Well. I guess you are wondering about my forever long absence. I've been ill (cough). It started as a head cold then mesomorphosied into the nasty flu, fevery, strep throat kind of thing. I've pretty much been down and out for the last three weeks even though I've been forcing myself to go to school despite all this. The good news though, I've lost about 10 pounds because I haven't been able to eat. Unfortunately my stoopid body ate my muscle instead of fat. So it just left me all wobbly. The sickness itself wasn't that bad. It was the cures pressed upon me by my family that was torture. Tony gave me several massages because of my tense neck muscles. That may sound all good and junk, but half the time I was writhing in pain. He found one knot that shot this blinding pain from the back of my neck, straight into my right eyeball. Then there was something wrong with my guts and it felt like he was trying to dig my spleen out with his finger. It didn't help that he told me "You know, it's taking all my restraint not to do the big brotherly thing and just jab you so I can watch your leg kick." This was while his finger was jabbing through my stomach to massage bed I was laying on and my leg was kicking like nuts so I don't know what he was talking about. Another cure was getting shocked. That's it. I would sit in a chair holding these metal rods as electric currents were sent through my body. It wasn't all that bad except I would have to sit in the same place for hours at a time. So yeah. I haven't complained about it at all and thought I'd unload on all ya'll. Now, about this story:

This is the last chapter. Yes, you read that right. This is the last chapter. I didn't expect it to be, but I started writing it out and I'm like, "OH MY GOSH! IT'S OVER!" I sounded like a valley girl, yes. So sue me. Anyways, even though it took so long to put it out, don't hope it's all splendiferous and the most glorious thing ever written, because it ain't like that. In fact many of you will hate it because it's just readjusting to the new world. But as a consolation, it's my longest chapter yet! Woo hoo. I still want to get to 500 reviews, even though that's seeming less and less likely (sob my life dream is in the flusher) so just to let ya'll know, I'm gonna have a final chapter thing that is a last shoutout thinger and there will be an epilogue. Yay. Make sure you keep an eye out for my next story even though I don't quite know when it'll come out. It's gonna be a Phantom of the Opera, Avatar hybrid. And it'll be based on the book, so if you have any suggestions, I'm still trying to figure out who to cast Iroh as. I was thinking of making him be Mme. Giry, but then decided against it (don't worry, it would've made sense if I'd done it that way). Anyways, onward and forward.

1bzwriter: You fiend! That's the harshest threat ever written against me! I should write you up for harassment. Just kidding. I'm glad you like Zuko in the normal world so much. And don't worry so much. I'm a shipper for happy endings.

Plutobaby494: Aw, thanx. That was a sweet thing to type.

Lovergal1227: hee hee! You cracked the system…kinda…READ ON MY FRIEND!

Blue ½: Well, I hope you jump back and say hi again soon!

Zukoscute2: You don't know what to say? Is that good or bad?

O-dragon: Hmm. There's an Iroh blip that might make you happy…YOU JUST MUST READ!

Titan09: I'M RIGHT HERE TITAN! (waves) yup. I wanna use dodgy chemicals to activate all the dormant areas of my brain so I can rule the planet and reshape it into all that is Avatar. Oh yeah, I'm so a nerd! (gives five even though you've been 'hangin' for several weeks) It probably does mean bonfire then if your book says so. Mine's kinda wimpy. I just looked up fire and it had a few words related to fire. I just liked Taki-bi best.

Sesshomaru's Woman: Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry to hear about your dog! That's always a hard thing. If it's any consolation, one of our horses died recently. Of course it ain't much of a consolation because we hated that old nag. We actually sang and danced once that old fart snuffed it. But still, I'm sorry to hear about your predicament. If it will help, go up to Jorge and sok him in the nose. He seems to be asking for it. And no thanx on the list of animes and mangas. I'm just not a fan. But thanx for the offer.

Elenea Galad: I don't have perfect posture. I hunch like the Neanderthal I am. I just assumed and I was wrong. (sobs) I'm so sorry!

