Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.

Chapter 7

Secrets

"I'm telling you it's a waste of money, Zuko."

"Yeah, but you haven't said why."

"It's simple," Haru began as he pulled the newspaper from his partner's hands. "If you get a furnished apartment you're basically paying to borrow someone else's furniture. If you get an unfurnished one and save the extra money you would have paid for a furnished one, then you can pick and buy furniture you can keep."

"And then I'd have to go through the hassle of moving it when I move out."

"Don't give me that," Haru smirked. "You just don't want to have to go looking for furniture."

"Do you have any idea how long that would take? There's no way Katara wouldn't get involved in it."

"Hey, you're not allowed to complain about your girlfriend in front of your single partner," Haru said. "Why are you looking anyway? You've got a nice place at your uncle's tea shop."

"Yeah, but I'm actually making money now," Zuko said. "I should have my own place. Especially since I don't think I'm going to be doing much of anything other than this job. Besides, my sister asked me to."

"So?" Haru asked. "You owe her a favor or something?"

"No," Zuko admitted. "It's just that she's never actually asked me for anything. Ever. She usually demands or tries to bully things out of me. It was kind of weird."

"Getting off the subject of your living arrangements for a minute here," Haru said as he took a drink of coffee. "You think the commissioner is ever going to see us? He called us in about three hours ago and we still don't know what's going on."

"He'll get to it," Zuko said. His patience was wearing thin though. He was in agreement with Haru that so far the commissioner had just been wasting their time while they could be out on the streets patrolling like they were supposed to be doing.

"Haru! Zuko! Jeong Jeong's ready for you!"

Not wanting to sit around in the station any longer than they already had, Zuko and his partner pushed their way through the small crowd of officers and suspects to their commissioner's office. Once there they found something that made them both uneasy about what he was going to say.

Along with Jeong Jeong there were three other people in the office. There was a pair of exhausted looking parents sitting down across from the commissioner's desk and an irritated preteen sitting with his arms crossed in the corner of the office. The boy's hair was messy and unkempt, but his most noticeable feature was his large buck teeth.

"Zuko, Haru, I would like you to meet Li," Jeong Jeong said. "You are to keep him in your company for today and show him the city."

"Yes, sir!" Haru replied. "Right this way, Li. I'll show you around the station."

"Whatever."

After Haru led the boy from the room, Zuko turned his eyes to the parents and Jeong Jeong.

"What is this about, sir?"

"I want you to show Li what the city is like for those who he wishes to be like," Jeong Jeong explained.

"Li's a good kid," the boy's father said. "But he's been getting involved with a group of kids at his school. The kind of kids who pull pranks and harass people."

"The more time he spends with them, the more he pulls away from us," Li's mother began to cry. "He talks more and more like a thug and yesterday he even told me that he was going to leave the house to find a gang to join."

"These people are friends of mine," Jeong Jeong told him. "I told them I would do what I could to help and Haru and yourself are the two that I trust the most to handle the situation. Don't let me down."

"Understood, sir," Zuko replied.

Zuko was both honored and annoyed by the request. Jeong Jeong saying that he trusted Zuko and Haru above everyone else that was available really said something, but it was still just a babysitting job. As Haru finished showing the boy the office area, his parents came to give him a few final words before leaving him in the department's care for the day. Zuko tried to imagine what they could possibly be saying, but Jeong Jeong grabbed his attention.

"I just want you two to talk to him, do you understand?" Jeong Jeong ordered. "Do not do anything to put him in any danger."

"What do you think I'm going to do?" Zuko asked.

"Do not presume that I am ignorant, Zuko. I am aware that you have friends all throughout this city. Including some of the areas that are less than safe."

"Are you trying to tell me something specific, sir?" Zuko asked, trying to hide the offended twitch in his eye.

"Stay away from Serpent's Pass."

"From the logs that I've found we've only had fictional officers patrolling that area of the city for the last few months. Care to explain that?"

