Okie Dokie, I would like to start this intro by saying I love all of you guys for following, favoring, reviewing, or just reading. It means the world to me to know that you guys are enjoying this little weirdness of mine.
*the weirdness being Felicity and Alice not Avatar the Last Airbender, I don't own of that awesomeness.
Second to answer a question from AvatarFan
Q: I was wondering, do you picture the scenes playing out in cartoon format, or real life? I think that's an interesting thing for the readers to know!
A: A little bit of both actually. I picture Felicity as myself and Alice as my sister, but everyone else as themselves. I need to find a cartoon version of myself and my sister that would be cool. Most I picture everything in a Cartoon format though.
Third: the new fine-tuned chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are done and have been posted. Most was just editing the grammar but there are some changes if you want to check them out.
Least but not least, sorry for the long intro so I'm going jump into the story now. This chapter takes place during the Bato of the Water Tribe. In this episode that is a lot of Zuko and the Gaang interaction. I'll just let you guess to what this means for Felicity and Alice ;)
Happy Reading!
FILI'S POV
If I had it figured right, any day now we would be meeting June, the bounty hunter chick with the weird mole-dog thing. It would probably be a good idea to tell fussy pants about it. The last time he actually had the idea to eat alone he tried to seduce information out of me. Then again, if he tried this time I'd probably let him "win."
I wanted to wear the dress Zuko had picked out for me the day of his Agni Kai with Zhao, and look nice, but at the same time I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard. I decided on his old shirt, worn open and my silky, black pajamas Uncle Iroh got for me. The pajama top was sleeveless so Zuko's old shirt took the place of my robe. I took my hair out of its braid and took off my shoes. This should be good. It's not too much but just enough, and I don't think he's ever seen my hair completely down.
I didn't know why I was suddenly nervous, but as I sat on my bed waiting for Zuko to show up I felt butterflies in my stomach. Every thirty seconds I would look at the time on my phone. Finally I turned on some music to just relax. I really didn't understand why I was so nervous. It was just Zuko, weird ponytailed Zuko. We had spent months together at this point, we were used to each other, and I knew we were definitely closer as friends, but ever since the cave, things hadn't been as relaxed. When we were near each other or alone there was a completely different feeling in the air.
Knock, knock, knock.
He's here. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard the gentle knock at my door. I shook myself back to normal and tousled my hair a bit then opened the door. Three servants entered the room first carrying food, a tea pot, and everything else someone would need to have when eating dinner. I couldn't help but watch them as they entered single file and began, without a word, setting the table.
"Whoa, I don't think I'll ever get used to that," I just watched them get to work. What I wouldn't give to have just one of these guys get to work on my apartment like this for a week.
I heard Zuko clear his throat behind me, "May I come in…." he stopped when I turned. "You… you're wearing my shirt?"
I nodded once. I felt idiotic and I didn't know what to say. I bet I look idiotic too. He looked perfect, well as perfect as he could be with that ponytail. I couldn't stop myself from smiling when I started thinking about it. He was wearing his sleeveless, black training suit with the gold trim and gold knot buttons. Why did he have to wear the sleeveless shirt of all things? Does he know I can't always control the fan-girl in me when he wears that?
"Why?" He didn't come inside my room, just stood outside the door
I crossed my arms, "Why not? You and Uncle Iroh gave it to me, I like it, and so I'm wearing it. Something about it makes me feel safe." I realized what I had said after I said it. Yeah, real smooth, Fili, "Is there a problem?"
"No," He answered quickly and gave me a half smile.
"All right then," I stepped aside, "Are you going to come in? It would be a little hard to have dinner together when you're out in the hallway." When Zuko finally entered he watched me walk to my desk-table, pick up my phone, and then walk back to the dinner table. He didn't say a word. It made me even more nervous. After the servants had finished setting the table he dismissed them. When they were finally gone he closed the door behind them.
It was too quiet. I couldn't stand the quiet. It made things awkward, "Is it ok with you if I played some music?"
He nodded, "I'd be shocked if you didn't." He walked over to the table and sat down.
I was looking through my phone but I couldn't figure out just what I wanted to listen to. I mean I know what I would normally listen to, but I wasn't sure if he would want to listen to dub step, cheesy love songs, or some classical type music, "What kind of music would you want to listen to?"
"It doesn't matter, will you just sit down?" Zuko just smirked at me as if he was challenging me.
Well, fussy pants, challenge accepted, I sat down next to him and hit shuffle on my phone. And what was the first song to play you might ask? Elton John's 'Can you feel the Love tonight?' Perfect, this isn't awkward at all. Good thing it's not turned up really loud. But when the words started playing Zuko's head jerked towards my phone. Great, I guess it is loud enough. Dang it!
"Did you…um… really get the cook to make me noodle soup?" I looked at the steaming pot in the middle of the table. I didn't wait for him to answer. It smelled just like chicken noodle soup.
He looked worried all of the sudden, "If you don't like it…."
"Its fine, Zuko, thank you," I pick up his bowl and started to fill it. "Oh, I have some future-knowing wisdom for you." He didn't say anything, but he looked interested. "I'm not sure when it will happen, probably very soon, but a woman is going to show up on the ship."
"Another one?" He chuckled, "Dealing with you is hard enough."
"Ha, Ha, Ha. Prince Fussy pants got jokes?" I handed him his bowl of soup. "Anyways, she will be a bounty hunter with this weird mole-dog looking thing."
"Why would a bounty hunter come to my ship?" He gave me a suspicion look.
"She's not after me if that's what you're implying," I sat back down and prepared myself a bowl. The soup even tasted like chicken noodle soup, but the Campbell's Chunky one. Mmmm!
"You like it?" He hadn't started eating yet. He was just watching me, closely.
I took a sip of the warm soup broth, "It's perfect, thank you. This is very sweet." He just smiled his sweet heart-melting smile and began to eat. The only sounds for a little while were the music playing in the background and the sounds of us eating.
