*Cry* I'm sorry! I didn't want to upset people. *hides under desk*

Okay, the reason I didn't post earlier: I wrote the whole chapter all down in no time and was ready to post next time I went online, however, I misplaced it, and I couldn't remember what I had previously written, so, to avoid writing something totally crappyish, I didn't write anything.

But now I've found it. So I hope you like it, and I hope it blends in with what has been written before.

Again, sorry for the wait. I'm now in my last year of school, and to top that I've had a lot of personal issues happening in my family and I really didn't mean to neglect the story.

Chapter 3: In the wake of temptation

Zuko growled at his young friend, who decided to back off a little. "Hands off my skull," he said slowly.

"Sorry Zuko," Aang grinned, "but there's a problem. We're making a turn."

Problems? This is no time for more problems. I need to get home, full stop.

"What is it?" he demanded of his captain, hoping desperately that nothing would stop him from reaching home, from reaching Mai. He looked at his captain. "Why are you turning?"

"Sir," the captain began. "I'm not sure how this is possible, but although we are many meters from the seafloor, it seems our ship is about to–"

Suddenly there was a huge jolt that sent Zuko, Aang, the captain and the rest of the crew to the deck and a loud scratching sound could be heard.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?!?" Zuko yelled, his frustration built up so high it was turning to fury.

"Our ship has made contact with a huge underwater rock face, sir!" the captain yelled over the turbulent water and the telltale sounds of a sinking ship. Zuko frowned.

"What rock face could possibly be tall enough to extend all the way from the depths of this sea to the surface? And why didn't you identify it earlier?"

"I'm not sure, sir!" the captain replied. "All I know is we need to get off this boat!"

Another screech echoed through the hulls of the ship.

"More giant underwater rocks?" Aang asked in a loud shout. Though it was sarcastic, the captain nodded.

"I'm afraid to say yes!"

Suddenly a fireball flew over their heads and began to hurtle down towards the boat. Aang leapt and pushed Zuko to the side, both of them narrowly escaping the explosion the fireball caused on the deck.

"Okay!" Aang yelled, entering panic. "Someone's trying to kill us!"

"No kidding!" Zuko yelled. "Alert the nearest fleet for assistance!"

Aang pulled out his glider and opened it. "I'm going towards Ba Sing Se. Their fleet left when ours did. They'll be the best chance we've got."

Zuko groaned but nodded. As much as he wanted to get home, he needed to get his crew to safety - and himself, too. "Send a messenger hawk to Mai. We've had complications." He was returning to Ba Sing Se - again. It seemed anything he did, he couldn't get away from the dreaded Earth Kingdom city. And though he tried to convince himself that the only reason he was trying to avoid it was simply because he didn't like it, he knew very well what frightened him about the place.

Right now, as flaming rocks were being hurled at their ship, and his crew tried desperately to counterattack them, he wondered exactly who was trying to sink their ship. Fine, he knew there had to be a few individuals who still hated the Fire Nation, but the attack was coming from the direction of the Fire Nation. How had these attackers managed to get into the nation's port, find an adequate launching area and not be caught in the process of trying to kill the Avatar and the Fire Lord?

Soon enough, Zuko could see Aang gliding back to their ship, throwing a final gust of wind against small projectiles aimed for the ship before he landed before Zuko. "They're almost here," Aang said, his breath quick. "We need to make sure we move everyone off this ship as quickly as possible and get back to Ba Sing Se as soon as possible."

Zuko stormed off the ship and Aang followed a meter behind him - just to be safe. His crew negotiated at the dock checking to see if repairs could be made, and making preparations just in case a new ship was needed.

"I don't see why we can't just use an Earth Kingdom ship!" Zuko growled as he waited.

"Calm down Zuko," Aang said, scratching his bald head. "These ships already have planned routes and us taking one of them and putting them behind on their work would be an inconvenience."

"Do you know what's an inconvenience?" Zuko said. "Being stuck here when I'm supposed to be home."

Aang smiled. "It's gonna be okay Zuko. You'll get home soon. We just need to be patient."
Zuko lowered his voice to a softer tone. "I've been patient for things my whole life," he said. "Sorry. I guess we should find a place to stay for a while."

"I'll bet I can find an inn," Aang said, motioning to let him know he was off to explore. "Stay here a while and find out how bad the damage is. I'll come back and let you know what places are available."

Zuko gave a nod.

"Here," Aang said happily, pointing to the small inn before them Zuko gaped.

"This one? This is the only one you could find?"

Aang blinked. "This is the best I could find, Zuko! Is something wrong?"

Zuko had to compose himself in front of Aang, otherwise he would suspect something.

"Just….it's just…its right next to the teashop…"

Aang blinked again. "Yes…why, what's wrong with it? I thought you liked tea."

Liked tea? Zuko liked tea. He didn't like awkwardness, that's what he didn't like. Jin would be staying right next door to the place he would be staying until he could get back home. This is so unfortunate, he thought. The universe must be out to get me. How could anyone expect him to be able to hold on to his sanity when the biggest threat to his composure was less than ten metres away from him right now?

