Cause and Effect Ch. 6 (New Step) FINAL

Cause and Effect

(Nya's POV)


"Alright, we'll stay," I whisper and brush aside his sweaty chestnut bangs from his forehead.

He sighs in relief. "You're so sweet…kind…beautiful…graceful…just like a princess should be. It's too bad what happened at…Bellfountain Mall here…"

My face immediately ignites in embarrassment and I could hear my sisters groan their lament.

"Aww…don't worry Dream Shine…" Jay comforts sleepily, turning to face the blushing trio of kunoichi, "I'm sure everyone trips over nothing every once in awhile…though it's pretty uncommon for people to get thrown out and banned from a mall because they knock over a gigantic display…" Jay begins to chuckle and point and to my chagrin the other males weren't doing much to hide their amusement.

"How did you…how did you describe it, Dream PS…a domino effect, right…?" Jay hiccups in jollity. "Ayane tripped and grabbed onto you…you grabbed onto Nya…Nya grabbed onto Sasha and all of you…went plowing into a very elaborate marketing display…of Swan Soap…how ironic…"

"Thrown out and banned?!" Cole gasps, clutching his sides. "How exactly did it go down?" Kai asks tethering on borderline hysterics…the jerk…

"It was horrific," Ebony starts, her expression grim. "After we nosedived into the display we became completely drenched in different colored soaps. We watched spellbound as the mayhem began to unfold…it was indeed a domino effect. In rapid succession, boxes begin to topple in rows leading up the escalator and curving around the boardwalk. Streamers fell and wires snapped resulting in a large airplane model to kamikaze right through a department store window."

"That's when the fire started," Sasha inserts, taking over the telling of the dreadful occurrence. "Something must've sparked and ignited some clothes because fire shot out of that place. People were running and screaming then the sprinkler system came on, not just in the store with fire mind you, but everywhere."

"Wait, when did this happen?" Zane questions in glee and I answer him.

"A little over a month ago, it was when Sensei Wu took you guys to the Shrine of Natural Elemental Masters for that history lesson. It was nice having the Bounty to ourselves, but Ebony had never been to Ninjago City and Ayane wanted to learn more about city life, so we went to the biggest mall here to have some fun."

"Luckily, no one was hurt during the blunder and we offered to help clean up, but…the manager just yelled at us and told us to leave and never come back. I've never seen someone so red in the face before," Ayane releases a short aggravated breath. "I didn't care though since I didn't like the place anyway."

"Oh right because that's where the scary mannequins are," Sasha huffs and Ayane whirls on her.

"Sasha!"

"Oops," The tall Brazilian mutters with a cringe and Jay sloppily snaps his fingers.

"I was just about to say that…Hey Dream Zane, what's it called when someone has a fear of mannequins?"

"P-Pediophobia," he answers while keeping an astonished stare on his girlfriend's blushing face. "Ayane, mannequins are nothing more than plastic human representations used for displaying clothing. Nothing to be afraid of I assure you."

Ayane frowns deeply and anxious fear trembles her being as she wraps her arms around herself. "Yeah, faceless human representations that moves closer to you when you're not looking."

"Ugh, not this again…Ayane, for the last time those mannequins weren't moving towards you. You were simply looking at them from different angles," Ebony clarifies, crossing her arms under her chest.

"That's what they want you to think in order to lead you into a false sense of security," the healer rebuttals still clearly fear-stricken. "Inch by inch those things creep closer and closer until they're within striking distance—"

"Ayane, you're going to scare and give yourself nightmares again if you keep telling yourself that. I'm patient, but having you sneak into me and Nya's room in the middle of the night and climbing into bed with me for three nights in a row was really uncomfortable. I'm not used to sharing a bed," says Ebony and Ayane pokes her fingers together in discomfiture.

"I-I'm sorry Ebony, but I couldn't get into bed with Sasha—"

"Why not?" Sasha cuts in, "I would've let you. Sophia used to climb into my bed every time she had night terrors."

