A. N. : I am tired. And not really happy with how this chapter turned out but honestly this whole situation is strange so I don't think I could've handled it a lot better. Did you know the chakra of the heart is green ?

The underground is glowing green.

Zuko wonders if it is specific to the region or if there are other places with the same crystals. Only an earthbender would know, he guesses.

He thinks of Lake Laogai and shudders. Hopes no one will play with his mind – Azula will, that's a given, but the Dai Li –

A wall opens and he is pushed inside another room. He nearly trips on Jet, who elbows him in return, and barely has the time to notice the other person here before the girl starts screaming outrageously, both at him and at Jet.

She's – the girl with the Avatar. The waterbender.

And apparently she knows Jet – he tries to talk but she doesn't let him, and if she had water Zuko bets she would freeze him to a rock or something.

She shouts about how much she hates Jet, how she won't listen to his lies this time it's useless to try, and what did he do this time to end up here –

Zuko couldn't be more glad to be standing behind Jet.

And why did they bring him at the same time as Zuko –

Shit.

Jet freezes. Turns around. He looks confused, but then he appears to suddenly remember something and grabs Zuko by the collar – the Dai Li called her Princess –

And Zuko knows Jet isn't stupid and probably noticed Azula called him brother, and if he knows she is the Princess, then there's no doubt he guessed –

He looks close to breaking down, both furious and lost, and he screams that he should have killed Zuko the second the learned about the firebending, he should have known he couldn't trust Fire Nation scum –

Then why doesn't he do it ! That way everyone will be happy, Azula will have the throne and father will be rid of his failure of a son, how nice is that !

For a moment, it looks like Jet will actually go through with it – his fingers are around Zuko's throat and his face twists in rage and his grip tightens –

He lets go, punches Zuko in the face, and swears. Walks away. Sits on the ground, knees against his chest and head between his hands. He is shaking. Zuko isn't sure, but he thinks he hears a sob.

The girl – what was her name already – looks at them, obviously confused. She frowns and bites her lips – looks like she's done screaming. Good.

Zuko leans on a wall, arms crossed. So, what now ? Azula threw him there and will probably haul him back to the Fire Nation in chains. That is, if he doesn't mysteriously disappear in a tragic accident before. The girl is most likely Avatar bait. Maybe she can make it if her little group of friends comes to help. Jet is as good as dead, and he looks the part too.

What will happen to Lin ? Will Uncle be able to take care of her ? And what about Smellerbee and Longshot – if Azula has taken control of the Dai Li, Ba Sing Se has already fallen, it just hasn't been announced yet.

He sighs.

The action seems to remind the girl that he's here and she hates his guts and thinks he is a terrible person. He doesn't know about that. He does know he's a failure, but that's nothing new.

She goes on and Zuko swears he's going to set something on fire.

How dare she imply that he is responsible for the horrors of the war ? Does she think he likes it ? Does she think he doesn't know the pain, the hatred, the hunger, or the smell of burning flesh ? Does she think he spent three years on a ship for fun ? That he chased a little kid because he liked it ? He just wanted to go home ! And yes, maybe it was egotistical, but that doesn't make him a monster.

And he would scream at her – if she didn't start crying and talking about her mother.

Oh. Well. Looks like they have something in common – and he may not be happy about it, but he can get the rage and despair and emptiness she feels. At least she has someone to blame.

Jet calls to the girl – Katara – and he looks miserable and is purposefully not looking at Zuko, and he lowers his head in a half-bow and says he's sorry for what he did, sorry for using her and lying to her, he means it – Zuko wonders what the full story is, whether Jet stared through Katara's soul or just used his charisma, and if it has anything to do with his nightmares. It probably does if Jet thinks it's so important he has to bow – just like he did before, when he mirrored father's actions.

He eyes Jet, hesitates. Sits next to him. Jet doesn't seem to acknowledge him, but at least he doesn't try to kill anyone this time.

Katara looks at Zuko. Looks at Jet. Says she can't believe this.

What part – the one where Jet doesn't kill him, the fact that he is not a terrible person, or the part where Jet apologizes ?

She half smiles. Did they really work at a tea shop ?

Zuko nods. Jet shrugs. How does she know about that, by the way ?

She looks to the side awkwardly.

He's not going to like this, is he ?