HELLO LOVELIES!

So, I'm so glad you guys really seemed to like the last chapter. Awesome! I'm pretty proud of it myself I really wasn't planning on changing the original bone reading, but it just seemed to be what Alice needed.

So on to the next chapter!

Happy Reading!

FELICITY'S POV

Not far from our little camp was a lovely river system. It was the perfect place to fish and get fresh water. The water was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was like looking through crystal. I would give anything to bring Alice here. I bet watching her bend the water here would be amazing.

There was a small waterfall near a deeper part of the river. It was like a mini-lake in the middle of the river. Luckily the waterfall wasn't very strong, making it the perfect place to get a shower. Plus the rocks at the base of the waterfall were smooth from the constant flow of water. It had been way too long since I had had a shower! Okay, so it's not a shower, it's a waterfall, but still it feels awesome.

I set my clothes on a rock near the bank and just enjoyed the feeling of the cool water on my skin. It was moments like this that I could really relax. I just stood under the water and let it wash away everything. Even though I wouldn't mind some shampoo, it was still pretty great. I hadn't realize how much longer my hair had gotten since I'd been here. Before it reached the middle of my back, but now it almost reached my waist. Then again it had been almost two months since the Siege of the Northern Water Tribe, even Zuko was finally getting some hair.

Zuko, he wasn't taking things well. I knew he wasn't, but still seeing it up close is very different then just watching it on my TV. I was planning to teach him how to fish and he was going to teach me some basic self-defense so I wouldn't have to rely on any kind of bending. However, things were still very rocky. If I barely touched him he would jump back, and anytime he caught me looking in his direction he would snap at me.

Oh well, I'm not going to worry about any of that right now. He will lighten up eventually.

I really wanted to listen to some music, but with the sound of the water I wouldn't be able to hear it. Plus if Zuko found out I was listening to my music, out in the open. He would have a cow, or the closest thing to this world's kind of cow.

"Felicity?" All of a sudden I heard the shocked sound of Zuko's voice behind me.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when he called out. I quickly covered myself as best as I could and spun around, "Zuko, what are you….." I froze when I saw him standing on the bank. He didn't look angry or anything, he just looked….I don't know how to explain it. Zuko just stood there with his gaze fixed on me. I didn't know how to react.

A few moments felt like hours. We watched each other, and neither of us moved. It wasn't even really awkward either. For some reason the first thing that popped in my head was this is how Eve must have felt when Adam saw her for the first time. It was a frightful feeling but it was new and unknown yet surprisingly, I felt warm and safe.

Yet it couldn't last, Zuko's mind finally cleared and he looked away. I was still surprised at his movements. He didn't turn his back to me or storm off, he just looked to the side.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked calmly.

I backed up under the water in hopes of covering myself. I don't know why I even bothered the water was crystal clear, there was no point, "Just….bathing. What are you doing out here?"

"I was…." He looked up then quickly looked back down, "I was just going to do some fishing."

"Oh," I bit my lip for a moment to think of how I wanted to say this. I didn't want him to think I wanted him to leave. "Would you mind handing me that shirt?"

He looked down at the rock and picked up the large dark red garment, "Is this my old shirt?"

"Yeah, it's one of my favorite things." I smiled to myself. "It reminds me of the good old days."

Zuko turned his head away and held up the shirt, "Here, hurry and get dressed."

"Thanks," I took the shirt and pulled it over my head, "what are you doing out here? Did you want to bathe too?"

His head snapped back around with blushed cheeks, "No!" But when he saw my still bare legs he quickly looked away again.

"Calm down, Zuko, I didn't mean together," I couldn't help but laugh. At least he still had the old Zuko somewhere on the inside. "I just meant I was done so you could if you wanted."

"I was just going to do some fishing. We are out of food, and Uncle was talking about making tea out of some plant he found." Zuko walked over to a tree and pulled off a long branch.

"Do you even know how to fish, Fussy pants?" I grinned as I watched him pick the perfect branch.

"Don't call me that." He hissed at me, "Are you going to put on some pants?"

"I'm still soaking wet," I joked. "Do you want some help fishing?"

"I can do it on my own," He didn't look up at me.

"Are you sure, because my future knowing wisdom tells me that you're not very good at fishing," I walked over and circled my arm through his.

"I'll be fine," Zuko jerked his arm away, "Just get dressed and go back to the camp site with Uncle Iroh."

"Why do you do that? Just because I touch you doesn't mean I'm going to try anything." I walked out to the rock where the rest of my clothes where sitting. "We can be friends, you know? I don't want to be at each other's throats after all we have been through together." I finished dressing and gathered my things.

