I am usually called a strong person by people who know me well. However, I have five weaknesses - four of them being men. Any movie with Bruce Willis (hence the lil tribute from Fifth Element last chapter), any movie with Humphrey Bogart, Frank Sinatra, and Jimi Hendrix......depending on my mood. Happy= Hendrix Moody= SRV. My fourth weakness is french fries. I could eat those suckers with any food. So, yea, you'll see my lil tributes to these weaknesses throughout this story.....especially that of Ol Blue Eyes.

Disclaimr: I do not own Cowboy Bebop or the song 'The Best Is Yet To Come'.

A Life Full Of Saturdays - The Best Is Yet To Come

Blair shifted in his seat on the subway. It was late at night and hardly anyone was riding. The perfect time to meet a few associates for a brief meeting. Lights flickered above him as the speeding car flew on the rails, sending his surroundings into a complete blur. He laid his head upon the rattling windows in hopes of catching his breath and slowing down his racing heart that refused to catch up on the appropriate beats. It was happening again. He could hear his father's bleak words echo through his mind, warning him of the dangers of sinning. Yet he had sinned so often, he had lost count long ago. And in a few minutes, he would sin again.
People like Blair Whittaker hide their demons deep within them. The problem with burying demons, however, is that they do not give fair warning to their extravagant entrance. The same went for Blair. On the outside, he was pure and understanding; a smile always gracing his lips and keeping you on your toes. In the inside, a life long battle wore on. A war between good and evil fighting on the battleground of his mind, heart, and soul. Every now and then, the demons would emerge from within and consume his being, just to tease him. His mind would go blank with an exotic bloodlust that he would never encounter if the demons would leave him alone. They would taunt him and make him do things, thus receiving the nickname 'Preacherman'. It was because of these demons that Blair found himself struggling day by day to keep them dormant.
Today was no different. As Blair drifted off in the subway car, he could feel the demon tickle his mind with temptation. The temptation laid in his trigger finger twitching uncontrollably at the sight of the hand crafted pistol sleeping in its holster by his ribcage. He would beg the demon to hide for a bit longer, until the meeting was over. Then he could go home and drown the hellion with liquor, causing the little bugger to hide once more. But tonight Blair was losing his fight and grinned eerily as the sanity left his body and resurfaced as Preacherman.
Two men awaited Blair Whittaker at the most desolate stop on Blair's schedule. They paced back forth until the subway car came to a complete stop. Their compatriot exited the train and advanced in a leisurely manner towards them. His eyes were half open, suggesting that he had taken a joyride with a newfound drug or took a field trip to the local bar. The men rolled their eyes and motioned for Blair to follow them to the darkest corner of the station. They passed a young woman toying with a toddler's shoelaces on the nearby bench. The two strangers nodded at the woman in a friendly gesture and continued their easy pace t othe corner.

"Mr. Whittaker? Is the desired location of the transaction sufficient for you?" Blair's hollow eyes suddenly became more expressive, a sly simper giving off the vibe of uneasiness.
"But of course, men. The katana for the woolongs." The men nodded and reached for a concealed package, unveiling the gleaming metal of the once fictional sword. Blair fingered the long dagger delicately, as if it would break if not handled properly. "You have no idea how much this artifact means to the Red Dragon Syndicate, let alone me."
"No problem, Mr. Whittaker."
"Please....don't address me formerly."
"What would you prefer?"
"Preacherman, of course." Blair's smile grew larger by the second as the men's dismay became more and more apparent.
"P-Preacherman?! But we thought.....we thought he was dead." Blair unsheathed the katana that was once held so dear by his former comrade. The metal reflected light upon the men's pale faces.
"That's what you get for thinking." In one swift motion, the two men were brought down by a lethal slash to the throat. They collapsed at Preacherman's feet in a pool of cooling blood. He stepped back before the crimson liquid could reach his shoes. The mother on the bench screamed in complete horror and heaved her crying son into her arms, trying to run away from the maniac. Blair smirked at the woman's attempt to save her and her child's life. "And just where do you think you're going?" His hungry trigger finger was eagerly fed as Blair let loose a string of bullets into the air and into the mother's back. The toddler fell to the floor, blood seeping from a newly aquired cut on his knee. He backed up into a corner like a frightened animal being hunted down by an unknown predator. Blair returned the pistol to its home and brought out the katana once more. He raised it high above his head, the metallic luster burning bright in the boy's innocent eyes.
Some things are too horrible to ever mention. This being one of those times. Words could not describe the bloody massacre of virtue. You know the saying 'If these walls could talk'? If the walls of the station could tell you what happened that night, they would be crying and trying to convey the scene in choked sobs. They would sit before you, a glimpse of the true horror witnessed by them setting in the hollow of the eyes. They would speak of the unimaginable amount of blood that soaked the concrete that night and the Mr. Hyde that was now prowling the streets at that very moment. They would tell you of the look in his empty eyes, the inevitable lust, and the pure glee that emitted from his actions.

