There was a feast that night. Katara found herself at a long, low table in one of the minor dining halls, surrounded by almost everyone she had ever called friend. It had been Iroh's idea to use a minor dining room, but Zuko had agreed. The main dining hall had a raised dais at one end of the table where Zuko usually sat above his subjects. But here with friends everyone was on the same level.

Zuko sat at the head of the table. On his right were Mai's parents. They had pulled themselves together long enough for Bumi to convince them to come to the feast.

After the war, Mai's family had returned to Omashu after asking Bumi's permission to live in the city. Tom Tom had taken his first steps there and Mai's mother insisted that the Earth Kingdom air smelled better. But Bumi had done them one better than letting them return. He knew that, for all their being on the Fire Nation side, they had taken the responsibility of governing Omashu seriously.

He had seen their love for his city, and when he heard their request, he granted it, then offered to let them live in the palace. Mai's father was now Bumi's royal advisor, and although they were still new to the Earth Kingdom customs, they seemed happy there.

On Zuko's left were Ty Lee and Iroh. Somehow, Ty Lee managed to look perky in her sorrow, and Suki had recovered enough to drag Sokka much farther down the table. Katara, Toph, and Teo had followed and they all sat together with all the Fire Nation nobles between them and the head of the table.

Farther down the table sat more friends. The rest of the Kyoshi Warriors were there, as were key members of the White Lotus Society. Sokka and Katara's Gran Gran sat to the left of her husband Pakku, and Hakoda and Arnook, who had become close friends over the last years, sat nearby. The Earth King sat by himself at the foot of the table. The chairs nearest him were empty, too. Most people were far too squeamish to sit by Bosco as he wolfed down his food. But Bosco displayed excellent table manners, careful to not even displace the black hat that sat on his massive head.

The atmosphere was almost pleasant. It was light, but strained. Zuko, jaw tight, didn't speak. Katara saw him looking at Iroh a few times, but whatever his uncle was saying, Zuko only nodded in response. Meanwhile, Sokka was impressing his wife with his devastating wit and charm. Laughing at his own joke, he snorted and a noodle came out of his nose.

It took them by surprise and they all began to laugh. Even a few of the stiff-faced nobles joined in before they all realized where they were. Everyone froze and looked to the head of the table. Their gazes slid over Mai's parents—who looked surprised but not angry—to Zuko. When he rose from his chair, the only sound in the hall was the screech of metal chair on tiled floor. He nodded once to his guests, then left.

Both Katara and Iroh rose at the same time to go after him, but Iroh motioned to her to take this one. As she hurried after him, she tried to regain the courage she had felt the night before as she pulled him into her arms. But it was gone. Her hands were shaking as she called after him. He stopped where he was, almost sixty yards down the cavernous hallway but he didn't turn to her. Katara couldn't bring herself to shorten the distance between them.

"Won't you come back?" Her whisper echoed and amplified so that he heard her as well as if she'd been standing with him.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before answering. "I appreciate your concern, Katara, but don't ask me. Not tonight."

She stood there speechless as he walked away.

That night she lay awake, pondering the tense conversation they had shared in the Eastern Hallway, until her restlessness forced her from her bed. She kept chiding herself for not being able to bring him back. After the first laugh, the feast had easily slipped into what it was meant to be: A celebration of Mai's life among her friends and family. The mourning time had ended, and Mai wouldn't have wanted them to waste so much time crying over her. She would have found it boring.

Zuko should have been there to see that. Somehow, should have convinced him to stay, but what could she have said? The whole situation was driving her crazy. The failure to help a friend rankled her pride, but she couldn't conceive a way to win.

There was a light tap on her door. "Katara, are you still awake?" The old voice was familiar.

"Come in, Iroh. I'm still awake." Katara paused her restless pacing to sit on the small couch. Iroh sat next to her and looked at her face for a long time.

"You are worried," he said gravely.

Katara couldn't deny the truth of the statement, so she nodded her head miserably. "It's all I can think about," she admitted, unable to look him in the eyes.

"That is understandable. In a time like this, it is important to remember that our friends do not give up on us. We should not give up on them." He sat silent for a moment while Katara processed that, then stood up to leave. "I should be going, I'm an old man who needs his rest. Besides, a good-looking man like me, in the bed chamber of a beautiful maiden. Well, it could cause quite a scandal!"

He winked at her as she let out a relieved laugh. "Thank you for your help, Iroh. You always give such good advice. I think I know what to do."

"Do not worry about it, young lady. Besides, I'm sure he will not be away more than a few extra days. Just wait and see!"

