Black Widow, Session 3
Bounty Ho!
By: Hotaru


/thoughts/
"speech"
~^~ time passed

Last time
"The most you're gonna get, with taxes and what notis 350,000 woolong." Spike and Faye simultaneously jumped up from their seats. "What the hell do you mean the most we're gonna get!? We practically nabbed this billionaire murderer and we get a measly 350,000 woolong!? You can kiss my ass for that price!" Faye screamed, putting her foot on the desk. "Please, Miss Valentine! Believe me, we tried to bargain with those offering the bounty, but they wouldn't go any higher." The Police Chief said, folding his hands.

Spike's eyes glinted. "Fine, we'll go and bargain ourselves. Give us their coordinates and we'll leave peacefully." He offered, crossing his arms. "Please, Mr. Spiegel" Spike pointed his gun at the chief and shook his head. "We're not going to bargain with you sir. Give us the coordinates." He said, or rather ordered. Grumbling, the chief handed them the information and said, "There, now bring any trouble here and we'll have you arrested." Spike and Faye left the station quickly before they were charged with assault.

~^~

Spike and Faye returned to the Bebop for a brief intermission of haggling. "I'm going to wash this crap outta my hair. Then we can leave." Spike said, motioning to his hair. Faye nodded and flopped onto the couch. /I guess I could call Jet and Ed to see how they're doing./ Faye thought before getting up and heading to the cockpit.

There was no answer at their hotel suite, so Faye left a message at the front desk. Spike finally emerged, his hair back in its natural form. "Ready to go?" he asked. Faye nodded and they set off for the nearest family of the victims. "So how do you think this is going to work out?" Spike asked as they walked down the streets of Venus. Faye shrugged and puffed on her cigarette. "I don't know..if we wave a gun in their face, they'll probably give us some moneybut then they'll call the cops and have us arrested." She said with a sigh.

Spike chuckled softly. "Have a little faith in yourself, and me for that matter." He said as they neared the billionaire district of Farfalia. "Gee Spike..you wouldn't happen to have experience haggling rich folk would you?" Faye asked with a sly grin. Spike looked up at the sky and smirked. "That's for me to know, and you not to find out." He replied. They were silent for a while before Faye decided to mention calling Earth.

"I called to check how Jet and Ed are doing." She said, flicking her used up cigarette into the street.
"Is that so? So how are they?" Spike asked.
"I don't know. They weren't in the suite so I left a message at the front desk."
"Oh..they were probably out eating or something." As if on cue, Spike's stomach grumbled.

Faye laughed slightly. "Just the mere mention of food makes you hungry, huh?" She said teasingly. "Not just that. The food I ate at the mansion was disgusting." Spike said nonchalantly. Faye burst out laughing at his casual tone. "Then why did you eat so much of it?" she asked. Spike smiled as a mansion loomed into view. "Usually, the more you eat, the easier it is to throw it up afterwards."

"No wonder you're so thin-you're bulimic!" Faye said as they stopped at the gate. "Not quite." Spike replied before pressing the button on the intercom. "May I help you?" An elderly gentleman asked. "We're here to see the Master of the house, regarding the death of a family member." Spike said, leaning against the stone wall. "One moment please." The old man said, disappearing from the vid-screen. "You think they'll let us in?" Spike asked in a low voice.

Faye shrugged. "I sure hope so." She said. The man returned and said, "The Master is very busy but will see you now. Please, come in." The iron gates opened and Spike and Faye walked up the large stone walkway to the front doors of the mansion. That same elderly man opened the door and led them down a hall. "Geez, look at this place." Faye said, marveling at the luxurious hallway filled with expensive looking paintings and furniture.

"Master Fontaine." The man said, pushing open the door. Spike and Faye entered the room, or office rather. A man sat behind a cluttered desk with his hands folded. "Filmore tells me you need to talk about my son." The man, the victim's father, said. Spike and Faye sat in the leather seats and nodded. "Yes sir. Have you heard that the murderer was captured?" Spike asked, leaning forward. The man nodded. "I have. What about it?" he asked.

