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

I don’t own Bebop, too bad for me.

Part Five: Rhiannon

June 26, 2085 12:00pm

Spike’s POV

My mind is swimming, everything is so hazy. \"Where the hell am I?\"

“Spike.” A beautiful red haired woman stood over me.

I whispered; “Who are you?”

“Relax Spike.” She reached out her hand.

I hold her hand and looked up into a lovely pair of light green eyes.

Rhiannon’s POV

Jade was somewhere around here, I look at the window above us and I saw him and Diana watching. Suddenly, Jet, Faye, Julia, and Vicious enter the observation room.

It looked like something out of a science fiction film as I watched with the doctors. I watched as they took out the huge metal tube. The tube was lifted off to reveal the glass cylinder filled with a blue liquid and inside was Spike. Spike you will be awake soon and I will be the one you see first.

I watched as they laid the tube flat, drained the whole thing and put him on a table. I saw them wake him up, I touch his hand. A white towel wrapped around his body and he was restrained. I saw him open his eyes slowly, oh how I loved them so much.

He seemed to be out of it, well, not as bad as with the mushrooms. He was walking in one place, saying something about an obnoxious little frog. When I came back with more mushrooms, he looked dazed and confused.

I heard him mutter. “Julia, where are you? Where is she? I thought I saw her. Is she with Vicious?”

“She’s okay Spike, but she’s with him.” He didn’t know who I was or where he was or maybe I shouldn’t have said anything about Julia being with Vicious.

It was like he was in a daze, he was struggling in his restraints. “No, why is she with him? Why?”

I calmed him down. “Shh, it’s okay Spike. I’m here now.” I pushed my hair back into the white cap and covered my face.

I silently left the room, I will come to him later.

Spike’s P.O.V.

That weird dream, it felt so real.

Jet? Faye? Julia! Vicious!! There\'s also two kids! They\'re all looking down at me! What is going on?

The woman vanished and I couldn’t get over the news that Julia had went back to Vicious. My body was restrained, I couldn’t move. I saw nine goddesses in white hovering over me. “Where am I? Who are you?”

“You should rest Mr. Spiegel.” Said a gentle female voice.

Yes, I feel a bit exhausted, everything is so peaceful, is this The Summerlands? Well, didn’t Kwan Yin say she was taking me there? I fall back into sleep and wait for the goddess of dreams to come wake me up.

Three Hours Pass...

My eyes open again, am I watching Faye\'s beta tape?

But this is strange, she doesn\'t have green eyes, they\'re dark garnet.

\"Faye?\" I asked the girl.

She shook her head. \"My name is not Faye. You\'re Spike Spiegel aren\'t you?\"

I was dodging in and out of sleep. \"Yes, I am.\"

The girl put her hand on my forehead. \"Get some rest, father.\"

I don\'t know if I was dreaming, but did she just call me father? Oh well, I fall back into slumber.

4 hours later…

My eyes slowly open, to my horror this wasn’t paradise at all. This is Mars! I’m alive, lying half awake in a hospital bed. It must be evening, the sun is starting to fade.

I remember that I was at The Red Dragons Headquarters fighting Vicious. Then there was this weird dream, now I’m here. Who was that strange woman and that girl? Why were my friends staring down at me? I’m not dead either, but I need a cigarette and a drink badly. I’m also very hungry, I would go for some bell peppers and beef or even ramen for Pete’s Sake.

I feel like I am not alone, suddenly I bolt up in bed. “Who’s here!”

I see someone sitting in a chair near my bed, it’s a woman. “Hello Spike.”

I asked the woman. “What happened?”

She tells me softly. “The doctors just thawed you out 7 hours ago.”

I got up from the bed and began rambling. “Then that wasn’t a dream? Kwan Yin probably decided that I should live maybe? I remember that I was on her cloud and she told me to go back to sleep. That the dream goddess would meet me in The Summerlands. Then Kwan Yin kissed me on the mouth and I fell asleep again. But who the hell put me in friggin’ suspended animation? Was it another syndicate or The I.S.S.P.?”

She puts a finger tip on my lips. “Nothing like that my dear. The doctor told me that a man and a woman dropped you here 14 years ago. You had some nasty wounds.”

I couldn’t believe it, I was supposed to die. “I was sleeping for 14 stupid years!”

She cooed. ”You don’t look 41 either, Spike. You still look the same, the way I remembered you. You can start over at 28, because it’s your birthday today.”

