This is going to be on the longer side.


Tuesday, October 9th, 1900, Palace Grounds, 9 AM

Zuko arrived back just in time. He walked onto the courtyard having changed into something regal, yet more comfortable. And red of course. He saw Sokka waiting outside, standing in the warm sunlight. Sokka was dressed in his Water Tribe garb, and it reminded Zuko how good his boyfriend looked in his national clothing, well the hot summer variant anyway. He was wearing a vest, so the muscles of his arms were exposed and glistened in the midmorning sun. Blue suited him, and those shorts showed his lower half to very particular advantage. He wore sandals too and looked down at Sokka's rather large feet. Well, everything was in proportion, it seemed, large proportion.

"Stop it, Zuko!" He thought to himself, putting unclean notions, words, and images out from his imagination. At least for now.

He took his place to the left of Sokka. They stood for a moment looking, towards the east, from whence the gAang would come. The sun had risen sufficiently for them to look in that direction without strain. Sokka looked over at his boyfriend. His face was concerned, Sokka had been worried about it since Zuko left before for Zuko's safety, but for his sanity.

"How did it go?" Sokka asked.

"Well, I have the answers I need and I'm going to get the best outcome possible," Zuko answered, "Of that I'm sure."

"That's very diplomatic and all, but how did it actually go?" Sokka answered, his concerned not assuaged by Zuko's vagueness.

"It went fine," Zuko answered."It truly did."

"Have you made a decision yet?"

"No," Zuko said, "I haven't."

"You seem really calm about it." Sokka said, in admiration of his composure. "I'd be breathing fire if I were in your position."

"There's no use in me getting upset or angry about it any more." Zuko said without hesitation or excitement. "It's done. There's nothing I can do to bring Mai and Ty Lee back. The only thing I can think about is the safety of the Realm. It's a tactical decision I have to make. Will my Nation be safer with my sister breathing or buried under six feet of dirt? She's an inspiration to fanatics in both ways. She's an object of affection alive."

"And dead?" Sokka asked.

"An object of veneration. A martyr, a saint." Zuko answered, prescient and understanding of how his people thought. "I can't make this decision with passion and emotion being a driver. I have to resolve this in cold, calculated way. I can't let my emotions be a part of this."

"Just don't bottle them in, Zuko. I don't want you going crazy. I don't want you getting all rigid, frigid and tense." Sokka leant over the left to whisper in Zuko's ear, though there was no one around to hear, and said, "But if you do go crazy, take me with you. I'm already crazy about you."

Zuko felt a tingle up his spine and a twitch in his cock, but, much to his chagrin, had to suppress the urge to do anything about it. Sokka noticed Zuko's shuddering and backed off slightly, before they got into trouble. Zuko continued, "Don't worry, Sokka, you're the best sort of therapy there is. And I don't need a prescription."

"Really?" Sokka asked scoffing. "That was just sappy."

"I concerned with other sticky flowing fluids, thank you." Zuko said, not missing a beat.

Sokka relaxed, Zuko was his normal self. Making jokes and innuendos from thin air, like the horny, uninhibited teenager he was. Sokka loved him. It was becoming more and more apparent to Sokka that this 'boyfriend' thing was not going to satisfy his need anymore. This 'boyfriend' thing was too shallow. 'Boyfriend' was a dishonest word, because that's not how Sokka felt anymore. He couldn't think of a new word. It would come to him, of that, he was sure.

"This is going to suck." Sokka came back to reality. "Like really, really suck."

"What's going to suck?" Zuko didn't know, but the word suck put an image in his head.

"You don't know Zuko?"

"No, I don't a clue, Soks." Zuko used his pet name for his boyfriend at the worst possible time.

"This whole no affection thing while they're here talking to us. I can't even go to see you at night."

"Wait, why?" Zuko was a bit dense at that moment. "What are you talking about?"

"Two words." Sokka started, "Toph Beifong."

"Shit, I had not thought of that. She's a snoop too. Sticking her nose in where it don't belong." Zuko's tone was gentler than his words might lead one to think, but he was concerned, very concerned "We have to avoid even the appearance of affection. This is going to be hard."

