Sorry to keep you guys waiting. The holidays were murder on my schedule.

Plus I kept fixing and adding things to this one. I sort of love it but if I thinker with it anymore I'll mess it up and further upset myself.

Enjoy...

With the talk out of the way, Katara and Aang went their separate ways at least for the moment. She left him in the ruined conservatory and only asked for his help in getting out. Once alone he began restoring what he had destroyed. He started with the ruined pillar so at least if anybody was looking for him they wouldn't have to bang on the door.

He had to let Mai know. He almost wished he could split himself in two, then he wouldn't have to deal with it. He wondered if Zuko was still on the premises. He worked into the evening and it wasn't until Sokka came and got him did he realize how late it was.

The warrior carefully picked his way through the mess and interrupted him, "Hey Aang. Are you hungry? Dinner is mostly ready if you are." Sokka said.

"Thanks, I just want to finish this and I'll be down soon."

"Quite a mess you have here, this looks recent." Sokka looked puzzled for a second but Aang's blushing face gave him an answer. "You did this?"

Aang waved his hand in his general direction not giving a verbal response.

"Aang? If this all occurred when you guys talked, why is Katara so cheerful?" Sokka asked.

"Is she really?" A goofy look alighted on his face but was gone before it could become permanent. "We've settled things, I guess. I sorta lost my temper and…" his hand encompassed the debris. "This was the result of it."

Sokka took in his surroundings with new eyes. "Whoa! I suggest you don't get any more upset. I don't think this temple can take anymore confrontations. And yet she still smiling like a loon. Girls!"

Aang blew the dirt of him and approached Sokka. "Yeah I know. Let's go eat, I'm actually kind of hungry."

Sokka knew Aang wasn't particularly chatty about his emotions but he was curious about what had happened. "So are you and Katara?"

"Not really. I don't see us being as serious as we where for a while. Since there is no war, I though maybe we could get to know each other a bit better." Aang said.

"You guys have known each other for like ever. How much more do you need to know about her?"

"We've changed because of everything that's been going on. I figured if I can connect with her outside my duties we'll have a shot at a more normal and stable life." Aang replied.

"That's pretty smart, Aang. I'm very proud." Sokka smiled but doubt clouded his expression. "What about Mai, does she know?"

"Not exactly but she knows me pretty well, she'll figure it out right away. I just need to clarify some things. I don't want her to feel used, actually I would like her to continue to be my friend. I still need her support." Aang said.

"You're bold, Aang. I'll give you that. Come on, let's eat and then you can patch this up."

They were met by the delicious aroma of herb and potato stew for Aang and wild meat and potatoes for the rest of the gang. Mai and Katara were talking as they cooked and Aang was hit by a sudden vision.

Mai holding his little girl and allowing her to pull on her hair, while Katara looked on in delight. Aang himself was next to Katara and she turned and he felt her full belly brush against his side.

'I think you may have a boy this time.' Mai shouted laughing freely as the little girl in her arms declared that her Auntie Mai had the most beautiful dark hair, besides Mommy of course.

"Of course,' Mai replied and fixed a look on Aang. 'I feel sorry for any boys that come in contact with this one. She is a charmer, very much like her father.'

Aang blushed but he laughed good naturedly as his wife nudged him. 'Am I a charmer, Katara?'

The very pregnant waterbender smiled and kissed his check like she'd done when they were kids. 'How do you think I managed to fall for a little boy.'

He put on a hurt expression but with Katara and Mai giggling at him it was impossible to keep it for long.

"Aang, Aang?"

The glimpse evaporated and he noticed he had been standing in the middle of the courtyard staring into nothing. Katara's blue eyes were wide with worry but he squeezed her hand in reassurance. Katara stood frozen and by the time she thought to reciprocate the motion Aang had moved towards Mai.

Mai had seen the entire exchange. A slight sadness flickered in her eyes but they instantly turned warm when Aang neared her. "Smells good." he said.

"Thanks, it should be done soon. So I take it you've decided." Mai queried softly.

Truthfully he would have preferred to pluck his own eyes out than answer that but he had learned that putting things off just caused more confusion and heartache than was healthy. 'Not that any amount was healthy now that he thought about it.' "Yes, I have."

Mai embraced him but he could tell it was different. She was already beginning to close off from him. "Don't Mai. Please," he implored.

Aware of their audience he guided her to a more private outcropping. He took a deep breath and exhaled, the valley carried the scent of the trees and he took great comfort in it. "Mai, you are welcome to stay here if you want. Katara and I have a lot of things to still sort out. I was thinking of going on to the Southern temple and she'll be traveling on with Sokka the day after tomorrow to the Southern Water Tribe."

He held her hands and she marveled at how quickly they could make her feel so calm, "You don't have to leave right away. I actually would like you to stay on with me for a while."

She threaded her fingers through his but then though better of it, "I don't know. Is that a good idea? I wouldn't want to upset the delicate balance you have with Katara. Besides I do have my parents in Omashu. Don't feel like you have to leave. If anything I should return home."

He looked at her skeptically, "You hate visiting your parents. And this is your home and will always be. I want to restore all the temples. If nothing else to make them a living history of my people. I need your help for that, you promised remember?" he asked pouting comically at her.

"You're not gonna go back on a promise are you?" He knew she couldn't say no to the little boy look, seeing her cave he adjusted his tone and it was more serious, "If you feel uncomfortable, I will take you to Omashu if that's what you want." he said.

