Chapter 9- Blitz the Races!
It was decided that Keira would not race this race, due to Samos, and that she would watch the kids and Samos would help her with them. Jak thought that it would be good if the kids watched the races that way Jaklin wouldn't cry so much. He just hoped that she would forgive him for being gone for so long. Daxter placed the TV onto the channel that the races would start. The fast cars and bright colors caught Jaklin's eye.
("Daddy look it!") she squealed out to Jak as she pointed to the TV.
("look at all the colors they go so fast! I wanna go fast like that!") she babbled a mile a minute. Jak had to laugh at Jaklin. He wandered just how much like him she was going to be. The thought made him smile would she be able to win a race against him. Precursors he wish he could hear what it was that she was saying. Jak tried to sneak off but he was caught by Jaklin and she started to whimper.
("Daddy were you going?") she whined as she tried to stand up fast only succeeding in falling down again. Jak's heart broke he knew what she was asking him, there were some times that he just knew with out their connection, what she was saying. Jak walked over and picked Jaklin up.
"Jakie look it," Jak said to her as he pointed at the TV.
"Daddy's gonna race on the TV, if you stay here and watch you might be able to see me," Jak said to her as he didn't know how else to explain to her what was going on. Jaklin was looking at him hard, Jak gave her a sad smile and hoped that she wouldn't notice. She did notice though and she looked sadly back at him, then she twitched her nose.
"Daddy back?" she asked him, making him smile for real this time. She was just to smart for a baby her age. She didn't talk often but she knew a lot of words already. Some of them he still needed to peg Dax in the back of the head for teaching her them. Jak hugged her tightly and kissed her. Daxter and Tess had to smile, rarely would Jak display those kinds of actions in public. Any show of affection was kept to those who lived in the house. Jaklin was the same way but now that things aren't going so good Jak wasn't going to take the chances of not being able to.
"Yes Jakie ill be back," he said to her and she smile. Damn how her smile could make even the darkness in him glowed with light. He didn't understand it but he wasn't going to question it, there was no need to. So help every god that if even on hair was ever harmed on her head he was going to kill everyone.
The TV showed some highlights from last years Kras City Grand Championship racing. Then a blonde haired man appeared on the screen making Jaklin squeal a bit. There was something about this TV person that she didn't like he rubbed her the wrong way and she glared at him. Jaklin studied him the best he could.
"Welcome race fans to another turbo charged season of high stakes, and high speed racing. As usual, yours truly, G.T. Blitz will give you a pit row view of all the action as the best racers in the world swap paint in their quest to claim the Kras City Grand Championship Trophy. In the end only one wheel jockey will claim the prize as the greatest racer in the land.. And we'll be here to cover all the thrill chills and spills! The seasons first race kicks off in a few minutes… so stay tuned, and keep those engines hummin'!" Blitz said a TV add came on.
"The first race," Jak said in contemplation. The others nodded their head, most were watching their kids who were watching TV. Dez was perched on Jaklin's shoulder, Teagan was a little off to her right. Kendra had gone with Keira to work on the cars and Kyle was to Jaklin's left. Jak stood with his arms crossed and biting his lip. Jak knew that he wasn't ready to be away from Jaklin, not even for ten minuets but there wasn't a choice. He just hope that she would be good until he got back.
"I fear this affair will end badly. A wise man once said, "be watchful of those in front of you, but beware of those behind." came Samos as he walked into the room. Keira was more than likely going to stay in the garage wile Samos watched the rest in the living area.
"What wise man said that?" asked Daxter sarcastically.
"I did!" Samos said loudly as he cracked Daxter in the head with his staff. Dez saw this and fell off of Jaklin's shoulder laughing. The other kids turned around and looked at them but a sound on the TV brought their eyes back to it.
"Look, none of us are happy about this. But we might as well make the best of it." torn said a little more quietly so the kids wouldn't notice them as they started to get ready to leave.
"My father provided everything we needed to win. One of us can do it if we all…" Rayn started to say.
"Your father got us into this mess, so zip it before I come over there and play daddy!" snarled Ashlin with contempt in her eyes. Just then the door opened and in strutted G.T. Blitz. He looked around at every one and notice the cute little blonde baby from the other day. He grinned at Jaklin who only glared at him from were she was sitting.
("I don't like him") Jaklin babbled.
("I don't either, something is off about him,") came Teagan.
"Well well… I was told we had some fresh wax rookies this year, but I had to eyeball it for myself. G.T. Blitz is the name. I'm the Kras City Racing Commissioner and star of the highest syndicated sports event on the planet. I just came by to wish you luck and to skid down a few rules. No side bets. No cheating. No rule breaks or we'll break you. You in gear? This is show business boys... and girls. Only the best racers move up to the bigger events, so make me happy... and make the crowd scream!" came G.T. with a cheese grin.
Jak was pissed he saw the look that he gave the kids who were watching the TV. He let out a small growl knowing the look that he gave Jaklin. Jak stood up and looked at G.T. he didn't want any thing going wrong and now he felt that Jaklin could be in danger. Jak was busy kicking himself in the head.
