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The fact that the Bebop’s been wrecked isn’t lost on them. It didn’t help that the magic mushrooms that had sent them all spiarlling had magically disappeared. But once the mushrooms had worn off and the ISSP officer had left, they were still left with a damaged ship that was in dire need of repairs. There was no way around the fact the Bebop crew where stuck until repairs could be made. It’s how what should be a simple lunch turns into a picnic.
The kitchen is so topsy turvey from their wreck that Jet had taken one look and promptly closed the door. It was a problem for later-Jet as far as he was concerned. There was just too much wrong with the ship to even consider starting on the kitchen first.It’s how they find themselves underneath a tent, setting up a picnic of all things. Ed seems the happiest about eating off the ground, even if the adults give each other dubious glances. Faye’s not certain she’s ever even had a picnic before; not that she’ll ever tell them that.It’s not the most glamorous of lunches, rocket noodles and an egg apiece, but it's better than nothing and as Faye watches Ed bounce around, she can’t help but smile.
“Must be nice to be that young and carefree. I’ve gotten so old I can hardly remember what life was like at that age.” Jet gives Faye a knowing look; how he’d known she’d tried to wander down memory lane is beyond her.
“I never got that chance. By the time I was Ed’s age I was on the street. The Red Dragons got their hands into me shortly after I got the SwordFish and that was the end of that. I would have been seventeen give or take.” Faye and Jet share a look; Spike hardly ever speaks of his past. Let alone the fact he was a member of a Syndicate.
“When did you leave?” Spike stretches out on the blanket, lighting a cigarette as he stares up at the sky.
“I want to say I was twenty-four. Which doesn’t sound that bad but seven years is a long time when you live in a Crime Syndicate. It’s a long time to stay alive, all things considered.” Jet opens his mouth to speak, but finds he can’t find the words. Giving Faye a helpless look, Faye shakes her head.
She doesn’t have the words either.
Spike catches Faye’s eye out of the corner of his eye and shakes his head. She knows what he means even as she sighs and lets the subject drop. There’s no way they’re not continuing this conversation when they’re alone.
Spike’s more likely to be honest with just her than he is Jet. It probably helps that they’ve been dating for months but Jet hasn’t seemed to cotton on, and Spike’s finding it hilarious. Faye shoots him another look when Jet’s back is turned and Spike sighs as he holds his hand out to her. When she puts her hand in his, he grins that grin that tells Faye she’s in trouble, before he pulls her ontop of himself. When Jet turns back, Spike’s got his head tucked atop Faye’s as his arm wrapped around her even as she’s trying to burrow into his scent.
Jet’s mouth opens and closes as Spike sighs and lets his eyes close. This. This right here is where she belongs and he has every intention of telling her as much. Later. When they’re alone. The last thing he needs is Jet down his throat over more than the fact they hid this from him. But Faye knows ... .surely she knows? Spike squeezes her hand as he threads their fingers together as he slowly taps something out in Morse Code into her palm.
He’s not even sure she knows Morsse Code, but it’s worth a shot. Spike ignores Jet’s face when the older man catches on to what Spike is repeatedly tapping into her palm. Jet’s eyes divert from where they’re curled up together, a blush staining his cheeks from second hand embarrassment.
Whatever was happening between Spike and Faye wasn’t meant for the audience. Not with the way Spike kept looking at her. Not with the way he repeatedly taps out ‘I love you’ into her palm, over and over again.
As if hoping she’ll somehow get the message without him having to say it out loud. When Jet clears his throat and gives Spike a pointed look, Spike sighs as he gives up tapping his message into her palm before he gently rolls them so that Faye’s laid on the blanket next to them.
She merely raises an eyebrow as Jet starts dishing out food. Even as she glances Spike’s direction, he doesn’t think anything of it.
Not until she leans over and presses her lips to his ear.
“Love you too, Gadjo.” Her breath ghosts against his ear and his eyes widen as their eyes lock. Jet’s caught on that something’s going on but he hasn’t got a clue what.
“What? What happened? Are you hurt?” Only the last question registers and Spike shakes his head before he’s suddenly standing and grabbing hold of Faye’s hand. They’re in the Swordfish faster than Jet can protest, even as he pulls Faye down into his lap. He hits the button to lock the com channel before he locks eyes with her once more.
“Say it again.” There’s a desperation in his voice and a pleading in his eyes as Faye’s eyes soften.
“I. Love. You.” She breaks it down into three sentences, and watches as the words register in his brain. She can practically see the way the word ricochets around in his brain before he’s suddenly pulling her down and into a heated kiss. Jet’s suddenly at the side of the SwordFish and Faye does her best to ignore the gaping look they’re getting as Spike tries to suck out her soul through one kiss.
When Spike finally pulls back, Jet’s gone, but Faye’s looking at him like he’s her everything and he finds he couldn’t ask for more.