"Yeah, but you would've made fun of me."

"A little, but I would've been comfortable letting you sleep with me."

"Such unrivaled compassion…" I remark sarcastically and my leader shoots me a cheeky grin.

"Hey, at least I'm honest, right?"

"Sasha, I highly doubt you would've been comfortable having someone cling to you throughout the night and grab and tug at your hair every time they got especially scared," Ebony rebuttals. Her glare fixed on the now crimson-faced huntress. "She was practically glued to my side when there was plenty of room for us to have our own space. I thought for sure each morning I woke up we'd be Siamese twins."

Ayane is about to comment when Zane suddenly voices his thoughts. He had moved without my knowing and was at the blonde's side.

"Ayane, why didn't you come to me?" He asks gently. "You know I would've performed to the utmost of my ability to bring you comfort."

"Wha…? Zane, I couldn't come to you in the middle of the night to ask to sleep with you," she states shyly. "That…that would've been considered—"

"Welcomed…and a fantasy made into a reality…" he breathes in a whisper and strokes Ayane's blushing cheek fondly. At a loss, Ayane says nothing more and only blushes harder.

I always found it charming the way the Ninja of Ice expressed his love for Ayane. It's heartfelt and somewhat analytical though befitting given his calculative and structured mind. He's completely unabashed in his displays of affection and more times than not Ayane's bashful nature causes her to become overwhelmed by this. More time is needed before they can truly be in sync with each other, but I believe in my heart that they'll make it just fine.

Sasha smiles warmly at the couple before her gaze shifts to the tall muscled frame of Cole. His eyes were already trained on her and within I could see the longing. Something has been going on between the two leaders, a nonverbal communication of wariness and fear…though more from Sasha's end. They have been talking more frequently and judging from the incident at Sharon Drugs, forgiveness is on the horizon. Although, I'm taking the initiative and being more attentive to Sasha in an effort to gauge her moods and body language, something Ebony is teaching me. The sassy charismatic red-head had become more to me than just my older sister and leader, she is now my best friend and I know she realizes just how much her friendship means to me. But in spite of that knowledge, she hasn't been very open with me. From afar I've learned to see things…sometimes she spaces out and grips her little sister's pearl like it's her only lifeline. Other times drowsiness consumes her features as she sits alone at the island in the kitchen drinking the tea Sensei Wu had made for her to help her rest more easily. This leads me to our dearly departed sensei's portentous words…

"…she is not ill in body, although her spirit is deeply wounded…"

Sister, what exactly are you hiding…?

"Step by step…day by day…Sasha wears glasses in order to read her plays…" Jay sings giddily with closed eyes. Sasha clears her throat and on cue begins to fiddle with her pearl.

"I was kinda hoping he didn't find out anything about me," she admits, giving Jay a hopeless grin.

"Oh Sasha, that's not so bad," I say. "Who cares if your vision is not perfect, I bet you look charming with glasses." She smiles at me in gratitude.

"You kept that hidden well. I'm guessing that's why you let me order for the both of us at the restaurant we went to on the night of your birthday?" Cole questions.

"Yeah, they're really uncomfortable, so I only wear them when I need to. I'm far-sighted and have a slight astigmatism in my right eye…I can't help but feel self-conscious when I have them on. It's stupid, I know I sound shallow and I'm sorry."

Sasha bows her head in shame as Cole approaches her. "I would like for you to wear them for me. I want to see and know all sides of you, Sasha. Since you'll be hearing me sing the exchange is only fair, right?"

"I suppose…" she relents slowly and raises her head to meet his gaze. "However, listening to a recording is different from hearing someone sing upfront. I'll take what you can give me though and just maybe you'll sing for me one day…or maybe when can even sing together."

"Maybe…" Cole whispers and takes her hand. Sasha places her free one on his chest to stay his advances, but Cole smiles contently after catching the dust of rose on her cheeks.

