The Next Day At Naughty Ottsel

Jak stepped into his shoes and headed out of the room – only to practically run into Tess and Daxter. The two little Ottsels skittered out of the way, Tess giggling and Daxter yelling, "Hey, buddy, watch where you're – oh, Jak! Where are you off to?"

"Meeting with Keira ," he said quickly, trying to get down the hall. He'd be late if people kept pestering him.

"Ooooooooo," Daxter teased, winking at Tess. "Is Jak two-timing? Good job, my boy. I knew you'd figure out how the play the field eventually."

"Daxter, that's mean!" Tess exclaimed.

"Well, Tess baby, what's he supposed to do?" Daxter asked, tickling Tess under her chin. "I mean, he can't have the most beautiful, loving and compassionate girl in the world... 'cause I've got her."

"Awwww, Daxie!" Tess cooed, leaning into him and stroking his fuzzy ear. "Come on, lets go back to the room."

Daxter glanced over his shoulder at Jak, winking. "Works every time," he mouthed before following Tess down the hall.

Jak shook his head, muttering, "Damn ottsels and was off."

Keira sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them again to look down at her she gave a small shake of her head she turned away from the bench and walked over to a small hand basin attached to the garage wall, turning on the tap to let cold water stream down over her sweaty dirty hands.

As she washed away the grease, she looked up at the small mirror that hung over the basin and over in one of the wide doorways of the garage to someone there.

Jak went from looking apprehensive to amused at the sight of Keira's still smeared face. "Hey Keira," he began, walking further into the room towards her.

"Oh, hi Jak," Keira said surprised, continuing to rub absent minded at her skin with the cloth while looking over at her friend.

"I was urr… wondering if you would like to… come and watch today's race with me?" he question was halting and awkward, and he returned to looking apprehensive, his gaze falling to the ground.

A look of surprise crossed Keira's greasy features. "But you… you mean you're not going to race?"

Jak looked up at her face again. "Hey, I don't wanna win every race, I gotta give the others a chance," Jak said more confidently in pretend arrogance, giving a small smirk.

"Besides, I wanted to… spend some time with you…"

A soft smile spread across Keira face.

"Well then, I would love to come Jak," she said gratefully, but then paused. "… but first I better finish washing up," she giggled slightly, which brought a smile to Jak's own face.

Jak and Keira edged past the knees of seated citizens in the stadiums seats, heading towards an open spot on the bench. Keira turned her face to Jak, looking at him in quiet adoration. Jak saw her out of the corner of his eye and turned to face her as well, smiling at her look.

"Thank you for this Jak I… appreciate it," Keira said softly, a small blush coloring her cheeks.

Jak returned the blush, and started moving his head closer to hers. Keira tilted her head up, her lips parting slightly as he closed her eyes as their lips touched…

Suddenly a loud voice came out of no where, "Looks like a score, nice job buddy!"Keira and Jak suddenly broke apart, and stared back towards the stadium exit seeing themselves looking at Torn.

What do want you want Torn, me and Keira trying to watch the race, Jak said annoyed. Sorry, but Ashelin just made contact with Taz and Daz at Freedom HQ we're leaving now come on, he said then began walking.

Wait we shouldn't go get Daxter? Keira said.

Jak shrugged and the two went off to go find Daxter. Jak eventually went back to the Naughty Ottsel and knocked on the door.

"Occupied!"

"Come on Dax! Open up!" Jak yelled.

"Uh, kinda busy!"

Jak scowled and kicked the door where he and Keira saw something truly disturbing.

Daxter and Tess screamed loudly.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Jak yelled, shielding his eyes while Keira blushed dark red as they stumbling out of the bar.

Jak and Keira spent the next hour trying to for get the horrible scene out of their heads of Daxter and Tess…

"Dammit. I'm officially scared" Jak said to the Keira, who was still blushing nodded in agreement. A small beeping sound broke the quiet of the moment, and Jak reluctantly pulled himself away from Keira to take the communicator out of his jacket.

"Jak, we are having a meeting and we need everyone to be there. Can you come to the freedom HQ right away?"

Jak looked over at Keira, who had composed herself, and the turned back to the communicator. "Yes I'll come… is Keira invited?" he asked dubiously, his face set in a small frown.

"I was going to contact her, is she there with you?"

"Yes," he replied, glancing across at the teal haired girl again.

"Then bring her along too," Ashelin said affirmatively, "we'll see you there." The connection cut out and the communicator shrunk again and fell into Jak's hand. He stowed it away in a jacket pocket and turned back to Keira once more.

"Are you okay to go?" he asked gently, gesturing towards her with one hand.

"I… I'm fine…" she mumbled, looking down at her hands which were fidgeting in front of her.

Alright lets go bef-"Hey! Don't forget about us! Jak was interrupted by a whiny voice exclaimed from behind him, causing him to turn around.

Both Daxter and Tess stood with their arms cross, scowling at him. "Were you just gonna leave us here?" Daxter accused, pointing a finger at Jak. Before Jak even had a chance to reply, he was interrupted again.

let's go Jak we got long trip a head of us!" Daxter smirked as he pointed towards the nearest hover car. Jak rolled his eyes and looked over at Keira, who was stifling an amused giggle.

"Why do I have to deal with these two," Jak said wearily, before turning to Keira who had been watching the scene with quiet amusement.

Then he looked down at the two ottsels again, Tess attempting to cover Daxter in kisses. Jak sighed and reached down, swiping Daxter from his partner's grasp and sticking him on his armoured shoulder.

"Heeeey!" Tess complained, crossing her arms and pouting as Jak began to walk away with Daxter. Before she could say anymore Keira knelt down beside her, smiling. Tess smiled back and leaped up onto Keira's shoulder, and began to chat away as they followed the boys.

Eventually the group linked up with the others, got some hell cats and were off.