Spike sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Well sir, we are the two people responsible for the murderers capture." He said. Mr. Fontaine closed his eyes. "Thank you. It brings the entire family much relief to know that a murderer will be brought to justice..my son's murderer." He said weakly. There was silence, before Faye sighed and decided to ask for the money. "Listen Fontaine, we caught her, and the cops say we'll only get W 350,000. The bounty on this woman's head was W 60 billion. Now, you seem like an educated man, so tell me: does this seem logical, or fair?"

Fontaine sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Madame, there are circumstances that forced my family to decrease the reward by a substantial amount. My son died, Madame, and there are expenses to be paid." He said tiredly. Faye jumped out of her sear. "Like what?! How much could a funeral and burial possibly cost!? That's chump change for a billionaire like you!" she exclaimed. Spike put a hand on her elbow and shook his head. Fontaine sighed again. "My son was a very generous man. He bought me this house, bought me happiness. I cannot work in the condition I am in, so he helped me pay the bills and everything else I needed."

Spike peered at the man. "Are you saying that because your son died, you can't pay the bills?" he asked. Fontaine nodded. "In a crude manner of speaking, yes. He was my money source, son. Now that he's gone, I've fallen ill, and medical bills are piling up and I have no way to pay them except to borrow from the bank." He continued. Faye huffed. "Well gee Gramps, here's an idea! Sell this mansion of yours and go to a retirement home!" she exclaimed. "I can pay you W 2 million. But please..just leave me alone."

Spike put his boot on the chair and said, "3 million." Fontaine sighed, but nodded. Faye had to refrain from squealing. /Three million woolong! Oh man! This is so great. If we go to all the other families of the victims, we'll be rich!/ She thought as Fontaine called for someone to bring them the money. A short while later, 3 million woolong was stuffed into 3 attaché cases, and Spike and Faye were heading back to the BeBop.

~^~

One attaché was being reserved for Jet, Ed and Ein. The other two belonged to Spike and Faye. Spike had escaped to his room with his suitcase, and Faye stayed in the living room area to count hers. "999,998one million woolong." She sighed, replacing the money and closing the attaché case. She headed to Spike's room to ask about dinner. The door was open just enough for her to see inside.

The attaché case was sitting beside Spike on the bed, and Spike was staring at a picture of Julia, his fingers resting on it. He sighed and put the picture back on his nightstand and put his hands on his head. Faye pushed the door open and said, "Hey Spike, wanna get some dinner?" Spike looked up and smiled. "Sure. That'd be nice." He said, grabbing his coat from a chair. "Know any good places to eat around here?" Faye asked as they wandered around the dark city.

"Nope. Can't remember if I've even been to Venus before." Spike replied, looking into restaurants they passed by. "Well I want to eat at a good place this time. None of that watered down soup and shitty sandwiches for me." Faye replied. "Oh hey! Look at that place! That looks fancy enough." Faye said, pointing to a restaurant across the street. "FayeI think that's a lounge." Spike said dryly. Faye grinned and grabbed Spike by the arm. "Ah so what! It'll be fun, come on!" She said, pulling him into the restaurant.

The lounge was filled with cigarette and cigar smoke with the scent of alcohol lingering in the air. Spike and Faye took a few steps inside before a man approached them. "Table for two?" he asked. Faye nodded, looking around. "Would you like to be close to the stage?" the man continued. "Ah, yeah sure." Faye answered. The man nodded and led them to a table that was indeed close to the stage. "Here are some menus. Please, take your time." The waiter said. Spike sighed deeply before opening the maroon colored menu.

"Geez! This place is so expensive!" Faye said, skimming the menu. Spike shook his head, adding, "The cheapest thing on here is ice for your drink."

