Author's Note: I hope this story is easier to find now. Please let me know.

Unexpected

By: Mad Betrayal

"A single rose can be my garden…a single friend, my world…"—Leo Buscaglia

Chapter 8 ~ What Tangled Webs We Weave

Cole's eyelids drooped in drowsiness. In his semi-conscious state, he only heard maybe half of Jay and Zane's conversation. However, there was no mistaking the sound of Jay's sorrow. He knew his best friend had shed tears during his talk with Zane, for he saw the beginnings of them form when he had his Jay pinned down beneath him. So many emotions had played across the blue ninja's face: shock, uncertainty, fear, and then ultimately remorse. Even if his anger had been justified, the level of his fury in which he had engaged Jay with was too much. But then again, Jay shouldn't have pushed him to talk.

The dream he had the previous night had been about Jay, and it had made Cole feel tranquil, comfortable, loved, and most of all happy. But in that dream, Cole could easily tell that he and Jay were more than just friends. They were lovers. And that had been what scared him. It was that aspect that was keeping him awake now, the reason why he was fighting the fatigue that was making his body feel so heavy.

Cole coughed and rolled over onto his back. Jay had left the room moments ago, having been called down by his mother. The T.V. was still on, but it only served as a gentle lullaby now, and Cole was feeling his strength wane. Jay's not here…so…it should be okay…for me…to…sleep…

Like being under the effects of anesthesia, Cole couldn't resist the call to slumber any longer and finally succumbed to his body's wishes. His dream began almost immediately.

Cole squinted into the darkness, the skies black with night. A massive downpour had assaulted the heavens and drenched the earth ninja without remorse until he was chilled down to his bones. But still, he urged his elemental dragon to fly harder and faster.

"C'mon Rocky, you have to find Wisp!"

Cole's desperate shout was drowned out by the dominant rumble of thunder and howling winds. Lightning streaked and illuminated the bleak void for the briefest of seconds, and like jagged beaks pointing skyward, treacherous mountains stood erect and were silhouetted against the flickering stark white. Rocky suddenly roared, as if calling to a mate, and angled his body into a swift dive.

Cole's eyes widened with fear, having seen what Rocky had: on a craggily cliff, Wisp's illuminated bulk could be easily identified. Splinters and currents of raw, blue power terrorized the atmosphere around him, and the dragon appeared hunched over something nestled in his glowing claws.

"JAAAAAYYY!" Cole screamed with all his might. Wisp was holding his master, his deadly jaws partially open and gathering with bolts of electricity. And the Master of Lightning sat peacefully in his dragon's claws, his form glinting with electrical power—waiting…just waiting…for the end.

"Rocky, restrain Wisp! Keep him away from Jay!"

The Earth Dragon roared his affirmation and stretched out his claws as he neared his fellow dragon. Wisp snapped his head upright, but it was already too late for him to react. Rocky plowed into him, and Cole leaped from his saddle. Jay climbed to his feet shakily after having been thrown by the collision and turned around to see his dragon wrestling furiously with Rocky, their colossal bodies sending up wet gravel as they fought.

"Wisp!" Jay cried, and whirled angrily around to face Cole, his body still charged with deadly bolts. "What the hell are you doing here?! Leave me alone!"

Cole stood firm before his best friend and shook his head. "I can't do that, Jay. I can't let you do…this. I need you… I love you."

"Love is a sham," Jay growled darkly, his deep blue eyes narrowed and glowing. "Just an idiotic gambit meant to be played by the foolhardy… Well…I'm not going to play the fool any longer. 'Cause I don't want anyone's love…I don't want to feel this…this agonizing pain anymore…"

"Jay…" Cole's voiced turned pleading. "You can't let her destroy you like this."

Jay laughed lightly and lowered his mask, a peaceful smile playing on his lips. "It's too late, Cole. I'm…damaged beyond repair… It hurts too much…" Cole's heart stopped as Jay closed his eyes and tilted his head back, rain and tears streaming down his face. "Goodbye…"

The sky rumbled ferociously and a staggering beam of bluish-white energy struck downward…engulfing Jay. Cole screamed his anguish at the sight of his friend being torn asunder by his own element and his body was hurled backward from the explosion of power. A sharp pain connected with his head and his world turned black.

