A/N: Okay you find out where Tess went! And there's even more tension in this chappie, so be warned lol.

Tess walked briskly from the hut down to Jeong Jeong's. She entered quietly, though he still greeted her as per usual.

"What brings you here, young Bender?"

Tess pulled down her hood and sat in a position of meditation a few feet away from Jeong Jeong. She bowed her head and closed her eyes.

"Will you teach me, Wise One?" she asked softly.

Jeong Jeong opened his eyes, staring at the sandy floor of the hut. The scar on his face was in shadow, away from the light of the candles around him.

"The Avatar. Tell me about him."

"The Avatar is a young Airbender who will be coming here in about 6 days' time. He will seek to learn Firebending even though he has only mastered Air. You must not teach him Fire until he has learned Water and Earth or he will burn someone he loves."

Jeong Jeong remained silent for a period of time, and finally stirred.

"You intend to leave before the Avatar comes?"

"Yes."

Jeong Jeong closed his eyes and bowed his head. "It takes many years to learn even basic Firebending, young one. You cannot expect to learn much in less than a week."

"I will be a good student, sir. I will learn." Tess kept her eyes shut and waited for a response.

"Fine. I cannot quell the desire to learn. I will teach you and Jing Wei. But you cannot hope to learn much," whispered Jeong Jeong.

Tess listened to the rain pattering on the ceiling of the hut. It was here element, as well as Fire. How odd and ironic.

"I will learn," she repeated before taking leave of Jeong Jeong.

Not taking care to rush into a hut to get out of the rain, Tess listened to the patterns and rhythms of it falling to the ground. She sat on the bank of the river; the rain started to decrease until it was nothing but a thin mist of the early morn. Tess watched, at peace, as the fog cleared and the sun broke into the heavens and cast its fiery look upon the earth. Content, the hybrid Bender gazed at the sunrise. She had never seen it so clear or so beautiful before.

She heard footsteps behind her, but didn't turn her head to look. She only glanced as Jeong Jeong sat beside her on the bank of the river, which was reflecting the pallet of colors from the sky.

"To Firebend," started Jeong Jeong, "one must know that Fire comes from the breath and not the muscle. Breathe in, and feel the heat of the sun within you. It is all about the breath in Firebending. Remember that."

Tess nodded her acknowledgement and inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.

"Excellent," said Jeong Jeong, "Now continue that." He got to his feet and left Tess to breathe in the beautiful morning air and to feel the intensity of the sun within her.

The hybrid Bender sat there until nightfall, breathing. Her eyes never once left the sky or the water of the river; she observed how the light reflected in the water and mused at her own fate. Long did she contemplate things higher than her understanding, but she found no answers. She only kept breathing, feeling the fire within her.

She stayed at the bank of the river long after dusk, finding light when it was dark. Sometime early in the morning, she fell asleep on the bank of the river as the light shone evermore and burned on and on.

When Mackenzie woke Tess at first light, the light still shone. Tess gasped at the light—for it was coming from her palm.

"Fire," she said.

Mackenzie nodded, wide-eyed.

"Look, Mackenzie, look at it. No just fire. Light," observed Tess. She spoke softly in a philosophical voice, gazing in wonder at the small orb of flame.

"What!" exclaimed Jan, who had just come over. "How are you doing that?"

"You have to feel the fire within you," ordered Tess. Jan closed her eyes and clenched her fists together. She held a shallow breath as she focused all her body heat into her palms, and then opened her hands. A small, bright flame glowed and expanded. Jan trailed the fire around a bit, and then mentally extinguished it. The flame went out and Jan smiled smugly.

"See? I don't need a teacher to Firebend!" she declared.

Tess shook her head. "Fire comes from the breath, Jan, not the body."

Jan frowned and rolled her eyes.

"You think you're so great because of your fancy breathing and stupid proverbs. Well, let me tell you something, Tess. I'm a darn good Firebender, seeing as I taught myself how to do it. You're no better than me, so stop your lectures!" bellowed Jan.

Tess frowned and sighed. "Leave me so I can breathe in peace, Jan."

"Humph," muttered Jan, before kicking sand at Tess and stomping off to Chey's hut.

"A little harsh, Tess?" accused Mackenzie.

"Pfft. She's got her head in the clouds, she's so ignorant. I know how to Bend properly and that makes me much stronger."

Mackenzie sighed. "I'm leaving so you can breathe."

"Good."

"Fine."

"I said, 'Good.' Go away," Tess said.

Mackenzie frowned, irritated. "Tess, you are so rude! Maybe that is why Masao doesn't like you and he's Brinn's boyfriend instead of yours!"

Tess turned around. "Excuse me?"

Mackenzie smirked. "Yeah, that's right. I hooked Brinn and Masao up myself. They're a good couple. But you, Tess, you're too anti-social and mean to love anyone else! You only love yourself!"

"That's—that's not true…" murmured Tess, horrified. Tears streaked her face.

"Oh, be a big girl, Tess," scowled Mackenzie as she stomped away, laughing bitterly.

A/N: Aww, poor Tess, everyone hates her so much. Well. Maybe. You'll just have to see, won't you? And you won't know until I post the next chapter, which won't happen until you REVIEW!