Author's note: Sorry it took so long to get this update posted. I've been sick most of the week and not feeling well enough to sit at the computer and write. But here it is (finally). Thanks for being so patient.

And now, back to the 'show'!

Before he had time to recover, the five pirates descended on him like a pack a wolves, and the next thing Zuko knew he was being dragged down an alley. A flash of indignant anger raced through the prince, and he silently cursed Ozai for being so obsessed with ruling the world that he was ignoring the protection of his own cities, letting thugs and scoundrels like these pirates roam freely within the borders of the Fire Nation.

He was still reflecting on these sour thoughts when one of the pirates, a burly fellow twice Zuko's size, slammed the prince head first against a wall, pinning the fire bender's arms helplessly to the middle of his back. As the burst of pain in his skull subsided, Zuko's irritation at his father dissolved into self-disgust; this was really no one's fault but his own, and he mentally kicked himself for running off and-

Unheard by his captors, he gasped under his breath, "I left Aang!"

What had he been thinking? But that was just it, he realized bitterly as he hung his spinning head; he hadn't been thinking. He'd dashed off on an impulse, completely disregarding anything beyond his own selfish desires. Once again, he'd failed.

The ring of steel being pulled loose from a scabbard followed by a vile and heartless cackle brought an abrupt end to Zuko's internal self-lecture.

"It's not everyday I get paid twice fer killing someone," the captain remarked.

Zuko didn't bother with a reply, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way of out his predicament and get back to Aang. He struggled against his captor, but the man only tugged harder on the prince's arms, yanking Zuko around to face the captain and forcing the teen to his knees.

"Not so tough without yer crew, are ya?" the captain taunted, pressing the point of his sword against Zuko's neck.

"You're one to talk!" interjected a young but forceful voice from the end of the alley.

All eyes turned to the dark-haired, red clad boy with a headband, his arms up before him in a basic fire-bending stance. The pirates blinked in surprise for a moment, and then the captain burst out in a bawdy laugh, his crew quickly joining him in his raucous amusement.

Meanwhile, Zuko held his breath, fearing that the pirates would recognize the Avatar. But when the captain waved a dismissive hand, the prince realized they had no idea who they were dealing with and he indulged in a knowing smirk.

"Get rid o' the brat," the captain ordered before turning back to his prize. "As fer you, we can do this th' quick way, er the painful way. Whad'ya think?"

Zuko was still grinning wickedly when he answered, "I think you owe Zhao his money back."

In the next instant, two things happened at once. The pirates who had moved toward Aang per their captain's instructions were suddenly forced to duck for cover to avoid the surprisingly powerful blast of flames launched by their small opponent, while at the same time Zuko blew a breath of fire right into the captain's face.

The reptile bird squawked as it flew away with singed feathers, and the captain staggered back, arms flailing wildly to pat out his burning beard and hair. The brawny pirate holding Zuko relaxed his grip just enough for the fire bender to spring into action. Grabbing the other man by the arms, Zuko swung him headlong into the panicked captain and lept to his own feet.

At the other end of the alley, the two pirates charged with taking out the young newcomer had recovered from the initial shock of being quite literally fired upon, and were now bearing down on the Avatar with weapons drawn, dodging the sporadic blasts coming from his fists. They didn't know they were playing right into his hand, however, and were unpleasantly surprised when the boy dropped down and swung his leg around in a wide arc, shooting flames from his foot.

Leaping haphazardly over the unexpected blaze, they collided with one another in mid air and tumbled to the ground in a heap. Looking up from the fallen pirates, Aang spotted Zuko still fighting the third man he'd been left with, while the other two were starting to recover. One of them was the captain, his sword poised and ready to plunge into the occupied fire bender's spine.

With his back turned to them, Zuko didn't see the oncoming threat, and Aang had only enough time to shout a desperate warning as he rushed forward, fists blazing.

"Behind you!"

Zuko turned just as the sword dove toward him, biting deeply into the flesh of his left arm, which was certainly better than the deathblow he'd have gotten otherwise. But it was still a critical strike, and the wounded prince let out a cry of agony as the blade was pulled free of his arm. The wave of pain that ensued dropped him to his knees.

Meanwhile, Aang continued his forward momentum, throwing fireball after fireball at the men to ward them away from his injured friend before any of them could get another hit in. Within moments, the Avatar was at Zuko's side, pulling the prince back to his feet.

But as soon as Aang's barrage of flames let up, the three pirates immediately started closing in on them, while the two sailors that had been taken down a moment before started approaching menacingly as well.

Thus surrounded the two boys turned to face their opponents, standing back to back. Guessing at what the Avatar might be thinking, Zuko whispered a low warning.

"Reveal nothing."

"But-"

"Just do the set you learned last week when I give the signal," Zuko hissed before Aang could protest.

The Avatar nodded grimly…and waited.

Just before the captain lunged forward, Zuko shouted, "Now!"

In a synergy of movement, both fire benders thrust forward with searing flames, one hand after the other keeping their attackers at bay. Then they spun in tandem, kicking out with their feet to form a circle of raging fire around them.

