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Chapter 10

Once upstairs, Aya followed Kana to the room the two would share. Marissa was already there and asleep, so Kana led Aya to the far corner and turned to her.

"Ok Aya, what's going on between you and Jet? What happened in the couple of days we've been apart?"

Aya smiled at her best friend and the curiosity and enthusiasm in Kana's voice and told Kana everything, the dreams of the gods, arguing with Jet, the party and almost kiss and then when he had kissed her after she had bent both earth and fire.

"Wow," was all Kana said when Aya finished.

"I know," Aya said. "A lot of stuff happened in a short time. But, I really like him. Like you and Iroh. What happened with you two? Who finally made the move?"

She felt Kana blush through the stone floor and smiled. "Iroh did. When we escaped, I had to help him because of the toxin still in his system. We stopped and he asked me to come closer and then pulled me in for a kiss. We just got closer after that and yesterday he asked me to be his girlfriend."

"Finally," Aya sighed, smiling and giggling with her friend. She felt Ty Lee come to the door and open it.

"Go to bed you two," Ty Lee said sternly and both girls hurried into bed. They continued to whisper for a bit until Aya felt Song coming towards them and then hushed her friend and tried to sleep.

Aya couldn't sleep right away and kept thinking about Jet. She hoped he would be ok. She knew that Long Feng was still out there and wondered if she still had to stop him. Yawning, Aya fell into a deep sleep only to have her shoulder shaken gently. She felt stone underneath her and no vibrations and knew she was before the gods again.

"I know I didn't get him" Aya sighed before slowly opening her eyes to see just Ceres before her.

"I know dear," Ceres said gently, helping Aya stand. "But you and your friends are still in danger. You have to stop him."

"How?" Aya asked in despair. "I know I bent fire, though I'm not sure how. And now I'm in Ba Sing Sae. How can I stop Long Feng when I don't know where he is?"

The earth goddess sighed. "He will come to you. Aya, watch over your friends. You are the only one who can stop Long Feng. You'll know what to do…"

"Yeah, yeah, when the time comes," Aya sighed and was surprised as Ceres smiled. "Why won't you tell me now?"

"Because there are too many variables. Trust in yourself and your friends. And let your heart lead you. You are so like your father, I can see why your mother loves him so. Rest now Aya, we won't be able to speak again."

Aya wanted to question the goddess further, but Ceres laid a hand on her shoulder and Aya fell into a deep sleep.

XXXXX

Jet woke to someone moving through the room. He listened as someone with light steps moved towards him and reached for a hidden dagger in his pocket.

"None of that," he heard a woman say, and she sounded similar to Aya. Jet opened his eyes and was surprised to see an older version of Aya studying him. He wondered who it was as he looked over the green silk dress before his eyes moved to her face. She had her black hair in a bun and her milky green eyes never focused, though they stayed on him.

She smiled. "Not expecting me, were you," she said and Jet nodded slowly before he remembered she was blind. After seeing her eyes, he knew he was facing Aya's mother, the Fire Lady herself. Toph made a motion as she moved towards Jet's legs and Jet carefully moved his legs off the couch, and into a sitting position. He let out an involuntary groan as his ribs hurt as he moved and Toph gave him a look of sympathy.

"I know it hurts. I need to know what happened. Every detail. And I'll know if you lie," she said with a smirk.

Jet nodded, knowing he couldn't get out of this interrogation. He started and watched her as she took everything in. She was calm and collected and only showed interest in what he said. He had reached where he had taken Aya to the tree house when he saw Ty Lee come into the main room with some cups of tea. He stopped talking, though he knew Toph would probably tell the others, until Ty Lee handed both of them a cup of tea before leaving the room again. Toph seemed to be studying him as he held the teacup.

"Give me your hand," she said.

Jet hesitated, so Toph just sighed and grabbed his right hand and felt the ring Aya had given him.

"Do you know what this is?" Toph asked him, holding up his hand so that he could see the ring.

"Yeah, it's meteorite. Aya told me about it and how you got it and then gave some to her," he replied and saw a bracelet matching Aya's on Toph's bicep.

Toph nodded. "If she gave this to you, she trusts you. And that's good enough for me."

Jet was shocked by this and Toph gave him a wry smile. "Just a few more things. Did you kiss her and what do you plan to do now?"

"Yes," Jet replied. "I know The Duke saw us when he caught up to me after Aya collapsed the cavern. And I don't know. I care for her, but I don't know what will happen to me. I'll willingly face my punishment as long as my people are safe."

Toph nodded and seemed lost in thought for a second. "You lied just then. Yes, you care for her, but it's deeper than you're letting yourself believe. Jet, never lie to yourself. And we haven't decided what will happen. I need to speak with my children and with my friends before we decide what to do next."

