OMG...I was doing my hw when this idea for a fanfic just popped into my mind. I wuz like I should stay focused on my current fanfic...but the idea just kept developing and by the time I was in bed, it was drviving me crazy...so the next day...here I am...with a new fanfic...IT IS A ZUTARA...It's set in modern times...and the characters are about 7 or 8 years older than they are in the show.

Summary: A murder has occured, and the "murderer" has been caught. Amateur NYPD officer Katara Lee (just random last name) has recieved her first big case on the job, so she can't screw up. But as she spends some times with the suspect, big-time gang leader Zuko Carson (also random last name,) she isn't so sure if he truly is the killer...and as new clues are unraveled...new feelings are also revealed. ZUTARA (wow...I actually like this summary.)

Zuko: Age 23

Katara: Age 21

Aang: Age 24 (I know he's wayyyyy older in this but I have to have it so the story will make more sense... Besides...he hardly has a part in the story anyways.)

Sokka: Age 22

Jet: Age 23 (made up age)

Haru: Age 22 (made up age also)

Jun: Age 23 (made up ...though she looks even older in the show)

Meng: Age 20

Iroh: Who cares? In his 50/60's

I think that's all you need to know for now...ON WITH THE STORY!

Chapter 1: Memories, Murder, and How Much I Miss You

"Hey, Katara!"

"Leave me alone Aang!"

"What's wrong?"

"You know perfectly well what's wrong!"

"No, I don't! What happened!"

"Remember what day it is today?"

"The 23rd of December?"

"What's so special about today?"

"Aang! Today was my initiation at the NYPD! You promised me you would be there and you promised you would give the NYPD a speech about law enforcement! I trusted you as a best friend to come and I told everyone that you would be there! For once, they actually believed me. I stood there for an hour in front of an audience of 400 people like an idiot, waiting for my so called best friend General Aang Jayle to show up! Now everyone thinks I lied! Where were you?"

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Katara! I completely forgot! You see, I took Meng to this concert she really wanted to se-"

"You ditched me for that girl! You know I don't approve of her Aang!"

"Hey! Don't talk about Meng like that! She's my girlfriend!"

"You said you would come to my initiation three months ago!"

"Get over it! I said I was sorry already! I just forgot!"

"Fine, if you're gonna just forget about me and pretend I don't exist anymore..." A sniffle. "I... I don't need any of your bull. Don't talk to me ever again Aang Jayle. G...Good...Goodbye General."

"Wait! Katara!"

The door slams shut, and Katara Lee has left the home of war hero, best friend Aang Jayle.

Now she was back, in the same house she had sworn she would never come back to ever again. Only two days had passed, yet it seemed like two years to her. Only this time...it was different.

No, she wasn't there to sit down and chat and laugh like best friends would usually do. This time, she was on her job. Yellow tape surrounded her everywhere she went, and the distorted voices of her fellow officers were in the background. Siren flashed could be seen outside the window, and shattered glass and blood was spilt all over the floor. Katara walked around the large estate in a daze. Ignoring curious glances and murmuring whispers around her.

Aang... she thought. I'm so sorry...so sorry.

Unconsciously, tears slid down her pale face.

He wasn't there to comfort her this time; he wasn't there to wipe the tears away. He was gone…gone from this world. He had abandoned her…abandoned her all alone in the world of lies and treachery.

I didn't even get to say goodbye…

The last time she had talked to him, she had yelled at him, she slammed the door in his face; she had told him she hated him. All the cruel things she had said, none of them were true, but she had been too consumed by anger and rage to notice how foolish and selfish her actions were, and now it was too late. He had died thinking she hated him. It was all her fault.

Come back Aang…please come back…please…

"Officer Lee?" A hand was placed on her shoulder as a man led her towards the door. "I think it's time we leave."

Katara nodded silently and slowly stepped out into the bright malicious sunlight shining down upon her. Instantly, flashes blinded her eyes, yet she took no notice to it.

"Miss Katara! Were you in a relationship with General Jayle?"

"Officer Lee! What is your reaction to this event?"

"Has the officer been caught?"

"Is it true you were having an affair with Aang Jayle behind the back of his girlfriend?"

She didn't care what they thought; she didn't care what they said. At that moment, all she wanted to do was be alone. Without making a sound, she pushed past all the reporters, climbed into her NYPD patrol car, turned on the engine and sirens, stepped hard on the gas pedal, and sped away to the solace and safety of her own home.

Katara stared hard at the screen as a warm arm slid around her waist.

"Not now Jet," she mumbled bitterly, the dried up tears still evident on her face.

