Men are From Mars, Women are From Earth

by Orochimaru Mitarashi

Spike and Older Edward fall in love and all that jazz. Will be updated someday.

4. Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I don't own Bebop, too bad for me.

I toned down the lemon parts, because at the risk of losing my audience. I'm not going for M, I like my T better.

For the lemon parts, they'll be on AFF.

Part Four: Rhiannon

June 26, 2085 9:00am

Rhiannon's POV

Jade was somewhere around here, I look at the window above us and I saw him and Diana watching. Suddenly, Jet, Faye, Electra, Julia, and Vicious enter the observation room.

It looked like something out of a science fiction film as I watched with the doctors. I watched as they took out the huge metal tube. The tube was lifted off to reveal the glass cylinder filled with a blue liquid and inside was Spike.

Spike you will be awake soon and I will be the first one you'll see.

I watched as they laid the tube flat, drained the whole thing and put him on a table. I saw him beginning to stir, I touch his hand. Warmth is coming back to his skin, I feel a pulse rise. A towel was wrapped around his body, he was restrained. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, oh how I loved them so much, they were like two garnet pools.

He seemed to be out of it right now.

Well, not as bad as with the mushrooms. He was walking in one place, saying something about an obnoxious little frog. When I came back with more mushrooms, he looked dazed and confused.

"Spike? Spike, can you hear me?" I said softly.

I heard him mutter. "Julia, where are you? I thought I heard her. I thought I heard Vicious, Is she with him? Aren't you guys in Hell?"

I told him the truth. "No actually she's okay Spike, but she's with Vicious. They're alive."

He didn't know who I was or where he was or maybe I shouldn't have said anything about Julia being with Vicious.

It was like he was in a daze, he was struggling in his restraints. "No! Why? Why am I dead and they're alive. Wait am I alive too?"

"I'll explain later." I tell him.

Spike's POV

My mind is swimming, everything is so hazy. "Okay tell me lady, where the hell am I?"

"Among friends." This beautiful red haired woman was standing right near me.

I whispered; "Who are you?"

"It's Edward." She reached out her hand.

"Edward." I hold her hand and looked up into a lovely pair of light jade green eyes. "What happened to you?"

"I finally grew up, just like you wanted me too." She whispered.

"I didn't ask you to do anything Ed. I didn't tell you to grow up." Did I have a bad mushroom or something?

She seemed to calm me down. "Shh, it's okay Spike. Edward's here."

She pushed her hair back into the white cap, then silently left the room.

Was that a dream?

Edward was older.

Am I really alive?

I look up and watch the door slide behind her.

Why is she leaving me?

Jet? Faye? Electra? Julia! Vicious! There's also two teenagers! One looks like me and the other looks like Julia, but she has Vicious' blue-grey eyes. They're all looking down at me! What is going on?

Edward vanished and I couldn't get over the news that Julia had went back to Vicious. My body was restrained, I couldn't move. I saw nine beings in white hovering over me. This was like the time when I lost my eye. "Where am I? Who are you?"

"You should rest Mr. Spiegel." Said a gentle female voice.

Yes, I feel a bit exhausted, everything is so peaceful, is this The Summerlands? No, can't be. Well, didn't Kwan Yin say she was taking me there? I fall back into sleep and wait for the goddess of dreams to come wake me up.

No, it's not that.

I'm alive...

An hour later...

Vicious' POV...

I quietly stepped into Spike's Room, not making a sound, he was still asleep.

He always slept like a dead man. Glad he was alive though.

I had the nurses dress him in his workout pants and his tank top that I brought earlier.

I look down at him for a while, hoping that he doesn't wake up and sees me here. I don't know how he'll take it, so I better be careful.

Julia enters and puts her arms around me. "Let's go, we have reservations for lunch remember?"

Faye and Jet enter.

Faye touches Spike's face.

"It's warm." She whispers.

Jade, Electra, and Diana finally show up, the only thing Jade could do was stand there.

Why deny him, no more hiding things.

Except for something that I can't tell Julia about.

I bent over Spike, and touched his hair. "Spike, it's me. It's me, Daniel Hepburn."

"Hepburn!" He muttered and his eyes opened. "You guys were here earlier and Edward was talking to me. Vicious, what is the meaning of this?"

His eyes widened and he shot up, shit, I'm dead.

No, I am going to tell him, not everything, but I will tell him why. "Before you decide to beat the living crap out of me in front of your friends, my daughter, and your son. Please, hear me out."

"You better have a good explaination for this, the both of you!" He snapped;

"I'm doing this, so you can have a chance to meet your son, Jade. Jade, this is your father, Spike." I motioned to Jade.

He looked over to Faye. "I have a son?"

Faye nodded; "Oh yes, this is our son. Remember The Smashing Pumpkins?"

Spike sighed; "It's all coming back to me."

Jade sat beside the bed. "Dad, I have always wanted to meet you."

Faye came over to me, she looked nervous. "Um Vicious, I think this was a bad idea, if he gets too overwhelmed, he's going to..."

We heard a thud, Spike had passed out in bed.

I finished the sentence. "Faint."

"I knew it." Faye said heading to the door. Electra, Julia, Jet, and Diana followed.

"You can talk to him later Jade." I patted the boy's back and threw the covers back on poor Spike.

We decided to give him some peace and left after the others.

Three Hours Pass...

My eyes open again, my friends were here and I have a son. A son!

Wait, why the hell is Faye here again? I hate her!

This is strange, it can't be Faye. She doesn't have green eyes, they're dark garnet, like mine.

"Faye?" I asked the girl.

She shook her head. "My name is not Faye. You're Spike Spiegel aren't you?"

Senses are coming back, this girl feels familiar. She has my eyes, I knew it, I think I might have twins.

"Yes, I am. Let me guess, is Faye Valentine your mother?" I ask her.

The girl sat near me. "Yes, I'm Morgana LeFaye Spiegel. I live in Salem City with my adopted mother and father. Mom didn't have the money to keep twins."

That boy who looked like me.

"Morgana, do you have a brother by any chance?" I asked her wearily.

She nodded; "His name is Jade, he was here earlier."

I gave her another question. "There was also a blonde girl too, who was she? Is she the daughter of Julia?"

I wondered if Vicious was telling me the truth.

She nodded; "That's my brother's girlfriend, Diana. She happens to be the daughter of Vicious and Julia."