My phone must be trying to make up for the day in the cave because the only songs it was playing were love songs and pretty piano, cello, or classical music. I'm still not forgiving you. I wasn't really listening to it. I may or may not still be bitter about you interrupting my almost moment with Zuko, ok? But then I heard that it was playing the most perfect song for this moment. Prince Royce – 'You are Fire.'
'If you like to instead
Stay in my room It's already noon hmm
No she don't know my palms are sweaty
So nervous, damn she's sweet and sexy
She puts on my favorite shirt and asks
How do I look, I say you are fire but your blue eyes, are brighter
I've never felt this way before
Stay for a while and close the door 'cause you are fire'
Zuko must have been listening to because he looked over at me for a moment. I hated it when he didn't say anything because that meant I would have to get in his head. That on the other hand I didn't mind.
'It's like the song was written about her. She's wearing my shirt, she does have bright blue eyes, and she has this way of making me feel calm…' He reached over and took my hand. The simple touch pulled me back out of his head, and I felt my heart speed up. "Do you… I mean would you want to go for a walk on deck with me? That is if you have finished eating, of course."
"Oh, yes, that sounds good, but why do you want to go on deck? Isn't tonight music night?" I watched him stand up. He was still holding onto my hand. I gave it to him.
"No we just docked. I gave all the men a short shore leave. We are the only ones on board tonight, and I want to show you something." He quickly led me to the door, but before he opened it he pulled a black piece of silk cloth from the inside of his shirt.
"Hmm, Zuko, what's that?" I watched him carefully.
He just smirked, "It's a blind fold."
"Well, fussy pants, I have to hand it to you. You are certainly getting a lot better at surprising me." He moved behind me, "I didn't know you were into this sort of thing, but I have to say," hot, hot, hot, kinda kinky, and very hot, "I like it."
"So you don't mind," He whispered in my ear and shivers ran down my spine.
"I'm…f…for it." Honestly, he must have been listening to me during the Katara and Pirates thing, but this is so much better than a necklace. A blindfold is way sexier than a necklace. He's even whispering, and it is giving my goose-pimples.
"Good," he gently tied the blindfold around my head.
When that was done, I felt his hands on my shoulders. "Are you ready?" He whispered again.
"Yes," So ready!
Zuko opened my bedroom door and led me down the hall and outside. I knew we had made it outside when I felt the cool, crisp night air. I was really glad I was wearing his shirt, or I'd be freezing. He turned me around and placed my hands on the cold, metal railing. I could feel him standing behind me. He was so warm. I leaned back against him.
"You're cold," it wasn't a question. He moved slightly and then I felt him wrap a blanket around my shoulders.
"Where did you get a blanket?" I hugged it around me, but I wasn't giving up the chance to be close to him. So I leaned back against his chest again. "This really must be a firebender boy thing."
"I borrowed it from your room before we left. I hope you don't mind," He started working with the knot of the blindfold. "What do you mean?"
"You're just so warm. Warmer than any other guy I known," I heard him huff at that statement. "Fussy pants, you're not jealous, are you?"
"No," he wasn't very convincing, "You have told me about you're past. There was just the one guy, right?"
"Well, only one that I was physically intimate with, but I have had boyfriends. He was just the only one that I….um…" I bit my lip and tried not to think about all the bad memories of my stupid mistakes.
"You don't have to say it," He pulled the blindfold away from my face, and moved from behind me to beside me. He pointed up to the sky, "Keep looking right out there."
"Ok, but what am I…." Before I could finish there was a series of loud pops, and right where Zuko had pointed a stream of multicolored lights lit up the sky. I had seen fireworks before, every year on the 4th of July, but this was completely different. There were so many different shapes and colors. Over and over again the fireworks would take the shape of pink, red, white, and purple lotuses. They looked almost 3D as the popped at different angles. Who made these fireworks? Gandalf?
I looked over at Zuko in awe. He wasn't looking at the fireworks. He was watching me with a simple smile on his face, "Tonight this village is having their annul lotus festival. My uncle insisted on going. I would have taken you, but…."
"No," I circled my arms around his waist, "I like this much more." I laid my head against his chest and watched the fireworks pop above us.
"Good," he wrapped his arms around my shoulders. "Me too."
We just stood there on the deck of the ship watching the fireworks. My only regret was that it didn't last a little longer. When it was over Zuko walked me back to my room. The men would be heading back soon, and he was a very private person. He didn't like public displays of affection or anything like that. He would rather have quiet moments like this. But I mean really, it's not like whatever was going on between us isn't going unnoticed.
Before he left we had a nice long hug, "Hey, Zuko, could I keep that blindfold?"
"Why?" he gave me a strange look.
"You see, back home I had something like that for when I sleep to block out all the light. It takes me forever to fall asleep now because of all the extra light in the room."
He pulled the blindfold out of his tunic and handed it to me, "I had a question for you as well. Would you teach me some of that strange writing you use? I know how to write my name the way you do, but that's all I know how to do."
"Sure, I'd love to. Maybe tomorrow night we can have dinner in your room. I'll teach you a little more every night." I reached for my door but he opened it for me. "Thank you for tonight. I really had a wonderful time. Goodnight, Zuko."
He just nodded and closed the door. I sat down on my bed and stared down at the blindfold. I know it was stupid but I wanted to keep it, and honestly it was not for sleep. If somehow I made it home this could be my little piece of here, of him. It even smelled like him. I slid it under my pillow. I took off his shirt and laid down. That night I dreamt of him, and it wasn't the kind of dream that one would see in a kid's cartoon, if you know what I mean?
THE NEXT MORNING
Everything was pretty quiet. The men all seemed very happy for having some time away to relax. I was kinda jealous when I heard them talking about the lotus festival. Even Chan was talking about a Fire nation colony girl that he had met. Then again, I did get to spend the first alone time with Zuko since the cave.
I was on my way to have afternoon tea with Zuko and Uncle Iroh. I think they were both in Zuko's room. I knocked and Zuko was the one who opened the door. He just gave me a quick, sweet grin.
