***You guys ready for a double update? Because it'll be at least a day before you get another one. I have officially procrastinated on "Under the Lights" and my classwork too long. Apparently, books don't write themselves, and degrees don't earn themselves.

On the bright side, this story has lots of material already written for it. I just like to edit and tweak it until it suits my fancy LOL***

***(Lloyd's POV)***

***Music Cue***

"Hey, Nya," I say quietly, tapping on her door.

"Come in," she monotones.

I cringe. She hates me. She'll never forgive me for what I did to her that night I got drunk.

I never should've returned to Harumi's party that evening.

"Lloyd, you're back!" Rumi giggles, obviously a little tipsy. "Did you miss me?"

I run a hand through my hair. "Yes," I confess.

I'm still in love with her, even if she is betraying me.

"Why the sad face?" she coos. She takes my hands in hers.

"Nya doesn't love me anymore," I mumble. "She's just like my parents. I thought I could trust her."

"Oh, Lloyd." Harumi's eyes are filled with sadness, concern...and something else. Something gleaming and devious.

I ignore it.

"I know just what'll make you feel better," she smiles, hugging my arm. She guides me toward the bar.

The Jades are away for the week at some political conference, so Harumi can have her shindig inside. That's a good thing. It's kind of cold outdoors right now.

"You need a drink," Rumi smiles. "Chamille, get something for Lloyd, and make it strong. He's had a bad night."

"I don't drink," I say quietly. "I promised I wouldn't while I was underaged. I'm still sixteen."

"Oh, Lloyd," Harumi murmurs, "that's a good promise, but only in context. Trust me, a little alcohol will make it all better. I know from experience."

I eye the glass Chamille sets in front of me.

"Just try a little?" Harumi says. I can tell she's actually worried about me.

I swallow, fingering the glass. "Okay. But stop me before I have too much, all right?" Not that I can trust her, but she's the only one who cares that I even exist right now.

"I promise," she says, that glint never leaving her eye.

I lift the drink to my lips. I just need a buzz – that's all.

I shake my head, pushing my way into Nya's room. She's under her fluffy teal comforter, highlighting something in a notebook.

And Jay Walker is cuddled up next to her, watching her work.

"Uh...did I...you...did I interrupt something?" I can't form words.

Nya glares at me, putting a finger to her lips. "Shh. Jay's sleeping. He's not feeling well."

Jay's eyes widen, and his gaze flicks to me.

I raise a brow. Jay is not asleep. He's also not sick. He looks perfectly fine, and his expression is just plain guilty.

I'm about to rat him out, but I bite my tongue. If Nya cared enough about me to cater to my every need, I wouldn't give it up.

Besides, I've already hurt Jay enough.

"Uh, Nya," I start, "the police have asked the team to go observe some odd electrical activity at the power plant. Are you two...able to come?"

"I'll come," she says softly. She slides her notebook and pens to the side, then turns her face to Jay.

Good thing he has his eyes closed again. She won't be able to call his bluff.

"Hey, buddy," she whispers, shaking his shoulder lightly. "You've got to let me go. I need to get up."

He groans somewhat convincingly. "Huh?"

"Wake up, sleepyhead," she smiles. "The team needs me, buddy."

"What's wrong?" he asks groggily.

She strokes his cheek. "The police want the team to check something out."

"I'll come." He reluctantly pulls his arms from around her.

She places her hand on his forehead. "Your fever's gone, but it's probably just due to the medicine I gave you. You should stay back here and rest."

"But you need me."

She bristles. "I don't need anybody. The team? Yes. Me? No. But you're going to stay here, so it doesn't matter anyway."

He looks hurt. "You do, too, need me. And I'm coming with you." He starts to climb out of bed.

"Jay," Nya warns. She grabs his hand.

"I'm going," he reiterates. However, he turns to look at her.

"Look, Jay," she says in a softer tone. "I'm worried about you going on this mission with us. I don't want you feeling awful because you're sick and forced to be up and about. Won't you stay here? For me?" She squeezes his fingers.