"Well, I had a feeling Julia would go back to him, she never liked me from the beginning. I will also have to have a talk with your mother, she seems to hide things and she's a horrible liar." I'm getting sleepy now.

"She just has some issues." Morgana put her hand on my forehead. "Now, get some rest, father."

"See you soon, Morgana." I say, then I fall back into slumber.

4 hours later…

Yep! This is Mars alright! I'm alive, lying wide awake in a hospital bed. It must be the afternoon, the sun is still out. I hate hospitals, I want out, now!

I remember that I was at The Red Dragons Headquarters fighting Vicious. Then there was this weird dream. Then Ed shows up, my friends also show up, I meet my son, then my daughter appears. At least I'm not dead, but now that I am back, I need to make some mischief. I need a cigarette and a drink badly. I'm also very hungry, I would go for some bell peppers and beef, or ramen, or a feast worthy of a fallen warrior in Valhalla.

I feel like I am not alone, suddenly I bolt up in bed. "Who's here?"

I see someone sitting in a chair near my bed, it's a woman. "Hello Spike."

That red gold hair, those catlike eyes, that sightly tanned complexion, and that body.

The goddess had returned.

Edward, you're back!

"Hey, what happened?" I pretend that nothing happened.

Maybe I should have some fun with her.

She tells me softly. "The doctors just thawed you out 7 hours ago."

Thawed me out? I'm a human being, not a frozen fish, speaking of fish, I'm so hungry.

I got up from the bed and started to ramble. "Then that wasn't a dream? Kwan Yin probably decided that I should live maybe? I remember that I was on her cloud and she told me to go back to sleep. That the dream goddess would meet me in The Summerlands. Then Kwan Yin kissed me on the mouth and I fell asleep again. But who the hell put me in friggin' suspended animation? Was it another syndicate or The I.S.S.P.?"

She puts a finger tip on my lips. "Nothing like that my dear. The doctor told me that a man and a woman dropped you here 14 years ago. You had some nasty wounds."

I'm going to ham it up for her. "I was sleeping for 14 years! I was supposed to die!"

She crosses her arms. "Well, my name is Brunhilde, I am here to take you to Valhalla!"

"Very funny, so where's your white stallion that's going to wisk us off to paradise?" I joked.

"My dearest Spike, how about I take you to my house instead?" She said softly.

"I'm probably gray with wrinkles, the beautiful green color of my hair is probably gone! I'm sorry, but I am too old for a lovely girl like you." I teased her.

I haven't looked in a mirror for a while, I wonder if I still look the same?

"It's still the same color." She ran her hand through my hair. "You don't look 41. You still look the same, the way I remembered you. You can start your life over at 28, because it's your birthday today."

Nice.

Time for sarcasm. "Thanks a lot lady. I was awakened from the dream. Julia and Vicious are happily banging each other here on Mars! They also have a kid!"

"Mr. Spiegel, you shouldn't be like that." Was that a pout.

"Hey, since you say you know me. Can you please turn on a light I need to see who my Princess Charming is." I can see her just fine, but I just want to tease her.

She gets up, turns on a light and sits back down.

Ooh, la, la. She's really sexy! Ed happens to be a statuesque woman in a white satin dress and she's holding a dozen red roses. She knows what I like.

"Is that better?" She asks.

"Not quite." I turn on another light to see her face better, thank goodness they gave me a private room. She's the most prettiest woman I have ever seen. Prettier than Faye and Julia. Oh well, this devil has decided to have some fun with this angel.

Ed used to have a lot of fun with me, well, now it's payback time. "Hello nurse!"

"I'm not a nurse." She said in a husky voice. How mature.

"I know who you are." I tell her. Oh how sweet, Ed has flowers for me. I take the roses from her and lay them on my lap. "An extremely gorgeous angelic being bringing me flowers. How thoughtful."

She sits down by my side and takes my hand. "Remember me Spike?"

Time to play with her a little more. "I know you?"

She sat down beside me on the bed. "I'm an old comrade of yours."

I gave her a smile; "A gorgeous lady, with the face of a queen and light jade green eyes. You were there when they thawed me out, the one who held my hand and spoke to me. You were the princess that woke the prince from his dream."

"Yes, that was me, Spike. But don't you remember me, the drugs should have worn off by now." She looked concerned.

Well, I saw that her hair was red gold and it cascaded down her back to her waist. At least it didn't look like my hairstyle anymore.

Try to be witty Spike. "Let me see, who are you? How many redheads do I know? I think I know, I don't think I know. I know! You're Edward!"

She paused, "The name's Rhiannon."

Why did she change it?

Time to get to the root of things. "Rhiannon? What happened to Edward the IV? You know Radical Edward!"

Rhiannon lets go of my hand. "I changed it."

I was curious. "Why?"

She put up a front. "Because it's the name my mother gave me."

"Well, Rhiannon is the goddess of dreams. I think it suits you well." I looked her over.

Yes, she is my goddess of dreams. Well, Kwan Yin said that the goddess of dreams would meet me. She's here with me now, ready to make me her husband.

Wait, I just hope I'm not rushing into anything, but I'm tired of waiting.I want to be with her, even if we don't marry. I want to stay by her side. I would never stray. Spike, this doesn't sound like you! What has come over me? Has my brushes with death changed my life so drastically that I have the urge to settle down. Me, settle down? I won't settle down too much, but I will choose this woman as my wife.

But if she doesn't ask me again, I'll ask her.

I looked again and I saw that this was a woman, not a girl.

She touched my cheek. "Thank you Spike."

It has been 14 years. "You want to go on a date?" I ask. Um, maybe that was too forward.

"Not right now Spike." She says.

Playing hard to get, but weren't you my obsessed fan?

"I thought you were going to get me out of here?" I said trying to seduce her.

Is she getting frustrated? "You're being a bastard Spike!"

I pouted; "Come on, I'm just having some fun with you."

She turned on her heel. "I have to go now."

Don't leave me.

I pleaded; "Wait, didn't you say you were going to take me to your house?"

"You're being annoying right now, so I don't think I will!" She snapped.

I suddenly latch on to her arm, "Spike found it! Remember when you latched onto my leg and you wouldn't let go. Well, I'm not letting you go anywhere, stay with me for all eternity."

It's true, I remember that day in Tharsis Park, and you asked me the strangest question. I said maybe, but will you ask me again. Please ask me and I'll say yes.

