Stray Cats

Title: Stray Cats
Author: JadeHeart
Fandom: Cowboy Bebop
Pairing: Spike & Vicious
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: sexual situations, yaoi
Timeline: Begins at end of anime.
Summary: Spike and Vicious were always destined to be together, even to the end.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this, they belong to the creator of ‘Cowboy Bebop’, nor am I making any profits from it.
-oOo-

Chapter 2


Spike’s eyes felt dry and he wanted to blink but even that small motion seemed beyond his capability. He felt something moist pool under his cheek resting on the floor. He struggled a moment longer and was finally able to briefly lower his eyelids then slowly reopen them.

The scene was still the same. The cold marble stairs, although the view in the distance seemed dimmer as though dusk was falling. Wasn’t it morning though? Hadn’t it just been bright but a moment before? He felt cold. Not cold as in wanting to shiver; a deep bone penetrating inner cold that was freezing his soul.

It was so very cold.

He focussed suddenly on a sound, a faint, shallow slow gasping and it took him a long time before he realised it was coming from him. He continued to listen to his breathing. Just listening to that straining sound made him feel tired. Perhaps he should just stop.

He wondered if it would have been possible to change this somehow. When had been the point of no return? When he had decided to leave the Syndicate?

No, he thought, no, it had happened before that. Probably when he had fallen in love with Julia and suddenly a whole new world of possibilities had opened up before him, a world that he had never even contemplated before.

Up till then he hadn’t expected to live a very long life; no-one in the Syndicate really expected that. He had only ever lived from day to day, taking pleasure in the present with not a single thought for the future. He had only ever expected to be with the Syndicate and to live and die by Vicious’ side.

But then he’d met Julia, and all that had changed.

He hadn’t been looking to fall in love. He’d resigned himself to knowing that Vicious didn’t need him, not in the way that he had begun to feel for him. Spike wasn’t such a fool as to hang onto useless dreams so he buried those deep within his heart, content to just be able to watch his friend’s back.

No, he hadn’t been searching for love at all. He’d had his fair share of women; he knew the pleasures of the flesh only too well and wasn’t about to deny that he enjoyed it. There were plenty of women in the Syndicate; those that were attracted by the power, the wealth. Those that were there by choice and those that weren’t. All were willing to give what they had in one way or another.

So he had never been at a loss for bed partners if he so desired. He and Vicious had even shared women at various times; sometimes only one between them, sometimes more. Watching his friend make love to a woman whom he had just shot his load within had turned him on a lot. Yes, being in the Syndicate had exposed him to every type of kink and fetish there was. He might not be a fan of it all but there was little that could ever have shocked him either.

Then he’d met her.


-oOo-

The white ball rolled down the table and clinked against the other, sending a second to ricochette into the pocket just as he had planned.

“Got ya,” he said with satisfaction as he turned to grin at his opponent who was beginning to look a little sour. Not surprising with the amount of money riding on this game and at the moment Spike was winning. Still the game could go either way.

Spike wasn’t too worried though. He’d hustled for a long time, it had been his way of making money on the side for as long as he was tall enough to pick up a cue. He might not have been the best player in the world but he knew how to pick his marks.

Now he tended to play more for just fun, but if money was placed on the table he wasn’t one to pass the opportunity up either way.

He lined up for his next shot, determining what would be the best. Hmm, he probably wouldn’t get that one in and if he missed he set things up too nicely for the other guy. Not a good idea. But…and he looked over the table again. If he went for that one, even if he did miss the other guy wouldn’t be able to pot anything either so the play would go back to Spike. Yeah, he’d do that.

Deciding, he made the move and unluckily did miss but he also saw his partner grimace as he realised that he wasn’t left with many options either. Spike threw him a cocky grin and then looked up across the table into the dimness of the bar beyond.

His eyes met those of another; a woman. He slowly stood, just looking at her. He hadn’t seen her in here before, he was sure he would have noticed. Not because she was some stunning beauty; some of the whores in these parts were more physically attractive. No, it wasn’t beauty that caught his attention, it was her eyes. A steady, even gaze that seemed to look right into the very depths of his soul, stripping him bare. She seemed so calm, as though nothing would disturb her, and yet he couldn’t help but think that those eyes looked….sad.

He smiled at her, and her lips only just curled in a small returning gesture but that was enough of an invitation for him to go over to speak to her. He walked around the table, keeping his gaze on her.

“Hey!” a voice called out behind him. “It’s your shot.”

Spike looked back and smiled at his pool partner, racking his cue. “That’s fine,” he said with a smile. “I forfeit.” He gave a half wave as he turned away again, snagging his jacket from the back of the chair where he’d left it as he continued over to where the woman waited.

“Are you certain about that?” she said as he drew near. “That seemed like a lot of money and it looked like you were winning.”

Spike smiled at her. “Nah, it’s fine. I can always get another game later.” He cocked his head to one side, smile still on his face. “Can I buy you a drink?” he asked.

This time the smile she returned was a little fuller. “Can you afford it?” she asked, turning towards the bar.

Spike chuckled. “Oh, I think I can stretch the budget to a couple at least.”

He motioned to the bartender and asked, “What will you have?” The woman ordered her drink and Spike just said, “The usual,” before seating himself next to her.

“Haven’t seen you around these parts before,” he said as way of opening conversation. “You new in town?”

“No,” she replied, looking over at him. “I’ve been around for a while. I’ve seen you before.”

“You have?” he felt a little surprised.

She smiled at him, and now there was a small twinkle in her eye. “You’re quite famous, you know,” she said, leaning her chin on one upraised hand, watching him with that steady gaze.

“I am?” Spike just continued to stare at her.

She chuckled then, a low, husky sound that sent shivers down his spine. He couldn’t stand girls that giggled. This woman wasn’t anything like the women he usually hung out with. “You’re not….quite what I expected.” She said.

Their drinks arrived at that moment and Spike picked his up, turning to raise his glass so they could touch them together in salute. “What were you expecting?” he asked, taking a swallow.

