Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Look What I Found ( Chapter 4 )

I do not own the characters of Cowboy Bebop. They are the property of Sunrise, Bones, and Bandai Visual (2001). They make the money, not me. Nor can I take credit for most of my chapter headings- they are the product of their authors. Sigh.

And now….

They're off!

 

Chapter 4: Look What I Found (Pepper)

 

To say Spike was disappointed when he woke was an understatement. He had waited, dozing for a good share of the night in order to hear Faye shriek and call for someone to squish what he had left in her room. Smirking at the memory of her, wrapped in a tiny towel, clambering across him the day before he decided she must have missed his little presents. Probably went to bed drunk. He grinned as he imagined the fall-out that would come when she awoke, with a hangover no less! He moved from malicious glee to shock when he spotted a hangover-free, coherent Faye sipping coffee on the chair. Well scratch the drunk idea…hmmm. He studied her, slightly disturbed by his failure. Giving up on a solution with a shrug and deciding to ignore the disgruntled glare, he shuffled into the kitchen for his own cup of caffeinated brew.

Faye was doing her best to ignore Spike in the doorway, though he knew she was watching him over the rim of her mug. She was not pleased with the cowboy, having spent a good share of her night, with a rolled magazine in one hand, exterminating her room of all the plastic, creepy crawlies. Upon discovery, she would poke the offending creature with the make-do weapon, wait for a response and add it to the increasing pile. The one she found crammed in her boot was an especially nasty surprise- she didn't find it until she dressed. Spike still unable to grasp how she was able to not fall for the bugs finally crossed the kitchen threshold. She had a fit when she saw the roach attached to Ein. Maybe she hasn't found any...

“Mornin' Spike. You look like shit.”

“… I'm thinkin'”

“Hmm. That explains it,” Spike glanced at Jet, who was intently examining something on the counter. He jerked his mug towards the point of interest, “These wouldn't happen to be yours would they?” Jet didn't sound particularly pleased at whatever he was studying. While filling a mug, Spike peeked around the big man's shoulder to see a drinking glass brimming with various insect representations.

“Nope. Gave those to Ed, remember?” with a slight smirk and a shrug Spike casually made his way to the rest of the group. He had to give her, begrudgingly, credit for keeping her cool. So she did find them.

“Hmm…” Jet knew something was stirring, but he couldn't place his finger on it. It wasn't Spike, and I'm sure Ed didn't leave these here. They didn't show until Faye… Oh! The prank. Exiting the kitchen, Jet followed Spike to the main room. “Listen up,” he started at the doorway, “I've gotten word of a pretty hefty bounty, but it's goin' take quite a bit of time and effort.” He shot Faye a meaningful glance, indicating she would be expected to pull a good share of the load.

Faye unfazed at the silent warning, “How hefty are we talking Jet?” she was not in the mood for chump change. Chump change came with bounties like Jongen. Spike was of a similar opinion. He didn't feel like playing fisticuffs with a lowly cretin like Acerbo again.

“200 mil if we bring in the pair.”

“Two hundred? Hold on Jet, what and who are we going after? That isn't anything to sneeze at. That's higher end.”

Spike glared at Faye, “She'll just fuck us up, then steal our hard earned Woolongs.” He didn't like whole team-bonding bounties, Jet and I were fine alone, and was still a tad miffed Faye hadn't fallen for the insects. Faye attempted to ignore, who she considered, the peanut gallery.

“Can it. Faye's actually essential for this take-down,” Spike frowned at the news and Faye's preening. Jet pressed on, “Ed just finished the research. The bounties' names are Kevin Lihas and Boris Octavin.”

Faye glanced at Ed, “Let me guess they go by Cousin Kevin and Boris the Spider.” She rolled her eyes and sighed, “Lame.”

“Sounds like you, Poker Alice.”

“Bite me, shit for brains.”

“I'll pass. I'd hate to get rabies, bitch.”

“AHEM. Like I was saying, these guys enjoy selling to students and clubbers. They're preferred clientele ranges from fifteen to mid-twenties.”

“So that means from Ed to Faye's fake age,” Spike drawled around a crumpled cigarette.

“Exactly. We know what universities he prefers to sell through and we know what type of girls he seems to…” Jet tugged at his collar, “…uh… to entertain with.” He swallowed some coffee, “We just need someone to get him to offer her…” he shot Faye another glance, “his card.”

Faye was oblivious of the second subtle warning. “Hmmm… Whoa, Jet, where's the catch?” Faye liked money, but she preferred it the easy way- little to no work.

Jet sighed before continuing, “We'll need someone to make contact with him so we can take down the team in one place.” Again he glanced at Faye, “Lihas gets a kick out of hookin' nice girls. Innocent and young.”

Faye's eyes widened, “You will not use Ed! She's too young to work undercover to catch a bounty!” Jet growled as he rubbed his face, Is she playin' dumb on purpose?!

Spike grinned, this bounty had potential, “Get a clue Faye.” He focused on Jet, “I wouldn't call your choice in bait innocent though.”

Faye blinked, “Excuse me?! I can pull off innocent. I wasn't always jaded, you know?!” She continued to grumble about being a nice girl with money, friends and food; about never having considered living life so rough, lying to survive and dressing like a tramp to keep safe.

Spike rolled his eyes and tuned her out, “Last where-abouts?”

"That's a bit shaky. The last known customer was a student from Venus, picked up the pills at a party on Europa. Seems they do quite a bit of business there around long weekends."

"Probably because of all the wealthy tourists- big spot for college kids on break," Faye was only processing aloud, when she noted Jet and Spike's shocked expressions. "What?"

