D/C: Don't own.
The Addicting Tango
"That bounty was a cinch." Faye boasted as she bit into a green apple, her slender manicured fingers gripping the apple tightly.
"That's why you almost got shot." Spike smirked, the burning cigarette dangling from his lips.
"It would have been your fault." Faye snarled back, chomping on her apple once again.
"Doesn't matter what almost happen as long as you two caught the damn bounty." Jet said, his head peaking through the kitchen door as he spoke, smiling happily.
Spike and Faye both glared at Jet, who retreated back to his cooking, not up to arguing with them both at the same time.
"Nosy old guy." Faye mumbled as she tossed her apple core on the metal table.
"He's not as old as you." Spike laughed. He nudged the small TV on the table with his blue boot.
"You're an idiot, Spike." Faye mumbled as she stood up. She stretched her arms up above her head, her white razor-back tank rising slightly as she did so. She shot Spike one finale glare before strutting off, her suspenders hitting her sides gently as she did so.
Spike studied the screen as he finished smoking his cigarette.
"Why do you always have to make her mad? She's been here over a year now." Jet asked as he sat in Faye's spot. A plate of bell peppers and beef was sizzling in his real arm.
"She's an easy target." Spike shrugged.
Jet just shook his head as he took a bite.
"Hungry?" Spike questioned, raising an eyebrow as he spoke.
Jet just nodded.
---
"Whatcha doing, Ed?" Faye wondered. She crouched next to Ed, staring at the screen. Faye's long purple hair fell to one side as she titled her head to get a better look at the computer.
"Bounty info. Jet said Edward needs to put Spiky and Faye-Faye to work." Ed laughed as she continued to type furiously at the yellow faded keyboard.
"I see. Ed can I ask you a question?" Faye spoke softly.
"Edward listening." She said, not looking away from the screen.
"Why'd you come back to the Bebop?" Faye's words were quiet.
Edward paused momentarily, her large yellow-cat eyes turning to Faye. "Edward had no where else to go. Bebop-Bebop is Edward's home," Ed shrugged before returning to her typing.
Faye smiled as she stood up, patting Ed's crazy orange hair before walking off.
Faye walked into the shower room, locking the door behind her. She quickly peeled off her shirt and dropped her yellow shorts to the floor. She hastily turned the shower on, making the water hot as possible although it often came out cool. As the water poured over her, Faye thought about her life on Earth, before the gate incident.
Ten minutes into the show, a loud knock interrupted Faye's thoughts.
"Jet wants to see you." Spike's voice pierced through the bathroom after the knock
"Fine." Faye shrieked back, annoyed by the constant pestering.
Faye finished taking her time showering. She shut off the water and slowly towel dried her self off, humming lightly as she did so before wrapping her white, cotton robe around her. She emerged from the bathroom and made her way to the living area.
"You called?" She sighed as she plopped down on the couch next to Spike and across from Jet.
"Ed found another bounty." Jet informed.
"Roger Thompson." Ed sang out.
"Age twenty-five. Height six foot. He's wanted for distributing drugs and dealing out stolen weapons." Jet finished.
"Where does he hang?" Faye curiously spoke.
"Clubs." Jet answered.
"He'll be at the Mardi Gras party on Jupiter." Ed got specific with location, still typing at her keyboard.
"Forget the location; is the pay actually worth it this time?" Spike yawned.
"Two million woo longs." Jet whistled.
Spike smirked at Faye, "Looks like we're going out tonight."
Faye rolled her eyes, "We just got back from a bounty this morning. This is way to much work." Faye slouched back in the yellow couch, crossing her hands firmly over her chest, raising her nose in the air.
"You're going or you can get off my ship." Jet ordered, standing up to take his plate to the kitchen.
"Damn it!" Faye said.
Spike chuckled lightly as Faye's misery.
"Damn it, man it!" Ed mocked from her spot on the floor.
Faye shot Spike a glare before heading to her room. She hoped to fit in a nap before she had to get ready for the nights events.
---
Spike adjusted his tie. He slid his blue jacket on before he carefully rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. He whistled a low tune before he swiftly made his way to the living room where he found Jet, Ed and Ein waiting for him.
"Try not to screw this up." Jet gruffly said.
Spike ran a hand through his green mop of hair before lighting a cigarette, inhaling immediately.
"Whatever. Is Faye ready to go yet?"
