A/N: Hey, everybody. Sorry I took so long but I did warn you. Anyway, now starts the first chapter of Part II! (throws paper strips into the air) Arn't you excited?

Yeah, also... The very first part of this chapter, the part that is in italics, is taken from my very FIRST Jak and Daxter story, Reminiscing. I tweaked it just a little bit, turned it into first person POV. Just lettin' you all know.

There really isn't anything else I can say other than that so I'l just go right on ahead to the thank you's! (They're gonna be short)

First I wanna give one big thanks to ALL of my reviewers for again sticking it out with me to this point. And also because this time around, people left me long reviews!! I so HAPPEH!!

Midnyte Wolf: Muwahaha, you make me feel so special. Like a writing princess, even though I wouldn't be caught dead in a dress!! woooo! And keep those ideas running in your head. I want my readers to be guessing, its funs!

Mewlon: Yeah!! I got a new reviewer!! Welcome to Loud Silence, my dear! I redden when I see all the nice things you said, and I have a feeling I'm gonna LOVE your reviews!

thebigouch: feels like Christmas, eh? Well trim that tree and put up the lights because I come with another chapter! And as for more shower scenes..?? Haha, we'll see, I'll have to think about it.

Demyrie: Aww (pats head) Have a fun time putting those pieces together? Don't worry, I won't be shattering anyones world any time soon (snicker) and your guessing and hoping juuuust might pay off.

Jak and Dax Freak: Totally! It's nice to know theres another JD shipper in the boat. It's a fun one, isn't it? I don't think you need to worry, ending wise. I always was a sucker for happy endings.

ChronoClockXVII: Aha, I wonder what sound Jak would make if he shattered, lol. But the real sound? Ah, heck, just read and you'll find out. Daxter is pretty dramatic sometimes in his words so it can be hard to tell what he's really talking about.

E-chan5: Ah, I love building up the love and then kicking it in the end, leading up to one very interesting cliffhanger. Hang on no longer, love, it is here!

cin-min: (squeels right along with you) Hope it wasn't too harsh of a cliffhanger for you, but either way, the ending result is here! And you can see what it really was! (hops up and down)

RogueFanKC: Thanks for letting me know you've been reading. It reminds me I have more readers than reviewers! Also, you are too true about the whole JakKeiraDaxter thing. I totally and fully agree with you. (WHACK A METAL HEAD RULLLLESS!!)

Jira: Yup! Kissed, baby! I think I'm updating short of three weeks, but I'm gonna assume that it isn't a bad thing. And I would never forget my story (huggles it like a child) OR my readers. (huggles CHU!)

Goldbryn Callow Lyte Everybody seems to have that same guess and same hope. I just love to mess with peoples heads! But guess never hurt anybody, right?

jess: Yeah, well, I had to make Daxter kiss him. It was just so tempting, but I KNOW CHU LIKED EEET!! But I couln't end Part I on a sweet note, now could I? Oh gawd, I'm so mean!

Amme Atena I TOLD YOU! I told you Jak laughing was the cutest thing to ever hit ear shot. And Jak plushi?? yeah...yeah they need to make Jak and Daxter plushes, hard core.


--


"Hey, Dax."

"Hmm? Yeah?"

"We were sent out reactivate all the portals and find artifacts."

Well, ya. That's how it all started, anyway.

"Yup." I remember resting my chin on my knees, placidly interested.

"I'm not out here for any of that stuff."

"You're not? Then what?" My head had perked up at this.

"For you, Dax. I wanna help you get back to the way you're supposed to be. I bet that's what you want, right?"

"More'n anything!"

Almost more than anything.

"So relax and enjoy the ride. We'll get you back to normal, I promise."

Silence. Then…

"Jak?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

--

I felt tired. Just unbelievably tired. Not only that, but I was painstakingly disgusted at the horrible broken moans that I could hear from somewhere nearby. Somewhere very nearby. They were so wretched and bleak, I couldn't help but wince every time it sounded. When I had finally gotten the mind to pry open my lids, I found them to be heavy, like I was playing tug-of-war with them and losing. But when they cooperated with me enough to actually allow me to see, I discovered the sky, concluding that I was on my back. I knew we were in the middle of the street; I could hear people talking and murmuring, only stopping and starring because people have a sick curiosity to know if someone was hurt or not.

