Asami walked slowly up the long drive that led to the Sato estate a few hours later. As tired as she was, she'd still had the cab drop her at the gate. That way she could at least pretend, if just to a stranger, that there was someone home to care that she was back. The hill was steep, but the mild exercise helped her think. There wasn't much else she could do this late, but first thing in the morning she intended to call in every favor she or Future Industries had owed to try to find out what had happened to Iroh. The list of favors was by no means short, either, especially in the government; hopefully at least someone would have a lead on what she should do next.

Lost in her thoughts, Asami trudged steadily up towards the house. At least the rain had stopped. It was full dark now, but she'd lived there most of her life and had no trouble finding her way. So she was quite a ways up the drive before she glanced towards the covered porch. The dark figure of a man was silhouetted against the porch light, seated on the stairs leading up to the door. Asami froze, her heart leaping into her throat. She hadn't even thought to unpack her glove, and she realized too late that it was with the rest of her things on the cargo ship. She tensed, wondering if she should simply run, when the figure looked up and… closed a book?

Asami yelped and started running, not away, but straight towards the door. She collided with the figure as he stood, flung her arms around him and squeezed with all her might.

"Whoa, hey, hi, ow," Iroh said. After a surprised moment he hugged her as well. "It's good to see you, too," he laughed. Asami didn't let go. In that moment Iroh felt like the only solid thing in the world. Eventually she felt him lean his head against hers. Then he just held her there, gently stroking her back with one hand. "Hey," he asked quietly, "you okay?"

Asami nodded into his shoulder, then stepped back and looked him up and down, just to make sure he was real. Iroh was once again dressed in his red United Forces uniform. It was clean and pressed, or had been a minute ago, and he looked every inch the general. Except for something in his posture perhaps; he looked more relaxed than she'd usually seen him in uniform. More like how he'd been when they'd been camping in the Earth Kingdom, perhaps. As she looked closer, she noticed a fading bruise on one cheek and a long, healing cut along his jaw that hadn't been there when he'd left her in the Spirit World. He must have seen at least some action since then. But he didn't seem seriously hurt, and if he was wearing his uniform it must mean he was still with the United Forces. She breathed an inward sigh of relief.

"Where have you been?" she demanded. Now that the surprise had worn off, Asami was surprised to find that she was angry. "I've been looking for you for hours, and no one seemed to know where you were. I went to all of the ships, and when I finally found your door you weren't there, and this horrible man named Cuzon, he said he hadn't seen you. I went to City Hall, too, but it was too late and no one would see me."

"You did?" Iroh looked surprised. "I, um. Actually, I've been here. I heard your ship was coming in this afternoon. I had other business and wasn't able to meet it, but I came here as soon as I was free. I thought that you would come straight home. I didn't know what to do when you didn't, so I stayed."

"You've been here all afternoon?" she asked, dumbfounded. "On my stairs?"

Iroh tucked the book he'd been reading into his jacket. "Well… yes."

Asami had spent so much time looking for him, it had somehow never occurred to her that Iroh would come looking for her as well. She didn't know what to think, and was trying hard not to read too much into his actions.

"But… what happened? I didn't hear anything after you went off into the Spirit World. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Iroh said. He seemed slightly confused. "It's a bit of a long story, but the short version is that we were right. I was able to come from the Spirit World straight to Republic City, though I had a little help in doing so. The fleet took a beating, but we pulled through all right. UnaVaatu is gone, and despite all of these weird spirit vines and a lot of building damage, on the whole I think things could have been quite a bit worse." He fingered the cut on his jaw. "I don't know that I made much of a difference personally though, unless you count being a spirit vine punching bag. Avatar Korra did all the real work. I'd assumed you'd heard most of this on the radio, though. The Battle of Republic City is pretty much all anyone talks about."

"But why didn't you send word to Varrick's ship at least? To tell me what happened? Or at least that you were okay?" The news had not mentioned anyone involved in the battle by name besides Korra.

Iroh looked baffled. "I didn't realize that you wanted me to," he said.

Asami paused. How could he not know that she'd want to know if he was alive? That not knowing had kept her awake and worried sick for more than a week? She felt her anger dissolving. After all they'd been through, did he really not know how much she cared about him?

"What about President Raiko?" she asked, her voice quieter. "This guy Cuzon seemed to think you were no longer in command of the fleet. Was there trouble?"

"Not exactly trouble, no," he said. "Katara tells me I'm a bad liar, so I said I'd been camping and had only just gotten back. It was technically true." Iroh smirked. "At any rate, there was no evidence that I had been anywhere I wasn't supposed to be. I got quite the lecture after the battle though. I think Raiko suspected I'd been up to something and was livid that he couldn't prove it."

