I know it's been a while.

I have the whole story written. It's just taking time to update because my mind is on another story at the moment.

I wouldn't mind some comments if possible, thanks.

Ninjago

It seems that in this realm it was still only morning. So maybe they had been out for a long time or not.

None of them knew how time worked here.

They did know they had to survive.

Jay went to see if there was more travelers tea, Kai and Cole went to check if they had any food, and Zane and Ava tried to see if they could find some sort of communication device.

There was no luck in the tea, Kai and Cole found food but they would have to ration, and as for communication….it looks like they were on their own.

"We could try to create our own communication device." Zane suggested.

"Great, what do we need though?" Jay asked.

Zane gave off a list of a few things they could use as they tried to scrounge up anything they could.

As they did Ava said "I'll try to make us something filling without using too much of anything. A soup might work if we can get a fire started."

"Leave that to me." Kai smirked as he got to work on the fire pit.

Ava was able to scrounge up some rice, water from the ocean, Zane said it was safe and it would give it flavor.

She also added some bits of jerky they had for a little meat, cutting it into tiny minced pieces so as not to use too much of it.

Meanwhile Zane was frustrated with the communication device, there wasn't much they could use and what they did have he highly doubted it would be useful.

But he had to try. He sighed as he got to work.

A little time passed and Ava called everyone for dinner.

As they came over the guys smiled at the smell and Kai said "Hey it smells pretty good."

"Thanks, I know it's not a lot but hopefully it'll fill us all up. Are there any plates?" Ava asked.

"I can make some." Cole used his powers to make bowls out of stone and handed them to Ava.

"Wow, they look great. You should make a business out of this." Ava smiled.

"Ah, it's nothing." Cole waved it off.

With that, Ava got to work serving the soup, each member giving her thanks in their own way, but as she came to Zane he held up a hand and shook his head.

"I am a nindroid. I do not need sustenance."

"What but Zane…." Ava started.

"It is okay, my power source will keep me going. And as long as I get some sleep I will be able to function at full capacity. Pluss with our current circumstances it is best to ration as much as possible." he smiled lightly.

Ava looked down, not sure what to say. What Zane said made sense but it felt wrong.

"Come on Zane don't do that, you'll make us all feel guilty." Cole spoke up.

"I would feel more guilty if I took substances I did not need and one of you went hungry." Zane frowned as he pointed at them.

They looked down, they knew there was no arguing with them.

"At least sit with us." Ava smiles.

"Of course." Zane nods as they sit around the fire.

As they sat Zane noticed something, it seems that Ava's gi had been damaged from the wreckage.

Her left sleeve was gone and along with the part above her chest and right side of her collar, he could see her collar bone was sticking out.

'I have never noticed how smooth her skin looks.' Zane thought.

"Enjoying the view buddy." Kai smirked, bringing the ice ninja out of his stupor and giving Kia a cold look.

Ava was confused and said "The ocean view is nice, especially with the sundown. Just keep kid Wu away from it, we don't want something coming out of there and grabbing him."

"Why would you say that!" Jay exclaims.

"Because we don't know what's in it and Wu's small enough to be plucked off easily. I'm being realistic, not cruel. That means everyone has to keep their eyes on him." Ava glares.

They all nod, what she said did make sense, they didn't know this place or what could happen.

At that they continued to eat and Cole said "Hey this is pretty good. Sure you don't wanna taste some of your girlfriend's cooking?" he smirks at Zane.

Zane felt flushed and was about to say something when "Here Zane, at least take a sip of mine." Ava put it to his face smiling a bit flustered.

Zane flushed, he didn't want to take any food from Ava, but her pleading look made him sigh as he took one small sip and his eyes widened.

"That is quite good." he replied.

"I'm glad you like it." Ava flushed, oh man she didn't think she'd ever get used to this "i just used rice, ocean water, and jerky."

"Still you were able to make a balanced and flavored meal with the few things you did have. That is a talent within itself." Zane replied.

"Someones trying to get brownie points." Jay whispered to kai before Ava blasted his face with air, they looked over as she stuck her tongue out at them.

Wu giggled as he said "Again."

"Hmmm, only if they behave badly." Ava smirks, making the other chuckle.

As night finally camel they kept the fire up just in case, hopefully it would keep some animals away.

