Growing Desires

(A/N): Hey there! Yeah it’s has been a while. I feel little guilty not updating soon enough. I can’t promise frequent updates but I have plans this week to wrap things up. And when That means for me no more sleeping 18 hours a day, drinking, sleeping some more going out at night. Sorry I’ve really slacking on vacation time.

WARNING: This Chapter contains crude languages and mild violence.

Disclaimer: I do not own Jak and Daxter/2/3/ or X.

***Chapter Seven: Tension Part One***

((Jak POV))

I woke up with Ashelin in arms and she was still sound asleep. In fact it looked like the night had just started for her. I slipped out of bed quietly, trying my best not to make a sound. My intention was to leave the building as soon as possible without anyone noticing. Or worse, finding out what I’ve done. But I couldn’t help but stop and look back at her. Sprawled in bed with the white sheets wrapped around her body like silk. A ray of sunlight gleamed on her face before she turned away from it and groaned. I could’ve looked at her for forever.

‘I love you.’ I thought to myself. ‘I love her? Oh great god of light ego, I am in love with her.’

This was bad, real bad. I love Ashelin but I’m still in love with someone else. How could we possibly continue doing this? Without hurting the ones we care about. I felt ill. I literally felt sick to my stomach. It was guilt. It had to be, I fucked up. Even when Keria didn’t know about us I was still hurting her. It was time I stopped pretending, lying, and sneaking around like a dirty kanga-rat. I knew all this had to end. For good.

“Arrggghhhkkkk!” Pecker squawked as he flew in from the balcony. “What in the world happened in here?”

I grabbed his tail and covered his mouth with my hand. “SHHHH!” I turned around to make sure Ashelin was still asleep. She hardly moaned. Once I was certain it was safe I left the room, the door slide closed behind us.

“I hope I wasn’t disturbing anything.” Pecker said when managed to loosen himself from my grip. “From the mess it looked like you two gotten little rough last night, hmm?”

“That’s none of your business.” I said.

He landed on my shoulder. “Ah, a true gentlemen never kiss and tell. I understand.”

I rolled my eyes not even wanting to explain the irony in that line. “What did you come here for Pecker?” I asked.

“Oh of course, it almost slipped my mind. Onin knows a portal that will lead straight to the Precursors themselves. They hold the key that will unlock the ultimate weapon. It will blow up Errol’s ship before it collides onto the planet.”

“You’re kidding!” I said a little too excited.

“Arrghhkk, This is nothing to kid about my amigo. This is serious business. We might be able to save the world after all.”

“How do I get there? Is it in Spargus?”

“It’s here, in this very city. But I’m pretty sure that portal is heavily guarded by those gruesome black eco monsters. Come to think of it that was the very same place Veger was trying to find. ”

“Then it won’t belong till he finds it too. Let’s go...” I stopped and thought for a moment. My eager excitement to save world was gone in a instant.

“Let’s what?” Pecker asked, “Jak what’s wrong?”

“There’s something important I have to do first.” I walked down the stairwell and Pecker followed close behind.

“More important than saving the world!” He yelled.

“Yes.”

“What is it then?”

“I need a drink.” I said.

Pecker was dumbfounded and scratched his head. Unlike Daxter he didn’t chatter away or scorned me. He flew silently by my side. I’m sure he wanted to know if I was actually serious about what I said. I was. But a drink, especially at the Naughty Ottsel wasn’t just a way of killing time or forgetting about my problems. It was the only way I could confront them.

***

Jinx was past out at the bar with a bottle of whiskey still in his hand. Pecker stood on a table while I walked over to the counter and picked up the bottle. I held in the air for a second while looking at Jinx’s drooling face. I let go and it fell to ground. Shattering into a thousands little pieces. He jolted his face off the counter and groaned, rubbing his face. He looked at me, then to the counter, to floor, then back to me once again.

“Mmph hell is ya problem?” He mumbled.

“Where’s Dax, I need to talk to him.” I said.

“Oh my aching head....I know ya didn’t wake me up to ask ‘bout a little orange fur ball?”

“Yeah I did, where is he?”

“One day pretty boy I’m gonna sock ya one right across tha...”

“What’s with all tha racket.” I heard Dax yell from his upstairs room.

“Dax get down here!” I yelled back.

“Would’ja guys stop yelling, gods.” Jinx said massaging his temples. “Not that ya give a yak’s dick but I’m suffering from a sickness here.”

“A hangover is not a sickness, Jinx.” I told him.

