Men are From Mars, Women are From Earth (Remix)

I do not own Bebop.

Part Four: Friends

June 26, 2074

Faye’s POV

It’s been two years since Spike vanished. Today is another rememberance day, we always have two. One on his birthday and the day he left us, November 11. Even though there was no dead body to claim. I’m not giving up hope that he might be alive. He must be alive, I have this feeling that he is. So he can see his child, well, children, one is a very strange and enchanted boy that I named Jade. We also have a beautiful girl that I named Morgana, but she was adopted.

We always held the service at a huge park near Mars General Hospital. It was always around the rose garden gazebo that was near the edge of the park. It was a small get together, Jet, Electra, Jade, and Me.

Yes, Jet and I are only friends. He’s like a surrogate father and Jade loves him. No, I’ll never go near another man again and I\'ll never take Spike back.

I have found someone, someone from Bebop\'s past, a wonderful woman. Electra, yes, Vincent\'s old girlfriend. We met in the park. Last year when Jade started walking, he took off. I was so worried, Jet and I ran all over the park looking for him. I did find him, the little fuzzy one.

I\'m so happy that Electra is with me now. \"Remember the day we met.\"

She nuzzled my neck. \"Yeah, I was in a blue funk that day, but suddenly you came in and cheered me up.\"

Electra’s POV

I never had such a hard time. This was my first I.S.S.P. job, since leaving Cherious. I was now part of the Crime Scene Investigation Unit. I was at the scene after that building went up. I had only heard stories about The Red Dragons. I knew that they were a corrupt syndicate. Oh well, the case is closed, ancient history. But it was such a mess, it sucks to be CSI sometimes.

But I still wonder who was that man that brought down the Red Dragons, he was a mystery. What happened to the couple that was leaving the scene and did they have any connection to the Dragons? Oh well, I guess I\'ll never know. But still, I wonder where that green haired bounty hunter went off to? He simply vanished, like he wasn\'t there, I don\'t know if he was alive or not. What was he? Was he a butterfly or a ghost with regrets that is just wandering the world like a free spirit.

I light a cigarette and sigh; my girlfriend broke off our engagement a few weeks ago. Yeah, you guessed it, I\'m gay. Man, my life feels like Hell. I close my eyes and smell the roses combining with the smoke from my cigarette. I’m now relaxed, but I feel like I am not alone.

I open my eyes and I see a little boy with curly green hair and garnet eyes. He was standing in the doorway; he must have been only a year old. He looks exactly like Spike! Is this a dream? No, it can\'t be! Where did this kid come from? “Hello. Where are you from?”

The little boy blinked and sat down next to me. “Bebop.”

He was from that ship! He had on a little blue denim jumpsuit, a yellow shirt, and a little Jade pendant around his neck. Well, he wasn\'t a street kid; he looked like he was well fed and taken care of. “Where’s your mom and dad?”

He was quiet, then he pointed outside. “Dad sleeping, mom is Fay.”

Faye. That name was awfully familiar. “Well, maybe your mom will come in here, so stay and talk with me a little. Tell me your name.”

He said in a small voice. “Spiegel.”

Spiegel, Spike Spiegel? Is this Spike\'s child? Then who\'s the mother and where is Spike? It would be so nice to see him once again. \"Is Spike Spiegel your father?\"

The little boy nodded. \"He sleeping.\"

Suddenly his mother came in, what a beautiful woman. Who is this goddess, I think I’m in love again. Then I saw the sunlight on her face, it was Faye Valentine herself!

End of Electra\'s Flashback/Faye’s Flashback...

I finally found Jade! He was in the gazebo talking gibberish to a beautiful lady with hazel eyes and black cherry colored hair. She turned around and faced me, it was Electra!

“Jade! There you are, you had me scared to death.” I came over to him.

“Is this your son?” She said sweetly.

It is her! Electra! The woman that helped us put Vincent to justice. It was truly love at first sight. “Yes. He takes after that troublemaking father of his.\"

\"Are you and Spike married?\" She asks.

I start to laugh out loud. \"Married? I wouldn\'t marry him if he had 900 billion woolongs. Spike was just an old boyfriend that means nothing to me now. I prefer to date women.” I said thinking of that Lunkhead.

“Well, Jade is very cute.” Then she asks. \"Where is Spike?\"

I don\'t even know what happened to him. \"He\'s dead.\"

\"Faye, I\'m so sorry.\" She says softly.

He deserved it. “Thanks.” I whispered.

I picked up Jade and began to head out. What the hell am I doing? I can\'t leave her. Go to her!

“Hey, I was just wondering. Would you like to have coffee one day?” She asked.

I turned around, please, will you be my girlfriend? “Sure sounds good.”

“I don\'t work for Cherious anymore, I work for the I.S.S.P. The CSI Division.” She had the tough job.

“I’m still a bounty hunter on the Bebop.” After that, it was the beginning of a beautiful romance. I learned that she was the first CSI Agent on the scene of the Red Dragon HQ after the explosion.

Our first night together was pretty sweet. Electra had made us a great dinner and we were watching a movie together.

Still, I wonder if she had found any evidence. \"I know you are with CSI and you had the gruesome task of going through all the rubble and stuff. So, did you find any trace of him? Some hair? A body part? A shred of clothing?\"

She shook her head. \"Nothing, as if he wasn\'t there. He was either vaporized or the couple who were in that car took him away. They probably hid the body somewhere or like your son says, he\'s alive.\"

I took a sip of wine. \"I heard enough.\"

We looked into each other’s eyes, she changes the subject. “Tell me Faye, have you ever been with a woman?”

