a/n I'm baaaccckkk. Finally. Geeze. I've been ridiculously busy and it doesn't help that I've gotten completely addicted to a show on Hulu.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! I value everyone I get, so thank you for the feedback! They also help motivate me, since obviously I've been slacking off. This chapter is extra-long for your reading pleasure AND we get Jet's POV!

Disclaimer: Nah

~Chapter 8~

-Zuko-

He was forced to bring up the rear of the group in case 'anyone got lost' Uncle had said. As he hiked, he glared into the back of Jet's head. That prick was chumming it up with everyone, especially Katara. Zuko wasn't sure what he should do. If she did like Jet, by telling her Jet already had a girlfriend, Zuko would hurt her. But if she didn't like Jet and was just being nice because she had to work with him, telling her would be pointless. Jet might also then accuse Zuko of lying or being a tattletale or some other bull.

All he knew for sure: he didn't want to see Katara getting hurt, especially by a jerk like Jet. But by trying to protect her, he might end up hurting her. His stomach twisted at the thought of hurting her. Yet, it wasn't his fault if Jet -was an unfaithful douchebag. Then again, he didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. Wasn't it always the messenger who got shot? Either way, he was screwed.

The indecision swirled in his head and he didn't notice the group stop until he ran into the back of Jet.
"Hey," Jet said grumpily, "We stopped."
"Thanks," Zuko grumbled. Ass-hat.
"I am not as young as I used to be," Uncle said with a chuckle as he took a seat on the ground. "Let's rest here a moment." Although that may have been technically true, Zuko knew Uncle could have charged up the trail without ever pausing. The guy was like a bull. But then again aren't bulls reckless sometimes? Uncle was far from losing his head. He's more like a dragon Zuko decided. He's inspirational, benevolent, eccentric, fiery when provoked, and sometimes a tad unrealistic. Yep, Uncle was definitely a dragon.

While they rested, Jet walked over to talk to Ty, leaving Katara seated next to Zuko. He wasn't sure why Jet had done that, testing him maybe. He glanced over at Jet, who then smirked slightly. Prick.
"So…" Katara said, not noticing the exchange, "Do you think you'll preform in the talent show?" It took him a second to catch on to what she was talking about.
"I don't know," he shrugged, "probably not." What was his talent? Not really getting over a girl he'd last seen a decade ago? "What about you?" he asked, redirecting the question.
"I'm not sure yet," she replied.
"If you did enter, what would you want to do?" he asked, "If I recall, you used to have pretty good aim with a snowball." She laughed.
"Well, it's the middle of summer, so…snow might be in short supply." Duh.
"Oh right," he said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. They others were chatting pleasantly. Jet kept glancing back at them. Now what? Zuko asked himself, Do I tell her? He opened his mouth to say something when Uncle clapped and stood.
"We should probably be getting back on the trail now," Uncle announced. Perfect timing Zuko thought sarcastically. Jet walked back to Katara.
"Ready?" Jet asked her.
"Yep," she replied cheerily and took his proffered hand. Jet smirked at Zuko as he pulled her to her feet. "Coming, Zuko?" she asked when she realized he hadn't gotten to his feet yet.
"Yeah," he said warily. The rest of the hike continued without any more rests, but a few more smirks from Jet. Ass.

-Jet-

The hike was going better than expected. He walked with her the entire time. It seemed like after telling her his sob story last night, she finally let her walls down. She wasn't as guarded anymore and seemed to relax around him. It was more than he could ever hope for. He'd told that nosy bastard yesterday the truth when he said he already had a girlfriend. Thinking back, he probably shouldn't have done that, but he relished the look on Zuko's face.

Jet was a real man, a free man. He could do whatever or whoever he wanted to. He knew he was good looking and could pull off that tortured gaze the ladies seemed to love, without carrying around ugly proof of his tragedy. Honestly, Zuko was hideous. They might have been each other's childhood crush, but couldn't she see how much he'd changed? Jet seriously doubted the guy had ever had an actual girlfriend. Who'd want to be with him?

