Kites Without Strings - Part Three: Games People Play

[Gundam Girl]

The reviews I got for part two were some of the best I?ve ever had; they were intelligent and constructive and I can?t thank you guys enough! Keep reading, please, even if this story takes me years to finish!

Warning: Violent situations, sexual innuendo, a bit of soft lime.

Note: Chapter title is from ?Words That We Couldn?t Say? by Yoko Kanno.

-- Kites Without Strings ? Part Three: Games People Play

The next time Spike ran into Julia ? and Vicious, for that matter ? was three days later. The syndicate had stayed quiet for the last little while, but apparently things were ready to liven up again.

There was a bust planned for the evening at dusk. As usual with the Red Dragons, the brutality of the operation would be softened by the intently romantic setting; the sunset casting a scarlet glow over all of Mars ? prime Red Dragon time.

Vicious always envisioned it as standing in the shadow of a huge pile of roses; Spike saw it as a river of blood rushing through the streets.

He met his syndicate partner in the lobby of Mao Yenrai?s office building. Mao enjoyed busts, Spike recalled. The man considered it an art, scheduling and timing and predicting and anticipating. How quickly would the cops come, how quickly should they get out tonight?

Which lives would be inevitably lost? Because lives were lost every time. Every damn time.

?Spike,? Vicious greeted him with a smile. Vicious always smiled before the Dragons prepared to strike. It was as much of his nature to kill as it was to eat. ?I?m glad you decided to give up hibernation.?

?That?s a bit of a harsh statement,? Spike shot back, ?especially since you haven?t been directly social yourself these days.?

Vicious shrugged one shoulder and shifted his head to turn his spread of lips in Julia?s direction. ?I?ve been?distracted, you could say.?

?I guess I could,? Spike murmured. He watched Julia with calm eyes; she nodded acknowledgement of him. ?Do we intend to take a newbie up on this one??

?Yes,? Julia said quickly.

?Not this time,? corrected Vicious, completely ignoring his girlfriend, and Spike could tell there had been an argument over this particular subject. ?It?s a little high-level for beginners, don?t you think, Spike??

He replied in kind because Vicious was his friend and because Spike enjoyed stirring people up. ?I think so.?

?Men are impossible,? Julia murmured, quietly fuming.

?Yet she enjoys challenges,? noted Vicious. He sent Julia a significant eye flash. She settled, but not much. ?Joining us was a challenge in itself.?

?And now I?m questioning its worth,? she said fiercely, ?if I?m given little side-quests instead of the direct game.?

?That,? Spike interrupted softly, ?is what gets people killed. This isn?t a game.? Drawing a cigarette from the pack in his pocket, Spike lit up and stuck the roll in his mouth. ?It?s a darker piece of life.?

Vicious checked his watch. ?We won?t be starting until a few more hours yet. Should we kill time??

Before we kill people, added Spike. ?Sure. Who?s up for poker?? He made a show of lifting a hand to his mouth and stage whispering to Julia behind it conspiratorially: ?He can?t refuse the gamble.?

?You?re on,? proved Vicious. ?And today, I?m taking your money.?

?So you wish to believe,? Spike replied cheekily as they walked onto the street toward the closest bar. ?Winner gets a free drink.?

***

Two and a half hours later, after a frustrating and curse-evoking card deal, the results were laid down.

?Two pair,? declared Vicious triumphantly, his eyes gleaming.

Spike snorted. ?There went your three seconds of pleasure. Straight.? He slapped his cards onto the table. ?Julia, how badly disappointed are you?? He grinned at her.

Julia met his eyes defiantly and pretended desperately that she didn?t find him charming even as a syndicate agent. ?Devastated,? she admitted as she slid her cards onto the table, Spike?s cigarette smoke hovering over all their heads. ?Me and my royal flush.?

Vicous?s eyebrows shot up. ?Really.?

?Screw that!? exclaimed Spike. ?Seriously?? He tossed back his head and bellowed out laughter as Julia scooped in red, white, and blue chips. ?You?ll drain me to the bone, girl. S`on me,? Spike insisted when Vicious began to reach into his pocket. ?Today a women has humbled me in cards. The *least* I can do is pay for her shot.? He flicked a finger at the bartended, who nodded at him. Shaking his head, he whistled. ?Damn. That puts me down at least three hundred.?

?You?re very nearly broke,? Julia said in mock shock. ?I?d be sympathetic, but?nah.? She returned his grin with one of her own.

