A/N: The following is my editor's response to the Confession Prompt. So I guess this is the Confession Prompt, Part 2.

Pairing: Jai / Li Mei

Verse: Mortal Kombat

Eventual Pairing: Jai / Jade

Reasoning: I've struggled with this for the longest though I knew all along Jade would be redeemed. She and Jai were made for each other, and it was almost impossible for Jai to give up on Jade despite all the shit they've gone through. (Argument, betrayal, accused of murder, both thinking the other was seeing someone)

Li Mei offered herself to Jai as a show of gratitude for helping protect Sun Do against Kotal. It didn't work between them as Jai's loyalty is still to Edenia. (And Jade by extension)

Here's a 'what-if' for this couple.

Another long day of stealth kills and liberating lands had left Jai exhausted beyond words. After nearly three days out in the field, he returned to the village to recover and devise a new strategy. Kotal's hitmen were growing privy to the growing number of failed tax collections but were oblivious to the real culprit. Li Mei's assistance proved critical in covering his tracks, allowing him to pick off the transported money while leaving bloody messages to Outworld's tyrant.

'Continue pillaging these people; these severed heads will be the least of your worries, buluc.'

Needless to say, Kotal was none too pleased.

A faint smile crept across Jai's face at the thought of infuriating Kotal. Karma sure had a way of rearing its ugly head around. The fact Outworld let this transgression go unpunished for centuries was mind-boggling, something that will soon be rectified.

For now, a nap seemed sensible.

Once inside his makeshift dwelling, Jai removed his cloak and placed it on the floor near the mattress where his sword and parchment laid as well. It wasn't much but being a former Captain taught Jai to sleep anywhere without deference. He kicked off his shoes before lying down, scars littering each of his arms, courtesy of Erron and D'Vorah. During the initial raid, the pair caught him off guard and managed to inflict minimal damage but not enough to bring Jai back in chains. Caution would have to be exercised from here on out, especially with Kotal putting a bounty on his head without knowing his identity.

Jai knew better and assumed Erron already had suspicions.

Their first meeting went about as well as expected, both going face to face before Kotal ordered Erron to stand down. The Outworld bounty hunter made a mental note of Jai's attire. Lo and behold, it was the same despite darkness obscuring his clothing and the marked path.

'That was too close for comfort. I can't afford to make foolish mistakes like that again. Luck won't save me all the time,' Jai mused.

It wasn't long before his eyelids grew heavy.

Two hours later:

"Jai...? Are you there?"

Groggily, Jai turned on his side after hearing a soft voice outside his tent. He rubbed his eyes before opening them, making sure to regain his bearings. Moving toward the tent flap, he pushed it forward to see who it was calling for him.

No surprise, it was Li Mei.

"Hey," Jai greeted. "I was asleep."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I can leave if I'm disturbing you," Li Mei offered before turning around.

She felt her wrist grabbed gently, the hand belonging to Jai, who showed a small smile. "No, it's no problem. Please, come in."

Accepting his invitation, Li Mei stepped inside and sat opposite of him. She couldn't describe it, but there was noticeable tension within herself over what was going on in her mind - something even she couldn't comprehend.

"I... I wanted to thank you again for helping us during this trying time," Li Mei began. "As well as owing you an apology after our first meeting."

Jai shook his head. "You owe me nothing, Li Mei. It was I who intruded on your land while on the run. I'm just thankful you didn't kill me on the spot."

"Though I appreciate your modesty, it still does not excuse my behavior that day. We have not had any foreigners cross our borders in quite some time." Li Mei glanced upward to the tent's ceiling. "Kotal wanted to prevent any threats to his rule."

"Can't say I blame him, much as I despise the man," Jai remarked.

"Why is that? You never gave me a reason." Was Li Mei's next question.

He went silent, taken aback by her inquiry. Jai had always been critical of Kotal's governing methods, the man's arrogance and treatment of his subjects the most unsettling. Outworld's citizens deserved better than this pretentious conqueror who relied more on fear.

"Let's just say he and I have a difference of opinion..." Jai trailed off.

"Does it have to do with Edenia?" Li Mei asked.

"Partly. I was immensely angered by Kotal demanding a consort from our realm as part of a blasphemous treaty requirement between Outworld and Edenia. King Jerrod rightfully rejected the notion, only to have that buluc retaliate with the threat of war. We've never seen eye to eye before and never will," he answered.

Li Mei let out a chuckle. "Sounds like we share similar feelings on him."

"That we do. But Li Mei-" Jai started.

Turning her body to face him completely, Li Mei offered a genuine smile. "Please, just call me Li."

"O... ok," Jai uncharacteristically stuttered. "You didn't come here to discuss Kotal primarily, right?"

"The rumors were true about your perceptiveness." Li Mei sat closer to him, Jai noticing her eyes glimmer like stars with the small lamp shining against them. "I understand part of you feels remorse over your exile from Edenia, a grave mistake on their part." She placed a finger over his mouth to silence his reply. "I'm not finished. Their mistreatment of you without the facts shows how the justice system failed you. It did not help matters that your former General's anal retentiveness above everything else. That only shows her duty was more important than your friendship. But perhaps... you can start anew."

Jai showed a curious expression. "What do you mean?"

Li Mei bit her lip. "I spoke with Master Bo earlier today while you were gone, and we came to an agreement that you should stay with us. Why not make Sun Do your new home?"

A look of surprise overcame Jai. "You... would allow me to stay here?"

She nodded. "Of course. There are no strings attached, and the village welcomes you with open arms. No more will you be under the weight of monarchy rules. Also..."

Knowing this was a golden opportunity, Li Mei reduced the distance between them, her hand cupping Jai's cheek as her lips brushed over his to engage in a kiss. Jai did nothing to stop her advances, eyes widening at her forwardness. He returned her sentiments, pulling Li Mei into his lap. They stayed that way for several moments until the need for air arose.

Li Mei was the first to pull away, but only by a few inches. "You can have me."

"Li... I... I don't know what to say," Jai breathed.

"You don't have to." Li Mei kissed him again before climbing out of his lap, stopping at the tent's entrance without turning around. "Jade has forsaken you, Jai. I, on the other hand, will never do such a thing. All I ask is to think about my offer."

She then left him to ponder her words.

A/N: And with that, the Confession Prompts are done. I would like to spread this Prompt around, so I guess I would have to send some PMs to some people who follow me who also write. Like I said in the first chapter, all the prompts that are sent to me that I can do will be posted here. If you have a prompt for me, or even my editor send it my way via PM. If I'm interested enough in it, I'll make an attempt at it. Also to reiterate, this is not MY Prompt Response, it's my editor alwaysdoubted's. Check out his Profile Page if you enjoyed what you just read.