"How was the cluster fuck down at the docks?" Azula walked over to Zuko and Katara as they made it back to the palace. Mai was at her side.

"Oh it was fine? Miscommunication and just some guy being a jerk," Katara was holding onto zukos arm as he held the door open for her as well.

"The chiefs are understanding though, they said to thank you and father for the hospitality," Zuko kept his eyes on his sister as he avoided acknowledging Mai.

"What even happened? Seemed like lots of fighting?" Mai scrunched up her nose confused.

"They wanted to know who attacked their princess but we handled it," Katara smiled, taking a step closer to Zuko so their shoulders where against each other.

Azula grinned at the body language as she found it amusing, she loved the tension in the air that radiated off of the two girls. She looked at her brother and he shook his head back, easily reading what was behind her eyes.

"So since You two are husband and wife, will you be sharing a room now?" Azula hummed.

"Uhh I don't... do we?" Katara asked looking at Zuko wide eyes.

"No, you get to keep your room, you deserve privacy kat," Zuko shook his head.

She smiled relieved, they may be close friends and accepting their marriage but she didn't want to lose her privacy. She was happy Zuko understood.

"How's your wounds?" Mai asked Zuko.

"Healed completely," he lied.

They stared at each other but there was something different. Mai seemed different. Sadder, actually concerned, genuine, it made Zuko feel sick almost to his stomach, it was unsettling and made him nervous.

Mai pursed her lips when Zuko whispered in Kataras ear for only her to hear. She looked back nodding and the two started to walk away.

"Tell father the water tribe was handled and sent off," Zuko rasped as they went through the door back outside.

Zuko closed the door all the way behind them and inhaled a shaky breath, he closed his eyes but Katara pulled him along.

"I want you to stay close," Zuko whispered to her as they were side by side again.

"With us married, I'm worried, and who knows if the assassin is still close," he looked down at her as Katara stayed calm, she glanced over her shoulder seeing Mai again.

"And black sun is just as close, stay on your toes," Zuko glanced at mai as well unsure.

Katara nodded but another caught her eyes. Her heart sank to her stomach seeing Jet. He looked at her and motioned to the side. She gulped not liking this already.

"I'm going to grab something from my room real quick, you gonna be okay?" Katara kept her hand on zukos arm.

"I uh yea, I'll catch up with you in a minute," Zuko looked at her with a reassuring smile.

Katara nodded slowly and walked off past jet, he waited to make sure Mai or Zuko wasn't looking before he followed her through the palace.

Zuko ran a hand through his hair with a heavy sigh before looking at Mai.

"Can we talk?" Mai asked.

"Why?" Zuko fought the urge to look down at the ground and kept his head up.

"Because you almost died and I realized I have a lot to say still," Mai kept her arms crossed.

"I didn't almost die, it was a small attack," Zuko waved her off but she grabbed his wrist.

"You almost died Zuko, I couldn't live with myself if you died," she said desperately. He turned his head away.

"It doesn't matter, I'm fine now, it shouldn't matter to you," he narrowed his eyes.

"It does, I still love you," she whispered sadly.

"You don't hurt people you love, you don't hit someone you love Mai," Zuko growled back.

"I'm sorry I know, I just get so mad and upset because I can't have another chance... but I really love you Zuko," Mai reached and touched the side of his face, making him look at her.

"When's the last time someone said I love you to you?"  She whispered in his ear. His stomach dropped.

"I don't love you Mai," he closed his eyes.

"What? Your in love with Katara then? A water tribe peasant that only sees you as a friend? Or maybe just a keeper?" She frowned.

"I love you Zuko, I can make you feel loved, more than her," Mai looked at him callly.

"When's the last time you kissed someone? When has someone touched you like I have?" Her hands touched his biceps and skimmed over his chest.

"Don't," he grunted.

"Why?" She held his jaw gently.

"I love Katara, I'm in love with her, not you," Zuko glared down at her.

"Why? She doesn't love you," Mai brushed his hair out of his face.

"Because I like who I am around her, she's a good person, she's made me feel like a good person, I love her because I feel like I can accept myself for once, I love being around her," Zuko lead her hand off his face.

"I don't like being around you, I feel sick when I'm with you," he whispered back.

"Even if there means you never feel someone close to you? Never to feel a woman's love, lips, body again?" Mai raised a brow.

"Yes, I'm married, I'll honor her and I's marriage, I respect her," he nodded keeping his eyes down.

"Look at me and tell me that," Mai gulped a little, it truly hurt to hear that, they had love in their relationship, she didn't believe that.

Zuko looked into her grey eyes, he wanted to run, scream, burn something, he didn't feel scared or angry but there was a horrible feeling in his brain when he was with her. Like how he use to be when he came back to the fire nation.

"I dont love you, I choose Katara over you, I will always choose my wife over You," Zuko rasped as he clenched his jaw.

"Just leave me-" Zuko was cut off by her lips being pressed against his.

Mai had her hands cupping his face as she kissed him slowly with sweetness dripping, Zuko hesitated before pushing back in the kiss, as if he forgot what it felt like to be kissed.. to feel loved by another. His knees felt weak and he didn't feel any better kissing Mai back.

"Stop," he breathed trying to pull her hands off him.

"Mai, stop, no, I don't.." he was barely able to pull away as she pressed herself against him.

"Stop, please, I don't want it," zuko begged as he pushed her harder away.

"Then why kiss me back?" She smiled.

"I'm sorry I don't want- Mai no, I don't want you to touch me," he pried her hands that clung onto him.

"Please," zukos voice shook.

"Then listen to me for once, no one in this damn nation will love you, no one else ever is going to love you, not your family and not your wife, I'm the only person that'll accept you for your flaws, you know this," she touched her lips as she watched him.

"Stop, I can't do this anymore!" Zuko snapped but his eyes watered.

"Do what? The truth?!" Mai yelled back stepping forward.

Suddenly there was a cry and Mai fell to through unconscious with the Lee standing behind her with tears in her eyes.

Zuko stood there shocked as a tear ran down Ty lees face as she stood over her friend but looked at Zuko wirh pity.

"What did you do?" Zuko whispered.

"I'm sorry," Ty Lee ran into him with her arms wrapped around his shoulders. "I'm sorry zuko,"

Zuko didn't know what to think but kept his arms at his sides. He didn't know what to do as shock ran through him. But he closed his eyes and rested his head against hers and accepted it.