I do not own ATLA. This is just for fun. So please enjoy!

Chapter 9: Caught

"Hey, yourself." Katara recovered quickly enough to reply with that. The person before her was the last person she expected on a night following the day she had today. Not that she was upset about it. Quite the contrary, she was pleased and delighted that Zuko arrived at her doorstep after having their time cut short earlier. "What, uh- what are you doing here?"

Unlike Katara, Zuko had not yet recovered from the shock that Sokka's sister was indeed Katara. So that was why her name stood out among the others. The last name was the same as Sokka's. I'm such an idiot. "Um… Sokka-"

"Hey! Zuko, thanks for returning this for me. I know the lower ring is sort of out of the way for you." Sokka's timing was perfect since Zuko had no idea how to continue the conversation. His friend did it for him instead. "So, this is my sister, Katara."

Zuko smirked to himself. "We've met, actually."

Sokka scratched his head. "You have?"

"Yeah, recently. It was in-"

"In the library!" Katara interrupted. The last thing I need right now is for Sokka to know that his friend is my teacher. That would just throw a hog-monkey wrench into the works!

The only evidence Zuko showed that he knew Katara was avoiding the finer points of their acquaintance was that his good eyebrow was raised. Not surprising really. Sokka seems like he would be the overprotective type. I can play along.

He quickly reaffirmed what she said, which was really not far from the truth. "Yup. . . We have, uh, similar study spots."

Katara exhaled, relieved that he was agreeing to the masquerade. She quickly flipped the subject back on her brother. "How do you two know each other?"

Sokka spoke in a loud voice, attempting to sound debonair. "Zuko and I took a very difficult class together not long ago. We were study buddies. Today we were sparring partners and he found my wallet!" Zuko nodded in agreement.

"I see. Well, since you're already here, Zuko, would you like to join us for dinner? We have plenty." Please, please, please say yes!

Before he could answer, Zuko's stomach growled in reply. Sokka laughed. "That the sound that wakes me up in the middle of the night all the time!"

"Sokka, I will never understand how you are always hungry." Katara lead the way into the main room and Zuko had no choice but to join his new love interest for a homemade dinner.

The conversation immediately stopped when the rest of the dinner guests realized one more was to be added to their ranks. It was not unlike the silence that was experienced the day before when Jet interrogated Zuko on the spot. Zuko feared a similar thing was about to happen.

Toph was the first to break the silence. "What's the hold up with dinner? I'm starved. Let's get this show on the road." She leaned back in her chair and put her hands behind her head.

"Guys, this here is my good buddy Zuko. Zuko, the gang!" Zuko managed a shy wave while murmurs of "nice to meet you" drifted across the room.

"I hope Ceylon tea is okay with everyone." Katara said as she worked her way into the kitchen. She said it a little too quickly and Suki picked up on her anxiety right away.

"Here, Katara, let me help you." She quickly followed her friend into the kitchen.

While they were leaving, Zuko leaned over to Sokka to whisper in his ear. "Mind if I use the bathroom? I'd like to wash my hands."

"Sure thing. It's upstairs on the left." Zuko made haste to follow Sokka's directions.

In the kitchen, Suki bombarded Katara with a series of questions. "What's gotten into you?"

"Umm, nothing really." Katara was shuffling through the cutlery to find the tea strainer.

"Liar. Who is he?" Suki magically pulled the strainer from thin air and began to tackle putting the kettle on the stove.

"He's,uh- he's my teacher. . ."

Suki nearly dropped the pot. "No way! The hot one? I should have known. Zuko is smokin' hot, if I do say so myself."

"Too bad you're spoken for, right?" Katara saved the pot and immediately it began to boil on the burner.

"What are you going to do?"

"About what? I mean, the most I can do is act normal." The tea began to whistle and Katara quickly started pouring into six teacups. "Whatever happens, we can't tell Sokka."

"Tell me what?"

