COWBOY BEBOP- Strangers in the night
Faye Valentine sat at the bar of the cafe, sipping her espresso as she waited.
It was the most run-down cafe in the poorest section of Venus, not her first choice
for breakfast. But Faye wasn't here for the food, she was here for money. And any minute it
would come walking through the front door, she was sure of it. Faye frowned slightly as she
dumped more sugar into her espresso. "How is anyone supossed to stay awake with a weak drink
like this?" Faye whined, stirring it with a spoon. Faye watched the door as it opened, and saw a
portly little man waddle in. He was wearing green overalls, and an old hat with lettering
too faded to make out. Faye took another sip of her espresso, licking her lips as
the man waddled past her. He took a few nervous glances around the cafe, before slipping
into the bathroom. Faye stood up and followed him in, smirking as the waitress gave her an
odd look. Faye winked at her and drew her gun, letting the door close quietly behind her.
"Hands where I can see them, Walter Funeguen." Faye demanded, pressing her gun to
Walter's unsuspecting back. He shrieked in surprise as his hands shot up, making a mess
on the wall as he finished his buisiness. Faye frowned at the wall above the urinal, thinking
that perhaps she should have waited until he had come back out. "Hurry up and zip it!"
Faye shouted, pressing the gun against Walter harder. Walter did as he was told, shaking
nervously all the while. "What is this all about?" He questioned, his voice shaking with mock
ignorance. Faye smirked, motioning towards the door. "You and your brother really shouldn't
rob so many banks so quickly." Faye suggested, staying behind Walter as they walked back into
the cafe. "It makes you too easy to catch, you should try a little patience." Faye continued,
escorting Walter to the front door. Walter glared back at Faye briefly, spotting her cup
of espresso on the counter. The waitress was placing her bill under the saucer. "Fifteen
wulongs for one espresso? That's nuts!" Walter cried out, stopping suddenly.
Faye whirled around, and saw the check waiting for her. "You have GOT to be kidding!" She
screeched, snatching up the bill. Walter bolted for the door, as Faye glanced at the total.
It was only eight wulongs, she realized. Faye saw Walter run out the door and gave chase,
promisng the waitress she'd pay later as she sprinted out of the cafe.
Faye saw Walter disappear around a corner and hurried after him, cursing herself.
She knew everything costed too much, but huge bills still never failed to enrage her.
Money was her weakness, in more ways than one. But she'd have enough wulongs for
twenty espressos when she caught this bounty. Walter was huffing and sweating, trying
to get his large body over a fence. Faye got to him just as he tumbled over it,
firing two shots at where he had just been. "Damnit!" Faye shouted, vaulting over the fence
easily. Two trash cans were hurled at her, as Walter desperately tried to block her path.
Faye ducked under them and fired again, the bullet lodging into a wall as Walter crossed the
street. Cars swerved on either side of him as he reached the subway terminal.
Faye was hopping from one car to another, keeping Walter in her sight at all times.
She cursed under her breath as she saw where he was headed. She'd never catch him if
he got on one of those cars! She reached the sidewalk and fired twice more, grazing Walter's
leg as he stumbled down the stairs. He yelped in pain and tumbled down to the floor, rolling
to the side as Faye jumped the rest of the stairs. She landed in front of him, putting her foot
on his back as she caught her breath. "Thanks for the exercise, but you need it more than me."
Faye quiped, reaching for her handcuffs. Someone pushed her down, knocking her gun away.
Faye gasped and managed to land on her side, but Walter was gone. Whoever had shoved her was
helping him onto a subway car. Faye sprang to her feet, picking up her gun as she ran for the
car. It took off when she was still a good distance away, and all Faye could do was shoot
at it in blind anger. "Damnit all!!" She shouted, scowling. She could only assume that had been
Walter's brother, Reed.
Edward sat cross-legged on the floor of the observation room, looking over at Spike with one
eye open. Spike was sitting beside her, also cross-legged. He took a deep breath in through
his nose, then slowly let it out. Ed did the same, mimicking Spike perfectly.
"What do you see, Ed?" Spike asked, maintaining the slow breaths. "Edward sees Spike-person!"
She replied, studying him carefully. Spike opened his eyes sharply, glaring at Ed.
"You're supossed to keep your eyes closed Ed!" He chided, trying to hold onto his patience.
"That's the whole point of meditating!" Ed blinked, looking confused. "But if Ed keeps her eyes
closed, someone could sneak up on Ed!" She returned, darting her eyes around. Spike sighed
heavily, trying to make her understand. "If you're doing it right, you won't need your eyes to
see." Spike explained, knowing how confusing something like that must be for her.
"Ed doesn't need her eyes to see?" Ed questioned, scratching her head. Spike got up slowly,
eyeing Ed as she stood. "It's not seeing the world Ed, more like feeling the truth around you."
Spike continued, seeing that it was simply too early to start the philosophy lessons.
"The truth?" Ed questioned again, looking around for it. Spike nodded to her, holding his hand
out to her. Ed came closer, eyeing Spike's hand cautiously. A cigarette appeared between his
fingers, to Edward's amazement. "Spikey knows magic!" Ed exclaimed excitedly, grinning madly.
"Teach Edward how to do magic!" She demanded, jumping up and down. Spike smirked as he
placed the cigarette between his lips. "It's not magic Ed, just misdirection." Spike
corrected, holding his hand out again. Ed watched in delight as he flicked his thumb sharply,
suddenly a lit match was in Spike's grip. "Sometimes things aren't what they seem."
Spike explained, holding the flame to his cigg. Ed clapped and laughed happily, dancing around
him. "Misdirection? Show Ed!" She demanded again, flicking her thumbs rapidly. "Ed doesn't know
how!" Spike chuckled at her enthusiasm. Maybe she didn't understand some things, but was she
ever eager to learn.
Faye came into the rec room, dragging her feet and looking distraught. "Did you catch him?"
Jet asked from his seat, as he carefully gave each bonsai just the right amount of water.
Faye gave him a tired look that said she hadn't, nor did she want to discuss it.
Jet sighed and continued watering the plants, nodding slightly to himself.
Faye sat down heavily on the couch, leaning back as she lit a cigarette.
"Why does everything have to cost so much?" She said finally, frowning as she blew smoke.
Jet chuckled at that, knowing just what she meant. As bounties became larger, things got more
expensive. Jet guessed it was the world's way of maintaining balance.
"Where's Spike?" Jet inquired, glancing over at Faye. "How should I know?" She shot back,
feeling too tired and discouraged to go looking for him. "Well you are his girlfriend, right?
I need to talk to him." Jet returned, still focused on his bonsai. Faye glared at Jet angrily,
unhappy with his choice of words and the fact that he was trying to make her do something.
She didn't like the idea of being anyone's 'girlfreind' or 'woman'. She loved Spike, and he knew
it. There was no need for annoying little pet names. "Why don't you go find him then?" Faye
suggested, still glaring. I'm busy." Jet replied simply, not looking up from the plants.
Faye sighed heavily, deciding Spike would show up on his own at some point. He always did, even
when he was supossed to be dead. The room was enjoyably quiet for a few minutes, then Jet spoke
again still not looking up from his work. "He might be off with some hussy, better go find
him." Jet teased, the slightest bit of humor in his voice. Faye's eyebrow twitched, as her gun
came out. A single shot rang out as a bullet grazed one of the bonsai. "Shit Faye!" Jet
exclaimed angrily. "Might want to give that one a little more water Jet, it looks unhealthy."
