Disclaimer: I do not own Cowboy Bebop.
Session 8: The Mystery Man
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"Hey, Spike," said Jet as he ventured into the hangar. He watched as his comrade heatedly tossed buckets of water on his ship to rinse off the soap. "Are you okay?" he asked hesitantly.
"Fine," replied Spike in a flat tone. "What's up?"
"I set coordinates for Earth. There's a bounty there I want to catch."
"Okay," said Spike refilling the bucket from a nearby spicket.
"Hey…have you seen Faye?" asked Jet casually after noticing the absence of the Redtail.
"Nope," answered Spike trying his damndest to act nonchalant. Surprisingly, it was actually quite difficult for him to pull off this time.
"Oh…just wondering," said Jet already meandering towards the door. "See ya at dinner."
Spike was now alone. He threw the bucket of water on the Swordfish before tossing it aside and staring blankly ahead of him. He didn't know what to do now. Work out? Take a shower? Take a nap? No, he was far too antsy to sleep. He decided suddenly that a vigorous Jeet Kun Do session then a shower was his best bet.
As his work out session dragged on, Spike managed to achieve temporary peace of mind. It ended the second he stopped and realized hours had passed since he started. And she still hadn't returned. He didn't notice Eden silently walk onto the bridge where he now stood staring out one of the windows.
"Spike…is something wrong?" she asked now standing beside him.
Spike jumped, startled out of his troubled thoughts. He was usually pretty perceptive, but then again, Eden was usually eerily quiet. "Uh…why would you think that?" was his half-hearted reply.
"Jet mentioned earlier that you were acting strange," explained Eden, always painfully honest, "and you've been working out for about three hours straight now."
He remained quiet for several minutes debating with himself if he could trust Eden. He eventually decided he needed to talk to someone. "Can I tell you something…something confidential?" he asked glancing at her briefly, then looking away embarrassed.
"Sure. I won't tell anyone," she responded still staring out the window at a nearby planet.
"Well…uh…Faye and I…we're kinda…involved, now," he paused feeling extremely uncomfortable and almost positive he was blushing. "And you see…she's been missing…er, gone…since I woke up…"
"You're worried she won't come back," said Eden finishing the sentence Spike was having difficulties choking out.
"Well…yeah," he said in a defeated tone lowering his head. He suddenly felt Eden's warm hand on his bare shoulder. Hesitantly, he met her gaze once again startled by the emotion her eyes emitted.
"Don't worry. She'll be back." Her voice came out in a soothing, motherly manner. "I have it under good authority she cares about you…very deeply. She won't abandon you. Now, come on. Dinner's ready."
He never had a chance to tell her, but her words had an almost immediate calming effect on him. They both walked to the common room in silence where Jet already had dinner spread out on the coffee table, or their equivalent thereof. As they ate and chatted over a pretty good meal, considering Jet cooked it, the hangar door opened. It was a dull, muffled sound that Jet and Eden didn't seem to notice as they talked. Spike noticed, though, and his entire body tensed.
What happened next seemed to move in slow motion for him. He continued to methodically chew his dinner as if he was a programmed robot. Footsteps thudded towards the common room. Bags fell to the floor near his seat on the chair. A sweet, intoxicating scent flooded his senses as she brushed past him to sit on the edge of the coffee table. Her fiery green eyes momentarily locked with his garnet ones as he struggled like hell to keep the tidal wave at bay. He watched, almost frowning, as she crossed her legs in a maddeningly sexy manner and flipped back some of her silky hair.
"So, what's for dinner? Did I miss anything…exciting?" she spoke throwing Spike a sideways glance and a wink through her feathery, dark bangs. It had become her habit as of late to wear her bangs down.
Spike nearly choked on a piece of broccoli. In a moment that he would later claim was temporary insanity, he slammed down his plate and chopsticks and rose to his feet to glare down at her. "Where the hell have you been?!" he asked a bit too loudly as his face flushed red with anger.
Faye blinked a couple of times before gesturing to the bags on the floor. "Shopping," she offered with a befuddled expression.
