Last Serenade

by AnumOfTheMoon

Sequel to Second Chances ...When not even death can separate them, Ozai and Katara try focusing on their children's needs but does that mean they'll be together. Or will Ozai decide his happiness lies elsewhere? Can they defeat Atsou with their hearts so heavy? And will they find peace at the end of this foreboding endgame? Only time will tell.

4. Chapter 4

A/N:

Back!

Part 4:

Placing boxes into the back of the car while the movers lifted the furniture into the moving truck, Katara glanced over and saw her father watering the flowers on their lawn, not bothering to spare her a glance. She sighed and shook her head, determined not to beat herself up about it. Maybe in her next life her father would be more understanding...or, glancing over at Ozai who was still giving her the cold shoulder. Or maybe I won't run back into you in the next life.

The last few days had been rough for her because she was slowly feeling that Ozai resented her for killing them both. He wouldn't say it or admit it but she knew he felt ill towards her. Though, it wasn't like he didn't care. He made her quit her job so she could focus on school and had managed to get her signed up for early exams, pulling a few strings as the dean. There were other small gestures he did to assure her he still cared. But there was a distance between them and it was eating at her.

When everything was packed, Katara took it upon herself to text her father's phone while she sat in the car waiting for Ozai to finish helping the movers with the last of his things. However, when she finished writing her heartfelt message and tried to send it, she saw that it wouldn't send. He blocked my number. She sighed to herself.

"Next week you have the early entry exams. It should be no problem for you as long as you brush up on your studies." Ozai told her as they were on the highway heading towards the city.

Staring out her window, "I don't really study."

"Still, it won't kill you to study."

"What are you? My dad now?" Katara caught an attitude as she was annoyed and irritated.

Ozai didn't respond back to her as he just decided to focus on driving. He wasn't trying to argue with her. They had enough of that going on in their past life. Things needed to go smoother. Besides, he just wanted her to pass the exams and go on to work towards her own goals. He knew she had them. She always did. She wanted to be a healer- no, they were called doctors in this time period.

While he knew they agreed to be together, he knew it was important they have their own lives outside of each other or then they'd become too dependent upon their relationship to fill voids just like in their past. Katara had to continue being Katara and not just his lover. She had to be her own person without him having anything to do with it. He simply wanted her to stay focused on that and not so much of what was going on between them. It was the main reason he backed off. Things needed to be different this time around.

Arriving at their new apartment, Ozai directed the movers where he wanted everything while Katara unpacked the smaller boxes. It was damn near eight in the evening and they were still not down unpacking and organizing everything. Katara called for a break and wanted to lounge on the sofa until she could muster the energy to continue. She could hear Ozai on the phone going off on Zuko because he kicked him out the other day and didn't tell him his new address after catching Zuko watching her undress. It wasn't long before she heard him break yet another phone. That was the third one in the last month.

"You should stop breaking your phone so much. It's a waste of money to replace them." The waterbender said as she watched Ozai exit the den holding the destroyed cell phone.

Tossing it in the trash, "I can't burn anything because bending is useless in this time. A fucking waste." Ozai groaned.

"You could get a punching bag." She suggested, hanging off the sofa.

Ozai didn't say anything as he went to the study and she heard him start up his laptop. Seemed he was going to take her advice.

Over the next few days, Katara busied herself with her studies and exploring the city blocks near the apartment complex. It was clearly on the higher end of town. Everything from the clothes they sold and the coffee cakes they ate were expensive. She didn't know if she liked being somewhere so...pricey. Ozai always gave her his card when he was heading to work, telling her to do whatever. She noticed money was all he was really giving her at this time.

Money she wasn't all that concerned with. She never had been. All she wanted from him was a little affection. Anything he could spare at the moment but he'd find a way to turn her down. Waiting till she was asleep before he came to bed. Scooting away from her if they were relaxing on the sofa. One time she boldly got into the shower with her and offered to scrub his back but he turned around and glared at her. She didn't need him to say anything just got out and grabbed her towel.

However, on her outing into the city while Ozai was at work, Katara was about to finally try those coffee cakes she had been trying to avoid from getting but was distracted by a street ad for men with issues with intimacy. Her blue eyes lit up as she read over the fine printed details and everything listed described Ozai. Middle aged men with no sex drive and having irritatability in regards to their relationship with significant other. She quickly pulled out her phone and took a picture.

Later, after buying her coffee cake, Katara returned to the apartment and got on Ozai's laptop to start researching the ad she found. There was a male enhancement drug that would boost the natural urges of a man that was losing his drive for passion and intimacy. She felt like this was the answer to her prayers. Immediately ordering the product and signing up for a monthly subscription, Katara felt a little bit better knowing that it wasn't Ozai's fault he felt the way he did, he was just old and his age was catching up to him.

It took several days before it arrived. Katara saw that Ozai had picked up the package at the front door and brought it in, looking at it strangely.

"What did you order now?" He asked her as he shook the box next to his ear.

Katara quickly snatched it from him and zoomed upstairs with it.

Ozai didn't even want to know at this point. There was strange shit in this new world and he was sure she bought another vibrator given that he noticed she hadn't touched the one in her drawer since they moved here.

