Author's Note: Wow, I was really sick for a long time. But I'm back and feeling much better! And seeing your lovely reviews really helped to perk me up from the mucus-filled semi-coma I was in while I had bronchitis. Thank you! You are all very lovely and considerate.

Unexpected

By: Mad Betrayal

"True friendship can afford true knowledge. It does not depend on darkness and ignorance…"—Henry David Thoreau

Chapter 16 ~ A Bolt from the Blue

Call Jay crazy if you want, but he always thought seasons conveyed emotions. Spring expressed joy and excitement, summer usually radiated with activeness and energy, fall was usually the time to be reflective and insightful, and winter…well, winter was the calm. It was the time of season to be tranquil and serene, with just a hint of loneliness.

"Four hot chocolates, please. Three with marshmallows and one with peppermint."

The delicately plump woman on the other side of the booth smiled toothily at Jay and called out his order over her shoulder, the big bell on the end of her Santa Clause hat giving a little jingle with the movement. Her nose and cheeks were doused in red from being exposed to the cold, but her pale blue eyes sparkled with appreciation and spirit nonetheless.

"That'll be $5.60, sir," she said with an exuberance the blue ninja couldn't help but appreciate, and he forked over a ten. When he received his change back, he dropped it in the scarcely populated "TIPS" jar stationed off to the side. If possible, the woman's smile broadened even more. "Thank you very much, sir!"

The blue ninja shrugged, grinning. "Tis the season."

He received his order shortly after…along with a festively wrapped bag of gingerbread cookies. He met the woman's eyes confusedly.

"Tis the season," she mimicked, and Jay nodded with a smile.

"Thank you."

He decided he would give them to Lloyd and Brad since he knew Nya didn't too much care for gingerbread, and he wasn't really hungry at the moment. Snow crunched loudly underfoot as he made his way back to the park across the street. Cars trekked at a very sluggish pace—wary and cautious of the ice on the roads. And Jay thankfully made it to the opposite side without incident, grateful to Sensei Wu for helping him develop such strong legs and sure-footedness. He held onto the cup holder with a firm grip as an arctic gale careened down upon him and buffeted his hair and navy blue scarf. The wind's passing left his eyes watery and his vision blurred, but he chuckled good-naturedly.

"Geez Zane…this is your type of weather…"

The park was peppered with people here and there: A couple was seated at a bench, snuggling and conversing happily with each other as they sipped from their foam cups. Another couple was strolling along the curved sidewalk, walking their two malamutes. Jay eyed the large and beautiful dogs with hope and yearning. He always wanted a dog, but since his mom was allergic to pet dander, he was denied that particular luxury to owning anything with fur when he was younger.

"Maybe I'll get one sometime soon… I can afford to now." The blue ninja was sure he mentioned wanting a dog to his brothers a few times in the past, but he doubt anyone was really listening. Ducking under a low branch of a barren oak, Jay came across the park's frozen lake. Cheers and whoops could be heard in the distance as he spotted quite a large number of kids playing ice hockey over yonder. And there standing along the outer banks was his small group of friends.

Nya was the first to notice him and waved a greeting. Her cute nose matched the hue of her lips as she beamed at him, and Jay instinctively felt his legs move a tad bit quicker so that he could reach them faster. They all were dressed appropriately for the weather: Nya, in her purple snow pants and parka with a red scarf, mittens, and ear muffs to boot. Lloyd was decked-out in a very stylish green pea coat and black pants and scarf, his hands fitted in the ninja customary black gloves. And Brad was sporting the new coat that he had picked out for himself the other day. It was a black hooded number beautifully trimmed with teal and shamrock. He also wore black pants, gloves, and a teal scarf.

"Thanks Jay-Seonbae," Brad said appreciatively, after taking the cup the blue ninja gave him upon nearing.

Nya's soft chocolate orbs suddenly widened. "Oh Jay, did you remember to get mine with—"

"Peppermint?" Jay interrupted his ex with a soft chuckle. "Of course! I've always remembered the details, Nya," he said, handing his co-tinkerer her specifically labeled cup. She stared at him for moment before taking it gratefully from his hand.

Jay turned to Lloyd when he heard the blonde snickering under his breath. Did he miss something? "What's so funny, Lloyd?" He asked, handing the green ninja his cup as well.