SeethingxShadows: Congrats on being 400! I'd give you a prize, but I'm just not creative enough right now to think of something clever to give you. My college course begins at 7:30 and ends at 10:30. Then I have to go to my highschool until 2:30. So it ain't really that great. Zuko had better not stare at those skirts!

(smacks Zuko upside the head) "Stop looking!"

I myself love soda, but I'm a health nut and carbonation is worse for you than sugar, so I rarely indulge my craving for the bubbly. But I must admit, grape soda constantly sounds wonderfully refreshing and I crave it like an addict.

Random Writer88: Hey gurl! What if I killed Zuko? Would you kill me as well? (stares intensely at screen) Just kidding. Your devotion makes you my hero!

Evangline Angel: Gee, wish I'd had 12 hours of sleep (grumble). Nope, no idea what gomen means. I know fundamentals, not specifics. Please enlighten me. I'm sorry you haven't much liked this last part, but to warn ya, it's just going to get worse. And since this is the last chapter I must say I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a shipper for a happy ending. Hey! We still have that one line you liked! Thanx for that concerned email, and I have read half of your newest chapter! It's really good, but stuff keeps coming up that forces me to stop reading it. I promise to you that I will finish it tonight, even if my eyes fall out!

Serori: Aw, thanx! I love you so much as well!

Hpparty girl: Welcome my new friend! (gives creepy smile) JK. Read on and your question will be answered!

Khazia: It is weird using my parent's first names! I was getting bubbles of glee until I finally got used to it! I likes to 'splain things. It's just something I do AND I CAN'T STOP! AUGH! And thank you! (bows to applause)

Athenera: Do you want it to end that badly? (pouts) Just kidding. This is actually the last chapter besides the epilogue.

Petitio Principii: Yes, woe is you YOU FIEND! Just kidding. And I don't think I'll make it to 500 reviews, but thanx for your well wishes and support!

xTommyxSx: You didn't need to get an account to review you silly bean (blushes and smiles). JK. Yes, it does make me feel special. I'm glad you liked it so much! And entertainment is my sole joy in life.

Fire Wolfess: That's…a weird drink combo (pounds you on the back to stop you from choking) YES! Let your minions eat my nose! I hate my nose. And welcome here! I'm still kinda new as well. I don't even know what I'm doing half the time.

xxxPyro Eclipsexxx: Hey! Thanx once again for checking out my story and welcome.

Katie glanced out the window to watch Zuko load some wood into the firepit. Connor, Seth and Bowen were following close on his tail. Once they found out he was the guy off of Avatar, they had become his shadow. They begged him constantly to show them firebending tricks, not even caring if they were the same ones over and over. She could tell that's what they were doing now. Zuko smiled down at the children and created a small ball of flame in his hand. He juggled it around over his head for a moment before dropping it into the middle of the kindling. The kids were dancing around crazily then suddenly ran off to jump on the trampoline and pretend they were benders. Zuko grinned and came into the house. He didn't care that Katie wasn't alone in the kitchen, in fact the place was over crowded with her mother and sister-in-laws as they tried to prepare the food for Skylar's second birthday party which was to be held that night. He walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her ear.

"Ew, you're all sweaty! Go get cleaned up." Katie said shoving his face away with a shoulder.

"You have to say the magic word!" Zuko said and nuzzled closer, blowing a raspberry against her neck. Katie turned her head and whispered something to Zuko. He gave a nervous little cough and immediately left to take a shower. Katie turned back to her cake batter until she noticed her sisters were giving her a weird look.

"What?"