"I know it. Even our body language will under constant scrutiny. I almost can't look at you because my heart starts to pound out of my chest. I get in a state when I see you Zuko. Something about you makes my baser instincts come out. Something about the Fire Lord, yelling my name peaks my interest."

"And what if she asks about our interests" Zuko came to his senses quickly, "what if she senses something in our heartbeats?"

"Just don't lie, whatever you do. If she asks you directly, be like the Star Chamber and answer a totally different question. Dodge like a politician would. Hell, I guess the upside to this, if there is one, is that you'll get more practice in speaking diplomatically," Sokka's advice was given with true optimism, "It'll frustrate her, it'll frustrate you, but she can't just out and out interrogate you."

"She won't," Zuko said, "She knows that we'll just shut down if she pressed too hard. And then she'd never know. I think she's cleverer than that, Sokka."

"Well, Zuko, the two of us are smarter than her." Sokka proclaimed with a quiet confidence. "And besides, I think they'll be too much world politics to be focused on sex."

"Aren't they the same thing?" Zuko asked, actually opening up a metaphysical argument.

"Similar, Zuko, similar. Both are intimate, both are cut and thrust, both involve one's complete being. The difference is that one is productive and the other is utterly pointless."

"Which one's pointless, which one's productive?"

"You tell me." Sokka replied.

"One is certainly too much fun to be pointless. The other, however, is productive, though a bit annoying."

"Look, I was just theorizing, well, screwing with you and you go and make it all deep," Sokka laughed. "Don't make it all deep."

"Fine, you're right, I won't make it deep. I'm better at taking it deep," Zuko brought it back around to his favorite topic.

"You're putting me on edge, Zuko. It's not fair." Sokka had to readjust his stance to accommodate the bulge now forming in those blue Water Tribe shorts.

"Taste of your own medicine," Zuko chuckled a bit. Sokka understood what he meant. Zuko had not forgiven him for that bet.

"Fine, I'll never hold my cock over you again." Sokka liked the whole double talk thing. It kept him sharp and mildly aroused.

"You can't blackmail me or withhold it from me. It is part of the royal Remember that dick, though it swings between your legs, it's a part of the Crown jewels, it is my sceptre, mine. And Fire Lords aren't known for sharing."

"Good, I don't like to be shared around. I'm a one man man."

"Good," Zuko remarked, "So am I, and it's going to remain that way."

"You've got a bit of a jealous streak, Zuko." Sokka smirked, "Wouldn't want to get on your bad side."

"Keep being you and you'll never see my bad side."

"I like all your sides."

"Right answer, Sokka." Zuko said, "You know how to keep in my good graces."

"You make it easy enough, Zuko. All I have to do is not say anything stupid."

"You haven't done that in all the time I've known you." Zuko said, earnestly, "I've never heard anything not worth saying from you. Honest."

Sokka chuckled, "You must love me to not have heard any of the oafish things I've said."

"Well," Zuko contended, "at least you'd be my oaf. You're not stupid, you're not clumsy, and you're not uncultured either. Who was it reading the classics while I was recovering."

"I read to keep from thinking those monstrous thoughts. I was afraid for the longest that I'd lost you. I had to read to keep from worrying myself to death. Anytime the nurses came in, I insisted on helping. I… I… I'm sorry."

"Why?" Zuko asked appreciating the genuine emotion from his lover.

"It's just, I don't want to get all heavy when you have Azula on the brain, and any second now Appa will appear bring with him the weight of the world's problems. I'm not supposed to be making your burden heavier with my emotional stuff. If anything it's my job to make it lighter."

"You do Sokka," Zuko reassured him, "And don't be afraid to get emotional with me. You shouldn't bottle things up either. I trust you with all my hopes and fears. I hope you can trust me Sokka. You make everyday lighter, happier, freer than the day before it. You're the one I trust with everything I have. Do you trust me"

"I trust you, Zuko." The Water Tribesman spoke plainly and unequivocally. "I trust you. Forgive my reserve. Down in the Water Tribe, not even the women talk about the emotion. There was no time. The war made us efficient units, not really thinking about anything but getting by. It'll take me a while, but I promise that I'll— I'll try."