Iroh shuffled a little, kicking a small rock off the path and into the shrubbery with the toe of one black boot. "So, as I said, no real trouble. But Raiko did have me re-assigned—he can do that himself, no questions asked. He said that if I liked getting lost in the Republic so much I could, how did he put it? "Fucking well stay here," I believe he said. Commanders Bumi and Cuzon will split my former command of the fleet. Cuzon isn't exactly a friend, but he's a good commander, and he's had his eye on my job for quite a while. I'm sure he can manage to handle half of it. And Bumi is more than capable. Instead, I'll be leading the Forces contingent involved in the reconstruction efforts here in Republic City for as long as needed, and then head up the permanent defense of the Republic under the United Forces banner. I don't think anyone can argue anymore that we don't need one. Technically, it's a promotion, though I'm pretty sure Raiko meant it as a punishment."

Asami couldn't believe it. Not only was Iroh all right, but he'd be staying in Republic City. "That's incredible, Iroh! Congratulations. I know we could use you here. When do you start?" She checked herself. "That is, I hope you're not too upset?"

Iroh smiled, evidently pleased by her reaction. "Not at all. Effective last week. I've been dragging my feet a little though. It turns out that I need a counterpart, equivalent rank but on the civilian side. It's a new position. I know a talented engineer who would be absolutely perfect, but I haven't had a chance to ask her yet if she's interested. I'd have to bid out any contracts of course, and Future Industries would be highly competitive given the work, but as long as the process is fair and above board I don't see why we couldn't have a highly-qualified engineering company president take the role. And I have good reason to believe that we'd make an excellent team." Iroh looked down and scuffed his feet a little. Then he ran one hand quickly through his hair and met her eyes. "I don't suppose I could persuade you to work with me again?"

Was he kidding? Working with Iroh on rebuilding the city instead of designing weapons? Plus the potential to grow Future Industries in the process? It was basically a dream job. Her mind filled with visions of sensor signal lights and dedicated motorbike lanes and interceptor valve sewers.

"Is that why you're here?" she asked. "To offer me a job?"

"No, actually." Iroh reached into his coat pocket and pulled something out. "I came to bring back a prototype. I believe I took excellent care of it, but I wanted to return it to its rightful owner as soon as possible." He opened his palm to reveal her portable light. "A brilliant inventor let me borrow it, but I understand it's one of a kind. A museum will want it one day."

He thought that her invention belonged in a museum? It was one of the nicest things anyone had ever said to her. Without thinking Asami threw her arms around Iroh's neck, stood on her toes, and kissed him soundly on the mouth.

It took Asami a second before she realized what she'd done. She hadn't thought about it at all, but it seemed like everything had so suddenly changed that she had just… slipped. So much for being better than that. She felt her face grow hot. Asami lowered herself down, arms still around his neck, and forced herself to open her eyes. Iroh was staring at her with a combination of shock and unmistakable delight. He chuckled quietly, almost to himself. Then he leaned down, slowly, and pressed his lips to hers.

His kiss was soft and brief, almost tentative. Iroh pulled away and searched her face, curious, as if determining the result of some important experiment. Asami gave him a stunned smile and he nodded slightly. Then he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again, this time more firmly. His mouth was very warm. Her nose filled with the smell of him as she closed her eyes; fresh soap, the barest hint of cologne, and something else underneath that she liked but couldn't quite place. Maybe it was just his own scent. Her heart thudded in her chest as his lips parted hers, gentle yet insistent, never rushing. Exploring. Familiar, yet new. She pulled him into her, finally remembering to kiss him back, to kiss him, to kiss Iroh, her Iroh, again and again and again and again. The fabric of his collar was rough against her fingers. He pressed her close, and she felt the portable light dig slightly into her back. Nobody had ever kissed her like this before, steadily, patiently, thoroughly. It felt like being seen. Like coming home.

When they finally parted, Iroh was grinning, gold eyes alight. He rested his forehead against hers, their noses just brushing. "Okay," he breathed.

"Okay." She felt like she was spinning.

"For the record, I refuse to pretend that didn't happen this time."

"Yes," Asami laughed, a little breathless. "That definitely happened. Actually, I think the other one happened, too."

"Good," he said. "I liked the other one."

"Yeah. Me, too."

"Asami," Iroh said abruptly, stepping back slightly to look at her. "May I buy you dumplings?"

"What?"

"Dumplings," he said. "If you've been running around looking for me all evening, you probably haven't eaten. There's a great place not far from here that I think you'd enjoy. It's not fancy, but the food is very good."

"Buy me dumplings. Like, a date?"

"Yes." Iroh straightened a little. "Exactly like a date. In fact, it is a date. I would like to take you on a date." He held out his hand, face hopeful. "Asami Sato, will you go on a date with me?"

Asami took his hand, grinning. "Yes. Of course. I'd love that." Iroh beamed at her, looking for all the world like she'd given him a pile of gold instead of just her hand. "Okay, then." He started walking, pulling at her arm.

"Wait, right now?" Asami looked down at herself. She still wore her traveling clothes, which were rumpled and stained from a week at sea. Her boots were muddy from her trek around the city in the rain, and she didn't even want to think about her hair. Iroh, on the other hand, looked like he'd just walked out of a United Forces recruiting poster, or maybe some kind of calendar.

