Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Money for Nothin' ( Chapter 22 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
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….
Shopping!
Chapter 22: Money for Nothing (Dire Straits)
Faye pulled a face at the swanky bar fronting as a dump. She dodged a group of girls giggling about `poor people drinks'. Settling into a plush stool she nearly choked. According to the snickering, trust fund babies the `poor people' booze was far from it. She bought the cheapest cocktail offered, a soda, and did some people watching. A tall man in an expensive suit settled into the neighboring stool. Faye glanced at him, He looks familiar.
He chortled, low and throaty, “You drinkin' pop?” Faye nodded, “Damn. Guess you really are roughin' it then, aren't you, Sweetie?” Faye gave him a lopsided smirk, catching a glimpse of the expensive cuff links, manicured nails and trendy hairdo. The man grew serious, touching his lip in an effeminate manner. “I'm sure there's a reason you're here, hmmm?”
Faye turned on the role she had played in the dozen other bars, “I just…” she sighed, “I just wanted to try and run into him again.” She depicted a faraway look, a shy smile touching her lips.
The man gently patted her arm, “Find who, honey?”
“I never caught his whole name, just Kevin.” She pulled a guilty face, “He just seemed like the kind of cool, together guy that would float around the classier bars.” She turned slightly towards the man, keeping her eyes averted. She sighed, “This is the last on my list.”
“Was it love at first sight?” Faye repressed her gag reflex, her soured expression passing as hurt and broken. Her head waggled in affirmation. The fellow patted her arm, “Poor thing.”
“It was a few days ago at Three-Six.” She shook her head, “He gave me his card, but I lost it when I helped a man to his ship. When I returned I couldn't find him.”
“I've been there a few times.” The man gasped, “I saw you! You were dancing with a tall, skinny guy. Is that who you mean?” Faye shook her head. “Huh. That boy sure seemed interested in you.” He shifted, “So what'd your dream boy look like, then?”
“He's… ummm…” Faye rolled her eyes at her list of descriptions. So cliché. “…handsome, and powerful. Dark eyes and sandy blonde hair, not super muscular,” she flexed, “but from what I could feel when we were together he's definitely not a wuss.” Her bar mate nodded, coaxing her to continue. “I felt…” another sour expression hidden by a long sip, “wanted. Desired. Like I was a prize in his collection.” She sighed, hoping that would cap off the impression of a love sick idiot.
The man brightened, “Oh! I know about him!” His voice dipped to a hush, “He's a cousin of my friend, Boris.”
Faye's eyes widened, “Really? Do you know what clubs he goes to?” She conjured a forced blush, Spike would kill her if he knew what she imagined to produce the faint dusting, “I… I'd really like to see him again.” She looked away, twirling a piece of hair. “But I don't want him to think I'm a stalker or somethin'.” Her eyes returned to the man, “If I ran into him at a club I could get his number and…” she let it drop, assuming Lihas's friend of a cousin would put the pieces together.
“Sure,” he passed her a club flyer, “He loves this club.” The man winked, “Especially when costumes are involved. Kevie's got a few interesting desires.”
Faye took the last swallow of her drink before accepting the paper. “Wow. Thanks!” She paid her bill, “I'll have to get something together,” wink, “to really knock his socks off!” He chuckled and waved her out the door. Relieved to be away from an acquaintance of the mad man, Faye ducked back into the general throng of the shopping center on Europa.
Jet docked the Hammerhead. Lopov had whined, cajoled, and pestered him all the way to Ganymede ISSP. The resulting headache made his favorite old haunts too much to stomach and so he had quickly steered back. He strongly considered returning to the Hammerhead and floating in radio silence for a few hours when he found Faye gone, Ed frustrated and pouting, and Spike half dressed snoozing on the couch. “Where's Faye?”
Spike cracked an eye and shrugged. Ed's typing slowed, “Faye-Faye went shopping.”
“Why? We just went.” Jet's eyes settled on Lihas's file. “Hey, Ed did Faye read this?” Ed nodded. “Shit.” Visions of a renegade Faye, hell bent on taking Lihas out danced frightfully through his mind's eye. “Ed can you track her?” Ed's head bobbed again. “Where is she?” Ed turned the screen and pointed to a pink blip, zoomed in, showing the effeminate dot moving around a high end shopping center on Europa. “I'll be damned, she really is shopping.”
