HELLO MY LOVELIES!

WHO MISSED ME? Cause I know I missed you guys! Thank you all for reading and following and all that while I was gone, and I'm sorry I was gone for so long.

So on my way home from work a few days ago I was listening to my Spotify, and randomly, a song by Christina Perri came on. It was one of the main songs I listened to when I first began writing You Are Fire, and it got me thinking about all those ideas for YAF I used to have. So now I'm back!

So, my writing skill has improved a lot in my opinion. I hope you all agree. I'm a lot better at writing personalities, and after rereading Book 2 I wish I could go back and rewrite it. I guess I could, but luckily it wasn't that far into when I stopped. I probably will, however, rewrite the Lost Adventures. We can worry about that later.

Now, here in the long awaited next chapter of You Are Fire: Book 2!

Happy Reading!

AVATAR DAY

ALICE POV

So this morning sucked. I woke up early, hoping to head to the river to get in a refreshing bath. I still felt like smelled like swamp, and let me just say that that is not a pretty smell. I had just gathered up all my thing when the Rough Rhinos so rudely and aggressively showed up.

"Give up! You're completely surrounded!" The head Rhino guy with the crazy feather, ponytail/mohawk yelled.

"Seriously, you have got to be kidding me," I yelled before starting to run.

Sokka jumped out of his sleeping bag and grabbed my arm, "Come on! Come on! Come on!" We stumbled over to Appa as fast as we could. He lifted me up first before he crawled up to join me.

"Katara!" I yelled and pointed back to the stump she was sleeping next to earlier.

She had been running over to us, but quickly turned. "My scrolls," she gasped. Katara charging Big Spear Guy with a water whip. She froze the blade solid to the trunk, giving herself the opportunity to grab the box of scrolls.

Meanwhile, Aang had ran back to get his airbending staff. Bomb Guy threw a hand grenade at Aang. The Avatar swirled his staff, knocking the explosive out into the woods. Aang quickly airbent himself away from the blast and landed on Appa's head.

"Yip, yip," he called, urging Appa to fly.

"Guys, duck!" I grabbed Momo and covered him as Mohawk ponytail shot a fireball at us.

When Sokka looked up again he lunged to the edge of the saddle, "Wait, my boomerang!"

I grabbed his arms, "Sokka, don't!"

Katara agreed, "There's no time!"

Sokka glared at all of us, annoyed, "Oh, I see, so there's time to get your stuff, your scrolls, and Aang's staff, but no time for my boomerang?"

Katara smiled cheerfully, "That's correct!"

Sokka slumped, completely defeated by the totally honest answer, "Oh." He laid back against Appa's saddle and proceeded to pout.

I plopped down beside him, still holding onto Momo, "Don't worry, Sokka, you'll get it back."

"It's just unfair," he groaned but managed to relax next to me. "You guys have all your things."

"In all fairness, I had gathered my things to go bathe," I informed him. I blinked when I realized what I just said.

He blushed a little, "Oh, ah… okay. Well, still."

"I know, but I promise, ok," I tried to relax again and pushed his shoulder with mine. "Have I ever told you wrong?"

Sokka shook his head, "No." He didn't look very uplifted, though.

Katara smiled at us a little. When I noticed I moved away from Sokka and opened my bag for Momo. You wouldn't think it, but ever since I started letting Momo dig around in there my messenger bag has never been cleaner.

"What?" I mouthed at Katara.

"Nothing," she held up her hands in defense. "I'm just suddenly starting to agree with Aang."

Aang turned, "Agree with me about what?"

I glared at her and shook my head with a jerk. "Don't you dare!" I mouth again.

"Just that we are going to have to stop for more supplies," Katara improvised.

"I didn't say that," Aang called back, slightly confused. "I was thinking it though." then he looked over his shoulder with a somewhat worried look, "Hey, Katara, you can't read minds, can you?"

She laughed and played it off quite nicely, "No, sorry, I meant to say I agree with Alice, but I was looking at you. So your name just came out."

"Oh!" Aang straightened and tried to look manly, "no, problem. It's true we will need to find somewhere to get more supplies. Any ideas, guys?"

I looked around, "There should be a town around here, but just a warning, it's not going to be the funnest of visits."

"Noted, but we do need supplies." Katara nodded, "Go ahead, Aang, we can handle it."

"Okay, be right back," Aang shot up into the air with his staff for a even better bird's eye view. When he return he sat down on Appa's head, "I see a town up ahead of the cliffside. Does that sound right, Alice?"

"I'm pretty sure that's right." I nodded then patted Sokka's knee, "We will be able to replace everything, and I mean everything we've lost there."

He huffed, "There's no replacing my boomerang."

