***Okay, lots of mixed feelings writing this. I promise you, this is the closest Nya and Jay will get! :) ***

***(Jay's POV; song for this chapter: "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" by Paul Anka)***

At last, Nya and I reach the top of the ladder. The Sons of Garmadon are long out of sight now. It was a slow trek up, since Nya is literally freezing to death. Once she's okay, we're going to have our first fight: The one where I tell her what a stupid move she made going after the gang leader alone, and the one where she shrugs it off and thinks I'm being overprotective.

Cole extends his hands to help pull Nya up, and I carefully release my grip on her. She's too complacent for her normal self. I don't like it.

As soon as I enter the jet, I see Skylor is in full army general mode.

"We need to get her out of those clothes. They're freezing wet!"

"What?!" Kai roars from the cockpit. He throws open the door and is about to come see his sister for himself, but Skylor marches toward him.

"Get back in there and steer the ship! Your sister's fine!" she bellows.

Kai looks like he wants to argue, but she points him back to his job. He releases an exasperated sigh and trudges back inside.

"Do we have any emergency blankets in here?" she asks Lloyd.

He nods. "I think they're up front with Kai." Even though he's bound to be lectured as soon as he gets in there, he rushes to complete the task.

"What happened?" Cole exclaims.

"Like an idiot, she tried to take down the gang leader on her own," Skylor huffs.

I pull off my azure sweatshirt and hand it to her. "Here. It'll be oversized on Nya, but I don't know that we have many more options."

"Good." Then, she snaps, "Lloyd, are you done yet? We don't have all day!"

He runs out of the pilot's deck. "Okay, I found a couple." He hands a few small, plastic-covered packages to Skylor.

"Okay, great. Cole, help Kai pilot the ship."

"Sounds like a plan." He swivels and heads for the pilot's deck.

"All right," Skylor continues. "Now, you two, turn around! I am not about to face the wrath of Kai or Nya for letting you watch me undress her!"

I shake my head. "You're going to need help. I'm not going to look."

Lloyd casts me a disgusted look, but I glare at him in response. Does he really think I'm going to stand around while Nya could be dying?

Skylor nods. "Fine. Get over here."

I help hold Nya up while Skylor does...whatever she's doing. I'm looking at the ceiling. Nya would kill me if she realized what was going on. The guys better not say a word.

"Okay, we're all good," Skylor informs me. "Lay her down flat across the row of seats. Actually, no. Jay, lay down across the seats first. You'll help keep her warm. And take off your shirt so we can make the most of skin-to-skin contact."

I am the color of a tomato.

"Are you kidding me?" Lloyd groans.

"No, and quit standing around, would you? Go call your mom or something. She probably knows more about hypothermia than we do."

I timidly obey Skylor, but Lloyd's still in the mood to argue. "You think my mom, the historian, knows more than you about this? Why are you in charge of saving Nya, again?" he exclaims.

"I can absorb a lot of powers. You think I've never frozen anyone by accident before? Now, help me lay her down!"

The two slowly rest Nya against me. She's clothed in my sweatshirt, which unfortunately does little to cover her pale legs. Skylor, however, cautiously swaths them in one of the emergency blankets.

"Focus on warming her middle. If you pay too much attention to heating her arms or legs, cold blood will be circulated back to the heart."

I carefully wrap my arms around her, hating the chill that immediately stings my skin.

"Now, you're going to have to hold her so that your chest is pressed to her back. That's why we flipped the sweatshirt around: Kai won't kill me, but at least we can leave the back unzipped. Wrap your arms around her abdomen."

I do as she instructs.

"No, Jay! Don't be a sissy! Your arms have to go under the sweatshirt. It's just her stomach."

My face pales. "But – Nya will murder me! She will literally find an axe and – "

"Quit whining! You're helping save her life!" She stalks off toward the cockpit.

I sigh and do as Skylor instructed. "I'm sorry, Nya," I whisper.

She stirs a little. "Take...care..." she mumbles.

I rest my cheek on hers, trying to stir a little warmth. "What needs taken care of?" I ask quietly.

"Take...care...kids." She's not shivering, which is probably bad. If I were that cold, I know I would be shaking like crazy.

"What kids?"

"Us," she replies.

"I will, Nya," I murmur. "I'll take care of us."

She sighs and snuggles into me. As best as she can, anyway, since she can't really move. I rest her head on my shoulder and block out dark thoughts of death and power appropriation. For the first time in a long while, I feel...needed.

That's when Kai stomps out. "Skylor, how exactly is this supposed to help my sister?" He produces a flame from his hand, but she quickly uses the power of wind to blow it out.

"Let someone who knows what they're doing take charge, would you? You can't warm her up too fast, or you could cause serious tissue damage!"
"I thought you said my sister was okay!" he shouts.

