Bebop Blues

Chapter 4: Cosmic Dare (Pretty with a Pistol)

"Spiegel?" Faye finally asked.

They had left Tharsis a few weeks ago. Mai had taken the Bebop back down for some minor renovations before they officially set out from Mars.

Jet was inwardly ecstatic.

Faye was outwardly confused.

And a bit hurt.

"What about it?" Mai asked.

Jet had told Faye not to pry. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," or something like that.

But when she realized the Swordfish was left behind, she got defensive.

"You said you go by many names, so which one is this one?"

"My most recent."

That wasn't good enough.

"Why did you dump the Swordfish?"

Jet spoke up from his new and much larger bonsai room near the back of the dome. "Actually, I want to know that answer, too." He walked towards the two, wiping his hands on his apron.

They were leaning against a gargantuan tree in the center of the dome, the soft grass beneath their legs and bottoms as a cushion of comfort. Faye had her head on Mai's shoulder, her eyes distant and thoughtful.

"My old buddy Doohan plans on picking it up, but he wanted it locked away for the time being."

Chills.

Jet and Faye both.

"I bought a hangar and stowed it until he wants it. Don't know what he'll do without an ignition key, though. He seemed to know a lot more about that ship than he should have."

They remained stoic.

Mai feigned ignorance.

"I think I'll go cook dinner. We'll be near Venus soon," Jet stated flatly. It was apparent that the ice needed breaking.

Faye sighed and closed her eyes. She didn't know exactly why she seemed so drawn to Mai; whether it was because she seemed so much like Spike or because Spike seemed so much like her, but she was hooked.

Bedmates always made for an interesting type of clinging.

Sure, she knew Spike and she were just that: comrades of benefits, but that didn't mean she hadn't ached for it to mean more than a "feel-good lay" every now and then.

She stopped pondering. She was never one to brood.

"Smells decent," Mai commented.

"Huh?"

"Whatever he's cooking."

"Oh. Probably bell peppers and beef."

"Hm." She shifted, and Faye moved her head. Mai rose to her feet and headed towards the large kitchen near the rear of the ship. Faye, having nothing better to do, followed suit.

"Jet, let me have a go."

"I already told you; you provided the ship, the least I can do is cook."

She wasn't taking his excuses today. He had cooked all three meals every day since they set off for Venus.

"Well, I feel like cooking, so I'm making meatloaf. The kitchen is large enough for both of us."

Jet raised an eyebrow and brought a hand to his chin in thought. He never heard a remark like that from her. That was more of a Spike thing: say what the hell you want and do what the hell you want.

And in doing what the hell she wanted, she began to pull out ingredient after ingredient, mixing ground beef with spices and sauces and onions and breadcrumbs before molding it with her hands into a loaf and placing it gently on a baking stone. The oven was piping hot, and with a "harrumph," she placed the loaf in the oven and set the timer to fifteen minutes. So was the luxury of her expensive oven: quick as hell meatloaf.

She lit one of her cigarettes and leaned against the counter, debating on whether or not mashed potatoes were in order.

"Let me bum one." Faye had been aching for a smoke; she quit months ago.

"You sure, doll? I don't deal in cancer sticks."

Jet's cigarette dangled from the edge of his mouth precariously in slight aghast before he swallowed the cancerous concoction in abrupt shock, choking and gagging immediately.

In perfect unison, the two women slapped his back and the offending thing hacked forth from his throat, splattering on the steel countertop.

"Watch it, old man. Don't want you dying before your time."

"Marijuana?"

"It's legal. It's better than tobacco, and it's not addicting."

She handed one to Faye and lit it for her.

Jet remained appalled. "What the hell kind of ship do you run?"

"You tell me, captain," Mai grinned.

Jet put a hand to his forehead in exasperation. "Hippies..."

"Love, peace, unity and all that jazz," she sing-songed.

Faye was grinning ear to ear, the cannabis and the hilarity of the captains' dynamic easing her previous anxiety.

"If it ain't home-grown, it ain't kosher," Mai said with a half-smile. "You'll find nothing illegal on this ship, and you'll find nothing that can't be grown by mother earth."

Jet shook his head and threw his hands in the air, resolving to agree to disagree.

Faye, still smiling with her green eyes twinkling, spoke next. "Where are you from, hippie cowgirl?"

Mai grinned as she opened the oven, the meatloaf done and smelling divine. The crews' mouths watered. "I'm from the stars, but if you prefer the literal explanation, as you two seem to prefer-"

"That goes for Jet. From the stars is fine by me."

"My father was born on Mars, my mother on Venus, and I was born in the springtime on Earth."

