A/N

I'm back! Sorry it took me so long. I've been having a rough pregnancy and in and out of the hospital with my second little one. As well as planning for when she is here since I have a good 2-4 weeks before she is here. Plus, I have my son learning the ropes to being a big brother and I know he's excited to meet his best friend. Just a lot going on.

But here we go with our next chapter.

Chapter 30:

"You must be mistaken! That can't be!" Katara was in disbelief as the palace physician gave her the verdict on her husband's condition.

While she had been able to save him from death's door, Katara was not able to spare him the consequences of the trauma delivered to his body. Ozai had fallen unconscious shortly after receiving blunt force to the head and didn't wake for the entire voyage home. It was only two days after getting home and having him lay in bed that he woke. The first thing Katara and the physicians noticed was that his speech had been greatly affected by his head injury and coma. His speech was slow and delayed, not to mention most of the words he said made no sense. No one could understand a word he was saying. To make matters worse, he couldn't hold a quill or eating utensils correctly. Fumbling with them till they slipped from his hand. And if that wasn't already bad, the Fire Lord couldn't even walk. He was what they considered lame and crippled.

The Fire Lady demanded that no one know this. Threatening to kill every physician if even a word got out about this. She was confident that this would not be permanent and something she could fix with her healing abilities. Katara demanded they give her time to get him well enough to at least govern the country. They agreed as the Fire Lord's two heirs were not yet ready to fulfill his duties. The Fire Lady was given a few months to nurse her husband to health. If she couldn't succeed, then Fire Lord Ozai would be removed from power and one of her sons would be given the title of Fire Lord while a regent assisted in their duties until they could reign on their own.

When the physicians left, Katara ordered that none of the servants waited on the Fire Lord and that she would tend to him. Their only duties were to clean and provide her assistance. Ming, her personal servant, was the only one that could enter their bedroom from now on. Katara didn't want too many knowing the details of the Fire Lord's condition. All anyone knew was that he had survived an assassination attempt and was bedridden for a few months.

Taking the dinner tray from one of the servants, the Fire Lady brought it into the bedroom and shut the door. She went over to where her husband was laying in bed staring blankly out the window. Setting the tray down, Katara gathered a few pillows and fixed them behind Ozai in order to get him to sit up. She then placed the tray in his lap and picked up the chopsticks so she could feed him. However, as she brought a piece of meat from the tray to his lips, she saw him eyeing her with an impassive look on his face.

"You have to eat, Ozai." She told him as she held her hand under the chopsticks she held to him. "Put your pride aside for just a little while. We'll figure this out and get through this. But you're going to have to let me help you."

Ozai looked from her to the chopsticks.

Feeling a little hopeful, "You've got to be hungry. I heard your stomach growling earlier." She gave a small smile.

Lifting his gold eyes back to her, Ozai gave in and opened his mouth so she could feed him. She seemed cheerful at this and quickly pointed to something else on the tray, giving him the option to decide what he wanted to eat next. He shook his head a few of the vegetables, only really interested in eating more of the meat and the sliced fruits. It was hard to swallow. Not the food but being so helpless that someone had to literally feed him. However, he didn't feel completely terrible. Katara didn't make him feel like he was pathetic. She just genuinely looked like she cared. That part was even harder to swallow.

Why would she want to help him? In the current state he was in, she could easily take advantage and get back at him for all he had done wrong to her. She had that power over him now that he couldn't talk or even walk. Katara could do anything and he'd be at her mercy. But instead, all he could see was a woman just wanting her husband to get better. Even if him getting better didn't necessarily mean anything good for her. How could she be so sure he'd be grateful to her and be kinder to her? Didn't she remember that not even her kindness to him while he was in prison was reciprocated in their marriage? But what could he do now except to accept her kindness and her willingness to make him better again? He didn't want to be a mute and cripple forever. No, that was a fate worse than death.

So, as she fed him with a soft smile on her face, Ozai didn't refuse her.

However, this was by no means easy for the Fire Lord. Someone who always prided himself on being strong, now finding himself in such a vulnerable state. He almost couldn't fathom it. How did he end up this way? He recalled all the events leading up to falling unconscious but he didn't know how it turned out like this. No matter what, he shouldn't have ended up like this, falling into a condition like this. Couldn't walk nor speak. He couldn't even hold an object correctly enough to use it properly. It was uncanny. How was he supposed to live like this?

That evening Katara bathed him in a tin bath tub and didn't seem the least bit bothered by all of this. He noticed she was taking this all too well. Like she was enjoying this. She even hummed as she ran the wet rag over his chest, lathering him in soap and rinsing him off. He narrowed his eyes on her. Studying her. Was this what she wanted? To see him like this? At the weakest and most vulnerable state he's ever been in. Was she getting a kick out of this?

"I tried to stop the swelling you had from your head injury but you were bleeding out so heavily from your stab wound. I didn't have much help on the way here. Everyone was ready to claim you were dead and pass the throne over to Soji. If I could just get you to wake up, then…." Katara shook her head and rested the rag on the rim of the tin tub. "Maybe I'm crazy for even reviving you. I feel like I am. That trip was god awful and you made me look like an idiot in front of my family and friends. You impregnated one of your whores, drugged me so I'd be less confrontational, and took your frustration out on me. I should have let them kill you. I'll admit, I thought about doing it myself. Suffocating you with a pillow while you were in your coma. It would be like dying in your sleep. Peaceful. I could have given that to you."