Jet and Eden, sitting side by side on the couch, had stopped eating. They were staring in awe at the bizarre spectacle that was taking place right before their very eyes.
"You could've let me know before you just ran off like that! I've been worried about you all day!" shouted Spike apparently forgetting that he had spectators.
"Hey! I'm a grown woman and I can take care of my fucking self!" retaliated Faye standing up to glare back at him at a more appropriate level.
"I know that…wait a minute…Where did you get money to go shopping? You haven't caught a bounty in two months," he said giving her a suspicious look.
"The reason I haven't caught a bounty is because when I asked to go last time, Jet told me I couldn't! So, I borrowed some of your money and tripled it at the casino," explained Faye producing a wad of bills and waving them around.
"You took my money?!" yelled Spike with a priceless incredulous expression.
"No, I borrowed your money," corrected Faye. "Here, have it back if it's so important." She threw the money at him and stalked out of the common room, retrieving her bags as she left.
Spike stared at her retreating back mouth agape as money fluttered to the floor around him. It was about then that Eden made a small noise that diverted his attention to his two couch side spectators. His eyes swept over them as his face lit up a brilliant red. Forgetting about his food and money, he quickly ran out of the room. He found his way to her bedroom door and knocked.
"Go away!" Faye shouted, obviously irritated.
"Hey…come on, I'm sorry," said Spike as quietly as he could. "Just let me in."
The door suddenly swung open to reveal a perplexed Faye. "Did you…just say you were sorry?" she asked.
"Kinda…well, I guess…" stuttered Spike averting his gaze before pushing past her as he walked into the room. Faye shut the door and turned to stare at him.
"So…I guess Jet knows our little secret thanks to your big mouth," she said placing her hands on her hips.
"I know, I know," he sighed as he plopped down on the bed and ran his hands through his dark hair. "I just lost it…I don't know why."
"It couldn't possibly be because you were worried about me," said Faye sarcastically as she sat next to him.
"Listen, I was worried, okay?" he retorted sharply nailing her with an intense glare. "I thought maybe that you were attempting another one of your famous disappearing acts."
Faye blinked a couple of times before responding. "Awww! How sweet! You really do care!" she said dramatically throwing her arms around him and knocking them both flat on the bed.
"Dammit, Faye! Don't you know how to take anything seriously?!" argued Spike unsuccessfully trying to free himself from the long limbs that grasped him.
"Sure, I do," she said freeing him enough so that he could sit up.
He looked down and noticed one of her thin legs was still draped over his. His eyes traveled up the leg to further notice that her short skirt had bunched itself up and the smooth curve of her bare rear end was now visible. He wanted her badly right then, but had to remind himself he was still upset with her.
"I know that look," she said before he could utter another complaint. She quickly repositioned herself by climbing onto his lap and wrapping her arms around his torso. Her lips brushed against his ear. "How does a quickie sound?" she whispered seductively.
The offer was incredibly difficult to refuse and he couldn't hide the fact it turned him on. Even as his mind told him "no" his hands locked onto her inviting hips. "You are incorrigible," he whispered as her hands began to roam.
"And sexy," she added, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. She pushed him onto this back once again. "I'm sorry I worried you," she spoke as she started to kiss his neck. "If you'll let me, I'll make it up to you right now." Finding no words of protest, Faye's deft fingers set to work.
***
"Where are they headed, my dear?" asked the man from his seat in the shadows.
"Earth," answered Lilith from the control panel of the ship. "They're after a bounty hiding out there."
"Hmm…Earth. Our forgotten homeland. How ironic that we should intercept her on a planet of broken memories," mused the man with a small smile.
"She may attack again," said Lilith glancing over her shoulder.
"That's fine," said the man standing and slowly walking up behind his female companion. "We'll be prepared. She is not getting away this time."
***
When Jet awoke the next morning, he was still confused. His mind simply could not accept the fact that Spike and Faye may be involved. He threw a weary glance to their bedroom doors before making his way to the bridge. The Bebop had nearly reached Earth and he had to ensure she landed safely. Locking his mind on business, he found it easy to forget the shocking events of the last night.
