A/N: I'm traveling and will be away from home for a few weeks, so I hope I didn't miss or forget anything.

The next morning, Zuko and Chiara were up early meditating as the sun was rising, and afterwards, they walked to the river together where she caught a few fish for breakfast. While he was cooking in the courtyard, she walked through the temple garden picking fruit and nuts for Aang.

It was not long before the others were drawn from their sleep by the aroma of the frying fish.

Sokka, seeing Zuko at the fire, rubbed his eyes. "Am I seeing things? Is the Prince of the Fire Nation really cooking breakfast?"

"No, you're still dreaming, Water Tribe," he said. "Go back to bed."

"Hey, with the food smelling that good, I think I'll just stay in this dream for a while until my stomach's full. Then I'll wake up to whatever the women are really cooking."

He found himself suddenly drenched and dripping with a lot of cold water despite the clear sky above him.

"Ahh!" he yelled. "...cold, cold!"

"Huh, guess you're not dreaming," said Katara casually as she walked by him.

"You keep talking like that, you might find yourself rotating over the fire," said Zuko smirking at him.

"Obviously that was a compliment," he said to Katara's back. "How can Zuko possibly be a better cook than my wonderful sister?" Katara ignored him as she was collecting water.

Sokka was just about to go change when he saw Chiara returning with apples, peaches, and nuts.

"Chiara...," he started in a pleasant voice that was sure to be followed by a request. "...you're a waterbender. Do you think you could help me out with a little drying action?"

"He deserved it," said Katara kneeling down by the fire.

"Sorry, Sokka," said Chiara, "this woman has to start making the tea."

Zuko and Katara started laughing, so Sokka walked off dripping wet.

"Wow, what happened to you?" asked Aang seeing the trail of water behind him.

"I complimented the cooks," he said wryly.

Aang had no idea what he meant or how that was related to his being wet, but he walked over to the fire pit where he saw the assortment of fruits and nuts.

"This looks good...," he started. "Oh...wait...am I going to end up like Sokka? Because, if so, it doesn't look good?"

Chiara was giggling. "I think you're safe, Aang."

She threw a peach in the air and smiled as Momo leaped up and caught it. Soon everyone had come out and Sokka had returned in dry clothes and wet hair, and they all ate their fill.

After breakfast, Chiara had collected all the dishes, and she and Katara began cleaning them, but before they finished washing them all, Zuko stood up and took his wife's hand. She knew better than to argue with him.

"Aang, we'll meet you on the balcony," he said anxious to firebend since his encounter with the masters.

Katara huffed as she watched Zuko walk off with Chiara. "He really needs to stop treating her like an object."

"He's just worried about her," said Aang.

"No one here is going to hurt her. He needs to lighten up."

"Says the most uptight person here," said Toph.

Sokka started laughing until he caught Katara's glare, and he was definitely not ready to take another cold shower.

Aang went to the balcony where he and Zuko began his training with simple warm-ups as Chiara exercised with them. When they started practicing firebending sets, Zuko could feel the difference in his command of the fire, and he was thrilled to see the improvement in his firebending. Chiara, noticing the change, stood still and started watching him.

Stopping mid-move he looked at her. "Are you okay?" he asked wondering why she stopped.

"You're amazing," she said sounding awed.

Zuko was touched by her compliment and he relaxed his stance unable to remove his eyes from her as he watched her sit down.

"So you're not practicing with us?" he asked.

"I'm just going to watch," she said. "I can't wait to spar with you."

The skip in his heartbeat made him smile, and the desire to blow off Aang's training so he could spar with his wife was tempting. "I guess we have a date later," he said, mentally cursing his responsibilities.

She softly giggled, as did Aang.

Zuko continued instructing Aang while Chiara was completely captivated watching him firebend as he created and guided his fire with astonishing skill.

"You're doing really well, Aang," she said as she offered him water during their break. "Your control has really improved."

"Thanks, Chiara."

Her eyes moved to Zuko as he sat down next to her. "And you were extraordinary."

He appreciated that Chiara had always praised his skills even when they were children, something he had longed for from his father. But he had heard a change in the tone of her voice since he encountered the dragons, a shift from encouraging praise to profound admiration, and he knew that no amount of his father's praise could ever make him feel so heartened as she had.

