CHAPTER 1 ANGST
The old couch shuddered as Jet Black dropped himself onto it. He let out a long, pained groan and slapped a hand to his forehead.
God-damn it! How much longer is this shit going to go on!? he swore. Faye stuck her head into the room, an expression of surprise on her face.
Why, Jet. I didn't know you had such a mouth on you, she commented dryly.
I usually don't. It's just that under circumstances of extreme frustration He clenched his fists and pounded on the coffee table.
Oh, poor Jet. Don't worry, withdrawal shouldn't last more than a week. Then we'll be clean.
He felt his eyebrow twitch and glared up at her. Dammit. Why can't I have one cigarette? Just one!?
Faye sighed. Men have no willpower. Turning away, she checked her watch and noted that it was time for a fresh nicotine patch. She took a step towards her quarters, but Jet's voice stopped her.
By the wayhow have you been holding up, Faye? His voice was low, almost suspicious.
A bead of sweat ran down her forehead, and she edged further away from the door. Oh, piece of cake. Cold turkey is hard and all, but it's the best way to quit.
Do you have some sort of technique you'd like to share with me he asked. His only reply was the sound of Faye's high-heeled boots hitting the floor as she ran.
he muttered, too lazy to get up.
——————
Faye closed the door to her room, panting. Well, I can certainly breathe better now that I'm not smoking,' she thought, but maybe it's cheating to use nicotine patches' She looked down at the round piece of plastic stuck between her breasts and sighed. Or maybe I'm just smart and Jet isn't. Yeah, that could easily be the case.' She smiled to herself.
Leaning against the wall, she slid down to sit on the floor. This ship sure is quiet without Ed and Spike. But what can I do? Ed disappeared almost half a year ago. And Spike? He's probably dead somewhere in an alley.'
She punched the floor, angry for no apparent reason. Stupid Spike! He said he wasn't going to die!' Her throat began to tighten, and tears collected in her eyes.
Why am I upset?' she asked herself. About Spike? Why?! It's not likeI loved himor anything'
A tear slid down her cheek. loved him'
Faye pulled her knees up close to her face and curled into a ball. She didn't try to hold back the tears now, but no sound—save for an occasional sniffle—came from her. Her shoulders shook gently, and she gritted her teeth as salty drops poured down her face.
she screamed to the air.
A sudden knock sounded at her door. came Jet's voice. Are you holding out on me? He waited and, hearing no answer, opened the door a crack and stuck in his head.
Have you been having cigarettes secr—— He was cut off by Faye's fist impacting his nose. He yelped and reeled back, cupping a hand over his face.
Why didn't you do anything to save Spike?! Faye demanded. You could have stopped him! Why didn't you!!?
Jet blinked, stunned. He could feel blood beginning to drip down the inside of his nose, but the residual pain from the punch was subsiding, replaced by concerned confusion.
He sighed, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped his face with it. there was nothing
That idiot! Faye hissed, turning away. Her voice was choked with repressed sobs.
There wasn't a whole lot I could do, you know, he put in, stepping into her room. I had been shot in the leg. I could hardly walk. What was I supposed to do, pin him?
Why can't people just LIVE with their pasts? Why do they always have to have fucking closure? she whispered hoarsely.
Jet folded his arms, thinking. Maybe it's so they know if they're really alive.
Don't give me that shit! she yelled, slamming her fist into his knee. That's just what he said!
And now he's dead! I'll never see him again! Tell me, Jet Black— she raised her tear-streaked face to lock eyes with him—whose fault is it that Spike is gone? Is it mine? Yours? Fate? What is the reason?! She bit her lip as fresh tears welled up in her eyes.
Jet crouched beside her, feeling pity. He put a hand on her shoulder and closed his eyes, trying to form comforting words. it's hard to say. Maybe it is fate. We humans never can be sure. Buttry to think of it this wayfate always has a way of working out.
She balled up again and drew a long, ragged breath. I suppose, thenthat Spikefound out he was alive, if onlyfor a little while She sniffed.
A sudden beeping noise came from Jet's communicator-watch, interrupting the rapport. Glancing at the display, he saw the words INCOMING CALL ON MONITOR. He sighed and stood up.
Someone's trying to talk to us. You want to see who it is? Faye said nothing. Jet shrugged and walked to the room where the communication console was.
——————
The moment he punched the button to open a channel, the screen was filled with the image of a giant dog snout. The dog noticed him, appeared to recognise him, and barked.
Ein, get off the keyboard! a voice said, and the dog was replaced with a red-haired, golden-eyed young woman. She was leaning on the keyboard in front of the monitor in such a way that Jet could easily see down her loose green shirt into the ample furrow between her newly-developed, firm-looking breasts. Embarrassed, he averted his eyes.
Hey! Jet Black! the woman cried happily, giving a playful two-finger salute. Françoise Maria Vasquez Appledelhi requesting permission to land on the Bebop!
Jet's eyes widened and he looked back at the screen. Red hair, yellow eyes, olive skinGreat Mother, it's Ed!!' he thought. Ed! Is that you? he asked.
She grinned. Yeah, sure. You know me as Ed. But look! I brought someone! She stood up, took a few steps back, and grabbed hold of an idly-standing body whose face was just above the camera's range. She shoved the person towards the keyboard and pushed its face down towards the monitor. Two empty dark-red eyes stared out at Jet from under a mop of fluffy dark green hair.
Jet's pulse skipped and he grabbed the edge of the couch. is thatwho I think it is?! he squeezed out.
