Wow, I never thought that this story would go on fer this long! Man, sorry for the delay everyone. I've just been so busy! Oh! Oh! Great story. Khazia's already heard it, but I got to pet a Wallaby the other day! A girl brought it to class to answer this guy that asked her to homecoming. It was so cute. I've actually pet it before, but it still gave me a thrill. It was so cute with its little diaper on. Anyways, has anybody seen any commercials or anything for the new Avatar episodes? I've been watching every chance I get (which ain't too often) but I haven't seen squat. So I'm getting anxious as to whether or not they're actually showing them on friday. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS CHEESE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY NEWS!

Lovergal1227: Ooh, maybe you're psychic! Are you attracted to the colors turquoise, lilac or yellow? (That's an actual question on a psychic test I took. Apparently I'm psychic!)

Elenea Galad: So do I. Or Aang will take down Ozai while Zuko squishes Zhao like a worm.

Zukoscute2: Yay!

Crouchingbunny: Thanx for all of your reviews and comments. They're awesome.

Katara183: I love the Holy Grail too. I filled out one of those 'get to know ya' sheets at school, and one of the questions was "What character from what movie do you wish you could be?" and I answered that I want to be the old man from scene 24.

Titan09: Actually, it is a coinkydink. I laughed when you happened to give him back in that review. I'm still keeping Zuko. He's my main boy toy, the others are just for show. YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE HOLY GRAIL! Go out and rent it today and come back when you're worthy, ya heathen. J/K. I'll have to check out your songfic. BTW. Nice Ozai song!

Sesshamaru's woman: Wow, sorry that teacher sucks so bad. Want to borrow my punching bag to get rid of somma that pent up anger? It ain't good to keep that all inside bud. And I hate your bruise.

Athenera: Eh, it will end. Just not yet. But we're gettin' there.

darklight4ever: Eh, my computer is like that too. Augh, I just can't stand having relatives read my stuff. If my parents read this I would absolutly die. Even if they read it while I'm at school, my 'story sense' would begin tingling and I would fall over and die. Luckily I have all my chapters hidden behind a bunch of different files, so my computer illiterate family can never find it.

O-dragon: Gah! Hurricane? Be safe out there, I'm praying for ya girl. No, this story will end, and it will end after about two or three more chapters. It just seems to go on forever.

Plutobaby494: He, I decided to make Ozaia bit of a wuss. Especially after Zuko became, like, all powerful (insert drool). Altogether, I've been to California twice, but both those times I never left the SF airport, so I don't think it really counts. That airport had really good McDonald's breakfast!

Randomwriter88: NoNo!Not the tights! GAH! MY EYES!

Kay, this chapter may seem kinda weird. There is an immense time gap and I probably shoulda spent some more time writing out a few details or whatever. I'll give it one last go through before I post it and hopefully this comment will be unessecary (spelling).

"How did you get here?" Katie sobbed into Zuko's shoulder. She was surprised that he could understand her at all.

"It wasn't that hard to convince my division to come back before we were all slaughtered. I'm so sorry I went in the first place. I'm never leaving you again." Zuko murmured holding her tightly.

"Um, guys. I hate to break this up but, what are we going to do now?" Aang asked making sure to keep his eyes averted from Ozai's corpse.

"Yeah, we're all going to be slaughtered for killing the firelord." Sokka said nervously.

"But the firelord is not dead, the firelord can never be killed. A person may die, but the title only passes on. Zuko, even though your father decreed that you were to never take his place, you are now unmistakably the lord of fire. You have harnessed the power of your forefather's comet. The kingdom is now yours." Iroh said quietly. He walked over to Ozai's corpse and took something from its hair. It didn't really look like much, it appeared to be nothing more than a hair ornament, but Iroh handled it reverently and when he placed it in Zuko's hand a look of awe came over the prince's face.

"Come on," Zuko said after a few seconds, "Let's go let the world know that things are about to really change.

