Katara,
Yo eyes are bluer than the ocean ya cherish so deeply. Yo hair is richer than any amount of money that I have gotten from my deals, we won't get into that. Yo skin is deeper than any trouble I have gotten myself into. I know that I may not be the best choice for ya. But I would like the chance to win ya. I wantcha to be my girl this Christmas. meet me at that place with the big tree tomorrow night. 8'oclock. Jet
The blue eyed woman stared at the little note from her one time date, drug dealing guy, in her blue gloved hands. The night air chilled her to the bone. Tiny white flakes floated down and swirled around her, leaving little wet drops on the flimsy paper. She rolled her eyes skyward, tucked the note in her coat pocket and continued on her way up her driveway, her arms loaded down with shopping bags filled with presents for her niece and nephew. Christmas had always been her favorite time of the year. The lights in the windows on a dark night, made her feel like she was part of something else. Their tiny twinkles made her feel at ease with the world. The hustle and bustle of people only hyped her senses and made her realized that her life wasn't the only one out there. And she couldn't forget the weather.
Winter was her favorite time of the year. She welcomed the chill into her body, feeling it settle in. The cold was something she'd been around her whole life and embraced it to the fullest. The arctic breeze let her know she was alive. Because most people don't usually enjoy it, she knew that meant something. The bitter air wasn't perfect, like her, and as long as things weren't perfect, she knew they were real.A white door came into view through the snow and Katara kicked at it, hoping someone would come to help her with the weight. Though, she shouldn't have been hopeful for it. She knew how long it took any of them to do anything. Ugh, she thought, why can't they just once hurry?
Footsteps could vaguely be heard through the wood and to her relief the door swung open and a fiery red haired woman greeted her. "Katara, where have you been? We were getting worried." Katara mumbled some way of apology and tried to move past her but Suki wouldn't let her. "Do you need some help?" shaking her head, Katara physically pushed her brother's wife out of the way.
"No, I just need to get inside. I have Christmas presents for the kids and would like to start wrapping them as soon as possible, and since the lovely holiday is tomorrow, I'm awfully behind. Actually, yes, help me. Take these and put them in my room, please?" Katara handed off three overly large bags to the other woman. Suki laughed and followed her sister-in-law to her room.
"Jeez, Katara, did you get enough? Or at least finish Christmas shopping?" without warning, the weight of Katara's shopping bags was pulled down by gravity, causing her to fall face first onto the feathered mattress. "Yeah, I'm done now. I just have to wrap these suckers. So please, don't let Baron or Kymi in." Katara started to unpack the presents. By the time she had finished, brightly colored gifts of different shapes and sizes were piled atop the bed.
Suki smiled, Katara loved Christmas even more than her brother did. Possibly even more than the kids did. "Yeah, sure. I'll keep them away from the infamous Auntie Katay. They're going to hate me for this you know that right?" Katara just laughed at Suki's declaration, "Yeah, keep laughing, but when I'm all alone when I'm old and wrinkly, I'm taking it out of your hide." she turned to leave as Katara's laughter rang in her ear, until she remembered something, "Oh this came for you in the mail while you were gone."
Katara looked up from her loot and saw a small envelope in Suki's hand, her name written in calligraphy. She took it with her hands shaking from trepidation. Another note from Jet? Oh, she hoped not. She still didn't know how she was going to deal with the one she had now. "Thanks, Suki. I'll see you downstairs for dinner." the tall woman nodded and left her to her thoughts.
Pushing her silly fears down, Katara turned the letter over and ripped the top off. Her breath caught when she saw who it was from. A nice man she had met during the same speed dating she'd met Jet. His name was Haru. He was a complete sweetheart. A teacher. She read the letter.