“Oh, some six foot, beefy thug with an evil smile and a foul temper.” She replied, sipping from her own glass. The smile was still on her full lips.

“So, are you disappointed?” he asked. She might just be the sort that went for that type of guy. He’d known a few like that before.

She laughed then, a full hearty laugh. “Not at all,” she smiled at him again. “I will say that I’m pleasantly surprised.” She took another sip, watching him over the top of her glass. “Are you disappointed?”

He smiled broadly at her and shook his head. “Not one bit. Let’s just say I think I’m relieved.”

“Oh?”

He raised his glass to her. “This means you are someone that I think I’ll enjoy getting to know.”

She clinked her glass against his once more and they both drank.

“By the way,” he said. “What’s your name?”

She smiled warmly at him. “Julia,” she replied.

“Nice name,” he said. “I’m Spike.”

“I know,” she answered and they ordered another drink.

-oOo-

Spike half coughed, the sudden movement shooting stabbing pain through his entire body.

That had all happened long ago. All they had done that first night had been talk, sitting on the stools at the bar, drinking. It had been nice, and comfortable. He’d liked that.

When he’d left he hadn’t actually thought he would see her again so it had been a surprise when he did – and yet not. He didn’t want to call it a premonition or anything but in the back of his mind he’d wanted to see her again. It certainly hadn’t been any surprise to find that she too had connections with the Syndicate. After all, most people in that neighbourhood did so why should she have been any different?

Their relationship had grown gradually. They began to spend some time together, catching brief moments between his jobs. They often would sit at cafes and sip coffee, or more likely find themselves in some tiny bar downtown. Spike hadn’t even realised it when he’d fallen in love with her. When Vicious had implied such a thing, he’d just laughed at his friend. Him? In love? That was just ludicrous.

-oOo-

Spike let the water run over his body as he stood in the shower. He reached out and placed both hands flat against the tiles before him, dropping his head under the steady stream of water, closing his eyes for a moment. Like that he didn’t have to watch the swirling darkness staining the water around his feet before disappearing down the drain.

It felt good like this. The warm water thoroughly soaked his thick curly hair, penetrating to the scalp. The tiny droplets striking his skin felt like a massage and he sighed before reluctantly straightening. He reached out and turned off the taps, wincing a little as the water struck against the cuts and abrasions patterning his body.

He stepped out of the shower, flinging his head back to throw the water laden hair out of his eyes and raked a hand through the sodden mass, fingers sliding through the strands. He gazed at himself in the mirror for a moment, taking note of the mottling beginning on his skin. That’s gonna hurt later, he thought silently as he reached for a towel.

He vigorously dried himself down, ignoring the small pricks of pain as the cloth caught on the freshly scabbed cuts. He pulled on the clean trousers he’d set aside before draping the towel over his head and rubbing at his hair as he exited the bathroom.

“Feel better?”

Spike looked up to see Vicious sitting in the only chair in the room at the small table, smoking.

“Yeah,” he replied, walking over and picking up the packet of cigarettes lying there. He placed one between his lips and leant down to set it against the flame of the lighter that Vicious held up to him.

Spike exhaled as his other hand absently still continued to scrub at his hair. “What’s the time?” he asked, glancing over towards the clock with the cracked face hanging on the wall.

“Why? You got to be somewhere?” Vicious asked, eyes narrowing.

“Yeah,” Spike moved over to the closet in the corner, opening it and pulling out shirt and jacket.

Viscous stood then and moved across to the window, gazing out of it for a moment as Spike dressed.

“You’re going to see Julia again, aren’t you?” he finally said, turning and leaning back against the sill.

Spike threw him a grin, eyes sparkling. “Yep!” he answered. He winked then. “Don’t want to be late. You should never keep a lady waiting!”

Vicious didn’t return the smile but Spike was too preoccupied to really notice. “What’s really going on between you two?” he asked instead, lifting the almost finished cigarette to his lips.

“Whadda you mean?” Spike said absently as he looked at himself in the mirror and tried to smooth his unruly curls into place.

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with her lately,” Vicious said. “We’ve not hung out together for a while now, you’re always busy.”

“Ah, you know,” Spike said tossing a grin over his shoulder at his friend. “She’s a nice, classy lady. Who wouldn’t choose spending time with her over getting pissed in some bar every night with you fellas?”

“Spike,” Viscous said, walking over to the table and crushing the cigarette into the ashtray. “Are you in love with her?”

“Love?” Spike stopped his preening and stared at his friend’s reflection. He then laughed and turned from the mirror. “Don’t be stupid, Vicious,” he said, chuckling. “It’s just all good times, you know that!”

Spike made his way to the door and turned to look back at Vicious as he opened it. “Don’t you worry, my friend,” he said with a grin, giving a half salute. “I’m not that foolish to fall in love. Not with anyone.” And he had left.

-oOo-

And that is what he had thought it was. It hadn’t been sex that he had been seeking and in fact it hadn’t been love at first sight either with Julia. He had just thought of it as finding someone he felt comfortable talking with, and perhaps a bit of an escapism from spending all his time with Vicious. He knew that Vicious would never be his so what was the point of him constantly hanging onto him? Julia was another friend in his life, someone other than Vicious.

So, till then, he hadn’t thought about it in terms of ‘love’, but the first night they spent together it had struck him hard. This wasn’t just a one night stand, this wasn’t just a fling. He wanted to be here, with this woman. He wanted to spend time with Julia, as much time as he was able to. Being with her made him feel…lighter. As though, despite what he did for a living, he wasn’t damned. When she smiled at him, it made him want to believe that any sin he’d committed could be forgiven and he wanted to hold on to that hope. The more time he spent with her, the more time he wanted to spend with her. Suddenly, his life was changing. Everyday he was impatient to be done with what he was doing so he could return to her.

Yes, finally even he had to admit it. He loved her.

So for the first time in his life he began to dream of a future; a future beyond the Syndicate. He found himself beginning to notice how ordinary people lived, without the use of guns and terror as a part of their every day. They didn’t come home each night and wash the blood away. He began to want to experience that for himself, with Julia at his side.