The rest of the staff was okay. Ty must have a screw loose because she was off the charts crazy. She was always bouncing off the walls with excitement and grinning. Seriously, did she own clothes in a color besides pink? Suki was a tight ass. He tried to keep his interactions with her to a minimum. He sensed she'd see through his shit and he couldn't have that. Luckily for him, she seemed a little preoccupied with Sokka. Sokka had to be the most obtuse person Jet had ever met. There was some slight distrust still, but Sokka could be easily distracted; he wasn't going to be a problem. As for Iroh the "camp director," the old-timer had the unfortunate affliction of seeing/believing the best in people. What a sucker.

They were all so dull, only Katara provided some entertainment. Only she could distract him. He channeled all his attention into her, into obtaining her. He knew how to be charming; he'd relied on it a time or two to get by. Also, since he was focused on her, he absorbed everything she told him. Every fact that might come in handy was catalogued away.

By late morning, they finally reached the stupid rock face. It wasn't that impressive, but he acted excited when Katara did.
"If you guys want to take a breather before we begin," the old goat suggested. Apparently, they would all be learning how to belay each other and shit. At least, Jet thought, I'll be able to show off my climbing skills. He had practically lived in the trees as a boy; surely, rock climbing was no different.

As he kept Katara engaged, he glanced over at Zuko who was glaring at him intermittently. Jet smiled once at him and he watched his jaw clench once before looking away. Success Jet thought. After the Tai Chi incident, Jet was smart enough not to provoke Zuko too obviously. The old bat wasn't as blind as Jet had originally thought. He couldn't risk getting kicked out. He could use the money and free food. Nah. He grinned at the ridiculous thought. Who was he kidding? He could beg, borrow, or steal what he needed. Always had before.

Unfortunately, Katara caught his smile.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"I was just thinking about climbing trees when I was younger," he replied smoothly. It wasn't exactly a lie (not that lying bothered him).
"Oh?" she smiled, probably trying to imagine him as a kid.
"Yeah, I learned the hard way what type and size of branch could hold my weight." He rolled up his left sleeve, showing her the small scar on his forearm. She put her small hands on his arm to see better. Her touch thrilled him in the best kind of way.
"Ouch. That must've hurt." She frowned before quickly removing her hands. Pity. He was about to say something when Iroh started talking. Jet sighed and tried to pay attention.

It wasn't very interesting, just safety rules for rock climbing. Lame. Zuko had to demonstrate how to handle the rope. It took all of Jet's willpower not to snicker.
"Right, now who's ready to pair up and start climbing?" Iroh asked once he was finally done talking.
"Let's do this!" Sokka cheered, jumping to his feet with Suki in close second. The old man chuckled.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm," Iroh said, "but I get to pick your partners." Jet's eyes locked with Zuko at the same moment, coming to the same horrible realization. The coot was going to pair them out, undoubtedly. Shit.

-Zuko-

Sure enough, Uncle had paired him with Jet. Unbelievable. From the moment Zuko saw Jet step into his harness, he knew the dude had never climbed before. He also knew the guy wouldn't except help (not the Zuko really wanted to help him out).

They didn't say anything to each other as they readied their harnesses and ropes.

Zuko was about to click into the carabineer when Jet wacked him with the back of his hand.
"I'm going first," Jet said authoritatively.
"Whatever," Zuko grunted in reply before stepping back. The top of the rock side was around 50 feet up. They had also been given the toughest track up. There was no way a newbie like Jet could make it up to the top on the first go.
"Remember," Uncle said, "You have to trust your belayer. Your life rests in their hands." Great, Zuko thought. "You also have to trust your rope. That's why we keep all of our equipment safely stored and inspect them before putting them away. We don't want any accidents." Everyone nodded and Jet started climbing.
"You're supposed to give me a signal," Zuko muttered as he adjusted the rope.

