Katara let her gaze roam around the small apartment, taking in the sparse, dingy furnishings and cracked, dirty windows. It was more like a shack than anything, with barely enough room for the three Freedom Fighters.
"What'dya think?" Jet asked, smirking. "Nice, huh?"
"Charming," she said dryly. Mentally, though, she wondered why refugees like him were forced to endure such poor conditions while people like Aang were awarded special treatment. It didn't seem very fair – even heartless jerks deserved better.
He just shrugged at the comment. "Hey, I know it's not that great, but it beats living on the streets."
Katara remained silent, having turned her attention to the small amount of personal belongings the group had. Clothing and weapons – nothing else. Even she and the others had more, and they had to limit their supplies. Pity ate away at her, but she refused to give in to it. Jerks like Jet didn't deserve her charity. They didn't deserve anything.
The silence had grown long and awkward, and the Freedom Fighter was giving her strange look. To end the quiet and create a distraction, she asked, "So, where's this 'new' member you've been telling me about?"
For a moment, Jet perked up. "You mean Li?" Then, seeming to remember something, his face fell. "Oh, your introduction will have to wait. He's at work and hates it when I barge in. Says it'll get him fired or something."
Katara raised an eyebrow. "Right."
"I'm serious," he said, scowling. "Why won't you believe me?"
"Because this 'new' member thing is probably some part of your elaborate scheme to make me believe you're a 'new' person. Sorry, but I'm not falling for it."
Growling, he said, "But you agreed to give me another chance!"
'That doesn't mean I can't be cautious,' she thought, but said nothing.
"So... What have you guys been up to?"
"Oh, you know, trying to find a way to teach Aang all four elements so we can end this crazy war," Katara said in a nonchalant manner, waving her hand dismissively. "Just the usual."
"Oh, well, have you found an earthbender yet?" Jet asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing. Silence was tense and awkward, and not something he wanted to endure.
"Yeah."
Katara, on the other hand, would prefer to ignore him.
After several more (failed) attempts at small talk, the waterbender sighed noisily, getting up from where she had seated herself across from Jet on the floor. "Look, it's getting late and the others are probably wondering where I disappeared to. I should go."
"Right," he said, getting up and following her. Moving a step ahead, he opened the door with a flourish and a hopeful grin. "See you tomorrow?"
"We'll see," she said, then brushed passed him without a glance back.
XxXx
"Hey, Li!"
Zuko looked over to the door, suppressed a groan.
"Jet, I already told you to stop bothering me!"
Ignoring his friend's complaint, Jet said, "Can you do me a favour?"
The waiter opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off.
"Great! Okay, here's the thing: some old friends of mine are living in the city. I wanna try befriending them again, but they don't trust me 'cause of some stupid things I've done."
"So, what do you want me to do?" he asked, glaring.
"Just tell them I'm a good guy and convince them to let go of the past." Seeing the other teen's uncertain expression, Jet said, "C'mon, I'll actually pay the next time I come here."
"Well, I guess I could"- Zuko started, then narrowed his eyes –"Wait, you mean you've been stealing?"
"Hell no! I just used your money to pay for everything."
"That's still stealing," he grumbled, frown deepening. "And how did you get my money?"
Rather than answering, Jet clapped his hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for agreeing to this, buddy. I owe you." Then he turned and walked toward the exit.
"I didn't agree to anything!" Zuko yelled after him. "And if I did, you can repay me by letting my kick your ass!"
A few tables away, Iroh chuckled as he served a couple their tea. "It's so nice to see you with good friends."
Zuko grumbled unintelligibly.
Author'a Notes: So, yeah. Katara's still giving Jet a bit of the cold shouler (and rightfully so), and Jet and Zuko have a rather interesting friendship. xd Sorry if they seem OOC - there wasn't much canon Jet/Zuko friendship scenes, so I'm just going with how I picture them interacting.
Still open to title suggestions. :3 And, of course, tell me what you think of the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do now own 'Avatar' or any of its characters.
