Author's Note: Sorry for the delay everyone. was acting weird. . Here's Chapter Four and if anyone is a Jak/Keira fan, you might just like this one.
Enjoy!

Chapter Four
Fleeting Moments

There was screaming and panic all about him. Buildings that had the look of the market in Haven were alit with hot embers as the strange trees that lined the streets burst into flame. The area was stuffy, making it hard to catch a deep breath. There was a mixture of reds and deep oranges that danced and licked at his body. People brushed past him in a panic, fear written in their eyes as they tried to push through the crowed streets of the city. Women clung to small children, whose cries echoed into the air.

Jak knew this place, time, and moment. It was a blurred thought in the back of his memories, but it was there none the less. He couldn't place it, nor could he figure why he knew this place. Though he felt he knew this, Jak could not find it in his mind to try and remember where this thought came from.

"Get him inside," Keira's voice echoed through his mind, causing Jak to look to the star-filled sky. The flames from around him shot into the heavens, as if trying to reach into the far off reaches of space.
Jak wanted to call her name to try and get her attention, but as he went to open his mouth, not a single word came from his lips. He took hold of his throat, fear gripping him as he felt his eye widen. Around him, people were falling to the ground, dying from gunfire being shot out into the area. And there was nothing he could do.

With a mere blink of an eye, Jak had left the streets of the city. It grew silent in his ears as his eyes re-opened. It was a long corridor lined with a lush red carpet. Along the right walls, strange forms of art hung on large tapestries To the left, the only form of light was seeping into the area. The glow of the city burning silhouetted figures down near the end of the hallway. They were too far for Jak to make out who they were.

All he could do was watch in horror as one of the figures tried to run, but fell to the shot of what looked like a scatter gun. There was screaming. Blood-curling cries as the people fell and the ones who had done the murder, simply turned and hurried off into the depths of the building.

'Mar…' the voice from his nightmare echoed.

But Jak paid no attention to it. He remained still as he watched the crumbled bodies of innocent people lay there, slain for a reason he couldn't remember. He wanted to run to them, go after those who had killed them. Kill them in revenge for what they had done.

'Wake up Mar…'

There was pain. It was almost like a burning sensation coursing though his entire chest. He was sore from head to toe, feeling as if he had just gone through a meat grinder. If he was trying to move any part of his being, he knew he was failing.

But the burning in his chest was not what hurt him. He had worse things done to him throughout the baron's dark eco experiments. The true aching pain was set square between his eyes. His whole brow felt like a cement cinderblock had been broken with a jackhammer, and it was still running. But among the lingering aches throughout his body, Jak could grasp one thing perfectly clear: He was moving.

Tess sighed heavily as she rung out her rag over the small sink behind the bar. The Naughty Ottsel had been just closed for the night, so it was time for the regular clean up routine. A few of the other waitresses were cleaning off the tables and sweeping up the floors as she wiped down the bar. A few glasses and empty bowls were scattered about as she threw the rag onto the countertop once again. Looking over the bar, the blond haired girl grinned to herself at a job well done for the night. All she could think of was how proud her little Dax would be when he came back from his mission.

"When do you think everyone will come back from the mission?" one of the younger servers questioned as she flipped a chair up onto the table. Her short green hair framed her face and her ears were covered with piercings. Her uniform was almost similar to Tess', though she wore black Capri pants instead of the shorts.

Glancing over to where the young woman stood, Tess rested her elbow to the bar, holding her head in her hand, "Hopefully soon. I can't wait to see my little Daxie again." She told them, a dreamy look in her eyes.

The other server chuckled at the words. Her long red hair was dreaded into a long ponytail that hung down to the middle of her back. A similar uniform to the other girl, she had tattoos on her lower back and her forearms. Her deep gold eyes filled with the same dreamy look as she placed a chair up onto a table as well.

"I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see Jak." She giggled.

The greened hair woman nodded in agreement, "Oh I know what you mean. Just one smile from that man and I go weak in the knees."

