Faye lounged on the couch, staring up at the ceiling watching as the fan slowly made its circles. A barely creaking sound was heard from the old fan.
"I don't need it." Faye whispered to herself. She hadn't been able to sleep last night. Partly for the fact that Spike had left and not returned yet, taking her no where with Roger's rescue, the other problem was from her lack of sleep; her horrible craving for the injection of her drug had kept her brutally awake.
"Need what, Faye-Faye?" Ed smiled as she strolled into the main room, her tan arms swung back and forth widely as walked. Ein was, for once, not at her heels.
"Er, food." Faye sighed.
"Ed's sees."
"You do?" Faye arched an eyebrow.
"Of course, silly." And with that Ed was finished talking to Faye, obviously occupied with more important matters, whatever that could be.
"Silly child." Faye laughed. Faye heard faint steps making their way. Faye peaked over the yellow couch, spotting Spike making his way down the hallway with a very grim face, "This ought to be fun."
Spike silently entered the room, taking a seat across from Faye. He lit a cigarette, exhaled and inhaled. Faye saw the tension in his face relax immediately. Faye realized how much she had missed his handsome features.
"Well?" Faye sat up.
"He's already dead, Faye." Spike answered.
Faye bit on her lower lip. She was at a stand still. So many people had come and gone through out her life she wasn't even sure how to feel anymore. Was she sad? Faye didn't feel any tears swell up in her eyes.
"Alright." She whispered as she stood up and walked out of the Bebop. She had a slight sense of where she was headed.
Spike sat on the couch and finished puffing his cigarette. It was one of his only joys left. Spike heard Jet's metal boots clinking on the floor not to far off.
"Well?" Jet asked as soon as he came into view.
"She didn't say much, just walked out of here like a zombie. It's hard to tell if it's the drugs or if she's truly sad." Spike shrugged.
"Hope she doesn't go out there and do something stupid." Jet sat across from Spike.
"She's famous for that." Spike smirked.
"I don't know what we're going to do about those track marks on her arms." Jet frowned, "She's got a serious problem."
"You're preaching to the wrong person." Spike stated.
"Edward found bounty!" Ed came dancing into the room with the tomato on her head. Ein strolled casually behind her as if he were her guardian instead of the pet.
---------
Faye took Jimmy's concrete steps two at a time. She didn't have to open the wooden door; it had been left wide open. Faye had to swallow to keep from throwing up, the smell was horrific. Four bodies were scattered on the floor. One of the bodies had a single bullet through the head while the other three were decked with bullets. The blood was no longer a liquid but dried up clumps. Flies flew from wall to person. Although none of the people were Jimmy, they were all people Faye had slightly known; the occasional shoot up with one.
"Jimmy?" Faye's horse voice called out.
The silence over filled the room. Faye made her way into the bedroom first. Belongings where scattered but no Jimmy. Faye then headed over to the bathroom. The bathroom door was cracked. She pushed open the door. The bathtub was still running enough to cause the tub to over flow with water and leak onto the tile and over to the door. The water was not clear; it was crimson. Faye had a feeling she knew who was in the bathtub. The crimson water was seeping into the water carpet which she stood on, the bottom of her white boots turning a light pink.
"Shit!" Faye mumbled as she hopped a few steps back.
She turned and headed back into the bedroom. She stomped her way through the scattered belongings, her eyes scanning the room hectically. She spotted the royal blue jewelry box lying upside down on the floor. She snatched it and headed out the door. She knew what was inside.
------
Jet smashed two of the guys heads together, smiling as the pair slumped to the floor upon him letting go. Jet scanned the hallway, searching for his next victim.
"Yo, Spike, finished yet?" He called out to his partner who was in the next room over.
"Yeah, just rounding them up." Spike emerged from the room. He dragged an unconscious young guy by the foot and a woman was slumped over his other shoulder.
"Spike! You didn't?" Jet asked, referring to the past out women swung over Spike's shoulder.
