Author's Note: This one based on the prompt "I feel it was worth being born just to hear the wind blow".

When it comes to Marley and Jake, I'm not exactly their biggest fan, mainly because I just don't like their characterization (I'm not a fan of Jake being so much like his brother [where's the originality?] and Marley is kinda dull in my opinion). But, I think once they are older, they could possibly work.

Enjoy! Please leave a review!


137 pounds 6 ounces. Two pounds more than last week and 1 pound away from reaching her ideal weight. Marley Rose took a deep breath as the wind curled around her. The stars were out. She tried to find Venus but the planet was hiding. She shifted her feet on the roof of her mother's house and imagined her high school self. What would Marley Rose, sophomore, say about Marley Rose, paramedic, now?

She remembered how tiny she was then. All jagged bone and slim flesh held together by big dreams and a boy who made her laugh. At the thought of Jake, she smiled. She hoped things had worked out for him.

Her pager went off. She glanced at the electronic devise and scanned the message. A second later, another message came in. False alarm. Marley sighed. Good, she didn't want to go back to work yet. Two late night shifts in a row were exhausting, but as soon as she came home to rest, her mind started working. At least her room made it possible to star gaze.

She wondered if it was silly to think the wind followed her around. When she was training to become a paramedic after high school, she sometimes got so frustrated she'd want to scream. Then, the wind would pick up and she'd feel that rush again and everything would be okay. Just like it was in high school, with Jake.

Marley heard her mother's snoring from the living room. She fell asleep watching television again. Marley thought of trying to get her to her bedroom, but even with all her training, her muscles weren't strong enough to lift the older woman. She'd have to remind her mother about that diet she said she'd start. Now that Marley was in the clear in terms of her bulimia nervosa, diets weren't banned in the house.

'Maybe I should get my own place,' she thought. 'I'm making good money now. I don't need to worry about being able to afford food.' Marley straightened the cuff on her uniform's blue sleeve. She would have to talk it over with her partner in the morning. He always had an ear ready to listen.

Footsteps were heard coming up the driveway. Marley looked from the sky to earth and was surprised to see Jake Puckerman walking up the pavement. She followed his casual gaunt, watching him grab the ladder from the side of their house and placing it near her. He climbed up like he used to and settled beside her, just like old times.

Marley didn't say anything. She looked back up at the sky and watched a star fall. She closed her eyes and made a wish.

"What did you wish for?" he asked, his voice deeper than it used to be. She could smell the stench of cigarettes coming off his leather jacket.

"If I tell you, it won't come true." How many times had he tried to wriggle her wish out of her when they were dating? She never gave in though. Not all the wishes came true, but the ones that mattered, like recovery, did. Marley looked at Jake, her blue eyes taking in her one-time love, and she sighed. "What are you doing here?"

Jake leaned back on his hands and his dark brown eyes stared at the stars. His hair was all gone. No more buzz cut, just a bald head, like his brother's. "I was in town and thought I'd drop in for a visit."

"At 2 in the morning?"

"I figured you would be up."

Marley smirked. "You always did have good timing. What are you doing back? I thought you were in New York?" Yes, last she heard at least. Whenever Puck came to visit his ma and sister, he made a point to stop in and see Marley, to give her updates on the NYC life. She knew it was because Jake asked for reports on Marley's health, but she didn't mind. Puck was a good guy. Rachel Berry, the up and coming star of Broadway, wouldn't put up with anything less.

Jake nodded. "I still am, but like I said, I came for a visit. Mom wanted to see me." He glanced at her. "And . . . I wanted to see you."

The young woman brought her legs up to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. "You could have called," she pointed out. She still had his number on her phone. She could have called too, but she didn't say that.

Jake sighed. "I know. I was meaning to, but-"

Marley shook her head. "You don't have to explain it to me Jake, I get it."

He nodded but said nothing. The wind picked up and twisted Marley's ponytail. She thought about getting it cut, but she didn't have the heart to try and make an appointment.

"You still writing songs?" he asked.

She thought of the drawer full of sheet music she compiled over the years. The latest one was from yesterday, after her shift. A woman died. Marley still couldn't find the right words to describe it.

"Yeah, sometimes. Work makes it hard."