"—ole! Cole, Wake up! Cole!"

Cole jerked awake with a yell. His heart pounded madly in his ears and his body felt cold and slick with sweat. He looked around the dark room wildly, each breath he took, a harsh and exerted pant.

"Cole—Cole, look at me." Finally feeling the hands on his shoulders, Cole centered his frantic gaze on startled and worried sapphire orbs.

Jay…? Cole's mind worked frantically, recalling the dream—no, the nightmare. Jay's defeated look, and then that peaceful, resigned smile just before… Cole reacted swiftly. Grabbing Jay's arm, he pulled his friend forcefully down onto the bed and wrapped his arms tightly around him, forcing the blue ninja onto his back and covering him with his body. Jay gave a startled yelp of surprise at being so abruptly crushed beneath his friend, and could do nothing else but reciprocate the earth ninja's fierce and desperate embrace.

Cole's body shook with terror. "Gosh man…that must've been one helluva nightmare."

Jay had come in a few short minutes ago to check up on Cole, since the sick ninja had slept the day away. He had walked in and saw the ninja leader thrashing and mumbling his name in his sleep. And although he knew it was dangerous to wake any ninja from slumber, he couldn't just sit back and watch Cole when he looked to be in so much pain. And thus, he acted impulsively.

At Cole's continued silence and erratic breathing, Jay moved his hands in calming circles around his friend's trembling back. "Shhh…it's fine," he whispered. "Nothing's wrong. It's all good."

Cole closed his eyes, comforted by Jay's soft voice and soothing touch. As minutes ticked by, he grew more relaxed, and his breathing evened out and returned to normal. It was just a nightmare… Jay's right here with me—in my arms… He's fine… Everything's okay…

Rationality renewed, Cole opened his eyes and slowly lifted his body off of Jay, uncurling his arms from the other in the process. He looked down at his friend's partially shadowed face, his hands positioned on either side of him. The room was dark, but was also dimly lit by the golden light produced by Jay's lampshade.

Jay's hands slid from Cole's back. "Do you wanna—maybe…talk about it?" He asked tentatively, but Cole shook his head.

"No, not now…maybe later…" Cole placed a weary hand to his throbbing temple. He didn't understand why the nightmare seemed so vivid. Even now, he felt like he could still feel the cold bite of the freezing rain on his face. Just a nightmare… Just a nightmare… It doesn't mean anything…

The words Jay said. The words he said—all of it meant nothing… Cole winced, his headache becoming worst.

"Hey…maybe you should take some more medicine. Your body feels hot, your fever may've spiked," Jay suggested gently. Cole groaned and moved away from the younger man, leaning back against the pillows. Jay sat up. "Hold on, I'll go get you something to eat and drink—"

"No! Not necessary!" Cole interrupted vehemently, halting Jay's movement with a firm hand to his chest. Jay stared at him, wide-eyed, however the Master of Earth wouldn't meet his gaze. "Stay with me," he pleaded in a barely discernible whisper. The nightmare was just too fresh in his mind, and having Jay near—close enough to touch—was what he needed most right now.

Cole reached for Jay's hand, grasping it securely in his. "Sorry," he muttered. It was the only thing he could say.

"N-No! If it helps then, it's cool!" Jay rushed to reassure. "I don't mind!" Cole turned to look at him then, and watched as the other bit his lip in uncertainty. Cole frowned, and was just about to force himself to let go, when Jay's fingers suddenly interlaced with his. "If it helps…" he repeated softly, and scooted back to sit on the opposite side of the bed beside his best friend.

Relief washed over the black ninja like a tide. "It does…thanks." Cole moved a finger along the back of Jay's hand, passing over a long yet healed scar. His eyes darted around the dimly lit room. "How long was I asleep? It's so dark."

"The whole day," Jay replied, a tinge of worry in his voice. "It's now almost nine o'clock. But I think I remember you doing something similar back at the monastery when you got sick with the flu."