"No, I didn't knock her out. I found her like that." Spike stated as he past Jet. Jet grabbed his two bounties by the collars and dragged them out too.
------
Faye sat the jewelry box on the metal table. She noticed Jet and Spike's ships were both gone.
"Edward? Ein?" Faye shouted. Her only response was her own echo. She shrugged as she plopped down on the yellow couch letting out a sigh. She opened the box and pulled out the white powder, the needle.
"Well, guess there's nothing else to do." Faye said as she looked to either side of her.
-----
Jet walked into the hospital room first, Spike closely behind him.
"She's still asleep." Jet whispered to Spike upon seeing the unknown women resting in the bed.
"Guess we should leave. Wouldn't want to wake her." Spike shrugged as he turned around.
"I think I'll stay until she wakes. You get some dinner for Ed. I'll be home later." Jet stated, not taking his eyes off the brown haired women.
"Alright, Jet." Spike said as he exited the door. He couldn't help but smile at the expression on Jet's face.
------
The needle still rested in her arm as she leaned back into the sofa, her eyes closing. She jerked the needle out and laid it at her side. She itched at her collar bone gently, each stroke becoming fiercer.
"Guess this is goodbye, eh, Roger?" She mumbled.
--------
"Looks like your coming around. I was getting worried about you." Jet smiled at the women.
The women's blue eyes went wide upon seeing Jet.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Name's Jet. My partner and I found you." Jet spoke with ease.
The women blinked a few times.
"My name's Ari."
Jet smiled at her and she returned the favor with a sad smile of her own.
---
"Where have you been?" Spike questioned as he hoped out of his ship. Ed was walking up to the deck with her goggles resting on the top of her head and her feet bare. Ein was at her heels.
"Ein wanted a walk." Ed shrugged.
"Where did you two walked to?" Spike smiled at Ed before glancing at Faye's ship parked neatly next to his.
"Around. Ed stopped by the jail and then the library." Ed leaped onto the top of Spike's spacecraft hood.
"Get off my ship, Ed!" Spike panicked.
"Ed's not hurting it!" She protested.
"If there's a scratch on it, you're paying for the new paint job." Spike informed Ed.
"Edward sees many scratches already." Ed laughed.
Spike ignored Ed's comment and strolled into the Bebop. Ein was now at his heels.
"Sorry Ein, I'm going to take a shower." With that Spike shut the door on Ein.
Ein made his way into the living room and lay at Faye's feet. He made a small whimper before dozing off.
---
"The doctors said you might have a minor concussion; other then that its just scrapes and bruises." Jet sat on the chair next to Ari.
"That's too bad." She whispered solemnly to herself.
"What?" Jet stood up.
"I'm sorry. I truly am thankful for your help. It's just," Ari paused briefly, tears swelling up in her eyes, "my sister." Ari's tears strolled down her cheek.
"Is she in trouble too?" Jet asked.
Ari shook her head, her voice cracked, "She's dead. It's all my ex-husbands fault."
Jet watched as she balled her hands into angry fist.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Jet retook his seat.
---
Spike dried off his glistening body before wrapping the white towel around his toned waste. He used a different towel to dry off his hair. Upon finishing his task, he casually tossed his hair towel to the floor and strolled out of the bathroom, whistling a soothing tune as he did so.
He made his way to the kitchen, glanced lightly at Faye's tranquil form on the couch before continuing his way to the kitchen.
He yanked open the fridge and snatched a soda before slamming it shut. He waltzed back into the living room and took a seat across from Faye. He was careful not to let his towel fall open. He hit the button on the TV. The screen came alive and a burst of noise rang through the walls of the Bebop. He opened his soda and slurped half of it down. He fought the urge to steal a glance at Faye but lost.
"What the hell?" Spike sat his coke down on the metal table as he spoke.