The first few inches went fairly successfully for Jet. Then Katara and Ty started out climbing him. Zuko watched as Jet struggled. The dude was attacking the wall instead of working with it. He wasn't planning ahead his next foothold or handhold. It was only a matter of time before he got stuck. Sure enough…
"Not stuck are you?" Zuko called up.
"Fu- no," Jet replied through gritted teeth, "I'm fine."
"Woo!" Ty cried two ropes over, having just reached the top.
"Yay!" cheered Sokka, "Good work Ty!"

Soon Ty was back on the ground and Jet still hadn't moved much.
"There's a good foothold to your right a little," Sokka suggested as he assessed Jet's position.
"Thanks," Jet replied tersely. He tried to stretch out and his foot made contact. He doesn't have a firm enough footing, Zuko thought. He saw the writing on the wall and prepared to catch the jerk. Sure enough, when Jet went to place his weight on it, his foot slipped and he fell off the wall.
"SHIIITT!" Jet screeched as he started flailing. The rope quickly became taut and Zuko caught his sorry ass with a grunt.

Jet's arms were spinning like pinwheels and he started swinging back and forth. If he swung too much, he'd smash against the rock and it would definitely hurt.
"Calm down Jet," Uncle instructed, "It's okay. Make an 'L' with your body. Walk down the wall."
"Like this," Katara said, having been lowered to Jet's level. Jet's thrashing eased slightly.
"Jet, just watch Katara," Suki suggested as she adjusted Katara's ropes. Jet nodded and tried to right his body like Katara's.
"Good, very good Jet," Uncle encouraged. Slowly, but surely, Jet made his way down the wall (not that he'd gotten very far up in the first place).

Katara smoothly finished her decent. Then with a thump, Jet landed awkwardly beside her, almost falling over.
"Are you okay?" Uncle asked him, coming closer to inspect Jet for injuries.
"I'm fine," Jet snapped back. Clearly, his pride was the only thing bruised. Uncle nodded knowingly and let Jet storm off. Katara moved to go after him but Uncle stopped her.
"I think he needs a minute," Uncle said kindly. Katara nodded.

This left them shy a partner for climbing, but Zuko didn't really mind; he'd climbed the wall many times before. He watched as Katara belayed Suki. Her expression was full of the same determination it had when she herself was climbing. Every movement she made moving the ropes was deliberate. Her watchful blue eyes remained glued to Suki, looking for any sign of trouble. Zuko knew if she had been given the time, she would have easily made it to the top of her run. She was almost at the top when Jet slipped and she came down to help. She was so kind and good, too good for Jet. And too good for me Zuko thought forlornly. He sighed. He should tell her, let her know the kind of guy Jet really was. Wasn't honesty the best policy? That's seemed like something Uncle would say. Maybe he could talk to her after lunch or something, when they were alone.

-Katara-

She didn't care that she didn't reach the top of the climbing rock. She was just worried about Jet. What if he was actually injured, but too prideful to admit it?

When they finished climbing, they started the hike back. She sensed Zuko wanted to talk to her, but he held his tongue, which she was grateful for. She didn't really feel like talking.

As she hiked, she thought. She felt bad for kind of ignoring Zuko, but she knew he didn't take it personally (at least she hoped he didn't). When they were kids, he was always there for her, someone to talk to, laugh with, or just be with. No matter what was going on with her, he was there. She was too young at the time to appreciate that. Also, at the time the most turbulent things that happened to her then were the occasionally spat her parents got into or the brief time she was bullied at school. It wasn't until a few years after he moved away that she learned what real pain was. She really could have used someone like him then, someone resilient.

Maybe she should talk to Zuko. She glanced up and saw him chatting with Ty. Her heart sank. She wasn't jealous. That'd be stupid. She was still trying to work out her own feelings and how Jet and Zuko fit into everything.