"Ah, Felicity, so glad you could join us." Uncle Iroh said over Zuko's shoulder and Zuko's face went back to normal. "You are just the person to help me talk some since into my nephew."
"Oh, what has he done now," I smirked at Zuko and pushed him slightly. "You know other than the weird ponytail, 'cause I'm working on that." I winked at Zuko, but he was less than amused.
"Will you stop bringing up my hair?" Yep, he's back to normal now.
I sat down at the table and Uncle Iroh poured tea for me in the tea-cup Zuko got for me, "Last night he stayed on board when everyone had gone ashore to enjoy the Lotus Festival. He needs to relax some and enjoy a little peace."
"I do relax, but I don't need to lose my focus on the Avatar." Zuko sat down across from Uncle Iroh, and I took a seat between them. "I agreed to have tea with you today, didn't I?"
"Yes, and it should be ready," Uncle Iroh poured himself a cup and took a sip. "Mm… perfect. Felicity, I hope you don't mind it isn't chamomile like you like, but I promise it is very good."
"Hmm, what kind is it?" I circled my finger around the rim of my tea-cup.
"Jasmine," Iroh smiled holding up the tea pot.
"Oh, yes please," I pushed my cup over towards him, and I added my three scoops of sugar. "Jasmine is another favorite of mine."
Zuko watched me stir the sugar into my tea, "Why do you add so much sugar? Jasmine tea is already sweet on its own."
I tapped the spoon on rim of my tea-cup then stuck the spoon in my mouth and winked at him, "Because I have to keep my sweetness level up over 9000 to function at peak efficiency. You don't want to see me when it gets low. I could make your sister look like a saint."
"How do you know about my sister?" Zuko looked very confused. I honestly didn't know why. We had been down this road before.
"Do you really still have to ask me how I know something anymore?" I sighed, "You have a younger sister named Azlua, she's cuckoo for cocoa puffs, a fire prodigy, her fire is blue unlike most fire benders, and she a Lying McLiarton." I took a sip of my tea. Mmm perfect, "Did I miss anything?"
"No, you got her pretty much perfect," Iroh said very matter of fact-like while Zuko just gapped at me.
Zuko just nodded, "Sometimes I wonder just how much you know about me…."
"Everything, well almost everything," I took another sip of tea, "There is a little I don't know, but I kind of like that. A girl needs a little mystery."
Uncle Iroh went back to drinking his tea, "Aahh! See Prince Zuko, a moment of quiet is good for your mental well-being." He poured Zuko a cup.
Wait a minute, I know that line. I hurried and put down my tea-cup just in case.
"What are you doing?" Zuko asked before taking his cup.
I just shook my head. Zuko raised the cup to take a sip, but the ship suddenly jerked. The jolt caused the tea in his cup to go flying, soaking Zuko's face and hair. I had to bite my lip so I wouldn't laugh when Zuko grunted in frustration, pushed his ponytail back, and raised himself from the table to see what the commotion is about.
We all ran out on deck just in time to see the bounty hunter woman, June, and her weird mole-dog thing leap up on deck.
"Get back! We're after a stowaway!" June yelled.
"There are no stowaways on my ship," I swore I saw Fussy Pants' ponytail flare.
I had to stop myself from laughing, 'Not true, I'm here.'
'Not now, Felicity!' He was getting better and more open about using my telepathy to talk to or scold me.
The mole-dog wasn't listening to anyone but its master. It bit through the hull of Zuko's ship. Dude, who is that thing's dentist 'cause its pearly whites are fearsome. It stuck its weird star nose into the hull's hole, and not long after doing so a man crawled out of the hole. The man ran across the deck, but June and her mole-dog were hot on his heels. The mole-dog lashed out with its tongue and the man fell face first on the deck, paralyzed and terrified.
"He's paralyzed." Zuko stared down at the man in shock.
June jumped down off of her mole-dog and grabbed the man and threw him over her shoulder, "Only temporarily. The toxins will wear off in about an hour. But by then, he'll be in jail and I'll have my money." Talk about beast-mode.
"But how did you find him on my ship?" Zuko asked her.
"My shirshu can smell a rat a continent away." Shirshu, that's what that mole-dog is called. Why can't I never remember that? June mounted her shirshu.
"Well, I'm impressed." Uncle Iroh watched carefully as June cracked her whip, and the shirshu bolted off the ship and raced down the dock. "Very impressed," he leaned over the ledge of the ship with Zuko stroking his beard thoughtfully. Zuko look at him, disgusted, and I didn't blame him all that much. Don't get me wrong, June is a fox and I'm super jealous of her dark red lipstick, but I did not need the image of Uncle Iroh in my head.
Zuko turned and looked at me, "Walk with me. I need your opinion on something." He didn't wait for me to join him. "See what can be done about these repairs, Uncle. Felicity, are you coming?"
"Aye, aye cap'n, on my way," I hurried after him. I was sure he had already thought of the necklace. He was smart.
"So what's the plan?" I asked when I finally caught up to him.
He didn't look at me when he answered, "You already know what the plan is, don't you? I just want to know if it will work. Will that woman help me find the Avatar?"
"Yes, but it's not going to be free or easy." I finally managed to catch up with him.
"I'm guessing there's nothing I can say to make you stay on this ship, is there?" He stopped at my door, turned on his heel, and cornered me between his arms and my door.
I just grinned up at him, "You know me so well, fussy pants, but if you're up for it there is only one thing you can do to make me stay."
Zuko tilted his head to the side, "And that is?"
I grabbed his collar with one hand and pulled his head down closer to me, "Well, I think you already know. You've tried it once."
"Right here, in the middle of the hall?" He didn't look shocked or worried. In fact he took a step closer to me.
I just stared up and him and bit my lip, "Mmhm. It really is the only thing you can do if you want me to stay here."
"I guess I have no choice then," he smirked and moved even closer and leaned down.
"Nope," I whispered up at him, and looped an arm around his neck. Finally, I was going to get my kiss. Everyone was one deck working on the damages. It was just him and me, alone in the hallway. Perfect, perfect, perfect.
