A/N: A few chapters ago, there was some confusion about Jak's age. Please take a moment to look over my Author's Note at the end of the chapter, so I can clue you in when it comes to everyones' age. Sorry, I should have explained it earlier on, but it slipped my mind.

She's Worth Defending

Chapter Fourteen: Bad Cherry

The walk back to the saloon was surprisingly quiet; no one was out yet, for some odd reason, and the guards hadn't started their morning patrol yet. Maybe because it was always so dark? It wouldn't be a surprise to find that many people slept in; bored with their lives; they might as well sleep it all away. There was nothing to enjoy in the city while the Baron was in rule - well, at least as a civilian or, especially, as a member of an Underground rebellion. The Baron made sure his soldiers were always taken care of: a place to stay, medical, money; everything was provided for. He even encouraged soldiers to go out and 'have a good time'; to cruise through bars, free tickets to races, and paid vacations. It all makes sense as to why the guards remain loyal to him, despite his inhumane ways. It was so easy for Praxis to brainwash them; to make them think that every horrible and stupid action was justified. Things were tough on the other end of the spectrum; wanted by the law. If only Haven's true ruler could be found - things would be better and lively.

Brown eyes struggled to study the empty port, the bitter breeze causing them to blink and tear up. Like before, a howling wind roared throughout the city, and it seemed that it would rain again soon.

When Jak realized that his partner wasn't walking at his side, he turned around in confusion.

Cara just stood there, one hand clasped over her arm as she looked out into the distance.

Jak sighed, "What?"

Cara didn't move. She spoke softly, despite her curiosity, "Where is everyone?"

The only sound was the wind whistling across the buildings around them.

Jak looked out to the port and then back at Cara, "I don't know," he rushed, "Can we go?"

Cara looked to Jak and began to walk, but not without taking one last glance at the port's loop. As Jak continued to walk, she quickened her pace in order to catch up with him.

"So…" Cara began as she continued to walk at Jak's side; the sound of their boots walking harmoniously, "Can I ask where you're from?" Cara spoke gently; she didn't want to seem too happy - that would just shut Jak down...like always. She noticed that he was in a decent mood at the course and she didn't want to screw that up. So, pretend to be miserable and talk like you couldn't careless, it was. There really was no other option.

Jak just continued to walk, "Do you have to?"

"Can I?" Cara asked as she rose an eyebrow his way.

It took a moment, but Jak eventually answered.

"Not from here," Jak said, keeping his eyes locked forward.

Cara rolled her eyes, "I gathered that," she said as she looked to Jak with a smile, "I meant where are you from exactly? Like, where were you born," Cara then began to walk backwards while she was in front of him, "Where were you raised?" Cara tried her hardest not to smile too much; not to care too much, even though she was beyond curious.

"You wouldn't know," Jak said as he looked at her. Unfortunately, now that she was in front of him, he had no choice.

Cara shrugged, "You never know; I could…"

Once again, Jak took a moment to answer. During that moment of silence, he tried to figure out if telling her was worth it. Should he lie or tell her? I mean, he had no idea where he was, or how he got there exactly, so not lying was safe. Hey, maybe telling her would stop the vomit of questions being spewed at him.

"Sandover," Jak said almost angrily.

"Hm," Cara said as she thought, "Sandover?" Cara continued to walk backwards, "…Nope, haven't heard of it."

"I didn't think you would," Jak said. He looked to her, but immediately looked away.

"What made you come here?"

"Heh," Jak chuckled as he poked at his bottom lip with his tongue, "Didn't really have a choice."

"And why's that?"

For Precursor's sake, why so many questions?

Instead of answering, Jak looked to Cara with his eyebrows narrowed; signaling her to stop asking questions.

Cara caught the hint and turned around to walk forward.

By then, they were right outside the Hip Hog and Jak wasted no time opening the door.

But, they didn't have a chance to walk inside. Instead...

"Ey!"

Cara and Jak looked down towards the floor to see no one other than the fiery ottsel, Daxter.

"It's about time ya showed up!" Daxter exclaimed as he watched them walk in, hand gestures flying, "I've been lookin' all over tha place for you two!" The ottsel continued to follow, even though he was being completely ignored, and continued, "'N when I say lookin', I mean lookin' around here! Ya need to tell me when you two are goin' out, ya know!" Daxter rested his arms on his hips, like a disappointed parent.

Before Jak or Cara could say anything, and before Daxter could whine any further, Krew glided right in front of the trio. "Excellent shooting, you two. You ever think about being Wastelanders, hmm?"

Jak crossed his arms, "Can't say that I have."