"Good." Zuko squinted and pointed at the sky, "Do you see that?"

Sokka looked to where the Fire Lord was pointing. Lo and behold something that looked like a cloud was coming towards them at speed. It was too big to be a bird, planes did not exist yet, so it had to be Appa. Several member of the press that had been gathered far enough away not to know what Zuko and Sokka were saying started to approach with their cameras. They were ready for this picture to appear on the evening additions. Whatever the picture was, they knew that history was being made.

"Any last words?" Zuko asked knowing that they would have to play chaste.

"I love you." Sokka whispered quickly.

"I love you too."

Appa approached as did the press, and the two of them both sighed heavily, seeming to miss each other already. Appa came to land a sensible distance away, and did land softly. Sokka and Zuko couldn't see who was on the sky bison, so this would be a long line of surprises. The photographers formed a line trying to get the perfect shot for the papers. Sokka took a couple of steps back, knowing that Aang and Zuko were the men of the hour. He was content enough to bask in Zuko's presence. Aang was the first one off and airbended to a gentle landing.

"Zuko, Sokka," Aang called out, wearing his orange Air Nomad garb, walking over to them, "It's good to see you again." The Avatar looked over and, sensing the presence of the cameras, stuck out his hand for Zuko to shake. The sound of shutters started ringing in their ears immediately. (Though of course, not that loud annoying sound we have today). Zuko and Aang came together and did that strange handshake where they weren't looking at each other, but to the cameras. This became a tradition for all politicians.

They turned and actually face each other. They shook firmly, genuinely, friendly. They let each other go before Zuko made his first comment.

"My goodness, you've grown." Zuko said, now easily looking Aang in the eye. Aang was almost as tall as him, and would probably end up being taller than Sokka.

"That's about all I've had time to do," Aang added, jokingly, "We have a lot lot to talk about."

"Don't I know it," Zuko answered. "The weight of the world has arrived, and I think we're ready."

Aang smiled at that, "I sure hope so."

Aang stepped over to Sokka, "Hey, how's it been in this tropical paradise?"

"Busy." Sokka answered, cracking a smile.

Just then Katara came down from the beast and ran straight to her brother. She hugged him as if she had not seen him in weeks. Oh wait… she hadn't.

"I missed you so much," she said, "I can't believe it, but I actually did."
"Well, thanks." He wheezed, the wind being knocked right out of him.

"We have so much to talk about," She said, "We spent time with dad, and he- Well, we should discuss it away from the media."

Toph made her careful descent from Appa and place her feet on solid ground. She could see again and read everybody's signs. Everything was normal… for now. She had detected something interesting between Sokka and Zuko the last time she was in the Fire Nation Capital. They had the same heartbeat then. She used her earthbending to 'look' carefully.

"Yup," She thought, "Same heartbeat. Same energy."

She walked over towards them, "You two, Same heartbeat. Care to explain?"

"We're on one accord," Sokka said, not missing a beat. His wit was going to be tested.

"It's probably the heat," Katara chimed in with that characteristically motherly disposition. "Spirits know how long they've been out here looking at the sky, probably looking into the sun waiting for us."

Sokka wanted to give Katara a high five right then for diffusing the bomb before it could be built. He couldn't though; he had to remain cool.

"Shall we go in, then?" Zuko asked, "And get out of this heat."

Katara yelled, though in a very ladylike way, "You might want to come down now. We're about to go in."

Sokka looked around. Aang, check. Katara, check. Toph, check. Zuko, check plus. Who could it… Then a terrible thought came to him.

"Please, don't let it be Suki." He shouted on the inside.

Unfortunately, the Water Tribesman's worst nightmare presented herself in full Kyoshi regalia and make up. She stepped off Appa, and not missing a beat made a beeline towards her ex. His nightmare went from bad to hellish.

"Hello, Suki," he said cordially, reaching out his hand.

"Hello, Sokka," her voice was deeper, more sensual. She drew him into a hug, crushing the life out of him for the second time.

