The sun was setting as Iroh's ship docked at the Fire Nation Capitol's dock. As Iroh stepped off his ship, he could see his mother off in the distance. As Iroh walked towards her, he held out his hands and she mirrored his motions.
"My son! It's so good to see you." Honora said.
"Mother, it's so good to see you too." He said as the finally embraced.
"Now tell me all about this girl that's keeping you in Republic City." The Fire Lord said as she pulled out of the hug.
"Mother." Iroh sighed.
"Leave the boy alone Honora." Came a voice from behind Iroh's Mother.
Iroh looked over his mother's shoulders to see his grandfather walking towards them. Iroh smiled and stepped to the side of Honora to greet the former Fire Lord.
"Can't a boy settle into his home before he's pestered?" Zuko laughed as he hugged his Grandson.
"Thank you Grandfather." Iroh whispered as he pulled out of the hug.
Zuko held onto Iroh for a second longer and whispered back "Don't thank me yet, your grandmother and I want to hear all about her."
Iroh sighed; this trip was going to be a long one.
Iroh had been gone for almost two weeks. Asami was busy with work and was able to keep her mind off him during the day. But at night when Asami would return to an empty house, save the staff, she would realize just how much she missed him.
It was the late afternoon and Asami had finished work early. Asami returned home and was currently sitting on a couch trying to read the newspaper when suddenly, she loudly sighed and set down the paper. She was bored and was missing Iroh terribly. He wouldn't be back until tomorrow morning. Asami laid her head back and stared up at the ceiling.
"What can I do, that will distract me until tomorrow?" she wondered aloud.
Asami contemplated calling Korra, cooking, and fixing up one of her cars in the garage. After thinking for a few minutes, she decided to go with the last option.
Asami went out to the giant garage of the mansion. Before she knew it, she had her jacket off, was under the hood of a car and was covered in grease. But that didn't matter because Asami's mind was finally off Iroh and was focused on what her hands were doing to the car.
Iroh was glad to be back in Republic City. Yes he loved his family, but they spent the whole trip trying to get information about Asami. It's not that Iroh didn't want them to know about her, he just wanted them to meet her for themselves, when the time was right.
Iroh felt a little guilty lying to his family and telling them he had to leave early for business with the United Army. However, he Missed Asami terribly, and even though he would have been back to her the very next morning, he just couldn't wait to hold her in his arms again.
As he walked up the steps to her mansion, he saw that around the corner, the garage door was open. Iroh started walking in that direction figuring she was probably working on one of her many cars. Sure enough, when he made it to the garage, he saw Asami with half her body under the hood of a car. She was wearing a white tank top and grease spots on her arms. She was tinkering away and was oblivious to the rest of the world.
Iroh started walking very quietly towards her, planning to surprise her. As he got up right behind her, he poked her sides and said "Boo!"
Asami, who was so focused, was completely startled by this that she jumped up, causing her to slam her head into the hood of the car. In an instant reaction she kicked her leg back in self-defense.
Iroh was not expecting Asami to jump like that when suddenly; Asami's leg kicked him right in the family jewels. Iroh jumped back crying out in pain and clutched his groin.
Asami, who was still in self-defense mode, finally pulled her head out from the hood of the car and spun around, grabbed the intruder by the arm and pulled it tight behind his back. Then she shoved him to the ground. As soon as he hit the ground, Asami jumped on top and held him in place. This all happened in a matter of seconds. Finally, Asami realized who she was pinning and gasped.
"Iroh! Oh I'm so sorry! What are you doing here?!" She cried as she jumped of his back and helped him into a sitting position.
Iroh moaned as he sat up and clutched his groin. "I missed you and came home early. I was trying to surprise you but this didn't quiet go according to plan."
Asami blushed and replied, "I'm so sorry."
There was a minute of silence. Then Asami said "But if it makes you feel any better my head is in just as much pain as you probably are."
Iroh immediately looked up at Asami who was crouching in front of him. He sat up a little more and put his hands on her head. "Yeah you hit your head pretty hard. Are you ok?" he asked in concern.
Asami smiled at his concern and replied "Come on, let's go inside and get some ice."
It had been a week since Iroh and returned from visiting his family, and Asami couldn't be any happier. She just loved how in sync they were. He always seemed to know when she was upset and just how to make her feel better. Like today, for example. Today at the factory, things were busy. It was meeting after meeting and on top of that, an assembly line broke down. This was going to slow production for the rest of the month. Asami was on her feet all day and was starting to stress out. Just when she thought she couldn't take anything else. Iroh showed up with a basket in his hand.