He watched as a smile graced her face, the same smile Aya had and she rose as Jet heard feet coming down the stairs. He watched as Aya hurried down and hugged her mother, both of them smiling and laughing. The others followed behind and Aya moved away from Toph so that her brother could take her place. Jet noticed that Aya was nearly her mother's height of just over five feet, but it looked like Aya would be taller than her mother while Iroh almost towered over both of them. Hakoda was the only one close to Iroh in height, and Jet knew he was taller than both boys. Kana was between Hakoda and Aya in height and Kuzon was the same. The grey-eyed boy was frowning at Jet when the other three girls came in, the oldest brunette sliding up to stand next to Hakoda and Hakoda laughed at something she said.

"Well, I'm glad you kids are all right. I'll let Ty Lee know you're all up and she and Song will bring breakfast in. I need to talk with the men for a bit," Toph said.

She gave her children and their friends a smile before she smiled at Jet. Aya moved to sit next to Jet and the freedom fighter saw Kuzon's frown become larger as the other teens sat around him. Iroh and Kana sat close together and Jen Lee sat next to Hakoda. The other two girls looked shyly at Kuzon, but he ignored them and sat in a chair. Jet remembered that Aya had told him about Kuzon liking her and hoped the younger teen wouldn't become too jealous. He just watched as the young girls helped the women serve breakfast and everyone caught up. Jet was surprised at how easily they talked with each other, their friends, and even him, drawing him into conversations. Aya was right, they were normal teens. They just happened to be the children of the most prominent people of their time. Once he realized that, he smiled and relaxed next to Aya. Once they finished breakfast and continued to talk, he took Aya's hand in his and she squeezed it, smiling more, but didn't miss a beat while she talked with her brother and friends about the politics going on in Ba Sing Sae.

XXXXX

Aya was glad Jet was relaxing next to her. She was surprised, but happy, when he took her hand in his, though she knew Kuzon had seen it by the airbender's heartbeat and breathing. She hoped Kuzon wouldn't become jealous. She had always tried to make it clear to him that she didn't like him the way he liked her, but knew he still harbored a crush for her. After another hour of talking, all the teens quieted when the adults came in. Toph was in the lead, followed by The Duke and Sokka and then Aang, Haru, Ty Lee, Teo and Song. Hakoda, Kana, and Kuzon all rose to greet their fathers and Aya was reminded of how they had done the same thing while escaping the North Pole with Li eight years before. A few adults had to remain standing as Aya scooted closer to Jet so Kana and Iroh could squeeze onto the couch. She made sure to not squeeze too much into Jet because of his ribs.

"All right," Toph said as she faced the teens. "Jet, you'll be safe with us. As well as your people. If King Kuei wants to have you arrested, I have given you and your friends protection."

"Jet, we need to know how many freedom fighters are still out there," The Duke said.

Aya felt Jet tense next to her and knew he was worried. The Duke must have seen in as well. "We think Long Feng is going to take over the group and use them somehow with you out of the way. We need to know how many there are and find a way to reach them."

Jet was worried, but he nodded. "There's a hundred and thirteen," he said and Aya felt everyone stop in shock and look at him. "We have homes all over and have used messenger hawks as well as trained sparrowkeets to communicate. But if Long Feng says I'm dead, and if there are a few high placed people who are loyal to him and not the freedom fighters like Jade, he may convince them that my letters are a fake."

Aya squeezed his hand, feeling him get sad and angry at his girlfriend and Long Feng.

"We have the girl, Jade, in custody," The Duke said. "What if your friends take the letters to the freedom fighters? They would believe them, wouldn't they?"

"Yeah, they would. But we have more than five homes we travel between."

"How many do you have?" Sokka asked.

"Twenty, depending on the season or who's chasing us," Jet replied. "The place you escaped from was one of ours, not Long Feng's. The forest and the cavern were others, and we have them all around Ba Sing Sae."

"How did you get so many?" Aang asked. "People and places. I'm sure I would have noticed one of them in my travels."

"I searched for kids that didn't have a family anymore or a home and offered them a place. The orphanages were so impoverished after the war ended, I couldn't bear to let the kids head there. So, I took care of them. We don't hurt anyone and only take from those who can afford it. We do fish and farm a little, but it's hard when the authorities only see us as another band of thieves or mercenaries."

"How long have you been doing this?" Sokka asked in wonder.

"Nine years," Jet answered. "Since my parents died trying to protect our home from Azula."

Aya knew everyone was surprised, but she was proud of Jet. He was standing up for what he believed in and she knew from the people she met in the forest that he was doing the right thing and the kids adored him. She heard The Duke approach them and heard him lay a piece of paper on the table in front of Jet and Aya.

"Can you show me the places where they are? So we can get messages out to them?" The Duke asked.

