DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

AUTHOR'S NOTE:More reviews, yay! Just letting everyone know, this story isn't going to be very long - maybe sixteen, seventeen chapters - because I've been thinking about doing a prequel that goes back to when Katara first joined the Squad after I finished this one. Just a random side note there. Please review, and enjoy!

RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED FROM

"You didn't tell Sokka I was coming!" shouted Katara, who was currently focusing all of her anger on Zuko.

"Hey, I thought it would be a nice surprise for him." rebutted Zuko, who had his hands held up in surrender.

"And you let him do it!" Katara's anger suddenly swiveled to be directed at the rest of the Squad. Aang was usually the reasonable speaker of the group, so he was immediately pushed forward by Jet, meant to respond to Katara's legendary wrath.

"Hey, Sage, it wasn't our idea! I tried to stop him, but you know Blackthorn. He pretty much does what he wants."

"Exactly." said Zuko as he rested a strong hand on Katara's shoulder. "So, don't worry. I am sure he will be glad to see you again."

"As are we all."

The Squad swiveled around, facing the new voice, and immediately bowed stiffly from the waist as a sign of respect. Walking towards them, a long, black trench coat billowing out behind him, was Master Piandao, the Godfather of the Squad.

Once a Squad member himself, Piandao was from a very old British family that had been established on solid foundations of money, the arts, and martial arts. He had been one of the greatest warriors that the Squad had ever known, and was a master at every weapon and martial art that the world had ever known. Once he had grown too old to fight as an assassin of the Order himself, he was established as the "Godfather" who governed the young Squad members by assigning their missions, training them, and making sure they didn't get themselves killed.

"Godfather. It's great to see your stoic face again." said Katara humerously as the older man swept her into a tight hug.

"It is a pleasure to see you, as well, Sage." said the Godfather as he drew away. "I'm assuming that your presence here means that you've accepted the mission?"

"For now." said Katara with a shrug.

"I say we drug her and chain her up in the attic to keep her from running off again." said Toph, forcefully jabbing Godfather in the side.

"That is a great idea, Nightshades, but I'm afraid that would be constituted as kidnapping." Piandao coughed deeply, before straightening himself up. "Now that everyone's here, we'll meet in the Black Room for briefing."

"Not everyone's here yet." interrupted Jet. "Where's Black Rose?"

"Who knows." stated Suki.

"Who cares?" added Toph.

"Black Rose's location is something that will be shared in the briefing, if everyone can stop diddling around, and convene there. Now."

Before anyone could even speak, Piandao was gone, his black coat dramatically flaring behind him.

"Well, he hasn't changed." said Katara as she watched her old Master walk away.

"Yep. He's still the British pain in the ass that he's always been." said Jet with a laugh.

-888-

The Black Room turned out to be the most epic conference room that Katara had ever seen. When she was in the Order, they're briefing room was an over-sized closet. Now, it was the Pentagon.

"Wow." she mumbled, as she stared at the giant screen that flickered with thousands of images. It was the only thing illuminating the room, casting eerie, bright shadows on everyone's faces.

"This is really cool." she finally managed to say.

"Yeah, it is." said Jet as he came to stand next to her. "I love upgrade year. Teo really hooked us up."

"Teo's working for the Squad now?"

"Yeah, he's our resident nerd."

"I prefer the term 'tech guru'." Katara couldn't help but smile when she saw the smartest - and sweetest - boy she had ever met roll up to her.

Teo had always been the braniac, and Katara loved him even more for it. Because of an accident that took away his ability to walk, he was not able to join the Squad, but that didn't mean he didn't hang around whenever he could. His incredible intelligence made him a valuable member of the team, and his cuteness made him just fun to be around. Also, he was a founder of the computer company that would grow to be bigger than Microsoft. That was kinda cool, too.

"Nice to see you back in action, Sage." he said, pulling her down into a hug.

"Don't get too excited, I'm jut helping out."

