Session 5: Ed is Safe

Ed couldn't suppress her cry of pain at the tremendous crash. Her head cracked against the wall, dazing her. After a long moment, her vision returned, and she realized that the ship had stopped. They must have crash-landed, since the landing gear wasn't in prime condition.

She slowly sat up, waiting for the footprints that meant they were coming for her. Ed heard nothing for a long time. She remained still and silent, torn between hoping the kidnappers would come for her or they would leave her alone. Then she heard the boots echoing down the corridor.

Her heart sank into her stomach. Boots meant Brutus. Brutus meant pain. Ed couldn't stop herself from shaking at the mere thought of him. He had threatened her, hurt her, and tied her up. He was dangerous and scary, and Ed did not like him at all.

There was a scratching at the door, followed by a short yelp.

"What is it, Ein?" asked a deep voice. The footsteps moved faster and stopped at the door.

"Ein!" Ed cried pitifully.

Ein howled in reply, and Jet's voice exclaimed, "Ed?!"

"Jet-person!" she said.

The door slid open partly, and Ein squeezed in and hurried to Ed. Ed grinned and lowered her face so Ein could lick it. Jet's strong arms forced the door open the rest of the way, and he entered the room.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, racing to her side. His face was full of concern, and he gingerly set to work untying the ropes around her wrists. "Those bastards," he muttered.

"Ed is okay," she assured him, giving her trademark smile.

Ein suddenly turned to the door and growled. Jet whipped around, hand moving toward the pistol on his belt. He barely managed to fend off a powerful fist that was aimed for his throat, then pushed his assailant back.

It was Brutus, bleeding from a wound on his head. His eyes were crazed. He had nothing to lose.

"Brutus, stop!" cried Paulos behind him. "Let's just give up!"

"Never!" howled Brutus, swinging for Jet again.

Jet grabbed his wrist and jerked him forward, throwing the criminal off-balance. Then he raised his own fist and struck him hard in the nose. A satisfactory crunch filled the room, and Brutus grunted in rage. He pulled back and pulled the gun from his jeans. Both men trained their guns on one another: an impasse.

"Give it up, Brutus," Jet said lowly.

Brutus silently cocked his hammer, glaring at the ex-police officer. Paulos grunted behind them and crumpled to the floor, distracting Brutus. That was the split second Jet needed to disarm the man, and allow Spike to step forward and attack brutally. Faye stopped at the sight of Ed, then turned and walked back out. Brutus begged for mercy under Spike's unrelenting fists, and Jet had to pull him off once he had finished untying Ed.

"That's enough, Spike," he said, lifting Ed in his arms. Ed wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled into his shoulder. She was quickly asleep.

Spike stood up, panting. He looked down at Brutus's now unrecognizable face. "Think we'll still get the bounty?" he asked.

A small smile twitched on Ed's lips.

Faye had been smoking for hours. A pile of cigarettes were at her feet, and her eyes watched the blue sky blankly. Her gaze was drawn to the approaching footsteps behind her. Spike came to stand by her silently, and pulled out a fag of his own.

"Got a light?" he mumbled, fishing in his pockets.

Faye held hers out, and Spike took it. But he didn't light up.

"Wasn't your fault, you know," he said.

"Of course it was," Faye replied.

Spike was silent for a moment. "Well, maybe just a bit," he relented. Faye shot a glare at him. "But you know Ed isn't mad at you. I don't even think she's mad at the kidnappers."

"Doesn't change anything," Faye replied with a wave of her hand. "Still my fault she's hurt...How's Jet taking it?"

"Hasn't left her side yet," Spike gestured back towards the hospital. "They were going to release her today, but Jet insisted she stay another day just to make sure."

Faye scoffed. "He's too soft."

Spike smirked in agreement. Then he tucked his unlit cigarette back into his pocket and handed Faye's lighter back.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I need a nap," he said, scratching the back of his head without looking back.

Faye watched him leave silently, then took one last drag on her own smoke. She put it out and turned to enter the hospital. The least she could do was visit the girl. She stopped outside Ed's door. Her heart pounded in her chest, and butterflies swarmed her stomach. Faye chastised herself for getting so worked up over Ed. After all, it was Ed.

Then she steeled herself and pushed the door open.

"Faye Faye!" cried Ed's voice excitedly. And Faye immediately felt at ease.

A/N: I'm not much for endings, sorry for the suckiness. Anyway, this is the fastest I've finished a story, I think. It might have been longer had I not been worried I might not finish it if I didn't do it now. Maybe I'll revisit this one some day.

In any case, thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate it. :)