A/N I just want to say thanks to everyone who has left a review! I absolutely LOVE reading them :D Hope you enjoy this chapter!

The paper in Zuko's hand crumpled as he clenched his fist. He brought the fingers on his other hand to his temple, closing his eyes and sighing deeply. He was sitting at the dark wood desk in his large office. Today was supposed to have been a day off, but Zuko had spent most of the afternoon and evening trying to draft a letter to the Earth King. The sun was low in the sky and it would be dark outside soon.

He threw the crumpled paper into a pile of other failed drafts. He was going to have to ask his advisors for help.

There was a soft tap on his door, and he looked up to see Mai walking in. "I thought you might still be in here. You missed dinner."

"Sorry. I was busy. I just can't get this letter right." He sighed, rubbing his temple again and looking down at a fresh roll of paper. Mai placed a plate of food he hadn't noticed she'd brought on a small table against the wall opposite his desk.

"Here. Come eat. You must be starving." She dragged two chairs over to the table, and Zuko stood to join her. He sat down across from her and picked at his food aimlessly.

"This drought is ruining everything, Mai." Zuko was staring out the window, his eyes fixed on some far away spot. "I'm worried for the people. What if they won't have enough food to make it until the next planting season? If the rice crop fails, a lot of people will be out of jobs."

"It'll be fine, Zuko. The economy was booming before this. People will have savings to live on. The people know you will take care of them."

Zuko continued to move his food around, not eating any. "Maybe. I still can't get this letter to the Earth King right. I hate asking for help."

"I heard some of the board advisors talking. Our relationship with the Earth Kingdom has never been stronger. They'll do whatever they can." Zuko could tell Mai was wanting the conversation to turn away from business. They sat in silence a while longer. Zuko took a few bites of the food Mai had brought.

"What if we sent a letter to your uncle?"

"To ask him to talk to the Earth King?" Zuko asked, thinking this was a brilliant idea. Uncle was so good with people.

"No. He wouldn't do that." Zuko looked back down at his food in disappointment, but he knew she was right. His uncle would object to being involved with political matters so directly. "I mean to ask him to come here. You're worn out, Zuko. You keep missing meals and I don't ever see you sleep. You seem so tired all the time and you refuse to take breaks." She paused, looking down at her lap and hesitating to continue. "We never spend any time together anymore."

Zuko looked up to examine her. She seemed sad. And sort of aimless. What she said was true though. In the last few years, as Zuko had been getting the hang of his role as Fire Lord, their time together had diminished. The last few months had been particularly bad. Zuko honestly didn't even know what Mai did to fill her days at the palace. She had moved into the Fire Princess suite not long after the war, but now some days passed where they never saw each other. Zuko didn't know what to say, so he reached across the table and grasped her hand. This seemed to calm her.

"What will you do if the Earth Kingdom can't spare any aid?" Mai asked kindly. Zuko knew she hated talking business, so the fact that she was continuing this conversation meant a lot to him.

He sighed for what seemed like the millionth time that day. "I suppose I'll have to write to Aang. See if there's anything he can do."

Mai's eyes got wide and she nodded. "How long has it been since you've seen him?"

Zuko paused, thinking. "Not since I worked on the peace treaty with him, the Earth King and the Water Tribe chiefs a few months after the war. So three and a half years ago now, maybe?" Wow. Three and half years since the war. He couldn't believe it'd been that long. Time had gone so fast. What would Aang even be like now? He'd be what…fifteen? Sixteen?

"I remember that. You were gone for so long. It was so boring here."

Zuko didn't know how to respond, so he just nodded, turning to look back out the window. It was dark now, and Mai stood to get some candles. Zuko ignited them with his fingers and the room was bathed in a calm, orange glow. He watched her carefully. This was the most they'd talked with each other in a while. Spirits. That was awful. When had they grown so distant?

"How was your day?" Zuko asked. Mai turned to look at him, her mouth opened slightly in surprise. Was he really that bad at asking her things like that?