Faye teased, smirking evily as she went to find Spike. Jet's muttering could be heard as she
started down the hallway, feeling that they were even now. Faye peeked into the observation
room, and saw Spike and Edward going through one of his many routines. Ed was improving, even
she could see that. It was strange to see all of Ed's manic energy focused on something, she was
amazed Spike hadn't given up yet. "Oh look, it's clumsy monkey and his faithful apprentice."
Faye called from the doorway, grinning as Spike faltered. Edward didn't miss a step, as she
turned and waved happily to Faye. Spike eyed Faye sarcastically, smirking in spite of himself.
His eyes suggested he was about to get her back, as Ed finished the moves. "Come here, Ed."
Spike called, walking over to Faye. He stopped in front of her as Ed ran over, watching Spike
closely from behind Faye. "Time for a lesson." Spike told Ed, smirking wider at Faye. "What are
you gonna do.." Faye asked slowly, backing away. Edward was behind her though, there was no
escape. "Pay close attention Ed." Spike said, holding Faye gently. "Spike..?" Faye squeaked,
before Spike gave her a kiss full on the lips. Ed paid close attention, grinning as Spike
withdrew. Faye was turning several shades of red, and trying her best to hide it. "Faye-Faye is
red-red like a tomato!" Ed exclaimed, laughing as Faye scowled at her. Spike turned back to Ed,
showing her what was in his hand. Ed and Faye both looked curiously, as Faye's glock was
in Spike's grip. "Now, you see how Faye was so distracted, she didn't even realize I took her
gun?" Spike asked Ed, who nodded as she grinned. "That's misdirection." Spike explained,
smirking wide as Faye's eyebrow twitched. "Jet wants to talk to you, lunkhead." Faye countered,
still trying to hide her face.
Jet was still nuturing his bonsai, as Spike came into the rec room. He muttered a greeting to
Spike as he finished clipping, and set the shears down. "What's up Jet?" Spike inquired,
stretching out on the couch. "Got a bounty." Jet replied, making some last minute nitpicks over
the bonsai plants. "Ah, I suspected as much. So let's hear it." Spike replied sarcastically.
Jet eyed Spike as he got up, fighting off his urge to lecture. "For someone so eager, you sure
took long enough getting down here." Jet pointed out, bringing up the file on his computer.
Spike peered at the screen, lighting a smoke as the picture loaded. "That's HIM!!" Faye
shrieked, pointing at the screen from the doorway. Spike almost fell off the couch in surprise,
regaining his balance at the last second. "Who?" Jet asked, alarmed at Faye's sudden outburst.
"Walter Funeguen! I almost caught him today!" Faye continued, her voice getting louder with
every word. Jet's jaw dropped as he stared at Faye. "You did?" Jet asked, not believing
Faye had gotten to a bounty before they did. "Yeah! I had him too, until his scumbag brother
came along and.." Jet's eyes widened and his voice boomed over Faye's. "You mean you had both
Funeguen brothers right there and you let them get away?!" Spike winced at the noise, covering
his ears with his hair. Faye was at a loss for an explanition. She wasn't about to tell
them how Walter had gotten away from her. "The bounty's triple if you catch them both Faye!"
Jet continued, too shocked to be angry. Faye's eyes widened this time, as she realized just how
badly she'd screwed up earlier. She looked at the bounty file, 30,000 wulongs times three was 90
thousand wulongs! Faye sunk into the couch, as Spike quickly moved his feet. "I could have had
them.." Faye sighed, looking extremely depressed. Spike slowly sat up, smirking. "We'll get them
don't worry." He offered, giving Faye a nod. She lightened up a bit, but was still down on
herself. She'd fallen for such an old trick, after having caught him so easily.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Jet put in, looking at his two lazy partners. "There's only one
bank on Venus they haven't hit, you guys." Faye's eyes lit up a bit, as she realized she knew
where that bank was. "They were on a subway car when I lost them." Faye said, thinking only
of the money they'd get. Jet's eyes lit up as well, as he brough up the subway plans.
"That track's incomplete, there's only one place they could've gone from there." Jet announced,
as the computer gave possible places the brothers could be hiding.
"Shit, there's a hundred places to hide in that area.." Jet grumbled, his enthusiasm draining
away. Faye studied the screen, thinking back. That section of Venus was really crummy,
most of the streets on the west side were being repaired or blocked off. Faye remembered that
she had seen Walter come in from the east side, and had run out that way too.
"I'm sure they must be in the east side of that town." Faye said suddenly, looking over Jet's
shoulder as he eliminated the places on the west side. "And they'd need somplace big." Spike
put in, standing up. "Someplace they could hide that huge truck they keep making getaways in."
Jet nodded, eliminating more buildings. Faye thought back some more, the letters on the hat
Walter wore, had been illegible. But the overalls had been from a laundry service.
"He was wearing overalls from some laundry place." Faye offered, as Jet eliminated more
places. "There's two around there, any idea which one it is?" Jet asked, as Faye and Spike
crowded in over his shoulers. "None whatsoever." Faye admitted, hanging her head. "Then we go to
both." Spike suggested, walking towards the door. Edward came running in, begging to come along.
Her gun was shining in it's holster, also begging for some action. "Sure Ed, you can come." Jet
assured her, wondering how long it would take for him to regret his decision.
Spike was staking out the street to the east, while Jet was inside the bar asking about the
brothers. Spike looked across the street as Faye tried to keep Edward under control. Ed had
spotted lolipops for sale, and refused to leave without one. Spike smirked and shook his head,
looking at the spiffy clean laundry service to his right. The other laundry service was
up a few blocks, but they had spotted no trucks parked there. Spike gazed at the laundry truck
just barely visible from one of spiffy clean's windows. Anyone who wasn't looking for a truck
wouldn't even see it. If Faye hadn't remembered the overalls, they would never have found
the place. Faye finally gave up and decided to buy a grape lolipop for Ed, as well as a cherry
for herself. They waited there across the street, as Jet finished talking with the bartender.
Ed was licking the lolipop noisily, as she watched people walk by. A small boy with vivid
streaks of purple in his black hair passed her, giving Ed a long glance. Edward stared back,
feeling something strange inside her. She looked up at Faye, who was taking small licks from her
lolipop. She flicked her tongue after each lick, her eyes slightly narrowed with one eyebrow
cocked. Edward mimicked Faye's method of eating a lolipop as she followed the boy. He took
a few nervous glances back, seeing Ed behind him each time. Spike saw Ed leave Faye alone,
and wondered where she could be going. Spike shrugged his shoulers at Faye, who shrugged hers
back at him. Spike took a peek in the bar, saw that Jet was coming out. Which meant he was free
to follow Edward. Spike crossed the street, curiously turning the corner Ed had disappeared
around. Faye was behind him, eyeing him curiously. "Where'd Ed go?" Spike asked, thinking she
might have informed Faye of where she was heading. "I don't know, she was right here with me a
second ago." Faye answered, not very worried. Ed was extremely self-reliant, especially now.
