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Chapter 20

Dream

For the first time that she could recall, Ty Lee did not wave back to the flirtatious cat calls, car horns, and wolf whistles that she got as she ran down the city sidewalks in her usual work out clothes. These consisted of a vibrant tie dye sports bra and bright pink tight shorts. Today, she was on a mission. Ever since Rou surprised her back at school with his confused revelation she had been trying to convince her daddy to teach her more about how to defend herself. Unfortunately, he was so against the idea that he barely listened to her pleas.

"Hey, Jiayi!" Ty Lee said as she entered her favorite diner.

"Hello, dear," Jiayi smiled in return as she rushed passed with a tray of food. "Go ahead and have a seat, I'll be right back!"

"It's okay," Ty Lee waved. "Daddy asked me to meet him here. Has he shown up yet?"

"Afraid not. He shouldn't be too long though. If I remember right, this is about the time he gets off duty at the Bei Fong's, isn't it?"

Ty Lee planted herself at the counter wondering what her father could possibly want to see her about. Perhaps she had finally worn him down and he would listen to her request! No likely, but a girl could hope. What was bothering her most about the situation at the moment was that he had started her training years ago by teaching her how to use pressure points, but he had never continued the lessons. Why teach her only a minimal amount of self defense and not elaborate? Did he want her to continuously need rescuing? Did he even realize how helpless that made her feel?

Ty Lee was so engrossed in her thoughts that she did not hear the ringing of the bell as the diner door opened a few feet away from her. As the door pushed open, two men in business suits stepped in along with a young lady in tow. Upon noticing Ty Lee sitting at the counter just inside the door, the girl shouted in surprise.

"It's her!"

This got not only Ty Lee's attention, but the attention of just about everyone in the diner. Ty Lee turned just in time to see the girl charging towards her and the two men in suits. Instantly, she leaped from her seat and attempted to hold the girl off. As the girl lunged for her, Ty Lee grabbed her arm and dug her free hand's fingers into the pressure point between the girl's shoulder and collar bones.

"Hey!" one of the men screamed as the girl dropped to one knee. "

"Wait wait wait!" the girl cried out. "This is all just a misunderstanding!"

Before things could escalate any further, Jiayi was standing between everyone. She was not sure what she was going to do, but thankfully nothing was necessary. It was at this time that Kuzon stepped calmly into the diner and took in the whole situation.

"Enough!" he stated firmly as he strode passed the two men. "Ty Lee, this is not what you think it is." He pulled Ty Lee's grip loose and helped the young lady to her feet.

"Sorry," the girl said. "That was my fault. I just got so excited about finally meeting you after all this time that I guess I couldn't help myself."

"Why would you be so excited about meeting me?" Ty Lee asked, suspicion in her voice.

"Let us all sit down and calm ourselves first, Ty Lee," Kuzon said. "I can explain everything."

So it came to be that Ty Lee found herself sitting in a booth with her daddy and these three strangers. The two men looked like something straight out of a military secret service movie while the girl look a little more . . . plain. She was dressed in casual clothes, much the same as Ty Lee would have been wearing if she had not been out for a run. Short cropped hair fell along the frame of her face until it stopped at the smile that looked like it had been plastered there since she laid eyes on Ty Lee.

"Okay, Daddy, what's going on?" Ty Lee demanded. With all of the dangers about right now, she could not help but be worried about who these people were. Jiayi had mentioned men in suits coming to look for her before and with the Fire Lord running around Ty Lee was not about to trust people she did not know.

"Ty Lee, I would like you to meet Ella," her father introduced.

"Ella Rose," the girl beamed as she reached across the table to shake Ty Lee's hand. "I've wanted to meet you ever since these guys told me about you!"

"And just what did they tell you?"

"That you're perfect for my song!" Ella said excitedly.

"Back up," Ty Lee said, shaking her head. "What song? What are you talking about?"

"Allow me, please," one of the two men said. "We represent a recording studio. Ms. Rose here is an up and coming song writer. She came to us with a song that we believe is going to be the next big hit, but-"

"But no one is willing to sing a song that a kid wrote," Ella sighed. "I'd do it myself, but I don't exactly have all that much confidence about going up in front of people and singing."

"And what makes you think that I sing?" Ty Lee fished.

