A/N: Alright guys, this chapter doesn't have a lot of action and doesn't revolve around hunting criminals. It's just a small window into a regular day at the Bebop. I was inspired by an official artwork where they have the crew lounging around at the beach (I think). It's pretty popular, so if you want to take a look, just google it.
The day was hot on Mars. Even the Bebop was having trouble keeping the inside of the ship cool. Spike was lounging on the yellow couch, eyes closed, fanning his face with one of Faye's magazines. He had discarded his yellow dress shirt and was now in his white under shirt, which was drenched in sweat. His brown curls were plastered to his forehead.
"I'm turning off the AC. Anymore and the Bebop will probably malfunction" Jet said, coming in from the kitchen. Even he had discarded his regular attire and was walking around in blue shorts and a white t-shirt.
"It's up to you, but expect hell to pay from Miss She-dragon" Spike mumbled.
"We are in hell" Jet grumbled.
Sure enough, five minutes later, Faye stormed into the lounge.
"What's going on?! I'm dying in here!" she said.
"The Bebop can't take the stress of the AC being on full blast non-stop" Jet said, crossing his arms as he sat on the seat across from Spike.
"We're going to die here" she said, sitting on the stairs. "I'm melting"
"That's strange… we didn't throw water over you" Spike said, peering at her with one eye.
Jet sniggered.
"Haha, I'm just cracking up here, Spike" she retorted. Spike grinned. "That's it. I can't take it!" she said as she got to her feet. She stomped out of the room.
Minutes later, they heard her clanging around the ship.
"What is she doing?" Jet asked.
"Beats me" Spike said.
A moment later, she went into the kitchen. She came out dragging a cooler full of ice and beer.
"Now what the hell are you doin', Faye?" Jet asked, following her.
"We can't stay inside. At least there's a breeze outside and it's a clear sky" she said as she dragged the cooler along. Jet grumbled and took the cooler from her, placing it over his broad shoulder. "Well thank you! I'll be right out with other stuff!" she said.
Spike sat up and removed his soaked shirt.
"What's going on?" he asked as Faye passed by.
"Picnic" she said simply.
"Picnic?" he repeated in the empty lounge.
"Yes, picnic, Spike, are you deaf?" she asked as she came back. She was now wearing her black and white bikini, a huge, floppy sun hat on her head. In her arms she carried towels and blankets. "Bring the steaks, will ya? I'm starving" she said before she went through the door.
"Can't say no to steaks, can I?" Spike said with a wry smile. He first went to his room to change into a pair of shorts and then made his way into the kitchen and rummaged through the fridge until he found the steaks.
When he went outside, Jet and Faye were setting up the "picnic" on the flight deck. Faye had spread out the blankets on the deck, along with some old beach chairs and a rickety table they had. A patio umbrella provided a little shade. Jet was firing up a grill Spike didn't even know Jet owned.
"Where the hell did all this come from?" Spike asked.
"I know, right? I didn't know I had it. It was in the storage room where you let that lobster mutate" Jet said, poking fun at Spike. Spike sighed and hung his head.
"We almost died" Faye added.
"Yeah, yeah" Spike said, sitting on a chair. "What's that? Are those chips?" Spike asked, his mouth watering as he popped open a bag.
"Yeah… turns out Faye here likes to stash food in her room without us knowing" Jet said.
"Gimmie a break. In my defense, Spike is like a vacuum cleaner when it comes to food, see?" she said, taking a beer form the cooler.
"Like you can talk" Jet mumbled.
"I heard that!" Faye said.
"You mean you spend your money on more than just the casinos?" Spike asked, stuffing a handful of chips into his mouth.
"Of course" Faye said simply. "And now that you're here, you can help me put on sunscreen"
"Yeah right" Spike said with his mouth full.
"Do it or I won't share my chips with you!" Faye threatened.
"Damn, that's cold" Spike said, grabbing the sunscreen. Faye sat on one of the blankets and Spike knelt behind her.
"Full coverage" she said as she felt the cool cream hit the back of her neck. Seconds later, she felt Spike's hands distribute the ointment across her shoulders and back. Something about his hands on her bare skin made her tingle. She had to admit they were nice; large and lean… hands that could kill without hesitation… were being gentle as they massaged the sunscreen all over her back.
"Alright, Valentine, your turn" he said, handing her the cream.
He lay on his stomach and she pursed her lips. His back had no right to be so muscular and… sexy. She poured cream between his shoulder blades and began to lather the ointment all over. Damn, it felt nice; all muscles and smooth skin…
Jet smiled to himself. If he didn't know any better…
But as soon as Faye was done, Spike jumped to his feet and returned to his chair, stuffing his mouth with chips once more.
