My Friend Lee

by lubelle321

What happens if Jet didn't discover Iroh and Zuko were firebenders when they first arrived in Ba Sing Se? A one-shot detailing how the two deal with one another and what happens when they discover the Avatar is in the city.

(A/N Bunny trails bunny trails! I have so many pieces I want to work on and get finished, yet here I am. Totally distracted. Writing this.

Anyway! This was totally inspired by a textpost and then I just worked backwards. I even used the few lines of dialog that appendingfic wrote on stark-tony's post. I found this textpost on Pinterest, but I think it originated on Tumblr.

I have another AtLA piece I'm writing that's more of a retelling, but I've only been working on it as a distraction from the pieces I want to finish. *facepalm* So, I'm not entirely sure if I'll ever get it posted or if it'll just exist in my archives for eternity. Oh well.

This was fun and I hope you enjoy!)

"We could use a guy like you," Jet said with a half smile.

Zuko hesitated. He hated living like a refugee. He hated his time traveling and barely having enough food to hold off starvation. He hated how ridiculous his uncle made him feel (even though he knew he was just trying to cheer him up). And if he was honest, he hated the war and the devastation that had been wrought by the Fire Nation.

With a sigh he looked back at Jet, his two followers behind him in the shadows.

"I can't leave my uncle. We've been through a lot and… I can't do that to him again."

Jet nodded, pursing his lips.

"Well, let me know if you change your mind."

.

"Blegh. This is ridiculous. Cold tea!"

"Uncle, keep it down."

"It's even more upsetting because I think it may actually be a decent blend if properly heated."

Sighing, Zuko looked around and found a lamp. Fiddling with it in his lap he dismantled it so the flame was exposed. With a grateful smile Uncle held his cup over the open flame to warm the tea. Several onlookers watched with envy, making Zuko duck his head in embarrassment. When Uncle was done he offered the flame to the closest onlooker with a cup of their own.

A grateful and relieved smile met him and he looked away with a scowl.

Several small children warmed their hands at the open flame and Zuko couldn't help but think of one of Uncle's mantras: Fire is life.

.

A tea shop. Of course Uncle had found them work in a tea shop.

Grumbling, Zuko cleared another table. He made it through another hour before it was time for his break. Walking out to the street he found a familiar sight.

"Jet."

"Lee."

"How are you and your gang?" Zuko asked, honestly curious about how the other refugees were doing. He knew he and Uncle were lucky for the job and room they had, even if he was a little bitter about it.

"We're-" Jet hesitated for only a moment before he switched the line of conversation. "I was actually seeing if you were interested in working another job with us." He led them to an empty, narrow alley.

Zuko narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, considering Jet. After a time he gave a curt nod and lifted his eyebrow as he leaned against his side of the alley.

"There are a few… rivalries in the Lower Ring and we were hired as an edge."

"Go on."

"Our employer is paying us to steal from a powerful someone down here," Jet spoke in such a quiet voice Zuko had to strain to listen from his relaxed position across from him. "He doesn't care what we take, as long as it amounts to a certain value in coin. We can do what we want with the goods and then he'll pay us ten copper a piece."

Zuko scowled again, considering the risks. His head against the wall he watched the sky. Ten copper wasn't much by the standards he was used to, but it might as well be a small fortune here.

"I need the details."

"I was thinking we steal food. Distribute it to the refugees who obviously need it. That way it's not all in one place, disappears pretty quickly, and can't be tracked back to us."

Zuko nodded, his eyes still on the sky, longing for the afternoon when Agni's rays would finally overtake the wall.

"Who is the target?"

Jet smiled and started giving directions.

.

Zuko tried not to make a habit of going out with the Freedom Fighters. It was best to keep a low profile, especially with the Dai-Li around. It didn't take long for them to witness what happened to disturbers of the peace. They disappeared. Sometimes they'd come back, but they were changed. It made Zuko's skin crawl just thinking about it. Besides, Uncle worried when he went out and that was enough reason to limit his missions.

It was hard to say no sometimes. Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot weren't like Uncle and Zuko. They weren't lucky enough to find a job and a home. They were on the streets and it was rough. So, Zuko helped when he could.

Until one night several weeks into their time in Ba Sing Se.

.

During Zuko's break time they were 'taking a walk' and casing the gang's next target. Zuko wouldn't be joining them that evening, but he could offer insight. Best entry point, most likely patrol, where shadows would be darkest.

On the street, where they were passing, a group of kids were arguing. A young girl was growling at the three older boys while a small boy cowered behind her. Likely her brother.

Zuko and Jet exchanged a glance and fell into the shadows on the other side of the street, waiting to see what would happen and if they needed to interfere.

The first boy stepped forward with a fist raised, the brother cowered in on himself further while the girl drew a knife. A block and parry later and the brute had a cut across his face and she let out another feral growl.

The crowd grew, a large circle forming around the kids. No one intervened.

The boys threw accusations of theft at the brother and threats at both kids. Zuko and Jet had just stepped forward when sparks flew and one boy's shirt caught fire. The other two gaped as he screamed and all three ended up running.

Jet stepped forward and pointed with one hooked blade.

"You're a firebender!"

The girl had gone pale, scared, clutching her hands to her chest.

"You all saw it!" he screamed at the crowd, who had begun to disperse, avoiding catching anyone's gaze. As Jet swung his hooked blade, Zuko stepped between them and caught the blade with his own. "Lee?"

"Hide," Zuko said over his shoulder, holding Jet in place.

"Why- They're Fire Nation!" he screamed. He spat on the ground and paced, spitting hatred and listing crimes. Zuko had no idea how deeply his ire ran. But he just stood there and took it, his dao still drawn in the middle of the street.

Jet wasn't done with his ranting yet when the ground lifted to entomb him.

"What happened here?" came a cold voice from a man in deep green.

The Dai-Li.

"There was a fight," Zuko replied.

"She was a firebender! They're in the city! The Fire Nation-" The earth rose to block off Jet's words at the same time as Zuko sent him a 'be quiet' glare.

"There is no war in Ba Sing Se." The man nodded to another Dai-Li who had just came down from a roof top.

They were going to take Jet. Biting back a curse Zuko stepped forward.

"The girl threw a candle at her attacker," he said evenly, despite his racing heart. "My friend… He saw this happen," he gestured towards his face, "when we were younger and open flames tend to upset him now. Please, I'll make sure he calms down."

The man narrowed his eyes while Jet looked panicked.

"And you aren't adverse to flames now?"