Spike's curiousity got the better of him, as he kept walking down the street. He knew catching
and holding Edward's attention was a difficult thing, she had to have seen something pretty
amazing. Spike turned a corner and stopped short. There was Ed, sitting on an old bench with
another kid. He couldn't have been older than twelve, Spike was guessing ten.
Edward was sharing her lolipop with him, and staring at the kid in a really weird way. Really
weird for Ed at least. She was watching the kid's every move, and everything he said seemed
to strike Edward as funny. The little guy had dark black hair almost as big as Spike's,
augmented by painfully bright streaks of purple. He was wearing tattered green pants and
a white shirt riddled with holes. Spike covered his mouth to stop the laughter, as Ed and
her new freind went for the lolipop at the same time. Their hands touched as Ed grinned
shyly, scratching her head. The kid was doing the exact same thing, his grin almost as manic
as Ed's own. Spike got in inkling as to why Ed had run off, although the idea was almost
inconcievable. Faye tapped Spike's shoulder, coming up behind him curiously. Spike turned back
around the corner, as Faye gave him questioning eyes. "Didya find Ed?" She asked, looking
confused as Spike motioned for her to be quiet. He pointed around the corner, peering back
around it with Faye close behind. Spike almost broke out with laughter again, as Faye could only
stare. Edward was holding the kid's hand, her cheeks redder than usual. They looked at each
other in perfect harmony, and the kid leaned towards Ed. "Oh my.." Was all Faye could say, as
Edward received her first kiss.
"What's with you two?" Jet's gruff voice asked, as Spike and Faye ducked back behind the
corner. Jet was standing there, hands on his hips and giving the two a critcal stare.
"We have to get moving people, where's Edward?" Jet asked again, as Spike grinned and
pointed. Jet peeked around the corner, and almost lost his balance from shock.
He stood agape as Ed kissed some little kid with purple and black hair. Their hands were
stuck together by what was left of the lolipop. Spike realized that's what must have been
so funny to her, as he peered out at the scene again. Faye was close behind.
"Edward!!" Jet barked, storming over to the two of them. Spike's eyes went wide, as he
realized how that must have lookd to Jet. Along with the adopted father gig, came the
paranoia and constant worry that the kid might mess their life up if they're left unwatched.
Ed looked up, blushing as Jet eyed her and her friend. "Jet-person!" She cried, grinning
and laughing sheepishly as Spike and Faye came up to join the scene.
"Ramses, this is Jet-person, Spikey and Faye-Faye! They are Ed's family!" Ed introduced,
pointing to each of them in turn. "I'm, uh..pleased to meet meet you all?" Ramses stuttered,
grinning just as sheepishly as Ed and shaking Jet's metal hand. Jet pursed his lips, looking
from Ed to Ramses and back to Ed. "What are you two doing?" Jet asked, his gruff voice sounding
very un-friendly. "Edward loves Ramses!" Ed exclaimed, hugging Ramses tightly.
Spike couldn't hold the laughter back this time, as Faye giggled with him. It really was
a funny scene, with Edward and what seemed to be her very first boyfriend, and Jet standing over
the two like a protective papa bear. "WHAT!" Jet said, his eyes bulging as his temper rose.
"Oh man, we better intervene." Spike suggested to Faye, stepping between Jet and the kids.
Faye walked around them to Ed, standing over her and smiling a bit. "Love, huh?" Faye asked
Edward. Ed grinned and nodded, still holding Ramses. Ramses looked like he was
having trouble breathing. "Kid, Ramses, whatever your name is. Get LOST." Jet commanded,
glaring at the boy as Ed hugged him tighter. Ramses was most definetely having trouble
breathing, Faye saw. "Don't be mad, Jet-person! Ramses is Ed's cowboy!" Spike took Ed's arms
gently away from Ramses, allowing the poor kid to breathe. Ed looked worried as Faye assured her
it would be alright. Ramses swallowed hard before standing up on the bench, Even with the
added height he was an insect comaprd to Jet's girth, and Jet glared down at him as such.
"So your name's Jet Jet? A pleasure to meet you sir, my name name is Ramses!" Ramses
announced, holding out a sticky hand. "He's polite." Spike pointed out, trying to inch Jet
away from the two. "Such a little gentleman." Faye added, trying to soften Jet up.
"He's a punk." Jet returned gruffly, looking the kid over. "Just look at his hair." Spike
took light offense to that, glancing up at his own greenish-brown hair.
"Ed thinks it's pretty! Ramses is Ed's cowboy!" Edward defended, standing up on the bench
beside Ramses. "Your cowboy, huh?" Jet said dryly, looking at Faye. His face suggested this was
all because of her influence. Faye looked back innocently, shrugging her shoulders.
Ramses could tell he wasn't going to win against Jet, and looked to Edward. "I should should
be on my way, Ed." Ramses told her regretfully. "Ed wants you to stay!" Edward pleaded,
glaring at Jet. It was the angriest Spike had ever seen her, and he knew just how Jet would
take it. "She is fifteen, after all Jet." Faye defended, looking at the couple. They really
did look cute together, although the oppsing speech impedements made her head hurt.
Jet glared at Faye, as if suggesting fifteen was old enough had been as bad as calling the bebop
an old rustbucket. "Ed, when we get back to the ship you and I are going to have a little talk."
Jet warned, looking back at Ramses. "And didn't I say to get lost?" Jet repeated, clenching
his fist. Ramses shrunk under the harsh words, frowning as he looked from Ed to Jet.
Spike decided someone had to keep Jet from killing the poor kid, and pulled Jet forcefully
aside. Faye took the chance and led Ed and Ramses away from the two men. "Is Jet mad at
Edward?" Ed asked worriedly, frowning as she held Ramses' hand. Faye held her head for a moment,
not knowing what to make of the whole mess.
Spike and Jet glared at each other, toe to toe. Spike was intent on defending Ed the best he
could, but Jet seemed unwaivering in his opinion. "Look Jet," Spike began, as Jet kept
glaring. "She's fifteen, she's learning how to shoot a gun and catch bounties just like the rest
of us. And she's a genius, or insane, maybe both. She's different from most people, she
doesn't understand a lot of how things are. I think it's good she found someone she can relate
to, don't you?" Jet's eyes narrowed as he answered, his glare getting more severe.
"Spike, she has no idea who that kid might be, and neither do I. Yes I agree she needs someone
to relate to, but thre's Ein.." Spike sighed heavily, cutting into Jet's repsonse. "Ein is a
DOG, Jet. She can't grow up and marry a dog, the dog can't teach her how to live happy and find
what she wants in life. Besides, there's no harm in them being friends." Jet grinned a bit, but
not because he agreed. "Oh I see," Jet countered. "So we're friends right Spike-o? Can I have a
kiss?" Jet asked, leaning closer, the grin getting wider. Spike stepped back and frowned, seeing
his point. "Ok, so they're more than just freinds, but so what? Ed's never been treated as kid
with us and you know it. She's proved herself to be just as capable as any adult, you can't
just start telling her what she can and can't do now." Spike didn't know why he was fighting so
hard, he wasn't one to stick his neck out so far. But he cherished freedom above all else, and
that was all Ed was asking for. Jet thought for a minute, never hearing Spike defend something
quite this strongly before. He looked back over at Ed, who was holding Ramses hand and looking
worried. Had he caused that? Had everything really been ok until he'd come storming in?
