Edie's eyes blinked slowly open to a blurry image of a single fluorescent light fixture above her. White ceiling, white walls. She eased up from her supine position in a lone small bed that took up a third of the compacted room space. Her eyes roved her surroundings, what little there was of it, for an exit. Now assessing her current attire, she noted that she now donned a hospital gown. Edie swung her legs to the edge of the bed and grew slightly dizzy at the quick paced action. Gaining her bearings, she finally stood up, barefoot on an icy concrete floor. Making her way to the door, she discovered she was very much indeed in some sort of cell. Much like one she'd expect to see in a mental health facility. Her heart sank as she tried budging against the door and all to no avail despite her efforts. Anxiety steadily crept throughout her body, through her bones and blood. It hit her all at once.

Jet.

Tears filled her heavy eyes. She was his murderer. This was all her fault. Had it not been for her, he'd be alive, he'd be in the Bebop cooking his usual burnt meals. His supposed "Lady Luck" no longer brought him fortune but instead death. Her chest burned as images of his weak smile ingrained themselves in her mind. Edie knew she'd see them in her sleep and without a doubt, before she would take her very last breath.

My baby.

What kind of the mother was she? How could she have expected or even desired to raise a child of her own, taking into considerations her livelihood and her past? Much to her distress, at the epitome of this moment, she felt regret. Maybe this baby was better off dead. And it was this line of thinking that was the final thread that unraveled Edie into pieces. She went down to the floor and sobbed uncontrollably. What had she done? She spelled out destruction, deemed herself unworthy of love and a second chance. Unfitting of a mother. Unfitting of the title of companion and comrade. Why was fate cruel? Why did it show her so many wonderful things that life actually had to offer? Why didn't it just stay bleak and conniving?

Edie was going to die with answers to none of those questions and no consolation. Abruptly, the thought of Ed popped in her head. She didn't get the chance to tell her the news of a baby joining the Bebop. Knowing Ed, she would've been thrilled and would've ask a ton of questions. Edie ceased crying and cradled her swollen belly. She sat herself against the side of the bed and crossed her legs, rubbing her belly.

"Do you hear me in there?" Her quivering voice began with a whisper, regarding her growing baby. "By now, you're probably used to noise of gunfire and swearing. But I want to be the first to tell you that there is more to life than that. Life doesn't normally sound like that. The sounds that you have yet to hear are the sounds of joyful music, laughter, and love. I'm sorry, my precious baby… I'm sorry those aren't the sounds that you're accustomed to. I'm sorry you're accustomed to violence and anger." She choked upon her last words, her eyes threatening to flood once again, but the image of a radiant fire haired teenager smiled upon her. "I don't think I've told you about your family yet, little one, and where do I begin?"

Ed.

"You have a very silly aunt, who I know will adore you to pieces and will help you get into trouble. And I have the feeling you will warmly welcome Ein, too."

Jet.

"You have a scary looking grandpa, but you know, inside, he's one big teddy bear. He won't be teaching you how cook, I promise you that, but I can imagine you wanting to be hands on like he is."

Spike.

"Your daddy… he's another story altogether. Whether he wants to be a part of your life or not, he is a good man with a loyal heart. He just doesn't like to show it because he fears it is a weakness."

Where would I be without you?


"Yes... I agree, totally… The shipment is to be delivered by Thursday with no further delays… Mr. Schmidt, I understand your concerns but they no longer apply…"

Felix's ears perk at the the sound of a gun cocking, he twirled his chair around with his phone still against his ear, to face a gun.

"End the call."

"Mr. Schmidt, something urgent has come up. I'll call you back soon." Felix placed the cell phone against his personal desk and crossed one leg over the other. "I'm surprised you got in here without so much of an alarm going off."

"Let's just say, your guards are taking a nice nap, and I made sure that pretty wife of yours was away." Spike's Jericho remained aimed at Felix's forehead.

"Appears you've done your research." Smirked Felix.

"Well, I can't take all the credit, now can I?" Snickered back Spike. "Now Mr. Fancy Pants, I want you to take me to Edie or hand her over, either will do."

"Why are you and the rest of that rag tag team so persistent on getting Edith back? I'd think you imbeciles would take the hint by now. I spelled it out for you all in the beginning, when I first visited your miserable little ship. She's none of your concern."

"She is a our concern." Retorted Spike.

"Now, this is where things get distorted it seems. I get why the girl and the old goat want her around. One big cute happy family, riding off into the sunset… but you. Why is it that you want her around?"

Spike persisted in silence.

"What? Is it the fact that she's carrying around your child and you're doing it out of obligation or even forced to by the others?" Felix rubbed at his chin and flashed Spike a nasty grin. "What do you know about fatherhood anyways? All you know is death and dismay."

"And who's to say you know any more on fatherhood?"

Felix's smile disappeared and his brows furrowed. "That woman wasn't destined to have kids. She was supposed to be dead years ago. You could say it's her fault that your quote on quote 'family' are in such a predicament. Your friend wouldn't be half dead and you wouldn't have had such a burden and responsibility as parenthood thrown upon you. You should hate her and want her dead, in my opinion."

"Oh yeah, and who asked for your opinion?"

Felix clenched his teeth.

"I'm going to tell this to you one more time. Take me to Edie."

"Or what? You'll blow my brains out?"

"What good would that for me?" Spike lowered the gun to Felix's genitals. "I'll just make sure you don't have the burden and responsibility of parenthood thrown upon you."