Author's Note: First of all, I'd like to think each and every one of you readers for reading all of my stories and being faithful readers. You all are why I keep writing. After all long wait, Maid to Love is back with its sequel.

Like the first installment it is an AU story with the same characters but a different premise. Zuko returns, 8 months later from rehab, to a whole new world and whole lot of problems. Can he manage being in love and being a good CEO, brother, friend, father, and lover? Who knows? I don't even know.

This chapter is an introducing chapter. It recaps some of what happened in the last story for context and sets up the situation Zuko is in (well several situations really). I'll stop talking now. Don't forget to follow. ~Brie

MAID TO LOVE 2

Chapter One:

Dear Zuko,

You know the moment when you really know you're going to die and you close your eyes and just accept it. I'm sure you've experienced it once or twice.

It's like you're completely at peace and you're lying in a pool of still water, just floating away until you finally just let go and submerge yourself into the water. At least, that's how I imagine it will be.

Truth is, this has to end. One day, I'm your employee and now I'm soon to be your wife. It was all too soon. I knew it was too perfect, too good to be true. I know you think you're the hero of his story but you aren't. You can't save everyone and you surely can't save me from him.

I love you so much. There's no other man I would rather spend my life with (well the remaining minutes I may have left). I've grown to love your daughter like she's my own. I've grown to respect your Uncle Iroh. Even Mai and Azula, as volatile as they are have become part of my family.

Just know when I am gone you can find solace in them.

I love you with the fire of a thousand burning suns, Zuko. I love you more than I love old reruns of Gilmore Girls, more than I love water, and far more than I love myself. This is why I have to do this. I have to end this once and for all. It started with me after all.

I'm the only one who can stop him.

Remember to pray devotedly, to love deeply, and to live passionately.

Your Beloved,

Katara Sapphire (Soon-To-Be Agni)

April 26, 2016

Children ran through the park with not a care in the world. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining down and bathing everyone with its warmth.

A man and woman walk hand in hand on a quiet street. The city of love was just the place for two lovers to undoubtedly meet.

A hug had never seemed long enough for the happy couple, as something was always pulling them apart sooner rather than later. In each other's arms nothing else matter but what was happening in the moment. That's how they had to live. In the moment, otherwise they would lose track of time.

"I missed you so much Katara." Zuko held her close in his arms. "God, you have no idea how hard it's been."

Zuko had spent nearly 8 months away from everyone and everything he loved with rehab and today was they day he was free to walk to world a free man. He, with his now long shaggy hair and glaring beard, was free to do whatever he chose. It was empowering for him, despite the change in his physical experience.

Katara knew even if he did resemble a cave man, he still had those same honest, gold eyes that she knew and loved.

"I've missed you too. So much." She whispers into his ear. She eyes the ring on her finger. She still wore it. She never had lost faith in his progress for not a moment.

An impatient woman cleared her throat a mere three feet from the couple. "Yes, yes, yes hugs and kisses. Really ZuZu, can we go now?"

The woman shared Zuko's same eyes but had a more noticeable attitude and disdain for anything that didn't involve herself.

"Always Azula." Zuko said that to himself as he went to greet the rest of his visitors.

His Uncle Iroh had come, Mai Stone (his ex), Sokka, and even the person he truly missed the most, more than anyone.

"MAYA!" He swept the girl up in his gleeful arms and showered her with kisses. He spun around and jumped for joy. "God, you've gotten so big. My beautiful little girl, I've missed you the most."

The girl was crying in her father's arms. It was clear that he didn't want him to ever have to leave again and he promised he wouldn't ever leave her. Not as long as he was breathing. He would never lose her again.

Once the father and daughter moment was complete Zuko gave Mai, the mother of his child, a quick hug and then moved on to his Uncle.

"Soooo let me get this straight? They don't let you shower…or shave…in rehab?" Sokka blurted out as Zuko embraced his uncle. Zuko only responded by glaring at him and giving his a handshake. "I'm serious dude. You STINK. PEWWWW!"

Everyone erupted in a comfortable and familiar laughter. It felt good for all of them to be together again, after such a long-time. Zuko had hoped that he would never be away from his family ever again.

~/~

Zuko took a quick shower and had properly shaved. He was beginning to look like his former self. He missed his shower, his bed, and home. Even more though, he had missed the woman who made the place feel more like home than even his childhood quarters.

Katara Sapphire was sprawled out on his bed in a blue bath robe and her hair up in a ponytail. Even like that she hadn't changed a bit. She was still gorgeous and still as amazing as ever.

Zuko plopped down beside the woman and saw what she was doing. She was watching the TV, particularly the celebrity gossip station. He still HATED gossip and the blogs and the paparazzi. ALL OF IT. He hated all of what came with being Agni Inc.'s CEO.

