A/N: Well, here we are onto the second chapter I hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: Not mine
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I can never sleep at night. I think it might have something to do with being in a place like Haven City. It frightens me beyond all reason. It might be because in a place like this, it's hard to let your guard down, even in the comfort of your own bed, if you can call it comfort.
Even with Jak next to me, it was difficult. I would get a few minutes in here or there every once and a while but that was it. In those few minutes I did drift into sleep, it was always plagued by nightmares.
Anyway, I've been awake for some time now, and I couldn't tell ya just how long it was I was staring at Jak's sleeping figure. I watched as his chest rose and fell, and how his gentle features moved as he slumbered. Every once and a while he would mutter something in his sleep, but it was always inaudible, even to my sensitive ears.
I wonder if Jak has nightmares.
If he does, it never shows. Maybe he's just so used to this horrible place and doesn't let anything bother him. Or maybe he does have nightmares, but doesn't squirm and sweat like I do.
It's so embarrassing... On some nights, I'll be having another one of my bad dreams, and when I wake up, I find myself breathing hard, petrified to the bone, and on few occasions, my eyes will be watering, but I refuse to let myself go in front of Jak. Don't let that one out to anybody, okay? When I wake up, I'll be in Jak's arms. He'll be rocking me in an attempt to calm me down and stop me from shaking uncontrollably.
Yeah, Jak was used to this place and all it had to offer.
Unlike me. To me, this place was Hell. I never get used to it. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all.
I wanted to be back in Sandover. My Sandover. The one I was used to.
I looked at the clock. 2:16 in the morning. I let out a light and almost silent sigh as my attention returned to Jak. He was so peaceful in his sleep. Heh... probably dreaming about shooting things. Jak loved his gun. I never got completely used to him killing the way he does. Well okay, I had gotten used to it, but my stomach doesn't churn as much as it used to.
Bah, I know I'm not going to be getting any sleep for the rest of the night. Jak knows I can't sleep. I think that's why I sleep here on his bed, next to him. I used to sleep in that thing over there: That old drawer on the floor in the corner. That's right, the one with thin blankets over it?
Samos tried to fill it up with newspaper, if my memory serves me right. Jak told him that just because I got turned into some animal doesn't mean I had to be treated as such. I still put up with it for a few nights, shifting my weight every few minutes to get comfortable, only to stare off at nothing in particular. One night, Jak insisted I sleep next to him, which I wasn't going to refuse the offer.
I've sleep next to Jak every night since then. It's nice, too. I curl up on the pillow into a little ball, where I get to see Jak's face and his warm and inviting smile before he bids me good night and closes his eyes.
Hmm, nobody's around... I lifted my paw and looked down at it. So small... I placed it lightly on Jak's cheek and stroked his face with the utmost caution. (Even though Jak was a pretty hard sleeper.)
Nights are boring as hell. When you can't sleep, and everyone else is, things are just plain... dull.
I found myself fiddling with my tail. Hey, it was something. Other nights I walk through the building and go through everyone's stuff. Sometimes I raid the fridge. Sometimes I go outside for some fresh air, although I don't really go anywhere because that would be stupid on my part. Yeah, like I've never done anything stupid before, right? I think one night I even went through Jak's garments.
I looked at the clock again. 3:02 right now. Geez, time goes really slow when you have nothing to do or no one to talk with you to pass the time. Even with Jak next to me, I felt a slight uneasiness in the air. It was quiet, and nothing was going on. It put the fur on my back stand up just a little. During the day, something is always happening, and someone is always talking. Usually me, but that's not the point.
I might as well tell you now. I hate to be alone. And even though Jak was right here, even though I could reach out and touch his face right now with my paw, I felt just a little alone at that moment.
I was so tempted to wake Jak up, just for the sake of him being asleep and me not being asleep, but at the same time, I didn't want to disturb him. Of course, everyone is allowed to be a little selfish as times, right?
Right?
"Jak..." I whispered at his ear, nudging his shoulder. "Hey, Jak. Wake up, Big Guy."
Jak groaned a morning groan, one that said he didn't feel like waking up as he was commanded, but he did not stir.
"Jak," I said a little louder this time. I have a pretty loud voice, so I still tried to keep it down enough so as not to wake Keira or Samos.