"I'm ready." Faye answered Spike's question as she walked through the door.
Faye stood in the doorway, dressed in her normal attire. Her hands placed neatly at her hips and a smile on her lips.
"Meet you there." Faye said with a wink at Spike before heading towards the hangar.
"I think its time to replace her, Jet." Spike said as he also made his way to the hangar.
"No such luck, Spike-o." Jet laughed.
---
Spike had been on these crowded streets of Jupiter for over an hour now, searching for the bounty or Faye. Spike was more than annoyed with all the drunks and loud music. The people would shout in his ear and stomp on his feet as they passed by him.
Spike tried getting a hold of Faye again but she still didn't answer her communicator. He tried Jet this time.
"What happen?" Jet immediately questioned as soon as he saw Spike and the expression on his face.
"Absolutely nothing. It's going to be impossible to find Roger in this chaos. I'm coming back to the Bebop." Spike whined as he shoved people out of the way.
"Looks like your having fun, kid." Jet smiled. Girls flashing some guys in the corner of the screen caught Jet's attention. Jet quickly returned his attention back to Spike, "Where's Faye?"
"Haven't seen the wench since I got here and she's not answering her communicator. I'm leaving her here." Spike said now only a few yards away from his ship, the people becoming less the farther he got to the outskirts of the block party.
"Fine. I'll give her a call." And with that Jet hanged up the phone.
As Spike sat in his cockpit, preparing to take flight, a voice yelling his name made him stop briefly.
"Spike." He heard again.
This time he was able to put the voice with a face. Faye.
"I've been looking for you." Faye stated, huffing slightly as she came to a stop.
Spike raised an eyebrow at her.
"I found him." She continued.
Spike looked at the few beaded necklaces dangling around her neck, resting lightly on her white tank top. He saw her flushed cheeks and her glazed eyes. She had been drinking.
"Not intentionally I'm assuming." Spike smirked at her.
"That's not what's important. What's the plan?" She asked.
"You're on your own, Romany." Spike said shutting his cockpit closed and flicking his wrist to tell Faye to back away.
Faye puffed out a heap of angry air before getting lost in the mass of people again. Spike quickly departed the party.
---
Faye made her way back to the block where she had first striked up a conversation with Roger. She spotted him again. Grabbing two shots of ever clear from a nearby stand, Faye danced her way through the people and up to Roger.
"Take a shot with me, handsome?" Faye smiled seductively.
Roger gratefully accepted the shot.
"Cheers." He said raising the shot glass lightly.
"To new possibilities." Faye chimed in.
With that they both gulped down their shots, neither making a face when they were finished.
"Here Roger." A guy in a red hoodie handed Roger two more shots. He graciously handed one to Faye who accepted it.
Faye was starting to feel all the shots she had been taking all night long.
"Ugh, I'm not feeling to well." Faye stated, putting a hand up to her mouth.
"Take this, it will help." Roger said handing Faye a pill.
Faye eyed it slightly before snatching it. She was willing to take the chance as she felt the liquid almost rise into her throat. Quickly placing the pill in her mouth, she swallowed it down with another shot of liquor.
---
"Where's the girl?" Jet asked as Spike walked into the kitchen. Jet was preparing breakfast.
Spike scratched at his boxers, "She not here yet? She probably got herself in trouble." Spike yawned, exiting the kitchen to hop in the shower.
----
Faye laughed lightly as she sat in the hotel room surrounded by strangers. Roger had been right; the pills did make her feel better.
"Faye, you want some?" Roger's voice echoed in her voice.
"Eh?" Was all Faye had managed to say. She wanted to say more but her lips couldn't form the words. She dumbly watched as a pretty blonde formed a line out of brown powder. Her huge brown eyes looked up at Faye when she had finished.
"It's yours." She smiled up a Faye, handing her the rolled up dollar bill.
Faye could hear Jet's voice in her mind telling her no.
"It's my life." She mumbled as she snatched the dollar bill.
Faye itched her nose lightly once she had finished. Jet's voice echoed in her mind again 'I'm disappointed in you.' He lectured. Faye shook her head and told him to shut up. Jet remained quiet.
Faye smiled with satisfaction. She watched as Roger snorted his line and the guy after him and the girl after her and then it was her turn again. She took it again with no hesitation.
---
"You want to try to find Roger again and bring him in?" Jet asked Spike.