She pulled away, I wished she wasn't like this. "I have to get to work anyway, Spike. I must leave!"

I was very curious about what she had been doing all these years. "What do you do now? Are you still a hacker or are you a full fledged bounty hunter? Who is the latest bountyhead and can I help? We could make a great team, we always did."

She stood by the doorway. "Spiegel, I only do that once in a while. But I have another job that's better."

Gasp! She called me by my last name, I must be pissing her off.

I'm going to talk like Ed. "Come on, tell, tell Spike-Person. Radical Spike wants to know."

She stood near the door. "I'm an actress, I have to finish a movie in Utopia City."

I didn't want her to leave.

Do that third person thing some more. "An actress! Then Spike wants to be an actor too!"

She snapped, "Yeah, that is what I do and I love it. Goodbye Spike!"

She was beautiful and angelic, even if she's a bit angry.

I pouted again. "No kiss goodbye for Spike?"

"You want me to kiss you, before I go?" She asked.

Is my obsessed fan coming back?

Well, I wanted her to kiss me.

But first, play with her some more.

"Spike would rather kiss a Welsh Corgi named Ein!" I yell at her.

She points to me. "That can be arranged, he could use a good kiss!"

I call out. "Why are you being so cold to Spike? Is that how you treat Spike? I thought you loved me, as much as I loved you. Now Spike's dream is over and I have nothing to live for! Spike will never love again! Spike's life is over and Spike shall die of a broken heart!" I say as I place my hand on my forehead, I can be an actor too, see.

Damn that Vicious, making me watch all those Kate Hepburn films! No, Julia was worse with that Leonardo thing.

"Will you stop that childish third person act! You're 28, start acting like it, why don't you grow up! You men are such babies." Those words completely washed over me.

I sat back. "Maybe I don't want to grow up right now, I'm in no rush. I saw Faye earlier, seemed that she hasn't aged much. She's probably doing well, since I've been out of her life."

"Faye is fine, she's never been happier in her life." Before Rhiannon left my room she snapped. "You know Spike, you're crazy!"

"I'm crazy and so are you, don't deny it, Radical Edward! We were made for each other!" Tease her some more Spiegel.

She lowered her head. "You are so weird. You used to tease Faye a lot, but now you're teasing me."

"I'm sorry Ed, I'm teasing you, because I love you. Although, I remembered that Faye was pretty. She was also mature and had boobs. But now that I see you as a woman, you are prettier, even prettier than Julia, and you have bigger boobs than both of them. Oh please can I grab them?" That was over the top.

She turned her back on me. "I was 13, you idiot! Don't you ever call me Edward again and if you call me Françoise, I'll hurt you. That girl is long gone."

I smirked. "Oh yeah, you're 27 now! I forgot! I have adult teasing privileges! I can be your boyfriend or your husband! So I'll get Laughing Bull down here to perform a ceremony, then we'll honeymoon on Venus. I want nine kids, no make it 13, because 13 is a perfect coven number. Let's make love now!"

She turned around and I could see that she was glaring at me. "Now you're really pushing it, why don't I kill you now, I'll make you a dead man!"

"Oh please, I just woke up from a 14 year beauty nap, I don't feel like death right now." I looked at her. "My what a fiery spirit you have! I like it, I want it. Gimme!"

She looked like a lioness ready to pounce. "Spiegel!"

Uh, oh.

I laid still on the bed. "Take my body, mind, and heart. But spare my pride!"

"I would like to make love to you!" She growled.

She rushed to the bed and grabbed my wrists. She had me pinned down, what was she going to do?

Our eyes locked.

"Take me!" I yelled; "Force yourself on me! I don't care!"

"You are mine Spike, you belong to me!" She growled.

Was she going to ravish me like the lovesick and obsessed woman she is or is she going to kill me in this bed? I hope she doesn't kill me, so getting laid after 14 years is my only option.

"Wait, I wasn't being that annoying, was I?" I asked.

"I'm going to take every part of you, even your stupid pride!" She leaned over and gave me a kiss that burned like fire.

My insides started to ache. "I want you to just rip everything off me, and take me now!"

"Do you want me?" I felt her hot breath on the side of my neck.

I wanted to be inside her to hide away from the world.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I want you now! I realize that I love you more than I did then; I love you more than Faye or Julia. I'm finally awake! You make me feel alive!" I told her.

She was a better kisser than Julia or Faye. Not bad for an actress and I don't think she was acting. It was real, because it felt like it was.

"Not now. The time is not ripe." She tore herself away from me and walked to the door.

I let out a scream, we were going to go through with it, but then she turns me down cold. "Baka onna!" How could she do this to me!

I'll get her back. "Don't go. You don't know how I feel right now."

I wanted her more now that I felt so much awake and alive.

"How do you feel now, Spike?" She gave me a dreamy look.

"Unsatisfied." I joked, "I guess I'll never learn, will I my dear? Maybe you'll be the woman who will finally bring the great Spike Spiegel his downfall!"

Before she stomped out of the room she hit me with a pillow and snapped. "Happy Birthday Spike! I never want to see you again!"

The ache in my groin was gone and all attention went to my shrinking abdomen.

My stomach groaned, I yelled out to her. "But I'm hungry, can't you at least go to the cafeteria to get me something to eat. Even if it may be horrible! Please Ed, I'm nothing but skin and bones! I can even see my ribcage!"

She sauntered back in. "Go call for room service, you have a phone."

"You heartless wench, how dare you wake me up then leave! The prince never did that to Snow White or Sleeping Beauty! I want to ride off into the sunset with the woman who woke me up!" I snapped.

Yeah, they were women, but where was the story of a princess saving a prince?

"Those were fairy tales you idiot!" She growled.

"Don't you believe in fairy tales anymore? What happened to that sweet girl that used to sing and dance all the time! You phony! I am thawed out after all this time without a bite to eat and you leave me to die! If I starve to death, I'll become a ghost, and haunt you for the rest of your life!"

There was silence.

"Fine, I don't care if I never want to see me again either!" Did that make sense? I watched her leave and walk out of my life, that's what she thinks.

"Goodbye forever Spike!" I heard her voice in the hall.

