So sorry I didn't post any new chapters last week. I had to put my dog to sleep and I wasn't able to do much of anything last weekend. So, to make up for it, I'm posting SIX chapters today, instead of my normal three. (Chapters 16 - 21) Enjoy!

Zuko

I wasn't looking forward to this. I had laid in bed well into the night deliberating what I would do with them. I knew something had to be done and now I finally had it worked out how I would handle the situation. I could tell Sam hadn't really slept either. I knew she was concerned about me. Although Sam and I had shared the responsibilities of ruling the Fire Nation, sentencing was something that remained solely with me. Sam came though. "For moral support" she had said. I'd need it. This wasn't going to be easy. Not only was this my sister, but her two friends were so YOUNG. They looked to be around 15.

We took our places on our respective thrones in the throne room while we waited for the guards to bring them out. I could tell Sam wanted to talk to me, but she refrained. I hadn't talked to her about it yet and I wasn't going to. This was the first time I had to sentence someone since she came here and it would involve my sister. If I talked to anyone about it, I would break. And I couldn't afford to do that right now.

The guards came in with our prisoners in handcuffs. Azula had chi-blocking cuffs on - one of Sokka's inventions he had made with the help of Ty Lee. They brought them in front of us and all three knelt before us.

I first looked at Jun and Sun. I'd deal with Azula after. "Do you both know why you're here?" I asked, coolly. The two girls who accompanied Azula were kneeling, their heads almost to the ground in front of them, their hands cuffed behind their backs. Their feet had also been bound to prevent running. I could hear them whimpering. I hated it when people did this. It made it harder for me to do what I had to do. This was what I hated the most about being Fire Lord. They nodded.

"Why?" I pressed. I always liked for the prisoner to tell me why they were here and being sentenced. I wanted to know they understood what they had done and why they were here. They said nothing and continued to cry. "Speak!" I said, loud and sharp, making them jump.

It was Jun that spoke, "We…we…helped Azula."

"You helped Azula do what?" I pressed.

"Try to hurt your wife?" Sun responded in the form of a question.

"Hurt her?" my voice raised as I grew impatient. I leaned forward towards them, angry. Sam placed her hand on my arm. I'm not sure why or how but her touch always seemed calmed me.

"Kill her," they both said softly in unison. It was clear they regretted their actions. Whether they regretted them because of remorse or because of the consequences, I wasn't sure.

"Yes. This is a very serious situation you two have found yourselves in. Not only attempted murder but attempted murder of the royal family. I wish we had met under better circumstances but, sadly, here we are. You not only tried to kill my wife, but you could have hurt any of our guests who were here to celebrate our union." they continued to cry but I remained cold - I had to.

"All of this considered, I have no choice but to have you both imprisoned for life. AND you will be going to two separate prisons." I said, cold. They both started to cry harder. They looked at each other and crawled closer, trying to get one last moment together. Clearly they had never been separated before. This broke my heart. But I had no choice. Putting them together could very well be dangerous. "I hope one day you can find an inner peace and move on from your destructive ways. Perhaps after some time, if you both show good behavior and reform, I'll have you moved to the same prison. But for now, this will be good-bye," These two girls were young, their whole lives ahead of them, and they threw it all away. For Azula and her twisted mission. I kept my expression stern. "Guards, please take them to a holding cell where they can say their goodbyes properly. Give them an hour together. Then Jun will go to the prison here in Capital City. Sun will go to the prison in Shin Shu." I caught the look of terror. They'd heard the rumors about Fire Nation prisons, "Don't worry, the rumors you've heard are not true. Not anymore anyway. The prisons are under new management since I took the throne. And I visit them all personally every year to make sure the inmates are treated humanely." I didn't trust the guards. Once they had the power over people, it would go to their heads. I'd seen and experienced it first hand when I helped Sokka break his dad out of the Boiling Rock all those years ago.

I stole a look at Sam. She had tears in her eyes and one escaped, rolling down her cheek. She continued to remain silent, staring blankly ahead.