"She's been saying that all day." said Zuko, who had popped up out of absolutely nowhere. Teo nodded, and adjusted his rimless glasses.

"Ah, so she's in denial."

Suddenly, Aang popped up. "That's what I'm betting on."

"Wait, there's a bet?" shouted Toph.

"Guys!" excalimed Katara, silencing the room. "I am still here, you know?"

"Take your seats, please." said Piandao as he entered the room from some secret door. Like an obedient class, the Squad shuttled themselves into large, theatre seats arranged strategically in front of the giant screen.

"Now, you all know that we have a new target that is on the priority list for the Squad. Light me up, Teo." A few seconds later, Ozai Hiryo's face dominated the entire screen. Katara felt a chill run up her spine as she stared into those bright, golden eyes that held so much fascination, and so much malice.

"Ozai Hiryo - put your hand down, Nightshades, I know you can't see - the highest profile target that we have ever had. Also, the most dangerous. Killing him will not be easy."

"That's what makes it fun." exclaimed Jet from the back.

"Yes, and that's also what makes it dangerous. Next slide, please Teo." The next pictures to appear on the screen were of two girls - one with a pale, stoic face and glossy black hair, and the other with big grey eyes, and a bright smile. Katara thought that they were a rather odd pair, but didn't think much of them.

"Let me introduce you to Mai Miyazaki and Ty Lee Gray."

"They're kinda hot." commented Jet. Katara turned around to shoot him a glare, and he winked in return. Yep, that was Jet for you.

"Hot, and deadly. These two are Ozai's most trusted body guards. Mai is twenty three years old, and already one of the deadliest killers in the world. Her father is a prestigious presence in Japan, and has a lot of pulls in the Tokyo underworld. Mai is a master of the knife, and can kill stealthily and silently. You don't see her coming until you are dead. Ty Lee is the exact opposite. She was born into an Ohio showbiz family - pageant girls, musicals, dance recitals, gymnastics - with six identical sisters. Her parents pushed them all to their limits to make them the best. Ty Lee was picked up by a rival assassins squad because of her gymnastics skills, and knowledge of the human body. She uses no other weapon besides her body. Also, her bubbly attitude makes her an unexpected killer. They both went to university with Black Rose, and that is how Ozai picked them up. They are both paid handsomely to protect this man."

Aang slowly raised his hand.

"Yes, Hawthorne." said Piandao, motioning towards Aang.

"So, these two are the only ones protecting Ozai?"

"Good question. No. Next slide, Teo."

The next faces to appear were multiple. One was a middle-aged man with obnoxiously large sidebruns, and a pompous smirk. The other was a small, yet intimidating man with a villainous goatee, and a long braid that ran down his back. There was something in his eyes that exclaimed "do not trust me", like a rat, or a snake.

"Zhao and Long Feng." uttered Zuko immediately.

"More body guards?" asked Suki.

"No." answered Zuko, his face stoic. "Best friends. My father never goes anywhere without them somewhere close by. They were even at my fourth grade piano recital."

"Blackthorn is correct." said Piandao. "These two are Ozai's right hand men. They are also a thousand times more dangerous than him. Zhao Moretti is Ozai's dirty man. He is the one who stains his hands with the blood that Ozai spills. His father was a prominent member of the Chicago Mafia and his mother was the daughter of Kazuo Taoka*, so he knows how to kill, and isn't afraid of it. He is also brilliant - graduated top of his class at Yale.

"Long Feng Smith has the same intelligence and killer instinct as Zhao, but with more charm. He is the business behind Hiryo Enterprises. All of the money runs through him. He is also the head of Ozai's personal army, the Dai Li. A skilled group of fighters who guard Ozai at public events, or occasions that involve large crowds. They are all mutes so as to not give away any of Ozai's more illegal secrets if arrested or kidnapped."

"We can avoid them easily." said Hawthorne, scratching his bald head. Piandao did not agree, however.

