"Hey Jee." The Lieutenant heard a voice behind him. It was Three-Finger-Fin approaching with drinks in his hands. He joined the officer along the eastern wall of courtyard where all of the lower ranked officers had congregated for the gala.

"Fin." Jee said as the young private handed him one of the drinks. He took a sip. "Where have you been?"

"I had trouble with parking. Finally managed to find a space out back. And the guards kept hassling me about." Fin answered taking a sip of his drink before continuing. "Luckily they didn't search the carriage."

"Well thats a relief." Jee said. He took another drink. "Anything to report?"

Fin shrugged. "Couple of guards in the back door. Three, along with I think seven watching the outer perimeter. I think I saw some Archers on the roof."

"Yuyan?"

"I don't think so." Fin replied before taking another drink. "Its pretty guarded, but not tightly secured. A couple sneaky boys could get in with some time and planning."

Jee nodded before taking a drink once again. "Nice."

"I also saw General Hung on my way here. I think he arrived shortly before we did."

"He's the one who lives here. He and his family." Jee corrected causing Fin to choke on his drink.

"Wait, I thought Zhao took over the town."

"Oh he did. Just with General Hung's help." Jee explained.

It seemed odd they were doing this. Checking out the security detail for this party, intelligence gathering. He had done his own part, talking with some of the other officers, trying to prod them for any relevant information to little success. It seemed almost treasonous to do so. They were in fact, conspiring against their fellow countryman. He should've tried talking to the Prince about this plan, and about his grudge against Commander Zhao. Then again, he would've had to deal with Lori as well. And he wasn't really feeling suicidal yet.

"Anyway, whats up with everyone else?" Fin asked.

"Well Prince Zuko went off to mingle, if you can believe it."

"I don't, but continue."

"I think General Iroh went to some meeting of sorts. Lori went with him, for protection I assume, and Su went with her. For some reason." Jee answered to the best of his capabilities.

"What about Yao?"

"Yao has gone rogue." Jee said simply as he pointed toward a small crowd which had gathered in front of them. It was then Zhao appeared and took notice of the, distraction.

"Uh oh." Jee said as he quickly finished his drink and set it down.

"Abort mission." Fin followed suit.

Zhao approached the crowd with an annoyed expression on his face. It was the mayors wife who first took notice of him and she immediately grew nervous.

"Commander Zhao." She welcomed.

"What is going on here!?" He questioned. He didn't like that his gala was being distracted by this eyesore of a crowd.

"Forgive me, but this Lieutenant was just telling us about, uh..." She went blank and turned back to Yao. "How do you do it again."

Yao downed his drink. "So you hold its neck back, like so-" He explained as he demonstrated on one of the officers in the crowd.

"-insert the knife beneath the jaw. Theres gonna be a good amount of blood. Now don't let that bother you, have a bucket close by for all the blood, the innards and feathers... you might also want to wear gloves just incase, to prevent disease. Now, when it comes to pig-chickens..."

Zhao just starred at the man so confused before slowly backing away and returning inside to the manor.

Jee and Fin stood by watching the entire thing with such surprise. Yao managed to disturb Zhao enough to get him to retreat. "The mad man." Fin commented.

"I need another drink." Jee said.

"Right behind you."

To his surprise, Zuko felt a pair of arms wrap around him in a warm hug. It wasn't unwelcome, it was just unexpected.

"Zuko, its so good to see you again. It's been too long. Since we last saw each other." She said as she held onto him. As Zuko slowly snapped out of his shock, he began to close his arms around her, resting his hands on her elbows. He heard purr with gratitude.

"There he is. You haven't changed all that much." She said as she finally pulled away from the Prince.

"Jia!" Zuko exclaimed as his brain recognized the face of his old friend. He almost didn't recognize her in the bright red dress and golden ear rings and necklace.

"He does speak!" Jia exclaimed, giggling to herself.

Zuko finally manages to crack a smile and begins chuckling as well. "I'm sorry. Its just, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Oh! Am I not good enough take part in such festivities as this big fancy, 'gala'? Is that what you big, fancy, royals call it?" She joked making Zuko laugh more. "What, is 'party' not fancy enough for you? You made up the word gala to further distance yourselves from us lowly peasants."

They continued to laugh some more before finally calming down from their mockery. Zuko's spirits lifted exponentially from his short time with Jia. For a minute they just stood there starring at each other and smiling.

"Its so good to see you again Zuko." Jia says with such a warm smile on her.

"Its good to see you too." Zuko says back, feeling genuinely good for the moment. "How have you been?"

"I've been good." Jia answers and crosses her arms. "I might still be a little bitter from when you cheated in our sword fighting match at Master Piandao's."

Zuko was immediately on the defensive as though they had been arguing about this for years. "I did not cheat! I won that match fair and square."

"You had private lessons with Piandao." She argued.

"Didn't you live at his castle for a over a year; before we even met?" Zuko countered.

"So did you?"

"For only two months to finish my training. Its not my fault your not a true swords master."

Jia's expression dropped from the insult, but then turned into an arrogant smile as she placed a finger on Zuko's chest. "Oh don't you dare. I ate some bad rice that morning and you know it. Because that would've been the only way you could have beaten me!" She accused.

"You did not eat tainted rice."

"That sounds like someone who would taint someone, (who is clearly better then you in swordsmanship, and better looking then you)'s rice would say."

"I did NOT taint your rice!" Zuko claimed.

"Cheater,who,taints,their,superiors,rice,early,in,the,morning,before,a,sword,match,says,what?" She said as she cupped her ear to better hear Zuko's response.

"I am not falling for that. Again." Zuko states.

After a short pause the two begin to laugh once more, much to the annoyance of the other guests around them. When they finally calm down they're both smiling again, however that changes when they hear the other partygoers complaints about their banter.