"Oh c'mon Katara, cheer up and show me that pretty smile of yours." Katara's boyfriend of 6 months replied smoothly. "You know, we're all very worried about you.

"The news is gonna be on in a minutes guys, be quiet!" Sokka, Katara's older brother said as he pulled his girlfriend Suki stiffly onto his lap. It was a day after the murder, and the feelings of shock and sorrow were still present in the air.

A cheery theme song was played as the grim face of a woman appeared onto the screen. Next to her head, was a smiling picture of Aang in his General uniform. Katara felt her heart split into two pieces and shatter at the sight. How she missed him.

"Yesterday, on Christmas morning, famous war hero General Aang Jayle was found brutally murdered in his 300 acre estate home. The maid found him in the living room when she arrived for work. It appeared to be a break-in. Katara Lee, suspected of having a secret affair with the General, also an officer of the NYPD, has been assigned to the case. Police are trying their best to find the murderer, said Officer Max Farogon, head of the department of murder at the NYPD. Details are still not clear. Police believe that the murder happened on the night of Christmas Eve. For those who don't know who General Jayle was, he is considered the "PEACEMAKER." Five years ago, at the surprising age of 19, General Aang stopped a worldwide war supposedly started by mafia leader Jacob Ozai. He also ended the reign of Ozai and two weeks after the war was settled, Ozai was charged with lethal injection for several accounts of first degree murder. More info will be shortly available. Please stayed tune to see the res-"

Sokka turned the television off. They had all seen enough. Awkward silence pervaded the room for a few moments until finally Sokka couldn't take it anymore. He stood up and angrily slammed the remote control onto the coffee table in front of them.

"SUSPECTED OF HAVING AN AFFAIR, THAT'S BULL KATARA!" he yelled. Katara gave out a small whimper as Suki gently grabbed onto Sokka's arm and waited for him to calm down.

"He was my best friend," Katara whispered softly, "I loved him only as a best friend." Jet nodded in approval and support as his grip around Katara tightened.

"We know that, Katara," Suki said gently, glaring at Sokka, who shrugged helplessly. "Now, how come you never told us that Officer Farogon assigned you to the case?"

Katara had almost forgotten what the reporter had said on the television. She stood up. "He never told such a thing! I'm gonna call him right now and see what's going on!"

She picked up the phone and dialed…it rang…once…twice…three times… "Hello?" a deep voice came from the other line. It was grumpy and serious and seemed almost threatening.

"Max! It's Katara!"

"Katara?" his voice suddenly became very friendly, "Why, why didn't you say so? Why the sudden call?"

"Max! You never told me anything about assigning me to this case!"

"Well, how silly of me Katara, I must have forgotten. Yes, you are assigned to this case."

"Why?"

"I feel you are ready for your big case, seeing how you were so advanced in all your classes."

"That's bull Max, and you know it. You always hated me…why the sudden change of heart?"

Farogon's voice darkened. "Now Katara, I think we all know the true reason. Your relationship with the deceased General is certainly a very interesting topic. If you were assigned the case, it would boost the NYPD's….oh what's the word I'm looking for…."

"How about publicity? You're just doing this so I'll….No…YOU'LL get more publicity! Well, if you think I'm gonna just play along…you wrong! I refuse to take this case!"

"Katara, listen to me. Fine, I admit, it is for publicity but think of what you would accomplish with it?" His voice was very silky now, persuasive, menacing. "Don't you want to find out who killed your best friend? Don't you want revenge? This is your big chance Katara… you should take the opportunity."

"Aang..." Katara involuntarily breathed into the phone.

"That's right…Katara…do it for Aang…"

He's right.

NO! He's only using me.

Think of Aang.

It wouldn't do me any good.

It's what Aang would have wanted me to do.

He would have wanted me do what was right…which isn't this.

I have to…for Aang.

For Aang…

"Alright…Max, I'll take the case. But don't think I'm doing this for you. I'm doing it for Aang. I'm gonna track down the bastard that dared kill him, and I'll make sure he suffers…I'll make sure of it."

Katara could almost see Max smiling on the other line. "Thank you Katara…you've made the right choice. You start tomorrow. Goodbye." He hung up.

Sighing, Katara put the phone away. She turned around, and saw three pairs of eyes staring at her. She couldn't help herself anymore. She broke down into tears.

Aang…if only you knew…knew how much I miss you.

So? How'd you like it? I personally think it was an ok chapter..haha….When I reread it…I almost cried…since I know what it feels like to lose someone loved (well…kinda…my first dog but never mind about my sob stories…I hoped you like the first chapter….it is a ZUTARA…even though Zuko hasn't exactly made an appearance….I would love people to review…and I hope you enjoyed it…THX