"A real class act," Faye mused, "from the stars." She was slowly becoming a hippie herself.

Jet shook his head. "Women."

Mai laughed as she cut the meatloaf, serving each of them generously.

The first bite was all it took.

"This is amazing!"

Jet nodded. "I gotta' say, I'm impressed. Good stuff."

Mai smiled, and the dinner continued in happy silence.

They orbited Venus and decided to continue the journey in their respective ships. The Hammerhead and Red Tail had both had overhauls (Jet was quite thrilled to find a vast array of parts and tools aboard the Mezzo), and Mai was anxious to show off her other pride and joy.

The black mono-racer looked much like the Swordfish, though the silver stripe down both sides and the T-Shaped nose made it appear to be a completely different ship. It was definitely a racer, but it was heavily modified for maneuverability rather than speed. Judging by the double plasma cannons and turrets, Jet and Faye were prepared to believe it to be one-of-a-kind, some type of custom ship never encountered. The elongated tail was a shimmering red, and the rudders were sleek and quick.

"Impressive," Jet noted in approval.

"Blues."

"That's the name?"

"Yep. A present from my father."

"That's one hell of a present."

"He was one hell of a father."

Silence.

They may have asked more, but they resigned to leave it be. No looking gift horses in the mouth, after all, and besides, all three of them had pasts that weren't revealed: the heartbroken cop, the frozen fairy, and the orphaned hippie.

As they landed upon Venus' terraformed surface, they were comforted to find some greater semblance of peace that Mars had not afforded them. Before attempting conversation, a few pills from Mai were handed off to prevent embarrassment of helium induced high pitches.

The city was bustling with activity, but was cordial and comforting. Taking space atop a large parking garage, the three set out to follow their lead, a small-time crook that was part of a bigger ring.

They were mostly silent as they took the elevator to down the city streets; all three were lost in thoughts of the hunt.

As they reached the ground and began to walk to a nearby diner, a vidcom rang out.

"Huh? That's not mine," Jet commented.

Mai was looking at her com with her halfway grin. "I gotta take this. I'll catch up in a second."

The duo shrugged at each other and continued walking.

She met up with them at the diner ten minutes later, her face as passive as usual. "I got a good start. Head honcho was just spotted a block away entering the bank."

"That's what that call was about?" Faye asked.

Mai lit up, inhaling slowly. "Well, yes, but he also asked me to keep it to myself. He wasn't entirely thrilled with me keeping company these days."

"You're source sounds selfish," Jet half-laughed.

"He's just quite particular. Naturally he doesn't trust my judgment. I'm more surprised he told me, considering he's hunting the same prey."

"Well, we certainly appreciate it," Faye smirked.

"I can't leave you two hanging. The whole ring is worth 100 Million if we snag 'em together. More than enough to go around, and it's unrealistic to think it to be a one-man job."

They hadn't ordered yet, and all that was had was water, so the trio decided to take their leave before ringleader made himself scarce.

They arrived at the bank just in time.

"A hold-up? Dammit! Now the cops are involved! This bounty is toast!" Faye exclaimed, exasperated.

Mai was peering up, taking in the outer layout of the building. "This is cake." A press to her earring, and the Blues came soaring through the sky.

"What's with you women and remote controls?"

"It's handy when you don't have a partner."

From behind the glass panels of the building, the crew could see the ringleader and his cronies holding various patrons and tellers and bankers hostage. The loudspeaker from the building sounded. "You let us go with our cash, or the whole building goes to pieces!"

Faye grit her teeth.

Jet led the way, and the team ran closer to the building, the Blues hovering above them before vanishing. The whir of the engine could still be heard.

"The hell?"

"One hell of a father," she smirked. "I'll drop in from the top and flush them out. Make sure you get to them before the ISSP does. We're not letting this opportunity go to waste." With that instruction, they heard the Blues land and watched as she climbed the invisible machine and slipped into the cockpit.

Vanished.

"I want that," Faye commented, jealous of the racer.

"Well, I'm usually one for more planning, but she seems to have this covered. Can't say I like it. It seems reckless."

"Like Spike."

He expected her to be sad, but she seemed downright thrilled.

As the cops began to surround the place, they attempted to squeeze closer to the side of the building in the alleyway. The side door was ajar.

"Bingo."

Guns at the ready, they slowly walked in.

Down a narrow hallway, they soon found themselves upon a door completely open. They sunk to the ground; they were now behind the teller counters, hidden from the thugs, but also from any would-be saviors. They hoped Mai wasn't as reckless as Faye romanticized her to be.

"Line up!" the ringleader yelled.