"Can't those two be rowdy elsewhere." One of the guests says quietly, but still loud enough that Zuko and Jia can hear. Their moods drop.

"This is a Gala after all, not some backwater tavern!" Another guest comments.

Zuko clenches his fist in frustration. He was just enjoying himself for once , but he can't even have that apparently.

"I swear, has the Prince become so uncivilized?" another asks.

"Banished Prince." another corrects.

Zuko was just about to turn around and demand they say those words to his face, or maybe shoot fire at them. Maybe then they would learn to keep their mouths shut, but before he can make a scene Jia takes his arm and leads him away from the crowd.

"Come on. Don't mind them. They're all just stuck up pricks." She says hoping to calm his mood as she pulls him away.

As they walk into the hall of the manor, Zuko's anger subsides. Neither of the teens lets go of the other.

"Don't worry about them Zuko, they're not worth your time." Jia says.

Zuko takes a deep breath letting the anger pass. "I'm just sick and tired of all this. Its not like I wanted to be striped of my title and banished."

"I know Zuko. None of us wanted that."

They remain silent for a moment as they walk further away from the courtyard and away the others. Zuko looks at her for a moment and she then looks up to him. She smiles.

"It is good to see you again Zuko." She says as she rested her head against him.

Zuko smiled at her. "Its good to see you too."

They turn the corner arriving in one of the outer halls.

"Man, I can't believe its been three years since we last saw each other."

Zuko's smile drops slightly, but Jia can notice it. He looks away, feeling as though his sudden mood will effect her. "Yeah well, believe me when I say its felt a lot longer for me."

"I can imagine."

"No you really can't." Zuko says harshly.

Jia doesn't take it to heart, she knows that he's been through a difficult time. Still, it does sting when he says that. Zuko immediately scolds himself for say it so harshly. He didn't mean to sour their mood and he most definitely didn't want to upset Jia. He considered her a dear friend. The last thing he would want to do is alienate yet another friend.

"I'm sorry. Its just that, I don't really want to talk about my banishment."

"I understand. Its a very touchy subject."

"Its not just that. Its just-" He pauses trying to find the right words. They pass through a large, intersecting hallway with a stone statue of an ostrich horse in the center. They climb up the stairs.

"I just hate it. I hate having been banished from my home. I hate having to chase around someone who went missing one hundred years ago. I hate being reminded of my failures everywhere I go."

"Are you talking about the Avatar?"

Zuko makes an irritated sound. Just mentioning him makes eye twitch. Upon reaching the top to a T-Intersection they turn left and continue down the hall.

"Yeah." Zuko answers bitterly. Jia nods.

"Is it true he's just a kid? Like a, kid kid?"

They finally stop and rest on balcony standing over the main courtyard.

Zuko groans in annoyance. "Yeah. Eleven or twelve give or take. And he still managed to escape me." He says leaning over the railing.

Jia walks up beside him. "Well, he is the last air bender. No one has faced an air bender in a hundred years. I doubt anyone would've been a match for him." She said.

"Thats not the point. I'm supposed to capture him and bring him back to the Fire Nation. It's the only way I can redeem myself and have my honor restored." Zuko takes a breath and then sighs. "Its the only way my father will welcome me back. And not see me as a failure."

Jia isn't sure what to see. Her heart feels heavy after all he's said to her, and she feels ashamed that she's unable to relieve him of such burdens. She places a hand on his forearm. Zuko turns to face her.

"At least your not alone." She states. "Your not alone Zuko. You've got your uncle. And Lori. And you have me too." She says as she slowly reaches to hold his hand.

The moment is interrupted when they hear boisterous laughter down below. When they look down to see the source of the sound, they see General Iroh by the buffet table and laughing with a group of soldiers. Not officers. Soldiers. They seemed to be having a great time despite the looks of disappointment coming from the other guests. It seemed odd how he envied his uncle's joy at this very moment. Then again his uncle was a simple man with simple taste. A pot of tea and good company, he'd prefer over all the luxuries in the world.

While he watched his uncle drink tea and laugh a question came to mind as he scanned the area. His uncle was by the buffet table. To the north was Jee and Three-Finger-Fin talking with a couple other lower ranking officers, hopefully gathering some information. After a quick search he spotted Yao on stage playing some rendition on the pipa, his fingers as fast as lightening on the string instrument all while having a stone cold expression on his face.

"I swear he's not even human." Zuko states as he watches the man play the pipa. He swears that the strings start smoking. However his thoughts return the question he first had. Where was Lori?

He starts throughly scanning the courtyard searching for his bodyguard. In the sea of red and crimson, he's hoping the find a spec of black, but there wasn't any. Not a single speck of black and white anywhere. He lifts himself up from the railing, checking and checking the area for any sign of her.

"Is something wrong?" Jia asks noticing Zuko's sudden going tense.

"Lori."

"Yes?"

"She went off with my uncle when we first got here." Zuko says.

Jia begins her scan of the courtyard as well but doesn't recognize anyone as Lori. "I'm not seeing her anywhere."

"Yeah thats what worries me." He says as he pushes himself off the railing and crosses his arms.

"Haven't you been training her in swordsmanship. I'd imagine she'd be alright."

"Thats not what I'm worried about." He says as he turns around and walks down the hall, beginning his for his missing bodyguard. This wasn't part of the plan. "She's quick to anger, and I'm worried she might've gotten pissed off by the wrong person."

Jia quickly backs off the railing and follows Zuko down the hall. "You don't really think thats the case do you? Doesn't seem like her to just get into fights with others."

"A lot has changed over the years." Zuko simply states.

Jia matches his speed to walk beside him. "Then tell me about it. Tell me whats happened in the past three years."

"Where is he?" Lori asked herself as she walked down the hall toward where the party was.

