I do not own any Jak and Daxter characters they all belong to Naughty Dog.
CHAPTER 12
Keira leaned against the kitchen counter the next morning sipping her cup of tea and smiling as her four children sat around the table eating breakfast and chatting happily. She laughed at something Lexa said just as the alarm bells of Spargus City began to ring out and Jak rushed in skidding to a halt while strapping his armour on.
Keira looked up at him "What's going on?" she asked worriedly
"Maruader attack on the fort, I have to go" Jak said rushing around just as Lexa jumped out her seat and flew at Jak. He noticed just in time and caught her in his arms.
Lexa buried her face into Jak's chest and began to cry "Don't go daddy, send the army" she cried.
Jak looked at Keira his eyes pleading with her. She smiled and placed her cup on the counter before moving over to Jak and gently pulling Lexa away from him "Daddy has to go sweetheart, it's his job" she soothed hugging her daughter.
Jak smiled weakly before pulling his wedding ring off and pushing it into Keira's hand "I'm coming back for that pretty girl" he whispered.
Keira passed Lexa to Taj who was now stood next to her and hugged Jak "I know Jak" she smiled "I love you, we love you" she whispered.
Jak leaned down and gave her a quick kiss "Right, Taj, Anya look after Damas and Lexa and do not leave the house until I get back, and I will be back" he said firmly "Love you all" he smiled before rushing out the door.
Keira slumped down in a chair and held her arms out again for Lexa who was still sobbing, she gently rubbed her back and let her tears pour on to her shirt "Its okay baby girl, daddy will be just fine" she soothed.
Anya looked up sadly "I hate this part of daddy's job" she snapped angrily.
Taj looked at her "It's not like we've ever known him to have any other job, and we know how good he is"
"Exactly" Keira smiled as Lexa began to calm down. She looked at her daughters face and wiped the tears away "Daddy will be just fine" she smiled before hugging her again.
An hour later the bells had quietened and the four children sat on the couch while Keira was upstairs trying to keep herself busy. She'd just finished making the bed and she plopped herself down on it sighing loudly as she gazed out the window.
Anya arrived at her door and smiled "You okay mama?" she asked.
Keira looked up and smiled "I'll be fine as soon as your father gets back"
She nodded and made her way over to the bed and sat down next to her mother "Well the bells have stopped" she stated.
Keira nodded "Yeah, and at least you and Taj get a day off school" she said giggling slightly.
Anya laughed and looked out the window "I do love living in Spargus but I just wish them maruaders would just give up, I mean how many times are they gonna try and get into the city" she snapped waving her arms around.
"You know how they work, they have a go every now and again" Keira laughed just as she heard the front door open and Damas and Lexa began to cheer.
Anya grinned and got up striding towards the door, she turned just before leaving and frowned at her mother "You not coming Mama?" she asked.
Keira smiled "You go see your father, and then can you take the kids out for a bit?"
Anya smiled "Will do" she said before leaving.
Keira got up and wandered over to the window looking out. She heard it go quiet downstairs and in a second felt Jak's strong arms wrap around her waist "You okay pretty girl?" he breathed into her ear.
Keira nodded and held back tears "I was just worried" she sniffed.
"Hey..." Jak said softly turning her around and cupping her face "I've faced worse than a few marauders"
Keira let her hands rest on his armoured chest and nodded again looking up into his eyes "I know, but I still worry"
Jak wiped the tear that had escaped Keira's eye and stepped back from her to remove his armour "I need a shower, wanna join me?" he asked smiling cheekily at her and raising an eye brow.
Keira grinned "The reward for the weary warrior eh?" she giggled.
"You know it" Jak smirked grabbing her hand, dragging her into the bathroom and locking the door behind them.
"Uncle Daxter?" Taj said sat in the Spargus Ottsel looking at Daxter over the bar "How come you never go with dad into battle anymore?" he asked.
Daxter smirked and jumped up on the bar "Well, I always used to even when I was turned into this, but Torn didn't really approve and would give your dad a hard time about it" he said
"But Commander Torn isn't really in charge of dad anymore is he?" Taj asked
Daxter shook his head "Not really, I did go out on a few missions with him when we first came here, but then Tex came along and with two bars to run, I just didn't have the time"
Taj nodded and grinned "Do you think when Damas is a warrior he'll have Tex on his shoulder the whole time?" he chuckled
Daxter frowned "Don't get me wrong Taj, I know you and your brother will grow into great warriors, and I know your father wouldn't have gotten anywhere unless I was on his shoulder but I will not have my baby girl running around the wasteland with your brother"
Taj chuckled as Anya came and sat beside him "Do you think we've given them enough time?" she asked
"Trust me Anya, if I know your parents they'll need another hour at the least...speaking of which have I ever told you about the time I destroyed all them metal head eggs..." Daxter started.