Zuko didn't say anything, but I could feel him watching me leave. I made my way back to the campsite easily enough. When I got there I got an interesting sight, "Oh, no, Uncle?"

"Oh, hello, Felicity."

ALICE'S POV

It was the perfect day for waterbending. One: it was so terribly hot, two: we had to land, so no flying. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the time to relax, Sokka more then everyone.

He and Momo where floating around the river, "You guys are going to be done soon, right? We have a lot of ground to cover if we're going to make it to Omashu today."

Katara, Aang, and I were working through a few waterbending foams. Katara looked over at Sokka as he floated around lazily, "What? Like you're ready to go right now, naked guy?" She looked back at me and we both laughed.

"I could be ready in two minutes. Seriously," he pulled the hair obscuring his face away from his eyes, "whenever."

"Right, you sound just like Felicity." I looked from him to Katara, "She takes hours to get ready. Especially if she wants to look nice." Aang and Katara laughed before we went back to our bending.

"So you were showing me the octopus form?" Aang asked Katara.

Katara turned to him and nodded, "Right, let me see your stance."

Aang assumed his stance, but after careful consideration Katara walked over to him, "Your arms are too far apart." She wrapped her arms around him and moved his arms closer together, "See, if you move them closer together, you protect your center. You got it?"

Aang blushed and I couldn't help, but smile at him, "Oh, yea ... thanks."

Katara walked back across the pond and took a fighting stance "Okay, let's see what you got. Are you ready, Alice?"

"You know it," I grinned and nodded at Aang.

Aang bent the water, creating a globule which eventually transformed into eight whip-like water tentacles. She came from one side and I moved around to the other, but Aang carefully maneuvered them, fending off shards of ice that Katara and I repeatedly sent at him. He manipulated one of the tentacles, curling it around her leg, gripping it firmly and pulling on it. At the same time he caught my right arm with another water tentacle.

When we were both caught Katara stopped and smile, "You make a fine octopus, Pupil Aang. What do you think, Alice?"

"You did perfect, but I knew you would," I winked at him.

As Aang did his octopus impression I looked around when I heard music coming from the distance, "Da, da, da. Don't fall in love with the traveling girl. She'll leave you broke and brokenhearted."

"Yes! This is going to be so much fun!" I did a little happy dance.

Sokka looked up at me, "What are you talking about, Alice?" When he looked up at me he lost his balance on the leaf he was floating on and fell into the water.

I just smiled when the hippies finally made it to the bank.

Chong stopped his singing, "Hey, river people!"

"Awe man, today is going to be awesome!" I jumped up and down. "Man, I wish Felicity was here."

The nomad hippies were the best people to chill with, and they really did have a song for anything. They ended up hanging out with us for a while, just telling stories and singing. I really did wish Felicity was here. She and Sokka would get along for once right know, the hippies weren't her favorites. She didn't hate them, but she wasn't their biggest fan, like me.

Aang, Katara, and I sat with them while Sokka complained about not hurrying to Omashu, "Look, I hate to be the wet blanket here, but since Katara is busy, I guess it's up to me." Katara just glared at him, "We need to get to Omashu. No sidetracks, no worms and definitely no rainbows."

"What no rainbow?" I pouted.

"No, Alice, no rainbow!" Sokka crossed his arms and shook his head.

Chong sat up from where he was laying, "Wow, sounds like someone has a case of destination fever. You're worried too much about where you're going."

"You got to focus less on the "where" and more on the "going"." Lilly, Chong's wife, gestured while she was braiding Katara hair and accidentally tugged on Katara's head. I couldn't help but giggle, a little, ok a lot!

Sokka steamed for a moment, "O. Ma. Shu!"

After Lily finished braiding Katara's hair Katara stood up, "Sokka's right. We need to find King Bumi, so Aang can learn earthbending somewhere safe."

Chong nodded, "Sounds like you're headed to Omashu." Sokka face palmed himself in frustration, but Chong continued, "There's an old story about a secret pass right through the mountains."

Katara crossed her arms, "Is this real or a legend."

Chong nodded, "Oh, it's a real legend. And it's as old as earthbending itself." He stood up and began to strum his lute and sang. "Two lovers, forbidden from one another, the war divides their people and the mountain divides them apart! Built a path to be together!" He stopped for a second "Yeah, I forget the next couple of lines, but then it goes ... Secret tunnel! Secret tunnel! Through the mountains, secret, secret, secret, secret tunnel! Yeah!"

"Dude, that is my jam!" I danced in my seat.

Sokka looked down at me, "You can't be serious!"

