Days later, they left the shelter and traveled west on the ostrich horse. After a while, Iroh began grunting in pain.

"Are you okay?" asked Chiara.

"I'm fine," he groaned.

"Maybe we should make camp," said Zuko.

"No, please," said Iroh. "Don't stop just for me."

He groaned even more dramatically, so Zuko stopped. Chiara helped Iroh down, and as he was rubbing his chest and shoulder, she was just about to check his injury, but the ostrich horse reacted to something.

"What now?" asked Iroh as Zuko took a defensive stance.

Several men on komodo rhinos suddenly appeared and surrounded them. Chiara sighed as she recognized the men.

"Colonel Mongke," said Iroh as he put his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "What a pleasant surprise."

"If you're surprised we're here, then the Dragon of the West has lost a few steps."

Each of the men prepared their weapons.

"You know these guys?" asked Zuko.

"Sure," said Iroh. "Colonel Mongke and the Rough Rhinos are legendary. Each one is a different kind of weapons specialist. They are also a very capable singing group."

"We're not here to give a concert," said Mongke.

"You might want to think twice about that this time," said Chiara, "or you might upset the spirit of this forest too."

Zuko laughed to himself, but Mongke looked agitated when he realized what she said.

"We're here to apprehend fugitives," he said deeply. "And you won't get away this time."

"Would you like some tea first?" asked Iroh. "I'd love some. How about you, Kahchi? I make you as a jasmine man. Am I right?"

"Enough stalling!" said Mongke. "Round 'em up!"

The men began wielding their weapons, and then Ogodei threw his chains toward Iroh who kicked them sending them around the leg of Kahchi's rhino. Chiara had drawn her sword diverting Vachir's arrow as Iroh rolled over to Kahchi's rhino and slapped it. It took off with the chain wrapped around its leg pulling Ogodei with it. Chiara diverted another arrow with her sword preventing Zuko from being struck, and then he sent fire towards the archer. Mongke began throwing fire at Iroh who continued blocking it until Zuko jumped up on the rhino and attacked Mongke throwing him off. Iroh and Chiara ran towards the ostrich horse and jumped on, Chiara at the reins, and Zuko jumped on behind Iroh as they passed him. Yeh-Lu began pursuing them and threw an explosive ahead of them, but Chiara continued riding through the explosion without stopping.

"It's nice to see old friends," said Iroh as they rode.

"Too bad you don't have any old friends that don't want to attack you!" yelled Zuko.

"Hmm," said Iroh thoughtfully. "Old friends that don't want to attack me..."

They continued riding west as fast as they could, Chiara going where Iroh directed her. As the sun was going down they eventually arrived at Misty Palms Oasis where they followed Iroh into a tavern.

"No one here's going to help us," said Zuko as they were sitting at a table. "These people just look like filthy wanderers."

"So do we," said Iroh as he was scanning the room. "Aah. This is interesting. I think I found our friend."

They looked and saw a man sitting at a Pai Sho table. Chiara smiled at Iroh as he stood up.

"You brought us here to gamble on Pai Sho?" asked Zuko.

"I don't think this is a gamble."

They walked over to the table.

"May I have this game?" asked Iroh.

"The guest has the first move," the man responded.

Iroh sat down and placed a white lotus tile in the center of the board.

"I see you favor the white lotus gambit," said the man. "Not many still cling to the ancient ways."

"Those who do can always find a friend," responded Iroh.

"Then let us play."

They began taking turns placing their tiles on the board. Zuko pulled a chair over for Chiara and then himself, and they sat down and watched. By the time they finished, the tiles formed the shape of a lotus flower.

"Welcome brother," said Fung. "The white lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets."

"What are you old gasbags talking about?" asked Zuko.

Chiara placed her hand on his as she looked at him and shook her head.

"I always tried to tell you that Pai Sho is more than just a game," said Iroh.

"It's over!" said a large man who was walking towards them with another man. "You three fugitives are coming with me."

They all turned and looked at the two men. Chiara was sure she recognized the man speaking, but she could not place him. Fung had quickly stood up and walked between Iroh and the two men.

"I knew it," he said. "You three are wanted criminals with giant bounties on your heads."

"I thought you said he would help," whispered Zuko angrily to Iroh as he moved Chiara behind him.

"He is," said Iroh, placing his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Just watch."

"You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?" Fung said loudly to the two bounty hunters.