There were some blankets and some had to share. Kai and Jay would have to share as would Cole and baby wu so he could keep him safe and warm from the element or creatures that might come near.

As for Zane and Ava they both were given separate sheets, both flushed, thankful for this as they were not ready to snuggle up just yet.

That night, Ava couldn't help but to look at the stars before heading to bed.

"You are still up." Zaen came over as she turned around and said "So are you."

"I do not need as much sleep as others." Zane replied.

"It takes me a while to go to sleep at times."

"Because of the autism?" Zane askes.

"That and because I'm a creative type. Sometimes I need to be up writing or something to get my energy out." Ava chuckles.

"Ah I have heard of this, sometimes I feel the need to stay up too. Just to ponder." Zane nods as he looks at the sky with her.

"Do you think we'll ever get home?" she asks.

"We must try," he replies.

Ava then leaned into him, he was slightly surprised but smiled as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Thank you, for returning my feelings." Zane smiles.

"Thanks for returning mine." she snuggles into him.

Zane felt his power source speed up at this as Ava's heart did the same. The two just stood there in comfort for a while, saying nothing or sometimes talking as they stared at this new sky.

Ninjago

The next day the ninja got back to work on the communication device.

It was agreed upon that for rationing they would only have breakfast and dinner, and in small portions.

Ava said she didn't mind going looking for food, but the others felt it was still too risky to try straying out.

So for now Ava did what she could, for breakfast she decided to make some eggs that she found in the bounty.

She did worry about how little they were eating, not for them specifically but for little Wu as he was now around the age of a four year old.

He ate happily as Cole fed him but she couldn't help but think 'Will this affect his development?'

As the boys worked on the communication device Ava watched Wu or when Coel watched Wu Ava helped to find parts for the communication device.

All in all, it was a pretty basic routine.

And while Ava was busy with her things Zane was contemplating some others.

As he was looking at his communications device his frustration grew.

Zane sighed as he tried to set the device to work again all he got was static.

'Sigh, another failure. If only I had more advanced materials then perhaps the device would start up as it should.'

As he put his hand to the device an idea came to mind, he saw his robotic hands, perfectly made with the most advanced of technology.

At this he held his arm with an idea swirling in his mind.

Meanwhile….

Ava was chasing little Wu around as the four year old held a bamboo stick and walked anything he could.

"Wu come on give that back, you can't just break anything you want!" Ava called.

The toddler just giggled as he ran off walking the walls and jumping about till he reached the bridge.

Ava ran up to him and as she managed to get there as she found the boy just standing there.

"Wu….finally I…." she stopped suddenly as she saw Zane with his arm out and a pair of tweezers in his hand as he looked to be ready to rip a wire out.

"What are you doing!" Ava screeched, little Wu just staring on.

Zane jumped as he looked to see who had arrive and said "Ava I…."

"Wu, go with Cole." she told the boy.

Wu nodded with a smile, he may not understand everything but he did love spending time with Cole and ran off with a giggle as he called "Cole!"

Once gone Ava glared at Zane "Again, what are you doing?"

Zane sighed as he said "Ava, the machine needs more advanced parts to work. And the only technology left on the bounty that would truly work is…."

"No! You can't just do that, what if one of us had ripped out a vein just to make the machine work?"

"That is different. I can be repaired and not suffer pain from such an action." Zane explains.

"You could affect your functions, what if you accidentally lose the ability to use your arm, or you affect your ability to walk somehow?" Ava comes up.

"I know my systems quite well. I will not make such a mistake and if I do lose the ability in my arm I still have the other limbs…."

"That doesn't matter! You've already been severely damaged with the Mr. E fight. You can't just rip yourself apart." Ava had tears in her eyes.

Zane frowned sadly as he went over and held her shoulders as he said "Ava you must understand, unlike the rest of you I can be rebuilt and am even replaceable….."

"NO YOUR NOT!" Ava shouted, making Zane recoil in shock.

"You can never be replaceable, how can you ever think that?" tears streamed down Ava's eyes.

"Ava I just want to help us escape this place."

"You can do that without sacrificing yourself!" Ava replied.

"I'm afraid that may not be possible." Zane frowned.

"You jerk!" Ava shoved him away as she ran off.

