Hey everyone! I'm typing this while watching HPGF so my spelling might be a little wonky!

Disclaimer: I don't need to say it

Mr. Brightside

Chapter 12

Jak was feeling lousy. Really lousy. It had been 2 weeks since the incident and Kiera still hadn't forgiven him. He was going insane! He'd tried talking to her numerous times, almost resorted to begging once, but she just ignored him. So, yeah, he deserved it for the most part. But, his conscience was already on his ass, big time.

Why had he listened to Ashelin and went out dancing? Then got drunk again? He came to the conclusion that the governess was a lot like donuts you get from a grocery store: they're not all that good, not even real or what you want, but you can't stop eating them until you've downed a dozen. Then you're left unsatisfied and mad at yourself.

'Not a bad analogy,' he thought as he scoped out metal heads near the precursor temple. He'd needed to let out some aggression after he left HQ.

He couldn't believe Kiera was rebounding so quickly. Ever since their argument... he cringed, just like he did every time it came to his mind. Boy, had he screwed himself then.

When he looked back, he knew he'd been way out of line on that one. Not the apologizing part, the way he'd handled it. First off, he shouldn't have came so early in the morning. Kiera wasn't much of a morning person. And he should of been less callous and chose his words better. Lord, he never even said 'I'm sorry', how thick could he be? Then, the cherry on top, he'd accused her of sleeping with his friend.

'Really,' he thought, 'I deserve this.'

Kiera would never do that, not even for revenge. He deserved to be smacked with a wrench. He couldn't even think of another man touching her, enjoying her soft little body... he felt sick. And Torn would never do that either. The more he thought about it, the more he realized what he'd done to his commander too. Kiera was beautiful, smart, funny and friendly. Being a straight guy, the blonde didn't know what Torn rated on the Hot or Not scale, but he wasn't really funny and not at all friendly. He'd have a lot more trouble getting into another relationship than she would.

This was what he thought before he'd left HQ. Then he saw Kiera and Torn leave together to go get lunch. Together. That's when he started to ponder the possibility of there really being something there. he dismissed these thoughts when he was a metal head coming at him. It wasn't very big and it looked old– and easy kill. With one quick shot, he killed it, its body falling limply to the ground and doing a sort of spread eagle on the sand. He sighed. He couldn't even feel good about taking down a metal head! If she'd just talk to him again... but she was being difficult. Yeah, he was a jerk, but she didn't have to give him the cold shoulder! Maybe she'd talk to him if–

"Woah!"

Jak started when someone suddenly grabbed his wide shoulders from behind and said, "Hey baby."

His ocean coloured eyes turned navy for a moment.

"Oh, uhh, hey Ashelin."

For the past two weeks the blonde had been trying to escape the tall governess. She didn't seem to think the kiss was a mistake and had been practically throwing herself at him. Yes, he liked her. Yes, she was hot. Yes, she ruled a city and was filthy rich. But he didn't love her. And he was pretty sure she used her money for a few surgeries that had made her hot, if you get what I'm saying. He loved Kiera more than he could ever love her (and her boobs weren't plastic, a definiteplus).

"Well that was a fine hello," the red headed woman said with a pout of her collagen filled lips. When she saw he wasn't responding, she switched tactics at the speed of light. Slipping her arms around his small waist, she asked, "Jak, what's wrong? This doesn't have anything to do with her does it?"

"No!" the blonde answered a little too quickly.

"Look, I can't have a relationship where you're still hung up on someone else," she told him testily.

This was it. He could tell her he wasn't into her and get out of this relationship.

"I'm not still hung up on her."

So much for that.

"That's great, 'cause I don't like you thinking about other women. Besides, she's probably over you by now. I mean, it'd be pretty pathetic of her to hang on to someone she couldn't get."

These words caused him anger and stung at the same time. How dare she say that about Kiera and say she was over him!

"I guess you're right. I mean, she and Torn seem to be getting along well together, he's moved on too. No use me moping around, trying to win her back, huh?"

Ashelin made a sound that was a lot like a growl.

"Yes, Torn and the mechanic seem to be getting close."

Definitely a growl.