I shook my head. “I’ve only been with Spike and that was all.”

“Spike, that name has no meaning for us right now.” Electra ran a hand through my hair.

My eyes cast down. “You\'re right.”

“But do you still have feelings for him?” She asked.

I gazed at her again but this time with love. “I don’t love him anymore and even if he’s still alive I will never taking him back.”

“Let me make you forget him Faye.” She took my face in her hands and kissed me.

I was a little nervous at first because it felt a little strange kissing another woman. Wait, I did kiss Edward, well, I don’t know if it was a kiss, I was blowing air into her mouth. Or maybe that my obsession with Spike was so great that I thought she was him. She kind of looked like Spike when
she was younger. Long arms and legs, big hands and feet, poufy hair, big stupid grin, thin and lanky, weird looking eyes, full of energy, and most of all they\'re both annoying.

Ugh, no, I’m with Electra, I don’t want you Spike. You can stay with that angel of yours or maybe you can ride off into the sunset with that red haired goddess. Now I know who that girl in the dream was. It was Ed, she was always after him. Little brat finally got what she wanted. I felt like I had shut the door on my past. Goodbye Spike, Ed can keep you! As for Julia, sweet Julia, you can stay with Vicious! Damn Vicious, you\'re the luckiest who man ever lived. Electra was that woman in the same dream and I had finally found my soulmate.

Electra began ravaging my mouth. I started to moan as she kissed my neck. “Electra!”

She led me to the bedroom, where we undressed, Electra laid me down and began to fondle and touch me in places that aroused me. No words were spoken between us, then she got up and got something from her closet. A strap-on! I thought she wasn\'t the kind of girl to do that kind of thing.

I blushed a little. \"Who\'s going to wear that?\"

\"You want to put it on Faye?\" She asked sweetly.

It will be different. \"Sure, I always wanted know what it was like to be a man.\"

Electra handed me the device and I put it on. Then she got on all fours and I mounted her, sliding my cock into her and then I began to slide in and out. I have never been so aroused in my life, I sped up, this felt so good. This beautiful goddess was with me and all was right with the world.

The day after all thoughts of Spike faded away like the sun burning off the morning haze.

End of Flashback...

I had my arm around Electra, then I looked over at the park, “Where is Jade?”

I saw Jet rush towards the pond where Jade was playing.

Jade was chasing the swans, “Swimming birds! Swimming birds!”

Jet grabbed Jade and picked him up. “There you are!”

Jade giggled; “Jade has been found!”

Jet carried Jade over and put him on the ground. “Go play in there. We’re going to be having lunch soon.”

Jade ran onto the playground, there was a little blonde haired girl who looked awfully familiar. Those long yellow locks and queenly face, the face of an angel named Julia. But she also had these blue-grey eyes that seemed to haunt me to the core. There\'s a disturbance in The Force. Friggin Vicious, where is he? Where are you, I know you\'re here. The girl looked at Jade and started to approach him.

The Senas were here too, but they were in the background, observing. We keep in touch secretly and I happen to visit often.

Morgana was on the playground with a big ball, the ball rolled off and went towards me.

I picked it up. \"Morgana come here.\"

\"Hello mama.\" She said sweetly. \"How are you?\"

I give her the ball. \"I\'m doing fine. You better go back to your mom and dad. Your brother\'s here and well, you know.\"

Her deep garnet eyes looked a little sad. \"I understand, but I will say hello to Jade.\"

Morgana ran off and said hello to Jade who was playing with the little girl before running off to her parents. I watched them go, maybe one day Jade will get to know Morgana, but not now.

A little later, Allison MacDool-Nicks came by and performed a few songs before her concert at The Mars Hippodrome.

Mike Yamada walked up to me. “The crazy kid saved my life you know.”

I nodded and Mike walked up to Jet. “So how’s business Mike?”

“I’ve been catching the bad guys, the wife is doing well, and our daughter is going to be attending middle school. Then there’s Daniel Hepburn, have you brought him on the team yet?” There was something about Mike.

Jet shook his head; “I keep missing him.”

“Well, I gotta be going, see ya.” Mike walked away.

Then a very familiar looking couple came by to pay their respects. She was dressed in a long black dress, sunglasses, and had long blonde hair. Her companion wore a black suit, dark Ray Bans, and had silvery white hair. Mike Yamada came up to them and they had a long talk. Then Mike and the couple stared at us, and then started laughing really hard. There was something crazy going on.

Jade\'s POV

Jade was on the playground, suddenly this girl came up to Jade. Mean looking girl, big meanie she was.

\"Hello.\" She said in a little voice.

We played for a while on the swings and stuff. \"Your daddy is mean.\"

She pouted; \"He is not, my daddy is a good man! You, you green boy!\"

That\'s when Jade decided to run away.

Faye\'s POV

I heard a child scream and Electra and I saw Jade bolt from the playground and into the gazebo. “What did you do Jade?”

Jade started talking; he’s not bad for a child of two years old. “Jade did nothing! Jade was playing with a little girl, then she called Jade a green boy. She hurt Jade feelings so Jade ran away from her. Mean girl coming and there she is!”

Suddenly, that little blonde girl came to join them. She jumped right into the man’s arms. I think she was the one who was teasing Jade. I knew it, that was Diana, the one that Jet had told me about.

The man waved and shouted, “Bye Mao-I mean, Mike-o!”

Mike walked to his car. ”Bye Daniel and Judy!”

I whispered in Jet’s ear. “That’s Vicious and Julia. Let’s make no move yet.”

Jet looked at the couple getting ready to approach us. “I can’t believe it, Daniel Hepburn is Vicious?”

