Author's notes please Read: Merry Christmas!! Yes, January 7th is Christmas Day by the old calendar. Sorry again to make you wait guys, hopefully you won't be disappointed ^_^. This story is the Alternative Ending world in which Lu Ten lives. It will go until Sozin's comment and will probably be the same length as the original Tale of Lu Ten.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ MY ORIGINAL FANFIC THE TALE OF LU TEN: This is NOT is any way shape of form going to make sense without reading the previous story. It picks up half way through the last chapter so you will have no idea why things move so quickly. Also, this is the Alternative Timeline - my story His Father's Son is the actual ending to the original piece (it also go to the end of the war). My suggestion is to go and read the first one and then see if this is the path you want to follow as a reader.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ THE ORIGINAL: Thank you for sticking this wait out - you guys are awesome! I recommend you go back and read the last chapter, because this picks up in the middle of the chapter before continuing with Lu Ten's life. Please note that there will no be flash backs in this one because . . . well Lu Ten is alive. The actually ending of the story with the ATLA timeline is my story His Father's Son.

FOR EVERYONE: Enjoy ^_^

-Z

The Tale of Lu Ten (Alternative Ending)

Chapter 1

A Change in Time

They were attacked from both sides of the field; no man who saw them was sure how to react to the mismatched pair of officers, so they fired. The Captain was an astounding bender and Lu Ten could only thank the spirits that someone knew where they were going. They weaved in and out of the fighting, easily anticipating the other's moves and adapting to their surroundings.

A Fire Nation base camp came into view, though it was still an unfortunate way off. Lu Ten's heart was pounding; they had so far to go. He glanced over at the only ally he had in all the chaos around him and called out while firing a blast. "Why are you helping me?!"

The Captain smiled, motioning Lu Ten in front of him and suddenly the two were speeding off on a propelled mound of earth. "I don't know, but I am! I've wanted to kill you for months!" It was the best answer Lu Ten could have hoped for. "Look there!"

Lu Ten forced his attention momentarily away from the fighting ahead of him to a group of rhinos coming from the base camp. One of the mounts was draped in the imperial gold and black of his family. "That's my father!"

"Shoot the lightning again!"

"Cover me!"

The Captain wordlessly complied stepping in front of the prince as he separated the energies around them. Lu Ten sent up another signal from where they stood, drawing all attention to them. The two men were backed up against each other, exerting more energy than they could afford to lose. Unfortunately for them, everyone had reached the same conclusion: the Dragon's son was on the field.

The Captain pounded the ground and a barrier of rock surrounded them. He was staining to keep up the walls and through clenched teeth spoke. "You better make good on your promise – I don't want to go home to my daughters in a box."

A gentle smile touched Lu Ten's lips as his wife's loving face flashed in his minds eyes. Hikari would be rocking their child gently, waiting for him to return. With renewed strength, he shot a second blast into the sky above them.

The Captain grunted and his stance gave under the pressure other earthbender were creating while they attempted to break his wall. The barrier easily blasted into rubble after that the two men found themselves battling alone. Lu Ten quickly checked the distance his father had traveled. He expected it would take a little time, but he was still too far off to relax in the slightest.

"Lu Ten!!!" The Prince wheeled around when he heard Chen's voice over the confusion. The Lieutenant was flanked by a number of other Fire Nation soldiers who were holding back the enemy as he attempted to get to Lu Ten.

"Chen, go back! That's and order!" The Lieutenant refused to hear him, his brow set and eyes focused. Seeing the approaching danger, Lu Ten's earthbending companion turned his sights on Chen. "Stand down Captain!"

The Captain obeyed and focused his efforts on other threats. Chen seized his chance and fired at the Captain while his back was turned. Lu Ten extinguished the blast without difficultly and glared at his friend.

Chen blinked. "This is treason Lu Ten!"

"No! This is right Chen!"

A voice in the distance was barely audible over the battlefield, but Lu Ten did not miss that it was his name being called. He focused on the direction it had come from and knew immediately that it was his father. "DAD!!"