Cole thought back to years prior. Yeah, that's right… He did get sick with the flu, and while it normally took a week or so for a normal person to recover from the influenza virus, it took him only two and a half days. He hated being sick, and apparently so did his body. Thus it derived a healing process in which to recover through excessive slumber.

"You slept for sixty hours straight," Jay carried on. "I was getting worried—I mean, w-we all…were getting worried…" He cleared his throat and Cole glanced over at him, seeing the rose of a blush light his profile. "But um…when you woke up, you were as good as new."

Cole took an experimental deep breath. He could breathe much easier now, the congestion all but an ailing memory. He had a feeling that the only reason he was in pain at the moment was because of the nightmare. He instinctively tightened his hold on Jay's hand.

"Cole…?"

The earth ninja locked eyes with Jay. He smiled. "I'm fine, really. Just give me a few minutes, okay?"

A small smile was returned. "No, take all the time you need… I'm here."

Cole searched within sapphire depths, looking for any of the fear or discomfort that had shown before, but found none—only warmth and care. He relaxed further, keeping his sights fixated on the one beside him. "Before I fell asleep, I heard your mom call for you."

Deep blue gems widened a fraction. "Oh right, yeah…" Jay shifted slightly but not in an uncomfortable way. If anything it looked like he was trying to get more comfortable. "Mom was really happy. As it turns out, I am my dad's son—not that I was worried anymore, yanno?" The curves of Jay's smile lifted more in gratefulness. "Anyway, we talked for awhile and…even though we both figured things could end either way, we shared our optimisms too. I was still worried about her being here alone, so I asked if she wanted to come back with us to the Bounty. But she said no…she wanted to wait for Dad to come back. She said she'd wait forever…"

Worry flashed across Jay's face and Cole scooted closer. "Hey, we can stay longer if you want," he proposed, his voice gentle. "I packed enough for a whole week."

Jay shook his head. "I asked about that too, but she claimed that she'd be fine, that she wasn't as fragile as all that. She was just happy I came when I did." Blues met seriously with greens. "So if you're feeling up to it, I'd like to leave tomorrow."

Cole was a little taken aback by Jay's sudden seriousness, but readily agreed. "Sure, I'm fit as a fiddle, but…is something wrong, Jay?"

Cole's brow knitted in concern at seeing the other ninja's vexation. "It's Zane. I'm worried about him… I didn't like the way he sounded on the phone earlier."

The ninja leader frowned pensively. He couldn't remember exactly what was said and would need Jay to clarify. And with one knowing glance in his direction, Jay deciphered one of Cole's many scowls.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but something's been going on between our three…"children"," Jay said. The use of the word: "children" caught Cole unawares, especially since Jay said it without as much as a smile.

Hmm…Jay's transformation from "brother" to "mother"…fascinating… Heh…he knew I was right about him…

"There hasn't been any uncooperativeness within the team during missions or training, so I figured it wasn't too serious," Cole divulged truthfully. "Unless…you know something I don't."

From what Cole observed, after they had thwarted Chen's efforts to resurrect the Anacondrai, their small clan—their brotherhood had been stronger than ever.

"Well, I don't know exactly what's going on," Jay admitted, and settled against the headboard, his own frown in place. "I do know, though, that's Zane's getting more despondent with each passing day…and it has something to do with Kai and Lloyd."

Cole's eyebrows shot up into his hairline. "Huh? What do you mean? I highly doubt Kai and Lloyd would pick on Zane—never."

"No…it's nothing like that…" Jay's voice had gone quiet and Cole watched him closely as his blue eyes turned distant and thoughtful. "It's something much more personal…and mature. I just feel like I have to talk to Zane before he becomes…damaged beyond repair…"

Cole blanched, his nightmare resurfacing with frightening clarity and speed. 'It's too late, Cole. I'm…damaged beyond repair…' Cole shuddered. No, no, it was just a nightmare! Nothing more…

Pushing down his rising anxiety, Cole lifted Jay's hand and placed his other on top of it. Jay turned to him, surprised. "It won't come to that, trust me. Once we get back home, we'll figure out what's going on. I'll handle Kai and Lloyd while you'll just focus on Zane, okay?"