He’d thought long and hard about it. It wasn’t something to be taken lightly. He of all people knew only too well just how the Syndicate dealt with deserters. You didn’t leave – not of your own free will. That was the one and only rule written in stone. The Syndicate owned him, body and soul.

But now he wanted to break free of that. He wanted to know what was beyond the Syndicate; beyond the orders, the blood, and mayhem. Still he wouldn’t just be able to walk away. It was going to take some careful planning if he was going to pull it off.

There was another thing that continued to make him hesitate in taking such action. The one thing that kept holding him back was Vicious. The thought of leaving his friend’s side made his heart ache. He didn’t want to do it, but there was no point in him staying either. So finally he made his choice. Vicious didn’t need him. He could see the ambition burning in his friend’s eyes, the way the powers on high were beginning to take notice of him, to look at him with admiration and a little fear. They weren’t fools and knew that if they could harness the strength in Vicious they could use it for their own purposes. But if they couldn’t, they would be nurturing a snake in their bosom which could one day turn and strike without warning. That was the way of this world.

When he had worked it all out, when he finally settled on the exact time and place to put his plan into action he went to Julia. When he had first broached the subject with her she had agreed, but the closer it came to the time of actually going through with it she became more afraid. He knew that and couldn’t really blame her. Hell, he had been afraid as well, but even that tendril of fear made the thought of freedom that much sweeter.

He’d stopped by her apartment that last time on his way to the job. As he’d held her hand tightly, he had pressed the note into the palm, telling her where to meet him. She knew the place; the graveyard was beside the large cathedral where they often would meet on the steps. She wouldn’t have any problem finding it. He’d smiled at her, trying to reassure her, but there were still tears in her eyes when he’d left her.

He’d done the job as the Syndicate required, but his mind had already been far away. That moment of incaution had allowed a bullet to sink into his side. With a hand pressed tightly against the bleeding wound he had managed to stagger to the cemetery, steps dragging and every breath agony, hiding amongst the gravestones. He’d leant on a tombstone, the raindrops sliding down the slick stone under his hand, mixing with his blood and turning the riverlets red.

He’d waited there for a long time; waited in the rain, no longer even feeling the pain in his side. He had half-hoped that Julia might have been waiting for him already. Stupid really. She wouldn’t be here yet, it was far too dangerous. He had to disappear for a while first before meeting with her so they could leave together.

Finally he had turned away, knowing he had to seek medical help if he was going to stay one step ahead of the Syndicate. He still hadn’t given up his dream of freedom, with or without Julia, and soon his defection would be suspected so there was no going back. Now he truly was on his own.

He managed to make it out of town, finding a local doctor to clean and dress his wound. He didn’t stay there but moved on again, heading further away before finding a hotel and locking himself in his room to sleep for the next two days as he thrashed in a fevered dream as his body recuperated.

He had laid low after that, keeping off the radar of the Syndicate as much as possible. They had a long reach and he didn’t want to draw any attention to his presence. He hoped that they might think he was already dead and so not be seeking him but he couldn’t count on that.

When he’d been able to move again he had made his way back to the spaceport, looking for passage off world. To accomplish that, he had had one stop to make first, also hoping to find out the latest news about what was happening with the Syndicate. He’d found it out sure enough. And it hadn’t been pleasant.

-oOo-

“Hey, Annie,” Spike said as he entered the shop, hearing the bell tinkle overhead, keeping one hand deep in the pocket of his jacket, curled around the gun hidden there.

“Well now,” Annie said, coming out from the back room and recognising him. She looked at him carefully, noting the way he held himself. “You hurt, sonny?”

He shook his head. “Nothing bad,” he answered with a smile, drawing closer, eyes darting from side to side.

“Relax,” Annie said, turning away to place some items on the shelf behind her. “There aint no-one here but us.” She looked over her shoulder. “You’re in big trouble, you know that?”

He dropped onto the couch under the window with a wince as it pulled at his freshly healed wound. “Yeah. Guessed as much.”

Annie leant her elbows on the counter and scrutinised him carefully. “You sure you really want to do this?”

“Yep,” He smiled crookedly at her. “Sort of burned all my bridges anyway.”

“Hmm,” she replied. “Thought you would have taken your lady friend.”

Spike half smiled. “We’re working on that.”

“Really?” Annie sounded surprised. “You sure about that?”

Spike felt a tendril of alarm begin in his stomach. “What’s the matter?”

“Well, it doesn’t look like she’s making any plans to move on. She’s looking pretty settled in.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s moved on, sonny,” Annie said, moving around the counter.

“What?” Spike looked up.

Annie glanced at him with a steady eye. “”She’s with Vicious now. Didn’t you know?”

Spike sat frozen in place, unable to move at all for a moment as those words pounded through his skull. Julia….and Vicious……together. Was that why she hadn’t wanted to come with him? Why she had been so upset about it? How long had it been going on? Had they both been laughing at him behind his back all this time? Had she been lying when she had whispered that she loved him in the darkness of the night, their skin still slick with sweat from sex?

“I don’t quite know what’s the story,” Annie continued as she sat beside him. “And I’m not sure that she’s too keen about it either.” Annie looked back at Spike. “I never took Vicious for taking on your hand me-downs neither. That’s not his usual style.”

She leant back in the couch as well, gazing up at the ceiling. “You know it’s going to be really strange with you not around these parts.” She looked across at him with a small smile. “You and Vicious were always together, like a matching set. Two mangy strays roaming the streets, that’s what the two of you always reminded me of. It’s gonna be real odd with only him left.”

Spike shook off his stupor and turned to her with a tight smile. “Can you put me together a bit of travel pack, Annie?’ he asked, looking briefly down at his clasped hands between his knees, feeling a sense of loss. “I know I’m asking a lot and I don’t want to get you any trouble but I’ll pay you well for it.”

“That’s fine,” she said, waving her hand. “I’ll give it to you at discount. All the normal things?”

“Yeah, that will be fine,” he answered, standing.

“Where are you off to?” she asked, eyes narrowing.

