There is the calm before the storm and Katara can feel every inch of her skin crawling with what she is sure is the emotions that have been built up from the moment she scalded herself with porridge. She is aware of where her old friend is, after all, he is there almost every hour of everyday. And so without any hesitation at all, Katara bursts into his study and notices; without much caution that there are two well-dressed gentlemen sat before her best friend.

Zuko looks from them to her and then back at them again. "We will resume this meeting tomorrow", is what Zuko says when they look at him confused. They bow respectfully at the Fire Lord and leave him with his tearing friend. There is a certain look in her eyes and Zuko feels that it is too private for him to witness. And so the Fire Lord turns away from her. She doesn't back away instead she grasps his face within her hands and forces him to look into her large blue eyes.

"You were in love with me", she states and removes the bracelet from her wrist, placing it into one of his hands. "You loved me didn't you?" Zuko turns away but Katara is not ready to back away just yet. "I know what ruby bracelets mean now Zuko. And you gave one to me. Why? You must've loved me didn't you?"the pain is evident in the sound of her voice as she gazes deep into Zuko's eyes.

"That was a long time ago Katara", he whispers as he tries to avoid her intense stare. It is too much for the man to handle for the pain in Katara's chest is too much for even him to bear. He feels her pain and that is why he is trying his hardest no to see that look of sorrow and emptiness in her being.

He has his own set of problems after all, fate is a cruel thing and it makes him cringe every time he thinks about it. There were times in his youth where he'd kneel on the floor and pray that Katara would see right through his heart and love him back, there were times where Zuko felt that longing and that hurt every time he looked at Aang with Katara and yet now that she loves him the way he's wanted her to all his life, he cannot afford to love her back.

"Times have changed Katara, you've changed, I've changed, our feelings; they change too, I used to love you, but now, we're just friends", there is agony in his voice and it pains him to say these things, Katara is sure he is still in love with her and now that she's come this far, she is not about to back down just yet.

"Zuko please…"

"He sent me a letter, he told me he'd be coming in a week's time", he answers matter-of-factly and busies himself by rearranging the things on his desk. "I've been updating him on your situation, and everything is going to be okay, when he comes back, he'll take you back to the Earth Kingdom and then you shall live happily ever after and then…", Zuko pauses for a moment. "And then you can forget about me and maybe try for a baby with Aang, live happily till you age and have white hair" and live the life that I dream of having with you.

"Zuko, this doesn't have to end this way, me and Aang, there is nothing between us anymore, I admit the way I treated you was wrong and I should have seen it; I should have seen that you loved me but…"

Zuko stands abruptly from where he sat and stares deep into Katara's eyes. He doesn't know why but he needs her to see this. "I loved you, with all my heart and yet, and yet you left with him, without a second glance. You left me shattered and broken Katara. And then now you just waltz back into my life and have me feeling like the love-sick teen I was? Do you think it's fair?"

Katara is in a conundrum; she doesn't know what to say or what to do or what to feel. Zuko has just admitted he loves her but yet he is not going to allow himself to feel that way for her again. So Katara acts and closes the gap between them, kissing Zuko deeply. Zuko shies away at first but then gives in to his lifelong desires and deepens the kiss. What ensues is a messy table, Katara curled up tightly in his arms and his naked chest glistening with sweat.

Zuko is sure he's made a mistake, a mistake worth making none the less.

The next few days are not as awkward as they were before, and tonight Katara is in his bed again. For no particular reason but one, because she feels cold in the depth of a storm and she needs her friend's warmth. They are in a position that they both want secretly but at the same time are mourning the chance that it will all have to go away.

Katara moves away slightly from her love only to be pulled back and huddled closer.

"I love you Katara", is what Zuko says when he reaches her earlobe and proceeds to kiss her on her cheek. All she can do now is agree and then snuggle deeper into his chest. She can feel his pain at the fact that she will have to leave after this is over, when Aang comes back, she can feel his sorrow as his heart beats hard and fast against her palm, she can feel how sad he is to have to let her go back to the man who loves her.

Katara lifts herself and addresses his mouth. Zuko doesn't shy away and kisses her back with more ferocity she had envisaged. He pours all his love and frustration into that once kiss and when they finally part, there are tears in his eyes.

"What's wrong Zuko?"

"He's coming back tomorrow", Zuko whispers into her hair, and then she faces away from her lover. "Tara", Zuko whispers as he tries to make her feel better. "We can still write each other", he says as a poor means to comfort his best friend. And then Zuko catches her lips and deepens the kiss into something more. They spend the night in each other's arms, without clothing and nearly freezing in the cold, all they can do now is wait for the storm to pass.

A/N: HEY! please review! i'm seriously desperate for your reveiws, please, please review. and tell me if you liked this story or not. and please tell me if you want Kataang or Zutara at the end of the story. PLEASE REMEMBER TO REVIEW!