Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any shape or form.

Ameya followed them back to their apartment. None of the items were packed yet but she had heard from Iroh that they were to move to the Upper Ring soon. She figured she would leave after seeing Zuko and Iroh off safely but the prince looked…odd to her.

"You did the right thing. Letting the Avatar's bison go free."

"I don't feel right." Zuko's fatigued caught up with him and in a second, he toppled over. Ameya's eyes widen as he knocked over a vase, rushing to his side before he fell and caught him in her arms.

"Zuko!"

She barely registered the elder man to kneel beside her, her icy eyes wide at Zuko's unconscious state and felt his forehead. His skin felt too hot—hotter than normal and he could only groan in pain at the feel of her cool hand over him.

"He's burning up—he needs a bed—a cold rag—is there medicine? What—"

"Ameya," Iroh's voice stopped her frantic sentence and she stared at him in concern. "I will get a comforter out. Watch over him for now." He set a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry."

The young woman relaxed under his guidance and slowly nodded her head. She started to loosen the shirt around his neck, hoping that he would be able to breathe easier and kept her hand over his burning forehead. Iroh left to grab the materials but his amber eyes did not miss her caring touches for his nephew.

Ameya propped Zuko's head on her lap, gently running her hand over his forehead and hair. Why was this happening? He was fine hours ago when he set the sky bison free. Why was his body reacting this way?

Iroh returned shortly after with blankets and pillows in his arms. He said nothing as he set them on the floor quickly, helping Ameya lay the unconscious prince under the blankets. Iroh looked at him thoughtfully before sneaking a glance at the young woman.

"His clothes are restricting him."

She turned towards Iroh sharply, a confused look on her face. "What—?"

"You should go home for the day, Ameya. I can take care of my nephew for the time being." She opened her mouth to protest, "Unless you want to be the one to strip him?" And immediately closed it.

"I—I'll be back later." She ignored the heat of her cheeks and stood up hastily but not before shooting a concerned look at Zuko's direction.

He will be fine, she assured herself, Iroh will be here.

She made her way back to the Middle Ring, entering the empty house she had resided in and changed out of her thieving clothes. Her hand reached down for the fox mask on her belt but felt nothing, remembering that she had discarded that just hours ago.

Her eyes scanned the black outfit on the floor, incomplete without the mask but Ameya shook off those thoughts. She would not need it anymore—she would not run and hide anymore. Iroh and Zuko had accepted her—she could have a new start here.

She lay down on her warm comforter, not realizing how tired she had been until her head hit the pillow. She ignored the empty feeling in her chest at the vacant home and decided she will go visit the two of them in the Lower Ring as soon as she is well rested.

Zuko sat proudly on the throne, facing his army of Fire Nation soldiers that were awaiting his orders. Two dragons were curling around him sluggishly, one blue and one red.

"It's getting late. Are you planning to retire soon, My Lord?" The blue dragon hovered over him, her voice sounding strangely familiar like Azula's.

"I'm not tired." Zuko replied strongly. There were still too much to do.

The blue dragon slithered closer, "Relax, Fire Lord Zuko. Just let go. Give in to it. Shut your eyes for a while."

He felt his eyes slowly begin to drop, suddenly feeling weary and relaxed at the dragon's tone.

"No, Fire Lord Zuko! Do not listen to the blue dragon. You should get out of here right now. Go! Before it's too late!" His eyes widen as the red dragon appeared by his side, Iroh's voice filling his mind.

"Sleep now, Fire Lord Zuko." The blue dragon lured. The soldiers began to crumble before his eyes, only empty puppets of what they once were. "Sleep. Just like mother!"

The blue dragon swallowed him whole and Zuko fell into the darkness. His gold eyes widen at the sight of his mother turning around, her beautiful eyes looking at him in horror.

"Zuko! Help me!"

He reached a hand out for her but it met with nothing. His head spun once more and the darkness consumed him.

Iroh watched with worried eyes at his nephew's struggle. He dabbed a cool rag over his sweating forehead then pulled the cover over his bare chest. Zuko has only woken up once to drink water but he fell back asleep shortly.

There was a sound of rustling footstep and the elder man looked up just as a young woman hopped through the window. His eyes widen at the sight of Ameya in regular Earth Kingdom clothes, a small smile on her pink lips.

"Sorry for the sudden visit. I guess I couldn't stay away," she offered sheepishly and sat down besides Iroh.

It has only been a couple of hours since her last departure but Iroh could see how worried the woman was for his nephew. There were dark circles under her eyes from the lack of sleep and she moved with less grace than usual. He was surprised she even managed to sneak into their small apartment without him realizing until the last moment.

"I am grateful my nephew has someone who cares deeply for him," and it was true. If someone had asked Iroh back then that these two would grow fond of each other, the general would have laughed it off as a joke.