"She will be, Kai. We just need to get her warmed up. Now, go help Cole steer the ship."

He shakes his head. "Lloyd took over for me."

No doubt to get him in here to stop Skylor's madness.

"You're not going to mess with my work here, are you?"

"No," he sighs. "I just want to be with my sister."

"Okay, then. But you make things worse, and you're out."

I can see why she's good for Kai.

He climbs in the row of seats in front of Nya and me. "Hey, Sis," he says quietly.

Her eyes open a little. "Kai. So...sorry."

"Aww, now why should you be sorry?"

"Didn't...tell...you."

He shoots me a questioning look. I shrug, even though she's probably talking about our fake relationship. That's Nya's story to tell, when she's ready to tell it.

"It's okay," he smiles down at his sister.

"Jay...sing...to...me."

I swallow and look up at Kai.

"You sing my sister a song," he growls, "or so help me, I will feed you to – "

"Of course, I'll sing to you," I smile down at Nya. Um...what to sing? Nothing too sad. I can't take sad right now. I also don't know anything but love songs.

Oh, boy. I'm going to die a fiery death, whether I sing for Nya or not. I might as well go out pleasing her, though.

"Put your head on my shoulder,

Hold me in your arms, baby.

Squeeze me oh-so-tight.

Show me that you love me, too."

I look up at Kai to make sure he doesn't have my death in his eyes.

"Go on," he rumbles.

Oh, boy. I gulp.

"Put your lips next to mine, dear.

Won't you kiss me once, baby?

Just a kiss goodnight; maybe

You and I will fall in love.

People say that love's a game,

A game you just can't win.

If there's a way,

I'll find it someday

And then this fool will rush in."

Okay, Kai hasn't slugged me yet. I really wish I listened to songs about stuff other than romance.

"Put your head on my shoulder.

Whisper in my ear, baby,

Words I want to hear.

Tell me, tell me that you love me, too.

Put your head on my shoulder.

Whisper in my ear, baby,

Words I want to hear, baby.

Put your head on my shoulder."

"How was that?" I ask timidly.

Nya's breathing is even, and a small smile plays at her lips. Given that she doesn't respond, I guess she's asleep. Is she supposed to do that?

"Don't get used to these privileges," Kai grumbles.

I nod vigorously. "Of course, not. Nya deserves better than...um..."

"Finding an excuse to get close to her when she's weakest?"

"Yeah, uh, yup. Even though that's not what I'm doing."

Kai rolls his eyes. "See that you keep it that way." He rises and crosses to where Skylor is standing. They speak in hushed tones.

Nya's eyes open slightly, surprising me. She moves one wobbly hand to my cheek. "Love...you."

My mind fails to process what's going on, but I move my palm to enclose her hand. "I love you, too."

Her eyes slowly flutter shut, and I panic.

"Nya?"

She moans. "What?"

"You can't go to sleep."

"Too...tired."

"I'm sorry, but if you go to sleep..." How to put this? "...you could get hurt."

She trains her blue eyes on mine, and I try to keep my mind from going blank. I have to do something to keep her awake.

"Would you like to hear about my mom?"

"Yes," she smiles.

"She was beautiful. I remember her long blonde hair and laughing blue eyes. She talked a lot, like me. And she had the most radiant heart in the world. I remember her saving baby birds that fell out of their nest and buying stuff at a secondhand store 'because everything deserves a chance to be loved'. You found Breakfast at Tiffany's in my bag, but that's because she'd watch it with me every Saturday night. I never could stop."

I glance down at Nya, finding her sleepy blue eyes still open.

"Whenever we watched the end of that movie, she'd always cry. Always. One time, I asked her what was wrong, and she told me, 'I should've run back.' I guess she really related to Holly Golightly, the main character."

"I've never...seen that."

"You can watch it with me this weekend. I'm able to quote the whole thing, but I've never shown it to anyone else before. I guess I never had anyone who wanted to see it."

"I'd...love to."

My heart skips a beat. Nya gets me. I always feel like an outcast, even with the guys. They say I talk too much or am too annoying. I mean, they're still my brothers, but...it's not the same. With Nya, though, I can just be myself. Being with her is like being...well, for Holly Golightly, like being at Tiffany's.

"The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly, you're afraid, and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?...Well, when I get it, the only thing that does any good is to jump into a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it. Nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany's, then...then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name."

***That quote is straight from Breakfast at Tiffany's, spoken by Holly Golightly herself <3***

***(Nya's POV)***

It's a slow path to full consciousness. As Jay talks to me, I find myself shivering increasingly. I also feel achy all over. But, hey, I guess the pain means it's working.

Skylor approaches. "You look a lot better. Ready to drink some tea?"

