Chapter 36 (Nya)

Six years ago (October 2012), three days after the funeral, Borg Industries

It's strange just how much can change in such a short time.

It's only been two weeks since that field trip to Borg Industries, but it feels like a lifetime away.

When my brother and I enter the modern lobby – and this time, Kai doesn't get stuck in the glass doors – where we are again welcomed by Cyrus's robotic assistant. But that's already the last thing that this visit and our previous one have in common. And even the female droid is a very different person now.

"Nya, Kai." PIXAL smiles at us brightly. "Mr Borg and I are delighted that you could make it."

"Good to see you too, PIXAL." I force a little smile back. Truth be told, I am everything but delighted to be here. If only I had never set foot into this building or onto that stupid machine, or if she hadn't told them about the results... but no matter what, I ultimately cannot blame anyone but myself for what happened afterwards.

"Cole already arrived 26 minutes ago, he and Lloyd are with Mr Borg, waiting for you. I will let them know that you are here. We will meet them in the lab." Her voice snaps me out of my reverie. As we head to the lift, PIXAL turns to me. "Your friends have informed us that you have not been feeling well recently, and that you went to see a doctor this morning. I hope it is nothing serious and you will be better soon."

"I'm fine." I claim, though rather unconvincingly. "And thank you."

"As Mr Borg's personal assistant, it is my duty and honour to represent the values of Borg Industries. In order to implement our new strategy – establishing a balance between technology and humanity – my internal scanners have just been upgraded with the latest medical functions. If I can be of any assist-"

"I am fine." I repeat, more harshly.

"Of course." She says, undeterred by my little outburst. "I was also notified that the blue Ninja will not be joining us today." She continues.

"No, he won't." I confirm, once again feeling my eyes welling with tears.

To my big surprise, PIXAL takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze. "I am very sorry, Nya" She says in a quiet voice. "Over the last two weeks, I have learned that compatibility and affection are not necessarily one and the same. And... how much it hurts to lose someone that you... care about."

Overwhelmed by this – true – statement, I am lost for words. My mind races as I keep walking behind her and Kai.

It appears that it is not only her abilities that have been upgraded but also her emotional subroutines. Although, thinking about it, this actually isn't a completely new development, it has actually been happening gradually for quite a while now...

And I certainly must not forget that I'm not the only one here who's lost the person she loves, even though PIXAL seems to be dealing with it a lot better than me. But then, I'm pretty sure that she does not have to deal with her hormones running amok – do robots even have those?

Once again caught up in my thoughts, I fail to notice that we have entered the glass lift and PIXAL has given it our destination. And this time it's the lift's rapid movement that bring me back to the present – well, more or less so for I suddenly feel rather dizzy. I stumble.

"Easy, sis." I feel my brother's hand gripping my arm and pulling me against him. "Here, sit down." He says, slowly lowering me down until I sit on the floor, with my back resting against the window.

"Ugh, thanks." I close my eyes and, in an attempt to make it stop spinning, slightly turn my head to press my face against the cool glass. I draw several deep breaths and swallow down the nausea that is rising up my throat – throwing up in here really would make my humiliation complete.

"Please allow me." PIXAL's voice breaks through the cloud, seemingly coming from far away. But when I blink carefully, I see that she has crouched down and is facing me. She gently presses her cold metallic hand on my forehead.

"I apologise." She says. "We could have rescheduled our meeting until you have fully recovered."

I give her a weak smile. "Don't worry, it's okay." I guess that is not gonna happen for a couple of weeks? months?

"Your temperature is slightly elevated, and you are perspiring." She notes. "May I now?" She requests permission to scan me.

"'kay." I nod, too weak to argue. And I won't be able to keep this a secret for much longer anyway.

"Your blood sugar levels are low, and I detect high levels of hCG and..." She shakes her head. "My apologies, there appears to be a problem with my new scanners, I will have to perform a recalibration."

"No, you don't. Those readings are... correct." I inform the silver haired droid, placing a hand on my stomach.

"I see." PIXAL states. "This was... unexpected. But based on your reaction, I believe that congratulations are in order?"

"They are." I confirm. "This pregnancy may not have been planned, and it came as quite a surprise, but I'm really happy about it now."

"In this case, I am delighted for you as well, Nya." She says, smiling. "But considering your current state, I suggest that you take a snack and some water before we go to the lab. I will send a message to Mr Borg and your friends to join us at the staff room." She beams at me. "You see, we have a surprise for you as well."

Present day (December 23rd 2018), Temple of Airjitzu

I am on the second floor of our home, making sure that all our guest rooms are ready for the holidays. As Jay and his parents are also going to join us for the Christmas celebrations, we will have a full house this year – literally.

When we moved into this building just over four years ago, we never expected to actually be needing these many rooms, but the only bedroom that will be left unoccupied over the next couple of days is Master Wu's.

