Zuko heard heavy footsteps approaching his door.
"Hello Toph," he whispered in the cool night's air
. "Hey Firehead," Toph said nervously.
"Toph you are like a friend to me. But we can not do this. I love you as friend and you need someone to love you like I love Katara," Zuko said kindly over a cup of Uncle Iroh's tea.
"So what do I just go back to Aang?" she retorted bitterly.
"No I will protect you. Stay with us. Come to the fire nation and you can work as an embassador and maybe work things out with Aang if you want," Zuko replied.
"Thanks Zuko. No one has been kinder to me then you right now," Toph replied before heading to her room.
Zuko stood in the hallway in a stupor. As he observed Toph leave it seemed surreal. He felt for her and did not want to see her hurt. Her pain was his as well. But, he loved Katara and had a daughter with her. It would reflect poorily that the Fire Lord had an illigitament child with the Water Tribe Princess and he then left his child and the women behind. Flustered, Zuko meandered downstairs and poured himself a glass of Fire Whiskey. He knew he could not turn his back on his daughter as his father had done to him. Yet, he could not use Katara like that. He really did love her eventhough she may have strayed from him after she ran away.
After his second glass of fire whiskey Zuko decided to turn in for the night. He plopped down gently as to not wake up Katara. Unbenknownst to him Katra was awake. She could smell the alcohol and hear the gears in Zuko's head grinding. How could love be so complicated? He loved his daughter and that much was clear. But could he trully trust Katara. He traveled to the ends of the earth to find her. He remembered just how much he missed and loved her as he ran his hands down the outline of curvacious body. It took all of her might to not talk to Zuko or reciprocate the act.
Zuko drank in her scent and the memories of their lovemaking came back to him instantly. He remembered why he loved her so much. They were going to be a family, whatever it took.
Zuko leaned over Katara and kissed her neck.
"I love you so much," he whispered before placing one last kiss upon her.
Still he remained sleepless. He loved her so much. Yet, she made him feel like a terrible father to the daughter he never knew he had. He knew Katara was pregnant thanks to Toph. So he vowed that he would be there for this child and see it grow up as well as Kaiya. He was damn sure he would not let the same thing happen again. He wanted to be the father he never had.
Zuko rolled over and drew Katara close to him. His golden amber eyes locked with her glacial azure ones.
"I am truly sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. But, it was so clear, my love for you," Katara whispered as she allowed his muscular arms wrap around her.