Here is chapter 3 (and there was much rejoicing, yay.) Sorry I took so long, I was really busy. Oh I want to make someone feel special so, Thank you Sony Ninja for being the first to review my story. Knowing someone likes it made my day, now if you can get others to read it that would be great, but no worries. So here is chapter 3, sorry and thanks again to Sony Ninja. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Later That Night:

Gene sighed as he settled down beside Jim on their cot.

"You think we could get separate beds."

Jim kicked him.

"Shut up, at least they're helping us."

Gene smiled. "Faye's probably lonely. I think I'll go find her."

Suzuka leaned down from the top bunk and conked Gene on the head.

"That would not be a good idea."

Aisha snickered. "Gene is easily excited he can't help it."

"Shut up Aisha!"

"What? I only said that you may come a little early and that's perfectly alright for an amateur."

Jim chuckled. "I think she just called you a cherry Gene."

"SHUT UP!" Gene roared, jumping out of bed.

Aisha sneered. "Come on Gene toughen up. You need to learn how to take a joke."

"I'm not sure it was a joke!"

Jim laughed. "Gene is a cherry!" He sang happily.

"I ain't a CHERRY!" Gene stormed out of the room.

Jim and Aisha were beside themselves with laughter.

"Enough you two get some sleep." Suzuka jumped spritely out of the top bunk.

Aisha watched her from their bed. "Where are you going Suzu?"

Jim nodded in agreement.

Suzuka smiled. "To go and get our cherry, before he causes trouble." She turned and walked out silently closing the door behind her so as not to wake Melfina.

Gene strolled angrily down the hallway. Blinded by anger he didn't see Spike until they collided.

"What the hell!?!" Spike yelled as Gene crashed into him.

"Sorry Spike didn't see you there."

Spike glared at him.

"Well you need to watch where you're going. Say, what are you doing walking around the ship at this time?"

"I could ask the same of you." Gene replied.

"Well seeing as how I'm helping you out and not raising hell like I could be, no you can't ask the same of me."

Damn he's right. Gene thought.

"Sorry, Aisha and Jim were kind of driving me crazy. I had to get out."

Spike snorted. "That's why I always tell Jet that I hate nothing more then kids, pets, and women with attitude."

"You have all three." Gene said, a bit confused.

"Yeah and it's hell." Spike then seem to look at something pass Gene. Gene turned to see Suzuka standing behind him.

"There you are, I hope he was not bothering you Mr. Spiegel?"

"Not at all, I was about to take him back to your room."

"No need," Suzuka took Gene's hand "I will escort him."

Spike nodded and strolled pass them.

"Night." He called to them without turning around.

"Gene you were acting recklessly. This isn't the Outlaw Star you can not just walk out."

Gene sighed. "I guess you're right. Sorry Suzuka."

"No need to apologize to me, just think next time."

Gene smiled. "I'll try."

Suzuka chuckled in spite of herself.

The Next Morning:

Gene and the others strolled into the common room to find Spike and Faye sitting across from each other on the two identical yellow sofas. They were both smoking. Jet stood nearby leaning against the stairwell, also smoking.

Gene wanted to tell them to cut it out because it smelled but he remembered Suzuka's words and bit his tongue.

"Finally you're up." Jet said looking up at them.

"Gee-gee!" Ed yelled flying out of nowhere and tackling Gene. They fell to the floor with a loud crash.

"Hi Ed." Gene croaked.

"What's for breakfast? Do you need us to help cook?" Jim asked brightly.

Jet snorted, Faye turned to look them.

"Are you serious?"

"They must be used to eating." Jet added.

"Must be nice to have money." Spike blew out a stream of smoke.

Gene jumped up, Ed had attached herself to "Su-su".

"What you mean we're not eating breakfast?!"

Faye smiled. "First thing you have to know if you're going to be a cowboy and that is that money goes fast."

"Yep, Ed almost never eats!" Ed chirped.

"Isn't that child abuse or something?!" Jim cried incredulously.

"She's exaggerating, calm down kid. We don't usually eat breakfast but we almost always have dinner."

"Almost?" Gene asked.

"Enough of this dance." Spike stood up.

"Saddle up Starwind, we found you guys your first bounty hunt."

"So soon?" Aisha said quietly, which was uncharacteristic of her.

Faye nodded. "Yup and since Jet brought you aboard he's going to show you the ropes."

Jet sighed. "That's right."

Gene smiled at Faye.

"Well, I would much rather you help us Faye. I learn better under a woman."

Faye smiled. "Maybe next time, Spike and I are after some bigger game. I would love to tutor you later though."

Gene nearly fell over. "That's if I'm not busy."

"Everyone makes time for me." Faye said so as not to be outdone. She strolled out of the room with Spike at her heels.

"So why can't we go on a mission with Spike and Faye?"

Jet gave a derisive snort. "Mission? Listen kid, we don't go on missions. As for Spike and Faye, they know what they're doing and I'm not about to let you go on a big chase when you're still wet behind the ears."

"We can take of ourselves." Gene protested. "We've proven ourselves time and time again. We ain't too bad in a scuffle."

Jet looked amused. "Maybe in your own galaxy, but it's a different ballgame here. You don't know any of the planets and, judging by your gear, you've got no clue about what kind of technology we have. Trust me you're better off with what I've found for you and as much as I'd rather go after the big game with Spike and Faye, I'm going be the good guy and babysit."

Gene flinched at the word "babysit".

"We don't need to be babysat, we can take care of ourselves."

"Shut up Gene. Everything he said is true. "We need them." Jim hissed.

Gene sighed he knew everyone was right he just hated this feeling of helplessness.

He sighed.

"Well let's get started."

Jet smiled.

"Now you're talking. First things first we gather intel on our guy." Jet strolled over to the strange box on the coffee table. Within a second it was on and a black man with a mustache and a cowboy outfit was on screen.

"Hola amigos, it's time for another episode of Big Shot for the Bounty Hunters."

"That's right partner!" A buxom blonde said cheerfully.

"Nice rack." Gene grumbled. Suzuka slapped the back of his head.

"Don't be so vulgar."

"This," Jet said gesturing towards the t.v. "is one of the best resources we have. This show is constantly updating the status of various bounties and their prices. This is where I found your guy, but I've already got his name. Once you get the information from "Big Shot" talk to Ed. She can trace your guy and find some interesting facts that have not been disclosed by "Big Shot." I already got her looking up any info on your guy."

"So what do we do now?" Aisha asked. Jet sat on the couch.

"Now we wait."

Two Hours Later:

"I think I'm going to go crazy!" Gene screamed.

"All this sitting around is going to kill me. Come on Jet let's do something! Spike and Faye left about an hour go."

"Settle down kid." Jet chuckled. "They are gathering intel on their guy."

"How?" Jim asked.

"They're walking the streets, talking to people, trying to get any information they can."

"Why can't we do that?" Gene whined.

"They can do that because Ed already searched their guy and nothing turned up, so they're trying a different route. You my friend need to have more patience."

Gene sighed. "I'll try."

30 Minutes Later:

Gene threw himself dramatically on the couch.

"I'm going to die!!!!"