Iroh had left her and Su so that she could be given the privacy to dress. She had a near panic attack when she ran into the hidden door situation again but Su manage to save her form punching more holes into the wall by effortlessly find the hidden door. Since then they've been walking down hall after hall looking for Zuko. They had a plan that didn't involve splitting up, and yet that was the first thing that happened.

"I believe the General might have gone over to join the gala." Su said hoping that was the right answer. She hesitated for a moment, hoping that what she was about to say next wasn't going to break their already fragile partnership. "Would it be rude of me to imagine he made his way over to the buffet?"

They turned a corner just as two guards did the same now patrolling the hall from which they came from. Lori noticed how they leered at her as they passed by them. However she didn't notice that their gazes stayed on her as they walked down the hall. Ever since she changed out of her armor she had gotten all sorts of strange looks from passers by. It made her uncomfortable. She hated having to wear this dress.

"I'm not talking about my uncle, I'm talking about Zuko. Splitting up wasn't part of the plan."

Su nodded in understanding, however Lori didn't see it. "I thought splitting up was part of the plan. So that we could all gather information from different sources."

"Yeah, but Zuko wasn't supposed to go on his own. We were supposed to split into pairs. Jee and Yao, You and Uncle, and me and Zuko. Not only does this make things more difficult, with Zuko being separated, but its also a breach of protocol. He's not supposed to be alone in hostile territory."

"But, this town is now under the control of the Fire Nation. If anything, it would be a safe place for someone such as the Prince. At the very least the security should put you at ease."

"By hostile I meant Zhao. So long as we're on his turf, we're in hostile territory." Lori rolled her eyes at Su's suggestion. "And besides, do you really think its safe here? For us?" She referred to herself the crew of the ship.

"The Fire Nation took over this once free, Earth Kingdom town. Do you really think the people aren't harboring any anger against their, new masters. Do you really not think some of them aren't plotting some kind of attack? Because this party seems like the perfect target for an attack."

Su looked to where she could hear the music and the idle chatter of the many guests. She believed for every one Fire Nation citizen there were at least three who could fight. So if there were to be an attack, then they would be just fine. At least she hopped. "I imagine there are many people here who are capable ."

Lori scoffs at Su's suggestion. Of course she doesn't understand how things work where they come from. "Thats not the point! I'm his bodyguard! I'm supposed to be by his side and protecting him! I'm supposed to be with him where ever he goes! Thats how its always been!"

"Perhaps he too joined the gala? Which would mean he's in the courtyard along with everyone else." Su suggested.

Lori scoffs and continues walking down the hall. The last thing she wanted to do is go out there with all the Fire Nation officers and nobles that she couldn't stand. All of them were so arrogant, thinking so highly of themselves and ignorant of the people around them. She didn't want to be anywhere near them if she didn't have to.

"I will not go out there." Lori stated.

"Why not?" Su asked.

Lori stopped and Su did as well. Lori turned around and nearly shouted in Su's face. "Why do you think!? I'm WATER TRIBE!"

Lori scoffed and faced away from Su, crossing her arms and muttering to herself. "Uncle would sometimes have me attend high society events like these with him." Lori continued. "I know everything there is to know about high society, I couldn't stand being there. Everyone was always looking down on me because of who I was."

They walked further down the hall and turned a corner. They walked past the glass doors which led to a long, outdoor balcony overlooking the courtyard where the party took place. Lori stopped and watched the partygoers down below, all of them eating, drinking, and laughing amongst themselves without a care in the world. She barely noticed that Su stopped right beside her, but she didn't much care.

She finally managed to spot her elder drinking and laughing with a couple of ordinary soldiers much to the dismay to the other patrons. Lori smirked to herself, happy that her elder was enjoying himself, but mostly that the other stuck-up nobles were annoyed by his loud jovial laughter. At least one of us is enjoying the party. She sighed and rested her arms on the railing. She scanned the area but couldn't find her Prince anywhere. She grew more worried. Where are you Zuko?

"You wouldn't by chance happen to see Prince Zuko would you? Lori asked.

Su was caught off guard by the question but did a quick scan of the area, albeit not as thorough as Lori. "I'm sorry I don't. Nor do I see the General."

Lori raised an eyebrow at her. "He's right there. How do you not see him?" She said and pointed in the direction of the jovial laughter.

Upon seeing Iroh, Su felt embarrassed for not noticing him in the crowd. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't notice."

Lori sighed once again. Having Su by her side would just be a waste of time and she would only slow her down. It would be best if she continued her part of the mission on her own. Or at least until she could regroup with Zuko. She hoped.

"Su, why don't you just head down there with my uncle." Lori suggested which left Su slightly surprised.

"B, but why? Why do you want me to leave?" Su suggested. "If what you said, about hostile territory, is true I'd rather not leave you alone."

Lori narrowed her eyes at the older girl. She pushed herself off the railing and crossed her arms. "And what would you do?" She asked. "If we got ambushed right now what would you do?"

Su nearly cowered at the idea, knowing full well if that happened she would cower behind the younger teen, after all she was the one with the weapons. Nevertheless, Su kept a determined expression and raised her fists in front of her. She was determined to not cower under Lori's scrutinizing stare.

"You might not believe me, but I can raise some hell if I have too." She tried to convince the younger teen who she was sure had seen more battles in her short fourteen years, then she would see in the rest of her lifetime. She was also half-trying to convince herself. She had never been in a real fight. She was never much of a fighter to begin with.

Lori raised her eyebrow and taking a minute to look at Su's pathetic posture. She could come with a least five different ways to take her down in less then a minute. "You know what, you're right; I don't believe you."

"I'm serious Lori." Su, once again tried to put up a brave face. "If need be, I could handle myself in a fight."

