A/N: Love seeing all the views (international, too), would love it more if someone left a review. Obvious hint implied:)

Disclaimer: I bow to the great ones before me and willingly admit, I'm not worthy and own nada of ATLA and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.

Sokka jiggles Katara's shoulder, waking her. She bolts upright with fists swinging, ready to attack Zuko again. Her last memory is of him lying on top of her. She can still feel his hard body pressed against her hips; his hot breath on her cheek.

Sokka, familiar with his sister's aggressive starts when woken suddenly, steps clear of her potential pummeling. "Whoa, little sister, I'm not the one you should be punching out."

"Where is he?" Katara tenses. Her eyes dart around the cabin.

"Mr. Ponytail man? I've got him immobilized with that shirshu juice June gave me." Sokka jabs his thumb in the corner of the cabin. Zuko's head is slumped forward. His chin rests against his chest; the long black ponytail covers his scar. Sitting in a chair, Zuko's knees are pressed firmly together, with his arms rigidly held against his sides.

Katara relaxes, and then notices she is on her bed. The covers are wrapped around her legs. She leans down and untangles the blanket, tossing it away from her. "June gave it to you? I remember she had to be persuaded to depart with it. Shirshu juice is highly sought after on the black market and not given up lightly."

Sokka waggles his eyebrows. "Exactly, I persuaded her really well." His eyes flit to the captive, and Sokka's jaw tightens. "Now, about Mr. Ponytail man..."

Katara ignores her brother's obvious disapproval. "Actually, it's Prince Ponytail man." She stretches her arms and yawns. "He would tell you he is Prince Zuko the destroyer." Her mouth contorts in another exaggerated yawn as she speaks. "Son of blah, blah, honestly, I was bored by all of his titles, I stopped listening." She grins. "I was fond of my nickname, though; I called him Newbie."

"I think I like Prince Ponytail the best." Sokka glares at the man, who wasn't easy to lug up through the hatch. "All I know is he must eat rocks, because he was dead weight trying to get him up from the hold."

"I'm impressed you got both of us out of there." Katara resists her mouth quirking up into a smile, forcing out a sincere compliment. "All that working out is paying off."

Sokka flexes his arms. His biceps show nice definition and tone, reflecting his obvious attention with daily chin ups. "I couldn't leave my sister down in Shipie's bowels." His affection turns to irritation as he points accusingly at her. "Imagine my surprise, when I discovered that the guy attacking you over our bounty, has hitchhiked across the galaxy on Shipie. I can't believe you let him stowaway with us? You usually immobilize rival bounty hunters, before they know they have been hit with a freeze ray."

Katara folds her arms in frustration. Zuko may have gotten on the space craft, but she was the one to knock him out. She refuses to focus on the more pointed observation that she had gotten herself knocked out as well. Her bounty hunter pride was already slightly dented; there was no reason to pound it into oblivion.

Shrugging, she swings her legs off the bed to stand. "He was very persistent about not letting me go." As she rises, a wave of dizziness washes over her and falls back on the mattress.

Sokka reaches for her. "Steady, Katara, you were out for a little while."

Touching her forehead, Katara can feel a faint bump. "How long was I out?" Her fingertips note the raise area isn't that pronounced.

"Considering I found you stone cold unconscious, maybe an hour tops, not as long as you should have been." A reminiscent expression crosses Sokka's face. He rubs his square jaw affectionately. "Reminds me of our old penguin bowling days, where you were the ball and the penguins were the pins." Sokka stares at his sister, reflecting upon their five years roaming the stars together. "I miss those days. Why Dad had to stop me from bowling you, I'll never know. It's not like you ever got seriously hurt."

"Dad was looking out for us, just like we do for each other." Katara reaches out and grips her brother's hand. "Thanks for coming to get me. I don't know what I would have done, if you hadn't."

Sokka squeezes her hand, "That's what big bro's do." He puts on a goofy grin. "I made something for you to drink that might help jiggle back any loose wires in your brain which have gotten disconnected." Moving over to the small kitchenette, Sokka presses a button and a door pops open. He pulls out a steaming mug, and then walks over, handing it to her. "This drink is perfect for curing hangovers or nasty head trauma." He shrugs. "In some cases, both."

Wrapping her hands around the mug, Katara takes a drink. Liquid contents spray out of her mouth; coughing, she tries wiping the revolting contents from her tongue. "What the Drac?! Sokka, are you trying to poison me?"

Sokka wrenches the mug from his ungrateful sister and swallows the drink with one gulp. "It's only pureed armadillo jerky, cabbages, and moon peaches."

"I'll make something for myself, thank you." Katara pushes off the bed gingerly. Her feet feel steadier than before. She moves to the kitchenette and begins the preparations for hot tea.

