SIXKILLER

Jake meets Tom, the real Tom, and I got Jake to spew his feelings, I didn't over do it though. Enjoy; for those of you who have been looking forward to this special moment I've written the reunion in my style, which, em, is the only way I know of how to reunite those two.

Chapter Two

"This is pathetic!" Jake hissed, "How much longer should I stay here anyway?"

"Just a few days big Jake." Marco laughed. "Then you're ready to fly out of here."

"It would be about time," Jake grumbled, "I've laid on my backside on this particular bed for way too long."

"Your parents want to be extra sure."

"My parents don't know anything about me." Jake exasperated, he grabbed the end of his blanket and pulled it over his face. Marco smiled then gave the signal.

"Hey Jake, that works back in our house just fine but you do that here and you end up in the morgue with a tag on your toe."

Jake practically leapt off the bed. Actually, because he had a sheet over him he got tangled in it and ended up with his butt on the floor.

Tom laughed. Walked up to Jake and ruffled his hair, "What's up Midget? Or should I say what's going down?"

Jake didn't move.

"Hey, is your brain located in your butt or something?" Tom let go of the lame jokes and sat down on the floor beside Jake. Marco nodded and took watch outside. Erek was waiting with him there. Erek is Tom's ticket to the hospital, no way would he have been able to go inside undetected.

Jake didn't say anything. Instead of looking happy he looked sad.

"You okay?" Tom asked gently.

Jake shook his head and then buried his head between his hands. Tom put his arm around his little brother and they sat there in silence.

Tom didn't know how many minutes past but for the first time in months he felt calm, the feeling was great. But there was also a familiar weight in his heart, it was the same feeling he had every time he looked at his family and his Yeerk taunted him, telling him how soon their turn would be. He remembered only too vividly the sort of helplessness he was forced to endure. He felt his vision cloud but he refused to cry. He had to be there for Jake.

Tom gently nudged Jake, "You want to talk about it?"

Jake lifted his head, and Tom was shocked to see that he didn't recognize the look that was across Jake's face. It was almost impossible. His little brother did not have his usual serious look but one that was far more concentrated, there was the seriousness, but there was also sadness, anger and exhaustion. Jake spoke not looking at his brother, "You want to know what's the hardest part?"

Tom thought about this, did he want to know? He knew that deep inside he didn't want to, but allowing his brother to talk may help both of them to feel better.

"Every day and every night, for the past few months. I had to-" Jake closed his eyes and clenched his fist. He opened his eyes again, they were blurred with tears, "I had to live knowing that you weren't you anymore, and I, I wanted you back but there was no easy way. I tired -we tried- to save you when I first found out about it. And I was so close. I was so damn close but…"

"You were the tiger." Tom said simply. "Weren't you?"

Jake nodded, he tilted his head and played with the end of his sheet, with a quavering voice he said, "At first I didn't know what to do, I mean, I did. I wanted to rip that thing out of your head but I, it wouldn't work, I had a responsibility." Jake shook his head, "I've never felt so helpless in my life, every time I looked at you and that thing kept asking me to join the Sharing, I felt my heart boil with anger, I mean I felt like I was sick.

"And when I found out that that thing was after Dad?" Jake sniffed, "I thought, no way man, not my dad too. And I had to choose, and it wasn't easy. I wanted you both, and I didn't want to loose you, I very nearly risked blowing our cover, I thought if that ever happened again then…I don't know…all I know is if I loose you again…" Jake's eyes closed, he couldn't continue.

"It's okay, I'm here now." Tom tried to smile, but couldn't, it didn't really matter, Jake wasn't looking at him.

"It's just that… knowing what it's like." Jake looked confused, he dropped his head then pulled it up again, like he was grasping for the words. "I know what's it like to have one of them in your head, and after that three day experience, I…"

"You called me," Tom said, he was surprised, "That was you on the phone?"

"Yeah it was." Jake mumbled suddenly feeling embarrassed, "Mom and Dad are really worried. What should I tell them?"

Tom stood up, he helped Jake back to his bed. He leaned forward and looked into Jake's eyes, "Tell them I'm dead. And when it's over Jake, we both would have a chance to talk to them about this."

"Yeah." Jake closed his eyes again, when he opened them he stared at the ceiling. "What are you going to do now?"

"Rachel said I'm staying with that Andalite."

"Ax."

"Yeah him." Tom fell silent.

Jake pulled himself up and gave Tom a genuine smile. "He has cable."

"No kidding?"

"I'm not pulling your leg, but hey, don't get between him and a cinnamon bun –really dangerous. Andalites don't have that much of a sense of taste, so beware when he's human and around food."

"Do I have to fight over the remote?" Tom smiled weakly.

Jake returned the smiled, "You're back Tom."

"Like I never left." Tom grinned, "and now there's one more person on your team."

"Yeah." Jake tried to smile again, "We'll beat them right?"

"We'll blow that alien scum sky high," Tom sat down beside Jake, "We'll show'em what sort of fighting the human race can set up."

"We'll fight them." Jake said, he looked up at Tom, "And this time you'll be there with me."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

When you think about it; its not bad, hey there's no hugs and kisses, sorry, but I just can't see our General here doing anything of that kind, talk about it? Yeah, Jake does have that sense, besides, what was I supposed to do? Get Jake to dance in joy? That's dangerous. Uhuh, just think of what could happen if he slipped. He could get a severe concussion and die! 0_o )

Oh yeah, before I forget; I want feedback, not that feedback is lacking but because I've had a particularly bad day. Did I mention a bad and boring day? And long? And tedious? Boy, that sounds like school doesn't it? And guess what? It is. I'd tell you what happened but that's another long story, and I don't want to get in that.