"Well," he let out a humorless chuckle, "I didn't have to watch." He offered a shrug. "It took a while, but my uncle coached me to use open flames again." All true. "He'd never forgive me if I avoided his tea making for the rest of my life." Also true.

Glaring, the man looked between the two boys before relaxing just the slightest as he looked at Zuko's scar.

"We don't usually give warnings, but consider yourself lucky," he finally told Jet.

They righted the street's stones and disappeared.

"Let's go," Zuko said firmly, leading Jet back to the tea shop.

Jet's breathing was uneven and he still had a manic look in his eye. It took a lot of self control to walk at a steady pace and too long later they found themselves in the alley they usually exchanged information in.

"Thanks," Jet said softly, leaning against his wall. Zuko leaned against his own wall and glared at him. "I know! I know. It was stupid to try to attack her in broad daylight. You were right. We'll wait a few nights until the suspicion dies a little and then we can find her-"

"Are you hearing yourself?" Zuko asked, incredulous.

"She's- You saw her!"

"She was defending her starving brother from three bullies."

"She's Fire Nation."

"Look into my eyes and tell me everyone born into the Fire Nation is evil."

"Well, it's plain to see on your face why they're all monsters," Jet gestured with a wild hand to his scar.

Zuko stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder so that he had to look at him.

"Look into my eyes and say that again."

Jet scowled. "They're all mon-" His breath hitched as he tried to back away, only to meet the wall. "Your eyes. You're- You're- You're a-"

"A refugee, Jet. I'm a refugee. Just like her." He let go and backed up, letting Jet balk at him.

After some time, Jet blinked and looked down at the ground, as if it would offer some answer to the questions he couldn't even begin to ask. His hands clenched a few times, and Zuko recognized it as him wanting to go for his hook blades. He waited. If this ended in a fight it would be all the worse for Jet, but he could wait. Uncle would want him to wait. Less attention was better than what a fight would bring.

When Jet looked back up he just looked incredulous before huffing a sigh and leaving.

Zuko sighed and went to find Uncle. This was not going to be a pleasant conversation.

.

Uncle took the news well. The 'There is no war in Ba Sing Se' ideology worked in their favor. Even if they were accused of being Fire Nation, if they hid their bending well no finger would be lifted against them.

Assuming nobody from the Wall recognized Iroh from his siege six years ago. That would be unfortunate.

It took several days for Zuko to see Jet again. Actually, he saw Smellerbee and Longshot first.

"Jet was saying some things about you," Smellerbee stated in an annoyed huff.

"What? That I wouldn't let him attack some girl that just wanted to make sure her brother didn't starve?" He raised his eyebrow and Smellerbee scowled while Longshot lifted his eyebrow a little.

"Is it… Is it true?" she finally asked, deciding to ignore his comment.

"Have you ever met an earth kingdom citizen with these eyes, Smellerbee?" he sighed. "I'm not looking for a fight. I'm not here supporting their army. I'm just trying to keep me and my uncle alive and together."

"We're, uh… We're working a job tonight."

He scowled, expecting a trap.

"If you don't want in, that's fine. And Jet is all torn up trying to figure out whether he trusts you or not, so I'd understand the distance. But… yeah. We're meeting up at the east market an hour after curfew."

Zuko nodded an acknowledgement and the two slowly left the alley. Heading back inside he watched his uncle smile at the customers for a few minutes before nodding towards the back room to explain what was going on.

"Well, what do you feel you should do, Nephew?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you."

Uncle sighed deeply.

"You could cut ties completely, and hope to avoid them in the future. You could try to appease them as an incentive for their silence. You could threaten them if you truly wished to do so. All of these are very tactical choices."

Zuko frowned. None of them felt like the right choice.

"Though," Uncle continued, "tactics aside, these children are on the streets. They are poor and hungry and scared. They may not show it willingly, but they need help."

"And I should help them?"

"Not so much as to endanger yourself."

He pulled at his growing hair.

"I don't- I don't want to abandon them. It feels wrong." He thought about it for a second. "Is this…guilt? Because the Fire Nation made them orphans?"

"Perhaps. Or perhaps it is concern for your friends."

Zuko blinked at him. Friends. He hadn't had friends in over three years. Or ever really. His sister had been allowed to have friends and he got along with Mai and Ty Lee, but he never made any of his own friends. Is that what the Freedom Fighters were?

"I'll...think about it."

That night Zuko, Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot 'liberated' a coin pouch from a bounty hunter who was resupplying near the wall. The haul was split between twelve refugee homes that housed dozens of people each.

.

"We're leaving the Lower Ring?" Iroh was surprised at the shock that colored Zuko's voice.

"I thought you would be happy with the news," he said simply. Zuko had been complaining about their arrangements since they'd arrived, surely this was a favorable outcome.

"No! I am! I just…" He glanced out the door to the alley he usually met the Freedom Fighters in and Iroh couldn't help but smile before hiding it with a grave look.

"I too, am worried about this startling change. I can make and serve tea, but I cannot do so at so many tables all on my own. Not to mention cleaning the tables, and the tea cups, and organizing the room, and hefting about the disposal. It will be quite a lot of work for an old man. It is too bad I do not have young able-bodied employees to help me."

Zuko hung his head a little.

"I will help you any way I can, Uncle."

"Yes, I am sure. But surely with only the two of us we will be worn ragged by the end of each day."

"Uncle?"

"Would you know of any hmmm...three? young peoples that might be for hire?"

Zuko brightened with a grin and took off into the street, only to scale the neighboring wall to look for his friends from above.

.

The Avatar was in Ba Sing Se.

Zuko closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. They had started over. He had made friends. He'd even gone on that awful date that Uncle had arranged. (Yes, it was actually a really nice evening with Jin, but he would stand by the fact that it was awful if only to keep Uncle from setting up another one.)

But now, the Avatar was here. Taunting him.

He pocketed a flyer and continued looking for his friends. The Avatar could wait. The Avatar that didn't currently have a flying bison to escape on every five minutes.

He felt his core heat and a tendril of smoke escaped his nose making him wince. A few calming breaths later he went back to street level. He needed to keep a cool head. It was bad enough the Freedom Fighters knew he was Fire Nation, they didn't need to know he was a firebender too.

"Lee!" came Jet's surprised voice. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he scowled, checking that he was in control one last time. "Yeah, I actually have a job for you."

"You do?" Smellerbee asked.

"Who is your contact?" Jet asked, wary since he was usually the one to find jobs.

"I think Uncle said his name was Quon."