This time he rolled to the side and fluttered one eye open into a sleepy slit. I could see his large blue iris looking straight at me. I grinned a sheepish grin and chuckled.
"Sorry to wake ya, pal," I said apologetically, even if I kinda did mean to wake him up.
"Trouble sleeping?" His voice was croaked, because of it being so early. He rubbed sleep from his eyes and sat up in his bed. I crawled onto his lap and sat there, facing him and looking up at him with tired eyes.
I really need to sleep more; it's starting to catch up to me.
I managed an embarrassed nod and felt remarkably guilty. Jak was looking at me with what looked like sympathy and pity rolled into one. We didn't exchange anymore words. Jak picked me up, lay back down, and set me on top of his stomach. Almost instinctively I curled into a ball on his stomach, slowly rising and falling along with his breathing.
I could hear his heartbeat.
Next thing I know, his fingers are scratching behind my ears, and then stroking my back with skilled tenderness.
Ohh...
I never knew how good that felt before.
I don't know how long he was petting me. It felt so nice, I soon drifted off into unconsciousness.
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In spite of the few times I woke up and fell back asleep again, it was the most decent sleep I have had in a long time.
I woke up to the murmur of people on the other side of the door. My gaze lazily swept to the door, before I brushed it back to Jak, who was staring at me with those big blue eyes of his.
Thank God I have fur because I think I blushed just now.
"Morning, Dax," He managed to sound as chipper as his voice would allow.
"Morn'in," I grumbled into his tunic, as I repositioned my head. I felt his fingers stroking me again for a few seconds before he spoke.
"C'mon, we gotta get up."
"Yeah, yeah," I sounded a little more awake and aware now. "Lemme get a few more winks of beauty sleep, will'ya?"
I didn't have to look. I could feel him shaking his head at me in amusement, and I lifted my head to shoot him a wry smile.
"Fine, but if I'm all grumpy today, you only have yourself to blame!" I gave him an accusing finger and shook it at him, before scrambling up to his shoulder plate and adjusting my claws to his clothing so as not to fall off. Jak has a tendency to be rather active, you see.
I rested comfortably on his shoulder. I think I leaned over on his head a few times. I'm still pretty tired. As he opened the door my eyes got to see the happenings of the morning.
Big, green and ugly was in the corner lookin' at some of his old junk, mainly books, while Keira was sitting at the table, sipping at some coffee. Oh by the way, we're at that...mechanic...place or whatever it is. The place Keira had been hiding out and building zoomers and things such as that for all those races.
It was just a temporary home, until me and Jak were able to get enough money from missions to find something better. And safer.
"Good morning, boys!" She smiled at us. Er... She smiled at Jak, and he returned her greeting with a slight wave of his hand. He took a seat across from her, which she seemed to frown at for a moment before returning to her cheery smile.
There was no denying it. Keira had a pretty face.
She had pretty everything.
It scared me sometimes. It was obvious she wanted to get close to Jak. Good thing I was always around to break them apart whenever she got too close to him. Ah, don't get me wrong here... I like Keira and everything, but talk about competition!
Breakfast was silent, and I kind of enjoyed it. So much, in fact, that I relaxed and didn't speak myself, which caused Jak to worry and ask me if I was feeling alright.
"'Course I'm fine," I told him with a toothy grin. "Let's get going."
With a salute to Keira, and a shift of his shoulder, (A little signal he gave me to tell me to get balanced), he stood up and left the room before Keira or even Samos could say anything of it.
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Both Jak's eyes as well as mine were darting across the sky, scanning all the passing vehicles, looking for something useful. Freeing lurkers was a common mission for us.
"Hey, Jak!" I said in a voice that was louder than I had expected it to be, which it usually was, in my opinion. I tugged on his hair and pointed to an oncoming vehicle. A two-seater; not the fastest thing on the road, but durable. Jak nodded and shifted his shoulder from under me. I tightened my hold on him.
I could feel him preparing his stance, and just as the hovercraft's shadow covered us, he sprang upwards and landed on top of it. Without hesitation, and without giving the driver anytime to react, he yanked him out by the arms and dropped him over the side of the craft, landing him safely on a passing roof.
