Kiri: whew! sorry this one took forever and a day... I was kept really busy... but it's finally here! Chapter twelve! And I've decided what I'm going to do with the baby... but I'm not telling, since that would ruin it. I'd also like to thank all my wonderful reveiwers... and hope that they don't castrate Erol just yet... he has to continue to be a rapest prick for another few parts... Next chapter: Jakie kicks some ass, and a meet up with another of my favorite characters! Stay tuned!

Chapter 12

I don't really have a problem with having a child. In fact it's something I've always wanted to do. I'm old enough, I have the resources, and I would no doubt love it with all my heart. It's just that… the baby is Erol's. I hate him more than I've ever hated someone in my life, and I didn't want to have a child by him. What can you do when you want a baby so bad, but it's by the one man you despise?

"You know something, Jakie," Dawn began.

"What?"

"You must really love Jak, because you're screwing up your life just to save his."

"I do love him… but even now, I'm starting to wonder if it's really worth it. Maybe I should just give it up and go back home."

"You've really changed during these past few weeks, you know that?" Dawn pointed out, "You used to be all over the place, and now you're so… mellow."

"Erol's doing. Getting raped and beaten every night by your husband has that effect."

"Why don't you fight back?"

"Being defiant won't accomplish anything. All it will get me is worse treatment." I was hoping that if I told him about my pregnancy, he would back off on me a little, given my delicate condition.

'Heh. Yeah, right. Erol is a crazy ass bastard, and no matter what you tell him, he's still going to be a crazy ass bastard. That's the problem with you women. You think you can change a man with love and attention, but in the end, he's still a damn punk-ass jerkweed!' I paused for a minute.

'…You're a male?'

'Duh. What, you thought I was female because you are? Guess again.' I sighed.

'Shut up and let me think, all right? And for the record, I never thought I could 'change' Erol. I married him to save Jak.'

'I've noticed that you refer to him by name, instead of 'Dad' now.'

'So? We may still be blood… but he's not really my dad… yet.'

'Do you honestly expect me to believe that?'

'Just… shut up, all right?'

"Jakie! Hello? You still there, buddy?" Dawn shouted in my ear, snapping me back to reality. I shook my head.

"I'm fine. Its just… a lot on my mind," I offered quickly. She gave me a skeptical look. "I'm FINE, ok?" I snapped. She backed away, as if startled. Sighing again, I buried my face in my hands. "I'm sorry, Dawn… this is way too much for me."

"It's alright, Jakie." I sighed heavily.

"You know… maybe there's a way I can fix this whole mess…" I don't know why I said that… I wasn't even thinking that.

"Fix it? How?" I paused, suddenly thinking that it might be a good idea.

"Time travel." Before Dawn could start to argue, I launched into an explanation. "We know how to harness it… we have it at our expense… maybe I can go back before things got bad and…"

"Jakie," Dawn interrupted, "Just stop." I swallowed. "Now come inside…"

"I can't… if Erol…"

"I'm not letting you go back there to get your ass beat again!"

"If I don't go back now, he'll hurt me worse later…" I sighed. But Dawn was determined.

"He won't hurt you at all if you stay with us! Now get your blonde ass inside!" I was still nervous about what Erol would do, but I couldn't turn her down any longer. I inwardly smiled.

"Alright, you win."

'And just where do you think you're going?'

'To answer a few questions.' I silently rummaged around the hideout's storeroom, looking for some decent clothes that Torn hopefully wouldn't mind if I took. I was planning on going back to that warehouse to find out just what the hell was in there, and this time, I wanted to be ready. After I snuck outside and hotwired the first parked zoomer I came across, I went through the checklist. Flash light, gun, body armor, ammo, pocket knife… looks like I got everything…

'Don't tell me you're going back to that warehouse already…'

'Yes. Why?'

'Fine. Do what you will. Just don't get us killed.' Sighing, I tossed my supplies into the passenger seat of the cruiser and hopped into the drivers seat. Resting my already shaky hands on the controls, my mind drifted back to Erol again. He was no doubt plenty pissed off that I've been gone so long… he'd probably send some KG's out searching for me soon… then I'd really be in for a beating. Well, so what? I've got weapons again!

'Don't get cocky just because you have a gun.' I scowled.

'I'm not getting cocky! Now would you please just shut up and keep out of my thoughts?'

'Well, excuse me, Miss Hero! I only saved your ass from that blasted place! You would be wise to show a little respect.'

'You didn't save me. I did. And you would be wise to shut up. You're distracting me and I have a lot to focus on.' All I heard was a little 'humph' then some much welcomed silence.