I know it's short and I should've thought of a better title, but enjoy it anyway. 😉

_____________________

Kira's P.O.V.:

It had been about two weeks since Lloyd came home and to my surprise he seemed to be out of his depressive slump for the most part. He still had his moments, but a lot of the time he spent happily playing with Ryder. I could tell how much they missed each other.

I didn't want Lloyd doing anything too strenuous because his shoulder was still bothering him from time to time, but now I could tell he felt better. He didn't have to wear the sling anymore, but I did insist that he ice it regularly and not lift anything heavy.

We were all in the living room watching a movie together when the channel changed automatically. It was Gayle Gossip in front of Kryptarian Prison. Lloyd and I looked at each other, knowing that it couldn't be anything good.

"I'm Gayle Gossip from NGTV News. I'm here at Kryptarian Prison where I'm hearing word that the police have apprehended Lord Garmadon after investigators proved him to be the robber that stole all five serpentine staffs that once belonged to the ancient serpentine tribes." Gayle said looking at the camera.

"Oh Dad, what did you do now?" I heard Lloyd whisper under his breath.

"Hey Ryder, why don't you go take a potty break while you have the chance?" I said, trying to get him out of the room. "You just had that really big soda."

"Ok Mommy." He said before dashing to the bathroom.

"Thanks." Lloyd said.

We continued watching.

"Oh here he comes now." Gayle said as she walked up to Garmadon, who was in handcuffs and being pushed inside by the police officers. "Mr. Garmadon, do you have any last words you want to say to the public before they take you away?"

"The only reason I took the staffs was to save my son." He looked at the camera. "He was very sick and it was the only way to cure him. I was going to return the staffs as soon as my son was well again."

"Save it for the judge four arms!" One the officers said pushing him to his knees.

"Lloyd, I'm sorry." He looked into the camera one last time before the officers took him inside.

"This has been Gayle Gossip from NGTV News, signing off. We now return to your regularly scheduled programming."

The broadcast ended and I looked over at Lloyd. He didn't look very happy.

"You ok?" I asked him.

"How could they do that? My father didn't do anything wrong. How did they even find him?" He freaked. "I guess the rest of the world doesn't trust him yet."

"Stealing is a low level crime. Maybe you can bail him out?" I suggested.

"Judging from his criminal record, I doubt it." He sighed. "It's hopeless."

"Don't say that."

Just then Lloyd got a phone call and went into the other room to take it. I hoped this wouldn't be too hard a situation to get out of, for his and Ryder's sake.

Lloyd's P.O.V.:

"Hello?" I said into my phone.

"Hi son." My father's voice said on the other end.

"Dad, I saw the news. Are you ok?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. Now listen carefully because I only get one phone call." He said quickly. "Harumi is the one that turned me in. This was all a part of her plan to get me to help her."

"Why am I not surprised." I rolled my eyes. "Be careful Dad, she's a tricky one. And whatever you do, don't let her find out about the..."

"I know, your secret is safe with me." He assured me. "I won't let her get in my head."

"Yeah that's what I said about her too, and look how that turned out." I warned. "Just hang on Dad I'll find someway to get you out of there."

"There is nothing you can do son. If you come here, you'll be falling right into her trap."

"Then what do I do?" I frowned. "I promised you wouldn't be sent back to prison and I've already broken too many promises, I can't brake another one."

"I will be fine son. Don't worry, I think I can handle myself in prison." He said.

"Dad that's not what I'm..."

The phone went dead before I finished my sentence. He must've run out of time on his end. I hung up the phone and went back in the room with Kira and Ryder. Kira noticed the look on my face and knew I was upset.

"Hey Lloyd, everything ok?" Kira asked.

"Yeah, I just have something important to take care of real quick." I lied for Ryder's sake. "I should only be a couple hours."

"NO!" Ryder screamed.

"Ryder, I won't be that long, I promise."

"No! Don't go Daddy! Don't go!" He started begging and clinging to my leg.

The last thing I wanted do is leave Ryder again, even if it was going to be a quick trip. He always got like this whenever I had to go somewhere without him, it didn't matter where or how long I'd be gone. Yesterday he did this when I was just going to the bathroom.