Lori dropped her arms and came out of her relaxed stance which made Su nervous. "Hit me."

Su's entire facade dropped when she heard those words. "Wh, what?"

"You heard me, hit me!" Lori repeated, this time more so like an order.

Su tensed, but raised her fists once again and took a pseudo fighting stance. She mentally prepared for what ever Lori would do to her for when she felt failed in her attack. Even so, she tried thinking of a way to be able to actually land a hit on her. She believed if she could land one, it would be worth whatever hurt Lori would give her, and maybe, just maybe, she'd get some respect from this girl. She physically and mentally prepared herself for her attack on Lori, and then for her inevitable and painful retaliation. She revved up her fist, ready to strike the girl down, and hoping her attack would be fast enough to reach her instead of hard enough to hurt Lori. Not wanting to hurt Lori wasn't the issue, she just wanted to actually land a hit on her.

Su took a deep breath and threw her fist at Lori's face. It never landed. It didn't come close. Lori had caught her wrist before it even entered her personal space, and she was giving it quite the squeeze. Not only was she squeezing her wrist, but she also felt an uncomfortable ache in her belly. She looked down to see Lori had two of her fingers at her belly. If she had a knife in hand, she'd be dead. She looked back up to Lori and tried to pull away from Lori, but Lori just squeezed a little bit tighter. Su whimpered in pain as she surrendered to Lori's mercy.

"That was pathetic." Lori said as she finally let Su go.

Su took a step back and massaged her wrist. "I know." She replied pathetically, but she began to brighten when an idea came to mind. "Teach me!"

Lori looked surprised when she said that. "What?"

"Teach me how to fight!" She said excitedly. "I haven't been traveling with you for that long, but I've seen you train with Prince Zuko. I know how great a fighter you are! Teach me!"

Lori just stared at her as though she had lost her mind. She reached up to her temple and shook her head in an annoyed manner. "Su I don't have time to teach you anything. We're kinda have an important mission on our hands, and thats capturing the Avatar. I don't have time to teach you anything. And plus, you not in the best shape for fighting."

Su looked hurt at hearing that even though she knew it was true. "I can do better. I can get stronger. I'll get in better shape. I know I can."

Lori ended her plea. "This is not for discussion. Now go down with my uncle. I need to be alone for a while. If any guards give you trouble, drop my name and rank."

Su was disappointed but didn't argue. She turned around to make her way back the way they came from so she could rejoin the General. "Okay then. But please, think about." She pleaded before walking away.

Now left alone, Lori turned back to the crowd below watching all of the guests enjoying the fine food and fine drinks this little town had to offer, as well as whatever food and drink they brought from their homeland. She looked back to the small gathering of her elder and the soldiers he was with. They were having fun. She continued scanning the crowd with worry on her face. Where are you Zuko?

Someone started walking past her, but then stopped right behind her. She could tell whoever they were was staring at her. She rolled her eyes and tried to ignore them.

"Excuse me, do I know you?" A male voiced asked her. He sounded young.

Lori didn't bother looking at him. "I doubt it. Now please, I'd like to be left alone." She stated as calmly as she could.

"No no, yeah, I do. I do know you!" He said excitedly.

Lori sighed, although she had to admit, whoever this stranger was, he did sound familiar. "I'm sorry, but I don't feel like talking to anyone at this moment."

The young man scoffed in disbelief. "The least you could do is say hi. I mean we did feed turtle ducks, and to you, thats like some, scared ritual or something." He said more confidently.

Lori's eyes widened at the recognition. There were only a select few individuals she fed turtle ducks with and that list had only gotten smaller since she first discovered the little critters. She stood up and finally turned around to see the grin on her old friends face. "Jian?" She remembered the boys name. "Jian! How are you?"

The boy smiled and held his arms out. "Its good to see you Lori." He said as he approached her for a hug. She accepted the hug, her entire demeanor doing a one-eighty. "I'm doing great. Hoe have you been?"

She was happy to see her old friend. She pulled away from the hug and scoffed. "I've been better. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here because my old man was invited to this gala." Jian responded.

Lori nodded. "Ah, Colonel Shinu. I didn't even know he was here."

"He's with some of other high ranking officers in one of the other rooms." He said. "There having their own little private meeting I guess."

Lori rolled her eyes remembering when she was nearly trapped in one of the secret rooms. "Yeah, I bet he's doing some serious ass kissing while in there hoping to get a seat on the war council."

Jian pointed a finger at her. "Hey! If thats what it takes to make it to high admiral, then so be it. Just a long as his lips don't get so chapped."

"Because chapped lips is what makes it weird." Lori joked and the two laughed at their dumb joke.

As the two continued their laughing Lori could feel slight relief after everything thats happened today. First losing the Avatar, then not finding any leads, having to come to this stupid party, having to where this stupid dress, losing Zuko in the party, it was nice to laugh for once.

The two finally managed to settle down from their laughter but the smiles remained. "Man, its been awhile since we last saw each other." Jian said.

"Not since you finished your apprenticeship with my uncle." Lori added.

The two first met when Jian began to study military tactics under General Iroh, around the same time Zuko had left to Master Piando's castle to finish his training and become a master swordsman. Having no one else to talk to, she started conversing with the boy who followed her uncle around and the two became great friends. He was only a year older then her so its not like he was too old to play games. Iroh never minded.

"How's your uncle been?" He asked.

Lori pointed to down below where she had last seen the old retired general. "As you can see, he's doing well."

"You look great by the way. I don't think I've ever seen you in a dress before."

Lori scoffed. "Yeah well, thats because I don't wear dresses. They're not really my thing." She said as she brushed some of her hair back.

"Yeah, but you still look great. I mean wow." He commented not able to keep his eyes off her.