The waterbender stood up and went to get a towel, "But I'm not evil. Even if you are who you are, you're still my husband, Kai and Soji's father. I'll get you better. Believe me, it's not easy seeing you this way." She said as she came to the side of the tub with a towel.

Somehow Katara managed to help him out of the tub and back into bed where she sat him on the edge of the bed to dry him off. He just looked at her. A softer look upon his face as he could tell she was sincere. As she came to dry his hair, Ozai saw her get a comb and detangled his hair.

"I'll take care of you and get you back to your normal self. We can go at whatever pace works for you. I'll be patient." Katara assured him as her eyes met his.

And somehow, despite his distrusting nature, he believed her. While Katara could be hurt and therefore be hostile in return, she was no evil woman. If anyone was going to take proper care of him, it would be her. His wife. The one he deserved the least care from.

…

Iroh couldn't believe the nerve of the Earth King. The man literally put them all at risk of fighting another war if his brother survived his injuries which was likely with Katara at his side. The girl could bring back almost anyone who was on the verge of death. They were all screwed. The former general did make sure to bring this up to the Earth King but the man was unfazed. Iroh felt that the Earth King might have something in mind to prevent an all out war with the Fire Nation. Something he wasn't disclosing.

Returning from the palace to his teashop to find it was their slow day which was good by him. Iroh needed room to wrap his head around the recent things that had come up. Between seeing how miserable Katara was to his brother's near assassination and likeliness of another war, the elderly man wanted to just de-escalate.

"Hey, uncle." Zuko said as he entered the kitchen to see his uncle resting in a stool by the work bench where he usually crafted new blends of tea. "Are you alright?"

Rubbing his temple, "I will be. Just tired of stubborn rulers is all."

"Is this about King Kuei trying to have my father killed?" Zuko asked casually, setting down a tray.

Nodding his head as he rubbed his temple, "I had no idea that there would be such strife between the two merely based upon that poor waterbender. Being a beautiful woman really is a curse."

Zuko furrowed his brows a little. He didn't get to see Katara at all while she was here but from what little things his uncle said about her along with the chatter of those that were in the palace, he deduced something was gravely wrong. His uncle refused to say much. Likely for his sake but Katara still mattered to him even if things between them were over. He just didn't want her to suffer or have their son suffer as a result of her marriage to his father.

"Maybe I should go see how she's doing and see if I can see Kai." Zuko stated.

Iroh shook his head, "No, nephew, now is not the time. A lot could be going on that neither of us knows. Marriage is not a simple or easy thing for many. Your father and Katara are no different. Especially given the circumstances surrounding their relationship. You shouldn't meddle."

"I'm not meddling. I just want to see if she's alright."

"Zuko-"

"I'll visit Sokka to see if he knows anything before I return to the Fire Nation." Zuko explained that he would stay out of trouble but Katara was someone he cared about and he just wanted to make sure she was alright.

As much as he tried pleading with his nephew, he couldn't reason with him. The young man was as stubborn as his father. Iroh could only watch as Zuko removed his apron to get ready for his venture. A part of him felt Zuko just wanted to get out of the city for a little while which he could respect. Zuko had been so used to traveling and dealing with a much more hectic lifestyle than the one he was living now. Maybe he was just antsy.

"I'll write you." Zuko told his uncle as the old man hugged him.

The elderly man sighed and nodded, "just be careful."

….

The first few days were difficult, Katara would admit. Ozai was prideful and stubborn even in his current state. She knew he felt humiliated but this was just how things were until he got better. Being fed, bathed, and clothed was no issue to him. He liked having her wash him up and do his hair, sometimes falling asleep as it was soothing to him. Dressing him was no problem since he didn't have to wear much as he was mostly in bed. Ozai didn't object to her giving his legs and feet massages to stimulate them in the hopes he would walk again. And he wasn't at all bothered by her helping him reply to correspond-letters from Zhao, who was in charge until he recovered. However, the chamber pot was too much for him to accept. Literally, giving her the look to leave and only letting Ming assist. Katara tried to tell him she had no problem with that sort of thing as she had dealt with men that were worse off than him. But Ozai didn't care.

One day while bathing him in the tin tub that the servants brought into their room, Zhao came by to visit and Ozai nodded his head for his wife to let him in. Katara had Ming answer the door as she continued washing him up. The nobleman entered to see his friend and Fire Lord was indeed not in the best condition. Fortunately, it looked like the waterbender was taking care of him despite all else.

"Are you still not able to speak?" Zhao asked.

Ozai shook his head.

"What about write? Can you do that?"

The answer was 'no'.

Looking at the Fire Lady that was combing out the wet locks of her husband's hair, "You plan to help him relearn to write?"

"Yes. Tomorrow, I'll go over it with him. He's just having trouble holding the quill steady. The rest, I feel he'll be able to do once he can hold things better." Katara explained.

"Good. I do hope you get him better. If not, I'll blame you." Zhao said bitterly as he eyed the woman dangerously.

Ozai raised a brow at the clear threat but noticed Katara didn't say anything back and simply dropped her head as she continued looking after him. When Zhao left, leaving behind a few reports that he felt the Fire Lord would like to look at, Ozai turned to look at his wife. Her blue eyes lifted to his and she gave him a small smile like she had been doing every time they made direct eye contact.