"I like his hair," the woman retorted, "Not many people have that rare coloring."

Looking at each other, both girls sighed happily, "Those eyes," they said in unison.

Tess giggled at the sight of the swooning women as she straightened herself up. "Alright girls," she smirked, breaking of the flirt fest, "Take the dishes into the back and then you can go."

Recomposing themselves, the elves nodded and hurried to grab the dishes. Picking up two large tubs of glasses and bowls, they moved behind the bar and disappeared into the kitchen through a swinging door. As the left the room, they continued to giggle and swoon over the young hero of Haven City.

Glancing up from her bar, Tess tossed her blond hair a bit. Despite her giving a calm demeanor to the other girls, something didn't sit right with her. It was already long past closing and there had been no contact from the others. Considering how late it was, she would have thought that the whole group of them would have returned by now. After all, it was just out in the forest area. It wasn't as if they had gone out into the wasteland. It was only across the city. There were no more Krimzon Guards to chase and arrest them for being outlaws. Not to mention that wouldn't happen considering Ashelin was the governor of Haven. Although she did not want to thing such things, it couldn't be helped. Something must have happened.

Without warning, a loud banging came to the door of the bar. Once it was past closing time, the doors would be locked to prevent drifters and drunks from moving in and out as they pleased. It was a loud and frantic pounding, causing Tess to raise an eyebrow in question at the noise. She quickly grabbed her small blaster from under the bar, just as a precaution. But before she could move around the counter, the door flew opened as if one of Vin's metal head bombs had just exploded.

Torn and Ashelin were the first ones through the door, both placing their guns into their holsters. They looked around the bar for signs of anything unusual before moving towards the surprised woman with gun in hand.

"Tess," Ashelin began, "Are you the only one here?" she asked quickly as Keira and Daxter came into the bar as well.

Nodding, she pointed back to the kitchen area, "Two of the girls are in the back still doing some dishes, but they should be gone in a—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the young barmaid watched as Sig entered the room. The wastelander seemed almost more intimating than usual as he glanced about the bar with his one good eye. Despite how gruff he came off looking, Tess could see a hint of worry in his eyes. There, laying in his arms, was a limp figure. His long emerald blond hair hung wet and messed about his shoulders. Upon his shoulder, the normal armor and brown leather straps had gone missing. While one of his hands was resting on his chest, his other dangled from Sig's grip.

"Oh my god," Tess gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth in shock. "What happened?"

Keira moved up to Sig, placing her hand to Jak's brow. She couldn't help but let a frown cross her lips at her outcome. He seemed to be a bit warm, almost as if he were getting a fever. His body was racked with chills from his wet clothes and his skin had lost all of its color. Despite being hit with the blast from the metalhead, there seemed to be no marks on the young man's body. Usually, the blasts from the creatures would leave burns or some kind of red bruise. But from what Keira could tell, there was not a single mark on his being.

Daxter hurried up onto the girl's shoulder. He watched with great concern on his face the young woman's expression became a grim one. Normally, the small Ottsel would strut in, boasting to Tess how he killed every metalhead without breaking a sweat. He would occasionally mention Jak and the others. But they would be the ones 'cowering in fear' as he saved the day. After all, in Daxter's mind, he was the real hero.

And yet, there was none of that. All Daxter did was worry for his friend. He knew that Jak had been feeling somewhat off, but he didn't think it was because of something like a cold. But he couldn't help but wonder if this had anything to do with the dreams.

"What's the verdict Keira?" he asked, looking down at his ashen friend's face.

Withdrawing her hand slightly, she looked over towards Ashelin and Tess. "It seems like he's a bit feverish."

Tess gave a small nod, "I'll get him something cool for his head," she explained, turning for the kitchen.

As Tess turned to head for the kitchen, a low moan grabbed her and everyone else attention. The group averted their eyes to wear Sig held the young man in his arms. Jak's head moved slightly as he groaned in what seemed to be a mild pain. His once limp hand slowly became tense as it lifted itself up to his head, covering his eyes. Jak shifted a bit in the man's hold, almost as if trying to break away from his grasp. Slowly his hand finally fell from his face, revealing his half-opened eyes.

