AN: Do not own Avatar. Repeat: I do not own Avatar. And yes, I'm kinda warping the middle/ending of the second season. My bad?

Encounter With Embers

She woke to kisses raining over her face and smiled softly. She opened her eyes, to see her lover's staring directly back at her. "Morning." She murmured softly, kissing him firmly on the lips.

Zuko returned the kiss with fervor, pinning Mai beneath him. She giggled softly, rolling them over. The past few weeks had been like heaven. Zuko had found himself becoming more content with his life, Mai had become more lively, and the tea shop was thriving. Everyday was a wonderful dream of a normal life and every night was a passionate reality.

"Mai…" Zuko touched her cheek tenderly and gave her a look as if she were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. And Mai knew he meant it.

"Zuko." She breathed, kissing his hand and holding it to her heart. Could he feel that it was ready to burst with all the love she felt for him? Did he know?

He sat up, holding her in his lap, and smiled that smile she had seen on his face when they were children. "Is this what you want?"

"What do you mean?" she studied his face intently, hoping to find some sort of clue to explain his question.

He looked almost regretful, as if he knew he should say nothing. But he did. "How much longer do you think Azula will take to come back and retrieve you?"

Mai looked downward. "I don't know…she probably suspects something because I've made no effort to contact her."

Zuko bit his lip. "She'll probably come looking for you…"

"I won't go." Mai looked up at Zuko, grasping his hands in hers.

"And be a traitor to the Fire Nation?" Zuko questioned incredulously.

"You matter more. I'm never bored with you. Never unhappy." Mai persisted.

"Where will we go? Where can we hide from Azula?" Zuko asked, running his fingers through Mai's dark hair.

"Who do you trust?" Mai drew closer.

"My Uncle." It was an automatic reply.

"Besides him. Think, who would do no wrong by you?"

Zuko held a very pregnant pause, then looked at Mai with complete seriousness. "The Avatar."

…………………………..

Iroh was humming as he shopped. He left Zuko and Mai to tend to the shop in his absence. Which was turning out to be a great success. Not to mention Zuko and Mai's budding relationship. He could see how the two teens were making one another better.

He picked up a teapot and admired the craftsmanship. The din of the marketplace surrounded him and the sun shined happily upon him. It was a lovely day…but something was nagging at the back of his mind. A foreboding feeling was scratching at a spot he couldn't quite itch.

And, in his peripheral vision, he caught sight of Fire Nation soldiers, along with two very familiar young women. He hurriedly walked back to his shop. Dread was creeping up in his throat and he was worried that they had already caught Mai and Zuko.

When he arrived at the shop, all was calm and well. The customers were pleased, Mai was cleaning, and Zuko was ringing someone up at the register. Iroh began calmly collecting all valueables in the shop and packing clothing.

"Uncle, what are you doing?" Zuko inquired.

"I saw Azula…" Iroh whispered softly.

His nephew turned white and turned to his girlfriend. He relayed the message to her and she looked at Zuko with a concerned façade.

"Let's leave." Zuko whispered. Mai quickly helped to pack necessities and Zuko prepared a carriage in the back of the shop.

Iroh quietly ushered the customers out of the shop and closed it down. "So much for the Jasmine Dragon…" he sighed sadly, having just gotten used to this new life. He had enjoyed it immensely.

Zuko had hitched the ostrich horse to the carriage and helped Mai onto it, getting on only after Iroh had. The animal squaked and began to trot.

Zuko held Mai close and kissed her forehead. She felt tears trickle down her face, because she was going to miss that perfect world oh so much.

……………………………….

Zuko explained to his Uncle that they should seek the Avatar and he agreed. Iroh knew that Zuko had finally embraced the strange turn his destiny had taken and that Zuko was becoming the man Iroh had always known he would be. To go to the Avatar and ask for his help…Zuko was swallowing his pride, his honor, and the future he had desperately wanted.

Iroh watched his young nephew hold Mai close and stroke her hair comfortingly. She gave Zuko the motivation to step up and do what was right. She gave him a new purpose, a new destiny to look towards. He smiled and secretly wondered when he'd be granted great nieces and nephews.

But, he digressed.

……………………………..

Zuko always had a knack for locating the Avatar. Running into him at the ferry entrance of Ba Sing Se was quite the surprise and quite not. The whole GAang immediately snapped into battle ready stances and threw out an insult or two.

Zuko, Mai, and Iroh remained standing tall, and Zuko slowly approached them. "Wait…I..." He bowed before the young Avatar. "My Uncle, girlfriend, and I need your help."

Aang looked at them suspiciously. "How do we know this is not a trick?"

