Me: Here goes chapter four.
Daxter: Its about time! You've had these people waiting long enough.
Me: Oh yeah! Well it's only been what week. You try to make a each chapter at least above three thousand words. *piss-ant*
Daxter: Three thousand words! I don't even know two thousand. How am I suppose to do that?
Me: I don't know? Figure it out. Sheesh.
Jak: Yeah anyway...On With the Fic.
Isn't Love Grand?
Not Now, Not Ever
The next day Jakgot up first to make Aubrey some breakfast. Which consisted of: Eggs, Pancakes, Sausages and a biscuit. Jakreturned to the bed only to see Aubrey half awake still nestled in the bed. Jak casually walked over to her and placed the platter on the other bed and shook her just a little. "Aubrey...Aubrey wake up. It's time to eat." Jak shook oher one more time before she got the message. Jak then laid the food on her lap and she looked puzzled. "Thank...You?" She didn't know why he delivered her breakfast food until she rememberedthe wound. She reached down to flip the covers and it was gone, her leg was fully healed. "Yeah, I didn't know if it healed or not so I just went and made you breakfast. So...eat up." Aubrey nodded and ate while Jak watched.
He couldn't help but remembered...Keira. He still liked her, but would she act different towards him because of his 'changes'? Something he felt with Aubrey that he had never felt with Keirabefore. Aubrey looked up at Jak and began to wonder what he was staring at. To her surprise he was just looking into space. "Jak, are you okay?" She waved
a hand in his face to get her attention. "Yeah. I was just thinking about something." He hesitated, but looked at her eyes giving her full contact. "What were you thinking about?" She broke their contact and began to eat again. "I was just thinking about my friend. I haven't seen her in a while and...I just...never mind. Finish up so we can head over to Krew's. I think he has another mission for us." Jakthen walked away from Aubrey giving her time to get ready.
"Chris are you coming?" There was no answer. "Chris!" There was a sudden movement in the sheets. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." Chris groggily got up and went to get dressed the sale as for Aubrey. "Something tells me today is going to be a long day."
The four adventurers walked into the Hip Hog unaware of Krew's presence. "Mmmm who's this?" Krew put one of his chubby fingers towards Chris only to be smacked away. "Dude personal space." Was all Chris said as she looked disgusted. Jakand Aubrey only chuckled. "You three are turning out to be quite useful, ey? Mmm, I have another task
for you. The Sewers used to be a fabulous smuggling route for me before the Baron installed security devices." Daxter looked at him up and down. "And before those late night snack runs kept you from fitting out the front door." Krew looked even madder. "I bet you've hatched another 'brilliant' plan in that hungry little brain of yours. So... who or what do we have to shake down, knock out, or blow up?" Jak seemed fed up with Krew already.
"Well, I need someone to go down and shoot every Sentry Gun in the Sewers, and I'd give you a sweet weapon upgrade if you succeed." Chris and Aubrey looked at each other expecting something in return too. Jak saw their faces and nodded to them. Daxter began to wonder, "Let me guess... Dank, murky water? Reeks worse than your breath at oyster fest? Fuller o' Metal Heads than your plate at a one pass buffet? And of course, weapons more lethal than your 'ever to tighty whiteys' on a hot summer day? Look, donut hole, why don't WE float around here looking hot and heavy, and YOU go roto-root the pipes?" Jak told Krew, "We're not doing anything until you tell us why Metal Heads are trading with the Baron's forces!" Now Krew was pissed. "I should have had you all knee-capped, ey? All I know is that the Baron cut a desperate deal with the Metal Head leader. Mmmmm, Metal Heads need Eco, so the Baron supplies them with regular shipments. In return, the Metal Heads agreed to attack the city just enough to satisfy the Baron's continued rule."
"Yeah, but how long can that deal last?" Krew began to explain himself. "Well, the Baron is running short on eco, 'ey? And the Metal Heads are short on patience. Baron Praxis NEEDS this war to keep in power. Otherwise, the city would put the true ruler on the throne, wherever that little brat is." Jak finally cane to an agreement. "The four of us will clear your sewers. And, we haven't forgotten about that weapons upgrade you promised in return. And also, Aubrey and Chris get one as well."