"You seem so...relaxed in your movements," she said.

"Before, it was like I had to force my firebending. But now, it just seems to flow...naturally. I think and move, and it happens. It's like this is how firebending should be, or was meant to be. It feels different...it feels...superior."

She smiled at him as she ran her fingers through his hair. "I'm so proud of you." She stood up. "I'm going to make some tea."

"That sounds good," said Aang.

Before she could walk away Zuko took her hand pulling her back to him and embracing her.

"Do you want me to bring it to you?" she asked.

"No," he said as he released her. "I have a few more sets I want to go over with Aang, and we'll meet you there."

As she walked away, he became mesmerized by her long dark curls bouncing behind her, but once she disappeared around the corner his trance was broken. He stood up, and he and Aang began practicing again.

"I still can't believe we got to see real dragons," said Zuko, still in awe as he thought about them, "and learn firebending from them. I didn't think there were any left."

"There were lots of dragons around a hundred years ago," said Aang as he stopped firebending. "They were pretty shy, though. Most of them lived way up in the mountains."

"They didn't seem shy to me," said Zuko remembering his fear as Ran and Shaw flew out of their caves and soared around them.

"One time, when I was a kid, my friend Kuzon and I went looking for them," started Aang. "But we had no idea what we were getting into...!"

Zuko could not help cringing as Aang recounted his adventure with Kuzon, and he was relieved when it was over.

"A lot sure has changed since those days," sighed Aang.

"Yeah, like the slang," hissed Zuko agitated that he had to listen to his story.

"Whatever, Sifu Hotman."

"Stop calling me that!" yelled Zuko. He stood up. "I need some tea," he said softly as he started walking away.

Aang followed him, and as they were leaving the balcony to meet the others for tea Katara walked up to them.

"Not so fast," she said stopping them in their tracks.

Aang looked puzzled.

"Go on, Aang," she said. "I need to talk to Zuko."

He was still puzzled, but he walked off glancing back at them wondering what she had to say to him.

Katara looked at Zuko. "You can't keep treating Chiara the way you do."

He folded his arms as he looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"She can't do anything without you wanting to know where she's going and how long she's going to be."

"I love my wife."

"Then stop smothering her."

"I'm not smothering her," he insisted. "I'm trying to keep her safe."

She was glaring at him. "You're controlling her," she said deeply.

"When my uncle told me she was dead I was ready to burn down the Fire Nation. I have never felt more at peace with myself than when she's with me, and I don't ever want to lose her again."

"You're being too overprotective. She's her own person."

"She's not her own person anymore; she's my wife."

"You treat her like a slave."

"You're the only one seeing her as a slave," said Zuko feeling exasperated. "And doesn't the Water Tribe arrange marriages? Isn't that just a form of slavery?"

"Not the Southern Tribe," she said as she put her hand on her hip. "That's exactly why my grandmother left the North Pole, so she wouldn't be forced to marry a man she didn't love."

"But my wife loves me, Katara. She wasn't forced to marry me."

"Maybe not, but you constantly have her nearby. She can barely walk arm's length from you and you call her back."

"She grew up with escorts and chaperones," he said pointing in the direction where the others were. "She didn't go anywhere without someone with her. It's for her protection. I don't have the luxury of providing someone else to guard her now, so I do it myself."

"But...but she doesn't need that. No one here is going to hurt her."

"She is wanted by the Fire Lord and Azula," he said. "We could be ambushed at any moment. And the last time I let my guard down she was taken back to the Fire Nation and tortured by my sister. I am not going to let myself get separated from her again." His voice was deep and he had to force himself to keep his temper under control.

Chiara was serving tea to the rest of the gang who could hear Zuko and Katara exchanging words.

"What are they arguing about now?" asked Sokka.

"Princess Chiara," said Toph whose ears were easily picking up the conversation.

"What about her?" asked Aang.

"Something about her being a slave to Zuko, but he keeps insisting she's his wife and he loves her."

"We've depended upon one another for so long," said Chiara. "I understand his worry."

