Flashback - One year ago

Sam

I had finished my session with Azula. It had been several years that I had been working with her. She had improved immensely and I was proud of her accomplishment. I knew I wanted to take the next step with her but I had to talk to Zuko first. Sentencing was one of the few things that remained solely with him. Although we discussed it, ultimately it was his decision.

I didn't want to talk about it over dinner because Izumi would be there. She would see Azula about once every week or so and she really had taken a liking to Azula. I could also tell Azula really loved Izumi. Izumi never knew Azula free but I was hoping that would change. At least in some capacity. After dinner and some family time we tucked in Izumi like we always did and walked over to our room. We changed out of our day clothes and put on our sleeping clothes. Zuko could tell I had something on my mind.

"You want to talk about it?" was all he said.

"Actually, yes. I need to talk to you about it." I said. Zuko sat down against the headboard and I sat cross-legged in front of him so I could face him. "I…need for you to keep an open mind." Zuko suddenly looked concerned. "No, no, hunny! I actually think it's a good thing. And I hope you do too."

"Alright. Let's hear it."

"It's about Azula." Zuko's brow furrowed at this but said nothing. "She has come a long way and made so much progress. I think…I think she is ready for the next step."

"And what would that be…?"

"Well, it would involve a new program I had in mind."

"I like new programs. Let me hear it." I loved it that Zuko was always supportive of my ideas. Even when they seem ludicrous to him. He always took the initiative to hear me out.

"I think that Azula is soon ready to be released from prison, but before that happens, I think there should be a stepping stone. A work release program." Zuko tilted his head in interest.

"Go on."

"So she would be allowed to leave the prison for however many hours a day you see fit and she would work. She would earn money and she would learn how to function in a normal society. That way, when she is released (and I think she will be able to one day) she will have a solid foundation to start on."

"Ok, what do you think she should do?"

"Well, I actually thought about that. I was thinking about where I think her strengths are. I think, to start, she should work somewhere in law enforcement. Not out on the street but maybe pushing papers or something. Or even an assistant to one of the lawholders." That is what we called the police here in the Fire Nation.

"So you think she should be working with the lawholders and you feel that will help her? How?"

"Well, she will get to see how crimes are handled on the smaller scale. Misdemeanors, felonies. Things like that. The bigger crimes she wouldn't be apart of. I think her seeing that and seeing herself make a difference for other people will really help her. She needs to feel a sense of accomplishment. That she is needed and I think this is the place to start."

Zuko sat back and stared off into space. This was one of his behaviors I always thought odd. When he was pondering something, it was almost like he checked out, but he hadn't. He was focused and considering. I sat still and quiet while he deliberated.

"I think that would be a good idea. How does a year sound to you? And then reassess at that time." I chuckled.

"That was exactly what I was thinking."

"It's done then. I will have the guard bring Azula to the palace tomorrow for re-sentencing and to put her into this program. I will leave that part up to you since this was your idea." I smiled and nodded. Zuko slid himself down to lay on his back and I joined him, my head on his chest, tracing his veins with my finger.

"You're a good man, Zuko. A great Fire Lord. And an even better brother." I said, looking up at him. He smiled.

"It's all you, my Fire Lily. You make me a better man." We kissed each other and went to sleep.

The next morning, Zuko sent for Azula and we worked in the office until one of the guards came to get us. We both went to the throne room where we would see Azula. Even though sentencing was Zuko's responsibility, I was always present for them. We ascended the stairs and took our places on our respective thrones. Once there, the guard brought Azula in to us. She bowed to us as was customary when in the presence of the Fire Lord and Lady. The last time she was in this room, she had been sentenced to life in prison. She looked nervous but maintained her composure.

"I'm sure you're wondering why we called you here." Zuko began.

"The thought did occur to me, Brother." I could hear a hint of contempt in her voice. She was steeling herself for bad news. Zuko's brow furrowed. I reached over and squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Sam and I have been discussing your current…situation and we think there needs to be some changes." I saw Azula stiffen but Zuko continued. "Sam has proposed the change we have in mind. Sam, would you mind explaining it to her?" Zuko always liked to give me credit when I came up with something. I nodded.

"Of course, Zuko." I turned to Azula. "Azula, you have been working with me for these past seven years. I can't believe it's been that long. When I first started working with you, you were hard, contentious, sarcastic and, frankly, cruel. But you have made great progress and Zuko and I both think you are ready for the next step." Azula smiled at my compliments. Did I also see a hint of a blush? I continued. "I would like to enroll you in what I call a work release program. You will be allowed to leave the prison for a set amount of hours a day to work. You would earn money like anyone else and it would allow you to get used to living in society to prepare you for possibly life outside prison. What do you think of that?" Azula was staring at me with her mouth agape. She was obviously surprised.

"You want to let me out of the prison to work? You mean, you want to work toward my permanent release?" Zuko stepped in.