"What's a Waste-.." Cara began, but then noticed that Daxter was the only one paying attention to her. Krew just continued to talk to Jak, leaving her out of the circle completely. "What's a Wastelander?" She mouthed to Daxter, but Daxter only pointed to their right with wide eyes.

The man from before; the man with armor made out of Metalheads, walked up to the group with a straight face. Cara's eyes got bigger and bigger with every step the man took. He didn't look pleased; his cold glare made Cara question if he was, personally, displeased with her; like his eyes could make her jump off a bridge against her will.

Krew continued, having heard the beginning of Cara's question, "Wastelanders find items from outside the city walls, 'ey? Any artifact or weapon worth having comes through my hands. Work for me and I'll throw some of the sweeter items your way, hmm?" As usual, Krew had a hard time breathing during their conversation; he had to fan himself with a paper fan to keep cool.

Jak ran his fingers down his chin, "Kill Metalheads, get toys? Sounds good to me."

Cara glanced to Jak, eyebrows furrowed. Why was Jak running Krew's errands and having play-dates with another grown man? Boys are ridiculous: they are always losing sight of what was important. They still haven't found out why the KG was giving the Metalheads eco. Jak was already knee deep in whatever Krew was selling; probably daydreaming about a gun modification at that very second. Of course, a woman has to come a save the day.

"Wait, but why-..." Cara began, but, of course, was interrupted.

Nope.

"-Slow down, Jak 'n the fat man!" Daxter said as he climbed up onto Jak's shoulder, "You two better run that by me again! 'Cause there's NO WAY I'm goin' outside the city to face more Metalheads!"

Krew extended a chunky arm towards the warrior, who had been standing there the entire time. "Sig will show you the ropes." Krew then glided off towards the bar.

"So, you wanna be Wastelanders, huh, doughboys?" The man, who had been introduced as Sig, asked. Sig crossed his weapon, that appeared to have the head of a Metalhead on it, and immediately started barking at them. "Well, we'll see what you're made of when we get out in the thick. Krew wants some new trophies to put butts in chairs at the Hip Hog. So, I'm gonna bag him five, nasty Metalheads at the Pumping Station." The man smirked, causing the dark skin around his missing eye to wrinkle.

While Cara and Jak stood up straight and listened to Sig, Daxter gulped, which caught Sig's attention.

"Don't wet your fur, chili-pepper," the man said before showing off his weapon,"'Cause we're rollin' with the Peacemaker!"

"Wooh! I need one of those!" Daxter yelled as he rubbed his hands together and then pointed to Sig's weapon. The ottsel then whispered, his hand covering one side of his face for dramatic effect, "Where'd ya get it?"

Krew, who had floated away after introducing Sig, made his way back over to the group. He had been eavesdropping, that much was obvious. Krew never really goes away. "Don't ask," Krew stammered, making it known that him coming back over required a lot of energy, "Sig needs someone to watch his back while he tracks the Metalheads, 'ey?"

Sig looked at his new crew with a smirk, "We'll meet at the Pumping Station." The man then forcefully pointed at the three, "Listen, cherries! Don't you leave me danglin' in the wind out there."

Jak smirked, "Let's do it."

The three waited as the coils of security door spun and began to connect with each other.

"Yep, sounds about right," the ottsel said from Jak's shoulder, followed by a sigh, "I said I never wanted to go to the Pumping Station again and guess where we are? The Pumping Station!"

"Relax, Dax," Jak said as he glanced up at his friend, "No pipework needed today."

Daxter rolled his eyes as he leaned on his friend's head, "Yah, you would think, huh?" Daxter chuckled as he knocked on his own head.

The three walked out onto the sands of the Pumping Station and were immediately greeted by Sig.

Sig, who had been putting ammo into his Peacemaker, turned to the trio. "Hello, cherries. Ready to hunt a few Metalheads?" The man, who had been kneeling on the ground, stood up, "Follow me, stick close, and watch my six. It's gonna be fun," he said as he smirked and leaned in towards the crew.

Daxter rolled his eyes, "Doubt it."

Without warning, Sig began to fire at the Metalheads in front of them. This took Jak and Cara by the surprise, but, of course, Jak was all for it. Jak followed Sig closely and took out any and every Metalhead that he could. The Pumping Station was usually quiet, for the most part, but not today. Echoes from a Peacemaker, a shotgun, and a pair of pistols could be heard, probably, from inside of town and it certainly was loud out in the field.

"Push them back!" Sig hollered over all of the gunfire, "Keep 'em in the water!" Sig blasted a Metalhead in front of him and quickly turned to his right and took another one out.

Jak held his gun up and blasted a Metalhead right through the chest, but it didn't go down. He went to shoot another, but he was out of ammo.

"Oh, NO!" Daxter whined, "This is why we should'a got tha pistols!"

"I got it," Jak mumbled. Right as the Metalhead was about to strike, Jak kicked it in its gut, causing it to heave and fall back into the water.

Sig managed to catch Jak's actions in his peripherals and looked over to him, "Nice one!" He then looked over to Cara, "How you doing over there?"

Cara, who was already exhausted, breathed out, "Just dandy." She stepped on an orange, sea-walker's tail, causing it to whip around towards her, but she stopped it with a few bullets to the head.

Sig smirked, "You know, I'm beginning to like my choice in crew. Follow me, there's more Metals up ahead!"

As the four walked to a set of rising pillars, something that was glowing and yellow caught Daxter's eye. "Oooh," Daxter nudged Jak, "Those look kinda important."

As Jak leaned down a picked up the yellow, oval objected, Cara walked over to them.

"A skull gem," Cara said.

Jak looked up, the gem the only thing illuminating Cara's face. "What does it do?"

"Uh, nothing really," Cara chuckled, "They're just worth a lot. I'd hold onto them."

Jak held the gem tighter in his hand and looked down at it.

Cara shared a small smile and walked with Sig to the pillars. Jak wasn't far behind them, but Cara noticed something beyond strange.

Jak was reaching his hand inside the dead bodies of Metalheads and slapping the guts and blood of them onto his wrist.

She narrowed his eyes at him, but as he looked up, she quickly looked away.

Once they were all on the second level, Sig took a knee. "Get behind me as I toast that tank!"

Without any hesitation, Cara and Jak moved back behind Sig.

Daxter, on the other hand, was infatuated by the glowing, blue orb that was charging on the tip of the Peacemaker. "Oooh.."

Jak extended a leg and slid Daxter back with the front of his foot, causing Daxter to look up at him with a cheeky grin.

Cara had her arms crossed and found herself staring at Jak's wrist. Now, they were covered by his navy sleeves, but she could still see the dark patches of the blood that soaked through his shirt. She looked up at Jak, who, surprisingly, was looking at her. No, actually, he was glaring. He quickly folded his arms across his chest and looked to Sig.

She squinted her eyes at him, completely confused by him. Why did he need the blood and guts of Metalheads?

"Stand back," Sig said as he pointed his Peacemaker at the tank. He pulled the trigger, the orb whirling in circular motions before completely destroying the tank. The debris went flying, causing all four of them to either duck for cover or shield their faces with their arms. Daxter turned around to say something witty, but a piece of falling debris, that nearly crushed him, made him change his mind. "This way!" Sig yelled as he continued down the, now clear, path. Sig crouched behind a solid, metal wall and began to reload his Peacemaker. He looked to the three, "Toast those bad boys up ahead!"

Cara and Jak both raised their weapons, but only Cara's fired bullets.

Cara looked to Jak, but Jak just groaned and retreated behind the same wall Sig was behind. Jak accidentally bumped into Sig, but it only made the man chuckle once realized that Jak was also reloading. "Hey there, chili-pepper. Looks like we're a little low on barrel room today, huh?"

Daxter looked to Jak, "Right?"

Jak rolled his eyes and finished reloaded his Scattergun. After he cocked it back, he left his cover only to see Cara waiting.

Sig also left cover and continued his way across the bridge, "Lookin' good, girlfriend."

Cara simply nodded in response and looked to Jak with a 'hah' look on her face.

"Don't get cocky," Sig said as he stopped on the platform. "There's more coming."

More sea-walkers began to hop out of the water on the platform and Sig was quick to bark orders. "Quick! Drop the bridge!"

Cara turned away from the fight and caught sight of the bridge. It would be quite the jump, but she was sure she could make it. She took her first jump, but couldn't reach it. Cara tried again. Nope. With a grunt, she tried a third time, and this time touched the metal of the bridge.

Jak looked over his shoulder and immediately ran over, shoving her out of the way, "I got it!"

With a groan, Cara stumbled, caught herself, and proceeded to stare Jak down. Yes, of course Jak got the bridge down. Of course.

"I could use some help over here!" Sig called.

Cara's head was about to explode.

When she was in the KG, there were specific terms. There wasn't any 'hey, over here' or 'oh-my-god, you-useless-sack-of-potatoes-I-got-it' shit. This would take some getting use to: complete chaos and disorganized fighting.

