Alrighty! Another chapter, another day! This chapter is entitled "Behind Blue Eyes". The song just kinda fit the mood at the end of the chapter. My opinion is to listen to the Fred Durst version while you read. Sets the mood. Also, if anyone knows somebody who can make AMV's would you please have them contact me at :AustinFreak@nirvanafan.com? I have really good ideas but nobody to help me put them into effect. Story....getting there..... Disclaimer: I do not own Cowboy Bebop or 'Behind Blue Eyes'.

Wanted: Dead Or Alive - Behind Blue Eyes

Miggs could feel a warm arm wrap itself around her cold, bare waist. She turned on her side and saw the face of them man she was supposed to kill by now but had bedded him instead. *So it wasn't a dream after all?* Spike mumbled something in his sleep and pulled the mechanic closer. *What have I done?* She stretched an arm over her forehead and sighed. Slowly, she began to rise from bed, careful to not wake up the bounty hunter beside her. Immediately, she was grasped by Spike and pulled back down to the mattress.
"And where do you think you're going?" A lazy smile tried it's best to shine but exhaustion kept it to a small smirk. He moved a curl away from her nose and laid a single kiss on her forehead. "Please tell me you didn't regret what happened."
"Please tell me you did.." Spike quirked an eyebrow but let her get up. Miggs picked up the first item of clothing she could find, which just happened to be the shirt Spike had been wearing last night. She reluctantly pulled on the shirt and advanced to the closet to recover a clean pair of overalls for work. Spike was still in bed but had managed to get his pants on.
"Well...I don't. And from the sounds you made last night, one would think you didn't regret it either." Miggs blushed at the comment. She had to admit, it had been a long time since a man made her feel that special. Last night's memories were permanently etched into her brain.
"Spike...I wish it could be different. But if I get any closer, it will be more and more difficult for me..." She stopped herself from finishing the sentence. A knot had somehow formed in her throat and she choked it down. She couldn't quit now, not after all that had occured to lead up to the next few days. Spike made an effort to comfort the girl but Miggs squirmed out of his grip and walked out the door. Her body ached from the emotion passing through her but she had to do what she had to do.
The walk to the mechanic shop was short and peaceful, and Miggs found herself enjoying the morning walks. But this particular walk was nothing to her. She couldn't let it mean anything. She paused across the street from the old shop and glanced over at a phone booth. She nonchalantly walked over and picked up the phone. A faint cell phone ring could be heard nearby but was not paid much attention to.
"Do it." Both sides clicked off and Miggs stepped out of the booth and kneeled down to tie her shoe. A dark man appeared from an alley and finished off Miggs' course by crossing over and entering the tiny shop. Miggs clenched her eyes shut as she heard gun shots fire in the small establishment, followed by the screams of her co-workers. She could hear Peterson, the man who had raised Vicious and herself for a good portion of their lives, beg for his life, only to be answered by a single gunshot. The mysterious man left the shop and returned to the dark alley. Miggs stood inertly, her eyes locked on the bloodbath she had to walk in on. She opened the doors, surprised to find an almost clean killing. Peterson lay slumped in the corner, his face in a look of absolute horror. Miggs calmly picked up the front office phone and asked for the police station.
"Yes, Peterson's has just been shot up. No survivors. Yes, please hurry."