He gazed down at her and smiled, although there was no humour in his eyes. “Going to say goodbye to a friend.” was all he said and left.

Spike made his way cautiously through the streets. He knew this area like the back of his hand, it had been his entire world for all his life and there wasn’t a nook or cranny that he didn’t know of. But that didn’t mean that he didn’t have to be careful. The Syndicate had eyes and ears everywhere, and he was no longer protected as being one of them. There were plenty of people who would gladly sell him out, all for the chance to earn a few dollars.

He made his way as quickly as he could to the address he was seeking. It was Julia’s apartment block but he didn’t go directly there. Instead he positioned himself in the building across from it, one where he had a clear view of the windows of her apartment where they looked out onto the street.

He raised the binoculars he’d purchased along the way to his eyes, taking a moment to focus them so the view across the way became clear. He felt his heart clench as he saw two people in the room, a room that was so familiar to him. He knew the two people there; one was Julia, and behind her stood Vicious. Their faces seemed so close, giving the illusion that he could just reach out and touch them.

Julia was facing the window. She rarely closed the curtains, saying she liked to see the open sky. Now she gazed out the window as though she were looking directly at him, that steady gaze still the same as ever. Her face was expressionless, her honey blond hair falling over her shoulders, moving a little with the breeze.

His hands on the binoculars tightened as he watched as Vicious reached out and slowly lifted her hair, drawing it behind her. His hands then fell to her shoulders, as he dropped his head to kiss her neck. She made no movement at all, not even when his hands moved further to her front to undo the two buttons and pushing the shirt from her shoulders. Spike could only watch as Julia stood there, her breasts unveiled, her upper body bared. Still she made no movement, just standing there.

As Spike continued to watch the action unfold before him, Vicious grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around to face him. One hand tangled in her long hair at the back of her head, pulling it back as Vicious lowered his head and kissed her fiercely. His other hand grabbed at her breast, large hand spanning across it, grasping it all. Julia’s arms still hung by her sides as she stood still and allowed Vicious to fondle her.

Suddenly Vicious released the kiss, said something to her that Spike was unable to make out and then turned and dragged Julia a couple of steps before pushing her down onto the bed.

Although it had pained him, Spike had been unable to stop watching as the woman he loved and his best friend made love. From his slightly elevated position he had a clear view of the bed, he could see everything, to the smallest detail; the closed eyes, the glistening skin, the ripple of muscle, the hands clenched in the sheets, the parted lips. Every rise and fall of Vicious’ body as he thrust into the woman beneath him had made Spike’s eyes burn with tears of rage, frustration and hurt.

Spike remained there all night. He didn’t know if he was unable to move from sheer shock, disbelief, or a perverted sense of voyeurism. Whatever it was he still watched long after the two had fallen into sleep; Julia curled up on her side, long legs drawn close to her chest, Vicious’ arm thrown possessively around her waist, holding her tightly against him. Spike tried not to think that it was similar to how Vicious had once held him, so long ago.

As dawn broke he watched as Julia awoke; pausing for a moment to just gaze out the window as the sun began to make its appearance between the tall buildings. Then she slowly slipped from beneath Vicious’ arm, walking naked to the bathroom and disappearing behind the closed door.

Spike turned his attention to Vicious, still asleep on the bed. His friend’s face was relaxed. He had only ever seen Vicious look like this when he was asleep. Only at this time were the hard edges replaced with something softer. To Spike, it was always like a tiny glimpse of what Vicious might have been if circumstances had been different. It was a moment of hope, and of complete despair in knowing that it would all be gone the moment his friend awoke to reality. Now he just gazed at his friend, naked but for the sheet that was bunched around his waist, broad chest bare, long legs sprawled out. Spike could even make out the scar on his right thigh from that night so long ago.

A moment later Julia returned to the room, wrapped in a towel. Spike watched her dress, remembering all the times that he had done just that, but at those times he was the one in the bed. She dragged a brush through her long hair, then silently exited the apartment with not a single backward glance towards the figure still lying prone on the bed.

Spike lowered the binoculars, chewing on his bottom lip. In no way was Julia acting like she and Vicious were lovers. Their lovemaking had seemed forced, like they were both just going through the motions. Spike knew how Vicious made love, he had seen him do so with many women before and what he had witnessed this night wasn’t how Vicious normally acted.

And Julia….Spike remembered the mornings when she would come over to kneel on the bed beside him, her hair damp from the shower and trailing over his skin as she kissed him lightly. Or even slowly lowered her head to pleasure him in other ways that made it so much better to wake up. She had done none of those things with Vicious. So why was she allowing him to do this? What was going on here?

He carefully checked the street again, watching as Julia exited and flagged down a taxi before getting in. She would be heading for work and would be gone the whole day. Was this why she had refused to go away with him? Had she wanted to be with Vicious? No, no, that didn’t seem quite right, not from the way she had behaved last night. So that meant…

He looked back towards the now distant windows, a frown on his face. Damn Vicious, he thought, beginning to feel the anger returning. Had Vicious had his sights on Julia this whole time? That must be why he’d always been asking so many question about her and what Spike was doing. He’d wanted her for himself!

Spike chuckled darkly to himself, a cynical smile curling his lips. So much for being able to trust his best friend, huh? Vicious had just been waiting for the perfect time to be able to move in and take what he wanted. He knew how determined Vicious could be when he really wanted something. When he was like that he never let anything stand in his way. Obviously a life-long friendship wasn’t an obstacle for him either, the asshole! And he obviously didn’t give a damn about Julia’s feelings either. She didn’t love him, that was more than apparent. What Vicious was doing was damn close to rape!

Well, he wasn’t going to leave it like this. Julia may have rejected him but he wasn’t going to just leave her in this predicament. Vicious was going to learn that he couldn’t always get what he wanted like he always thought

Spike felt the weight of the gun in his pocket as he turned and climbed swiftly down the fire escape and crossed the street to the building opposite. Vicious would pay this time for what he’d done. This time he would learn that there were always consequences, and since friendship meant nothing to him, then Spike would throw it away just as easily!

