A year had passed since I was awake again, though it wasn't how I had hoped. I was bound to a wheelchair, making my life more difficult than when I was bedridden. As this time had gone on, Zuko began changing. He was paranoid that someone would constantly watching him, that someone was trying to assassinate him.

"Ever since I agreed to the Harmony Restoration Movement," he confessed one night, "I can't shake this feeling that I'm constantly in danger."

"You're the Fire Lord," I chuckled. I sat in my wheelchair next to his bed. He sat on the edge of the mattress with his head cradled in his hands, elbows propped on his knees. "Of course you're always in danger."

"This isn't a joke, Saki," he growled.

"You're right. I'm sorry," I said. As sincere as I was, I still smiled. "Please, Zuko, get some sleep. You'll drive yourself mad with all of this worrying."

"I think it's a little late for that," he sighed and flopped back on his bed. His arms were spread like wings as he stared up at his ceiling. "What do you think about this Harmony Restoration movement? Do you think it's a good idea?"

"It doesn't matter what I think. Get some sleep, Zuko," I said again, "for me. Okay?"

He nodded, shifting so that he was lying under his blanket with his head rested on his pillows. I gave a soft smile as he closed his eyes and wheeled myself out of the room. I nodded at the guards that stood outside of Zuko's doors and pushed myself to my room, where Bao was changing out of his uniform.

He'd grown a lot over the years, in all of the best ways. I watched his back muscles flex with every movement. His skin was decorated with scars of training and fighting, even one from when I had accidentally hit him too hard during a training session when we were young. Back when we were still venturing in search for Aang.

He turned to hang his uniform, then his eyes landed on me and he froze. "Please," I said teasingly, "don't stop undressing on my behalf." He, however, didn't laugh. He didn't even crack a smile. Bao sauntered to me and pushed the chair to the bed, assisting me in. "Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yes," he said, then sighed as he climbed onto the other side of the bed. "You spent a long time in there with Fire Lord Zuko."

"That's never bothered you before," I said. "He's my best friend, Bao, and I'm his advisor now. I'm kind of obligated to be with him extensively."

"In his bedroom?" Bao questioned.

"What's your problem, Bao?" I asked. I was in no mood to justify myself to him. I was immobile, Zuko's stress was infecting me, and I had something festering within me that I had yet to share news of.

"Saki, ever since you've become his advisor, y-." Bao was interrupted by a crash and shouting, catching both of our attention. He leapt out of the bed, saying, "I'll go see what happening. You stay here." He sprinted out of the door, leaving me alone in the quiet bedroom. My stomach turned and flipped, and it wasn't due to fear of what could be happening. I pulled myself into my wheelchair and rolled to the restroom. The moment I was close enough, I thrusted my body forward and erupted with vomit. I coughed into the toilet. The thick scent of sick filled the air.

"Saki!" I heard Zuko's voice ringing from the hallway. He repeatedly called for me and searched room for me. "Saki, I was right! Someone has been trying to kill me - and we finally caught her." He eventually hearing me and running to join me. "Did you hear me? I- Are you okay?" He shoved my wheelchair out of his way, knelt beside me and rested a hand between my shoulder blades.

"I'm okay," I answered after vomiting again. "Just ill, that's all."

"You're lying," he pointed out. He held me up by my shoulders and turned me so that I was facing him. "Tell me what's really wrong."

I took in a deep breath. "I'm... I'm pregnant..."

Zuko's eyes widened. He looked as if he couldn't think of a proper response. "H-How... How long have you known?"

"A month or so?" I shrugged meekly. "I'm three months in now."

"Saki," he frowned, "you should've told me."

"Bao doesn't even know," I told him. "You're the first person I've told."

He stared again. Neither of us could come up with anything to say. What do you say about something like this? Hesitantly, I leaned forward and hugged him. When it was reciprocated, we tightened our grasp on each other. No words were spoken, no sound was made.

Just then, Bao's voice forced us to separate. "Your Highness," he said, stone-faced, "the girl has been apprehended. She's locked away in the prison."

Zuko nodded, standing up. "Very good. We'll return her to her family in Yu Dao tomorrow morning."

"That's it?" Bao asked. "Sir, I-"

"We'll return her to her family in Yu Dao tomorrow morning," Zuko reiterated. He looked down at me and reached his hand out to help me back into my chair, but I shook my head. I was nowhere near well enough to get back in bed. He nodded, and left the room to return to his own.

Bao remained planted where he stood. He gave a disapproving look, as if to accuse of me of some form of infidelity. Before I could muster the courage and energy to break the news, he frowned and left the room as well.