"You'll get better soon. I know it." Katara assured him.

But that wasn't his problem.

"What?" She chuckled a little before refocusing on his hair.

Ozai opened his mouth to reply but realized he couldn't say what he wanted to. Immediately, his mood fell and he was bombarded with the reality of his situation.

Katara helped him into bed with Ming's aid and tucked him under the covers before climbing in beside him. She rested close to him as she had been doing lately, wanting to be in reach if he needed her help in the middle of the night.

"Good night, Ozai." She said, shutting her eyes for bed.

The Fire Lord laid there on his back staring at the canopy of their bed, lost in thought. He glanced over to his sleeping wife and wondered if there was something seriously wrong with her mentally. Were her people just inherently docile or lacked a backbone? Why did she just let Zhao talk to her that way? She was the fucking Fire Lady. It was one thing when it was her yielding to him. He was her husband and the Fire Lord but she shouldn't let others talk to her the same way. Ozai decided to make a mental note to punish Zhao as soon as he recovered. If Katara wasn't going to put people in their place, he would.

In the morning, Katara helped Ozai hold a quill in his hand and guide him to write simple phrases to get him acclimated to writing again. She sat beside him on the edge of the bed, holding his hand as she moved it around to spell out the characters in his name. Feeling he was able to maintain a grip on the quill, the waterbender smiled and continued.

Ozai glanced over at her and saw she was smiling. He really liked the sight of her smiling. Wasn't something he saw often but when he did, it was soothing to him. Like watching the sunrise over the horizon during mornings where he'd get the chance to meditate. She provided a comfort that he had never known. Just her smiling and her gentle touch.

"In a few days you should have full control." Katara said happily. "We'll get to have more interesting conversations. Not just me rambling to you."

And yet, he loved hearing her ramble. She could talk all day and he'd both be intrigued with what she had to say and lulled to sleep by her voice. He could really get used to this. Maybe it could continue even after he recovered.

…

Mai was surprised to see her husband was home so early since he had basically been filling in for the Fire Lord. She greeted him as a wife should and saw the man looked incredibly tired. Fortunately, she and the servants had made sure he would be able to relax upon his return. She removed his heavy outer robes for him and led him to their dining room where she offered to feed him. He seemed to like her catering to him which is what she did to keep him happy.

When he was done eating, Mai had stripped him down to bathe as the servants had already ran his water and she joined him. As she washed him up, Zhao went on to tell her about his day and how he no longer envied the Fire Lord. The duties were overbearing and repetitive. Something someone had to clearly be raised to endure because he hated it. Every minute.

"His condition is progressing but he is still not anywhere close to being able to return to his duties fully." Zhao scoffed.

Scrubbing his back, "Katara is by his side. If anyone can bring him back to his former self, it's her. No one but her can get it done."

Zhao raised a brow at his wife, "I thought you hated that water wench."

Shaking her head, "I envied her without realizing that even she wanted nothing to do with the life she was living. She never meant to step on my toes or get in my way and yet, I made her life a living hell." Mai sighed. "I never thought of myself as a horrid woman but I definitely feel like one every time I think of her."

Zhao eyed his wife a little. He would say the water wench wasn't really an issue. She never really was. Despite her relationship with his long time friend, he had no problems with her as she didn't like to involve herself in much that drew too much attention. Besides, she did save Ozai's life and stood by him even when others wanted to give up on him. She owed her husband no favors and could have easily let him die in order to secure her freedom but she didn't. She saved his life and was currently nursing him to health. It was admirable.

"I still don't like her." Zhao said while stroking his beard. "I might pity her from time to time but she still annoys me."

Mai nodded her head, agreeing that Katara could be very annoying at times.

As the couple went to bed, Zhao noticed his wife looked a bit more seldom than she typically did. He figured it was because she was still not with child. It was something he was aware would be a challenge or impossible for them which was fine. He could live without having any children. However, he knew Mai wanted them.

Caressing her face, "Give it time."

Mai shook her head, "It's impossible." She shut her eyes.

"Maybe the Fire Lady could-"

"It's fine." Mai told him as she snuggled in close to him. "I'm content with this life. Just us is fine."

Zhao knew that was a lie but he appreciated that she tried to feel the same as him. Maybe once the Fire Lord was in better condition, he'd ask the Fire Lady to see if his wife could have children or if there was no way entirely. Surely, if she could save a man on the verge of death, she could allow a woman to carry life inside her. As his wife slept, Zhao caressed her face and promised he'd find a way for them to have a child.

…...

A few weeks went on and already there was better progress. While Ozai still couldn't speak or walk, he finally could hold a quill more steadily. His handwriting wasn't as flawless as normal but at least there was better communication now. Katara kept a stationary set close to him while he was in bed and held dialog with him. Even though he was writing responses to her, she could sometimes hear his tone of voice by the expressions on his face. For the most part, he didn't write much in response. They just had light conversation. Mostly thanking her for helping him and making requests. Most of his requests were simply that she have Zhao bring most of the important documents to him and report directly to him about recent meetings with ministers. But his favorite requests were for her to brush his hair and massage his legs.

