A/N: Why Jet. Why are you so hard to write. I hope I did him alright. Reviews are lovely to get. I'm not exactly sure if anyone likes it without having a review. Anyways, enjoy!


Jet had never been one to boast, but when he found out he had fifteen thousand bounty on his head, he couldn't help but brag to every criminal he could find. Sure it wasn't exactly the most wise thing to do, but when you escape death and then have a rather large bounty on your head, it was worth the risk. In his eyes, he was a legend and deserved to be treated like one.

"Yeah, nearly sixteen thousand," He stated to the group of women and men that had gathered around him. He sent a knee trembling smile to the blonde on his right, the girl automatically blushing. "Guess you could say I'm a master escape artist," The woman made note to run her fingers up his arm, causing a shiver to run down his spine. He could get use to this.

"Why don't you tell them about the village you wiped out," Came a dry, dark voice. Jet's face turned to its owner, a burly looking man standing a mere couple feet away from him. His body was covered in dirt and tattoos, and his face wasn't too pleasant either. The crowds faces began to burst in what seemed to be a mix of horror and confusion. Jet rubbed the back of his head, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. He thought it best to go with a tactic he knew quite well; lying.

"I don't know what you mean," He replied coolly, the wheat in his mouth turning uneasy. This was not good, not at all. He was in the middle of some dark, dank bar surrounded by what he presumed were about forty criminals, all with the look on disgust in their eyes. Sure, he was right there had been a village but that was years ago, back when he was lost and didn't know what he was thinking. His hatred for the Fire Nation had fueled him back then causing him to lose sight of what was wrong and what was right. He still hated them now, but he knows not every person with the trademark golden eyes were there to harm him. Just most.

"You know, fifteen thousand gold pieces doesn't sound too bad," Another voice came from the crowd, making Jet even more nervous.

"Yeah, I'd be able to retire early," And then it began. With a lung from one criminal and a dodge from the rebel, the whole bar had broken out into fight. Jet had weaved his way through, agility becoming his greatest skill, until a rather large bulky man had shoved him into a corner, knocking the wind out of his lungs. He didn't really want to have to fight, but it would seem in order to get out of this bar with all of his limbs, he had too. His hands reached back behind him, the tan skin making contact with the silver steel. It was just one man, he could take him. As the man made a lunge, Jet scrambled above him, kicking his way over and pushing the man to the floor. "Down you go," He smirked, turning his head to a blade inches away from his face.

Without thinking he met steel to steel, dodging his opponents attacks. Man, if Smellerbee could see him now. He falters, the man's steel making contact with his arm, opening a gash the size of his finger. He lashes out in pain, but doesn't drop his weapons. No, he wasn't going to give up that easy. But before he can land a blow the man falls to the ground, two knives stuck in his back. Jet's eyes widened, his gaze meeting with his savoir. It seemed to be something of his dreams, a woman dressed in all black, with hair as ebon as the night. He can't help but smirk, taking a look at her face, a clear scowl plastered upon it. He can't help but think how pretty it would look if only she'd smile, until something sharp and warm jabbed him in the neck, his vision going dark.

Mai grabbed the daggers lodged into the man's back, carefully drying the steel of any blood. Her eyes averted to their target, then to Ty Lee. "We'll have to clean his wound." A finger slipped over the wound, dowsing his porcelain skin with its red tint.

"Right!" Ty Lee nearly exclaimed, jumping over to her. She stopped, taking in her friends face. She looked as if she were going to kiss the boy, and even had a hint of red on her cheeks. Then it hit her, it was the same look as it was in fairytales of old, when the princess meets the prince for the first time. This was something she had never seen Mai do, even with Zuko, and it excited her to no end. "Oh Mai!" She grinned widely, picking up her half of Jet and dragging him out of the bar.

"What?"

"You're staring at him like Princess Morika stared at Prince Tenzi!"

Mai could feel the heat rushing to her face almost instantly. Surely she wasn't…She couldn't have. He was bounty and nothing more. She hadn't even stared at him for more than just a couple seconds at the most. No, Ty Lee must be delusional or something, there was no way she would ever even consider that earth peasant. She did have standards. "Don't be stupid, Ty Lee." She rebutted, leaning Jet's unconscious body again a tree, she motioned for the rope.

"Mai! I saw it, you looked all starry eyed and stuff! I've never seen you like that before! Even with Zuko." She continued babbling, her hands making quick work with tying their prisoner up. Finishing with a large knot, she leaned against the tree, her eyes intent on Mai. If she had made any falter in her face, Ty Lee would know and call her out on it.

As Mai dabbed the cloth on his arm, a stir came from his lips, but soon died down with sleep overcoming him. She pressed her lips together, studying his face. He was young, and even in sleep had the same stubborn, cocky look on his face. Oddly enough it drew her in, making her want to wipe it off his face with a large slash of her knife. The wound had been worse than she thought, and even though they didn't have any kind of anesthetic she would have to stich it together. Making quick work, she pulled a needle from deep within her sleeve, threading a couple spare pieces of thread into it. Within the first puncture his voice had made itself know, shouts of pain emitting from it. Mai couldn't help rolling her eyes, turning to Ty Lee. "Find him something to bite on,"

He couldn't tell whose voice it was, but it didn't sound too friendly. It had a dry, harsh tone to it, and whether he was willing to admit it or not, he liked it. It soothed him, and it reminded him of his mother. Before he knew it, his hand was reaching for the voice, only to realize it was restrained by what seemed to be worn out rope. "Mom…" He made an attempt to call out, eyes not wanting to open. He heard a scoff then some movement.

"No," She spoke again, this time closer. A searing pain came through his left arm and his eyes shot open. Just as he was about to bite down on his tongue something cold wedged its way in between his teeth. "Bite," The voice commanded and his eyes shot over to its owner. He took her in, the tall raven headed beauty. She cared the same scowl, her eyes fixated on the cut on his arm. Her face was young, but firm like she had seen few things that a young woman should. She wore all black, with matching pins in her hair-wait those weren't pins- they were knives. By this time he had gotten so use to the pain it almost seemed numb to him, so when she stuck the needle into his arm once again he didn't flinch; only stared. In his hazy mind all he wanted to do what stare at the woman stitching his arm, until her eyes met his, a cold dark glare fluttering with them. "Stop staring,"

"ButIdunwanna." He slurred out sleepily, spitting out the wood. His eyes began to droop, the pain getting to him. I just want one smile, just one. "Smile furme…sweetheart," His voice came out weaker, almost as if it wasn't there at all. She was different than more of the women he had met, that was for sure. It was small and short, but he could have sworn there was the slightest hint of one on her lips, that was until her hand made contact with the side of his cheek, the skin slapping him. He didn't care, she had smiled and he had won. He could now sleep with a knowing smirk on his face. His mind make up possible names for his savior, until a different voice called from his left.

"Oh Mai!" It nearly shouted, causing his ears to ache, but at least he had finally gotten what he wanted. Mai. He rolled the name over his tongue. What an ironic name for such a gloomy girl. He liked it, more than he was willing to admit at this point.

Yes, he decided that when he finally awoke he would learn more about this Mai and her mysterious smile. It was only a matter of time.