Still don't own Bebop dammit) R and R por favor

All Spike could see was a white ceiling above him. Oh good, I'm finally dead, he thought. Then, he heard voices.

"Where would we find her?" Faye asked.

"I'm really not sure, I do remember that they always hung out at a local bar or, hmmm this is hard." Doc really did sound confused. That in itself was an oddity.

"Come on, think of something!" Faye was getting impatient.

"Okay, okay, try Annie's bookstore on 42nd street. If she's not inside, try the rooftops. I remember that they loved being up there and knew the rooftops better than anyone in the city."

Faye, instead of answering, ran out of the office and out to the Redtail.

Spike sighed. At least she'll get a decent burial. He thought miserably.

Faye scanned the rooftops carefully. She had gone into Annie's bookstore, but Julia hadn't been there. Faye did find Annie, but she was dead.

"Dammit, where the hell is she." Faye muttered. "Dead women can't just disappear. Which means..."

Julia carefully bandaged her wound. The bullet was hard enough to get out, she didn't need an infection as well. Spike's probably dead because of me, she thought. I guess I should've taken his advice and started wearing armor. It would've saved his life...

Jet kicked back on the Bebop with a cup of coffee. He'd finished the repairs and now all he needed to do was wait for Spike to be discharged. They were still broke either way, but Jet picked up some real meat anyway, for Spike. He'd even found some good, cheap wine and gotten that, too. The aroma of cooking, well-seasoned meat was filling the air, and Jet couldn't help but laugh. A week ago, he never would've done something so nice for Spike, but almost losing your partner and best friend was no small thing. Jet finished his coffee and went to prune his bonsais.

Faye sat at a bar, further into the city. She had gone past the graveyard, the Red Dragon Clan headquarters where she had found Spike, and back over the whole 42nd street district.

"What can I get for ya miss?" the bartender had finally come over.

"The strongest thing you've got. I really need it." Faye's reply was almost automatic. The bartender turned and started to mix her drink. Faye went back into her thoughts. She hadn't realized that she was in love with Spike until he left to avenge Julia's death. She had begged him not to go in her on way, but apparently he hadn't seen that. He went anyway. God, how did I ever fall in love with someone like that? She wondered as the bartender placed her drink in front of her.

"15 woolongs miss."

Sighing, Faye took out her cash card and handed it to the bartender.

Spike flexed his arm and winced. He wasn't expecting to feel pain, considering he usually didn't.

"I told you it'd be sore." Doc said.

"Lower your voice, my head is killing me" Spike said the only reply he could think of.

"I know, a bullet glanced your head. It only broke the skin and jarred your brain."

Spike grinned. He had been expecting some sort of cynical comment, but none came.

Doc spoke again. "I think you'll be able to go home today. Just take it easy. Even though I sealed your skin back together, it needs to heal."

"Sure thing, Doc. "

An hour or so later, Spike stood outside the building where he had nearly met his end. The Swordfish was still parked outside and minus the non-existent roof, the shattered glass on the ground and the bodies inside, everything still looked the exact same as it had a week ago. Spike lit up a cigarette and sat on the steps, thinking about the past.

"I love you Spike"

"I'll be waiting by the graves, not in them."

"I was ordered to kill you. If I had come that day, I would've been free a long time ago"

"But you chose to be hunted instead, why?"

"why did you love me?"