Disclaimer: We don't own Avatar. We're not making any money from writing this.

Author's Note: This is the Margareth half of Nocturna Margareth… And I'll be posting for the foreseeable future! Yay for me!

Seriously, folks, I'm stoked.

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Chapter 28: An Old Home

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"Look! I see Omashu!" Aang called back to his passengers. "Hey, Lin, do you—"

"Is my family down there?" Lin threw herself to the edge of the saddle.

"No!" Zuko pulled her back, answering her question and releasing some of his worry that she was too close to the edge.

"Let go!" Lin pushed Zuko away. "My family might be down there!"

"They're not. And you normally aren't so excited about them."

"How would you know?" Lin asked fiercely. "You don't know me!"

"You don't know yourself!" Zuko protested. "Do you remember what happened in Omashu?"

"I lived there..." Lin frowned. "It was very boring." she sat back. "There really is no fathoming the depths of my hatred for this place." she deadpanned thoughtfully. "I said that before..."

"Before what?" Katara prompted, scooting closer.

"Before... I..." Lin's eyes dilated. She gritted her teeth. "I... I... I..." Lin trembled.

"Lin! It's time to work!" Aang shouted.

Lin stopped moving. Her breathing returned to normal and she rested her forehead on her knees.

Zuko sat back in defeat. "Here we go again." he slid away from Lin. "Thanks, Aang." he mumbled grudgingly.

"I know it hurts, but at least she's not hurt anymore." Aang said, returning to driving. It was less difficult than trying to console his friend.

"We'll figure out how to get Mai back to herself, Zuko. We're not going to give up on it," Katara reassured him.

Zuko nodded moodily.

"Well, we are going to have to get her back to normal soon, a lot depends on that, more than we realize I think..." Topekaia sighed, staring out over Omashu.

Lin stayed at Sura's side as they walked into the palace.

"Bumi!" Aang called. "I need to talk to you!"

"Then get over here!" came Bumi's voice. He was closer than they'd thought.

"Why isn't the king in his throne room?" Lin whispered to Sura.

"It's his off time." Sura said in a normal voice that Zuko picked up on. "He's taking a break in a private room."

"Kings can take breaks? Nobody interrupts them?" Lin seemed shocked.

"If a king wants a break, people should have him alone. Why would it be otherwise?" Bumi asked.

Zuko cringed.

"Well, we're interrupting him."

"Aang is his friend, so this is fun, not work."

"Well… I don't know why, but I got the feeling some kings' lives are dominated by meetings, ceremonies, and negotiations." Lin shrugged.

Sura glared at Zuko. "Apparently, feelings of neglect carry over."

"I did not neglect her!" Zuko yelled.

"And I will not neglect my guests!" Bumi yelled in the same tone as Zuko had used, though he was having a great deal more fun.

"How do you define neglect?" Sura asked Zuko. "I define it as leaving your wife alone for extended periods of time, which she is now afraid of! If that isn't proof, what is it?"

"Sura! Please be nice!" Lin gripped Sura's arm.

"This is an interesting conversation!" said Bumi. "Keep going!"

Lin shied away from Bumi's wide-eyed interest.

"I spent all the time I could with her," Zuko said in measured tones. "Things kept us apart and I hated it. I tried to fix it. I did everything I could to be with her."

"How was she captured? Don't tell me you were overpowered, I've seen you fight."

Bumi was shoveling crystals into his mouth from a bag he'd apparently been carrying in his robes the entire time.

"It was my fault," said Topekaia. "I was watching her, but we were both caught in cages."

"Do not be so sad!" Lin said, rushing to Topekaia. "It wasn't your fault! You are brave! You are strong! Do not blame yourself!"

Topekaia looked sadly at Lin. "You were caught, Mai. I was foolish enough to be caught after seeing what happened to you! I had a warning where you didn't."

Lin gripped Topekaia's arm. "Any trap that can catch the Fire Lady is probably clever. Don't blame yourself!"

"It was a strong cage, too," Katara interceded.