"It this a bad time?" Zuko jumped away from me when he heard Lieutenant Jee mocking tone come from the opposite end of the hall.
A thousand blargs upon you, Jee, "No, not at all. Zuko was just trying to talk me into staying here when he goes ashore." I forced a smile and looked over at Zuko, "Looks like that's not going to happen."
"Looks like it," Zuko agreed. "I'll see you on deck in twenty minutes. Wear something different then you're training clothes, please. It's going to start getting colder. I can't have you getting sick."
"Sir, how long are you going to be ashore?" Jee turned to face Zuko and I went into my room to change.
I hurried over to my trunk and pulled out a black coat with red knot buttons and trim. I slid it on over my plan red tank top as quickly as I could and grabbed my phone. I'm pretty excited to see the Gaang again. I wonder if anything interesting will happen.
LATER THAT NIGHT
It's a really good thing I decided to get a coat. It had gotten a lot chillier after the sun went down. I could really start to tell we were getting closer to the Northern Water tribe with each passing day.
Zuko had managed to track June down to a tavern on the outside of the earth kingdom town, with a little help from yours truly of course. I wasn't sure where she would be, but I knew it had to be a bar or inn or something.
It sure did look like a fun place. As we were walking up a man had just been thrown out of a window. June's shirshu was lying outside the tavern, just chill'n. This is going to be interesting.
Zuko was getting pretty annoyed at this point for many reasons. One: I wasn't giving him a straight answer if he would capture the Avatar or not. Two: this was the sixth tavern we had been to all day. Three: Uncle Iroh had insisted on coming with us. Both Zuko and I knew it was so Uncle Iroh could see June again. There was also the fact that today was the second time we were interrupted before we could actually start to get somewhere. I mean two kisses that didn't happen. I have to admit even I was a little annoyed.
Zuko took his annoyance out on the men in the tavern, "Out of my way!" He pushed a man out of his way, "Step aside, filth!"
Uncle Iroh was hot on Zuko's heels apologizing for what Zuko had said, "He means no offense! I'm certain you bathe regularly!"
June was sitting calmly at a table arm-wrestling a huge man. He looked sweaty and worn out, but she was as cool as a cucumber. I got to hand it to her, she is pretty freaking awesome.
"I need to talk to you!" Zuko was not pleased.
June barely even looked at him, "Well, if it isn't my new friends: Angry Boy and Uncle Lazy." Uncle Iroh just laughed while June's opponent struggled to win. "Who's this, your fan-girl? No can't be she looks too smart for that." She won the match without breaking a sweat and the crowd began throwing her money.
"I knew there was a reason why I liked you. I'm his advisor of sorts," I sat on the edge of the table, and looked from her to Zuko, 'Remember June's help isn't going to be easy to get. She's going to say no, at first, but ask anyways. She will help. Feel free to be your normal 'grr' faced self. Let her know you mean it.'
He just nodded and looked down at her, "Your beast trashed my ship. You have to pay me back!"
June gave him a cheeky grin as she collected her winnings. "Well, I'd love to help you out, but I'm a little short on money." She looked up at the crowd, "Drinks on me!"
He grabbed her wrist angrily as she reached for her drink, "Money isn't what I had in mind."
'Really, fussy pants, I told you to mean it, not sound like you want to get her in bed.'
He turned red and glared at me. "Not now, Felicity."
"She didn't say anything," June looked at me confused.
"Yes, I did you just didn't hear it," I pointed at my temple.
"Right, like you could really make me believe he can hear your thoughts." She rolled her eyes at me and pulled her arm away from Zuko's grip.
I giggled quietly and shook my head. "Of course not that's just silly. I can hear his," my smile turned serious, "and yours and everyone else in this place."
She laughed at me, "Right, little girl, you can't scare me. I've seen and heard it all."
"Tell you what, I'll make a deal with you. You pick any three random numbers between one and one thousand in your head. If I get them wrong we will walk away and you will never see us again, but if I'm right you will walk outside with us and hear us out. Deal?" I held out my hand.
She swallowed down the rest of your drink, "And… if you're wrong I get all the money you have on you and that pretty coat."
I took my coat off and handed it to Zuko, "Deal. Now pick your numbers." Before she could set down her cup I was in her head. "76, 825, 640."
She dropped the cup on the ground and it shattered, "How did you…."
"Outside we go," I took my coat back from Zuko and gave him a wink. I looked back at June, 'We had a deal, but don't worry there's money in it for you. Follow us and you will get whatever you want.'
She just grined, "Yes, outside we go." When she got outside June made a B-line straight for her shirshu and leaned back against the animal.
Zuko held up Katara's necklace, "I need you to find someone."
June asked sarcastically, "What happened, your girlfriend run off on you?"
"It's not the girl I'm after; it's the bald monk she's traveling with." Zuko shook his head once.
"Whatever you say," she sounded unamused.
"If you find them, I'll consider the damage to my ship paid for."
'We're going to have to do better than that, Zuko. She's a bounty hunter. She answers only to money.' I put my hand on his shoulder and he just nodded.
June scoffed at him as she began to mount her shirshu, "Heh, forget it."
"Plus, we'll pay your weight in gold." Uncle Iroh stepped up. Brilliant, I forgot about his offer.
June turned and looked slightly surprised. She looked over at me so I nodded once. She jumped down off the animal and walked over to Uncle Iroh, "Make it your weight," she poked his stomach, "and we gotta deal."
He just laughed out loud with his hands on his stomach, "You got it."
"Get on!" June took Katara's necklace from Zuko and took it over to her shirshu. Uncle Iroh climbed up the beast's back and Zuko helped me up to the saddle before joining us. He sat behind me. It really was a good thing this was a huge saddle. It wasn't long before the shirshu had Katara's scent and June started climbing up to the saddle.
I looked over my shoulder at Zuko, "Hold on tight, fussy pants, it's going to be a bumpy ride." He just gave me a quick smirk and wrapped one arm around my waist.
