Chapter 26

Katara followed listlessly along behind Toph as they made their way back to the upper ring. They had been to visit her father and he was starting to worry her. He was clearly trying to hide his anxiety and grief for Sokka from everyone. It had been four months since they left Omashu and she wasn't the only one losing sleep. When they had gotten to her father's apartment in the lower ring that morning, his eyes were red rimmed and he looked like he hadn't been sleeping. No one had mentioned either absent loved one but it was clear they lingered in their thoughts.

Hakoda and the others were settling into life in Ba Sing Se as well as could be expected. It was winter now but the snowfall did nothing to remind them of home when the crowded streets turned it to so much brown slush. They weren't truly meant for city life. At least looking after his displaced tribe had given Hakoda a reason to endure it..

Katara had gone with her father to check on several of the families and they thankfully had stayed with each for long enough for her to rest. The vomiting all day had stopped and she was sleeping better when she didn't have nightmares but she still tired easily. As they visited with their tribe, it became apparent that her father's prediction had been correct. Six couples were expecting babies of their own, including Anyu's parents. It was entirely likely there would be even more. Seeing all of the happy fathers made her increasingly despondent and eventually it was too much effort to keep back the tears. After apologizing to her father, Katara and Toph had headed back.

She rested a hand on her rounding belly as she walked. Would Zuko be here to meet his baby? Would he or she ever get to meet their uncle? As the weeks passed, even her gran gran couldn't lift her spirits. Her birthday had come and gone but she had hardly noticed. Every day was a blur of monotonous, necessary actions and walking. So much walking. Toph dragged her around the city all day and at night she slept with her gran gran.

It was growing late by the time they got close to the gate and she knew Iroh would be waiting for their evening tea. There was a commotion ahead with the guards but Katara had long since turned out the noise around her as she wondered if Iroh would have news. Toph's hand on her arm stopped her mid stride and she looked down at her.

"What is it Toph?" Her only response was to point in the direction of the gate. Katara sighed and looked toward the commotion. Suddenly the air fled her lungs and the tears she had been barely restraining poured down her face and onto her fur wrap.

There he was.

Finally after so long spent wondering if she would ever see him again there he was. The air rushed back and she choked out a sob. She clutched her belly and whispered his name. Then she shouted it.

"Zuko!"

As she ran to him, the grief that had weighed her down for months lifted and she couldn't feel the ground beneath her feet.

Zuko was about ten seconds from burning the guards at the gate to the upper ring alive. Finally, after four months and seemingly endless delays they were in Ba Sing Se. He was so close to Katara again but here, at this last stop was yet another delay. The guards had no reason to let two worn looking peasants into the upper ring. Just because they supposedly knew General Iroh didn't mean they got to bother the affluent with their existence. Who did they think they were anyway? Zuko was nearly seeing red.

Then he heard her.

She had called his name. He spun on the spot in the direction her voice had come and he felt his eyes mist at the sight of her. Her hair was a loose brown wave behind her and a smile split her face as she ran to him, her skirts gathered in one hand. He left Sokka arguing with the guards and ran to meet her.

"Katara!"

Then she was in his arms again and nothing else mattered. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck, sobbing in relief. Several tears of his own fell into her hair as he laughed, overcome with joy. When her legs gave out he caught her and scooped her up, an arm under her legs. She pulled back to take his face in her hands and kiss him. Between kisses she finally found her voice.

"Oh Zuko" she kissed his mouth, " you were gone so long" she kissed his burned cheek, "I was starting to believe you might be dead." She kissed the other side of his face. "I was so afraid Zuko." She kissed him on the mouth once more before laying her forehead against his. "I'm sorry I collapsed on you, I've been walking around the city all day."

"It's ok." He smiled and kissed her. "Can you stand?"

"Stand? You're alive! If you want I can fly." She laughed as he set her back on her feet. As he leaned down to kiss her again she gasped and put a hand to her stomach. It was then that he noticed the swell there below her breasts. His hands were drawn to it as if pulled by invisible strings.

"I guess I'm not the only one happy to have you back. I haven't felt him kick so strongly before. He must know his daddy's finally come home." Zuko watched intently as she opened her thick outer wrap and placed his hands on her belly. When he felt a series of light kicks against his hands, he made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. There it was, the most incredible thing he'd ever known. Their baby, safe and healthy and strong and Agni he was relieved. Katara reached up and cupped his face in her hands, wiping tears before kissing him gently.

"I love you Katara. Agni, I love you so much." He pulled her close again and buried his nose in her hair.

"I love you too Zuko."

Toph and Sokka must have decided they'd given them enough time alone as they suddenly found themselves squeezed between them. Sokka kissed his sister's forehead and spoke in a mocking falsetto voice.

"Oh Sokka I'm so glad to see you again too. What a relief that you, my favorite brother, are still alive!"

She smacked him on the arm and turned to embrace him too.

"I missed you Sokka, dad will be so happy to see you. We've both been so worried."

While the siblings spoke, Toph elbowed him lightly.