He sat in the seat and slammed on the gas pedal. I looked back to see the original driver jumping up and down and waving an angered fist in the air at us. I chuckled and faced in front of me, eying everything around us. Jak was a pretty crazy driver, and I gave myself the job of being his extra set of eyes on the road. Every once and a while I would shout at him, telling him to be more careful or to watch out for that oncoming building and such, but most the time he did it only to tick me off.
Thankfully, no one important saw us and we were able to drive at a normal low speed. I still watched out for those nasty Krimson Guards, however. Those guys will chase you down with every man they got if you do so much as to just look at them. Of course, if somebody was...oh say, getting mugged, it wouldn't be their problem.
Jak's gun was heavy, but I was still able to hold it in my grasp and stay balanced on his shoulder at the same time. Squinting my eye and aiming at the cage in front of me, I prepared myself for the crazy driving that was inevitably ahead.
Jak readied his foot on the pedal as I pulled the trigger. The force of the shot made me drop the gun to the floor below us, and I had to quickly grab hold of Jak's scarf to stay put. My stomach flipped as our vehicle zipped downwards and the now free lurker was making his way to us.
Those guys sure did take their damn time!
As soon as the lurker sat down, Jak floored it and we were on our way to the market, where our destination awaited. I started feeling dizzy as Jak lowered and raised the hover craft like there was no tomorrow to avoid all sorts of traffic and citizens. His sharp turns didn't help much either.
When we got to the drop off point, there was a message waiting for us there. It was directions to a part of town me or Jak have never seen or heard of before. Probably because it was hidden underground, underwater.
I must have looked pretty beat, with no sleep, and recovering from our crazy ride, because Jak was looking at me like I was a lost puppy on death road.
"What!?" I quipped, hoping he couldn't see through me and tell that, yeah, I was whipped.
"We can start this tomorrow," He told me, waving the little piece of paper in the air, and then stuffing it into his tunic somewhere. "Let's try to relax a bit and sleep tonight, alright?"
Whether I said yes or no to the plan, that was what was going to happen. I nodded slowly, letting my body grow limp on Jak's shoulder, too tired to hold myself up. Hey, if Jak knew that I was tired, there was no use trying to hide it anymore. I think Jak felt the extra weight on his shoulder because as soon as I did, he quickened his pace.
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Disclaimer: Not mine
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.
.
.
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I can never sleep at night. I think it might have something to do with being in a place like Haven City. It frightens me beyond all reason. It might be because in a place like this, it's hard to let your guard down, even in the comfort of your own bed, if you can call it comfort.
Even with Jak next to me, it was difficult. I would get a few minutes in here or there every once and a while but that was it. In those few minutes I did drift into sleep, it was always plagued by nightmares.
Anyway, I've been awake for some time now, and I couldn't tell ya just how long it was I was staring at Jak's sleeping figure. I watched as his chest rose and fell, and how his gentle features moved as he slumbered. Every once and a while he would mutter something in his sleep, but it was always inaudible, even to my sensitive ears.
I wonder if Jak has nightmares.
If he does, it never shows. Maybe he's just so used to this horrible place and doesn't let anything bother him. Or maybe he does have nightmares, but doesn't squirm and sweat like I do.
It's so embarrassing... On some nights, I'll be having another one of my bad dreams, and when I wake up, I find myself breathing hard, petrified to the bone, and on few occasions, my eyes will be watering, but I refuse to let myself go in front of Jak. Don't let that one out to anybody, okay? When I wake up, I'll be in Jak's arms. He'll be rocking me in an attempt to calm me down and stop me from shaking uncontrollably.
Yeah, Jak was used to this place and all it had to offer.
Unlike me. To me, this place was Hell. I never get used to it. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all.
I wanted to be back in Sandover. My Sandover. The one I was used to.
I looked at the clock. 2:16 in the morning. I let out a light and almost silent sigh as my attention returned to Jak. He was so peaceful in his sleep. Heh... probably dreaming about shooting things. Jak loved his gun. I never got completely used to him killing the way he does. Well okay, I had gotten used to it, but my stomach doesn't churn as much as it used to.
Bah, I know I'm not going to be getting any sleep for the rest of the night. Jak knows I can't sleep. I think that's why I sleep here on his bed, next to him. I used to sleep in that thing over there: That old drawer on the floor in the corner. That's right, the one with thin blankets over it?