Blair was suddenly knocked back into reality. He stared in disbelief at the corpses laying before him. The men, perhaps he could explain. Maybe self defense? These types of men were always armed. But the woman and child? He could not explain this one. Yes he could. The demon took over once again. He had thought he had it under control but was obviously proved wrong. He collapsed to his knees and grasped his head in desperation to gain control of the situation. Had he done this? His eyes darted to the tiny form in the corner bloodied and bruised by his own hands. Tears flooded Blair's orchid orbs. He was truly monster. He gathered up the katana and ran up the stairs out of tha station. He couldn't say there any longer without vomiting on the scene. He was literally sick of himself even though he couldn't remember acting out the brutal crime.

Faye rested her elbows on the edge of the balcony, wind swaying through her rouge evening gown. Blair had come home only hour earlier with reddened eyes and a dazed stance. He smiled wearily at the bounty huntress before inviting her to an elegant dinner. She was now waiting patiently on the balcony in her dress and sipping champagne. It was a teenager's dream : to be swept away for a night of pure bliss. She even went so far as to pin her violet hair up, freeing a few strands where she thought it was needed. A small whistle sent a wave of relief over her as she turned to meet an auburn pin striped clad Blair, complete with the ivory fedora. Faye smiled seductively. Tonight would prve to be interesting.
"Hey there cutes. You almost remind me of Ol Blue Eyes himself." Blair huffed with confidence.
"What would you know of Sinatra, dollface?" Faye couldn't help but grin at the man's foolish facade.
"So what's your reason for treating me to a night on the town?"
"I thought we both needed it." Blair's eyes suddenly became dark and mournful. "Faye...there's something you should know ab-" Faye brushed past him and grabbed for his hand.
"I don't care. You've treated me with the upmost respect a girl can ask for, minus the kiss from yesterday. Promise me you'll never hurt me and I will focus only on tonight and forget about every negative thing about you. I don't care what you did in the past. Tonight is tonight....not the day before or one year ago." Blair hugged the temptress around her shoulders tightly. He craved to hear those words from a woman.
"I promise."

Serenity sat in front of the machine Edward called Tomato with a serious look etched on her childish features. Ed snored quietly behind her while Ein sat beside the concentrating Serenity who was so graciously sharing a bowl of popcorn. It was barren - no salt or butter. The only seasoning was a splash of lime juice over the kernels. The face of a violet eyed, cobalt haired man glowed on the screen. Serenity crunched down on a handful of popcorn and studied the man's statistics.
"Hmmm.....Blair Whittaker. Former Red Dragon. 6'2. Purple eyes and blue hair. Tattoo of his ranking in the Red Dragon as an assassin the only form of physical features that make him different from everyone else. Only Red Dragon to receive it. Wow..."
"You know, I could've told you all this by n-"
"Shushzippit!" Serenity snapped her tiny fingers shut to furthur emphasize her point. Spike sighed and rested his foot on the table that Serenity occupied with Ed's computer.
"You're still mad at me for letting Faye go, aren't you." Serenity remained glued to the screen searching for more information on the reverend's son.
"Uh-huh." Spike crossed his arms over his chest. Guilt was still ringing in his ears and he honestly thought an apology was instore for Faye. He just couldn't swallow his pride. With Serenity though, there was no winning or using his charms to slide by. It was her way or the silent treatment. So maybe she wasn't ENTIRELY quiet but she refused to say more than two words at a time. This included brushing off his snide remarks of know-it-all-ism and trying to help out Faye herself. Perhaps this is what drove Spike to that edge. Having Faye angry at him was one thing. He had handled that before. But this child, this miracle worker, was a whole new story. She was wiser than any Spirit Guide yet was compelled to her childish nature. Spike stood up and threw his jacket over his shoulder.
"I'm going to go bring Faye back." Serenity barely gave Spike a second glance.
"Yep." She stuffed another handful of popcorn into her mouth as Spike left, leaving the most seasoned popcorn at the bottom for the intelligent Corgi.

"YIPPEE-KY-YAY!!!" Faye swung the long glass of wine in the air as she twirled atop the vacant building Blair had ended the night with like a child dancing in an endless summer. She was out of breath from laughing so hard and her sides ached from a new kind of pain. She was actually enjoying her night out on the town. She wasn't hunting bounties or searching for her past or running after a dream that ceased to end. Spike. She shook her head and took another sip of the smooth liquid. She'd be damned if she let her mind wander to that lunkhead tonight. With the most graceful balance that most tipsy women couldn't top, Faye traced the edge of the building with her petite feet. "This is so much fun." Blair was dancing below her, a bottle of the same wine locked in his left hand. The bottle was quite full incidently. But he was having the most fun he'd had in years. He began to yell out less than smooth lyrics of a familiar song as he held Faye's hand and walked her around the rooftop. She laughed whole- heartedly, the five glasses of wine beginning to take full effect. "Blair, you sing like a jackass." Blair's eyebrow twitched as he smiled coyly.
"Is that so, Ms. Valentine?" She nodded like a giddy school girl and dropped the cheap glass, shattering around her ankles, as Blair plucked her from the edge and held her in a seductive pose on his leg. His hand moved to the small of her back as the other set down the wine bottle and wrapped around her pale hand. Together, they moved as one to a silent beat. He dipped her once before serenading the vixen off her toes. "Wait till the warm-up is underway, wait till out lips have met." He softly brushed his lips on her own, grazing them with his hushed song in a teasing motion. "Wait till you see that sunshine day, You ain't seen nothin' yet. The best is yet to come and babe won't that be fine? The best is yet to come, come the day you're mine. " He swooped her low and brought her back up to his level. Faye was indeed sober now, reveling in the close dance. Blair's voice raised an octave as he twirled her about his own form. "Come the day you're mine. I'm gonna teach you to fly. We've only tasted the wine. We're gonna drain the cup dry. Wait till your charms are right for these arms to surround. You think you've flown before but you ain't left the ground." He then brought her close, so close that he could almost taste the strawberry wine on her lips. He sucked in his breath and held it there for a moment. What came out after that would melt the coldest heart. In the most soothing, seductive voice, Blair chirped," The best is yet to come and babe won't that be fine? The best is yet to come, come....the day you're mine." With the spell cast, Blair leaned in for a kiss, only to be accepted this time by Faye's own.

Spike gawked at the figures dancing high above him. They were but shadows yet he knew whom the curves belonged to - Faye. Surprise turned into anger and then into worry. Did she not know whom she was dancing with?! It was Blair Whittaker, the Preacherman! How could she? And not even? Spike's mind stuttered for a few moments before registering the fact that Faye had run to Blair after her little run in with the ghost from Spike's past. Part of him understood her confusion. How could she compete with a ghost? Or better yet, why did she have to?

Serenity continued to type away at the tiny keyboard. Her eyes were now glazed over with debility. She had been searching every corner of the galaxy for more information on the guy, just so she could end the plague of visions in her mind. She was continuously watching Faye fall deeper under the spell and couldn't do a thing about it. She bit her bottom lip and pouted. She knew that face. The rugged features of the man she had once saved, only to witness the evil within him.

Flashback

Blair winced in pain as Serenity stood over him with a smile. She hushed him and warned him that if he interfered now, the healing wouldn't work and he would die from his wound. Blair thrashed around, sweat dripping from his brow. He was trying desperately to leave Serenity's presence. The child wasn't a child then, yet she could see everything.
"Please, you have to be still!" She hovered over him, her arms barely able to keep him still. The man continued to thrash about it, screaming in the most horrific agony she had ever heard. The teenager pulled him close to her, trying to comfort him as much as possible. He managed to calm down.
"Who...who are you?"
"Julia." Blair choked out in pain as the blonde beauty stroked his hair. Neither could be older than fourteen.
"Are you a miracle worker?"
"Hm. No. Just really good at bandaging up wounded men." END

Serenity blushed at the memory. It was the day she saved Spike, that she began to have the visions of Faye. The child was always able to see things, just never that clearly. And the healing was a natural gift, something she was born with. She fell back on the couch and sighed heavily. She was indeed tired. Tired from the searching, tired of the visions, tired of the blue eyed ghost that never left her alone.