A/N: Hey everybody! How is everyone? I'm good. A wee bit tired, but okay! It's a lazy kind of day in my part of the world. But, onto the story! Since many of you wish to kill me for my cliff hanger.

Disclaimer: Me: IdonotownAvatar.

Lawyers: That was fast.

Me: Silence!

Chapter 8: Cold

Katara coughed out water as she tried desperately to keep a float. She felt herself sinking, and though she did feel panicked, she was at home in the water. It was a contradicting sort of feeling. 'Huh. How weird. I'm drowning and all I can think about is the weirdness of the situation.' Katara was about ready to submit to the water and close her eyes when she felt a pair of strong, warm arms wrap around her waist and pull her up.

Zuko swam through the clear darkness, looking around for the stupid girl. He soon caught a glimpse of her and sped toward her floating form. Wrapping his arms around her he swam with her to the surface.

Once they broke the surface of the water, the two both began hacking and coughing. This did not stop them from arguing.

"You idiot!" Zuko choked.

"You're the idiot! I'm in my element! I would've been fine!"

"You were drowning!"

Katara fumed, "At least it would've been better than being held captive by you!"

"Shouldn't I get at least a 'thank you' for saving your life!"

"If my life being saved means Aang is still in danger, than I'd rather be left here, thanks!"

Prince Zuko narrowed his eyes. "The Avatar won't be harmed, so stop talking like that."

Katara's eyes widened, then narrowed again. "Hmph."

"Let's get back on the ship."

"I can swim on my own."

"No you can't."

"Fine."

"Fine what?"

"I'm agreeing with you, okay!"

"That's new."

"Shut up."

"I promise to shut up if you shut up."

"Never."

"Fine."

By this time, they were already half way up the ladder. When they toppled over onto the deck beside each other a few moments later, Iroh was there with towels. "Did you two have a nice midnight swim?"

"Shut up!" They both exclaimed in unison.

"Fine, then I guess you don't want these," Iroh waved the towels over their heads.

"Sorry Mr.Iroh!" Katara smiled and grabbed the towel, wrapping it around her.

"You can call me uncle."

"Okay."

Zuko grabbed his towel with a nod at his uncle and fixed the towel around his shoulders. No sooner had he done this when…"Ah-ah-ah-CHOO!"

"Oh dear, it looks like you're on the verge of catching a cold, Prince Zuko."

Katara looked up from the deck. "Some hot tea, dry clothes, and sleep will prevent that," she coldly stated.

"Ah yes, but it'll also take medicine and speed. We cannot have him catch a cold."

"Why not? A cold's not a big deal," then Katara understood. "Oh, you mean-?"

"Prince Zuko is not a waterbender, like you. You see, just like fevers are more potent with waterbenders, colds are more serious with firebenders."

Prince Zuko sneezed again, starting to shiver.

"We better get him to his room, please come along Katara."

"Yes," Katara followed the retired general and Prince Zuko back to the prince's room, only looking back once over her shoulder, seeing her chance for freedom drifting away with the navy waves.

Once they were in the dim room, Iroh immediately got tea ready, adding something from a small flask into Prince Zuko's. "Drink," he commanded. "I'll be back soon."

They both sipped the drinks, Katara immediately feeling better. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did. You would've died out there, with my chance of capturing the Avatar."

"Is that all you ever think about? You know, honor's not everything." Katara sighed, exasperated.

"Honor is everything," Zuko growled.

Katara drew in a shuddering breath, opening her mouth to yell at him when-

Iroh chose that wonderful time to return. He looked from Katara to his nephew and smiled. "It looks like I came just in time. A second later and you two would've been at each other's throats."

Katara and Zuko paid no attention, still trying to kill each other with their glares.

"Ah, well, I brought you dry clothes, here you go."

Katara took the clothes. "So, I guess I'll go back to my room now, huh?"

"No. You're not pulling another stunt like that again. You're staying with me tonight."

A/N: Oh dear. Am I going to get more death threats for this? Next chapter will be all Zuko/Katara! They're going to have a LONG midnight talk. Eh heh!

Thank you:

almostinsane: Thank you!

xx Painful Bliss xx: Oh, well, yup. Yeah. I know! More Zuko goodness next chapter! Me too! I will!

Dine Bilagaana: Sure! I'm so glad I made your day! I will!

JunkFood: Thank you, thank you!

TrueLoveHurts: Eeeks! Sorry! No, it's fine! Oh, dear. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm flattered! I will! Yes m'am! Eeks!

Arwey: Eeks! Was it really that bad? I don't know, I know I wouldn't try to escape him! Yes, very silly! Ha, ha, yeah, I liked that part too! More of that kinda stuff coming up!

Zukos Girl: Um, sorry? Thank you! Um, bye! Eeks…