Coloured lights flashed in time with the music, the bass was pumping, the drinks were flowing... and the ninja were officially in chill mode. Even Sensei Wu had joined in the revelry, for although he was an old master, he still had the moves of his younger self.

Cole took great delight in being the MC for their little in-house gig, turning out a number of festive and year-round songs to get his friends up and dancing. As such, only Zane remained absent – putting the finishing touches on his culinary masterpiece no doubt.

Nya had managed to get Pixal up for a dance once or twice, though she was more than a little reluctant to put herself out there. Jay and Kai, on the other hand, were not nearly as shy, throwing their all into what could only be described as a dance off, and Lloyd was enjoying the general ambience of the evening. After everything had happened that year, it was refreshing to be able to relax and have a bit of fun.

It wasn't too long before Zane made his appearance, having finished his Christmas confection and placed it in a glass cake dome to keep it protected until the time was right. He spotted Pixal immediately, and somehow managed to sneak up on her, despite the kitchen door being in her peripheral vision. He placed his hands over her eyes, and she excitedly whirled around in her seat – she had become very familiar with those hands and would recognise them anywhere. Aside from which, his hands were the only ones besides hers which were metal.

The music seamlessly went from bouncy pop to EDM, as a notoriously energetic and humorous track began playing. Jay pumped his fists in the air almost victoriously; this was his jam. Zane held out his hand to Pixal, silently asking her to dance with him. Though she hesitated for a second, Pixal quickly accepted his offer, and they both got up to dance. Despite being hindered by her prevailing shyness; Zane's presence made her relaxed enough to cut loose a little.

Pixal soon relaxed into the joyous atmosphere, slowly moving a little more with each verse. She was really enjoying herself and gently waved her arms in time to the tempo of the song. Zane was impressed by how she was opening up to human activities, when it would be just as easy for her to withdraw.

Nya smiled as she made a surreptitious signal to Cole, a signal he otherwise might have missed if not for the fact that he'd been watching and waiting for it. After some snooping, Nya found out which song Zane had been using to teach Pixal to dance, and secretly arranged with Cole to acquire it for the party.

As the song currently playing was winding down, Cole switched to a pop and R&B song lined with muted, shuffling percussion and a syncopated, polyrhythm.

Pixal immediately recognised it from the opening score and looked to Zane for reassurance. He smiled at her with confidence, conveying utmost belief in her abilities. He led her into their opening stance, and as the music swelled from a heavy beat and melodic guitars to rich male vocals, she recalled everything he had taught her.

They stood face to face, taking basic salsa side-steps and loosely moving their arms to the rhythm. They mirrored each other's movements as they both reached out, so their right hands were touching. They gracefully danced in a circle until they had switched places. He drew close to her and rested his hands on her hips while she draped her arms around his neck. Then, as he smoothly whirled around, she matched him step for step, returning to her previous habit of watching her footwork. Zane, with one hand still on her hip, lifted Pixal's left hand from his shoulder and gently kissed it. She looked up as he warmly smiled at her, wordlessly encouraging her to focus on the music and just follow the beat.

And just as they had in her room at Borg Industries, Pixal's movements smoothed out and her footsteps effortlessly mirrored his – when he stepped forward, she stepped back, and when she stepped forward, he stepped back – their hips swayed to the feathery synths and dreamy guitar riffs as Zane occasionally twirled Pixal around, much to her delight.

The others could not believe what they were seeing. Droids did not have a natural understanding of music and dance, but Zane and Pixal were dancing as if they had been doing it their whole lives. He raised his arm and pulled her into a multiple spin, letting go of her hand when she was once again standing beside him. Pixal lifted her hands up behind her head and daintily swayed as Zane swept onto one knee and offered his hand. She accepted, and he smoothly rose to his feet.

Hand in hand once more, they both stepped back and forth with artistic flair, stretching out their arms and flowing into a cross body lead every time they pulled each other close again. They repeated the forward, two three step, backward two three step, as the world around them seemed to completely melt away into the flickering drums and atmospheric bridge. He wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her close, elegantly swaying with her. After a minute of enthusiastic, closed position samba dancing, he whirled her into another multiple spin and leaned her into a dip, slowly pulling her up in such a way that he was now behind her with his hand on her waist. She placed her hand on his cheek and looked at him with an all-consuming glance.

