Martian Duet

OK…I do not own Cowboy Bebop. Bit o’ limey in this’n so yer warned. Please read
and review.

Chapter 4 – Transition

Jet took off and headed toward the quadrant address Ed had given him. It was a long shot for sure.
He thought about what he might say when he got there. He did not have a clue. It probably would
not matter anyway. The odds were very low on this project, but then, that could sometimes bring a
man luck.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I said keep shooting Spike!"

"I am shooting damnit; you keep shooting, where's your ship, is it close?"

"What ship? I drove Spike, I didn't think you'd fit in the Redtail; do you want out of here or not?"

"No Faye, I'd like to be left alone to die again." Spike smartassed half seriously.

"Duck you IDIOT!" Faye yelled as a bullet whizzed over spike's head. "I swear I'll beat you if you get
hurt again, are you paying attention? Is that your blood? Do you care?" Faye shouted louder this
time, grabbing Spike’s bloody blue hospital scrub shirt and yanking him down out of danger.

“No,” he said.

“No WHAT!” Faye said exasperated.

“Not his blood Faye. “ Kitty said palely.

Spike turnes to look back down the hallway towards the break room and labs. It is quieter; no
gunshots now but he can hear shouts. They are in a hurry to collect something. He begins to wonder
what it is.

“Time to find out what this game is all about” he said out loud as he pivoted.

“You’re not going back down there!” Kitty and Faye admonished at once.

“Oh yes I am,” said Spike, “They know we’re here I’m not waiting to be attacked.”

“But it’s my fight,” insisted Kitty, “They want my notes and the equipment. It’s very competitive. I
don’t care. Now let’s get out of here; please listen to your sister.” Spike noticed a hint of panic in
the young doctor’s face as he evaded another bullet effortlessly. This time Faye had no need to
warn him. So much for the offensive... Here goes he thought, who told her she was his sister?

“Sister!” snorted Spike with mirth as he pushed the doctor ahead him and out of the way of the line
of fire. “That’s a laugh; we work together…Faye’s here on a bounty…aren’t you Faye?”

“No, I brought you here a year ago I had no idea you would survive.” Faye said flatly. She could not
longer hear return fire. That must be the end of the good guys Faye thought, they’ll be after us
next.

“What’s your first name doc?” Spike smiled.

“Ki...Kitty" She She managed to squeek.

“Mmmmm, well Ki...Kitty this is a gun, I want you to go...” Spike patronized.

“I’m staying with you.” Kitty interrupted. “Besides, I know how to use a gun.”

“Your funeral, pity such a beauty too,” taunted Faye. “Come on you two we’ll have time for meet
and greet later. Kitty, if you do know your way around that gun, cover the hallway. Spike just wants
to show off. Let’s go Spike” Faye ordered. “Before I shoot you.”

“OK, OK Faye, don’t kill me just yet I need a cigarette first.” Spike said.

They made their way outside to the car and began the drive to Faye’s place. “Who’d you bag Faye?
Must have been someone big with a ride like this. Where are your, ahh, here they are.” Spike
proceeded to light the cigarette with the car’s lighter and almost coughed out his toenails when he
inhaled.

“Slowly rookie, it’s been awhile. I’d check your credit chip too, I’ll bet it’s looking fat just now.”
Giggled Faye.

“I don’t even have it. What’s that supposed to mean?” demanded Spike.

“Katsu” stated Faye with a smile. “I have it.”

“Who’s Katsu, your bounty?” Spike asked casually, too casually. “What did he do wrong?”

“Come on Spike you only know one Katsu,” said Faye singsongingly - alarmingly like Ed.

“The one I knew is long dead Faye, and since when did you want to know so much about my past?
Stop mocking me.” Spike was angry now.

“Whoa…easy Spike…your dead friend?... He paid for your medical care, her research and my life for
the last year, not to mention Julia’s final expenses,” Faye’s voice lowered to barely a whisper.
“He was alive and well when he left three months ago and he had better come back that way.” She
resumed at normal volume.

Spike was silent. He was not sure which news was more worrisome. That Katsu had broken his cover
or that he had buried Julia without him. The reality of her death hit him hard. His chest tightened
and he had trouble breathing. He watched the buildings roll by through the salty tears starting to
collect in his eyes; they wobbled in the distance like the scene in a funhouse mirror.