For now he just wanted to be normal.

He wanted to make love to his girlfriend and eat Chinese food and play with his daughter. He didn't want any of the luxuries (or the curses for that matter). He would be content with the small moments.

If there was anything rehab had taught him (other than to become a non-alcoholic) it was to cherish the people you loved. So many people didn't completely the program like he did and died of alcohol poisoning or doing something dangerous while under the influence. Zuko Agni was highly blessed that he wasn't one of those people.

For him relapse wasn't an option.

Even if the whole world believe that he was going to fail again.

He listened to voice on the television screen: "And Agni Inc.'s former CEO, Zuko Agni has returned from his intensive 8 month rehab. He looks extremely rough and has seemed to have lost a lot of weight. It looks like the rehab program has hit him hard. Girlfriend, Katara Sapphire and newest elected CEO of Agni Inc, Iroh Agni were among the party that greeted his return today. Let's hope he can stop being the black sheep of the family business."

Zuko scoffed, grabbing the remote and turning the TV down.

"Am I really the black sheep? Have I really tarnished my family's legacy that bad? I mean, I did the right thing right? I was right when I turned in my father."

"That's not even a question Zuko. He embezzled and stole MILLIONS from your family's clientele. Not to mention he kidnapped your daughter. You did the right thing, Zuko. You're a good guy. Don't worry about what the media says about you."

"Part of me feels bad about it Katara. The company's reputation went down the drain. Plus, he's my family too and I just threw him to the wolves and sent him to jail."

"Well you shouldn't. Ozai was a monster. You can't forgot about how he burned you and allowed someone to rape Azula. Even the wolves probably wouldn't take him Zuko."

No matter how many times Katara may have said it wasn't his fault. He'd forever feel guilty and burdened over the state of his company. It was his debt to pay. He'd be back as CEO soon enough then everything would be back to being his responsibility.

Truth is he still needed Ozai. Last time he visited him in jail, Ozai didn't tell him where his mother was. Zuko had learned she was alive from his Uncle and Iroh swore he had no idea about her whereabouts. The only person that would know logically would be Ozai.

Zuko would have to break him sooner or later, no matter how guilty he felt.

"I guess you're right."

"Yea, I know I'm right." She gives him a quick peck on the lips. "You shouldn't worry about. Iroh is acting as CEO now. He's got it under control."

Bright colors appeared on the screen. He didn't know why but Zuko felt suddenly nauseas by the sudden appearance of the oranges and other cool colors on the screen. Whatever this was an ad for, it had to be the most dumb product in the world.

That's when he saw it in bold orange letters: Airbender Gliders. It was Aang soaring in the sky with one of the gliders laughing and smiling. Zuko nearly gagged at the sight. Even after 8 months, Aang was someone who repulsed and annoyed Zuko to no avail.

"He's really selling those gliders huh?!"

"Yea. His business is booming. They're selling worldwide now. Every kid got one for Christmas this year too. His gliders are a new hot commodity. He's been put on the Forbes list after only selling them for a few months."

A knot formed in his stomach. Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, and birthdays. He'd missed so much. He felt so unattached to the world around him. Of course, he knew the world wouldn't stop went he finally decided to get help for his alcoholism but he didn't expect to be this out of touch.

Zuko groaned and buried his face in a pillow. Katara sensed his discomfort.

"Hey, cheer up. Things will be normal for you soon."

"Easy for you to say. You've remained in the mansion with nice things like internet access while I did things like group therapy and meditation. I'm surprised everyone hasn't forgotten about me by now. Mai has a new boyfriend, I heard. Uncle is leading the company, Sokka and Suki have their kid, and you've been touring the country doing interview like you're freaking Dear Abby or something. Face it, I'm not factored into the equation of what is normal anymore."

"1. Shut up. You went to get help which is brave and admirable of you. We'd rather have this Zuko than an alcoholic. 2. Yes, life has moved on but that doesn't mean we've forgotten you. You saw how much we were all excited to see you. And 3. It's not called Dear Abby, my talk show is called Ask the Painted Lady, duh!"

"Ohhhh like I knew it the Painted Lady! What is she your advice giving, liberating alter ego or something." Katara simply nodded. "Whatever, you know it's not about you having a Batman/ Bruce Wayne situation. It's about me missing so much in rehab. I missed my own daughter's birthday. What kind of parent does that?"

"One with good reason. And you know, since you're out we can throw her a late party. Maya would love for you to spend time with her. Plus, she loves cake."

"Ha, well that depends on if my darling baby mother will allow it. She's been less than civil when she gave me calls. It's almost time for our joint custody hearing and she's bitter about it. She think I'll try to take her again."

