A/N: This isn't an anti-Makorra fic. It's just some moments between Asami and Iroh and an exploration of the complex barrage of feelings that had to have been going through Asami's head during the finale. It's the first in a three-part series, each a separate one shot. As always comments and constructive criticism is welcome. Enjoy!

"The gasoline actually combusts in this chamber? And that doesn't destroy the engine? How can you control it without any type of bending?"

Asami tapped her stick impatiently as the young General Iroh examined the rudimentary drawing of a satomobile etched into the dirt. Typical of firebenders to think they were the only ones who can control fire. Hot, wild, and unpredictable it may be, but like any of the other elements it could be tamed and put to good use.

"The engine is built in such a way that it contains the combustion. The push that the small explosion creates moves the piston, which then can translate into power."

Iroh's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "What happens when the gasoline is gone? It can't be re-heated, my firebenders have to manually replace the oil in our cannons before reusing."

Asami pursed her lips together, trying to think of the easiest way to explain the pressure differential and vacuum effect to somebody who hadn't grown up around machines. "The exhaust that comes out of the pipe here," she tapped the back of the car with her stick, "is the leftover from the gasoline and fire reaction. The movement of the piston back here," she tapped on the crude schematic of an engine "pulls in more gasoline."

"Just by moving?"

She nodded. "Just by moving. It pulls more gasoline into the space it created, kind of like when you drink out of a straw."

The general stood up, rubbing his hands together. "It just seems so...needlessly complicated. On our ships we just use firebenders to power the engines and waterbenders to steer the ship."

Asami scowled. "Not everybody is a bender, general. We have to make do with what we have."

Iroh held up his hands. "I did not mean to offend, Miss Sato. I merely think our way is possibly more...efficient."

"By efficient you mean tying up manpower to execute simple tasks?" Asami tilted her head and widened her eyes for effect, trying to conceal the hidden barb.

The general, however, was not fooled. "It is not so simple as that. Our system may be more rudimentary, but it is also tough and more resilient to attacks and damage."

"And this system allows your firebenders and waterbenders to protect against those attacks so they do not land in the first place. That, I believe, is a much better solution."

"Do you really believe so?" His tone was incredulous, but not condescending.

"My father built his air fleet that way, and I believe they easily overpowered your battle ships."

Iroh's face darkened, and Asami immediately regretted the insult. "I'm sorry, General," she backpedaled. "That was too harsh, I know it only happened earlier today..."

He held up a hand and she bit her tongue, stemming the apology. She looked at him inquisitively, and he gave her a rueful smile.

"No. You are right, Miss Sato. We have underestimated the abilities of non benders and overestimated our own abilities for far too long." With that, he turned to walk away, leaving a stunned Asami in his wake.

She frowned, leaning back against a dirty wall in the underground compound and sliding down to the floor. General or no, it was rude for somebody to walk away in the middle of a conversation like that! Even if the conversation was a little...heated. She knew she should be embarrassed, but in truth she hadn't felt so free to express her opinion or talk to someone since her mother was still alive.

Regardless, he still shouldn't have walked away. Even after conceding that she was right.

Asami sighed, and pulled her feet closer to her body. She might as well go find everyone else-Korra, Bolin, and her boy...ex boyfriend. She made to get up when she heard the crunching of dirt and unmistakable sound of footsteps coming towards her.

General Iroh was back, and this time he sat down next to her unabashedly, crossing his legs and spreading a large map of Republic City and the surrounding areas out in front of them. He pointed to a spot to the left of the island.

"We had originally planned to organize to the west of Republic City and have reinforcements come in through here," he pointed to a channel on the map. "But your father's air fleet destroyed that plan. I need your expertise on what these machines can do to figure out what to do for a viable plan of attack once we get in contact with Bumi."

Asami grinned, and moved to sit next to the young general. This was something she knew she could do.

When Asami came to, she, Bolin, and Iroh were alone in a prison cell, unceremoniously tied together.

"I suppose you didn't know about that particular one of your father's inventions?" She didn't need to be able to see the general's face to know he was scowling.

Asami frowned. "He did manage to keep one or two pretty big things from me, I'll have you know."

"What was that anyway?" Iroh asked, flexing the ropes around him to try and rub his sore arms. "I've never felt so awful in my life!"