"Well, you'll be happy before we leave." I rolled my eyes at him before turning back to Aang and Katara, "Aang, let's head to that town."

"You got it," Aang hopped back over to Appa's head. "Okay, boy, yip yip."

FELICITY'S POV

I heard him sneak off again. To his credit, Zuko's movements were as quiet as a mouse, but his thoughts were as loud as fog horn in my head. I guess he thought I was asleep, I desperately wanted to be, but I had been fending off the pulsing pain in my skull again last night.

It had gotten much better since reconnecting with Alice. The past three nights we had talked. She told me about everything that happened after the siege, and all the visits with Chan, who had been broken out from the Northern Water Tribe prison. That was a crazy story, believed me, but I'll let her tell you about that.

She told me she was sorry for taking the failure of saving Yue out on me. I told her she didn't fail because Yue wasn't dead. She's just the Moon Spirit now. We argued about that a bet, but I reminded her about how many more times Yue was going to help Aang now that she was a powerful spirit, and we ended it there.

I told Ally everything that was happening with Zuko. The fight and the slow, awkward descent back into friendship. She didn't really have much to say about it, but she made me laugh and that's what I needed.

"So tell me more about this Chan vs Sokka rivalry, Ally-cat?" I told her, trying to take both our minds off of the depressing stuff.

"It's not a rivalry!" She shrieked. "I would go and see Chan a few times, trying to get to know him, but he's so guarded of himself that it was like trying to break into The Pentagon. Maybe Sokka was a little upset…"

"Little upset? More like jealousy thy name is Sokka," I laugh out.

"Oh, don't get Shakespearean on me," I could hear Alice rolling her eyes, if that's possible. "Sokka told me to be careful because Chan is Fire Nation. He didn't want me to get close to Chan because Sokka was worried he couldn't be trusted."

"Whatever you gotta tell yourself, love. So, tell me more about this 'Lying Bones' deal. I wanna go see Aunt Wue so bad."

Every time Alice would call I could feel another hole being poked into the high pressure balloon that was my head, and the pressure would slowly begin to decrease. It was the same whenever I would think about her too. We were reconnecting, finally, after six long months of nothing but radio static. If only the same could be said about my now dead relationship with overlord Hot-head.

I rolled over onto my stomach, propping my head on my arms. I had those "just woke up" feelings: bad breath, really need to pee, need food now! So I got up, quietly got my bag so I wouldn't wake Uncle, and headed down to the river.

With my normal morning ritual completely I tried to catch a few fish, but then I heard something. It was faint but I was starting to hear Zuko's voice in my head again, but this time it wasn't a booming pain, so progress right? He had food with him, thank goodness!

"Boo!" I called into his head, and I actually felt him jump.

"Felicity! How long have you been awake?" His inner voice sounded nervous, "I was just in town, and…."

"Oh, calm down, Fussy pants. I know what you were doing." I clicked my tongue at him."That poor couple, you scared them to death, and took their goodies."

"You saw? But I.. I was so far away!" He stammered me. "I thought that really hurt your head."

"You're sweet," I smiled. "But no this is just a something I knew. So hurry back, I'm hungry."

We met up at the cave where Uncle Iroh was just waking up, "Ah, there the two of you are. Getting along I see." He smiled, but then he noticed the baskets of food Zuko was holding. "Where did you get those?"

Zuko tossed the basket of pastries to Uncle Iroh, "What does it matter where they came from?" He snapped before turning away.

I grabbed four of the pastries before chasing after him, "Wait up, Fussy Pants. Here," I tried to hand him two, "You need to eat too."

"Don't call me that," Zuko's mood seemed be turning even more sour. "I don't want any. I don't like sweets."

"Then why did you get them?" I grinned, biting into the jelly-filled bundle of heaven.

Okay, I need to take a moment to fully appreciate the beauty of these pastries have you ever been to like a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts and got one of those powdered sugar strawberry jelly filled donuts? It was like that, but not quite strawberry something different something a little more tart and sweet at the same time. I don't know how to explain it but it was heaven. But I digress.

"Leave me alone, Felicity," Fussy pants was storming off faster than I could chase after him, and let me just tell you running and eating, dangerous combination!

"I will, but we do need to talk," I reached out and grabbed his arm.

He froze and glared at me, but he didn't pull away, "What?"

"We need to talk about you and the Blue Spirit," I huffed out, trying to catch me breath.

"What about him?" Zuko whispered and looked past me. I'm guessing he was trying to figure out if Uncle Iroh could hear us. "Are you going to lecture me? Because I get that enough from Uncle."

