Chapter 24

(Family Vacation part 3)

Korra put the phone back on its holder still smiling. Spirits was it good to hear his voice again. She turned to the solider on her left. "Thanks for escorting me to the phone. I was really missing Iroh."

She felt a hand pat her back. "No worries, Princess."

Korra frowned. "I hate that nick name."

The man laughed. "Sorry but I think you're going to be stuck with it. Everyone on the base refers to you by that name."

Korra sighed. "Is it because I look like Princess Yue from the story books? Or because I'm dating Iroh?"

"No…it's because you freak out anytime you're covered in something whether it be mud, food…really anything."

"Oh. That's why. I guess pointing out that I've been covered in blood and maybe person won't let me lose the name will it?"

"No, you will always be fondly referred to as Princess in the Forces. Now let me escort you back to your barracks. I would have to answer to more then one angry General if I let you wander the base lost."

Korra chuckled. "Thanks. I'm still learning the lay out of this place."

.o.

Iroh couldn't fall asleep…again. It didn't make sense, during the day he could nap of hours or not sleep at all and still he found actually sleeping at night impossible and when he did sleep he had nightmares. Iroh sighed he did not want to suffer like his father and Korra had. He knew it was not uncommon to have nightmares after a trauma and, yes, being blown up and dying qualified as a trauma but he still feared the idea of it. He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep again.

Almost upon reflex his hand reached out to find only air. Iroh took a deep breath a let it out slowly. More then once he had found himself reaching out for someone who wasn't there. He glared at the empty space on the bed. It's not supposed to be empty Korra should be there. Iroh shook his head. This was foolish and he knew it. They hadn't even been an official couple for more two months and yet he felt like his bed was empty with out her.

Sitting up, Iroh noted that both his cousins were sleeping soundly. They slept like rocks most nights. He'd never admit it but at that moment he was jealous of them. Grabbing his crutches, Iroh once again went for a walk through the unlit hallways of the manor. He found a balcony that he could see the lights of Republic City from. Sitting on the thick stone railing he looked at the distant glow of the city. He wondered what Korra was doing at the moment. Probably sleeping. Maybe dreaming. Possibly about him?

He groaned and rested his head in his hands. "What's wrong with me?"

"Other than you being up at 2a.m.?" Iroh looked up and saw the spectral form of Karrem. The ghost smiled and leaned against the railing. "You're not sleeping son and you need to. You're body has to heal and grow strong again."

"I know, I just can't sleep most nights and I really haven't been able to since that fight. It's like a fires been lite within me and I can't put it out."

"Is that all? Because I know you slept better in the hospital then here. I don't really have much to do besides watch over you."

"Creepy." Iroh shook his head. "No, that's not all. Don't laugh or take this the wrong way but I feel lonely sleeping by myself in that bed. I miss having Korra constantly around so bad it actually hurts and at night that ache just gets worse."

Karrem put a hand on Iroh's shoulder. "Why would I laugh at that?" His face was sincere. "I watched over you as you grew up. You were such a lonely child, around adults most of the time, your mother, stepdad, and grandfather playing with you when they could but they were busy. You were never really around children your age because of-"

"Because everybody knew but me that I was a bastard and they didn't want that to mix with their own off spring. Don't sugar coat it. I may have not understood it at the time but I grew up not expecting anyone to be close to me or needing anyone close."

Karrem nodded sadly. "Yes, that did play a part I regret to admit. You grew up learning how to be alone and thriving in such conditions. To everyone you were always friendly, polite, and loyal but affectionate? Not really your forte save for those very few select people. You would cringe when non-family members hugged you. Now that I think about it, sleeping at night really wasn't one of your strong suit either. What was it they call you in the Forces? Dragon of the Night?"

Iroh smirked. "It's just a nick name I got after a few missions, nothing special."

"You earned that name by your superior night fighting, ability to stay alert at night, and almost innate celestial navigation skills. You should view that name as a title of honor. Admiral Zehell doesn't give out such a title lightly."

"Sokka taught me celestial navigation when I was little, I've just had a lot of practice with it and the rest." Iroh shrugged. "So I'm a night owl and it paid off on a few mission, it's not that weird."

"It is for a fire bender."

"A fire bender whose father is water tribe the children of the moon?" He gestured to the bright orb in the sky.