And Ramses, he was still standing right there. Even after being threatened by a man as large and
imposing as Jet was. He had guts, that was apparent. "He's not coming back to the ship.."
Jet grumbled, giving way slowly. Spike nodded in agreement, wanting double of Ed's special blend
of insanity and annoyance about as much as a shaved head.
Faye looked over at the laundry building, gritting her teeth as the truck sped away.
"Jet, Spike!" She cried, pointing. Spike looked over just in time to see the truck disppear.
"If they get away this time.." Jet started, frowning. "That's the last bank on Venus, they'll
just sit back and retire." Spike finished, sighing heavily. Jet came over to Faye, giving Ramses
one last look, then smiling slightly at Ed. "Sorry I overreacted, Edward." Ed's eyes lit up
as she grinned. "So Edward can be Ramses' cowgirl?" Edward asked excitedly, hugging Ramses
again. Jet sighed at the term she chose to use, but he knew Spike was right. Ed was no ordinary
teenager, and everything she heard and saw was a result of her being with them.
"We have to get them before they hit the bank." Faye said simply, as Jet nodded.
Reed was holding two handguns on the people, as Walter blew open the safe. Just this one last
job, then they'd be living it up. The police were surrounding the bank, but Reed wasn't worried.
Walter had set a large number of explosives as they had come in. The police were out there
because they didn't dare send someone in past all those mines. "Here's the plan." Jet informed
the crew. Ed was riding in the Redtail, while Ramses was in the Hammerhead with Jet.
Spike and Faye had agreed that it would be a good chance for them to 'bond'.
Jet wasn't happy about it, but Ramses was a little less chatty than Ed. He was peering out at
the scene, his face stoic. "Faye, you stand guard outside in case they run for it." Jet ordered.
"I'll hold off the police while we nab them." Jet continued, surveying the bank. The police were
out in force, but Jet knew all their moves for a situation like this. It'd be easy to buy them
enough time. "Do we have to have a plan? Let's just go for it." Spike suggested, sounding
extremely bored. "Oh, you'll like this plan Spike." Jet assured his partner. "You get to run in
and grab the bounties." Spike's outlook brightened a bit. "A run through the gauntlet huh?"
Spike mused. "How exciting. It's just that when you have a plan things go wrong, if you just do
it you can plan as you go." Spike's reply made Jet chuckle, as if his bullheaded stunts didn't
cause most of the problems in their plans. "But how do we know where the mines are?" Faye asked,
sounding skeptical. "We don't, that's just it." Jet said solemnly. "Good luck Spike." He added,
hoping Spike used his head just this once. "Ed can see them!" Ed announced, wiggling her bare
toes as she fiddled with her laptop. "You can?" Jet asked, a bit shocked. With all the repairs
going on around this area, there were explosives all over for demolition. "Those are just the
charges for the road work, Ed." Jet corrected, as Ramses leaned over to the radio. "Ed, can can
you send the images to to Jet's ship?" Jet looked at Ramses, surprised at his sudden action.
"Ed can! Ramses knows which bombs are good and which are bad?" Ed replied, sounding impressed
herself. "Sure sure, I know all kinds of bombs Edward!" Ramses replied cheerfully. Jet blinked,
suspecting the kid even more now. How could a ten year old kid know so much about explosives?
"Ramses is a genius! Ed loves Ramses!" Ed's voice chimed over the radio. Jet frowned, reminding
himself to have that talk with Ed later. But if the kid could do it, Spike would get in a lot
easier. Theromographics came on the Hammerhead's screen, showing a ton of buried mines around
the bank. Ramses studied each one carefully. "I'm goin in." Spike informed them, landing
the Swordfish nearby. Jet landed as well, jumping out as policemen swamped over to him.
It was time to start spinning stories. Spike took his headset from the cockpit, putting it on as
he headed towards the bank. It was twilight, he realized. He could barely see anything. "Talk to
me kid." Spike ordered, as Ramses' voice crackled over the headphones. "There's one to your
right!" Ramses' shouted, as Spike lept to the left and kept running. "About three steps ahead!"
Ramses called again, as Spike lept over it. "Left and right! Two more up ahead!" Ramses called,
as Spike jumped, spun in the air and landed sideways. "How far ahead?" Spike asked,
feeling like a rat in a maze. "One one right in front of you, two more about a yard yard away!"
Ramses answered, as Spike deftly hopped past them. "One next to the door and you're clear!"
Ramses called, as Spike grabbed the front of the doorway, swinging in through a window.
Reed was right in front of him, and turned the handguns on Spike. Walter saw Spike crash in
and ran out the back, taking the money with him. Spike diarmed the thin Reed with a few swift
kicks, then took off after Walter. Spike was almost blown off his feet as thursters roared.
The truck's sides has fallen away, revealing a zip craft inside. Walter was in the cokcpit,
waving as he flew the craft away.
"Shit, Faye! Walter's in a zip craft heading south!" Spike yelled into his comm. unit, getting
back into the bank just as Reed attempted to take a hosatge. Spike vaulted the counter and
puhched Reed's face down to the floor. "Let's not make things complicated, Reed." Spike quiped
as Faye's voice came over the comm. unit. "I've got him in my sights!" She shouted, obviously
miffed that Walter evaded her once already. "Just don't kill him, Faye." Spike cautioned.
Faye put the Redtail neck and neck with the slower craft, and rammed it a few times. Walter
was forced to land as Faye gave him a grin. Spike circled around the back of the bank,
as Jet ran out of stories to tell the police chief. "I don't care if you are some special
unit, you're interferring with police buisiness!" The chief roared at Jet. Jet shrugged as he
backed away, setting off two flash grenades as he put on sunglasses. The police were blinded
just long enough for the Hammerhead and Swordfish to take off, flying out of sight as the
police chief were left with no situation to screw up.
Jet was sitting outside a diner on Ganymede, taking nervous looks inside. Faye was inside as
well, using some of Jet's share of the ninety thousand to buy Ed and Ramses lunch.
Jet had refused to go in with them, but insisted that Faye go in and use his money to buy them
lunch. He felt rather silly, sitting outside while Edward was having her first date. But he
wasn't sure his temper would hold if he were to see what they were doing. Spike walked by,
taking a moment to study Jet sitting on a wodden crate before he crouched beside him.
"They'll be fine, Faye's in there with them." Spike assured Jet, who only frowned and sighed.
"That doesn't make me feel any better, Spike." Jet answered, taking out a cigarette.
"Ed thanks you for the ring!" Edward's voice exclaimed from inside the diner. Jet sprang to his
feet, scowling madly. "Onion rings, Jet." Spike explained, clapping a hand on Jet's shoulder.
Jet looked at Spike, who smirked back, amused. He slowly sat back down, lighting the cigg and
smoking furiously. Spike chuckled at his friend, and hoped someday he'd loosen up. But having
Jet as he was balanced the rest of them out anyways. Someone had to keep a cool head, after all.
PUPPY LOVE..............................................
JET:*blushes* Why are you all staring at me like that?
FAYE: No reason.
SPIKE: I just think it's neat you can turn colors.
ED: Ed thinks red is pretty!
JET: Would you guys back off! It's not like that..
SPIKE: You're right, it's worse.
JET: Spike! You're being obnoxious!
FAYE: Next episode, Old timer's Waltz.