?Don?t look now,? joked Spike lightly. Julia giggled. ?But I think our man Vicious is having fun.?

Vicious wiped the smile from his face, but the glint remained in his eyes. ?I am not.?

?He?s practically glowing,? added Julia. ?Aren?t you, Vicious??

?No. And we need to get moving.? He stood up as the waiter served Julia?s whiskey. ?Well?? he inquired. ?Gonna toast to our night??

Julia kissed his cheek and looked at Spike mischievously over the glass. ?It seems I?ll have to. I?ve had my luck for the evening.? With a fast wink at the two of them, she drained the shot. The alcohol burned itself a path down her throat and she slammed the glass onto the table, blinking away the reactive moisture that jumped to her eyes. ?Best to you, guys.?

***

?It?s nice to know that we have good-luck wishes from a pretty woman,? Spike said to Vicious later as they stood together at the corner of an abandoned brick warehouse on the east end of Tharsis. Lin and Shin were stationed a half-block away and several other agents were scattered around the area on standby.

Vicious smiled as the sun lowered so slowly. ?Quick and painless then??

?Quick and painless. I?ll let you get home to your girl, huh?? Spike grinned recklessly, shoving the instant jealousy behind him.

?After this,? retorted Vicious, ?remind me to *get* you a girl.? With that, he took out the gun from his trench coat. Spike took out his Jericho, and together, both men fired one shot. The signal gone off, Lin and Shin were already moving in at breakneck speed, the others getting closer at a slower pace. Spike and Vicious tore into the warehouse.

It was a typical storage hideaway. Boxes labeled for worthless things like lamps held vials and vials of Bloody-Eye. Half-broken suitcases were filled with millions of woolong notes. And lurking non-discreetly in the shadowed corners were at least nine men waiting to protect their supplies and profits.

?Fun group,? commented Spike easily.

?I especially like the scared looks in their eyes,? Vicious added. ?Do you think they?ll mind being stabbed?? With almost lazy ease, he drew out his katana, stowing his gun away in the trench coat.

?I could always shoot them if they?d rather,? Spike grinned.

Vicious shrugged. ?Either way?? He suddenly raced forward and lifted the sword, pressing it to the nearest drug lord?s neck. ?They?re all going to die.?

He neatly slit the throat, and blood dripped in large circles on the floor.

***

Not even a half-hour later, a syndicate truck ? labeled as a unit of Ol? Harry?s Painting Service ? rolled away toward the bigger part of the city with the stash of Bloody-Eye.

?I sort of wish you two hadn?t have finished them off so quickly,? commented Lin, his softly ambitious smirk passing over his lips. ?I?ve been bored lately.?

Shin, his twin brother and Lin?s mirror image, crossed his arms and climbed into the front seat of the silver convertible he always pretended had very little value to him. As Lin joined him, he smiled at Vicious and Spike. ?Want a ride? That way we won?t feel totally useless.?

?My destination?s only a few blocks away,? Vicious told him. ?So I?m going to let you feel useless.?

?I need to move,? Spike grinned. ?I?ll walk with Vicious.?

?Damn, where has our worth gone?? Lin shrugged. ?Suit yourselves.?

?Say hi to Julia, Vicious,? laughed Shin, and the twins zipped off, easing there way speedily through late-night traffic.

Spike and Vicious ambled along steadily, silent at first. This part of town was probably the most relaxed, if not the most exciting. It was well past midnight; most people, being elderly, were sleeping. Lights were out, and Spike started on a cigarette.

?Spike,? Vicious said in his low, cold tones after a couple of minutes. ?Do you approve of me in a serious relationship with Julia??

A little taken aback by the question, Spike bit into his cigarette, then looked in disdain at the squeezed roll. Popping it defiantly back in his mouth, his slid his eyes over to Vicious?s face. ?Odd question. Do you need my approval??

?Yes.? It was said so simply that Spike was surprised again, but gave no visible reaction to it this time.

?Oh.? After a moment, he asked, ?How serious is it??

?As serious as it gets without a ring,? Vicious responded bluntly, and Spike nodded, pitting himself against the surge of jealousy that threatened to break him.

?I gotcha.? He had to try very hard to ignore the twist in his gut when he thought of Julia wrapped around Vicious, the two of them tumbling around in her dark, dusky apartment. He had to try even harder to keep his voice casual. ?Well, you?re good to her, aren?t her?? Spike stuck his hands in the pocket of his dark trench coat, staring at a dim lamppost in the distance. ?Not that I mean to pry.?