"Oh…well," she started, smiling ever so slightly. "It was alright. I practiced some more with that new set of knives I got." Zuko blinked. He had had no idea that she'd gotten a new set of knives.

"Nice. How did it go?"

"Pretty good. I'm still breaking them in, but they're definitely a lot nicer than my old ones." A silence fell between them for a few moments before Mai spoke again. "I got a letter from my parents today as well."

Zuko smiled. He liked Mai's parents. Her dad had been a major flatterer back in the day. He'd complimented, agreed with and fawned over Zuko's father. That was likely the reason Ozai had chosen him out of all the Fire Nation nobles to be mayor of Omashu. But he'd retired from politics at the end of the war and moved back to his large estate in the southern part of the Fire Nation. He was now quite pleasant to talk to. As was her mother. "What do they say? How are they doing? How is your brother?"

Mai hesitated and looked down, fidgeting her hands. She spoke carefully. "They are good. My mother says Tom-Tom doesn't stop talking." She paused again, not smiling, and Zuko kept his eyes trained on her, sensing something was off. "They both are wondering if they should plan to come to the capital next summer for…" Zuko looked at her quizzically, "a wedding." He sighed and looked down. Mai spoke quicker, less calmly. "They are anxious for something to happen, Zuko. They want to get me married off and don't understand why we're waiting." A beat passed. "Why…why are we waiting?"

"You know why, Mai."

"No, Zuko. I don't. And I know you're getting pressure from your advisors to marry too. So please. Explain yourself." Her tone was heavy and thick with accusation.

"It's …well I mean… I just don't think we—" Mai maintained her hard stare and Zuko stopped talking, taking a deep breath as he tried to regather himself. How had she known his advisors were urging him to marry too? Mai leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest, shaking her head.

"Do you even love me, Mai?"

The question caught Mai by surprise. Her expressionless face broke, and Zuko could see some sadness reflected in her eyes when she turned to look at him. "I did. But these last few months, things have gotten so—"

"Dull?"

Mai lips quirked into a smile so small Zuko wouldn't have noticed it if he didn't know her so well.

"Dull," she agreed. Her face returned to its usual blankness.

"I'm sorry, Mai. I haven't been fair to you."

Neither said anything for a few moments. "If we just spent more time together, I think things could go back to what they were before," she said quickly.

"You know how busy I am."

"Yes, but we do nothing. Sometimes whole days go by when we don't even see each other! I don't think you're busy." A beat passed. "I think you don't care."

Zuko turned to look out the window. He didn't want to respond to that. He heard Mai speak again. "I know you don't love me like you used too, Zuko. I'm not stupid." He didn't respond to this either. "But I know you realize the same thing I do. We have to get married. We're too far in. Do you understand what my parents would think of me if we didn't? I would be the biggest failure."

Zuko didn't look at her, keeping his head facing the window. He closed his eyes at her words. She was right. He'd realized this all a long time ago. His advisors would probably lose some respect for him as well if he didn't marry Mai after having her live at the palace for so long.

When he spoke, it was quiet. "I know," he said with a sigh, accepting what she had said.

Zuko stood up and walked over to the other side of the table where Mai was sitting, her arms still folded. She wasn't looking at him. He gently reached for one of her hands, urging her to stand up too. She did so, but reluctantly. Her other hand came up to rest on his chest. Zuko slipped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her tight to him. Mai turned her head and laid it against him. Zuko bent his head down to her shoulder, breathing her in. He felt her shudder.

"We'll figure this out," he whispered in her ear, hoping it was true. "I promise."

. . .

Zuko bounced on the balls of his feet impatiently. It had been a month since he'd written to his uncle inviting him to the Fire Nation, and now he was finally here. Fire navy ships lined the dock as far down as Zuko could see. He stared back up at the small ship that had just arrived with his Uncle, waiting for the old man to step off.

