Title: Snake bites and poison apples
Author: Quick-demon
Disclaimer: All original characters and original Dialogue go to Naughty Dog and Sony. So I own nothing, just my underwear.
Rating: PG-13. Even though it has mentions of intercourse and kissing scenes there is absolutely no details of these personal acts (because its gross). Swearing will appear and may contain violence.
Genre: General, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drama, Romance (not too mushy... I hope)
Game: Jak II. After Ashelin and Kiera met and before the garage scene fight. Goes right up to and a little after Jak's defeat of Erol.
Summery: Life, Hope, Truth, Trust, Faith, Pride, Love, Lust, Pain, Hate, Lies, Kill, Laugh, Cry, Live, Die. Its the sequence of life, especially for one man..
Author notes: This fic contains no Yoai. I also just wanted to say this story was inspired by a few stories I've read as well as curiosity and lust for Ashelin and Kiera's cattiness. So if you think your one of those people, uh, I say thanks and I hope you enjoy this story.
Some mushy-ness. Not much I promise (because I hate it as much as I hate margarine) but no catty 'fic can do without it so please bare with me in those parts.
Enjoy.
"I can resist everything except temptation" Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)
The atmosphere was exhilarating and fast as the party raged onwards into the early hours of the morning. Krew was pleased that his Hip Hog Heaven bar was over crowded with paying guests. He even sold drinks at a high price but no one cared. The thumping dance music was their ecstasy and the dark room and small laser lights was their show. Alcohol was consumed excessively and the bar was filled with giggling and gurgling of drunken guests. Outside bouncers were at the front as a waiting queue lined up anxiously wanting to get in.
Jak sat with Sig in one of the booths. He took another swig of his root beer and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
"This is good shit!" Jak slurred
Sig looked at him. His dark face raised an eyebrow.
"I never had sooo much to drink in..." he paused to suppress a hiccup, "A long time"
Jak grabbed for his mug again. Sig swiftly took it way. Jak protested and glared at the bigger man.
"Hey! That's mine!" he growled
"I think you have too much to drink there Goldenboy. You're not use to alcohol," Sig said sternly
"What?" Jak growled in his drunken state, "You're not my mother! So screw you!" He rose from the booth and stepped out, "I say when I had too much to drink!"
Sig watched him walk towards the counter to order another drink. Sig turned back to his own mug and shook his head in disappointment. Jak approached the counter found no seats. He pushed a man, who was passed out on the counter, off the stool. He hit the floor hard but Jak didn't care. As he took the cleared the stool Tess approached.
"Hey Jak" she greeted with a smile
"Hey Tess!" Jak gave a grin, "I want some beer"
"Didn't you had a mug a few minutes ago?" she asked concerned
Jak shrugged, "Sig took it away from me... the bastard"
Tess gave a wry smile, "You sure you want another?"
"Yes!" Jak exclaimed
"Alright but don't blame me if you have a hangover worst than your mother-in-law's visitation"
Jak waved her off. She shrugged and pulled out a small hose and a mug and filled it up. Jak took it gratefully and began his drinking again. Tess wrote it down on a small notepad. It was Jak's fourth drink and she wrote down as his latest IOU. Jak will be really pissed when he finds out he has to pay for all of this.
"Hey where's Daxter?" Jak asked
"Hey there buddy!" Daxter rocked up on cue then he slurred, "Hey... you look funny with three heads"
"Dax man? You ok? What did you drink?" Jak frowned seeing the Ottsel's wobbliness
"Some purple stuff' Dax shrugged, "Everything is so cool. It's like I'm floating and everything looks so funny and colourful"
Jak frowned and he met Tess's eyes.
"He had Granda-tonic. Straight apparently" Tess explained feeling embarrassed for Daxter
"Shit. We got to get you home" Jak grabbed the Ottsel
"What? Why? This place is great!" Daxter protested as he was placed on Jak's shoulder, "Krew finally took my advice"
Jak drained his mug and turned to leave, "See ya Tess"
"Bye" she called but it was drowned out by the beating music.
As Jak approached the door he felt someone knock into him and he stumbled and crashed in someone else. That someone else was Ashelin.