"Gold?" said another voice in the tavern.

Everybody looked up.

"Uh...maybe we shouldn't," said the other bounty hunter.

The large one took a step towards Iroh, but two men jumped in his way. Suddenly, a fight broke out and Zuko grabbed Chiara's hand and they followed Iroh and Fung who led them out of the tavern and into a flower shop.

"It is an honor to welcome such a high ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus," said Fung to Iroh. "Being a grand master you must know so many secrets."

Iroh smiled.

"Now that you played Pai Sho are you going to do some flower arranging or is someone in this club going to offer some real help?" asked Zuko impatiently.

Chiara placed her hand on his arm.

"You must forgive my nephew," said Iroh. "He is not an initiate and has little appreciation for the cryptic arts."

Fung knocked on a door at the back of the shop.

"Who knocks at the garden gate?" asked another man behind the door.

"One who has eaten the fruits and tasted its mysteries," answered Iroh.

The door opened and Iroh and Fung entered. Zuko went to follow them, but Chiara pulled him back as they shut the door. He was about to say something to her about it, but Iroh spoke.

"I'm afraid its members only," said Iroh through the door. "Wait out here."

"What is going on?" Zuko asked Chiara.

"The General made some important friends during our year of traveling," she said. "Just trust him."

She sat down while Zuko paced back and forth.

"Earth Rumble!" she said suddenly, causing him to stop his pacing and look at her.

"What?"

"The big guy in the tavern," she said. "He was one of the competitors at Earth Rumble in Gaoling. I knew his voice sounded familiar."

Zuko remembered her telling him about the earthbending tournament years ago when she returned from her travels with Iroh.

"Looks like he had a change of profession," he said as he sat down next to her.

Hours went by as they sat and waited, and both of them had fallen asleep. When Iroh finally came out, Zuko had jumped up ready to fight.

"What's going on?" he asked. "Is the club meeting over?"

"Everything is taken care of," said Iroh. "We're heading to Ba Sing Se."

"Ba Sing Se?" asked Zuko surprised. "Why would we go to the Earth Kingdom capital?"

"The city is filled with refugees," said Fung. "No one will notice three more."

"We can hide in plain sight there," said Iroh. "And it's the safest place in the world from the Fire Nation. Even I couldn't break through to the city."

The main door to the shop opened, and a young man, Peng, entered. "I have the passports for our guests, but there are two men out on the street looking for them."

They looked outside and saw the two bounty hunters from the tavern.

"I have an idea," said Fung. "Follow me."

They followed him to a room filled with flower pots.

"We can transport you in these until you're out of danger," he said pointing to two large pots.

Zuko and Chiara looked at each other. They both felt apprehensive about being crammed into a pot together for an unknown period of time. Two were placed on a cart, and Chiara walked over to Iroh and held his arm as he started climbing into his pot.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked as she was worried about his injury.

"I'm quite sure I'll be better in here than out there," he said nodding towards the door.

She turned towards the other pot in which Zuko was now standing. He took her hand and helped her as she climbed in. After removing their swords, they crouched down inside where Zuko took their swords and set them to his left. Flowers were place over the top to hide them and now they were sitting in near darkness. Chiara tried to take up as little space as possible sitting with her arms wrapped around her legs and her head resting on her knees. Zuko, whose legs were longer, could not get comfortable and kept shifting. Finally, he took her hand.

"Come here."

He pulled her towards him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. "Lean against me."

She relaxed against him and rested her head against his right shoulder and her hand over his heart.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked.

"I don't think that's possible."

Except for his cramped legs, he enjoyed the feeling of her warm body pressing against his. He started caressing her arm that lay over his chest. He had been wanting to talk to her ever since they were taking care of Iroh, but it did not seem like the right time then as they were worried about his recovery. And now that they were alone together, they could not risk conversing and blowing their cover.

The large flower pots were wheeled out the door. Having grown up in the Fire Nation, Chiara was accustomed to the heat more than most Water Tribesman, but Zuko's body was so warm, and combined with the heat inside the pot, it grew a bit overwhelming for her.

After a while, Zuko thought she was feeling warmer than she should have.

"Chiara," he whispered.

She did not respond.

"Chiara," he whispered again as he touched her face.

She still did not respond, and his worry increased. He shifted some and checked her pulse, feeling relieved that her heart was beating. He reached for a water skin and took off the top, and pouring some onto his hand he tried to wet her forehead and cheek.

