I know, this one's really short. But if I put the next part of it into this chapter, it would be way...too long. We're getting close to the end, so please just hold on a little bit more. Now on with the show...

As she slipped into the steaming waters of her bath, Katara winced when the waters enveloped her at the waist. She hissed with pain and shut her eyes tightly, but sat down carefully and leaned back slowly. She sighed with delight and let herself relax.

"Are you sure you're alright, princess?" Nira asked, sitting to the side.

She nodded. "Really, I'm fine. This is really just natural after all."

Her friend nodded in agreement. "Would you like me to gather your clothes and come back a little bit later?" she asked. "Just so that you have time to soak?"

Katara nodded again. "Yes, could you?"

She stood and bowed politely, leaving the room. The princess smiled. Last night was nice, though she woke up in pain. Waking up with Zuko there next to her was also nice. Still, the soreness in her lower region wasn't exactly what she wanted to start the morning with.

What would she do that day? Go into town, walk around? Actually do something constructive? She could spend some time with Zuko. Thinking about it, she decided to do so when she finished. Some quality time with her husband might be nice.

"Okay," Sokka stated, as all five of the group surrounded the map. "We're here." He pointed to a spot on the map. "Flying on Appa will take a day to get from here to the fire nations. He has to rest for the trip, so we should rest up for a day."

"Once we get there, Rinoka goes in first and scouts everything out," Aang stated. "She'll get us a path so we can get inside."

"And while she and I distract the guards, Sokka and Haru will go look for Katara," Suki stated.

"When you have her, make sure you tell her instantly what we are doing," Rinoka stated to both of them. "Or else she will be confused and do something irrationally."

"Just get her to Appa and then everything from there will be fine," Aang confirmed, looking between all of them. "After this, there's no going back. Do we all agree to this?"

They all nodded in reply. "Good. We leave tomorrow morning."

"Zuko?"

As Katara entered her husband's room alone, she didn't find him right away. When she did, she found him sitting in the window. It was rather large and filled the space of the wall, so it was no surprise that he could. He didn't look up when she came in the room, but addressed her.

"Did you need something?"

She came over to stand next to him, blushing a little. "I ... just wanted to spend some time with you," she admitted softly.

He didn't look up, but said something. "Give me your hand," he said. It surprised her for a moment, but she held her hand out for him to take. When he did, he took it carefully, like he was holding something fragile. "Sit down."

She obeyed and sat down next to him, tucking her legs underneath her. He looked at her hand like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. She watched as he brought it to his face, kissing the back softly, and then pressing it to his cheek.

"Your skin is very soft," he said, almost as if he was in a daze.

Katara blinked, then moved closer to him. "Zuko, are you alright?"

He nodded, then finally looked her in the eye. "I'm perfectly fine," he said.

Letting go of her hand, he clasped her waist and lifted her up, moving her onto his lap. For a moment she became startled, but then he put her head on his shoulder, his own on hers. He was so very warm – she noticed with a smile when she closed her eyes. This wasn't bad at all. She'd much rather have this than her friend's death. She sighed happily and just let him hold her.