I don't own any of the Outlaw Star characters or anything else on that show for any matter…damn
Chapter One
Jean sat bolt upright. He was drenched in an icy sweat from head to toe. For the past eight years that dream had haunted his sleep more than three nights a week. He had thought that with time he'd get over Analise leaving, but it never seemed to happen. When she had left she was two months pregnant with their child. And why she left Jean could never truly figure out. Maybe when their fathers had been killed in the space battle it had caused more damage than he realized.
Now Jean lay alone in his simple bedroom in the back of his own shop. He'd tried dating other women. He'd even gone as far as falling for an android but she took everything too literal. The cold linoleum floor didn't really seem to be there some mornings. But that sometimes really depended on how much vodka that Jean had had the night before. This morning it was a taunting white beast that looked just like that frozen plain that he'd lain in with Analise. The terrible blue walls were filled with bullet holes and covered in posters of famous outlaws and different logos of parts factories.
Jean blinked around at this prison he'd created for himself. And then just as he always did he stretched his legs over the edge of the tiny bed and stood up groaning. His scarred covered physique might have seemed disturbing to anyone else but to Jean it was a normal sight. It was a reminder of many mistakes and mishaps he'd faced through the years. But the greatest one in his opinion was etched deeply into his heart.
Jean rubbed the sandman's dust from his eyes and reached around for a shirt. In the process he knocked over bottles and cigarettes of every kind. He found a simple black tank top and pulled it on. The shirt was snug and showed every bend and curve in his muscular body. Some might say that he made the girls swoon. But Jean was used to it by now. What outlaw wasn't? Jean ran his thin, callused fingers through his flaming red hair and let out a deep sigh.
"Well, just as always this is as good as it's gonna get." He huffed striding out of the pitiful cell. The apartment was just behind the shop so there were usually a few clients stopping by for breakfast or to talk about business. This morning Jim was standing at the stove attempting to flip pancakes chattering away at a young woman sitting at the table with her kid. She just nodded every now and then but it was obvious that she wasn't listening to Jim. Her hair was pulled up and tucked underneath a dark bandana and her eyes were hidden behind thick black glasses. The kid had mussed red hair and bright green eyes. He was just amusing himself by seeing how long he could balance a spoon on his nose.
Jean stood there in the doorway. "Hey, Jim. You ever stop to think you're killing our customers with boredom?" Jean snickered. Jim blushed furiously and sank down to the floor. "Damn it, Jean. Will you just please help me make breakfast? I'm having some…trouble." Jim snapped glancing at a garbage can full of scorched eggs and charcoal colored pancakes. Jean laughed and took over the stove. In a matter of minutes he'd provided a plethora of blueberry pancakes and fried eggs.
He never ate in the mornings so Jean just pulled a bottle of saki out of the fridge and plopped down at the table. Jim looked at him in disgust but the woman didn't seem to realize he was there at all. "Look, mom! I'm an outlaw!" the kid giggled. He'd managed to fashion a gun out of his pancake and was pointing it at the wall making banging noises. The woman just smiled and looked at him. Jean was confused. How come this chick was so quiet? He'd never known anyone to be silent especially at breakfast.
It seemed like ages before Jim spoke. "Anyways, lady. The part you ordered should come in soon but I'm not sure when so it might still be a while." The woman stood up and looked at Jim, "You think you could have those shipped to Blue Angel? I've gotta catch a shuttle there tonight and I don't think I'll be coming back here. For a while and I won't be able to get my stuff that I need." Jim nodded and handed her a form to fill out.
"You've just gotta sign this saying that you're willing to pay for the extra shipping." He said handing her a pen. The woman reached into her pocket and pulled out a thick purple lump of dragonite. "That should cover it. Keep the change," she said as she shuffled towards the door, "come on, Jack we've gotta go." The kid grabbed the rest of his pancake gun and bolted out the door with his mom close behind.
Jean just stared at the door not wanting to think about having to leave in an hour. He'd promised Violet he'd take her out that night and he wasn't one to let down a promise…often. "Well, Jim. Looks like I'm going out…again." Jean said rolling his eyes. When was Violet gonna get a clue that he really wasn't interested in screwing her like every other guy in Locust? Jean grabbed a pair of his favorite boots and his coat.
Would he need guns or not? What the hell? Even if he didn't use them, which was a very small chance, he would need them to scare off some hooker at some point. "Too bad these babies don't keep skanks like Violet away." He whispered spinning them into the holsters on his hips. Jean threw on his trench coat and ran out the door.
"Maybe if I get drunk enough I won't remember any of this in the morning." Jean muttered to himself as he walked down the filthy street. And as he passed under the neon sign of his favorite bar he was overwhelmed by bleach blonde hair and a giant bust. "JEAN!" Violet said in a high annoying voice, "Where have you been I've been soooo worried!" Jean thought he was going to gag as the scent of her cheap perfume burned the inside of his nostrils.
"Get the hell off me, Violet." Jean yelled pushing her away. Violets ruby lips started to quiver and she folded her arms across her chest. "Didn't anyone ever tell you to be polite to a lady, Jeany Poo?" she whined at him. "Nope. Now do your job and get me a drink before I knock your teeth out." Jean snarled jabbing his finger at the bar. Violet strutted away making sure that her ass shook enough that Jean and every other man in the bar would notice.
Jean made his way to the back of the bar and sat at his usual booth. The smoky haze burned his eyes and the steady rock music blared from the jukebox behind him. This was the closest thing to home he had next to the shop. Jean sat there lost in his thoughts watching the rest of the crowd. Then Violet slammed down a bottle of ever clear and strutted away. Jean eyed the bottle hungrily. And with a quick sweep of his hand Jean swigged down a quarter of the bottle and his entire world went dark.
I know I know it's short but I don't really have time to do a lot of typing tonight and I'm kind of in the middle of writers block so I'm short on ideas. If you can please forgive me and I'll get the next chapter out as soon as possible. Again I'm very sorry. So please R&R! Thanks!
