The Therapist

Zuko sat and watched the woman lift his step-father's leg, bend it, and push it back. Ikem turned his head and groaned uncomfortably. Zuko couldn't help but feel bad for the man. He's already been through so much.

Ikem's theater company was building an elaborate set for a new play when he fell from the scaffolding, landing on his back and breaking it in two places.

When Zuko and his sister found out about the accident they came to Hira'a from the capital to be by their mother's side. They'd stayed for a few weeks then hired a private nurse, Song, to make sure Ikem had all he needed. Everything was going as well as could be expected until Ikem started physical therapy.

After the first day he said that he was not going back. Song went right to the phone and called Azula to tell her of Ikem's declaration, knowing full well that she would make the man do as he had been told. Azula and Zuko dropped what they were doing, packed some bags, and headed back to Hira'a.

At least she's pretty Zuko thought as he watched the therapist help Ikem stretch his muscles. Then she looked up at him, right in his eyes, and smiled.

She had the most amazing eyes, big and this wonderful color that was closer to purple than it was to blue. She looked back down at Ikem "You didn't tell me you had a kid."

"Oh," he grunted "you mean Judas over there? Yes, he's my step-son. He also has two sisters. The youngest is my biological daughter."

"Really?" she looked up at Zuko again "I bet that's a beautiful family portrait."

"It is," the man answered "I really got lucky."

Suki offered him her hand "Well. We're all done for today.

He looked at her with stretched eyes "Already?" He slowly lifted his hand to place it in hers.

The therapist moved to slide her other hand under Ikem to help him sit up. Zuko darted over "I've got him."

"Yeah, all done." She watched the younger man lift her patient with gentle ease and sit him in the wheel chair. "I took your mind off the last bit by talking about the family." She smiled at Zuko "Maybe that's your subject. I bet you have some amazing stories."

Zuko dropped his head and pinched the bridge of his nose "Please don't get this ham started, we'll never leave."

"That may not be such a bad thing."

Zuko smiled a bit "He can tell you next time."

"That sound's good.' She looked at Ikem "I bet you have all kinds of embarrassing storied about this guy."

Ikem smiled "That I do."

Zuko's mouth dropped and he blushed a bit "Ikem. Please."

"Oh, I'm excited now." She got behind Ikem's chair and started toward the exit "Be sure to bring him with you do we can watch him squirm."

Ikem laughed "I think that can be arranged."

Zuko groaned and reached for his car keys "Okay, okay. That's enough 'Lets embarrass Zuko' for the day."

She extended her hand to him "It's been nice meeting you. I'm Suki."

He shook her hand "I'm Zuko."

Suki laughed "Yeah. You mentioned that." They released hands "You two behave yourself. I'll see you in a couple of days."

Zuko smiled "Yes, you too."

Ikem was eerily quiet on the way to his appointment that day. Zuko kept glancing at his step-father, wondering what was wrong, but not wanting to ask. The last thing Zuko wanted was to be trapped in an awkward conversation right before they got to the medical center. He noticed Ikem glance over at him and smile. He asked "What?"

"Nothing." Ikem said nonchalantly.

Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes. He knew he was going to regret starting up the dramatics, but he wanted to know "What is it Ikem?"

"Nothing really. I was just …wondering.'

Zuko exhaled and shook his head "Wondering what?" he asked, trying not to sound exasperated.

"I was wondering if you were finally going to ask Suki out or if the two of you were going to keep making goo-goo eyes over my twisted form."

"Wha-? I…I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on Zuko. It's me you're talking to here. I know you better than you think. For a month you've been insisting on taking me to physical therapy, even when your mom or Azula offer to."

"I'm giving mom a break. And do you really think Azula would want to sit around all that time while you do your pt. She's be bored out of her mind and she would tell you about it the entire time."

Ikem smiled "So, you're not bored when you come there?"

"No. It's kind of interesting."

"Is it interesting? Or is she interesting."

Zuko groaned "I give up. She's pretty and she seems nice. Okay?" He turned into the center's parking lot

"So why don't you ask her out? To lunch maybe."

"It'd be strange. What am I supposed to say?" he pulled into a space and parked "Gee, I really admire the way you bend my stepdad over three days a week. You wanna get a bite to eat?"

Ikem laughed "Well, know. I'd think you would find a better way to broach the subject."