"Chiara, please wake up," he whispered.

Suddenly, to his relief, she moved. "My firebender is so warm," she said softly sounding half-asleep.

His heart skipped a few beats at the thought that he was her firebender. "And-and so are you," he said reining in his thoughts. "Drink some water."

She struggled to sit up. He produced the smallest of flames in order to provide just enough light for her, but he could see that her face was flushed.

"Here, drink," he said. "You need water."

She took the skin, drank some water, and then held it out to him.

"Drink more."

She obeyed. He closed the top and took it from her.

"You should drink some too," she said, her mind somewhat hazy.

"I'm fine. I can tolerate the heat better than you."

She slowly and carefully shifted her body to lean against the wall of the vase, and Zuko, too, slowly shifted his body trying to get comfortable.

It seemed like forever before the flower cover was finally removed and light poured in on them. Zuko moved to shield his eyes, but he also immediately went into alert mode in case they had been discovered by the bounty hunters.

"You can come out now," said Peng.

"Chiara," he said softly as he put his hand on her back.

She did not move, so he moved some strands of hair from her face.

"Chiara," he said again. "We're here."

Her mind was still hazy, but she slowly sat up. Zuko stood up and helped her, but they both suffered from a great deal of pain and stiffness in their legs, and Chiara felt dizzy. Her face was still flushed, and Zuko did not think she looked well, so he kept one hand on her back, and he held her hand so she could climb out first as Peng helped her from the outside.

"Thank you," she said in a weak voice.

Suddenly, she started collapsing, but Peng caught her and gently laid her down.

"Chiara!" said Zuko as he tried quickly to get to her, though his legs were not moving as fast as he wanted them to.

"What happened to her?" asked Iroh as other men were helping him out of his pot.

He also had some trouble standing, and it took some time for his blood to flow more freely.

"She's overheated," said Zuko now kneeling by her side.

He poured water over her head and was wetting her skin trying to bring down her temperature.

"Here's more water," said one of the other men handing Iroh a water skin.

Zuko had flashbacks of her in his ship's infirmary.

"Come on, Chiara, wake up," he said softly as he caressed her face.

Her eyes opened. "You look worried," she said in a low, hoarse voice.

"I am worried."

She started sitting up with their help.

"And you were worried that I wouldn't be okay," said Iroh.

"I don't like the desert," she said softly.

Zuko smiled. "That's why we're trying to get out of it."

Her cheeks were still pink, and Zuko and Iroh were still worried about her. Zuko gave her some water, and then she stood up with their help.

"We've arranged transportation to the port where a ferry will take you to Ba Sing Se," said Peng. "I hope you have a safe journey."

"Thank you," said Iroh.

Chiara bowed to him. "Thank you for all your help."

Zuko did the same.

When they arrived at the port, they set sail on the ferry towards Ba Sing Se. After standing in line for food, Zuko and Chiara took their bowls and stood at the rail looking out over the water.

"How are you feeling?" Zuko asked her.

"Better," she answered. "This breeze feels good. It's like being back on the ship again."

Zuko considered her words. Even if he closed his eyes it could never feel to him like he was on his ship. On his ship it was just his crew and Uncle and Chiara, not groups of refugees and strangers. On his ship he was in charge, not some Earth Kingdom captain. On his ship he was free to go where he pleased (outside of the Fire Nation), not being forced to take refuge in a foreign land. On his ship there was always hope of finding the Avatar and returning home with his honor; now that hope was gone, and he had no home.

Iroh walked up and stood on the other side of Chiara and he, too, looked out over the water.

"Who would've thought after all these years I'd return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace...," he started in a thoughtful tone. "...as a tourist?" he finished cheerfully.

"Look around," said Zuko. "We're not tourists; we're refugees." He took a sip of his soup and then spit it out. "Ugh! I'm sick of eating rotten food and sleeping in the dirt. I'm tired of living like this."

"Aren't we all?" came a voice next to them.

They looked over to see a young man chewing on a wheat stem.

"My name's Jet," he said. "And these are my Freedom Fighters, Smellerbee and Longshot."

"Hey," said Smellerbee while Longshot nodded.

"Hello," said Zuko.

"Here's the deal," said Jet. "I hear the captain's eating like a king while us refugees have to feed off of scraps. Doesn't seem fair, does it?"

"What sort of king is he eating like?" asked Iroh.

