Jak X: Enough

"Keira's quite a mechanic," Sig said, admiring his car.

"Always has been," Jak replied, lounging on one of the chairs in the garage. Daxter sat on his shoulder, sipping at a beer. It wouldn't be long now before he'd be smashed for the night.

"Still, for someone her age, it's amazing. I'll be damned if you could find someone better."

Jak nodded, smiling; his face blanched once Daxter laughed and spoke. "You don't have to tell Jak twice, ain't that right buddy?" His voice was was faintly slurred; he swayed ever so bit on top of the blonde's shoulder. He took another swig of beer.

Sig cocked an eyebrow at Jak, who's face had become the slightest shade of pink.

"Very funny Dax. And I think you've had enough to drink." The youth snatched the beer out of his friend's paw, ignoring his protests. Sig watched in amusement.

"What? Aw, c'mon! It's not like old Siggy doesn't know!"

Jak fixed the slightly tipsy ottsel with a glare.

"Know what, Chilli Pepper?" Sig asked, enjoying watching Jak squirm from the topic of conversation.

"Nothing," Jak replied. Of course Daxter ignored him.

"That Jak's got a thing for Keira." He hiccuped.

It was official. The alcohol had now found it's way into his little furry system.

Sig laughed. "Who doesn't know that?"

Jak dropped his head in his hands, sighing.

Hiccuping, Daxter continued. "I...hic...That's what...hic...what I...hic...said!"

Daxter jumped off of Jak's shoulder, stumbling across the table. Jak looked up, glaring at him.

Sig couldn't help but chuckle at the look on Cherry's face.

Daxter continued. "I mean...hic...he's liked...hic...liked her since...hic...since we were...hic...were like eight!"

"Thank you Daxer," Jak hissed, lunging towards him. He grabbed the ottsel's tail, lifting him up in the air.  He swung back and forth like a pendulum, but continued talking, much to Jak's dismay. The sight at the two teenagers made Sig laugh.

"Awww...hic...C'mon...hic...Jak...Just tell...hic...Tell her already!"

"Daxter, not right now!" Jak was blushing furiously now, quite a sight seeing as the hero usually seemed free of any emotion. "Shut up, will you?"

And quite frankly, it was the funniest thing Sig had ever seen.

"You...hic...Know she likes...hic...likes you too...hic...So tell...hic...Just tell her dammit!"

"Daxter!" Jak was about to smack his hand over the ottsel's mouth before a feminine voice interrupted.

"Tell who what?"

Sig looked around Jak and Daxter to see Keira staring at them in the doorway. She was smirking, green eyes lit up, suggesting she had heard more of the conversation then she let on.

Jak tossed Daxter quickly over his shoulder, grinning sheepishly. The drunk ottsel landed with an Umph! on the seat of Sig's car. "Er, hi Keira."

Jak stood nervously, hand perched on the back of his neck. Sig laughed; King Damas had stood the same way when presented with an uncomfortable situation. In response he received a glare from the still blushing hero.

Keira smiled. "Hey Jak. I was gonna come in to check on the cars. I couldn't help but overhear Daxter." She nodded towards the now sleeping form of the ottsel. He was snoring.

Jak swallowed loudly. "Yeah, um. Kinda hard to not hear him." He was stuttering, words coming out too quickly. "So... I uh, I have to get going." He was slowly inching towards the door. His one chance of freedom.

"Keira, you are unbelievable with cars, you know that?" Sig asked, watching out of the corner of his eye as Jak sighed in relief; he thought he was off the hook.

He wished.

"Jak was just saying how you've always been a great mechanic. Isn't that right Chilli Pepper?"

Jak froze, mouth open, no words coming out. Keira watched, amused.

"Right Jak?" Sig asked slowly, grinning ear to ear.

Jak shook his head, trying to remember how to speak. "Uh... Um, yeah. It's true."

Keira smiled in response. "Thanks Jak."

He nodded. "Yeah. Um, I'll see you later."

Jak turned and nearly sprinted out the door. It never occurred to him that he should grab Daxter. Looked like the ottsel would be staying there for the night.

Sig laughed and turned to Keira. "I've never seen him so..." He searched for the right word.

"Dazed?" she offered.

"Yeah," the wastelander chuckled. "So tell me, how much of the conversation did you hear?"

The small mechanic smiled, a pale blush gracing her features. "I heard enough."

From inside of Sig's car, Daxter snored loudly, dead to the world.