Jay tries not to think about Leigha, if he thinks about her, he may say something about her. Ram already knew that she was special to Jay and the Mall Rats and he was already planning on using her to his advantage.
But still, Jay wants to know about her, where she is, if she's okay. He shakes his head, trying to erase the idea. Also, he doesn't know what hell she may be going through.
"So, Jay, how are we feeling this day?"
Jay turns to see Ram in the doorway, coming into the room. He nods and turns back to his computer, pressing a few buttons. Ved has just sent him an electronic message: "Don't look now. Don't listen to Ram. I'll explain later".
Jay turns his head towards Ved and his computer. Ved doesn't look up and another message flashes on Jay's computer: "Just trust me on this. For once at least."
Jay smiles and shakes his head.
"Well," says Ram, "I think I may have something that will...spice up your mood..."
Jay rolls his eyes and sighs. Ram smiles; he expected that reaction. He snaps his fingers over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. Jay turns his head to see two Technos dragging in Leigha.
She grumbles and shoves them away. They temporarily let her go but then took control over the situation once more. Leigha rolls her eyes. She looks up and momentarily meters Jay's gaze.
Jay's eyes almost show panic and concern. Leigha doesn't shake her angry expression. Hay doesn't know why. Jay takes a breath and snaps out of his trance.
"What are you doing, Ram?" he asks sternly.
"Well, I am planning on intensifying Ved's new program... I'm sure you would love to either witness or take part in it...?"
Jay's unsure. "What is it this time?"
Ram smiles. He wants Jay to agree without knowing what he approving to. 'That," he says, "you will find out later."
Ram nods his head towards the two Technos holding his newest captive. They nods back and the remove her from their presence.
"What are you going to do with her?"
Ram stops and smiles. 'Finally!'
"Why do you care, Jay?"
Jay doesn't say anything. Even though Ram may know it, Jay wont admit it; not for anything.
The two Technos shove her into a room; a new one. She pushes them away and they close the door behind her.
She's surprised; it's actually a decent room. 'Ram's gotten generous.'
There was a dresser and a bed, even a mirror. Leigha sighs and goes to sit on the bed. It almost chills her to think about whose room it had once been.
After a few minutes, she hears a key slide into the lock and she hears the lock snap open. There is a few seconds of hesitation and then a knock comes. Leigha stands up and, without announcing or saying anything, the door is pushed open.
Leigha is relieved, almost happy. Ved stands in the doorway smirking. He steps into the room and closes the door behind him.
"What's the news today?" she asks. Ved smiles uneasily.
"Jay found out about the program, didn't he? I knew he would figure it out, especially with Ram practically spelling it out for him..."
Ved sighs. "He didn't find out and, anyways, I sent him a message just before Ram starting talking and told him to ignore everything."
Leigha smiles but then it soon fades away. "But he will find out eventually, won't he?"
Ved shrugs. "I don't know."
"So, when is my next reality space adventure?"
Ved twitches. "In a few minutes, actually..."
Leigha bites her lip. 'Damn.'
"Does Jay know about it?"
Ved gulps. "I heard Ram speaking to him about it, I think Ram wants him there."
Leigha remembers what Ved had said during one of their last conversations:
"Ram knows that by using you, he'll force Jay to do something. He's already looking for an excuse to let Jay go. Letting him go while almost torturing you, is the best way he can think of doing it"
"Do you think this is the part where Ram tries to get Jay to do something to make him go?" she asks.
Ved nods. "Most definitely. I said it a while ago, and I'll say it again, letting Jay go while he watches you being tortured is the best way Ram can do it. He'll finally accuse Jay of having too many feelings for Virts and make him go. Jay won't go, though."
"You think so?" she asks honestly.
Ved nods again.
"Ved, whatever you do, you can't let him do anything. If he does, you have to get him the hell out of here. I know Ram's thinking more than just letting him go; he'll 'delete' him."
Ved blinks. He hadn't thought that much into it before. There is silence. Both of them are thinking.
"What if I blow the system?" Ved asks abruptly. "That would solve everything..."
Leigha frowns. "Then Ram will get off on you. You're the only person to blame, you're the only one who knows about all this..."
"So?"
"So, now if you do that, instead of Jay being 'deleted', it's you!"
Ved almost laughs. "Right, it's okay for you to risk yourself but not me?"
Leigha gives him a grim look. "Ved, Jay won't forgive me if something happens to you. You're his brother. If you die, that would only solve things once. In time, Ram would find another guy and the same thing will happen again. But it won't be the same, we won't have you around to figure everything out."
Ved shrugs and then nods. She had a point.
"So what do we do?" he asks. She shrugs.
"I guess we'll just have to wing it."
Ved nods. Leigha starts towards the door. 'No point in delaying it. It's bound to happen sometime.'
Ved follows her out the door, locking it again behind them. They begin to walk down the hallway.
"Hey, Ved?" she asks, her voice playful.
"What?"
"What do you think my worst fear should be this time?"
