Title: Red Letter

Author: xFairyTalesx

Summary: Post Series: The Gaang returns to the Fire Nation and Katara finds herself torn between an old friend and a new 'hero'

Rating: M

Disclaimer: Do I even really need to put one? Seriously Mike and Bryan probably have more important things to do than sue fanfic writers, but w.e. I DO NOT OWN AVATAR. Happy?

A/N: Heard the song Red Letter by This Condition? Do it.

Prologue:

Katara sat on Appa in silence. Zuko looked over at her. She hadn't moved or spoken since Appa left the ground. She hadn't realized how long they had been in the air until the bright light of the sunset spilled into her eyes. She looked over at Zuko who had been watching her. Not in an uncomfortable way, but in a worried way. She had never seen a compassionate side to him, but then again she was sure there were many sides of Zuko she hadn't seen. She held the eye contact a little longer, then looked away to the dock. They had finally reached the beach.

"But I didn't forgive him, I'll never forgive him," She told Aang. "But I am ready to forgive you," She embraced Zuko quickly, then met his eyes. She had truly forgiven him.

Night had fallen hours ago and Zuko was trying to sleep. He got out of bed and removed his shirt, the room was too hot. There was a knock at his door "Yeah?" He called and watched as Katara slid in. There was something different about her. She hadn't barged in with her usual confidence, but rather seeped in as if she didn't want him to notice a change in the room.

"Can I ask you something?" She took a lock of her hair and began to twist it.

"Yeah." He sat on the bed with his back against the wall and was quickly joined by the water bender. She sat directly next to him and resumed playing with her soft brown hair.

"Do you think I made the right choice?"

"I thought you talked this over with Aang? 'Forgiveness is best'" He said, quoting the monk.

"Yeah, well, that was different. I mean he's the avatar, and monk. Things are black and white. And I guess, I was just hoping I could talk it out with someone who saw the world in more of a.. I don't know… grey outlook." She still refused to meet his eyes and he finally realized why she had come to him out of everyone else. She trusted him to give her an honest answer, not just the right answer.

"I think that guy deserved to die. But you don't deserve to have that on your conscience. You're not a killer Katara," He looked her right in the eye denying her the chance to avoid his gaze. But she didn't look away.

She offered him a smile he had yet to see before and nudged him with her shoulder. "Thanks. I'm gonna get some sleep," And with that she left the room just as quickly as she slipped in.

The next night she appeared at his door again. "Do you ever go to sleep at a reasonable hour?" He shot after a long day of training the avatar.

"Not really," She answered nonchalantly either choosing to ignore his tone or just not noticing the annoyance. It was funny though, he didn't want her gone, but he really didn't have the energy for another ethics discussion.

She had a bowl in her hands, Zuko guessed it was filled with granola and milk. She started pacing back and forth, taking a bite every couple of seconds. "I've never really spent a lot of time sleeping." Bite. "I'm just in my head too much, I guess," Bite.

"Do you make that?" He asked, trying to make conversation. Either she hadn't had something she wanted to ask him, or she wasn't ready to ask.

"No!" She hadn't said it with her usual defensive tone, but rather a relieved one. "I don't even like cooking that much, honestly." She dropped her spoon in her bowl and looked at him as if she'd done something terrible. "I can't believe I just told you that,"

"But you cook all the time? And why does it matter if you like it or not?" He asked confused.

"Well yeah, if I don't do it who will? And its just, well its my heritage. Women cook. I never told anyone else, I mean I couldn't tell the other women in my tribe, they might find it offensive. And Sokka, well he would go on a whole thing telling me its who I am, and what kind of woman would I be if I didn't cook for my family. Please don't say anything," she looked at him pleadingly.

"Your secret is safe with me," He replied, a faint smile infecting his lips, taking the same spot as he had last night on his bed. She took a hard look at him, and seemed satisfied with his response, and resumed her pacing.

She liked his smile and spent the rest of the night trying to bring it out again.

Neither of them had realized how late or how long they had been talking for, but soon the sun was up and it was time for Zuko to work with Aang.

The next few nights were spent the same way, little sleep involved. Katara would get him to smile, liking this new side to him. And Zuko was becoming more and more attached to this part of Katara. He had always pinned her as maternal but strict. But this other Katara was different. She was airy, unable to sit still, but calming in a way. She was soft and easygoing, not the same Katara all the others (himself included) had thought her to be.

Zuko was even surprising Katara. He cared, a lot. About everything. She realized that was probably what drove him to be not only so determined to find Aang, but then so determined to help him too.

Zuko leaped in front of Katara just in time to suffer the blow of Azula's lightening. That was when Katara realized. Not only did she trust Zuko, but he trusted her. More than he or she had ever trusted anyone before.

"Thank you, Katara," He whispered with all his strength.

"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you," She smiled, down at him, knowing he was going to make it.

Chapter One: Soon

"Lee, can you go find Katara for us? She's making us all late!" Sokka complained to Zuko's right-hand man. The coronation had passed, the gaang was in Ba Sing Se and it was finally time for Katara and Sokka to go home.

Of course the trip itself was temporary, the whole gaang would stay in the South Pole for a few weeks, travel to the Earth kingdom with Aang to see Toph's family and diplomatic purposes, then visit Kyoshi Island, and after about ten months, return to the Fire Nation.

Katara was standing in Zuko's office with one VERY stressed out new Fire Lord. She had been trying for the past 24 hours straight to get him to take a deep breath but he would not budge. I need to get him away from that desk. She thought.

Fed up with all of her "adult" attempts Katara decided to go a more fun route. "Fine, don't listen to me. Just sit at your desk for the rest of your life. But how are you going to finish writing the Earth Kingdom King when I have the letter?"

"You don't have the letter," Zuko answered, obviously only half paying attention to her. Katara leaned over and grabbed the paper and ran to the other side of the room. "Katara this is a serious matter, I don't have time for games!" He scolded her. He still refused to leave his desk, and Katara was determined.

"That's a serious matter? I'm leaving in less than ten minutes and you have yet to say a proper goodbye to your friend, let alone leave your desk!" Zuko narrowed his eyes at her, then with finesse, stood up and crossed the room.

He stalked towards her with a look in his eyes and she backed until she hit the wall. He stood right in front of her with barely enough room to hold out his hand, which he did. "I need that letter," She met his eyes with equal defiance hoping to feel a bit taller. He reached out and grabbed her sides, hoping to shock her so he could grab the letter while she was distracted.

Unfortunately, when he grabbed her, she jumped from being startled. He reached out and caught both her legs and pushed forwards to make sure she wouldn't fall. Suddenly it didn't matter that the letter had fallen down to the ground. Katara was holding onto Zuko's shoulders, and his hands were on the underside of her thighs, the rest of him pressed against her on the wall.

Their breath came harder, and if possible, it seemed they were getting closer. She didn't want to say goodbye, and neither did he. "I'll see you soon then," He said softly.

"Soon," She could barely breathe out. She couldn't tell who was leaning in, or if they both were, but somehow, they were getting closer. Katara closed her eyes as their lips pressed together.

But in that same instant someone had opened the door. Zuko quickly let her go as they both backed away. "Master Katara, your friends wanted me to tell you that its time to go," Lee bowed then exited the room.

"I'll see you soon," She said, giving his arm a squeeze and exiting the room.