Zukos mind was a blank… A a massive white blank.

Somehow they had made it back to the hotel room and into the lounge room of the top floor which was currently in private use for the fire lord and his friends.

Zuko was not entirely sure how they got up there. But he sure was glad Mai was there to guide their steps. Take Ursa away from him and gently sit her down on a couch.

Right! Tea! Make tea! Making tea made things work out!

And Zuko headed into the little tea kitchen where he pulled out his own little tea set… Okay. Something calming. Chamomile was a classic for calmness, of course and erhm… Something with a bit of taste. Lemon balm was supposed to be good for soothing the nerves. And had a fresh taste…And a little of lavender to even out the tanginess. It was a lot like a blend Uncle had already made for Zuko when he was stressed and Agni… Zukos hands were shaking..

Mom… Mom was here! She had come to see him. Was it real? Had he just imagined it. And Zuko slapped his own face.

… Auw… Seemed like he was awake.

Okay tea! Make tea! He had done it a thousand times before! This shouldn't be hard.

Nervously Ursa swallowed as she glanced around a beautiful and extravagant room. Velvet red walls. Couches that were big and soft. Pillows in pure silk. A table carved in beautiful dark wood and decorated with gold pieces.

"Are you all right?" Mai asked in a patient voice as she at across of Ursa in a big soft looking arm chair.

"Yes I just… Forgive me." Ursa swallowed. "The last time I saw this much luxury was… At the palace." she chewed her lip. "And… It brings back memories."

Mai frowned slightly

"I'm sorry." Ursa looked down.

"The palace." Mai commented. "For you it was a golden prison. Wasn't it?" she asked.

Slowly Ursa looked up at the young woman in front of her.

"Don't worry. I understand." Mai said. "Back then it was also my prison." she said. "I hated those golden halls and most of the royalty who lived there. The palace was a prison and Ozai our warden. I'm glad to say though. The palace is no longer like that. Zuko is no warden. He encourages freedom."

Ursa smiled weakly. "That is what it seems like… Everyone has been so happy since Zuko became fire lord. People have just been… A lot less afraid."

Mai nodded. "Zuko doesn't use fear to control people. He encourages people to be their best selves for their own sake. And sets an example by trying to be the best person he can be himself."

Ursas weak smile now turned into such a warm smile. "That's amazing." she breathed. "I'm so glad… That he didn't change." she said. "He was such a kind and sensitive boy."

"Oh that hasn't changed in the least." Mai smirked. "Sometimes he's too good for his own good. If you know what I mean." she said. "If he sees an animal that got hurt. He's going to be upset for the rest of the day!"

"Oh." Ursa gasped. "He was like that when he was a kid too!"

"I know!" Mai chuckled. "You know what else hasn't changed?" she asked.

"What?" Ursa asked.

Then Mai leaned over so she could whisper. "He steals cakes from the kitchen."

"No." Ursa gasped.

"I know he could just ask. He's the fire lord. But he doesn't want to embarrass himself so he steals them." Mai smirked and Ursa chuckled into her hand.

"The best part is that everyone knows it's him." Mai smirked as she leaned back. "So the chef just makes sure to always bake extra from the get go now. Do you know what is favorite is?"

"Matcha cinnamon tea cake?" Ursa asked excited.

"Yes!" Mai grinned.

And Ursa was just one big beaming smile. Happiness all over her face. Just as one young fire lord, with loose unruly hair, wearing a very casual robe and holding a tea tray stepped inside.

"Erhm… I made tea." Zuko said the obvious. "Oh erhm." he stumbled forward to put down the tray on the table which revealed that not only was there tea. But also tea cakes, which made Mai smirk.

And finally Zuko carefully put up the cups and poured for all three of them. "Here." he offered Ursa a cup. "I hope you like it… Uncle says I have really improved."

"Iroh?" Ursa asked as she accepted the cup. "If he likes it. It must be good." she commented in a light smile. Then she inhaled the steam. "It smells lovely. Thank you Zuko."