"We do not want to simply avoid them, Hawthorne. Chopping off a branch doesn't kill the tree. In order for Ozai's entire corrupt empire to fall, all of his minions must fall, as well. That is why all of you are needed for this mission.

"In a week, Ozai and his possy will be leaving for Paris, France. On the surface, it's a retreat for his buisness partners, but underneath it is his annual check-up on the crime ring that he runs there. You will all be going. Sage. Blackthorn. You'll be going undercover."

"Undercover as what?" asked Katara, who had been quietly listening throughout the entire briefing.

"Yourselves. Blackthorn will be himself, and you will be his girlfriend."

Katara's head almost burst.

"I'll be his what?"

"Oh, this is gonna be fun." said Nightshades with a smirk as she propped up her feet.

"Blackthorn is already Ozai's son. You will be the only other member of the Squad who will be able to get close enough to him to kill him." Katara wasn't following that logic.

"Um, what about Black Rose, his daughter? I'm sure he trusts her more than his disgrace of a disinherited son's ex-girlfriend." Katara cast a quick glance at Zuko. "No offence."

"None taken."

"Black Rose isn't on this mission." said Piandao quickly. "In fact, she is not even aware of it. Her relationship with her father is on a very thin line, right now. Since she has been appointed as heir to his empire, her loyalty can stand for question. If this does not go well, Black Rose may end up eliminated, as well."

The room sat in silence as they meditated on the latest news. Black Rose was a prodigy in the Squad - possibly a better killer than Sage. Hearing that they might be required to eliminate a sister was something that made the intensity of the mission hit home. After a moment, Piandao coughed nervously.

"Um, moving on. The rest of the Squad will be in Paris, as well, but as tourist, or interns, or simply faces in the crowd. If Sage and Blackthorn get into trouble, they will have back up. And let me assure you, they will get into trouble. Is everyone clear on the mission?"

"Yes, Godfather." echoed the Squad. All besides Katara that is, who was still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she would be playing the role of Zuko's girlfriend...again.

Piandao nodded his head, then motioned towards Suki.

"Tiger Lily, take Sage to the Closet, find her some new clothes." Katara crinkled her brow, and stared down at her outfit. In knee high Frye boots, skinny jeans, and her black, army style jacket, she thought she looked pretty good.

"What's wrong with my clothes?" Piandao smirked, his eyes slowly scanning Katara's form.

"You are going to have to play the part of American royalty in order for Ozai to accept you. You're going to have to look the part."

-888-

Katara quickly decided that she hated her clothes, if it meant that she could dress in clothes like this. Vera Wang, Louis Vouiton, Armani, Burberry, D&G. And the jewelry. And the purses. And the shoes! It was like Barneys for assassins.

"You have got to be kidding me." she said as she stared in awe at the enormous, finely furnished warehouse that they dare call a closet.

"Yeah. It's pretty awesome." said Suki with a proud smirk on her face.

"Do you ever just...?"

"Try them on to try them on? Oh yeah."

"How many can I borrow?"

"As many as you want."

Katara suddenly realized that she really did love her job.

-888-

Zuko shifted his feet uncomfortably as the elevator continued to climb up to the third floor. He had been summoned by the Grand Lotus Master, and that was either very bad, or very good. It most likely had something to do with Katara. Just thinking about her, he couldn't help but smile. She was falling back in love with the Squad, and he could see it in her eyes. She had missed the life that she had lived with them. She had missed him.

The elevator suddenly jolted to a stop, shocking him out of his thoughts.

"Office of the Grand Lotus Master, Blackthorn." recited the automated female voice.

"Thank you, NANCY." The doors whoosed open with a bing, opening to a bright space, flooded with light. The roof and walls were made of glass, giving it ample access to the sun at all times of day. The large room was sparse when it came to furniture - a few chairs here, a small table there. The items that owned the room were ancient Japanese antiques that dated back thousands of years. Zuko was always amazed every time he entered the room by the pure amount of old stuff that was kept in the office. At the far end of the room, there sat a large, extravagantly decorated mahogany desk, a golden lotus tile engraved on the front.

