Disclaimer: Cowboy Bebop is the rightful property of Sunrise, Inc. No profit is intended from this fanfic.

Much thanks to red-tenko, Blooknaburg, Qui-ti (You're getting your black belt? That's damn cool, Congrats!), Gurlie, Cowgirl13, Jixer n Sybil (Oh man, I'm afraid this fic might not live up to your expectations ^_^;;), Kawaii Kokkei Tsuita no Neko, setchan, Kya Lorne, and starlight!!

Chapter 5

The awkwardness they had shared outside spilled indoors, the tension in the room palpable. Spike was calculating the best strategy for getting out of there. He only knew for certain that two inside were armed, but it would be a fatal error to assume no one else was. Going through the balcony was out. He and Faye would have to fight their way out through the way they had come in. However, the fight he was expecting didn't come.

"Would you care to join in the game Mr. Spiegel? The minimum bet is fifteen million."

He didn't like the vibe he was getting from the man with the scar. There was a taunting in his demeanor; he was baiting Spike. The other mens eyes were on him again, as if disbelieving that he would have fifteen wulongs, much less fifteen million.

"Wouldn't you know it, but I left my money card* in my other pants. I'll sit this one out." He couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

"As you wish."

They resumed the game and he sat back and watched Faye expertly shuffle the cards, her every move precise and agile. His thoughts flowed to the first time they had met. It was no mistake that he had gone to her table. From the moment he'd set foot in that room she had stood out to him among the multitude, her beauty drawing him to her table. He let her cheat him every hand, but strangely he hadn't minded. He'd been content to just sit there and watch those beautiful hands; it was almost hypnotic the way she handled the cards.

He hadn't needed to question then why he had reacted to her that way. She was a sexy woman and he'd enjoyed flirting with her the times they had encountered each other. First in the casino, then when she'd taken off with the money. Having her living on the Bebop made things complicated, and confused him more often than he would have cared to admit.

She was cheating through every hand here, as well. The men didn't seem to be too upset over all the money they were losing. They were under her spell and obviously enjoying themselves, despite their losses.

After some time, another break was called. Faye went near Spike to talk to him, but the owner addressed him before she had a chance to say anything.

"Perhaps this is tiresome for you Mr. Spiegel? I'm sure you'd be more comfortable waiting for Faye in her suite."

He looked to Faye, hesitating. She could take care of herself, but everything in him was saying to take her and go home.

"It's alright Spike. Wait for me in my room. I'll be there as soon as I can."

He relented. "Fine. I want my gun back."

"Of course." The owner motioned for his guard to return Spike's gun, then turned and began conversing with the other men. Faye too started to turn away from him, but Spike softly grabbed her hand.

"I'm sorry Romany. Truce?" He spoke in a low, earnest voice so that only they two could hear. He meant what he had said to her out on the balcony; he'd never intended to cause any trouble for her. She was about to make some caustic remark, but the sincerity in his voice held her back.

"Truce, Gaujo." She hesitated letting go of his hand for a moment, but soon gathered her wits and quickly let go.

Just as Spike was about to leave the room, the man's voice called him back. "I trust I'll see you at the games Mr. Spiegel."

"Games?"

"Yes, our annual gathering. Surely Faye would have told you?"

"He doesn't really like to gamble," Faye hastily cut in, "and besides, I don't know how to contact them to ask for permission to bring a guest."

"Not to worry my dear, I'll take care of everything."

Faye looked like she wanted to protest further, but held her tongue.

If she didn't want him there, then he was definitely going. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Splendid. It's settled then, you'll bring your young man to Monte Carlo."

* * *

Going to the concierge's desk, he found a key-card waiting for him. From the looks of it, the suite was pretty swanky. Exploring, he found a workout room and decided to occupy his time that way while waiting for Faye. He was almost disappointed something didn't start back there; he could use a good workout to relieve all the tension that had built up in him.

No sooner did he come out of the shower, then Faye came in. She went to pour herself a drink, avoiding the questions in his eyes. When she finally did turn to him, he wasn't quite expecting the serious tone she held.

"I don't like this Spike. You shouldn't have accepted his invitation. You shouldn't have even told him your real name." She shook her head as if she was in an internal debate with herself over the situation.

