She was waiting on him when he returned, not that he was surprised. She was the one that had demanded that he went to see her, though he knew that had come originally from Ty-Lee. Mai might have, at one time, actually care somewhat for Azula... but she was a practical woman. When she cut her aligiance from her, she cut everything she might have felt out as well. It was only because she cared about Ty-Lee that she had mentioned anything at all.

"How did it go?" Her eyes raised as he entered, glancing up from a draft of one of the various treaties that they were discussing. A glance told him that it was related to reperations towards the Water Tribes, something that was currently a sore spot for the two nations.

"It...went." He said as cool as he could. He knew it wouldn't help. Mai was naturally gifted at reading people to begin with. Being his wife gave her further insight into him specifically. The slight raise in her eyebrows told him she saw through his calm exterior.

"How is Azula's treatment coming along Zuko? Is she showing any progress?" Mai was listening to him, but he could see her eyes darting over the pages even as they spoke. Azula was in her past, the nation was what needed her attention now.

His eyes drifted away and he hung his head slightly, showing a sign of defeat. "No. Shes still as defiant and dangerous as she was when we put her in for rehabilitation." He walked around to behind her chair and crouched down, reached around it and holding her in a small embrace.

"Don't feel ashamed, Zuko. Shes only been getting treatment for a little under a year now. These things take time." She looked back up from her work and turned to look at him. "Though, there should be some improvement. Did you talk to her doctor while you were there?"

The hair on the back of Zuko's neck stood up a bit. He had considered telling her the truth in the past. She might be slightly upset, but she wouldn't have voiced more than minor objections. But if she knew, it would get to Ty-Lee. Unfortunately for him, while nothing would be done, Ty-Lee being upset would bother Mai, and might place some strain on their relationship. It was better if he kept her on the dark, at least on this one.

"Yeah, I spoke with him briefly." He lowered his gaze again. "He says that the seriousness of her mental break was severe. She might not ever be fully functional again. We might have to leave her in there for the rest of her life."

Mai paused a moment, seeming to be slightly bothered by the news and then sighed. "Ty-Lee won't like that. I think besides you, and me to a small extent, shes the only one that really cares what happens to her. Ty's soft heart has always gotten her hurt. Theres no way to explain to her that Azula doesn't deserve her care."

He kissed her gently on the forehead before standing and walking to look out the window, letting his gaze take in the capital city below. "I know Mai... but we can't dwell on this too long. Hows the treaty proposals look?"

Mai glanced back down, concern fading, replaced with a much deeper care. "Not good Zuko. Theres been talk of cutting off the trade agreements we managed to sort out last month." She sighed. "What did you expect to happen when you stormed out of the negotiations?"

He growled. "Their demands were unreasonable, and they wouldn't listen to me when I tried to explain that. They just kept going on about everything that we owed them, and that how I personally was responsible for making sure the Southern Tribe was properly assisted."

Mai eyes raised to face him. "I know that you don't like to be reminded of what you did, but you did cause a lot of damage to their tribe, and the Fire Nation as a whole nearly enslaved the entire world. We're going to have to give some concession if we want there to be any hope of peace."

He threw his hands up in the air. "I know that Mai! But we can't put ourselves so far out that our own nation falls into poverty and disorder. We owe the world, but we don't own them our own stability!"

She sighed once more, and he quickly lost his steam looking at her. Things had been tense the past few months between them, as more of the negotiations became rocky. Some of it was natural, but even Zuko had to admit to himself that he had been responsible for a little of it.

"I know Zuko, I know." She looked back down at the papers and then back up at him. "But you have to see things from their perspective. The World almost lost its moon because of us, the earth nation was nearly destroyed. We might have to chop off our arm to save the rest of the body."

He growled and went to say something, but she cut him off. "Look, Zuko, why don't you let a few of our more experienced negotiators sit in the meetings with you? They could help...balance things out."

There was a brief flicker of genuine anger before Zuko controlled himself. "Mai, I know your looking out for my best interests, but I am Fire Lord. I will handle the Negotiations myself and make sure that the world is fixed and stable without us having to sacrifice ourself to do it."

He turned and started towards the door, time running short. Most of his days were spent in meetings with various officals and nobles from each of the nations. Having to take time with Azula had cut into what little time he had free to spend with Mai. "I have to go. We're meeting with the Bei Fong family today."

"Oh, right. I knew they were in town." She said, the change in subject allowing both of them to be more calm than they had been. "Is Lady Toph with them today?"

Zuko genuinely laughed. "Noble family or not, the last thing Toph is, is a Lady." He reached the doors and opened them, turning back to look at her. "But no, shes not attending the meeting. Toph never really had much of a taste for politics. I hear shes back to her old games at the arena fights."

"Ah. Well, take care then Zuko." She let a little grin cross her face. "Are we still meeting tonight for dinner and some alone time?"

Zuko chided himself a bit, for forgetting about their arrangement. "No. I'm sorry Mai. I'm going to meet with my uncle tonight. He sent for me, saying that he wanted to see me."

Mai's smile didn't drop. "I see. Well then, enjoy yourself Zuko, and listen to your uncle. He has a lot he can teach you if you pay attention. I'll see you in a few days?"

"Yeah. I'll make it up to you when I can. You know how our schedules are." He turned to leave before pausing for a moment. "Make sure to take some time out to confort Ty-Lee. I know how important she is to you."

Mai nodded and went back to being busy with her reports. The doors closed behind him as Zuko left, headed towards one of the few people he could genuinely say he loved.