He was Caleb Morrison, wanted for big-time bank robbery, murder, and drug trafficking. His three cronies were useless on their own, but the four made a ridiculous force.

"You! Get back in line!"

Faye and Jet chanced a glance from around the corner of the desk.

A tall, lanky man was causing a ruckus. He was acting nonchalantly enough, his actions seemingly non-deliberate as he tripped one crony and kicked his gun across the floor.

"I am in line," they heard him say.

Faye's eyes went wide, but whatever she was thinking was interrupted by the sound of Mai's voice.

"Checkmate, Morrison," she called from the second floor. It was more of a balcony that ran the length of the room, but it offered a fine stage for her antics.

Jet put a palm to his forehead and whispered with a groan. "Reckless."

"And who are you?"

"Depends."

"That ain't no answer!" Morrison shot, his machine gun on a hair trigger, but Mai had already vanished down the side of the balcony, half the flight of stairs behind her. "Stay still, bitch!"

As she halted at the bottom, she grinned wildly. "Okay."

And no sooner had she spoken when the ceiling came crashing down, Morrison pinned beneath some invisible arm.

The captives had been lined against the opposite wall, clear from the dust and debris. No damage to be done to them.

Jet finally broke. Snapping to a stand, he cursed loudly. "Mai! What the hell? What kind of plan was that? Where's the reward if we have to pay for repairs? Faye and I could have been killed?"

"If I thought for a second you two were in danger, I had another tactic. Faye knows I wouldn't harm her."

But Faye was frantic. She was searching for the lanky lunkhead she swore she heard. She scanned the room, but there was no sign of the coat and hat she saw from before. Did she hear him, or was that just Mai's aura rubbing off on the random patron. She'd have to ask Jet to be sure.

Morrison's cronies had already lined themselves up to be cuffed, Mai's presence wearing them thin. "Miss Dragon, we didn't want any trouble from you, no ma'am."

"I know, that's why you left my turf, but you should no better than to cause trouble. I don't care much for troublemakers."

Jet was groaning as he kicked Morrison's head, knocking him out. He cuffed him, and with perfect timing as usual, the Blues lifted to return to its parking spot.

"Repairs..."

Mai smiled. "I'll take care of it."

"With your portion? That's not enough to cover it."

"You and Faye split this one. I don't normally deal so recklessly, but I can take care of the damage." She pulled out her com dialed with deep intent. "Mayor Hawking? Yes, it's Mai, you know Ma- Oh, of course! I knew you wouldn't forget me! I just had a bad run-in with some thugs at the bank and did quite a number on the ceiling. Of course I've got you covered! You know I had to tell you first! Can't leave the mayor out of the loop with what goes on in his town. I'll make sure Vaughn and the boys take care of everything. Free of charge, no worries, and I'll be sure to tell ISSP the whole spiel. Of course, of course. Yes, dinner is definitely in order; it really has been far too long. I hope Linda and the kids have been well! Yes, I know. I'll call your secretary and schedule dinner, then."

Another phone call, this time to Vaughn, it seemed, and soon a clean-up crew was on the scene.

"If we even get the bounty..."

"We turned them over to the cops, so we get the reward. If they hassle us, I'll just make another phone call."

"You seem to be in with a lot of groups," Jet commented dryly. He found her power to be oddly unnerving.

"One hell of a father," she responded.

She seemed tired.

Faye took the opportunity to yank Jet aside.

"That was Spike."

"Faye, it did sound a lot like him, but-"

"It was Spike. I know it."

"No, Faye, it sounded like Spike."

"He moved like Spike. I'm telling you; that was Spike. I know it."

"What are we whispering about?"

They jumped.

"Actually, I know it's probably none of my business, but I couldn't help but make you jump." Mai grinned.

Such a lunkhead.

It made Faye smile.

"Let's get some dinner. On me," Mai concluded. "I know a great steakhouse nearby."

"Well, lead the way!"

Jet just shook his head. "Women."

Mai turned back briefly to glance down the alley as the three walked away. She winked and whispered. "Not bad, cowboy."

They ate until they were good and stuffed, Mai's generosity taming Jet's foul mood and the cute waiter with wine easing Faye's anxiety over her seeing a ghost. It was close to midnight when they set back out, Jet carrying Faye over his back, and Mai leaning lightly on him for support every few steps; she was a bigger lightweight than Jet would have thought.

"So, what's with you and Faye?" Mai asked.

Jet faltered a bit, jostling Faye. She didn't stir. "We're just partners, but I could ask you the same thing."

Mai's brown eyes glittered mischievously. "I like her. Quite a bit."

"It mean anything?"

