Sam

The next morning, we came to the Council Chamber. I was nervous to announce my proposition but I really did appreciate Zuko believing in me. We sat down in the same seats we sat in yesterday.

Zuko spoke, "before we begin," he turned to Chong, "Sam has a proposition for you, Councilman Chong." Chong's eyes snapped to Zuko's and then slid over to me. He glared at me but I did not react to it. "Sam, please tell Chong your idea."

"Yes, thank you, Zuko. We spoke about your situation with your housing renovations and we-" Zuko nudged me which made me blush, "Ahem, I came up with a solution that we believe will benefit your province." Chong didn't say anything. He just continued to glare. I stole a glance at Zuko. His face was unreadable – watching Chong for his reaction. I continued, "We will provide a group of workers skilled in the work that you need completed. These people will fix the housing that needs renovated and will also upgrade the schools to mitigate the children's learning. These individuals will be charged with reporting any and all work to Zuko or myself. He and I will be personally overseeing this project."

I wasn't sure if Chong's head was going to explode but I thought it might. He looked at Zuko with contempt, "that is preposterous! Fire Lord, you approve of this foolishness? How can I be assured that this 'group' will do a satisfactory job? You can't actually think this is a good idea!"

"Actually, I think it is an excellent idea. It will get the work done without having to allocate money where it is not being used for…it's intended purpose. As for the quality of work, I can assure you, I will send qualified workers to complete the job. I will also be visiting your province personally prior to the work being done so I know how to instruct this team. And, as Samyah stated, she and I will be overseeing this project."

"Why can't you just give me the money to get this done?! Then I can hire my own workers and know the job is exemplary! I can't believe you are even entertaining this outsider's ridiculous plan!"

I felt Zuko's tension as he spoke through gritted teeth, "What did I tell you, Councilman, about respecting your Fire Lady?"

"She is not my Fire Lady and I refuse to acknowledge her! I will never accept an outsider as one of us! And I can't believe you would either! But then what would you know about loyalty? You are and always have been the traitor prince." I gasped at this accusation despite myself.

Zuko slammed his fists on the table and stood, leering at the councilman who quickly shut his mouth, realizing he'd gone to far. "How many times must I remind you of your position in the hierarchy of this nation?" Zuko asked, angrily. "Guards!" He shouted and the guards quickly appeared, "please escort Councilman Chong out of the palace and back to his home." The guards went to Chong, one on either side, and gripped him by his upper arms. Chong tried to jerk his arms free but relented and began to walk out of the room. "Councilman," Zuko called to him. Chong and the guards stopped and he turned around, "Pending further investigation, you are suspended from your position as councilman. In the coming days, I will be personally reviewing your performance to ascertain your qualification to continue filling your current role. Good day."

"ZUKO! YOU CAN'T-"

"I said 'good day'!" Zuko shouted, interrupting Chong without even looking at him. Chong turned back around and quickly left the room accompanied by the guards.

There was some tension during the rest of the meeting. Whether it was from Chong's behavior our Zuko's loss of temper, I wasn't sure. When it was over, we went to have lunch and discussed Chong privately.

"That man is insufferable," I said to Zuko.

"Ya think?" he said sarcastically. He was still in a bad mood after Chong's outburst. "I meant what I said. I'm going to review his performance. I also will be traveling to the Shin Shu Province and I will be interviewing some people there. I will be leaving tomorrow and unfortunately, it will be a solo trip. While there I will review the schools and the housing situation," I didn't like to hear that. I'd only been here for a little more than a week but I hadn't been separated from Zuko since we arrived in the palace and I wasn't looking forward to it now. Zuko must have seen my consternation, "don't worry. It will only be for a day. Two at the most. You will be running the council meetings with Councilman Sho. I have requested a meeting with him today to go over what I expect. I don't foresee any problems with him."

I knew he had been considering removing Chong from his position. Today was the final straw. I had learned quickly that Zuko took it very seriously when people disrespected me and Chong did that in spades. He not only disrespected me but Zuko. Calling him a traitor. That was bold. On the other hand, I did like Sho, so I didn't mind spending time with him. He seemed like a kind and noble man who actually respected Zuko.

We finished lunch and we both went to Zuko's office to review documents. I reviewed the proposals and would discuss them with Zuko later. Right now, he was going through the documentation he had been collecting to complete the review of Chong's Councilship. He handed them to me to look over too.

"You've amassed quite the file on Chong, haven't you? This isn't enough to remove him?" I asked in awe. There must have been 50 documents on this pile.

"Unfortunately, no. The interviews will be an integral piece. I have already had complaints from people who weren't happy with how he ran things. I don't think it will be difficult to get."

"If you are successful in removing him, what will happen to Chong?"

"He will be stripped of his title and nobility. He will also be forced to vacate his premises and he will be given housing in the common area of Shin Shu. He's lucky I won't be having him arrested." I believed that. Just based on the past two days, I could see he was not a good man. I would almost go as far to say that he is a criminal. I'm sure if Zuko could gather the appropriate testimonies, he would be able to have him arrested.

