The Real Folk Blues
Chapter One: Never Letting Go
Disclaimer: I do not own Cowboy Bebop or any CB characters. I do, however, own my OC (Halifax Raye Foster). Credit for the title goes to the creators of CB.
Author's Note: I wrote this a couple of years ago, roughly a decade ago, and I was quite the angsty little pre-teen. I'm sorry if this sucks. To be honest, I think it's kind of terrible, but I'd like to share this with everyone so they can see what how I used to write. Yes, I know it's bad.
Name: Halifax 'Hal' Foster
Age: 24 (Assuming that Spike is about 28)
Background: When Faye ran away the first time, she found Halifax in an alley, lying there on death's doorstep. After taking her to the hospital, Faye brought Halifax back to the Bebop. Spike and Halifax didn't get along at first, but they became really close after they shared their personal histories.
Appearance: Halifax has dark blue, almost purple/black hair that reaches down to her mid-back, and dark purple eyes. She wears a pair of translucent dark purple safety glasses. Her outfit consists of an orange long-sleeved cardigan that goes down to her rib cage and plain black camisole over a pair of black spandex sliders. She wears black Converse-type sneakers. Halifax is skinny, about Faye's height, and she has a clear, lightly tan complexion.
"Spike, I don't think it's fair that I'm the one who's never run away, and yet I have to watch Jet!" I yelled as I stomped towards Spike. "Faye isn't back yet, Hal! Once she is, she will be the one to watch Jet. I promise…" Spike said calmly as he moved closer to me, "You can't expect Faye Valentine to be responsible. She doesn't even account for her own actions. That's why I don't like her. That's why I like you instead."
I giggled and wrapped my arms around Spike. "Of course, Spike. But if it wasn't for Faye being irresponsible, I wouldn't be on the Bebop, and I wouldn't even be alive right now. You have to give her some credit." Spike nodded as he leaned in to kiss me, "I guess she gets brownie points there. But she still can't outmatch you." I could feel myself blushing, "Kiss me already Spike, stop stalling…" We shared a passionate kiss as Spike started leading me to his room.
"Spike! Call Faye and tell her to get her ass back on the Bebop!" Jet's voice sounded throughout the ship. "Piss off, you wanker!" I screamed. Jet started laughing so hard it sounded like he was going to piss himself. "He knows exactly when we are about to do something, doesn't he, Spike?" Spike only replied with a laugh. I blushed scarlet as Spike leaned against the door jam. "Come on Hal, Jet basically knows our every move." I chuckled and put my arms back around Spike's neck. "Just hold me Spike. Hold me and never let me go… I want to be with you forever…" Spike wrapped his arms around me. "I want to be with you too, Hal…" He said a little hesitantly.
.
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Spike and I sat in the dark control room of the Bebop, watching the ground of a Mars crawl past. The clanking of Jet's cane awoke me from my mild trance. "Are you still in pain?" Spike asked Jet calmly. Jet didn't reply at first, but when he did, he only said, "Have you heard the story?"
"Huh?"
"A man injury his leg during a hunt. He is in the middle of the Savanna, no means to treat the wound. The leg rots and death approaches. Last minute, he's picked up by an airplane. He looks down and sees a land of pure white below it, glistening in the light. It's the summit of a snow-capped mountain, the mountain is Kilimanjaro. As he gazes down, he feels the life flowing out of him and he thinks, 'That's where I was headed.'"
Both Spike and I were captivated by the story. And?" Jet began again, "I hate stories like that. Men only think about the past right before their death, as if they were searching frantically for proof that they were alive. Turn back. When you and I first met you told me something. You said that you had died once, that you had seen death. Why can't you just let it go? Forget the past…" Spike remained silent for a moment, "There was a woman…"
I quickly charged out of the room. I didn't want to hear about Julia. I hated Julia. 'She turned on Spike, she double-crossed him and yet he stilled loved her. Maybe she was just that kind of person, captivating and admirable, but I don't care! There is nothing in this world that I love more than Spike, but he can't let go of his past, of Julia. I feel like I'm just the filler for a broken heart. It's not fair…' I put my back to the wall and slid down until my butt thumped on the floor. 'Why do humans have to be built with emotions? It would make the world so much easier if we weren't…' I tugged my legs to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. Tears cascaded down my cheeks. 'There is so much in the universe that I don't understand, and love will always be the one that I can never even close come to knowing.' I heard Spike and Jet coming out of the room from down the hall and I quickly got up.
"Hal, Faye is back." I turned and lowered my head so my bangs would cover my eyes. "I don't care about Faye! I don't care about anyone!" Tears were streaming down my face now. Spike started walking towards me. "Don't come near me!" I shouted. Spike looked a little stunned when I lifted my head and the tears were revealed. "What's wrong Hal?" Spike asked. "What's wrong? Is that all you can ask? Well, this is all I can ask! Do you really think that Julia was, or is, the part of you that you lost somewhere? Do you seriously think that Julia is the part that was missing, the part you were longing for? Was she so important to you that you would throw your life away for her? She double-crossed you, Spike! She double fucking crossed you…" I snapped around and ran down the hall, cutting the turn by an inch and running to the other side of the ship.
.
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3rd Person Point of View
Spike tried to run after Halifax, but Jet grabbed his arm and silently shook his head, "Let her go Spike, she knows you will always love Julia, too." Spike looked down in disbelieve. "Come on, Spike, Faye is back. We might as well assess the damage." Spike remained silent as he walked with Jet to meet Faye.
"Ugh… This is not a repair shop, all right, Faye? Don't just come back here when you've thrashed your ship." Jet bellowed at Faye. She walked a few steps, "Where is he?" Jet looked confused. "Where's who?" Faye stayed calm. "The guy with the fuzzy hair." Jet put a hand to his face, "Ahhh… Fuzzy hair, huh? Can't you just say you're looking for Spike?" Faye continued to question. "Where is he, Jet?" Jet pointed to the workshop as Faye calmly walked up the small flight of stairs.