"Oh, shit." Sokka thought, "Is this bitch trying to come onto me? I hope Zuko isn't freaking out."

If looks could kill Zuko had just hung, crucified, drawn, ignited, and quartered her. His thoughts were like this. "Oh, shit. Is that bitch trying to seduce my Sokka? We'll see how far that goes. That slut better keep her feet planted on the fucking ground if she knows what's good for her. Stupid whore wearing all that fuckinf makeup. Who the fuck does she think she is. You're on my turf, bitch"

Toph took note of their reactions and would question it later.

"So, I think we should head in," Zuko said, his voice sounding mellow, "I don't know if you've already had breakfast." He and Aang started walking towards the door of the palace.

"No," Toph said quickly. "We haven't." The rest followed behind exchanging small talk.

Zuko turned to the cameras, "When I have some news that I can share, I will release a statement to let you know what it is."


After a full Fire Nation Breakfast they all went to Zuko's drawing room. They sat around a great redwood was large enough to give everyone room, and low enough to function as a coffee table. Zuko sat at the head of the table and Aang opposite him. Zuko sat in one of the great chairs, Aang in the other. Katara and Toph sat next to each other on a black leather loveseat. Sokka and Suki (make up now removed) ended up next to each other on a matching loveseat.

Sokka maintained a 'professional' distance from Suki, but she seemed to want to snuggle up to him. Sokka would quickly but gently disentangle himself from Suki before she would try again to attach herself. This battle lasted for the length of the conversation between Aang and Zuko. Toph, for her part in this -while adding to the conversation- was pitying Sokka the whole time. Katara started to squirm, seeing how uncomfortable her brother was and felt guilty about it. You see, it was Katara who had filled Suki with hope about reuniting with her ex. (Granted she didn't know that her brother was in love with Zuko. She didn't even know about that inclination in her brother)

"So…" Zuko said to open the conversation, "What have you been doing in the last month, Aang?" The words sounded gentler than they read.

"Flying. Putting Appa through his paces. The first thing we did was visit the colonies. We did a sort of marathon tour over the first week to see what the conditions were, what the attitudes were."

"And, how are they?" Zuko asked nervously.

"Well, in most of them, Zuko," Aang exhaled, "Most of them have no affinity to this nation or the Earth Kingdom and want to be independent of both. However, they seem to cleave closely to the legal system developed here, jury trials, common law, equity in the system. They seem, at least the majority of them to also accept capitalism and would not want a government too involved in the economy, also like the Fire Nation."

"The Earth Kingdom has a free economy too," Suki almost yelled. It seemed that the lady did protest too much. Sokka took the opportunity of her being distracted to scootch over.

"Not as free as this one," Aang said, "There's no price controls here. Lower taxes here, but that's not the important thing. What's important is that even with their admiration of your system here , they still want out from both countries."

"So that's why we need to have this plebiscite."

"Exactly," Aang said, "For a hundred years it looks like Fire Lords and Earth Kings alike were making decisions without regard to their subjects. The people in the colonies controlled themselves set up their own elections for mayors, traded with both sides of the war. Earthbenders, firebenders, even some Water Tribe intermarried. There's all sorts of new bending out there with the mixing together. They printed their own books, did not really fly your flags. What I'm saying is that it is actually right they separate from both countries. They are nothing like either country."

"There is nothing I can do about it honestly." Zuko realized, "If I try to keep them, it would just be another war with another country. No one here wants that. There is one problem, however."

"What's that?" Aang asked.

"There is going to be a loss of tax revenue. They do more than their fair share when it come to the tax burden. We'd be running a deficit but for the colonies." Zuko said, "That being said, I have yet to have a financial year without War Time expenses. I have to see what happens without those expenses."

"Your expenditure, year to year, will drop substantially I imagine," Aang said.

"From War Expenses, yes, but I have to pay my soldiers a decent payout. I'll probably lose the money from the colonies in absolute terms, with less money circulating in my economy. When I negotiate the terms of peace with the Earth King, there will probably be a demand for money. "

"I can confirm that." Toph chimed in, "My King is thoroughly vexed with you. It'll drive him to an early grave if he doesn't calm down. His blood pressure was through the roof the whole time we were in Ba Sing Se."