Katara jumped about a foot in the air at her brother's entrance and in the process, some tea spilled out the spout and dripped all down Katara's front. "Ugh! Hot! That's really hot tea! Thanks, Sokka!" She fled the kitchen and ran upstairs for a change of clothes.

Sokka was left in the kitchen with Suki giving him a look of exasperation. "What'd I do?"

The minute she stepped into her room, Katara stripped down to her bra and panties, her clothes in a heap on the floor. She examined herself in the mirror looking for any signs of a burn. Her stomach was a little red, but she was glad to note that she had avoided the worst of the damage. She rummaged through her dresser looking for a shirt and a pair of pants that were dry and not tea-stained. After only a few minutes, the events of the evening up to that point invaded her train of thought.

Of all the men and all the doors in all the world, he walked up to mine. In his gym clothes. He looks even better after a bit of a workout. Those shorts do wonders for him. I'd really like to. . . bump into him. We haven't even physically touched yet, speaking of that. I wonder what he feels like. . .

She began to wonder what it would be like. Would he be gentle? Rough? Passionate would probably be the best word to describe his touch. She pictured what it would be like to hold his carved muscles in a loving embrace. She could just imagine what his fingers would feel like across her bare skin.

Subconsciously, she dragged the pads of her fingers across her already sensitive, burned flesh- just the barest hint of a touch. She dreamed of Zuko's breath on the back of her neck, stirring her hair, his hard body pressed against hers. It was his hands touching her, sending shivers up her spine. Her bra suddenly felt constricting and her body temperature increased with her labored breathing. With a few more touches, she wouldn't even be standing in her underwear. She moaned in invented pleasure with the thought of dinner completely forgotten.

Little did Katara know, that her door was cracked open and her voice carried down the hallway.

Zuko gripped the sides of the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. He was panicking. What is wrong with you? Behind closed doors you just break down? Coward. It's only dinner. With a few of Katara's closest friends. . .

Okay. What's the bright side here? No Jet. He walked Katara home, but he didn't stay. Or maybe she didn't let him.

What about Sokka, though? Does the fact that I'm her teacher really scare her off that much? Or is it having others know about it that makes her reluctant? Or am I thinking way too hard about this?

He splashed his face with cold water in an attempt to get a grip on his nerves. Of all the days to go to the gym and not have showered afterwards! This luck was exactly his brand.

Time to face the music. Suave Zuko, now would be a really good time to kick it into high gear.

Zuko took one more psyching breath and exited the bathroom. He procrastinated more by taking his time walking down the hallway. He also waited a few more moments at the top of the stairs. When he finally got the courage to descend, he heard a moan from behind him.

It was not a moan caused by pain, or irritation. This was the type of moan he longed to hear from Mai all those time they were together. This was the sound he now wanted to hear from someone else. It was a moan of satisfaction. And he wanted to be the source of said satisfaction.

He followed the source of his new favorite sound. What he found was even better than he could have imagined at the time.

Katara was standing in front of her cracked bedroom door wearing next to nothing. He could see her delicate hands dragging along the contours of her body. He was mesmerized by the fragility of her frame, the way the light danced across her features. Her skin looked warm and creamy, like the coffee its color was so close to in appearance.

Zuko found his feet were moving, without him being aware, closer and closer to the door. It was like he was in some sort of trance and he didn't want to be disturbed. She looked perfect, angelic even. The same thought kept crossing his mind. "Beautiful."

It was barely a hum, but the sound traveled nonetheless. Katara was jerked awake from her sensual daydream. Her contented expression switched to menacing in the same amount of time it took to find Zuko standing in her doorway.

He was shocked into silence, frozen on the spot. He couldn't begin escape the world of embarrassment he was about to enter. Without uttering a word, Katara walked up to him, and slammed the door in his face, breaking his trance.