"Well, I'll be there with you in court if you need me. It's about what's best for Maya. It doesn't matter if you two get along 100% anyway."

"I agree but you know she doesn't see it that way. It's a competition for her."

"Your hearing isn't for another two weeks. In the meantime call her about the party. We can invited Kana and some of Maya's friends too. It'll be nice."

"Kana?"

"Um, Suki and Sokka's daughter."

DUH. God, he was so obviously out of touch with the world. Suki had the baby shortly after the baby shower while he wasn't around. He remember Katara telling him. It dawned on him, he hadn't even met the baby girl yet.

There was so much to do and so little time.

His phone rang. From the ringtone, Man Eater by Nelly Furtado, he knew exactly who it was.

"Hello, June. Shouldn't you be doing PR and fixing someone's life"

"Oh Boss hush. You know I'm loyal to you. Plus, the company bonus is nice over at Agni Inc."

There was no way she called just to say hi. June wasn't the type. Considering she was head of PR at Agni Inc. and she helped created the whole fake engagement fiasco for he and Katara, a simple hey wouldn't suffice with her.

Jesus, what was to make of the fake engagement anyway? What were he and Katara anyway? They weren't engaged but she still wore the fake ring. Not that it wasn't hers to wear considering she was able to keep the ring in the contract but still….

So confusing. Yet another thing to figure out in his life.

"So I see you got out of rehab today and I took the liberty of booking you on Joo Dee's tomorrow afternoon. Isn't that great?"

"No. Don't you think I'd like to spend my first few days with my family and friends? I don't want to be in front of the cameras right now, June."

"Well, I already booked it. Joo Dee begged me to do it. She wanted to be the first to get the scoop."

"What scoop? I did detox and did therapy!"

"People want to see you…notably you AND Katara together. They're curious about your relationship still. Katara has seen all over the country with that massive ring you got her. America loves a relationship surviving peril. You guys are like Romeo and Juliet."

"Except we AREN'T engaged June. We voided that contract remember?"

"Well according to America, you two ARE still engaged. It won't be hard to fake the funk since you two are actually a couple. We can write a new contract for Katara too. Just show up and look like the grateful and lucky fiancée for having such a faithful and supportive woman beside him. Embellish a bit too. Maybe hint about a Parisian getaway for you too." June paused. Someone was talking to her in the background. "Listen Boss Man, I got to go. We can go over scripts tomorrow but I'll see you at 3PM. Bye"

Fuck.

"I'd rather be CEO of Agni Inc. than deal with one of June's publicity stunts. Can you believe her? She wants us to do an interview tomorrow."

"Ha, well see about that…"

"Katara? You, you agreed to this?"

"Yea, I just thought I'd be good for you to get out there again and see people loving you again."

"You mean loving YOU. They only like us together because of you." Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes. "So you want to do it all again? Go through the lies? Go through the interviews? The fake meetings? The jaded 'I love yous'? The confusion?"

"This time it won't be forced right? We are together right?"

"Of course, it's just things have changed Katara. Need I remind you that we are still lying. We aren't engaged."

"It's just ONE interview."

Yea, and it was just one drink he had that ruined his life.

He was tired of talking. Tired of thinking. It was all too much already. He couldn't decide where to go or what do first.

His phone vibrated. The person he least wanted to talk to right now. This bald headed motherfucker, he thought to himself. He read the text with a grimace.

Aang Zephyr: Hey Buddy, Congrats on finishing rehab. We should get drinks sometime ;). Ha ha jk but we should talk soon.

At least he knew aang hadn't changed. He was still an asshole.

Zuko Agni: Thanks and sure, we have to meet up and talk about this Jet thing. I haven't been able to keep tabs on him but Katara is safe… for now. He probably won't try anything like breaking into Katara's apt. again.

Aang Zephyr: So far he's running Rebels Inc and blowing money like it's nothing. No suspicious activity.

Zuko Agni: We'll see. Now that I'm out he might start making moves. The ball is in his court. Stay alert.

Aang Zephyr: Ha ha, yea alert. Listen, what's Mai's favorite color?

Why the hell was he asking about Mai's favorite color? You know what, Zuko didn't care right now. He had better things to worry about.

Just as he placed his phone down and planned on cuddling with Katara the doorbell rang. He dragged his feet and ran to grab the door. To his surprise it was just a brown package with a note attached to it.

Welcome Back Home Mr. Agni. Don't get too comfortable.

Great. A mysterious package from a stranger with a vague threat. Who could've sent him yet another thing to worry about?

Author's Note: Any speculations on future chapters? Gee, Zuko is back with a lot on his plate. Next chapter will be up soon.