Aang waved a hand before Zuko's face. "Uh…Zuko?" he asked. "You're pale. Maybe you should lie down."

"Yes!" he said a little too enthusiastically, for Aang almost fell back onto the floor in surprise. "Uh…I mean, yes. That would do me good."

Aang smiled and, after signing in to the hotel, walked up with the Fire Lord and put his possessions down near his bed. Zuko collapsed onto his bed, extremely tired and stressed, while Aang droned on about going to get something to help Zuko feel better. Whatever it is, Zuko thought, if it makes me feel better, I don't care.

He then proceeded to attempt to cut off his breathing by burying his face in his pillow.

Zuko felt almost hung-over as he was softly shaken awake. A soft, slender hand lay gently on his shoulder assuringly and he dazedly opened his eyes, and thought he was in heaven when he saw the face of an angel above him, her melodic voice fading in and out.

"Zu…Zuko…Zu…Zuko? Are y…Are you a-…-wake?"

Suddenly reality came flooding in and hit him like a bull-mule. J-Jin? He sat up straight, and Jin backed up, smiling brightly at him.

"J-Jin?" he managed to say.

Jin's heart leapt at the husky way he spoke her name. She had always wanted to wake up to that tone every morning…however, it seemed there was another woman who got that wish, not her. Maybe I shouldn't have given up. Maybe I should've chased him that night. Asked him for that kiss again…

Both their cheeks flushed as they both remembered the two kisses they had shared.

"Good morning Zuko-do–…Zuko. Your friend…the Avatar…he asked me to bring you some tea this morning. He said you weren't…yourself."

He nodded, trying not to look into her eyes or stare at her smooth skin, her cheeky, adorable smile…her body.

So different from Mai's. His lovely wife's frame was long and straight, slender - model-esque. Perfection. However, Jin's body…

Her skin wasn't pale like Mai's. It was a soft tanned colour, like the type formed by the sun after working outdoors, yet it still maintained it's soft, velvety texture…one he wanted to touch and…kiss. Her figure was thin, but curves complimented her in all the right places. He hadn't seen them before…she hadn't changed, yet she had in so many ways. It took all his strength not to stand up, grab her, pull her against him and ask her to kiss him without any reservation.

He suddenly felt her hand against his back as she helped him sit up, her cool touch seeping through his clothes. She motioned to the bedside table, where a tray with a teapot and teacup were set. He swallowed to keep his voice from faltering and sat up, beginning to stretch. The covers slid off his torso and exposed his toned, chiselled upper form. Jin blushed madly as her eyes trailed the prince's torso contours in obedience to her heart and against her mind. So strong…

She lowered her gaze, suddenly remembering that his body belonged to someone else. That's so unfair! Didn't I see him first? A fleeting idea ran through the crazy side of her mind that she could win him back. Crazy. You can't make him cheat on his wife! You seriously want to be the other woman? She wanted to cry but she smiled at him instead.

Zuko wanted to dissolve into dust at the way she looked at him, smiling, like everything was okay. Everything was not okay.

She handed him a cup of tea and sat on the edge of his bed, a smile twitching on her face as she watched him. He frowned. "What?"

She shook her head, a small giggle emerging from her lips. "N-Nothing. You just seem so…tense."

"I'm not tense!"

She giggled and he then realised how ridiculous he probably sounded. He focused his attention on his cup for a few seconds before reverting his attention to her. His mind instantly turned to their date - when he had failed in his juggling and she covered her mouth softly. She was doing it again. Her soft hand was slightly obstructing her lips again, holding in amusement.

"Okay," she replied, a giggle eminent in her voice. "Well, I wanted to ask you something…I'm sorry it's so sudden…"

He frowned. She was putting on her most convincing, most adorable expression, and it was working, damn it. Why does she have to have such adorable eyes…beautiful lips…stunning curves…

"What?" he asked.

"Well…there's a town gathering…kinda like a party…I was hoping…well, if you're not busy…"

Zuko was getting curious, anxious and frustrated at the same time. "What?"

Jin smiled brightly. "I was hoping you would…be my escort."

Zuko was speechless, not sure how or what to answer. Would he even be here long enough to accompany her? He really didn't want to go, but he really didn't want to refuse her, either. However, granting her request could very well break all his defences. Spending an entire night with her at a party spelled danger. But a sad expression on her face would destroy him.

"Yes," he blurted out suddenly at the thought of hurting her feelings. Jin's eyes brightened and she smiled brilliantly at him.

"Really? Oh thank you Li– Zuko!" She leaned over before Zuko could react and his eyes widened as her arms wrapped around his torso.

"Uhh…"

"It's two days from now, at nine o'clock."

"Uhh…"

"Well, I better go. Hope you feel better!"

And with that Jin bounded out the door before he could utter another word.

Aww, Jin, you're not allowed to do that to a married royal…especially when that married royal is head-over-heels for you.

Well, please review, and also tell me what you would like to happen…this is quite a hard fanfic to write. if you don't like how I'm writing or how it's going, tell me and I'll let someone else try it.