The guards escorted Jun and Sun out to begin their new lives. Alone. Apart. This was the worst part of being Fire Lord. Separating sisters. Breaking apart families.

Now it was Azula's turn. She stayed knelt down during the whole exchange. A grin on her face. She enjoyed this.

"Azula. Do you know why you're here?"

She rolled her eyes, "Yes, because I tried to kill that pathetic excuse for a wife." She pointed at Sam with her chin. "Just get it over with."

"You're situation is different from your friends'," Sam's head slowly turned to me unsure of where is was going but interested. She seemed surprised by how I was starting this. "You have a history with difficulty handling certain stressors or changes. These things push you to extremes. I know what you went through as a child, Azula. As you know, I suffered a similar fate." I reached up and touched my scar. Sam was now facing me as she stared at me. I could feel it but I continued. "You struggle in different ways than your friends. I, of course, had to take this into consideration when I was deciding what to do with you."

"Just spit it out, Brother. Stop wasting my time."

"I am going to find a way to help you. I'm not sure how yet, but I will. Until I do, I have had your old room prepared for you. You will be taken there and guarded. We have secured all of the secret passageways, so you will no longer be able to use them. Then we will find some way to help you, Azula."

Sam

I wasn't sure I heard what I thought I heard. Did he just PARDON her!?

"Zuko! Have you lost your mind?!"

Zuko jumped at my shout and he turned to me. I could tell by the look on his face, he was surprised but his mind was made.

"No, Sam. You don't know the turmoil we went through as kids. I can't give up on her."

"Zuko! You just handed down a harsh sentence to those two girls that I'm not totally convinced was justified and now you are going to just let her run free?! What if she hurt someone?!"

I could tell it was taking every ounce of will for Zuko to maintain his composure. He wasn't happy at being questioned in front of his sister and the guards. I didn't care. "Yes. This is my verdict and it's final."

"Zuko! How is this fair!? This isn't justice!"

Zuko turned to me, getting angrier. "You said you would support me and my decision. This isn't very supportive!" Zuko's voice started to raise.

"That's because I didn't think you would be stupid!" I stood up, shouting at him. Zuko stood as well.

"Sam, you will speak to me with respect! This is not the time nor place to have this conversation!" Zuko shouted, glaring at me, his brow furrowed.

"Oh, no, I think this is the perfect time and place! Zuko, you are making a mistake!" I said jabbing my finger at his chest. He grabbed my wrist hard and flung my hand away.

"My decision is final. Guard, take Azula to her room."

"No! Guard, you will do no such thing!" I shouted at him. He looked between me and Zuko, not sure whose order to follow. Zuko's head snapped to me with all his fury.

"Sam, this is not your place! You know sentencing is my responsibility. Not yours! Guard, take Azula to her room and that is final. My order supersedes Sam's in this case." He said to the guard, shutting me down. The guard quickly escorted Azula out. Probably afraid he'd get roped into the argument.

"Zuko! This is bullshit!"

He turned back to me, face in full fury, "You are overstepping your bounds! Have some self control, for Agni's sake!" Zuko was angry too.

"No, I am not overstepping! Part of my job is to put you in your place when you're being an idiot! You are not being fair with this and you know it!"

"Life isn't always fair, Sam! You of all people should know that!" He was referring to my former life. I ignored it.

"Zuko, you are the Fire Lord! You have to be fair and unbiased! This is anything but! This is nepotism!"

"Those girls deserve to be in prison, Sam! Don't you think so?" it wasn't out of interest in my opinion that he was asking. He was asking as an accusation.

"No, not like this! You are letting your feelings cloud your judgment! You need to do this with unclouded eyes, Zuko! You are letting your feelings for your sister get in the way of justice!"

Zuko stepped towards me, angrier than I'd ever seen him. His face in a scowl. I could see the muscles in his jaw flex, gritting his teeth. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated. He spoke in a firm and unbending voice. "Sam! I am the Fire Lord an-"

"Yes, you are the Fire Lord." I interrupted. "And as the Fire Lord, you have a duty to your people! To our people! Azula is dangerous and those girls don't deserve to die in prison!" I said, jabbing my finger at him again. He started to loom over me like he did when he was trying to intimidate. I put my hand on his chest and stepped out from under him, "Your looming over me won't work! Why won't you listen to me?!"