I heard light foot steps coming slowing down the stairs, at the push of a door Daxter stood tall, well as tall as he could be. His fur messy, his eyes still trying to adjust to the lights, and he continued to scratch his back. It’s hard to believe I came to that guy for guidance.

“Do you know what time it is Jak?” He asked, “It’s way early in the morning. Tessy-poo is trying to catch up on her beauty sleep. When she doesn’t she looks like a gargoyle. Hands to the Precursors, I love her but you don’t want to see here with bags under her eyes and a grumpy attitude only a metal head could match...”

“Dax I need a drink.” I interrupted.

“Now, It’s not even happy hour.”

“Daxter.” I said more sincerely. “I really need a drink.”

His ears twitched as he finally understood my meaning. He hopped to the back of the bar and rummaged through the wine and whisky bottles. He jumped on top with a blue bottle that was half-full. Blue Oasis. A few weeks after Damas found us in the desert Daxter and I made a pat. Whenever something shitty happened or we really need to a heart on heart guy talk we would drink a cup of Blue Oasis together.

He popped open the cork and poured me a glass. “It’s Ashelin ain’t it?” He said as if he knew the answer.

“How’d you know?” I said.

“Call it a very obvious hunch. Have seat mac.” I did and Pecker joined in too. Dax pulled out a white cloth and started to wipe the counter.

“So what’s problem between you and breast with legs?” Jinx asked.

Before I could think of a lie Pecker answered for me. “He and the General Ashelin are having a fling.”

Jinx had a humors look on his face. As for me I didn’t care if people found out about us anymore. Well, except for one particular person...Or two.

“I can’t believe this.” Jinx pointed at me “You are fuckin’ the leader of Haven City? Oh screw that, you’re fuckin’ Torn’s women! Now I’d admit I wanted to da same thing but I like my balls attached to my body.” He started to laugh.

As usually I ignored Jinx and took a sip of my drink. I expelled a large sigh before I drank again.

“I’m going to tell her.” I said.

Dax stopped cleaning the counter. “Tell who what?”

“I’m going to tell Keria the truth about me and Ashelin.”

He leaned over and patted my head with his small furry hand. “Jak, what I’m going to say to you now is because I know how...” He paused “Limited your knowledge about women is. WHAT ARE YA STUPID!” He yelled.

Pecker butted in “You cannot tell your lover that you are lovering someone else.”

“The pest are right.” Jinx said “You have two hot dames. I say keep’em both and don’t let Keria know about the other girl.”

“You guys don’t know how hard it is for me to keep doing this behind her back.” I said.

“What’s so hard about it? Don’t tell her and do em’ both. It’s not rocket science chemist history.”

“I still love Keria and I don’t want to hurt her.” I got up from my chair ready to leave.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait.” Dax repeated “You don’t want to hurt Keria because you still love her. Sooooooo you’re going to tell her that you’re sleeping with someone else. Dose that make any sense to you buddy?”

Honestly I didn’t realize how completely idiotic my idea was until Dax explained it to me. I slumped back down to my stool and dropped my head on the counter.

“I don’t know what the hell to do anymore. I don’t want hurt Keria or leave Ashelin. And it’s not like I can stay with Ashelin. Torn’s still in love with her. When he finds out he’ll...He fucking trusted me with her!”

I frowned. “Torn doesn’t trust anyone else. Not even Ashelin. But he trusted me...To protect her. ”

The bar was silent for moment as I sat there drowning in my own guilt. There was no way I could solve this without anyone getting hurt. I fell into a hole which I dug myself and I couldn’t get out. After a minute I started babbling off again.

“I knew Keria my whole life. When we were kids I pulled pranks on her all the time. Messed with her inventions, screw with a few wires, steal a couple of tools. I just wanted to see her angry. She was such a dork.” I chuckled. “I grew up and fell love with that beautiful, caring, science geek. I know this is kinda stupid but I seriously thought it was impossible leaving her for anyone else.”

I finished my drink. “Then I came here and everything changed. When I was in prison I thought I died and went to hades. The only thing that kept me alive in there was the will to see Keria again. When I escaped I saw a completely different world. Funny, they call this place Haven but Sandover was really my refuge. That place blinded me from seeing how the world really is and I never wanted to go back. Even before I knew that I never could.”

“When I her found Keria posing as a mechanic at the stadium, I was surprised to see her. She was the only person that reminded me of how happy I once was. But after she found out I changed and what I could turn into she avoided me. Treated me as if I was the bad guy. I don’t blame her though. But it’s not like I had a choice.”

