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Disclaimer: I only own Spike in a black tank top. Wait, I can't even own that? That's right, duh! If it's cool, it ain't mine!

Spike walked along the street with his head thrown back. The cigarette hanging from his lips and his hands crammed in pockets made him a study in carelessness. As he passed from patch to patch of light cast by street lamps he whistled a tune no one but him was familiar with.

A dark shadow flitted against the wall of an alley. The shadow moved closer and closer to where Spike would next be walking by. Spikes eyes slid to the corners, looking, but he appeared oblivious.

He allowed the shadowy form to get close enough to touch him. A gun barrel was almost at Spike's ribs when he moved. With a roundhouse kick the shadow was disarmed. In the blink of an eye, he was pinned to the nearest building with Spike's hand holding him there by the throat.

He was a young man, barely out of his teens. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed nervously.

The first thing Spike noticed was the black bird with wings raised above its head embroidered on the young man's jacket. "Well well. A Black Phoenix whelp. Didn't your elders ever teach you not to sneak up on a man? It could get you killed." The cigarette still dangled from Spike's lips as he raised his gun to the man's head.

"All black phoenixes will die." He stopped, as if a thought had just occurred to him. The man squeezed his eyes tight against his fate. "Then again, my operatives are having a hard time finding the rest of your little friends. I think I'll just take you in for questioning."

"I'll never squeal to a Dragon. Especially you, Speigel."

"Bravado from a dead man walking. You almost sound like me."

The gun changed direction and crashed down at the base of the young gangster's head.

"You'll talk. We have our ways."

Spike took a last drag and ground the butt beneath his heel before hoisting the thug over his shoulder and heading to the Swordfish II.

"Jet, what are you doing here?" Faye was speechless. Jet was the last person she expected to be on the other side of the door. Oh god, I look like a weepy pathetic wimp!

"Just thought it was time to check up on you. See what trouble you were in this week. Can I come in?" He shouldered his way past her in to the tiny room.

"Nice digs Faye." Jet sat on the couch and propped his feet on the table in front of him.

Faye scowled. "As you can see, I'm fine and I'm staying out of trouble."

At least her spirit isn't broken. He looked pointedly at her shoulder. "Yeah. Fine. And out of trouble. Sure looks that way to me."

Her eyes narrowed. Time to rock his calm steady boat. "Thank that green haired lunkhead for that one. Someone is always trying to kill him. I was guilty by association I guess." She waited to see his reaction to hearing Spike was alive. Unfortunately, there was none.

"So he wasn't lying. You do know he's alive." Jet put his chin in his human hand. She must have been crying because of something Spike said or did. "So what's with the tree? You should take better care of it." He nodded his head in the direction of the tree Faye had been destroying earlier. It was pathetic looking. Most of its branches were littered across the floor surrounding it. Very few branches remained on the tree its self.

She snatched the tree from the dirty rug. "None of your business," she tossed over her shoulder as she swept it away to her room.

I guess she really did miss us. That was the only possible reason Jet could think of for Faye to have a bonsai tree. The idea was comforting to Jet. If she held some tender thoughts for her times on the Bebop, his job of playing nursemaid to her would be much easier.

As Faye returned she had to grab the counter for support. The tiny room was spinning circles. Her knees were rubbery, barely able to support her slight weight. The bottom dropped out of her stomach and roaring filled her ears just before everything went jet black.

"Take him to the dungeon." Spike had always wanted to say that. He felt like one of the bad guys in a bad medieval story. Unfortunately, the dungeon wasn't a dank, mildew and rat infested hole in the bottom of the building. It was the nickname for the Red Dragon interrogation room.

Rust brown carpet covered the floor. The perfect color to hide blood stains. Plush chairs lined the room. Cream colored tile adhered to the walls with paintings adorning bare spots. There were no windows and a single door.

Spike sat in one of the chairs. He wasn't looking forward to this, but it had to be done. To preserve the safety of those he held dear he had to do this.

Raze was holding the Phoenix by his manacled wrists. The kid was scared but looked like he would try to stay quiet. Spike looked the young thug in the eye.

"Name."

"I'm not telling you anything." Obstinance colored his words.

"Look, this can go easy or bad on you. Trust me, I've been in the game long enough to know how to make you talk. Don't make me use those methods kid." Spike withdrew a long glittering blade from its sheath in his boot. He inspected the edge in the bright fluorescent light.

His eyes snapped back to the thug.

"Name?"

Beeps filled the air, granting the kid a reprieve. Jet's face flashed on Spike's com. He was still at Faye's apartment.

"You need to get here. Now."

"Jet, I'm kind of in the middle of something here." Irritation filled his voice.

"Faye passed out. She's in worse shape than you made me think." There, that oughta get him here quick.

Spike's eyes popped open. He was instantly alert. "I'm on my way." Turning off his com he looked at Raze. He had become Spike's right hand man. Spike's voice was cold and he had his game face on.

"Find out what I need to know. Send his body back as a message." He strode from the room slamming the door behind him.

He made it to Faye's in record time, even for the Swordfish II. Parking on the roof he flew down the stairs two at a time.

He was almost frantic. What if she's hurt really bad and we can't fix her? It's all my fault. What if she's dead? He shut that thought from his mind. Those bastards were after me! "Jet, it's me! Open up!" He pounded on the door again in impatience.

The door opened a few inches and Spike pushed his way through, knocking Jet aside. Faye lay motionless on the couch. Her skin was pale and cold, like ice.

"How is she?" Concern was etched on his face. Jet was surprised to hear any emotion in the young cowboy's voice.

"Sleeping. She just passed out on me. Almost didn't catch her. Spike, she's lost a lot of blood."

Spike knelt by the couch and took Faye's hand. "I'll watch her now Jet." He flashed Jet a cocky grin. "Go take care of your latest bunch of strays. See if they want any bell peppers for dinner."

Jet let out a laugh. "Sure thing buddy. Take care of her. Keep her calm. Oh, give this to her when she wakes up. It was delivered to the Bebop about a week ago. Tell her she owes me for the delivery." Jet placed the package on the table and opened the door. He turned around to look at the couch once more.

Spike was looking at Faye with a strange look on his face. If Jet didn't know better, he would have thought Spike cared for this woman as more than a friend. He had her hand clasped in his and raised to his cheek. His other hand stroked her hair and cheek. His lips moved in words Jet couldn't decipher. Jet felt as though he was intruding on a private moment.

This can only lead to disaster.

So what did ya all think? I know it seems as though Spike is getting out of character. But evil Spike IS out of character! lol. Don't worry, Faye will be getting her attitude back soon. I'll also be focusing some more on Jet's kids later on as well.

If anyone has any questions or comments please let me know.

No one has guessed how all the Kid's names were related yet either!

As always, REVIEW!! lol

I need motivation to keep up with this story!