Hey guys! Sorry for the wait. I was a bit busy for a few days and I was away from my computer. Thanks for the reviews while I was gone. Well I decided to write this chapter on what happens between Ashelin and Torn because I figure if I get straight to the juicy parts with Keira and Jak then my story will come to an end (NoooOoo) So to prolong my story and make it a bit more interesting, this is for you Ash and Torn. Let's see how Ashelin's gonna get herself out of this one cause Torn seemed pissed a few chapters ago Lol.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4

Ashelin left Jak in a cloud of dust as she sped away on her zoomer. She needed to find Torn. It didn't hit her until she realized he was gone but somehow word must've got around. If that's the case then Torn must be pretty angry. If Torn was really that upset, Ashelin knew exactly where he'd go to vent out his anger. To the Baron's palace, now hers ever since the Baron was overthrown about a year ago.

Torn would go there so that he can abuse the Krimzon Guards and take it out on them. Leave it to Torn to abuse his power when he was angry. She couldn't complain though because at times she did the same. Plus it gave the advantage of always keeping the guards on strict discipline. They knew not to mess with Torn just because he had left the Krimzon Guards at one time. Once he was appointed commander, he always made sure that his authority was never under minded.

She found that quality quite attractive in him. He always made sure that when he gave an order it was done, that's why she couldn't ask for a better partner when it came to controlling and monitoring the city. They worked well together and they weren't afraid to use weapons if necessary.

He had always kept an eye on her through the years. She was there when Torn had first joined the KG. He was one of the most powerful of the bunch. She had seen the leadership qualities and talents in him; she knew he didn't belong where he was. She was drawn to him because of that and from that moment on, Torn and Ashelin had started a forbidden friendship, one that her father was against because the KG was supposed to be nothing more but mindless soldiers. That was the problem though; Torn had a mind and a damn good one at that.

When he was on guard duty in the palace or patrolling the areas, she'd keep him company while he just listened to her, listened to all the troubles she had to deal with because of her father's ways. At first he didn't talk much but in time he opened up. One night he had told her more than she expected, he confessed to her his disgust for her father's ways. He shared the same desire and the same anger because he too, wanted to make the city a better place. It was then that he left the Krimzon Guards and the Underground was slowly formed with her help along with Samos, known as The Shadow back then.

Even through the secret meetings and missions, through the strategizing and planning, Torn always made sure he looked out for her. Even though he was a bit older than her, it seemed his over-protectiveness at times was more than friendship. It was after the Baron and Kor had been defeated that she had pursued her feelings for him and welcomed his. It was a new beginning, for the city and for the both of them. Now she was sure that after what she had done, Torn probably couldn't feel more betrayed. He looked out for her, shared her anger, shared her passion to change the city and always stood firm by her and here she was, kissing someone else.

She shook her head as she saw the palace slowly coming into view ahead of her. I bet he thinks I'm a real bitch now.

It was getting dark and it's been a long day, too long. It was supposed to be a day of celebration now that the war was over; it seemed now that the word celebration was out of reach. As if she didn't have enough to worry about. The city had a lot of rebuilding needed, there were so many citizens either homeless or in unhealthy living conditions, stray metal heads were still wandering some areas and her paper work must be up to the ceiling. She sighed to herself, knowing that she only brought it upon herself. Even though she'd never let her pride admit to it aloud, she knew that she made a mistake. Now she had to fix it.

She finally entered the palace doors to see the guards scurrying about, they almost seemed as if they were in a panic or a rush of some sort. Many were cursing under their breath and once she heard Torn's name among their conversations she nodded to herself knowing it was Torn that was giving them the unbelievable amount of work. She looked up again to see Torn, pointing in different directions and yelling orders while everyone jumped at his command. His back was turned to her. She could not show the guards that there was a problem between them because then they would think that their authority was at fault. However she knew that if there was one thing her and Torn could agree on, no matter what happened between the two of them, the city came first and the guards needed to be reminded of this constantly. With a stern expression on her face, she came up behind Torn.

"Commander, I'd like to speak to you in my office"

He didn't even turn to face her but she knew by seeing his body stiffen and his fists slightly clench that he was even more angered to hear her voice. "Not right now, I'm busy" he spat at her.

Her brows furrowed and her hands automatically went to her hips because of his response to her. She didn't let anyone talk down to her and she'd be damned if she let him think that he could do just that. However she knew that she couldn't just start a feud in the presence of those beneath rank. She knew the only way to talk to him was not by asking him, but by ordering him. Since she was above his rank, in front of the KG he'd have no choice but to obey to serve as an example. She hated to do it this way but he left her no choice.

"Ten Hut!" She ordered and at first he just stood there, hesitating to listen. She grew angrier at the situation and this time she said it louder, "Ten Hut! About face soldier!"