Kira even suggested making him an appointment with a child psychiatrist she knew because the problem was getting out of our control. I didn't want her to be right, but I wasn't sure what else to do at this point.

I felt even worse because it was all my fault. I just can't bring myself to say no to him after everything that happened with his mother, but this time I had to put my foot down. I couldn't risk Harumi and Ryder coming in contact with each other. That would make everything a thousand times worse and that's not what Ryder needs right now.

"I'm sorry bud, but I'll be back soon." I assured him.

"Take me with you." Ryder had tears in his eyes.

"Sorry buddy, but where I'm going is no place for a kid like you." I finally pried him off my leg and ruffled his hair. "I know you hate it when I have to leave, but how about I pick up some ice cream on my way back, ok?"

"No daddy! I don't want you to go!" He yelled.

"Ryder, your father has to leave now." Kira said. "He'll be back soon."

"No he won't." I heard him whisper under his breath.

I kept trying to get through to him but as hard as I tried I couldn't say no. He wouldn't stop being so adorable, and unknowingly making myself feel guilty for leaving him last time. I just couldn't stand to see him cry like that.

"Alright alright I give." I gave in. "Don't worry bud, I'm not going anywhere." Ever again apparently.

"Thank you." He smiled and hugged me. Kira was giving me looks of disappointment, which I totally deserved.

"Hey Ryd why don't you go wash up for dinner? The pizza's gonna be here any minute." Kira said.

"Ok Mommy." Ryder ran to the bathroom.

"I guess my dad's spending the night in jail tonight." I sighed.

"Why is it so hard for you to say no to that kid?" She asked. "This has been happening an awful lot lately."

"I'm sorry, but once your kid gets tortured by his own mother for three years, you don't exactly have the heart to disappoint him." I frowned. "Besides, I can go get my father tomorrow, I'm sure he'll be ok for one night."

"And what do you think Ryder's gonna do when you try to leave then?" Kira pointed out. "Look this cycle is never going to end unless you put a stop to this."

"Ok I know you're excited about the baby and all but you need to stop reading those parenting books."

"Actually that wasn't in the books, but you wouldn't know that because you didn't read them."

"I didn't exactly have a lot of time on my hands between the time Ryder was on the way and when he was born."

"Ok forget about the books." Kira sighed, obviously frustrated. "The point is this type of behavior isn't good for Ryder or for you. He shouldn't be acting like that every time you try to go somewhere."

"He's only six, I'm sure he'll grow out of that."

"And what, you're just gonna never leave the house again until he does?" She crossed her arms. I realized she had a point. "Face it, you need to do something about this before it gets any worse."

"I know." I sighed. "What do you think we should do?"

"Well we can start by making him that appointment."

"My son doesn't need a shrink." I said.

"Come on, this therapist is a friend of mine and she's really good. It wouldn't hurt to take him just once and if you don't think it's working then we can figure out something else."

"Alright, I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a try." I finally gave in. "We'll take him in the morning."

"Thank you." Kira said. "You'll see, this is what's best for him."

"You know Kira, you're gonna make a wonderful mother." I smiled.

"You really think so?" She asked. "I'm honestly really nervous about being a good mom."

"You already are one." I kissed her on the cheek. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"Eww! Gross!" Ryder said walking back into the room.

"Sorry bud." I laughed.

Then the doorbell rang and Kira went to answer it and pay the pizza guy. We ate dinner and then Kira went to take a shower. Then I had to have a little chat with Ryder about what happened today.

"Ryder come here." I set down and he set on my lap. "You know I love being here with you, but sometimes I have to go on missions and help people who are  in danger. Do you understand?"

"Mhmm." He nodded and frowned.

"Well when someone needs my help, it could be something really bad and if I'm here with you then I can't help them."

"Then you can't get hurt either." He stated.

My eyes widened. I suddenly realized why he was worried about me leaving. He didn't want to see me in the hospital again.

"Is that what your worried about?" My question made Ryder go silent and look away me. I had my answer. "Bud that's ok. If it was bothering you so much why didn't you tell me?"

"I-I thought you would be mad." He spoke up.

"Mad? Of course I'm not mad." I said hugging him. "But you know that I have to go on my missions so that I keep the people of Ninjago safe."

"But who keeps you safe?" He asked.

"Well in a way, you do." I said.