"It's just so funny." Leah said with a shrug. It had been almost two weeks since Katie had returned. Everyone in the family knew by now about what had happened to her and who this mystery guy was. They were just barely getting used to the idea. Her brothers would still send Zuko glares, but no matter how little they wanted to admit it they were warming up to him. Katie's dad on the other hand had practically fallen in love with him. He hired Zuko to replace their last farmhand who moved to Alaska for college. So now Dennis spent the entire day with Zuko. He valued the fact that Zuko was a hard worker and also the fact that Zuko had a whole medley of dirty jokes stored in his head from his days living among sailors. Katie had started working once more for her dad's mad scientist friend, however she was no longer assembling parts for his inventions. Dennis had let slip the entire story of Katie's last seven years and also about her bending abilities. Calvin had nearly had a seizure from his excitement. So, now Katie was being paid to sit in a chair as Calvin's guinea pig. She actually didn't mind so long as he didn't go overboard with the tests. There had been several other interesting events from the past two weeks, like the fact that they had started filing the paperwork for Zuko to become a U.S. citizen. It was a little difficult since they couldn't explain how he got into the country in the first place, also they couldn't exactly provide a certificate proving their marriage otherwise there would be much less mess. Another big factor was coming up with a country for him to come from. They finally decided on China since he could read the language and spoke some dialect close to it fluently.

They took the food outside and the rest of the guests (namely Jess's family) showed up. After a few rousing games for the little kids, several of the men started up a game of 500. Katie ended up being the only girl playing, as usual, and because of this her brothers were extra hard on her. Half an hour later she finally limped away from the game after a rather brutal body check to collapse on the bench next to Zuko. She just couldn't get him to join in. He had been sitting cushily next to the fire with Brinn nestled on his lap while Rado was off wrestling with Alex and Skylar.

The hotdogs were broken out and everyone came to sit around the fire. Katie glanced over at Zuko's hotdog which was sitting beneath a precariously balanced log. She flared the heat on the log and it collapsed on his hotdog. Katie giggled evilly and turned back to her own cooking. Zuko frowned and gave a little wink. Suddenly Katie's hotdog exploded. She sat looking at the massacred "meat" in shock before she began laughing. Zuko grinned and stood up to get a fresh hotdog, but he just cooked it in his hand instead of trusting it around Katie again. As an afterthought he grabbed a jumbo marshmallow as well.

"Hey Katie, can I ask you something?" He asked nonchalantly when he returned to the fire and sat next to her on the bench. Almost as though on cue, everything stopped. Even Sandy, Skylar's other grandma (who was telling the Skylar not to eat things she found on the ground because it would give her worms) stopped mid-sentence.

"Yup." Zuko pulled out the marshmallow. Buried deep in its center was a simple ring. The band was white gold and set in the center was a small diamond.

"Wanna marry me? …Again?"

"Huh?" She asked stupidly, taking the ring from him.

"You know, to make everything legal here." He said with a shrug.

"Yeah, whatever." Katie said, giving a shrug in return. He took the ring from her and slipped it on her left hand. Katie gazed at the ring with a soft smile, then turned and kissed Zuko deeply. Everyone around them began cheering.

"Did all of them know about this?" Katie asked suspiciously when she pulled away.

"They weren't supposed to. I wanted to make it formal and asked your father for your hand. He told me to ask your mother." He said with a grin. Katie couldn't help but laugh. She wrapped an arm around Zuko's waist and stared into the flames, every now and then lifting her hand to watch the reflection of the fire dance over the diamond.

Katie rolled over and slapped her snooze button for the third time. It was almost six o'clock, she needed to get up. She just really didn't want to. She buried her face into Zuko's back and grumbled sleepily.

The alarm went off again, Chunga and Mister had just started reporting the "Really Stupid News" and Katie couldn't help but laugh at a story about a woman who stole a parrot by sneaking it down her bra. Katie reached over and flipped on the light as the radio played, Zuko let out a hiss and pulled the blankets over his eyes. Katie slapped his butt fondly and climbed out of bed to brush her teeth. She also checked e-mail, she was getting a lot of unfriendly messages from her friends. She had refused talking to any of them for the past three weeks, just sending little notes about a family emergency. But she wouldn't be able to avoid it any longer. She was going to spend one more day at the high school to see them all once more and to pick up her stuff. She had been negotiating with her councilors and they gave her packets to fill out to achieve the few remaining credits needed to graduate. After she ate breakfast and rumpled her hair, she went back into her bedroom. Zuko was down on the floor doing push-ups. Katie walked over to him and placed her foot in the small of his back. He stopped long enough to nod at her and continued with her adding resistance.

