My first attempt at a fanfiction, so please, be kind.

I don't own any of the characters; I only borrow them to appease the plot bunnies.

Summary: Those who feel that they've led complete lives pass on to Heaven, those who don't must live again in Purgatory until they've accomplished their life's unfinished goal. This story will focus on the Bebop crew during their "life" and have Purgatory based on the anime series.

XxxxxxxxxxxX will be used to indicate scene changes

Chapter One: So This is Life

In the Real World

Spike Spiegel, twenty-year-old up-and-coming member of the Red Dragon Syndicate, jumped out from behind the protective wall he'd been up against, took aim, and pulled the trigger.

Click

"Dammit!" he yelled above the din of gunfire as the clip came up empty. Grunting, he dropped it to the ground and replaced it in one swift movement before aiming again. Suddenly, a vase mere inches from his head exploded violently. A second was soon to follow its deadly path towards its target.

The second bullet ricocheted off the wall where Spike's head had been as Spike found himself falling ungracefully towards the ground. After the painful impact he looked up to see a frustrated Vicious glaring at him.

"Keep your eyes open!" he yelled above the gunfire. "I won't always be able to save your scrawny ass!"

With a quick wink Spike jumped up, each hand rapidly firing a pistol. Not half a second later Vicious stood as well. The two inched closer, back-to-back and firing in all directions. They shared a sly smile as their enemies turned and fled.

"Ha, think they're cool when they're stealing our cargo, but fire a few bullets and they run like rats," Spike grinned as he lit a cigarette. "Now back on home so I can get some food, I'm starvin'" he whined as his stomach growled in agreement.

"We have to make our report to Mao before we partake in other…pleasures," Vicious said quietly.

"Yeah, yeah," Spike grumbled. He knew exactly what 'pleasures' Vicious was interested in.

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"After that the cowards turned and fled," Vicious concluded in a cold, monotone voice that matched his rigid expression.

"Well done, both of you." Mao said, smiling. "I always knew that I could count on the two of you to overcome the toughest dilemmas. Now, go on and relax. It will be a while before we have another assignment for you."

Accepting the dismissal, Vicious nodded his head, never losing his stiff posture, before turning on his heel and leaving the office. Spike grinned at Mao and brought his hand up in a loose salute, then stuffed his hands into his pockets and leaned back slightly as he walked out of the office whistling with his eyes closed.

"So, you gonna take her out tonight? Celebrate a little?" Spike asked as he caught up to his partner.

"To what purpose?" Vicious inquired, never slowing his pace.

"I thought maybe you'd want to show her a good time, you know, after she's been cooped up here all day. I mean, she only ever does anything when you're with her."

"Am I so obligated?"

Spike started a retort but Vicious suddenly stopped walking and turned so their faces were mere inches apart. "She is my woman, and what I do or do not do with her is none of your concern." He growled. With that he turned and walked into his bedroom, ignoring the slender figure that waited quietly in the doorway for him. Spike looked at the occupied doorframe and started to speak to the blonde woman before "Julia!" was barked from within. The woman blushed and nodded her head meekly before turning and closing the door behind her.

Spike stood in the empty hallway for a few moments, a dumbfounded expression plastered on his face, before murmuring, "she deserves better" and continuing his trek to the kitchen.

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The plate clanged loudly as Spike set it back on the table.

"Annie, your bell peppers and beef is unmatchable," he said with a grin.

"Aww, don't mention it, Hun. It's worth the trouble to see a scrawny brat like you get a decent meal." She laughed. It was entirely true. Of everything she did for the Syndicate, sneaking into the kitchen and fixing the occasional meal for Spike was one of her favorites. He was more like a kid brother to her than anything else, and she liked to know that he was being taken care of.

"Annie, can I ask you something?" he said, his voice quieter and more serious now.

"Anything, Spike."

"Do you know anything about Julia?"

"What, Vicious' girl? Well, nobody really knows much about her, I just know the same scattered details that everybody does."

"Humor me, Annie."

"Well, from what I hear she joined the Syndicate a few years back, running from a possessive bastard of an old man, or so I heard. She did a few low-level missions for a while, but ever since she got with Vicious, he hasn't let her so much as out of their room. But you know that better than anyone, don't you?" she ended with a sly look.

"I don't know what you're talking about, you old bat!" Spike said defensively before standing and storming out of the room.

Annie, used to his occasional outbursts, just smiled and shook her head. "That boy had better drop that crush before it gets him into trouble." She sighed as she started to clean up the dishes.

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Bored after several days of waiting around for another assignment, Spike decided to treat himself to a night out. He dressed in a dark blue suit with a loose tie, a look that he had recently taken to, before heading down to the closest bar. Nothing sounded better than beating a few overconfident idiots at a game of pool.

Several drinks, a few rounds of pool, and some prize money later, Spike decided to wrap up the night's festivities and head back.

He didn't even bother to turn on the lights as he entered his room and tossed his jacket and tie on the bed. He had begun to unbutton his shirt when a slight movement in the corner caught his eye. He whipped his gun from its holster and took aim.

"I know you're there, so just come out without a fuss."

"Please, don't shoot," the figure pleaded, "I only wanted to talk."

"Julia?" Spike's eyes widened as the beautiful woman left the shadowy corner and walked slowly towards him.

"I wanted to thank you for what you said earlier."

"Huh?"

"I heard you, after I closed the door."

"Oh. Right," Spike mumbled.

"It was just nice to hear someone say that I was worth more than what I did in bed. Nobody had ever said that about me before," she whispered as she inched closer to him.

"Julia, I …what about Vicious?" Spike stuttered, grasping at straws as he tried to stave off her advances.

"He doesn't love me; he uses me and leaves me to rot when he's through."

"I can't. Do you have any idea what would happen if they found out?"

"Who says they'll find out? Please, Spike. You said that I deserved better, and I do. I deserve someone who will show me what it means to be alive." She inched closer. "Who will let me be free." She brought her hand up "Who will show me what love really is." She slid her hand onto his cheek. "I deserve you." She whispered, waiting for the response that could change her life.

She didn't get one. No words came from his stern face. Instead, he leaned forward and brought his lips to hers. The one moment that he had dreamed about since joining the Syndicate was exactly as he had so often imagined; perfect.

"If you let me, I'll show you Mars and beyond." He whispered as their lips parted. Her only response was to pull him into a tight embrace. They stood, interlocked, for many moments, each thinking the same thing.

'What the hell have I just done?'

The events of this one night would change their lives more than either of them could begin to comprehend.

//AN: Hey guys! Hope you all like it so far! Just a few quick notes here. I know that some people are really OOC (especially Julia), but most of this story takes place in AU, so…yeah.

I upped the rating to M because I plan on using stronger language, maybe some violence, and some allusions to adult situations. NO LEMONS!

Also, reviews are very welcome! Compliments and constructive criticism are ideal, and pointless flames will be used to roast marshmallows.

Thanks for reading!