Chapter Four:
Between two men is also a powerful woman from which they draw their power from. The idea is called triangulation of the sexes and can be applied to every major war, starting with the Trojan War. The object of power was none other than Helen of Troy.
Maybe Katara was these two men's Helen of Troy.
Despite the normal business discussion, there was an air of superiority between both men. Especially from Jet, who was playing both smug and coy for the entire meeting.
"So in the event that the merger falls throw you agree that both companies would split the income?" Zuko eyed the man from across the desk and almost laughed. Even a fancy suit couldn't hide what a snake he was. Zuko could barely keep himself from launching over the desk and punching him square in the face.
He refrained though. Screwing Jet over monumentally at his own game would be far more sweet of a prize.
"I suppose we could do that but word on the street is you aren't the CEO of Agni Inc. anymore. You have to forgive me if I'm skeptical about the merger. And considering your company is being investigated by the Federal Bureau you should understand my caution."
That asshole. He was throwing light jabs to test the waters. He couldn't jab back no matter how much he wanted to shade his entre lineage and mention his family's finances. He couldn't. It was because of his father's dishonesty that Jet was in that situation in the first place. And it was because of Jet's dishonesty that Jet was going to suffer severely when Zuko was done with him.
"We have to trust each other if this is going to work. How about we go out for drinks on me? We clear the air. We be friends. We should have an understanding of each other before we do business. The best partners are usually great friends first."
Zuko could vomit on his own words if he could.
"Drinks sure, but I think that drinking wouldn't be a good move for you Zuko. Plus I don't want there to be an audience. You seem to have a spectacle surrounded around your presence."
"We've all had some downfalls but I'll prove to you that I'm an honest man and I'm an even better business partner."
I will destroy you, Jet if it's the last thing I do, Zuko thought as he smiled in the man's face.
~/~
To say Zuko was overwhelmed was an understatement. June wasn't picking up, his Uncle wasn't going to help him, and even kissing Jet's ass for two hours to discuss business prospects didn't seem to help. He dragged his feet when he came in the house, hoping Katara would be there to greet him, yet he was only met with bleak darkness.
"Katara!" He called into the dark abyss. He crept up the spiral staircase and into his room. The lights were off upstairs too. He slid his suit jacket off and saw flickers of fire underneath the bathroom door. He threw his jacket on the bed and slowly opened the bathroom door.
There she was. Bathed in candle light. Soaking in the bathtub and looking absolutely beautiful. Her mocha skin looked intoxicating. Zuko couldn't help but lick his lips at the sight.
It had been so long since he saw her like this. Five months at least. She was undeniably beautiful. From her curly brown hair to the curve of her back to her soft lips and beautiful blue eyes. She was truly a sight.
He watched he turn her head and look at him with those big blue eyes, watched her long curls graze her neck, and watched her slowly realize it was him standing there in the doorway.
"Hi." She spoke in a lusty and breathy tone.
"Hi." Zuko could feel the heat rising inside of himself. She was irresistible and to be frank, he needed an outlet. "I'm um sorry for interrupting your bath."
Suddenly she was standing in front of him soaking wet and completely naked. Her curves glistened against the candle light and Zuko was speechless.
"There was never anything to interrupt." She crept across the bathroom with water dripping from her like an amorous predator. "Do you love me?"
Slowly she grasps Zuko's hand and allows her hand to linger in his. His free hand finds comfort on her bare hip, drawing little circles there.
"Of course." He said bluntly while leaning in forward. "I've missed you so much."
When he kissed her his entire brain lit on fire. The movement on her soft, warm lips on his spread warmth through out his entire body. He was definitely addicted to her at this point. He couldn't think of what it would be like without her kisses. He would live and die for her kisses. He would die to maintain the memory of her kisses. She was perfect. She was his other half.
The kiss was hungry and needy as their lips crashed together. They began to melt together as Katara wrapped her legs around his waist. He graciously picked her up in his arms and carried her into the adjoined bedroom.
In the twilight room their fingers caressed each other's skin as if afraid a heavier touch would break the heady magic. They became one, one mind with one goal and purpose, each utterly drunk with love for the other.
~/~
They laid in bed basking in the musk and afterglow of their love making. There was an awkward silence between the couple.
"I'm sorry for putting you in that position. I shouldn't have booked the interview with Joo Dee. I should've known it was too soon for you."
"It's fine. I'm sure June is happy with the publicity. Our hashtag has been trending on Twitter for two days."
"I don't care about our public image or Twitter or our stupid Zutara hashtag. I care about you. I care about our real relationship."
"How are we even supposed to know what's real and what's fake? We're lying saying we're engaged STILL. I didn't want to lie about anything anymore, not with you."
"Call me crazy but I'm not here just to be your girlfriend, at least for the long haul. I want to be someone's wife."
"I'm not ready for that. Jesus, I can barely manage to stay sober, I want to be with you, I do. I just want to be honest. We should work on our relationship. We could go on that trip, I promised you. Anything you want."
