He saw her walking down the hall. He saw the child pressed close to her. He couldn't help it. He wanted her. He was jealous of her late husband. But even as he thought these things, Zuko saw something about the Waterbender. Was it sadness? Regret? Or did he just wish it there?
Was the child hers? Or someone else's?
Zuko stepped into the corridor.
"Hello," he spoke the word as he leaned against the wall. "Your baby?" he asked. Please say no, he begged her silently.
"Yes," Katara replied, avoiding his eyes.
"Who's the lucky father?" Zuko asked, swallowing his pain.
"Oh, Aang," Katara glanced up quickly.
"How long had you been married?" Zuko inquired politely. Could it possibly be she was even more beautiful than she'd been—what was it?—eleven years ago?
"Two years," she answered.
"Did you love him?" Zuko asked. He hadn't meant to ask that. Why had he?
"I guess so…" Katara whispered.
"What do you mean 'I guess so'?" Zuko demanded.
"Well, I thought I did…until I came here," she explained. "But now that Aang's dead and I've had to take over his duties, I've come here." Katara finally looked at Zuko for more than a second. "Look, I need to put Suki down for her nap. I'll explain later." She moved away.
Zuko closed the library doors for privacy. Katara ran her fingers along the books.
"So what did you mean?" Zuko asked bluntly.
"Well, I'd always assumed the way I viewed Aang was love," Katara began. "I enjoyed his company and didn't despise him. So I assumed I must love him at least a little. So I married him. Oh, don't get me wrong, we were happy. But since I've come here, I've been happier than I've been since I was traveling with Aang and meeting cute guys.
Because I get to see you, Zuko," Katara turned away from the books and looked at him. "Seeing you now makes me happy. It makes me look forward to the next day. I used to dread tomorrow after Aang died. But now, I finally can't wait for it to come. And it's all because of you.
I never felt this strongly for anyone. Not even Aang. That's why I said I wasn't sure. Because you've showed me I can feel so much."
"So how do you feel about me?" Zuko asked his heart pounding.
"I love you," Katara stated. "I want to be with you everyday for the rest of my life."
That was the point at which Zuko gathered Katara in his arms and kissed her. The widow merely slipped her arms around his neck.
A/N: Originally, this was going to include some adultry but I didn't like it and I switched it to this. I think it's better this way.