While massaging his calves one day as he was sitting at the edge of the bed, Katara visibly looked ill and a little pale if you asked him. Ozai noticed she had been quite sick the last few days and wasn't eating much. He asked her if she had a cold or something but she just shook her head, giving him a smile to reassure him. However, he felt she was hiding something from him.

Ozai wrote his question for her in his notepad and patted her head to look up at him as she was on her knees, massaging his feet. Her sapphire eyes looked up at the notepad and he saw her smile before giggling.

"I'm fine." Katara replied. "I promise."

Writing something else in his notepad, Ozai let her read it and she laughed some more.

"Ozai, I'm fine. Really. You should be more worried about yourself right now, okay?"

If it wasn't for that sweet smile she kept giving him, he'd continue to pry but he'd leave her alone for now.

The physicians came by to check on the Fire Lord's health the following day and could see he was doing a lot better. Clearly, his wife had been taking great care of him and it was discovered that he could feel his legs. The problem was that he didn't have the balance to stand and his control of his legs were very weak. Which meant the possibility of him walking again was definitely more likely than they believed. They all praised the Fire Lady for her earnest care and suggested that he use a wheelchair to get around a little as well as getting help from the male servants so that he could learn to walk again.

Before the physicians left, Ozai asked them on his notepad to check his wife to see what was wrong with her but Katara insisted that she was fine. The physicians took a look at her, checking her pulse and other signs of possible illness. They could find nothing wrong with her but they still had news to report on her condition.

"Looks like her majesty is expecting. Congratulations." They all bowed to the two.

Katara didn't look at all surprised as Ozai seemed very pleased to learn this. When they were alone, he asked if she already knew to which she nodded and told him she wanted to wait till she was further along to tell him. So far she was only three months along. Conceiving not long after they arrived in the Earth Kingdom.

"I think it's a waterbender." Katara told him as she placed her hand on her stomach and smiled a little.

*Good. Maybe it'll be a girl as well.* He wrote in the notepad.

Nodding her head, the waterbender would really like it if this one was a girl. She knew that was what Ozai wanted but also, after having two boys, she couldn't help but want a daughter as well.

Ozai reached to place his hand on his wife's stomach and stared longingly at her. He knew the conception of both his children had been not so good experiences for her. He was quite forceful during both times and this one caused her quite a bit of agony in order to conceive. She felt pressured and stressed over getting pregnant again all because he was ashamed of knocking up his consort.

Removing his hand from her stomach, the Fire Lord went onto the write in his notepad before handing it over to her.

*I shouldn't have forced this on you. I'm sorry.*

Katara stared somberly at the notepad before setting it on the stationary in his lap. "It's fine, Ozai. I'll still love them no matter how it happened."

Furrowing his brows in lament, Ozai wrote some more and handed it back to her.

*It's not fine. Why do you always forgive me? I don't deserve it.*

"Then what am I supposed to do then?"

*Not make me feel more guilty by being kind when I've never been to you.*

"It's just my nature."

*You're not a saint, Katara. I know you can be as cruel as me.*

Katara sighed and shook her head, "And what good does that do either of us? You want to be loved and I understand that. I might not feel those exact feelings but I know I feel strongly enough about you to be here at your side when you need me most. I'm not going to mistreat you just because it will be getting even. You're my husband. I told you I'd be good to you, didn't I?"

*But only if I was good to you.*

The waterbender cracked a sad smile, "And maybe one day you will be."

Taking his stationary away from him as it was time for bed, Katara set it aside and got him more comfortable in bed. She pressed her lips to his forehead and caressed the side of his face. His hand went to hold her hand in place as he gazed up at her.

"I…..lov-...I…"

A tear fell on his face and she turned her head from him, "I know, Ozai. I know."

Getting herself together, the waterbender pressed her lips to his and ran her hand into his hair. The exchange wasn't needy or hungry. They weren't trying to devour each other's lips off like they typically did. It was just a kiss. Loving and chaste. When they pulled apart, Katara laid herself against him as he wrapped his arm around her, wanting to sleep in each other's arms for the night.

…..

"Ah, that didn't take long." Jade mused as Lin and Kuran were in the middle of their card game by the courtyard fountain as the other consorts and concubine preoccupied themselves.

Nodding her head, "I'm sure once we were all out of the way, the Fire Lord was able to make his move on his wife." Kuran smirked.

Lin agreed. "I think it goes without saying that his majesty will only truly cherish his wife. The rest of us are just fill-ins."

As the three women conversed, Himiko strutted up to them with her semi-noticeable belly and scowled at all of them as they shot her amused looks.

"What can we do for you, Consort Himiko?" Jade asked as she lounged on her side.

Himiko sucked her teeth, "His majesty has not forgotten about me and my child! Even if his good for nothing wife is pregnant, she can still only give him half-blood children!"

Rolling their eyes, the three consorts were so tired of hearing that same line. The Fire Lady was Water Tribe, sure, but she hand picked them all despite none of them having the most prestigious families. It may have been strategic but she was good to them. Even with the Fire Lord being in bad condition and having to nurse him to health, she made sure to cater to the harem. They were all given new clothes for the new season and jewelry and gifts were plenty. The Fire Lady was a good, honorable, and compassionate woman. It was hard for any of them to hate her or even dislike her. Besides, what could they do about the Fire Lord preferring her over all the other women he had access to?

Folding her arms angrily, "You all will see! Just you all wait!"