The song finished, and when the next song didn't immediately start, they looked up; slightly confused by the sudden quietness in an otherwise continuous stream of music. It was then that Zane and Pixal realised they had unintentionally acquired a captive audience.

After a few moments of stunned silence, there came an abrupt applause.

"Where did you guys learn to do that?" Kai spoke, the shock in his voice was clear as a bell.

"Oh... It is purely self-taught," Zane sheepishly chuckled as he and Pixal separated from her previously entangled position. "the internet is a more reliable resource than people realize."

As Zane attempted to explain what his friends perceived to be a most astounding phenomenon, he couldn't help but notice Sensei Wu's unspoken approval. The old master crossed his arms and smiled as he nodded, clearly impressed with Zane's teaching abilities and Pixal's acquired sense of rhythm.

"Well, I must say that was a most impressive demonstration," Wu stated. "perhaps this would be a good time for a brief interval."

"Yes Sensei." Zane agreed.

As he went off to the kitchen, Nya collared Pixal, curious how she had learned to dance like that in such a short time.

"Zane is a very good teacher, he began to teach me back at Borg Industries," Pixal explained. "we also had all day yesterday to practice while everyone was away."

"So that's what you guys were up to while we were all out." Nya said cheerfully.

"Yes of course," Pixal replied. "what else would Zane and I have been doing?"

"I knew you couldn't have been drafting designs the whole time," Nya admitted, pushing Jay's ridiculous theories to the back of her mind. "you're so intelligent, there's no way it would've taken that long to do."

"Thank you for the compliment." Pixal smiled.

Zane soon returned with his edible magnum opus. He placed the Christmas cake on a nearby table, the lights still flashing around the room, as his friends gathered around him. He wielded a cake knife and offered it to Lloyd to make a speech, and the first cut into the cake – as was the tradition.

Lloyd, however, pushed the knife back in Zane's direction, as if relinquishing his leader-like Christmas duties to the slightly confused droid.

"Oh... Well, thank you... As another year draws to a close, I feel like this has been a very special one," he began. "it has not been easy; we have faced new enemies, learned new skills, and become new people from those experiences."

"Here, here." Lloyd agreed.

"So, to my friends, to my teacher... to my love," Zane looked at each of them in turn, his gaze lingering upon Pixal for a moment longer than usual. "Merry Christmas, and may the coming year be good to us."

"Merry Christmas!" They all responded in unison.

And with that, Zane made the first cut into the delicious, spongy treat, much to the delight of his peers. He cut it into 8 equal pieces and invited his friends to enjoy the saccharine treat he had created, placing each slice onto individual plates.

"Right," Cole announced, returning to his DJ deck, cake in hand. "time for a little atmosphere."

He threw on a Christmas classic, something fun and upbeat for his friends to enjoy with their much-loved refreshment.

"Thank you for dancing with me," Zane said, reaching out to touch Pixal's arm. "I know it is not what you are accustomed to."

"Thank you for teaching me," Pixal replied happily. "I cannot imagine I was an easy student."

"You are a fast learner, and you really rose to the challenge." Zane smiled, offered a slice of cake to Pixal, but she politely declined.

Although they were both droids, she was not built for eating food the way Zane was.

"I am sorry," she spoke remorsefully. "it appears that my new body is like my old one – eating is not required for me to function."

"There is no need to apologise," he insisted. "if anyone should apologise it is me; I was not sure of your capabilities regarding this and should have asked first."

"I am fascinated by your ability to eat," Pixal remarked. "I often wonder what such things taste like."

After a moment of silence between them, the festive beats still blowing away in the background, he smiled at her sincerely.

"You cannot eat, that does not mean you cannot taste," Zane concluded, scooping a small amount of the sweet, whipped topping with his hand and offering it to her.

She paused for a moment, glancing first at the sliver of soft cream and then at Zane's genial smile. Without a second thought, Pixal licked the cream straight from the tip of his fingers. Zane was stunned. Even as he watched her expression change from neutral to delighted, all he could take in was the residual tingling that her tongue left on him. It was very similar to something else of hers that he had experienced recently...

"That was wonderful!" She squeaked excitedly, licking her lips and gazing at him in awe. "No wonder the others look forward to this so much."

She was slightly confused by his suddenly unreadable expression. She stood before him, tilting her head inquisitively as her bright emerald eyes glittered. He was once again rendered helpless by her beauty – a subtle allure made all the more irresistible by the deeply curved neckline of her top.