"You'll be back! No one runs from me! If you do leave, I'll find you woman! I know how to use a crystal ball! For your information, I happen to be a witch!" I started singing. "I put a spell on you! Because you're mine!" I loved Screaming Jay Hawkins. When she looked into my eyes, I had cast my spell on her. "I'm falling in love with you Red!" I shout. "Get back here onna!" I hope she heard me; maybe she'll turn back and stay. "Bring me some food!"

Rhiannon's POV

Tell me he's joking.

I still believe in fairy tales.

I walked out of the room and down the hall.

I fought back the tears; I wanted to cry because I was leaving him.

Leave him.

I don't want to leave him alone.

He should be alone he will always be alone.

NO!

He called you a phony. You are not a phony.

I left him there; the poor thing's starving.

Who cares, let him starve, he can lose a few more pounds.

He's thinner than ever.

Who cares!

I can't do this to him.

He can take care of himself. I have to go; I have to get out of here. I can't stay.

My heart is beginning to feel heavy. Am I beginning to feel guilty?

Ignore it.

You kissed him you kissed Spike!

Cut that out, you're past that stupid schoolgirl thing.

Ever since I saw his picture on the net, I have always been in love with him.

You are obsessed with him; you have always had this obsession.

Stop it I'm not crazy!

You're an adult, act like one.

Right, I'm an adult now I can do whatever I want. I'm not a kid anymore.

Good.

I made a decision; I want Spike in my life.

You're a star, people know you.

But she's still there, that young girl who sang and danced. Success hasn't ruined me.

Listen to reason don't go back to him.

Fuck reason! Those eyes, that face. Go back! Go back!

Be strong damnit, you have to move on!

He was only fooling around; Spike's a gentleman at heart.

He's an asshole. Spike is arrogant, full of pride, and is cocky.

But I just heard him say that he was falling in love with me.

He's lying. All men are liars. Don't turn around, don't say a word to him, he's just another one.

No, he's not like any of the guys I have dated in the past or like any of my leading men. Half of those guys I went out with were for publicity anyway. No big romance, no sex involved. They were just good friends.

He was acting like a jerk.

He was only toying. He's a friend.

He was being a jerk.

But I want him to be much more.

Forget him.

No, I can't, I can still see his face and hear his voice.

You're too young for him.

No, I'm not, I'm 27, he's 28.

Stop acting.

No this is real this is not an act. I want to see him again. His beautiful eyes, his playful fuzzy hair, and his smile. His eyes, they're different colors. That's the first time I noticed. I feel strange; did he cast a spell on me? I would know if he did. He did!

No! No! No! Don't fall under his spell.

I asked him something once and he said maybe. It was a promise made long ago.

You forgot it before and he probably doesn't remember.

He probably does remember.

Forget it! Walk on and don't look back.

But I want to be with him.

You're getting weak don't give in to him!

He's the other half of my heart and my soul.

I love him. I love him so much. I will take him home with me tonight.

I give up, you're not listening anymore. You're going to sacrifice yourself to Spike, another strong woman falls victim to a man's charms.

I love him.

I pause before reaching the elevator, ignoring the doctors, nurses, patients, and visitors rushing by. Go to him, take him home with you. You'll be fine, the director won't yell at you.

I dial a number on my cell phone. "Hey Maria, my best friend is in the hospital here on Mars. You don't mind if I'm a little late for that scene." I pause. "Oh, I don't have to be in until the day after tomorrow. That's good, because today's his birthday and I have to cheer him up. Thanks Maria, good night."

Then I called another number. "Hey you! Is my Mini Cooper fixed?" The voice on the line said no. So I told her. "Well, pick us up, at the hospital in about 30 minutes. Thanks Julia, see you soon."

One last number, I called my cook. "Mike, get a feast ready tonight, make all his favorite dishes. I'm bringing Spike home with me tonight. Only the best booze too. Thank you so much, give my love to your darling Pedro and your son, Peter. Also make sure Mia has the bed made, I want red roses everywhere and rose petals on the bed."

I put my phone away and smile, I'm going to give Spike Spiegel the night of his life.

I rushed outside and ran towards the marina, The Bebop was docked and it looked like everyone was out doing something. I heard that there was a party and the whole crew was at Vicious' House. Thank goodness that I still have my key, I opened the door and went into the ship. Rushing into Spike's Cabin, I gathered his clothes and a pack of cigarettes. I also slip something in that I bought earlier, something he might like. I leave Jade, Jet, and Faye a message telling them that Spike is staying with me in Neo Manhattan and to come see him tomorrow at my penthouse.

I lock up the Bebop and walk on to the dock, I decided to go through the park. I walked past the gazebo and stared up at the stars, my thoughts were on the heavens. That wish I made, had finally come true. It's funny, I felt like I was being watched that night, did Vicious really grant it for me? He is a strange man, about as weird as Spike, I'm not normal either. A girl genius, a hacker who can crack almost anything. I use my brains as well as my beauty, but why did I fall under Spike's spell so quickly? I thought I was strong willed. Well, I guess we're just two of a kind.

I went back to the hospital and go to the cafeteria; I get 2 small roast beef sandwiches, a small slice of chocolate cake, and two iced coffees. Nothing too big, I don't want to spoil Spike's appetite too much. Eventhough, his stomach is like a bottomless pit and he never gains a pound. I pay the cashier and head back to his room.

I turn around down the hall back to the room, my heart racing. I hoped that he wasn't sleeping or hitting on a nurse.

I rush inside and see that he looks hurt. "What do you want?"

"Spike, I'm back." I said as I came in.

"Go away and leave me alone!" He snapped.

Maybe food can do the trick, it always has. Well, it worked for Jet. "Spike, are you hungry? I have beef!"

"Why should you care about me? You were going to leave me to starve." He turned away coldly.

"Please talk to me Spike." I pleaded; "We have 20 minutes, Julia will be here soon! I'm going to take you home with me!"

"No!" He said harshly; "I'm not going home with you and I don't want to see stupid Julia either!"

"Stop being a child!" Think Rhiannon! "Spike, I would have given you that pistachio."

"You would?" He slowly turned.

"Yes." I would have, if Ein didn't eat it.

Oh how I wished I could have taken him on that trip to get food after we crashed on IO. But he had to help Jet with the Bebop.

"Look, I'm not going anywhere, I called my director. I don't have to be at work at all." I put the sandwiches, cake, and coffees on a nearby table. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you." I throw my purse and jacket aside, along with the bag of clothes to the floor. "I got you something to eat. Help yourself."

