Fire and Ice

Chapter 29

It was late in the evening and Katara lounged on the bed, mulling over how lucky she had been to have met Nelly.

Perhaps, Zuko would let her come to the palace and eat with Katara while he was away.

'Oh look,' her inner self sneered 'I'm already making future plans for after I'm fire lady.' She reminded herself softly 'I don't have to do this . . . I have a way out, for both of us' (AS IN KATARA AND ZUKO) she sighed. She had no idea what she was going to do.

Nelly had been kind and gracious as to paint the portrait of the former fire lady, with no charge. She had laid a sort of paper over it after it was finished so she could return to the palace while it dried.

She had instructed Katara to take it off as soon as she had it hung up.

Katara gazed at the marvelous painting mounted above the door, the former fire lady stared back at her a soft smile playing on her lips.

Katara sighed, she had had no trouble getting back to the palace, nor were there many guards out.

She knew she could have escaped, leaving Zuko to his horrible family. . . But no, he didn't deserve that.

He needed to be taught how it was to show his emotions and not feel weak for it.

She was surprised when he had left her, not rebutting at her response.

Katara had taken the frame from Zuko's portrait and placed his mother inside, creating a docile look to his room. After she had finished with the portrait, she had laid the scroll on his writing desk along with the smaller portrait.

Katara grunted, he would be there soon, so she might as well bathe wile she still had a chance.

Afterwards she dried off quickly, combing her damp hair and returning to the bedroom.

She went to the dresser and picked out a simple white opal nightgown. Its sleeves revealed her shoulders and travled past her wrists, trailing on the floorbehind her hands. Wile two silver straps held the dress up on both shoulders.

The satin gauzy skirt collected right below her bosom, and then the thin luxurious fabric traveled in wavy lengths down to the floor; trailing gracefully behind her.

The straps were silver as well as the line below her chest and the lining at the edge of the sleeves, bodice and skirt. Intricate silvery designs traveled their way up the edge of the skirt to her bosom.

She sighed happily and twirled around the room. It felt so good, and care free that she failed to notice until it was too late, when two strong arms caught her gracefully.

She gave a small cry struggling briefly before Zuko's arms crushed her against him in a hug. She gasped out against him; shocked "Z-Zuko!"

He loosened his arms from around her and looked down into her eyes, his were pained and raw.

She found herself pulling him closer wanting to ease his pain. He hugged her back and whispered into her hair "Thank you Katara. You have no idea how much that means to me."

She sighed happily and murmured softly "you're welcome. And- I . . . I'm sorry about what I said. I don't know how you could ever be like your sister."

He let go of her and looked away; embarrassed "why didn't you run?"

Katara sat on the bed "I didn't need to, I know-" she took a breath "I know I'm safe here . . . with you" she finished lamely.

She looked up at him and smiled softly "I-I trust you" she frowned. Her gaffe was interrupted by a booming laugh from Zuko.

He sat down on the bed next to her and said with a bright smile "I trust you as well." She looked up at him a comical grin was on his face. Then it slowly disappeared and he started to lean in, his eyes focused on her lips.

She breathed shallowly, and parted her lips slightly. "Zuko" she whimpered slightly. He continued leaning in. She stood rapidly and hugged her elbows "Zuko . . . I can't."

He stood and took a step towards her "Why? I would nev-" she cut in with a soft whimper "I'm nothing. You don't want me. He took my honor, my dignity . . . my" she was sobbing

Zuko wrapped his arms around her resting his chin on the top of her head.

"Shhhh, Katara you're not nothing. You never will be nothing. I'm here, and your safe"

She wept silently into his chest.

Zuko held onto her as best as he could, but he found them both sitting on the floor her dress billowed out around them while he cradled her in his arms.

His face was flushed red; Being unused to such feminine emotions.

It was unlike her to just break down like this, she may have been healed physically but she might never be healed mentally.

He closed his eyes and sighed into her hair "What can I do?"

She sniffled and looked up at him he stiffened as he heard

"runaway with me" came her desperate plea.