"Heck yeah, I'm serious!" I hopped up. "Come on, Sokka, dance with me!"

"I don't think so," Sokka turned back to Chong and the Gaang.

"Chong, play it again!" I laughed grabbing Sokka's hand.

"NO!" Sokka yelled. This was going to take a while, but it felt good to laugh again. Sokka jerked his hand away.

I climbed up on Appa's head and as Chong played the secret tunnel song I sang along, "Secret tunnel! Secret tunnel! Through the mountains, secret, secret, secret, secret tunnel! Yeah! Man, I love that song!" Appa roared softly, "Oops, sorry buddy." To make up for standing on his head and singing like an idiot, I laid down on his head and gave him a cuddle. Katara and Aang where laughing so hard they almost passed out. Even Sokka was smiling up at me, "Ha! Made you smile."

"Yeah, Alice, gets it! Gotta love the Sound," Chong strummed his lute.

"Yeah, I'm just looking forward to more songs," I rubbed my hands together.

Sokka crossed his arms and gave me a suspicious look, "What do you mean by that, Alice?"

I just looked from one of them to the other, "Oh, you'll see."

FELICITY'S POV

"Awe, Uncle, I'm sorry I wasn't here to stop you," I rubbed his back as I kneeled down next to him.

Uncle just smiled up at me with his red face, "No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have taken the risk, but maybe these will help," he held up a branch of berries. "What do you think?"

"I honestly don't know," I shrugged my shoulders, "but remember what you just said about taking risks."

He just stared down at the branch of berries. It wasn't long before Zuko was back with his bounty of fish, and by bounty I mean tiny, little wiggling fish that I actually felt sorry for. I tried to hide my 'I-told-you-so' smile, because he really did try, and he was able to get a fish.

"I think I will need some help next time," Zuko did his best not to look at me.

I just nodded, "No problem."

"Zuko, remember that plant I thought might be tea?" Uncle sighed and scratched another itch.

Zuko looked from me to Iroh, "You didn't..."

"I did….and it wasn't." Iroh turned towards his nephew to reveal the red rashes. "When the rash spreads to my throat, I will stop breathing."

Zuko jumped back in shock and dropped his branch, "Ahh!" He then looked at me, "You knew this would happen, didn't you?"

I nodded, "Yeah…."

"Then why didn't you stop him!" Zuko stormed over to me and yelled.

"Hey, calm down, fussy pants." I pushed him back, lightly. "By the time I got here Uncle Iroh had already drank the tea, but he is going to be ok…"

"Yes, But look what I found." Iroh held out the branch of berries, "These are bacui berries, known to cure the poison of the white jade. That, or maka'ole berries that cause blindness."

Zuko grabbed the branch and threw the berries away, "We're not taking any more chances with these plants! We need to get help."

"I agree with Fussy Pants, Uncle Iroh," I crossed my arms.

"But where are we going to go?" Iroh kneeled down and scratched his rash vigorously, "We're enemies of the Earth Kingdom and fugitives from the Fire Nation."

Zuko held his chin between his fingers, and did the thinking pose of his, "If the Earth Kingdom discovers us, they'll have us killed."

Uncle Iroh added as he continued to scratch, "But if the Fire Nation discovers us, we'll be turned over to Azula."

They paused for a moment, looked back and forth from each other to me. I just grinned and raised an eyebrow. I loved watching them, the dorks.

"Earth Kingdom it is." Zuko nodded and walked towards the camp.

I had to do it. Even though they had no clue who I was quoting, my inner nerd just had to do it. I reached down deep and channeled my inner Gandalf, "I think that would be wise."

"Why did you just sound like an old man," Zuko arched his eyebrow at me.

I just laughed to myself, "Come on, Zuko. That's a story for another time."

"You mean the Star Wars stories?" Zuko asked as he picked up my bag and handed it to me.

"Nope, it's a different tale of the Lord the Rings." I reached into my bag and grabbed a more Earth Kingdom colored shirt. It didn't take me long to change and we really did need to get going. Uncle wasn't going to get better until we got him to that little clinic, but at least I knew he will get better. Plus we would have some good food for dinner again thanks to Song's mother.

I went through my bag, carefully. I wanted to make sure I had everything. Phone? Check! Notebook? Check! Tea-cup? Check! And…. "Oh, I forgot about this! Hey, Zuko?" I can't believe I forgot. I reached into my bag and pulled out a wrapped package.

"What's wrong now?" he spun around and gave me an annoyed look.

"Calm down, fussy pants, nothing is wrong. Here," I handed him the package. "I had a little extra money from the last town I sang at… sooo… I got you this."

