Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ The More Things Change... ( Chapter 10 )

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….

Let's play dress-up

 

Chapter 10: The More Things Change (Cinderella)

 

Jet immediately set Ed to work pulling up the schematics of the club. He wanted the in and out's, certain that Kevin and his friends would show. “Well, one more day of this shit, Spike, and we won't have to bother with the university anymore. I can't believe Faye thought up the mob reference. It kept the unwanted attention away and brought us one step closer to the drug dealers.” He chortled, “Made her look like a pampered innocent, just what Kevin prefers.” Jet was pleased. Things were starting to look up. Spike gave a half-hearted shrug, heading to the Swordfish to collect Faye from the shop. For some reason he wasn't as thrilled about ending the school charade as he thought he'd be. He found Faye more willing to talk during the hour flight to and from the university. It was interesting to listen to her chat about what she learned or random snippets from her past. She let her guard down on the trip. He had to admit it was even fun flirting at the shop. He frowned, fairly certain that this part of her would disappear once she was back to being the bounty hunter. Spike was positive he would be missing out on something. Displeased with the sense of disappointment he blamed it on indigestion, pulling out a cigarette as he prepared for lift-off.

 

Spike leapt out of the MONO racer the second it touched down, leaving a confused Faye to follow. Usually, he would ask of her day in the shop or on the way back. Questioning what he had overheard in the lectures or what she had thought about students that had caught his eye. He had even gotten in the habit of helping her in and out the rust red ship. She thought he was interested, assuming there was more to the shop flirting, but with his hasty retreat decided it was just a momentary lapse in sanity. Perhaps, the cute college girl disguise helped him forget she fell into the despised category of tomboy, but she doubted it. She shrugged, Must've gotten too involved. Deciding he was playing a role well, for once, and that she fell for it, she uncurled from her hunched position, slithered down the wing and trailed into the main room. Spike had already taken residence on the couch, cigarette limply hanging from the corner of his mouth. She sighed as she yanked the logoed apron off, Well, it was nice while it lasted. Spike heard her despondent breath as she turned and shuffled down the hallway.

Snubbing his cigarette on the bottom of his shoe, he stuck the half smoked stick behind his ear and willed his body to sleep. Stubbornly it refused, his mind replaying the week's conversations, her grateful smiles as he offered a hand in and out of the Swordfish, snippets of the real Faye flickering across his closed eyes. So the disguise was actually the real thing, huh? This realization recalled Ed and Jet's disclosure. Jet's grumbled commentary haunted him every time a little more of Faye's tough exterior was chipped off or momentarily misplaced. “...Anyone would resort to such extremes in her circumstances… Her first real memory is being used and thrown away. I think deep down inside, she's more like the girl in the video.” Jet had hit the proverbial nail, head on. Why the conversation kept recurring or why he cared, was beyond him. Finally, giving up on a nap, he grouched his way towards his sure fire, meditative bliss- exercise.

 

While Faye was showering, Jet analyzed the layout of the club with Spike. He was nervous about any and all contact with Kevin and his associates. The more he learned, the less he wanted Faye to meet the bastards and only added to his desire to catch them. Unfortunately, Spike had withdrawn, again, causing Jet to doubt his ability to keep Faye safe. She'd probably be fine alone. Due to his protective nature and Faye's penchant for trouble, Jet refused to leave her fate at the club to chance. He took every opportunity while she was away to remind Spike of Kevin's questionable nature.

“Hey, Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“Keep your eye out for that Kevin and Boris, remember Faye's…”

“Hey guys, already for tonight?” She wandered into the room, her hair in a towel turban. Jet had an immediate epiphany. He would force the two to stick together.

“Faye, Spike I want you to take one ship.” Faye began to protest. Jet held up his hand, “Faye, I'm sure you'll be drinking and I'd rather you not try to fly back intoxicated. The last time you did you misjudged the landing and took out half the hangar.”

“But I wasn't…”

He scowled and pressed on, “It took me over a month to get everything in working order and I'm still finding glitches. I don't care which ship you two take but you're only taking one.” He held his index finger up to press his point.

Spike, not a fan of relinquishing control, blurted, “We'll take the Swordfish.”

Faye pulled a sour face. “I'm not riding in a cramped MONO anything with him. Especially dressed for clubbing. Besides, when's the last time you showered cowboy?” Faye turned her head and folded her arms. Spike eyeballed his clothing, again, and sniffed. What's with everyone giving me grief about my hygiene?

“I wasn't going to go without showering.” He gritted. Suppressing the desire to whine, this crap over his personal habits was wearing thin. He'd just finished working out for fuckin' Pete's sake!

“She has a point Spike, go shower and wear something besides that suit. Try casual student,” Jet glowered, “please.” Spike rolled upright. “And shave.”

