Finally, we reached Ba Sing Se. I felt slightly relieved when we were at the ticket station in the said city's monorail station. No more Jet.

The line took about almost an hour. When we reached the front, we handed our tickets to the ticket woman who looked a bit harsh. She looked down at our tickets individually and read our names, "So Miss Jade, Mister Lee, and Mister, um... Mushy, is it?"

Iroh pointed his finger and corrected her pronunciation of his name, "It's pronounced Mushy."

She put down the tickets and frowned down at Iroh, "You tellin' me how to do my job?"

"Uh, no. No, no," Iroh stepped towards her. "But may I just say you're like a flower in bloom. Your beauty is intoxicating." He flattered. Zuko covered my eyes while he covered his own.

"Mm, you're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, handsome." When she seductively roared at him, I almost gagged. And I'm sure Zuko did too. We didn't need to see it. Just hearing was... bleh.

"Welcome to Ba Sing Se." When I heard the several stamps, I cautiously removed Zuko's hand from my eyes. Zuko uncovered his as well. Iroh was turned around with our tickets in his hand, a wide grin on his face.

Zuko snatched his ticket and mine from his Uncle, "I'm gonna forget I saw that." He placed his hand on the small of my back and gently pushed me forward to start walking at his side. He then handed me my ticket and I thanked him.

"So what now?" I asked him. He looked down at me, "We wait for the monorail."

I pouted, which made Zuko slightly chuckle. "I hate waiting."

He removed his hand from my back then placed it on my shoulder. "You'll be fine."

We continued to walk until we found a bench. Zuko was in the middle of Iroh and I. After a few seconds of silence, I cleared my throat, catching Zuko's attention. "Should we talk about what happened?"

His cheeks turned a barely noticeable shade of pink.

"I don't want it to be awkward between the two of us," I said. "Now that we're in Ba Sing Se and all... we can really get to know each other."

Zuko nodded. Before he could open his mouth to respond verbally, he was interrupted by an unwanted boy. He sat next to me with his arms crossed.

"What a pleasant surprise." I muttered while crossing my arms and frowning.

"So, you guys got plans once your in the city?" Jet asked. Mostly to Zuko than to Iroh and I. Possibly. Not that it's any of your business.

Our attention was averted when a tea seller walked by with a cart yelling, "Get your hot tea here! Finest tea in Ba Sing Se!"

Iroh waved his hand, catching the man's attention. "Oh — Jasmine please!"

The man came over and handed Iroh a small cup before pouring the said tea into it. Iroh looked down at it with an innocent smile. However, his smile vanished when he took the first sip. He spit out the tea and quivered. "Coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it! What a disgrace!" He grumped.

I lightly laughed. "Don't worry, Mushy. You'll get your hot tea once we're in the city."

"Hmp, I hope you're right." He responded.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" Jet asked Zuko while nudging his head in the other direction. Zuko sighed before getting up and following after Jet. Though Jet nor Zuko said I could follow, I did anyway.

I stayed behind Zuko when they halted.

"You and I have a much better chance of making it in the city if we stick together." Jet said, placing his hands on his hips. That little son of a... "You wanna join the Freedom Fighters?"

"Thanks, but I don't think you want me in your gang." Zuko responded.

"C'mon, we made a great team taking that captain's food. Think of all the good we could do for these refugees." Jet persuaded.

I made myself known. I linked my arm with Zuko's and pulled him to my side. "He said no."

We walked away from Jet and as we did, he said, "have it your way."

When I saw Iroh sipping some now steaming hot tea, I choked on my spit. Zuko and I looked behind our shoulder and a saw a suspicious Jet walk away.

Zuko turned back around and slapped the cup of tea out of Iroh's hands. "Hey!" Iroh exclaimed.

"What are you doing fire bending your tea?!" Zuko gritted through his teeth. "For a wise old man, that was a pretty stupid move!"

Iroh frowned, "I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but-" he sniffled. "-it's just so sad!"

I face palmed myself before picking up the cup. I sighed, "Listen Mushy, you're on restriction now." I sat beside Zuko and leaned into his ear, "You think Jet noticed?"

He shrugged.

After about twenty minutes, our monorail had finally arrived. "Last call for Ba Sing Se!"

Zuko grabbed ahold of my hand while we walked to the monorail. I haven't moved him away. Maybe I should have, but... I like the feeling when our skin touches. When we were seated on the bench in the monorail, he let go of my hand then crossed his arms.

I sighed while looking out the window. Let's hope this goes right.