Sorry about the wait, I have been stupidly busy with RL. This was a hard chapter to finish since I haven't played any J&D related games for over half a year now. That and I hate writing racing chapters. In other news, I have an original script being looked at by a representative for a literary agency. I am crossing my fingers on that one. :hopes, hopes:

Also, special thanks to Yaminai for the lovely gift art, you did an amazing job and I'm sorry that I wasn't writing faster so that you could get public recognition for it. And also to Ciaran Frain for writing me recently and reminding me that there are people stilling reading and waiting.

Jak and Jak and Daxter and all affiliated characters and places are property of Naughty Dog. No infringement of copyright is implied or intended in this fictional work.

>>>>>>>>

Chapter 12: Danger Zone

"Keira, do you have any green stuff stashed somewhere?" Daxter asked.

"I'm sorry Dax. Back home it wouldn't be a problem but here," Keira sighed. She waved a hand around her workshop. "Haven isn't Sandover."

Daxter scowled. The Class Two Race was important and without a racer, Keira's team was seriously screwed. Jak couldn't perform because of his sprained wrist and it looked like they weren't going to be able to fix it the easy way. The sidekick looked around the garage and noted the racing trophies. She got an idea. "What about you, babe? Why don't you race?"

Keira shook her head. She picked up a large piece of paper. "I can't. It's on Krew's new contract." The mechanic glanced over the contract and spotted something. Her eyes widened. "But you can," she told Daxter.

"What?" Daxter shrieked.

"But Erol—" Jak protested.

"Erol's racing in another heat. He won't be racing our team," Keira said.

Daxter grinned and elbowed Jak. "Guess he got intimidated by Jak here, huh?"

"Or something," Keira muttered. She figured that Erol wanted to increase his chances of being in the final race by going against other opponents. Considering that the Class Three Race had six different groups racing at the same time, it was really just chance that landed Jak and Erol in the same heat. Keira went over to the racing zoomer and tightened a loose bolt. "We'll set you up at the practice track so you can get started. I'll join you in a couple of hours."

As Daxter turned to head for the track, the mechanic laid a hand on the smaller woman's shoulder. "It'll be okay. I know you can do this," Keira said.

"Thanks, babe," Daxter answered.

"Daxter," Jak said. The redhead turned to look at him. "Do you want me to go with you?"

Daxter thought about it for a second. "Not yet, I want to get a feel for it, you know. You can come by when Keira shows up and I can show you how racing's done."

>>>>>>>>>

Daxter ran a few laps around the track, getting a feel for the vehicle. Since she weighed less than Jak the zoomer went faster than it normally would. The drawback was that she had less control and would have to really concentrate to avoid veering off the track during a turn and smashing into a wall.

She dismounted from the zoomer to check on a rattling sound she had heard during the last lap. Daxter frowned, placing her hands on the handlebars. Suddenly, a warm solid body pressed up against her back, a pair of masculine hands covering her own. Daxter stiffened.

An all too familiar voice purred in her ear. "Don't forget to pull the clutch when you change gears. If you don't the engine will stall out and you'll be dead in the air."

Daxter twitched away from the moist breath bathing her ear. "What do you want, Erol?" she asked, proud that she kept the tremble out of her voice.

"Just giving you some advice," Erol answered.

Daxter tried twisting out of Erol's grip, but he was too strong. She hated being so small. "Why?" she asked.

"Because I want you to win," Erol answered.

Well, that was a surprise. Daxter turned her head and raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"

Erol's voice was calm and collected. "I want to beat Jak in front of the entire city but I can't do that if your team doesn't qualify for the Class One Race."

The sidekick snorted. "You're a little obsessed, aren't you?"

Erol stepped closer. "I want to see Jak's body splattered all over the race track. I want to see the Underground's hopes shattered. I want to hear you screaming his name before I take you back to bed."

The captain's warm hand crept around her small waist.

Daxter slapped the offending limb. "Enough with the wandering hands!"

