The Fifth Element
Sometime in the early hours of the morning, before the sun rose, Taya awoke and sat up painfully. Her entire body ached, especially down there. There was a bit of blood on her legs and she wiped it away as she healed herself quickly. She looked over at Zuko who still slept peacefully and she frowned.
She knew what she had to do, and she got to her feet silently. She could not stay here; she had to leave, for him. Taya knew she could never forgive herself if he was hurt because his mind was on her. That if he failed in his quest because he couldn't focus she would blame herself. She knew, deep in her heart that they would someday be together, but she couldn't stay here. Not when she had nothing to offer him.
Now he only needed one thing on his mind, one goal.
Finding the Avatar.
Taya was also certain she would not be able to choose between the two if it came down to that. To choose her soul's mate or to choose what was right. She didn't want to make that decision, though she knew that no matter what else...she'd side with Zuko, even it if meant siding against Aang, Katara and Sokka.
Dressing quickly, she padded from his chambers and closed the door behind her. She wanted to walk down the hallway and leave him. She wanted to...but she couldn't. She could not will her feet to take those first steps. Taya tried to walk away. She tried to be strong, but ultimately she could only sink down on her knees and sob.
The door opened and startled her. Zuko stood there, dressed only in his trousers, and stared at her incredulously. She started to turn away and he reached down and drug her back inside and closed the door behind her. He couldn't believe it. She was leaving him?! NOW?! After ... this? Only one word came to his mouth. "...why?"
Taya shook her head. "...I...I don't want to leave..." she stammered.
"Then don't." He retorted.
Registering the hurt and anger in his voice she looked up at him. "I have to." The look on his face spoke volumes about betrayal, and she shook her head. "If I stay...I'll be a liability to you. A distraction. A danger." She took a deep breath as she stood up to face him directly and forced herself to be strong. "If I stay here with you, you'll have more than just the Avatar to fight. Zhao will try to take me..."
Fire flashed in his eyes as he grabbed her shoulders tightly. "Let him try." He growled.
She didn't hesitate. "And your father will command I return to him." He blinked, his anger stopped cold. "What then beloved? Can you let me be his wife? Even if your father commands it?"
Zuko was silent a moment, stunned. Then finally he shook his head. "No. No it won't happen like that. I'll find the Avatar and then my father will welcome me home. I WILL capture the Avatar." He finished forcefully.
Taya reached up to caress his cheek. "Of course you will beloved. Of that I have no doubt, but if I stay...you have to promise me one thing..."
"Anything."
"You mustn't think of me. You must put your quest first and foremost." She looked down. "I...I won't be able to live with myself if you get hurt because of me. People will be after me...after the Avatar...after you...and you must not think of me first. No matter what else happens, you must put yourself first, your throne, your country, your honor. Even if we're separated, you must promise me you will carry on. Can you do this?"
Zuko could only stare at her staggered by her words. When did she become so strong? So mature. He didn't think he could do what she asked. He was sure he couldn't. If she was hurt or killed, he was sure he'd lose his mind. He thought about his father. What IF his father told him, DEMANDED, that she return to Zhao? Could he simply stand by? He knew if he disobeyed his father again he could be banished again, this time permanently, or worse, sentenced to die. He knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he would not allow Zhao to touch her again. He would simply have to find the Avatar and restore his honor.
But he could not lie to her either. "No." He finally answered. "I cannot do what you ask. I cannot put you second, anymore then I could ignore my Uncle." He pulled her close. "I love you Taya. Nothing and no one is going to change that. And that includes you. You are my family too, and now that I have you again, I cannot live without you." He paused, his voice only a whisper. "I will not."
Tears fell down Taya's face as he moved close to her. No no no. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. He was supposed to agree with her and turn her away. It would have been easier that way. She wasn't sure she could walk away now. "Zuko no..." she whispered.
Her words were stopped as he put his fingers on her lips. "Enough." He commanded gently. "I'm stronger with you here. Don't you get it? If you leave, I'll still worry about you. I'll still think about you, and wonder where you are, what you're doing, if you're ok." He smiled. "I can deal with your distraction woman...as long as you're not touching me..."
That brought a smile to her face. "I'm a spoiled princess my lord, I'm used to getting what I ask for, you know." He laughed too, and the seriousness of the moment dissolved in the early morning light.
Zuko pressed up against her strongly, his body waking up, wanting more. "Be careful what you ask for my Princess...you might get it."
Taya wrapped her arms around him and giggled before they once more, became lost in each other's love. "Promise?"
...Fin