He was still cautious as he forewent using the rickety elevator and climbed the stairs. It wouldn’t have surprised him if the Syndicate had stationed spotters nearby to keep an eye on Julia. They had been quite well aware of her relationship with Spike so they might expect him to return to her. Then again, they might think that with Vicious here there wasn’t a need for further watchers.

He reached the well-known door and pulled out the key he still held. Vicious was going to be in for a big surprise now.

He inserted the key and turned it, hearing the tiny click as the tumblers fell away. He grasped the knob and turned slowly, opening the door just a crack so he could place one eye to it and view the room beyond. Vicious still lay on the bed, now having rolled onto his back. Spike pushed the door open further and carefully stepped inside. He closed the door softly behind him, being sure to click the lock back into place. He didn’t intend for them to be disturbed by anyone.

He made his way carefully over to the bed, avoiding the creaky board on the floor unconsciously. He knew this apartment well. When he reached the foot of the bed he paused, looking down at the slumbering figure. Vicious must be tired. It was rare that anyone could get this close to him without him coming instantly awake.

The smile on Spike’s face wasn’t pleasant as he drew out the gun and kicked the bed. The jostle it caused did send Vicious sitting bolt upright, eyes wide and hand automatically reaching out for the side board by the bed, no doubt going for a weapon hidden there, but Spike forestalled this action.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Spike said, waving the gun in his hand nonchalantly.

Vicious paused and slowly withdrew his extended hand. Spike may have looked like he wasn’t serious but Vicious knew him all too well to think that a gun in his hand was anything but a toy.

Spike grinned at his friend. “You’ve been a bad boy, haven’t you?”

“What do you want?” Vicious asked, drawing his knees up and resting his elbows on it. He didn’t ask the redundant question of how did Spike get in. He had more faith in Spike’s abilities than most and since Spike was here it was a moot question anyway. Vicious kept his eyes fixed on Spike, not acting in the least surprised.

Spike casually walked closer to the window, glancing out to be sure there was still no sign of any additional back up for Vicious. Nothing. It seemed like Vicious was truly alone – which suited him fine.

“A little bird told me that you’d taken up nesting,” he said, turning back to his friend. “Isn’t that nice.”

Vicious grinned nastily back, eyes glinting as he ran a hand through his pale hair. “Yeah, isn’t it? Now I know why you liked her. She’s a good lay.”

Spike’s hand clenched around the gun at the burst of rage that filled him and his eyes narrowed. He forced a smile back to his face and laughed hollowly. “You always wanted what I had,” he said, walking around the bed, keeping an eye on Vicious the whole time as he reached into the drawer by the bed and removed the gun nestled there. He tossed it to the other side of the room, well out of reach. “Couldn’t get your own so you had to take mine. Just goes to show I’ve got better tastes.”

“I take what’s offered,” Vicious responded, keeping his eyes fixed on Spike.

Spike cocked one eyebrow as he gazed back sardonically. “Really? That’s not what it looked like to me last night. It must have been like sleeping with a corpse for all that she responded to you.”

Spike leant his hands on the bottom of the bed, feeling it dip a little under his weight as he gazed directly at Vicious, seeing the tell-tale signs of anger beginning to show. He smirked. “I bet you don’t know just how talented she is with her tongue. How she can make you moan with pleasure at her touch. You’ll never hear her call out your name as she comes. Don’t kid yourself. You’re nothing to her.”

“Doesn’t really matter, does it?” Vicious said, glaring at him. “She’s mine now!”

“Only in your dreams!” Spike spat back. “You may as well just rape her and be done with it!”

“I don’t need to,” Vicious responded now with a smarmy smile. “She’ll give me what ever I want, when ever I want.” His eyes glinted. “That’s power, and that’s what I have over her.” He chuckled. “She’ll do anything to protect poor, dear Spike!”

“You bastard!” Spike snapped and swiftly strode around the bed, backhanding Vicious brutally. Was he saying this was all Spike’s fault? Was it because of him that Julia was forced to subject herself to….this?!

Vicious looked back at Spike, reaching up to wipe the trickle of blood from his split lip and smirked. “What’s the matter, Spike? Did you think it was going to be that easy?” He slowly licked his bloodied fingers, one by one, still watching Spike. “You always were such a naïve fool. I knew what you were up to ages before. It was as clear as day what you were thinking of doing, at least to me. But then I’m the one who knows you best, aren’t I?”

“Shut up!” Spike snapped, striking that smiling face again, this time with enough force to knock Vicious down. Had he really been so transparent? Had he been played the whole time? Damn it! Damn him!

Vicious sat back up, using the sheet to wipe his still bleeding face, leaving dark streaks across the linen. He continued to speak, the smile still fixed on his face. “Losing our temper a little, Spike? That’s not like you. Whatever happened to that cool, I-don’t-care countenance? Looks like Julia really can bring all kinds of hidden depths in you.”

“I said, shut the fuck up!” Spike hit Vicious again, then twice more. He was breathing heavily, chest heaving as Vicious now just lay where he had fallen on his back.

“Ha!” Vicious let out a small laugh. “You see, it wasn’t hard to figure any of it out. I knew you were planning to leave, and I knew that you wouldn’t go anywhere without Julia. Now I couldn’t have that happening, could I? I couldn’t lose my best pal.”

Vicious sat up again on the bed, this time swinging his legs over the side to place his feet on the floor as Spike backed up a step, gun still levelled at him. “When I told the Leaders about your plans they were quite upset with you. They liked you, you see, and were a bit put out that their golden-haired boy was intending to go AWOL. They’ve got a rather macabre sense of humour as well. Do you know what they told me?” He paused, waiting for Spike’s reply.

Despite himself, Spike asked, “What?” he grated out.

Vicious grinned again. “They told me that Julia was to kill you.”

“What?!” Spike wasn’t able to hide his shock at that.

