Chapter 3: Atari

By: Usako-chan

IMPORTANT INFO: By the way, I forgot to mention this at the beginning of the story, but, this takes place about 2 years after Session 26 ended. AND YES, I know a lot of you are like: "Well, how in the world did Spike survive and when did he go back to the Bebop, blah, blah, blah, and so on." Don't worry about it folks, quoting Mr. Spiegel himself, "Whatever happens, happens." I will be filling in some of the gaps in chapters to come, so if you have any questions, I'm sure they will be answered later. I don't think this will bother anyone, but you are free to tell me if you want. Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. I can't believe I've gotten 32 reviews for only 2 chapters. Thanks! ^.^ You guys are the greatest! I guess that's about it for now.

Disclaimer: Nope.don't even think about it. That's right! ¬_¬; Turn right on around and leave with your stupid lawsuits, cuz I don't own one damn thing that has to do with Cowboy Bebop. Go! Go I tell you! ^_~

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She was still angry. She couldn't believe that she had let him see that side to her. She fought it. The urge for her to be seen in a different light was a constant battle. People never saw each other how they really are. As you grow into an adult, you loose your innocence. It's the price you pay for loosing your ignorance. But that was stolen from her. Both of them were taken...ignorance and innocence.

"Ah Shit! I'm driving myself crazy!" She rubbed her eyes with her fingers.

What was wrong with her? She wasn't one to get all emotional in front of others. She was completely embarrassed by her actions towards Spike. Simply put, she had been avoiding him as well as Ed and Jet since then, only talking with them when necessary. Well, not that Spike had really put an effort into it.

"Faye-Faye! Here comes the in-in-info for yoooouuuu!"

"Ok, Ed, put it up on my screen."

"Okey dokey, Faye-Faye!"

"Don't forget to look up the rest of the info we talked about."

"You will bring Ed presents like you said you would, right?"

"Of course, I don't break my word." She laughed, "Well, not usually."

She turned serious with the red head. "I do promise you this Ed, if you can find what I asked for and send it to me, then I will definitely bring something back for you like I said I would."

"Roger, Captain Faye-Faye."

Faye rolled her eyes. That kid was completely nuts, a genius, yes, but not all there at the same time. It didn't matter though; she was very useful to her and she had to admit that she really did like the child. She was always smiling and so damn optimistic about everything. She saw rainbows in the storms.

Shifting her position in her seat, she started the engine of her Redtail. She was on her way to Mars. There was a man she wanted to meet there; a man she knew wouldn't want to meet her. Atari Toshiba. She saw him on Big Shot and he was supposedly worth 3 million woolongs. And man, could she ever use the money.

She had thought this guy was as common as any other bounty out there, but the amount he was worth was enough to turn anyone's head.

*******************Flashback********************

It had been normal routine as usual. Spike was lying on the couch, smoking, Faye was sitting in the chair doing her nails, Jet was "working" on his bonsai trees, err.more like killing them, and Ed was playing in her own little world, with the help of her tomato and Ein was sleeping as usual. It was time for Big Shot.

"Welcome to Big Shot amigos! Have we got some news for you!"

"Ooo! What is it Punch? Huh?"

"A new target has shown up for all you bounty hunters out there! We don't really know a lot about 'em except that he's wanted for some bad corporate dealings and supposed hacking jobs."

Spike yawned.

"That's right folks, a seemingly harmless guy, though his bounty is an amazing 4 million woolongs!"

Faye stopped doing her nails and looked up. Spike sat up on the couch and Jet stopped clipping the trees.

"Wow, Punch! That sure is a lot of money! But what does this guy look like?"

"Here ya go all you bounty hunters! Take a look at this ugly mug!"

All three looked at the picture on the screen. Ed just kept typing away.

"His name is Atari Toshiba."

Spike's cigarette dropped from his mouth.

"The only information we have on this guy, is that he is supposedly somewhere around the age of 55 and his height is about 5' 7"."

"Oh my, Punch! Is that all we know?"

"Toshiba is a very crafty man. He's escaped from several incidents with the ISSP. They can't catch him and so, are offering a reward for his capture. Dead or Alive."

"Well, we'll be back after this break! So stick around all you bounty hunters!"

Spike got up and kicked the TV. "Shit!!"

Faye flinched. "What the hell is wrong with you, Spike?! God! Give me a heart attack why don't you?" She stared at him confused.

He didn't comment. He jammed his hands in his pockets, turned and left the room.

Faye looked over at Jet. He shrugged. "Don't ask me, Faye. You know about as much as I do. Here's a tip for you, don't try to figure him out, it will only make you crazy." He went back to tending his babies.

