The Disappearing Act Ambush

by DarcyBeDippy85

What if Zuko is planning his Uncle's birthday party, but is still plagued by what happened to Mai. Who unveiled her own parents as lead Ozai loyalists, and disappeared with her little brother to protect him. Before Zuko could even tell Mai he wanted to help her? Can he find her and explain his true feelings before things get ANY worse? HOW does Ursa know where they are?

Hey There,

Welcome! It's been a minute gang, but here's a brand new Maiko story. That I had to share, it was inspired by some of the comics I have been reading beyond series. I found some that were all about Mai's father getting busted as an Ozai supporter. And this story just sprang into existence. It's been too fun writing it down. Some of these conversations… just too fun to imagine again and again till they were perfect. I hope they're as fun to read as they were to dream up. But enough of my chatter, let's get to it!

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Avatar The Last Airbender, Nickelodeon or any of the other trademarked things mentioned in this story. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own sick amusement. Most will be returned unharmed.

Dedicated to my dear friend Rose-Aki and she knows why! (I have been stewing this up since August too and the struggle to keep all of this secret has been REAL) Wink wink! It's all for you girl!

---

"The Disappearing Act Ambush"

A Maiko One-Shot!

---

(Zuko's Perspective)

It had been months…

MONTHS!

Since the last time I'd seen Mai.

More than three months since Mai's father was exposed as the head-Ozai loyalist, in all of Capital City. He'd been literally working under my nose from day one, supporting any venture that could bring my father back to power. All while playing a very convincing role of kissup to me. I wish I was more surprised than I was; when he was unmasked, in front of everyone. Literally and figuratively… But I just found it all so easy to believe, it made too much sense.

Both of Mai's parents had been carried off to prison. On the charge of high treason, as well as countless other charges both people had racked up through the years. Only receiving a slap on the wrist before now… It was all coming against them. And they weren't likely to ever see life from behind bars again. Let's see them try to pick on Mai for her short-served jail time after this.

The day it happened, Mai had been the person to bust both parents publicly. When that happened, it didn't change a thing for me between us. I still looked at her and loved her the exact same way I always had. If anything it made me worry because I knew how hard that had to be for Mai. I wanted to be there for her, to help her in any way that I could, through this tough time. But when I'd turned to tell her that… she was gone, POOF! Like she'd disappeared… from thin air. And I haven't seen her since. What's so much worse is none of our friends have been able to find her either. NOT EVEN TY-LEE!?

TY-LEE!? Her BEST friend!

I searched for her the entire first month non-stop, as I kept traveling for my duties as Fire Lord. I had Aang and our friends looking for her too. With all of us, as well as the other extended parts of the White Lotus and Team Avatar. Our combined range easily maps the world… and yet. No one had heard or seen a thing. I even hired people to search high and low. While I kept searching myself whenever and however I could.

But when I reached the Earth Kingdom to meet with Earth King. I found a news scroll that had been printed by my own sources in Capital City. They thought they were helping but the people that handle my affairs had thought they would get a better response. By putting Mai's and Tom-Tom's likeness on wanted posters throughout the four Nations. And they sent them out before I could even sign off on the idea.

So now, thanks to these handlers, thinking-FOR-me. I looked like I was going to make Mai serve more jail time, and take her brother away from her…

EVEN though I would NEVER do THAT!

I knew it would only make her more scared, more desperate and I FIRED the people responsible for that. Even if these people had worked for me for years and had done a great job till then. It was just too awful, and I didn't know if I would ever get Mai to listen to me again. BECAUSE of their blunder! Just to be clear, I didn't burn them or anything, I just dismissed them… but I probably should have burned them. Because now even if Mai didn't think I was out to get her before she's bound to think it now. That I wanted to trap her too, for her parent's crimes and take Tom-Tom away. And we'd JUST made amends and started talking about being together again, before this happened.

RIGHT before, like in the same battle that her parents were unmasked in, we'd reconciled. We'd even been planning out a trip together. To make up for all of our time apart from each other… A trip we haven't gotten to take, because of this mess!

So instead of being the supportive boyfriend I wanted to be, I look like a total jerk- or she probably considers me her EX again, right now. And I can't say I BLAME her! I look like a total tyrant on paper! And those papers are freaking EVERYWHERE! I don't even think our first wanted posters of Aang as the new Avatar had even gotten this kind of coverage or reach.

Toph even sent me a thank you card that said, "Thanks for the carpet." The only way I understood what she meant was when I noticed the picture drawn on the inside too. Where her entire island's surface had been carpeted in Wanted posters of Mai and Tom-Tom. Her private island was literally carpeted in them! And her island was just CREATED by a lava-bender seven months ago!

I decided I just HAD to see Mai and get her to listen to me. But I still had no idea where she was. Where she could be hiding so well. And not even Ty-Lee is in on it! Where in the world could she be? I was so desperate I'd consulted my sister, to see if she could remember any sources Mai might use. Any I hadn't already thought of or sought out. But that was a dead end.

Asking Azula had only given her a gold opportunity to kick me when I'm down. Like that would make me want to visit her more often… I would say she's crazy, but that's obvious.

So I kept searching, hoping and praying she would be found. So we can fix this whole misunderstanding. I wanted to explain what really happened and lend her my support officially… if she'd let me. If she even needed me, at whatever capacity she was comfortable with. I would be here for her however she would let me be. While she navigates these very personal struggles.

Okay, that's a lie, I wanted her back. We'd broken up and just gotten back together before all of this happened. Now that all seems like it didn't happen. And as if that wasn't enough to make me crazy… At the same time I'm planning my Uncle's BIG birthday celebration, big because he has so many friends and I think it's a milestone year… even if I'm not entirely certain of his actual age. He refuses to give me a straight answer.

So at the same time as I am dealing with this whole 'missing Mai' problem. I am also planning this HUGE party. Knowing that it was just another thing most likely Mai won't be at. How many more holidays and parties are gonna be this miserably Mai-less? Tom-Tom-less? Joy-less for me?

What's so much worse is this party was for my Uncle (Who's birthday is during Summer) these party plans needed to be perfect. I was just not in a party mood, and it needed to be GREAT!

Thank the spirits for my friends, they were making sure we had all of his favorite people, food, music, and games at the ready. Thankfully everyone was happy to help and they all pitched in immediately. Keeping it all secret from my Uncle. And making the base of these activities Toph's new island… I just hope we've managed to keep him completely in the dark about it.

As if all of that wasn't enough to keep me busy. I have also been dealing with another dilemma. That I still say is another one of my father's schemes to drive me INSANE! To put me in the cell next to my sister! Because in the last month, I have had several nearly royal-status families come forward. All swearing my father promised me, to marry one of their daughters, each. If not adopted daughters, nieces, granddaughters, friends or neighbors. In marriage agreements, I've never heard of before. And the richest families all have contracts bearing my father's maniacal signature. When it became seven prominent families all battling for that Fire Lady headpiece. That could have all cared less about the fact they would have to be marry me too. It wasn't just a very nice hair accessory.

I finally broke down and contacted the ONLY person I knew would bring me any real answers.

My Mother.

She had always assured me that the choice of who I married was mine. Whenever it came up, in conversation. When I was a little kid to even when I was grown man. That had been something she'd made CLEAR long before whoever I chose would become my Fire Lady. And she'd fought for it, but I was entitled to marry whoever I wanted, whenever I wanted. So I asked for her aid, and of course, she dropped everything she was doing in her new life to come slightly early (she'd planned to be here for Uncle's party, so she left ahead of her husband and my baby sister Kiyi). She came to Capital City to aid me anyway she could, and her visit couldn't have gone better.

Apparently, my mother had made my father sign an iron-clad scroll. Back when she was in talks of marrying him. That made any marriage arrangement for Azula or me null and void. The only way either of us is expected to marry. Is when, how, where, and whoever WE CHOOSE. And no other time and the scroll is made so precise. There are no loopholes… I will only be expected to marry whoever I choose. Same with Azula… you know, if that's ever something she wants to do (she'd still currently institutionalized and rightly so).

So after my mother came rushing to help me, and proved the choice is mine…Once and for all. Instead of solving our problems the palace has been bombarded! With all different forms of Fire Nation's upper class. All hoping to coax me into saying I want to marry any of the best women our kingdom had to offer… and some of them were okay. I'm not saying they weren't…

But what I am saying is that I didn't want any one of them…

I realized that I knew exactly what I wanted, who I wanted. And she'd been right in front of me till now. I'd always known, deep inside, but In case there had been any doubt. That was all gone now, and this separation had proven it.

It was Mai… it had always been Mai… and it would always be Mai.

Even if it won't win me any more support from my officials. Even if my people would question this decision to my dying day, I knew I never would! She's just the only one for me, and if Tom-Tom was to come along with her… All the more reason to be with her. I would gladly do whatever she wanted to do. Even if that were to raise him as if he was ours. I loved that little guy almost as much as Mai did. Almost as much as my own dear sisters Kiyi and Yes, Azula too… [If I didn't love her, I wouldn't take care of her the way I do.]

And I would have done anything to have Mai back, to find her…

But my mother's help hadn't ended with simply snuffing out all of these hopeful Fire Nation ladies. No, she took over preparations for my Uncle's party for me. She personally ran off anyone from the palace who didn't belong there. And it turns out my Mother hadn't just come to help me hush up the Brass.

Nope, my mother had supposedly been the person Mai ran to, and who had been helping Mai stay hidden all of this time. She and Tom-Tom hide in a village near hers. Near enough for her to visit the surviving sibling pair almost every weekend. Allowing Kiyi and Tom-Tom to grow closer than they'd ever gotten a chance to before. (They've played, trick-or-treated, and seen each other at holidays for years, but now were truly friends who played with each other every other weekend. And even seemed to get along very well together.)

My mother shared, "She came to me scared, desperate, convinced that her brother was in danger. More than she was, she really seemed to think you or some of your handlers wanted to take Tom-Tom away from her. And raise him to be just like her father. Power hungry and never satisfied. And Son, someone was really after them too. My bet is that it was some of your father's agents chasing after them. She was so desperate she'd asked about visiting the same spirit ponds I had, in hopes of trading her face like I had- Zuko! No! Wait! Let me explain-"

I'd panicked and stepped away from my mother, As I made a ring of fire and punched it out in the air. How could she even think of such a thing!? Changing a single hair on her head? She knows how my mother's decision had effected me and Azula when we found out the lengths she'd gone to… to hide from the world, from our father… and even from us (her children). She knew how messed up I'd been over it… how could she even CONSIDER such a thing?

But that just goes to show how desperate she was. To keep her only remaining family safe. With her… She would have given up anything. For Tom-Tom… That's how much she loves-I would say her little brother. But in all honesty, I know from personal experience… Everything that she loves, she's this serious about… because I used to be someone she loved enough to risk her life. More than once, and I pray that hasn't become history.

My mother held me from behind and made me listen to her. She answered the question I didn't even ask her out loud. My mother was already explaining, "She was that concerned for her little brother, Zuko. She wanted to protect him at all costs and she was afraid they were both too recognizable at first. But I convinced her to conceal their pale pallors with a tinted skin cream. And a new way of styling Mai's hair so that they were both hidden in plain sight. It's what's kept them safe all this time. So she considered it, but didn't have to go that extreme to stay safe."

