I have reposted chapter 2 cause of some errors I found in it, the corrections should be up soon. Thanks for the reviews guys your all so nice to me! Encourage me further so I can get this sucker finished by the end of winter break!

Yeah… I don't own Avatar but I do love it!

Chapter 3

Zuko paced his personal dinning room nervously. He was trying to think of a way to bring his proposal up during the conversation tonight. He looked to Iroh who was relaxed sipping at his favorite tea at the short square table. How could he be so calm? Zuko turned and kept pacing.

" Lord Zuko, please calm down." Iroh gestured at the seat next to him " Have a little wine it will ease your nerves."

Zuko raised his eyebrow at the old man " Wine uncle? You always told me to drink tea when I was younger."

Iroh smiled. " I find in this type of situation nothing works best on the nerves than wine." He looked Zuko over. " Believe me you need it."

Zuko gave in and sat next to his uncle. He poured himself a glass and drank a little of it. " Do you think this will go well?" He swished the wine around in his glass watching the light reflect off the surface.

" If the spirits will it." Iroh put his cup on the table and looked at Zuko. " The best advice I can give you my boy is to be a gentlemen, so far you have accomplished that perfectly. Also don't expect her to answer you right away, allow her some time to think it over."

Zuko nodded taking in all of his uncle's advice. He wanted to ask his uncle another question but was cut off by a knock at the door. He and Iroh stood. " Come in."

The servant entered and bowed. " Queen Katara of the Water Nation and her adviser Avatar Aang." He opened the door and bowed as they entered.

Katara watched as Zuko and Iroh both bowed to her and she blushed a little, the setting seemed a little more romantic than she had imagined it would be. A fireplace was lit and there were candles lighting the room, the table was small with wine out ready to be poured. Katara was getting a little light headed from the smell of incense, what was going on?

Zuko walked over and offered his had to Katara " You look lovely this evening my lady." He saw her blush and he smiled " Let me take you to your seat." He sat her down across from his place. He gestured to Aang. " Your place Master Avatar." Aang nodded and sat down next to Katara. Zuko and his uncle both sat down after their guests were settled.

Iroh poured wine for Katara. " Was your trip pleasant my lady?" He started off not wanting to be left in silence.

" It was, we passed some very lovely scenery on the way. I saw a large waterfall and we stopped there for a long time. Aang had to rip me away from it after being there for most of the day." She watched as two servants came in with dinner and served the four promptly. They bowed to their masters and left. They all began eating their roast duck and potatoes.

" You were practicing your bending I gather." Iroh drank some of his tea and watched the girl's reaction.

" Yes, I hardly have any time to train anymore it was nice to get in some practice. Unlike so many years ago." She smiled and looked at Zuko. " You and I had quite a few fights back then."

Zuko saw the excited sparkle in her eyes and returned the smile. " Those times were always interesting, we never did determine who won though."

" Is that a challenge?" She sipped at her wine keeping her eyes on the Fire Lord.

" A friendly rematch." He brought his glass up to his smiling lips, gods she was beautiful.

" I accept." She put her glass down and looked over to Aang who was grinning like a madman. She smiled; he was still such a kid. " Of course the Avatar will be our referee."

" Sure, we can have an outdoor match with a good water source." Aang thought for a moment while munching on a piece of duck " but what time of day though? That's hard cause the sun gives your lordship power while the moon gives my queen her power. I'll have to come up with a balanced solution."

" I'm sure whatever you come up with will work well Aang." She turned and looked to Zuko. " Your nation is prospering well you should be proud of yourself my lord."

" I am satisfied with our progress. Our nation's inventors are constantly striving towards more technological innovation. Already we have running water systems in some of the rural areas of the nation."

" Amazing. I would like to see these water systems, perhaps such inventions could benefit my people."

" It could." He paused and looked to his uncle. Iroh nodded to him, the time was right. " There are other ways that you and I could help our respective nations." Katara gave him a questioning look. " I'm sure that you know this is more that a friendly visit my lady. I have a proposition that I would like for you to consider."

Katara sat back a bit here was the reason she had been invited to his kingdom, a trade agreement. Of course she would sign any agreement he would put before her, the Fire Nation would make a strong trading partner. She smiled to herself, how silly of me to be worried.

" I would like you, Queen Katara, to become my wife." What? Did she just hear him right?

" Excuse me?" She said quite bewildered.

