Author's Note: Apologize for the lateness. I'm getting ready to go back to school quite soon and I was busy getting all that stuff together. Without further ado, Chapter 34. By the way, I have a new story up called Reunion from Hell which is also an AU Zutara story. Check it out.
Chapter 34
Maya is found
The old abandoned warehouse sat all by its lonesome. Ozai was prepared as he smoothed out his outfit. Frankly the little girl was getting on his last nerve. Why were children so infuriating? With their constant whining and need to use the bathroom. He had managed to keep her from running away until he got what he wanted. This was it. His son would come and have no choice but to meet his demands. The girl was in the other room, safely secured.
"Hello Ozai." The door swung open, the wind hit his face, and finally he was satisfied. He could tell Zuko saw red and only red. This was going to be marvelous indeed.
"Son," Ozai clenched his fists. "I see you found me. I knew you would find me. You're going to negotiate with me or your daughter won't make it."
"Thank Azula but oh, I'm not here to talk Ozai. I'm going to kill you." Zuko had blood and anger in his eyes.
Drawing his arm back, Zuko drove his fist into Ozai's nose. Wincing as a cracking sound echoed throughout the warehouse, Ozai stumbled. His left foot slid on the concrete and she braced the heel of her sneaker against the rough ground. His hands rose to cover his nose, eyes squeezing shut. Head coming forwards, nose throbbing, he glared at Zuko over her fingers.
Grace stepped forward, left leg pulling back and struck out. Her instep slammed into Ozai's shin with a solid crunch. Ozai yelped, his right leg lifting off the ground, head dropping as he leaned forwards. Seizing the back of Ozai's head with her fingers, she forced his skull down, knee ramming upwards into his face. He then threw Ozai onto the ground and started to ram his foot into his helpless body.
"You like that you bastard! You like feeling defenseless!" Zuko yanked Ozai up by his collar. "Get up! GET. UP."
Ozai staggered to his feet with blood streaming down his nose and covering his face. Zuko pulled back and landed a hard punch on Ozai's eye. Ozai tensed up in pain as Zuko continued landing punches on his face. Ozai was cornered against a wall while Zuko punched him in the stomach.
"Fight back! I know you won't let me win like this!" Zuko demanded as he slapped his against his temple. Ozai was silent. With a strong kick in the stomach Ozai let out a groan in pain. "I hate you!"
He continued to kick Ozai in the ribs, in the legs, and in his stomach. "I hate you!" Ozai continued to remain silent with every blow Zuko landed. "I hate you!" Another kick. "I hate you!" Another punch.
By that point blood was all over Zuko's hands, face, and shirt but he didn't stop. He continued his assault on the older man until he wasn't even moving.
The sirens could be heard from outside. That didn't stop Zuko who was too far gone now. He was going to beat him until he was as crippled as Zuko was when he was a child. The door flew open but all Zuko saw was destroying Ozai for taking his daughter away from him, for crippling him emotionally, and for destroying any sense of normalcy he could've had.
"Zuko! STOP!" It was Mai. It was always Mai. Her hands around his arm and her begging wasn't going to stop him. "STOP! HE ISN'T WORTH IT!"
The police came into the warehouse and surround them. Zuko felt a tear fall onto his hand. He wasn't sure if it was his or Mai's
"Put your hands up!" One of the officers yelled. Zuko put his hands up quickly and let Ozai's unconscious body fall to the ground.
"Zuko, where's Maya? Where is she Zuko?" Mai begged with tears streaming down her face.
"In, in the other room." His anger had gotten the best of him. He looked at the bloodied body and felt all the more satisfied.
"Mr. Agni, did he assault you?" One of the officer said as another cuffed Ozai. Zuko could only nod when he saw the red on his hands.
"Ozai Agni, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Maya Agni." Two officers dragged Ozai's motionless body off the scene. In the other room he could hear Mai and Maya having a joyful reunion. Mai had Maya in her arms but buried her face into her chest. Even when she was frantic Mai always had his best interest at heart. Maya wouldn't have like to see him like this. He would go see her soon when the blood was off his hands.
~/~
Days later the media was frantically on the scene trying to get shots of Maya for the magazines to pick from. Mai was careful about beefing up security and covering her face when they went out. Zuko wanted to spend as much quality time with his family as possible. Between having dinners and going out to play and playing games Zuko's time was split between the two important ladies in his life. He didn't want to leave anyone to be honest but it had to happen.
Tonight the three of them were cooking a meal together. Maya suggested spaghetti and her two parents agreed, craving a hearty meal.
"I want to help, Mommy!" Maya protested, her gold eyes glowing when she smiled. Zuko was busy cooking the mushrooms and red onion to go in the tomato sauce at the stove, while Mai seasoned the ground turkey.