"Getting tired?" She asked him sweetly.

"Of course not." He said even though his breathing was thick. Katie removed her foot and sat on Zuko's back as though it were a bench. He let out a little chuckle and continued. He only did ten more before his arms gave out and he collapsed. Katie managed to jump off right before and began laughing at him as she got dressed.

"So are you really going to go back today?" Zuko asked from the floor.

"Yeah, I need to get my stuff. Plus it'll be nice to have one more day as a teenager." She said quietly. It took a while for her to find a clean pair of socks because her room was in the middle of being cleared of her knick-knacks to make room for Zuko. It had been a fun process; it brought up a bunch of childhood memories. Katie finally finished getting ready, she bent down to give Zuko a kiss and went to school.

Katie dropped Kim and Danielle off at the front door. She didn't want to go in just yet, plus it was still lunch. So she drove over to Hogi Yogi to get something to eat. Heather smiled when Katie walked in.

"Hey, I haven't seen you for a while! The usual?" She asked, already reaching for the Asiago cheese bread.

"Yeah, the usual." Katie said. She paid $2.50 for her sandwich, got a pink lemonade and sat at her table next to the window as people from the high school began to slowly filter in. A few people she knew waved at her, and she waved back barely recognizing their faces. Kramer and a couple of girls he was with came in and talked to her for a few minutes before taking their food down to the park to eat. Katie glanced at the clock, 11:20. She still had twenty minutes of lunch, but decided to go back to the school early. She went immediately to the Seminary building. She didn't have the class today, but she needed to grab her four-in-one. Plus it would just be nice to see her teacher. He was sitting on a desk in the classroom, talking to another teacher when she walked in.

"Hey! I've been wanting to talk to ya!" Brother Hinton said loudly when he saw her. He came forward to give her a high five. "I hear you're dropping out?" He said, a note of sadness in his voice.

"Um, kinda, I guess. I'm going to finish up my credits with packets. Life has just been really…hectic…lately." She said with a shrug. She went over to the cupboard and pulled out her scriptures.

"Is everything okay? Is there anything you'd like to talk about?" he asked concernedly.

"No, everything is fine." Katie said with a confidant smile. "It's been great being in your class, brother." She held her hand out and he shook it happily.

"It's been great teaching you. Remember, Light and Truth." He said with a smile.

"Light and Truth." Katie said, smiling back.

"You're awesome." He said and gave her a little pat on the back. Katie left to deposit her scriptures in her car before the bell rang.

Katie stepped through the glass double doors and everything rushed back at her as though she had only been here yesterday. She felt her mind melt back into its seventeen-year-old self as she breathed in the scent of cleaning products and pizza. She stopped briefly at a drinking fountain and took a sip. The water tasted nasty, but the memory of the time she and her friends had sluffed an assembly to try and drink from every fountain in the school overwhelmed her. She had done it! Sipped from every one of them except the one in the guy's changing room. The bus ride home had been torture. Katie smiled and started walking again.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!" a shrill voice shrieked. Katie turned to see one of her best friends, Kaylene, jogging to catch up. Katie smiled at her and hugged her friend so tightly that she lifted her off the ground (which ain't hard because she so tiny).

"Aw, it's great to see ya!" Katie said as Kaylene squirmed.

"Okay, that weirded me out, don't do it again." Kaylene said once Katie let go of her. Katie laughed and they began walking down the hall together. "Seriously though, where were you! You left me all alone!"

