//_______ // = dream, flashback, or thoughts
I only own Spiro Speranza and May Gray, and in no way claim ownership of any other characters unless mentioned otherwise.
"Running With Fate"
"Maybe This Time"
Chapter 4
**Back on The Mayhem…**
Spiro walked into the living room, her jacket slung over her shoulder. May sat on the couch typing something up on the computer.
"You ready to go?"
Spiro looked over at May; her eyes said it all. May sighed then got up from her seat.
"I guess we'll let this one slide. I'll just go out for food. I'll be back soon."
Spiro nodded sadly, heading down the hall to her room.
**Later… In an airport parking lot on Mars…**
May loaded the groceries into her ship, getting ready to leave, then suddenly she heard gunshots from down in an alleyway. She whirled around to see a man run from the alley and dash between the ships in the parking lot. May pulled out her gun and fired at the men who appeared to be chasing after the other one. She hit two, but three more appeared. May ducked under a ship nearby, looking next to her and seeing the man the others were after. May and the man got out from under the ship and began firing at the pursuers. With one final bullet, May hit the last one and the chase was over.
"You're a good shot."
The man smiled.
"Not so bad yourself, Cowboy."
May pulled out two cigarettes and, lighting both, handed one to the man.
"Might I ask you name?"
The man asked.
"Miss May Gray. What about you?"
The man briefly took the cigarette from his mouth, blowing the smoke through his lips.
"Spike."
May looked over at him, the name sounding familiar. Spike then made his way towards an old red racing ship, obviously his.
"Nice. A Swordfish II isn't it?"
"It is. Good eye."
"My partner has an Optica."
Spike glanced back at May then looked back at his ship, climbing up and opening the cockpit.
"If you see Spiro again, tell her to meet me there. I'll be waiting. She'll know what it means."
Spike then stared up the ship's engine and slowly rose into the air.
"Hey wait a minute! How do you know I know Spiro?"
May yelled up to Spike, but he was already flying off, well out of earshot.
**Back on The Mayhem…**
May entered the main room, seeing Spiro sitting on the couch, watching TV.
"You get food?"
"Yeah."
Spiro stood up and walked past May.
"He says to meet him there. He said you'd know what it meant."
"Well I don't, sorry."
"His name is Spike."
Spiro stooped dead in her tracks. Slowly regained her senses, she then continued walking.
"Are you going?"
"Well I have to, don't I?"
Spiro gave a smirk, heading down towards the small hanger.
"I'll come with."
May began to follow.
"You sure?"
"Damn sure."
Spiro didn't argue. Once May had her mind set, there was no shifting it.
"Let's go then."
**Later… Two star ships, the 'Optica' and 'Blazer III', fly across the skies of Mars…**
Spiro and May flew towards the meeting place Spiro supposedly knew already. As they flew, two other ships followed. In an effort to loose them, Spiro and May sped up and swerved between two buildings. The other ships followed, close behind.
"Behind you, May!"
Spiro called out, warning her friend just in time to dodge the beam of light from blasting through her ship's wing. But this gave another ship then opening to fire and hit May right on the nose of her craft.
"MAY!"
Spiro yelled, swerving downward towards where her friend was now plummeting. Blazer III crashed hard into the ground, flinging May from the cockpit and against a light pole. Spiro landed her ship, then leapt out and rushed to the injured woman's side.
"Damn it, May!"
She scolded the smiling May.
"What's so funny about this, huh? You're badly hurt, dumb ass!"
May look over at Spiro.
"I'll be fine, Spy. Just find what you'd lost and get it back."
With those words, May closed her eyes and passed out. Spiro slowly lifted May up and put an arm over her shoulder, leading her towards her ship. Spiro had to find somewhere to take May. But she had to meet Spike, before she lost him again.
**The docking harbor…**
Spiro left May in the ship while she walked out to the edge of the long wooden dock. She spotted a figure on the dock as well, fuzzy hair just like hers.
"Spike."
"Spiro."
The man turned around and advanced towards Spiro, who stood trembling from the nervous feeling inside her.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah. It sure has."
The two stared back at one another, neither speaking.
"My partner is hurt. I want your help."
"I'll take you back to the ship with me. It's the big one on the end of the row there."
Spike pointed at the large old fishing ship on the harbor.
"Let's go."
Spike and Spiro headed to their ships, landing the promptly out in front of the Bebop. Spike led Spiro inside, helping her carry in the wounded May.
"What the hell? Who is this, Spike?"
Jet asked, astonished by the group entering the living room.
"A friend from a while back. Her partner is hurt and we're leaving her here for now. Take care of her."
Spike explained. Jet grumbled curses under his breath, but went to his room to retrieve the medical supplies.
"So this is the girl you've been thinking about?"
Faye came into the room, a sneaky smile on her face. She slowly walked up to Spiro, who just rolled her eyes at the woman.
"Why don't you dress in things that are made to actually fit and cover your whole body?"
Spiro suggested, turning her gaze to the side. Faye gritted her teeth, pulling back her arm.
"Why you– TAKE THAT BACK!"
Faye swung her fist, but had it caught inches from Spiro's face- by Spike.
"Enough, Faye. JET! We're going."
Spike then took Spiro back out and to their parked ships on the docks.
"Spike… you here that?"
Spiro stopped, her ears perking up at a faint sound. Spike looked at her, wondering if she were crazy.
"RUN!"
She yelled, pulling Spike towards the ships just as a hail of gunfire began spraying down on the two of them. They then rose high into the air and sped of, towards wherever they could go.
"Where are we going?"
"There! That shop below!"
Spike headed down, with Spiro close behind. The two snuck out and into the small shop, only to be met with the sight of a hunched over figure sitting on a couch.
"Annie!"
Spike rushed over to the woman clutching her bleeding stomach.
"I told them I didn't know where you were. I told them they were wasting their time."
Spiro ran up too, taking off her jacket and wrapping it around the Annie. Annie smiled slightly as she saw Spiro.
"So you've found each other at last. That's good. You need all the allies you can get in this world today."
Annie coughed harshly. Spike put a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
"Try not to speak."
Spiro urged her.
"It was a bit chilly today. Just one of those- cold- afternoons…"
Annie then closed her eyes and slowly eased down to lay on the couch, now at eternal peace. Spike and Spiro stood, staring down at their departed friend.
"They'll be coming any minute."
"Then we'll have to be ready."
Spike gave a light smirk over to Spiro, who returned the expression.