"You can't blame all your oddities on me." The ghost shook his head. "Either way that's not why I came to talk to you. So you feel lonely without Korra even though family surrounds you? The few people you actually let be close."

"No…yes…I don't know… during the day I don't feel that lonely and then I'll hear a sound or smell something and it will remind me of Korra…and I'm suddenly only able to think of her…and miss her. What do I do? I have never felt like this before in my entire existence!"

Karrem shook his head. "Calm down, its just love, being in love and feeling the way you do is not a bad thing or something to freak out about. Just because you've never felt anything more then platonic love for another person doesn't mean you're broken." Iroh glanced down at his leg and back at Karrem. The spirit rolled his eyes. "Your feelings for Korra didn't break you a fiery blast did, but we're not talking about that. So what makes Korra different from any other person you've ever met that makes you feel like this? And don't say because she's the avatar because that won't fly you met the other one."

"You already know why don't you?"

"I do, yes, but I'm not the one that needs to figure this out. So what makes Korra different, just start naming things and you eventually come to the right answer."

"Well, I've never met anyone with her hair…that's not even close is it?"

"Correct, you're not even close. Try again. Hint it's not physical. Beautiful women have practically thrown themselves at you. In one case it was literal."

"Hmm, she's not the first person to need me. I have ships of people relaying on me." He sat pondering for a moment deep in thought when he saw a mask hanging from the wall just inside the manor. "It is because she's the only living person I don't wear a mask for?" he looked down at his hands trying to recall the months on Ember Island. "I was just myself around her."

Karrem crossed his arms. "and?"

"And? And what?"

"And what happened when you didn't play the role of the general, prince, or solider. What happened when you were just you?"

"She still wanted me around, hell, she liked me. I told her everything about me, even the men I killed, and she still wanted me to be around. I broke down crying in her room and instead of calling me weak or telling me that my problems were nothing, she comforted me and kissed me. I have never been so honest with another living person ever."

"And she was honest with you, wasn't she?"

"Yeah, she was."

"Another thing that in your life is rare. You could tell her anything and she would still love you, and trust me she does love you. I have Yue's word on that. Reversely she could tell you anything and you would still love her. That is something extremely rare in our world and yet you and she have that bond and now you wonder why when you try to sleep and she's not there you're bothered? How many nights on Ember Island did you actually sleep in your bed alone?"

Iroh thought a moment. "Not many. Maybe twelve?"

"Twelve nights in four months. Hmm, I'm going to say it's become more then just a habit to not sleep alone. Look, you and Korra might only be officially a couple for a few months but you two have been constant companions for over five. You miss her and feel lonely because you are. There's something in you that's telling you that something is not right. She's not lying right beside you and that makes you uncomfortable because if she's not there she could be in danger. That's why you're not sleeping at night Iroh. You don't have shell shock, it just a little bit of love sickness."

"So how do I fix it?"

Karrem shrugged. "Hug a pillow? Tell yourself that in a week she'll be back in your arms? I don't know. The fact is you're love sick and most likely you're going to die love sick. Hopefully of old age, but I don't think these feelings are going to get significantly better in the foreseeable future."

Iroh sighed. "Well dad, that's wasn't exactly helpful for my insomnia but I did learn some things." He looked at the spirit and smiled. "Thanks."

Karrem smiled back. "You're welcome my son. Now go get back to bed before my greatest rival comes looking for you." The ghost cracked his knuckles.

Iroh chuckled. "So the rivalry does live on?"

"Oh once your mother crosses over she will be mine!" he threw his arms up comically. "You hear that Bumi! Enjoy her now! I'll win her back in the end!"

Iroh couldn't help but smile. "Ok… I do not want to be there when all three of you get together." He grabbed his crutches and moved to go back to his room. "Now I know where I get my possessiveness from."

"That would be your mother."

"Yeah uhuh, sure, bye dad nice talking with you." He looked back as the apparition waved and faded away. Still smiling a bit he crutched back in to his room where as before the three others were fast asleep. Setting his crutches against the wall in their usual place Iroh climbed into bed and grabbed one of the unused pillows and held it close. "It's just one more week." He whispered under his breath. "Just seven days and she'll be here." He didn't find the words too calming but his eyelids drooped and he drifted to sleep.

.o.

