Disclaimer: I don't own Atla.
Later that day they reach the next port that will get them to Ba Sing Se, Zuko and Lenetta walk back to where there stuff is. They had stood at the railing with Jet for awhile just talking about their lives and what led them to this point. Zuko omitted the parts about him being the Fire Prince but he did talk about his travels after the North Pole, Jet didn't pry about anything further back than that for which he was grateful.
Jet told them about what happened to his parents and Lenetta finally understood about why she felt such hatred in him. It strengthened her resolve to help him and the other Freedom Fighters so they could be at peace. Whenever they reached their area of the ferry Lenetta told Zuko her plan.
"Last night after Jet and I passed out food for the other refugees, I told him about how I joined you and he talked about how the Fire Nation are scum, I felt so much rage and hatred coming from him." Zuko nodded, he completely understood Jet's pain, he had seen a lot of terrible things that the Fire Nation had done. He finally grew to realize that all of it was wrong.
"I think we should stay close to them, not necessarily join their group since were firebenders, but just be their friends, we won't tell them who we are until later." Zuko nodded, he agreed, he kind of liked Jet and felt a connection with him. He knew that not all Fire Nation were bad and he knew that the time to mend 100 year old wounds was now.
"What do we do if he asks us to join their group?" Zuko asks.
"We tell him we can't, that we have to stick with your uncle and that we already have plans." Zuko nods. It was true, he knew that his uncle would more than likely want to start a tea shop and that he would need their help, and he would want them to join him.
"Thank you Zuko." She reached up and hugged him and he hugged her back. After they broke apart they smiled at each other and gathered the rest of their things.
oOoOo
After they gathered all their stuff they went and found Iroh who was waiting for them so they could walk to the ticket vender together. The line was long and there were a lot of people that were waiting for a ferry, a lot of them looked lost and it saddened the three firebenders.
They finally reached the ticket vender after waiting for an hour and she inspected their tickets.
"So, Miss Lenetta, Mr. Lee and Mr. ummm…Mushy is it?" she looked down at them in confusion, wondering why someone would name their kid Mushy. It wasn't her job to judge though so she remained quiet.
"It's pronounced Mushi." Iroh politely corrected. Lenetta gave Zuko look. Why did you have to give Iroh that awful name? Zuko just shrugged, he had been frustrated at the time.
"You telling me how to do my job?" asked the ticket woman with an annoyed tone. She didn't mean it, she just wanted to see what the older man would do.
Iroh approaches the ticket booth placatingly. "Uh no, no. But may I just say you're like a flower in bloom. Your beauty is intoxicating." Iroh tells the woman flirtatiously. The woman's demeanor changes to match his flirtatious behavior.
"You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, handsome. Raorr! Welcome to Ba Sing Se." She stamps their tickets and they walk off with their tickets. But not before Iroh and the woman wave bye to each other.
Zuko pinches the bridge of his nose. "I'm going to forget I saw that." Zuko says disgusted. Lenetta chuckles softly. "I'll bet that's not even the half of it; huh Lee." Lenetta says teasingly. Zuko shudders at the memories that come up.
"Hey Lee, Lenetta!" Jet, Smellerbee and Longshot stroll on over to them as the three people look over.
"Hey guys." Lenetta says brightly and the three Freedom Fighters lead them over to an empty bench they found.
After they sit down Jet asks them: "So what are your plans once you get to the city?"
"Mushi has always to have his own tea shop so I think we're going to try and get that started, probably by working in one first." Lenetta answers.
"Get your hot tea here! Finest tea in Ba Sing Se!" a tea seller stops nearby as he shouts about his tea. Iroh jumps at the opportunity obviously.
"Ooh! Jasmine please." Iroh waves his hand, and the man walks over hands him his tea. Iroh takes a sip and then grimaces.
"Blaugh! Ugh, coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it! What a disgrace!" Iroh exclaims.
"He sure takes his tea seriously doesn't he?" Jet asks amusedly.
"Yeah, he says he does it memory of his son." Lenetta responds. Jet nods his head in understanding.
"So, I take it you and Lee wouldn't want to join my Freedom Fighters?" Jet asks. Lenetta shakes her head.
"I'm afraid not, but I would love it if we could remain friends." Jet smiles at her. He tells her they have to go and then they walk off. Lenetta watches them go and then hears smack and something falling to the ground. She looks back to her friends and sees Zuko whispering something angrily while Iroh looks like he's about to cry.
"I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea but...it's just so sad." Iroh sniffles.
Lenetta tugs on Zuko's sleeve and he looks back at her. "What happened?" She asks, concerned.
"Uncle firebent in his tea and I smacked it out of his hand before anyone could see." Zuko tells her. She nods her head; firebending is extremely dangerous for them right now. If they were to get caught…she shudders at the thought. Lenetta pats his hand to calm him down so he wouldn't draw attention. He relaxes.
oOoOo
Later; once they received their call Iroh, Zuko and Lenetta boarded their train that would take them into the city. They sat next to family that had a newborn baby.
Lenetta squealed softly and cooed gently baby; "Aww, your baby is so cute." She reached out and stroked the baby's cheek. "Thank you." Ying tells her. "Is the baby a boy or girl." Lenetta asks while still stroking her cheek, the baby wakes up and smiles and coos softly. "A girl, and her name is Hope." Lenetta smiles gently as she watches the baby look around at everything. "Can I hold her, please?" Lenetta asks politely. "Yes." The woman passes the baby to the teen. Lenetta smiles softly at the tiny baby girl in her arms.
Zuko who is sitting next to her watches the sweet interaction with a soft smile. He thinks that she will be a wonderful mother one day. And he hopes desperately that she'll get to have that. He allows himself to imagine himself with Lenetta as his wife and holding their child close and showering him or her with love while he holds them close to him and protecting them both from the world. It's a beautiful thought but he knows he'll never be that lucky…he never is.