Time: 9:24PM

Enjoy! And review to let me know what you think! I really want you guys to like this story. Really really! Thank you to all who have reviewed so far; you have made me UBER happy. Oh, and I'm sorry Miss Prongs. I know you like Zuko. I just really needed a bad guy, and...well, truth be told, I like Zuko much better as a bad guy. *whispers nervously* I liked him much better in season one when he was bad. I know, I'm a horrible person! X( Forgive me. :D

Anyways! On with the show. Don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: Own Avatar: TLA? Not a chance!


"Dearest are you ready yet?" Zuko's voice rang from outside my door. Biting back a rude remark, I looked at myself in the mirror. My blue eyes were soft and unemotional, begging my reflection to smile back at me. My hair had been styled by my maid, and now hung in loose curls around my face and shoulders.

"Almost ready Zuko," I said loudly, and touched my bare neck. Where did I leave my necklace? My eyes looking over my dresser table, I heard the door to my room open. My heartbeat rising suddenly at the sound, I whipped my head around to find my fiancé walking in, as if he had the right to come in whenever he felt like.

"Hello," I said sweetly, eyeing him suspiciously, "I'll be just a minute; I'm looking for my mother's necklace."

He leaned against the doorframe, watching me with those glowing eyes of his. "I don't know why you insist on wearing that old thing," he said roughly, "It doesn't suit your dress at all. Here." He reached into his dinner coat and retrieved a beautiful necklace of rubies and diamonds. My eyes widened slightly.

He grinned as he handed it to me, "This would suit you much better. It will remind everyone just how powerful and rich you are."

I fingered the fine jewels, feeling the warmth they radiated with. The smallest memory of my mother popped into my head. Suddenly feeling the weight of the money spent on these fine jewels, I carefully placed them on my dresser in front of me.

"Thank you Zuko," I whispered, "But I don't think I shall be wearing them tonight. Today is the anniversary of my mother's passing." My eyes flitted over the dresser once more and upon finding the necklace I was looking for, retrieved it and held it up to my neck, "My father and I need to honor my mother with the smallest details. I miss her dearly."

Zuko was silent. "Of course," he whispered finally and reached to the back of my neck and tied my necklace together.

"Thank you," I whispered quietly. I knew that he was infuriated with my obsession to honor my mother, and my necklace wasn't fancy in his eyes. But she was the last person that was great in my life. With my father's downfall and bankruptcy, and me having to marry and leave all my friends and family behind, she was all I had left to cling on to for hope and memories.

I stood up and faced him. He held out his arm and I linked mine in his as he grabbed a red shawl that was draped across my couch in my room. Wrapping it around my arms, I smiled warmly up at him. At some times Zuko could be gentlemanly and absolutely wonderful. But those times didn't come very often.

He led me to the dining area where we met my father at a large empty table.

"Our guests should be arriving here anytime soon," he said warmly to me from across the table as Zuko pulled my chair out for me. I sat down, "Oh? Who might they be?" I asked.

Zuko looked up and a smile grew across his face. "You are about to find out."

I gracefully turned and looked over my shoulder. But all that gracefulness was in vain as I felt my jaw go slack and my mouth drop.

Three figures were walking together towards us. Two were linked arm in arm, a man and woman. The woman was wearing an elegant green dress with her pitch black hair styled in the latest style. On her arm was a tall man wearing a shiny top hat his smile stretched wide across his face. The couple looked quite content with their company in each other. They also seemed sort of familiar.

Trailing behind them slightly was a taller man with styled black hair and a crisp matching black suit. My eyes widened as I realized it was the man who had retrieved my shawl for me earlier this day.

Looking ahead of his group, his eyes linked with mine and grew wide as he suddenly realized who I was. Composing himself, he swallowed and smiled handsomely at me, making me look down and try to squelch the blush that was rising on the back of my neck.

The group of three made it to our table.

Zuko helped me out of my chair. "Katara I would like you to meet Mr. Sokka and his lovely wife Toph. Sokka is the co-founder of the White Star Line, where he helped watch over the making of this ship and helped purchase the building materials and such." I nodded my head at them, smiling happily.

"It's so nice to meet you, I'm sure you have sailed over the Atlantic Ocean many a time."

Sokka looked down at me, a grin spread across his face. "On the contrary, this is our first time. We've travelled on some closer to home and down the coast of Europe, but never across the entire ocean." He looked down at his wife smiling, "Toph isn't one to like water much, so I have to listen to her from time to time."

She strained a smile up to him, "Oh such the funny one he is. He forgets he owes me money in cards."