Chen growled furiously and attacked the Captain with out warning. The earthbender was so taken off guard he fell onto his back and gapped helplessly as the firebender above him torched his fingers, slicing them down directly at his heart like the point of a sword. Lu Ten reacted on instinct, shooting Chen's arm to throw off the attack. He saved the earthbender – the supposed enemy – but for the first time in his life Lu Ten had intentionally fired on his own comrade.

Lu Ten's shoulder fell. "Chen I didn't mean –"

The Lieutenant spat, cradling his burned arm against his chest. With his good arm Chen extended an accusing finger at the prince. "You're a traitor to your own Nation!"

"Never!"

"I won't let you stop our righteous conquest!"

"Are you even hearing yourself?!"

"Lu Ten!" A far-off voice caught their attention again.

Lu Ten turned from Chen, jogging a short ways closer to the familiar voice taking a deep breath to return the General's call.

The Earth Captain reached out after him. "Lieutenant, get down!!"

Lu Ten dropped onto the ground, just under a direct and deadly shot of fire. He looked back at Chen watching as the fire soldiers who had followed him onto the field wrestled him to the ground. "HE'S A TRAITOR!!!"

Lu Ten leapt to his feet, immediately back on the defensive. "Men! Run up a white flag!!"

"Prince Lu Ten?!!" Someone questioned load enough for him to hear over the melee.

"I must council with the General immediately!!" After a minute, Lu Ten spied white out of the corner of each eye. He looked again to where his father was approaching and thankfully saw a white flag being raised in response to his.

At that point, the earthbending Captain had some luck of his own calling his comrades off. Ever so slowly, the fighting subsided and a tense cease-fire was reached. The rhinos had a much easier time getting across no man's land once the fighting halted, but there was no 'safe' way for this parley to occur. Getting too comfortable for one second, just one wrong move, could mean the end for nearly every man on the field. And as the Great Dragon himself dismounted from his steed, Lu Ten knew what followed would change the course of history. The notion humbled the young prince onto his knees before his father. Other men flinched to follow the young price's actions, but they wisely remained on high alert. The only person who knelt along with Lu Ten was the Earth Captain.

It was in that moment that a profound and completely controversial friendship was formed.

The typical smile that graced the Dragon's lips was no where to be found. Iroh took in the scene but his sharp senses were honed on one thing: his son. This was their first meeting after 600 days of relentless battle. In all honestly, Iroh was tired of the whole thing. He was getting too old for all this; he had seen far too many young lives cut short in his long life. If he could have his choice, Lu Ten would be in his arms and tears would fall from his eyes as he thanked the spirits that his child had returned to him unharmed. However, this was not the time. This was purely irrational. Iroh could not fathom what Lu Ten was possible be thinking. But seeing the man in green kneeling beside his son, Iroh knew that whatever had happened was of the utmost importance.

The field was as still as a graveyard. Lu Ten's voice had left him and a trickle of sweet made its way down his nose. Suddenly, nothing made scene in his mind. How would he explain? What was he thinking? Could he even tell his father the whole truth? There were thousands of people watching! If he said the wrong thing he could die . . . and someone might go after his family. Lu Ten glanced at the man next to him and ground his teeth. The Captain was in the same position that he was – and Lu Ten would not be able to live with himself if someone else suffered for his stupidity.

The Prince swallowed his trepidation and broke the silence. "Father."

Iroh's eyes narrowed, taking note of his son's greeting and more importantly –Lu Ten broke with tradition and spoke before his elder. "My son."

Lu Ten could hear the chinking of steel as the soldiers around shifted their stances. He licked his lips. "Father. I have come here to ask that you call off the Siege. The fighting must end."

If Iroh was surprised, his face didn't show it. He simply waited for the men around them to recover from their own surprise. "The Siege will end when one side is victorious; to simply abandon this battle would be an act of cowardice and show shameful weakness."

Lu Ten took a deep breath envisioning Hikari in his mind's eye. "There is no shame in doing what is right and protecting all the individuals who love and defend our nation."

The General nodded once and turned to address the Earth Kingdom soldier who had allied himself with his son. "And you Sir, what reason do you have to follow my son across this field?"

The Captain didn't hesitate in his answer. "I want this war to end and I believe the Lieutenant is capable of stopping it."