"Lets race" Jak growled taking G.T.'s eyes off of the kids. Blitz only smiled and left the room. Everyone who was racing left and Jak took one last look at Jakie before he closed the door behind him. Jak walked to the garage and looked at the road blade then he looked at Keira. Keira smiled at him and nodded at the car.
"Its all ready," she said with a smile. Jak just nodded his head and checked the car himself. Keira tipped her head and watched this was something that Jak didn't do he usually trusted her judgment about things like this. She did notice that he was more tense than normal and was uncertain about things. He looked at Keira square in the eye.
"Don't let anything happen to my baby, watch her" he said to her the way he said it made her think that something was up but she didn't know what. All Keira could do was nod her head to him. Jak's heart was racing again but this time not because of Jaklin. He really didn't want to leave her he was afraid of what would happen if he wasn't there to protect her. Jak jumped in his car and drove to the starting line.
Jaklin started looking for Jak but couldn't find him and she started to panic. She tried hard not to get scared but daddy wasn't anywhere, not even in the potty. Finally she sat down and started to cry. Jak even as he was waiting for the light to turn green could feel her crying making him tighten his hand on the wheel. Kendra was placed in the room by Keira and she walked over to Jaklin and started to laugh at her.
("Your daddy doesn't want you,") she taunted her.
("Yes he dose,") she cried. The thought of her dad not wanting her hurt and Jak could feel that though he had no idea what was going on as the light turned green and he slammed on the gas and shot out of the start. Kendra started to walk over to the counter and climbed up and sat on the counter and started playing with something that she shouldn't be playing with.
("Hey that's my toy!") squeaked Dez. This got Jaklin's attention.
("To bad you orange rat,") came Kendra's voice making Jaklin's eyes narrow.
("Kendra give back the toy and quit being mean its not right") came Teagan.
("Shut up, your both useless any way,") came Kendra.
("Give back the toy,") came Jaklin angrily.
("Oh I'll give it back alright") she said evilly. With that Kendra tossed the toy high in the air and it got stuck in the rafters above and Dez started to cry. Jaklin got pissed and punched Kendra in the face making her lip bleed and she started to cry.
("Dezie don't worry I'll get your toy,") Jaklin said and she started to look around the room looking for a way up to the rafters. She found it, a few boxes were stacked up on a table that lead to the ceiling. Jaklin smiled and walked over to the chair however Kendra pulled her away from it and they both started to fight. Kendra was getting the upper hand until Jaklin cracked her in the gut. Kendra fell over and cried loudly and Samos came in and found the two girls fighting.
"What in the name of the precursors?" he asked and picked up Kendra and put her on the table to look at her injuries. There was nothing seriously wrong with her just a bloody lip. Samos picked up Jaklin and looked her over then put her in the play pen. Jaklin looked up at the TV only to see daddy for a few seconds before it turned to another driver. Jaklin knew she had to get the toy from the rafters.
Jaklin found away to get out of the play pen and started back to the chair with Kendra hot on her heels. Jak was fast approaching the finish line and was hoping that what ever he was feeling about Jaklin. Kendra grabbed Jaklin's foot and she fell and split her own lip open. She ignored the pain and kicked Kendra in the face and climbed up on the chair.
Jak hit the straight away and fired his missiles at the driver in front of him. Jaklin climbed up onto the table and crawled over to the boxes as Kendra threw something at Jaklin and it hit her in the head. Again Jaklin shrugged off the pain and started to climb up the boxes. Jak crossed the finish line first and pulled to a stop. He noticed the Keira was there but none of the kids were with her. Jak was not happy about that, he didn't know what he was going to do if he got back to the garage and something had happened to Jaklin.
"You saw it here folks... at least those of you who didn't die yawning or switch to the bran channel. An unknown driver wins his first big race... in lackluster fashion. So, tell us, what happened out there? Were you frightened?" asked G.T. as Jak and his friends walked up. Jak didn't say anything to him just looked at him.
"No!" Daxter yelled.
"Well, wait till ya race against the big name drivers." came G.T. mockingly. Jak frowned he had no idea what it was that he had gotten himself into now. There was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Jaklin started to climb up the boxes and make her way to the rafters. The toy was in the middle of the entire room and Jaklin had no idea how she was going to make it to that spot. G.T. laughed at the others as they all came up to see what was going on.
"It gets worse?" Torn asked concerned not knowing if he wanted to keep racing.
"Ha, ha, ha... much. Think you can handle it?" G.T. said tauntingly. Jak was kicking himself in the head for what he had not only gotten himself in to but the others.
"Give him a break!" came Keira defensively.
"I'll take that as a "no" or a "no comment" and with that lets take it down to Greaser in pit row." G.T. said to the little flying camera and then it stops recording.
" That's a wrap. Listen, I'm not getting much smoke off you guys. I need more spin... more heat! Ratings were down 13 points on that last race. Not happening! If you want to get into the club, you gotta win a lot more, and you gotta win big! Accumulate serious points and maybe I'll give you another interview. Heh... heh... if you're still around." said G.T. to Jak with a snaky smile and a wink. Something about that bugged Jak and he didn't want to know what that meant. The nagging feeling grew in the back of his mind as he watched Blitz walk away.