"Katara thinks he's too overprotective," said Sokka. "She has a thing about being controlled by a man."

"I think it's sweet how protective he is," said Toph. "But there's no way a man's going to tell me what to do," she added in a sterner tone.

Chiara softly laughed at her remark, but then her thoughts drifted to Zuko's words when they were refugees in the Earth Kingdom: I've lost everything...everything's been taken from me.

"Since Prince Zuko became the Crown Prince I've always told him I was his loyal subject," she said. "But he's lost so much." Her voice reflected the sadness of her thoughts. "After Ba Sing Se he had the opportunity to have most of it back, but he gave it up for me and the General. So if I can make him feel, even for one moment, like he's a prince again, I'm happy to do it."

They all sat staring at her.

"Wow, Chiara," said Aang. "Zuko's very lucky to have you."

Zuko came around the corner towards them looking annoyed, but Katara, who soon followed, looked even more agitated.

"Tea, my Prince," said Chiara softly, offering him a cup as he knelt down next to her.

He smirked wishing she had spoken loud enough for Katara to hear.

"Lady Katara, tea?" she asked when Katara knelt down on the other side of the fire.

"I can serve myself," she said.

Everyone started conversing to break the tension in the air left by Zuko and Katara's argument.

When Zuko finished his tea he looked at Chiara.

"About that date...," he said.

Her eyes lit up. "Whenever you're ready," she smiled.

He stood up and took her hand helping her to her feet while the others just stared at them with puzzled expressions.

"Aang, whenever you're ready to start training again, just meet us on the balcony," he said as he was walking off with Chiara. He looked back at him. "Take your time," he called before disappearing.

"What was that about?" asked Sokka.

"They have a sparring date," said Aang.

"If you want to take a break and relax," started Chiara after getting her sword, "we can spar later."

"No. I'm anxious to spar now. It might be another week before I can throw fire at Aang, and I won't be able to be aggressive with him."

"Ah, burning off steam," she said figuring Katara's lecture had really bothered him.

"I really wanted to throw fire at him listening to him go on about his Fire Nation friend with his ancient slang."

"Oh, did he tell you about Kuzon and the dragon's egg?"

He turned and looked at her. "He told you that story?"

"Yes," she said. "Right before the Rough Rhinos attacked us," she added softly, unable to stop a small smile.

Her eyes were locked onto his fiery ones, and she felt her cheeks growing hot as she thought about the Blue Spirit that night. Seeing her cheeks turn pink made his heart start beating faster as he knew what she was thinking about. He drew closer to her as his memories of that night flashed through his mind. He tenderly ran his fingers across her cheek remembering his longing to look into her green eyes, and now he was staring at the beauty he had desired to see. As he leaned towards her she could feel the heat radiating from his body, and her heart pounded in her chest anticipating his soft lips against hers...

"Are you guys done with your date?" asked Aang bouncing around the corner.

Zuko growled. "He's about to become the enemy again," he said softly to Chiara who started giggling.

"I'm ready to practice," said Aang.

"I told you to take your time," said Zuko. "We never got started."

She placed her hand on his arm. "Later, my Prince," she said before stepping away to sit down.

"You're not practicing with us?" he asked.

"No. I'm just going to watch."

Zuko sighed, and then he turned towards Aang anxious to blast some fire at him, all in the name of training of course.

While they were busy practicing, Chiara slipped away to find Katara. Seeing her waterbending at the fountain, she walked up to her.

"Lady Katara."

Katara stopped and looked at her.

"I really appreciate your concern," said Chiara, "but you don't have to worry about me. After everything we've been through, I understand why Prince Zuko's overprotective."

"I think he treats you like a slave. Even now he's probably wondering where you are because you're out of his sight."

"Probably," smiled Chiara knowing she was right. "But I don't mind. Whenever he's nearby I can keep an eye on him to make sure he's safe too. Like the Avatar, Prince Zuko is vital to the future of the world. I believe it's his destiny to help bring an era of peace to the Fire Nation, and I will give my life to protect him."

"I...I guess I understand that," said Katara in a more gentle tone certain that she herself would do anything to protect Aang. She was reminded of something he had told her. "Aang once said you offered your life for him on Zuko's ship."