"And how will you replace him?"

"I'll have to hold interviews. I already have a couple of people in mind for the job. It's been reported to me that they would step up in the province when Chong was off doing his own thing and neglecting his duties." I liked the sound of that. Zuko already having some people in mind sounded promising.

We finished reviewing the proposals, had dinner and went to bed. Zuko would have to get up extra early to be able to make it to Chong's province by mid morning to begin his work. He had taken an airship. A much faster way to travel. I would be getting up shortly after him to get ready for the day of council meetings.

Morning came all too quickly. Zuko was already gone and Nan had woken me up and helped me get ready. I really liked Nan but I hated it that she helped me get ready. I was going to have to talk to her one of these days. I was nervous to face the councilmen, especially after what happened with Chong. But I really did like Sho and I thought he and I could handle it for one day.

After breakfast, I arrived at the Council Chamber and all of the men were there minus Chong. Sho was sitting where I normally sat. I guess I would be taking Zuko's seat today. I sat down and looked over at Sho. He smiled at me. He had a friendly smile. We went over proposals and some new laws that one of the councilmen wanted to put in place. Although I was becoming more comfortable with my new role, those I wanted to talk to Zuko about. I didn't know enough about their judicial system in order to make those decisions.

After the meeting was done, Sho and I sat in the chamber, just the two of us. It was silent for a few minutes until Sho decided to speak.

"Your plan for the Shin Shu Province was…well, if I may speak freely, your highness, you seem to really fit into your place here. Your contributions to the meetings are invaluable." I blushed at his compliment.

"Thank you, Councilman Sho. I appreciate your confidence in me. It means a lot." I chanced honesty with him, "I'm surprised that…some of the councilmen, are so outspoken. I was shocked how disrespectful some of them were." I was, of course, referring to Chong and Sho knew it.

"Yes, he always has given Fire Lord Zuko a hard time. He is set in his ways and is selfish. He only cares about what he wants and not his charges. I'm surprised that Fire Lord Zuko puts up with it." Zuko's visit to Shin Shu was two-fold, but it was only public knowledge he was going there to assess the renovation needs. No one, besides me, knew he was there building a case against Chong.

"I don't understand why so many people hate Zuko so much. I get me. I'm an outsider. But Zuko? He is their Fire Lord. He helped end the war and brought peace to the Fire Nation. I don't understand why so many people want his father back."

Councilman Sho deliberated for a moment. Deciding if he would say what he wanted to. "Councilman Sho, you can speak freely to me." He smiled, grateful I had given him the floor.

"A lot of people thought that Ozai was a strong leader. When Zuko took the throne, no one knew life without war. It had been engraved into our society. When Zuko ended it, it scared a lot of people. His ending the war was a new way of life for everyone."

"What did people really like about Ozai though? From what I've heard, he is horrible."

"That he is, your majesty. He was a selfish ruler. It is funny to me that so many people are against Zuko for usurping the throne when that is exactly what Ozai did." This surprised me. I didn't know about that. I said as much to Sho.

"Yes, Iroh was the crown prince being the oldest. He was a high ranking general and had laid siege to Ba Sing Se for 600 days until he found out his only son was killed in battle. His son was his world. He was a wonderful father to him and when he lost him, his whole world fell apart. Ozai took advantage of this and found a way to take the throne. I don't know exactly what happened, but suddenly Azulon, Zuko's grandfather and Ozai's father," Sho clarified when he saw I was going to ask, "suddenly died and then Ozai took the throne claiming it was Azulon's dying wish. I was always skeptical about that but I don't know for sure. After that, Ursa, Zuko's mother, disappeared. No one knew where she went until Zuko found her again years later. But Ozai took the throne and then Zuko became crown prince." I found his perspective fascinating. I had only heard Zuko's, who had been front and center to this whole thing. Sho, however, was just a bystander.

"What do you know about Zuko's banishment?" Sho's face darkened.

"Yes, Zuko's banishment came as a surprise to us all. The Agni Kai with his father did as well. No one ever thought that the Fire Lord would duel his young son. Ozai was the most powerful firebender in the whole world. Zuko was just a boy. Twelve or thirteen when it happened. I was not there when it happened, but my father was, being a palace guard. He was never a follower of Ozai. He was polite and respectful, of course, but when Ozai did that to Zuko, he was astonished." I didn't say anything. I just listened. "Everyone was called to witness the Agni Kai. To humiliate Zuko further, I think. He said that Zuko was trembling terribly on the dueling platform. He fell to his knees crying and begged his father for mercy, but Ozai wouldn't budge. He kept telling Zuko to stand and fight, but Zuko wouldn't. My father thought he was just too scared to do anything – frozen in fear. Then he said that Ozai placed a hand on the right side of Zuko's head, holding him in place, while he burned the left side with his other hand. My father said he never heard a scream like Zuko's when Ozai blasted him with that fire. He said Zuko fell to the ground screaming and crying. Ozai stood over him, calling him weak and a coward. Then he simply turned and left Zuko lying there crying and screaming in pain and fear. My father said that as soon as Ozai left, Iroh ran up to Zuko and tried to console him. He'd been burned down to the meat. My father was in the front row and…he could smell it – the charred flesh. I don't know how long Iroh sat there holding Zuko, but it was a while. The physician looked at his burn and bandaged him. Then Ozai, adding insult to injury, banished Zuko for his weakness and because he had spoken out of turn the day before the duel."

My eyes were starting to tear and one escaped, rolling down my cheek. Zuko had told me about it a little bit but not in so much detail. My heart ached for Zuko and I wanted to hold him in my arms. My Zuko. Kind, gentle, caring Zuko. Burned like an animal.

"When Zuko took the throne, my father was so happy. He fully supported Zuko and was councilman for Zuko until he died three years ago. I took over his position and I've been doing it since. Knowing what Zuko went through – that is why I admire him so much. All of what happened could have made him bitter and hateful. But he isn't. He is a good man and a good ruler. He will be a good husband to you too, my dear," he said smiling at me, placing a hand on mine.

"He already is, Councilman. He already is."

The days that Zuko was gone came and went quickly. Working next to Sho was such a pleasant experience and I really appreciated the time I had to spend with him. Finally, a servant came in to announce Zuko's arrival. I ended the meeting and ran out to the airship bay to greet him. Zuko looked exhausted. It had been three days since he left for Shin Shu and I knew his day wasn't over yet. He still had to deal with Chong.

I ran over to him and threw myself into his arms, making him stumble backwards.

"Welcome home, my love." After I said it, I realized WHAT I had said. Zuko caught it too and looked at me surprised. We had only been married for about two weeks and known each other for about a month and a half, but I had already fallen hard and fast for Zuko. And I didn't realize it until he was gone.

"It's good to be home." he said and came close to my ear, whispering, "I love you too." He said. He pulled back, smiling at me. That was the best four words I'd thought I ever heard in my life. My heart filled with love and joy and I threw myself into his arms, my feet dangling as he held me in the air. "You and I will have to spend some time together today, but I want to deal with Chong first. Come. Let's talk in private so I can fill you in on what I found."

We went to his office and shut the door. "I got 13 testimonials about Chong's lack of effort as councilman. I also have documentation that a builder had provided to me. He was the one who did the addition to his home and the upgraded grounds. He was upset that Chong used the funds for his own selfish purposes and not to better the province. I think that is the most damning evidence I found. I have ordered Chong to come to the palace."

"I can't believe so many people are unhappy with him! I mean, I CAN believe it. But it just astonishes me that so many people can be so displeased by one man. I'm glad we are able to get this taken care of. This will be good for everyone." I said. Well, except maybe Chong I thought dryly.

"I agree. A couple of the people showed some disappointment in me," I started to open my mouth for rebuttal when he held up his hand to stop me, "they are right. I should have done this a long time ago. I apologized to the people and told them that we will be sure to make up for lost time." he concluded. "How were things here?"

"Things went really well. Sho and I worked well together. He has a lot of respect for you."

"As do I, him. He is a good man. So was his father." We continued talking about the past few days until a guard came to get us. Chong had finally arrived in the palace. Time to face the music.

Zuko and I went to the throne room, where Chong had been brought. If he didn't know what was coming he was more stupid than I thought he was. Zuko and I walked into the room and took our places on our respective thrones. Chong came to us on the floor and bowed.

"Councilman Chong," Zuko began, "the evaluation of your performance is complete. After much consideration and review, it has been decided that you will be permanently removed from your position as councilman. In addition to this removal, you are hereby ordered to vacate your premises. I have had a house prepared for you in one of the common areas of the province. You will be escorted there. Your home, along with your belongings, will be seized. I suggest you go with the guard to the premises to retrieve any important documents or family artifacts prior to going to your new home. You will have until sundown today to retrieve your belongings. Do you have any questions?"

Chong's demeanor changed from one of petulance to pleading. He fell to his knees, his forehead almost touching the floor, "please, Fire Lord! Please don't remove me from my home! My stature! It is all I have! Please have mercy on me, your majesty!" Chong begged. For a moment I felt bad for the man. His whole life was about to change forever. He probably had never lived as a common person before. "I will do whatever you want me to do just please, Fire Lord, I beg you! Don't do this to me!"

Zuko glared at him and deliberated for a moment. Then he spoke. "Chong, you have been given more chances than you deserved. You were given funds to help your charges and you chose to use them for yourself. I have the documentation of proof. You have been told time and time again to show respect to me and to our country. You have not done so. Now that you have been stripped of our nobility, you want to change. That is not how this works, Chong. Thank you for your service. It is no longer needed." Zuko said coldly. By the time Zuko finished, Chong was sobbing, clearly afraid of what was coming. "Guard, please escort Chong out of the palace. Make sure he gathers his belongings and show him to his new living arrangement."

"Yes, your majesty," the guard responded simply and escorted Chong, a blubbering mess, out of the room.