A/N:

Another upload for you! I realize that, as we quickly approach the ending of MTLH part one, many of you are eager to read the conclusion and begin part two! We are nearing the end of MTLH and we have come such a long way to get here. I hope that you will all continue to read and support this fanfiction just as you've all done since the very beginning. Only another chapter or so until I complete MTLH part one and begin part two!

So, without further ado, Chapter 25.

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Jak.

Daxter and I (but mostly "I") were fighting for our lives at the Weapons Factory, trying desperately to reach the top before the Baron got there. Krew, of all people, was meeting Praxis in order to give him a home-made bomb, the Piercer Bomb, and make some profit. What a shock.

Of course, getting into the Palace earlier that day was no piece of cake this time, even with a security pass. I had run into Ashelin, but it wasn't a pleasant visit. Was it ever really? She held me at gun point until I was able to convince her that her father was power crazy and about to destroy the planet by cracking open the Precursor Stone. When she realized the mess her father was making, she handed me her top level security pass as a peace offering so I could get into the factory. She then left to go find Torn so they could meet me us there as back-up.

The place was so fucking heavily guarded, it took an hour to make it to the very top. I had to hide in the shadows and make sure I shot down every single guard. There weren't many places to hide if they had seen me, so I needed to kill every KG out there. It was a depressing thought, really...how many lives I'd taken for this cause. Some of these soldiers weren't evil...it was just their job.

I pushed the thought from my mind as I arrived at the final lift to the top of the factory. Daxter had a frown plastered on his face. I could tell he was as tired of this shit as I was, and wanted to get it all over with.

"We have to kill Krew, you know." I stated carefully.

He wrinkled his nose and cracked a small smile, "Jak, baby, I've been waiting for this day! He's a fat, horrible, stinky shit that the world needs to be rid of."

"You're not scared?"

"Hell no! I'm just...I don't know. I want us to win." He hung his head.

"We're going to win," I said boldly, not sure if we really would, "We're going to win and then we get to go home, Daxter."

Daxter's ears perked up, "Home..." The word hung between us.

"Home," I nodded. I wasn't sure what to expect...I mean, it was Sandover Village, our place of birth, our place of peace and quiet and...fun. Home was where we grew up and changed and learned. But we were so different now. So much...older. And altered...And so broken.

Home would be nice...but I'm not sure how we would survive...if we survived this first.

"One step at a time, Jakie." Daxter murmured, mirroring my thoughts.

The lift finally reached the top and the doors creaked open. The roof was so high up that the wind was able to make me stagger. I pushed myself forward against the gusts and onto the roof, taking note that a storm was definitely about to arrive. Clouds rolled in and darkened the sky, making it harder to see.

But there was old Krew himself, floating and dancing around the Piercer Bomb, practically glowing with excitement. He looked down and saw me, twirling his way down until he was close enough for us to drown in his nasty stench.

"I knew you were special when I first met you, Jak." Krew wheezed, "And I commend you for making it this far. We've come a long way, 'ey?"

I snarled, "Yeah. I'm getting real teary-eyed."

"I love weapons." Krew grinned toothlessly, "I love how they look...how they feel...even how they smell." He snickered disgustingly.

I was so repulsed by him, "I think you need serious help."

He ignored my comment and faced the bomb, "My favorite was the impossibly powerful weapon Mar built to blast open the metalhead nest. Poor fool died before he could use it...ah well. But I have a new favorite. This Piercer Bomb I've just completed. My masterpiece is powerful enough to crack open the Precursor Stone, and release the untold energy inside! As soon as the Baron shows up with the Stone, we'll hide it in the last shipment of eco and deliver it to the Metal Head nest. A surprise dessert, 'ey?" He chuckled and winked at me, holding a Peace Maker mod in his hands, "Just take this gun upgrade and forget what you saw here."

I grabbed the upgrade from him, "Not this time, Krew. I'm through being your hired gun!"

Krew grimaced, "Then it's war, isn't it?" Then, he advanced on me.

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Darla.

"My god, could somebody, ANYBODY answer me?!" I shouted into the mouth piece on my headset, "Come in, Unit Beta..." I groaned, "Does everyone want to die today?"

"We're sorry, ma'am, the connection is spotty," A soldier's voice shouted over the headset, "There's a lot of Dark eco activity!"