"We were here during a celebration," the second man spoke up. "Some kind of party? And engagement or something? You sang The Book of Love and we haven't been able to think of any voice better suited for Ms. Rose's song."

"These people would like you to sing Ms. Rose's song for their record studio, Ty Lee," Kuzon summed up.

Sing a song. For a recording studio.

"You mean you want me to sing? Professionally?"

"That has always been your dream," Kuzon smiled. "I believe this is a good opportunity for you."

"My dream," Ty Lee echoed.

She could just picture it. Standing on a stage surrounded by thousands of people all waiting to hear her. All of them with their eyes on her as she sings and dances and fills them with a happiness that she can give them. A way to make so many people feel joy and happiness that would also make her feel the same. She could live her dream. There was only one thing.

"My friends," she said quietly. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can do this."

"What?" Ella asked with disappointment. "What do you mean? Why not?"

"Ty Lee, may I have a word with you?" Kuzon asked politely as he ushered her out of the booth. "Please give us just a moment."

Ty Lee allowed her daddy to bring her up to the counter and sit her down. She did not protest in the slightest as he began to speak.

"What is going on, Ty Lee?" he asked. "This is what you have always wanted."

"I know you know, Daddy," Ty Lee said. "You know what's going on right now. You know what everyone is doing and what could happen."

Kuzon nodded quietly.

"I do," he admitted. "I also know that it is not your responsibility. No one is asking you to fight."

"That's just it!" Ty Lee groaned. "You don't get it at all, do you? My friends are all risking their lives to stop someone who's trying to hurt everyone. Everyone. Tophy and Azula are going to stand up and fight. I can't just sit back in comfort while they do. That's why I want you to teach me again!"

"You must understand that it is my duty to protect you," Kuzon told her. "I would never be able to live with myself if I allowed something to happen to either you or Toph."

"But you're still going to let her fight," Ty Lee pointed out.

"I have no say in stopping her," Kuzon answered. "I do have a say in stopping you."

"I am not going to watch while they risk everything!" Ty Lee told him. "I will protect them no matter what you say. I'm tired of being the weak one. I'm tired of being the one who needs protecting. I'm not asking you to teach me how to defend myself. I'm demanding you teach me how to protect my friends!"

Kuzon could only stare into his daughter's eyes. There was so much fire and determination there. Sadly, regardless of determination, there was less than a week to teach her. It would not matter how well he taught even if he did concede. It would be entirely dependent on the kind of student that she would be. However, if he did not teach her, he knew that she would join the battle anyway. He could tell when he was defeated.

"You must promise me something," Kuzon said. "If you are ever caught in a situation that is too much for you, if your life is truly in danger of being lost, you must run."

"Daddy, I can't-"

"You. Must. Run," he ordered with tears in his eyes. "Promise me that. I do not think I could survive losing you as I lost your mother."

Ty Lee could not answer. She could feel the lump of emotion in her throat and the tears welling in her eyes, but they were not enough to derail her thoughts. She had to fight. She had to protect her friends with everything she had. She swallowed both her fear and her father's as she nodded in agreement to his request.

"I promise," she finally managed to say.

"Then I will teach you," he smiled sadly. "But before we can move forward, I believe that you owe Ms. Rose an answer."

The two of them did their best to compose themselves by wiping away their tears and clearing their throats. It was painfully obvious to the both of them the kind of emotions that they were trying and failing to hide as they walked back towards the booth. Then they laughed at their own pitiful attempts to hide the fear.

"Did we miss a good joke?" Ella asked as they sat. Ty Lee shook her head and laughed again.

"I'm sorry about that," she began. "Look, I've got a lot of really big stuff going on in my life right now."

"I understand," Ella sighed.

"I really would like to sing your song though," Ty Lee told her. "Do you think you could maybe ask me again? In about a week or so?"

Ella's face lit up all over again. She grabbed hold of Ty Lee's hand and shook it furiously.

"I would be more than happy to ask you again!" she agreed. "And I hope you're ready for it when I do! As much as you want to sing my song, I'm dying to hear it even more!"

"Alright then!" Ty Lee grinned as she returned the handshake with just as much enthusiasm. "I'll see you in about a week and we can try this again!"

A/N: I know it's late and short, but I had minor surgery yesterday and didn't feel much like working. Next chapter staring Sokka and Suki! What are they doing to prepare for the upcoming battle?