Vicious chuckled. “Yep. That’s what they said. They couldn’t have you leaving and even thinking of doing so was a betrayal, so that meant you had to die. And for Julia’s involvement in your little plan the only way she could save herself was to kill you.” He pushed his hair out of his eyes as he watched Spike’s face. “So I came here, put a gun to her head and told her she had two choices; kill you, or die.”

Vicious leant forward then, that tight smile still on his face. “Do you know what she said?” Spike didn’t answer and Vicious didn’t seem to expect him to. His voice dropped lower as he maintained his gaze on Spike’s face. “She said she wasn’t going to go with you. She tore up the note you had left her so I couldn’t read your plans. And she then let me take her. All to protect you.”

“You….!” Spike raised the gun, his hand shaking with rage, teeth clenched as he pictured Vicious threatening Julia and then ravishing her.

Vicious met his gaze squarely. “Are you going to kill me? Is that what you want? Do you think I’m afraid of death.”

The gun in Spike’s hand shook with his anger. He couldn’t recall ever being so angry. Vicious was right; this wasn’t like him at all. Why? Why was he so angry? Was it because Julia wouldn’t go with him? Was it because Julia let Vicious touch her? Was it because Vicious touched Julia? His thoughts spun. He didn’t know. He didn’t know what he was angry about, or who he was angry with. All he knew was that he was angry. Angry enough to kill.

His finger curled tighter around the trigger, pressure beginning to pull it back as he stared down at Vicious’ upturned face, the pale hair falling into his steady eyes. Vicious had been by his side for so long now; he’d save Spike’s ass more times than he could count, though he’d returned the favour just as often. But that was the way it had always been for them. They looked out for each other, had been there for each other, had drunk together, passed out together, bled together.

His finger released the pressure, although he didn’t lower the gun. He couldn’t kill Vicious. It would have been like shooting himself. He couldn’t snuff out the life of this one person who knew him almost better than he knew himself.

A stab of anger returned as the image of Vicious and Julia last night flashed through his mind. But what Vicious had done was still unforgivable! He couldn’t just ignore it, he wasn’t strong enough to do that. And it wasn’t Julia’s fault that she had got caught up in this mess between them. He might not be able to kill Vicious but he could still make him pay in a way that he wouldn’t ever forget!

“No, you’re not afraid of death,” Spike finally said, breaking the heavy silence. “So there wouldn’t be much point in killing you. It doesn’t fix anything, does it?”

“So what then?” Vicious said, still watching him.

“This!” Spike’s long arm snaked forward, catching the corner of the discarded sheet and tossing it over Vicious’ head, tangling him, then he grabbed Vicious’ ankles and flipped him back onto the bed.

Spike swiftly knelt on the bed, straddling Vicious and pulling the sheet taut over the struggling figure, making it even more difficult for Vicious to try and break free. Spike jerked his jacket off, tossing it to one side, before yanking his tie loose. He leant down and grabbed one flailing wrist, then the other and quickly knotted the tie about them, pulling it tight enough that it dug brutally into the flesh, securely binding Vicious’ hands.

Spike then flipped the sheet back and Vicious glared up at him.

“Fucking bastard!” Vicious snarled, trying to roll away.

Spike moved to one side and reached out to grasp the bound wrists and hauled Vicious further up the bed, securing the final end of the binding to the bars of the bed head, effectively imprisoning Vicious flat on his back. Vicious jerked hard against the bonds but Spike was good at what he did and his friend wasn’t going to get out of those bindings that easily.

Spike knelt back and admired his handiwork. Vicious lay completely bared to Spike’s view. It had been a long time since Spike had seen Vicious naked, or been this close to him when he was. Now that lean, long body was completely exposed to him.

He reached out a hand and slowly slid it up those protruding ribs, fingers tracing each and every one that showed through the taut skin. The skin was soft, hot against his touch and he swallowed against a suddenly dry mouth and his hand hesitated for a moment. What was he doing? Perhaps he should just give this up, walk away now? It wasn’t too late.

He began to lean back, away from the bound man, hand lifting from the flesh when Vicious jerked beneath him. Spike blocked the leg that kicked out, capturing it easily, looking down at the still glaring Vicious.

“Don’t touch me, you fucking prick!” Vicious spat. “I’m not some whore!”

Spike gripped the leg tighter as he felt his anger flare anew. “What makes you think you have the right to complain?” he hissed at his friend, eyes narrowed. “I’m only doing exactly what you’ve done to Julia!”

He pushed Vicious’ leg down, shifting further onto the bed so he knelt between Vicious’ spread ones. “I’m going to make sure you know what it feels like!”

“Get off me!” Vicious snarled, twisting against the bonds that held him fast.

Spike ignored him, raising a hand to his mouth and sucking two fingers into his mouth, drawing them in almost to the base. He kept his eyes fixed on Vicious’ face as he withdrew them, liberally licking them, coating them entirely with his saliva.

As he dropped his hand lower, and with his other hand pushed Vicious’ left leg higher and exposing his buttocks Vicious yelled out, “Fuck off, you jerk!”

Spike slid his moistened fingers around Vicious’ entrance, then looked up to meet his friend’s angry gaze. “No,” he said quietly and then shoved his fingers in deep.

Vicious’ arched off the bed with a strangled cry and Spike felt his anus muscles clamp down tightly on his fingers. He fought against the pressure, withdrawing his fingers a little and then pushing forward again, sliding a little further deeper.

“Ugh!” the sound escaped Vicious between his clenched teeth, eyes squeezed shut tightly, brow furrowed as Spike pushed deeper again.

Spike could feel his own body begin to heat up. The feel of Vicious’ hot channel against his invading fingers seemed to sear him, banking a fire that had been smouldering deep inside his soul. He could feel the sweat begin to break out on his brow as he watched Vicious writhe beneath his touch, every jerk and twist of that lean body exciting him further.

“How do you like it?” Spike asked quietly, slowly pumping his fingers in and out of Vicious’ body. He could feel the flesh at the entrance begin to soften as it became accustomed to the stretch, opening Vicious further. “How do you like being taken when you don’t want to? How do you like being forced into doing something you have no desire for? Do you like it?”

