Together they walked, arms entwined, down the moonlit path in Ursa's private garden. She smiled as she saw the flowers; the crisp night breeze gently pushed the petals in the same direction. She pulled her husband down to sit with her, on a lone stone bench under a tree.

"Isn't it beautiful?" She looked over as he unmasked his face. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath; it was definitely more refreshing than his damp cell. She let him do so, remembering it had been months since he'd set foot outside. She rested her head on his shoulder and he jumped a little at the contact. "…sorry." She whispered.

"It's fine." He kept his posture up, shoulders back; it almost seemed like a stretch it had been so long. He had given up on appearances a while back. She nodded in response and set her head back where it was, he began absent mindedly running his fingers through her loose brunette curls.

"Remember when we first met?" She asked in a soft tone, closing her eyes as though that brought the memory back. She heard a light chuckle from his pursed lips and her content smile grew.

"Yes…I didn't like you then." He admitted and she blinked up, knotting her brows together.

"Why didn't you like me?" She huffed and he glanced over to her. His expression was serious, as it always was, but his eyes held some amusement. The warm feeling they had given her.

"You were always such an…optimist. It was an arranged marriage after all." He shrugged the topic off casually.

"Well…I always thought you were too assertive…assertive and finicky." She giggled and he sighed. "But…by the time Zuko was born, I loved you." She confessed and he nodded, taking it in. "I was thinking about traveling." She looked down to her lap and he eyed her skeptically.

"What? You haven't done that enough that past ten or so years?" He scoffed and her glare hardened.

"It was seven years, and I was in hiding so things were different. I want to really make a difference, hands on…the Earth Kingdom really needs…" She was cut off.

"No, forget going all the way back out there to those ungrateful fools. What about your home nation? The one that's getting neglected its rights?" He went on.

"Ozai…we've taken so much from everyone, its time we give." It sounded like a lecture, one he'd hear from his brother, too.

"You cant go there." He rolled his eyes.

"And why not?"

"Because…you'd be separating yourself…" He tried to think of a cover, how to say shed be leaving more than just him behind. She was the one that consumed his thoughts, that he was willing to love all over him, that allowed him to keep some sanity. He needed her, but the last thing she needed was him. He'd say Zuko needed her, but he didn't care about Zuko. He cared about himself.

"No…I'd always come back, I'd keep all the contact I could, Iroh actually mentioned it to me, he seemed willing to come along." She assured.

"Yeah…he would." Ozai grumbled and looked away.

"…what if you came with me?" She offered and he almost snapped his neck to look back to her. Had she lost her mind now? Maybe she did need him, but she had fallen off the deep end.

"Ursa…the whole world knows who I am." He couldn't restrain his malice smile from that statement. He would always be known for his rein of power, something in that seemed to make him proud. "I can't go to the nation I planned to destroy."

"Surely you could change your appearance…I mean you've lost some weight…some Earth Kingdom robes…cut your hair maybe." She started using her hands and he blinked at her.

"Leave my hair out of this." He argued and she sighed.

"You could turn your life around there…with me." She added and for the first time in a while, Ozai hesitated to say no. He yearned for a life of freedom, but could he honestly handle it anymore? She should all people should know he wanted revenge.

"You expect nobody to notice I'm missing too I inquire?" He shook his head. She frowned and traced the lines on his hand.

"…I'm sure we could arrange something."

"No, Ursa, I'm not some lowlife, no name prisoner. I'm former Fire Lord, Lord of the nation that almost took control of the world."

"…I'm sure we could arrange something." She whispered again and he sighed. She pulled his arm around her shoulder. "But we'll worry about that when the time comes.

"Nephew!" Iroh called as he struggled to catch up to the Fire Lord, who was already heading to his chambers for rest.

"Yes, Uncle?" He sighed, stopping short in the hallway.

"I was speaking with your mother about a vacation, to the Earth Kingdom!" He chuckled and Zuko rolled his eyes.

"She mentioned briefly to me going there for aid…I think its too risky for her, though." He sighed.

"I thought we could round up everyone from before…all your friends, make a trip out of it."

"Uncle…no. we have duties here, we couldn't be more unstable than we are now." HE explained, secretly wishing for a vacation. A time of relaxation, maybe release some tension between he and Mai, but he had priorities.

"Well if you feel you find the time, please, let me know and I could arrange to stay here for you." He placed a caring hand on Zuko's shoulder and Zuko, in turn, smiled. He knew he could trust his uncle; the idea was definitely something he would think over. "I will also send all the invitations, if that is what you wish." Iroh pulled him in for a hug before stretching on his way to his own room.

Sorry this one's short…wanted to give you guys something…review please (:?

And I have a poll for a Modern AU couple I might start a fic for…everyone gets two votes so go for it! Message any ideas you have as well, I might put some to use!