Cara withdrew just one pistol and started to fire at more creatures that started to surround Sig. When there was one sea-walker left, Sig hit it with the butt of his gun, which sent it wailing off of the side of the platform and into the waters below. "Let's get across the bridge before they come back!"

Sig was just about to make a left; down a ramp and back onto the shore, but something caught his eye. He stared up onto the cliff and then pointed, "There's our first target. Keep the other creatures back while I charge up the Peacemaker." Sig then knelt down and began to charge up his Peacemaker like he did before; like when he took out the tank.

Jak cocked his Scattergun, but Cara was quick to harass him.

"Do you have enough ammo this time?"

Jak looked her way, but only momentarily, "Hmph."

Sea-walkers began to jump up onto the platform, but Jak and Cara took most of them out before their feet even touched metal. Cara continued to shoot; shell casings clanking against the solid floor below, but it suddenly stopped. Cara looked to her guns and noticed that neither were firing. She was out of ammo. "Shit..." Cara mumbled, but Jak heard her perfectly clear.

Jak smirked, "Isn't it great?"

Cara sent Jak a glare while she fished two more magazines out of her holster. She pinched the sides of her guns; letting her empty magazines fall to the ground. Cara punched her new magazines in and continued to fire, completely dismissing Jak's comment.

Sig stood up, too aim, and fired another orb. Like before, the orb whirled around and then hit the Metalhead that stood content on a cliff above. Sig held his thumb downwards as the Metalhead fell down into the water, "That's one fried Metalhead."

As Cara began to follow Sig down the ramp, she noticed from over her shoulder that Jak was putting more blood onto his wrist. She continued to walk, but watched carefully. Jak worked fast; he obviously didn't want anyone to notice. Well, other than Daxter. Every time Jak dug one of his hands into a creature...wait, a creature? Not just Metalheads? Now, Cara was really curious. Daxter would wince every time Jak withdrew the insides of a creature, but he didn't seem alarmed by it. Jak would quickly roll of a sleeve and clasp his hand on his wrist. WHY?

Jak quickly walked by Cara, oblivious to the fact that she had watched his display not once, but two times.

Cara grabbed Jak's shoulder, "What are you-.."

Jak roughly jerked his shoulder as he passed by, completely shaking Cara's hand off and leaving her dumbfounded.

Sig called to them, "Looks like we got a lot over here!"

"Let me handle it," Jak said as he stepped in front of Sig.

Sig, who looked to Jak in shock and then to Cara, stumbled his words, "Uh, gladly, doughboy. I've, uh, I've got your back!" Sig raised his Peacemaker, but little did it know that he wouldn't even need it.

Jak wiggled his fingers and cracked them. He wore a smirk on his face as his body began to tingle. He hadn't turned in two days and it was eating away at him. Jak didn't even know why, but he suspected that his thing; like an evil, alter-ego had needs, as well. Usually, he would be scared to turn: he didn't know enough about his dark self. He didn't want to hurt Sig, Daxter, or...well, Sig or Daxter. This time, however, there were enough Metalheads; enough blood. He knew this thing would be completely satisfied.

His smirk was replaced by a look of pain as he hunched over. Jak grabbed his stomach and tried his hardest not to fall to his knees.

Sig's eyes widened as he looked back at Cara.

Cara wore a straight face; she knew what was happening. She had only seen it in prison, but she remembered it well. Her nightmare.

Jak winced every time he felt the eco rise in his blood. He felt warm, no, hot. His cheeks flushed before turning pale and his once teary, blue eyes turned black.

It was here.

Immediately, the creature began to tear into the unsuspecting Metalheads. Long nails punctured necks, causing the Metalheads to shriek as if they were small, innocent puppies. This thing had no remorse, no hesitation; was just brutal. The noises the Metalheads made upon being stabbed and beaten made Cara wince - Jak made the Metalheads look helpless...and he didn't care...it didn't care. Blood splashed against the sands and the cries continued and Sig and Cara remained at a distance.

Cara had to look away momentarily, but that was until she noticed her heartbeat.

It was off.

It was beating heavily; heavy enough for a human being to die.

She started to breath heavy as she clasped a hand on her chest. Cara expected to feel pain; like a heart attack, but she didn't feel anything. Cara looked up and everything was blurry. She blinked slowly as she hunched over; her heavy breathing and the heartbeat all that she could hear. Suddenly, the heartbeat slowed down to the point where it sounded normal, but her surroundings still weren't clear. She continued to blink, hoping that everything would return to normal.

Buh-bump. Buh-bump. Buh-bump.

Her heart felt like it was going to rip out of her chest.

She inhaled and that was all she heard.

