OK so another chapter finally! Sorry I haven't updated sooner but I haven't had any time. Zuko seems to be getting a bit OOC but I'm working on a way to fix that.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Trina/Tarrina and Seeker of the Charter owns Caroline/Lomi Ka.
Well on with the chapter!
Chapter 7
BACK WITH TRINA
The rest of the trip back to the ship was uneventful except for the fact that Trina had fallen asleep against Zuko's chest listening to the sound of his heartbeat. (AN: I really can sleep anywhere) She was still asleep when they made way up the ramp back onto the ship. As soon as they were on board the ship left port.
"Hey," Zuko whispered, shaking Trina slightly. She slowly opened his eyes. "We're back. Come on I'll help you down." He really didn't want this closeness to end but he knew that it had to.
Once he was out of the saddle he helped her down. She flinched slightly when her took her wrists. Zuko was surprised to see large purple bruises forming. "When did you get those?"
"In my tickle fight with Lomi Ka. She warned me. That's what she meant when she reminded me what happened last time."
He shook his head. "You know I don't think I've ever seen a better display of insanity."
"You ain't seen nothing' yet, believe me," she said with a huge Aang like grin.
"Let go make sure that you haven't reinjured your self too much," he said as they started toward the infirmary. He beckoned to the soldier who had accompanied them to come with them as well. When they entered the infirmary the doctor was surprised at the state of them (especially the blistered soldier). Trina being bruised and looking rather disheveled and Zuko was still a bit dusty from when they fell from the rhino.
"What happened?"
Zuko told the man what had happened. The doctor shook his head in disbelief. "You should be taking it easy Tarrina. You could have put one of those ribs right through one of your lungs then you'd have been in a world of trouble wouldn't you?"
"Yes sir," she hung her head and sounded rather downtrodden.
"Well you don't seem to have injured yourself any more than a few bruises. And I believe that you're well on your way to full recovery so I see no need for you to continue to stay in the infirmary."
"Really?" The doctor simply nodded. "But where will I stay now?"
None of them had really thought about it until that moment. They knew that they couldn't leave her anywhere by herself for fear one of the less trustworthy crew members might try something. The matter was thought about for a few moments then eyes once again turned to Zuko.
"What?" They continued to stare at him. "Again? You've got to be kidding me." He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Come on Tarrina, looks like you'll be staying with me."
On the outside Trina cocked an eyebrow but on the inside her heart leapt. She was going to stay with Zuko. She had to work hard no to 'squeee' and twirl around the floor right there. "Yes Prince Zuko," she said as meekly as she could manage at that moment. "Oh wait; I still know what happened to my clothes."
"Oh I have them here," the doctor said. "I've had them cleaned for you."
"Yes! Ok I'm ready to go now," she said, now holding her old clothes, smiling brightly. He led her out of the infirmary and through a series of hallways that eventually led them out onto the deck of the ship. She was surprised to see that it was already getting dark, for she hadn't realized that it was indeed that late. He led her across the deck and through another metal door and even more hallways. Finally Zuko stopped and opened a door and motioned for her to enter.
She looked around the room and said, "So, grade a, five star accommodations I see." Zuko looked a bit confused at her comment. "Um, never mind." She didn't want to explain. "Only one bed I see. I'll sleep on the floor, I'm good at that." (AN: I like cement floors but metal is good too.)
"You'll do no such thing. It's a big bed," he hesitated before he continued; "there's enough room for both of us."
Trina's eyes widened a little. If she had been drinking something she would have done a spit take. She had never expected this from Zuko (but it was what she had hoped for). "What? Are you sure?"
"Well seeing as there's nowhere else for you to stay, we're going to have to deal with this situation."
"Ok then I guess so, but you have to promise to stay on your side."
"I promise. Well I have some things to attend to. Stay here and don't leave this room unless you are accompanied by either my uncle or me." She nodded her agreement with him.
He left the room and as soon as she was sure he wouldn't come back into the room she decided to put her own clothes back on. It would look a bit conspicuous if she were to wear they about during the day and they were comfortable enough to sleep in so she decided if nothing else she would use those clothes as pajamas. Once she had put her old clothes back on she sat down on the bed. It was at that point that she realized just how tired she still was from the day's events. She lay down on one side of the bed and was almost immediately asleep.
WITH CAROLINE
"Where have you two been?" Katara shouted as Sokka entered the cave with Caroline in his arms. "We should have left hours ago!"
"Shhhh!" Was Sokka's only response. He climbed into Appa's saddle and gently laid Caroline down. Sitting beside her sleeping form he whispered to the others. "Well, we're ready to go now, so what are you waiting for?"
Katara glared at her brother, but said nothing. Instead she followed Aang to Appa's head to sit as far away from Sokka as she could.
"Yip yip!" Aang called and the flying bison flew into the air.
Caroline slept rather soundly as they flew along, murmuring in her sleep only once or twice. Sokka remained by her side all night, not wanting her to wake up and fall off Appa when she realized that they were flying. He watched her as she slept despite the fact that he'd told himself not to.
He couldn't help himself. The girl looked so beautiful with her fair, smooth skin reflecting the moonlight and her lips curled upwards in a delicate smile. He wondered what she was dreaming about. No, stop thinking of her that way! He mentally scolded himself. Surely she'd be offended if she knew what I was thinking about her!
Sokka had just managed to tear his gaze away when Caroline moved beside him. Though she was still asleep her hand groped about as if searching for something. Because Sokka was sitting so close beside her, the first thing she managed to find was his hand. She grabbed it immediately and hugged it against her chest.
Sokka blushed and tried to pull his hand away, but Caroline held it fast. Whatever she thought it was in her dream world, it was obviously important to her. Eventually Sokka ignored it and began to think up good excuses he could use if Aang or Katara came back and saw them like this.
He needn't have worried. Neither of them even looked back there the whole time Caroline was asleep. When she finally did wake up it was because she was shivering. She didn't even notice that she was holding Sokka's hand and he didn't care to mention it to her.
"Are you cold?" He asked quietly. She nodded sleepily. Using his free hand, Sokka reached into one of their bags and pulled out his winter coat. "Put this on," He suggested. "It will keep you warm."
"Thanks," She replied, finally releasing his hand to take the jacket. "Aren't you cold too?"
"No. You see, I grew up in the South Pole. This weather is extremely warm to me. You obviously grew up someplace much warmer."
Caroline nodded and slipped the jacket over her head. It was delightfully warm and smelled sweetly of Sokka. She snuggled deep within it, smiled softly and breathed deep the scent. Sokka looked at her strangely.
"Why did you do that?" He asked curiously.
Caroline was caught off guard by the question and stumbled over her answer. "Oh, ah, well, it's just a nice cozy jacket, that's all." She replied, knowing as soon as the words left her mouth how stupid they sounded.
Sokka seemed not to notice and if he did it didn't show. Both he and Caroline remained silent for some time and Caroline began to fall asleep again. Suddenly Sokka began to cough violently.
"Sokka, are you alright?" Caroline cried, sitting upright.
"I'm fine. I just, uh, inhaled a bug." Sokka replied calmly. "See, all bett---." He went into another fit of coughing and Caroline became concerned. She lifted her hand to his forehead.
"You're burning up!" She cried. "You most certainly aren't well!"
She crawled to the edge of the saddle and called to Aang and Katara. "Sokka's fallen ill! We need to find shelter!"
well there ya'll go. I'm off to do something else now.
Remember I love reviews! they make me want to do backflips and backflips are fun so R&R!