Where was Jak?

Gritting my teeth, and squeezing my lids closed, I attempted to sit up, only to collapse in vain effort. It took way too much energy. Which is weird, because I don't feel like anything too fatal had happened to me. I just felt… drained.

I did discover one thing, though. Those horrible moans and mewls? Yeah, they were coming from me.

I swallowed a growing lump, almost choking on my own saliva as slid down my throat, and cranked my head to the side, letting it roll to a stop. I tried to call Jak's name, but it came out soft and barely audible, due only because my mouth was destitute of any moisture. There were hot streaks rolling across my face, staining my cheeks,I could feel it. I knew they were tears, but I also knew they were not tears of sadness, but tears of pain.

Amazing how it took me so long to notice the sweltering sting all over my back, and the searing throb that came with it. I could also feel the sticky sensation that layered my body.

Just what was going on, anyway? I wish I could focus, but I'm just so confused.

"Dax!?"

I could hear him calling my name. It sounded concerned, but it was blurry sounding, and its reverberation caught me off guard. I managed to reopen an eye and see him coming up to me, and fast. He was on another zoomer, a fresh one that he had no doubt took from someone and used it to find where my miserably small body had been flung. He jumped off of it and made his way through the small crowd that was gradually getting bigger.

Since when did the people in this place care about a wounded rat?

"Dax!" His voice was becoming louder. And clearer. As if it was my only hold on reality. Ah, I'm not trying to give you the picture that I'm on the verge of death here, 'coz it takes a lot more than a little bump in the road to knock me off, 'specially after all I've done and seen… Jak do… But I was aching in places I didn't know I had. And I felt numb in other places, probably due to impact. I… can't even feel my tail.

"Daxter?"

What happened? Did I really look that bad? He sounded… confused and unsure of himself, and of all things, hopeful. My eyes were closed again; the sky was amazingly just too bright for me to dare, but I could feel Jak kneeling down next to me, cupping my face with his rough hands.

"How you feelin'?" He questioned me with a slight chuckle. A CHUCKLE!! Who does this guy think he is, anyway? Was he actually AMUSED that I was in the middle of the street, sprawled out and sore like it was my job!? His hands flew to my body, fingering my fingers, and stroking the fur on the top of my head.

"Like I've been hit by a truck," I told him truthfully. Then I gave it a second thought. "Or the other way around."

I could feel his cheeks redden, and he stood up, taking a single step back.

"Can you move?"

There was no way I was gonna let Jak, of all people, see ME in such a state that I couldn't even lift myself off of the ground. My eyes squinted open and I gave him an annoyed stare before nodding my head yes, trying to be firm in the way I did it. As if to tell him that it was a stupid question and I was very capable of lifting myself off the ground.

It sounded easy, anyway.

Well, when I attempted to raise myself up into a sitting position, another groan flooded out, one that was embarrassing, and one that I never felt coming. But before I could drop onto my back again, and no doubt feel that hurtful slam of my head against the pavement, my hand flew out to catch me. My palm slapped hard against the ground to keep me sitting, but there was no ignoring the utterly intense twinge that surrounded it as I did so, and the sharp intake of breath between my teeth that it triggered. I could hear a few selected citizens gasp and make annoying sounds behind me.

Just… what was going on, anyway?

A muttered 'shit' rushed out from under Jak's breath as he came rushing to my side. Or behind me, rather. His fingers rested on my quaking shoulders to keep me up, not pushing, but just resting there as a support to keep me from falling back.

"I didn't ask you to get up," He half hissed, half stated. "Just if you could move."

"Well be a little more specific next time," was all I could say to him. How was I supposed to know, anyway? I know Jak pretty well, but I'm no mind reader.

That's when my eyes widened at the sticky feeling that was smothering my hand. I could smell the coppery aroma of blood, and my face instantly cringed. I lifted my hand to look at it at a closer view; maroon, shimmering and coming out at a slow, even pace. But that's not what made my breath increase and my mouth go dryer than it already was. What did was the undeniable fact that my hand had…

Absolutely NO fur on it, whatsoever.

Instead, it was a pale hand – NOT paw! – quivering and fingers flinching, but I didn't care 'coz it was there!