"Your uncle set this up?"

"Yeah. It'll just be grunt work, nothing fancy," Zuko answered, trying to keep a smirk off his face. Vague was fun as Jet jumped to all his own conclusions.

"Grunt work?"

"Bussing tables," Zuko smiled and ticked off on his fingers, "washing dishes, cleaning the floor. That kind of thing."

The three looked at him confused and he finally felt a smile break over his face and he explained that his uncle had been offered a tea shop in the Upper Ring and wanted to employ them.

"We'll- We'll talk it over," Jet finally said.

"Sure. I'll meet up with you tomorrow night?"

"Yeah."

They shared a smile and Zuko made his way back home to pack.

And to lay out his Blue Spirit disguise. He had a bison to find.

.

Zuko took another calming breath. The bison was free and the Avatar was out there, but he didn't have to worry about that. He was in Ba Sing Se and the Avatar would move on soon enough anyway. The North Pole was the only place the Avatar had stayed for any length of time, so it was safe to assume he was well on his way to leaving or maybe already had.

And besides that didn't matter to Zuko anyway. He'd been chasing destiny his entire life, but now he wanted something else. He wanted to chase happiness. His own and his uncle's. That's why he kept his mask. It reminded him of his mother, of times when he was happier.

Sure, now he was in a tea shop of all things and that seemed pretty lowly compared to what he was raised for, but tea was his uncle's passion. And Uncle's happiness was infectious. Zuko might not know what the next day would bring or what goal he wanted to pursue, but he was content. It was peaceful. He was at peace.

And it helped that Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot accepted their invitations. They still wanted to be the Freedom Fighters, they wanted to help the refugees pouring into the city, but they had a new way to do it.

.

"Really, Katara! I changed. By the way, this is my friend, Lee. I met him on the ferry ride over here."

Katara could only gape at the scarred face that scowled at her and her friends.

"Right… Lee. I'm Katara," she forced out. "That's my brother Sokka-" she pulled Aang by the arm so he was right next to her. "And this is Aang. The Avatar."

Zuko - Lee - inclined his head. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he spoke in a strained voice.

"Don't you mean an honor?" Sokka snorted.

Zuko's eyes narrowed into a scowl again, but he didn't show any more reaction than that.

"You know, Jet, I'm really glad you've moved past your more… extreme points of view," Aang began hesitantly.

"Yeah, I know." Jet had the good sense to look ashamed. "But we're all refugees here. I wasn't the only one hurt in the..." Jet glanced at Zuko and then followed Zuko's glance to the rooftops. Jet cleared his throat and ducked his head.

"In the war," Sokka said loudly, causing Jet to flinch and Zuko to curl his lip.

"You guys should be careful," Jet said in an almost fearful whisper.

"With the amount of luck on their side, they don't need to be careful," Zuko said as he resumed scanning the rooftops. "The question is if they care what happens to you." He finally looked back down to meet Katara's gaze, only to purse his lips and run a hand over his face. "I'm heading back," he looked at Jet. "Be careful."

"Yeah, we should take them back to talk more. You guys were looking for Appa, right?"

They all exchanged glances as Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose.

"We were," Aang said carefully. "But he's back now. We don't really know what happened."

"Oh," Jet shifted. "Well, that's really good. I'm glad he's alright."

Katara narrowed her eyes, but Lee didn't even flinch. He just held her gaze with a slight scowl.

"What has you in Ba Sing Se then?" Lee asked evenly.

Katara caught herself as she realized she'd been thinking of him as Lee. He wasn't! He was very obviously Zuko and he was here to capture Aang and she was going to stop him! Just not with the Dai-Li gazing over her shoulder from the rooftops.

"We're waiting to see the Earth King," Aang chirped helpfully.

"The Earth King isn't prioritizing the Avatar?" Jet asked, incredulously.

Zuko snorted.

Katara glared.

Side-eyeing her, Zuko glanced at Jet.

"So," he began casually as he started walking up the street, "how did you guys meet?"

Jet flushed the most brilliant red that Zuko did a subtle double-take and Sokka snorted.

"Oh, you know, stopped him from attempting genocide," he said dryly.

Aang winced.

"My anger was justified! Maybe my actions weren't, but I just want to end the-" He cut himself off again, refusing to mention the war. Katara narrowed her eyes at him. He had to know something about the Dai-Li.

"From the beginning maybe?" Lee asked with a raised brow.

Zuko! Not Lee!

"Oh, well, ya see…" Aang bounced in front of the group of teens and animatedly explained their time near Gaipan.

Katara found herself wondering, more than once, why they were following Zuko. He could be leading them to a trap. But it was too surreal to see the Fire Prince and the genocidal Freedom Fighter acting like friends. Very, very, unlikely friends.

As Aang finished his tale, Zuko was very pointedly keeping a neutral expression and not meeting anyone's gaze, while Jet was kicking the odd stone and looking rather dejected.

They passed the wall in an uncomfortable silence before Sokka cleared his throat.

"Where have you been staying, Jet?" Katara changed the subject.

"With Lee and his uncle. We'd been on the streets while we were all in the Lower Ring, but when Mushi got the shop Lee convinced him to employ us. Though, I don't think it was hard; Mushi tries to help everyone who comes in his shop. Anyway, we actually left the Lower Ring now, but we try to take any daily leftovers or spare coin down to distribute to refugees who aren't as lucky."

Katara stared at him, Sokka and Aang just as dumbfounded. Mushi had to be General Iroh-which was a concern of its own considering his previous 600 day siege on this very city. But they were helping refugees?

"But… Do you know who Lee and Mushi are?" Sokka asked in a raspy voice.

Zuko glared from the corner of his eye, but didn't say anything.

"I know they're Fire Nation," Jet answered under his breath with a scowl. "And I know they've got nowhere else to go."

"But they're-"

"Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon," Zuko interrupted, gesturing to the tea shop.

.

Toph was not surprised by the elderly voice that met her at the counter. She could feel his heartbeat before she entered and she couldn't help but grin and pick her way inside.

"Why, young miss. It is so good to see you again!" Toph beamed and felt herself bounce on the balls of her feet a little in excitement at meeting the kindly old man again. "But, erm, what are you doing here?"

Pausing Toph considered his heartbeat and tone. He was worried. Not quite scared, more of a nervous energy.

"Well, I think I'm getting tea. I already know you make an excellent blend," she smiled.

"Tea is one of life's greatest pleasures and should be savored as such," the man said with a kind voice but a strained glance around. "Though, in this case I believe it will be best if you take your tea to go."