"If it means bringing peace to the Nations, my life is a very small price to pay."

"Somehow, I don't think Zuko would agree..."

"Chiara!"

Both girls turned to see Zuko coming around the corner.

"I didn't know where you went," he said as he walked up to them.

"Give her some space," said Katara. "We were just talking."

Zuko grabbed Chiara's hand and started pulling her along with him. "Then talk where I can see you."

Katara felt annoyed with him. "If you ever become Fire Lord, I hope you don't treat everybody in the Fire Nation like slaves."

"I won't, Katara," he called back. "Just my wife."

"Prince Zuko," said Chiara softly in an admonishing tone.

He continued pulling her towards the balcony where Aang was waiting while Katara huffed before returning to her waterbending.

Zuko stopped and turned towards Chiara. "Do you think I treat you like a slave?"

"Not at all, and I was just explaining that to her so she would stop arguing with you about it. But your last little comment didn't help."

He smiled and laughed to himself thinking about what he said, taking pleasure in annoying Katara.

That afternoon after dinner, Zuko and Chiara returned to the balcony for their sparring date. After quickly braiding her hair and tying it off, she pulled out her sword and they bowed to each other. She took a defensive position as Zuko stood before her more composed than she had ever seen him before sparring.

Making the first move, he took a step forward sending fire towards her from his fist. Stepping to her left out of its path she swung her sword dissolving the flame. He then began a series of punches mixed with kicks each sending out a burst of fire from which she defended herself. His movements were smooth and fluid, and his demeanor calm and composed, and she was finding his attacks more challenging than any she had ever faced from any firebender. She was reminded of her training with Iroh who also had a very serene disposition in his firebending, but he would too often go easy on her, whereas Zuko trusted her skill and did not hold back as much.

They sparred on while the sky was slowly darkening as the sun was disappearing beneath the horizon.

"You're incredible," she said somewhat breathless noticing he did not seem as taxed.

"I feel like I can do this all night."

She dodged another fireball and gently laughed. "You're going to make me surrender, aren't you?"

He smirked at her before throwing a stream of fire, and as soon as she raised her sword to block it, he quickly moved in and caught her sword hand disarming her as he took her to the ground.

"You surrender?" he asked holding her down.

"If I don't?"

"Hmm...I'll have to think of a fitting punishment," he said thoughtfully. He looked at her. "Is my bride ticklish?"

"Um...n-no?" she said unconvincingly.

"Surrender or we'll find out."

"I...I don't know if I can..."

"What?!"

He started tickling her and she squirmed trying to get away from him.

"Okay, okay...," she said nearly out of breath.

He stopped. "Say it."

She hesitated.

"Say you surrender." He threatened to tickle her again.

"I surrender," she gave in.

"Victory is mine," he said making her laugh.

He moved some loose curls from her face.

"You are an amazing firebender, my Prince," she said reaching up to run her fingers through his hair.

"And you are an amazing woman," he said softly.

He leaned towards her causing her heart to pound within her chest as she once again anticipated his lips pressed against hers. She tried to push out of her mind the possibility of Aang running around the corner. Zuko, too, struggled to force an unexpected intrusion out of his thoughts, and they were both relieved there was no interruption this time as their lips met. Their hearts were now racing, and inside he was on fire, yet the feeling of her hand as it rested on the back of his neck, her fingers tangled in his hair, sent chills over his skin, but Chiara could not tell for the heat that radiated from him.

Neither was ready for their kiss to end, but Zuko knew he could not allow himself to lose control, as tempting as she was, and he forced himself to break away from her soft lips.

"I can't wait 'til this war is over," he said softly.

She gently smiled at him. He stood up helping her to her feet, and they left the balcony.

It took a week before Zuko finally relented and allowed Chiara to go hunting as long as Katara or Toph was with her. On their first hunting trip one afternoon, Sokka and the three girls left the temple and split into pairs, with Toph walking with Chiara, before heading into the woods.

"Iroh said you were out hunting the day I had tea with him," said Toph. "This doesn't seem like a normal past-time for a princess."

"It was this or starve when we were wandering through the Earth Kingdom as refugees."

