Disclaimer : Blah, blah, blah, I don't own anything cool or neat except my dog...if you wanna sue me for him go ahead...he's a very big and destructive one! I don't own CB or anything else I may have mentioned that has a copyright.

Beep! BEEP! Beep!

Faye woke with a start. Groping blindly for the alarm clock she turned it off. "Oh god, why do mornings have to come so damn early!" Looking at the clock she realized it was three in the afternoon. "Oops, maybe not that early." With a sigh Faye rose from bed and staggered to the bathroom. Two hours later a stunning woman emerged who bore no resemblance to the groggy monster who had entered before.

Clad in sweatpants and a tank top she bustled around her tiny apartment. Making toast with peanut butter she munched on it as she watered her bonsai tree. She hadn't a clue what to do with the damn thing. She had bought it to remind her of Jet and the Bebop crew. All of the Bebop crew except Him. Spike.

"Let's not think of him right now Faye. You spent the whole night dreaming and crying again and don't need to start the day that way." Great, now I'm talking to myself.

Double-checking that she had her gun and clothes to change into at work she walked out locking her door behind her.

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"Hey Faye, how are ya?" Mindy was a sweet redhead who danced with Faye.

"I'm doin. You?" Faye dropped her bag on a bench and began to rummage for her outfit. Pulling out halter top and black leather pants Faye remembered this was one her favorite outfits. The yellow hooker costume was long since gone. It had too many bad memories with it.

The halter was emerald green and tied behind her neck. Her black leather pants were accented with a wide leather belt with two rows of metal studs all around it. Add the black boots with the three-inch spiked heels and she was ready.

"I'm great. Didja hear the news Faye?" Without waiting for Faye's reply Mindy continued. "We have special visitors coming tonight. I heard they reserved all of the spots by the bar just for them." Mindy looked really excited. She loved to gossip.

"Well, do these special guests have names? I'd like to know whom I'm dancing for if they are that important." Faye was adding finishing touches to her makeup and accessorizing. She buckled some cuffs that matched her belt on her wrists. Donning her favorite necklace, a thin chain with a solitary diamond that had not been completely cut, she was ready. It had rough patches and shiny ones. The unfinished diamond reminded her of Spike. She wore it every night she performed.

"YESSSS! You sure you really wanna know?" Once more Mindy didn't wait for a response. "The Red Dragons are coming here!"

Faye whipped around on Mindy. "You had better be serious. If I find you are kidding I swear I'll beat you within an inch of your life." Faye's beautiful eyes were narrow slits and her mouth was a thin line. This was a deadly cold Faye Mindy had never seen before.

"Easy Faye, I'm serious. I swear I am. Apparently their long lost leader awoke from a two-year coma and wandered off. They finally found him and brought him home. They are celebrating tonight. And they chose OUR bar!" Mindy moved even closer to Faye. "Are you ok Faye? You look pale." There was concern on the girl's face.

"One thing Min." Faye sounded breathless. "Did they say his name? I need to know his name!" Faye now had Mindy by her shirt and was sounding desperate.

"Every one knows their long lost leaders name Faye! He's almost legend! I can't believe they went to all that trouble to fake his death two years ago though. I mean, what's the point of faking your death if you just come back to life any time you feel like-"

"His name Mindy. NOW." Faye was growling into Mindy's face.

"Spike. Spike Spiegel."

Faye's eyes rolled back in her head as she fell to the floor in a dead faint.

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Spike looked in the mirror. He was wearing black leather pants and a red satin button down with a black tank underneath. Running his fingers through his thick curly hair he looked again. He didn't seem to have aged at all in the two years he was asleep.

He had done it. The dragons found him and he became one of them again. It had seemed like the right decision at the time. They came for him; it was like an omen. Yet, he still felt empty. There was something missing from this third life he had been granted.

"Yo, Spike. Ya ready?" Raze poked his head around the corner. "Don't you look like a new Red Dragon leader?" Raze gave Spike a friendly nudge in the side. "Thought you might like to have this. All the leaders of the past always had one similar." Raze handed Spike a small foil wrapped box. Opening it he found a small red dragon pin. It was carved from a garnet and had a tiny diamond for the eye. The diamond was unique. It wasn't completely cut. There were still dull rough patches against the clarity of the cut areas.

Spike remembered seeing one very similar on the lapel of Mao's coat.

"Mao said that one was to go to you. If you ever assumed leadership. Looks like it's yours now buddy." Raze clapped a hand on Spike's shoulder. "Let's get going. The limo's waiting."

The syndicate was going out tonight to celebrate Spike's return. There was a new bar across town that was said to have good drinks, beautiful girls and slamming music. Spike hoped he wouldn't be disappointed. He wondered again about Faye. This place sounded like somewhere she would love.

Fastening the pin on his shirt he saw emerald eyes in his mind. The diamond eye made him think of Faye. Yeah, she was a hard as nails woman, and her personality could be ugly, but deep down he had a feeling she was a beautiful person on the inside. You just had to chip through her tough exterior.

Not that he would ever test his theory. He was a Red Dragon again. Let her think he was dead. He would never see Faye again.

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OH! Now we know what Faye does but where does she work? Is it what it sounds like? Read next chapter and find out!

Do we see a soft spot Spike may have for Faye? This could be interesting! Please read and review. I love reviews!!! LOTS of reviews!!!