"We should celebrate though. Our first bounty without Jet and Ed." Faye said, not looking up. Spike smiled crookedly. "Is that so? Well I don't know, Faye. As soon as we spend money here, we won't be millionaires anymore." He said. Faye chuckled. "Come on Spike, we'll get plenty more money as soon as we visit the other families. Why don't we just enjoy the money while it's still fresh!" She looked back at her menu, deciding on what to get.

Spike smiled and nodded. "I didn't know money could go stale, but what ever you say Faye." He said, raising his hand to get the waiter's attention. "I'll have the meal du jour with a Jupiter cocktail please." Spike said, handing the man his menu. "And I'll have the seafood delight with a Midnight Sun please." Faye said, folding her hands. Spike raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to be downing shots all night are you?" He asked. Faye shrugged. "I don't know, depends how well you keep me entertained." She replied with a sly smile.

"Ladies and Gentleman, introducing Branston Eyrie, our singer for this evening." A voice announced. A man came onto the stage with a guitar and stood in front of the microphone. The lights dimmed until the only light was from the candles on the tables and the light on Branston.

We couldn't say them
So now we just pray them
Words that we couldn't say

As Branston began to sing and strum his guitar, Faye's eyes wandered to Spike. He seemed to be watching the performance intently, his chin cupped in one hand with his elbow resting on the table. Faye sighed and looked back at the stage.

Funny ain't it
Games people play
Scratch it paint it
One in the same

/Now that I think about it, this place is kind of depressing. Not a breath of fresh air, nor a sober person amongst us./ Faye mused.

We couldn't find them
So we tried to hide them
Words that we couldn't say

The song reminded Faye of her relationship with Spike-she was always worried about saying something stupid, or giving her feelings away. And SpikeGod only knows what he was thinking half the time. The waiter set down the two drinks with napkins and said, "Your food shall be ready in a short while."

It hurts don't it
Fools on parade
Taint it own it
Chase it away

As Faye listened to the lyrics, she began to sink into deep thought. It almost seemed as if this "Branston" was living inside her head, exploiting her every thought and fear and using it in his music. Faye shivered at the thought and took a small sip of her drink. She caught Branston's glance and shivered again as his amber eyes pierced her soul.

We couldn't make them
So we had to break them
Words that we couldn't say

Sometimes baby
We make mistakes
Dark and hazy
Prices we pay

Faye reached clumsily for her drink and gulped it down, slamming the glass on the table, making Spike jump. "Whoa, Faye, you okay?" He asked. Faye nodded weakly and pulled out a cigarette. "You don't look so good." Spike commented, reaching forward and putting his hand on Faye's forehead. "Mm..no fever. Maybe we should get some fresh air." Spike suggested, standing up. Faye nodded and stood up, glancing back at Branston.


I sit here on my shelf
Just talking to myself
Words that we couldn't say

Someday maybe
We'll make it right
Until that day
Long endless nights

Faye followed Spike outside quickly, sighing deeply at the brisk evening air. After taking a few deep breaths, she felt better. "Told ya you'd feel better." Spike said, leaning against the wall of the lounge. Faye smiled and nodded. "I guess I should listen to you more often, huh?" she replied. Spike chuckled softly. "I keep telling people they'd be a lot better off if they'd just listen to me!" he said, putting his hands in his pockets.

"You ready to go back in?" Spike asked, looking down at Faye. "Uh, yeah, I guess so. Our food is probably done anyway." She said finally, pulling open the door of the lounge. Faye grimaced, for Branston was still onstage, singing that blasted song. Luckily, however, it was over. With the final strum of the strings, Branston winked at Faye before exiting the stage. Faye shivered as they sat back at their table, where their food was waiting. The two sat down and began eating, quite quickly, for they hadn't eaten since they were on Earth.

Faye ordered a few more shots of Midnight Sun while they were eating. "You're not going to get drunk are you?" Spike asked wearily. Faye looked up from her plate of seafood and noodles. "What do you mean?" She asked, tapping her plate with her fork. Spike eyed the plate of shots that had just been set down on the table. "You know what I mean. You're going to get drunk, and I'm going to have to carry you all the way back to the BeBop." He retorted. Faye chuckled slightly. "Ah, Spike, don't you worry about me. I can hold my fair share of liquor."