"Why?" Zuko stared at the package, confused.

I shook my head and opened the parcel, "Scrooge. It isn't anything much, but when I saw it I knew you had to have it. Literally, you are supposed to have this." I found the sleeveless, dark olive green robe that Zuko wore from time to time. I had to admit I got a little buzz when I was able to do something that was a part of the story, even if it was something as simple as clothes.

"You spent money on this when you could have gotten food? Felicity…." Zuko stopped himself, "I told you that you draw too much attention to yourself. You can't go into towns alone. You look too different, and I don't want you spending money on me. I don't want you to, understand?"

"Well at least take this," I tried to hand him the robe, "You really are supposed to have this." I hung it over his shoulder.

"And how do you know that?" Zuko pulled the robe off his shoulder and examined the garment.

I didn't turn. I just continued to walk down the path with Uncle that led out of the woods, and waved back at Zuko, "Future-knowing wisdom, Fussy Pants! Future-knowing wisdom!"

ALICE'S POV

After a not-so-successful attempt to get past the Fire Nation's scouts, the Gaang and I ended up turned right back around to the Hippies. Go figure, right?

We followed them to the Cave of Two Lovers, and along the way was plenty of beautiful sights. The landscape was amazing, and there were lots of ruins as we got closer to the caves.

Sokka and the hippies were talking up ahead of me, "How far are we from the tunnel?"

Chong didn't react as he answered, "Actually, it's not just one tunnel. The lovers didn't want anyone to find out about their love, so they built a whole labyrinth!"

Sokka stopped on his heels and spun around, "Labyrinth?!"

Chong just shrugged his shoulders casually, "Oh, I'm sure we'll figure it out."

"Yeah, David Bowie, calm down. We will be fine." I nodded as I walked over to Sokka and patted his shoulder.

He seemed satisfied enough with that until Lilly added, "All you need to do is trust in love ... according to the curse"

Sokka stopped again while the others walked past him. I stopped right next to him and waited for him to freak out again. Honestly, this guy was a bigger worry-wart than me. "Calm down, I promise we are going to get out of here. Just trust me." I took his hand and squeezed it. "Come on, Tough guy, I know we're going to be alright. You're going to get us through this with that brain of yours," I reached up and poked his forehead before pulling him along to rejoin the group.

"Fine," Sokka rubbed his forehead turning red for a second, but his hand relaxed in mine.

It didn't take too much longer for us to reach the caves. Chong and Lilly were talking to the others about trusting in love when Sokka whispered to me, "Umm…Alice?"

"Yeah?" I pulled my gaze away from the cave. It was so big, and on both sides where these awesome statues.

Sokka squeezed my hand again and I realized we hadn't let go of each other, "Oh, sorry!"

"It's ok," he smiled, "I didn't let go either, so don't worry about it." He looked back at the group and straighten as he walked towards the cave, "What exactly is this curse?"

Chong answered, "The curse says that only those who trust in love can make it through the caves. Otherwise, you'll be trapped in them forever."

Lily added, "And die."

"Oh yeah, and die." Chong suddenly brightened up, "Hey, I just remembered the rest of that song!" He stood in front of the entrance to the cave and strums lute, then sang in an ominously low voice, "And die!"

Sokka looked over at me, "And that's your favorite song?"

"Oh, no it's not my favorite song. It's just my jam!" I grinned awkwardly, "Ok, so I forgot that part of the song, ok?"

Sokka threw up his hands, "That's it! There's no way we're going through some cursed hole!"

"Hey, someone's making a big campfire!" Moku, the chubby hippie with the drum, said innocently.

I looked back at Sokka while Katara added, "That's no campfire, Moku."

Sokka let out a deep breath and said grimly, "It's the Fire Nation. They're tracking us."

"We have to go through the caves," I told him.

Aang asked whoever was listening, "So all you need to do is trust in love to get through these caves?"

I nodded as Chong answered, "That is correct, Master Arrowhead."

Aang looked at Katara for a moment as she watched the approaching smoke, "We can make it."

"That's the spirit, Aang!" I smiled and turned to Sokka, "Well, Sokka. Are you going to trust in me?" It took me moment to realize how what I just said sounded, but Sokka didn't seem to notice.

Sokka looked at me for a moment then back at the cave entrance, "Everyone into the hole!"

The fire nation were hot on our heels, and just as we entered the cave, the soldiers collapsed the entrance. I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I knew we were going to be alright, but the sudden reality of being trapped underground was maddening. I reached out and took Sokka's hand again and squeezed with all my tiny, might. When he looked down at me I knew he could see how scared I was.