The heat of the blast flung the men back in every direction, throwing them against the alley walls in a chorus of pain and surprise. Their enemies dispatched, Aang looked over at Zuko and gasped when he saw the extent of his friend's cut. The sword looked to have stabbed all the way through and out the other end.

"Your arm!"

"Never mind that," the prince said through gritted teeth, clamping his hand over the wound to staunch the flow of blood. "We need to get out of here," he added as the telltale sound of metal shod boots echoed from the street.

Aang nodded and the two hurried down the alley, away from the approaching soldiers. And when a moment later, the city guard arrived on the scene in response to the reported disturbance, all they found were five slightly singed and very bruised pirates.

Little was said on the way back to the theater, mostly just abrupt discussions on which way they needed to go. And Aang was so worried about Zuko's injury, that he never even thought to ask why the prince had run off in the first place.

Katara had started fretting almost immediately after Iroh arrived without Aang and Zuko, despite the general's assurance that they were fine, and had probably just gotten turned around on their way back. In truth, Iroh was concerned as well, but kept his fears to himself and occupied his time by challenging Sokka to a game of Pai Sho.

But now, as the sun continued its rendezvous with the horizon, and the shadows deepened across the city, everyone was getting extremely worried. Katara was anxiously pacing the length of the room, while Toph sat on the ground with both hands pressed to the floor.

"Would you stop pacing already?" she snapped at Katara. "I'm trying to watch for them but I've only got so much stone to work with here. The rest of the place has wood floors your vibrations are distracting me."

"Sorry, Toph."

Only the sound of Momo's snoring broke the long minute of silence that followed. But then Katara resumed her pacing.

"Maybe someone should go looking for-"

"They're back!" interrupted Toph, getting to her feet and hurrying past Katara to open the door.

Aang didn't get two steps into the room before Katara rushed over and hugged him with relief. But when he tensed uncomfortably in her embrace, she quickly released him and stepped back.

"Where have you been?" she demanded. Then her eyes fell on Zuko, one hand clamped down in a vain effort to staunch the bleeding cut on his upper arm, and she gasped in alarm.

"What happened?" asked Iroh, running over to his nephew who looked close to fainting.

The injured teen didn't say a word as Iroh led him to a soft pallet on the floor and eased him down gently in a sitting position. Katara came over to inspect the wound while Aang answered their questions.

"We ran into a little trouble on the way back," he told them. Then, seeing their expressions of alarm, he hastened to add, "but it was nothing we couldn't handle, and no one recognized me."

"What about Zuko?" inquired Sokka quietly, already guessing the truth.

"That's what got us into trouble," admitted Aang sheepishly.

"Jenzu's coming," Toph announced, recognizing the familiar footsteps approaching.

She let him in before he even had a chance to knock, and the others turned toward him anxiously as he addressed Aang.

"I thought you'd be glad to know that your attackers have been locked away, and will not bother you further," he informed them. "So far, no one believes their story about seeing the prince, but Zian isn't allowing their hearing to be scheduled for another month, just to be certain."

"So Aang and Zuko are safe?" asked Toph uncertainly.

"Yes," the old man assured, "And Katzu will be by shortly with your traveling papers. You will need them as you make your way to the capital. Avatar, if you will come with me, I will take you to your bison so you may see he is well before you leave."

"Thank you, Jenzu," Iroh said gratefully.

Aang hesitated at first, throwing a worried look at Zuko. But Katara was already working on the severe gash, and the Avatar realized that there was nothing he could do but rely on her abilities. With a silent nod of appreciation toward Jenzu, Aang followed him out the door.

Once they were gone, Toph walked over to where Katara was trying to heal the prince. The blind earth bender couldn't see the cut, or large bruise forming on his forehead, or how pale he was, but she could feel his uneven heartbeat and dropping blood pressure, and she could hear that his breathing was ragged.

"Is he going to be okay?" asked the blind girl awkwardly.

"It's a deep cut, and he's lost a lot of blood," Katara answered with unmasked concern as she worked on the laceration with her bending. "I need more water…"

Sokka was on his feet in an instant and heading for the washroom. "I'm on it."

"Katara, I think you better lay him down," warned Toph, "'cause he's about to-"

She didn't get a chance to finish before Zuko slumped forward into unconsciousness.

"Faint."

Zian was waiting for Aang and Jenzu when they arrived at the corral where Appa was being held, the posted guards fast asleep. As he led the Avatar into the pen, he apologized quietly.

"I'm afraid you don't have much time," he said, hanging back a good distance from the mammoth beast. "The sleeping draught I slipped them will wear off soon."

"And you promise he'll be safe?" asked Aang, his voice filled with misgivings as he rubbed the shaggy bison's head, much to Appa's delight.

"I'll be personally overseeing his transfer to the capital," Zian vowed earnestly, "no harm will come to him."

Aang nodded solemnly and walked back over Zian. "Then in that case, you two should be properly introduced."

The captain of the guard balked a bit as Appa ambled over to within a hair's breadth of him, but he cautiously reached out and rubbed the huge, furry head. The bison let out a grunt of approval, and Aang couldn't help but smile.

If Appa trusted this man, then so would Aang.