12 - The Boiler Room

Zuko was out the door so fast, his feet were almost smoking with Iroh and Cogan right on his he stepped out onto the deck the men were alrighty in an uproar from Katara's scream. Zuko rounded on the nearest soldier. "Can you tell where it came from?" he asked in a panic.

"Below deck, that's all I can tell," replied the soldier.

"I want everyone to drop everything and begin searching now," Zuko ordered addressing Lieutenant Cogan. Cogan nodded his understanding before taking off to follow his Prince's orders. Followed closely by Iroh, Zuko quickly made his way below deck. The two men along with the rest of the crew began searching the whole ship. As the minutes past Zuko's worry continued grow because use they han't heard anything since the first scream. Zuko's blood was boiling in anger as he opened the door to the boiler room. The scene that greeted him literally had his balled up fists smoking. There was Katara with her hands tied up suspended on one of the pipes hanging from the ceiling. Her face and arms were littered with bruises and there was blood trailing down from several cuts along her body. But, that wasn't what had Zuko's full attention. No, it was the knife threateningly poised at Katara's throat held by none other then Jee Lee.

"Take one more step, and I'll kill her," threatened Jee Lee with a glare.

"What do you think your doing?" shouted Zuko.

"All you need to know is that I'm in charge now. Listen carefully because this is how it's going to go. This water wench and I are leaving on the river boat. Neither you or anyone else on this stupid ship is to stop me or follow us. I'll kill her if you so much as..." But Jee Lee didn't get to finish. Katara used one of her untied legs to kick back at him. She shouted in pain through her gag when the knife cut into her throat as Jee Lee lunged backwards. Zuko waisted no time in taking advantage of Jee Lee's distraction and quickly tackled him to the ground.

The knife fell away and slid to the corner of the room as the two men continued to wrestle around on the floor. Zuko finally pinned Jee Lee down only for him to breath fire straight onto the arm Zuko was using to hold down his chest. Zuko shouted in pain as his arm was burned and Jee Lee shoved him to the ground and punched his face. Zuko's legs came up and shoved Jee Lee off him and flipped himself to his feet. He bent down in front of Jee Lee and punch him with all his pent up anger behind it. Jee Lee's quickly swiped his leg under Zuko's legs knocking him to the ground. When Zuko recovered himself it was to see that Jee Lee had retrieved the knife and was lunging at him. Zuko braced himself to dodge just before Jee Lee suddenly stopped, dropped the knife in his hand and fell to the floor unconscious. "Where have you been," Zuko demanded of his uncle.

"Your welcome for the assistance, nephew." Iroh responded.

Huffing, Zuko quickly got to his feet and looked down at an unconscious Jee Lee. " Have the crew put him away in the brig. I'll deal with him later," Zuko said before racing over to where Katara was still hanging. He quickly used the knife to cut the ropes holding her up and caught her before she could crumple to the ground. He removed her gag and lowered the both of them to the floor. "Your okay now. It's all over," he glared at a burn on her back he hadn't noticed before.

"Are you alright?" she asked him while gentle rubbing her hand down his bruised and bloody face.

"Me?" he asked in disbelief while cupping her own bruised cheek. "I'm so sorry this happened. I knew there was something about Jee Lee. I never should have had you anywhere near him.

"I'm okay, Zuko. And you stopped him from kidnapping me," she reassured him. She threw her arms around Zuko and he felt her fist her hands into the back of his shirt before he also felt water on his neck which he quickly figured out were tears.

"Your okay now," he reassured again. "He's not taking you anywhere. Your not going anywhere." He wrapped his arms around her tighter and fist her shirt in return.

He turned his head to glare at his uncle when he tapped him on the shoulder. "I'm sorry to intrupt Zuko. But, we should really take Katara down to the infirmary."

Zuko nodded knowing he was right. Zuko helped Katara to stand up only for her to loose her balance and start slipping to the floor once again. Without a word Zuko bent down and lifted her up into his arms and began walking to the infirmary with Iroh right behind. The doctor was all ready for them when they arrived. Zuko placed Katara down on the bed and move to the side of the room to allow the doctor to work. A medic quickly approached the prince intending on treating his injuries. But, Zuko brushed him aside and ordered him to help the doctor with Katara.

"That's a really bad burn, Zuko," Iroh insisted gesturing to his arm.

"Don't start uncle," Zuko quickly dismissed him and Iroh knew better then to fight him on it.

"Prince Zuko," Lieutenant Cogan called as he entered the infirmary. "Jee Lee is secure in the brig. He's also woken up if you wanted to talk with him. Zuko was torn. He wanted to go and deal with Jee Lee. But, there was no way he was leaving Katara alone again.

Iroh seemed to realize the problem and was quick to assure Zuko that he would stay with Katara the whole time. "I'll stay here as well, Prince Zuko. Nothing will happen to Katara while your gone," Lieutenant Cogan assured. Zuko sighed. He did trust Cogan. He was one of the first soldiers to join him and had recruited many men for their cause. He had even saved his life a few times. Yesturday, he would have said he trusted Cogan with anything. But, he also trusted the rest of his crew. Jee Lee's betrayal had him on edge. "Do not leave uncle," Zuko said before leaving the room. It didn't escape his notice that Cogan still set himself up to guard the room.

Jee Lee was waiting for him when Zuko arrived. He waisted no time in letting himself into the cell. Jee Lee glared at him as he opened his mouth. "I'm not going to tell you any..."

Zuko punched him square in the nose knocking him to the ground."I'm not feeling very merciful right now, Jee Lee. I suggest you tell me everything I want to know. You don't want to know what will happen otherwise. Why did you attack Katara and attempt to take her from here."

She's just a water wench," Jee Lee was intrupted by a knee to the gut. He tried to charge Zuko back but Zuko grabbed his neck and shoved him up against the bars before tying his arms and legs to it. "Do whatever you want to me. It's too late for you. I've sent a letter to the Fire Lord.

Soon he'll know everything. Including about that little water wench that you call your friend. Your all going to get what's coming to you."

"Why?" demanded Zuko. "Why change alliances?"

"Do you really think the Fire Lord wouldn't suspect anything? He honored me with this assignment. Rest assured, your father has been informed of your plan for years. But, you really blew it with that girl. He's going to send someone to take care of you once he hears about this."

When Zuko left the brig his soldiers asked him what was to be done with Jee Lee. "leave him in there to rot,"responded Zuko.

He was immediately bombarded with questions when he arrived back at the infirmary. He simply looked up at the doctor and asked if he was finished caring for Katara. "Yes your highness. Please, let me take a look at that burn." Zuko shook his head no and ordered the doctor and medic out of the room.

He closed the door after they left and turned back around to face Katara, Iroh and Cogan. "The crew isn' t to know about this yet. But, we have a problem."

Wow, it's been about two years. Sorry about that. But,I am back and there's a lot more to this story. I'd love to hear what you guys think. Next chapter should be up by next week.