She laughed and his seriousness vanished as quickly as it had come. It kinda reminded him of the first time, when he had come across her by the pond. After they had fought and she had taken refuge in his arms only to have themselves laugh silly. "I'll visit my parents but after we clean up here a bit. I have grown used to this place, so if Katara doesn't mind. I'd love to stay here."

"I'll make sure you have everything you need, Lady Mai." he bowed and took off an imaginary hat.

"I'd appreciated it, Avatar Aang," she curtsied low enough to make her tunic nearly brush the floor.

"Alright, break it up. It's time to eat." Sokka announced, his eyes suspiciously darting back and forth between the merry teenagers.

Together they bowed and proclaimed, "After you, Lord Sokka."

"You guys are so strange. I'm glad I'm going home where things make sense."

Aang and Mai left the shadows amused at Sokka who kept throwing weird looks at them. They sat in the circle but he saw that their brief interlude had brought back her warm self. Mai had even scooted over playfully making sure Katara sat closer to the airbender.

She smirked at him and he stuck his tongue out at her, 'He is never gonna grow up.' Mai though happily.

Katara oblivious to their childish antics. They ate in comfortable silence but it soon gave way to the plans for Aang's birthday tomorrow.

"Sixteen. How quickly time passes." Sokka said wiping a fake tear from his eyes.

His chatter soon morphed into outraged indignation for his bruised backside. Toph pretended not to know what he was talking about. The satisfied smirk playing at the corner of her mouth melted as he leaned over and kissed her.

"Ugh, some people are trying to eat." Mai complained. Katara, Suki and Aang simultaneously chocked on their food and the hilarity of the situation was what Iroh walked in on.

"Very strange things happen here at night," Iroh said sitting down and eating heartily from the plate Suki had handed him. The atmosphere was relaxed and after dinner everybody went about the various chores that needed to be accomplished to turn in for the night.

Iroh was halfway through his second helping when he recalled something.

He took advantage that Aang had risen to see to Appa and Katara and Suki were busy coming up with plans for tomorrows celebration. Toph and Sokka had disappeared and nobody really wanted to go look for them.

"Mai, I have something from Zuko." Mai immediately shook her head indicating she wanted nothing do to with the young Firelord. "He told me that he would like very much what you offered."

Mai hesitated and stuck her hand out. Iroh pulled the scroll from his voluminous sleeve.

She didn't bother to look for a more private spot. After everything she had gone through, well it seemed silly to hide to read a note. She was curious as to what could have changed his mind.

Mai,

I was a coward to leave without saying goodbye and this is my clumsy way of apologizing for it.

I cannot in all honesty, say that what you told me didn't tear me up. I know that what you said you had every right to say. I was dishonest and selfish but mostly I hurt a very wonderful person.

When I died I realized how empty my life was without you. I was resigned to not come back to this world because without you I had nothing left to live for.

You're right I cannot begrudge Aang your heart. After all he is the reason I live and breath and was given a chance to make amends. I don't know if you know what happened when we were gone. Somehow when the lighting hit me I became trapped within Aang's body. I was able to see within his memories and he within mine. I apologize in advance for the violation of your privacy then and with the archers.

He was right to hit me and had I been in a similar situation I would have done the same.

While I was in his soul I had the privilege to partake of his deepest feelings. He is a truly caring person and I feel there is no better keeper for you heart. I will strive to thank him for the rest of my life for the honor he did me in freeing you and allowing me to see the end result.

My only regret being that I couldn't do it myself.

I got to see firsthand why you fell in love with him. He also rebuilt my heart. I thought you guys were the last family I had and that was why I clung to you and then Katara. I'm sorry for using you both and dishonoring myself.

The spirits showed me that he is the brother I had never known and hope I can get to know once he forgives me. As I told you all my life I have felt abandoned and it has tainted every relationship I've ever had.

Since our talk I thought about what you said and after what I experienced at the Spirit Oasis (it's a sacred water shrine in the North Pole with mystical fish) well let's just say it opened my eyes. You said the Mai I knew no longer existed and truthfully I would like to make this insecure and selfish child cease to exist and change into a Firelord that would have made you proud in another life.

Until I come to terms with the void my mother's presence left in me and how I see my life shaping. I cannot in good conscience be with anybody especially you, it wouldn't be fair. I'm sorry for asking you to give me something I couldn't give myself.

However I would love to count you as a friend.

I humbly accept your offer of friendship if its still on the table and offer you mine in return. If we can ever progress past that I will thank my lucky stars for giving me a second chance. I hope that when next you see me you'll see a man who has a brighter outlook for himself and his nation.

Your Friend,

Zuko.

"Are you ok?" Katara asked, laying her hand tenderly on her shoulder.

Katara had been running ideas past Suki but the other girl was caught up in something besides the conversation. She wondered what could be so fascinating and following her sightline, she spotted Mai reading a note.

Mai's fingers were curled around the paper and even from this distance Katara could see it was distressing her. She headed straight to her as Mai wordlessly handed her the parchment and she read it. Her jaw fell open at the very open letter.

'Wow, Zuko. I'm so proud of you.' Katara's thought was barely forming when she suddenly had her face pressed into Mai's clothes. Without her knowledge Mai had reached over and hugged Katara with all her strength the paper crinkled between them.

Katara clutched the girl and for the first time felt things were as they should've been. 'Everything happens for a reason.' Gazing over Mai's shoulder she caught a glimpse of Iroh patting Aang.

Aang for his part winked at her before sitting back in the circle alongside the beaming Iroh.