At this Cole walked in with little Wu, seeing Ava rush off in tears he said "Waugh, second day as a couple and already having you having your first fight. What happened?"

That's when Cole noticed Zane's arm and the work table.

"Zane no….you weren't." Cole frowned.

"There is no other choice." he looked down.

"There's always another choice. No wonder she ran off crying, you can't keep doing this kind of stuff Zane." Cole frowns.

"But I am the only one who can."

"Who says, the rest of us will help make this thing work. But that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice yourself like this. We need you buddy." Cole frowns sadly.

"We need Zane." Wu looked up sadly.

Zane looked sadly at tem as well and said "I just….want to do all that I can for us to return."

"The radio will only get a message out, it won't get us home for sure. Zane….we couldn't survive out here without you. You're our brother, family. It's not worth getting back if we're not all together." Cole reminds.

"Family." Wu smiles.

Zane smiled back as he closed up his arm and said "Okay, I understand."

"Good, now you should go talk to Ava. I'll look after the radio." Cole smirks.

"Right." Zane nods as he heads off to find her.

Ninjago

Ava was sitting on the beach, not too close to the water but near enough to have some alone time as she sat and drew in the sand with a stick.

She was still crying, but tried to wipe away her tears.

"Stupid Zane, stupid sacrificial tendencies, stupid stupid…." she neutered as she then realized she had drawn him, smiling in the sand.

"Argh!" she threw the stick away as she pulled herself in.

That's how Zane found her as he frowned sadly, he walked over and asked "May I sit here."

She turned away, not wanting to meet him, so he just took a seat next to her.

He saw the drawing and smiled as he said "I am sorry Ava, I should not have tried to use my own wiring for the radio."

"Yeah you shouldn't'." she huffs.

Zane could only smirk at her, he knew she was just crouchy but he understood. He pulled closer and said "I will never attempt to use my body like that again, unless it is our only option."

"Hmmm, I guess that's all I can ask of you. But really, the last option. Also, I don't like the way you treat yourself."

Zane tilted his head "What do you mean?"

Ava looked over and said "You kind of treat yourself like you're less than us. I know you can survive without food but we know it can also help keep you strong as well. You also work almost non-stop while everyone takes breaks. And right now it upset me that you thought you could be expendable. Zane you're in no way expendable, especially not to me." more tears came out her eyes at this.

Zane helped wipe her tears as he said "I, understand. I am sorry if my actions upset you. I just…I was programmed to protect those who cannot protect themselves and sometimes I forget that you all can protect yourselves just fine."

"Yes, we can, but why do you treat yourself like you're less than us?" She leans into his chest, his warm powersource soothing her.

"I supposed because I am the one less to be harmed or affected by my wounds. Ever since the first time I was seriously injured I knew that I could always be repaired, or have my scars removed, my friends could not." Zane sighs.

"You won't always be able to do that, Zane, and I don't think any of them appreciate the way you use yourself as a shield."

"Sigh, yes I see that now. I promise to be more careful from now on. Will you forgive me?" he smiles.

"Of course, can you forgive me for yelling?" She flushed.

Zane chuckled as he said "I think I deserved it a bit, since it helped to bring sense back to me."

Ava chuckled as she said "I'm glad."

For now they just sat there, happy that things were settled and that they understood each other a little more.

The other looked on, smiling at the sight.

"Seems they made up fast." Kai smirked.

"Yeha, what was all that yelling about anyway?" Jay asks.

"Um….well." Cole then began to explain what Zane had tried to do.

"WHAT!" The two roared at this, fire and lightning emitting out of them with how angry they were.

Little Wu giggled as he shouted "Again!"

Oh they were gonna have words with Zane.

Ninjago

Zane was a bit upset, and embarrassed. Kai and Jay had scolded him like a couple of parents scolding their teenage son.

And now he was no longer allowed to work on the machine alone and each of them was going to force him to take breaks more often.

Zane pouted on the bride that night with Ava as she giggled saying "You did kind of deserve it."

"That was humiliating." Zane sighed.

"Aw, come here." Ava snuggled up to him and he smiled as he wrapped an arm around her.

The two were once again sitting outside, looking at the stars, they felt so comfortable and tired from the day's events that they didn't even want to talk.

They just sat there, enjoying the other's company.