"I didn't leave you all alone you clingy little turd!" Katie said with a smile. Nothing had changed. They rounded a corner and Katie spotted a group of people standing around a locker. She hopped over to them excitedly and hugged each of them in turn. Kaylene stood offishly to one side (even though these people were Katie's friends, she didn't like them). After the hugging stopped they went back to walking.

"You still haven't told me what's going on! And why are you so happy? It's starting to creep me out!" Kaylene pouted.

"Well I- MARCO!" She ran over to him and hugged him tightly around the waist. He gave her a weird look and patted her head. Katie finally let go of him and kept walking, although it only took her a half a second to spot someone else to hug.

"FINISH YOUR SENTENCE WOMAN!" Kaylene yelled after they left Danelle in a confused, post spontaneously hugged state.

"I'll tell you later, okay? I just want to live for the moment right now. AFRO! NEFREH!" She screamed and ran towards the twins. It took nearly seven minutes to make it down the hall since Katie insisted on hugging everyone she knew plus a few people she didn't. Finally they reached Kaylene's locker where Kaylene's scuzzoid…er… boyfriend Louis was prowling. Katie refrained from hugging him since he was icky.

"Katie." He said with a frown.

"Louis." Katie spat back. It was all much like the exchange between Jerry Seinfeld and Newman.

"KATIE! I LOVE YOU! YOU MUST BE MINE!" a very blond someone screamed over the crowd.

"CHANTA MY LOVE! COME TO ME!" Katie screamed back holding her arms out wide.

"CATCH ME YOU FOOL!" Chanta (pronounced: Shan-tay) yelled as she pranced through the crowded hall. Katie barely managed to catch her as Chanta leapt into the air, wrapping her legs around Katie's waist. Katie stood there for a moment, just trying to support Chanta's weight without collapsing.

"This probably looks wrong." Katie finally managed to grunt.

"Yeah… STOP TOUCHING ME!" Katie dropped Chanta flat on her butt (don't worry. She's not schizophrenic, she's just ditzophrenic). "So where have you been? You've missed, like, five toaster days!" Chanta asked from the ground.

"Sorry, I've been busy." Katie said with a shrug and sat down in the middle of the hall next to her.

"Well, you have to come over to our bench tomorrow! We're playing bloody knuckles and I want to see you make John cry again." Chanta said with a shrug.

"That sounds great. But I don't think I'm going to be able to make it." Katie said sadly.

"Why?" Chanta asked, cocking an eyebrow. Katie glanced over her shoulder to make sure Kaylene was engrossed with Louis. She was going to tell her, but she didn't want to give the girl a hemorrhage quite yet. Katie whispered it to Chanta and she gasped.

"Lucky!" She said with a frown and stalked off. Katie shook her head in amusement as the bell rang and people began shuffling to their classes. Katie calmed down once she got to her Sci-fi class. They finished reading a play and worked on their essays. Smithey held Katie after class to discuss the story she was working on for publication, then Katie set off for Orchestra.

She found her instrument and sat in her place to watch life go on around her. She refrained from joining in on conversations, just watched in amusement at everything that was exactly as she remembered.

"KATIE BUG!" Someone yelled in a fake high-pitched voice. Katie turned to see Shawn skip into the room and plop on her lap.

"SHAWN-Z!" She yelled, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Still got that goatee I see?" Katie said.

"Of course." He said, climbing off her lap and pulling a chair around to face her. "I've been stopping by all week, where ya been?"

"Um, just…away. Why, did you need something?" Katie asked.

"Advice." Shawn said with a shrug.

"Well, ze docter is in." Katie said, holding out her hands invitingly. Shawn hesitated for a second, and Katie's 'woman intuition' kicked in.

"Hm, it's about another girl?" She asked with a smile. He looked a bit shocked.

"How did you know?"

"I's psychic. And you don't have to worry, we aren't together anymore. Remember?"

"Um, I just didn't know if you were over me yet." He said awkwardly.