I blanch. Nya was never like that with me. When I was hurt, she was incredibly bossy and angry whenever I tried to get up. With Jay...she talks about her feelings. He brings out a totally different side of her.

He sighs, looking over at me with guilt.

I raise an eyebrow. I guess it's his decision whether he keeps up this lie.

He looks back up at her. "You'll call me if you need me?"

"No," she simpers, "but we'll be fine. We're just investigating, okay? Go back to sleep."

"O-okay." He casts me another wary look.

"Don't worry about Lloyd," she reassures Jay. "I can take him." She fluffs a pillow.

I clear my throat. "I'm right here, you know."

"Yes, Lloyd," she sighs. "I know." She readjusts her bed until Jay looks more than comfortable, then presses her lips to his temple. "Get good rest, buddy."

He makes a happy humming noise. "Okay."

I cross my arms as Nya slips out of her room, giving me a wide berth. She doesn't want to be anywhere near me.

As soon as she's gone, I shoot Jay a look. "Work on your form while we're gone." My voice is quiet – no need to summon the beast that is Nya.

He nods vigorously. "You aren't going to tell her, right?" he pleads.

I release a breath, shaking my head. "No."

He sighs. "Thanks. I...she..."

"You don't even need to explain." Like I'd want to know what was going through his head when he thought pretending to be a sick would be a good idea.

Actually, it's pretty genius. If Nya always treats him like this when he's not feeling well, he probably likes being ill.

It wouldn't work that way for me.

I toss him a wave, then head down the hall. Nya's waiting around the corner.

Her face is hard. "What took you so long? I tried to give you some privacy, but if you said anything to hurt him – "

"No. I care about him, too, you know."

"If you cared about anyone but yourself – " She freezes, blushing.

"I have a feeling the ending to that sentence isn't pretty." But I imagine it's pretty accurate.

"Never mind." She stalks off. "Let's go. I'm sure the others are waiting."

My long legs make keeping up with her easy. "I've said it more times than you probably want to hear, but I'm sorry for being such an idiot to you."

"Yeah. I forgive you."

"No, you don't. You reserve the worst of your glares for me." I clench my eyes against tears. "I want my best friend back."

"Your best friend is long gone," she bites out.

"That's not true. I – tell me I didn't do that to you."

She releases a huge breath, stopping in the hall. "No, Lloyd, you didn't. I decided the old Nya had to go. She was running out of steam, anyway."

I place my hands on her shoulders, unsure of how she'll react to me. "No, she wasn't running out of steam. She had so much promise."

Tortured eyes meet mine. "So did you, but look how things turned out for us." She shakes her head, pulling away from my touch. "I'm sitting by Cole on our way there." She rushes away.

Away from me.

My heart shatters. Will we ever get back on track?

***(Kai's POV)***

"I'm bored," I complain, flopping backwards on the blacksmith shop's small sofa.

Skylor scribbles something on a sheet of paper, perching her reading glasses higher on her nose. "I can't help you."

"I think you can."

Her eyes slowly travel up from her paper to me, and she slowly tugs off her spectacles. "Kai..."

I smirk. "You know, we have a few hours before we're supposed to pick up Nya."

She gives me a skeptical look, but there's humor in it. And a little desire. "No, Kai. Whatever you're thinking, it's going to be totally inappropriate. We're not doing it."

I moan. "Come on! I was just thinking...we could maybe, you know..."

"Kai – "

"Okay, okay, I won't go there." I step a little closer to her, taking her hands to pull her from her desk chair. I tug her form toward me. "But there are plenty of other places to go." I poise my lips just so, coming down on hers, when –

An engine revs outside.

I groan. "That has to be one of the guys."

Skylor chuckles, but I can see the disappointment written all over her face. "Perfect timing."

I roll my eyes. "You don't mean that. Just admit it: I'm irresistible."

"Uh-huh. About as irresistible as used chewing gum." She makes a disgusted face.