I silenced Jet. “Shh.”

Suddenly the lady came over to me and spoke with a little sadness. She also looked at Electra for a moment. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I feel that you are a strong woman and that you’ll move on. But you should never give up hope my dear.”

I’ll play along. “Did Spike know you?”

Julia giggled; “Oh, how rude of me! My name is Judy and my husband\'s name is Daniel. Spike used to frequent our café a lot. The Talkers Café on Mars, before we closed shop and moved to Venus. Daniel and I are sad that he’s gone, he was such a good friend.”

Her husband came over with the little girl. “Daddy look! The green boy is in the gazebo!”

Jade suddenly appeared and pointed to the little girl. “Jade is not green! You Moon Hunter Girl!”

The girl responded. “You’re a rock boy!”

Jade cut that out. “Jade! I’m sorry, he’s rambunctious.” That boy is going to be the death of me.

“Meanie and Jujube girl!” Jade gave her a raspberry and ran back into the gazebo. He peeped his head out and gave her a little smile. “Jade thinks you’re pretty!”

”You’re cute!” The little girl giggled and her father smiled, that’s strange. I never saw Vicious smile before, he looks happy. I took another look wow he looks really handsome. What the hell happened to him?

Then I looked at the couple with their kid. Julia and Vicious are so happy. Could it be that little girl brought them back together? That must be their daughter; Jet told me that her name was Diana. Jade seems to like her though, he seems to like her a lot.

I’ll play along with their silly game. “I got over it a while ago, but I still believe that he could be alive. By the way, this is my girlfriend Electra.”

The woman began to walk away. “Yeah, you two make a wonderful couple. I knew it Daniel, you were right! Um, well, maybe Spike is alive, chilling out. Maybe he could be locked away somewhere, in a dungeon, maybe a prison or a mental institution, or that hippie spacestation. We have to go now Hon, take care.”

She and her companion with the kid walked away and got into a blue convertible. The car was something on Earth that was known as a Rambler. They have a blue car? But the news said the car was green. That must have been Vicious and Julia who had left the building that night. But where was Spike? Where was he? Did they leave him there letting his body be consumed by the flames? Crushed beneath twisted metal and concrete? Ugh, stop thinking gloomy Faye.

No, Julia said something about him being alive. Jet also tells me that Vicious doesn’t take any lives. What is going on here?

Jet puts his hand on my shoulder. “There they go eluding us again. Are you okay Faye?”

I wasn’t in shock or anything. “I’m fine Jet. Nah, I think I’ll go after them.”

I heard a small voice near me. “Jujube! Meanie! Pretty Moon Girl!” Then he started in a singsong voice that reminded me of Ed. “Jade love Moon Girl! Jade marry Moon Girl!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah whatever Jade. You remind me of Ed, you pipsqueak.” I look down and see Jade dancing around me.

Jet laughed as he watched Jade do his little dance. “We have to do something about that third person thing.”

“Jade\'s father is alive, he’s over there!” He’s pointing to that hospital again.

“Baby, don’t start.” I sighed.

Jet looked over to me. “Well, if you want to catch them, you’d better hurry.”

“Jade, sweetie, mama has to catch Meanie and Jujube, mama will be right back!” I raced towards the car shouting, “Julia! Vicious! Get back here! Get back here! Tell me where Spike is!”

I stopped and watched the blue car peel down the street. I could hear them shout; \"Bye Faye!\"

Electra gave me a puzzling look. \"That\'s the mysterious Vicious and Julia?\"

I put my arm around her. \"Yeah, that\'s them.\"

Jet ran up next to me. “Man, they’re quick.”

I caught my breath. “Forget it! Let’s not waste our time with them anymore, let them come to us instead!”

“That sounds good. Now let’s get back to Jade before he causes trouble somewhere.” Electra said as she looked back.

We walked back to the rose garden Jade was chasing butterflies. “Is Jade a butterfly or a boy?”

“Jade you’re a boy, not a butterfly and don’t talk like that!” Little Jade he is a miniature replica of Spike, with his fuzzy forest green hair, and deep garnet eyes.

He also has his father’s personality. “Jade will fly away one day!”

“Come here Little Happiness!” I watch him run over to me, I give him a kiss and a hug. My baby, I loved him so much.

I remember the day he first asked me about his father.

Faye\'s Flashback...

“Jade’s friends have a mama and papa. Jade have a mama, but Jade\'s dad is not here. You keep telling Jade he\'s the devil and people look at Jade like Jade is weird or something.” I heard a small voice behind me.

“His name is Spike Spiegel and he is not the devil. I just say that because I used to be very pissed off at him.” I grumbled.

His garnet eyes were looking up at me one day after he had heard me mention Spike’s name. “Spike Spiegel? Why you pissed off at Spike Spiegel?”

Tears streamed down my face. “Spike is your father.”

“Jade\'s dad! Mama where you meet him?” He asked.

The boy has a lot of questions. “I met him while dealing cards at a casino before I came here.”

“Mama, what does he look like? Jade wants to see him! Jade wants to see his daddy right now!” I never showed him a picture of his father.

I gave him a thin metal box. “This is what he looked like Jade. Open it.”

Jade opened it and inside was a holopicture of Spike. “He looks like Jade. Mama, he’s thin and tall, will Jade look like that?”

”Keep practicing your Jeet Kun Do and you will.” I watched him as looked at his father’s silly grin and those eyes of his.

He shut it and handed it back to me. “Thank you mama.”

I gently pushed it away. “Keep it Jade, I don’t want to be reminded of that Lunkhead ever again.”

