I know, this chapter hasn't got any action at all, but quite a bit of plot development and, quite honestly, the best romance scene I've ever written. Much better than the shallow stuff that I used to write. Check it out.

Part 14: Companionship

Jak was quick to strip off his bloodstained clothes, take a quick shower, and change into soft, clean white garments that he supposed were for the desert heat. Under the loose clothing was a thin, skintight black suit of some material that instantly shaped itself to his body and was tough as steel, yet light. There was also a piece of equipment that resembled a watch, which Jak cinched around his wrist.

Oh my God. I didn't realize until now…

That Metal Head technology is leaps and bounds ahead of that of Haven?

Yeah. Why haven't we seen any of these things before?

Maybe they're saving it for when it's needed…for the invasion of Haven.

The invasion of Haven? Wow, I've been a total idiot. The Metal Heads' mission is to overrun Haven. And I'm helping them do it!

And is that such a terrible thing? They cast you out. Even now, the people look at you warily. They fear you. They whisper about what you hide – they don't know what it is about you, but you invoke fear in the people. And that fear gives you power over them.

Then I'm no better than Baron Praxis! He ruled by fear, and you can see where it got him!

He was foolish to trust the Metal Heads so much. Remember that if this fragile alliance is broken, we are for ourselves, not the Metal Heads.

You're right. I can't trust them – the Metal Heads or the people from Haven. All they want is me. They don't see me as a person, they look at me and see a weapon with no feelings about whose side it's taking. Baron Praxis seeked to make me a weapon. He succeeded. I need to –

Jak's train of thought was interrupted by a knock at the door.

We'll finish this conversation later.

He opened the door to Shay, who was wearing the same loose garments as Jak. Her voice was subdued as she told him the path to her quarters, and to visit his cell to pick up any equipment he had there. Jak noticed her change of tone.

"Hey, are you okay?"

She kept her eyes on the floor as she answered. "I'm feeling a little…conflicted at the moment, if you know what I mean."

Jak understood perfectly. "By the way, what's this?" He showed her the watch. The screen was blank and square-shaped.

"It's a communicator. You can view video messages with it." She clearly wasn't in the mood to chat much.

"I'll meet you at your quarters."

Why is she being so damn shy?

She wants to be friends and wants to apologize for her earlier treatment, but is too proud – or shy – to apologize.

Well, aren't you the personality analyzer? How'd you learn to analyze people?

It comes with sitting around in your head all day. I listen to conversations and deduce personalities.

You're a lot more civilized than I thought. But don't think this means I'll let you out more often!

Jak turned a corner and reached his cell. Opening the door with a keycard, he entered and softly closed the door behind him.

Keira was sitting on the bed, and for the first time, was sane and lucid. Most days after Jak finished his training, she would either be unconscious and lying on the cot or hallucinating from the drugs the Metal Heads had given her as a form of torture.

As soon as he entered, Keira jumped up and stood in front of him.

"Where have you been this whole time? I remember seeing you once some time ago, and then you never came back. What's happening?"

"I've been here with you for weeks. You've just been unconscious or hallucinating whenever I come back."

Keira nodded. She knew how she had been for the past few weeks. Looking Jak up and down, she was surprised to see him much taller and stronger than before. "What have they been doing to you? They're definitely feeding you more than me. How'd you get so strong?"

"They forced me to join their army. I've been training. But when the time comes for the battle, I plan to mysteriously disappear. What's happening with you?" Jak felt the pangs in his stomach as he lied; he planned to do no such thing. I can't tell her how much I hate the Havenians! She'd turn on me just like them!

Keira grimaced, and her face took on an altogether darker tone. "They're still trying to get me to work for them as a mechanic. When I say no, they…do something else to me." Extending her palms to Jak, she showed him the burns and scars that would forever mar her pale skin. He gently took hold of her arms and spoke.

"I know it's hard. Listen, there's something I've been thinking about, but I can't talk about it now – I…I think they've got me bugged. Hold out until – I'll tell you about it later."

Jak wanted to tell her that he was planning an escape and that everything would work out, but he lost heart at the last moment. The righteous picture he was painting for her was just too much for his already-strained conscience to bear.

Keira understood perfectly. She signaled this with a slight nod and a quick upward twitch of her lips. It was the first time Jak had seen her smile, even for a fleeting second, since he had joined the Metal Heads – and his heart completely melted.

He took a step closer to Keira. Gently brushing green bangs away from her face, Jak bent down and drew her into a deep, long kiss. In that long, blissful moment, all of his conflicts and feelings vanished, replaced by Keira and memories of the good times they had had together.

After a time – Jak had no idea if it had been a second, a minute, even an hour – she withdrew.

"I miss you, Jak," she whispered. "I miss Haven, and safety, and…and freedom. That's one thing everyone takes for granted, until it's taken away."

Jak embraced her in his arms. "I know." He felt like a prisoner of the Dark Eco, like he was reliant on it, the only constant in his life.

It was like he had rediscovered joy and a symbol of his old life. She was an anchor, a reason to stay with Haven.

And it was in that moment that Jak realized that all he wanted to do was forget.

He wanted to forget the pain, the fear, the near-constant doubt. Jak needed a serious reassessment of his life. It begins now, as soon as I get a good long break.

He brushed his lips gently against Keira's once more, feeling her arms tighten around him. The escape, the long-awaited feeling of true acceptance and love, the sheer emotion was almost as intoxicating as Dark Eco. Jak involuntarily clasped her tighter; she responded by moving closer against him.

Keira eventually broke the embrace. She voiced Jak's thoughts at that moment.

"I never want to be separated from you again."

"Neither do I. Listen, I've got a plan." He bent to whisper in her ear. "Just tell them yes. Join them as a mechanic, just don't do a very good job of it. We'll live here together until we find a way out of here." At this point, Jak meant every word he said. Meeting Keira again had flipped his feelings for the Metal Heads around one hundred and eighty degrees.

"Yes." Keira looked up into Jak's light blue eyes, her one voice of sanity in this crazed new world.

And with that one word, Jak felt as if his world here was complete. He needed nothing else to be happy. This secret Nest could officially be called home. Once his doubt was erased, he had Eco, a potential friend in Shay, and a lover in Keira.

***

Action in the next chapter, I PROMISE!