"Jak!" Keira and Daxter sang in unison, smiles spreading upon their once worried faces.

Blinking a few times, Jak tried to focus on his two friends. Everything seemed as if it were a large blur in his memories. He remembered going out for a mission then everything went dark and unclear. Then he saw a city in the desert burning. How innocent life was being murdered before his very eyes and he could not stop or help them. Then the two people trying to flee, but were shot down by what looked like Krimzon Guards. Nothing seemed to fit with each other.

"What….what happened?" he asked. Jak instantly grabbed his throat in surprise, hearing how incredibly horse he was.

Torn raised an eyebrow at the kid's question. He watched as Sig carefully placed Jak's feet to the floor, making sure that he could find his balance. The young man staggered a bit, falling back into the larger wastelander. "What the hell do you mean what happened?" he growled in his gruff tone, snarling his lip a bit.

Jak looked to the resistance leader with a puzzled expression upon his features. "I…remember leaving here this morning. But, everything else is kinda," he paused, running his hand through his damp hair, "a blur."

"You took a dive at the pumping station," Torn explained, cutting everyone else off before they could speak. "Let the metalheads get the better of you." Seeing Jak's expression still seem blank, he re-curled his lip, "Tch. You've gotten soft this past week."

"Shut it Torn." Daxter growled from Keira's shoulder, shooting a glare to the older man. "You know that Jak could kick your sorry ass all the way to the wasteland and back. And halfway there, you'd be crying for your mama."

Without hesitation, Torn withdrew his dagger from his back and pointed it at the small Ottsel, "I've had it with you rat. One more smug word out of your big mouth and I'll have a new pelt for my collection."

"Stop arguing you two!" Keira cried, stomping her foot to the ground.

The room irrupted into a chorus of shouts and yells. Torn and Daxter continued on with their argument of who would win in a fight between the two men while Keira and Ashelin tried to restrain the two from killing each other. Tess joined the two women in trying to separate them, taking hold of the little Ottsel while he continued to make rude gestures towards Torn.

And all the while, Jak continued to rest his weight against Sig for support. He knew that Torn and the others wouldn't lie to him in regards to what had happened, but he didn't know what to think. Faint blurs came back to the front of his mind, only to fade back into a fuzzy blank. He recalled being under the water, looking up at the sun shining through the waves. But it was then where everything grew dark. Taking hold of the side of his head, Jak felt himself grow somewhat weak in the knees.

"Hey kid, you okay?" Sig questioned softly, causing Jak to glance up.

"I think I just need to get some sleep," he muttered back, looking off in no real direction.

Keira glanced away from the arguing group of people towards where Jak and Sig stood. She could see how tired the young man looked just by the way he glanced off into space. He looked as if he had just gotten caught in the rain, for his hair and clothing were still damp from fall. By the way he was leaning against Sig, Keira saw just how much pain he must have been in.

She moved away from the fighting people, placing her hands onto her hips as she approached the two, "Come on Jak. You look terrible." Reaching out to him, Keira took hold of one of his hands in her own, given him a soft smile. "Let's get you some dry clothes and fixed up."

Feeling a warm hand come to his own, Jak looked back to meet Keira's stare. The woman was smiling softly as she clung to his hand tightly, hoping to let himself be taken by her. Nodding at her words, Jak pushed himself away from Sig. "Yeah. Thanks Keira." He muttered, slouching a bit from his lack of energy.

Sig watched as Keira placed one of Jak's arms around her neck. Then, she took hold of his belt around his waist, trying to take some of the dead weight he felt in his legs. They moved without notice of the others up the stairs. As the two vanished from sight, the wastelander let a small chuckle escape him. Then, he turned to the face the argument, hoping to at least catch a glimpse of Torn catching down Daxter around the bar with his knife in hand.