I nod. "Sure, as long as it's not one of Wu's crazy varieties." I've had enough crazy tonight, thank you very much.

I've also had enough of people doting on me. Kai has been checking on me every ten minutes, and I think I'm about to blow. Snuggled next to Jay, though...that, I'm fine with. I know I won't get the chance to be this close to him again any time soon.

Then my brow furrows. These do not feel like my clothes. "What am I wearing?"

"Um...my sweatshirt?" Jay turns red.

My eyes round. "What are you wearing?"

"Well, not a shirt, but everything else." He's pinker than a cherry now.

I relax. "Okay, good." Then I tense up all over again. "Wait. Why aren't you wearing a shirt? And – why can I feel your skin? I thought you said I'm wearing your sweatshirt!" I glance down. It looks like I'm wearing a sweatshirt...backwards?

"Um, you'd better ask Skylor before I botch this."

I turn my head to see her approaching. "Okay, what's this about Jay not having a shirt? And me...what even am I wearing?"

"Calm down. He was warming you up through skin-to-skin contact. We turned Jay's sweatshirt around so the zipper side's at the back. You're modest enough to pacify Kai, but still able to receive some warmth from Jay."

I squeak, outraged. "But – " I flip over in his arms, exposing my back to Skylor. Then, realizing that move totally shows too much, I roll myself against Jay again. "Tell me you didn't see anything!" I'm essentially cradled in his arms, and – what are his arms doing wrapped around my bare skin? Could you get any more unwholesome?

"Of course, I didn't look, Nya."

"I didn't ask if you looked, just if you saw anything!"

"Easy. I just saw your back," he calms me.

I groan. "And the guys?"

"Nothing at all, Nya," he assures me.

"Well, I can tell you're going to be fine," Skylor comments, amused. She hands the tea to me, but my fingers shake.

"Here," Jay says, cupping my hands with his own. At least that gets his arms from around me. Sure, it feels nice to be held, but I am never, ever going to live this down!

"I can hold my own tea," I frown.

"Yes, you can. I'm just helping you until you're at full strength," he appeases me. Wow, how does he make his voice that calm and...smooth? It's so not fair! He's, like, spellbinding me or something!

I shake my head to snap out of it. Oh, I want to scream! I mean, this is super sweet of Jay, but I can take care of myself! Gah!

Releasing a huff, I drag my hands to my mouth. He follows suit, allowing me to take a sip of the tea. It feels so good to my shaking body, I can't help but relax a little.

"Don't be so hard on lover boy," Skylor grins. "You should be happy Jay got to you in time." She saunters away, leaving that comment hanging.

I set down the tea with Jay's help. "Wait, you saved me?" I ask him.

"Um, yeah."

"Err...thanks."

"It was nothing."

"No, it wasn't. I'm sorry for...um...being frustrated with you. It's not your fault I can't make my stupid hands work." I feel tears brimming. Stupid hands, stupid tears, stupid...well, everything right now!

I sigh. "I'm just mad at life."

"It's cute." I know he's blushing.

I furrow a brow. "Cute? You think I'm cute when I'm about to blow a fuse?"

"Y-yes."

Ah, boys. They will never make sense. Still...it gives me hope that maybe he likes me, too. 

"Thanks, Jay." I attempt to zip up my sweatshirt. I'm so scared I'm going to flash the poor guy.

However, my arms are still a little stiff. I only get about halfway up my back.

Oh, what have I done to deserve this?

I try to pull at the zipper, but my clumsy fingers can't keep hold of it. I was right when I said my hands are stupid. Why is this my life right now?

"Here," Jay offers. He gently removes my hands from their task, causing all sorts of feelings to rocket through me. What is it with this boy? He's so different from guys I've liked in the past.

I keep my eyes squeezed shut as he easily finishes zipping up the sweatshirt. "There you go. Feel better?"

"Thank you," I whisper. "Much." Then, clearing my throat so I don't sound like some lovesick loser, I ask, "Did you learn anything new to help us out?"

"You mean with the Sons of Garmadon?"

"Yeah."

He sighs. "Sadly, chances are that the master of mind has been kidnapped."

"What?!" I yell.

"It's okay. Don't get too worked up. You've been through a lot tonight."

"All right, all right, I'm calming down. How do you know?"

"I overheard Harumi talking about some plan that involved him at the party tonight. Zane went there to protect him, but the master of mind was never found. It's like he just...vanished."

"Man, this keeps getting weirder and weirder," I sigh. Then, a thought more chilling than any freezing water strikes me. "What happens to someone if the power of mind is taken away? What kind of withdrawals do they have?"

Jay's hands slide off of me. "You – you don't think that..."

My mind goes into overdrive. "Can you get Wu on the phone?" I ask, trying to ease the thumping of my heart. "Maybe he has some sort of...tracking tea? Or – Skylor!" I cry.