He gently took her by the hand and led her out into the hallway. Away from the lights and the music and the eyesight of their peers.

"Zane? Is everything alright?" Pixal asked, her voice full of concern. "Was it something I said?"

He bit his lip, chills ran all over his body, and a familiar pulsation started creeping up on him. Unable to stop himself, he pulled her close and began kissing her. She immediately responded, sliding her arms around his neck and gently urging him closer. Her flirtatious giggling, whether intentional or not, slowly became more seductive and his breathing intensified with every enticing sound she made.

"I am crazy for you, Pixal," he breathed heavily. "You are such a powerful accelerant; I am consumed by the flames of my love for you."

"Oh Zane... our assignation yesterday unlocked a very salacious protocol," She purred. "I want very much to experience that sensation again."

"How I would love to have you as I did then; right here, right now," He growled. "but we need to return to the party before we are missed."

"If someone comes out to find me, I will feign delayed shyness." She agreed.

"I will go into the kitchen," He said, placing a swift kiss on her lips. "I need to put out the snacks for the rest of the evening."

Zane quickly dashed away and Pixal couldn't resist watching him until he was no longer in sight. He was so amazing, so special, and he made her feel like she was worth so much more than her robotic capabilities. By coincidence, Nya appeared in the hallway, having noticed Pixal's absence and decided to go investigate.

"There you are!" Nya said as she waved. "I was wondering where you'd got to; that was quite a show you and Zane put on."

"It was a lot of fun," Pixal smiled back. "but once the music started playing again, I began to feel self-conscious."

"I'm sorry, playing that song was my idea," Nya confessed. "I didn't mean to cause any embarrassment, I just wanted you to have a good time."

"I am having a good time," Pixal reassured her. "I am not used to attending such gatherings as a guest, that is all."

"Good evening, ladies." Sensei Wu said as he approached them.

"Good evening, Sensei," Nya replied as she and Pixal both gave a respectful bow. "tapping out already?"

"Try as I may, I cannot keep up with you young ones," Wu chuckled. "besides which, I have another errand to go on."

"But you just got back yesterday." Nya mentioned.

"A Master's work is never done," Wu dutifully said. "I'm sure I can trust you to be the voice of maturity."

"Yes Sensei."

Wu nodded at the two girls before grabbing his staff and heading out the door.

"Does he often leave you all unattended?" Pixal asked.

"Hey, we're all adults, we can look after ourselves," Nya reminded her companion. "in fact, when we first met you, we were working as teachers at Sensei Wu's school."

Their conversation was interrupted by a tremendous crash coming from the living room.

"But sometimes I still feel like I'm surrounded by children." Nya sighed with frustration.

They made their way into the living room to find out what happened. On the plus side, it was nothing too serious, given that the ninja were all laughing, and apart from the sparks and smoke coming from one of the speakers, there seemed to be no other destruction.

"Okay, okay, I was wrong," Jay laughed, having been knocked back by the self-inflicted explosion. "more electrical current doesn't mean more volume."

"I told you it wouldn't work, you may be the Master of Lightning but I'm the DJ for a reason," Cole smirked as he helped Jay to his feet. "c'mon you, I need help bringing in the one of the back-up speakers; Kai, you mind watching the decks for me?"

"Got it!" Kai excitedly ran to Cole's earmarked post at the centre of the music station.

Fortunately, the music hadn't stopped during this incident; Cole had the foresight of staying 3 songs ahead after Zane and Pixal's unexpected dance routine caught him off guard earlier.

"I leave the room for two minutes and this is what happens?" Nya scolded as she approached Lloyd.

"I'm as surprised as you are," he replied. "I didn't think Jay would actually do it."

"There does not appear to be any lasting damage, I have seen worse incidents at some of Mr Borg's parties," Pixal noted. "certain restrictions were enforced after the Vice President's birthday the year before last."

"Now that's a story I'd like to hear." Lloyd grinned.

"It is a story I would like to tell, but the details have been encrypted beyond my accessibility," Pixal mentioned calmly. "so far all I have managed to decipher is that a flying helmet and some wet celery were involved."

Jay and Cole hauled in the replacement speaker and within minutes had unplugged the old one and set up the new one. At which point Kai reluctantly gave up his spot, so Cole could continue the disc domination he had held thus far. As a thank you for his cooperation, Cole decided to play a song he knew was one of Kai's favourites; a lively K-pop track that prominently featured his element as the title.

