"Up and at 'em, my boys!" said the cheerful voice. "Whoever eats the fastest gets the most!"

Jeffrey stirred from the dream. He did smell a great breakfast, but he knew the cheerful voice of his mother existed only in the past. He was reluctant to wake and face the reality of the day, especially this day, when he knew he had to say goodbye.

"Hey, Kid," Bogg called from the kitchen. "You going to join me? I made those eggs in toast things that you like. And I'm sure you smell the bacon!"

"Coming, Bogg," said a voice he hardly recognized. Jeff knew he had to stay positive for Bogg as well as himself. But he just wanted to stay under the covers and pretend that he could be the boy who relied on his parents and then Phineas Bogg.

Jeff had pushed and pushed to be treated like a grown-up, and here he was at 17 wishing he could just be a kid. He laughed at himself, as he knew Bogg would if he shared the information. "Time waits for no man," Jeff recalled. "And I'm a man now."

There were eggs in a nest, bacon and his mentor waiting, so he pulled on his clothes and headed for the kitchen.

"Hey, Bogg," Jeffrey said as casually as he could. "This looks great. So what's the plan today? I start classes tomorrow; I know that, so …"

"Yeah, Kid, we're going to just hang out, enjoy headquarters and be together for the day. I'll go out on assignment tonight."

"Tonight? I guess I thought you'd be here when I started classes."

"Kid, you know as well as I do the time thing is relative," Bogg said with a laugh. "We'll get you settled in here and save some space for me. I do intend to be back, you know. I'll miss you, Jeff, but can we just have a great day before you start the academy?

"We'll be together if you ever need me and then partners again before you know. And I'm pretty sure you don't need me to pack you lunch. You'll get off just fine on your own. Should I set your alarm for you?"

"Bogg, I can set an alarm!"

"Thought so. Let's eat," Bogg said with a grin.

"Bogg, that wasn't fair!"

"Oh, so smart grown-ups give you a pain?" Bogg asked, and both men started to laugh.

"Yeah, they do!"