But, it wasn't behind this desk that had ushered the rule of thousands of Grand Lotus Masters that Zuko found his superior. It was in the far corner, among a vast collection of plants and shrubs, that he saw a short, round man with a finely trimmed white beard bent over, humming to himself.

"It's a long, long way to Ba Sing Se...Oh, Zuko! I didn't hear you come in." said the elder man when he noticed Zuko standing at the entrance of the room.

"Uncle. You summoned me?"

"Oh, come now, Zuko, don't be so serious. Sit, pour yourself some tea. I hope you're trip home went well?" Zuko nodded, taking a seat in front of the desk.

"As smooth as you promised, uncle. Accept, there were some problems this morning. Sage was attacked in her apartment by an unknown assassin. Possibly a rogue. Possibly not."

Master Iroh's face suddenly became very serious. His large, overly upholstered chair creaked as he eased himself behind his desk.

"Was she hurt?" Zuko shook his head, and poured himself a cup of tea from the antique set in front of him.

"She's still Sage. She can hold her own in a fight. But, that's not what worries me. Why would anyone want to kill her now? I mean, it's been four years since she left the Squad. If someone wanted her taken care of, they would have gotten it over with already."

Master Iroh shrugged, and leaned back in his chair.

"It is possible that rumors of Sage returning to the Squad have spread to rival firms. She was a terrible threat when she was in her prime, there is no reason for anyone to think that she wouldn't be as skilled now."

"But, after two days, Uncle? The only people who knew about Sage possibly coming back were the original gang, the Godfather, and you. There is no way our Lotus.30s could have been hacked. I don't know why but it...scares me that Sage is being targeted now. She has been out of action for so long...Don't get me wrong, I know that she is perfectly able to take care of herself, but that assassin that attacked her wasn't killed. The old Sage would have ended her in barley a minute. Sage was knife fighting the girl for ten."

Master Iroh nodded slowly, but then his eyes settled on Zuko. A silly little half grin spread on his ancient, yet surprisingly youthful face.

"You haven't smoked." Zuko blinked, his eyes narrowed.

"What?"

"You haven't smoked since last night. Am I correct?"

Zuko sat, staring at his hands for a moment, before smiling slightly. Iroh was right. He hadn't smoked all day; hadn't even thought about taking a smoke. His rational side told him that it was all of the anxiety from the upcoming mission that made his moods all off, but his more romantic, hopeful side told him that it was Katara. She changed him, even when she was being that new, stiff, "normal" Katara, and not the all bets off Sage that he had grown up knowing. It was a strange feeling, being so emotionally altered by someone after only being with them for a day and a half. Especially after spending four years being relatively numb. But he had to keep reminding him that they had an amazing love once upon a time, and maybe if he directed the right amount of energy, he could find it again.

"I know what you're thinking, and it's not going to work." Master Iroh's voice pulled Zuko out of his deep thought. He blinked once, his eyes focusing on the older man, who was frowning, but held a laugh in his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"You're thinking about using this mission to revitalize your old relationship with Sage. Don't do it. This is too delicate a situation for that. Sage already came with her demands, correct?"

Zuko rolled his eyes, and ran his hand through his thick hair.

"Yeah. No membership, she wants compensation, and no sex." Iroh flinched dramatically.

"Harsh demands, nephew."

"Tell me about it. But, I'm still working on at least getting her to join the Squad again. The field just isn't the same without her. Even our rivals can see it. When Hawthorne brings them in for interrogation, they ask about the pretty dark-skinned girl with the killer shot."

Master Iroh laughed half-heartedly, as if his mind was somewhere else entirley. Zuko could sense it, and did not appreciate being left in the dark when it came to those he loved.

"Why did you call me up here, Uncle?" Master Iroh sighed deeply, and wrapped his large hands over his small tea cup, inhaling the scent. His newest brew.

