Book 2 Chapter 11

Time Stops for No One

Asami ran out the door as fast as she could and hopped in her car. And of course there had to be traffic at this time. "Just my luck." She kept hoping Iroh would wait just a few more minutes until she got there, because there was no way she'd make it in under a minute.

There was a loud screech as she hit the brakes stopping right in front of Flameo's. She jumped out of her car and ran inside. The clock read 9:35. She looked around and saw no sign of Iroh.

"Excuse me, did you happen to see General Iroh around here" she asked the man at the front table.

"Why yes. He had reservations at 9, but then he left not too long ago. Can I get a table for you Miss Sato?" He asked kindly.

"No.. thanks.." She rushed out the door.

"His ship has to still be docked at the harbor, I hope" she thought.

Her heart was beating fast and if she didn't catch him spirits only know when and if he'll ever come back. She reached the harbor and saw many ships, but not Iroh's. Asami stood there frozen, not knowing what to do next. It started to rain as she stood there feeling like she had lost him for good.

Until she saw one of the men from Iroh's fleet walking a little further down from her. He was wearing the United Forces uniform, so he must know where Iroh is. She ran up to him and stopped him midtracks.

"You're from the United Forces right?" She frantically asked.

"Y-yes, how can I be of service, miss..."

"Sato" she finished the man's sentence. "I'm looking for Iroh."

"Did you say Sato? Asami Sato? Iroh said he was meeting you. How'd that go?" he asked inquisitively.

"How'd it go? HOW'D IT GO?! If it went well would I be looking for him right now? Just tell me where he went!" She snapped as lightning shot in the sky.

"Alright, I'm sorry! They're docked on the west side. Just a little further down from-" Asami took off running before he could finish his sentence.

"Come on ladies move it along. You aren't afraid of a little rain are you" Iroh shouted to his men over the rumbling of the thunder. The soldiers were climbing aboard the ship getting ready to depart.

Asami had the ship in sight, when she saw him. "Iroh..." she said out of breath.

Iroh looked up to gaze at the sky, letting the cool rain drops hit his face. "Ready to go General?" one of his men asked.

"Hmm.. yea.. just a sec..." he said.

"Alright, well everything is ready to go" the soldier said as he turned around and walked away.

"...Asami.. " he whispered.

"Iroh!"

"Asami?!" He opened his eyes and turned around to a voice he hadn't heard in what seemed to be an eternity.

The two gazed at each other in silence. The rain was coming down hard as Asami stood there trying to catch her breath.

Iroh took the first step and started walking towards her.

"I was so afraid I was too late" she whimpered.

He got close enough to her that they were face to face. Asami couldn't tell if that was a tear running down the side of his face or just a rain drop.

"I'm sorry I'm late" Asami began to apologize.

He silenced her by placing a warm kiss on her cold lips. She stopped shivering from the heat radiating from Iroh as he wrapped his arms around her.

He broke the kiss to gaze at her, but didn't let her go. "I thought for sure you moved on or something." He told her.

"Iroh... I- I love you. So much." She said feeling bad about making him think that.

"I love you too, Asami" they kissed once more. Asami missed the feeling of Iroh's lips against hers. They were startled as the lightning cracked above, then laughed with each other.

"Let's get on the ship and out of this rain" Iroh said taking her hand in his.

The two hopped aboard his ship and he led her to his room. On their way one of the men stopped him. "Sir, are we ready to leave?"

"Uh, no. We won't be leaving tonight. The weather is too dangerous to travel in. Keep me posted if the weather changes" Iroh said sternly.

"Yes, sir."

"Here, ladies first" Iroh opened the door for Asami.

"Thank you, you're such a gentleman" she said before she shivered and rubbed her hands together to warm up.

"First things first, we gotta get outta these clothes before we get sick" Iroh said unbuttoning his jacket and throwing it on the chair, followed by his shirt. "I've got some clothes you could change into" he walked to his closet and brought out one of his shirts and sweat pants to find Asami with her back towards him taking off her jacket. She pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor, leaving her with only her bra on and still in her soaking pants.

He walked over to her, "cold?" He asked as he placed a warm hand on here bare shoulder. A shiver ran up her spine. She nodded silently and turned around slowly to face him.

He ran his hands up and down her back. "I missed your eyes" he said making Asami blush. She placed her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

After Iroh got done changing he sat on his bed and waited for Asami to change. She came out wearing only his t-shirt and her underclothes, it was long enough to reach mid thigh. She walked over and jumped in bed with him. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled the sheets over them.

"So you're leaving tomorrow?" Asami asked. He could hear sadness in her voice.

"Unfortunately" he sighed.

"I can't stand seeing you go again Iroh" she looked up at him and kissed his cheek.

"Well, I guess there's only one thing we can do." He looked down at her, "Come to the Fire Nation with me."

Author's Note:

Here you go!

Next chapter is in the works... hopefully won't take too long :)