A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews. I feel very inspired to continue the story. So without further ado, here's the next chapter.

Avatar Aang stood leisurely in the largest of the three waiting chambers in the palace. The walls were adorned with rich red tapestries and ancient paintings depicting various historical events. Suspended from the ceiling was a massive crystal chandelier that captured the light from a multitude of nearby lanterns and transformed it into a dazzling array of colors. The room itself was furnished with lavish couches and cushions all made from the finest silk and satin. Atop the glistening marble floor, in the center of the room, was a thick carpet with an intricately interwoven design. In short–the finest the Fire Nation had to offer.

But Aang payed no attention to his extravagant surroundings. His mind remained fixed on one thought: Katara.

It had been over four years since he had last seen her, and every moment since then had felt like an eternity. When they had first parted ways he had hated her, vowing to never see her again. For a time he had been a recluse, trudging from town to town with no goal in sight. The War was over and there was no need for the Avatar. Or so he had thought. He still wasn't sure if he was doing the right thing. The pain from that day was still very much alive–although buried deep within.

Aang heard footsteps in the adjacent corridor and started. There was still enough time to leave. Leave and never come back. This was a mistake all of it, he should never have come. He began to run for the opposite corridor before stopping suddenly.

He had requested an audience with the Fire Lord. If he ran away now he would lose what little honor he had. Aang grimaced, that was one satisfaction Zuko would never have. Gathering himself he turned to face the source of the footsteps.

Two men and a woman, escorted by a guard from the Royal Procession, made their way into the chamber. The man in the lead was the tallest of the four. He wore rich robes and fine silver headgear. His keen grey eyes latched onto Aang, but he continued to speak to the man behind him as if nothing had changed.

"So you see Ambassador Cheo, my company would be more than happy to aid the Earth Kingdom in its time of need."

"Yes but still," the burly man began, stroking his bushy beard. "The price seems a bit steep."

"Ah, but therein lies the benefit. My deliveries are always guaranteed. Always." The tall man turned and smiled. "I doubt the competition can offer you that."

"Uh, I suppose you're right."

"Then we have a deal?"

"Yes." They shook hands.

"My assistant, Ume, will fill out the necessary paperwork. First payment is expected promptly before the departure date, as well as collateral. Thank you for your business, Excellency."

"Thank you, Lord Akio." The two men bowed and the young woman led the Ambassador down a side corridor.

"I can find my way out from here." said the man to the guard, who bowed and went back the way he came. The man strode calmly into the waiting chamber. He paused to admire one of the paintings before turning his attention to Aang. "Fine art." He began, his voice pleasantly regal, "The Fire Lord knows how to entertain his guests."

Aang smirked, he had known Zuko back when he was a banished prince, a refugee, a traitor, always a menace. And then, a long time ago it seemed, Zuko had become his friend and trusted mentor, only to stab him in the back. I guess I should have seen it coming, thought Aang, but I never expected it from Katara.

Noticing the hint of anger in his eyes at the mention of the Fire Lord, Akio pondered the reason. Why should the Avatar resent one of his oldest friends–his teacher if stories were true. Why should he–the answer struck him like lightning. Although outwardly nothing had changed his mind was racing. The Fire Lady! That had to be the reason. She was the Avatar's teacher too, but their relationship was more than that.

Wasn't it, he thought, looking at the Avatar. So that's why he disappeared for all of those years. That's why he wasn't at their wedding. Akio compartmentalized the information for later.

"Avatar Aang, I presume?" Akio bowed. "Such an honor to meet you in person. Tell me, what brings you to the capital this fine day?"

Aang returned the bow respectfully. "I'm here to see some old friends." He replied, his voice had grown stronger over the years.

"Ah yes. Friends are the most important thing in the world. Next to family." Akio smiled kindly, "But then again, some can be as close as family. If not more."

"True." Aang lowered his gaze, thoughts of Katara filling him once more.

Akio smirked in his mind. It seemed he was right–not that that came as a surprise. The Avatar was an open book to him. Every feeling, every thought as plain as day. He would be only too easy to manipulate…

"And you are?" Aang's voice brought him out of his musings.