JET: I'm NOT old!
Faye Valentine sat at the bar of the cafe, sipping her espresso as she waited.
It was the most run-down cafe in the poorest section of Venus, not her first choice
for breakfast. But Faye wasn't here for the food, she was here for money. And any minute it
would come walking through the front door, she was sure of it. Faye frowned slightly as she
dumped more sugar into her espresso. "How is anyone supossed to stay awake with a weak drink
like this?" Faye whined, stirring it with a spoon. Faye watched the door as it opened, and saw a
portly little man waddle in. He was wearing green overalls, and an old hat with lettering
too faded to make out. Faye took another sip of her espresso, licking her lips as
the man waddled past her. He took a few nervous glances around the cafe, before slipping
into the bathroom. Faye stood up and followed him in, smirking as the waitress gave her an
odd look. Faye winked at her and drew her gun, letting the door close quietly behind her.
"Hands where I can see them, Walter Funeguen." Faye demanded, pressing her gun to
Walter's unsuspecting back. He shrieked in surprise as his hands shot up, making a mess
on the wall as he finished his buisiness. Faye frowned at the wall above the urinal, thinking
that perhaps she should have waited until he had come back out. "Hurry up and zip it!"
Faye shouted, pressing the gun against Walter harder. Walter did as he was told, shaking
nervously all the while. "What is this all about?" He questioned, his voice shaking with mock
ignorance. Faye smirked, motioning towards the door. "You and your brother really shouldn't
rob so many banks so quickly." Faye suggested, staying behind Walter as they walked back into
the cafe. "It makes you too easy to catch, you should try a little patience." Faye continued,
escorting Walter to the front door. Walter glared back at Faye briefly, spotting her cup
of espresso on the counter. The waitress was placing her bill under the saucer. "Fifteen
wulongs for one espresso? That's nuts!" Walter cried out, stopping suddenly.
Faye whirled around, and saw the check waiting for her. "You have GOT to be kidding!" She
screeched, snatching up the bill. Walter bolted for the door, as Faye glanced at the total.
It was only eight wulongs, she realized. Faye saw Walter run out the door and gave chase,
promisng the waitress she'd pay later as she sprinted out of the cafe.
Faye saw Walter disappear around a corner and hurried after him, cursing herself.
She knew everything costed too much, but huge bills still never failed to enrage her.
Money was her weakness, in more ways than one. But she'd have enough wulongs for
twenty espressos when she caught this bounty. Walter was huffing and sweating, trying
to get his large body over a fence. Faye got to him just as he tumbled over it,
firing two shots at where he had just been. "Damnit!" Faye shouted, vaulting over the fence
easily. Two trash cans were hurled at her, as Walter desperately tried to block her path.
Faye ducked under them and fired again, the bullet lodging into a wall as Walter crossed the
street. Cars swerved on either side of him as he reached the subway terminal.
Faye was hopping from one car to another, keeping Walter in her sight at all times.
She cursed under her breath as she saw where he was headed. She'd never catch him if
he got on one of those cars! She reached the sidewalk and fired twice more, grazing Walter's
leg as he stumbled down the stairs. He yelped in pain and tumbled down to the floor, rolling
to the side as Faye jumped the rest of the stairs. She landed in front of him, putting her foot
on his back as she caught her breath. "Thanks for the exercise, but you need it more than me."
Faye quiped, reaching for her handcuffs. Someone pushed her down, knocking her gun away.
Faye gasped and managed to land on her side, but Walter was gone. Whoever had shoved her was
helping him onto a subway car. Faye sprang to her feet, picking up her gun as she ran for the
car. It took off when she was still a good distance away, and all Faye could do was shoot
at it in blind anger. "Damnit all!!" She shouted, scowling. She could only assume that had been
Walter's brother, Reed.
Edward sat cross-legged on the floor of the observation room, looking over at Spike with one
eye open. Spike was sitting beside her, also cross-legged. He took a deep breath in through
his nose, then slowly let it out. Ed did the same, mimicking Spike perfectly.
"What do you see, Ed?" Spike asked, maintaining the slow breaths. "Edward sees Spike-person!"
She replied, studying him carefully. Spike opened his eyes sharply, glaring at Ed.
"You're supossed to keep your eyes closed Ed!" He chided, trying to hold onto his patience.
"That's the whole point of meditating!" Ed blinked, looking confused. "But if Ed keeps her eyes
closed, someone could sneak up on Ed!" She returned, darting her eyes around. Spike sighed
heavily, trying to make her understand. "If you're doing it right, you won't need your eyes to
see." Spike explained, knowing how confusing something like that must be for her.
"Ed doesn't need her eyes to see?" Ed questioned, scratching her head. Spike got up slowly,
eyeing Ed as she stood. "It's not seeing the world Ed, more like feeling the truth around you."
Spike continued, seeing that it was simply too early to start the philosophy lessons.
"The truth?" Ed questioned again, looking around for it. Spike nodded to her, holding his hand
out to her. Ed came closer, eyeing Spike's hand cautiously. A cigarette appeared between his
fingers, to Edward's amazement. "Spikey knows magic!" Ed exclaimed excitedly, grinning madly.
"Teach Edward how to do magic!" She demanded, jumping up and down. Spike smirked as he
placed the cigarette between his lips. "It's not magic Ed, just misdirection." Spike
corrected, holding his hand out again. Ed watched in delight as he flicked his thumb sharply,
suddenly a lit match was in Spike's grip. "Sometimes things aren't what they seem."
Spike explained, holding the flame to his cigg. Ed clapped and laughed happily, dancing around
him. "Misdirection? Show Ed!" She demanded again, flicking her thumbs rapidly. "Ed doesn't know
how!" Spike chuckled at her enthusiasm. Maybe she didn't understand some things, but was she
ever eager to learn.
Faye came into the rec room, dragging her feet and looking distraught. "Did you catch him?"
Jet asked from his seat, as he carefully gave each bonsai just the right amount of water.
Faye gave him a tired look that said she hadn't, nor did she want to discuss it.
Jet sighed and continued watering the plants, nodding slightly to himself.
Faye sat down heavily on the couch, leaning back as she lit a cigarette.
"Why does everything have to cost so much?" She said finally, frowning as she blew smoke.
Jet chuckled at that, knowing just what she meant. As bounties became larger, things got more
expensive. Jet guessed it was the world's way of maintaining balance.
"Where's Spike?" Jet inquired, glancing over at Faye. "How should I know?" She shot back,
feeling too tired and discouraged to go looking for him. "Well you are his girlfriend, right?
I need to talk to him." Jet returned, still focused on his bonsai. Faye glared at Jet angrily,
unhappy with his choice of words and the fact that he was trying to make her do something.
She didn't like the idea of being anyone's 'girlfreind' or 'woman'. She loved Spike, and he knew
it. There was no need for annoying little pet names. "Why don't you go find him then?" Faye
suggested, still glaring. I'm busy." Jet replied simply, not looking up from the plants.
Faye sighed heavily, deciding Spike would show up on his own at some point. He always did, even
when he was supossed to be dead. The room was enjoyably quiet for a few minutes, then Jet spoke
again still not looking up from his work. "He might be off with some hussy, better go find
him." Jet teased, the slightest bit of humor in his voice. Faye's eyebrow twitched, as her gun
came out. A single shot rang out as a bullet grazed one of the bonsai. "Shit Faye!" Jet
exclaimed angrily. "Might want to give that one a little more water Jet, it looks unhealthy."
