A/N: I'm introducing new characters who will become very important later on through Bob and Jet's dialogue; their names will be in bold.
If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath." ― Amit Ray
It was late afternoon on Ganymede; Jet was in the kitchen cooking dinner as Spike walked in through the ship bay door with a brown paper bag filled with groceries.
"Hey Jet where are you?" asked Spike.
"Back here." said Jet as the pan sizzled.
"This is nice, it's like coming home to a housewife." said Spike whimsically.
"Watch it before I spit in your food." said Jet in a gruff tone.
"Take it easy Jet, just a joke."
"Yeah what's not a joke is how you and Faye would starve to death if I wasn't around. Didn't anyone ever teach how to live on your own? How did you ever get by?"
"I know it's a miracle huh?" said Spike. He set the groceries on the coffee table and sat down on the couch. He put his feet on the coffee table and put a cigarette between his lips.
Jet came to the living room with three plates of food. "You're really gonna smoke now? At least eat first." said Jet.
"It depends, do those noodles come with any meat?" said Spike.
"As a matter of fact I used the last of the meat we had in the freezer, so you better treasure this like gold."
Spike quickly put the cigarette back in its carton and grabbed a plate and a pair of chopsticks from Jet. Spike and Jet began eating as Faye walked in through the ship bay door with bags filled with clothes.
"Faye I thought you said you were going to cut back on spending?" said Jet.
"I did, these were all on sale." said Faye as she walked down the steps.
"You're going to blow right through all of our cash aren't you?"
"Calm down this is just to hold me off for a while."
"Yeah right." said Spike.
"Geez you guys still don't trust me after all this time?" said Faye.
"It's not that, it's just that this is totally predictable." said Jet.
"I can't suddenly change my ways overnight, you know." said Faye.
"Eh, never mind just drop it. Come get a plate." said Jet.
"Gee, thanks for waiting for me." said Faye sarcastically.
"I said it'd be ready at 6:30, but you take too damn long." said Jet.
"Well sorry I'm out keeping busy, while you sit around the ship waiting for something bad to happen." said Faye as she set down the bags.
"How did you come to that conclusion? Didn't I say we could all relax while we were here?" said Jet.
"Actions speak louder than words Jet. Or in your case lack of action." said Faye.
"All right Faye, I get it. I'll get out of here if you're so worried about it." said Jet with a smile.
"And do what?" asked Faye.
"I don't know, maybe drop in on Bob or something." said Jet.
"You always do that though. Both of you are always doing the same things all the time." said Faye.
"Well what do you suggest, Ms. Extrovert?" said Spike.
"I'm not sure. I can't think of anything else you two like other than causing trouble and getting drunk." said Faye.
"That's not completely true, I'm quite fond of my bonsai trees." said Jet.
"And don't forget smoking." said Spike.
Faye sighed as she grabbed a plate and began scarfing down the food. The three of them proceeded to quietly eat together in the living room.
Dodge and Shiro walked into the warehouse through the back door. They walked up the metal staircase into Lee's office.
"Ah, gentlemen have a seat." said Lee.
Dodge and Shiro pulled up two chairs in front of Lee's desk and sat down.
"Shiro, Dodge tells me that you have a lead." said Lee.
"That's correct sir." said Shiro.
"Yeah I told Shiro he should see one of our guys in ISSP." said Dodge.
Shiro stared angrily at Dodge, knowing full well it was his own idea. "Well you hinted at it, but you didn't have any other course of action. I told our ISSP officer what to do and he obliged me, I spent time gathering other names and seeking courses we should take." said Shiro.
"Dodge is that true? Your ideas usually aren't that impulsive." said Lee.
"Well sir, you know I'm focusing on moving red-eye right now." said Dodge.
"Look sir, I'm not going to let this run on. I know of this officer named Jack who is also a member of the Blue Snake syndicate and he's got a meeting with a lot of members soon. Our guy will tell us when and where, all we need to know is what you plan to do." said Shiro as he put down the files on Lee's desk.
Lee sat with his hands clasped together under his chin. He put his hands down and opened up the manila folder. "Hmm, you even have blue prints of the building..." said Lee.
Dodge had a worried look on his face.
"Dodge, why don't you give Shiro and I a moment?" said Lee.
Dodge uttered "But sir I really think I should be involved in this decision."
"Dodge, please. Don't make me ask twice." said Lee with a cold look in his eyes.
Dodge's expression turned grave. "Okay sir." he said.
Shiro had a smug look on his face as Dodge stood out of his chair and left the office.
It was late at night; The Bebop was quiet. Inside the living room there was litter and empty beer cans scattered around the area. Spike was sitting on the couch watching the television on low volume as the screen dimly lit the dark room. Jet walked up from behind the couch with his jacket on.
"I'm heading out." said Jet.
"To do what?" asked Spike.
"I need to see Bob about something."
"You wouldn't happen to be getting information on a bounty would you?"
"Fat chance."
"Then what are you going for?"
"Spike, he knows you're on board the ship. I need to make sure that the cops aren't snooping around."
