Life's Second Chance

Torn

The sound of pacing leather shoes echoed throughout the glass office of Director Kay.

"I sure hope Jay is all right," came a depressed tune, "It's been two days since I've last heard from him-even Mom doesn't know where he is..."

The Senior Agent Kay sighed deeply as his brows formed a crease at the center of his forehead. His godson was so tense that the poor boy started pacing in circles around his office. It wasn't like his partner to just vanish-even on his bad days. "Jake.. would you just sit down please." The taunting echoes ringing from under Agent J's feet really began to irk him.

They had only one day left before the detonation of the Pacer and thanks to the young Agent A, the message staged on the 11 o'clock news played directly into their game plan. They now had a time and place.

"What's happening?" came Ray's inquisition as she entered the Senior's office.

"We're going to go out and handle a little pest control problem," prompted J as he pulled his coat off the hanger and headed out the door.

"Don't tell me Jeff's at it again?" came the very amused set of lyrics of the younger girl who turned to the sound of her grandfather's voice in reflex.

"No Ray, it's not Jeff, but May."

Ray's eyebrows met in a deep chasm, "Then..I'm coming too. I've been meaning to give that wench a piece of my mind," came hostile words.

J looked thoughtfully at her and placed a reassuring hand on her left shoulder and pulled her into a snug hug. "Not this time kiddo."

Pulling back smiled sweetly tapping her nose playfully, "Remember the doctor said you are not well enough to be out on the field." The childish pout upon Ray's face forced him to crack a laugh, "Puppy eyes don't work on me anymore, you know that-besides after two days you will be on full time duty," He made sure to explain, "Better take advantage of this R&R while you can."

Ray's eyes flashed a quizzical glint at his terminology but then quickly shook it off. When she looked up to see her grandfather and best friend disappear behind the office's door she closed the distance and latched onto Agent J's hand, "You will be back right? You won't leave me alone?"

J just turned his dark brown eyes towards Kay and sighed with a smile, "I'll be back before you know it. I'll have Zed take you out for ice cream, how does that sound?"

The girl's eyes seemed to glisten with an innocent aura, "OK!"

Jake kept an inward frown. This creature looked so much like Ray, he had to try really hard not get too carried away. It was like he was staring at the Reilyn that existed more than two decades ago. He felt really guilty for lying to her, but at the same time he had to keep in mind that she was nothing more than a scientific experiment that went right. He was torn between doing the right thing, and the right thing. Turning the handle ushered a soft spoken, "What a waste..."

{Author's note:

The "right thing" was to follow orders and keep lying to May, and have her believe that she succeeded in penetrating their headquarters.

The "right thing"(as seen in italics) was to follow his own decision to try to save her life rather than use it. }