Doctor Duhon had seen it all; scars, missing limbs, missing organs, skin completely torn off by Metal Heads, gashes that bled profusely, bullet wounds, broken bones, brain damage, Dark Eco poisoning, everything. But even with all his sixty-eight years of healing didn't prepare him for the state the blond was in when Jak walked through those doors. He had worked nonstop for most of the day and even into the night trying to heal the fox teen.

The eighty-three year old calmly sewed the flesh together, rubbing the sweat off his brow with his shoulder. Duhon could hear voices outside all asking about Naruto. His grey eyes looked at the blond's stressed face, even in slumber. There was no way this sixteen year old should be alive. The white haired man washed his blood stained hands then checked the IV drip and the Green Eco flow.

This boy was hanging onto life, but just barely. Duhon sighed and sat down in a chair. He had done all he could for the youngster, now it was up to him. The doctor played with his grey scrubs as the door opened and Jewell stepped in. The old man smiled as she approached the bed where Naruto slept, who was covered in bandages and smelling strongly of healing ointment.

"How is he grandfather?" Duhon sighed and bowed his head.

"I've done everything I can. The rest is for him to fight. I've cleaned all his wounds and put him on a steady flow of Green Eco which should speed up his already fast healing. Covering the wounds is all I can do to help him fight off infection. And, he has a very high fever." The doctor said, watching the sleeping blond. Jewell placed a comforting hand on her grandfather's shoulder.

"You did good. From what I heard Naruto's just like Jak, a fighter. He'll make it." The ex-Krimzon Guard said. Duhon nodded, placing his hand over hers.

"I'm just worried about the reports of the Krimzon Blast Bots coming in. If it's true and they are coming then-"

"Jak," Torn's voice said over the speakers. "The Shadow and Samos want to see you, now." Jewell frowned at that, listening to someone outside the doors stand and leave, the chatterbox of an ottsel most likely leaving with him. The one eyed woman bent down to kiss the top of her grandfather's head before leaving him. She had her own mission to complete, and then she'd return to check on Naruto, who seemed to have wiggled his way into everyone's heart.

Jak hissed and pulled his arm away from Quix as she rubbed Green Eco paste into his wounds. She shot him a look with her dark pink eyes. "Honestly, hold still you big baby." She said while being a little bit gentler with his wounds. Jak looked away from the woman and over at Daxter who was sleeping on a crate.

"How's Naruto?" Jak asked. The blond was one of the reasons he rushed out so fast to stop the Blast Bots. He was still hurt and if they would have gotten to the Underground… And then there were the other reasons. Samos, both young and old, Torn (even if he still lost the trust Jak had given him), and all the other members were just as important. Quix sighed as she pulled out a roll of bandages and started to wrap the shirtless teen in the white cloth.

"Jewell said he was still asleep when she went in. Rucah just left to check on him. Naruto's like a light." Quix smiled as Jak raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "He's quiet but we can see that's only because he's new to the whole social experience. We see the bright light he has in him, and any light in Haven is welcomed…and when he smiles, it's like the world was never dark at all. I don't know how he does it but he does." The silver-blond stood and nodded at him. "All done you big baby, now go check on your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend." Jak said as he slid his clothing back on, trying to hid the small amount of pink on his cheeks. Quix laughed and went to leave.

"Sure, whatever you say." Jak sighed and stood. He looked at Daxter then headed to the infirmary, not having the heart to wake his sleeping friend. The once Eco Hero paused outside the door, hearing voices on the other side.

"You didn't know, Rucah. You were keeping to your cover." Duhon said in his wise voice.

"But he got hurt because I kept in cover and was so ill-informed because I hadn't been able to contact the Underground without blowing my cover. And when I did find out…I felt terrible, not only because I gave him to Krew, anyone working or owned by Krew is put through hell, but because he was so important."

"You went back though, even if it would have blown your cover."

"Yeah…but he wasn't there and I thought the worse and best. When I saw him join our team for the retrieval mission he…his ears were gone. I was so glad my bandana was covering my face or he would have recognized me. I wonder if Naruto hates me for what I did."

"You'll never know unless you ask him."

"I can't." There was a scrape of a chair on metal then footsteps. Jak backed away from the door as Rucah left, going in the opposite direction Jak came from. The once hero slipped in to see Duhon looking extremely tired. The old man's grey eyes brighten a little at seeing him.