“Nice. Thanks a lot lady.” I was awakened from the dream. Julia and Vicious are probably in The Summerlands, happily banging each other.

“Mr. Spiegel, you shouldn’t be like that.” She sounded pretty.

“Hey, since you say you know me. Can you please turn on a light I need to see who my Princess Charming is.” She gets up, turns on a light and sits back down.

Ooh, la, la. She’s really sexy! She was a statuesque woman in a white satin dress holding a dozen roses. Who are you? “Is that better?”

“Not quite.” I turn on another light to see her better, thank goodness they gave me a private room. She was the most prettiest woman I have ever seen. It wasn’t Faye or even Julia, wait Julia is in Heaven with my ex-best friend. Oh well, at least I have this angel. “Hello nurse!”

“I’m not a nurse.” She said in a husky voice.

“I know who you are.” I take the roses from her and lay them on my lap. “An extremely gorgeous woman bringing me flowers. How thoughtful.”

She sits down by my side and takes my hand. “Remember me Spike?”

She sounded familiar. “I know you?”

She sat down beside me on the bed. “I’m an old comrade of yours.”

What a gorgeous lady, with the face of a queen and light jade green eyes. “You were there when they thawed me out, the one who held my hand and spoke to me. You were the princess that woke the prince from his dream.”

“Yes, that was me, Spike. But don’t you remember me, the drugs should have worn off by now.” I saw that her hair was red gold and it cascaded down her back to her waist.

Let me see, who are you? How many redheads do I know? Then I knew it. “Edward?”

She paused, “The name’s Rhiannon.”

Why did she change it. “Rhiannon? What happened to Edward the IV? You know Radical Edward!”

Rhiannon lets go of my hand. “I changed it.”

I was curious. “Why?”

She put up a front. “Because it’s the name my mother gave me.”

“Well, Rhiannon is the goddess of dreams. I think it suits you well.” I looked her over, yes, she is my goddess of dreams. Wait a second Kwan Yin said that the goddess of dreams would meet me. Well, she’s here with me now.

I saw that this was a woman, not a girl. “Thank you Spike.”

It has been 14 years. “You want to go on a date?” Maybe that was too forward.

“Not right now Spike.” Her ice queen image is beginning to melt.

“Maybe after I am released.” The front is beginning to crumble.

Is she getting frustrated with me? “Always the joker.”

I nodded, “Come on, I’m just having some fun with you.”

She turned on her heel. “I have to go now.”

“Why?” Don’t leave me Rhiannon.

“Because you’re being annoying!” She snapped.

I suddenly grab her arm, “I found it! Remember when you latched onto my leg and you wouldn’t let go. Well, I’m not letting you go anywhere, stay with me for all eternity.”

It’s true, I remember that day in Tharsis Park, and you asked me the strangest question. I said maybe, but please ask me again. Please ask me and I’ll say yes.

She pulled away, I wished she wasn’t like this. “I have work Spike. I must leave!”

I was curious. “What do you do now? Are you still a hacker or are you a full fledged bounty hunter? Who is the latest bountyhead and can I help? We could make a great team.”

She stood by the doorway. “Spiegel, I only do that once in a while. But I have another job that’s better.”

Gasp! She called me by my last name, I must be pissing her off. “Come on, tell, tell Spike-Person. Spike wants to know.”

She stood near the door. “I’m an actress, I have to finish a movie in Utopia City.”

I didn’t want her to leave. “An actress!”

She snapped, “Yeah, that is what I do and I love it. Goodbye Spike!”

She was beautiful and angelic, even if she’s a bit angry. “No kiss goodbye, Rhiannon?”

“You want me to kiss you, before I go?” I wanted her to kiss me.

“I’d rather kiss a Welsh Corgi!” I yell at her.

She points to me. “That can be arranged, he could use a good kiss!”

I call out. “Why are you being so cold to me Ed? Is that how you treat an old friend? I thought you loved me, as much as I loved you. Now my dream is over and I have nothing to live for! I’ll never love again! My life is over and I shall die of a broken heart!” I say as I place my hand on my forehead, I can be an actor too, see.

Before Rhiannon left my room. “You’re crazy! I remember when you used to tease Faye a lot, now you’re teasing me.”

Tease her some more Spiegel. “I’m sorry Ed, I remembered that Faye was prettier than you. She had boobs. But now that I see you as a woman, you have bigger boobs than she did. Oh please can I grab them? Furi Kuri!” That was over the top.