His face begins to soften. "Thank you so much." He sees the sandwiches and grabs them. "These are pretty good." He gobbles them down as I sit next to him on the bed. "I'm glad you're back, I don't feel like being alone right now."

He finished the sandwiches.

I put the cake and coffees on the table next to him. "Well, today is your birthday. You shouldn't be alone on your birthday."

He took a little piece of the cake and fed it to me. I took the remaining half and fed it to him.

I giggled; "That's what married people do."

"During the time I was gone, did you ever marry?" He asks me.

"Spike." I felt warmness in my cheeks I was starting to blush. "No. I was much too young during that time and I was thinking of my career. But I do want to marry or at least have a soulmate in my life. For a wedding, I was thinking of a quiet ceremony. Just my friends, Faye, Jet, Jade, Mom, me, and my Spike."

He leaned towards me. "Rhiannon."

I touch his cheek; "It has always been you Spike."

He blanched a little. "To our future."

I raised my cup. "Yes, to our future."

We toasted to the future.

I took a sip, then put my cup down. I looked deeply into his eyes I had a funny feeling. I looked deeper and I think I saw a vision of the future. "Your eyes are beautiful, they are drawing me in."

He put his cup down and gave me a serious look. "Don't you know that one of them is a fake?"

I looked closely and I saw that one eye was a little lighter than the other. "Really tell me what happened?"

He stared at me for a while. "I lost it in an accident when I was younger and too gung ho, it's cybernetic. Is there anything that you want to share with me?"

There are a lot of things I should tell you. "I'm a Buddhist, bordering on Wicca."

I saw his face brighten and he began to laugh. "I was Jewish. Okay, that's a lie, I have and always will be a witch. But when Mao took me in I became a Buddhist. We will make such a lovely, but weird couple."

His arms tightened around me, pulling me close, I sank into him. "Yeah, we would."

I suddenly thought of Jade. "Spike, do you still hate kids, pets, and women with attitude?"

He sighed, "I am growing fond of them now. I have a son with Faye, don't I?"

"Yes, his name is Jade, he happens to love you very much." I said.

"Jade visited me for a while, with my friends." He looked at me with those smoldering eyes; "Then Jade's twin sister shows up. She told me almost everything."

I knew that something was missing from Jade. "Faye never told me this, she never even told Jet. I hate it when she lies."

"Don't let it bother you." He put his hand on the back of my head. "Hey, at least something good did come out of that evil shrew after all." He joked. "You know, there may be some good in her."

"Faye's not that bad, she's not as greedy as she used to be. Still, a little cold hearted though." I shrugged;

"So what will our future plans be like?" He asked.

I sank deeper into him. "Would you like to live with Ein and me? Then, we'll marry and maybe in the future, we can have a child or two?"

"Of course, I miss that dog and as for kids, yeah. I think I would like 2 or 4 with you." He said softly.

"You've changed Spike." I realized that he did.

"I guess all that dying does that to you. I think Kwan Yin made me a better person." I could see that he was beginning to get tired or is he acting? "So tell me about this film."

I let out a sigh. "Well, it's one of those period films, I'm a flapper who guns down her husband after I find him cheating with my sister. We're having a premiere in a few days, would you like to come with me?"

He looked at me with delight. "Yes, I'll come with you. But do I have to go to Earth? I can't stand Earth."

Earth. I thought of my former home. "There's nothing left on Earth, just ruins. Well, some places are still good, but it's not the planet you would want to live on anymore. Vicious told me once that we should leave her alone and let her heal. He says that she doesn't need us anymore after all the evil things that we had done to her."

He chuckled; "That sounds like young Vicious, before the war on Titan." He changes the subject quickly; "So where on Mars will this be?"

I looked into his deep eyes. "Neo Manhattan at The Summer Theater."

He sank down into the covers and pulled me down with him. Our hearts were together, beating in harmony. "Neo Manhattan, the gem of Mars."

Yeah, so it is.

That will be later, but tonight, I'm spoiling him rotten. "my penthouse, which is on the west side of 73rd and New Central Park. It's near the marina. We'll have dinner at The Rainbow Room II, we'll go to the premiere, and see what happens next. What do you say to that? Spike?"

He was taking a nap! But he was so warm against me. His fuzzy hair brushing against my forehead, it felt so soft. He was beautiful when he slept, so quiet and peaceful.

His face was next to mine; I lay closer with my arms around his small waist. "Now that you're asleep, I can tell you everything. I care about you. I love you Spike, you're the one I want to make love to every night. I love everything about you. I know you're asleep and maybe you'll never hear this, but that's all right. Do you remember that day in Tharsis Park? I was fooling around, admiring the roses, and saying the silliest things."

He opened his eyes. "Yes, I remember."

He's awake! I gasped. "You heard everything, you were playing with me weren't you?"

He nodded. "Oh, don't be mad. Please, ask me to marry you again."

"Are you sure I hope it doesn't it sound too forward." I touch his face.

He shook his head. "It's not."

"I don't have a ring, oh well, I guess this will do." I motioned to the chair.

"I'm ready." He got up and sat on the chair next to the bed.

I took off my small jade Kwan Yin pendant and placed it around his neck. I bent down on one knee and took his hand in mine. "Spike Spiegel, will you marry me?"

He took a deep breath, then exhaled; "Yes, I will."

He said yes this time!

I got up and we kissed.

"Come with me!" I said grabbing the bag of clothes from off the floor. "I'm getting you out of here!"

A voice said behind me. "Mr. Spiegel, you should be back in bed."

I turned around and saw a blonde nurse.

I gave Spike the bag.

"My fiance is much better, he's wide awake. Oh, but don't let the media know about him yet, I will tell them when the time is right. Can I bring him home with me?" I asked her.

She took the phone. "I'll ask Dr. Okafor, I forgot he's at the Hepburn Mansion for a benefit dinner. I'll call Dr. Troy instead."

She called the doctor and hung up.

"Well?" I ask.

She gave me a nod. "Okay, it's fine, Dr. Troy is going to see him first and don't worry your secret is safe with me."

I gave her a smile. "Thank you."

"No problem." She left the room.

"What's going on here?" Spike asked.

I wrapped my arms around him. "I went to the Bebop and got your clothes, I'm taking you to Neo Manhattan tonight. Get dressed after the doctor sees you."

