Oh man, I had to drag this out of my brain like a worm out of an apple. I ended up loving the crap out of it, despite the struggle - it made my little fan girl heart squeal. I hope it does the same for you!

-Katara-

The babbling stream whispered playfully to her, but for once Katara couldn't be soothed by the sound of rushing water, or the flow of its current. She stared into the distance unseeingly, her argument with Aang and Sokka replaying itself on a loop.

You sound like Jet!

Katara!

You have a choice. Forgiveness.

That's the same as doing nothing!

Who would have thought that she and Zuko would be on the same side in any fight? Did that make her a bad person? Because no matter how much she hated disappointing Aang, there was no denying it. She couldn't forgive or forget. When Zuko had told her he knew who killed her mother, it had felt like some monster awakening in her, howling for blood. All the pain and fury she'd tamped down within herself had risen to the surface, filling her veins with ice. There had never been a possibility for revenge before. Now that it was so tantalizingly close, Katara could think of nothing else.

Lost in her brooding, Katara didn't even flinch when Zuko was suddenly there, folding himself down onto the ground beside her.

"Everyone is worried about you," Zuko informed her casually. "Except for Toph. She's all for it."

"It doesn't matter. I have to do this."

"Even if the Avatar doesn't agree?"

Katara glanced over at him. He was watching her intently, as if the question was of utmost importance. She couldn't detect any signs of judgement or disappointment in his eyes, but some other unidentifiable emotion burned there, something that made her heart beat faster in her chest.

"Yes."

Zuko nodded, accepting that, and let the subject drop. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. Zuko simply observed the scenery as he basked in the sun, seemingly unconcerned with the current state of affairs. I guess if anyone could understand how I feel, it would be Zuko. At least she knew what had happened to her mother. From the rumors, no one knew where Zuko's mother was, or if she was even still alive. It must be hell to live with that kind of uncertainty. And to know that it's probably your own father's fault.

There I go again, feeling sorry for Zuko. Katara grimaced. If I could just stop thinking about what a horrible life he's had, I could hate him in peace.

Except I don't hate him anymore.

She was angry at him, and unsure how to go about trusting someone who might light her on fire if he lost his temper. He had saved her life twice now. But he was still dangerous, moody, and unpredictable. A thorn in her side. A distraction. A dark cloud among their merry band of travelers.

Despite all that, he apparently understood this part of her that screamed for revenge, which reveled in the idea of hurting the man who had taken her mother from her. And he didn't judge her for it in the least. He'd said she needed this.

He was right.

"We'll leave tonight," Katara rested her chin on her knees and listened to the distant sound of her friends' urgent voices. "As long as you don't mind everyone being mad at you, too."

Zuko snorted in reply. "When has that ever mattered to me?"

Much later, when even Sokka and Suki had fallen asleep, and the world was still, Katara emerged from her tent. Clad completely in black, she was only visible as a dark spot in the night. She crept towards Zuko's tent and whistled quietly before pulling open the flap.

Moonlight pooled inside, revealing Zuko sitting cross-legged on his cot, and Katara's breath caught her in throat. His skin seemed to glow a brilliant white as his eyes met hers, their golden hue glittering with either excitement or nervousness - Katara wasn't sure. Zuko rose and silently accompanied her as they snuck through camp, heading towards Appa's sleeping form.

As they drew near, Katara thought she detected a slight noise at the same moment Zuko snapped his head around to stare at a mossy rock that sat at the edge of the clearing. Before either of them could move, there was a rush of air, and Aang gracefully somersaulted into sight.

"So you were just gonna take Appa anyway?" Aang asked indignantly. Katara crossed her arms, refusing to give in to his guilt-trip.

"Yes."

"It's okay, because I forgive you." Aang said sweetly. "That give you any ideas?"

"Don't try to stop us." Why couldn't he understand that she had to do this?