She bit her lip. He was obviously trying to warn her about something, but if he was under some kind of threat she wanted to help him. Sure, her friends were out on the town at the moment, but she thought she'd be able to do something. Even if it was just gathering information for Sokka to make a better plan later.

"How is your nephew?" she asked and felt him stiffen.

"He is...well. Though, the spirits do love testing him." She could hear the strain in his voice.

She brightened a little as she felt several familiar beats on the edge of her awareness.

"Well, maybe we can help," she grinned at him.

"I do appreciate your offer, but some burdens are best put to rest."

She felt her friends stall outside the doors and barely suppressed a groan. She wanted to help this man! And he wasn't making it easy. Katara was a lot better at maneuvering people into allowing them to help, not that she'd acknowledge how manipulative that was.

.

"So, yeah. We're not going in there," Sokka said. Zuko barely suppressed another snort. At least someone had self-preservation skills. Aang seemed to almost believe Zuko was 'Lee' and Katara was glaring, but still following as long as Aang did.

"You've got to meet Mushi, though," Jet said with a disbelieving look. "I mean, I know it's difficult to trust them, but if I can do it you should have no problem with just a cup of tea."

"It's fine," Lee said with a shrug.

"But they're-! They're being hypocrites!"

The way Katara took a step back and dropped her jaw it was almost like he'd told her he was glad the moon spirit had died.

Zuko coughed into his hand to cover up a snort.

"They're being cautious," he told Jet. "It makes sense." He shrugged again.

"But I…" Jet scuffed his toe in the dirt and pulled the wheat stalk out of his mouth. "I wanted to help them." Zuko just raised his brow. "They're good people," he said in an almost whisper. "They kept me from doing something I couldn't take back. Just like you."

Zuko sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"The only reason they followed us up here was to make sure I didn't set any nefarious plans into motion." He glared at them for good measure. Aang looked hurt at his words, Katara was biting her lip as if considering whether that was true or not, but Sokka pursed his lips and nodded in agreement.

Heh, Zuko could respect that.

"Besides, Jet," Sokka spoke up, "I highly doubt there is anything either of you do to get us in to see the king. So if this one," he pointed at Zuko, "and his uncle are actually refugees-which I"m having difficulties believing-then it'd be pretty awful of us to drag him to the palace by his collar in order to get an audience that way."

Zuko blushed as he considered them doing just that. It would ruin everything his uncle had worked for. Katara must have seen his unease, because her gaze finally softened.

"Where- Where have you been?" she asked, with guarded concern.

It was an obviously layered question. She wanted to know where Zuko had been after the North Pole. He'd admit to being their adversary outright and shine light on his own shame. Swallowing, he considered how to answer, only for a rumble under his feet to catch him off guard as he and the other four were all shifted to the counter of the Jasmine Dragon by the earth itself.

The little earthbender was sitting there with Uncle grinning.

"You remember my friends? We can help you this time if you just tell us what's got you so wound up."

Uncle looked panicked; Jet was reaching for his blades; Sokka had his hand on his forehead; Aang smiled sheepishly; and Katara rested her hand on her water skin.

Yeah, this could go horribly.

With a deep breath, Zuko calmed himself and dropped into a servant's bow, only barely keeping his eye roll to himself.

"It would be an honor most extraordinary for the Jasmine Dragon to serve the Avatar in our private chambers for his comfort." He did his best not to sound sarcastic. Really.

"That would be...an honor?" the airbender spoke haltingly.

Sighing, Zuko ran a hand down his face and led the group into an entry room to the apartments. All of the Avatar's group followed, and the other two Freedom Fighters left their quarters to see what was going on.

"Why are you still here?" Zuko asked without preamble once they had all shifted into the space.

"Why are we here?" Katara demanded. "How did you even get here?" She seethed for a moment before trying to take a step forward, only to be stopped by Sokka.

Smellerbee blinked, surprised at the sudden hostility, but Jet stepped between the two groups, trying to defuse the situation. He was ignored.

"Wait," Toph scrunched her nose a little in concentration. "You were in the desert. You are the owner's nephew."

"Yes."

"You're both firebenders."

The Freedom Fighters stiffened, Jet's jaw dropping.

"Yes."

"Did your uncle tell you how much he needs you?"

"What?" Zuko wasn't the only one to look at her in confusion.

"I met him before I found everyone fighting in that town. He showed me how I might need my friends just as much as they need me. And he told me about how he needed you. At least to be safe, but also…" she shrugged and made a hand gesture, obviously not finding the right words. "Well, anyway. I'm glad you're both alright. Crazy put up one tough fight."

"Yeah… Uh. Thanks." He turned back to Katara, still a little confused from Toph's line of conversation. "We're refugees. The Fire Nation would hand us over to Azula and no thank you, so as dangerous as living among the Earth Kingdom is, well Azula."

The Water Tribe siblings blinked at him.

"Wait," Aang perked up. "You defected?"

Zuko flinched, but nodded.

"Does that mean one of you can teach me firebending?"

"What?" Zuko and Sokka asked at the same time in the same incredulous tone, only to glare at one another.

"Can I...step in a moment?" Jet said, taking his wheat stalk out of his mouth. He really was used to being the one in the know and calling the shots. Zuko sighed. "How do you...know each other."

"Oh, well, it's simple really," Katara began in a haughty voice, making Zuko cringe wondering what was coming next. "Your friend here chased us all the way from the South Pole to the North trying to capture Aang to hand him over to the Fire Lord himself." Jet blinked at Zuko and he just ran a hand down his face. Couldn't they just leave? "And then, he let the moon spirit get killed."

"I did not-!"

"But the last time we saw him he was screaming at us to leave his uncle to die."

Zuko growled and his blades were in his hands before he even realized he'd reached for them. Everyone else reacted, drawing themselves up for a fight. Taking a breath, he purposely strode over to his and Uncle's door to lean them against the frame before turning back to the waterbender with flames flicking over his skin.

"You will not touch my uncle." He enunciated every word, a deadly threat. "I have no plans to attack you, I'm not here to capture you, but if you lay one hand on him I don't care who I have to go through, you will die."

She blinked at him, twirling her water with the wiggle of her fingers. Everyone else was still armed, but more unsteady, unsure of what to do. She took a breath and returned most of her water to her waterskin, but kept a little out. The others took that as a cue to stand down as well.

"Zuko," she spoke slowly and he twitched at his name. It'd been a while since anyone but Uncle had called him that. "I tried to tell you. I'm a healer."

