Author's Note: It has been about six years since I updated this story. But anyway, here comes a new chapter. But first, I wanted to say sorry, for the amount of time that this took as well as for all the spelling and grammar mistakes I caught when I re-read the story. I sincerely hope that my English improved since then. Anyhow, I think I should stop talking and get on with the story, eh?

Scotland 1892

Joan felt like she abandoned Lynn back in the house. Whatever danger she felt before, Lynn was now alone, though hidden, facing it. She only hoped that she would reach the house in time to save her. Meanwhile the group she had found in the woods looked after the running female in wonder.

They had just started to walk down the path she had pointed to them when they heard an explosion. It came from the direction they were heading, causing them to hurry.

Joan had almost reached the house when the lower floor burst into flames. The explosion caused her to fly a few meters back through the air. Little flames started burning through her jacket as she tried to overlook the scene. Her ears rang for a moment, but she quickly caught her composure and came back to her feet. Then she heard a scream. Lynn's voice. Hopefully the stone walls of the secret tunnel held back somewhat of the blow. At this moment she didn't waste any thought on how this could've happened, who could've done this. The only thing she could think of was that she needed to save Lynn.

By now an exhausted group arrived about 20 meters behind her, breathing heavily. The butler did not turn around but stared for a brief moment as the top floor collapsed. Joan knew what she had to do. Without any further hesitation, she ran into the burning house, Zuko, Aang and the other two staring at her in shock.

Flames and smoke dancing all around her, Joan hurried over to the secret tunnel's entrance, where she left her young protégé. She could hear small coughs and whimpering from the inside. So, she's alive. That's good. Joan quickly got rid of the bookshelf covering the secret door, taring it to pieces. By now, the flames were licking on her tailcoat, and she breathed heavily from the smoke. She wanted to open the door, but the lock melted from the immense heat and the flames were already crawling up the wooden door.

Her voice being all raspy from the smoke she had breathed in she called out, "Lynn, if you hear me, get away from the door!". Nothing. The whimpering and coughing had stopped. Shit. Ursa is going to have my head on a pike and rightfully so.

Without further waiting the half demon kicked the door in, sending burning splinters through the air. She saw the body of the child laying on the floor motionless. As she hurried over to her, she noticed that her tailcoat was now right out burning. She discarded it, throwing it back into what once was their salon and hurried over to the unconscious girl. As she picked her up, she noticed that the girl was still alive, though her breathing was flat. Joan sighed in relieve. Now, how should she get the girl out of this?

Suddenly another small explosion shook the ground, causing rubble to rain down on her. The chimney had exploded. As Joan looked back to where she came from, she saw that this way was blocked by fallen debris now. Decision made. Quickly she turned in the other direction and ran through the secret tunnel.

Meanwhile the little group around the avatar still watched in shock as the house came crashing down. Whatever drove that butler to run in there, she could've hardly survived that. Aang looked around, there was no river nearby, but a well. It would have to do for now. He quickly ran over and bended enough water out of it to put out the majority of the flames, leaving smoking debris all over what once was a not too small house.

Zuko whispered what they all thought at this moment, "Agni, what was that?", as small glimmering pieces of wood still flew through the air.

Joan heard the house coming down as she ran through the tunnel, carrying Lynn in her arms. She ran as fast as she could, until she reached the end of the tunnel. Now she only needed to open this door. Well, it wasn't exactly a door, as it was more a heavy rock that shielded this side from curious looks from the outside. For a second, she laid Lynn on the ground before trying to shove it away. First gentle, then with more and more strength. Hundreds of years of not being used had caused plants and dirt to form a hard mortar. Exhausted she yelled at the rock, "Come on! Come on! Move! Please! Move!", by now tears were streaming down her face. She leaned on the wall, breathing heavily, the air in the tunnel was thick with dust and smoke.

"Okay, okay,", she whispered through her clenching teeth, "Joan, you're a half demon. You should be able to move a stupid rock, now come on.". Her eyes began to glow as she threw herself against the stone finally moving it until it fell down the hill. Fresh air filled the entry of the tunnel and for a brief moment Joan just stood there, breathing in, smiling, before the sorrow had her back. She hurried over to the still unconscious girl, picked her up and walked a few meters outside before laying her on the green grass. Lynn was still breathing, though still flat. Joan quickly checked for burns, but to her relieve she found none. She reclined against a rock, gasping for air, allowing herself a moment of weakness.

She jumped as something pulled on her shirt. Lynn's eyes fluttered and she whispered, "Jo? Jo, are you here?"

Suddenly tears streamed down the half demon's face, "Yes, yes, Lynnie, I'm here. Gosh, I'm so glad to hear your voice.", with that she pulled the girl into her lap, hugging her, stroking her hair.

"Jo, what happened?", Lynn whispered into her ear.

"I don't know.", Joan answered truthfully, "Let's get back and have a look at it."

Only now Joan realized the pain in her right leg. The fire had burned a hole into her trousers, and even attacked the booth she wore underneath, causing the skin to blister and burn. That would hurt for a few days. She healed faster than humans, a lot faster, but not as quickly as her father would have. Regrowing body parts in hours was above her abilities.

Night was approaching as the little group had gathered around a small fire, discussing what just happened and what to do next. Should they abandon the search altogether and return home, or just wait, since this butler had said that Ursa would return here in a few days.

All of sudden they heard steps from the dark. Someone was approaching, slowly, limping, breathing heavily. As she stepped into the light of the fire, the butler fell to her knees, but kept holding onto the child in her arms.