WARNING!
This chapter contains discussions of women's health like menstruation and pregnancy. There will be discussions of abortion and those who protest that. I am pro-choice and while I respect those who have a different view, I do not hold back my criticism for those who attempt to police the bodies of others.
I understand these topics can be upsetting. If they are triggering to you, turn back now! I also want to make it clear that all comments WILL BE KEPT CIVIL! I'm not afraid to wack any of you with the ban hammer!
Zane
Zane was well aware he was not Lysandra's favorite brother. That, without question, was Kai. The two had shared a powerful bond since he'd rescued Lissy from that volcano; an event that unlocked Kai's own true potential and bring to life the truth about Lissy's destiny as the Green Ninja. When it came to their younger sister, Kai was endlessly protective and doting. Not that the rest of them weren't, mind you, but it was always more obvious with him.
After Kai, Cole was probably second in the running due to the combination of his calm strength and relaxed, friendly nature. Sometimes, Zane wondered if there'd be tension when the time came for Cole to hand over the leadership of the team to Lissy. For now, there were no signs of such things, but only time would tell for certain. Finally, there was Jai. Of all of them, Jay was probably more of a friend to Lissy than an authority figure; he enjoyed pranks and goofing around far too much to be good at dealing with such a role. Not that Jay didn't like caring for or protecting Lissy, it was more that their time together involved more video games and mischief than mentorship. Which was fine, Lysandra deserved to have that kind of relationship, especially since she'd never had the regular peer relationship that children her age needed to develop properly. But it also left the rest of them, specifically Zane, to do the harder parts of child-rearing.
Maybe it was his father's programming or perhaps -as he liked to think- it was Zane's own, independently developed natural that left him predisposed to the caretaker role. He liked cooking, he liked cleaning, and he liked tending to his family when they were sick or injured. It made him feel special. Useful. However, this also meant he was stuck being a spoil-sport. More so than even Master Wu, who at least had the excuse of being an adult and Lissy's uncle. Zane, however, was their brother and equal meaning that he should be on their side when it came to fun vs responsibility.
But Zane was the one who had to turn off the TV when it came time for bed. Zane was the one who had to say no more sweets for the day. Zane was the one who had to insist on homework or returned Lissy's attention to her studies or training. Zane had to be the first to remind her that she couldn't be too distracted by cartoons or comic books or other young people.
In short, he couldn't be the Fun Brother.
And Zane was okay with that. He bore that burden with grace and a kind heart, even when it met taking on unpleasant, difficult tasks.
"Where are we going?" Lissy asked for the third time.
This time, Zane finally answered. They were near enough that she couldn't flee. "To the doctor's office."
"Doctor's office? Why? You're my doctor! And, besides, I'm not sick."
Zane bit his bottom lip, wishing once again that Nya could have accompanied them. "It is not because you were sick. It is because of your menstrual cycle."
Predictably, Lissy's face turned bright red and she reeled back. "I'm out of here!"
She turned to leave but, thankfully, didn't struggle too much when Zane caught her wrist, pulling her back. They're never tested their strength against one another and now was not the time for such an experiment!
"I know it is unpleasant, but it is important to visit the doctor. We need to make sure that you are... healthy."
Still red with embarrassment, Lissy ducked her head and looked away. In a baggy part of green sweatpants and a hoodie she'd stolen from Cole, the girl seemed smaller and frail. "I don't want to talk about it, too embarrassing."
Zane gave Lissy's hand a reassuring squeeze and tried to smile. "It's perfectly natural, but I understand your discomfort and confusion. Nya feels the same way despite being older and more used to such things. However, your safety and health is paramount to us all, which means I must insist on this doctor's visit."
The girl frowned but, after a moment, nodded. "...Fine."
Needless to say, Lissy's situation was unusual. Being doused in Tomorrow's Tea had catapulted the girl headfirst into a body that was well into its development as a physically mature being. They'd all been so busy dealing with the emotional fallout Lissy was going through as well as the logistical problems of getting their little sister all the things she now needed, on top of dealing with the usual threats from their enemies, that other potential problems had slipped their minds. None of them, not even Nya, had thought to prepare for the morning Lissy awoke to find blood staining her pajama bottoms and sheets.