Despite all our efforts over the last 20 months, our beloved Sensei is still lost in time. But I'm sure that one day we're gonna find him. After all, Jay has come back to us as well, even if it has taken over six years for that to happen.

And it is actually taking Mr always-punctual quite some time to drive out here today.

Although school finished already on Friday, he stayed in the city for two more nights, to do some last-minute Christmas shopping yesterday and give Katherine a lift to the airport this morning, but he really should be here by now.

I step to the window and glance outside, over the vast desert below us. Not everyone in Ninjago will have this hot, dry weather for the holidays though; the East of our continent is currently being hit by a blizzard. I hope everyone is going to be safe.

The ringing of my phone snaps me out of my thoughts. I smile when I see Jay's number on the display.

"Hey." I say softly. "I was getting worried, is everything alright?"

"Hey, Nya. Well, more or less." He replies. "We're still at the airport. Kath's flight home was cancelled because of the snow storm; she is in the queue to get on the waiting list for the next one and I don't want to leave her until we know more."

"Of course not. I don't think there will be any flights at all today, or even tomorrow." I recall the weather forecast.

"Me neither." He sighs. "But she still wants to try. She's really upset, this will be the second Christmas in a row that she might not be able to spend with her parents and brother..."

I can hear the unspoken question in his voice. And I answer it. "Of course, you have to bring her here if she can't get home; our friend is not going to spend Christmas on her own." I let out a little chuckle. "I'll just have to find somewhere for her to sleep..."

"She can have my room, and I'll sleep on the sofa." Jay suggests.

"She can have your room, and you'll stay with me." I counter. "We've promised Abby – and ourselves – that we will tell the others about us anyway over the holidays, so why not make the most of it?"

It's been ten days since Abby and Lloyd have found out about Jay and I being back together. And though we'd never want to burden our daughter (or little brother) with keeping our relationship from the rest of our family, Jay and I have been able to buy ourselves a little more time, simply by selling it as a 'Christmas surprise' for our friends and family rather than a secret.

"Yeah, I'd like that." My boyfriend says. "I mean, not the part about telling the others, especially your brother or your dad, but being an official couple and not having to hide anymore."

"Me too." I agree. "And maybe this is a sign that we should stop worrying and just get it over with, like ripping off an old bandage..."

He laughs. "Are you comparing me to an old bandage?"

"Of course not, I never want to get over you." What did I just say? When did I get so sentimental? Feeling my face heat up, I awkwardly clear my throat. "Uhm, what about this? You take good care of your honorary sister while I deal with my brother and the others?"

"Sounds like a good plan to me." Jay says, relief lacing his voice. "And Nya? I never want to get over you either."

He ends the call before I am able to come up with a reply. Well, I guess there's no more putting off then, it really is time to 'get it over with'.

Well, not entirely as not everyone is here right now. Colem Seliel and the twins are at a children's matinee by the Royal Blacksmiths, and Zane and PIXAL have gone to do the food shopping for the holidays. But I am not worried about either of them (and I am most certainly not worried about us not having enough to feed one more person).

And of course, the first person I meet upon reaching the ground floor has to be my brother. "Kitchen duty." He explains as we bump into each other in the hall. "I'd never thought it was possible, but Skylor has weirder cravings than you and Sel combined..."

"Look on the bright side, you have less than a month to go now..." I sympathetically pat is shoulder. "And then you'll see that it's all been worth it."

"Yeah, I can't wait" He beams at me, and I know he's not talking about the end of Sky's cravings.

"You need a hand?" I offer, grasping the opportunity to talk to him in private first. "I'm still used to strange food combinations."

"Thanks, sis." He flashes me a grateful smile. "So, everything's ready upstairs?"

"Sort of." I reply as I follow him to the kitchen. "There's just been a slight change of numbers again. I was just talking to Jay on the phone and-"

Kai stops in his tracks and spins around to face me. "He's not cancelled, has he?"

"Of course not."

"Phew." Kai says. "Abby's been so excited about spending Christmas with both her Mummy and Daddy, and she keeps mentioning a big surprise..." He furrows his brow. "So, it's Ed and Edna then? Shame, I was really looking forward to seeing them again."

"No, not them either. In fact, we'll have one more person coming, not less."

"You mean Jay's bringing someone?" Kai frowns. "I honestly don't think that's a good idea..."

"Why not?" I wonder. Sure, they haven't interacted that much, but I had the impression that he and the others liked Katherine when we went to the Christmas Market.

"Well, this is supposed to be a family holiday-"

"Extended family." I correct him. After all, Dareth, his fiancée and Ronin are also joining us on Christmas Day.

"And just think about how Dad's gonna feel about that..." I roll my eyes; that's exactly what I'm trying to not think about right now.

"Or Abby..." Kai wraps his arm around my shoulders. "And are you absolutely sure that you are okay with it?" He asks, concerned.

"Of course, it was actually me who's suggested it."