Even though my Mother had been sworn to secrecy. Even though she'd promised to specifically keep their location from me. The moment I knew where they were, I asked for the exact address and made all of the arrangements to go there. I did everything I needed to do to free up the time and gather a small task force to protect me and them. If my father was involved as Mother and I both suspected. We needed to be prepared for anything.

It hadn't been as hard as I was thinking it would be, for I'd already cleared my schedules for planning Uncle's Party. It was also the perfect excuse to dodge all of those crazy families hoping to marry into this family too. Yeah, so NOT hard leaving that all behind. Thankfully I knew it was in good hands with Team Avatar, White Lotus sentires and my Mother all halping out.

As soon as humanly possible, I needed to talk to Mai myself. This couldn't be further loused up by anybody else. I needed to be the one to go there and talk to Mai myself. To let her know what really happened and explain everything to her, before I beg for her forgiveness… you know, AGAIN!

When my step-father heard me complaining about how MANY times I've already done this. How many times I've found myself on my knees in front of this woman… before she was even a woman at all! He'd laughed and said fondly, "Son, it's not as rare as you seem to think. It's wisdom. When you find the right one you do whatever it takes to hold on to her. It doesn't matter how many times we have to make fools of ourselves. What matters is that you get to keep calling her yours. And that she knows she's the only way you'll ever be happy."

I still feel like an idiot… but I guess Ikem's right. Look at him and my mom, they made it work even when they both thought all hope was lost. If they can, why can't Mai and me?

I dressed in plain clothes, so I wouldn't be recognized in the crowd. Even if I knew Mai wouldn't be fooled for a second. I got all of my Kiyoshi protection detail to stay back, so they wouldn't give me away. Or stand around and pretend not to overanalyze my EVERY move. SO NOSY! And never fail to say something when they think I'm not doing something right.

When I was about to go up to her door and knock. It flew open and little Tom-Tom came flying out running full speed. Boy, he's really gotten a lot faster since I last saw him. I barely got back to my hiding place, and I used to always easily outrun him. He called back, "COME ON SISSY! BEFORE THE SCHOOL BELL'S RINGING!"

He was even speaking a lot more clearly and confidently then when I'd last seen him. He'd still tended to slip off into indiscernible baby talk sometimes. Mai had to translate for anyone not used to him… didn't sound like that was a problem anymore. No doubt Mai had been working with him, along with his new teacher.

Mai stepped out of the cottage they shared, closing the door behind her. And I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen ANYTHING so beautiful. Yes, her skin was noticeably darker looking, from that cream, so was her brother's. But I would have still known them anywhere. This new hairstyle was more up on top of her head, showing off her neck, it looked so regal on her… she looked more like a Queen than ever before.

She was telling her little brother to "slow down," and made him take her hand. Then she personally walked him to school like she used to do every day back home. Between this new skin tone and customary hairstyle I could see how average people couldn't recognize them. She looked more like a mother than an older sister type. The dress she wore too was different, it was more black than burgundy now. I'd forgotten, she was pretending to be in mourning for the family she'd lost. Which was easier to believe than the truth.

I couldn't help it, I had walked along behind them and watched the interplay between the siblings. It was just as vital to both of them as I recalled. And I was glad to see that even though their worlds have been turned upside down. At least both siblings had each other and they had only seemed to grow closer. In these months of leaning on each other completely.

When they reached the school entrance, Mai and Tom-Tom exchanged their secret handshake. And went their seperate ways. But as Mai was walking back home, she wasn't alone for long. She was escorted back to her door by not one but two very tall and charming guys. Who were both smiling at each other and Mai enough for me to accidentally catch my shroud on fire. It had just ignited from my hands naturally when I'd seen that smile. For someone else!

Mai's never smiled easily and doesn't naturally like people… not many people. Who the hell were these guys?

As if I'd really needed any help kicking myself, or if I'd need to hear any opinions from the peanut gallery. Suki and Ty-Lee came up on either side of me and observed for themselves. (Also dressed in plain clothes trying not to stand out)

Ty-Lee gasped and said, "Sooooooo CUUUUUUUUUUUTE! Nice work, Mai! They're gentlemen too, courteous, handsome, and they don't look broke either! SCORE!"

"Can you keep it down if you want to openly defy me?" I asked her, but she elbowed Suki anyway. Asking her to speak up.

Suki even admitted. "Mai sure seems to have done pretty well for herself. You better make this conversation count Zuko. This could be you're last chance at her if they're as serious as they look."

So I thanked them for not letting me feel any more pressure sarcastically. Before I noticed the men both talking about having dinner later together. Then as soon as Mai was back home and the goons had gone, I stepped out of my hiding place off to the side and knocked on her door. She'd called out, "Just a minute." In a light and friendly tone on the breeze.

And after a pause, the door flew back open… and Mai's expression may have seemed blank to the untrained eye. But I'd seen the change in her eyes and I'd quickly caught her before she'd slammed the door in my face.

After more than three months of wondering if I would ever see her again… the first thing she said to me was, "What do you want?"

I held up both hands to show her I came in peace and clarified, "To talk, that's all."

She told me, "Believe me, you don't want to be away from your protectors right now with me." Her warning had come out angry and cold. But I could read the fear steeling her eyes and I knew that's where it was all coming from. She was scared and I still had to explain why there wasn't anything to be afraid of.

"I'm not here to endanger you, to imprison you, or to take Tom-Tom away from you, Mai. I want to help you, to apologize for a lot of things and I'd like to do that someplace besides the street. Can I please come in? Please?"

She asked, "You're the Fire Lord, can I really refuse you in your own nation?"

I informed her, "You can do whatever you want, this is your home now. But I'm asking for a chance to explain some things. And I've said 'please' three times now. So… Can I come in?"

She stepped back from the door and kicked it with her shoe, saying. "Fine, but hurry along I have work to do."

As I walked passed her inside, I'd thanked her before walking into the homey little place they'd made into a real home. The walls were all black trimmed in burgandy finished wood trim and was very modest. I think Mai's favorite book room she called her 'hideout' back at the governor's mansion could have fit this whole house inside of it. But Mai had never needed all of that space, status, or stuff. She'd always been a minimalist, more like me before I was the Fire Lord. And I could still pick out some of her favorite things she must have swiped from her old home before she disappeared. Favorite paintings and books that had always been home to her.

While it was more cramped than her hideout, it was just as lived-in and cozy from the chill in the air outside. I was expecting it, but it still took my breath away when she pinned me to the wall with her knives. Spirits! I've missed her! Mai demanded, "How did you find us? Who told you where we were?"

"Not important," I said with effort, as I tried to act naturally even though two of her blades were digging deeply into the sleeves surrounding my upper arms. And a lot of my weight was hanging onto them. She threw three more knives to make me more uncomfortable. But I was still too busy enjoying myself, she's so delightfully dark! Why marry anyone else when I could bring this home?!

"Answer the question Zuko, or the next throw will nick something important," Mai warned. Even holding a knife under my chin for emphasis. I could feel it's sharpness against the underside of my face.

And all I could say was, "Spirits, I've missed this! I really thought I'd never see you again!"

She pressed the blade in her hand upwards and tilted my face upward. She growled out between clenched teeth. "That's not what I asked you? Who? Told? You? Where? We? Were?"

"I have eyes and ears everywhere, Mai. I've been searching for you desperately for longer than THREE MONTHS now-"

"Yeah, I've seen the wanted posters. They stated 'wanted for questioning.' Yeah, right-"

"I didn't do that-" I tried to explain but it was very hard to do looking up at the ceiling. I wanted to look at her so bad, but she wouldn't let me.

She said, "Of course, you didn't, but your handlers did!" She said loudly for her. She didn't raise her voice often. She went on to say in a more normal speaking volume. "You have no idea what we've been through!"

"I know that, that's why I'm here. I needed to know that you guys are okay." I tried to say, even though her knife was starting to cut into the underside of my face. Just a little, but enough to make me hiss.

"Well, I don't know how 'okay' anyone can be with mercenary types tracing us everywhere we went. Trying to kill us, only I killed them FIRST." She'd let me know.

I explained still looking up at the ceiling, "They had to have been sent by my father. I didn't use mercenaries this time."

"Oh sure, you're perfectly innocent of all blame." She said sarcastically before she'd let me know. She may be living further away, but she was still up on what had been happening at the palace. "And when you weren't swatting away all of those marriage arrangements probably forged by both of our fathers while they were scheming together. BEFORE my father was incarcerated. You have been determined to put me away with them and take Tom-Tom away from me. The only family he really has left. Well, it's not gonna happen Zuko, I'll die first."

"I'm not gonna take him away, Mai. I never would, you two are all each other's got and I know that." I tried to take a breath and I tried to tell her the truth.

She asked in her more normal tone of voice, "Then why are you here exactly? What do you want from me? If it isn't to put me away?"

"I want to help you guys, that's all I ever wanted. But my handlers misread my orders and they printed up the wanted posters before I could stop them. They were already scattered across all four nations when I found out about them. You gotta believe that... I would never try to come between you two."

She put her knife to the side of us into the wall, so hard that I felt the vibration of it rattling next to my head from inside the wall. There were all sorts of marks here where she'd pinned other people up like this. But I didn't get to ask about them before she was making me look at her and asking, "Are you serious? You only want to help and not put me away? Or hand Tom-Tom off to some orphanage? Or some rich family who'll corrupt him worse than my parents would have?"

"YES! Are you kidding? I wouldn't send an animal I liked to either one of those places (it is something I plan to improve on greatly moving forward too). All I've ever wanted this whole time, was to be there for you guys. The day you busted your Father I was trying to tell you that then. That I was here for you and Tom-Tom, however, you needed me to be… but you left too quickly. You even cut yourself off from Ty-Lee completely to protect your brother. She knew it too! And she's as much your family as I am… or used to be."

"I'm all he has, if I went away… I don't know what would happen to him." She shared.

I told her, "You'll never need to find out. I won't let that happen, Mai. He's always gonna be with you… and me… If you'll let me help. Let me tell you what I didn't get to that day."

"I'm listening." She said and then she seemed to realize. "I guess we could sit and talk about this rather than let you hang for this whole thing."

"It would be a little more comfortable… even if this still is a major turn-on." I flirted, and she'd yanked out the main knives holding me up and I JUST caught myself. Before I slid down the full length of the wall to fall on my butt. I did catch myself, even if both knees buckled and I stumbled very un-Fire Lordly.

She shook her head and said, "Really? You're gonna still flirt… or try to flirt, like that? After the palace has been crawling with women all after that Fire Lady title?"

"Do I hear just a little jealousy in there, somewhere?" I asked, still trying to flirt.

But of course, Mai shut that down with a firm, "No." That came out sounding a little sharper than she probably meant it to... but that could have been just wishful thinking. Mai shrugged to cover it up more, "I'm just stating a fact."

"Sure," I shrugged back. "When we got back together, last. I told you then that I was only interested in you and no one else. I wasn't just saying that, I meant it. It's like you said a little while ago. I really think your Father and mine schemed that whole thing up together. And all of those girls were more interested in the hairpin than they were the real job… or actually being with me."

Mai scoffed as she poured us both a cup of tea she'd had warming over an open flame in the fireplace warming the whole house. As she did this mundane thing and wasn't threatening me with her knives. I took in every little thing about the woman in front of me, all of it. Committing it to memory… in case I couldn't convince her to come back with me. Or she couldn't leave right away… or I got completely turned down on every offer I planned to make.