"Okay, want to help Mommy make meatballs!" Mai lead Maya to the kitchen table with the bowl full of meat. "Take a handful of meat and roll it around like this." Mai demonstrated with her hands.
"Wash your hands before you touch raw food Pretty Girl." Zuko advised in a cheerful voice stirring the food around in the skillet. Maya skipped to the sink and squeezed some soap on her hands.
"Daddy, I like it when you're around." Maya exclaimed as she scrubbed her hands under the warm water. That broke his heart. How was he going to leave her? He had just gotten her back after all.
"I like spending time with you baby." Zuko smiled and started stirring sauce in the pot. Maya ran up and gave Zuko a quick hug before going over to the kitchen table.
The scene before was perfect. Mai and Maya relaxing and enjoying the time together. That was all he ever wanted.
After dinner with a full stomach and content attitude Zuko carried Maya up to her bed and tucked her in. He kneeled down next to the bed as Maya laid her head on her pink pillow.
"I love you." Zuko stated giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"I love you the most Daddy!" Maya smirked
"Listen to me Maya. Never forget that Daddy loves you always. I have to go away for a while and handle some adult business but as soon as I get done I will come right back to you."
"I, I don't want you to leave." Sadness filled her eyes. "I just got back. Don't go."
"I have to get better for you. Daddy has issues he has to fix. I'll call you every day. Never forget you are my heart. You are the reason I want to do this."
"Okay." Maya planted a soft kiss on his nose. "Good night."
"Good night my Love." Zuko tucked her in and kissed her on the cheek. He smiled at her one last time and turned to see Mai watching from the door. He and Mai went downstairs.
"What's this about you leaving?" Mai asked as Zuko put his jacket on.
"I'm headed to rehab and getting therapy. It's about time I get myself together Mai."
"For how long?"
"Two months. I'll come back I promise. I want to get better."
Mai brought Zuko into a warm embrace, "I wish you the best. I'll always support you. Maya and I love you."
"I love you both too." Zuko held on tighter for a moment longer. This was going to be the hardest thing he ever had to do.
~/~
Katara hadn't seen Maya yet but she figured it wasn't her place. Maya deserved to be around her parents after all. Katara was busy disposing of all the alcohol in Zuko's house for him. In total she found 6 bottles of alcohol he had hidden around various places in the house. If he was going to detox this was a good start. While she was doing that Zuko came in, after spending the past three nights at Mai's.
"Hey Katara." Zuko greeted her and gave her a hug around the waist. It felt good to have him touching her again.
"Hey. I'm glad Maya is okay Zuko. You can rest now."
"Yea about me resting…" He paused for a moment, making a knot form in Katara's stomach. This wasn't going to be good. "I'm leaving for a couple months. I'm admitting myself into rehab and allowing myself time to get the therapy and help I need."
"What does this mean for us?"
"I'm not even sure there is an us Katara. Everything has been so confusing. I love you but if my daughter ever wants to be with someone like me I'd tell her to run the other direction."
"What about this publicity stunt? If you leave me how am I supposed to handle this on my own? You can't just leave me Zuko."
"That's already handled. You are released from the contract and have no obligations to me or my company. You can do what you want without worrying about my image Katara. What I do know is if I want a relationship I want it to be real. I don't want to worry about the public opinion or what other people say at all. I want it to be organic and not like ours has been."
"I fell for you, I admit. I want to give it a real chance but only when you're ready. I'll be here when you come back. I'm glad you are ready to face your demons."
"Your support means a lot. I don't expect you to wait for me though. You are free to live your own life independent of me. When I come back if you've move on I won't be upset."
"Trust me, I'm not interested in anyone else. I'm not going anywhere soon." Finally Katara planted a soft kiss on Zuko's lips and for once it wasn't for show or the cameras. For once it would be real.
~/~
Iroh Agni sat at his new desk contemplating his next move. His first mode of business was to destroy all of the cancer from the inside out, starting with the board. A knock came at the door. Right on time. Zhao entered the office stroking his beard. He already looked shifty.
"I'm glad you came to meet with me on behalf of the board, Zhao." Iroh sipped his tea leisurely
Zhao took his seat across from Ozai and smirked, "I've been a part of this company a long time. It's my duty to serve this company no matter who the new CEO is."
"Yes, I'm happy to have you as an eager supporter during the transition. I need honest men working under me during my nephew's absence."
"It really is shame that Zuko is battling his addiction and in the midst of his child being taken. Truly tragic. I feel terrible about the whole thing. I'm glad she's been found."
"Yes but he'll get through it. My nephew is a resilient man. I trust he'll come back a much better man. I have a question: how did you know that my niece was found? There was no formal release of that information Zhao. How do you know she was discovered?"
"Well, first of all I'm happy she is home safe. I simply had hopeful intentions when I said that."
"I see so tell me Zhao, how long have you been a faithful employee of this company?"
