-A month later-

I grumbled to myself as I was imprisoned by chains, "You better get here soon.", thinking of Zuko, knowing that he is the Blue Spirit. It's one secret I know of, and am delighted to keep it hidden. I couldn't believe that Zhao got me and Aang since I had shown my bending skills. Strangely for quite a while, I was ill here and there, way before 'The Storm' that has infected Sokka and Katara now with a illness. Aang figured that it was something mildly harmless to myself since I never had any fever or vomit-ups.

Aang was next door, similarly chained like me. I sighed, then I heard a thud outside the door, and it opened to reveal the Blue Spirit aka Zuko. I smiled widely, " Blue Spirit, about time you got here!". Aang was behind him, and asked, "You know him?".

"Let's say we save each other's lives in situations like this, and we became partners in a strange way, yet it works.". I responded casually as Zuko effortlessly cut my chains, and I got down on the ground gracefully. I grinned to Zuko and Aang, "Let's get out of here, guys! You know a way out, Spirit?".

Zuko subtly nodded and gestured for us to follow. "He doesn't speak much, does he?". Aang whispered, and I smiled, "It's his choice. He prefers to be silent.". We quickly followed Zuko, but unfortunately, we were soon seen by the fortress, and we all battled to get out of the place, helping each other all the way. When Zuko did the neck sword trick, I pretended to be scared yet I whispered to Aang, "It's a feint to fool Zhao.".

Suddenly an arrow hit the side of Zuko's mask, knocking him out, and I looked around quickly, stirring up dust and picked Zuko up, gesturing to a shocked Aang to follow me, and we left the fortress, hopefully never seeing it in a long time after this, and making it deep into the forest. I rested Zuko down, pulling the mask off him, smiling softly as I rested my hand on his cheek, hearing Aang's gasp.

I murmured, "Get to the others, Aang. I'll stay with him.". I heard a rustle then a hop into a tree, presuming that he has left us, using the trees to head back to the swamp to get more frozen frogs to cure Sokka and Katara. I continued looking at Zuko, moving into a position aside Zuko, nuzzling into his arm warmly and lovingly as I kissed him on the scarred cheek.

"I'll see you in the morning, Zuko.". I whispered as I rested my head upon his shoulder, and went to sleep.

-A few hours later- (Zuko's P.O.V.)

I groaned lightly as I opened my eyes blearily to the sunlight peeking through several trees, blinking as I realized that I was in the forest. I felt a weight into my side, and I looked over, my confused frown becoming a surprised smile as I stared at a sleeping Reed, her skin getting a bit tan, and her blue-black hair curly and tickling my neck, and her soft hands curled into my shirt, looking like a beautiful angel.

I gulped, and kissed her full on the lips, hoping to wake her properly, not wanting to scare her off, and hearing a light moan as her lips smiled and returned the kiss back as her sparkling almond brown eyes opened lightly, blinking as I pulled back. Reed grinned, "I knew you were real. You okay?".

I smiled, "Just a bump on the head, I'm sure. I'll live, thanks to my hardheadedness. Is that even a word?". Reed giggled heartily, and I looked at her contentedly, smiling. She replied, "Yes, it's a word, Zuko.". She gingerly got up, giving me a hand to get me up, and I took it happily. I looked over to see my mask. "Did he see?".

Reed said, "Aang already knows about us, but not about the Blue Spirit identify until now. He left last night, after I told him that I was staying with you. He didn't say anything, but I think he accepted it.". I nodded, recognizing that her answer is 'yes' to my question. I thoughtfully frowned, "Uncle will be worried about me if I stay too long. Are you coming with me, or do you intent to return to your new company?".

Reed sadly replied, "I gotta go back to them. No offence, but with our relationship, it's too dangerous with you, and I am safe as I am with Aang and the others.". I smiled gently, "I understand, but do you have time before you go?". Reed's smile grew into a smirk, "I believe so, Zuko.", then kissed me with fervor. I returned it with interest, and we were together for 15 minutes or so, I think, before we had to leave our separate ways. Reed called it, 'snogging'. We promised to see each other again in time, and with bittersweet hugs, I headed back to the ship, packing the mask into my sword bag, while Reed headed back to her other new friends. Fate doesn't hate me, I think.