“Then there was Ashelin. Oh man was she something else. When we first met she was going to shoot me in the head. Not exactly love at first sight but I never felt so crazy about a girl in my life. I never met any women like her. So goddamned stubborn but I know how soft she really is. Ever since that day I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I wanted to be close just to hear that voice. I jumped at the chance to partner up during missions. I never knew I would fall in love with her. Can’t you believe this could happen, Dax? Dax?”

“Huh?” He looked up. “Oh sorry I kinda drifted off, what where you saying?”

I looked over and saw Jinx snoring and Pecker plucking off some wilted feathers. Seemed that no one was paying attention. Not surprised.

“Maybe I should head out.” I said.

“Now hold on Jak. I can juggle two women at the same time, blind folded, while walking on a tight rope. The best advice I can give you is do not tell Keria... ”

“Don’t Tell me what?”

A quick chill ran down my back when I heard her soft cheerful voice from the door. I looked over my shoulder and saw Keria walking towards me and the bar door sliding shut. I squeezed the empty glass in my hand so hard I didn’t even realized I cracked it.

“What?” She said anxiously as all eyes in the bar, including the suddenly woken Jinx, was on her.

“It’s...” I didn’t know if I should lie or finally tell her the truth. I swallowed the dry lump in my throat and stood to face her. “Keria I...I need to talk to you.”

The bright smile on her face slowly disappeared. “What? Did something happen?”

Daxter jumped on my shoulder. “Pecker and I stole some of your panties last night.”

“Arrgggkkk! Don’t drag me into this!”

“Dax!” I yelled at him.

“No, no, no Jak don’t try to cover for us. Let me take responsibility for my own actions here.”

Keria blink a few times. “You and Pecker stole my...Panties. Why...Why would you do that?”

Dax shrugged “We had a little to much to drink last night and Pecker talked me into doing it. Just this whole crazy thing, ya know. Us wild-n-crazy animals can go a little...Crazy sometimes.” He forced a laugh.

“Oh-kay.” She said. “That’s its?”

“Yeah and we took a few bras too.”

“For now on, I want no furry little animals near my underwear. Got it?”

“I’ll try to help Pecker control his urges.”

I saw Pecker grinding his teeth together while giving Dax the death stare.

“Anyway,” Keria looked back to me. “I was looking all over for you last night. Where have you been? It’s like I could never find you.”

Looking into Keria bright eyes I reconsidered telling her the truth. She seemed to cheerful that morning. “I was out...Uh doing something.” I lied.

Jinx chuckled.

“Killing a few vicious monsters I bet.” She held my hand. “I finished my latest invention last night, it might be able to help on your next mission. It’s really great, probably the best thing I created in months...”

Before she could finish, Tess came hopping down the stairs barefooted. Her blonde hair was in a messy ponytail wearing long pink night gown.

“Good morning everyone!” She sang.

“Good morning my sleeping beauty.” Dax purred. “Slept well?”

“I was sleeping wonderfully until Jak came in yapping about Ashelin.”

I felt Keria squeezed my hand. That happy cheerful scientist was now a specious looking girlfriend.

“What did she say?”

“Nothing!” I said too quickly.

“Wait, Jak you didn’t tell her yet?” Tess asked.

‘Shutup you air head!’ I screamed only in my head. “Yes, I already told Keria about Dax and Pecker. Okay Tess.!”

“No, you didn’t say anything about Daxter. Remember? You came in yelling for him to give you a drink. And you were telling him something about letting Keria know the truth about Ashelin and...”

“Baby you didn’t hear that,” Dax said trying to convince her. “You where all the way upstairs. You heard wrong.”

“Dax,” She giggled. “the floors are like so hallow. I can hear everything. And I know I heard Jak saying he’s in love with Ashelin. Duh. What? Did you guys forget or something?”

That was it. The truth was told in the worst way possible. Keria jerked her hands away from me and took a few steps backward. Her eyes staring at the floor. She opened her mouth but closed it. Her silence was killing me inside. I reached out for her but she kept going back

“W-what?”

“I said that I heard Jak says he’s in love with Ashelin.” Tess repeated louder. “And you guys are saying that I’m not hearing things right.”

“Baby...Nooooo....” Dax jumped from my shoulder’s to Tess’s and whispered in her ear.

“Oh! I didn’t know it was supposed to be a secret!” She squeaked. “Man this is like really, really embarrassing for me.” I swear that girl doesn’t have a single brain cell in her head.

