By the way, The Bloody Hook is supposedly the bar that's shown in the intro cut scene in the beginning of Jak X Combat Racing. It is also the same bar they celebrate in at the end of the game. That's where Daxter is telling his story about Jak escaping racers to Razor and some other two men. I got the name of the bar from the game script on and I have no idea where that person got it from either. Oh well. Also I took the ending script from there as well and just edited and added a bit to fit with my story, then I threw in everything else in case you've noticed. I didn't write about the part where they show Rayn in the game after she leaves the bar because I wanted to tell the story from the points of views of Jak and Daxter and co. so that we know what they were thinking when it was happening. Plus they didn't know what she was saying on her cell phone as she drove away. Well happy reading.

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Chapter Eight

Jaks had finally awakened about four hours later. The sunlight burned his eyes as he turned his head away from it. He slowly lifted his head off from Keira's and let out a long and stretched yawn. He wiped the stray turquoise strands sticking to his cheek from leaning on Keira's head for so many hours. The wrinkles on his cheek also made it obvious that they hadn't shifted at all in their sleep. He rubbed his eyes with his fist as he groggily searched for the grandfather clock toward the end of the lounge. Everything was still blurry so it took him a few seconds for everything to come into view clearly. It was two in the afternoon. He was surprised that no one was in a rush to go back to Haven City. He thought of all the drama and stress they endured because of the poison and the racing events and shrugged to himself. Most likely everyone was just taking their time and enjoying the peace and quiet. That was not a luxury they were able to enjoy often. He then looked down at Keira who was still lying on his chest, probably somewhere in her fifth dream. He smiled at the sight, grateful to see that she was at peace. He liked knowing she was in peace even if it was only during her sleep that she can get some. He shrugged his shoulder lightly so that he could wake her up. In his deep, husky but still sleepy voice, he whispered into her hair.

"Keira, wake up. We gotta go soon"

She moaned slightly and shifted a bit, tucking the blanket closer to her. She mumbled under her breath and Jak put his ear closer so that he could hear her tiny voice that was barely a whisper, "Just a little longer"

He shrugged again, "Come on Keira. It's already two in the afternoon."

Unexpectedly her body suddenly stood up from his and her eyes shot open. They blinked a few times and she looked around frantically as if she lost something. She also had wrinkles on her cheek and her hair was flat on one side. Jak held in his sarcastic comments knowing she'd get upset. Besides he was more curious as to why she suddenly shot up from sleep. He put his hand on her shoulder to pull her back towards him, "What's wrong?"

"Oh my god, that's the time?" She took both hands and ran her fingers through her messy hair. Then she took her hands out just as quickly, looking down at them as if she touched something sticky. "My hair is a mess! I need to take a shower already"

I guess even Keira has her days when she cares about how she looks. It was hard to believe when it came to the tomboyish genius that always got covered in smut and oil underneath cars and gadgets. His eyes followed her figure as she quickly wrapped the green blanket around her and scurried over to the elevators. He nodded to himself. Then he realized he hadn't taken a shower in a while either. He sniffed his arm and cringed as he got up. God I smell like ass. He ran over toward the elevators and called out.

"Keira hold the elevator. I gotta get upstairs too"

By four in the afternoon Samos, Sig, Rayn, Keira, Jak and Daxter had all made their way back into the lobby, they had already packed their belongings and put them inside their vehicles while they awaited the arrival of Ashelin and Torn. They were lost in conversation and by 4:15, Torn and Ashelin still hadn't arrived. Finally Jak sent Daxter upstairs to see what was taking them. Ten minutes later Daxter ran to Jak screaming as if a metal head was chasing him.

"Jaaaak, why'd you have to send me up there! I'm blind, blind for life!" he crawled up Jak's shoulder and hid behind his head as if he didn't want to be seen. He dramatically put the back of his paw on his forehead, "Oh the trauma. I'm gonna need therapy for this"

Ashelin and Torn emerged from the elevators. They wore solemn expressions, they didn't look very happy. Torn headed outside to put their belongings in their cars as Ashelin walked over to where Jak was standing, a furry ottsel still ranting on about something unknown to the others while sitting on his shoulder.

"I swear I didn't see anything!" Daxter yelled when he saw Ashelin and jumped off Jak to climb up to Keira's shoulder and hide. Keira was farther from Ashelin than Jak was.

Ashelin put her hands on her hips and glared at Daxter, "You better keep that trap shut before I turn your furry little precursor ass into a good luck charm on my rear view mirror"

"Eek" Daxter shielded himself behind Keira's shoulder and Keira rolled her eyes.

"Well what are we waiting for? We got a celebration to get to cherries. Let's get going" Sig lead the way outside the Inn and everyone followed.

