Okay guys, don't hate me for posting yet another story while I still have others to update, but here's my excuse…

COWBOY BEBOP IS AWESOME!

…yep, got obsessed with the series, the ending pulled at my-heart-strings, so I had to write. What else is new? XD

Summary: Just some drabbles about how the characters feel, post-series. Each chapter will be a different POV.

Disclaimer: I don't own the show or its characters. Just this little fic.

~CB~

"Dinner's ready,"

There's no answer. There hasn't been an answer for two weeks, yet I'm still stuck in the habit of calling out every time I finish cooking bell peppers and beef- basically the only thing I have to cook. Then again, it was almost always the only thing I'd cook. Spike would complain about it and Faye would whine, but they would shut up and eat, considering we always ran out of food quick. When it was just Spike and me, we'd have enough to get by for a few weeks, depending how good our bounties were. When Faye, Ed, and Ein came around, rations started to grow scarce, and sometimes we'd go days without food until we managed to get a strike. I think the longest we had food was a month, but that was because this 'Andy' cowboy gave Faye several cans of his 'famous stew'. It tasted like shit, but none of us were used to the high-quality stuff.

Damn, I'm thinking about them again.

I walk over and sit on the couch, flicking through the TV channels as I eat. I have the TV on a lot these days- ever since everyone left, the Bebop fell into a silence that I grew to hate. I had been used to striking up conversations with Spike, or listening to Faye complaining, or hear Ed messing around, or Ein barking. Now it was quiet, the only sound being the ship's engine. No one to talk to. No one to listen to. Zip.

That's why Faye left. She stuck around for a week or so, then took off. I haven't heard from her since. Fine by me- that woman was a greedy bitch anyway… Unless she has money to pay me back with, she can just stay away. I keep telling myself every time she crosses my mind.

I keep expecting Edward to hack into my communication system now and again, maybe just to say 'Hi!' before signing off to go off and do God knows what. I never understood why that girl left, anyway. One day we find out she has a father, but he takes off barely five minutes after they're reunited, and that evening she takes off with Ein. Sometimes I worry about her- sure, she's a hacking genius, but she doesn't have that much common sense. How she managed to survive on her own before meeting us remains a mystery to me. Sometimes I saw her as a stray dog- comes around, acts goofy, often bites, then wanders off.

Then there's Ein himself. I always thought he was just a regular dog. Apparently, he was smarter than he seemed… At least, that's how I thought of it. The dog once saved me from getting brainwashed by this 'Brain Scratch' cult. He was actually one of the very few I could get along with- at least he was more quiet than the rest.

They probably found someone else to harass, I thought as I ate my bell peppers and beef.

"And now another bulletin about the 'Red Dragon Downfall'. Police received reports that the remaining members of the syndicate have scattered, after disposing of the body of ex-member and former bounty-hunter, Spike Sp-"

I turn the TV off before the broadcast finishes, scowling. It had been almost a month since Spike took off to face his past, and never returned. I heard reports about what happened- he finally beat Vicious, then died. Yeah right, that's what they said the first time. I had told myself. Spike had told me he died once. I didn't quite believe it- until I heard about all he lived through.

'Think the biggest scare he gave me was when he went after Mad Pierrot Tongpu- one of the worst cases he got himself into. No one ever faced that guy and lived… Spike was probably the first one. Hell, the first time they crossed paths, the guy was actually scared shit-less! When we found him, he looked like he was attacked by a gang of 50 men, and had a look of fear in his eyes… though, after he was back with us and bandaged, he went back to acting cool. Then he went for another showdown, and came back- not as badly wounded, but alive, unlike his adversary. After that, I wondered if anything could kill Spike…

Then he took off after Vicious.

Fuck, stop thinking about it! He's gone now, you dumbass! I snap at myself.

I let out a heavy sigh. It's no use.

Spike had a way of leaving an impact on people… but it never led to anything good. If you were an enemy of his, chances were you'd either have your ass in jail or end up getting it kicked, maybe even put six feet under- ask anyone. If you were an acquaintance, just someone who spared information or once knew him, there was a good chance you'd get hounded, maybe even killed. If you were a friend… shit, you'd be in a world of trouble that wouldn't end until the day he died.

But once he'd die… fuck, the feeling is heavy.

Trust me.

This is why I try not to get attached to people. I tried the first day Alisa left me… but sometimes, no matter how hard you try, there's always something that keeps you connected to those you get too close to.

Spike will always be Number One on that list. When we first joined up together, I didn't really know how it would work out. I was an ex-ISSP officer, and he was an ex-gang member… yet somehow we became one hell of a duo. I never forgot the day we crossed paths- I was fueling up my ship, while he was hitchhiking. We were after the same bounty, and eventually decided to split the bargain, claiming we'd part ways afterwards. …Fate had a different plan, I guess.

I stood up, grunting as I feel a slight pain in my leg. It was still sore from that bullet-wound. There we were, sitting at the bar, when some assassins come in and try to kill us… Spike being the main target. That's what lead to us parting ways for good.

Once he left, I forced myself not to give a damn. He wants to go get himself killed? Fine. He was nothing but trouble anyway- destroying my ship, getting me shot in the leg, and always throwing himself into the line of fire.

I suppose it's the only way he could move on. Even if he died… at least he would be free.

Dammit, am I honestly tearing up?

I shake my head. Dammit, Spike, you're not even around anymore, and you still annoy me! I snap.

I head to bed, leaving my plate on the table. My appetite's gone anyway.

This is why I try not to get attached.

Weight is only a burden if you carry another's.

~CB~

~Next Chapter~

Faye: Aw, Jet, you really did care, didn't you?

Jet: Shut up, Faye! Don't act like you didn't give a shit!

Faye: Hey, the guy's gone. I'm just moving on with my life?

Jet: Are you? Doesn't seem that way to me, in this next chapter.

Faye: What the…? I'm crying? No way, I don't miss him that much!

Jet: Aw, so you do miss him, don't you?

Faye: Shut up, Jet!

Jet: Next Chapter: Faye Valentine: Gamble

Faye: Ugh, I hate Fanfiction…