Published August 1, 2011

Author's Note: Again, I took some dialogue from the 1998 film Les Miserables (directed by Bille August, screenplay by Rafael Yglesias), this time for Sokka and Katara's (Jean Valjean and Cosette's) argument. The rest is based on the musical by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil.

"Why don't we go for a walk?" Katara asked a few days later. The evening was drawing near, but it was still light out.

"No, I'm tired." It was true, Sokka was often tired these days, but he also didn't want to go outside and chance seeing Long Feng again. He couldn't believe that he had seen the man again, after so many years. But now that it had happened, he felt certain that their paths would cross again.

"Why don't you lie down?" Katara suggested. "I think I'll go to the university." Maybe she would see Zuko, and actually talk to him this time …

Sokka sat up straight. "What? Alone?"

"I'm going to have to walk alone someday."

"Someday, not today."

Katara put her hands on her hips, exasperated. Sokka had always been fairly strict, but sometimes he seemed just paranoid. "It's only a short walk from here –"

"Are you disobeying me? I'm your father!"

They glowered at each other for a moment. Then Sokka gestured to the kitchen. "Come on, let's eat." Together they made a simple meal, with rice and vegetables and tea. Sokka took out some spark rocks and lit the candles in the two silver candlesticks, his prized possessions. No matter how often they moved or where they lived, Sokka always brought the candlesticks, and put them in a place of honor.

They ate in silence for a few minutes.

"You're not, you know," Katara said quietly, stirring her food with her chopsticks.

"Not what?"

"You're not my father. You never said you were, until just now. That was the very first time you said it."

Sokka stared down at his plate of food. "You're right."

"Well?" Katara looked at him expectantly. "Are you my father?"

Sokka reached across the table and put his hand over Katara's. "I promised your mother I'd take care of you."

They both fell silent at the mention of Katara's mother. They spoke very little of her. Sokka had explained that he couldn't tell Katara much about her because he'd only known her for a short time, and hadn't gotten to know her personally. He only said that her name was Kya, she had loved Katara very much, and she had left her necklace for Katara to have.

"I know you think I worry too much," Sokka said apologetically. "But strangers can be dangerous …"

"All right! Forget it," Katara snapped.

Sokka blinked. "What's the matter?"

"I don't want to hear that speech again." Katara's eyes flashed, dangerous and … hurt, perhaps? "You're hiding something from me."

Sokka tried to act normal. "Katara –"

"I know there's something shameful. Is it me?"

"No!"

"Or you? You have a shameful secret." Katara shrugged. "Maybe it's both of us. It doesn't matter. I can't go out by myself or talk to people, and we never have anyone over … You want me with you all the time, day and night, because you're lonely, and you want me to be alone forever!"

Sokka buried his face in his hands. How could he explain without burdening Katara with the awful truth of their pasts? He didn't want her to be ashamed of him, or her parents, or herself.

Sokka looked up at her mournfully. "You're right. I'm not your father. I don't …" He swallowed, trying to keep his voice from cracking. "I just want to protect you, that's all. The world isn't a safe place – believe me. You're the only person I have. This is the only way I know how to do it. I'm sorry."

Katara only nodded helplessly. Then she stood and promptly hugged Sokka. He held her tightly, and for a moment he wished he could turn back time and hold the little girl he'd adopted. But Katara was older and becoming more independent. She was so strong-willed and spirited. He would hate to dampen that spirit with the knowledge that he mother had been a whore, her birth father a good-for-nothing layabout, and her adopted father a convict. No, she couldn't know. But would Sokka be able to protect her from the truth forever?

When Katara released him she went over to the back door. "I'm just going to read in the garden – if that's all right."

"That's fine. I'll be in here."

"This is it?" Zuko looked up the street at the house where Katara and her father lived.

"I'm sure of it," Mai said.

Zuko could hardly believe he was going to see Katara again, and actually talk to her, tell her how he felt about her. And it was all thanks to Mai for finding her address. "Mai, I don't know how to thank you."

"I do. Remember, you promised to give me something in return if I helped you find where she lives?"

"Ah, right." Zuko smiled apologetically.

Mai had butterflies in her stomach. Was this to be it – the moment of her first kiss? She was about to lean forward when Zuko started rummaging in his pocket, groping around for something. Finally he produced his last copper piece, pressed it into Mai's hand and closed her fingers around it. He held onto her hand with both of his. "Thank you, Mai."

Mai's eyes flickered to Zuko's sincere expression, then disappointedly to the coin in her hand. After a moment she dropped it onto the ground. "I don't want your money."

Zuko looked confused, but he shrugged. He had other things to think about. He glanced at the house, and then caught a glimpse of movement behind the building. Mai followed him around to a garden with a tall trellis wall. He peered through the trellis, and there she was. Katara was sitting on a stone bench, reading a scroll, and every now and then she looked up and stared off into space, daydreaming.

Mai had never seen Zuko so nervous. "Do you want me to go in first?" Mai offered.

Zuko looked relieved. "Would you? Oh, Mai, you're the best!"

Mai smiled, a bittersweet smile. She knew Zuko meant well, and she relished the compliment, but it wasn't intended the way she wanted.

