"Are you sure you have everything?"

Zuko nodded, tossing his mother's book into his final bag. They'd be spending the next two weeks in the town of Hairo. There lived the fire nation's largest military base, and Zuko would be meeting with government officials there as the base reeled in its power.

Kaori's bag was on her back, her hair up in a high knot.

"Is Iroh meeting us there?"

Zuko shrugged. They'd invited his uncle, but he wasn't entirely sure if he would show. They walked out to the ship, the crew quickly briefing them on what the schedule was, and they were gone. Suki was below deck talking to the crew, as Kaori and Zuko sat on the far side of the bow, watching the birds overhead.

Kaori was combing through her folder, her robes billowing in the strong winds. A letter flying from the folder onto the deck. Zuko picked it up, and Kaori watched him, taking the letter from his hand. It was the same handwriting as the previous letter she'd gotten, addressed to her from a Jozen in Yu Dao.

"Thanks," she murmured, shoving it in her pocket.

He looked away, unsure of himself. If he asked he didn't want it to come off as a command…

It was inappropriate for him to ask her about her personal life. He was the Fire Lord, anything he said or did would come off as a command. He didn't want her to feel that way. He remained silent, and at some point she'd risen and joined the Kyoshi warriors.

It was a shorter distance, and they arrived just before dinner. The servants got their bags off the ship and his guard walked just behind him, the kyoshi warriors in front. Kaori was just behind him, her presence comforting. Even if she didn't want to be, she was his ally. In a government full of angry, opposing forces, she was his ally. He clenched his jaw. How pathetic, a Fire Lord leaning on a reluctant servant as his only ally.

Governor Melen met them at the dock, his own guards and officials in tow.

She followed closely behind him, keeping her eyes forward.

They rode straight to the guest house, the servants bringing in their bags.

Kaori made her way to what was to be her room, stepping aside to allow the servants to set down her things. It was beautiful, as always, and she put down her bag. Beautiful, but quiet. The servants shut the door behind her, leaving her in silence. She thought back to the time she and Iroh had gone to see the fire sages. He'd burst into her room, smiling.

"It's too quiet here. I vote we have a sleepover."

They'd dragged their blankets into the ridiculously oversized living room and roasted sausages over the fireplace for dinner and made tea, running through stories and their and for the following day before turning in. Zuko would never think of such a thing, nor would he participate. He was overly concerned about appearances, and she knew it was because of Ozai and Azula. She'd heard and seen enough of them to understand that. Iroh had told her quite a bit as well, about Ozai and Azula's abuse, and she saw it in Zuko now. He didn't take a single step confidently. Others couldn't tell; his anger and mean demeanor threatened others, bit it wasn't covering confidence, it was covering fear. She understood. He was young, and his father had left him a house of cards that he'd convinced Zuko he'd only ever knock down.

She returned to the living room where Zuko was returning from his suite as well.

"Is your room ok?"

She nodded, "it's great, thank you."

He shifted, "I have to go meet with the governor, I'll see you later tonight?"

Her heart sank. Alone again. "Absolutely. Enjoy yourself."

He nodded and swept from the room, guards in tow.

"Kaori."

Suki waved her toward the other kyoshi warriors at the dining table, and she sat down. They talked and laughed, Kaori opening her letter from Jozen.

"Kaori,

Mother and Father are doing fine, I'm hoping that soon they will be able to return to Capital City. They love Yu Dao but miss home, as I do. I'm doing fine as well, so quit worrying. I got a job as a postman and have been able to meet a lot of people in our neighborhood. I love the camaraderie that has come out of the city since their inauguration as an official city.

Give the fire lord some time to warm up to you. I know nothing about the man and I know he's probably hesitant to trust anyone, given his father. Try not to lose your patience on him.

I miss you.

Jozen"

Kaori folded the letter and shoved it in the pocket of her robes, eating her noodles. The other kyoshi warriors were chatting about something that had happened in training, and Suki looked up at her.

"How are things going with you and Zuko?"

She shrugged. She couldn't say anything negative about him here. "We're still getting to know the ropes of whatever this relationship is."

Suki smiled, "he's a stick in the mud at times, but once his wall comes down with you he'll be… slightly less abrasive."

Ty Lee laughed, "he's always been that way, ever since we were small, but he's been getting better now that Ozai and Azula are out of his head."

She bobbed her head, "thanks for letting me spend time with you guys."

Suki smiled, "We know it gets lonely up there, you're always welcome to join us."

After dinner Kaori head upstairs to ready for bed. It was getting late, the lamps lit. She heard movement outside and opened the door. The guards had each of Zuko's arms, Zuko staggering.

Zuko looked up, Kaori approaching him.

"Kaori!" He smiled.

"Zuko, I've been waiting for you."

"Really?" He asked, and she took his arm from the guard. Suki ran over from her guard post outside Zuko's bedchamber, helping her.

"Of course. I was worried something has happened."

Zuko looked over at her. " You weren't worried about me, you, you don't care about me, just as much as… no one cares about me. How, how can someone love someone like me? I mean, have you seen me? I'm so… I'm so annoying. I'm, I'm weird." He half laughed, half whimpered. "That's why I'm alone everyday! I'm alone! All the time. Mai left me, Uncle left me, Aang and the others have their lives. I- I'm cursed to be alone."

