Title: Azula's Good Night

Pairing: Azula/Ty Lee

Summary: Azula is having a good night, and for more reasons than you would think.

Author's note: My first (and probably last) story. After watching the first episode of Season 3, I got to wondering: where was Ty Lee? This story germinated from that question and refused to go away.

Azula's smile lingered as she laid her head down on her pillow. It was always such fun to mess with her dear brother's head; it was even more fun to do so while revealing the trap she had so neatly woven and that he had fallen into so completely.

Now no matter if the Avatar was alive or not, she would benefit. If he was by some miracle alive, Zuko would be disgraced once again, and it was doubtful he would be able to redeem himself a second time, bringing her that much closer to the throne. If the Avatar was dead, then Zuko was in debt to her for helping him to regain his honor and father's affection, and he would know it. That leverage could prove valuable. Her brother might still prove useful in…future situations.

"Yes," Azula thought contentedly, snuggling into the covers " it has been a very good night."

Her thoughts were interrupted by a stirring behind her and a feminine arm slipping over her stomach.

"'Zula?" murmured a soft voice. "Who was that?"

Azula's smile softened, becoming something that was almost gentle, as she stroked the arm draped over her abdomen. From the sound of it, Ty Lee was still more asleep than awake.

"Just Zuko," Azula replied in low voice, not wanting Ty Lee to wake anymore than she already was; as energetic as Ty Lee was during the day, she needed all the sleep she could get. "You can go back to sleep."

"Okay," came the almost inaudible reply. Azula waited while Ty Lee wriggled closer until the two were spooned together and she could feel Ty Lee's soft breathing gently tick the hairs on the back of her neck.

Azula smiled once more while giving Ty Lee's arm one final caress; still smiling that almost gentle smile, she slid into sleep herself.

"A very good night indeed."