Authors Note: Hello all! I bet no one expected this coming, eh? Me either, honestly, especially since books 1-3 have been done since 07, and even UL was finished way earlier this year. But, lately, I've been replaying the games, and about half way through the first eco cup, Tera's muse woke up completely. Basically? Her JakX form is running around my mind demanding to know why I never really worked with her. Way back when, I'd thought that just… y'know, having the one chapter with them coming back from Kras would suffice, because JakX has so little story line to work with.

Now? I'm seeing that lack of story as an opportunity. One to write a little more freely then the first three games allowed, while keeping characters in check and, of course, in character. Now, my writing style has changed quite a bit since the last book, and I'm hoping this will be better then the first three. Please just keep in mind that this is the sequel to TAE: Book 3 and the prequel to Untold Legacy, so not reading the first three books will make this a little bit confusing. Also, for arguments sake, I'm saying that JakX takes place only a few months after the end of Jak3, if only because I can't remember the canon timeline and I really can't see it being a full year later. This will have no connection to the new Jak game, either. I'm also going to say now that I will have no specific update schedule, as I both work part time and go to University full time, and this will be written when I have time, when I feel up to it.

NOW, please enjoy! :)

The sun was what woke Jak up.

For once in almost four years, it wasn't gun fire, or explosions, or an angry voice over the comm. forcing him from sleep. Just the sun; bright as it always was in Spargus, streaming through the open window to shine directly in his face. The hero grimaced, rolling onto his side to escape the pestering light, knowing it was useless. He was awake, but thankfully refreshed; actually getting a good nights sleep helped a lot. Jak still wasn't used to it, but that was okay.

He had plenty of time to adjust, plenty of time to settle down and unwind his nerves from years of constant worry and stress. There were no more enemies. No more Gol and Maia trying to flood the world with Dark Eco, no more Baron Praxis or Erol or Veger, no more Dark Makers or Metal Heads-well, okay, maybe a few more Metal Heads, but no more Kor.

Things had finally calmed down. Ashelin was in full command of Haven City once more, Torn by her side. Daxter had returned to continue running the Naughty Ottsel with Tess, and Samos and Keira had retired to a flat not to far from the new command central. The City was in the process of finally being redone; no more slums or dead town, though Samos' old hut was now a protected site.

Spargus was being repaired, to; the Dark Makers had done some damage, but nothing the Wastelanders couldn't fix. Damas, the father that Jak had never known, was alive and well thanks to a wish, ruling over the city with a strong but fair fist, Sig at his side as second in command. Kleiver remained head of the vehicles, constantly totting the ottselfied-Veger around on his shoulder. Jak fully expected him to eat the former counselor at some point, and would almost be glad if he did; Veger deserved it for all he had done.

Seem had returned to the temple with the other monks, though she still came back to report to Damas anything they found. And a certain little blue channeler had stayed with him in their now permanent flat on Spargus' oceanfront, becoming an artifact runner for the city. Speaking of…

"Ter, it's-" Jak yawned, rolling and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed without opening his eyes, "-morning. Time t'get up."

There was no response; not a sound from the other side of the room, even. She must've been sleeping pretty deeply, he almost hated to wake her up.

Almost.

"C'mon, Ter, up and at'em-" Jak pushed himself up and stopped, finally opening his eyes. It was no wonder there'd been no response; Tera's bed was already made, goggles missing from her nightstand. The hero stared for a moment, blinked, then ran a hand through messy green-blonde hair with a sigh.

It was strange, really. The girl had never been a morning person before the Dark Maker War, but ever since landing in Spargus she always seemed to be up before him, though not out of the flat. Jak grabbed his comm. from his nightstand, staring at the time in aghast. No wonder she'd already left, it was after noon for Precursor's sake. Shit; he hadn't heard anything go off to signify Damas had called, so where…

Jak grinned suddenly, a chuckle sounding as he headed to the dresser to grab some clothes; he knew without question where his other half was, even without checking for her eco signature.

Tera'd be down at the garage, working on her car again.

Pulling his tunic on and snatching his goggles from as he went, Jak snapped them on and slipped his boots on before stepping out into the daylight, a heat wave hitting him as soon as he was out.

Jak paused momentarily to take in a deep breath, loving the familiar scent of the ocean that hit him. In a decent mood, the hero hurried down the flat's steps and out onto the sand, deciding to walk rather then grab a Leaper. He returned waves from fellow Spargans as he went, occasionally shouting a reply to a question or call.

It felt good being in a city where people wanted him there, rather then the still skeptic Havenites. He fit in here, with these rough and tumble wastelanders, and he'd as much as told Daxter the same. Besides, Tera never would have moved back to Haven; she hated the place as much as he did.

The thought of the girl made him speed up, soon rounding the corner before the garage. Jak stepped up and waited for the doors to part, quietly making his way inside. The garage was quiet with no sign of Kleiver or his annoying little tagalong, and the hero crept in further, grin becoming a smirk.

Tera's boots were sticking out from under her car, and he could hear vague muttering as she worked on the Desert Screamer. Jak was silent as he stalked forwards, not wanting her to know he was there just yet. Stopping just below her feet, he bent a little, poised to strike once she wasn't expecting it…

Suddenly he seized her ankles and gave a quick tug to pull her from underneath the car, rewarded with a loud squeak and the pink bloom of a blush flooding her face as she stared up at him.

"J-jak!"

"Hello," he laughed, grasping her wrists and stepping back in order to pull her up, "Y'weren't in bed, so I figured I'd come find you."

"D-don't do that, you ass!" the blonde girl punched him weakly in the chest, but her smile betrayed her, "Almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Well now, we can't have that," the hero breathed, arms wrapping around her waist as he leaned closer, "How about I make it up to you…"

Whatever Tera may have been about to say was cut off when Jak found her lips, sufficiently silencing the smaller girl. She sighed and leaned into him, eyes fluttering closed. Her face was bright red, as usual; she still wasn't used to this…

"In the garage, cherries? Really?"

The two separated, Tera's face growing an even brighter red at the smirk Sig was sending them.

Jak only smiled lopsidedly, "Hey, not like anyone else was around."

Sig just laughed, "Got a job for you two, if y'want it. Figured I'd find Tera down here, anyways."

"Job?" the girl had perked up completely, making her boyfriend snicker.

"Storm last night churned the sands real nice, tons of artifacts got uncovered, and the marauders aren't after them yet. Y'up for a drive…?"

"Sounds good," Jak grinned when Tera pulled away, one eyebrow going up, "Well?"

"Just try and keep up this time," she winked, hopping into the Desert Screamer. The ignition sounded and she was off, sending up a cloud of smoke as she went. The two men shared a look before Jak headed for the Sand Shark, taking off after the girl. Sig just smiled and shook his head, watching the two go.

Life had definitely taken a turn for the better.