Upstairs, Katara unwrapped the package and opened the box to see the supply kit of male enhancement drugs. There were instructions and pamphlets about dieting that helped boost the effects of the supplements. Removing them to set aside, she saw a bottle of pills and then a box of little powder mixers to put in your drink. The pills were to be taken with a meal and would stimulate sexual desire. The powder was to boost physical activity and endurance and could be put in a milkshake or bottle of water. Katara smiled and figured she should try the pills first. It had been over a month since they last had sex and her vibrator wasn't doing much for her at this point. She wanted him. Now.

Taking the pill bottle and stowing it in her pocket, Katara ran back downstairs to get cooking.

"I'm going to fix lunch, did you want something specific?" She asked as she opened the fridge.

Ozai was lounging on the sofa watching some documentary, "I don't care. Make whatever."

Sighing, Katara looked in her pocket at the pill bottle like it was her genie in a bottle. Please work. She squeezed her eyes and made a wish.

Making one of the meals in the booklet for dietary needs for the supplement to work at its best, Katara was pleased with herself. She made baked chicken with red potatoes and a chef salad with light dressing. Chopping up his pills to put in the chicken on his plate, Katara set his food on the table in the dining room, and called him to come eat. She took her place in the seat to his left when he finally showed up. His feet dragging behind him. He was very sluggish on his days off.

As the two of them ate, Katara noticed he hadn't touched the chicken much and was more interested in the salad.

"Do you not like the chicken?" She asked him, eating her own.

"You've used a new recipe, I can tell." He said simply.

Katara didn't realize he'd be able to taste the difference that easily. "It's healthier. You should eat it."

Ozai reluctantly did so but only because he hated being wasteful. Cutting up the chicken and putting it in his salad to get the strange taste out his mouth.

When finished, Katara took the dishes and went to clean them. She tried not to smile too much, hoping the pill worked quick but she couldn't help it. Excitement was an understatement. Once she was done, she headed upstairs to wait for the pill to kick in.

However, two and now three hours went by and she didn't even hear Ozai coming up the stairs. Katara felt a little worried and went downstairs to check on him. He wasn't in the living room watching tv or in the kitchen or on the balcony or in the spare rooms. She went to his study to see if he might just be on his computer. When she peaked her head in, she finally found him but was not prepared to see what she had. He was passed out on his desk, porn playing on his laptop, his pants were down, hand on his still erected dick, and cum all over his lap.

Katara stormed out of there so quickly. She couldn't believe it. He would rather watch porn and jack off than come upstairs to have sex with her. La, she was fucking done. Upstairs she kicked the box of supplements she bought and started throwing shit around. Tearing up the room. At this point, she was convinced that it was her that was the problem. The medicine worked. He had gotten aroused but he didn't come to her. He didn't want her anymore and she was sure of it.

Going to bed without bothering to cook dinner or straighten things up, Katara vowed that she wasn't going to do anything more for him. She was going to ignore him and his needs like he did hers. If he was hungry, she could make his own food and wash his own clothes and stock his own fridge since he could use his own hand for sexual pleasure.

In the morning, Katara noticed Ozai hadn't even come to bed last night and this pissed her off even more. She got out of bed and went to shower, getting ready for the day. Today, she had exams and afterwards, she was going to look for a job.

Once the waterbender was dressed and had her backpack ready, she headed downstairs to grab a snack from the fridge along with a water bottle. Turning around to leave, she saw Ozai asleep on the sofa, snoring with a pillow on his head. She wanted to kick him or something. He really made her angry...and sexually frustrated. Asshole is going to be late for work if he doesn't wake up...but that's not my problem anymore.

…..

Ozai woke up a bit dazed and exhausted. Agni, he was not feeling good. He groaned as he tried sitting up and grabbed his phone to see what time it was. Immediately, he jumped to his feet, seeing it was an hour pass noon. He was incredibly late for work. Where was Katara? Did she make it to her exams? Agni, he hoped she did. It was already suspicious enough that he asked for exceptions to be made for her. He couldn't really have it be known that they were seeing each other. She would be a student and that was off limits. Not that he cared but he didn't want to lose his job or her miss out on going to the school she wanted. Only his secretary knew they were involved and that was because she caught him on the phone with Katara on a few occasions.

Sighing as he rubbed his head, Ozai stood to his feet and winced as he made his way upstairs to shower. There he saw the room was an absolute mess. He didn't know what happened here but he wasn't going to ask questions. He just went to shower and get dressed for work.

The dean sped through traffic as he rushed to work. He called his secretary and let her know he was unwell early this morning to excuse his tardiness. She let him know that it was assumed he was unwell as his candidate for the exams had come to take her test. Ozai hoped she was still there. He figured she took off this morning believing he left her. She didn't have to take the city bus, he would have driven her.

Arriving to the campus, Ozai saw his colleagues all greeting him with pats on the back, congratulating him.

"That pick of yours you want to sponsor, they went to grade her test and she got not a single question wrong. Even her essay was outstanding. She even finished in record time. The board is going to make her the head of her class and you know what that means."

"A major bonus! Or perhaps a promotion!" The other colleague cheered.

Ozai brushed them both off and hurried inside. He hoped Katara hadn't left yet.