"I see your point," smiled Toph. "Where did you learn to hunt?"

"I was trained to use the bow, so I just applied it to finding food. I also used to work with the cooks, so that's how I learned to prepare whatever I caught."

They continued walking deeper into the forest.

"Are you looking for anything in particular?" asked Toph.

"I'm sure anything that's made of meat will please most of the guys," she said making the younger girl laugh.

Toph pointed to their right. "There are five raccoon-quail in the bushes in that direction."

They slowly approached the bush until it was in clear view.

"Do you mind flushing them out?" Chiara asked her as she pulled out an arrow.

"Not at all."

"Stay to the right of the bush and try to flush them to the left."

Toph approached the bush from the right as Chiara aimed an arrow in the direction she was hoping their prey would run. As soon as the raccoon-quail ran out of the bush, she nailed one as it started to fly away.

"You did it," said Toph excitedly as she felt it hit the ground.

Chiara walked over and picked up their future dinner. "It's not very big," she said as she looked closely at it. "There isn't even enough to make jerky out of it without sacrificing tonight's dinner. I should've tried for two."

"Maybe Snoozles and Sugar Queen caught something too."

"Let's take it to the river to clean it."

Sokka's eyes grew wide when he saw the fresh kill Chiara was carrying towards the river.

"Where did you guys get that?" he asked as he was cleaning a fish.

"Lady Toph found it," she said.

Hearing Chiara give her credit made Toph smile.

After Chiara cleaned it, they returned to the temple where Katara started roasting their dinner.

"Wow, it looks like you guys had a good hunt," said Aang as he and Zuko walked up when dinner had finished cooking.

"Chiara got the raccoon-quail," said Katara.

"Where is she?" asked Zuko surprised that she was not helping her.

"The garden," she answered.

He turned to go look for her.

"She's fine, Zuko," she said. "I'm sure she isn't in any danger picking fruit."

He continued walking until he found her with an armful of apples in the temple garden.

"Finished with practice?" she asked.

"Yes," he said as he took a few apples from her arms. "I saw what you caught. It looks good."

"Actually it was Toph. She sensed them in the bush."

"Did she shoot it too?"

She smiled making him smile.

"It wasn't very big," she said. "I wish I had gotten another one. There wasn't enough to make jerky."

They walked back to the courtyard where they laid out the fruit for Aang, and then everyone sat around the fire to eat dinner.

"We're running low on some of our supplies," said Katara while filling a bowl with noodles for Aang.

"We'll have to find a village then," he said.

Sokka had already helped himself to a leg of the raccoon-quail. "The closest villages are Fire Nation," he said.

"It's not like we haven't visited those before," said Toph.

Zuko looked at Chiara. "We can get you clothes."

She nodded as she was helping Katara serve dinner.

"We can leave early tomorrow," said Aang.

"We should take my war balloon," suggested Zuko. "It'll be less conspicuous than a giant flying bison."

Sokka pointed a nearly meatless bone at him. "You do have a point," he said before tearing the last shreds of meat from the bone.

The next morning after breakfast the Gaang left in Zuko's war balloon for the nearest Fire Nation colony. Since Haru, The Duke, and Teo had no Fire Nation clothing and there was not enough room in the balloon to carry everyone, they remained at the air temple with Appa.

After landing in a forest they walked to a large town near the coast of the Mo Ce Sea. Zuko, wearing an eye patch, walked with Chiara's hand on his arm, and he stopped at the first shop that sold clothes.

"We need to go in here," he said to the others. "Where do you guys want to meet?"

"How about the food court?" suggested Sokka.

"Of course," said Zuko laughing to himself not surprised Sokka suggested that.

They went their separate ways as Zuko took Chiara into the shop for new clothes.

"Can I help you?" asked the shopkeeper.

"My wife needs some clothes."

"Of course. I'll take care of her." She led Chiara to clothing in her size as Zuko remained near the entrance.

The woman sifted through various outfits.

"It looks like you're quite mismatched," she said of Chiara's red tunic and tan palazzos.

"Yes, I lost my clothes while traveling," she said thinking about the clothes she left behind in the Earth Kingdom when she had been arrested.

