And now for a new chapter. Might be a little longer, might be a little shorter… hard to say, depends how much of Ein's POV I want to describe.

Summary: Just some drabbles about how the characters feel, post-series. Each chapter will be a different POV.

Disclaimer: I don't own the show or its characters. Just this little fic.

~CB~

"Woof!"

That's all I could say in reply to Edward. If she or anyone could speak canine, she would know it meant, "Wait up!" as I ran after her. Keeping up with this kid wasn't easy, especially with these stubby little legs of mine.

"C'mon, woof-woof!" Edward exclaimed as we made it up the hill, and began walking through the desert once more, the girl doing cart-wheels or acting like an airplane once in a while, balancing her computer (or 'Tomato' as she called it) on her head most of the time. At one point she caught a tumbleweed rolling across the wasteland, and began to follow it… rolling along like a little ball as she did. I followed behind.

Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivruski IV was one of very, very few people I'd give my loyalty to. When she decided to take off on her own and chart her own path, I went along. The kid and I had become inseparable, considering I could really relate to her- we were both intelligent, and often she would act like an animal. Actually, at times, I would forget which one of us was the real dog. Chances were if one of us decided to be put on a leash, I'd be the one walking her.

I can't lie. I was pretty upset that she decided to leave the Bebop. We had both grown comfortable on that ship, despite it wasn't quite the 'warm and cozy' type of home a dog would long for, and we ran out of food quick. But the crew back there… well, they seemed like the only kind of family that would fit Edward. No one understood her- but at least the crew tolerated her, and kept her around.

Jet Black was the one who tolerated both of us the most. He kind of seemed like the 'father-figure' type the girl needed- tough, responsible, but having a sentimental side that he'd try to hide, up until it came to me or the girl. At least he wouldn't run off and ditch Edward the way her father, Appeldelhi, did. If I were a little more fast, I would have run after the guy and bit his leg for abandoning my best friend like that.

Maybe that's why Edward left. She decided to leave the crew before the crew left her.

She probably saw it coming. Faye had left after remembering her past, to go back where she belonged, having given the same advice to Edward. Where else could she belong? I wanted to snap upon hearing about it. The Bebop was practically the only place either of them could belong. Even if Faye went back, how could she possibly move on in her old life? The woman had been cryogenically frozen for over 50 years- so much can change in that time, and it would be a miracle if she had any living relatives anywhere. Plus, I've seen how that woman acts- rude, sarcastic, greedy, deceitful… I'm surprised Spike even put up with her!

Oh yeah. Spike.

Thinking about him right now wasn't easy, upon hearing the news. I knew about him and Vicious…

How? Well, I did some research. I always look up a few things about the crew, while everyone's asleep. (Hey, even a dog needs a hobby). Turns out Spike had been part of the Red Dragon Syndicate until he left them behind, and Vicious, apparently, wanted to have him killed. They both had a connection to Julia, a woman Spike was in love with I could guess. I don't exactly know the whole story- just that everyone had believed Spike to be dead. Knowing he was alive, now, Vicious probably wanted to make sure he'd be put in the grave for good.

Edward had been looking up a few news-programs… she had been pretty bored. Upon hearing that Spike had killed Vicious, she whooped and started dancing around- dropping her computer and having it shut-down, thereby not hearing the whole story.

Apparently, Spike died. I could tell from the expression on Jet's face.

So the cowboy bit the dust, I thought as Edward and I followed the tumbleweed. I couldn't help but feel heart-broken, but only a little. Spike and I were never on good terms- heck, I was pretty much one of the three things he hated most (the first being women with attitude, and kids- and suddenly he has the whole list on his ship). Yet for some reason he kept me around after rescuing me. Plus, I knew deep down he cared about each of us- a dog can sense emotions, and I knew Spike was an expert at hiding his from others. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have helped me out when I got infected by a virus- I still remembered how he held me tight as he made a run for it, bandaging me later on.

He claimed he hated us, but I could tell otherwise. Sure, he was annoyed that some gambling minx, radical super-genius kid, and 'mangy mutt' were taking up vacancy on the Bebop, but he warmed up to us in time. He just kept pushing his feelings aside, probably to avoid getting attached.

Maybe so it wouldn't hurt everyone so much, once he decided to take on Vicious.

Edward turned, apparently bored with following the tumbleweed and running to a nearby highway, walking on the straight line as if she were on a tight-rope. Poor kid thought Spike would come back… He cheated death so many times, she probably thought he'd turn up on the Bebop sooner or later, making a comeback like the first time. Like he was a cat with nine-lives. (Damn, why did I use that analogy?)

But I guess death finally decided to claim Spike in the end. Maybe someday Edward would understand that… though I hoped she wouldn't. I'd hate to see her sad- I've never seen her sad before. She was the only one on the crew who always seemed to have this ever-present, happy-go-lucky attitude that would never cease. Sometimes she would get disappointed, but would immediately perk up right after.

If she wants to believe Spike is still alive, let her. I told myself. And when she learned the truth, I'd comfort her. It's what best friends do. It's why I followed her out here- to be by her side at all times, and make sure nothing hurt her, to make sure she never felt alone.

Alone…

Edward had said she felt alone when talking to Jet.

It's official. That place was her only home, I figured, looking up at the morning sky. The sun wasn't up yet, and I could still see the stars… and moon-rocks falling to Earth in the distance.

I looked again, noticing something among them was different. That wasn't a moon-rock falling through the skies.

It was a falling star.

Rest in peace, cowboy. I thought, before following Edward on.

A stray dog is not always free.

~CB~

~Next Chapter~

Jet: So even a few side-characters are getting some attention, huh?

Faye: Will this thing ever end?

Edward: Never never! It will go on forever!

Faye: Don't say that, kid, you'll jinx us…

Jet: Next Chapter: VT: Heavy Metal Melancholy.

Edward: Keep going and don't stop!

Faye: Shut up, Ed!