A/N: Sorry for the long update wait: I slammed the middle finger of my right hand in the trunk of the car. It makes typing hell!

,O,

Jak flopped down on a log, breathing heavily. Killing metal heads always took his mind off of things, but his encounter with Ashelin and the Dark Jak disaster with Keira still lingered in his head. He exhaled loudly. He wished he could just start over; it was all so much to deal with. The problem was, though, that he was not dealing with it. He was dreading seeing Keira again, and he knew that things would be just plain awkward around Ashelin. He needed something stronger to keep him distracted…maybe some alcohol. He got up in search of a zoomer to get him to the Hip Hog. He found a nice blue one and was about to hotwire it, when a little voice started nagging in his head. 'What would Keira think?' it said. Jak frowned. He had never had guilt problems before. However, he needed a way to get there fast. He grabbed the zoomer and sped off, contemplating his change in morals.

xXIXx

Keira was up and about, whistling merrily. Torn had dropped by earlier and brought a green eco pack with him. He had taken it from the KG supplies room. It had sped up Keira's healing process considerably, and she could walk around with minimal pain, though there would be no more short tank tops for a while. Currently she was helping Tess by pouring drinks for customers. Erol was sitting at the counter, reading a section in a Haven magazine on the top ten ways to improve your grace and balance. Daxter was taste-testing various beverages, and Tess was wiping the counter. Torn was out, dealing with an explosion in Sector 3. Altogether, the atmosphere in there was fairly warm and cheery.

"Daxter, I think that's a bit too strong for you," said Tess, concerned. Daxter was downing a fizzy crimson solution, staggering around unsteadily. Keira smiled at the ottsel.

"It's too late; he's already drunk," she remarked. Erol frowned.

"There was an article on page 9 about alcohol poisoning. You'd better take that away from him," he said. At that moment, the door opened and Jak walked in. Faster than a charging yakkow, the atmosphere went from calm and happy to filled with tension so thick that you could cut it with a knife. His arrival was most unexpected.

"Hey, Jak, buddy!" called Daxter, the only one who seemed unaffected. Keira felt panic taking over her brain. She was too paralyzed with shock that she didn't know what to do. Jak looked up, horror etched on his features. Part of the reason he had come to the Hip Hog Saloon was because he didn't think Keira would be there. He couldn't just turn around and leave; that would look bad. His time had come to finally face her, and he was not ready.

"Hello. May I help you?" said Tess coldly. Jak tried to look relaxed.

"Could I get a coffee?" he asked, fighting down the nervousness swelling in his stomach. He had come for alcohol, but for some reason he didn't want to be sitting there downing liquor with Keira and her friends staring at him. Tess scrutinized him, then grabbed a mug and started filling it with hot coffee. Jak sat down across from where Keira was arranging some glasses. Erol was glaring at him from over the top of his magazine, but he didn't notice.

"Hi Jak," she peeped, her back to him.

"Hi," he responded. He gulped. He was at loss for words; saying sorry wouldn't be right, and ignoring it wouldn't be either. "Look…" he started. Keira sighed and turned around.

"I know what you're getting at, and it's okay," she said, trying to smile. But it wasn't okay; his hideous transformations had shattered her view of him. Jak let his breath out in relief.

"Thanks," he said. Keira fidgeted. She hoped he wouldn't try and start a conversation or something. She glanced over at Tess and Erol; Tess was fiddling with Jak's coffee, and Erol had hurriedly yanked the magazine up higher when she looked over. The magazine was upside-down; she giggled. Jak gave her a funny look. "What is it?" he asked curiously. Keira shook her head.

"Sorry, it was nothing. I'm, er, going to use the bathroom now. I'll be right back," she said, quickly rushing to the door. Jak felt disappointed. Sure, it was better than before, but something still felt unresolved. He put his head down, and Tess walked up and banged the mug down in front of him.

"Here," she snapped tartly. Jak handed her some money, and she stalked back into the storage room.