He scowled at her.

"Why would you heal your enemies?" his lip curled as he asked, still not entirely in control of his temper.

"Because you helped us against Azula? Because it's the right thing to do? Because he was in pain and I hated seeing that? Because more than once Aang insisted that maybe you weren't all bad?"

That shocked most of his anger away and he regarded the young airbender. Under scrutiny he just scratched his head and shifted his feet, refusing to look anyone in the eye.

"I'm sorry," Zuko finally said. "I thought- Well, I didn't really think anything. It was just-" He looked away, remembering Uncle's shout of pain as he fell to the ground. "Uncle, he-" A breath, and then another. "Thank you. For trying. And I'm sorry I didn't believe you. I don't think I'd have forgiven myself if he'd died."

She offered him a small smile, but he just looked away.

"So you and Jet are friends?" Sokka asked.

Both teenagers in question just shrugged.

"Genocidal maniac and honor bound prince. Perfect match," Katara said.

"Prince?" Toph and Smellerbee asked.

"I was banished three years ago and since the Siege of the North my uncle and I were branded traitors, so I'm pretty sure I've been disinherited."

Sokka snorted and Toph started waving her hands in front of everyone.

"So you're telling me that 'the angry jerk' that you guys have been mentioning in your stories from before we met was Crown Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation. Not some random ship runner with high aspirations, but the Prince of Exile and the First Born Under the Moon?"

Zuko cringed at the familiar monikers, but the girl's companions looked at her confused.

"The what?" Aang asked.

Zuko sighed. "Banishment didn't strip my title, but accusations of treason did. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't resort to the ports' name calling."

The girl snorted and he just glared harder.

"Name calling?" Katara asked.

"Zhao and those like him liked to point out how final my banishment seemed," he sighed and fisted his hands. Why was he even answering to these people? "But if we're done explaining how we all don't get along, I'd like to know if I need to grab Uncle and vacate the city or if you're going to leave us in peace?"

"You really are just here?" Sokka asked.

"Hold up," Toph interjected. "'Seemed?' Don't tell me you actually thought you were going home."

Zuko seethed. "He's here, isn't he?" He gestured at the tattooed monk. "I had my chances and I've accepted defeat. Now I'm only waiting for you to leave."

"Well-" Sokka began, only to be interrupted by Toph again.

"No. You were banished three years ago. You said so yourself. Aang hasn't even been out of the ice for a year."

"I do not need to explain myself to you."

"What are you talking about?" Jet finally managed to take the floor again, only to show his annoyance.

"Go ahead. Explain, Prince Zuko," the blind girl demanded. And man did that make him feel ashamed. A tiny blind girl, no older than the Avatar himself, could see right through Zuko and his insecurities.

"The end of my banishment was conditional upon retrieving the Avatar for the Fire Lord," he said through his teeth.

"So you..couldn't go home without Aang?" Katara asked. He nodded. "And that was before… But it's been a hundred years!"

Zuko cringed again, itching for the shield his blades could provide. Or a blast of fire to warm his frozen sternum.

"How did you get your scar?" a new voice asked. Wide eyed, everyone turned to Longshot. Zuko swallowed. He didn't want to tell them. They had no right to know. He hated reliving that day every night in his dreams. It wasn't like they'd care. He swallowed again as all eyes turned to him.

His hand fell on his scar as an arena filled his mind's eye.

"I spoke out against a general's military strategy." He finally said.

"And the general…?" Katara ventured. He looked at her.

"No. Not him."

"You don't need to tell us, Sparky." He blinked at the girl. Sparky? "I didn't know you had a scar, but considering how you're panicking I won't ask to see it." He blinked again.

"How would you see it?"

She held up grabby fingers.

"Oh."

He could still feel everyone's eyes on him, but he slowly went to the girl and knelt down. Gingerly he took her wrist and guided it to his face.

"It's...It covers so much."

He let a warm breath leave his nose.

"Toph," Katara called lightly.

"It's okay," Zuko assured. "I refused to fight the Agni Kai that I'd agreed to after insulting the general," he whispered. "It's an honor duel, a Duel of Fire," he explained, seeing his father as he turned around in the arena. "When I wouldn't fight I was told I had no honor, but I would learn and suffering would be my teacher."

Toph's eyes had tears in them as she followed the scar back to his ear. He could hear the rest of the room gasp and choke at his words.

"And they marked you to showcase your dishonor?" she asked in a soft voice.

"It's a constant reminder. Though I try to avoid mirrors now," he scoffed a little.

"You said...that it wasn't the general," Aang left the question unspoken.

"That's right."

The boy pursed his lips while everyone else shifted uncomfortably, burning with curiosity.

"I can't go home. I've accepted that now. Do I have to leave here as well?"

"No," Katara said before looking at her brother and the Avatar. They nodded to her. "We won't tell."

"Thank you."

"Are you sure you don't want to be my firebending teacher?" Aang asked.

Zuko, Sokka, and Katara all sighed.

"Actually," Jet spoke again, "that might be a good idea. We can keep an eye on your uncle."

"Jet-"

"No, I get it. Really. It's just...I've made a lot of mistakes and these guys were the first ones to really point it out to me. I'd like to help them, but I'm just another war orphan. You can- You're a firebender. You can help. And more than that… You're a good guy. If the Fire Lord goes down, I can get behind supporting 'Lee' as the next ruler of the Fire Nation."

"I-" Zuko squinted. "I'm not- That's not how-" He swallowed and took another steadying breath. "Azula will be the next Fire Lord."

"Yeah, Jet makes a point, and I'd rather that not happen," Sokka said. "I mean, we never really stopped to think about after." He looked at his team. "But Jet's right. We need to consider what's going to happen to the Fire Nation after we win the war."

Zuko snorted, but he was ignored.

"We restore peace and balance," Aang said simply.

"But we need the fighting to stop," Katara pointed out, running a hand to her hair.

"And we need a leader who will both be accepted by the nation and stop the war," Sokka summed up. All eyes landed on Zuko again.

"You just highlighted how I've been chasing you across the world to hand you over to the Fire Lord. And now you're really going to stand there and say I'm the one for the job?"

"Well, you were just doing as you were told," Aang said.

"And trying to go home," Katara added.

"And you never tried to actually kill us or the people who helped us, so you have that going for you," Sokka pointed out.

Zuko took a breath.

"Get out."

"What?" Aang asked.

"I can't think and I want you to leave. Now." A few flames rolled off his hand as he pointed at the door sharply.