"We will be fine." He held my hand until my breathing calmed, "Its ok, all we need is a plan. Chong, how long do those torches last?"

Chong answered, "Uh, about two hours each."

"And we have five torches, so that's ten hours!" Lily said as she lit all the touches.

Sokka grabbed the torches, threw them on the ground, and stomped out the fire. "It doesn't work like that if they're all lit at the same time!" Sokka pulled out a pencil and parchment from Appa's saddle, "I'm going to make a map to keep track of exactly where we've been. Then we should be able to solve it like a maze and get through."

Sokka walked over to me, "Its ok, if you need to or get scared just grab my arm. I'll get you through this. I mean you said I would right?"

"Yeah, sorry, I'm okay," I smiled, "Now go make your map." If I just didn't think about it I knew I would be alright. We are going to get out of here. Just keep swimming… Underground… In the dark… I can do this… Right?

FELICITY'S POV

I looked around the little town. It was a nice little place, if only we could stay longer to explore. The people were kind and helpful. When I explained that we needed to find the clinic for help with White Jade poisoning we were pointed straight to it.

"They are kind to travelers." A resident of the town told us, "We get a lot of refugees through this way so that clinic has very affordable prices."

"Thank you very much," I bowed. "I still have a bit of money so we should be fine. I'll wait until we are a few towns over to sing again so you don't have to worry about me leaving a trail." I looked over at Zuko.

He just stared ahead, "You keep your money, and I'll pay for this."

"How? Zu…" I stopped myself from saying his name in to middle of the street, "You don't have any money, fussy pants. Why do you think I sing? It's for all of us. I don't care about having loads of money."

"I don't want you paying for everything. I'll find a job if that's what it takes," Zuko hissed over at me.

"And until you do just think of the money we get from me singing as everyone's money." I tried to give him the pouch, but he refused to take it, "If I didn't know any better, fussy pants, I'd say you don't feel right about me earning this."

"It's not that. I just don't like that you have to do all of the providing by yourself," He watched me from the corner of his eye. "I used to be able to give you anything you wanted, and now you have to sing for coins. It's not right, we shouldn't have to beg and scrap."

"It will get better," I reached over and took his hand and put the pouch in it, "Please, you hold onto this. I'm a girl, I look like an easy target for pickpockets, but you don't."

Zuko just nodded and tied the pouch to the front of his belt. It was good to talk to him again and reach for him without him jerking away from me. Maybe we could be friends again. Friends was much better than nothing at all.

When we made it to Song's clinic she led us back to the treatment room. Zuko and I sat on a bench while Song gathered everything she needed to treat Uncle's rash.

"Here this will help prevent anymore plant mistakes" Song was a sweet girl. She gave me a book to help identify plants. That was going to come in very handy.

"You're going to have to translate this for me, but I think it will really help." I turned the book to Zuko, "Plus with all the free time we have I can teach you more of my writing, if you want."

"That's fine," He read the page for a moment then handed me back the book. "I'm glad you listened to me about the singing. Every now and then is fine, but we don't need Azula to hear about you."

As Song treated Uncle she tried to carry on a pleasant conversation, "You two must not be from around here. We know better than to touch the White Jade, much less make it into tea and drink it."

Uncle just laughed the comment off, "Whoops."

"So where are you traveling from?" Song looked back at Zuko and myself.

Zuko shot up from the bench, "Yes, we're travelers." I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from giggling.

"Names? Of course we have names." He looked back at me when Song turned her back, but I shook my head didn't know anything, "I'm, uh ... Lee and this is my Uncle, uh ... Mushi?"

Uncle shot Zuko an angry look, "Yes, my nephew was named after his father, so we just call him Junior."

Zuko glared angrily at Iroh and moved his finger across his neck signaling that he's dead meat.

I smiled and tried not to laugh, "And I'm Jia Lin, but Jia is fine. I met the two of him on the road"

Zuko's snapped around and growled in my head, 'Oh, you didn't know any names?'

'Well, maybe I know one or two.' I shrugged.

"Jia, Mushi and Junior, huh. My name is Song. You two look like you could use a good meal." Song slapped Iroh's hand away when he tried to scratch his rash. "Why don't you stay for dinner?"

"Sorry, but we need to be moving on." Zuko looked down at me.

"That's too bad." She turned and gave us and innocent smile, "My mom always makes too much roast duck."

Uncle Iroh seemed to brighten right away, "Where do you live exactly?"

Zuko turned around rolling his eyes then leaned down to whisper in my ear, "You knew about all of this didn't you?"

'Yep, but hey it's food,' I nodded.

'Stay out of my head,' He glared.