"The food was good there, but I'll always love your cooking the best. You just wait, soon I'll be the better chef," Cole declares confidently which causes Kai to snort in derision.

"I don't know about that, bro. I still have nightmares of your duck chowder sticking to the roof of my mouth and gluing it shut," Kai jeers affably and Cole sends him a frown over his shoulder. Everyone else chuckles lightly at the scene.

A sudden soft squeeze to my hand beckons me to give my attention to Jay. He peers at me with loving sympathy and support.

"It won't happen, Dream Nya…I looked up your fear myself… Arachibutyrophobia…don't worry, sweetheart…if peanut butter were ever to get stuck to the roof of your mouth…I'd be there to douse it with some nice cool milk…"

"Oh…um…t-thanks, Jay," I say, feeling a blush of mortification and gratitude warm my cheeks.

"Wow, we're a really embarrassing bunch, aren't we?" Sasha voices and everyone murmurs their agreement.

"Have you always had your phobia, Nya?" Ayane asks and I nod.

"For as far back as I can remember. The earliest was when I was four, I was happily enjoying spoonful after spoonful of my favorite snack when I guess I put too much in my mouth without swallowing properly and all that peanut butter caked on the roof of it. Then like any normal kid I started to cry…Kai found me first…"

"Yep, cryin' and slobberin' all over the place," Kai states with a shake of his head. "I couldn't understand a word she was trying to say, so I just rushed to the kitchen, got a glass of milk and coaxed it into her mouth. Ugh…what a messy time that was—"

"Anyway, mom and dad came a few minutes later wearing the most anxious and bemused expressions. It took a while for me to calm down after the peanut butter was gone, but since then…I've always been wary of it. Can't really enjoy it anymore," I smile sadly and feel another squeeze to my hand.

"There's more to life than just enjoying peanut butter, my sweet," Jay says with a tender kiss to my knuckles. "That's why…there's something you should know…what all you girls should know about your men…about what happened on a certain evening…just a few short weeks after the battle with the female Serpentine…"

"Crap, those thirty minutes just flew by," Kai says frantically and starts to move for the door. "Get some rest Jay and we'll see you tomorrow when hopefully you're sober."

He attempts to walk past Ebony only for her to halt his advance with a well-placed hand to his chest.

"We'll leave when Camille comes back to retrieve us," she says flatly and turns her head to Jay, "Go ahead, Sensei Jay. You have the…imaginary floor."

"Wait Shirayukihime, you don't understand…" Kai says through gritted teeth, his expression especially fearful.

"Chillax, man…telling them will be much better than keeping it a secret. I know what I'm doing…" Jay reassures, but Kai just face-palms.

"Do you?" Cole questions dubiously. "Because we all agreed to never bring up that atrocious night ever again." He focuses quickly to Sasha standing before him. "I just don't want to take a step back with you, amore. Things have been going so well between us lately. I want you to trust me again."

Sasha frowns up at him and her eyes narrow to display a wrathful squall surging within the rainstorm. "Do you honestly believe I will react so poorly? Cole, I want the same thing you do," her tone softens considerably as well as her features. "Don't you think by telling me it will improve our relationship? Two wrongs don't make a right and I'm sorry, but…I don't want to dance an endless waltz of deception and clandestine anymore."

The torn expression on Cole's face worries me. "But, Sasha…"

"I'm inclined to agree with Jay," Zane suddenly says, keeping his gaze fixed on Ayane's. "The night may have been appalling, but nothing too harrowing occurred to warrant a promise to secrecy…I told you something once, my dear that I want our relationship to be one of trust and honesty. The unveiling of this secret will undoubtedly be a step in the right direction."

Ayane releases a shaky breath, but she gives him a smile. Her eyes reflect my own trepidation and she leans further into Zane's embrace, hooking her arms around his middle.

"So…what happened?" She inquires uneasily.