Himiko stormed off.

Finding her brother, who was leaving a meeting, Himiko rushed over to him and interrupted his conversation with fellow ministers. At first, he was bothered by this until he glanced down and saw the small belly of his sister. He quickly pulled her away and asked her if she was indeed pregnant.

"His majesty knows?"

Nodding her head as she rubbed her belly, "He's known since our trip to Ember island. He said I could keep it as he was very much pleased to have a child of pure blood. I just fear with the Fire Lady's pregnancy that I will be overshadowed."

Grinning, "don't you worry, sweet sister. I will see to it that you and your child will not be overlooked."

Himiko hugged her brother and thanked him. Now, all she had to do was wait for the Fire Lord to recover and get an audience with him to further discuss the future of her child.

….

"Easy." Katara said as the male servants helped the Fire Lord into the wheelchair. "Are you okay?"

Ozai nodded as he could see the waterbender was concerned. He was planning on going to his office to work and take care of some of his duties as it would give him something to do. Katara wanted to stay at his side like she had been every day all day since they left the Earth Kingdom. However, he didn't want her doing as much anymore now that they knew she was pregnant. She needed to rest and focus on her own health. She had gotten him this far and he was able to manage with a few servants. Of course, none of them could compare to her in the quality of care she provided him these last few weeks but it wasn't like she wouldn't still look after him. Katara was stubborn and he could see her kicking the servants out at the end of the day so she could take over.

Worrying over him as one of the servants was about to wheel him out, "Are you sure you want to go back to work now? We could give it another month."

The waterbender sighed as he shook his head. She wasn't really sure it was wise for him to go back to work but he did make a good point that he couldn't keep things a secret forever and while he didn't have any opposers within the country, if he lied in bed too long it would worry many. And worry caused some to make preparations. And preparation of the throne was always treasonous if not overseen by the current Fire Lord.

*I'll be fine.* Ozai raised his notepad for her to see.

"Then I'll come check on you."

*I'm not a child.* He flipped the page of his notepad and showed her the next pre-written message. *Stop worrying.*

Katara rolled her eyes as it seemed he anticipated her worrying this morning. "Fine, I'll just go into the city. Find something to occupy myself with."

Ozai looked at her like she was crazy and looked for his quill to tell her not to. However, she just smirked at him and told the servants to take good care of her husband before urging them to leave. She chuckled and waved as she saw him look over his shoulder at her, hoping to get her to understand he was completely against her leaving the palace. But instead, she blew him a kiss which only proved to upset him as their bedroom doors closed behind him.

Getting out of the palace was surprisingly easy. Probably due to Ozai not being in the condition to reduce his guards in order to keep an eye on her. His vulnerable state allowed her to get away for a little bit so she could see a friend.

Shinji had told her where he was staying and gave her the key to his place when she ran into him on the beach. She made her way to the tavern, dressed in a casual dress and cloak to hide her identity. While not everyone was familiar with her face completely, there weren't many Water Tribe people in the Fire Nation, let alone in the capital. It would be pretty obvious who she was if anyone looked at her.

Finding the tavern, Katara entered and clung to the hood over her head. She went up to the bar and asked for Shinji. The bartender eyed her funny and glanced over to a corner table where an equally hooded figure sat away from everyone. Katara thanked the bartender before walking over to the table and patting the hooded figure on the shoulder.

"Shinji?" She said in a soft unsure voice.

The hooded figure looked up over his shoulder and pulled off his hood, "Katara."

Katara was embraced immediately as the man stood up and hugged her tight. She returned the gesture and smiled to herself. La, she missed Shinji. He had really been a good friend to her in the recent years of her life and put his life on the line to help her. It was such a relief to discover he was alive.

Both took a seat beside one another and Shinji asked her if he could get her a drink but she shook her head.

"I can't do any drinking right now." She told him.

Shinji tilts his head a little and eyed her, "Pregnant?"

Katara nodded.

"I'm not sure if I should congratulate you or what. After what you told me back at the beach, I've been worried about you." Shinji told her in a seldom tone.

That was understandable. Ozai had never really been good to her and Shinji knew that first hand from the beginning. He knew from the start what would happen to her and always warned her. He even turned on Ozai for her sake and he almost lost his life because of it.

"I'm sure you've heard what happened to Ozai. He's been real messed up from the assassination attempt." Katara explained Ozai's condition in full to Shinji and all that had to happen for his recovery. "I've been nursing him back to health and he's come a long way despite how badly his injuries were."

Shinji could see that Katara was growing attached to Ozai again. She seemed to have fallen back into this caregiver role now that he was vulnerable again which was admirable but what good did that do her last time?

Katara pulled her hair behind her ear, "I've been really careful and gentle with him because I know his pride is being challenged. And I smile and reassure him because I know that's what people need when they're struggling. While he can't talk, he does write me to say 'thank you' and how much he loves me. I think maybe he'll know how to better express his feelings from seeing how I handle him. Maybe I'm teaching him something he never learned to do." Sighing as her gaze fell, "or maybe he'll just go back to before once he's better."

Running his hand over her back to comfort her, "You're right to be skeptical. When has he ever been kind to you?"

"I just wish I didn't have to worry about this sort of thing. I do care about him."

"Of course."