Erol moved closer and cupped Daxter's chin, forcing each other to see eye to eye. Fear and hostility battled on Daxter's face. If looks could kill, Erol would be chopped into tiny bits and buried underneath a ton of Lurker body waste. The Krimzon Guard smirked. "That first bit of advice was free. Any more is going to cost you."

Daxter snarled, "Don't hold your breath."

"Everything okay?"

The two of them whipped their heads around to see Duran watching them. In his hands was the nailgun.

Daxter had never been so relived to see a grease monkey in all her life. "Yeah, he was just leaving," she said, not bothering to mask the anger in her voice. Erol took that as a threat and stepped away from her.

He avoided looking at Duran as he left the stadium. "Good luck, Red," he called back over his shoulder.

Daxter punched the side of the zoomer. "I hate that guy," she muttered. She ran a hand through her hair and glanced over at Duran. "Thanks, man," she said.

"No problem. How's practice coming along?" Duran asked.

"Pretty good, I gotta hug the turns a little tight so I don't fly off but I can deal." Daxter pointed to the area by the gas pedal. "I heard this rattling noise during the last lap—"

Duran knelt by the zoomer and took out his wrench. His hands practically flew over the machine's parts, his face a tight mask of concentration. As he tightened screws and made minor adjustments his hands became covered in dark grease. Every once and a while Duran would wipe his hands against his pants, leaving black streak marks. Daxter stood back and watched, impressed at the older man's speed. Finally, Duran placed his hands on his knees and pushed himself to his feet. He reached for the ignition and flipped on the power, the vehicle purring to life. The rattle was gone.

Daxter said, "You're a lifesaver, pal."

Duran just shrugged, a little red in his cheeks.

A thought occurred to Daxter. "Hey, shouldn't you be working on your boss's bike?"

"Well, I, uh, you see," Duran's old stuttering habit reared its ugly head as he tried to explain. "My boss doesn't need the help."

The redhead smirked, "And your boss isn't as pretty as Keira."

"Right." Realizing what he said, the dark-haired man tried to cover. "I mean—"

"Durry baby, it's all right." She slung a companionable arm around Duran's shoulder. "Sheesh, lighten up a little."

"You don't mind?" Duran asked.

The sidekick shook her head. "Nah, Keira deserves a nice guy."

The dark-haired man slumped his shoulders and bit his lower lip. "But I don't know if I'm good enough."

Daxter cocked her head to the side. "Are you joking or are you that stupid?"

Duran's face went slack, he didn't understand. Daxter sighed. "You're a great guy. Hell, if you got out of those greasy coveralls once and a while you'd be crawling with chicks." Daxter straightened Duran's collar. "You'd have to have a bodyguard to make sure you didn't get mauled."

Duran shrugged out from under Daxter's arm and plopped onto the sidelines. "But I don't think she'd ever go for a guy like me."

"Not a problem, big guy," Daxter said, joining him on the ground.

"She's so perfect. Like a goddess," Duran said, his face wistful.

Daxter scoffed. "Don't let her hear you say that or she'll slug you." She knew this from personal experience. Once, Daxter had written Keira a poem. It wasn't a very good poem and much too suggestive for their tender ages, but it was a poem nonetheless. Entwined with some of the bawdier passages were messages of the untouchable and the unobtainable. In response, Keira had thrown her goggles at him. The goggles had missed, but Daxter got the message. Romance, yes. Flowery sentimental crap, no.

Duran blinked. "Really?"

"Yeah, trust me on this," Daxter said.

"Well, what should I do?" Duran asked.

Daxter sighed. She couldn't figure out her own life and now this guy was asking for help. He had saved her from Erol so she figured she owed him. "What were you thinking about?"

Duran scratched the back of his head. "I thought maybe a dozen roses and some chocolate."

"Ah hell no, not with Keira," Daxter protested.

"But what's wrong?"

"Look, Keira likes romance but she's also a serious tomboy. You've got to play both sides if you want to show her she's special."

