As Jak left the mechanic shop Keira busied herself. Tess however had an instinct and acted upon it. She followed Keira to the back, instead of leaving and heading back to her undercover Krew-watching and took a seat on top of an empty repair bench.

"Alright. Spill it girl."

Keria blinked and looked over at Tess. "Spill what?"

"Your guts out."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Keria said, clearly lying and moved on with her work.

"You care for Jak."

"Well that doesn't matter. He has Ashelin."

Tess arched a curious brow. "The Baron's daughter? Neh uh."

"Yeh huh. I see the way they act around each other."

"How so?"

The mechanic set down her tools and took a seat on the floor. Girl talk. One thing she never thought she'd find herself doing. She sighed.

"You want the truth?" Tess nodded and pulled her legs up under her. "Jak and I… as well as Daxter grew up together. He didn't used to be Mr. Go-To. He was a quiet kid who caused trouble like any other boy I know. But he had an honest and child-like innocence… up until he was pumped full of eco. I just miss the old Jak and Sandover. I want things to go back to the way they were. I saw them earlier after the first race. Her hands were all over him and he got really shy, couldn't talk straight."

"Well, I can't help you with what you're missing but I can assure you there is nothing going on between Jak and Ashelin." At this, it was Keira's turn to arch the curious brow. "Ashelin and Torn have been together for some time now. Before I joined the Underground six months ago at least." Tess explained. "She's gaga over him and he's the same. They just hide it well."

"Alright. That eases my mind a bit, but not much. He's just not the same."

"I'm sure he is. He's just… busy. Give him some time."

"Tell me about it. We all are. But he's working for Krew, Krew's… no good."

Tess smiles and shook her head."No no no you've got it wrong. He, like myself, are working for Krew under Underground orders. We're there to get information. We're not doing it because we like it."

"What?" Keira jumped up. "You mean he's… I…" She flopped back to the ground and held her face in her hands. She spoke but Tess was unable to catch a word of it.

"What was that? Pick your face up and tell me what's got you all riled now."

"I found Jak…well he found me… through Krew. I didn't know it was under Underground orders. I kind of… snapped at him for it."

"And he snapped back…?"

"Yeah. That's why Daxter drove the second heat. I'm such an idiot."

"Hey now hun. We all make mistakes. Next time you see him explain to him what happened. That's all. I'm sure he'll understand."

Keria nodded and sighed again. "Thanks Tess."

"For what? A little girl chat? Eh, don't worry about it. Now gimme the scoop on Daxter. He's such a cutie."

Once more Keria blinked and arched her brow. "You serious?"

"Yes. Tell me, tell me!"

"Well… what do you wanna know?"

"Everything."

Both girls laughed and gushed about their respective males as well as bonded. Keira learned some juicy gossip about Torn and Ashelin's secret love life, and in return Tess learned some embarrassing secrets about not only Daxter but Jak and Samos as well. This was as close to a slumber party as the girls would get. And the most fun they would have for a long time.