"I wasn't planning to." Aang's face had gone sober, brown eyes gazing steadily into hers. The concern and tenderness in his expression was unbearable, and Katara turned away, climbing onto Appa's furry head as Aang continued speaking. "This is a journey you need to take. You need to face this man. But when you do, please don't choose revenge. Let your anger out, and then let it go. Forgive him."

"Okay," Zuko said sarcastically as he scrambled up to join Katara. "We'll be sure to do that, guru goody-goody."

"Thanks for understanding, Aang." Katara averted her eyes. She couldn't take another second of his peace and love spiel. "Yip yip."

Appa took off with a huff of air, leaving Aang alone to watch them soar away.

Katara let out a deep sigh of relief as the starry sky surrounded them, soothing and quiet. It had been hard to resist blowing up on Aang. Fury had been pulsing through her all day and night, making her agitated and impatient, and if she'd had to hear one more speech about forgiveness… Well, it wouldn't have been the first time she'd made Aang cry.

Aang and I are on the same page on a lot of issues, but there's a part of me that isn't… good. I never thought I could have this kind of reaction inside me… but I also never thought I'd find out who my mother's murderer was. Things change.

Zuko hadn't spoken since his parting comment to Aang, and Katara was immensely grateful. There were too many conflicting emotions running through her as it was. If she added her complicated feelings towards Zuko in the mix, she might really lose it. Just focus on the mission and worry about the rest later, she told herself, trying to get a grip.

"So, do you have some sort of plan?" Katara asked Zuko over the noise of the wind, without turning around. There was a moment of silence, and then his husky voice was speaking directly into her ear. Katara froze as his breath tickled her neck, raising goosebumps on her skin.

"We need to find the Fire Navy communication tower. All the navy's movements are coordinated by messenger hawk. And every tower has to be up to date on where everyone is deployed."

"Do you know where it is?" Katara was afraid to turn and meet his eyes. He was too close, and she was in too much turmoil to conceal the way he was affecting her.

"Yes. Keep heading west."

"And once we find the communication tower, we bust in and take the information we need?" She hoped the eagerness in her voice wasn't too obvious.

"Not exactly. We need to be stealthy and make sure no one spots us – otherwise they'll warn the Southern Raiders long before we reach them."

"Oh." Katara fell silent. There were a few blessed minutes of quiet before Zuko spoke again.

"Did you sleep at all?"

"No."

"Why don't you let me take over for a while? We're hours away, even on Appa."

"I can't sleep, Zuko." Katara stated bleakly.

"Then at least lay down and rest. It's better than nothing." His voice was pleading, like he was actually worried about her. Katara had paced around her tent all night, too twisted up inside to make any attempt at sleep, but her anticipation had eased slightly once they were on their way. Maybe she could rest for just a little while.

"Okay," she sighed, turning to face Zuko for the first time. He was only inches away, leaning over the edge of the saddle – maybe to hear her better, or maybe not. Katara hadn't forgotten what Toph had said about Zuko, even though that day seemed like months ago. She hadn't believed it, not really, but ever since Zuko had made those comments about her and Aang… she'd wondered. Maybe Aang has some competition! Toph had laughed. Seems like you two needed some alone time, Zuko had said with an ugly look on his face. And even though Katara was trying, it was hard to keep ignoring her body's reaction to him.

Like right now. When she turned, and he was right there, studying her with a concerned expression that he quickly hid, she felt like she'd been walloped over the head. The moonlight leached the color from their surroundings, making him look like some ethereal creature of the night, with his snowy-white skin and silky, raven-black hair. He really is beautiful.

Katara felt heat flood her cheeks at the thought and abruptly clambered over the saddle to hide her face from him. Zuko took her place at the reins without a word, leaving Katara hoping the soft moonlight and russet tone of her skin had disguised her blush. She stretched out with a sigh, watching the breeze ruffle Zuko's hair as her eyelids grew heavy.

I must be losing my mind.

Katara opened her eyes a few hours later, feeling groggy and unrested. The inky night sky was still alight with stars, a brilliant tapestry of light, making her feel almost peaceful as the cool breeze tugged at her hair and whispered across her skin.