Getting to the building, his secretary greeted him and told him that his girlfriend was in his office. He knocked the papers off her desk as she had said that all too loud. When he reached his office, he saw Katara there and noticed she didn't look at all that happy even though she just made head of class.

Setting his bag on his desk, "Did they tell you the news?"

"That I'm head of class? Yeah, I knew that when I finished my test." Katara said as she folded her arms and sighed.

"Then why do you look so upset?" He asked her.

"You didn't come to bed last night." She said as her eyes were cased down. "Instead, I find you on the sofa."

Ozai sat down, "I wasn't feeling well last night...and you knew I was on the sofa? Why didn't you wake me-"

"Were you not well from blowing your load all over your desk in the study from watching porn?" Katara's eyes lifted to him.

"Kat-"

"If you're not interested in being with me anymore because of, you know, the past, then can you just tell me that?" Katara's gaze was a hurt one. "I don't want you to force yourself to put up with me when you clearly don't want to. I can find a job and I can move into the dorms. You don't have to take care of me. I don't need you."

Ozai didn't really know how to respond to that because he was a little confused as to what she was talking about. But his silence only seemed to answer the question for him and Katara was on her feet.

"Whatever. I'll just go."

He didn't stop her as she left.

….

A few hours later when Ozai got home, Katara was upstairs trying to fix up the room she destroyed and tuck her useless pills away. If he wasn't going to make love to her, what was the point of these things anyway? She heard footsteps coming up the stairs and she quickly put the box of supplements under the bed to hide. The door opened and she didn't bother acknowledging him.

"I want you to focus on the exams, that's why I was distant."

Not wanting to hear it, "That was not necessary." Katara spat as she continued straightening everything out.

"You made head of class because you were focused." Ozai pointed out.

Katara turned around and glared at him. "I made head of class because I'm just that fucking smart! I didn't need you to be distant for my sake! You made me feel like I did something wrong! Like there was something wrong with me which I already know there is! But la damn it! I'm still a fucking person! Fuck the exams! I don't care about them if it means you're just going to pull away because you think it's best!"

"To be fair, you've done the same thing in the past when you thought it was for my benefit. I would have rather you didn't do those things because I cared more about you." Ozai glared back at her.

"The stakes were higher back then! That was a different time when it was life and death! This isn't the same! It's a stupid exam!"

"It's all the same! We aren't immortal anymore! I'm going to die a lot sooner than you will, Katara!" Ozai yelled at her. "I'm going to die and I want to make sure you're in a position to be well without me!"

Katara clenched her fists and looked away from him as he approached her.

"Look at me." He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "We don't get forever this time. We fucked up last time. You're going to have to trust me better if you want to get through this together. You hear me?"

Katara nodded her head reluctantly as tears fell from her eyes.

Wiping them away, "Katara, I'm sorry if I've hurt you. But you have to know I still love you and always will. Nothing changes that. Nothing. Not even death."

"I know but I don't want you to be distant towards me anymore. Please, I can't take that."

Kissing her forehead as he pulled her into his embrace, "I won't do it again." He held her. "I promise."

Hugging him back, Katara sniffled and nuzzled her head into him.

….

While Ozai washed up, Katara made dinner and decided to try the pill again but this time crushed it into the salad. After dinner, Katara decided to take a bath while Ozai had work to finish up, she had her fingers crossed this time.

Katara was pulling on her nightgown to get ready for bed when she noticed Ozai was coming up the stairs. She got into bed before he came into the room and shut her eyes to pretend she was asleep. However, as he climbed into the bed, made his way over to her.

"I just heard the shower turn off. You're not asleep." He purred in her ear.

Feeling him pull off the covers, Katara turned over and looked up at him, "You have work tomorrow. You don't want to risk being late aga-"

Ozai forced her to shut up as he captured her lips and ran his hands up her nightgown, pulling it up as he wanted her to take it off. Eagerly, she pulled the nightgown off and threw herself at him, rolling him onto his back.

"You plan to ride me?" He smirked as she hungrily went for his neck.

Katara could only nod her head as she sat up off of him and pulled his pants off.

As soon as they were down on his ankles, the waterbender didn't waste time putting his erect member inside of her, rolling her hips against him as he gripped her waist to thrust up into her. They were in sync with each other causing a deeper penetration that had Katara throwing her head back.

"Good girl, keep riding daddy." Ozai purred as he sat up to kiss and suck on her breasts.

La, she loved when he referred to himself as daddy. He might as well be her daddy.

The two went at it till morning and Katara was surprised that Ozai was able to cum multiple times and still be hard. It was something he had done a few times in their past life but as mere mortals, she thought he would never do it again. Oh, these pills were the best. He was as stiff as ever and had her cumming more than she had in a very long time.

Ozai didn't stop fucking her until he felt his sack was completely empty and Katara was covered in cum. She had to wash up before they finally went to bed but for some reason, he still wasn't quite done and followed her into the bathroom to have her some more. They were in no doubt that the neighbors heard them. Katara struggled to keep her voice down as he held her against the wall and plowed her brutally.

Finally getting back to bed, the two were out of breath as they were cuddled up against one another.

"It's been too long, waterbender." He nipped her ear.

Katara giggled and nodded, "Your fault."

