Unexpected

By: Mad Betrayal

"Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over…"—Octavia Butler

Chapter 6 ~ Beneath the Desert Stars

Cole felt his stomach drop. The evening had plunged into a conflagration of startling revelations and tumbled into the dark pits of desolation and despair. Cole was deeply worried about Jay, but he knew he couldn't just abandon Edna in her grief. He had to do something, and so he moved.

Edna had collapsed to her knees in tears when Jay fled out of the kitchen, thus he kneeled down beside her and wrapped his arm delicately around her shoulders. "Mrs. Walker…?" Cole called softly to the distressed mother and Edna immediately turned and buried her face in the ninja leader's chest.

"Oh Cole, it was a mistake," Edna gasped hoarsely. "A horrible, horrible mistake. And now, my husband left me and I've made my little boy cry…"

Cole's heart went out to the aging woman. Her love for her family was heartfelt and everlasting, and it was obvious she truly regretted what she did all those years ago. He consoled her as best he could and allowed her to cry in his embrace.

"Mrs. Walker…everyone makes mistakes. No one on Ninjago is perfect," Cole whispered earnestly. "Jay still loves you and Mr. Walker does too." Cole had no solid proof of the latter, but from Ed's words spoken earlier, he could readily deduce that the mechanic still cared about his wife enough to not divorce her right away. That had to count for something.

Cole rubbed her back. "But…everyone needs a healing period. And however long that takes…you uh…have to be understanding…and prepared."

"Prepared…?" Edna lifted her head, her watery hazel eyes meeting Cole's gaze fearfully. "You mean…prepared to be alone…? But Jason is Ed's son. I know it. I feel it."

At a loss, Cole opted to stay silent, feeling that he didn't have the right words needed to give the anxious mother peace of mind. With accordance to logic and reason, Cole figured the outcome had a 50/50 chance of occurring either way. If the biggest faux pas in Edna's act of adultery was that Jay turned out to be Edward's son and not Ed's, then the collateral damage could be beyond repair. But even if Edna proved that Jay is Ed's son…infidelity is a major kink in any relationship. And then there's the matter with Jay himself. What would he do when the dust settled? What was he going to do now?

Cole recalled his friend's heart-wrenching expression from earlier. He saw the tears. He saw those expressive sapphires display their disbelief and melancholy. Jay had wanted to be left alone, but the twinge in Cole's heart wanted him to do otherwise. Perhaps the last thing Jay needed was to be alone right now.

I need to get to him… I need to be beside him…

Cole could feel Edna move and he glanced down at her. "I don't want to lose my family," she mumbled. "But I had to tell them the truth, I promised Edward… I'm so sorry Edina…*sniff*…"

Cole placed his hands on her shoulders. "Come on Mrs. Walker, let's get you to bed."

Edna nodded absently and climbed to her feet with Cole's help. Together, the two made their way out of the kitchen and ascended the spiraling metal staircase located in the living room. Cole walked her all the way down the hall to her chambers and bid her goodnight. But before Edna closed the door, she left it open a crack and regarded Cole sadly.

"Thank you, Cole. You are a really nice young man… I'm sorry you had to see that."

Cole shook his head and gave her a small smile. "Don't worry about it. Jay's my best friend and I chose to come here with him knowing it wasn't going to be a picnic." Cole once again thought about him and Jay's pledge to each other during the Elemental Tournament and briefly closed his eyes, dipping his head in a firm nod. "I care a lot about Jay, and I'm not going to let him face this alone."

Edna eyed Cole for a long moment before returning his grin. "You're a good friend. Please look after my Jason for me tonight?"

"I will," Cole politely inclined his head again. "Goodnight, Mrs. Walker."

"Goodnight, Cole."

When Edna closed the door with a soft click, Cole turned around and marched right to Jay's room—thinking that that would be the first place to look. However, at seeing the door wide open and the interior dark, he knew Jay wasn't occupying the space. He glanced around the hallway with a frown. Jay undoubtedly would want to seek sanctuary after what happened, and if he wasn't in his room then…

Cole's critical gaze fell on the neighboring door next to Jay's room, the deep blue access slightly ajar. He remembered the steel door being firmly shut when Jay showed him around earlier, which meant…

"A lot of fond memories…" Cole whispered to himself, and with certainty he walked the short distance to Jay's laboratory door. He knocked first. "Jay…?" With nothing but silence answering him, Cole pushed the door open more and stepped into the room.