He slowly turned around, clenching his fists but still keeping his arms at his sides, chin up to show that he was obeying her; although she knew it was against his will. She saw the anger burning in him and his face slightly twitching. Still she had to pretend she didn't care at the moment. Whispers erupted from the surrounding KG and she sternly turned to walk away so that Torn could follow. "Follow me to my office, we must discuss urgent matters right away. And the rest of you, get back to work" and with that they all scurried back to their duties. She headed toward the direction of her office and Torn followed.

Ashelin entered first and Torn shortly entered after her. He closed the door behind him so that he could become his usual self again. He was in a tank top with the sleeves ripped. He crossed his arms and she could see the veins that wrapped his biceps. He leaned against the door, staring at the ground and she had turned to face him, leaning on her desk. They stood in silence for a bit as Ashelin glared at Torn, waiting for him to meet her gaze but he didn't. She started to walk toward him, "Listen, Torn, I-"

He put his hand up and cut her off, "I don't want to know" and he crossed his arms again and turned his head to the side so that he could stare across the room.

She looked down to the floor feeling almost defeated. She didn't know what to do in these kinds of situations. However she wasn't about to give up yet. She looked up at him again taking another step closer to him, " You need to hear what happened, from me"

He nodded, "I don't need to know anything. Spare me the details" he cringed at his last comment.

"It didn't mean anything," her voice was getting louder and angrier. She was getting frustrated. She wanted to explain to him that she didn't mean it and it just happened. She was so glad that Erol was defeated and the war was over and it just happened. The person that she really wanted to share that victory kiss with was with him but of course she'd never let him know that. Pride still sheltered her feelings that she considered too soft to speak from her own lips. She was not that kind of girl. He finally looked away from the other side of the room and looked down at her, arms still crossed and apparently angry. She met his eyes and awaited what he would say.

"I just want to know one thing Ash, straight to the point. This is all I want to know" his voice was serious and full of authority. It was almost as if he was speaking to her like she was one of the guards. "Do you…have feelings for hi-"

This time she took her final steps towards him and gently placed her hands on his shoulders, she interrupted his question. "No, no it's nothing like that. There is nothing between us"

She looked up at him and he just stared down into her green eyes, in disbelief almost. His eyes seemed to search for something in hers and she could see the doubt eating at him. She felt blocked by the strong arms crossed between them, she didn't like the tension building up. She didn't like the silence that lingered. She didn't like feeling this way and she didn't want him to feel the way that he did. She couldn't take it anymore. It was like the impulse she had before when she had kissed Jak but this time, it was an impulse with meaning to it. It was a desperate longing and she longed for him. She was tired of feeling powerless and for a woman that was full of power, it was a horrible feeling. She needed to take control of the situation and since she wasn't one for sappy words, actions would have to do.

Without anymore thought to it, she raised her hands from his shoulders to the back of his neck and pulled him down to her. She lifted her face to roughly place her lips on his, rushing and desperately hoping he'd welcome her actions. At first he just stood there in awe of what was happening and his firm stature was broken. She then started to nibble on his bottom lip and after that it seemed that his will was broken too. She knew his weakness.

He opened his arms and grabbed her back to pull her closer against him and her arms wrapped around his neck. He willingly accepted her kiss and kissed her back deeply. She traced the tattoos on the back of his neck with her fingers as she clung to him. They explored each other's mouths and lips with their tongues as they embraced each other tightly, almost as if they were trying to get closer than humanely possible.

One of his hands traveled up her back up to her neck, along the ends of her crimson braids. He pulled her head back slightly and briefly brushed his lips down and up her smooth neck before bringing them back onto her open lips. She shivered slightly, letting a low moan escape from her when he had done this and he clung to her waist tighter. After a while they had paused between their heavy breaths to gaze at one another. Ashelin brought her hands up to caress Torn's face and he closed his eyes briefly to enjoy her warmth. She brought her face to his ear so that she could whisper, "I'm yours and yours only" and she backed away to see his response.

A mischievous smile spread across his face as he suddenly brought his hands down to her legs so that he can lift her up. He turned and straddled her against the door, her legs wrapped around his waist. Still looking at her, foreheads touching, he whispered back, "Enough talking governor" and just as she smiled he placed his lips back on hers roughly and they continued where they had left off. In the midst of this Ashelin had just one thought to herself, smiling inside with satisfaction.

Finally…we celebrate.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yay Happy ending for Ash and Torn. I always thought of them to be more intimate and passionate since they're more rough and tough in real life. Besides they're older than Jak and Keira so maybe they have a bit more experience with certain things :cough cough: Maybe I should change the rating on this, what do you think? It was just a make out session, even though I could've went on to hint more but I'm not into writing lemon, limes, apples whatever you call it. (Who made that up anyway?) Maybe some day I'll get comfortable with it. Oh well, hope you liked and hope it keeps you satisfied till the next chapter when it'll go back to Jak and Keira. Review Review:-P