The shock sent me into recoil, which was a stupid move on my part, because draggin' myself across the ground in what was my attempt at a crabwalk, only brought more pain to my already aching, and apparently bleeding body. But crawling backwards had also bumped me directly into Jak's chest, and I looked up at him on contact.

Was Jak, actually crying? And smiling at the same time? Okay, so maybe he wasn't bawlin' at the sight, but there was a glimmer in his eyes, the kind that can only come from tears. But he had somehow prevented them from escaping.

I had to make sure I wasn't seeing things, and I held up my hand just to double check myself. Sure enough, it was NOT the hand of an animal, but a hand that resembled Jak's. It would have been a beautiful sight if there weren't shards of glass sticking out of my pastel skin. So that's where the pain was coming from. Then I remembered the same exact feeling that was crawling around on my back and I looked down the ground.

Glass, (or was that jar made of crystal? I'm still not sure), was littering my surroundings, and lucky me!! I had oh-so-conveniently landed right on top of it all. Feeling the warm streams of red slither down my back in crooked lines, I knew that it probably wasn't a very pretty sight back there, either. So that no doubt meant that there was glass sticking in other places too, obviously. Including my…

Well, let's just say it's gonna hurt to sit down for a while.

My eyes ventured just a liiiiiittle bit to the left, and…

"J-JESUS!! Jak!!"

My hands instantly flew between my legs, with effort cause I still felt weary, careful not to damage anything down there with the SHARP AND POINTY objects that were sticking out of my hands. My eyes were swarming around me, at the people who had stopped in their busy day to watch the show. Let me just say, as much as my bare self was, put meekly, a masterpiece, I didn't want the whole entire city gawkin' at my skinny little self. I looked to Jak helplessly, praying that he would do something and do something quick to get me out of this mess with my pride and dignity still in tact. Yeah, I was frikkin' ecstatic to have my body back, but I can muse on that whenever I wanted. Right now, I was bleeding, NAKED, and shivering out in the open, with a crowd forming faster than the dark clouds above us that seemingly came out of nowhere, and all Jak could do was stare at me.

"Jaaaak!" I did what I could to snap him back to reality. "I know you're jealous but c'mooonn!!"

He blinked a few times, shaking his head tersely, and remembered all the people that were around. He laughed, the big jerk, and then scooted over to my right side. His hand rested momentarily on my forehead, brushing aside my short bangs that must have sprouted over time, cause I really don't remember ever having any, and letting his hand set there for a while. I let the warmth of his hand creep into my skin, until he pulled it away.

"This might hurt a bit," he said quietly as his hands slid underneath my slightly wracking frame, causing slight friction and a moment of warmth beneath my knees, across my back and under my arms, and I was scooped up. I could tell he was being extremely careful around my backside, doing what he could to NOT shove anything in deeper. A short hiss dripped from my lips, but it didn't matter because I was in Jak's strong arms the very next minute.

He ran as he carried me to the zoomer he had found me with. Propping me up on the back seat and sitting down in front of me, he placed my hands around his waist.

"I know it's a little weird, but try to bear with it," he said. I decided to ignore that the little 'bear' comment could be assumed to be a 'bare' of another meaning, and therefore could've been a joke if I took it seriously enough. Or maybe I'm just thinking too much of it. "Hold on tight."

His foot slammed on the gas and we were flying, leaving the crowd behind us in a black cloud of smoke and dust. The air was slapping at my skin, the wind like thunder as it rushed by, and I already missed the way my fur kept me from being this affected by the air stream. I slid closer to Jak, wrapping my arms fully around him and latching my hands together to form a strong hold, doing my best to keep anything from scratching myself or him. I finished it off by tucking my head into his back to keep me safe from the whip of the wind.

Then with a gasp, I scooted my butt back on the seat, still keeping my arms hooked around Jak, but leaning forward to do so. Jak went faster.

"Something wrong?"