They drove over to the Bloody Hook so that they can celebrate. Everyone was smiling and glad to be alive. They were all enjoying the fresh air in their lungs and the sun on their faces. They were taking advantage of the calm atmosphere because of course, everyone knew that wouldn't last forever. But for now, they wanted to indulge in the moment before they headed back to the responsibilities and dangers that awaited them in Haven City.

"And just then, I pushed Jak to safety as the car exploded in a fiery inferno!" Daxter was standing on the bar telling his tall tales again. His version of the story was always fun to hear anyway, even if most of it wasn't true.

"Wow! Great story, Dax" cheered on Sig.

"Great racing everyone" Torn had said in the mist of everyone's laughter.

Just then Samos walked over to Jak standing on the bar and Keira who was sitting on it.

"Wonderful driving!"

"Thanks" Jak said confidently, it was almost cocky but Samos corrected him, "I was talking to my daughter" and with this comment Keira nodded in approval.

Rayn walked up to the group, "Well, everyone, I must be on my way. Thank you all for helping me take out my father's enemies. This town will be a better place for it. And

thank you Jak... for showing me the light"

Jak gave Rayn a friendly hug as he said to her, "Take care".

"Be better than your father" Sig was sure to add.

Rayn then walked away from them. No one had realized the sly grin that had spread across her devious face.

"You know, that old girl ain't so bad" Daxter was saying before he realized that Rayn had left behind her father's will that was recorded on a datapad. "Hey, she forgot Krew's diary" As Daxter picked it up, a hologram of Krew popped up from it.

"Hello Rayn dear... so it's out little secret, eh? Just pour into your glass first... Three seconds and no more and yours will have no poison. The rest will get a full dose. Ha, ha, ha, haa... Then we'll take down that miserable Mizo and be the top crime family in Kras City! I only wish I could be there to give you a big hug! Like father, like daughter eh?" the image of Krew still disgusted Daxter even after his death. Daxter cringed while the others stood in awe as they watched this discovery.

"Oh my god" Jak's mouth hung open.

"That bitch, I knew she was no good to begin with" Ashelin fisted nothing in the air as she said this. From the very first time she had met Rayn she was very hostile to her and this just gave her more reason.

"Eh forget it, she's gone now" Torn said as he pulled Ashelin close to him behind the bar. Her anger seemed to melt away and she smiled at him. Still he couldn't help but add "Who woulda thunk?"

"Well, if you'd all been thinking with your... heads." Ashelin playfully walked her fingers up Torn's shirt and then flicked him in the face when he looked down. Who knew Ashelin had such a playful side that existed in her usually tough "Ms. Thing" demeanor.

"Yeah, Jak! The important this is we won.. and we're alive" Daxter happily yelled out on the bar.

"And we brought down that scumbag Mizo!" as usual Sig just encouraged the ottsel.

"And we rocked the racing circuit, right Jak! I said, right Jak!"

As Daxter was yelling for Jak's attention he failed to realize that Jak's attention had not been tuned into them since his last comment. After he had his reaction to Rayn he looked over to Keira sitting on the bar in front of him. He just observed her as she stared at him shyly encouraging whatever he was thinking. The urge to kiss her suddenly overwhelmed him and unlike all those other times when he made sure to keep up his bad boy image, he was going to kiss her. He didn't care who it was in front of or what they're reactions were. He was glad to be alive and glad that she was a part of his life. Keira cheeks slightly flushed as she gazed at his blue eyes. She was not used to this part of him, she had only seen it rarely and when they were alone. However she wasn't complaining and was grateful for the change in him. She heard her heart beat faster and her cheeks heat up intensely as he leaned in closer to her so that he could kiss her. The moment was killed with Daxter's annoying yells cutting through it, "Hey!"

Jak and Keira turned to scowl at him. This was the last time he was going to interrupt them. This is why Tess was good to have around. She always made sure to distract him so that Jak and Keira could run off and about their business while she made sure to take care of hers with Daxter. Damn where is she when you need her, they both thought to themselves.

"Will you kiss her already! Sheeeesh!" The last thing Daxter wanted was to get pounded by Jak later because he was always interrupting their mushy moments.

Kiera couldn't take it any longer. If Jak was going to let out another side of him after this whole near death experience, she silently decided to herself that she would too. She quickly grabbed Jak's jacket and pulled him up so that she can press her lips on his. At first his body was tense from surprise but then he relaxed and kissed her back. They both felt goose bumps arise from their skin as their soft lips pressed against one another's. It felt good to kiss her in public. Jak almost felt a pride within him, proud to show others that this was his girl. However little did everyone know that his displays of affection were far from over.

"Oh yeah... that's what I call a photo finish!" Daxter pointed at them after they had finished kissing and he took a gulp of his beer.