Spike decided to speak when it was obvious she wasn't going to say anything else.

"Who were those guys?"

"Men with too much money and time on their hands. I'm paid to make sure they have considerably less money on their hands when they leave."

"What happens if they find out?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever happens, happens."

"And your willing to take that risk?"

"A risk is always worth taking."

Silence again. He wasn't sure he liked this new, quiet Faye. He couldn't believe he was thinking this, but he wanted the mischievous and brash one back. He decided to lighten the mood. "Nice digs. This is the way to live."

"Is it?"

"Knowing you, that's the last response I would have expected."

"You don't know me."

"Yeah, apparently."

Before the conversation could take any ugly turns, Spike's comm rang. It was Jet, with news that Ed had found them a name. The bounty-head was one David Lee and it had been the Gate Corporation that put the bounty up, which had now been upped to 70 million.

"So? Can you find out anything?"

"Yeah, let's go."

* * *

Faye led him to another casino in a seedier part of town. It was a smaller place, lacking the grandeur of the other. Once inside, she brought him to a bar.

"Get yourself a drink, cowboy. I'll be right back." Her usual tone of voice had returned and he found himself relieved to have her somewhat back to normal.

Taking a seat at the bar, he followed her with his eyes as she wove her way through the people. Faye approached a tall woman, disappearing with her into another part of the casino.

"What'll it be?" A bartender came up to him.

"Whiskey." By the time he was finished with his third drink, Faye reappeared by his side.

"What'd you find out?"

"This was before my time, but my contact says that he was practically a legend. Word is he's lost his touch for the past five years; goes on a drinking binge before every game. He owes money to all the big casinos, and his debts put mine to shame."

They decided to head back to the BeBop and plan their next move from there. Picking up the pack of cigarettes he'd left on the counter, Spike noticed a folded piece of paper underneath it that hadn't been there before.

I have information on the bounty. Meet me near the generator of the old hydroelectric plant at midnight, third stairwell. Don't bring the woman - come alone.

Pocketing the note before Faye could see it, he looked over to her, but she wasn't next to him.

She was settling herself to a game at the Craps table when he took her arm and pulled her away.

"Spike! Just one game."

"No."

"I won't take long. C'mon, I haven't played here for a long time."

"No," and he pulled her along until the were outside.

"You're a killjoy Spike."

"I do what I can Faye." He broke into a grin, feeling relieved again that their banter was returning.

* * *

When the time came, he slipped out and headed for the meeting place. The interior building was entirely made of steel and criss-crossed with walkways in four levels. Coming near the generator room, he climbed up to the third level, spotting a dark shape underneath a stairway. The man kept to the shadows, his face hidden.

"Stay back," he began, as Spike made to go near him.

"Who are you?"

"Someone who wants to see justice served."

"Justice for who?"

"That's none of your concern."

"What do you want?"

"I have information on the man you're looking for."

"What's the price?"

The man didn't answer. Spike tried another line of questioning. "Why didn't you want me to bring the woman along?"

"She works for them."

"Who's them?"

"Them, the ones who run the casinos. The bastards!" The man was becoming heated, his gruff voice echoing off the metal around them. "They do nothing but ruin lives! They play games with peoples' lives! I want them to pay, all of them!"

The man was ranting unintelligibly now. Spike decided to try to steer the conversation back to the bounty-head.

"Where can I find Lee?"

"He's been laying low, but he'll be at the games in Monte Carlo."

"How can you be sure?"

"Does the sun rise? All those gamblers are like that, they can't stay away for long. It's a sick compulsion. Besides, he'll be safe there. The ones who put up the bounty are looking for him. He has the stuff he stole on him."

"Why are you helping me?"

"My reasons are my own. You have to turn him in before he gets there. There isn't much time--"

Suddenly Spike raised his hand and the man stopped talking. Spike's hearing had picked up a sound, faint at first but growing louder every second. It was the sound of footsteps, many of them. He pulled out his Jericho with lightning speed and turned to the informer, but the man had already disappeared.

* Does anyone know what the official name is for the electronic devices they have that they put their money on?

A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I won't have any time to work on this til the end of the week. So I wanted to get this part out now, while I had a little bit of time.