Author's Note: This chapter switches POVs. And second to last chapter! (Also Author's favorite chapter)
Zuko's nerves were shot to shit. The files were not in the place Zuko had always remembered them being in. There was a slight shake to his fingers as he began going through every single file in the bloody office.
"Two minute warning." Aang's voice crackled over the headphone in his right ear.
"Fuck." Zuko began shifting through the stacks faster. Trying to catch the names of either motorcycle clubs, his grandfather's name or his mother's name.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing!
Zuko felt aggravated and could feel his body heat up in anger. Where did his father put the files?!
"45 seconds, Zuko. Where are you?"
"Still in the study." Zuko growled out.
"You should probably get out of there." Sokka's voice cut in.
"Just grab any file." Aang said.
"What?" Zuko and Sokka said at the same time.
"Any file grab it and come on." Aang urged. "Twenty seconds."
Zuko felt like he could almost hear the rumble of the motorcycles. "But the ones with the papers…"
"It won't matter just grab an effing folder and get out of there!" Aang shouted.
Zuko really could hear the rumbles now as the Fire Nation pulled up into the backyard. Zuko cursed and grabbed the middle to last file from the stack. With his luck right now, it was probably empty. Zuko shoved it into his jacket and snuck out of the office as he heard boots making their way up the back porch.
Zuko teetered around the edge of one squeaky board in the front hallway before barely opening the screen door and sprinting off to his truck parked in the neighbors across the street. He thought he heard shouting as his wheels spun on the old road. But his truck lurched into motion and rumbled out of the jurisdiction just in time for two Fire Nation motorcycles to pull up behind him.
Katara's nerves were out of control. The first real competition of the season. With the short skate over with and Katara at one of her lowest scores ever, she was so nervous she could throw up. She pulled her jacket up to cover her cold nose and watched Korra preform a practically perfect short skate. It was absolutely disgusting at how upbeat and perfect it was.
"He got a file." Aang yelled over the banister.
Katara's ears perked up and she turned to see Aang giving her a thumbs up. Katara pulled her jacket down and smiled to him. Good. It was going to plan… The boys' program didn't start until after the girls'. Aang had time. And then the pairs were after the boys, so Sokka had time. They had time to spare. "So, they're on the way. Good." Katara smiled to Suki.
"Well…" Aang's voice rang out. "About that."
Katara's and Suki's whipped to look up at Aang.
"There's been a change in plans." Aang yelled over the uppity music. Many people glared in his direction. "Come on." Aang motioned for them to meet them in the lobby.
Suki grabbed Katara's hand and began pulling her. "What happened?" Katara could feel herself shaking. "Aang!" Suki shouted out Aang as he made his way down the stairs and past security.
"So, the file wasn't there." Aang began explaining immediately. "So, I told him to grab any file. No, it wasn't the right file, but it was a file that has Zuko's mother's name all over it. From what Hakoda can tell it's something to do with Zuko's grandfather, Ozai's dad." Aang waved his hands. "It doesn't really matter. We called a parley."
"A what?" Suki looked confused slightly.
"Where two or more parties come together with complete immunity, blah, blah, blah, no guns or weapons are allowed on the premises to talk out-,"
"Okay, I get it. Pirates of the Caribbean shit. Why are we having a parley? What's that going to do?" Suki motioned for Aang to move on.
Katara swallowed the bile that was burning in her throat. This didn't sound good. Her fingers shook in the pockets of her jacket and her teeth began to chatter.
"We wave around that we have documents about the Dai Lee and have all of the sources to put them away for life or they forfeit their territory and any territory in the neighboring cities. If even one Dai Lee pops their head up around here… Well all of their heads pop off."
Suki grimaced at the image that popped into her head. "But I thought you said Zuko didn't get the documents."
"No, he didn't but if we act like we did without handing over the documents…"
"The Dai Lee will leave." Katara whispered. A few dark images still haunted her about that basement. She was more than willing to help out any way she could to get those vile people out.
"But what if they want proof?" Suki asked the important question.
"There's a very small possibility we can scare them off before they look into the documents." Aang shrugged a shoulder. "We'll tell them cops make their rounds the cliffs soon and hand over the papers."
Katara shivered again, "I really don't like this idea."
"It's all we have left, Kat." Aang said in a low voice.
"When?" Katara looked away from her friends when she heard the announcer mumble a score and a large round of clapping from the crowd started.
Aang looked down at his phone. "About thirty minutes or so."
"That's my free- I'll have to drop-," Katara's mind was doing its best to work out words.
"Stay here. This shouldn't take long. We'll be back in time to hear your scores." Aang promised. He reached out his hand to her. "We all believe in you Kat. Don't let those short skate numbers scare you. Your free skate will knock their socks off. And you'll walk home with gold." Aang smiled.
Katara tried to smile back. But something in the back of her mind was still nagging at her. "I- Thanks."
"Get those perfect scores, Kat!" Aang began to walk away from them and towards the doors. "We'll be okay."
Katara nodded and took a deep breath, "Okay."