Jak turned over his shoulder to look down at Samos and he nodded as if he was approving something. He then glanced over to Daxter who paused in his drinking to do the same. Jak finally brought his glance back to Keira and a mischievous grin spread on his face. Meanwhile Daxter hushed everyone so that they could quiet down and pointed in the direction of Jak. Everyone was confused by Jak and Daxter's actions but they followed, overtaken with curiosity. Jak backed away from the bar and offered his hands so that Keira can grab them to help her off the bar. He then pulled her close to him and his expression became serious. He pressed his forehead to hers as he spoke and everyone turned their attention to them so they could listen. Jak held his finger up to signal them to wait as he whispered something to Keira that wasn't audible to the others.

"I'm sorry for the whole antidote thing" she was about to interrupt but he hushed her so that he could continue. "It was at that very moment that I realized what it was like to truly fear death. I was afraid to let you die and I was afraid of not being able to give you the things I should've given you already or if not, what I should've given more of. It was then that I realized that through all my changes and through all the dangers, you were always there with a wrench and open arms. I almost died that night at the stadium-" She was still trying to cut in. She was confused. She hadn't heard about how he collapsed and was rescued by his furry companion. Still he continued "And as I was lost in darkness a familiar voice called onto me. He made me realize how much I had waiting for me in life and that I shouldn't take it for granted. Even heroes aren't death proof. So I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you and how much you mean to me" he then backed away from her and looked around at the others to see if he still had their attention even though they didn't hear what he just said. His smile came back on his face as he turned his gaze back to Keira's.

She looked so confused and helpless. Her body was slightly trembling. She hadn't felt this nervous in a long time. Without realizing, Jak fumbled with something in his pocket and raised it in between them so that she can look down and see what it was. Loud surprised gasps filled the room but not as loud and surprised as the gasp that came from Keira's lips. Her eyes widened and she had to restrain her body from jumping with delight. This couldn't be happening. No way. She stared in awe at the tiny white gold ring he held in his two fingers. It cradled an Alexandrite turquoise stone in the middle, two tiny white gems on each side. It was so beautiful. She had admired it in jewelry stores during their travels and always joked that someday she'd buy that ring for herself but she was too afraid she'd dirty it during her work. Jak's voice interrupted her thoughts as he grabbed her trembling left hand and raised it up so that he could slide the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit.

"I know we're young and we don't have to make any plans soon but just in case…will you be my mechanic…always?" he smiled at her and she quickly nodded. He laughed loudly when she threw herself at him to wrap her arms around his neck and squeeze. He hugged her back and looked at everyone's smiling faces, nodding with approval.

She backed away from him with her arms still entangled around his neck, red flushing on her heated cheeks. She was still confused, "but how did you-when were you able to go out and get this?"

Daxter cut in and raised an informative finger "Ahh now that's a story I should tell"

"No lying Daxter" Jak winked at him and Daxter sighed in defeat, "Ok ok so here's what happened. After we had killed Mizo and drove into Kras City…"

Flashback

Jak headed to a payphone in the dark abandoned streets of Kras City and stopped the car.

"Why we stopping here for?"

Jak grabbed onto the payphone as he looked back at his confused friend sitting on top of the driver's seat, "I still got some things to do"

He dialed away and ignored his friend who was lost in the situation. Daxter lifted one ear so that he could listen intently to his phone call. The voice of a tired elderly man greeted Jak when the call went through.

"Samos, it's Jak"

"Jak my boy, you're alive!"

"Shh not so loud, where's Keira?"

"Oh she's been sleeping in the lobby since you left. Why, is there something wrong?"

"No no everything's fine. Mizo's dead and I already drank the antidote"

"Good so what are you doing hanging around there for?"

"Listen Samos, I just needed to ask you something but I need you to keep this between you and me. I need to know that I have your word"

Samos voice seemed to get serious and toned down as if he were ready to hear a secret "Sure sure go ahead, you know you can always count on me"

"Samos-" Jak's voice unexpectedly began to tremble and he felt sweat dripping down his forehead. He hadn't expected he'd be so nervous, "Well umm-"

"Well son spit it out already. We haven't got all night"

"I was wondering…well you know I've known your daughter for a long time, I mean, what am I saying, of course you know, you raised us. What I'm saying is that I've been th-thinking and I just needed to know if it would be okay, if I asked Keira to you know…uhh" Damn what the hell is wrong with me? Why can't I speak English! Why am I stuttering like an idiot?

"Ok Jak don't kill yourself there, I think I got what you're saying" an awkward silence tortured Jak as he drowned in his nervous thoughts, intently listening for a response on the other end. Finally Samos spoke, "There's no one that would suit my daughter better than you" and he released a loud jolly laugh that neither Jak nor Daxter had ever heard from him before…scary.

"Thanks Samos. I promise, you won't regret this" and he slammed the phone down and jumped in his Boomer to start the engine.