Spike stretched, “I could've told you that. She stole my money card.”
“You're taking it well.”
Spike shrugged, “It was a decoy.”
“Faye-Faye took the gold one and hid the green one.” Spike slunk deeper into the couch, Damn. When'd she find my new hiding place? Ed giggled, “Faye knows all of Spiky-Spike's hidey holes! She found everything when she was hiding the guns.”
“Everything?”
“Mmhmmm.”
Spike's arm moved to glare at the teen, “Where'd she put it all?”
“Edward does not know. Faye told her to get lost then hid Spike's stuff.”
“Shit…”
Jet cut in- it was a pointless conversation anyway, “Let me know when she gets back. We need to plan how to take out Lihas.” Not waiting for a response Jet left, hoping some quiet and a few aspirin would help him forget about Lopov and his incessant bitching, Made Faye's worst kick seem tame.
Faye was enjoying every minute on Europa- that wasn't spent hunting information. The high end shops offering clothing for all tastes, relaxing spas, and boutiques where exactly what she needed. A rainbow of bags full of purchases, samples and swag were clutched in both hands. She scowled, just catching the reflection of the strange man from the bar. Is he following me?
She ducked into a variety of stores, only to have him enter a few minutes later or find him loitering nearby when she'd exit. He tipped his head when their eyes met before refocusing on his communicator. Nerves fraying she decided to finish up and bolt. The shadow was a little too tight for comfort.
“You're sure it's her?”
“Yes, Kevie. I'm sure.”
“Holy shit. I can't believe she was lookin' for me.” Anthony grinned at his longtime accomplice's battered features. The boyfriend had really done a number, Not that Kevie didn't deserve it. Kevin was still babbling, “…told you that cowboy had nothin' on me.” Anthony rolled his eyes. “She was hot for me from hello.” He scowled, “You don't think she's helpin' those bounty hunters do you?”
Anthony grinned, “Can't say. The skinny guy that beat ya up seemed pretty interested in her. Wolf said he even escorted her around campus while she was there.” Anthony scowled, Why isn't she in class right now? He spaced out, recalling the doting behavior of the younger man and the manners of the elder. They were a cute pair of boys… he glanced at Faye, Lucky girl.
“Stop grinnin' fag. I know you're only interested in getting your hands on that old dude.”
Anthony frowned, “He was a very nice man and all you want to do is show that cowboy he can't out do you.” Kevin grinned. “I've got news for you though, I don't think it'd be a good idea to go after them. Just complete the deal and go. She isn't worth it.”
“You saw what they did to Boris, Tony.” Said man bit his lip and nodded. “We need to show them what happens when they mess with us.” Another nod. “Did you make the new contacts?”
“Yeah, they'll be there at the club as planned, along with the girl. I'm sure if she's there one or both cowboys will be too.” He winked, “I dropped a hint you might be there to the older fellow when we met.”
“Ugh. You used my ass kicking to try and hook up? You're sick.”
Anthony grinned, “Can't be helped.” He grew serious, “I wouldn't put it past those fellows to use her as bait, Cous. I'm not even certain she's all that interested in you.”
Kevin's expression hardened, “Good, she'll be that much more fun to break in front of that fucker.” Anthony's eyebrow quirked, Cous is a little too sure of himself. He snickered when he heard Kevin's love interest scream in her comm. Embarrassed she slunk behind a fern. He scowled, trying to decide if he could get closer without being noticed. She had already seen him. He studied her expressions, smug to anger, mortified to satisfied. A smirk tugged at his lips as he watched the dark haired woman duck into a nearby sex shop and snickered, So princess isn't as pure as Kevie thought, I knew it.
Faye shuddered, the strange man was still watching her. She jumped when her comm chirped just outside the final shop.
“Yes?”
“Where the hell are you? And why do you sound guilty?” Jet's scowl, more prominent without the facial hair, grew when Faye's pleased voice trickled from the speaker.
She smiled, the embodiment of consumer bliss, “Shopping on Europa. Why?”
Jet's voice was overshadowed by Ed's, “Ed misses Faye-Faye.”
“Ed! Get off the comm.”
There was a slight rustling, then forced whispers, “Ed doesn't want to.” She refocused on Faye her voice gaining strength with proximity, “Will Faye-Faye bring Ed a present?”
“No.”