Faye teased, smirking evily as she went to find Spike. Jet's muttering could be heard as she
started down the hallway, feeling that they were even now. Faye peeked into the observation
room, and saw Spike and Edward going through one of his many routines. Ed was improving, even
she could see that. It was strange to see all of Ed's manic energy focused on something, she was
amazed Spike hadn't given up yet. "Oh look, it's clumsy monkey and his faithful apprentice."
Faye called from the doorway, grinning as Spike faltered. Edward didn't miss a step, as she
turned and waved happily to Faye. Spike eyed Faye sarcastically, smirking in spite of himself.
His eyes suggested he was about to get her back, as Ed finished the moves. "Come here, Ed."
Spike called, walking over to Faye. He stopped in front of her as Ed ran over, watching Spike
closely from behind Faye. "Time for a lesson." Spike told Ed, smirking wider at Faye. "What are
you gonna do.." Faye asked slowly, backing away. Edward was behind her though, there was no
escape. "Pay close attention Ed." Spike said, holding Faye gently. "Spike..?" Faye squeaked,
before Spike gave her a kiss full on the lips. Ed paid close attention, grinning as Spike
withdrew. Faye was turning several shades of red, and trying her best to hide it. "Faye-Faye is
red-red like a tomato!" Ed exclaimed, laughing as Faye scowled at her. Spike turned back to Ed,
showing her what was in his hand. Ed and Faye both looked curiously, as Faye's glock was
in Spike's grip. "Now, you see how Faye was so distracted, she didn't even realize I took her
gun?" Spike asked Ed, who nodded as she grinned. "That's misdirection." Spike explained,
smirking wide as Faye's eyebrow twitched. "Jet wants to talk to you, lunkhead." Faye countered,
still trying to hide her face.
Jet was still nuturing his bonsai, as Spike came into the rec room. He muttered a greeting to
Spike as he finished clipping, and set the shears down. "What's up Jet?" Spike inquired,
stretching out on the couch. "Got a bounty." Jet replied, making some last minute nitpicks over
the bonsai plants. "Ah, I suspected as much. So let's hear it." Spike replied sarcastically.
Jet eyed Spike as he got up, fighting off his urge to lecture. "For someone so eager, you sure
took long enough getting down here." Jet pointed out, bringing up the file on his computer.
Spike peered at the screen, lighting a smoke as the picture loaded. "That's HIM!!" Faye
shrieked, pointing at the screen from the doorway. Spike almost fell off the couch in surprise,
regaining his balance at the last second. "Who?" Jet asked, alarmed at Faye's sudden outburst.
"Walter Funeguen! I almost caught him today!" Faye continued, her voice getting louder with
every word. Jet's jaw dropped as he stared at Faye. "You did?" Jet asked, not believing
Faye had gotten to a bounty before they did. "Yeah! I had him too, until his scumbag brother
came along and.." Jet's eyes widened and his voice boomed over Faye's. "You mean you had both
Funeguen brothers right there and you let them get away?!" Spike winced at the noise, covering
his ears with his hair. Faye was at a loss for an explanition. She wasn't about to tell
them how Walter had gotten away from her. "The bounty's triple if you catch them both Faye!"
Jet continued, too shocked to be angry. Faye's eyes widened this time, as she realized just how
badly she'd screwed up earlier. She looked at the bounty file, 30,000 wulongs times three was 90
thousand wulongs! Faye sunk into the couch, as Spike quickly moved his feet. "I could have had
them.." Faye sighed, looking extremely depressed. Spike slowly sat up, smirking. "We'll get them
don't worry." He offered, giving Faye a nod. She lightened up a bit, but was still down on
herself. She'd fallen for such an old trick, after having caught him so easily.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Jet put in, looking at his two lazy partners. "There's only one
bank on Venus they haven't hit, you guys." Faye's eyes lit up a bit, as she realized she knew
where that bank was. "They were on a subway car when I lost them." Faye said, thinking only
of the money they'd get. Jet's eyes lit up as well, as he brough up the subway plans.
"That track's incomplete, there's only one place they could've gone from there." Jet announced,
as the computer gave possible places the brothers could be hiding.
"Shit, there's a hundred places to hide in that area.." Jet grumbled, his enthusiasm draining
away. Faye studied the screen, thinking back. That section of Venus was really crummy,
most of the streets on the west side were being repaired or blocked off. Faye remembered that
she had seen Walter come in from the east side, and had run out that way too.
"I'm sure they must be in the east side of that town." Faye said suddenly, looking over Jet's
shoulder as he eliminated the places on the west side. "And they'd need somplace big." Spike
put in, standing up. "Someplace they could hide that huge truck they keep making getaways in."
Jet nodded, eliminating more buildings. Faye thought back some more, the letters on the hat
Walter wore, had been illegible. But the overalls had been from a laundry service.
"He was wearing overalls from some laundry place." Faye offered, as Jet eliminated more
places. "There's two around there, any idea which one it is?" Jet asked, as Faye and Spike
crowded in over his shoulers. "None whatsoever." Faye admitted, hanging her head. "Then we go to
both." Spike suggested, walking towards the door. Edward came running in, begging to come along.
Her gun was shining in it's holster, also begging for some action. "Sure Ed, you can come." Jet
assured her, wondering how long it would take for him to regret his decision.
Spike was staking out the street to the east, while Jet was inside the bar asking about the
brothers. Spike looked across the street as Faye tried to keep Edward under control. Ed had
spotted lolipops for sale, and refused to leave without one. Spike smirked and shook his head,
looking at the spiffy clean laundry service to his right. The other laundry service was
up a few blocks, but they had spotted no trucks parked there. Spike gazed at the laundry truck
just barely visible from one of spiffy clean's windows. Anyone who wasn't looking for a truck
wouldn't even see it. If Faye hadn't remembered the overalls, they would never have found
the place. Faye finally gave up and decided to buy a grape lolipop for Ed, as well as a cherry
for herself. They waited there across the street, as Jet finished talking with the bartender.
Ed was licking the lolipop noisily, as she watched people walk by. A small boy with vivid
streaks of purple in his black hair passed her, giving Ed a long glance. Edward stared back,
feeling something strange inside her. She looked up at Faye, who was taking small licks from her
lolipop. She flicked her tongue after each lick, her eyes slightly narrowed with one eyebrow
cocked. Edward mimicked Faye's method of eating a lolipop as she followed the boy. He took
a few nervous glances back, seeing Ed behind him each time. Spike saw Ed leave Faye alone,
and wondered where she could be going. Spike shrugged his shoulers at Faye, who shrugged hers
back at him. Spike took a peek in the bar, saw that Jet was coming out. Which meant he was free
to follow Edward. Spike crossed the street, curiously turning the corner Ed had disappeared
around. Faye was behind him, eyeing him curiously. "Where'd Ed go?" Spike asked, thinking she
might have informed Faye of where she was heading. "I don't know, she was right here with me a
second ago." Faye answered, not very worried. Ed was extremely self-reliant, especially now.