Dark rubies met his gaze evenly, a sardonic smirk planted on his lips. "Nothing, I was just thinking how amazing it is that some people can lack the necessary common sense to be happy with what they got. And that they don't realize what they had until they've lost it." He lifted his cup of hot chocolate to his lips and blew over the steaming top casually. "It's a bit sad really, but also hysterical."

Jay's brow furrowed. Just what "people" was Lloyd referring to? And where did the notion come from anyway? Being as random as it was. In his peripheral he thought he saw Nya purse her lips. The younger ninja shrugged though and shook his head. "Anyway, what's in the bag, Jay?" He asked, gesturing with his cup at the glimmering green Christmas foil.

Deciding to let the matter drop, Jay took the festively wrapped bundle in hand. "Gingerbread cookies…here…" He passed over the baked sweets to his charge. "You and Brad can share them, but don't eat them all, okay?" Deep blues locked on the raven and blonde pointedly. "Wouldn't want you two spoiling your appetites. You know it's my turn to cook the meals for today."

The two young men instantly beamed at their elder, obviously loving the idea of eating more of Jay's delicious meals. But then Brad turned an inquiring eye to the female of the group. "What about you, Nya? Would you like a cookie?" He asked kindly, but Nya shook her head.

"No thanks."

Jay nodded. "Yeah, the combination of ginger and molasses messes with her allergies," he informed Brad knowingly. "Along with its sharp taste, it also has a sharp smell. So mingle that in with her low tolerance for perfume, and you got yourself a rosy-cheeked Nya."

"Oh…" Sympathetic aquamarines shifted over to Jay's ex again. "Sorry, I didn't know."

Lloyd took a sip of his cocoa. "I doubt anyone knows that besides Jay and Kai," he remarked, looking out towards the lake. A stray, frosty gale passed through the huddled group just then, tousling their hair.

Brad closed his eyes serenely as his long inky tresses danced in the breeze. "Hmm…I love being out here…" he sighed, and Jay caught Lloyd staring at his former classmate with a noticeable blush.

He smiled.

Breathing deeply, lovely aquas reopened and Brad turned to Lloyd excitedly. "Can we go for a walk?" He asked his friend. "I want to check out the flowerbed by the fountain."

Seeming to come out of his trance, Lloyd blinked rapidly. "H-Huh?" His blush deepened, reaching the tips of his ears. "Well y-yeah, we can go for a walk, but…what flowerbed? The ground's covered in snow."

"Yeah, but even so I can still feel them…" Brad suddenly lowered himself to the ground and brushed away some of the icy powder to reveal a patch of withered stems. "Though the parents have died, their children still live. And are buried deep beneath the soil…sleeping… I just want to say hello, and that I hope to see them in the spring…"

Brad's soft admission was not unheard of. The knowledge of the raven's adoration as well as kinship with flora had been shared throughout the Destiny's Bounty. Sensei Wu suspected that "Mana", the forbidden element that sustains all life on Ninjago, had undoubtedly amplified Brad's affinity towards plant life, but by how much remained to be seen.

Lloyd pocketed the cookies and held out his hand for his kneeling friend to take. His scarlet gaze was warm as he peered down at him. "Sure, let's go."

Brad looked between Lloyd and his outstretched hand with wide eyes before tucking some of his hair behind his ear and taking the offered pick-me-up, his golden cheeks dusting with a rosy shade of pink as he returned his best friend's shy smile. Once back on his feet, he held fast to Lloyd's hand and both young men blushed with embarrassment, but neither tried to pull away.

"Well—uh…w-we'll be going now," Lloyd said, barely meeting Jay's gaze. And Brad just nodded, hiding the lower half of his face beneath his scarf.

If Jay had a tail, it'd be wagging like mad right about now. The whole "first crush" phase the two boys were displaying was just so cute and it made him happy that his charge was now experiencing it. He waved the two young men off with a smirk. "Yeah, yeah, just don't stray too far. And make sure your phones are on."

Jay watched the couple make a slow trail down the snow-ridden slope and towards the copse of naked trees. His chestnut bangs blew about his eyes as he surveyed the quiet city around them encased in white. In spite of the holiday season, the town was very lax and sparsely decorated with the Christmas theme. In fact, it almost seemed to be "asleep" in some way. Jay exhaled slowly, his breath streaming out in wisps of white. "Siesta City indeed…"

Looking around, he spotted a park bench a little ways up the hill near the sidewalk and began his climb towards it with Nya falling in step beside him. "…Say…Jay…?"

