DISCLAIMER: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ok, I lied, please R.E.V.I.E.W
CHAPTER 11
The affair continued for weeks. Palace servants would constantly gossip about how the Fire Lord would vanish for hours, and not return until late at night, and sometimes not until the morning. Everyone knew what was keeping him up at night, and, truly, no one really minded. Jasmine was once a servant, and was a true voice of the people. If anything, they would rather have her as Fire Lady then the noble born Mai.
"Why doesn't he just marry her?" Lee's wife asked him one afternoon as they cleared the dining table. Zuko still sat at the head of it, absorbed in a new bill that was being proposed by the Council. He didn't even notice the two.
"I don't know. I would be alot more comfortable with this situation if he would just break it off with Mai, and save the royal family the scandal. Agni knows how much of that we've had to deal with over the last century." Lee's wife nodded in agreement, and they both exited the room into the kitchen, leaving Zuko alone. A few minutes later, Iroh entered. He pulled up a chair next to Zuko, and took him a minute to realize he was there.
"Oh, Uncel, I didn't see you come in. What's up?" Iroh looked at Zuko, and his spirit was lifted to see him so exited. He was almost glowing.
"Zuko, I don't mean to be a monger, but I've heard alot of rumors, and they seem to be annoyingly true." Zuko sighed, and sat up in his chair, discarding the long bill.
"What kind of rumors?"
"Well, not bad rumors, but, rumors are never exactly that welcome. There is talk that you and Jasmine are together a bit too much. You two have supposedly been seen on the beach together very late at night, and you go into town together, and hundreds of things. Now, Zuko, I don't have a problem with you seeing Jasmine. Actually, I think it's about time, but still. Mai is still around, and everyone who cares knows her as your girlfriend. You need to do something about this. You are far to young to be involved in a palace scandal, especially with all of the Ozahi supporters still thirsty for blood. I have a strong feeling that some thing's about to happen. Something that can not be changed. Are you understanding me, Zuko?"
Zuko looked up at Iroh with a glazed over expression. He knew the rumors, and he knew the talk. He was just too worried about the outcome to do something about it.
"Uncle, I know I just...wait, what did you mean by 'something that can not be changed'?" Iroh shrugged, and took sip from the tea cup that he always seemed to be carrying.
"By the way, Zuko, I'll be leaving in a few days for the Earth Kingdom. I need to get back to the shop. I've, um, met someone." Zuko looked up at Iroh with a raised eyebrow. An almost devilish smiled crossed his lips, and he slapped his uncle's knee in happiness.
"Well, well, you old dragon! And you're preaching to me about my affairs? Well, who is she? How did you meet?"
"How do most people meet, Zuko? At the tea shop. She said that her grand daughter had gone on a date with you, and you practically broke her heart." Zuko cringed as he remembered that beautiful night where he ran off like a scared puppy. He would have to send Jin something big and shiny to make up for it.
"Anyway, I ended up apologizing for you, your welcome, and as we started talking about the children in our lives, we found that we had alot in common. Her name is Lin, and she is...wonderful. It's like a dagger in the heart, being away from her for so long." Zuko smiled at Iroh's tender words. He was in love, like Zuko was with Jasmine. Iroh was just more musical about it. Iroh took another deep sip of his tea, and then stood.
"I guess I'll leave you to your work. What are you reading, anyway?"
"Oh, just some bill that the Council drew up. It has something to do with banning women from politics. If Azula was in power, they wouldn't dare make such a bold statement."
"Well, that's probably why you are loved so much. Goodnight, Zuko."
"Goodnight, Uncle." Iroh left Zuko alone, once again, with his thoughts, no matter how scattered they may be.
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A few days later, Zuko was returning to his study from a meeting with the local leaders, and he was faced with Jasmine. She sat in his study, stunning as usual, but there something different about her. She sat, stern and straight, and her eyes looked so sad and worried, Zuko thought for a moment that someone had died. But, there was also a glow about her that made her look like an angel. Something was definitely wrong.