"I won't let it happen again." He said while playfully trying to attack her neck.

In the morning, Katara woke to Ozai rubbing up against her as he was holding her. He was still asleep but she could tell he was still very horny. She let him continue dry humping her in his sleep and shut her eyes to go back to sleep but she felt his hand slip between her legs and toy with her clit. Her eyes snapped open as a small moan escaped her and she saw Ozai's eyes were still closed. She decided to throw her leg up on his thigh and wiggle herself closer to him. His morning wood pressed hard against her and she wanted him inside her again. Pulling his length out, Katara stroked it a few times and felt it twitch. She looked to see if Ozai had woken up yet but he hadn't. So, she placed the head of his dick at her entrance and rubbed against it. His hips instinctively moved forward and he was inside her.

Moaning softly as he began thrusting into her, Katara watched to see when he would wake up to see he was having her in his sleep. He moved slowly in and out of her until he flipped her on her back and pounded her into the sheets. Her arms went around his neck as he held her thighs apart, ramming his cock in and out of her dripping pussy.

"Yes, daddy! Just like that!" Katara said in his ear. "Fuck me just like that!"

Ozai lifted his head from the nape of her neck and smirked, "You're going to make me late for work."

"I don't care! Just keep fucking me! I need this!" Katara pleaded with him.

"I'll just tell them that my little girl needed me." He purred as he kissed her jaw and went for her neck, still giving her the fucking she was begging for.

Katara cried out louder, "Yes, daddy, I need you! Ah, fuck I need you!"

Ozai was let to work again but no one said anything. However, his secretary asked him if they celebrated last night. He simply nodded and told her as well as this morning.

"Be careful. Last thing you want to do is make her a mother while she's in school."

Ozai already had Katara take the morning after pill before he left. They'd need to go to a doctor to get her on birth control just to be sure. But he wasn't worried about that. Katara and him already agreed to not have kids this time around.

…

For the next six weeks till she started school, Katara had found these pills were very potent; she had to use one pill every few days due to how responsive Ozai was to it. He literally couldn't keep his hands off of her. Taking her while she was in the middle of cleaning, while she was sleeping, in the movie theater on date night, in the car after the movies, then in the changing room in the mall, in the parking garage against the car, in the elevator, in his office at work when she dropped off his lunch, right outside the door of their apartment, and sometimes he would rush home on his lunch breaks. Katara enjoyed every bit of it until...her cycle didn't come the following month.

School was in three days and she knew Ozai was not going to be happy to hear this. He would no doubt take her to have an abortion because they agreed to no babies. She would respect his wishes but she wasn't ready to tell him or have him find out. He was always very perceptive of her and always seemed to know when she was pregnant even before she did. It was flattering how he paid so close attention to her like that but at the same time, she was afraid he would discover her right now. She wasn't ready to have an abortion just yet.

Cooking breakfast, Katara saw Ozai was still in his pajama pants and he hadn't combed his bed hair. He approached her and came around the island counter to hug her from behind, kissing her cheek.

"I was going to take us out for breakfast, you didn't have to cook." He told her, still holding her around her waist.

"It's fine." She told him.

"Well, after you're done, I took today off to make you an appointment to see a doctor. We need to get you on birth control." Ozai smirked as he ran his hands along her sides. "We've been very busy lately and should make sure I don't accidentally put a bun in the oven."

It's too late for that. Katara grimaced.

After breakfast the two made their way to the doctor's and waited in the waiting room to be called back. Katara fidgeted a little because she wasn't sure if she should tell Ozai now or just act surprised with him when the doctor tells them. No, he'll know I'm faking it. Groaning, Katara figured she should just drop a hint that maybe she knew she was pregnant or had a suspicion before they got into the office. But just as she was about to tell him, the nurse called them to the back.

"Ms. Mizu?" A woman looked around with a clipboard.

Katara squeezed Ozai's hand as she was feeling unsure and nervous.

"It'll be fine." He told her.

The nurse checked all her vitals and made her take a pregnancy test before any birth control could be discussed. The results would be with the doctor when they were ready to see them. Katara felt she should just tell Ozai already and save them the awkward encounter with the doctor. However, before she could the doctor walked in with the results and smiled.

"Congratulations, you two are expecting!"

Katara immediately rushed to the trash can and threw up.

The car ride back home was quiet and Katara was afraid Ozai was going to start distancing himself from her. La, if getting an abortion was what he wanted her to do, she would do it without a thought as long as he didn't start hating her again.

"I'll look for an abortion clinic." Katara broke the silence as she felt it was suffocating her.

"No need." Ozai replied. "You don't actually want to do that. I know you."

Glancing over at him, "And I know you don't want me to keep it."

"At this point, I really don't care. Getting the abortion is your decision, not mine." He told her.

"But I have school and we're not even married and your job, what if they find out?"

Ozai sighed, "I'll deal with it."

"But Ozai-"

"Do you want to keep the baby?"

"Well...you know how I am, Ozai. But I-"

"Then trust me. I'll take care of everything."

Katara sighed, "Are you sure?"

Ozai glanced over at her, "Do you trust me?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then shut the hell up already, Agni damn it." He furrowed his brows and turned his attention back to driving. "You women just cannot shut up for the life of you."