“Shirt, skirt, Spike's grosser `n' dirt! P.U.” Ed sniffed dramatically, while pirouetting around him. With a shrug, Spike slunk off, grumbling about being treated like a twelve-year-old. Faye grinned in triumph, flopping on a nearby chair to file her nails. After the silent flight from the university the previous day, Faye was not in the mood to ride several hours alone with him, in an uncomfortable, tightly enclosed space. Before she could protest her case, Jet disappeared- gone to check that all the surveillance equipment was operational with Ed.

 

Midway through scrubbing his hair Spike recalled his previous encounters with Faye. Mildly surprised, he realized they hadn't argued the whole week. In fact, a part of him deep inside, actually enjoyed the hour trip. He shrugged and returned to his lathered mop of hair. Hmm… could be… interesting. Grateful to be alone, Spike allowed a deviant little smirk.

 

Faye scuttled around her room, preparing for the evening. She decided she needed to keep up the good girl image and avoided the more mature pieces in her wardrobe. Satisfied with her selection she returned to the main room. Her lips curled up as a playful sparkle flitted across her eyes. “So,” she twirled, “you guys think I'll pass?”

“Faye-Faye, does not look like she's wearing banana peels anymore!” Ed giggled as she dodged the woman's swipe. “Ed gives Faye two thumbs up and Woof-Woof Ein gives her a happy tail wiggle.”

“Great, I attract dogs and insane children.” Faye smiled again before glancing at Jet's smirk. She followed his gaze, “I thought all you had were boxers, that butt-ugly suit and those workout sweats!” Spike scowled. Faye gave a pleased perusal of the jeans, T-shirt and jacket. She spun to check over equipment with Ed. Jet snickered. It was hard not to miss the younger man's approving once over when Faye's back was turned. It wasn't the clean and classy style of Julia; but the mature, school girl fashion worked well. Normally, when she went out she looked like she was playing dress-up. Tonight, she looked her age and it suited her. Jet averted his gaze, when she hoisted the hem of her short skirt to conceal a weapon. He glanced at Spike, pretending to sulk in the corner, eyes locked on the exposed expanse of upper thigh. Jet couldn't help but grin, My, my how things change.

Faye, growing antsy, began fidgeting with her necklace. Jet nodded, “I think it'll work and stop playing with that jewelry, you've already messed up one camera.” Her head bobbed and her hands slid to twitch nervously in her lap. Jet shook his head, he couldn't get past the fact that this Faye, the one who didn't wear hot pants and therefore didn't reach the decibels required for a screech was hard to ignore. She had a spunky sass and a vulnerability that made her endearing. A softer version of the Faye they met over a year ago. Again he began to internally fuss over a run in with the trio while Spike moped in his corner. He frowned when Faye shivered slightly and tugged on a sweater. She disappeared, returning with a few pills.

“What're those?” He growled and pointed to the pastel meds.

“Cold pills,” she sniffed slightly, “I think I might of caught a chill.” She swallowed the capsules dry and made her way to the ships. She grinned, “Relax, they're non-drowsy and I don't plan on drinking.” She grew serious and stilled, “Jet, I think we should go in separate ships.”

“Faye, what's the big deal about taking one ship?” Jet could feel the headache setting-up camp behind his eyes.

“Jet, won't it be a little odd if we go together?” Jet was already shaking his head.

“No Faye, one ship.”

“Then we should take mine!” Mine has more room. “The RedTail has the remote, I can give it to Spike and if anything happens he'll have a ship right at the front door.”

“Yeah or inside the club,” Spike could see her point but wanted an excuse to take his. “Let's just take both. That way we avoid suspicion and if I pick up anyone,” Like the punk kid that got me in this mess, “I have the option of dropping them off without leaving Faye high and dry.” Jet was already conceding. He couldn't fight their logic; he just wanted to avoid the clean-up.

“Sounds like a plan,” Faye was beaming. I don't have to fly with Spike, I don't have to fly with Spike…

“Fine. No property damage. None. Not even a chipped drinking glass, got it? Faye, keep in contact. I want your hidden comm on at all times.” He waited for her to nod as she wiggled the earpiece over her ear. He gloated internally over his finesse- it looked just like an earring. He frowned, “Why don't you head out. Spike'll be there in a few.” Faye didn't need to be asked twice. Jet turned to the younger man, “How you getting in anyway?”

“One of the back doors,” Spike grinned, already pulling his gloves on.

“Spike, make sure you don't turn off the communicator. I want to be able talk with you two if necessary. And remember, Faye is not to be alone with either Lihas or Octavin,” he scowled, “or that nosy weirdo from her classes. I don't care what you have to pull to keep her away. YOU CONTINUE TO PULL IT!”

Spike flipped his hand above his head as he headed towards the faded, red ship, “Don't wait up.” Jet turned when he heard a soft whoosh from the hatch sealing and disappeared from the hanger.