"Jak, I must thank you for taking care of those Blast Bots. It means a lot to the entire Underground." Jak nodded then sat on Naruto's bed, watching the face would go from peaceful to stress and back every few minutes. "His fever broke surprisingly fast. If he's anything like the stories I've heard about him I'd say he only needs two more days bed rest to recover." Duhon said with a small smile. Jak didn't say anything as he brushed a few locks from Naruto's face. A hand was placed on his shoulder after a few minutes. The green-blond looked up to see Duhon smiling sadly.

"My wife used to tell me a watched pot never boils. Watching Naruto sleep isn't going to make him wake up any sooner. You should rest Jak. You and Daxter have been going from one mission to the next without real rest or a full stomach. Go to the kitchen and Peter will whip you up something. All three of you need to recover. There's always tomorrow for a mission."

On the second morning, Jak woke to the sound of giggling and someone shushing. His dark, blue eyes fluttered open to see a camera going off. He rubbed one of his eyes and raised an eyebrow at the form of a giggling Quix and Jewell with a camera.

"And you say he's not your boyfriend." Quix said with a giggle. "As soon as he woke up he asked about you and once Duhon checked him over he walked right to your bunk and curled up with you." Jewell smile at her friend. Jak blinked in confusion then looked at the warmth on his left.

There was Naruto, curled up next to him, resting his head on Jak's chest. At that moment the once hero didn't care if Quix and Jewell were watching, he brushed the fox teen's hair out of his face. Jak cringed at the squeal Quix let out, causing Naruto to stir and open his blurry sapphire eyes.

"They are so cute!" The dark pink eyed woman said, earning an eye roll from Jewell. Jak gave the tall woman a grateful nod as she dragged Quix away. Naruto yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"Jak?" He asked.

"What is it Naruto?" The blond looked at him with a sleepy smile, and Jak now understood what Quix meant by his smile.

"Thank you. I…the only thing I can remember is being hurt and then you showed up." Naruto said before looking at his hands. He looked back up as Jak placed his hands into the blond's.

"Anytime Naruto." Jak said just before the fox teen's stomach let out a loud, high pitched squeal, demanding food.

"Man, I'm so hungry." Naruto said rubbing his stomach, earning a few chuckles from Jak. The two stood and went to the kitchen, just in time to see Peter throw Daxter out for flirting with a few of the young girl cooks.

"Naruto!" The ottsel yelled climbing up the blond's shoulder, being careful not to hurt any of the hidden wounds, even though he didn't know all of them had almost completely healed. "Great to see you up and about! You won't believe what happened while you were out!" Daxter said earning a smile from Naruto.

"Well, you'll just have to fill me in." The fox teen said, his tail flicking in the air from the hole Duhon had cut out of his new clothing; a black shirt with an orange swirl on his back that Quix had added, orange pants with black designs all over, and new leather shoes. Jak shook his head. It was going to be a long breakfast if Daxter was going to tell his version of the story.

"Like, aren't you in the Class 2 race Jak?" Crow asked from across the table. Peter looked at the trio as he drank from his glass of water. Jak nodded as Daxter continued on with a new story, their second trip to Misty Island. Though, if Jak remembered correctly the muse was beautiful and not the ugly monster Daxter was telling Naruto about. "Really? You are like, totally pressed for time then. The race like, starts in an hour. You better totally like, kick it into high gear."

Naruto knew Jak could drive fast but it seemed as if the definition of fast changed every time he rode with the green-blond and they were in a rush. Jak smirked as Naruto slid off the one person Zoomer, glaring half-heartedly at him.

"Why do you drive like that?" The fox teen asked, holding onto the Zoomer for support, he didn't think he'll ever get his air legs when riding with Jak. Daxter laughed at him.

"That's Jak for you! How do you think we got through the Lava Tube? On my dashing good looks alone?" At that all three of them chuckled as they went to talk with Keira. As they turned into the garage Jak's entire body went cold. Errol was walking out, the same man that still haunted him in his sleep. Naruto, sensing Jak's sudden rigidness, step forward. The orange hair Krimzon Guard Commander smirked, akin to that of a cat playing with a mouse before eating it.

"Well, if it isn't the Dark Eco Freak?" Errol asked, pushing past Naruto and getting in Jak's face. The blond felt a growl rise in his chest at seeing fear, something he never saw in Jak, flash in his cold, dark blue eyes. He pushed his way between them and crossed his arms.