"U-uh no! No…"

If I were wearing pants, it'd be a little crowded right now…

I started wriggling in my seat, squirming my shoulders and raising my left leg to maybe make things not so obvious, but that accomplished nothing, 'cept for making me look like a complete fool. My face turned goaded and I could feel my left ear twitching in dissatisfaction as I finally released my hold on Jak and placed my hands, once again, between my legs. It wasn't intentional, but in my blind attempt at controlling my own body, I started to grunt and almost growl at it, grinding my teeth in vain as it overlooked me. This, I figured, was going to become a project if things kept going the way they were. But… things were soon interrupted with a sharp turn of the vehicle, and in a clumsy endeavor, my arms waved about aimlessly in the air before finding Jak's neck, where they proceeded in holding it tight. Jak coughed and I loosened my hold.

"I told you to hang on," he chortled at me, making my cheeks go hot.

I returned my hands to his waist, my little 'problem' suddenly wearing down, much to my liking. While Jak continued to concentrate on the road in front of him, I peered over his shoulder to see him. He was smiling, and not just any smile, either. There are smiles he makes only for me, but even I haven't seen this one. And I took my eyes off of him and let my lips spread in a smile of their own. He was happy because I was back, and because even after all of these years, he had kept his promise. And trust me, so was I.

Just as my head started to get cozy nestling in the scarf Jak had around his neck, the zoomer came to a surprisingly gentle stop. My hands unhooked themselves as Jak started to step off, looking back at me with an expression that asked me if he should offer a hand or not. I refused the offer, dunno why, and stepped off on my own. Thankful to be in a secluded corner of the city, I padded over to the Underground entrance, with Jak right behind me. I could hear the hiss and click of the door closing behind us and my shoulders, which I never knew where so tense until now, loosened.

I looked behind me, only to find one very happy blonde.

"Can you believe it?"

"Believe it, baby!" I sounded confident, even to my own ears, but my hands remained low, covering my more vital areas. "I'm BACK, and just as sexy as ever, if I do say so myself. Mebbe even more so! And it's all thanks to you!"

Jak chuckled through his nose at this statement and took a step closer to me.

"I never forget a promise." Then he scanned me really quick, before raising a brow at me. "You wanna see yourself? I can only imagine-"

"Not until I'm all cleaned up," I reminded him, and he seemed almost ashamed that he hadn't thought about that first.

"Right. Sit down."

I followed his orders like a good little boy, as he turned around and rummaged through some drawers, to later pull out a roll of bandages and a rag. On his way back over to me he stopped at the pipe, twisted the knob ever so slightly, and dampened the rag with what little water spilled out. He stood in front of me and gave me a worried look.

"You uh… wanna do those ones by yourself?" I followed hisgesture down to my rear end, and I bit my lower lip at the thought.

"I- uh… I-I got it." Jak sent me off into the other side of the room, and turned around. It was an awkward situation and an even more awkward feeling, being only across the room for my 'privacy' and in a place where Jak could hear everything I did, regardless if he could actually see me or not. Still, even with all of that put into play, I proceeded in grabbing one of the two pieces that were stuck in my rear, mentally counting to three before yanking it out, before I had the chance to cower out of it. I jumped up at the snap of pain it shot though me, but my slightly gapped overbite chomped down on my tongue hard enough to keep any sounds to myself. My eyes watered up, though, and I looked to the dirty ceiling as if it would somehow help me in my task. With a preparation of a sigh, I took hold of the other piece and followed the same procedure as before, this time only letting the tiniest of squeaks escape my mouth. I tended to my sore fanny and got it over with as soon as I could. Quickly searching around the room, I spotted one of the bunks nearby, and I reached out to grab one of its sheets, securing it around my thin waist as I looked to my palms.

Had to do it sooner or later.

It was just as painful as before, as I took the time to take out the larger pieces, placing them on nice little piles, even taking the time to separate the bloody from the not so bloody. Then I separated those ones from the not TOO bloody and the not very bloody at all. Just 'coz I'm a nice guy.

I cleared my throat weakly to signal I was done. Jak turned around, amused at my exertion of covering myself. I wasn't ready you give myself to Jak just yet. I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted it be a special, unique moment. Not that this wasn't unique, but I think you know what I'm trying to say. I wanted to—

"Get on the bed."

"H-huwhat?"

"Now."

As if a punishment was in store if I didn't follow those instructions, I crawled onto the bed and sat there with my legs over the edge, clinging onto the sheet, forming blotches on the white cover with smudged fingerprints and paintings of my red hand. I hope Torn wasn't too fond of these things.