"No, I'm not going to lecture you." I chuckled. "Just make me a promise, okay?" Zuko shifted from foot to foot, "You will be extremely careful, you will only do this when we really need it, and you will only take from the people that can afford it, like Robin Hood."

"That's three promises, Felicity." Zuko's month twitched like he was fighting back a smile, "and who's Robin Hood."

"Another story for another time," I waved off the comment. "Just promise!"

"Alright," he threw up his arms in surrender, "I promise. Now go eat, please."

"What about you? If you don't like sweets what are you going to eat," I pressed.

"I'll catch some fish for tonight," Zuko turned toward the river. "I'll be back later."

Before I had a chance to say anything else he ran off. I walked back to the cave to find Uncle had devoured almost all of the pastries. I just smiled and shook my head at him.

"Do you have any idea how we can cook this thing?" I put my hand on the giant squash-like thing.

"It can make a lovely stew," Uncle beamed. "We can cut it up and boil it, or even roast it. Gourd root can be cooked in many different ways."

"Good to know." I rolled up my sleeves, "Well, Fussy Pants is catching us some fish so let's get to work."

ZUKO POV

All throughout the town this morning there was talk about some worthy business man that would be coming from Ba Sing Se. I wonder if that would work for Felicity's triple promise? A worthy business man sounds just like someone that could afford to be robbed, and at the moment we were living in a dirty cave, wearing dirty rags, and eating whatever I was lucky enough to fish out of a dirty river.

I wanted to hit something, anything. It took everything I had to remain calm and not firebend this tree in front of me. I hated living like this. Robbing people, hiding from my country and family, having to rely on Felicity's singing for honest money.

I kicked a rock across the river, "I'm pathetic!"

"No, you're not," I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard Felicity's voice. At least this time is wasn't in my head.

"Spirits, Felicity! Will you stop sneaking up on me!" I shot around to find her walking towards me. "I thought I told you I was going fishing."

"You did. Uncle and I were cooking that gourd thing to go with your fish, but I could hear you boiling over from a mile away." Felicity walked over and picked up the fishing rod she bought.

My face hardened, "I told you to stay…"

"I know, I know. Stay out of your head," she baited the line. "I am trying, but you were loud, okay? Anyways, about that business man, yes, that will work, and if it's the one I'm thinking about you are supposed to rob him." Felicity cast the line not even looking back at me or minding my glare.

She always did that now. No matter how mad I was she never seemed to worry as much as she did before. It was almost as if it didn't bother her anymore.

"Of course it bothers me," Felicity answered my thoughts seamlessly. "I know you are going through a hard time, and things are going to get worse before they get better. You need to work them out for yourself, but I promise I will be there when you need me."

Before I could say anything there was a rustling in the bushes behind us.

Uncle trip over a root and nearly fell, "Whoa, ah, there you two are. Have you caught any fish, I'm starving."

"You had all of those pastries," I crossed my arms at him, "how can you be hungry already?"

"They were delicious but not very filling nephew." Uncle patted his round stomach.

Felicity looked over her shoulder, "I second that. They aren't ideal for a meal, but dang, they were good. It's going to take forever to catch enough fish. Zuko, why don't you and I go into town." Felicity raised her eyebrows ever so slightly.

"Alright, I guess we could find something," I nodded. "We will be back soon, Uncle."

'Where is your mask,' she asked as we talked toward the town.

I nodded over to a tree with and opening in the base, 'Are you saying I'm going to need it?'

Felicity just winked, "Lead the way, Fussy Pants."

ALICE'S POV

"I told you we should have left sooner," I leaned against the wall next to the barred opening.

"Yeah, I know." Aang pouted, "Thanks for staying with me though, Alice."

I looked around the corner and smiled at him, "No problem. I didn't really want to fly to Kyoshi Island anyway."

"Still not a fan of flying?" Aang asked as he sat down in front of me.

I shrugged, "Honestly, we do it so much that I don't mind it anymore. Now, being buried alive by that jerk of an Earth Kingdom general," I shivered and wrapped my arms around my body, "I still have nightmares about that."

"I'm so sorry about that," Aang started but I held up my hand.

"Aang, it's not your fault." I reached over and rubbed his head, "One of my biggest fears is being buried like that. Heights is too, but I'm getting over that one. I'm a lot braver now that I've been here with all of you."

"It doesn't matter if you're brave," Aang smiled, "you're nice and a great friend."

"Thanks, buddy." I beamed.

"Hey, kid," a man in the prison called to Aang.

He turned to see the man with the green snake tattoo, "Um, yes, can I help you?"

"You got a bald head, some nice tattoos," the Snake tat prisoner charged all of a sudden and growled, but the chain around his neck jerked him to a stop. "You're going to fit in real well around here."