"Zuko," Aang leaned in, putting his elbows on the table, "He's out for blood. He said to us that he wants to-"

Suki raised her voice again "Are you really going to tell him," She pointed to Zuko rudely, "Are you going to tell him what the His Majesty told us in confidence?"

"Well," Aang looked over at her, thoroughly annoyed, "Normally I wouldn't, I would stay completely neutral. But after throwing me out of the palace like that and then offering no assistance whatsoever with the colonial issue I am forced to align with Zuko."

"He threw you out?" Zuko asked.

"Yes," Toph answered, "After Aang said to the Snowflake King-"

"Don't you refer to our King that way." Suki reprimanded.

"What's he going to do, cut my head off," Toph was tired of Suki too, it was like the Kyoshi warrior was around to spoil the fun. "Anyway… he threw us out of the palace after Aang told him that he could work with you, Zuko. He said to Aang that he could never trust you after the coup in April. When Aang pressed on and persisted and said that maybe he should talk to you, he flipped out."

"Flipped out?" Zuko never heard that term before but was quite sure as to what was meant. "What did he do exactly?"

Quoth Aang, "He started yelling at me like he was my father. Words not fit for repeating."

"Kuei cursing?" Sokka was surprised at that, "If I didn't know any better I'd say that you were lying. I mean after we exposed the Dai Li conspiracy, when he realized that the person he trusted the most was a snake, he didn't even mumble anything under his breath."

Katara, by all means the emotional expert of the group, added her two cents, "Well, he's still paranoid about it. He's trying to exert his power over the people in his palace. The man, rightfully so mind you, is afraid of every shadow. He wants to show that betraying him would result in a high price. He's overcompensating now."

"Well, we'll see if he can yell at me like that when I go to see him." Zuko remarked, "So when do you think you want this referendum to take place."

"It's already been scheduled for Tuesday, November sixth. The question has also been chosen already. We even have the security arrangements... arranged."

"What is the question and how did you get the security ensured?"

"The question is: Should this Colony so and so become dissolve its ties with the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom and become independent? The answers are either, 'YES, this colony should become independent and form a new country.' or, 'NO, this colony should remain part of the Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom.'"

"What happens if they vote no?" Sokka asked. "I mean those two answers sound a bit complicated."

"There is a campaign in the colonies right now explaining that independence would mean a conglomeration of the newly independent colonies coming together. They would have a system of power sharing. Then the next week, on November thirteenth, any colony that voted to remain part of one of the nations would be asked. 'Which country should this colony remain a part of?' And then the ballot is divided, 'The Fire Nation', and 'The Earth Kingdom'.

"Isn't this all a bit quick?" Zuko's concern was obvious on his face.

"It can't wait." The Avatar was certain about this, "It really can't. This could have been done slowly over time, but the second he, the Earth King I mean, sent troops to invade, he lit the fuse. The only way to settle this is to allow the people to choose who they want. Of the seventeen colonies, going north to south, the top two want to remain in the Earth Kingdom. The middle thirteen want to see the back of both countries. The southern two want to be part of the Fire Nation."

"It's sickening," Suki's usefulness in this conversation was nil, "To think that there are Earthbenders down there who actually want to be part of this country."

"So, you said that you have security also sorted." Zuko outwardly ignored her.

"Yes," Aang replied, "And here's the part that you'd like, Sokka. We realized that there might be problems with tampering or intimidation on an issue as big as this one. We had to find a neutral party to go stop any problems at the polling place. Couldn't go with the Earth Kingdom Troops or the Fire Nation Forces, so we had to ask for some assistance from the Water Tribe. They have no horses in this race, so they were the best choice."

"We even got to see Dad, Sokka!" Katara exclaimed.

"What's he going to be doing?" Sokka asked, curious to know what his father was up to.

"He's the commander of all the security at the polls." Katara answered.

