AN: This takes place after The Boiling Rock episodes. ZUTARA story... series of oneshots. Sukka and maybe some Taang later on depending on how I feel by that point XD

I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, or it's characters.

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Katara hadn't really left her dad's side since he stepped off the balloon with the others. She still couldn't believe he was there with them... perfectly fine though looking a bit weathered. It seemed he'd lost a small amount of weight, and the hollow that had taken shape in his cheeks worried her whenever she passed him glances. She'd given him an extra big portion of their dinner that night, gathered around the fire. Zuko had joined them, but we being quiet as Sokka related to them the events that had led them all to be standing there.

She'd been annoyed at first with the whole thing -- even thought they'd brought their dad back. Sokka had just left without a single word to them, saying they were going looking for food? And then it turned out they were on a secret mission that could have gotten them stuck in a prison for the rest of their life, or worse -- dead.

And they'd brought back some strange man who was too large for Katara's liking. And a criminal! What were they thinking? What if he decided to turn around and hand Aang in for his bounty?

She made a point of avoiding this man, and at the moment he was seated next to the newly banished Fire Prince, eating the food Katara had worked so hard to prepare for the others.

She narrowed her eyes at him momentarily before glaring at Zuko as if it were directly his fault they'd brought the criminal along.

Sokka related to them all -- again -- how Suki had scaled the walls of the prison and captured the warden of The Boiling Rock. How they'd taken them on a gondola to get out of the Volcano. How they'd battled Azula and her friend on the top of it with swords and fire and acrobats... Toph interjecting her pet names for the two -- "circus freak" and the simple "psycho-girl" -- before asking where the "knife throwing girl" was throughout.

"You mean Zuko's girlfriend." Sokka interjected in what Katara had come to know as his sly voice, passing a grin in the other teen's direction. Zuko -- much to Katara's surprise, blushed but did not retaliate.

"Wait..." She felt an unknown anger boil within her. "You're dating that pale girl?"

"Pale girl?" Zuko had a look on his face that meant he was avoiding the whole thing. He would much rather ignore the question, but found it impossible with all eyes on him.

"I didn't know you had a girlfriend Zuko." Aang leaned forward, holding his bowl of rice to his chest. Katara noticed him pass a look in her direction, and a confused one crossed her features for a moment.

"She saved us too. I guess she really likes you Zuko, to go against your crazy sister." Sokka looped his finger around his ear. "A regular ladies man..." Suki shot him a raised eyebrow.

Katara, however, had turned her gaze back on Zuko who suddenly could not meet any of their gazes. She opened her mouth to say something to him... but wasn't quite sure what.

And Toph spoke up. "It's ok jerkbender, I was under the impression she can take care of herself."

He was worried about his girlfriend? There was that burn again... and suddenly she could not look in his direction, turning her attention back to her food while her brother continued to relate how they had escaped.

She supposed she hadn't really thought of what he'd given up to come with them. To help the Avatar. She'd always just looked at it as being his duty...

To make up for him following them around the world. Stealing her mother's necklace. Tying her to a tree. Jerk. He was a complete jerk!

And after Ba Sing Sae...

She supposed she should have said something nice about Zuko doing all those things to get Suki and her dad back... but she couldn't bring herself to do. Now she was regretting it, as her dad had asked her why she was being so rude to Zuko and she could not come up with a proper response.

Katara seems to have a personal vendetta against Zuko, Dad. You'll get used to it.

Apparently she wasn't the only one who could pin point why she was still unforgiving of him while the others had accepted him.

Yes she did! Why was she faltering suddenly? Nobody knew what happened in Ba Sing Sae. Nobody knew she'd offered to heal his scar... offered him forgiveness.

That's something we have in common.

He'd tricked her. She'd forgiven him and he'd betrayed her promptly after. He'd let Azula almost destroy Aang.

How could she trust him now?

Yet she found herself standing beside him at the firepit. He had not retired for bed yet, and she couldn't help but cringe slightly at the surprised and wary look he passed her when he noticed her standing over him.

"Why did you risk your life to go with Sokka?"

He seemed surprised with the question before shrugging, turning his gaze to the fire. "Your brother wouldn't have made it on his own. I thought he needed my help... he said he needed to restore his honor... I know a bit about that."

Was it just her perception, or did she notice a shadow cross his face. Closing him off completely from her a moment.

She wondered if she should just turn and go back to bed, but her feet remained anchored to the stone below her.

She wondered why he always said "your brother" instead of Sokka when speaking to her. He said Sokka with everyone else. She felt like it was pointing out a connection... making her somehow feel a bit at ease.

Confused.

"It was stupid...both of you might not have come back."

"I know." He turned his gaze on her, and she was momentarily put off by how gold they looked in the fire. "But... we're here now aren't we? And your Dad and Suki are here."

She frowned, her arms tightening over her chest.

Protection.

She remembered the gentle smile on his face when he stepped off the balloon.

"Would you rather I didn't go?"

The question struck her as odd instantly, and she felt gooseflesh rip it's way up the back of her neck. Her heartbeat sped up.

She was glad Toph wasn't around, or the blind girl would call her out for being a liar.

"No. But Aang needs a firebending teacher, and I'll go along with whatever is good for him."

Zuko turned away, and she instantly felt like pulling back her words. Sucking them from the air where they hung heavily over them both.

"We'll defeat the Fire Lord and bring peace to the world. You can never speak to me again after that."

He stood, unfolding himself from the stone, powerful in his movements besides being so clumsy sometimes.She was the one who turned to leave. Not wanting to say another thing that could hurt him.

Tear her apart.

AN: Well...was it any good? Critique please!