"I think you need to get over yourself." Katie said with a laugh, "But, yes, I'm over you and I'm with a great guy now." Shawn looked a bit dejected at this, but started in on his problem anyways. It was simple, there was a girl he was seeing that he thought he wanted to marry, but he couldn't figure out if he actually loved her or not or even if she felt the same way towards him. He also didn't know if he should wait until after another year or two of college.

"What are you asking me for? I don't know her!" Katie said

"But you know everything! Just give me your best shot!"

"Well, have you talked to her about it yet?"

"Not really."

"Well that's all it takes you goon! If you're so stressed just ask her if she's ready for marriage. The worst she could say is 'GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FREAK!' and you're used to hearing that." Shawn laughed and reached out to squeeze her hand gratefully. She could always find a way to make something stressful sound simple. The teacher finally made it in to class (five minutes late) and Shawn got up to leave.

"Thanks Katie Bug." He said, bending down to give her a hug.

"Sure thing bud. Now be off with you! Find your woman! Saisir le jour!" Katie said, shoving him away with her foot and pulling her instrument out of the case. The Nazi…er…teacher tapped her stand and everyone raised their instruments in unison. Katie closed her eyes in ecstasy as Mozart began flowing from her fingertips.

Katie dropped by the Biology lab to give her book to Meldrum and the school day was complete. She went over to her locker and found Kaylene there waiting for her.

"Are you going to tell me yet?" Kaylene asked. Katie shrugged and put her hand on the dial, she stopped and frowned at it.

"What's my combo?" She asked. Kaylene sighed and opened Katie's locker for her. There really wasn't anything in the locker except a few pictures and various other junk since Katie practically lived out of her car. She began taking these down and tucked them in her binder until the only thing left was a little Buddha statue. She grabbed this as well and shut the locker for the last time. She sighed and turned to Kaylene.

"Ready to go?" Katie asked.

"Yeah." Kaylene said, still frowning in confusion. They barely made it outside when Kaylene let in a little gasp. "Oh my gosh! How sad. Look at that guy's face! If anyone needs a hug it's him." Kaylene whispered. Katie turned and standing under a tree next to the D-building was Zuko. Katie smiled and began walking towards him. "KATIE! I WAS JOKING!" Kaylene shouted after her. Katie dropped her binder on the ground and wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck, pulling him down to kiss her. When they pulled apart, Zuko bent down to pick up Katie's binder and Katie chanced a glance at Kaylene who was gaping back at them.

"So, whatcha doin'?" Katie asked, slinging her arm through Zuko's as they began walking back over to Kaylene.

"I decided to take a walk. Next thing I knew I was here, so I decided to wait for you." Zuko said with a shrug.

"You just decided to go for a ten mile walk? Are you stalking me?" Katie asked with a smile.

"Maybe I am, but as your fiancé and husband, I think I'm entitled." He grinned down at her.

"Okay, you'd better start talking!" Kaylene said angrily once they got to her.

"Today is my last day here. And this is my man, Zee." Katie said. She didn't know whether or not Kaylene watched avatar, so she decided it would be better to use his nickname. Kaylene looked at her as though she had lost her mind.

"YOU'RE DROPPING OUT!" She yelled. "FOR A GUY?"

"Yup." Katie said, not wanting to go into the details with Kaylene while she was in a temper. Kaylene frowned and stormed off without another word. Katie sighed and led Zuko down to her car.

"Are you going to be alright?" Zuko asked concernedly.

"Oh yeah, that drama is normal. And this was a perfect last day." Katie said with a smile.

Iroh sat at a small table, sipping on his tea and closing his eyes in meditation. There was a gentle knock on the door and a man stepped through cautiously when Iroh gave him permission.

"Yes?" Iroh asked kindly. The man shifted a bit, but raised his chin and began his announcement.