Jet scratched his head, averting his gaze to the cigarette in his hand. He chuckled, "Hadn't thought about that." Spike furrowed his brow slightly as he studied the ceiling, I like it better when she's dense.

"Anywhere else they've been spotted?" Faye attempted to change the subject; neither man seemed comfortable with her moment of insight.

“A fancy club on Calypso called `The Initiate'.”

She sputtered coffee, “Hang on,” both men arched a brow in Faye's general direction. “Did you say The Initiate?" Jet gave a curt nod. She pulled a face. "Don't you remember Jet?" He shook his head, trying to figure out what she was talking about. "That's where I was sent to take down those creepy twins,” she placed a finger on her chin, smirked and shot Spike a wink. “Not that you would, Cowboy, you were still on heavy pain meds. That bounty bought you more.” She beamed, “You're welcome.”

“For what?!”

She ignored him, her eyes widening as another realization struck, "Uhh...FYI boys Initiate isn't a normal drink and dance kind of club. It uhh… caters to uhh…” the snoozing hacker was given a nervous once over. She lowered her voice, “`alternative tastes, `first times' and `fantasy fulfillment',” she gave each air quotes. “They like shows and exhibitionist and you need a costume to get in. That's why those twins were prefect there. They enjoyed the less than picky clientele and loose standards.” Her expression turned wicked as she cackled, “You two could go as a couple…” Jet's threatening glare provided a momentary pause.

Spike's slump grew to a sprawling slouch. He irritably rubbed his forehead, “Ahh… shit. You serious?” Faye's head bobbled happily. She looked far too pleased at the idea of him and Jet pretending to date. He groaned. He hated places where he wasn't certain who or what would hit on him. He always ended up with a “what” drunk and dangled over his shoulder, toying with his hair. He hated strangers messing with his hair; especially when that stranger was dressed like a squirrel, dead movie star from Earth or a Catholic school girl- with the figure more suited for the rodent costume.

"Don't worry, Cowboy.” Faye cooed, “They are very selective of who they let in. If you make it through the doors I'm sure no one in his or her right mind would try picking you up." She batted her eyelashes, “You'll probably get labeled a pity fuck or the D.D.” before turning towards Jet.

“Ahem,” Jet gave her his best knock-it-off glare before continuing, “There was another instance at M. Tech, recently. Students were caught using pills similar to our guy's'.”

“So?” She grinned, “Always move before you're caught.”

“Not advice you follow well is it?”

She snorted at the mop of dark hair.

Jet's head shook as he sighed, “Actually they were already selling there. I'll wake Ed in a bit and she can start double checking what she's already found using the new information,” he gave Faye a once over, “you provided. We need to get a better picture of who and what we'll be looking for.”

Spike snorted, “Sounds like folks with a taste for the kinky.”

Jet scowled, “I'm not in the mood to try to take these people down half cocked, guns blazing." Spike was graced with an 'I mean you' look. "We need the money." He glanced at Ed's twitching form, spread across Ein. "Ergh, poor kid spent all night trying to find this much,” he shook a pile of papers for emphasis.

Spike sat up slightly, “So Faye, what did you dress as to get in?”

“Where?”

“That club place.”

She smiled sweetly, “Why do you care?”

Jet growled, this would take all day if he didn't step in. “She went as a…”

Faye sighed, “I went as a mechanic, refurbished one of your coveralls, added a hat and oil smudges.” She grinned, “I used a wrench to knock one bounty out.”

Spike snorted and began to open his mouth for a retort. Jet cut him off and dismissed them. Just catching Spike's grumbling about the improper use of a perfectly good fantasy before he headed towards the observation deck and Faye in the direction of the kitchen. Jet repressed a chuckle and rubbed his chin, Was it just me or did he give Faye an odd look when she mentioned that take-down? He seemed pretty interested. With a shrug, Jet returned to his unfinished wiring job. Perfectly good fantasy huh? Jet smirked at the tangle of colored wires, She did look pretty good, shame he was still unconscious, even he could've appreciated that get-up.

 

Hmm… so Faye is capable of doing a bounty correctly, smirked Spike as he practiced a few punches. I can't believe she didn't fall for those bugs, she found every single one. Kick, sweep, elbow, punch, head-scratch. When did she start to out think me? Kick, kick, sweep, block, uppercut, chin rub. Nah. Head shake. She didn't, she just got lucky, Ed must've said somethin'. Nod, smirk, side kick, roundhouse, chop… With a solution to his befuddlement, Spike was able to concentrate on his workout; shutting out any and all disturbances and simply feel. He didn't notice Faye's momentary presence, before she slipped back into the darkened recesses of the ship to finish her sandwich.

I wonder what's eating him. He usually isn't so choppy and he always asks me if I like the view. He didn't even notice… Her thoughts remained on Spike as she made her way to where Ed lay. Maybe I shouldn't have brought up when he was hurt? Hmmm… In deep contemplation she missed Ein sprawled across the doorway and took a rather unladylike tumble.

“Shit, Ein that hurt! Don't you know that doorways are meant to be kept clear?! Ergh! That's a fire hazard you stupid mutt, A FIRE HAZARD!!” She hissed rubbing the healthy bruise developing on her knee.

“Arf!” was the only response, followed by the wagging of his stubby, little tail.

“No, I'm not goin' to feed you. You nearly killed me!” Faye grumped as she hobbled her way to her bedroom. Ein, completely oblivious, too busy cleaning up after her spill. Faye entered her room and stared at her hands, Where did I put my sandwich?