Finally, Zuko caught a glimpse of him. "Uncle!"

Iroh stepped down onto the dock and walked over to his nephew. "Zuko!" Zuko walked to meet him, embracing him tightly. "It is good to see you."

"It's good to see you too, Uncle." Zuko broke away from Iroh and motioned for him to follow. Iroh stared at Zuko's face closely as they walked towards the palanquins and Zuko wondered what he was looking at.

"You look so tired, nephew."

Zuko brushed the comment away with a smile. "Job hazard I guess." Iroh laughed, but Zuko could tell he was still concerned.

The palanquin ride back to the palace wasn't long, and Zuko enjoyed the time he got to spend with his uncle. Their conversation consisted mostly of talk of the tea shop, which had grown even larger since Zuko had been there for the reopening.

"You must come visit, Zuko. Three and a half years is too long. And you look like you need a break."

"I am too busy, Uncle. And it would be such a hassle for me to leave."

"Tell me, what is troubling you?" Iroh asked. "You said in your letter that things have gotten stressful here."

Zuko nodded. "We are suffering a drought. I am starting to worry it will last longer than we anticipated. The people are suffering." Iroh looked at him, waiting for him to continue. "I've written to the Earth King to ask for aid, but I've received no reply. I fear they don't have any help to spare. Or that there are still hard feelings."

"You know that is not true, nephew. The Earth Kingdom has a great relationship with the Fire Nation now. They hold deep respect for you and this country, as you do them." Zuko let his head fall into his hands at this.

"I don't know what to do, Uncle."

Iroh lifted a hand to Zuko's shoulder. He opened his mouth to speak, but the large palanquin suddenly stopped. They'd arrived at the palace courtyard. Zuko and Iroh stepped out and were greeted by Mai.

"General Iroh, welcome," she said smiling as she bowed low.

"It is good to see you again, Miss Mai," he said, returning the bow. Zuko thanked the palanquin bearers and followed behind Mai and Iroh through the front doors of the palace. He heard Mai and Iroh exchange general pleasantries. She asked about Ba Sing Se and he asked about her time at the palace.

Zuko walked closer to Iroh and Mai. "I believe dinner is ready, if you'd join us uncle. I can have your things brought to your room."

"Sounds perfect. I am starving."

They arrived at the smaller dining room and Zuko insisted his Uncle sit at the head of the table. During the meal, Iroh carried on with different stories of customers that would come to his tea shop. He spoke of famous people and people who visited regularly. Even stories of people who caused trouble. Zuko genuinely enjoyed seeing his uncle so happy and carefree, but his stories were all starting to blend, and he found his thoughts wandering. Zuko looked to Mai who was sitting across from him. She had a similar blank stare on her face, nodding along to Iroh's stories when it seemed appropriate.

His uncle was in the middle of a story about a particularly mean customer when he said, "And then Miss Katara slapped the young man in the face with water and kicked him in the back and out the door." Iroh laughed as he spoke, he belly shaking considerably. Zuko had whipped his head to look up at his uncle when he'd mentioned Katara's name.

"Wait. Katara and Aang were in Ba Sing Se? How long ago?" Zuko tried to ask casually.

Katara. Zuko hadn't thought about her in a long time. He didn't let himself. For the first few months after the war, he'd thought about her constantly. Wondered what she was doing...if she was happy. Occasionally he had even wondered if she ever thought about him. He'd even considered writing her, but never had the courage to send a letter. In the end, thinking about her so often had been too painful, so Zuko closed off his thoughts. Built a wall and never let her enter his mind. He put all his effort into trying to be an honorable and respected Fire Lord. And now it had been years. Years since he'd allowed himself to even think about her. And here his uncle was, bringing her up so simply.

"Yes. About two years ago. The avatar was not with her. She came to visit Toph for a few weeks to see the new earth bending school, which has been a major success for the ciry," Iroh smiled. Zuko looked forward and noticed Mai was watching him, a curious look on her face. He quickly refocused on his food, slowly taking a few more bites.

