A/N: So I know this story seems to be on fast forward but the meat of the story starts at book three so I'm sorry if this all seems rushed I'm just trying to get there while giving the needed back story. Just assume that, unless otherwise stated, this fallows canon. Thanks for reading and for those who hate Makorra sorry there's a little bit of it in this chapter but don't worry it doesn't last.

Ice burg

Iroh looked at the letter in his hands and held back the pain. He crumpled it up before smoothing it out again and reading it agian. He wanted to throw it into the ocean but stopped and read it again trying to formulate a reply that could reverse the statement in that letter.

"Major Iroh Agidar, do you mind explaining why you're abusing that piece of paper?" Commander Bumi walked up to him. "Or you could give me the letter and I can throw it off the side of the ship myself since you seem so indecisive about it."

"She broke up with me Commander." Iroh looked down at the ocean. "I send her a letter asking how her training's going and she broke up with me. SHE WON'T EVEN GIVE ME A REASON WHY!" Iroh kicked the railing as hard as he could, which affected the railing not at all.

"Whoa there Major, there are plenty of women, I should know, in fact we're going to make port soon in Kiyoshi. I can show you all the wonderful things that come with being single. You're over 21 right?"

"I'm eighteen."

"Well even so I can find you a girl that will make you forget…. forget…what's your girl's name again?"

"Kor."

"Kor? Well, I'll have you forgetting Kor in no time."
Iroh looked at the ocean and didn't really hear what Bumi was rambling on about. "It's short for Korra. She's the avatar and there's no way anyone will be better than her."

Bumi stopped his rambling and looked at Iroh. "Come on kiddo, did you really think it would last? Trust me son, when I comes to avatars they are just going to break your heart." There was bitterness in Bumi's voice.

"Wasn't Avatar Aang your father?" Iroh looked at him queerly.

"Yeah he was until he got distracted by my little brother. Bit of advice kid and take this to heart. You can and will do better than Korra." He took the letter and threw it into air letting the wind catch it and take it to places unknown. "Trust me, don't even write back."

Iroh frowned but nodded and waited for Bumi to leave before heading to his quarters and composing a letter to Korra. He kept the letter short and simple.

~Dear Korra

While I don't know why you want to,walk away from,smash my heart into itty-bitty pieces, have chosen to end our relationship I will respect your wishes. I hope that I can still count you as my friend. I love treasure your friendship and wish you the best.

~Major Iroh Agidar of the United Forces' first fleet.

Iroh looked at the letter in disgust but since he had used up all the other paper in his stationary he'd have to just post this draft.

.o.

Korra looked at the letter with a pang of regret. She didn't want to open it and tucked it in to her bag as she got ready to leave the compound. Maybe once she was on her way to Republic City she could read it. Korra bit her lip and added to her bag the book she had kept all the other letters he had sent her over the years. She wasn't about to leave those behind.

She finally read the letter on the ship and instantly felt bad about ever opening it. Iroh was trying to be sweet, he was trying to be the best friend she had long ago but the pain was still there. She made a mental note to send him a letter up dating him on her life and hoping she could get back to the friendship they had had before.

.o.

Iroh had to admit this new letter wasn't nearly painful as the last one. She still wanted to be friends and that would be enough for him for a while at least. He wrote her back and giving her some places that she should check out if she found time. He apologized that he wouldn't be in the city for at least five more months but he did offer to take her to his favorite restaurant when he did get there and of course he asked how she was doing.

A few weeks later he got a reply and an update on her life. She talked a little about Amon and her training in airbending but mostly she wrote about her friends and a boy. She wrote pages about him and about half a paragraph about his brother. By the time he finished reading the letter he not only hated Mako but also was convinced he was going to break Korra's heart.

"He's just another hot shot athlete, he's no good for her." Iroh took swig of his drink and looked over at Bumi who was nursing a glass of whisky.

Bumi rolled his eyes. "You've said that already Iroh. Look if he's bad for her and she's a smart as you think she is she'll figure it out or he'll break her heart and you can pick up the pieces."

Iroh frowned. "I hope you're right. I don't want to see her to get hurt."

Bumi patted Iroh on the back. "Of course I'm right kiddo! I'm your C.O. I know everything!" He looked around the room and smiled. "Speaking of knowing everything check out that cute thing over there! She's giving you that come hither look."

Iroh glanced over. "No, she's not. There's no way she'd be interested in a guy like me."

Bumi put and arm around Iroh's shoulders and pulled him close. "Why don't you go over there and find out? Go ask her if you can get her a drink." Bumi pushed Iroh in the girl's direction. "Go! Have fun."

.o.

Things had gone to hell in a hand basket and Korra could barely put things together. Amon had the city and Tenzin's family had barely escaped at the price of Lin's bending. Korra walked through the tunnels next to Mako wanting to beat some sense into the equalists above them but having to wait for General Bumi to arrive was maddening.