"Like Dream Zane said…nothing too bad…just mainly drugs and shady ladies…" Jay announces with a careless shrug.

"What?!" My sisters and I exclaim. I see Lloyd run his hand through his hair.

"Oh man, maybe someone sober should tell this story."

"Jay, please for the love of Atlas if you're going to tell the story then start from the very beginning," Cole advices and Jay nods.

"Got it…when a certain stimulant drug was patented in 1913—"

"Not that far back, Jay," Kai growls and rubs his temples. "Look, since the story involves us four we should all tell it together. Now start it off right, man."

"Well…when we came back from…the Temple of Time with Sensei Wu and Lloyd…we thought it was nice to get out and do something without you girls for a change. Only thing was we were learning about boring ancestral history and we wanted hang out together while doing something fun…thus came the idea to head to Ninjago City to chillax at a lounge…to be amongst the public eye for a while. So…one evening we planned to spend time at a place called Strange Wolf…Sensei Wu was meditating, Lloyd was playing video games, and you ladies were away…I believe that was around the time your missions without us started. Anyway…we left around early evening maybe around four or five and check it we were dressed to impress…" he looks over at me with a sly smirk, "Oh…you would've loved what I was wearing, sweetheart…I had on these nice relaxed fit navy blue jeans that really showed off the curves of my ass—"

"Okay, well while Jay is enjoying his narcissism, I'll take center stage for now," Kai interrupts with a roll of his eyes.

"You could bounce a quarter off of it—"

"When we got there, the place was pretty packed, but luckily we were able to snag a booth that was in a snug little corner by the bar—"

"Hold it, what do you mean "bar"? You guys are only nineteen," Ebony states inquisitively.

"Yeah, the place mainly hosted to the young adult populace so it was all non-alcoholic drinks and stuff," Kai explains. "It was a nice place with a cool vibe and we were really enjoying ourselves just talking and laughing when…four girls approached our table asking if they could sit with us. Granted, we weren't exactly for it, but seeing that the place was crowded and the booth was big enough for all of us…we let them join us."

Kai goes quiet and scratches the back of his head in a nervous way. My sisters don't move or say anything to this, so I decide to break the awkward silence.

"That…doesn't sound so bad. I think it's nice that you let those girls join you all. It shows you guys are civil and uh…gentlemanly, don't you think Sasha?"

"Oh yeah," she says brightly and picks a few pieces of lint off Cole's shirt. He noticeably swallows. "Very civil…four girls came up to your table and asked to sit down with you, all at the same time?" She questions pleasantly and Cole nods.

"Yeah."

"I see well, Cole let me enlighten you about something. You see, girls like that are called "scavengers" they group themselves in packs no bigger than four and prowl around on the lookout for delectable fresh meat with only one goal in mind…sex. How do I know? Because Jazz and I have seen them prey on innocent unsuspecting guys! It's also how I lost my first boyfriend! I hate girls like that! They give the rest of us bad names with their—"

Before Sasha could continue with her angry rant, Cole grasps her shoulders to calm her.

"Calm down, Sasha. In my own defense, I'm not naïve and at the time those girls looked genuinely harmless. I don't think either of us can recall what their names were or even what they looked like because of…well…let me continue the story. After introductions were made they asked the typical questions: "Are you from around here?" "Where did you graduate from?" "Are you single?" and we answered truthfully. They were a little upset that we weren't available, but they were good sports about it and congratulated us and even wished Jay luck when he showed them his engagement ring. We were still having a pretty good time despite them infringing on us, but when a table became vacant they rose to leave. It was then that…they asked if they could buy us some drinks to thank us for letting them sit with us and…we shrugged and agreed. I admit…I should've been more alert, but I think we were just happy to see them go and get free drinks out of it," he shakes his head. "When they got back with the drinks and placed them down in front of us, they said it was the house special, something called jamba juice and it looked and smelled okay so…we drunk it. It went down great like a mixture of pineapples and strawberries, but that's when I noticed…the horrible aftertaste. I realized then they had spiked it and the effects were instantaneous. I felt nauseous and discombobulated, my vision was blurred and I could hear my heart beat thunderously against my rib cage…Zane, I think you should finish since you were the only one who was coherent and the one who saved us," Cole concludes and Zane strokes Ayane's hair absently as he begins to speak.

"Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine, abbreviated as MDMA and commonly known as Ecstasy, I noticed the subtle taste the moment it hit my tongue. Before I could warn the others, they had already consumed their drinks and the females were swift to move. The dosages must've have been extremely potent for the effects to manifest so quickly without the use of intravenous injections. You all may have no recollection of the characteristics and names of our assailants, but I do. A very slim and short-haired blonde with blue eyes named Mackenzie pulled Kai up and led him out onto the dance floor. He stumbled after her and I lost sight of him amongst the crowd…Reagan, a tall brunette with hazel green eyes snuggled up with Jay and proceeded to kiss his neck…"

I close my eyes with vehement disdain as rage pools from within me.

That bitch! No, all of them are bitches! How dare they drug them! How desperate and pathetic could someone possibly be?! If I ever see this damn Reagan I'm gonna—

My vengeful thoughts are interrupted by the soft squeeze to my hand and I peer at Jay.

"I wasn't aware…please believe me. I didn't know what was going on…I promise," he says quietly. His face is so stricken and I know he feels terrible, but I'm not upset with him at all.

"I believe you, Jay" I whisper and reciprocate his squeeze. He smiles.

"Another brunette with brown eyes who went by Savannah had begun to unbuckle Cole's pants and I remember the look of exhilaration on her face as she said, "Oh, feels big…I'm gonna enjoy this." I can only guess what she intended to do…and finally the one who attempted to sit on my lap, Victoria, a black-haired girl with violet streaks running through it and devilishly wicked yellow eyes which I assumed to be contacts. I reacted quickly and gripped her arm before she could have her way. I demanded she call off her flunkies or I would report them to the authorities and I could tell she was shocked to see me not intoxicated like the others. Thankfully, they retreated without conflict and I was left to tend to Cole and Jay. I fixed Cole's pants and tried to rouse him to some sort of awareness, but he just looked at me strangely and said, "Am I Catholic or Protestant, Sasha would know." It was amusing even given our current dilemma. I then repositioned Jay next to Cole, but I had trouble pulling away since he insisted on hanging onto my arm and muttering, "Big Brother Zane, don't let me leave outta here with no chicken-head. I love Nya." Took quite a few minutes actually to reassure and pry him off so I could go look for Kai. Surprisingly, I didn't find him on the dance floor nor did I see Mackenzie…no, I found Kai near the entrance slow-dancing with the wall. What a bizarre spectacle that was. He was singing painfully off-key and in between verses he said, "From now on, this is our song, Ebony. Oh, loosen up you're so stiff." There was somewhat of a crowd gathering to watch thus I made my way to him and ushered him back to our table with a little persuading of course to separate from his "dance partner". It took some time and effort, but somehow I managed to herd them all out of Strange Wolf and onto my Ice Speeder. I knew I couldn't take them back to the Bounty in the state they were in so, after I picked up three gallons of water I took them to Lake Lilycrest, a sparkling body of water known for its beautiful water lilies off the borders of Ninjago City and near the Destiny's Bounty. Dehydration and exhaustion were sure to set in after their euphoria wore off and it took two hours for them to reach that stage. But, during those hours I was put through hell looking after them…Cole was content picking at the grass mumbling, "She loves me…she loves me not…" in droned repetition while Kai kept wanting to take off his clothes complaining how he was too hot and sexy to keep them on. Every time I turned my back to check on Jay or Cole, he'd managed to strip himself of an article and I would have to redress him. Though neither of them was as difficult as Jay, while I was helping Kai with his clothes I heard splashing and when I turned to the source there was Jay waddling in the water toward a flock of geese. What was his goal? He was trying to ride them and unfortunately the geese would have none of it. After I pried Jay's fingers away from the neck of a particularly ill-tempered male and guided him back to the bank with the others, dehydration was finally beginning to set in. I gave each of them a jug of water and sat with them while they satiated their thirst."