“You….think this….does anything….for me?” Vicious grated out, refusing to look at Spike, the tone of his voice indicating his dismissal.

“Really? Then I think we’ll have to rectify that,” Spike said.

He curled his fingers now, questing deeper, searching for that one spot that he knew was close by, and when Vicious let out a sharp cry that was very different from before, his eyes suddenly snapping open with a look of shock as his body trembled beneath Spike’s touch, he knew he’d found it.

“I’m going to control every part of you,” Spike said, dropping his head to gently bite at one of Vicious’ nipples, thrusting forward and continuing to stroke with his fingers against Vicious’ prostate gland. “You are mine to do with as I want and you have no say about it.”

He leant back on his heels again and dropped his gaze now to where Vicious’ cock stood rigidly in the next of dark hair, jerking in time to Spike’s touch, the tip glistening and even as he watched a drop slowly seeped from the slit and fell in seeming slow motion to the rippling stomach. Spike now felt his own erection give a twitch wishing to be freed.

Although Vicious continued to jerk under his ministrations, and his hard cock continued to twitch, Vicious refused to make any other sound after that first cry. He now clamped his lips together firmly, refusing to let any other sound of discomfit emerge. Spike chuckled to himself. That was so like Vicious.

But that wasn’t part of the plan. Spike wanted Vicious to know the humiliation of being forced into such acts against his will. He knew that Vicious considered sex as nothing more than a part of the game; it was always about power and control. Vicious would never have been submissive to any; male or female; he would make certain he was always the one in control of the situation. Now Spike wanted to show him the other side of this power play. He was going to make Vicious completely lose all sense of control and be totally at his mercy. He wanted to see everything that was Vicious laid bare and exposed to him.

He reached down and began to stroke Vicious’ cock, using a slow steady firm grip, deliberately doing it exactly the way that he knew Vicious liked. Despite himself Vicious began to respond, his cock hardening further in Spike’s grasp, his body unconsciously finding pleasure in the touch.

Spike leant down and began to lick Vicious’ nipples, first one, then the other, causing them to harden and rise beneath his touch. The cock in his hand twitched harder, precum sliding against his skin, coating the length so his hand slid smoothly along the slick flesh. Spike smiled around the nipple between his lips as he listened to Vicious’ soft hisses and then suddenly bit, before running his tongue soothingly across the abused flesh. Vicious arched under him in shock and a little pain, before a small moan escaped him.

Spike sat back again, moving away from the distraction that was Vicious’ body. He had to concentrate and go through with this or his revenge would mean nothing. That was the only reason he was doing this. Nothing else.

“See?” he said, concentrating on stroking Vicious’ prostate gland, watching the way Vicious’ pale skin was now flushed pinkly and his breath was coming in hard pants. “Just at a simple touch you are helpless. I can make you go what ever I want, even if you don’t want to.”

“Like…hell!” Vicious gasped out through gritted teeth.

Spike let out a small laugh at his friend’s continued defiance. “Don’t believe me?” He pulled on Vicious’ cock faster, feeling it fill out further as Vicious’ head tipped back. “I can make you cum and you can’t do a thing to stop me!” With that Spike bent to that task, knowing that Vicious was very, very close. Sure enough, he saw the way Vicious began to jerk, the spasming begin around his fingers buried deep within Vicious’ body, the twitching of the hard cock in his hand.

Suddenly Vicious’ entire body arched off the bed as it shook hard, right down the long legs pressed against Spike’s knees, and the cock in Spike’s hand pulsed as long white streams of liquid spurted from the tip and sprayed across the lean body. Spike watched in fascination as the white globules coated that pale skin, as the cock continued to twitch until the last drop fell from the glistening head.

It wasn’t enough for Spike though. He had thought he had only wanted to humiliate Vicious by forcing him to cum against his will, but he knew that this wasn’t nearly enough to really punish Vicious. To do that, he had to own Vicious as no-one had ever done before.

He kept pumping with his hand within Vicious’ body, still aiming for that spot and heard his friend moan deeply. Spike saw the almost limp cock begin to return to hardness, not having had a chance to return to complete flaccidness in the first place.

“Enough….” Vicious growled, glaring up at Spike as he continued to plunder his body.

“No,” Spike said, not breaking their locked gaze. “I don’t think so.”

Spike dropped his hand to the front of his own trousers while his other still tormented Vicious, whose body was beginning to shake again. Spike was rock hard himself and had been for some time, leaking enough precum to moisten the front of his pants. He undid his fly, pushing the material aside and releasing his erection.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” Vicious snarled as his eyes went to Spike’s exposed cock.

“Stupid question, don’t you think?” Spike said as he leant forward and positioned his cock against the reddened opening and lifting Vicious’ leg to gain better access.

“Stop it!”

“No,” Spike replied evenly, raising his other hand and spitting in it before lowering it to rub across his erection, closing his eyes briefly at the contact. He reached out and gave Vicious’ still erect cock a few more strokes, before sliding hand downwards to wrap around Vicious’ testicles, giving them a passing gentle squeeze and roll, then tracing down the perineum to the point of contact with the head of his own cock.

“Fuck you!” Vicious managed to snarl, just as Spike thrust forward, feeling the flesh tight against the head of his cock, resisting him for but a moment then feeling it part beneath the pressure as he slid deeper.

“Not this time,” Spike reminded Vicious as he drew back a fraction then pushed forward again, sliding further within. He continued to do this, repeating the motion, leaning into each thrust so he could go deeper and deeper. It was so fucking good!

He went hard and fast, only half hearing the grunts Vicious gave, obviously from pain at this first time intrusion to this place. Spike didn’t know what he should be feeling whilst doing this. He’d always been a considerate lover, or at least tried to be. But this wasn’t about love. It wasn’t even really about sex. It was about power and control. It wasn’t about Vicious’ needs or wants. This was about Spike and his revenge; revenge on Vicious for using Julia as a pawn in his power play, for using Spike as nothing more than a way to get attention from the Leaders of the Syndicate. This was about Spike’s revenge against his friend for casting him aside and destroying his hopes of freedom.