Duran's face lit up. "You're right."

"Course I am, I am an expert on the ladies after all," Daxter said.

"'Cause you are a lady?" Duran offered, trying to be helpful.

Daxter grimaced. "It's only temporary, buddy. Don't get used to it." Daxter leaned forward, one finger pointing in the air. "First off, instead of the whole dozen roses thing get her something different, something rare."

The mechanic thought for a moment. "There's a flower that grows in Haven Forest. They used to be everywhere before the Metalheads took over. Now no one sees them because no one will risk it." A sly look crossed Duran's face. "But you and Jak have faced the Metalheads before."

The sidekick frantically shook her head. "Oh no, no way," she protested, scooting away backwards.

"Please, it's my only hope," Duran whined, crawling after Daxter's flailing form.

Duran was giving her a puppy-dog face that was very hard to resist. And Daxter had to admit that she liked the guy. There were few people she knew who were worthy of her friend's attentions or who would treat Keira with the respect and adoration she deserved. Besides, it couldn't hurt to have another grease monkey hanging around.

The redhead pouted. "Fine damn it. But we're waiting until Jak gets better 'cause I'm not going in there by myself."

Duran grinned and grabbed Daxter's hand, pumping it up and down. "Deal."

Daxter grimaced and yanked her hand away. It was covered in black sludge. She wiped it on a clean spot of Duran's shirt. "Sheesh, the things I do for my friends."

>>>>>>>>

This sucked. Why Jak would ever consider racing fun was lost on Daxter. Only a lap and a half into the race and she'd been knocked into at least five times by overbearing macho meathead jerks who wanted nothing more than to send her sailing into the nearest wall. She only needed to make second place to get into the final race but she was flagging way behind. She was being too cautious and that was costing her.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a yellow racer getting right up her ass and veering to the right. That bastard was going to be number six. Daxter sneered, no more Miss Nice Guy. As the yellow racer swung to ram into her, Daxter dropped altitude and flipped her zoomer upside down, her head just above the ground. The yellow racer just skimmed the bottom of her zoomer and banged into the racer on her left. Their fronts locked, the yellow racer piercing the other zoomer's engine. It stopped and the two zoomers dropped to the ground with a crash.

Metal flew through the air and embedded itself into the concrete bunkers surrounding the track. The two unfortunate racers limped away from their vehicles just before they exploded. It was a minor ball of fire, but enough to melt someone's face off if anyone had been too close. The roar of approval from the crowd was deafening.

Daxter thought about feeling guilty for a second but dismissed it. This was war and that jerk had just tried to do the same thing to her. Besides, now she only had three other racers to worry about.

One was way behind her so she put him out of her thoughts. There were still two ahead of her though and they formed a formidable roadblock. She gunned the engine and zipped up to them, hugging the turns to gain extra speed.

They passed the marker, Final Lap. Daxter tried to nudge her way past the other racers but they weren't having it. She knew that she was going to have to do something remarkably stupid if she was going to win this race. There was a jump coming up soon and it could make or break this race for her. Before, Daxter had been careful, cutting her speed so she wouldn't get off track. So in order to win she would have to do the exact opposite.

As she approached the ramp Daxter went full throttle, the engine under her legs screaming as she pushed its limits. The zoomer sailed off the ramp high into the air. The other zoomers were below her as Daxter jumped over their heads. She threw her body to the left and with a screech, landed just in front of the other two zoomers. The racers had to drop their speed to avoid collusion.

Daxter maintained her high speed through the straightaway and took the lead. There was no way the others could catch her now and the spectators knew it. Wild cheers greeted the sidekick as she crossed the finish line. She cut the engine and drifted to a stop. As she removed her helmet two sets of feminine arms wrapped themselves around her, pulling her into a hug. Daxter found herself sandwiched between Keira and Tess, who had apparently come to watch the race. "I can get used to this," Daxter said with a leer.

Tess giggled and the two women let go. Duran passed by them and quickly ruffled Daxter's hair before heading toward his own driver who had won second place. The redhead checked her head and was thankful to note that the mechanic's hands had been clean.