He put it in his pocket and asked curiously, “Why you call dad a Lunkhead? What is a Lunkhead?”

I tried to tell him the best I can. “It’s a silly name I used to call your father when he did something stupid. A Lunkhead is an idiot.”

“Mama, that is not nice, please don’t hate Jade\'s daddy.” He said.

I smiled, “I don’t hate him and you shouldn’t hate him either.”

“Jade will never ever hate Spike. Jade loves Spike. But where is he? Jade wants to see him.” He pleaded.

Tears were beginning to flood my eyes. “He’s not here.”

Jade pouted, his face turning red. “Where is he mama?”

I pushed back the tears. “He’s dead. Your father is in the Summerlands.”

Jade shook his head. “He’s alive, daddy is in deep sleep. Jade knows he’s alive.”

I gave him a kiss. “Oh Jade. Believe what ever you want.”

That was the day we started the big debate. Jade goes on and on about Spike being alive.

Oh well, I’ll never let this boy go, but there would be a day when I will have to let him fly away. I could see that Jade likes that little girl. He’ll probably run off and marry this girl when he is older. But for now, he is my baby. “Mama will always protect you, Little Happiness.”

End Flashback...

My mind wanders back to Vicious and Julia. Ye Gods, those guys will have some explaining to do once I get a hold of them.

I let go of Jade and he asks me another question. “Are Ed and Ein here yet, mama?”

Ed. I don’t think she’s coming; she has never come to these things. Must have found her father and forgot all about us. Did she forget about Spike too? I don\'t think so, she\'s wanted Spike ever since she\'s seen him. That little Lolita.

Then there’s Ein, I hope that thing was dead I hated that dog. I shouldn\'t say that though, he did listen to me once when I told him about another ex-boyfriend. Whitney Matsumoto, that no good, jerk of a conman. If only I could kill that fat bastard.

Suddenly I heard a voice. “Faye.”

Jade’s eyes lit up as he saw Ed and Ein. “Mama, look!”

I see Ed with an older woman with red hair. But when I looked at Ed, she hardly looked like the wild child I knew a while back. She had developed quite well, very beautiful. Quite well, what a body, her chest area had gone from flat to twin peaks. If Spike were around, he would fall in love with her in a heartbeat. She was wearing a little make up and the blush on her cheeks had seemed to have vanished. She was dressed in a long thin black gown, her red gold hair falling down past her waist.

Oh Jesus Christ on a stick! Ein was on a leash; I can’t believe that stupid fleabag was still alive.

Tears ran down the girls face. “Faye. Is it true? Is Spike dead?”

I shake my head, “I don’t know, they never found a body.” She stopped talking in third person and was very calm. She was definitely a lady now, a modern day Eliza Doolittle.

“She loves Jade’s Daddy! Daddy and Dream Girl! Daddy marries Dream Girl!” Jade is singing again, he is a wild little spirit.

“He’s a funny boy, Faye.” I saw Ed blush as Jade sang his little song.

“Jade!” I plead with him to stop.

“No!” He shouts

“Jade, be good.” Jet told him.

“Daddy beat up the meanie, but meanie is nice now. Meanie goes away with Jujube. Moon Girl makes the meanie nice. Then daddy falls down!” He pointed his finger like a gun. “Bang!” He fell down on the grass making snoring noises.

“Jade, stop that!” I yell.

He gets off the ground and stands. He takes a cherry lollypop out of his jacket pocket and puts it in his mouth. Then he puts his hands in his pockets and mutters, “Whatever mama.”

Ed approaches Jade. “Faye, look at him. He takes after Spike. If Spike ever comes back, I think you two would make a great couple.”

I cast my eyes down. “Yes, that is Spike’s son.” Then I put my arms around Electra. \"Spike and I, will never be together Ed. You remember Electra, she\'s my girlfriend now.\"

\"Hey Electra, how are you?\" They shake hands.

\"Ed, you\'re beautiful!\" Electra sighs. \"You\'re so grown up now, so different than that girl I saw a long time ago.\"

She shrugs; \"You haven\'t changed either, so you and Faye are girlfriends, that\'s cool.\"

I hold Electra closer. \"Ed, I\'m a lesbian. Electra is my soulmate. That means Spike is finally yours, if he\'s alive that is.\" Am I drunk or something, why did I say that?

\"Okay.\" Ed looks at us both, her face is still a bit red. Although, she seemed to be a little embarassed and somewhat relieved. \"It\'s so great to see you again Electra! So Faye, how old is Jade?\"

Jade held up two fingers. “Jade is two years old. You Ed? Is that Ein-friend?”

Ed smiles; “Yeah, that’s me kid. That’s the famous Ein over there, I bet your mom has told you stories about us, hasn’t she?”

“Mama says good things about Ed and she sorta likes Ein. You gave mama, daddy, and Jet bad mushrooms, but it was a funny story though. Then there was the horrible jelly monster that came out of the lobster and that bit all of you. Then there was the game master, then mama ran off to Callista and daddy went to find Jujube, but got Meanie instead. You guys had too much fun.” He gave her a lollypop.

I saw Ed take the lollypop and she started to laugh, “Jade, you’ll have crazy adventures too, don’t worry. You know Jade; you’re just as sweet as your dad. I just hope he will come back, I believe in my heart he will and you probably do too.”

”Jade knows daddy will return.” Jade gave her a hug. “Jade knows that you love daddy and Jade loves you too.”

Ed gave him a hug before letting him go. “Faye, he is so beautiful and smart.”

I sniffled; Spike is forever hers. But heck, they would make such a lovely couple, if Spike suddenly makes his presence known. “Thank you, Rhiannon.” I suddenly look at Electra and smile.