"Dude, really, was that necessary?" I knew it would happen, but still it was so sudden it made me jump back.

I wish I could remember as much as Feli does. She watched the show religiously and read all the books and watched the one about Korra. I watched the Aang show from time to time and I remember a bit, but most of the time I was reading.

"Sorry, I've been trying to break this chain for weeks," Snake Tat reached around and pulled the chain.

"Oh, gotcha," I nodded. "It doesn't look all that comfortable."

"It's turning my neck green," He lifted the collar slightly. "See? It almost matches my tattoos." Both Aang and I cringed in sympathy. "But anyway, come get something to eat. I'll introduce you to the rest of the boys."

Aang looked over at me and I nodded with a wink, "Okay, sounds great."

"I would invite you friend but…" Snake Tat started but I held up my hand.

"No problem," I smiled, "thanks anyways." Aang followed Snake Tat over to the other guys, "Nice guys. So, what are you guys in for? If you don't mind me asking?"

Snake Tat offered Aang a seat, "I was caught digging up Cactuses after sunset."

"What?!" I zipped around. "That makes no sense! Why were you digging up cactuses?"

"Oh, I have a cactus farm," Snake Tat explained, "and I sell them to people for their gardens."

"So, you were digging up your own cactuses out of your own cactus farm," I sat down on my side of the barred opening, "to sell for your business."

He nodded, "After sunset."

"Huh, well I hope you learned you lesson." What else can you say to that?

"You know it!" Snake Tat sat down in the circle with the other prisoners, "I think I'm going to get out of the cactus farming business."

"I heard it's really going downhill," I nodded. "So, what about you guys?"

"I was walking down Main Street the other day," explained one of the other prisoners, "with an ice cream cone in my back pocket."

"And they put you in jail?" I gasped.

"Yep," he nodded sadly.

I clicked my tongue, "I bet they were just jealous they didn't have an ice cream cone too."

"Well, I was trying to marry my pet porqudillo," the third prisoner added. "So I would know if anything happened to me he would get my house."

"Hey man, love is love, and looking out for you pet like that. Classy!" I laid my head against the bars. "I was in love with a purple pentapus once."

"Yeah?" he looked up hopefully.

"Yep, but our ponytail friend threw it back in the sewer."

"Oh, no!" He teared up.

"What about you, friend?" I looked at the last prisoner.

"I was snoring without closing my window," he shrugged.

All the other prisoners gasped like that was the worst thing they had ever heard.

"What it was hot," he argued. "Don't judge me."

"I feel you, dude. That happened to me once," I reached in my bag and took out my phone. I had to tell Feli about this. "Luckily for me, my sister found a really good lawyer." They all nodded.

"What about you, kid?" Snake Tats motioned to Aang.

"Oh, well I," Aang blushed.

Snores patted his shoulder, "It's okay, you can tell us."

"Well, I…" Aang hesitated again, "they think I killed someone in my past life."

All the prisoners oohed and ahhed.

"So, how did they know it was your past life," Porqudillo asked. "I mean, I don't know any of my past lives. It could have been me or any of us really."

"Well, you see," Aang let his shoulders relax, "I'm the Avatar."

"Wow!" All the prisoners gasped together.

Ice Cream added. "Okay, but even if it was your past life, you're just a kid. Why couldn't they wait to lock you up when you're an adult?"

"Apparently it was their old leader," I jumped in the conversation, "Chin the Great!"

"Oh," Snake Tat rolled his eyes, "They love that guy, and if you're the Avatar they hate you.

"Yeah, we could tell," I chuckled.

"They shouldn't be keeping you locked up though." Snores' eyebrows pushed together, unhappily, "You have a lot of important work to do to stop the war, right?"

"That's right," Aang groaned, "and on top of saving the world and bringing balance, I'm trying to get this girl I like to notice me…"

"Which girl?" Snake Tat pointed at me, "That girl?"

"What?" I jumped in surprise. "No, no, Aang is like a brother."

"No! Not Alice," Aang shook his head. "ah, even though Alice is great, I mean."

I couldn't help but laughed, "It's ok, Aang."

"So if it's not her then who," Ice Cream asked.

"Well," Aang flicked his ear. That was all he could do with his limited range of motion.

I knew this was going to be good so I propped up on one of the bars and just listened.

A FEW HOURS LATER

"I don't know, Alice, something just seems off about that Chan guy," Snake Tat shook his head.

"That's what I'm starting to think." I nodded. "I mean I want to think he is genuine, but he just seems too perfect. It's like he is hiding from me."

Ice cream shook his head, "I think he really does like you. Don't give up just yet. Who knows if you had more time together…."