"Bloodsuckers!"
The four teens finally walked out the Hip Hog a and drove in three separate zoomers, Aubrey in the middle and Jak and Chris to her right and left. "I say we have a race." Chris suggested. "Sure. That sounds fun." Jak told her. "Whoa. Jak...anything that seems fun to you is dangerous or reckless. So no. Were not RACING! And besides it's a
total traffic rush right now." Daxter started to have a panic attack. "Relax Daxter. First one there gets to enjoy one message session from the losers." Aubrey declared the rules. "Fine, no problem. Ready? 1...2...3...GO!" Chris yelled and they were off.
Aubrey zoomed past Jak and Chris trying block both, but Jaksaw an opening and took it. Aubrey saw this and left Chris alone. Chris then began to put the petal to the medal and her and Aubrey were almost neck and neck. Jak was a mere ten inches away from her. The three raced to the sewers when an on coming KG Cargo Cruiser was headed straight for them! Daxter clung to Jak'snext and Aubrey switched to the lower hover zone leaving Jak and Chris to split ways letting the cruiser pass by only to see Aubrey getting off of her zoomer walking to the Sewer door. Jak and Chris looked dumbfounded. 'How did she beat me?'Was Jak's only thought. 'Maybe I was so distracted on Chris I forgot about Aubrey.'
"Took you guys long enough." She then turned to get on the elevator. "Oh and you guys get to decide who gives me my message tonight." They both groaned and walked on to the elevator. They looked at each other that gave looks like: you-do-it-tonight, and no-YOU-do-it-tonight, and also why?Theygot of the elevator and cocked their guns. Aubrey gave Chris one of her's because she didn't have any. The first Sentry Gun was right up ahead. Jaktook that one out. Making their way to the second a Metal Head Grunt jumped out at them and made Chris fall into the water. Aubrey and Jak laughed. "This is not funny! Now I smell like shit." Aubrey helped her out only to continue laughing.
On the fourth Sentry Gun Aubrey destroyed. Her aim was off a little so she had to get up close and personal. Jak and Aunrey would also occasionally look at each other. Whenever Aubrey was attacked by a Metal Head, Jak would run to her side in a heartbeat and vice versa. But if Chris was attacked which often happened. Aubrey ran to her side and Jak...walked. Saying 'Is she okay', or 'We have to keep moving', and 'She'll be okay.'Chris quite frankly was tired of it. She wondered why Jakwas giving Aubrey so much attention to her attacks and not her unless...Aubrey and Jak go out. Once theywere finished with their mission, they headed back to Krew's and Chris asked the dreaded question.
"So...do you two go out?" Jak's eyes widened as he drove and so did Aubrey's. They both looked at Chris in total shock. "Um..." Aubrey tried to answer the question, but looked at Jak for giudance. "Um...yeah...we do." Jak said slowly as he looked at Aubrey and she nodded assuring him and he smiled for her approval of their relationship. "Oh...well that's good." Things got awkardly silent until Chris said something else. "So when are going to Kei..." She was cut off by Aubrey. She didn't want Jak to get suspicious of her and Aubrey's presence and relationship with his friends. Jak only looked at the two girls.
"Who?" Jak asked. "She meant when are we going to see Krew?" Aubrey said nervously. "Well...were heading over their now so...yeah." Jakshook his head to himself, and Aubrey let out a sigh.
They all walked into the Hip Hog and approached Krew from behind. "What IS that horrible smell?" He starts sniffing around from his spot. "Oohh, great, we do YOUR dirty work in the sewers, and come back smelling worse than a wet hip hog in a warm barn." Krew gives out a couple of sniffs, before leaning towards their direction. "This could have a serious impact on the lady factor." Daxter told Jak and the girls just giggled. "No, uh, I think it was my lunch, actually." They look at him with shock and disgust. "Nice work in the sewers, 'ey, I guess you're looking for that weapon upgrade, mmm? Well, there's three Blaster mods stashed in some crates at the Port. Find it, and it's yours... walk out of the Hip Hog and head for the gun course.
