Don't Be Afraid
Chapter Two: Separation
She walked slowly through the halls of the BeBop, the hollow echo of her footsteps trailing behind her. She followed the sound of laughter that seemed to come from everywhere at once, filling the ship entirely.
She walked into the same room in the same manner she had a hundred times before, but this time was different. Smiling faces and remembrance. Companions rejoicing in a beautiful reunion. Tears fill her eyes as she steps forward to join them. Hearing her enter he turns and gives her the same smile she remembers.
Before she can take another step a rush of blood runs through her head, throwing her off balance. She's falling, leaving them behind. She calls out but they hardly notice as they fade from her view.
"Spike! Jet! Help me!"
"What are you yelling about?"
Faye looked towards her bedroom doorway, her vision blurred from sleep. "Huh? Oh, a dream... It's nothing." She smiled weakly and stood up. "I'm up now okay?"
Jet nodded and left her room, the door closing behind him. Letting out the breath she'd been holding Faye set about getting ready for another day, trying to forget her dream. She rubbed her eyes to hide the evidence of her fitful sleep. To be honest she felt no less tired than when she'd laid down the night before. Gathering her things she made her way toward the bathroom, but turned back deciding to eat first for a change. Still in her sleeping clothes she headed toward the kitchenette to get something. Her stomach grumbled angrily at her for not going back for more food the night before.
"Hey Faye?"
Faye turned, a bit of chicken in her mouth as she rummaged through leftovers. "Mm?"
"Uh... About last night... that was, you know... I didn't mean anything by it. It's just been a rough time and I lost my cool I guess."
Faye nodded slowly and waited for Jet to respond. He made a gruff sound of agreement and left the room. Faye bit the inside of her lip, hoping that would be the last either of them mentioned of the incident. Feeling her stomach clench she turned back to the fridge, taking the rest of the chicken on her plate. Standing up she stretched her back and went to sit down.
They'd been docked on Ganymede for a while now but this was the first chance she'd had to really relax and see it. The waves rolled softly against the docks while birds flew above, hoping to spot a meal within the waters. The sun reflected on the sea, giving it a bright glow that almost hurt her eyes.
Once she'd finished her food, Faye deposited her dishes in the sink and stopping in her room to change, decided to head outside. A salty breeze blew against her exposed body. She'd returned to wearing her usual hot pants and top when her cold had cleared up. It felt good to be in familiar clothes, the sun piercing through her skin. Walking across the ship, she stopped at it's side, sitting down with her feet hanging over the edge. Glancing down she thought about how long it'd been since she last sat with her feet resting in water and wished she wasn't sitting so far up.
Falling back she let her back rest on the ships hot deck. It burned her skin for a moment but she quickly adjusted to the feeling and relaxed, letting her head roll to the side. She watched people walking around on the sea side streets, enjoying life. So many people.
"I wonder if any of them have seen Spike..."
"I was just thinking the same."
Faye sat up quickly, nearly sliding over the edge of the ship. "Jet. I didn't hear you come out."
"Nah, I didn't think you did. Anyway, you think it's time we get back to looking?"
Faye nodded and stood up, walking inside. Jet followed her as she made her way to the docking bay. She checked over her ship quickly, then turned back around. "I think splitting up is still our best bet. I'm gonna go pack some things then head out. We'll meet at the usual spot in a week, just make sure you're on time this time."
Jet nodded with a smile. He was glad Faye was back to her usual self and even happier to know she hadn't truly given up yet.
Faye returned a few minutes later with a bag of her belongings in her arms. "I'll see you in a week." She smiled. He smiled back and headed back into the ship so she could take off.
"See you."
"Now, where would someone who's trying to hide go?" Faye looked through her maps, trying to find the best place. "There's Calypso, but I doubt he's looking to go back there, besides Jet already checked there twice. He could be on Mars still, but I'm sure he'd leave there right away... Venus? He did say he knew someone there. I guess it's possible."
