Offertory

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Faye was feeling her chronological age, the 70-some-odd years she actually was. At the moment, she was being supported by a nurse as Faye attempted to stand up for the first time since her fall. The nurses had been telling her that the doctors wanted her up and moving. It would be good for her and speed her healing. Faye was fully expecting her legs to completely disintegrate once she put weight on them, but so far, she was only experiencing some pain, which was tolerable.

But I'm so weak, thought Faye. Like a newborn kitten or something. Her broken leg was in a walking cast, and her dislocated knees were strapped into supports. Faye continued to hold on the nurse's arms, like they were learning how to dance, as they both made their way towards the bathroom. It's such a big day, Faye chuckled to herself. I get to learn how to go potty again. Yippee.

Just then, Jet poked his head around the door, knocking. "Hello?"

"Hello," replied Faye, as she continued shuffling along with the nurse.

"Well, you're up and moving. Good for you." Jet came into the room, bag in hand.

"I'm toilet-training today," said Faye, goofy grin on her face

Jet grimaced. "Do you need . . .help?"

"I'm in good hands, I think." She continued smiling at Jet.

"Well, then . . . I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Make it about fifteen. I'm moving kind of slow."

Jet nodded, and quickly left the room. Faye giggled, and the nurse smiled back at her. "He's a nice man," remarked the nurse. "He seems to care a lot about you."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"Have you told him yet?"

Faye's eyes narrowed. "Told him what?"

The nurse raised her eyebrows. "Never mind."

Spike was currently sitting on the deck of the Bebop, fishing pole in hand, can of beer by his hip. He didn't like fishing. Fishing was merely an excuse to drink. Drinking was the excuse why he never caught anything. But the sun was out for once, and he wanted to take advantage of the big ol' glowing orb before it started raining again. He sensed someone behind him, moving silently. "What's up, Ed?"

"You're no fun anymore, Spike."

"Just because I know when you're behind me?"

Ed harrumphed at him, and plopped down on the deck by his side. "Catch anything?"

"Just more bait."

"Not surprised. It's the wrong time of day."

"To fish, yes. To slip around a beer, no." He offered the can to Ed, and she took a small sip. "Is Jet over at the hospital?" Spike asked.

"Yes. He said he was taking Faye a couple of books. The doctors said that she should be able to get out soon, once she's a little more ambulatory." Ed handed the can back to Spike, and continued, "She's going to need some physical therapy, I'm sure."

Spike nodded. "I can help her with that, though. I still remember enough of what Ein put me through."

Ed sighed. "I still miss Ein."

"I miss him too, kiddo," replied Spike, and he draped an arm around Ed. She snuggled up a little closer.

"Spike?"

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry."

Spike furrowed his brow and looked at her. "You're sorry for what?"

"For not trusting you. For not believing what kind of man you are."

"What did I do this time?"

Ed gave him a playful punch in the chest. "You didn't do anything. That's why I'm apologizing."

"Well, then, are you going to at least tell me what I didn't do?"

"It's not my place to say."

Spike sighed. "You women. Mys-fucking-sterious, all of you." There was a tug on his line. He handed the pole to Ed, and said, "You bring this one in." Ed obliged, and they were both surprised to bring in a mid-sized king mackerel. Ed gave a mighty whoop and danced around in the sun, holding up their catch, while Spike laughed.

Jet had been wandering around the hospital, and he finally admitted that he had gotten himself lost. He laughed at himself. Jet Black, who had been able to case an entire joint just by the feel of the outside walls, was turned bass-ackwards in a damn hospital. He turned a corner, and found a directory. He scanned down the list and found where he wanted to go. On his way, he passed a hallway that had quite a few people in it, looking through a large window. Looking up, he saw the placard "Nursery", and with a shrug, he decided to take a side trip and peek at the little tykes.

Jet found an empty space at the window, and peered in at all the little bundles, wrapped in pink or blue. The one closest to him must have been a boy, judging by the little blue hat he wore. The infant was swaddled tightly in a blanket, and it appeared to Jet that the kid was looking right at him. That's unlikely, he thought. Probably just senses movement. Still, it made Jet wonder about children and fatherhood in general. In his past, he'd never really thought about being a parent. But then Spike and Ed and Faye had shown up and he'd become a sort of proxy father-figure to the three dysfunctional "children". And he'd come to treasure each of them in their own way, especially Ed. I must be mellowing in my old age, thought Jet. You take care, son, he projected at the infant behind the glass. Do what your folks say. He then went to find Faye's room again.

The nurse congratulated Faye on a successful trip. The doctor would be sending her home soon, once she'd passed gas and had a bowel movement. Thanks for the information, Faye had replied, and the nurse gave her some more milk of magnesia, and the order to walk as much as she could.

Faye had managed to get back into bed without too much trouble, only sending a couple of painful shock waves from her tailbone. She had just pulled the books that Jet had brought her out of the bag when he knocked on her door again. "Is it safe to come in?"

"Mission accomplished, Mr. Black."

Jet chuckled, and pulled up a chair. "So you think they're going to let you out soon?"

"Once I've managed a couple more bodily functions, yes. I'm supposed to . . ."

"I don't think you need to tell me," Jet quickly replied, holding up his hands in surrender.

Faye snorted. "What I was going to say is that I'm supposed to walk as much as I can. It's supposed to help. . . make things move."

"So . . . you want to take a walk?"

"Not right now. I'm worn out. So where did you go?"

"I was just wandering around the hospital." Jet stood back up, and poured Faye a fresh glass of ice water. "I went by the nursery, peeked in at all the babies."

Faye's hand froze halfway to her mouth. "Did you?"

"Yeah, they're cute when they're little like that."

Faye chuckled. "Then they grow up." She took a breath. "Jet, have you ever considered . . . raising kids?"

"I raised you three, didn't I?"

Both of them laughed, and then the conversation moved on to other subjects.

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This is a work of fiction, and the CB characters are copywrited by someone other than me. Please leave a review!