"Jay…?" Cole called again, looking around. The laboratory was…a laboratory as far as Cole could tell. Spacious, wide, and impeccably clean, Cole could easily picture a slightly younger Jay working about—experimenting with different chemicals, proficiently using his welding tools, creating and testing his new inventions, and possibly all under the watchful supervision of his parents. Originality's cradle—this was one of Jay's many elements.

Cole continued to navigate the area, but regardless of his efforts, Jay was nowhere to be found. Cole ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I know we're ninja and all, but surely he can't just disappear…"

Cole gave pause. Hold on…

Remembering his training, Cole cleared his mind and focused on expanding his senses. Sensei Garmadon had once said that through intense concentration, Elemental Masters can find or track each other through their Chi—their life essence. Thus Cole attempted that now.

C'mon Jay…where are you…?

At the center of Cole's soul was the golden bronze essence of Earth. He knew the root of his power inside and out, but pushed through the limitations of himself and began his search for a kindred spirit. Steadily holding his concentration, Cole felt a sudden pull from his element and looked up.

He's…above me…? The Master of Earth was instantly confused since Jay never showed him anywhere above the second floor. He, nonetheless, held fast to his friend's deep blue, lightning essence and started to look around Jay's lab instead.

"He had to have come through here, right…?" Cole searched thoroughly through the room full of "fond memories" until he came across a strange platform located in the back. Eyeing the console of buttons stationed on it, he took a chance and boarded it.

"Observatory…" The word was painted above the "up" and "down" arrow buttons on the console. Shrugging, Cole pressed the "up" button and waited to see what would happen. At once, the room draped itself in total darkness, and the ceiling above Cole slowly opened up, filtering in a pale white light.

Surprise and wonder etched across Cole's face as the platform gave a lurch and started its gradual ascent upward through the opening. The whole experience gave Cole the impression of what ascending into heaven would look like. The ride lasted no more than a few minutes, but when the platform stopped, Cole could only stare skyward—enthralled—at the impressive sight of the night sky.

Now on the third floor, in the dome-like structure, the metal plating that had covered the crest of the dome were absent, allowing one to view the star-filled heavens at their leisure. It was a beautifully clear night, and starlight was all that was needed to bathe the room with luminosity. Having never been to an observatory before, Cole was completely entranced, letting his sights soak up and sweep across the sky with the anxious abandon of an awestruck child.

"Oh man…"

As Cole's gaze continued its meandering, it finally found its way to ground level. "Jay…" The blue ninja stood against the shimmering white rays of stardust, his own gaze fixated and lost in the blanket of stars above. Jay didn't acknowledge Cole's whisper of his name and the latter licked his lips nervously before moving forward towards his forlorn friend.

Once beside him, Cole opened his mouth, but quickly closed it. What could he possibly say to ease Jay's troubled heart this time? Maybe…I shouldn't have come… Cole thought hopelessly. However, as he tried to convince himself to leave—to give his friend the solitude he wanted—his legs refused to budge. Jay's tearstained face and aura of depression tugged painfully at Cole's heartstrings, and the absence of the lightning-wielder's voice was beginning to disturb Cole once again, as it had during the long flight here.

He was about to try with his voice again when Jay opened his mouth first, his tone low and reflective—filling the voided silence and lifting some of the pressure off Cole's heart. "When my Uncle Edward last visited our family, he brought me up here one night and told me a story. I don't remember everything word for word, but…it was about two stars…and their forbidden love for each other."

"Yeah? How did it go?" Cole asked and Jay walked a couple of paces forward, stopping in front of a large and immaculate telescope. He turned to Cole and placed his hand on the length of it.

"Look here," Jay beckoned and Cole—curious—did as instructed. Looking into the eyepiece, Cole immediately spotted a star that shone bigger and brighter than its surrounding brethren.

"Do you see her? That's Vega," Jay said. "Although she was already committed to one, she secretly yearned for another…" Cole felt a light pressure on the telescope and relaxed as it moved to center on another cluster of stars. He then saw a new large star giving off a lustrous shine.