Katara folded her arms over her chest and glared at him.

"What do you want to eat?"

"I thought I was supposed to shut up."

Ozai rolled his eyes, "Then I'm picking."

"Anything seafood!" She quickly said.

"I thought so."

…...

At work, Ozai pulled his secretary into his office and told her the situation that he discovered he was in just a few days ago. This was clearly going to get out eventually due to the fact he wanted to go ahead and marry her before they had a child. This was not unheard of for university students to be married or for some to be parents. All ages attended and many had personal lives outside of their studies. Completely normal. However, a student being married to faculty was a whole other ordeal. If Ozai were a professor, they would likely see to it that she was never placed in his class but he was the damn dean. Sure, his relationship started with her before she even took the entry exam but it was still a touchy situation. His secretary seemed to think if he spoke with the board about this situation then maybe something could be arranged. Better than them finding out.

"But aside from that, sir. Congratulations! On the baby and fiancé!" Pema shouted gleefully.

The faculty nearby heard and came in to be nosy, congratulating him. He told them all to get the hell out of his office.

"Geez, I wonder what poor woman is pregnant with his kid." One Co-worker shook his head.

Pema smiled, "Oh, she's beautiful! Young too. Very young."

"Poor girl."

A man walked up to the front desk of the dean's department and rang the bell causing Pema to rush back to her desk after gossiping with her colleagues.

"Yes, how may I assist you, sir?" She beamed.

Scratching his head, "My daughter attends here. Katara Mizu."

Pena's eyes lit up and took the man's hand, "Oh my! Sir, I just want to say you must be very proud of your daughter! She's head of her class!"

A surprised smile came on the man's face, "She is?"

"Yes! I'm surprised she hasn't told you!"

Hakoda rustled his hair a little bit, "Well, she and I haven't gotten to speak much lately. I travel for work."

"Ah, would you like to see the dean? I'm sure he has even more news for you, sir." Pema winked.

Something about the woman winking at him made him feel uncomfortable, "Sure."

Ozai sat at his desk staring impassively at Katara's father. He hadn't seen the man in about five months, maybe six. He didn't keep track. A lot has happened recently. Very recently. But he was curious as to why the man was suddenly showing up here.

"What do you want, Hakoda?"

"For starters, you could show a little more respect and use my surname"

Scoffing, "Respect? I'm to respect a man that threw his daughter out."

"She disobeyed me." Hakoda dropped his gaze, feeling a bit ashamed.

"And how many times has she ever disobeyed you before? None, I bet." Ozai sucked his teeth as he took a cigar out of his desk drawer and lit it with his finger, getting the attention of Hakoda.

His eyes were wide, "You're a firebender?"

Smoking the cigar, Ozai pulled it from his teeth and blew out the smoke. "You know I'm of Fire Nation descent, is it really that shocking that I can use the element of fire?"

One thing Ozai hated about this place was that bending was rare and bending was weak. It was only useful for a few small trivial things. This era was pathetic but he didn't think it was all bad. Some of this shit he wished he had in his original era. Like the internet and his laptop. And cars.

"How's Katara?" Hakoda decided to just cut to the chase.

"She's fine."

"Can I see her?" Hakoda asked.

Ozai shrugged and continued smoking his cigar as he pulled out a sheet of paper. "Here's our address and my number. She's cooking some Water Tribe dishes tonight. You can have my plate. I don't eat sea prunes." He remembered in his life before how Hakoda wanted to see his daughter and how he denied him. He wouldn't do that a second time. Especially knowing how important it was for a father to know that his daughter was safe and well taken care of.

Hakoda took the paper and stared at it, "You think she hates me?"

Blowing out a big cloud of smoke, "I think girls love their fathers no matter what. Even if they aren't loved in return." Ozai thought of his daughters from his past life.

"I'll come over tonight."

"Good. I'll let her know we're having a guest."

Hakoda nodded and went on his way without another word.

…..

Getting home, Ozai found Katara was cooking and seemed to have gotten his text as he noticed there were three plates set out on the dining room table. He found her in the kitchen, nearly done with the food, and noticed she was wearing the engagement ring he had bought her. Today was her first day of university and he didn't think she'd want to wear a ring right now. She was head of her class and many students and professors would have their eye on her to see if she was as good as her test results showed.

"So who's the guest?" Katara asked him as he set his work bag on the barstool of the island table.

"You'll see." He told her and went to the wine fridge to find a wine to go with tonight's dinner. "Red or white?"

"Pink." She smiled.

Scoffing, "You won't be drinking it." He told her. "Red."

Rolling her eyes, "Then why ask me?"

As she finished preparing dinner, Katara set all the food up on the table and heard the doorbell.

"I got it." Ozai said as he told her to go ahead and take a seat.

Going to the door to answer it, Ozai opened it and saw Hakoda standing in the doorway.

"Guess I found the right building." Hakoda chuckled nervously. "Quite the luxury condominium. I couldn't give her all of this."

"Like she would care." Ozai said, inviting the man in.

Hakoda stepped and shut the door behind him, bombarded with the smell of his favorite dish. La, he missed cooking with his daughter. He missed his daughter. He hoped she was okay and from the look of this place, he bet she was.

