Zuko was filling out. And panicking. He had always been slim, and he had lost a lot of weight travelling the Earth Kingdom; so far he didn't look- he just looked healthy. But it wouldn't stay that way for long. He had already started loosening his tunic to hide it and he knew Aang was getting antsy about the whole situation.

He just didn't know what to do yet. He'd tell everyone when he figured it out. Yeah.

He was sitting away from the group, staring up at the night sky. Quiet footsteps sounded behind him and Katara sat down. "Hey, Zuko," she said, "I was wondering if… if you knew who killed my mother."

Zuko blinked in surprise. That was not what he was expecting. "Uh- no- but, maybe I can work it out. Is- is there anything that you know?"

Katara took a deep breath, her eyes already brimming with miserable tears. "It was years ago. We were so young. Just playing when the black snow started falling. We knew what it meant and I- I just ran straight to find her. But when I got to our house… there was a Fire Nation soldier already there. My mother, she- she told me to go find Dad and that- that everything was going to be okay… so I did. But by the time we got back- she- she was already…" her voice broke into sobs. Zuko glanced back to the campfire for help. But the others were too busy doing… something. Well, he was pretty sure Toph had noticed, but she wasn't going to do anything. He'd need to remember to get her back for that later.

Carefully, he placed a comforting hand on Katara's shoulder. Scenting wasn't his forte, but he tried to release as much calming scent as he could. Without giving away his little secret.

It seemed to work and Katara wiped away her tears with a sniffle. "Sorry. I'm okay."

"It's okay. Can you remember any details about the soldiers? Like what the lead ship looked like?"

"I didn't see it, but I remember my dad talking about it- sea ravens. The flag had sea ravens on it."

"The symbol of the Southern Raiders."

"Do you know how to find them?" Katara asked, a desperate longing burning in her wide eyes.

Zuko nodded. "Are you sure you want to?"

"Yes. I need to do this, Zuko."

Zuko sighed. "Sleep on it."

She looked set to protest but he interrupted her. "For my sakes. I need to know you're sure."

She nodded slowly. "Yeah, thanks Zuko." With that, she stood up and left. Zuko flopped down onto the grass. Now what had he gotten into? He was pretty sure involving himself with Katara's revenge scheme was a bad idea. But wasn't helping a friend get closure a good thing? And he wanted to be friends with these people so desperately. It would be fine.

He risked a glance at his stomach. It poked up under his clothes like a little hill. He abruptly sat up to hide it even from himself. He needed to help Katara with this. He needed to prove he could be a good friend before he inevitably lost it all. With those uneasy thoughts ringing in his head, he slipped over to the quiet corner he'd set up his sleeping bag in.

Like he expected, sleep was not his friend that night. Echoes of nightmares flashed behind his eyes and it felt like his entire body was crackling with nerves. His old friend nausea also was not helping either. After a few fitful hours of sleep, he gave up on proper rest just before dawn. He resigned himself to an exhausted day and waited for Katara to wake up.

She was pulling a comb through her hair when he padded over to her.

"You look terrible." She frowned.

"I'm fine," he huffed, "I just didn't sleep well."

She didn't seem much appeased but let it slide. "I haven't changed my mind. I still want to find the man who murdered my mother."

Terrific. "Alright then." He followed her as she marched across the campsite to where Aang was feeding Appa. The fiery determination on her face was truly fearsome. Zuko was very glad she was no longer his enemy.

"I need to borrow Appa."

"Why, is it your turn to take a little field trip with Zuko?" Aang joked.

"Yes, it is."

Aang startled at her hard tone, his wide eyes concerned and worried. "Oh… What's going on?"

"We're going to find the man who took my mother from me."

"I know who did it, and I know how to find him." Zuko added.

"Um, and what exactly do you think this will accomplish?" Aang asked cautiously.

Katara scoffed darkly. "I knew you wouldn't understand." She turned to storm away.

Aang called out, "Wait, stop, I do understand." How could he not when his entire people was murdered? By Zuko's, the Omega thought bitterly.

"You're feeling unbelievable pain and rage," Aang continued, "How do you think I felt about the Sandbenders when they stole Appa? How do you think I felt about the Fire Nation when I found out what happened to my people?"