"Oh Zane," Ayane looks up at him with adoration, "you did all that for them?"

"Yes, they're my brothers after all, but…it was the oddest feeling. I wondered…if this was what parenting felt like. The constant monitoring and tending to accident prone beings who didn't know any better and the feeling of anxiety when something went wrong or exasperation when they strayed too far or didn't listen to you. Those three were the world's most mentally-deranged and biggest toddlers that night and when they finally tuckered out and grew drowsy I knew it was time to head home."

"You saved them from what would've been a catastrophe," says Ayane as she hugs him tighter, burying her face in his chest with a blissful sigh. "Praise Amaterasu you were there."

"I don't know how to dance," Ebony states tonelessly while looking at Kai's apprehensive face. "So, I guess I would be stiff…very stiff like a board…or a wall in your case," she ends with a subtle curve of her lips.

Kai's chest deflates in relief. "Then, you're not mad?"

"How could I be? I'm just glad you're okay. Ecstasy is very dangerous and even the slightest overdose could stop your heart and kill you," she closes her eyes. "I don't ever want to think about my life without you, Kai."

He watches her intently and his mouth shifts into a smirk. "Ebony, you should know by now that I'm stronger than that and I don't plan on leaving you alone anytime soon." His arms bring her closer and they embrace.

"I could've lost you."

I focus on Sasha, her eyes wide and wet with tears.

"I could've lost you to something so stupid and trifling." She wraps her arms around Cole's neck with a small whimper. "Oh Cole, sure I would've been angry at first, but my relief would've conquered over it…like it does now."

"I'm sorry, Sasha. I should've told you," he replies heavily and wraps his arms around her waist. I hear Lloyd mumble.

"Geez, being in a relationship seems too much of a bother not to mention sappy."

I chuckle and glimpse at him. "You say that now, but one day you'll meet someone that will stir your emotions into a wild frenzy and you'll be unable to stop it. You can't control who you fall in love with, Lloyd. Your heart will automatically reach out to that person."

The young blond frowns skeptically. "Yeah, sure. I have more important things to worry about and accomplish, so I won't have time to deal with any giggly girls," he scoffs.

I shake my head at his response.

One day, Lloyd…you'll see…

"There's only…one thing I have left to confess…"

Jay squeezes my hand and my eyes are pulled away from Lloyd to the man I'm sitting beside. He's staring straight ahead at a single person and I follow his gaze which lands on Ebony. She and Kai release each other and Ebony's sharp eye looks intently at her main sparring partner.

"Is it also a reminder…?" He asks. "A reminder…to never do anything so foolish again? Your amulet…?"

We are all confused by this and it shows on everyone's faces…all except Ebony's. Her expression is stoic, cold, and unyielding. She doesn't say anything to clarify or deny Jay's words.

She is silent as if waiting for him to continue…and he does.

"You were saved…by your mother's amulet when…you tried to take your own life…at the orphanage."

Gasps and exclamations of bewilderment bombard the small hospital room all directed at the Kunoichi of Darkness. Kai grips her arm and turns her to face him.

"Is this true?" He questions in a harsh tone, but not one word is forthcoming from Ebony's mouth.

"Lil' sis…do you want…me to tell them…?" Jay inquires gently, but Kai is the one who answers.

"No Jay, she's going to tell us," he says with narrowed eyes. "Not another secret of yours is being spilt by another person. It's going to come from your lips…Raven."

The room goes deathly silent and after a time Ebony slowly, solemnly shakes her head.

