The Calm

Disclaimer: If ya'on'ton't know by now that I don't own Bebop.... then you're just not that observant.

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Song: Burning Bright
Artist: Shinedown (awesome band!)
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The Calm
Chapter 39: She Came and Went


Rain sighed as she walked down the lonely streets of Ganymede. She’d caught her bounty, traded him in for the bit of money she carried now. She passed several bars, not too interested in a drink. She then notices a sign on one.

“Open mic night, eh?” she mumbled.

A young man stood on stage, a book in hand. He was handsome, with his platinum blonde locks and piercing blue eyes. His high cheekbones and his lean figure, she was entranced. The audience seemed trapped by his voice, so smooth and deep with that accent. That accent… what was it with men and foreign accents that made her want to swoon so easily? She smiled at that thought. Faye would get a kick out of seeing that, her swoon over some guy’s voice. She watched as the audience applauded. He smiled bashfully, before locking his eyes with hers. They stood there, in that moment, for what seemed eternity, before he began to recite another poem by heart.

“There is a silence where hath been no sound,
There is a silence where no sound may be,
In the cold grave-under deep, deep sea,
Or in wide desert where no life is found,
Which hath been mute, and still must sleep profound;
No voice is hush’d- no life treads silently,
But clouds and cloudy shadows wander free,
That never spoke, over idle ground:
But in green ruins, in the desolate walls
Of antique places, where man hath been,
Though the dun fox, or wild hyena, calls,
And owls, that flit continually between,
Shriek to the echo, and the low winds moan,
There true silence is, self-conscious and alone.”

Silence hung like thick smog over the bar, before a smile grew across Rain’s face and she began to applaud. The rest of the room then rang as many a drunken occupant began to join in. The young man took a dramatic bow and leapt from the small stage, leaving it open for the next brave soul to stride beneath the hot lights and glassy stares.

She watched as he approached her, a grin on his face. “You appreciate poetry?” he asked, his voice thick with his accent.

Rain nodded. “I’ve always been fond of the written word. Shakespeare?”

“Right on the nose. I’m James,” he introduced.

“Rain.”

“It suits you. You appear a rain goddess come to walk amongst the mortals.”

Rain felt her cheeks burn and she snorted. “That’s a new one, never heard that line before.”

James grinned. It was a strange smile, one that seemed to say that he knew a secret, taunting her with information that may or may not exist. “I try. Do you dare to go before the audience, and bare your soul this eve?” he asked.

Rain shook her head. “No, I would, but I have no instrument to play.”

“Ah, a musician! What instrument?”

“Guitar, I sing as well. Although, I do not think I’m very good.”

“I do believe that the owner of this fine establishment does have a guitar that you could borrow. Would you dare to venture forth, my dear lady?” he asked.

Rain smiled and nodded. This guy was smooth. “Sure, I’m always up for an adventure.”

~*~*~*~

The rain fell in torrents as he watched her sleep. She appeared nothing like Eve, that stubborn and brash woman of her teen years, only a little of Rain, her motherly and caring form of her bounty hunting days. She was just a fragile creature, a fallen angel whom had hit the ground hard. Faye was sitting beside her, talking about nothing really. She talked of Ed and her new boyfriend on Earth. Sheked ked of Aurora and how funny a child she is, how well she gets along with Adrian, and how every day she grows more and more like her.

He turned back to the rain outside the window. James had gone out on a job for Vicious, asking him and Faye to keep an eye on Amaya.

“I’m going to go get something to eat, you want anything?” she asked.

Spike turned his brown eyes to his wife. She smiled tentatively to him and raised an eyebrow. “Spike, you there?”

He snorted and smiled to the violet haired woman. “Are you getting food from the cafeteria?”

Faye made a disgusted face. “Hell no! I swear they make it bad to reel in more patients. It’s worse than the cooking Jet made us when Rain tried to teach him how to cook!”

Spike chuckled at that memory. There would be a random explosion and smoke would billow from the kitchen, followed by a slightly aflame Jet and a giggling Rain, patting out the random flames with a cloth. “Definitely that bad. Go on, I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“You want anything?”

Spike nodded. “You pick. You know me, iron stomach here.”

Faye snorted. “After all those years of Jet’s cooking? I’m not surprised if you’d be able to drink a bottle of poison without any problem. I’ll be back soon!” she said as she quickly kissed him on the cheek and vanished out the door.

Spike smiled after her and then turned back to the immobile woman in the bed. “We’re finally alone, eh? No offense to my beloved wife, but I think she talks too much.” He moved over to the chair Faye had occupied on her right and placed a hand on hers. “I wish you’d wake up, we could use your expertise. You were always the best in a tight spot.”

A machine picked up in rhythm. Spike looked up to see a gray eye staring at him.

“Hey there, sleeping beauty,” he greeted softly.

The respirator clicked and tears began to well in her eye.

“I know,” he said. “The good thing is that you’re awake.”

Her hand gripped his tightly, her knuckles turning white as she did so. He knew wshe she meant.

“This isn’t a dream.”