Mai shrugged. "I can tell she's straight, but so am I. I like to refer to myself more as "open-minded" to be honest. I'm more in need of..." she paused a moment to choose her words carefully. "...someone who's just as lost as I am."

"Well, if that's what you want, Faye's it. I actually reckon she likes you a bit, but I can't say for the same reasons."

"Spike."

"So you did hear that."

"I'm assuming that's your old partner. She refers to you guys as a crew, but two people hardly qualify as a crew."

"There used to be five of us. Spike and I were first. Then Ein. Faye. And Ed."

Mai gulped. "THE Ed? As in Radical Edward?"

"How can you derive that from just Ed?"

"Process of elimination." Her eyes twinkled again, and he chose not to question it.

"Yes. Radical Edward. Crazy kid, that girl."

"You all seem to have a story; Faye told me you were a cop once."

He chuckled. "Yeah, but the system was crooked."

"So you became a bounty hunter to uphold justice."

"Something like that."

They were nearing the parking lot.

"Well, we're similar in that regard. I was tired of seeing so much crime before my eyes and being unable to stop it. Becoming a bounty hunter was one of the most freeing things in my life."

"When did you start hunting?"

"Nineteen."

He stumbled again. "You were a baby!"

She chuckled. "I wasn't, but in time, you'll learn about that."

"Can't reveal all your secrets, can you?"

She gave her signature half-grin. "Of course not."

They woke Faye when they reached the ships, and she stirred in annoyance. "Can't we get a hotel?"

Mai giggled. "If you set the Red Tail to autopilot, you can ride back with me."

Faye fiddled with her bracelet, and the Red Tail took off. "I can walk, Jet."

He set her down as she walked over to the Blues. "There room enough for you two?"

"Yup," Mai winked.

Jet shook his head and laughed before hopping into the Hammerhead.

Faye sidled in to the small space behind the only seat. It was roomier than the Swordfish to be sure, but not by much. At least Mai was small.

"Don't knock me around."

Mai pulled Faye's arms forward and around her. "Then hold tight."

They took off, and Faye squeezed.

Once they breached the atmosphere, Mai released the breath she's been holding, and Faye loosened her grip.

"Sorry. I prefer a seat belt."

"It's fine; I just failed to mention that nasty gash you no doubt now feel beneath your arm..." Mai winced, but smiled.

Faye felt something warm and sticky. "Shit! I reopened it."

"Actually, dumb me reopened the top half running down those stairs. I forgot in all that adrenaline and alcohol." She pulled her shirt up to view the wound more clearly, and Faye stifled a gasp.

"That's awful."

"One of the lesser perks of the job; that's why I was hoping to skip town and find work elsewhere. This one got away."

The eleven-inch gash was mostly healed, apart from the top half; it had been ripped clearly open.

Faye brushed her fingers over the wound. "That's good stitch work."

"I had a good doctor."

They grew silent and stayed such the remainder of the trip.

They docked not too long after Jet, parking directly in the hangar as opposed to in the Bebop; Jet had done the same.

They bid each other good night and parted ways; with separate bathrooms, there was no need to fight for hot water.

It was almost 3 AM when Mai finally made it to bed. Phone calls and cleaning now complete, she hit the mattress with a soft thud, her eyes fluttering shut instantly.

A timid knock came from the door.

"Hm?"

The door creaked open, Faye's face barely visible in the darkness, her green eyes alight with questions she wouldn't ask.

"What's the matter, doll?"

"I don't normally do this kind of thing; can I sleep with you?"

It wasn't the first time she'd asked; it wasn't the first time she used that excuse, either.

Mai smiled and rolled over a bit, making ample room on the full-sized bed. She pulled the blanket open, and Faye slid under them, her head on Mai's shoulder.

She had done this every day since they met.

"You don't have to keep making excuses; you're always welcome no questions asked."

Faye shrugged and shifted. "I'm not normally so needy."

"Ah. Now that I can understand; if it makes you feel better, I'm not normally so accommodating. I think we're both in the same boat: two lonely women who have too heavy of burdens to bear."

"You sure you're just 28?"

Mai laughed heartily. "I'm an old soul, but I can say the same of you."

The truth of the matter was that Faye knew more about Mai than she should have; Mai knew Faye's whole story, whether it be the "benefits" she and Spike shared, the home she no longer had, the childhood she almost forgot, the debts she had repaid: Mai knew every fact of Faye that could be discussed.

"Cut from the same cloth."

Mai smiled. "You're prettier cloth than I; I think you're more like silk. I'm leather."

Faye shook her head. "The things you say."

They smiled and curled closer to one another, drifting off not too long after that.

Two old souls slumbering.