She comes rushing over. "What is it? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. But the master of mind might not be! Can you send him any sort of a mental message?"

"I can try." She places her hands to her forehead and closes her eyes in concentration. After several moments, she frowns, "No answer."

"No!" I wail.

"Hey, hey, slow down," Jay shushes me. He rubs my back reassuringly. "We'll talk to Wu."

"Skylor, can't you read Harumi's mind or something?" I beg.

She shakes her head. "It'll have to wait until school tomorrow. I'm not in close enough proximity."

"Neuro could be dead by then," I breathe.

"You can't think that," Jay lulls. "Neuro has a strong mind. Even if they do take his power, maybe he can resist the withdrawals."

"But what if he can't?"

"Everything okay, Sis?" Kai calls, walking toward me.

I shake my head in the negative. "We need to send out a search party for Neuro. He's probably been kidnapped, and the only way we can find out his location is getting Skylor close enough to read Rumi's mind."

"Wait – what? Who's Neuro?"

"The master of mind," I yelp. "And if his power is taken, he could die!"

His eyes round. "Okay. Do we know where Harumi is?"

"No," Skylor chimes in, "and that's the problem. We could go out and search for her, but Nya needs to stay at the monastery with someone."

"No, I don't!" I argue. "I'm fine!"

She rolls her eyes. "As soon as you stopped shaking from cold, you started shaking from fear and anger."

I take a cleansing breath and steady my voice. "Please let me help. The guys are nothing without my brains."

"They have me," Skylor shrugs.

"Two are better than one!"

"Maybe, but it's better for you to stay back. You seem fine, but we're not sure."

"Ugh!" I howl. This catches the attention of Lloyd, who comes running out of the cockpit.

"Nya! Are you okay?" he asks.

"I'm fine! Why does everyone keep asking that?! You should be pursuing Harumi! She's kidnapped the master of mind, and she's probably taken – or is going to take – his power! He could die!" I feel like I've run a marathon when I'm done speaking.

"Nya," warns Skylor.

I moan. "Please, Lloyd just – go help Cole fly the ship! Fine, leave me behind, for all I care! Just make sure Neuro's going to be all right!"

"We will," promises Jay.

"You're not going to jump out of your skin, right?" Skylor affirms.

I slap my forehead. Ah, how wonderful to have working hands again. "I don't need a straight jacket. I just need a trip back to the monastery so you guys can save the master of mind!"

"Do you have her covered?" she asks Jay.

"I'm right here," I deadpan.

He ignores me. "Yep, I'll take care of her."

"Hello, no care needed! Focus on saving Neuro!"

"Okay, okay," she placates, backing up. Then, referring to Jay, she grins, "I think you've got a harder task than we do."

"I am not a task!" I holler after her. She shoots me a winning smile as she walks back to the cockpit.

Kai speaks next. "Jay, if you dare do a thing to compromise Nya – "

"There will be no compromising, Kai! Does it occur to you that maybe he wanted me not to freeze to death? Not all boys are out for that kind of thing, okay?" I sigh.

"Mee-ow," my brother grins. "I know, I know. I'm just teasing you. I know Jay's not into that."

"Wait – you do?" the boy in question blurts.

"Um, yeah. You've had plenty of opportunity to harm my sister, but you haven't. You think I really would've left you two alone here if I thought Jay had anything but the best in mind?" He rolls his eyes. "Fat chance. See you later. I've got to go do hero stuff."

I watch in confusion as he walks away. "Wow, that went really well. I thought Kai was going to threaten you with a pack of rabid wolves."

"He already did that," Jay shrugs. Then, he hopefully adds, "Maybe he's warming up to the idea of us dating?"

I pause. "Why does it matter?"

His arms tense, and he stiffly removes them from around me. "Uh, it doesn't. I...just...really want Kai, uh, to let up on you and Lloyd."

"Oh," I frown. "And that's...the only reason why you're excited about Kai getting used to 'us'?" It's not because he likes me and wants to date me for real?

"Definitely," he laughs. "No other reason at all. Boy, do I hate this fake-dating thing."

"O-oh." I laugh slightly along with him, but it's bittersweet. For one, Neuro could be dying, so I can't really be happy right now. Other than that, I'm just upset that Jay would want to end our fake relationship so soon. I mean, the whole reason we did this was to get Kai off my back. If he is, then why would we keep dating for the sake of appearances?

"You look upset," Jay quietly comments after a moment. "Did I say something wrong?"

I shake my head. "No, don't worry about it. I'm just concerned about Neuro." And sad that Jay doesn't like me in a romantic way.

"I'm sorry, Nya."

I give him my best lopsided smile. "It's not your fault."