He wondered how long Katsu was able to stay. The risk he had taken to transport him was
tremendous. Leave it to Katsu to confess to a pretty girl with a pistol. Some things will never
change. But there may have been enough of the old timers slaughtered by then that he was not even
recognized. Who knows, Spike just hoped Katsu had not signed his death warrant to save his
pathetic hide. What a waste to save one who was not sure if he was happy to be alive or not. If he
were dead would he be with her? Somehow he highly doubted it. The cycle of life has a funny way
of making you believe there might be reconciliation on the other side but come on, what are the
odds. That feeling was back. The black one. The heavy one. The one that squeezed him slowly
from the inside out and threatened to drive him insane.

He wished that Katsu and Faye had never come to save him. Everything felt so final all of a sudden.
Like there would never be an end to the pain that had started flowing through him. The only time he
didn’t feel it half as much was when he was arguing with Faye or fighting. He was more cavalier
than even before, if you can imagine such a thing. His bravado this evening at the lab had bordered
on psycho death wish behavior.

Kitty rode on, quietly listening to Spike and Faye catch up, but they had become silent now. They
were obviously very close, closer than most comrades. Julia must have been his lover Kitty decided
and Katsu was obviously the man Faye was with that day. But why did he leave if he cared about
these two so much she thought. Hmmm, she may never know. They were pulling up to The City
hotel. It was one of the most exclusive in town…and one of the most notorious.

“SPIKE,” Faye shouted, Look up! Am I dreaming? Look lunkhead look! Before it’s gone. Shit!”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As Jet approached the industrial quarter of the downtown area he noticed smoke rising from one of
the buildings. He came closer and approached the building now he could she that there were police
everywhere. Several body bags were being carried from inside a two story building. Very unlucky.

“4228…There goes my lead,” Jet muttered, it was the address on his screen. He turned the
Hammerhead around and headed back uptown before returning to the Bebop empty handed.

“I’m too old for this crap,” he told the city’s beautiful skyline, “Why do I insist on the hard road so
often when I could be happy tending bonsai”


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“I don’t know Faye!” Spike’s shoutoed oed in the stairwell. “I did not get a good look ok, I’m an
idiot right?” He cajoled. “It could have been the Hammerhead I can’t tell you for sure. What would
Jet be doing on Mars.” Spike was panting now. “Faye, do we have to climb all these stairs? Are you
trying to kill us?”

“Way too many people in the elevators here Spike. This way is much safer, only two more flights.”
Faye said not fazed by the hike at all. “It’ll help you keep your girlish figure,” she said with an evil
grin as she punched him in his hard flat stomach. Her hand lingered just a split second tingling
suddenly as if it had fallen asleep.

“Ooof” Spike replied swiping back at her a little too late to make contact. She had quickly hopped
ahead of him and out of range. He noticed the swing of her breasts. They had to be real, fake boobs
don’t move like that he smiled to himself. Wonder what it would be like to have them for his
pillow he sighed to himself.

Faye came to the end of the stars and stopped at an elegant marble landing. She slid her key past
the lock. The door opened onto her suite. Kitty let out a little gasp. “It’s so big inside, look at
those ceilings.” They were impressive one had the feeling of limitless space in the main living area.

“Something’s not right,” said Faye, “I think someone has been in here.”

“Who Faye another ex boyfriend?” demanded Spike moving ahead of the girls and entering the back
room of the suite...

“If I knew that do you think I would be worried? You’ve been out too long Spike. Your brain is soft,”
chided Faye from the living room.

“I can tell you this much Faye,” Spike started as he swung his body to the right to avoid the blow of a
syndicate goon. “This place is not safe.” Spike’s left foot lifted from the floor and glided gracefully
into the jawline of his attacker with a sickening crack. Blood spurted from his mouth as he went to
draw his gun. His mistake. Spike dodged to the left as the bullet from Faye’s gloc hit its mark
sending a spray of blood and grey matter backwards with the body.

“I think you may be on to something Spike. Who knew? Brains, green hair and sex appeal. Catch.”
Faye threw him his credit chip and was headed for the door motioning for Kitty and Spike to follow.
“Spike you’ll find your Jerichos in the closet and the Swordfish II in the hangar downstairs. If they
have not blown it to bits by now it should be sitting next to the Red Tail.”