"Hey buddy!" said Daxter woozily, stumbling up to him on the counter. "I dunno what's wrong with Angel Cheeks, she got all nasty when you came. So, what's up?" Jak shrugged.

"Where's Krew?" he asked, looking around for the immensely obese man.

"You mean fatso? I have no clue," said Daxter, getting down and lying on his back. "Look at those stars tonight, Jak! Aren't they beautiful! Look, that constellation looks like the Bird Lady…" Jak rolled his eyes and pushed Daxter to the side. He picked up his coffee and took a sip.

"Peh!" he exclaimed, spitting the coffee back into the cup. "This tastes like moldy dish rags," he commented in disgust. He had a lurking suspicion the sour barmaid had done something with it. Erol grinned. He had seen Tess squeeze the wet rags over it with an evil expression. He watched with glee as Jak pushed the mug away from him and put his head on the bar. Then he leaned back and looked around. There were a few couples sitting in the dimly light booths, conversing among themselves. He suddenly felt depressed. Why didn't Keira like him that way? It was obvious she didn't. He was nice, wasn't he? He was decent looking, wasn't he? What did that Jak have that he didn't?

'Dumb question,' he thought bitterly. But maybe Keira would fall for him one day…Erol made a skeptical noise in his throat. Wishful thinking. But he could still try…The doors to the Hip Hog opened again, and a red-haired woman strode in. She approached the counter and held out her KG badge.

"Is there someone in charge here?" she asked crisply. Erol pointed to the back room.

"She's in there. I'll go get her," he said, getting up. Ashelin nodded, and her eyes flitted to Jak for a split second, and then went back to the door. Tess soon came out, Erol behind her.

"Yes?" she asked uneasily.

"Have you seen Commander Torn come in here? I need to speak to him; there was an explosion in Sector 3," she stated briskly. Tess nodded, looking less confused.

"He was in here about 10 minutes ago, but he already left to take care of that," she replied. Ashelin sighed in relief.

"That's good," she murmured to herself. "Could you please get me a drink?" she asked Tess. "Any kind is good." Tess smiled and started putting together a beverage. Ashelin sat down on a seat next to Jak. "Hey," she greeted.

"Hi Ashelin," he said, swishing his coffee back and forth, careful not to make eye contact with her. Ashelin frowned.

"So, has anything been happening?"

"Nothing much." Ashelin's brow furrowed. She would get him into a conversation with her if it was the last thing she did.

"So, did you ever find that girl you were looking for before?" she inquired. Jak stiffened.

"Yeah. She's in the bathroom." Ashelin's mind was screaming a warning. This girl must somehow have a relationship with him, if she was here in the bar with him. She just hoped it wasn't a girlfriend…

"How's the metal head problem going?" This question seemed to get Jak a bit more interested.

"Well, the ones at the pumping station have been recently taken care of, but I've still seen lots in Dead Town…" Jak started talking and talking, pleasantly surprising Ashelin. It appeared that she had found a good topic. She smiled and nodded as he spoke, occasionally placing a gentle hand on his knee and laughing lightly when he told her about strange metal head habits. Erol was barely concealing a grin. Maybe he wouldn't have to do anything; Ashelin could take Jak for herself, and Keira would have to find a new love interest! He would be the first to volunteer, obviously. He glowed happily and enjoyed the scene of the two conversing, and Ashelin flirting with Jak.

xXIXx

Keira walked out of the bathroom. She actually had used it; it wasn't just an excuse to get away from Jak, though that was part of it. She felt ready to maybe start a light conversation with him. She walked to the side of the bar where Jak was sitting, and stopped dead in her tracks.

