Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Return to Life ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Author's Note: I'm still working on this. Oy, life as a fanfiction writer is tough. I have 23 stories, most of them not finished so forgive me if this takes forever to finish. If I'm in the mood to write, I will, so until this, keep a look out and thank you for all the reviews! *places headphones blasting "Call Me, Call Me," back on*

"Return to Life: Retribution"

Turns outs, if you have money(1), you can get any information you want. Even the location of a certain tattered ship called the Bebop.
I spent the last of my money renting a ship I was never going to return. The kid behind the counter knew this, and yet he still gave it to me. Mainly because I had paid enough woolongs to buy it, and more, had I wanted to. I had yet to locate my starship, Swordfish II, it had probably be stolen by some guy with a bounty over his head. I'd catch up to him later. Right now, I had some comrades to return to.

Ed sat in front of the computer, motionless to everything but the electronic world that surrounded her. Her fingers twitched subconsciously as she drove deeper into top-secret documents, toes tapping away at the keyboard in front of her.
"Ed knows all and sees all. So give Ed anything you can on Norah McNamara!" She exclaimed as the confidential police files suddenly became hers. Ah, the life of a hacker was great. Especially if you were as good as Ed.
A beeping sound interrupted her search, and she pulled off her goggles, eyes flicking towards the communicator on the table. Where was those adult persons when you needed them? Sighing, Ed bounced over. Static frizzed as a face came into focus. An oddly familiar face.
"Spike-Spike!" Ed screamed, shoving the communicator closer to her. "Spike person dead! Ed knows this!" Scratching her head, Ed smiled. "Oh, well! Watchca need, Spike person?"

Ed hadn't changed. In fact, she sounded more crazy than ever. Must be Faye's doing. That woman has a talent for driving anyone nuts. It's a wonder Jet remained sane during the time she stayed with us. Using our shower, complaining when the water was cold. Women. You can never please them.
The gate opened, and I eased the small ship into it. It all seemed like a dream. By all means, I should have been dead(2). But here I was, alive and kicking.
Stepping out, I sighed happily as I spotted the familiar scratches and bruises the ship had taken during our adventures. If the walls of this ship could talk, they'd be screaming.
Tossing the jacket over my shoulder, I pause, briefly considering to turn back and start a new life. Ah, hell. Why start a new one when you can revive your old one? I slip in silently, not wanting to startle anyone. Finally, I enter the living room.
I can see Ed tapping away at her computer, grinning as more files became hers. It's a wonder she came back. Where had she gone? I'd find out someday, but not today. Today was reserved for Jet and Faye. If they were still around.
"Ed, where is everybody?"
The girl went rigid, goggled eyes turning towards me. "Bounty-hunting. Big reward if they catch," She said, flipping back to her hacking. Drained of information, I guess.
"Well, shit," I mutter, laying back against the couch-
Correction: laying back against the couch, and using Ein as a pillow. The dog was back. Seems the whole crew had drifted back together. I hoped I wasn't going to ruin anything.
"I come all this way just to see an insane hacker, and a smelly dog?!" I exclaim briefly before cracking a smile and chuckling. The irony of it all astounded me. Who was the ghost now?
Voices entered the air, and I tried to think myself invisible. Things never work the way you want them to. A loud gasp echoes through the air, and suddenly warm arms are around me. Squeezing. And cutting off my air supply.
Finally, the jaws of death release me, and Faye's face appears above mine. Her smile is genuine, eyes gleaming with unshed tears as she stares into my own mismatched set. She is like an actress, tossing one face out for another. The role she plays for me next? Furious.
The sound of striking flesh roars through the air, and I wonder why I haven't felt the pain-DAMN! That woman is stronger than she looks! I glare at her as my cheek throbs, wondering what in the world has come over her. My question is answered as she looks over her shoulder. The rage convulsing on her face says it all.
"You bastard!" I sit up, watching as her fists clench dangerously. I should have been expecting this. After all, I said some things I should not have. But then, I was expecting to never come back. Free advice: If you're never coming back, pretend you will return, anyway. Never say good-bye. It's a bitch, otherwise.
I dodge, avoiding a fist that would have surely connected with my jaw. Kami knows I've been beaten enough already in my life. Faye becomes even more enraged, steam practically rising off her. Maybe I shouldn't dodge. I probably deserve to be hit. Yeah, I should just sit here, and let her fists do the talking. But I won't. I'm just not that type of guy.
I grab her shoulders, forcing her down to her knees. She struggles, still trying to come to terms with reality. I suppose three months could change a person. Especially if that person was dealing with the death of a comrade. She'd accepted it, and now, here I was, rocking her world out of balance once again. I shouldn't have come back.
Memories stir, and I suddenly remembered walking away from Faye, ignoring her silent sobs. All because I had to bury my past.
"Faye...are you willing to listen to a story?" She just stares at me, eyebrow twitching every few minutes.
"Good. Once, there was a tiger-striped cat who slept all the time. He dreamt of many adventures, and many different people. But mostly, about another cat, a silky white one who he could never find in reality. Then, one day, she crossed his path. And died the very next day. The tiger-striped cat was heartbroken, and decided to end it all. He died, and then rose again. He was immortal, and he cursed this find many times before deciding to sleep forever. And he did."
Faye narrows her eyes, nose crunching up in confusion. "Was that supposed to make sense?" She replies, smirk curling around the edge of her lips slowly.
"I understood it just fine," A guff voice says quietly. I look up to see Jet leaning against the doorway, arms crossed casually. Not at all surprised by my sudden appearance. But that was Jet, steady as a rock.
"You did, did you?" I ask, close to smiling myself. "Oh, yes. It's a common story around this place." I stand, dropping jacket on the ground near Faye, and walk up to the former ISSP officer.
"Damn, and I was going for original." Jet breaks first, full throated laughter dripping from his lips. I join in a moment later, grinning widely as I struggle to balance a cigeratte on my lips. Faye fails to see what is so funny, and I don't blame her. It is a dumb joke. But aren't all the smart-alec ones overused?
I freeze, as arms are suddenly around me. No, I take that back: one arm, and a cybotic replacement. Jet may look tough on the outside, but he still has feelings. However, steady he can appear, he too, trips on the path of life.
"Goddamn, it's good to see you...," He whispers, voice hardly audible. I knew he couldn't stay mad at me. No one can. Unless, of course, you're an enemy of mine.
"You too, pal," I reply, breaking the embrace as I feel a hand pull on my jacket.
Ed grins widely at me, emerald eyes sparkling with innocence. Oh, right. Like I'm going to fall for that. "Ed wants a hug too! Give Ed hug! NOW!"
See? What'd I tell you? Kids aren't innocence. Not by a long shot. "All right, all right...jeez.." Ed jumps in my arms, squeezing my throat before jumping down, and scurrying to her computer once more. I cough madly, eyeing the little imp suspciously. She hadn't meant to choke me, right?

To be continued...

(1) This will all be explained later...
(2) *sniff* If only you knew...*snifle, sniff* Ah, but this is the power of a writer. Being able to create moods, emotions and as always, a good story. *looks at serious rant* I'm scared...the aliens must have finally taken over the world!

Note: I'm writing chapter three right now. Should be up in a couple of days. Till then, review and I'll be happy...