Two Pai Sho, Manly Talks, and…A Secret

They're together again. The watcher curls into a tight fetal position. He was out in the garden, unable to sleep, but they hadn't known that. No, he had to stay quiet, or they would know he knows.

After a while, they've…finished, and lay close together, talking sleepily about random things, and the watcher feels guilty for a moment, like he was stealing this private, peaceful moment.

Then the jealousy and pain returns, and he moves away quietly, afraid of what he might do.

As he returns to the temple, the watcher sees his reflection in a still, clear pool, and lightly touches the arrow that started on his head, and wonders why she chose the other. The watcher slaps the water, breaking his reflection, and for a moment, he feels the otherworldly sense…

But someone was coming, and the watcher knew that, despite what he felt, he couldn't let anyone know, and moved to intercept the person.

Zuko poured tea for his Uncle. "I went to the cell where you were held, Uncle." He said. "I was going to free you."

"Ah, but I was impatient." Iroh replied calmly. "I had many things to do before setting out in search for the Avatar. When I could not find you, I was worried. There were rumors that you had faced down your father."

Toph sputtered. "You what?" She asked, incredulous. "Sparky, he could have killed you!"

Iroh raised an eyebrow at the nickname, but was silent. Zuko shook his head. "He tried. Ozai bent lightning, and tried to kill me."

Iroh sipped his tea. "It is good to know that the redirection I taught you worked so well."

"You can block lightning?" Aang asked. "Can you teach me?"

Zuko and Iroh spoke at the same time. "You aren't ready."

"Oh, spirits, he's trying to sound like his uncle now." Sokka said in a stage whisper. "Next thing, he'll tell us he enjoys nothing better than a cup of tea."

Zuko looked off. "That wouldn't be true."

Toph frowned. His heart was beating rapidly, and she reached out for vibrations, and smiled slightly. Katara was walking into the room. Busted.

"Ah, Miss Katara, you are looking well." Iroh greeted. "Tell me, have you had any trouble keeping my nephew in line?"

Katara blinked, then smiled. "No, he's very…obedient."

Iroh laughed. "Zuko…obedient?"

"Its true." Toph spoke up. "She says jump, he asks how high."

Iroh was shaking with repressed laughter, and finally lost control, falling off of his seat, bellowing.

"Speaking of which, Zuko, I need your help for a moment." Katara declared.

Zuko set the teapot down, and stood up. "I'll see you later, Uncle."

"Be…a…good…boy!" Iroh said between laughs.

"I'm sorry." Katara said softly, walking down a dark corridor of the temple. "I didn't think it would be that funny."

"You don't know my Uncle very well." Zuko replied. "He could create innuendo from thin air."

Katara turned around, and took Zuko's hands. "Innuendo? Now, we both know there is nothing happening for innuendo to be a big deal…"

Zuko kissed her, and Katara melted in his arms.

"Zuko's fitting in pretty well." Aang told Iroh. "Even though Katara is still pretty mean to him."

Toph almost laughed at loud. Sugar Queen and Sparky hadn't gone as far as they thought, and inwardly, Toph grinned, pleased to know their secret.

Haru, Teo, and the Duke were arguing over a board they had moved from another room of the temple, and caught Iroh's attention.

"Oh!" He exclaimed. "Pai Sho! Do any of you know how to play?"

"I do." A new voice spoke, and Chit Sang stepped forward, waving slightly. "Would you like a game, General?"

Iroh chuckled. "You are a polite young man, but I am no longer a General. And yes, I would enjoy a game. Perhaps we can teach these youngsters to play."

"Hey, I'm going to go see if Katara and Zuko need any help." Aang spoke up, but when he went to move, he found his feet caught in a vise made of rock.

"Not so fast, Twinkletoes." Toph said. "We've been busy for the last couple of days, and you missed our earth-bending practice." Toph crossed her arms. "Besides, we've got to spy on Sokka, Suki, and Hakoda."

"Yeah, they were being all secretive earlier, weren't they?" Aang thought, easily distracted.

You owe me one, Love-birds. Toph thought smugly.

Sokka was helping Hakoda to knap flint for spearheads. A distance away, Suki trained with his sword, and Sokka got little work done, distracted by his girlfriend.

"She's a special girl." Hakoda commented in a tone that made Sokka flinch.

"Uh, yeah. She's really special, Dad."

"Just how serious are you two?" Hakoda asked.

Sokka knew exactly what his father was getting at, and sighed, settling in for a lecture.

But Hakoda surprised him. "You're almost a man now, Sokka." He told his son, inspecting a finished spearhead. "Nothing I say can stop how you two…er, express yourselves, but just remember: I will not be a grandfather yet."

"Don't worry, Dad." Sokka replied, feeling proud that his Dad respected him that much. "That particular thing isn't a problem. We've already discussed it."

Hakoda looked at his son, then grinned. "Good, good. Now let's get these weapons made."

Suki stopped, and looked back at the temple. "Hey, Toph, Aang, do you always spy so much?" She called.

Aang jumped up, chastised, and the two men heard Toph say something very unladylike.