She reached her thin arm through a hole in the trellis, and unlatched the gate from the inside. Katara looked up, startled, as Mai swung the gate open and entered the garden. It was a peaceful place, full of beautiful flowers, and a tiered fountain in the center where Katara could practice waterbending.

The two girls looked at each other. "I don't know if you remember me," Mai began hesitantly.

Katara's eyes widened. She did remember. "Mai," she said. She didn't sound angry – just surprised. She put her scroll down on the bench beside her and stood up. Then, to Mai's surprise, Katara threw her arms around her, laughing. Mai wasn't much of a hugger, but she smiled to herself and laughed a little.

"It's so good to see you again!" Katara said sincerely. She stepped back to look at Mai.

"You look well." They both knew that was an understatement; in terms of wealth and happiness, they had completely switched places. Last time it had been Katara who was in rags and Mai who was dressed in finery.

"What are you doing here?" Katara asked curiously.

"I brought a friend. He wants to see you."

Katara sucked in her breath. He. There was only one person she could think of – and it made sense, because Katara had seen Mai with him that day Ozai tried to rob her and Sokka.

"Shall I bring him in?" Mai said.

"Oh – yes!"

Mai turned back and opened the gate for Zuko. Katara tried to smooth her hair back, feeling a little silly.

Zuko walked in slowly. "Hi," he said, holding up his hand in greeting.

"Hi," Katara replied automatically.

"Well," Mai said briskly, "I'll leave you two alone. It was nice seeing you, Katara."

"Likewise," Katara said with a smile. Mai returned it halfheartedly. She went outside the garden, but stayed hidden behind the trellis to hear their conversation.

Zuko looked at Katara in surprise. "You know Mai?"

"We were children together," Katara explained. "I worked at the inn that Mai's family ran."

"Oh."

They stood awkwardly for a moment. "Er – why don't you sit down?" Katara said, trying to sound like a good hostess.

They sat down together on the stone bench. Zuko looked agitated. He sighed. "I'm sorry – I'm doing this all wrong – I haven't even introduced myself. I wanted to, every time I saw you in town, but I never had the nerve …"

Katara laughed, a musical sound, like water bubbling. "I felt the same way!"

"My name is Zuko." There; he had told her.

"I'm Katara."

"Katara …" He liked that name, the way it sounded, the way it tasted on his tongue. "It's nice to finally meet you."

They were both quiet; then Katara said, "Thanks for catching me the other day." She blushed a little; that was a lame thing to say, but at least it was something.

"You're welcome," Zuko replied. "I'm only sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you then."

"So … what do you want to talk about?"

Zuko thought for a moment. "Tell me everything."

"Everything?"

"About you."

Katara smiled sheepishly. "There's nothing to tell. I was an orphan. I worked for Mai's parents, and her friend Azula's father. Then my father, Kuzon, adopted me. He's a very good man – I grew up in his love. We moved around a lot, but his love was my home. We came to Ba Sing Se a few years ago. And then I met you."

Zuko raised his eyebrows at her. "That doesn't sound like 'nothing to tell.'"

She laughed. "Your turn. Tell me about yourself," Katara said.

Zuko grinned, shrugging one shoulder. "I don't know what to tell you. I'm just a poor student. I'm on a scholarship at the University of Ba Sing Se. I've been staying with my uncle and my older cousin in the Lower Ring, and I work at their teashop to earn money."

"You're a revolutionary, aren't you? That's so brave," Katara said. Aang and Toph had told her about the Freedom Fighters' efforts to bring the government's attention to the poor people.

Zuko looked concerned. "You're not thinking of joining up, are you?" He didn't want Katara to be put in harm's way. The Freedom Fighters sometimes forgot how dangerous the coming revolution would be.

Katara shook her head. "No. I want to help people, but my father would never allow it. He's overprotective as it is." She giggled, feeling a bit giddy.

"What?" Zuko asked, wondering if he had said or done something to make her laugh.

"I was just thinking – what will my father think, if he finds me out in the garden with a strange boy? I can't remember the last time I did something this sneaky."

Zuko laughed too. "I guess I shouldn't stay long, then. I don't want to get you in trouble."

Katara looked uncertain. Now that she finally had a chance to talk to Zuko, the last thing she wanted was for him to leave so soon. "My father will have to meet you eventually."

Zuko blinked. "He will?"

"Well – if –" Katara faltered, trying to find the right words. "If we're going to be seeing each other – I mean – if you want to see me, or if I go out to see you – he'll need some explanation."

Zuko grinned broadly. "So, you do want to go out?"

"Are you asking me out?"

"It sounded like you were suggesting it."

Katara pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead, laughing a little. "We're a pretty confused pair, aren't we?"

"We only had a confusing start. I don't feel confused now," Zuko said truthfully. He leaned forward and kissed Katara. She returned the kiss, thrilling, but after a moment she put her hand on Zuko's shoulder to steady herself and gently pulled away.

"As much as I'd like to, I don't want my father to find me in the garden kissing a boy he doesn't know." They smiled at each other, still leaning close.

