Wow, this is just about the longest it has ever taken for me to update this story. I have felt so incomplete today! And yet I've felt good because I feel as though I actually havea life. Yesterday I went to work and it just isn't as fun as it used to be. I used to work with this cute 20-year-old guy, but then he moved away to go to school. So now it's just me and three old guys. All of which have long hair and scruffy beards. I was kinda embarrassed yesterday because I thought I was going to be by myself and didn't wear a belt with my work jeans, and my forever heavy keys were weighing down my pants. It's not like they were around my knees, but they were kinda just hangin' off my hips. Anyways, then I got home and started this chapter and a friend called me up to go play nightgames. It was fun. We played Ultimate frisbee in the dark. There were only six of us, and only one of those people was a guy. Me and him were the most agressive players, we ended up smacking into each other a few times. It was a blast. Then today was the same thing except a friend called me up that I haven't talked to in forever. We went malling. It was fun, but I ended up hearing all about her boyfriend problems. I'm so glad I'm not in that kind of relationship with someone. I look around at people that are serious dating and they never look as though they are enjoying themselves. Anyways, on to what ya'll've been waiting for.

Katara183: Don't worry, I plan to.

Lovergal1227: Read this chapter, it will clear up your concern.

Khazia: Hey monkey! Glad you enjoyed the quote. I can't wait for your next chapter. I forgot to tell you in my review how much I loved the shower scene. Too bad Zuko put on a towel before leaving the bathroom (grin).

Zukoscute2: Relax. Here it is.

xXFissshbonesssXx: I just love reading your reviews. They sound so professional and make me feel really good about my story. I'm actually taking a Sci-fi class right now and the goal is to try to get something published by christmas.I've always wanted to write a novel, but have never mustered the ambition. Then again, this thing is practically a novel.Professionally I really want to get into film-making. First I want to start out in animation, but I think that one day I would like to become a screen-writer or director.

Starchic: I'm trying!

Angeltread: Thankly thankyou!

O-dragon: The open house is up in Pennsylvania, so I really don't think I'll go to it. Plus I've already chosen the school I want to go to and it's in the opposite direction cough-canada-cough-cough. Plus I'm just too dern honest to become a lawyer. I don't think I could handle doing any job with a dress code other than "Wear clothes!" Anyways, thanx for your review. I'm waiting anxiously for your next chapter.

Athenera: Oh, it ain't over yet. I'm planning on writing another 5 chapters, give or take. Don't worry, you will definitely know when the story is over.

Titan09: The Kawaii thing is cute...or Kawaii;-) hee hee. Basket case (slaps knee). Geez, everyone seems to have a family member with the same name as one of mine! Thanx for the review.

I have a disclaimer at the bottom. Make sure to read it. I didn't want to do it up here because it would ruin the surprise.

"The cupboard door opened with a soft creak and a heavy object fell towards him. He caught it instinctively and felt something wet, and warm soak into the sleeves of his shirt. In the faint light he could see that the thing in his arms had very recently been a person. On the body's finger was Mary's ring. He dropped the body and backed away, vomiting in the corner of the room. He dropped to the floor and began sobbing hysterically, praying that it was all just a prank when he heard a soft thump in the hallway." Katie and Zuko were sitting cross-legged on their bed; Katie had decided that the prince was missing out on a great opportunity because he had never heard one of her scary stories. And telling scary stories is what this Katie does best. Her voice quivered as though she was reliving a past experience and her eyes were wide, occasionally glancing around the room in fear. Very gradually, she had been leaning closer and closer to Zuko's face until she was only a few inches away. "Very slowly, he got up from where he was sitting and walked as quietly as he could to the bedroom door. He reached out with a shaking hand and pulled on the handle. The hallway itself was in half darkness. He leaned his head out and glanced up and down the hall cautiously. He took a step out the door, pressing his back against the wall he began sliding towards the staircase. Then his foot bumped something on the floor. He looked down and saw a bloodstained axe leaning against the wall next to his feet. Fresh blood was glistening from the blade. He heard another soft thump behind him. He turned to look, but there was nothing there. He turned again to walk towards the stairs whe-AAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

Zuko nearly jumped out of his skin. Katie fell backwards in a fit of hysterical laughter.

"Oh man. I got you good!" She gasped between bursts of giggles.

"It's not funny!" Zuko said trying to get his heart under control.

"You're right, it wasn't. It was hilarious." Katie said wiping a tear from her eye. Zuko couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, you got me. So what happens next?"

"I don't know. I was just making it up as I went along. Want to hear another?"

"No, that's alright." Zuko said as casually as he could.

