Session 26

When Quinn had stepped out of the shower, she was disappointed to see that everything around her was real. She hadn't been dreaming, and although she tried her hardest, she couldn't make herself wake up from what she wished was just a nightmare. She got herself dressed, and made her way back into the bedroom.

She peered out the window once again, and stared across the vast, watery landscape.

"Please come get me, Spike," Quinn mumbled under her breath sorely as she ran her hands through her sopping wet hair. She inhaled deeply as she walked towards the bedroom door. She hated how the air tasted in her mouth. It was stale, untouched, and suffocating. Although the bedroom was well furnished and taken care of, she could tell it had been left alone for quite some time. That explained the mustiness. The paint was peeling off the walls in some areas, and the creaky floor boards seemed unstable and unkempt.

The bedframe, mattress and sheets were all fresh, and they stood out from the rustic vibe the rest of the bedroom gave off. Quinn gave the room one last look before heading out the door. 

She was quickly hit with the scent of freshly cooked food upon stepping out onto the landing. Her stomach grumbled as her hand left the doorknob. Ahead of her was a long, winding spiral staircase. 

On her left side stood a freakishly tall, wooden ladder. It clung lifelessly along the painted brick walls, and splinters jutted out from every inch of the material. As she examined the rickety contraption, she noticed that it led to a small hatch in the ceiling. 

Was it an attic? She didn't know. She wanted to check if it could be a way of escape, but she stopped herself when Vicious called her down to the dining room. 

"Quinn, darling, breakfast is ready," he called for her. She rolled her eyes at his request. The word darling coming out of his sour mouth sent shivers down her spine. Quinn sighed as she stepped away from the ladder. 

She thought about revisiting the mysterious hatch in the roof as she carefully made her way down the winding staircase. Once she reached the main floor, she saw Vicious sitting at a small, circular dining table just meters away from her. 

The main room was large, and round. There were few dividing walls, and the entire space, much like the bedroom, had a rustic, almost vintage look to it. Quinn spied a kitchen area adjacent to the dining room, and next to that was a large living space complete with an electric fireplace, couch, and TV. Curved bookcases lined the circular space while the rest of the walls lay barren.

Quinn shivered as her bare foot hit the cold, hardwood flooring. She was wearing what she had worn to work yesterday, and her blazer wasn't as warm as she had hoped it would be. Vicious heard her step into the room. He turned to face her as she walked towards the table.

"Are you cold my dear? Gosh, I wish this place wasn't entirely made of brick. It really doesn't keep the heat in as you can tell," he scoffed as he stood up from his chair.

"Here, keep warm," Vicious pulled a chair out for Quinn as he shrugged his overcoat off his shoulders. Quinn remained silent as he draped his jacket over her back. She glared at him as she took a seat at the table.

"Well, isn't this just lovely," Vicious stated through a smile as he made his way back to his seat. In front of Quinn sat a large array of different foods. Fresh fruits, yogurt, eggs, bacon and much more. Quinn was impressed by the spread, but she was hesitant to eat. 

"I don't think lovely is the right way to describe my kidnapping," Quinn murmured as she watched Vicious arrange his plate of food. 

"Kidnapping? By God, who do you think I am?" Vicious scoffed playfully before bringing a spoonful of yogurt and granola to his lips. Quinn watched as he ate. She figured since he had made such efforts to bring her there alive that he most likely was not going to kill her through means of poisoned food. Regardless, Quinn was famished. She surveyed the food ahead of her before reaching towards a large plate of bacon and eggs. 

"I know who you are. Spike has told me enough," Quinn replied angrily as she shoveled the food onto her plate. 

"Oh love, you really have been fooled by him, haven't you," Vicious chuckled, shooting Quinn a judgmental glare. Quinn stared at him with a puzzled expression.

"Fooled?" She questioned, not expecting to believe anything that was about to come out of his mouth.

"I'm sure Spike has told you what he wants you to hear," Vicious sighed before reaching for what Quinn assumed was a mug of coffee.

"But, and I'm sure as an educated woman like yourself, you know that there are two sides to every story," he added. Quinn's chewing slowed as she examined her captors face. He didn't seem the slightest bit tense. He seemed confident with his speech, and Quinn wasn't sure where he was leading the conversation. 

"I'm not interested in hearing word from a syndicate member," Quinn huffed through mouthfuls of food. Vicious laughed.

"Oh darling, you, being a woman in a position of great power should relate with a man such as myself," he replied pompously as he shifted the food around on his plate. Quinn frowned.

"Don't you dare compare your work to my business," she grimaced, shooting him a deadly glare. He turned to her. His sadistic smile sent chills down Quinn's spine.

"You're afraid to see the parallels Quinn, but let it be know that I am more similar to you than you think," he added with a smirk before stabbing his fork into an apple slice.