I fix her ponytail. "You're a chronic liar."

"And you're an egotistical nitwit."

"And you're a – "

There's a honk from outside, interrupting my comeback. Not that I had anything to say there; I was just flying by the seat of my pants.

I let out a disappointed sigh. "I can't wait to get this whole engagement thing over with. Then, none of the guys will be able to point any fingers at us for what we do."

I blush. "Stop, Kai. Nya could get here any – "

The door swings open, and I jump.

Nya looks at me with determined eyes. "We're headed to go check out some strange electrical activity. The police called us. I tried your phone, but you wouldn't pick up, so I figured I'd probably have to interrupt you two during wedding preparations or whatever. Also, I'm staying the night at the monastery."

I hold up a hand. "I just went from a sexy, steamy Skylor moment to getting an earful from you. Slow down, please."

My fiancée sputters next to me. "That's not true! Gosh, Kai, I thought I was the chronic liar!"

Nya ignores her. "The team needs to check something out, and you're coming with us. And I'm staying at the monastery tonight."

"Why?" I frown. "This is finals week. You need to get home and rest."

"Jay's sick, and I'm sticking around to take care of him."

"Oh, come on," I sigh. "He'll be fine. He just likes overreacting to get more attention from you. Why do you put up with that?" I mean, he follows her around everywhere and always expects her to pay attention to him. That has to get annoying at some point.

She plants a hand on her hip, eyes shooting fire. "He's sick, Kai. He needs me, and I'm not leaving him."

"But what about your exams?"

She shrugs. "I'll do fine. I've already studied my butt off. A little sleep deprivation won't hurt."

"Uh-huh. You need to come home with us. Hey, did you get your wedding invitation? Skylor sent them out a few days back." Thank the First Spinjitzu Master for that. I guess I got so caught up with Nya last month – what with her running away, for crying out loud – I totally lost track of things.

Nya rolls her eyes. "Would this be the invitation where Skylor tried to blackmail me into being her maid of honor? Because it's not going to work. I know for a fact she's just trying to set me up with Jay."

"What do you mean, 'set you up'?" My suspicions arise, and I turn to my future wife. "What did you do?"

She hitches a shoulder. "I sent out the wedding invitations."

"And?"

"I told Nya I wanted her to be my maid of honor." Her eyes glimmer with mirth.

I turn back to my sister. "How, exactly, does this constitute her setting you up with Jay?"

"Because she asked him to be your best man."

I laugh. "Sorry, I don't think I heard you right. It almost sounded like – "

"Like Skylor asked Jay to be your best man? Because that's exactly what I said."

A vein bulges in my forehead.

A look of realization crosses Nya's face. "Oh, you didn't know?"

I swivel on my fiancée. "Skylor," I say, forcing myself to keep my anger in check, "why are you helping Jay seduce my sister?"

Nya's face reddens. "Um, no need to go that far." She eyes my fiancée. "But I'm not going to be your maid of honor, just so you know."

Some women would cry when they heard that. Skylor? She crosses her arms and gives Nya the look. You know, the look girls give each other right before a catfight.

"You're not going to be my maid of honor?" Skylor repeats.

"No! I'm not going to do a bunch of close couple-y activities with Jay! We broke up." Her face is determined, yet there's hurt written all over it.

Skylor rolls her eyes. "Why are you two even broken up? You're obviously still in love."

"He thinks he is," Nya mutters.

I tap Skylor's shoulder, getting her attention. "Watch the 'love' word when it comes to Nya and boys. She's twelve."

"Sixteen!" my sister seethes, stomping her foot. "And I'll be seventeen next month!"

"Right," I shrug. "I knew that. Anyway, Skye, maybe you should let this go."

She doesn't blink. "No."

"Skylor, I am not about to let you help Jay corrupt my sister! I don't want him feeding her cake during taste-testing or judging how good she looks in a bridesmaid's dress." My eyes round. "Good grief, Skylor, is he supposed to plan my bachelor party?! This is Jay! I might die before you and I can ever get married!"