"She needs this, Aang." Zuko interrupted. He had seen it in her eyes. How this would consume her if she didn't go through and find what she was looking for- be it closure or vengeance. "This is about getting closure and justice."

Something like betrayal stirred in Aang's eyes but he held his ground. "I don't think so. I think it's about getting revenge."

"Fine, maybe it is!" Katara snapped, "Maybe that's what I need. Maybe that's what he deserves."

"Katara, you sound like Jet." Aang said.

Zuko's heart skid to a halt. He couldn't mean- not Jet Jet? Not the Jet who- they couldn't. Could they?

"It's not the same. Jet attacked the innocent. This man, he's a monster." Katara growled.

Zuko's legs were tense. Coiled to run from the enraged Alpha.

"Katara, she was my mother too," Sokka spoke up, "But I think Aang might be right."

"Then you didn't love her the way I did." Katara snarled.

Zuko flinched. His rapid breathing caught in his throat. He wanted to run. From the Alpha, from the sibling attacking sibling. Just run. But an equally strong urge fought against the flight instinct; to comfort Sokka, the pain in his eyes nearly unbearable to Zuko. Instead, he just froze in place.

"Katara…" Sokka whimpered. Zuko's chest lurched wrenchingly.

"The monks used to say that revenge is like a two headed rat viper," Aang sighed, "While you watch your enemy go down, you're being poisoned yourself."

"That's cute but this isn't Air Temple preschool. It's the real world." Zuko groused.

"Now that I know he's out there, now that I know that I can find him, I feel like I have no choice." Katara said.

"Katara, you do have a choice," Aang protested, "Forgiveness."

"That's the same as doing nothing." Zuko snapped.

"No, it's not. It's easy to do nothing but it's hard to forgive."

"It's not just hard," Katara argued, "It's impossible." With that she stormed away. Zuko trailed after her, not sure if Aang and Sokka would want him around. Katara put some distance between her and the camp. If she'd noticed Zuko, she hadn't protested his presence. She sank down onto a grassy bank with a heavy sigh. Zuko sat obediently next to her.

"It felt good, to help that village," she said, "I know we've helped plenty of people before but- with everyone telling me there was nothing I could do for them, and then doing something- it felt really good. But then it started reminding me of when I couldn't help someone. And I can't get it out of my head. She's there every time I close my eyes."

"I know how you feel." Zuko murmured.

"Zuko… what- what happened to your mother?"

Zuko stiffened.

"Just you mentioned it in Ba Sing Se and…"

Zuko sighed. "I don't know. One night she came into my room, told me she loved me and everything she did was to protect me. The next day she was gone."

"Oh…"

"My grandfather Azulon died the same night and my father became Firelord ahead of his older brother. I doubt there's any coincidence."

"Zuko…"

"Azula said my father was going to kill me. She always lies, but that would be the one thing she's honest about. We eavesdropped on a conversation between my father and grandfather. Azulon was angry with my father for disrespecting Uncle after his son died and he abandoned the siege of Ba Sing Se. My father wanted Azulon to revoke Uncle's birth right and make him the next in line. Azulon refused. I ran away when he got angry but Azula stayed. 'You must know the pain of losing a firstborn son by sacrificing your own' she said he said. And then- Azulon was dead and my mother was gone. And it's my fault." Tears dripped down Zuko's face. He bowed his head as his breath hitched with barely contained sobs. Before he could blink, Katara's arms were pulling him close. He froze; the touch unexpected and startling but not unwelcome. But what if she pressed too close and felt his rounded stomach? Could he explain that away? He doubted it. Azula could pull it off. But then Azula wouldn't have gotten herself into this mess.

"It's not your fault, Zuko. None of it is." Katara whispered.

Zuko blamed the hormones for the choking lump in his throat that kept him from speaking.

"We'll go tonight, alright."

"Yeah."

Dusk came startlingly quickly. He and Katara both dressed in black. He was just thankful his clothes hid his stomach. He was loading Appa up while Katara tied back her hair- when Sokka and Aang jumped out from behind a rock.

"So you were just gonna take Appa anyway?" the Avatar demanded.

"Yes." Katara snapped.

