Zuko decided very quickly that he absolutely hated hunting, and that he never wanted to experience anything remotely like this again. He was cold, wet, and miserable, and if Sokka made one more asinine comment, Zuko was liable to turn the gun in his hands on him.

At least I wouldn't have to worry about being deported. I'd be in jail for murder, Zuko thought darkly as he sat in what was virtually a treehouse—which Hakoda and Sokka called a deer stand, but which seemed to Zuko to be more akin to a prison cell.

"How long until the deer show up?" Zuko asked, his patience running thin.

"They'll show up when they feel like it," Sokka replied with the air of superiority he'd held since they arrived.

"Hunting can be a test of patience, Zuko," Hakoda said sagely. "Patience is a desired trait in a husband. If you can hunt all day and not bag a single buck, but go home just happy to be with your wife, then you're a good man."

"Hmph," Zuko grumbled. He wasn't sure how he felt about these water tribe traditions.

"Why don't you tell us a bit more about yourself, Zuko?" Sokka drawled. He reached into the cooler beside him and pulled out three bottles of beer, passing one to Zuko and the other to Hakoda. "Katara's worked for you for a year, and I think all I know about you is that you're an asshole to work for."

Zuko nearly choked on his beer at Sokka's brazenness. He managed to swallow it down before he struggled to answer.

"Um, my job...it's...you know. I'm in charge of an entire department...gotta keep employees in line...but I've never—I never took any frustrations out on Katara. She's...she's been a great employee." He cleared his throat.

"A temper in a man can be a sign of one of two things," Hakoda said slowly. "It can be a sign of passion, or a sign of volatility. Which would you say it is for you, Zuko?"

"Passion, I hope," Zuko muttered.

Hakoda looked at him from the corner of his eye. "I hope so too, for your sake and Katara's. She's got a temper enough for the both of you."

"Ain't that the truth." Sokka slurped his beer. "I was always the voice of reason between us when we were growing up."

"Now, don't you feed Zuko a line of bullshit." Hakoda chuckled. "You might not have the Kuruk temper, but you have your mother's sense of irrationality."

Zuko buried a chuckle of his own with a drink of his beer and Sokka glared daggers at him.

"What sort of things do you and Katara like to do together?" Sokka asked. There was a sharp bite to his tone, and Zuko knew he hadn't done himself any favors by laughing at him. "Besides work stuff, of course."

"Right." Zuko felt his irritation mount. His brain whirled as he tried to recall facts that Katara had told him about herself, the things she was into. "We, um, watch a lot of horror movies together. After work and stuff. We uh...go to museums. Out to dinner. Stuff like that."

"That's nice," Sokka said insincerely.

"Ssh, ssh, ssh." Hakoda leaned forward in his seat, setting his beer on the ground softly. He lifted his rifle and looked through the scope. Then he pointed. "There. A buck. Eight point. Beautiful son of a bitch."

Sokka held up his own rifle and let out a low whistle. "Shit, what a beauty. That's a buck you get stuffed and mounted."

Zuko imitated the two of them and lifted his rifle, bringing his good eye up to the scope. He had vision in his left eye despite the scarring, but it was more poor than his right eye. He squinted through the scope, disoriented by the sudden magnification of the snow-coated woods beyond the deer stand. Eventually, he found the deer.

Zuko had never seen one up close, and he didn't know much about them, but he supposed that it was a magnificent creature. It had fawn-covered fur and large antlers, and it was quietly nibbling on a bush.

"You got it in your sights?" Hakoda whispered, as if the deer could hear them despite being a hundred yards away. Maybe it could. Zuko didn't know.

"Um…"

Katara had been right; Hakoda had rigorously gone over gun safety with him. He had explained the names and functions of the different parts of the rifle Zuko now held, and for a moment, Zuko struggled to remember what the sights were.

Then he spotted the three little nubs on the barrel of the gun, one near the top and two more at the end, and remembered. He maneuvered the gun until he had the deer lined up in the sights.

"Got it," Zuko murmured.

"Get it, Zuko," Hakoda encouraged quietly. "Aim for the heart. Less blood that way."

Zuko shifted the gun until the deer's chest was centered. He took a deep breath and tried to ignore the slight shake of his hands. He had never fired a gun, and he had never killed a living thing. Zuko exhaled slowly as he squeezed the triggering, preparing himself for the loud boom of the gunshot.

But all he got was a click.

"Dude. Did you forget to turn the safety off?" Sokka inquired.

"Shit." Zuko lowered the gun until he saw the safety button. He thumbed it off and put the scope back up to his eye. "The deer is gone."

Hakoda lifted his gun and scouted for it. "Damn, we missed that one." He laid his rifle across his lap and picked up his beer. "Don't worry. Another one will come along."

Sokka made a distasteful sound. "Pfft. City boys."