Jak sat down on the edge of his bed with a small grunt. Throughout his entire body, he could feel a dull pulsation of pain running through every muscle and nerve. Watching Keira release him, the young man rested his elbows to his knees for some support. As she quickly hurried over to his chest of drawers for some dry clothing for him, all Jak wanted to do was to fall backwards onto his bed and sleep. But he knew Keira would insist on treating his injuries first.

"Here we go," her voice sang happily, withdrawing a fresh tunic and pair of pants from the drawer. "These will be much better than those wet things you have on now."

Reaching up around his neck, Jak removed his goggles from where they had fallen and deposited them onto the bed. He then unwrapped his red scarf from around his neck and head as well. Keira knew about the scar from the voice surgery that the Baron and Erol had done. So, he didn't feel as awkward letting her see it. Once the cloth had been removed from around his brow, Jak's long emerald blond hair fell around his shoulders and framed his face. He shook it out a bit, letting it fall a bit more.

Turning from the dresser, Keira smiled as she watched him shake out his hair, "Here. Get changed into these. I'll go get some bandages for your chest." She told, placing the fresh clothing onto the bed. Without giving him a second glance, the woman disappeared into the hallway towards the supply closet.

Taking hold of the garments, Jak quickly removed the wet articles and replaced them with the new ones. The pants were like his white ones he always wore, except in midnight black. The tunic was the same blue, though he didn't bother to close it over. Around his neck, he kept the pendant on. He knew that, just like his scar, it wasn't a huge deal for Keira to see it.

Jak slowly rose to his feet, adjusting the new clothing on him to make it more comfortable. He did not bother replacing his gloves or shoes, knowing that he would just be able to climb into bed once Keira patched him up.

"Okay," Keira's voice called, causing the youth to look up towards the door. "I got the bandages."

As Keira moved into the room, she couldn't help but feel her face grow a bit red. Jak stood beside his bed, adjusting his new shirt on his shoulders. His bare chest was exposed, though only enough to show a bit of a burn mark above his abs. Normally tamed blond hair now hung looses about his shoulders, framing his brilliant blue eyes. He looked towards her, letting a small smile cross his lips. It was always that smile of his that could make Keira go weak at the knees.

"Thanks Keira," Jak muttered as he moved to sit back down on his bed.

Returning the smile, Keira moved into the room, "Its okay Jak. I just—" She paused, taking note of the pendant about her friend's neck. "Jak…is that?" she began, pointing at him.

Glancing down, Jak knew that she was talking about the necklace. "Oh. Yeah." He muttered, taking hold of the jewelry in his hand. "I don't know. I just felt as if I should wear it."

Keira moved to kneel in front of Jak. She placed the medical supplies onto the floor next to her, keeping her eyes on the seal about his neck. "So suddenly?" She questioned while opening a small bottle of alcohol to clean out the wound. "That just seems rather odd."

"I guess so," Jak began as he watched Keira go about her business. Lifting his hand up to it, he stared at the medallion carefully, "But I just felt this strong urge to fix it up into its necklace form again."

She dipped a small piece of cotton into the liquid, saturating it just enough to have it be damp. Smiling at his words, Keira held up the small ball, "Whatever you say Jak. I believe you. Now," she paused, reaching out to his chest "Let me just clean out the wound."

Keira pushed aside the young man's opened shirt to get a clear look at the burn. Sure enough, a small purple-like bruise had begun to form right above his abs. It didn't look as bad as it could have, considering the circumstances of today. Examining it, Keira nodded a bit to herself, as if confirming that it was not that big of a deal.

"This might sting a bit Jak," she told, not even bothering to look up.

Before he could even answer her, Jak gritted his teeth as he felt a pinch of burning running through the wound. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly at the pain, cursing slightly under his breath. He could feel Keira's movements over the mark as she gingerly cleaned the wound. But just as quickly as the stinging began, it ended. Opening his eyes again, Jak looked down at the woman. Keira removed the cotton from his skin, placing it onto the floor. Reaching down next to it, she picked up a roll of wrap bandages.