"It's okay because I forgive you. That give you any ideas?"

"Don't try to stop us."

"I wasn't planning to. This is a journey you need to take. You need to face this man."

Katara nodded and climbed up onto Appa's head.

"But when you do, please don't choose revenge. Let your anger out and then let it go. Forgive him."

"Okay, we'll be sure to do that, Guru Goody- Goody." Zuko drawled. As he turned to climb onto Appa's back, Aang grabbed his arm.

"Are you sure about this, Zuko?" The look in the Avatar's eyes told Zuko exactly what he was hinting at.

Zuko growled lowly and snatched his arm away. "I'm fine, Aang."

Aang sighed despondently but said nothing as Zuko pulled himself into the saddle.

"Thanks for understanding, Aang." Katara said. "Yip- yip."

Zuko watched Aang's forlorn face grow smaller as Appa plodded upwards.

"What was that about? You and Aang?" Katara asked.

"I don't know. He was probably just trying to convince me not to come." Zuko replied. That wasn't a bad lie: by his standards anyway. Had Katara not been so focused on the quest in front of her, she would have definitely caught on. But there was just a tiny nugget of good luck on Zuko's side.

"We need to find the Fire Navy communication tower," Zuko said, "All the Navy's movements are coordinated by messenger hawk and every tower has to be up to date on where everyone is deployed."

"So once we find the communication tower we bust in and take the information we need."

"Not exactly. We need to be stealthy and make sure no one spots us. Otherwise they'll warn the Southern Raiders long before we can reach them."

They swooped down behind a cluster of boulders and pulled up their masks.

"Ready?" Zuko whispered.

Katara nodded determinedly. She froze a block of water. Zuko clung to the ice as Katara propelled them forwards. His stomach churned when they surged upwards on a wave to meet the cliff. He breathed a sigh of relief once they were on solid ground.

Then they were running.

Sneaking into the compound was easier than Zuko was expecting. He nearly slapped himself for thinking that.

They ducked away from patrols and crept into the vent shafts. They crawled through in silence until they found the records room. Compared to the cold steel of the rest of the compound, the warm wood of the records room was almost comfortable.

There was one lone guard sat at the desk. She was drawing a picture. With a flick of Katara's fingers, the ink spattered across the page and the guard's hand. The guard got up with an annoyed sigh and left the room.

Katara and Zuko jumped down into the room. Zuko immediately started scanning the shelves. "Okay, Southern Raiders." The scroll was easy enough to find. He rolled it out across the table to reveal the map of the Southern Raiders' routes.

"Bam, on patrol near Whale Tail Island."

"Whale Tail Island here we come." Katara glared.

Zuko was sure that if she was a Firebender, the paper would have been incinerated by her gaze alone.

Getting out of the tower was easier than getting in. Zuko reluctantly let himself be glad about it. Appa grunted in greeting as they climbed aboard. Apparently, the energy Zuko had was all adrenaline. As soon as he relaxed in the saddle, he slumped, eyelids drooping. Katara was staring dead set into the distance, barely noticing him. Zuko sighed and let himself succumb to sleep.

It wasn't long after that he blearily awoke. On his stomach, he realised belatedly. Katara still sat on Appa's head, gazing out into the horizon. Had she moved at all?

"You should get some rest," Zuko advised, "We'll be there in a few hours. You'll need all your strength."

"Oh, don't you worry about my strength. I have plenty. I'm not the helpless little girl I was when they came." She seethed. "I ran as fast as I could. But we were too late, when we got there, the man was gone… and so was she."

"Your mother was a brave woman." Zuko murmured- but his mind was filled with the memory of gentle touches, warm smiles, the scent of honeysuckle and lilies, and turtleducks.

Katara touched the pendant around her neck. "I know."

They sat in silence until Katara started drooping at the reins. After a few minutes of that, and her rubbing furiously at her eyes, Zuko bullied her into switching places and resting. She resisted at first; but after Zuko added a careful dose of protective, irritated Omega scent to his nagging, she conceded.

Now that he was left alone in the silence with time to kill, he noticed how pinching his belt was. He grimaced as he pulled at it. There wasn't as much give in the black fabric as there should have been. Oh, Agni, how much long could he hide it?

