Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Got You ❯ Memories Remain ( Chapter 28 )

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….

It's naptime!

 

Chapter 28: Memories Remain (Dropkick Murpheys)

 

Suddenly, she froze and pulled away. He scowled as she blinked and began subtly returning her clothing to its proper position. She gave a tentative smile and sat up, “The kid's gone, Spike.” She stood, dusted off her clothes, “You need to be careful,” she shifted, “Can't have you breakin' open those stitches.” Shrug, “'Sides I'm not the one you want…” and headed back towards their new home, until Jet retrieved them.

He scowled. Confused. He was certain she'd been the only thing on his mind. He watched her ease away before standing. That was the problem. They were stuck on the moon with an irate bounty nearby and all he could think about was Faye under him. With a frown he followed her careful pace, her posture somewhere between defeat and frustration. He studied her shuffling gate, the tell-tale swipes of her arm across her face, the small shake of her shoulders. What's this about?

She waited at the door for him to unlock it. Not bothering to say anything she slipped past and flopped on the small couch, tugging the extra blanket over her shoulders and head. Spike scowled at her behavior before heading back outside. He had to see what he could salvage from the Swordfish, and by the look of Faye, she wasn't going anywhere for a while.

 

Jet sighed, trying to decide if he should try and contact Spike or leave him be for a bit. He glanced at Ed. “Faye-Faye and Spike don't know how to make friends without Edward and Jet helping.”

He rubbed her head, “They're a decent team when necessity dictates kid.” He shrugged, “Besides, Spike needs this time to work things out and Faye needs to realize he isn't hung up on stuff.” He glared out a porthole, Damn fool blew all that away, along with his spleen and part of his lung. He'd spent quite a bit of time with the recovering cowboy, during his conscious moments when Faye was off earning money. The younger man definitely had a new perspective. Though disappointed he hadn't blown himself to hell along with his comrade, his drug induced babbling gave Jet a new understanding on the reasoning behind Spike's behavior: He was trying to protect her and himself. Somehow he had it in his head that if he fell in love she'd end up dead.

Ed blinked, “Faye-Faye always thinks Spike is stuck.”

Jet nodded, “That's Spike's fault.”

Ed grinned, “Lunkhead.”

“Yup.” Jet glanced at his comm when it chirped, thinking it was Spike he grinned, “So, how `re things going with you and F…”

Bob glared back, “What's this I hear your partners eloped?”

Jet frowned, “What?!”

Bob grinned, “Just heard from George and Annette's place on Pandora, you didn't think I'd be told.”

Jet rubbed his forehead, “That's where they are?”

Bob nodded, “Annette recognized that fellow immediately. She says he and that new wife of his aren't getting along.”

Ed shifted and eased closer, “Are Spike-person and Faye-Faye fighting?”

Bob blinked at the mass of orange and worried golden orbs. “Nah, kid. They just don't act like most newlyweds the two see.”

“How'd you find out about this?” Jet scowled.

“George sent me their pictures. Guess they came to the camp in tatters and bloody, George and Annette thought they seemed suspicious.”

“Oh. Good call, I guess.”

“Yup. And I recognized `em and thought I'd let you know.” He flipped open a magazine, “Why they there?”

“Lihas shot `em down and I guess that's where they crashed.”

“Shit.” He set the magazine down, “Do you know if they got him?”

“No.”

“So they ain't married?”

“Nope.”

Bob grinned, “I'm sure Annette would love to help kindle the flame. She already dug up some rings for `em.”

“Let her do what she wants. I don't care as long as they're safe from Lihas and his newest partner.”

“I'd love to help you, Jet!”

He blinked and sighed when Bob revealed Annette and George's smiling faces on the second line. “Hey George, Anne.”

George chuckled, “We'll have those two so wrapped into each other, you'll never know they fought.”

Jet nodded, “Guess you heard about the irate bounty?”
“Yup.” George grinned, “We'll keep an eye on things `til you get here.”

Jet frowned, “Look, Spike and Faye both had injuries…”

Anne piped up, “I rewrapped the girl's fingers and Spike appears fine. We saw the stitches when he passed her his coat, girl's a crack medic when needed. You're lucky to find her.”

George cut in, “Send us the bad guy's pictures. Another fellow and some kids arrived just after your partners. If the ships went down together…”

“Got it.” Jet glanced at the net diver, “Ed…”

“On it!”

 

Faye rolled and fell off the tiny couch. With a cranky kick at the offensive sofa she grumped into the bedroom. “Stupid, cruddy, crap heap in the middle of nowhere.” She glared at the quaint fireplace and large bed. Attempting a snarl that became a yawn she eased out of her clothes, flipped the covers back, reached for the ceiling in a back aligning stretch, then flopped on the bed, burrowed under the covers and returned to sleep.

She was frustrated, confused, tired and sick of playing a role. It just didn't make sense. One moment he was an obnoxious jerk-off, the next he's the doting obnoxious jerk-off. She grumped deeper into the bedding, squinting her eyes tight against the sneaky light filtering in under the blinds. She had proven her capability numerous times when the brill-o-headed cowboy had been laid up, why couldn't she do it now? She groaned, the past month flickering past. It had all started with that stinky psychopath. She buried her head, Should've read the whole bio and passed.