The lightning ninja turned his head to peer at the pretty young woman at his shoulder, a troubled frown marring her soft features. "Yeah…?"

"…Do you think Lloyd and Brad are…attracted to one another…?" Nya asked tentatively, and Jay glanced back over his shoulder in the direction his two younger friends went. He could still somewhat see their distant figures amongst the bare trees…and they were still holding hands.

He looked back at Nya. "It seems that way. I mean, all the signs are there… Why do you ask?"

A quick shake of the head had Nya's onyx tresses swishing against her pale cheeks. "No reason," she replied, with a shrug. "I guess they're just like Kai and Zane, that's all."

Throughout the past week, it had been noticed by every member on the Bounty how close the fire and ice ninjas were getting. A wall had crumbled between the two since the revealing of Brad's existence, and they had been able to move forward in their relationship. Christmas was fast-approaching and with it, their first official date. Not that Kai and Zane hadn't been on any outings together, for Jay believed the two went Christmas shopping a few days ago in town…if the bags and smug smiles they had etched across their faces upon returning was anything to go by.

Which reminds me, I need to grab Zane so we can go grocery shopping for Christmas dinner…and maybe I'll ask Cole if he wants to tag along… I am supposed to be helping him become a better cook, after all…

The pair made it to the bench and sat down, the height allowing them to oversee the lake. Jay briefly wondered why his ex was sitting so close to him, but quickly dismissed it. Probably for warmth… However, despite the thought, the azure ninja made sure they weren't touching.

"I mean, don't get me wrong," Nya pressed. "I love Kai—he's my brother, and Zane will always be good friend, but I just never really understood the concept…" She stopped to take a sip from her cup, flashing Jay another pretty smile for remembering to add peppermint to her drink. She then continued. "…Two men can't make a baby, obviously, so there's no long-lasting, future goal to shoot for. And with Zane being an android—"

"Nindroid," Jay corrected automatically, causing Nya to roll her eyes.

"Fine, a nindroid… That makes it even more difficult for them. I mean, it's purely illogical. The science just doesn't add up. There's adoption, sure, but the option to pass on bloodlines is nonexistent." She sighed and shook her head hopelessly—as if she pitied Kai and Zane. "Seriously…being gay is just a waste of time, and a major inconvenience for the human race as a whole. It's just not a good idea."

Jay looked at his ex-girlfriend incredulously, his brow furrowed. "Nya, it's not about the science," he refuted. "If love could be identified as one thing, it sure as hell wouldn't be "logical". The happiness of two people is all that matters regardless of gender, and as far as it being an "inconvenience" I really beg to differ. Why do you think we have adoption centers in the first place? I'll tell you why, because women, who aren't ready to be mothers, get knocked-up. And sometimes they're not even women! Little girls get raped, Nya! And they have no choice but to give their babies up for adoption—if they don't choose to terminate the pregnancy altogether! There are way too many tragic factors produced from the cruelty and irresponsibility of heterosexual couples! So if a homosexual one wants to walk into an adoption center and adopt a baby, and show them the love and care that child couldn't get from a heterosexual couple then I ask you… Where the fuck is the "inconvenience"?!"

Jay was yelling at Nya by the time he finished. He had never been so angry at her before! He knew everyone was entitled to their own opinion, but the way she voiced hers made it seem like it was nothing but the truth! Where did she get the ego or even audacity to say such things?!

Jay turned away from her shocked expression and looked out across the lake at the kids playing hockey, a hard frown darkening his once cheerful face. And not only that, she was indirectly belittling Kai and Zane—her own brother and friend! Like they're just doomed to failure from the start! I had to defend them! And… He blinked. And maybe…

Jay's tense posture gradually relaxed as he became downcast. Another reason why I got so upset…was because I felt like she was attacking me and Cole… What the hell is wrong with me…? We can only be best friends—I said this, I know this! It's not about me anymore…it's about them… I'm out of the picture now… And all I have are my memories and…

Saddened blues slowly shifted downward to the untouched hot beverage in his hand. Well, perhaps not so "hot" anymore, for nary a column of steam still wafted from the top from the small opening on the lid. Jay stared at his drink for a long while—wanting to resist. But the sudden craving was hitting him like a sledgehammer, and he found his resistance crumbling…as it always seemed to do in regards to his best friend. Therefore, he lifted the cup to his lips, and warm, smooth, and creamy milk chocolate slid over his tongue, titillating his taste bugs and stimulating his mind. His heart pounded as memories—memories that seemed so distant now—assaulted him with fierce clarity.