"If I was Mai, you would've married me by now."
"What does she have to do with anything? Are you jealous? I already told you I want you and not her."
"I want what you too have. I want to be as close to you as she is. I don't want to feel replaceable."
"What makes you think you are? How many times do I have to say I love you for you to believe me?"
"You were gone for so long. I didn't get to talk to you but Mai got calls every week."
"Yea, I had to talk to my daughter. What has really gotten into you?"
"What are you hiding from me? If you aren't cheating with Mai then what are you doing? The secret phone calls and the constant meetings with Aang. What are you hiding?"
"Katara…"
His phone rang. It was a text from June.
What a great time to respond!
He got up abruptly and took his phone with him, "I'm sorry Katara. I have to take this."
June (PR Maven): What do you need?
Zuko: I need you to obtain files for me. Financial reports, bank statements. Router numbers. All of it from the 20 years my father.
June: You got it.
In the middle of his and Katara's escapades, she had missed a call from Mai. Four calls in fact. He eagerly called her back and she was quick to answer.
"Nice time for you to call back."
"Sorry…I was…busy."
"Right well, I'm in the hospital. I need you to take Maya for a while."
"Why are you at the hospital? What's- Never mind I'm coming to you." He hung up the phone but his heart was racing.
~/~
He arrived at the hospital and rush to Mai's room. She was lying in a bed and hooked up to so many machines it was ridiculous. Mai had never looked so pale and so lifeless before. The glow her skin usualy had was gone.
"Mai?" Zuko approached her side and stared at her blotchy face.
"I told you to get Maya." Mai must've used all of her strength to sound normal on the phone. She sounded weak and exhausted. "I don't want you seeing me like this."
"How long have you been sick Mai?"
"Awhile."
"Define awhile? You have to talk to me."
"A year Zuko. I've been sick for almost a year."
"Since before Sokka and Suki's baby shower."
"Yes."
"Well what's wrong with you? How much is treatment? We have to get you better."
"Zuko, I have lupus. There is no cure. I just take it in strides. Some days are better than others and some days I have flare ups like today. My hair has been falling out so I've been wearing wigs, luckily you were off in rehab when that was happening. I get fatigued a lot and joints burn. Lupus attacks my normal cells and immune system."
He saw it now. The line where the wig started. God, why didn't he noticed when he saw her yesterday. She was wearing more make up than usual, probably to hide the rashes. Her breathing was heavier and her eyes looked so tired when he saw her last.
Why didn't he ask if she was okay? He was too busy being jealous.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"What do you mean why didn't I tell you? You were fighting for your life in rehab and now you're finally happy and off in la-la land with Katara. We're supposed to celebrate Maya's birthday soon. Why would I ruin your happiness?"
"You ARE my happiness Mai. I still care about you. Whatever the price is, I will pay to get you the best treatment the world has to offer. You're going to get better." Zuko paused and grabbed her hand. "Does Maya know?"
"No, she doesn't. Which is why I need you to keep her for a while. They told me the lupus is destroying my kidney cells. I need a transplant. I can't let her suffer through this with me."
"Anything. I'll keep her for as long as you need. What are you going to do?"
"Wait until I get off the donor list and hope I get a kidney soon."
"That's ridiculous. You shouldn't have to wait. I will buy you a kidney."
"Zuko, you cannot just buy a kidney from China somewhere. It's okay I can wait."
"Maya can't wait! I can't wait! Jesus, I know how it feels to lose a mother. She cannot go through that. There's a chance I can have her back but if you really die, I can't take that, we can't take that."
"I'm not going to die, not yet anyway. And what do you mean you can have your mother back?"
"She's alive. I know this is crazy but she's alive. I have to find her."
"I imagine this will take a lot out of you. Does Katara know that you're going to look for her?"
"No, she doesn't."
"Does she knew what you're doing with Jet?"
"I'm not doing-
"Don't lie to me. I know you would never do a merger and I know Jet tried to kidnap Katara."
"How do you even know that?"
"I'm… resourceful."
Bullshit. Mai was resourceful but she didn't have that type of intell.
"Whatever but no. I haven't told her anything. I'm trying to protect her from me, from this mess, from everything."
"I think she's well equipped to handle your baggage."
"For now, you're the only one that knows. I'll call you tomorrow. Is Maya at your house?
"Yea, she's with my boyfriend."
What a morbid way to meet her new boyfriend.
~/~
It was insane being in Mai's home alone. It still smelled like her and felt lived in but yet she wasn't there. Most of the lights were off, except for the ones in her bedroom.
It was awkward walking into her bedroom and seeing another man lying on sheets. A man who made his blood boil.
He immediately grabbed his collar and dragged him from the bed to the floor. He yanked him up by his neck and wrapped his hand right around his Adam's apple.
"You have about twenty seconds to explain why the hell you're sleeping with my ex, yoe piece of shit!"
Author's Note: All done! What do you think? Excuse the quality. I'm having a hard time balancing school and writing. Currently trying to finish my double major successfully.