"Jazz, hi. I wasn't expecting you, not that I'm disappointed..." Jasmine looked up at Zuko, and didn't even bother smiling.
"By Agni, Jazz. You look like you saw a ghost." Jasmine smiled slightly.
"Pretty much." Zuko came and sat down in front of her, taking her hands in his.
"Jasmine, what is it? Don't you dare tell me that there's nothing wrong, I can read you like a book." Zuko laughed some at his words, but Jasmine only grinned.
"Jazz? Firebird?" Zuko knew her nick name would coax her out. It worked.
"Zuko, I...you know that I love you, right? You know that I would do anything for you?" Zuko was wondering for a moment if Jasmine was breaking up with him.
"Yes, and I love you, too. What's wrong? Has something happened with your family?"
"No, no, it's not that. I found out something a few days ago. And I haven't told anyone yet, and I'm not sure I want to. But, I realize that I have to." Zuko nodded, encouraging her to continue. Jasmine sighed, and gripped Zuko's hand tightly, almost cutting off his circulation. Finally, she spoke.
"I'm pregnant." Jasmine spoke so softly, Zuko couldn't hear her.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Jasmine swallowed, and struggled to find her voice.
"I said, I'm pregnant."
Utter silence.
Zuko's hands went limp in Jasmine's. There was a glaze over his eyes, as if he was looking through Jasmine, not at her. She wondered if he had heard at all.
"Zuko?" Zuko looked directly into Jasmine's eyes, and she could tell that he was suffering from a bit of shock. He leaned back in his chair, and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Pregnant?"
"Yeah, pregnant. Crazy, hugh?"
"Yeah. Are you certain?"
"Well, I got a bit concerned when I was...you know...out of sync. I went to the woman who had been a midwife for my mother, and she pretty much confirmed it." Zuko sighed, and bent his head down into his hands.
"It's not like we didn't know this was going to happen. I mean, what do you think happens?"
"I don't know. I just don't know."
"I guess it's my fault mostly. I should have stopped both of us when this first started the night of the ball. Now, I have to pay for it." Zuko looked up at Jasmine, surprised by her words.
"What do you mean?" Jasmine shifted uncomfortably, even though she knew that nothing was ever going to be comfortable again.
"I mean, I'm going to be completely shunned. I am bound to wait until marriage for this, and when my father finds out...I can't even think about what's going to happen when he finds out. No man will marry me, for they will think me 'stained'."
"Wait a minute, what? I didn't think you cared about that stuff, Jazz."
"I don't, but someone has to. Then there's you." Zuko stopped short, looking directly into Jasmine's eyes.
"What about me?" Jasmine rolled her eyes, tears starting to form.
"What about you? If anyone finds out about this, your entire life, pretty much, will be in vain. A bastard child is just the thing the Ozahi supporters need to push everything over the edge. This could start a civil war. That's why I also came to tell you that we can't see each other anymore." Zuko stopped short, the shock of the day almost overwhelming.
"What?" Jasmine fidgeted with her hands, realizing that this might be harder then she thought.
"I've heard the rumors. No matter how we deny it, I'm in the spotlight, and my pregnancy will only make it worse. I love you Zuko, and I think you are a wonderful ruler. I wouldn't want the Fire Nation to be ruled under anyone but you. We've both stuck our necks out more than once to prove that point. I won't risk anything." Jasmine stood, and headed for the door. Zuko rushed, and quickly grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"Jasmine, wait. That does not have to be the case..."
"Yes it does. I'm sorry, Zuko." Jasmine opened the door, and preceded to walk down the long halls. It took Zuko a minute to realize what had just happened, since he was still contemplating everything else he had just heard, but when he did, he threw all protocol aside. He ran into the halls, and watched Jasmine quickly walk away.