Then he walked up and pointed at me. “Ha! Poppycock mama! Jade’s dad is at that hospital over there. Daddy is sleeping, but daddy very cold.”

Jade, I wish you would stop that, we called that hospital and they said that they have nothing on him. “Jade I told you no. Your father is not there.” Then I said it. “Give it up Jade, he’s dead!”

Ed put her hand on her chest. “Faye, don’t say that.”

”Ed, he always keeps going on about it. Another thing about Jade, he’s just like his father with his mouth and actions.” I watched the chibi Spike for a while; he gave me a little smirk.

Jade stuck out his tongue that was red from the lollypop. “They lie! Lie! Lie! Lie! You lie, shrew mama!”

He’s just a kid, but he doesn’t stop. “Jade, don’t ever say that to me!”

Jade growled and grabbed Ein’s leash from Ed. Then he ran into the gazebo again. “Ein come with Jade! You and Jade hide from the big people!” Ein followed him.

“Faye, it could be true. They may have a cryogenics wing.” She touched the woman’s arm. “Mom, can I stay with them for a while.”

The older woman put her arms around her. “Of course Rhiannon, I want to go to that film festival on Vine St. I’ll meet you at the house after, okay.”

“Jade, get out of that gazebo!” I watched Jade walk out with Ein by his side.

“I want Ein!” Jade grabbed Ein. “Ein-friend! Daddy finds Ein! Ein find daddy for Jade!” Ein started barking and Jade was laughing.

“See you later mom!” I saw her wave goodbye to her mother.

“It was great meeting all of you!” She waved back at us.

Jet rubbed his chin. “Isn’t that Barbara Taurasi, the actress?”

“Yeah, that’s my mom Jet.” She said with a smile.

I watched as Ed and Ein joined our little circle. She looks so grown-up well she is 17. “Did she just call you Rhiannon?”

Ed gave Ein a pat on the head. “Yeah, that was my birth name, it was given to me by my mother. I never found my father Faye. Remember what Sister Clara said about him not being a model father. She was right, after I left Bebop; I was trying to look for him. I searched and searched, never found him I guess he cared more about his job. But my mother found me. She found me while she was making a movie. So, I moved to Mars with her where she took me in and cared for me. I’m in school now and I’m studying to go to The Mars Academy of Drama and Music.”

My goodness has she matured. “So, you want to come over to our picnic table for something to eat.”

She nodded. “Sure, we can talk about the old times and stuff.”

A Few Years Later...

Vicious’ POV

“Julia, I’m calling the hospital to check on Spike.”

I call the hospital and an attendant answers. I ask for Cryogenics and they put me through.

“Hi, I’m checking on the condition of Spike Spiegel.”

“There is no Spike Spiegel here sir.” The woman on the other end tells me.

I froze, this can’t be true. “Say what? My wife and I dropped him off a few years ago on the morning of November 12, 2071! The doctor’s name was Okafor!”

A pause. “Well, here is Dr. Okafor’s archive. I have a record for a Mike Siegel who was dropped off by a Julia and Daniel Hepburn.”

Sigh. “I am Daniel Hepburn the Greatest Bounty Hunter Who Ever Lived! The doctor’s name was Okafor! Benjamin Okafor. The patients name is Spike Spiegel! That’s S-P-I-K-E S-P-I-E-G-E-L! “

“Sorry Mr. Hepburn. We’ll correct that. As for Mr. Spiegel, he’s doing fine and is almost perfect.” She said nervously.

“Good, thank you.” I hang up the phone.

I call out. “Julia! Diana! Get ready, we’re going to visit the Bebop, now!”

Diana bounded out. “I want to see that boy again!”

She is so captivated with this boy. “Yes, Di. I think he’ll be there.” That must be Spike’s son, well; at least he’ll be there to see him soon.

May 26, 2082-Jade’s Birthday

Jet’s POV

It’s morning on The Bebop and I have never felt better. I’m doing better on bounties and have a girlfriend named Ashley. Spike has been gone for 11 years, but he left us with a boy named Jade. He looks and acts just like the kid, he even flies like him. We gave him his own ship two years ago. Last year he got his own bounty hunter’s license. But there are two birthday wishes that he has always wanted to come true.

One wish is to see his father for the first time. Faye didn’t want Jade to be like his father, but Jade looks up to him. I feel that the kid is destined to be like Spike. The boy never gives up hope; he keeps his fathers cabin and the Swordfish in great shape. He’s hoping that he’ll see Spike one day; he keeps saying that he’s alive and I’m beginning to believe him.

The second wish is to see that blonde haired girl again that he had met at the park a few years ago. A girl named Diana, the daughter of Vicious and Julia.

Then there’s Faye. Faye and I quit smoking for a little while before and after Jade was born. Jade hates smoking, he doesn’t do it. So we usually smoke outside or when he’s not in. Faye still drinks and gambles with Electra. Oh well, things never change, but she can’t take men anymore. Let’s say Faye is more of a tomboy. But Faye is not as strong as she used to be; her heart has gotten weaker after having Jade. So the doctor tells her she has to take it easy, Faye taking it easy? Yeah right.

Then suddenly a car appeared in the hangar.

I call to Faye. “Hey, I’m going to see who’s here.”

I walked into the hangar and saw a man with silvery white hair and a woman with a young girl around Jade’s age come out of the car. It was Daniel Hepburn without the sunglasses and coat. He kept his mouth closed and looked away for a second. Faye was right, they finally came to us instead. Well, well, Vicious, Julia, and Moon Girl, well, I\'m going to see what their story is.

