Chapter 25 – Welcome home Teo, Mia and Aang

"I can't believe it! We're going home!"

Aang, Teo and Mia sat in the same compartment on the train ride home. They had a one week holiday and since Mia's parents are overseas, she would have to spend it at Teo's home.

"It's like we've been away for ever!"

"I know Aang, I know."

"I can't wait to see your dad Teo. Isn't he working on some new project?"

"Yeah Mia, some form of plastic explosives, that's easy to make and easy to ignite."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Not really Aang, I think he's just tired of stuck locks, just add little bit of gunk and bam, the lock will be gone."

"And spend another 60 bucks on a new lock."

"......well, it's my dad, what are you going to do?"

Aang let out a huge sigh and stretched his legs. "Ugh, anyway, it's nice to just talk for a change. Instead of a letting everything get awkward."

Teo and Mia exchanged glances. "Aang, what are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about you two."

Mia gave a confused look and Teo said, "Aang, I don't understand..."

"I'm happy for you guys. It's just when you guys get 'intense', you just look into each other's eyes, and you forget I'm there."

Tears fell from Mia's cheek. Teo sighed, "Hey man, we're still your best friends, nothing's changed. Why didn't you tell us this before?"

Aang grinned, "If I knew better, I would have told you guys sooner. But I was so engrossed with Katara....."

Aang fazed out. Mia stopped crying silently and looked up, "Aang? Are you ok?"

Aang grinned faltered, "I think Zuko's in love with Katara."

Teo sprayed juice (out the window) while Mia fell into a 'WTF' sort of face.

"WHAT??" They both shouted.

"How can this be? Zuko knows you like Katara!"

"I don't believe it!"

"Maybe it's just another infatuation or something."

"I don't BELIEVE IT!!!"

Aang sighed, 'They still act like this, screaming together, but always giving time so that one of the other can say what they want first. I never knew how they do really are close.'

Mia laid back against her seat and stared out the window, "This term was really something huh?"

Teo sighed and looked at Aang, "You've said it. Jet, Haru, Basketball, exams but you know what? I really enjoyed it. Hanging out with my best guys....what Mia?"

Mia turned and raised her eyebrows, "Best guys?" she said with a loopsided grin.

Teo laughed and kissed her cheek, "I mean, my best bud and the hottest girl I've ever met."

Mia laughed and pretended to swat him. Aang groaned comically and said, "There you guys go again."

Teo and Mia chucked pillows at him, but they all knew that Aang never actually mind Teo and Mia's relationship in the first place. He was just worried about his own.

Then there was a knock on the door. "Come in!"The trio simultaneously spoke.

The door opened and Sokka and Zuko stood there. Sokka was unusually cheerful, "Hey guys! What about all this 'going home' stuff eh? Why don't we trade addresses so we can all host one big Christmas party or something."

Zuko rolled his eyes, "There's already going to be one stupid."

Sokka laughed, "I know but all the cake, the presents and the mistletoes...."giving Teo a light nudge , "So what Teo? Gonna get Mia under the mistletoe for some making out huh?" Sokka laughed, making kissy noises.

Teo threw a pillow at him, "No, I don't need any excuse to give my girl a smooch," he said while pulling Mia closer and giving her one quick peck on the lips, ignoring her small protests. "But if anyone tries, I'll give them a knuckle sandwich just like I gave Jet," laughed Teo while comically waving his fists in the air.

Aang stared daggers at Zuko while everyone was exchanging addresses. Zuko noticed this from the corner of his eye and pretended not to notice.

Zuko smiled, "Well then Teo, I'll stay away from the mistletoe this year. I've already got a scar on one eye."

"Just waiting to get Katara under there aren't you."

The laughing atmosphere disappeared. Mia and Teo stared at Zuko, then to Aang. Sokka was confused.

"What is he talking about, hey Zuko, what's Aang talking about?"

Zuko looked away, "I have no idea what he's talking about."

"Lies!"

Aang stood up, Mia gasped and Zuko was momentarily stunned.

"You love her don't you Zuko. After breaking her heart, you're just going to play with her again. Well she doesn't need you. She has me."

Zuko froze, so Aang did know about it. He tried to keep it a low profile to avoid an argument like this. But he should have known. When is came to Katara, Aang's as sharp as a tick.

"I see the way you look at her Zuzu," Aang snarled, using Azula's pet name for Zuko, "don't think I don't know it. That's how I...look at her."

Teo and Mia exchanged glances. This isn't good....

"I want you to STAY AWAY FROM HER. And STAY AWAY FROM ME! Got it?" Aang shouted as the train pulled into the station.

Mia jumped up and laid a careful arm on Aang's shoulder, "Hey Aang, cool it. We're here. The 'parentals' are coming this way."

Aang shook Mia's hand off and gave Zuko such a look of dislike that it scared him. "Yeah, come on guys," Aang hissed as he spotted his Uncle Gyatso running towards the train.