Iroh frowned. "We are talking about one battle. Ending the Siege will not end the war."

The Captain smiled. "But it will be a step in the right direction."

Iroh looked back at his son. "Is this your aim as well, Prince Lu Ten?"

Lu Ten didn't hesitate either. "Yes Father."

The energy on the field shifted completely.

Iroh chose his words carefully. "I think, we should continue this conversation elsewhere."

Lu Ten waited anxiously for his father to summon him back into his command tent. It hadn't been the easiest conversation father and son had ever shared. In the end Lu Ten had opted to tell his father the whole truth behind his new outlook on the war. The words came out surprising simply, but Lu Ten could not ignore the way his father's eyes had shifted as he recounted his tale. General Iroh was ashamed of the young Lieutenant and disappointed in his son. Lu Ten ran the palms of his hands over his face, looking to the sky. At least their conference had been a private one.

The Earth Captain sat next to him tapping a finger nervously in his knee pad. "How much longer is this going to take?"

"I wish I knew."

"I don't like the looks I'm getting."

Lu Ten's attention went to a group of men nearby who all immediately avoided eye contact. "Yeah . . . just don't look at them."

"Hm – easier said than done." The Captain suddenly turned to Lu Ten and extended his hand. "Captain Deshi." Lu Ten could only stare at the man's hand dumbly. Had he really come all that way with a stranger? After a moment Deshi began laughing, a deep rumbling sound that reminded the prince that he sat next to an earthbender. "The look on your face is priceless, Lieutenant!"

Lu Ten cracked a grin and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I wasn't expecting an introduction."

Deshi smiled warmly and clapped his friend on the back. "I was debating whether or not I should give one." He chuckled to himself. "I wanted to wait until you figured it out."

Lu Ten laughed at that. It was a welcome respite from the stress of waiting. "I needed to laugh."

"I know." Deshi cleared his throat and lowered his voice. "Your men will kill me if I blink." His tone did not show a hint of fear; Deshi was merely stating a fact.

"I've asked my father for your amnesty. If he grants it you'll be fine. I'm pretty sure everyone here thinks I'm crazy so it would be pointless for me to order them right now." Lu Ten's thoughts went to Chen and he ground his teeth. He friend had attempted to kill him to preserve the integrity of their 'noble conquest'. No one would be that foolish again, but it still worried the young prince. Was he a traitor? His men certainly thought so. There wasn't a person on the field who wouldn't try to kill the earthbender for his actions – perhaps the earth soldiers included. But Deshi wasn't a traitor, and neither was he. Lu Ten knew –even sitting there next to the earthbender– if it came down to the wire, Deshi would fight against him without a second thought. They were united for the betterment of both their peoples; Lu Ten just hadn't realized how hard to would be to convince the rest of the world of that.

The sun was waning when General Iroh emerged from his tent. Lu Ten rose immediately at attention waiting for his father to speak. But the general said nothing. In fact he didn't even look at him. He waved over a messenger and handed off a scroll to the man. It was laced with a black ribbon . . . a message for the Fire Lord. Lu Ten swallowed hard and watched powerlessly as the massager bowed to his father and went to tie the missive securely into a hawk's pack. Iroh watched Lu Ten's every move; when his young son exhaled a deep breath, Iroh met Lu Ten's eyes. For a long time father and son stared at one another silently speaking of disappointment, confusion, pride, honor and anger. Though no words were spoken, their meaning was clear: each man was hurt.

The messenger hawk was long overhead when Iroh broke the silence. "I've informed the Fire Lord that you and I will be returning home for a while."

Lu Ten nodded.

"We have some loose ends to tie up before me leave at first light."

"So soon?"

"I don't want your grandfather's rage to stew for too long." Iroh took a deep breath to center himself. "I don't expect the message I sent him to be very well received."

Lu Ten didn't expect it would be either. "And what of the Siege?" Deshi stood up a bit taller to remind the General of his presence.