Zuko stood on his balcony and stared out at his kingdom. It had been three days since he murdered his father. Each day had been busy, today had been the most so. There was an ancient law saying the country could not go without a lord for more than three days. There was another law saying the lord had to have a way to guarantee an heir. So today he had become permanently married to Katie and they had both been crowned. Zuko sighed and turned around so that he could watch Katie's sleeping form. He watched her for a few minutes before she reached out for him in her sleep. When she couldn't find him she sat up with a start and looked around. Zuko walked into sight and she relaxed.

"You okay?" She asked, laying back down on the bed and stretching luxuriously.

"Yeah, I'm alright." He said sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"You're a bad liar." Katie said, crawling out from under the covers and scooting over to sit behind Zuko. "Come on. What's buggin' ya?" Zuko sighed.

"I'm really afraid."

"You! Of what?"

"This power I have. It's too much. I don't know if I can hold it all." Katie inspected Zuko. Flames were still leaking from his eyes and the skin beneath her arms was nearly scalding to the touch. She hadn't thought about what it must be like to be him right now.

"I felt the same way when my bending…erupted. You'll get used to it over time I promise. You're very strong Zuko. Just stay away from gasoline and step outside if you have to release some air." Zuko smiled and leaned back against her.

"I love you." He said and stroked her arm.

"I love you too Zee." She said kissing the back of his jaw.

"What did you call me?"

"It's your new name. I've just decided because I ain't goin' around calling you 'firelord'." Zuko made a little noise of acknowledgment and they sat in silence for a few seconds. "So what are we going to do? What's the future going to be like?"

"A hell of a lot of work." Zuko said, wincing at the memory of his first decree as firelord. It had been an announcement of the end of the war. A declaration of peace between nations and an offer to help rebuild what had been destroyed. "But one thing we have to do is supply an heir, so we better get cracking." Zuko said with a grudging sigh and began undoing his belt.

MAJOR TIME GAP!

Katie woke up and rolled over to stare at the empty space beside her. It didn't surprise her anymore. In the seven years she had been queen, this had become a common occurrence. She heaved a sigh and got up to start the day. After the first two months of her reign, Katie had found palace life for a noble woman to be the dullest thing possible. So she started a sort of daycare school program for the children of the servants in the palace and a few families in the city. It had started out small with only three children. But now Katie had about twenty-five that she kept watch over. She would teach them to read and write and do math. She taught them some science as well, but not enough to blow their medieval little minds. They ranged in ages of four to eleven. After a person turned twelve they were expected to begin working in a family business or join the military. Katie had never expected to become a teacher, but it had turned out to be something that she really enjoyed. It definitely was a hand full.

Katie got dressed and walked down to the dining hall for breakfast. The only other people eating were a noble family that had shown up the night before and was staying for the weekend on business. There was always someone staying and they were all exactly the same. Stuffy and disgustingly, immaculately clean. This family had a grand total of two brats…er…children. And they were just as whiny and arrogant as their parents. The mother, a woman by the name of Jaheira, gave Katie a snub of a glance when she entered the room and sat down across from them. Katie had not met Jaheira's standards of a queen. Katie dressed like a commoner (in pants no less) and she treated servants like friends and equals. The only thing that would make you even imagine that Katie could possibly be royalty was the hair ornament tucked in her high ponytail.

"Good morning." Katie said cheerfully despite the glares.

"What can I get for you my lady?" A female servant asked giving a sweeping curtsy.

"Um, I think I'll just have some grits."

"Yes my lady." She said giving another curtsy.

"Thanks Mazzy." Katie turned back to her guests. "So, how did you sleep?" Jaheira and her husband exchanged glances.

"Fine." They said snootily. Katie nodded as though it were pressing conversation.

"I teach young children during the day, most are the ages of your own kids. Would you mind if they joined us?" Katie asked after a brief pause. She glanced over at the two children. There was a boy who was about nine and a girl who was only five or six.

"Oh please mummy! Can I can I?" The little girl asked bouncing on her cushion.