"Almost 15 years. I served Ozai the most and worked closely with him."
"So you worked with my brother for the duration of your career? Where does your loyalty lie?"
"With the company of course. I will be as loyal to you as I am to Ozai."
"Tell then why did you bail Ozai out of jail and why have you been transferring money to an off shore account? Still loyal to just the company? Or loyal to yourself?"
"I-I, the money is for my personal expenses and you know Ozai is very manipulative. He made me bail him out and made a threat."
"A snake in the grass is difficult to find. Leave Zhao. You are not welcome here anymore. You'll be getting a call some enough from the IRS. I'm sure they'll give you a nice plea deal. Good bye."
Zhao sat in front of him in shock, "You CAN'T fire ME! I AM the company. This company is mine."
Security swiftly dragged Zhao out of the office. Next snake to deal with: Jet.
~/~
The radio blasts on in the car. Zuko listens to himself make the announcement that was shaking the business world right.
"I, Zuko Agni step down as CEO temporarily. In my absence Iroh Agni will serve as CEO and hold all the power the position entitles him too. That being said his first rule of business is to revamp the board of directors. Gentlemen, it has been great working with you all but it's time to have a new regime."
He smirked listening to himself. That was possibly the most confident he had over spoken in front of a group of men. For once he was doing something with conviction. Before he left he had unfinished business to handle. Beating his father to submission just wasn't enough for him. He needed answers.
Ozai limped into the room and had bandages from what Zuko could see behind the glass. He smirked at the sight. Maybe he taught him a lesson that his family was off limits. Zuko picked up the phone and reveled at the black eye that he had given him.
"Hello Ozai." Zuko spoke into the phone. He couldn't help but feel he was looking at himself when looking through the glass. He hoped to God he didn't end up evil like his father.
"Son. I could smell the stench of your failure before you entered the room." If he could spit on him he probably would have. He had learned absolutely nothing from his life sentence he gained between embezzlement and kidnapping charges.
"I don't have to even respond to that. You'll be behind these bars for the rest of your miserable life. You kidnapped my child and you stole hundreds of people's hard earned money. You will rot in here before you ever see me or my family again. I didn't come here to relish in your sentencing."
He needed the answers and no one else would provide them. This was the last puzzle piece Ozai had left in his messed up game. He discovered the not all of the money was going directly to Ozai's account but some was being wired to someone else. He dug into it and discovered he had been sending money to a woman, who seemed to come into existence right around the time of his mother's death. If that wasn't a coincidence enough the woman had no record of children, a husband, or no other family members. Ozai was sponsoring for someone to have an entirely new life. Who else would he do that for but his very own mother. He had loved her once, Zuko assumed.
"What do you want?"
"Where's my mother?"
The look of shock in Ozai's face was confirmation enough. His mother was alive and well.
~/~
The color pink made Katara exceptionally nauseas and she was exhausted. Between blowing up balloons, making sure the cake was set up correctly, and properly taping decorations to every surface she felt off and would be happy when the baby shower would finally be over. She had yelled at the cake delivery guy, the party decorator, and her own brother in the span of five minutes to make sure everything was perfect for Suki who looked as if she was going to give birth at any moment. Finally after two months it would all be over. It was pleasant having Mai help her out a bit. Mai was probably the most efficient baby shower decorator in the history of all baby showers. Katara had forgotten Mai had actually had to plan one before.
It was 2 o clock. The shower started at 4. That gave enough time for her to eat something. She was thinking pizza. She was so sore all she wanted was left over pizza and a warm bath.
"Hey Sis!" Sokka gave Katara a soft poke in the chest, which caused her to wince in discomfort.
"What is your problem?! That hurt Sokka. Go away NOW!"
"Geez, I was only asking which kind of gift wrap did you want to wrap your present in?" Sokka replied.
"I. Don't. Care. Can you just go away now?"
"Someone's moody. He poked you and you act like he assaulted your whole chest." Mai chimed in.
"I'm just really tired, sore and annoyed with the baby shower stuff. Plus I don't feel too good right now."
"Hmm you did fall asleep quite a bit today and you're still nauseas Sweetness. I thought that stomach bug you had was over?" Toph asked folding napkins.
"Hey Katara can I speak with you a moment?" Mai pulled her to the side. "I'm not saying anything to anyone else Katara but sooner or later you're going to have to fess up."
"Fess up to what?"
"The mood swings, the chest sensitivity, the tiredness. I'm just saying you and I might soon have something in common." Mai gave her a sly wink and walked away. What was Mai even talking about? She was just tired from the baby shower and ate some bad food. There was no way this could be anything else.
Author's Note: One more chapter left you all :) ! The long awaited baby shower and the return of Zuko. Maid to Love 2 will be out soon too so look for that. See you all soon.