Iroh never took his eyes off his son. "It would seem that we are at a standstill for the time being." The General reached into his sleeve revealing a second scroll with a White Lotus Pai Sho piece dangling from the ribbon. He tuned to Captain Deshi then. "I know you're not a messenger Captain, but I would be very grateful if you would take this massage to General How of the Council of Five. I can arrange an escort of my most trustworthy men and our fasted mounts to get to you him. It is imperative that I speak with him tonight under a white flag or the Fire Nation will be forced to continue this battle in my absence. Everything is detailed in this note. Would you do this for me?"

Something akin to admiration stirred in the Captain and he bowed quite low to the princely General. "With all due respect General Iroh, I would feel safer if I was accompanied by a few of my own men."

Iroh laughed. "Of course! I wouldn't expect us all to be close friends just yet."

There was something in Iroh's smile that put both Deshi and Lu Ten's minds at ease despite the edgy situation.

Iroh continued. "I'd like to meet him a few hours after dark – my son and I have an errand to run before sunset."

Deshi bowed again. "Then I'll take my leave now."

Iroh handed Deshi the scroll and gestured to the rhinos. "My seal will get you whatever you need. I thank you for your help Captain."

Deshi nodded and glanced once at Lu Ten before turning away. Both Lu Ten and Iroh watched his movements for a time and waited for him to get out of ear shot before speaking. "He's taking a great risk – General How could execute him for following you out here."

"I know."

Iroh gestured Lu Ten forward and the pair started walking nowhere in particular. "Tell me, my son, what do you know about this man that has allowed you to trust your life to an enemy?"

"I don't know anything about him." Iroh raised an eyebrow at his son. "But we want the same thing and the end of the war is worth taking a chance on."

"It's reckless."

"I know. But I've made my choice because I know it's the right one. And I accept the consequences that come with it."

Iroh smiled. "If I wasn't so angry about your decision, I would be so pleased to know that I was the man who raised you. You're unwavering in your loyalty and you truly believe what you're doing is the right thing. I couldn't be happier that you're thinking for yourself, Lu Ten. But I can't say I share your opinion on this matter."

"I understand." Lu Ten's head fell. "I didn't expect you too."

Iroh suddenly pulled his son into an embrace. "No matter what happens from now on, Lu Ten, I want you to know that I am so honored to be your father."

Lu Ten gripped onto his father, afraid to let tears run down his face while they were walking among the people who worshipped them. "Dad I –"

Iroh shook he head and straightened to look over his son. "Now I believe there are a few people who I need to meet."

Lu Ten smiled.

Lao hunched over the well worn bar, stroking the mug in his hand and watching the condensation run from his fingers onto the counter top. He was listening to the local gossip while eyeing the temping bar maid at the other end of the room. He knew that she knew he was watching her from the nervous way she glanced over her shoulder at him. This made him smile. He took a swig of the terribly sour ale and swallowed hard; if not for the most delightful num settling in his mind, he wouldn't touch the stuff. Now was that time of day where he had to make the decision whether or not to stay longer, but he needed to get Kimi from the farmers. Lao looked at his mug and scowled then glanced again at the barmaid, catching her eye. He'd come back later so he wouldn't have to watch Onabi breast feeding the baby. Watching her made his pants tight and his buried memories surface. He would definitely be back that evening to enjoy the finer comforts of the establishment.

Feeling surprisingly satisfied with this resolution, he paid for his drinks and left the tavern. Kimi wasn't far from the town and neither was Onabi for that matter; still far enough to keep himself from forming any kind of deeper emotional attachment though. Lu Ten was a fool for that. Attachment just muddled things up and made you vulnerable, Lao knew that all too well. But the dead man would never condemn the prince for falling in love. He supposed love was a beautiful thing when it was real. When it was fake, it made you cynical. At least that's what Lao had come to believe from personal experience.

"Lao!" Kimi's voice broke him from his thoughts and he found himself catching the little girl in an embrace as she came flying at him.

"You'd think I've been gone for years with the kind of greeting." Lao released her, but she had already latched onto his arm and was now dead weight dangling from his elbow.

The farmer stood a ways off working, but stopped to smile at the scene. "She sure loves her daddy."

"I'm not her father."

The farmer chuckled to himself. "Suit yourself."

"Thanks again for taking her to –"

"EARL!" The farmer's wife came running out of the house as fast as her stubby legs could carry her. "EARL!"