"Shit," I rubbed my temples. I'd had twelve visions within a half hour, and my head was killing me. My demon was so silent, probably feeling it just as much as I was, "Alright, man. Just keep in touch as best as you can. I don't like not being able to hear you."

"Will do!"

I fiddled with the enormous monitor in front of me, "I'm switching over to Unit Alpha so I can let you know what's up ahead!" I changed stations and slid the fuzzy screen with Unit Beta over to the left corner with my first finger so that I could see all four units in front of me. Beta was now bottom left, Gamma was top left, Delta was top right, and Alpha was bottom right. I used both hands to bring Alpha to the center and spread it across so it filled the entire monitor.

"Alpha, can you hear me?" I said into my headset, "What's your status? Did you locate the metalhead beast I described?"

There was a crackle, then a woman's voice, "Yes, we located and annihilated the beast." There was a pause, "It was the size of a dinosaur..."

I sighed, "I know, I saw it. Did we...lose anyone?"

"No ma'am, you prevented that."

I exhaled heavily. Little did she or anyone know I prevented the entire unit from being exterminated. "Great work, please keep me updated." I slid Unit Alpha's video feed into the bottom right corner.

I was more than aggravated with Torn at the moment. Rather than just sending a platoon as he had said over the phone, he sent FOUR units. Sometimes I felt as though he were too reckless to handle people's lives. He needed to have better tactics, learn that we don't have an endless supply of warriors, and be more considerate towards them. And me. This was a lot of pressure, keeping an eye on countless amounts of people, their lives depending on me.

Suddenly I felt another vision coming on, "Damnit." I said aloud. The world around me faded away and I was suddenly in an area that looked like a construction site. It was raining and I was looking at Jak, kneeling down towards a dying Baron Praxis. The Baron was mumbling words about how Jak was the "supreme weapon" and how he had made him for that purpose. My ears were ringing so painfully loud, I could barely hear the poor bastard speak. But his final words were the most prominent and I heard them clearly.

"Remember, the first rule in making a bomb...is to always make two."

I was wrenched violently from my vision and jolted in my swivel chair. My eyes widened and I reached for my personal communicator and dialed Torn. Two bombs! There were two Piercer Bombs!

Torn answered after one ring and I spat my words out quickly, "Torn! Get your ass down here, pronto!"

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Jak.

Daxter scooped up the sparkling red Heart of Mar and I stood over Krew, battered, bleeding, bruised and extremely pissed off.

"Is it to late to give my notice?" I breathed sarcastically.

"Yeah!" Daxter shouted, "We quit!"

"The city is already dead!" Krew coughed, "I've sold you all out!" He laughed hysterically and then sputtered and coughed more.

Suddenly, we heard some noises coming from the bomb, like it was turning on. My heart filled with dread and dropped into the pit of my stomach.

"Uh, Jak," Daxter tugged on my shirt, "I think maybe we should be anywhere else just about NOW!"

As if on cue, a Hellcat piloted by Ashelin flew up over the edge of the roof.

I was more than ecstatic and relieved, "Ashelin!"

She waved us over, "We're outta here!"

I picked up Dax and ran as fast as I could, hopping into the Hellcat. We took off into the night, leaving Krew behind with his treacherous weapon.

I looked back at the factory just as the bomb created a massive, deadly explosion, blowing the place to smithereens. Krew was definitely no more.

We flew over Haven City for a while and it began to rain. Ashelin had a grim look on her face and stared dead ahead while driving.

I cleared my throat, "So...where is Torn? I thought he was coming with you."

"His psychic needed him." She said, sounding short, "He always goes running when she calls."

I lifted my eyebrow, "Are you jealous of Darla?" I smirked, "You don't seem like the jealous type."

Her head whipped to look at me, "I'm not jealous! I just...I don't see him. Ever. This war has taken over our lives completely. And I know how handy that Darla girl is. She is important to our cause."

I nodded, "So I've heard."

Daxter sat on my lap, "Yeah, Jak and Darla go way back!"

Ashelin raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Oh really?"

"Dax, shut it." I said through my teeth.

"Oh yeah!" Daxter exclaimed, "They knew each other back in our own time! They're, like, lovers or some shit." He was trying to mess with me yet again.

I gazed over the side of the Hellcat, "Yeah, you could say that."

