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Faye looks at the water with some trepidation. She’s not sure how the guys managed to convince her it was worth coming out for. The lake is rather murky and she’s not one to want to swim in water that isn’t clear. But Ed keeps begging and how can she turn down Ed of all people? Stepping back from the water, Faye makes her way over to the lounge chair she’d dragged from the Bebop down to the side of the lake. Settling in, Faye plans on letting them wear themselves out first before she is forced to join them on this crazy adventure they’d somehow managed to cook up. There’s nothing for it but to wait until they’ve worn themselves out.
Ed is riding piggy back on Jet’s back, and Faye rolls her eyes fondly at the sight. Ed seemed to have really come out of their shell the longer they’re on the Bebop. Which said something, all things considered. Ed hadn’t been that much in their shell, but it’s like they’re finally coming into their own which is a brilliant thing to see.
To watch Ed go from semi-confident to a powerhouse was something Faye was glad she was around to witness. Faye knew it was because they’d let Ed come on the Bebop that they had changed; and to think things could have been so much different if Ed hadn’t taken control of the ship and forced them to land and pick them up.
Life was funny like that sometimes. Life worked in mysterious ways, and it was as if fate forced them all together instead of chance.
At least, privately, that’s what Faye thought. If asked, she’d probably never admit it. But watching her ragtag family swim in a questionable lake had her laughing at their antics. Something she couldn’t have done when she first came aboard the Bebop.
Opening up to these people had allowed her to slowly come to terms with the fact she didn’t have a past. It was rather ironic that she didn’t have one but Spike was actively running from his. They’d talked that subject in circles until Jet had told them both to drop it.
In the end, everyone had been so confused it hadn’t been worth the air the conversation took. Seeing Spike dunk Ed, Faye chuckled as she pulled out a smoke, striking her Zippo and inhaling as Jet came up beside her.
“Why aren’t you in the water?” Jet tapped his metal arm but Faye rolled her eyes. He showered just fine, he could go in the water if he wanted too. And Faye told him as much.
“Not really, the germs in a lake could work their way up to the surgical incision and force an infection. I’d just as much rather not risk it.” Faye’s face softened as she nodded. It was rare, but surgical sites could become infected years later.
Very rare, but not impossible. Eying Spike as he made his way out of the water, Faye grabbed his pack before she lit a cigarette and inhaled. Once he was close enough, she handed over the smoke before returning her own menthol to her mouth.
Jet merely rolled her eyes at their actions. They’d do and do and do for each other, and they wanted him to believe they weren’t having sex?
Yeah right. Jet shook the thought from his head as he set up the speaker before connecting his comm to it. When a upbeat jazz tune began to play across the speakers, Ed squealed in delight as Spike shook his head ruefully.
At least they were raising the kid as right as they could. They weren’t the most ideal “parents” but they were all Ed had. Their space case of a father and practically thrown Ed at them; and what were they supposed to do?
Leave Ed to fend for themselves? That wasn’t going to happen.
Ed was young. Too young. Anything could happen if they were left on their own. Spike’s eyes darkened enough that Faye kicked him from the side, when he glanced her way out of the corner of his eye, she schooled her expression before watching his face follow suit automatically.
Today wasn’t a day to be upset; they were spending time together as a group. And taking an active day off from work.
Best to keep it light and semi-relaxed, especially with Ed hovering like they were. As Ed swan dove off Jet’s shoulders, Faye laughed, and used it as an excuse to lean closer to Spike who smirked at her actions.
What Jet couldn’t see, couldn’t hurt him.
Spike reached a hand down, gently interlacing their fingers as her arm went limp at her side. Squeezing tightly, he loosened his hold but kept their fingers interlaced. Jet was too far away to see anything properly, and Ed wouldn’t care one way or another. Yet still, this…whatever it was….it was so new it wasn’t worth spoiling yet.
Not after everything they’d been through. The mere thought made Spike squeeze Faye’s hand hard.
“I’m sorry.” The words tumbled out and Faye’s eyes widened. It was probably one of the few times Spike had verbally apologized; but then again, the entire crew of the Bebop had always been actions over words. “I know, I know. I know we don’t say sorry but….after everything I’ve put you through…I needed to say it. Even if you didn’t need to hear it.” His voice dropped down softer as he pulled her closer to him, beyond caring if Jet saw them or not. “I know what I did wasn’t right, and I will make it up to. Even if it takes the rest of our lives.” Faye’s mouth fell open, before she promptly closed it as tears threatened to spill out of her eyes.
“Just don’t put me through that again, Gadjo. I won’t take you back a second time if you pull that shit again.” Spike swallowed hard, he knew it wasn’t an idle threat; he could still see the pain within her eyes after what he’d done.
As Ed splashed in the water and Jet hovered, Spike leaned across the gap between them before pulling her into a kiss.
“I swear I won’t; I know, action over words, and I will show you. I just need the chance to show you.” Faye nodded, knowing what he was trying to get at.
“Just…be there, Gadjo, that’s all I can ask.”