"I do not answer to you, child," Jeong Jeong said in a fierce and quiet tone. "The Serpent's Pass is not your concern. I will only tell you one more time to stay away. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," Zuko answered before taking his leave to join his partner and newfound luggage.

Jeong Jeong watched them closely as they left the building. He was concerned that he knew just where Zuko was going to go, but there was nothing he could do to stop him save take him off the streets. Even if he did that though he could not stop Zuko from going to Serpent's Pass. Jeong Jeong returned to his office and grabbed his phone.

"He is becoming a problem. I cannot control him. Yes. No, that is not wise. My council is to be direct. No more hiding. Our message would best be received if delivered by you. As soon as possible. Tonight."

* - * - * - * - *

"This is just weird," Haru said. "You never drive."

"So I should be afraid for my life then?" Li asked from the backseat of the cruiser. "With the way his eye is it doesn't even look like he can see where he's going."

"Show some respect, Li," Haru replied. "How would you like it if we made fun of your buckteeth?"

"I'd have to kick your butts," Li growled as he kicked the gate that separated the front and back seats. "You guys are just a bunch of wusses anyway."

"Us guys as in cops, right?" Zuko asked.

"That's right. All you do is walk around and act big. You're nothin' but badges. You make the rules and that's that."

"So only people who live by their own rules are strong?" Haru asked. "That's just stupid."

"Says you, badge."

"Zuko, why don't we turn here?" Haru suggested. "We're getting kind of close to--"

"A friend's place," Zuko finished. "Don't worry about it."

It was true that Zuko was specifically told not to go to Serpent's Pass, but he was also basically told to scare this kid straight. The best people in the city to do that were the Fallen Angels. Besides, he hadn't gone to see his friends in a few months now and he was beginning to miss them. With the way the police force was avoiding the neighborhood he was beginning to worry about them as well.

As the cruiser pulled up to the old recreation center that was Fallen Angels Headquarters, Zuko stepped out of the car and walked around to get his assignment. He let Li out of the back, but kept a firm grip on the boy's arm. The last thing he needed was for the kid to run away in the worst part of town. When Haru tried to get out, Zuko held his door shut until he opened the window.

"Don't get out," Zuko told him. "Get in the driver's seat and don't take your hand off of your gun. This isn't as bad a neighborhood, but if anyone gets the idea that cops are welcome here then we're gonna have trouble."

"I thought you said you had friends here," Haru said.

"Yeah, I do," Zuko said as he took off his badge and dropped it in the car. "Badge or no I'm not a cop when I come here."

Zuko practically had to drag Li all the way to the front door of the rec center. Strangely enough it was locked. After pounding on the door a few times Zuko heard the clicking sound of the lock being undone and someone peaked out the doorway.

"Who're you and what do you want?"

"I'm here to see Angel," Zuko told the guy.

"She ain't got no time for cops," the guy replied. "Sorry."

Before the guy could pull the door shut, Zuko grabbed hold of the knob and pulled it open.

"You can either let me in, or you can explain to Angel and Monster why I had to break your nose in order to see them."

That got the guy's attention. Zuko did not know who he was, but it was obvious from the moment the guy opened his mouth that he was not one of the Angels. He stepped aside and allowed Zuko to escort Li inside.

There were more than twice as many people as Zuko remembered. He hardly recognized any faces and more than most of the people he passed seemed more like the guy at the door than they did Fallen Angel material. The thing that was bothering Zuko the most however was that he could not seem to find any of the kids in the crowd.

"What're you doin' here?"

Zuko was not surprised by the greeting he received as Andy dragged him out of the crowd and nearly ripped his arm out of socket. Ever since putting on the uniform he seemed to have made Andy uncomfortable.

"Nice to see you too," Zuko replied. "I want to see Angel. I have a favor to ask."

"In case you can't tell, we got a lot goin' on right now," Andy told him. "Major stuff is goin' down around here, Zuko. We kinda got our hands full."

"Yeah, I can see that. But considering what you guys stand for I thought you'd jump at the chance to keep a kid from screwing up his life," Zuko said as he pulled Li in front of him. "Why don't you go ahead and ask this guy if you can join up, kid? You can get away from all those rules you think are so stupid."

