More and more time passed, and Jak didn't seem any better. It was the second day of the fever, and still, it showed no signs of breaking. Jak hadn't eaten or drunk anything for more than 48 hours, but as he hadn't properly regained consciousness in as much time, there wasn't much they could do about it. Still, they knew, that the longer Jak went without food, the less his chances of recovery.
It was on the third night, when Torn and Ashelin again found themselves alone in the hideout with Jak, counting down the hours until Keira and Samos arrived, and they could go to bed, that Jak finally came round. Ashelin was slumped in a chair, reading memos from a Krimzon Guard meeting that she had eavesdropped on, and later sneaked into the meeting room, and "borrowed" a copy of the minutes; and Torn was again poring over plans for a raid on the palace eco supply warehouse, when Jak awoke.
He shifted slightly in the bed, gaining consciousness now the fever had finally broken. Ashelin, thoroughly bored by the tedious document, looking for any opportunity to do something different, noticed first. She was by his side in an instant.
"Jak? Jak?" She said urgently, shaking his shoulder slightly, trying to get him to focus his bleary eyes on her face. He groaned and opened his eyes more, squinting at the sudden bright light. Torn finally noticed what was going on, and came over to Ashelin. Jak turned his head slightly to the side, watching Torn approaching. Suddenly, his eyes flashed fully open.
"SCUM!!" He roared, "KRIMZON GUARD FILTH!!" Torn recoiled, his eyes widened with shock. What was Jak doing saying something like that? He knew how Torn felt about his time in the Krimzon Guard. All his old insecurities came rushing back – was this what Jak truly thought of him? Torn stepped backwards, but Ashelin grabbed his arm, and pulled him back towards Jak.
"He's delirious Torn! He's delirious!" She snapped at him, crouching down by Jak's head, and dragging him with her.
"Jak?" She said to him, watching his eyelids flutter. "Jak, wake up." Jak stirred painfully, and opened his eyes again. He looked up into her face.
"Ashelin?" He murmured, trying to focus on her face. He tried to push himself up onto one elbow, but Ashelin forced him back down. Jak was too weak to resist.
"Rest. You need to rest Jak." She looked down at him with concern, as he lay weakly on the bed, his eyes shut again. Torn put his hand on her shoulder, he hated it, but he knew Ashelin cared for Jak.
"He'll be alright, just give him time." Ashelin shrugged his hand off, and sat down in the chair. She didn't look at Jak, nor did she look at Torn. She just wished that Keira and Samos would arrive, so she could go back to the palace and continue with her duties, where the only emotions she would need would be whether or not she would kill the Krimzon Guard that suspected her of traitorous activity. Then she felt angry with Jak. What right did he have to come back to the Hideout in this state? The worst injuries she'd ever seen him have were things like nosebleeds and bruises, she never thought it possible that one day something worse might happen to him. Then she felt angry with herself for thinking that. She knew it wasn't Jak's fault, and she was only putting the blame on him to avoid having to acknowledge her own emotions. She sighed and stood up, reaching for her gun holster and communicator.
"Where are you going?" Asked Torn as she headed for the door. "Keira and Samos aren't here yet!"
"I'm going back to the palace." Said Ashelin stiffly. "I'm sure you can deal with Jak on your own. He is unconscious after all." And with that, she left. Torn stared at the spot by the door where Ashelin had stood only seconds before, and shook his head in confusion – he really did not understand her.
Just then, the door to the Hideout's backroom opened, and Daxter appeared. He had heard Ashelin saying she was leaving, and had come to see whether anything interesting had happened, or whether Ashelin was just having a bit of a 'moment', as she often did. Torn looked up at him.
"Jak woke up. Shame you missed it." He still really hated that ottsell, and was in a decidedly bad mood after Jak's outburst, even if it was just the fever talking. Plus, the fact that his chest was hurting wasn't exactly helping.