"Is that our guest?" He heard Katara's voice as Ozai turned the corner.

"Yes." Hakoda watched Ozai kiss her forehead as he also turned the corner.

Katara put on a smile ready to greet their guest and was shocked to see her father round the corner.

"Hey, there, sweethe-"

Hakoda was cut off by his daughter rushing towards him and hugging him tight. He almost didn't know how to respond. He didn't expect Katara to greet him so warmly. Especially after that night he kicked her out the house.

"Dad, I missed you so much!" She squeezed.

Hugging her back, "I missed you so much and I'm so sorry about what-"

Pulling apart, Katara shook her head and smiled at him. "It's fine. I still love you, dad."

"Love you too, sweetheart." Hakoda beamed at her.

"Alright, can we get to eating before the food gets cold?" Ozai asked as he took his place at the head of the table.

Three chatted for a little bit and Hakoda told his daughter that her brother had just eloped with his girlfriend and that they were expecting. Katara smiled and looked over at Ozai as she told her father that she was expecting as well. Hakoda was surprised but even more so when he noticed the ring on his daughter's finger.

Swallowing hard, "That's some ring."

"Ozai had me pick it out. Not a romantic way to propose but it is a fat diamond, so he made up for it." Katara let her father take a look at the expensive ring.

Hakoda was impressed, "Wow, that's nothing I could have ever afforded your mother." He chuckled.

"I know mom didn't care about that sort of thing."

"That you are right about." Hakoda nodded in agreement. "So, when is the wedding?"

Ozai let the man know he was still working on getting the board to approve him marrying a current student. Once that took place, they could set a date.

"I'll message your brother and let him know. I know he will want to attend."

Katara was happy that her father had come to see them tonight. She was afraid she would never hear from him again.

"Daddy, can you pass the dressing?"

Hakoda nodded and reached for the dressing only to see Ozai had reached for it as well and he raised his brow at the man. What?

As dinner ended, Katara hated seeing her father go but he assured her he would see her again soon. They could have a lunch date sometime this week. When her father left, Katara turned around and looked at Ozai with her arms folded.

"I'm pretty sure I was asking my dad to get the dressing, Ozai." Katara lifted a brow at him.

Snickering, "How was I supposed to know that?"

"I said daddy. Not Ozai."

"I thought I was daddy.

"Ozai, when have you ever been my dad?"

Ozai could think of a lot of times in this life and their last where he had practically checked all the boxes of being her dad. Only difference was, he could fuck her.

"I'll remember that when you tell 'daddy' not to cum yet."

Katara put Ozai out of the room for the night.

"Damn it, Katara! I was joking!"

"Well you and your jokes can sleep on the couch." She handed him his pillow and a blanket.

….

Ozai had put in several requests to speak with the board about marrying one of the students and it took months before they would even see him. It was really starting to tick him off as Katara was slowly beginning to show. The first snowflake of winter had fallen a week before he finally got a word with them. He knew it was likely that his job was on the line but he didn't care. He could easily work at another university but he hoped this wouldn't affect Katara negatively.

After expressing the issue to the board, Ozai waited to hear their verdict but was asked more questions.

"And she lives with you? For how long?" One member asked.

"Nine months." He told them. Katara had only been a student for four months thus far.

Another member hummed to themselves, "And you say you two have been together for over a year now. Did you know she intended to attend this university?"

"Yes, I saw her application and she was once my neighbor."

"Ah, so you've known her for a while."

"You could say."

"I think we all can see this is an unique case and should be treated as such."

The board all nodded.

"We'll have to change your position. Can't remain the dean if you're marrying a student. Do you know of anyone who can take your current position?"

Ozai had gathered a list and handed it to them.

"We have an open spot on the board that you can fill starting Monday. You'll work less and make more money. I'm sure that'll please your young wife."

Packing his things in his office an hour later, Ozai noticed Katara had run into his office and he gave her a reprimanding look for running.

"They're firing you?!" She yelled.

"No, my position is changing."

"Oh my la, are you getting demoted because of me?! Ozai, I'm-"

"Hush up, I'm getting promoted. I start my position on the board on Monday." He informed her. "Guess our union comes with perks."

Katara's eyes lit up as she swung her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug, kissing his lips.

A knock came at the door and a colleague was shocked to see a student making out with the dean. Ozai pulled Katara off of him and looked to his colleague.

"Can I help you?" He nearly growled.

"He has a fiancé, you slut!" The colleague spat.

Katara looked from the colleague to Ozai.

"This is my fiancé, you fucking moron!" Ozai shouted.

Shocked, "Oh my, I'm sorry!"

"Get the fuck out!"

As soon as they were alone, Ozai went back to packing and Katara helped.

"So we can get married now?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"In a few weeks before you get any bigger."

Katara was all too giddy.

…..

On a car ride home from their prenatal visit, Katara asked Ozai to stop at the ice cream shop near their apartment as she had been craving ice cream all day. Stopping, the two got out of the car and went in. The waterbender had several cones of ice cream, all with chocolate syrup and sprinkles with a single cherry at the very top. Ozai had to practically drag her out after her last cone because she was about to make herself sick eating that shop out of all its ice cream.