Bolin laughed devilishly as after having literally gone through every board game in the house the group was now subject to girls' sleepover games like truth or dear and Bolin had just gotten his turn to ask the question. Zuko looked over at his over two grandsons and mouthed his apology. They mouthed 'you owe us' back. Meelo had thankfully already gone to bed before the game spiraled into the madness. Mako grimaced as he took another gulp of the bottle of beer Bumi had dared him to drink. Being of age Mako wasn't a stranger to beer but what ever this stuff was, was vial.

Bolin rubbed his hands together. "Who should I chose?" He looked over at Iroh who for the most part had been relatively ignored by the group. "Iroh truth or dare?"

Iroh knowing that one choice could lead to serious injury on his part chose the other option. "Truth."

Bolin was thoughtful for a moment. "What did you and Korra do on your first date?"

Iroh paused for a moment. "Does having lunch together at the hospital cafeteria count as a date?"

"Were you two in hospital gowns?"

"Yes."

"Then no."

"Then nothing because we haven't actually been on a real date." Iroh actually marveled at the fact that though he and she had spent hours together they had not actually been on a date. They had had picnics but those were always on the grounds of summer home so those really didn't count either.

Bolin looked shocked. "You mean you and her haven't gone out once?"

"When? She never left the grounds of the summer home on Ember Island and I literally went from the hospital to here. Unless you count the less then romantic hours walking to the police outpost and hanging out there for a few hours before the fight a date, haven't gone on one."

Mako looked at the fire. "That's kind of sad cousin. Didn't you two ever leave the grounds?"

"Not once, her safety and recovery were top priority not having a night out on the town. She wasn't ready for that kind stress."

Bolin stood up. "Well we need to fix that. I mean you two can't just leave republic city for who knows how long with out going on a first date. That's crazy!"

Zuko nodded. "Even I have to admit it's a little sad Iroh that you haven't actually been on a date with miss Korra."

Iroh sighed. "Ok fine, but when? I don't exactly have a lot of free time and all next week I'm going off my medication I'm not going to be the best person to take out on night on the town."

"Well why don't you go this Saturday?" Bumi offered. "The girls are already planning on coming up that day and you have a doctor's appointment to get that cast off and the final ok to go off your meds. Sounds like a perfect time for a date."

Iroh crossed his arms. "Fine, Korra should call tomorrow I'll run it by her then."

"Gee, don't die of excitement there Iroh, it's bad for your heart." Bumi commented flatly.

Bolin jumped a little in his seat. "Oh! Oh! Can I go down too? You know have a date with Opal? And Mako you can go out with Asami!"

Iroh looked at Bolin and shook his head. "What is this? Some strange summer camp date night?"

Zuko laughed. "It might be, but I think I would be good for all of you to get out have a fun night…let me have a night of peace and quite."

Iroh frowned. "You just want a day free of grandchildren don't you?"

"I would just like one day free of bickering, complaining, and pranks." He looked over at the cartoonist black mustache currently drawn on Bolin. "And if that means I'm shipping you three down to the city then so be it. I love you all but I need some peace and quite for a little bit." At that moment Mako finally finished the beer and belched loud enough to startle birds. "A lot bit." Zuko corrected.

o.O.o

Aang laughed and gently elbowed Zuko in the ribs. "Getting a little old and tiered Fire Lord?"

"Being the last male member of the team alive," He smirked "I think I'm entitled to act a little old and tiered." He looked over at the other team. "and you three seem to be…quite exhausting. Especially you two." He looked directly at Mako and Bolin.

Iroh chuckled. "And we haven't even gotten to part where the got really annoying."

Bolin looked at Iroh in mock shock. "Us? Annoying? Clearly your memories of the family tripe have been corrupted by all the meds you were on. Mako and I would never dream of annoying our favorite cousin."

Iroh remained deadpan. "I've met your other cousins, it's not hard to be favorite. And for the record my memories of the trip are quite lucid even if I was talking to ghost/hallucination they may have been caused by sleep deprivation. I still know that the three days between truth or dare and Saturday night you two picked up your game. Not sure why."

Mako snickered. "Uh I think we realized that once the girls join up with us we wouldn't get away with anything and you were about to leave so maybe we did and we had to get back at you for that one prank." He looked over at the other team. "Oh those three days were a lot of fun…even if Grandfather doesn't believe we're actually friend-ish…sibling like thing now."