"It acted like an electric fence," Asami replied. "But it didn't have any wires between the fence posts. Somehow the electricity only transfers to you if you get close enough to the posts, I suppose we are the grounding agent."

"Are you saying that was electricity? I thought that was lightning being shot at me!"

"Why do you benders always think in terms of the elements?" She sighed. "Electricity is lightning, just in a tamed, useful form. It's energy."

"No good can possibly come of such a dangerous idea."

Asami bristled. "A lot of good can come of it! We have lights and heat because of it!"

"But to have something so dangerous in your home-"

"Are you saying firebenders shouldn't be allowed inside either? Because they can produce lightning too."

"Yes, but it's not the same-"

"Guys, guys!" Bolin exclaimed. "We're kind of...stuck together." He pulled against the bindings. "Can we at least try to get along?"

"Whatever," Asami sighed. "I'm going back to sleep."

When she found him dangling off the flag still strung from the statue of the previous Avatar, she was surprised that her first reaction was to laugh. She quickly pressed a gloved hand to her mouth, her fathers words running through her ears. "It's not nice to laugh at somebody to their face, Asami." He had winked then. "You have to come home and tell me about it first, and then we can laugh together!"

The memory of her father sobered her, but she found the feeling of desolation passed when General Iroh began to wiggle about and called down to her. "A little help here!"

The involuntary shaking of her shoulders gave way, and Asami burst out into laughter. Above her, she saw Iroh scowl. "It's not funny!" he yelled, to which she crossed her arms over her stomach and bent over, completely taken over by the laughter.

She couldn't help it. It had been the worst month of her life. First, the equalists destroyed the bending arena, then her father had turned on her, an equalist himself, and upended everything she thought she knew. Her relationship deteriorated from there, between her moodiness and snappishness and his googly eyes for her friend. And then this war had come to a head, with everything she loved put into danger.

And now it was over, Republic City was safe, and the general of the United Forces was dangling from a ripped Equalist flag like a spider monkey caught in a vine.

Bolin shook his head beside her, chuckling. "You are one crazy girl, Asami." He smiled, ever positive even in the wake of war. As he made to bend the earth up to meet the other boy, Asami stepped forward.

"Just one second, Bolin," she said, holding out an arm. "The general and I need to have some words."

Bolin raised an eyebrow at her, but didn't move forward as she walked up to stand under the flag.

"What do you think of my father's machines now, General?" She yelled up to the figure swaying above her. She fought down giggles when she heart a grunt and a reply.

"Miss Sato, you know that I think they are terribly deadly creations and I have nothing but respect for them. Now, if you please could assist me in getting down..."

Asami held up a hand, feeling a smirk take over her face. "Do you think that, perhaps, a method not based in bending would be a useful addition to the technology that powers your fleet?"

Iroh squirmed uncomfortably, which caused him to sway even more violently side to side. "I...I would have to think on that..."

"Even after your encounter with them today?"

A loud rip echoed through the air and he sank a bit further on the flag. "Alright! Alright! I believe a mix of nonbending and bending machinery and personnel would be a more deadly mix than focusing on benders only! Now will you please let me down?"

And so Asami laughed again as Bolin rushed forward to allow the general a reprieve and some solid ground. She laughed so hard that she had to sit down and rest her head on her knees, and although she knew she probably looked certifiably insane, she didn't care. And when she felt a hand on her shoulder and a certain deep voice chuckling with her, she forgot what she was laughing about in the first place.

Iroh was right, Asami thought, Bumi certainly was a bit of a wild man. A bit, she chuckled, that might be an understatement. But as the commander strode up to the younger general and clapped a hand on his shoulder, Asami felt a swelling of pride in her chest. After all, she was part of this effort too.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to find another set of amber eyes staring at her.

"You guys were amazing, Asami," Mako said, and she felt her cheeks tinge with pride. "I can't believe I ever asked you to stay behind in your father's mansion for your safety, you definitely can take care of yourself."

Asami smiled, but still felt a twinge of annoyance for the reminder that just about everyone always assumed she was just a pretty face. The worthwhile ones came around and apologized-Korra, Bolin, Mako-but the common misconception was always one she was going to have to battle. "Thanks Mako, you and Korra did really well too."