"The fat happy kind," answered Jet. He looked at Zuko. "You want to help us liberate some food?"

Zuko looked at his bowl and threw it out into the water. "I'm in."

Later, when the three of them were alone, Chiara looked up at Zuko.

"I don't think you should go with them tonight," she said.

"Why not?"

"Stealing food isn't right."

"It is when we're starving," he said.

"The food may not be good, but we're not starving," she argued.

"I'm tired of feeling hungry all the time."

"You can have my rations," she offered.

"No! You barely eat enough as it is. I'm doing this for you too."

"I don't want you to do this. And if you get caught..."

"I won't get caught."

"You don't know that. The last thing we need is for anyone to identify us," she whispered.

"I'll be stealthy."

Chiara was worried that he was going to start acting as he had done when they were staying in the cave.

That evening Zuko disappeared with Jet and they all returned with food they shared with other passengers. Zuko held out a bowl to Chiara.

"No, thank you."

"You must be hungry," he said.

"I don't eat stolen food," she said softly.

"They have plenty of food up there," he argued. "They won't miss it."

She shook her head.

"But you'll sing for it on the street," he said.

"Singing is more dignified than stealing."

Iroh laughed at their argument. "You will not win that argument, Z...uh, Lee." Iroh looked at Jet's friends. "So...Smellerbee. That's an unusual name for a young man."

"Maybe it's because I'm not a man; I'm a girl." She got up and stormed off.

"Oh," said Iroh. "Now I see. It's a beautiful name for a lovely girl."

Jet walked over and sat down with them. "From what I heard, people eat like this every night in Ba Sing Se. I can't wait to set my eyes on that giant wall."

"It is a magnificent sight," said Iroh.

"So you've been there before?" asked Jet.

"Once," said Iroh, feeling ashamed. "When I was a...different man."

"I've done some things in my past that I'm not proud of," said Jet. "But that's why I'm going to Ba Sing Se, for a new beginning, a second chance."

"That's very noble of you," said Iroh. "I believe people can change their lives if they want to. I believe in second chances."

He and Zuko looked at each other.

Chiara had been fairly quiet most of the trip, and Iroh was feeling concerned about her. As she was looking out over the water, he stood next to her.

"You've been very quiet, Lin," he said. "Are you okay?"

"It seems like so long ago when we were here last."

He placed his arm around her and held her while she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I miss him," she said.

"I know," he said softly. "As do I."

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked.

"I will deal with it. We'll do what we must to stay alive."

Zuko was nearby and heard their conversation. He had forgotten that Chiara had stayed at the Fire Nation camp after Lu Ten's death, and it suddenly hit him how difficult this trip must for both of them.

"How are you feeling?" Chiara asked Iroh as she tenderly touched over his chest.

"Stronger," he answered.

"Any more pain?"

"Not much really."

Late that night, Zuko was asleep on the deck as Iroh stood lost in thought and Chiara was still staring out over the water. Suddenly, above them, Appa flew by. Chiara stood up straight and watched him with wide eyes as Iroh gasped.

"Uncle?" said Zuko tiredly as he looked up at him. "What are you looking at? Is there something out there?"

Iroh looked at Chiara. "Uh...it's nothing," he said. "Go back to sleep."

"Where's Chiara?"

"I'm right here," she said softly.

He looked back at her. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I'm about to," she said.

He lay back down and went to sleep.

The next day, Zuko and Chiara were standing at the rail looking out over the water. They had never discussed their conversation before he left her and Iroh, and he had not forgotten her words to him. He finally decided to talk to her about it.

"Back at the cave," he started, "did you...did you mean what you said?"

"Yes," she answered to his excitement. "I'm not eating stolen food."

He was not expecting her response. "No...that's not what I meant..."

"I know what you meant." She looked down. "I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."

"You know I've loved you as long as I can remember," he said softly as he took her hand in his.

Tears came to her eyes.

"I will find a way to restore my honor," he whispered, "and I will make you my wife."

The tears fell down her cheeks. "Marrying me will bring you true dishonor."

"There's got to be a way around your family history. I never even heard that before. I think Uncle made it up. I think..."

Jet came up behind them and Zuko stopped talking and Chiara wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"You know, as soon as I saw your scar I knew exactly who you were," said Jet.

Zuko and Chiara exchanged looks.

"You're an outcast," said Jet. "Like me. And us outcasts have to stick together. We have to watch each others backs...because no one else will."