The rest of the hike went by in a blur. She wasn't really thinking about much of anything anymore.

Jet was waiting for them when they walked into the main lodge.
"Hey," he said with a small smile as he stood from his seat on the table and approached her.
"Hey," she replied.
"Do you want to take a walk?" he asked. She hesitated. "Please?" Sincerity radiated off him.
"Lunch will be ready in an hour," Iroh announced as he headed towards the kitchen with Suki in toe.
"Okay," Katara agreed. She turned and started back towards the door just after catching Jet's face brighten.

Just like they had the previous night, they headed for the lakeside, saying nothing on the walk. It wasn't until they stood at the water's edge did she speak.
"You okay?" she asked.
"I thought it'd be like tree climbing," he replied.
"Huh?" she asked slightly confused.
"I thought rock climbing would be like tree climbing," Jet explained with a sigh. She bit her lip to stop from smiling.
"Why would you think that?" she asked, still biting her lip.
"I don't know!" he said exasperatedly, but started smiling just the same.
"I'm sorry," she said, trying to adopt a serious expression, but failing. He gave her a small smile.
"It's okay. Go ahead and say it."
"You're such a dork," she said and nudged his shoulder playfully. He grinned.
"I guess I am," he agreed. She decided then that when he was a little shy and a little less proud, he was kind of adorable.

The rest of the day was fun. She was really starting to feel at home at Camp Kyoshi. There was some lingering tension between Zuko and Jet, but both guys seemed to ignore each other for the most part. She knew it wasn't a long time fix though. Whatever rift between them needed to be resolved before the campers came. They all needed to work together. Iroh must have realized the same thing because after dinner he made an announcement.
"As per your packing list, you should have each brought camouflage clothes. Right?" Iroh asked the table. Everyone nodded. "Good, because tonight we're going to have a little game. Offense team will have to sneak across the camp from the amphitheater to the docks without being caught by members of the defense team. Defense will have flashlights and if you get caught in their beams, you're out and join their team. The game ends if everyone is on the searching team or everyone in the offense team gets to the docks. For safety, a few lights will be left on in here and all staffers should carry their cellphones so no one gets lost. Questions?" Ty's hand shot up.
"Do we get to choose our team?" she asked.
"No," he replied, "Your teams have been chosen randomly. If you would all turn over your plate…" Katara turned over her plate and saw a piece of paper taped to the bottom. It read 'offense.' "If you could now show everyone your plate so we know who is on which team." She glanced up. Zuko also got offense. Ty, Suki, and Sokka held up their plates with the word 'defense' on them. This meant… she turned to see Jet's plate. Offense. Well, this will be interesting, she thought.

"The game will start once it's completely dark outside," Iroh continued. "We'll meet in the amphitheater. Now, if we're all done eating, will you help with the dishes Nephew?" Zuko nodded and stood. She probably wouldn't get a chance to talk to him until later, during the game. It was going to be a long night.

-Zuko-

He wasn't so convinced their teams were chosen randomly. What were the odds that he'd have Katara and Jet on his team? He knew that Jet was competitive, so hopefully they could pull together as a team… Yeah, right, he thought. He forgot to factor in the fact that Jet was a giant ass.

He really, really needed to tell Katara what Jet had told him. Seriously, if they guy already had a girlfriend he needed to back off. Zuko knew Katara would somehow blame herself if Jet cheated on this mystery girl. Maybe tonight he'd have an opportunity to tell her…

When he stepped out of his cabin, dressed in camo, it was already pitch black out. The moon hadn't risen yet, so he used the flashlight in his phone to find his way to the amphitheater. In actuality, he probably could walk the entire camp blindfolded, but he didn't want to test that theory.

