12. But What About Your Leg?

"Ed? Faye? Go put on something nice! We're having lobster tonight!" Jet yelled as he burst through the Bebop door.

"Are you serious!" Faye screeched as she bounded in to greet him. "How can we afford that? I swear, Jet; if you're lying to me…"

"I'm not lying, Faye. I just caught myself a 2.5 mill bounty and I feel like celebrating!"

"What? You went hunting? But what about your leg? And why in the hell didn't you tell me you were going?"

"My leg is fine, woman; and I wanted to do this alone. Not stop your bitching and go get dressed! I'm starving!"

"God, Jet; I fucking love you!" Faye said as she encompassed Jet in a hug. She placed a kiss on his cheek and ran to get ready.

Jet was glad she didn't look back; he didn't need for her to see him blush. He was sure he'd never hear the end of that. As Jet went to put his hunting gear away he realized that he hadn't asked Spike to go. He really wanted to leave the cowboy behind; he would only bring the night down. But Jet had to ask him, anyway. His conscience would never let him live it down if he didn't.

"Uh, Spike? You in there?" Jet asked with much trepidation.

He heard some scuffling and some muted curses, and then the sound ofsomething knocking over. Finally the door opened slightly and Spike's head peeked out. His eyes where bloodshot, his skin was flushed, and he was breathing heavily.

'I caught him shooting up,' Jet somberly though.

"What do you want, Jet?" Spike asked, surprisingly calm in his response

"Uh...well…I, uh just caught a bounty and decided to got celebrate with dinner. The girls are getting ready and I wanted to invite you along, too."

"Should you be hunting yet? What about your leg?"

"My damn leg is fine! Christ, does everyone think I'm that old? I do still have the ability to heal, ya know."

"Don't get your panties in a twist, Jet. Just concern. Uh, where are you going?"

"Some place that serves lobster," the ex-cop said with a satisfied grin on his face.

"That sounds good, but I don't think so."

"Oh come on, Spike! I worked hard for this money and now I want to treat everybody!"

"I just don't feel like going out tonight, Jet. Sorry, pal. You can bring me back a lobster, though," Spike reasoned, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Yeah, sure. Well, if you change you mind before we leave, just let me know."

"Right, will do," and Spike closed the door.

Jet sighed and headed back to the main room. He couldn't force Spike to go. Well he could, but that would just look funny. In a way, he was glad Spike wouldn't be there, but then again; he wanted to include the guy just because that's what family's do.

Twenty minutes later, Faye emerged, more than ready to go. She had on dark blue jeans that fit well, but not too tight, accented by a light blue, v-neck sweater with quarter length sleeves. Her hair was no longer restrained by a headband, but allowed to hang freely around her narrow face. Silver sandals with a slight heel covered her feet and matched the small silver purse Faye carried.

Jet looked at her approvingly. He thought she looked much more attractive when she left things to the imagination. Or perhaps he was just being over protective, again. Either way, she looked good and he suddenly wondered if he was underdressed.

He wore a simple pair of blue jeans, a black shirt and a dark blue jacket over that. He shrugged, though; he didn't need to look fancy to enjoy a meal. But what really surprised him was Ed, who peeked out from behind Faye. It appeared the female bounty hunter had gotten to the girl. She now had on blue jeans as well, a green shirt and a light purple sweater over that. Not the best color combinations, but a change from her normal spandex shorts and white half shirt.

"You two look good," Jet said with a supporting nod.

"You, too, old man," Faye playfully countered.

"Yay, old man, Jet man!" Ed happily yelled.

Jet sighed and rolled his eyes and headed out the door.

"Isn't Spike coming?" Faye cautiously asked.

"No. He opted to stay in."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"…No. But we can't make him go."

"I guess you're right."

The short conversation between the two was tense and awkward. They both didn't want him there, but then again, they did. They were reluctant to leave him behind, but what could they do.

The three were heading out of the door when they were stopped by sad whimpering.

"Oh Ein doggy," Ed addressed, "You cannot go into the eaty restaurant. But Ed promises she will bring you back a yummy doggy bag, okay?"

The dog barked in response, placated, but still not fully pleased.

"Be good and take care of Spike person," Ed commanded.

Once again, the dog barked in accordance. Jet and Faye exchanged glances, relieved that Ed still cared about the lunkhead, even after he had yelled at her. But Ed had her own reasons to want to watch out for Spike. She still vividly remembered him on the deck that night. She just wanted him to be okay. But the rumble of her stomach and the thought of real food stopped her worrying and she quickly rushed out of the door.

"Well, I guess that means "let's eat"," Jet chuckled.

"Guess so," Faye said. And with that, she closed the door behind them.

so two more chapter for all you lovely readers. our beboppers are gonna go and treat themselves, and boy do they deserve it. it kinda looks like things are on the up and up. "looks like", being the operative words, there. what do i mean by that? (shrugs) we'll find out eventually. well then, thanks for stopping by, why not leave a review, and until next time then!

-phoenix