Kai immediately recognised it and proceeded to dance like a ninja possessed. Even Jay was astounded by his mad dance skills.

Nya once again pulled Pixal onto the dance floor, this time with much less resistance – it appeared that letting loose with Zane earlier had made her less shy than she was at the start of the evening. Even though Pixal came across as self-conscious for the most part, something about the music was bringing her out of her shell.

As the music switched from male K-pop to female RnB, Nya and Pixal had taken to dancing side by side, having such a great time that they were almost feeding off each other's rhythm. Matching each other step for step, harmoniously swishing and swaying to the luscious EDM pulse.

Pixal had never had so much fun; this party was nothing like the diplomatic affairs held at Borg Tower, and it was certainly a change of pace for her to be enjoying herself at such a function. When the current song came to an end and the next one started, Nya put her hand on Pixal's shoulder and smiled widely at her, as if giving non-verbal approval.

Pixal bowed and walked away toward the kitchen, where Zane was setting out the last of the treats he had prepared for the occasion.

"Sounds like you are all having a good time in there, even with the equipment exploding." he smiled as she entered the room.

"Yes, the music is jumping, and I am impressed by how enjoyable parties can be," Pixal insisted, touching his arm gently. "but it is not as much fun without you."

He softly put his hand on her cheek, tilting his head and beaming at her. She nuzzled into his hand, glancing up at him – her eyes overflowing with infatuation.

"I am supposed to be the Master of Ice, yet one look from you and I melt," He whispered flirtatiously. "why is that?"

"I do not know." She grinned, sheepishly looking away.

"Come, let's get back to the party." Zane smiled as he led her into the living room.

Upon walking through the door, they were greeted by Lloyd, who accidentally bumped into them while dancing.

"Oops! Sorry, didn't see you there." He apologised.

"It is alright," Zane chuckled. "I have finished putting out the drinks and snacks in the kitchen, so please help yourselves."

"Cool, I'll let the others know." Lloyd smiled as he shuffled across the room to the beat and almost crashing into Kai, who was on his way over.

"Zane, Pixal." Kai nodded as he approached them.

"Hello Kai – are you having fun?" Zane asked.

"This is the best party we've ever had!" Kai laughed, holding up his drink. "You hit it out of the park with the cake, as usual."

"Thank you," Zane said with an appreciative smile. "there are more drinks and snacks in the kitchen."

"Cool," Kai grinned before turning his attention to Pixal. "hey Pix, come dance with me."

Unfamiliar with this shortened version of her name, she turned to Zane for guidance, to which he smiled and nodded, encouraging her to just go with it. Pixal turned to Kai with a smile and, excited by the dance pop song that was playing, eagerly followed him onto the dance floor.

Zane was happy to see her being so free spirited around them all, not just himself. She had been in his head – and as such, part of the team – for some time now, so her relaxed attitude, however slight it appeared to be, was certainly a long time coming.

"You gotta teach me some of those moves."

Zane turned to see Jay standing beside him, thoroughly enjoying some of the cinnamon roll ice cream that was a last-minute addition to the menu.

"Moves?"

"You know, on the dance floor with Pixal," Jay reminded. "I saw how she looked at you – I'd give anything for Nya to look at me like that."

"I'm no dance teacher, but I can certainly show you the basics," Zane replied. "as a ninja you have good rhythm already, so it should not be difficult for you to learn."

"Thanks dude," Jay grinned. "think you could teach me before the New Year's Eve gala?"

"We can certainly give it a shot; you'd have to lay off the ice cream though." Zane chuckled.

"But this ice cream is the best!" Jay mentioned as he had another mouthful.

"I am glad you like it," Zane grinned. "it was a rather spur of the moment decision to make it, so I was not sure how it would turn out."

Jay enthusiastically nodded; this was even better than last year's candy cane sorbet. Zane opted to leave Jay to his dessert and made his way over to have a dance, somehow finding himself locked in a musical duel with Lloyd, as they showed off their respective moves to a rap rock fusion track.

Everyone was dancing and enjoying themselves, the snacks and drinks went down a treat, and rather fortunately, the ninja had no immediate neighbours that might have been bothered by their raucous fun.

It was, as Kai had said, the best party they'd ever had.