Two days passed quickly; part of that was due to the fact that I was constantly doing something. Uncle Iroh showed me exactly how to brew tea with the pots available in their world. It was really fun, and he was especially when I produced a pot that tasted good.

I trained in the garden with Katara and Aang, sometimes for hours at a time. After learning the water whip, Katara thought it best to show me some healing techniques. I didn't catch onto those as quickly as I did the combative skills, but I still learned very quickly. Both of my teachers were very pleased.

Ty Lee tried to teach me to cartwheel in front of Iroh's teashop, but it didn't turn out that well. One thing that definitely stuck with me in this world was my lack of balance. It's doubtful that it would improve on my hands as opposed to my feet. Toph didn't really help me too much; she entertained herself during my cart wheeling lessons by bending the earth as I tried to alternate between my hands and feet. Needless to say, my ass got a lot of ground time.

It was early afternoon on the day that Sokka and Suki were supposed to arrive, bringing the Fire Lord and his melancholy girlfriend as well. Apparently, Mai had started living in the palace with Zuko (though the two took to separate rooms). It was considered somewhat scandalous, but then again, the world was changing. Obviously some traditions would change.

Iroh had closed the tea shop for the day in anticipation of his nephew's arrival, and we had all taken to lounging on the front steps. Ty Lee was playing with my hair again, alternating between a pony tail to a bun to pigtails and then back to the pony tail. Aang and Katara were playing a game of Pai Sho with Iroh acting as referee; Toph was lying on her stomach, flicking pebbles out into the road at anyone who went past.

"What's taking them so long?" The blind earthbender sounded annoyed. She flicked a pebble out into the road as small raindrops began to fall. There was an awning keeping us dry.

Katara glanced at the sky and then turned back to her game against Aang. "They're probably flying slowly because of the weather; I'm sure they'll be here soon."

As if on cue a carriage came into view, pulling up to the tea shop. Ty Lee quickly tied my hair up in a pony tail using a pink ribbon before jumping to her feet; she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet excitedly.

We all stood as the carriage came to a stop. The door opened and Sokka was the first to come out. Suki followed behind him, though the two didn't appear very happy and quickly separated from one another. I heard Katara sigh with an "Uh-oh." That was going to be a fun fight.

Zuko came out next, stopping beside the door and holding his hand out to help Mai; she scowled lightly at him for the act, but obliged, taking his hand as she got out of the carriage. Zuko smiled a little at the knife thrower before turning toward us. Uncle Iroh came down the stairs and met the young Fire Lord and they embraced. "It's good to see you nephew!"

Zuko smiled as he patted his uncle's back. "It's good to see you too Uncle," he said as the older man released him. "We've brought a new friend with us."

He turned toward the carriage where a young man was stepping out; he was dressed in simple fire nation clothing, black pants and a black sleeveless tunic. His skin was lightly toned, like he had spent a day sitting on the beach.

I froze when he looked up; his dark blond hair was shaggy and he had to shake his head to get it out of his eyes. His eyes were strikingly blue, like looking into the ocean and seeing golden treasures in the sand below.

I stepped forward, my stomach churning. The rain was beginning to come down harder, so the new arrivals began to move toward the tea shop. The young man Zuko referred to as a friend finally looked at me. He stopped, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked me over. "K...Kate?" His voice was exactly the way I remembered it from back home.

I shook my head roughly as I looked at him; I couldn't find my voice and was pretty sure that if I opened my mouth to speak I would be sick.

What was he doing here? Of all the people in the world, in ANY world, why did Jake have to show up here?

Zuko came over to us motioning toward the young man before me. "Everyone, this is Jai; he's um…not from around here."

I couldn't take my eyes off him; my disbelief quickly turned to an icy glare. "No, he's not," I said, my hands tightening into fists at my sides. "He's from my world."

Jai shook his head lightly, seeing the anger in my eyes and held a hand out; he obviously knew that I wasn't happy to see him. "Kate, please…"

"My name isn't Kate!" I slammed my hands into his chest roughly. He stumbled back in shock; I bended the rain out of the air and from the puddles on the ground. I pulled enough water to form the water whip, which I quickly used to lash out at Jai. "Not anymore."

Jai stumbled back slightly, but reacted quickly taking up a fighting stance. "Kate, what is wrong with you?"

I lashed out at him again. "Let's see Jake, for the past year of my life, it's been you!"

As I lashed with my water whip, Jai began to respond; he blocked my various attacks using the backs of his wrists. He winced a little with each blow, but he kept his defenses up.

I lashed my whip at his feet, knocking him down. Aang called from the steps. "Mae, what's wrong?"

I heard Katara's voice chime in as I continued my attack. "Why are you attacking him?"

Jai gave me a questioning look as I bended all the water I possibly could. "Because he needs his ass kicked."

I bended all the water I could at him, somehow getting it to freeze around Jai upon contact. And then I ran, wanting nothing more than to get away from him.

I heard my new friends calling after me as they tried to help my former lover out of his icy prison.

Whoo! Hope you liked this one!

Our new guy is Jake who has adopted the Chinese name Jai in the world of A: tlA. The name means "good, fine" or "home, family" in, duh, Chinese. It sort of has a double meaning which will become clearer as the story goes on.

Obviously Mae/Kate doesn't think he's good or fine (though trust me, the man is fine ;)), but it will later turn out that he is a pretty good guy. Dumb, yes, but good overall. The whole 'home/family' meaning of the name was because Jai/Jake reminds Mae/Kate of home and subsequently her family.

I actually feel rather smart because of all these connections! I almost want to do a happy dance!

Anyway, here you go!

R&R!

XXOO

BBTM