"But it's like he's too scared to be himself because of his insane family," Snores added. "You don't need that, Ally. I mean you have your future in you hands. You already don't have to worry about that fortune telling bone to worry about. Make the future how you want it to be. You did say there are going to be lots of great guys you are going to be meeting with the Avatar here."

"You're right!" I stood up. "There are even a few I have already met."

Aang grinned but before he could say a word the conversation turned to him.

"And Avatar," Snake Tats looked back at Aang, "that girl you're talking about? She'll come around. You just gotta hang in there."

Aang beamed hopefully, "You think so?" He pulled his head and arms easily out of the wooden stocks the mayor had put him in. It's a good thing he's a law abiding Avatar.

Porqudillo nodded, "Sure!"

"Yeah," Ice Cream chimed in.

Then Snores jumped in right along, "You're a catch!"

"That's what I keep telling him," I pulled a box of altoids out of my bag. That deep fried Avatar Day food was doing bad things to my breath. Sorry, was that a little TMI? What am I talking about? You probably hear thing 10x worse from Feli.

Aang seemed to shrink all of the sudden, "I don't know…"

Snake Tats stopped him before he could finish, "Hey! You're smart, handsome, funny. Not to mention you're the Avatar."

And just like that the Avatar was himself again, "You guys are great!"

FELICITY'S POV

Thank the Spirits for whatever kind of magical voodoo happened to my phone when I fall into this Nickelodeon wonderland, because it was taking HOURS for this carriage Zuko was supposed to rob to show up. Bless you, Guy or Gal that invented Spotify! Bless you! I had honestly forgotten how much good music I had.

I sat against a tree that was surrounded with the most amazing smelling flowers. They looked like a mix of white orchids and dailies. They didn't smell like flowers. It was a strangely masculine scent like bold spice like pepper and cinnamon mixed with warm wood, and when the wind blew there was a soft hint of jasmine. I knew this smell, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

However good the flowers smelled it was the perfect hiding place because I could see the road, but Fussy Pants said when I sat down he couldn't see me.

Zuko was hiding up in a tree on the other side of the road, and my only thought when I would look up at him was, "Spiderman Spiderman does whatever a spider can."

"What are you singing?" Zuko stuck his masked head out of the branches.

I just laughed, I couldn't help it, "Well, I guess you are more of a Dragonman. Whoa wait a minute! Man, where is Varrick when I need him? That would be an awesome movie, or mover."

"What's a mover?" Zuko turned his head to the side. You know like how a dog does when you stuck your tongue out at it. "You know what, never mind, I don't want to know. Just focus on listening out for the carriage. You promised to help…"

"I know, I know I just wish he would hurry up," I pouted, but when I looked up and saw him hanging there I couldn't help but smile.

The masculine smell of the flowers swirled around in the breeze again. I leaned back against the tree and opened the flora and fauna book Song gave me. I had Uncle Iroh translate most of it for me. It would probably be a good idea to find out if these flowers were harmless or not. Knowing my luck, I was most likely surrounded by the alluring smell of certain death.

I flipping through the book until I got to the poisonous plants, and luckily I didn't see this flower.

"Hey, Zuko?" I looked up to find him still hanging in the tree like a spider monkey.

"What is it now, Felicity?" He huffed.

I picked one of the flowers and took a deep breath of the warm, smoky aroma, "Do you know the name of this plant?"

"Felicity! You are supposed to be listening out for the Landlord not making a bouquet." Zuko snapped, obviously tired of my lack of helping.

"I'm listening out for him, okay!" I snapped back, "You do know I can multi-task with this gift of mine. I can talk to you, listen to music, pick flowers, listen out for the greedy Earth guy, and prove a point all at the same time."

Even though I knew he couldn't see me I crossed my arms and stuck my tongue out at him. Grinning and feeling quite pleased with myself I relaxed against the tree again and took a deep breath.

"So, do you know the name of these flowers?" I asked again.

Zuko growled slightly, "Felicity…"

I chuckled, "Just tell me, Fussy Pants. "I love the way they smell, but I want to make sure we don't have another incident like with uncle. As much as I love wearing red having rash just really doesn't do it for me."

"Fine!" He poked his head out of the shadow of the tree, "Is anyone coming?"

"Nope, the coast is clear," I stood up and stretched.

He jumped down from the tree with the grace of a panther. The way he landed looked like an air assassination. I was suddenly picturing him is the Assassin's white and red robes, and my I just say… he looked good!

"Are you happy now?" Zuko jogged over pulling me out of my daydreams.

"What?" I shook, "Oh, yeah! So anyways, what's this flower called?" I handed over the flora and fauna book. "I didn't find it in the poisonous section which I guess is a good sign."