"Zuko," he began, his voice heavy and prepped for a speech, "I have not had the opportunity to really talk to you about targeting your father..." Zuko knew where this was going.

"Uncle, please, I don't need an intervention. I've already decided that I am completely dedicated to this target, as I am with every target. Do you doubt my loyalty to the Order?"

"No, Zuko, of course I don't. But, I do doubt your loyalty to yourself. Do not push your limits. You know what happened the last time you did."

Zuko flinched. He didn't like to think about that day. It was a harsh day for the entire Squad, for the entire Order. Many good people were lost that day, and a lot of friendships were broken. That was also the day that Katara had left the Order, supposedly forever.

"I better go," said Zuko as he quickly stood, ending the conversation.

"Please, don't avoid this, Zuko. Talk to Sage. She's always been a good listener." Zuko nodded, but didn't respond.

"Nice talking to you, Uncle." With that, the elevator binged, and the door whoosed open. The last thing he saw before descending was his Uncle's silhotte in front of the setting sun.

-888-

"I think I like the red one better." said Jet, his hand buried in a bowl of popcorn.

"No, I like this one alot better. It looks younger." commented Aang.

"I really like the blue one, it brings out your eyes." responded Suki.

"I think they all look great!" exclaimed Toph. The Squad all turned to shoot a dark glare at Toph, who simply waved her hand in front of her non-seeing eyes dramatically.

"When are you gonna stop playing the blind card?" asked Jet with a corked, perfectly plucked eyebrow. Toph grinned, crossing her ankles.

"When it stops working."

"Guys, none of you are helping, here." said Katara from her pedestal, surrounded by three way mirrors. She wore a floor-length, strapless black gown with a lace back, that fit to her body like it was painted on. She had been in the midst of an inner struggle over evening gowns, and the Squad was kind enough to offer their opinions. Even though they were really not helping at all.

"Choose the black one."

Everyone's heads snapped to turn and see Zuko leaning against the door frame of the Closet, his arms crossed, and an odd type of smirk on his lips. Katara felt her heart jump a bit.

"Yes! Thank you, Blackthorn. See, I was right, it's the black one."

Katara looked herself over one last time, studying every angle, then nodded her head in finality.

"It's the black one."

The room erupted into a chorus of cheers and groans. Zuko simply looked on in amusement.

"Is this really what you guys have been doing with your time for the past half hour?"

Katara hopped down from the pedestal, the mermaid style tail of the dress flaring out around her.

"Yep. Surprised you finally decided to join us."

"I had other business to see to. Now, get out of those expensive clothes, and come with me. It's time I showed you your room."

-888-

Katara followed Zuko down a long, straight hallway that reminded her a lot of her freshman dorm. Each side of the hallway was lined with nondescript black doors that had no adornments besides a series of number and letter engraved into them.

"What is this, some kind of barracks?" she asked after a moment of silence. The muscles in his back flexed as Zuko shrugged.

"You could say that. But, we like to simply call them the Dorms."

They finally came to a stop at the door engraved with the symbols, 55A2. Zuko took a small, simple iron key out of his blazer pocket, and quickly unlocked the door.

Katara stared at awe at the room that looked nothing like a space that belonged in a dorm. The room was small, but shaped like an egg split down the middle, making it seem larger. The bed was a queen platform, low to the ground and very modern. There was also a small table, and a contemporary chair, but that was all that adorned the room. A large window covered an entire wall, giving a marvelous view of the large lake that HQ bordered. Her luggage was already situated neatly on the bed, even though she had almost forgotten about them.

"That door over there leads to the bathroom, and there's a small closet behind the door. It's not much, but..."

"It's fine." interrupted Katara, her eyes locking with Zuko. He smiled down at her, his golden eyes dancing, before Katara quickly diverted her gaze. She couldn't let herself get caught like that again.