Ed pulled a face. Her displeasure evident in the whine, “Faye-Faye should get Edward a present for being soooooooo gooooooooood.” She batted her eyelashes and beamed.
“Ed,” Faye sighed, “I'm not in a place that has age appropriate treats.” She thought for a moment, “Go get that second bag of candy out of my room and finish looking up the information I asked for about that party.”
“Where is it?”
Faye smiled, “Same place as the green card.” Immediately Ed disconnected, allowing Jet a little privacy.
He was busy yelling at a scampering Ed, “No! NO! No candy before dinner!” The cranky expression swiveled to comm as he snarled, “Green card? As in Spike's second money card?”
Faye giggled, “You sound like such a mom.”
“The least you could do is call me a dad.” He grouched. “Faye, you need to return soon. We need to come up with a way to re-apprehend Lihas.”
“Oh. So now the bait is allowed to be included?”
Jet had the decency to feign apologetic. “Eh… you weren't supposed to read the entire file.”
“Hmmph. Next time you want me to shake my ass for a woman collecting psycho FILL ME IN!”
Spike's voice oozed from across the connection, “What's she screaming about. Should be used to playing a piece of meat.”
“You lazy son of a bitch! I do a lot around there. What do you do, sleep?!” She blushed and ducked behind a potted plant when the other patrons began staring. Spike's chuckles painfully apparent. “Look. I've got one more stop and then I'm heading back.”
“Make it quick.”
It was obvious throughout the ship Faye had returned. Not only did a sugar-high Ed begin bouncing uncontrollably off furniture, walls and crewmates- candy wrappers dislodging with every hop, she kept singing, “Faye-Faye's home! Faye-Faye's home! Faye-Faye's home!”
Jet swore the air surrounding Spike crackled; he melted into the upholstery his feet propped haphazardly on the arm, a plume of gray smoke signifying he was, in fact, wide awake. “Goody.” Another smoky exhale, “How much do you think she lost?”
“She was nowhere near the casinos or tracks.”
“There's always somewhere to hemorrhage Woolongs.” With the tell-tale hiss of the hangar pressurizing, the happy crinkle of shopping bags soon tinkled down the hall. Spike's eyebrow quirked, “For example…” he tipped his head to the doorway, just as a package laden Faye tripped through. Jet was stunned and slightly concerned, How'd she pay? He scowled,
“You have receipts, right?”
Faye scoffed, “No. I thought they should save the paper.”
Spike shifted, “At least you'll know what crap she paid for, Jet.”
“Shut up, Spike.” She grinned, “I'm providing a service,” she shook a few bags and cooed, “and these are my payment for a job well done.”
“What service is that?” Jet felt ill.
“Security diagnostics.” She grinned, “They failed so I removed the surplus.” She spun and disappeared out the door to stash her `purchases'.
Jet watched her leave, “How much do you think she actually bought?”
Spike snorted and sat up, “A third, tops.” He snubbed his cigarette, “And it's the cheap shit.”
“Ugh.” Jet scrubbed at his face, “I don't even want to know about it.”
“You asked.”
“I know. I know.” He glanced at Ed, “Get Faye. We need to go over the plan.” Ed sprung up and scampered off.
Faye grinned as she listened to the guys brainstorm. She may have been gone, but had used her newly acquired knowledge of Lihas to dig up some information, some very useful information and a recyclable outfit for the occasion. Lihas was definitely not laying low after his escape. A few discrete questions at the bars offering alternative entertainment and she had learned plenty. He had a thing for accessorizing his `toys' and a rather large tab at the various establishments catering to the `young, experimental and stupid'. He'd also made a few new contacts, one offering to let him pawn the newest narcotic nicety. They were meeting at The Initiate the end of the week, verified by the creepy shadow.
Jet had been busy digging up his own information. It was a given that Lihas was pissed. His connections all but vanished the second he was incarcerated and he blamed Spike personally. Swearing in every watering hole from Mars to Pluto that he would exact his revenge and collect the pound of flesh he was positive was owed. Now that he was on the lamb, people were begging to have him taken away. Without the neutral Boris to tame his more eccentric proclivities, Lihas was an unpleasant and highly volatile customer. Even Miss Annie had been in contact, since the two floated in corresponding circles, letting the cowboys know Kevin was out and about trying to salvage what they had metaphorically kicked down.