That left only Jak. Daxter smirked as the blond warrior approached. "Yeah, we showed those Class Two losers a thing or two, huh?"

Jak nodded. "Yeah, you went a little high on a couple of turns but you really hung in there. I'm proud of you, Dax," he said.

Daxter couldn't keep the pride off of her face. "Really?"

Jak clapped his good hand on her back. "You did great!"

Daxter shrugged it off, her grin almost splitting her face. "Hey, gotta learn a thing or two in the backseat, right Jakkie boy?"

"Right."

"You did good out there, Red," a harsh voice interrupted them. Jak and Daxter spun around to see Erol watching them.

The blond tensed, his hands clenching into fists. Daxter put a warning hand against Jak's chest, the last thing they needed was for him to fly off the handle.

Erol ignored the macho display. "I see you took my advice out there," he said.

Daxter snorted. "Yeah and why don't you take mine and suck it."

Erol didn't flinch. He turned to go, waving a dismissive hand. "I'll see you two losers in the Final Race."

Keira stepped in front of the heroes before they could follow. "Let him go," she said. After she was assured that they were calmed down, Keira took Daxter aside. "Hey Daxter, I've got a surprise for you."

>>>>>>>>

A week later and Jak's hand was as good as new. The demolition duo had taken on a few minor missions to keep the cash flow going but nothing that would strain Jak's health. Now that he was better, they could do that little favor for Duran. They had to hurry as Daxter's Class Two Victory Party at the Hip Hog was that evening and Daxter was not going to be late for that.

So now they were standing outside of a portal door, waiting to go into Haven Forest. Daxter impatiently tapped her foot. "Come on, Jak, we ain't got all day!"

Jak ignored her and punched in the code to open the door. "I just want to get in and get out so I can get drunk off my—"

Daxter's voice trailed off as the world behind the city walls was revealed to them. The sidekick swallowed a lump in her throat. Jak was experiencing a similar sensation in the pit of his stomach. They stepped through the door onto the soft grass. "It's, it's like—" Daxter started.

"It's like home," Jak said.

The vibrant greenery all around them swept the dull monochromatic city from their minds. Ancient trees sprouted from the earth, giant gnarled roots breaching the earth to lay on the surface. Colorful flowers bloomed along the gently running stream. Its water was clear and clean; the air untainted by smog and blood. The only reminder of the city was the gray wall behind them.

They listened for any telltale signs of Metalheads. The only sounds that greeted their ears were the wind and the water. "Wow, this is real nice, Jak," Daxter said, her voice more hushed than normal. It seemed a shame to break the silence with Daxter's normal outbursts.

"Yeah," Jak replied. His eyes scanned the Forest, resting on a scorch mark near a rock. He walked over to it, careful not to make much noise. Jak sniffed the mark. "Metalheads," he said.

"Are they here?" Daxter asked, nervous.

"No, but they might come back so we'd better hurry," he said.

"Right," Daxter replied, more than a little disappointed that they couldn't just hang out for a while.

Jak pulled out his Jet-Board and jumped on board. He hovered over the ground, watching Daxter. "Well?" he asked.

Daxter grimaced. "All right, all right." She reached across her back and pulled out Keira's surprise, her own Jet-Board. It was smaller than Jak's and Daxter had not been able to practice using it since she got it. This was its first test run. Daxter set it on the ground and gingerly climbed on top. She remained a few inches above ground, her arms held out for balance. "Satisfied?" she asked.

Jak grinned and suddenly took off.

Daxter flailed. "Hey, wait!" She regained her balance and zoomed after Jak. The sidekick kept her knees bent and her stance low, she wasn't ready to be roadkill just yet.

Jak zipped over grass and hills like a madman. Daxter scowled. "What happened to watching for Metalheads?" she called out.

"Ah," Jak taunted. "Is Daxter scared of a few Metalheads?"