She turned her back on me. “I was 13, you idiot! Don’t you ever call me Edward again and if you call me Françoise, I’ll hurt you. That girl is long gone.”

I smirked. “Oh yeah, you’re 27 now! I forgot! I have adult teasing privileges! I can be your boyfriend or your husband! So I’ll get Laughing Bull down here to perform a ceremony, then we’ll honeymoon on Venus. I want nine kids, no make it 13, because 13 is a perfect coven number. Let’s make love now!”

She turned around and I could see that she was glaring at me. “Now you’re really pushing it, why don’t I kill you now, I’ll make you a dead man!”

I looked at her, what a fiery spirit she has! I must have it. “Umm, was that too forward?”

She looked like a lioness ready to pounce. “Spiegel!”

Uh, oh. “Take my body, mind, and heart. But spare my pride!”

“I would like to make love to you!” She growled.

She rushed to the bed and grabbed my wrists. She had me pinned down, what was she going to do? “Rhiannon!”

“You are mine Spike, you belong to me!” Was she going to ravish me like the lovesick and obsessed woman she is or is she going to kill me in this bed?

“I wasn’t being that annoying, was I?” I asked.

“I’m going to take every part of you, even your stupid pride!” She leaned over and gave me a kiss that burned like fire.

My insides started to ache. “I want you to just rip everything off me, and take me now!”

“Do you want me?” I wanted to be inside her to just hide away from the world.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! I want you now! I realize that I love you more than I did then; I love you more than Faye or Julia. I’m finally awake! You make me feel alive!” She was a better kisser than Julia or Faye. Not bad for an actress and I don’t think she was acting. It was real, because it felt like it was.

“Not now.” She tore herself away from me and walked to the door.

I let out a scream, we were going to go through with it, but then she turns me down cold. \"Baka onna!\" How could she do this to me! I’ll get her back. “Don’t go. You don’t know how I feel right now.” I wanted her more now that I felt so much awake and alive.

“How do you feel now, Spike?” She gave me a dreamy look.

“Unsatisfied.” I joked, “I guess I’ll never learn, will I my dear? Maybe you’ll be the one who will finally do me in.”

Before she stomped out of the room she hit me with a pillow and snapped. “Happy Birthday Spike! I never want to see you again!”

The ache in my groin was gone and all attention went to my shrinking abdomen. My stomach groaned, I yelled out to her. “But I’m hungry, can’t you at least go to the cafeteria to get me something to eat. Even if it may be horrible!”

She sauntered back in. “Go call for room service, you have a phone.”

“You heartless wench, how dare you wake me up then leave me! The prince never did that to Snow White or Sleeping Beauty!” I snapped. Yeah, they were women, but where was the story of a princess saving a prince?

“Those were fairy tales you idiot!\" She growled.

“Don’t you believe in fairy tales anymore? What happened to that sweet girl that used to sing and dance all the time! You phony! I am thawed out after all this time without a bite to eat and you leave me to starve! Fine, I don’t care if I never want to see me again either!” Did that make sense? I watched her leave and walk out of my life, that’s what she thinks.

“Goodbye Spike.” I heard her voice in the hall.

“You’ll be back! No one runs from me! If you do leave, I’ll find you!” I started singing. “I put a spell on you! Because you’re mine!” When she looked into my eyes I had cast my spell on her. “I’m falling in love with you Red!” I shout. \"Get back here onna!\" I hope she heard me; maybe she’ll turn back and stay. I hope she brings food too.

Rhiannon’s POV

Tell me he’s joking.

I still believe in fairy tales.

I walked out of the room and down the hall.

I fought back the tears; I wanted to cry because I was leaving him.

Leave him.

I don’t want to leave him alone.

He should be alone he will always be alone.

NO!

He called you a phony. You are not a phony.

I left him there; the poor thing’s starving.

Who cares, let him starve, he can lose a few more pounds.

I can’t do this to him.

I have to go; I have to get out of here. I can’t stay.

My heart is beginning to feel heavy. Am I beginning to feel guilty?

Ignore it.

You kissed him you kissed Spike!

Cut that out, you’re past that stupid schoolgirl thing.

Ever since I saw his picture on the net, I have always been in love with him.

You are obsessed with him; you have always had this obsession.

Stop it I’m not crazy!

You’re an adult, act like one.

Right, I’m an adult now I can do whatever I want. I’m not a kid anymore.

Good.

I made a decision; I want Spike in my life.

You’re a star, people know you.

But she’s still there, that young girl who sang and danced. Success hasn’t ruined me.