He was still starring at her in awe of her appearance, eyeing her up and down. He once remembered her as a fun loving, care free kid who had a bit of an obsession for the turtle ducks. Seeing her know, she had really grown since the last time he saw her, and in more ways then one. He had seen his fair share of girls in his time, but seeing Lori here before him, she was more beautiful then any of them. But then again he did have a bias, considering his crush on her.

He had yet to take his eyes off her, and it didn't take long for her to notice. She saw herself in the mirror, so she knew she looked, 'different', however she didn't expect it would cause this kind of reaction. It really weirded her out. She narrowed her eyes at him and felt the sudden urge to cover her breasts with her arms but she pushed it aside and instead snapped her fingers in his face to snap him out of his daze.

"Hey!" She said. "Quit perving out."

Jian returned to his sense quickly looked away. He rubbed the back of his neck as he felt his face heat up from embarrassment. He didn't mean to stare as much as he did. He really didn't. "I, I I wasn't stare, I wasn't-" He sputtered out words.

"You weren't just gawking at me!?" She scrutinized with a raised eyebrow and with her arms crossed.

"I, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to. It's just that you're..." His tongue was tied as he tried to come up with a word that wouldn't get him punched in the face. He didn't try and meet her scrutinizing gaze "... you're really, really pretty." He gave a nervous chuckle.

Lori kept looking at him she suddenly had to look away from him. She didn't want him to see the slight blush she had. She wasn't sure if he could even see it, but she was sure it was there and she wasn't going to risk it. "Thanks. I guess."

"Um, your welcome." he said nervously laughing again.

The silence continued to build, turning a nice, happy reunion of two old friends into a very awkward moment. She looked back at him and she had to admit, he had become more handsome since the last time she saw him, but she was never going to say that out loud.

Finally she decided to end the awkward moment, the only way she knew how, she hit him into the chest were his armor would protect him. "Ow!" He was pushed back by the sudden attack and looked up at her in shock. "What was that for!?"

"That was for perving out on me!" She said with a cocky attitude.

"I wasn't perving out on you!" His voice cracked as he tried to defend himself from the accusation. He noticed and clear his throat before trying to recover and trying to sound more mature. "I was just, uh, just admiring how much you, my good friend, had grown and matured since the last time I saw you."

"Uh huh." She said with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm serious." He defended before he gave a Fire Nation salute. "Fire Nations soldiers honor."

"Well I really appreciate that you think me growing breasts shows you how much I've 'grown' and 'matured' over the years." She said in a sardonic tone.

"Hey I didn't say anything about your breasts." He said pointing a wimpy finger at her. His face grew hot at the mention of her womanly parts and while a cocky grin grew on her face. "Your putting words in my mouth."

Lori snorted a chuckle. "Yeah. And I beat theres other things you'd like me to put in your mouth." Her eyes grew wide as a single loud laugh escaped her mouth. She tried to cover her mouth to prevent anymore laughter. She looked back up to Jian who seemed both disturbed, confused and looking like he wanted to laugh. She tried to stand straight but she doubled over trying to hold in the laugh.

"What the hell?" He question as a chuckle escaped from his mouth. Lori looked like she was going to lose and could see tears building in her eyes from holding in such laughter. "What are you implying?"

Lori looked up to him still with her hands to her mouth. When she spoke, her words were combined with laughter. "I don't know. It sounded much funnier before I said it out loud." more laughs escaped that she couldn't hold in.

Jian started laughing out loud too, unable to hold them in. The laughing hurt his insides, he had to hold onto the railing to keep himself standing.

"i don't even know what to say to that." He managed to voice before continuing to laugh.

After a few more minutes of laughter the two young teens finally managed to settled down but the smiles remained on their faces. They looked at each other with a shared sense of gratitude that the awkwardness had finally passed.

"Well now, that went exactly as planned." Jian joked.

"Uh huh. I hope for the sake of your bloodline that you don't greet your other lady friends. the same way." She mocked and then tried to stand up straight and tilted her gaze downward. Jian caught on real quick that she was impersonating him as if he were starring at a girls breasts. "Great to see you. My how you've, 'grown' and, 'matured' since I last saw you."

Jian started laughing again as she did. "I do not do that." He defended himself.

Lori relaxed and returned her gaze to him. "Yes you do."

"Only to you because your special." He tried to joke, not realizing the implications of such a statement.

"That sounds worse!" Lori laughed.

It took a minuted for Jian to understand. "No no no! Thats not what meant! Shit!" He tried to reason but they both only laughed harder. "Thats not it! Damn it! You did this to me! You created this monster!"

The two continued laughing for a shorter time and finally managed to calm down. Despite the awkwardness, Lori was grateful for this. She hadn't laughed this much in such a long time.

Jian finally composed himself enough to get out one final statement. "Okay look, I am not a perv, and I don't stare at girls creepily."

Lori nodded. "Okay you don't. Just me." She tried again, but Jian wasn't having it.

"No! Stop it! I don't. Especially not you."

"Because I can kick your ass."

Jian took a moment before pointing a finger at her. "Yes. Thats one reason why. And please stop it we're not doing this again."

Lori rolled her eyes but obliged. "Okay fine, I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Jian said giving a sigh of relief. "So anyway, how have you been? Hows my friend been these past few years?"

Lori scoffed as she crossed her arms. "Busy. Really busy. And exhausted."

Jian took a step closer to her. "Come on. I can't imagine it must be that difficult, just sailing around the world with Prince Zuko and taking in all the sights."

"You make it sound like we're on vacation and not on a hunt." Lori said annoyed. "And we're not just taking in the sights. Everyday we're having to plot courses, we're training, planning, investigating last known locations, questioning the locals, all in the hopes that we can catch up to the Avatar."

"Right." Jian said almost uncomfortably. "The Avatar."

