Author's Note: Inspired by Doug Walker's analysis of Mai and Zuko in his review of "The Boiling Rock Part II."
There was no guilt and no apology in his eyes.
His gaze wasn't a plea for forgiveness or mercy but a final declaration of his choice. It was the resigned, determined look of one who knew he was on the right path and refused to swerve from it, no matter what it cost him. He bowed his head in regret that she was in pain but with no regret for his actions. When he disappeared, she realized she would never forget that look, for she had never seen it on him before.
"I'm angrier than ever, and I don't know why! I'm confused... I'm not sure I know the difference between right and wrong anymore..."
She could hardly believe the distance he'd traveled in just a few weeks. All the doubt, uncertainty, self-loathing, confusion, and fear that had been weighing him down were gone, replaced with an unbendable resolve and courage. That hopelessly lost prince she'd lived with for the past two months – the man who had been unable to live with himself or face the rest of the world – was gone. Yet this new warrior wasn't entirely unfamiliar – he reminded her of a boy she'd known years ago, who was brave enough to defy the Fire Lord in his own war chamber in order to speak up for what he believed was right. For so long, she'd feared that courage had been burnt out of him that fateful day. Azula and Ozai had certainly thought so...
She recognized the feeling that arose at that thought as the thrill of triumph – vicarious joy for her lover's victory over his enemies. Some latent patriotic instinct told her she ought to hate the man who betrayed her nation and her people, but it quickly faded as her admiration for him grew. Even her anger over him leaving her behind was nothing more than proof of how much she wanted him to trust her and let her help him. Why did she have to fall for a man noble enough to want her spare her the burdens he was willing to carry? Why did her love for him have to be the one thing he still doubted? She couldn't let him leave without setting him straight on that point. When two guards finally came to let her out, she knew what she had to do, even if it was the last thing she ever did.
He wasn't a coward; she would match his courage. He was resolved to do the right thing; she would match his resolution. He was willing to fight for what he believed in; she was willing to fight for what she loved.
She was rewarded for her efforts with one more glance between them before he disappeared again. She could see the pain in his eyes she caused him by running right into the danger he'd tried to protect her from, but her own eyes held no regret and no apology. His look spoke of sheer, helpless incredulity. Hers said, It was worth it.
He was worth fighting for.