I also took in my surroundings noticing both Mai's and my mother's touches all around me. The black walls were totally Mai's doing. The rich reddish wood trim was all Ursa, and I recognized some of the kid art hanging on the walls as Kiyi's work too mixed in with her brother's. The house appeared to be all one level and this one room. A full-sized bed and a boy-sized twin bed were both in the opposite corner from me. A surprisingly comfortable bench sat in front of the fireplace draped in burgundy cushions and blankets. I bet they were both gifts from my mother, it looked like her handy work, I think I even recognized her knitting stitch.

She offered me a steaming cup of tea and I took what she offered. Thanking her, as she guessed, "Oh sure, like none of them were interested in you at all."

"They weren't, really. They didn't even know me or hear me when I talked. How is that supposed to convince me of anything else?" I'd asked her honestly.

She said, "Well, I wasn't there, I only know what I saw and heard from the news scrolls. But they painted a very different setting, Fire Lord. One where women were falling at your feet from every direction. And that's closer to what I remember about my times living there since you're reign began. A hard thing for any man to turn down." She'd smirked over the brim of her cup at me. As she drew her legs up and sat comfortably in a chair turned to the side of the bench I was seated on.

I asked her again, "Are you certain that's not jealousy I hear?"

"Yes," She said later than even before but I could tell she didn't like it at all. Even as she maintained, "I'm just telling you my own observations as a third-party perspective that is in no way involved. Offering you a more fresh point of view."

"Oh good!" I said, before I argued, "Because if I did hear jealousy in there. I could say that I felt the same way seeing you get escorted home by those two knuckleheads earlier."

"You were watching me?" She accused.

I owned up, "Obviously."

"And you think that there's something there, to be jealous about?" She pinpointed almost laughing in my face.

"What? Why wouldn't I? Those guys were talking about getting together for dinner later." I reminded her. "None of the debutants you read about in the news stayed at the palace for ANY meal."

She crossed her arms in front of her and accused further. "So you weren't just stalking me from the shadows… You were also eavesdropping?"

"Well… Yeah. But it wasn't completely intentional, I just wanted to talk to you. And I was waiting for you to be alone. I didn't know there would be a few men in front of me like a line. Who were those two mouthbreathers anyways?"

"They're Pan and Zane and their Tom-Tom's new best friend's (a boy named Jax) two Dads," Mai explained.

"Dads? As in plural?" I asked feeling so dumb and Mai's face was so entertained.

She went on anyway, explaining. "As in Tom-Tom's new best friend Jax has two fathers. Who are married to each other and we're supposed to be having dinner together tonight. Giving the boys a chance to work on a class project together. That they will be presenting in class the very next day. We're getting together tonight so the boys can practice."

I made it worse by asking, "So you're not interested in them, at all… in that way?"

"Not in the way you thought, they're just the nicest guys. They always take such great care of Tom-Tom when he goes with them. They throw the best parties too. They've been trying to get my brother and me out more. Since they've gotten to know us and noticed how anti-social we can both be at times… They've been very good friends to the both of us."

I had to point out, "They sound like male versions of Ty-Lee."

Mai smirked, "You know, I hadn't thought of that but they do, don't they?" Then she asked, "Speaking of my best friends and one of you're closest protectors. Where is she and Suki right now?"

"Outside, I'll let you guys all catch up too, if you would like. But I wanted to talk to you first, and beg you to come home." I finally put out there. I'd been wanting to say it since I'd seen her.

She stared into her cup and said, "You know I can't do that, Zuko… When Mother and Father were both put away. Tom-Tom and I have no home to return to anymore in Capital City. We had to make a new home for just us, and this is the best I could do on short notice. With what little money I could scrape together, short notice, the few things we could carry with us and a lot of help. I work at the tea house most days till school lets out. Then I walk over to the school at the end of my shift to walk home with Tom-Tom. If I'm running late Pan and Zane usually grab him for me and either let him hang out with his friend till my shift ends or drop him by the tea house for me. It's not nearly the glamorous life we had in Capital City… but I think we're both a lot happier here. If I'm honest… Tom-Tom's made some actual friends and started to flourish in his new school. Even if we could go home… I don't know if we would."

"I know, what you mean… and I hear what you're saying. But I wasn't talking about you and Tom-Tom returning to your old home… at the Governor's Mansion…" I faltered because I had been waiting too long to say this to her. To hear what she would say…

My pause was so long, Mai even reasoned, "Doesn't our old house belong to a new governor anyway?"

"Yes, it does… And I am still not used to that… To that place not being yours, anymore." I had to say it, the words I'd been wanting to say all these months. "I meant for you to both… come home… with me, to the palace. To live there with me… however, you want to live there. With me."

"With you? Zuko, what exactly is that supposed to mean? Live with you?" She asked, no longer staring at her tea. She was looking me in the eye, demanding an explanation, and I knew this could one of at least four ways. And one of those ways was me leaving them both behind and returning home again without them. I could not let that happen again. I needed them both with me.

So I was frank, "I mean these last three months have been HELL, Mai!" I began, "ABSOLUTE-HELL! And our time apart before that was AWFUL. And I CAN'T live another moment away from you, I love you, Mai. And I need both of you with me, Tom-Tom too. I'll do whatever you need me to do, to make my palace your home."

"What do you think I'd need you to do?" She asked sounding mystified, by this offer as well as that last sentence.

I kept talking somehow, "If you want to come back and live with me as a friend… I won't like it as much as my other ideas. But I'll respect your decision and prove to you over time that we have more than friendship between us."

"I already know that," She smirked at me.

So I stepped closer to her, crouched down in front of her and said. "If you want to come back as my live-in girlfriend for a little while. That's fine too, I'll prove to you over time, that you're something so much more to me. Then just simply my girlfriend, anymore."

She let me pull her into a lingering hug, and she whispered into my shoulder. "What if I already knew that too?"

"Then I'd ask you to be my partner, my wife, and my Fire Lady. I'd ask you to marry me and come home with me. If you want us to work together to raise Tom-Tom as the best little brother anyone could ever have. Then we'll do that. Or if you want us to raise him as ours from now on. I would do whatever you want to do. I just can't live another day without you both with me. You're my family, my home and… Whatever I need to do to convince you. I will do, just please tell me I can take you back with me. And I don't ever have to be away from either of you like this again. Or wonder if I'll ever see you guys again?"

She pulled me down to her and into a deep kiss that promised me so many things. I picked her up and crushed her against the nearest wall. The power of the relief and healing in that kiss was mindboggling. Her legs were wrapped tightly around my waist, one of her hands was in my hair, the other was smoothing down my back, or digging her fingers in. But a knock at the door, made us stop and made me set her down. Even if there had been a long moment we stood together and leaned against that wall with our eyes closed. Our bodies fit together like interlocking puzzle pieces. She'd whispered, "Let me… get that."

While I was thinking in my mind, 'If that is Ty-Lee, Suki, or any of the people who came with me here, so help me! I will burn them where they stand!'

Then she'd gone over to her front door and let a neighbor borrow some tea. I think she was in such a hurry to get back to me that she gave this older woman a whole package, rather than the scoop or three of loose-leaf tea the lady had asked for. But I was only half paying attention till she was all mine again and we were right back to making up for lost time.

I knew I would never grow tired of this, not even if I got to keep her with me and lived to be a hundred. She was my everything, the love of my life, and I hope she knew that. She twisted her hips against mine playfully and asked, "Could we possibly move this little session to a softer place than this wall? I know we have a lot to make up for, but-"

"Yeah, sure? But are you gonna accept one of my offers?" I asked her before we got carried away again.

She slid herself down the front of my body till she was on her feet again. If she only knew what that did to me! Then she said. "I want to, but I want to talk to Tom-Tom first. This life isn't just mine anymore, it's his too, and every decision I make directly affects him too. I want him to know he had a say, so he doesn't feel so isolated and useless as our parents always made me feel… to the very end, of my time with them, you know."

"Yeah, but can you tell me what you would decide if you could?" I asked hopefully, even if I thought I already knew the answer.

She said, "Now where would be the fun in that?" I knew she was gonna say that. But then she'd smiled, "You're just gonna have to use this time while he's in school to convince me. Which option I should take?"

"Challenge accepted," I let her know as I picked her up again and carried her light figure to her bed. Fully intent on convincing her that the BEST option had been the one where I love her all the ways I can only dream of now. Where I wouldn't just be kissing her on this bed, I'd be free to kiss, touch, and love her in all ways possible. I could finally worship her the way I'd always wanted to. I just hope that my teasing and attention to her had sent the right message. After so long apart it wasn't hard to get carried away with my convincing. I kissed her everywhere, I'd cuddled her close and I'd done everything I could think of to drive her as crazy as I already was.

All the while praying I would never have to let go of her again. That I really would get to take my family home with me soon and we could start building our new home together. That was the ultimate dream for me.

---

((Mai's Perspective))

I sat by the school house an entire hour earlier than dismissal, waiting for classes to stop for the day. I had been so afraid of letting Zuko distract me too much. That he might make me not only forget a little boy would be waiting for me. But he could persuade me to forget that I couldn't just think of myself anymore. That my life wasn't just mine anymore, and Tom-Tom was counting on me. That he was my responsibility now and I couldn't just go around deciding his future for him. I wanted him to know he had a say and that his input was important to me. Not only because he is important to me either, but because that is the way I wished our parents had considered so many of my ideas and wishes… even when I was as young as he is.

But that being said, I also knew I had to get away from Zuko to think for a little bit too. It had been months since I'd seen him, months I had been terrified of him finding me. I'd tried my best to prepare myself and my brother. For that time, whenever it came, and I was thankful it hadn't been at all what it seemed.

He didn't want to punish me, hurt me, or put me away at all. He also didn't want to take Tom-Tom away or let anyone else take him away form me. He'd only wanted to help us… of course he did. Looking back now, I don't know why I'd ever thought he could have wanted any of those other alternatives. I guess since everything else in the world had changed in that moment. When I had unmasked my own father… I guess I was expecting it from him too. All he wanted was to help us, to be there for us… and he hoped we could even be a family together…

It was all I'd ever wanted… But I had honestly thought it so impossible… I didn't even dare to dream of it. Even before things had gotten this dramatic…How could I? It's not like he's just anyone, even when he was a banished prince… I never even thought that he would ever ask me any of the things he'd just asked.

My parents were serving long prison sentences each, I may not ever see them out from behind bars again. Both had severed all ties with Tom-Tom and me. As they were carried away, and I had tried to visit them a few times. Just to make sure they were okay. But they refused to see me… And sent back all of my letters. They both wanted to act like they didn't have any children now. I wondered if they were still together as a married couple anymore.

Even if I couldn't let myself get dragged down with caring about that anymore.

I had to think like I have no parents at all. I had a brother to think of now, who needed me, he's still so young and we're a package deal now. Who would willingly take us on? Why would someone as important and powerful as the Fire Lord? Openly welcome such a family into his home? Or tie himself to anyone in that family? Why would he look at me twice, knowing what he does? And who would support such an outlandish pairing? I know he was bound to lose support or struggle from this lapse of judgment.

I really had thought all of that till this morning, when Zuko showed up on my doorstep and reminded me… that he wasn't just the Fire Lord, or the basic King of my home Nation. He was also one of my best friends, the best person I know, and the unquestioned love of my life.