Jet dropped various papers across the table. “There. That's all we could dig up.”
Spike absently studied one before tossing it back, “And?”
“That's it.” Jet sighed, “Without Boris leaving a trail or business partners to influence, it's a bit tough finding leads.”
“So what's the plan?”
Jet squirmed, “Not sure.” His eyes followed a neon flyer Faye flipped to the top of the pile. He leaned in for a closer look, “What the hell is this?”
Spike retrieved it, “Faye, we're trying to catch Lihas not get laid.”
She snorted, “Lihas will be here.” She tapped the page with a well manicured nail.
“How do you know?”
“I did more than shop while on Europa.” She flashed a grin, “I gathered some information too. It's amazing what you can learn in the right spots.”
“Huh?”
She grew serious, “Lihas found another supplier. He's meeting them at the Initiate's Fantasy Friday.”
Jet pulled a face, “What is Fantasy Friday?”
“Just what it sounds like.” Spike stretched, “What bad porn fantasy are you going as this time Faye?” His gaze focused on the files Ed had just opened.
“Who says I'm going?”
“You're both going,” Jet growled. “And you're goin' as a couple.”
Unified, “What?!”
“Jet you have to be kidding, why do I have to go with him?” Spike snorted, he agreed but he wasn't about to whine.
Jet grew serious, “Because if he sees you with Spike he's more apt make a move.” He gave Spike a once over, “He hates your guts,” switching to Faye, “and feels you owe him for the wasted drink.” Jet folded his arms, “I'd put money down that he thinks you're hot for him and this little research of yours will have sparked his interest.” He grinned, “He'll make mistakes if he's jealous. Which he will be if you prove him wrong by acting like Spike's girl.” Faye's lip curled as she settled into the couch. There was no point arguing, Jet had already made an executive decision- he was right anyway and she'd already given that impression. She groaned earning a disgruntled glare from the ex-cop.
Spike recovered the advert, “I'm not dressing up.”
“What afraid to wear something other than a tacky suit? You were fine in those jeans and T-shirt.”
“This from the woman who's favorite outfit,” he grinned, “until recently, looked like fetish wear.”
“You seemed to like it.”
Spike's grin turned impish, “No, it wasn't nearly absorbent enough.” He wobbled his head in mock despair, “worst bunch of rags ever.” Faye glared, attempting to come up with a decent retort, “Oh. Faye. I want my money card back too.” She flicked it at him, frowning when he caught it. She had aimed for his forehead. “Is there anything left on it?”
She gave a toothy grin, “Nope.”
“Good thing I have this one then,” he flashed hers before tucking both away in his wallet.
“Hey!”
“Was yours until you took mine.” His brows crinkled, “Where's my other card?”
Faye grinned, “We'll just call it a trade. You're keeping mine and I'll hold onto yours.”
Spike frowned, “This is zeroed out isn't it?”
“No.” She blinked innocently, “There's at least five Woolongs on it.”
“Five?!” Spike flipped the card, “The one you took had…”
Faye preened, “That's why we're trading.”
Jet losing patience growled, “Knock it off.” Faye began to protest, “NOW!” He studied the two, before focusing on Ed, “Find images of this thing. I want to know what we need to blend in.” He sighed, “I'm sure you've got an idea of what we're getting into Faye, but Spike and I are heading in blind.”
Faye rolled her eyes.
Ed squealed, “Edward already has! Faye-Faye asked for help.” She giggled and began ticking off on her fingers, “To hide you will need: bunny ears, cat tails, feather dusters, handcuffs, tight dresses…” Faye listened shocked, Perhaps I shouldn't have had her look stuff up. Spike grinned, I knew it! Jet frowned, Ergh! Now I'll have to play porn czar too! Ed was still going, “…nurse clothes, lacy things…”
“Ed.” She paused, having moved to her toes, “Stop. We get it. Find the pictures from last year- look for forum comments on popular costumes too.” Ed turned the screen, showing the club information and images from the last few years.
Faye jumped, “Stop!” She studied an image, “Yes! I remembered right.” Everyone froze, Faye dropped directly in front of the screen and pointed to a person in the background.
Spike nudged her with his toe, “Move it Faye.”
“Wait!” Her finger touched a familiar face, “I've met this guy.”
Jet glanced at it, “Yeah, that's the fella that was in all your classes when you were at M Tech.”