Jet hesitated and The Duke pointed to a few spots. "Here is where we used to take shelter under your father," The Duke said.

Jet nodded and sat up slowly, leaning towards the map as far as he could. Aya heard him point to a few more places. "Those are where most of them will be," he said with a trace of pain in his tone. "The ones you just showed me, we still use." Jet leaned back with a sigh of relief and Kana got up and kneeled on his other side. Aya knew her friend was healing Jet the best she could as Jet relaxed more and he thanked Kana while The Duke took the map back to the adults, marking a few spots.

"That only adds up to thirteen," Sokka said. "Including the forest and the places The Duke has been. Where are the others?"

"Most of my people won't be there. It's where we go to in extreme emergencies because they're so hard to reach. Also the sick and little ones are kept in some of them to keep them safe," Jet replied.

"Little ones?" Song asked in a quiet voice.

"Yeah, the youngest I've taken in was nearly three, but it's mostly four to eight year olds. Kids too young to help in raids. I want them to stay safe and I wouldn't have anyone fight until they were fourteen if I could help it, but we need the people and they want to help."

"Well, I was seven when I joined Jet," The Duke said with a smile.

"And Twinkle Toes and I were twelve during the war," Toph said with a grin. "And our kids were six to eight when they got caught in the North Pole. We all don't want to see the little ones in danger, but it happens."

"So what's the plan?" Iroh asked and Aya was surprised and happy as she heard him take charge. She had always known he could be a great leader, but he had stayed in her shadow for so long whenever confronted. Now she realized she just needed to leave him for a bit to let him really step forward and she was proud of her brother.

"You kids are going to keep doing what you came here for," Toph said. "We're going to keep searching for Long Feng. Jet, can you write a few letters for your friends to take to your people to tell them what's happened?"

"Yeah, can I see them before they head off?" Jet asked.

"Yes, we'll bring them in for a bit," Toph said with a smile in her tone. "Kids, you guys have to get ready to head to the palace for more politics. Then the university before you're done for today. Jet, you'll stay here until Kana says you're ok to get out and walk around."

Aya frowned as she heard her brother and friends groan. Jet squeezed her hand slightly before he let her go and she and Kana hurried to their room to get ready for the day. As Kana did her hair and put a little makeup on her, Aya thought about her dream and what could happen and worried about Jet. She knew he would be safe at the house, but she and her brother and friends would be away for most of the day.

They headed out quickly, and Aya felt Jet writing some letters. She smiled at him and was sure he was smiling back before The Duke and several guards escorted them to the Earth King's palace. There the politicians fawned over Aya and her friends, giving thanks for her safe return. After a few hours of dealing with the politicians, Aya was introduced to the two princesses, fifteen year old Jenell and twelve year old Kilana. The blind earthbender knew the girls only had eyes for Hakoda and Kuzon, as Kana stayed next to Iroh, and Kuzon seemed interested in Jenell, actually joking with her and being nice like he used to do to Aya.

Aya smiled, knowing Kuzon wouldn't be too jealous of Jet now that she knew he was falling for the oldest Earth Kingdom princess. After a simple lunch with the princesses, the five made their way to the university where Aya grew bored very quickly. She had never been one for schoolwork. That had been more the boys love. She kept thinking about Jet, her recent dream of Ceres and thought about Long Feng. The king had been too busy to see them that day, but would see them the next day before the ball. The ball had been set for the day after the group had arrived, but since Aya had been captured, they had postponed it. Now that she had arrived in Ba Sing Sae, the king had set the date for the ball and festivities. Aya wondered if Long Feng would make his move then. All the royal teens would be in the same place at the same time and Kana had told her about the ransom demand they had received, that Long Feng wanted Jenell's hand in marriage in exchange for Aya or he would take Aya for his bride. Aya shivered at the thought of Long Feng actually touching her, let alone being her husband. She would much rather have Jet. The thought of being married to Jet caused her to blush, and she knew Kana had caught it since Kana was bored as well.

"Are you thinking about your boyfriend?" Kana teased in a whisper.

Aya just sent a dark look her friend's way. "He's not my boyfriend," Aya hissed.

"Not yet at least," Kana whispered back and Aya smiled at her friend.

After another couple of tedious hours of listening to professors, the group made its way back to Teo's house. Aya found the twins talking with Jet and he gave them a final good luck before they walked away from Jet and towards Aya and her friends.

"Be safe guys," Aya said to them as they stopped and bowed before her.

"We will," Yin said.

"You too," Yang said and Aya moved forward to hug both big guys and they hugged her back gently before they followed The Duke outside.

Aya knew her brother and friends were staring at her, but she just smiled back at them before moving to Jet's side.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi back, they all left?" Aya asked as the guys walked outside with Aang and Sokka, probably to train or meditate as Kana went to Jet's other side.

"Yeah, the twins were the last ones out since they're going to the closest places," Jet said as Aya felt Kana healing him. Jet groaned once when Kana moved his ankle, but he seemed to be better when she moved to his ribs.

"Well, you should be able to walk starting tomorrow," Kana said. "And those ribs are healing nicely. I'm sure a little dancing won't hurt them after a few more healings tomorrow."

"Dancing?" Jet asked, confused, turning to Aya.

"The king is throwing a ball for us," Aya sighed. "All those snotty suitors and even snottier politicians."

"That's why Jet is going," Toph said, coming into the room. "I spoke to the king earlier today, and he wants to meet the young man who saved my daughter from Long Feng."

"But, I didn't…" Jet started.

"Yes, you did," Toph told him and Aya smiled at the stern but kind tone in her mother's voice. There was no arguing with Toph when she was in that mood. "You saved them all by being kind, promising The Duke to protect them, stopping Long Feng from beating Hakoda, and watching over my daughter and taking her away from Long Feng." Aya felt Jet start to object again, but Toph beat him to it. "She may have saved you in the cavern, by her teaching and bringing the cavern down on the slimeballs, but you made sure she was safe from the biggest scumbag of them all."

"Don't worry, it's more politics," Aya told Jet with a smile and felt and heard him nod before he relaxed.

Toph motioned and Kana left with her, leaving Aya alone with Jet. They remained silent for a while, both unsure what to say.

"You know, it was a lot easier to talk to you when we would end up shouting at each other," Jet said and Aya smiled.

"Well, I could shout at you for being so quiet," Aya replied with a smirk, and heard Jet chuckle.

She heard his head move as if he was looking towards the door where her mother had left through and she smiled, sliding closer to Jet.

"My mom is ignoring us right now and has her feet off the ground. We were kind of…interrupted, in the cavern. What do you want to do?"

She knew Jet was studying her and then he was kissing her, pulling her close to him. Aya lost herself in the kiss, feeling nothing but heat, much like when she had firebended, but this was different. It was more passionate, but more controlled. She made sure she stayed away from his ribs and when they stopped for air, Jet pulled her close, resting his head against the side of her head.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Jet said, and it sounded like he was lost. "I care for you, more than I've cared for anyone. But…we're from different worlds. You fit so easily into mine, but I can't fit into yours."

"You could if you wanted to," Aya whispered, cuddling into Jet's embrace.

"No, I'm a thief…"

"And so was my dad, for a while," Aya said, bringing her head up so that she hoped her eyes would meet his. "My mom was a minor noble, from the Earth Kingdom. Her family was rich, but they were no where near the king like so many families are. The old folks on both sides didn't want the union, but my parents made it work. Sokka was just a simple guy from the Southern Water Tribe, not a prince. But he loved Suki, and he married her. Katara was the same, but she and Aang loved each other."

"All right, all right," Jet said with a light laugh. "You convinced me. But we're probably going to have to convince a lot of other people first."

Aya smiled, brightening. "So, does this mean we're going steady?"

Jet laughed again and pulled her close for a quick kiss. "Yeah, I have a new girlfriend. Who'd have thought she'd be so opinionated?"

Aya laughed and kissed him back. "Yeah, but you know you love it."

Jet tensed for a second and Aya wondered what he was thinking until he pulled her into another kiss. Aya only stopped it when she felt the guys coming back in. Jet seemed to pick up on it and just adjusted so that Aya was sitting next to him when the men and teens entered, Hakoda, Iroh and Sokka all talking about swords while Aang and Kuzon were silent.

"Jet," The Duke said as he approached from behind Sokka. "We found this and both of these are rightfully yours."

Aya smiled as she felt The Duke holding both of Jet's hooked swords out to him and Jet sat up to take them.

"Thank you," Jet said.

"Too bad those ribs won't let us see how good you are," Hakoda said with a smirk and Aya squeezed Jet's hand before she rose to leave the room as the guys all started talking about swords. Kuzon stopped her before she went into the kitchen where she heard her mom, Kana and the other women talking, and Aya turned to her friend.

"Aya, I know you like him, and you know I've always liked you," Kuzon said and Aya nodded, waiting for the airbender to go on. "I just want you to know, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Kuzon," she said. "And I know you like Jenell and she likes you back. You're still my friend, no matter what."

She moved and hugged Kuzon and he hugged her back. Before she pulled away, he spoke to her.

"What was it about him that you liked so much?" Kuzon asked quietly.

"He stands up for himself and he stood up against me," Aya replied. "Don't think too hard on it, that's not who you are."

Kuzon chuckled and let her go, moving to talk with the guys and adding staffs into the weapons they talked about. Aya knew he would be ok, and understood her. She smiled and headed into the kitchen where she was sure her mother and friends would bombard her with questions about Jet.