"I do?"

"You sure do bud." I smiled. "I make it my mission to come back home safe every time because I know you're there waiting for me. And I'll admit that I do get hurt sometimes, but it's worth it because I get to see you again when I get home."

"Really?" He perked up.

"Absolutely." I smiled. "So what about this, you let me go on more missions and I'll try to be more careful from now on. Do we have a deal?"

"Deal." He nodded. "I love you Daddy."

"I love you too bud." I smiled and hugged him.

As he hugged me back he touched my shoulder and it hurt again, but for Ryder's sake I didn't dare show it.

"Hey bud, it's getting late so why don't you go brush your teeth and put on your pjs. I'll be upstairs to read to you in a minute."

"Can we read Jack the Rabbit again?" He asked.

"Of course we can." I smiled. "That's my favorite book too."

"Yay!" He yelled and ran upstairs.

I needed a few minutes to relax my shoulder after he touched it. I looked at my phone and I had a text from my mother.

————{{{Lloyd's Phone}}}————

Mom: Lloyd, did
you see the news?

Lloyd: Yeah Mom, I saw. 😩

M: Did you try
to bail him out?

L: I didn't get to go down
there. Ryder wouldn't let
me leave him after what
happened. I think we've
worked everything out
now though.

M: He's spending
the night in jail?

L: Don't worry, I think he can
handle himself in prison for
one night.

M: It's not him I'm worried
about, don't forget Harumi's
there too. If she gets into your
father's head she can turn him
against you and then he might
try to hurt you or your family.

L: Mom I know you don't
trust him yet but I do. He
won't let me down you'll
see.

M: Those three years you
were in the hospital I set
right by you every day
waiting for you to wake
up. And where was he
during all of that?

L: He was in Hiroshi's Labyrinth
and he had no idea about any of
that. It wasn't his fault. Plus he
saved my life. We both know
without those staffs I wouldn't
be here.

M: I know but if he hadn't stole them the ninja would've got them already.

L: He wanted to help me,
and now he's in jail for
it. I need to get him out.

M: Ok but promise me you'll
be careful. I don't want you to
end up in the hospital again
and I don't think Kira can heal
you this time.

L: Ok, I promise I'll
be careful. 🙄 Good
night Mom.

M: Good night son.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I put my phone away and Kira came downstairs. She saw me struggling with my shoulder and went into the kitchen. She came back with pain medication and an ice pack.

"Thanks." I told her as I took a pill and held the pack on my shoulder.

"Was Ryder too rough with it again?" She asked.

"Yeah, but it's fine." I dismissed. "He's upstairs getting ready for bed."

"Well I tried to call my friend and make Ryder that appointment, but she's on vacation for another two weeks." She frowned. "She did recommend some other therapists though so we have a few options."

"I think we can hold off on that for a little while."

"What do you mean?" Kira asked.

"I still want him to see someone about that, but I talked to him and figured out why he was acting like this." I explained. "He's afraid of me leaving because he's scared I'm gonna get hurt again."

"Did you talk with him about it?"

"Yeah, I think we've worked it out for now. If he starts doing that again then we can take him."

"Alright, I guess we'll find out in the morning."

"Ok." I said. "Has it been ten minutes yet?"

"Yes, you can stop icing it now." She rolled her eyes. "But if it starts hurting again let me know."

"Yes ma'am." I laughed. "Now I gotta go, I promised Ryder I'd read to him."

"I can take care of that if you want." She offered, helping me off the couch.

"Thanks but I think I better do it. He's been worried about me and I think it'll help for me to read to him tonight." I insisted.

"Of course." Kira smiled and kissed me on the cheek. Good night Lloyd, I love you."

"I love you too. Good night." I smiled.

I went upstairs to read to Ryder and once I was done he fell right assleep. I kissed him on his forehead and then quietly walked out of the room. I went to my bedroom and got into bed.

I tried to sleep but I couldn't stop thinking about my dad being all alone in that place. Well not all alone, but in that place with her. Was my mother right? Was she going to make him turn on me? I had just gotten him back, I can't loose him now. What if he goes off the rails and hurts someone? What if he comes after Ryder? Kira? The baby?! I had too much to think about to get any sleep. I just hoped my dad was alright.