June snapped the rains and the beast jumped jerking us in the saddle. I could tell this was going to be ten times more than just bumpy and that wasn't really a good thing.
ALICE'S POV
So long story short: the Gaang and I had stopped to rest and resupply on our trip heading north. We were looking in the woods for fruit and water when Aang found a water tribe weapon. Sokka was able to track signs of a battle back to a water tribe ship where we waited until nightfall. Eventully Bato, a family friend to Sokka and Katara, showed up. We went with him to the abbey where his wounds from the battle were being treated.
I was sitting against the wall with Aang while Katara, Bato, and Sokka talked about home. I knew this episode Aang would feel left out and worried that his friends would leave him. What else would he think? He's a twelve year old and they are the only people his has. Well, not anymore. He has me! I wonder if this is how Fili feels about me, this protectiveness.
I reached over and took Aang's hand. He looked almost like he was taking a nap, but I knew he wasn't asleep, "Don't worry about it too much. You won't be alone. I promise."
Aang opened his eyes slightly and looked over at me with a small smiled, but I knew a fake smile when I saw one. He was still worried, and no matter what I said he would be worried.
"There's something I should tell you kids. I'm expecting a message from your father." Bato told Katara and Sokka and they both asked for more detail. Aang opened his eyes again and listened, but I kept my hand on his.
"When?" Sokka asked slightly demanding.
Bato started to explain, "Any day now. Your father said he'd send a message when they found the rendezvous point. If you wait until the message arrives, you can come with me, and see your father again."
Sokka was so excited he nearly jumped off his pillow seat, "It's been over two years since we've seen Dad. That would be so incredible! Katara!"
Katara nodded, "I do really miss him, it would be great to see Dad."
Aang stood up to leave, but the others didn't seem to notice. I wasn't sure if I should go with him or not, but there were a few things he needed to do so it would probably be best if I left him alone.
While the three water tribers talked and Aang was gone I decided to go through Fili's stuff and mine. If I remember this episode right Aang is going to hide the message, Sokka and Katara are going to go with Bato, then Zuko is going to show up. With any luck Fili will be with him and I'll finally get to see her. If that happens I'll give her her bag. I'm sure she is missing her knick-knacks from home.
I pulled out her nook. Man, she actually has all the Avatar comics on her nook. She's so gonna want this. Until then I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I borrowed it. I was scared to turn my iPad on without Fili being here. One: what if I went home without her and she couldn't come back? Two: I know that Aunt Wu will be right about Aang and Katara's futures so what if she's right about mine? I don't want to go home and be lonely for the rest of my life, and honestly I don't mind having a lot of kids. I actually do want kids just not now.
When Aang finally got back I watched him enter. I could tell by the way he looked at me he probably knew that I knew. I just put my finger over my lips and winked. He had to do this on his own. He had to learn this lesson. Plus, as much as I wanted to help him if I did I would risk changing things, and I wouldn't see Fili.
He just nodded than looked up at them, "Hey everyone! Sorry I was gone so long."
Katara turned and looked at him, "Hey, Aang, I didn't notice you left."
"Yup, but now I'm back." He sat down between Sokka and Katara in front of the fire, "Sure could go for some delicious sea prunes!" He picked up his bowl. Aang quickly started to take bites of sea prunes, but choked them back up, yet he still pretended he was enjoying them. Katara, Bato, and Sokka looked at him strangely.
I just shook my head at him. He will be ok, and I won't leave him so he won't be alone. I got Fili's nook and just started reading. It wasn't long before I started to fall asleep on the pile of furs. Things were going to get interesting tomorrow so I might as well get as much sleep as I could now.
THE NEXT DAY – after the "ice dodging"
I chose to stay ashore with Momo and Appa because honestly I was too much of a chicken to get on a boat that would navigate waters that made the journey to Davey Jones' Locker look like a pleasure curse. I stood behind Bato and watched as he placed the marks on each of their heads.
"The spirits of water bear witness to these marks. For Sokka, the Mark of the Wise," Bato used his paint-dipped thumb to put an arc and small dot on Sokka's forehead, "The same mark your father earned. For Katara," he placed crescent moon mark on Katara's forehead, "the Mark of the Brave. Your courage inspires us." Finally Bato turned to Aang and put an arc on his forehead, "And for Aang, the Mark of the Trusted. You are now an honorary member of the Water Tribe."
Aang looked down; he couldn't take it anymore, "I can't."
Katara smiled over at him, "Of course you can!"
He rubbed off his mark and backed away, "No, you can't trust me."
I could tell by Katara's voice she was concerned, "Aang, what are you talking about?"
He pulled the crumpled map out of his sleeve, "A messenger gave this to me for Bato." Katara took it from him and began to read. "You have to understand. I was afraid you would…"
Sokka cut him off quickly and angrily, "This is the map to our father! You had it the whole time? How could you? Well, you can go to the North Pole on your own. I'm going to find Dad." Sokka started to walk away then turned to me, "You knew about this didn't you?"
"Of course I did," I straightened and stared at him as he glared at me.
"Why didn't you say something? You could have told us, or told him to give it to us." Sokka yelled at me.
"Because he's a kid and he was scared. Plus he had to learn this lesson on his own. He was going to give it to you. Things have to happen the right way." I yelled back. "And besides you don't believe in all the future-knowing and fortune telling anyway, why would you start believing me now?"
"If you would keep something this important from us then you are just as bad as him." Sokka glared at me hard.
I walked over to Aang and wrapped my arm around his shoulder, "He's not bad. He's twelve and was scared of being alone, but he's not alone. I'm staying with him."
"Good," Sokka turned away from us, "because I'm not letting you come with us anyway. Katara, are you with me?"
"Do what you want. I'll see you in a little while," I snapped at him.
Katara looked at the two of us for a moment then turned away, "I'm with you Sokka."
It didn't take us long to get our things together. Katara wished us luck before we left, but Sokka still wouldn't look at us.
Aang watched me get my things together, "Are you really going to stay with me, Alice?"
"Of course I could never just leave you alone even if I was mad," I picked up my backpack and Fili's bag and started walking with him back to the beach.
