I just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't abandoned this story, nor do I intend to. The next chapter, which is focused on Zuko, is already written. I just need to find the time to edit it.
In order to assure people that the next chapter is indeed coming (and because ff has a rule about authors posting stand-alone notes), here's an excerpt.
Sure enough, Ling's bottom lip began to quiver, and Zuko felt an answering quiver in his stomach. He hated crying women. He hadn't seen many of them as a child (Azula was not inclined to tears) and had never quite developed the knack for dealing with them. Once or twice, he had seen Ty Lee or Katara cry – with joy, with anger, with sadness – and the experience had invariably left him with the desire to retreat. He had tried to comfort Katara, once. At the time, it had seemed like a good idea.
Half an hour later, and he still hadn't finished melting the ice from his feet and hands, but she was no longer crying, so he figured it had been a success. Success or no, he had not been inclined to repeat the experience.
bibphile, who left me an awesome review in the previous chapter, had some questions about chronology. It's probably been between six and eight months since Ozai's defeat, and a little longer than that since Zuko left to join Aang. And yes, Tom-Tom probably should be talking by now. Er, maybe he's been too busy exploring the joys of mobility to learn? I'll be the first to admit that my timeline got a bit screwy in this one – sorry, guys.