Plotting the course, Faye changed direction slightly and leaned back. "It'll take this thing forever to get there and back, not much time to search anywhere else... Maybe it's time to get a new ship?"
Without anything else to do, Faye stared out her cockpit at the vast expanse. There in space, in such a small craft, she couldn't help feeling small and insignificant. Someone had once told her 'It's the people you meet and the memories you share that make your life significant.' Everyone she knew was either dead or gone. Perhaps that was why she was so desperate to bring everyone back. Her family and friends were long gone. Jet, Spike and Ed were the only people she had. She trusted and believed in them and the feelings they brought out in her.
Jet was like a father to her. He watched out for her, and even though he often yelled at her for the things she did, she knew in her heart that it didn't bother him as much as he said. And Ed, that little kid. Faye wasn't sure what to think of her. Faye spent most of her time chasing Ed from her room and trying to calm her down in serious situations. She had brought laughter and a light-hearted feeling to the ship. But still, she was a child who had a father and, in a sense, a home to go to. They couldn't take her from that.
Which left Spike, who they now searched for with all their efforts. He seemed to be the key that brought everyone together. Hadn't every major event that had taken place on that ship revolved around him? He was the one that led her to the BeBop and he, along with Jet, allowed her to stay. He had gone after her when she'd been caught by Scratch, he saved her and brought her back. And he brought that tape back. He'd acted cold and said she couldn't watch, but he let her anyway. He had seen her standing there in the hallway, but said nothing.
Faye swallowed hard and straightened in her seat, wiping her eyes. Why was she suddenly thinking about all this stuff? And why did it hurt so much to think about him? She licked her dry lips, swallowing again. She didn't like that feeling that tightened her stomach and made her chest ache.
Touching down on the murky planet, Faye opened the hatch of the Red Tail and hopped out. She took in a deep breath and immediately felt her throat tighten. "What the hell?" Faye's voice squeaked out in a high pitch. Grumbling she climbed back into her ship and turned on the main computer. She silently thanked Ed for upgrading it with planetary info because it seemed that it might come in handy now.
"Hmmm... Because of the helium in the atmosphere, the average human voice with become high pitched. This is easily reversed with medication available on the planet... Guess I better find some."
Walking towards the town on the horizon she pulled a folded photo out of her pocket. "I can't believe this is the best picture we have of him." The photo was one of Spike from several years before she'd met him. Since they had none on hand, Jet had gone down to I.S.S.P to get a copy of his licence photo. He was noticeably younger in the picture and Faye hoped that wouldn't prevent someone from recognizing him.
Arriving in the town, Faye headed towards the closest vendor. "Hey, do you have whatever I need to fix my voice?"
The shopkeeper smiled and nodded. "Sure do babe. 6,000 woolongs."
"What are you crazy?! I'd rather walk around like this all day than pay that much!"
"Suit yourself darling, but eventually it'll get to your throat. Anymore than an hour and you start getting permanent damage."
"Oh fine, do you take credit?"
"What are you kidding? Cash only babe."
Growling, Faye pulled the money out and handed it to the man. He handed her a small pill that she looked at conspicuously. "It's the real deal," he told her, "just a quick swallow and you'll be fine." Faye nodded and swallowed the pill.
"Thanks a lot." She told the man sarcastically, her voice clearing up. "By the way, have you seen this man? His name is Spike Spiegel." The shopkeeper glanced at the picture then looked back up. "Never seen him." Faye nodded and turned away, walking towards the next booth.
After several hours, Faye was ready to give up. She'd been through three towns already and no one had recognized Spike. She spotted a dark skinned elderly woman sitting by a table covered in native clothing. She headed over, pulling the photo out.
"Excuse me, but have you seen this guy? His name's Spike Spiegel." The woman leaned forward, squinting her eyes, then shook her head no and sat back down.
"Did you say Spike Spiegel?"
Faye spun around in shock. "Do you know him?"
The stranger smiled and answered with a soft voice. "Yes, I will never forget that name."