FILI'S POV
Man my body hurt from all this riding. We had been everywhere: the herbalist, the fortuneteller's village, and now finally the abbey. Thank God, this is almost over. Before I could jump off the shirshu's back and just wait at the abbey for Zuko and the others to get back, the beast had taken off again. It wasn't long before we caught up to Katara and Sokka.
June stopped the shirshu long enough for Zuko to jump off, "So this is your girlfriend. No wonder she left, she's way too pretty for you."
Zuko ignored her and focused on the Avatarless siblings, "Where is he? Where is the Avatar?"
Sokka stepped in front of his sister, putting himself between her and Zuko, "We split up. He's long gone."
"How stupid do you think I am?" Fussy pants didn't believe Sokka for a second.
"Pretty stupid," Sokka grabbed Katara's arm, "Run!" They started to run, but the shirshu whipped them with its tongue. They fell to the ground, completely paralyzed.
Zuko turned and looked up at me, "What are we supposed to do now?"
I just nodded toward Sokka, 'Just be patient. They have something you can use.'
'But what? Give me real answers….'
The shirshu started moving towards Sokka and Katara. June knew just what was happening, "Nyla is seeking a different scent. Perhaps something that the Avatar held," Nyla, the shirshu, started sniffing Sokka's back. The map that Aang had held fell from Sokka's pack and Nyla caught Aang's scent easily enough. "Let's go we have what we need."
"No," I jumped down and walked over to Sokka and Katara. "Zuko, we can't just leave them here. We have to take them with us."
"Why?" June asked while Zuko started to remount.
"Because I said so, and I'm never wrong," I snapped at her then turned to Zuko. "Plus, leaving them here would leave them in danger to animals or bandits. I can't have that on my conscious. Please Zuko."
He growled in announce, but then jumped down and walked over to the siblings and I. He didn't say a word just lifted Sokka up off the ground. I smiled at him thankfully, 'Thank you, Zuko.' I took Katara's arm and pulled her up off the ground.
Uncle Iroh helped pull Sokka up onto Nyla's back. Zuko took Katara from me and nodded up to the saddle, "I'll hand her to you."
Uncle then helped me up as well and smiled warmly. I didn't have to get into his head to know what he was thinking, but then he quickly turned his attention back to the hot bounty hunter in front of him. Not that I blame him, June is a fox.
With the siblings secured and everyone remounted on Nyla's back, June cracked her whip. Aang's scent brought us back to the abbey. I felt so bad for the sisters there. They had just fixed the gate when Nyla busted through it again. Nyla started followed Aang trail in a circle.
"What's it doing? It's just going in a circle." Zuko yelled and I braced for a fall. I would have just jumped off, but I was stuck between Zuko and Uncle Iroh.
Nyla looked up above where Aang was flying in circles as well. Aang dove above us and Nyla tried to follow, when the beast leaped up it threw myself and all the other riders off its back before also falling down. I rolled out of the way and hurried to jump back up.
June did the same and ran over to Nyla to crack her whip, "Up!" Nyla stood up quickly and June mounted her. June and Nyla charged at Aang, but Appa knocked Nyla down by leaping on the shirshu's side. Appa growled and snorted at the bounty hunter and her beast. When Aang turned back to look for Sokka and Katara, he saw Zuko standing in front of him.
"Hurry we have to get them out of the line of fire," I told the nuns as I started pulling Katara. They grabbed Sokka and also began to pull. When we finally got them against a wall I straightened and popped my back. "Aww that's the stu…." I felt my heart nearly stop when I opened my eyes again. My body froze and tears filled my eyes. There's no way. It can't be. Ally?! She was standing in one of the doorways watching the fight.
"Marco?" she called out. She looked all around the scene, "Marco?" she yelled louder.
The tears I had been fighting so hard spilled down my face, "Polo." I sobbed. Somehow she still managed to hear me over all the noise, and then she finally turned to her left, toward me. "Ally-Cat," I ran towards her as fast as I could.
She just stood still and waited for me to reach her with her arms slightly opened. My mind didn't want to believe she was real at first, but when I finally wrapped my arms around her my heart told my head to shut its face. She was real and she was here. Completely safe and sound and….
"Oww!..." and punching me on the arm. Why was she punching me on the arm? "What was that for?"
"What have you gotten me into Fili?" She yelled at me then punched me again.
"Ow! That's going to bruise."
"Answer the question," She held up her fist at me. "Where did you get that TV, and how did it drop me into Avatar: the last Airbender?"
"I don't know," she started to hit me again, but I caught her hand and pulled her to me again. "But I'm glad it did. I was so worried, so scared I would never see you again. I hadn't been able to sleep I've been so worried about you."
Ally relaxed and wrapped her arms around me as well, "Yeah, me too."
Suddenly I heard Zuko yelling at me, "Felicity, what are you…." Aang sent an airbending blast at Zuko, who sidestepped it and he sent another fire blast at Aang. Aang jumped to avoid the blast. Zuko moved in closer to Aang sending two fire blasts at Aang's head and feet. Aang tossed his staff and jumped to duck the blasts. Zuko punched and kicked at Aang, sending fire blasts at straight at him.
"Not now, fussy pants," I yelled back. "You're in the middle of a fight, focus."
"Fussy pants?" Ally kind of chuckled.
"Yeah, it's kinda what I call him," I laughed with her.
She stroked her invisible beard, "Hmm…I like it. It suits him."
"I know right."
"Fili, so much stuff has happened. I met Aunt Wu, and you wouldn't believe what she told me." Ally grabbed my arms and shook me.
Before she could tell me what Aunt Wu had told her, Zuko and Aang both firebended and airbended at each other at the same time, creating large explosion. I pushed her behind me and clapped my hands together then spilt the cloud of smoke and fire away from us.
"You can firebend?" Alice stared at me in shock. I just nodded and grinned as I made a flame in my hand, "Show off, well I can waterbend." Ally then bended water from a pouch at her hip, a lot like Katara's, and put out my little flame.