?It?s fine.? Vicious sounded so detached, and his eyes were obscured by the fall of his pale hair. But Spike didn?t need to see those gray orbs to know that they would be cold and hard. ?That?s why I?m doubting, Spike. I treat her the best I possibly can.?

Spike stared at his friend for a moment, and then laughed. ?Well, if that?s why you?re worried?? He shoved a hand through his thick, green hair and found his palms were damp. ?I think you?re fine, Vicious. You?re an okay guy.?

They halted together on the stoop of Julia?s apartment building. Vicious?s eyes did meet Spike?s now, and as Speigal had expected, they were no warmer than a sharp pair of icicles.

?Okay,? Vicious murmured, his voice low and sounding half-annoyed, ?doesn?t cut it with her.?

It was a good thing that Vicious proceeded into the building, because Spike couldn?t think of a damn thing to say.

Julia?s smile was bright when she opened her door for them. ?Not one, but two handsome men at my door.? She raised her eyes to the ceiling above her. ?And hungry, I?ve no doubt.?

?Whatcha got?? Spike asked with a grin, nudging into the apartment and teasingly jerking her over.

?Just for that, I should kick you out,? she said to him sharply, trying to not smile and failing.

?Whatever, I?m a superior,? joked Spike as Vicious was closing the door behind him. He was relieved when neither of them moved to kiss or embrace each other. He took them both for ones who weren?t publicly affectionate ? he was one of those types himself ? and personally, he didn?t want to see it.

?Only in your head.? Julia shoved him away from her refrigerator, opening it and digging in herself. She had to bend low thanks to her long, black-covered legs, but she managed to come up again with an armful of wrapped hot dogs. ?Pass me a pot from the left cabinet, somebody.?

Spike turned to obey, but Vicious was already holding one out to her.

She smiled at him. ?Thank you.? Flicking on the hot water at her sink, she filled the pot and turned on the stovetop. ?We?ll let these heat for awhile.?

?What?ve you been doing with yourself all night?? inquired Vicious lightly, his own small smile playing on his face.

?Oh, this and that. Flirting with the Elders, beating up cops. The usual.? Julia sighed at Vicious?s shaking head even as Spike chuckled. ?Or getting nice and cozy with Dick Chance?s latest novel. Fun murder mystery, since I unfortunately missed out today.?

?You didn?t want to be there,? Spike told her with a light tongue; but his eyes could still see the blood pouring from the drug lords, blood spilled with his own two hands. He suddenly moved over to the sink and let water flow over his fingers. At Julia?s amused look, he said in defense, ?I support hygiene.?

?Of course,? she replied exaggeratedly. ?*I* certainly wouldn?t suspect you of a complex.?

He flicked water at her, and she glared, her lips twitching. ?Watch the hot dogs, Spiegel.? She disappeared into her bedroom and came back moments later. ?Vicious and I are playing chess.?

?Oh, good. Now I can soothe my pride ? you hurt it earlier with poker,? said Vicious. He sat down at her small four-person table. ?This you can?t win.?

?Probably not,? she agreed with a laugh. ?But I?ll try anyway.?

As they were standing up pawns and knights and rooks, Spike grinned at the two of them. It was easier, he decided, to convince himself he didn?t want Julia to direct that smile at him instead of his friend if he was acting goofy. ?I play loser.?

Not an hour later, the hot dogs were eaten and Vicious was just capturing Julia?s white knight with his black king, advancing steadily on the queen.

?Damn,? Julia muttered just as Vicious?s beeper went off. He pulled the tiny device form his pocket to read the code and nodded.

?Damn,? Vicious agreed.

?Do you need me to go with you?? asked Spike, pushing away from the wall he was leaning against, ready in case he was required.

Vicious held up a hand. ?No. This is minor; the Elders have just called me in for a quick report. Still, I don?t think I?ll come back tonight. Those old asses always wear me out.?

Spike smirked. ?We could take ?em,? he joked.

Vicious smiled back. ?If I was stupid, I?d make use of that. But?? He stood up and went for his coat. ?Finish my game, Spike. Show down this woman who took are money.?

?Gladly.? Spike plopped down in his friend?s seat and grinned wolfishly at Julia. ?Tag-team. Too bad you?re all alone.?

?I?m not afraid of show-offs. Hold that thought.? She walked to Vicious and straightened the lapels of his trench for him. ?See you tomorrow.?

He did no more than squeeze her shoulder, but that one, short act showed possession, control. Julia held her breathe, smile frozen in place, so she wouldn?t wince.

