Rhea knelt in the center of her cell as Ming entered the adjoining room with her food.

"Dinner time." She said cheerfully and placed the tray inside the bars.

Rhea made no move to accept the meal. She stared at the stone floor, her mind replaying her visit from Zuko for the hundredth time.

Finally, she looked up, meeting Ming's concerned gaze. "I need your help."
————
Ming stared at Rhea for a solid minute before she managed any words. "I... I can't do that."

"Please." Rhea pleaded. "He has to know I'm okay. Being stuck in prison is one thing, believing your loved ones are gone is so much worse."

"I'd be breaking every rule - the oath I swore when I became a prison guard." Ming kept her voice low so as not to be overheard.

"I know." Rhea hung her head. She shouldn't even be asking Ming to do this. It was a huge risk that could get her imprisoned... or worse if she were caught. "You don't have to do anything else for me. Just, please, tell Iroh I'm okay."

Finally, Ming nodded and slipped out of the cell without a word.
————
Rhea released the barred ceiling and dropped to the floor.

Ming closed the door silently behind her. She placed the food tray gently inside the bars, her hands shaking slightly.

Rhea met the kindly guard's gaze. "Well?"

"He had a... mixed reaction." She replied. "He's glad you're okay, but he hates the fact that you're in here." She glanced over her shoulder nervously.

Rhea approached the bars. "Thank you, Ming."

She nodded and hastily stood. "Enjoy your meal." She walked out, leaving Rhea to dwell in her thoughts.
————
Rhea sat with her legs crossed in the middle of her cell, deep breaths rising and falling in her chest. Her hands rested on her knees and she closed her eyes. Iroh had taught her to meditate during her first year in the Fire Nation. It had helped her cope with her nightmares. It still did. She often spent more time meditating than actually sleeping and it left her feeling more refreshed than a full night's rest ever had.

Her cell door squealed open. She opened her eyes and watched as one of the prison guards waltzed in. He smirked devilishly at her.

Rhea simply took a deep breath and closed her eyes once more.

Something clanged against the bars, jarring her out of her peaceful state. Sighing in frustration, she opened her eyes to glare at him.

The guard stood at the bars with his knife unsheathed. His wicked grin widened. "I heard you sent a little message to another prisoner."

Rhea didn't even flinch. "And why would I do that?"

He shrugged. "Maybe you're planning an escape."

"How could I possibly plan an escape with one message?" She challenged.

The guard scoffed. "Fair enough, but, you try that again," he opened his fist and flames licked across his fingers. "I'll make sure you never leave here."

Rhea pushed herself to her feet. "I'd like to see you try."

He growled, the flames in his hands blazing hotter.

Rhea cartwheeled backwards as he shot a jet of flames through her cell. She faced the armored soldier, unscathed.

Another guard barged into the room. "What's going on in here?!" He examined the scorch mark on the back wall and glared at the first man. "Get. Out."

They both exited the room, the second man slamming the door behind them.
————
Rhea looked up as Ming entered her cell with a tray of food. "I take it this means you're still in the clear?"

Ming nodded. "For now, yes. They haven't trailed it back to me... yet."

Rhea nodded her approval. "Good. I'd hate for you to get hurt because of me."

Ming set the tray down and Rhea noticed the slightest shaking in her hands. She met the woman's gaze. "You're nervous?"

Ming rubbed her hands as if willing them to still. "It's nothing. I've just... never seen a solar eclipse before."

"What?" Rhea's heart leapt in her chest.

"You didn't know?" Ming scrunched her brow in confusion. "The guards have been talking about it for over a week."

Rhea shrugged. "In case you haven't noticed, I don't get a lot of visitors."

"Right. Well," she coughed into her hand. "I think I may be coming down with something. I should go see about getting off early." She walked out of the cell without another word.

Rhea stared at the wooden door. A solar eclipse. This could be her chance. With Ming leaving early, she didn't have to worry about hurting anyone she didn't want to. This was it. As soon as that eclipse hit, she was getting out of this prison.

A/N
I'M SOOOORRRRYYYYYY!!!!!!!!
I can't even make the excuse of being sidetracked by another story, because I haven't written anything for like a month or two.
Anyway, sorry this one's a little shorter, but I hope you still enjoy it.
Again, I hope to get the next chapter out soon, but no promises.
Fingers crossed, I see you guys again soon.
-Cheshire