"It has been so long since I have seen either of them. I am glad to hear Katara was doing well when you last saw her." Zuko continued to eat his food slowly.

"Quite the contrary actually. She seemed in very poor spirits most of the time she was there. But I understand Toph helped her a great deal. And whenever she came to the tea shop, I would try to give her some advice and comfort as well."

Zuko squirmed internally at the idea of Katara and his Uncle speaking and getting close when he wasn't there, but he didn't know why. Had they talked about him? Why had she been upset? Though he wanted to know the answers to these questions, Zuko was also eager for the topic to change. He could feel Mai and Iroh's eyes watching him closely.

His uncle spoke again. "How long has it been, nephew, since you have seen any one from the old days?"

"Mai and I had a celebration at Ember Island to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the end of the war, but only Sokka, Suki, Toph and Ty Lee came. I believe the avatar had just caught wind of a new airbender, so him and Katara had gone to find him."

"I see," replied Iroh. "Then it has been since the end of the war since you have seen the avatar and Miss Katara." This wasn't said as a question, so Zuko didn't respond. After a few moments, the conversation flowed in a different direction, and Zuko let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He didn't look to see Mai's expression

. . .

The doors to the council room opened loudly and Zuko walked out of the council, his advisors following him respectfully. Iroh was waiting outside and fell into step next to Zuko. They walked down the hallway flooded with the light from the morning sun.

"How was the meeting, Fire Lord Zuko?"

Zuko sighed, but kept his head held high until they were away from the council members. "The Earth King sent a letter this morning. He is going to send a representative to assess the problem and determine how they can help."

"That is good news!"

"Yes, but we need help now. The people are suffering right now!"

They walked in silence for another moment, before Iroh said, "come," and started walking to the front courtyard garden. Zuko looked at him questioningly but followed. He smiled when he saw where his Uncle had led him. The turtle ducks in the pond swam excitedly over when they noticed the company.

"Uncle, I have work I need to attend to."

"Zuko, you are worn out. You must take a break. I've never seen you so tired."

Zuko let out another sigh, but smiled as he sat on the edge of the pond next to Iroh. He never was good at saying no to Uncle. They fed the turtle ducks for a few minutes, the only sound coming from the duck's happy quacks. Zuko remembered a time from after the war that he'd almost forgotten. Katara had been here once, bending the water from this pond to entertain some Fire Nation children. He closed his eyes and shook the thought from his mind. He couldn't think of her now after so many years. He would just get angry.

"I feel like I am failing Uncle."

"Failing?"

"Yes. I fear I haven't done much for my people. I feel disconnected from them."

"You are less disconnected from them then you think, Zuko. You understand them better than any other Fire Lord before you. They feel that and respect you for it. The increased trade the Fire Nation has been doing with the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes has boosted the economy to levels it never saw in the hundred years of war. Do not get down on yourself, nephew. Take heart in all that has been accomplished these last three and a half years."

Zuko took a deep breath. Somehow, his uncle could encourage him better than anyone. He had missed the comfort of having him live close.

After another second, Iroh spoke again. "I believe more than matters of state are weighing on your mind, Zuko."

Zuko threw some bread at a turtle-duck haphazardly, not looking over to his uncle. Iroh knew him too well. "I have to marry Mai," he said simply.

"Ahh, I see. But this should be a happy thing! Weddings are a time of celebration."

Zuko looked away, starting to get angry. "I don't think I love her, Uncle. Something is just not there. And now it's been too long. We have to get married."

"There is nothing we ever truly have to do. That is the beautiful thing about life. It is filled with choices. We are free to steer it in whatever direction we want. Any constraints we feel are often illusions. Tell me, Zuko. How long have you not loved her?"

"I don't know."

"Really?"

Zuko hesitated. "Maybe since the coronation?"

Iroh eyed him. "Then why have you stayed with her?"