"Well." Ashelin said, a smile in her voice, "That is very good to hear, Jak. I didn't think you were the 'lover' type." She laughed, "But she really is a great person. I've met her a few times. You're very lucky."

I nodded, "I know."

Ashelin eventually dropped us off in the Bazaar, "Alright, you guys need to find my father as soon as tomorrow comes. The war is just starting." Her eyes glazed over sadly and she looked stern again, "I'll take the Heart of Mar to Keira for you...I'm sorry it's come to this." She flew off into the sky without another word.

Daxter and I walked around the Bazaar for a bit, picking up some food. We were famished.

"So, are you staying at Darla's again?" Daxter asked as we sat against a wall to eat.

I nodded and took a bite of my sandwich, "I just hope she doesn't work too late...I want to be with her. Are you going to go to Hip Hog to see Tess?"

Daxter nibbled on his food. "Yep!" He paused and looked at me, "So...hopefully you and Darla can...ya know...before we go kick Praxis's ass tomorrow, eh?!"

My head snapped in his direction and I glared, "We are not talking about this now."

"Jak," Daxter pouted and whined, "Today is our last day before we head for the metalhead nest...who knows what will happen?" He pouted more, "Please, Jak! I swear I won't tease you anymore."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, fine. But if this gets back to anyone, I will feed you to the metalhead leader myself."

Daxter grinned, "Start from the beginning...how fantastic does she look naked?!"

"DAXTER!"

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Darla.

I was so done with this day already, and I wanted to go home and see my Jak. I knew I would, of course. I was going to leave for home as soon as all the units reported back safely. There was only one left and Torn and I were waiting silently.

Torn paced the perimeter of my office and he was making me incredibly dizzy, "Torn, please be still." I said calmly, "You're making me so anxious."

He stopped, "I'm nervous about Delta. And Ashelin. She hasn't called me yet," He looked down at his communicator solemnly.

"Believe me, I'm worried too," I put a hand on his shoulder, "But I know everyone's fine. I do. You know I do."

He shrugged, "Yeah, well...the future changes sometimes, doesn't it?"

I tilted my head, "Well, for the most part I only see the important moments. And we've been able to alter some of what the future originally contained...but I'd like to think that I would have seen if they were in trouble...or if they all had died."

Torn nodded, "True. Thanks, D." He took a seat in one of my swivel chairs, "So, where are you off to tonight?"

I plopped into my chair across from him, "Jak is staying at my place again." I shifted anxiously, "Tonight is...pretty significant actually."

Torn crossed his arms, "How so?"

I couldn't help but blush. My face reddened and I spun my chair away from Torn, "Lots of reasons. Most of which I can't tell you. All of which I refuse to tell you."

Don't remind me, My demon hissed from the back of my mind.

Not sorry.

I waited until my face was cooled off before I turned to face Tattooed Wonder again. "Anyway, I just really want to get home."

Torn smiled, "Alright, I get it. Listen..." He cracked his knuckles awkwardly and rose to his feet, "Why don't you just head out? I'll lock up your office. Go home."

I stood, "Are you sure?"

Torn nodded, "I trust that you know they're going to make it back safe. You don't need to be here anymore."

I grinned and turned to shut down my monitors, "Thanks, I owe you one."

He shook his head, "No, Darla, I owed you one. Or a million."

I laughed and headed out the door with no more than a polite wave.

As I exited the building and entered the dusky night, I felt my darker side stretching and yawning, awakening from her light sleep. The air was cool and breezy; a perfect night to go metalhead hunting.

Do you think we could...?

Of course we could. We're going. Now.

I yearned for that sense of escape. We had plenty of time for it, so why not? It was the one thing I had in common with my demon...besides my body.

Let's fuck some metalheads up.

I never thought I'd see the day...

Well, we don't have much time left before-

STOP! My dark side roared, Stop right there, I don't want to hear it. I know.

When are you going to realize that this is something that won't be prevented? Do you really think I'm ready for this sort of thing?!

You can just...not see Jak. Ever. Then maybe it won't happen.

It's going to happen no matter what we want.

And...what is that, exactly? What do we want? What do YOU want, Darla?

I didn't have an answer. All I wanted right now was to go to Dead Town and crush some skulls.

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After what seemed like the best Me Night ever, I headed back to my apartment to shower. My work clothes were shredded; I'd been too lazy to undress before I unleashed my darker self. I was covered head to toe in debris from the crumbling buildings, and it was caked in my hair along with sticky blood of metalhead scum.