Tears rolled freely down her cheeks and onto her pillow, wetting it beneath her head. Her mouth twitched.

“You’re not there anymore, Amaya. You’re safe.”

Her chin trembled and a strained moan came forth from her throat.

Spike smiled as he squeezed her hand in reassurance as he watched her drift back to sleep. “You’re safe.”

~*~*~*~

Rain sighed as she walked down the empty, dark streets of Ganymede. She’d left the Bebop, in need of some time away from her roommates. She had also, been tracking a certain assassin for the Red Dragons. He was, supposedly, very good at what he did, but had unfortunately pissed off one too many people. She had tracked him down to some club in the more ‘run down’ part of Ganymede. The only name she had on him was Wraith, for he moved and appeared like a ghost.

“Well, well, well. Fancy seeing you ‘ere,” a voice said from the shadows to her right.

Rain spun around, gun out. “Wraith, I presume?”

The man walked from the shadows. “Rain.”

Her eyes widened as she saw him. “James? You’re Wraith?”

The platinum blonde man smirked mischievously. “An’ you’re a bounty hunter. A good one at that, from what I hear.”

Rain smiled and lowered her pistol. “Care to buy me a drink?” she asked.

James smiled. “I know the perfect place.”

Rain raised an eyebrow to her blonde companion. “It around here? ‘Cause I doubt anything is good around this crap shoot.”

James scoffed. “’Course not! I’m talking about my flat.”

Rain laughed. “Why am I not surprised?”

James took on an offended look. “I’ll be a right and good gentleman, I promise. Maybe this time you’ll let me ‘ear you sing.”

Rain grinned. “That all depends on how good you are.”

~*~*~*~

She felt heavy, drugged. Why would Julia be drugging her now? Why would she dampen that pain she so wanted felt? Was this a new torture? A new tactic to break her? She had dreamed of being in a hospital, of hearing James’ voice as he spoke poetry to her, even saw Spike sitting beside her, telling her she was safe and free. She couldn’t trust that though.

“She actually woke up?” a voice asked. Faye?

“Yeah, a few hours ago.” Spike again.

She couldn’t speak, the metal in her jaw keeping it closed tight. She could only use one eye, the other bandaged. It wasn’t as though she was able to see out of that eye anymore anyways. She could feel a cast on her arm, and on her injured ankle. Why would Julia bandage her up? This was getting strange.

“I came as soon as I got your call. What’s wrong?” Vicious? Why was Vicious here?

“She woke up,” Faye’s voice answered.

She opened her eye then and saw them. Vicious looked like he’d just run a few miles. Spike and Faye looked tired, but hopeful. She then noticed the shadow at Vicious’ back, a shadow carrying a child. ‘Child? Julia didn’t know about…’ her thoughts broke off as tears came to her eyes again. Her bandaged eye felt soaked by now. ‘Oh please, don’t let this be illusion. Don’t let it be some hallucination while I bleed to death on the floor of that damned room!’

A strangled moan came from her throat before she could stop it. All eyes turned to her. She saw relief and joy in those eyes. Feelings she hadn’t seen inew oew of them for a long time. Vicious was suddenly at her side, caressing her good hand and smiling. When was the last time she had seen him smile like that? When Sith agreed to marry him? She mumbled his name out, causing that grin to widen.

“Long time no see,” he said.

Her lips twitched slightly, and she snorted.

“Amaya,” Faye called out.

She turned hea head as much as she could, so she could catch eyes with Faye. The violet haired woman was crying and grinning at the same time. Amaya could sense something about her. Something she hadn’t seen in a while. Life. She wanted to laugh, but all that came out was a low, choppy groan.

Spike’s hands appeared on Faye’s shoulders as he pulled her to his chest. Amaya sent him a knowing look and a slight nod. The mossy ed med man rd a d a brow to her in silent question. He knew that look. Even with one eye, he knew that look very well. He’d seen it when Sith had only started to show her pregnancy.

Vicious had noticed this as well and glanced to Faye. “Can you give me a minute?” he asked the pair.

Spike nodded as he dragged his wife from the room. Faye’s protests heard clearly as they moved down the hall. Sith seemed to be leaving as well. Amaya whimpered as she looked at her shadow. Sith froze and turno heo her old partner. So many thoughts moving across those dark eyes as she took a seat with Adrian. The child giggled and cooed, finding something very amusing, but only seen by him.

Vicious could feel heat prickling behind his eyes. She was awake, and responsive. He squeezed her good hand gently, bringing her attention from Sith and Adrian to him. He watched as her grey eye scanned his face, her hand moving up slowly to wipe away a tear that rolled down his cheek.

“I’m so sorry, Amaya,” he whispered.

Amaya shook her head slightly as she cupped his cheek. He didn’t need to apologize for anything. It had not been his fault this had happened.

“I was the one that fell for her tricks so easily,” he said.

Amaya made a low growl in her throat. ‘Oh don’t you start now! I’m the one that taunted and goaded her into this! This is my fault, damn it! You’re not taking the blame for this!’ she shouted mentally as she pulled her hand back and slapped him softly.

Vicious’ pale blue eyes widened. “Did you just slap me?”