Sokka laughed and led her to the chair beside mine and pulled out the chair for her.

Smiling warmly, I turned back to Zuko. "And this is Aang. He is the strategic man that beat me at Parcheesi this afternoon." He eyed Aang carefully, "Only a few select people have been able to do that in my lifetime. I may have to challenge you to a re-match before this boat docks in New England."

Aang chuckled lightly, "Anything for you sir." He then looked down at me. "Is this your sister then?"

Zuko laughed and put his arm lightly around my shoulder. I wanted nothing more than to fling it off and run away. "Oh no, this is Katara. My fiancé."

Aang's eyes widened as he looked at me and opened his mouth as if to say This is your fiancé?

Feeling fear well up in my heart, I slightly shook my head and widened my eyes to tell him to stop and not mention to Zuko that I had met him. If he found out that we had met, he would then know that I had left my room unescorted. That was a no-no in high society.

Thankfully catching my signal of fright, he composed himself and looked back up at Zuko in a split second. "I congratulate you sir, and give you my best blessings."

Taking his arm off my shoulders he then placed it on Aang's back, "Thank you sir." Then averting his gaze, he signaled a waiter. "Now everyone lets start our dinner shall we?"

Zuko sat across the table from Sokka, leaving the only seat available for Aang next to me. Feeling my heartbeat rise, I thanked him meekly as he held the chair out for me and pushed me in.

The chairs to were close together and I soon felt the closeness of Toph on one side and a deliciously handsome man on the other. For fear that my father would get suspicious; I tried to squelch the blush that was covering my face, but it wasn't working very well. I glanced over at Aang and found him staring at me. When out eyes met, he smiled warmly and I tried to smile back, but failed horribly and felt like my face was going to catch fire.

When our food finally arrived, I tried to avert my attention to my plate. I glanced up to find my father, Zuko and Sokka all laughing in a delicious conversation, with Toph silently listening in. They were distracted thankfully.

Pushing down the butterflies in my stomach, I turned back towards the man of my affections of the moment and smiled warmly up at him. But what I didn't anticipate was that he was already ready for my conversation and just waiting for me to turn around and acknowledge him.

I felt my throat go dry as my face met his gentle smiling one.

"Quite a coincidence for you to be the fiancé of the co-founder of the bank of England," he mused and placed his face in one of his hands and stared at me fondly.

I bit back a rude remark and smiled charmingly. "Well you didn't happen to mention that you are staying with the co-founder of the White Star Line either. I suppose we both have secrets that would have been best never told."

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Indeed." His eyes flicked towards my neck. "If I'm not mistaken, that is a watertribe symbol is it not?" My fingers flew up to touch my neck.

"You are correct sir," I mused, "This is my late mother's betrothal necklace." Then looking down at my plate, I added, "Today is the eighth anniversary of her departing."

I felt his large warm hand cover mine, that was lying loosely on the armrest. "My sincerest apologies Miss Katara." He looked away with a little regret. "I too know what it is like to lose a loved one. Both my parents died when I was very young, leaving me to the orphanage."

I felt compassion build up in my heart, "I'm so sorry sir, it must have been difficult to lose both parents." So that's why he didn't look like he belonged in fancy situations. That's why the clothes didn't look comfortable no him. He made them look as if they were simple things, and he had worn others much more of value.

A genuine smile crossed his face. "Well, I have Sokka and Toph to thank, since I was turned out of the orphanage at the age of sixteen and have now been living with them and working under their care for four years now."

I stole a glance at the other end of the table. "That was incredibly nice of them," I murmured.

"Indeed," he whispered quietly, almost to himself. His fond eyesight looked at them longingly, "They have been the family I never had the chance to have."

I felt my heart tug in his direction as I smiled softly to myself, once again averting my attention to my food. For having lost so much, he was the picture of grace and happiness. It was amazing that he still loved enough to show kindness to others…and even show his true nature and retrieve my shawl for me, giving away a horrible secret. I carelessly glanced at him out of the corner of my eyes. Indeed, he was a striking man. The clothes he wore signified the wealth Sokka and Toph had, and yet… the gentleness in his eyes made my heart beat with happiness and uncertainty.


After dinner, we all decided to take a walk on the upper deck, to breathe in the fresh air and allow the men a smoke. While my father, Sokka and Zuko walked ahead of us, their smoke fumes making their way back to us, Toph, Aang and I trailed much farther behind, enjoying the view of the night sky.