"Hey Sparky, man am I glad you're back. No more keep Katara happy duty for me. I'm exhausted. What the heck took you so long anyway?" Not waiting for an answer, she shoved past him to get to Sokka. Before she could say anything to the other man, he had picked her up off the ground in a crushing hug.

"Hey! Put me down you big meat head! I can't see."

"Hilarious Toph! I missed you too." Zuko noticed her slight blush when Sokka put her down but didn't comment. "Where's dad?" Toph told him and offered to take him while Katara and Zuko went to find his Uncle. They parted company after Katara hugged her brother once more. Zuko tucked Katara into his side and she slid her arm around his waist as they made their way back to the gate. The guards looked confused, inclining their heads to Katara in greeting as they allowed them through.

"Your uncle will be waiting for me at our house. He has come for tea every day since we arrived three months ago. He's been as worried about you as I've been, though he hides it better. What did take you so long anyway?" Zuko kissed her temple as he thought about where to start.

"So many things, it is actually a long story. I'm sure Uncle will want to hear too, can I join your tea and tell you both everything?"

"Of course. I'm sure he'll insist. Gran gran has been staying with Toph and I, she will join us too."

Thinking of Katara's grandmother reminded Zuko of their other traveling companion.

"Oh, I almost forgot, Master Pakku came with us. He had some things to deal with at the port town we sailed to so we came ahead without him. He should be here in a day or so."

Beside him Katara stopped in her tracks and put a hand on his chest. She frowned up at him in confusion.

"Pakku? Port town? He was at the north pole which was surrounded by Fire Nation ships two months ago last we had word. How could he have come with you?"

Zuko cringed at the confused indignation on her face. He had been anticipating her anger when she found out what had kept them. Reaching up and tucking a stray strand of hair back from her face, he finally answered.

"Because we were at the north pole too. I told you Katara, it's a long story. I am so sorry we were gone so long. It wasn't supposed to be like that." Her jaw dropped open and she looked lost for words as she backed away from him. It didn't last.

"The north pole? You went to the north pole? Well no wonder it took you so long to get back. Why… why couldn't you have at least sent word somehow?" It pulled at something in Zuko's chest to see her so angry at him, tears in her eyes again. "Do you have any idea how worried we have all been? What it was like wondering every day if I'd ever see you or my brother again?" She wrapped her arms around her belly and seemed to curl in on herself as she continued in a choked whisper. "To wonder if we'd be alone?" He was prepared for her anger, but this broken despair was more than he could take. In two long strides he crossed the distance between them and took her tear-streaked face in his hands.

"I swear we didn't have any better options and there wasn't a way to send word that couldn't be intercepted. We risked everything to make my father think I was dead, Sokka almost died! I couldn't risk that falling apart. Not when it would be so obvious that I would come here." He leaned his forehead against hers and covered her hands with his where the rested on her belly.

"We went to the north pole to warn them about the Fire Nation navy. My father sent his entire fleet. When we got there it stormed a whole week and by the time it finally let up the fleet was there and we were trapped. Eventually we got away but it took ages. I even had to let Sokka paint me up like the other warriors. I looked ridiculous." She had stopped crying and laughed then. Zuko kissed her softly and she smiled at him.

"I can't be too mad at you for trying to help my people. Besides, I know Sokka would have wanted to go no matter what you would have said. I get the feeling there's more to that war paint story and I want to hear it. Come on Zuko, let's go find your Uncle."

Katara slipped her arm back around his waist and led him home. He was sure she would be furious again when she heard the whole story, but right then he was too happy to be with her again to care.

Iroh had been enjoying a lovely tea with Kanna when they heard Katara get in. She burst into the house, shouting for him. Shocked by her sudden exuberance, Iroh made his way quickly to the main room with Kanna close behind. When he slid open the door he saw the most wonderful sight. His nephew grinning broadly down at Katara. She had cast off her heavy wrap and Zuko had a hand spread across their unborn child. For a moment, he just watched. Here was all he had ever wanted for Zuko, he was clearly so very happy. After dabbing at his wet eyes, he stepped into the room.

"Zuko! Oh my boy, I am so happy to see you at last." Zuko had turned and met him as he crossed the room. Iroh hugged him fiercely. Although he had kept up a hopeful front, he had begun to fear he had lost another son. "You've had us all so worried. I've missed you." He pulled back to look at him, the smile never leaving his face. Once he was assured he was uninjured, Iroh looked from a beaming Katara to his smiling nephew. "I cannot tell you how happy I am for you my boy. Agni has truly blessed you. Come, I am sure we all are anxious to hear where you have been these last months." Zuko reached back for Katara's hand and followed him and Kanna back to their tea.

Authors Note/ Happy Tuesday! I hope I didn't disappoint with the long awaited reunion. This and the next several chapters were unreasonably hard to write. Kudos if anyone caught my rather obvious nod to one of my all time favorite movies, The Princess Bride. Was it cheesy? Probably. Anyway I am starting to catch up to myself since I have been struggling to write consistently lately. I love reading your lovely comments, they always brighten my day and fan the flames of my creativity. More fluff coming on Friday!