Katara heard a soft knock on the door. After the Zuko incident this morning she hadn't been able to stay awake. Her body still hurt all over and she quickly fell back asleep after he left. A soft knock stirred her from her sleep. The door opened, and gentle footsteps entered the room.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

Kohaku slowly entered balancing a tray full of food and fresh pot of steaming tea.

"'S okay. I should get up by now anyway." Katara croaked.

She felt the bed shift slightly as he sat on the edge and placed the tray on her lab. She gratefully took a cup of tea. Although the tea would help her throat in the long run, it still burned on the way down.

Kohaku reached over and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, but let his hand linger there.

"Katara...you shouldn't have jumped off the ship."

She picked up one of the porcelain bowls and slowly sipped the hot porridge.

"I realized that about 2 seconds after I hit the water", she choked out. "I didn't notice how fast we were going. I didn't know it would have killed me…."

She remembered the cold water stabbing her whole body. Being pulled out and onto the deck. Zuko's crying face…

'Why was he crying?'

"Katara. I don't know why, but I feel like I need to protect you from him."

Kohaku's gaze met hers. It was sincere and warm.

"Protect me from him? Zuko isn't going to hurt me." She wasn't sure how she knew this, but it was just something she knew. He wouldn't honestly try to hurt her.

"No, Katara. You've seen his temper! He tried to throw me off the ship the other day for giving you a cup of water. He's crazy, and unstable. All he cares about is his honor. And between us, the fire nation has labeled him a traitor. He has nowhere to go, and you know what happens when you corner a hurt animal…"

His breath washed over Katara's face as he leaned in, "You get bit". Katara's heart was pounding, but not just from what Kohaku said.

"Katara, if you need anything. Just call for me."

Her heart didn't slow down until the door latched again.

'A hurt animal...huh."

Katara finished her porridge and set the tray on the small table. She wanted to go to the bathroom but was afraid if she left they would think she was trying to escape again. She padded over to the metal door and slowly opened it. There was a guard standing post right on the other side.

"Yes?"

"Will you take me to the washroom? I'd like to get cleaned up. I promise I won't cause any trouble."

Katara added this last part because the guard seemed so uneasy about her request. He clearly thought about it for a minute before nodding his head and leading the way.

Once in the small room, Katara was able to do her business. She stepped in the metal tub again and began to wash the small amount of water and soap over her body. She wasn't that dirty, but between the dive in the ocean and sleeping on it wet, Katara's hair had become a matted mess. She lathered the soap in her hair and began to untangle it. After about three washed she finally was able to get out the knots and left the strands free to fall down her back. Which was perfect timing, after standing so long in a tub of freezing water she was ready to be back in Zuko's warm bed.

'They must firebend the water themselves...lucky firebenders.'

Katara put her watertribe clothes back on but left her hair loose down her back. Her arms were still so sore from yesterday-she couldn't hold them up long enough to braid her hair.

She opened the door to find the tall, armored soldier waiting just outside the door. This soldier's stance was natural, like he had a lifetime of practice. Completely different of Kokahu. The way he walked and talked made it seem like he was used to a different way of life. One where he was in command-not the one taking the orders.

'He's nothing like Zuko. He's kind and revering.'

Katara and the nameless soldier walked back to Zuko's chambers where she quickly climbed back into his bed and under the covers.

'I feel like I'll never be warm again.' Katara thought to herself.

Just as she was closing her eyes again, the door burst open.

'There's only one person that could be.'

"Katara," Zuko practically yelled as he entered the room.

Katara didn't want a yelling match so she pretended to be asleep, the covers pulled up over her mouth. As a child she was terrible at pretending to be asleep-her smile always gave it away. But she found by covering her lips the urge went away.

"Oh…." Zuko whispered out. Apparently seeing that she was asleep once more.

Surprisingly quiet, he tiptoed next to the bed. Even with her eyes closed Katara could tell he was staring. What did he want? She vaguely remembered this morning and how he woke up shouting about her being in his bed.

'I don't know why he was so upset about it. He was the one who put me there.'

Katara's eyebrows must have crinkled from the thought because Zuko reached forward and his calloused fingers smoothed them out.

"I'm so sorry, Katara."

She heard him blow out the candles around his room, the light behind her eyelids fading. She couldn't be sure, but she thought he whispered something else as he closed the door softly behind him.

Even though she had slept all morning, Katara sank again below the waves of unconsciousness.