"Faye probably already caught him and is out wasting her money at the casinos. Where else would she be for the last three days?" Spike answered.
"Any other bounties worth getting, Ed?" Jet asked.
"A small group of thieves. Catch them all and get the reward, yes sir rey." Ed showed Jet her screen.
"Ready partner?" Jet looked over a Spike.
"Sure you can handle it old man?"
----
The light coming from the TV made Faye nauseas. She rolled her head to the opposite, feeling as if she were barely able to breathe.
"You alright?" Roger questioned, lightly kissing her shoulder blade after he spoke.
Faye didn't move, she couldn't move.
"Want another shot, another bar, another line of heroin?" He whispered in her ear.
"Where am I?" Faye mumbled before she began to giggle, running a cold hand over her face.
Roger stroked her hair lightly.
----
"I haven't eaten that good in a long time." Jet said, rubbing his belly as he entered the Bebop.
"Mmm-mm good." Edward agreed.
"I'm stuffed." Spike said as he lit a cigarette and sat on the couch.
Ein barked at their feet.
"Ed got you scraps Ein." Ed said tossing down the to-go box and opening it for the dog.
The main door opened and a very pale Faye walked in. She slowly made her way to the couch, plopping down next to Spike. She didn't say a word.
"Been busy?" Spike mused.
Faye remained silent.
"Where's your ship?" Jet wondered, knowing the hangar door hadn't been used. He would have heard it open if she had used it.
"Can't remember where I left it." Faye mumbled, leaning her head back on the sofa, slowly closing her eyes.
"Where's your fancy gold bracelet?" Spike said, touching Faye's wrist lightly.
She opened one eye and looked at him, "I took it off somewhere." She shrugged.
Spike chuckled lightly. Jet was serious.
"Where have you been for these past three days?" Jet asked, crossing his muscular arms over his broad chest.
"Three days?" Faye choked out a she sat up, getting a headache the moment she did so.
"You must have gotten really wasted that night." Spike said taunting her.
Faye just leaned back in the sofa.
"Did you at least catch the bounty?" Jet asked.
Faye didn't answer; she remained lounging back in the sofa, her eyes firmly closed.
"Bet she didn't." Spike mused.
"Have some faith in the girl, Spike." Jet said.
"Well Faye?" Spike said, arching an eyebrow at Faye.
Small snores were the only response they got out of Faye.
"I win." Spike said, flipping on the television.
----
A few hours later, Spike remained on the couch flipping threw the channels. Faye still sat next to Spike, her head resting on the back of the couch and her mouth wide open. Every so often her snores would grow loud causing Spike to push her; sometimes pushing her harder then necessary.
"Ouch." Faye finally said as she slowly sat up. She shot Spike a glare.
"Don't look at me like that. You're the one that got shit faced." Spike laughed.
Faye's stomach let out a horrific rumble. Faye's cheeks flushed lightly at the sound.
"Guess I haven't eaten for awhile." Faye confessed. She spotted Spike's to-go box resting on the table. She snatched it before Spike could even register what she was doing. She began eating at it savagely. She didn't worry about what it was.
"Hey, I was going to eat that!" Spike angrily said, grabbing the box from her but it was already empty. She was stuffing the last piece in her mouth. "You're disgusting."
Faye shrugged and swallowed. She could care less.
They sat in silence, watching the television for about ten minutes. Faye still recovering and Spike slightly pissed about his expensive food being eaten.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Faye stated as she dashed into the kitchen. She made it to the sink just in time.
Out of curiosity Spike followed Faye, hands in his pockets. He watched as Faye rinsed out her mouth and wiped it with the back of her hand before falling to the floor, small tears had formed on the corner of her eyes from the pain of throwing up.
Spike crouched next to Faye, "What the hell have you been doing?" he smirked.
Faye looked up at him, "I don't know. I remember talking to you, taking two shots of ever clear after that with Roger, feeling sick and him handing me a white pill. That's when it gets real fuzzy. I think I remember swallowing a few more pills, sitting in a circle." Faye stopped talking as more private memories came to her.
"Were those white pills divided into fours?" Spike questioned.
Faye thought back and then nodded 'yes.'
"Those are muscle relaxers. They make you forget things." Spike said shaking his head, "You really are a walking disaster."
"Just help me up." Faye requested.
Spike stood up and offered Faye his hand which she took.
"You need to sleep it off."