He leaned over to get a better look. He had to be sure he was seeing this right. The used needle lay causally next to Faye, the tip still red.
"Dammit Faye, can't you have some respect for others!" He shouted as he stood up. If only Jet where here.
Faye didn't budge. He glared at her unmoving form. He noticed her collar bone was bleeding. It looked as if a bear had clawed her. Spike shook his head and walked over to her. He touched her bare shoulder and winced at how cold it was.
"Faye." He touched her again. She didn't budge. He squatted down so his face was close to hers. He didn't feel her breath on his face and he couldn't see the rising and falling of her chest.
"Faye." He said, this time with more urgency. He's heart was racing and his palms were growing sweaty. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he placed both of his hands on her shoulders and violently shook her awake.
She didn't wake but he felt her body jerk lightly with the sudden intake of air. He noticed her chest rising and falling. He was relived but not quite satisfied.
"Get up." He shook her again.
This time her eyes slowly opened. He watched as she put a hand to her forehead and tried to shut her eyes once more.
"Faye." Spike spoke sternly.
Her eyes fluttered to his. He watched as her cracked lips tried to form words but nothing came out. She tried swallowing but her throat was much to dry. Spike shook his head once again and handed her the rest of his drink. She devoured it.
"Care to share what you were doing just now?" Spike stood up, grabbing his towel as he did so.
Faye just snarled as her eyes roamed up Spike's body and to his face.
"Nothing to say? That's surprising." Spike teased with little humor.
"What does it matter?" Faye sighed as she stood up. Spike didn't back away. Faye had little space to stand between Spike and the couch.
"What do you think?" Spike raised an eyebrow.
"You like to make my life miserable?" Faye suggested.
"You seem to be doing that pretty well by yourself." Spike put a curled finger to the corner of his lips.
Faye shook her head in annoyance.
"You want to know something?" Spike questioned. He picked up one of Faye's hands and intertwined their fingers.
"Not really?" Faye was only mildly shocked by this.
"I don't know what to think about you anymore."
"Is that so?" Faye rolled her eyes.
"I'm afraid one of these days I'm going to find you out cold and not be able to wake you." Spike confessed. Faye darted her eyes to the metal floor.
"That's your problem. Not mine." She yanked her hand away from Spike and gathered the box and needle before heading off to her room.
Spike kicked the couch before stomping off to his room. He suddenly remembered why he hated women with attitudes.
---
"Sorry about your house." Jet spoke again as he helped Ari from the door. Jet still had the smell of the ashes stuck in his nose. The fumes had been thick.
"Are you sure it won't be too big of a burden? I wouldn't want to crowd anyone." Ari questioned as she played with a strand of her short brown hair, her blue eyes taking in the scenery before her.
"It's my ship. What I say goes and if they don't like it they go." Jet smiled although the comment held more truth to it then Ari would know.
"I see." Ari fidgeted with her red dress. She had rolled up her sleeves to her elbows, revealing her green bracelet. The neck in her dress dipped scandalously low which revealed the purple shirt she wore underneath.
"Just make yourself at home." Jet stood up from his spot on the couch and lead Ari down the empty metal hallway. Jet's metal boots and Ari brown boots stepped in perfect unison.
They past the doors to the other rooms, all firmly shut. Jet pointed to each room as he past. That's Spike's, Faye's, Ed's, and his own.
"This will be yours. It's not much." Jet smiled, placing a nervous hand behind his head.
"Thank you, Jet." And with that Ari went in for the night.
Jet stared at the empty space were she had stood moments ago, her heartbreaking smile staining his memory.
"It's a damn shame." Jet mumbled to himself as he walked down the halls.
------
"Dinner's ready!" Ari shouted into the quiet halls of the Bebop, her pink apron tied firmly around her.
"Better grab our plates first." Jet laughed as he untied his white apron from him.
"Agreed." Ari snatched two plates, handing one gently to Jet. They piled the bell peppers and beef unto their plates, both grabbing a baked potato.