Jake nodded. "Yeah."

Marley smirked. "You're in a band though, that's different. Your work is music."

Jake didn't say anything for a minute. "I got accepted into Julliard."

The young paramedic stared at Jake for a moment. "Really? That's great!" She smiled. "I knew you could do it."

He nodded. "Yeah, well Puck was getting on my case about the band. Like, he's serious about making it big, but he knows he's gotta have some training to fall back on in case it all falls apart. My bro's gonna be a music producer," he chuckled.

Marley smiled. "Sounds perfect for him. So what are you training for?"

"Well, Sugar's been hounding me to take ballet, and I'm kinda tempted. I mean, I already have a lot of training. Being a dancer and singer makes me a double threat in the entertainment business."

"I'm happy for you Jake. You're doing what you always wanted."

Jake nodded. "Yeah. Are you?"

Marley stared at her sneakers. "I like what I do. Helping people makes me happy."

"Singing made you happy. I never saw you shine brighter than when you were up on a stage."

Marley chuckled. "Yeah, well, times change I guess."

"Do you still sing?"

She nodded. "Mr. Schue asked me to come back before Nationals to help train some of the girls. It was nice, but besides that, not really."

"You should come to New York. You could make it out there."

Marley raised an eyebrow. "New York?"

Jake nodded. "Yeah. A lot of people from glee club are there. It's like one big family. It's great. Mercedes could help you get in a studio. Her CDs are selling like hot cakes out there." He turned his body towards hers. "I know it's what you want Marley. We talked about it a lot while we dated."

Marley rolled her eyes. "That was a year ago Jake. You made it clear that when you wanted to go on tour with the boys that I either came, or we were done. Well, we were done." She tilted her head to stare across the lawn to her neighbor's house. "We still are."

"That's not the point Marley. I care about you. I know what you want. I always have."

Marley shook her head. "It is the point Jake. You can't tell me what to do. I'm not your girlfriend."

"No, you're that Baldwin guy's girlfriend." He saw her eyes widen. "Puck told me last time he visited. He said he saw you kissing someone in the EMS bus. He's your partner, right?"

Marley didn't meet his gaze. "Yeah, he is," she whispered. "He's my partner."

"And your boyfriend."

"Oh for God's sake Jake, just shut up! It's not like you haven't dated anyone since we broke up. Unique has told me all about the groupies from when you were on tour. I'm not an idiot!"

"Nothing happened with them! I swear!"

Marley barked a short laugh. "Yeah, like I've never heard that one before. You could at least try to be original with your excuses. Puck also told me that you are Sugar are sharing the same loft."

"Okay, that is uncalled for. Sugar and Artie got back together the same day she moved to New York. I would never do that to him."

They fell silent, Marley not knowing what to say anymore and Jake understanding that it was time to keep his mouth shut. Marley leaned back and stared up at the sky. "You know what the worst part is? High school really was the best years of my life, and they were because of you." She shut her eyes, shaking her head. "It's always been you."

Jake moved over closer to her and covered her hand with his. For a moment, it was like they were back in high school. They were in glee club, listening to Mr. Schue ramble on about a set list. They were at the "Lima Bean" sharing a hot cocoa as they talked about where they would drive to in his beat up truck that weekend. They were under the sheets, their hands intertwined as her pyjama top slipped upward a little and his voice was singing to her as she fell asleep in his bed. They were in love, and everything was perfect.

"It's always been you Marls, and that's not gonna change. Ever."

Marley nodded. "I know," she whispered. "What now though?"

Jake shifted on the roof and gave her hand a squeeze. "Now, we have one last night together before I'm gone for good. After tonight, I won't bother you anymore, I won't even get Puck to check up on you, I promise. If it's what you want. Is it?"

She thought about Baldwin and how upset he would be if he found out. She thought about Jake leaving in the morning, like he did after they graduated. She wasn't sure she could handle that again. Marley leaned closer as she nodded. "Just kiss me," she muttered. Jake cupped her cheek as he leaned in and kissed her.

For one night, she would turn back the clock. The wind blew around them and Jake pulled her closer. She gripped his leather jacket, twisting it in her hands.

Venus made its appearance in the night sky above them.