"Where's Keira?" Naruto asked with a warning in each syllable that escaped him. Errol's smirk never left him, a gleam glossing his brown eyes.

"Don't worry. I'm keeping a close eye on her." He purred then looked at Jak. "You're the talk of the town, Jak. You give the people hope…how pathetic. I would have enjoyed killing you in prison, but then I would have missed our bonding time." The fur on Daxter stood up and Naruto's free tail twitched angrily. Errol spotted this and huffed. "But, it'll be so much more fun to take you down on the track, in front of the entire city. I can hear the roar of the crowd now…as everyone sees their hope die." Errol took a few steps away and then looked Jak dead in the eye. "And I'll enjoy taking you back to your cell for one last round." Naruto nearly lunged at the orange haired man, claws flexing as they readied themselves to rip the elf apart. Daxter seemed to mirror him.

"It's good to have you back daddy." Keira said as she an Old Samos approached the garage

"Yes, it's nice to be free again." Naruto's body went as tense as Jak's as Errol got close. He stepped between them, stopping Errol from getting any closer to the green-blond. He scuffed.

"You know Keira loves a winner. Someday she'll be my mechanic." The same gleam from before filled Errol's eyes and it was that look that snapped Jak out of his frozen state.

"Stay away from her." Jak growled. It was clear to see he was protective of Keira with the way his tone and eyes held so much promise of pain if Errol didn't stay away from the blue-green haired woman. The Krimzon Guard Commander just laughed and walked away. Naruto nearly snarled as he took a step after him, ensuring that he was leaving. A dreamy sigh left Keira as she watched him go, having heard none of the conversation.

"Errol's the best racer I've ever seen." She said looking over at them, admiration bright in her eyes.

"He's not what you think." Jak said, any fear that was once in him gone.

"And you're a judge of good character?" Keira snapped, shocking everyone. "HA! Look at you! People say you get angry and…change. Besides, the Jak I knew wouldn't be working for a guy like Krew!" She yelled. Jak's eyes went from protective of Keira to pissed off at her.

"I need Krew's connections to fight the Baron! Without my…You know what? Do it your way, and I'll do it mine! Just don't come crying to me when the walls fall down!" Jak said icily before leaving the garage. Naruto, without putting a second thought to it, followed after Jak.

"Jak. Jak! Jak, please wait up!" Naruto cried after the green-blond. Jak paused only for a moment before continuing on with the fox teen next to him.

"How could she say that? We grew up together and she thinks that of me because of something I couldn't control? The Baron…I'M NOT THE SAME JAK AS BEFORE!" Naruto jumped at the violent outburst coupled with Jak's fist slamming against the wall next to his head. The once hero's breath left him in pants as he stared into Naruto's sapphire blue eyes. "I can never be the same Jak as before. And just because I work for Krew-"

"Does not make you a bad person." Naruto said as he placed a comforting hand on Jak's cheek. Jak sighed and closed his eyes softly at the touch. "You've proven it that you're a good person. What she said was uncalled for and she had no right to say it. Errol…I don't know what he did-"

"Everything." The fox teen tilted his head in question as Jak opened his eyes to look at him. "Errol did everything wrong that one could do to another. And one of the things he liked to do was the same thing Krew did to you before you met up with me and Dax in the Sewers." Naruto's eyes went wide and he bowed his head shamefully.

"How long did you know?"

"Before the Sewer mission. Krew's eyes looked like Errol's." Jak said watching the blond closely. Naruto sighed and looked up, meeting Jak's gaze. Silence fell between them and neither seemed to notice how Jak's body had moved closer to Naruto's until their breath mingled together.

"Jak, I-"

"The Class 2 race has started." An electronic woman's voice filled the area outside of the Stadium. What spell that had forced them together broke and they both stared at each other, as if trying to repeat the air before. Jak let out a sigh then let his hand fall and walked towards the Stadium.

"I…we should go see who's racing for the team."

"Yeah." Naruto said walking up next to Jak. The fox teen gasped under his breath as Jak's fingers laced his limp ones. He made no move to break the physical connection, only responded by squeezing their joined hands.

Daxter smiled in his reflection on the silver trophy. "Now there's a handsome winner!" He winked at Tess, who stood next to the counter that the ottsel and trophy were standing on.

"You did it Daxter!" Keira said smiling largely. "You helped us qualify for the big race!"

