Zuko stood in the doorway, silently watching Ty Lee hold Azula's hand and reach out to brush away strands of hair that become plastered to Azula's forehead. Azula didn't respond. Instead she remained still and lifeless, shallow breaths rasping in her throat. Ty Lee swallowed hard, and Zuko saw fresh tears spring into her already bloodshot eyes.

"Ty Lee," he said softly, "you need to get some fresh air."

Ty Lee didn't jump as she had before when he appeared unexpectedly; perhaps she didn't have the strength. She looked up at him, tears slipping down familiar paths on her cheeks. She shook her head.

"I'm not going to leave her."

Zuko moved to stand beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ty Lee, she wouldn't want this. She wouldn't want you to waste away like this." Truthfully, he had no idea what Azula would want; she was certainly vain enough desire Ty Lee to continue as she was. After a moment, Zuko frowned. No, if Azula wanted this, it wasn't from Ty Lee. Things were different with Ty Lee and even he had been able to see that.

"I'm not leaving her," Ty Lee said again. "Go away." And her fierce stare almost convinced him to leave. Almost.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself. "No, Ty Lee. Not until you come with me for a walk in the gardens." He glanced out the window. The sun was shining; he could hear birds singing, and a cool breeze drifted into the room, caressing his face. He closed his eyes and for the briefest of moments, he could pretend it was Mai's hands touching his face again and not the wind. Suddenly, it was hard to breathe. He turned away, boots scuffing the floor, and took several deep breathes while fighting back tears.

When he finally regained control and turned back to Ty Lee, she was wiping her eyes and staring at Azula.

"Ty Lee, take a walk with me. Azula would want it, and Mai would to."

Ty Lee's lip trembled, and Zuko thought she was going to burst out sobbing. She kissed Azula's forehead gently. "I love you," she whispered. Then she rose from her chair, turning to face him, and Zuko stepped forward to wrap his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She buried her face in his shoulder as he guided her from the room.

A walk would do them both some good, he decided.