"You tryin' to piss me off now?" Andy asked.

"Badges are so stupid," Li chimed in. "This guy looks like he could rip you in two, but you think bein' a cop is gonna stop him."

"Excuse me?" Andy asked raising his voice. "Who do you think you are? Do you have any clue who this guy even is?"

"He's just some stupid cop," Li replied.

"He's a good man!" Andy practically yelled. "And he's riskin' his own hide tryin' to help you! Lemme guess, you probably think street life is for you, right?"

"Course!" Li said, sticking out his chest and trying to look tough. "I make my own rules."

"We live by our own rules too, kid. Check this out." Andy rose his shirt and showed the boy a long thin scar that trailed across his side. "Knife cut."

"Nice," Li grinned as he nodded.

"Got a couple more and a few gun shots in me too."

"Now that's tough," Li agreed.

"Yeah. Wanna know how I got 'em?" Andy smiled as Li's face lit up in anticipation over hearing an amazing fight story. "I got shot in the back a few times and then got cut up while I was unconscious. Wanna know what I did to deserve that?"

Li's face sank as though he looked like he were about to be sick. Before he could say anything, Andy went on.

"I walked across a street people didn't like seeing me on. I was just picking up some food cause my friends were hungry and it was too dangerous for them to go outside. What you don't get, son, is that we make our own rules because the rules you live with ain't enough to keep us safe. Why don't you think about that before you start runnin' your mouth about wantin' to live like we do. I love my people like they're my family, but if I could get any of 'em outta this life I'd do it faster than you could blink."

Li was now listening intently to every word Andy had to say. Andy himself was so focused on the kid that he did not notice that Zuko had slipped away from the two of them. He knew that Andy was more than capable of keeping the kid safe and Zuko had questions that needed answers. He had to find Angel. Luckily, he knew just where to look.

The large steel doors in the back of the rec center still looked about ready to fall any minute. Zuko pushed through them and found a small group of people talking together in a circle. The talking stopped the second he stepped in. All eyes were on Zuko and they all seemed on edge. At the sight of the uniform he wore, many of them looked like they were ready for a fight.

"He's cool," Angel's voice said. "Gimme a sec."

It was good to see her, but Angel looked more tired and worn than ever when she pulled Zuko off to the side. Her long black hair was a mess and her face was sunken, but the fire in her eyes was still there. Burning brighter than Zuko had ever seen, actually.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in an angry whisper.

"What is with you guys?" Zuko whispered back. "Didn't you say I'd always be welcome?"

"In case you haven't noticed, things are a bit different around here."

"Believe me, I've noticed. Where are the kids? And who are all these freaks in the rec center. They sure as heck don't look like Angels."

"They're not. They're rival gangs," Angel explained. "We've all got bigger problems than each other right now. Wait outside, I'll explain when we're done here."

It did not take long for Angel to finish up with her "friends." Soon enough she and Zuko were sitting in their old spot with their backs against the crates trying to give each other some sense of comfort and answers.

"I was just ordered to help the kid see the truth," Zuko finished explaining. "Sounded right up your guys' alley."

"Where is he?"

"I left him with Andy. He wasn't too happy to see me either. What's going on?"

"A war," Angel answered. "Bigger than anything that's happened in a long time."

"So big you're willing to take a side?" Zuko asked. "I never thought I'd see the Fallen Angels standing with gangs."

"We don't have a choice if we want to avoid the alternative. Growing up with your uncle you've probably never even heard of the Fire Lord."

"Just the stuff on the news. He was some kind of arsonist, right?"

"That's just what he let them talk about," Angel sighed as she pulled her legs in and buried her face. "He used to run the entire Serpent's Pass."

"One man?" Zuko asked in surprise.

"And now he's back. He told all of us we're either with him or dead. He's already killed two gang leaders in the last three months. Everyone is too scared to do anything other than what he says."

"What about you?" Zuko asked.