Lori had an angry scowl on her face. "Yeah. That son of a bitch, has been a thorn in our side since the South Pole." She said as she started walking off as though she were on a hunt.

Jian quickly followed. "Hey wait! You went back to the South Pole?" He questioned.

Lori looked to him with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah. Thats where we found the Avatar. Didn't you read the report?"

Jian rubbed the back of his neck. "I uh, kinda skimmed over it." He said embarrassed. Lori rolled her eyes. "But is he really just a kid? The Avatar?"

Lori sighed disappointedly. "Yes. He's like eleven or twelve or something."

Jian was taken aback by this. He did read that part in other reports, that the Avatar was just a child but it was still unbelievable. "Man I can't believe that he's just kid."

"Don't remind me."

"I'm sorry. Its just jarring to me." The news really struck him, however seeing the look on Lori's face made him change the topic. Although this might be something difficult for her to answer as well.

"Well since you were in the South Pole, did you ever see you family?" He asked which caught Lori off guard. "You are from the South Pole right?"

Lori remained silent, but she felt angry. Her family. They were the reason they still searching for the Avatar. If they hadn't gotten involved they would've made it back to the Fire Nation by now. The thought of Katara and Sokka made her clench her fists, but her thoughts then went to the day they first arrived at the village.

Sokka had attacked them, being the only able man in the village (and that was putting it lightly), and Katara was with their Grandmother. But where was her mother. Out of all the faces she saw that day, not one looked like her mothers. She still wondered if maybe she just didn't recognize her or maybe she just so happened to be away that day. Perhaps she was visiting one of the other villages. For a second she humored the idea that maybe her mother left to rescue her so many years ago.

"No." Lori answered. "We didn't see them."

Jian was actually surprised. "Really? But I thought, you know, you are from the South pole and..."

Lori interrupted and continued the lie. "We didn't go to my village." Lori turned to Jian who had confusion plastered on his face. Before he could ask, she elaborated. "The Southern Water Tribe isn't one big tribe like the Northern Tribe. They're mostly small villages scattered around the South Pole."

Although Jian finally understood, he was still confused by her explanation. Mostly because it didn't make sense to him that they were all separated, instead of being one unified tribe.

"That still doesn't make sense to me though. Wouldn't being, you know, together make them stronger?"

Lori sighed. "You'd think that wouldn't you. The South had many struggles over the years probably even before any of us were born."

Jian nodded. "Maybe. So what happened after you left the South Pole. I heard you had a run in with Zhao."

Lori raised her eyebrow. "Where did you here that?"

"I have a buddy who was stationed at that Earth Kingdom harbor. He sent me a message saying that one day Prince Zuko arrived for repairs."

Lori sighed once again. "So you heard about that?"

Jian smiled. "Yeah. But I wanna hear it from you." He said which made Lori roll her eyes. "What kinda trouble did you guys get into?"

Lori gave a soft giggle. "Well where to begin..."

"I still can't believe you nearly burned down Kyoshi Island?" Jia said as she walked along side Zuko.

"It wasn't my intention, but I did warn them what would happen if they fought us." Zuko said then stopped to turn to Jia to add to his point. "And to be fair, they attacked us first."

He said before turning back in the direction he was going. Jia followed behind him. They had made searched most of the second floor but couldn't fine any sign of Lori, much to Zuko's annoyance. He didn't understand how a fourteen year old Water Tribe girl in unique black with white trim armor didn't stand out in a sea of Fire Nation red. They searched all over but he couldn't find her and he wasn't sure whether to be worried for her the other people here. There was also Zhao, but there no way in hell he'd ever be worried for Zhao.

"I mean, you still didn't have to burn the village down. Were there even any Earth Benders?"

Zuko sighed, remembering the fight that occurred on the island very vividly. "No. But that didn't mean they couldn't put up a fight." He said, rubbing what Jia noticed to be a faint bruise on his neck.

"Oh so thats what it was. I just thought you were playing a little ruff with a, certain lady friend." Jia joked with a knowing smirk.

Zuko's eyes went wide when she said that and felt the heat rising in his cheeks. "What!? No shut up!" He exclaimed while Jia giggled from his embarrassment.

"You know what your right, I'm sorry. It's not like you can get much fun in the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom Colonies anyway."

Zuko grunted annoyed and turned away from. "Why do you always feel the need to tease me!?" He complained.

Jia stopped giggling but kept the smile as she walked around him so she could face him. "Because Its fun, and you know you like it." She simply explained.

Her smile slowly began to disappear when she saw he was genuinely upset. She reached out to him, touching his arm. "Zuko I didn't mean anything. You know I was just playing."

Zuko huffed a sigh and looked up to face her and saw the sad look on her face. "I know. Its not you." He said as he turned around, to face the party crowd down below.

He felt a bitter sense rising in him seeing all these people, so arrogant and pompous because of their status or lineage. He despised them all. Why did they get to enjoy their luxuries and return home while he was forced out of his home and ostracized for by the very people who were supposed to love and cherish him. They all disgusted him, with their snobby and self-important attitudes, flaunting their new clothes and jewelry and wealth.

The irony of it all was he wasn't blind to his own hypocrisy because he wanted nothing more in the world to just return home to his lavish life style or being a prince where his only concern was Fire Bending and deciding what he wanted the chef's to cook for that evening. And of course making sure Lori stayed out of trouble. He missed the days of living in Royal Palace with servants at his beck and call and with no other responsibilities other then his training and learning to be a good future Fire Lord. It was a boring and eventful life, but he had Lori to make things interesting. The one person who was always at his side, long before his banishment. He wondered just how much longer she would remain at his side.

"You still in there?" Jia's voice pulled his from his thoughts. "You seemed to be in deep thought."