'Hey, you started it, Junior,' I smiled as I stood up.

'I'd rather you call me fussy pants then that,' Zuko groaned.

I laughed quickly, 'Just remember you said that, fussy pants.'

Uncle quickly got dressed and hopped off the treatment table. Then we followed Song to her house. She and her mother were both very welcoming and kind. Song helped me braid my hair and gave me a few clips and hair ties so I could keep it up if I wanted. She was even kind enough to give me what was this world's version of shampoo. Where was that waterfall when I needed it?

ALICE'S POV

Everyone started to panic after Sokka guessed about the tunnels and their ability to change. Chong most of all was not taking it well.

"The tunnels, they're a-changin'. It must be the curse! I knew we shouldn't have come down here!" Chong paced back and forth tugging at his hat.

Sokka rolled his eyes, "Right, if only we listened to you."

"Sokka, be nice," I hit Sokka's arm.

In the distance was a low, strange sound, but everyone was talking so it was hard to make out where it was coming from. Katara shushed everyone, "Everyone be quiet. Listen."

The low snarl got louder. Sokka pulled me behind him as he stared down into the darkness of the cave. Sokka, suspiciously, held the torch up to the tunnel to inspect the strange sound. Suddenly, a wolfbat flew from the darkness of the cave towards us, causing everyone to panic.

Chong screamed out, "It's a giant flying thing with teeth!"

Moku ducked as the creature flew over him and landed, "No! It's a wolfbat!"

The wolfbat took off again. In the frenzy, Sokka swatted at the creature with the lit torch. Several hot cinders were thrown about and landed on Appa.

"Appa," I tried to run over to him but he roared out in pain. The bison began to run around the tunnel and crashed into the cave walls and rock columns. Aang quickly air bent Sokka, me, and the band of nomads out of the way of the falling rocks.

When I lifted my head, Sokka was shielding me from rocks that fell all around us. My arm was aching and when I looked down blood was running down my fingers.

Sokka cooed and shushed me gently and quickly pulled up my sleeve, "It doesn't look that bad, just a few scratches. You can heal them in no time." He stood and noticed the wall of fallen rock that blocked the tunnel. "No…" He dug, franticly to get through the rock.

Chong and the nomads walked over to where Sokka was digging. Chong shook his head, "Yeah, it's no use. We're separated. But at least you have us!"

Sokka yelled, completely horrified, "Nooooo!"

I was frozen where I sat in the rock. My heart was beating so hard and fast I couldn't feel the pain in my arm anymore, "S..Sokka…" I called out for him.

"Alice?" Sokka jumped up and ran back over to me. "Alice, are you ok." He cupped my face in his hands, "Are you still hurt? Why didn't you heal your arm?"

"S..Sokka," I reached out and gripped his shirt. I couldn't breathe or at least that's how it felt, "I can't breathe, I want to get out. I don't want to be stuck down here. I..I can't…" I was on the verge of having a panic attack. Logic was slipping away and all I could think about was the darkness and tons of earth closing in on me.

He pulled me close and smoothed my hair, "It's okay, and we are going to get out. Remember, you said so. Aunt Wu… she said you are going to fall in love and have a big family, remember?"

"Y..you don't be…believe in any of that," I felt a cold sweat break through on my skin.

"Just because I don't believe in fortune-telling, it doesn't mean I don't want you to have those things," He made me look up at him. "You know the story, right? You know what happens?"

I nodded franticly.

"Then you tell me? Do we get out of here," Sokka smiled. "I may not believe in Aunt Wu, but I believe in you, Alice."

"I…we," I close my eyes and made myself remember. "We get out, you get us out."

"That's right, I'll get you out. So, just breathe," Sokka put his hands over my shaking ones. "I'm going to stay right here until you are ready to go. Okay?"

"O..Okay…." I laid my head on his chest and tried to breathe normally. It's okay, Alice, we're going to get out of here. He's going to get you out of here. I repeated it over and over in my head until I could finally move again.

ZUKO'S POV

I couldn't sit in there anymore. Those people were so kind, but I am the Prince of the Nation that had caused them so much pain. I sat outside breathing the cold night air when the door of the house slid open.

To my surprise it was Song not Felicity, "Can I join you?" She sat down next to me, "I know what you've been through. We've all been through it. The Fire Nation has hurt you."

I didn't say anything I just looked out over the yard. What could I say, 'Yes, and oh, by the way, I am the Fire Nation, the prince in fact, and my father did this to me.'