Jaxx lay awake in his bedroom, pondering over his next move. The woman had to be stopped, and Ed and Spike saved. Hopefully she hadn't got to the male bounty hunter yet. He glanced down at the sleeping form snuggled to his chest, the same person who had managed to make him do the one thing he thought he could never do again - laugh. His hand entertwined with her wine colored hair, combing out the tangles the night's mess had formed. He still smiled at recollecting the night's memories. Ed had made him laugh, and walked back to the car drenched and shivering. As she opened the car door, he placed his trenchcoat over her shaking form. She thanked him and hadn't taken it off sense. She even climbed into his bed with it on. When he questioned why she was in there, she smiled and said to join her, knowing he wouldn't try anything. And they fell asleep like that, wet and happy.
Ed yawned loudly and stretched an arm out. She groggily opened her eyes and peered up at Jaxx. She hadn't felt this comfortable since riding on the Bebop. She blushed at the thought of how close she was to Jaxx and pulled away. Jaxx took notice of the embarrassment and let her go, almost regretting that he didn't hang on a little longer. Ed handed him his trenchcoat, seeming almost childlike in the gesture.
"It's a little wet but thank you for lending it to me last night."
"I should be thanking you.." Ed's amber eyes shot completely open.
"For what?"
"You managed to put a little light in my life. "
"By making you laugh?"
"It has been almost 10 years since the last time I laughed."
"You're welcome."
"I became a full member of the Syndicate after Trish's death, hoping they would teach me not make the same mistake again."
"You were a member of the Syndicate?" Ed's brow srunched up in confusion .
"Yes. I went to Trish's family to give my condolences but they treated me as if I was the cause of her death. Nobody knows what it's like to be the bad man; to be the sad man. No one knows what it's like to be hated, to be faded, to telling only lies. And that's what I had become afterwards, a faded figure in everyone's memory." Ed could see his eyes water over but not shed any tears. And his eyes, she had noticed, had become a soft blue from the emotion spilling from him. He hadn't wanted to be pushed out, but Vicious had caused Trish's death and his abandonment to society. He had become a member of the Syndicate in hopes that none of this would ever happen again and that he could wipe out the smudge in people's lives. But it had apparently backfired. "I left after only a year, and became a bounty hunter like you and Spike. I did some computer work on the side to help pay bills and after awhile, I thought I had finally started over. But they are constantly looking for me. I am a danger to everyone I meet."
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"So you won't get close. So that they won't hurt you." Ed graced his cheek and enveloped him in a tight hug.
"I don't blame you for her death. I blame Vicious. You loved her and I know that."
"Ed..." Ed's grip tightened as she felt tears trickling down her cheek.
"And I won't get hurt. But please don't push me away. I want to be close." Jaxx jerked her away and stared down at her.
"What did you say?"
"I haven't felt this safe in such a long time....I know i'm not Trish. But..." Ed was hushed by a single finger. Jaxx slowly pulled away. Ed noted to herself that during the night he had changed into dry clothes. Jaxx climbed out of bed and headed towards the window.
"I have to go take care of something. You're not a prisoner of this apartment, and I don't expect your return if you leave. But...I do thank you for what you have done for me." He turned, giving Ed one more heart felt glance and almost sending Ed into another rush of tears, and left the apartment. Ed sniffled and dipped into the bag of clothes Jaxx had purchased for her. When she had finally settled on a violet sweater and a modest skirt, she sluggishly walked to the bathroom for her last shower in Jaxx's home.
Ed walked down the street, taking notice of all the things she had taken for granted in the city. A small breeze sent chills down her back and she wrapped herself up more tightly in her jacket. It had only been an hour since her departure and she was already missing the man who had walked in and out of her life in a matter of days. *Don't be foolish, Ed.* An abulance rushed past her, sending a spiral fallen leaves in Ed's direction. She continued walking, not even paying attention to where the vehicle had stopped.

Miggs leaned against the cop car and sipped at a complimentary cup of coffee that the officer on the scene had given her. So far, everything had gone to plan. The young officer tugged at his belt and then walked over to Miggs, who stared blankly at the man.
"The other officers will be here shortly. You can go home now, if you want, and we will contact you later for questioning. If you see anyone who resembles the person who shot up the place, call us." He handed Miggs a card with a scribbled number and she politely took it, nodding in understanding. She then began to walk back home, knowing the plan had worked. She gasped as a pair of hands worked their way over her mouth and pulled her into a nearby alley. The hands swung her around and pushed her against the bitter brick wall.
"Well hello Jaxx. Long time no see." Jaxx squeezed her throat in one hand and held her in place with the other. "What brings the pleasure of your company here this morning?", she managed to choke out.
"You know exactly why i'm here! You're planning on framing Ed!" Miggs remained quiet and still. "Dammit! Say something!"
"What do you want from me?"
"I want you to call the whole thing off..." Miggs narrowed her pale blue eyes. "She's your best friend, Miggs!!"

