I'll post the reviews for this chapter and the previous chapter on chapt. 18 ;]

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Chapter 17

Zuko lay awake, his head not allowing him to sleep. Tomorrow, him, Katara and Aang were going to the building near the capital. He hoped, so much, that it was the right place. He also hoped she was okay. He cringed at the thought of her. He quickly shook her image out of his mind, it might turn into something he hadn't planned, especially now that it was night time. Zuko lifted himself from his bed, he knew it was pointless to even try to sleep. He choked down an entire jug of water before setting out for a walk around the palace. He was planning to go to the pond that always seemed to clear his head, when he came across Sokka digging through the cupboards in the kitchen.

"Sokka?" Zuko whispered.

Sokka jumped and spilled a plate on the floor, which shattered to pieces.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't know you where there and.. dropped that.." He trailed, rubbing the back of his head.

Zuko sighed,"It's fine," He shook his head,"I mean, what are you doing in here?"

Sokka shrugged,"I got hungry."

There was a short, somewhat comfortable silence between them.

"So," Sokka said, breaking the silent air,"What are you doing in here?"

Zuko sat against the window sill, watching the sleeping city. "I can't sleep." He murmured.

Sokka nodded, and took a seat by him, following his stare out of the window. There was another silence, which made Sokka so relaxed it took him several minutes to speak up again.

"Remember that trip we all took to the mountains, a couple months ago?" Sokka asked, reaching for an apple.

Zuko closed his eyes, recalling the memory. The memory of feeling whole again. He nodded slowly, and thoughts of that vacation began to invade his mind as well.

"Remember how Mai got lost there, too?" Sokka asked, taking a bite.

Zuko cringed, and he struggled to maintain his normal expression when he saw that Sokka hadn't intended any offense by this. It slightly irritated him, that he really had showed him no mercy with that statement. He managed to nod, and he began to remember the trip. He had wanted to forget, she had really scared him. But he had taken it for granted, as soon as he had her again.

"Where is she?! How could you just leave her there?! Why didn't you-"

"It wasn't our fault! We searched for hours! We were exhausted and cold and hungry, we had to come back! And we're sorry, but all we found was the sled!"

Those words pierced right through him. His eyes slammed shut, but tears managed to escape. He let them fall down his face, and onto the floor. He didn't care.

"I'm going to look for her myself." Zuko stated, already heading towards the door.

The blizzard was thick, he had to squint against it to even get a glimpse of his surroundings. He ran to where he recalled where the sled had been, and dug deep into the snow. If she fell off, the blizzard was so thick she could have been buried by now.

"Mai!" He screamed, his voice so loud it made him cringe at the sound.

He heard a moaning sound coming from behind some of the trees next to him, and his heart skipped a beat. He dragged himself up and straddled over to the moaning, and began to dig again.

"Mai?!" He panicked, digging frantically. He felt the snow began to warm, and he could feel cloth.

He gasped,"Mai!" He shot a small blast of fire around the snow, melting it into water on top of her. He collapsed her to his chest, stroking her back, trying to warm her.

"Are you okay?!" He asked, still shouting. She moaned a bit, and struggled a small nod before nuzzling into his chest, his warmth.

"Come on." Zuko said lifting her from the water, and taking her into his arms. He balanced her in one arm, while the other struggled to rip off his shirt. As soon as he was free of it, he wrapped it around her, covering her body as much as he could. He trailed up to the shower rooms, and locked them both in a stall. He turned the water fossett all the way to the left, and helped Mai remove her clothes as soon as he could feel steam.

"I'm cold." Mai managed to whisper, and she shuddered against his icy skin.

"I know, you'll be warm in just a minute, okay?" He confirmed, and untied the sash that held his shirt together. Each cloth fell to her ankles, and Zuko stared admiringly. The sight of her completely revealed body made him feel strangely relaxed. Zuko felt a small, relieved smile edging it's way onto his lips. He blinked himself back to reality, and shook his head. He took her hand, and led her into the hot water. She moaned with pleasure at the feel of it against her freezing body.

Zuko's face flushed, and he shot his head to the side,"J-just tell me when you feel better.." He trailed off. A few minutes passed, and steam covered the frosted window that replaced a ceiling.

Mai slowly parted from the hot water, and trudged back to Zuko, waiting for his assistance. "Oh, here.. Let me help you." He muttered, reaching for his shirt again. He slipped it over her head, and lifted her back into his arms. The way she completely eased into him told Zuko that she was still very exhausted. He was halfway through the shower rooms when Mai pressed a hand against his chest, as if commanding him to stop. He obliged, and stared at her, confused.

"Kiss me." She spoke softly against his chest, but Zuko heard clearly. His concerned look turned into an apologetic smile, as his hand cupped her chin. He pulled her lips to his and began to part them slowly, before pulling away. He wanted to get her back to the cabin before she passed out of exhaustion.

"Again." She whispered, waiting for his lips to press against hers. He sighed, but didn't refuse. He pulled her lips against his, this time less gently, and more passionate. He set a hand on her cheek, deepening their kiss. He hesitated, and separated again, resting his forehead against hers.

"One more." Mai murmured weakly, this time pressing her lips to his. He waited until her wants were at the least fulfilled, and took this chance to get back to the cabin. He wanted to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him, but he didn't want her to get to tired. She had just been out in a blizzard covered in snow for more than two hours. He hurried, and saw Aang and Suki on the front porch, smiling widely. Aang hurried inside to get the others, while Suki rushed to them.

"Is she okay?" She asked, worried.

"Yes, she's just really tired. I think she might have fallen asleep already." He reassured, staring at her peaceful sleeping expression.

"Oh, thank goodness, we were so worried." She said with a sigh, as Katara and Aang ran outside.

"Is she-" They both started.

"Yes," Suki interrupted with a smile. They both sighed in relief.

"Where's Sokka?" Suki asked the two of them.

Aang shrugged,"He's in the bathroom , I think."

Suki parted her lips to the side, and Katara turned to lead them into the cabin.

They had dinner, and everybody exchanged goodnights. Zuko hurried into his room to check on Mai. Her eyes were opened slightly, but he knew she was awake.

"Mai.." He moaned unintentionally. His feet dragged him to his bed, and he tucked in beside her. He leaned on his elbow, and stared at her. She stared back up at him, and set a hand on his cheek. His eyes closed at her touch, and his hand searched for her arm. His thumb traced up and down the side of her arm, and her eyes fluttered close as well. They both entranced each other until they were fast asleep in each other's arms.

He stared out the window, and hadn't realized a small smile taking shape onto his lips.

"Yes." Zuko said, as Sokka stared at him, puzzled.

"Oh.. It was just on my mind, for some reason..." Sokka trailed, still a bit confused. He shook his head,"Well, I might as well get Suki some food as well.... I know she isn't asleep." He said with a smile, as he grabbed an orange and threw away his apple core. Zuko hadn't noticed he had finished. He blushed slightly, realizing he must have dozed off.

"Oh, well.. Night." Zuko sputtered awkwardly.

Sokka nodded and smiled, and headed back towards Suki's room. He paused, just before he was out of sight,"Hey, Zuko?" He started.

Zuko lifted himself off of the window sill,"Yeah?" He asked.

"You should try and get some rest, since, we have a big trip tomorrow." He added before disappearing completely. Zuko sighed, and started back for his bedroom.