In the corner of my eye I saw Song's hand reaching towards me. She had small hands, like Felicity, but she wasn't Felicity. I stopped her before she reached my scar. I didn't want anyone to touch it ever again. I wasn't sure how but only Felicity was able to make me forget it was there. Until I met someone else that could make me forget like she did I wouldn't let anyone else touch it.

Song didn't take it personally that I pushed her away, "It's okay. They've hurt me, too." She pulled up her pants leg to reveal burn scars on her leg.

Scars, firebending scars. My people did that to her. She's just a girl, an innocent person. This was malice, this is my nation. This is how we got want we wanted. I knew this and I have even threatened people in my hunt for the Avatar. But for some reason after all I've seen I don't know how I to feel about it. I wonder how she would treat me if she knew who I really am.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts. I'm sorry if I disturbed you," Song stood up and hurried inside.

"You didn't," I replied but she was already gone.

I stared down at my hands. These are firebender's hands. If I had stayed at home would I be capable of doing something like that to someone like Song?

"No, you wouldn't," Felicity's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. She walked around the corner of the house and sat down next to me.

"You knew about her leg, didn't you?" I looked at Felicity then back down to my hands.

"I know this whole story," She reached down and took both my hands. "I know what kind of man you are going to become, Zuko." She whispered and tilted her head to look me in the face. She reached over and lifted my chin, "Things are going to get harder, and surviving is going to be hard, but after that is over, you are going to smile." Her soft fingers slid from my chin to the left side of my face.

"I don't know if I can trust you anymore." I reached up and stopped her hand. When it slid away I felt the scar under my fingers.

"You trusted me before when we were friends" She sat back on her knees, "Why can't we go back to that. No kisses, no soft touches, no promises, just the back and forth bantering friendship that we had."

"It's not that easy, Felicity," I sighed and turned away from her.

"I know that," she grabbed my arm and pulled me back around to face her. "Don't you think I know that? Trust me, I would love to go back and stop our awkward romance before it got both of us hurt… No that's a lie, I don't regret it for a second, but I do regret how it ended. I still care about you, and I want our friendship to remain if nothing else does." She pressed her lips together, "But we have to work together. I trust you completely, and whether you believe it or not I never lied to you. This story has already be written and I can't change it. I was stupid to try and make something more between us because I'm not meant to be here. You have a future, and I want to help you reach it. So, just trust me."

I stood, "I need some time to think about this. I was determined never to listen to a word you said again, but I can see that's not going to happen."

"Yep, I'll just talk louder," Felicity smiled again in her normal, carefree, warming smile. "Take your time. I'll be here if you need me or any advice."

I nodded, "We should go finish our meal."

"Yep, I'm starving," She stood and looped her arm with mine. "Escort me in?"

"I'm sure you wouldn't listen if I said no," I grinned.

"I'm sorry, fussy pants, what did you say?" She looked confused for a second then smiled.

ALICE'S POV

Chong and the nomad hippies sang love songs over and over. As much as I liked it the first time there's only so much of the same song I could handle. Then again the more I heard the song the less afraid I felt.

Chong smiled back at me, "How are you feeling, Alice? Still loving the sounds?"

I just smiled while I held onto Sokka's arm.

"How are you feeling?" Sokka looked down at me.

"I'll be fine, once I'm out of here." I laid my head on his arm, closed my eyes, and let him lead me down the path.

All of a sudden there was a loud shrieking sound coming from the darkness, and I felt my breathing quicken, "Wolfbats…" I whispered.

Sokka looked up from me to the darkness, "Everyone look out. Chong look after Alice for me."

Without any further warning a swarm of wolfbats came flying out of the darkness. Sokka yelled and waved his arms all about to scare them off.

When all of the bats were gone Chong and the other nomad hippies clapped, "Hey! You saved us, Sokka!"

I shook my head, and Sokka looked at me confused for a moment, "No, they were trying to get away from something!"

"From what?" Chong looked back at the other.

The caves began to rumble. Without warning, two giant badgermoles burst through the caves, and I tried to run over to Sokka. One badgermole closed its hands together in a prayerful manner, and closed off a tunnel behind it with earthbending. The other badgermole pounded the ground with its paws and a wall of earth rose, blocking off all the exits. The first badgermole earthbent a split in the earth between the nomads and I and Sokka.

Sokka tried to avoid the badgermole's swipes. He was suddenly blown back several feet and tried to hastily back away. When he did his fingers hit a string on the lute in the process, producing a musical note. The badgermole turned its head curiously, and the creatures quieted down as he picked up the lute and began playing a tune.

Chong brightened right away, "Hey, those things are music lovers!"

Sokka turned to the nomads and me as he sang nervously, "Badgermoles coming toward me. Come on guys, help me out!"