Kattara tilted her head. "What's a friend-ish…sibling like thing?"

Bolin sighed. "It means we act like Iroh's younger brothers that like to annoy him most of the time but can actually be friends too."

"So you act like his younger like his younger brothers?" Kattara asked.

"If they were five-years-old." Iroh commented.

"Hey, it's more like ten-years-old, our ability to annoy is much more advanced then a five year old." Bolin crossed his arms proudly.

"That doesn't make it better."

Bolin rolled his eyes. "Well as fun at this conversation is, can I get through date night before being interrupted again?"

Aang smiled. "I can't make any promises but I will try." He looked around him. "We will try."

Bolin sighed. "Ok, now back to the story…

o.O.o

The next morning Iroh woke up finding his head felt extra heavy. Sitting up he found that someone had glued his pillow to the bandaged side of his face. He groaned and pulled the pillow and bandages off his face. Stepping out of bed he found that his slipper had been filled with pudding. Iroh took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He looked over to the empty beds as he grabbed his crutches.

"You two are so lucky you're not here." He said threw gritted teeth.

He let out a yell when he saw his reflection and that he looked like that he had been the first one to pass out at a frat party. "Ahhh…and I took a shower last night." He looked down at his marker-covered chest. "I hope this is not permanent ink."

The good news was that yes the ink washed off the bad news there was no hot water to use. Still a bit chilly but ink free Iroh crutched down stairs and found Bumi and Tenzin playing a nice quiet game of Pi Sho. The two looked up as he entered the room.

"And how is the crown prince doing today?" Tenzin asked brightly.

"I'm ok. Where's Meelo?"

"Out with the rest of them. Fire Lord Zuko took them on an all day hike through the woods. They should be back before sun down."

Iroh smiled. "Good, now can I ask you two to help me with something completely immature and excessive?"

Bumi smirked. "Sure."

Tenzin looked less confident. "What do you have in mind Iroh?"

Iroh smiled. "Just a prank I learned in the United Forces."

.o.

Mako and Bolin were still laughing to themselves imagining the look on Iroh's face when he saw they had covered him is various phrases and insults as they neared the manor. Zuko looked at them and shook his head. "I know you may find picking on your cousin fun but remember even a wise dragon can strike out at flea if the flea becomes too bothersome."

Bolin paused "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means don't piss off your cousin, he will get even." The old man paused and chuckled. "Or perhaps he already has."

The two brothers looked at each other then gasped as they saw their beds sitting up on top of the roof. Their boxers had been attached to a clothesline and draped around the roof like a banner. Flying over everything was a United Forces flag. Iroh was standing on a balcony smiling, seeing the brother's faces he gave a two fingered salute and crutched back into the house.

Mako looked at his bed unable to think of words for a moment. "How did he get all that stuff on the roof?"

"Better question how are we going to get it down?" Bolin looked over at Zuko. "Hey grandfather can we barrow Druk to get our beds off the roof?"

"You could but…Druk is in the Fire Nation and would take longer to bring here then getting the beds off the roofs yourselves."

Bolin sighed. "I thought you say something like that."

.o.

Mako paced in front of Bolin his fingers drumming against each other like some from of super villain. "Ok brother, tomorrow we reunite with the girls and will have to cease all good hearted gags so I propose that tonight we execute plan X!"

Bolin pouted. "Plan X? Really? That seems kind of mean, he is going on a date with Korra tomorrow shaving his head seems a bit extreme."

"That was plan S, Bo."

"Oh yeah, but really plan X? What if he wakes up? Or…"

"Or what? Come tomorrow he'll be preoccupied with Korra and." He shuttered a bit. "Their date and after that it's the lovely world or withdrawal for the good general."

"But won't Korra get back at us? I mean she did take out an entire ward of a hospital that time."

"Yeah but that's when the Nurse told her that Iroh was going to die and she couldn't be with him which probably wasn't the best way to phrase it. We're not going to murder or injure him just embarrass him." Mako held up a bag. "Come on, this is just good hearted fun and you know you want to."

Bolin looked at the bag and smiled. "Ok! But only because I've always really wanted to do plan X!"

A/N hope you all enjoy, comment if you feel compelled. :) see you later!