A/N: This is it everybody, the final Chapter of "Growing Desires". It's only taken me, what? Five years to complete nine chapters! Damn. I know it's been a long time but I'm hoping new readers will enjoy my story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Jak and Daxter/2/3/X or the Lost Frontier. The property is rightfully owned by Naughty Dog.
-Chapter Nine: Life is Good-
A cargo ship landed in the docks. The back door opened and Jak stood up from his seat and stretched out his limbs. It was late in the afternoon and it has been a very long trip from the desert. He walked off the cargo ship and thanked the driver. He looked around at the docks expecting to see Daxter, since he promised he would pick him up by the time he arrived. Of course he wasn't there and Jak sighed; he knew that Dax had forgotten him again. Ever since Tess was transformed into an ottsel his mind has been elsewhere.
But strangely enough Jak wasn't mad at his friend for forgetting him; in fact he was sure that he could use the walk after sitting down for so long. He started to walk away from the docks and past a crowd of workers opening large crates of supplies and materials. Soon he entered through the city gates and into the large city streets. Zoomers whizzed by from above, people crowed the streets looking for shops, and the loud sound of machinery and construction was everywhere.
It has been one year since the war between the metal heads and Haven city has ended. The city was once again at peace. The walls were being rebuilt including the massive areas that were destroyed by the monsters and K-G bots. Even the population started to grow; the thousands of people who left Haven city during the war returned, hoping to start a new life here again. Even the government was on the verge of being rebuilt. The grand council was replaced with a new and trust worthy committee and Ashelin stepped down from her leadership.
Jak didn't like it at first but she explained that it was up to the people to decide who their new leader should be. He understood but he hoped the new leader doesn't turn out to be another Baron. He guessed that he had to have faith in the city to make the right choice and hope for the best. As he walked down the street he saw someone familiar. The man was leaning against a wall smoking a cigar. He looked up with a cocky smile.
"Long time no see pretty boy." Jinx said.
"Jinx, how's it going?" Jak greeted.
"Same ol' shit." He said "So, how was Spargus?"
Jak was gone for a few weeks helping Sig restore order to Spargus. When Damas, Jak's father, had died the marauders from the other desert city thought that Spargus was free game. Sig became the new leader and called Jak out to help him to take back Spargus from the marauders.
"Beat up few guys, blew up some things, you know, the usual." Jak said casually.
Jinx chuckled, "Sounds like a lot of fun."
"What are you doing out here anyway?" He asked him. "You usual don't hang out in this part of town."
Jinx sucked on his cigar and blew out smoke. "I was looking for you goldilocks."
Jak looked puzzled; he wondered what business he had with Jinx. "Why?" he asked.
"He's back." He said.
Jak's eyes widen, he didn't had to ask who because he already knew. "Where is he?" he said in a stern voice.
Jinx leaned off the wall and turned away "At the Naughty Ottsel. He's been waiting for ya." He began to walk down the street and he waved his hand into the air. "See ya around, Jak."
That was the first time Jinx had ever said his name before but Jak didn't care. He immediately turned around and started running in the direction of the bar.
"Torn." he said to himself. "Has it really been a whole year since I saw you?"
In the HQ Ashelin was changing out of her uniform and into something to more casual. It wasn't an easy task to find clothes that were consider normal, everything she had was military wear. But in the back of her very dusty closet she found a pair of black pants and a red tank top with the KG symbol on the front. She put on her boots and wore tight fingerless black gloves. She felt completely naked without her gun.
She knew she just had to deal with it for now; she wanted to surprise Jak when she sees him. It wasn't everyday she wore clothes like this. She left her room and walked towards the elevator. When it opened an old man was inside holding a large crate. He was he wearing a jumpsuit with HQ's logo on the side of his sleeve. He greeted Ashelin with a polite smile and a nod.
"What floor?" Ashelin asked reaching for the buttons.
"The lab please." He said.
"The lab?" Ashelin asked. He didn't look like a scientist.
"I have to deliver this create to an engineer. She's moving out of the lab today."
There was only one female scientist in the lab and that was Keira. "Keira's moving?" she said to herself.
The elevators doors slid shut and at no time at all they were in the basement. Ashelin followed the old man to Keira's lab. The door opened and they both walked in. Ashelin looked around at the tons of crates and opened boxes stacked on top of one another. All the lab supplies where gone.
"Miss. Keira, I have the last crate ready for you." The old man called out.
Keira's head popped up from behind one of the large crates. "Thanks, you can just leave it there." She told him. The old man nodded and left the room.
"Keira," Ashelin said, "What's going on here?"
"Oh Ashelin, I didn't see you there." She smiled. "I'm just packing up my stuff, don't mind me."
Ashelin walked around the crates to see her better. Keira was packing more things into an empty crate. "So you're moving out of the HQ? Well I can see why. This place isn't exactly homey." Ashelin said looking around. "So what part of the city are you planning to move to?"
"I'm not moving to another part of the city." She said. "I'm moving to Kras."
"Kras City?" Ashelin said in shock. "You're kidding right?"
"Nope." She said cheerfully. "I'm leaving tonight. So as you can see I'm in a bit of a hurry."