Samos tried to fill it up with newspaper, if my memory serves me right. Jak told him that just because I got turned into some animal doesn't mean I had to be treated as such. I still put up with it for a few nights, shifting my weight every few minutes to get comfortable, only to stare off at nothing in particular. One night, Jak insisted I sleep next to him, which I wasn't going to refuse the offer.
I've sleep next to Jak every night since then. It's nice, too. I curl up on the pillow into a little ball, where I get to see Jak's face and his warm and inviting smile before he bids me good night and closes his eyes.
Hmm, nobody's around... I lifted my paw and looked down at it. So small... I placed it lightly on Jak's cheek and stroked his face with the utmost caution. (Even though Jak was a pretty hard sleeper.)
Nights are boring as hell. When you can't sleep, and everyone else is, things are just plain... dull.
I found myself fiddling with my tail. Hey, it was something. Other nights I walk through the building and go through everyone's stuff. Sometimes I raid the fridge. Sometimes I go outside for some fresh air, although I don't really go anywhere because that would be stupid on my part. Yeah, like I've never done anything stupid before, right? I think one night I even went through Jak's garments.
I looked at the clock again. 3:02 right now. Geez, time goes really slow when you have nothing to do or no one to talk with you to pass the time. Even with Jak next to me, I felt a slight uneasiness in the air. It was quiet, and nothing was going on. It put the fur on my back stand up just a little. During the day, something is always happening, and someone is always talking. Usually me, but that's not the point.
I might as well tell you now. I hate to be alone. And even though Jak was right here, even though I could reach out and touch his face right now with my paw, I felt just a little alone at that moment.
I was so tempted to wake Jak up, just for the sake of him being asleep and me not being asleep, but at the same time, I didn't want to disturb him. Of course, everyone is allowed to be a little selfish as times, right?
Right?
"Jak..." I whispered at his ear, nudging his shoulder. "Hey, Jak. Wake up, Big Guy."
Jak groaned a morning groan, one that said he didn't feel like waking up as he was commanded, but he did not stir.
"Jak," I said a little louder this time. I have a pretty loud voice, so I still tried to keep it down enough so as not to wake Keira or Samos.
This time he rolled to the side and fluttered one eye open into a sleepy slit. I could see his large blue iris looking straight at me. I grinned a sheepish grin and chuckled.
"Sorry to wake ya, pal," I said apologetically, even if I kinda did mean to wake him up.
"Trouble sleeping?" His voice was croaked, because of it being so early. He rubbed sleep from his eyes and sat up in his bed. I crawled onto his lap and sat there, facing him and looking up at him with tired eyes.
I really need to sleep more; it's starting to catch up to me.
I managed an embarrassed nod and felt remarkably guilty. Jak was looking at me with what looked like sympathy and pity rolled into one. We didn't exchange anymore words. Jak picked me up, lay back down, and set me on top of his stomach. Almost instinctively I curled into a ball on his stomach, slowly rising and falling along with his breathing.
I could hear his heartbeat.
Next thing I know, his fingers are scratching behind my ears, and then stroking my back with skilled tenderness.
Ohh...
I never knew how good that felt before.
I don't know how long he was petting me. It felt so nice, I soon drifted off into unconsciousness.
.
.
.
.
.
.
In spite of the few times I woke up and fell back asleep again, it was the most decent sleep I have had in a long time.
I woke up to the murmur of people on the other side of the door. My gaze lazily swept to the door, before I brushed it back to Jak, who was staring at me with those big blue eyes of his.
Thank God I have fur because I think I blushed just now.
"Morning, Dax," He managed to sound as chipper as his voice would allow.
"Morn'in," I grumbled into his tunic, as I repositioned my head. I felt his fingers stroking me again for a few seconds before he spoke.
"C'mon, we gotta get up."
"Yeah, yeah," I sounded a little more awake and aware now. "Lemme get a few more winks of beauty sleep, will'ya?"
I didn't have to look. I could feel him shaking his head at me in amusement, and I lifted my head to shoot him a wry smile.
"Fine, but if I'm all grumpy today, you only have yourself to blame!" I gave him an accusing finger and shook it at him, before scrambling up to his shoulder plate and adjusting my claws to his clothing so as not to fall off. Jak has a tendency to be rather active, you see.
I rested comfortably on his shoulder. I think I leaned over on his head a few times. I'm still pretty tired. As he opened the door my eyes got to see the happenings of the morning.