Fucking brilliant. That looked really bad. She looked great and I looked like the world's biggest pervert. Of course what she was doing wasn't exactly orthodox, but she is within the confines of her own home. It's usually allowed in those circumstances. Yeah, you were totally suave, thinking out loud like that. You really are an idiot.

At this point in his mind, he was still stationed outside the door. But he needed to move before she came back out. In fact, it was probably best if he evacuated the premises as soon as is physically possible.

He almost fell down the stairs, the sound of which probably alerted Katara that it was safe to leave her room. That sound also halted all conversation in the dining room, once again. Zuko's entrances often had that effect.

Sokka was the only one who remained unfazed. "Whoa, what's your hurry?"

Zuko could barely form a coherent thought. "I, uh, just remembered. I, erm, forgot. . . something. Can't stay. It was, um, nice to meet you all." He said all of this on his way to the door. He didn't make eye contact with anyone and firmly shut the door behind him.

"What was that all about?" Aang asked.

"Beats me. Why aren't we eating yet?" It sounded like something Sokka would say, but it came from Toph.

Katara came down the stairs then, dressed in new clothes. "Sorry to keep everyone waiting. We can eat now."

"Katara, Zuko just left." Suki claimed.

"Really? Why?" She played the sweet and innocent role with precision when she knew full well why Zuko had left. He caught me in my underwear, touching myself, and enjoying it. He was enjoying too, as far as I could tell. What would you all say to that?

"We don't know. He sure left in a hurry though." Suki eyed Katara suspiciously. She totally knew something was up. It would only be a matter of time before she found out.

Dinner continued with light conversation. After the dishes were done, Aang, Sokka, and Suki left for the night. Suki tried to get more out of Katara, but to no avail. Maybe Toph will have more luck. . .

Toph would never be given the chance though. Katara quickly said good night and double checked that she locked her door before she climbed into bed.

Under the covers, she was curled up into a ball on her side. Her knees were tucked under her chin and she stroked her hair, twirling it around her fingers, thoughts busy and jumbled.

What the hell is wrong with you? You probably fucked this up royally. You are really sick, you know that? Getting off while you have guests – guests you invited for dinner! Granted, he could have been more of a gentleman and just walked away. But you could have closed your door while you were changing! And everyone was waiting for you so they could eat. At least he left so dinner wasn't even more uncomfortable.

I wish he stayed. I wish I wasn't so stupid and selfish. I wish I wasn't taking that stupid class! At least then I could look at him without feeling guilty. I wish I hadn't closed the door. I wish I just put my clothes on. I wish he wasn't a good person and returned Sokka's wallet. I wish he never knocked on my door! I wish he stayed. I wish he stayed. . .

Her thoughts turned to tears. And eventually she dried out, half asleep. Lying there in limbo, strange visions flashed behind her lids.

She and Zuko were fighting in a cave. It was well lit, but it was miles beneath the earth. Her enemy was throwing whips of fire at her and she retaliated with whips of water. She felt betrayed - like she had lost a friend. And she was angry. The opposing elements had created such a level playing field, not much was being accomplished except for the anger being dissolved.

With that Katara awoke and had an excellent idea for getting back at Zuko.

This one took for-ev-er to write! Sorry for the wait, my lovelies. On the upside, I have been receiving excellent feedback on my past chapters and I hope the reading experience will only improve from here on out! As always, you are welcome to rag, nag, or praise the story, but if you prefer just to read I can totally respect that as well.

Some bad news: This will be the last chapter update before Christmas. After the 25th, I will be playing with all my new toys! In addition, I will be working my ass off for a week after New Years and then hosting a friend for a few days and then preparing for my semester abroad Down Under! So I will continue to write and post as often as I can and am able to. Please forgive me in advance and stay with me through the highs and lows of the holiday season. And through the stresses of living in a new country and sitting on a plane for 38 hours.

I love you all and Happy Holidays! Happy New Year if I don't post before then! And if anybody will be in the Perth area of the Big Sky Country, please look me up! XOXOX