Eden soon wandered onto the bridge still in her pajamas. She stared in awe at the blue and green comet shrouded planet the ship approached.
"Is that Earth?" she asked startling Jet.
"Oh, Eden! I didn't hear you…yes, that's Earth. We'll be landing shortly and before we find the bounty I need to go get some supplies."
"Can I come with you?" she asked hopefully.
"I don't see why not, but you'll have to stay on the Bebop when we leave to track down the bounty," he said smiling up at her from his seat.
"Okay," she agreed sounding like an eager child. "I'll go get ready." She suddenly bounded off of the bridge headed towards the shower. In her excitement, she forgot to mention to Jet that she had had another dream. In this one she had been doing some rather intimate things with a man. She assumed it was the same man she'd dreamt about the previous night, but she still could not clearly make out his face. Another part of the dream had been a conversation with Zillah, but she didn't really remember what they had said. She marveled at the fact these "memories" could feel simultaneously so familiar and yet so foreign.
***
Faye awoke with a start. The feel of his lean, naked body pressed to the back of hers momentarily confused her. Then she remembered the events of the previous night and smiled. She noticed that his arm was protectively draped over her waist. He had done that the last time they had slept together and she figured it was one of the ways he chose to keep his woman close. She had never figured him for the affectionate type but was slowly discovering he had little endearing qualities that continued to surprise her.
The ship suddenly trembled and lurched upsetting the couple in bed. Spike jerked awake as his arm instinctively grasped Faye tightly.
"Mmmm…good morning," he mumbled delighted she was indeed next to him this time.
"Morning," responded Faye rolling over to face him. "That felt like one of Jet's infamous landings. Were we headed anywhere in particular?"
"Yeah, Earth," said Spike after yawning.
"Earth? Why?" asked Faye mildly irritated by the news.
"Bounty," was his simple reply before pulling her against his body and sighing into her hair.
"What's up with you?" came her muffled voice as her face was mashed between the pillow and his skin. "Are you usually this lovey dovey in the morning?"
Apparently her comment offended him, because the next thing she knew he had pushed her away and sat up. She didn't care, though. Now she could breathe. He climbed off the bed and pulled on his training pants.
"I'm gonna go take a shower," he announced as he left the room.
"Not without me you aren't!" Faye hollered springing from bed and quickly throwing on a robe. She barely had it closed when she burst from the room to chase Spike into the shower room.
***
Jet emerged from his room with his comm. unit ready to leave to go supply shopping. He happened to see Spike emerging from the shower and decided to tell him where he was going. Before he could open his mouth he saw none other than Faye step out of the room next wrapped only in a small towel. He nearly dropped the comm. unit as they began to argue.
"I still don't understand why I had to share the shower," complained Spike as he vigorously scrubbed his hair dry with a towel, as was his habit.
"Because, you would've used all the damn hot water and I didn't feel like freezing my ass off today!" explained Faye crossing her arms over her poorly concealed cleavage.
"Whatever. It's not like I haven't froze my ass off plenty of times because of you…" Spike's eyes roamed to Jet and he instantly fell silent.
"What the hell are you gawking at…oh." Faye spotted Jet and also fell silent.
Jet felt like a deer caught in headlights. "Uhm…we're going out for supplies…uh…we'll be back soon." That said, he fled the hallway with much more haste than he originally intended.
"While your out, get me some chocolate!" shouted Faye to Jet's retreating back.
"Chocolate? I thought you went shopping yesterday," said Spike quirking an eyebrow at her.
"I did, but I didn't buy any food," she replied haughtily as she sauntered off towards her room.
Spike merely rolled his eyes in response before finding his own room.