Cole had kissed him so passionately that night… His strong hand had cupped his cheek, and stroked it gently with his thumb as he parted Jay's lips… The memory alone made the Master of Lightning shiver, and he continued to guzzle his drink—unable to stop. He was pretty sure that the last thing on Cole's mind at the time had been homosexuality, as he knew it wasn't on his.

No…all I could think about was… 'My best friend is kissing me' and… 'Am I in love with my best friend…?'

The flash of memories soon stopped, and Jay instantly knew why… He had no more hot chocolate left in his cup. Cole's taste had evaporated from his tongue. He lowered his now empty cup and licked his lips, gathering the last bit of cocoa from them before swallowing.

This is all I have…and God if it isn't pathetic…

He lifted his gaze from his cup and back up to the frozen lake, his gaze vacant and forlorn. When would the opportunity present itself for him to truly let go of Cole's feelings as well as his own? Were things destined to get worse before they got better? Was there nothing for him to do but persevere until that time came? And could he…?

"Jay…?"

A light touch on his arm made the blue ninja flinch and jerk his head back to Nya in surprise. And not expecting the rapid, jerky movement, she flinched away from him as well. The two stared at each through the quiet world of white and its distant cries of joy and exhilaration. But then—almost simultaneously—the man and women released a calming exhale.

"I'm…I'm sorry, Jay," Nya said softly, meeting his gaze with both remorse and bewilderment. "I didn't mean to make you so upset… I…"

But Jay shook his head. "No, I'm the one who should apologize. I shouldn't have lost my temper the way I did… I'm sorry, Nya…" He swallowed then, feeling awkward and at odds with himself. And he could tell by the unsure way his ex's fingers played with the hem of her parka that she was at a loss too.

Sigh…I have to fix this… Straightening up, Jay graced Nya with the truest smile he could muster. "A-Anyway, umm…your birthday's tomorrow! They say twenty-one is the true beginning of adulthood…" When chocolate orbs found his blues again, he plowed forth—eager to release the tension. "…Ah…a-any thoughts?"

That seemed to be the right thing to say, for Nya instantly relaxed and beamed at him. "Well I don't really have any thoughts about the age itself, but…Jay…" She looked at him, hopeful and serious. "…I'd like to ask you for a little help—a favor—if you don't mind…"

Jay grinned, his eyes creasing into happy crescents. "Oh sure! You'll be the birthday girl soon, so of course I wouldn't mind! What's up?"

"Well…it's about Cole…"

The lightning ninja's eyes snapped open and his grin fell gracelessly off his lips. "H-Huh...?"

Her eyes were looking right into his—still so hopeful, still so serious. "You're his best friend. You know him better than anyone else, right?"

Jay was getting increasing uncomfortable by the second, and Nya's staring wasn't helping any. "I—well, yeah, but—I wouldn't exactly call him the most complicated guy in the world…heh…" Funny, didn't Cole say pretty much the same thing about him at his parents' place?

"Be that as it may, do you have any idea why he's been so distant lately?" She pressed. "I've tried talking to him myself, but I can hardly get two words out of him. And when I change the subject off him, he just sits there and looks at me like he's preoccupied with something else… Like he just hates where he is…"

As he eyed his ex's crestfallen expression, Jay remembered another thing—something even further back in the past. And the words had been spoken by Cole's father, Lou, nonetheless.

"And Cole, try to act like you want to be here…"

Jay didn't think that was really something to be concerned about, since Cole's attitude really hadn't change that much since then. He's always been sorta closed-off, that's just him being him… Although… An unsure frown twisted the azure ninja's lips. I haven't exactly been hanging-out with him much lately so…there could be something else going on…

After Jay's weeping session with Zane the other day, the ice ninja had advised him to talk to Cole about his feelings. But Jay had sadly refused, not wanting to cause Nya any harm as she forged a new relationship with his best friend. So, to give the couple the much needed one-on-one time they deserved, Jay had took it upon himself to stay away from Cole. He still saw him throughout the day, of course—during meals and training and that sort of thing. But most of the time after any of those events, he would leave the Bounty to either scout around the perimeter like a good ninja, or do a little Christmas shopping of his own. He actually wanted to start decorating the Bounty today when he and the others got back in order to liven the place up and get the holiday-spirit flowing.