Holding onto his arm as they walked down the street to where they parked the car, Katara smiled and felt so warm knowing that things had turned out for the better this time. It was perfect and it came with its own challenges but it was so much better than before.

"We find out the gender tomorrow." Ozai told her as he ran his hand over hers as she clung to him.

"I don't care what we get as long as they are healthy." She nuzzled his head against his arm.

"A girl would be nice."

"You always want a girl." Katara pointed out.

Snorting, "My daughters have always favored me. I can't help but want the attention."

"You are good with them. I heard a lot about you and Kya and even Mailan. They were precious to you."

Ozai cast his gaze down as they continued on. He missed them. Kya and Mailan. They were his little girls and he had never felt so protective of anything in his life. Those girls kept him on his toes but they were loving to him. Even with the rough patches he and Kya had later on, he knew she still cared deeply for him. She was always so devoted to him. Kya would do anything to please him except when it came to her heart and what she wanted for herself. And Mailan, that girl was the sweetest girl he had ever met. She was like her mother. Always loving and compassionate. She spared not a single moment to show her affection. She may not have been his blood but she was his daughter no matter what. His heart ached a little at the thought of them. What happened to his girls after he and their mother died?

Sensing the melancholy Ozai was exuding, Katara stopped them just outside their car and looked up at him.

"I'm sorry, Ozai. I know you love them." Katara teared up as she felt incredibly guilty.

Shaking his head, "It's fine. We all had it rough back then. Nothing can be done. If they fell with us then I only hope they got better lives then the ones we gave them."

Nodding her head as Ozai wiped her tears away.

"Let's go home and fix up the nursery. Those cans of paint have been sitting there for weeks." He smiled at her.

"Okay." She smiled back.

As Ozai held the door open for Katara to get in, he walked around to his side of the car about to get in when a strange man walked up to him.

"Spare change?" He held an old plastic cup on to him.

Ozai glanced at the man and wanted to tell him to get lost but was in a good mood. Taking out his wallet, the firebender took out a few dollars and stuffed it in his cup.

"May the gods be with you, kind sir."

Getting into the car, Ozai took off driving, speeding through the streets like he always did. When they got to their apartment, Ozai carried her bag along with his own and crossed the parking garage to the elevator. Before the two could reach it, a car pulled up in front of them and Ozai grabbed Katara, yanking her behind him. Three men got out of the car and Ozai told Katara to hurry to the car. She tried running back but one of the men chased her down. Ozai was about to attack when the other two men shoved him up against their car and put a gun to his head before he could fight them.

"Cough up the wallet, you son of a bitch!" One of them shouted in his face as they pressed the point of the gun into his forehead.

Ozai saw the other man holding Katara with a knife to her neck. He clenched his teeth as he saw her fearfully looking back at him. She never once looked so helpless to him. They were never so vulnerable to have simple crooks get the upper hand on them. This was a first. If they weren't careful, they'd be dead.

"I'll give you whatever you want, just let her go." Ozai said calmly.

The three thugs all laughed to themselves.

"Hey, I think big daddy over here is screwing her!" One of them laughed. "Riko, make her strip."

Poking the knife into her cheek, "You heard em, sweet cheeks. Strip!"

Katara's eyes were wide and Ozai gave her look to just listen.

Her hands trembled as she reached for her coat and started undoing the buttons. She carefully shrugged the coat off and started to remove the rest of her clothes.

"That's right, doll face, nice and slow." The one holding the gun to Ozai's head licked his lips.

Down to just her underwear, Katara shivered from the cold winter air and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Oh shit, she's pregnant." One of them noticed the hidden roundness of her belly.

"Still hot." The leader stated. "Let's take her upstairs."

"No!" Ozai yelled as he knocked the gun from his head and tried to fight for the weapon while the other two came running at him.

They kicked him off their leader and beat him as Katara screamed.

"Get off of him!" She yelled as she tried to pull one of them off.

But they just got up and started kicking him as one grabbed her, picking her up to carry to the elevator.

"OZAI!" She called for him as she was carried away and pulled into the elevator.

Just as the doors shut, she heard several gunshots go off and she fell into a silent scream.

Holding his gut as he had been shot three times in the stomach, Ozai spit up blood and crawled towards the elevator. The two men laughed and followed him.

"Where are you going, pops?" One of them teased.

"You should be thinking more about yourself and less about that hot little bitch."

Ozai ignored them and kept crawling. He had to get to her. He had to.

"That's just sad."

"Here's what we'll do," the leader squatted down to Ozai and dug through his coat pocket to get his wallet. "We leave you here to die in peace while we have a little fun with your baby mama, sound good?"

Ozai didn't pay them any mind and kept dragging himself to the elevator.

"Come on, he's no fun. Let's just fuck that hot babe already."

"You're right, man. Let's go bang his bitch."

The thugs got into the elevator and left Ozai to his demise.

But the fight wasn't over. Ozai refused to die here. Not until he saved Katara. He couldn't shut his eyes until she was safe. He dragged himself to the elevator and used it for support as he struggled to his feet, pressing the button to open the doors. Inside, he pressed for the 24th floor before letting himself slip to the floor to rest. His breathing grew heavy as his anxiety grew. He knew in his heart he wasn't going to live much longer. He had lost too much blood. He just hoped he got to Katara in time. While he laid on the floor of the elevator, Ozai pulled out his phone and dialed for the police. If he didn't make it, Katara still needed help.