"We can set you up with a new wardrobe," said the woman still going through tops and skirts. "What's your name?"

"Lin," said Chiara.

"Well, Lin, this is the latest fashion here."

She held up a two-piece top and skirt.

"Do you have anything...less revealing?" she asked.

The shopkeeper started going through other clothing, but then Chiara saw something that caught her eye.

"This is perfect," she said holding up a kurta of Fire Nation red with burgundy trim.

"Oh, quite modest," said the shopkeeper.

After picking out two other dresses, palazzos, and a few other items, the woman sent her into a dressing room.

"You look lovely, dear," said the woman when Chiara walked out.

Zuko turned around at her words, and he was in awe when he looked upon Chiara. It was the first time he had seen her in Fire Nation clothing since before their first exile into the Earth Kingdom, and though he thought she looked adorable in his own clothing, there was something familiar and comforting to him seeing her in her own style.

"You would really do well in the newer fashions," said the shopkeeper.

"You look beautiful," said Zuko as he walked up to her taking her hand, the awe in his voice.

The shopkeeper wrapped up the few outfits Chiara had chosen packing Zuko's tunic in with them, and after putting them in his backpack, he and Chiara left the shop to meet with the others.

At the food court, the Gaang walked up to them.

"Wow, Chiara, you look just like when we met," said Aang.

"Shh...," said Zuko as he looked around. "Her name is Lin," he whispered. "I'm Lee."

It dawned on the others that they needed to hide their identities.

"Oh, right," said Aang softly.

"Okay," said Sokka. "We're all here, and I'm starving."

"We'll buy lunch," said Zuko to the others. He handed a small pouch of money to Chiara. "I saw something I want to check out," he said. "Can I count on you guys to watch my wife for me?"

"Of course, Lee," said Aang in a less than clandestine manner. "You've been letting her hunt with the others; this isn't much different."

"It's very different," he said. "There are a lot of people here, so you guys need to stay together. The last time she was left alone in a port, the pirates took her."

"I think we handled that pretty well," said Sokka proudly. "Your wife is safe with us."

Zuko looked at Chiara. "You know what I like, so just get me whatever. I'll be back."

She nodded and turned to the others.

"Wow, Sparky's really beginning to put some faith in us," said Toph.

"Let's eat," said Sokka.

Unknown to them were the two soldiers that were now staring in their direction as Sokka led the way to one of the food vendors.

After everyone had ordered their food, Chiara paid for it, and as she picked up her and Zuko's, she turned to follow the others who were now sitting at one of the tables in the courtyard.

"We should wait for Chiara...," started Aang, "...uh...I mean...uh...what did Zuk..." He shook his head. "...Lee say her name was?"

"Lin," said Toph.

"Yeah," said Aang. "We should wait for Lin."

"Where is she?" asked Sokka who looked around.

They spotted her near the vendor where a soldier was talking to her.

"Are you kidding?" said Sokka. "You guys left her alone?"

"You guys?" said Toph. "You're the one that promised she'd be safe."

"What do you think Zuko's going to do if he sees her talking to a soldier?" asked Sokka. "Ow!" He was looking angrily at Toph while rubbing his arm where he was sure a bruise would appear.

"You mean Lee," she said. "And you might want to be worried about what he's going to do to you if he sees her talking to a soldier."

"He told us to stay together," said Aang nervously. "We need to do something."

"All right," said Sokka bravely standing up. "I'll take care of this."

He tried to look casual as he walked over to Chiara and the soldier. "H-hey," he started. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes," said the soldier. He looked at Chiara. "My apologies again. You really do look like a friend of mine. I hope I didn't cause any offense."

"Not at all," she said slightly bowing to him.

He nodded before walking off.

"What was that about?" asked Sokka.

"He thought I was a friend of his," she said as they walked towards the table with the others.

"Do you know him?"

"No."

"Are you okay?" Katara asked her when she sat down next to her.

"Yes. Just a case of mistaken identity."

"Maybe Lee's right," said Toph, "you can't be left alone for a minute."

"He said that you always had escorts and chaperones," said Katara.

"The Gen...my father...always provided someone whenever we were outside his manor if he couldn't be with me."