Listen to reason don’t go back to him.

Those eyes, that face. Go back! Go back!

Be strong damnit, you have to move on!

He was only fooling around; Spike’s a gentleman at heart.

He’s an asshole. Spike is arrogant, full of pride, and is cocky.

But I just heard him say that he was falling in love with me.

He’s lying. All men are liars. Don’t turn around, don’t say a word to him, he’s just another one.

No, he’s not like any of the guys I have dated in the past or like any of my leading men. Half of those guys I went out with were for publicity anyway. No big romance, no sex involved. They were just good friends.

He was acting like a jerk.

He was only toying. He’s a friend.

He was being a jerk.

But I want him to be much more.

Forget him.

You’re too young.

No, I’m not, I’m 27, he’s 28.

Stop acting.

No this is real this is not an act. I want to see him again. His beautiful eyes, his playful fuzzy hair, and his smile. His eyes, they’re different colors. That’s the first time I noticed. I feel strange; did he cast a spell on me? I would know if he did. He did!

No! No! No! Don’t fall under his spell.

I asked him something once and he said maybe. It was a promise made long ago.

You forgot it before and he probably doesn’t remember.

He probably does remember.

Forget it! Walk on and don’t look back.

But I want to be with him.

You’re getting weak don’t give in!

He’s the other half of my heart and my soul.

I love him. I love him so much.

I give up, you’re not listening anymore.

I love him.

I pause before reaching the elevator, ignoring the doctors, nurses, patients, and visitors rushing by. Go to him, what are a few hours? You’ll be fine, the director won’t yell at you. I dial a number on my cell phone. “Hey Maria, my best friend is in the hospital here on Mars. You don’t mind if I’m a little late for that scene.” I pause. “Oh, I don’t have to be in until the day after tomorrow. That’s good, because today’s his birthday and I have to cheer him up. Thanks Maria, good night.”

I go to the cafeteria; I get four tuna sandwiches, a small slice of chocolate cake, and two iced coffees. I pay the cashier and head back to his room.

I turn around down the hall back to the room, my heart racing. I hoped that he wasn’t sleeping. I rush inside and see that he looks hurt. “What do you want?”

“Spike, I’m back.” I said as I came in.

“Go away and leave me alone!” He snapped.

Maybe food can do the trick, it always has. Well, it worked for Jet. “Spike, are you hungry?”

“Why should you care about me? You were going to leave me to starve.” He turned away coldly.

“Please talk to me Spike.” I pleaded.

“No!” He said harshly.

“I would have given you that pistachio.” I said sadly.

“You would?” He slowly turned.

“Yes.” I would have, if Ein didn’t eat it.

“Don’t go.” I wished I could have taken him on that trip to get food. But he had to help Jet with the Bebop.

“I’m not going anywhere, I don’t have to be at work at all.” I put the sandwiches, cake, and coffees on a nearby table. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.” I throw my purse and jacket aside. “I got you something to eat. Help yourself.”

His face begins to soften. “Thank you so much.” He sees the sandwiches and grabs two of them. “These are not too bad.” He gobbles them down as I sit next to him on the bed. “I’m glad you’re back, I don’t feel like being alone right now.”

I take a sandwich for myself and share half of it with him. I ate before coming.

After we finished the sandwiches I put the cake and coffees on the table next to him. “Well, today is your birthday. You shouldn’t be alone on your birthday.”

He took a little piece of the cake and fed it to me. I took the remaining half and fed it to him. I giggled, “That’s what married people do.”

“Did you ever want to get married?” He asks me.

I felt warmness in my cheeks I was starting to blush. “Maybe. But I don’t want a big wedding. I was thinking of a quiet ceremony instead. Just my friends, Faye, Jet, Jade, Mom, me, and the man I love.”

He leaned towards me. “Who’s that?”

I touch his cheek, would it be too early to say it was him? Maybe I should tell him. “It\'s you Spike.”

He blanched a little. “Rhiannon.”

I raised my cup. “To the future.”

We toasted to the future.

I took a sip, then put my cup down. I looked deeply into his eyes I had a funny feeling. I looked deeper and I think I saw a vision of the future. “Your eyes are very beautiful.”

He put his cup down and gave me a serious look. “Don’t you know that one of them is a fake?”

I looked closely and I saw that one eye was a little lighter than the other. “Really tell me what happened?”

He stared at me for a while. “I lost it in an accident when I was younger, it’s a cybernetic replacement. Is there anything that you want to share with me?”