Buh-bump. Buh-bump. Buh-bump.

She exhaled and that was all she heard.

Cara slowly looked up at Jak.

Buh-bumpBUH-BUMPBUH-BUMP. Buh-bumpBUH-BUMP.

What?

With her blurry vision and shallow breathing, she tried to watch Jak. She could barely make out the washed out and echoed sounds of the fight in front of her, but the heartbeat was clear.

She locked eyes on the monster's backside.

BUH-BUMPBUH-BUMPBUH-BUMP-BUH-BUMP.

With a final, large exhale she closed her and stood up straight, a hand still over her chest.

Buh-bump. Buh-bump. Buh-bump.

BUH-BUMPBUH-BUMP-BUH-BUMP.

Her heartbeat.

His heartbeat.

She could feel them both.

Cara could feel whatever it was wearing off; the thudding in her chest was going down dramatically. As she was returning to normal, she quickly looked around.

She could see everything.

Jak's body illuminated purple; like a shadow and all of the dead bodies around them had the same, purple light embedded in their guts.

No.

She could see Dark Eco.

A wave poured over her: her vision came back and so did her hearing, which hit her like a truck. She shook and let out a shaky breath, just in time to see Jak hunched over and holding his head.

Sig, who had completely froze from the whole, entire occurrence, shook himself to regain composure and smirked, "Well, well, well, that's quite the, er, somethin' you got there, cherry." Sig began to slowly walk towards Jak, which was funny considering that, before, he sauntered around like he was the biggest and baddest thing. "What do you call that?"

Jak looked his way, "Haven't really got a name for it yet."

Then, Daxter popped out from behind Jak's head, "I like to call it Tall, Dark, and Gruesome..heh, heh," the ottsel said confidently, despite the fact that Jak's eco surges made his fur stand straight up, "-named by yours truly," he finished while checking out his nails.

Sig looked back to Cara, who was standing perfectly still and looking at the ground. "You know about this?"

Cara quickly looked up, "Uh-.."

"-Yeah, she does," Jak interrupted while angrily pouting her way, "She's the one that did this."

While Jak stood completely livid, Sig stood tall and with a smile. "You talk as if that's a bad thing," Sig said as he leaned on his Peacemaker.

Jak quickly looked to Sig, "What? You think that this thing is a blessing?" Jak couldn't help but throw some shade Sig's way. He had no idea.

Sig wasn't threatened, whatsoever. Not by normal Jak, at least. He just simply shrugged, "Well, I mean," Sig said as he gestured a hand out calmly, "As a man, there are few questions that we, Wastelanders, go by." Sig began to count on single fingers, "Does it help you fight?"

Jak stared, "Yes."

"Does it hurt?"

"Kind of."

"Does it kill you?"

"Not yet."

"Can you still get your dick hard?"

Jak stuttered and blinked, "Uh-"

"-Then, case closed," Sig smiled as he picked up his Peacemaker, "No problem in sight." Sig then began to walk, but turned to face everyone, "By the way, I'd be thanking this young lady, right here. If what you say is true, she gave you a gift." Sig then turned around and continued to walk. "But, let's not forget why we're out here."

Jak turned to look at Cara, but she was already walking past him. He looked down towards the ground, while Sig's words danced around in his head. So far, Sig was the only person that knew about this dark powers and he was saying to be thankful. No, that's not going to happen. Plus, Sig's just one person.

A/N: Now, onto the ages.

Jak: He's 25 and will be turning 26 during Jak II (that will have it's own chapter, most likely. ;]) He'll be turning 27 during Jak III and 28 in Jak X. [Spoiler - yes, I'm doing those as well]. ~April 3rd.~

Cara: In this story, Cara is 23 (her birthday happened three weeks before her escape). ~February 7th.~

Daxter: In this story, Daxter is 24. ~November 21st.~

Torn: He is 31. ~October 6th.~

Erol: 30. ~Unknown (and no one cares).~

Keira: 24. ~May 12th.~

Sig: 42. ~December 27th.~

Ashelin: 28. ~November 1st.~

Samos (young): 55. ~January 4th.~

Samos (old): 75. ~duh~

I think that's everyone who's super important. If you're curious about anyone else, let me know. If you have a problem with ages, feel free to pretend I never left this disclaimer. It's just what "I" am comfortable with. I've never been the one to think Jak was so young during all of this (I always thought he was older based off of how he looked, talked, and acted). This might also be because I'm not comfortable writing sexual themes with people who are underage. That's not really my cup of tea, but I'd have to say the main reason why is the because of the first thing I mentioned: that's just how I imagine them. Thanks for reading!