" Marry me." He said simply. He walked over to her and knelt. " Our nations would benefit greatly from our marriage. The water and fire people will come together with our union and would strike a lasting peace. My nation's technology would make life easier for your people, not to mention trade would increase between the nations."

Katara looked to Aang who was gawking from the shock. She turned back to Zuko. " I… I don't know what to say." She looked down and fidgeted with her kimono. " You'll have to give me time to think about this."

" Of course. I assure you even if you say no to me the Fire Nation will still become a strong trading partner with you." He hoped that would help calm her, she looked as if she was going to pass out.

" Thank you." She looked up at him " I really do appreciate that." She gathered herself and stood up. She reached down and pulled Aang out of his stupor. " Will you please excuse us, we are both very tired."

" Of course." He watched as the two of them exited the dinning room. He turned to his uncle with concern. Iroh shrugged.

The servant was trying to escort them back to their chambers but was having trouble keeping up with the queen and her advisor. " We can handle it from here." Katara shooed away the servant and opened the door of Sokka's room. " Sokka!"

" What?" He came out from his bedroom with just his pants on. He saw the pitiful expression on his sister's face and darted to her. He gave her a hug " What happened?"

Aang made his way over to a couch and flopped upon. He stared aimlessly into the ceiling. " Zuko just asked her to marry him." The words coming out of his mouth even sounded wrong.

" WHAT!" He looked Katara in the eye. " What did you tell him?" He demanded.

" I told him I would think about it." She nestled herself closer to her brother. She felt childish holding onto her older brother for dear life but it made her feel better.

" Good." He rocked back and forth a little trying to comfort her. " In the morning you can tell him no and we can all go home." He smiled he would be home in his environment very soon.

" That's the problem." She said into his shoulder. " I don't think I should say no."

He let her go and sat her down in a chair. " Why the hell not?" He started pacing the room. He could just feel the argument starting, blood beginning to boil in his veins.

" It would be good for my people." She slumped in the chair a little trying to relax, she had never been so stressed about anything before this. " Trade with this nation would improve."

" A trade agreement would help that not a wedding!" Sokka yelled. " Not to that monster!"

" He's not a monster, Sokka. Look at all he has done for his people, their lives are completely different from six years ago. Six years is a long time for a person to change."

Sokka grumbled. " Do you really think the tribe councilors are going to approve this? The mere thought of you marrying a firebender is preposterous!"

" The councilors have never questioned my decisions! I'm sure they will have concerns but I know they trust me completely." She looked away from her brother's angry glare.

" Okay, so lets say you do marry him and the economy of our nation gets better but what about you?" He gripped the armrests of her chair and forced her to look at him.

Katara looked up at him." What about me?"

" Love, Katara. What about love?" He said it sincerely hoping to implant some sense into his stubborn sister.

" Love?" She looked away from him and frowned. " Love is important, but…" She pushed him away from her and stood. " That doesn't matter in these situations!" She rounded on Sokka. " I know you hate him but I don't!"

" Yes! I still see the evil that's stained on every firebender in the world, including their high and mighty Lord Zuko! He will never be good enough for you in my eyes!" He turned away from her holding onto his aching head. " Gods, what could you possibly see in him?"

" Something I haven't seen before." Sokka turned and stared at her. " I see in him a hope Sokka. A hope for a better world."

" She's right." Aang sat up and sighed. " Zuko really does want peace and a better life for the whole world. He believes in the balance of the spirits." He looked Sokka in the eyes. " You should be more tolerant of him Sokka."

Sokka pouted and turned his back to them. " Fine, do what you want." He started to walk away "but I will protect you from anything Katara, even if I have to kill the Fire Lord I will protect you."

" Thank you, Sokka." Sokka closed the door to his bedroom. She turned to Aang. " I think I'm gonna give Zuko a chance."

Aang looked away. " Great." He tried to sound enthusiastic but failed miserably.

She went over and hugged him. " I'm sorry Aang." They had gone through this before. Only a few years ago Aang had asked for her hand but she couldn't do it. For some reason it felt wrong to marry him. They broke it off early but Katara promised to help Aang restore the air nomad's temples and he accepted that, besides they would always be friends.

" We should get some rest." Aang said breaking the hug. They left Sokka's room and stood outside of Aang's door.

" Goodnight, Aang. We'll have a big day tomorrow." She turned and made her way down the large lonely hall.

Sorry this took so long to get up. I plan on getting the next chapter up in a few days so try not to die, lol. Hope everyone is enjoying thier break, I know I am! Luv you all!