Sokka kicks Katara's cot closed with his boot. It disappears into the wall. "How did you knock him out?"

"I used my head and thought of a solution." Katara drops the tea bag into the steaming water.

"What was it?"

"It was my head." Katara smiles and lifts the mug to her nose.

"Hey, making jokes is my thing." Sokka moves to the far wall and touches a huge screen. He swipes across, noting star charts and tracks their position with his finger.

The rich jasmine wafts near Katara, warming her senses. She breathes in deeply and takes a drink, sighing. "That's the stuff, much better." She leans against the counter. "Sokka, Zuko knew about the package."

Running a finger along the screen, a red line follows the path he is making. Sokka scowls. "Who's Zuko?"

Katara says a little irritatingly. "Prince Ponytail."

"Oh him," Sokka uses his thumb and forefinger to widen a small area on the screen. The area magnifies and shows an asteroid cluster. "It's kind of obvious he knew about it, since he was attacking you, and the Omashu Galaxy isn't a typical tourist spot."

Katara watches Zuko over her mug. He seems harmless slumped in the chair. The defined muscular quality to his body is evident even in his relaxed state. She stops her thoughts and firmly reminds herself the bounty hunter code: Do NOT get involved with anyone and especially the enemy. She straightens. "We're going to have to dump him off somewhere."

"Trust me a plan is already in the works." Sokka swings around from the screen, leaving the map and route projected. I need to go to the cockpit and check on some specific data.

Katara finishes her tea. The hot liquid warms her belly. "That's fine; I want to get a shower. I feel very gross and dirty."

"Trust me, you don't smell that great either." Sokka ducks barely missing the flying mug. In his crouched position, he glances to the side. "Good thing, I invested in titanium plates and cups, or we wouldn't have anything to eat or drink from." Picking up the metal mug, he tosses it to his sister.

Katara catches and places it on the counter. "Just go, we need to get to Republic City, if we want to try to sell the package."

"Don't worry, this will just be another tale for the next sleazy pub share and tell." Sokka exits the room.

Katara moves to the shower unit, beginning to strip off her clothes. Soon, the hot water is pelting her naked skin.

Zuko groans, as his head lolls to the side. Blinking his lids, his eyes adjust to the dim light, and then widen in surprise. The peasant girl's naked back is facing him. The curve of her spine arches as she pulls down a shirt over her head. Her mocha colored skin moves in fluid motions, as her arms thread through each of the sleeves. Lifting out her long blue hair, it hangs down her back in rippling waves. The shirt rests above the thin material, covering her round bottom. She steps into a pair of crumpled pants on the floor, shimming them up her calves and thighs. Her bottom sways back and forth as the pants are pulled over the curve of her hips.

Zuko swallows and looks away. It doesn't feel proper to stare, but his eyes peek sideways at her again. She has turned so her front can be viewed. The blue waves cascade over her shoulder; her fingers run through the strands, brushing out the curls. She begins to nimbly twist the blue locks into a braid. As she reaches for a leather vest hanging on a nearby hook, her shirt tightens, accentuating her ample bosom, pulling tightly against her breasts. Zuko can feel the tip of his ears warming, as his body is suddenly aware that the peasant is very much a woman. His eyes dart down again.

Azula would never be embarrassed; Zuko's sister would seize this vulnerable situation as a perfect opportunity to capture the peasant. Zuko's indecision, over improperly spying on a woman, is quickly resolved that he'll do whatever it takes to not fail in his mission. Attempting to get up, he discovers that his body is immovable. Struggling, he can only turn his head. Glancing about, he can tell there are no obvious ties holding him, but his arms are very much locked at his sides.

"Gah!" Zuko tries to break free from the chair and his invisible bonds. "What have you done to me?" The cords in his neck muscles pulsate as he struggles against this imposing force.

"Well, it is about time that sleeping beauty woke up." Katara raises an eyebrow, while she snaps her holster around her waist. "How was your little nap?"

"Little nap?! You knocked me out." Zuko fumes. He had been so close to reclaiming the prize; the means to gain favor in his father's eyes.

"It wasn't fun for me either." Katara places her hands on her hip. "You attacked me!"

"Release me, now!" Zuko tries moving again, but can only thrash his head back and forth.

"You don't have any manners, do you?"

"I don't need to show manners to a peasant." Zuko glances around the room for an object to help him out of his constrictive predicament.

The room is sparse and limited in furniture. A circular table is in front of Zuko and several other sturdy chairs are scattered around. An efficiency kitchen with the appropriate appliances to reconstitute food is off to his side. A plate of leftover food rests on the counter. Zuko stares hungrily at the brown blob of oozing food. Despite the unappetizing remnants, he licks his lips.

