"Eddy's not dead. Not yet." BANG!
Edie hoisted herself from her bed and rubbed her aching shoulder. That damn dream again. She picked up her bedside clock to check the time. 2:48 a.m. Mars time. The Bebop lingered in Mars a little longer proceeding the past day's events. Ed, momentarily, rejoined the Bebop, this time with her father's acknowledgement. Jet was shocked to say the least to see, out of all people, Ed in Mars. If he didn't know any better, the encounter could be considered luck at its finest.
Ed questioned "Faye-Faye's" whereabouts but thought nothing much of it. Faye was a free spirit much like Ed herself and Faye was the one who told her of the significance of finding where one belongs. But where did Faye belong? Did she not belong with Jet-person and Spike-person on the Bebop? On a different note, it didn't take Ed long to warm up to Edie. Edie was fun, Ed liked that.
"Can't sleep?" Spike caught sight of Edie, perched against a wall.
"Do you ever sleep?" She smirked to herself as she puffed on her cigarette.
Spike, still dressed his usual suit, sat alone in the lower common area, a glass of what she assumed to be alcohol neighbored him. Spike scoured his pockets for his cigarettes. Edie walked forward and rested herself behind the couch in which Spike occupied. Two thin fingers gently grasped her cigarette, pulled it away from her face and set it in front of Spike's face. It neared his lips and taunted him.
"Want a smoke?" Edie eased.
Spike turned to eye her and she met his gaze. His mouth slighted parted and her fingers brushed against his lips as she placed her cigarette in his mouth. His scent was that of alcohol and cigarettes and Edie indulged in it. She took a whiff of alcohol that lingered in his breath. Spike deeply inhaled his first drag of Edie's homemade cigarette and blew out in ecstasy. His body was in an intense relaxation, euphoric like, even. Edie strolled pass Spike and reached for his glass. She shot back a drink and liquor rushed down her throat. Vodka, she could taste it strong. It heated her. Spike said nothing, he just continued smoking her cigarette. Edie fidgeted with the portable radio she had previously left and played a song she recalled from one of Earth's American cult classic movies. Earth...Edie missed it. She grew up on it wishing it would no longer be a ruined rock, but be the beautiful planet it once was before the Gate Accident. The next song, from another cult favorite, roared Goodnight Moon by Shivaree. Edie swayed left to right fluidly, yearning for another drink. She reached for Spike's glass once more and finished the remaining. Spike didn't halt her nor deny her the last of his drink. His eyes simply followed her and took drags of straight tobacco. After finishing the vodka, she swung her broad hips softly and raised her arms to the ceiling. Edie twirled her hands effortlessly. Her movements, along with the music, hypnotized Spike. She persisted as White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane proceeded Goodnight Moon. Edie stood before Spike, lowering her arms as the next song played.
The song "Landslide", covered by the Smashing Pumpkins, was acoustic based. As Edie listened, her heart tore. She remembered the song, she remembered the lyrics. It took her back to her childhood in the wastelands of Earth. She remembered her cousin, Mikey who was significantly older than she, owned a guitar. She remembered her father gathering what little family that remained alive on Earth and took them camping. Edie's father warned all of them against living in constant fear. He told them that they could die tomorrow and their lives not mean a single thing because they spent it, fearing death. So under that night sky, the ten that remained, sat around telling stories and enjoyed their unity. Mikey strummed the chords to the song Landslide on his guitar. He, along with her other cousin, Lisa, sang the song. Edie would never forget their duet. It was absolutely cultivating. The small family clapped and cheered for an encore.
Spike abruptly stood up and towered over Edie. The movement brought Edie back and she gazed up at him. She opened her lips and sang to him.
Well, I've been afraid of changing
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older too
Oh, I'm getting older too
I take my love, take it down
I climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Will the landslide bring you down
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Will the landslide bring you down, oh, oh
The landslide bring you down.
Edie stood perfectly still as the song was brought to its last verse, not breaking eye contact with Spike. Linger by The Cranberries pursued.
"Spike, you know how to dance?"
"Huh?" Taken aback by the question, he rubbed the back of his neck and looked uncomfortably aside. He focused back at Edie. "Sorta, I guess." He shrugged.
As the song played, she took his hands and placed one on her hip, the other she held on to.
"Just move side to side."
She held onto Spike's shoulder with her remaining hand and Spike shuffled his feet awkwardly. Edie giggled to herself. Eventually, Spike got his footing to slow to the pace of the song. The two danced in place.
But I'm in so deep.
You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.
Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?
Edie sang softly into Spike's body as she pulled herself closer. Spike stiffened but was relentless. As the song ended, their grips of one another lessened and Spike brought his hands down to his side. He peered, curiously, at Edie.
"Thanks Spike." She squeaked.
As they laid in their beds, the two pondered. Though they had danced with each other, it was as if they danced with other people. Edie could smell Felix's cologne and Spike could feel Julia's soft blonde hair brush against his neck