Jay just stared at him. Cole realized then that he must've sounded desperate. He wanted to reassure Jay—as well as himself—that nothing "beyond repair" was going to happen. Not to Zane and definitely not to him.

"O—kay…we can do that," Jay said, eyeing him closely. "But Cole…are you alright? You look a little pale…and your eyes are glassy. Maybe you should rest a little while longer?"

Cole knew then that something had to be done. Regardless if his heart and mind were conjuring up machinations and waging war with each other, this was Jay—his best friend. Wasn't he the perfect person to divulge his innermost thoughts and secrets to? Emerald eyes drifted down to the slighter smaller hand clasped betwixt his. Thanks to the gloves they almost always wore, their hands never suffered many calluses, but despite knowing that, the utter softness of Jay's hand was a marvel to Cole.

Maybe because it was both soft and firm, delicate and strong. And he had the long, thin graceful fingers of a pianist. Cole's heart thumped purposefully in his chest as he bent his head to place his lips on the faded scar marring the center of Jay's left hand.

The hand tensed—Jay tensed. "C-C-Cole…?"

The Master of Earth kept his gaze trained on the hand in his and his hold on it, secure. How ironic that he was now the one being pushy, though the game he was playing was by far more dangerous than the one Jay had. But Cole was smart and cool; he wasn't going to put himself out on the ledge waiting for the verdict. He would be truthful, but careful.

"I'm not really sure yet, Jay," Cole confessed at last. "But before we get into that…I just want to say I'm sorry first." He looked up into the blue eyes he had come to admire and trust wholeheartedly. "It was wrong of me to jump down your throat the way I did earlier. You didn't deserve that."

Jay stumbled over his words for a long moment—still reeling from what he assumed was Cole's "apologetic gesture". Finally though, his mouth formed the words he wanted to say. "Yeah, I did. I shouldn't have pushed you to tell me about your dream." He bit his lip as his cheeks went aflame. "I saw the warning signs to your agitation, but I ignored them. So…I was the one in the wrong, not you. I'm sorry, Cole."

Both young men stared at one another for an unfathomable length of time. With forgiveness came deeper understandings, as well as deeper feelings. Feelings that Cole's heart had been trying to project unto him for the past couple of days. And now, at long last…Cole's mind had finally fallen silent in acceptance to those feelings and didn't try to refute them anymore.

Cole's heart made its voice known, pounding relentlessly in his ears. Alright now…just ease into it…

But before Cole could begin, Jay's voice chimed in, clear and even. "But...about your dream, Cole…um… I think it just proves how close we are as friends, yanno?" Cole's heart faltered at Jay's words. But unbeknownst to the shock he inflicted, Jay carried on with, albeit, embarrassed determination. "Think about it for a sec—heh—w-we hold each other in very high regard. We care a lot about each other. It's not all that far-fetched to have…n-nice dreams about a close friend…"

Cole scrutinized Jay as he tried to explain their newfound intimacy. He kept stuttering and tripping over his words ever so often, and the blush imbuing his cheeks remained constant. He can't even look me in the eye… How much of what he's saying does he truly believe…?

"…And I think there are—um—ways for us to k-keep things from getting too weird… L-Like staying out of each other's personal space and…" Flustered sapphires fleeted to his and Cole's joined hands. "Ahh…m-maybe putting l-limitations on the um…t-touching…I… Hey, maybe this is just a phase or somethin', yanno?"

Having heard enough babbled excuses from his best friend, Cole took decisive action. He released Jay's hand and instead, pushed him down onto his back, returning to his position over him.

"Cole, what are you doing?!" Jay screeched, but the black ninja didn't move. He stared down hard at Jay.

"So we should just stop?" Cole asked, frowning and Jay gawked up at him.

"What? Yes!"

Brilliant emeralds narrowed. "Why?"

"What do you mean, "Why?" Because—because we shouldn't be doing…whatever it is we're doing now!" Deep sapphires flashed and hardened. "Because you're with Nya, or did you forget about her?"

"Don't bring her up now."

"Why not?!" Jay shot back vehemently. "Because you know what you're doing is wrong?! Because you know it would be a betrayal to her?!"