"It was him—Altair—that she wanted…and he was in the same circumstance as her. They were separated by their union to other stars and could never be together. But…Uncle Edward said that once a year the magpies would take pity on their misfortune and create a bridge so they could meet and be together for one night… Just one night…"

Cole lifted his head to peer at Jay as his voice faded. The blue ninja's brow creased and he lowered his gaze to the linoleum floor. "I didn't pay it any mind back then, it was only a story after all. But…do you think maybe he told me it for a reason? I mean…Mom said that it was only one time, and that Uncle Edward loved my aunt, but…maybe after that one time, his feelings changed and he feel in love with Mom. And maybe they rarely spoke after that because, Uncle Edward respected and loved Dad. Maybe…the love for his brother outweighed the love he had for Mom, and…he willingly sacrificed his own feelings to keep the peace…"

Jay's voice quivered near the end and he turned abruptly away from Cole, showing his back to the ninja leader. Cole lifted a hand to place on the other's shoulder, but at the last second thought better of it and let it drop listlessly to his side. He frowned at himself, hating the feeling of uselessness when the urge to act was so strong. He wanted to hold and comfort Jay, but recalling what happened the last time he did so, Cole didn't quite trust himself.

Jay shook his head. "I know it's just speculation, and Uncle Edward never gave any implication that I was his son. I guess… I guess I'm just trying to understand."

Cole took another glimpse up at the stars as he pondered his next words with careful deliberation. Offering his sympathies wouldn't be enough in this case. Jay was slowly but surely collapsing in on his self. His confusion was more than justified, but Cole wanted to know where his fellow ninja's heart was.

Making up his mind, he regarded his friend's back. "Jay, can I ask you something?"

The other ninja turned his head and peered at Cole over his shoulder, his once vibrant sapphires now dull and drained. "What is it?"

Cole spoke freely and frankly. "Do you hate your mother now? For what she did?" He asked and the dull gems widened a fraction before narrowing dangerously.

Jay whirled around to face his leader and best friend. "Of course not! Didn't you hear me down there?! She's my mother! I'll always love her! Love isn't something you can just turn 'on' or 'off' like a switch, Cole! No matter what!"

Cole stood firm against Jay's outburst and continued unfazed. "And knowing that, would it really make a difference whether or not Mr. Walker—Ed—was your biological father? Wouldn't you still love and regard him as such?"

The anger clouding Jay's face suddenly dispersed and shock readily took its place as he stared at Cole. "I may…be overstepping my bounds by saying this, but…" Cole then took a chance and moved closer to Jay. "…a father is someone who put the time in. Someone who teaches you to stand up for yourself. Someone who picks you up off the ground when you fall and dusts you off and says: "Try again." Someone who…" Cole inwardly smiled in remembrance of his own father. "…looks underneath your bed or checks your closet for monsters when you're scared."

He looked at Jay. "Ed did all of that for you, didn't he? He helped Edna raise you—Edward didn't. In my opinion, no matter what any blood test says…Ed Walker is your father."

The silence that followed stretched on for what seemed like forever.

"How did you…?" Jay stared at Cole, dumbstruck. "You've… You've really grown, Cole. I thought for sure you were going to say something stupid like: "That's the way the cookie crumbles" again, and I was prepared to ram my fist through your teeth."

"Hey!" Cole yelped and shook himself like an indignant hawk, his metaphorical feathers ruffled. "I'm not that insensitive and careless anymore, okay?"

He felt his breath hitch, however, when Jay's lips quirked up into a soft smile. "No, you're not," Jay agreed sincerely. "You've been nothing but helpful and…kind…" Cole fought hard to ward off a blush, though he couldn't stop his heart from pounding loudly in his ears. "…And you're right. It really doesn't matter. My dad is…my dad."

Cole breathed a subtle sigh of relief, glad to see the light return to his friend's eyes. Nevertheless, his relief was short-lived as his body went rigid with tension when Jay unexpectedly closed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around his back—effectively hugging him. Cole swallowed thickly, his heart beating like a jackhammer as Jay's body made solid, willingly contact with his. Gone was the awkwardness of sitting down while hugging, this was the real deal. He could feel the soft texture of chestnut locks ghosting against his cheek, and he inhaled sharply, making Jay's enticing scent thoroughly engulf his senses.