Keria looked up and crossed her arms, refusing to show how hurt she is on the inside. “So,” She began, “You’re in love with Ashelin now, Jak?”

“Keria it’s not that easy to explain...”

“When where you going to tell me? You don’t, you don’t.” Her voice started to crack and she took a few breaths before starting. “You don’t love me anymore?”

“I do love...”

“That’s not what I just heard.” She paused. “Oh my...Oh it all makes sense now.” She started breathing in a little faster. “Did you two... You know...Did you sleep with her Jak.”

I hesitated. “I-I never really...”

“Jak just cut it okay!” She yelled. “You’re a horrible liar so you might as well tell me truth! Okay!”

“I don’t see how this is going...To help. It wont make a difference me telling you...”

“Oh for the gods’ shake Jak. It’s a yes or no question! Did you sleep with Ashelin!”

I took time to think before I said anything. “Yeah, we did.”

She almost lost it, she almost burst out in tears but held it in. “W-Was it a one time thing or did you two do it more than I want to know.”

“I don’t know, I lost count...” I can almost see Dax and the guys lowering their heads in disbelief of what I just said. It was at that time I really missed being a mute.

She put hands over her for head. She stared up at the ceiling and started to laugh. Not the reaction I wasn’t expecting. “Oh Precursors, I knew it. I knew it all along and still managed to be a fucking, mindless, idiot.” She put her hands down and went towards the back exit.

“Keria wait!” I ran and spun her around. “I want to talk about this.”

“Talk!?” She slap across the face. It didn’t hurt but I could only imagine a sting. Then she pushed against my chest with great force.

“First I had to hear from Tess that you’re in love with Ashelin,” She pushed me again. “Then I found out you’ve been sleeping with her behind my back,” She hit for the last time. “And now you want to talk, like magically you’re going to say something that will make everything better! Oh god, you’re nothing but a...A... Dirty lying little ottsel!”

“Ouch.” Dax whispered.

She lowered her head down at floor and put her hands over her face. She couldn’t hold it in anymore. She started to cry. “I can’t look at you. I don’t even want you right now.”

Feeling lower then shit, I just stood there and watched the tears fall between her fingers. I couldn’t help but wrap my hands around her small warm body. To my surprised she didn’t fight back. Instead she grabbed my shirt and buried her face in my chest.

“I didn’t want you to find out like this, I swear.” I whispered. “I still care a lot about you, I do.”

“Liar.” She sobbed.

“I wouldn’t lie about something like that. I fucked up big time, I admit it. And I should’ve told you sooner.”

“How could you. You’re supposed to be the hero...Hero’s don’t let the people they care about get hurt. Not even like this.”

“Keria I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for what I did and I can’t say if I could go back in time things would be different. Keria... I’m in love with someone else.”

She broke our hug and with out turning back she left. It’s funny, really, how much it actually hurt me. Physically I felt my chest tighten in pain, emotionally I...Didn’t know what I was feeling, I just wanted it to go away. But I knew I deserved it. I probably deserved more. I broke her heart. ‘Hero’s don’t let the people they care about get hurt.’ Her words were echoing through my mind over and over again.

I heard a sob coming from behind me. When I looked it was Tess wiping her tears away with a tissue.

“That was...Sadder then any movie I’ve ever seen...” She sniffed. “...Oh, I’m sorry Jak. I didn’t mean to break you guys up. Honest.”

I looked at her no longer mad or amazed by her stupidity. “I know, Tess.” I walked over to one of the tables and leaned my hands against it. “She was going to find out sooner or later. Besides this was really is all my fault.”

I grabbed the edge and lifted the table off the ground it was bolted to. “It’s all my fucking FAULT!” I yelled before throwing the table at the mirror behind the bar counter. Jinx and Pecker dodge the flying table by a inch. Before it collided with mirror. Tess squeaked and grabbed Daxter against her breast. I sat on floor and rubbed my hands over my face then my hair. Dax, who I was sure hated leaving the comfort of Tess’ breast, forced himself out of her grasped and scurried his way across the room to my side.

“Hey buddy.” He greeted.

“Hey Dax.” I said.

And that was it. The end of our best conversation yet. I didn’t want to talk and he knew that. I didn’t want to explain how I felt and he knew that. I didn’t want to get up and have a drink. And he knew that. I just wanted him there. You think it was odd, but just him standing there next to me was enough to make me feel just a little bit better.