He pushed back the terror and bile, to focus on the mission at foot. A stupid idea, really, when all there was to do was sit and watch the clouds go by. But he still hadn't gotten to the stage where he could think about his- his secret- without having a major freakout. And the worst place for a major freakout was on a flying bison in the middle of the ocean, alone with Katara.

So to the back of his mind it went.

The sky was just starting to dim and darken when he woke Katara: his eyes fixed on a lone ship floating on the water. "There! See those sea raven flags?" He tossed the telescope back for her. "It's the Southern Raiders."

"Let's do this."

They dived into the water, Katara forming an air bubble around them. Once again, Zuko found himself wondering how he'd ever survived against a prodigy like her. No, no, no. Now was literally the worst time to start comparing her to Azula.

Appa was a deceptively fast swimmer and the grey hull was looming above then ominously. But Katara didn't hesitate. Didn't falter. Her water whip snaked upwards and pulled a soldier down into the water with the greatest of ease.

She rose them up in the water and sent a whole tidal wave crashing against the ship. Appa dropped onto the deck. Only one lone soldier remained, shaken and dripping wet. He fired one blast, before a jet of water smashed him overboard. It was a little excessive in Zuko's opinion, but he wasn't going to argue with an angry, powerful Alpha.

They ran into a corridor. Katara's water coated arms were an ingenious strategy, if Zuko ever did see one.

A door opened and a soldier stepped out. His form was sloppy. Zuko easily grabbed his arm and shoved him back inside the room. He set one of his swords in the door to keep him there. he'd come back for it when they were finished.

They were running again.

They came to an orange bathed door and skidded to a halt before it. Zuko knew exactly where it lead. "This is it, Katara. Are you ready to face him?"

Katara pulled down her mask. With a roar, she blasted her water outwards, blowing the door back. Zuko leaped in front of her, blocking the captain's fire blasts easily.

"Who are you?" the man growled.

"You don't remember her? You will soon, trust me." Zuko sneered back. He shot a warning blast at the controls.

The captain moved to retaliate. Serpents of blue twisted around his body. His hand twisted back. His bones cracked. His face twisted in agonised horror.

Zuko looked into Katara's icy cold eyes. There was no mercy there as she squeezed tighter. The captain groaned and crumpled. Zuko's eyes widened. For once, the sickness bubbling in his gut had nothing to with his secret. But he couldn't fight against her. He could only try to speed up the process, so she could free herself of whatever had its hold on her.

"Think back. Think back to your last raid on the Southern Water Tribe."

"I don't know what you're talking about," The captain wheezed, "Please, I don't know."

"Don't lie!" Zuko snarled, "You look her in the eye, and you tell me you don't remember what you did!"

Katara wrenched the man upright. His wide, terrified eyes met hers. In an instant, the dark rage drained from her pale face. "It's not him." She whispered.

The water binding fell, drenching the floor. The man collapsed to join it.

"He's not the man."

"What? What do you mean he's not?" Zuko snapped, "He's the leader of the Southern Raiders. He has to be the guy."

Katara just lowered her head and turned away. Feeling his patience dwindle away, Zuko hauled the captain to his feet and pinned him against the window. "If you're not the man we're looking for, who is?"

"You must be looking for Yon Rha. He retired 4 years ago." The captain replied.

Katara froze. "Where?"

The captain wheezed out the name of a small, nearby village. Zuko punched him in the face for good measure and hauled Katara down the corridor. He hastily removed his sword from the door in the corridor as they went past. He pushed her towards Appa and took the reins wordlessly.

Once they were in the air and had distance between them and the ship, he turned to her. "Are you sure you want to keep going? He's retired now. He won't hurt anyone else."

Her eyes were sharp and glinting. "No. You don't know that. I need to find him."

Zuko sighed. "Fine."

He endured Katara's silent seething for an hour until they reached the village. Dark clouds were beginning to gather overhead, heralding a storm.

Yon Rha was surprisingly easy to find. Zuko and Katara skirted the main market place. Though there were few people, some were gossiping about an old man as he walked by- calling him Yon Rha. Zuko and Katara turned to each other and nodded. They trailed behind him, ducking out of sight. The man's instincts were good. Zuko would give him that.