The scream she let out had bed truly horrifying. Honestly, Zane was surprised Lord Garmadon hadn't somehow heard it and kicked down the Bounty's door to save his daughter. It had certainly been enough to bring himself, Nya, Master Wu, and his brothers running. When they burst into the room to see a hysterical Lissy staring at the blood around her, it had been a group moment of silent confusion. A silence that was promptly followed by a red-faced Kai yanking Zane and Jay out of the bedroom with Sensei and Cole following close behind, leaving Nya behind to calm and comfort their little sister.
Yet there was only so much help Nya could give. She was female, yes, but that did not make her an expert on the subject and there was only so much internet printouts could do. Nya could help Lissy clean up, explain the basics, and get her the proper products. She could not, however, understand the medical changes affecting Lissy's body and brain, let alone ensuring everything was going properly. For that, they needed a doctor. A doctor who would not question the details of Lissy's life too deeply.
"We're here," he said, as they approach a small, discreet building tucked in the far end of a strip mall.
The establishment lacked any signage or orientation that marked it as a free woman's health clinic. Despite this, the small crowd of people gathered outside told Zane they were at the right place.
"SAY NO TO EVIL, SAY YES TO LIFE! SAY NO TO EVIL, SAY YES TO LIFE! SAY NO TO EVIL, SAY YES TO LIFE!"
"What are they talking about?" Lissy asked. "Isn't this place a doctor's office?"
"Don't worry about it," Zane replied, reading the signs. "Just stay close to me and ignore them."
"But-"
"Keep going."
He gently pushed Lissy towards the front door. Hopefully, they could get inside before-
"Hey, you!"
'Fiddlestick!'
Against Zane's better judgment -and still pushing his younger sister through the door- he turned to face an older, harsh-looking woman with white hair pulled in a thick bun, a floral-pattern dress, and a pearl necklace. She looked at him with cold blue eyes and pursed lips, and pointed a pink-painted fingernail to them.
Clutching the pole to a sign reading 'REPENT OR PERISH!' in her other hand, she hissed, "I know what you two are doing here!"
Zane blinked at the woman. "I sincerely doubt that."
"You're here to avoid taking responsibility for your actions!"
"Quite the opposite exactly."
His flat, matter-of-fact response only served to infuriate the old woman. Her face going red, she tried again. "If you're little girlfriend got pregnant then she needs to accept that is how things are meant to be! It is destiny!"
The White Ninja fought the urge to short at the mention of 'destiny.' 'Oh, if only you knew...'
"She is my little sister, and the current state of her uterus is none of your business," he said. "Goodbye."
Ignoring the sputtered insults and demands to 'respect his elders' by turning around to be screamed at some more. Having no desire to put up with any more of this nonsense, Zane walked away, slamming the establishment's door behind him with more force than strictly necessary. Zane was, in general, a very polite boy; a feature his father had built into him and Master Wu always praised. In this care, however, he felt that both men would forgive a momentary bout of rudeness.
"Why did that lady want to talk to you?" Lissy asked, having waited for him just beyond the tinted door.
Zane shook his head, "Nothing worth repeating. Come on."
Out of all his brothers, Zane was the slowest to anger. Even more so that solid, sturdy Cole, Zane could keep a cool head in the most emotional, high-tension situations and see things objectively. This trait made him good at his role as the Master of Ice and as the Green Ninja's protector. It also was the only reason he could keep the anger rising within him in check and off of his face. There was no reason to let some unimportant busybody's inappropriate questions further upset Lissy.
The actual lobby of the building was further into the winding hallways than was usual. Zane could only assume this was to protect the establishment's clients and visitors from any who would harass them. The waiting room itself was extremely pleasant -light green walls, comfy armchairs, pleasing artwork on the walls, a play area for children, a rack for magazines and books, vending machines, and soft classic music filling the air. Several other visitors milled around, some looking up when he and Lissy entered but no one said anything. Even the receptionist was busy typing away at her computer terminal.
"Go sit down," Zane whispered to Lissy, not wanting to disrupt the quiet atmosphere, and nodded toward an empty pair of chairs.
Despite giving him a wary look, she obeyed. Lissy was a sweet girl.
"Excuse me? I read online that you accept walk-ins," he asked, walking up to the reception desk.
The young brunette woman behind the counter jumped slightly at his voice, blinking at him in surprise. "Oh, I didn't hear you come in. What can I help you with?"
