:CHAPTER 1:
Spike Spiegel sat on the bar stool, something that wasn't exactly abnormal for the evergreen-haired bounty hunter. In his left hand, he held a cigarette, balanced delicately between his tanned fingers. In his right was a small, square envelope that had once been white, but was now discolored to a light yellow from aging. He knew who it was from, and that's why it was still between his fingers, unopened.
For a long time, Julia had been Spike's thoughts, his heart and soul, combined into one flaxen haired woman. He loved everything about her, the way her hair smelled, and the way she nagged him when he left socks around his apartment. But, they always say you want what you can't have. This was true. Julia became forbidden, she became everything that would tear Spike apart, but the same thing he needed to put him back together.
"Are you 'gunna open that cowboy?" asked a grunting man, to Spike's left, peaking at the envelope. He was obviously curious, a little too nosey if you asked most anyone.
Spike took another quick shot of whiskey, and began peeling the paper apart, the glue hard from sitting around for years. The truth was, he had found the letter in an old jacket. Believe it or not, the jacket had belonged to Jet Black, one of Spike's partners in crime you might say. When Spike found it, he was told it was first in the possession of Vicious, fallen, and than scooped up. Spike was so mesmerized by the handwriting of his first and only love's that he didn't even think to ask why Jet hadn't given it to him sooner. He knew why, he was afraid of breaking his heart.
Spike-I hope you get this fast, so maybe you won't be as upset with me. What we had was something extraordinary, but I know now that it can't be. I've come into your life only to tear it apart. But even if that is true, I want you to know that nothing you can ever say or do will make me stop loving you. I'll look everyday and hope I'll see you on a street corner, just maybe if I leave at the right time I can catch of glimpse of you. I want to find you, but I know now I must let you be. Come find me some day Spike Spiegel, and know that my heart will never belong to another.
Sincerely, Julia
Spike breathed deeply before folding the envelope precisely in it's exact corners. It seemed that anything she did was perfect. He thought for a few moments, and than stood up, placing the note carefully in his pocket. He was going to find her, once and for all. He had enough of dreaming of the woman he loved, and waking up to the nightmare of her disappearance. Without even thinking, he whipped out his cellular phone, and called a man named Eddie Tenafly. Eddie knew everything about everyone, and he also knew Spike. If anyone could find out where Julia was, it was he. The phone began to ring, and Eddie's boisterous voice picked up.
"'Ello?"
"Eddie, it's Spike Spiegel."
"Ah, Spike, what can I do yer for? Who are you goin' after this time around?"
"This time its not a bounty."
There was a short pause, as Eddie chuckled a second and cleared his throat.
"So, you're finally goin' after her? Good thing, I've had this damn folder goin' for aat least six months."
"What!"
"Yep, six months."
"You've known where she was this whole time?"
"Of course, I'm Eddie Tenafly. Did you expect any less?"
"I-"
"I'll send over everything, including her address. It should be there in a few minutes. 'Night Spike, and tell me how it goes."
Spike hung up the phone softly, his hand shaking slightly. He heard the door t the tavern open, and one of Eddie's men stepped in, handing Spike a large manila envelope. This was it, he was going to find her.