Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Have A Drink on Me ( Chapter 6 )

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….

Some modern art.

 

Chapter 6: Have a Drink on Me (AC/DC)

 

Jet settled next to the console to review Ed's findings. He needed more information and start moving, at least, towards the stooges. Spike and Faye's bounties had earned enough for necessities, but it wouldn't keep the group in food indeterminately. Hmm... What do I know? He ticked off on his fingers as he mentally went through the list, I know their aliases: Cousin Kev and the Spider. Kevin's not the brains but thinks he is. He also has a taste for playing with the customers. Boris isn't a threat. Guy's a complete follower. I got their pictures and last selling location and I know he prefers college kids. Hmm…their associate is male... He flipped through the images, noting the third member was in every photo in various disguises, and he's pretty good at hiding. That's when Jet remembered, “Ed look up the popular jobsites of M. Tech's student body, and see if there is a connection to the drug busts, expulsions and deaths you already found.” With his instructions given he went to find Faye.

 

Spike was on his third beer, having fun altering Faye's smokes. His favorite was the little surprise he'd carefully stuffed into, what he hoped, would be her last.

"Hey, fella hic why ya messin' with 'em perfect smokes, huh?" Spike glanced at the fellow and returned his attention to poking holes in a cigarette filter with a sewing needle.

"Modern art." He shrugged, hoping the unwelcome company would catch the hint. The drunk refused to be dissuaded and began breathing down Spike's neck. What's this guy been drinking? He smells like turpentine and barf.

"Someone must a pissed ya off, hic aye buddy? You know if you're c'ref'l you can take sum a the smoke outta th'm hic and th'll burn up like a piece o' paper." Spike hadn't thought of trying that. He gave his new partner in crime one of his cigarettes and one of Faye's.

"Show me." The drunk put one in his mouth with a grateful nod. Carefully, he peeled the paper and removed the tobacco from the center of the second. He then rolled it again.

"See, ya can't t'll, but hic I pr'mise ya i'll burn like," the man snapped. "You're friend's goin' be pissed. What'd they do t' ya to make ya hic wanna mess w'th thur smokes? Ya know, I had a buddy once..." Spike quit listening; the man was definitely a chatty drunk. Three more cigarettes… two… Finished, he paid his bill and slunk off to return the altered property.

 

Faye was finishing her RedTail clean-up. With Jongen's head print removed, the floor vacuumed and the seat steam cleaned she hung an air freshener and returned her "necessities" to their proper place. Huh, guess I used up my emergency smokes, she glanced at the pile of trash and frowned, I'll have to get more.

"Faye, FAYE!"

"What Jet? I'm not deaf." Her head appeared from inside the ship a lovely scowl adorning her face.

"Oh, sorry, didn't see you in there. Look, I need you to buy some new clothes.”

“What's wrong with what I wear?” Faye was used to Spike's grief, but Jet having an opinion was unsettling.

Jet was furiously pinching the bridge of his nose, “Faye, I know it works for the regular bounties, but you look too... uhh… worldly, not trust worthy. Even when you dress up for the nicer clubs, you look like a fuck 'em and leave 'em tied to the bed, robbed blind kind of chick.” Faye's expression darkened, “If I send you undercover, I'll need you to blend in, look available and naive. Less seductress and more jail bait. Innocent. Got it?" Faye nodded and returned her attentions to the mono pod.

As he turned to leave, Faye stopped him, “Uh Jet, what kind of,” she glanced at the ceiling trying to find the right word, “uh… look do you want. I mean, what am I going as so I can shop accordingly?”

Jet thought for a moment, “You need to figure out how to blend in with rich college kids. Get information on their parties, the clubs they attend especially the odd ball ones," he thought for a moment, “I'd have Spike try too, but I think he only wears that suit. Besides, it's pointless; like asking Ein to only shit under bushes." He chuckled at Faye's disapproving stare. “Look, I know you've had some college,” her eyebrow quirked slightly. Jet mumbled and soldiered on, “I don't even think Spike finished school. He wouldn't be able to blend as well and I'm too old.”

“And I'd blend in?” Faye was not happy Jet had learned more about her past.

“Yeah Faye. You would, better `an Spike anyway.” Faye sighed in disgruntled agreement, returning her attention to her ship. Jet disappeared to tend bonsai- silently congratulating his finesse.

 

Spike immediately noticed Faye had cleaned. Shit. I hadn't expected that. Contemplating what to do, he made his way towards the kitchen. Hopefully there's something edible. His stomach growled in agreement. With a stale piece of pizza, Spike lowered his frame to the couch, tossing Faye's pack on the coffee table in the process, and lighting one of his own. With a slow, soothing drag he considered how he could slip the cigarettes back into Faye's possession. If Jet were to use them all his hard work would be for naught. How do I get these back to her, without raising suspicion? Deciding a little shut-eye would help him plan, he removed his jacket and settled into the groove he'd taken years to perfect. In moments, he was asleep.