The three of them look at me strangely, and with confusion. I look at them, a twinkle in my eyes. Maya and Gil are on the outside of Aiden, helping him stand up. The cut on his leg is covered up by his jeans, and he seems to be okay.

"What is it?"

"Did we do something wrong?"

I bite my lip and look at them seriously, the smile gone from my face. I walk towards them, and they look at each other nervously.

"I don't think this is working out."

All of their eyes widen at the same time, Maya's faint blue, Gil's dark brown, and Aiden's lime green. Shock makes their jaws drop. And then they each start talking at the same time.

"But-"

"Wait-"

"Jesse-"

I hold a hand up to silence them and they immediately stop talking.

"You didn't let me finish." I say, waving a finger. "What's not working out here, is you staying here temporarily.

"I think that it's time to make this a permanent change." Smiles light up everyone's faces, including mine. "Welcome to Beacontown."

Before I can blink the Blaze Rods wrap me in one gigantic hug. I laugh and smile with them, their voices filled with happiness.

I don't know how long we celebrated, laughing and hugging every once and a while. I was overwhelmed with 'thank you's' and grins.

And I feel...happy. Happy. Happy to be with them. Happy to be joking and laughing. And let me tell you, it's the best feeling in the world. Or, one of them anyway.

"Please tell me I'm not dreaming." Aiden says excitedly, full of energy. "Somebody, pinch me or something!"

Maya and Gil just laugh, and I playfully punch him on the shoulder. He fakes a gasp.

"Okay, I'm not." He scratches his head and gives me a sheepish grin. Then he takes my hand in his. "But seriously Jesse, thank you-"

I hear the door of the treasure room open, and immediately, all of our heads turn to see the culprit.

"What the hell is going on here?"

**************************

The smile leaves my face and I bite my lip, my hand and Aiden's splitting apart like lightning. We stare at where Lukas is standing, a confused and a little angry expression on his face.

"Well?" He asks, waiting for an answer. I snap out of my daze.

"I'm hanging out with the Blaze Rods. Is there a problem?" I reply calmly, my palms holding my elbows as I put my arms across my chest. I remember our little quarrel earlier, and it makes my stomach churn.

"Actually, there is. I have to talk to you." He looks at the Blaze Rods and squints his eyes. "Alone."

I feel curiosity and cautiousness bubble up inside me. Where was this going? Was this about earlier? Or something else?

I open my mouth to speak, but before I can, Aiden does it for me. I feel his hand on my shoulder and my breath hitches.

"She doesn't need to talk to you. From what I've heard, you don't deserve her-time." I could feel the heat rush to my cheeks.

I can see Lukas' blue eyes flicker with anger, and then blink, shaking it away.

"Look, Aiden. I've been keeping calm with you now, but-"

"Stop." I say firmly, and he shuts up. I walk forward, Aiden's hand falling off my shoulder. "Just stop."

I'm about a yard away from Lukas, and I send him a firm glare.

"Let's talk then. Outside, five minutes." I make no room for argument. I turn to the Blaze Rods and give them a reassuring smile. "I'll be back in a few. Stay put."

I walk past him, letting him follow me as I head outside.

****************************

"So? What's up? Some problem with the investigation?" The word comes out bitter. I lean against the wall, folding my arms across my chest.

"Don't act like that." He says, hands at his sides. He looks at me with sad eyes.

"Like what?"

"Like-I don't know. Casual." He replies, biting is lip.

"Well, how else am I supposed to act?" I exclaim, a bit angrily, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

"I don't know." He says, tiredly. "Can we just fix this? Please?"

I look down at my feet, not saying anything. I use my foot to kick a tuft of grass. The wind blows softly, sending a few hair strands into my face.

"How?" I reply quietly, looking up to his level. He runs a hand through his hair.

"I love you, Jesse. And...you said you love me. I want us to be-I want to be with you."

I sigh, my anger gone and replaced with sadness. I fiddle with my hands.

"I want that too Lukas." I say, and he looks at me with hope. "But I told you before, and you have to understand. You want to do this alone, there's a price to pay."

"But it's keeping you safe." He argues. "You're okay, unhurt-"

"Who said I wasn't hurt?" I interrupt, sending him into a quick silence.

"What I mean is, you're alive okay? And that's my priority right now. If you're safe, standing on your two feet and breathing. That's what I care for the most right now.

"And I'm going to keep it that way. Whatever it takes." His tone is final, concluding. I just sigh again.

"So, that's your choice, then?" I ask him, tilting my head a bit. "You know, we're just going to end up having the same conversation again."

"Jesse, I'm asking you to be with me. I'm asking you to be with me, while I protect you. Is that really so bad?" He looks at me with pleading eyes.

"That's not all you're asking." I exclaim, gesturing with my hands. "You're asking me to let you risk your life for me. What if you die? What if you end up on that hospital bed, hurt and bleeding? How do you think I'll feel? Knowing that it was on me?

"If we're going to be together, we have to fight through this together. Not alone. We protect each other, trust each other. I already have the weight of my best friend's death on my shoulders, I don't need more."

I find myself thinking of Reuben, and in his place, is Lukas.

Not again. Please.

We stare into each other's eyes for a moment, silence taking seconds off the clock. I can tell he's thinking, and so am I.

"I'm sorry Jesse, I'm not letting you get dragged into this. I can't-"

"Then it's settled then." I say bluntly, bringing up walls so I can't feel the crashing waves or quiet pain. "This is how it's going to be."

He stops talking, looking at me again, and this time, I can see faint pools of water making his diamond eyes sparkle.

I look away and blink away mine, taking a deep breath in and out.

"Time's up." I say reluctantly, my voice shaky, a little bell ringing in my head. He suddenly looks at me in confusion.

"What-?"

"Five minutes. Time surely flies, doesn't it?" I say quietly, as he opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. "I'm going to say this now; this is over. I hope being the hero is worth it."

And finally!! A chapter! I seriously had some trouble and been putting it off to the side, cause WRITERS' FREAKING BLOCK-

But eventually I forced myself and found a way to finish off the chapter :D

Now on to write some more exciting ones!! Hehe...hopefully

Again sorry for the slow updates, I'll try to have another chapter up soon.

Oh! But first I have an announcement. READ IT PLZ:

I am going to be offline for the next two days if you are reading today. From December 5-7th. It's an assignment I have to do for class. Sheesh it's gonna be hard NOT to check Wattpad every few minutes. Hahaha. So if I don't respond to comments or something, you know why.

When I get back I'll post another chapter of Regret to make up for not posting ;)

Baii peeps!!! See you in two days!