Katara catches Zuko staring at Sokka's latest concoction. 'This guy must be really hungry if that slop looks appealing.' Walking over to the kitchen, Katara passes by Zuko. She can feel him watching her. Yanking out a drawer, a sound of air and cold wisps swirl upwards. She grabs some fresh ingredients from the storage. Closing the drawer with her knee, she starts preparing the food.

"What are you doing?"

"You're obviously hungry, so I'm taking pity on you and making something for you to eat."

"I don't want any of your disgusting peasant food." Zuko's stomach grumbles. He glowers at his betraying belly.

Katara whirls around in exasperation. "First, my name is Katara, not peasant, Katara!" She stomps over to him and lowers her face so it inches from his own. "Second, you are lucky that Sokka didn't jettison you out into space."

"Sokka?" Zuko tries leaning back, but can only distance himself so far.

"He's my brother." Katara softens her answer, realizing how close she got to his face. The unscarred half was decidedly handsome. She swings around, stepping back to prepare the food.

"Is he the one that," Zuko attempts to wiggle again, but can't get any movement and concludes in frustration, "did this to me?"

Katara tosses over her shoulder as she finishes combining the ingredients. "Considering you were attacking me and hitched a ride on Shipie, he was very generous with his hospitality."

"Shipie?"

"The name of our…" Katara expels a long sigh and places the food in front of him. "Forget it, it doesn't matter."

"How am I going to eat that?"

Katara grins, "I was going to feed you, if you were a good boy." She slides up on the table and crosses her legs. "Now, I need to know why you wanted that package."

Zuko averts his head and barks petulantly. "I don't need to tell you anything."

"Fine, I guess you won't eat anything either." Katara shrugs and picks up the plate and fork. Taking a bite of the food, she makes satisfied sounds. "Hmmm, this is really good."

Zuko whips his head back. His eyes widen, and his stomach voices its dissenting opinion again. Katara has closed her eyes. Her full lips close around a morsel, capturing it in her mouth. She withdraws the fork and works the food around, making pleasurable groans of delight.

Licking his lips, Zuko bursts out. "Fine, what do you want to know?"

Katara places the plate down. She asks in a rush. "How did you know about the package, and who sent you to retrieve it? Does anybody else know about it?"

Zuko's eyes narrow. Katara gave away too much with her blatant eagerness for information. He may be restrained in this chair, but he has the upper hand. "Before I tell you anything, I want to be released from my bonds."

"What!" Katara pops off the table. "Who are you to give demands of me?"

"I'm the person with all of the answers, and you have only questions, so you tell me."

"Listen, newbie!" Katara points her finger at him.

Zuko frowns and fires back arrogantly, "Prince Zuko the destroyer!"

"Whatever, Prince Ponytail..." Katara stands in front of him.

Zuko clarifies again with pride, "My name is Prince Zuko, son of Thanos!"

Sokka rushes into the room. "What in all that is Yue is going on?" He pulls up short and nods. "Well, it looks like Prince Ponytail is awake."

"Peasant, you obviously know no manners. I'm conducting a negotiation here. Be gone!"

Sokka shakes his head and looks back and forth between his sister and the moron that called him a bird. "Did he just call me a pheasant?" He steps forward, enunciating his words and adding further clarity with a louder speaking volume. "I don't know what planet you are from, but I'm not a bird. I'm a man."

Katara laughs, covering her mouth. The sight of her incredulous brother and scowling Zuko was too hilarious.

Zuko directs his glare to Katara. "What is so funny?" He lowers his eyes, the scarred one squintier than his other.

"Nothing," Katara sobers. "Zuko, Sokka," she points between the two men. "Sokka meet Zuko."

Sokka ignores the introduction and moves his head toward the screen on the wall. "Listen, Katara, we've got a problem."

"I know, Zuko won't tell us what he knows; when obviously…" Katara tilts her head smugly, throwing Zuko's descriptor back at him. "…he is our prisoner." She returns Zuko's scowl with one of her own. Hers is not as menacing, since she doesn't posses a fierce scar.

"No, Toph has found us."

"Where?!" Katara races to the screen to flip to the tracking page.

"No!" Sokka tries to stop her, but his sister has already swiped across the display.

Toph's face looms in front of them. Her bangs dangle in front of her eyes, but not enough to obscure her tight lined smirk. "Snoozles, Sugar Queen, good to see you, especially right before I kill you both." Her blank eyes counter her statement, but her words mean business.

A/N: Sorry about the month between. I've got a long range plan and possible serial in the works. I can see this story going in many ways. Please drop me a line, would love to hear from someone...anyone?