"They aren't poisonous," He held up his hand to the book. "I don't know what they are called in the Earth Kingdom, but in the Fire Nation they are called Lace Lilies. My mother used to have them in the palace garden. She said they reminded her of her old home."

I smiled I loved it when he talked about his mother. He actually looked happy, and he would get this little smile on his face.

I reached over and picked one of the bud and placed it in his palm, "I love the the scent. It's unlike any flower I've ever smelled before it's warm, kind of smoky, masculine smelling explain it."

"What are you talking about?" Zuko took the flower and held it gently. "Lace Lilies don't have a scent, Felicity. They are just pretty."

"Wait, what are you talking about, Fussy Pants," I held my flower up to my nose and took a deep breath. "I've been sitting in them all morning. They have a scent, go on, smell it. It's warm and woodsy and kinda spicy." It took me a second, but I realized where I had smelled something like this before.

Zuko shook his head, lifting the flower bud to his nose, "That doesn't sound like any flower I've ever smelled…." He paused and looked up at me. "It does have a smell, but it's not what you said."

"Really?" I gave him a confused look.

He looked down at the flower bud, "That's strange. I grew up around these flowers, and they never had a scent before." Zuko lifted the flowers to his nose, "It…" he looked up at me for a moment, and I would have swore I saw him blush, "It smells like you."

"Me?!" I grabbed his wrist and smelled his flower, but it was the same spicy, masculine scent, "That's not what I smell like… honestly, it smells more like you than me."

"There's no way," Zuko chuckled and shook his head. "It's smells like a mixture of your perfume, beach air, and that lotion you love so much."

I smiled, "The eucalyptus and tea lotion?"

"Yes!" I snapped his fingers.

"Beach air?" I smiled, and subconsciously moved towards him. "That's pretty specific, Fussy Pants."

"That's the first thing that came to my mind," Zuko tried to look aloof. " did yours smell like again?"

"Spices, a little woodsy, and jasmine," I took a deep breath of the aroma.

"Jasmine?" He huffed out a laugh, "Sound more like Uncle Iroh than me."

"Well, let's see," without any further warning, I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave him a hug.

He stiffened instantly, "Felicity!?"

I laughed looking up at him, "You big scaredy cat, I'm not gonna bite you."

Zuko relaxed slightly and blushed again, but this time there was no mistaking it, "I know, I just wasn't expecting you to…"

"Shh, I just wanted to make sure," I laid my forehead against his collarbone, and just breathed him in.

Even though Zuko hadn't used his firebending in months he still had that warm smoky smell, like sandalwood incense. On top of that was the scent of jasmine tea, but it wasn't as strong as Uncle Iroh. Lastly, it was just the smell of him, just a guy smell, you know? Like, they put on cologne in the morning, but it's kinda worn off and it just smells like them. Man, this is hard to explain.

I thought I would explode when Zuko actually hugged me back. For months we had been locked in the Dance of Awkward Friendship on thin ice, but now things were getting somewhat back to normal. He was starting to trust me again and relax around me.

I may not be able to be more to him, he may be meant for Mai, but at least we wouldn't be estranged anymore.

ZUKO'S POV

Why didn't I just push her away? Now we were standing in the middle of the road hugging. But, I was right. That flower did really smell like her.

That was the weirdest part. I remember those flowers, and they never had a scent until now. Now, they didn't just remind me for Felicity smell, they literally were an exact copy.

I should let her go, but something made me squeeze her closer. I didn't realize I missed it, this ease of being around her. After our fight I didn't think I would ever want to see her, let alone hug her. But she just makes me feel so peaceful.

I was going to rest my chin on the top of her head, but I stopped myself. That wasn't a good idea.

She looked up at me with those blue eyes and 'I told you so' grin, "No mistaking it, Fussy Pants, it definitely smells like you."

I didn't know what to say. I want to tell her that's enough and okay then let me go, but I hadn't let go yet either. I just stared down at her.

"Zuko?" Her easy smile faded, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, "Felicity, I…" Why did her eyes have to be so big and blue?

"Yes?"

"I… I don't know?" What was wrong with me. We had one moment months ago, but we weren't like that anymore. Right?

Why did she have to confuse me so much? Why couldn't I just keep my mind focused on what I had to do? I would be completely determined to do something, but she could say one thing, helpful or not, and I'm thrown off balance.

She reached up and placed the back of her hand against my sacred temple, and my whole body jerked, "Zuko, you're flushed. You don't have a fever."

I pulled her hand away and held it for a moment, it felt so small and soft in mine. There was the smell of that lotion, "I'm fine. Felicity, I… We, we should…"

She stiffened, looking down the road, "Go."

