a/n I am so sorry for not posting on the 16th. I have gotten so busy. Life ya know? Hopefully in a week, things will be calmer and I can get back on track with this story. Thank you so much for your continual support.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those in the USA!

Disclaimer: I don't own AtLA, but it is on my wish list. If someone wants to buy me the rights… ;)

~Chapter 7~

-Katara-

The sun's orange light could still be seen glowing through the trees. Where is he? She wondered. Jet had been chatting away, but she was slightly distracted worrying about Zuko. She didn't really want to worry about him, but she couldn't help herself. It was evident that even after ten years she still cared for him. The extent to which she cared had yet to be determined.

Everyone else was in the main lodge, sitting at the dinner table, when Zuko strolled through the door.
"Ah Zuko!" Iroh said, smiling, "so glad you could join us." Zuko nodded, trying to catch his breath. She could tell he must have run from wherever he came from. His chest moved rapidly as he breathed and there was a sheen of sweat on his brow.

Self-consciously, he ran two hands through his hair as he took his usual spot across from her. She smiled kindly at him when he caught her gaze.
"So the campers will be here in five days." Iroh announced, "That night they arrive, Sunday, we're going to have a large campfire to welcome them. Now the only song that we have to sing is our camp song. Does anyone from the returning staff care to demonstrate?" Sokka's hand shot up into the air. "Go ahead Sokka."
"Ready?" he asked around the table with a grin before he started to 'sing' (it was closer to rapping though).

Camp, Camp, Camp Kyoshi
Set on the great Lake Unagi
Camp, Camp, Camp Kyoshi
Set back in the tall trees

At Camp, Camp, Camp Kyoshi
There are so many things to see
At Camp, Camp, Camp Kyoshi
Where safety and fun is key

At Camp, Camp, Camp Kyoshi
I'm allowed to be the real me
Camp, Camp, Camp Kyoshi
Is the place that I can feel free

Oh Camp, Camp, Camp Kyoshi
Protected by the great Unagi
Only at camp, Camp Kyoshi"

When Sokka finished everybody was silent for a second before Ty started clapping enthusiastically, then everyone joined in. Sokka sure knew how to make things dramatic. The song might have been silly, but it was catchy.
"Nicely done Sokka," Iroh laughed heartily. "I can hardly believe you remembered that from last summer." Sokka grinned.
"Wow, dude," Jet said laughing and shaking his head.
"As Sokka so wonderfully demonstrated," Iroh said, still chuckling mildly, "that is our camp song. We also like to sing some classic camp songs. Here in this folder are some of the usual skits and songs we can perform." Iroh took out a folder and passed around small packets of papers.

The rest of the meeting was spent laughing and singing. Everything was just wrapping up with Iroh made a final announcement.
"If you noticed on your packing lists, formal wear was suggested for the first time. At the very end of camp after the campers leave, in just under three weeks, there will be an end of camp party." Iroh declared. Ty squealed, "Last year we had a little potluck for friends and family since it is the last day of camp, but this year we're going to make it a little more… more. There'll be some small things for your families to do, leftover crafts…maybe a bouncy castle. There will also be free food and music, dancing if you're so inclined. Also… If you want to, you can participate in a talent show. The winner will receive a $50 MasterCard gift card."
"Ooh," was the general buzz around the table.
"Yes, exactly," he said, smiling, "We'll be running electricity out to the amphitheater so there can be speakers. So if you want to tell jokes, sing, whatever works. Just remember that all of the performances must be G rated. With family coming, there could still be some little kids in the audience. Of course, you are not obligated to perform. After the talent show, everyone will retire to the main lodge." A growing murmur spread around the table, mumbled ideas for performances. "Now before we can have our little party, we will be having a little program for the parents of campers. The campers will do the skits and songs they've learned and show off anything they've made. Sound good?"
"Sounds awesome!" Sokka replied with a huge grin on his face.
"I'm glad you think so," Iroh said, "With that, I wish you all a nice night. Breakfast will be served 8am tomorrow to ease you into getting up early. We will also be hiking up to the natural rock face so wear your hiking boots. You'll lock up, Suki?"
"Yep," she replied, cheerfully.
"Thank you. Goodnight," he said as he stood and made his way to the back door.
"Goodnight," everyone chorused back.