"Keira why are you hear?" Jak asked when he was sure that blitz couldn't hare them.
"I came to congratulate you on your first race" she said confused.
"I thought I asked you to watch Jaklin!" Jak said he knew something was going on with Jaklin, he may not be able to talk to her mental right now but that doesn't mean he doesn't know that there isn't something going on.
"Daddy is watching them they were fine when I left." Keira said innocently. Jak frowned and jumped back in his car and raced back to the garage. He would never leave Jaklin in Keira's care again if something happens to Jaklin. He ground his teeth something was definitely wrong.
Jaklin made it up into the rafters and managed to get about half way to the toy when Kendra knocked the boxes off of the table making a loud noise causing Samos to come into the room. Jaklin looked down to see what was going to happen. Samos looked around.
"What in tar nations are you doing child?" Samos asked and picked up Kendra and placed her in front of the TV.
"Well it looks like Jak won first place, no surprise." Samos said, he went to check on Jaklin only to find that she was not in the play pen. He started to call for her and look around. He then looked in other places that she might hide and left the room. Jaklin looked at the toy she had told Dez that she would get the toy and that is was she was going to do even if she got hurt.
Steadily Jaklin crawled over the beam that held the toy on it. However when she reached the toy and got her little hands on it Kendra threw something at her and it hit her in the head and she slipped off but managed to grab the edge. Jak walked into the room almost kicking the door down.
"Samos!?" Jak called slightly franticly. Samos came in with a perplexed look on his face.
"Where is Jaklin?" asked Jak and Samos shrugged.
"I haven't a clue right now Jak I came in here because Kendra was causing some problems." said Samos. Jak walked into the middle of the room and looked around. Jaklin was holding her breath she didn't want him to know that she was up there but the toy dropped from her hand as she fought to hold on to the rafter.
The toy fell and hit Jak in the head and Dez ran and picked it up before Kendra could get to it. Jak looked up and saw Jaklin hanging there trying to get back up on the rafters. Jak's heart stopped beating as a small string of panic found its way to his mind.
"Jaklin!" he cried out making her look down at him. She whimpered and looked back up and tried to pull herself up but her fingers on her left hand slipped and she was hanging there by just her finger tips. Jak was so scared that he couldn't move.
Fear started to take over Jaklin's mind and she started to cry she knew that she couldn't hold on forever and that she was either going to have to climb back up or let herself fall. she didn't want to fall because daddy may think that she was weak. She bit her lip and tried to pull herself up. By now every one was in the room watching her.
Kendra getting mad decided to "help" Jaklin out by throwing a metal object at her. The object was sharp and hit Jaklin squire in the head and she fell. Jak snapped out of his scare and moved and caught Jaklin just before she could hit the ground.
Jak held Jaklin close to him his eyes looking over Jaklin to see if she was ok. The only problem with her was that she had a cut on her right temple. Jak cradled her close to him and walked right to his room and shut the door. All Jaklin could do was cry falling that far had scared the shit out of her… literally. Jak changed Jaklin and healed the cut on her head.
"What were you doing up there?" he asked fear thick in his voice.
"Enda mean Dez." she said.
"Kendra was being mean to Dez?" Jak asked just to make sure that he had heard her right. Jaklin nodded her head and threw on of her random toys in the air and babbled on to him wile showing him things trying to communicate the best she could with out using the mental link.
"So Kendra stole Dez's toy and threw it up on the rafters and you climbed up and got it down" Jak said looking at her again and she nodded her head and then took Jak's pinky finger.
"Ah, you pinky promised Dez you'd get it down" Jak said understanding what had happened. Jaklin nodded her head again and sniffled a little bit. Jak had know that she would be just like him and now he wished that she wasn't. things were going to get a lot harder.
Jak held her close to him trying to get his heart from racing. Finally after an hour Jaklin had fallen asleep. Jak got up and laid her down and left the door open slightly. Keira was the first to walk up to Jak.
"Jak I'm really sorry for what Kendra did to Jaklin wile she was on the rafters but why was she up there?" Keira asked Jak.
"She was getting Dez's toy from the rafters that Kendra had thrown up there" Jak said sternly. Keira looked down and sighed she knew that she had pissed Jak off. Jaklin was everything to Jak and if something were to happen to her he would lose it. Jak was happy that he had come when he did other wise Jaklin would be in more danger then she had been.
Jak sighed and closed his eyes he just hopped that nothing else would happen to his baby. What if this had happened and he hadn't come when he did? What if it had been worse? Jak shook his head he really didn't want to think about these things. He walked back to his room and closed the door. After taking his jacket and shoes off he sat at the edge of the bed and watched his baby sleep.
She was getting bigger, and Jak didn't know how much time he would have with her with the poison in his vain. He wanted to make the most of the time he had with her. Tomorrow he would take her to do something fun, just the two of them. No one was going to go with them not even Daxter. It would be about a week before the next race so Keira would have the road blade ready by then he hoped.