I let the hot water rinse away the grossness. I had several cuts and bruises, including a nice shiner on my right eye where a big fucker pretty much punched my lights out. I was so sure that metalhead was on steroids. Jak would definitely notice the black eye, and I knew I would be scolded by both him and Michael whenever the time came.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. I heard the sound of the door clicking open then shutting. "Jak? Is that you?" I called out.

"Yeah, where are you?" His beautiful voice rang, "I have something for you." I heard him shuffling around and place his armor on the counter, as he did the night before, "Which, I'm sure you already know what it is."

I smiled, combing my fingers through my wet hair, "Actually, I don't, so this should be fun!" I stepped out of the steamy bathroom to go greet Jak.

He was leaning over the counter fiddling with his thumbs, and when he looked up at me, he grinned boyishly and my towel-covered self. "I didn't know you had a present for me, too."

I giggled and skipped over to him, planting a fat kiss on his cheek, "Hello."

"Hello, beautiful," He rubbed my nose with his, but pulled back abruptly, suddenly frowning. "Wait..." He brushed my hair away from my bad eye and gasped, "Darla, what the fuck is that?!"

I pulled back, startled by his reaction, "It's nothing, I...I fell today and-"

"You went out." He stated, placing his hands on his hips. "You went out and got yourself smacked around...for shits and giggles."

My brows furred, "Jak, it is NOT like that and you know it. I went to blow off steam. It's what I do. It's what I've done. It's my routine. It's what I like."

"Yeah, well." His nostrils flared angrily, "I don't like it."

"It's not your life, it's mine."

"I want to protect you from getting hurt, not let you throw yourself into the face of danger."

"Oh, you mean like what you do every single day?!"

"Darla, you know it's my job to-"

"And what's my job? To sit, have visions and go home as if it wasn't a rough day?"

"I didn't mean it like that, I just..." Jak groaned in frustration and I turned away from him.

"I am stronger than you could even imagine." I muttered softly. "I can take care of myself...I'm sorry I got hurt but I'm not sorry for killing fucking metalheads for godsake!" Damnit, I thought to myself, we should not be fighting tonight of all nights...

We were quiet, both deep in thought. I felt Jak come up behind me and touch my shoulder. Electricity tingled throughout my body.

He sighed, "I just don't want to lose you."

I faced him, "You need to trust me. You will not lose me...ever. I KNOW this." He looked down at his feet, his sexy bottom lip jutting out. I stood on my tippy toes and nipped it. He smiled slightly and I put my hands on his face. "Just trust me, Jak. Trust me."

He nodded and kissed my shiny black eye ever so gently. "That's a real nice shiner you got there, ma'am."

I laughed, "Thanks. You should've seen the other guy." I guided him over to the couch and we both plopped down onto it.

Jak scooted close to me, taking my legs and putting them over himself. "Can I give you that something I said I got for you?"

I smiled excitedly, "Yes, please! I seriously had no idea."

He chuckled, "Well, I'm thankful for that because this is just one of those things that would suck if you already knew about it." He reached underneath himself and pulled a little box out of his pocket. It was spherical but had pointed parts, like an octagon. I was stumped and had no idea what could be inside of it.

Jak cleared his throat, fiddling with the box nervously, "Darla, I love you. I don't know anything about what will happen tomorrow. Frankly, I'm pretty damn scared. I have no idea if I am going to live or if I am going to die. But if there is one thing I know for certain, it's how much you mean to me and how badly I want to be with you well beyond forever."

He twisted the box until it split into two halves and cracked it open, "I got you this because, well, I just thought maybe if you had this, you would know for sure that what you and I have is real and..." He took the top half off and revealed what was inside.

Inside that strange box, was a glittering, silver band with a white diamond protruding from it. The band had symbols engraved all around it, symbols much like the scar on my back. The lights from the room hit it at an angle so that tiny rainbows appeared inside of it.

This...I couldn't even fathom it right now. All I could think of was the phrase "oh shit". My mouth dropped open but no sounds came out.

Jak blinked at me, unsure of what my reaction was. I wasn't even sure what it was. All I knew was that the love of my life, this badass renegade, this unpredictable fool was holding a ring in his hands.

"Darla?" He asked warily, "Are you okay?"