---
"Man, I'm bored. When's Jet getting back?" Faye yawned as she sat on the staircase filing her nails down.
"Don't know. He went out for supplies." Spike mumbled.
"Why'd he take Ed and Ein with him?" Faye laughed as she switched hands.
"Who knows." Spike shrugged, shuffling the cards he held in his hand.
"Want to play a game?" Faye questioned as she stood up and took a seat across from Spike.
"With you? I think I'll pass." Spike said, a smirk forming on his lips.
"Promise not to cheat," Faye said holding up the peace sign.
"Yeah, sure." Spike said setting the cards down on the table.
Faye's stomach growled lightly.
"How bout we go grab something to eat?" Spike offered.
"You buying?" Faye asked, her lips nicely pressed together.
"Sure. I don't feel like eating alone so don't take it personally." Spike said with a wink.
Faye felt her mouth drop slightly and her eyes grow wide.
"Wow, Spike, I'm surprised." Faye stated, standing up to follow him out.
"Pizza sound alright?" Spike questioned as they walked down the sidewalk, the sun shining down harshly on the pair.
"It'll do." Faye stated.
---
Spike had finished eating about ten minutes ago and was now watching Faye stuff more pizza into her mouth.
"I love this pizza." Faye said, stuffing the spicy buffalo pizza into her mouth.
"I couldn't tell." Spike said as he turned his attention to the restaurant.
It was a small restaurant, only about a dozen or so tables, each decorated with a red and white checkered table cloth and a small vase of white flowers. Spike and Faye had chosen the booth by the windows.
"I'm stuffed." Faye finally said as she leaned back into the booth, rubbing her belly.
"I bet." Spike smiled. He looked around for the waitress to get the bill but instead he spotted Roger, who was walking towards them.
"Faye." Roger spoke, a true smile placed on his lips as he came to a stop next to her.
"Roger." Faye said with utter shock.
Roger leaned over and briefly kissed Faye full on the lips.
"How you been?" He questioned, running a tanned hand through his brown hair.
"Well you sure left my head spinning." Faye said with a seductive smile.
Spike rolled his eyes at Faye's comment.
"Roger." He said holding a hand out to Spike.
"Spike." Spike said, shaking his hand.
"Friend." Faye added.
"Good." Roger smiled, locking his blue eyes with Faye's.
"Yeah or I would have kicked your ass for kissing her if she were my girlfriend." Spike chirped in, a smirk now on his lips.
Roger shout Spike a smile before returning his attention back on to Faye. "You left without even a goodbye."
"You we're sleeping so soundly." Faye recalled.
"Thompson." The cashier called out, holding a pizza up.
"That's me. Don't be a stranger, Faye." Roger said, kissing Faye on the cheek before heading over to the counter to pick up his pizza. He headed straight out the door, flashing Faye a grin on his way out.
"You two sure seem close." Spike teased.
Faye didn't say anything; she was busy looking for their waitress.
"Check please." She practically shouted to the waitresses passing by.
The tiny restaurant stood soundless for a second before everyone continued doing what they were doing before only this time Spike and Faye were delivered they're check ASAP.
"Why haven't you turned him in yet?" Spike asked, "He's practically yours for the taking."
Faye didn't answer.
Spike paused before continuing, "I get it. You've gone soft on the guy. Women." Spike muttered as he threw the woo-longs down. "I'll see you back on the Bebop." Spike stated as he stood up and walked away.
"I haven't gone soft." Faye whispered harshly as Spike exited the restaurant.
She stood up and left also, only not having any intention of heading back to the Bebop.
----
Spike sat on the couch, playing a game of cards by himself. The humming of the fan above him was the only noise heard in the Bebop. Spike sat his cards down upon finishing his game, lighting a cigarette. He was enjoying the peace and quiet. That was until he heard the doors open and three members of the crew pouring in.
"Edwards tired." Ed said as she dropped the four bags she had been carrying. One of the bags made a crashing sound as it hit the floor.
"Ed, careful; some of those bags are breakable." He stated, moments to late.
Jet was carrying about eight bags. Some filled with food, others filled with tools. He carefully sat his bags on the floor next to Ed's spilled bags.
"I'm never taking those two shopping again." Jet yawned as he placed his heavy boots on the metal table.
Spike smirked, "What, you didn't have fun?"
Jet shot Spike a look. Spike grinned in return.
