Josh had just went below deck and was scouring the hallways when he bumped into an unfriendly looking young man.

He stared down at him, alarmed to find a non fire-nation soul aboard. He created a small fireball in his hand, holding it carefully at bay as it grew steadily larger, "Move and I'll burn you to a crisp." He said dryly.

Josh looked at him with a curious eye before the fiery temper and raven black hair hit him as a resemblance.

"Troy," he said softly, "You're her brother."

Troy faltered for a moment before enlarging the flame, "Who are you and how do you know who I am?" he demanded angrily.

"I'm a friend of Alex and I—"

The flame came dangerously close to his face as Troy hissed, "Alex. Is. Dead."

"And as I was swimming back, this fish tried to eat my foot and—Troy!"

Troy froze, unable to believe it. But when he turned around he saw the enlightened face of his sister, standing there alive as ever.

Every rational thought fled his mind as he threw himself at her, near tears with joy.

Alex laughed as he hugged her, muttering nonsense words. She looked at him, "Where you trying to burn my friend?" she asked jokingly.

"Yes," Josh said from behind.

Troy glared at him, "I don't like him."

"Of course you don't, you hate all my male friends," Alex rolled her eyes, "And this is Tina."

Tina was gaping at the man Alex had called her brother. She was in awe, for she had yet to see a more handsome Firebender.

Alex bit her lip to keep from giggling. She knew that look on Tina's face anywhere. Poor Troy was staring dumbfounded at her, not sure what was happening.

She touched her brother's shoulder, "This is my brother, Troy."

"Troy, could you please show them to their rooms?" she asked kindly.

Troy sighed and motioned for the two teens to follow.

Once they were out of sight, Alex climbed the ladder to the upper deck. She was startled but happy to see Zuko still standing by the railing. But as she approached him she froze.

Shakra was standing beside him.

She assumed Zuko could not see him, but she sure could. But it was not his presence that disturbed her, but what he held in his hand.

It was Zuko's hair.

She stared, unable to breath. He was twirling it around. "This is a symbol of our agreement Alex; I now hold a piece of who you gave your life to. You two are bound internally forever."

When she blinked, he was gone.

She walked slowly to Zuko, now knowing why he had left his hood up. When she had come to standing next to him, she pulled it down.

She kept herself from flinching at his head, now grown over with stubble similar to that of an army haircut. She gulped, "I'm sorry."

He didn't look at her, "It burned off in the fire. It'll grow back."

She touched his arm gently, but he pulled away from her. She was both surprised and hurt. "What has gotten into you?"

He turned to her angrily and grabbed her upper arms, "I don't want you to do this! I'm not a good person Alex, I don't want to hurt you! You're distracting me from my goal, from my vision! I can't have that!" he shoved her away from him, causing her to fall to the ground.

He looked at her on the ground, breathing hard and tears welling in her eyes. But for the first time, he felt no remorse at doing such a thing.

He turned—and walked away.

From the balcony Luke had turned round to look below, and to his horror had seen the events unfold below him, and he had wasted not a second jumping down the steps to her aide.

She could feel no pain, lying on the ground in such a manner. She knew she was badly injured, but it was not on her mind. Over and over what had just happened replayed in her mind, and she was unable to compute it. It simply could not be, that he would harm her in such a way.

She felt tears welling in her eyes, but tried with all her might not to let them fall. But it was out of her control, and soon she was silently crying, shaking softly with the fears.

She felt a comforting hand on her arm and winced at the immediate pain that resulted. She opened her eyes to see Luke looking at her with frightened eyes.

"Alex, I saw—everything. Are you alright?"

She couldn't speak, her mouth was dry. Luke said nothing more, and helped her sit up. He looked in anger upon her arms, where fresh burns were visible. He felt phenomenal rage at Zuko for taking his anger out on her, and he had a sick feeling one side of her arm was never going to heal properly.

He held her to him, trying to support her enough to help her stand. When he had gotten her up, he let her fall back until he could catch her in his arms.

Taking careful steps, he proceed below deck to find something to bandage her wounds.

Along the way, he spotted Josh exiting a room. Luke cursed in his mind, this wasn't what he needed right now.

But as much as Luke tried to stay silent, Josh turned and saw him. His eyes became wide and his mouth hung open in horror.

"Alex!" he cried as he ran to her.

Luke shushed him and motioned for Josh to open a door nearby.

Luke walked across the room and laid Alex upon the bed. He gently touched her cheek, trying to rouse her from her seamless sleep. He tried to draw his eyes away from the burns on her arms.

"Get me some cloth and hot water from the kitchens, hurry." He said hoarsely.

"What's going on?" Josh demanded.

"I SAID NOW!" Luke yelled at him. Josh closed his mouth and retreated.

Luke bent over her and kissed her forehead softly, "Please," he whispered, "Please come back."

She opened her eyes slowly, "Luke?"

He smiled sadly, "It's alright."

"Please—please tell me it didn't happen." She said softly.

Luke choked back a cry, "It did, I'm so sorry."

"No, he wouldn't do that—he isn't like that…" she trailed off, making a choking sound.

Josh reentered the room with the bandages and hot water. He stared in horror as Luke sat her up and began to dampen her burns.

"What happened?" he demanded.

Luke was steely faced, "Zuko happened."

Josh blinked, "Zuko? The same Zuko she was always speaking so highly of? But—he seemed alright when he was with me."

"Looks can be deceiving." Luke replied bitterly. He dipped a rag into the hot water and gently applied it to her burns. She winced at the pain, but tried not to show any of it. She was not focused on that pain, but the pain inside.

Luke bandaged each of her arms gently, taking care not to put too much pressure on them. When he had finished he regarded her with angry eyes for a moment before silently saying, "I'm going to kill him."

He stood and went to exit the room, but Alex cried out for him to stop. He turned to her, enraged, "You expect me to let that pass? He attacked you for no reason!"

She gulped, "Please, do it for me. Don't say anything. People will figure it out in their heads, but if you tell them, they'll be talking to each other. At least this way it stays in their individual heads." She sat up slowly and looked at him, "Please."

He sighed, "I hope you know what you're doing." He turned to Josh, "Not a word, you hear?" Josh nodded and watched as Luke left the room.

When he was gone Josh went to Alex and sat beside her. And for the first time in six weeks, he held her in his arms.