Zuko smiled nervously and then sat down next to Mai. Giving Mai a cup too and then held his own. "So… Erhmm." he chewed his lip nervously. "Where have you been?" he asked.

"Oh.. erhm." Ursa swallowed. "Well. You say you know… What happened. When I…"

Zuko bowed his head. "Because Iroh had lost a son… Azulon wanted Ozai to loose one too. His idea of being fair…. I guess."

Ursa swallowed. "How do you know that?" she asked.

"The guards who were present back then. One still remains in the palace… I asked for information. And would reward anyone who could give it to me." Zuko said. "He earned a pretty penny. Don't worry about it." he smiled weakly. "And erhm… Uncle told me… That Ozai had told him. You had pleaded for my life. And to save me… You… Killed Azulon."

Ursa lowered her head. "Yes." she whispered. "I did it… I made a poison. Without taste or smell… I served him the tea that night." her eyes filled up with tears. "And then I said goodbye to my children. By morning the fire lords corpse would be discovered."

"Mom…" Zuko whispered.

Ursa sniffed. "I… I went home. To the village I came from." she said and Zuko blinked. "Oh you don't even know about that!" she realized. "I was never born nobility! I was from a small village! On this island! A village we call misty valley. Named after the forgetful valley which is right next to it and often the mist slips into the village too." she halted. "My marriage with Ozai was arranged… By Azulon. I was engaged to marry another. But then Azulon arrived and made me marry Ozai instead."

"Why?" Mai asked. "If you're not nobility."

Zuko swallowed. "There can only be one reason." he whispered. "It's because you're Avatars Roku's grand daugther isn't it?"

Ursas eyes widened.

"And by mixing the blood of the royal family and the avatar. Azulon hoped for strong generals in the future." Zuko said.

Ursas eyes watered and she nodded.

"So you returned home." Mai said. "To your own village?"

Ursa nodded. "I… Tried to see if my parents were there but.. They were both deceased at that time."

"I'm so sorry." Zuko whispered.

"How-ever… My original fiance. He was still there." Ursa said. "And erhm." she swallowed.

Zuko looked at Ursa.

"I… erh." Ursa tried. "I'm not sure how to tell you this." she then admitted. "You see Noren is… Erh."

"He took care of you?" Mai asked.

"Yes." Ursa said. "He did… And. The thing is… Our engagement when we were young. It wasn't arranged. That's the advantage of being a commoner I suppose. We get to choose who we marry and is allowed to say no… I… Love him." she said.

Zukos eyes widened. "You say… You were engaged to a man you loved and then Azulon just came and… And took you?" he asked. "And forced you to marry Ozai?"

Ursa nodded. Ashamed closing her eyes.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Zuko asked confused.

"I.." Ursa swallowed. "I was not allowed to speak one single word of my former life." she whispered. "Ozai forbid it… I could not talk about my parents… My village… My childhood friends or my first love. The fact I was born a commoner. If I talked then Ozai would… Ozai would." he had to stop herself.

"Mom." Zuko tried.

"I'm so sorry." Ursa sniffed and Mai offered her a handkerchief which Ursa accepted so she could dry her eyes. "So I returned home and… my family were all gone but.. Noren was there. And he was still the same. Brave… Kind… Warm. Just like you Zuko." she smiled lightly. "You always reminded me of him."

Zuko swallowed.

"So… When he asked me to marry him again I." Ursa bit her lip.

Zukos eyes widened. "You re-married?!" he gaped.

"And… You have another little sister." Ursa informed. "Kiyi!" she swallowed. "Well half sister I suppose. She's so cute though. I'm sure you would like her."

Zuko blinked. "Oh." he said. "That's… Great…" he didn't sound all that happy. More he sounded nervous. Mai couldn't really blame him too much. Zuko didn't really have the best track record when it came to smaller siblings. Mai would be kind of scared to if she was him.

Also Zuko was first now finding out that his mother had started a new family. That had to be a lot to take in too.

"Oh no you hate me." Ursa covered her mouth with the handkerchief. "I just went on living my life and you suffered so much… I.."