Ninjaog

It was the next day and Coel was the first up with little Wu as the boy who now looked to be five was running down the hall.

"Yawn. Man little Wu, you were an early riser even at this age." Cole stretched his arms out.

As he came to the outer barge of the bridge he stopped as little Wu was pulling on Ava's arm "Get up, get up!"

Cole rushed up saying "Wough, little Wu. Better not do that."

"Why not the sun's up?" he asked.

"Yeah but not everyone's quite ready to get up." Cole smirked as he looked at Ava who was fast asleep, leaning into Zane who was also out cold.

At this Jay and Kai walked out Jay asking "What's with all the noi…waugh."

Kai chuckled as he said "Looks like someone had a late night."

"Should we wake them?" Jay smirks.

"Let them sleep, we can tease them about this later." Cole smirked as the other chuckled as they decided to start working on the machine once more.

Later one….

Ava was finally waking up, she remembered someone pulling on her arm but she was so tired she couldn't quite get up.

'I stayed up with Zane watching stares.' she smiled in her sleep, sighing.

At this she smelled the sweet scent of mint.

'Hmm, that's strange why do I smell…'

That's when her eyes popped open as she realized she was sleeping on something.

More precisely, someone.

Ava felt frozen at this 'I fell asleep on Zane!' what was she supposed to do, get up, wake him up, do nothing.

'We've only been an official couple for two days!' she can't believe this happened.

Zane sighed and he too took in a familiar scent, jasmin.

At this his own eyes popped open and the two were staring at each other eyes wide and flushed.

'How is it possible that I fell asleep!'

"Ava I…I apologize I…"

"No, I also fell asleep and…sorry I…"

"No it is okay…ah…" Zane took a breath to calm himself and smiled as he said "It is nice to see you."

Ava had to chuckle at this as she said "It's nice to see you two."

"Hey love birds, now that you're up maybe we can eat!" Kai called as they saw Jay was cooking something with the other waiting.

The two jumped flushed as they went over and Ava said "You didn't have to wait for us."

"Eh, it just finished. I found some noodles." Jay smirked as he gave Ava a bowl.

She nodded and took a sip "Mmm that's quite good, maybe next time we can add a little bit of the jerky so we have a balanced meal. No offense I just…"

"No good idea." Jay nods, a twitch in his eyes.

"Um, Jay you okay?" Ava asks.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Jay smiles, but his eyes twitches again.

Everyone looked on a little worried, Zane then came up and said "Why don't I take a look at you."

"I'm fine." Jay waved off, as he gulped up his soup and said "Well back to work." and ran off.

"I will scan him later." Zane sighs.

"Yeah, good idea. So, how did you two sleep last night?" Kai smirks.

"Kai!" Ava shouts as Zane freezes.

"Oh come on we saw how comfortable you two were, must be nice to have a cuddle buddy." Cole smirked.

"What's a cuddle buddy?" Wu asked.

"Uh…well um." Cole stammered.

"Nice going Cole, have fun getting out of that." Ava smirks.

"What, you're not gonna help me?" Cole exclaimed.

"Kai may be able to explain it to little Wu." Zane smirkes.

"Really?" Wu looked at Kai and he jumped, "What, why me?"

"Consider it your punishment for teasing us." Zane frowned as Ava laugh out loud.

"Since when are you so devious?" Ava smirks

"I have my moments." Zaen smirks back.

"Ack, too much mush. Let's go." Kai rushed off.

"Right behind you." Cole ran after him, as he held Wu's hand.

The coupled laughed for a while and once they calmed down Ava said
"It feels kind of strange."

"What does?" Zane asks.

"We've only just started being a couple and….so much has already happened." Ava flushed.

"It is most likely due to our circumstances, not many people tend to be in such situations such as ours." he holds her hand as he looks at her lovingly.

"I suppose not." She leaned into him and said "Being here with you, has pretty much helped me keep my mind off how crazy this all is and the danger. I do miss home and I know we're in danger here but…..all I can feel is happy."

"It is weird as I feel the same. Perhaps being together is what will help us get through this." Zane smiles.

"I think you're right." she smiled, back at him. The two just sat there for now, letting whatever peace they could get come over them.

Not knowing that tomorrow would bring many challenges.