The Kitsune: I missed you for chapter 25, so you go in chapter 26. Sorry about that. And yes, it was from Queen of the Damned. Like I said, when I'm inspired by a song, I tend to use it, lol. There shouldn't be any more song usage for awhile, at least that I have planned. And I think I have heard "the burning intensity of a thousand suns" before, lol… or at least something like it. O.o

Nirvana Renegade Seiga: Haha, sappy flashbacks? Hmm… maybe!

Shadows-of-flame: I'm sorry I made you cry, Kimmeh. But just wait and see… things are never really as they appear, especially with me.

Kuro Kin'youbi: Hmm, you're the first to say it was an awesome, chapter, lol. Thank you!

Kiriona: Yes, I am evil, lol, I've said that many times. Daxter shot Torn because he was stricken with grief and wanted payback. (shrugs) I can see him doing it if he had enough reason.

Gothic Jak: You're in Florida? Lucky. And I'll see what I can do over the weekend, but I'll be at my grandparent's and I don't think they have AIM.

Darkina: Lol, you're HAPPY? Lol. That's new. I'll give you the link this way, lol.

http:jay-da / deviant art DOT com (without spaces and a . where the DOT is, lol)

Em: Chuu, after all that I still update the next day. (sighs) You people. Anyway, enjoy chapter 26! Oh, and I won't be able to update over the weekend cos I'll be away. And after that I can't promise about daily updates because I'm going to try and finish Wicked and get at least two more chapters of I Would Die For You up before I write any more KMKM, so it's up for a pretty long hiatus, sorry guys. I'll make this chapter extra long for ya'll:-3

…

Torn felt a harsh breeze whip across his face. He was laying on his stomach when he opened his eyes. "What happened?" He asked out loud, sitting up. He felt his back and sides; there were no bullets. "It was all… a dream?" He asked, looking down. His pistols were on the ground next to him and still fully loaded. "I must have turned the safety off when my hands slipped." He muttered, putting them back in their holsters.

That's when he remembered it. The guns went off with Jak at point-blank range.

And Jak was nowhere in sight.

Torn was relieved to discover there was no blood in the immediate area, but was still panicked because Jak was gone. A heavy wind had picked up and a sand storm was imminent. Torn could only hope Jak had returned to the cave.

Torn made his way back to the cave, which was barely ten feet in front of him and to his right, but it was exceedingly hard to see and walk because of the wind and sand. He entered the cave and wiped the sand from his eyes while calling Jak's name, but heard nothing in return.

With one sweeping gaze of the room, Torn discovered that it was empty save for his things. "Shit!" Torn cursed, picking up his pack and exiting the cave again in search of Jak.

Torn could hardly see as he trudged through the growing sandstorm, the sand biting into his skin. "JAK!" He called, and was rewarded with a mouthful of sand. He didn't give up, however, he kept calling Jak's name, hoping for an answer or a sign, anything to help him find Jak.

Torn trudged on, nearly giving up, until he heard a faint voice. "Daxter!" Torn recognized the voice; he would know it anywhere. It was Jak. "JAK!" Torn yelled, picking up speed toward Jak's voice. "Daxter?" He called again.

Torn saw a figure in the distance; a shadow through the sand. "Jak…" Torn whispered.

Torn came within feet of Jak; Jak's back was to Torn and he appeared to be searching for something. "Jak!" Torn yelled to get his attention. Jak turned and half-expected to see Daxter, but never expected to see Torn. His expression changed from worried to enraged.

"What do you want?" Jak asked, his words as harsh as the sand biting into Torn's skin. "I wanted to know if you were alright, you weren't at the cave." Torn said, his voice emotionless.

"I wasn't at the cave because I was leaving; it's what you wanted, it's what you're getting. You go back to the caves, I'm going to the city." Jak said, turning his back on Torn again. "Are you crazy? The storm will kill you!" Torn insisted, grabbing Jak's arm. "Come back with me."