Spike's POV

Rhiannon is taking me home with her, how sweet, but she sounds so serious.

We see a tall female doctor come into the room. "Oh Mr. Spiegel, you're awake."

I give her a nod. "Yes I am! I'm very awake! Because I had a visit from a goddess."

I saw a blush creep on Rhiannon's face. "That was me."

She stood by my bed and gave me a little check up. "Ms. Taurasi finally found love after her boyriend of five years dumps her."

Boyfriend of five years, I wonder who that was?

Rhiannon laughs; "Oh yes, Tomato! That was a year ago. He's living with his
girlfriend Jasmine now. Spike happens to be my first true love."

I'm her true love, how touching.

I looked over at Rhiannon. "She's my fiancée now."

I touch the place where Vicious wounded me, there was nothing there.

Rhiannon held my hand for a second. "I proposed to him a while ago. Not a word to the media."

The doctor nodded; "Sure. Congratulations."

I looked at my abdomen again. "Hey, no scars, no wounds."

She wrote some things down, then scanned me. She looked at her medical scanner. "You healed nicely."

Damn, was it those nanomachines? Thanks a bunch Faye.

I wanted to ask her for more information. "Anything else you want to tell me doc?"

The doctor shook my hand. "I'm Dr. Christina Troy. You're in Mars General Hospital, and you have just woken up from a cryogenic sleep. Me and my team were the ones who brought you back to the land of the living. Doctor Okafor is happy that everything turned out well, he runs Cryogenics. He can't be here right now, he's at a Playstation 19 Party at Hepburn Mansion in Tharsis. They're raising money for abused and abandoned children tonight. I think you may know Mr. Hepburn."

Daniel Houghton Hepburn...Vicious! "I know him very well, he's my oldest friend." I paused; "So, I've been sleeping for 14 years. But will my age catch up?"

"No, our technology has improved, every cell is perfect, and your aging has slowed down. You can leave whenever you're ready. Ms. Taurasi, there's no paperwork, a friend of yours just did it a few minutes ago." Christina handed me a letter. "Oh, I almost forgot. This is from the friends who put you here. They wanted us to give you the best care. They paid your bill and told me to give you this letter that was dropped off a day ago."

"Let me guess, Jet and Faye or is it Vicious and Julia?" We watched as Christina stepped out of the room. I opened the letter as I read it to Rhiannon. "Spike, we'll make this short and sweet. We're not dead! We have a kid and are filthy stinkin' rich. I love you baby, let's do lunch or dinner or late night snack! Love, Vicious and Julia. P.S. We'll meet again. Love, Vicious, the one who wrote the letter. Because Julia was too damn lazy to do it. Ouch! She hit me!"

"Are you okay Spike? Because remember when I mentioned the name Julia, you almost took my arm off." She said sarcastically.

Oh yeah, codename... Julia! "I'm fine. The word Julia is nothing but a common name to me." Now I know it wasn't a dream. "So, Julia and Vicious are very much alive! Well fine, those two were always meant for each other anyway. But Julia deceived me, aahh, it's been 14 years, screw it, I have my own life now. I'm already taken by a wonderful woman and I'm awake now, free at last! Well, it was very nice of them to pay my bill, so I wouldn't be in debt like Faye."

Rhiannon laughed; "Faye's doing pretty well Spike, and if Vic and Jules didn't pay the bill. I would have done the honors, I'm one of the richest women on Mars, you know. My mother is number one and I am number 2 and Julia is number 4, right below the First Lady of Mars."

She is such a funny girl. "Oh my silly little one, I wouldn't care if you were the richest or the poorest, I love you no matter what. Wait, you have a mother?"

She took a picture from her purse and handed it to me. "Of course I have a mother! How the hell did you think I got here? It's not like I was born inside a giant clam."

I looked at the photo of an older woman with her arm around Rhiannon. They looked like they were at a party. "Well, you do look like Aphrodite, with that long fiery hair."

"Get dressed!" She commanded; "I am going to take you to one of the greatest cities on Mars, Our ride is right outside! Hurry up! The small band of Paparazzi might get wind of this and I don't need that right now!"

I'm going to Neo Manhattan! I rushed into the bathroom and opened the bag, she got everything I needed and then some. Honey dust? She even brought a brush for it too. My face turned red, that brings back memories. Memories of a girl named Marie, she's dead now, stop dwelling in the past Spiegel. I got dressed in my typical outfit, I finally took a look in the mirror. I'm still young! Thin as a rail, and dead sexy. Skin as pale as alabaster, hair the color of the hills of Tara. Eyes like fine wine. That's what my father used to say about my mother. I grab my things and pack them away, I'm glad to be leaving this damn place.

"Spike! Valhalla awaits!" Rhiannon shouted.

I stepped out of the bathroom. "Now, Brunhilde is going to wisk the warrior away to Valhalla!"

I grabbed Rhiannon and we fell to the bed. "Spike, enough of that! We'll horse around when we get to my house."

"Ed is so serious!" I said as she grabbed my wrist.

We walked out of the room and left the hospital. A blue Rambler was parked in front with a woman wearing a chauffers hat and sunglasses. It's Julia playing a prank. She got out and opened the door for us, we sat in the back. This car felt awfully familiar to me, too familiar.

"Rhiannon! Sweetheart! How are you? Spike, long time no see! How dare you two leave me waiting!" I knew that familiar voice.

Ah Megami-Sama! It's Julia again!

"DiCaprio!" Hey, I'm not mad. "I'm so glad that you're back together with Vicious."

"Yes! We are!" Julia took her glasses and hat off.

Julia drove us to Neo Manhattan, we stopped at a blue building.

Rhiannon grabbed my bag and the flowers. "Thanks a lot Julia! We'll be seeing you guys later!"

"Bye you two lovebirds! I have to go back to our party!" Julia gave us a raspberry and drove off.

"Goodbye Julia! Tell Vicious he is a lucky son of a witch!" I yelled. Now, I can finally move on.

Rhiannon tugged at my arm. "So are you ready?"

I took a deep breath. "Yes, I am."

I let her lead me to her penthouse, which covered the top and 2 lower floors of the building. Her top floor was amazing, it was just beautiful. It was filled with Asian furniture, fine art, and acting awards. I looked out the window. The view was panoramic, I saw the cities of Tharsis, Neo Manhattan, and nearby Tiny Tokyo, the place that I was born. The cities were glittering and glowing with life and lights.