She frowned, not remembering. Spike snorted, “Same guy that was hittin' on you at the coffee shop too.”
She shook her head, her focus on the man beside Wolfe, “No. He's the guy that told me Kevin would be at this party.”
Jet and Spike swapped nervous glances. Jet cleared his throat, “You met him?”
Faye nodded frowning, “I think he was following me around the shops.”
Another exchange of displeased glances. “What'd you tell him?”
“That I met Kevin and lost his number, thought he was good looking, blah, blah.”
“And?”
Faye sighed, “That's how I got this info. He… uh… thinks I'm interested in Kevin. This guy,” she tapped the image, Jet realizing she was stabbing at the third partner, “says Kevin'll be there.” She glanced at Jet, “Didn't that singer invite you to this too?” Jet nodded. “They all know each other, maybe they're connected.”
“Hmm…” He shot a gaze between the two, “Even more reason for you guys to go as a pair.” They prepared to protest, “Look, it'll just piss Lihas off more if he thinks you willingly drug him along to make your bounty hunter boyfriend happy.” She blinked, Spike shifted uncomfortably at the use of a title. Jet pressed on, “I'm going solo. Ed will stay here and keep track of Lihas. You two will draw him out.”
Spike shrugged, “Still not dressin' up.”
“Chicken?” Faye leaned forward, eyes wide.
He snorted, “Don't need to.” He grinned, “I'm the embodiment of many women's fantasies.”
“Pff. We're talking about fantasies, Lunkhead, not nightmares.”
“Knock it off.” Why? Why is it whenever I try to get some work done I have to deal with… with… this! “We will all dress up.” He rubbed his forehead, “Hell, if it'll make everyone be quiet even Ed and Ein can dress up!” Ed squealed and began happily babbling about cat ears and Faye's clothes, her arms wiggling as her toes scanned the old images from the club.
“Ed found more pictures!” She clicked a button and three adults rolled their eyes. “Ed really likes this one!” She giggled again when a man sized Venusians doorstop rat, accented with pink bow, popped on the view screen.
“I am not dressing up as a furry.” Faye's arms locked below her chest.
“You'll need to see a good waxer to avoid it, Faye.”
“Shut up.”
“Then what will Faye-Faye wear?”
Faye flipped through the images.
“Stop.” Jet pointed to a man dressed in a suit. “I'll go as an old Earth gangster.” He grinned, “I won't even need to buy a costume and we can hide stuff in the accompanying instrument case. He leveled a mocking grin at Faye and Spike, “You two can dress up together.”
“You just want an excuse to wear a hat.” Spike was ignored. Ed immediately began pulling up images of couples from the previous years. Whatever the fantasy, there was a representation.
Spike signaled Ed to stop, “There you go Faye. You can go as Jet's maul.”
Jet scowled, “I will not be the one seen with Faye.” Faye frowned, What's wrong with being with me?! “I already said it needs to be you. You're the one Lihas thinks took advantage of the drug he slipped her. YOU'RE the one who beat the shit out of him. You're the one he's gunnin' for and if he sees you at his club, with the,” he gave Faye a glance, “toy that got away…”
“He'll come to us.” Jet nodded. Faye huffed, before resuming her perusal. Fantasy wear was not her thing and she'd already gotten what she figured would work, she just had to make the boys think she'd just come up with the concept. She paused on an image and grinned. “There we go!” Both men turned to see what she was referring to. Jet nodded, Spike squirmed, Faye beamed, “It's perfect!”
“Great.” Jet glanced at Spike, “It shouldn't be that hard to pull off.” Spike realizing he'd frozen, again, regained his composure by withdrawing a cigarette. Faye pleased she didn't have to go shopping disappeared to unpack her newest collection. Jet studied Spike, “What the hell got into you?” Spike was deaf to the question and slumped lower in the couch. Jet flicked the images back to the one Faye selected and studied it. There was nothing remarkable about the couple. Actually, they were rather ugly. The man's suit was ill fitting and stained; the woman's clothing was busting at the seams, her hair stacked in a teased rat's nest. Jet shook his head, confused, “Do you know these two?” Spike continued ignoring him. Jet shrugged, “It's an easy enough costume and it allows you to wear what you always do.” Spike's eyes swiveled towards him before sinking closed. Deciding he would learn what was wrong soon enough, Jet left to care for his precious plants before checking equipment.