Jak turned and glared at Torn. "Number one, I will be FINE on my own, number two, I'm looking for Daxter, and number THREE," Jak ripped his arm out of Torn's grip. "I'm not going ANYWHERE with you. I tried to help you, but you made it clear that you don't need my help and you've proven without a shadow of a doubt that you don't love me." Jak hissed, his face inches from Torn's.

Jak tried to walk passed Torn, but with no luck. Torn grabbed his arm near his elbow. "You're wrong, Jak." He said, shaking his head. Jak sneered. "Wrong? Wrong about what?"

"Ashelin was supposed to tell you when I left because I wasn't supposed to see you again. But you came out here and I had to do it…" Torn said slowly, as if he were thinking out loud. "What are you muttering about?" Jak seethed. "There was a reason I was treating you the way I was, you wanted to know it once, I'm assuming you still do." Torn murmured.

"Go on." Jak muttered, tugging his arm out of Torn's grip.

"I knew the hazards of the desert, the sand storms being one of them. I knew it was likely I would die, from a sand storm or the eco, before I reached the Oasis. And I knew that it would be selfish to allow you to come with me, so I prevented it the only way I knew how. I pushed you away, hurt you so you would change your mind and stay in Haven where it was safe. Ashelin was supposed to tell you the truth when I left, but she obviously didn't." Torn explained.

"What are you talking about? Why should you care if I came with you? So I wouldn't get in your way? You don't and never did love me, so why did it matter?" Jak screeched over the wind. "It matters because I'm sick of people I love dying because of me." Torn finished, his eyes locked with Jak's.

They were both silent for a moment before Jak started laughing. "So now you love me? You love me when I finally decide to leave you? Don't make me laugh Torn." Jak spat. "It's true, Jak. I couldn't let you come with me, it was too dangerous and it would be selfish of me to let you come!" Torn yelled angrily.

"Have you ever stopped to consider what I want? I wanted to come with you, it was my choice, I knew there were countless dangers out here, just not specifics. If you loved me you would have thought of what I wanted too, not just what would make you happy." Jak mocked.

"What do I have to do to make you believe me? You didn't believe me when I told you I never loved you at first, why do you believe it now?" Torn demanded.

"Because no one who loves another could treat them the way you treated me." Jak rasped. They were so intent on their conversation, they didn't notice the storm had worsened.

"Jak, it broke my heart to do what I did. I didn't like doing it-" Torn started, but Jak interrupted him, "You could have fooled me." "Will you just listen to me, Jak? I built an immunity to affection, to love, but you somehow got through that. Maybe I should have thought of what you wanted, but I couldn't get my head around the danger." Torn shook his head. "But I meant it when I said I loved you the first time and I mean it now." He finished.

"I don't believe you; you say you love me, you wanted me to leave because it was dangerous, but as soon as I try, you stop me. Why did you come after me if you wanted me gone?" Jak asked venomously.

"I passed out; I…I dreamt I killed you, and when I woke up you were gone. I had to make sure you were ok." Torn explained. "Huh. Not likely." Jak mocked. "If you'll excuse me, I have Daxter to look for." Jak said, turning away.

Torn's hands began shaking. He could feel the unfamiliar pricks of tears in his eyes; he hadn't cried in Mar knew how long. He had built up the walls around his heart, and for the majority of his life he had believed love was a weakness; something people lent on when they weren't strong enough to depend on themselves. And now he had fallen in love and realized it only made you stronger. But as he watched Jak walk away, he felt his life, his strength, going with him.

"Jak." Torn called mournfully, tears escaping his eyes, "I love you. You can believe it or not, but it's true." He said, turning around and walking back to the cave.

Jak heard something in Torn's voice then that he hadn't heard before. He turned and saw tear trails on Torn's war-hardened face. The tough-as-nails ex-KG commander was crying? Jak knew then that not even Torn could pull off a lie so big it had made him cry. Jak knew Torn was telling the truth. He caught up with Torn and reached out his hand…

Torn felt a hand lightly touch his back. He turned around and felt Jak's soft lips against his. He was too stunned to respond. "I believe you, Torn." Jak sighed when he pulled away.

