Promises

The ride home was quiet. Jak glanced back at Kor occasionally. His eyes were dark and promised endless suffering if Jak made the wrong move. He sighed inwardly. He didn't know what to do.

Once they were home, Kor took Kaj to take his bath. Daxter joined them while Ashelin and Jak went into the kitchen.

"What was that about?" Jak asked. "Sig said you knew. Is there something you haven't told me?" He asked, grabbing a bottle of red wine. He poured her a glass.

Ashelin accepted the drink. "I know I should have told you long ago… The first time I saw Kaj with you…." She sipped. "His father is alive. Damas, the former king of Haven City. He's alive… I know because…" She looked at her reflection in the maroon liquid. "I'm the one who helped him escape and I'm the one who convinced my father to not pursue him. It was a last ditch effort. He'd somehow gotten separated from his son and he was looking for him desperately and I ran into him. Father wanted to kill him but I convinced him that it was to his benefit to let Damas live in exile, away from Haven. And I convinced Damas to go. That if he insisted on staying in Haven to find his child then he likely wouldn't survive long enough to do so. And I promised if I found him, I'd let him know."

"Why didn't you say anything before? Why didn't you tell me?" He asked her. "Do you know how complicated this situation is now?"

"That's why I didn't say anything! Kor is so attached to him and I thought… he didn't need anymore disruption to his life. And I knew Kor wouldn't like it if he had to give him up." She put her glass down.

"Oh but I'm not giving him up," the old man growled as he entered the kitchen. "Kaj is mine and I'm not giving him up. You were right to say nothing to anyone because it makes no difference." He poured his own glass of wine. "No one is taking him from me and anyone who tries will find themselves disemboweled."

Jak looked at him with alarm. "Ashelin, can Father and I have a moment alone?" He asked.

"Sure, I want a bubble bath anyway," she got up. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. After seeing how much you care about him and knowing his life had been disrupted enough, I wasn't going to keep my promise." She reassured Kor.

Once they were alone, Jak sighed. "You're assuming I would ever let anyone take Kaj from you?"

"You promised he was mine! My son! That was one of my conditions and you promised me!" He shouted.

"Shhh! Are you ready to tell Ashelin who you are? What you are?" Jak reminded the man. "Father, listen to me. I promised you then and I repeat that promise. He's yours. No one is taking him from you." When Kor turned his eyes away, he could see the old man didn't fully believe him.

"You said this complicated things. You're planning to…" Kor protested before Jak interrupted,

"And it does! Because the king of this city, the rightful king is alive. It changes things because of Praxis. Not because of Kaj. Kaj is yours. No matter what happens!" Jak insisted emphatically. "You've trusted me this far. Trust me a little while longer. Trust me to protect Kaj, trust me to protect you. I trust you. I know you're a good man. A good father. I don't just call you Father as part of our cover. I see you… as a father." The man visibly trembled and Jak could tell he was reliving his past trauma. The heartbreak that had turned him vicious and hateful. "It's alright. No matter what happens, I am your side. You have a son in me. And I will help you protect your other children."

Kor shuddered. "If I lose my family again… especially Kaj… I will truly become dust… I can't survive it again." He admitted. "Until you came along, I was ready to kill that child to avenge the family Mar took from me. You opened my eyes and made me realize that I didn't want to and I could get what I wanted without having to do so. I just… I'm terrified someone is going to try and take him."

"Well, don't be. You have me on your side. And Daxter. And when she does eventually learn the truth, I know Ashelin will be too. Vin said everyone in the resistance looks up to you, that you're like everyone's dad," Jak gripped his shoulder. "You will not lose your family again. Not so long as I draw breath. In fact, I think you're going to have an even larger family than before."

For several tense moments they sat while Kor fought his way through the pit of despair he had found himself lost in. Memories of returning home to a destroyed city and all of his family laying dead around him. An unfamiliar wetness soaked his wrinkled cheeks. And all Jak did was hold his gnarled hand, completely silent. Yet, it was what he needed to get through the flashbacks, his breathing returning to normal.

"Thank you… my son… You have become as much my son as Kaj is. I will stay the course and trust you a while longer…."

Jak nodded. "Good. Thank you. Now, speaking of family, how are the adopted eggs doing?" He asked.

Glad for a change of subject, Kor replied. "They're doing very well. They're close to hatching. Which means it'll be time to plan a hatching celebration. I would have done it sooner for my most recent hatch but then these appeared and it just felt right to wait, do it all at once."

Jak let the old man tell him about the metal head custom. For a few moments, he'd felt fearful. Afraid that Kor would revert. That he would lose the closest thing he ever had to a father to the darkness again. Again? When had it happened before?

————

Sig reluctantly returned to Spargus and the palace.

"What do you mean they wouldn't come? Why not?" Damas demanded. "And why did you let them refuse?"

Sig shook his head. "Well it was getting late. Little Mar is only four. Jak said this Kor is very protective of him. He won't come willingly."

Damas thought about it. "Then I must go to them. I must find my son. I'm so close now. Take me to the city." He ordered as he grabbed his cloak.

AN: A short emotional chapter. Please review.