Kaori looked at Suki, who watched Zuko's face sadly.

"Zuko." Kaori murmured, and sighed. "Let's get you to bed."

He wiped a rogue tear on his cheek, letting her lead him back to his room. Suki grabbed Zuko's other arm and they walked to the bedchamber. Kaori pushed open the door, Suki strongarming Zuko to stand before the very large bed. Kaori nodded and pulled his top robe over his head. "I'm going to let you do the rest, I know sober Zuko would be mortified," she said quietly. "But everyone cares about you. Don't think that." He stared at her, drunk tears in his bloodshot eyes "we'll chat tomorrow, ok?"

He nodded, and she left.

What had that been about? She'd thought he might feel that way, but he'd never given her any indication that it bothered him so. She felt guilty for complaining about him, and Suki touched her shoulder.

"He's fine, I think it'll do him good to hear you address his concerns tomorrow."

Kaori bobbed her head, "Thank, Suki."

She smiled, and Kaori returned to her own bedchamber. Zuko felt alone. So did she.

There had to be ways to fix it.

In the morning, Kaori dressed in her off duty robes, as she did on Saturdays, and went out into the garden for breakfast. Zuko was sitting out there alone, drinking his tea and reading a report from one of the governor's assistants about the bay. She took a deep breath and walked over, sitting. How much did he remember?

"Good morning." She greeted.

"Good morning," he said quietly. He didn't meet her gaze, his cheeks red.

She poured herself a cup of tea, taking one of the pastries from the top. She could see in her peripheral vision that he was no longer reading, watching her instead. She pretended she didn't notice, and Zuko sputtered "Kaori, I'm so, so sorry."

She looked over. "Its alright, Zuko. Why didn't you talk to me about that stuff? I'm quite literally always around, you don't have to talk to me strictly about work, you know."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think… I was embarrassed. Its, I'm… It's ridiculous." He said quickly, his face red.

"You don't have to be embarrassed. I'm with you all the time, were going to be vulnerable in front of one another. You don't have to put on a show for me, I want to help you."

He hung his head. "I'm so sorry."

She sighed. "Don't be sorry. Your uncle… I know you're so very close, but I'm here."

He nodded. "I've just felt so lonely since he left."

"Iroh is amazing. I've missed him too." She smiled.

He smiled in return, and she touched his hand. "Zuko, I'm here for you. For work, to talk, even just to sit together. I'm alone here, too."

He cocked his head, his eyes widened. He clearly didn't think of that. "You don't have to feel alone. I'm sorry I kept you in the dark."

"I do care about you, you know. I want you to be happy and to succeed."

Zuko blushed. "I'm not good at… people. Military yes, friends… not so much. Its what chased Mai away."

"Stop worrying about what I'm thinking or anyone else is thinking. Just be Zuko, there's no right or wrong way to do something if you're just being you. If you want to know something, just ask, say whatever, do whatever."

"I just feel so watched all the time." He said, glancing over at the guard. "Meetings, appearances, rumors, they make me second guess myself."

She nodded. "I can understand that. But you can be you when you're not in meetings or doing appearances."

He nodded, and she laughed. "Don't be so dramatic Zuko, I don't bite."

He smirked and she squeezed his arm.

They went their separate ways for lunch and rejoined for dinner. Zuko went out and purchased fire lilies, knocking on her door. She answered, an eyebrow raised.

"I got you these, uhh, to say sorry, and thank you."

She smiled, taking the lilies.

"Thank you, Zuko."

He reddened, "would you care to have dinner with me this evening?"

"I'd love to."

She walked down to the dining room with him. Her place was set, and she sat beside him. He still felt foolish. He'd guilted her into dinner with him. She'd been enjoying the kyoshi warriors presence the last few nights, and her boss made her spend even more of her time with him. How pathetic. His father's voice echoed in his head.

"Kaori, know that you don't have to-"

She slapped his arm playfully. "Zuko if I didn't want to be here I wouldn't be. Stop worrying." Her tone was kind.

He pursed his lips, and the servants brought out their appetizers. The servants looked pleased, and Zuko frowned. How dare they pity him.

"How did you get so drunk last night?"

Zuko rolled his eyes, remembering.

The governor lead Zuko and the guard through the foyer to the dining room, his other guard remaining outside.

"Welcome, my lord," he'd greeted. It was just to be the two of them, apparently, despite Zuko insisting his family join them. He remembered the food, and the bottles of wine, but little more. He'd kept asking Zuko about why they were reeling in the military base, and how it was a bad idea. Zuko had gotten frustrated with the cyclical nature of their conversation and told the guard to bring him home.

"The governor wanted me to spill some sort of secret about the base, about why I was doing it. When that didn't work he told me it was a bad idea to downsize and tried to convince me. I didn't even realize how much I'd had to drink, he just kept filling the glass."

Kaori frowned, "clearly he's no happy with why we're here. When do you see him again?"

"Monday," he said, "I'm going to confront him about dinner." He said, a hint of question in his voice.

"Good," she smiled, "maybe he'll get that you're not asking him, you're telling him."

Zuko half smiled. Maybe he didn't have to be alone.