Will You Join Me? Part 1

"What happened that night Zuko?" Katara asked sullenly wiping the sleep from her eyes. Zuko was confused. The two prisoners sat in silence in a cave of glowing green crystals for hours without a word. Katara finally had an outburst that led to a breakthrough between them and they could talk without animosity.

"What!? I don't know what you're—Oh. That night." He chuffed. He shook his head.

"Nothing, exactly what I told you in the note. I was too worried about you blowing my cover, killing me, or getting me killed that night." Zuko laughed out loud to Katara's irritation.

"What? A girl can't worry about her safety with a guy who tried to kill her multiple times? You're a psycho." She spat. Zuko's face fell. She didn't get it. He lowered his head and his voice softened.

"I never tried to kill you; you were easy bait for your boyfriend, the Avatar," Zuko said running his fingers through his hair suddenly realizing how wrong that was.

"Ahhh, sorry about that. I was wrong for using you and I wasn't laughing at you; I was admiring the irony of the situation; I'm still going to die because my cover got blown, but I probably deserve it," he whispered. Now Katara was confused.

"Whoa! For the record, Aang's not my boyfriend! Also, what makes you think you're going to be killed? This is your sister, your father, they probably just want you home so you can live like a prince again." She said. Zuko shook his head over and over. She really didn't get it.

"Katara, I was accused of treason after trying to stop Zhao in the North Pole. I'm wanted dead or alive by my family. They never wanted me back. I was always in the way. That's why Father banished me." He said absently touching his scar.

At that moment Katara realized that maybe everything she thought about Zuko was false. At first, she assumed that his pursuit of Aang was some test of bravery to prove himself. Zuko was so obsessed with capturing Aang before, but maybe there was more to this story. What happened…?

Before she could think or ask any more about it, the walls on the opposite side of the cavern blew open and Aang was staring angrily at Zuko sitting next to his, er, I meant Katara. Iroh rushed over and pulled Zuko into a tight hug.

"I'm glad you're alright, nephew," he said looking him over.

"I'm Ok, Uncle," Zuko said with surprise, "but I am wondering what you're doing with the Avatar right now." Iroh sighed. They didn't have much time. "Yeah, we have to talk about that…but later. We must go now." He said with a sense of urgency. Before he could walk away Iroh was encapsulated in a solid green crystal prison.