Katara touched Aang's shoulder. "I think he's serious…"

Sokka scowled. "What is it you want, Zuko?" he demanded.

Zuko glanced back at his Uncle and his woman, then looked up at the Avatar. "I want my family to be safe…Azula is hounding us as well, and I want to help you."

Toph uncrossed her arms and Earthbended Zuko into a mini prison. Mai cried out and ran to Zuko's side.

"Please, let him go! He means you no harm!"

Zuko looked at Mai, then down once more. "I will teach the Avatar Firebending. My Uncle and I will do our best to see Fire Lord Ozai is brought to his knees, as you have brought me to mine."

Aang unbended the prison that Toph had created. "Come with us."

Iroh, Zuko, and Mai quickly obliged. Unbeknownst to them all, a dark figure watched from the shadows.

……………………………

"So, what is your plan, young travelers?" Iroh inquired. They all had sought shelter in one of the small, seedy shops on the outskirts of Ba Sing Se.

"We need to inform the Earth King of the impending solar eclipse." Sokka began.

"The Firebenders will loose their power during eclipse…" Iroh stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Then Iroh and Zuko will be of no use during the battle to you." Mai stated.

"But I won't need to rely as heavily on Firebending." Aang pointed out.

"Then we have no use for you." Sokka stated rudely.

Zuko scowled and stood up, smacking his hands on the table before him. "Listen here you Water Peasant! We know everything and anything you need to know about the Fire Nation, so I suggest you keep your mouth shut."

The room became quiet and the group sweatdropped.

Mai touched Zuko's arm and he sat down, blushing. "And I know a majority of Azula's plans. Not to mention her personality." Mai added softly.

Katara frowned slightly. "What about Ty Lee?"

Mai blinked. "What about her?"

"Whose side is she on?" Katara inquired.

Mai sighed softly and looked away. "Azula coerced Ty Lee into joining her…she was originally part of a circus. Ty Lee is a genuinely good girl."

"Then can't we persuade her to join us?" Katara asked.

Mai nodded her head gently. "Yes, I believe I can convince her to join our cause."

"And if you can manipulate Azula, that's all the better." Sokka added.

Aang sighed loudly. "What should we do about the Earth King?"

Iroh frowned softly. "Ba Sing Se is very fascist…the king has no idea about the war. You'll have a very difficult time telling him."

"We need to tell him. We need the Earth Kingdom's support. And troops." Katara said.

"You should wait until you have better resources by which to pass along the news." Mai interjected.

Eberyone was silent for a moment, then: "What about Omashu?" Aang smiled, his eyes lit up.

"You mean New Ozai?" Mai remarked dryly.

Aang nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, King Bumi said he was waiting. He allowed Omashu to be taken by the Fire Nation because he was waiting for the right time to act."

Katara frowned softly. "Do you think we can take back Omashu?"

"I've learned Earthbending. We have Toph with us now too. And now Iroh, Zuko, and Mai who are all skilled warriors. Now is the right time to act." Aang explained.

"And you'll have me!" Exclaimed a voice from nearby.

The group turned and looked at the 'intruder' who spoke so boldly and everyone save Mai and Toph reacted.

"JET!" everyone exclaimed unanimously.

He nodded and merely chewed on the end of his straw.

"You filthy traitor! You think we'd let you join us?!" steam shot out of Sokka's nostrils as he pointed a finger at Jet.

"I'm here to help! We have a common cause!" Jet pointed his hook swords at Sokka.

"You're going to rat my Uncle and I out to the Earth Kingdom!" Zuko yelled.

The entire restaurant had decided to ignore the GAngs' outbursts at this point and went about their business.

Jet walked toward the group and sighed softly. "I won't if you're here to do some good."

Katara frowned softly for what felt like the hundredth time that day. "Jet, make one move out of line and I'll freeze you and throw you down a river." She stated coldly.

"C'mon Katara…I've changed my ways." Jet pleaded.

"I'm letting you join us. Isn't that enough?" Katara questioned. Sokka and Zuko seemed to shift uncomfortably at this concession.

Jet hung his head. "I guess it'll have to do for now."

Aang scratched his head. "Okay…so…now…off to Omashu?"

"Wait…" Sokka stood up.

"What is it, Sokka?" Toph asked.

"Suki. We'll need her and the Kyoshi warriors." Sokka said. He nodded his head and crossed his arms. Toph seemed put out by this suggestion.

Katara grinned slyly. "Oh really? Or do you just want to kiss her again?" she cooed teasingly.

Sokka became flustered. "No! I think her and the other warriors will be an asset to this operation."

Katara grinned and nodded. "For once, I'll trust your judgment."

