She can't – she can't see. It's dark – all red – why is everything red? Red all over her arms, her hands, red everywhere – her belly aches – the baby! The baby. And the garden. And Zuko. And red red red everywhere is red. Claw, scratch, try to find her way out – red sheets, slippery, between her legs, red, curtains hanging around her, the baby, the baby, Zuko, they tried to kill her – or Zuko? She can't breathe.

She can't breathe.

'Katara, Katara it's fine. You're safe.' The curtains part, bright light – those eyes she knows so well. Zuko.

With a stifled whimper she clutches him onto the bed with her, burying her face on his shoulder. After a moment, when the trembling has subsided, she curses her own weakness, and whispers

'Is…is our baby….is it dead?' Her voice breaks over the last word, and she shoves a finger into her mouth, biting down on it to try and stop the moan, the panicked shriek building in her throat.

'Look at me.' She does. That face, lovely for all it's marring, those eyes of yellow gold.

'You're in the palace. I thought it best - the guards, here, are far more effective. The baby is fine.'

Katara lets out her juddering breathe. Then she takes Zuko's hand in hers.

'Who did this?' she hisses.

'We don't know.'

'Who ever it was, I'll kill them. I'll drown them. I'll freeze their blood in their veins – they tried to kill you, Zuko.'

'They tried to kill you.' He wrenches his hand away, stands, starts pacing. 'I'm sure the knife was aimed for you.'

'They tried to kill both of us.' He stops, looks at her.

'Maybe. You need to rest.'

'No! I need to find out who tried to kill the man I love. I can rest later.' She attempts to get up, but her ankles buckle, and Zuko has to sweep forward to catch her. Hold her. Lay her back down onto the bed whilst she slurs her protests.

'I'm strong, Zuko.'

'Sometimes true strength is knowing when to save your energy.'

She scowls at him, but allows him to draw the covers around her.

'Don't shut the curtains. And don't leave me until I go to sleep.'

'I promise.'

She lies with her eyes open, wide and heartbreakingly blue, looking at him as he strokes the hair back on her forehead, clutching his hand in hers. Eventually her eyelids flutter. And eventually she sinks into sleep.

Quietly Zuko places her hand upon the crimson sheets, then goes out of the room. Toph, Suki and Sokka wait outside.

'I want to talk to her.' Sokka demands, so soon as the door is shut.

'She's overwhelmed.'

Sokka looks as though he's about to challenge Zuko, but Suki places her hand on his arm.

'We will look after her, Zuko.'

'Yeah. No one's going to get past us.' Toph has enough spirit left to grin a half smile, before turning to Suki. 'Come on. Let's go and wait inside.' Sokka catches his wife's wrist just as she turns to go, and presses a quick, hurried kiss to her cheek.

Toph shifts her feet, and bites her lip.

Then the two women go to their sleeping friend, leaving Sokka to scowl at the Firelord.

'First you make my sister your mistress. Then you almost get her killed.'

'Yes.' Zuko shuts his eyes. 'I know you hate me, now.'

'Well. I hate you a little.' Zuko feels the other man's hand on his shoulder.

'But I know you love her. And I know you would die for her. As she would for you. So I guess I don't hate you completely.' Zuko opens his eyes, meets the blue gaze which so reminds him of Katara's.

'Aang, on the other hand….' Sokka gestured with a nod to a figure, before unseen, standing against the wall. Then he grimaces, almost with sympathy, at Zuko.

'Good luck. I think I'm going to go and make sure the guards are up to scratch.' He leaves.

The hooded man does not look up, as Zuko walks towards him.

'Avatar.' A pause. 'Aang.'

He doesn't know what else to say.

'She didn't tell me it was you.' Aang's voice is almost cold 'All that time ago. I only found out because Toph told me. I'd heard the rumors. I just didn't think…'

Zuko reaches forwards to touch his shoulder. Then thinks again, and draws back his hand.

'Are you and Toph – I heard you were living together.'

'She is my friend, Zuko. My only true friend, I think.'

'I'm your-'

'Please, Fire Lord. Do not lie to me.' Aang turns to face Zuko, standing straight. He is almost as tall as the Firelord, and Zuko thinks, briefly, how powerful this man is. Far more so than him.

He's lost that innocent, joyful smile. His grey eyes seem crumpled, somehow. Bruised.

'Friends do not lie to one another.'

'Katara left you before we…'

'Yes. But you should not have lied.'

The silence is thick. Until Aang breaks it.

'I will defend her. I can give up a few days. You, meanwhile, must find who tried to do this.' Aang walks past him, takes up station outside the chamber.

'And do what?' Zuko asks, despite himself.

Aang does not look at him when he replies, jaw clenched.

'See them burn.'