"I knew you were going to get in trouble. I should have put money on it." I teased.

Jacob stood behind the bars of Baltia's tiny jailhouse. It wasn't anything serious. No, just a couple hours of time out for the young adult. That's what you get when you "misuse tools" in Baltia.

Personally I felt like Jacob had been using them right but I'd never admit it to him.

He stuck out his tongue. "You're just jealous I had fun."

I crossed my arms. "Oh I had fun. My favorite part was when Carter got the soldiers in there and arrested your ass. But before that was amusing too. Honestly, I can't remember laughing like that in forever. I just don't laugh anymore."

A smile lingered on my face, but quickly Jacob's disappeared.

"Then I've got a new goal."

"Jail is not the place for declaration."

He ignored me. "Until we part, I'm going to spend every opportunity trying to get you to laugh."

"Like you weren't already." I muttered under my breath.

"I'll try extra hard." He flashes a toothy smile.

I rolled my eyes. "Good luck with that."

The one thing I'd learned about Jacob throughout our time together was that he was genuinely kind. It was frustrating, honestly. He liked making people happy and he seemed to grow attached much easier than I did.

I unwittingly smiled when I thought about it. "You're the one in jail. Shouldn't I be trying to cheer you up?"

"Eh it was worth it. Besides I've got good company to hold me over."

"It's going on your permanent record, you know."

"Oh yeah. My super important Baltia records. Oh no. What will I do." Sarcasm drenched his tone.

I snorted, which lead to him smiling.

We were quiet for a few moments. I couldn't think of anything to say, so instead a slightly awkward silence fell.

"I should check up on Cal and Nic." I gestured behind me to the door.

"Aw you're abandoning me? I've still got an hour left."

"Someone has to be the responsible one. I know they can probably take care of their selves but..." We both knew we were growing overprotective of Callie. And while Nicole could certainly hold her own that didn't change the fact that we felt like she needed attention too.

I hadn't asked Jacob if he had any younger siblings, probably because I already knew the answer had to be yes, but I made a note to ask him later.

"Fine, but can I tell you a joke before you leave?" Jacob asked.

I hesitated. It wasn't going to be a good joke, was it? It was going to be the most cringeworthy, lame dad worthy joke.

I nodded anyway. "Fine, but just one."

"Okay, what's the difference between a snowman and a snow woman?"

I sighed. "I don't know. What?"

"Snowballs!" He chuckled at his own joke.

That one didn't faze me in the slightest. It reminded me of the awful jokes Jake used to tell. I never laughed at those either.

"Goodbye, Jacob." I walked away.

"Come on, that was a good one!" Jacob called after me. When I didn't stop he continued. "Okay bye, Locke! Come visit me when I'm out of the slammer."

I almost laughed. That boy would never take anything seriously, would he? Even if it was the literal apocalypse he had to laugh. I smiled again. I just might keep him around.

So far lots of recent chapters have been about Callie and Jacob, because they're precious and amazing, but don't worry. Nicole's storyline is opening up soon. I hope you enjoyed and that you'll keep reading. Thanks and let me know what you think!