FTEC, Sunday Morning, December 2

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

Doogie had traded caffeine for hot chocolate this morning, and was holding onto his cup tightly as he flipped channels in search of a decent news show.

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[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

Mel burst into the lobby carrying a feverish Zuko over her shoulder.

"Where's the doctor?" she asked looking at the kid behind the counter. "He's got a fever and he's delirious."

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

"I'm the doctor," Doogie said, hurrying over to Mel's side. "Has he been feeling sick, or was this something sudden?"

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"He was kind of out of it last night," Mel replied. "This morning he had a fever."

She looked the kid over again.

"Look I know you're from the school and all but he's really sick. Let's get one of the real doctors here.

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

Doogie sighed. "I assure you, I'm a real doctor, licensed and everything. If you want to argue with me more about it, let's at least do it in an exam room while I'm taking his temperature," he said, leading them into Exam 1.

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

The voices registered at the back of Zuko's mind and he groaned as he felt Mel shift her grip on him. He vaguely felt being put down on a bed again and struggled to blink open his eyes, squinting as the light hurt.

Mother? No, she was gone. "Uncle?"

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

"Not quite," Doogie said, grabbing one of the thermometers, along with the other supplies to get Zuko's vitals. "I'm Dr. Howser. You're at the clinic."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Zuko started at Doogie for a long moment, either having trouble focusing or he couldn't quite believe it. "You're a kid," he rasped out and frowned. There was something about a kid... "Are you the Avatar?"

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

"I don't think so?" Doogie offered. "I'm just a doctor. How are you feeling?"

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"Warm," he whispered, frowning a little. It was a given, though, considering his hair was damp with sweat and his shirt was nearly soaked. "Thirsty."

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

Checking Zuko's temperature showed exactly how warm he was, and Doogie made a few notes on his chart while trying not to think too hard about the last time he saw a student sick like this. "Well, you're in the right place then, because I can help with both of those things," he said.

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"He doesn't have that plague thing does he?" Mel asked looking worried.

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

"He shouldn't," Doogie said, trying to reassure the both of them. "The cure was given to everyone. We're in cold and flu season now - it could just be that."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

It didn't feel like a cold or a flu and Zuko shifted on the bed restlessly, hands reaching up to tug at his clothes. Everything felt so confined and why was it so bright here? "Where are we? I need to see my father, he might know."

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

Mel frowned. "Okay... this is more than just the flu or something. His father's a douchebag and no where near here. Can you give him anything? Maybe we should get an older doctor."

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

"We don't need an older doctor," Doogie said. "I can give him something for the fever, and that should help with the deliriousness too."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Zuko had no idea anymore what they were talking about and he closed his eyes, trying to tune out the voices. He felt like he was burning, but he knew what burning really was and this wasn't it.

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

Mel frowned and looked at Zuko as she planted herself in a chair by his bed. "Okay. Fine," she said to the kid doctor. "Do whatever you got to do."

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

Doogie nodded, and got Zuko set up with some antibiotics, making a note to check his temperature again soon to see how that was working. "He needs to stay here and rest," Doogie said. "You're welcome to stay with him if you want."

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"That's fine," Mel said not intending to leave the room anyway. "How soon will that stuff work?"

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

"After about an hour, we'll know if it's helped," Doogie explained.

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Mel replied and after a moment's pause added: "Thanks, doctor."

[geniusdoctor.livejournal.com]

Doogie smiled. "You're welcome. I'll check back in on him in a little while."