Amaya’s gray eye challenged him to do something about it. She may be invalid, but she wasn’t going to back down from a fight. She felt exhaustion take her then, her eye, slowly drooping closed as she fell back into the warm darkness of sleep.

~*~*~*~

Rain laughed unabashedly, her cheeks flushed, her eyes slightly glassy with inebriation. An empty shot glass sat before her on a small table, a full one across from it, and the hand of said glasses’ owner touching it lightly with his fingertips. James just watched her as she laughed. It had been ten months since she had first come to see him. The meetings went as follows: he’s find her stalking down some dark street, they’d exchange words, and then they’d head to his apartment to have a drink of two. He’d recite poetry, or would tell her stories from his past. She would tell him of her life and the interesting people she lived with, or she’d idly play around with a guitar she kept with him.

“You gonna finally perform for me, luv?” he asked.

Rain stopped laughing and sighed. “Maybe. Why do you want to hear me anyways? For all you know I could suck royally.”

“True, but I’ll never know until you play. I promise, I won’t laugh.”

Rain thought for a moment before shrugging and letting out a heavy sigh. “Fine. You’ve broken down my defenses!” she exclaimed in an exasperated tone.

“Guitar’s over by the book shelf,” he said idly.

Rain shot him a glare. “You have, like, seven book shelves!”

James grinned. “Ah, but only one guitar.”

Rain rolled her eyes and stalked away from the table for a while. After a minute or two, she returned with the instrument in hand. She smiled to the British assassin before she began to strum the taut strings.

“I feel like there is no need for conversation
Some questions are better left without a reason
And I would rather reveal myself than my situation
Now and then I consider, my hesitation

The more the light shines through me
I pretend to close my eyes
The more the dark consumes me
I pretend I'm burning, burning bright

I wonder if the things I did were just to be different
To spare myself of the constant shame of my existence
And I would surely redeem myself in my desperation
Here and now I'll express, my situation

The more the light shines through me
I pretend to close my eyes
The more the dark consumes me
I pretend I'm burning bright

The more the light shines through me
I pretend to close my eyes
The more the dark consumes me
I pretend I'm burning…

There's nothing ever wrong but nothing's ever right
Such a cruel contradiction
I know I cross the lines its not easy to define
I'm born to indecision
There's always something new, some path I'm supposed to choose
With no particular rhyme or reason

The more the light shines through me
I pretend to close my eyes
The more the dark consumes me
I pretend burning bright
I pretend!

The more the light shines through me
I pretend to close my eyes
The more the dark consumes me
I pretend I'm burning….

I pretend there is no need for conversation…”

James sat there, stunned at the sound of emotion in her voice. It was as though her very soul had been bared before his very eyes. He could feel that she related to that song, the confusion and hurt in her voice as she sang those words, touching him.

Rain noticed his thoughtful look and blushed. “Sorry, I know I’m not that good.”

“No! No, you were amazing,” he said.

Rain smiled. “Thanks.”

James smiled back and felt his heart clench at the sight of her. She seemed so strong some times, and yet, here, flushed with heat and alcohol, she seemed vulnerable. He wanted take those times of hurt away from her, wanted to make sure she’d never have to hold a gun again. She shouldn’t have ever been forced to take such a thing upthe the first place. She should have lived a normal life. He watched as she placed the guitar aside and began to talk about what one of her roommates had done recently. He smilnd lnd laughed with her the rest of the night. He watched her as she sighed and noticed the rising sun. He felt his heart hurt as she left him to go back to her friends.

“As a twig trembles, which a bird
Lights to sing, then leaves unbent,
So is my memory thrilled and stirred;-
I only know she came and went.

As clasps some lake, by gusts unriven,
The blue dome’s measureless content,
So my soul that moment’s heaven;-
I only know she came and went.

As, at one bound, our swift spring heaps
The orchard’s fullbloobloom and scent,
So clove her May my wintry sleeps;-
I only know she came and went.

Oh, when the room grows slowly dim,
And life’s last oil is nearly spent,
One gush of light these eyes will brim,
Only to think she came and went,” he recited to her vanishing shape. He prayed that he’d see her again as he watched her walk out of his sight. Because, God help him, he was falling for her.

~*~*~*~
Levii: Whoo! fun with memories and lucidity for my girl! Lol. It was quite difficult to have conversations when my character has her jaw wired shut. Hence, the flashbacks. Also, someone wondered earlier about Amaya and James' relationship and how it seemed rather... sudden that they felt so much for one another. See, the thing is, in the previous story, in order to keep the original storyline, at least in essence, going, Rain wasn't really on the ship that often. So, as I planned a head of time, she met James and became friends with him. It wasn't until a few years later that things got heavy for them. Which may be why she's stuck with him. Things weren't as rash as they seemed... muahahaha!
The first poem in this chapter was a sonnet by good ol' William Shakespeare. The second, and inspiriation for the title of this chapter is the poem 'She Came and Went' by James Russell Lowell.
OKay, ppls, ya'll know what to do. Leave me a review and I'll love you forever and give you... a panda! Now review me!