A young slender blonde woman was pacing up and down the hideout as Torn leant against the table, waiting for the arrival of Jak, Daxter, Aimee and Kirstie.

"Tell me again why I'm looking after this girls child?" Tess sighed over-dramatically.

"Because I need her and Jak to do a mission," Torn told her as he rolled his eyes. "And she won't be able to do it if she's got a kid with her, will she?"

"Fair point, but she's going to have to come with me to the bar," Tess pointed out. "And I don't wanna get shouted at for it,"

"Shouted at for what?" Jak asked as he came into the hideout. Aimee, Kirstie and Daxter followed him. Torn smirked a little as he saw Aimee was wearing the clothing he'd provided for her.

"Right, kid. You're gonna be staying with Tess for the day," Torn explained to Kirstie, barely glancing at her as he spoke. "Your mommy's gonna be out with Jak doing some work for me,"

Kirstie clung to Aimee's hand as she looked at Torn through big brown eyes. It was quite obvious he terrified her.

"I'm not leaving her," Aimee told him sharply. "You can forget that," Torn looked at her with another smirk.

"You'd rather take your daughter out where there's a load of metal heads then leave her here where she'll be safe?"

"Metal heads?" Aimee's expression turned blank. "What the hell are they?"

"I forget you've only just come here," Torn said. "Metal heads are creatures that live outside the city walls. If they enter the city, the Baron has promised he'll keep them at bay so we can fight back. But I'm seriously doubting that."

"Why?" Aimee asked as she seated herself on one of the bunks. Kirstie sat on her knee, and Aimee stroked her fingers through her soft blonde hair as they listened to Torn.

"Last time the metal heads broke through the old city walls, the Baron pulled back into the new city. Everyone who was outside the new city was left to die. I was there when it happened. Serving in the Crimson Guard. I wish I hadn't been in the guard. Some of the things that I saw during my time. It was unbelievable." He ran his hand across his forehead as though he had a headache. "I managed to save some people. But the ones I couldn't save died. I blame myself. I wasn't efficient enough to save them."

"Don't say that," Aimee told him. "You did your best. And you managed to save a lot of people. That should count for something." She seemed to be avoiding the fact that he'd mentioned he was once in the Crimson Guard, the group who were hunting her and Kirstie relentlessly. "I'm sure the people you saved are eternally grateful for what you did for them."

Jak and Tess stood in silence as they listened to the conversation. One minute Aimee and Torn were exchanging looks that could kill. The next they were getting on like a house on fire. Confusing but rather amusing to watch.

"What's the mission, Torn?" Jak asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Well obviously it's outside the city walls, cause he mentioned metal heads," Aimee pointed out.

"One of our agents is missing out there, and we need you two to bring him home safe." Torn explained. "He went out to the pumping station to collect something that was being dropped off. And we haven't received any word from him. He's been gone since yesterday morning."

"Lets go then," Aimee stood up again. "He could be in serious danger,"

"Nice to see you care," Torn smirked as Kirstie went to take Tess' hand. "Jak, the zoomers outside waiting for you. Don't screw this up." He added warningly as Aimee and Jak turned to go.

"Dax, are you coming?" Jak asked as Aimee walked up the stairs and out of the hideout.

"Nah, I'm gonna stay with Tess today." Daxter replied as he jumped onto her shoulder. "You two have fun," He gave Jak a lewd wink before talking to Tess. Jak raised an eyebrow and shook his head before turning and going up the stairs.

Aimee was standing waiting by the zoomer, looking up at the sky. She had a soft, almost wistful look on her face. Like she was hoping something was going to happen, or something be going to fall out of the sky. Like she had. Jak stood next to her, looking up. "What are we waiting for?"

"Nothing." Aimee shook her head as she looked at him. "I was just admiring the sky, I guess."

Jak smiled at her before mounting the zoomer. Aimee mounted behind him and put her arms round his abdomen. Jak paused, blushing for a moment before setting off.

"This is quite a big city," Aimee admitted as they sped along. "It's bigger then I thought. You know, from looking at it through a window."

"Lots of people say that," Jak told her. "It's because there are different sectors to Haven City. And you need a type of key to be able to access most of them. So, many people only see one sector of Haven City for their whole lives."

"That bites," Aimee sighed.

"What does?" Jak asked, expecting her to point at a creature on the ground.

"… Forget it," Aimee shook her head. "It's just a saying. It means it's not good."

"Ah," Jak nodded and smiled a little. "We're here," He added after a few seconds silence. He stopped the zoomer and waited until it reached a stopping point, jumping onto the little dock. "Come on, Aims." He held his hand out for her to take. Assist her. Aimee smiled before taking his hand.

"Nobody's called me Aims for a long time," She told him as she jumped off the zoomer, landing on the edge of the dock. "You're the first."

"Great," Jak nodded as he let go of her hand. Aimee smiled as she watched him walking towards a large door. He was a really nice person. And of course, she couldn't ignore the fact that he was absolutely gorgeous too. Not that anything would happen between them. She'd heard him and Daxter talking about someone called Keira last night. And from the way they were talking, it sounded like Jak and Keira were really close to each other. Close enough to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

Oh well, She smiled. I guess I should be happy that we're friends. We've only just met after all, how can I even think of wishing he liked me as more then a friend?

She shrugged her shoulders and followed him towards the door.