***
Eden was ridiculously excited to be let off of the ship to go supply shopping. Even though Earth was a shadow of its former self and half in ruins, she seemed endlessly fascinated by its rough apparel. She loved the tobacco store and happily sniffed the flavored cigars as Jet made his bi-weekly cigarette purchase. She was captivated by the general supply store and asked what all the odd appliances were. She even seemed enchanted by the meat and fruit markets staring with great concentration at everything she deemed interesting. The barrage of questions she assaulted Jet with was steadily getting on his nerves. When they came to the edge of the small strip of stores the town had to offer, Jet ordered Eden to "wait outside" as he ducked into his last destination. He knew he could be in and out in minutes without her asking him what every bloody contraption on the shelf was.
As Eden waited, idly swinging the shopping bags she held, curiosity got the best of her. She cautiously looked around, then walked to the edge of the town to peer at the expanse of land beyond. In the slight distance she could see the remains of a city with its various broken buildings and craters littering the surrounding area. She climbed on top of a broken slab of concrete to get a better look. As the wind blew her dress gently around her legs, her memory suddenly lapsed. The bags fell to the concrete.
Standing about ten feet away from her was the willowy figure of a blond woman.
"Lilith," spoke Eden as her eyes narrowed and her body tensed.
"Tell me, sister," said Lilith as she approached Eden with a grave expression, "do you plan on attacking me again?"
"Treacherous slut!" spat Eden falling into a fighting stance. "Come any closer and I will kill you!"
Lilith stopped dead in her tracks and chuckled. "Still upset about Zillah? You of all people should understand that war has…casualties."
Eden became enraged at the mention of Zillah and charged Lilith. The women engaged in hand-to-hand combat for a brief time before being distracted.
"That's enough!" came a powerful and frightfully familiar voice.
Eden froze in mid-punch to gaze wide-eyed over her shoulder. She saw a man walking towards her and the sight of him made her begin to tremble. He stopped mere feet from her, his black trench coat billowing in the wind. His short, dark hair framed his angular, aging face and his hard, blue eyes stared at her intensely.
"Vincent!" she exclaimed overcome with shock. "They told me you were…you're supposed to be…"
"Dead?" asked Vincent finishing Eden's phrase. "I'm afraid they lied to you, my dear."
The sound
of his deep, monotone voice began to soothe Eden's frayed nerves. "They told me
many disturbing things before I lost my mind."
"Do you remember where you
have been since Richard revived you?" asked Vincent.
"I…I think I remember a man, a tall man…after Richard was…killed," responded Eden sounding doubtful.
"Good," he said smiling faintly. "You're memory is beginning to merge."
"Merge? What are you talking about?" she asked.
"You don't remember much that has happened to you since you've been revived, do you?" asked Vincent drawing near to her and lying a hand on her perplexed face.
"Not really…" said Eden as she lost herself in the depth of his dark eyes.
"Your
memory has been divided into two," he explained gazing at her fondly. "When
something, for example, Lilith, triggers your old memory, it becomes dominant.
When the trigger disappears, you lapse back into amnesia. By keeping you around
a trigger continuously, we can allow your two memories to merge."
"If you intend to keep me
around Lilith for long, she will not live to see another day," said Eden, her
voice saturated in determination.
Vincent laughed before ducking out of the way of a sudden bullet. He expertly flung Eden in front of himself and secured her in an arm lock.
"Damn…" swore Jet as he lowered his gun slightly. He knew leaving her alone had been a bad idea, and he mentally kicked himself for doing it against his better judgment. "Eden!" he shouted in desperation as the man began to drag her away.
Eden didn't recognize the man trying to save her at first, but when he called her name his voice brought back flashes of happy memories. She watched helplessly as her would-be savior charged blindly towards them and Lilith sprang into action. Thankfully, she didn't shoot or try to kill him. She just brutally knocked him unconscious.
"Jet!" she cried out struggling against Vincent's iron grip.
As strong as Vincent was, he was no match for Eden's strength when she was determined. Soon, she threw off his arms and ran towards Jet. She didn't get far before she felt a small prick in the side of her neck. Grogginess began to veil her senses as her hand reached up to touch the tranquilizer dart lodged in her skin. She fell motionless to the dusty earth seconds later.