Zuko set his gun down and grabbed his beer, fuming silently. I'll show you.

Katara's suspicions were immediately aroused when her mother pulled into the parking lot of the bar in the neighboring town.

They had spent the morning shopping at the small strip mall, and the trunk of Gran-Gran's Buick was loaded down with their wares. Somehow, Gran-Gran had convinced her to buy Zuko not one, but two flannels (she hoped he was a medium) because that poor boy will freeze out here. Fire Nationers weren't built for the cold, as Gran had said. Katara had tried to argue that they were leaving tomorrow evening, but Gran-Gran would hear none of it.

And worse than that, Katara had been subjected to the interrogation she had been dreading since this whole charade had begun. Her mom and grandmother had wanted to know everything about Zuko. Katara was grateful for all of the facts she had learned about him, and those that she knew simply from being his assistant, although those were mostly useless with the questions her family were asking.

But she had made it through, and she was certain she had done a good job of painting a positive picture of Zuko. And now they were outside of the bar in the town over, and Katara could only imagine what was about to unfold.

"What..are we doing here?" Katara asked nervously as her grandmother pulled into a parking spot.

Kya turned in her seat and offered her a bright smile. "We're celebrating, sweetie."

Katara eyed the bar. "A bar seems like a weird place to celebrate Gran-Gran's birthday."

Kanna chuckled and looked at Katara in the rear view mirror. "Oh no, dear. We're not celebrating my birthday. We're celebrating your engagement!"

"Oh." Katara swallowed hard. "Is this like a…"

"A bachelorette party," Kya supplied with a happy clap of her hands. "We've invited Suki and Korra. Korra can't wait to see you. The two of you haven't seen each other since…"

"High school," Katara finished.

Kya scanned the parking lot. "It looks like they're already here. We shouldn't keep them waiting."

The three of them went inside. Katara spotted Suki and Korra right away, sitting front and center of a small, empty stage with beers already waiting for them. Korra stood up and wrapped Katara in a bone-crushing hug that pressed the air from her lungs.

"Hey, Korra," Katara rasped out.

"Good to see you!" Korra finally released her, offering a grin. "So, I hear you're getting hitched to some corporate Fire Nation schmuck. Is that true?"

"He's not a schmuck," Katara said defensively as she sank into her chair. "He's a very good man."

"Can't wait to meet him." Korra sat back down. "Suki says he's very...interesting. Hell of a pool player."

"He's fantastic," Katara said.

"Oh, I bet your brother just loved that," Kya chuckled as she picked up her beer.

"I don't think it won Zuko any brownie points," Katara muttered before she sipped her beer. "I seriously don't understand how my brother's mind works."

Suki snorted out a laugh. "I've been married to him for seven years and I still don't get him most of the time." She touched Katara's hand. "He'll come around. He's just gonna make Zuko earn his approval first."

"And your dad and brother took him hunting," Korra remarked. She quirked her brow at Katara. "Do you think that'll get their approval? I know how seriously Uncle Hakoda takes our traditions."

Katara suppressed a groan. "I hope so. Zuko doesn't exactly hunt."

"Well, I can't wait to meet him," Korra said. "Tonight at Gran's birthday dinner."

Katara eyed her grandmother. "Exactly how many people I know are going to be at this dinner, Gran-Gran?"

"Oh, you know…" Kanna pursed her lips. "Just our closest friends and relatives."

This time Katara couldn't quite stop her groan. "So, the entire village of Akarta. Wonderful."

But then there was no more time for talking as the lights suddenly dimmed and pulsating music began to play from the speakers set up near the stage. Katara stared at her family, wondering what the hell they had just gotten her into.

"What the hell is going on?" Katara demanded to know.

Suki squealed gleefully. "Oh, Katara, you're gonna love it!"

"Welcome to your bachelorette party." Korra grinned as she jerked her thumb at the stage. "I've got a friend. He happens to be a small-time movie star in the capital, and I was able to convince him to come down here and put on a show for you."

Katara looked wide-eyed at the stage in horror, suspecting what was about to happen. "Oh no."

"Oh, yes." Korra's grin turned fierce.

"I think you're gonna love it!" Suki enthused.

Suddenly, a small curtain above the stage flew open, and a young man dressed in only black slacks and a tuxedo vest appeared. The gathered crowd whooped and applauded as the young man jumped onto the main stage and began to dance seductively.

"Work it, Bolin!" Korra called to him. Then she leaned closer to Katara. "I dated his brother for a while. Bolin's a really cool guy."

"Real cool," Katara muttered.

Her cheeks were burning with embarrassment. How did her family think she would actually enjoy this? Had she been away for so long that her family was out of touch with who she was?

On the stage, Bolin continued to dance in what Katara supposed might have been a seductive way—if you were a half-blind grandma. Suddenly, he ripped off his pants and revealed a pair of skintight black underwear that left nothing to the imagination. She wanted nothing more than to melt into the floor. Katara hoped Zuko was having a better time than she was.

