bloodsong1 | In a sudden burst of creativity...

Ten minutes before 10. I lock the dorm room behind us as we head out to my car. Candy and I agreed to get food before reaching the interstate. Hopefully Rae will be agreeable. Shivering slightly in a breeze, we beat a hasty path to the parking lot. Someone tall and dark is leaning against my Prius. My heart skips a beat and I feel myself shifting into Cosplay mode. Oh, lordy.

"New look, Faye?" Rae/Spike asks, pushing away from the car. Oh...my...GODS! I drop my suitcase. Candy quickly scoops it up and snatches my keys. I barely notice. He looks...perfect. Blue suit, yellow shirt, black tie...he even dyed his hair green. Now I'm wishing I had at least put on my wig.

"Well...I...um." I look at Candy, who's loading the trunk. She winks at me and mouths 'Go for it.' I reach out and touch him. Yes, he's real. I look up into his eyes. Brown contacts. He even made them different. Now that's dedication. Cosplay mode ON.

"Spike." I ball up my hand and punch him dead in the chest. "How DARE YOU come waltzing back like this! Do you know how long I GRIEVED for you? I thought you were DEAD!" He grabs my fist and twists my arm behind my back. I grab for him and get my other arm behind my back. Yum. I blink at that odd thought, then realize we're almost nose to nose. Engage hormone rush.

"Glad to know you missed me." He says and winks. Letting go, he steps back. "Shall we proceed? There's lots of bounties waiting for us."

"Absolutely! Spike gets the back seat." Candy says, tossing me my keys. I catch them automatically. Cosplay mode OFF.

"Damn, Rae. You're good." I shake my head and climb in. Candy and Rae get settled and we all buckle up. I start the car, back out and head for a local diner. Rae chuckles.

"You're not so bad yourself, Sher. That probably is how Faye would react."

"Except Spike wouldn't warn her with a Valentine card." I point out.

"He might, just to mess with her head." Candy offers.

"You're such a romantic, Candy. Spike and Faye were not meant to hook up like that. Yes, they came to care for each other, but that was more like shipmates then lovers. They were friends. Spike was still in love with Julia."

"Friends is good." Rae says.

"That's true." I grin at him in the rearview mirror. He blows me a kiss. I wink. "Thinking about re-writing the sequel back there?"

"Maybe. Or perhaps just indulging in some fanfic. I haven't decided yet." Engage second hormone rush. I fear I face a very long drive.