"Even me. He knows about my brother, Zuko. You're one of the only five people I know who I've told about him in or out of the Angels."

"That's why you kicked Dwight out, isn't it?" Zuko asked. "He doesn't even know about all this. He was away when the Fire Lord came back. He was with us."

"Yeah," Angel admitted. "I was trying to keep as many people as safe as I could. That's why I won't let the kids come here anymore. I got them all to stay at home and some of the parents agreed to look after the homeless ones as long as we helped out anyway we could. It's risky with some of the bad parents out there, but they're safer than here."

"What're you going to do?"

"I don't know. The Fire Lord is powerful, Zuko. He's even got some sort of political power in his pocket too."

"And the police force," Zuko said.

"What makes you say that?"

"Commissioner Jeong Jeong won't send anyone into Serpent's Pass. I'm here against direct orders."

"You think he belongs to the Fire Lord?" Angel asked.

"What else could it be?"

"Zuko, I've never really been one to ask for help, but I'm afraid. I sent Dwight away because I knew he would fight if he were here and I knew he might get hurt. Probably die. I wanted to save everyone, but you and I both know that that's a stupid thought."

"Some people will die if you fight, Angel," Zuko agreed. "The Angels know that. I know that. We're still gonna help you."

"At the very least we're not alone in this. All of these other gangs are here because they want the Fire Lord gone too. They all seemed to think that I was gonna fight and just kind of showed up wanting to fight too."

"They made you their leader," Zuko finished. "If there's anything I can do to help, just name it."

"I'll be in touch," Angel smiled. "For now, I just need you to stay out there where I can't be and keep your eyes and ears open. You've got access to information that I don't being in the police department."

"Funny," Zuko grinned. "I say the same thing about you being on the street."

It was difficult getting Li to leave the rec center after meeting Andy, but his tune seemed to have changed for the better. He even started asking Zuko a bunch of questions as they drove him home. Apparently Andy had shared a small part of Zuko's time with the Angels with the boy and now he felt he and Zuko were kindred spirits. Like his parents had said: Li was a good kid. A little annoying, but definitely a good kid.

After dropping Li off at his house, Zuko had every intention of confronting Jeong Jeong about the lack of police presence in Serpent's Pass. He had to somehow prove that the commissioner was on the take if he was going to help Angel. Haru however, was not convinced that was the case.

"Look, all I'm saying is that if Jeong Jeong were dirty, why would he be doing requests like Li? It doesn't make any sense."

"PR, Haru. It looks good to the people without really doing the job we're here for."

"Then why weren't there cameras and reports at the department getting the good word out there?" Haru asked.

"What if the kid didn't come around?" Zuko asked. "We'd look completely incompetent if we couldn't even get one kid to stop misbehaving."

"And if there are crews there now?"

"There won't be," Zuko said. "Not until we give Jeong Jeong the good news."

Jeong Jeong was definitely pleased with the news. More than pleased however, he looked more relieved when Zuko told him of Li's change in attitude.

"That does an old man good," Jeong Jeong said. He looked so worn out and tired sitting there at his desk. "Zuko, Haru, I want you to always remember something. A single person, no matter how insignificant they may seem, can change the world around them. For better or worse, every life has impact on everything that it touches. You are two of the most pure people that have ever come through my department and I am eager to see how you grow. Please do not allow the dark experiences of this work taint you and twist you into something that will make you unrecognizable in the years to come from the people that you are now."

Something's not right here, Zuko thought. Something doesn't feel right. Haru's right, he's not in the Fire Lord's pocket. But it that's true, then why won't he let us go into Serpent's Pass?

With those thoughts trailing him all day, Zuko was exhausted by the time he was heading home. Not that it was going to be home for too much longer. There was another tiring thought all together. When Zuko reached the Jasmine Dragon the first thing that he noticed was the empty parking lot. Next was the closed sign on the door. Something was wrong. Very cautiously he entered the tea shop. The whole place was dark and quiet. Not a person to be seen. As Zuko began to move towards the kitchen he heard a voice that sent chills down his spine.