"I don't know!" he groaned loudly in frustration. Then he spoke softer. "I don't know. I guess I kept thinking that maybe it would still come. That maybe I could care for her the same way I had before. But…it…it never came. And now it's been three and a half years."

A beat passed. "Is there someone else you love?" Iroh asked simply.

Zuko turned sharply to look at his uncle, trying to read his expression. "Of course not. Why would you say that?"

"Because I know you, Zuko. You are not admitting something that you should!"

Zuko looked back to the ground and away from his uncle, throwing another piece of bread at a duck. "Which is?"

"I think you could've found happiness with Mai over these years, but you haven't been trying, because part of you hopes there is still a chance you could be with Katara."

Zuko scoffed. He wasn't surprised his uncle had picked up on whatever feelings he used to have for Katara, but he hated hearing what his uncle had just told him. Of course he'd been trying with Mai these last three years. Right? Why would he not have? He wanted so badly to be happy with her. Any history he'd had with Katara had been buried deep inside him for so long. Katara had not been the reason things had gotten so bad with Mai. "Any feelings I had for Katara were gone a long time ago. Three and a half years ago. She made her choice and I came to terms with it. I haven't thought about her in years. Much less thought about being with her."

Iroh shook his head. "Katara left the avatar." Zuko whipped his head to face his uncle again, trying to ignore the jump his stomach made at the news. Uncle was eyeing him now. "That is why she came to Ba Sing Se two years ago. It was a very hard time for her."

Zuko was staring at his uncle, trying to figure out if what he was saying was true. The new information swirled in his head. Katara had left Aang? Why? Where was she now? What had she been doing the last two years? He shook his head, reeling his though back in. None of this made any difference to him. Life for him would go on.

"It is not selfish to do what makes you happy, Zuko. I feel there is a way for all of this to work out."

"Fire Lord Zuko!" shouted a voice suddenly. Iroh and Zuko stood as a servant ran to approach them. They watched him bow quickly, catching his breath. "I have a letter, sir. It is from the avatar." The servant held out a small, tightly rolled scroll. Zuko took it, trying to recover from his obvious surprise.

"When did this come?"

The servant spoke fast. "Just now, sir. I ran it over as quickly as I could instead of delivering it with the usual post."

Zuko nodded his head. "Thank you."

The servant looked like he wanted to stay to see what kind of letter it was, but he slowly backed away, leaving Zuko and his uncle alone again.

"What odd timing," remarked Iroh with a grin. Zuko didn't respond to this and instead focused on the letter fumbling between his fingers. He broke the seal and unrolled it hastily. Aang's slanted handwriting filled the small sheet. The letter was short, and Zuko's eyes scanned it quickly.

Zuko,

I am writing to invite you to the South Pole for a meeting. I have had an idea for a while and hope to finally put it in action. I need your help. I know as Fire Lord it is difficult, but please do not think of this as a matter of politics or of state. At least not yet. I invite you first and foremost as my friend. The meeting will be held in roughly two weeks. If you can, please send a letter to the Southern Air Temple with your response.

Aang

Zuko read it through one more time before reading it aloud to his uncle.

"Zuko, this is perfect. There is no better time for a vacation."

"I don't feel like this would be a vacation, Uncle."

"Any time you can leave the Fire Nation is a vacation," Iroh said with a laugh. Zuko looked back down at the letter warily. What was Aang's idea? Why did he almost sound urgent in it? Should Zuko even go? Why the South Pole? Who else was coming? Aang had been extremely vague in his letter.

Though he tried not to wonder, he couldn't help himself from thinking…would Katara be there?

Iroh spoke again. "It will work out perfectly, Zuko. I can manage things here while you are gone. How fortunate that you asked me to come at this time."

"That could work," Zuko said, his tone suggesting he was still unsure. Iroh took Zuko's arm, leading him back inside. The afternoon heat was starting to become unbearable.

"Zuko, I know I have said it before, but destiny has a funny way of working itself out."