He was gone then, so he didn't see Katara's face. She stood dumbstruck in the middle of the room for a full five minutes before she realized that he had been talking about Aang. She forced herself to get into bed again, but lay awake with more questions than before.

Despite all the indecision she felt, Katara rose early again and went to the small courtyard where she and Zuko had bended the previous morning. Zuko honored the unspoken agreement and was there already. She hesitated only a moment, unsure of what he would say after last night.

To Katara's immense relief, he seemed more like himself this morning. He even offered a genuine tease as he removed his tunic. Katara couldn't formulate a sarcastic response. All here mind power was pulling her eyes away from his chest to his face.

They fought harder this morning. Once, Katara's ice-encased hand was close enough to sever a lock of hair from Zuko's right temple. Later, the fireball Zuko held came close enough to bring a blush to Katara's right cheek. Not a real burn, but more like a sun burn.

After the sun rose on the now steamy courtyard, they continued to fight. Zuko clearly had the upper hand, but Katara was agile. She'd grown several inches in the last few years, but was anything but awkward and gangly. Zuko pushed her until his own breath came in small gasps similar to the heaving and panting that shook her body. But Katara didn't mind. There, on Zuko's face, was a smile. The first true one she'd seen on this trip to the palace.

Iroh had been right about not giving up, even if he had been talking about something else entirely. It would be a hard road, but Katara could smell victory as sure as she could smell the smoky essence of his skin.

His face slipped back into the emotionless mask as he thanked her for the match, but it wasn't the same. This new mask was softer, more breakable. Katara celebrated her small victory all the way back to her room.

Iroh's conversation from the night before ran through her head all day. Her time was spent with her best friends, the people she was more comfortable with than anyone else in the world. However, she never quite worked up the nerve to tell them about her and Aang's breakup. She told herself she would tell them when Aang arrived, but he didn't come. She was still wrestling with herself as the group went to dinner.

Zuko had been slightly more social today. Knowing that his friends would not be able to stay much longer, he had cancelled a meeting to eat lunch with them. He hadn't stayed long or taken part in conversation much, but he had promised to be at Sokka and Suki's party that night.

Iroh had taken Katara's suggestion to heart and had planned the celebration for dinner that every evening. Again, it was held in a minor dining room, but not the same as the night before. The meals were different, too. Ever the sensitive one, Zuko's uncle had been careful to avoid triggering unpleasant thoughts.

Almost everyone from the night before was there, excepting all the nobles and several White Lotus friends who hadn't been able to stay the extra day. Mai's parents were there, adding their gift to the pile of presents on a long table that was set up for that purpose. Unable to hide the surprise, they told the proud parents right away that it was a baby sling. They had used it to keep Tom Tom close after he had been kidnapped by Earth Kingdom rebels, but they thought it would be good for Sokka and Suki to have their hands free as they taught the next generation of Kyoshi Warriors. Sokka thanked them heartily, careful not to give away that it had been the gang that had accidentally kidnapped their son, not Omashuan rebels.

Zuko was there, as promised, but on the outskirts, careful not to let himself become involved in the merriment. He declined the invitation to eat with them. He didn't give a reason as he quietly excused himself after congratulating Sokka and Suki. Iroh caught Katara's eye from across the room. Again he nodded at her to take the reins. She didn't know his reasons last night, but right now it was clear that he was enjoying the party he had planned.

Remembering her failure the night before, Katara hurried after the Fire Lord. She used the same tactic as the night before, but more confident this time. "Zuko! Wait up!" She caught up to him and touched his sleeve to turn him around.

"What?" he asked her and she heard a touch of his old anger in that voice.

"Zuko, you shouldn't be doing this. Moping alone in your room instead of being with your friends. I can't let you do that."

"Katara, I can't either. I can't go be with all those people while they watch my every move just waiting for me to break down. I don't think I can celebrate anything!" His eyes burned into hers for an immeasurable moment before his expression softened. "At least not yet. I can't stay here."

Katara tightened her fist before speaking, "Then I'm coming with you!" He cocked his eyebrow at her. "I can't let you go wallow in misery. At least let me go with you. I'll be a distraction at the very least."

"Thank you, Katara. You're a good friend."

He turned and continued down the hallway. Taking his thanks for a 'yes', Katara followed him.

A/N: Wow everyone! Thanks so much for the reviews! I know I asked for them, but you really came through!

Also, lots of thanks again to my betareader, MadnessinmyMethod. She is the only beta I've ever had, but I'm convinced that she is the best!

It may be a few days until the next update. I'm moving into a new apartment and that will take a bit of my focus for the next few days. But it won't be a long break!