"Well good," Sokka said, physically removing Suki's arm from his leg, "I'm glad that he's a part of this." He looked over to his boyfriend, "Zuko, you still look concerned."

"I am."

"About?"

"A lot. First of all, knowing that I'm probably going to lose about a four hundred million per year from the colonies. I have to rearrange the budget here. The War alone cost about one billion per year. The home islands gave about one and a half billion, the colonies made for the surplus when the other things were added on top… I'm also concerned about the money in the colonies, is it going to be Fire Nation money from the beginning. What will it be based on? Gold? Silver?"

"We were thinking that there could be a reserve of Fire Nation proof and in time they could transition to money based on gold and silver." Aang said, having given this a large dose of thought. "When the colonies separate, we don't want it to be punitive to the Fire Nation. There's no need to further disgruntle or disillusion any of the population here."

"I'm glad that you've thought of that. I'm not just concerned about 1901. I have to think about 1920, 1950, 1970. I mean I even have to think as far as the year 2000. Let's think about this money thing even harder-"

Toph raised her hand unceremoniously, "Can I leave? This is about to get very very boring. I can feel it."

"Me too," Katara chimed in. "All of this policy talk is about to put me to sleep."

"Sure," Zuko said, "There's all sorts of things for you to do. Just ask the servants outside and they'll tell you all about it."

"Thank you," Katara said. She looked over at Toph, "Let's go do something totally unproductive and pointless. We've been working like the War is still on. Let's take a break"

"Sounds like a plan to me," They got up and made their way to the door, Toph asked, "Suki, are you coming?"

"No, Toph. I am not," she pointed at Aang and Zuko, "I am not going to allow these two to sell my Kingdom down the river so that the Fire Nation gets a free pass for a century of violent, thuggish, despicable imperialism. No thank you. And you, as a Beifong, the second family in all the land should be trying to stop this growing conspiracy with all your might. We see them colluding to rob and rape the Earth Kingdom. And I'm going to illuminate it. Are you just going to stand by, while the Avatar stabs us in the back?"

"Excuse me?" Aang asked, ripping his attention away from Katara's ample chest, "Suki are you… are you unwell? Do you actually hear the word you were saying? You're not in your right mind if you think that I want harm far anyone. I want peace and love among men. I am trying to bring about that very fragile peace and all you talk is conflict, division, and hate."

Suki softened her voice, "I don't think that the Avatar is on our side. We are the victims and I don't see him standing up for us, in fact it looks like you're siding with the Fire Nation."

"I am on the side of equity and fairness, Suki. Neither you nor Zuko will get all of the things you want. I am trying to create a world where nations can trade together and have control over their own destinies. If you can't add to that discussion, or even be respectful while it's going on, then you can leave." He was assertive and cool in his demeanor.

Sokka and Zuko both looked at Aang in awe. Standing up to Ozai was one thing, standing up to a woman was another.

"But-" Suki wanted to chime in.

"Put up, shut up, or get out." Aang said crossing his arms, "It's really that simple."

"Hmph," Suki huffed, "I don't have to take that." She looked at Aang with pure contempt, disgust. She looked over to Sokka and said sensually, "I will see you later, Sokka."

She vacated the room and the doors were shut behind them. Aang waited a moment, and took a deep breath. He looked at Sokka and started begging pitifully, "Please take her back, she's been absolutely monstrous. All of that time spent travelling on Appa was her crying or yelling, bitching and moaning about nonsense. You were the only one who could contain it. It was like something switched when the war ended. Please take her back. I'm begging you, the peace of the entire world is dependent on you taking her back."

"I'm sorry, but that's not going to happen," Sokka said smirking. He was surprised to hear Aang swear. That only meant that Suki was really going at it. "That woman does not interest me at all. She repulses me actually

"Fine, I get it. I really do." Aang said. "I'm glad you got out of that before you couldn't. And I hope you find the one for you." The Avatar looked over to the Fire Lord, "You too, Zuko. I'm sure it'll happen for you both sooner rather than later."

"If only he knew," The lovers had that thought simultaneously.