She mentally penned a letter to Iroh that tried to sum up everything that happened including her kissing a boy who had a girlfriend after making a complete fool of herself. Korra cringed at that last part and could imagine the look on Iroh's face. The two headed into Gommu's hide out and waited for news of the first fleet. Mako patted her shoulder.

"We'll get out of this you'll see."

.o.

Iroh stood next to General Bumi as the ships pulled into the harbor. Iroh looked around and frowned. "Sir, there's something wrong. It's too quite. This place…. from the message it sounded like a war zone. Why is everything so still?"

Suddenly the ship rocked to the side as it collided with a mine. The silence was shattered by an attack from the air. Iroh reacted just like he was taught and he gave orders to the fire benders on the ship. He was unaware of anything going around him besides the efforts to stop the planes and save the ship. An explosion knocked him off his perch and into the water.

He was dazed by the event and as he sank down in to the depths was that this was it, he was dead. Iroh blinked when something pulled him up and his head broke water. He looked over at his savior.

"Korra?"

The avatar smiled. "Who else would it be saving your butt outsider?" She water bent them to the shore. She pulled him up on to the sand and looked out at the battle and sinking ships. "Well that could have gone better."

Iroh nodded and nursed his left arm. "Agreed, we weren't prepared for something like that, you told us he had tanks not planes!"

"Yeah, well Amon has a knack for being one step ahead." She put his uninjured arm over her shoulder. "Now come on, this battle's lost we need to regroup."

Iroh nodded and let her lead him into the sewer. "Yeah, the fight's not over yet but I need to get to a radio. The second fleet needs to be warned about Amon's planes."

.o.

Korra looked out at the statue of Aang and the smoking wreckage by its foot. Iroh sat down next to her. "You want to talk about it?"

"Not really, no." She sighed. "I mean we won. Amon's on the run."

"And we will find him. Bumi's got the Admiral Xin searching practically the whole ocean for him."

"And I've finally been able to air bend. So I guess that's a win." Korra leaned back against the rock behind her. "But I don't feel like I've won. Iroh I lost all my other bending. I do the moves and nothing. I'm the worst avatar ever."

Iroh shook his head. "I don't think you're the worst avatar Korra. Great Aunt Katara will be able to heal you. She's the best healer in the world."

"I hope you're right." She looked over at him. "You sure you can't come with us?"

Iroh shook his head. "No, I've been promoted to Captain and I've got to see to my men." Iroh looked over at Mako and Bolin walking over. "Besides, I don't think your boyfriend would really enjoy my company."

Korra blushed. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Not yet." Iroh got up and held out his hand. "But I have a feeling he will be soon."

Her blush became deeper. "You think so?"

Iroh faked a smiled. "Yeah, and if not he's an idiot."

.o.

Korra returned to the city with her bending and Mako on her arm. Iroh faked a smile and acted happy for her. Bumi announced his retirement leaving Iroh to learn from Admiral Xin and command his own ship as captain. The city was quiet for a blissful six months, which was surprising since there was an election. Iroh shrugged people must have been too tiered to cause a problem.

The early morning sun was just peeking through his window as he got up and put on his captain's uniform. On his dresser was a stack of birthday cards that conspicuously lacked one from Korra. Iroh walked past the stack and headed out on to the deck of his ship to talk to his men and was shocked to find Korra waiting there for him.

"Hey." She gave him a little wave.

"Hey yourself, why are you here?" Iroh tilted his head. "Everything ok?"

"No I need your help the Southern Water Tribe is under attack by the north and they need military support but President Raiko won't help so I came to you."

Iroh was silent for a moment. "I could suggest to Admiral Xin that the fleet go down south to do some routine training exercises. If we happen to run into a blockade and they attack well we'd have to engage."

Korra smiled. "I knew I could count on you."

"Swapping war stories?"

The two jumped and looked over at President Raiko as he walked on to the deck. "You aren't plotting anything are you?" He looked right at Iroh. "Let me remind you Captain that you take orders from your commander and chief. If one ship leaves this harbor without my orders I'll have you court marshaled. Do I make myself clear?"

Iroh narrowed his eyes. "Crystal, Sir."

The president looked at Korra. "And remember Avatar you do not command this army, it is the army of the Republic and they do not take orders from you. You will not go behind my back again. As you were Captain Iroh." The president left the two standing on the deck.

"I HATE THAT GUY!" Korra ran her fingers threw her hair.

Iroh sighed. "I'm sorry my hands are tied."
"Couldn't you...?"

"No, Korra I can't. President Raiko made it very clear that I can't help you. Maybe the Fire Lord can help; she does have strong ties to the southern water tribe. She maybe sympathetic to your cause."

"Yes! I forgot! You're father is from there! Surely he'll want to protect his home land!" She grabbed his arm. "Let's go."

Iroh pulled away. "Korra I can't."

She turned. "What?"

Iroh straighten up. "I'm a solider in the United Forces, I can't leave my post, I'll be awol. I'm sorry Korra but you're going to have to do this without me."