"These were the only kind left," she explained as she unrolled them a bit. Holding the end off to the side of the wound, she began to wrap around his waist. She reached around him, making sure not to make the wrappings too tight. Pausing for a moment, the girl looked up at Jak, who just sat quietly.

"Um," she paused, feeling the warmth return to her cheeks as she got Jak's attention, "Could you take off your shirt? It would make this a bit easier."

Jak blushed slightly at the words. He looked at Keira, taking notice of her gradually reddening cheeks. She did not make eye contact with him, seeming too embarrassed at the question she had just asked. Granted, Jak had known her for years. Ever since he could remember, now that he thought about it. It shouldn't have been that big of a deal. Nodding, Jak pulled the shirt off and placed it onto the bed.

Keira continued on with her work, wrapping the bandages about the young man's waist. She worked quickly and quietly, trying to keep the redness in her face from spreading anymore than it should have. Mentally, she wanted to slap herself back into reality. Jak was her friend. Sure, there had been moments in the past. They had almost kissed twice before. But, thanks to Daxter, they had been fleeting moments none the less. As much as she wanted to think of him as more than just a friend, she couldn't help but think that maybe Jak didn't want something like that.

As she came to the end of the roll of bandages, her current position snapped her back into reality. Both of her arms were around Jak's waist, reaching for the remainder of the glaze that just wasn't there. Looking up at the young man, she could see Jak looking down at her.

"Okay. I'll just clip it in place and I'll let you get some sleep." She told him, reaching down to pick up the clasp that went with the wrap.

Watching her, Jak suddenly felt a small twinge of fear in him. Keira had seen the scar on his throat, sure. But she didn't know about the ones on his back. He knew that he would have to explain what happened to her. And then it was just a matter of time before the others found out as well. All he could do was hope his hair hid the marks.

But before he could say anything to stop the girl, Keira was off the floor. She had climbed onto the bed behind him, placing the clip into place. "There you go Jak. All fixed up." She said with a smile.

Watching the young man move a bit in his spot on the bed, Keira studied him carefully. Despite what she wanted to believe, Torn had a point with what he had said earlier. Jak did seem to be a bit off ever since he had come back from the tomb. Although he did seem to put off his normal attitude and 'tough guy' exterior, she could just tell that something was bothering him.

As he rolled one of his shoulders a bit, something caught the young woman's eye. There were more marks on his back. They looked much bigger than the one on his chest and deeper as well. But what struck Keira about them was not the size of them. It was the look that confused her the most. The marks looked rather old, as if they had been there for quite a while.

"Jak, what are these from?" She asked, not wanted to dance around the subject.

Hearing the question, Jak felt himself grow stiff. He knew that she was would see them no matter what. Keira was just sharp like that. Exhaling a small sigh, Jak rose from his spot on his bed, feeling his legs lock a bit. But it didn't matter at that moment. He moved across the floor of his room towards his chest of drawers and mirror.

Placing his hands onto the large cabinet, Jak looked at his reflection in the mirror. "When I was in prison," he began, causing Keira to rise from her spot on the bed as well. "I tried only once to escape. It was after the first year of the dark eco treatments. But, I was caught before I could make it to the exit." He told her, not taking his eyes off the mirror.

"Errol was the one that caught me, along with six of the elite Krimzon Guards at the time. They told me that I was too dangerous to let escape and to valuable to let me commit suicide." He heard Keira gasp slightly at his words. He had never brought up the fact that he tried to kill himself in his cell. The dark eco in his blood made it nearly impossible for him to do it. "So, as punishment for my actions, I was chained and whipped until I passed out from the pain."

Pulling his hair away from his back and over his shoulder, Keira's gasp said it all. The large gashes on his back were in plain view, still as disgusting and harsh looking as he remembered. There was nothing more to them than that. Just a painful memory he would have to carry with him for the rest of his life.