"All right then, good luck with that."
"I won't take too long, and you could clean this mess up while I'm gone."
"We'll see."
Jet murmured to himself and headed to the ship bay door. Inside the ship bay Jet climbed on his Hammerhead, opened the hatch and sat inside. He started up his ship and launched off.
Faye was in her room, sitting on her bed and rewinding the beta-max tape on her television. She paused it and hit play; on the screen her younger self got out of bed and greeted the camera a good morning. Faye stared at the screen as her younger self spoke "Today, you are who you are today. See? You're still me but you're a newer version... Myself ten years from now, that's so far away it's almost impossible to imagine! Am I alone or is there a wonderful person next to me? Oh, well knowing me I'm sure you're causing all kinds of trouble for lots of different people. I'm sorry, I don't mean to. But it's all right, that's part of life too isn't it? You're not perfect but you've got a lot to give. So, remember I'll always be cheering you on!" Faye stopped the tape right there and intensely gazed at her younger self who was smiling wide on the screen.
Faye turned off the television and wiped her face with her hand. She took a deep sigh and stood up. She walked off her bed and opened the door to her room. She poked her head through the doorway and saw Spike sitting on the couch. She walked into the living room behind the couch.
"Where's Jet?" asked Faye.
"He went out." said Spike.
"Looks like he finally took my advice."
"He'll be back soon."
"Oh my God, what's with this all this mess Spike? It's like a pig sty!"
"Don't worry about it, I'll clean it up later."
"Yeah, right." said Faye with a scowl.
Spike stayed silent and continued to watch the television screen.
Faye's expression became serious.
"What'cha watching?" asked Faye.
"It's an action movie, I think." said Spike with a bored expression on his face.
Faye went around the couch and sat right next to Spike. "Is it any good?" she asked, brushing her hair back.
"Couldn't tell ya." said Spike.
"Why's that?"
"I hate action movies. They're too unrealistic."
"How so?"
"The hero always saves the girl."
Faye curled up on the couch. She knew that Spike was referring to Julia, but Faye hadn't the slightest idea how to respond. She thought that saying something to him probably would've gotten them in an argument.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping already or something?" asked Spike.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" said Faye.
"Ever since the day you first came onto this ship."
"Your heart must really be made of stone. After everything we've been through you can still bring yourself to say something like that."
Spike realized what he said harsh and he wanted to apologize, but he couldn't. He wasn't used to saying sorry. "It's just… I feel bitter right now, that's all." he said.
Faye stared at Spike with concern. "Spike…" she said.
Spike turned his gaze away from the television and stared at Faye.
"I'm sorry about what happened to Julia. I always have been. I know I didn't say anything before but I guess now is a good a time as any to say so." said Faye.
"What makes you think this a good time to say that?"
"I… I don't know. I guess there really never is a good time for that kind of thing."
"I guess you're right." said Spike as he turned his attention back to the television.
"Well you haven't mentioned it at all." said Faye.
"Should I have? I absolutely needed to mention it?"
"Yes, because you're supposed to be able to share what's troubling you."
"Where's this coming from Faye?"
"Nothing… it was something I was thinking about earlier, that's all."
"You think too much."
"And you don't think at all, do you Spike?"
"Faye... let's not argue. Just watch the damn movie."
Faye sighed and looked at the television with a solemn expression.
Spike took out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth; he reached for his lighter inside his pants pocket and lit the cigarette. He inhaled and exhaled the smoke. He then motioned the cigarette carton at Faye.
"Thanks." said Faye as she pulled a cigarette out of the carton and put it between her lips.
Spike took his lighter and lighted the cigarette for her. They sat in silence for the remainder of the time. After a while Spike fell asleep on the couch and Faye then took the opportunity to go back to her room and sleep herself.
It was a cold night, Jet and Bob were standing on the top of a tall building while smoking. Jet leaned on the railing while Bob leaned his back against the tower with his arms crossed.
"Your crew had any trouble yet?" asked Bob.
"Just some crooks that attacked us on the way here." said Jet.
"You can rest easy Jet, PDG has bigger fish to fry."
"Who would that be?"
"Marius Basque, the president of the Basque Corporation."
"You mean the weapons manufacturer?"
"That's right."
"What happened?"
"There was a senator from Ganymede that was killed by a sniper recently. We got a few tips that Basque was behind it."
"Oh yeah, I heard something about the senator on the news."
"Basque's connection hasn't been reported yet. This is tightly secured Jet."
"Why are you telling me?"
"Once we find out who the hit man is and the statute of limitations runs out we're gonna have to put a bounty on him, thought you'd like to know ahead of time."
"I'm not too keen on going on bounties right now, can't have my partner attracting too much attention."
"Well if you decide to do it, I have an idea of who the hit man might be."
"Who?"
"Demitri Bardon, a regular for Basque. He's a cold and skilled assassin, he served the military once. That's where he got his training. The guy's really good at getting in and getting out. Once we catch him hopefully he'll be able to link us to Basque and we'll arrest him too."