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Jet and Ed were eating at a kiddy-restaurant, much to Ed's delight. Every five minutes, she's run to the table, eat for a minute, then go back to playing, leaving Jet alone. "Cute kid." A woman at the next table over said. Jet looked over at the longhaired brunette and replied, "Thanks, but she's not mine." The woman smiled. "Sister? Niece? Cousin?" The woman asked. Jet shook his head three times. "Nope. We're just ship-mates." He said. The woman nodded. "Ah, I see. So where's your ship?" she asked

Jet smirked. "Up in space somewhere. My two friends decided to go do some ah..work since they didn't like Earth very much." He replied, not wanting to mention the whole bounty-hunter bit. "Oh, and they left you all alone to take care of" the woman said. "Ed." Jet said quickly. The woman raised an eyebrow. "Ed? Isn't that a boy's name?" She asked. Jet chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. But she named herself, so I guess it doesn't matter to her." He said, shifting in his seat to better see the woman.

"Oh my, I've forgotten to introduce myself! Sorry about that, my name's Daisy." The woman said, sticking out her hand. Jet shook it and said, "I'm Jet, Jet Black. Nice to meet you." Ed ran over to the table and jumped over Jet and Daisy to sit in her chair. "Did Jet make a new friend?" Ed asked, putting two french fries in the corners of her mouth. "Yeah, Ed, this is Daisy, Daisy this is-"

"Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky the fourth." Edward said, jumping up and sitting on the table. "Oh my, that's quite a long name." Daisy said as Ed swung her arms back and forth. "Edward made it up, isn't it cooool??" Ed said before hopping back over Jet and running back to play. Daisy giggled slightly as Jet ran his hand over his head. "We've been here for three hours, and she still hasn't finished eating yet." He sighed. Daisy smiled. "Well perhaps you and I could take a walk while Ed plays."

Jet blushed ever so slightly. "Uhsure, ok..I guess. I'll go let her know." He said, getting up and walking over to where Ed was currently hanging from the ceiling. "Hey Ed. Me and Daisy are gonna go for a walk, okay? Stay here and playand eat until we get back, ok?" Ed grinned widely. "Jet has a girlfriend! Jet has a girlfriend!" She sang, while hopping along the playing apparatus. Jet sighed deeply and pulled a cigarette to his mouth. "Kids can be so immature sometimes." He muttered.

Daisy smiled and followed Jet out of the restaurant. "So uh..you live here on Earth?" Jet asked, pulling the cigarette out of his mouth. "Yes, actually. I moved back into the house I grew up in. My parents are too old to make a living and need someone to take care of them and I wasn't about to let some stranger do it." Daisy replied, looking up at the sky. "I guess it's nice to have a permanent home, huh?" Jet remarked, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Sure, it's nice..but I can't imagine how your life has been. Flying around the galaxy, never knowing where the new day is going to take you."

Jet smiled. "You seem like an adventurous woman. How'd you like to visit my ship sometime? I'll take you anywhere you want to go." He offered, flicking some ash off of his cigarette. Daisy smiled and blushed slightly. "I don't know..I wouldn't want to leave my parents alone." She said softly. Jet sighed deeply and frowned. "Ohwell, if you ever change your mind, the offers always open." He said. They walked silently for a while before turning around and heading back to the restaurant.

There was a loud roar over head, and Jet barely had time to react when a meteorite crashed onto the Earth only a small distance in front of them. He turned and knocked Daisy to the floor, protecting her with his body as a shield. A few moments later, he opened his eyes. "Wowthat was close." Daisy whispered. Jet nodded and leaned back on his knees so she could get up. "Sorry 'bout that. Ah.." Jet stumbled, catching the scent of wild flowers. "Oh no, you shouldn't apologize! You saved my life!" Daisy exclaimed, dusting off her dress.