She got up and walked across the room to grab even more gadgets to stuff into the crate.
"But why?" Ashelin asked, "Why leave Haven city?"
She sighed. "It's gotten way to boring around here."
"Boring?" Ashelin repeated.
"This city used to be filled with excitement and fun. But now things have slowed down." She turned around to face her. "I need fire, thrill, and excitement! You know what I mean?"
Ashelin started to think that the young mechanic has gone completely nuts. She felt obligated to talk some sense into her. "Kras City is a dangerous place." She said. "It's crawling with scum and mobster. It's not as safe as Haven. Trust me I know, I've been there."
"I appreciate what you're trying to do Ashelin but I'm big girl and I can take care of myself." She turned around and continued to pack. "Besides it's going to be a fun experience for me."
"Fun? You have no idea what Kras is like Keira!" She shouted. "People there will take advantage of someone like you the minute you step foot there!"
"Why? Because I'm not as tough as you?" she shouted back. "Because I'm not as strong, cold, and mean like everyone else is around here?" She stood up. "I may not be all those things but I know I can handle myself better than anyone else think I could."
She turned around braced her hand over the lab table. "I can't be here anymore." She said in low voice. Before Ashelin could ask she continued. "I just can't bear to be in the same city as you and Jak. I know I don't see you guys as much anymore but just the thought of you two being together makes me so…" She paused for a moment. "I'm still in love with him."
"Keira." Ashelin spoke but she didn't know what to say. She didn't know that Keira still had feelings for Jak. In fact they hardly ever talked to each other over the past year. She always locked herself up in her lab and she avoided any social events or parties with them.
"I need to do this Ashelin." Keira said never once looking at her. "I need to move far away from here. It's the only way I can get over Jak. I just know it."
Ashelin walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Keira, I think I understand why you need to leave." She said. "But are sure this is what you want?"
Keira turned around. "Yes, I'm sure of it."
Ashelin nodded. "I have to go." She said, almost not wanting to leave her behind. "I promised Jak I would meet him by his new place."
Before she left the room she stopped and turned around. "Are you going to tell Jak you're leaving?" she asked.
"No," she said, "No one else knows about this but you and I would really appreciate it if it that stayed that way."
"As far as I'm concerned this conversation never happened." She gave her a worried smile. "And Keira, good luck out there."
"Thanks Ashelin."
Ashelin left the room with a heavy heart. She wanted to run back in there and try again to talk some sense into her. But she knew that Keira had already made up her mind. She felt worried about her, she even considered breaking her promise and telling Jak about the whole situation, but that would only break what little friendship she had left with her. She convinced herself that everyone will find out soon enough. But for now there was nothing that she could do.
The Naughty Ottsel was closed by the time Jak arrived. It was very late in the afternoon and the bar didn't open until night. Jak reached into his pocket pulled out of key card to open the locked door. Dax gave him a spare key when he first opened the bar. He walked inside, only a few lights where on so the whole place looked dim. He noticed someone sitting in the far corner of the room. He couldn't make out his face but he knew it was him.
"It's been a long time, Jak." He said in his usual gruff voice.
Torn turned on the table lamp and he was completely visible. His dreads were longer, he clothes seemed foreign, and he was sporting a five-o-clock shadow. He was shuffling a deck of cards in his hand and smoking a cigarette.
"Com'on, don't just stand there." He said to Jak. "Have a seat."
Jak walked over to the table and sat down. He couldn't stop starring at Torn, he seemed so… different.
Finally Jak spoke asking the first question that came to mind. "You smoke?"
"I don't" Torn said as he pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and put into an ash tray.
"Where have you been all this time? We heard rumors that you were dead." Jak asked leaning forward eagerly waiting for his reply.
Torn laughed, "Obviously it ain't true."
"We tried looking for you but we didn't know where to start. It was like you disappeared."
"I was with old friends." He said.
"You have friends outside of Haven city?" Jak asked getting more curious by the second.
Torn thought for moment. "No, not anymore." He took a sip of his drink. "While I was gone I had a lot time to think about things."
"Like what?" Jak asked and Torn gave him a look that told him maybe he shouldn't interrupt. Jak got the message and remained silent.
"I thought a lot about who my friends were. Who I trusted, who I cared about." He paused, "Who I loved."
Jak had a worried look in eyes before Torn continued. "I'm not going to tell you where I went because quite frankly it's nobody's damn business. But I will tell you one thing, when I was out there in the world I learned the hard way who my friends really are. They were here in Haven."
Jak sat there silently trying to figure out where this speech was headed.
"I'm not mad at you or Ashelin. Not anymore. But that doesn't mean I forgive you guys for what you did. You both lost my trust and that's not something you can easily win back from me. But I'm not saying it's impossible either."
He took another sip of his drink. "I keep thinking back at the time we fell in that pit together. I tried to kill you and you could've changed into a monster and easily kill me but you didn't. Instead you were trying to help me. I couldn't understand why someone would try to risk their hide to save mine."
"Jak," he looked at him, "you can earn my trust again but it's going to take a long time before that happens."
Before Jak had chance to say anything Torn threw him a few cards. "Let's play a game, for old times' sake." He said.