"Oh… No!" Zuko exclaimed. "I just… It's a lot to take in." he said. "I mean. It's not like you could return to the palace. They would kill you. And then I was on a military ship circling around in the south pole! How in the name of Agni were you supposed to reach me?" he asked. "Of course you had a life! And that's good! I just…" he fell back in the chair holding his head. "It didn't really occur to me at all you might be married again… To some. Noren was it?" he asked.

Ursa nodded.

"Is he nice at least?" Zuko asked.

"Oh he's very kind!" Ursa said. "He would never lay a hand against me! And he always protected me!"

"So erh… Where is he now?" Zuko asked. "Is he here?"

"He's in the next city over." Ursa admitted. "You see… We erhm. We're touring with Love Among dragons. And we managed to change the tour to come here so I could come see you."

"Wait… It's not that all female cast show Sokka wanted to go see is it?" Zuko asked.

"Well… We have two performances we are touring with." Ursa informed. "A traditional one which follows the traditional script and have traditional casting. And the re-write with a new all female cast."

Zuko blinked. "So erh… How do you fit into all of that?" he asked. "Why are you touring with them?"

"Oh Noren owns the theater company and he's the director!" Ursa said in a proud warm smile. "And… Well you see. When I was a child and when I was young. It was Norens parents who owned that same theater. And Noren and I we would… Help out. We would sew costumes, make the masks. Create props and eventually… We would even be on stage. Before I married Ozai I was kind of an actress." she blushed.

"Re-Really?" Zuko asked. "Huh… That actually makes sense." he realized. "You always loved theater! So much. And the way you read out loud scrolls! You would make voices and actually act!" he gasped. "You were so much better than anybody among the Ember Island players."

"Oh Zuko." Ursa blushed deeply. "I'm glad you think that… I am playing the dragon empress in our traditional production of the play."

"Really?" Zuko asked. "That's great!" he beamed and this time he seemed honestly happy. "You must be amazing! I wish I could see it!" he said. "Wait… You're touring right now right? We can go see it! MAI!" he exclaimed.

Mai chuckled amused. "Sure Zuko." she said.

Ursa blushed deeply. "That would be lovely." she said. "But… We wont be in the same city as you again. And you're busy with this tour! That's very important!"

"It's okay. We have a flying bison. That makes transportation pretty convenient." Zuko assured.

Ursa halted. "I saw you on stage today." she admitted and Zuko quieted. "It was… Quite something." she smiled warmly. "And what you said I… I don't even know what to say. It was so wonderful."

"Oh… Thank you." Zuko blushed deeply. "It's just what I learned… You know. Out there." he gestured out at nothing in particular. "Aang taught me a lot of it. And Uncle Iroh! Uncle Iroh taught me a lot! He… He practically raised me."

"Oh." Ursa sniffed as she dried her eyes yet again with Mais handkerchief. "How is he?" she asked.

"He's doing really good!" Zuko said in a wide smile. "He started his own tea shop in the Capital!" he informed. "And right now he's acting fire lord in the palace while I am on a tour! You know just in case something happens he can handle it! He's okay with it. And in the letter I got from him yesterday he told me he has just come up with a new tea blend he can't wait for me to try!"

"That sounds just like him." Ursa smiled warmly.

"Yeah." Zuko smiled. "He hasn't changed at all… I mean… After Lu Ten died he erhm. He went through a tough time. And from the day he returned he was firmly against the war. But… His love for tea always stayed consistent."

"I owe that man so much." Ursa smiled. "I must thank you him… If that's possible."

"I think he would like that." Zuko said. "You can come visit! In the capital. Any time! I'll pay for your travel and stay. It's okay! You can stay in the palace if you want! Or if you don't want that that's okay too. We'll find somewhere else!"

Ursa smiled lightly. "You really want to see me."

"Of course I do!" Zuko exclaimed. "And… I think I… I would like to meet your husband and… youngest daughter. If that's okay." he said then he swallowed. "Erhm… I guess you also want to know about Azula."

"Oh." Ursa sat up. "I… erhm… Yes I suppose I do want that." she smiled awkwardly and Mai lifted an eyebrow.