For a moment, they both simply stood there in an awkward, tense silence that made the air in the room seem heavy and uncomfortable. Finally, Zuko cleared his throat, releasing some of the tension.

"So, um, the cafeteria in the mansion is always open, that's where we usually eat, and I'll see you tomorrow. Bright and early."

Katara nodded nervously, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Bright and early."

Zuko cast her one more heart-wrenching glance before leaving her alone in the silence of her room. With a heavy sigh, Katara fell back on her bed, letting the air mattress absorb her body. All of the weariness and stress of the day began to roll off of her body in waves, allowing her mind to finally reach some state of calm. She felt like she could fall asleep right then, when she heard an all too familiar voice in the doorway.

"I'm still the only one who can sneak up on you, huh?"

Katara popped up into an upright sitting position, her eyes wide and slightly fearful. Before her, leaning against the door frame, was her brother. He looked so much older than she remembered. His usually short cut hair was steadily growing, beginning to look very much like their father's. Sokka wore a white button up over dark wash jeans with a skinny black tie. She remembered the days when he would live in his Beavis and Butt-head novelty t-shirt. Now he was beginning to look so much like a man. But at the moment, his countenance radiated nothing but anger.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" her brother asked of her, his voice harsh, and his eyes icy. "Don't you think I deserve to hear something after four years of silence? God, Katara, do you know how worried I was about you? How worried Gran was about you? You don't just abandon your family, and run off the Chicago like some 1950's reject! And now I have to hear from Blackthorn of all people that you're coming back. I should have been the first one you called! I promised Dad that I would take care of you, and I can't do that if you're always acting so damn..."

Sokka didn't have time to finish his prearranged rant before he was wrapped in a tight, constricting hug by his baby sister. Katara could feel him standing stiff and rigid in her arms, but that only made her hug him even closer, like she never wanted to let go. She didn't even realize she was crying until she saw the stains on his shirt.

"I'm so sorry, Sokka." she sobbed into his chest. "I wanted to call you and Gran, I did, but I was so scared. So scared of what would happen if I came back. All of the memories of Mom and Dad and Yue...I couldn't do it, Sokka. I couldn't do it."

Finally, with a force that rivaled even her hug, Sokka wrapped his strong arms around her back, burying his face in her thick hair.

"It's okay now. I know it was hard for you after everything you had seen. I miss them too, 'Tara, more than you could ever know, but I miss you, too."

"I missed you, too, Sokka."

They stood like that for a moment, wrapped in the love that had been threatening to overflow for years. Sokka and Katara had their differences, but they were always close. They were all the other had. It was like breathing fresh air after years underground.

Sokka finally began to pull away, allowing Katara to wipe away her tears with the back of her hand.

"Now, let me look at you." he said, holding her at arms length. "Wow. You look like a grown woman."

"I am a grown woman, Sokka." said Katara with a laugh.

"No. You're still my baby sister. And I'm going to knock Snapdragon's teeth out if he tries to hit on you again."

Katara hit her brother playfully in the chest, even though it still caused him to bruise.

"Sokka! Seriously?"

"What? I never liked the guy, you know that. So, you and Blackthorn..." Sokka rose his eyebrows, animating his face. Katara rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"Don't stress yourself, nothing's going on between us. It's part of my contract." She plopped herself down on the edge of the bed, crossing her arms.

"You have a contract?" said Sokka, sitting himself down next to her.

"Yeah. No membership, I require compensation, and no sex." Pause. "With Blackthorn." Sokka stroked his developing goo-tee for a moment, in his signature thinking pose. After a moment, his face lit up with a mischievous half smile.

"I like those odds. I like them a lot."

AN: Yeah, I know that was kind of a weird ending, but at least Sokka and Katara are together again. So, please review! Also, the title song is "Right Back Where We Started From" by Maxine Nightingale

* Kazuo Taoka: a yakuza Godfather who was known as the "Godfather of Godfathers". Pretty much a bad a** guy.