You and Me

Jessica peeked carefully around the doorframe, watching Spike practice. She was careful to keep her eyes on him and to not let them stray towards the bank of windows where the nothingness of space loomed. She didn’t particularly want to pass out; again, for the third time since they started their flight to Mars. Hesitant, she made her way toward him; eyes straight ahead, heart thumping wildly not just because of the emptiness outside.

“Mind if I join you?” Spike looked up in the middle of a form, startled. Jessica tried not to let her gaze wander along his sweat-glistening bare chest. He looked her square in the eyes and her heart jumped painfully.

“I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a girl.” He settled into a “ready” stance.

“Who said I needed you to go easy on me?” She put up her hands, shifting into a defensive position just as he stepped forward.

His fist lashed out and she ducked, feinting left then bringing up her leg in a round-house kick that Spike dodged effortlessly. Before she could try another tactic she was busy blocking blows as Spike tried to break through her defense. She took the opportunity to study him, looking for a weakness. She found it in the most obvious of places, his chest. Whenever he twisted too far, or extended either arm past a certain point a grimace would flicker briefly on his face; the bruise was bothering him. Jessica waited patiently for the perfect moment then, as she let his fist slide harmlessly past her, she planted a right-straight directly in the center of the bruise. Spike’s eyes widened, surprised, and she took the opportunity to use his momentum to her advantage. Quickly, before he had time to react, she leaned into her punch and sent him sprawling. She sat calmly on his chest, pinning him for a second time. Jessica smiled down at him triumphantly. Spike just looked at her, the same surprised expression on his face as before. Jessica opened her mouth, but before she could speak his expression changed; he smiled playfully, and before she knew what had happened she was flat on her back with him leaning over her, triumphant, his hands on either side of her head. Jessica’s heart faltered, then beat in double-time. Her face felt hot and her breathing came in erratic gasps. Spike leaned closer to her, still grinning.

“I don’t lose.” He looked straight into her eyes, slightly surprised to find that they were once again green; had he hurt her? He was just about to suggest that they stop, when Jessica’s head came up and suddenly they were kissing, her arms wound around his neck. Surprised, he pulled away; she looked as surprised as he felt. She opened her mouth to apologize but Spike leaned back down, stopping her effectively.

“Is it my imagination or is Jet looking pleased with himself?” Jessica looked sideways at Spike whose arm was around her waist. How he was managing to eat left handed was a mystery to her since he wouldn’t let her get up. He flicked a glance at Jet, who was calmly walking out of the room; Jessica had waited until he was leaving to ask her question.

“Most likely he thinks he’s planned this whole arrangement from the start.” He squeezed her tightly.

“You think so?” She risked a glance at Faye, lounging on the steps behind them. “She doesn’t seem fazed. Well, she’s worse than usual.” Faye had been short-tempered recently.

“Jealous.” Spike didn’t even look up. Jessica chuckled, hard-pressed to imagine Faye as jealous. She leaned her head on Spike’s shoulder, content to stay like that for as long as she could.