The man was on edge and alert as they followed him from the market. He paused and looked around. "Hello? Is anyone there?" When he got no reply, he frowned suspiciously and carried on walking.

"That was him," Katara snarled, "That was the monster."

Rain began to pour down as they stalked the man. The man halted and whirled around. "Nobody sneaks up on me without getting burned!" He shot a jet of fire outwards. It scorched across the ground, igniting a nearby tree.

While he was distracted, Zuko pulled the trip wire taught. Almost immediately, Yon Rha fell into the mud. Zuko loomed above him.

"We weren't behind the bush. And I wouldn't try Firebending again." Zuko said, backing Yon Rha against a rock.

"Whoever you are, take my money, take whatever you want. I'll cooperate." The old man pleaded. Zuko had never seen such a submissive Alpha before.

Katara pulled back her hood and mask. "Do you know who I am?" she demanded.

"No… I'm not sure."

Katara snapped. "Oh, you better remember me like your life depends on it! Why don't you take a closer look?"

"Yes, yes I remember you now. You're that little Water Tribe girl."

Thunder crashed overhead. Yon Rha's eyes widened in terror. He gulped. The thunder echoed again.

"She lied to you. She was protecting the last Waterbender."

"What? Who?"

"Me!" Katara roared. She raised her arms up and the rain stopped. Yon Rha went pale as a dome of water formed around them, the rain hammering above. Katara's eyes steeled. Water erupted forward, freezing into ice blades. Yon Rha whimpered, arms covering his face. He opened his eyes, gazing at the shards hovering around him fearfully.

Katara slumped.

The water fell.

Yon Rha pushed himself to his knees. "I did a bad thing, I know I did, and you deserve revenge. So why don't you take my mother? That would be fair."

Zuko scoffed at that. Taking the mother of an old man was hardly a fair trade for that of a little girl's. And from the way he willingly offered her up, it seemed Yon Rha would benefit from losing his mother.

"I always wondered what kind of person could do such a thing," Katara said, "But now that I see you, I think I understand. There's just nothing inside you, nothing at all. You're pathetic, sad and empty."

"Please, spare me." Yon Rha whimpered.

"But as much as I hate you… I just can't do it." She turned away from the cowering man before her and walked away.

Zuko stared down at his quivering form for a moment before following after her.

He wrapped his arm around her and lead her back to Appa, where he bundled her into a blanket. She didn't protest. She slept the whole journey back to the camp. Zuko managed to doze off here and there as well. He was absolutely exhausted and feeling more than a little rough. He couldn't really place it, but he really just wanted a proper rest in a proper nest.

Aang and Sokka ran over to greet them as they landed. The sunset painted their faces with an orange glow. "What happened? Are you guys okay?" Aang cried as he flittered between the two of them. "You're soaking wet."

"We got caught in the rain." Zuko huffed irritably.

"What happened?" Aang demanded again.

Sokka crossed his arms sternly but said nothing.

"I didn't kill him." Katara whispered brokenly.

Aang smiled warmly. "I'm proud of you."

Katara shook her head. "I wanted to do it. I wanted to take out all my anger at him, but I couldn't. I don't know if its because I'm too weak to do it or if it's because I'm strong enough not to."

"You did the right thing," Aang said, "Forgiveness is the first step you have to take to begin healing."

"But I didn't forgive him. I'll never forgive him."

Aang frowned but didn't try to argue with her.

Zuko sighed testily. "Can we please just go to bed now?"

Aang focused on him with worried eyes. "Zuko are you okay? Cause you look really pale- paler than you usually do- and you're soaking wet and you just look really not okay!"

"I'm fine, Aang!" Zuko snapped.

"But Zuko-"

"Aang, enough!"

"But-"

"Is something wrong, Aang?" Katara asked, instantly switching to her protective mother mode.

Aang gulped as he realised his mistake. Zuko wanted to throttle him.

"No, no, everything's fine."

"Are you sure?" Sokka joined in, "Because the 3rd degree you've been giving Zuko says otherwise."

"You look like Sokka with his hand caught in the seal blubber jar." Katara observed.