***

It wasn’t till late that night I left the Naughty Ottsel with Dax on my shoulder and Pecker sitting in the passenger’s side of the zoomer. Dax decided to close the bar down for a day while the repair men fixed the damages I caused. I apologized and told him I would pay for everything. He said not worry about it. Apparently he’s has been stealing money from me for weeks and he’ll pay for it himself.

Even after the incident with Keria I didn’t forget what Pecker told me that morning about the gateway to the Precursors. This was our only chance to save the world and I can’t let my wrecked state of mind screw that up. I followed Pecker’s directions all the way to the most ruined part of the city. The place where the palace came crashing down.

I drove the zoomer as close as I possibly could inside the ruins but Pecker said it was wise we walked to get to our destination. We jumped out and hiked our way in through the cold ruins. It so dark it was hard to see what was in front of us, but I trusted Pecker and followed him every step of the way.

Then I heard a extra pair of foot steps coming from behind. Carrying the best weapon I had, courtesy of Damas, I spun around and turned on the little light on the scope of my gun. Daxter and Pecker quickly hid behind my leg for safety. Or use me as a human sheild.

“I know when I’m being followed. So you might as well come out.” I said scanning the area.

“You’re a little rusty, cause I’ve been following you for hours.” the man said.

He rose from the darkness, wearing his usually K-G uniform, with his favorite gun strapped to his back and knife on his belt. That tattooed son-of-a-bitch.

“Shit Torn.” I said relieved. “If you were following me for that long why didn’t you say samething?”

“Don’t know.” He answered. “I guess I was planing to kill’ya.”

It was a awkward dead air silence before he started laughing. Which didn’t make me feel any easier.

Dax sighed before jumping back on my shoulder. “Shouldn’t ya be in the med room back at the HQ?” he asked.

“Green eco,” He said lifting up his sleeve showing us the scar where his huge gash should be. “It does wonders.”

“How did you know where I was?” I asked.

“The shadow...I mean Samos gave me the heads up. After I saw the empty zoomer it was easy to track you down.”

“You make me sound like fugitive.” I joked.

“Yeah I did, didn’t I?” He walked pass me practically bumping shoulders. “Com’on if we plan to get to the gate before Veger, we have to move fast.”

“Right.”

We walked side by side with each other until Torn noticed a tunnel in the wall. Most likely made from a metal head. It was high above ground so we started climbing up. Pecker, of course flew to the top and waited for us. Torn was moving faster then me and I tried to keep up.

“Jak.” Dax whispered in my ear.

I grunted trying to reach for a hold. “Yeah...Dax...”

“Doesn’t Torn seems ta be acting...I dunno, different.”

I finally got a hold of the ledge and pulled myself up. “What do you mean?”

“Well, he acting all...”

“That’s just the way he is, don’t worry about it.” I assured him.

Dax didn’t looked too convinced but he dropped it. When we got to the tunnel it was long and dark and seemed never ending. Something we were all used to by now. Pecker gulped.

“I don’t think you guys need me anymore. I’ll just get in the way.” He quickly flew off. “Good luck my friends, and remember the future of this world is in your hands. So don’t screw up!”

“I can’t believe this guy!” Dax growled. “You good for nothin’ COWARD!” He yelled out into the night sky.

“Com’on we can’t waste anymore time.” Torn said walking forward.

I followed Torn through the tunnel. The further we traveled the more narrow it became. We were barely able to squeeze our way out when we came to the end. We climbed back down to the wide open space of debris and large cracks in the ground. Which made me think, if this was really the path to the gateway then it should be more heavily guarded. There where no metal heads or Eco monsters in sight. I couldn’t feel them either.

“We might be headed in the wrong direction.” I told Torn.

“If that was so then Samos wouldn’t have sent us here.”

“Yeah like we can really trust that senile old geezer.” Dax complained. “Him and the old bat could be leading us straight to our deaths ya know.”

“Right now he’s the only one we could trust.” he said. “Let’s keep going till we find something.”

Feeling quite uneasy I followed him for a good hour. Not knowing what to expect in a place that was foreign to me. After a few minutes it started to drizzle. Daxter complained about his fur going to fluff after the rain. I don’t know if it was the rain but the ground underneath me felt softer. I looked down and realized we were walking on a unusually large patch of dirt.

Torn was slowing down but I kept walking until I was a few feet ahead. The ground seemed to be getting softer. In fact it was sinking because of our weight.

“Torn,” I said looking down. “Something’s really strange about this...”

Suddenly a enormous wave of heat hit in the back and I saw red. I screamed in pain and fell on my knees. I thought I was hit by a bolt lighting. My nerves where stinging and my entire body shivered. Daxter was on the ground too, curled up in a ball.