"I… I'm sorry mom." Zuko said. "I don't know where she is."

"That's okay Zuko." Ursa assured. "I'm sure she's doing well! Don't worry about it."

Zuko blinked and Ursa bit her lip.

It didn't take a genius to know there was something Ursa wasn't telling… Thankfully Zuko could sometimes be a kind of a clueless individual, and this was thankfully one of those times.

"Okay.." Zuko said. A little stunned but seemingly willing to just move on.

Ursa though looked very guilt ridden. Especially giving away by her thumbs that kept moving around.

Just then rather loudly the door opened up and a little blind girl proclaimed her entrance. "ZUKO!" Toph shouted as they all jumped up. "You're here! Awesome! I just said I could need some of your tea!"

"To-To-To-Toph?!" Zuko stammered as the two other girls came too. Looking very refreshed with clean and tight skin. Ty Lee and Katara.

"Are you okay?" Katara asked stunned as she looked at Zuko who looked clearly shocked and pale.

"And who's that you're with?" Ty Lee asked as she looked curiously at Ursa who wide-eyed looked at them.

"Oh… This is my mom." Zuko presented.

"What?" Katara halted. For a few seconds there were silence and then she screamed again. "WHAT?!"

"Your mom?!" Toph screamed.

"Lady Ursa?!" Ty Lee squeeled then ran straight up to her until her face was right up Ursas face. "It is you!" she gasped. "GUYS! It's Zukos mom!" she pointed.

"What? How? Why?" Katara stammered.

"Where did she come from?!" Toph exclaimed.

"Erhm… She stalked us for two hours and then we realized it was her." Zuko said.

"ZUKO!" Ursa exclaimed scandalized.

Mai rolled her eyes. "She came to see Zuko! Obviously."

"Where have you been?!" Toph exclaimed. "That has been like. Our big mystery. What happened to Zukos mom? And then you're just… Here!"

"Well… I…" Ursa held up a hand.

"You remember me?!" Ty Lee asked. "I'm Ty Lee!"

"Yes. I remember." Ursa assured.

"Are you okay? Do you need something?" Katara asked.

"I'm fine. Zuko made me this lovely tea." Ursa said.

"Oh… Toph wanted tea too." Zuko realized. "I should make some more."

"Sit your ass back down! Your mom is here!" Toph exclaimed. "I'll have Katara make me my tea."

"Make your own tea." Katara snapped back.

"I can't see! I wont know what herbs I am grabbing or how much boiling water I just poured up!" Toph replied back.

"Oh." Katara realized. "Fine I'll make us all some more tea then. Just don't complain when it's not as good as Zukos."

"It's really fine! I can make it!" Zuko said as he stood up.

"No! No Zuko! Your mom! Let me handle it." Katara assured.

"Let me just make the damn tea Katara!" Zuko exclaimed. "I need tea right now! Calming tea… By Agni." he rubbed his forehead.

Ursa just blinked as she looked all around herself.

Zuko sighed. "Mom. This is my friends. Friends. Mom!"

"Erhm… Hi." Ursa raised a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all ours." Katara assured. "Zuko has told so much about you!"

"Re-Really?" Ursa asked stunned.

Zuko sighed deeply as he walked away to make a huge pot of tea… How could this get any worse?

The answer came about one hour later as the guys came in through the door too.

Wide-eyed Aang looked around then his eyes landed on Ursa and he screamed as he pointed. "ZUKOS MOM!"

"It… It was true!" Sokka gaped. "She's actually here!"

"Mam!" Zhau-Li exclaimed.

Wide-eyed Ursa looked up at them and Zuko groaned.

"Well this should be the last of them." Zuko commented dryly. "Yes! It's my mom!" he stated. Sounding very frustrated an impatient at this point.

Sokka gaped then looked at Zuko. "You wont believe what happened today!"

"My mom just showed up. What else could be going on?" Zuko asked.

"We ran into Azula!" Sokka exclaimed.

At that Ursas eyes widened.

"What?" Zuko asked. "Azula? Where? When?"