"Yes," her voice is clear and strong, "I tried to take my life when I was eight years old. I was tired of the ridicule…tired of the oppression…tired of living a sad existence. It was after that time in the playground…with the boy who called me all those spiteful names and I had broken his nose in retaliation. I was pulled off of him and carried inside. Sister Ophelia was away so one of the nuns beat me…I can't remember which one or how long it lasted. All I remember is the pain. Afterwards, I think I was dragged into the bathroom and told to wash up. I sat alone on tiled floor…battered and bruised…staring at the white porcelain tub in front of me. Somehow I managed to turn the tab and when the water was high enough I got in…I didn't even bother to undress…I just wanted the pain to go away. And when I submerged myself…little by little the pain ebbed…the cold water felt amazing against my bruised skin. I didn't want to surface. I didn't want the pain to come back and I didn't want to return to a world of suffering and agony. So, I waited…and closed my eyes…until I could hear nothing. I wasn't given that freedom though…I wasn't given that…coward's way out. Suddenly, the tub cracked and shattered into chunks and the water spilled throughout the bathroom. I was scared as I heaved in gulps of breath and my eyes were drawn to the crimson glow of my amulet. It pulsated rapidly as if in reprimand. Yes, I remember feeling like I was being chastised and I fainted…right there on the damp floor amongst the thick shards of porcelain. When I came to…I was back in my room…lying on my bed…in dry clothes…and Sister Ophelia was above me…putting ointment on my legs and arms. Her lips were moving, but I couldn't hear anything nor did I really care. The only thing I cared about at that moment was the amulet sitting on my chest and that whoever the person was who gave it to me…loved me enough to save my life."

Ebony ends her dialogue with a heavy sigh and looks up at my brother who expression is unreadable.

"I had planned on telling you about Brittany, Kai, but not this. It was a memory I just wanted to keep to myself and not share with anyone. I was given a little hope and resolve after my failed attempt. That maybe if I persevered through the hardships in front of me for a little longer I could meet the person who gave me this amulet or…at least search for them. This particular raven's secrets are…going to be difficult to come by, but I'm sure I'll be able to tell you all of them one day. If you'll still want me with you that is," she finishes in a soft whisper.

I can't stop the tears that flow from my eyes and I know I'm not the only one. Sasha and Ayane were also crying for our sister and Cole and Zane were doing their best to console them. I cover my mouth with my hand to stifle the small hiccups that escape.

Oh Ebony…my god…

Three solid knocks at the door causes me to look in that direction and Camille enters the room.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's time for everyone to take their leave. I had hoped to give you more time, but the extra ten minutes was the best I could do," she says quietly and walks over to Jay's opposite side where Lloyd is.

"Hmm, still asleep I see," she muses and I turn to see Jay's sleeping face, his strength finally depleted as he slumbers serenely. His hand still firmly grasped into mine. I give it a squeeze, but this time he isn't roused. He does however softly squeeze back.

"Thanks for the extra time, Camille," Cole says, giving her a grateful smile. "We'll be back tomorrow. Come on guys, let's go."

Kai has yet to say anything. All he does is take Ebony's hand and lead her out of the room. The others file after them silently until I'm left alone with Jay and Camille.

Camille's lime eyes linger on trail of their retreat. "Your friends seemed most melancholy, honey. Certain words must've been said to warrant such strong emotions."

I sniff and wipe my face. "Yeah…uh…Camille? I need to ask a favor."

She turns to me with kind anticipation.

"Could I stay here tonight?" I look back to my fiancé's peaceful features and our intertwined fingers. "I don't want him to wake up alone. I need to be by his side…please?"

"…Sure," I focus on her in surprise, not believing my own ears as she calmly scoots Jay over enough for me to slip into the bed with him and I do. She walks away to the far side of the room and returns with an extra pillow and blanket. She places the pillow comfortably behind my head and spreads the blue blanket over me. She presses a button and the incline of Jay's bed recedes leaving it flat, then turns and heads for the door.