I sat there motionless as Jak slid onto the bed and sat cross-legged behind me. I let a breath form within my mouth to say something, but the feel of his warm fingertips brushing my bare back shut me up. His finger trailed along my skin, as if trying to find where to start, and when he paused, I gritted my teeth.

"Here'goes."

Pressing his other hand on my back, he used his remaining hand to tug on the glass, and it came out with a small slurp, causing me to make a disturbing whine. I felt a tap on my right arm and when I looked, Jak was handing me the rag and bandages.

"Clean up your hands," he said, and I nodded as I took the items, taking the rag and lightly dabbing my open palm. My eyes went semi lidded as I blankly stared at what I was doing, too focused on Jak's skin touching mine to really see anything. It was such a wonderful feeling, until another sharp prick ruined the fantasy of a moment, and another piece of glass was extracted.

"How you holding up?" Jak asked me right before I felt yet another flake pull out with a sound that resembled a hippo trying to get its foot unstuck in the mud. My eyes squinted at the very uncomfortable feeling, but I answered him just as casually as I would any other time.

"Eh… I'm holding."

"Good. Got one more big piece, then I can try to get some of the smaller ones."

You know, I'm feeling pretty strong right now. This might be me doing a little thing I like to call wishful thinking, 'coz let's face it, I do that a lot, but not many people can walk from a crash, be stuck in numerous pieces with pieces of ouch, losing some blood, and be sitting down on a bed having a nice little conversation with their best friend. Which, by the way, if you haven't yet noticed, Jak is ONCE AGAIN unharmed. The Bastard.

I felt the last big piece slid out with ease, though still with a slight pinch of tenderness, and Jak immediately starting picking at the smaller bits. I could feel his nails gently scraping along the places that felt a little sore, and then he would pick at a certain spot until he got it out. This took a bit of time, but I almost enjoyed it. Eh, I didn't enjoy the fact that Jak was taking something out of my skin that wasn't supposed to be there in the first place, but more enjoyed that we were able to complete it in total silence, with me on the edge of the bed, eyes lowered in deep thought, and Jak right behind me on the same bed, fingering my backsideand leaning in really close to get a good view. If you ignore the pain and the smell I was giving to the room, it was kinda… nice…

I was almost out of it all the way when he nudged me from behind and requested the rag and bandages. I took a glance at my hands, glad that I had at least remembered to wipe them off, and wipe them off well, before handing the goods over to Jak. He held my shoulder with one steady grip, and then started to very lightly slide the rag across my back, over the cuts and soaking up the blood that wasn't already dried. I made sounds from between my teeth, not being able to help it, but Jak continued going anyway. I knew just as well as he did that I had to clean it up. For a brief moment, Jak got up to soak the rag again, but he returned and continued to rub. When that had stopped, I could feel ANOTHER friggen sting, one that I can only assume was something he was spreading to keep anything from getting infected or… whatever. Then he slightly pushed me enough to get me standing on two feet.

I knew he was indicating for me to head to the shower before he even said anything. I waved my hand knowingly in the air, and padded over to the little room, closing the door behind me, wondering why the HELL I never thought about going in there earlier. I paused for a moment, thinking, smiling, and I reopened the door to poke my head out and gain Jak's attention. The creak of the door caused Jak's head to turn, and he laughed when he saw me giving him a wicked, wry grin, winking before I submerged inside the bathroom again.

I made sure I avoided looking in the mirror when I was in there, and I dropped the sheet that I was using as a shield, slightly uneasy at the sight of red twirls and smears on the pure white. But as soon as I felt hot water on my skin, I didn't mind it as much. At least it was my blood.

Whatever that meant.

I had to laugh at myself, wishing that under some strange circumstance, Jak would allow me to take a shower with him for a second time, or at least see him naked. 'Coz gawd, we were close enough to do that kind of thing and not freak out about it. Well... we're old enough to do it, but that's not saying I won't have a total orgasm at the sight of it.

ANYWAY!

What about sleeping arrangements? Oh, I never thought about that before. But that's probably because I never expected to turn back, especially so suddenly. And in front of an audience, no less! But seriously, I used to sleep in box, until Jak let me sleep with him on his bed, on his chest, just close by him. But now that I was back to the way I used to be, well.. what then? There was more than one bed in the den, and I was a big boy now, so Jak might find it a little… odd? Then again, I don't think I'm the only one that benefits from sleeping next to Jak. After all, when he wakes up from a nightmarish sleep, what support and calmness is he gonna reach out to in the last instant? That's part of the reason I was there; to keep him safe.