"Hey, how dare you?" I pouted down at my hand, "You killed Calcifer! Do you know how hard that is to make an actual flame?" I whined.
"About as hard as it is to bend water out of this I guess. I've been training with Katara, but we don't really know a lot." She bent the water back to her pouch.
"Well, I can do a little more than just firebending."
"Like what?" She jumped forward and pulled us both to the ground when Nyla's tongue whipped in our way. "Ah, tell me later. I have your purse." She ran back inside.
"What?" I hurried to follow her. She ran back out of the room holding my messenger bag that I used for really everything, "No way! How did you get a hold of this?"
"Think, Fili, use those brains of yours. I got it from your apartment before I fell in." Ally headed it to me. I had literally everything in this turquoise bag: makeup, perfume, stuff to keep me entertained. "Thanks Ally-Cat." I looped the strap over my head.
We ducked again trying to avoid the falling rubble from Aang and Zuko's fight on the roof. We ran back over to Sokka and Katara.
Ally stared down at them, and I walked over to Katara, "Are you guys ok?"
All of the sudden Zuko jumped from the roof as Nyla jumped up after Aang. As Aang ran away from the shirshu, Appa used his tail to send an airbending blast at the roof.
Sokka started to twitch his fingers and arm, "I'm ... starting to get some feeling back!" Rubble from the roof started to fall and as I ducked for cover it fell on Sokka, "Ow."
Both Ally and I noticed that Aang and Zuko's fight had moved to the well of the abbey. "The Necklace!" we said together.
"Where is the nun with that weird bottle?" I looked around waiting for some help on de-numbing Sokka and Katara. Alice just shook her head.
"Look!" Ally pointed over to Aang and Zuko. "Aang is trying to get the necklace."
Aang had jumped between the four beams of a wells roof narrowly dodging all of Zuko's fire blasts.
"I can just hear Fussy pants now," I cleared my thought and said in a squeaky, comical voice, "Be still. Come back here! Let my capture you and take you to my father… blah blah blah…. HONOR!"
Zuko broke two of the well's beams and sent the wooden structure away with a large, firebending kick then jumped onto the well's rim to join Aang.
Ally nodded and narrated for Aang in the same squeaky voice, "No, I will not. Give me Katara's necklace so I can earn her undying love. SHE IS MY FOREVER GIRL!"
Aang and Zuko danced around the edge of the well deftly trading blows and counter attacks while Aang attempted to snatch Katara's necklace from Zuko's grasp.
I stated again, "I don't care if she is your forever girl. Fans ship me with her more. Stop jumping around you little frog-monkey…"
"Frog-Monkey? That's the best you got?" Ally just stared at me.
"Oh shut up and go with it," I stuck my tongue out at her.
"Fine," she held up her hands and thought for a moment, "You know what I got nothing. You threw off my groove. I should have you thrown out of a window."
"How dare you, sir. I am your big sister," I crossed my arms at her.
"I don't care. You threw off my groove." She poked my shoulder. "It almost looks like they are dancing."
"It does, doesn't it?" I nodded as we watched them.
Aang managed to get the necklace by flying through the air and hooking it with his foot. He grabbed Katara's necklace from his foot then dove into the well. Zuko shot a fire blast down the well only to have the water from the well burst out and send him flying. Aang jumped out after the water, which rained down a little before Zuko fell.
"Well, that's even more entertaining in person than in the show," I said in a snooty sounding, fake British accent then looked over at Ally.
"Quite right, quite right," She said also in a snooty accent. I missed her so much. How we would play off what each other had said like that.
I watched Zuko for a long time. I look from him to Ally and back to him. What do I do? Ally is my sister I have been worried about her for months, but Zuko. He and I, we were... I don't think the feelings are one sided. I'm sure he feels something too. I mean he did try to kiss me in the cave. But now that Ally is here…
"Fili?" Ally put her hand on my shoulder, "Are you ok?" I just nodded and smiled at her.
"I'm just so glad you are here," I hugged her. "It's still a little hard to process."
Zuko stood and started chasing after Aang, but Appa roared loudly and moved between the two of them. June cracked her whip and Nyla's tongue lashed out at Appa again and again until Appa fell.
Mother Superior finally showed up and held a bottle of perfume beneath Sokka and Katara's noses effectively awakening their bodies.
Sokka straightened, "That thing sees with its nose. Let's give him something to look at."
Ally turned to Sokka, "Right, that's perfect."
Mother Superior held up the bottle, "The perfume?" Ally and I just smiled and Sokka nodded.
"Sokka, while Ally and Katara waterbend the perfume I'll take this bottle over to Appa and wake him up," Mother Superior handed me the bottle. "I'll meet you at the gate with Appa and…"
"Wait Fili, no." Ally stopped me and took the bottle, "You have to go with Zuko."
"What!? No, I'm staying with you, Ally. You're my little sister and I have to be there for you…."
"But you like him, don't you?" She stopped me, "He was always your favorite character, and now that you have been with him this whole time I know you have feelings for him."
I looked back over to Zuko.
"I know that look, Fili. You haven't looked at a guy like that since what happened with Adam." Alice took my hand, "I'll be fine, and you know I will be. I'm with the Avatar. You stay with Zuko and I'll stay with Aang. We'll guide them through."
I nodded and hugged her one more time, "I love you, smelly face." I fought back the tears, but I couldn't stop them so I laid my head on her shoulder.
"I love you, too. Now don't cry, you never cry."
"Ok," I straightened and smiled at her. "I'll see you soon. And we'll talk a lot more next time."
"Good, cause I have a lot to tell you. Now, GO!"
I stayed back behind them while they put their plan into motion. Nyla and Zuko had Aang corned. Alice ran over to Appa and held the perfume to his nose. Sokka and the nuns poured the perfume pots onto the ground. Katara waterbended the perfume into the air and poured it on Nyla. Nyla went into a frenzy and lashed Zuko with its tongue. June jumped down and tried to calm the beast but was lashed as well.