"It was only Mai and Topekaia. There was no one to back them up," said Aang.

"See? Those weren't fair odds," Lin said, feeling her job was done.

"That's what I meant." Sura said. "There were only two of them. The Fire Lord was nowhere near them. That is neglect."

Zuko lost some of the color in his face. He agreed with her now.

"What was the Fire Lord doing?" Lin asked. "Isn't it possible he had a good reason?"

"I was searching an abandoned city." Zuko said, deflating. His excuse sounded so pitiful even to his own ears he was ashamed to say it.

Lin looked pityingly at him. "An important city?"

"It was a trick." Zuko said.

"Then you were deceived. It isn't your fault." Lin put on a weak smile. Sure, she feared the Fire Lord, but she didn't want him miserable! But maybe Sura did…

Sura stared hard at Lin, an idea forming. If going after the Fire Lord made Lin braver, then maybe should do it more… letting him know of it, of course.

Bumi clapped. "Congratulations! Your performance explained the whole problem! Is that the blushing bride I encountered last month?"

"Yes!" said everyone but Lin.

"Your majesty, I am Lin Qiang, but they think I'm Fire Lady Mai."

Bumi examined Lin. "Flopsie!" he yelled.

Aang, Katara, and Sokka gasped.

Flopsie thundered into the room, long ears and jowls swinging, huge hands supporting his bulk.

Lin screamed: "Monster!" and hid behind Sura.

"Flopsie, bring me the Fire Lady." Bumi said.

Flopsie boomed over to her.

"Sura! Kill it!" Lin squeaked.

Sura whispered in Lin's ear: "Jump left when I tell you." Sura made ice on the floor in front of them, then she yelled: "Now!" She and Lin jumped out of the way as way as Flopsie hit the ice and slid past them, sprawled out.

"We're not dead!" Lin gasped.

"A water bender, eh?" Bumi asked. "Well, Flopsie won't hurt you."

"She's easily frightened." Aang stepped in for the distraught Zuko.

"Perhaps you should hide her away so nothing can startle her," Bumi suggested.

"No!" Lin cried. "Don't leave me alone!"

"That will solve the problem real well." Sura said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"What? But… Sura…" Lin bit back her tears.

"I won't leave you alone and I was telling them so." Sura said kindly.

Lin sighed. "Thanks. That's a relief… a confusing one, but…"

"It's okay. Try not to worry about it." Sura said, taking extra care not to sound commanding.

"Okay." Lin smiled. "I am not worried!" Command or not, she felt much better when the suggestion leaned towards happiness.

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Sura waited until she was sure Zuko was alone before running down the halls to his room. She hoped to find him before a crowd could gather around him so they could laugh at her plan. As she ran around the corner, she almost collided with him. "Um sorry... Fire Lord," she said, adding the second part on as an afterthought. "Could I talk to you about Li... I mean Mai?"

Zuko frowned. "Are you going to make me stay away from her? You know it won't work."

"No, just the opposite! I'm going to try and get her to want to be close to you. I have a plan but you'll have to go along with it, okay?" Sura replied, smiling.

Zuko raised an eyebrow. "I'll do anything… just… what is it?"

"Did you notice how she defends you when someone is critiquing you?" Sura continued without waiting for an answer: "She puts away her fear of you to defend and comfort you. If you don't want her running every time you see her then let me, someone she can stand up to, fake criticize you telling you to go away and leave her alone. You'll see that instead of agreeing and running away she'll stay and start defending you. What do you think? If you don't think it will work, it will, I've already tried it." Sura stared at him, waiting for a response.

Zuko's mouth had dropped open as Sura's plan was unfolded. He hadn't really noticed that Lin was coming to his ego's rescue. He nodded at the appropriate times, and by the time Sura had finished, he'd started to smile. "That sounds great! Let's do it tonight!" Zuko started off in a random direction, as if expecting to find Lin immediately. "Wait… um… where is she?" he asked sheepishly.

Sura smiled, pointed in the opposite direction and said: "That way."