Katara,
I know we met just that one time. And I'm sure you don't like strange men randomly writing you, but I cannot stress how important it is to me that you know how much I enjoyed our time together. And would like to know if you would meet me tomorrow night, in the middle of the city. Say sevenish? It would be greatly appreciated, dear. Thank you and Merry Christmas. Deepest Regards, Haru Earthling
Katara stared at the little note, her breath stuck in her throat. This invitation was much better than that of Jet's. And she definitely wanted to see Haru more than Jet. Dammit, although Jet was an ass she couldn't just bail out on him for the sensitive teacher. Could she? No, she couldn't.
Could she possibly see both these men tomorrow night and get away with it? Well, she'd have to try and find that out. Tucking the note with the other under a sheath of papers on her desk, she began to peel off the price tags from the endless amount of toys.
"Katara! Dinner, is going to be easier than usual. We have a few guests over!" she smiled at the sound of Suki's voice and decided she had to get something extra special for her and her brother. They had taken her in when her house was burnt down by a Fire Nation, more commonly known as, FN, gang. Low life children with nothing better to do. They took away everything from her and for what? Some 'street cred'? Pathetic.
"Suki, who's coming over?" she yelled back down the hall. She listened to the lithe footsteps move up to her room.
Suki stood in front of her with a mixed expression of excitement and unease, "Well, a woman named Toph from work is coming over, she's handicapped and I thought I'd be nice if she had dinner with an actual family. Her parents own the company, but they're not the 'family' type, if you know what I mean. And, you know, only your best friend ever, Aang…" she smiled, probably thinking that her and the bald man had something going on between them. Everyone did, but Katara knew that nothing could ever happen. She just didn't feel anything for him.
Katara looked up at Suki, "Okay, that explains why you have that twinkle in your eye, but that doesn't explain why you have that tightening around your mouth. Who else is coming?" Suki looked uncomfortable and that was enough to tell her that she wasn't going to like what was happening next, "well, you know that Sokka has a bunch of friends all over the city, right?" Katara just nodded, "good, 'cause, he's having… Zuko over..." Nothing could have prepared Katara for Suki's answer. It chilled her more than any cold weather ever had.
Anger welled inside Katara's chest, "Why is he having that filthy pig over? Doesn't he realize who he is?" jumping to her feet, she paced the length of her room. The very thought of having Zuko over made her skin crawl. He was the former leader of the FN gang, just thinking about them made her want to drive 4 inch nails through her eyes, until he found 'hope' and became a peace officer. Personally, Katara didn't believe that bullshit, but there was nothing that proved her right. Sokka had helped him get into the criminal justice program and Zuko had been straight as an arrow ever since.
Suki rested her hands on her friend's shoulders, "Sweetie, I know how much you hate him, but you can't hold it against him forever. He was a kid, he made some mistakes. He didn't do anything to you, personally. You know that was his sister, Azula, not him. It's time to get over it and forgive him." She saw the look in the blue eyes and knew she was a lost cause. With a sigh, she left Katara's room.
Releasing a breath, she hadn't realized she was holding, she threw her closet doors open, a plan devising in her mind. Zuko had been the first responder to the fire that took her whole life away and she knew he had been attracted to her. Tonight, she'd make him really feel it. Tonight, she was going to look her best and make him sorry he'd ever been related to that demon bitch. Katara grinned evilly to herself and began pulling clothes from their hangers.
By the time Katara had finished dressing, Aang Toph, and Zuko had arrived. She smiled at the thought of her best friend. They had been friends since high school and at the age of twenty seven, nothing had changed. Much to his disappointment, but she just didn't feel anything for him. And she tried to, but nothing she did to force the feelings helped. Katara refused to play him the way the demon bitch's best friend, Ty Lee, did at one point. She only hoped Aang found someone soon.
Katara's heeled boots tapped the marble stairs in a slow rhythm, announcing her arrival. She moved her blue eyes round, looking for his familiar face. When she found him he wasn't even looking at her. Instead his stormy grey eyes were focused on a face she hadn't seen before. That must be Toph, she thought. She was pretty in a rough and tumble kind of way. Her black hair was piled on her head in a not so elegant look. Toph was a small girl, but in no way slight. There was an air about her that said she could stand her own, which was odd, considering her eyes were white and milky. She was blind.
