I went up to the roof. I don't know what it is about rooftops, but they bring me comfort. Everything is so quiet from above, so peaceful. It's like the stress just melts away as you get time to think for yourself.

I sat on the safest part of the sloped roof, a place I'd trusted many times visiting my uncles. Only once out of several dozen times had I ever fallen off and broken my arm and that was a mistake I wasn't going to make twice.

Of course I wasn't alone for long.

"Geez, Locke, don't you know a guy like me can't do much climbing?" Jacob said, hoisting himself out the window and onto the roof with me. He winced with pain.

"Jacob, you were shot. Need I remind you that? You're going to tear the wound more."

"Whatever you say, doc. Penny for your thoughts?"

"My thoughts," I grumbled into my knees as I pulled them tighter to me. "Are that you're an idiot and you should be careful getting back inside."

"See, if that's what you were thinking about that wouldn't make sense. You were looking pretty annoyed inside. Come on, Locke, be honest."

I sighed. "Maybe... I'm gonna miss you is all."

"I'll miss you too." He said, softer than I expected. He reached for my hand. "Do you really want to stay?"

I almost jerked my hand away in surprise. It seemed to soft for Jacob.

"I'm safe here. JJ is safe here. My uncles are my only family I've got—"

"But do you want to stay."

I bit my lip. "No."

"Come with us."

"But JJ—"

"Can come too. Ducky seats five. And I don't want our adventure to be over just yet." Jacob grinned. "I mean I just met the kid."

"Hah. Funny."

"And I'll miss you not laughing at my hilarious jokes."

"It's safe here."

"Do you want to be safe or do you want to be alive, Locke?" Jacob asked. "You can't hide forever."

"I just don't know."

"You're really gonna make me get on my knees huh?" Jacob teased. "I can't really do that on the roof. Please come to Canada with me. We'll be safe there and it'll be plenty exciting. You'll love my parents and I'm sure you and Paise would get on like a house on fire. You, me, Nic, Callie, JJ, all on the road together for a bit longer? What do you say?"

I took a deep breath. "Yes."

What else could I say?

So I'm alive. I sort of gave up on this story for a hot sec but I can't. I love the characters too much. But please, if you're enjoying this, engage in it somehow. It makes it much easier to write! Anyway happy St. Patrick's Day! Expect a new chapter out Sunday!
~Oz