"Jasmine!" he called. It took all the strength she had for Jasmine to not turn around and run back to him.
"Jasmine!" She kept walking. Even though the tears poured from her eyes, she kept walking.
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Iroh was in his chambers, already packing, when Zuko stormed in.
"Why?" he cried. Iroh turned to look at his nephew, confused by his outburst.
"What do you mean, nephew?"
"I mean, why didn't you tell me? You knew this was going to happen, and you never told me!"
"Zuko, calm down. What are you talking about." Zuko collapsed in a chair near his uncle.
"I mean, why didn't you tell me Jasmine was pregnant? You dropped all of these undecipherable hints, but why couldn't you just tell me?" Iroh stared at Zuko in shock. He groaned, and sat down across from Zuko. He poured himself a cup of tea, and a cup for Zuko, but he made sure to sip a little sake in it, for they both were going to need it.
"Pregnant. Is it yours?" Zuko rolled his eyes.
"No, Uncle, it's Sokka's, of course it's mine!" Iroh side as Zuko took a deep sip of his liquor enhanced tea. Iroh sighed, his worries come to light.
"Zuko, I didn't know this was going to happen. I never thought anything close to this was going to happen. But, maybe it shouldn't be seen as a bad thing." Zuko looked up at Iroh, confusion in his eyes.
"Have you lost it? How is this not a bad thing?! Jasmine says she refuses to ever see me again, for if anyone found out about her pregnancy, my rule would be threatened. But, can't she see that I don't care about that? I love her, and I want her in my life, and this my, our, child is part of it, too. I won't let her leave me. I will never leave her again."
Iroh smiled, and took another sip of his tea.
"Maybe you should tell her that." Zuko stared at his Uncle for a moment, but then smiled. He was right. It may not change Jasmine's mind, but telling her how he felt would give him peace. Maybe.
The sun was setting as Zuko approached the small, humble home of Jasmine's family. He had only been there a few times, but something always made him feel loved in that home. As if the family love was so great, it practically lived in the house. He stood outside the door, waiting, thinking. What was he going to say? What would she say? He groaned, and ran his fingers through his hair. He never really was good with girls. Mai, Katara, now Jasmine. They all ended up mad at him somehow. He sighed, as ready as he would ever be, and he reached out his hand to knock on the door, but before he could, it opened.
Jasmine's brown eyes stared at him, still filled with anger, but not really surprise. She didn't speak, but mostly because Zuko didn't give her a chance to.
"Listen, just listen, don't talk. Jasmine, I don't care if this child is bad for my rule. I don't care if being with you is bad for my rule. I love you, I have always loved you, and I am not going to let you walk out of my life. You have stood with me ever since I was a child. When my mother vanished, you were there to comfort me, and even scare Azula off when necessary. When my father challenged me, you defended me, almost costing you your life. You followed me around the world in my anger, and you never left me. Even after I betrayed your trust in Ba Sing Se, you didn't kill me like I thought you were going to do, and I am very grateful for that, and you even forgave me. Now, you are carrying my, our, child, and I want to stand by you for once. I want to be part of this child's life, no matter what. I want to be part of your life. You can shut the door in my face, and refuse to ever see me again, but I still want you to know how I feel. I see this child as a blessing, and I will help you care for this blessing, and I will be a father to it. Whether you want me to or not, I will be a father to it. That's all."
Jasmine stared at Zuko for a while, not a flinch of emotion on her face. Then she sighed, and held the door open wider.
"I just told my parents. I'm sure they'll love to see you again." Zuko smiled, and moved to walk into the small house, but before he entered, Jasmine stopped him and captured him in a tight hug. Zuko responded, and squeezed her tightly, his warmth filling her. He drew back, and proceeded into the home as Jasmine closed the door behind them.
Unknown to them, a hooded figure watched from the shadows. As soon as the door to the small, city home was closed, the man hurried into the night to tell his master of the very interesting news.
