Hey home dogs!

Enjoy!

"Please," Mara tucked some black hair behind her ear, she looked so sweet "Please don't back out on me now Jerome, please. There's so much you could learn from this,"

Jerome scraped his hands through his hair, sighing. They were in the prison waiting room, and Jerome couldn't do it. "I can't Mara," he breathed deeply "I can't , I just…can't,"

"But your Jerome," she held his hands reassuringly "You can do everything, remember?" he cracked a small smile at her, "Come on," she stood up, bringing him with her "You can do this,"

They walked through and were directed over to a man with brown hair who bore an eerie resemblance to Jerome. They just stood there staring at the man for a moment. So Mara acted, she leaned forward, hand out.

The man stood, shaking her hand "Hello," he smiled, he seemed friendly. Mara nudged Jerome

"Hey," Jerome said quietly

"Jerome," the man sighed "You don't know how long I've waited to see you," Jerome looked up hopefully

"Really?" she asked nervously. They all sat down.

"Of course, ever since I was taken away I thought about you. You and Poppy. She's not here with you, is she?"

"No," Jerome shook his head "She couldn't make it,"

"Ah, well. Is she still the same fighting spirit I knew her to be,"

"The very same," Jerome smiled fondly. The man laughed.

"I'm John," he said

"Okay." Jerome said awkwardly

"Sorry, I just think, if my own son doesn't know my name, who does?" he laughed nervously, turning his attention to Mara "Hi, I assume you're Jerome's girlfriend?"

"No!" they both said in unison. "Sorry," Mara blushed "We're just friends,"

"Ah," John looked between them both curiously, but Jerome nudged him under the table and John got it immediately "Still, it looks like you'd make a great couple,"

Jerome smiled. Maybe he and his dad would get along…

Line Break

"Did you see how much we had in common?" Jerome asked again, excitedly. Mara laughed lightly

"I did,"

"It was like I had known him all my life, didn't it?"

"Yes," Mara was happy for him. He had been over the moon since the visit, she's never seen him smile so much before. They walked through the school corridors, Mara had forgotten her books and Jerome had offered to walk her

"I will never be able to thank you enough," Jerome whispered, hugging her suddenly. Mara froze, before leaning into him and hugging him back tightly.

"You're welcome," she whispered into his shoulder, Jerome smiled into her shoulder.

They continued down the corridor happily "Hey look!" A poster caught Mara's eye, they walked over to it "A school website, anyone's free to try out," she looked over at him hopefully "Will you do it with me?"

"No, no," Jerome shook his head, "You'll be fine on your own,"

"Maybe I'll just leave it…" Mara was hesitant to do it alone.

"Mara, look at me," he spun her shoulders and crouched slightly "Every time we blink, the world moves beneath us, we miss so much. We waste so much time, I want you to try out without me. And you'll be great," Mara smiled despite herself

"Okay," she nodded happily "I will,"

Line Break

"Knock Knock?" Eddie asked, opening the door. Mara looked up, moving the laptop off her legs.

"Hey Eddie," she said quietly. He walked over to her

"It's been a while since we…talked,"

"I know, sorry. Just, things have been busy lately," Mara looked up at him, and managed a sad smile.

"Badger watching tomorrow, wanna come?"

"Sure," Mara smiled without hesitation "But one condition," Eddie grinned at her "You're with Patricia, and don't make any moves,"

Eddie laughed loudly "Friendship is all I require m'lady," he faked bowed, Mara laughed loudly and he walked towards the door way, before turning back "Hey, what are you writing?"

"An article for the school website," Mara sighed, pulling the laptop back onto her lap "But I have no idea what to do it on,"

"Anything but Vera," Eddie reminded, thinking of their old house mother. Mara laughed

"You know technically, that was all your fault,"

"Yeah and you know technically, no one uses the word technically any more," he mimicked. Mara laughed and he waved her a good night.

Mara watched the blank screen for a moment, before beginning.

The world changes in the blink of an eye.

She nodded to herself, yes, Jerome's phrase would be her first line, he was her inspiration.

"My inspiration," Mara murmured to herself "Yes, that's it!"

"Shut up," Joy hissed, half asleep under the blanket. Mara smiled

"Sorry Joy,"

But Joy was already asleep.

So Summary: They went to see Jerome's dad, and that has made Jerome's day. Jerome's dad wants them to be together. Eddie's cool with them being together. But will Jerome be forced to get the necklace back? Or even worse, down into the tunnels to ruin his hair? Who knows, but Eddie and Mara are going to be busy tomorrow. But Mara has to be careful not to let anything distract her writing…

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