He hadn't even realized he had spaced out and was resting against the railing. Jia was close next to him with her arm around his. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking."

Jia tilted her head. "About what?"

"How much I wish I had taken my uncle's advice seriously and kept my mouth shut." He said with a saddened and longing expression. Jia looked at him with such a surprised look on her face. "If I hadn't spoken out of turn during that war meeting then I wouldn't be out here, I'd still be back home. Instead I'm banished and have to take on an impossible task while everyone mocks and laughs at me. I just feel powerless to do anything."

Jia's heart ached seeing him like this. He looked so tired and defeated. This wasn't the Zuko she knew. He was only sixteen and yet he looked like an old man whose years had worn him down. She wished there was something she could've done to help him.

Jia rested her head on his shoulder as they watched the crowed below. She hoped this little sign of affection could help his aching heart. "I wish I could just come back home." She heard him say as she felt him rest his head on hers.

"So do I."

They remained together in silence for a short moment. They didn't want this quiet moment between them to end. The banter of the crowd below and the music that played seemed to bring them both at ease, but very quickly Jia's composer began to falter as that fateful day came to mind.

She was there in the crowd the day of the Agni Kai. Her father forbade her from going, but she snuck in anyway to see. The second she recognized his opponent as the Fire Lord was the moment she had lost all hope. Seeing Zuko on the ground pleading for mercy made her heart sink as tears fell from her eyes. She squeezed Zuko's arm, remembering the cries for mercy and pain.

"Whats wrong?" She heard him ask as he placed his hand over hers. "Are you okay?"

She pulled away from him. She turned to in his direction but she didn't look at him. "I'm sorry. Its just... I was there when it happened."

Zuko seemed confused for a moment, but when she looked up to look him in the eyes, at his scar, he realized what she meant. "I was there, and I couldn't do anything."

"Jia there was nothing you could have done." Zuko tried to comfort her placing an arm on her shoulder. "There wasn't anything anyone could have done."

Jia sighed knowing he was speaking the truth. An Agni Kai was a sacred duel for honor. And she wasn't a Fire Bender but that was beside the point. She still hated herself for not trying to help in some way, anything to have prevent all of this.

"I know. But I still feel guilty. I just sat there and watched you get burned like it was a show." She lifted her hand and slowly reached out to him. "I wish I could've done something. Anything to save you from this." She said as she reached out to touch his scar.

She heard so many people mention his scar before. They all sounded disgusted by it, and mocked him for it, but she didn't see it that way. She wanted to show him that it didn't bother her, and wanted to make him feel loved. Before she made contact however, Zuko stopped her by catching her hand.

"Please don't." Zuko asked of her gently.

Jia's surprise past as she then pulled her hand back when Zuko let go. She looked away from him not wanting to meet his gaze even though she knew he wasn't angry or upset with her. "I'm sorry."

"Its okay." Zuko said and reached up to touch his scar. "Its just, somethings are still hard to deal with."

She understood. But still, she hoped he didn't think she was trying to mock him in some way. "I understand." She looked up to meet his gaze again. "But it doesn't mean anything to me. Your still the same prince to me, no matter what these people or the Fire Lord say."

Their moment was interrupted when a guard approached them. For a second Zuko thought it was meant for him but he was wrong. "Miss Jia, Colonel Shinu has asked for you."

Jia gave a disappointed sigh. She didn't want to leave Zuko, and she definitely didn't want to go back to her father. "Okay. I'll be right there."

"He says its urgent you meet with him at once." The guard pressed.

Jia turned back to the guard. "I said, I'll be right there!" She snapped at the guard who was pestering her. He gave a bow and walked off.

Jia sighed and turned back to Zuko. "I'm sorry, I have to go."

"I understand."

"Can we talk later?"

"Of course." He said offering a smile.

She didn't return the smile. She took one step in the direction the guard went but then quickly turned back to Zuko and kissed him. She had been wanting to kiss him for a very long time ever since the day of the Agni Kai, but she just never got the chance. The day she heard of his recovery was the same day she heard he was banished and had left for his quest to hunt down the Avatar. She regretted not saying anything sooner.

Zuko was left stunned from this. Jia, his good friend, had kissed him. When she pulled away from him, he was left in shock. He had never been kissed like this before. The look on her face when she pulled back seemed to say so much and yet so little about what the kiss meant. He didn't know what to say or do, but she had already turned around and left without saying another word.

"Wait so you guys burned down Kyoshi Island?" Jian asked.

"We might have lit a few homes on fire which ended up spreading wildfires, but that wasn't our fault." Lori defended. "Besides, the Avatar used the Unagi to put out the fires."

Jian was left confused. "What the hell is an Unagi?"

"Some giant eel-like sea-creature that can shoot water from its mouth." She answered.

"Were there any cute girls on Kyoshi." He asked.

Lori smirked. "None of them were your type."

Jian scoffed. "How would you know? You don't know my type."

"Let me rephrase it then. You aren't any of their type."

"Wow. Harsh."

They stopped once again. Lori rested against the railing and watched the crowd down below. She still couldn't stop wondering where Zuko was, but it was in her nature to worry for him. She gave a deep sigh.

"You look tired." Jian said leaning against the railing beside her.

Lori rolled her eyes. "I thought we already established its because I am."

"Okay then. Well why are you tired?" He asked.

Lori looked at turned to him and then back to the crowd below. "I'm tired of this mission. I'm tired of having to chase the Avatar to who knows where. And I'm sick and tired of other peoples bullshit!"

Jian's eyes went wide at her snapping, but didn't interrupt as Lori continued her rant. "Everywhere we go, all we ever hear from people is how much of a failure we are. We're trying are damnedest to find the Avatar, we've worn ourselves down to the bone, and all anyone ever does is mock us!"

