Yep, here it is folks, my take on how Bebop's ending would have gone if Spike lived. Personally, I like both, the original ending where he dies used in the series and the changed version used by many a fanfic writer including myself. I've written stories for Bebop using both versions, with the one where he dies as a four-part vignette series focusing on each of the main human characters in the series (don't worry though, Ein's in there too). And the Spike-Lives-On ending to kick off my own continuation of the series. This is kind of short, but don't worry because I've got plenty of longer sessions of Bebop to come! As a nice bonus though, I've included the teaser for Session 27 at the ending of this. Things go kind of slow at first, I know, but they'll pick up soon!
Alternate Ending To: The Real Folk Blues
Okay …3, 2, 1 …Let's jam!
Spike heard, through the blanket of agony wrapped tight about him, the sound of a trigger being pulled back and would have laughed, had he been able to spare the breath to do so. Here he was, lying at the cusp of death, and some upstart little syndicate brat was going to put a bullet into him from forty paces because the damn runts were too afraid to venture near, in fear that the demon would rise again, he supposed. Well, they should be frightened, hell, they should be dead, but obviously he hadn't been as thorough as was needed. Still, something in his mind kept saying that it wasn't supposed to end like this, not with some cocky punk shooting him while he lay face down on the stairs, no, he was supposed to die when he killed Vicious, so why was he still alive? Man, the least that could have happened was for him to slip into unconscious, then at least he'd be rid of the pains afflicting his battered body. What was this anyway? He was done, through, he'd cut the ties to his syndicate past and now his star was burning out in the sky, up in the endless blue, that beautiful blue of freedom. His breath trickled out in a pained sigh. It was just his luck, man, must be the curse of Faye. He had so much bad luck he couldn't even die right.
There was a familiar banshee howl as bullets tore up the surviving syndicate members and Spike wanted to sit up to watch as his would-be killer was murdered by the angry hail of bullets from a ship that he recognized even without seeing it. The Hammerhead had saved his life countless times over and why should this time be any different? The Redtail was trashed and his own ship was probably being looted at the moment, but the Hammerhead hadn't been damaged when the syndicate had attacked the Bebop looking to kill him. Of course, the furious scream belonged to Faye. He knew no other woman whose vocal cords could allow for such a hideous noise that sounded sweet to his ears.
Spike sighed for real then, almost amazed that he was able to do such a thing without dying. He mentally tallied up his injuries, moving in tiny increments, and decided that he was sufficiently close to death to just close his eyes and let it take him. But then he heard Faye's ludicrous heels on the pavement and felt the Hammerhead land gently before Jet's boots joined the staccato sound of Faye running to his side.
Damn Roco's sister Stella for being right when she said that he had something beautiful inside. Something beautiful or something stubborn or something weak. Whichever it was, it wasn't about to let him abandon them like he had hoped. Hey, he had said his goodbyes, it was his time! And then Faye spoke to him softly as she trailed a hand down his cheek, pressing her fingers lightly to the pulse of his heart at his neck. He felt a happy tear splash down from her emerald eyes, felt it hit his cheek and roll down to the corner of his mouth, tasting salty against the metallic taste of his own blood.
"You lunkhead," She muttered softly, giving a little hiccup as she tried to stop crying. "You asked me to back you up before …not in those words of course, but the meaning was implied …did you doubt I'd do it again?" She paused and gave an elated laugh as Spike heard Jet squat down beside her. "I had to work a bit to get cranky old mother hen here to come along but, you know, we'd never leave you to this on your own." She took her hand away to wipe her tears from her face and then let it drop back down to rest lightly at his neck. "Open you eyes, Spike, it's high time you rejoined the living."
Chuckling softly, he forced his eyes to open, surprised again at how much easier it was than he thought it would be. "I'm up, I'm up." He replied in a strained voice. "Mr. Mummy returns, Faye-Faye." He looked up at the two concerned people at his side, Faye kneeling before him, grinning ecstatically and Jet with a wry smirk as well.
"The world needs saving from the decent folk rising up again," Jet said in his low voice, watching Spike from the corner of his eye. The younger man smiled slowly.
"Doesn't it always,"
Faye slipped up under Spike's arm on one side as Jet moved to his other side. "You've got yourself neck deep in trouble again, Spike,"
He chuckled painfully. "You guys didn't have to ride all gun-ho on in here, you know. I could have handled it myself."
Faye gave him a hard look and poked him gently in the ribs, earning a sharp moan. "Sure, lunkhead, and I've never lost a bet in my life. Vicious …he would have …you …we all know what would have happened, Spike. We aren't ready to let you go that easily. Julia will always be waiting for you, she can hold out a little longer."
Spike was silent for a long moment, eyes thoughtful and filled with pain. "She's never laid a tougher task on me before. But, as I've always said, I'm not the delicate cautious type."
Jet laughed his deep belly laugh and clapped Spike on the shoulder affectionately. "That's true enough. Come on you two, let's quit with the chatter, are we gonna blow this joint or what?"
"I'm with you, Jet, I'm with you." Spike replied, wincing as they started off down the street, leaving the past dead and forgotten behind.
See you, Space Cowboy … On the next session of Cowboy Bebop …
Session XXVII: Put The Past Away – Taking up a few days or so after Session 26 ends, this starts with Spike pondering pretty much everything and it's kind of short. Things are in a lull right now for the Bebop as they're trying to settle back down into routine. Sorry for all the Ed and Ein fans out there, but those strange two aren't back yet! Don't worry though because I love 'em both and the series just wouldn't have been the same without them and mine wouldn't be right if I don't stick them in here sooner or later! This coming section is kind of angsty, but there will be a plot in the sessions to come, no worries!