"If I didn't, I wouldn't be trying so hard." Katara looked at Shinji. "I want to return his feelings, Shinji. I do and I feel like I can if only he wouldn't turn into a psychopath every time things don't go his way."

Shinji nodded, "He is a little psychotic."

"A little?" Katara raised a brow before they both burst out laughing.

The two continued talking until it started getting late. Kara hugged Shinji as he told her to take care of herself since she was pregnant now.

"I'll try to see you more while Ozai is recovering."

Running his hand over her head before pulling her hood over it, "Perhaps next time we can meet somewhere less crowded."

….

Returning before twilight, Katara bathes and dresses in her nightgown. She climbs in bed with a book and lounges across the bed with it just before her bedroom doors open to the servants wheeling Ozai in. Jumping out of bed as soon as she sees him, the waterbender shoos them all away and wheels her husband close to their bed. As she offers to help him into bed, he eyes her like she's nuts and swipes her hand away before holding onto the edge of the bed to lift himself up. Katara stays close to him in order to keep him from falling.

Once he was sitting on the edge of the bed, Ozai watched her kneel down to remove his shoes and then undress the rest of him. While he could assist her with removing some of his clothes, he did prefer her to do it for him. After she removed his pants, Katara reached to unbutton his shirt and tunic. He saw her lips form into a smile as she did it.

"Is it bad that I'm enjoying this all too much?" The waterbender chuckled a little. "Gives me something to do so I don't feel meaningless. Even better, we don't argue and I feel like we're doing better than we ever have together." She removed his shirt and tunic from off his shoulders, grazing his fingers along his skin as she looked up at him. "Am I wrong to feel this way?"

Ozai shook his head. He didn't think she was wrong to feel this way. He had to admit. Things were good between them. Things always seemed to be good when it was her in the more dominant role. Just like in the prison, she just seemed to enjoy looking after him and being to him what he knew she wanted him to be to her. Honestly, he had begun to resent himself. How did he become so fortunate to have a wife like her and then still, he couldn't be good to her? What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he be good to this woman?

Furrowing his brows as he looked away from her out of guilt, Ozai let her continue undressing him for bed and talk to him as she did. Apparently, she had gone out into the city and admitted to not being accompanied. He could tell she seemed happy that she got the chance and she showed him a hair accessory she bought from a street vendor.

"I know it's pretty cheap compared to what you could afford but I like it." Katara looked down at it. "If it's a girl, can I give it to her? Even if it's not extravagant."

Ozai nodded his head, seeing she clearly liked the cheap accessory and had put thought into it. He liked that she was just a simple woman after all. Never really caring about the finer things and never asking him for anything. Her simplicity was refreshing and he loathed that he was only now giving himself the time to admire that about her.

"Did you want to bathe before bed?" The waterbender asked him as she slipped the hair accessory back into her pocket.

Managing to get him from the bed to the bathroom in his wheelchair, Katara decided to have him bathe in the pool-like tub as she didn't mind getting in with him. Once he was seated up in the bathing pool, she pulled his hair up into a bun on top of his head and got started on bathing him. He watched her begin with his chest, running the soapy sponge against his chest and working her way down. It couldn't be helped that he got a little 'excited' by this since normally she bathed him in the tin tub. Now, she was naked with him and he hadn't gotten to see her naked in a while. He smirked when she glanced up at him as soon as she noticed he was sporting a hard one.

Expecting her to say something, Ozai was surprised that she lathered her hand in soap and stroked him a little while staring him dead in his eyes.

"You're able to feel this?" Katara asked.

Ozai made a groaning noise as he nodded his head.

"Been awhile, huh?" She smirked as he nodded his head in response again while she kept stroking him. "Anything you want me to do about it?"

When she got him back to bed and laid him down, the waterbender climbed into his lap as requested. She decided it best not to clothed either one of them since he wanted to be intimate with her tonight.

"You sure?" She asked him.

Ozai nodded as he was very sure. It wasn't often that he let her ride him but given his current circumstance, he'd allow it. He was fortunate that he could still feel that part of himself. His carnal desires were still in existence. Didn't just go away because he was injured. He had a sexy young wife that was very attentive to him. Of course, he was going to want her. Even if he didn't want to bottom for anyone, her included, he'd make the exception as he had only got increasingly pent up in the time he had been nursed by her.

Katara sunk herself down on his erected member and heard Ozai hiss in pleasure as his hand went to her hips at the very moment that she had him all the way inside. She rolled her hips up and down slowly to test his response, finding he was by no means in pain from this. Only pain he was probably feeling was the anguish of wanting her to continue. Since she knew he often liked to be rough with her, decided maybe he wanted her to do the same with him and she rode him long and hard.

Though he couldn't speak he was still verbally responsive to her love making as she bounced herself on his cock, soaking his length with that wet pussy of hers. Agni, he wished he could thrust back into her. Fuck her like she was fucking him right now. His eyes rolled to the back of his head a few times as he really didn't find the same pleasure with anyone else but her. He slapped her ass as she leaned forward to kiss him and ran his hand through her hair, gripping it tight as she nibbled on his lips.

"I'm going to cum." She told him in a breathy voice.

Ozai nodded for her to go ahead as he was at his limit.

The couple came at the same time and before Katara climbed off, they shared a passionate kiss. They didn't often share tender moments but when they did neither wanted it to end. Ozai held his wife to him, not wanting her to move away from him and ran his hand through her hair.

