A/N: I always wondered what it would be like if Sokka actually had to rough Zuko up a bit in the episode The Boiling Rock. Here's my take on what might have happened and how.

THIS IS NOT A SEXUAL FIC.

I wanted a clean, friend-beats-friend Zuko whump that did not involve him getting raped for once and, so far, I haven't found one. So I decided to be the change and voilà! I have brought you my new creation! Enjoy :3

You know the usual "I own nothing speech" so I'll just let the known unspoken remain unspoken ^^

The thick cell door slid open with an ominous squeal against the iron prison walls. As the wheels worked and strained against age and wear, light flooded into the dark room, illuminating the rugged panels that made the walls and floor. The Fire Nation armor Sokka had adorned to camouflage with the guards was heavy and scorching, which shouldn't have come as a surprise to him all things considering, but that didn't change how uncomfortable the leather outfit was against his skin. Growing up in the South Pole had forced him to grow accustomed to freezing weather. This new environment was torture on his Water Tribe skin.

But as he stepped into the cage-like cell, a chill ran down his soaked spine. He couldn't be entirely sure of its origin—there were too many factors to consider. In his short time at the Boiling Rock, he had heard many rumors about the cells being cooled, a precaution against those prisoners who were gifted with the power of firebending. There was no possibility of a prisoner getting the drop on a visiting guard this way, at least not through the way of flame. So, perhaps his body's tremor was the result of the sudden atmospheric temperature shift.

The more likely reason was his blue eyes falling on the figure in front of him. Each cell was furnished with a single filthy mattress lying on a raised platform against the back wall. The prison didn't even provide a pillow for the slightest bit of comfort against the rough mat, nor a blanket to shield one's body from the cold. The thought of a pale, shivering form lying bruised and withered in the darkness of this room made Sokka's gut drop, and it was this same thought that whisked him back to reality and forced his hands to shut the door behind him, leaving the room in almost complete darkness. The sliver of a window at his back was a saving grace for whoever was condemned to this dreadful room. His shadow cast across the cell's dweller, but even so, the two dark eyes at the head of the mattress sparkled like stars.

The woman who lay before him, clad in rusty red prisoner's garb, appeared almost at ease. Her slender arms bent back and served as a makeshift pillow while she stared up at the ceiling, expressionless. A brown ponytail held back bangs while the rest of her locks sprawled neatly out, framing her face delicately.

Suki. So he wasn't imaging her face out of desperation back in the courtyard.

At the sound of a guard entering her room, she shifted, glancing over at the door and frowning deeply. She was no longer stoic. Sokka recognized that face as one of a warrior, displaying hatred, annoyance, determination. He barely suppressed a growing smile. He approached her, keeping a distance and crossing his arms authoritatively. As much as he wanted to rip this cursed armor off of his body and embrace Suki, crying for joy that they were at last together again, he held back. He wanted to see if she could tell it was him. She was smart, she was sure to figure it out.

Suki shot up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "What is it? Did I do something wrong?" she questioned. Why else would a guard drop in on her? She fully expected him to answer with a snide, "Yes. Come with me," and then she'd be off to an unimaginable and unjust punishment for a crime never committed. Such was the way of the Fire Nation; they had an untouched habit of finding any excuse to make examples of the innocent.

Instead, the guard, who sounded much too young to be in such a dreadful place, answered with a sly, "You mean you don't recognize me?" His blue eyes were barely visible through his crimson mask. The smile on his face made Suki sick.

She angrily turned her face away. "You people all look the same to me," was her mumbled reply.

"Oh?" he responded. And for a second, Suki feared she would be punished. Had she just insulted him? You could never know with these people. They could take any little thing the wrong way. But he just continued, "Then maybe you'll recognize this..." He took a few steps toward her and leaned down, pursing his lips.

Fear petrified Suki's bones. She had heard stories, whispered tales, of unspeakable things done in Fire Nation prisons. They were rarely talked about, they were so nauseating, but she had heard enough to wonder in these few seconds if she would share the fate of those who lay at the base of these rumors.

But the fear was soon suppressed by an overwhelming anger. She had been through too much in these past days (had it been a week?) and this was the straw that was breaking her back. She was a girl, but she was also a warrior, and right now, that instinct was taking over. She shot her hand up and gripped the guard's cheeks, holding none of her strength back when she followed up with a direct shove to his abdomen. She thought she heard a crack as he slammed into the cell door a good three meters away from where he was standing previously.

That hideous Fire Nation helmet came clattering off, rolling down shielded shoulders and landing by his feet. Sokka grunted, eyes filled with bewilderment as he steadied himself on the chilly metal floor. Maybe I should've just taken the helmet off to start with. She's going to kill me! But Suki, with her arm outstretched and prepared for a fight, stayed her experienced hand and drew in a sudden deep breath. Her eyes grew wide, her mouth agape.

"Sokka!" she cried. What was so heavy in her voice? Ah, yes. Relief. Without a second thought she dashed forward and leapt onto her savior, wrapping her arms around his strong neck and shoulders. "It's you!" She knew it. She knew he would come. That witch, Azula, had told her otherwise so many times, cutting her deep with the promise that she was forgotten, that her love was even dead, slain and burned to a crisp by her own wicked hands. Suki knew Sokka better, though. Her faith never faltered, even when Azula had brought forth a scrap of blue cloth, false evidence that her fellow warrior was never coming for her. She could never believe these lies, for if she succumbed to such a poison, her mind would falter. Surely she would have gone mad with sorrow.

But here he was, in the flesh, rescuing her from a fate worse than death.