As Katara approached Aang, her footing faltered. Circling him and Toph was an electric current so strong it rocked her to her core. Katara couldn't breathe, she was so happy. She had only felt this elated feeling a couple of other times. When she was around her parents before they died and when Sokka brought Suki home for the first time. A grin spread wide on her tanned toned face, Aang and Toph were going to be together for a very long time.
Smiling like an idiot, she touched their arms. Aang finally looked at her, his eyes lighter than she had ever seen them. The other woman looked in her direction, "Hello? My name's Toph, clearly I don't know yours, but I'd like to…" she paused, "Anytime now…"
Katara was floored, the woman seemed so full of life, like her blindness wasn't a problem, but a gift, "Hello, Toph, I'm Katara. Suki's sister-in-law. Aang, I'll see you guys around." With that, Katara took her leave without waiting for a response.
She was still so thrilled over the new couple that she hadn't seen Zuko. Nor had she noticed him when she nearly plowed him over. But what had grabbed her attention was lean, sinewy, strong arms snaked out and wrapped themselves around her waist.
Confused, Katara raised her blue eyes and saw the most beautiful warm whiskey eyes she'd ever seen. There was a danger factor to them that made her shiver. Then she realized why they seemed like they had seen much more than they should ever have. A scar marred his otherwise flawless skin. It covered his entire left eye and ear. It should have scared her, but it intrigued her more than she thought it would have. She released a breath she hadn't noticed she was holding and took a step back.
She took in the face that came with the eyes and felt the blood rush from her cheeks. Zuko. The bastard. Katara had planned on seducing him with her body and anything else she could use, but he had stolen that plan with a one single look.
It was like something out a romance movie. The Christmas music playing softly through the house. The lights that hung all around the room glittered in his eyes. Giving him a mischievous glint. Warmth spread through her body from the heater and feelings of love and happiness from the children consumed her. She was compelled and couldn't tear her gaze away. Damn him. With every ounce of strength she could muster, she held her hand out, "Nice to see you again, Officer Miyagi. Hope all is well with you."
Zuko stared at her, his mind racing. Her deep smoky blue eyes searing into his. And her dark chestnut hair curling around her sun kissed shoulders and falling down her back to touch her powder blue trimmed strapless white dress. She looked good enough to eat. And as he watched her lips part in way of a greeting, he thought he was going to lose it all right there.
He'd always been attracted to this bombshell, but he sensed her unease with him because of his damned sister. Tonight he had planned on changing that. He took her hand in his, "You can call me Zuko, Katara. I'm off duty." he flashed her a smile.
She visibly froze under his scrutinizing look, but regained her composure, "Oh? And here I thought police officers were never off duty…" She raised her eyebrow, challenging him.
She had him there, "Well, I suppose you are right. I'm always on call and I see thing off duty the way I would on duty."
"Really? Stuff like what?" she didn't believe him.
He'd set her straight in no time, "Well, for instance, I know that the bald guy and the blind girl are madly in lust right now and by the end of the night someone's getting luck. It will probably lead to a relationship. Suki's got a secret she's bursting to share with everyone tonight. Sokka's having it rough at work, but is getting a promotion and the kids know there is no Santa Clause." he paused for effect.
Katara raised her hand to her mouth, "Suki's pregnant. I knew it! I hope things will work out for my brother he deserves some happiness. But that's terrible about the kids. Here we thought we were doing so well at keeping up the charade." she turned toward him, "What can you tell about me?"
He got her, "I can see that you want nothing more than to…kiss me under this here mistletoe." her eyes widened and she looked up. Sure enough, a green leafed mistletoe hung above them.
"That is absurd. I would never kis-" Zuko cut her off with a scorching kiss that had her reeling back. Her mind spun from the sensations.
He lifted his head from her, "Hush, Katara, you talk too much." he bent back to her and kissed her again.