"General Iroh, I am sorry to tell you that the firelord has disappeared, along with his wife. They left their room on Pen Qua a few weeks ago and haven't been seen since. We searched the area, but we couldn't find them. Although, we did manage to find this." The soldier stepped forward and handed a letter addressed to Iroh. Iroh pursed his lips and unrolled the parchment. The thing hadn't been sealed and the characters were written sloppily as though the writer hadn't bothered to take the time to make them look nice. He read over the letter and sat back in his seat with a sigh. The entire thing was just a blather of thoughts and incomplete sentences, some was even in a language he recognized but didn't know. He at least managed to get some meaning from it. Several parts were venting about hating being royalty. One part even spoke of Zuko threatening to run away. Iroh sighed and rubbed his beard thoughtfully. He had noticed Zuko's tension around the palace, but he knew Zuko was too proud to actually run away despite the amount of stress he might feel. Then again, his nephew had changed much since becoming firelord. Iroh couldn't read his thoughts and emotions as he once could. Iroh closed his eyes and floated back into meditation, letting his mind drift into the spirit world. A woman stood before him that looked like Katie, but different. They exchanged no words, but Iroh understood from just looking at her that he would never see his nephew again. Another feeling came over him that Zuko was happy, this erased any sadness in Iroh's heart. The woman smiled at Iroh and he smiled back with a bow of his head before allowing the physical realm to pull him back home. The soldier was still there, standing nervously next to the door as though itching to make a mad dash.

"Thank you very much for giving this to me. Now, could you rouse the council for me? Changes are now in order." Iroh said, hoisting himself to his feet with a grunt.

"Yes sir." The soldier saluted and marched smartly out of the room. Iroh sighed and smoothed some hair out of his face. One of Zuko's earliest decrees was that Iroh was to take the throne in the event of Zuko's death without an heir. Iroh had never expected it to actually come to pass. Iroh pulled on a clean, silk shirt and went to meet his new job.

Katie hummed softly to herself as she sat on the floor of her office, unloading the very last box. She pulled out her diplomas and hung them on the wall, then stood back to admire the effect. It had been six years now since coming back to her world. She had continued on to fulfill her dream to become a computer animator for films. She was now dabbling in screenwriting. Zuko had started studying to be a martial arts instructor several years before, but had somehow been drafted into becoming a stunt double, then he sorta morphed into what many were calling the next Jet Li or Jackie Chan. Katie was snapped out of her musings when two strong arms wrapped around her shoulders. She nearly jumped out of her skin and prepared herself to attack whoever it was until she heard a deep rumbling chuckle.

"Hello my love." The voice growled in her ear.

"Hello my lord." She said. "You're home early."

"Yeah, my co-star got punched in the face and nearly had a nervous breakdown." Zuko said, nuzzling her neck.

"I'm guessing you hit him?" Katie asked.

"I wish. It was just some random hater."

"Hmm. And why so sneaky? I'm guessing you didn't use the front door?" Katie asked.

"MOMEE! RADO HAS MY DOLLY!" A high pitched voice shrieked and soft footsteps began making their way down to the basement.

"That's why." Zuko said, unlatching himself from Katie and turning to face the tornado. A little girl, around three years old with the darkest brown hair possible and huge golden eyes stumbled into the office with half a rag doll clasped in her little hand.

"DADDY!" She shrieked, her face melting into an adorable smile.

"Hey princess." Zuko said, bending down to scoop her up in a hug.

"Daddy daddy! I learned a new trick today! Wanna see? Wanna see?"

"Of course I do!" he said excitedly. He set the little girl down on the floor where she scrunched her little face in concentration. She began taking deep breaths and was just about to do her trick when Katie clamped a hand over her mouth.

"I don't think so Goober! No firebending in the house unless it's in the arena." She said sternly.