She sighs. "Are you done?"

"No!"

She rolls her eyes and looks over at my sister. "Nya, it's just some stupid stuff you'll have to do with Jay."

"I'm not doing anything," she fumes, "because I have no interest in being your maid of honor!"

"Nya," Skylor sighs. "Are you really going to do this to me, Sis? You're my best friend, you know."

"Lloyd was my best friend. Was. And because of him, I don't do best friends anymore. Sorry." Her scowl is fierce.

I furrow my forehead. "You okay, Sis?"

"Just fine, as long as I don't have to be the stupid maid of honor!" She walks up to Skylor, tentatively wrapping her arms around her. "Look, I don't mean to hurt your feelings or anything, and I know you mean well by trying to set up me and Jay, but it's better that we're separated."

Skylor releases a breath, returning the hug. The tone of her voice is repentant, but something's off. "I'm sorry, okay? I just want what's best for you. You don't have to be my maid of honor, if you don't want to. I get it if you don't feel the same way about our friendship as I do. I – "

Nya pulls away. "I see right through that. You're trying to guilt trip me."

I clear my throat. "I found it...rather touching. Hey, why don't I just tell Jay someone else can be my best man? That would solve the problem, right?" I mean, I get along better with Cole and Lloyd, anyway.

"No," she sighs, staring at her toes. "You can't take that away from Jay. He was so excited to finally be such a big part in a wedding – to be chosen for such a high honor. You should've seen the look on his face. He was happy, and he hasn't been that way for a long time." She shakes her head.

I try to be sympathetic with her. "Sis, I know he's depressed, but Skylor really needs you as her maid of honor. It's better we replace Jay than you. At least I have a whole team of guys to back me up." Even though Skylor's never been at a loss for friends – she's drop-dead gorgeous and has a very attractive personality – she admits that the only people she's really close to are me and Nya. It'd be wrong for Nya not to be her maid of honor.

"I get it." Nya swallows, then huffs out a breath. "Kai, if you'll let me stay at the monastery to take care of Jay until he's better...I'll be Skylor's maid of honor."

"Wait – really?" That was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

She shrugs. "As long as I can stay at the monastery."

I study her. I guess she really must still care about Jay. He totally changes her behavior.

"Fine," I eventually say. "As long as you promise you'll study. You've done really well in school this year, you know? I have total faith you can go out with a bang." Nya's not even seventeen yet, but she's graduating a year early with honors. I pushed her pretty hard when we first got to Ninjago City, but she pulled through and...well, I'm really proud of her.

She smiles. "Thanks." She kisses my cheek, then turns to Skylor. "Are you happy?"

My fiancée smirks. "I knew I'd win you over."

"Yeah, whatever. Hey, Kai, are you coming with us on this mission?"

"What mission?" I blink. Like, we just had a heart-to-heart about a wedding. She really needs to work on her transitions.

Nya rolls her eyes. "Boys are so difficult! I'll tell you on the way."

"I'm not that difficult," I grumble, following her out.

Skylor grabs my hand before I can leave. "First of all, you are, too, difficult," she grins. "And second...I think we have something to finish."

My eyes light up. "I see where you're going with this." I cup her chin in my hand, tilting her face up to mine. My lips hover over her mouth, and I can almost taste her when –

"Kai!" Nya yells from the doorway, shamelessly interrupting the moment.

I glower at her. "Two minutes, please."

"Crime doesn't wait on us," she jabs. However, she opens the door and walks out.

"Two minutes, huh?" Skylor asks, raising a brow. "That's not much time."

"Then let's make it count." I snake my arms around her back and crush my mouth to hers.

Finally.

***Okay, so you all didn't get a Jaya POV here, and someone's probably already said they want to kill Lloyd in the comments, but he has a story to tell, too LOL

Next chapter will be posted within an hour - I just have to proofread it and set it to music.

See ya then!***