"Yes!" I said too quickly, "Yes! Okay! Me, I mean...I'm okay. Very okay."

Jak's face broke into a smile and he removed the ring from the box, "Can I put it on you or...?"

"Yes!" I really had no words for this. I was stunned and more surprised than ever before.

Jak looked up at me with those big blue eyes, "It's so you remember you're mine. Not that you would forget..." His face reddened and he smiled sheepishly, sliding the ring onto a finger on my left hand...my ring finger. "I just want to make this promise to you." He fiddled with the ring and my hand, "No matter where we are or how long we are separated, you'll always be my best friend, my love, and everything I'll ever want and need in life." He leaned forward and put his head on mine, "You'll never have to be alone."

Though this was momentous and I was swelling with love for this man, my heart was shattering in a million pieces. I wanted so badly to tell him everything I knew, everything I'd seen...but it would fuck everything up. It was all too much for anyone to bear.

So, I just started to cry.

"Darla," Jak frowned and pushed a strand of wet hair behind my ear. I shook my head and tried to smile.

"Jak, I love you, this means so much to me. I'm so happy." And, in a way, I was. It was a proposal, a promise of forever. He would always be mine and I'd always be his. But I just didn't want...the suffering that would happen in between. "I'm just really surprised, and happy that's all! And my eye hurts." This was all true.

My demon groaned. So, this pretty much seals the deal for tonight, doesn't it...

You bet your ass it does.

Jak stared hard at me, and I knew that he could tell there was something else on my mind. But instead of prying further, he just stood, scooping me up into his arms, and carried me down the hall to my bedroom, gently biting my cheeks and neck until I couldn't hold in my laughter. He laid me down on my bed and rested on top of me, holding my face in his hands and looking at me in a way I'd never seen before.

Tonight was a big night, tomorrow a big day...I was already tired. But, I had an agenda tonight, a personal mission sent to me in a vision not too long ago. I got my strength up and rolled over so that Jak was beneath me. He narrowed his bedroom eyes in a playful, sexy way as if he knew what I was up to. I smirked and leaned forward to kiss him and as I did, his hands found my hips. I slowly began grinding against him and I could feel his smile playing against my lips.

Just stop... My darker self was saying, Even if you just wait...

We both know I can't. It has to happen tonight, otherwise the balance and the universe get fucked up, etcetera, etcetera...I let my thoughts trail off as my hands made my way down to Jak's pants. He bucked slightly at my touch and gripped my hips tighter. I saw a flash of violet electricity travel down his body, Dark eco stirring inside of him. I knew there was nothing to be worried about and in a way it just excited me.

I tore my lips away from his face and tugged his shirt over his head. I kissed down his jawline, neck, chest and then trailed my tongue down his abs. He shivered and I could feel my insides getting hot and my breathing was getting heavy. I loved it; I wanted to see him weak like this. I pulled down his bottoms and went back to kissing his body. The demon inside me started enjoying herself as well and I could feel Dark eco rushing through my blood. I travelled down, flicked my tongue out at each of his hip bones and he groaned. I looked up at him and smiled devilishly before continuing further south.

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Jak.

Holy fuck.

I could never have imagined anything feeling this good. She toyed and teased me until I couldn't take any more, and she knew as she smiled, that smile that always turned me on, that I wanted her to keep going. I bit my lip to stifle another groan and gripped the hair on back of her head with my hands. I heard the monster in me singing his nasty, raunchy song, growling and hissing it at me and I took it all in because it was exactly what I wanted to do to her. She kept going down on me but I had to stop her before I let myself go.

I tried to be soft as I pulled her hair to indicate that I wanted her to stop, but the harder I pulled, the more I wanted her. I roughly pulled her up by her head to my face and forced my mouth on hers, my claws sliding out from my finger tips. In one swift motion I tore her bath towel from her body, dug my claws into her skin and plunged in, full force. She cried out in a way that made me think that I'd hurt her and my claws immediately retreated, but then she smiled again and pressed her hands hard against my chest. She then began moving her hips in sync with mine, moaning my name with each swivel. We needed to slow down; I wasn't sure how much more I could take.

She knew this and stopped moving to lean down and slide her tongue up my neck. My body shook and I wrapped my arms around her torso, bringing my face to hers. I kissed her hard stared into her eyes, which flashed from blue to red to black and back to blue several times over. I could see violet bolts charging around us and her nails began digging into my chest. I closed my eyes and pushed my hips upward once, watching as her changing eyes rolled up. It was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen.