"Don't be so wary, Zuko."

Instantly he turned to the voice and drew his gun from its holster. There, sitting in the shadows provided by the corner of the dining room was his father. The one man who had been the source of all the worst pain in his life.

"It's good to see you, son," he smiled wickedly.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a woman's voice said from the kitchen. The swinging door opened and out came his sister. Directly after her came his uncle with a gun pressed under the side of his jaw. The woman who had spoken was standing beside him with her finger on the trigger. There was something familiar about her.

Smart, Zuko thought. If Azula tried anything there's no way she'd miss.

"Have a seat, my boy," Ozai said. "We have some things to discuss."

"I have nothing to say to you," Zuko spat, refusing to sit.

"Have it your way. You needn't say anything anyway," Ozai smirked. "Stay away from Serpent's Pass."

In one horrifying moment of clarity the truth rushed to Zuko's mind.

"You're the Fire Lord."

"Of course I am," Ozai said. "Who else could have possibly accomplished so much is such little time. I must really thank you and your mother for all of your help. If I had not ended up in prison and away from my addictions then I would never have recovered the clarity I needed to return to my rule."

"Don't talk about her," Zuko roared. "You have no right to speak of her!"

The woman with his father cleared her throat as she pushed the gun harder under his uncle's jawline.

"I know where I've seen you before," Zuko said. "You're the one who said she could rehabilitate this monster."

"Your father doesn't need rehabilitation, Zuko," she replied. "His mind is incredible just the way it is."

"Thank you, my dear," Ozai grinned.

"Why do you want me to stay away from Serpent's Pass?" Zuko demanded.

"So I don't have to deal with you at the moment," Ozai replied. He rose from his seat and began to walk around the dining room. "Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong, boy. I'll get to you soon enough. Once I've snuffed out your little Angel friends and their pitiful attempt at a rebellion."

"How do you know about that?" Zuko asked.

"It's simple a extermination procedure, boy," Ozai explained. "Angel was never one to be told what to do. She's always stood up for what she believed in. That draws people. Anyone foolish enough to oppose me would naturally be drawn to her. I allow the insects to gather in one place and then crush the lot of them. It's simple."

"Why tell me this?" Zuko asked. "You can threaten me all you want, but you know I'll get the message to them."

"No you won't," Ozai said as he stopped pacing behind Uncle Iroh and Azula. "Because if they seem anyway more alert to my presence around them than before, I'll punish you. You were always so direct, Zuko. Facing me whenever your mother or sister were at risk. I prefer the more painful methods. You have a lot of friends now, Zuko. The Bei Fong girl and her boyfriend; the computer developer and his wife; I believe his sister is also quite dear to you. I wonder what you would be willing to put up with to keep them all safe." Ozai ran his fingers over Azula's hair and she shuddered. "I suppose I could leave you with an example of what I'm willing to do."

The swinging door of the kitchen slid open silently and Dwight stepped into the dining room. He stepped up quickly behind Ozai before anyone in the room had the time to react.

"You touch her one more time and I swear it will be the last thing you ever do," Dwight warned. In his hands he held a rifle, its barrel touching the base of Ozai's skull. "Drop the gun, lady."

"My my my," Ozai smiled as the woman did as she was told. "Azula, you didn't tell me you had a knight in shining armor."

"Keep your mouth shut and get out of here before I kill you," Dwight ordered.

"I don't think you have it in you," Ozai replied.

"Try me," Dwight threatened.

Dwight side stepped until his barrel was pointed directly into Ozai's left eye and the two could see each other's faces. They stared directly into each other's eyes until Ozai found something familiar in the two staring at his. They were eyes like his. Eyes belonging to a man that had killed before.

"We're leaving," Ozai told his companion. "Do keep in mind what we've discussed this evening, son."

The tension in everyone's body did not leave until long after the door to the Jasmine Dragon closed and Iroh had locked it. That night, no one in the house slept.

A/N: I am so sorry for not updating in . . . two months?! Holy crap! I hope you're all still out there . . .