-Zuko-

"Now what?" Jet asked after Uncle had left. Sokka shrugged.
"We could play Twister!" Ty suggested.
"Uhm…I think I'll pass on Twister," Suki replied.
"Yeah," agreed Jet, "I don't think anyone wants to play Twister right now." If the rest of the night was just going to be Jet talking, Zuko was considering bailing. Then he heard his name, "Zuko," Jet called.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"What's upstairs?" Jet asked. The lodge was two stories, three if you counted the large attic.
"It used to be where a caretaker would live. There's a bedroom and stuff, but it's mainly used for storage now. Why?"
"Where are the stairs? I don't see them. Can we go up there?"
"Why?" he asked again. He didn't have a good feeling about it.
"Call it curiosity," Jet said pursing his lips.
"Where's the harm Zuko?" Sokka added, "We just want to look."
"See," Jet said, his smile returning, "Katara, what do you think?" Zuko looked across at Katara who shifted slightly in her seat.
"I mean, it'd be cool to see," she replied. That sealed it for him and from the way Jet was smirking, he knew it too.
"Okay." He acquiesced and stood. Everyone else stood too. "Suki, can I have the keys my uncle gave you?" She nodded, reached into her pocket, and plucked out a key ring with five keys on it.
"You had the keys this whole time?" Jet asked.
"Well, yeah, but I didn't really care about going upstairs." She replied, shrugging.

No longer listening to them, Zuko walked towards a nondescript door by Uncle's office. He slid in the key and unlocked the door.
"Coming?" he asked, turning behind him. Everyone was soon by his side and he started climbing the wooden steps.

There was a musky smell from disuse. Everything seemed covered in a layer of dust. As Zuko moved into the space, all sorts of memories came surging back. It had been a while since he'd been up here.

He was 13. It was his second summer at the camp, and 10 months after the accident. He'd arrived at the camp a week before everyone else. He hadn't been sure if he'd be able to work the camp. His eye still bothered him sometimes and he had a lot of pent of anger over his father and just his life in general. The week alone with Uncle had been his mother's idea, but looking back, he was grateful.

Uncle had, surprisingly, helped him learn the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu style. The few defense schools that taught the style wouldn't accept him as a normal student. Assholes. Uncle somehow always treated him the same. As much as his mom loved him, her pity and tenderness was not what he needed. That wasn't who he was. He was a fighter.

Being with Uncle wasn't an instant transformative experience, but it did help. Zuko was angry for so long. He was angry with his so-called father bailing on him, but Uncle reassured him that his father would have happened at some point, no matter what. Oddly, that helped even though deep down, Zuko blamed himself for the car crash. He should have done something. Stopped his father from drinking or maybe not have gotten in the car.

When he walked down the hallway to the bedroom, he stopped, remembering once waking up in a cold sweat from a nightmare. His heart had been pounding in his ears as he tried to calm himself. He remembered stumbling downstairs to find his uncle with a hot cup of tea already waiting for him.

He smiled faintly to himself. Katara must have caught it.
"How old were you when you stayed here?" she asked softly, coming to stand next to him.
"Still thirteen," he replied on a breath. "It was almost a year after the…accident."
"So young," she said so quietly he wasn't sure he was supposed to hear it. She gave him a small smile before stepping away, rejoining the others.

He had been young. Returning to school that fall had been hell. No one treated him the same. He was also angry, so angry at everyone. He got into a few fights and had been suspended. It was why he was a grade behind. He'd be 18 at the end of August and should've graduated already. (But hey, it put him in the same grade as Katara…)

Down the hallway, in the main room, he could hear Jet's voice growing louder.
"Pretty sweet up here actually," Jet said as he approached. "Sure it's dusty and all, but still. What's in here?" Behind him, Sokka and Suki peeked into the room.
"Ah," Sokka said, "Here's the bedroom."
"Yep," Zuko said, "That's about all of it. Let's go back down now." He was actually getting pretty tired. Having his early morning Tai Chi cut off had not been the best way to start the day. The hike up to the field had helped him release the stress that had built up over the day, but now he was just tired.

When they got downstairs, he started trudging for the doors.
"Are you leaving?" Katara asked. He turned to face her.
"Yeah," he replied, "I'm going to go to bed." Unless you want me to stay…
"Okay, well I'll see you tomorrow I guess." She said with a small smile.
"Uh-huh," he nodded, "goodnight."
"Goodnight," everyone replied. With that, he turned back to the door. Before he could exit, he heard Jet speak.
"Hey, Katara?" Jet asked, "Do you want to go for a walk?" He didn't dare turn back around.
"Uh…" she said hesitantly. Zuko couldn't help but hold his breath. "Sure," she finally replied, "Why not?" Zuko's jaw tightened and he quickened his pace. Soon he was out the door. It was stupid. I'm not jealous. He thought, trying hard to believe his own words.

-Katara-

She had taken one last look at Zuko before agreeing to take a walk with Jet. She felt a twinge of guilt, but she wasn't sure why.

Jet's face brightened upon hearing her words.
"Awesome!" he smiled, "Do you want to leave now?"
"In a minute," she replied. She wanted to wait until Zuko was back in his cabin. Wait. What. Why did that concern her? She sighed slightly. She felt so confused, so confused she didn't even know why she was confused. Granted, seeing Zuko again had been a shock, but shouldn't she be over that by now?