"My younger sister has experienced her first menstrual cycle. I was hoping a doctor to give her a proper health check-up and explain things to her," he said, trying to be as calm and professional as possible.
Zane was well-aware this was considered an awkward, uncomfortable topic. Surely keeping the language as sterile and medically correct as possible would help to lessen that?
Judging by the way the woman blushed ever so slight, he was wrong there.
"Well, honey, are your parents here?" she asked.
"No," he shook his head. "It is just my sister and I."
When Zane nodded his head towards where Lissy was sitting curled up in a chair, the woman cocked a confused eyebrow at him. "That is your sister?"
'Oh, right.'
While Zane, Lissy, and the others referred to and saw one another as siblings, it would be hard to explain their unique situation to anyone outside their family. Adding to that, Lissy's blonde hair and red eyes were miles away in appearance from the blue-eyed, white-haired, and dark-skinned appearance that Dr. Julian had given Zane. They also didn't have any identification -forged or otherwise- that could be used to further his claim of siblinghood.
What to say...
What to say...
What to say...
"...Yes, we have different fathers," he said slowly.
Father and Sensei always said that lying was wrong and should be avoided. But they also said that sometimes, when you needed to protect others or otherwise serve the great good, lying could be okay.
And, besides, what he said wasn't technically a lie. He and Lissy did have different fathers. They just also happened to have any shared parent.
"Oh... okay," the receptionist said with a quick, embarrassed nod. She stiffed uncomfortably in her chair and continued. "I hate to ask this but... Your mother?"
"Uninvolved in our lives. Which is why I was hoping for a female doctor to assist her."
Also not a lie. Zane, as a nindriod, had no mother, and Lissy, for all he knew, may have been hatched from an egg.
"Oh, alright. I get that. We can definitely help you," The receptionist passed him a clipboard, "Here, fill this out and we'll get your sister looked after."
"Thank you."
Scanning the page in front of him, Zane half-collapsed on the chair next to Lissy. "When's your birthday?"
"September 22nd. That is what's was on file Darkley's, at least."
Zane frowned but decided not to comment on that statement. He made a note to double-check with Master Wu, he'd likely know. If the date was right, he'd pass that info onto Kai. "What year?"
"Does it matter?"
"...No," he admitted and wrote down a year that would make sense. "We should really get you some form of identification."
Lissy chuckled, "A fake ID? That isn't exactly on the up 'n' up here, Zane."
"Than it's a good thing your criminal father's presumably criminally gained funds will be paying for it," he said with a sneaky grin that Lissy matched. "Now, what is your middle name?"
"Meredith. Lysandra Meredith Montgomery-Gara... Actually, just use Montgomery. It's safer that way."
'Safer, not easier,' Zane thought. Despite everything, Lissy loved her father and, despite everything, she loved being her father's daughter. "Montgomery?"
Lissy paused, looking into some far-off corner of the room. "...My mother's surname."
Zane blinked in surprise "You've got a mother? I-"
"Don't want to talk about it," the girl said. She shifted, agitation growing with each movement, "So, please, drop it. What else do you need for the form?"
.
.
.
"Alright," he nodded. "Have you had all your vaccinations?"
Over the next fifteen minutes, Zane and Lissy worked their way through the form, answering what they could and guessing -or outright faking- what they couldn't. Heck, the address of the building that the Bounty was currently tethered to the roof of was as good of an address as any. It was distressing how little Lissy knew about herself and her own medical frequency. The girl had no idea if she had any allergies to specific medications, nor if she'd had any childhood surgeries and hospitalizations.
They'd deal with that another day though.
"Here you are," Zane said, sliding the clipboard back over to the receptionist.
Glancing over the form, the receptionist glanced at Lissy where she was still curled up in her chair. "You know, your sister looks a little old to be having her first period."
Zane bit his lip, "Yes, well... Our lives, particularly hers, have been... chaotic until recently. Highly stressful, a lot of physical activity, and poor nutrition. From my own research, such things can interfere with a woman's cycle. Correct?"
"...Yes. Why don't you go sit down? Someone will be out to help your sister in a minute."
"Thank you."
Back beside Lissy, the two sat in silence for a good long while. Five minutes had passed before she spoke up.
"Hey, thanks for bringing me here," she said. "I can't imagine this is exactly comfortable for you."
"It's not," Zane agreed. "But you needed it, so I'm happy to be here."
Lissy gave him one of those small, sweet smiles usually only reserved for Kai and her uncle. She dropped her forehead to his shoulder, nuzzling against him.
The action was surprising. "You always saying I feel cold."
"You do," she hummed. "Hard too. It's a side effect of being a nindroid, I guess. Not much good for snuggling with but it can feel nice sometimes."
Zane pressed the back of his hand against Lissy's forehead. "You're a little warm. Do you feel ill?"
"A little nauseous, but I think that all comes with the territory."
"Sounds unpleasant."
Another chuckle. "You got that right! I'm hoping they give me something to make it less of a hassle. I do not want to be worried about bleeding through my gi while fighting the forces of evil!"
"Blood is hard to get out of clothes," Zane agreed, wrinkling his nose.
"I just wish-"
Lissy's voice faded off when a smiling dark-haired young woman in scrubs walked up to them. "Miss Montgomery?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"We're ready for you now," the nurse said. "Please follow me."
At the woman's words, Lissy looked at Zane for confirmation. When he nodded and gave a comforting grin, patting her on the back, she finally stood and let the nurse lead her through a swinging door.
But once she was gone, Zane's anxiety returned. Bouncing his leg, he tried to reassure him. 'She'll be okay. This is a good place, they'll take care of her.'
After reading the seventh straight magazine about childcare, types of birth control, and how to properly perform an at-home breast examination, Zane's ears perked up when the door to the medical rooms swung back open. He grinned when Lissy re-emerged, a white plastic bag in one hand and a stack of papers and pamphlets tucked to her chest with the other. The dark-haired nurse trailed behind her, a clipboard in hand.
"How did it go?" he asked.
Lissy's cheeks were back to burning bright red and she ducked her head, refusing to answer. "I'm going to go use the bathroom."
When she scurried off, Zane looked at the nurse who was, thankfully, happy to answer. "Everything went fine but... Would you mind stepping into another room with me for a moment?"
Zane felt his anxiety spike. For a moment, he wondered if he should just refuse and bolt for the door. Tempting as that idea was though, it was likely to cause more problems then it would prevent.
He forced himself to nod. "Of course."
The nurse led into a small side room, closing the door to give them some privacy.
"First, I want you to know that your sister is quite healthy, all things considered," she said. "She is a little underweight but has a good amount of muscle. We ran some quick tests that showed she is deficient in a few different vitamins and minerals, so we prescribed her a standard multivitamin and a calcium supplement. She just has to take them as instructed until the bottles are empty. Now, I have to ask, how are the two of you eating?"
"Much better now," he reassured. FSM, this better not backfire and end up with social services involved. That would be a disaster for everyone. "I see that Lissy gets balanced meals and plenty of healthy snacks. Against her own wishes sometimes. If she had her way, I think Lissy would still live off of beef jerky sticks, potato chips, candy, and Dr. Pepper. But, after so long of eating poorly..."
"Recovery can take a while, I understand," the nurse nodded. "Look kid, you obviously love your sister very much and, judging by the way she was gushing about you, you do a good job taking care of her."
'She gushes about me? That is new information.'
It wasn't that Lissy had ever been an ungrateful child. Suspicious and possessing poor manners, yes. Yet, even though she was often unsure how to express her thanks, Zane had seen the way her eyes would light up when they did something for her while expecting nothing in return. But even after the girl had learned to mind her Ps and Qs, Lissy tended to treat Zane's fussing as an annoyance. Though she'd thank him for bringing her dinner or patching her up after a fight, it was clear Lissy didn't like his tendency to hover.
'I always assumed Lissy would rather I keep my distance.'
The nurse continued, knocking Zane out of his thoughts.
"Usually, we're required to call social services if we suspect a minor is in a neglectful situation, but you clearly are taking good care of her. And Lysandra promised me you both are in a better situation now, so I'll make you a deal. As long as you promise to bring her in for check up once every three months, I'll promise not to call. Deal?"
"Deal. I swear to bring her in for more medical care," Zane agreed, smiling gratefully. It looks like he wouldn't need to explain to Master Wu why CPS was knocking on the Bounty's door after all. "Lissy's needs will never be neglected so long as I am charged with her care."