?Goodnight,? he said softly to her. ??Night, Spike.?

??Night.? Spike watched the door close behind him, then folded his arms. ?Your turn.?

?Shit.? Dropping back down in her seat, she stared at the pieces. ?Shit,? she repeated.

Spike shrugged. ?We can start over.?

?Don?t you go easy on me. He?s got both my knights, okay. He hasn?t gotten my queen yet? You know what,? said Julia, reaching for her beer bottle and downing a gulp. ?Sometimes I think this is how Vicious works. His strategy is a lot like playing chess. He knocks down the little guys until he gets to the big man. Then he crushes him.?

Vicious inclined his head in thought, propped his right leg on his left knees. His position was a comfortable one, lax to let him think better. ?That sounds about right. He can be ruthless.?

?He often is,? she murmured.

?Well.? Spike watched her with his garnet eyes. In the low-hanging lamp above the table, her hair shimmered like the gold he always thought of when he looked at her. Her skin looked so fair and her hands were delicate as she tapped a finger on the table while she contemplated her chess pieces. ?He?s a confusing guy.?

?Yes.? Her tone suddenly dismissed the topic of their mutual friend. With a hand that, Spike noted, was trembling just the smallest bit, she moved her last pawn forward.

Spike claimed it with his rook and instead of retracting his hand, he set it on her shaking one. ?Julia.?

Julia raised her head, trembling fiercer now. ?Tonight, I was scared, Spike. I was scared that something really bad would happen to you two. In a really short time, I?ve come to care for you and Vicious more than anyone else. You two are the first people to really seem to give a damn about me.?

Spike?s eyebrows lowered in too-deep concern. Watch your step, Spiegel, he thought. ?Of course we do, Julia.? Before his hand turned to lead, he worked to draw it back, but Julia turned her palm and grasped his. When he looked into the blue eyes he thought about too much, he saw desperation. ?What is it??

?I just?? Her shoulders sagged.

Nearly out of instinct, he went to his feet and pulled her from her chair, then gathered her into his arms. ?It?s okay, Julia.?

?Spike.? She shook her head. ?It isn?t okay. This is too new for me; the syndicate?Vicious?s attention??

?He really does care about you,? he assured her after a long bout of silence. Even so, he couldn?t find the energy to stop holding her now that she was here.

?I know. I know that,? she said. ?But I don?t think he realizes??

The clock on her while beeped out the hour, and they jumped away from each other. Spike?s every nerve tingled both pleasantly and painfully. Julia looked over and saw it was one in the morning. They?d been standing there for nearly half-an-hour.

?It?s really late,? Spike said. ?I should go.?

?Yeah.? Julia ran a hand over her hair. ?You should.?

?Yeah.? Spike pulled on his coat, felt the weight of the gun hidden in there. He planted his hand on the doorknob and begged for the energy to turn it. ?I?ll see you whenever.?

?Whenever,? she nodded. Julia couldn?t stop staring at him. Why couldn?t she?

Spike blinked, wondering. Wondering? ?Oh, hell,? he muttered and stomped back over to her.

Julia raised her arms and let her fingers dig into his hair as his lips touched down on hers and sent the searching heat blasting through her entire body. She responded, moaning when his hands slid over her hips and up her back to cup the back of her neck.

So this was what it was like to kiss her. He pressed two fingers into her neck, urging her head back so he could deepend the kiss. It burned him and froze him at the same time. Ir robbed him of breath, but it wasn?t uncomfortable. When her teeth lightly scraped his bottom lip, he barely heard the low growl at the pit of his throat.

Her hands raced over his back, to his cheeks, all across his face. ?Spike,? she murmured into his mouth.

At that, Spike jerked back and gasped for breath, his fist clutched on his stomach as though he intended to punch himself. ?Oh, hell.?

Julia?s own breath came out raggedly. ?Did we almost??

?Maybe,? he said. ?I really have to go. Bye.?

She didn?t reply as he disappeared out the door. Her lips were trembling. Everything was trembling. Helpless, boneless, she simply collapsed to the floor, hand-mussed hair tumbling over her shoulders. She could still smell him, good God, she could smell his cologne and his cigarettes and she could taste the beer he?d drank.

She stared wide-eyed at the door he?d shut. Echoing him, she said two words.

?Oh, hell.?

****************************************

There?s chapter three! Please leave a review to let me know how I?m doing with this. This *is* my first Bebop fic, and I want to know if I should run away screaming from this fandom or stay put. Tell me what you think!

-GG