Aang chuckled nervously. Sweat was beading on his brow. "It's nothing guys. Really. We should really get to bed."

"Aang, if you're hiding something…" Katara frowned.

"I'm not, guys. Really, I'm not."

Toph padded over disinterestedly. "Is this about Sparky's bun in the oven?"

Zuko flatlined.

"What are you talking about?" Katara said.

Zuko could feel the rapid uncontrolled rise and fall of his chest. But he couldn't control it. Toph couldn't know, Toph couldn't know, Toph couldn't know. He couldn't move- his limbs locked in place. His mouth was dry, and he couldn't speak. He felt dizzy. There wasn't enough air in his lungs. They couldn't know, they couldn't know, they couldn't know….

"Sparky's bun in the oven." Toph repeated devastatingly casually.

Aang glanced between the other Beta and the Omega fearfully.

"I- I don't know what you're talking about!" Zuko yelped pathetically.

"You're lying." Toph shrugged.

"Zuko," Katara said slowly, " You're pregnant?"

A strangled whimper escaped Zuko's throat. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't breathe, he couldn't breathe. Before he could think, he was running.

Stumbling through the undergrowth, he gasped and whined. He didn't know where he going but he just had to get away. His foot caught and he collapsed to the ground. He choked on his sobs as they spilled from his lips. His stomach twisted and he coughed on dry heaves. He yanked at his hair, desperate for a distraction.

"Zuko! Zuko! Hey, Zuko!"

The sudden voice startled him. He flinched with a cry.

"Sorry, sorry. You're hyperventilating. I need you to take a deep breath. Can you do that for me?"

Zuko was still gasping desperately. His vision was fuzzy, but he could vaguely see a blue blur slowly move towards him. A soothing scent filled his nose- snow and pine. He crawled towards it, slumping against the warmth. He was propped up with his back against the warmth.

"Now breathe with me Zuko. In and out. That's it."

The warmth moved against his back. Zuko fought to copy the motions, head spinning. The first thing he became aware of was the wetness on his cheeks and the stinging of his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he mewled, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"It's okay, Zuko. It's going to be okay."

Zuko just bowed his head and sobbed. One hand came up to hide his face and the other cupped the tiny rise of his stomach. His chest ached with the force of his cries. His throat burned.

He cried and cried until he was spent. He sagged back, practically collapsed. A face smiled above him.

"Sokka?" he croaked.

"Yeah, it's me."

"Wha'- wha're you doin' here?" Zuko slurred exhaustedly.

"Helping a friend out."

"You didn't need to do that."

"No offence, buddy, but I kinda think I did. You're not doing very well right now."

"Sorry. I'll be fine."

"No, Zuko, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for."

"But I- I'm useless to you now. I can't fight, can't teach the Avatar properly."

"Zuko, you're our friend. You don't need to be useful to us. We just want you safe."

"Sokka, I'm a- a- a pregnant, unmated Omega. I'm a disgrace." Though the truth of the words stung to his core, saying it out loud, that he was pregnant, was freeing.

Sokka just pulled him closer, held him tighter. "You're not a disgrace. You're just having a baby."

Zuko didn't believe what Sokka was saying, but he nuzzled closer for comfort all the same. "Thanks, Sokka."

"Any time. We're friends, remember."

"Okay. You can go back to the others now."

Sokka sighed loudly. "Come on, Zuko, what did I just say? We're friends. I'm staying with you as long as you need me."

"I- I'm fine now."

"You're using me as a giant pillow."

Zuko jerked his head up so fast his vision blurred for a moment. He was indeed piled onto Sokka's lap, cuddled against him. Oh, Agni, this day couldn't get any worse. "Sorry." He muttered, face furiously red.

Sokka instinctively gripped tighter, holding Zuko safely in place, although a pink tint lit up his cheeks. "It's fine. I don't mind."

"Okay. We should get back to the others. They'll be getting worried."

"Are you ready for that?"

"No," Zuko sighed, "But I don't think I ever will be, and we can't stay out here for the rest of our lives avoiding them. Besides, I think I should eat something soon." He didn't mention that staying out there with Sokka alone seemed like a really good idea for some reason.

Sokka nodded approvingly at the mention of food. "Alright then. Up you get."