Toph's small figure walked silently beside me, and I noticed that she always kept her head down. Aang walked on the other side of me, closest to the railing. He was probably teasing me, trying to make a point that I wouldn't fall over the edge if I didn't get close to the railing.

Attempting to make small conversation, I tried with Toph first. My first mistake.

"Aren't the stars beautiful tonight Toph? Back home, I would stare at them for hours on end, wishing I could fly up to them, but unfortunately I don't have the gift of flight." I gave a suspicious eye to Aang beside. He narrowed his eyes and glared.

I grinned and continued my unnecessary speech. "But somehow, out here on the ocean, they seem to… oh, I don't know… dance a little more. With the city so far away, they become a bit more alive and…" I paused, "Give a little more hope."

Aang grimaced, "Miss Katara, you shouldn't…"

Toph stopped us right then and held up a hand, her eyes still cast downwards. "No, it's alright Aang." She lifted up her face and stared at me, "I'm sorry Katara, I can't quite relate to you. There is no way I can see the stars."

My eyes widened with realization. She's blind.

I suddenly felt at a loss for words, "Oh my… I'm so sorr-."

She held up a hand. "It's completely fine Katara, I get it all the time."

I looked at Aang for help, but he just smiled. Taking in a deep breath, I asked, "Then how can you best your husband at cards if you can't see?"

She started laughing suddenly and started our walk once more. "Oh, I have my ways."

Shaking my head, I decided to leave it at that.

More moments passed and my eyes grazed over the water. I felt Aang's eyes on me and looked up at him. "What?" I asked, sounding defensive. My second mistake.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I was just curious about your mother being watertribe and all." He eyed me suspiciously, "Was she a waterbender per chance?"

I looked out towards the water. "No, but I am."

His eyes lit up. "Really? That's wonderful!"

I looked at his stupidly, "How so? I'm not allowed to practice it. It's not dignified in upper society." I looked away, "Zuko and my father don't like it when I bend water."

Aang grinned boyishly, "Well, they aren't here right now, why don't you do it now?" I looked up at him incredulously.

"Are you serious? What if someone else sees me? It's not proper Aang, and besides…" I looked away, a blush creeping across my face, "I'm not very good anyways."

Beside me, Aang started laughing and Toph smiled slyly. "When has that ever stopped anyone?" she asked, "All you need to do is practice."

I bit my lip tenderly. "Well…" I mumbled to myself, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try." I looked at Aang, "But you have to airbend as well. I'm not doing this alone."

Toph's face went slack. "She knows you can airbend?" She hissed loudly, and poked Aang in the chest harshly. I stared at her in amazement. She really didn't hold back any feelings did she?

Aang grabbed her hand just as she was about to poke him again. "Shhh Toph! Do you want the entire ship to hear you?"

"Yes," she said loudly, "I do. How in the world could you let someone know about your secret?" She threw her hands up in the air, "Have you no common sense?"

"Calm down Toph," Aang assured her. "It was an accident. Plus," he looked at me carefully, "She seems like the kind of person that we can trust. I believe that she will keep my secret safe." I locked eyes with his shining grey orbs that danced like the stars above. Feeling my body grow uncommonly warm, I swallowed discretely and nodded my head in his direction.

"Oh yeah," Toph scoffed, ripping her fingers from Aang's grip, "Have you happened to notice that she's the fiancé of a very important fire nation official? Did that ever occur to you?"

Aang lowered his head, his hand suddenly gripping in a fist, "Unfortunately, I did notice. Thanks for reminding me." I felt my heartbeat speed up as I watched his nervous figure. The moonlight from up above was shining off his black hair, making it appear a shimmering silver. I felt my hand twitch with the want of nothing more than to run my hands through his short black hair.

But suddenly, Toph was bickering again and shaking her fist up in his face. "Does she know about your other thing as well Aang? That little secret that people don't even believe in anymore?"

Feeling my instincts kick in, I couldn't think straight. The next thing I knew was that I was pulling my hands over my head, calling the water to my side. A giant ball of liquid sailed over the side of the railing and smashed straight into the fighting pair. The noise immediately halted and their wet faces turned towards me. Aang's had a bemused look on his face, and Toph's was confused and furious at the same time. I gulped silently to myself.

"I-I'm sorry," I stuttered, "I don't know what came over me, really."

Toph was ringing out the part of her hair that was down, a frown covering her face, "Whatever, I guess I had it coming. I have a hard time controlling my anger."

Aang just grinned at me. "Are you kidding? That was amazing!"

I felt myself blush. "Really?"