"Wow Jak are you really serious?" Daxter's eyes were wide as he stared at his friend in disbelief at what he had just done.

Jak looked over to Daxter and grinned, "Hell yeah I'm serious. Especially after all this, I've never been more serious in my life" and he sped through the streets. They drove around with their music high blast just screaming and owning it all for a few hours. They needed to kill time for a while. Then when the sun slowly came up he drove and abruptly stopped in front of a jewelry shop. An elderly woman wearing a blue suit sat on a stool inside. She was sipping her coffee and reading her morning paper. Jak's harsh knock upon the glass door startled her and she looked up from her paper to see what the fuss was about.

"Excuse me miss can you open the door!" it was more like an order than a request.

"I'm sorry sir but we don't open 'till nine"

"Please, it'll only take a second I swear"

"Yeah come on lady open up" Daxter couldn't help but get impatient.

She walked over to the glass door and saw the looks in their eyes. They looked desperate to buy something. Oh well. Maybe if I make a good sale I can leave early today, she sighed as she opened the door for them before looking outside to make sure no one else noticed. The last thing she wanted was a crowd to come bombarding in when the store wasn't supposed to be open yet. By the time she turned back to her customers, they were already staring into a glass case with the most expensive jewelry in the shop and she hurried over to them, "Umm sir, I don't think you'll be interested in whatever's in that case"

Jak let out a cocky laugh as Daxter nodded at the woman's naive ness. She was surprised at this reaction. She didn't think that a young man who was covered in dirt and dressed in clothes that looked like he wore for two days straight had any money to that extent. She was even more surprised as he pulled out some orbs and laid it in front of her. He ignored her shocked reaction and pointed at a ring inside of a white case, "That's the one I want"

She went behind the glass counter and gently pulled the delicate ring out so that she can show it to him. He nodded with approval, "Can you engrave something inside?" he leaned his arm onto the top of the counter.

"Well it would cost extra and it would take time to do that. Usually you're supposed to order these things before time, I can't do it right now"

He calmly placed more orbs onto the counter without a word and she had to restrain from drooling at the generous amount laid before her. The words I can quit this damn job possessed her mind as she quickly picked up the small white box that embraced the expensive ring and headed toward the curtains that lead to the back. She yelled out behind her, "This must be a very special girl".

Jak let out another chuckle and looked over to Daxter while he responded, "Oh you have no idea"

End of flashback

"And then me and Jak drove over to the Inn and that was that. I helped him plan it all out, really. I even told him what to say," the back of Jak's hand smacking against his head cut him off and he just shrugged before taking another sip of his beer.

Keira gave Jak another squeeze as she looked up at him. She had never been more surprised at him during the whole time she had known him. He had taken initiative in some things when it came to them but this was completely unexpected. She quickly let go of him while trying to pull the ring off her finger, looking up at him, "Oh wait, there's something written on it?" and Jak just shrugged his shoulders.

She put the ring to her face so that she can read the tiny inscription. She hadn't realized the writing from far away but now she realized there was something written inside and outside the ring. On the outside, on the opposite side of the gems were JakxKeira. She grinned and felt her cheeks burning again. What was on the inside made her face heat up even more, but not with embarrassment, from the tears she was holding in. It read, More than life itself. She had known what it meant and she was trying so hard to hold in her emotions. She just concentrated on the ring to avoid his gaze. Jak realized her reaction and her inner battle to resist tears so he took it upon himself to quickly pull her close to him by her waist and lay his lips upon her again. However unlike the last kiss, it was longer and a bit more passionate, a kiss he had only given her during the rare times when they were alone. Her arms slowly wrapped around his neck and as he slowly backed away they heard Daxter say "Now THAT'S a photo finish!" and laughter erupted from all their friends.

Jak's attention was still fixed on the turquoise headed angel in front of him sharing the same gaze. He was surprised when he felt her fingers playing with the hair toward the back of his neck and as he felt a slight shiver up his spine, he realized her look in him had changed into a seductive one. He liked it, very much. Her other hand started to trail up and down the collar of his shirt as she put her forehead against his again. She bit her lip and a mischievous grin grew on Jak's face. She began to whisper…

"Can I-take…"

"Keira, I don't think-'

She hushed him and he drew closer to her, "Can I take-", he listened intently, waiting to hear what she would whisper.

"Can I take your Boomer apart when we get home?"

"Wha-what!"

The End!

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I thought these last two chapters were too lovey dovey fairytale and I wasn't planning on the whole engagement thing until I was in the middle of writing the story. Too much mush you think? I thought the humor at the end lightened it up. Please let me know. Hope U all enjoyed my story and don't worry, there will be more to come. I already have plans for my next story in my head :points to her head where you can hear creaky gears turning: Review review!