Here's chapter twenty five. Enjoy!

Shock to the System

Jet ran to the cockpit, followed closely by Edward and Ein. He looked through the large window, astonished to see not one, but two star ships floating at the dock. He put a hand on his forehead, blinking furiously to clear his vision. His eyes had not failed him; there it was, the Swordfish II, in all its battered glory.

"Hey, Jet. You there?" came the familiar voice again, this time from the control panel. Cautiously, Jet made his way to the controls and sat down at the helm.

"Spike? Is it really you?" he asked, incredulous.

"Yeah," Spike replied. Jet could hear the cocky smile in his voice. Hurriedly, he pressed a button and pulled a lever, forcing the Bebop into a low moan as her hangar slowly pried itself open.

"Woo-hoo! Spike-person's back! Faye-Faye's back! Everyone's back! Let's celebrate, Ein!" Edward grinned, floating across the room with glee. Ein doggie-paddled through the atmosphere, inching across the space.

Jet was waiting patiently in the living quarters when Spike and Faye entered. He leaned at the base of the staircase, arms folded. Faye was a little surprised to see that his expression was less than welcoming.

Spike descended the metal stairs first, stopping in front of his old comrade. The two men stared at each other, wondering what the other was thinking. Finally, Jet broke the silence.

"Why aren't you dead, Spike?" he asked gruffly.

"It's a long story," Spike replied. He looked relieved, in spite of Jet's apparent lack of concern. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you wanted me dead," he spoke, a faint smile dancing at the corners of his lips.

"No, that's not it at all," Jet answered in his mocking tone. "I was just wondering where the hell you've been all this time!"

"Well, I decided to take a little vacation, Jet," Spike replied coolly, fighting sarcasm with sarcasm. "I went to this nice resort. Maybe you've heard of it? It's called the Red Shield hospital of Tharsis. Nice place. I had my very own room in the ICU." Jet seemed to grow more upset. "I would have called you, Jet, but my slight coma prevented me from doing so."

"This isn't funny, damn it!" Jet exploded. Spike's face was still as calm as ever, but it had lost its smirk. "Why am I the last to know about this?" The mossy-haired cowboy was silent. He looked up at Faye, grinning a few steps above him. "Faye?" Jet asked. The intensity in his voice hadn't diminished. "What are you snickering at?"

"You owe me big for this, Jet," she replied with a smile. "You know he wasn't even gonna come back? I convinced him to."

"Faye!" Spike groaned.

"Wha--?" Jet began, stunned. His voice was much quieter now. "Spike, is that true?" Spike looked down at his boots, secretly cursing Faye for her input. "Why?"

"Because of you, Jet," Spike replied seriously. "I know I brought you rough times and everything," he sighed. "It's my fault you got your leg shot out from under you. I didn't think you needed me around anymore, eating all your food and putting you in harm's way all the time." Jet looked at his younger comrade before running his cybernetic hand over his smooth head. Faye was no longer smiling.

"You still could've at least called or something," he said. "And don't gimme that coma bullshit. I know you didn't just wake up yesterday!"

"Spike-person! Faye-Faye! Spike-person! Faye-Faye!" Edward chanted, running in from the cockpit. She had been having too much fun floating in the low gravity. Gleefully, she ran toward the stairs, throwing her thin arms around the pair of long lost crewmembers. She giggled as Spike and Faye struggled to keep their balance.

"Yeah," Jet said, weary and spent. "They're just visiting."

What? Jet, you can't be serious! Are our heroes going to be forced to be homeless and to wander the Solar System for all eternity? Well, we'll find out soon! Stay tuned, and please feel free to leave a review!