Mako's mouth twitched at the mention of the avatar, and his gaze flickered ever so slightly above Asami's shoulder, to where she knew Korra was standing. "We're going to the south pole to try and get Master Katara's help in healing her, but I'm not sure if it will work."

She frowned an put a consoling hand on his shoulder. The tingling sensation she used to feel upon any contact with him was absent, and Asami vaguely wondered when she had stopped feeling it. A long time ago, probably, she just hadn't noticed. "I'm sure it'll work." She tried to put on an optimistic smile. "Master Katara is the best healer in the world."

Mako only frowned, so she squeezed his shoulder and let go. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the general and Commander Bumi finish their conversation and start walking towards the group.

"Well, good luck on your trip," she said, to which Mako's eyes widened and rubbed the back of his neck, looking mildly uncomfortable. "What?"

"About that," he began. He put his hand down and coughed, starting again. "What I mean is, I hope you'll come with us to the South Pole."

"Why?"

"Because, well, I meant what I said. I am sorry about how messed up things got between us. I acted like a jerk, and I can't ask you to forgive me for that." Asami opened her mouth, not sure whether to protest or agree with him. But he held up a hand, "But, like it or not, you're part of this family now. I care about you, Bolin cares about you, and Korra cares about you. And I would be really sad if we all lost such an amazing friend because of something stupid I did."

Asami paused, letting his words sink in and focusing on her own reactions. She wasn't feeling the anger or sadness that had accompanied with their breakup-was it really just last night? Perhaps it was the war changing around everything, or perhaps they had never been so strong together as a couple. Probably both. But Mako as a friend was something she knew that she wanted.

"Of course I will, Mako. Korra's my friend too." Mako gave a tentative smile, and she grinned back. "I know I did some stupid things too, I know I turned you away some of those times you tried to help. Don't get me wrong, I still think you were more of the jerk-" He chuckled, embarrassed. "But these things happen. I can't expect you to deny your feelings, sometimes they just hit you. Blindside you, right out of the blue."

"Miss Sato, a word?" Asami jumped at the sound of General Iroh's voice off to her left.

Asami gave a quick nod to the general before turning back to Mako. She tilted her head towards the downtrodden Avatar, who still was leaning against Tenzin like a lifeline. "She's going to need you, Mako." She gave a confused looking Mako a quick smile and wave before walking down to the dock.

"Yes, General Iroh?"

"I couldn't help but overhear..." his hands wrung together, and he looked almost nervous, "that you are headed to the South Pole."

Asami nodded. "I am, I'm traveling there with the Avatar." At the look on Iroh's face she felt the need to add, "But I will be returning before too long, I'm still staying on Air Temple Island with Tenzin and Pema and their family."

Iroh's lips twisted into a smile, and Asami's stomach chose that moment to twist rather strangely. She frowned, trying to remember the last time she ate a good meal. The street gruel did not count.

"I was hoping, Miss Sato, that you would accompany me to tea upon your return."

Asami stared, incredulous. Was the General of the United Forces asking her...on a date? "Tea?"

He coughed. "A wise man once said that there is nothing better in this world than a good cup of tea and a good conversation. You, Miss Sato, never fail to impress me with your strength, your intelligence and knowledge of all of this-" He waved a hand about, trying to find the right word. "-technology. And, I would like to learn more about you."

Asami blushed at the compliment, and began thinking of kind ways to turn him down. She couldn't pull the 'I have plans' card that far in the future, but perhaps the war or her recent breakup would do? Maybe if she let him down nicely-

And then she realized what he had said. Or perhaps what he hadn't said. He wanted to have tea to talk to her. To learn more about her. Because he was impressed with her. Her intelligence, her strength. Not because she "was a good fighter for a girl" or "smarter than she looked." But because she was just herself. Asami.

She had met him under the worst of circumstances, quarreled with him about engines and machines and bending immediately after her breakup, snapped at him when they were captured and tied up by her father, and weaseled a concession out of him while he was trapped hanging from an equalist flag two stories in the air. She had shown him nothing but her worst side, her uncensored opinions. And he wanted to go out with her still.

"I think I would like that," she replied. "And please, call me Asami."

His smile was bright like a fire on a cold night, and she was sure it would keep her warm in the frozen Tundra.