He smells like…apples and cinnamon…

"I've been saying this a lot lately, but dammit…I guess I have no choice but to say it again…" Jay whispered softly in Cole's ear, his warm breath tickling it. "…Thanks."

Cole's body was beginning to heat up once again as it did in Jay's room, as was his mind beginning to fog in a heavenly stupor…once again. But this time, he railed against his treacherous body and lifted his arms stiffly to wrap them around Jay's lower back, determined to keep himself in check and his actions platonic.

"We're…best friends, Jay," Cole got out as evenly as he could. "And I care. And it's not just me, you've grown too. You're…" he cleared his throat clumsily, "…great."

Jay's hold loosened and fell as he pulled away, and although it was like trying to break apart two magnets, Cole's arms did—eventually—unwound themselves from around the delicate swoop of the blue ninja's lower back and fell stubbornly to his sides.

The corner of Jay's lips curved up into a snarky smirk and he cocked his scarred eyebrow at his friend playfully. "Really? Do you mind repeating that? Only louder this time. Oh! And can you elaborate, please?"

"Tch! Whatever…" Cole grumbled, but had to smile once he heard the gentle, wind chime-like acoustic of Jay's laugh.

Cole released another sigh of relief when Jay turned away from him. Nothing strange had occurred this time, thankfully, but he still felt he had to apologize for his weirdness earlier. It was definitely baffling to the ninja leader, because wasn't he supposed to feel such feelings toward Nya?

Cole blinked. Right…Nya…

If Cole was honest with himself, he hadn't thought about his new girlfriend since coming to the Sea of Sand. Oh who was he kidding? He hadn't thought about Nya since earlier this morning when he had last spoken to her. Then, there was the revelation about Jay buying a ring…an engagement ring.

Cole focused on Jay, watching as he absently fiddled with the focus knob of the telescope, his profile peaceful under the pale starlight. He wanted to ask about it, because he agreed with Edna—it did seem like a waste. And if Jay bought the ring over six months ago then…he had it before their stupidity in New Ninjago City. Jay had planned to ask Nya to marry him, and would have if he had only backed off. Cole frowned, feeling odd and just…not right.

"Hey…" Cole was brought back from his reverie by Jay's quiet voice and gave the other ninja his attention. Jay's eyes were still fastened on the telescope, and his expression was still, ever tranquil. "I don't know what you're frowning about, but you don't have to worry about the ring or whatever, okay?"

Cole gawked at his friend's ability to read him, but Jay simply shrugged. "I'd be lying if I said, I wasn't still feeling a little hurt by the outcome, but…I have accepted it. So if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not talk about it. And please Cole…this is another one of those things I'd like to keep just between us, okay?"

Apparently Cole's heart wasn't getting a break anytime soon and now the gears in his mind were starting to turn furiously, for both kept persisting to him that something wasn't right. He tunneled through the obscurity, however, and opted to just adhere to his friend's feelings.

"Okay."

Jay suddenly lifted a hand towards his mouth in a feeble attempt to stifle a yawn. He then regarded Cole with an easy grin. "It's getting late, man… Listen, you can have my bed tonight, I'll be bunking up here."

"Here?" Cole asked, looking around the wide open space of the observatory in bewilderment. For other than the telescope, some high-tech desktop computers, and some bookshelves lined up against the walls filled with topics on astronomy, the room looked more or less empty. That is until Jay walked over to one of said computers and keyed in a few strokes…

"What the?!" Cole once again found his mouth hanging open as the floor before him suddenly flipped, and sprouted a fully made bed.

"Yeah. Here," Jay clarified shortly and Cole nodded.

"Oh." He supposed it would've been wise to leave now. It was painfully obvious that Jay wanted to go to bed, but he wasn't quite ready to call it a night yet. Cole still had an apology to deliver, after all, and his strong bond of friendship with the blue ninja dictated that he speak it tonight.

Cole turned away from the bed to look at Jay just as the other passed him to make a move for his newly revealed resting place for the night. Struck with a sudden sense of anxiousness, Cole made a spontaneous grab for Jay's hand to stop him, and the other looked back at him in shock, his hair whipping across his face from the momentum of his turn.