Korra waved her arm. "Over here, Bolin! Come here!"

Suddenly, he was dancing his way off of the stage towards them. Korra pointed at Katara with a white-toothed grin, and Bolin met Katara's gaze. He held his hand out to her and Katara shook her head rapidly. A grin spread across his face and he nodded as he reached into his vest and pulled out a bridal veil.

"Oh, no thanks, I don't need that," Katara said, still shaking her head.

"Go on, Katara!" Suki encouraged her. "Have some fun! I'm sure Zuko won't mind."

"And if he does, he's not the one to marry," Kya added.

Korra grabbed Bolin and pulled him closer. "Come on, Bo. Show my cousin a good time!"

Bolin flashed Katara a grin as he swung his hips dangerously close to her. He leaned over and set the veil on top of her head, smoothing it down as he came closer. Katara kept her eyes trained on anything but the bulge in his underwear, wondering what she might have done in a past life to offend the spirits enough to be subjected to this.

"Show her what she's going to be missing," Suki crowed.

Katara glowered at her best friend. Then Bolin offered her his hand.

"Come on, my sweet princess," he crooned at her.

"Oh no, that's not necessary." Katara shook her head adamantly. "I'm comfortable right here. This is fine."

"Get up on that stage, or so help me, La, I will tell Zuko every embarrassing story about you from our childhoods," Korra threatened.

Might not be a bad idea, Katara thought. At least he'd know more about me.

"Go, Katara!" Suki encouraged her. "Live a little!"

"Get up here and dance with me," Bolin insisted enthusiastically.

"Oh, that's really not necessary," Katara stammered. "I don't really—I'd rather—"

Suddenly Bolin grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. Korra gave her a push as he started dragging her towards the stage.

"Pluck my eyes out," Katara muttered.

Then she was up on the stage. Bolin pulled a chair over and pushed her into it, then he was swinging his hips in front of her face. Katara looked at anything but him and her family, who were all laughing and looking like they were enjoying this.

I hope Tui strikes you down, she thought to them. I hope he makes you suffer twice as much for this.

Bolin put his hands on the back of his head and jerked his hips in her directly. "For you!" he cheered.

"No, I'm good. I'm really good," Katara said.

It wasn't that Bolin was a bad looking guy. He wasn't. He was well-muscled and rather handsome, but he definitely wasn't Katara's type. She liked her men tall and lean. Like Zuko, a treasonous voice whispered in the back of her head.

Bolin put his leg up on the arm of her chair and gyrated closer to her. Katara turned her head, her face twisting into an expression of horror.

"I haven't seen that move before," Suki said to Korra.

She covered her mouth to hide her laugh. "Oh my spirits, look at her face!"

"Come on, mama!" Bolin spun around and shook his ass in her face.

Katara wanted to die from the mortification. Korra was going to pay for this!

"Smack him, Katara!" To Katara's horror, it was her grandmother shouting up at her. "Give it to him!"

Katara shook her head. "No, no, I don't want to touch it."

"Smack his ass!" Korra bellowed.

"Do it, you chicken!" Suki whooped.

Katara grimaced. "No, I don't...I think I'm good. I don't want to—"

"So sweet," Bolin crooned at her. "Don't worry. I won't tell if you won't."

Katara held her hand up, her mouth twisted sourly, wondering what in the actual fuck had led her here, to this moment. She gave Bolin a timid smack and he straightened up, pressing his hand to his mouth as he let out an exaggerated, "Ooh!"

Katara was certain that her face couldn't get any more red. "Can I get down now?"

Without waiting for an answer, Katara bolted from her seat and hurried off the stage. She swung by the table long enough to grab her coat before she ducked through the door and out into the chilly air.

Katara trudged across the snowy parking lot, pulling the veil from her hair, unsure of where she was going but knowing she needed a moment to collect herself. She found a bench and brushed the snow off of it before she dropped onto it with a huff.

Her cheeks were still burning. Katara was by no means a prude, but by the spirits, her mom and grandmother were there! What the hell was Korra thinking? Truthfully, she probably wasn't. Katara knew her cousin was rather impulsive and didn't usually think things through.

But Katara couldn't be that mad at Korra, could she? It was clear that even Suki and her mom and Gran were in on it. They had probably cooked up this plan last night after Katara had announced her engagement.

A few minutes later, Suki was walking up to her with an apologetic smile. She cleared the remaining snow off of the bench before she sat down.

"I tried to talk her out of it," Suki said. "But you know how Korra is."

Katara shook her head. "I forgot how embarrassing my family can be. Can you believe the first thing Gran said to Zuko was about grandchildren?"