"Em? What in tar-nation –" He stopped short seeing the panic in her eye.

"Rhinos are coming! The Fire Nation's headin' this way!"

"What're you talkin' 'bout Em?" The farmer tried to calm his hysterical wife down.

"The Siege! The Fire Nation's stopped attacking and they're coming out here!"

Lao exhaled and lowed Kimi onto the ground, feeling his legs falter under him. "He did it . . ."

The farmer grabbed hold of his wife and ran to the house "We gotta bunker-down Emmi girl! How'd you find out they's comin'?"

"I don't know everythin', but I do know that the Dragon Prince called it off hisself."

Lao broke in. "Who told you this happened?"

Em looked at him as though she had just seen Lao for the first time. "Some soldiers on patrol stopped to warn us."

"Are they still here?"

"No they went to warn the town –" Lao heaved Kimi over his shoulder like a stack of potatoes and was off running before she finished. He could hear the farmer's wife calling him back to take refuge in the house, but he couldn't stop. He had to get to Onabi. It had happened so fast. Lu Ten said he would be back that evening, but Lao hadn't believed him. Nothing could change that quickly. But if it was true . . . this was the best thing he'd heard all day! He could go home. Home where there was no snow or clingy children or hot married women sleeping in the same room with him –taunting him with a body that he would take even while she was still heavy with child– where there was decent liquor and food with spices and actual flavor and–

His ex-wife.

Lao pushed all his thoughts aside and focused on getting to the hut. Kimi was strangely still as he ran, gripping onto the collar of his shirt like a vice. If Lao didn't know better, he would have thought that the five-year-old understood the severity of the situation. But then again, maybe she did. Kimi was a mystery to him and very wise when it came to perception. Lao couldn't be happier for the fact that she wasn't jabbering.

It wasn't until they could see Onabi's sweeping just outside the shack did she say anything. "Down please." Lao swung her around and put her down. She jogged along next to him, running straight to Onabi while Lao blurred out their footprints in the snow. Anyone could see that Onabi was waiting for her husband to come riding through the trees; Lao prayed it would be Lu Ten coming and not an execution squad.

The dead man noticed the birds in the trees scatter before he heard what was approaching. He had hoped they had more time to prepare. Onabi was still disheveled from birth the day before and Kimi was a mess from digging holes all day. "Get inside."

Kimi's eyes grew wide as she run up next to him. "What's that rumbling?"

"Get inside Kimi." Lao pushed her towards Onabi, who ushered her inside. Thankfully she understood the desperation behind his eyes and didn't require any explanation just then. Onabi took enough time to glance back at the sky before Lao pushed them all through the door and slammed it shut. The baby had been asleep, but he didn't like the sudden noise at all. "Shut him up."

Onabi glared at the dead man, but did not reprimand him. She was already soothing her son with Kimi clinging nervously behind her.

Lao perched himself at the window and sharpened his vision. He didn't remember picking it up, but somehow a knife was gripped in his palm. They were sitting turtle-ducks waiting in the hut, but he had an obligation to protect the friend's wife and child – a part of the royal family. He would die to protect the prince; he'd done it once already, and he would gladly do it again.

Lao's eyes shifted briefly to Onabi; she was watching him. "Whatever happens, don't run. You can't die yet."

"I know." Lao was not an openly emotional man, but hearing the determination and pride in those two simple words gave him chills. Onabi's naturally expressive face was hardened, ready for whatever was coming; she knew what needed to be done and was ready to do it. They nodded at one another before Lao focused back on the window.

The dead man smirked to himself; she would make the most stunning lady to have on your arm during a war meeting or political gathering. Lao knew from experience that this woman could be just as commanding as the Fire Lord. Onabi was a woman who worked harder than any person he'd ever known – even now; she had their dinner prepared when she should be saving her strength. She always tried to keep a pleasant demeanor while taking on any and every challenge that came her way. Had she ever known happiness before Lu Ten came into her life? She had endured so much in the last day alone; Onabi – or rather Hikari – was a newly made wife and mother all in the same day – she could potentially be made a princess as well. And though she hadn't been trained in the arts of courtly etiquette or decorum or political vernacular, Lao was positive that she was more suited to be lady of state than any of those power hungry women that were bread in the Fire Nation. She was witty, gorgeous, level headed and strong; the perfect match for Lu Ten.

