I do not own ATLA. This is just for fun. So please enjoy!

Chapter 21: Schemes

Katara fell back on the couch with a huff. "I don't think I could eat anymore if I tried to!"

"But I made dessert!" Zuko walked over from his kitchen with two long-stemmed glasses filled with a chocolate-looking mousse garnished with mint leaves. "It took me several tries to get the recipe right. Are you sure you don't have anymore room?"

He slouched his shoulders slightly in disappointment. But Katara was back in his apartment – sober. Just having her sitting on his couch with the sunset shining through her hair, making it appear on fire, was a dream come true. How could he be upset?

"Zuko, I'm am bursting at the seams. I am so full – I am SO FULL . . . I . . . can't lift my arms!"

"Mmhmm."

He would never admit it, but Zuko was a little hurt. He put so much effort into the dessert, trying to make it as delicious, and possibly erotic, as possible. Girls like chocolate don't they? Why isn't this working?

You might say he was trying to seduce her. After the last few intimate encounters they shared, he was wondering when things were actually going to come to a head. And being the man he is, he hoped it would be sooner rather than later. The constant interruptions and mishaps were getting to be a bit much.

Maybe it's a sign. Maybe we're doing the wrong thing?

Suave Zuko had been hiding all night. And the food coma was sinking in. The longer his meal sat in his stomach the more tired he was becoming. And he didn't want to be tired, especially if Katara was going to stay the night. Next time I make dinner, I'm sticking to soup and salad. A meat salad. Protein good. Carbs bad. But so damn tasty!

He plunked the glasses on the coffee table and slumped defeated into the couch next to Katara.

"Maybe," Katara said. "Maybe, if you fed it to me I could eat a little bit more." She smiled demurely.

Ohh . . . So this is a game of flirting wits. OK. Well, two can definitely play this.

Zuko looked at her with an expression he hoped relayed, "You've got to be kidding." In case she read his message completely wrong, he spoke up. "I'm sorry, but I've done so much work making you this fantastic meal I'm a bit tired myself. I'm going to have to go to the gym to condition myself for future gourmet dishes."

"Who says you need to go to the gym?" She made it look like an enormous effort to get up and straddle his lap. Once situated, she leaned into his ear to whisper. "We could work out right here. Right now." She started sucking on his ear lobe. "Your body is more powerful than any machine at the gym."

He sighed in contentment. There was nothing he could think of in that moment that would make him happier. He began to caress her thighs. "I thought you were too full for physical exertion." His hands found their way to her round behind and gave a squeeze.

She squeaked, tossing her head back. He was fully aware of where this made him look, her breasts at now eye-level. His fingers danced up the middle of her to her neck, rubbing her in the same place she felt him in the elevator the last night she was in his apartment. Her titled her head forcing her to look him in the eye.

"You caught me," she admitted. "It was all a ruse to seduce you. And because of my failure I will be emotional vulnerable. Promise not to take advantage of me?"

"I can make no such promise." Zuko pulled her in. "You should have known the risks the minute you stepped off the elevator."

Katara placed her hands on his chest, pushing back in weak resistance. "The fact that you even have an elevator astonishes me."

"After everything I told you last week, you get hung up on the most mundane facts. That's astonishing."

Katara rested her head on his chest and he clasped his hands behind her back so she would never leave. They stayed that way for several moments, happy to sit in silence and companionship. Their secrets were no longer weighing them down.

"Zuko, I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to humor me." Where could this be leading, I wonder? "Would you save me? You know, if I was in any danger?"

What the hell kind of a question is that? "Is this a test? Please tell me because I really don't want to fail."

"Like . . . say I fell overboard, or got hooked onto some substance, would you save me? It's a perfectly straightforward question." Katara raised her eyebrows in anticipation.

"Of course I would save you!" He launched them both upward, intent on making this moment as serious as possible. "I would build you a raft so you wouldn't drown. I would cut you off from your drug and drag you to rehab – against your will. I would save you even if . . . even if . . . if pirates had taken you captive I would pay any ransom and commandeer their ship to make sure I would get you back."

He could no longer think of any other options because Katara had begun attacking him with her lips. I must have said something right! He soon matched her intensity kissing her right back. Their hands began pawing at each other, gripping, clawing, trying to get closer.

Zuko laid Katara on the couch and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They began grinding, the sounds made against the leather muted by moans and gasps. There wasn't enough oxygen nor contact. None of it was enough. He needed release.

But he had to be sure. Between kisses and gasping, "Katara, are you – I mean . . . ready to – "

"Not my first rodeo, Zuko."

She shoved him off after one more kiss and flounced up the stairs to his bedroom.

OK. Great. No pressure to perform there . . . NOT. What is she expecting? He thought back to what he shared about Mai in the park. Oh boy, please don't let it be like that. At least – not yet.

"Zuko," Katara called. "Don't make me do this by myself."

Without further hesitation he launched himself over the back of the couch and up the stairs. When he reached the bedroom threshold the sight before him rendered him awestruck. Katara lounged on the bed, her hand holding her head up, wearing nothing but black lingerie. He was afraid to move thinking it would shatter the moment otherwise.

When he failed to approach the bed, Katara slowly rose making sure she was slow and deliberate in arousing him with a visual of her curves. What's the word I'm thinking of? Bodacious? Sexy doesn't seem to cover it. But I want it. Very, very badly.

His blood pulsated in his veins, every nerve ready to strike. Katara reached him and slowly started lifting his shirt, grazing all the appropriate areas with her nails.

Not fast enough!

Zuko finished the job before Katara had gotten the shirt above his chest. He picked her up and threw her on the bed. She screamed with delight, limbs flailing and he pounced on her. With a low growl he began ravishing her upper body with his lips. His hands scoured her hips, working her panties lower and lower so he could experience the most sensitive of all places. He was getting closer and closer to the succulent curls.

The doorbell interrupted any further progress.

"OH, FOR FUCK'S SAKE!" Zuko yelled into her stomach.

Katara ran her fingers through his hair. "Just ignore it. Whoever it is will get bored eventually."

He forced himself to get up. "No. There are a total of three people who know where I live. Yourself included. And it's a private building, so it's not a solicitor. You stay here," he gestured to her, now wearing only a bra, sprawling on the bed. "I'll take care of it."

He kissed her once more, quick but fierce. Once in the hallway he stole a moment to calm himself down. But he didn't reach the door before someone entered.

"Gee, Zuko. You've gotten even sloppier since the last time I was here. Dirty dishes everywhere," she glanced at Zuko's bare chest. "And you're still walking around half naked. Tisk tisk."

He was not remotely amused. "I told you last time, Mai. I'm done."

"Be more assertive this time and take back your key." She flashed it in his direction before tossing it on the counter.

"Why are you here then? It can't be for sex, not that I would with you anymore."

"Why not?" She discovered the two untouched glasses of chocolate mousse on the coffee table after another sweep of the room. "I think your company should have some input on the topic of me joining you."

Stunned by the incredible imagery that his aroused mind just created, it took Zuko a few more seconds before regaining coherent thought. "I didn't think you swung in my direction anymore."

"And what would have given you that idea?"

"I saw you and Ty Lee together! In the marketplace!"

"A girl has to have a permanent preference these days. She can't just switch sides depending on her mood anymore." She sighed as if the world's own existence was futile.

He was getting annoyed. "Why. Are you. Here?"

Mai scoffed and threw a small envelope on the coffee table, almost knocking over the mousse in the process.

"Don't shoot the messenger. I was given directions to give this to you at my earliest convenience."

Zuko picked up the envelope with suspicion. "By whom?"

"No clue. Found it shoved under my door. Didn't see anyone or hear anyone do it. It just showed up." Mai opened the front door. "You don't have to worry about me showing up anymore. I loved you once Zuko, but it got boring. I've moved on to bigger and better things."

He knew she was lying. But it was a nice gesture on her part all the same – putting on a brave face so he wouldn't feel bad. It was one of the things she was best at, despite the obvious blow to his manhood.

"Thanks, Mai. I hope one day you'll be satisfied."

She waved a hand over her head in a silent good bye and shut the door. And he knew she understood he was telling the truth.

But now he was alone with an envelope. What could this be? He ripped it open and the contents poured into his hand. Two dozen photos of Katara and himself were folded among a piece of paper.

Zuko: You have two ways you can play this.

Keep seeing her and copies of these photos will be released to the department faculty. You will lose your job and you will never be able to finish your dissertation at this institution. Good luck getting recommendations for another school. And her reputation will be ruined.

End your "relationship." Keep your job and protect her from defamation and ridicule.

Payback's a real bitch, ain't it?

He quickly flipped through the pictures of him and Katara in the library, leaving class together, Katara getting into his car so he could drive her home. The last half was them making out in the park, making out in the library stacks, making out in his car. A few were in compromising positions, but nothing too graphic. They simply hadn't had time to do more before tonight.

These photos are all from the last week! What the hell? Who would do . . . JET. He'll stop at nothing.

What do I tell Katara?

Zuko dropped the envelope on the floor and unintentionally kicked it under the couch as he shuffled back to the stairs. He reached the top and went no further. He leaned against the window-side railing staring over Ba Sing Se.

If I tell her about them, she'll want to fight it. She would stay with me because she's a fighter. But I have the opportunity to stop it now. I can end the madness and end the jealousy. Even if it means I'll never be happy again. I can lie. I've always been a good liar when it came down to it. I can lie again and tell her it isn't going to work. She stays protected and can finish the semester without consequence. She has the restraining order. She'll be safe. When she graduates she'll be able to work at any hospital in the world. I have a few connections in Capitol City. I'll get her a job there, but she can never know I helped her.

I don't want to hurt her, but this has to work. I can't let this war do more damage.

Katara came up behind him and draped her arms around his shoulders. She was wearing his shirt – her bare legs making it look better than it ever could on himself. "Hope you don't mind. I got cold waiting for you."

He didn't reply.

"Everything okay?"

He shrugged her off and walked back down the stairs. "You should leave."

"Excuse me?"

"This won't work. Go home."

"You must be joking." He turned and looked up at her up the stairs. His expression was cold.

"Zuko, who was at the door?"

"That's none of your damn business, is it? Why do you have to pry?" Yes, I just went there.

Katara's hands moved to her hips. "When have I ever pried?"

"I'm sorry, but what was your 'question game' about, then? Just because? Curiosity killed the cat-owl."

Tears started to form in her eyes. At least this idiotic plan is working. "You never had to answer those questions."

"I don't recall those being in the rules. I had to answer truthfully, didn't I? Good thing I lied about most of it."

"I don't believe this." Katara practically tripped into the bedroom. She emerged wearing her pants and holding her blouse. "As clichéd as it is, you men really are all alike. Give them an inch and they take a mile. Whisper stupid things to make you melt and then freeze you over the next day."

I can't believe she's buying it. I hate that this is working. "I can't lie anymore. Pretending I liked us was a waste of my time."

She sniffled and gathered the last of her belongings. "I'm so glad you don't have to lose anymore sleep over it, Zuko. You will never lose anything because of me again."

The door slammed. She was gone. Zuko was alone again.

Nothing ever works in my favor.

Azula sat in the corner of her cell, counting down the minutes. If the plan fell through, she would be loaded with prescriptions until her brain unplugged. Then there would never be voices, her own or otherwise.

But if it did work, she would be free. And there would be serious hell to pay.

There was always a constant buzzing in her room from the electricity operating the camera in her padded dormitory. She watched it expectantly. When the red light switched off, the buzzing stopped. She knew it was time.

She dove under her mattress and pulled out a duffle bag. Inside were clothes. Nothing too sophisticated, she would need to blend in. She had thirty seconds now. She had finished tying her sneakers when her door opened.

Jet, dressed in scrubs, pushed a gurney into the room. A body lay atop it covered with blankets, the face obscured with an oxygen mask. Jet shut the door.

Together they threw off the blankets and removed the mask. With one person at each end of the body, they picked it up and placed it on Azula's mattress.

"You wouldn't believe how easy it was finding this girl," said Jet. "I had my cleaner search the –"

"I don't care," Azula spat. She absorbed the appearance of the corpse now resting where she had slept for the past few years. The hair was similar in shade and her face was slender enough. She's not prettier. "Did you take care of her mouth?"

"Yup." Jet pulled a flask from his pocket and began pouring the contents over the stranger. The stench of gasoline was unmistakable. "Pulled all the teeth, like you said. They won't be able to identify her without some serious effort."

The flask now empty, Azula climbed on the gurney and pulled the blankets over herself. She also donned the oxygen mask.

"Remember, don't open your eyes until we're in the ambulance." Jet removed a single match from the same pocket. With a strike against the wall, he threw it on the mattress, instantly igniting it.

He rolled the gurney out of the room and they both left the institution undetected. They knew they were in the clear after the reached the parking lot and the alarms sounded. The gurney was loaded into a waiting ambulance. Jet climbed behind the wheel and drove away.

Azula was free from her prison.

Duhn duhn DUHHHH! What's gonna happen? You know I can't answer that, my lovelies. You'll just have to keep reading.

I am SO SO SO sorry it has taken me this long to update, but this semester has been hellish. I ended up dropping my thesis and then I had to do lots of other work, and then I had to get my roommate hooked on Buffy – I was extremely busy. No joke. But I'm back. And hopefuly we'll have this thing knocked out of the park but summer's end.

Much love to those who kept egging me on and reminding me that you are still out there, anticipating the next chapter like ketchup from the bottle. And here it is. I hope to have another one up soon. At any rate it will not be five months like this last time around. Thanks for staying with me everyday. XOXOX