But I guess by doing all that I've also been neglecting Cole… I don't really know what he's been up to recently… Some "best friend" I've been… A rift wasn't supposed to form between us, because of Nya… But I've been the one distancing myself from his company…

Jay's frown turned pensive, but he forced a grin on his face when he met Nay's rueful gaze. "Hey, don't worry about it. A lot has happened this past week and he probably does have a lot on his mind. Just give it time, Nya. Every relationship needs time to develop."

"Which leads to the favor…" A rather harsh nor'easter careened over the two then, and Nya moved closer to Jay, seeking his warmth and placing a gentle hand on his leg. The blue ninja did his best not to flinch. "…I was hoping you could expedite the process a bit, Jay."

Bafflement pricked Jay's mind at his ex's request, and a sense of dread and wariness soon followed. "And how would I do that exactly…?" He asked, not bothering to hide his trepidation.

And then that look was back…that hopeful, serious look. "I would like for you tell Cole all you know about me," she said, and her hand gave his thigh a little squeeze, causing his muscles to immediately stiffen. "You know me so well, Jay," she persisted. "I just want you to pass on that knowledge to him—to help us out some."

Jay just stared at her. He literally just stared at his ex. What were they in? 8th Grade? Why couldn't she just tell him these things herself? And wouldn't she want him to find out more about her through his own discoveries? Like he did? Why would she make him—her ex-boyfriend—the middle man? Why would she want to put him through that?

Jay faltered, shell-shocked. His heart pounded anxiously in his ears at the sheer absurdness of it all, when all of a sudden…a tiny, dark, elusive piece of his mind conjured a thought. But maybe…I could help them this way… If I could help Cole fall in love with Nya faster…then perhaps I can…let go… Truly let go…

His mouth opened, and his lips formed the words he had to say. It was odd though…for his own voice sounded strangely hollow and distant in his ears, so unlike his normal voice. Like he wasn't saying the words at all. "Yeah… Yeah, I can do that for you, Nya… I can help you…"

Jay was still staring at her. He saw the widening of those pretty rose-colored lips, and the sparkle in those soft chocolate eyes. He finally blinked.

"Thank you, Jay! Thank you so much!" Her rapture didn't reach him, and when she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, he felt nothing but cold. "I'm so glad you understand me…" Her lips were next to his ear, her hot breath warming it with each word she breathed. "I'm so glad we can still be friends…"

Jay's arms shook as he lifted them to reciprocate, and he inclined his head stiffly in agreement. The abrupt ringing of his phone caused the two exes to part and Jay mumbled a small, "Excuse me." before retrieving it from his coat pocket. He didn't bother to look at the caller ID.

He accepted the call and placed it to his ear. "Hello?" His voice still sounded strange, and the caller instantly realized it.

(Jay? What's wrong? Are you okay?)

The blue ninja's body jerked unexpectedly, as if waking up from a deep, dark, comatose, sleep. It was Cole. "Y-Yeah, yeah, I'm fine! I'm fine!" He shivered, but forced his voice to sound as even and convincing as possible. "Just a little cold… What's up?"

Heartbeats of silence ensued, and Jay actually thought for a second that his line had gone dead. That is until Cole's alto tone came through the speaker and tantalized his ear. (Don't lie, Jay. You know you're not good at it. I need to talk to you, but before that…everyone needs to assemble back here ASAP. Zane found something…peculiar around Ninjago's orbit.)

Forgetting about his farce and inability to get a lie past his best friend, Jay immediately paid close attention. "What? Is it the meteors? Is Brad's prophecy actually coming true!?" He asked frantically, and Nya turned wide eyes to him, her cup lowering from her mouth.

(That's what it looks like, but hurry on back so that you can see for yourself. We're already heading for New Ninjago City.)

Jay blinked confusedly. "Why New Ninjago City?"

(Because…) Unlike his, Cole's voice was strong and certain. And Jay found his heart responding to it. (…that's where they're going to hit… And that's where everything is going to truly begin…)

Author's Note: Why do you sound so boss, Cole? Figure something out, did you? Hehe, anyway, please leave your thoughts and look out for quicker updates to this story and to 'Ninjalogy' since I'm feeling better.