…………………………….

The group came to the underground ferry system and found Suki and her warriors. It was quite a happy reunion for them all. But Sokka and Suki in particular.

"Sokka!" Suki exclaimed happily as she threw herself into his arms.

Sokka merely grinned and embraced her. Suki' mouth found his and they shared a sweet kiss.

Katara blinked and then smiled. "True love." She sighed softly and turned to Toph.

Toph snorted. "Mushy crap." She frowned and looked almost…hurt. Katara blinked and something dawned on her that she hadn't realized before.

Before she could even mention anything, Toph walked off. Iroh followed her, sensing her emotional upheaval.

Aang turned to Katara. "Katara, I need to tell you something…"

Katara sighed softly. "Not now Aang, I need to go make sure Toph is okay."

Sokka and Suki parted and looked at one another fondly.

"I have a new mission for you, my warrior." Sokka whispered softly to her.

"Oh? And what is that?" Suki responded coyly.

"Coming with me to win back the city of Omashu." He smiled and tapped her on her unmade up nose.

"Sounds exciting." She remarked.

He grinned. "It will be."

Suki smiled and then blinked as Iroh and Katara returned with Toph. "Oh." She pulled away from Sokka. "You…brought…"

Sokka chuckled. "Oh, this is Prince Zuko, banished from the Fire Nation who used to chase us all over the globe. He also burned down your village… and this is his Uncle Iroh, legendary Dragon of the West and intruder of Ba Sing Sei; and Zuko's girlfriend Mai, who was originally traveling with Zuko's insane sister Azula and attempting to capture us."

Suki blinked. "You're sure they're safe…?" apparently Suki was still holding a grudge. Which was reasonable, considering.

Sokka laughed sheepishly. "We'll have to try."

Suki also started laughing. "Alright, I would not have expected anything less crazy from you." And she proceeded to shake everyone's hand. Suki also greeted Aang, Katara, and Toph.

She turned to Sokka. "I'll get the warriors assembled and I'll be right back."

……………………………

It turned out that Suki had found Appa and kept him, waiting for the chance to return him to Aang. Aang was delighted to be reunited with his old friend and Appa felt the same.

However, this presented a problem because not everyone could fit onto Appa. So Appa was granted a vacation, and they all chose to travel by ostrich horse or foot instead. Everyone's luggage was loaded onto Appa's back and they set forth to Omashu.

…………………………….

That evening they all set up camp and Iroh started a fire. Jet, Sokka, and Zuko all joined together to go hunting and gathering.

"Shh! You're walking so loud you'll scare all of the game off!" Sokka hissed.

"Who? Me?" Zuko asked.

"No, Mr. Thunderfoot." Sokka explained.

"I am not!" Jet protested.

"Yes, you are!" Sokka hollered.

"Both of you, shut up!" Zuko yelled.

Both boys stopped arguing and Sokka crossed his arms. "Well, still."

"Let's just split up, find as much game as we can, and go back to camp. Everyone's probably hungry and it'll be dark soon." Zuko said.

Both Jet and Sokka glared at one another. "FINE."

And all three parted ways.

Zuko continued hunting, thought he heard something, and began to silently track it. It sounded big, so it'd be enough to feed everyone.

Sokka thought he found his own lead and also continued tracking it.

Jet climbed a tree and kept a look out for anything big and tasty.

………………………………………

Back at camp, Toph raised a very good question.

"Is it a good idea that we allowed those three to go hunting together?"

Katara blinked and looked up from the clothing she was mending. "What?"

Toph shrugged. "Well…Sokka, Zuko, and Jet all really don't like one another. Can they actually get along?"

Katara blinked. "Oh no…"

……………………………………….

The big game Zuko was tracking had stopped and he pressed himself up against a tree. It's now or never Zuko, he told himself and attacked.

Sokka heard his game still, and also decided that he should attack.

Jet heard something going on near by and jumped from his tree right into the middle off the action.

"OWW!!!"

…………………………………………

The three boys returned to camp injured, singed, and empty handed.

Katara put her hands on her hips and looked at them expectantly. "Well? What happened?"

Sokka put out a piece of smoldering hair with a pinch of his fingers and shrugged.

Jet laughed nervously and picked at one of the scratches on his face.

Zuko sighed exasperatedly, nursing a wound. "Don't even ask."

Katara frowned. "You guys are in luck, since Suki and her warriors also went scouting for food. They brought back plenty."

Sokka looked relieved and dropped down to the ground.

"But don't think you guys aren't going to pull your weight around here tonight. You'll all get dish duty and be the last one's to bathe."

A collective groan emitted from the three beaten boys.