Taj and Anya rolled their eyes as Daxter started to tell them the story.
Keira grabbed Jak's left hand as they led on the bed wrapped up together. Jak in just his shorts and Keira in a baggy t-shirt. She slipped his wedding ring back on to his finger and kissed it before resting her head back on his chest.
Jak smiled and wrapped his arm around her tighter "I told you I was coming back for that"
"I know, you always do" she smiled looking up at him briefly "How were the kids?" she asked
Jak nodded "Gave them all a big cuddle and kiss and sent them to go annoy Daxter for a while...it breaks my heart a bit when Lexa does that"
Keira sat up slightly and stroked Jaks face "She'll get used to it, just like the other three did"
"Have you got used to it?" Jak asked.
Keira shook her head and looked away "No, but my life depends on you being able to defeat anything"
Jak turned her face back to look at him "I know, which is why I make sure I'm never defeated"
Keira leaned down and kissed Jak deeply "I love you Jak Mar"
Jak grinned "Oh yeah, care to show me just how much?"
She laughed and climbed on top of him "Since you asked so nicely" she breathed before kissing him again.
Anya and Taj sat on a huge rock in front of the Spargus Ottsel overlooking the beach. Jak and Keira strolled up to them and smiled "What are you doing out here?" Keira asked.
Taj looked around and smiled "We got bored with Uncle Daxter's stories"
"Yeah, we've heard them all already" Anya agreed nodding.
Jak laughed "Well you know Uncle Daxter, but would we have him any other way?" he asked smiling.
"I guess not" Anya sighed looking back over the ocean.
Jak frowned at Keira and she smiled before kissing him gently on the cheek "I'll go see what trouble Damas and Lexa have gotten themselves into" she smiled letting go of Jak's hand and going in side.
Jak stepped forward and looked down "Mind if I join you, I know it's probably not cool for a teenager to be seen with their dad and all but...?"
"God dad you're the commander of the wastelander army and the rightful heir to the throne, why would that not be cool?" Taj chuckled.
Jak laughed and sat in between his two eldest children "So, how was it after I left this morning?" he asked.
Anya shrugged "Same as always, Lexa cried, Damas retreated into himself and Mama went around doing things that didn't need doing just to keep herself busy"
Jak nodded "And what about you two, how are you two?" he enquired.
"We understand it's your job dad, and I have to say you've been in loads more battles here than in Haven and you've never once ended up in a coma" Taj laughed.
"That's because my army is properly trained unlike the KG" he nodded "What about you angel, what did you do?"
Anya shrugged "I looked after Lexa, I know Mama doesn't really like to be near us when you go into battle, I know she's afraid something will happen to you and she'll feel it and we'll see it and get upset, but I just don't get it..."
"Don't get what?" Jak asked frowning slightly
Anya looked up at her father tears lining her eyes "If you know that if you get injured or god forbid worse, then it will affect mama, why do you still go out there, why does mama let you go out there, why can't your army sort it out?" she asked wiping the tears off her face angrily.
"What kind of commander doesn't go out with his army when there's a big battle?...I'm not the kind of warrior to sit in an office and tell other people what to do when I know I could do it better and faster than them...and your mother understands that, plus I have healing light eco powers" Jak answered
Anya nodded "But still, why would you put us through that?" she asked angrily.
Jak wrapped his arm around his daughter and hugged her "Oh angel, I don't do it on purpose, most of the time you don't even know I've been in battle and you know it does break my heart a little bit every time I see how upset you all get about it" Jak said sadly.
"Anya knows that dad, and she should be proud that her father is the great warrior Jak Mar" Taj snapped looking at his sister.
Anya looked up and narrowed her eyes at Taj "I am proud of him Taj, I just don't like him going out there" she snapped back.
Jak put his arm around his son "Hey you two shouldn't argue about this, and how about I take it easy for a while, I'm sure Sig would like a bit of action" he smiled.
Anya smiled "Really daddy?" Jak nodded and smiled "Thank you" she beamed hugging her father.
"So do we still have to go stay with grandpa tonight?" Taj asked
Jak laughed "I'm afraid so, but I'll tell you what, why don't you nip by the garage on your way and get your jet board?"
Taj's eyes lit up and he grinned at Jak "I can have my jet board back?"
"Yes, I think you've learnt your lesson, and haven't you got some high scores to beat?" Jak smirked "After all it was your idea that your mother got back on her jet board now we're all gonna have to practice a lot more" he laughed
Anya laughed "I love that mama can kick your ass on the jet board course and the track daddy" She giggled
"I'm glad you find it so funny angel" Jak smiled as he hugged his children.