"The syndicate building used to have a view like this, but this is better." I scanned the marinas below and I saw the Bebop docked near the park. I gazed at Tharsis trying to look for what was left of the old headquarters. I found the area and it looked like a new place was there. Maybe a more respectable business will come in. I wanted to find the old church, so I went to another window. There was no church, but a big white mansion with people having a party in the backyard. I raced to the other window to find my old house, it was still standing, it looked like the coven was partying too.

Rhiannon was sitting on a large red couch. "Admiring the view are we?"

I came over and sat near her. "Yes and it made me quite hungry. That small meal didn't fill me up at all."

Rhiannon got up; "Then I guess, we should dine!"

I got up and followed her to two huge doors that opened up to a beautiful dining room. The room was filled with candles, roses on the table, red ones, my favorite. Tapestries of knights and ladies feasting hung on the red and gold walls. The ceilings were carved with scenes from Greek Mythology, there were more windows. The table must have been 10 feet long, made of oak, there was crystal and fine china on it.

I looked at the sumptuous feast before me. "This reminds me of the feast we had after you saved that old man and his bird. All my favorites too. Shark fin dumplings, sui mai, shrimp in ginger sauce, yakitori, lotus seed buns, bell peppers with beef, chicken feet, squid salad, beef rice rolls, eel dragon roll, Osaka duck, all kinds of sushi, miso soup, New Kobe Beef, and for dessert. Chocolate chip cheesecake! I love you!"

"Sit down and eat, I bet you're starving." She motioned that I sit at the head of the table.

She sat down beside me and poured some sake for us.

I grabbed a shrimp, but Rhiannon snatched it away and popped it in her mouth.

"You always have done that to me. But this time onna, I'm getting it back from you!" I leaned over to Rhiannon, then I kissed her. I snatched away my prize. "That was good." I was the victor.

"I'll get you back later." She fed me another shrimp. "Victory shall be mine!"

I took a piece of Kobe Beef. "Oh god! Yes! This is so good!"

Rhiannon giggled like a school girl. "Have you ever seen When Harry Met Sally?"

Was that a tv show? "When who met who? What network is that show on? I never heard of it."

Rhiannon giggled some more. "It's an old romantic movie with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal."

"Oh yeah, now I remember, that little scene in the deli." I smiled and took a sip of my sake.

After we had eaten and I ate pretty well. It was a feast worthy of Valhalla.

Rhiannon and I retired to her living quarters, she pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

"Don't tell me you started this awful habit?" I took them from her and lit one.

"No, but after 14 years of cold sleep, I'd thought you'd want them." She sat next to me.

Then she took out a bottle of Irish Whiskey and two glasses, she poured.

I took a glass. "Well, the night is young, what would you like to do now?"

She sipped at her drink. "I want to dance a little."

I snuffed out my cigarette and gulped down the whiskey, I took her by the wrist.

We stepped onto the patio and danced. She had put on a Jazz CD. We danced for a while, until she stopped.

"It's such an enchanted evening, what's next?" I said.

"What would you like to do?" She pulled me by the tie. "This city has everything you heart desires."

"Take me somewhere." I'm not going to stay around and sit.

"I have tickets to Puccini's Madame Butterfly." She handed me the envelope.

"I've always wanted to see that one. That means I have to change." Something had finally lit a fire that was long dead inside of me. I wanted to have some fun.

"I have another suit for you that I got from the ship." She shrugged.

"Not the one that you guys were going to bury me in." I joked;

"Ha, ha. Funny Spike." Rhiannon rolled her eyes.

"Well, I have that white one that I wore at the casino one day." Wait, that's on the Bebop.

"Just wear what you have on, it's perfect. I'll go change." She said smoothly.

She left me on the couch and went into the bedroom. I lit another cigarette and looked out the window again. I sat back down and snuffed out my cig, the girl is spoiling me.

A few minutes after, she came out in a long black strapless gown. Her fiery hair was pushed back and she wore diamonds. She was truly elegant, a real lady.

I took her downstairs to the limo and we drove off to the opera house. I looked at all the sights, this place was indeed an exact replica of old New York City on Earth. Broadway looked the same, just the way my father told me about it. When his father used to take him there on visits.

When we got there, I took a look at the building. "It looks exactly like The Metropolitan Opera House."

I got out first and helped her out of the car.

Rhiannon looked around and smiled. "No paparazzi tonight, that's good."

Yeah, there were no photographers around. "What do you mean? I thought the paparazzi were restricted to certain things."

She led me towards the fountain. "They keep their distance, the biggest ones that you have look out for is our old pals, Punch and Judy. They have an entertainment talk show called Entertainment Now! Those two can be anywhere."

We entered the opera house and got in our seats. They were balcony seats, Rhiannon sat close to me. When intermission started, Rhiannon mingled with her celebrity friends. But she didn't leave me in the background, she pulled me right into her circle.

She introduced me to her pals as her friend, they all seemed like a nice group. Jim DeNiro, Maureen Coppola, Kenichi Cage, and Sarah Pitt.

When we went back to our seats, the show had started again. It was getting sadder for Butterfly, there were tears in Rhiannon's eyes. I held her hand during Butterfly's final scene, operas are so tragic.

After the show and Rhiannon stopped crying, I had two more requests.

"I want to see The Bebop and the place where Vicious and Julia live." I requested.

We got into her limo and drove to Tharsis Marina. We got out and looked at the huge ship in front of us. It looked like it had been fixed, it was still bronze in color, but she looked bigger and more ominous. "Did the Bebop put on some weight?"

"Jet took her into a master ship builder one day after he got a really big bounty. He wanted to make her a little bigger." She pointed at the massive hulk. "So she was widened to fit more vehicles, not to mention she has a workout room, a bigger galley, a game room, a planning room, a computer room, a medical bay, a few more cabins, and a simulator training room." Rhiannon said. "Want to come in and see?"

I thought about it for a minute; "Maybe tomorrow, let's go to Vicious and Julia's."

We drove away from the Bebop and down a street I knew well.

We were on the street where the old church was. When we got to the place, there was no church. That horrible place was gone. Instead there was a huge sprawling mansion all lit with lights.

"You want to go the party?" I asked Rhiannon.

There was a huge party in the front and that continued on in the back. So, everyone's here, having a grand old time.