I turned us so that she was on her back now and I took her hands off of my chest. I pulled out of her and kissed her from her chest down to her core. She whimpered and I felt her nails dig into my scalp while she moaned the word "more" repeatedly. I heard her snarl and she pulled me back up to her and wrapped her legs around my hips. She said my name more and we started up again, this time slower and...more urgently. She looked up at me with a begging look in her eyes, like she needed this.

"Darla..." I didn't even know I was saying it until it came out. She whimpered again at the sound of her name and I pressed my body down to her, holding her arms above her head by her wrists. I kissed her slowly, tasting every part of her mouth and exploring every inch. She moaned softly and as I sunk deeper she groaned hungrily. I pulled out again and she flipped onto her stomach, panting heavily, and looked at me expectantly with her glittering eyes.

I bent over her and trailed my tongue down her spine to her tailbone and she let out a guttural, animalistic moan. I lifted her up, grabbed her by the hair and forced her head back, exposing her neck. As I slid into her again I sunk my teeth into the crease between her neck and shoulder. She moaned my name, dragging it out in one, long breath. I gripped her ass and rode on, feeling each wave of pleasure grow bigger and higher as I was approaching the tip of my peak. But I wasn't ready yet; the selfish side of me wanted more.

I quickly stopped and moved us so that she was on top again and she slid herself down onto me. She moved fast and suddenly her hand clenched me around the neck. The pressure was painful but it felt so good and I felt my eyes rolling as hers did before. She was panting harder now, sweat rolling in beads from her forehead and down her chest. I paused for a moment, sat up and licked them, earning more needy whines from Darla. We continued in that position, me sitting up, her sitting on me, and I knew I couldn't last much longer.

"Darla..." I breathed, "I'm going to-"

She gripped the sides of my face and pressed her lips to mine, "I want you." Her whispers gave me chills and it only made me want to reach that peak faster. We were both hyperventilating now, losing our breath, the windows in the room steaming up. I felt her tightening around me and as I released myself, I felt her hit her own peak and her entire body quivered and shook as she completely lost herself in her own release. Every exhale I let out was just another wave of ecstasy. My whole body felt like I was on fire and I couldn't move at all. We sat in that position, completely engulfed in each other, drenched head to toe in salty sweat. It was a high unlike no other and I leaned us back against her bedframe, pulling her face to mine. I kissed her slowly, our lips mashed together but barely moving.

We stayed like that for what seemed like hours. Finally, she got the energy to pulled herself off me and turn over onto her back. She stared up at the ceiling, breathing deeply, her curly hair plastered to her face.

"I...need...another shower." She spoke, so quietly I wasn't even sure she'd spoken at all.

I rolled onto my side and smiled at her, "We should save water and shower together."

She turned her head and lifted her eyebrow, "Oh sweetie, I hope you know you are obligated to shower with me."

I grinned and touched her face subconsciously. I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed, trying to get the feeling back in my feet. Once I felt strong enough, I stood and reached my hand out to her.

She laid there, naked and smiling and shook her head. "I don't think I can get up, Jak."

I smiled back at her and went around to the other side so I could pick her up. She lifted her hands up and put them around my neck as I took her in my arms. My arms felt so heavy and weak, but I was still strong enough to carry her to the bathroom. I placed her in the shower on the tile floor and she closed her eyes, resting her head against the wall. I twisted the knobs to turn the shower on and made sure the water was hot enough before I sat down next to her.

"How's that?" I asked as the water beat down on us. She turned to look at me, her eyes bluer than I'd ever seen them. She nodded quietly and tilted her head so that the water drenched her hair for the second time that evening.

I watched Darla as she sighed, the water feeling better than anything we both could've imagined at that moment. I couldn't help but notice something about her though. She appeared to be glowing, her skin almost radiant against the blue-tiled shower. She looked like a goddess sitting there, despite the bruised eye and all the new bruises and scratch marks from only a little while ago. I could feel my mouth droop open slightly as I gazed dumbly at my girl.

She must've felt me watching her because she then opened her eyes and smiled. "What?"

I reached for her face and took it in both hands, "You're so beautiful."