"Thanks." Zuko said as he hurried off in that direction.

Sura stood watching him take off then it struck her he needed to know how to act. "Wait!" She called to him running after him. Sura said once she had caught up to him. "You have to act like I never told you. Act hurt and angry and don't gush over her."

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Lin sat alone on a balcony overlooking Omashu. Something was familiar about this city. Sura had left long ago, which made her nervous. But, as she'd promised to come back, Lin was under control. She heard footsteps and turned around quickly. It was the Fire Lord. He had a painful look on his face, and Lin almost wanted to jump up and hug him so he'd feel better. Instead, she dropped to her knees and bowed.

"None of that," Zuko said. "Please just look at me."

Lin raised her eyes to his. "My Lord?"

"My Lady," Zuko shot back. "You are my lady."

"Oh, no!" she sobbed.

"What's wrong?" Zuko asked, surprised she'd reacted so strongly so soon.

"The Fire Lady will kill me!"

"Not unless she commits suicide," he said drily. "That's not a suggestion!" he said after a second.

Lin cried some more.

"Oh, Mai!" Zuko pulled her against him.

Lin yelled incoherently and pushed against Zuko's chest, hoping to escape.

"I'm trying to comfort you, Mai! Let me be here for you!"

Lin only fought harder. The Fire Lord was dangerously deluded, and it could cost her her life!

"Fine!" Zuko let go and sat away from her, feeling as if a layer of his own skin had been scraped off.

Lin's sobbing got quieter, and she curled up into herself, rocking back and forth.

Zuko watched, aching to hold her again. "Lin, Sura sent me." If getting her to trust him for his own sake would not work, he would have to play the Sura card.

Lin lifted her tear-streaked face. "Sura? She sent you? Do you have a note from her? Is she leaving? Will she come back?" Lin's eyes widened with every new question.

Zuko examined her solemnly. "I don't have a note from her. She isn't going anywhere."

Lin sighed, and relaxed. She tilted her head as a question rose up in her mind. "Why aren't you mad at me?" she asked.

Zuko knit his brow. "I have no reason to be."

Lin sighed again. "Did I bow correctly?"

Zuko made an irritated sound. Then an idea came to him. "There is a special law about how the Fire Lord must be greeted by… well just you. Every time I see you."

Lin sat forward a little. "What does the law say?"

"You must hug and kiss me!" Zuko said, proud of his plan.

Lin's eyes widened. "But that's so disrespectful!"

"No, it would make me happy!" Perhaps it was manipulative and a touch selfish, but Zuko thought it was brilliant. Zuko's eyes stared hard into Lin's trying to see Mai in her eyes.

"You could keep looking for your love," she said gently.

"I am. I'm searching for her soul in her body. Please kiss me." Zuko reached for her.

Lin gulped. He was in so much pain… Lin rocked forward and brushed her lips against his. She heard him sigh as he reached around her and pressed her closer to himself. Lin couldn't be afraid any more. She felt so good…

Zuko released her.

"Is my Lord pleased?" Lin asked.

Zuko looked sadly at her. There had been no half insulting, half loving quips, or happy attempts to get even closer. This was definitely Mai's body, but her mind was so far away. "I love you," he said.

Lin blinked. "Excuse me?"

Zuko had known it was a crazy thing to say right then, but it had felt so good to get out there. "I said I love you."

"Why?" Lin asked.

If Mai had said that on a regular day, he might have laughed. "Because I do."

Lin sighed. "I'm sorry I look so much like your wife."

Zuko held her again. "If your looks changed, hers would, too."

"I see it worked," said Sura.

Lin jumped, trying to break away from Zuko. "Sura! You're back!"

Zuko did not turn to look. "Hello, Sura. Does this mean I have to leave?"

"Yes," Sura said. There was a ring of amusement in her voice Zuko could only guess came from ordering him around. "And stay away from Lin! She's my friend, so you aren't allowed near her."

Zuko's blood ran hot. He'd been prepared to play this game, but it was making him angry, anyway.

"It's okay, Sura…" Lin said hesitantly.

"No it's not! He should not be anywhere near you! He makes you upset" A weak argument, perhaps, but as she glared at Zuko, Sura had to restrain her laughter. Stronger arguments should be reserved for times when she was not on the brink of hilarity. "You need to leave now! Why do you try and make her something she's not? You… big-headed… ruler! And don't come anywhere near her you selfish... um... person!"

At this last comment, it was Zuko who struggled to keep a straight face. He could do better than that… However, it was not his job to fling insults. He would not look so sympathetic if he did.

Lin stared at Sura in confusion. "Sura, those aren't nice things to say… And I understand the entire situation, anyway. You don't need to shelter me anymore."

Zuko raised an eyebrow at Sura, making sure Lin couldn't see, before turning to hear Lin's explanation.

Sura quickly looked away from Zuko before she burst out laughing and instead fixed her eyes on Lin waiting for an explanation.

"Well, the Fire Lord here, while he may be wrong about my identity—don't stop me, please—is missing the Fire Lady so much that even a poor substitute like me is good enough for him. It's like therapy. And you—" she pointed to Sura, "—are needlessly trying to get me to sympathize with him. Of course I do. The only problem is it's sort of unhealthy and besides, the Fire Lady would be extremely jealous when she found out and I'd be executed." Lin shrugged. "But, since I'm a subject of the Fire Lord, I may as well try to help, whether or not I lose my head over it. Good enough?" she asked, her eyes switching between Zuko's and Sura's.

Zuko had to admit that Lin was far more logical than he'd guessed. He turned to Sura. He knew he was about to say something stupid if he gave himself the chance.

"I'm not trying to make you do anything you don't want to do Lin. You should know that." Sura sighed, deciding hope must be lost. Lin had painted herself into such a logical corner they'd have to build a bridge to get her out. Zuko would do better to forget all about Mai at this point. "I'm just trying to help you not get upset when people tell you that you are someone you're not. But if you don't want me to, I won't." Sura stared at Zuko trying to communicate without words to give up since nothing was working.

Lin shrugged and walked to the balcony edge, perching on the railing. "It's all right," she said. "I just think you should be nice to the Fire Lord and forgive him for… well… whatever it is you're mad about."

Sura turned so her back was to the Fire Lord and looked at Lin. Trying to make her smile or laugh, she asked with innocent wide eyes: "Why?"

Lin cocked her head. "Silly Sura. Do I look like a mom to you? You should know that it's nice to forgive people. I didn't think I'd have to teach you that."

Sura smiled, took Lin by the arm, totally ignored Zuko, said lightly: "Yes, I know I really should try and forgive him one of these days for ruining my life. Let's go get some food."

Lin's mouth fell open to protest against the "ruining my life" comment, but she was so hungry… she let herself be dragged out, but at the last minute grabbed Zuko's hand and squeezed it slightly before leaving the balcony.

Zuko stared after them. Lin had just touched him willingly. Not only that, she'd done it to make him feel better! He breathed in the night air. It was time to go wall climbing to clear his head. He knew Sura wanted him to forget Mai, but that was impossible. How could he give up on her? Especially when she was pregnant! How did Sura expect to handle explaining to Lin where she'd gotten a baby? Zuko laughed harshly to himself at the dreadful irony. As he stopped outside a window, he heard Sura's voice. He couldn't resist the chance to see Mai… or Lin… again. He rested on a balcony railing outside the window and watched as Sura and Lin entered the small dining room.

He smiled when he saw Lin attack the bowl of fruit, choosing a bright red apple.

"Do you like apples?" Sura's voice drifted out to Zuko through the open window.

"Yeah," Lin said happily. "Except when they're on my head," she laughed.

Zuko laughed silently. What a thing for her to remember…

"When were apples on your head?" Sura asked.

"I don't know. I just know it happened and it was annoying."

"Could you… try to remember?" Sura asked patiently.

"I suppose…" Lin chewed thoughtfully. "I was little. I was playing with my friends and… there was a fountain… and a boy… and I got wet."

"Who were your friends? How did you get wet?"

The fact that Sura did not ask about the boy was not lost on Zuko.

"Scary and Happy…" Lin said distantly. "The one I was always careful about. Couldn't show too much emotion or she'd learn how to manipulate me… but as long as I was blank enough, she was nice enough, and we were able to get along."

"What was her name?" Sura asked.

"A… Az… I don't know," Lin said.

"Azula?" Sura prompted.

Just hearing the name sent a shiver down Zuko's back.

"Hey, don't say that!" Lin squeaked slightly.

"Why not?" Sura asked, leaning forward.

"She may hear." Lin said, leaning back, looking around.

"She isn't here, Lin. We can say whatever we want."

"That's what she wants you to think." Lin said, looking down, and setting her apple aside. "She has eyes and ears everywhere."

"Not any more. You're free of Azula, Lin!"

"Sh! Don't talk like that!" Lin smacked her hand down on the tabletop, standing.

Sura and Zuko both jumped at Lin's amount of sudden energy.

Lin was surprised, too, and sat back down. "Sorry," she said meekly.

"What was the other one's name?" Sura prompted.

"Oh, I don't know." Lin snapped suddenly. "I don't want to talk about it anymore."

"Why not?" Sura asked in shock.

"I don't. I just don't want to." Lin said. She finished her apple and found an orange, peeling it with her finger nails instead of the knife Sura offered her.

"Okay, okay, don't be mad!" Sura said. "I'm just trying to help you."

"I know," Lin said, her voice still harsh. "That's all anybody ever does, but it always hurts. The Fire Lord needs more help than I do. Why aren't you helping him?"

"Helping you helps him." Sura said.

"Sure." Lin ate a big chunk of orange. "I don't see how. Look, Sura: I'm content to just be me. I don't need everyone fussing over me. Sure, I get scared, and sometimes I don't understand what I'm doing, but at the end of the day, I'm just a person, not even an important one!"

Zuko was inwardly crumbling. Not complacency! She needed to want to change! But Lin was content to just be Lin! Where would Mai come from now? There was no motivation here.

"Would you feel better if we treated you normally?"

"You can treat me normally. Everyone else should be treating me like a servant. But they don't! They try to treat me like one of them! It's so wrong! To say nothing of the way the Fire Lord disgraces himself with me." Lin slumped forward, her chin on the tabletop.

"He's not disgracing himself," Sura said too quickly.

Zuko worried that she didn't really mean it. Sura's opinion mattered a lot to Lin.

"Prove it," Lin said. She sounded like a small child.

Zuko could remember her talking like this with Ty Lee. He almost laughed.

"It's not a disgrace to be in love with someone." Sura said gently.

"It is when it's the wrong person!" Lin protested.

"But everyone here is sure that you're Fire Lady Mai. So it's—"

"Wrong! It's also going to hurt the Fire Lady when she finds out! I'm sure she loves him very much."

"What makes you so sure?" Sura asked. She wasn't really sure why she said it.

"Why shouldn't she?" Lin asked with a shrug. "I would."

The clenched fist around Zuko's heart loosened slightly.

"Really? Tell me about it." Sura said, her own hope starting to rise.

"Oh, it's embarrassing!" Lin announced as servants came in with some food.

"Wait until they're gone." Sura said.

Zuko wished the servants would leave right away so he could hear sooner.

When the servants had left, Sura grabbed Lin's hand. "Tell me!" she said.

Lin blushed. "Well obviously he's handsome." She said.

Sura let go of Lin's hand. "I guess you can say that."

Zuko would remember that Lin thought he was handsome. He could use that.

"He's also brave. That monster didn't scare him."

"He's seen that monster before." Sura explained.

"So have I, but if I saw Flopsie now, I'd still scream."

"Good point. Anything else?"

"Yes, but I'm too tired to talk about it… Can I go to sleep now?"

"Sure."

Zuko climbed inside once they were gone and went to his own room.