He could only blush as he helped her up. "Well what kind of a man would I be if I didn't?" he asked. Daisy smiled and took his hand in hers. "Not a very nice one." She replied. They looked at the crater that the meteorite made before heading back to the restaurant. "These meteorites are getting closer and closer to me each day." Daisy remarked, sounding worried. Jet smirked. "Another disadvantage to living on Earth. Spike and Faye were right..this is no vacation." He grumbled, placing a hand on his bald head.

"Who?" Daisy asked, apparently hearing Jet's grumblings. "Huh? Oh, ah, my other shipmates. They're the ones who decided to go into space, remember?" He said quickly. Daisy nodded. "Earth can be a fun placeat least that's what I remember. I moved to Mars when I was eighteen and wellI hadn't visited Earth since then. My parents weren't exactly thrilled about my running away, but they were glad to have me back." She said as the restaurant loomed into view. "So you ran away huh?" Jet remarked, tossing his burnt out cigarette into the street.

Daisy nodded. "Yep, over a man." Jet raised his eyebrows. "Oh really?" Daisy laughed slightly. "Yes, a man. Hegot me pregnant and when my parents found out, they went ballistic and refused to let me see him. I still loved him, so we moved to Mars together. Needless to say, it didn't work out." She explained as Jet pulled the door of the restaurant open. "I'm sorry to hear that." Jet said, although he really wasn't. It'd been a long time since he'd been with a lady. "After living on Mars, and after he left me, I realized that I couldn't support myself and a child alone, so I sent her to Earth."

They sat back at the tables and watched the children play. "She was so little when I sent her to Earth that she didn't know who I was when I came back. She just found out a day ago who I was, much to my parents dismay." Daisy continued. Jet sighed. "Did they tell her she was their daughter or.." Daisy nodded. "She believed themchildren always believe their parents. I think she hates me." Jet put his hand on Daisy's shoulder. "Now why do you think that?" He asked. Daisy covered her mouth and sobbed slightly.

"She's old enough to let her mind jump to conclusions-she yelled at me yesterday. She said that I abandoned her, and that I didn't love her..and that if I cared at all about her, I'd leave her alone." Jet frowned. "How old is she?" he asked. "Eleven..she's smart, though. My parents told me she's at the top of her class, and has been for years. Oh Jet, I don't know a damn thing about my own daughter!" Jet's eyes shifted to the side. He had no idea what to do. "Listen, DaisyI'm not sure how to handle these types of situations.." he stumbled.

Daisy slid into Jet's arms and cried silently. /How did I get myself into this mess?/


Back at the bar on Venus, Faye had downed around twenty shots and was mumbling many things that made Spike a tad nervous. There was another performer on stage, but Spike was quite bored. "Yuu know Shpike" Faye slurred, barely able to keep her eyes open. Spike turned his head slightly. "What?" he asked as Faye held a shot glass shakily in the air. "You're ::hic:: handsome, tough and don't take no shit from nobodythat's why I like ya Shhhhpike." She then proceeded to laugh uncontrollably, but managed to down a shot.

"Faye, you're drunk. Can we please leave now?" Spike asked impatiently. "Awwwain't you the cutest little peanut I never did.ever didsee." And with that, Faye slumped to the ground, bringing the table down with her. Spike cursed under his breath as all the glasses shattered on the floor. "Son of a bitch!" Spike spat, grabbing Faye off the floor. "Wait..hehe..waithehhe, wait!" Faye said, giggling slightly as Spike started to run out of the lounge. Faye tossed a couple of woolong at the bartender and whispered to Spike, "Now we're even."

Spike smirked and ran out of the lounge, being followed by a few people. "Hey you punk! Get back here!" Someone shouted. Spike only ran faster, wishing he had a gas grenade or something else that would slow down their pursuers. "Hey Spi~i~ike" Faye said, her voice bouncing as Spike's feet pounded the pavement. "Yeah, Faye?" Spike asked. "I love yo~u." Faye said, grinning from ear to ear, before passing out against Spike's shoulder.

SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY