I'm back! Sorry for the long wait! Thanks again to all of those who have reviewed...such kind words! I feel so loved!

Anyways, many of you are probably aware of the major glitch that occurred about a week ago, where stories and chapters were posted but never showed up. I updated Stuck in the Past at that time, so it is updated as well(Chapter 10), even though it didn't previously show up. Sorry for the confusion!

Jay POV

It was a couple of hours later, and I still felt unsettled. I was a criminal, and they knew it! Why was everyone being so nice to me? Were they pretending to be nice to me, when they were going to capture me and put me in another celler eventually? It's what I deserved.

The team was sitting in the living room, watching the news. Nothing exciting was on, but Clarissa and Cole were still laughing their heads off. I was pretty sure that the two liked each other, but what did I know? I was the bad guy, I knew nothing.

"Lighting? Are you hungry?" Zane asked me, but I shook my head. Zane's mouth turned to a frown. "You must eat some more eventually. You're still recovering from your near-death experience."

"I'm fine, and, by the way, my name's Jay, but I guess it doesn't matter."

Kai, moved from the couch down to me, where I sat on the ground. "Why doesn't it matter?"

I shrugged. "I'm a criminal. No one cares about a criminal's name."

"Are you kidding?" Nya said, shooting up from her seat. " You are not a criminal! He forced you to do those things and you know it! You had no clue what his real plans were, you're the victim, not the leader! I don't want to hear another word about that, got that, Jay?"

Cole chuckled softly, as I felt my face go red. Nya sure packed a punch. And, she looked awfully pretty when she was mad…

"Jay?" She asked again, her angry tone still prominent, and I quickly nodded.

"Ok, ok, I'm not a criminal. Wait, so you're not going to lock me up?"

Kai placed his arm on my shoulder. "No way, dude. You're a good guy now. You saved my sister's life, and you're going to help us defeat Dolion."

"Defeat...Dolion?" I asked tentatively, confused. We were going to stop him. I was all for it, don't get me wrong, but something about facing him again scared me. Was I strong enough to face him again? Was I good enough? Could I face the man that locked me in the cellar?

But, I had to try. I had lightning flickering inside of me, waiting to be used. I had to make good use of it, and what better way to do so than take down Dolion? And, once that was over, Ninjago would be at peace.

"We were hoping that you two would help defeat Dolion, you both know how he works, you know his weaknesses, and that gives us an advantage. We sort of assumed you would be in on it."

I weakly smiled. "I'm in."

"Jay, Master Wu has told me to offer what we offered to Clarissa earlier: if you want to visit your family, you can. We know it's been a while since you've seen them."

"My...family?" I asked, and I immediately thought about them. My loving father, a man who always sold pieces of junk for cheap, always making people feel welcome. My caring mother, who could never kill a fly. I thought about their look of disapproval when they would find out I trained under a madman, a man who wanted to take over Ninjago and kill the Ninja.

They would kick me out, I thought, and I fought against the tears that threatened to escape. They would disown me as their son, and tell me to never come home.

"That's okay, I'm sure they can wait a bit longer." I eventually responded, rubbing my face as a stray tear escaped. Luckly, Zane didn't notice, but still asked another question.

"You don't want to see them? They've probably missed you."

"Just...let's not talk about this, please?" I said softly, feeling a heavy pressure on my chest, though nothing was on it.

"What was that, Jay?" Zane said, his voice muffled in my brain. I felt a shift in my chest, and knew what was going on. No no, not now! I can't cry infront of everyone!

" JUST LEAVE ME ALONE" I shouted, surprising everyone around me, including myself. I stood up, and quickly ran outside, into the fresh air.

I knew I could get in trouble for shouting at them, but I can't think about my parents, not now. We have to deal with the baddie first, and then I'll deal with my problems.

I climbed up the side of the house, gripping the windowsill, and hoisted myself up to the roof, the tears streaming down my face.

It was dark outside, with the stars blinking in the dark sky, it looked so peaceful, and I was jealous, if only I could be that peaceful.

I remember as a kid I would always go stargazing with my parents, usually after a rough day at school, and they would show me all of the constellations. I search for them now, trying to find something familiar to grasp onto. I couldn't find one.

There was nothing familiar now.

Why was I like this? I used to be happy! I would always be cracking jokes, even after a hard day. I always had a smile on my face, finding the best things in the worst situations. But now….

It was Dolion's fault. All of it. And I was the fool that followed him.

"I hate my life!" I shouted to the sky, at the stars, frustrated, knowing that yelling won't do anything to help.

What could?

Nya POV

After Jay left, Zane was a mess. None of us had ever seen him in such a guilty state.

"IーI'm so sorry, I neverーI never thoughtー" He stuttered, pain clear in his features. I placed my hand on his trembling shoulder.

"Hey, it's okay. You were just trying to help. He's going through a lot right now, I'm sure he doesn't blame you." I said, trying to comfort him. All of my anger was gone, and all of my energy focused on helping my friends.

Zane nodded tentatively, and rang his hands out in front of him. Clarissa bit her lip, and then spoke up.

"I think Lightning, er, Jay likes hot chocolate. Whenever Dolion made some for himself or Decomposer he always couldn't keep his eyes off of it." Zane smiled tentatively.

"I'll go make some hot chocolate, then. Anyone else what some?"

I shook my head. "No, thanks, Zane, but when it's ready I'll go get Jay."

Cole then stood up. "I can, Nya, I feel like he trusts me a bit more than he trusts you."

"No offence, Cole, but I think I should. You seem to have your hands full."

Cole raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?" I glanced over at Clarissa, who was switching the channels on the television. Cole gave a small smile, and I knew my suspicions were right. He really did like her.

"Go get her, Cole. I'll get Jay."

"Thanks, Nya."

I made my way outside, sighing when I was out of view of the others. I felt horrible. We were Ninja, and yet we let down many elementalists like Jay and Clarissa, letting Dolion recruit them without their approval. And, I didn't know Jay's family situation, but if he didn't want to see them, there was something wrong with him or them. I was willing to bet that it was something with him.

I heard a soft crying from the roof, and looked up, seeing a dark figure sitting down. I began climbing, and nearly lost my footing when he screamed.

"I hate my life!" That stopped me in my tracks, to hear him say that. I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. He was in a really bad mood, and if I wanted to talk to him, I had to be my best self. No temper tantrums, no aggressive actions.

I reached the roof, and it looked like he didn't hear me. Knowing that surprising a trained Ninja was a bad thing, I cleared my throat, and his head whipped around.

"Hey, Jay."

He sniffed, and looked back to the shingles. "Hey."

"Can I sit?" I asked, walking towards him slowly. He nodded, and moved over. I sat beside him, intentionally placing my hand close to his.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you guys," He said, sighing, " It was a bad move. You guys have done so much for me, and I'm grateful, I really should've shut my mouth and dealt with it. I didn't want to offend Zane, either, I hope he's okay, I was really rude. He was just trying to understand. And, I really shouldn't be here, I don't want to intrude on your home or whatever. I just feel like I'm a bother. I can go, if you want. Or, maybe I couldー"

I held my hand up, " Slow down! I can barely understand half of what you're saying!" He blushed sheepishly.

"Sorry."

Then, I made a bold move and placed my hand on his. "Don't be. We want you to be you, and if you're really talkative, talk all you want! But, if you want me to hear what you're saying, you're gonna have to slow down. Can you do that?"

Jay nodded, glancing down where my hand touched his, but didn't pull away. "I can try."

We sat there for a while in silence, and I really hoped that he would continue to talk. Lucky, he did.

"I...I guess I blame myself for what happened. For everything. Training under Dolion, for being tortured, for changing."

"What do you mean changing?" I asked, not really knowing what he ment. His sapphire blue eyes stared into mine, and I struggled to breath, but I kept it cool. For his sake.

"I used to be different. I was the one kid that walked away from bullies grinning, telling everyone jokes, playing with junk just because it was there. I was happy. I was free. But now, it feels like I'm drowning in guilt and pain."

"It wasn't your fault. What happened was all Dolion. You have no reason to feel guilty."

"That doesn't stop the pain."

I got closer to him, and he tilted his head, seemingly curious. I gave a sad smile. "We'll help with that. The Team will help take away the pain. Personally, I will do everything in my power to help you recover, Jay, and to make you be who you want to be."

"Thanks." He said, and he leaned a bit closer to breath hitched when he got closer, and I was suddenly...scared? Shocked?

Was he going to kiss me?

Wait, wasn't that what I wanted?

He gave a shaky smile, one that I returned with confidence, and Jay's lips met mine.

It happened so fast, and I gladly melted into the kiss, surprised that Jay was the one to make the first move, but I wasn't complaining.

After a few moments, he pulled away, joy in his eyes, and the biggest smile I've ever seen on his lips. He laughed, and I joined him, unsure why we were laughing.

"IーI can't believe that just happened!" Jay managed to get out between gasping breaths. "I've had a crush on you ever since I heard about you!"

I continued to laugh, thinking he was joking. When I say the sincerity in his eyes, though, I stopped in my tracks. "Wait, really? Why?"

Jay shook his head in disbelief. " Really? Why? Nya, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life, and you're so brave. You save lives, and you are so skilled. I dreamed of meeting you, but now…"

"We kissed."

"Yea, I guess we did."

"Guys! Hot chocolate is ready!" Zane called from below, and I got up, dragging Jay up with me.

"Shall we?"

He nodded. "We shall."

As we made our way down the roof, I couldn't help but think about what had just happened. And, I couldn't stop thinking about how badly I wanted it to happen again.

Was this what love felt like? I didn't mind it at all...

Thanks for reading!

#God'sNotDead