Her face reddened deeply and she looked down at the floor, smiling widely. "You're beautiful too, Jak." She was so wrong...but I let her say it this time. She glanced up at me and we made eye contact for a second before she moved to stand up. I helped her to her feet and reached for the shampoo, pouring it into my hands and lathering it into her hair. She stared at me with a youthful look in her eyes and I pecked her on the nose.

I took all of it in, the whole night up until this moment. The way she felt, the way her skin smelled, the way we moved and how she looked right now...I had to absorb it all before tomorrow came. I really wasn't sure what would happen. I knew that Darla knew, I was one hundred percent certain that she knew something big was going to happen.

But she gave no indication whatsoever whether or not I would live or die, and that was what scared me most. Not only was I afraid of not knowing what would happen, but also I was scared of dying. For a very, very long time, I wasn't afraid to die. I had wished for it many times while in prison, but part of me knew that I couldn't give up. I'm not sure if it was my mind or body or just the Precursors themselves. But I was alive for a reason, and I knew much of that reason was because of her. Now, I wasn't afraid of the death part of dying. I was afraid of dying and leaving her and the others alone. I was afraid of being torn from her life and breaking my promise to her.

I didn't even realize I was clutching Darla to me until she spoke.

"Jak..." She murmured into my chest. I was holding her so tightly, one arm around her waist and my opposite hand holding her head to my chest. I snapped out of my trance but the idea of letting her go made my body ache more than it already was. I tilted my head down and hid my face in the crook of her neck, soap from her hair stinging my eyes.

"Jak, what is it?" She placed a hand on my hair and pet softly, "Are you okay?"

I kissed her neck and chin, and then I just kissed every part of her face. I kissed a part of her neck that tickled and she giggled. I grinned, the sound of her laugh lighting up my entire life. I cupped her face in my hands again and stroked her cheek with my thumb.

"Darla," I said, my voice hoarse from the events of the night, "If I make it through tomorrow and we are able to rebuild the city, I want you to be my wife."

She blinked, her lips parted in slight surprise at my abruptness, "Yes, of course." She smirked "Sir yes sir."

I wrinkled my nose at her and grinned, "I didn't mean for it to sound like a demand...but I kind of demand it."

She laughed and reached up to wipe the soap out of my eyes, "Well, I will meet your demands. But I have some too."

"And what's that?"

"I demand that you come home to me tomorrow, alive and unhurt and safe."

My smile fell slowly, "Darla, I promise you I will try, but I'm not sure if-"

"You will come home to me tomorrow. Alive. Unhurt. And safe." She stared at me hard. "I know you will."

I felt myself relax a bit and I nodded. So she did know...maybe everything would be okay. Maybe tomorrow wouldn't be the end of my life. And maybe there wouldn't be anything else to stand in the way of my life and the direction I wanted it to go in.

She kissed me and I suddenly felt too tired to stand. I told her I would meet her in bed and to finish the shower without me. As I retreated into her bedroom and slid under the covers, I thought about how many hours of sleep I'd need in order to have enough strength to keep myself alive tomorrow.

JDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJD

Darla.

I stood in the shower, basking in the glorious hot water. It soothed my fresh wounds from Me Night and the incredible, indescribable lovemaking and relaxed all my tense muscles.

I could feel something after Jak and I had finished. I felt alive and empowered and like I was glowing. I stood in the shower and looked down at my body as the water poured over it. I definitely felt something different. My demon was bitching and moaning quietly in the corners of my mind but deep down I knew we were both happy and satisfied.

I let the soap slide down over my seemingly radiant torso. I looked down at my feet, then smiled slowly as I thought about what was soon to come. Was I terrified? Absolutely. Was my head spinning with confusion and anxiety? Of course. But it felt right and I knew it was. Only time would tell, of course. I touched my toned stomach and traced little pictures with the drops of water.

And suddenly, in that moment, I felt that I was ready.

JDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJDJD

A/N:

Yes, yes, the lemons appeared in two chapters in a row! I know I usually upload pretty slowly, but I am ready to start the second installment of Me, The Legendary Hero! I'm sure you're all dying to know what will happen...regarding Jak, we all know what happens. But, remember, Darla is in his life and that means, though the story is the same, everything else comes as a surprise!

Get ready, because even though it seems like MTLH is ending...the story is actually just beginning.

Keep reading and reviewing!