/TK/

Kiera had finished her ice cream and was munching on the crunchy cone. Around her she could see the new buildings of Haven. She wasn't embarrassed to say she lived there anymore. Most of the city was beginning to look like New Haven.

"You know Torn, if you ever get sick of telling people what to do, you could always become an architect."

"Don't blame me, I give all the credit to the guys who designed it. And I could never stop telling people what to do, it's in my blood," said the tall guy, who had already finished his cone.

She rolled her eyes and smiled. He was being humble and it was cute. She decided not to point that out, however.

"What do you mean, 'in your blood'?"

"Well, my old man was in the KG when Damas was still top dog. He was a sergeant and fiercely loyal to the king. Guess that's the reason Praxis got rid of him as soon as he came to power."

His face was blank as he revealed this, but his eyes held mixed emotions. 'Right now' she thought, 'he looks like he needs a hug.'

Before Kiera could at least say she was sorry, something furry ran up her leg and arm, causing her to give a small, 'eek!' of surprise.

"Oops, sorry Keer," said Tess sheepishly, "Hey Torn how's it– oh man, you look awful!"

"That's what I said!" Kiera told the furry girl.

"Thanks, you both are too kind," Torn said monotonously, his long ears drooping comically.

"Not like that silly! We mean you look really tired, that's all!" the she-ottsel clarified.

"Before you two force me into a bed and make me eat soup for a week, I'll say it again: I'm Fine."

"Yeah okay," they both rolled their eyes.

"Any ways Kiera, I'm glad I caught you. Me and some of the girls from HQ are taking the night off and going clubbing, wanna come?"

"Of course!" she mechanic responded excitedly, "You know I live for dancing!"

"All right, we'll drop by 'round eight! I've got to meet Daxxy now, so I'll see you later. Bye Torn!"

With that, she scampered away down the street, dodging other pedestrian's feet with surprising grace for an ottsel. The two watched her for a moment before turning back to each other.

"Daxxy? He'll never live it down!" said Kiera with an evil grin on her face.

"You like to dance, huh?"

She looked back towards him. "Yeah, I love it! Well, I'd love it even more if those girls from the FL didn't always come there." she said the last part with a glare at a nearby dumpster, probably imagining it as one of the leaguers heads.

"How come?" the commander didn't like anyone dissing his men, or women in this case.

"Well, they treat me like a little kid, acting like I can't take care of myself just because I'm a mechanic and not a soldier. And they always ask me if I really dated the hero of the city, or if I do get to hang around y– um, like the governess and other people. It gets really annoying."

Torn looked a bit surprised. "Why would they think you couldn't handle yourself?"

"Because I don't really know how to handle a gun or anything like that."

Torn looked contemplative for a moment. Then he said, "Why don't you just learn how to use a gun? Then they should get off you back about it."

"That's not a bad idea, but..."

"But what?"

She looked down cast. "Think about what Sig, or Jak, or anyone would say it I asked them to teach me how to shoot a gun. They'd just laugh and shake their heads. I'm sick of everyone thinking I'm a weakling."

"Well, I'm not laughing at you. I think it's a smart idea for you to learn to use a gun. What they're afraid of is that you might actually not need their help, making them look weak. If you're really serious about learning to fight, I can teach you."

She stopped in her tracks. "Are you serious?"

He raised an eyebrow. "When am I not?"

Her face split into a huge grin. "You'd really do that for me? You'd really teach me!"

He nodded.

"Ohmygawd, thank you! I promise I'll learn and show everyone that I'm not weak!" she threw her arms around his chest and squeezed him tightly.

"Um, Kiera, I can't breath." he was grinning though. She was so beautiful when she was

smiling.

She let go and beamed up at him. They were right outside HQ now and she needed to get back to her garage. Composing herself she spoke.

"Really Torn, thank you. You don't know how much this means to me."

In one quick fluid movement she leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll see you later, I've got to go. We'll talk about our deal later."

She walked off leaving Torn standing there with a dazed look on his face, blushing heavily. He walked inside, not noticing two people, one blonde and one red head, watching from a window a few floors above him.

/AN/

there ya go, a little kiss for ya! Will Kiera learn to fight? Who was watching them? Only I know the answer so stay tuned!