Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Tocatta in Teeth ( Chapter 14 )

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….

The snapping teeth of justice!

 

Chapter 14: Toccata in Teeth

 

Faye tentatively stirred. Someone was staring at her and touching her forehead. She rolled facing her back to the unnervingly rude audience. She heard movement and felt someone lean over. Cracking open an eye she was met with two amber orbs. Flailing to distance herself from the eye monster, she heard a stifled giggle. “Ed?” Focus returning she glanced around the main room, “Ed what the hell?! Why're you… ungerahhh…” she sunk back under the blanket, curling into a ball and wishing she were dead. She wrinkled her nose at the potent, medicinal aroma trapped in the bedding. Ed plunked the bucket close by. Faye coughed a few times, wincing at the ripping sensation in her chest and throat.

“Papa Jet thought you might up-chuck, so here's a barf bucket.” Ed grinned, retreating to a safe distance in case Faye did decide to puke. She pointed to a bowl of salve, “That goop'll help Faye-Faye breathe.” Faye glanced at the greenish goo. Ed grinned, “Spike made it.” Another round of coughing.

“Ed was that Faye I heard just a minute ago?” Ed nodded as Jet entered the room, looking down at the huddled form. “Faye, you need to eat something so I can give you some meds.” Faye peered from under her cocoon, blood shot eyes pleading.

“No food.”

“Yes food, you ate nothing last night, you've been working yourself ragged enough to catch the flu, were slipped a nasty drug in your drink that reacted to your half assed attempt with cold pills, passed out from the drug interactions...”

“And babbled secrets about spicy men, and good happy feelings all night.”

“Spike, damn, a little tact?” Said man simply shrugged and continued to hassle the pathetic bump. Jet glanced at Faye, “The crap you had made you delusional.”

She blinked. Spike ignored him, “So Faye,” his eyes twinkled, “Who is this mysterious guy who thinks you don't exist?” Faye burrowed deeper into the blanket. If I close my eyes he'll think I'm dead and leave. Spike tugged the blanket off her face. “Playing dead only works on bears, Faye.” Damn. “Don't you feel like sharing? You left so many questions.” She scrunched her face and rolled towards the back of the couch, willing her body between the cushions; begging her head to stop pounding, her throat and chest to stop burning. Spike continued, “But Faye, we have a right to know. You mentioned each of us…” Faye flapped an arm behind her, trying to chase Spike away. The movement jostled her and she let out a pathetic wheeze. Ed and Jet watched his game with a mixture of shock and horrified amusement. Jet wanted to know what Faye was thinking, Ed already knew.

“Spike,” Faye whined, “Please leave me alone and let me sleep.” Faye retrieved the quilt, pulling it up to her head again. “It was probably an old memory from a guy I liked in junior high.” She squinched her eyes shut, “You always feel invisible at that age.” She hoped the lie worked.

Spike reached for the edge of the quilt tugging it roughly from her haggard form. “Faye, I think you need to share. Everyone's dying to know.” She whined pathetically, squinting at his backlit body.

“Spike, please… ungh… g-g-give me the blanket and let me rest. I-I don't remember anything after you spilled my drink.” She gingerly tugged the blanket back over her head.

“That's too bad Faye. I thought you'd at least remember us kissing and copping a feel when I carried you out of the club.” Jet, shocked, glanced at Spike. I think he's serious! Preparing to steal the blanket one last time, Spike inched his hand closer to her head. “Ouch! Ed! What the hell do you think you're doing?” Jet gasped and Faye peered wearily from her nest.

“Eb finths Sssthpike stood heave Fffaye-Fffaye along.” Ed's latch on Spike tightened slightly, warning the cowboy of her will to maim if provoked.

“Spike, you should probably do as she asks. I for one won't help you when she draws blood.” He turned his attention to the hacker turned guard dog, “Ed, be careful. I don't want you getting hurt.” Ed saluted around Spike's arm, Jet turned to leave. “Faye, I'm going to bring you some eggs and toast.” She groaned. He sighed, “Try to eat it. I'll give you something for the bitch of a headache I'm sure you've got and the nausea.” He met her shocked, blood-shot eyes, “Got it?” She swiveled her eyes towards Ed and Spike, just processing what was happening. Jet sighed in the doorway, “At least the fever broke.”

“Ed what are you doing?” She rasped, shocked. Spike looked ready to burst.

“Sssthpike wooood't heave Fffaye-Fffaye along.” Spike's jaw was tightening, his free hand clenching and releasing. Desperately he was trying to control the desire to throttle the kid. She's just a kid, just a kid, just a psychotic, sharp toothed mongrel latched to my wrist!!

“Ed,” Faye was careful not to complicate matters or encourage the pounding behind her eyes. Her voice strengthened, “Ed.” She winced at the increase in pressure, but waited until Ed's eyes swiveled towards her. Spike remained rigid. “Ed, could you please ask Jet to make some tea?” Ed's latch decreased slightly. “Please Ed. It always helps me when I feel sick and go grab a rag so I can use this funny smelling gunk on the table.” Faye gave Spike another nervous glance noting the slight movement of his jaw as he ground his teeth. If he keeps that up he'll break something or someone. Spike was desperately trying to count down from a million, hoping it would relieve some murderous intent.

Ed released suddenly, “Ok Faye-Faye.” She shot Spike a nasty look, “Spike-person, be nice to Faye-Faye or Ein Woof-Woof will get you.” Ein whined, backing away from the simmering cowboy. Spike was intently studying the bruising imprint of teeth as she zipped out of the room growling and hissing.