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...
Chapter Two: Separation
She walked slowly through the halls of the BeBop, the hollow echo of her footsteps trailing behind her. She followed the sound of laughter that seemed to come from everywhere at once, filling the ship entirely.
She walked into the same room in the same manner she had a hundred times before, but this time was different. Smiling faces and remembrance. Companions rejoicing in a beautiful reunion. Tears fill her eyes as she steps forward to join them. Hearing her enter he turns and gives her the same smile she remembers.
Before she can take another step a rush of blood runs through her head, throwing her off balance. She's falling, leaving them behind. She calls out but they hardly notice as they fade from her view.
"Spike! Jet! Help me!"
"What are you yelling about?"
Faye looked towards her bedroom doorway, her vision blurred from sleep. "Huh? Oh, a dream... It's nothing." She smiled weakly and stood up. "I'm up now okay?"
Jet nodded and left her room, the door closing behind him. Letting out the breath she'd been holding Faye set about getting ready for another day, trying to forget her dream. She rubbed her eyes to hide the evidence of her fitful sleep. To be honest she felt no less tired than when she'd laid down the night before. Gathering her things she made her way toward the bathroom, but turned back deciding to eat first for a change. Still in her sleeping clothes she headed toward the kitchenette to get something. Her stomach grumbled angrily at her for not going back for more food the night before.
"Hey Faye?"
Faye turned, a bit of chicken in her mouth as she rummaged through leftovers. "Mm?"
"Uh... About last night... that was, you know... I didn't mean anything by it. It's just been a rough time and I lost my cool I guess."
Faye nodded slowly and waited for Jet to respond. He made a gruff sound of agreement and left the room. Faye bit the inside of her lip, hoping that would be the last either of them mentioned of the incident. Feeling her stomach clench she turned back to the fridge, taking the rest of the chicken on her plate. Standing up she stretched her back and went to sit down.
They'd been docked on Ganymede for a while now but this was the first chance she'd had to really relax and see it. The waves rolled softly against the docks while birds flew above, hoping to spot a meal within the waters. The sun reflected on the sea, giving it a bright glow that almost hurt her eyes.
Once she'd finished her food, Faye deposited her dishes in the sink and stopping in her room to change, decided to head outside. A salty breeze blew against her exposed body. She'd returned to wearing her usual hot pants and top when her cold had cleared up. It felt good to be in familiar clothes, the sun piercing through her skin. Walking across the ship, she stopped at it's side, sitting down with her feet hanging over the edge. Glancing down she thought about how long it'd been since she last sat with her feet resting in water and wished she wasn't sitting so far up.
Falling back she let her back rest on the ships hot deck. It burned her skin for a moment but she quickly adjusted to the feeling and relaxed, letting her head roll to the side. She watched people walking around on the sea side streets, enjoying life. So many people.
"I wonder if any of them have seen Spike..."
"I was just thinking the same."
Faye sat up quickly, nearly sliding over the edge of the ship. "Jet. I didn't hear you come out."
"Nah, I didn't think you did. Anyway, you think it's time we get back to looking?"
Faye nodded and stood up, walking inside. Jet followed her as she made her way to the docking bay. She checked over her ship quickly, then turned back around. "I think splitting up is still our best bet. I'm gonna go pack some things then head out. We'll meet at the usual spot in a week, just make sure you're on time this time."
Jet nodded with a smile. He was glad Faye was back to her usual self and even happier to know she hadn't truly given up yet.
Faye returned a few minutes later with a bag of her belongings in her arms. "I'll see you in a week." She smiled. He smiled back and headed back into the ship so she could take off.
"See you."
"Now, where would someone who's trying to hide go?" Faye looked through her maps, trying to find the best place. "There's Calypso, but I doubt he's looking to go back there, besides Jet already checked there twice. He could be on Mars still, but I'm sure he'd leave there right away... Venus? He did say he knew someone there. I guess it's possible."
