Zuko lifted his heavy eyes. He was knelt at a large, low, rounded table. His body had huddled down; now resting his head upon his folded arms on the table's edge, a light pressure of a delicate woven throw embraced his back- he wondered what time of day it was. Stretching the cricks from his back as he straightened he glanced around the unfamiliar room. It was round in structure, and quite sparse, a few medical diagrams and charts scattered along the walls. There were a few extravagant potted plants around by the large full length windows that ran along the far side. They were draped with the usual velvet red materials that framed the windows of the Palace, and from time to time a white hot beam of light shone through a crack. Zuko rose gingerly and paced the length of the room, pulling back one of the thick heavy drapes, wincing immediately in the hot glow of the afternoon sun.

He remembered being ushered rather unceremoniously to this room in the early hours of this morning. Glancing back at the low table he noticed the regimentally laid out set of crockery; a lonely porcelain tea cup, a matching, tall and slender tea pot and various small sugar bowls and milk jugs. Placing a pale hand around the belly of the pot he felt the stone cold liquid the lazily lay inside. He figured that his dare to rest his eyes for one exhausting moment must have turned to a few hours slumped upon the marble table. His unscarred cheeks flushed as he realised that someone must have seen him, as the addition of the throw that had covered him was new to his mind.

Zuko clamped his hands to his weary face, scrunching his eyes tight and rubbing the tired flesh. It was an odd sensation as his nearly symmetrical movements were merely dimly echoed down the numb scar that consumed the left side of his face. It was not entirely unpleasant however, in the dizzy moments that bridged between asleep and awake; he let his mind wonder;

'It won't work' Zuko's eyes narrowed as his arms folded against the rigid mantel of the Fire lords attire. Katara took a gentle pace towards him, cupping his marred left cheek in a cool and slender hand, stroking the rough flesh beneath her delicate finger tips. Zuko couldn't help nuzzling slightly into her touch.

'Maybe not.' She offered an endearing smile up at him. Their eyes met and locked into each other. Zuko's tense posture fading under her loving stare.

Sighing into the slightest of smiles he growled, 'Okay, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try.'

He bent slightly down to meet Katara's lips and embraced her in a slow affectionate kiss. As she lowered from the balls of her feet, back to solid ground, Katara gloved her hand in the blue, pulsating water. She glided her hand softly over the lifeless skin of his face. The raging red scar that engulfed the delicate flesh of his eye; burned through the sculpted shape of his chiselled cheek bone and left the remains of his misshapen ear ravaged and sore. His eyes fluttered shut as she lightly circled the contours of his face, the cooling glaze of the water extinguishing the flaming heat of his skin.

As her hand cupped around the nub that remained of his ear he cast a sideways glance at her through his golden eyes.

'Tara?... This isn't because of the wedding is it?'

Her blue orbs startled, flashing up to meet his gaze in shock.

'Oh Zuko! No! Of course not.'

She stopped her healing and braced a hand either side of his face, nuzzling her nose against his, her cold, soothing breath lapping against his face until she pulled back slightly, staring into his perfect eyes.

'I-… I love you Zuko…..' She smiled, as an arrogant smirk creased his cupped face.

A sharp knock on the door, tore Zuko's hands from his tired face. He batted the creases from the front of his training robes and regained his stately posture.

'Yes. Enter.' He commanded, in that strong, slick voice; that was reserved for Fire Lord duties. Yenna stepped into the room, followed closely by Master Hao. They stood side by side and bowed gently in unison. Zuko noted the darkening circles below the elder man's eyes- it had clearly been a restless night for him. Yenna spoke first.

'I trust that His most Honourable Fire Lord Zuko found some sleep this morning. Would My Lord like any tea brought to him?'

Zuko narrowed his eyes and pursed his mouth bitterly, restraining the urge to shout her from the room, but instead he barked.

'No Mistress Yenna. He would not. Master Hao, what is the news of Fire Lady Katara's health?' His eyes darted to the elder man. Who bowed his head as he answered.

'My Lord, Lady Katara is recovering well. The scar is healing w-'

'Scar?' Zuko stopped Hao mid-speech, 'Master Hao, explain?'

'My Lord,' Master Hao bowed lower, caught off guard at the Fire Lords abrupt anger, 'Fire Lady Katara is a strong water bender…There was always a chance that, as His Majesty is also a powerful bender, of fire…That the unborn heir would also carry and element.' Master Hao raised his head and stared gently at Zuko.

'Your daughter, Fire Lord Zuko, will prove to be a most powerful fire bender.' A small smile spread across Hao's face.

'Daughter?' Zuko's face relaxed and he couldn't prevent the grin that consumed him. Yenna as well beamed in joy as she continued her humble stare at the ground.

'Yes My Lord. The chid is strong. Lady Katara however, battles My Lord… All new-borns to be birthed so far between mixed elements have been complimentary; Earth and Fire, two very strong elements of force and power, Water and Earth, two elements of manipulation and balance, all of which have produced healthy, strong bending offspring, or healthy offspring's with no skill of elements. The princess is to be the first newborn of Fire and Water to possess an element.'

'What will happen to Lady Katara Hao?' Zuko's voice rang with an air of concern, but also anger and guilt. It was his element that endangered her life yet again.

Hao shuffled slightly on his feet, returning his gaze humbly to the ground,

'Of that we do not know My Lord. Healers have stopped the flow of blood that would have ended the child's life, through an incision to Fire Lady Katara's stomach, we were able to access the unborn child for healing. She is unharmed, and My Lady is for now stable. But I cannot for see a definite result of her labour. She is to be observed closely by the physicians and receive regular healing to keep her fever and pain at bay.'

Zuko quickly closed his mouth, which he became aware of dropping open as Hao spoke. He needed to see her, now. He didn't want maybe's and 'just-to-be-safes', he wanted his wife.

'Very well, I will see my wife now.' He struggled to keep his voice in control, letting in a sense of crumbling and desperation.

'My Lord' Master Hao bowed once more and left the room. Yenna stepped forward, followed by a small serving girl, who tidied the unused tea set from the table.

'If it is not too bold of a humble serving woman My Lord. The news of a daughter is splendid indeed.' Her eye's sparkled as she met Zuko's stare. 'Had-….had My Lord and Lady discussed any names for their new heir?'

Yenna knew that she was crossing a line, but at this point, she was more the filler of the absent mother role to Zuko, the pride practically bursting from her beaming face.

'It is too bold.' Zuko growled as her walked passed her exit the room. A guilty pang hitting him as he reached the door way.

'Princess Ursa.' He spoke softly as he paused momentarily in the hallway.