Later that night Anya stood at the top of the ramp that led to Haven Forest with Rio his arms wrapped firmly around her waist as hers hung over his shoulders. Rio leaned down and kissed her deeply.
Anya sighed happily and pulled away opening her eyes and looking in to the light blue of Rio's eyes "I guess I should go" she whispered.
Rio smiled and tightened his grip on her "If you can get out of my arms" he smirked.
Anya laughed "You do know I could just transform and break them arms?" she teased
Rio chuckled "Yes but you don't want to leave my arms so why would you?" he teased back
"That's very true" she answered as her fingers began to play with the ends of his hair "But I'll still have to go"
Rio frowned "I don't think I like the thought of you wandering around Haven Forest on your own at night, I should walk you to your grandpa's"
"I'll be fine Rio" she smiled bringing her arms around and letting her hands rest on his chest "So what do you want to do tomorrow?" she asked
Rio shrugged and grinned "I thought maybe I could come to Spargus, we could have a day at the beach what do you think?"
"Sounds like a plan, I will have done with my weekly eco lecture by about eleven, you could meet me here" Anya smiled.
Rio smiled "It's a date Miss Mar"
"Thats Princess Mar thank you" she smirked
Rio laughed "Oh how could I forget" he said before pulling her closer and sealing his lips over hers.
Anya kissed him back passionately and pressed herself into him, she felt his hands move over her bottom and lift her slightly deepening the kiss, she smiled and pulled away gasping for air "I really have to go" she breathed trying to catch her breath.
"I know" Rio whispered loosening his grip on her "You sure you don't want me to walk you home, I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you"
Anya smiled and stroked his face "I love that your so protective but I have a light eco shield remember, as soon as I step into that air lock I'll use it and not take it off until I get to grandpa's, besides there's more chance of something happening to you than to me".
Rio nodded "Okay babe, but please be careful" he said cupping her face.
"I will, I promise" she smiled giving him a gentle kiss before stepping away from him.
They stood waiting for the air lock to open and Rio watched as Anya stepped inside, she gave him a smile and waved and Rio looked as the doors began to close and he saw a flash of bright blue. He smiled and sighed happily before turning and heading home.
Taj strolled through Haven Forest with his light eco shield, he came to his favourite place and quickly scanned the area. When he was sure he was safe he let the eco fade way and he sat down with his legs over the edge of the rock he sat on, on top of a hill. He sighed and looked down into the water.
He looked up when he heard footsteps behind him and jumped up letting the light eco shield him again.
"Relax Taj it's just me" She said smiling.
Taj narrowed his eyes and looked at her face glowing in the light from the shield "What are you doing here Marissa?" he asked as he let the shield fade away and he sat back down.
Marissa walked over and sat beside him "I didn't see you at the ottsel tonight" she said glancing at him.
Taj shrugged "I just got my jet board back and I wanted to have a go on the jet board course" he chuckled "My mother went on it yesterday and beat all mine and dad's high scores".
"Wow, your mother sounds pretty amazing" Marissa said.
Taj nodded "She is, she's the best person I know"
"Even better than your father?" she asked
Taj smiled "They're both pretty amazing"
Marissa nodded "So I heard your dad went into battle this morning, that's why you weren't at school?" she asked
"Couldn't really get to the transport with an attack on the fort going on" Taj nodded
She looked at Taj "So is he okay, your dad?" she asked
"He's fine, its just hard knowing that he's going out there, Damas and Lexa get scared and Mama won't be around us just in case" He explained
Marissa frowned "In case of what?" she asked
"Before Anya and I were born my parents we're joined as soul mates by the precursors which means if my father gets hurt my mother will feel it, and if he should..." Taj trailed off and looked away
"Oh my god, if he should die so will your mother" Marissa finished
Taj nodded "I know my father is a great warrior but I can't help but worry"
Marissa grabbed Taj's hand and squeezed it "It's kinda nice that they can't live without each other, that's what true love really is isn't it" she smiled.
Taj looked at her and smiled slightly "I guess it is" he breathed before crashing his lips into hers and pushing her down into the grass.
"Where have you been?" Anya asked as Taj wandered into Samos' hut.
Taj shrugged and flopped down on the sofa "Just sat in the forest" he said
She frowned "And you were alone?" she asked raising an eye brow.
Taj smirked and looked at her "Not really"
"Marissa?" she asked
He nodded "We only kissed, just a bit of fun Anya, no need to get your knickers in a twist" he chuckled.
Anya blew out an angry breath "Well just be carefull" she said "I'm going to bed, night big brother" she smiled getting up.
"Night little sis, love ya" Taj smiled
Anya nodded "Love ya back" she said leaving the room.
As ever thanks for reading and please review. X X X X