“Wait Faye, what the hell’s your plan?” Spike yelled after her as he grabbed his guns. His hands
tingled with pleasure as he held them once more.

“It’s not my plan its Katsu’s. We get out, and then this place blows. I can’t allow them to find
anything linked to him, including me. He’s in danger because of us already.” Said Faye grimly.

“Tell me about it.” Spike moaned, thinking about an ancient promise to Katsu’s dead father.

“Wait a minute; you’re going to blow the whole building?” Kitty blurted, finally finding her voice.
“You can’t just kill a bunch of innocents, come on now, who are the bad guys here? I don’t want
anything to do with this. I have half a mind to call the cops!”

“Great…I knew she was gonna be trouble.” Quipped Faye. They were running now. She was worried
about reaching the zips in time.

“Kitty! Come on,” Spike pleaded with a stalling Kitty. “How many innocents do you think are in this
building besides you? You’ve heard of this place; they call it The Syndie Hotel for a reason you
know. Not a bunch of angels here. Now come on please, stop being difficult.”

“DIFFICULT!,” She shouted, “They still have a right to live. You can’t just take that away from
people. Who are you guys anyhow!” Kitty was yelling now.

Spike grinned slowly and looked up at her through lowered eyes as he softly drawled, “We’re just
humble cowboys ma’am. Now let us git you out of here. I won’t take no for an answer.” He had
grabbed Kitty about the waist and had a firm hold on her. He had to shift awkwardly to avoid his
pants from rising… She screamed and bit him, but he held on. Smugly smiling at his prize while
running to catch up with Faye. Finally! Man she was quick. “Great, now look what you’ve done!
Must you always blow things up Ms. Valentine?”

“Me!” Faye’s gun was out and instantly aimed at his head. “What the hell do you think I was doing
at the lab today Spike. I came to get you. Katsu and I saved YOU you ungrateful bastard.”

“Well that wasn’t very smart now was it.” Spike shot back pissed. “Do something smart for me Faye.
Go and find Jet before we shooot each other. If he’s in the galaxy bring him and the Bebop to the
east side of city dock 7 in three hours.” He was still holding on to a struggling Kitty who was
amazingly strong for her size. She was in the process of chewing his arm off like an animal in a cage.
“Ouch, Shit!” he cried. He changed his grip again and decided to deal with the screaming.

“Go find Jet, are you insane, I’m not even sure I saw him,” shouted Faye. They were running faster
now, dragging Kitty with them, towards the basement hangars. She just hoped that they were not
too late already. If the ships were there they had a chance. “What am I supposed to do email Jet
and hope the ship appears on time.”

“You still have his EMAIL!” It was Spike shouting now, “why didn’t you say so, and you call me the
idiot. Get in your ship and try to contact him Faye. Get out of this airspace!”

“No kidding Spike.” Faye said flatly. “Dock 7 eastside, I’ll be there. I just don’t know who I’ll be
with.” Faye took off in a blast of smoke, relieved to be in her ship and to have Spike tucked into his.

“You WILL find Jet Faye.” Spike yelled after her as he shoved Kitty into the small cramped but
newly remodeled Swordfish. “We’re going to your place he grinned. Every doc I ever knew kept a
small arsenal of supplies at home. We’re going to need them.” It was too cramped for Kitty to
physically fight anymore so she started yelling again.

“How can you just let all of those people die?” Kitty demanded.

“They would have come after us. Would you rather die instead? Would you rather I die or Faye?
There are plenty of bad men in there Kitty, ones who would rather kill than ask questions. Do you
understand? How many innocent people do you think they have killed among them in that place?
You wanna be next?! Come on doc put two and two together!” Spike growled at her angrily.
Besides since when could anyone keep Faye from blowing stuff up he moaned to himself. The low
rumble started in the distance followed by an explosion that startled Kitty into speech again.

“No, NO!! I do not understand the need for all of this killing.” She quieted a little as the craft
gained altitude. “Head uptown, past the second bridge on the left, big townhouse, really big you
can’t miss it, put it down on the roof.” Kitty said calmly. No matter how angry she was, she felt
like she needed this man. This made her even angrier, but quieter.