"Just what do you teach the children?" Jaheira asked suspiciously.

"Oh, reading, writing, arithmetic and science. We also have two exercise breaks where they learn sports and combat techniques." The boy had been looking bored and haughty but perked up ever so slightly at the mention of sports.

"I don't think it would be appropriate." She said with a sniff. The boy looked as though he was about to protest but any sound he might have made was drowned out by the wails coming from his little sister. "Oh for heavens sake! Don't you have a maid that takes care of your guest's children!" Jaheira demanded, trying to make herself heard over the screams. Katie figured the girl just needed a good smack, but she decided to play on her fit.

"Children of our guests always join in on my classes." Katie said with a shrug. Jaheira gave Katie the slightest hint of a glare. Mazzy had come back into the dining room and placed a steaming bowl of grits in front of Katie. She gave the servant a grateful smile and took a bite. "This is wonderful. Tell your father I'm going to give him a raise." Katie said. Mazzy gave a pleased smile and curtsy and bustled from the room. The four of them tried to eat their breakfast and ignore the continuing screech of the little girl. It was taking every ounce of Katie's self control not to haul off and do something about it, instead she just continued eating in silence. The little girl's face went from pink to almost purple. Katie was afraid that if she held out any longer she would pass out.

"ALRIGHT! That is enough. I'll let you go." The mother said at last. The girl immediately stopped screaming and clapped her hands joyfully.

Children began gathering in the main reception hall around nine in the morning. They began talking and laughing with each other. Katie walked around a corner to meet them and spotted the nine-year old boy staying in the palace. He was peering nervously around the corner.

"Would you like me to give you an introduction?" Katie asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. He jumped at her touch and whirled around to face her.

"They're peasants! I can't interact with them!" He said angrily at being spared that detail.

"Oh don't be such a snob. I'll have you know that I was a peasant before I married the firelord and I'm perfectly normal, now ain't I? Don't answer that. Look, your sister is getting along just fine. I promise, they don't have cooties. Now what's your name?"

"Ramse!" He said looking highly offended. Katie nodded and rounded the corner to greet her subjects.

"OY! Shut your pie holes!" She said trying to sound angry, but all of the kids merely laughed. "Okay, we have some new friends with us today. Everyone, this is Ramse, and this is his little sister…what's your name?" She bent down and asked the little girl.

"Nalia." She said, barely looking up from the cloth doll she was inspecting.

"Nalia. I expect you to welcome them while they stay here for the week. Any questionsgoodmovingon. Now! Who wants to play us some foosball?" She called out holding up something vaguely resembling a football. All of the boys cheered.

"What's foosball?" Ramse asked nervously.

"You'll see soon enough ducky." Katie said motioning for them all to follow her out into the gardens. As they walked down one hallway they passed a group of high standing men. The children all immediately stopped whispering and lowered their eyes in respect. One of the men was Zuko.

"Where are you guys heading off to?" He asked grabbing Katie's hand as she past and leaning in to kiss her.

"We're going to go play some football. Do you want to come? It would even out the teams a bit." Zuko heaved a sigh and pursed his lips in thought. "I bet I could whoop you." Katie said tossing the ball into the air and catching it.

"Oh really?" He asked with a grin, "In that case, I-"

"Sire, I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have a scheduled engagement." A small balding man said stiffly.

"-I'll see you at dinner." He said with another sigh. He leaned in and kissed her once more in parting. After Zuko was out of hearing range a bunch of younger girls started giggling.

"What?" Katie asked defensively. "I'm allowed to kiss him! Are we gonna play football or not?"

Zuko glanced out his window and watched as Katie stood in behind the line of boys. The play began and one boy threw the ball to Katie. She caught it but allowed them to tackle her. All of the little girls and smaller boys in her group were playing in the rose gardens with dolls or various imaginary things. Zuko felt so detached from her life right now.

"…My lord?" One of his councilors asked meekly.

"Yes?" Zuko asked turning back to them.

"The meeting in Pen Qua. Who would you like us to send there?"