At first too shocked to react right away, Sokka returned Suki's embrace and cradled her head lovingly, taking a second to run his fingers through her dark hair. He had longed for this moment since they had departed at the the Serpent's Pass, bidding one another farewell with a kiss. His heart stopped dead in its tracks at the sound of a muffled sniff into his neck. Sure enough, he felt a wetness landing on his bare biceps. He had never seen Suki cry before. He pulled her in closer, wrapping an arm tightly around her waist.

Suki responded by tightening her own grip around Sokka, realizing that he must have noticed her light tears and quickly set to wiping them away. Tears were for later. Sokka probably had a plan in action. Sure enough, he gently pulled away and met Suki's chocolate eyes, red-rimmed and glazed over.

"The other Kyoshi warriors—are they here?" he asked, helping her to her feet, mind once again returning to the plan.

Suki lowered her eyes. "No. I don't know where they are. They locked me in here because I'm the leader!" One of the disadvantages of the job: responsibility. If something happens to your soldiers, it's the leader's fault, no matter what happened. Guilt and anger tugged at her heart, constantly being pushed back by the knowledge that she and her warriors were (as much as she hated to admit it) outmatched back in the woods when faced with Azula and her minions. That was the only fact keeping her from giving up her title as Kyoshi leader.

Sokka placed a warm and gentle hand on her cheek. "Well, you won't be here for long." The message, unspoken until now, was music to her ears. "I'm busting you out."

"I'm so glad to see you, Sokka," she whispered. She locked his hand with hers. "I knew you'd come."

Sokka smiled softly. As a warrior, the mere thought of being believed in, relied upon, and trusted by those you love is in and of itself a great blessing. Having someone confirm it is even greater. Without another word, the two leaned in and embraced, sealing their trust with a tender kiss.

It was short-lived, however, for a knock came at the door. Sokka and Suki broke. "Zuko," he whispered.

Suki frowned. "Zuko? He's here, too?" Her eyes went wide. "Does he know you're here? What if he sees you? Sokka, go—"

"No, no, no," he hushed. "Zuko's with me. Well, he's with all of us now. He's good; he's changed."

Only a flash of hesitation crossed through her eyes before she nodded and stuttered, "Uh...well, good. Good for him. But, what is he knocking..."

"Excuse me, I need to get into that cell."

In an instant, Sokka had Suki down on the ground, crouching at the base of the door. He held a finger to his lips.

"No! You can't go in there," came a startled voice. Then a pause.

Come on, Zuko, think of something!

"The...lights are out. The prisoner could sneak up on you."

Sokka had to refrain from smacking a palm to his forehead. Seriously? Out of everything you could have said?

The following silence seemed like an eternity while they waited for the female guard's response.

"Step aside, fool!" she ordered. "Hey, hey! What're you doing!"

The door behind Sokka and Suki erupted with a crash, thundering and shaking.

"She didn't buy it!" Suki exclaimed.

"There's no real surprise there," Sokka mumbled. He made a note to talk to Zuko about improvising when they got out of this mess...if they got out, that is.

The door shook a second time, only the grunt that coincided with it was that of a male. Even with Zuko's skills in hand-to-hand combat, the guards here were far more experienced in tussles like these. Zuko relied mostly on his bending, and it would not be good for either of them if he injured or killed one of the guards.

Sokka had to get out of there. He picked up the Fire Nation helmet by his feet, reluctantly slipping it back on. Man, it was hot under there. A hand lay on his shoulder. He turned to look into Suki's eyes; his heart cracked straight down the middle. Her eyes were screaming one thing loud and clear, a phrase that Sokka couldn't bear.

Please, don't leave me.

He knew it didn't subside Suki's fears, but he said it anyway: "I'll be back for you. I promise. Don't be afraid."

The plea didn't weaken in the least, but he knew that he couldn't stay with her. With one last reassuring smile, he rose and slid the door open just enough for his body to slide through, past the duo that struggled valiantly outside the cell. Zuko was winning, that was good. Still, if another guard came around the corner and saw the fight, if Sokka was in on it too, they'd both be vulture wasp meat.

So, as inconspicuously as possible, he took a sharp left and quickly made his way down the hall, away from the struggle. The corner was just up ahead. He was halfway there...

"Guard! Help!" Sokka stopped dead in his tracks. So close. He turned back. "I think he's an imposter! Ah! Arrest him!"

What now? He couldn't make a run for it! Pretend he didn't hear her? Yeah, like anyone would believe that later. So...what? Sokka did the only logical thing he could think of.

He stood and watched the struggle while he contemplated his options. And at the moment, there were really only two he could think of: help Zuko; or help the guard.

"Get him off me and arrest him!" she shouted. Well, that was an easy choice.

Sokka rushed up and took Zuko by the arm, off of their intruder. He could not ignore the look of utter shock on Zuko's face when he swung him around and pushed him to the floor. "You're under arrest!" he proclaimed for affect, pulling Zuko's arm up and back for immobilization. The grunt he released when his face hit the hard floor sent a pained feeling down Sokka's spine. He'd apologize for that later. It sounded like it hurt.

He pulled the Boiling Rock's newest prisoner from the floor, keeping his arms behind his back. "Don't worry. I'll figure it out," he whispered to his comrade. He didn't wait for a response knowing that he could not receive one. The female guard was clutching her left shoulder in pain behind them as he led Zuko down the hall.

Serves ya right. You ruined my reunion.

A/N: This felt like a good place to stop. I tried making it all one chapter but it felt like a run-on. This will be a two-shot at least, but if I feel like it's necessary or I just want to add another little blurp, I'll do that (probably not though :P).

Hope you enjoyed it and hope you visit the second chapter for the actual action. This was just a lead in (and yes, the moments with Suki are relevant).

Love you all and thanks ^^