He reached down and furiously began to stroke Vicious’ cock again, feeling it firm within his grasp.

“Shit!” Vicious grunted, arching again beneath him.

Spike suddenly couldn’t bear to see his friend’s face. He pulled out suddenly, fast enough that it made Vicious’ let out a surprised, “Huh?”

He reached down and grabbed Vicious’ leg, rolling him over onto his stomach. The bindings at his wrist swivelled easily, twisting and tightening but allowing the motion. Spike reached down and grasped Vicious’ hips, pulling them upright and forcing Vicious to his knees, raising Vicious’ pale ass high to his view.

“No! Not like this!” Vicious yelled out, anger clearly heard in his voice.

Spike ignored him as he gazed down at the open entrance, then thrust his quivering cock back into that hot channel. He closed his eyes at the feeling of bliss that swept over him, the burst of pure desire that coursed through his mind making him moan. He continued to thrust hard into Vicious’ body, keeping a tight grip on those narrow hips so he could pull them back hard against every forward thrust he made, burying him deeper and deeper each time.

“What….do you think…. any of this….achieves?” Vicious gasped out between each thrust.

“I want…to be free,” Spike grunted, eyes closed shut so as to better savour the feel of the slick skin as his cock slid in and out of Vicious’ tight arse.

“You… idiot!” Vicious moaned as Spike hit his prostate gland again, then spoke again. “The only freedom…..is death!”

“I don’t…..believe that,” Spike replied between gasps, feeling the sweat slide down his back, cooling in the air and making him shiver at the touch of cold.

“Anything else….is an illusion!” Vicious insisted, moaning as Spike curled over his arched back, reaching down and wrapping his hand around Vicious’ cock.

“Then I…. want to dream!” Spike said, thrusting forward one last time as he felt his climax hit and he spilt his seed deep within Vicious’ body, feeling the pulse of Vicious’ cock in his hand as hot liquid coated his hand as Vicious came also.


Spike let the soiled sheet fall to the floor after removing as much of the residue left from his tryst with Vicious, before dressing quickly. It was time to get moving.

Vicious still lay face down on the bed, the tattered remains of Spike’s tie still wrapped around his now freed wrists. It had torn at some time during their final act although neither of them had even noticed.

Spike turned and made his way to the door. There was still a lot to do and if he dawdled too long here there was more chance he would be caught by the Syndicate. It was high time he left this stinking hole of a planet.

“So you’re still going,” Vicious’ voice from behind made him pause. It wasn’t a question, only a statement, but he answered anyway.

“Yeah,”

“You’re a fool.”

A small smile curled Spike’s lips although Vicious wouldn’t have been able to see it. “Yeah.”

He took another couple of steps and opened the door when Vicious spoke again. “I’m the only one who can free you,” he said.

Spike hesitated for a split second then stepped through into the hall. “You too.” He replied as the door swung shut behind him.

He picked up his supplies and headed straight for the space port. He hadn’t been able to stop himself from returning to the graveyard at the appointed time but he hadn’t been at all surprised when Julia hadn’t shown. Everything about his life here had changed now.

He had looked up at the sky wondering what he would find out there. Perhaps Vicious was right. Perhaps freedom was nothing more than an illusion. He checked the board and booked passage on the first ship heading out, no point in waiting. As the ship lifted off he kept his gaze firmly fixed forward as it headed for the distant stars, without another look back.

-oOo-

That had been a long time ago. At least it felt like a long time ago. Time was a funny thing sometimes.

His sight dimmed a little more and his body felt heavy. A hand drew into his line of sight, a pale hand, with long fingers, tiny scars criss-crossing across the back. It continued to crawl forward, slowly, painstakingly, until it finally reached his own out-stretched hand.

As those fingers wrapped around his, Spike felt a wash of warmth through his body. His eyes focussed on the face that drew closer; Vicious. His friend’s steady eyes fixed on his, and he saw Vicious give a small smile.

“I… told you,” Vicious whispered, his voice hoarse. “I’m the only one who could set you free.”

“So you….did,” Spike managed to gasp out, every word painful. He returned the smile, suddenly feeling good for some reason. “Like wise.”

Vicious slid another inch forward, eyes screwing shut with pain as his breath hissed through his clenched teeth. Spike could see the slow trickle of red run from beneath Vicious’ body, reach the edge of that step and fall over the edge to the step below before carrying on its way.

Vicious panted for a little longer, sweat beading his brow as he just looked at Spike. His hand clenched a little tighter around Spike’s, drawing it closer.

“Remember,” he breathed out, bringing their joined hands to his cold lips as he brushed a kiss across the back of Spike’s. “I told you once….I would never let you….go.” Those words seemed to take the last of Vicious’ strength for he could only gasp shallowly for air.

Spike forced his fingers to tighten around Vicious’ hand, trying to hold on as tightly as he could. He wasn’t going to let go this time.

“That’s good,” he managed to whisper. “I don’t….want to let go…either.”

Vicious didn’t reply but the expression on his face as he gazed back at Spike was one that he had thought he would never ever see when Vicious was conscious. It was a look of pure contentment, and the smile that touched his lips was one of gentleness.

Spike felt like his heart would burst for joy. This is what he had been wanting to see all his life. This is what he had been searching for all this time. And it was here, right now before him. Perhaps it had always been there, he’d just never seen it.

He smiled back at Vicious. “No-one can take our freedom away from us.” he said softly.

“No-one.” Vicious responded.

Suddenly Spike remembered Julia’s last words. “It’s all a dream,” she had whispered with her dying breath. He hadn’t understood what she had meant just then but now he thought he did.

Yes, it had all just been a dream; his escape from the Syndicate and his past, his love for Julia and the hope for a better future. His belief he could forget Vicious.

His eyes focussed back on Vicious’ face although he was finding it difficult to see even that far now as the darkness seemed to be closing in rapidly. Vicious’ eyes were now closed also, and Spike could no longer hear those faint breaths.

Yes, up till now it had all been a dream, this was the reality.

And he would take it any day over a dream.

~ End ~