Faye drummed her fingers on the wooden counter, her chin propped on her palm. She was bored out of her mind, but she knew she had to suck it up. This was the biggest bounty in a while, and if she played her part right, they would be able to nab him. Still, waiting for the man to appear was boring. The bartender asked if she wanted another drink which she declined. It would be no good to get drunk right before the big job. Suddenly the door to The Jack-O-Lantern opened; the tiny little bell above the door announcing a newcomer. Faye sighed and casually stretched her arms, peering through the corner of her eye at the person. It was a man. A very tall man, actually. He wore all black and immediately Faye was on the alert. This wasn't the common sleaze ball that frequented seedy little bars like this. No, this was an outsider, just like her. Could he be a bounty hunter? Was he dangerous? Was he here to cause trouble? Whatever the reason was, she didn't like it one bit. She wanted to leave the bar and avoid any trouble… she wasn't in the damn mood for it. She tossed a couple of woolongs on the counter and pushed herself to her feet. She was wearing her new outfit, the one she had bought with Spike, and she suddenly regretted her choice of shoes. These high heels were no help in case she needed to run after the bounty… or to save her life. Cursing her lack of judgment, she sashayed her way out of the bar, painfully aware of the stranger's eyes on her. But what else was new? Every pair of eyes in the room were focused on her; all belonging to smelly, dirty, old men. All, that is, except the tall stranger's. She allowed herself one quick glance at him. He was no longer looking at her. But from what she could tell under the dim light and smoky atmosphere, he was rather good-looking. His eyes suddenly looked up and caught hers. She froze in place, her hand on the door handle. Her breath hitched in her chest and she felt herself blushing when he offered her a slow smile. Scratch that. He was very good-looking. She returned his smile and quickly stepped outside, the rush of cool air on her face giving her much needed relief.

"Who was that?" she asked herself, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. "And why the hell hasn't Jet called me?" she fumed. As if on cue, her communicator rang.

"Hey, Faye, you there?" Jet asked.

"No, I'm not here" she said sarcastically. She was in an irritable mood and wanted everyone to share in her misery.

"Don't get salty with me. Listen, the bounty is headed your way. He should be rounding the corner in about three minutes; he's on foot with two other guys. Spike is on the roof to your right as back up. Don't mess this up" Jet said.

"Did you tell Spike not to mess up?" she snapped.

"I'm here listening too, Faye. What's got you so sour?" Spike said, sounding as bored as she felt.

"Whatever your problem is, get it together. I see the guy coming. Get ready, you two" Jet said. Faye sighed and made sure she had her Glock easily accessible. Just in time, the bounty came around the corner, just like Jet had said he would. Faye slumped against the wall, her black hair covering her face. She had purposefully let it down today, and it served her well.

"Ow" she said loud enough for the men to hear. "Help… please" she said.

"Are you alright there?" one of the men asked.

"No… I need help. My boyfriend… he… beat me and left me stranded here" she said, her hair still covering her face.

"Sir?" she heard the man ask.

"Not my problem. Wench probably did something to deserve it. Besides, we have to get to—" but Faye cut him off.

"Please! I need help!" she said, staggering her way towards them. Immediately, two of the men pulled out their guns, aiming at Faye.

"Stay where you are, miss" one of them said.

"I… I need help" Faye whispered again. She began to cry, her shoulders shaking. Gotcha, she though as soon as one of the men lowered his gun. Quick as lightning, she kicked the gun out his hand. The other man shot at her, missing her by an inch. She used all her strength to kick the guy's crotch, making him howl and double over in pain. Meanwhile, the bounty had started running away.

"I'm going in" Spike said through the comm.

"Shithead bounty hunting bitch!" the bounty yelled as he ran away. Faye kicked the groaning man in the face and was about to knock the other dunce out when the stranger from the bar stepped out. Without so much as a glance in her direction, he shot both bodyguards in the head.

"Hey! What's the big idea?!" Faye shouted, rounding on the man. He towered over her; her head barely reaching his shoulder.

"Stay" he commanded in a deep voice. Turning on his heel, he ran after the escaping bounty head.

"Like hell I will!" Faye snapped, running after both.

Damn him, Faye thought, if William gets away I will murder him!

But even from a distance, the stranger's intent was clear: he was going to kill her bounty.

"Oh no you don't!" Faye yelled, and she ran as fast as her heels would allow. Within seconds, she caught up to the stranger and she jumped on his back.

"What the hell are you doing, woman?!" the stranger barked. Still, he didn't miss a beat and continued running, Faye clinging to his back like a monkey.

"You're not killing my bounty" she snarled, wrapping her arm around the stranger's neck. They heard shots up ahead and Faye instinctively knew it was Spike. "Ha! Too bad for you, you giant jerk, Spike's got William now" she breathed. With a sudden movement, the stranger grabbed her arm and easily yanked her off of him. He tossed her aside like a rag doll, making her stumble. She managed to grab on to the lamp post and she glared at him through narrowed eyes.

"He's not yours to catch, ma'am" he said. "Stay here. You are in my way"

"I'm in your way?!" Faye seethed. "I don't think so. Nobody asked you to come out of that seedy little bar back there and stick your nose where it doesn't need sticking!"

"Like I said, Feisty Pants, this man is not yours to catch" the stranger said, turning to look at her with a grin on his face.

And oh was he handsome.