"Trust me, I don't care to." Faye laid down on the couch. "What do you think about this Toshiba guy?"

Jet shrugged again. "I don't know, Faye. It looks legit, but you never know. You know, I hate to say it, but, if you go after this one, I think you should take Spike with you. This guy could be dangerous if he has such a high bounty on his head."

"Spare me, Jet! I can do this on my own. I don't need Fro Boy's help. I can handle this myself." With that, Faye jumped up, turned around and left the room.

***********************End Flashback***********************

"You going on ahead? Well, then, I'll meet you there." Startled, Faye was shaken out of her reverie by his voice. Spike.

"HEY!! I told you that you weren't welcome! I can do this alone. So you can just walk your lanky ass back into the Bebop's cabin." Spike's face popped onto the screen.

Spike just smirked as he continued to make ready for take off. "Relax, Faye. No need to shout, because I'm coming whether you like it or not. Jet and I don't trust you to do this alone."

"Oh please, you are so full of bull shit, Spike," she yelled. "You know that you just want to be a part of everything, because you don't think I can do anything right. It makes you feel all special to be in everyone's business. You should know better than anyone else of how capable I am of taking care of myself. So tell me, what's your real motive?"

"Ah, Faye.my goodness, you've seen right through me! I do have another reason to come with you," Spike said sarcastically. "I just can't stand to be away from you, my love."

Faye rolled her eyes. "Piss off Spike." That little sarcastic asshole, she thought.

He laughed. "Oh yeah, that really worked. Look at me! Now I'm gonna go back into the Bebop to cry." Spike's expression turned serious. "Don't get so happy about what I just said. You know that I really hate you right? I'm just coming to get to you. Won't this be fun?!"

"AAARRRGGGGHHH!!!! Whatever! Fine. If you're going, then don't bother me! And who asked you to talk to me anyway?! I'm ending transmission right now!" She slapped the button, rather then pushing it.

Ok now she was really pissed. That arrogant prick. He hadn't changed since the episode in the bathroom. It had happened a week ago. Spike just seemed to roll it off his shoulders. They hadn't mentioned it to each other. And she didn't plan on it. She didn't know what she expected from him anyway.

She hated him then she loved him, she loved him then she hated him. She just couldn't make up her damn mind.

Spike passed her in his Swordfish with a huge grin on his face, then stuck his tongue out at her. Faye rolled her eyes. Sometimes he could be as immature as Ed. Men were babies.

"Faye-Faye!"

"Yes, Ed, what is it?" Ed's face popped onto the screen.

"Faye-Faye! I got it, got it! Here it comes!"

The info drew up onto the screen. "Ed, where did you get this and how reliable do you think it is?"

"Ed is sure that all is correct with this. Ed found it on her tomato, so there's no mistake. This is the last place that he was spotted. He supposedly was seen by someone he made a deal with"

"Ok, Ed, I guess I have to trust you on this."

"Faye, she's right, I've checked it out too and I've come up with the same info and the same sources."

Faye glared at the screen. "Well, thanks for the extra comments there, but I'm not happy with you right now. How come you don't think I can handle this one, Jet?" she folded her arms, "You know that I'm perfectly capable to handle this, I'm a big girl."

"He completely insisted to come, and I couldn't stop him." Jet sighed. "Faye, you know how he is. No one has ever had control over him and no one ever will. So, if you want to be angry with someone, be angry with him."

She steamed, "Well, that's already taking place as we speak. I don't really think I can tolerate him right now, Jet. I don't see why he has to come. Couldn't you have given him the wrong info or something?"

"No, I couldn't Faye. The point is, is that he probably already has more info than any of us put together. You see, there's one thing that Spike failed to bring to your attention about all of this."

"Oh yeah and what would that be?"

"This guy, Toshiba, well, he supposedly knew of Julia."

Her breath was taken away. She falsely looked calm to fake her shock. God! Please! Not this again. Couldn't she just go away forever?! Shit! She wouldn't leave them alone even in death.

"So what? Who cares? She's dead you know. Hell, even I knew of Julia. And why in the world would this be so important? Why would this guy be so special that Spike has to see him?" she persisted.

"Because, Faye..." he paused, "Spike is almost certain that this man is Julia's father."

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A/N: I even surprised myself. =D That sure was a cliffy and a big shocker, huh? I really don't cliff my stories, but oh well.

A/N 2: If anyone wants me to email them every time I update this thing, then, please, don't be afraid to ask. Thanks... My email is:

beautifulryokomasaki@yahoo.com