Daxter jumped up beside Jak's head, deciding, with much mental effort, to ignore Torn. He lifted one of Jak's eyelids, felt his forehead, and then shook his shoulder.
"Hello? Normality calling Jak? This is Daxter call you oh Dark One." Just then, Jak's hand collided with the back of Daxter's head. Unnoticed he had raised his arm and hit Daxter. Well, Torn had noticed, but had forgotten to notify Daxter. Jak smiled slightly and opened his eyes.
"Right." Sniffed Daxter, massaging his head. "That's the last time I ever drag you back here when you're too busy being unconscious to be heroic like you're supposed to be!" Torn smiled, things were obviously getting back to normal.
'Good.' He thought. He had had quite enough of managing without Jak. He wanted his best fighter back. And his friend.
Jak laughed weakly, but the effort was too much for his damaged lungs. He lapsed into a fit of coughing, which took several minutes to subside. But, bravely, though admittedly rather stupidly, Jak tried to force himself into a sitting position.
"No Jak!" Yelped Torn, and pushed on Jak's shoulders until he collapsed onto the pillows again. "Keep still! You need to rest!"
"I…. I'm fine Torn." Gasped Jak, his chest heaving from exertion. "I just need to….to, rest, for a minute, then I'll…." But Jak's words were lost, as the fight for air became too difficult.
"Yes, you need to just rest Jak! You'll be fine, just lie still!" said Torn, reaching for the jug of water on the table. "Here Jak." He said, pouring some into a tankard by the bed. "Drink." Torn helped Jak to sit up slightly, and Daxter poured some water into Jak's mouth.
"Argh….urgh." Coughed Jak, as he spat the water onto the floor. Daxter looked at him, then into the tankard, eyeing its contents critically.
"Jak! Drink it!" Said Torn, taking the tankard from Daxter and brandishing it at him. But Jak's strength had given in, and he had sunk back onto the pillows with his eyes closed. "Jak?" Said Torn in a worried voice.
"I….I." Muttered Jak blearily. "I don't want it Torn. You drink it. It's disgusting." Torn drank some, then, he like Jak, spat it onto the floor.
"Ah, you're right…. I guess Veger's turned off the purification plant again… I swear, if I ever get my hands on him…"
"I'll shoot you." Said Jak quietly. Daxter and Torn looked at him incredulously – had the fever messed with his wits?
"Then," continued Jak, his voice barely audible. "I'll shoot him. I want the pleasure of killing him myself." Jak opened his eyes and smiled slightly at the looked of relief on Torn's face, and the look of blank confusion on Daxter's. He sniggered.
"Jak, you never fail to amaze me." Sighed Torn rubbing his forehead. "I'd just started to think you were normal -but not any more." Jak laughed out loud, but immediately regretted it as fresh coughs wracked his body.
"Christ Jak." Mused Torn. "Can you please take it easy? Samos will have my blood if you don't chill out." Jak smiled and sighed, rubbing his newly repaired ribs with the heel of his hand, favouring his blisters. Daxter pulled the sheet back over Jak's waist, where it had slid off.
"You," he said, pointing at Torn, "sit over there, and make plans." Torn looked daggers at him, but did sit back down by his plans. "And you," Said Daxter, jabbing his finger into Jak's chest, ignoring Jak's cry of protest, "lie down, shut up, and get better." Jak couldn't argue with that. Daxter leapt back onto the chair by the bed, as Jak sank further down into the pillows with his eyes shut again.
An hour later, Keira and Samos arrived. Keira went straight to Jak, and Samos went over to Torn, who hurriedly informed him of the lack of clean water, and the improvement in Jak's condition. Samos sighed with relief, then went over to Keira and Jak, and put his hand on Keira's shoulder. Jak was asleep.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine!" He said consolingly. Keira turned her head away, trying to hide her tears.
Heh heh, sorry to all those of you who've been waiting patiently for this next chapter, it's finally done, please tell me if it doesn't make sense of if there's a paradox or something. I.e., review, now.