Korra clenched her fists. "Really? You can't even help me here?"

Iroh shook his head. "Look I'm sorry."

"You better be sorry! I can't believe Southern Water Tribe blood runs through your vanes and you won't help protect it!"

"Korra I can't. I-"
"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" Korra took a few steps back. "I thought you were my friend but I guess you're not! Or-or maybe you're doing this because I'm with Mako now!"

"What?!" Iroh took a step closer. "Korra you just saw him give me a direct order I can't."
"Shut up! Shut up! I never want to see your face again! I never want to hear your voice again!" Korra snorted fire. "Don't you ever-ever try to contact me again Iroh!"

She stormed off leaving Iroh in shock. He looked down that the water. "But I can't do anything more. I would if I could." He looked down at his reflection. "Wouldn't I?" Iroh shook his head. "I can't do this to myself, I've got sisters I do not need any more crazy women in my life. Good reddens to her and her fire bending meter maid."

Later that night Iroh found himself listening to music and trying to convince himself that Korra would forgive him. They had been friends since forever she'd come around a see that he didn't have a choice. He took a swig of his drink and wished for the hundredth time that day it was alcoholic.

A few days later he got in a fight with Mako, blaming him for the loss of Korra's friendship. The two traded harsh words and a few punches but they left before it got really ugly. Iroh threw himself in to his work and Mako did likewise until he was framed and locked in jail. Iroh read the story in the paper and he honestly didn't care one way or another.

.o.

Iroh looked up at the giant spirit beast standing in the harbor. It blasted the ships back with a beam of pure energy and somewhere in the chaos Iroh saw an air ship fall out of the sky and the statue of Aang sink to the ocean floor. The creature loomed over Iroh's already sinking ship and raised a hand to smash it into pieces. Then suddenly she appeared, a giant made of blue energy.

The seas rocked with their battle and Iroh couldn't take his eyes off it. He saw the dark spirit vanquished and Korra walk away and disappear. Later he heard her address to the people on the radio and her announcement of a changing world. Iroh wanted to write to Korra but the words she had said still rang in his ears. When he did find himself at his writing desk he chose to write his twin sister Lafey and ask how she was.

.o.

Korra checked the mail and frowned. "Why hasn't he written me at all?"

Mako looked up from what he was doing with Bolin. "Why hasn't who written you?"

"Iroh, he hasn't written me in a while. I thought with what happen with Harmonic Convergence and what happened in the bay I would at least get a short letter asking what happened but nothing."

Mako bit his lip. "Do you remember when you lost your memory?"
Korra gave him a queer look. "When we had a big fight and broke up? No that's the definition of lost memory, I don't remember."

Mako chewed his lip not really wanting to open up old wounds. "Well Korra, I wasn't the only person you got in a fight with that day. You also fought with Iroh and said you didn't want to ever hear from him again."

"I what!?" Korra blinked. "I've got to fix this! I'll write to him. No! I should call him! Actually is his ship in the bay? I need to apologies right now!"

Bolin looked up. "Hey, clam down Korra it's not that big of a deal. You don't need to rush out looking like that you look half crazed."

"I told my best friend, my only friend until I met you all that I never wanted to hear from him!" Korra shook her head. "I've got to fix this I can't loose him! I just hope he'll see me!"

She ran out the door and ran into Jenora. "Hey Korra! I need your help! With the spirit vines, they're taking over the city. President Raiko sounded pretty distressed on the phone about it. My dad's waiting come on!"

Before she could protest Jenora grabbed her arm and was being led towards the spirit vines away from the harbor. When she finally was able to get a little time to herself she found out that Iroh's ship was being repaired and the Captain was taking time off. Korra tried to find out where he had gone but no one knew. Sadly she sent a letter to his usual address and hoped Iroh would get it and not set it aflame immediately.

.o.

Iroh laughed with some of his fellow officer as they sat in a small pub in a northern part of the Republic. A waiter with long hair refreshed Iroh's drink and then walked away. Iroh didn't notice him as Admiral Xin stood up held up his cup.

"A toast to my officers! Just for the hell of it!"

The clinked their cups together and Iroh took a huge gulp of his drink. He set the cup down slowly there was something wrong with the taste. Iroh looked around for the waiter but he was gone. Suddenly Iroh's body seized and he collapsed like a rag doll with its eye open on to the ground nocking over his cup in the process. As his fellow officers took action trying to understand what had just happened a silver liquid drained out of the cup along with a Pi-Sho disk. Admiral Xin picked up the disk after ordering on of the men to try and get Iroh to throw up. It was a red lotus piece.

Iroh felt someone stick their finger down his throat and his gag reflex kicked in. He coughed the silver liquid as much as he could but the room started to spin and the roar of the people became a high-pitched ring and then it faded in to silence. He saw his fellow soldiers yelling at him to stay awake but his eyes closed despite his wishes.