"Oh hey Ashelin" he slurred
"Hey Jak" she replied pulling him off her
"Sorry. I think I fell or something," he mumbled close to her ear as he struggled up
"Well watch were you're going next time," she growled
Jak frowned, "What are you doing here?"
"Letting off a little steam" Ashelin replied as she sat up on the floor. She saw Jak's expression and snapped, "Can't a woman do that?"
"Well of course" Jak recovered up quickly
Ashelin took a deep gulp of her amazingly unspilt drink.
"You have too much steam?" Jak raised an eyebrow
"Bad day" she replied
After a moment of silence between them Ashelin noticed Jak was studying her. Asheling frowned but then relaxed as Jak was staring at her softly. She felt a little flutter that Jak liked her. She liked this man from the day she'd met him. He was the quiet and silent type. He actually stood up to her father so openly... something she could never do.
Their eyes connected. Jak knew he couldn't have her. She was with Torn and he was with Keira. Kiera was his love not Ashelin. Though he had feelings for Ashelin he knew it was never meant to be.
"I should go. I have to get Daxter home" Jak murmured and stood up from the floor, suddenly feeling ashamed for thinking about Ashelin over Kiera.
"I don't need to go home" came the annoyed reply from his shoulder
Jak ignored Daxter and headed for the exit. Ashelin suddenly rose to her feet, "No wait!"
Dizziness swept over her. The combination of alcohol and the speed of her horizontal decent had took toll on her mind. Ashelin was about to fall back but Jak's quick reflexes caught her before she completed it. Ashelin giggled. She felt giddy when she felt Jak catching her in his strong muscular arms and her mind affected by alcohol.
"Come on. You need to go home too" Jak replied quietly
He guided Ashelin outside and she made it on her own. Cold chili air hit them. They welcomed it as the suffocating atmosphere was traded in for the fresh open air.
"Thanks. I'm fine now" Ashelin pulled away from Jak wanting him to know she can take care of herself
"I'll see you later" Jak turned away
"You going to walk home?" Ashelin asked suddenly feeling alone
Jak shrugged, "I think I'm too drunk to drive"
"I can give you a lift" Ashelin gestured to her cruiser
"Your drunk too" Jak frowned
Ashelin smirked, "Not as much as you. Come on. The Hideout isn't that far away"
Jak looked unsure. Ashelin rolled her eyes and added, "I'll drive slow if you want me too"
Jak smiled and gave in suddenly feeling very tired, "Alright"
Jak changed his route and walked with Ashelin over to the cruiser. She drove at a normal speed. Her driving didn't seem unorthodox since she was under the influence. Maybe Ashelin was right. She was less drunk than him. Jak didn't care anymore. Daxter fell asleep behind the gear shifter. Curled up in an orange ball often muttering about some beautiful chick.
Erol sat in the crowded bar looking smug with himself. He had his own glass of beer and sat at the booth on the right hand side of the door. He saw Jak in the bar, in his drunken state. Erol looked at him with pity. Such a stupid man, Erol thought, with all that muscle and no brains. What a shame.
Then he saw Ashelin standing over the other side. She was off duty and still in her tight outfit. Erol looked at her then at Jak. A smile came upon his face as an awful idea came to mind. He knew how to get his rival into misery and claim Kiera for himself.
He casually got up from his seat and passively walked over to Jak. Jak was either too drunk or too stupid to notice Erol was right next to him. Erol faked a push and shoved the unbalanced man into Ashelin. He quickly disappeared into the bouncing crowd and watch from afar the 'accident's' aftermath.
He smiled when both of them left together. He left a minute later seeing them drive off in Ashelin's cruiser. Erol. You've done it again! Now I'll be rid of that Eco Freak and have his girlfriend too! Feeling pleased Erol jumped into his Krimzon Guard bike and zoomed off to the stadium.
Once Ashelin stopped at the Hideout Jak climbed out.
"Thanks" he gave a tired smile
He turned and stumbled a bit. Ashelin rolled her eyes.
"Men" she muttered before jumping out of her side to help Jak in
The Underground door rolled away to reveal an empty room. Ashelin knew Torn was busy on a mission with The Shadow and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Ashelin helped Jak to a bunk.