Ed and Ein came bolting in through the door.
"Ed's hungry!" Ed squeaked.
"You're a strange kid, aren't you?" Ari smiled as she passed by Ed, patting the kid's head gently, lovingly as she passed.
"Has Spike and Faye returned from their bounty yet?" Jet questioned.
"Negative, sir." Ed spun out of the room. She had a plate in each hand, one for herself and one for her favorite furry friend.
"Hm. They should be back by now." Jet sat on the couch next to Ari, even though the chair across was unoccupied.
They four ate in silence, all engaged with their own thoughts.
"I found an apartment." Ari spoke up; her voice was light and unsure.
"The bebop that bad, eh?" Jet laughed dryly.
"It's been a month, Jet. I don't want to over stay my welcome." Ari shrugged.
"You haven't. Unlike some of the people on this ship, you earn your keep." Jet nodded.
"But I can't even bounty hunt!" Ari sat her plate down and frowned.
"Doesn't matter. You're great help around this ship full of slobs." Jet laughed.
"If you really mean it, then I'll stay. I like it here." Ari grinned at Jet as she picked up her plate again.
Ed smiled broadly from her position on the floor.
---
Faye sat in her ship, greatly annoyed at being shot down. Spike should have been here by now to help her but he wasn't. Faye heaved herself up and out of her ship, landing on the grassy meadow with a soft thud.
There was nothing in her sight but grass and trees. The smell of the smoke of her burned up ship was slowly curling its way to Faye's nose.
"Gross." She swiped the fumes away from her as she took a few steps away from the wrecked ship.
Faye decided standing wasn't cutting it. She spotted a patch of white flowers among the millions of weeds and sat down in the middle of them. The weeds around her were slightly taller then her sitting form. The sound of an approaching aircraft caught her attention. She shifted her eyes to the sky and sighed with relief as Spike's ship parked next to hers. Faye grinned as she lowered herself into the flowers and behind the weeds.
"Faye?" She heard Spike's voice shout through the field. For some reason she couldn't remember the last time she held a conversation with Spike.
Faye fought a giggle, biting down on her lip as she watched Spike angrily scan through the meadow.
"Faye. Where the hell did your dumb ass run off to?" Spike growled.
Spike then spotted Faye. She was lying down, looking up at the setting sky.
"Get lost?" Spike questioned as he looked down at her. He felt as if he barely knew her anymore. They hardly ever spoke other then bounty talk. Faye was usually, other then hunting time, to strung out to socialize.
"Nope." She shook her head.
Spike stared down at her. Her long purple hair was scattered around her, her emerald eyes were staring past him, a grin on her swollen lips. Her pale skin shimmered lightly thanks to the sunset. In the moment, Spike decided that was the happiest she's looked in months.
In one swift moment he was lying next to her, his arms crossed behind his head. They sat there momentarily, neither speaking.
"I hate restrictions." Faye admitted, "I hate rules, expectations, limitations, boundaries."
Spike raised an eyebrow over at her. He wasn't sure if he should speak or if she was having a moment.
"I like my freedom." Faye smiled to herself.
Spike watched as she slowly traced over her track marks.
"These are the marks of freedom, Spike." Faye glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
"You sound like a mad woman." Spike scowled.
"Maybe." Faye sighed.
They sat in silence a few moments longer.
"What do you think of Ari?" Faye rolled to her side; her slender arm was now supporting her weight. She inched closer to Spike.
"What do I think of Ari or what do I think of Ari and Jet?" Spike smirked. He followed Faye's lead and rolled onto his side.
"Either or."
"I'm glad the old guy might have finally found someone. Maybe some one just as beat up as him. They can heal together." Spike looked past Faye.
"We're broken." Faye fought to get Spike's attention.
"I'm in repair, your still falling apart." Spike locked eye contact.
