Life's Second Chance

A Silent Conversation

Gasping, Throttle looked up and over his right shoulder to see a familiar form leaning on the side wall of the garage and walked over. "Ray?" his hushed tones seemed to feed his anticipation. When he received no response he had to turn his back in defeat. Feeling betrayed by his eyes, pressed a button that pulled the tinted glass pane on his helmet down, and took his specks off.

Walking back to his bike, sat atop the saddle with his back turned to the garage. Closing his eyes, bowed his head as he took off his helmet rubbing his optics which had begun to glaze over with unreleased tears.

"What's wrong..?" came a soft, warm, caressing voice.

"Yes it would be something she'd say wouldn't it.." played his mental explanation and it was only after he'd felt a soft touch upon his shoulder that he jumped and looked up. "Charlie?"

A gasp escaped when a hand clapped over his mouth, and as eyes adjusted to the dim light, a familiar outline seemed to take form. You see, over time, his eyes had managed to heal, but ever so slightly and he could indeed see without his visors for a short amount of time before everything turned white once more. "Ray?" he echoed in a hushed tone before he was led away to a lee point where no one could actually see them.

"Hello handsome," came the sarcastic, playful greeting of the other.

The tears that glazed his eyes couldn't be retained and were released as his arms cupped around the small figure in a tight embrace. "Never thought I'd hear you say those words again.."

Ray pulled back slowly, "Aww don't tell me you've gone soft," she winked before clearing her throat realizing that they were still caught in an embrace."Ehm, well.." pausing, she pulled away completely and dropped her gaze, "It's good to see you too."

Throttle felt the blood rush to his face as he too chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair clearing his throat as well. "What happened to New York?" he finally asked after a long pause, still keeping his line of vision away from the girl.

"Told ol' KB that I had some unfinished business here..and he gave me a night to..you know..tie the knot so to speak." Chuckling at her choice of words sighed deeply and sat down on an upside down crate. Her heart was beating very fast-contradicting her whole calm and poised outlook.

Following the girl, Throttle took a seat to her right. This time his eyes never left her hunched up sad features. "There's so much to tell.." Ray began in a very sad demeanor.

"I have all night," The tanned martian reassured before taking note that his words had no effect upon the girl.

Ray didn't even divert her gaze from the floor, fixing her optics upon the fingers she seemed to fiddle with, "But I don't.." she concluded as she turned to face Throttle, quite surprised to meet his shaded eyes.

Ignoring the warmth in her cheeks, Ray looked the other squarely in the eyes.. "I know we never really saw eye to eye," her words were quiet as she dropped her gaze, "I also don't want to make things any more weird or awkward as it is either.." She chuckled dryly, and tilted her head slightly to the side as if trying to find the right words next to her right foot. " I.." she began forcing herself to pause, " You see.." she cut herself off again; cursing mentally. Why was it so hard to talk to him?

It was then a mental response to her unasked question arose, "This proves you're really back.."

Smiling, Rei decided that it was now or never..It wasn't like she had much time left anyway. Getting up sat upon her knees, placing herself right in front of Throttle and took his hands in hers which obviously made him jump in surprise. "Listen carefully," she began in a serious voice. fixing her eyes on him, " Things are going to go down fast within the next three days. I really don't want to keep things from you," she began to explain. " I'm pretty sure you know most half of it, but this is what you don't know.."