Zuko sighed as Teo, Mia and Aang ran out of the compartment, Mia throwing Zuko a sympathized look. Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, 'This cannot be happening."

"Zuko?"

Zuko turned around and saw a steaming Sokka, clenching his fists, "What the hell is Aang talking about man?"

"Poor Zuko."

"You're going to take his side are you Mia?"

"That's not true Aang!"

"But Aang what you did was harsh, think of what Sokka's doing right now to Zuko!"

"Shut up Teo."

"But Aang..."

"I said SHUT UP!"

"What happened?"

The trio looked up to see Uncle Gyatso, looking back at them from the front seat. He promised the Mechanist that he'll drive all of them home today. "What happened with Zuko?"

"Nothing Uncle."

"That doesn't seem like nothing."

There was an awkward silence and Teo, Mia and Aang were looking everywhere but at each other.

"Anyway Aang it's good to have you home. Appa's been chewing the pillows and Momo's been scratching the pillows. What have my pillows ever done to them?"

"Momo's a cat uncle, he needs to scratch something. And Appa needs to be walked two hours a day, he is a dog."

"Alright, alright. You and your animals. Well here we are Teo, Mia. I'll drop you guys off now."

The car pulled up at the large red, bungalow. Teo smiled and Mia helped him out of the car. Uncle Gyatso rolled down the window, "Remember, we'll be around 7 o'clock tonight to have dinner. Don't you kids snack before that."

Mia smiled, Uncle Gyatso always told them this. After eating a whole tin of cookies and then throwing up on his china, he has never let the forget. "Don't worry Uncle Gyatso. We'll keep our stomachs empty."

The car drove away and Mia turned around. Teo was staring at the house. "Where's you dad Teo?"

"I don't know. He promised he'll be here."

"Well he must be in his workshop working. Let's go in first and clean up,unpack. Then we can go look for your dad."

Teo strained his ears and listened. There seem to be a rustling sound from the shed in the backyard, followed by a small 'boom'. "It's ok Mia. I hear him. He's still in the shed."

Teo smiled and wheeled up to the porch. He lifted the doormat and grabbed the key underneath. He opened the door to let Mia in and followed suit.

"Hey Mia! What are you doing?"

"Making hot chocolate, you want some?"

"Sure, I'll love some."

Teo wheeled into the lift that was installed when he was small. The whole house was filled with them, even his treehouse had one.

He wheeled out of the lift when it touched the ground floor and wheeled towards the kitchen. He smiled. Mia was wearing a brown turtle-neck sweater with grey trousers. Her hair, as usual was pulled into her usual ponytail. Soft sparkling, sapphire earrings hung on each earlobe.

Teo wheeled in closer, quietly slipping his hands around her waist and pulled her down. Mia shrieked and laughed as then there was a splash and Teo was covered in water.

"I told you I was making hot chocolate."

"Yeah lucky the water wasn't hot."

"I was just about to boil it."

Mia giggled as Teo laid soft kisses on her neck. She wriggled her way out of Teo's grip and stood up, dusting herself. Then she ruffled his hair, "Go look for your father Teo. I'll get some chocolate ready."

"Yes ma'am."

Teo wheeled towards the backyard, only to find it completely covered in a blanket of snow, the pathway to the shed had not been cleared. Teo sighed and wheeled back in. "The backyard's snowed in. Let's hope Dad has a shovel."

Mia grabbed two cups of hot chocolate and followed Teo to sit on couch. While snuggling up to him she said, "Well it's not like your dad to be late. Still, you know your father better than I do. Hope he's ok ."

"Lets eat."

"Shouldn't we wait for The Mechanist?"

"No, Dad knows when dinnertime is. It's his fault that he's late."

"Still...."

"Dibs on the vegetables!"

Aang lunged at the salad taking as much as he wants. Mia grabbed the bowl, "You stupid vegetarian. Wait for The Mechanist!"

"Like I said, Dad..."

"I know Teo but Mia's right. We should wait for him."

"But the backyard's...."

Mia laid a hand on Teo's shoulder. Then shoved the salad bowl at him, "Man the bowl. I'll go outside."

Mia grabbed a shovel and ran outside, shovelling as fast as she could. The snow was really thick, how irresponsible for The Mechanist to not shovel everyday. He could have been snowed in and this time, no one will be there to help him. When she reached the door, she tapped softly. " Mr Hastings?" Mia grabbed the handle and turned it, "Mr Hastings, everyone's waiting....."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Aang! Wait for my dad!"

"No! I'm starving!"

"Wait already you idiot! It's not my fault you only eat rabbit food!"

"Just give me the frigging bowl!"

"TEO!"

Teo looked up while Aang snatched the bowl triumphantly, Mia ran into the house, red and crying.

"Your dad...he's...."

A/N OMG What happened to Teo's dad? Why, Why, Why, Why, Why, Why, Why would I do something like this?????