The prince was a very lucky man. Lao suddenly found himself cursing the prince for being so stupid – so naïve – so stubborn – so . . . so completely sincere in his love for this woman. Loving a woman was the most dangerous thing anyone could do, and the prince had jumped off that cliff willingly. What was worse, this woman had jumping along with him.

His thoughts were interrupted when nearly a dozen mounted komodo-rhinos filed out of the trees into their clearing. Lao immediately recognized their armor to be that of imperial escorts. Absently he rotated the knife in his hand. Would he be forced to fight these men? If it came down to it, he would; you can't court-martial a legally dead man. Plus, he had a solid argument since he would be fighting in the name of the royal family. He'd just have to make sure that he kept his head on his shoulders. Lao wasn't a bender nor was he the tallest of men, but his combat skills were a force to be reckoned with. Still, he was only one man.

Surprisingly, Onabi spoke up. "The village I grew up in isn't far. We can hide there if we need to. At least for the night."

Lao ran over all the possible scenarios in his head. This whole thing could end very badly. Onabi was still too weak for a long journey, but with the right supplies they may be able to manage. On the other hand – if the appearance of these men was a good thing . . . Lao was moving before he finished the thought.

"What are you doing?"

"Wait here."

Kimi whimpered as he closed the door behind him. He made no attempt to conceal his weapon when he addressed the soldiers. "Can I help you gentleman?"

The men exchanged glances, obviously not expecting a man of the Fire Nation to emerge from the miserable looking shack. One soldier cleared his throat. "Are there more occupants in that house?"

Lao's eyes narrowed. "That's not your concern. Now, if there's nothing I can do for you, then you all can leave."

The officer didn't seem to appreciate Lao's attitude. "We have reliable information that other individuals reside there. It's in your best interest to cooperate with us."

The dead lieutenant never had a problem reading people and this man wanted two things: Onabi and Junior. Those two things this man could not have. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but like I said before, the occupants of this house are none or your concern. You can leave."

"We have orders –"

"So do I." It was a good thing that Lao was honest to a fault. He merely used the truth to suit his own purpose. "Now leave."

The soldiers began dismounting and drawing their spears. Lao refused to let these men intimidate him. Besides that, if he let them see the slightest bit of hesitation, Onabi would be on her own. The men formed two lines and just as Lao thought they were going to make a move, the lines parted as the men presented arms, creating an aisle between them. Robotically the men bowed in place, putting themselves as close to the ground as possible. Lao paled, frozen where he stood; coming directly toward him was the Dragon of the West.

Slowly the dead man regained composure and dropped to his knees with his head down before the great general. Iroh was known to be a far more understanding man than the Fire Lord was, but he would pass judgment when judgment was due. Lao couldn't seem to conjure up enough saliva to swallow. In a short time, Iroh was standing right in front of him –the tips of his pointed shoes just barely visible from Lao's prostrate position. Though he was short, General Iroh was an awesome and intimidating presence. Short like Lao.

The General spoke first, as was his prerogative. "Lieutenant Lao, it's been a long time. I'm quite surprised to see you alive."

Lao smiled despite himself. "It's only a muscle spasm, General Iroh sir. I'm sure my body will stop moving any moment." Iroh laughed heartily, reminding the dead Lieutenant of their time on the ships crossing the ocean to begin the Agni forsaken Siege. That was such a long time ago.

Iroh laughter subsided and he fixed his eyes on the young man before him. "I have some business to attend to inside that house, so I must ask that you stand aside."

Lao spoke without thinking. "No, sir."

Iroh raised an eyebrow. "No?"

"No, sir." Lao confirmed. "I can't let you pass without your son."

Iroh smiled at some personal joke. "Then I must order you to stand aside, Lieutenant."

Lao got to his feet. "I will not, sir." The dead man couldn't be sure if Iroh was the type of person you would kill a helpless woman and her newborn child – but a threat to the monarchy was a different matter entirely. Iroh WAS the kind of person to take personal responsibility for difficult situations. And what could be more difficult than executing an infant?