Zuko stood beside Sokka and Hakoda. They waited at cliff's edge. Aang pulled up 3 minutes before they told the Dai Lee to show up. Zuko looked around the small group. He gave a nod to one of the SouthernWaters members. Azula and June were leaned against their bikes closer to the middle of the group. This was a good group. Could definitely take on a fist fight if needed.
It'll all be fine as long as the Dai Lee don't request the documents.
They all turned when they heard a soft rumble of motorcycles. Then one by one motorcycles began parking on the other side of the old gas station. More and more cycles lined up. Zuko squinted.
"It's the Southern Raiders and the Dai Lee." Sokka said in a low voice.
Nerves began to bubble low in Zuko's stomach again as he watched two men swing off their bikes and walk forward. They stopped more than two yards away.
Katara took a deep breath as she stretched on the ice. Her skates cutting through the ice. She was second after another girl for her free skate. Katara waited for one girl to pass her on the ice before jumping into a double toe and double loop. But her skate slid out from under her when she landed. Katara quickly reached out to protect her face. She cringed at the slight pain in her wrists and left hip. Just another bruise. Yue skated around her with a small encouraging smile. She stood up and brushed off the excess ice from her outfit.
This was actually one of her least bedazzled outfits. The ombre of a light gray to white from her shoulders to the chiffon skirt that hit her thighs. The sleeves were of a soft chiffon as well. Her makeup was in a white and made her blue irises look like ice. It simple and flowy. A perfect combo for her song.
"A parley, boys?" Yon Rha chuckled. "We're not pirates. Someone's been watching too many movies."
Zuko tensed. "We want to talk."
"Do I know you?" Long Feng squinted his eyes. "Oh, you're the little boy who rescued that SouthernWaters girl." Long Feng smirk, "Don't blame you, son. She was a looker."
There was a dark growl to Zuko's left, where Hakoda stood. "Enough."
The piano started out soft and Katara took in a deep breath. Her arms uncrossed and she pushed her arms out and tilted her head up to the ceiling and breathed out. Her arms dropped and she turned.
I can do this.
Katara began skating to the far end. She knew the music was very plain, her dress, everything. It was simple which is why everything she had was going into this performance. She did a few twirls and felt her dress brush between her thighs as she skated around the curved edge. She switched directions a few times letting her arms do many frills as she made her way to the other curve.
Music build. Triple toe. Triple Loop. Music build. Triple toe. Triple Loop. Breathe in…
She lands the triple toe with a breath out before jumping into a triple loop. Katara lets out a breath as she lands the triple loop near perfectly. She does her best to control her face.
There was a crackle of tension.
"I have a file," Hakoda called out. "A closed case that I know you all remember. But this file also holds the evidence. The transaction list." Hakoda pulled out the file. "And this will go to the next police officer who does his rounds in about five minutes."
It was a bluff.
Zuko watched as Yon Rah looked to Long Feng. Long Feng's fingers twitched.
All of this was a bluff.
There was easy step sequence, as Katara breathed in the cold air from the ice. She switched feet again and again, rocking from left to right. Swaying easily to what she could hear of the music. She eased herself into a triple flip and landed with slight unease, but she came out of it controlled.
"I do not believe that." Long Feng yelled out.
Hakoda opened the file, "A shipment of, hmm isn't that interesting," Hakoda raised an eyebrow. "that went badly and was hidden along with the body of…" Hakoda brought the folder close to his face. "Mmm, yes. That will-."
"Shut up!" Yon Rha yelled across the space. Zuko watched anger cross his face. "None of that is in there!"
Katara stretched her arms far out and leaned back as she skated the edge. Her heart was hammering as she did a small double turn and then turned back to spin once. She braced herself, jumped into a double salchow and triple toe.
Perfect.
She turned and let her face light up slightly before schooling her features.
"Right here in that black and white. Oh, and well blood." Hakoda was taunting the men. He closed the file and held it up. "Three minutes left. Leave or I'll pass this off."
Yon Rha stepped forward in a rush to grab the folder. Long Feng yelled at him to stay where he was standing but the man snatched the manila folder from Hakoda's hands and opened it with a snarl. He ripped through the pages while he walked back to Long Feng.
"There ain't nothing in here about no transaction!" Yon Rha yelled over his shoulder. He pushed the file into Long Feng's arms and pulled out his gun with the other.
Katara began her spinning sequence from a pearl spin slowly transitioning into a Biellmann, her foot over her head. She dropped her foot then turned with determination and set out for her goal.
Triple axel. Double toe. Double loop.
Landed, breath in, landed and breath out, breathe in and… slight wobble. But good. Not on the ground.
Bang!
The music died and she slows herself, her right foot forward, her left leg back as she lays back over the ice. Her fingertips barely brushing the cold. She brought herself up with ease. She raised her right leg behind her as she skirted the curve. When she exited Katara pushed herself into a camel spin and then for one last push jumped to switch legs of her camel spin.
With the music built for one last climax, Katara landed her final jump, a double loop. She could almost hear Pakku, congratulating her on eight jumps. Sure, some weren't perfect, but she did it!
