This is a short chapter and I really don't like it, but hey, it's here. I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

Noticing Zuko's slowing movements and sluggish steps, Jet takes it upon himself to keep close to the stalling sixteen year old as his Uncle currently seemed too over the moon with what decision had been made underneath that cursed lake. When Zuko stumbles against him completely on accident, and so unlike himself, Jet gingerly removes the scabbard from the firebender's grasp, with no fight on Zuko's side, and straps it onto his back – he would be lying if he said he wasn't scared out of his mind with the Fire Prince's current predicament as it seemed that his body was giving out on him. Spirits, that wasn't what was happening right now, was it!?

"You did the right thing." Iroh says as soon as he closes the door to their apartment, "Letting the bison go free."

So that's what happened – that didn't explain why Zuko looked as if he were going to collapse soon.

"Uncle? Jet?" Zuko wavers, his vision blurring and head swimming, he holds a hand to his head, his entire body feeling awkward and skin too tight, "I don't – I don't feel right."

Keying onto Zuko immediately, Jet watches with horror as the firebender emits a low groan before he topples over, knocking over a nearby pot and sending it crashing to the floor alongside him. The firebender falling with a loud thud.

"Fuck!"

"Zuko!"

Both Iroh and Jet run to Zuko's side with Jet falling to his knees and pulling the fallen Prince onto his lap, running his hand across Zuko's forehead to brush his hair from his face, the earthen teen has to pull away as the unconscious boy is burning up. More scared than he's been in his entire life, Jet looks to Iroh, holding Zuko close:

"What's going on?" he demands, "How did – why is he burning up?!"

As Iroh reaches out to touch Zuko's forehead, Jet unintentionally flinches away from the older man with his hold on his beloved tightening. When Iroh meets his eyes, Jet feels mildly ashamed and forces himself to relax, cautiously watching the older firebender press a hand to his Nephew's forehead.

"He has a fever."

'I know that." Jet snaps – he didn't, but he was terrified, "I – what do we do?!"

"Stay here." Iroh rises to his feet, eyes locking with Jet's, "I will fetch his bedding and a bucket of water."

Biting down on his tongue to keep himself from spitting another barbed retort, Jet only nods and turns his attention back to Zuko's unconscious form, running a hand across Zuko's forehead and cheek. Already forgetting that Iroh was still there, watching the exchange before hurrying off to fetch the needed supplies.

"You'll be okay." Jet says, "It's just a fever. You'll be okay."

A soft groan escapes Zuko, straining to open his eyes, "Jet?"

"You're okay." Jet pulls Zuko closer, holding tighter, "I'm here. I've got you."

"Don't leave."

"I won't."

That had been yesterday and it was nearing noon, rubbing at his eyes and yawning widely, Jet shifts a little uncaring of the curious glance Iroh sends his way. After yesterday, the firebender had tried getting him to sleep, but Jet didn't want to risk it as Zuko might awaken.

"You should sleep."

"I don't want to."

"He will be fine."

"He always is."

As he begins to nod off, he hears Zuko shuffle, immediately perking up, he watches the pale teen roll onto his back, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal hazy amber eyes. All the while Iroh dips a rag in some cool water.

"You have an intense fever." he places the cloth upon Zuko's forehead, "You're burning up and this will help cool you down."

"I - ," Zuko rasps before coughing, he tries to sit up only for Jet and Iroh to coax him to lie back down, "Thirsty."

"Here." Iroh begins as he offers Zuko a ladle of water, "Here is some clean water." Jet helps Zuko sit upright, "Stay underneath the blankets and sweat this out."

Feeling Jet's touch makes Zuko want to fall asleep again, but his thirst keeps him from doing so, taking the ladle of water from his Uncle he tilts his head back and downs the liquid before throwing it over his shoulder. Rolling out of Jet's hold, he reaches for the bucket and chugs the entire thing, not caring that he was getting both himself and his futon wet. In fact, the water felt nice. Satiating his thirst for now, he tosses the empty bucket aside and lies back down, turning to face Jet as his Uncle situates the blanket back over him.

As soon as Iroh is sure Zuko is asleep, and won't be able to hear or remember, Iroh turns his attention to Jet.

"You need to sleep."

"I told you I didn't want to."

"You don't want to, or you can't?"

Jet glares at Iroh, "What if he wakes up?"

"He will understand."