Iroh markedly crossed his firebending hands behind his back. "That was an order, Lieutenant."

"Sir, I tell you no one will get through this door unless it's your son. Not while I still breathe."

Iroh snapped his fingers and the two closest soldiers broke rank to restrain Lao. The dead man would have none of that and leapt back closer to the hut where Onabi was. The dagger in his palm seemed painfully inadequate as he stared down the point of over a dozen spears. However, it wasn't until the Dragon took up a fighting stance that Lao knew he'd be dead in few minutes. Should he back down? He was protecting part of the royal family, but wasn't fighting the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation doing the exact the opposite? If it was Iroh's will that they be killed, shouldn't Lao let them die?

He was horribly outnumbered and at war with his own head, so Lao did the only thing he could think of: he begged. "Prince Iroh, please – you can't go in the house."

Iroh smiled. "And why is that, Lieutenant?"

It was a loaded question so Lao cautiously maneuvered his tongue. "I am waiting for your son to return, he is the only man who I will let inside."

"Does Prince Lu Ten have some reason to be hiding something from his father?"

Lao took a deep breath. "Prince Lu Ten isn't hiding anything, he left to speak with you. It's not my place to disclose matters that pertain to the royal family."

Iroh took a moment to inspect Lao's dirty grey shirt and trousers. Lao waited with baited breath, taking inventory of the number of pointed objects verses the number of benders he may have to fight. After a good while Iroh spoke. "You're a good man Lieutenant Lao. My son should count himself lucky to call you his comrade."

"I am. " One of the men who had attempted to restrain Lao removed his helm.

Despite the apologetic expression on Prince Lu Ten's face, Lao was not amused. "Honestly General Iroh – I don't know what keeps my loyal to this man."

"Don't blame my son for this minor deception; I needed to be sure that you were the right person for this unique situation."

Lu Ten leaned over his friend's ear. "I think you passed."

"Shut up, Prince."

Lu Ten smiled good-naturedly, though Lao could see he was distracted. The dead man inclined his head, nodding the prince to the house. "You can go inside."

Lu Ten nodded and turned to his father. "May I have a moment alone?" Iroh exhaled deeply before nodding. Lu Ten was inside the hut a moment later and clasped into the arms of his lover. "I love you Hikari. Don't ever forget that."

Hikari kissed him urgently before looking out the small window. "What does this mean for us?"

Lu Ten placed lips of her brow before letting his forehead come to rest on hers. "I have to return to the Fire Nation. My father wants you and the baby to come with us, but I didn't want to speak for you –"

"When do we leave?"

Lu Ten met her eyes and found Hikari smiling for him. "At first light. If . . . this is what you want."

Hikari looked again out the window and watched a silent conversation being spoken between Iroh and Lao. "Do – do you not want me to come?"

"Hikari, I want you to come with me. But this is where things are going to get . . . complicated."

Hikari looked incredulously at her husband. "Am I your wife Lu Ten?"

"Yes, but –"

"My place in this world is with you and our son. I will go where you go."

Lu Ten kissed her squarely. "I love you."

Hikari smiled against his lips. "I know."

"Is it safe for you to travel right now?"

Hikari was thoughtful at the moment. "Will there be a physician on board?"

"Yeah, but Dad doesn't want you to be the only woman on the ship."

Hikari giggled. "I haven't even met your father and he's already acting as over protective as you are."

Lu Ten didn't see the humor. "It's a legitimate concern. We're thinking of your well being –"

Hikari covered his mouth with hers, savoring the sounds of Lu Ten's futile protest. "Jess owes me a favor." Lu Ten cringed hearing the name. "I trust her."

He nodded. "I'll send for her."

"Let me write a note – she'll respond better to me then to men with spears."

"Do I get to go too?"

The lovers turned to the third person in the room with the same gentle smile. Lu Ten answered. "I wouldn't forget you Kimi."

The little girl ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you Lu Ten."

The Prince gave her a squeeze before looking up at his wife. Hikari nodded, already fixing the baby into a sling across her torso. Lu Ten extended his had to her with a smile and together to new couple stepped out of the hut to greet their future.