Author's Note #1: Hello readers. This is the prologue to this little story. There's really no meat in this entry, so make sure you read the next few chapters for the full plot.


When One Door Closes, Another One Opens

o Prologue o

He said he needed to meet so we could discuss some "important news." Well, with the Avatar, that could be anything from a war breaking out in the Earth Kingdom, or Sokka did something really funny the other day.

While putting his formal wear on, he couldn't help but think that this might actually be something important. He couldn't tell if it was good or bad. Aang's letter had seemed… anxious.

Walking into the beautiful atrium of a meeting room (he had moved meetings away from that dreadful throne room), he saw his closest friend sitting at the meeting table, waiting for him.

The Avatar had grown up before his very own eyes. He hadn't realized it until now, when he saw him sitting there, his expression not too happy. He looked as though he hadn't slept in a while, maybe two days, but at the ripe age off 18, it didn't really add to his age. But he definitely looked older, Zuko noted. He couldn't tell why.

Upon his arrival to the table, the Avatar stood up and gave the familiar bow to the Fire Lord. Zuko returned the courtesy, and then broke out into a smile.

The Avatar and the Fire Lord embraced tightly. "Missed you kid," Zuko whispered.

"Missed you, too, Zuko."

They separated, Zuko with a smile, Aang without. The Avatar sat down at the table, putting his elbows on top and his face in his hands. He let out an "uughhhh."

Zuko placed a comforting hand on Aang's shoulder. "So I guess it's bad news?"

Zuko could tell that this wasn't about political issues or something trivial. He took a seat next to the Avatar. He mused to himself that somehow Aang had ended up sitting at the head of the table, where he usually sat. "…Aang? You can tell me anything, you know."

Aang pulled his face out of his hands. "Yeah, It's just hard. The real reason I came here was to ask you something."

"Yeah of course. Anything, whatever it is, as long as I'm capable of it, I can make it happen for you."

The Avatar sighed. "Do you think Katara could come stay with you? For a little while? Or maybe longer? I really don't know how long it would be…"

The Fire Lord felt like he was going to explode. His breath hitched in his throat. Katara? Come to stay? With me?

"Zuko?"

The Fire Lord composed himself. "Yeah, Aang, you know any of your friends are always welcome here. Especially your girlfriend of six years… I thought that would be obvious."

"I know but, you two never really got along, especially after the …you know…"

"Yeah, I know." Zuko replied, pushing the memories out of his head. He could still feel the pain in his chest.

Aang looked at Zuko, thoughts running through his head at a million miles a second. In their eye contact Zuko sensed he was missing something. His stomach suddenly felt like it was in his throat.

"Aang… what happened to Katara?"

"Nothing! Nothing happened, she's fine, healthy, great. She's great." Zuko took a deep breath.

"Okay. …Good." He hoped Aang wouldn't notice exactly how fast his heart was beating. Earth benders could sense these things… "Well… what is it then?"

Aang looked at Zuko with some sort of sorrow in his eyes. It wasn't pure sadness, it was more like regret, disappointment.

He heard the Avatar breathe deeply, "Zuko, uhm, Katara and I are separating."

Zuko couldn't believe it. He should've expected it from his attitude, but the thought never crossed his mind, After six years of being together, they were separating. Separating. The Avatar and his girlfriend were separating. After realizing he hadn't responded, he hastily said:

"Aang, I'm sorry. Uhm… What happened?"

"Nothing. Nothing happened. That's the problem. We're just… I don't know. We're really distant from each other lately. Its like… we're not really in love anymore. We kind of just… grew out of it. I was twelve, she was fourteen. She's twenty now. It was a childhood thing, I suppose."

The Fire Lord couldn't believe his ears. He was sure Aang could now hear his heartbeat, Earthbender or not.

"Just one question… Why would she want to come here? Not that I have a problem with it, but couldn't she go home instead? Wouldn't she much rather… not see me?" He couldn't believe he said that. He wanted to slap himself.

"We've been living at the Western Air Temple for some time now, restoring it, and such. And going home after losing her relationship with the Avatar just doesn't seem like a good option. Could you imagine 'Hey dad, I just broke my engagement with the Avatar! How's life?'" The fake smile quickly evaporated from the young man's face.

"Yeah, I suppose that would be awkward. She's welcome to come, I mean... She'll have as much space as she needs, no questions asked." Zuko promised.

"Thank you Zuko, I really appreciate it. You can't even imagine… I'd never want to hurt her, and I can't just leave her with no where to go…" The Avatar stood, and bowed to the Fire Lord.

"Of course, Aang," he replied. Zuko also stood, removing his head piece. He had thought this meeting would be much more formal, but now he could barely contain himself.

The Fire Lord, now at a wonderfully mature age of twenty-four, felt his breath shorten at the thought of Katara coming to live with him.

He'd have to see her every day.

There'd be no avoiding her.

Every. Single. Day.

The Great Fire Lord could not imagine that his most far-fetched and desired dreams were actually coming true.

He wondered if she still hated him.


A/N: Keep in mind, this is just a prologue. Following chapters will be much longer.

Please review, pretty please? With sugar on top?

xo Dana