"Hmm, well. Goodnight." Katie said and laid down. Zuko sighed and spooned up behind her. "Ah ah ahhh, Zuko. I said you're going to sleep on the floor tonight and I mean it." She said pulling his arm from her waist.

"What? Even after I let you tell me that story you're still mad about the wine?"

"Mmm hm." She said shoving him away. "Now begone foul demon."

"I'd like to see you make me." Zuko said reattaching himself to her and closing his eyes. Katie wasn't going to give in that easily. She struggled and kicked him for nearly ten minutes but it only resulted in him pinning her arms and legs so that she could barely move at all.

"Stay on the sunny side. Always on the sunny side. Stay on the sunny side of life. 2! 3! 4! You'll feel no pain, as I drive you insane, if you stay on the sunny side of life." Katie sang softly the next morning still locked in Zuko's grip. He stirred slightly and nuzzled her neck.

"Did you have to wake me up? I was having a really good dream." He growled.

"Yeah, I could tell. Now would you please let me go so the blood can start circulating again?" Zuko didn't let her go, but at least eased up enough for her to get her right arm free. Katie looked at the cut on her hand symbolizing their marriage and noticed that her fingertips were stained. She remembered eating some berries the night before and figured the stains were from them. The result was four purple marks vaguely resembling faces. Katie grinned and changed her voice so that it was higher, hoarser and had a slight Spanish accent.

"Teen Girl Squad! Cheerleader! So-and-so! Whats-her-face! THE UGLY ONNNE!"

"What?" Zuko asked opening his eyes.

"Let's get ready to look so gooood!" Katie said, ignoring him and continuing on with her puppet show. "We should go to the mall to look so good! But you go to the thrift store Whats-her-face. These clothes smell like grandma!" Katie giggled between sentences.

"Are you sure that you didn't have anything to drink last night?" Zuko asked, watching her fingers.

"Shyeah! I'm just remembering a…play…I used to watch all the time before I met you. It was called 'Strongbad emails' (disclaimer at bottom)" She wiggled one finger at him making the weird voice. "Aaah! My skin!"

"You're so strange." Zuko said, kissing her shoulder. Katie only grinned and began singing the 'Trogdor' song.

"Katie…"

"My name's not Katie. It's…Trogdoooooor! The Buuuurninatooooor!"

"Whoever you are, shut up." Zuko said wincing as a pain shot across his forehead.

"I though you said you have a high resistance!" Katie said pointedly.

"That doesn't mean I have a full resistance." He said, pressing his face into her neck as another wave of pain seared across his scalp.

"Oh, poor baby. Sit up, I'll give ya a massage." Zuko let out a sigh of relief after they had gotten resituated and Katie made the pain go away.

The next week was spent pretty much as has already been stated. But after that much time had passed the two decided to venture once more out into the sunlight. They passed the day wandering aimlessly through the city, browsing in shops and loitering on shaded benches. A few hours after noon, Katie felt something collide with her head, nearly knocking her off balance. She let out a cry of surprise as something the size of a monkey began crawling around her head. Then a white and brown face poked itself into her line of vision and stared at her with big tennis ball eyes.

"Momo?"

"Did you say something?" Zuko asked turning around to see her struggling with the animal attached to her skull.

"Momoooo! Where are you boy?" Someone called from the crowd. It was a voice they both knew all too well. "Momoooo!" Aang stepped into sight and continued calling for his pet. Then he spotted Momo on Katie's shoulder and froze. After scanning a few faces he found Zuko as well.

"Avatar." Zuko growled, taking a step towards the boy.

"Zuko, no." Katie grabbed his arm and held him back, she searched her mind for a good excuse about why he shouldn't go after him. "We don't have anywhere to hold him and you can't catch him alone in any case." Momo jumped off her shoulders to rejoin his master. Once Aang got a hold of the lemur, he seemed to vanish in the passing crowd. Zuko let out the breath he had been holding and turned away.

"Come on. Let's go get something to eat."

There was a soft knock on the bedroom door and Katie sat up immediately.

"Huh?" she said looking around, half awake. Zuko hadn't even heard the knock but woke up when Katie jerked out of his reach.

"Is everyone decent in there?" A low, kindly voice asked from the hallway.

"Iroh? Is that you?" Katie asked, standing up and hastily pulling on a robe before opening the door.

"How good it is to see you!" Iroh said wrapping Katie in a warm hug.

"Uncle? What are you doing back so soon? There's still another weeks leave." Zuko asked as he pulled on the first pair of pants he could find. They happened to be Katie's baggy, plaidpajama bottoms.

