Mai sat next to Zuko on the thrown. Mai was sure she would be sweating if it hadn't been for her maid choosing a light weight dress and styling Mai's long black hair up in a neat mess of curls with a few strands framing her face. The tension in the air was heavy along with the heat. She could feel Zuko's anger even though he hid it well from his face as his Uncle Iroh, Azula and another woman entered the thrown room.

Zuko leaned forward and spoke.

"Welcome back Uncle I trust your journey was pleasant." Zuko spoke clear.

"It was a quick trip Fire Lord." Iroh said with a smile in his voice. "I am however parched."

"Would a cup of jasmine tea quench that thirst of yours?" Zuko asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Indeed it would." Iroh said with a short bow.

"You heard the general." Zuko snapped harshly at a servant nearby. He continued the conversation in a light tone of voice but his words were all business. "Tell me what notion took over your common sense in bringing her here without my permission?"

Mai watched the servant jump to action and return shortly with a tray of tea. Placing a cup beside each person. Azula struck out at the servant making the cup of tea tip over.

The sheet of flames flew high showing Zuko's displeasure at Azulas actions.

"You refuse the hospitality of the Fire Lord?" Zuko asked coldly. "You are on dangerous grounds as it is Azula. Your presence was not wanted or summoned by me."

"How do you know your wife didn't summon me herself? We were once close friends." Azula sneered.

Zuko stiffened next to Mai. "Silence." Zuko growled.

Mai saw exactly what Azula was trying to do pin Zuko and herself against each other. The movement of the other lady caught Mai's attention. Since entering the thrown room the woman had been silent and had not stopped staring at Zuko. If she was any younger Mai would have assumed infatuation but this was different. The woman's face was extremely pale her golden eyes bright with what could only be unshed tears. She couldn't be one of Azulas servant for her clothes were of the highest quality maybe even of nobility and than Mai saw the royal ring on the woman's hand. Mai let out a small gasp that only Zuko could hear.

"Do not listen to her Mai. Azula always lies." Zuko whispered under his breath so only she could hear.

Not able to speak Mai motioned with a hand to the lady beside Azula.

"The ring on her hand Zuko." Mai said softly.

Zuko shifted his eyes to the woman noticing her for the first time. It took Zuko a moment to recognize her and when he did his face lost its sternness but only for a moment before he straightened up. It was a comfort to know that Zuko could hold himself in control when circumstances were not the greatest.

"You may show the Lady Azula her rooms and you four will personally guard her while she stays with us." Zuko ordered.

"I don't need babysitters." Azula growled out.

"You will speak only when spoken to." Zuko snapped the temperature in the room rising.

Azula shut her mouth and followed the servant out of the thrown room with her guards around her.

"Uncle there is a matter that needs to be addressed my secretary will fill you in on the necessary facts." Zuko said to Iroh.

Iroh got up with his tea "I will look in on it Fire Lord." With a knowing smile Iroh left.

The woman suddenly stood up to follow.

"You have not been dismissed." Zuko ordered harshly.

The woman sank back into a kneeling position awaiting further orders.

Zuko's hand suddenly sought Mai's and once en lacing their fingers together he let a sigh out.

"Could you give me a moment with her?" Zuko asked softly his voice broke on the last word.

Mai squeezed Zuko's hand and stood up, she walked behind Zuko's chair letting her hand fall on his shoulder to give him a reassuring squeeze. Mai walked out the door but not before she heard Zuko's soft voice whisper 'Mother.'

…………………………………..

As soon as Mai stepped out of the thrown room she came face to face with Azula. The last person she wanted to be alone with they were not technically alone as her guards were shifting around them uncomfortably.

"Gods please gage me now." Azula said bitterly. "Are they having one of those touching family reunions in there?"

"Don't think just because your mother is back that you are free to do as you please." Mai replied in a monotone. "I still don't trust you."

"Of course you don't traitors never trust anyone." Azula said with a sneer. Than Azula's face changed and she fixed Mai with one of her mischievous looks. "How is life with dear old Zu Zu. You're such a faithful person always there for Zu Zu even if he's never there for you."

"My lady we should show you to your room."

"I am not finished!" Azula hissed with a glare at the guard.

"I believe you are finished." Mai said coldly than addressing the guard. "Thank you, you may show Lady Azula to her rooms." With a cold smile Mai turned around and walked away.

…………………………………

Evening came quicker than she thought it would. After eating a light dinner alone agian Mai took a quick walk through the gardens until she found Whiskers. Picking the cat up she headed for her rooms.

Entering her room she saw Zuko sitting on the edge of her bed his head in his hands. Whiskers slithered free of her grip and padded silently toward Zuko rubbing against his legs causing Zuko to look up. His golden eyes were red from crying and he looked so tired. Gracefully she slide down in front of Zuko and wrapped her arms around his body.

"My moms back." Zuko whispered in a rough voice.

"I know." Mai mussed softly.

Zuko rested his head on Mai's shoulder and sighed in her embrace.

"It has been quite a day." Zuko mumbled against her skin he lifted his arms allowing Mai to yank his shirt off. He flopped down on the large bed sighing in pleasure as Mai began working on his back with her skilled hands. She swiftly found the knots in his muscles and dug her fingers in smiling at his grunts of pain and groans of pleasure.

"Your holding a lot of tension in your shoulders and neck." Mai commented as she bent over and kissed said muscles.

"Its only going to get worse before it gets better." Zuko mumbled into the bed sheets. He than turned his head so he could fill Mai in on the surprise return of Zhao.

Mai listened half heartedly Azulas words kept coming back to her. She really was always there for Zuko and she wondered if he would be there for her.