"Azula, I don't want you getting ahead of yourself. We don't know how this will work since you are the first person to be enrolled in this program. But I do want you to hold onto hope. This is a big step for you and you should be proud of yourself for getting this far. As for your work release, I am going to grant you 4 hours a day, 3 days a week - the days you do not see Sam - and I'm giving you a day off to rest. That will get you used to working regularly and give you a routine that isn't just what food you will be fed any given day." I could tell Zuko was immensely proud of Azula. And he should be. Azula stood, still surprised.

"I don't know what to say. I never thought this day would come. What...will I be doing?"

"You will be working alongside Joshi who is the lieutenant of the lawholders here in Capital City. You will be more or less his assistant. You will help him with anything that he needs. Oh and while you are on work release you will not be in cuffs. We think this will be a good fit for you. It will allow you to help people and also give you a sense of accomplishment. Would you like to proceed?"

"Would I? I'd love to! Thank you, Zuzu. It is humbling knowing that you trust me enough to let me out of the prison uncuffed."

"You've earned it. You will start tomorrow." Zuko said, smiling at his sister. She stood up and was escorted back to the prison.

Present Day

Sam

A year. It had been a year since Azula started the work release program. From what I had heard from Joshi and the other officers, she was doing a wonderful job and really seemed to take a liking to it.

Zuko and I were getting our sleeping clothes on and I was going to talk to him about it tonight. There were some things that I felt more comfortable talking to him in bed than I did in the office. Usually things that involved my programs. I hoped he agreed with me. I think she is ready. And since this is huge, I wanted to make it special.

"Zuko, I need to talk to you about Azula." He didn't look surprised.

"I had a feeling this was going to come up soon." he said, "let's hear it?"

"I think she is ready to be released. The reports I've been getting from Joshi and the rest of the officers are glowing." I handed him the reports that I had received, "and she really has gotten a handle on how to hold down a job and she feels fulfilled. In our sessions, she often talks about what they did and accomplishments she made. I think it's time for her to be free." Zuko didn't look contemplative at all.

"I agree. I think she has earned it."

"Good! So, I think we should make it a big event. Because it is."

"What did you have in mind?"

"I think we should have your mother come. Noren and Kiyi too. Izumi should be there. You know how much Azula adores her. I want it to be a celebration. And I think having your mother there will be huge for her." Zuko smiled at me.

"It never fails. You are always thinking of other people. That is one of the many things that made me fall in love with you. I have one caveat to your proposal though." I waited for him to continue, "I think Uncle should be there too."

"Oh! Of course! How could I leave out Uncle?! Yes, he should be too! I think he would be proud of the woman she has grown into. Besides, it's been a few of years since he saw Izumi. I think that would be wonderful to have him here."

"I will send messengers to everyone tomorrow and once they are all here, we will send for Azula. I think it is good to invite Noren and Kiyi but I'm not sure they will come. The last time they saw Azula…it didn't go well." I knew what he was referring to: when they first found their mother. He had told me what happened.

"I think we should urge them to come. It would help her and also help them if they were here. Perhaps they could build a relationship with her like your mother has been doing."

"I agree. I will send the messengers tomorrow. Once everyone is here, we will send for Azula and break the news to her also." Zuko said. Once we agreed on our strategy, we laid down in our favorite position.

"You know, I could lay like this forever." I said. My hand was resting on Zuko's chest, playing with his chest hair. He stroked my free arm with his trapped hand.

"Mm. Me too. I love it when you stroke my chest like that. It lulls me into sleepiness. I think this is what pure happiness is." I smiled and snuggled into him.

Suddenly, outside we heard a thunderclap and there was a flash of lightning. I knew Izumi would be over soon. Sure enough, I saw light spill into the room through the now open door and Izumi's small figure obstructing it. Zuko and I both looked over at her. She looked terrified, like she always did when it stormed. Zuko motioned to her to climb in. She closed the door and came running over as fast as she could. I slid away from Zuko, she crawled over the bed and slid under the covers between us.

"It's ok, Turtleduck. I know it's loud and scary, but the thunder won't hurt you. You're safe inside the palace." Zuko said.

"It's so loud and the flash is so scary! I'm afraid a monster will get me!"

"There are no monsters in the palace nor in your room. Nothing is going to hurt you. Well, there is one monster and I think he's here in this room." Zuko looked down at Izumi and he raised his hand above her and she started to giggle. "The tickle monster is here and he is going to get you!" Zuko said tickling her.

"You know, Zoom. I think there are two of them!" I said and we both tickled her and she kicked and screamed and laughed hysterically. After a moment, we both stopped allowing her to catch her breath. She laid smiling and yawned, stretching her arms out.

Zuko rolled onto his side, facing Izumi and myself. She curled into his chest seeking comfort and safety. I slid over to sandwich her between Zuko and myself. I laid my hand on Zuko's side and he did the same to me, cocooning Izumi, making her feel even safer.