"That play you didn't want to come watch with us." Sokka said. "All female cast! The lead actress was Azula! She played the dragon emperor!"

"What?!" Zuko exclaimed.

And now everyones attention was on Sokka. Except Ursa who looked the other way.

"She was really good though." Aang said. "And she seemed to be doing fine."

"Wait… Hang on." Mai said. "The all female cast." she turned to Ursa. "Wasn't that production also part of your husbands company?"

"I'm sorry!" Ursa shouted. "Azula didn't want me to tell about her! She asked me that I wouldn't talk about her to Zuko."

Wide-eyed Zuko turned to Ursa.

"She… She's been with me for the last half year." Ursa finally admitted. "I found her in the forgetful valley. She wasn't doing well at all. But… She seems to be doing better now! A lot better! And she's having so much fun making theater with her new friends!"

"She… She's been with you?" Zuko asked as he pointed at Ursa.

Ursa swallowed as she nodded. "Yes… I'm sorry. That's why I couldn't see you earlier. She needed my help. She was… All kinds of broken. I couldn't leave her."

"So she's." Zuko concluded and he just sunk back into his chair. "Oh thank Agni." he held his forehead. "Thank Agni.. .Thank you… Thank you so much."

"Zuko?" Ursa asked.

Zhau-Li swallowed. "Lord Zuko was really afraid that something had happened to her." he informed quietly. "Worse case scenario… We were a little afraid she might even have killed herself."

"Oh no!" Ursa gasped. "She… She's fine! I promise!" she said. "And like I said she's doing so much better! She hasn't been talking to herself for months."

"Really?" Ty lee asked. Then she sniffed. "That's good… I'm so relieved."

"Ty Lee?" Ursa asked.

"Azula she… She wasn't well. She wasn't well at all." Ty Lee sniffed. "She was sick wasn't she? She screamed at people who wasn't there! And now you're saying… She's not?"

"No." Ursa said. "When-ever she hears her voices now. She writes. She calls it trapping the voices on a piece of paper. It seems to really help her."

Zuko blinked. "Really?" he asked.

"Yes." Ursa said. "She did the re-writes for Love among dragons. And now she started to write originals too. She's quite talented."

"huh." Zuko blinked. "I honestly would never have guessed." he said sincerely. "But… If that's working for her I'm really glad." he said in a light smile.

Ty Lee was all tears as she ran to Ursa and embraced her as she cried.

"There there." Ursa spoke in a soft soothing voice as she gently slid her hand through Ty Lee's hair. "Things are all right now. Azula is doing just fine. And I am very proud of her and what she has done."

"So." Zuko turned to Aang, Sokka and Zhau-Li. "You actually saw her on stage."

"Yeah!" Aang said. "Like I said. She was really good."

"She was." Zhau-Li nodded. "And she seemed to enjoy herself. It was some interesting re-writes, but honestly entertaining."

"What kind of re-writes were they?" Zuko asked curiously.

"Oh now's he's interested." Sokka rolled his eyes.

"I didn't know my sister was involved!" Zuko huffed.

Zhau-Li shrugged. "Mostly the dragon empress was just given a much more pro-active role. She got to participate in the fights as well and finally delivered the killing blow to the water spirit after the dragon emperor became mortally wounded. And then a lot of the superfluous dialogue was cut to make room for more action. Which was very good action! So yeah. It was very entertaining." he said.

"Huh." Zuko blinked. "Well… Azula always did complain that the dragon empress was a wet blanket."

Ursa smiled and then her head nodded forward. Before she sat back up in a startle. "Oh forgive me… I suppose this has been a very long day." she smiled embarrassed.

"It's okay." Zuko assured. "You can sleep with us. We can arrange things so there's a bed for you."

"Oh no. I couldn't." Ursa said.

"Please." Zuko asked. "I know you have to go very soon. To rejoin your theater group. What-ever time we do have. Let's spend it together." he asked.

Ursa halted. Then she smiled. "I would like that." she said and they all smiled warmly before Aang was already rushing to rearrange beds and figure out who was going to sleep where to make room for Ursa.