There are a lot of things I should tell you. “I want to practice Wicca, but I’m a Buddhist right now.”

I saw his face brighten and he began to laugh. “I was Jewish. Okay, that\'s a lie, I have and always will be a witch. But when Mao took me in I became a Buddhist. We will make such a lovely, but weird couple.”

His arms tightened around me, pulling me close, so I sank into him. “Yeah, we would.”

I suddenly thought of Jade. “Spike, do you still hate kids, pets, and women with attitude?”

He sighed, “I am growing fond of them now. Why?”

I chose to keep Jade a secret. “Just wondering. When we marry, would you like to live with Ein and me? And maybe in the future, would you want a child?”

“Of course, I miss that dog and as for kids, yeah. I think I would like 2 or 3 with you.” He said softly.

“You’ve changed Spike.” I realized that he did.

“I guess dying twice does that to you. I think Kwan Yin made me a better person.” I could see that he was beginning to get tired. “So tell me about this film.”

I let out a sigh. “Well, it’s one of those stupid romantic comedies. I play the friend of the leading lady. We’re having a premiere on July 4th would you like to come with me?”

He gave me a sleepy look. “Yes, I’ll come with you. But do I have to go to Earth? I can’t stand Earth.”

“There’s nothing left on Earth, just ruins.” I looked into his tired eyes. “It’s in Neo Manhattan at The Summer Theater.”

He sank down into the covers and was beginning to get really sleepy. That’s my Spike. “Neo Manhattan, I\'m glad it\'s on Mars.”

Yeah, so it is. “We’ll meet at my place which is on The West Side of 73rd and Central Park. I have a penthouse there. We’ll have dinner at The Rainbow Room II, we’ll go to the premiere, and see what happens next. What do you say to that? Spike?”

He was asleep and yet he was so warm against me. His hair brushing against my forehead, it felt so soft. He was beautiful when he slept, so quiet and peaceful. His face was next to mine; I lay closer with my arms around his waist. “Now that you’re asleep, I can tell you everything. I care about you. I love you Spike, you’re the one I want to make love to every night. I love everything about you. I know you’re asleep and maybe you’ll never hear this, but that’s all right. Do you remember that day in Tharsis Park? I was fooling around, admiring the roses, and saying the silliest things.”

He opened his eyes. “Yes, I remember.”

He’s awake! I gasped. “You heard everything.”

He nodded. “Ask me to marry you again.”

“Are you sure, it sounds too forward.” I touch his face.

He shook his head. “It’s not.”

“I don’t have a ring, oh well, I guess this will do.” I took off my small jade Kwan Yin pendant and placed it around his neck. “Spike Spiegel, will you marry me?”

“Yes.” I saw a tear fall from his eye.

“I want to make love to you.” I said softly, letting more of the front fall away.

Spike touched my cheek. “Now that\'s too foreward, honey. I\'m very tired, I slept for 14 years and I need to recharge.”

We kissed again, the kisses intensified. “Rhiannon.”

“Spike.” I was not acting like myself, aww who cares I have Spike Spiegel the man I loved all to myself.

\"Stop. Didn\'t you hear me before?\" Spike whispered; “Why don\'t we sleep instead, just stay by my side tonight.”

“I will.” We embraced again and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

I was awakened by a gentle nudge. “Miss Rhiannon you must leave, visiting hours are over.”

I opened my eyes and saw a blonde nurse talking to me. “I don’t want to leave him, he\'s my fiance. But don\'t let the media know about this yet, I will tell them when the time is right.”

She touched my arm again. “Okay, it’s fine, you can stay the night and your secret is safe with me.”

I gave her a smile. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” She left the room.

“Spike, get up. Wake up Spike.” I gently nudged him.

His eyes opened a bit. “Do you have to leave me?”

I wrapped my arms around him. “No, I’m staying here with you.”

We kiss once more. “Goodnight Rhiannon.”

I run my hand through his hair as he had fallen into sleep again. “Sweet dreams Spike. I love you.” Before I fell into sleep and joined him in dreams.

: Fixed! Well, Spike is back and I made Ed/Rhiannon very beautiful. She has a lot on her mind being an actress and all. She proposed and Spike was awake this time. Yeah and she lives on Mars, because Earth is a mess thanks to the gate incident. So most of the cities are rubble now and people probably don’t want to rebuild, since they live on other planets.

Part Six: Jaded- Faye and Spike meet again, Ed is there, and yeah Jet’s there too.: