Thank you for that review, yes it did feel rushed hopfully I am able to slow this chapter down a little.

Chapter 36

Ty Lee sat behind the large oak desk and sifted through the letters of the day. She smiled absentmindedly at how very small she was compared to this large piece of furniture, and how well it fit Zhao's personality: large and over bearing.

She frowned as she looked at a bill for the ostrich horse Zhao had bought. It was more than she had thought the animal was going to cost. Groaning in frustration at how Zhao spent money so carelessly on things for Aiko. Just the other day he had come home with a bolt of high quality silk that must have cost a fortune, and his excuse was that it would be the perfect fabric to make a dress for Aiko. Ty Lee had kept her mouth shut on the matter, she safely store the fabric away for another time in the future when Aiko would appreciate the gift more.

Glancing at another bill her frown increased, surely that was too much money to replace a roof on one of the tenant's house. She set the papers aside and began writing out money vouchers to pay for the bills.

"There's my busy little wife." Zhao's voice echoed in the large office room almost unseating Ty Lee in surprise.

Ty Lee fixed him a dirty look as she returned to signing her name. Zhao took a seat in front of the desk; she could feel his golden eyes on her.

"What has you in such a foul mood?" Zhao finally snapped.

Ty Lee lifted her head quickly and narrowed her eyes at him as she set her writing quill down.

"Why do you think I am in a foul mood?" Ty Lee bit off each word.

"That look you're giving me is positively deadly." Zhao snapped back.

"Zhao." Ty Lee began as she rubbed her fingertip across her temple in frustration. "You bought an ostrich horse without even talking to me about it; we already have one."

"Why shouldn't I buy our daughter gifts?" Zhao argued in a low voice.

"She is not my daughter." Ty Lee snapped impatiently. "There is nothing wrong with buying her things but now we have to hire an instructor to teach her how to ride, and the extra food for the animal." Ty Lee snatched the roof bill and waved it in front of her. "And you do all this when you know we had to fix one of the tenant's roofs. Our own estate is falling apart the gardens are in disrepair…"

"And whose fault is that?" Zhao growled.

"Are you suggesting that because I wasn't at the estate playing the perfect housewife that our money situation is my fault?"

Zhao's eyebrows turned down and his lips twisted into a snarl as he leaned forward in his chair. "We are not poor by any means and that's what your dowry is for. Come fall we will have a nice harvest and eventually my pension from the war will be given to us."

"My dowry is not that large, the harvest is several months off and without rain will not be plentiful, and you are under suspicion for treason do you think the Fire Lord will give you your pension?" Ty Lee pointed out.

"I did not come in here to argue with you." Zhao finally snapped. "I came in to give you this letter from your family." Zhao handed the tied up parchment to Ty Lee.

Ty Lee took the letter and began to untie it all the while staring at Zhao.

"I didn't mean to start an argument." Ty Lee finally said as she began unfolding the letter.

Zhao just stared at her in complete silence, his gold eyes intent on her face like a wolf watching his prey. She swallowed uncomfortable mentally kicking herself for picking a fight with him. He made no move to leave the room and she supposed he was going to stay there while she read her letter so she turned her attention to the letter in hand.

Dearest Ty Lee

I wish this letter was one of pleasure. However I write with the most distressing news. Mar Lee has not answered any of the letters I have sent to the Earth Kingdom the last letter we received was from a post several miles out of Ba Sing Se.

I hate to bother you but does Admiral Zhao have any connections within the Earth Kingdom that might have seen a young Fire Nation woman traveling on her own? I don't think my heart can take losing another daughter.

Love,

Your Mother

"What's wrong Ty Lee?" Zhao's gruff voice penetrated Ty Lee's mind the letter fell from Ty Lee's hand and she glanced up to meet Zhao's eyes that were full of concern.

"I have to go…" Ty Lee began. "My sister she's missing…I have to find her…"

Zhao's frown deepened as he stood up and picked up the letter Ty Lee had dropped. Ty Lee stood up suddenly and walked to the large bay window overlooking the dead gardens below. Her mind was running with what she had to do in order to find her sister, where to look first, and how to get there. Then suddenly she felt Zhao's hand on her shoulder turning her into his embrace she didn't struggle she just let him hold her.

"You are not going after her." Zhao suddenly said. "You're staying right here." Ty Lee tried to pull away from him to argue but he held her fast and continued. "I don't have ties in Ba Sing Se in fact I am so closely watched by the Fire Lord I wouldn't be able to even leave this Nation without arising suspicion, I am under orders to return to the capital city shortly after Shima's wedding I can't leave and neither can you."

"That is not good enough." Ty Lee's muffled voice sounded against his chest. "I can't sit here and do nothing."

"Nor can you go jumping into this without more information. Send a letter to your parents asking for specific dates, times, and locations of where Mar Lee was going and what she was doing." Zhao interrupted her. "I'll leave within the hour to visit Jiro. Last I heard he was going to the Earth Kingdom for some special soil. If I can't go Jiro would be my second choice."

Ty Lee lifted her face to look up at Zhao. "You'd do that for me?"

Zhao frowned down at her. "I am not the heartless bear you keep calling me. I do care for my family, and that includes your sisters."

Ty Lee gave him a brilliant smile and stood on her tip toes to give him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Thank you Zhao."

"I have to leave now if I expect to be home tomorrow to start replacing the roof." Zhao replied gruffly.

"Please travel with care."

Zhao released her and left the study without another word. Ty Lee quickly sat down and pulled out parchment and quill and began writing to her Mother.

…………..

The next day Ty Lee found herself at the tenant's house supervising the installation of the new roof. Zhao had not returned and to replace him was Kazuma who was up on the roof with the rest of the men hammer in hand. Ty Lee was below with a few of the women handing up shingles and providing water for the thirsty workers. She wore comfortable flimsy pink pants that sat low on her hips, and the pink shirt that had pillowed out sleeves that fastened just above her elbows and fell of her shoulders to revile her skin. It was a practical and comfortable outfit. She watched as Kazuma climbed down the latter his bare back gleamed with sweat, she held her breath at how handsome he was. Shaking her head she made herself frown at him else he got any hints of what she was thinking.

"You are a sweaty mess." Ty Lee commented as she handed him some water.

Kazuma took the glass and grinned down at her. "I saw your eyes on me."

Ty Lee gaped at him before snapping. "Of course who wouldn't stare at a sweaty man in disgust?'

"No I think it was more with desire." Kazuma teased in a low voice.

"I think not." Ty Lee snapped moving away from him. "I don't want your sweaty self touching me."

"Oh you asked of it." Kazuma said his voice increased as he stepped toward her arms wide open.

"Kazuma stop." Ty Lee ordered her voice rising to as he kept advancing. The rest of the workers stopped and began cheering Kazuma on to hug her. "Kazuma…" Ty Lee warned. "Don't you dare…" She squeaked as he grabbed her arm and wrapped his sweaty arms around her. The workers cheered and laughed at how the mighty Lady of the house was being subjected to a sweaty hug.

"See that wasn't so bad." Kazuma whispered in a low voice against her ear.

Ty Lee felt a shiver run down her spine and warmth spread through her body. With a violent shove she broke free of his grasp but ended up losing her footing and falling backwards, Kazuma reached to catch her but ended up falling on top of her into the tall grass. The air around them erupted in laughter and more cheering. Ty Lee was trying to catch her breath while also trying not to be so aware of Kazuma's body flush on top of her.

"I think I hear Zhao." Kazuma commented lowly.

Fear rushed through Ty Lee giving her the power to jump up. Scanning the surrounding fields her eyes met with nothing.

"Gotcha." Kazuma smirked as she felt his hand brush against her bare ankle.

"Get back to work." Ty Lee seethed through her teeth as she gave a light kick to dislodge his hand from her ankle.

"Did you hear that everyone. The Lady of the Estate orders us to get back to work."

Kazuma said with a good natured laugh as he got up and headed for the ladder once more.

Ty Lee pasted a smile on her face even though deep inside she was shaken by her attraction to Kazuma, and what was worse he knew it.

………………

Ty Lee wearily walked into the estate hot, tired, and terribly dirty. She ordered one of the servants to get a bath ready for her and then made her way to Zhao's office hoping he was home.

Slowly opening the door she peeked in to see Zhao sitting behind the oak desk bent over paper work. The sound of the door clicking shut brought his head up and a small smile on his lips when his eyes landed on Ty Lee.

"I was wondering where you were." Zhao commented as he stood up and stretched.

"When did you get home?" Ty Lee asked suddenly very aware of the way his eyes roamed over her body.

"Just about an hour ago." Zhao replied he walked from behind the desk and stood in front of her. "Jiro, said he was heading to the Earth Kingdom and that he would look around for Mar Lee. Although he will miss Shima and Miyo's wedding."

Ty Lee felt the tension disappear from her shoulders. "That is good news. It is kind of him to go."

"Yes it is." Zhao mussed as he continued to stare at her. "What are you wearing?"

Ty Lee felt the hair on the back of her neck rise at the tone of his voice. "Pants, do you have problem with that?"

Zhao's eyebrows rose at the tone of her voice. "As a matter of fact I do have a problem with my wife parading around the grounds in pants."

"I am tired, hot, and dirty, don't mess with me." Ty Lee whispered in a dangerous voice.

"Really?" Zhao snarled. "I rode through the night to ask one of my men to hunt down your wayward sister, then with a quick bite to eat turned around and rode most of the day home in the blistering heat. To come home to a wife who is running around in pants for the entire world to see."

Ty Lee felt her anger increase and she said the first thing that came to her mind. "I hate you."

Zhao's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I am well aware of your feelings toward me; you have no problem telling me every other day that you 'hate me'.

Ty Lee suddenly felt awful for what she had just said in anger. Why could she not stop being so childish around him. "I'm sorry…I spoke in anger."

Zhao turned away and went back to his desk. "Go clean yourself up; I'm going to be up late catching up on paper work."

Ty Lee nodded her head and walked out.

…………………

Zhao sat on the porch a cup of hot bitter coffee to match his bitter mood as he watched the sun's morning light stretch across the countryside chasing the shadows of night away. Absently he rubbed the back of his neck trying to alleviate the stiffness that was caused from sleeping on the couch last night.

Sighing he rubbed the stubble of his five o'clock shadow, he felt drained and exhausted he didn't sleep very well last night, in fact he had had a bad dream. He hadn't had such dreams since he left the Northern Water Tribe. This one was not the normal nightmare, this was different the little he remembered was sitting at a dinner party and watching a very beautiful woman with long black hair and unusual gold eyes the entire time. It was like he was drawn to her but deep down he knew she was trouble and that he should stay away, there was a seductiveness about her that was irresistible, and he wanted her. It didn't end there because he did follow her, followed her right off the cliff without a second thought, and then he was watching a funeral and the horror of it was that it was his own.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he spotted Shima walking across the lawn toward him.

"So where's that cute wife of yours?" Shima called out as he got closer.

She's still sleeping." Zhao responded.

"Oh really, did you wear you little wife out last night?" Shima asked with raised eyebrows and a snide grin as he took a seat next to Zhao.

Zhao narrowed his eyes and growled back. "That is most inappropriate."

Shima responded with a smile. "Then she wore you out? I can see dark circles under your eyes; you must have been busy last night." Shima wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

"Shima!" Zhao growled out a warning as he took a sip of his coffee and stared out at the grounds. "Are you trying to make me angry?"

"Of course not I'm just here to visit." Shima said with a smile.

Zhao snorted as he set his cup down on the arm of his chair.

"It's been hectic here. Ty Lee's sister Mar Lee has turned up missing in the Earth Kingdom." Zhao began with a sigh. "My wife has been a terror, and my hands are tied. If I should step foot out of the Fire Nation the Fire Lord will prosecute me sooner than later." Zhao rubbed his chin before continuing. "I dropped in on Jiro and he was willing to do some searching while his is in Ba Sing Se."

"You're sending Jiro." Shim asked in disbelief. "The man who barely talks to us let alone two words to the female sex."

"Who else should I have sent, you? Kano? Or better yet Kazuma?" Zhao replied grimly.

"True, I would downright refuse and I don't think you could order Kano away from Ayame." Shima gave a shiver. "If you sent Kazuma there would be two people missing instead of one."

Zhao nodded his head still staring ahead, than frowned again.

"I see your predicament. Now you wouldn't be trying to pair Jiro up with Mar Lee would you?" Shima asked with a laugh.

Zhao looked horrified. "I would never wish that on any of my men. Ty Lee's whole family is nothing but strong, independent, bull headed women. What woman do you know would tramp off to the other Nations to 'find herself' after one of the worst wars this world has seen?"

"You know I could see Ty Lee doing that? And I don't think any of her sisters ever does anything without a purpose, maybe Mar Lee is looking for something?"

"Ty Lee wanted to pack her things and head off in search of her sister."

"Looks like you married a handful." Shima mussed.

"That is an understatement; I came home last evening to Ty Lee wearing pants."

"The horror, she has always worn pants Zhao." Shima said in mock sarcasm.

"It's not funny Shima, she was wearing pants while supervising the installation of the new roof." Zhao growled.

"Oh I bet the men just loved that." Shima said with a laugh.

"Again this isn't funny." Zhao fumed.

"So you had a knockout drag out fight with Ty Lee last night?"

"I put a stop to it before I said anything that I would regret." Zhao muttered darkly.

"I see and did she…"

"Yes as a matter of fact she told me she hates me." Zhao snapped.

"Harsh words." Shima replied.

"Indeed." Zhao muttered back. He felt his chest ache in pain as he recalled her words and the way she looked when she had said them. He wouldn't admit it but it hurt to have her say that to him.

"Well speak of the devil." Shima exclaimed as he sat up a bit straighter and looked out into the grounds. "I do believe that's Ty Lee."

Zhao straightened up and leaned forward. "That is Ty Lee and she's wearing pants!" He spat the last word out with anger as he thrust himself out of the chair.

"Now Zhao let's not be hasty." Shima began as he stood up.

"She is purposely going against my orders." Zhao argued heatedly. "I told her I would prefer her in a dress or skirt."

"You didn't technically forbid her did you?" Shima asked.

Zhao's frown increased. "Where does she think she's going?" Then it dawned on him. "She wouldn't wear that outfit to the roofing would she?"

The two men stood in silence holding their breath and waiting to see which way Ty Lee was going to go. Sure enough she was heading down the road toward the roofing.

"Damn it!" Zhao snarled as he rushed off the porch and toward his wife.

"Zhao!" Shima called out in warning.

Zhao turned around swiftly and raised his hand. "Not now Shima, not now."

"Of course, I'll talk with you later." Shima replied with a nod as he watched Zhao turn and head off after his wife.

……………

Ty Lee smiled at the beautiful morning before her, the sun was shining the birds were singing, and what was that sound? Turning around her eyes widened when she saw Zhao crashing through the bushes straight for her. Her first instinct was to run her second to stand and fight. Even from a distance you could tell he was furious at her, ranking her brain she tried to figure out what she did to upset him so.

Turning around fully she placed an uneasy smile on her face and prepared to great him.

"Good morning my Lord." Ty Lee greeted him brightly.

Zhao stopped short in front of her his eyes narrowed. "So that's how you're going to be 'My Lady'." His tone was pure sarcasm.

"How was sleeping on the couch?" Ty Lee said with a smirk.

"Why you little…" Zhao began his fists clenching at his side.

"Little what?" Ty Lee snapped. "Go ahead; tell me what you really think of me?"

Ty Lee knew she was provoking him into a fight, if he took the bait then she was free to let him have it. Zhao held back though his lips thinned and his golden eyes changed gone was the contempt and anger. Replaced was concern and care.

"You're angry, and you're taking it out on me." Zhao replied softly.

Ty Lee blinked at the change in him; he didn't want to get into an argument with her. She suddenly felt foolish in her low cut pants, trying to pick a fight with her husband.

"Never in my life have I been in a position where I couldn't help fix something." Ty Lee began. "Mar Lee is out there on her own in a foreign Nation, and I can't do anything."

Zhao gently reached for her hand holding it in his as he listened to her.

"I realize I blame you, if you hadn't angered the Fire Lord I would be free to travel where I wish. I hold you in contempt because you spend money without asking me first and …I hate it when you keep pushing Aiko on me. She is not my daughter and I am not ready to accept her as such."

Zhao frowned a little at her rambling but in the end he kept quiet and let her continue.

"Yesterday I spent the whole day helping with the roofing to make sure they didn't cheat us." Ty Lee continued her voice breaking slightly. "And yes I wore these pants and this shirt, and thought nothing of it, until you came home last night and got angry with me." She took a gulp of air and pushed on. "I don't wear dresses often because I don't have more than two…I haven't had time to have some made. And I hate myself for not loving Aiko like a daughter…but I am tryin..." She took another shaky breath and burst into tears, and threw her arms around Zhao, taking comfort in the fact that he kept silent and hugged her close.

"Yes I am angry and I am blaming you…" Ty Lee cried against his chest. "Blaming you even when you rode all night to get to Jiro and ask him to look for Mar Lee…"

Zhao stroked her back and whispered soothing words into her ear as she continued to cry. They stood in each other's arms in the middle of the grounds, Ty Lee crying and Zhao holding her silently, until finally she stopped. She didn't let go just clung to him savoring the warmth and strength that seemed to pour from him. The silence dragged on and Ty Lee finally broke it.

"You're angry now." Ty Le stated it as a fact.

"Not angry just disappointed." Zhao replied his voice gruff sounding.

"In me?" Ty Lee asked her voice small.

"No, just that we can't enjoy a normal married life together." Zhao sighed against the top of her hair. "Ty Lee I don't have time to talk things out which clearly we need to do. I am going to supervise the rest of the roof installation and you are going to spend a day at home."

Ty Lee nodded her head numbly; she didn't want to spend the day alone in that house. It was going to drive her crazy being locked up not able to know what to do or how to help. However, she was going to listen to Zhao for once and not push matters. He was clearly tired and stressed out himself.

"I'll see you tonight." Zhao said pulling away from her he gently kissed her on the forehead and headed toward the roofing project.

Ty Lee stood there and watched until Zhao disappeared before she turned and headed back for the house.