As he'd kept saying he couldn't live without me… I knew I needed him that same way. I couldn't go on without him any longer either…

But how in the world was I going to explain any of that to a nearly seven-year-old boy? Who thinks all girls are icky besides me? One who's finally began to thrive in this new home setting and life we built for ourselves. Yes, a lot of that life has been a farce. It had to be, the truth was too dangerous for us. Even if I knew that lives built so entirely on lies can never last, my parents sure made a good run at it, didn't they? I guess we're not nearly as deceptive or manipulative… but I feel like that's not a bad thing either.

As I sat trying to plan out my talk before Tom-Tom got here. I couldn't stop replaying it over and over in my mind. Like a dazed teenager, instead of the grown woman I have to be right now. All of the things Zuko had been saying, the promises he was sealing, the kisses that had seemed endless. The way he'd touched me, so carefully. The way he'd held on to me, begging me to please never ask him to let go again…

How had I gotten here? How had I gotten away from all of that, to clear my head? Had I used my knives? How long had it been since we could be together like that? I couldn't tell you, all I did know with certainty was that it had all been way too long ago. And I didn't want it to ever have to end again either. We hadn't lost a degree of heat either, I think we may have somehow gained more being apart so long. I wanted to be with the person I loved more than anything. I wanted to be his partner, his match, and I wanted Tom-Tom to be with us. I really did…

But if I'm being entirely honest… Today when Zuko had been with me. It felt like we could have been doing more than just kissing. Just holding each other and just… I felt like I had been lit on fire, and it didn't feel like enough. It felt like I needed more… I wanted him closer, I wanted him to do so much more than what we were doing….so much more… and I could see it in his eyes. He needed more too, more from me, and I wanted to give it to him. I wanted all of him and wanted to give him all of me. So much that I ached all over now…

I wanted him! Badly! I loved him, with my whole heart and soul. With everything in me…

But how can I explain any of these very grown up feelings to my baby brother?

Think Mai, think!

---

(Ty-Lee's Perspective)

First I have to get completely cut off from my best friend. Then I have to let Zuko talk to her first when we finally findout where she's been hiding. Because he needed to kinda make sure she wasn't a flight risk. THEN, when he comes back from this discussion, with his face all blotchy and his lips all kiss swollen. He tells our little group to stay back a little longer because she needs time to THINK?! Pulling back our whole operation and giving her space? But standing up on a rooftop where he can still watch over her from a far… and on the sly.

This had better be an order he doesn't expect me to follow. Because if he thinks I can stand this distance another second, he's lost his MIND! And he's really gonna end up in the cell next to his sister.

So while Suki is being the model head of security, I slipped off hopefully unnoticed. Hoping to help Mai with all of this thinking she was doing right now. But before I could even make it away from our group on that rooftop. I was caught by Suki and spun to face her.

Suki asked, "And just where do you think you're going, without me?"

"Come OOOOOOn Sukiiiiii! You know if Mai's thinking this hard, her best friend had better be there to help."

"Of course I know that," Suki said, surprising the heck outta me. "I just wanted to know why you think you can go over there without me? I know I haven't been with you guys from the beginning like Azula was, or even Zuko was before he got banished. But even if you guys don't consider me your best friends - well, you know, you're both MY best friends."

I lost it! "AAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWW! BESTIE!"

Zuko said "HEY!" Making us both jump. "If you're both planning on sneaking off together. And defy my EVERY order, DO-IT-MORE-QUIETLY! I'm kind of a SHAMBLES over here till Mai tells me her decision! If you two can speed that up, DO-IT! But get to it ALREADY!"

I saluted him, "Sure thing! We'll be right back." Then I took Suki's hand and ran for it. I was FINALLY gonna talk to MAI! FINALLY! We were gonna need Hot Tea, napkins for the tears and probably something sweet to eat. No gab session this big should be without these three essentials.

---

((Mai's Perspective))

As if they knew I would need to talk, Out of nowhere, Ty-Lee and Suki just showed up on either side of me and Suki asked me, "A copper piece for your thoughts?"

Before Ty-lee busied herself with a tray of cups and teapot asking, "Tea? General Iroh swears this one loosens tongues for any gab session and it hasn't failed me yet."

I was surprised she'd managed to put it down on the table in front of me before hugging the living daylights outta me. While crying an impressive stream of tears… even for her. As she accused, "YOU-DISAPPEARED-ON-ME! JUST-LIKE-WHEN-WE-USED-TO-PLAY-'HIDE-AND-GO-SEEK!' WHEN-WE-WERE-LITTLE!"

Suki tried to correct, "Ty-Lee, I think you mean a different kid game. 'Hide and go seek' isn't like this."

But Ty-Lee insisted, "NOT-THE-WAY-MAI-AND-AZULA-PLAYED-IT."

Over Ty-lee's strangling grip, I managed to explain to our newer friend. "No, she's right, Suki. Hi, by the way, thank you for not trying to kill me with affection. Whenever Ty-Lee would tell us to hide then she would start counting, the Princess and I were famous for going home and not telling Ty-Lee the game was over. She'd keep searching till one of her older sisters made her stop. It was cruel but funny too."

Suki smirked at me, "Why doesn't that surprise me?" Then she'd admitted, "You don't know how good it is to see you though. And I'm still stealing a hug when Ty-Lee's not attached to you."

Not to be deterred, Ty-Lee insisted, "This was JUST as CRUEL and NOT FUNNY! What the actual HELL, Mai? Why would you take Tom-Tom and run away from me like that? You guys are more my family than my actual blood kin… You KNOW that!"

"I do." I did somehow manage to confirm. Sandwiched in there somehow. As Ty-Lee finally let me go, move, and breathe again.

Ty-Lee didn't miss a beat, "Then tell me what's going on? You couldn't have REALLY thought that Zuko was gonna take Tom-Tom from you. Or put you BACK in jail again! He didn't even put you there the first time, that had been Azula in the height of her power trip."

"I know all that," I felt like I had to say. "But when I busted my own parents, that day. And I actually saw them both get taken into custody... It effected me a whole lot more than I ever realized it would. I didn't really know what to do. I was just a little traumatized, and Tom-Tom was way worse. He was hysterical over losing our mother and father... even if both of them couldn't have cared less. And he couldn't understand their behavior at all, I was a grown person trying to explain something I didn't get anymore than he did."

Ty-Lee asked, "And HIDING from the WORLD! That's the best you could come up with? On the spot?"

"I knew better than to believe it would be forever," I tried to explain, "I hid us, just till I figured some things out, in the beginning. But the next thing I knew, a pack of mercenary types were chasing us for real and our faces were all over the wanted posters... I freaked out. I did everything I could to keep us safe… I know saying I'm sorry doesn't come even close to making things better-"

Ty-lee said, "It's a start. A good start." Then she got serious… that seriousness that rarely shows up in her. And Ty-Lee had said, "But Mai. You have to promise me, you will do everything you can to NEVER do something like this again. Not without planning to let me disappear with you guys. Because that's what I would have done and that's how important you both are to me. Okay?"

"I hear you." I did say even if I was surprised Ty-Lee would have done that.

But what had surprised me, even more, was when Suki had made me promise her the same. Claiming, "I know I haven't been your friend as long as Ty-Lee, Azula, or Zuko. I haven't gotten to be here for you guys as long as long as you've known each other, but you guys are like my sisters. I would have done anything I could to help you too. Even surrendering the post as the Fire Lord's head-protector and disappearing with the both of you."

I know it probably shouldn't surprise me anymore. That I have friends like this, but I still have to be reminded every now and again. I don't think I'll ever get used to such kindness or love, from people who aren't even required to feel that way... but I've never been more grateful for it. Then I was in that moment.

As if they somehow heard the call, that I needed to surround myself in my friends right now. Pan and Zane, also showed up. Just like me, they had arrived a bit earlier than usual, for picking up their son. But they both claimed the seats in front of me, like always. And let Suki pour them each a generous cup of tea.

Pan (the outspoken one) asked outright. "So I take it these ladies are the famous Ty-Lee and Suki from your stories, Rai?" That was the name these friends knew me as. "Rai" instead of "Mai."

"Yes," And I introduced my two kiyoshi warrior best friends to my newest best friends. And it wasn't till we were all seated together. That I noticed how similar these friends were to each other. Pan was a lot like Ty-Lee, touchy feelly, shockingly honest and always getting into mischief. Just Pan isn't as much of a crybaby as Ty-Lee when he get's caught. And Suki was very similar to Zane, they were both protective and more quiet, till they trust you. It was comical watching these two groups face off.

But before they could get into who was the better friend and why. Like I could see their conversation going. I had to remind them all, "Hey? All of you people claiming to be the better friend? A little help here with what I should do? How can I explain this to Tom-Tom?"

Suki said, "We can't tell you what you should do, Mai. Only you, know that. All we can promise is we'll be your friends and support you in whatever you decide."

Ty-Lee said, "Yeah! But I seriously can't see you choosing ANYTHING! That isn't finding happiness with the person you've ALWAYS loved. You just gotta figure out how to explain it like that to Tom-Tom. Who hasn't gotten to watch it happen like we did."

Thankfully Pan and Zane were more helpful about. Pan suggested, "I think the best way to go about it is to be honest with him, Rai. While checking those hormones at the door, because he won't get that." Rai is the name I had been going by in this new life, and the closest I could think of, where I would turn my head on cue and answer to it. Without having to think about it.

Zane added, "He's already told our son plenty of times, that this Zuko-person is the only person he thinks you would ever be happy with. But why do I get the feeling that all of our guesses have been right. That this guy who happens to have the same name as the reigning Fire Lord, isn't just a typical guy?"

I ended up confessing to both of them, "Because you're guesses have been right. My name isn't 'Rai' it's 'Mai.' We're the former governor's children, so our parent's were putaway, not killed, and the Zuko we're talking about is the Fire Lord."

Pan asked me, "So you really have been hiding from the Fire Lord? The actual FIRE LORD? I'd really hoped this one was gonna be as different from the rest as he appeared."

"He is," I had to say, Ty-Lee and Suki had my back on this. Thank goodness none of the other parents and guardians have arrived yet and this is just us right now. Because this conversation was getting loud. I went on, "Zuko is one of the best people I know… I just misread the whole situation. And those bodies you helped me hide. Were sent by the former Fire Lord Ozai, not Zuko. He was the hoping to steal my brother away."

Zane said, "That does make more sense. Judging by what you told us about your ex and his overbearing father. Even before you told us it was Fire Lords we're talking about."

I explained the best way I could to these two new best friends. "I thought that since the rest of my world was flipped upside down. And it felt like everyone was chasing after us, that Zuko and my friends had to feel the same. But this morning right after you guys dropped me off at our house. There was a knock at the door and it was Zuko."

Both male friends asked in one voice, "The-FIRE-LORD-was-at-your-DOOR?! AND-WE-MISSED-THAT!?"

Ty-Lee, Suki, and me all shushed them and they repeated the question softer. As parents and guardians were all starting to show up now. Zane asked, "The Fire Lord was at your door this morning? How did we miss that?"

Ty-Lee pointed out, "He does things like this all the time. He was incognito and dressed so no one would recognize him."

Suki added, "We're his heads of security-"

Both men pointed at them, "So you really are Kiyoish Warriors? The personal protectors of the NEW Fire Lord."

Ty-Lee struck a fighting pose and told them, "That's Rii-iiiight!"