"Hold on a sec, Jay," Cole said in rush before the other could question him. "Ah…I owe you an apology for what happened earlier…in…in your room…" At Jay's widening eyes and sudden, scarlet blush, Cole plunged forward, feeling his own cheeks rush with heat. "I don't know what came over me. It could've been the mood or…" The heat of your body, your tantalizing scent, the bewitching whisper of your voice, your deep blue eyes—Cole's heart happily supplied, but the Master of Earth refused to yield to his bizarre, bumbling internal impulses and continued. "…anything," he finished lamely.

"Only know that I didn't mean to be weird. I'm really sorry, Jay." Jay's face was still aflame, and the way his eyes constantly shifted from Cole's face to the floor, nonverbally voiced how uncomfortable he was about the subject. However, he did try to smile to reassure his friend, though it ended up looking a bit strained, making Cole inwardly wince.

"H-Hey, calm down man…heh heh…" The light chuckle at the end was forced and Cole knew it. "Nothing happened so there's nothing really to apologize for. So just forget about it…I already have…heh…"

It's been a known fact to Cole—and everybody else—that Jay was a horrible liar. But he knew that pressing his apology or the matter would most likely only lead to unnecessary tension, as if the two ninja weren't as taut as a pair of drawn-back bowstrings already.

Cole hung his head. Alright. He's full of it, but fine. I'll let it go…huh? Cole's gaze deliberately fell on his hand...still tightly holding on to Jay's…

Both young men—as if realizing the same thing—simultaneously let go of the other as if burned. Emeralds fearfully clashed with sapphires, and one expression mirrored the other down to the astonished parting of lips.

Goddammit! And I just apologized too! I gotta get outta here! Leave, Cole! Leave!

Cole shook himself. "Uh! Goodnight, Jay!" He made a move to rush passed him, but Jay's hand shot out like lightning and grabbed on to his, subsequently impeding his exodus and causing him to look back at the other in—indeed—shock.

"Wait…I just realized something…" Jay said, surprisingly serious. Even though his face resembled a ripe tomato, his lips were pulled into a stern line. However, it appeared obvious to Cole that it was just a mask to shield his embarrassment. "If you get a moment of weirdness, Cole…then so do I."

Cole's mind went blank. Not a single coherent thought could make its way through the cloud of "WTF" that had suddenly clogged his brain. All he could see was an imaginary figure of Jay: a coy smile on his baby pink lips as he wound his arms around his neck, then a light dust of red would color his fair cheeks as he looked at him from beneath those long dark lashes, and then finally…he'd whisper… "This time…let's go all the way, Cole…" and slowly…they would lean towards each other.

Yes, the mind and the heart were indubitably teaming up against their host.

"—stupid I know. Know what? Just forget I said anything…"

Cole popped out of his hazy trance with a start. With one look at Jay's dismayed face, he knew he had missed out on hearing his friend's request. "No Jay, I didn't hear you!" He got out desperately, then checking himself, calmed down and used a more subdued tone. "Sorry man, I was just a little…shocked is all, but now I'm listening. What is it?"

Jay looked doubtful, however, and mumbled something under his breath akin to: "Are you really going to make me say it again?" But after what seemed like a brief moment of internal debate, Jay caved and nodded towards the bed, albeit shyly. "Just that…if you want…we can sleep together—I mean!" Jay rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and tried again. "We can share the bed! It's big enough, yanno? And you haven't exactly experienced sleeping under a desert, starlit sky, have you? You may not think so at first glance, but it's different than being in a forest or on a mountain. It's incredible really, and plus we won't be exposed to the elements. We can just relax and…soak it all in…"

Cole smiled as Jay looked away, clearly embarrassed and red-faced. He didn't see a reason to decline his friend's proposition. And regardless of the fact that Jay used his earlier blunder as an excuse to suggest them sleeping together, at the moment, Cole was just glad that Jay wanted to spend more time with him.

"Sure," he said happily. "We can make tonight into something special. Another one of those things that's just between us."

It took a little effort, but Jay's gaze found Cole's again. He looked surprised that Cole would actually take him up on his offer. But soon, that surprise turned to contentment. "Okay, then we better get ready, huh?"

Maybe it was just him, but Cole thought he not only heard happiness in Jay's voice but relief as well.

Any leftover tension or apprehension dissolved and faded away. Companionship and camaraderie encompassed the two ninja as they traveled back down to Jay's room to complete their nightly ablutions before returning to the observatory dressed in their pajamas.