Mai watched the couple from behind the trellis. She felt a lump in her throat, tears in her eyes, an aching inside her chest. She felt a little bit angry with herself for feeling this way; she had known all along that Zuko only liked her as a friend, and that he was too high up to be with a beggar like her. Still, it hurt to see him fall in love with another girl – particularly someone she knew – and to tell her words that he would never say to Mai.

She heard voices nearby. Bending low, Mai crept to the end of the fenced garden and looked around the corner. There, in the alley next to Katara's house, were Mai's father, Azula, and Ozai.

"This is it," Mai heard Azula say. "I've seen these folks around. Ten years ago the old man came and paid for Katara. It's time we settled the debt!"

Mai's mind was racing. If they robbed Katara's house, Katara and Zuko would think she was in on it too. She couldn't let that happen – Zuko's trust meant everything to her. She had to warn them.

Mai's father came around the back, surveying the house. She gasped when he saw her. "Who's this then?" he said.

"It's your brat Mai. Don't you recognize your own child?" Ozai hissed.

"Keep your voices down!" Azula said sharply, before turning to her friend. "Mai, go home. You're not needed here, three's enough for one house." Really she didn't want to have to split the profits another way.

"I'm telling you, I know this house," Mai said. "There's nothing here for you to steal; just the old man and the girl. They live ordinary lives."

"Don't interfere!" Ozai snapped.

"She's going soft," Azula scoffed.

"Go home, you're in the way here," her father said.

Mai felt anger rising inside her. Somehow it made her feel a bit braver. "I'm going to scream, I'll warn them you're here," she threatened.

"What?" her father cried in disbelief.

"You'll regret that!" Ozai promised darkly.

Azula's face was hard. "I never expected this from you," she told Mai. "The thing I don't understand is – why?"

Mai shrugged. "I guess you just don't know people as well as you think you do. You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you."

"Enough of this!" Mai's father exclaimed. "Come on!"

"Well, I told you I'd do it," Mai said grimly. She opened her mouth and let out a blood-chilling scream.

Her father looked terrified. It was Ozai who commanded, "Head for the catacombs, don't wait around here!"

Azula glared at Mai. "You will regret this night. I'll make you really scream!" Then she followed the men into the shadowy back alleys.

The gate opened, and Zuko hurried out, looking pale and shaken. Katara stood behind him, holding the gate open. "We heard you scream, and then they left," Katara said.

"Mai, you've saved the day again," Zuko said.

They heard a noise from inside the house. "It's my father!" Katara said, looking terrified. "You two, get out of here!" She closed the gate behind Zuko.

Mai and Zuko crouched down behind the trellis, watching as Sokka came into the garden. "Great Spirits, Katara, what happened?" he asked. "I heard a cry, and then shouting –"

"That was my cry you heard," Katara lied. "I saw some men in the street, and I was afraid of what they'd do."

Sokka sat down on the bench looking exhausted. Katara sat down next to him, and he pulled her into a hug. He was so relieved that she was all right.

Must be Long Feng, Sokka thought, terror swelling within him. He's found my cover at last. I've got to get Katara away before he comes to get me.

"Tomorrow we'll leave," Sokka said. Katara pulled away from him, looking startled. "We'll go to Omashu, or someplace small like Kyoshi Island – somewhere with a lower crime rate." Katara opened her mouth to protest, but Sokka said, "Katara, please, don't argue with me. Just get ready to leave. It's time to close another door and live another day." He stood and led her back inside the house.

Behind the trellis, Mai and Zuko exchanged glances. Mai felt a surge of sympathy when she saw Zuko's horrified expression. "I don't believe this," he murmured. "Just when I found her, now I'm going to lose her!"

Mai didn't say anything, but squeezed Zuko's arm reassuringly.

Zuko ran his hand through his hair. "What am I going to do?"

Mai blinked at him. "What do you mean? Are you going to follow her?

Zuko shook his head, wondering what to do. Should he go after Katara? Or should he join his friends at the barricade as planned? He had promised his friends that he would go with them, even though he might lose his life.

He would stay here in Ba Sing Se. That was where he was needed the most. His place was here; he would fight alongside his friends.

That night, everyone in Ba Sing Se was anticipating the coming day.

Sokka prayed that he could have more time with Katara, that he could live free just a little longer.

Katara and Zuko contemplated what their lives would be like now, after finding love and having to leave it behind.

Mai was dreading having to spend another day with Zuko not knowing how she felt about him. And what if he died at the barricade? What would she do then?

Jet, Lu Ten, and the Freedom Fighters were excitedly preparing for the revolution.

Ozai and Azula were looking forward to scavenging the battlefield, picking out valuables from fallen soldiers.

Long Feng was collaborating with General Mung and the Dai Li in preparation for the battle they knew would come eventually. Long Feng decided he would join the revolutionary students as a double agent, spy on them and feed them false information.

Tension was mounting in more ways than one. All that was needed was a spark to trigger the explosion.

Author's Note: I did some research about the differences between the musical and Victor Hugo's novel, as well as Eponine's role in both. The thing about Eponine refusing Marius' coin was in the book, not the musical, but I thought it was interesting and decided to include it.