Zane asked in a concerned tone, "So not only have you been hiding that your Zuko, is the same Zuko who is the leader of our home nation. But your best friends that you're always talking about aren't just Kiyoshi warriors. But the lead warriors protecting our Fire Lord?"

I had to nod with them, "Yes. But I only didn't tell you because I couldn't."

Pan asked sassily, "What's next? Have some of your other stories been concealing Team Avatar friends as well?"

Ty-Lee made matters worse by saying, "Probably, they are her friends too. They've been searching for her all this time just as much as Zuko and the rest of us-"

Suki stopped her before I could and pointed out to her, "Ty-Lee! I think Mai's new friends need a better explanation. Would you like us to step aside for a minute, Mai?"

"No, I need all of my best friends right here with me to help me figure out what to do." I started and both sides of the table sat down knowing how hard it was for me to ask for help. I explained again, "I don't know what I was gonna say to Tom-Tom. To explain that Zuko found us and even though this is something we've been terrified of for months. It's really okay, because I've completely misunderstood everything about his part of the equation. That it's all of a sudden okay again, and I'm even thinking about possibly accepting one of his offers-"

Before Ty-Lee interrupted me, [I'm surprised it took her this long], "You're THINKING about accepting? You're not packed and ready already?"

Suki explained before I could, "She isn't just thinking for herself anymore Ty-Lee. Mai's thinking about Tom-Tom too. They've built a whole new life here, a good one and her baby brother has started to flourish. FINALLY. Now that their toxic parental units are out of the picture."

That was the moment that ANOTHER friend came outta the woodwork. As Sokka appeared from thin air to ask, "Can I weigh in here? Or can I just steal a cup of tea at least for Zuko and me. I smell it all the way up there at my outpost. And it really smells too good?"

"Sokka?" I (Mai) had to ask.

"Yeah, hey Mai!" He said pouring himself some tea and downing it before he poured some more for himself (and a cup for Zuko).

"Is he evaesdropping again?" I asked looking around at all the rooftops and easily spotting him (even as he hid) off in the distance, now. But he had to be too far away to hear us, he always claimed he couldn't hear very well out of his left (scared) ear. Yet he usually didn't miss a thing I said, even when I stood on that side.

Sokka stole a seat beside Suki claiming, "Oh no! He stationed himself far enough away to give you space. I was the one who took the closer station to get the goods."

Suki scolded, "Sokka! What did we talk about before we came here?"

"That Toph and my listening in on conversations we're not supposed to hear has gotten out of hand. But Toph hears so much better than everyone else, she can't help that. And I'm naturally curious, by nature... You love this about me sometimes." He quirked his eyebrows at an unimpressed Suki. Before realizing, "You just don't right now." Then hee turned back to look at me, probably the safer warrior not peeved at him right now.

Sokka told me, "Just be honest with the little guy. Tell him the world's not all monsters, heroes, and Avatars. That people have both light and dark inside them. What counts is the part of them that they chose to be."

A loud and thunderous BOOM sounded behind us as another friend appeared. It was Toph, who must have jumped down from her perch on a roof and even though Zuko was far away I could just him facepalming and cursing off in the distance. Toph spit as walked towards us telling Sokka, "Mai isn't tell her brother not to be afraid of the dark, or his sister's a superhero, you idiot! She's trying to tell him that she's in love and they've probably got to move back to the Capital, even if life there pretty much sucked for the little guy."

Sokka asked her, "What do you know about any of this?"

She maintained, "More than you." Before they were both growling at each other angrily.

Pan got my attention and put out there, "Not to interrupt here, I know that this probably doesn't matter to any of you, I'm sure. But our son struggled all through his school experience too... till he made his first real friend in Tom-Tom. If he were to disappear now… I don't know how that would effect our son and his progress. We've had to consider moving to Capital City as well, because Zane and I could find work much easier there. But the only thing that has been holding us back on that decision has been how it would affect our own little Jax... it's a big deal."

Like Suki was reining in Ty-Lee, Zane was pulling back Pan too. Seriously, how did I not notice this before now. How similar they all are from one another. Suki just couldn't contain Ty-Lee for long [no one can]. She told me, "COME ON MAI! You've loved Zuko since we were little kids! Is there seriously anything to think of here? Tom-Tom loved him like a brother already, and just wants you to be happy too. Even he can see that you are happiest with Zuko, no matter how young or old he is."

Zane took my shoulder and turned me to look at him and Pan. He said, "Your friends are right. He'll understand, just talk to him from your heart... He'll get it. And if you wanted, we could let him finish out the school year here and bring him to you in Capital City when we move there."

"You're moving? When did you decide that?" I asked.

"Since our best friends are going to be living in Capital City too, it's a no-brainer," Pan told me. Before he took my other shoulder and said. "Start claiming your happiness Rai-I mean, Mai. Start right now, with Tom-Tom. Everything will fall right into place the second you do, you'll see."

So I marched inside of the school house and got Tom-Tom out a half hour early. Before I lost my nerve, to talk to him about all of this.

I tried to not think about all of the crazy friends I was leaving to basically take over the pick-up area. Outside of the school, Kiyoish warriors, Team Avatar people AND Zane and Pan (Who were already inviting everyone for an after-party at their house no matter what I decide). It was literally leaving a party, and I wondered for about the millionth time just what Zuko's Uncle Iroh had put in that tea. But I had to focus on my solution and Tom-Tom right now. He needed to know what was going on more than anyone else here. And we needed to ultimately decide for ourselves...he'd been in the dark long enough.

I took him to his favorite spot on the playground in the park. A short walk from his school's playgrounds that were always mobbed at the end of the school day. With kids waiting for parents to arrive. Everything was still deserted for the moment on both playgrounds too, because school was still in session. As we walked Tom-Tom was telling me all about his day like normal and I really did try to listen and respond whenever he cued me. But it was so hard today, harder than it had ever been in this new life.

Until my little brother totally took me by surprise and asked me. "How much do you miss Zuzu?"

I was so blindsided I asked, louder than I meant to. "What?"

"Zuzu," He repeated… "You love him so much you went to his last birthday party… even when you didn't know if he was gonna like you the same anymore. You said be happy to see you. Remember? If you were that brave and gone for that long with him. I bet you miss him a lot more than you'll tell me. ANd I bet he misses you too, because he loved you too."

I had to know, "What made you suddenly bring him up?"

"Jax," his new best friend (Pan and Zane's son). "Used his two dads today, as the FIRST thing he thinks about when he hears the word 'love.' Our teacher went around and asked the whole class the same question and almost everyone's answers were their Mother and Father. Jax has two dads so he was a little different. But not really, because not only do his dads both love him the same, like moms and dads should. But they love each other so perfectly too. I was almost the only kid who couldn't say the same."

"Well, what did you say?" I asked out of curiosity.

"For my teacher, I just said you. My sissy, because I really could only think of you at the time." He explained so well for such a little guy. I couldn't even speak that openly at that age. How does he make it look so easy?

Tom-Tom went on, "You changed your whole life around just so you could keep me safer, and with you. And whenever I say thank you for anything, do you even hear it? You don't seem to expect it or even think I see all you do for me. But I do, and if that isn't love than I don't know what is. I only wish Mother and Father could still be with us, so they could see how it's done… the right way… but I don't miss them as much as I know I should… Sissy, does that make me a bad person? Because I didn't say they were the best love I ever saw?"

I had to fight to try very hard not to cry, this kid. He doesn't even realize how COMPLETELY he's got me wrapped around that little finger of his. I had to not cry and not choke on my words when they came out all hoarse and weird. "No Tom-Tom, you're not a bad person, you're just being an honest one. Thaty's not on you it's our parents who are the bad people. Mother and Father want to act like they don't have children now-"

He finished for me, "So we gotta act like we don't have parents too… Till they want us again?"

I stayed consistent with what I've always told him. "We may decide to let them be our family again one day. But we don't have to, and I'm not so keen on giving them a chance to hurt us again. Not after a history that's so stained and ugly with ruined chances that only seem to hurt you and me."

"Me either," He agreed. "But we weren't talking about them, this was about Zuzu." He reminded me as we sat on the swings, facing each other, side by side.

"Yes," I perked up, "What in the world made you bring him up?"

"Weeeeeell," He drew out adorably, the little runt. "Long after my teacher asked her question about love, I was still thinking about it. And the more I thought about it, I kept thinking about him."

"Zuko?" I asked.

He chirped, "Yep!"

"Why?" I still had no clue.

"Because I think you and him may be the best ex-am-ple of love I've seen. Real love, you know… not like the crushes I keep hearing about in class. Here today, gone tomorrow, but real love. That sticks around, even when you get thrown in a fountain together, and all wet. Even when one of you get banished, gets a horrible scar from his dad, even when you stopped Azula from killing him and had to go to jail… Even when you think it's over, it's never over, THAT kinda love is what you two have."

Wasn't I worried about explaining any of this to him a minute ago? Now I felt like he should be explaining things to me. This kid. I can't. I just can't.

He went on, "Before Mother and Father were busted, you got back together with him and were so happy about it. I remember that before everything went ka-blewy! Do you miss him? Think about him all the time? I bet you do."

I found myself admitting, to him, "I do."

Then he worried me saying, "But I could be thinking of him, because this morning on the way to school I saw a bunch of cloaked figures following us, the way Zuzu used to back home. Him and Ty-Lee and Suki. To make sure I gots to school safe with you. But they didn't want to get mobbed or recognized? Remember?"

"You saw a cloaked figure following us this morning? And you didn't tell me?" I asked with a new edge of warning in my voice.

"I only didn't tell you because they didn't feel threatening to me, they seemed protective. Like Zuzu and Kiyoshi warriors back home. So I didn't bother you, you had enough on your mind this morning… did I do bad?"

"Yes! Tom-Tom, always tell me when you see something like that." I demanded firmly, to think he'd spotted Zuko before I did, and the girls. But didn't tell me.

"Okay, I will, Sissy." He promised, before jumping off the swing and asking, "Can I go play yet?"

"No, hold on," I said as he sat back on the seat of the swing again. "I still need to talk to you about something that happened today while you were at school. Something we've been worried about too."

He guessed, "Did Jax's Dads come over and eat all the dip again?"

"No, this is bigger than that." I tried to prepare him.

"Did granny next door come over and take too much tea again?" He guessed again.

"No, bigger than that." I tried to warn him.

But he had to guess one more time, "Did Lady Ursa write to tell you she can't come this weekend?"

"Well, yes, but no. That isn't it, just let me explain, okay?" I asked him.

He said, "I'm listening."

"The cloaked and protective figures you saw were Zuko and his Kiyoshi warriors from home." I'd said, watching for his reaction. "They've found us and I was terrified when Zuko came to our door today and wanted to talk to me-"

"Bet he didn't want to take me away, did he?" Tom-Tom said sounding smarter than me.

"He didn't," I explained, how did this little twerp know something even I wasn't sure of? That was about Zuko. "He didn't want to take you away, or lock me up. He wanted to talk to me and see if we were alright-"

"I told you Zuzu wouldn't hurt us, he loves you too much." Tom-Tom smiled and he was right. He had said it a few times since we started this new chapter together. Before today too, but I had no way of knowing what to believe until I'd spoken with Zuko today. And I'd been too afraid to hope for anything besides keeping Tom-Tom safe and with me at all costs. I'd had no idea that Zuko would show up asking for all the same things I'd wanted. Even the things I'd been too hopeless to even dream of. Or that I would have such an easy time explaining it ALL to my baby brother.

