Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any of its characters. I only own Olivia. Akura belongs to Akuraice.

I'm alive! I'm sooooo sorry, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I have no excuse for this. Just please don't be mad at me...or if you are, let me know. I'll do my best not to do this again. And thanks for all the reviews! 89 already! let's try to make it to 100(at the least) before the next chapter is posted! I love you all! you deserve the best cookies on all the earth! Go get some!

My eyes blink frantically as they adjusted to the bright light above me; I was in the gray room once more. But something was different for once; it's completely silent as I woke up in this place. No hushed voices or anything of the sort. I sit up and look around, there's only one figure and he steps into the light to reveal himself, Alex.

He looked at me, "do you know how close I was to giving you your bending earlier than you did? Luckily, Akura came in time just before I was going to do so. I granted you your bending abilities early in case if it happened again." The Watcher sighed worriedly, running a hand through his smooth brown hair as he paced. "I broke a law in doing that. You're going to make me take many risks, and I might lose my position as your Guardian."

I perked at the word, "wait, Guardian?"

He halts in his steps and stares at me, "yes, I have volunteered to be your Guardian, those who have been chosen to go into alternate worlds are to be given a Guardian. And they let me be yours." Alex lowered his head, keeping his eyes on me, "and let's hope that I won't be replaced if I continue breaking rules in order to save your life- I'm breaking a law now by telling you all of this, for talking to you at all, even."

I tilt my head to the side, and I furrow my brows, "isn't that what Guardians are supposed to do?"

He chuckles darkly, sending a shiver down my spine, "yes, but we have standards- laws to abide by- and don't ask me why- but if they find out that I am talking to you, or helping you, they will punish and replace me."

"Then…why are you helping me like this?"

He continues pacing, his hands behind his back, "because, I am tired of standing by and watching the chosen die. Also…you are different than the others that I have seen. The others were selfish, cruel, and stupid. You…you are everything they weren't, kind, caring, selfless, strong, and smart."

I was stunned, what was I supposed to say to that? I blinked in surprise, "you- you don't have to do this if it risks your position-

He shook his head, "I do, and I already told you why-" I hear muffled voices coming closer and closer, I turn my head to see that there's a door. I didn't notice a door here before. I feel a hand squeeze my shoulder, "quickly, you have to leave- if they see you- no. Just remember, I'm always going to be watching over you."

My eyes jolted open to reality; I sat up and rubbed my eyes, what just happened? It's all fresh in my mind, but…I don't know what to think of it.

I ran my fingers through my tangled hair as the scene replayed in my mind. Is Alex going to be ok? I mustn't think about him, they might be watching me. I glanced around the room…wherever I was. This wasn't familiar whatsoever, definitely not my room- oh, that's right, he brought me to the house he bought. I remembered last night….I passed out, and if I remember correctly, al lot of things happened last night.

I was in a bed, in a room of my own for once. I sat up, crossing my legs, and pulled up the covers that I kicked aside in my sleep. The sheets felt rather nice, I brought it up to my face, and inhaled the scent. I love the smell of clean sheets, it might sound weird, but I do.

There was a gentle tap on the door, I brought down the sheets from my face and looked up, "come in."

The door slid open, and Akura came in, looking all rested up from last night, he smiled softly, and it even shone in his eyes…those beautiful eyes…I sat up, mentally shaking myself before it was too late and I would get pulled in to them..

He tousled my hair playfully, making it worse than it already was. "Sleep well?" he asked.

I looked around the room. Dappled sunlight streamed through my bedside window, creating pools of honey colored light on my blanket. Despite all that had transpired last night, and the vision about Alex I was feeling rather well rested. Akura gazed at me again. God, I wanted to kiss him, but I restrained myself due to the fact that I had not yet freshened up.

"I brought you these..." Akura held out some tan and green robes. They smelled nice, like a freshly cut lawn, with the faint scent of jasmine tea. "I took the liberty of having them brought here for your first day at that tea shop."

I looked at him blankly, what first day- then realized with a rush of panic that my shift started in roughly ten minutes. In a whirlwind of hair and nightgown, I leapt out of bed, plowing through Akura and grabbing the robes from his hands. Sprinting into the living room, I ran my fingers hastily through my hair as I put it up into a half pony tail and stuffed one or two steamed dumplings into my mouth before hurrying outside.

I tore down the lane as fast as I could, shoving past a wealthy looking couple out for a stroll. I was going so fast I didn't see that cabbage vendor in front of me. I crashed hard into the side of the wooden cart, spilling cabbages all over the dusty walkway. "MY CABBAGES!" the distraught vendor groaned.

"S-sorry!" I shouted as I resumed my race against time.

Finally, I made it to the Jasmine Dragon, the tea shop named by Iroh. I ran in through the wide open doors right down the center of the large shop. I stopped right before I was able to crash into Zuko, and I turned to face Iroh, who was behind the counter, and said in a rushed tone, "am I late, am I late? I'm sorry!"

A grin appeared on Iroh's face, "no need to worry, Olivia, you're fine. Did you make it here by yourself?"

I looked around as I thought, the place was stunning, everything was so fine, and rich-looking…did I really make it here without getting lost? "I did..." I said in utter disbelief. I laughed in excitement, "I did it!"

Iroh laughed, "Congratulations, Olivia. Now customers are pouring in, would you mind attending to them?"

I nodded; after all, it's my job, "yes sir." I then turned around and got right to work.

The day passed by without too much drama, until that afternoon. The rush of tea patrons was strong and steady, since Iroh had decided to give away free tea in honor of the opening of his shop.

I was sweeping around the counter, humming to myself, when suddenly I felt a twinge in my abdomen. I inwardly cursed myself as I realized that in my morning haste, I had forgotten to use the bathroom. I leaned my broom against the counter and walked over to the rest rooms. However, I found a long line of women in various stages of desperation. I caught snatches of their words, from "shouldn't have drank so much" to "hurry up, some of us REALLY need to get in there!"And, "Oooh, I gotta GO!" My need wasn't that urgent, so I just picked up my broom and figured the line would get shorter soon. How wrong I was.

The line now made a trail around the shop, ending near the entrance. I sighed deeply; I can hold it a bit longer, hopefully. I then flinched violently from the sudden pain, never mind, I can't wait any longer, I have to go NOW. What was I to do? So many people are in line...I scanned the shop...I couldn't bother Iroh, he's busy making his amazing tea...I had to go to Zuko. I bit my lip as I thought; do I really want to share this with him? It's going to be really awkward...I flinched again, that's it. I'm telling him. I did my best to walk casually over to Zuko, hopefully it worked. "Hey...Lee...can I talk to you privately really really quickly?"

He arched an eyebrow, and we went behind the counter, "what is it, Olivia?" he asked in all his kindness, he has changed since the he was sick...which was yesterday. Zuko had the airiness of ease and comfort in his voice, it was nice to finally see it…but somewhat strange.

"I need to go. BAD," I gritted through my teeth.

Lee's puzzled look was interrupted by Iroh beckoning him over. I saw them chatting and saw Iroh gesture to a young girl with rather frizzy hair, whom I immediately recognized as Jin, the girl that Zuko went out with one time in Ba Sing Se. Stuffing down my feelings of jealousy, I returned my attention to my current situation. I was absolutely bursting, but yet had no way to alleviate my stress.

I was pondering going out back when who should walk through the front door but good ol' Hypno-Eyes himself, Akura.

I pursed my lips in desperate thought...could he do it again for me? It would be so embarrassing, like it was last time. And I don't want to do it in front of people, that would be humiliating...and he's already done so much for me...I let out a grunt as it got worse. Yeah, I'm asking him.

Akura caught sight of me and we walked towards each other, and I spoke in a rushed voice before he could say anything, "Akura, I can't believe I'm asking you of this again, and so soon...but..." I lowered my voice, "I need to GO...and NOW..." My eyes were starting to water from holding it in so long

He chuckled. "Go? Go where?". I slapped my hand to my forehead. I kept forgetting how much of a spaz Akura was sometimes...

"Look," I said, my aching bladder fueling my irritation. "I forgot to use the bathroom this morning when I rushed out, and now its caught up with me. The bathroom line is so long and my bladder is killing me! Please, you gotta bend it out! I can't just let it go, there are too many people around, I don't know what else to do!" Akura was looking at me, utterly perplexed. I couldn't stop wriggling as I anxiously awaited his answer.

