Disclaimer: You guessed, I'm so filthy rich by being the owner of Cowboy Bebop that I just HAD to post stories here...note sarcasm. Also, the muzak is not mine.

Track 2. Midnight Take Out

"Risky business you carry"

"What about you? I told you to stay there." He puffed the cigarette.

"Hey, with Charlie's help I saved our behinds. Sometimes you have to take a chance"

From an alley near the bar. The couple watched how cops went from one person to the next questioning them about the event. One of the police men, turned to the alley and gave a small smile towards Violet. His face turned serious the next instant as his commanding officer approached him.

"I take it that's Charlie"

Spike caught the brunette blushing a bit about his question. She turned trying to pull an indifferent attitude about it but failed in his eyes.

"Oh, yeah. He is this friend that has pulled me out of some mess from time to time"

"Not surprised, you look like the type that stirs trouble"

She scrunched her nose in a funny way and talked back.

"Hey, you should talk! I didn't had some mob squad trying to catch my tail! You're a real sweet one Spiegel"

Spike watched her emotions go about from one to the other like she was some kind of character in a play. Very amused about this he came closer to her.

"Spiegel?!"

"I would call you Spike but this way it keeps things more interesting."

He couldn't resist anymore. He moved his body closer to hers...and laughed out loud to her face.

"BWA HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

"Huh? Hey! What are you laughing about?!"

"You!! This! Us! I haven't had this much fun in quite some time!" He was able to tell her this after concentrating hard to contain his laughter for a minute. Spike held his stomach with both hands as he kept laughing while being watched by the woman. In the process of his amusement he dropped the cigarette.

"Shhhh!! You'll draw attention. Come on, we're going to my place"

"OOoOOoh"

"Don't get ideas Romeo, it's only until things cool down"

Violet pushed Spike deeper into the shadows of the alley and turned to catch Charlie's blue eyed gaze on her. She managed to wave a 'goodbye' and mouth a 'thank you' to the cop before disappearing herself.

It was strange but after that little scene, both remained quiet as they took some turns around the block. It was darker and colder, Violet checked her watch only too see it was near midnight.

"This guy is weird. Why did I saved him? I hardly know the guy. He must be in some kind of danger, or better yet, maybe he IS dangerous. WHAT WAS I THINKING?! He could be a psycho, a murderer, a rapist!!!"

She turned to him, only to see him lost in his own thoughts. His face looked intense as they kept going along the streets. To Violet this man was a real puzzle. Spike kept hitting a rock with his boots. He was wearing under this cover a dark red shirt being hugged by a thin black tie. Matching black pants were also worn.

"With that hair? Nah.."

Spike felt her eyes on him, snapped out of his train of thought and just gave her a small smile. She was taken a back with his response and only replied with the same gesture. Her dress was covered with a large black coat, while her hands had black gloves on them.

"This girl is strange. One would think she's serious and maybe even sophisticated by only looking at her. But she's a real odd ball. But she did saved my ass. Vicious didn't waste anytime finding me"

"Chinese?"

"What?" They stopped right in front of a tiny restaurant.

"Do you want some chinese food? I just remembered my fridge doesn't have much in it"

"Uh..." He put his hands in his pockets trying to find some money. But instead of the sound of bills or coins from his pants, Violet heard his stomach growling with fury.

She giggled.

"It's ok, it's on me"

He put his hands up in defeat and embarrassment.

"Hey, the lady makes the calls tonight"

They entered the empty establishment. It had some oriental adornments here and there in bright reds and shiny gold. Old rice paper posters with children playing and old men fishing were on the walls. As they came up to the counter to order, Spike saw an old Bruce Lee poster behind the cash register.

"Enter the Dragon, that's a classic"

"I'm sorry. We're closed now" An old man dressed in a dark green chinese outfit came out from the back.

"Even for me Mr. Kwan?"