"Did you ever doubt? I back seat drive for Jak all the time!" He then looked at Tess. "So when do I get the winner's big kiss?" Tess smiled and folded her hands behind her back.

"Maybe later...if you're a good boy." She said then scratched his head. Daxter smiled but it fell as Jak entered the garage, followed shortly by Naruto.

"Hey there." He started uncertainly. "We, ah, showed those Class 2 losers a thing or two, huh?" Daxter said jumping off the counter. Jak smiled as he knelt to be more at eyelevel with his friend.

"I saw. You drifted a little high in the turns a few times, but you hung in there. I'm proud of you, Dax." Jak said as he and Daxter fist-bumped.

"Really?" Daxter asked, sounding hopeful.

"Yeah, you did great." Jak said before standing. Daxter grinned then pointed at his taller friend.

"No! We did great! Right, partner?" Daxter asked jumping on Jak's shoulder. Just as the once hero was about to smile he and Keira made eye contact. He scowled and turned away as did Keira. Tess looked between them, catching Naruto's shake of the head and disappointed glance he gave Keira before following after Jak.

With Jak's thoughts about what Krew did to Naruto confirmed made him hate the man even more, but Krew had connections and Sig had quickly become someone he trusted. That was why he was here in the Hip Hog Haven in a booth talking with Sig. Krew was floating around in a deep slumber, whimpering like a dog and snoring loudly. It was disgusting. The massive man even slept with his tongue hanging out like some sort of animal.

Sig shook his head and took a long drink from his mug before addressing the two across form him. "You boys are alright, and since the boss is out of it right now, I'm going to give it to you straight. I've been Krew's heavy for years, and I've done some things I'm not proud of, but this time I think Krew's gotten himself, and us, into something really nasty. I'm thinkin' of getting out."

"Ohh…Sig's beginning to like us, Jak." Daxter said before jumping onto the table and opening his arms out to Sig. "Come here ya big lug! Hugs for everyone!" Sig's sole green eye flashed dangerously and he slammed his mug down, rising his voice, which he had never done before.

"Knock it off! I think Krew's trying to…Shh…he's waking up…" Just then a series of undecipherable blabber escaped Krew as he woke. Daxter smirked.

"Relaaaax…watch me butter up bun boy." He said deep and smooth as he slicked back his ears. The suave tone was lost as he jumped down to the saloon's floor. "Hey there, stuffed crust! How's it feel floating on top of the food chain? Whoooo…Krew-mister…have you been exercising?" The ottsel asked as the crime lord floated down towards Daxter. Sig shook his head and took another drink; the alcohol wasn't as strong as the ones in the Wasteland that was for sure. "You're looking good! You are…definitely…living large! And…those legs…they're so…ah, chiseled." Krew spoke as if the ottsel never did.

"I need you escort three of my boys down into the Sewers and visit that statue again. I've heard that Mar's cheeky face might contain another secret, and I want you to see if the stories are true, 'ey? Make sure all three of my boys get to that statue, and they'll do the rest, hmmmn?" Jak nodded and left with Daxter, surprised to see Naruto talking with Crow.

"Like, totally. See there's like, been some serious stuff happening in like, the Forest. So will you like, totally help?" Crow asked, his outfit looking more silver than before. Naruto nodded.

"Sure, I'll help."

"Like, awesome. We'll totally like, head out now." The redhead said as Jak approached them. Naruto smiled at Jak and Daxter.

"I'm needed for another mission. Think you can handle Krew's mission without me?" The fox teen asked as his fox tail wagged slightly.

"Of course. You be safe during your mission." Jak said as Daxter stood on his shoulder.

"Yeah, we can handle anything that floating continent can dish out!" Daxter said. Crow smiled and then started to mess with a silver chain he had hidden in his pocket.

"And like, me and Naruto can totally handle anything the Forest has. Like, we should meet up here after our missions. I like, know this totally nice restaurant nearby. It'll be like, totally my treat." Crow said earning smiles from the trio.

"Like, totally like, thanks." Daxter said, mocking the way Crow talked. The short redhead narrowed his hazel eyes at the ottsel.

"Like, not cool rat."

"RAT!" Naruto chuckled and shook his head.

"Let's just drop it. I'll see you two soon." Naruto said as he and Crow started to head towards the Forest. Jak sent a half-hearted glare at Daxter once the two disappeared.

"What?" Daxter asked innocently.