They find the gun mods on the floor. Jakloads it in and looks at it, with Daxter switching standing positions onto his other shoulder and giving out a peace sign with his right hand. Jak then aims with it with his partner behind him rubbing his hands in anticipation. Aubrey attaches hers and adjusts hers to her liking. And Chris...well...She didn't know what the hell to do with it. It was her first time attaching something to a gun. The ones she used in the sewer was a mere Red Eco Pistol. Aubrey saw her struggle and laughed. She helped her putt it on and aim. Jak's Comm. flew out of his pocket. "Jak I need you to come back to the Hideout. It's important." Torn was calling Jak. It then flew back into one of his pockets. "You guys want to come?" Jakwas mainly asking Aubrey, but if Chris wanted to come she could have. "No. I'll stay here and teach Chris how to use the Blaster." Jak said his goodbyes and left the two earth dwellers to themselves.
While their were practicing they were also catching up on some much needed gossip. "So when did you and Jak start going out." Chris fires her gun and took aim again at the target. "About an 1 hour after you two kissed when we were heading to Krew." Chris' score sky rocketed five thousand points. She was getting good and fast. "Have you two...kissed already?" She shot a gold Metal Head look alike. "Yeah. Like right when we got of the zoomer that day. He kissed me. He may be only a video game character, but it felt so real. Oh yeah and on our way to the first mission Krew sent us on, he said and I quote, 'I like you and I think I'm on the verge of loving you.'unquote." Chris stopped what she was doing and looked at her black haired friend. "Are you kidding me. What about Keira and the game. If we get involved with all of this we could seriously mess it up and be stuck in here forever."
Aubrey hadn't thought of that. Everything she's doing is messing up Jak's chance with Keira and his possible defeat of the Baron, Erol, and the Metal Head Leader. She would probably have to give Jakup. But she didn't want to! She...she...loves him. As Aubrey thought about this tears began to run down her cheeks and Chris saw this. She
stopped the course and ran to her friend. Chris knew what she was thinking and just comforted her. "I know you love him." The blond girl whispers in her friends' ear as she wrapped her arms around her giving her a much needed hug and she hugged back. "I don't want to let him go." Aubrey whispered back. "Keira doesn't deserve him. You've played the game. You see how mean she'll be to Jak, pushing him away, choosing Erol." She began to cry even harder. Why would she let Jak go with someone who wouldn't love all of him and not just his 'normal' half. She excepted Jak as he is. She wasn't going to let that happen.
Not now, not ever.
Jak walks up to a building with a red button on it, he presses it, to open a door to a small laboratory. And inside it, is a nervous scientist. "Aaagghh! Stay back!" He draws out a small pistol, and started shooting outside, leaving them to hide from him. "Do something, Jak! This guy's crazy!" Daxter screamed to his partner. "Hey, are you Vin? We're here to help. Torn sent us." Jak said. "Stay back!" He screamed. "Look, if we were here to kill you, you wouldn't be talking right now!" Jak tries to sound convincing. Vin stops and looks on at the pair. "Oh, friendlies? Oh thank goodness! We... so... whe... where's the army?" Daxter puts his hand to his chin. "Ah... we're it." tapped his gun nervously on hi head. "What? Just you two? What do they think I'm worth?" Jak messed with his goatee. "I'm beginning to wonder that myself! If you want, you can stay here and be Metal meat, but Daxter and I are leaving before those monsters get back." Vin leaves the lab, and the three go through a Warp gate one by one. Jak and Daxter get in safely, while Vin trips up inside it.
Once back in the city, they go back towards the gun course to see if Aubrey and Chris were still there, and they were. They had gotten over the whole problem and their faces showed no sign of it. "You guys want to come with me to see Krew. I think he said something about a racing contract." Aubrey's eyes shot up and were almost filled with tears, but Chris told her to go to the Hideout and rest leaving Jak and Chris to see Krew and his needs. "I have a proposition for you, Jak. Racing is the biggest sport in the city! Erol is the undisputed grand champion. He's crazy and dangerous on the track. Haha. My kind of guy. Only a fool would dare race against him, 'ey! And that's where you two come in. A client of mine is looking for a fast driver for her racing team. Here's a security pass to get you into the stadium section." He gives Jak the pass. "Uh, and your contract, with just a few trifles for me. I've ah, already signed your name to save time, mmmmmnn." In an instant, Daxter reaches for it and started reading from it.