Everyone else was already there. Zuko had waited for Jet to emerge from their cabin already changed before heading in himself.
"Perfect," Uncle smiled, his face illuminated by a small fire. "Now, this game relies on the honor system. If you get caught by a flashlight beam," Uncle looked over at the offense team, "be honest and join the other team. Two members of the defending team will give the offense team a 30-second head start. The other member of the defending team can start walking now. Seem fair?"
"I'll go," Ty volunteered, "See ya!" she cried as she started skipping away.
"Very good," Uncle continued, "Now, I will be in the main lodge should I be needed. After the game is over, please regroup in the lodge. After this game is finished, we'll switch sides and go again. You can all do whatever afterwards. Personally, I'll be asleep, but you're welcome to keep playing. If you want to choose new teams or whatever, go for it. Are we ready?"
"Yeah!" they all cried.
"Offense team starts in…5," Zuko planted his feet, ready to run, "4…" he glanced over at Katara who gave him the briefest of smiles, "3…" he glanced over at Jet who sneered. Whatever. "2…1." They took off, charging into the night.

It was really hard to see at first, but his eyes adjusted. They were all smart enough to run into the woods, instead of sticking to the main path. His feet pounded into the forest floor, kicking up old pine needles in his wake.
"We can just outrun them," Jet puffed as he ran a few feet ahead of Zuko.
"Won't work," Zuko replied, swatting at a branch. "We should lay low, let Suki and Sokka pass."
"Katara?" Jet asked. There was no reply. Jet stopped abruptly. "Katara!" he hissed. Nothing. "You lost her already!" Jet accused, getting up in Zuko's face.
"Back off man! She was right beside me," he replied, fists balling, "Why is this my fault?"
"Because-Shit!" Jet's words were cut off by the light of a flashlight nearby. Zuko didn't stick around long enough to learn what Jet was going to say. He booked it out of there.

From what he could hear, it sounded like Jet may have gotten caught, making it four against two. He really needed to find Katara. Where would she have gone? He didn't think she was aggressive enough to try and head straight for the docks. Plus, Ty was somewhere already, probably somewhere patrolling the main road. That's when he noticed some snapped twigs to his right. It had to be from Katara.

He used his mediocre tracking skills to follow the trail. He was feeling pretty good about finding her when his trail disappeared. Shit. He turned in circles in frustration, looking for more evidence. A bush to his left rustled and he turned instantly in its direction.
"Zuko?" someone asked in a whisper. Success! He joined her, crouching behind the bush.
"Hey," he said, slightly out of breath. His heart was racing and not just from running.
"Hi," she replied. She was so close he could see her shining eyes even in the darkness. She'd pulled her hair back, but he could see a few old pine needles in it. He couldn't help but think she was beautiful. "Where's Jet?" she asked and Zuko's chest deflated.
"I don't know," he said, "I think he might have gotten caught."
"Oh," was all she said. It was now or never.
"I actually wanted to talk to you… about Jet."
"Zuko… now's not the time."
"But I need to tell you something."
"What him?" she asked, sounding guarded, "I thought you two were cool now. He's had a rough day Zuko. If he's said something stupid just chalk it up to a lousy day and let it go."
"Katara, just believe me when I tell you, he's bad news." He paused slightly, "I don't want to see you getting hurt."
"I'm not six anymore Zuko. You don't need to protect me from Big Zhao. Jet has only been nice to me." Of course, he's been nice to you! he shouted in his head, exasperated by her response.
"That's because he wants in your pants!" he hissed.
"Zuko!" She said shocked, her voice rising, "That's not true. Why are you so intent on hating him?" Shit. This was not going to plan.
"Katara, please listen," he implored, "Jet's got a-"
"You know what?" she said interrupting him, "I don't care. I don't need to hear this." With that, she stormed off.

a/n Thank you for reading! What did you think about Jet's POV? Was it what you were expecting? I thought it was needed to show what Jet really thinks about camp.
So we did get some small Zutara moments, but they didn't really go very well, did they? Lemme hear your thoughts in a review. Thanks again!