"Oh, forgive me." He laughed. "I'm Lord Akio, owner of Swift Wing co., as well as several other corporations here and abroad." He struck out his hand.

"Nice to meet you." Aang shook it indifferently. The waiting was growing unbearable and so were the thoughts that flooded his mind. How was she? Had she changed? Did she even remember him?

"Strange that the Fire Lord has kept you waiting so long." said Akio, breaking his chain of thought.

"He's a busy man." said Aang with a hint of contempt.

"Yes, I hear the Fire Lady has taken ill." mentioned Akio nonchalantly.

"Katara's sick?" he gasped.

"So I've heard. Though I don't know the details."

Aang's anxiety grew tenfold. He glared at the corridor, confident that now there was no turning back. He had to see her.

"Don't worry." said Akio, reading his mind. "I'm sure everything is fine." Aang relaxed somewhat, but the gnawing thought remained.

"My lord." The woman from before walked into the waiting chamber. "I thought I might find you here."

"You move fast, Ume."

"Thank you, my lord." She bowed her head. "I hope you haven't forgotten your business arrangement later today."

"Oh yes, of course." There were many things to attend to. The Maelstrom Pirates, for one. He would have to notify his forces stationed off Whale Tail Island to ready their ships. Then there was the matter of the Dragon Claw Group, yet another criminal organization in his way. Not to mention the ever present trouble from his wives, the youngest of which had recently given him his third son. "I'm afraid I must leave you, Avatar Aang. I'm sure the Fire Lord won't keep you waiting much longer. If you need anything, anything at all, feel free to visit me at my palace or Swift Wing co. Headquarters. I hope we can be good friends." He held out his hand, and this time Aang shook it warmly.

Alone once more, Aang sat on one of the couches and meditated. Gradually his thoughts cleared and the cacophony of worries dimmed to a soft mummer. He was here to move on with his life. To forget the past. If Katara truly loved Zuko, and he her, then there was no point in hating either of them. Perhaps it was fate and Aang was simply the one who got in the way. It was time to forget that kiss, and all the events that led up to it.

'So long as she's happy, I have no right to interfere.' He thought, and submerged himself deeper in his meditation. Aang felt himself ascending into the sky, his mind miles away. He felt his worries washed away by the eternal streams of the spirit world. Finally he felt his thoughts enter a sanctuary. A place where everything was serene, peaceful. The world was silent at last.

A thought broke through the silence and made him open his eyes. What if she wasn't happy?

"Avatar Aang." A Royal Procession Guard stood at the edge of the corridor. "You've been invited into the Throne Room."

The Throne Room was unusually quiet. Even the loud hissing of the flames seemed like a deafening silence to Zuko. The news of Aang's sudden return had shaken him greatly. In fact it had all but ruined his otherwise pleasant day.

Why had Aang decided to return? As far as Zuko knew he wanted nothing to do with either him or Katara.

Perhaps he thinks she'll leave me, he mused, if so he's more than welcome to her…But Zuko knew he couldn't simply discard his wife as he could a consort or a mistress. Yes, regrettably Fire Ladies had rights too. A slight oversight of the previous Fire Lords, he thought with a scowl.

Giving up on trying to decipher the Avatar's reasoning, the Fire Lord motioned to one of his guards to bring in Aang. He hoped the meeting would be brief. After all, what was there to say? 'I stole the woman you loved, how are things with you?'

Zuko sighed. He was still looking forward to his night with Lien Yun. As soon as the meeting was over he would go to her room, tear her clothes off, and have his fill of her. Virgins were always so meek and innocent. So hesitant to do anything for fear of displeasing him. Their worry was like an aphrodisiac that drove him wild. The ecstasy of that first thrust and the anxiety of the last, what was Katara compared to that?