"Actually, yes, I can. She says something to me almost every time I come over." Suki chuckled. Then she glanced at Katara from the corner of her eye. "So this uh, engagement seems a little sudden."

"It's not," Katara said. "We've just...we didn't tell anyone."

"How long have you two been seeing each other?" Suki asked.

"Six months," Katara replied readily.

"And he's a good man?" Suki studied her. "Because last I checked, he was an asshole. Unless we're talking about another Zuko who you also worked for."

Katara shook her head. "No, same asshole. He's just...he's more than that. It just took me a while to realize that. He's passionate, and caring, and so smart. He's incredible at his job. And he loves his family. He's a good guy."

Suki reached over and squeezed her hand. "Then I'm happy for you. You're my girl. I just want to make sure you aren't fucking your life up or anything."

Katara struggled to meet her best friend's gaze as the guilt gnawed at her. She hated lying. But Katara knew that the things she'd said about Zuko were true. So their marriage was a sham, but he was amiable enough. He would take care of her. There were worse things out there. Worse people. Like her ex.

"I'm not," Katara finally managed to say. "I love him. Very much."

"Good." Suki grinned. "I better be your maid of honor."

Katara smiled at her. "Duh. I wouldn't want it any other way."

Suki stood up and pulled Katara along with her. "Come on. They're probably wondering where we are."

"Tell me Bolin put pants back on, at least," Katara groaned.

Suki smirked at her. "What, thick, gorgeous Earth Kingdom boys aren't your thing?" She eyed Katara. "Nah, you like them tall, lanky Fire Nation boys."

Katara gave her a shove as her cheeks reddened again. "Oh, you shut up!"

Suki laughed all the way into the bar.

"Hey, Katara," Sokka called from the foyer. "You better come out here!"

Katara looked up from the deviled eggs she was currently making in preparation for Gran's birthday dinner. "What?"

"Just come here!"

Kya looked at her. "You better go see what your brother wants."

With a sigh, Katara set down the bag of filling and wiped her hands off on her apron before she headed for the front door. Sokka was waiting on the front porch.

"Check out the buck your man scored for you," he said, nodding towards the car.

Katara took in the buck. It was dead, alright, and currently leaking blood on the hood of Hakoda's SUV. Zuko was currently sliding out from the backseat. The front of the parka he had borrowed from Sokka was covered in drying blood.

Katara rested her hands on her hips, the corner of her lips turning up into smirk. "Well, shit. You killed a deer."

"Beautiful son of a bitch too," her father said as he came around the hood to admire it. "Six point. We'll have to get this slaughtered and packaged so you can take some home with you tomorrow."

Katara laughed. "I don't think we can take raw meat on the plane, Dad."

"Then we'll smoke it and make jerky for you for the next time you're here," Sokka said. He shrugged. "Seems like your fiancé's got some money. I'm sure he can afford to fly you guys down."

Katara arched her brow at Sokka. Was Sokka starting to come around to Zuko? It sure sounded that way.

Zuko came up the porch steps. He let out a sigh as he leaned his rifle against the porch railing.

"There you go, love," he said to her. "You've got a buck."

Katara smirked at him. "Thanks, dear. Go clean up. You smell like blood."

"Yes, ma'am." The corner of his lips tugged up as he unzipped his parka.

Katara held out her hand. "I'll take that. Mom'll kill you if you drag that through the house. I'll bring it around the back to the laundry."

"Thanks."

"I picked your phone up too. I've got it charging upstairs."

"Hey man, I warned you about the eagles," Sokka remarked.

Zuko snorted. "Yeah, you did." He gave Katara an appreciative look. "I appreciate it. I'm gonna go take a shower."

Katara watched Zuko disappear inside. Sokka put his hand on her shoulder a moment later. He tipped his head in the direction Zuko had gone.

"He's not half-bad," was all he said before he went into the house.

Katara stared after him; she couldn't help it. Had her brother really said that? Was he possibly, maybe coming around to Zuko?

"Can I talk to you for a minute, Katara?"

Katara turned back to her father. He was still standing out by the SUV admiring the deer. Katara stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets before she joined him.

Katara looked up at him. "Is everything okay, Dad?"

"Yeah, everything's great." Hakoda cleared his throat. "Zuko did a good job today. He's a quick study."

"He's very smart."

Hakoda nodded thoughtfully. Then he looked at her. "I might not...entirely understand why you decided not to tell us about your relationship, but I love you, and if he makes you happy, then I'm happy."

Katara swallowed hard, taken aback by her father's words. "Oh."

"I'd like to get to know him more, before I give him my full blessing," Hakoda said. He put his hand on her shoulder and Katara met his gaze. "You guys'll have to come down again before the wedding. Maybe we'll come up there for the Solstice or something."

Katara smiled, but internally, her stomach was twisting into guilt-riddled knots.

"Yeah, Dad," she said. "That would be great."