Ed turned and watched as the handsome Jaxx plucked Miggs off the street. It was only after that scene had taken place, that Ed pivoted on her ankle and sprinted back to her safe haven. She didn't want to believe what she had seen but her eyes never lied to her.

Jaxx released the mechanic out of his grip and let her walk away, hoping his point had been made. Miggs ceased for a moment and stared at Jaxx, then smiled eerily.
"Officer, I know who did this..." Jaxx gaped at the woman and shook his head.
"Miggs..." He couldn't say anymore because Miggs was already running over to the man.
His walk was longer than anticipated, for he spent a good amount of it cursing himself. He had promised to protect Ed yet he let her go, knowing something like this might happen. He swung open the antique door of the lobby of his apartment complex and made his way up the creaking stairs. Hair hung in his face as he searched his pockets for his keys. He didn't expect to see a skirt clad Ed waiting for him at the top of the stairs.
"You came back..." Ed's hair framed her face as she turned to meet the man eye to eye.
"I did. Why did you attack Miggs?"
"You saw that?"
"Yes. Answer me, Jaxx."
"Don't think that I meant to hurt her."
"But you did!!! You grabbed her around the throat!"
"Do you even know why?" Ed didn't realize that she was standing on her toes to meet Jaxx at eye level. She relaxed a little at his question and backed off. No, she didn't know the answer to that one. Jaxx grabbed her by her neck and forced her into the apartment against her will. He slammed the door shut after both were safely inside and dragged her into the living room. "Sit down." Reluctantly, Ed obeyed. Jaxx switched on the television and leaned against the wall, waiting for the answer to his own question. Ed squinted from the t.v.'s bright light but kept watching.
"Five men were brutally murdered this morning at Peterson's Auto Shop. Police recieved a call at about 9:30 from a female co-worker who had come in late, only to find her colleagues slaughtered before her. Kurt Kirk with details."
"Thank you Kathy. It was a quiet morning that the community was used to. That is, until gunshots flooded the air, specifically at Peterson's Auto Shop. It was then, that the only female employee walked in and saw the gruesome massacre. Police do, however have a suspect - Francoise Lufen a.k.a - Edward Wong Hau..."The anchor man scratched his head before continuing." Pepelu Tivrushy IV was last seen at the scene of the crime and is thought to be the murderer. Police are now searching for the girl hoping to find some answer. Police also warn the community that if you see Francois to contact authorities immediatly for she IS considered 'armed and dangerous.' Back to you Kathy." Ed gawked at the screen and let her head sink into the palms of her hands. A sick knot somehow twisted inside her stomach as she heard her name being spoken by the newscaster's lips.
"How did this happen?"
"Miggs." Ed brought her head up and crinkled her brow.
"Huh? No, I meant how did they happen to find my real name? I thought I destroyed every trace of that thing. Wait, Miggs is behind all this?"
"Pretty much. I think it will be better if we get you out of here." Ed eagerly nodded and helped Jaxx pack a small bag with the essentials. A loud knock echoed throughtout the apartment.
"Jaxx Spencer! Open up! It's the police!" Ed glanced up at Jaxx, hoping and pleading with her amber eyes.

Okie dokie smokey! That's it for now! I still got an Inuyasha story to work on AND an upcoming Witch Hunter Robin story. Also, if you're having trouble picturing Jaxx i'll let ya in on a lil secret, my inspiration for him was a cross between Amon (Witch Hunter Robin) and Larva (Vampire Princess Miyu), if that helps any. He has Amon's hair, i think. Next chapter: Jaxx's decision