Undeterred, Cole lowered himself completely unto Jay, his chest making solid contact with the other ninja's as he settled comfortably in between his legs.

Jay gasped and turned his face away from Cole, his eyes squeezed shut and his teeth gritted. Cole's hands found his friend's, and he interlaced their fingers up over the younger man's head. The earth ninja then placed his lips near Jay's ear. "I would rather betray Nya than my own heart, Jay," he whispered. "Would you have me do that? Just to please her?"

"D-D-Don't—don't say that," Jay pleaded, his voice shaky and low. "You're just starting out. The least you can do is give it a chance… She's depending on you…to make her happy…"

Cole blinked in astonishment. He knew right then and there that Jay placed Nya higher than himself. Even after she had left him, he still cared—loved her so much that he would make sure that she got what she wanted.

"Jay…" His ninja brother was beautiful—both inside and out. Jay wanted Cole to try being in a relationship with Nya. And truth be told, Cole had decided himself to give being with her a shot. He closed his eyes with an elongated sigh. His mind, body, and soul were all screaming at him to forget about the girl—that there was no real reason to "try". Although…in his heart…he didn't want to make Jay sad, and it would be unfair to just drop Nya after she had chosen him.

Cole opened his eyes and regarded Jay's profile, the other still turned away. "Fine…I'll give being with Nya a genuine chance… If that's what you want."

Jay eyed him from his peripheral for a moment before slowly turning back to face him. "Yeah…I do."

Cole nodded coolly. "Okay…but I want something in return…"

A wary look passed over Jay's face. "What…?"

Emerald and sapphire locked. "A kiss," Cole said shortly and blue gems widened. "If you're so sure that what I'm experiencing is just a "phase"…then I want to experience it wholeheartedly before it…phases out. Right now…on our final night here…alone…together. Will you give me that, Jay? Another one of those things that's just between us?"

Jay stared up at him, slack-jawed. Then, after several long moments of tense silence…deep blues became hooded and shimmered in the dim, golden fluorescents. "Just one…?" He breathed softly and Cole smiled, inching his face closer, his own rich greens hooding with need and adoration.

"Just one…" he whispered back. Their lips were close—mere centimeters away—but Cole kept himself at bay.

Jay's warm breath caressed his face as he whispered wantonly: "Yes…"

Electric. That's what it felt like when Cole pressed his lips to Jay's. Currents of liquid euphoria coursed through his bloodstream, gratifying and absolute. His eyes closed blissfully, the feel of Jay's soft and plump curves sending him to nirvana. But what really got him…was Jay's immediate participation. The lightning ninja's experience was really shining through: he suckled and nipped gently on Cole's lower lip, causing the ninja leader to moan deep in his throat.

Wanting to feel more, Cole regained initiative and decisively pried apart Jay's baby pink curves, and sought the essence that defined the Master of Lightning—his taste. Cole could feel the warm body beneath his shudder as his tongue came in contact with the other's. Now sharing the same breath, Cole drank ravenously from Jay's unique fountain.

God… God…

Cole's body was sent into a delicious heat, one that wafted upward to fog his brain, and drifted downward to fire his nether. He became instantly enamored and addicted to Jay's taste—a divine blend of sweet and tartness…like blueberries and blackberries.

He craved for more. He yearned for more. He wanted Jay. He needed Jay.

The blue ninja suddenly turned his head away from Cole, effectively breaking the kiss. Both young men panted breathlessly, their cheeks doused a fine crimson. "That's one," Jay gasped. "That's—haa—was all you wanted, right? We can't… We can't…"

Wordlessly, Cole gripped Jay's chin and firmly but gently, he turned the other man's head back to face him. He wasn't finished. Licking his lips, Cole resumed precious contact—kissing Jay…again and again. They turned their heads to different angles, used different amounts of pressure, and simply continued to taste each other—never getting enough. Jay's hands slipped under Cole's arms and traveled upward to grip strongly at the black ninja's shoulders. While Cole's hands found Jay's hair. He weaved his appendages lovingly through the silken chestnut locks; having wanted to since Jay did the same to him earlier.