Daxter pouted, feeling all of ten again. "No."

Suddenly, Jak rushed toward her and Daxter had to dodge out of the way. Oh, it was on.

Daxter chased Jak through the underbrush, skimming over water and riding the rails of old worn bridges. The grass suffered as Daxter ripped up a handful, zipped up right next to Jak and shoved it down the back of his shirt. Jak shouted a protest and zoomed after Daxter. It was like a high-tech version of their boyhood in Sandover. Days spent running around, getting into mischief with no one to supervise or scold them. There was no Haven City, no Metalheads, no Dark Jak and no Erol. It was a simpler time, one that both of them knew could never be again. But in times like these the past could be recaptured, polished off and given new life. Daxter was quickly learning that those were the moments she savored the most.

Jak tackled her from behind and sent both of them sprawling to the grass. The Jet-Boards skated along for a few feet before tapping against a rock and stopping. Daxter scowled up at her would-be attacker. "Jak," she whined. "Get off."

"No," Jak said, a wide grin on his face.

"You suck," Daxter pouted. She lifted her head and her eyes widen. "Hey, I see that flower thing!"

Jak whipped his head around to look. "Where?"

"On top of that log," Daxter said. She wiggled an arm out to point.

Perched on top of a log straddling two giant rocks was a small clump of some of the most beautiful flowers they had ever seen. The petals were iridescent and white, a color that should not have been possible in nature. It looked delicate, like a glass lily. Jak climbed off Daxter and helped her to her feet.

"How the hell are we supposed to get up there, sprout wings and fly like Pecker-head?" Daxter asked.

"No, but I've got an idea," Jak said.

Which was how Daxter ended up perched on Jak's shoulders as he stood on the Jet-Board. "I don't think this is such a hot idea, Jak."

"Trust me."

Jak crouched down and sprang into the air. Daxter hands reached out and grabbed the underside of the log. Jak let go of Daxter, leaving her clinging to the log. Using her special gloves, Daxter clamored up the side of the log and sat down on top of it. The special flowers were now within easy reach. Up close, the flowers were even more magnificent. Basking in the light reflected off the petals, the sidekick felt a strange sense of calm. It was almost a shame to pick them. Daxter opened her small backpack and looked for the perfect flower.

"Hey Dax!"

"What?"

"Why don't you take the whole bunch?" Jak asked.

"Why?" Daxter called back.

"You said they haven't seen any inside Haven City. Maybe we could plant them," Jak suggested.

A part of Daxter felt repulsed by the idea. Nothing that ethereal could survive inside the city walls. Then again, maybe the opposite was true, that the mere flowers' presence could bring light back into the heart of the city. "Okay," Daxter said and carefully dug the flowers, roots and all out of the ground. She placed them in her bag and slung it over her shoulders. She then swung out over the side of the log and let go.

Jak's strong arms caught her and set the sidekick back on the ground. "You got them?" Jak asked.

Daxter patted the pack. "Safe and sound, big guy." She stepped lightly onto her Jet-Board. "Hurry up, we've got a party to get to."

>>>>>>

The alcohol was flowing freely and that was the way Daxter liked it. Tess was busy at the bar filling out the orders of thirsty guests who wanted to help celebrate Daxter's victory. With Krew away on some shady business deal, Daxter and her guests had the Hip Hog to themselves. Sure, the sidekick didn't know everyone or why they were really there but who cared when there was booze involved. The real puzzler had been when Ashelin had shown up to party. Of course, when she'd sidled up to Torn at a table and started chatting him up, Daxter realized what the deal was. She didn't care; in fact, she hoped that Torn would get laid and finally get that stick out of his ass.

Daxter sipped at her drink and scanned the crowd for any more familiar faces. When a certain blond popped in through the door, Daxter raced right for him. "Hal!" she called out.

"Hey, Rat!" he called back, scooping her up into a one-armed hug. "Heard you took on some bruisers and won."