"It's a complicated story. How about we discuss it over some breakfast, eh?" Iroh left the room so that they could dress.

"You know, you look really hot in those." Katie said nodding to her pants.

"They are pretty comfortable." Zuko said turning his back to her and wiggling his butt. Katie laughed and searched around for some clean clothes. They joined Iroh in the dining room where he was already helping himself to a plate of rice and some kind of meat.

"First of all, how has your honeymoon been?" Iroh asked beaming around at the two of them.

"It's been great, but why did you come back so early?" Zukoasked, pouring himself a cup of tea. Iroh set down his chopsticks before he began his story.

"I spoke with your father when I returned to the firenation capitol. He wanted to know about your progress in catching the avatar and also of your well-being." Zuko snorted at this, but Iroh pretended he didn't hear him. "I told my brother of your marriage and he wishes to throw a ball in your honor. There will be a two week suspension on your banishment for this occasion which will be held in the palace."

"What is he really up to uncle?" Zuko asked picking at a plate of food that Ina set down in front of him.

"Well, there may be some underlying plot. But I believe he is genuinely curious to meet the next queen of the Firenation." Katie froze. She had never thought of her marriage to Zuko like that before. How could she be a queen? She was just a farm girl from Utah!

"Did you tell him about…?"

"No. I did not mention Katie's resemblance to your mother. But I don't think that it will take him long to realize it. I do believe that this will all work in your favor. If we play the part correctly, he may be so impressed that he allows you back permanently." Iroh said. Katie read between the lines and saw that Zuko's future was relying heavily upon her presentation.

"Look, I don't know the first thing about how to act at a ball. I don't even have a dress." Katie said feeling some dread bubbling in her stomach.

"Well, that could be easily remedied. It really doesn't take much effort if you're a woman. Just smile and look pretty and dance with every man that asks for your hand." Iroh said picking up his chopsticks and digging back in to his food.

"I can't dance!"

"Yes you can. We danced when I caught the avatar a few months ago. Remember?" Zuko said.

"That wasn't dancing. We just pivoted on the spot."

"That's all dancing really is." Iroh said.

"It will be easy to teach you the more complicated steps." Zuko said.

"How long does it take to get to the Firenation capitol?" Katie asked, figuring she could use all the time she could get to learn and dread the night of the ball.

"It took me almost a week to get here from there. Weather permitting." Iroh said taking another bite. So they spent their last night in the sweet little cottage. Ina bawled her eyes out and saw them off the next morning and once more they were confined to Zuko's ship. Katie noticed that there were only six crewmembers altogether on the ship. The rest were waiting for them at the capitol. The week on the ship passed all too quickly for Katie's liking. From sunrise to sunset she was being tortured...er...tutored in the mannerisms and customs of the Firenation. Her time spent learning how to read nearly tripled and she was getting footsore from learning the various waltzes in a pair pinchy shoes on a ship in the middle of a tossing ocean. She remembered always watching those cheesy 'peasant girl must learn to be a princess' movies and scoffing at how hard it was for the girls to get the royalty thing down. But now that she was living it she understood. While she wasn't causing natural disasters for comic relief, her brain felt like it was about to explode from the tidal wave of info. She also felt like she was on pins and needles trying to do everything perfectly. After eight days of intensive training, Katie was roughtly shaken awake one morning. She opened her eyes and saw Zuko's face three inches away from her own.

"Wake up. We're almost there." He looked excited. He practically pulled her out of bed and found all her clothes for her. They stepped out onto the deck and the first thing Katie noticed was the change in humidity. This area felt like Miami. Already she felt her clothes sucking to her body. In the distance was something that looked as though it was taken straight from a Sci-fi novel. A coastline rose up in the distance and set in it's center was a monstrosity of a building. It was made of stone and metals, elaborately crafted to make the building look like a giant flame. Copper seemed to have been crafted all along the highest points making the whole building seem to shimmer in an orange glow. Katie looked up at Zuko who was standing at her side. The look on his face was that of intense pride and happiness to finally see his home after two years of wandering. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek against her temple. "Welcome home."

MINI DISCLAIMER

I don't own strongbad emails. I wish I did, but it's just the sad sad truth. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, 1) you should be ashamed of yourself, and 2) Strongbad is an Internet cartoon at "Homestarrunner dot com" (I had to spell it out because this won't let metype the adress itself in)Check it out today! The strongbad emails are the best, Trogdor is from the one titled "Drawing" and the teen girl squad is in the 'toons' section. I command you to go to the site now! It is FABULOUS!

And don't forget to go read the stories previously advertized. I'm too lazy to type them out right now. Have a luverly day! And review or I'll doom you!