Zuko looked on reassured that Sokka was still on his side. Zuko had been ignoring Suki as to not let his heart rate go up too much. He was about ready to choke that hoe, though. "The slut had her paws all over him." Zuko thought. He put that thought aside, hoping that he would never have to speak the words.

"I should call in Hashi and tell him to bring in the Exchequer box. I think I will tell him to stay. He has a command of the finances of this country like nobody else." Zuko said getting up, "Is there anything you want? Tea, coffee, something stronger?"

"Tea please." Aang said, reshuffling his robe and leaning into his chair to get more comfortable.

"Cake and ice cream for me."

Zuko went to the telephone and Sokka and Aang were left alone together,

"So how have you been Aang?"

"Good," Aang said, "Well as good as one can be being pulled in thirty different directions."

"Are you resting?" Sokka asked.

"Your sister makes sure of that." Aang reminded him,

"Good," Sokka said, "And I hope you're finding time to relax."

"Yes, we all are."

"Good." Sokka sounded like a parrot, "Tell me Aang, are you two dating?"
A slight blush came across the Avatar's face, "Well, as much as we can while we're this busy. We try to get away from Toph and Suki and enjoy each other's' company when we can." Aang's blush intensified, "Not like, I mean, I don't want to gross you out- But it's not like we d-"

"Sex?" Sokka posed the question, "I don't care, so long as you two are responsible. I'm not going to-"

"It's not like that. We know the facts of life and we don't want that until the time is right so we do other things to-" Aang stopped, "You understand me?"

"Yes."

"So, the real act will be on our wedding night." Aang said.

"Good."

"I thought big brothers were supposed to be overbearing. I was ready to be beaten up."

"She's smart enough to handle herself. And I only have to kill you if you break her heart," Sokka said, not flinching. "Understood?"

"Understood." Aang answered.

Zuko came back to the table. "Hashi and our food will be here in a few minutes. Did I miss anything?"

"No, we just had a quick chat about sex and death," Sokka said.

"Fair enough," said the Fire Lord.


The girls had decided to go to the spa and get pampered. Well, at least Katara and Suki did. Toph tagged along and watched over them so to speak.

At the moment , the two receiving treatment were having their hair washed and combed. Toph sat on a chair with her feet soaking in a basin of warm water. Suki had mellowed out in the moments between being ejected and getting to the spa. The strange thing was that for all her protesting the Fire Nation, she had no problem with them giving her service. She had no problem eating their food.

After they had their hair did, they moved to a sauna where they could talk privately. They all stripped wrapped themselves in towels and sweated it out. The older girls sat upright yet relaxed.

"I think I still have a chance with him, Katara."

"As ugly as that breakup was, I don't know," Toph added.

"Well, Katara," Suki added, pointedly snubbing Toph, "What do you think."

"Toph's right," Katara agreed, "I was watching him and he was not interested in you. I'm sorry but I think it's over."

"He was just playing hard to get."

"No," Katara said, "I know my brother and he's not capable of subtlety. If he wants something, everyone within distance will know it."

"He's being shy, bearing in mind that you were watching him and knowing that important business was being discussed."

"I could feel is energy, and it wasn't shyness. Again he's not capable of shyness," Katara said.

"I can tell you without a doubt that he was severely uncomfortable," Toph said, "He wanted out of there, or he wanted you out of there. Whatever the case Sokka and Suki is as dead as Ozai."

"A woman can use her wiles to seduce a man," Suki retorted.

"Or chase him away forever." Toph was trying to get it across.

"You know what Toph? I'm about tired of your no care attitude."

"And I'm actually tired of you being such a bitch to everyone, but we all have our hassles. DO you realize that you were just told off by Aang? You actually managed to get Twinkletoes angry. That's an accomplishment. I hope you're proud."

"Sarcasm is the lowest form a conversation," Suki came back, "And besides, someone needs to stand up to him."

"Who?" Katara asked.

"Aang."

"Why?"