They lay silently in the field, seconds quickly turning into minutes. The setting sun had disappeared. The night sky was now a brilliant blue.
"I think I'll stay the night out here." Faye broke the silence.
"Eh?"
"Care to stay will me?" Faye grinned.
"Will you feel the need to shoot up?" Spike frowned.
"Probably not." Faye shrugged.
Spike didn't respond.
"I feel like I lost you." Faye confessed.
Spike let out a low chuckle. How many times had he thought the same thing about her?
"I'm still here, unfortunately." Spike grinned.
---
"Hope they didn't kill each other." Jet mumbled at his chair in the control room. His cigarette was in his good arm, every so often bringing it up to his lips.
"Is something wrong, Jet?" Ari's soft voice echoed through the empty room.
"Nah, just trying to figure out our next move." Jet lied.
"Oh, okay." Ari touched Jet's shoulder lightly before exiting the room.
----
Spike was rudely awakened by the sun pouring onto him. He quickly smashed his eyes shut. He yawned, Spike's mouth growing monstrously huge.
The sound of something nearby caught his attention. He shot up and forced his eyes to adjust to the light quickly.
"Faye?" He called out once he noticed she was not lying down anywhere in the area.
Spike walked over to the parked ships. He gritted his teeth as he approached Faye.
Faye had one sweaty hand on her ship for support while the other hand was pulling back her hair. She was hunched over slightly; at the moment empting her stomach.
"Great." Spike mumbled as he made his way over to her.
Faye once again wiped her mouth off with the back of her hand, stumbling back a few feet before hitting the ground hard. A small breeze blew her sweaty hair off of her face. She shivered lightly.
"Need some help?" Spike offered.
"Get lost." Faye growled.
"Thought you weren't going to shoot up?" Spike scowled.
"Does it look like I have? This is the fucking withdrawals." She sneered.
Spike winced at her voice; it was angry and sounded in agony.
"My bad." Spike mumbled, making his way to take a seat next to Faye.
He wasn't even toughing her in the slightest way, but he could feel her trembling. The gleam off of her drenched body was almost blinding, the noise of her quickly standing up to throw up then back down was heart wrenching.
Spike didn't speak; he decided it was best he didn't add his input. If he had nothing nice to say then he should speak at all.
"I can't take this anymore." Faye stated, staggering towards her spacecraft.
It took a few moments for the words to reach Spike, then process through his brain.
"Faye, no." He stood up, sprinting towards her spacecraft.
He wished he hadn't followed her over to her spaceship. He hated the sight of her like that, the needle in her arm, and the satisfied look on her face. He watched as her body relaxed.
"Better now?" He looked away.
She didn't answer.
"Let's get back to the Bebop. Jet will have to come and pick your ship up later." Spike stated, snatching the needle out of her arm and throwing it down. He stomped on it angrily.
Faye shot Spike a glare. He just grabbed her wrist and dragged her to his spacecraft. Faye weighed barely anything to Spike as he shoved her into the ship, himself squeezing in next to her. He quickly elbowed his way slightly in front of Faye and maneuvered the Swordfish back to the Bebop.
------
"Why the hell did we get stuck with the grocery shopping? That's what Ari's for." Faye complained as she walked down the cereal aisle. She pushed the cart in front of her, casually bumping into innocent bystanders.
Ed walked beside Faye, smiling as she snatched random items off of the shelves.
Spike was a pace behind the two, hands in his pocket and a slouch to his posture.
"Put that back, Edward." Faye snapped.
"Faye-Faye! Edward needs."
"Ed, you need to learn the difference between wants and needs." Faye lectured, placing the rainbow colored cereal box on the shelf.
Ed pouted her face and hastened her pace. She was quickly in front of Faye and the basket. Her long arms were angrily swinging at her sides.
Spike let out a chuckle. He was just here along for the ride.
"Who was it that likes these breakfast bars?" Faye said, picking up a red box.