"You have no idea who I am," Quinn laughed mockingly as she watched him bring the slice of fruit up to his mouth. She hated how confidently he spoke. She had never met Vicious in her life, yet he was claiming to know an awful lot about her. It bothered her to hear such determination spill from such a disgraceful mouth.  

"I know enough," he grinned before slipping the apple slice into his mouth. Quinn watched as he chewed. She was feeling cornered by his words, so she opted to defend herself in any way that she could. 

"If I don't escape here first, Spike will find me," Quinn stated harshly before turning her gaze towards her plate. She heard Vicious exhale sharply through his nose.

"And what makes you think he's looking for you?" Vicious replied arrogantly.

"Why wouldn't he be?" Quinn replied, but Vicious sensed the hesitance in her voice before she was able to recognize it herself. 

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but he disappeared for quite awhile last time, didn't he?" Vicious stated brashly before reaching for his cup of coffee. Quinn's expression twisted.

"How do you know that?" She asked, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Vicious chuckled as he sipped from his mug.

"I'm sure you remember when you had that bounty on your head. Don't think the syndicate didn't hear about you. As soon as I saw your pretty little face on the news, I was smitten. And if I was taken aback by your grace, I knew Spike was as well. I'm sure you've heard the story of my stolen love, Julia," Vicious stated firmly, his cold voice sending prickles of discomfort down the length of her spine.

"Julia? You sent your men to kill her. I'd hardly call that love," Quinn replied angrily, recalling the the previous night when Spike had told her everything about his past. Vicious let his fork slip out of his hand. The metal clattered against the plate once it fell. Quinn watched his face twist.

"Oh, is that what the scoundrel told you?" Vicious sneered. Quinn watched his fists clench. He grit his teeth before turning his head away from her. Quinn was perplexed by his reaction. She was prepared for some sort of retort, but what he said next was quite unbelievable.

"You really think that was my doing? The syndicate made that decision independent of my word. I had no say in Julia's death, but Spike sure as hell did," he grumbled furiously, his fists clenched tightly upon the tabletop. Quinn's eyebrows knit together in confusion. She opened her mouth to reply, but couldn't quite find the words to speak.

"I know what you're going to ask. Allow me to explain my side of the story before you confuse yourself any further," Vicious added. He cleared his throat before adjusting his posture.

"That day she was killed, I was busy executing the elders that had made the decision to have her murdered. I killed the syndicate member that murdered her, but I left him alive long enough for him to tell me that what he had done, was an accident," Vicious' eyes shifted away from Quinn. He tilted his head downwards, glaring at the plate of food beneath him.

"He was aiming for Spike, but the damned cowboy jumped out of the way before the bullet could hit him," Vicious croaked, his fists shaking the tabletop. Quinn sensed the tension growing in the air. She was almost afraid of what he was going to say next, for she thought she had heard the full story. Apparently she had not, and she was disgusted by how this version of events painted Spikes character. 

"He let Julia take the bullet. He watched her die, and he left her body on the rooftop she was killed on!" Vicious' voice rose. His breath was shaky, his words were tense, and his glare was ice cold. He turned to Quinn, narrowing his eyes on her.

"Spike Spiegel is a selfish man. He claims to have loved her, but he let her die. Her death was not my doing. I avenged my lovers passing before I even knew she was dead. And what did Spike do for his supposed soulmate? He let them kill her. He didn't keep her safe, but then again, neither did I," Vicious sputtered painfully before throwing a hand over his mouth. Quinn heard his breath catch in his throat. His eyes began to water as he turned his head away from her once again. Quinn didn't speak as she listened to him catch his breath.

"I don't typically get emotional like this, Quinn. I apologize for my outburst," Vicious stated calmly, his head still turned away from her.

Quinn didn't know how to reply, and she also didn't know which side of the story to believe. Spike had told Quinn little of Julia's death. He had only mentioned that Vicious had sent men to kill her, but if Vicious was telling the truth about his love for her, it made no sense for him to do such a thing.

"Why would Spike lie to me," Quinn croaked suddenly, her breath catching in her throat. Vicious turned towards her. His face was flushed red, and his dark eyes were filled with sorrow.

"He's trying to escape his past, and think about it, Quinn, do you think you'd still be yearning for his presence if you knew he had let his last love die in his arms due to his selfishness?" Vicious stated. 

Quinn leaned back in her chair as her heart sunk into her chest. He made a good point. If Spike had told her that, she sure as hell would have ran the other way; but then again, was Vicious really a credible source?

"No, but, how do I know you're not lying to me?" Quinn question shakily. Vicious sighed.

"You don't have to believe me, but tell me, why else would I have killed every last syndicate member involved in Julia's murder," he replied, and Quinn fell silent.

Why else would he kill his own men? Quinn didn't know how the syndicate worked, but she at least knew if members did what they were told, they would not be punished. Clearly, Julia's killer had gone through with his orders; why did he deserve punishment? If not for Vicious' personal opinion, that man, and many others would still be alive.