But now he could see clearly that the time they spent together was more than they let on. He was not sure what has happened between the two but he could see the care Ameya had shown Zuko back in the underground lake—he could see the support she was providing now in his unconscious state.

And Iroh knew his nephew had grown to care for her too. His eyes were always following her back in the tea house and even before they arrived in Ba Sing Se; Zuko was always searching for something besides the Avatar. The question was—would the prince be able to abandon everything—for their sake?

"You should rest, Iroh," her voice cut through his thoughts, soft and kind, "I'll watch over him."

He retired to his room, trusting the young woman to take care of his nephew. He doesn't doubt she had done it before and he prayed for Zuko's safe recovery. It was time he should be happy and free from his past.

He stood alone under the bright blue sky, staring upwards to see no cloud in sight. The slight breeze ruffled his unruly hair and Zuko felt small under the vast sky.

"Is there something you're looking for, My Prince?"

He turned swiftly to the voice and saw a young woman standing a few feet away, her black hair short and blue eyes piercing.

"I don't know." He replied honestly but his tone felt empty, tired.

"The sky is beautiful." She took a step towards him, standing side by side with the prince.

"It reminds me of your eyes." He confessed softly, turning to her fully.

Her cheeks turned a light pink and her lips curled up in a smile. Zuko felt his heart skipped a beat and reached his hand out towards her short locks.

Before he could touch her, the scenery melted away and he was thrown into darkness again.

Zuko woke up with a gasp, his body sweating from the fevered dreams and his head spun again at the change of scenery. He felt so hot yet cold at the same time that he didn't know what to do except curl into himself, shivering all the same.

A small hand reached down to brush back his dark tresses and a cool towel wiped away his sweat. His gold eyes focused on the blurry caretaker and saw the bright blue eyes of the woman in his dreams.

"Ameya?" He called out weakly and she smiled softly at him.

"Good morning," she greeted just as quiet, pulling the covers over his bare form and resisted the urge to blush at his toned chest.

His eyes followed her movements carefully, staring at the long hair hanging from her head and hovering over his form. His hand reached out to touch the silky tresses, slipping from his fingers like water. Ameya froze, watching Zuko run his hand through the ends of her hair slowly.

"Have I ever mentioned I love your hair?" He murmured suddenly.

She blushed and shook her head, looking away shyly. "You're delusional."

"I'm serious."

Ameya turned to him then and noticed his gold eyes were focusing intently on her. Another smile made its way onto her lips and she leaned down, placing a tender kiss on his forehead.

"I love your hair too…now go back to sleep, My Prince."

Zuko followed her instructions and drifted back into sleep, a small smile on his own lips. It was the most peaceful she had seen him since his fever a day ago and Ameya prayed he will recover soon.

It was nighttime when Zuko woke up again and Iroh had joined her in taking care of him. The elder man had made a cup of tea for both of them but at the sight of his nephew's stirring, he poured another cup.

"You should know that this is not a natural sickness, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tea." They helped him sit up and Zuko drank the tea carefully, the warm liquid washed down his dry throat.

"What's happening?" He asked weakly, head and body dizzy from the continuous pain.

"Your critical decision. What you did beneath that lake. It was in such conflict with your image of yourself that you are now at war within your own mind and body."

Iroh helped Zuko to another cup of tea. Ameya wondered how a decision could have such a tremendous impact on the prince—had he always been struggling to make the right decision?

"What's that mean?" Zuko coughed violent and she rubbed his back comfortingly. He took notice of her then and laid down, turning towards her direction for comfort. Ameya could only hold his hand and felt him return the gesture.

"You are going through a metamorphosis, my nephew. It will not be a pleasant experience, but when you come out of it, you will be the beautiful prince you were always meant to be." Iroh dabbed at his forehead once more and when Zuko said nothing more, they realized he had fallen asleep.

Iroh adjusted his blanket again while Ameya stayed by his side quietly. The elder man moved to stand up but the young woman stopped him.

"Do you think that's true?" She asked quietly, not looking at Iroh but he knew she was talking to him. "Do you think he's going to wake up from this and realize his true destiny?"

Iroh faltered, not realizing she was taking notice of all the conversation they had before. "His destiny is for him to decide on what it could be. I can only guide him to make the right choice."

Ameya smiled feebly. "I'm scared. What if I made the wrong choice, too—what if this was a mistake?"

Staying here in the city—staying with Zuko. She had always run away from her attachment to people and yet it still hurt when she left the Northern Water Tribe—it still hurt when she left Yue.

What if this was a repeat of the past? What if this time—Zuko would be the one to leave her?