"The big, bad badgermoles who earthbend the tunnels, hate the wolfbats, but love the sounds!" Chong and the others played and sang. As a result the badgermoles moved through the tunnel, making us a path. The second badgermole let Sokka and I climb up on its head.

"This isn't so bad. What do you think," Sokka smiled as he helped me up.

I let out a sigh of a relief when I sat down on the badgermole's head, "Finally we are going to get out of here."

It took a while, but we finally reached the outer wall of the cave. When the sunlight hit my face I finally began to feel alive and normal again. I noticed Appa was already outside laying on the ground. I hopped down off the badgermole's head and ran over to Appa.

"Hey, buddy, I know exactly how you feel." I laid down against his side. "I never though sunlight could feel soooo good. Heck I never thought I would miss flying."

Appa roared.

"I know, crazy right?" I laughed. I don't plan on going underground EVER again.

Before the nomads left, Chong gave Sokka a hug the put a flower necklace around Sokka's neck.

I giggled a little when I saw the necklace, "Well, don't you look pretty, Sokka." Katara and Aang joined me and laughed.

"Ha, Ha, Ha, very funny." Sokka took off the necklace and put it on me, "How are you feeling?"

I took a deep breath, smiled, and hugged him, "Thank you for getting me through that."

I felt him squeeze me to him, "You knew I would from the beginning. No need to thank me."

Katara and Aang just stood there watching us.

Aang gently nudged Katara, "I told you it would be Sokka."

Katara put her hands on her hips, "It's just a hug. Don't overreact. Besides, Alice told me she gave Chan a hug too."

I really hope Sokka didn't hear that. He had really freaked out the last time all the future, Sokka or Chan stuff came up. If he did hear them he ignored them. When he let me go we all headed out to Omashu.

Sokka ran up the hill and we quickly followed, "The journey was long and annoying, but now you get to see what it's really about: the destination. I present to you the Earth Kingdom city of O…" Sokka paused when he reached the top of the hill, "Oh no ..."

FELICITY'S POV

Song and her mother walked us out to the front of the house, and Song's mother gave Uncle Iroh a box of left-overs.

Uncle Iroh bowed, "Thank you for the duck. It was excellent."

Song's mother smiled as she bowed to him, "You're welcome. It brings me pleasure to see someone eat my cooking with such ... gusto."

Uncle Iroh patted his stomach and I couldn't help but laugh, "Much practice." Zuko quickly turned to leave, but Iroh called out to him, "Junior, where are your manners? You need to thank these nice people."

He turned and quickly bowed, "Thank you."

Song hurried down the steps and called out to him as well, "I know you don't think there's any hope left in the world, but there is hope. The Avatar has returned."

I smiled over at her and reached back for Zuko. He was looking down at his hands again so I took one of them and squeezed it.

He looked up at the road, and said in a quiet, bitter voice, "I know."

As we all walked out of the yard Zuko stopped and looked over at the ostrich horse. Looking back at the house, he walked over to the ostrich horse and untied the reins.

"What are you doing? These people just showed you great kindness." Uncle Iroh explained with an unhappy expression.

"They're about to show us a little more kindness." He reached down for Uncle's hand, "Well?"

I looked back at the house. I knew Song was watching us right now. I took the pouch of coins I kept hidden in my shirt and tied it to the fence. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing at all, "Forgive us."

"Felicity," Zuko called in a whispered tone. I ran over to them and he reached down to help me up. Zuko pulled me in front of him on the saddle.

I hadn't been looking forward to this moment, but we did need the horse thing to get around. "Let's hurry and find somewhere to sleep."

"Alright," Zuko answered in my ear. "If you get tied just go ahead to sleep. I'm going to try and get us to the next town."

I nodded and laid back against him, "It will be my turn next time."

"Your turn?" He sounded confused.

"Yeah," I turned just a bit to get comfortable, "To be the pillow."

I felt his chest jump as if he had chuckled, "Maybe. We'll see."

MERRY LATE CHRISTMAS! Sorry I wasn't able to post in time for Christmas. But holiday's right? So I don't plan on making it easy for you guys to choose which Alice ship you want to sail on. The Alikka ship or the Chalice ship. But whichever you choose I promise there are going to be lots of moment between the two. That means more flashbacks to Alice's time with Chan and more Sokka/Alice moments.

So Zuko and Felicity are kinda, sorta, not really, well maybe on the road to recovery but that is going to be a ROCKY road for sure.

So stay tuned for the more of the drama. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I love you all and merry Christmas, happy holidays and a Happy new year to all of you!

Until next time… Happy reading!