"Is there a problem?" he asked. "I thought you'd be hungry."

She was hungry. "I should at least shower and change. I'm all—" she waved a hand down at herself, "and you're all—" she gestured to Iroh's spotless uniform. "Maybe in a few hours…"

Iroh sighed, then reached one hand up and ruffled his hair, making it stick up at odd angles. It did not make him look any less handsome.

"There," he said. "Now we match. Come on. You're beautiful."

Asami blushed. He said that so matter-of-factly. It was hard to argue.

They started back down the drive, Iroh's hand warm against her own. Apparently, wherever he had in mind was walking distance. There was something that still bothered her though. Best get it out of the way though. Asami braced herself.

"What is it now?" Iroh asked. He must have noticed the change in her expression.

"What about your family?"

Iroh looked at her, puzzled. "What about them?"

"I mean, I know we just, and it's not even anything, but with my not being a firebender and all, or even any kind of bender…" Asami trailed off as his face darkened.

"Spirits, when did I ever give you the impression that I cared about that? And if I don't, why on earth would my family?"

"Iroh, you're Fire Nation royalty."

"And? My mother isn't a bender. Honora, not Izumi. Come to think of it, neither is grandma Mai. If the last two Firelords themselves could marry non-benders, no one will even look twice at what I do. Not that I… that we…" He looked suddenly very uncomfortable.

She hadn't known that about his family. Probably because he hadn't thought to mention it. He must really not care after all. Asami felt the knot in her chest loosen. They walked a little in silence, Iroh looking thoughtful.

"Asami," he said after a while, "is that why you didn't—why you told me to forget it? You thought I cared about bending ability?"

"No. I mean, not really. Maybe a little. But you were the one who—" She paused. What exactly had he said? "I didn't think you were all that interested. Now that I think about it, I suppose I liked you too much to be okay with something casual. Why didn't you just ask me out?"

"I thought you were in love with Mako," he said simply.

"What? What made you think that?"

To her surprise he blushed slightly. "Just something you said. And I wanted to respect that. Mostly. Except for the part where I kissed you. And then after, when you blew me off, I thought that must be why. Or at least some of why."

"Blew you off? I didn't—"

"But you were the one who—"

They looked at each other, then burst out laughing. "I'm starting to see the problem," Iroh said. "I think the old man had a point."

"Old man?"

"I'll tell you later."

"So when did you first know?" Asami asked. "I'm curious exactly how wrong I was."

Iroh looked thoughtful. "The day before the South Pole, I think. It had been coming on slowly all along, but you said something, something about you and Mako that made me think of you two, er, together. You probably don't even remember. And I went absolutely blind with jealousy. I hardly know the man, but I think if Mako had been there that morning I might have hit him." He smiled at her. "It was a pretty good sign."

"So that's why you were so angry that day? I couldn't figure it out."

"Yeah, it was," Iroh said. "What about you?

"Pai sho," Asami said quickly. She hadn't even known that was what she was going to say until she did. Iroh looked at her inquiringly. "I haven't been that well-matched in years. There aren't a lot of men who can give me a run for my money like that. I liked it."

"I only beat you once."

"That's once more than everyone else I've dated."

Iroh laughed. "Spirits, we've been idiots, haven't we?"

Asami smiled. "Looks like. We'll need to work on that."

They were out past the front gate by now. The street lights cast soft yellow cones of light down onto the glistening pavement. Iroh stopped walking and turned.

"Okay, no more of that nonsense," he said. He took a deep breath. "I like you, Asami. And not just as friends. Romantically. Very much. I have no reservations about that interest. I would like to take you on as many dates as you will allow me to do, and I have no problem telling anyone who asks me that that's what I'm doing. I hope that I am perfectly clear." She saw something else in his eyes now, something that reminded her a bit of how he'd looked at her right before that first kiss. A hungry look. A wanting look. "I would also like to kiss you again," he said.

He did. There was more heat to the kiss now, and suddenly Asami was very aware of Iroh's hand on her waist.

"I like you too, Iroh," she said once they'd parted. "In case that wasn't obvious. There isn't anybody else. Not Mako, not anyone. I would like to go on all these dates with you, but be prepared that you aren't going to pay as often as you'd like unless you can beat me at Pai Sho again."

Iroh laughed. "Challenge accepted."

"I would also be delighted to work with you on reconstruction. I promise, for my part, to try not to embarrass the United Forces too much by kissing the head of their delegation in the break rooms and broom closets of City Hall. Or at least not getting caught at it." Iroh went a little pink, but smiled.

"We'll manage," he said.

"I think we will."

"All right, I'm glad we got that out of the way then." Iroh put an arm around her and they started walking again. "Now, I do believe it's time to feed my hungry pilot. Come on. You're going to love this place. Not a single dish is boiled in a bag, I promise."