Ch. 17- Explanation

I, am a horrible excuse for a human being. I'm sorry for the late update. I am very very sorry.

Merida POV

I bang the pots and pans in the castle together. Seriously, those late-sleepers need to wake up. We need to get moving! And get and explanation from Jack…

"Ugh…"

"Gaaah…"

"Mer…"

"Stop it… tired…"

"Don' be cryin' babies! Look a' me, ah've been up since sunrise!" I shout. Pff. They need to man up.

Finally, that District 4 guy, Percy, wobbles onto his feet. "I'm up, I'm up…" he stumbles away, and comes back with bread. And a frying pan. "Okay, whoever tries to go to sleep again while I'm awake will be hit over the head with this frying pan. I mean it." He banged it on the wall a couple times to prove that he has one.

Rapunzel is up like a shot. It's obvious she doesn't want to experience a frying pan first-hand. Next to get up is Hiccup, who's sensible enough to do it. Then Bianca, Frank, Leo. Jack is still asleep. I can't believe I didn't wake him up!

Percy nods grimly. BANG!

Jack's eyes shot open.

"Owowowowow… why would you do that?!"

Percy smirks. "'Cause it's fun."

Jack glares. "You're evil."

Percy just smiles and nods.

Theatrical sigh. "Mornin', all tha'. Breakfast." I start throwing out packets of trail mix. "An', how about, while we're eatin', Jack explains a little bit?" Punzie and Hic nod. The district 3s look confused. So does Frank.

Jack looks guilty. "Look, I had a plan, and I'm sorry for not telling you. But I needed you not to know so that it was more convincing.

"I joined the Careers 'cause I knew that there would be a ton of supplies. I tracked you guys," he nodded in me, Hic, and Punze's direction, "subconsciously. On the first night I had watch, which was the night before you left for here, was my turn to guard. Jason still didn't trust me, so he had Percy watch me. Luckily, Percy was on my side, so he didn't do anything when I grabbed supplies and food, then snuck off. Speaking of which, you owe me for that bow and the double quiver." I glare at him, and he chuckles. Then, the words fully register.

"THA' DISTRICT 4 LOWLANDER KNEW WHEN YOUR TEAMMATES DIDN'T?" I can't believe it! He didn't tell us, but he told Percy when he could've given him away at any time… why does this make me so angry…? Ugh, he is so INFURIATING! I will make a point of glaring at him as much as possible.

Jack looks hurt and guilty and sad at the same time. "If you had known, you wouldn't have been mad at me and Jason would've known what was up! I'm sorry! I really am!" His face has grown desperate.

I take deep breaths, and scowl. "Just get on with it…"

He looks down. "I thought, when they didn't find you for the first while, I could keep my cover longer, but then Piper came and forced it out of me… and then you know what happened next. I'm sorry!"

Now Hiccup looks mad. "You really think we're that bad of actors?! That useless?! That we couldn't get supplies and survive without those things that you gave us?!"

Jack shook his head quickly. "No, no, that's not it! I just thought it would help! And I promised that I would pay start to pay Merida back!"

Hold up. Jack did that… for me? He did that all for me? And start to? The shock must be evident on my face, but in my defense, it's evident on everyone's.

"She saved my sister, so I owe her, big-time. I don't know if Emma would still be alive… I'm sorry." He mutters under his breath, "I'm still paying her back." He looks up. "I'm saying thanks the wrong way, aren't I." It's not a question, it's a statement.

When he sees all of the looks he's still getting, he just slumps. "I make a mess out of everything. It would be better if I just left."

No! Don't leave! We need you here! "No Jack. If ya actually abandon us, tha' would be unforgivable. We may forgive ya in time, but not yet, not completely. So stay."

He looks up at me in surprise. "Really?"

I nod. "Yes. Now tha' ah think about it, ya should probably get rid of tha' stick."

He smiles and shakes his head. "Nah. I work well with it. And thank you," he adds, "for giving me another chance."

This chap sucked. Once again, I'm sorry. G'syr: It's not that bad now that you edited it… Sol: it's still horrible. Shoutouts:

Galatea R.S- Not all of my good characters can survive. :( And they do need to move, but this is pretty early and focused on Jack's explanation/relationship with Merida. And that big, evil guy that I like to call 'the blond pig-headed jerk' will be taking revenge. *evil laugh*

Guest- once again, I'm sorry for not updating. But here's a bit more! *hopeful smile*

And that wraps it up. Bye! G'syr: bye!

Sol: p.s. I owe you guys a quick/double update.

P.p.s. remind me in your reviews.