I do not own Cowboy Bebop or any of it's characters.

Chapter 1: What Craziness!

"That bastard! You actually let him walk out like that?!"

"Believe me, I put up quite a fight, but you know Vicious: thickheaded and power thirsty." Jet offered a small grin.

"I thought that was you, and Vicious was just the angry one," he offered to the obviously angry man standing in front of him.

"Dammit Jet!" Spike exploded. "Do you know how much time we're going to need to find a replacement for that asshole now that he quit? I'm about to go crazy!"

His hands were in his hair and pulling it out further from his head. His eyes were flashing and his mouth, which could flash the dreamiest smiles, was twisted into a frown. Jet knew not to mess with him so much and said, "Did you tell Ed yet?"

"Yeah, she didn't take it as hard as I thought. She didn't jump on me either. Weird." He shook his head.

Jet saw some movement behind Spike and squinted. What he saw he didn't like and now he scowled even more. "Great," he groaned. "Here comes the media." Spike's eyes widened and he turned.

"Shit!" He cursed. "Just what we need: the media. Fuckity, fuck, fuck." "Need help?" Jet asked.

"No go on ahead." Spike said, turning his frown into a quick smile. "I'll take care of them. He walked quickly to head them off.

"Mr. Spiegel, Mr. Spiegel!" They called rushing to him and thrusting microphones into his face. Spike grinned and threw his hands up in mock surrender. Even when he was at his worst, he seemed to make it his best. The shirt he threw on to meet Jet here at the studio was unbuttoned all the way so you could see his body from his neck to the top of his blue jeans which seemed to just fit. He knew the female reporters and whoever else was watching the "interview" if you could even call it that would see his perfectly shaped, hairless chest with six-pack. He caught one reporter looking and she flushed; he winked.

She drew herself up professionally and pushed her microphone closer to him. "Mr. Spiegel, what are your thoughts about Vicious?" she asked. Spike shrugged. "It was his own doings of leaving the group. I tried to stop him but he was insistent. All I can say now is to wish him luck. Oh and we are holding auditions for his replacement tomorrow. That's all for now." He was still badgered by reporters. He gently pushed his way through the group. "Excuse me, while I go home and get some sleep. Tomorrow's gonna be a big day." He turned and saluted them mockingly then turned back and walked to his ship and flew away.

He docked on the Bebop, Jet's ship which he, Jet, Julia Spike's girlfriend, and Ed lived. Vicious had also lived there, too. They stayed there because, well, it was pretty damn cheap. In spite of their extremely high salary, the ship was pretty dumpy but none of them wanted to fix it up. In Spike's mind it was kind of relaxing. It also reminded him of his childhood. He now strolled into the main room, the living room. It was 'decorated' with a metal table and an ugly yellow couch and matching chair. Spike flopped down on the couch and stretched out.

Jet came in and sat down on a chair across from Spike. "Well?" he asked. "Damage control has been taken care of." Spike answered. "They definitely weren't as pushy this time as they've been in the past. Do I really look that stressed?" he asked lightly.

Jet chuckled. "Let me just say I definitely wouldn't want to be on your bad side right now."

Spike sighed and closed his eyes. "I need a vacation," he said.

Jet smiled and said, "Get some sleep kid. You're gonna need it."

"Right, Dad." Jet rolled his eyes.

Spike felt something was missing and realized what it was seconds later. He propped himself up. "Where's Julia?" he asked.

Jet shrugged. "She wasn't here when I came back. I figured she needed some fresh air or she was looking for you," he answered.

Spike decided to change the subject. "What's dinner?" Jet winked. "I think you'll like this stuff," he said. Spike lifted an eyebrow. Jet allowed himself a small smile. "Come to the kitchen and see," he told the younger man. Spike was curious so he got up to see. What he saw he could not believe his eyes. In front of him was a turkey. His jaw dropped and his mouth watered. "Pinch me, I'm dreaming," he whispered.

"Nope, no dream," Jet answered.

Spike threw his hands up. "Hallelujah, real food! No more peppers. I'm free!" He exclaimed then thought for a second. "You made this?" he asked looking at it doubtfully.

"Nope, Ed did."

Spike yanked his hand back after reaching for a drumstick. "What'd she do to it?"

Jet sighed. "Nothing. Look I had some already. Surprising she made it well."

Spike tentatively reached a hand forward and took a drumstick and bit into it. He nodded his approval and began to eat more and more. With all his eating he didn't notice the red haired person sneaking up behind him.

He did notice the sudden propulsion of him forward with the high-pitched squeal "Spike-person is baaaack!"

Spike easily caught his balance and lifted the child off himself. "Hello Ed," he addressed it.

"What does Spike-Spike think of lurkey-turkey?"

"It's good Ed." Spike leaned closer to her and whispered. "Actually, I think you should take over cook from Jet."

Ed's eyes lit up and she skipped happily from the room.

Jet frowned. "What did you tell her now?"

"Just that there are more opportunities on this ship," Spike said evasively. Jet lifted one eyebrow but didn't push it. He was hungry, too.

The two of them devoured the turkey till they were both full. There was still some left so Jet wrapped it and put it in the fridge. Spike retreated to the couch and stretched out this time with a cigarette. He closed his eyes and kept them like that until he heard a slight sound. He opened his eyes and there was Julia. She moved very stealthily in the dark.

"Where've you been?" Spike asked.

Julia jumped at his voice but recovered quickly. "Out," she answered. Spike got up and moved to her. He looked her straight in the eyes. "I missed you," he said and leaned in to kiss her.

Julia put her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She was grinning deviously and leaned in so her mouth was right by his ear. She whispered, "How about if I make it up to you?"

Spike smirked and swept her off her feet.

Julia gasped in surprise. Spike carried her to their room and set her on their bed. Julia sat up automatically and pulled him to her for a long passionate kiss. He pulled her shirt and noticed a small circular bruise on her shoulder. His brow furrowed as he thought,

"That looks like a, no it can't be." He cut himself off in midthought.

Julia noticed his gaze and might have blushed the slightest bit but Spike didn't see. "A guy hit me," was her explanation. "I was at a bar and this guy wouldn't take a hint so I hit him and he hit me back. Don't worry, I kicked his ass."

Spike chuckled. "That's my girl," he said and lost himself in her loving.