Zuko, Iroh, and I were on board a ferry that had just departed.

"Who would have thought after all these years, I'd return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace..." Iroh turned away for a second, then turned back with a floral hat on his head. "as a tourist!"

"Look around. We're not tourists, we're refugees." Zuko sipped his food and spat it out. "Ugh! I'm sick of eating rotten food, sleeping in the dirt. I'm tired of living like this!"

"Aren't we all? My name's Jet and these are my Freedom Fighters, Smellerbee and Longshot." Jet said. I turned and gasped. I stood.

"Jet?" I asked. He quirked an eyebrow.

"Do I know you?" He asked.

"Think back a really long time ago. You did a co-op mission with a woman named June. Remember?" I asked. He furrowed his eyebrows before nodding. "I am, well, was her shirshu. We split up."

"Nyla?" He said. I nodded

"My real name's June too though." I said. He grinned.

"Long time, no see." He said. "Alright, here's the deal. I hear the captain's eating like a king while the refugees have to feed off his scraps. Doesn't seem fair, does it?"

"What sort of king is he eating like?" Iroh asked.

"The fat, happy kind." At this, Iroh's mouth hung open as he started to drool. "You want to help us 'liberate' some food?"

"We're in." Zuko said, tossing the bowl of rotten food into the water. Jet smirked.

"Alright, here's the plan."

Zuko, Jet, Smellerbee, and I snuck up to the food storage area. I broke the lock with a swift kick and Zuko jimmied open the door with his swords. Jet and Zuko took some food.

"Guard's coming!" Smellerbee warned. Longshot fired an arrow with a rope attached to it, allowing us four to slide down it. Longshot pulled it away before the guard noticed.

Jet went to pass out food to other travelers. The other Freedom Fighters, Zuko, Iroh, and I sat together.

"So, Smellerbee, that's an unusual name for a young man." Iroh said. I facepalmed.

"Maybe it's because I'm not a man ... I'm a girl!" Smellerbee said. She got up and walked away.

"Oh, now I see. It's a beautiful name for a lovely girl!" Iroh called. I shook my head as Longshot stood and went after her.

"From what I heard, people eat like this every night in Ba Sing Se. I can't wait to set my eyes on that giant wall." Jet said, sitting down next to us.

"It is a magnificent site." Iroh said.

"So you've been there before?" Jet asked.

"Once. When I was a ... different man." Iroh said.

"I've done some things in my past that I'm not proud of, but that's why I'm going to Ba Sing Se: for a new beginning. A second chance." Jet said. I smiled at him.

"That's very noble of you." Iroh said.

"I believe people can change their lives if they want to. I believe in second chances." I said. Jet gave me a look and I looked away. I stood. "Excuse me."

"June..." Zuko said as I walked away to the back of the ferry. I looked over the water and closed my eyes, gritting my teeth. So many disconnected thoughts slammed against my head. I opened my eyes as a warm hand touched my shoulder. I looked over to see Zuko. He held open his arms and I hugged him. He smoothed my shoulder-length hair as I squeezed him tightly, jaw taught.

"What's wrong?" Zuko asked.

"I'm just really overwhelmed." I said. Zuko rested his chin on my head and hummed in agreement.

"I get it." He said.

"You know, as soon as I saw your scar, I knew exactly who you were. You're an outcast, like me. And us outcasts have to stick together. We have to watch each other's backs. Because no one else will." Jet said.

"I've realized lately that being on your own isn't always the best path." Zuko said. I smirked against his chest and pulled back, holding his hand tightly. The ferry closed in on the walls and I grinned.

"New life, here we come."

A ticket woman is inspected our tickets.

"So, Mr. Lee, Ms. June, and Mr. ummm... Mushy, is it?" The lady said.

"It's pronounced Mushi."

"You telling me how to do my job?" the woman snapped.

"Uh, no, no. But may I just say you're like a flower in bloom. Your beauty is intoxicating." Iroh said. Zuko and I exchanged glances.

"You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, handsome. Raorr! Welcome to Ba Sing Se." She stamped our tickets.

"I'm going to forget I saw that." Zuko said in disgust, grabbing his and mine tickets and walking away. Zuko, Iroh, and I sat in the waiting area. Jet approached and sat next to me. My hand tightened on Zuko's.

"So, you guys got plans once you're inside the city?" Jet asked.

"Get your hot tea here! Finest tea in Ba Sing Se!" A tea seller called out.

"Ooh! Jasmine please." Iroh said. The tea seller poured tea into a leaf cup for Iroh. Iroh sipped the tea, but soon grimaced at its repulsive taste.

"Blaugh! Ugh, coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it! What a disgrace!" Iroh sputtered in disgust.

"Hey, can I talk to you two for a second." Jet said, motioning for us to follow him. Zuko sighed and we reluctantly rose. We walked several feet away from Iroh's spot.

"You two and I have a much better chance of making it in the city if we stick together. You want to join the Freedom Fighters?" Jet offered.

"Thanks, but I don't think you want us in your gang." Zuko said.

"Come on, we made a great team looting that captain's food. Think of all the good we could do for these refugees."

"I said no." Zuko said, walking away.

"Have it your way." Jet said. He caught sight of Iroh, who was sipping his now steaming hot tea, causing his eyes to widen in shock and realization. Zuko, approaching Iroh, glanced over his shoulder at Jet, who narrowed his eyes and walked away. Angrily, he knocked the tea cup out of Iroh's hand.

"Hey!" Iroh yelped.

"What are you doing firebending your tea? For a wise, old man, that was a pretty stupid move!" Zuko hissed.

"I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but..." He sniffed. "it's just so sad!"

We boarded the train, Jet and his group eying us. Iroh and Zuko and I sat ourselves next to a man and his family. Iroh noticed a small infant.

"What a handsome baby." He stroked the infant. The woman beamed.

"Thank you." She said. I leaned my head against Zuko's shoulder and closed my eyes. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Chi closed the image and looked to Hei-Bai.

"So, how soon until you think they finally admit that they're in love to each other?" I said. Hei-Bai gave me a grizzly smile. ((Get it? Cause he's a bear?))

"My guess is that something bonding will occur very soon. After all, Ba Sing Se is the land of opportunity." Hei-Bai said. Chi smirked.

"I should make you the godfather." Chi laughed, rubbing his friend's head. Hei-Bai grinned.

"I think we're past the point where we accepted that." Hei-Bai said. The spirits laughed.

So, what'd you think? And yes, HERE COME JIN! BWAHAHA! SO MANY DIABOLICAL PLANS!

Anyways...

Disclaimer : I don't own ATLA