Spike's curiousity got the better of him, as he kept walking down the street. He knew catching
and holding Edward's attention was a difficult thing, she had to have seen something pretty
amazing. Spike turned a corner and stopped short. There was Ed, sitting on an old bench with
another kid. He couldn't have been older than twelve, Spike was guessing ten.
Edward was sharing her lolipop with him, and staring at the kid in a really weird way. Really
weird for Ed at least. She was watching the kid's every move, and everything he said seemed
to strike Edward as funny. The little guy had dark black hair almost as big as Spike's,
augmented by painfully bright streaks of purple. He was wearing tattered green pants and
a white shirt riddled with holes. Spike covered his mouth to stop the laughter, as Ed and
her new freind went for the lolipop at the same time. Their hands touched as Ed grinned
shyly, scratching her head. The kid was doing the exact same thing, his grin almost as manic
as Ed's own. Spike got in inkling as to why Ed had run off, although the idea was almost
inconcievable. Faye tapped Spike's shoulder, coming up behind him curiously. Spike turned back
around the corner, as Faye gave him questioning eyes. "Didya find Ed?" She asked, looking
confused as Spike motioned for her to be quiet. He pointed around the corner, peering back
around it with Faye close behind. Spike almost broke out with laughter again, as Faye could only
stare. Edward was holding the kid's hand, her cheeks redder than usual. They looked at each
other in perfect harmony, and the kid leaned towards Ed. "Oh my.." Was all Faye could say, as
Edward received her first kiss.
"What's with you two?" Jet's gruff voice asked, as Spike and Faye ducked back behind the
corner. Jet was standing there, hands on his hips and giving the two a critcal stare.
"We have to get moving people, where's Edward?" Jet asked again, as Spike grinned and
pointed. Jet peeked around the corner, and almost lost his balance from shock.
He stood agape as Ed kissed some little kid with purple and black hair. Their hands were
stuck together by what was left of the lolipop. Spike realized that's what must have been
so funny to her, as he peered out at the scene again. Faye was close behind.
"Edward!!" Jet barked, storming over to the two of them. Spike's eyes went wide, as he
realized how that must have lookd to Jet. Along with the adopted father gig, came the
paranoia and constant worry that the kid might mess their life up if they're left unwatched.
Ed looked up, blushing as Jet eyed her and her friend. "Jet-person!" She cried, grinning
and laughing sheepishly as Spike and Faye came up to join the scene.
"Ramses, this is Jet-person, Spikey and Faye-Faye! They are Ed's family!" Ed introduced,
pointing to each of them in turn. "I'm, uh..pleased to meet meet you all?" Ramses stuttered,
grinning just as sheepishly as Ed and shaking Jet's metal hand. Jet pursed his lips, looking
from Ed to Ramses and back to Ed. "What are you two doing?" Jet asked, his gruff voice sounding
very un-friendly. "Edward loves Ramses!" Ed exclaimed, hugging Ramses tightly.
Spike couldn't hold the laughter back this time, as Faye giggled with him. It really was
a funny scene, with Edward and what seemed to be her very first boyfriend, and Jet standing over
the two like a protective papa bear. "WHAT!" Jet said, his eyes bulging as his temper rose.
"Oh man, we better intervene." Spike suggested to Faye, stepping between Jet and the kids.
Faye walked around them to Ed, standing over her and smiling a bit. "Love, huh?" Faye asked
Edward. Ed grinned and nodded, still holding Ramses. Ramses looked like he was
having trouble breathing. "Kid, Ramses, whatever your name is. Get LOST." Jet commanded,
glaring at the boy as Ed hugged him tighter. Ramses was most definetely having trouble
breathing, Faye saw. "Don't be mad, Jet-person! Ramses is Ed's cowboy!" Spike took Ed's arms
gently away from Ramses, allowing the poor kid to breathe. Ed looked worried as Faye assured her
it would be alright. Ramses swallowed hard before standing up on the bench, Even with the
added height he was an insect comaprd to Jet's girth, and Jet glared down at him as such.
"So your name's Jet Jet? A pleasure to meet you sir, my name name is Ramses!" Ramses
announced, holding out a sticky hand. "He's polite." Spike pointed out, trying to inch Jet
away from the two. "Such a little gentleman." Faye added, trying to soften Jet up.
"He's a punk." Jet returned gruffly, looking the kid over. "Just look at his hair." Spike
took light offense to that, glancing up at his own greenish-brown hair.
"Ed thinks it's pretty! Ramses is Ed's cowboy!" Edward defended, standing up on the bench
beside Ramses. "Your cowboy, huh?" Jet said dryly, looking at Faye. His face suggested this was
all because of her influence. Faye looked back innocently, shrugging her shoulders.
Ramses could tell he wasn't going to win against Jet, and looked to Edward. "I should should
be on my way, Ed." Ramses told her regretfully. "Ed wants you to stay!" Edward pleaded,
glaring at Jet. It was the angriest Spike had ever seen her, and he knew just how Jet would
take it. "She is fifteen, after all Jet." Faye defended, looking at the couple. They really
did look cute together, although the oppsing speech impedements made her head hurt.
Jet glared at Faye, as if suggesting fifteen was old enough had been as bad as calling the bebop
an old rustbucket. "Ed, when we get back to the ship you and I are going to have a little talk."
Jet warned, looking back at Ramses. "And didn't I say to get lost?" Jet repeated, clenching
his fist. Ramses shrunk under the harsh words, frowning as he looked from Ed to Jet.
Spike decided someone had to keep Jet from killing the poor kid, and pulled Jet forcefully
aside. Faye took the chance and led Ed and Ramses away from the two men. "Is Jet mad at
Edward?" Ed asked worriedly, frowning as she held Ramses' hand. Faye held her head for a moment,
not knowing what to make of the whole mess.
Spike and Jet glared at each other, toe to toe. Spike was intent on defending Ed the best he
could, but Jet seemed unwaivering in his opinion. "Look Jet," Spike began, as Jet kept
glaring. "She's fifteen, she's learning how to shoot a gun and catch bounties just like the rest
of us. And she's a genius, or insane, maybe both. She's different from most people, she
doesn't understand a lot of how things are. I think it's good she found someone she can relate
to, don't you?" Jet's eyes narrowed as he answered, his glare getting more severe.
"Spike, she has no idea who that kid might be, and neither do I. Yes I agree she needs someone
to relate to, but thre's Ein.." Spike sighed heavily, cutting into Jet's repsonse. "Ein is a
DOG, Jet. She can't grow up and marry a dog, the dog can't teach her how to live happy and find
what she wants in life. Besides, there's no harm in them being friends." Jet grinned a bit, but
not because he agreed. "Oh I see," Jet countered. "So we're friends right Spike-o? Can I have a
kiss?" Jet asked, leaning closer, the grin getting wider. Spike stepped back and frowned, seeing
his point. "Ok, so they're more than just freinds, but so what? Ed's never been treated as kid
with us and you know it. She's proved herself to be just as capable as any adult, you can't
just start telling her what she can and can't do now." Spike didn't know why he was fighting so
hard, he wasn't one to stick his neck out so far. But he cherished freedom above all else, and
that was all Ed was asking for. Jet thought for a minute, never hearing Spike defend something
quite this strongly before. He looked back over at Ed, who was holding Ramses hand and looking
worried. Had he caused that? Had everything really been ok until he'd come storming in?