"That was nothing, you should see me in action against the Metalheads, now that's when I really kick ass," Daxter bragged, dragging him toward the bar. The two of them plopped down into some empty stools and Daxter waved Tess over. The bouncy blonde approached them with a smile.

"Hey Tess baby, this is Hal my old Pariah pal," Daxter introduced.

Tess leaned forward against the bar. "Hal, I've heard a lot about you," she said. "I'm so glad you're okay, Daxter was really worried."

"Thanks, that's good to know," Hal said.

"What'll it be?" Tess asked.

The look in his eye said exactly what Hal wanted but he kept his mouth clean. "Just a beer, thanks."

"Coming right up," Tess said, walking away with sway of her hips.

Hal grinned and elbowed Daxter's side. "Hey Rat, why didn't you tell me about the babes in the Underground?"

"'Cause I didn't want the competition," Daxter muttered under her breath.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the bar, Keira and Jak watched the action; their own drinks in hand. Keira put her head on one hand. "You know, Daxter seems to have a thing for blonds," Keira commented.

Jak spat out his drink in shock. "What?"

Keira pretended not to enjoy his reaction. "Well there's Tess and Hal and you," she said, counting on her fingers.

Jak's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.

Keira shrugged. "Just an observation."

Before Jak could reply he noticed Duran approaching out of the corner of his eye. "Excuse me," he told Keira and went to another table. As he passed the bar he noted that Daxter and Hal were currently engaged in a drinking contest. Oh that was going to end well.

Jak seated himself at a table where he could watch both groups. He took another sip of his drink and waited for Duran to begin his courtship. Jak couldn't hear what the older man had to say but he presented Keira with a new wrench topped with a bow and a small pot with the Haven Forest flower in it. Keira squealed with delight and pulled Duran forward by his lapels, claiming his lips in a burning kiss. Jak could see the red on Duran's cheeks from his seat. Jak raised his glass; glad that something in this crazy world could work out right. "Good for you, Duran," Jak said.

Jak felt a swell of pride in his chest. He had helped one friend now if he could only help the other . . .

Suddenly, the redheaded friend in question was in front of him. Judging by the rocking motion in her step and the smell on her breath Daxter was quite drunk and about five minutes away from passing out. She plopped herself down in the chair next to Jak. An unsteady finger poked him in the chest. "You need to drink more," Daxter said, her words as clear as they could be under the circumstances.

"I'm not done with this one," Jak said.

"Everyone needs to drink more. It's a party," Daxter insisted. She leaned back in the chair, unable to prop herself up. She raised a finger and opened her mouth to say something then paused. She looked at Jak, her focus wavering.

"What was I gonna say?"

"I don't know."

"I don't know either," Daxter replied.

There was a moment of comfortable silence between the twosome. Daxter grinned. "You're a good friend, Jak."

"So are you," Jak said.

"Nah, you've always been there for me, stuck up for me," Daxter said.

"You saved my life, Dax," Jak reminded her.

Daxter squirmed. "Yeah, but I had to," she replied.

"Had to?" Jak asked.

A red flush covered Daxter's cheeks. She looked away. "Yeah, 'cause."

Anticipation coiled in Jak's belly, maybe just maybe. Jak pressed on, leaning toward her. "Why?"

Daxter looked back at him, their faces mere inches away. Their breaths mingled with each exhale. Her eyes were half-lidded, dangerously close to sleep. There was a moment's hesitation and then the drink took over. Daxter grabbed the front of Jak's shirt, her words slurred together in a mishmash of sound. "'Cause, I love you, man." She pulled him forward, stumbling as her lips connected with the side of his mouth in an awkward kiss. Jak was too shocked for his mouth to react. His hands reached up and gripped Daxter's shoulders. The redhead's kiss stopped as she slumped to the side, her eyes closed and a skewed smile on her face. "My best friend," she muttered then nuzzled into the crook of Jak's shoulder and passed out.

>>>>>>>>

Yes, I am evil. Bwahahahaha! Yes, the chapter title is a lame Kenny Loggans reference.