"Avatar Aang." announced the herald, Zuko instantly looked up. The Avatar had grown taller and now had broader shoulders, his previously lean frame was now taut with muscles. Aang's face had matured as well, his adolescent eyes were now more reserved and adult, his expression more serious. His outfit had changed too. In lieu of his usual monk robes, he wore a light Earth Kingdom breastplate over a long sleeve travel shirt, indigo pants and matching boots, as well as a deep blue travel cloak that seemed Water Tribe in origin, at his side hung the traditional Air Nomad beads. Only his shaved head remained unchanged.

As he walked past the guards and into the Throne Room Aang did not bow. The Chamberlain appeared annoyed at the breach in protocol, but Zuko overrid him with a glance.

"Aang," Zuko forced a smile, "It's been so long. How have you been all these years?"

"Fine." Aang did little to conceal his disdain for the Fire Lord. The guards in the throne room tensed.

"Leave us." ordered Zuko. Everyone bowed and walked out, leaving the two of them alone.

"Aang," he began again.

"Save it, Zuko." Aang stood before the throne, the towering flames not fazing him at all. "Where's Katara?"

"She hasn't been feeling well, so she's resting in her chambers. Look, I know this is difficult to–"

"Difficult?" Aang seethed. "I thought we were friends Zuko! You were my teacher, I trusted you!"

"Aang, it's not that–"

"And then you go and stab me in the back?" Aang glared at him, the rage filling the room. Zuko felt himself returning the hatred. Who was Aang to question him–the Fire Lord? Where would the world be if he hadn't helped train him. Hadn't helped defeat Azula and undo a century of his ancestors' tyranny.

Zuko forced the anger down and with all the strength he could muster started to reply calmly, "Katara and I–"

"I don't care what you have to say, Zuko. No explanation could ever justify what you did." He sneered at the mutual hatred in the room. "I'm only here to see Katara. The only reason I requested an audience with you was because the Earth King asked it as a favor. He wanted me to pass a message on to you." Aang tossed a sealed scroll on the floor. "Otherwise I would never talk to a slimy bastard like you."

The flames around Zuko's throne blazed into the ceiling, threatening to burn the palace to ashes. Despite his resolve Zuko felt his rage take control, and the words burst forth like an inferno.

"You just can't accept the fact that Katara chose me. You were the Avatar, the savior of the world, but you still couldn't have her. She wanted a real man, not a kid. Face it Aang, you're nothing. All your skills and techniques were mastered in your previous lives. They're the ones that mattered. You? You're just a good for nothing snot nosed little brat!"

Aang felt the Avatar State starting, but he suppressed it, his knuckles turning white from the effort. Killing Zuko would achieve nothing. As much as the bastard deserved it. For Katara's state he fought back the rage.

"Go fuck yourself, Zuko." Aang muttered. Then in a calmer voice, "Tell Katara I want to see her. I'll be staying in the city. I'll send a messenger hawk as soon as I find a hotel."

"You're welcome to stay in the palace." said Zuko. Regretting the outburst the second his mind had cleared.

"No thanks." said Aang with disgust. Turning around he walked towards the exit. Pausing at the doors he added. "Oh and Zuko, in the future I'd refrain from insulting my bending. I may just lose control long enough to prove you wrong. I wouldn't want Katara to be a widow so soon." And with that the Avatar vanished once more.

In her chambers Katara lay nearly motionless on her bed, her legs cradled in her arms, her head on her knees. It felt like a nightmare. It was horrifying, overwhelming, and worst of all it wasn't a dream. Her servant had confirmed it earlier that day.

'Your majesty!' she had said with a beam.

'What is it, Su Qi?' Katara had asked. She had felt sick for nearly a week. Every day the same symptoms: weakness, nausea, and a slight fever.

'You're pregnant!'

'What?' shock spread on her face.

'Yes, the doctor just told me. He says you're not sick at all, but with child. Oh, the Fire Lord will be so pleased. Congratulations!'

The news had shattered her. She had weakly sent the cheerful servant away, feigning tiredness. But she hadn't slept at all that night. She had wanted to cry at first, but the tears wouldn't come. She wanted to scream, but her voice was gone. As the chill autumn breeze fought its way into her room she shuddered, though she barely felt the cold.

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