 

Spike entered the cabin, silence meeting him at the door. He dropped the few items he'd snagged from his poor, mangled racer and scowled at the empty couch, based on the divots in the rug it had recently been moved. He grinned at the breadcrumbs consisting of shoes, socks, sweater and dress. He followed the trail that ended beside the bed, the expression grew to highly amused when he found a bare foot and limp hand dangling from opposite sides, occasionally ticking to an unknown beat. Her head and body buried under a mass of covers, Spike grinned at the bizarre spectacle and sat on the bed. He chuckled when the exposed appendages sucked below the protective cotton just before a warning growl. “Go'way!”

“Get up, Faye.”

“Mmmm sleeetin'!” She turned, yanking blankets with. “Get lost, Spike.”

“We need to go over some,” he scowled trying to come up with the proper expression. “We need to come up with a plan.”

She sat upright, still wrapped safely in comforter and gave a half hearted blink. “Yeah, I know. We need to worry about Lihas. What you worried about?”

“I think he's got friends.”

“Here?!”

Nod.

Scowl, “Crap. What do you think we should do?”

Shrug, “Keep up the role of newly eloped.”

The covers tightened, “Shit. Why's it always me that gets stuck playing some odd ball role. Why can't Jet get snookered into some part?” She curled tighter, “Let him feel like the merchandise for once.” She huffed, “That Annie chick was into him, why didn't he take her up on her offer?” She flopped back down.

“What? Why ask me?”

One end of the lump bounced, “You've known him the longest.”

Spike glared at the Faye taco, “Look we need to be careful. Got it?” He frowned, “That kid hittin' on you recognized you, didn't he?”

“Yeah.”

“So that means we need to keep up this game.” He crawled up the bed, “Play the role of newlyweds so we can nab the guys and get out of here.”

She pinked slightly, “Maybe I'm sick of playing a fuckin' role.” Her lip slipped out, “Why can't I just be me?”

“Because you haven't been the you I met since I became mobile again.”

“How do you know?” The covers rose slightly in a shrug, “People change.” The covers jostled, indicating she'd just folded her arms, “You did.”

Blink.

“You come up with a plan?”

He scratched his stomach, “We wait and let them get closer to us.”

“Crap. So I'm bait again.”

“Actually we both are.”

“Bull.” She rubbed her eyes and glared at the clock, “Ergh. I'm going to go check out what's around.” She scooted to the edge of the bed, “We'll need to know the layout, just in case.” Spike watched from under his elbow- he'd seen the pile she'd left on her way into the bedroom and knew she couldn't be wearing much. She grinned, stretched towards the floor and snagged her abandoned dress. With no more exposed than her back, she slipped it over her head, standing she tugged it down and turned. She stepped closer, “You comin'?” He grinned, rolled to a standing slouch and followed her out the door.

He hooked his hand around hers, running a finger over the ring and ignoring the disproving snort, “We need to continue playing the happy newlyweds.” He sang. She glanced at him, “Annette was already worried about your hasty exit earlier.” He chuckled, “Suggested I take you on a date and hike to the pond. Then, I think she made a few calls to ISSP.”

“You left that disturbing an impression, huh?” She snickered and tightened her grip, “I haven't been camping, hiking or swimming since I was a kid.” She pulled a face, “Her plan's flawed anyway,” more laughter, “You're not the squishy, hold hands take the girl out type.” Her free bandaged fingers tapped her chin, “You're not an anything cute and fuzzy.” Her lips pursed, “More the cold beer, stale pizza little talking lots of action type.” She giggled, “Instead of flowers you keep the girl from getting shot, and instead of romantic walks, she rides shotgun on a high speed chase.”

“Huh. Who says I'm not the romantic bring flowers type?”

She rolled her eyes, “It's painfully evident, Spike.” She shrugged, “I think you used up that part of you long ago.” Her hand relaxed and slipped from his loose grasp.

“I was holding your hand.”

Her eyebrow rose, “Not by choice.”

He shrugged, “So, what kind of action would you expect on a… er… date with me?”

“Eh…” he smiled at the pinking of her ears. “The… uh… get her nearly blown up, movie type of action? I thought I covered this already?”

“Why are you asking me? Besides,” chuckle, “you're wrong.” His pace increased, bringing him beside her, “You're no better. Let me guess, a date with you means a fancy dinner, flowers and jewelry. You're full of promises and a great flirt until the money runs out or the guy takes you home for a nightcap. Then you leave the poor bastard knocked out and tied to the bed.”

“I don't tie them up or knock them out,” she grinned, “I'd have to follow them to their room to do that. I prefer the `eat and run' approach.” Her hand flapped lazily as she continued down the narrow path. Spike stayed behind, watching as she absently plucked leaves or kicked stray pebbles. “Besides, that game was only to survive or catch a bounty. Haven't ever been on a real date since I came to; been too busy trying to get food and money to worry about dates.” Her pace slowed, “Hey, Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“How long are you goin' to keep the act up?”

He studied her back, What act? But kept silent.

She sighed, “Just curious.”