"Yes," I answered, not thinking. "Wait, what?"

"Rich dude is coming! Get in the tree," She look past my head to the tree branches. "Hurry," Her gaze turned to the road again.

"You hear him?" My arms loosened.

She nodded and began to pull away, "He's not too far. Ready?" Felicity flashed me a cheeky grin.

"You know it," I pulled the Blue Spirit mask down over my face.

"Not that you need it but," Felicity put her hands on my shoulders, leaned up, and kissed the mask on the cheek, "Good luck, Zuko."

Under the mask my face turned a vivid red! My mind told me to push her away, to stop her from doing it, and tell her not to do it again. Instead, I reached out and braced her up so she wouldn't fall.

"Thank you," I nodded. "Stay in the bushes, I'll handle this."

"I know," she tapped her temple. "Future…"

"Knowing wisdom, I know," I point at the bushes again. "Now, hide."

"Yes, sir, Fussy Pants, sir," she clicked her heels together and saluted me before turning to the bushes.

I grinned under the mask as I made my way back up the tree.

"Ooh, I'm so excited," I heard her say in my head. "As soon as you get done, Fussy Pants, we're going shopping."

ALICE'S POV

"Ooh, my stomach," Sokka was laying on his side and curled into a ball.

We were finally leaving that ridiculous town of Chin and I couldn't be happier. They had us stay for a festival in our honor, but honestly I just think they wanted us to stick around and help clean up after the Rough Rhinos attack. Which of course we did, but they had to give us the "new and improved" unfried dough festival food.

"Oh ahhh…" Sokka groaned again as he rounded from side to aid on Appa's back before bumping into my legs.

"Honestly, Sokka," I rolled him over onto his back, "It's your own fault. You didn't have to eat all of the dough."

"My fault?" His voice cracked slightly as he glared at me. "More like your fault. You dumped your whole bowl into mine."

"Yeah, but you didn't have to eat it all," I chuckled softly at him.

"And now you're laughing at me," he whined. "Awww, you're a cruel woman, laughing at my pain!"

I really did laugh that time, "What am I going to do with you."

He rolled over onto his side again, and his hard head hit my knee.

"Ouch!" I thumped his ear. "I swear you're head is made of concrete." I rubbed my knee and noticed his little smirk.

"Ooh," Sokka curled up tight again. "Uh, why does it hurt so much?"

"Maybe, because you ate 30lbs of uncooked dough," I tried not to smile this time.

"Mm, uh," he pressed his forehead against the side of my leg, "Evil woman." Sokka groaned again.

I reached down and lifted his head onto my lap, "You big baby, there are you happy?"

He pouted, looking up at me, then nodded, "This could be a little better."

I slowly shook my head at him, "I really feel sorry for whatever woman get saddled with you. Now, shh, go to sleep. You'll feel better in the morning." I smiled do at him while brushed his head.

Sokka reached up and pulled the tie a loose out of his hair. I brushed my fingers through the loosen strands. Sokka closed his eyes while I lightly ran my fingers over his scalp, "Good night, Alice."

I barely heard him, "Good night."

I looked at the sky for a bit. The stars looked for bright, and there was a perfectly full moon.

Good night, Yue, I thought before laying my head against the pile of supplies and sleeping bags and dosed off.

FELICITY'S POV

"We really over did it," I leaned against the cave wall while Zuko brought in our shopping haul.

"What are you talking about?" He dropped a crate of papaya at the back of the cave. "We need supplies."

"Yeah, I get the food, firewood, and stuff to bathe, but Zuko, a golden teapot?" I pushed away from the wall and picked up the pot, "These provisions are not gonna last forever. We should've saved some money."

"I wanted to get Uncle something nice," Zuko took the pot from my grasp. "we are royalty now forced to live like peasants, and he deserves better than that." He turned the pot over in his hand before setting it down. "Is that so bad?"

I sighed, relaxing my shoulders, "No. I'm just saying you overdid it a bit. And by 'a bit' I really mean a lot."

"He's my uncle, Felicity, it yours!" Zuko snapped. "I know him better than you."

"Whatever you say, fussy pants," I shrugged again before taking a plum.

I'm just glad I set aside some of them money before Zuko had a chance to spend it all. I knew it was only a matter of time before he and Uncle Iroh were going to travel apart for a while, and the extra funds would come in handy.

"Well, why don't we start getting dinner started," I nodded over at the preseasoned pig-chicken on a spot that Zuko had bought in town. I had no idea how to cook something like that, but I had faith that as soon as we started cooking Uncle Iroh would show up to save the day.

And like clockwork, as soon as the smell of cooking meat filled the cave Uncle appeared. He took a moment to look around the now overstocked cave.