"Pen Qua…" Zuko glanced back out the window at Katie's laughing face. "I'll go."

"You! But, my lord…"

"It's more honorable to go meet with allies in person. I'll take my wife as well. Agni knows we could both use the chance to get away."

"Um…" The councilor looked as though he was going to protest but Zuko gave him a look that meant he had made up his mind "…Yes my lord." He said and began scribbling in his book.

Katie sat and traced the letters carved into a tiny gravestone. It had been four years, but she could still feel the flutterings in her stomach as though the child was still there. She let her mind drift back to the memories of her pregnancy. They had been trying so hard to have a child, she just wasn't able to conceive. Then when she finally did, they had been so happy. Zuko would come into their room at the end of a trying day and just rest his cheek on her swelling stomach as the baby pushed against his face. They would joke that the baby was trying to hug him. Then when the baby was born there had been a celebration throughout the kingdom. It was a girl. She had black hair and yellow eyes, just like her father. She was perfect and Katie fell in love with her immediately. Zuko had found it strange that Katie kept the baby in their room with them instead of handing her over to a nursemaid at night. But Katie preferred it this way even if it did mean waking up every two hours. It was the mom thing to do. Then when the baby had turned three months old, she had caught pneumonia and there was no way to save her. It was just after this that Zuko had become more reclusive. He allowed his obligations to rule his life. Katie could see in his eyes that he hated what he had become, a slave to his title. But he would never admit it out loud. Katie let her fingers glide through the grooves of the name written in two languages: Hope.

Footsteps crunched through the grass behind Katie and she felt rather than saw someone sit down beside her.

"I miss her too." Zuko murmured, wrapping an arm around Katie's shoulder and pulling her closer to him.

"It all has a purpose. She only needed to be here for those three months. She's fulfilling great things in the spirit world right now." Katie said softly, still tracing the name.

"Come on. Let's go get some dinner." Zuko said, he stood up and offered her a hand. She took it and he hauled her to her feet. Together they walked back up to the palace. Katie took a few seconds to inspect her husband. He had changed a lot since they first met. He had allowed his hair to grow out and cover his scalp. He had also let a small patch of hair grow on his chin because Katie had told him he looked good with it. Physically he had really filled out and beefed up. Katie was still in awe everytime she looked at him.

"Let's spend a day together." Zuko said.

"Huh?"

"A day. Let's just spend one together. Or two or three. I'm really not picky."

"Where did all of this come from?" Katie asked suspiciously.

"I've realized that you were right."

"True, but about what specifically?"

"Remember back on my ship, on my birthday, you were worried that once we got here we would be ripped apart and hardly get to see each other? You were right. I feel as though we're strangers."

"Yes, but we're strangers because of the duties we have here. As you might remember we've tried being alone in this palace before and it's physically impossible."

"Then let's be alone somewhere else. I'm going to Pen Qua to strengthen ties with our allies there. Think about it. Two weeks on a ship together, then one week on Pen Qua, then another two weeks back." Zuko said motioning in the air as though drawing out the calendar.

"That there's a lot of weeks." Katie said.

"I think after how long we've been estranged we deserve it." Zuko said.

"What about my kids?" Katie asked, biting her bottom lip.

"Imoen and Iroh would be happy to take care of it, I'm sure. They love the children." Zuko said. They were now inside the palace and standing just outside the dining room. "Please, Love. Just this once do something for yourself." He said taking her chin in his hands.

"And you." Katie said cocking an eyebrow.

"Well yeah, we're the same person now." He bent down and kissed her, then gave her his best puppy dog impression after pulling away. Katie couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright. Let's go."

Pweeze weview! Uvverwize I'wl keep up da cootsie wootsie talk! Gah, never mind. I don't know how people can talk like that and still have dignity! But still, after I put myself through that you at least owe me a review. Remember, I accept anons now and I WANT TO KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS NEWS ON THE NEW AVATAR EPISODES! I COMMAND YOU TO TELL ME SHAMMIT!