Big, green and ugly was in the corner lookin' at some of his old junk, mainly books, while Keira was sitting at the table, sipping at some coffee. Oh by the way, we're at that...mechanic...place or whatever it is. The place Keira had been hiding out and building zoomers and things such as that for all those races.
It was just a temporary home, until me and Jak were able to get enough money from missions to find something better. And safer.
"Good morning, boys!" She smiled at us. Er... She smiled at Jak, and he returned her greeting with a slight wave of his hand. He took a seat across from her, which she seemed to frown at for a moment before returning to her cheery smile.
There was no denying it. Keira had a pretty face.
She had pretty everything.
It scared me sometimes. It was obvious she wanted to get close to Jak. Good thing I was always around to break them apart whenever she got too close to him. Ah, don't get me wrong here... I like Keira and everything, but talk about competition!
Breakfast was silent, and I kind of enjoyed it. So much, in fact, that I relaxed and didn't speak myself, which caused Jak to worry and ask me if I was feeling alright.
"'Course I'm fine," I told him with a toothy grin. "Let's get going."
With a salute to Keira, and a shift of his shoulder, (A little signal he gave me to tell me to get balanced), he stood up and left the room before Keira or even Samos could say anything of it.
.
.
.
.
Both Jak's eyes as well as mine were darting across the sky, scanning all the passing vehicles, looking for something useful. Freeing lurkers was a common mission for us.
"Hey, Jak!" I said in a voice that was louder than I had expected it to be, which it usually was, in my opinion. I tugged on his hair and pointed to an oncoming vehicle. A two-seater; not the fastest thing on the road, but durable. Jak nodded and shifted his shoulder from under me. I tightened my hold on him.
I could feel him preparing his stance, and just as the hovercraft's shadow covered us, he sprang upwards and landed on top of it. Without hesitation, and without giving the driver anytime to react, he yanked him out by the arms and dropped him over the side of the craft, landing him safely on a passing roof.
He sat in the seat and slammed on the gas pedal. I looked back to see the original driver jumping up and down and waving an angered fist in the air at us. I chuckled and faced in front of me, eying everything around us. Jak was a pretty crazy driver, and I gave myself the job of being his extra set of eyes on the road. Every once and a while I would shout at him, telling him to be more careful or to watch out for that oncoming building and such, but most the time he did it only to tick me off.
Thankfully, no one important saw us and we were able to drive at a normal low speed. I still watched out for those nasty Krimson Guards, however. Those guys will chase you down with every man they got if you do so much as to just look at them. Of course, if somebody was...oh say, getting mugged, it wouldn't be their problem.
Jak's gun was heavy, but I was still able to hold it in my grasp and stay balanced on his shoulder at the same time. Squinting my eye and aiming at the cage in front of me, I prepared myself for the crazy driving that was inevitably ahead.
Jak readied his foot on the pedal as I pulled the trigger. The force of the shot made me drop the gun to the floor below us, and I had to quickly grab hold of Jak's scarf to stay put. My stomach flipped as our vehicle zipped downwards and the now free lurker was making his way to us.
Those guys sure did take their damn time!
As soon as the lurker sat down, Jak floored it and we were on our way to the market, where our destination awaited. I started feeling dizzy as Jak lowered and raised the hover craft like there was no tomorrow to avoid all sorts of traffic and citizens. His sharp turns didn't help much either.
When we got to the drop off point, there was a message waiting for us there. It was directions to a part of town me or Jak have never seen or heard of before. Probably because it was hidden underground, underwater.
I must have looked pretty beat, with no sleep, and recovering from our crazy ride, because Jak was looking at me like I was a lost puppy on death road.
"What!?" I quipped, hoping he couldn't see through me and tell that, yeah, I was whipped.
"We can start this tomorrow," He told me, waving the little piece of paper in the air, and then stuffing it into his tunic somewhere. "Let's try to relax a bit and sleep tonight, alright?"
Whether I said yes or no to the plan, that was what was going to happen. I nodded slowly, letting my body grow limp on Jak's shoulder, too tired to hold myself up. Hey, if Jak knew that I was tired, there was no use trying to hide it anymore. I think Jak felt the extra weight on his shoulder because as soon as I did, he quickened his pace.
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