Passion was fueling Cole's actions, and his heart soared and thumped fiercely in his chest. But at that moment, he could also feel something else…Jay's heart. It pounded just as soundly as his… No, more than that… It pounded in synch with his.

No…I don't want this to be just for one night… I want this to be for every night after this… I'm in love with him… I'm in love with Jason… And he's in love with me too… I can feel it…

And Cole could too. Not just from Jay's heart, but from his body as well. Wanting to go even further, Cole grounded his hips deliberately onto Jay's, causing the younger to emit a sound akin to a yelp and a gasp. The blue ninja breathed roughly through his mouth as he turned his head away, but Cole was just getting started. The thin layer of their pajama bottoms did close to nothing to conceal the two ninja's arousals.

The earth ninja was painfully hard…and Jay was getting there…

Jay's breathing was beyond sporadic as he grasped Cole's shoulders with trembling hands. And with more of a moan than a grunt, Cole lifted Jay slightly and leaned him back against the headboard.

"Stop…haa…s-stop, Cole…AH!" Jay's surprised yelp was from feeling Cole's hot tongue on his neck, and he panted raggedly, his pleasure mounting to extreme levels.

"Jason…please…"

Jay's eyes went wide, and he at once began actively fighting against the one holding him. "No! Stop! I said no dammit!"

"Jason, wait!" Cole struggled with him, desperately wanting him to accept and understand their joint feelings. "Please, I—"

"NO!" Jay screamed and scrambled off the bed. He panted and glared at Cole through mussed bangs. "I can't take it… It's too much… It's not right, Cole… We can't…"

"Not right…?" Cole shook his head in disbelief and glared right back at his best friend. "Jason, how can what I feel for you be wrong?"

"Don't call me that! Will you stop! Please?!" Jay looked desperately at Cole and the other ninja closed his mouth. Jay lifted his hands and took a step back towards the bathroom door. "Just…stay here. Don't follow me—just go to sleep… Goodnight, Cole…" And with those strangled, parting words, Jay turned on his heel and all but fled from the room, leaving Cole feeling utterly alone and heartbroken.

Cole stared at the bathroom door for the longest time. He knew Jay had left through the other side and most likely was on his way to the observatory, but still…he hoped he would come back.

Wishful thinking… He's gone, Cole…

Feeling dejected and melancholic, Cole slowly climbed back under the covers and snapped his fingers, draping Jay's room in complete darkness. He stared into the abyss as his mind drifted. Jay was scared, that much was obvious. But everything that happened originated from one source: love. The Elemental Tournament was the turnabout—the catalyst from which both ninja realized how much they truly cared about each other.

Cole closed his eyes in sweet remembrance, to those precious word's Jay said to him:

"…I was concerned about losing Nya, but I was more concerned about losing you…"

Cole's heart had skipped a beat then, and he pledged along with Jay to forever be the best of friends. But now that he wanted more, what was he to do? Cole thought about this throughout the twilight hours of the night, until his eyes began to droop. His senses pricked, however, when he heard the slow creak of a door opening. Fully awake once more, he waited—feeling Jay's presence coming from the opposite side of the bed.

The mattress abruptly dipped from an added weight, and the sound of rustling sheets caught his ear as a warm body moved closer to him.

Cole swallowed, but chose to remain silent. He could feel Jay's eyes on him, but he didn't move.

"Don't say a word…" came a hard whisper. "…I was just cold. The blanket was on "10"…but I was still so damn cold…"

The mattress dipped slightly again as Jay moved closer and settled next to Cole's side, his head coming to rest on the earth ninja's shoulder. Cole bit his lip—still not daring to move or speak. An arm then crept across his middle and a palm settled over his heart.

"This can't be one of those things just between us, Cole. This night—what happened…has to be completely forgotten…"

Cole frowned, wanting to argue, but knew not to at the moment. Instead, he would take what he could get right now, and wrapped his arm around Jay; letting his hand rest firmly against the other's hip. And when he closed his eyes to dream, the planes of his subconscious showed him vibrant images of a beautiful blue-eyed man dressed in a pure white suit, pledging his bountiful and eternal love to him.

The frown gradually gave way to a serene smile. "I do."

Author's Note: Please leave your thoughts!