“Does it hurt Jak?” Torn asked.

I turned to look to see if it was really him that did this to me. Before I saw anything I was kicked in the jaw.

“Does it hurt?” I kicked again in the gut. “I hope it hurt like hell!”

He lifted his gun he held in his right hand and shot me again. Not with bullets but shock wave of pure electricity that felt oddly familiar.

“AAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!” I remember this.

He shot me again.

“RAARGGUUGHHH!” I remember this pain. It was the same gun they used on me when I was prison. It was the only weapon that kept me in tacked.

“Of all the things I thought you were capable of,” He said with almost no emotion. “I never knew you could do that to her.” He shot me but this time I manage to hold in my cries.

“I was planing to do this quickly. Slit your throat, put a bullet in your head maybe when you weren’t looking. But what kind of person I’ll be if didn’t let you suffer first.”

Before he could pull the trigger Dax jumped on his arm and sunk his small teeth through his skin. “Get off you dirty rat!” He grabbed his tail and threw him so far he came in collision with a broken pillar. Knocking my best friend out cold.

Getting angry I stood up. “Leave him alone!”

“I’m not interested in that rat!” He aimed his gun at me. “I just want you dead!”

I grabbed the gun and punched him across the face. He lost the hold of his weapon but he still had control of fist. He grabbed my shoulder hunching me over and drove a punch in my stomach. Without falling I tackled him down and hit him again. Then again. And again.

Without noticing he took his blade out and cut me on the inside of my arm. He kicked me off and I fell back but got up before he did. Bleeding from a very deep cut I held my left arm, looking at his bloody nose and mouth.

“What are you waiting for, huh?” He said smiling. “Com’on change Jak! Cause there’s no fucking way you can kill me like this.”

“I’m not going to kill you.” I said.

“Bullshit. I know you want to. It’s just itching ya ain’t it?”

“I am NOT going to kill you Torn!” I repeated.

“You’re going to, cause I’m going push into corner where you wont have a goddamn choice.”

I stared into cold eyes, knowing how serious he was. And oh how my dark side wanted to take that challenge. I snarled.

“Com’on Jak! Show me who you really are inside. Who you always were. ” He taunted, “A ECO FREAK!”

I growled into the air and the skies lit up a bright purple color. The small drizzling of rain became a furry of wind and water. My hands became pale and my nails grew long and sharp. I felt unbreakable, powerful, even immortal.

For the first time I saw through the eyes of the monster. I was aware of my surroundings, I knew what was happening, I was in control. When I looked up I saw Torn face. Fearless and more than ready for my first strike.

‘What would you do now?’ Someone said. ‘He tried to kill you. Are you going to do the same?’

“YES!” I said aloud in a grating voice.

‘You should. You should tear him into pieces.’

I smiled devilishly at the thought of ripping Torn’s guts out and ripping his skin off slowly. I was starting to plan which one I would do first.

‘After all, you did nothing to wrong him.’

“I...Did....” My animalistic voice began to die off. “I did.”

‘So, will you kill him for something you’ve done, Jak?’

I barely shook my head.

‘Then don’t fight Jak, Don’t fight. Remember not all battles can be won by brute force.’

That’s what Damas told me when I was in desert. When I heard those words I changed back to my normal self. Not wanting to continue the fight. Torn looked surprised, then pissed.

“What are you doing!” He yelled. “Change back you moron! You wont have chance beating me like this!”

I didn’t say a word.“So you’re not going to fight, is that it?” He asked and again I said nothing. “Fine,” He spoke in low voice. “Have it your way!”

He gripped his knife and charged. I wasn’t going to stop him. I wasn’t going to dodge either. If that was the way my life was going to end, by the hands of my friends who I betrayed, then that’s they way it was going to be then.

After Torn was only a few inches of a good clean decapitation the ground beneath us caved in. Falling to a black hole to our deaths the only image in my mind was Ashelin. After that, I don’t remember much.

***End of Chapter Seven part one***

(A/N): Well Jak, it looks like you found that hole you dug (Bad pun) and manage to drag Torn down there with you! Dark hole, best friends now worst enemy, knives, guns, or dear, oh my indeed.

Next Chapter: See what happens through Ashelin’s and Jak’s eyes. Which comes to our biggest question in the entire story: Will there be a cat fight between Keria and Ashelin? Will Daxter be able to wake up in time to see it? Find out in Chapter 7 part two: Tension.