Iroh watched with gentle eyes and set a reassuring hand on Ameya's shoulder. He had seen her struggle silently too but he was never able to provide comfort to her. But now, this was the first time she's revealing her emotions to him and he had grown fond of the young woman as well. Iroh hopes he can help ease her worries just like how she had done for them before.

"You have always been strong by yourself, Ameya, but it is okay to rely on others too. I trust you to make my nephew happy—I've seen the way you two care for each other. I just hope that in the future, Zuko can make you happy as well."

She turned towards Iroh with wide blue eyes and felt herself relax at his words. Iroh trusted her—Iroh cares for her too and somehow that made Ameya happy to gain the favor of the elder man. She sent a small smile his way, feeling confident in her decision and nodded her head.

"Thank you, Iroh. You're very kind."

"Likewise to you, Ameya. Now, I am off to bed. Don't stay up too late," he advised and left to his room, leaving the two teenagers by themselves.

Ameya adjusted the towel over Zuko's forehead with her free hand and felt herself slowly drift to sleep. She lay down next to him, away from his comforter but still close enough for their hands to clasp together.

Ameya woke up to a gentle touch on her head. Her blue eyes opened lazily to the bright room and she reached a hand up to her forehead. She touched another hand instead, eyes widening at the feel of skin and she sat upwards, turning to Zuko who was awake and lucid.

"Good morning," he said softly and her cheeks redden at the sight of him—up and shirtless.

"H-how long have you been awake?" She rubbed her eyes to make sure this was not a dream and heard him chuckle quietly.

"Long enough. Did you know you eat your hair when you sleep?" He pointed out smugly.

Her eyes widen in shock and pulled her hair away from her face. "I-I do not! Have you been watching me? That's a bit intrusive." Ameya huffed and turned around, cheeks red, "And if you're feeling better g-go put on a shirt before you catch a cold next!"

Zuko looked down at his bare chest and instead of feeling cold, he felt hot under her gaze. His inner fire flared up at the thought that Ameya had seen him like this since he had been ill but at the sight of her flushed face, he couldn't help but feel brave.

"Weren't you watching me too while I was asleep?" He countered and grinned as her face contorted in disbelief.

"I was taking care of you—! You've been sick for three days!" Ameya explained hastily. Why is he still not putting on a shirt?

Zuko blinked. Three days? He had been asleep for three days? His mind wandered back to the night of setting the Avatar's bison free and took notice of the faint dark circles under her eyes and tired body.

"Did I miss our date?"

Ameya stare at him quietly. Her eyes softened at his guilty expression and felt the need to tease him back.

"Yes, you did," she answered with a small pout and Zuko peeked at her shyly, "But there are plenty of opportunities. I guess you just owe me one for now."

Zuko did not miss the smile she sent his way and only beamed in response. At that moment, he felt so incredibly happy that he wanted to reach over and kiss her. He acted just on impulse, leaning over to her direction and she watched with wide eyes as he stumbled over the blankets, falling right over her body.

His arms were stationed on either side of her head, preventing him from crushing her completely and their noses were barely touching. Her heart started pounding at their close proximity and Zuko's golden gaze turned gentle; slowly leaning in while Ameya's own lids began to drop.

"I see that you are much better now, nephew."

They jumped at the sound of Iroh's amused voice, looking down on the two of them from beyond the door. Zuko immediately scrambled away from Ameya and she quickly scooted backwards, ignoring the way her cheeks were once again red with embarrassment.

"I—um—should go." Ameya stood up shakily, trying to calm her rapid heartbeat and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"Already? Zuko just woke up!" Iroh exclaimed teasingly and Zuko suddenly felt the need to cover up his bare skin.

"You guys need to pack to move, don't you? To the Upper Ring?" She avoided their gaze.

"Aren't you coming with us?" They turned towards Zuko's question and the prince looked away bashfully. "You said you would stay."

Their mind wandered back to the promise they exchanged under the Firelight Fountain and another blush found its way on their pale cheeks. She could not stop the smile from emerging on her lips and her hand lingered by her face, trying to cool down her heated cheeks.

"I will meet you at your new tea house soon. There is one last thing I must take care of."

The two men stare at her curiously as Ameya touched the ring around her neck. That would be the last thing she must discover before she can completely start anew. She must sever her own ties to her past.

"I'll see you again," she smiled at Zuko and he caught onto her unspoken words.

I promise.

Author's Note:

SURPRISE!

So today is my birthday and I wanted to throw in a surprise chapter here! It's short again but I promise—it won't be for long. Though I wonder if I should still update on Friday…or maybe Saturday hmm…

Thank you for the reviews! You know, Zuko and Ameya's relationships aren't the only ones changing. Iroh has always been kind to Ameya but…I feel like he genuinely cares about her at this point too. I hope it's noticeable!

Love your reviews, please don't stop!