“Are you Jet Black?” The woman asked.

I gave her a smile. “Yes, I am Jet Black. Please come in.”

I led them to the living quarters where they sat on the couch.

The young girl tapped me on the shoulder. “Is the little green haired boy here?”

He’s no longer little; I can say that he’s about 4 or 5 inches shorter than Spike. I pointed towards the the hangar. “He’s down that hallway, I think he’s cleaning the Swordfish II right now.”

She smiled. “Thanks Mr. Black.” Then she ran down the hallway. This girl was very polite.

Jade’s POV

Today is my birthday. Right now, I’m cleaning my father’s ship; I need to get it ready for him when he shows up. It’s something, every time on my birthday I get something really good. Two years ago, I got a ship from Doohan a good friend of my father. Last year I got my own bounty hunters license. What will I get this year? I have two big wishes.

The best gift would be to meet my father, the great Spike Spiegel. Mom would tell me all about him. She told me that I looked just like him, that he was great at Jeet Kun Do, loved Jazz, loved good food, was a great pilot, a dynamic shooter, and loved to make jokes. I have a picture of him in my room; he looks like the kind of guy you can trust. Mom said that he was a gentleman and a joker. I remember asking her where he was once; she told me he was dead. I have always told her that he isn’t, when I always see that hospital near the park. I just sense that he’s there, surrounded by cold and in a deep sleep.

Rhiannon said something about cryogenics. I think she’s right about it.

Mom says that I’m pretty intelligent and strange I guess I am. I’m also pretty good at predicting things, like what dogs will win at the track or I can sense a bountyhead an inch away. But when mom wins or Jet succeeds, I always get rewarded with half.

Oh yeah, I had another wish. My other wish is to see that girl, the one that I met in the park. She called me a green boy at one time. So I called her Moon Girl, Jet told me that her name was Diana. She was a pretty little blonde who was with her parents, two people that my father knew in the past. I wonder where she is now?

Diana’s POV

I quietly walk down the hall and see the hangar. I’m a bit nervous. What will he look like, I wonder if he has a girlfriend? Will he remember me? I walk into the hangar and I see 4 ships, I know Swordfish is rose pink, mom and dad told me. I scan the hangar and see a tall green haired boy dressed in a blue shirt and brown pants scrubbing the rose colored ship. I am amazed at how handsome he had become, I think I\'m in love.

Jade’s POV

“Hello green haired boy, how are you?” I heard a girl’s voice.

I look over my shoulder, I see an angel. “Who are you?”

“Don’t you remember Rock Boy?” She asked.

I remember now, she\'s much older. “You’re that girl from the park, aren’t you? Moon Girl.”

She was dressed in blue jeans and had on a small red sweater. “The name is Diana DiCaprio Hepburn. But call me Diana.”

“Hi Diana.” I finished cleaning Swordfish and walked over to her. “I am Jade Valentine Spiegel.”

I offered my hand and there was a spark when she touched it. “That’s a good sign.”

I sat down on the steps. “So, what have you been doing all this time?”

She joined me. “Oh, I have been going to Kennedy Academy in Neo Manhattan. My favorite subjects are music and law. I also play basketball. Where do you go to school?”

She goes to that place! Rich kids go there. “I go to Mars Academy here in Tharsis, I get out early when the Bebop is called away.”

She grabbed my arm. “You’re a bounty hunter?”

I felt a blush coming on. “Well, yeah, but I do mostly the computer work.”

She let go of my arm and jumped off the stairs. “My dad is a bounty hunter, he’s caught a lot of bad guys. My mom is a Neo Manhattan judge.”

“Your father is Daniel Hepburn, the great bounty hunter!” I said with excitement.

She sighed, “Yeah that’s him, but he likes it when you call him Vicious.”

“Jet has always wanted him to join the Bebop.” I told her.

She looked at me with her beautiful blue-gray eyes. “I don’t know Jade, my dad prefers to work alone or with mom. But maybe we will join the Bebop, because he\'s always been asking mom if we can join.”

I remember mom telling me that Julia was an assassin and Vicious was a guy who did the syndicate’s dirty work. Just like my dad, but that’s another story. “So, hasn’t your father ever killed any of the bad guys?”

She ran over to the Marlin and grabbed my basketball out from under it. “No, he doesn’t like killing people.”

Is this the Vicious that my mother told me about? “That’s shocking.”

She bounced the ball. “What’s so shocking, he just doesn’t like to kill people. It was some promise that he made to an old friend of his.”

The name Mao Yenrai came to my mind. “I’m glad that he doesn’t harm people like he used to.”

She spun the ball on her finger. “Me too.”

I watched her dribble this girl has style. “So do you want to play?”

She smirked. “I can beat you at this game.”

I got up from the stairs and walked over to her. “Really, I have beaten school girls at basketball.”

She grinned, “Yeah, wanna make a bet? I wasn’t named Diana for nothing.”

”After Diana Taurasi? Not Diana the Moon Goddess. The Huntress herself.” I asked.

She paused, “Yeah, but it seems like you already knew my name.”

I shrugged, “It just came to me. Things come to me in pictures or visions sometimes.”

She threw the ball at me. “You’re a strange boy Jade Spiegel, but I like you very much.”

I caught the ball. “If I win, we go out on a date.”

What is she offering? “My father has told me that your mother is a gambler. So, I’ll up the ante. If I win, you become my boyfriend.”

I set up the two nets on the Bebop’s runway. “Fine, I accept your challenge.”

“Good, I’m ready!” I threw the ball into the air and Diana ran off with it. I saw that she made a 3 pointer.