"Hey Spike, hand me a beer, would ya?" Jet said as he placed the stakes on the grill. Immediately, the smell made all three stomachs growl. Spike handed Jet a beer.
"We need music" the lanky bounty hunter said.
"Yeah… turn on the radio, it's right there by the cooler" Jet said, taking a drink.
Spike did as he was told and immediately a jazz song came on.
"That's better" Spike said, grabbing a beer for himself.
"What a lovely day" Faye said.
"You were just complaining about the heat not too long ago" Jet pointed out.
"Don't sweat the small stuff" Faye said, peering at Jet over her sunglasses. Jet grunted.
Spike stretched himself out on one of the beach chairs and placed his hands behind his head. The warm breeze felt great against his sticky skin. Damn. He was feeling good.
Jet rubbed his belly. The steaks had been delicious. Nothing better than relaxing with some good food, good beer and good… friends.
Yes, the Bebop crew members were his friends. It had taken a long time to realize that they meant more to him than he cared to admit, but there it was. The truth. And he knew that Spike and Faye felt the same way. Each of them had struggled to come to terms with the past; he with Alisa, Faye with her memory loss, and Spike with the syndicate and Julia. In the end, they had all tied the loose ends and he was glad. They were able to move on, face forward, live life. And sure, the life they chose was not a luxurious one, and they were hungry more often than not, but it was the life for them. They were good at their job and they were good with each other. Yeah, the Bebop was still short two members, but he was sure that someday, somewhere, he would see crazy Ed and little Ein again.
"Woolong for your thoughts" Spike said, offering the large man a beer.
"Oh, I wasn't thinking about much. Just what a nice day it is" Jet said, taking the cold bottle.
Spike stood up and stretched. "I'm going for a swim" he said.
"Yeah, I think I'll go too" Jet said as he got to his feet as well.
"Well, knock yourselves out, boys" Faye replied, crossing her arm over her face.
Jet and Spike exchanged grins.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?! Put me down, you ruffians!" Faye shrieked as Spike took hold of her wrists and Jet took hold of her ankles. Together, they carried her off the blanket easily and swung her back and forth over the edge of the flight deck.
"Don't you dare! Don't you dare!" she yelled, squirming in their grasp. But it was no use. On the fourth swing, they both let go of her limbs and she was sent flying into the water.
"Argh! You gotta be kidding me!" she said as she surfaced. "I'll get you for this!" she said, climbing back onto the deck. She charged at Jet who was too slow for her attack. Grabbing him by the arm and with surprising strength for such a petite girl, she pushed him over the edge with a yelp. "And you!" she said, lunging towards Spike. Spike was fast, unlike Jet, and he outran her easily. But in his haste to get away from the crazy woman, he slipped on the water she had dripped all over the deck. Landing on his behind, he slid across the floor and over the edge as well.
"Ha! Serves you right!" Faye said gleefully. Spike began to throw water at her. "That's it. You asked for it, fuzz head!" she said and with that, she ran full speed at the men, jumped high in the air and, hugging her knees, landed in the water. She splashed them both.
"I win" she said smugly.
"Not on my watch, missy" Spike said, swimming after her as she shrieked with glee.
Yes, Jet liked days like these. Moments like these that showed him who his comrades really were. Faye, beneath the tough exterior, was nothing but a caring person. She cared a lot more than she let on. But on days like these, it was easy to see Faye Valentine as the sweet little girl from the video. When she let her guard down, the real Faye would come out to say hello to her friends.
And Spike, without the heavy burden of his past with the syndicate, and without the shadow of the woman he had once loved, was a different person as well. Sure, he had always been laid back and goofy and all that, but he felt different now. He still smoked like a train, and he still loved pressing all of Faye's buttons, but Jet could tell he was happy. He was even silly from time to time… like the time when he had danced exactly like some old actor from that one movie… Saturday something or other… for his and Faye's benefit.
Yup. He and his crew were feeling good now. And if they could find the missing pieces, why, they would be complete.
A/N: There it is! Lol. A little Faye/Spike hint here and there. The part about Spike dancing may seem out of character, but that was actually inspired by another official artwork that has him doing a famous dancing pose (John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever), and again, you can google it to see it. The title of this chapter is inspired by the song called Feeling Good (as sung by Michael Buble) so check it out, I think it's great! Leave me you're reviews? Gives me hope to continue writing for Bebop lol.