Lilith picked up Eden's limp body with little effort and slung it over her shoulder. As soon as she started running away, a hailstorm of bullets hit. She did not even bother to look back and discover who the assailants were even as a bullet tore into her shoulder close to the previous injury. When she met up with Vincent, he retrieved Eden and they both quickly disappeared behind some large chunks of debris.
Faye impulsively threw her gun to the ground in frustration as Spike took off after the kidnappers. She sighed heavily and stooped beside Jet's fallen body.
"Hey…are you okay?" she asked roughly shaking his shoulder. "Please, tell me you're not dead…hey! Wake up!" she shouted as she became increasingly worried.
Jet groaned and began to stir. "Feels like a freight train hit my head…" he muttered sitting up with Faye's help. All of a sudden, he became frantic. "Oh god!…oh my god…Where's Eden?!" he asked loudly looking around and trying unsuccessfully to climb to his feet.
"Jet, stop!" cried Faye holding him down to the best of her ability. He was still far too dizzy to stand, let alone run. "Spike went after them…listen, you have to relax…you probably have a concussion." She felt extremely odd playing the role of the concerned and rational parental figure. It was like her and Jet had swapped positions.
"Oh god…I've failed her…" said Jet in a dejected tone covering his face with a hand. "I told her I wouldn't let anything happen to her…"
Faye awkwardly put an arm around his shoulders in an attempt to comfort him. She hoped he wouldn't start crying or anything close to it. "She'll be okay. If Spike can't get her back, which he probably can, then we'll never stop looking until we find her," she said reassuringly.
Jet barely heard Faye's words, he was far too lost in his own morbid thoughts. He never even figured out who the accomplice was, even though, upon seeing him he looked familiar. He hoped with all his heart that Spike did get her back, because if he didn't…there was a slim chance he would ever see Eden again.
To be contined…..
Authors Note:
So…how was it??? Did I go too far with the mystery man? I like the way it turned out and it has so much more potential. And I'm going to try to explore more of Eden's past in the next chapter. Not too much…I don't want to bore you all. And of course, no chapter is complete without Spike and Faye! I won't forget them. I'm thinking of starting a new story based on Spike and Faye mainly. Perhaps an alternate reality…don't know, still brainstorming. The possibilities are endless. Hope you all enjoyed this session ^_^
To my Reviewers:
Pimpin Satan: Yes, Faye pulled a gimpy…but she came back ^_^ I hope you like the plot twists in this chapter. I think I think about them too much….Hope you liked the revealed mystery man too. I really dig Vincent's character, so I'm not going to let him die either 0.o hehe…Thanks for the review!
Red Tenko: I'm glad you liked the update, hope you like this one too. I very much enjoyed your update also ^_^ I didn't really get Faye's POV in but I at least explained where she was! I really want to experiment with a POV story though….thanks for the review and the compliments on the names! They're some of my favorites and all biblical, so they have a theme.
Cbdbz247: Thank you for the review! I made Faye come back, couldn't leave poor ole Spikey alone. I'm still working on Spike learning to let go and love again. He's established that he deeply cares for her though, and that's a good start, I think.
This-side-up: Thank you ^_^ What a flattering review! I'm glad the characters are playing out well. I hadn't realized I was writing in symbolism and coincidences, but I've been told I have a natural knack for it. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, I do aim to please.
Outis: I'm hoping for a happy ending, but the story is kinda writing itself. If it's not too happy, I promise to write a redeeming sequel ;) Thanks for the review!
Kendra Luehr: Glad you liked the romantic love scenes. I love writing them (sap and all, hehe…) Thanks for having confidence in me! ^_^ I appriciate it. It's amazing that you update so frequently, I try to…I usually have the session wrote in a notebook for weeks before actually getting a chance to type it. Well, thanks for the great review and keep up your writing too!
Musetta22: Thank you! ^_^ What a lovely compliment! I'm glad I did the characters justice and that the story is beautiful. It's something I strive for.
Wow….now I am really exhausted. This typing sucked the last bit of life from me. I think I'm going to go watch Futurama reruns now and try to forget I've been running around a campus all week. Thanks for reading! ~.^