A/N:

Thank you again for the reviews. They make me smile teehee.

To answer Anon's question regarding the time skip:

I want to establish Lillie in her journey first. She's going to have to make a name for herself before seeing Jak (and before that, Daxter) again. She also needs to be reunited with her sister, and knowing how sassy Keira gets after the time skip, that is going to be fun. So we will see a few more months of action from her before a large timeskip.

As always, I own nothing but my OCs.

"...no."

Lillie was standing face to face...well...face to stomach of probably the most interestingly vile person she had ever seen.

He introduced himself as Krew, and asked if she wanted a job. Unfortunately that job was being an escort for his "racing after parties." Lillie immediately told him she was sent by one of his workers.

"Hmm Tess told me about you hmmyes. Told me you had some mechanical experience hmm?"

Krew floated around her in the bar, his body emitting a less than pleasant smell.

Lillie was holding her breath the best she could and blinked,

"...uh...um...maybe?"

"Maybe isn't certain enough for me little girl...Can you race?"

"...uh...um...maybe?"

Lillie was having a tough time buying her tongue from being rude. It was a negative trait she was still working on. Keira always told her she thought with her mouth instead of her mind.

Krew flew in closer to her face,

"Why are you in my bar then!?" He spat sending droplets onto her cheek.

Lillie was at a complete loss for words, still being distracted by trying to figure out what exactly Krew was. Her thoughts were interrupted by a bunch of loud voices and obnoxious laughter. Stumbling through the door were three young men with goggles and metal masks covering their faces. Krew growled and rolled his eyes,

"Oh joy... My favorite team coming in early for their visit..."

Krew floated higher, his tiny legs swinging as he lifted towards the ceiling,

"To what do I owe the displeasure?"

Lillie shrunk back slowly hoping to not be seen by either party. The shortest of the men (but still taller than her) sharply turned his head towards her and creepily lifted his finger to point,

"You..."

He hissed in a low voice.

"Come here punk."

Oh no... Lillie's mind raced.

Do they work for the guard? Was this a trap? Where did that fat man go?

Lillie cleared her throat and attempted to make her voice tougher than what she actually felt,

"What do you want metal f-face?"

Her voice stammered on the last word, and she mentally kicked herself for it.

The man dropped his arm, and suddenly put his hands on his knees, shaking from laughter. Lillie cocked a brow and felt a bit annoyed at him mocking her.

"You were scared ha! M-m-metalface?" The man's voice went a few octaves higher and normal.

Just as she went to open her mouth, he stopped laughing to pull off his mask and smirked, showing off a dimple.

Lillie gawked,

"It's you guys!" She shrieked as the two remaining guys took off their masks.

"You almost killed me earlier today!"

"Sorry cupcake," the youngest one laughed, "at least you ducked!"

Lillie surveyed the men. The youngest looking one seemed about her age, and had short, blonde hair like Tess with a warm smile. He reminded her of Jak in a way, and she felt her experession soften a bit.

"I'm Lillie," she stepped forward and stretched out her hand.

"I had a hunch...glad to meet you. Name's Trevz, Tess already told us about you some,"

He took her hand and gave it a gentle shake.

She felt uneasy upon hearing that, "Really?"

A young man that was slightly taller, with dark magenta hair and matching goatee took a step forward.

"Yeah," His voice was lower and had a growl to it,

"You'll be with us. So we need to make sure your ass ain't holdin' us back or anything-"

"His name is Micks," Trevz interjected, "We are just wary because the last person bailed out pretty bad. Couldn't handle it."

"I can tackle whatever you guys throw at me," Lillie said defensively while crossing her arms.

"Good," the last guy chuckled, tossing his helmet in the air and catching it. He had jet black hair with the top tied up in a small bun. The sides were shaved, revealing tattoos that beared resemblance to Torn and the Guard that reached his neck.

I wonder if he was a Krimzon too. I need to ask Tess... Lillie thought to herself.

"I like that spirit. We will have to put that money where your pretty little mouth is though."

He winked at her, "Name's Alix by the way."

A growl came from above, Krew seemed to be getting annoyed with being ignored.

"Hmm so you are the new mechanic eh? Hmm. We should see if you can race too, or survive, I can bet some big money on that. These boys keep messing with the numbers. I haven't been raking in as much because of you fools."

"Why would I let my team lose on purpose!?" Micks growled, "Especially to Errol? If he and his brother suck at playing fair then they don't deserve the win."

Krew began to lose it, "Why you good for nothing -"

Lillie watched the heated exchange curiously, wondering if she should still make a getaway back to headquarters. It seemed a bit difficult at the moment, as Trevz was intently looking at her.

"Where are you from?

"S-somewhere far from here " she replied quickly.

Trevz was about to ask another question, when another figure walked in.

"Oh good you met the boys!"

It was Tess looking bright at the group. Her eyes shifted back and forth between Krew and Micks,

"Krew, someone at the docks was talking about a shipment or something."

Krew gasped, his little legs kicking furiously, "I told those idiots-" he grumbled and zoomed away through an opening in the ceiling,

"You fools better not mess anything up in my bar!" His voice became distant.

Tess wrapped an arm around Lillie and turned her to the group of guys,

"So I see you guys met your new teammate! Ain't she a cutie?"

"Doesn't matter, she's probably going to be useless," Micks snorted and sauntered off to a booth.

Alix stretched and followed him,

"I'm all for eye candy, but I'm really worried she'll get hurt Tessy."

Micks laughed, "Don't let Ashelin hear that."

"We're fine on our own Tess," Trevz pouted.

Lillie had quite enough of being berated, as if she wasn't there. Her cheeks turned red and she slowly balled her fist. She shoved Tess's arm off her shoulder and walked towards their booth, slamming her fists on the table. The whole bar became still.

"Look losers," her voice became stern and eyes fiery,

"I didn't ask to be part of your team. I have other things and other places I would rather be. But Tess has been the kindest person since being in this dump of a city. If I have to prove myself, fine. I'll race ya, I'll fight ya, whatever you choose I'll kick your yakkow butts. So bring it pinky."

She ended her speech with her arms crossed and a smirk.

I hope I looked cool and convincing. I hope I looked REALLY cool, she inwardly nodded.

Micks stared in Lillie's eyes challenging her. They didn't break eye contact for several moments before Micks cracked a small smile.

"Alright babe," Micks nodded, "Race me. Across the port, round back, through two rings, and return here, back at the bar. You'll use Trevz's zoomer. You got five minutes."

He stood up and grabbed his goggles off the table, heading towards the entrance.

"Why MY zoomer!?" Trevz groaned and dragged after.

"Good luck sugah," Alix poked Lillie's cheek and sauntered after the team.

Lillie turned around to face Tess.

"Well that went well!" Tess nervously smiled as she bounced towards her station behind the bar,

"Good luck sweetie!"

"Thanks..." Lillie rolled her eyes and habitually clutched her goggles, heading towards the entrance.

"Time to show'em how the Troublemaking Trio operates."