"Oh..." Kai's face falls. "Well, I guess in that case... I just thought that... I mean, you two have been spending so much time together lately and all, so I guess I was kinda hoping that-"

At this moment, realisation hits me.

"Wait a minute." I interrupt him. "You think Jay's bringing a girlfriend?"

Kai blushes. "Yeah..."

"No, he isn't." I burst into a giggle. Well, he isn't completely wrong – technically, Jay's girlfriend has invited him. "He just called to tell me that Katherine's flight was cancelled and- oof."

I gasp as Kai pulls me into a hug and lifts me off the floor. "That's great, sis. I'm really glad I was wrong."

"Wow, that must be a first." I smirk as he sets me down again. "So, you don't mind her joining us then?"

"Of course not." He assures me. "I mean, Katherine is just a friend, right?"

"A very good friend, more like a sister. Which is why she will need her own room here, but that's turned out to be a bit of a problem..."

"What's a pwoblem?" I turn around to find myself looking into a pair of curious deep blue eyes. "An' when's Daddy gonna be here?" Abby wants to know, for the umpteenth time this morning.

"Soon, sweetie." I say. "You see, Miss Katherine's flight was cancelled because of the blizzard, so she's going to spend Christmas with us."

"But Miss Kathy's not a pwoblem." Abby states.

"Of course not." I chuckle. "The problem is that we now have more guests than rooms. "

"Miss Kathy can sleep in my room." Abby offers. "Pwoblem solved."

"We actually thought that Kath could take Daddy's room, and-"

"Jay can stay with Abby." Kai finishes. "Good idea, Abs."

"Or Daddy could sleep with M- oops." Abby presses her hand over mouth. "Sowwy, Mummy." She mumbles, her face bright red with embarrassment.

"It's okay, sweetie." I ruffle her hair. "Your Dad and I actually had the same idea, so why don't you tell Uncle Kai?"

"Tell me what?" My brother's interest is piqued.

"Daddysgonnasleepinmummysroombecausetheyreboyfwiendandgirlfwied." Abby answers. She then throws her arms in the air, yelling. "Su'prise!"

"Wha-what?" Kai looks at me, slackjawed.

"It's true, Jay and I have been back together for about three weeks now." I give him an apologetic smile. "I-I'm sorry that we've kept this from you, but we-"

"Don't worry, sis." He pulls me into another hug. "I'm way too happy for you to be mad right now. Maybe later."

"Thanks, Kai." I say, relieved. "I'm happy too."

"What's going on here?" Lloyd has joined our little gathering. "I've heard something about a big surprise." He winks at Abby. "Oh, and Skylor is asking about her food..."

"Oh no, I completely forgot about that." Kai facepalms. "But I hope she will understand when she hears why. You see I've just learned that Nya and Jay are back together."

"That's no reason to forget about food." Skylor's voice comes from the doorway.

Kai's gaze shifts back and forth between his wife and our little brother, both of them looking rather unimpressed by the news. "You knew." He eventually concludes. "And you didn't tell me..."

Sounds like 'later' has come rather sooner, even though Kai's anger still isn't directed at me.

"Hey, they've made me promise." Lloyd defends himself. "And I only found out by coincidence when we had dinner with Katherine and Abby-"

"You had a date with Katherine?" Kai smirks. "Now, this could provide another solution to our current problem with the sleeping arrangements..."

"I didn't have a date with Katherine." Lloyd protests, blushing profoundly. "Nya asked me to collect Abby from school and take her for dinner, and she had the idea to ask Kath to join us..."

"That's my niece." Kai mumbles approvingly.

"Anyway, Nya and Jay asked us not to tell anyone because they wanted it to be a surprise."

"Fair enough." My brother agrees. "And Abby, that was a really great surprise."

"I know." She puffs her chest. "An' I didn't spoil it... mostly."

"And I wasn't sure." Skylor walks – more like waddles – over to us and places a kiss on her husband's cheek. "PIXAL just told me and Sel that that she noticed that, for the last three weeks or so, Jay and Nya have been sitting on average 3.4 centimetres closer to each other than before, and the number of 'accidental' brushes had increased by 238%. Also, their heart rates went up when they were near each other..."

"And you call that 'not sure'? When has one of her scans ever been wrong?"

"True that." Skylor agrees with her husband. "But who was I to ruin the 'big surprise'?"

"Thanks, Sky." I flash her a grateful smile. "I owe you one."

"You're welcome." She smiles back. "But it was actually PIXAL who was the most insistent about keeping your secret; she said she'd already made that mistake once – something about forcing someone to reveal something they weren't ready for and in front of the wrong people – and that she was still regretting it. Now, where's my food?"

As I follow Sky into the kitchen, I can't help but wonder if PIXAL might have been referring to the 'Perfect Match Incident' at the junkyard over six years ago.

I hope not though. Especially as I haven't held it against here in a very long time - since that day when we found out I was pregnant and Zane was alive, the same day when the female droid became one of my closest friends.

That was a day full of surprises. Just like today, it seems.