"Wait, Camille—"

"No more thanks are needed…Good night, Nya. I'll let your friends know," she whispers and I hear the soft click signaling her exit.

I smile tiredly and snuggle closer to Jay, our left hands rest peacefully on his chest in my line of sight. I hear both the serene acoustic of raindrops against the window and Jay's strong rhythmic heartbeat. My emotional exhaustion due from today's events and revelations makes my mind heavy and finally I let the combined melodies of nature and machine lull me to sleep.

Jay…I'm here…and I'll always be here…with you…

I'm awakened by a tender squeeze to my hand and I open my eyes, looking up sleepily to see Jay's clear deep blue sapphires. His face is slightly shadowed by the dim lighting the lampshade provides, but I see the gorgeous smile.

"Jay…" I whisper in elation and lean up more to hug him properly from our lateral position and his arms encircle me tightly. His body is still feverish and I know he's still unwell yet…he's going to get better. There's no doubt in my mind.

"Nya…"

We loosen our hold on each other and he stares at me in bliss.

"I knew you guys would put me in a hospital. Knew it the exact moment when I started to black out in the Ninja Training Hall," he glances around. "Everyone was here earlier, right?"

"Yeah," I nod.

"Thought so, it's foggy and I can't remember much while they were here…Did I say anything…weird?" He asks nervously and I nod again.

"Yeah Jay, you told everyone about your "Ventilation System Expedition", all the secrets you found out and the night you and the Ninja had at Strange Wolf."

He grimaces. "Ouch…you think they'll ever speak to me again?"

I settle myself back on his chest. "I think so…as long as you never do something like that again and apologize when they come back."

"Never again, I promise and I'll apologize to everyone. I'll find other ways to entertain myself when I get bored."

I laugh lightly; happy to hear him sound more like his usual self. "That's good."

The small clock on the wall reads 2:17 A.M. The night is still young and the rain was still falling.

I hope everyone at home is okay…especially Ebony.

"…Nya…?"

"Hmm?" Jay beckons me with his arms to move up towards him and I comply. "What is it?" I question once I'm in position to look at his profile. His eyes were worried and he lifts our joined left hands for us to see. Our engagement rings sparkle beautifully regardless of the dull light.

"…You don't have to stay with me just because you feel guilty. You had every right to be angry and I just…I just cracked under all the stress and anxiety I've been feeling lately. Thinking that any moment you could approach me and tell me you…didn't want to be with me anymore. I couldn't face that reality, but now I might have to."

"No Jay, I—"

"Wait, wait," he turns so our faces are mere inches apart and all I can see are those deep blue gems I adore. "…I got one last secret. It's one of the reasons I asked you to marry me."

I say nothing and wait. He closes his eyes for a moment and his brow furrows. When opens them again I'm shocked to see the beginnings of tears. The blue orbs shimmer and when he blinks his long lashes causes the drops to fall.

"I thought if I could convince you to be my wife…If I could make you happy enough you wouldn't ever stop and realize that you could do better. It's petty and shameful, but dammit I love you. You're just my type and I—"

I silence him by pressing my lips to his. I could feel my own tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I do all I can to keep them at bay. I don't give him a chance to reciprocate before I pull back to look him in the eyes.

"Jay, did it ever occur to you that I may feel the same way? Why would a great guy like you settle for a country girl like me? I love you too and don't think that this will be the last time you and I bump heads because there will be more conflicts in the future whether we like it or not. But, as long as our love stays strong we'll be able to get through anything…you and me…together…forever. You're the only one for me, Jay so don't you dare ever think otherwise."

His warm breath hits my face as he exhales and he places his brow against mine. His eyes are still wet, but the tears that glisten are happy and bursting with life.

"Nya…I can't wait to be your wife…"

"Hehehe…and I can't wait to be your husband…"

He closes the miniscule gap between our lips and the kiss we share is so sweet, so simple, so perfect, and full of mocha.

FIN