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Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender

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Modern day AU

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re·lief [ri-leef]

noun

1. alleviation, ease, or deliverance through the removal of pain, distress, oppression, etc.

2. a means or thing that relieves pain, distress, anxiety, etc.

3. money, food, or other help given to those in poverty or need.

4. something affording a pleasing change, as from monotony.

release from a post of duty, as by the arrival of a substitute or replacement.

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Bang, bang, bang.

Zuko rolled over in his bed, putting a pillow over his head to muffle the sound. Sokka can answer the door since his room was closer.

Bang, bang, bang.

He groaned, figuring that Sokka was more than likely staying the night at Suki's house, like he's been doing more and more lately. Maybe, he thought, if he ignore it, his surprise visitor would go away.

Bang, bang, bang.

Zuko sighed, an exasperated sign, really, knowing that the incessant banging wouldn't simply go away. None of his problems ever did.

Bang, bang, bang.

He turned his phone on, looking at the time. 2:47 am. What the hell could somebody want at this spirit forsaken hour?

Bang, bang, bang.

Grumbling to himself about rude people not respecting his need for sleep, he rolled out of bed to answer the door, stumbling in his sleep haze. Zuko looked out of the window of his living room, noticing a storm. Who in their right mind would go out of their way at nearly three in the morning in the rain just to see me?

Wrenching his door open, ready to give this pain in his ass a piece of his mind, he paused. Standing at his door, sopping wet, was Katara. Katara, his roommate's younger sister. She looked absolutely pitiful standing there, her arms wrapped around her torso as if she was holding herself together.

"Katara are you —"

"Can I come in?" she interrupted, big blue eyes pleading him to allow her entrance. Zuko simply turned his body to allow her in. She slowly shuffled into the room, refusing to meet his gaze.

Locking the door behind her, he crossed his arms and tried giving her his sternest look. "Is everything all right? It's three in the morning, and Sokka isn't here." His voice still sounded husky from sleep. He cleared his throat to rid himself of the huskiness.

Katara spun around quickly, her wet hair dripping on the carpet. "Do I look okay?" Zuko didn't know if he should answer or not, because whenever she was in one of those moods, there was no reasoning with her. She began shaking her head, unshed tears making her bright eyes shimmer. "I didn't come here for Sokka; I came here for you." At his confused look, she opened her mouth again. "No, no, everything is most definitely not okay."

Zuko crossed the room to embrace her, hoping it would bring her comfort like it had in the past. She pushed him away. "What the hell? You come here for me and then push me away. What is wrong?" He pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut.

Katara began to mumble something unintelligible, he voice hiccuping with silent sobs. Zuko opened his eyes to look at her, really look at her. She looked a mess. Her eyes were puffy and red rimmed, with obvious tear tracks running down her cheeks. He hated seeing her like this.

"Wait, what did you say?" Zuko gently took her small hands in his larger ones, trying to coax this problem out of her.

"I said," she sighed, "I said that, I tried to tell you, what I'm saying is, I'm pregnant."

Pregnant.

She said that she's pregnant.

"I took a few tests, to be sure. I should probably go the doctor for a proper confirmation. But, I've been late..." she trailed off, unsure of what to say. She tried to laugh, but it came out more as a sob. Zuko wasn't listening. He was trying to understand just how this could have happened.

Memories began to flood Zuko's mind. Late nights when Sokka was with his girlfriend, leaving Zuko alone with his thoughts. Late nights when Katara came over, providing the young man pleasant company. Late nights when they were tangled in his sheets, her sighing his name while dragging dull finger nails down his back. Late nights when they committed acts that would make Sokka foam at the mouth and unleash a barrage of attacks upon his roommate. Late nights when they weren't always properly protected.

Zuko gulped. "Pregnant?" Katara nodded her head. "Are you sure? I mean, I thought you were on the pill!"

Katara turned her burning gaze on Zuko. "Well, it doesn't matter now, does it? The pill? It's not a hundred percent effective. And who do you think you are? You weren't always careful! You didn't always wear a condom! If anything, it's your fault!" By now she was inches from his face, breathing heavily from the exertion her anger caused.

"Well I never heard you complaining." She stared at him, and he stared back.

Silence.

More silence.

Zuko took a deep breath, looking away. "Look, I'm sorry. We shouldn't be fighting." He felt Katara's cool hand gently grip his chin to make him look at her.

"I know that this isn't ideal. I'm nineteen. I'm barely an adult. How can I take care of a kid when I practically still am one? I just, I just don't know what to do."

Zuko leaned into her palm. "We'll figure something out. I would never ask you to do 'Plan B,' and I'll always be here for you."

Katara softly smiled at him, pecking his lips lightly. "Thank you. I'm so relieved you feel that way."

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Okay! I decided to participate in Zutara Month 2012. I'm having a writers block, and all of these ideas are like, swimming in my head that I can't use in my multi-chapter fic. So, all of those precious little plot bunnies will contribute to this! Hope you enjoyed!