Torn was almost overwhelmed with happiness. "What made you believe me?" He asked, almost not believing Jak himself. Jak smiled and wiped away the few tears that had slipped down Torn's face. "Because not even you can cry unless you mean it." Jak explained, dropping his hand to his side.

"I'm sorry for what I did, Jak." Torn murmured. "See? You apologized too. You must be telling the truth." Jak said with a small smile. "Now, I wish I knew where Daxter was." Jak said sadly.

After he finished his sentence, a small palm tree whizzed by his face, uprooted and carried by the harsh storm winds. Torn tackled Jak to the ground. "It's too dangerous to be standing; we have to wait here until the storm is over." Torn said, searching for the thick woolen blanket he had taken with him.

"But Daxter-" Jak began. Torn shook his head. "You're no use to him dead; he has one of these, I take it?" Torn asked, holding the blanket up. Jak nodded. "He has mine as well." He whispered mournfully. "Then I guess we'll have to share mine." Torn said deviously. Jak smirked in spite of himself.

…Daxter's POV…

I wasn't very far away from Jak and Torn; about 25 feet. My sharp eyes could see them through the storm pretty well, and for once I was glad to be an ottsel. I watched as Torn dug out his blanket and spread it over Jak; it obviously wasn't big enough for both of them.

I scooted forward as much as I could; my leg was broken and I lost my voice because of all the sand. Despite that, I was still curious and wanted to hear what they were saying. When they had been yelling, I'd heard every word. I still couldn't believe Jak had gone back to Commander Laryngitis so quickly, but I guess old habits die hard.

"The damn sand is beginning to hurt." Torn murmured. He was practically laying on Jak; I guess he wanted to protect Jak with his body as well as his blanket. It was so sweet I gagged, but immediately regretted it as I swallowed more sand.

"You don't have to do this, Torn." I heard Jak complain. If I had a voice I would have cried out at that moment; a rather large rock just rolled over my tail. I scowled; broken tails would NOT get you in with the ladies.

"This is a bad storm, Jak. I'm not sure these stupid blankets will work. We're bother probably going to die." I heard Torn say. I winced; I guess my broken tail wouldn't mater anymore, if they weren't going to survive, how could I?

"That was cheerfully optimistic." Jak groaned. Even in such peril, he was still facetious. I smirked in spite of myself; he got that from me.

Torn chuckled. "What can I say? I've never been one to beat around the bush." I heard Jak chuckle then, too.

"I never thought I'd say this, but I'm scared out of my mind." Torn said, his chuckle fading. Wow, Torn admitting he was scared. I'd have to remember that for blackmail in the afterlife.

"Yea." Jak agreed, averting his eyes.

My eyelids were slowly but steadily getting heavier and heavier. I struggled to keep them open. I closed them quickly and when I opened them again I wished I hadn't:

Torn had his arms wrapped around Jak's shoulders and Jak's hand were on Torn's forearms. They were kissing passionately. For a moment I felt a pang of sadness; I never had anyone like Jak did. At least he would get to die happily.

I smiled; I'd always wanted the best for Jak, he was my best friend after all. I was happy for him. I closed my eyes and let unconsciousness block out the sound of the howling wind.

…3rd Person POV…

Torn pulled his head away and rested it on Jak's chest, intent on listening to his heartbeat. "Torn, I think I'm scared too." Jak whispered. Torn squeezed Jak's arms. "Try and fall asleep, Jak. That way things won't hurt so much." Torn said, trying to sleep himself.

It didn't take long for the two to fall asleep, lulled by the sound of each other's heartbeats.

…

Em: That was so utterly sweet and Titanic-ish! (Think the old people falling asleep in each other's arms waiting for imminent death) Anyway, this STILL isn't the last chapter, there are more to come so don't disregard this story. So, as I said above, this will NOT be updated for AT LEAST a week. I'm going to have to write a lot, but I'll work really hard, I promise. I made this chapter long and sappy, so no complaints! Just be patient, and remember, absence makes the heart grow fonder!