Katara made her way to the middle with her final steps. Her arms covered her face slightly before she pulled them down with sorrow on her face. She put all her feelings into the last few moments. Did her very best to show her frustration and tiredness of her past few months. Skating with all she had.
She pulled herself into a tight spin. Lifting her arms and then pulling them back to her. Her breath caught on the wind and she counted one second, two seconds. Before slowing to a stop, her chin dropping to her chest as she took a few breaths with her arms tight against her. She felt wetness gather in her eyes. She blinked them back and took a deep breath.
Zuko wasn't sure what happened or where it came from. He pushed Hakoda away and felt pain tear into his shoulder as they fell to the ground. He clenched his teeth in pain and heard the motorcycles ride off.
There were shouts and orders called out over him. Someone jostled him and he felt his stomach wretch as he felt the pain further through his body. Another rumble of motorcycles rode off. He clutched at his shoulder and felt a warm liquid and pain shoot down his arm.
"Zuko! Zuko!"
Katara looked up and heard the roar of the crowd. She took lots of deep breaths and waved to the crowd. She picked up a little white knitted buffalo from the ice, kissed it and held it to her chest as she continued to wave to the crowd.
"Oh. My. Spirits! That was the best performance from you ever!" Suki squealed and hugged her as she exited the rink. Yue was behind her holding out her blade covers.
"I think you just booted me out of the Olympic starting spot." Yue tilted her head with a smile.
"No way," Katara gasped for breath and slipped on her blade covers. "You totally still hold that spot!"
"You're right. I will." Yue winked and walked away.
Suki held Katara's hand as they walked to the Kiss and Cry. "I saw your oops there first pre-chorus."
"Oh, yeah that was definitely knock points off." Katara rubbed her cold nose. Suki handed her, her jacket. "Thanks." She pulled it on and sat down on the bench.
Pakku sat next to her with a pat on her back. "Good triple jump."
"Thank you." Katara smiled and wiped at her eyes.
"The music, it was too plain." Pakku patted her leg. "But you made up for it with expression."
Katara took a deep breath and looked up to her coach, "Thank you, sir." She looked over to see Suki looking up at the scoreboard and then pull her phone out.
Katara looked up to the screen and then back to the camera in front of her. She blew a kiss to the camera and hugged the small knitted white buffalo. She gave her best smile and waved. Then looked up to the score board.
"Katara Rivers, Short Program: 73.16. Free Skate: 148.23. Total:221.39."
Pakku squeezed her leg, "Congratulations! Not a personal best. But you're short will improve before nationals."
Katara smiled and waved at the camera. It's better than what I was expecting. She gathered her buffalo and stepped away from the Kiss and Cry. Suki had wide eyes and was looking at Katara. Katara gave her a smile and Suki shook her head with a tight lips.
Everything stopped and her stomach dropped.
Katara took quick steps to Suki. Or as quick as she could in her skates. Suki caught her as she tripped on her last step.
"They-They got-," Suki held out the phone. "Sokka is on the way, but, but-."
Katara took the phone and put it up to her ear, "Hello?"
"'Tara, don't worry." Sokka began.
"Sokka?" Katara looked up to Suki but she shook her head.
"It's okay, just listen." Katara could hear road noise in the background. "How was your skate?"
"Not my personal best. Sokka, what's going on?" Katara pushed.
"Well, Aang and I are on our way." Sokka gave a pause for Katara to mentally ask, 'Where's Zuko and Dad?' "Aang won't miss the pulling of numbers."
"Sokka…" Katara licked her lips and looked to Suki. "What happened on the cliffs? Where's Dad and Zuko?"
"Dad took Zuko to the hospital and-,"
"The HOSPITAL?!" Katara shrieked and a camera man turned and glared at her. Katara ducked and whispered, sorry. "Why are they going to the hospital?"
Suki guided Katara to the locker room. She patted her arm and tugged her a little faster.
"The parley didn't go as planned." Sokka began explaining. "We handed over the documents and Yon Rha shot at dad-."
"He what?!" Katara clutched tighter at the phone.
"But Zuko pushed him out of the way and the bullet caught his shoulder-"
"WHAT?!" Katara thought her stomach dropped before, but now she felt like it was in her throat.
"Dad called me a second ago and said that it didn't hit anything major, but it did crack his clavicle."
"Oh my God."
"He'll be fine." Sokka reassured her. "Doctors are going to fix him right up."
Katara looked up to Suki. "I need to get there. I need to be with him."
"No, no, nope." Sokka said while Suki shook her head. "Zuko already said that he would be fine. He practically pushed Aang and me to the truck and told us to skate."
"But-,"
"Nope, stay. Don't make me send Azula to keep you there." Sokka said jokingly.
Katara looked around to see if she could get out of there and to Zuko…
"Bato and the others went after the Yon Rha and Long Feng." Sokka continued, "Dad also said that they won't be a problem anymore."
Katara took a breath. That was good. "What hospi-?"
"Not telling." Sokka butted in. "We're pulling in I'll see you in a few."
SIGH
I am sad to see this end soon but I am excited for all to see the end! Please like if you liked it. And I absolutely love seeing all comments!