Ed pushed the person away and reappeared. He's a ghola. He's called Bob. I made him myself. Isn't he great?
Dead flesh, made whole again and rejuvenated. The only problem is that he's lost all his memories. But then, that's what happens when you die.
Jet asked, still unable to believe what he had just seen.
Who's Spike? asked a man's voice in the background. Ed shot a frustrated glare at the person standing offscreen.
Spike is YOU, you big moron! she said. Grr! I know your memories are in there SOMEWHERE! She turned back to face Jet and shrugged. Well, I thought maybe you could help, since he knows—er, knew you. So will you please let me land on the Bebop?
Jet felt his heart pounding. He nodded and gave a grunt of acknowledgement.
——————
Faye stood in the door to the bay, her eyes red from crying and her mood unpleasant. There better be something fucking good for you to have called me here, Jet.
Just wait, he said, watching the outer doors open.
A medium-sized ship floated into the hold—black, sleek, pointy. Jet thought it looked very stylish and made a mental note to congratulate Ed on her good taste.
When repressurisation had taken place, a hatch opened on the side of the ship. A dog with golden-brown fur hopped out and landed on the floor.
Faye gasped quietly. Is that Ein?
Jet nodded. Keep watching.
A pair of boots swung out from the hatch, followed by legs in black leather pants. The person attached to the legs let go of the inside of the door and landed next to the dog. It was a young woman, about fourteen. She had fluffy red hair, a pair of goggles on her head, an embroidered green shirt, and black wristbands, in addition to the already-described black pants and boots. She leaned over, patted the dog on the head, and looked up.
Jet! Faye! Long time no see! she said, waving.
Jet looked back at Faye to see her jaw practically on the floor and hairs standing out everywhere. He nudged her and whispered, Don't stare with your mouth open. She shook herself and closed her mouth.
Ed reached a hand up into the door as another hand reached out cautiously. She took hold of the hand and helped a person come slowly down onto the floor of the bay.
Faye gasped and clutched at the rail. There was no mistaking the long arms, the lankiness, the dark curly hair. She heard her heart pounding in her ears as Spike, the man she thought was dead, stretched and looked around him.
This place looks familiar for some reason, he observed. I feel like I've been here before.
Faye screamed, leaping over the rail and dashing towards him. Imagine the face he must have made when he saw a crazed-looking woman rushing at him with open arms.
Faye collided with Spike, threw her arms around him, and buried her face in his chest. I wanted to see you so badlyI was afraid you were dead
He scratched his head and looked down at her. Her tears were beginning to soak through his shirt. it seems that I was dead
She looked up, cheeks wet.
I found him, Ed said, stepping closer. Well, my dad did, but he didn't know what to do. So I made him into a ghola.
Faye wondered, looking at Ed.
Basically, someone raised from the dead, Ed explained. The big problem is that when you revive someone, they tend to lose all memories of their previous life She scratched her neck idly and gave Faye an It's-not-my-fault-that's-just-how-things-are look.
Faye nodded. Yes, that I understand. She looked up into Spike's eyes. So you don't know who I am?
He smiled broadly. Well, I do know that you're a sexy woman who ambushed me the second I stepped out of the ship. I get the feeling my previous life wasn't bad.
So he's called Bob? Jet asked. Is that a name you gave him or that he gave himself?
Ed shrugged. I'm not sure. I don't remember anymore. For all I know, Ein named him Bob. But I'm training him to answer to Spike'. Right, Spike? The ghola nodded after a brief pause.
Remember! You must Faye whispered, kissing him full on the mouth. Though he was surprised, he didn't pull away for about ten seconds. Then he looked down at her.
My memories aren't completely gone, he said. They're just very, very patchy. I remember a woman who loved me. Loved me so much that sheshe was willing to throw away everything she had worked for all her life.
' Faye thought. Pity welled up in her breast. Perhaps I can use this to my advantage. It's immoral, but'
That was me, she said quietly. Do you remember? We were going to be engaged, but our parents didn't approve, so we swore to run away together. Can you remember it? She sent a silencing kick in Ed's general direction and gestured to Jet behind Spike's shoulder.
I think he said. He pulled himself out of her arms and scratched his head in thought. I thinkthat's coming back. We weregoing to run away in your father's ice-cream truck
yeah! Oh, Spike, I'm so glad you can remember! she gushed, reattaching herself to him.
Spike somehow managed to ascend the stairs with Faye clinging to his arm. Ed and Ein followed about a metre behind. Jet gave a brief nod to Spike, but said nothing. I hope he remembers who I am,' he thought.
Spike stopped and stared at Jet for about a minute. You could see the gears in his head clicking. I knowI've seen you somewhere, he said finally. But I can't place your name.
Jet. Jet Black.
Oh. Right. Yeah, I think we've met, but He stared up at the ceiling, frustrated with his inability to remember. Guh! Let me think. It'll come to me eventually. He left the room, dragging Faye behind him.
By the way, Ed—nice ship, Jet commented.
Oh, that? she said, smiling. Thanks! Ein & I built it together!
——————
This was your room, Faye said, opening the door. A few posters of partially-clothed women still hung on the walls; Faye and Jet hadn't bothered to remove Spike's stuff when they had converted his old room to a closet. On a table stood a vase with three parched, limp roses slumping in it. There were boxes on his bed, but not many. She led him in and closed the door.
He looked around. it seems kinda familiar
What are you doing, Faye? he asked as she tossed her red shrug onto the table.
I'm gonna make you remember, God-damn it! she replied. She moved the boxes off the bed and pulled him over to it.