Author's Note: Hey, guys. Sorry for the wait. I haven't written anything new in the second book of this story for like two weeks, so it's making me hesitant to post these chapters quickly for fear of running out of story. Anyways, here's the next chapter. I'll try to get back to writing. The problem is that I also have to write a paper for college right now - in Psychology. Ugh. Sorry. Don't mean to put my problems up on this post. Enjoy the chapter! - Fira
Forty-three
It was two days after the early morning confession between Maya and Zuko. To Maya, it felt like that had been ages ago. Though, at the same time, her heart still pounded any time she thought about the kiss they had shared. Unfortunately, Maya's current situation did not warrant her much time to daydream. She was, at that very moment, dressed up as a Fire Navy soldier, pretending to be a crewmember aboard Admiral's Zhao's ship.
She was waiting silently in the room that she and Zuko had chosen as a rendezvous point. A few minutes later, someone opened the door. She looked up.
"It's me," Zuko said, taking off his mask. "I just spoke to Uncle. Everything is going according to plan."
"Great," she said, also taking off her mask. "I can't wait to get off this thing."
He grinned at her. "That makes two of us." Slowly, he came forward, and cupped her face in his hands. "Maya…"
She shivered. Ever since that night two days ago, he'd said her name differently. His voice deepened when he said, and there was a sort of husky rasp in it that was not usually there. His voice was always raspy to an extent – he just had one of those voices that did that by itself – but this was different. It meant something, although she wasn't sure what. Normally, it was followed by a kiss. This was one of those times.
He leaned down towards her, and she reached up and placed her hands lightly on his face. She could feel the odd texture of the skin on the left side of his face where his scar was. It did not bother her as much as she thought it might. They kissed. After a few moments, they pulled away. Unfortunately, there was no time to be any more intimate than that, as they still had to act like guards on Zhao's ship.
They put their masks back on. Zuko left the room first. A few minutes later, Maya followed, to make it seem as if they had not gone in together. So far, everything was perfect.
A few hours later, Maya and Zuko were in a small room with a large open window. Zuko was tightening the ropes tied to the rings on either side of a lifeboat. They were going to use it to escape the ship and find the Avatar. Zuko's good attitude had slowly shifted throughout the course of the day, and at the moment, he was extremely high-strung and anxious. He was afraid of failing. Again.
"Zuko," Maya said gently. "Everything will be all right. I know it. Eventually, it will all follow through." She watched as he only tied the ropes faster. She sighed and placed her hands over his.
He looked up at her and his eyes were desperate. She studied the bruises and cuts on his face that he had acquired from the explosion. She did not know what else to say.
That was when Uncle came in. He cleared his throat. Maya stepped away from Zuko, letting her hands fall back to her sides. Zuko went back to tying the ropes.
"You are fishing for an octopus, my nephew," Uncle said. "You need a tightly woven net or he will squeeze through the tiniest of holes and escape."
Zuko closed his eyes and sighed, not turning to look at him. "I don't need your wisdom right now, Uncle."
"I know. I only nag you because… well…" He turned away and closed his eyes. "Ever since I lost my son…"
Maya covered her mouth with her hands. This was something she had not known about Uncle.
"Uncle," Zuko said quietly. "You don't have to say it."
Uncle turned and looked at Zuko again. "I think of you as my own."
Zuko turned also, finally facing him. "I know, Uncle." There was an unreadable emotion in his eyes that was painful to look at.
Maya backed into the corner of the room, feeling as if she were intruding.
"We'll meet again," Zuko said, as Uncle came forward and hugged him. Gently, he pushed the old man away. "After I have the Avatar." He turned and stepped into the lifeboat. "Are you coming, Maya?" he asked, turning to look at her over his shoulder.
She stepped forward. Uncle intercepted her. "You be careful," he said to her, giving her a hug.
"I will."
"And watch after Zuko for me."
She smiled and nodded, following Zuko out the window and into the boat.
"Remember your breath of fire," Uncle called to Zuko as he lowered the boat into the water. "It could save your life out there."
"I will," Zuko said.
"And put your hood up. Both of you. Keep your ears warm!"
"I'll be fine!" Zuko called back, sounding exasperated.
When they hit the water, Zuko let go of the ropes.
"One more thing," Maya said to him.
He sighed. "What now?"
She laughed and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him. He returned the kiss. After a moment, she pulled away and said, "For good luck."
He smiled at her.