Toph gently pulled herself away from him and his scar and the four of them awkwardly made their way out.

"L- Zuko?" Smellerbee ventured.

"I'm not- I just-" He took another breath failing to find that center of peace he'd had that morning. "I don't know what to do and I just want to think."

"Well, she started, "whatever you do, we got your back."

"Yeah, we do," Jet said with a little more force.

He offered them a grim smile.

"Thanks. I'm gonna-" he nodded at his door and made his way in, closing it behind him and sinking to the floor and holding his head in his hands.

"It was his father," he heard Longshot tell the others, and the tears started.

.

One of the group, usually Toph, made a point to mill around the Jasmine Dragon everyday as they awaited council with the Earth King. Jet was a stream of information about the Dai-Li and Iroh gave amazing advice and tea. Zuko tended to avoid them, but Katara figured out when he was on shift and made a point of sitting at his tables.

"Again? Really?"

"Well, you haven't really talked to me yet, so I figured I'd try again today."

"I have nothing to talk to you about," he said as he strode away.

She sighed and blew on her tea. A few minutes later he came back and sat down in a huff. She blinked at him, surprised. This hadn't happened before.

"When are you leaving?"

"When we get an audience with the king and sort through some… things."

"Wait, you were serious about trying to see the king?"

She nodded at him.

"But he's just a figurehead," he whispered.

"What do you mean?"

Zuko glanced around, and then pointedly looked up at the ceiling. No, not the ceiling, the roof.

Where the Dai-Li hid.

She furrowed her brows and lowered her voice.

"We noticed something...off. But surely the king is the one who handles it."

Zuko shook his head.

"He hasn't left the palace since his parents died. When he was four."

"Oh! How do you know this?"

"I'm making this place my home, Katara. I'd like to know where I'm living."

"Right."

"The Dai-Li control the city and Long Feng controls the Dai-Li." Katara had to strain to hear Zuko's nearly silent voice and she couldn't even read his lips as he barely moved them as he spoke. "King Kuei is on a leash and doesn't even know it because Long Feng has cared for him since he was a child."

Katara bit her lip and considered that.

"Long Feng threatened us, or-well, it was implied- when we first got here."

"I'm not surprised. He was the one holding Appa."

"What!"

"Keep it down," he hissed at her.

"What do you mean? How would you know?" She couldn't help but reach forward for his hand as she urgently rushed her questions. He easily tucked his hand under his chin just before she could touch it.

"The Blue Spirit freed it after questioning some members of the Dai-Li."

"The Blue Spirit? We've seen wanted posters for him."

Zuko snorted. "Yeah, ironic seeing them up beside wanted posters for Prince Zuko."

She looked at him confused, not seeing the irony he mentioned. Maybe just the fact he saw his own wanted posters when he'd only ever done what the Fire Nation asked of him. He just shrugged, not willing to explain.

"So you...know the Blue Spirit?"

"Katara. Stay focused. You either need Long Feng's help, or you need to upset his reign of power and get to King Kuei."

"Right." She didn't know why she was taking Zuko's advice, but she'd at least run the conversation by Sokka and the others. "Have you considered…" She trailed off and bit her lip.

"I've been...thinking about it. I don't want to leave Uncle. And I don't like your idea of making me Fire Lord. And I"m not too keen on traveling with a group that would rather see me dead."

"I never wanted you dead, Zuko," she whispered.

"You were going to leave me in a snowstorm at the North Pole."

Her eyes widened at the accusation and she couldn't even deny it. She had been so angry that he'd taken Aang right out from under her and she was fully prepared to leave him to the elements.

"I'm so sorry," she said brokenly as tears sprang to her eyes. She didn't even excuse herself as she left the shop. How had she forgotten that her anger had almost led her to take a life through apathy. She, who never wanted to turn her back on those who needed her, had turned her back on an abuse victim who was failing miserably at making his way through the life he was forced into.

.

"What can I get for you today?"

"Unbridled chaos," she deadpanned.

"I'll talk to the owner about adding it to the menu," he answered dryly. "Will apple blossom suffice for now?"

She shrugged with a grin.

"Yeah, sure. That sounds good," she said and he walked off to get her drink.

Toph loved coming to the Jasmine Dragon. 'Lee' was so much fun and Uncle was the parental figure she had always wished she could have. She tried to respect their privacy and decisions, so she never brought up Aang or the group or any difficult choices. But that didn't stop her from just genuinely enjoying her time with them.

Smellerbee was pretty cool too and would ask her a stream of questions about her earthbending sight. More than once the girl offered to teach Toph to fight without relying on her earthbending, but if Toph was in a situation that she couldn't earthbend she wouldn't even be able to see.

She found she wasn't all that fond of Jet, but Longshot was pretty easy to understand when she could feel his heartbeat. Who said blind and mute couldn't get along?

"Thanks," she said as he approached with the sweet smelling tea.

"Yeah." He hesitated, shifting on his feet instead of immediately stalking off.

"What's wrong, Sparkles?"

"Don't call me that," he hissed. She chuckled.

"Nothing wrong with a nickname," she shrugged with a grin.

He sighed and dropped into the seat across from her. She could feel his hand at his face, and tried to figure out what was bothering him.

"Are you guys going to do it?"

She blinked. He wanted to know if they were going to break the Dai-Li's influence over Ba Sing Se.

"We don't have a plan," she whispered. "No evidence means no credibility, even if we make it to him." She shrugged, but her insides were stone.

"You need to infiltrate their base."

"You...know where it is?"

"I...might?"

"You do!" she brightened and he scratched his neck.

"How… How good are you at keeping secrets?"

"Almost as good as I am at earthbending," she replied smugly.

He nodded slowly.

"I'll get you after dark, then."

.

"So, uhh…" Toph began, a little unsure of herself and what she was supposed to say. She'd stayed awake after everyone else and waited. It was difficult to notice, but eventually she detected a set of light footsteps gingerly skirting around the house. He was a lot closer than she thought he'd get before she noticed, and with a quick flip they were standing face to face and she didn't know what to do.

He crouched low and gave a very obvious tilt of his head for her to follow him, so she did. If she didn't already know this was Zuko she wouldn't have recognized him. He moved so differently! Even his heartbeat wasn't it's usual tempo, but rather a calm suspense.

He led her to a more vacant area of Ba Sing Se and she eventually noticed there was a lake at the edge of her awareness. They neared its shores and when they met sand he finally spoke.

"It's under the lake."

She startled a little at his voice, but stomped her foot to send out vibrations.

"I see it! It's a whole network of caves and caverns with people in them."