The nurse gave him an odd look. "That's great, kid, but don't forget to take care of yourself. Your health is just as important as your sisters."
'Oh, if only you knew how wrong you were,' Zane thought wryly. "Thank you for saying so. Rest assured, I keep myself in good condition as well. Lissy just has very different needs than I do. Is that all we have to discuss?"
"I... guess so," the nurse nodded reluctantly, opening the door to lead him out. "I have some stuff for you to sign but then you both can be on your way."
Out of the corner of his eye, Zane saw Lissy standing awkwardly by the bathroom door, her little white paper bag of medicine hugged against her chest and clearly wanting to leave. "Of course, thank you for all your assistance."
"It's what we do."
A couple of quick signatures later and Zane was joining his sister. "Ready to go home?"
Cheeks still stained red, Lissy nodded. "Yeah, I get why you brought me in for a check up and all. I'd just really rather be anywhere but here."
"Understandable," he said, though it really wasn't to him. Dr. Julian had never programmed any sort of shame or embarrassment over matters of health and bodily functions into Zane. "How about we go get lunch? My treat."
"You don't have any money to take me out for lunch, that's why we had to go to a free clinic," Lissy pointed out. Then she flinched when she saw the face Zane made. "Sorry, that sounded bitchy. What I meant to say was that I should treat you to lunch. Where do you want to go? I've got all this money but basically nothing to spend it on since you guys and Uncle wouldn't let me spend it on comic books or candy."
"You shouldn't swear," Zane reminded her gently, leaving Lissy back through the maze-like corridors of the clinic. "And we allow you to purchase yourself plenty of treats. It is just important that you learn proper money management. The resources your father provided for us are generous and expansive indeed, but even they won't last forever. Budgeting is an essential life skill."
"You didn't answer my question though. Where do you want to go for lunch?"
Zane shook his head, "Lissy, you shouldn't have to pay for me. I'm supposed to be taking care of you, after all."
The reminder that he didn't have any money beyond what was needed for the bus fare had stung. Even with access to Lord Garmadon's vast wealth, no one aside from Lissy -and Nya, strangely enough- felt comfortable using it for anything other than Lissy's care or absolute necessities. And, seeing as neither Zane nor any of his brothers had a regular income, this meant spending money was sparce.
"You and the other guys always take care of me though. Why can't I help you once in a while?"
"It's different," Zane said. "As the Green Ninja, we are charged with your care. You, in turn, have a responsibility to all of Ninjago. Don't worry about us."
To the Nindroid's surprise, Lissy seemed to grow angry at his comment. The girl pulled away from him and glared.
"Is that all I am to you, Zane?" Lissy demanded. "You call me your family but am I just a responsibility? Something to be cared for and tolerated until I can fulfill my destiny?"
"Of course not!" Zane tried to backpaddle. "You are my little sister. I love you, we all do. Just because we were brought together by destiny, it doesn't make that love any less!"
"Well I hate destiny," Lissy huffed, shaking her head. "So, if it weren't for some ancient prophecy, you wouldn't care about me at all?"
"No, that isn't what I m-"
Lissy cut him off. "Never mind, let's just go. I'm hungry and sore, I want to get home."
Zane sighed, Kai was going to kill him when he heard about this. "Alright, let's go."
The girl said nothing, didn't even look at him, as she made right for the clinic's front door. She walked so quickly that Zane struggled to keep up. Reaching the entrance, Lissy threw open the doors with so much force that Zane was surprised the glass didn't shatter and nearly smashed right into one of the protesters.
"Sorry," Lissy grumbled.
She tried to step around the woman, only to be seized by the upper arm. "Watch we're you going, girl!"
Zane started to step in but, before he could say anything, Lissy scowled and pulled her arm free. "I said I was sorry! I was just distracted and upset."
"What a mouth you have on you, girl!" The woman looked at Lissy's red eyes and scowled, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you take on evil airs."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Don't play dumb! You spread your legs and refuse to take responsibility for it then dress up like the sinner you are!"
Lissy flinched back at the sheer vitriol in the woman's words. Something in Zane's stomach turned as well, a sick sort of realization. "Sinner? I'm just here to see the doctor!"
"Doctor? Of course, you-"
Having heard enough of this, Zane shoved his little sister behind him and hissed, "Ma'am, I suggest you shut your mouth before I say something about I'll regret."