This is going to be a long game.

Jet’s POV

Suddenly Faye came into the room, her face turned white. “Julia? Vicious! I have waited for this moment! You have finally come to me at last!” She growled. No wonder Jade calls her the Mommy Vader sometimes.

“Faye, calm down.” I told her.

Faye found her target and pounced on Vicious, pinning him to the couch with her hands wrapped around his neck. “Where the hell is he? What did you do with Spike?”

I got up and grabbed a hold on one of Faye’s arms. Geez, she was strong. “There will be none of this! Faye. Release him!\"

\"Command denied, Captain.\" She hissed.

I could hear Vicious cough out something. “Sp-Spike. I know where he is.”

Julia grabbed her by the collar. “Faye, stop give him time to explain. He’s not the guy he was, stop it! Wow! She does have a grip like Darth Vader.”

\"Take it easy Faye! Stop it remember your heart! Besides, that is no way to treat one of our guests.” I pulled again.

Faye released Vicious from her iron grip. \"As you wish.\"

Sometimes I picture a long flowing black cloak behind her.

She was breathing heavy and clutching her chest. \"That stupid Vader impersination is going to get you killed one day.\" The doctor has given her medication, but she may have surgery later.

Faye sneered at me, then looked back at them. “I knew it was you two at the park. What is going on here and did you have a change of heart Vicious? Where is Spike?”

“Yes, I had a change of heart Faye, I’ll tell you where he is if you won’t kill me.” He gasped for air.

Faye crossed her arms. \"I won\'t kill you. Just tell me where he is.\"

I saw Julia rush to his side. “Are you okay Vicious?”

Vicious nodded, “Yes, I am. Are you sure you\'re not a cyborg Faye?”

Faye smirked; \"I don\'t know, I never checked.\"

I put my hands on my hips and pretended I didn\'t know. “So you’re Vicious and Julia? Tell us then, what happened to Spike? Is he dead?”

Vicious was catching his breath. “Spike is alive.”

My eyes lit up as I heard him say that. “Really?”

Vicious sat back on the couch. “We know where Spike is. He’s okay; he’s just taking a very long nap. You can find him at Mars General Hospital in the Cryogenic Wing. He’ll be revived in 3 years.”

Faye sat next to Julia. “Jade was actually right. I should have listened to him.”

I thought it was Jade’s vast imagination. “Your son and his psychic powers, Faye.”

Faye sighed. “Jade is psychic, but I don’t think he got that from me.”

I shook my head. “But when I called that hospital, they told me that there was no Spike Spiegel there.”

Julia crossed her arms. “The nurse got the name wrong, she put it down as Mike Siegel not Spike Spiegel. Vicious had them correct it today.”

Vicious got up from the couch. “We’ve said enough, I guess we’ll be off.”

“Sit back down, Daniel Houghton Hepburn and you too Julia DiCaprio.” I said in a stern voice.

“Okay, you got us.” They sat back down. “That was you in the bar, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, it was. I have a proposal for you.” I have always wanted this guy on the team.

“Sorry, I’m already married.” He joked.

“No, it’s not that you wise guy. I was wondering if you would like to team up with us?” I asked.

“We’ll think about it.” He said as he got up again. “Now we have to go get our daughter. Diana is probably with that boy.”

Julia looks around. “Jade.”

I shook my head; both of Jade’s wishes came true. “Yeah, she’s with Jade.”

Vicious got up. “She has always had a crush on him.”

I gave him a strange look. “He’s always had a crush on her.”

Julia put her hands on her hips. “Yeah, that little boy.”

I shook my head. “He’s no longer a little boy, he’s almost as tall as Spike.”

Faye looks around past the couch and up the stairs. “He was cleaning Swordfish II in the hangar.”

Vicious comes over to Julia. “Let’s go look for them.”

Faye gets up and joins them. “Jade will be very happy to know that he was right about Spike.”

We walked out and heard some commotion. Jade and Diana were playing basketball on the ships runway.

I turn to Vicious and Julia. “Hey, would you like to stay?”

Vicious rubbed the back of his neck. “No, not after Faye tried to kill me.”

I’m always the peacemaker, the negotiator. “Come on, let’s just put the past behind us.”

I saw the two in a small huddle talking it over, and then they nodded. “Okay, we’ll stay.”

Good. I’ll tell Rhiannon the news later; I bet she’ll be happy to hear it.

We watched as Diana made the final shot, a 3 pointer. “I win!” She cried.

Jade fell down and pounded on the floor. “I’ve been beaten by a girl! Crap! Crappity! Crap!”

I saw Diana walk over to Jade. “Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend!”

“Look Julia, our little girl has finally grown up.” Vicious joked.

Faye shouted, “Jade! What did I tell you about making bets? Oh, wait. Nevermind.”

I just laughed, “Faye, leave him alone. Come on everybody, we’re taking Jade out to lunch.”

Jade got up and put his arm around Diana, they walked over to us. “Well, one of my wishes has been granted, Jet. I just hope the other one will come true soon.”

I just smiled. “It has come true. You were right, he’s there.”

I watched as his eyes lit up. “I knew it! When is he coming back?”

“In three years.” Faye said softly.

Jade gave me a hug. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

He let go, walked over to Faye and cried in her arms. “It’s okay Jade.” She kissed his head then let him go.

He joined Diana who was following Vicious and Julia. “You have to see my mom’s Rambler. It’s so cool.”

Faye and I followed them. You know, it’s strange how enemies can suddenly become friends.

Later that day, Jade asked us if he could get transferred to Kennedy Academy in Neo Manhattan. We all sat in the living quarters.