"Because he couldn't quickly enough get on his knees and let Zuko piss all over him."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Katara got the mental image and did not like it, "Okay, I was trying to be empathetic. I really was. I know what it means to hate the Fire Nation. They took my mother away from me," Katara instinctively rubbed her neck. "But we have to move on Suki. The War is over and the Fire Lord is our friend. Right now he's trying to negotiate a peaceful solution that works for the your nation and his. Lighten up."

"I won't."

"Well, you'll die bitter and alone. You already chased my brother away, as easygoing and relaxed as he is. You've chased Aang away and he's a monk! Calm down, or no one will put up with you."

"Katara, I thought you were on my side."

"I am, but I'm on my brother's side more. You obviously don't make him happy right now. Maybe if you could find whatever is in yourself that made you so attractive to him, he'll come back alongside. I can tell you this now, that if you go on this way you won't get Sokka or any other man."

"You're slipping into Azula territory now," Toph said, twisting the knife, "and she's in a cell right now, probably waiting to bay at the moon."

"It's not a full moon right now Toph, in fact, it's a new moon." Suki could twist the knife too. "Makes the stars even brighter and more beautiful."

"Good to know," Toph said coolly "You know blind jokes are kind of old. In fact Katara told that very joke back in March. The War is over can we -you and me- let's just call a truce, and sweat out some of these toxins. I mean come on we're both on the same team here."

"Fine, I'm sorry," Suki said, finally showing some humanity. There was some hope for her after all. "I'm sorry that you're allowing your country to be sold down the river." Okay, hope gone.


"You two look so much alike," Aang said, "It's uncanny. Seriously, Hashi, with some makeup, you could impersonate him."

"Don't give him any ideas, Aang," Zuko said chuckling, "I don't need any pretenders to the throne. Especially not someone this important. He's my most important minister, my chief minister. He's my Prime Minister."

"Hmmm," Sokka said, "That sounds like an illustrious office. I like how it sounds, 'Prime Minister'."

"Why thank you, Sire. Knowing that I am so helpful does make me proud. And there's no need to worry about treason or coups from me, Sire." Hashi started, "First because it is wrong, and I have been close enough to the crown to see everything. I have seen that it is more glorious to those who see it than it is pleasurable to those who wear it. And I thank you, Avatar, for the compliment. His Majesty has millions lady admirers throughout the land. I would only want a hundredth of it, a millionth of it."

"Well, after these negotiations are over," Zuko replied, "You should take a vacation, Prime Minister. You've been working seven days a week for a while now."

"I don't need a break, all I need is to serve my c-" He coughed awkwardly, "My king. I will do it till you have no need for me."

"I will always have need of your expertise and if you don't vacation every so often, that service will be shortened."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Thank you." Zuko said, "And now, to take a first look at these spreadsheets, to figure out a decent payment for my men."

Hashi opened the red box.

The telephone began to ring. Zuko got up to attend to it.

"Hello?"

A male voice answered on the other end, "Your Grace."

"Yes," Zuko answered sensing something was wrong by the man's tone. "What is it?"

"Most Marvelous Majesty," The voice answered.

"Out with it man."

"Most Illustrious Lord. We were told not to disturb your meeting with His Excellency, the Avatar, but there is news, very important news. We are asking permission to come and see you to let you know."

"Can't you tell me now?"

"Sire, it is of such import that we need to inform you in person." The voice was somber. Zuko was getting a sinking feeling.

"If it is that serious, by all means come now." The Fire Lord said before hanging up.

Zuko sat back down, "The Sages want to tell me something, something important. DO you know about anything out of the ordinary, Hashi?"

"No, Sir, I don't."

"Well, we'll see," Sokka added.

There was a loud knock at the door. TAP TAP TAP

"Open the doors," Zuko yelled towards the doors. The opened in and a man wearing a old time wig and black robes came in and bowed. He held a black rod in his hand, which he must have used to know on the wooden door. He was followed by all of the Sages, also wearing black. All twenty of them came into the room and the doors were shut behind them.

"What is all of this? What's the matter? Zuko asked.

No one wanted to answer.

Zuko stood up, pushing his chair back, "WHAT IS IT?"

"My Lord," said the oldest of the Sages, "I'm afraid that it's very bad news."