"You and Faye can put all the crap up." Jet said as he lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply.
"Sure, once she comes home." Spike said, also placing his boots on the table.
"Where could she possibly have to go?" Jet wondered.
"She ran into her boyfriend when we were at lunch." Spike lamely said.
"Boyfriend? You sound jealous. " Jet laughed a boisterous laugh.
"Faye's gone soft for the bounty." Spike informed Jet, ignoring the last comment.
"That girl is asking for trouble." Jet stated, shaking his head.
"That girl is trouble."
"Double trouble." Ed added her input.
--
Roger buttoned his white dress shirt, neatly rolling the sleeves up half way. He ran his hand over his brown hair one more time, briefly moving the few short strands of hair off of his face.
The sound of his doorbell sent him towards the living room. He opened the big oak door and smile on his perfect lips.
"Shania, how are you doing doll." He greeted the red-head with an innocent kiss on her cheek.
"You're looking well." She smiled as she pushed her way past him.
"What do I owe this honor?" He questioned, grabbing his beer off the large table and taking a sip.
"Jimmy wants to know if you're willing to deal off his latest shipment. He says you're the best middle man in all of Jupiter." She said, pulling at her orange halter.
"What's the price?"
"You get a thirty percent commission of the total profit, which is ten million woo long." She smiled.
"Who am I dealing with?" Roger asked, taking a seat next to Shania.
"Jimmy doesn't tell me everything," She stated.
"Tell Jimmy to pay me a visit and we might have a deal."
"He thought you might say that. He wants you to meet him at Poppy's tonight, round nine." She stated, standing up.
"Sounds good."
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Thompson."
"What all work and no play?" Roger asked, holding up a small sack of brown powder.
"I like the way you work." She said retaking her seat.
"You should know my motto by now. 'Work hard, play harder.'" He said with a smile, forming a line for her as he spoke.
"True. We've been "business" partners for over a year now." She said, pulling a small straw out of her purse.
-----
Faye strolled down the street, not sure what she was looking for.
"I'm not looking for, Roger." She reminded herself.
Faye walked into a weapon store, perfectly aware of the two men in black suits that had been following her.
"What do you think?" Faye asked, pulling out her gun and setting it on the glass case in front of her.
The old man shrugged, "It's a standard gun." He had a thick accent.
"That might be true but it still gets the job done." Faye said with a wink as she reloaded the gun.
As she slapped the clip shut, the steel door to the shop was kicked open and the two guys came bursting in. Faye fired two shots into the young guy on the right. The man fell to the ground with a yelp.
Faye smirked as she jumped over the glass counter, landing next to the old man who had his hands over his head.
"Don't worry." Faye told him. Faye stood up, her gun aimed in the direction of the man, but to her surprise there was not just one man, but five.
"Hey, boys." She smiled, dropping her gun.
"Ms. Valentine. Did you know you're a hard woman to find?" The middle one spoke.
"Almost impossible," she smiled, "But what do I owe this honor?" Faye asked.
"Roger Thompson. You were with him last week." The middle man spoke again, this time stepping closer to Faye.
"First time I ever met the guy." Faye said through gritted teeth, cursing herself mentally for ever allowing herself to get that close to Roger.
"You don't say. You two we're extremely friendly." He added.
"Really? I don't recall." She shrugged.
"Don't play dumb, Ms. Valentine." He ordered.
Faye yawned, "I'm bored of this game."
She took a few steps towards the glass case, the men stepping closer to her. Faye smirked seductively at the men.
"Don't try anything." The leader spoke.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Faye agreed.
The leader laughed. Faye joined him briefly in his laughter before she dropped violent to the floor. Bullets went flying the second she moved. She grabbed her gun, preparing for the worst. She waited for them to empty out their chambers and begin to reload. The bullets came to a halt and Faye shot up, blowing off the leaders head with her first shot. She took fire at the two on either side of him, shooting one in the shoulder and the other on the neck. She ducked as she heard the last to finish reloading their guns.
"Shit." She cursed as she tried to figure out a plan.
The two remaining men leaned over the case, expecting to see Faye crouched behind it but it was empty.
"Over here, boys." Faye called out from their right, the store owner next to her. Faye and the owner fired their shots, sending each man to the ground with a thump, not even giving them a chance.
"Rookies." Faye laughed shaking her head side to side, "Nice working with you." She told the owner with a wink before heading out the door.
----