Chapter Twenty Five

She had been working for a week at the free clinic. Aang had come with her a few times, but he had quickly grown bored each time. He tried to help of course, but healing wasn't his strong suit. After realizing that healing wasn't really for him, he had used his bending to help around the hospital. Hole in the roof that leaked when it rained? A little earth bending fixed that right up. A little air bending helped blow some of the dust and leaves from the rooms. Water, earth, air and fire were all at the disposal of Wu Li who was hesitant to accept help for such menial tasks from the Avatar himself. What Aang had done most of the time he had been at the hospital was entertain the children. The air marble tricks, air scooter, anything the children would find amusing. It almost felt like old times when Aang and Katara had been traveling the world together when everything was peaceful. Aang garnered all the attention, amused children and adults alike and had attracted quite a bit of attention from females near his age.

Katara was too busy to pay much heed to the longing looks some of the women cast at her boyfriend. She told herself the reason it didn't bother her like it used to was because she didn't have time to worry. Every day, the free clinic was packed. Lately word had been getting around that a master water bending healer had arrived and it was no longer the unwashed masses filtering in through these doors. Some of the better to do people of the fire nation's capitol had come to seek treatment, either as a desperate need or mere curiosity. However, those with the more pressing need to be treated, no matter their status, were seen first. No matter what, Katara was kept very busy, day in and day out. She couldn't help but be a bit relieved when Aang had decided to stop accompanying her. She wasn't entirely sure if it was because every time he was here it felt like she had to keep an eye on him, like she was babysitting or making sure he wouldn't get into trouble, or if it was because he didn't garner so much attention, especially from the young female crowd. Either way, she had her plate full and didn't need his distraction.

In her time at the clinic, some of the more severe patients were required to stay for more healing sessions. One of her favorites had been the young girl who had been in a terrible fire. Peony, the eight year old, had been trapped inside her home when it caught fire. The sweet child was covered in horrible burns, her throat and lungs had been severely damaged by the smoke inhalation and infection had spread through the open sores all over her body. The first day she had been rushed to the clinic, Katara had been called quickly to her aid. The first priority had been to heal most of the weeping burns covering most of her body and heal the lining of her throat and lungs so the poor child could breathe without being in constant agony. By the time Katara had done that much, the little girl had been covered in shiny, pink skin and Katara was nearly spent.

It had been worth it though. Her parents had thanked her countless times through the tears; they hadn't been sure if their precious baby girl was going to survive such devastating injuries. Since day one, they rarely left her hospital bed and Katara was sure she visited young Peony daily to personally check up on her and to perform her next healing session. By the third day, Peony had completely regained consciousness and had begun talking. That little girl had thanked Katara and then won her over almost immediately. She was a sweet child and very friendly. While Katara would work on her, Peony regaled her with tales of her puppy, her friends and all the things she liked to do. Peony was always a bright spot in her days working at the clinic.

It had become somewhat of a routine for Katara. She woke early, took the royal carriage and her escort guards to the clinic where she spent the entirety of her day. Then, usually at Wu Li's insistence, she went home, back to the palace where Iroh made sure she was fed and shared a pot of tea with her. After, Katara would head to her room and either Zuko joined her or she would go to his room to talk about her day and ask about his before finally cuddling up to him for a restful night's sleep without all the nightmares.

She had spent another full day at the clinic and Iroh had food prepared by the time she had finally arrived, as was the new normal, and that night after trading out her red fire nation clothes for the luxuriant night clothes the royal seamstress had left her she went to the secret panel and knocked, waiting for the soft, "Come in".

It looked as if Zuko had been pacing and his hair was sticking up as if he had run a hand through it several times already. He gave her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Is everything okay?" Katara asked, pausing in the doorway. Normally she would have walked right in, probably have given him a hug, but this was not typical Zuko behavior.

Zuko tried to pull himself together seeing her hesitancy. He waved away her concern and sat on the edge of the bed, watching below the shadow of his bangs as she approached. "Fine. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Azula?"

He nodded then studied her for a moment before he spoke. "I might have an idea to lure her out." He said carefully.

"What is it?" She leaned in.

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to say it yet. I might need the night to sleep on it." He rubbed his hair again in indecision.

"Are you sure?" Katara asked worriedly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He looked at her a moment before he deflated. "Yes. It's not a great idea and I don't want to worry you if I decide to change my mind."

"Zuko, if you don't think it's a good idea, then don't do it. There's no point in endangering yourself or anyone else. We can figure this out. We have the whole Gaang! Just… Just promise me you won't do anything reckless." She studied him. "Promise you'll talk to me before you decide on anything, okay?"

Zuko snaked an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him, resting his face against her soft curls. "I promise." He whispered against her hair.

She embraced him back, enjoying the way his breath warmed her face. "You need some sleep." She said, breaking out of that dangerous thought process. "And so do I." With that, she pulled away and made her way to the head of the bed to burrow under the covers. She could feel his hot stare on the back of her head but she stayed poised in her cuddly position and soon she felt the mattress shift as he slid under the blankets besides her. He settled close behind her, though not quite touching. Katara waited a moment for him to shift closer and when he didn't, she rolled over and nestled her head into the crook of his shoulder.

"Good night Zuko." She said and closed her eyes before she could see his expression. She felt foolish for needing to be so close to him, but it was the only way she had found that would keep the nightmares away. The few times she had tried to overcome her fear and sleep alone, she had woken in a panic each and every time. Deep down she knew it was wrong because she had Aang and he had Mai and Katara knew she wouldn't be able to stay here forever, but this was now and she would worry about later… later.