And Ramses, he was still standing right there. Even after being threatened by a man as large and
imposing as Jet was. He had guts, that was apparent. "He's not coming back to the ship.."
Jet grumbled, giving way slowly. Spike nodded in agreement, wanting double of Ed's special blend
of insanity and annoyance about as much as a shaved head.
Faye looked over at the laundry building, gritting her teeth as the truck sped away.
"Jet, Spike!" She cried, pointing. Spike looked over just in time to see the truck disppear.
"If they get away this time.." Jet started, frowning. "That's the last bank on Venus, they'll
just sit back and retire." Spike finished, sighing heavily. Jet came over to Faye, giving Ramses
one last look, then smiling slightly at Ed. "Sorry I overreacted, Edward." Ed's eyes lit up
as she grinned. "So Edward can be Ramses' cowgirl?" Edward asked excitedly, hugging Ramses
again. Jet sighed at the term she chose to use, but he knew Spike was right. Ed was no ordinary
teenager, and everything she heard and saw was a result of her being with them.
"We have to get them before they hit the bank." Faye said simply, as Jet nodded.
Reed was holding two handguns on the people, as Walter blew open the safe. Just this one last
job, then they'd be living it up. The police were surrounding the bank, but Reed wasn't worried.
Walter had set a large number of explosives as they had come in. The police were out there
because they didn't dare send someone in past all those mines. "Here's the plan." Jet informed
the crew. Ed was riding in the Redtail, while Ramses was in the Hammerhead with Jet.
Spike and Faye had agreed that it would be a good chance for them to 'bond'.
Jet wasn't happy about it, but Ramses was a little less chatty than Ed. He was peering out at
the scene, his face stoic. "Faye, you stand guard outside in case they run for it." Jet ordered.
"I'll hold off the police while we nab them." Jet continued, surveying the bank. The police were
out in force, but Jet knew all their moves for a situation like this. It'd be easy to buy them
enough time. "Do we have to have a plan? Let's just go for it." Spike suggested, sounding
extremely bored. "Oh, you'll like this plan Spike." Jet assured his partner. "You get to run in
and grab the bounties." Spike's outlook brightened a bit. "A run through the gauntlet huh?"
Spike mused. "How exciting. It's just that when you have a plan things go wrong, if you just do
it you can plan as you go." Spike's reply made Jet chuckle, as if his bullheaded stunts didn't
cause most of the problems in their plans. "But how do we know where the mines are?" Faye asked,
sounding skeptical. "We don't, that's just it." Jet said solemnly. "Good luck Spike." He added,
hoping Spike used his head just this once. "Ed can see them!" Ed announced, wiggling her bare
toes as she fiddled with her laptop. "You can?" Jet asked, a bit shocked. With all the repairs
going on around this area, there were explosives all over for demolition. "Those are just the
charges for the road work, Ed." Jet corrected, as Ramses leaned over to the radio. "Ed, can can
you send the images to to Jet's ship?" Jet looked at Ramses, surprised at his sudden action.
"Ed can! Ramses knows which bombs are good and which are bad?" Ed replied, sounding impressed
herself. "Sure sure, I know all kinds of bombs Edward!" Ramses replied cheerfully. Jet blinked,
suspecting the kid even more now. How could a ten year old kid know so much about explosives?
"Ramses is a genius! Ed loves Ramses!" Ed's voice chimed over the radio. Jet frowned, reminding
himself to have that talk with Ed later. But if the kid could do it, Spike would get in a lot
easier. Theromographics came on the Hammerhead's screen, showing a ton of buried mines around
the bank. Ramses studied each one carefully. "I'm goin in." Spike informed them, landing
the Swordfish nearby. Jet landed as well, jumping out as policemen swamped over to him.
It was time to start spinning stories. Spike took his headset from the cockpit, putting it on as
he headed towards the bank. It was twilight, he realized. He could barely see anything. "Talk to
me kid." Spike ordered, as Ramses' voice crackled over the headphones. "There's one to your
right!" Ramses' shouted, as Spike lept to the left and kept running. "About three steps ahead!"
Ramses called again, as Spike lept over it. "Left and right! Two more up ahead!" Ramses called,
as Spike jumped, spun in the air and landed sideways. "How far ahead?" Spike asked,
feeling like a rat in a maze. "One one right in front of you, two more about a yard yard away!"
Ramses answered, as Spike deftly hopped past them. "One next to the door and you're clear!"
Ramses called, as Spike grabbed the front of the doorway, swinging in through a window.
Reed was right in front of him, and turned the handguns on Spike. Walter saw Spike crash in
and ran out the back, taking the money with him. Spike diarmed the thin Reed with a few swift
kicks, then took off after Walter. Spike was almost blown off his feet as thursters roared.
The truck's sides has fallen away, revealing a zip craft inside. Walter was in the cokcpit,
waving as he flew the craft away.
"Shit, Faye! Walter's in a zip craft heading south!" Spike yelled into his comm. unit, getting
back into the bank just as Reed attempted to take a hosatge. Spike vaulted the counter and
puhched Reed's face down to the floor. "Let's not make things complicated, Reed." Spike quiped
as Faye's voice came over the comm. unit. "I've got him in my sights!" She shouted, obviously
miffed that Walter evaded her once already. "Just don't kill him, Faye." Spike cautioned.
Faye put the Redtail neck and neck with the slower craft, and rammed it a few times. Walter
was forced to land as Faye gave him a grin. Spike circled around the back of the bank,
as Jet ran out of stories to tell the police chief. "I don't care if you are some special
unit, you're interferring with police buisiness!" The chief roared at Jet. Jet shrugged as he
backed away, setting off two flash grenades as he put on sunglasses. The police were blinded
just long enough for the Hammerhead and Swordfish to take off, flying out of sight as the
police chief were left with no situation to screw up.
Jet was sitting outside a diner on Ganymede, taking nervous looks inside. Faye was inside as
well, using some of Jet's share of the ninety thousand to buy Ed and Ramses lunch.
Jet had refused to go in with them, but insisted that Faye go in and use his money to buy them
lunch. He felt rather silly, sitting outside while Edward was having her first date. But he
wasn't sure his temper would hold if he were to see what they were doing. Spike walked by,
taking a moment to study Jet sitting on a wodden crate before he crouched beside him.
"They'll be fine, Faye's in there with them." Spike assured Jet, who only frowned and sighed.
"That doesn't make me feel any better, Spike." Jet answered, taking out a cigarette.
"Ed thanks you for the ring!" Edward's voice exclaimed from inside the diner. Jet sprang to his
feet, scowling madly. "Onion rings, Jet." Spike explained, clapping a hand on Jet's shoulder.
Jet looked at Spike, who smirked back, amused. He slowly sat back down, lighting the cigg and
smoking furiously. Spike chuckled at his friend, and hoped someday he'd loosen up. But having
Jet as he was balanced the rest of them out anyways. Someone had to keep a cool head, after all.
PUPPY LOVE..............................................
JET:*blushes* Why are you all staring at me like that?
FAYE: No reason.
SPIKE: I just think it's neat you can turn colors.
ED: Ed thinks red is pretty!
JET: Would you guys back off! It's not like that..
SPIKE: You're right, it's worse.
JET: Spike! You're being obnoxious!
FAYE: Next episode, Old timer's Waltz.
JET: I'm NOT old!