Sokka, Suki, and Ty kept chatting along. After a few minutes, Jet stood.
"Ready?" he asked her.
"Sure," she replied, standing as well.
"Just make sure you're up by 8 tomorrow," Sokka reminded her. She rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
"Yes, Sokka," she said, "I will. G'night!"
"Bye!" Ty chipped.

Zuko must have returned to his cabin, because she didn't see him out there. The moon had risen over the tree line, washing out the landscape in tones of white and grey.
"It's so nice out," she said, surprised Jet hadn't started talking yet.
"Yeah it is," he agreed instantly. "Although…it's different from where I grew up, that's for sure."
"Near… Gaypon?"
"Gaipan," Jet corrected, "You were close."
"How is it different?" she asked as they walked down towards the lake.
"Well…the trees are different." She laughed lightly, which made him smile, "Yeah the trees where I come from are deciduous. It was always quite the scene in the fall when all the leaves changed color and fell." She smiled.
"What else?"
"There was a decent sized river that ran nearby." He described, "Upstream there was a small waterfall. If you followed the river further, there was a little lake."
"That must have been nice," she commented.
"Yeah, it was," he said thoughtfully, his voice drifting off. "I went up there more after my parents died."
"Oh that's right, I'm so sorry, Jet," she replied, stopping to put her hand on his arms. She'd forgotten that detail momentarily.
"It's all right," he said, offering a small reassuring smile and they resumed walking.

They remained silent as they approached the lake, stopping by the water's edge. The growing moon could be seen reflecting in the water. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. The surround seemed like the very definition of peace and tranquility. When she opened her eyes, she saw Jet staring at her. She felt her cheeks redden.
"Sorry," she murmured. He smiled.
"For what?" he asked, "You looked so at home just now." She'd always been a bit of a night owl, so she was in her element. She shrugged, still a little embarrassed. "It just," he went on, "it took me a long time for me to feel at home again, so it's nice to see that in others."
"What do you mean?"
"I guess I didn't tell you…my parents died in a house fire."
"That's awful!" she gasped. He nodded sadly.
"I was in the house too, at the time," he said, "but I got out all right." He turned to stare at the water before he continued, "I remember the smoke and the heat. When I got out there were so many people standing around, trying to help I guess. It was so confusing. All I really know is my parents never made it out of the house." She just stared at him, unsure what to do and what to say. "Afterwards, I bounced around with some neighbors for a while because I had no family left. One night I ran off to Gaipan and never looked back."
"How old were you?" she asked softly.
"I was eight when my parents died."
"So young," she commented quietly.
"It was definitely rough at times. Sometimes I lived on the streets and…" he looked back over at her, "I'm going to be honest, I did what I had to, to survive. Eventually, I got caught and put in the foster care system. Some houses were better than others, but none of them worked out for long. I ended up living in a group home because I was a 'problem child.'" He made the air quotes with his fingers, "It wasn't all that bad. I got to go to school and stuff. When I aged out last year, I found out that my parents had left me some money. I got a tiny apartment and started working two jobs. It wasn't a lot of money, but if I work hard and save up, I might be able to take a few college classes next year. That's the dream anyways."

Wow. It seemed like Jet had to struggle so hard to get anywhere, yet he kept on fighting. His story made her reconsider all the things she took for granted growing up, even something as simple as a home. She felt a little guilty for how she'd treated him. Jet had a really tough life. Didn't he get a pass on being a jerk now and then?

-Zuko-

The sun seemed to call to him. He didn't really want to get up though. Getting up meant spending a day hiking with Jet. Zuko was trying to get along with Jet. He really was, but Jet made it so hard sometimes. It seemed like the dude was trying to pull Katara to 'his side' and flaunting it in Zuko's face.

He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. It would be a long day. He swung his legs over and sat up (or as best he could on a bottom bunk).
"Going to be a fun day, huh Zuko?" Jet said suddenly from the corner table, making Zuko jump and hitting his head on the bunk.
"Yeah, sure," Zuko grumbled, rubbing his head.
"You have a girlfriend?" Jet asked him.
"Uh, no. Why?" What is this guy's deal? He thought.
"No reason," Jet said with a shrug as he stood and started heading towards the door. Zuko glared at him.
"What about you then?" Zuko asked before he could leave, "You have a girlfriend?"
"Yeah, I do actually," Jet replied with a smirk, "but isn't she fine?" Jet winked and walked out.

Zuko's blood boiled. It was only the third day and he already wanted to kick Jet's ass. He was so done and there was still 18 days to go.

a/n Well... we got to learn a bit more about Jet. Personally, I think he does need his ass kicked. Thoughts? Thanks for reading!