"Spike let his supposed lover die alone. He ran, and only came to kill me, and even then, he didn't succeed. He left me to die after putting a bullet through my chest, but he didn't stay long enough to see my last few, loyal men, come to my rescue. He's sloppy, lazy, selfish, and he leaves people to wither alone when they are at their lowest points. I know you think he's coming for you Quinn, but I promise you, he's not," Vicious added painfully.

Quinn didn't know how to respond. There was so much information she was trying to absorb all at once. In reality, she knew very little of both men. She had only reunited with Spike a day or so prior, and before that, she had only known him for a number of days. Vicious, she knew even less, and from what she did know, he was an evil, blood thirsty, violent syndicate leader, and nothing ever good came from the syndicate. 

Quinn shivered as the thought crossed her mind. 

Nothing ever good came from the syndicate. 

Spike was a former syndicate member. Could it be possible that both men were lying to her? And was she about to become the new Julia? Quinn's lip quivered as she opened her mouth to speak.

"What's the point of all this," she mumbled softly, her voice shaking as she spoke. 

"I'm trying to save you, Quinn, Spike is being hunted by the syndicate, and I promise you are not safe by his side. As long as you are with him, you risk being killed as well. I don't want to see you end up like Julia," he added sorely. Quinn felt her eyes begin to water. 

He saw the similarities as well. 

"Don't send your men to kill me then!" She stated harshly, gritting her teeth in anger. 

"I haven't, but I need Spike dead. He's a dangerous man, and if it comes down to it, he will sacrifice you for himself. let me protect you Quinn. You are a magnificent woman, and I promise as long as you stay under my, and the syndicates eye, you will not face anymore danger. Death follows Spike wherever he goes. You are not safe by his side," Vicious stated cogently, but Quinn was still hesitant to believe him. She clearly didn't know Spike as well as she thought she did, and it was hard for her to form a solid opinion on his character.

From what she knew of him, he was a damaged man, but he seemed honest. Faye and Jet seemed to be safe along his side, and from Quinn had observed, they trusted him. Vicious on the other hand, was only ever talked about as bad news; but then again that was coming from Spike's perspective. Quinn chewed the inside of her cheek as she stared past Vicious' gaze. Her mind was buzzed, and she was lost within her own train of thought. 

Suddenly, Quinn heard the sound of a cellphone vibrating. Vicious sighed as he fished his phone out of his pants pocket. 

"My apologies Quinn," he huffed as he brought the phone to his ear. Quinn was silent as she watched him talk to someone on the other end. The conversation was so silent that Quinn almost thought he was talking to no one, but suddenly, his eyes grew wide. Vicious began to speak into the device. 

"You have eyes on him? On Venus? He's leaving a hotel, with a girl?" He began, Quinn's mood suddenly shifted. He was leaving  a hotel, with a girl? She couldn't believe what he was saying. 

"The pesky one with purple hair, yes?" Vicious added, and Quinn felt her heartrate begin to lower. 

"No? Ok, well if its not that darned Valentine girl, I do not want a random civilian harmed unless absolutely necessary. Don't touch the girl, but do your best to capture Spike. I'll be on my way," Vicious added. Quinn felt as if a hand had slapped her across the face. Her mouth hung open slightly and her eyes began to widen. 

Had she heard him correctly? He wasn't with Faye. Who could he have been with? Who was that girl? Quinn was conflicted within her own mind. The words that had just left Vicious' mouth had to have been heard incorrectly. She simply could not believe that Spike was hooking up with another girl at a time like this; especially when Quinn considered what he had told her when he met her at her office. He hadn't been able to keep his mind off of her; had that all been a lie?

"Are you alright my dear?" Vicious asked as he stood up from his chair. His voice snapped Quinn from her thoughts. With her mouth hung open and her eyes filled with tears, she looked up at him. 

"Just go," Quinn croaked. Vicious sighed as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Quinn swatted it away before bringing her knees to her chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs before burying her face in the space she had created. 

"I'm sorry, Quinn, I'll be back, I promise," he comforted, but Quinn didn't want to hear his affirmations. Nothing he said would bring her comfort, and Quinn feared nothing anyone said could ever bring her any sort of relief. Grief stricken, Quinn listened to Vicious collect his things, and head out the front door. 

Quinn didn't know what to think. Spike was very clearly with another woman, but why did it even matter? They weren't dating, they weren't in any way exclusive, and they had just had a major argument. He had every right to see someone else, but still, it broke Quinn's heart to know what he was doing without her. 

{A/N sorry for the late chapter! I'm so bombed with schoolwork atm (finals are approaching) I haven't been able to give this story as much attention as I'd like to! Don't worry though, more chapters coming, I promise!}