She laid her head on my chest. "No, I'm tired. Miho, take us back home."

"I'm a bit sleepy too." I needed a little relaxation.

The limo drove away from the huge house.

When we got back to Rhiannon's penthouse, we sat on the couch.

She put her arm around me. "Well, now what?"

"Make love to me." I said softly.

"Aren't we rushing into things a little too quickly?" She said sternly.

"No, I don't think so." I began to kiss her throat.

She touched my cheek. "Okay."

She led me to her bedroom, there were red roses everywhere, even petals on the bed. I stretched out on the king sized bed. The blankets and pillows were so comfortable, all in red and gold. This is heaven.

Rhiannon's POV

I finally have the man I loved all to myself. The door slid shut behind me and locked.

I was ready for him, Spike sat up on the bed, I sat down beside him. Then he kissed me.

We kissed again. Spike threw his jacket on the nearby chair as I took off his tie. I laid him down as the kisses intensified.

I unraveled my hair from it's braid. "Take me, I'm yours."

Spike took me hungerly; "You belong to me and no one else."

He slipped off my dress with ease.

I took off his shirt and he slipped off his pants, revealing his boxers. Suddenly, I felt his bulging manhood against the side of my leg. Goddess knows how much I wanted him inside me.

He nibbled on my ear. "What are you afraid of? Are you going to touch it?"

"I'm like you. I'm not afraid of anything." I put my hand down his pants and he gasped; I grabbed his member and snarled; That feral little demon that I was is still there. "I've waited a long time for you! I want you, desperately!"

"Are you still a virgin?" He whispered in my ear.

I smirked, "Of course, I was waiting for you."

"You don't have wait any longer. You know what I do to virgins." He growled against my neck.

"What do you do to them Spike?" I knew that he had been with Faye and he took her virginity. Now he's going to take mine.

"I make them my women." He snapped off my bra and began groping my breasts. He slipped off my panties and put his fingers inside me, I began to moan his name softly. He began kissing me gently; I turned to mush in his embrace.

Suddenly I was on the bottom and he was on the top.

Our hands were all over each other's bodies. "Don't stop."

He began to kiss every inch of my body. "Once I start, I won't stop onna."

Suddenly he parted my legs; and began his love making.

I began to moan louder as he kissed me all over. My hands running up and down his back as he continued his lovemaking. I ran my hands through his wild moss green hair and onto his shoulders. His fuzzy hair tickled my naked stomach then I finally realized how much I love this man.

He stopped; I could see that he still had his boxers on, I slipped them off with ease.

I look him in the eyes. "Spike."

He whispers, "Are you ready?"

I panted, "Go ahead!" I was ready to have him take me.

Spike growled. "Your wish is my command." I was being opened again and Spike was straddling me. I felt something warm against my inner thigh. "What's the matter Edward?"

"Nothing." Is he thinking that I am going to push him away; I won't.

He moved in closer and I felt him at the entrance. I can't believe it, I'm going to make love to Spike. Former Red Dragon and bounty hunter, my comrade, the man I am finally going to marry.

"Are you afraid of little ol' me?" He joked.

"No I'm not!" I shouted.

He touched my cheek. "Last warning."

I looked into those mismatched pools of garnet against that alabaster skin of his. "Go. Just keep going." I said playfully.

With a growl he entered, I felt a string then I saw that he had bit my left breast. As he plunged deep inside, I was broken. I screamed as if a thousand suns were burning me. I was making love to a wild and untamed fire. My legs wrapped around his waist. My hands gripped the sides of his back as his teeth tore into my shoulder.

He is feral.

Spike kissed me. "Are you okay?"

I gave him a kiss to assure him that everything was fine. "I'm fine Spike, this is my first time you know."

Then it happened, we were one I finally had him.

"You want me to continue?" He asked.

"Yes." I wanted him good.

"You asked for it." He entered into me back and forth slowly, and then took off really quickly.

My orgasms started softly but now I was really loud as he pounded into me.

Then he suckled my erect breasts as my hands moved up and down his body.

He stopped and pulled out of me. "Lay on your stomach."

"Something different, Spike?" I turned over and got on all fours.

I heard him whisper; "I would like to do this my cherub."

I laughed evilly. "Sure go ahead cowboy."

He whispered in my ear again. "It's not that bad."

"Go on Spike." I hissed.

He began kissing my neck, then he started kissing my back and spine.

I felt him on the side of my rear, and my cheeks being parted.

"My sweet. You will be faithful to me and I will be faithful to you." He said as he began to mount me. "Because I own you, mind, body, and soul!"

He entered me from the back, he started grabbing my breasts, and rubbing my back.
He started biting my shoulders and neck.

I screamed out his name over and over again.

Spike penetrated me over and over as I screamed and reached my climax.

He whispered in my ear. "Are you my woman?"

He comes out gently and lies beside me.

"Yes I am. I belong to you. Mind, body, and soul, I belong to no one else!" I told him softly. "But now, I am going to take over. Let me finish this."

He blanched; "Oh, so that's what you meant about getting me back."

"Lay straight and extend your arms." I get up and and stretch myself over him, grabbing his wrists, my feet on top of his.

"Butterfly, huh? That damn Julia told you about this didn't she?" As I came down on him he started screaming.

I tightened my grip on his wrists. "I am going to speed up now!"

I sped up faster, I was in control now, Spike was moaning and I was screaming my lungs out, then I was finshed.

"I won!" I was the victor, I rolled off happily.

Spike was panting; "I think you almost killed me."

"So how was I?" I joked.

We laid there, just naked. "You were magnificent Red, I loved that. You're so passionate and sexy."

I whispered; "Thank you."

We embraced again and kiss once more.

"Goodnight."

I run my hand through his hair as he had fallen into sleep again. "Sweet dreams Spike. I love you." Before I fell into sleep and joined him in dreams.

: Fixed! I think I snipped some of the lemon. Well, Spike is back and I made Ed/Rhiannon very beautiful. She has a lot on her mind being an actress and all. She proposed and Spike was awake this time. Yeah and she lives on Mars, because Earth is a mess thanks to the gate incident. So most of the cities are rubble now and people probably don't want to rebuild, since they live on other planets.

Part Five: She's the One- Faye and Jet see Spike again and Spike goes back to the Bebop, it seems like things have changed as well over there too.: