A/N: Spoiler alert - In this chapter, I reference a character that is presented in the most recently released comic book, North and South - Part One. I only use the character name and a little of the plot that was presented in the comic (including the "surprise" ending) but I'm putting my own interpretive spin on it.

When former warships had been converted for post-war international travel, Zuko couldn't help but see them as a bad omen. Thankfully, their trip to Ba Sing Se was uneventful and quick—it proved a much more efficient way to cover lots of ground in a short amount of time, he had to admit. But then there was Ba Sing Se. He always felt like something could go wrong in that dreadful city. Iroh had arranged for an armed guard of fifty soldiers to escort them which Zuko thought was a bit much despite his wariness of the Earth Kingdom capital. Iroh made the point that if their lives had been threatened on Ember Island—on their own soil—then all the more reason to take precaution while traveling abroad.

Because Ba Sing Se was such a densely packed city, they had to land the airship just outside the wall. It was the only place big enough to leave the vessel during their stay. Armed guards were stationed there to protect against sabotage while the rest of the unit boarded the train. As they passed through the lower ring stations, Zuko did his best to push certain memories out of his mind. He didn't regret his time as a tea server, but some of those early days as a refugee weren't his finest. Then, of course, there was the whole ordeal with Jet, including the time they got arrested together during the peace treaty negotiations.

Next to him, Katara seemed content to watch out the window, and Zuko wondered what she was thinking about—what memories Ba Sing Se might spark in her. Probably ones he'd also wish to forget, he figured. He noted the way the sunlight trickled in through the train windows and illuminated her caramel-toned skin. She wore green, and it had been a while since he'd seen her in that color. He much preferred her in blue... or red. His eyes shifted over to his mother. Ursa's countenance was stiff, with tightly pressed lips and hands folded neatly in her lap. Her pale face was stark in contrast to her Fire Nation red cloak. Zuko crossed the train to the vacant seat in between her and his uncle.

"So, you haven't been back here since…" Zuko wondered if she knew that he knew.

"I'm trying not to think about that. I just want to enjoy the wedding," she said dryly.

"I guess the real question is, how much do you remember?" The words slipped out before he could stop them.

"Zuko, I just said—wait…" She turned to look at him, eyes wide, her face even paler. "You know about…?"

"I'm sorry. You're right. Let's not think about that. Let's just have a good time at the wedding," Zuko backpedaled.

"But who told you?" she urged.

"It doesn't matter." He saw that they were in the city's middle ring now, and he hoped they would be arriving soon.

"Zuko, I want to know. Katara?"

Katara shook her head. "Lady Ursa, perhaps now is not a good time. We're almost to the upper ring."

"Well, it had to be Katara who told you. I'm sure you two lovebirds tell each other everything." Ursa folded her arms across her chest in annoyance.

"Well, it's not like you swore me to secrecy!" Katara retorted.

"Ladies, it's been a long day of travel. We will all feel better once we arrive at our destination and have a bit of tea," Iroh interjected.

"You and your stupid tea. It doesn't solve anything, you know," Ursa spat.

"Hey! Leave Uncle out of this! And Katara, too. They didn't do anything to you." Zuko reached out to touch his mother's arm, but she pulled away from him.

"Oh, I see how it is," Ursa countered. "Three against one? Are you all talking behind my back about how risky it is to bring me back here with my… past? You had to tell Zuko so he'd have an excuse for when his mother goes crazy. I wouldn't want to embarrass you, son. Or maybe you're bringing it up now to see if I'll break under pressure. Better to find out sooner rather than later."

"Mom! It's not like that at all! I'm sorry… I shouldn't have said anything!"

"You're right! You shouldn't have. You shouldn't even know!"

"Why can't I know? The more I know, the more I can help you."

"I don't need your help."

Zuko opened his mouth to respond, but Iroh beat him to it. "Ursa, everyone needs help every now and then. It's OK to accept help especially from those who love you." He reached across Zuko's lap to give her a reassuring pat. This time she didn't recoil from the touch. Zuko leaned into her so that their shoulders touched, hoping she would understand that she could trust him to help her. This was not how I imagined this conversation would go. I should have never brought it up. Fuck! Now she's crying.

By this point, Katara had crossed over, too, and everyone enveloped Ursa in a giant group hug. From the bundle of thick travel clothes, Ursa's broken voice emerged. "It was never supposed to be this way. I was supposed to be there for you, Zuko. The last time I remember being on this train, I was coming to get help so we could find you and help you. Now, I'm the one who needs help. It's not right for a son to have to…"

"Shhhhhh." Zuko stroked her hair. "Mom, there are a lot of things that aren't right about our situation. But… one thing I know for sure is that I want to be here for you. Not because I have to. Because I want to. Because I love you."

She melted into him. "I'm so s-s-sorry. I didn't want you to know because I'm s-s-o ashamed. Of how I failed you. Of how I left you. Of how weak I am…"

"Mom, you're not weak, you're—"

Iroh cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but this is our stop."

For some reason, Zuko felt compelled to scoop up his mother and carry her off the train. Despite her earlier misgivings about appearances, she nestled into him and sighed deeply. She seemed so frail like that, fractured and unsteady. And Zuko was strong, supportive, and unwavering. When exactly did this happen?

A faint memory of a conversation by the turtleduck pond flashed in his mind. His mother had said that pain could make you stronger if you so choose. He was very young at the time, and he didn't even remember the context of her statement. He had no idea then what kind of pain she would endure—or what she had already experienced by that point. He knew she would always choose to be strong, though. And when Uncle said the cycle had been broken, Zuko would venture to say that she had some part in that, too.

The first item on the agenda for the wedding festivities was a welcome feast. It had been a while since Zuko and Katara had attended one of these together, but regrettably, they were not allowed to sit together. Zuko was ushered away to be seated among the national leaders at which an unbidden but not unwelcome thought pushed to the forefront of his mind. Just wait until I make Katara the Fire Lady.

He ended up sitting next to Song, but he thought it was peculiar that she was not seated next to King Kuei as one would expect. The damn dowager sat to Keui's right with King Bumi next to him. Then it was Song and Zuko. On Kuei's left sat Chief Arnook from the Northern Water Tribe. Next to him was a woman that Zuko didn't recognize, but she seemed quite engaged in conversation with Chief Hakoda who sat to her left. Next to him was Sokka, then Suki, and then Katara. Zuko gave her a slight wave, a shy grin, and then a shrug.

Katara knew Zuko hated all the social pomp and circumstance. She had also seen how crestfallen he was at their unfortunate sleeping arrangements—one large open room separated by paper-thin dividers suspended from the ceiling. She laughed as she remembered Iroh's statement, "Katara, now here is your bed over here, and here is where you'll be sleeping." The looks on both Ursa and Zuko's faces had been priceless. It didn't matter, though. She had a plan for later tonight.

"What's so funny?" Suki elbowed her.

"Oh, nothing." Katara cleared her throat. "Hey, where are you guys staying?"

Suki's face reddened. "In this big open room with your dad, Malina, and Chief Arnook. It's awful."

"Who's Malina?"

Suki leaned in closer. "She's the woman sitting next to your dad. She's laying it on pretty thick if you ask me."

Katara glanced over at this Malina who had just placed a hand on her father's arm at that particular moment and was laughing unnaturally loud at whatever Hakoda had just said. Surely not. She's just being polite. Diplomatic. Yeah, that's it.

Suki raised her eyebrows at Katara. "See what I mean?"

"Come on, Suki. She's like half his age." Katara chanced another look but nearly spewed out the sip of wine she had just taken when her father cupped his hand over Malina's. What the fuck!? "OK, Suki, spill it. What do you know?"

Suki's blush deepened even more. "Well, the dividers are pretty thin in our room…"

Katara gasped. "No way…"

"Look Katara, I don't really blame your dad, OK? She's been traveling back and forth between the tribes facilitating the reconstruction project in the South Pole. Your dad was really resistant to receiving aid from the North at first, and he doesn't like all the changes. Well, since Malina entered the picture, he's softened."

"So, is she like manipulating him or something? Oh spirits, Suki… is she seducing him?" Katara's eyes narrowed.

"I don't think it's quite like that. I think they really do like each other. But I think Chief Arnook is playing it to his advantage. His intentions are not good, that I know for sure."

At that point, Katara noticed that Hakoda and Malina had laced their fingers together, so it was obvious they weren't keeping anything a secret. She had only briefly seen her father just before the dinner started, so there hadn't been much time for talking. Katara caught Zuko's eyes from across the table. He looked bored. She tilted her head toward the new couple. Zuko's eyes went wide when he saw.

Suki elbowed her again. "So, Chief Arnook has plans. I'm not sure what they are entirely, but he started out by pursuing Sokka and me. It's how I got the spirit water. He staged it like some trade agreement with the Kyoshi Warriors, but he really wanted to know if Sokka would succeed your father as chieftain and if I would go with him to the South Pole. When we told him we weren't sure, that we were interested in pursuing a future in Two Rivers and the new government model there, he got kinda… snippy… and that's when he appointed this Malina for the reconstruction project."

"So… you're saying he's looking for influence in the South Pole," Katara summarized.

"Influence, yes. But perhaps something more. I've tried telling Sokka about this, but he thinks I'm being paranoid. And he thinks your dad can handle it. But Katara, look at him. He's head over heels in love. He won't be level-headed about this. He's like putty in her hands."

Katara didn't even want to look at her father again. The idea was a bit sickening. Not the part about her father falling in love because deep down, she'd wish that kind of happiness for him after his share of pain and loss. But she would never want him to have a manipulative or politically-arranged relationship. That shit is what the Northerners do. Instead of looking at Hakoda, she shot a glare at Arnook.

The Chief of the Northern Water Tribe was looking right back at her. Oh shit! She quickly looked away and then over at Zuko again. He was talking to Song.

Suki sighed long and loud beside her. "Anyway, Katara, just look out for him, OK? Maybe if you get a chance, you can talk some sense into him. And be thankful you don't have to share a room with them."

"Katara, can I please take the blindfold off now?" Zuko whined.

"What if I say no?" Katara did entertain the idea of having her way with him blindfolded.

"Where are we going? We can't just sneak off. I have an armed guard of like 50 men, you know."

"I bribed a few of them to keep quiet. Seriously, you worry too much." She tugged at his hands, but he had been so reluctant to follow her. Hmm, trust issues? Almost there…

It was as if Zuko read her mind. "Katara, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just that—"

She removed the blindfold when they reached the gates.

"Oh, this place," Zuko deadpanned.

"Don't sound so excited. Don't you remember?" Katara stuck her lip out in a pout.

He drew her pouty lips in for a short breathy kiss. "Of course, I remember. I'll never forget our first kiss."

Katara started to climb the gate.

"What are you doing?" Zuko hissed.

"Well… this is how we got in before."

"That's what I wanted to tell you. Kuei said he beefed up security for the wedding… because there would be so many people around. So… we could get caught."

Katara gave him an incredulous look before scanning their surroundings. "Looks like the coast is clear, Fire Lord Scaredy-Pants."

"Katara! Wait!"

But she had already scaled the gate and started running into the botanical gardens, casting occasional beckoning glances over her shoulder.

Damn you, woman. I don't need to get arrested in this city AGAIN. Zuko followed. How could he not?

Once he caught up to her, it was Katara's turn to read his thoughts. "Zuko, you can't get arrested for trespassing. The sign says you'll get fined. That's it."

"What sign?" Zuko barely had the chance to ask, and Katara answered by pulling him into a deep kiss, wrapping one leg around his thigh. He groaned in response.

Then they heard another groan not too far away.

"What was that?" Katara whispered.

Zuko rested his head on her shoulder. "It sounds like someone else had this idea."

"Well, the gardens are huge. Let's just go somewhere else."

They had barely taken a few steps when they heard the groaner say, "Ohhhh, Ursa."

Zuko froze and gripped Katara's elbow. He then mouthed, "What. The. Fuck."

The rustling of leaves indicated that their company was closer than they realized, so Zuko and Katara ducked behind a boulder nearby.

Katara thought just the idea of her father and someone doing this was bad enough. No, no, this was way worse. Judging from their position, they were stuck between the outer wall of the garden and Ursa and her mystery lover. Who is Ursa with anyway?

"Mmmmm, Jung."

Oh.

Zuko's jaw clinched, and Katara could literally feel the heat radiating from him. She reached out to touch his forearm and pleaded with her eyes. Don't do anything brash. It's none of your business. Even if you disapprove, they are two consenting adults…

"Ursa, you're so beautiful," Dr. Jung said in between soft wet noises that sounded like kisses.

Zuko threw his head back against the rock. He didn't know if he could stand for this much longer. Besides the fact that it was awkward, it was just wrong in his mind. The doctor erased her fucking memories. Why would she…?

"Ursa, my love, why are you crying?"

Katara and Zuko both tensed at this statement. Zuko would definitely intervene if things got out of hand—if Dr. Jung did anything his mother didn't want.

The only sound they could hear for a while was Ursa's shuddering breath. Then, she spoke. "I-I'm crying because I never thought anyone would think I'm beautiful… not when I look like this."

Zuko shot Katara a look of confusion, but she knew exactly what Ursa was talking about. The woman's torso was ravaged with burn scars. Zuko knew, but he didn't really know. And when Katara looked back at the young Fire Lord's marred face, in that moment, she could relate to Dr. Jung. Zuko was beautiful in her eyes. His scar didn't matter. And if she had the power to erase his painful past, she, too, would do it in a heartbeat.

Zuko must have seen something in her expression—her love, perhaps—because his softened. He laced his fingers with hers and squeezed her hand.

"But Ursa, looks don't matter. What matters is the beautiful person you are on the inside," Dr. Jung said.

"Which is just another way of saying I'm ugly, isn't it?"

"No, that's not what I meant at all. I meant… you were the first person to show me that what a person looks like doesn't matter. I thought all Fire Nation people were bad before I met you. You opened my eyes to so much beauty in the world, Ursa. So, I will say it again. I think you are beautiful. Just the way you are. Inside and out. And I want to prove it to you."

The sounds that were made at that point were the obvious ones headed in a certain direction—the one that Zuko dreaded. He pinched the bridge of his nose, wondering if he should plug his ears. Speaking of scars, will I be scarred for life now?

"Hey! Hey, you two!" A loud booming voice shot through the dark.

Perhaps it was his paranoia about getting caught in the first place that caused his reaction, but Zuko stood up abruptly when the guard arrived on the scene. Katara had tried to pull him back down to their hiding spot, convinced that the man was after the other trespassing lovers in the park, but it was too late. The guard saw all four of them, and they all saw each other. Just before his mother had a chance to quickly cover herself, Zuko caught a glimpse of her scarred back under the moonlight. Oh Agni, I had no idea it was that bad…

Dr. Jung eyed Zuko and Katara suspiciously before addressing the guard. "Is there a problem, officer?"

"Problem? The problem is that you can't read. The sign says no entrance after dark," the guard barked.

"I'm sorry, I saw no such sign. We'll just leave then." Dr. Jung reached for Ursa's hand and took a step forward.

"Ah-ah-ah. Not so fast. There's a fine for trespassing."

"It's OK," Zuko interjected. "We'll pay the fine. We're sorry for… breaking the rules. It won't happen again."

The guard scowled at Zuko before redirecting his attention back to Dr. Jung. "Well, and there's also a fine for public indecency." He then scanned the length of Ursa's body in an appraising way.

"Oh, come on, this place is hardly public. In the Fire Nation, there has to be actual public around for that charge to stick, you know, like people… in the near vicinity… there's no one around but… us." Zuko then blushed at the implication of his statement. Like he had meant to be watching the doctor and his mother get it on.

"This isn't the Fire Nation, son." The guard obviously didn't recognize Zuko, and so he continued his interrogation of Dr. Jung. "Tell me, did you just get bored of the Earth Kingdom women, so you had to go find some firefucker instead?"

Zuko summoned a flame in his palm. "You will NOT talk about my mother that way."

"Whoa-oh-oh, a mother and son combination. Now that's… kinky!" The guard still kept his eyes locked with the other Earth Kingdom citizen. "Although these two are a little… charred, don't you think? But maybe that's how you like it."

"Enough!" Dr. Jung and Zuko said in unison.

Zuko felt the fire burning in his blood, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw that his mother was trembling. The guard's taunting was terrible, if not traumatizing, and they needed to be rid of him as quickly as possible. He tried to calm his breathing and his voice in order to switch tactics. "Fine. Just tell me what we owe, and we can all be on our way. No harm done."

"How about you give me a go at your little firecracker, and we'll call it even?" The guard had barely delivered his words before he was frozen in ice from the shoulders down. "What the—"

Katara rounded on him. "You were so busy focusing on the firebenders, that you forgot about the waterbender. Listen, asshole. We know King Kuei and Queen Song personally, so if you would like to keep your job and your freedom, then you'll leave us alone, do you understand?"

"It's… you!" the guard gasped.

"Huh?" Katara was proud of her little speech. She didn't anticipate that response.

"You're the waterbender who helped with so many of the Joo Dees!"

"Yeah, and I bet you were a Dai Li agent by the shit you just tried to pull," Katara seethed.

"N-n-no, I wasn't. You brought back my sister after she disappeared for so long. I didn't know about the Dai Li or the Joo Dees. I've just had this crap job as a night guard for years."

"Then if you had a sister who suffered at the hands of the Dai Li, why would you go around making similar threats to women?"

"They suffered? I thought they were just tour guides." The guard shivered, partly from the ice and partly from facing cold hard facts.

"Seriously? You're as dense as a rock. I can't believe someone with such a dirty mind wouldn't have made the connection." Katara put her hands on her hips and shook her head at the guard.

His eyes then widened with his realization. "The nightmares! That must be why my sister has those nightmares."

"K-k-katara…" Zuko saw his mother start to sway.

Dr. Jung caught Ursa as she passed out. "We've got to get her out of here."

Katara pointed a scolding finger at the guard. "You should be ashamed of yourself. The ice will melt in a few hours, so I'm just going to leave you here to think about how every woman you mistreat might be someone else's sister! And how you have become their worst nightmare."

A/N: Zuko and Katara's first kiss at the botanical gardens in the Ba Sing Se upper ring was a much anticipated, long overdue moment in the Stalking Series. If a fictional setting could hold a special place in my heart, then that would be the one for Zutara and me. Thanks, Emletish, because I honestly thought they would NEVER get around to kissing at the rate they were going. The other Stalking reference in this chapter is Jet and Zuko getting arrested in the lower districts during the post-war peace treaty negotiations. I had a hard time with Jet coming back and how much of a role he played in NSFZ. He really brings out the worst in Zuko. It's understandable, I guess, but both of their characters got a little OOC for me at that point. I did, however, like the idea of Jet going off with June and Mai as a bounty-hunting team to find war criminals and partake in a little post-war justice. I could see that as the beginning of a redemption arc for Jet. I also thought it would be a redeeming experience for Mai—a chance for her to break free of her stiff noble upbringing and also do similar things to what she was doing with Azula (tracking down people) but with a greater sense of purpose.

The conversation that Zuko recalls where his mother says, "Pain can make you stronger if you so choose," comes from my other fic, Burning Passion, Chapter 7. So, while Zuko is starting to get better, you may notice that Ursa is losing her shit. When it comes to Ozai's abuse, she got the worst of it, and endured quite a bit to protect her children when it could have been much worse for them, too. Even the Agni Kai and Ozai's attack on Zuko was centered around Ursa. Why? Ursa represents a loss of control to Ozai which is why he tries to control her in any way that he can. He married her to impress his father and undermine his brother, but it didn't really accomplish, either. Through Dr. Wang's journal, I'll present more of the family dynamics that fuel Ozai's narcissistic rage. Ursa is also a strong woman who wouldn't always back down. And she is a smart woman who knows how to negotiate. Ozai can't allow any give-and-take in their relationship—or any of his relationships—because that makes him weak. He must take only... by force and through fear.