"Mmm….I...love….you." Ozai finally managed to say.

As much as Katara wished she could say it back or even just satisfy that one desire of his, she couldn't. Not only did she not mean it but if she did, what would it matter. She was no fool to believe things would always be like this. And while it felt good to be able to get along with him, she knew as soon as he was better, he'd reign down over her. Make her regret ever helping him. Their relationship was cruel that way. Nothing good came out of him being the one in charge. Once he had some sort of power over her, Ozai was callous and sometimes vicious. She'd fight him in order to not be walked all over but he made it where even speaking up was exhausting to her and her fighting spirit would diminish until she had the energy to speak up again.

When she heard the slight snoring coming from him, the waterbender tried to climb off of him but his arms had wrapped themselves tight around her. In his sleep, he rolled onto his side and held her to him, still. Katara sighed and figured she'd be sleeping like this for the night.

In the morning, the two took their time bathing together and were dressed an hour later. The waterbender was a bit tired and wanted to go back to bed but insisted on getting her husband ready first. She brushed his hair and tied the top layer of his hair into a topknot to place his crown on, sticking the pin through to hold it in place. Once he was done, Katara stood to wrap her arms around him and hug him.

"If you need anything, I'll be here." She told him.

Ozai nodded as he hugged her back, almost not really wanting to let go of her.

Patting his head affectionately, "I'll come by the office to check on you, okay?"

The servants watch with surprise at the warm interaction between the Fire Lord and Lady. Never had they seen the man look at his wife so longingly or so affectionately. Clearly, her caring for him had made him see her in a better light. They had to give her most of the credit for why he was doing as well as he did.

"Ka..Ka..t-"

Katara shook her head and cupped his face, pressing her lips to his. She noticed he had been trying to talk and though he managed some words after struggling, she knew it would be a while before he could speak like he used to. The physician worried it could be a few more months or a year but Katara was fine with that. Ozai was pretty efficient with his writing to communicate. Hopefully, he would be walking on his one soon.

…...

Since Ozai was still recovering, he had Zhao remain at his side through the day to assist him and fill him in on the meetings he wasn't yet attending. For the most part, the Fire Lord was focused but every so often he'd space out a little. Zhao noticed this plenty and figured there was more to the man's condition than originally perceived. Oftentimes, Zhao asked him if there was something on his mind, something distracting him but Ozai always shook his head and returned to work.

Today was a little different. Zhao noticed the Fire Lord was spaced out again but this time he wrote his wife's name across the paper before falling into a daze. The nobleman snapped his fingers in his friend's face and watched him startle from his daze.

"Is she what's on your mind?" Zhao asked as he pointed at the document that had the characters of the Fire Lady's name on it.

Ozai glanced down and saw this, immediately lighting the document on fire.

"I'll ask General Hua to draft up another document for the military budget." Zhao stated.

Nodding his head, Ozai rubbed his hand to the temple and sighed. He couldn't concentrate. More and more, he found himself distracted.

"Would you like me to bring her here? Maybe she can get you to focus more."

The Fire Lord wrote in his notepad for her to come here but before he could finish the message, a few ministers barged into his office without prompt. This irritated the man as his right hand addressed them.

"What is this?" Zhao demanded on behalf of the Fire Lord.

"We just wanted to congratulate the Fire Lord on fathering another child. Fire Lady Katara will be having hers shortly after Consort Himiko, right?"

Ozai furrowed his brows.

In the bedroom, finally getting out of bed, Katara sighed as she rubbed her back a little. She called for Ming to help her out of bed and as the woman came in to assist her, the waterbender could see there was concern in her eyes.

"What is it?" Katara asked as she was helped to her feet.

Ming sighed, "There is word going around. I don't know how true but they say Consort Himiko is pregnant."

Unphased, "So she finally comes out with it now that I'm pregnant?" Katara scoffed as Ming helped her to the bathroom. "I'll go see Ozai about how he wants me to deal with this."

After all, it was the Fire Lady that managed the harem women. She knew he wasn't exactly thrilled about Himiko's pregnancy and planned to rid the woman of the child but with his condition and word already out in the open, he couldn't do as he originally planned. Not that Katara wanted him to continue with his plan but she knew he would want to do something about the matter.

The Fire Lady strutted the halls with her entourage of servants and guards followed her. She wanted to maintain face as people would no doubt be gossiping about the pregnancies. Many would be more happy with Consort Himiko pregnancy over hers. After all, the woman was of Fire Nation descent and from nobility. While she, the Fire Lady, was a woman of the Water Tribes and born in far lower standing. Ozai might have made her his wife and publicly stated his feelings towards her, she knew his supporters didn't like her. Nor did many others. She needed to look un-bothered about it all. She should be. Though Ozai hadn't been very kind to her during their trip, he made it very clear he wanted his children from her and her alone. She already knew which pregnancy he was more in favor of. It didn't matter what others thought.

Reaching his chambers, Katara was let in by his guards and upon entering, she heard Zhao's voice accompanied by a woman. Himiko. Her pace slowed as she heard him yell at the woman and berate her. Katara wondered if it was on Ozai's behalf. Seeing as her husband sat at his desk, looking over his work while Zhao lectured the woman, the waterbender could see that it was likely Ozai's order that Zhao do this.