Ed turned to face Faye with a quick turn around, then seeing the box narrowed her eyes. Spike gave Faye the 'you're kidding, right?' face before shaking his head.
"What?" Faye shrieked as Ed and Spike looked at her like she was crazy.
"It's you who likes them." Spike pointed.
"Oh." Faye said, tossing the breakfast bars in the basket.
Ed just turned back around, huffing as she walking in front of Faye.
"I think that's enough." Spike stated, tossing in a few cups of soup.
The three made their way to the check out line. The elder lady paused briefly, in taking the sight of the trio, before beginning to scan their products.
"It's really nice to see a young couple adopting. It's a really nice thing to do." The elder lady said in a raspy voice.
Ed smiled bigger, hugging Faye and purring out the word 'mommy'. Faye grinned and nodded to the lady, patting Ed harder then necessary on the head. Spike, hands still in his pockets, sighed.
"Alright, family move out." Spike ordered as he handed two sacks to Ed, three to Faye, and he took the final four. He emphasized the word family.
The five minute stroll back to Bebop was a quiet trip. Ed was the only one making any noise, she sang quietly to herself.
"We're being followed." Spike whispered into Faye's ear.
"Ed, be a dear and run ahead to the Bebop, Spike will go with you." Faye said coolly.
Spike shot Faye a glare, "Getting going Edward."
Edward saluted and took off skipping as Faye and Spike slowed their pace. The men were moving in.
Faye and Spike adjusted all their bags into one of their hands. Faye nodded to the right, telling Spike to take the next turn. They quickly turned the corner, dropping the sacks into the corner, both readily pulling out their guns.
The first man, in a black suit, turned the corner and was shot in the leg by Faye. He fell to the ground with a cry. The two other men peered around the corner.
"Valentine." They sneered.
Faye shot at the guy on the right, the bullet hitting the corner of the wall. Spike had a better angle and fired at the same guy, hitting in his arm. The man grabbed his arm and vanished.
"And then there was one." Spike chuckled.
"Or none?" Faye raised an eyebrow as they heard the other guy scamper off.
They both looked down at the guy on the floor, still crying out in pain. Spike took it upon himself to question the guy.
"What do you want?" Spike stepped down on his wounded leg.
"Grahh. The girl, the boss wants her." He whined out.
"What do you think?" Spike looked over at Faye.
Before Faye could answer, bullets were falling from the sky. Faye and Spike both took off running. A bullet made contact with Spike's shoulder and one grazed Faye's cheek as they dashed out of the ally and back onto the crowded streets. The man with the wounded leg lay lifeless in the alley, blood spreading around him. The bullets covered his body.
Faye paused momentarily, aiming her gun at the roof tops at the shooters. She fired on shot and instantly brought one down. A pain ripped through her side, she ignored it as she fled.
Spike hadn't even noticed Faye wasn't at his side until he was back at the docks, where the people were scarcer.
Spike's eyes darted back and fourth, searching for the violet haired women. Then he spotted her. She was moving slowly. Spike waited for her to catch up.
"I think I'm out of shape." Faye stated.
------
"It's no big deal." Faye shrugged, raising her nose in the air slightly.
"Why are they after you?" Ari innocently asked; her eyes wide with concern.
Faye shot her gaze to Ari before turning her glare to Jet who was patiently sitting with his hands crossed and attention fully to her.
"Business I accompanied Roger on, that's all. You know how the syndicate is." Faye stood up, about to flee the living room.
Faye's focus was still on Jet. She didn't look in time to see Spike heading towards her. She crash into him with force. Spike took a step back as he watched Faye fall to the ground, landing with a small thud.
"Hey, watch it." She glared up at Spike.
"Trying to flee?" Spike offered Faye a hand but she declined.
She heaved herself off the metal floor and brushed past Spike with a harsh nudge.
"What's her problem?" Spike took a seat next to Jet.
"What isn't her problem?" Jet lit a cigarette.