As they started to get out on Kitty’s very swank rooftop Spike stopped her. “I don’t think you should
go in there. I’m sure the goon squad has paid a visit here too.”

“I doubt it Kitty replied. This place is mine by inheritance and I doubt anyone could have made the
connection. It took me years to find it myself.” She smiled knowingly.

“But the men at the lab were pros Kitty, they will have searched your place by now.” Spike argued.

“They probably have,” she smartassed, “its back downtown by the lab and contains nothing
important to me; or my project.”

She pushed past Spike and pressed on a round flat stone next to the elevator doorway that was
barely perceptible in the dark. A small cylinder slid out and Kitty fitted her left eye to it.
“Katherine Rose Lancing plus guest Spike” she stated. The machine lit up and scanned her eye.
Spike was impressed. She motioned toward him.

“Give it your good eye huh?” she teased. Spike complied, and as the scan finished the elevator door
opened. OK so perhaps they were safe for now. Spike stood in the elevator freshly scanned and
slackjawed in utter awe of the security system.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Faye aimed her zip craft higher and higher into the atmosphere and way out of range of the
destruction below her. That particular piece of syndie heaven was sinking into the bowels of Mars.
It felt good. She did what Katsu had asked. But really she just liked to blow things up.

Now on to the email, she doubted it would work. What a lame plan. Email him Spike says. She
started typing on the ships computer…Jet, Spike and I need you. City Dick “Oops” she giggled,
backspacing. City Dock 7 eastside “Fuck what the hell time is it? Ok, 1300 hours, she continued
typing. A fat lot of good this will do.

Flicking the radio on with a highly polished nail Faye relaxed into her thoughts. She had found Spike,
plus one sexy redhead, but all in all a very good thing. She was startled to realize how much she had
missed him and how much she missed him still now. She could still feel the muscles of his stomach in
her memory. She had been surprised at her arousal she she hit him earlier. The feel of his taught
frame was etched into her fingertips. She brought them to her lips and held them there. What was
she thinking! She had wrestled around with Spike before? A little tension yes, but nothing that
lingered. Still she could not get the feel of him off her mind, or the yearning sensation out of her
groin as she drifted off to sleep waiting for 1300 hours or her email alert. Blushing at her own
thoughts, she sought our thr throbbing sex and shortly after dropped into a deep sleep.

When she awoke it was 1245 her alarm was beeping. She had been dreaming, the throbbing that
started last night was back, it was torturing her. She had dreamed of not Spike but Kitty. Spike was
merely watching nearby. What was she coming to! She had always thought of girls as the cherry on
top of the Sundae. Good for a little treat at dessert but not for the main meal. BUT KITTY! Boy that
chick was annoying. How could that shrew be the subject of my lusty dream.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Spike left Kitty snug in her steel fortress. She was not going anywhere else today. She was adamant.
Spike was not about to cross her. He had a feeling she could be trouble, and he didn’t want to be the
trigger. It took two minutes for the roof to open and the Swordfish to appear ushered in by three
“garage bot’s” Kitty called them. Weird. When he got to the eastside dock he was surprised and
relieved to see Faye there. She was alone. That was not the part that surprised him. That she
didn’t run off. Now that was surprising. Faye followed Spike silently to Kitty’s townhouse.

“Watch this,” Spike said excitedly. “Totally orgasmic.” Faye shuddered when she heard his velvet
voice speak those words. She had to collect her thoughts lest she slide right out of her panties. She
concentrated on Spike now. He held his good eye to the cylinder that he had released and the
computer began to scan. GUEST SPIKE + ONE please wait for clearance. Unidentified guest please
approach for screaning and state Name.

“What the hell is this place? “stammered Faye as she leaned into the machine..”Faye Valentine”

Kitty’s voice came over the com. From downstairs she had scanned her retina and was now telling
the computer system, “Guest Spike and Guest Faye visitor clearance activated.” Well, thought Faye
this may be a good hideout after all.

As Spike and Faye made their decent to the main floor, the garage bots were busy putting away zip
craft. They did not notice the blinking computer in the Redtail. Jet would just have to wait.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

REVIEW, REVIEW...