"Aww!" She whined but grabbed Zuko's hand to drag him into the next room. The entire basement was split into three parts. There was Katie's office, which took up a fifth of the space, a laundry room that also housed their water heater and essentials, then the rest of the basement was a sort of shrine to the firenation culture. Everywhere was red silk and banners embroidered with the flame symbol. One wall was even half covered with a dragon shrine. And right above the dragon shrine was a painting Katie had done of Iroh; he was sitting on a cushion surrounded by a peaceful nature scene with a teapot on a small table in front of him. Zuko often joked that the only thing wrong about the picture was that Iroh would probably be completely naked as well if given the choice. Another thing about the basement was that half of the firenation space was taken up by a small, agni kai arena. This was where the little girl led her father. She assumed her position once more and began breathing. Then with a little grunt flames blew out her nose. She gave a little sneeze and grinned at her father expectantly. As could be expected, Zuko began smothering the child with praises and kisses. Something pulled at Katie's clothes and she looked down to see Rado scaling her body as though it were nothing but a fun obstacle and perch on her shoulder. Clenched tightly in his jaws was the rest of the rag doll. Katie pried it from his mouth and glared at him. He just licked her face affectionately in return. Katie smiled and looked around her. She was in a nice home, both she and Zuko had very comfortable careers, a loyal pet and a beautiful little girl. She looked down at the two people she loved most in the world as they rolled around on the mat, the room was filled with giggles and shrieks as Zuko tickled her. Everything is perfect. Katie thought to herself.

"All right everyone. It's time for bed." Katie said, clapping her hands.

"Aww!" the princess whined.

"Aww! Yes." Katie said back, walking over to the mat to pull her family to their feet. Zuko grabbed her arm and pulled her down on the ground with them.

"DOG PILE ON MOMMY!" He yelled and half squashed Katie with his body.

"YAY!" twenty pounds of weight was suddenly added to the pile as she took a flying leap and landed on her father's back. Rado joined in as well, but only because it gave him a chance to bite at Zuko's hair which had come down from its low ponytail in the ruckus.

"You know Zee, you aren't helping with the whole bedtime thing." Katie gasped and glared at him. It wasn't a nice glare.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?" he asked, batting his eyes and kissing her cheek in the attempts to get on her good side once more.

"In that case, you can do the dishes." Katie said with a sweet smile.

Katie sat on the edge of the little bed, leaning against a pillow with her daughter cuddled up next to her. Rado was on the other side already sound asleep.

"The princess didn't want to go live with the mean goblin king down in the dark tunnels where it was icky and smelly all day." Katie read softly from a story book, "She wanted to play in the sunlight. But her evil stepmother said, 'you have to go down there princess or I'll turn you into a pair of shoes!' And so, the princess went to the cave and met the goblin king. But he wasn't mean at all. In fact, he was smiling and he gave her candy and a hug." Katie glanced down at the sleepy head that was bobbing with half-closed eyes. She had to admit, the girl had inherited her fathers stubbornness. And so Katie read on about how the goblins didn't turn out so bad, and that the princess had so much fun living with them underground and playing with pretty jewels that she didn't want to give up what she had once not understood. It was all about not judging. Katie glanced up at the doorway and saw Zuko leaning against the frame with a soft smile. She smiled back and gently extracted herself from the bed without waking its inhabitants. Zuko walked over and they both bent to kiss the soft hair of their daughter.

"Goodnight princess, I love you." Zuko whispered.

"Goodnight Destiny." Katie whispered. And she began walking with Zuko out of the bedroom. The small girl named Destiny curled up and was snuggling Rado like a teddy bear. Katie stopped just inside the room and turned quickly. "And I love you more! Ha! I win!" She ran lightly out of the room giggling with Zuko on her heels.

And they lived happily ever after.

Well, the way I figure it is if all my regular reviewers review three or four times for this chapter, I should just about reach 500! Yay. It's been a good run. It's going to be sad to post my epilogue (wow that sounds like a funeral type of thing.) Please review and tell me how much you love and appreciate me and this story which has brought such rapture and bliss into your life! Jeez I'm getting cocky. Maybe you shouldn't give me the praises I crave. It's goin' to mine noggin! And remember, if you have any inspiration as to what part of the Phantom of the Opera I should give to Iroh, give me a hint!