This takes place after "The Southern Raiders" episode. It's my take on what we didn't see, yet again.

Zuko stood outside Katara's tent not sure where to go from here. She had forgiven him and he was grateful but he wanted to talk to her, he needed to. He shifted from one foot to the other not exactly sure where he stood with her or if he should go in at all. He stood there contemplating his next move until he heard her voice come through clenched teeth.

"Make up your mind soon Zuko, I want to go to bed."

He walked up to the tent's center and pulled one section aside. "Didn't know you saw me out here?"

"I did. You need something?"

"I just wanted to talk to you."

"About?"

"About what happened before?"

"When I hugged you?" she asked a bit exasperated with the questions.

"In the cave, Katara."

"What do you want to talk about?" she said motioning for him to sit down. He sat and looked at her. He cocked his head a bit to the side and looked at her intently. Her face seemed softer now and her features more pronounced.

"I thought you were pretty before but you look different to me now."

"Thanks. So you came to tell me how pretty I am or used to be?"

"I wanted to tell you that I meant everything I said in the cave. Things just got so confused and I just wanted it so bad and I wanted my father to love me and Azula lies, I know Azula lies and I didn't want to believe but I did and I bought into everyone of them because I'm stupid. Katara I'm so sorry."

"I know." She looked at him. "You don't look the same either. Your face seems like there's a smile dying to come out. You seem relieved as if this weight has been lifted from you."

"It started then, when you spoke to me, when you kissed me back."

"I did. Do you expect something more to come of it?"

"You make it sound so matter-of-fact."

"You kissed me and I kissed you back."

"What if I kissed you again right now?" Zuko watched her face intently for a response to his question. He knew that her response was important to him right now. Then suddenly a vision of Mai and the on the beach came to him and he hung his head in a bit of shame. Here he was trying to, he didn't know what he was trying to do but he knew somewhere that Mai and Ty Lee were paying for helping them with Azula.

"That was not the look I expect when someone asks me a question like that."

"I'm sorry. My mind went away from me for a moment." Zuko moved closer to her.

"You can't."

"Because?"

"I love Aang."

"Do you really?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Then I'll go." He stood to leave and she stood up with him. She looked him in the eye.

"There's someone for you too, someone named Mai. Sokka told me she helped you to get away from the prison. Is she your girlfriend?"

"I don't know what to expect from Mai. She says she loves me but she's also the moodiest person I've ever met."

"Do you love her?"

"I know being here with you I feel something, something that feels right and yet I feel a sense of guilt."

"That's because you love her."

"And you love Aang."

"And Sokka loves Suki so everybody's happy." She smiled at him.

"Not exactly," he said before he kissed her. He took her face in both hands and kissed her thoroughly. One hand slid to the small of her back and the other reached around to the back of her head. He breathed her in as he kissed her.

She knew she should pull away. She knew this was wrong but for some reason she felt she needed to do this. It just felt like it needed to be done so she kissed him back. She ran her fingers through his hair and she gave in.

Sensing her surrender, Zuko pulled away for just a moment.

"Tell me you want this."

"I do," Katara answered.

"And I'm not forcing you."

"You're not."

"And we will still be okay tomorrow."

"Better than okay."

Instead of going again for her mouth, he nuzzled on her neck. He started by kissing in circles, then he sucked and he nipped, then she sucked in a breath. He felt her hold her breath. He moved to her ear and whispered, 'breathe'. He felt her let out her breath and he pulled back to look at her. He smiled. He gave her this gorgeous, never seen before smile and she gave a light laugh and looked away. He held her chin and brought her face back to his view.

"Even after tonight, never hide that smile from me."

"I promise."

He claimed her lips with his own. While he kissed her, a hand began to untie her sash. Once untied, her robe began to fall aside. He moved a hand up her stomach to her breast where he met more resistance. He tried removing it to no avail. He pulled away from her only to take position behind her where he removed her robe and saw her wrap.

"I'll have the servants outfit you with royal undergarments when this is over." He said through kisses to her neck.

"Don't you think that might make people suspicious?"

"I'll have them do the same for what's her name, Sokka's girlfriend, and the Earth bender."

"Why is that?"

"Because on your wedding night he should get the best view the house has to offer."

She turned to face him. "Why would you mention him right now?"

"Because it's the reality. This is us, right now, but never again," he said running a finger down her cheek. "I want this with you right now but I know it can never be again and I don't want it to. You're right, I do love her and you love him but can you tell me that if this doesn't happen now it won't happen later."

"I would never do anything to hurt him."

"After all this, you think I would. I just feel that right now, I need you, I need this and when you kiss me back, I think you need it too."

"They will never know, you promise?"

"I promise."

AN: Mwahahahaha! You were expecting more but I'm waiting for reviews before I add more