the blow Pheonix landed on him.

"Come on!" Pheonix cried as the cop struggled to stand. The doors to the bar slid open and they ran out onto the street.

"We can't leave him like that!" Rei cried as she forced herself to run faster.

"Vicious wants you. Isn't that enough of a reason to leave?"

"But... but he's an officer!"

"And he wants to hold us for something we didn't do! Now run faster!"

She stumbled then cried as Pheonix swept her up into his arms then fled into a dark alley. He set her feet on the ground then looked at her.

"Can you hear him?" he asked as Rei tried to catch her breath.

"He's...confused," she gasped. "I don't know if he's still looking."

"Where is he?"

"I can't tell...."

"Well come on. Let's get you to Vicious. He came all this way for you, after all."

"I know and he's being impatient."

"He's used to getting what he wants."

"He's also injured. I really wish he hadn't done this."

"Let's just go. Standing here isn't lessening his agitation, you know."

"I know."

"Just don't let an injured man take advantage of you."

She forced a smile as Pheonix led her down another side street. He pointed to the spaceport and she tightly clasped his hand.

"Where is he?" he asked.

"Um....over there," she replied.

"Where the hell are you?"

Pheonix listened to the voice in his ear for a moment then nodded his head.

"Right. Come on. It's this way."
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Vicious folded his arms and gazed at the spaceport. He winced slightly in pain then narrowed his eyes as the figures of Rei and Pheonix appeared at the beginning of the spaceport. His pet shifted its weight on Vicious' shoulder as he watched Rei run towards him. He did not know why but he was glad that he made the trip despite the pain he was in. She could run awfully fast, Vicious noted as she approached him. He supposed that speed was a trait of her species. Pheonix had speed, but that was most likely a trait attributed by his affiliation with the Regal Talibans.

"Vicious!" Rei cried as she ran up to him and embraced him. He winced slightly as he tried to control the pain he felt. "Why did you come? You're in pain. I know you are. Why did you come all this way?"

"I wanted to see you. Don't ask why. I'm not entirely sure myself," he replied. She kissed him deeply and Vicious could feel her tears against his neck.

"You shouldn't have strained your body like you did. I'm glad you're here. I was so worried but you might have really hurt yourself in the long run. You've got to rest now. I don't want you to leave me."

"I don't plan on dying anytime soon."

"What is death, but an unplanned extinguishing of life?" Pheonix asked and Vicious glanced at him.

"What happened earlier?" he asked.

"She was thirsty so I took her to one of the places I would go to when I had jobs on this world. Something broke out outside and we waited for it to cool down before we left. A cop came in and threatened to hold everyone for questioning. I knew she wouldn't last much longer so we attempted to leave. The cop tried to arrest us and we ran. Oh, why the hell doesn't she have a info card?"

"There's never been a need for it before now. People don't normally question my motives."

"Aside from the bounty hunters and rivals that is. Look, it might make things a hell of a lot easier if she gets an info card. At least if she gets stopped somewhere she's in the clear and you don't have to run the risk of bailing her out of prison for bein' an illegal tourist."

"I see your point. But that's going to have to wait. I want you to keep watch while I take....care of some things."

"I know full well what you want to do and I warned her against it. You want to keep your empire, you'd better allow yourself time to rest, not pleasure."

Rei gazed at Vicious and smiled at his silent words. She walked into the ship and Vicious followed her. He stopped at the hatchway and turned back to Pheonix.

"Keep watch," he said. "It won't take long."

He closed the hatch and locked it then turned to Rei who stood by the pilot's chair taking off her shirt.

"Don't be put off by the appearance of my lower body. After this, I'll allow myself time to heal," he said as she walked towards him. He gazed at her topless half and ran his hands over her breasts.

"Don't overtax yourself please," Rei said then sighed as he kissed her neck.

"I want to do this. I don't care if it hurts or not. You shouldn't be concerned, either."

"All right. Should we go to the sleeping area?"

"Why? I know you're wanting that thong to come off. I can tell by the heat I'm feeling down there. Why move to the sleeping area?"

She said nothing as Vicious lifted up the corners of her skirt and pulled her thong off. She began to breathe heavily as Vicious continued to massage her body with his hands. She placed her hands on his shirt and began to unbutton the buttons. She ran her hands over his chest as she laid her head against him. He gazed down at her and blinked his eyes. Was this the closeness that he had been denied his entire life?

"What? Did I do something?" Rei asked and Vicious blinked his eyes. He had drawn his hands away from her and she looked at him questioningly.

"No. You did nothing. I was thinking again."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Let me get my pants off then you can wrap your legs around me."

"Okay. That sounds like fun."