"I heard them training the Joo Dee while I was there," he said. "And...worse things."

"Worse how?"

"They were bending people's minds," he shivered. "The trouble makers who'd bring the war with them to the city."

"There is no war in Ba Sing Se," Toph repeated with a cold feeling running down her spine.

"They wanted to take Jet."

"Is that how you knew this was down here?"

"No. When I found out the Avatar was in Ba Sing Se with his bison missing I went a little crazy. I didn't know what to do. I hate living like a refugee, but my uncle is my first concern and he was...happy. So, I found the bison-here-and I made a difficult choice."

His heartbeat was steady, truthful.

"What choice?"

"To let the Avatar go. To accept I will never return home. To truly put Uncle first and try to make the most of our home here."

Again, truthful-but also hurting.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"I don't need your pity."

"Just empathy," she shrugged, but her eyes misted. "I miss home. I ran away-to train Aang. I don't regret it, my parents never really saw me, never knew me. But I still love them. I still miss them."

"That's...rough."

She reached over and grabbed his hand. He startled at the action but didn't shake her off.

"So, this will be our evidence. But how do we get the earth king here?"

"I dunno. Kidnap him?" His tone suggested dry humor, but she lit up at the thought.

"I… I have an idea! Would you and your friends help?" She turned to him with her best 'I'm a small blind child and I'm in need of assistance' face.

"Ugh," he shifted back and forth, weighing his options. "Jet really wants to help you guys, and the Blue Spirit is an ally, I guess."

"Who's the Blue Spirit?"

He seemed confused for a second and then lit up with understanding. She was used the the reaction from the many times her friends forgot and were reminded that she was, in fact, blind. He reached up to his face, but there was a weight in his hands as he stepped over to her.

"I wear a mask," he guided her hand over the ridges. "My mother had one like this from the theater. It's the Blue Spirit, a water demon."

"Right." Toph pulled her hand back and bit her lip, not sure what to do with that piece of information. "So, can we meet up at your apartment again for me to suggest my crazy idea and you guys tell me I'm mad?"

"No."

"What?"

"The Blue Spirit will help you, and the Freedom Fighters probably will too, but Lee and Mushi will not."

The Blind Bandit knew about maintaining walls between personas, so she nodded.

"Then I need you to go back to the house with me, then you can pitch the idea to the others yourself."

He nodded and they headed back.

.

It was too easy to sneak in with nobody even twitching in their sleep. Seriously, these guys were the ones who were so difficult to track and catch when his life depended on it. He suppressed a sigh and Toph swiped her foot across the floor, causing three sleepy yelps to echo through the darkness.

"What the heck, Toph?" Sokka grumbled, angrily grabbing his blanket.

Aang just yawned and slumped in a heap, barely upright.

Katara, though, she pulled out her water and took a stance.

"Who are you?" she squinted through the darkness. Sokka immediately became alert, swinging his arms around, looking for his weapon. The bent blade was beside Zuko on a stool, so Zuko picked it up and tossed it to the water tribesman, only to receive a confused look and a half-threatening stance.

"That's-" Aang finally looked at him and Zuko could see the war over his features. "That's the Blue Spirit."

"Oh yeah! We saw your wanted posters!" Sokka enthused, dropping all pretense of assault. "What were you wanted for?"

Zuko cocked his head to the side.

"The Blue Spirit doesn't talk, Sokka," Aang said in a small voice.

"How do you know?" Sokka asked. Katara still had her water at the ready.

"Well, uh…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Remember when you two were sick? Like really sick? And you had to suck on those frozen frogs the herbalist of Taku told me to find?" He hesitated while all eyes were on him. "WellIkindagotcapturedbyZhaoandthesewickedarchersandtheBlueSpiritsavedmefromthefortressIwaschainedin," he said quickly in a single breath. Zuko could only incline his head, noting that he left out the fact he'd discovered his identity after their great escape.

"Alright… You-got captured?" Katara turned her full attention to Aang, water whip and all. "And you didn't tell us?"

"Well, you were sick. And you needed to recover. And it was over and I was okay and I...I really didn't wanna talk about it."

"This was before the North Pole?" Toph asked with a pinched expression.

"Mmhmm," Aang answered with a hung head.

"Well, that's...interesting. But it's gotta wait. Blue had something to show me, and it got me to thinking…"

"Did he show you...who was holding Appa?" Katara asked in a quiet whisper.

Zuko tilted his head back and forth. Technically, yes, he had. But that wasn't the point.

"Yeah. Appa was being held in the caverns below a lake on the eastern side of the city. There are other things down there too. It's the Dai-Li. And it's our proof to the earth king that Long Feng is not what he seems."

"You saved Appa too?" Aang asked in a wobbly voice with tears in his eyes.

Zuko stiffened, but offered a quick nod. Aang fisted his hands, obviously wanting to shoot forward and hug him, but Zuko was thankful for the restraint.

"So...I had an idea," Toph declared. "The earth king won't just believe us when we tell him about the Dai-Li, so we gotta show him."

"You want to kidnap the king and take him to the Dai-Li's horror show?" Sokka asked, deadpan.

Zuko started and looked at Toph with alarm, waving his hands around to signal this is a bad idea.

"Cool it, spirit boy. We need two teams, one to storm the palace and take the king and another to hold the lake to make sure they don't collapse the cave system."

"The only thing is, we're taking Zuko's word on the fact that the king isn't just letting this happen. He could know everything and just be evil," Sokka pointed out.

Zuko shrugged. He had a point. Maybe the king just liked closing his eyes and letting his advisors deal with the world around him.

"Well," Katara said, "if that's the case then I'd put dethroning him on the to-do list right after kicking the crown off the Fire Lord's head."

Zuko gaped at her, tilting his head in confusion and leaning in to showcase his shock.

"Look," she stated, "the people here live in fear. I'd venture it's barely better than the Fire Nation. And it's the Avatar's job to bring balance and freedom. And I signed up to help the Avatar. So, I say, we go through with Toph's plan. Maybe ask for a little help where we can. Then, when we see what kind of king we're dealing with, we decide if he's going to help us now, or if we need to deal with Ba Sing Se later."

Zuko barely kept his chuckle silent as his mirth bubbled over. These people were ridiculous.

"You said everything is underground?" Sokka asked Toph and she nodded in answer. "Okay. So, you and Aang will hold the cave system. Katara and I storm the palace."

Zuko visibly recoiled to show his disgust for the plan.