“She didn't break the skin, did she?” Faye was shocked at Ed's behavior. Not expecting such a reaction in her defense. He was still staring at the appendage turned chew toy, unconsciously he shook his head. “Good. I was afr… unghhh!” She grabbed the bucket just in time. Spike a bit peeved over being bitten, felt his ire grow, Faye was throwing up wrapped in his blanket with one of his jackets somewhere in the mess. Grumbling, “That shit on the table will sting a little when you put it on, but it'll clear out your sinuses,” he stalked out of the room. Faye, just processing his instructions, gave a pitiful glance at the bowl and a pained groan of understanding.

 

Ed's reaction had thrown everyone, especially Spike. He assumed when the kid attacked that Jet would step in. The older man's lack of concern towards the situation only flustered him more. What the hell is wrong with everyone?! Since when do they worry about Faye? Deciding that some shadow boxing would alleviate his pent up aggression he made his way to the observation deck. He smiled as he remembered Faye's admission the night before, No audience today.

After throwing up, Faye felt better and Spike's glop really did help clear the congestion. Jet chuckled, relieved to see color returning to her features, “Bet you got rid of some of that shit you ingested.” He grinned as she ate slowly filling her in on the day's plans. He and Spike were going to check out the club scribbled on the business card. Faye giggled at the name and asked if she should tag along to meet with Kevin. Jet shook his head. She wouldn't be any help. There would be unknown side-effects and she was still sick. Besides, he didn't need her to get a few drinks and start spouting information that would damage the job or fall asleep flying. And he definitely didn't need the indigestion from keeping an eye on Faye with Lihas and stopping Spike from snapping the man's neck. When she began to yawn, Jet ushered her down the hall to her room. Handing her the blanket and the bowl of home-made vapor rub, “Ed should be around if you need anything. Keep your comm on and nearby.” Faye nodded, fighting a losing battle with sleep. “Rest, that medicine I gave you will knock you out for several hours.” He frowned, “You need the sleep. Ed says you've been burning the candle from both ends.” Smiling weakly, Faye clicked her door shut and crawled onto her bed, pulling the couch blanket with her. Jet made his way to the hanger, disabling the RedTail. He didn't want to risk Faye deciding they needed her help or that she could do it alone. He jumped, banging his head on the open panel when he heard a lighter flick.

Rubbing the sore bump he glanced at the entrance to see Spike, fresh from the shower towel still draped over his shoulders. He could just make out the purpling, circular bruise.

“Looks like Ed got ya pretty good there Spike-o.” Jet chuckled hiding the ignition switch in his tool box. “Thought you were always ready for an attack.”

Spike pulled a face and exhaled, smoke rising around his head. “Kid surprised me. I thought I didn't have to watch my back here when Faye was incapacitated.” His tone was bitter.

Jet's smile faded, “Look Spike, I know you were trying to stir Faye up for shits and giggles but you need to cut it out.” Spike raised an eyebrow; he didn't cross any lines he hadn't pushed before. “Ed's been a bit clingy since we retrieved her from Earth. She wouldn't leave Faye alone for a month after, always shadowing her.” He scowled, “Things didn't go well for her there and I think she was afraid Faye would slip out like she used to.” Spike nodded. Jet kept his focus on his hands, “She hasn't left like that since we brought you back. Not even to go gambling.” Jet's face grew serious, “I thought you were dead and I'd given up, I figured you'd blown yourself to hell with the rest of the Red Dragons where you all belonged.” He shrugged unapologetic, Spike would understand, “Faye wouldn't hear of it though and after I threatened to kick her off the ship for another debt collector thumpin' on the hatch we struck a deal. She agreed to pay off her debt, the hard way, if I went with her to get Ed.” He shook his head, “I don't know how that kid got wrapped up in such a shit hole, but from what I could get from Faye she had to take out several unpleasant people to reach her.” He chuckled, “She came back black and blue. Ed was even thinner, rope burns on her neck, wrists and ankles.” He frowned, “I'm certain Faye took out most of the place and the ring leaders.” He wiped his hands, “Anyway, after Ed was back, Faye had her search for a John Doe with your description. The rest is history.” Jet shrugged, returning his attention to tools. Spike hadn't a clue what instigated the history of Bebop. His time away was fits and starts. He remembered falling, waking briefly in the hospital, then coming to on the Bebop with a familiar, female face hovering over him. After waking, life aboard Bebop had been the norm, except for the odd sense of unity between the other three or the occasional snippets that would pop out about Faye or Ed. He scowled, uncertain he was comfortable with the new information.

“Why would she do that Jet? That isn't like Faye.”

“No it wasn't, but you heard what she said last night. I think when you left… I don't know, something clicked, snapped, whatever.” He shook his head. “We're probably the first people she's come across that she knew what to expect. I mean we let her go, instead of collecting the bounty on her. It must have triggered somethin'.”

Spike snorted, “That's why she always came back? I thought it was `cause you kept feeding her.”

“Yup. Just like a cat.” Jet finished wiping his tools, “You ready to go check out the club?” Spike nodded, disappearing to retrieve his shirt. He found his jacket from the night before a crumpled mass on the couch. Slipping it on, he turned back for the hangar.

“Spike-person?”

“Hmm?”

“Papa Jet told Ed she should say sorry for biting you.” Ed looked at her toes drawing circles on the floor. “But Ed thinks Spike-person was a meanie weenie.” Her forehead scrunched, she glanced up.

Spike grinned, exposing the bruise. “You got me pretty good, kid. I didn't even see it coming.” She brightened, “How about next time you warn me with words before you attack and we'll call it even?”

Ed nodded, apparently pleased with the outcome of her apology. She scooped Ein up, heading off to play in the bowels of the ship.