GDI, I don't even. This is bad XD;; I was rewatching LOST and kept getting distracted so some of this stuff may be repeated once or twice OTL|||

"Hey, this actually looks really good, Dave," Jade giggled as Dave set the food on the table. He'd been slaving the rest of the afternoon trying to create the best food he could manage for when Rose and his mom returned and if he had to say anything, it would be that he did a pretty good job.

He sat down when everything was set down. "I hope you guys like it. I worked pretty hard on it," he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. He never was a fantastic cook, but he put together what Rose and Jade had taught him using the recipes from the cookbook to make barbecued chicken, mashed potatoes and cooked asparagus.

It smelled good at least. He hoped the taste did it justice.

Everybody picked up their utensils and dug in. They made casual chat as they ate; it reminded him a lot of old times and really, it made him happy. He was happy.

He looked to the empty chair across him. Bro would have been sitting there had he still been alive. He would have been sitting there, enjoying the food and smiling. Smiling. Dave shook his head. He couldn't keep doing this to himself. He was a time bomb that was set to go off any moment he remembered something too painful about his brother. He didn't want to be that burden.

He took another bite of his chicken. It was good. He smiled in satisfaction, shaking his head again. His bro couldn't cook for shit. He would be proud.

That's it, Dave thought. He would be proud. Right now, Dave was living. He was living through his pain and suffering, but that was okay. He had thought it many times before and all those times he was right. His brother would be proud. He would ruffle his hair with Lil Cal strung over his shoulders and grin. He would say, "Good job, Dave."

"Dave, are you okay?"

Even though he had led a sick boy out into the snow without realizing what kind of toll it would take on him, he was alright. The doctors said he was going to be fine—until leukemia got him—but Dave hadn't killed him.

"Daaaaaaave?"

He wondered if not visiting John was the right thing to do. He wondered if that was okay. Did John miss him? Probably not. You wouldn't miss someone that almost killed you, would you?

"Dave!"

"What?" Dave jumped, shaking his head, "Sorry?"

Jade tilted her head to the side, "Are you okay? What were you thinking about?"

He shrugged, "Nothing really."

Rose and Jade exchanged glances. "Alright. Well, you've hardly touched your food. It's good, Dave, thanks for making it. You should finish eating too," Rose smiled.

"Right, yeah, sorry," Dave said, digging his fork into the asparagus. He was glad they were enjoying this food like they were.

A half hour later, everyone was finished eating. The occasional chit-chat with a home cooked meal made for a perfect evening in everyone's books. Including Dave.

"Maybe we should let you cook more often," Rose said, standing up to clear the table. Dave stood up quickly, motioning for her to stop.

"It's okay, I'll take care of the cleanup," he said. "You should get some sleep."

Rose looked at their mother. She nodded at her daughter, smiling and giving the okay. Rose brushed her skirt down and let out a sigh of relief. "Actually, that sounds rather nice, thank you."

Jade stood up and gave Rose a hug, "Take care."

"I will," she replied. She kissed her mom's cheek and gave Dave a little wave. "Thanks for everything you've done today. It means a lot," she said.

"Anytime," he replied. "Seriously though, until you're fully recovered, I'll take on your responsibilities."

"It's okay. It was just a little surgery," Rose said. "Don't worry too much about it."

"No, Rose, seriously, just let me help out. It's the least I can do after everything I've put you guys through," he said.

Rose let out a small laugh, "Well, alright, if you're going to be so persistent about it. Goodnight, everyone."

"Goodnight, Rose," the remaining three said in unison and Rose retreated to her bedroom upstairs.

"Well, I suppose I should be going too," Jade stood up. She grabbed her coat and slipped it on over her shirt. "Thank you for dinner."

"It was our pleasure. We love having you over," Ms. Lalonde said.

"Thank you," Jade giggled. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Dave kissed her cheek. She seemed surprised at the gesture, but smile anyway. She nodded and opened the door, shutting it behind her.

"Well, that's that. I'm going to head to sleep to," Ms. Lalonde said. She stood up and stretched her arms out. "Goodnight, Dave."

"'Night, mom."

She retreated to her bedroom, leaving Dave alone in the kitchen. By this time, the sun had set, leaving a dark blue sky. He could see stars from the window and it surprised him to think that he never stopped to look at their beauty.

He walked to the window and peered into his backyard. Clear field of grass and flowers from Rose's garden. It was beautiful. The stars were beautiful, the flowers were beautiful; life was beautiful.

He'd been having many feelings of loving the world lately that he didn't quite understand. Especially considering all the things that had happened. The world was giving him another chance though and that was what he needed.

All he had left to worry about was John. Dave honestly didn't know if he would ever muster up the courage to visit him again. He didn't know if he could.

But if there was one thing he did know it was that he desperately missed him.