"Violet my dear! I didn't realized it was you! Welcome! Welcome!" The owner of the place took her hands in his with joy, greeted Spike with a bow and ran to the door closing it and pulling the curtain above it down for privacy.

"Sit. Sit. I can't offer you much since the cook left already and there isn't a lot left"

"That's ok sir. What do you have?"

"Uh...yes! Some Lo Mein Noodles with beef, uh...Peking Duck...uh...Egg Drop Soup?"

Spike's mouth watered ever since he heard the word 'beef'. He tried to hide his hunger with a cough and looking interested in the posters on the walls.

"That sounds good Mr. Kwan, we'll take it"

"All right" The little man turned and went for the kitchen.

"Oh! Make that To Go please"

Violet started to gather her money, looking inside her purse. She didn't felt Spike coming behind her until she saw his shadow on the floor.

"Thanks..."

"No problem. So...do you have a place to crash?"

"Huh?"

"Listen, it's a little past midnight. Um...my place is actually back at the hotel. Oh! Don't think I'm trying to get frisky with you or anything. It's just that well...after dinner and everything that happen. Do you?...Maybe you're tired and you could use the rest."

"Violet..."

She scratched the back of her neck feeling nervous.

"I asked the food To Go so we could get out of the streets faster and enjoy the meal?"

"...I can't accept"

"Oh...well...that's ok. We can just split the food and I'll might see you around?"

Sadness spread across his face. He decided it was risky for both to be together. It was best to let her out of his fate soon before it was too late. Even though his heart wanted the company. It had only been a few months since he recovered from the complicated operation his body endured, after that awful turn of events involving Vicious and Julia.

"I can't get her involved..."

He turned his back on her and just stared at the door. After a brief moment he answered.

"I don't think so. I should go, it's getting late"

"But Spike!"

"Is there a back door to this place?"

"What happened to him?"

"Food's ready!"

Violet paid her old friend and was guided by him out the back door. Kwan saw the couple go around the corner and closed the door. Once they were out of his sight, Spike decided it was the time.

"Goodbye Violet"

"Wait a minute Spike! Here, at least take the food."

"...no thanks"

This definitely made her blood boil. His change of attitude wasn't all that pleasing after they had shared a dangerous experience together. Other women might have backed away teary eyed and disappointed. Other women, not Violet.

"Now just hold on! Who in God's name do you think you are? What is this about, pride? Come on man! We were both almost killed back there. I thought we had something to share"

"Well you're wrong! I don't need the sympathy! I don't need the company! AND I DON'T NEED YOUR CHARITY!"

By this time the viewers of this quarrel were some cats on a trash can and a drunk who were passing by the scene.

"CHARITY?! YOU ARE SUCH A DUMBASS! THAT POODLE HAIR OF YOURS MUST HAVE GOTTEN INTO YOUR BRAIN! I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE I LIKE YOU AND I THINK YOU NEED IT EVEN THOUGH YOU AREN'T MAN ENOUGH TO ACCEPT IT!"

Spike was about to reply when she shoved the food into his arms.

"HERE! EAT IT, THROW IT OR GIVE IT TO THE BUM THAT'S WATCHING US OVER THERE!" And she pointed to drunk "YEAH, YOU! YOU KNOW I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU!"

She fixed herself and left towards the hotel. The man in the raincoat was speechless for her reaction, looked at the drunk who only waved from his spot and turned to see her walk away.

"YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME WHEN YOU'RE READY TO APOLOGIZE!! AND YOU BETTER SPIEGEL!! YOU HEAR ME?!"

"Men..."

*******

Start reviewing....now! @_@

Next Track: Bloody Mary for the lady

Thought's: Come on, you really didn't think they would become buddies over night, didja'? Let me put your mind at ease and let you know: This chick is not a Faye copy so chill. What was that? Is Spike going to fall for her? Let me just say--*ding dong* Oh! Pizza's here! *runs to the door* ^.^