I am about to hit the 500 mark in the USA! YAY! KEEP ON VIEWING!!! Thank you to all of my readers for their support. I really do appreciate the comments. I like all of them, the praises and the criticisms. Thank you to the people in my community, ROMANCE ME, and…of course to you, the one who is reading this right now. Lady Hart is hurrying against time right now, just like Zuko, but she's going to do it with style!

Previously…

"I'll make you mine," Jet said as he walked toward me and picked me up, bridal-style, "Zuko can't save you now."

Fate constantly changes position…and only the hands of time will tell where it will be.

Chapter 9: The Race Against Time

Zuko stepped out into the cold night air. The police were still at Katara's house, looking for clues. He knew that they wouldn't be able to save her if they didn't hurry up. Zuko walked towards the gate of the house and saw a glint of something. Zuko jogged over to see what it was.

"Katara's necklace," Zuko said to himself. All the times they were together, Katara always had it on. It was a light blue pendant with the symbol of water on it. The pendant hanging on a soft, velvet-like ribbon. Zuko knew that Aang was leaving him a clue…he wanted Zuko to find him.

If I go follow the trail…I would probably be targeted. If I don't…then Katara might get killed earlier.

Zuko weighed his options…both ended with either Katara or himself getting killed. he couldn't risk losing Katara...

Nearby, a figure stood and watched Zuko intently.

"Hey, boss," the figure said, "The guy's picked up the first part of the trail."

"Good. Wait for a little…let him find the clues. Then, once he gets to the park…shoot him."

"Okay, whatever you say."

Zuko got up and ran a couple of blocks. He felt as though someone was watching his movements. The mysterious figure followed. Zuko found Katara's sweater on a bus bench. He later found her shoes near a mailbox. All over town, Zuko followed the trail of Katara's belongings. Once he got to her skirt in the park, he became angry…

"This isn't funny anymore, Aang!" he shouted angrily, holding the skirt in his fist, "Let her go! Whatever you're doing or about to do to her…it isn't right! Let her go! It's me you want!"

"Can I shoot him now, boss?" the figure said.

"Wait for the last one."

Zuko looked around furiously for anyone who would come forward, but no one came.

"ANSWER ME!"

"Where is the last one, boss?"

"It's at the rooftop…"

Later…

Zuko went to the café where he and Katara talked. He looked inside and felt a pang of guilt. It was his fault. If he hadn't told her…at this very place…about the gang, then she wouldn't be away from her family. Her grandmother wouldn't have been worried sick and her brother left unaided. She would have been happier…and maybe even had the chance to live longer.

Zuko pressed his forehead against the cool glass and pounded his fists. Why her? Why her? She didn't deserve this…he failed again.

He imagined her…at the mercy of Aang. He could do so many things to torture her…so many horrible and despicable things that would torture not only Katara, but also Zuko for the rest of his life

Zuko then realized that there was a sock hanging from a chair inside. Zuko pushed the door, which opened all the way, and retrieved it. Then, he saw some light come from a stairway. Zuko started to walk slowly up the stairs and…to the rooftop. The town lights glittered dimly as a gust of wind blew. Rain started to fall...

"What the?" Zuko said and looked down. The other sock was right in front of him. Zuko turned around and saw a huge muscular man with a gun. He pointed the gun towards Zuko. Thunder crashed and lightning struck.

"Don't do this, man," Zuko started to move back.

"It's nothing personal. Boss's orders," the guy said.

"You have no idea what you're doing!"

"Shut it! Just shut it! I'm trying to concentrate!"

"Stop. Please, stop!" Zuko said as he stepped on the ledge. The man pulled the trigger and the shot rang through the silence of the night and the roar of the storm.

"NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" The bullet went through and Zuko fell down into the abyss.

Yeah, short. Another cliffhanger. Actually…it could end there. What do YOU want to happen?