'That's Ashelin…the Baron's daughter!' she thought, recognizing the famous figure. She watched them carefully from behind a rack of bottles. A twinge of envy sprouted in her stomach as she watched Jak talking enthusiastically. 'He's never talked to me like that…' she thought. Ashelin placed her hand on his knee and laughed slightly, and a tidal wave of angry jealousy surged through her. 'What does that bitch think she's doing! Flirting? With Jak? Ooh, she's got some nerve!' She immediately forgot all about her problems with Jak as pure possessiveness shot through her veins. She viciously grabbed a bottle from the rack and stormed behind the counter to where Jak and Ashelin sat. Jak noticed her and eyed her nervously. He gave a little wave, and Keira glared daggers at him. 'What are you doing with that woman? Can you not tell that she is a scantily-clad whore!' Ashelin glanced at her for a barely noticeable split-second, then purposely ignored her. Keira's blood boiled. She leaned over, interrupting their little chat.

"Hi, can I get you something?" she addressed Ashelin, her voice poisonous. Ashelin shook her head.

"The blonde lady over there is getting me a drink," she said, then turned to Jak again. Keira growled. No way was this slut going to flick her off!

"Hey, Jak? Do you want something other than that coffee?" she asked sweetly. Jak was starting to notice the tension between the two women.

"Umm, I guess I'll have a beer," he said nervously. Keira smiled and went off to the filler machine (sorry, don't know what it's called), grabbing a mug from the shelf. She started to fill it, watching Ashelin out of the corner of her eye. "She'd better not try anything…'

xXIXx

Ashelin inwardly snarled. Why was this woman Jak knew acting like such a snob? 'Oh…duh! I guess she's his wannabe girlfriend! Well, too bad! I got here first!" It wasn't her problem if the aqua-haired female wanted to act like she had a stick up her ass. Honestly, she was giving off bitch vibes! Well, maybe that was for the better; all the more reasons for Jak to not like her. She noticed flaming orange hair over Jak's shoulder. On closer inspection, it was Erol, the clumsy soldier who was always skipping duty. He looked extremely happy. Luckily for him, she wasn't in the mood to reprimand him. Tess walked over and placed a drink down in front of her, shooting a nasty glance at Jak. Ashelin handed her some money and started up a new conversation with Jak.

"So, do you have a girlfriend? Is that woman with the green and blue hair over there with you?" Jak squirmed on his seat anxiously. He didn't like where this was going.

"Um, her name's Keira, and no, she's not really my girlfriend…" Ashelin grinned to herself. She took a careful glance at Keira, whose sea-green eyes burst into flames at Jak's reply. She saw her knuckles turn white as she clenched the handle of the mug. Ashelin smirked.

'Wannabe girlfriend indeed…'

She didn't want to sound self-centered, but her flawless facial features and her large bust size often attracted the stares of many men. She didn't want to have Jak be attracted to her for just that, she had a pleasant personality as well, but maybe her figure could give her a bit of an edge over Keira.

"So Jak, what would you say to a date? You and me, maybe some coffee?" She waited apprehensively. She had sprung the question. Jak's eyes widened in surprise.

"Huh? Oh, um, well, see…" He cursed how stupid he sounded. "Okay," he said in a small voice. He didn't know what else to say. Keira's pointed ears strained. What has they said? Daxter was babbling something in his drunken stupor, blocking out their conversation. She leaned her head closer, just in time to see Ashelin's pretty tattooed face leaning towards Jak's, her long black eyelashes fluttering delicately, her full ruby lips parting…

Flashback:

Keira leaned in towards Jak, her beautiful emerald eyes closing, her small pink lips opening…

"Hey! Break it up, you two!"

xXIXx

Keira bent over him, admiring the blue of his eyes, then lowered her face down…she would finally get her kiss…the one she had waited so long for…

"Keira? Can you come over here and help me water these plants?"

End Flashback.

First it was Daxter…then her father…and now this bitch was taking away her kiss! Ashelin had done nothing for it, she hadn't waited, but she, Keira, had suffered interruptions and waited so long for her romantic first kiss with Jak.

'It's not fair!' she thought furiously, watching Ashelin lean forward and Jak's eyes widen in surprise. It was almost about to happen…the theft of her first kiss with Jak! She had to do something…

What to do, what to do!' Keira grabbed the mug she was filling for Jak, and without a second thought, hurled it at Ashelin.

,O,

A/N: Heh, looks like some competition does Keira good! Or not.