He was expecting to hear a lecture from the young woman. About how he should have told them sooner about what had happened. That she and Daxter would have understood completely and just try to help him. The straightforward friend remarks that were supposed to make everything better, no matter what the situation may be.

But none of that came. Instead, he felt a pair of arms wrap about his waist tightly. They clung to him as he felt another body press against his own in an embrace that made him lift his head up. He could feel Keira's hair brush against his back as she placed her head on him. Her warm breath was felt as she held to him tightly.

"Jak, I'm sorry." She whispered quietly. Her voice almost sounded as if she were on the verge of crying. "I'm so sorry."

Glancing down out of the corner of his eye, the young man looked at her with question written all over his face. "Why are you sorry? You didn't do this to me." He told her.

But the girl shook her head. "If I had covered your back at the pumping station, you wouldn't have gotten hurt. It's my fault that it happened." Keira sniffled a bit, making Jak tense a bit, "I just added on one more scar to you. I'm sorry."

Turning from his reflection, Jak continued to let the girl hug him. Looking down, he watched as she clung to him, let her head rest against his chest now. Her blue hair was slightly messed as she tried her hardest not to let herself cry. Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, Jak squeezed her tightly to try and calm her down.

"Keira, it wasn't your fault that I got hurt." He whispered quietly as her sniffle became light sobs. He ran a hand through her short hair, trying to calm her down. "I just lost concentration. It had nothing to do with you." he paused for a moment, keeping one hand on her waist.

Placing his other hand onto her chin, Jak craned her head upwards. He could see tears in her green eyes, making them shimmer ever more. Her eyes met his own as he drew her closer to him. "Just please. Don't cry." Jak found himself whispering. Using his thumb, he brush away some of the tears from her cheek.

Jak suddenly felt his heart begin to race. This was the closest he and Keira had ever gotten and there was no interruption in sight. It was a now or never moment. And Jak knew he had to take the chance. And by the look in Keira's eyes, she knew it as well.

The girl craned her head up slightly as he moved down to her. Their eyes closed at the very last moment as they felt their lip collide gently. Jak let his hand leave her face and move down to her waist once again. He pulled her into a tighter embrace as if trying to deepen the kiss. Jak could feel her arms move up to about his neck. Keira's fingers intertwined with his long hair, running though the damp locks easily. They urged the kiss deeper, becoming lost within the moment.

Separating, Jak and Keira stayed close for a moment, letting a smile pass between them. Both were flustered beyond everything else. One could say that they were almost glowing with a happyness that was finally able to come out at last. Keira's tears and sadness were forgotten as she nudged the end of Jak's nose with her own. The young man chuckled a bit and returned the action.

"And not a single interruption by Daxter," she giggled a bit, pecking him on the lips again.

Nodding a bit, Jak continued to smile. This was the one thing he had wanted for a long time. But, the moment did not last forever. Jak could feel himself becoming tired once again from the day. He could joke that it was the kiss that was making him go weak in the knees. Moving away from Keira a bit, Jak leaned against his chest of drawers for some kind of support.

Keira took note of this in an instant, "You've gone really pale," she told, taking hold of his hand in her own.

Letting his fingers interlock with her own, Jak nodded a bit, "I think the day is catching up with me again." Pushing off the drawers, Keira took hold of him like she did downstairs. Carefully, she helped him make his way back to his bed.

As he moved to sit down, Keira kissed him once again on the lips. "You get some rest, Jak. I'll see you in the morning." She told him with a smile.

Nodding in agreement, Jak let himself lay down as the girl moved to leave the room. He felt himself grow drowsy as he watched Keira head for the door. Despite the feeling of happiness he felt at that very moment as he drifted off to sleep, Jak knew that once again that the nightmares would come. But at least this time, he had Keira to tell as well about them. And with that thought in mind, Jak let himself drift off into another restless sleep.

Author's Notes: Hope you all enjoyed it. Please remember to read and review. Next chapter coming soon.