Plotting the course, Faye changed direction slightly and leaned back. "It'll take this thing forever to get there and back, not much time to search anywhere else... Maybe it's time to get a new ship?"
Without anything else to do, Faye stared out her cockpit at the vast expanse. There in space, in such a small craft, she couldn't help feeling small and insignificant. Someone had once told her 'It's the people you meet and the memories you share that make your life significant.' Everyone she knew was either dead or gone. Perhaps that was why she was so desperate to bring everyone back. Her family and friends were long gone. Jet, Spike and Ed were the only people she had. She trusted and believed in them and the feelings they brought out in her.
Jet was like a father to her. He watched out for her, and even though he often yelled at her for the things she did, she knew in her heart that it didn't bother him as much as he said. And Ed, that little kid. Faye wasn't sure what to think of her. Faye spent most of her time chasing Ed from her room and trying to calm her down in serious situations. She had brought laughter and a light-hearted feeling to the ship. But still, she was a child who had a father and, in a sense, a home to go to. They couldn't take her from that.
Which left Spike, who they now searched for with all their efforts. He seemed to be the key that brought everyone together. Hadn't every major event that had taken place on that ship revolved around him? He was the one that led her to the BeBop and he, along with Jet, allowed her to stay. He had gone after her when she'd been caught by Scratch, he saved her and brought her back. And he brought that tape back. He'd acted cold and said she couldn't watch, but he let her anyway. He had seen her standing there in the hallway, but said nothing.
Faye swallowed hard and straightened in her seat, wiping her eyes. Why was she suddenly thinking about all this stuff? And why did it hurt so much to think about him? She licked her dry lips, swallowing again. She didn't like that feeling that tightened her stomach and made her chest ache.
Touching down on the murky planet, Faye opened the hatch of the Red Tail and hopped out. She took in a deep breath and immediately felt her throat tighten. "What the hell?" Faye's voice squeaked out in a high pitch. Grumbling she climbed back into her ship and turned on the main computer. She silently thanked Ed for upgrading it with planetary info because it seemed that it might come in handy now.
"Hmmm... Because of the helium in the atmosphere, the average human voice with become high pitched. This is easily reversed with medication available on the planet... Guess I better find some."
Walking towards the town on the horizon she pulled a folded photo out of her pocket. "I can't believe this is the best picture we have of him." The photo was one of Spike from several years before she'd met him. Since they had none on hand, Jet had gone down to I.S.S.P to get a copy of his licence photo. He was noticeably younger in the picture and Faye hoped that wouldn't prevent someone from recognizing him.
Arriving in the town, Faye headed towards the closest vendor. "Hey, do you have whatever I need to fix my voice?"
The shopkeeper smiled and nodded. "Sure do babe. 6,000 woolongs."
"What are you crazy?! I'd rather walk around like this all day than pay that much!"
"Suit yourself darling, but eventually it'll get to your throat. Anymore than an hour and you start getting permanent damage."
"Oh fine, do you take credit?"
"What are you kidding? Cash only babe."
Growling, Faye pulled the money out and handed it to the man. He handed her a small pill that she looked at conspicuously. "It's the real deal," he told her, "just a quick swallow and you'll be fine." Faye nodded and swallowed the pill.
"Thanks a lot." She told the man sarcastically, her voice clearing up. "By the way, have you seen this man? His name is Spike Spiegel." The shopkeeper glanced at the picture then looked back up. "Never seen him." Faye nodded and turned away, walking towards the next booth.
After several hours, Faye was ready to give up. She'd been through three towns already and no one had recognized Spike. She spotted a dark skinned elderly woman sitting by a table covered in native clothing. She headed over, pulling the photo out.
"Excuse me, but have you seen this guy? His name's Spike Spiegel." The woman leaned forward, squinting her eyes, then shook her head no and sat back down.
"Did you say Spike Spiegel?"
Faye spun around in shock. "Do you know him?"
The stranger smiled and answered with a soft voice. "Yes, I will never forget that name."
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...