"No." Jet turns his attention back to Zuko, "I want to be here for him."

"Then sleep alongside him."

"Wha - ?"

"Sleep alongside him." Iroh repeats, "If he wakes while you sleep, you will be in his immediate sight."

That did sound so much better than sleeping in another room without Zuko.

"Fine."

Throwing off his shirt and shoes, he slips underneath the cover and curls around Zuko's burning body, the Prince immediately snuggling up against him – Iroh smiling at the adorable sight. When Jet begins to come to, he hears Iroh talking and can feel Zuko's body rumble as he responds to whatever Iroh had said. Jet thinks he smells tea, but he can't be sure. Next time he wakes up, it's due to Zuko suddenly sitting upright with a scream escaping him and scaring him.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Jet grabs Zuko's shoulder, the Prince touching his scar before slumping against him, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Zuko murmurs tiredly, he buries his face within the crook of Jet's neck, "Just a nightmare."

oOo

"Would you like some jook?"

"Sure."

Iroh pours a bowl for Jet and hands it off, "Where is Prince Zuko?"

"Sleeping." Jet says, watching tendrils of steam rise from the dish, "Why?"

"It is getting closer to noon." Iroh explains, "Usually he is not one for sleeping in late."

"To be honest," Jet starts, "He's been acting – different."

"How so?"

"He's more – I don't know." Jet sighs in frustration, "He's actually smiling and more – not himself."

"I have noticed this change." Iroh murmurs thoughtfully, "Perhaps he's still fevered?"

"Morning."

Both Jet and Iroh turn towards the younger firebender who'd just entered the dining area, yawning and carefully rubbing the sleep from his eyes with his arm. Bringing the bowl of jook to his lips, Jet takes a small sip, eyes trained suspiciously on Zuko as he approaches Iroh – it isn't that he doesn't like Zuko smiling or being happy; it's just, this is a little weird and way too out of character for him. And yeah, Jet may be a little scared.

"What is that smell?"

"It's jook." Iroh stirs the pot deliberately, "I'm sure you wouldn't like it."

The two older males cast each other curious glances as Zuko bends towards the pot and takes a sniff, "Actually," Zuko starts, taking the bowl from the counter, "It smells delicious." he holds the bowl out towards his Uncle, "I'd love some."

Jet arches an incredulous brow and gives Iroh a see what I mean look, Iroh nods warily, "Now that your fever is gone," Iroh turns his attention back to Zuko, taking Zuko's bowl and filling it with jook, "You seem different somehow."

"It's a new day." Zuko sounds like he's going to laugh, he takes the bowl and moves to sit beside Jet who does his best not to tense up, "We've got a new apartment, furniture, and today's the grand opening of your teashop." he presses a tender kiss to Jet's cheek, "Things are looking up."

Jet is officially scared.

The rest of the day continues on like that, with a way too chipper Zuko and a mildly disturbed Jet, Iroh being of no help as he seems to fully approve of this new Zuko. So when Jet sees Katara and Momo being greeted by the two greeters, he's half tempted to let Zuko see her in hopes that it would snap him out of whatever mood he's in, but instead, he hastily directs Zuko's attention to a nearby table and hurries to Katara's side:

"Jet?"

"Hurry." Jet hisses pushing Katara out the doors, "Outside before he sees you."

"Wha – wait!" once they're outside, the girl directs an angry look at him, "You left us to fight off a bunch of Dai-Li!"

Jet snorts, "You guys are still alive, aren't you?"

"Well yes," Katara frowns, "But that doesn't excuse it!"

"I had something else to tend to. Besides, if it's any consolation, I had to fight off a bunch of Dai-Li by myself."

Katara continues looking mad before sighing loudly, "I guess. How's the tea?"

"The Gods' gift to mankind if you believe the people here."

"Sounds great." Katara says, Momo chattering in response, "I'd like a cup."

"Sure, what kind would you like?"

"Jasmine."

"Alright. Mind keeping your friends away from here?"

"There currently not here but yeah, I'll do my best."

"Great."

Unbeknownst to the two there was a stray Dai-Li agent watching the interaction and listening in on their conversation, hearing and connecting the dots just enough to understand what was truly going on and take his findings to Long-Feng who'd ordered he follow the Water Tribe girl.

Sorry this chapter was uneventful and just – horrible. I could have done better but I really wanted this to be over and done with.