Life's Second Chance

Trapped

And as Agent Jay stepped into the night, he was greeted with a brisk cold breeze. His eyes pointed to the sky as he wondered when was the last time he'd actually just looked up. It was a pity such beauty was corrupted with darkness..

"The irony.."

Jay just mouthed to the sky. Sighing just looked at the road before him, the routine twin bikers rode right across from him. Their outfits were decorated with light bulbs. It was such a weird world. Deciding that the thing he needed now was some pie,headed off on foot to that special place Kay had taken him to all those years ago... When things were much more simple...

~*~

The swift breath of air that drew in from the north, seemed to travel on an invisible stream from New York to Chicago. It swept through the graceful chestnut waves of Rei's hair as she stood with her back facing her audience. It also seemed to give her an almost ethereal appearance as she spoke. Her words were soft and filled with hidden emotions that she dared not reveal. "And that's the plan," Looking over her shoulder, stood underneath the high moon which shone with all its luminous glory. "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but knowing you and the guys...I figured it would be best if at least one of you knew to avoid more..complications..and added risk."

Behind his tinted specks, Throttle's mind whipped, as his stomach was tied into a knot once again. So this was it..The supposed last show down of the century..or was it? Standing up sighed deeply and walked up to the girl, "And that's your Big Plan?" his words sounded angry and doubtful. Seeing the girl eye him squarely, placed his hands upon her shoulders and shook them, "That's crazy!"

"Not so loud, they will hear-" Ray's words were cut off with Throttle's, "But you're gonna die!" The urgency in the other's words surprised this human girl, for she'd never heard him use such a tone before-not directed to her at least. Her eyes turned to her right shoulder to view his right hand and placed her palm over it. Her left hand doing the exact same thing on the opposite shoulder.

"Not if this thing works.." She uttered as she gently peeled the heavy hands off her joints, only to feel his palms cup over hers and grasp them tightly.

"What if it doesn't?" he prodded looking her deep in the eyes, a light frown was drawn upon his forehead.

Ray really didn't think he'd take it like this, "It's not like it would change anything. Either way-whether this or that. My fate is sealed..It always had been since that moment in the lab.." She placed a hand over her heart grimly as her head bowed with strife. "My life changed." she explained. "If we don't try within three days it's not going to make much of a difference, both Earth and Mars would be destroyed, do you want that?"

Throttle dropped his gaze to the hands he had clasped. There really was no going around it."I still don't like it..giving yourself up is one thing..and even if this..Big Brother can take the Pacer away..what's going to stop him from placing it in another person..?" Hearing a light confident chuckle from the girl shifted his gaze to the side.

"Remember the bomb is useless without a living host with my biometrics. It was built that way.." Ray's voice was low, her eyes dropped to the cement tiles that both of them stood on, "It's like hitting two birds with one stone. We get rid of Big Brother, and the Plutarkian threat all in one go..and..you get to go home in the end," there was a kind of satisfaction in her lyrics that accented her sense of doubt.

Pulling his knuckles tightly into a fist, Throttle gritted his teeth. Still standing with his back to the girl commented, "I still don't like it..So this is it? This is really it? " Pausing bit his lip for a moment, "It's not why you came here though is it.." his words drew a long lonely trail.

Ray sighed deeply, this guy was sharp she'd give him that much, but then again it couldn't be helped. Pacing up to the other placed a hand atop his shoulder only to feel him flinch making her retract her palm. Closing her own hand into a fist placed it at the nape of her neck, "Why do you always have to make things so difficult.." her voice was laden with a cry she fought to keep inside.

Taking fearful steps towards Throttle, Ray rested the side of her head on his vested back and leaned in like a child curling in for comfort and reassurance. "I know things wouldn't work out-between us at least, you got Carbine and all..but for what it's worth..in my eyes at least..It had always been you..and will always be just you.."

Throttle felt the tears soak into his back and hung his head low, the lowest since he'd last been on Mars. He knew that Ray had feelings for him from the very beginning, but really appreciated her keeping her distance with the knowledge that he had Carbine. He couldn't help this sinking feeling however. There was something about their last visit to Mars not but a month ago that made things feel different.

When they were saying their goodbyes at Limburger Tower, the look of Rei's eyes as she said goodbye... The heavy atmosphere and regret surrounding Charlie and Vinnie.. He'd never forget that moment. The moment he felt a pang of regret as well. As if things weren't confusing enough, they'd all been mistaken as traitors upon arrival on Mars. Charlie as well as Rei had actually been held hostage moments after their arrival in order to make a swap for Limburger who they'd supposedly brought for trial. As always things never went as planned.

It was this fact that drew deep into his fears. What would make Ray's scheme any different? It was way too complex above all else. The tears that had crept at the corners of his optics also tugged in at the back of his mind. He really didn't understand any of it..This confusion..It all felt so wrong.

Taking his specks off turned to the girl and wrapped his arms snugly around her curled form, and leaned his head on hers. Feeling the jolt of surprise from the other just held her closer, it was a very weird feeling..but it somehow felt right.

Silence passed between the two as time seemed to have frozen with their embrace..For once Ray actually felt acknowledged much to her dismay..It felt so bittersweet and painful..It wasn't right..

Yet at the same time she couldn't think of a better place to be..than here in his arms. Hearing a beep choked as she pulled away wiping a tear from her eyes. "I feel silly.." she broke in between sniffles and laughs.

Throttle chuckled and sniffled as well but kept his eyes on the character before him wearing a half smile. And as he reached out and caressed her cheek. A strand of hair fell lose making the finger sweep it behind her ear revealing her small crescent moon birthmark and the scar that over shadowed it. Seeing her turn away from him, chuckled with a slight grin and responded, "Being silly isn't so bad..is it?" Tipping her head up slightly as he sneaked a finger under her chin so that he'd meet her eyes and smiled. As her hand clapped onto his pulling it away, he laughed quietly.

"Shut up," she laughed.

It was then the random beep caught Throttle's attention, making his eyes drop to the decorative choker around the girl's neck. A small red square seemed to be beeping making him frown.

Sensing his tension Ray reassured, " KB gave it to me..Said it would help him keep an eye out for trouble..don't worry..I'm in good hands.."

It was then an echo in the background followed by quizzical awkward pitches were brought to their attention. " Heh, you better go..before they send a search party out for ya."Rei laughed sarcastically.

Chuckling Throttle put his specks back on, " What about you?" When no answer followed he looked back to find no one there and sighed deeply.