"Thanks" he muttered
She helped him to sit down but tripped in the process and for the second time that night they were on top of one another. Ashelin felt giddy again and started to giggle. It was so unlike her to be this way. She was tough, strong, independent but distant. That brought her loneliness due to the experiences she had.
Jak turned to look at Ashelin since she was on top of him. He didn't realize she was so close.
"Ashelin..." he trailed
Her face went from giggling to serious.
"Jak" she pressed closer
Jak turned his head away, "I...can't"
She reeled away. Her eyes were wide with surprise then realization, "I'm sorry"
"It's ok"
"I thought you feel the same..." Ashelin attempted again but hiding in a mask of innocence
Jak looked at Ashelin, more comfortable that her face was away from his, "I do but..."
"Kiera?" Ashelin said a little too harshly
"Yeah" Jak said hesitantly, "I'm sorry"
"Why do you hang on to her?" Ashelin question came seriously
"What?" Jak blinked at the tone
"Tell me. Why?" Ashelin pressed
"Because... because... I love her" Jak replied
"Yet her heart is with Erol" Ashelin muttered in feigned disappointment but in real disgust
"What?" Jak's eyes when wide
Ashelin looked at Jak with wide eyes, "What? Don't tell me you didn't know?"
Jak's face went into disappointment, "I guess not"
Ashelin went closer. She was so close to her desires. She had to divide and conquer. That was her father's advice in all aspects of life and she took it. Kiera was real jealous when she stepped on to the scene. She didn't blame the mechanic for being jealous of a strong willed, and sexy looking woman like herself. She just had to sever a few connections to get what she wanted all along in this hopeless and dying world.
"Jak she's playing you like a fool" she said softly, "The way she looks at you, the way she acts around you... she's scared. She can't accept you for who you are"
"But she knew me before my... change... I can't blame her" Jak reasoned
"Daxter accepted you. Samos accepted you... why can't she?" Ashelin pointed out, smiling inwardly
Jak stared intently at Ashelin. Ashelin was right. Kiera was afraid of him. She resented Ashelin for Jak and yet liked Erol? Erol liked Kiera? So that's what the Baron meant when he was talking to Erol on the night of his first confrontation with the Baron. "...If you spend half the time when you flirt with that mechanic girl to finding that child..."
Ashelin watched as his mind was carefully considering what she had said. She moved closer to his ear, "I love you. I accept you... I'm not afraid"
She moved away to meet Jak's eyes. Ashelin didn't want to be alone anymore. She wanted companion ship and love. Torn was too busy with the Underground and in previous years regulations left their relationship dry. Jak... Jak was different. He was free from the military. He was tough and strong but inside he was a gentle and kind person. Different to many men she was with previously.
Jak couldn't believe what Ashelin said. Was Ashelin telling him the truth or a lie? Was she trying to get onto him? Will she be here in the morning?
"You do?" he blurted out
"Jak... you deserve much better then what you've got," she whispered really meaning what she was saying, "You don't deserve the life that has made you this way. Ever since I met you I..."
"So you do" he cut her off
They came closer and closer, slowly braking barriers and entering comfort zones, until a kiss was enforced. Jak gave in to his desires and so did Ashelin. Under the influence of alcohol none of them though rationally about the consequences that are to come after their night together.
"Hello Kiera" came the sweetly sinister voice of Erol
"Erol!" Kiera sprang from her place at her Rift Rider
"Still working on your project?" Erol called from behind the curtain
Kiera poked her head out from the curtain, "Yeah"
"What is it anyway?" Erol asked
"A vehicle" Kiera gave a smile hoping that was enough to satisfy his curiosity
"Race?" Erol asked
"Sort of" Kiera lied
"Will I ever be able to try it out?" Erol asked
Kiera smiled cheekily, "Maybe... if you're good"
Erol smiled briefly. He liked Keira. Nice girl, she has brains, potential and she reminded him so much of his ex-wife. God he missed her. She wasn't the tough military but she was tough enough and independent. Still there was a factor of Jak that remained. Erol wanted Keira all to himself and not to Jak. She still had feelings for him and all he had to do is eliminate those feelings.
He shaped his face into a grave expression. Kiera frowned "What is it?"