Uncle Iroh ran to catch her before she hit the ground, "June! No!" it was all very sweet and very dramatic.
Nyla ran in circle around the courtyard knocking over more pots as it ran then finally fled the abbey all together. Sokka and Katara ran over to Aang. Alice steered Appa over to them and they all hurried onto Appa's back. I waved goodbye to her.
I walked over toward Zuko and I heard him and Uncle Iroh talking to each other.
"Uncle? I didn't see you get hit with the tongue." Zuko looked over at Iroh who was cradling June on the ground.
Uncle Iroh held his finger to his mouth, "Shhh…" He laid back down with a smile. June on the other hand looked ticked.
"Where is Felicity?" Zuko did his best to look around even though he couldn't move his head.
I walked over to him, "I'm right here, fussy pants." I sat down and lifted his head onto my lap. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
"What were you doing? Who was that girl?" he stared up at me while I twirled his ponytail around my fingers. "They are getting away. You have to go stop them. Felicity, they are getting away!"
I smiled down at him but I was completely lost in thought. Ally was here I didn't have to worry anymore. She was safe and everything would be fine. The thought of all of it made me tear up a bit.
"Felicity, what's wrong? Who was she?" He stared up at me. "Why didn't you fight her? She was with the Avatar and his friends."
I wiped my eyes and tried not to laugh, "I'm fine, Zuko, don't worry." I could hear the effect of the tears in my voice. I was so lost in my happiness I didn't realized how much I was touching him. I went from just his ponytail to tracing his scar then to his jawline.
"Felicity, will you stop trying to distract me and talk to me?" He growled up at me.
"What? Oh, sorry," I laughed but didn't stop, "You have a nice face, you know that? Anyways, that girl was my sister, Alice. I don't know how, but she's here now."
"What?" He and Uncle Iroh looked at me in shock.
"So she is all right?" Uncle Iroh sat up slightly, "That is wonderful news, Felicity, but why didn't you go with her? We would have understood. She is your sister."
I could tell by the way Zuko's breathing had changed that he was anxious for an answer but he didn't say anything. I just stared down at him with a soft smile, "I couldn't leave the two of… you, even if I wanted to."
If I hadn't had been staring I never would have seen the small changes in his face: his eyebrow lifted, his pupils dilated, and his mouth soften slightly. Ally was always into reading about body language. I remember her say that those were some of the signs that I guy likes you, but it's subconscious.
I just smiled again and took a deep breath, "Well, we are going to be here a while before your feeling comes back so just relax and enjoy the nice soft thigh pillow, fussy pants, but you know what this means don't you?"
He fought back his little smile, "What?"
I leaned down so only he could hear me, "You're the pillow next time."
He couldn't fight it anymore and gave me a half smile, "Fine… next time."
June growled over at us, "I still get my money right?"
"Yeah, yeah," I waved at her before looking up at the sky and closed my eyes. Happy tears rolled down my face and I couldn't help but smile. 'Thanks Ally-Cat, I owe you big time. Stay safe.'
ZUKO'S POV
Felicity looked so happy. The happiest I had ever seen her before. She was crying, but at the same time Felicity had a huge smile on her face. I stared up at her waiting for the feeling in my arms and legs to return.
Why? Why did she stay? Why did she choose me over her own sister? I couldn't feel much, but I could feel her hand at my cheek.
Suddenly I noticed the brown strap across her shoulder, "Felicity, what is that strap?"
She looked down at me then at her shoulder, "Oh, this?" She pulled it off her shoulder and set whatever it was on my chest. "This is my bag. Ally brought it with her from home. It has a lot of my favorite things in it." Felicity opened the blue colored bag and pulled out a small cream colored bag with black patterns.
When she opened it, she took out two items: a round, black thing and a tube filled with something red in it. She opened the black, round thing and stared at it then twisted the top off of the tube and pulled out a long red stick. She pressed it to her lips and lined the outline of them before filling them in with the blood red color.
"What are you doing?" I finally asked. She didn't answer just stared at the black, round thing and rubbed her lips together.
"Ah, how I missed my red lips," she closed both the items and put them away, "There. What do you think?"
I couldn't find the words. Red suited her so well. Her light brown waves fell around her face as she stared down at me with those big blue eyes and now perfect, red lips. I couldn't look away, "I…I don't know. Ask uncle."
"Fine," She looked over at Uncle Iroh, "What do you think, Uncle Iroh? Do you like it?"
"Well, well, I didn't think you could look lovelier then you already do, but red is the perfect color for you." He smiled over at me.
"Thank you," She smiled at him then looked down at me. "I mean really, fussy pants, is it so hard to just so, 'oh, you look nice?' Honestly just when I thought you were getting better with your lady skills."
Felicity went back to playing with the different things in the bag. She sprayed something on her neck that smelled wonderful, like flowers, and unwrapped something that smelled like some kind of mint and put it in her mouth.
I would have to find some way to get rid of that bag. I already had to deal with that small shirt of hers and how she loved wearing her training top all the time. The red color on her lips was bad enough. When she added the wonderful smell and whatever else she was do, I know that bag was going to be the death of me.
YAY! Happy dance! Crazy super long Chapter. Now you see why it took my sooo long to finish. Plus I was editing all the other chapters as I was writing! Ok so the red lip stick Fili (I) wear is the Stila liquid lipstick. Honestly that stuff is like liquid gold; it's amazing and lasts ALL DAY. I've had dinner, drink some wine, and kissed my man goodnight and didn't have to touch it up or anything.
The perfume, "wonderful smelling spray," is Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so Fresh. My favorite perfume ever!
And the "unwrapped something mint," thats either gum or peppermint i haven't decided yet.
I'm so sorry for the long wait. Still that happened in this chapter has been HIGHLY waited for and I wanted it to be perfect. I hope you all enjoyed it. Things are only going to get more intense from now on. Well, thank you so reading and please leave me a review, let me know what you think. Or shot me a PM, I love talking to you guys! And I love you all for so much as looking at my story.
Update as soon as I can. Promise!
Kirk out!