"I've realized lately that being on your own isn't always the best path," said Zuko as he looked at Chiara.

She tenderly caressed his hand. "I'm going to check on Father," she said.

She walked away leaving Zuko with Jet.

"Your sister doesn't like me," said Jet.

"She's not my sister; she's...my wife."

"So the old man isn't your dad?"

"He's her father."

"Huh. You two look pretty young to be married."

"We've known each other for...forever. There could never be anyone else."

"She didn't seem too happy with the food last night."

"She would prefer to work for it."

"I'd say it took some work to get it," said Jet.

Zuko laughed.

"I bet she'd eat it if that's all there was," said Jet.

"You don't know Lin. She'd probably starve first...or give it to someone else," he said.

They finally arrived at Ba Sing Se where they stood in the ticket line for the monorail.

"So, Mister Lee, and Lin," said the ticket lady as she looked at their passports, "and Mister...um...Mushy, is it?"

"It's pronounced Mushi," corrected Iroh.

She looked at him. "You telling me how to do my job?"

"Uh...no,no," said Iroh stepping closer to the counter. "But may I just say you're like a flower in bloom. Your beauty's intoxicating."

"Mmmm...you're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, handsome. Grrr," she seductively growled at him. "Welcome to Ba Sing Se."

She stamped their tickets and Iroh took them with a smile. Zuko angrily grabbed his and Chiara's tickets.

"I'm going to forget I saw that," he said as Chiara was stifling laughter.

When they sat down inside the monorail station, Chiara bumped Iroh with her elbow.

"Handsome, eh?"

"It seems I've still got it."

They were laughing while Zuko looked disgusted.

"Yes, you do," she said.

"That's enough from you two," said Zuko.

"Wouldn't you love to have a mother-in-law?" Chiara teased him.

Zuko rolled his eyes as she and Iroh laughed again. Jet walked over and sat down next to him.

"So, you guys got plans once you're inside the city?" he asked.

Before Zuko could answer, a tea vendor passed by. "Get your hot tea here. Finest tea in Ba Sing Se."

Iroh began waving his hand. "Oh, jasmine please." He looked at Chiara. "Tea?"

"No thanks."

The man poured the tea for Iroh and then walked away, but as soon as Iroh took a sip, he spit it out.

"Coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it. What a disgrace."

"Hey," said Jet to Zuko, "can I talk to you for a second?"

Zuko looked at Chiara and sighed before getting up and following Jet.

"You and I have a much better chance of making it in the city if we stick together. You want to join the Freedom Fighters?"

"Thanks," said Zuko, "but I don't think you'd want me in your gang."

"Come on. We made a great team looting that captain's food. Think of all the good we could do for these refugees."

"I said no," said Zuko who walked back to Iroh and Chiara.

"Have it your way," said Jet who just noticed Iroh drinking hot tea.

Zuko saw the tea and he immediately knocked it out of Iroh's hand.

"Hey...," said Iroh.

"What are you doing firebending your tea?" whispered Zuko. "For a wise old man that was a pretty stupid move."

"I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but that's so sad."

When the monorail arrived they went in and found a seat, Chiara sitting between them. Iroh looked to his left to see a young woman with her newborn. He leaned over and smiled.

"What a handsome baby," he said as he tenderly touched her.

She smiled back. "Thank you."

"Oh, she's a newborn," said Chiara as she looked over. "She's so precious. May I hold her?"

The woman smiled and handed the baby to Chiara whose eyes lit up as she cradled the tiny infant in her arms.

"She's so beautiful," she said. "What's her name?"

"Hope," said the woman.

"Aww."

Chiara began softly singing an Earth Kingdom lullaby, and her voice was so beautiful, everyone around them that could hear her became entranced. Zuko looked over at her and could not help but enjoy the sight of her singing to the baby. It soon fell asleep in her arms, and Zuko was impressed by her effect on the infant. He put his left arm around her and with his right hand he tenderly pulled some of her long curls back over her shoulder. He leaned over to Iroh.

"As many as we can, Grandfather," he said softly.

Iroh glared at him, but Chiara softly laughed.

She handed the baby back to its mother. "Thank you," she said.

"Thank you," said the mother as the infant was sound asleep.

"You crazy kids never listen to your parents. You are too impulsive," he said to Zuko. "You have to be ready to take care of your children."

Zuko sat back and laughed to himself.