AN: Sorry it's taken me to long on this chapter! If you read any of my other stories you probably know that things have been a little hectic with trying to move and get things settled. But this chapter is going up in a large mass-update that I'm doing so I don't feel as bad about neglecting some of my stories. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own, please don't sue!

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Chapter 3

Leaving a meeting with his advisors, Zuko walked down the lengthy halls of his palace in search of his wife. He knew that she was most likely in the garden and had decided to make that his first destination. It was one of the places within the palace to which she seemed truly attached. The gardens were where she would play with her childhood friends, his sister and Ty Lee, and it was where she would often see him.

But as he continued on his way he noticed a servant running towards him before stopping to bow quickly in his presence. "My Lord," the young man rushed, "your presence is required in the medical chambers. Lady Mai was found unconscious in the gardens moments ago."

Zuko felt a chill grip him as he damned propriety and ran to be by his wife's side. He tried pushing away the thoughts of possible illness or death, but through years of his worst fears being confirmed it was hard to remain positive. As he ran he prayed that there was nothing wrong with his wife and unborn child.

Upon arriving at the medical chamber's doors, Zuko immediately sought answers. "Where is Mai? What happened?" He demanded heatedly of the head doctor.

Trying to remain calm in the young Fire Lord's presence the elderly doctor stated, "The Fire Lady is fine as of present. It appears that the pregnancy is putting more strain on her body than was anticipated, but this is not uncommon. It will be important that she gets her rest and eats well, but all should be fine in time." The doctor smiled when he saw Zuko visibly relax. "We can move her to your bedchambers to continue her rest, if you would like."

Nodding, Zuko agreed. "Yes, that would be best."

Zuko watched as the doctor turned to give the orders to his staff before moving back into the room. The relief that washed over him was immense. While it still worried him that Mai's body was being strained, things weren't nearly as bad as he had feared. He watched in concern as the nurses moved Mai to a rolling bed so that they could take her to the royal bedchambers and walked by the bedside the entire way.

It was several hours later when a knock came from their bedroom door. Zuko sat up and rubbed his eyes. He had decided to lie down for a while until Mai awoke.

Making his way across the room, he opened the door to see a girl whom he knew to run errands around the palace for servants in higher positions. She bowed deeply before holding out a scroll and saying, "I know that you did not wish to be disturbed for the rest of the evening, but you've ordered all letters from Ambassador Katara to be brought straight to you, My Lord."

Zuko took the scroll from the girl's hands and said, "It's no problem. Thank you, you may be on your way." With that he shut the door and walked towards one of the large windows and used the setting sun's rays to read the latest letter from his friend.

Zuko,

I'll send a formal update later after I've met with the Earth King, but for now I'm writing you strictly as your friend.

Congratulations! I can't believe that you're going to be a father! You shouldn't worry so much, though. You aren't anything like your father. You've had plenty of positive males in your life that you can draw parenting inspiration from. The fact that you're worried about being a good father should be proof enough that you'll do fine. And if you ever need advice you know that you can always ask your uncle.

Speaking of Iroh, I plan on visiting his tea shop while I'm in the city. I'll be sure to tell him the great news! So be expecting a letter from him or even a sudden visit because you know he's going to be excited.

I'm sorry that this letter has to be short and I can't express how happy I am for you with words, but the Earth King is holding a dinner in my honor that I need to prepare for. I'll write to you again soon, so until then tell Mai that she has my best wishes and I hope life is well for all three of you.

Your overjoyed friend,
Katara

Zuko started at the paper for a short moment before making his way over to the small desk that was positioned in the room. He rummaged through the drawers for a fresh scroll as he pulled out an ink set that had been an anniversary gift from Mai.

Katara,

He stopped for several moments trying to get his thoughts in order before continuing with what he wanted to say.

I am also writing you as a friend this time. Your words are encouraging and I thank you for them, but I am still worried. Though this time my fears have less to do with my competence as a father and more to do with the future of my child and Mai.

Mai's body is under more stress than the doctors had anticipated and she was found unconscious in the gardens earlier this afternoon. The head of medicine at the palace says that this isn't uncommon and that with enough rest and nutrition, Mai and the baby will be fine. But I'm still afraid of what could happen.

Until now I had only been concerned about what would happen after the baby was born. I never stopped to think of the dangers that childbirth itself carries. While I trust the palace doctors to know what they are talking about, I trust your opinion more. I need you to be honest with me. What dangers could Mai be in?

I know that you have the knowledge and experience of things like this and will not hesitate to tell me the truth. I suspect that the doctors here may not be telling me everything in fear of my anger. But you have never hesitated to tell me what I need to hear no matter the consequence. I need your advice, Katara.

I'll patiently await your reply, but please hurry. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Zuko

Quickly placing his wax seal on the scroll, Zuko moved to his bedroom door and called out to the nearest servant. "Take this to the messenger tower and have the fastest eagle deliver this to the Earth King's palace in Ba Sing Se." He watched as the servant nodded with wide eyes before taking the scroll and scurrying off to follow his orders.

Zuko returned to his bed and placed his head upon a cool pillow in an attempt to sleep once more. Turning onto his side, he looked at his wife before gently placing a hand on her lower abdomen and released a sigh. With any luck he would have Katara's reply within the next day or two.

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AN: Oh! Drama! I love a little angst ^.^ So there's chapter three. I already know what's going to happen in chapter four, and I might just go ahead and start on it now! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll hope to see you next time around. Let me know what you thought and thanks for reading!