"Alright," he said, looking about the crowd, "I'll do it."

"Thanks for doing this again, Akura," I said with a blush rising in my cheeks.

"Ok, now, you need to tell me how bad it is. Since I can't see it, I need a different way to gauge how much I need to bend."

I was at a loss. I wasn't sure how to put in to words how excruciatingly full I was, but I took a stab at it, alright, well let's see, it hurts to hold it in, really badly, I'm cramping up here. It feels like my bladder is overflowing bad enough to fill two more bladders. Does that help at all?" I informed him with my rushed tone, as I was using all of my focus now to hold in everything.

He ran a hand through his hair, then perked up, "Here, follow me." He pulled me into an alley and checked to make sure no one was following us. He then uncapped his water pouch and fashioned it into a pot. He then blew on it, so it solidified into a crystalline chamber pot. "Use this," he said. "I'll stand guard."

I took the pot from him with trembling hands. It was large, but it didn't look large enough to hold what I was holding. Akura stood lookout while I did my business. "Um, Akura?" I asked timidly.

"Yeah?" he answered, still facing away from me.

I blushed furiously, "I need another pot. This one is full. And HURRY!"

"Are you serious," he asked, I didn't have to look at him to know he was surprised.

"Yeah..." I murmured, "now hurry please."

He sighed, and I thought I heard a chuckle, I wasn't quite sure, "you really do need to go then. Alright, I'll make another one."

"Hurry please!"

He ran to a nearby fountain to collect some water. As I waited to empty the remainder of my bladder, I heard Iroh cry out with joy. "We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!" he exclaimed ecstatically.

Akura brought the pot back and I grabbed it from him rather harshly. "Sorry," I mumbled. "It was SO hard to stop when the first pot filled..." when I had finished, I looked, embarrassed, at Akura. "What do we do with it?" I asked. Akura made a waving motion with his hands, and both the pot and its contents evaporated. I giggled and kissed him on the lips. "Thanks," I mumbled.

"No problem," he said warmly.

I looked down at my feet, ashamed to meet his eyes, "I'm sorry for doing that to you again...I know it must embarrass you as much as in embarrasses me. I...I'll do my best not to ask you to do that again...I'm sorry." I feel like I've lost all of my dignity having to ask him to do this for me twice.

"Hey, its fine, Olivia, you're not the only one with a smaller-than-average bladder..." I looked up, wondering whether or not to take this as a compliment or a joke. "I mean, I've seen the Gaang travel, and I know for a fact that they have to stop every 27 minutes or so Katara can relieve herself."

I wasn't sure how he knew this, but I decided not to ask. Anyways, it was almost time we started making for the catacombs of Ba Sing Se. There was a very important battle with our names on it. I suddenly felt very scared, knowing what would happen, and wish desperately that Akura would hug me, but I knew despite all his talents, Akura was extremely poor and reading women.

I let out a shaky breath as I tried to regain my mental composure, which miserably failed. This would be my first battle...well the first battle that I remember, anyways. With the bounty on my head, and what Iroh said, it was quite certain that I've had battles that I have yet to remember. "Akura..." I started, without knowing what I would say. Then I just couldn't hold it in anymore, I practically jumped on Akura and hugged him tightly, wishing my fears would go away.

Akura seemed quite taken aback by my sudden outburst of emotion, but he hugged me back just the same. It made me feel loads better, with his strong arms around my waist. He raised my face to his and kissed my mouth.

His kiss was soft and comforting, just what I needed. I returned the kiss before our lips parted. I felt so safe here with him, I wouldn't mind staying here forever. I looked up in his deep blue eyes, doing my best to not lose focus and dive into them.

"Olivia-" Iroh said as he went around the corner, once he saw the two of us, he halted in his steps and smiled softly, "never mind, Lee and I will go on and see the Earth King without you tomorrow morning. You have the day off tomorrow, Miss Olivia." He winked at me before he left quickly, causing me to be in confusion.

"Um...ok," I said to no one in particular. I then rested my head on Akura's shoulder, enjoying that I could be with him tomorrow...though I know that it will be interrupted.

Thanks for reading everybody! I wouldn't mind a review...please press the pretty button and write me a review, even if it's only one word. And I don't mind criticism, I will do my best to improve on what you all have told me and probably most likely will tell me.