He slid himself out from under Zuko and helped the Omega to his feet. Zuko clutched at the Alpha's arm as his head swum again.

"Zuko, are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry, I'm fine. Just a little lightheaded."

"Okay then. You really should have Katara look you over when we get back to the camp. She's no midwife, but she's the best we have right now."

"Yeah, you're right. That is a good idea." Zuko's free arm snaked itself around his middle. He refused to call the action protective. He clung to Sokka's arm as they made their way slowly back to the camp. Zuko forced himself to keep up his deep, even breathing, the way Uncle had taught him.

Aang, Katara and Toph were sat around the campfire in silence. Toph had probably let them know Zuko and Sokka were coming. The pair of them sat, Zuko sticking close to Sokka's side.

Aang was the first to speak. "We're really sorry, Zuko."

"It's okay, Aang. You were just trying to help." Zuko sighed.

"I wasn't," Toph said, "It was really wrong of me to say that. I revealed your secret and I'm really sorry, Sparky."

"It's okay, Toph. I forgive you."

"Can I hug you?"

Zuko started but nodded. "Uh, yeah, sure."

Toph bounded over eagerly and practically glued herself to his side, pressing her head to his stomach.

"Uh, by the way, how did you know anyway?" he asked.

"I heard it."

"You heard it?" Zuko repeated.

"Yeah. I can hear the baby's heartbeat. It's still really quiet, so it took me way too long to realise. But once I did, it was impossible to ignore. Plus, your scent's starting to change. I'm surprised that none of the rest of you noticed."

"But you knew, Aang?" Said Katara.

Aang looked intently at the ground and nodded. "Zuko, can I-"

"Go ahead."

"I was there when Zuko found out he was pregnant at the Sun Warrior ruins."

"And you didn't think to tell us?" Katara said.

Aang frowned.

"I asked him not to," Zuko said, "I wasn't ready for everyone to know. I'm sorry I kept it a secret for so long."

Katara sighed. "I really wish you didn't try to hide it, but what's done is done. How far along are you?"

"Uh… about 4 months now."

"And you haven't seen a healer or a midwife at all?"

Zuko shook his head. "Like Aang said, I didn't find out until we went to the ruins. And then I just panicked. I didn't want to believe it."

"Why not?" Aang asked.

"Because where I'm from, an unmated, pregnant Omega is a huge dishonour. And it's my child- I'm not exactly the Fire Nation's favourite person. My bastard child would be an outcast."

Both Sokka and Toph were already hugging him tightly and Aang quickly joined in.

"It won't be an outcast with us." Aang said.

Zuko smiled, ruffling Aang's hair. "Thanks, Aang. I appreciate it. And I'm sorry about your Firebending lessons."

"What about them? Can't you do Firebending if you're pregnant?"

"We can, but- it's not really socially acceptable in the Fire Nation to be publically displaying pregnancy. Teaching Firebending would be out of the question. And I won't be able to demonstrate the movements properly once I get bigger."

"Well, do you feel comfortable around us while you're pregnant?" Toph asked.

"I- uh- yes. Yes, I do."

"Then it's settled Sparky. You're going to stay as Aang's Firebending teacher and we're going to spoil your baby rotten. You can just tell at Aang from the sidelines to teach him."

Zuko laughed. "Thanks, Toph. That means a lot."

"Can I check you over?" Katara asked, "I'll be as gentle as possible."

Zuko nodded. Aang and Sokka moved back as Katara came forward, but Toph stayed where she was.

"Can you lift your shirt up please?" Katara asked.

Blushing, Zuko did as she asked, revealing his pale, rounded stomach. Katara's cool water coated the skin and glowed for a moment. Then she stepped back and let Zuko pull his shirt back down.

"It looks good. The baby's healthy, you're healthy, although I want you to start putting on some serious weight." Katara said.

Zuko breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Katara."

"No problem. We'll be doing this every week, so you'd better get used to it."

Zuko nodded, rubbing at his droopy eyes. He muffled a yawn into his elbow.

"Right, food then bed. It's been a long day." Sokka declared.

"Thanks." Zuko murmured, feeling more at peace with his life than he had in a long, long time.