"Well I don't know if you want to hear it..." Erol played on her curiosity
"Well I know some of it. I might as well know the rest of it" Kiera pressed
"Ok then" Erol sighed hesitantly, "I saw Jak and Ashelin together"
Kiera's eyes grew wide, "What!?"
"I saw them at the bar tonight. They were..." he faked a disturbing glance, "all over each other"
Kiera's eyes shook as a thin film of water came over them. Erol's face came with sympathy, "They left together"
"Are you sure? They might have been someone else-"Keira started to speak in a rush not wanting to believe the news
Erol placed his hands on her shoulders, which brought her rant to a stop and her attention to him.
"I'm sorry. I saw what I saw Keira" His eyes showed true honesty. He didn't have to lie for this one so convincing her was easier.
She felt betrayed. How could Jak do this to me? I loved him since we were kids! I thought he knew I love him. I thought he loved me... Maybe he doesn't love me anymore. We have things so less in common now that he's altered with that...thing in him.
"How... how-how could he?" she chocked
Erol moved closer, "I guess he liked Ashelin more"
"But... but... We loved each other!" Kiera sobbed still in disbelief
"Listen Kiera" Erol pointed her chin up so their eyes could meet, "I'm going to tell it to you straight. Jak died long time ago. What he had for you died to the monster he has become. I unfortunately seen first hand what Dark Eco does to people. It changes them to a point where they are empty and emotionless only to themselves"
Erol made his features and his voice sympathetic. He covered the lie well and had Keira wrapped around his pinky finger.
"I tried to tell you before. I knew this would happen. He simply forgotten his life with you" Erol hung his head
Kiera pulled and turned away. She suppressed some sobs but some did escape from her lips. Tears overflowed from her eyes and were now rolling down her pristine cheeks. She felt a skinny hand on her right shoulder. Then felt the arm pull her towards the owner's body. Giving her a sideways hug.
"I'm sorry Kiera" came the sympathetic voice of Erol, "I didn't want to tell you but I don't want to hide the truth from you. I'll be as bad as Jak if I'd did that..."
"Oh Erol..." she curled to his chest and started to cry. Her heart broken she felt a throbbing ache of emotions and hurt. She felt vulnerable at that point and Erol was there to be the shoulder to cry on. Tears came freely and sobs raked her body. Erol comforted Kiera. Her face was buried in his clothing so he allowed himself the comfort to show disgust.
He really didn't like clingy crying types. But he found out all women at some point or stage were like that. He looked at Kiera in disgust at her behavior. So she really did like Jak! What a crybaby! I should have worn my other suit. This one is dry clean.
"I'm sorry" Kiera muttered in his clothing
Pathetic! He growled in his mind
"Its ok Kiera. Take all the time that you need" Erol replied softly resisting the urge to inject sarcasm
Kiera pulled away and wiped her tears, "Thanks"
"Thanks for what?" Erol frowned truly confused by her words
"Being here for me. Putting up with me" she wiped her nose on the back of her hand
Erol fell back into his charm, "I'm always here for you Kiera"
He moved closer and brushed away a tear, "When ever you need me"
She saw the compassion his eyes. He was truly here for her. She knew he had feelings for him and his loyalty to her was great compared to Jak. She suddenly felt her cheeks go red and her ears burn. Erol smiled as he read he expression as a blush.
"Thanks... I need some time alone now," she said quietly
Erol gave her a hug. It felt emotionless and cold but Kiera accepted it just the same. Erol pulled away a few seconds later.
"Oh of course. Good night. Don't be up too late" Erol turned and left the garage
Keira felt her heart flutter. How could I be so blind?! Erol was the one here for me all along. He was here, interested in me and I ignored it for my feelings for Jak! I never want to see Jak ever again! That two timing jackass!
"Good night" she called before returning to her 'secret project'
Erol smiled to himself. Now that was set all he had to do was move in for the kill.
Oh no! How cruel of Erol using Kiera like this! Will Kiera ever find out the truth? Will Jak and Ashelin ever recover from the consequences that are to follow and will Daxter ever stop drinking and dreaming of women? Ok I know that was irrelevant but Daxter has some serious issues there. Quick click to Chapter 2 to find out!
Review! Please? Pretty please? I want to know if this good to keep going with.