"So you've never been anywhere by yourself?"

"Rarely. I often hunted on my own, but in the cities and ports I was to have an escort. The only time I went out without one was in Ba Sing Se," she whispered. "I walked to the tea shop one time."

"Just once?" asked Katara.

"Yes. Lee got upset with me for it."

Katara rolled her eyes. "Figures. It's not like there was much crime there."

"There was in the Lower Ring, which is where we were living at the time, but it was during the day so I didn't think it would be a big deal."

"Wow, you lived in the Lower Ring?" asked Toph. "You guys really were refugees."

"How did you get kidnapped by the pirates then?" asked Sokka.

"Um...my escort left me for a few minutes, and then I got distracted by a street fight."

"I can't even imagine having an escort all the time," said Katara.

"I can," said Toph. "I know exactly what that feels like. My parents kept me hidden from everyone."

"It was nothing that extreme," said Chiara. "It was just part of life. And according to Amiku, it was never proper for a young lady to be without a chaperone."

"Amiku?" asked Aang.

"She was the one in charge of taking care of me at the manor."

Zuko sat down next to her. "Everything okay?"

"Yes!" said Aang over-excitedly. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Zuko was puzzled by the nervousness in his voice.

"See? Chi...Lin's safe. There aren't any soldiers after her," he said suspiciously.

Chiara softly laughed as she placed Zuko's food in front of him. "I got you dumplings."

"Thanks. It looks good." He looked at her bowl. "You haven't eaten?"

"I was waiting for you."

"You didn't have to."

"I know," she smiled. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes," he answered before they started eating.

"It's got to be her," said a soldier standing on the other side of the court.

Standing next to him was the soldier who had been speaking to Chiara earlier. "Are you sure?"

"If her eyes are the color you say, there's no doubt."

"And you remember her eye color?"

"Yes. I had to transfer her to General Iroh's cell. She has the same hair and chain around her neck. How many girls have you seen with a chain like that?"

The other soldier just shook his head. "If you're right, then that has to be Prince Zuko," he said as they watched a young man with an eye patch over his left eye walk up to the table and sit down. "So do we contact the Fire Lord and let him know we found the traitor and the spy?"

"No. I think Idem will want to know about this. It was because of her that General Iroh threatened him in the prison. I'm sure he'll want to settle the score. When he's done with her, then we'll turn him over to the Fire Lord," he said, gently nodding his head towards the couple.

That night after they returned to the temple, Katara and Chiara prepared dinner, and afterwards they all relaxed around the fire while Zuko made tea for everyone.

"No one can make tea like Uncle...and Chiara," he said.

"Only because I learned from the best," she admitted.

"Well, hopefully I learned a thing or two."

He served everyone a cup, Chiara last as he sat down next to her.

"I think you've earned the title Master Tea Maker," she said.

"If you would've told me a month ago that Zuko would be serving me tea one day, I would've told you you're crazy," said Sokka.

Everyone laughed.

"Actually...," started Zuko, "...Chiara could've told you that."

"Yep," said Sokka, "and I wouldn't've believed her."

After taking a sip of her tea, Chiara looked at Zuko.

"Is this what you got this afternoon?" she asked as she tasted the chamomile and mint.

He smiled at her.

"Aww...," she started.

"If I had known you were going to be with me, I would've had it for you already."

"Thank you," she said softly.

"I also got you something else," he said as he reached into a pocket inside his tunic.

He held out a set of shuriken, and it made him smile as he watched her eyes grow big.

"You are so precious," she said setting her cup down and taking the knives. She hugged him.

"You know, Zuko," started Sokka, "you make the rest of us guys look really bad."

"Why do you say that, Sokka?" asked Aang.

"I got you something...," said Sokka imitating Zuko. "...and I got you something else...awww, you're so precious," he said in a falsetto now imitating Chiara.

Zuko and Chiara were laughing at Sokka's show as were the others.

"Hey, if tea and knives make my wife happy, then I'm happy to oblige," said Zuko as he put his arm around her.

A/N: The conversation between Zuko and Aang about the dragons comes from "Dragon Days" from The Lost Adventures.