"Looks like you two did some serious shopping," Uncle walked over and sat down by the golden tea set, "but where did you get the money?" He asked as he studied the jewel encrusted pot.

'It's too much,' I thought.

Zuko's golden eye cut right through me, 'Felicity!'

'Okay, okay, I get it,' I surrendered.

"Do you like your new tea pot?" Zuko pressed.

Uncle picked up the gold pot and studied it before setting it back down, "To be honest with you, the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porcelain pot or a tin cup."

Uncle looked over at the two of us as we leaned against the opposite wall of the cave. I smiled. You just can't help but do that when Uncle Iroh's warm eyes focus on you. Then I nodded down at Zuko.

'I'll give the two of you a minute, Uncle. He needs your advice,' I told him before pushing off the wall and heading to the mouth of the cave.

"Where are you going?" Zuko called.

"For a bath," I shrugged picking up my bag. "No peeking this time."

Zuko blushed, first with embarrassment then with annoyance, "That was an accident, Felicity, and you know it."

I nodded, "Mm hm, which time?" I just waved and laughed as I continued out of the cave.

I actually stayed close by and I could hear Uncle continued his talk, "I know we've had some difficult times lately. We've had to struggle just to get by. But it's nothing to be ashamed of. There is a simple honor in poverty."

"There is no honor for me without the Avatar," Zuko brooded.

I knew what was coming. Zuko was going to strike off on his own, or at least that's what would have happen if I wasn't here. I had had my things ready for when it happened. I had saved money and packed a few weeks of supplies. My only problem was would he even let me come with him.

Knowing Zuko his answer was most likely going to be no, but… knowing me, I wouldn't listen. I know he needs this and he needs to learn a few things for himself, but through the good and the bad I haven't left his side since I got here. I can't start now. I wouldn't know what to do with myself.

It didn't matter how far I got I could still hear Zuko's mind whirling. When he walked out of the cave he went off on his own. It would have been easy to find and follow him, but in this moment he needed his space.

I sat down and waited for what seemed like hours for him to return. I talked to Alice, read a bit on my kindle, and I even started to write. I had started writing out all about our crazy little life and insane adventures, but it had been so long since I had last written anything.

I don't know who would want to read it, maybe Alice, but hey, it kept me sane.

In the woods, I heard a rustling. I didn't bother turning, I knew it was Fussy pants. I just so happened to be waiting by the tree where he hide his Blue Spirit mask.

When he made it through to the clearing his eyes caught mine. He seemed confused as to why I was there for a moment then he saw the bag I had packed.

He held up a hand, "Felicity, no….."

"Save it, Fussy pants, you're not going without me." I reached down at picked up his hidden disguise.

"I have to..." he looked so mournful. "I have to do this for myself. I could have you there telling me all the answers and correct moves."

I took a deep breath, held it, the slowly exhaled, "What if I didn't?"

"What?" Zuko jerked.

He seemed so surprised that it surprised me, "What?"

Then he just looked annoyed, "What if you didn't What? Go with me, you mean?"

"Wha..? No! I'm going with you, Zuko," I confirmed, and he seemed to relax again before jerking back to stiffen back. "I mean, what if I didn't tell you anything or give you any answers?"

He laughed… He LAUGHED! How dare that doofus! Laughing at me!

"Right, you won't say a thing or help me at all?" Zuko wasn't even trying to hold back his amusement, "I'll believe that when I see it."

I steamed, "I won't! Not one word. I won't even speak in your head or sing. I just know I need to go with you. I won't feel right. There are things Uncle needs to do on his own, and honestly I know he would feel better with us together… Ah, traveling, I mean.

Zuko nodded then became very serious all of a sudden, "You have to promise me, Felicity! I need to do this and I can't have you protecting me and telling me all the answers. If you go it will be like you're not even there."

"I promise," I nodded biting my lip, "I won't even speak."

"You can still speak to me," he grinned slightly.

"No, if I speak then I'll want to tell you things," I threw my bag over my shoulder and handed him his Blue Spirit mask. "So, do we have a deal?"

He sighed, took his things, and eventually agreed, "Alright, come on we need to tell Uncle."

I nodded and took a pouch of coins out of my pocket, "I want to give him this. It's not much, but it's half of what we have left. So, lead the way."

This was going to be interesting, but it was the best thing. My silence for traveling with him not only for his sake, but I would get to see Ally again for the first time in six months. Uncle would be fine and I knew he would be close. I should be able to keep my mind on him just in case.

I said a little, temporary, vow of silence as I followed Zuko. I wasn't sure where we would be going, but it was an adventure. As long as we didn't run into Smaug I'm sure we could handle it.