"We the racers hereby agree to give Krew all proceeds from race earnings, endorsement fees, broadcast royalties, syndication residuals, vehicle sponsorships, mall appearance fees, collectible card assets, fast-food tie-ins, use of likeness rights, talk show deals, clothing lines, all print rights including book, novella..." Chris inter vined. "Daxter just stop." Chris gave out a huff. "Heh heh heh... we can work out the tiny details later. If you can get from here to the Race Garage near the stadium in less than 3 minutes, my client said that she would consider letting you drive for her team. Make me proud, mmmm!"
They take the challenge and get there in no time. Once there, they walk into a race garage, almost empty. "Ah... hello? Krew said someone was looking for a race driver?" Suddenly, a female voice is heard behind a green curtain. Only her silhouette can be seen through it. "I'm busy right now. You must be Krew's new errand boys. Look, I don't mean to be rude, you did get here fast, but I'm not interested in any new drivers right now, and I've got work to do." She lifted up her mask. "Is there anything we can do?" Jak said in a cooed voice only for him to have Chris glare at him not remembering Aubrey over some random broad. "No! I'm... ah... working on a secret, ah... ah... 'vehicle project'." Chris could see her through the curtains looking desperate to come up with a lie. "Okay, sorry..."
"Listen, if you think you've got the guts to race in this town, try taking my prototype JET-board out on the Stadium Course. Beat the Stadium Challenge, and maybe I'll consider you for my team." Silence then comes across the room. Jak is basically looking at her direction with a hypnotized look on him. Daxter walks over to his face and starts waving his hands out in front of him to snap out of it. Chris had enough of it and dragged Jak out glaring hard at him. "What the
hell was your problem." Chris was angrier than ever. No one fucks over her best friend and lives to brag about it, and I mean NO ONE. "If Aubrey was here what do you think she would say?" Silence. "Hell, she might of even broke up with you." They got to the Stadium and Chris let Jakdo his thing on the JET-board. And they left. Jak then finally decided to answer her question. "I don't know what happened. I think I just let the male part of me takeover." Chris starred at him. "What the hell do you mean the 'male' part." Jak looked around trying to figure a way to explain. "The part where...everyman stares or looks at a woman...in a different way." Chris shook her head as they arrived at the garage.
"We beat the Stadium Challenge." She seemed unimpressed. "Great. People do get lucky. Listen, don't you have someone to collect money from, or beat up, or something?" Jak looked at Chris and Daxter. "You don't like us, do you?" The mechanic sighed. "You work for that slime ball Krew. What's not to like?" His attention is then brought over to a bunch of trophies near the curtain. "Looks like you've won a few races. Isn't it true the city champion gets to tour the palace?" She got curious then. "Yeah, why?" Seeming fed up with him. "Could you get me into the palace?" She kind of thought of him as a groupie. "A friendly visit I gather." Jak gave off sarcasm. "Yeah. I'm a real fan of the Baron." She finally gave him the information he needed. "Okay. I'll help you out if you stop bothering me. I saw an old maintenance elevator at the base of one of the Palace support towers. That old lift might take you up to the palace, IF you can find a way to turn on the elevator's power."
They made their way back to the Underground to get much needed rest and to also check on Aubrey. Once they arrived, Chris hopped off the zoomer and ran into the Hideout looking for Aubrey, to notice her snuggled in the bed sleeping soundly. Chris gave out a sigh and plopped on the bed taking of her holster, shoes and jacket. Jak came in to see both Chris and Aubreysleep. He was about to jump in the bed with Aubrey, but after what happened today with the mechanic and Chris he felt he didn't deserve to sleep with her.
Maybe tomorrow.
How was that? A little twist in the plot. Jak sometimes deserves a smack in the face for gauging at other women when he has the most beautiful girl in the world who really loves him, and not just half. Anyway. R&R. Oh Yeah! Thanks to all who reviewed and put me on their alert lists. That's the kind of stuff that inspires me to keep writing. Continue what your doing and live life to the fullest! Bye!