A cold shiver wracked through Cole's body as his bare feet came in contact with the polished linoleum floor. He didn't notice how nippy it was in the observatory before thanks to the long sleeves of his ninja suit, but he sure did now. He sneezed loudly. It probably didn't help matters further that his hair was still slightly damp from his shower as well.

Cole rubbed a finger under his nose. Ah well, I'll be fine… If there was one thing that Cole prided himself in, it was the resilience of his body in both sturdiness and vigor. He was tough to bruise and rarely got sick. His time spent traveling on his own before Sensei Wu found him had helped build up his immune system as well as toughed his body.

He looked ahead to see Jay pulling back the covers on the bed. "Oh yeah, sorry. It's gets pretty cold up here at night, but no biggie, this blanket is electric. It'll keep us warm." Jay then climbed in and Cole followed suit.

He sighed contently as the warmth of the covers heated his body and stared up through the glass dome at the moon and stars.

"Ahh…there she is…" Jay sighed. "Looks like she finally decided to grace us with her presence."

The moon had traveled languidly through the night sky, and was now in view of the two stargazing young men. "Man…I don't think I've ever seen the stars shine so bright," Cole said and Jay chuckled softly beside him.

"Well, you haven't seen nothing yet. Try not to blink, it won't last long."

Now mildly curious, Cole kept his eyes peeled on the heavens above, and after some astute staring, he saw something most phenomenal. For maybe three seconds tops, the stars had lost their whitish hue and were briefly imbued with beautiful assorted colors. But unfortunately, the transformations were just way too fleeting to fully appreciate.

Cole blinked. "What was that?" He asked.

Jay shuffled about before answering. "No one ever really gave it a name," he explained. "But what happens is, every night at midnight particles from the sand called "rubrum" release a nontoxic gas into the atmosphere. And the effect was the optical illusion we just saw. Scientists have no idea why this happens or why the Sea of Sand is the only desert in the world that has "rubrum". But hey, it's still pretty. I think that's all that matters."

Cole hummed his agreement and the two fell into a comfortable silence.

"Cole…?"

Cole turned his head to find Jay lying on his side facing him, his deep blue eyes hooded with drowsiness. "Thanks for keeping my faith high," he whispered. "I believe that everything will be okay, but if not…I might have to ask for your shoulder to lean on…"

Cole moved to lie on his side also and gave his friend a smile. "You don't even have to ask for that, Jay… I'll always be here for you…"

A single row of pearly white teeth became visible as Jay returned Cole's smile. "Thanks…and I promise to always be there for you too when you need me…" Blue eyes closed completely. "Goodnight, Cole."

"Goodnight…" Cole's heart thumped. "…Jason…"

Immediately, Jay's eyes flew open and he sat up in a flash. Cole was quick to mimic him and looked on worriedly at his bedmate's shadowed expression, the length of his bangs obscuring his eyes from sight.

"Cole…" Gone was the breathy whisper of congeniality, Jay's tone was now low and flat. "You are one of the two people outside my family who know my real name…but I have to ask for you to never use it, okay? And not to tell anybody you know it."

Cole's heart sank. He had had an inkling that the name "Jason" held some special value to Jay, and only those particularly close to him would be privileged to call him by it. He didn't know why it did, but it hurt Cole immensely to discover that he could never obtain that honor.

"Alright… Just "Jay" then," Cole conceded quietly, trying not to let the hurt seep into his voice. "I'm sorry, Jay…"

But Jay said nothing in return, only resumed his previous position…this time turned away from Cole, though. Cole sighed. He knew he should just lie back down and go to sleep, but the fact that another person who wasn't a relative knew Jay's real name nagged at him. He told Jay before that he wouldn't pry into his personal life, so if Jay didn't want to reveal any more information, then he would let the matter drop. He would simply ask.

"Is Nya the other person who knows your real name…?"

The silence that followed was like the nail in the coffin, and just when Cole was about to call it quits, Jay's voice arose tentatively. "No, not Nya… My friend through high school—Elliot Hawthorne knows it… Goodnight, Cole."

Cole was rightfully surprised by that bit of news, but settled back down nonetheless, coming to rest on his back. "Yeah… Goodnight, Jay."

He gazed at the stars a moment more before closing his eyes in sleep.