“Well, can I go?” He asked.

Vicious shook his head. “No.”

“Why not?” Jade frowned.

“Kennedy Academy is a school for girls.” Julia said.

“Oh, well. I’ll just visit Diana.” I think he’s in love with her now.

Suddenly Vicious left, saying that he had to take care of something. He had also asked about Ed and where she was. Julia retreated to a spare room with something that looked like a Playstation and a laptop televison. Faye followed and the neverending Vader vs Vegeta War was born. Jade and Diana went out for a while.

Vicious came back later with his dog Ayn, happily saying that he had met Ed and Ein and they busted an important bountyhead together.

A month later, Vicious and Julia decided to join us. Also Faye and Vicious were now the best of friends.

June 26 2085...

Jade’s POV

I was walking home from Starbucks where I had my usual coffee and cheesecake. I love cheesecake I simply love it! I love it in any flavor or style, my favorite happens to be New York Style with cherries though. I wonder if there is a chocolate mousse cheesecake out there?

Well, I had graduated ahead because of my high scores from Mars Academy a few weeks ago. I guess being around Diana had changed my life. My grades were good, lots of B’s, but after I met her; I was getting A’s. I was on The Honor Roll and top of my class; I was also great at basketball.

I remember when I first visited Kennedy after school got out. When I got there I saw Diana with a small group of girls.

“Hey, look at that cute guy.” I heard one of them say.

Diana turned her head and looked right at me. “That’s him.”

The six girls around her talked among themselves.

“That’s your boyfriend, he’s hot.” A little redhead said.

Diana said goodbye to her friends and walked down the stairs where I met her.

She gave me a hug and I heard her friends swoon saying how Diana was a lucky girl. “It’s good to see you Jade.”

“Hey Diana.” She looked pretty cute in her school uniform.

That day we went to her mansion in town, her father likes to collect stray dogs and cats. It was sort of like a zoo, but well maintained. It looked like an old place in California called San Simeon that I saw in a book once. I just wondered where they got all that money to build it. Diana had told me that her mother inherited a huge estate from her late father. Her grandfather used to be a big actor on Earth.

Well, I’m happy that I graduated. Mom and Jet are sending me to Neo Manhattan High so I can attend class with Diana.

But today was a special day. Today is my father’s birthday and today is the day he comes out of suspended animation. I can’t wait to see finally see him, I get to see Spike Spiegel for the first time.

I saw a blue car pull up in front of me near the dock. “Hey Jade!” It was Diana.

I was very happy to see her. “Diana. How are you?”

She gave me a smile, goddess, she was beautiful. “I’m doing fine. Hey, what are you doing right now?”

I shrugged, “Nothing, we’re probably going to be doing something else tonight, unless there is a bountyhead to catch.”

“Well, I have to be home later. But I have to show you something Jade.” She put the top down.

“What is it?” I said as I jumped into the Rambler and locked the door.

“You’ll like it.” She started up the car.

I put on my seatbelt. “I hope I will.”

“Close your eyes.” She said as we drove off.

I closed my eyes. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise Jade, be patient.” She said sweetly.

I smelled roses; we must be near the park. “Okay.”

Then I felt that cold, I was shivering. “Jade, are you all right?”

I nodded, “Yeah, it just happens when I pass by this certain place. It’ll pass.” We must be at the hospital, then I feel a presence and it’s growing stronger.

She stopped the car. “Open your eyes Jade.”

I looked around. “We’re at the hospital, we’re going to see my father?”

She put the top up and secured the car. “Yes, we are going to see him. We’re invited to watch from a window. So do you want to go?”

I leaned over and gave her a hug. “Yeah, I want to see him.” I want to see him from a distance. I want to see what he’s like.

We got out of the car and went into the hospital where we were led into a room with a window that looked over the cryogenics area. “Watch Jade, the doctors are going to take him out.”

From the window we watched a metal tube come out of the floor. The outer tube slid back into the floor revealing a tall glass cylinder filled with a blue liquid. Inside we saw a man with green hair. He was fast asleep. “Diana, it’s him!”

The cylinder was drained and we watched as they put him down on a bed with restraints and a towel.

Diana asked; “Hey, look Jade! Isn’t that Rhiannon?”

I felt a strong connection, my father was awake now and I felt him. I looked down and saw a woman with red gold hair touch his hand she was speaking to him. “That is she.” Rhiannon seemed happy; she loved my father very much. I have a feeling that she is his true love, like Diana is mine.

I saw him for the first time, he seemed a bit out of it, but he had these garnet eyes and hair just like me.

\"I knew we\'d find you kids here.\" Vicious said.

Vicious and Julia came in, so did Jet and Faye.

\"It\'s really him!\" Faye said softly.

\"Holy shit! He\'s alive and he looks good.\" Jet sounded amazed.

Julia and Vicious nodded.

Julia touched Diana\'s sleeve. \"Okay, let\'s go. Why don\'t we celebrate this happy event with dinner and a movie. Then drinks after!\"

Everyone nodded in agreement and left.

Except for me.

I put my hand on the glass. “Happy birthday dad, I hope to meet you very soon.”

I took one more look and left.

: Fix. Fix. Fix. I put in a few manga people. The park I described is a cross between Elizabeth Park in Hartford/West Hartford and Walnut Hill Park in New Britain. These two parks are both in Connecticut. Well, I have been working hard on these, again. If I do it too quick, it won’t come out good. There was also some Star Wars Humor in there too. Thank you for your time.

Part 5:
Rhiannon The one that you have been waiting for. I don’t want to give out much, but Spike meets Ed, well Rhiannon.: