Author Notes: This is the second chapter in my story. I hope it's as good as the first one!

Disclaimer: I don't own Cowboy Bebop, or any of the characters. Therefore, I remain poor and unemployed.

Lost and Found

Chapter 2: Conditions

Jet had awoken extra early the next morning. His leg, still recovering from a bullet wound, ached and stung as he moved about the kitchen. While cooking over the stove, Jet glanced at the corner where Ian's dog bowl still sat. Jet chuckled quietly to himself, and turned his eyes back to his cooking.

"I wonder how those two are doing?" he mumbled to himself.

"Who? What?" said Faye, as she entered the steamy kitchen.

"Edward and Ian..." said Jet, pointing over to Ian's vacant dog dish.

"Oh, t-t-those two?" Faye yawned, stretching her arms towards the ceiling, "I'm sure those two are fine... Ed may be crazy, but she's not dumb."

Jet nodded in agreement. It was strange having a normal conversation with Faye. Usually he was either fighting with her, yelling at her, or telling her to do or don't do something related to bounty hunting. This morning was different, however. This morning they were talking like they had known each other for years.

"What the hell is that?" said Faye, sniffing the contents of the skillet.

"Special... eggs." Jet answered.

"Eggs again?" groaned Faye, her shoulders slumping at the thought, "Just how many eggs did Ed's dad give you, anyway?"

Jet didn't answer, but let out a sarcastic snort. Faye strolled out of the kitchen, mumbling under her breath, and walked back to her room to get changed. Jet walked over to the cabinet, humming the tune that Spike use to hum, and pulled down some dishes for them to eat their breakfast on. Faye suddenly reappeared, wearing that tight leather outfit she always wore ("How does she get into that?" thought Jet), and walked over to get herself some unwanted eggs. Faye stopped, however, and looked at Jet with shock.

"Why did you...?" she gawked, "Why did you take out four plates?"

Jet was taken aback. He looked at the pile of plates on the counter and, sure enough, he had taken four.

"Huh? Oops! Just a habit." He explained. Faye just stared at him questionably.

The pair took their eggs into the living area, sitting across from each other on the yellow sofas, and ate the contents of their plates in silence. Jet was about to get up, having finished his food rather quickly, but stopped when he saw Faye staring at her unfinished food.

"Look, Faye, I know you're sick of eggs, but it's all we got." Jet snorted. Faye looked at him in surprise.

"No, it's not the eggs... it's..." Faye leaned up against the back of the sofa, her eyes were transfixed on the table. "I wanted to know something..." she finished. Jet remained rooted to the floor.

"Well... since Ed and Ian left on their own..." she started, looking a little bit gloomy, "...and since Spike is gone, too... I guess... since you and Spike just put up with me because you had each other... I guess you want me to go now, too...huh?" she ended.

Jet stared at Faye, who refused to look away from her eggs, then put his plate back on the table. He sat down on the sofa again, finally managing to make Faye look at him in the face, and crossed his legs as he made himself feel comfortable. Faye looked a little concerned, folding her hands on her lap, and stared transfixed at Jet as she awaited his decision. Jet sank into the cushions, making the springs creak under his weight, and scratched his head as he finally came up with an answer.

"Before I answer you, you have to answer me." Jet started. Faye looked at him in surprise. "What do you want to do?" he asked, pointing his finger at Faye, "Do you want to stay, or do you want to go?"

Faye looked shocked, but the shock soon turned to shyness. Her cheeks turned a bright shade of red, something that didn't happen to her very often, and she turned her face away from Jet, refusing to look at him as she gave him her reply.

"I... I have nowhere to go... or anyone to go to..." Faye explained, her folded hands rubbing together in embarrassment. "Ever since I was unfrozen in that hospital, I've been totally... totally alone..."

Jet gawked at her as she stood up. She turned her back to him and stood next to the sofa. She didn't want to face him directly, as she wasn't use to sharing her feelings with anyone she met on a regular basis.

"Even though I have my memories back, they aren't doing me any good..." she continued, "In all these years... this ship... this ship was the closest thing I had to a home..." She paused and swayed back and forth nervously. Jet merely watched her as she let out a long, heavy sigh.

"You, Spike, Ed, and Ian... you four were the closest thing I've had to a family in years..." Faye continued. She turned around to face Jet while she spoke. Her cheeks were still blushing, but she looked at him with a totally determined face.

"I-I don't want to lose my home again!" she suddenly spat. Jet jumped up in surprise. "I-I want to stay here! I-I really do!"

Faye stood like a statue. Her face was, if possible, even redder then it had been before. She had her fists clenched at her side, and she stared at Jet pleadingly. Jet didn't know what to say to this, since Faye wasn't usually this open with her feelings, so he resorted to staring at her blankly and scratching the top of his nose.

"Well..." Jet began, finally coming to a decision, "I guess, if you really want to stay..." He shrugged his shoulders in surrender. Faye looked absolutely delighted.

"However-" Jet continued, braking the smile on Faye's face, "If you stay here, Faye, a few things are going to change. No more running off, stealing, or lying about everything. All the work, and all the bounty, is split 50/50; right down the middle. If you break those rules, Faye, you're going to have to leave. Do I make myself clear?"

Faye nodded in agreement. Jet was surprised that she didn't put up a fight.

"Partners, then?" Faye asked, stretching out her hand to close the deal. Jet hesitated for a moment, wondering if she was planning anything life threatening, then lifted his hand towards hers to finalize the truce.

"Partners." he answered, shaking her hand.

Well, that's the end of Chapter 2. Leave reviews!