Do the Angels Still Fly?

by: the Bloody Englishman (I don't own Cowboy Bebop. All the names, places, and events have pretty much stayed the same, to protect the innocent...from being sued.)
Spike's Solo
Ed wondered around the empty halls of the Bebop. Ein followed close behind. She looked from room to room, but no one seemed to be around.
"Jet-person! Faye-Faye!" She called out into the empty air. "No one home, huh Ein?" Ein yawned. Ed wondered about, finally coming to the cockpit. A small note was taped to the screen. Ed picked it up and read aloud, "Gone to store. Be back soon. Jet."
The air was cold in the graveyard. Faye wrapped her coat about her, filling the tiny drops of rain sprinkle on her skin. She roamed along the pathway, searching desperately to find what she was after. The clouds overhead were thick and gray.
"It'll start snowing soon." She thought to herself. Faye continued along the cold path. "Its gotta be here, somewhere." Faye rounded a bend. She stopped to see a large willow tree. Slowly, Faye approached the two graves just beyond it. Not bothering to read the one on her right, she immediately stooped down to the left grave. Running her fingers along the letters, she read them to herself, "Spike Spigel." She felt tears well up in her eyes. "I've found you." The raindrops began to let up. The sky remained just as cloudy, though. "I've missed you, ya' know. We all have. Me, Jet, Ed...Oh, that's right. Ed came back. Ein too. You didn't really think we were rid of them, did you?" Wind blowed through her hair. "We're okay, though. You don't have to worry. Jet's leg is much better. He's been keeping us pretty busy. We caught this 11 million wulong bounty the other day. I really wish you had been there. After this big shoot-out, Jet came up behind him and wrestled him to the ground. You would've loved it." She brushed her hair back. Faye sat silent a moment, almost expecting an answer. "I'm not mad. I wasn't. I'm sorry if that's what it sounded like. I was just scared, that's all. I was afraid to lose you. You and Jet...and even Ed. You guys were like the family I'd always wanted. I know I got on your nerves, but...I..." Faye found herself at a loss for words. "Ein was our pet, and Ed was like an annoying little sister. Jet was like a father, always so strong and secure. And you, Spike. You were like a big brother to me. Always there to joke around with, to make fun of Jet when we could. You were always there to lend me a cigarette. Someone for me to worry about." She glanced over to the grave beside his. "I really wasn't mad. I guess I was scared...and jealous. I knew next to nothing about my past, and you were running off to yours. You were ready to die for your past. I guess I can't blame you, though. You loved her. I've heard that's all that matters. I'm glad you were able to find her. I hope you're with her now. I hope you two are..." Faye sniffled. She knew she would start crying if she went on. Faye kissed her fingers and pressed them on the tombstone, feeling the cold of the stone linger. She stood up and turned, ready to walk away, humming a sweet song.
"Ed, where's Jet?"
Ed shrugged her shoulders. "Jet-person dropped off groceries and left again."
"He didn't say where he was going?"
"Uh-uh." Ed looked Faye over. "Faye-Faye's wet, Faye-Faye's wet..." She danced about the living room. Faye groaned at the song.
The rain had returned to a steady pace. It rolled off Jet's hat and fell in small streams behind him. He approached the graves, dropping what was left of his cigarette. Walking past a willow tree, Jet looked at the names on the two graves. He smiled as he read them.
"Julia." Jet tipped his hat to her tombstone. He turned to the other. "Hey, Spike. Long time, no see." Jet walked casually towards the grave. "Sorry I didn't come by sooner. We've been kind of busy. You know how it is." Jet took out his pack of cigarettes. "Brought ya' somethin'. I didn't think you were the type for flowers, so I brought something I knew you would like." Jet bent down and sat the pack of cigarettes on his grave. Jet stood tall over the grave and smiled. "God, you were trouble. But, I couldn't imagine those three years without you. I still don't see what the point was, but if you found what you were looking for, I'm happy." Jet looked up towards the gray sky. "We waited there for so long. I honestly thought you were coming back. It seemed unreal that you could have actually died. It really felt like a dream that I was slowly coming out of. When I finally woke up, I realized you were gone, and things wouldn't be the same." Jet looked back down at the grave. "But that's alright. I know you had do go. They say good things never last, and I guess that's true. No use in worrying about it, huh? Just let the past stay buried." Jet smiled. "Don't worry. I'll take care of the girls. You can rest now. The weight's finally off your shoulders." Jet turned, slowly walking away. "Don't worry about me, either. It's really not too heavy."
"Bartender, fill me up again." Jet held out his glass of ice. After making sure the bartender didn't skimp on the gin, he took a long gulp. Looking to the side, he noticed there was another man sitting on the other side of the smokey bar. Jet walked over, thinking it would be nice of him to make conversation. He sat down in the stool next to the man. "Hey! Whatcha' drinkin' there?"
The man took a sip of his drink. "......Vodka."
"Good stuff." Jet took another drink and continued on in his sloppy voice. "So, why do ya' think guys like us are all alone, gettin' drunk in a place like this? Huh?" The man didn't bother answering. "Quiet, eh. That's fine. Don't mind a bit." Jet took another drink. "I do a'little gardening. Bonzai trees. Helps relax. Bartender! Gimme' another glass." The quiet man took another sip as Jet had his filled again. "Yep. What's yer' name, buddy?"
"....It doesn't really matter. I'll be gone soon, and why would you remember me?"
"Yeah, guess I can un-erstatnd that. Makes sense to, Hic! Scuse' me. Sorry 'bout that. I can't be held 'sponsible for some kid. Teenagers don't make no sense to me. Ya' know?" The man finished his drink, left a few bills on the bar, and began walking to the door. "Where ya' goin'? Leavin' already?" The man continued on, saying nothing. "Come on. I didn't even get yer' name."
"I have none. I am what you see. I am what I've always been."
"That's funny. Seriously, people gotta call you somethin'. What do they call you?" As the man spoke, the ice in Jet's glass fell off one another. His eyes widened. Jet nearly gasped as he instantly sobered up. With a single word, the memories had risen back up, and the man had left, leaving only that single word behind.
".............Vicious."
To be continued...