Meanwhile some of the internal turmoil Zuko had been experiencing settled as soon as Katara had curled herself into his arms. He let himself mold around her and relax as her breathing evened out. It was hard to think about bad things when she was snuggled in his arms. The guilt he always felt when the nights came and he held his best friends girlfriend in his bed had become a dull ache, always present, but easily explained away. They were just friends. They had been through a lot together. The only one who understood what he had been through was Katara and he was the only one who understood what she had been through. Technically they weren't doing anything wrong… They were just seeking the same comfort they had in the caves when they had been held prisoner. He still loved Mai and knew Katara loved Aang and this didn't change anything. These were the things Zuko told himself every night to keep the guilt from eating away at him. Eventually his mind calmed and he too found sleep.

He awoke with a startle gasp. He had sat bolt upright but managed not to disturb Katara. He was soaked in sweat, the nightmare still vivid. He quickly reined in control over his breathing, slowing his heart, but the nightmare still flashed in his mind. He threw back the covers and padded across the soft, plush carpet to the balcony doors and pulled them open. The cool night air was a relief to this hot skin and he inhaled the flower scented air, letting it clear his mind. He folded his arms on the stone railing and peered across the moonlit courtyard.

The motion of Zuko leaving the bed had roused Katara from her sleep. Her eyes opened just as he reached the doors leading out to the balcony. She propped herself on one elbow and rubbed at her eyes with a balled fist as she mumbled, "Zuko?"

Once her vision had cleared a bit more, she scooted off the side of the bed and made her way towards the balcony. The cool breeze had Katara rubbing her bare arms which the nightgown didn't cover. Zuko was hunched over the railing, deep in thought. She watched his bare back expand and contract with each slow breath. She rubbed her arms again vigorously and cleared her throat to alert him to her presence. He turned just his head and spied her standing in the doorway.

"Katara." He said straightening and turning to face her. "I didn't mean to wake you…" He trailed off self consciously.

"What are you doing out here?" She asked, taking a few steps closer, arms around herself in the brisk evening air.

"I, uh… I had a bad dream." He said, feeling embarrassed he turned to lean over the rail again.

Katara joined him, placing her arms against the cold stone made her shiver, but she ignored it. She turned her gaze from his; out into the courtyard where everything was bathed in a pale silver light from the moon. She waited a moment, but Zuko remained silent. "Do you want to talk about it?" She said softly into the still air.

Zuko groaned and rubbed his face with a hand before facing her. "It's just…" He exhaled roughly and started again. "I told you earlier that I had an idea for luring out Azula." She nodded. "Well the dream I had… It made me think that maybe my plan isn't a good one. But it's all we have. We can't keep doing nothing, and this, this is better than nothing and I'm sure with Uncle's help and Aang's and yours and well… everyone's help, it should work."

Katara placed a hand over his which was balled up on the railing without Zuko even realizing. He looked down and smoothed his hand, turning it over and interlocking their fingers. "Zuko," Katara said calmly. "You're not making any sense."

Zuko exhaled long and slow. "I plan to challenge Azula to an Agni Kai."

Katara stared at him blankly, not sure how to respond.

"Katara, Azula thinks I stole the throne from her. She thinks we both were the ones that destroyed her future as Fire Lord. That's why she targeted us. She wants her revenge because she sees it as our faults. If I challenge Azula to an Agni Kai, she won't be able to resist." Katara still looked at him blankly. He sighed. "The winner will be the Fire Lord."

Katara began trembling again but not from the cold. "Zuko… you can't. What if she wins?! Azula has never fought fair in her life! She can't become Fire Lord! The world is finally at peace! She'll destroy everything we've all worked so hard for!"

She hadn't realized that she had backed away from him until he was reaching out to her. He clasped her hand and gave her a desperate pleading look. "Don't you think I know all that?" Zuko looked utterly broken. His next words were aimed at their intertwined hands as he failed to meet her eyes. "This is the only way I know how to get her to face me. This is the only thing she wants badly enough to show herself for."

Her mind was whirring madly. "So… this will be a trap?" The idea warmed inside her. "You tell her that it's going to be an Agni Kai, but really it will be a trap, right?"

Zuko looked miserable as he looked at her and slowly shook his head. "No Katara, it will be a real Agni Kai."

It felt as if he had punched her in the stomach and she was left winded. She could feel hopeless tears gather in her eyes. "But why Zuko? It's too dangerous!"

Zuko gathered her close and placed a hand on the side of her face where he used his thumb to wipe away the escaped tears. He let his eyes bore into hers. "Because, in spite of everything, she is still my sister. This is the only honorable way to defeat her. Maybe if I win this as a fair fight, she'll forget her ideas of vengeance."

"But Zuko…" Her mouth had gone dry. "She never fights fair! Last time," She placed a hand on the scar tissue across his chest, "She nearly killed you!"

Zuko smiled and covered the hand on his chest with his own, trapping her hand lightly over his heartbeat. "Almost. But she didn't. She didn't win because I had you. This time I'll have all of you. I won't cheat, but I know I can't allow her to win. With Uncle and all of you behind me, I know I can do this." He tucked a strand of hair that had been blown into her face by the wind behind her ear, staring into her eyes the whole time. "Will you support me in this Katara?"

With a tired sigh she put her forehead against his chest. "I'll do whatever you need me to do." She replied. Strong arms pulled her against him and he pressed his face into her hair.

"You don't know how much that means to me." He whispered.

Plainntall here! Hope you enjoy the chapter, please comment and review! Thanks!