He wiped the hair across his forehead, wiping the water away from his eyes as well. "Yeah. For someone who says she never practices, that was pretty dang good if I might say."

I smiled sheepishly and was about to thank him when I felt a strong fiery hand land on my shoulder. My insides screamed at the touch of his firebending and squelched the cry that fought to rise out from my stomach.

"Katara," Zuko hissed in my ear, "Was that you waterbending I just saw? Because you know how your father and I feel about you doing that."

I felt my voice catch in my throat, and tried to swallow the lump of fear. "Z-Zuko," I whispered hoarsely. I could see Sokka laughing in front of me as he wrapped his outer coat around his drenched wife.

The fire in the palm of his hand grew warmer. I whimpered a little.

"Answer me Katara," He whispered harshly, his voice snaking down my spine, "Or do you need to be taught a lesson." I swallowed ungracefully and readied myself for the burn mark he would make on my shoulder. But it never came. Instead, I suddenly felt a sudden breeze on my neck. My eyes going wide, and heartbeat stopping, my hand flew to the empty space on my neck.

I flew around to look him in the eye, but he had walked over to the railing, his fist raised.

"Zuko no!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. But he had already pitched my mother's necklace high into the air. I watched in horror as it fell to the ocean.

"No no no no nooo…" I whispered and raised my hands to pull the necklace from the water with waterbending. But Zuko suddenly had his hot, smoldering hands on my wrists, yanking them down behind me.

Feeling tears spill over from my eyes, I screamed and kicked. My mother's necklace!

"That necklace has been nothing but trouble," he hissed into my ear, "You have no discipline, no manners, and it reminds you of something that should not be. That is all it is. A memory. Memories are not needed where we are going my dear. That necklace signifies something you are not. You are rich and your mother was nothing more than a peasant that did not deserve the class she gained when she married your father."

Feeling my rage spill over I stomped on his foot and elbowed him roughly in the stomach. Feeling his grip release suddenly, I spilled forwards and ran towards the only open arms there were; Aang's.

Burying my tear stained face in his chest, I screamed in anger. I felt his arms go around me instantly, and his warm embrace caught me without struggle. His scent filled my lungs as I choked on my sobs.

Strangely, I felt Zuko's hand on my shoulder and to my surprise I felt Aang turn me away from my enemy, shielding me. I felt him hand me off to someone who hugged me tightly. I looked up to find Sokka trying to soothe me, with Toph's delicate hand resting on the small of my back. Feeling this compassion made me sob even harder.

From behind me I heard Aang's voice.

"Sir, I probably need to explain…"

"This has nothing to do with you or your friends," Zuko hissed at him. I sniffled and raised my head and looked over Sokka's shoulder to see my father staring at Zuko in horror. It was as if he was finally realizing what a monster he had promised his daughter to.

"No, it does involve me see," Aang said calmly, "I was the one who was waterbending."

My sobbing ceased. Why was he taking the fall for me? I had already suffered the punishment.

Zuko took in a sharp breath. "You what? How? I didn't know you were watertribe. You certainly don't look like it." There was an angry pause, "I don't believe you, show me."

I felt my stomach drop. Aang wasn't going to be able to prove that it wasn't me.

There wasn't anymore talking, only the distinct noise of water coming closer and closer to us from below. My eyes opened and I turned around in Sokka's arms. My felt my knees grow weak as I saw the sight of Aang holding a water whip shaped ball of water over his head, making it dance and move to his every will. Feeling my eyes bug out, I forgot that they were swimming in tears. I couldn't believe it. He could waterbend as well as airbend? For some reason, I felt betrayed.

Finally proving his point, he drew the water over the edge and let it drop where it mixed with the waves of the ocean. The pool of unwanted tears. And my mother's necklace.

Zuko looked up at me, sadness covering his face. "Katara, I'm so sorry. I just assumed."

I glared at him through tear stained eyes. "Yeah well you assumed wrong. It's over Zuko!" I screamed.

He took a step forward, holding his hands up in defense, "Katara, we can talk about this, we can-."

"No!" I screamed, my voice uneven and cracked, and wrenched my body from Sokka's grip, "I'm tired of your torture and harassment. I'm tired of everyone thinking I'm a porcelain doll that will break." I looked at Aang, my heart breaking. "I'm tired of being lied to." I turned towards my father, "And I'm not just some package you can ship off and sell. I am your daughter for crying out loud."

I shook my head and backed away from the group, my hands sprawled in front of me, warning them to stay away. "I'm tired of this. I have to leave." With that, I picked up my dress and sprinted to wherever my feet took me, knowing my life depended on it.