Disclamer: I don't own Avatar or Gable Apartments.

I hope you like this chapter, and thank you for all those nice reviews of last chapter.

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Zuko was sitting on a small wooden bench he found out in the court yard. He sat there for a few moments just staring at the night sky. It was a bit of surprise when he noticed that all the constellations he was so used to seeing every night were gone. How far did that sink hole take me? He wondered in silence. Zuko looked at the tall buildings surrounding him. Most of their lights were off, but he saw on that was still brightly lit-up.

He wasn't quite sure what to do, and it was pretty late at night. Oh how Zuko wished for his uncles guidance.

"What are you doing here?" A shadowy figure asked. Zuko hadn't seen it walk up to him and jumped a little when it spoke. After a brief moment of Zuko studying it's face, he realized it had been that girl from the parking lot.

"What are you doing here?" Zuko questioned right back.

"I live here." Ally replied prominently.

"What a shame."

Ally was alarmed at this comment, he came onto her home turf and insulted it, she was not going to let him get away with that. "Excuse me? If you don't like it, then leave. The gate is right over there, I'll even walk you to it so you don't get lost on the way."

Zuko looked over at the gate the girl was pointing to. It was only a short distance away, but the world outside looked frightening. Of coarse he didn't show his insecurity, he didn't want to let the girl know why he was really there; for he had no other place to go.

Thankfully before he had to answer Shelby came running up. "Lee," huff huff huff "don't go," deep breath "I'm sorry." letting the air out slowly "Oh, hi Ally!" The woman turned a smiling face to the girl.

The girl now had a surprised expression plastered on her face, "Ms. Nuhamak, you know him."

"I happen to be boarding at her place, I hope that's alright with you." Zuko smirked at the girl.

Shelby looked at Zuko with a grin, "Your coming back?" She asked. Zuko didn't say a word, just left the two women and walked back to Shelby's apartment. He took the 'remote' in hand and tried his luck with it again. Like last time a big black box in the corner sprang to life. Zuko kept cool and watched the box, there was a man inside, he was outside and pointing to a big orange full moon. "This is the closest the moon will get to earth for the next ten thousand years. Look outside today tomorrow and Sunday, because Monday morning it returns to its regular cycle…" The man drowned on and on, then the box flashed to another screen. This one had two people sitting at a desk and they talked together for a few seconds before the picture then turned to someone else.

"Hello?" Zuko tried talking to these people. They didn't answer back, they didn't even show the faintest sigh that they had heard him. Oh, this is like a puppet show. These people are just pretending to be outside or at a desk. Zuko wrongly assumed.He watched to news for a while longer, then Shelby entered.

She went over to the oven and turned a few knobs before pouring something very yellow and gooey into two bowls. "Dinner's ready." She called from the other room. Zuko walked over and took a bowl, he seated himself at the near by table and started to eat. Amazingly the food was not that bad. It tasted like nothing he had ever had before, and that was a good thing.

"So…"Shelby said sitting next to him. "how did you get that scar?" Her words were gentle, and they made Zuko feel like he could trust her, but the memories of what happened had too much pain wrapped inside them and Zuko couldn't bring himself to tell.

Instead of answering, Zuko looked down in his Mac and Cheese.

"Did it happen recently?" Shelby pressed.

Zuko moved his noodles around with his fork, "No," he finally replied. "two years ago." He didn't know why he was telling this lady about his scar, she had no right to know.

"Was it an accident?"

Zuko stood up and took his bag of clothes. "Which room is mine?"

"Down the hall, first door on your left." Shelby said, pointing in the direction of the hallway.

Zuko walked down the hall and found the room. There were a few pieces of furniture, a desk, a lamp, and a couch, but there wasn't a bed. Shelby walked into the room holding sheets and a pillow, "here" she said as she handed them to him. The woman pulled the couch out away from the wall, and pushed on the back of it. The back came down and Zuko was now standing before a bed. "I'm going to guess that you know how to put sheets on?" Shelby asked. Zuko nodded in return, he had seen his servants do it many times. Shelby slowly walked out of the room, but stopped in the door way. "Lee…" she said, patiently waiting for Zuko's attention. "if you ever, need to talk… I'm here." Then she left.

Zuko didn't know if he should take the woman up on her offer or not, but he was too tired tonight to think about it. The prince finished making the bed and started to undress, leaving only his underwear on. Then he went over and flicked a switch that he had seen controlled the illumination of the room. Slowly feeling his way to the bed, Zuko climbed in the comfortable sheets and drifted off to sleep.

zzz

Shelby woke up at 1:00 in the afternoon, but that was to be expected since she worked the late night shift at Wal-Mart. She slowly stirred from bed and went to make some coffee, as she passed Lee's room she peeked in the doorway. The teenager was still asleep and was all tangled up in his covers, the sight made Shelby giggle inside.

After making her coffee Shelby went outside to get the paper and a flyer that was taped to her door. The headline news today was Are the Gods Angry; astrological events have scientists heads in a spin. Shelby read for a little bit about how close the moon was, and that now astronomers are predicting that a great meteor is going to pass by sometime in late August. After the first few paragraphs, the reporters started talking about the scientific importance of it all, and Shelby switched to a different article.

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Zuko opened his eyes expecting to see his uncle in the cave they had shared recently, but to his disappointment, that is not where he was. The realization of his situation came full force at him when he jumped out of bed. Slowly he stumbled to get his new shirt and shorts back on, then when he was finally dressed he walked into the dinning room.

"Oh," Shelby said when she realized that he was awake. She was kind of startled to see him wearing the same clothes as yesterday, but then again the only other things she had seen him wearing was some old tan shirt and reddish pants that he had walked into the store with. Tonoght she would pick him up a few more outfits.

Zuko sat down at the table with her and rubbed his neck.

"Sleep well?" Shelby asked.

"Mmm," Zuko answered, it sounded like a 'yes' from his tone.

"Good!" Shelby replied and went back to her paper.

"What time is it?" Zuko questioned in a sleepy voice.

Shelby glanced at the microwave clock, "1:23"

"In the afternoon?"

"Yep."

Zuko sighed "There's only a few more hours of daylight left, I have to leave."

Shelby put her paper down. "What are you talking about, it's summer, the sun doesn't set until nearly 9:00, and why do you have to leave?"

Zuko thought back to his one silver coin left in his pocket. "I need to find a job." He said, answering her question.

"Well your in luck," She passed the flyer that was on her door over to Zuko. It read:

Gable Apartments needs help. In order to keep your apartment grounds clean and free of tall grass, weeds, and litter, we need some lawn handymen. Anyone over the age of fifteen who can follow simple directions and show up on time is welcome to today's 4:00 seminar. Pay is $7.50 an hour. This is a great summer job. Hope to see you there!

"Sounds doable" Zuko replied after reading the flyer. Maybe he didn't have to leave as soon as he thought.

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Zuko as a grounds keeper? Well he's not exactly known for being good with plants, but as a job, it'll do. :P

PS In the next chapter, Zuko grows more close to Ally, well a smug closer.