If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends too?

No, Zuko decided, they couldn't have. Stupid Avatar, it's not like I need your pity. I only saved you because I didn't want Zhao or anyone else to take what's mine!

Worse yet, he'd just realized how stupid he'd been earlier. He had the Avatar in his grasp, he could have just as easily changed back into his regular clothes and taken him on board the ship!

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," he muttered as he dragged himself to his room, carefully removing his armor and putting it back in its proper place.

"Rough night?"

Zuko had to smile a little, seeing Mai stretched out on his bed with one of his robes draped over her.

"Hey. Sorry I left you alone with Uncle and all those soldiers for Music Night, they can get pretty rambunctious," he said.

"I wasn't even there," Mai said, stretching her arms behind her head. "I was here all night wondering if you were okay. You seemed so depressed earlier." She hopped off the bed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "So? What happened?"

"I just barely managed to outsmart Zhao and ruin his first night as Admiral," Zuko said.

"Nice work." Mai grinned.

"But, then I let the Avatar go free. So much for a perfect plan." Zuko pulled his shirt off and tossed it carelessly to the floor. "I had him, Mai, he was right there and I could have just brought him back to the ship and I'd have won this time!"

Mai shrugged.

"Maybe next time," she said. "Don't worry, Zuko. Even he can't run forever."

"Yeah." Zuko sighed, collapsing onto his bed and staring up at the ceiling. Mai smiled sympathetically.

"Want me to leave you alone?" When all she got was a half-hearted nod, she turned around to leave. "Night, Zuko."

When she left, Zuko thought about the Avatar's words once more.

Do you think we could have been friends too?

He glanced at the wall, adorned with a Fire Nation tapestry, and promptly rolled over and squeezed his eyes shut.

Stupid Avatar. I don't need your pity!

*

It wasn't until Mai came back early the next morning to return his robe that she noticed the strange blue mask hanging beside his armor. The next morning, she heard that a "strange, masked thief" had burst in and snatched the Avatar right out from under Zhao's nose.

I wonder...

After careful consideration, she decided it would be best to play dumb.