"Because, Sam! This is not your place. Sentencing is my duty and mine alone! Azula needs help! She was in a mental institution!"

"So were Jun and Sun and they need help too! How do you justify giving them drastically different sentences?! You are showing Azula preferential treatment!"

"Sam! My decision is final. That's it. So drop it!" He said, ending it. I took a step back, defeated.

"Fine." I said, fuming. I started to walk away. He grabbed hold of my upper arm, his hand like a vice. His fingers digging into the flesh of my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

I turned around and got in his face, "Away. From. You." I said coldly. I tried to jerk my arm free but he wouldn't let go. "Let go of me, Zuko. You're hurting me!" I said, my eyes like daggers.

"No." was all he said.

I gritted my own teeth and stepped forward, inches from his face. I jabbed my finger at his chest for emphasis. "You know what?…you are just like your father!" He recoiled at this, letting go of my arm. The hurt starting to flood his face and I instantly regretted my words. His face quickly went back to rage though tears lingered in his eyes. His brow started to furrow again as I turned and started to walk out.

"Get back here, at once!" He shouted after me. I stopped dead in my tracks, trying to figure out if Zuko was stupid enough to actually try to order me. I decided that he was. I turned around, rage blanketing my face. Zuko was taken aback by my expression and recoiled a bit. He'd never seen me this angry before. Much less at him. I walked back over to him. I brought my face up to his our noses almost touching. My eyes locked with his and wide with rage.

"Go fuck yourself! And the rhino you rode in on!" I said, and turned on my heel. I walked out. Zuko's eyes went wide but said nothing else - probably speechless. I could feel him watching me. I didn't say another word. I didn't turn around. And I didn't stop.

I was so upset I just wanted to be alone so I headed back to our bedroom and shut the door. Thank God he wasn't here. I had to cool down. My hands were shaking with rage. I was angrier tonight than I had ever been at Zuko. I couldn't believe he was being so foolish. I sat down on the bench by the window, looking out at the stars, tears still running down my face. Why? Why were my tear ducts hardwired to my anger? I didn't want to cry. I wanted to be angry. I cursed under my breath for crying.

I wasn't sure how long I was sitting there when I heard the door slowly creak open and light started to flood the room. I jumped up, rushed over to the door, slamming it shut.

"Sam, it's late. I need to go to bed." Zuko sounded exhausted. "I-I'm sorry."

"Yeah, I bet you are."

"Please, open the door."

"No, go find another bed to sleep in. I won't be warming yours tonight. There are over 100, isn't that what you told me when I first came here?"

"Sam, all of my things are in there. Please we need to talk."

"I don't give a rat's ass where your things are! That's your problem, not mine! I can't talk to you tonight so just go!"

"Why not?!" He started to get loud.

I thought my head was about to burst. I opened the door. Zuko's face was surprised and he recoiled. I thought my face was probably bright red. I know that I was at least seeing red. "BECAUSE, ZUKO, I WANT TO CLAW YOUR EYES OUT! NOW GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU!" and I slammed it again in his face.

I didn't hear him saying anything again. I could see his shadow was still on the other side of the door. After a moment, he walked away. I sighed with relief. Good. Go sleep in the stable for all I care. I thought to myself.

I laid in bed and sprawled out. May as well take advantage of the big bed. Then I curled up on my side, feeling cold and alone. I needed time away from Zuko. I would talk to him tomorrow. Tonight. I was going to sleep. Or at least try to.

Turned out, I didn't sleep. I drifted in and out most of the night. I must have finally drifted off at some point, because I woke and light was shining in from the window. I stretched out on my back and reached for Zuko, suddenly remembering he wasn't there. I laid still for a moment until I decided it was time to get up. I didn't know what time it was but I could tell it was well past dawn. I sat up and swung my legs off the bed, dangling. I stood up and went to go for clothes when I recognized a figure on the bench under the window. Zuko. Anger started filled my chest again.

"What are you doing in here, Zuko?" I asked sharply. Only then did I really look at him and saw the circles under his eyes. And his face was tear stained. He'd been crying. Suddenly my anger started to subside.

"I was waiting for you to wake up. We need to talk, Sam. Please." he said standing up, pleading. I rolled my eyes.

"Fine." I said, crossing my arms across my chest. "What do you want to say?"

He looked down at my arm where he grabbed me and saw a bruise starting to form. I looked down at what he saw and pushed it out of his sight.

"I had no idea you bruise so easily." he said guiltily.

"I don't." I said glowering at him. His brow knit together in consternation. This upset him. Good. I thought. Curse your black fiery soul.

"Please," he said again. He took a small step forward and spread his arms out. Not for an embrace but almost begging.

"I already told you to say your piece. Did I stutter?" I said. He flinched at my harsh words. He rubbed his hands over his face and sat back down at the window.

"I thought about what you said, Sam." He looked up at me but my face remained unmoving except me cocking one eyebrow impatiently. "You're right."

I was shocked and, despite myself, it showed on my face. I quickly regained composure, but it was too late. Zuko had already seen it. "I am not treating them fairly. Azula deserves what those two girls get. Maybe more."

I wasn't sure where he was going with this. I also wasn't sure if I should tell him what I really think he should do with the women. At this point, it didn't seem like he cared what I thought.

"What kind of person am I? I put my father into prison. My mother left me. Again. And now I am putting my sister in jail. What kind of brother or son am I?" His head dropped into his hands exasperated. My heart ached for him despite wanting to stay angry. Now I understood. "She is my family. I promised myself that I would never give up on her. No matter how bad things got." He stole a glance at me, my face softening. "But I never imagined things would come to this. Assassination."

I was calm enough that I thought I could trust my voice again. I walked over to sit next to Zuko, angling my body towards him. I took his hand into mine. I spoke softly, soothingly. "Zuko, your job is the hardest of anyone in the Fire Nation. Being Fire Lord is going to require you to sacrifice your feelings sometimes." I reached up and went to put my hand on his face. He flinched. He probably took the clawing-his-eyes-out thing seriously I thought dryly. I cupped his face with my hand, lightly stroking his scar with my thumb. He gave a small smile and leaned into my touch. "But what makes you such a great Fire Lord is that you can rule fairly and with an unclouded mind. You are going to struggle with it sometimes. You're a person, just like everyone else. But…that is why you have me." I hesitated at that last sentence and he caught it.

He lifted my hand and kissed my fingers. Then he looked at me and gave me a sad smile. "I'm sorry for what I said to you. I knew you were right. But I didn't want to admit it." He looked down at my arm, "And I'm sorry for this." he gently stroked my arm where the bruise was forming. I placed my hand on top of his, smiling sadly. "I swear to you, from this day until my dying breath, I will never do this again."

"I know, Zuko. And I never should have questioned you publicly like that. I should have waited until we were in private." I admitted. I stole a look at him. "Perhaps I shouldn't have even questioned you at all." I added in a small voice. Zuko's eyes lit up in realization at what I was getting at. He took my face into both of his hands forcing me to look at him.

"No, I want you to feel comfortable questioning me. That is what you are here for. To rule beside me. I should never have treated you like a subject instead of a wife." he was referring to when he ordered. Tried to order me I thought, cynically. "I did that once with Mai and it didn't go well then either." He said offhandedly. Then he looked me in the eye, his golden eyes shining with tears. "Forgive me?"

I gave him a small smile and slid over closer to him, "Forgiven." He smiled and his muscles relaxed. "Can YOU forgive ME? I shouldn't have spoken to you that way." I confessed. "And I'm sorry about what I said to you. You are nothing like your father. I was…just trying to hurt you." I said ashamed.

"Forgiven." he echoed my word.

I craned my neck up to meet his lips and he reciprocated the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and, in an effort to feel the same closeness we had grown so accustomed to, we made love, finally finding each other again.