When I told him about Zuko's three offers. All about coming back to Capital City, and living with him at the palace. How one was an offer of friendship, one was to be his girlfriend, and the other was to marry him. Tom-Tom simplified everything jumping up and down in front of me. Saying, "You gotta marry him sissy! You gots to! He misses you and you miss him. Why be sad when you can be together and happy? You gots to marry him."

"Wow, why didn't I come to you first?" I asked him, he was so sure about this solution. Before he even knew what this would mean for him. Everyone else had been tiptoeing around me and not wanting to tell me what to do. Tom-Tom told me, "Do what makes you happy, Sissy and I'll be happy too. Why didn't you just tell Zuzu 'yes' in the first place? You love him, he loves you, what's there to really think about here?"

I really hope Ty-Lee hadn't heard that, but I know she did because I heard a "YEAH!" in the bushes too close to doubt we had spys surrounding us.

I let Tom-Tom know anyway, "I didn't want to say anything before I talked it over with you. Because this isn't just my life anymore, everything we do and decide, affects both of us. And I wanted you to know that you have a say in this as much as anyone. Because we come as a package deal, you and me. And what you think is important to me."

He didn't miss a beat, "I know that! I do! But Sissy, this is your happiness and Zuzu's. Whatever it takes, let's do it."

I warned him, "This means moving back to Capital City, being back at your old school next year. Pan, Zane and Jax are going to finish out the school year here and have offered to keep you with them till the end of term in a few weeks. They've also said, that they are moving to Capital City too after that, so you'll still have your best friend in classes with y-"

"YAAAAAAAAAAY!" He cheered and took off running back to the schoolyard to hug Jax's two dads. As soon as they were done celebrating. He noticed Suki and Ty-Lee standing there too along with a bunch of his old kiyoshi warrior friends. Sokka and Toph too! And he was hugging EVERYONE.

Well, he'd made that easy… What else was this kid gonna pull?

Nothing could have prepared for what he did next… nothing. After hugging and greeting everyone, he said, "Where's Zuzu. I'd like to speak with him, man to man if he wants my Sissy." He'd said that so grown up and confidently. Then he asked Sokka all uncertain, "That's what I'm suppose to say isn't it. I gotta protect my sissy? Huh Sokka?"

And Sokka said, "Yeah! Who else is gonna look out for our crazy sisters? Good job, man! We'll set it up."

What is even happening right now?

---

(Zuko's Perspective)

I'd been watching over things from the roof tops, giving everyone the space they needed hopefully. Trying to decide when the best time to climb down and rejoin everyone would be. I had no way of knowing and I was still out of my mind worrying about what Mai would decide. But just before I was about to climb back down and go to the schoolyard where nearly every one was gathered. And Sokka had NEVER brought me any tea!

Suki and Ty-Lee stopped me and made me go back up to the roof I'd been staying on. Telling me that I had a very important meeting that needed to happen in private and before anything else happened.

I asked them both, "Can't it WAIT? I really need to talk to Mai and hear if she's made a decision."

They both bit back grins and told me, "No! It CAN'T wait!"

Ty-Lee had even added, "Not if you want an answer from Mai today."

Suki told me, "Just sit down, we'll bring him to you. But this meeting needs to happen in near private. Without too many eyes."

"Okay, but let's make this fast." I told them, in my Fire Lord tone. "I need to talk to Mai and see if Tom-Tom and her have made a decision together yet."

Kiyoish warriors spread out all around the surface of the roof. To secure the rooftop again, while Suki and Ty-Lee both fought to keep straight faces (that should have been my first clue). Ty-Lee said theatrically, "Okay, good sir, the Fire Lord will see you now."

Then the tiny person stepped up onto the rooftop with us. "Tom-Tom!" I greeted and he held his arms out for a hug. I let him know, "I can't believe how tall you've gotten, little man. How are you?"

"I'm good." He smiled, "I'm doing better in school, I like my teachers and classmates here. Sissy's been taking really good care of me."

"I don't doubt that," I'd said as we both sat together on the trim of the roof. It was kinda like a concrete bench all the way around. And I asked, "So it was you who wanted to have a meeting with me?"

"Yep." He affirmed with bounce in his seat. "Because I hear that you asked my Sissy to move back home with you. Is that true?"

"Yes, it is," I let him know. "And I told your Sissy that whatever way she's the most comfortable with that happening. Is what we'll do, if she wants to be friends, boyfriend and girlfriend-"

Tom-Tom finished for me, "Or marry her? Right?"

"Yes, that's right." I wanted to let him know that I was including him in all of this too. That I considered him one of the MOST important people in my family. But he was more concerned with another part of this talk.

"Well, I told my Sissy that she should marry you, cause it's what would make both of you the happiest." Have I mentioned that I love this kid? "But I think she's afraid to even tell you 'yes.' Even if it is what she wants." Seriously, who could not LOVE this little guy? He understands Mai so well, in a glance.

"How come?" I had to hear his opinion on this.

"Because our parents are bad people, and they wanna forget us now. Act like we're not here." He explained, "And no matter how old or young, tough or weak, big or small a person is… that hurts all over. When your very own Mother and Father don't want you."

"Tell me about it." I had to agree with him. Who could ever say this kid wasn't bright?

Tom-Tom went on, "I think it's hurt my Sissy way more than she'll ever say too. Even to me, and we're all each other's got. But I don't want Mai to miss out because of them or me. And I think she would be missing out if she didn't say yes to you now."

He had to know, "I've missed the both of you more than I can say, Tom-Tom. I've been thinking about both of you every single day since you disappeared on me. It's important to me that you're both in my life, no matter what your Sissy decides today… okay? I can't lose either of you again."

"I know," he said, like it wasn't a big deal. "But what IS im-port-tance to ME, Zuzu. Is that if you were to marry my Sissy today, sometime soon, or years from now. That you take GOOD care of her, no matter what. Because she stopped her whole life for me, just because she thought something could try to steal me away. She didn't have to do that, but that's how much she loves the people important to her. Like you and me, she saved you from your Sissy A-Zooo-la, many times and she saved me from my parents a bunch. If you marries her… You gotta love her that same way, or it's not okay with me… I gotta know you love her the same way. Enough to rearrange your life if something tried to take her away."

As if I needed to love him more, this little guy was gonna be something else when he grew up. I told him from the heart, "Tom-Tom if your sister says yes to me ever. It doesn't even have to be today, but if she ever says it. You have my word that I will always do my best to take care of her. Even when she doesn't see it that way, or agree with my way of doing it. I swear to you it's all I want to do, I want us to all be a family. You, Mai and me. And I don't want the two of you to ever have to disappear like this again. Not without me, okay? Because that's what real family does, they stick it out and figure it out together. And that can't happen for either of us, if you're not with us too."

He hugged me around my neck, so I hope he heard all he needed to hear. And I hope he knew how vital he was to all of our plans too. Moving forward, I really did hope we could be the family this little guy deserved. And should have had all along. I hoped I could make him as happy as I planned on making Mai. And as I knew having them with me would make me feel.

Out of nowhere, Mai's voice voice asked, "Mind if I join this man-to-man talk?"

I told her, "Sure, how long were you standing there?"

"Long enough." She said stealing the seat beside me while Tom-Tom still sat on my lap but turned to face Mai.

Her face was probably blank looking to anyone who can't read her expressions. But I could tell from her eyes, she was having a hard time reigning in her emotions. The more she lost the fight, the gladder I was, because who knows how long she's been bottling this up.

Tom-Tom reached out from his spot on my lap to take both of Mai's hands. And tell her, "It was okay," before she started talking.

"The three of us… being a family, together… like I just heard both of you talking about. It's something I never could even dream of… because… I didn't think it was possible." She began.

Tom-Tom asked, "Now that you know it can happen. How do you feel, Sissy? What do you want to do?"

But when she locked eyes with me, I knew her answer before she said it. And I think Tom-Tom did too. Because he just launched forward and hugged his sister. And started cheering!

But I was gonna need a little more than that, after more than three months of HELL. I needed verbal confirmation. So I asked, "Can I take that as a yes? You're coming home again? With me?"

"I am," she affirmed. "And after hearing you talk with me and my brother. I'll marry you w-" I stopped her right there with a quick kiss that hopefully didn't squish or gross out Tom-Tom too much.

When we stopped she finished saying, "I'll marry you whenever and however fast you can arrange it. But since you're the Fire Lord and I am former governor's and current criminal's daughter, with a baby brother to care for. I don't know how you're gonna convince the Fire Elders to let you marry into this family. When you've recently been shown too many better options."

I assured my official fiancee, "Oh don't you worry, you just leave that to me. But be ready, because if you really mean what you just said. We're getting married this weekend."

Mai repeated, "This weekend, Zuko, it's Thursday, now. Are you telling me that you can have an official wedding set up in a few days?"

"Or hours." I shrugged, Letting her know, "Hey! When I proposed, I planned for everything. Even a yes like this, leave it to me and we're leaving tonight. Anyone or thing you want to take with you for this? We move at nightfall."

Pan announced, "Party at our house for anyone not packing their lives and marrying into royalty. Zane's gonna help you Mai, the rest of us are gonna party till this night FALLS!" He said to the cheers of everyone else.

I was worried about Tom-Tom missing school for this. But thankfully Pan and Zane had caught the boy's teacher and explained what's happening. The boys wouldn't have to present their report till Monday now. So everything was set, all I had to do was pack up the little life I feel like I'd just finished unpacking here. And get ready for this even crazier new chapter. Where I would be getting married in the quickest time possible... Is it possible to get whiplash from your own life's twists and turns?

---

((Lady Ursa's Perspective))

I could hardly believe it when my son was able to keep his promise. But bright and early Friday morning, his Uncle Iroh's birthday officially. Just as Zuko had planned he was back before his uncle could wake up. Before our celebrations could begin. He and all of his protectors came to Toph's new island, right on time. The first person I saw besides my son was little Tom-Tom waving to me and calling his greetings. So he must have been successful in convincing Mai of his steadfastness too. I couldn't seem to stop the tears of joy as they rolled down my face. He'd been so hopeless-looking when I'd arrived at Capital City. Looking at him now he didn't even resemble that same person. with little Tom-Tom on his shoulders.

Kiyi had spotted her big brother and friends too. The airships had hardly landed and she was bolting to hug them all. I think she did just manage to greet everyone before Tom-Tom and her were off with little Jax in tow. Creating some game together as they ran off to play. Ikem promised to keep an eye on them while I got the full story from my only son about his journey.

It didn't shock me that when I reached him, he had Mai stitched to his side. She was wearing her hair back in the customary style she used to always wear it in, she wasn't wearing the skin tinting cream and she was back to her old style of dress. I don't think I could have fit the thinnest sheet of paper between them either. Zuko's grip on her was too true and her returning grip was just as strong.

So I asked the question I had been dying to ask for days. I asked, Mai. "How do I greet you now? Do I still have to call you Rai? Do I get to call you Mai, again? Or do I FINALLY get to finally call you my daughter? And Fire Lady to be?"

Zuko answered for her, "She said yes, mother. She said YES! Where's Uncle?"

First I told him, "I knew she would, and I couldn't be happier for you both… your uncle isn't up yet, the others were waiting for you to wake him up. Something about it being a morning tradition? In team avatar, for whoever's got the birthday that day?"