"Yeah, I know," Sokka grumbled. "Aang should really be the one to confront the king but I don't want Toph to defend the caves herself."

Zuko just waved at him like 'am I invisible?'

"Oh! You'll help?"

A tilt. You really need to ask?

"Cool, you go with Toph. And Katara is right. We should ask if anyone else can help. Maybe Jet? He's been itching to see some action. Do you think… Do you think Zuko would help?" He turned to Aang and Katara.

Katara lit up, about to suggest something, but Aang cut her off.

"I don't think that's smart. He represents the Fire Nation, so having a hand in kidnapping the king wouldn't look too good."

"Oh. Right," Katara slumped.

"Don't worry about him too much. He's a good guy, he'll figure it out," Toph said.

Zuko bristled.

Aang let out a sheepish laugh.

.

The following night, Aang, Katara, Sokka, and the Freedom Fighters stormed the palace to find a very young king who seemed annoyed at their intrusion. Long Feng was at his elbow spitting poised poison every chance he got. Eventually, Sokka convinced the king to have a look around his own city for himself.

And that started at the Fire Nation drill to confirm the war did, in fact, exist, but then led them to a lake where they saw a very small earthbender straining against invisible barriers and a masked swordsman fending off several Dai-Li.

"Stop this at once!" the king yelled.

The Dai-Li agents stalled long enough for three quick blows to knock out three distracted agents. The swordsman resumed an on guard position, but the Dai-Li bowed to their king. The girl collapsed, fainting from the effort she'd put up that no one could see. Katara ran to check on her, water on hand for healing.

"They were trying to collapse the passages," Aang informed the arriving group. "She kept them stable." Stomping his foot and lifting his arms the entrance to Lake Laogai was opened.

Hundreds of people were freed. King Kuei cried on his knees at the hands he'd left his kingdom in.

.

Jet could feel Longshot's eyes on him. He knew, he always knew. It was a little unsettling sometimes.

"I'm fine."

A raised brow met him and Jet just crossed his arms and looked away.

So what! His life was a little crazy. And then it got a little crazier. And now…

He sighed, remembering how it started. It started with fire and destruction. How was a war orphan supposed to live? And there were others! And it felt so right to take care of them. To fight back. But it wasn't; not the way he was doing it. Sokka showed him that.

And then they left him. Bit by bit, watching his descent, until only two remained. They couldn't protect each other like this, so to Ba Sing Se they went. Only to make a friend that would further throw Jet's convictions to the wind. The Fire Nation wasn't evil. He couldn't even say the people of the Fire Nation were evil. It was just their leadership. Ozai and those he infected to act just like him.

Now, with all this new information and perspective, he was about to do something he never would have thought possibly. He was going to pledge to protect a firebender so that another firebender could have a clean conscience as he fulfilled his destiny with the Avatar. Zuko hadn't agreed to go yet, but Toph was having her tea in the shop openly talking with him about what pansies the Dai-Li were.

Jet had to chuckle at that girl's stone spine.

But she shifted, concerned and a moment later Katara came barreling into the shop.

.

"We need to go, now," she hissed in Toph's ear, trying to tug her out of her chair.

"Why?"

She could feel Katara shift to eye the counter before tugging again.

"Katara, why?"

"They've been lying to us," she hissed again.

"No they haven't. What's this about?"

"Please Toph, I'll explain in the air, but we-"

"No. Katara. I know when people lie to me."

"That's ridic-"

"Heartbeats. That's how I know what's going on with the people around me. I read their heartbeats. I know when someone is panicking, or lovestruck, or entirely calm. Or even lying. No one here has lied to us."

She shifted uneasily, still stealing glances at the counter until she finally sighed.

"Come on," she said as she walked up to Uncle.

"A word if I may?" she asked politely.

Uncle was a little taken back by her request, but excused himself and signaled Zuko and Longshot to take over as he led them to the upstairs room again.

"What can I do for you, Miss Katara?"

"Azula is here."

Panic. Shocked breathing. Anger.

"He didn't know," Toph stated. Katara hesitated a moment and then nodded.

"We can't fight her, especially with her friends. They're disguised as Kyoshi Warriors and not leaving the king's side. Acting as his personal guard during the transition after Long Feng's imprisonment."

Uncle had one hand on his wound from the desert and the other scratching his chin as his heart rate calmed slowly.

"I will stall her. You will take the king and my nephew away. I do not doubt she has already found allies. If she is to attack either the Avatar or her brother there is no telling what collateral damage will be inflicted."

Katara flinched and Toph scowled.

"I don't like running from a fight," Toph grumbled.

"It is not running, it is a strategic retreat until a pathway to victory is made clear."

"But if we know she's here we could put together a joint effort to-"

Iroh cut Katara off with a wave of his hand.

"Allow me to assess the situation from here and through my contacts. Warn the generals. Then take the king and my nephew. I will alert you if an advantageous opportunity arises."

"Toph?" She blinked at Katara. "You're sure?"

"I know it sounds crazy, but I'm telling the truth. You can test me sometime if you want."

Katara sighed and nodded.

"King Kuei is going to think the only thing we're good at is kidnapping him," she sighed.

Toph laughed outright.

.

"I did not agree to this!" Zuko yelled over the wind in the saddle. "Where are you even taking me?!"

"Well," Sokka began from his relaxed position across the saddle, "first we've got to make sure Kuei is safe. And me and Katara wanna see Dad. So, to the fleet first."

"Right. The fleet that will kill me on sight."

"Don't worry so much, Sparky," Toph punched him in the arm, only to grab back ahold of his elbow like a lifeline. "We'll keep you safe."

He sighed and ran a hand over his face. At least he was faring better than the earth king. He was sheet white, terrified.

"And then you'll let me go?"

"Well, you could go with me to the air temple!" Aang enthused, whooshing over to them from the reins. "I've gotta master the Avatar State so… So that doesn't happen again." He shivered and Zuko narrowed his eyes. At least the kid knew the North Pole was an atrocity.

"You can't just keep me with you."

"I mean, you're not our prisoner or anything," Katara pointed out. "But we are hoping that you'll teach Aang."

He just fisted his hair and tucked his head between his knees, Toph still clinging to his elbow.

"You left Uncle with Azula," he bit out.

"The Freedom Fighters will keep him safe."

He lifted his head to give her a look.

"You fought with Jet! He's capable."

"Azula."

"Cool it Sparky. What's the best outcome as far as Crazy is concerned?"

"Have all memory of Ozai wiped from her mind?"

They blinked at him and he groaned, returning his head to his knees.