A/N: first... it's 10:00 at night, so forgive me for any spelling mistakes. it's a school night, I'm afraid and I had to rush to get this chapter finished. Sorry again for any screwups...

Chapter 17

To be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back to the underground hideout. Mainly because I wasn't sure if I wanted to put up with everyone yelling at me. But what I didn't know was that dad had been out scouting the city for me. I found that out when I rounded a corner and saw my dad talking to Daxter about searching around the palace. Well, might as well let him know I'm ok.

"Dad?" I asked, sounding confused and surprised. He quickly turned around, and before I knew it he had me in a bear hug. Well, at least someone liked me enough to care if I got hurt.

"Jakie, where the hell were you?" he asked when he let go.

"Yeah, you were acting pretty weird when Tattooed Wonder called you!" Daxter added. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"You sure you want to know?" I grumbled.

"Jakie, get on the zoomer while I call Torn and tell him you're alright," dad ordered. I didn't feel like arguing, so I did what he said. And before I knew it, we were heading back to the hideout. Oh joy…

My welcome was exactly what I'd expected it to be. Dawn nearly clobbering me, Uncle Torn yelling at me, and Ashelin asking me if I was all right. Home sweet home, I suppose. I just pretended to listen to Uncle Torn, told Aunt Ashelin that I was fine and she didn't need to worry about it, and scratched Dawn behind her ears every so often so she'd keep thinking I was paying attention to her. But I was really keeping a close watch on dad. This was the first time I've seen him so… overprotective of me since I got here. Weird, huh? But I knew I'd have to explain about the whole incident with Erol sooner of later, even if I weaseled my way out of it tonight…

Surprisingly, I managed to get through the rest of the night without having to come clean about Erol and then Aunt Ashelin insisted I get some sleep. Only problem was the fact that I couldn't sleep. No matter how much I tossed and turned, I just couldn't, and finally I just gave up and sat on the cot, cross-legged. Well, at least now I could think about things a little more. Or maybe not…

"Jakie, are you awake?" I heard dad's voice asked quietly. Rats…

"Yes," I answered, keeping my voice quiet. There was a brief silence while he sat on the cot in front of me. This reminded me of when Uncle Torn and I were talking in the dark. Dad seemed to have a concerned look on his face at the moment. Well, better prepare for a good, long talk…

"Since you're awake, I want to talk to you." KNEW it! I just knew it! But I just nodded and smiled. "Jakie… you've been acting strange lately… mind telling me what's going on?" If only you knew, dad… if only you knew.

"Well, dad… I'm not sure how to say it…" I replied.

"Come on, Jakie. If I'm your father, then you can definitely tell me," he insisted. Well… ok then, pop. You asked for it.

"Well… the whole thing started when you guys gave me that note…" I began. And I told him. Everything. I explained about Erol, about how and why I snuck into the palace… everything. I made sure not to miss a single detail. And he just sat there, listening to me talk. I love you, dad.

When I finished explaining myself, he just looked at me. Several emotions stood out in his icy blue eyes. Mostly rage, sympathy, guilt, and angst burned in his eyes as he ran back over what I'd told him. We sat there for a while in complete silence. I had nothing to say, but dad… I knew he wanted to say something, but he just didn't know what. I half expected him to backhand me, but he didn't make a move…

"Jakie…" he finally said, "why didn't you say anything?" I took a deep breath and thought it over.

"I…" I admit… I really didn't know what to say. I felt tears start to well up in my eyes, and I just hung my head. "I don't know…" My next move was a bit dumb, but at the moment, I was desperate. I quickly hugged my dad around he neck and just started crying into his shoulder. He was taken aback at first, but then slowly returned my embrace and tried his best to comfort me. I guess the saying was true: Strong men also cry (strong women in my case).

The next thing I new, dad had put me back on my cot and pulled the blanket over me again. He gently kissed my forehead and told me to try and sleep. But I just couldn't… the most I slept that night was say… two hours. Finally I just gave up and decided to go for a walk. Not do anything to get in trouble, just… wander around for a while. I left a note for them telling them what I was up to and left the hideout. But… as fate would have it, I didn't quite make it through the night… Yes, that means I got hurt, and badly at that. What happened? Nothing unusual… I was walking along the road, just moping my way through the streets and what happens? A stupid drunkard, who decided he was ok to drive in the low hover zone, speeds down the street that I just happen to be on. I tried to dodge, but as fate would have it, he hit me anyway. Bastard. All I remember after that was crashing into the ground, my vision going fuzzy and then black…

Like I said, just my luck.