'Coz if I can't protect him in the real world, then his own world is the next best thing.

This was all nagging at me even while I was rinsing my gold roots and fire locks. I bowed my head to let it all wash out, but I regretting doing so when I saw the water below me swirling in hues of pink. I gulped, I don't like blood. No matter how much I see, I don't think I'll ever find a place for it. I finished up quickly, just to get it over with, feeling fresher than I ever had before, and I wrapped a towel around my waist, securing it there with a small knot and stepping in front of the mirror.

I took a breath before I looked.

Wow… I don't remember the way I looked before the whole incident, but from what I DO remember, not TOO much had changed. My teeth were just as annoying as ever, even though I had somehow wished they'd be perfect and straight. Ah, can't get my hopes up, right? My hair was its same recognizable colors and my skin was just as smooth and flawless as it was before, like there was any doubt. Turning to the side, I took a gander at my body from its profile. Gah, still skinny… still lanky… still SHORT! And jeez, back to human and STILL no pants! I sucked it in and puffed out my chest as much as I could, coming out with… not much of a result. Ok… Ok, so I was skinny, big deal. I was still sexy in my eyes, I think I always will be. True, I didn't have any abs to show off and I didn't have muscles that a girl could swoon over, but I had actually – believe it or not – gained a little bit of detail on my arms, and looking down, even on my legs! Uh, honestly, it's such a small improvement, it's probably only noticeable by me myself and I, but maybe running around on all fours for a few years wasn't such a bad thing after all. I guess, though, that I just wasn't meant to have bulk.

I leaned in closer to the mirror to get a detailed look at my skin, to see if I had any scars on my face.

Or facial hair.

I didn't, thank God.

Licking my suddenly dry lips, I decided to stop gaping at myself when I saw the marks that were now on my back. It somewhat depressed me, so I left the bathroom, and found Jak sitting on the bed, just waiting for me.

He then told me to lift my arms, which I did without a fuss. He circled me a few times, bandaging up my torso and chest in the areas he felt needed it the most, and then we sat down on the bed again, both Indian-style… facing each other.

He took my hand, which was so smooth compared to his own and he began to very tenderly wrap it up with the bandages. All I could do was stare down as he worked. I was captivated almost, by the precision and ability to be so gentle with such rough hands. He did the same withmy other hand, and he let out a yawn.

"Long day at work, hunny?"

As soon as he was done yawning, he gave me a look and playfully punched my arm.

"Shut up."

"Hey! Ehehe… eheh… ow…" I rubbed my arms and gave an apologetic face. He returned it before falling onto his back on the bed.

He looked really beat, lids closing one second at a time.

"Daxter."

It was weird to hear him use my full first name like that. But I looked at him anyway, ears lowering to hear his whispers better.

"Yeah, Big Guy?"

"I'm glad your back."

I grinned madly, taking my eyes off of him to look down at my knees, which were still covered by the towel that hung around my waist.

Sleeping arrangements. I had to try.

"Jak."

But he was already sleeping, mouth slightly open, hand outstretched and barely touching my towel. What he doesn't know won't hurt him, right? I wonder what he'll say or do when he wakes up to find me on the same bed as himself. I'll find an excuse somewhere. But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Holding the towel in its place, I crawled onto the bed, and over Jak to lay down on his other side. I scooted up close to him and poised myself up on my elbows to stare at his sleeping form.

He'll never have to know.

If I do it now, he won't have a clue.

I knew he was asleep, and I knew what my brain wanted, and it wasn't gonna let me sleep right until I listened to its every word, and I hovered my face over Jak's, feeling his breath caress my face. It was over just as soon as it had started, a quick peck on the lips, and he never stirred.

I then settled myself down next to him, covering us both up with the ugly covers, and I rested my hand on his chest. I had to keep telling myself with a little grin:

This is how it should be.

Jak's lips were curled into a cozy grin as he slept, and for the first time since before I can even begin to remember, Jak never woke up screaming from a nightmare. And I was right there by his side.