Ari frowned.
---
"It's not fair how you left me like this." Faye mumbled to no one. She was sprawled out on her mattress, staring up at the metal ceiling. She clutched a bottle of vodka in one hand, every so often sitting up slightly to take a swig.
A knock on her door caught her attention. She bit her tongue, hoping whoever it was would disappear.
"Faye?" Ari's voice rang thru her room.
Faye rolled her eyes.
A few minutes passed and only silence remained. Faye sighed, "That was a close one." She muttered taking a monster swig.
Another knock on her door boomed through her room. This knock was greatly more demanding then the previous and no voice followed. Faye had a feeling she knew who was at the door. Before she could jump up and bolt it, Spike came waltzing in.
"Get out. This is my room. Give me some privacy for god sakes." Faye began ranting.
"Alright, alright." Spike held up his hands.
"Really?"
"Nope." Spike took a seat on the edge of the mattress. The door shut all by itself with a quiet slam.
"I really don't feel like talking." Faye stated, swishing the half empty bottle around before taking another drink.
"I'm guessing that was full when you started this little binge." Spike smirked.
"What's it to you, boy?"
"I'm your elder." Spike snatched the bottle taking a swig from it.
"Pshhhh. I'm like a hundred years old." Faye snorted, snatching the bottle back.
"Not mentally and that's all that really matters." Spike stole the bottle back.
Faye thought about this one for a moment.
"Maybe you have a point." She pouted.
"I like you so much better when you've been drinking." Spike laughed.
"Why? I'm not easy."
"You're a lot nicer." Spike smirked, gulping giant swishes of the vodka down.
"That's mine." Faye grabbed it, finishing the bottle.
"Greedy aren't we." Spike shook his head lightly.
Faye sighed as she lay back down on her bed. The empty bottle still place firmly in her hand.
Spike glanced around her room. The small TV still on the floor, clothes scattered, the music box wide open in the corner of the room. Faye's gun rested on the floor next to his feet.
"Do you ever hate Julia for leaving you?" Faye spoke; almost whispering the words.
"I can't hate her." Spike looked over at Faye.
"I hate Roger. What am I suppose to do now? He snatched me from my world and brought me into his only to dump me right back in mine, only my world isn't really there anymore," Faye sighed and the lightly chuckled, "I don't know if that made since."
"It will get easier."
"When?" Faye sat up, her eyes wide with intensity.
"Eventually." Spike shrugged.
"Do you know what it's like to be an addict," Faye began to laugh, "I haven't even been able to look at myself in the mirror since I returned to the Bebop. If I see my reflection I don't even recognize myself. I try to quit, oh I try. The gnawing pain is surreal. You itch, vomit, shake and sweat. And you know all you have to do is inject that harmless little needle and it was all disappear. That stages were nothing can hurt you. Everything feels right and suddenly you can make since of the world, even if it is a load of bullshit you just made up."
Spike lit his cigarette.
"Roger knew what it was like. He knew the pain and gain of the drug."
"I'll take you somewhere."
"Huh?" Faye shot up.
"I want to take you somewhere. I want to show you something." Spike offered.
"Why?" Faye was now sitting next to Spike. They sat shoulder to shoulder at the edge of the bed.
"Why not?" Spike grinned.
"I'll go if you pay." Faye smiled.
"Deal, but you can't bring anything expect what I pack for you."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Fine." Faye crossed her hands over her chest.
"We'll leave tomorrow."
"Spike," Faye began but paused.
Spike looked down at Faye. She was biting her lip, her eyes narrowed.
"What?"
Faye moved her face closer to Spike's, there noses barely touching. She gently brushed her lips to his, mumbling a thank you into his lips. She pulled away slowly.
"Guess the alcohol makes me stupid. Now could you get out of my room?" Faye pushed Spike off the mattress. He stood and left with only a slight glance back although a smirk was smugly worn on his perfect lips.