For about three seconds. Then Katara remembered where she was going, and why.

And who was with her.

Katara rolled over, stretching, to check on Zuko. He was reclining against Appa, moonlight gleaming off his dark hair, but when he heard her moving he sent an inquisitive glance over his shoulder.

"I was about to wake you. We're almost there." Zuko pointed into the distance, where Katara could just barely make out the shadowy outline of a tower, rising up out of the sea.

All the painful impatience and desire Katara had been holding back rushed to the forefront of her mind. Just this one last step, and she would know where the murderer was.

"Excellent. How do we get in? And where are we going to hide Appa?"

"The tower is built on an island – we'll just have to hope there's some kind of landmark big enough to conceal him. And don't worry, I've got a couple different ideas that can get us inside. I've had a lot of practice," he said dryly.

They drifted back up above the clouds, waiting until they were directly over land to leave their wet, freezing cover. There was a conveniently large hill a few hundred feet away from the tower, and Appa hunkered down there with a long groan. As Zuko gave Appa a grateful goodbye pat, Katara wondered if maybe this was all a little too easy. They crept towards the tower, using the rocky landscape to escape detection, and her suspicion seemed confirmed – two soldiers exited the building just a few moments after they paused to breathe.

Fleet-footed as usual, Zuko sprinted forward to catch the door as the soldiers disappeared around the corner. Katara ran after him with trepidation in her heart. If they were caught at this stage, she might never be able to track down her mother's killer.

They traversed the corridors on silent feet, heading to the top of the tower, where Zuko had said all incoming and outgoing messages were kept. Ears pricked for footsteps, Katara and Zuko immediately heard the creeeak of a door opening. Katara had taken one step backward by the time Zuko whipped around and dragged her into a nearby room that turned out to be a broom closet.

Face to face in the semi-darkness, Katara could feel his hot breath mingling with her own, his hand still gripping hers with unnatural heat. I wonder what he's thinking. Does being this close affect him, too? If the light from under the door were a little brighter, she might be able to tell.

It's a good thing it's not, Katara thought wryly, aware of her frantically thumping heart, racing not because of the danger outside, but the danger in front of her. This is Zuko. Zuko. The banished Fire Prince, who can't seem to pick a side, who's nice to me one day and furious the next? Why does my pulse leap and my skin burn when he's around? It's like my body doesn't listen to a thing my brain is telling it.

"I think they're gone," Zuko breathed, and Katara tried to pay attention – it was hard when the sound of his throaty voice made it clear his lips were only inches from hers. She didn't reply, her heart still thumping painfully. What would it feel like, to kiss him? Were his lips as warm as the rest of his skin? He was such an intense person - she couldn't imagine him kissing her in the sweet, soft way that Aang had.

Katara felt a sharp stab of guilt. She and Aang hadn't promised each other anything, but… I shouldn't be thinking like this. It would kill Aang, and then we'd never put an end to this war. We can't afford to have the master of the elements in emotional turmoil when we're only weeks away from the comet.

Besides, it wasn't like she was in love with Zuko… nor he with her. It didn't matter if he made her shivery inside, if it was hard to look away from him sometimes, if she ached to bridge the remaining distance between them and brush her lips against his…

"Katara?"

She drew a deep, shuddering breath as his voice broke into her thoughts and shattered them like a pane of glass.

"Yes, sorry. I guess I froze up a little. From the shock."

"Really?" Zuko asked doubtfully. "That's not like you."

Katara laughed – a quiet, strained chuckle. "I don't feel like me today."

There was a short pause.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Zuko squeezed the hand that he was still holding, and Katara swallowed painfully. Was she sure she wanted to go after her mother's killer? Absolutely. The real question was - was she sure she wanted to follow the path that had been laid out in front of her? That hazy, post-war vision where she continued to travel the world with the Avatar, being with him as everyone surely expected?

She couldn't answer that question yet. But for what he was asking, she could. It wasn't even a hard decision.

"Yes."

Zuko pulled the door open without another word, and they continued their journey to the top of the tower.