"What's that?" Asami said from behind her desk and she set down the papers she was currently working on.
"I just thought it would be nice to have a picnic for lunch today." Iroh answered.
Asami smiled, stood up and walked around the desk and up to Iroh. She smiled up at him and placed chaste kiss on his lips.
"I'd love that." She whispered.
"Busy day?"
"You have no idea." Asami sighed as she bit into her roll. Iroh and Asami were on the roof of the factory and were enjoying the view of the city as they ate their picnic lunch.
"I had a feeling you could use a break." Iroh said. Asami was amazed at his ability to sense her emotions, even when they were miles apart.
"You're amazing, you know that?" She said to him.
Iroh looked up from his food and smiled. "I know you'd do the same."
About a month later, Asami was having a normal day at work, when she felt like surprising Iroh with her own surprise picnic lunch.
Asami was walking through the United Forces base with a picnic basket on her arm. As she headed towards Iroh's office, she ignored the many wolf whistles the United Forces men were giving her. When she finally made it to his office, she found Iroh sitting at his desk with piles and piles of papers. He looked angry.
"Picnic?" She asked as she leaned against his door post. Iroh looked up from his desk and smiled as soon as his eyes laid on Asami. He sat back in his chair smirking.
"I'd love that."
Iroh and Asami were sitting on a blanket underneath a tree, on a cool grassy hill.
"This is just what I've needed." Iroh said as he leaned back on his elbows. His head was tilted back, with his eyes closed and facing the sky, as if absorbing the sunlight.
Asami watched him and smiled. "How has work been?"
Iroh sighed and then lay back on the blanket. "Busy." He sighed.
"Tell me." Asami said as crawled to his side and curled up next to him. Iroh smiled and wrapped an arm around her as she laid her head on his chest.
"Well, it's been meeting after meeting, then another sector asked us to send them some extra men to their base in the Erath Kingdom, but I'm already tight on men as it is." After Iroh finished going on and on about his busy day, he let out a long breath.
Asami sat up and hovered above him. She kissed his lips lightly and said, "I'm sorry you've been so busy, but I know you'll be able to handle this."
Iroh smiled at her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Thank you." He said. Then he lifted his head up and kissed her a little more passionately. They were both enjoying the moment when they heard, someone cough. Oh right they were still on the base.
They both immediately sat up to see a cadet looking rather uncomfortable. "Uhm... sir, there is a phone call from the city council requesting your presence at the Avatars speech tomorrow."
Iroh coughed and said "Uh yes tell them I will gladly be there."
"Yes sir." The cadet replied. Then he ran off.
Asami blushed as she started to clean up the food. Iroh smirked and started to help her clean up.
"Will you be at Korra's speech tomorrow?" Iroh asked as he folded up the blanket.
"I wish. They asked me to be there because they wanted everyone who helped in the efforts against Amon. But I have a big meeting tomorrow, so I can't make it." Asami answered. It was going to be the two year anniversary of the defeat of Amon and Korra was giving a big speech about equality and peace between benders and non-benders.
"Well, I'll let you know how it goes." He said as they finished cleaning up. He leaned down to Asami and gave her a kiss.
The next day Asami had just finished her long meeting and went back to her office. She sighed and sat down at her desk. That meeting seemed to have taken forever. Now she had papers to organize. Asami started sorting when she heard a light knock at the door. Asami looked up to see Mako in his full cop uniform, standing in her doorway.
Asami sat up a little. "Mako?" What are you doing here?" She asked.
Mako stepped farther into the office. Asami noticed that he looked a little pale.
"I just came from Korra's speech." Mako answered.
"Oh how'd it go?"
Asami noticed that Mako looked extremely uncomfortable. He swallowed what seemed like to be a big lump in his throat.
"Mako, what's wrong?" Asami asked as she got out of her chair and walked up to him.
"Asami… "Mako whispered.
"What is it?" Asami asked as she stepped closer to him.
"There was… there was an… an assassination attempt on Korra. Someone tried to shoot her."
"What?" Asami gasped. "Spirits, is she ok? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with her?" Asami asked frantically.
Mako swallowed another lump. "She's fine. Someone jumped in front of her to protect her."
"Oh thank the spirits." Asami sighed. "Who jumped in front of her?"
Mako placed both of his hands, firmly on Asami's shoulders. Asami looked up at him confused.
"…Iroh."
A/N: Duhn Duhn Duhn!
Well I've started school and have been so so busy. Sorry I havent updated in forever. Hope You guys liked this chapter. Let me know what you think! Criticisim is always welcome. Thanks!