Bob's phone began ringing; he reached in his coat pocket for it. He answered it and a woman's voice said "Bob its Donna, where are you?!"
"I'm in a meeting, I'll get back to you later." said Bob.
"The chief is getting really sick and tired of your bullshit Bob! You need to get down here right now!" said Donna.
"It's not bullshit Donna, I swear."
"I am not covering for you again! I will not take part in listening to another one of his damn speeches! I am not going to lose my job because of your incompetent dumbass!"
"All right, all right Donna get off my ass tell the chief I'm on my way back right now."
"Yeah, whatever you bastard."
Donna hung up and Bob put his phone back in his pocket.
"What's that? Was that Donna Shapiro?" asked Jet.
"Yeah the same rookie you taught years ago." said Bob.
"I haven't seen her in eight years. It's been so long I'd forgotten all about her."
"She ain't a rookie any more that's for sure."
"Man, does she sound tough… I remember when she was this bright-eyed twenty year-old girl who used to hang around me all the time."
"She isn't some school girl with a crush anymore. She's a no nonsense, hard-hitting woman Jet."
"Always told her she should've left and did something else. Guess she never took my advice."
"She's got a kid."
"She's married?"
"Nah the dead-beat ran out on them. It's just been her and her son all these years."
"She definitely deserves a lot better."
"Don't we all?"
As Jet and Bob stood on the building, the waves of Ganymede's sea crashed on the harbors with the lights of the city illuminating the night. The evening settled in silence.
Dodge knocked on Lee's door.
"Come in." said Lee.
Dodge opened the door and then closed it. He sat down in a chair and sighed.
"Is something troubling you?" asked Lee.
"You gotta let me know what you're planning to do sir. I know I was concerned at first when you told me that you were going to clean house but now I'm completely on board." said Dodge.
"That's good to hear Dodge."
"So you'll tell me now?"
"I might as well, since you'll be leading a team in this operation."
"I'm all ears."
"Two and a half weeks from now Shiro's lead will meet with other Blue Snake members inside the MBI Building in the southern business district of Tharsis."
"Okay."
Lee took out a map of the building and laid it on his desk. "They're meeting on the top floor. Shiro has mapped out several air vents that we'll fill with tear gas. We'll get some of our men on the roof to rappel and break into the building through the windows."
"You don't think some of the guys will try to run down the stairs?"
"That's where you come in. Shiro suggested that you and a team remain guard on the stairs and elevators to catch any enemies that are trying to escape."
"Shiro suggested it, huh?"
"That's right, he knows just as well as I do that you can get the job done."
"Well thanks that means a lot sir."
"This is the first strike back of many. We're hitting back harder than Blue Snake ever expected."
"This is how you plan to incite war?"
"That is correct. And you're all the soldiers who are here to serve."
Spike awoke on the couch, with the living room still a mess. Jet was on his computer beside the couch.
"Did you sleep well?" asked Jet.
"No, my back is killing me." said Spike.
"Tough! I told you to clean this up yesterday!"
"You really want me to clean this right now?"
"Yes!"
"At least let me stretch first."
"You have some nerve. You never pull your own weight around here! I'm the only one that seems to get anything done on this ship."
"What's he so huffy about?" asked Faye as she entered the living room.
"Jet says I need to start pulling my weight around here." said Spike.
"And that goes double for you Faye." said Jet.
"Me?! Yesterday I cleaned… wait that wasn't me. But I washed… oh no I didn't get around to that either…" said Faye.
"Just as I thought." said Jet.
"Well you do such a good job playing housewife Jet, we let you do all that work for us. Isn't that right Spike?" said Faye with a whimsical smile.
Spike ignored Faye's comment and took out a cigarette.
"I can't believe that's how you see it! I'm just a man who takes pride in a clean ship." said Jet.
Faye had a sad expression on her face, feeling down that Spike had shrugged her off. "Fine you're right Jet. I'm heading out." she said.
"Fine. Dinner's gonna be ready at 7:00." said Jet.
Faye walked up the stairs to the ship bay door and exited out. She started up her Redtail and launched off into the blue sky.
"So what did Bob say?" asked Spike as he lit the cigarette between his lips.
"We're fine, PDG has got other things to worry about." said Jet.
"What would that be?" asked Spike.
"A senator was assassinated, Bob thinks the president of a weapons manufacturer was behind it."
"Which manufacturer?"
"Basque Industries."
"Whoa they're after the Marius Basque?"
"Not exactly, they have to find the hit man first and then connect it back to to him and his company."
"You think they'll put a bounty on him?"
"It's possible… And I already know what you're thinking and the answer is no."
"All right Jet, have it your way." said Spike as he got off the couch and stretched. He then gathered the litter and beer cans from the living room. He threw them away in the garbage and walked back to the living room. Spike then proceeded up the stairs to the ship bay door. He looked inside the ship bay and stared at the empty space that Faye's Redtail usually occupied.
"Hey Jet did Faye say where she was going?" asked Spike.
"Not a clue." said Jet.
"Hmm…"
"Why did you need something?"
"No, forget about it."