Peace suited the Fire Nation. Lu Ten hardly slept he was so busy helping Zuko and his father restore order to the broken country. He always made sure to have a break during the day to spend with Cho and Malina. Just a few days after his coronation, Zuko called Lu Ten into his chambers to meet.

"What is it, Zuko?" he asked.

"First of all, I wanted to thank you for all of your help," Zuko began. "And second of all, I wanted to know if you want to keep helping. Permanently."

Lu Ten's brow furrowed. "Are you offering me a job?"

"Yes," Zuko said with a nod. "I'll need people in my council to advise me, and you have always been good at that. I know you lost your home and inn during the comet, so I also thought it could be nice for you to come back here."

"I'll have to talk it over with Cho, but I really am flattered, Zuko," Lu Ten said.

"Of course," Zuko returned. "And don't worry, there's no pressure. Just let me know what you decide."

They bowed to one another before Lu Ten left to find his wife and daughter. He went to the garden where he knew Cho liked to relax. It was something natural in this country of industry. Malina liked the turtle ducks. He found them there.

"Daddy!" Malina called with excitement and he bent down to take her in his arms. She giggled as he spun her around and kissed her cheeks.

"How's my favorite girl, huh?" he asked as he set her down.

"Very good," she replied. "I like playing here."

"I understand," he agreed. "I liked playing here too when I was little."

She beamed and then ran back to the pond. Lu Ten approached Cho, who was sitting on a bench nearby. He kissed her forehead in greeting before taking a seat beside her.

"So, what do you think of this place?" he asked.

"It's nice here," she told him. "It's warm and beautiful."

"Do you think you'd like to live here?"

She paused and met his gaze. "Live here? In the palace?"

He nodded. "Zuko has offered me a job as his advisor."

"Is that something you want to do?" she wondered. "I thought you weren't interested in politics."

"I want to give you and Malina a good life," he said looking out at his daughter. "Look around. This palace, these clothes…this is the life I should have given you. It's the life you deserve."

"Lu Ten, look at me," she said, placing her hand on his cheek. "You have given me everything, just by being my husband. As long as I have you, my life is wonderful. Palaces and silk robes are unimportant."

He took her hand and pressed his lips to her palm. "I love you."

"I love you too," she said. "I was happy in Ba Sing Se and I could be happy here. All I really want is you and our children. What do you want?"

"I want you and our children," he repeated with a smile.

"Then I leave it to you where we end up," she said.

He put an arm around her and they watched Malina play in the little yard. He began thinking about his options. His father had also offered him a job at the tea shop in Ba Sing Se, and he wanted to be near Iroh. He wanted Malina to learn from her grandfather. But the urge to spoil his girls with a life of luxury was tempting. If they stayed in the palace, they would never want for anything. But his heart tugged him toward Ba Sing Se. True, he had been raised in the palace, but that city was his home. That was where he learned who he truly was. He was not Fire Nation nobility.

That evening, Lu Ten pulled Zuko aside after dinner.

"Zuko, thank you again for your offer to be your advisor, but I'm afraid I have to decline," he said. "I…I don't belong here. I left all those years ago because I knew that this life wasn't for me. I want something simple."

"I understand," Zuko replied with a smile. "I just wanted to extend the offer."

"Thank you," Lu Ten said and clapped Zuko on the shoulder. "Fire Lord Zuko."

And so, within the next week, Lu Ten said goodbye to the Fire Nation again. It felt good to know that this time he could return if he wished or if Zuko needed any help. Iroh, Lu Ten, Cho, and Malina, took a balloon back to Ba Sing Se, and when they looked upon the walls, their hearts swelled. Home.

Lu Ten and Iroh set up the Jasmine Dragon. They were sharing the business. It was doubly nice because the tea shop was in the Upper Ring, so Lu Ten felt like he was still giving his family something more now that he had the ability. They got an apartment, where Iroh lived with them. Life in the new era without war was going to be everything they hoped for.