His beanie had fallen off during the course of their struggle, revealing light brown hair that fell a little past his chin. Under the street lamp's light, she was able to see his beautiful face, and his hazel eyes made her heart flutter in her chest. He was taller than Jet, she could tell. His arms and chest made his shirt stretch just slightly with each movement… Get a grip, Faye, she scolded herself. She knew he realized she was checking him out when his grin widened. She pursed her lips.

"Don't call me Feisty Pants, Mister" she snapped. "Besides, I'm sure Spike already beat you to him." She stuck her nose in the air and sauntered away from the stranger.

"No ma'am. I don't think he did. Why, I see him coming back this way" the stranger said. Faye squinted and sure enough, William was running back towards them, Spike hot on his trail.

"Stay out of my way!" Faye said, and she began to run at the bounty. Shoot to immobilize… a nice, big shot at the knee cap should do it…Faye thought. She pulled out her Glock and was about to shoot, when there was a sudden gunshot. She felt a searing pain in her shoulder, and she cried out. Another gunshot and suddenly she was on the ground, a heavy body pinning her to the street.

"Get off me" she breathed. More gunshots, a man cussing… it had to be William.

"Stay down… it's dangerous here" the stranger said above her. He was… protecting her…

"Faye, are you alright?!"

It was Spike.

"Spike!" she wheezed, trying to push the man off. Suddenly he got to his feet.

In a blur, she saw Spike lunge at the stranger, and they began to fist fight. Faye flinched with every blow that reached its target. She was impressed that the stranger was able to both block Spike's attacks, and land some hits of his own.

"Damn you," Spike raged, "he's getting away! I don't have time for this shit!"

"I got this" Faye said, but both men ignored her. Faye pursed her lips and went after William herself, holding her bleeding shoulder.


"You let your friend go after dangerous men on her own?" the stranger asked as he blocked one of Spike's punches.

"Faye is more than capable of taking care of herself" Spike said, dodging one of the stranger's kicks.

"Still, it is a dangerous line of work, bounty hunting" the stranger said. Both men had stopped attacking and were sizing each other up.

"It's her choice. Nobody forced her into this" Spike said, dancing on the balls of his feet.

"Don't you care what happens to her?" the stranger asked.

"She knows the dangers. She isn't new to this" Spike replied. "What do you care, anyway?"

"I don't" the stranger said.

"Then shut the hell up about shit you don't understand" Spike said, and the stranger lunged at him. They began to fight once more; a flurry of fists and kicks.

Then there was an explosion somewhere behind them and a cry of pain.

"Faye!" Spike yelled, recognizing the voice. He dodged an incoming punch and ran. It wasn't like him to run from a fight, but he wasn't running because he was afraid. At least, he wasn't afraid of the man behind him. But if something happened to Faye…

He found her lying on the ground. Kneeling beside her, he turned her over. She had various scratches and scrapes all over her face but otherwise seemed alright.

"Faye? You alright?" he asked, giving her a slight shake.

"Don't do that, lunkhead, it hurts" she mumbled. It was then that he noticed the gunshot wound on her shoulder.

"Damn. He got you, huh?" he said as she sat up, holding her head. He knew how painful it was to get shot and he felt bad for her.

"Yeah, that bastard. What the hell was his deal anyway?" Faye asked. "He was the usual petty criminal, wasn't he? And who the hell is Ramesses? He said he'd rather die than be caught by some weirdo named Ramesses and then he blew himself up"

"That would be me" the stranger said coming up from behind them. Spike jumped to his feet, his Jericho ready to blast the man's brains out.

"You?" Faye asked stupidly.

"You two cost me my paycheck. You owe me" Ramesses said.

"What?!" Spike thundered.

"Now wait just a minute! You came butting in! You lost us our reward!" Faye snapped.

"That man was worth more dead than alive" Ramesses said. "Are you alright?" he asked, nodding towards Faye. Spike glared at the man.

"I… oh… yeah… I'm fine" she said. "It's nothing"

Was Faye blushing?

"Well, if you're sure… I can patch you up right here if you want me to" Ramesses offered.

"Uh… no, that's alright… I, uh… we have a doctor on our ship" Faye said.

Spike narrowed his eyes and looked from Faye to Ramesses and back again.

"Alright. Remember, bounty hunters. You owe me a head" Ramesses said, walking away.

"You owe us a bounty!" Faye yelled after him. But within seconds, he had blended into the shadows and was gone.

"The nerve. He goes and meddles in other people's business and then says we owe him. What a joke" Faye fumed. "Where's my shoe? It cost too damn much to leave it behind" she added, looking around for her high heel.

"Here" Spike said, handing it to her. "I don't know who that guy is, but I don't like him" he grumbled, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag. He held out a hand for her and helped her up.

"I'm sure you don't Spike" Faye said, leaning on him as she put her shoe on.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he snapped.

"Nothing. It's just that he reminds me of Andy, somehow. And I know how much you liked Andy" Faye said.

"I had absolutely no problem with Andy" Spike snarled. "He wasn't even competition. In the end he admitted that I was better"

"Uh huh. We've heard this story a million times before, cowboy' Faye said. She winced and Spike slid his arm around her to help her walk. "Thank you" she said softly.

"I had no problem with Andy" Spike grumbled again as the Bebop came into view overhead.


A/N: Haha! To make up for my long absence, I bring you a double update! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Please review and let me know what you think!