"Great! I'll be right back." He said as he planted a kiss on Mai's cheek and hugged me as he went by.

I let him pass and get mostly out of earshot before I hugged my newest daughter into the family with a hug and cheer telling her. "Wait till you see the wedding we have planned here."

Mai said, shyly. "Zuko told me he left a lot of the planning up to you. Did he seriously leave you with a possible wedding to plan in a few days on top of Iroh's birthday bash?"

"Oh! You're saying that like it wasn't a total blast and challenge that I've LOVED-EVERY-MINUTE-OF! I just hope you like what we've put together. Katara and all of the other girls I could rustle together. Oh! And Aang has been most helpful too. When most men are useless in weddings like this."

"Well, I've never been one of those little girls who was always planning a wedding day in her head." Mai shared not able to look me in the eye. Like she was so afraid I would find her peculiar. "I think you'll find me surprisingly easy to please when I have no idea what I want for a wedding."

"I thought it had been you always playing the groom in Azula's and Ty-Lee's play wedding, growing up. Why didn't you ever insist on throwing a play wedding where you were the bride?" I had to know, after more than a week of looking back at the memories and portraits depicting those tender and simpler times.

Mai shrugged, "I never thought I would ever need to practice it, because I seriously didn't think I would ever marry at the time. I'm still in shock you're son seems to think I'm a catch-"

"Because you are, my dear." I felt I needed to assure her, "You are a catch. And I seriously never thought I would ever utter this to ANY living soul my children brought home. But Mai, after watching you grow up and spending the time with you, my family has these past several months. I can say with no hesitation or doubt. My son is very lucky to have you and Tom-Tom in his life. I know the three of you will be a family and happy." That was when I spotted Mai's two newer friends she'd introduced me to weeks ago. Pan and Zane, who were always the party. And they ran over greeting me and begging to see where the wedding would be happening.

So Mai and I ended up heading up a large group of enthusiastic party-goers curious about the wedding that was slated to be happening tomorrow evening… if not this evening. I was prepared for WHATEVER was decided on.

---

(The Birthday Boy's [Iroh's] Perspecitive)

I had been seeing so much whispering and planning going on. I figuired it was mostly for me, but I started to doubt it yesterday when we arrived at Toph's newly formed island and I saw ALL of my former sister-in-law's work. Setting up for what looked like some kind of formal ceremony, and not a birthday.

I really had thought that some warriors were planning to be gifted medals or better rankings. Until I saw a bunch of the girls following Toph, Katara and Lady Ursa all carrying armfulls of flowers and spreading them everywhere over there. If I didn't know any better, it looked like a wedding of some kind was going to take place. On this brand new island, what a wonderful idea. Weddings are such a happy occasion.

So my mind started to try and figure out who that could be for. And distracted me completely from any possibilities of this being a birthday thing anymore.

Could it be that Ursa and Ikem were looking to renew their vows? Was it some of the Kiyoshi girls wanting to marry each other again. I still boast that as being the best wedding I ever attended, in my life… and I am turning 68 today. But don't tell Zuko, he thinks it's a milestone year, and I haven't got the heart to ruin it for him. By being younger than he probably suspects.

Then this morning, first thing my nephew and most of team Avatar nearly knocked my door down wishing me a happy birthday. Just when I thought that they'd all forgotten. Oh! How wonderful it was… even if it did get my heart going very early today. Who could possibly complain during such an outpouring of kindness, towards an old man like me?

I was slapped on the back by all of the guys and kissed on my cheeks and balding head by all of the girls. Before everyone cleared out leaving me with my nephew. Who looked like he had something to tell me. Something important. I could just see him struggling to find the words.

But when he was able to speak, I did not expect the first thing he said to be. "Sorry I was a little later than planned, getting here-"

"Nephew, you're the Fire Lord." I reminded him. "I'm too thrilled you found anytime at all. I can't believe you arranged all of this and totally took me by surprise too."

He asked me like he didn't believe me, "You really had no clue?"

"No, I really didn't," I said, honestly. "Not when we got here and I saw that set your mother and all of the other girls have been working on. Is Toph letting someone get married here on her island? The set their building looks more like a wedding than a birthday party."

I watched a big breath leave Zuko before he began explaining, "The original idea was just to celebrate your birthday here this weekend and let you party as much as you want with all of your friends. Today, I'm still hoping we can do that… BUT, tomorrow night… if it's alright with you, and I'm not stealing your thunder… I would like to have a wedding here-"

"Sure!" I was already telling him, "You know, I love weddings." Not realizing I was not getting the full gravity of what he was trying to tell me.

When he asked me his next question, he didn't look like the confident Fire Lord at all. He looked like the little boy asking for something he shouldn't have. As he'd asked me, "Even if this wedding is for me?"

I can't even remember what I said, I was too elated! I picked him up and swung him around, overjoyed. Because I knew there was only one lady who could get this reaction out of him. He must have finally relocated Miss Mai at long last. And he doesn't want to let her out of his sight again… not that I can blame him. He's been so broken-hearted and down since she disappeared without a trace. Even when he had a very good guess at why she'd needed to. He missed that little brother of hers too. He'd always regarded him almost same as his own dear little sister Kiyi.

So from now on, my birthday and the day after shall BOTH be something to celebrate. Who could possibly ask for anything more? And I was getting a new niece and nephew out of this! I already had been thinking of Mai and Tom-Tom as part of my family for years, but making it legal. Was the greatest birthday gift I could have ever received… especially seeing Zuko so happy. That had been the BEST part.

I didn't get to see Mai till my party was in full swing. But I hope I let her know how happy I was for her. That she was finally a part of my family, Officially! Her and Tom-Tom! I even stole a dance with my new niece. Though Zuko didn't make it an easy thing to accomplish, dancing almost every single time with his fiancee. And he wouldn't be getting to call her that very long at all. Tomorrow she would be his wife, so who could blame him?

The twists and turns of this life will never cease to amaze me.

---

((Mai's Perspective))

I know we're getting married tomorrow and there will be plenty of time to be together after that. But when Zuko and I had to go our separate ways the night before our night... it was really tough. Far tougher than I expected.

Not even just because I knew what to expect for my sleeping arrangements. I knew had to spend one more night wedged between my kicking brother, smothering with snuggles Ty-Lee, and however many friends we could fit in the same bed as me. This one last time...

I missed him so much, even though I knew he was in the same building.

I was anxious for tomorrow night, when it would be just me and my new husband. And I hoped wherever he was finding himself resting tonight, he would get more sleep then I was. But when the moment came to say goodnight to him... I found myself surprisingly clingy. Having the hardest time letting go of him. And I wasn't the only one.

I ended up whispering to myself more than him, "One more night apart, let this one stay Iroh's. Tomorrow night can be ours."

Zuko had kissed me like tomorrow was coming, and didn't make it ANY easier.

But then we'd let go of one another and followed our friends for this one last night separated.

---

((Azula's Perspective))

When I first received an invitation to my Uncle's 70th birthday party. My first thought was, isn't he turning 68? But my next thought was, they must have sent this to the wrong person, along with a pass that would clear me from my current home (mental institution), for a visit to an island somewhere in the tropics. I really did think my mother was the crazy one, when she'd even sent a group of kiyoshi warriors specially trained "to handle me." Don't all mother's make such arrangements for their full grown woman daughters?

I thought Uncle isn't even really turning 70… What's her deal?

But then I arrived, still wrapped up tightly in my straight jacket, that I could have gotten off anytime I wanted to. But I was that curious about what was even happening here. What was this party, and why was I invited?

The place where this soiree was set to happen ended up belonging to the Avatar's Bei Fong descendant (Toph) this newly formed island somehow belonged to her. I did wonder at how the bite-sized earthbender had managed to form a full island. When she can't seem to do anything this magnificent in her own bending capabilities. Poor little blind bat-rabbit, she must know some greater benders.

But then Ty-Lee was standing with my mother at the docks waiting for me. And this started to seem like a legit thing to me. My mother has always feared me and not known what to do with me. Thankfully Ty-Lee wasn't so stumped, and if nothing else, could help me make sense of all of this.

The last thing I EVER expected, though. Would be that both my brother and Mai wanted me here because they were going to get married, tomorrow. On this all but deserted and unknown island! The same brother Mai has been running from for months. And I had been concealing even as Zuko had asked me outright, per her request! Tonight would be all for our Uncle's wrongly numbered birthday and tomorrow my dum-dum brother had somehow convinced one of my best friends to marry him?

I'm not gone enough to take that sitting down. I wonder, what in the HELL did I miss?

Ty-Lee wasn't cutting it for me either, I wasn't getting all of the answers I required. Suki was even less informative and I might as well not even ask my Mother. So I asked Mother dear, and the rest of my handlers, for a private audience with Mai so that we could discuss this. And was surprised how easily I was granted this. Mai even let me outta the straight jacket for our talk and didn't even frisk me for weapons. So I didn't pull any on her. (Even though I could have, but I'm sure Mai is armed as well… she always is.)

Finally I got the full story of how it had all been a misunderstanding. How my father had been the one trying to steal Mai's mini sibling. Prize that he is, and make him into more of a weapon to be used, instead of the uninteresting little boy Mai protects like a mother lioness. I guess Mai and me aren't the only living weapons to disappoint so many fire elders lately, and the old kooks are running low on people they can ruin.

But as enteraing and surprising as Mai's talk was, the one that followed shocked me even more. My brother asked for a chance to talk to me, and the first thing he'd said, was 'he was glad I was here.'

I told him, "No need to lie Zuzu. I know that I'm only here because of my sorted history with Mai. She was my friend first, even if she did always love you more."

But Zuko was obstinate, "No Azula, I'm glad you're here. You're my sister and I wouldn't want to do something this huge without you."

"Aww, sweet ideals from the one who had me put away." I reminded him, "Not to mention the brother who has replaced me with a tiny, sweet-cy, half-BABY-sister. You don't need me anymore."

But Zuko maintained, "Mother and I could never replace you, and even our father struggles with finding anyone he could trust the way he trusted you. Not that he would ever admit that."

"You mean, manipulate to his will, and carry out his dirty work. That is ALL father had me do." I corrected him and he made me look at him when he asked me.

"You're finally realizing that?" He'd asked dumbly.

"I always knew that dum-dum." I shook my head at him. "I just thought our father held all the best cards and couldn't possibly lose to twelve-year-old boy Avatar and you… It took this many YEARS of intense therapy and medication for me to say that I was the wrong one. Don't ask me to say it again, I don't want to relapse."

He admitted, "Well, I didn't have to be in sessions like you. But I've still carried plenty of guilt over not being able to help you more back then. About not being a better brother to you, better family to you."

I can't believe I'm telling him this, but I reminded him. "You were banished for years Zuko, and even from that first moment I saw you again. I didn't treat you like family, it was all about personal gain with father. You handled me the way you had to, I wasn't a perfect sister either."

"No you weren't," He admitted, "But you are my sister, the only one I've known most of my life, and you are important to me. I need you to know that. If I didn't love you, I would lock you up and forget you, but I could never do that. Neither can our Mother, we are family and it's time we started acting like it. Starting today. I'm building this new family with Mai, Tom-Tom, and I want you to know that you're part of it too."