"Your child will have no title given. Not even written in the records as a child of the Fire Lord. His Majesty is contemplating whether the child should be adopted." Zhao told the woman scornfully.

Crying as she sat there on her side on the floor, "Your majesty! Please! This is our child! How can you be so cruel?!"

Ozai lifted his gaze from his work to the consort and noticed Katara had entered his office. His gaze softened as he gestured for her to come over. Zhao and Himiko finally saw her as well and watched as she went to her husband's side, where he made her sit in his lap.

Feeling his arm go around her waist, Katara saw him begin writing in his notepad and address it to her. He let her know what he was doing. Telling her he wouldn't acknowledge any children that she didn't give him and that the child would be given to a trusted family to be adopted.

"So you will take a child from its mother?" Katara tilted her head.

Immediately, writing in his notepad. *What? Is that not to your liking?*

"Absolutely not. The child is still yours, Ozai. Regardless of the circumstances. Why not acknowledge the child and have Himiko stay with a trusted family to look after her and the child? You don't have to bestow a title to the child but to ignore it's existence? It's wrong."

Raising a brow, *That's what you want?*

Nodded, Katara felt it was only right.

*Then you decide the details.* Ozai wrote.

Looking to Himiko who was still seated on the floor somberly, "Himiko will stay in the palace till the birth of the child and then I think it is best she be made to stay with Zhao and Mai."

Zhao furrowed his brows at the Fire Lady, "Excuse me?"

"Who else can be trusted to look after Himiko and the child? Everyone else will surely think of ways to take advantage of the situation for their future benefits. But you are loyal to Ozai, are you not? Besides, Mai can't have children. This would be her closest chance at being a mother." Katara stated.

While this idea was not liked by either the consort or Zhao, Ozai agreed with it. It was decided. Himiko would be sent to stay with Zhao.

As the two were dismissed from the office, Ozai rested his head against his wife's chest and shut his eyes. She placed her hand on his head and ran her hand over his head.

"You're tired?"

Nodding.

"Do you want to retire for the day?"

"N-no." He said in a very raspy and barely audible voice.

Katara smiled and moved her hands to cup his face, pressing her nose to his. "You sure?"

Grinning at her, Ozai nodded.

"I'll get going then." Katara told him as she caressed the sides of his face.

"S-st-"

"You want me to stay?"

Ozai nodded.

"Okay, I can do that."

Katara placed a kiss on the side of his face and then rested her head against him as he picked up his quill to continue his work. As simplistic as this was compared to so much they had done, this was the most intimate they had ever been and the waterbender was loving it. If things had been like this between them from the start of their marriage, she would be happy and at peace with how her life turned out. It was a shame it took him losing his basic functions in order for them to be like this. Even more a shame that once he was fully restored, Ozai could very well become her worst nightmare again.

The waterbender had fallen asleep against her husband and didn't realize they had been wheeled back to their chambers as evening fell until she woke up in bed. Confused and dazed, Katara saw her husband was still awake, reading a book as he laid on his side facing her. Fortunately, she had stirred quietly and he didn't notice her staring at him. Quietly, she observed him for a little while before wanting to get his attention from the book he was reading.

Looking up from the book, Ozai saw his wife staring at him and smirked.

"What are you reading?" She asked him as she wiggled herself a little closer to him.

Lifting his book to show her the front cover of it, "I- I saw...y-you re..ead it...o-once."

Katara sat up quickly and practically jumped him, throwing her arms around him as he was getting better at talking. She kissed him and nuzzled her face to his, very much happy to hear his voice again.

"Ch-choking." He said as he laughed a little at her reaction.

Pulling back, "Sorry," Katara cupped his face and beamed at him. "I'm just happy you're getting better."

"All y-yo-your doing."

"No." She shook her head. "We did it."

It wasn't something he was used to but Ozai liked that she made it seem like they had worked together to get to this point. He was used to doing things himself or others doing things without his involvement. People just took credit for their role and left others out. However, she made it sound like a team effort. He couldn't help that it made him feel warm inside, especially with her musing over him and showing her blatant affection for him.

"We should start working on your walking." Katara said, caressing his face lovingly.

Ozai nodded.

"And to give you an incentive to do well," Katara knelt in bed and started undressing, her breasts bouncing out of the confinement of her dress. "I'll remind you of what we're missing out on." She grabbed his hand and placed it on her breast, feeling his hand squeeze it. "You'll try hard to recover, won't you?"

"Y-yes." He became immediately aroused as his wife pulled the covers off of him and saddled herself above his lap.

Katara grinned as she reached down to collect his hair in her hand, pulling it to her lips while eyeing him suggestively. "When you get better, you'll be good to me, won't you?"

"Y-yes."

"You will?" She smirked as she rolled her hips a little.

Hissing through his teeth, "Y-yes, I-I I wil-will."

"That's all I want, Ozai." Katara smiled genuinely down at him as her hands undid the buttons of his nightshirt, "If you're good to me, there is nothing I won't do for you. Understand?"

Ozai nodded as he was entranced by his wife.

"Good."

…..

A/N:

So Katara is hoping to get Ozai to straighten up his act and maybe he will, now that he sees she genuinely does care about him. Or maybe he's just too messed up from whatever happened in his past. But at least Katara has Shinji back now. ;)