The woman's face twisted like she sucked on a lemon. "Oh, I suppose you're the dead baby's father? How do you feel knowing that this little hussy-" she pointed a painted claw at Lissy "-killed your child?"
Something in Zane's artificial heart twisted in disgust and hatred. "I have no feelings on the subject because that was not why my sister-" he stressed the relation "and I were here. You do know that this establishment provides many different services, right? Not just the one you see to find so questionable. For one, it provides free healthcare for those who desperately need it."
"That doesn't matter," the woman said. "Whatever they do to mask their evil, this place is a den of sin and monsters!"
"Evil? Monsters?" Zane gave a dark chuckle. "You're so naïve that I almost envy you. I know evil, it comes from greed and selfishness and a delight in making other people hurt, and I know monsters. Monsters are those who disregard the wishes of others. They are those who want to twist the world into their narrow view of how things should work. They are those who lash out at what they do not understand."
He looked the woman dead in the eye. "In case I'm not being clear enough, you and these-" he gestured to the group of protesters "-hooligans are the monsters here, not the nice people in this building. Now, back off before I get mad!"
The woman sputtered, growing pale, and a choir of upset mummers came from the crowd. This time though, no one made any moves to stop Zane when he led the silent Lissy down away from the protesters.
When they'd gotten far enough away that the group was no longer visible, the Master of Ice quietly asked, "Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes," the girl said, her answer short and tight. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I just worry about-"
"Ugh! You worry, Kai worries, Cole worries, Jay worries, Uncle Wu worries, everyone worries about me! Did it ever occur to any of you that I can take care of myself?" Lissy demanded. "I was on my own for a long time before I met any of you and managed just fine! Creeps and angry, judgmental bitches suck, I know, but I've dealt with worse! I'm dealing with worse! My dad is the Master of all Evil or whatever and I have to kill him because of it! And, if I'm expected to handle that bucket of worms, then you all don't need to coddle me when it comes to everything else! Got it?"
Zane was quiet for a long moment, letting his sister's rant sink in. "...I didn't realize you felt like that. Our protectiveness of you comes from guilt for failing you in the past, and pain that we cannot save you from your destiny. But, all this time, we didn't consider how that made you feel; we were forcing love where it was not wanted. I'm sorry."
Lissy pitched her forehead and sighed. "No, that's not it. I love you guys, I swear I do! And I appreciate how much you all do to take care of me. I know how I grew up sucked; it wasn't healthy and I was just barely surviving. And I know you guys aren't adults, let alone parents. You're still figuring out how to navigate this mess too, and are doing the best you can. But... I just can't put up with the double standard of treatment anymore -if you all trust me to save Ninjago, then trust me to keep myself safe in the civilian world. Do you think you can do that?"
"...I will not promise to stop worrying, or trying to protect you from the evils of the world. I don't think I could do that even if I wanted to," Zane said slowly. "But I do swear to attempt to be better and more understanding. Is that alright?"
"I guess that's good enough. Uncle always tells me how important compromise is." Lissy gave him a small half-smile, "Do you think you can talk to the other guys about backing off a little? Cole and Jay are usually pretty good. Kai, on the other hand..."
"Kai feels a deep, unbreakable protectiveness towards you."
The girl chuckled. "And I love him for it, even if I get what Nya is always complaining about now."
Zane laughed as well and glanced at his watch. "Well, we still have a few hours before we need to be back at the Bounty. Is there anything you want to do? Any place you want to go? The arcade? Movies?"
Lissy paused, biting her lip. "...You never told me what you wanted to do for lunch?"
"I said that-" Zane cut himself off, remembering what they just talked about. Lissy wanted to be treated more like the young adult she resembled. She wanted to be allowed a fraction of responsibility outside of what destiny had forced on her. "Tacos. I think tacos would be good."
"Mmm... Yeah, I could go for something spicy," Lissy nodded. "Hector's Taco Hut down on Main St. then? They have the best jalapeno chicken tacos in the city."
"Sounds like a plan." Zane offered his elbow to Lissy, who giggled but linked her arm into his. "Maybe afterwards we can stop for ice cream afterwards."
"Really?"
"Yes, on the condition that it would be my treat. Deal?"
"Deal!"
Compromises truly were important in life.