Lori's eyes narrowed down at the people below, as though their mere presence disgusted her, although Jian could imagine that thats how the people down there looked at her. He had seen those looks before along time ago. And it was clear she wasn't oblivious to them.

"Disgraced, banished prince." She repeated with such venom. "Kiss my ass! I don't care what they say about me, but they have no right to talk about Zuko like that."

There it was. Jian realized that her anger was more so because of what everyone said about Zuko. He had heard all of those things, all of the insults and the rumors. He understood why Lori would get so upset.

"You seem to care for him a lot don't you." Jian said.

Lori wondered what he was trying to get at, for moment, she almost mistook him for one one of the snobby officers who only ever pestered them. "Of course. I'm his bodyguard, kinda comes with the job."

"Thats not what I meant." Lori looked at him in confusion wondering what exactly he was implying, but he didn't seem malicious. He just seemed like a concerned friend. "You really care for him don't you?"

Lori remained silent for a moment, the pause seeming to answer the question for him. He wasn't sure whether to be upset or not by that fact. "Of course. He's my best friend. And I know he cares about me too."

Jian nodded. He had heard a thing or two about Prince Zuko and Lori's trials over the years. The one thing that always stood out to him was that they were always together. And in a situation such as theirs, it was good to be with someone you could trust.

"I'm sure he does." Lori looked at him with a raised eyebrow, unsure what he was implying. "Its good that you have someone who cares about you to watch your back. I bet when you fought those Kyoshi warriors you had them on the ropes."

Lori snort a laugh. "Yeah I suppose."

Jian rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly unsure as to how to proceed. "Look Lori." She turned to him. "I get that you feel like you guys are alone, and that the whole world is against you, but thats not true."

She looked up to see the sincere look on his face. He lifted his hand and hesitated on where to place it before he placed it on her shoulder. "Not everyone in the world hates you. You've got people who care about you."

Lori found his words comforting but it didn't really help how she felt. She had never seen those people. "That easy for you to say. Your Fire Nation. These are your people. No matter what my uncle or Zuko say or do, I'm still an outsider, a freak. I'm still water tribe."

"Its never bothered me." he said as he gave her shoulder a squeeze. Realizing what he had said and done. He pulled his hand away and rubbed the back of his neck as he felt heat rise in his cheeks. "Um, and I bet its never bothered General Iroh, and Zuko, and that one lady who was always around you in the Royal Palace."

At the mention Lori suddenly felt sad. She missed Mei Lein. It had been so long since she last heard from her. "I appreciate it Jian, I do. You're a good friend, but not everyone shares your opinion. In my experience your either one of them or-" She pointed to the crowd below. "-your nothing. And thats exactly what I am to them, nothing."

Jian was saddened by her words. He at least hope she didn't think he agreed with that sentiment. Before he could voice his opinion a guard approached them asking for him. "Sir, Colonel Shinu has asked for you to return."

Jian gave a sigh before turning to the guard. He really didn't want to go back to his father. "Alright fine. I'll be right there. Just give me a second."

"Colonel Shinu says its urgent." The guard implored.

"I said give me a second. Jeez get off my ass!" He argued. The guard finally gave a bow, turned around and left

Jian turned back to Lori with a disappointed look. He opened his mouth to say something but the right words just couldn't form.

"You should go." Lori said much to the Jian's disappointment. "You don't want to keep your dd waiting."

Jian closed his mouth and gave a nod. He turned around and started walking away but stopped and turned back to her to give his last words. "Just so you know you always be something to me." He said smile before turning back and following the guard.

Lori watched him disappear before turning back to watch the crowd below. She once again found her elder along with Su amongst the crowd. They seemed to be having a good time. Good for them. She thought to herself. At least they were enjoying themselves. She still wondered where Zuko was. She hadn't seen him all day and she worried. She wouldn't be able to think straight or come up with a plan if she didn't know if he was okay or not. Then she found him.

She looked up to see what was across from. Her eyes widened in recognition. Across from her at another balcony was Zuko. He was with some woman. Lori's eyes narrowed as she maneuvered to get a better look. Once she got a better, look she saw that the person Zuko was with wasn't a woman, but Jia, Jian's older sister. Lori cringed when she saw her. Questioned began to swim through her mind. What was she doing here? Why was she here? Why was she with Zuko? But above all else the question raised. What the hell has Zuko been doing this entire time?

And then it happened. She was just about to march over there when she saw Jia force herself on him and kiss him. Lori's went wide. Seeing Jia kissing her best friend made her grip on the railing tighten even more till her knuckles turned white. Jia finally pulled away from Zuko. The kiss only lasted maybe four seconds, but to Lori, seeing it seemed to last hours. Her eyes narrowed in anger. Here she was worrying about his well being and there he was making out with some tramp.

When Jia finally walked off leaving Zuko alone, but Lori still remained in her spot. You could have told me you were going off to make out with your little girlfriend Zuko! She thought to herself. She was so angry about what had just transpired she didn't even realize that someone was now standing behind her.

"Well well, I hope you've been enjoying yourself." She recognized Commander Zhao's voice immediately.

She pushed down the need to vomit. First seeing Jia kiss Zuko and now this. She didn't bother coming up with a response.

"Its a wonderful sight isn't it?" He asked looking down at the crowd pf partygoers celebrating. "You should be honored to among such nobility. Not everyone is as fortunate as you." Lori rolled her eyes.

"If I may ask, I would very much liked to discus things with you in private. Pertaining to your hunt for the Avatar of course." He asked.

Lori closed her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was be alone in a room with Zhao. However she couldn't ignore the fact that this could be a good opportunity for her. Maybe she could learn what his plans were after all this was over. And whatever intel he had on the Avatar.

She stepped back from the railing and turned to face Zhao who always held a cocky smirk on his face. "Lead the way."