Jak smiled, he didn't know what just happened or what Torn's speech was really about but he had a good feeling about this.
"Alright," Jak said as he picked up his cards.
"You know that little furry friend of yours is throwing a party tonight." he said placing the deck in the middle of the table.
"What about it?" he asked.
"Let's make a wager. Whoever loses this game has to attend the party completely naked."
"What?" Jak said almost dropping his cards. "Naked?"
"Like the day we were born." He said with an evil smile. Torn may not be mad at Jak anymore but he felt he deserved little humility.
"This is an unusual bet." Jak said "You sure you want to do this?"
"The only reason I'm doing this is because I know I'm going to win."
Jak smiled. "We'll see about that."
Torn chuckled. "Don't worry Jak, I'll make sure that little rodent keep the temperature nice and warm for you."
An hour later Jak left the Naughty Ottsel defeated. He walked towards his new apartment located close the HQ. It wasn't a fancy building by all means but it wasn't an old shack either. One thing for certain it was a hell of a lot better than living at the Naughty Ottsel. The loud music and the sleepless nights was enough for Jak. He knew he had to move.
He took the elevator to the 12th floor and walked towards his apartment. He used the key card to open the door. As he walked in he noticed a sexy red head sitting on his couch. She had her legs crossed and a sultry smile on her face.
"What took you so long?" Ashelin asked. "You said you be here hours ago. I was starting to feel lonely"
"Torn's back." Jak said.
Ashelin stood up. "He's alive!"
"Yeah."
"How is he?"
"He's fine. Great even. We talked for while…"
"About what?" She asked keenly.
"I'm not really sure." He answered honestly. "I think he was trying to say that we could gain his trust again and that we're his friends."
Ashelin looked relieved. She didn't know whether she was happy that Torn was still alive or the fact that he wasn't mad at them. Maybe it was both.
"Jak I need to tell you something…" Ashelin wanted to tell Jak about Keira, even though she promised she wouldn't tell, she felt like he had the right to know. But in the end Ashelin couldn't do it, even though she knew once Jak found out he would be mad at her for not telling him sooner.
"What is it?"
"I've missed you." She said with a fake smile.
Jak dropped his things and walked up to her and placed her hands on her waist. He pulled her in for a kiss. "I've only been gone for a few weeks, but to be honest I missed you too."
They kissed again this time it was deep sensual kiss. He roamed his hands over her backside and she moaned missing his touch. Without saying a word they quickly moved into the bedroom.
Ashelin and Jak laid in bed, their naked bodies wrapped in sheets. Ashelin turned over and purred, placing her hand on Jak's sweaty chest. "Mmm," she moaned "What time is it?"
"Late," Jak replied "It's almost time to go to Dax's party."
She groaned. "Do we have to go to the little rat's party?" she whined. "Can't we stay here all night?"
"I sort of made a bet with someone, I have to go."
She huffed and rolled off the bed. She got up and started to get dressed. Jak got up as well. "So what bet did you make?" She asked.
Jak blushed. "You'll see when we get there."
When Jak and Ashelin arrived at the Naughty Ottsel they were greeted with familiar faces. Jinx, Sig, Xandra, Daxter, Tess, and a large group of people they fought side by side with during the war. It was the one year anniversary since the day Jak and Daxter defeated Erol and saved the world. When Jak saw Torn at the bar he sighed and began to take off his clothes. Everyone was shocked at first but then the men started to laugh and the women hollered. Ashelin asked Jak what he was doing and when he simply replied "a bet," she shook her head in embarrassment.
Ashelin saw Torn by the bar and she left Jak's side. She slowly walked towards him through the crowd, not expecting what his reaction would be when he saw her.
"Torn?" Ashelin spoke.
He turned around. "How's it going red?" He smiled at her.
Suddenly Ashelin threw her arms around him giving him a tight hug. Torn was surprised. "I'm so glad you're alive." She whispered.
Torn slowly wrapped his arms around her, hugging he back. After what seemed like forever to Torn, Ashelin slowly let go. She leaned back to see his face.
"It's nice to have you back again soldier." She said.
"It's great to be back commander."
They both smiled. Even though the love they had before was gone, they still cared for each other and at that moment they both knew that things between them will be alright.
It was one hell of party. There were drinks, laughs, loud music, and dancing. After an hour Ashelin begged Torn to give Jak permission to put his clothes back on, after another thirty minutes Torn finally allowed him to. Everyone was enjoying the night.
Far off near the docks, Keira loaded the last create into a large aircraft ship. She turned around to look at Haven City, its bright city lights glowing in the distance.
"You coming little lady?" The pilot called out to her.
Keira thought for a moment. "Yeah, I'm coming."
Meanwhile on the roof of the Naughty Ottsel, Daxter and Tess snuggled while they stared up at the stars. Dax kissed his girlfriend's furry little cheek and let out a comforting sigh.
"Life is good."
The End.
A/N: I hopped everyone enjoyed my story, it took me a long time but in the end I'm really happy that I was finally able to finish it. I like to than everyone who encouraged me to finish this story and yes I will be writing more.
Keep a look out for my next story: Kras and Burn.