"I've been shot and I don't know how much time I've got. My fiancé is on the 24th floor apartment 2409. Please get here as soon as you can." Ozai could barely catch his breath as the operator asked for his full address. He gave it to them just as he reached his floor.

Dropping his phone as he climbed to his feet again, Ozai clenched his teeth as he fought to take a step out. He could hear Katara screaming. All the neighbors were out in the hallway trying to see what was going on.

"Call the police." One of them said as they turned and saw Ozai get out of the elevator and nearly collapsed.

A few others ran to him to help him lay down but he told them to save his fiancé. He didn't care what happened to him.

"You need to lay do-"

"I've got to save her." Ozai bit out, holding his middle as he staggered towards his apartment.

"Sir, pleas-"

Several gunshots went off and everyone in the hall screamed and panicked. Ozai's eyes widened as he suddenly had the strength to run towards his apartment. The three crooks exited the apartment and his male neighbors tackled them to the ground, disarming them as a woman hurried to Ozai's side to help him.

"I don't think you should go in there." She told him.

Ozai ignored her, shoving the woman from him as he entered his apartment to see blood on the floor. He immediately felt his hand go over his mouth as he looked around and followed the blood trail to the spare bedroom. There, he peaked his head in and saw her lying in the bed covered in blood. Falling to his knees, Ozai crawled over to the bed and saw she was dangling off the foot of it. Reaching her, Ozai saw her eyes move to him as she held her stomach where she had been shot.

Tears fell from her eyes as she saw Ozai look at her with pity and guilt, Katara reached for him, her bloody hand going to the side of his face.

"I thought they killed you." She sniffled as she spoke weakly.

Pressing his forehead to her, "I couldn't die yet...I had to see that you were...okay."

Katara shook her head and led his eyes to her stomach. Ozai looked and clenched his teeth before a cry left him.

"I fought them back. They said you were dead and I...I couldn't let them touch me, Ozai. I'm sorry."

Ozai held her hand as she pressed it to his face.

"I'll find you again." Katara gave him a weak smile as more tears left her eyes. "I'll always find you."

Feeling her hand go limp against his face, Ozai was unable to hold back his tears and cried her name over and over as he saw the lifelessness in her eyes.

"No, no, no, sweetheart, no." He pulled her to him as he climbed into the bed, nursing her head in his lap. "We were...we were supposed to paint the nursery tonight." He cried as he ran his hand along her face.

When the police finally arrived with the medical aids, the three thugs were arrested. As for the couple in apartment 2409, they found the woman was deceased while her fiancé was nearly at his end, refusing help.

"Sir, we have to help you."

"No! Stay away from us!" He growled and ended up coughing up blood.

"Sir-"

Ozai held his hand out and shook it. He didn't want to be saved. There was no saving him. Not if Katara was gone already.

"But-"

Another officer stopped the woman that was trying to provide aid to the man, "He wouldn't make it even if we tried. All that blood we say on the way up is his."

"But how?"

"Neighbors say he dragged himself up here. Obviously to try and save his fiancée but..anyway, give him some space. We'll come back when he's passed."

Ozai wrapped his arms around his waterbender and shut his eyes. She said she would find him. He'd find her too. "Not even death."

….

Ozai's eyes snapped open and to his dismay, he noticed he was floating vertically in a large tube of some kind of liquid. He expected to wake in a hospital or with Katara at his side. Instead he was in a tube and it was a tight space and his movements were constricted for the most part. He looked around to see what was going on beyond the liquid he was floating around in and noticed there were a few men in lab coats staring up at him. What the hell was this?

"Awake so soon?" A man wearing a fox mask approached the glass tube he was in.

Glaring as he eyed the man, Ozai was going to say something but he only just noticed there was some sort of contraption that covered his nose and mouth.

"I'm not quite finished with you two, so I'll have to create another dream world for you. That was quite the sad ending." The man with the fox mask removed it and revealed his face.

Dream world? So we're not dead?

Atsou smirked as he looked away from Ozai to the tank beside him, "I'll do you a favor. I'll make sure you both have a happy ending."

Ozai turned his head to see Katara was also in a cylinder tank like him, only she had no contraption over her face. Her silver hair wrapped around her naked form, covering all the vital parts. There was a contorted expression on her face like she was in pain.

Placing his hand on the glass, Atsou looked up at Katara as she was in a dormant state and grinned to himself. "My illusions are nothing compared to reality." Sighing as he looked at his twin brother, resting the side of his face to the glass container. "Don't you want a real chance at happiness, Ozai. "

Furrowing his brows, Ozai tried banging on the glass of his tank to get out. He wanted to get his hand on Atsou.

"Don't worry. I'm not eating you yet." Atsou smirked and then snapped his fingers, "now sleep."

Ozai's eyes snapped shut and he slipped back into a coma.

….

A/N:

Anyone can enjoy the modern day tale of our little couple. I enjoyed writing it. There will be a modern era arc towards the end of Second Chances for the whole family. So we have a pretty long way to go.