I was so shocked, I let him keep going. "I wanted you to stand with me when I marry Mai tomorrow. But I know she's already asked you to stand with her and you agreed. So I'll ask you to please, stand with us for the both of us. Even if you are on Mai's side as you should be. Keep that in your mind and know I'm as happy to have you with us as Mai is."

I don't know why this seemed to touch my heart in such a mushy, soft and touchy-feely way. It's not something I'm used to feeling, but when it was time the following evening to stand with Zuko and Mai… I shed more than a few tears because for the first time ever… I actually felt like family. And the future for those fleeting moments didn't seem so pointless or bleak. They felt full of possibilities and dare I say it hope.

And I actually had friends and family… when I'd really thought that was impossible for me to ever have. Just as Mai had at one time. Maybe the word impossible isn't as strong as I've always thought, maybe I can find a romantic love like that of my very own… and maybe, just maybe, I can be okay again. And not have to be locked up for the rest of my life…

I don't think I would have ever even thought that possible. If I hadn't seen my brother and one of my best friends finally marry each other.

Who knew?

---

((Zuko's Perspective))

The next few days were all a big blur, to me. But I think Uncle's birthday was a HUGE success. He seemed to have way too much fun and he slept very LATE into the following day. Good thing the wedding was always planned to happen at night. Because if it had been slated for the morning, and he slept through it… then my uncle, one of the most influential and important people in my LIFE. Would have missed my wedding, That was how mandatory and necessary this wedding was to me.

I had gotten the 'yes,' I'd gotten the 'okay' from Tom-Tom. My mother set it up, BOTH of my sisters were in attendance. Team Avatar was here, all my favorite Kiyoshi warriors were present, and white lotus sentieres too. One of my sisters was the flower girl the other was standing with the bride wearing a straight jacket that matched the color of all the other girls dresses. Azula got to stand with Ty-Lee, Suki, Pan and Zane (holding Jax). But they were here… everyone was there.

My Uncle and Tom-Tom were my best men, Standing with my Mother, Ikem, Aang, Sokka, Katara, Toph and me. I was so determined for this to happen before Mai could overthink it.

I was acting like a crazy person till the time for that wedding got here. It would be a historical fact that took place the night following my uncle's birthday, so our anniversary would be an easy date to remember too.

Mother planned it to happen at night, wisely. I thought my mother had planned it that way to play off on how much this bride loved the color black. But when I was standing there waiting for my bride. In all of the stars and candlelight… When the officiator stepped out and fire bent all of that candlelight to cue the bride's arrival… It really was the most romantic thing I'd ever seen, or been a part of and it took FOREVER for Mai to reach me.

But when her hand was finally in mine, I could breathe again.

Then this bullhead traditionalistic officiator asked, "Who gives this woman to be wed." Crap! Why didn't someone tell him the situ-

But Tom-Tom spoke up and said, "Me! I do!" Then he'd used his finger to help him wink at Mai, since he's still not good at it yet. And I'd seen her wink back at him adorably.

I promised the rest of my life to her, and she promised the rest of hers to me… I have to say, I couldn't have picked anything more perfect than this even if I had tried. I needed to do something for my mother and her family to say thank you, and Toph too, for letting us be the first people ever married on her island. A privilege that she'd probably wanted for herself, now that I think about it.

I try to pack every minute of that ceremony in my memory. I really never want to forget it, and for something that I had been WANTING for so LONG. Hoping to do for YEARS! It felt like it was over in a flash, the next thing I knew, everyone was heading off to bed. Tom-Tom was being handed off to Zane and his husband Pan, their son Jax was already asleep and Tom-Tom wasn't far behind him. Tom-Tom had told Mai to, "have a fun wedding night." Like he knew what that meant.

Zane promised that they wouldn't leave tomorrow till Tom-Tom had a chance to see the both of us. He needed to head back to their new school and finish out his year there. Which was only a few weeks more of classtime. Pan had teased us both, "Plenty of time for a nice lengthy honeymoon, newlyweds."

I glanced at Mai's face which was just as mortified as mine. I could feel the burn of my own blush while Mai just pinkened a bit under her eyes. She rarely blushes, EVER! But even she was trying to change the subject QUICK. Even though her newest best friends were merciless!

I was a wreck, for real! A total wreck! And ALL of my friends had a blast, teasing me about it. Aang, Sokka and Toph had fired off so many zingers. At my expense, that I had to just start tuning them out. I was such an easy target that Katara, Suki and Ty-Lee all got some good ones in there too. But Azula (of course) and Uncle had joined forces to be the dirtiest and most brutal jokes of all. My sister had even shown great comradery with Team Avatar for once. She had them all wiping at tears they'd been laughing so much.

This was the thing I had been looking the most forward to about marrying Mai. Being with her, and not having to sneak around or hide things anymore. Just go, be with her, and no one could say a thing to either of us. I think I've even mentioned before that while we've fooled around for years, there are plenty of things we've saved for this moment and this night too. If we ever got to it.

Now that those moments were here and it really was our wedding night… I was freaking out for a whole new list of reasons. Completely different from the list I'd been losing it over BEFORE the wedding. The Fire Elders WISH they had me this worked up over all of the rules this wedding had just BROKE. And how many families of next to royal status I had just effectively jilted. But the thing that had me the most nuts, I know had been when Mai had announced, "I'm heading up to bed."

She'd pecked me on the cheek and whispered, "Don't keep me waiting too long, hot shot."

If I wasn't postal before… I was now.

I knew what she wanted, what she was waiting for… and even though I wanted it too. I was a mess. Until my Uncle finally had mercy and pulled me aside. He told me, "I think if you had married one of those random girls back home. You would have every right to freak out like you're doing right now. But I think what you need to remember right now is that this isn't one of those random girls and this isn't the first time you've been alone with her either. This is Mai, she just became your wife tonight. And she isn't expecting anything from you except your love, Zuko. That's all she wants, go be with her, leave the rest of the party to me, your mother and Ikem. Go be with her and I'm sure you'll see I'm right. And there was nothing to be nervous about. All you have to do is be with her."

What great advice that was, and he was right. I knew the moment I walked into our shared room. And saw her, he WAS right.

She was sitting on our bed, looking through some of her belated birthday gifts she'd just gotten today, months later than her birthday. Her hair was all down and combed out, and she was wearing one of my sleep shirts that looked WAY better on her than it EVER had on me.

When she looked up and saw me standing there, still dressed all formally from our wedding. She said, "Took you long enough."

On reflex, I argued, "I wasn't that far behind you."

"No, just a full hour plus eight more minutes." She'd been timing me, she walked over to me and asked almost smartly. "Was that long enough for you to get all of that 'freak out' out of your system? Or do you wanna go back out there and come back again?"

"I think I'll be fine," I'd said confidently, even though I felt like a whole new list of things to freak about had just written itself in record time. I said, before I even knew what I was doing. "You borrowed one of my shirts?"

"Hope you don't mind, it's a lot more comfortable than any of the things the girls wanted me to wear." She'd said far too suggestively.

I did ask her, "Like what? For example?"

She'd said simply, "Later... I promise. When the luggage carrying those clothes are found (sounds a little convenient that they're missing)... But tonight I needed both of us to be comfortable and a little less complicated. Is that okay with you?"

"Are you kidding, it's perfect, YOU'RE perfect." I had to tell her first. "Feel free to raid my closet any time. That shirt never looked that good on me."

She acted like she was telling me a secret, but what she whispered was, "It's probably no secret to you that the trick is to not wear much underneath."

Yep, this woman is my match, in everyway… no way, I could have had this night with any one else. She smirked at whatever face I was making and suggested. "Why don't you go get a little more comfortable, like I did. I'll be here whenever you're ready for bed."

I had to say, "Bed, but not sleep… right?"

And she'd said, "Not yet, anyway."

"Good," I did just manage to say before stealing a kiss from her that lingered way longer than either of us thought it would. She didn't just look fantastic in my shirt, she felt amazing in it too. Against my hands in that kiss.

When the kiss ended she asked me, "Still nervous about being alone with me? Now that I'm not just your girlfriend anymore?"

I leaned my forehead against hers and took a breath before I answered her honestly, "No. I'm not nervous… but I was before we got here. Only because I've thought about this and wanted it longer than I realized. And a lot is riding on it."

"No, it isn't." She corrected pressing me back against the door I'd just come through and putting her arms around my neck. "Not at all, I know that you're the Fire Lord and you're used to everyone expecting too much from you. But that has never been me and it will never be me. And tonight I'm not Fire Lady yet. I won't be that till we return to Capital City. Tonight I'm just Mai and you're just you, Zuko. And you're all I need… You've always been all I need."

"You're all I need too, Mai." I had to tell her before I corrected her. "But you were my Fire Lady too, long before tonight. You're the only one who I could ever be with like this. I've really never even thought of anyone else like this… only you."

"So you're not gonna be too scared to touch me now, like you were that night on the airship getting here?" She asked me so seriously.

I explained, "Tom-Tom was asleep between us on that airship. I was afraid if I let myself touch you, or kiss you too much then, that I wouldn't be able to hold back and might wake him up. I didn't want to traumatize the little guy any more than he's already been. I really do want to be his family with you. I meant that when I said it."

"I'm glad you do, but he's safely tucked in with his friend tonight. And there will be other nights he's between us again. It's a priority to me that when he's with us, we are his family. But when we are alone together, like now. That you won't waste that time." She made very clear, as I picked her up and placed her on the bed.

"Wait… right here, I'll be… right back," I said. Between kisses finally able to get to the bathroom and change out of these stiff and overly formal Fire Lord digs. I don't think I've ever stripped out of such formal wear, so quickly before in my life. I purposely picked out the bottoms that matched the top Mai was wearing. We were going to need to match each other more often than not, when we're Fire Lord and Lady respectfully. Might as well start practicing that now. I plan on claiming her in every way, starting here.

When I walked back into the bedroom, remember how I mentioned earlier. I had been doing my best to commit all of these things to memory. I hope I also never forget the picture of Mai laying in our bed. Smirking at me, her books were all put away and I was the center of her attention. Just like she was the constant center of mine.

She'd gotten comfortable under the covers, but when I climbed in behind her. I did notice a tremble creep down her spine before she'd turned to face me. She didn't want me to know that she was battling some nerves too. But I was strangely happy to see how similar we were, even in this moment. And as I put my arms around her, I felt something hard and cold underneath the material of her (but really my) shirt.

And I asked her, "What's that?"

And she made this face at me that was just a little mischievous. As she explained, "I seemed to remember from past experience that when we get here, even if you really want to help me out of my clothes… you won't. Unless you know you're helping me like that one time we got the closest to this happening before now. When you helped me disarm one night... So when I got ready for bed tonight, I purposely didn't take off all of my weapons. Hoping you could help me find the last few."

I had to say, "Wow," first. Before I said, probably a little too happily. "Yeah, sure! I can help with that, I only wish I was armed and you needed to help me the same way."

She snapped my waistband with her fingers against my hip and smiled, "I'm not the one who needs that much encouragement, if you remember?"

I had to tell her, "Mai, tonight, neither do I."

The magic that followed that statement is just between us. And I know I could never forget a second of it. Not as long as I live. And everything we'd been through had all been worth it, just to get here and be with her as I-we'd always dreamed.

---

That's all folks!

Well for this one-shot anyway! I hope you enjoyed it! I hope your having a GREAT day! Please review if you can, I would love to hear from you. Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcybeDippy85