Chapter 11

Irreparable. Unbroken

Katara had never gone through emergency room as quickly as she had that night. Still, it took hours for the battery of tests to be run, at the end of which, she had been diagnosed with a concussion and a bruised larynx. There wasn't much that could be done to speed the healing of either, the doctor had told her. She'd be home by the next day at the latest.

The sun was already rising by the time they brought her to a room. Unfortunately, her room didn't seem to be anywhere near where Zuko was, and no one seemed to be interested in letting her know how he was doing. Katara let out a growl of frustration. Her doctor had left her alone to get some rest. As if she could.

The clothes she had arrived in were ruined, covered in grime and the blood of three different people. Someone- a nurse, Katara thought- had brought in a pair of plain grey lounge pants and a black tee shirt for when she felt strong enough to shower and get out of her hospital gown. As soon as Katara was sure she wouldn't be interrupted, she threw her thin hospital blanket off and hurriedly pulled the clean clothes on, ignoring how dirty her skin still felt. If no one would tell her what happened to Zuko, she was determined to find out for herself.

"Look at me! Do I look like I give a crap about visiting hours?" Katara's head snapped up at the sudden commotion. She rushed to the door and looked out. Sokka was at the nurses' station down the hall. His face was red and his hair was sticking up at odd angles. The duffel bag at his feet told Katara that he had come straight from the airport.

"Sokka," she whispered. She couldn't call out any louder than that. She ran to him instead. He had just enough time to turn and see her before she threw her arms around him.

"You're okay!" He gasped. "You're okay." He pulled her into an almost uncomfortably tight hug, but Katara didn't care. She wept onto his shoulder and babbled incoherently at him. The nurse he had been arguing with stared at them helplessly, but didn't interrupt their reunion. Sokka finally pulled back and looked Katara over. Her face was bruised at her temple and along her jaw, where she had been hit. The blow that had knocked her out had left an ugly gash by her hairline that had been stitched shut, but was still leaking a bit of bloody pus. Around her neck two hand shaped bruises had darkened to a deep purplish blue shade. Sokka's lips flattened into a thin, angry line, and his face contorted in rage for the man who had done this to his sister.

"I'm okay," Katara croaked. Something in Sokka's face broke when he heard her. His eyes filled with tears and he had to clear his throat several times before he could speak.

"What are you doing out here?" he demanded weakly. "You should be resting." He put his hands on her shoulders to guide her back to her room, but then Katara remembered why she had gotten up in the first place.

"No!" she protested in a harsh whisper, wincing against the pain in her throat. She pulled away from his hands and faced Sokka pleadingly.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Katara swallowed trying to soothe some her vocal cords enough to explain.

"I have to find Zuko," she said. Sokka leaned in, not certain if he had heard correctly.

"What…?"

"Zuko," Katara insisted as loud as she could. "I have to make sure he's okay." Already tears pricked her eyes. Her fingers flexed remembering the way the blood had poured from his chest. She didn't think she could put that into words that would convince Sokka. Her throat hurt so much.

"I'm sure he's fine." Sokka's voice was low and soothing, as if he were trying to calm an unstable person or a child. Infuriated an already emotional Katara. She moved outside of Sokka's grasp. One or another she would find Zuko.

"He was dying!" Katara said. "No one will tell me how he is." Sokka froze at that. He had been met at the airport by uniformed officers who escorted him to Katara at the hospital. He had been so wrapped up in getting to her that he hadn't even thought about the detective who had been protecting her.

"What do you mean he was dying?" he asked.

"He got shot," Katara explained. "Because of me." She gave Sokka the briefest description of the events of the day before, but Sokka understood the main part; Zuko had risked his own life for Katara's, and she wouldn't be able to rest until she knew that he had come through it. And Sokka, jet-lagged and crashing from an anxiety high, wouldn't be able to rest until Katara was resting.

"Alright," he sighed. "Let's go find him." Katara smiled gratefully. Then she glanced over Sokka's shoulder and her face fell immediately. As she feared, her doctor had returned. This time a police officer was with him.

"C'mon," she urged Sokka. She grabbed his arm and pulled him towards a random hall. But she wasn't quick enough. Her doctor and the officer, who Katara now recognized as Jin, spotted her.

"Stop!" she called after Katara. She rushed over, with the doctor close behind. Sokka, confused, obeyed Jin's order. Katara tugged hopelessly at his shirt.

"What are you doing?" Jin looked over Sokka suspiciously. "Who are you?" Sokka stepped in front of Katara and crossed his arms.

"I'm her brother," he replied. "Who are you?" Jun took a step back and gave Sokka a quick respectful nod.

"I'm Jin Nakamura," she said. "I'm an officer with RCPD." She looked at Katara apologetically. "I need to take your statement."

"And you should be resting," the doctor added. Sokka glanced at Katara archly, clearly in agreement.

"I just want to know if Zuko's okay," Katara pleaded with them. Jin regarded Katara sympathetically, and shook her head sadly. Katara's eyes widened.

"I don't know either," Jin said shaking her head. Katara noticed tears in Jin's eyes. "He's still in surgery." Katara visibly deflated. The doctor came around to her other side, then he and Sokka guided her back to her room. She struggled half-heartedly, but Sokka was firm this time.

"You can't see him in surgery," he pointed out. "You may as well get some rest." Katara relented. She climbed back into her bed on her own, and after the doctor had checked her for any signs of latent head trauma, he gave Jin the okay to speak with her. Sokka sat on the chair by the window and listened intently as Katara gave Jin all the details of the day before that she could remember. He wanted so badly to be able to find some reason- something the police could have done better to protect his sister, or a precaution to keep her safe in the future- but there was nothing she or anyone could have done. Yon Rha was law enforcement. He had the uniform, the badge, the demeanor. Katara had no reason not to trust him, and because she was alone, there was no one else to help. Sokka sighed and ran his hands over his face.

"Are you okay?" Katara's voice was barely a whisper. Sokka pulled his chair up to her bedside.

"Yeah," he nodded. Then he paused. "Actually no, I'm not. This sucks! Katara, you could have…" Sokka leaned forward on his knees and pressed his fists into his eyes. "I wish Mom and Dad were here." Katara reached out and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Me, too." Sokka reached up for her hand and squeezed it.

"I'm glad you're okay." Katara managed a smile at that.

"Me, too," she whispered too emphatically. She started coughing, irritating her throat even further. Sokka poured her a glass of water from the pitcher on the bedside table.

"Stop talking!" he chided. "I know that's hard for you, but you need to give your throat a rest." Katara scowled at him but accepted the water. When she was done, she threw the blanket off of her and got to her feet. Sokka ran around to her side.

"What are you doing?" he demanded. Katara waved him off impatiently.

"Zuko!" she insisted. Sokka shook his head.

"You heard Officer Nakamura," he said. "He's still in surgery. He probably won't even wake up for hours." Katara raised her chin determinedly. She was going to try anyway, her face declared. Sokka felt exhausted suddenly.

"Would you stop being so stubborn? Katara, you've been hurt, too. I'm sure Zuko wouldn't want you wandering all over when you're supposed to be resting."

"He's right you know." The Imiq siblings turned sharply towards the door where Iroh stood watching them with a wan, but kind smile.

"Oh!" Katara gasped. She ran over and threw her arms around Iroh. The older man was surprised, but he patted her back before he guided her back to her bed.

"How are you, my dear?" he asked. He took in her injuries with concern, which Katara waved off.

"I'm okay," she whispered. "Zuko?" Sokka shook his head at Iroh.

"She wants to know how Detective Kaji is," he explained. "I'm Sokka."

"Ah, yes," Iroh reached over and shook his hand. "Ms. Katara's brother. I should have guessed. I'm Chief Iroh Kaji." Sokka's eyes widened at that.

"Zuko's your-"

"Nephew," Iroh finished with a nod. Sokka shifted on his feet awkwardly.

"I'm...I'm sorry about…" he stammered.

"I am, too," Iroh sighed. "Although I'm happy that you're doing well." He turned to Katara. "My nephew is out of surgery, but he's lost a lot of blood. The doctors…" Iroh blinked his eyes rapidly and cleared his throat. "The doctors think that if he...if he gets through the next day or two, he'll pull through just fine." Katara's eyes teared up and she wiped angrily at her eyes.

"Can I see him?" she asked. Iroh looked at her in surprise, and then shook his head sadly.

"I'm sure he'd be happy to have you visit him," Iroh said. "But he is in ICU. The doctors are very strict about immediate family visits only. Especially when the patient is the victim of a crime." Katara deflated. She sank back against her pillow and dropped her gaze to the floor. She hadn't gotten to thank him. If anything happened to Zuko…

"I'll let you know how he's doing," Iroh promised. Katara looked up at Iroh. He gave her a weak smile. "I know it's not the same, but I'll let you know when he wakes up. And if he's up to it, I'll have him give you a call."

"...thanks," Katara managed to say. Iroh nodded and started towards the door.

"You get your rest, my dear," he said. "I look forward to seeing you again very soon."

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Zuko could feel the weight of someone's eyes on him before his were open. Sure enough, Iroh sat on the pleather seat tucked in the corner of the hospital room he had woken up in.

That explains that stupid beeping, he thought irritably. Iroh noticed his eyes were open and nearly leapt from his seat.

"...hey." Zuko winced at the sound of his voice. It sounded rough and gravelly even for him.

"Nephew!" Iroh cried happily. He couldn't hug Zuko without aggravating his wound. He settled for clasping his nephew's hands instead. "You gave us quite a scare. How are you feeling?"

"Okay, I guess…" Zuko replied. "Not great. What happened? How long have I been here?" Iroh wiped away a few stray tears from his cheeks.

"You've been here almost two days," he told Zuko. " You were shot. Koh managed to get your weapon." Zuko's eyes widened as some of the memories of that night came back. He shot up, startling Iroh. The machines monitoring his heart rate and breathing let out high pitched beeps in protest.

"Easy, Zuko," Iroh said. He put his hands on Zuko's shoulders and tried to get him to lay back down. "You were hurt very badly." Zuko shook him off.

"What happened to Katara?" he demanded. "Is she okay?"

"She's doing fine," Iroh assured him gently. "She's alive. She's out of the hospital and in her brother's care." Zuko sighed and sank against his pillow.

"Good," he sighed. "Good." Iroh studied him carefully.

"She's a very impressive young woman," he said. "She saved your life, you know." Zuko shut his eyes and nodded.

"What happened?" he asked. "The last thing I remember is Koh...Yon Rha… whatever!...banging something against the shelves." Iroh settled back into his seat and folded his hands over his stomach.

"Well," he said. "After Yon Rha shot you, he tried to strangle Katara. She managed to get him off of her- a move her brother's girlfriend taught her, she said- and she beat him with a metal pole. Honestly, I think he was in worse shape than either of you in the end." Despite himself Zuko let out a chuckle.

"So, he's alive then?"

"Yes," Iroh said. "Though he's in an induced coma while the doctors try to salvage what's left of his face. They think he'll pull through, but he won't be much to look at."

"Good," Zuko said darkly. "I'm glad he's alive. Death's too easy for that scumbag."

"Katara agreed," Iroh told him. "Her brother did not, however. Fortunately for everyone, Yon Rha was taken to a different hospital." Zuko nodded.

"Yeah, fortunately," he mumbled. He let his eyes drift shut, wondering if it was the drugs or the blood loss that was making him feel so tired.

"Katara has been very worried for you," Iroh told him. "I think it would be nice for her to hear from you. When you're up for it." Zuko's eyes opened abruptly.

"Right!" he looked around for his cell phone, and once again, Iroh went over to make his nephew slow down.

"When you're up for it," he emphasized. "As anxious as she is to hear from you, I'm sure she'd rather you get your rest." Zuko protested weakly, his limbs getting heavier by the second. Iroh added, "It's better for her if you wait, too. She can't speak much right now."

"Fine," Zuko relented at last. "I'll wait." Iroh watched him for a moment, his eyes on Zuko's face searchingly.

"She's a remarkable young woman," Iroh commented. Zuko nodded sleepily.

"Yeah, she is."

"Pretty, too," Iroh added offhandedly. That caught Zuko's attention.

"What?" Iroh shrugged.

"All I'm saying is that Katara is smart, resourceful, formidable..and very easy on the eyes. I wouldn't blame you for having a crush." Zuko blushed from his neck to his hairline. Iroh continued on as if he didn't notice. "And since the case is essentially closed, there's no ethical dilemma anymore..."

"Uncle," Zuko protested. "You've got it all wrong-"

"That so?" Iroh's eyebrows shot upwards. "Well, my mistake. I should let you get your rest." He headed for the door. "I'll be back soon." Zuko watched his uncle leave feeling much too mortified for sleep.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-

The next time Zuko woke up, Iroh was in his same seat, but in different clothes. Zuko frowned when he noticed.

" What happened?" he asked groggily. Iroh glanced up from the book he was reading.

"What do you mean? What happened when?" Zuko gestured towards Iroh's clothes.

"What happened to your shirt?" he clarified. "You were wearing a white shirt earlier."

"That was yesterday," Iroh told him. "I've showered and changed since." Zuko blinked in confusion.

"I slept through the whole day?"

"More or less," Iroh said. "It's no surprise. You need your rest after your ordeal." Zuko groaned. He was supposed to call Katara.

"I always thought you'd do something stupid and get yourself shot someday." Zuko and Iroh turned to the doorway. Azula leaned against the frame and surveyed the room with disdain.

"Azula!" Iroh reacted first. He approached his niece with his arms half outstretched before he seemed to think better of it. He took her hands instead and squeezed him gently. Azula submitted briefly, then shook herself loose.

"Uncle," she greeted him with a polite nod. Her eyes ran over Iroh critically before landing meaningly on his middle. "You're looking... prosperous." Zuko scowled at her, but Iroh just laughed.

"Yes I suppose I have gained a few pounds since we last saw each other. But it's happy weight." Iroh's eyes softened as he scanned his niece. "It has been far too long since I've seen my favorite niece. Did you get the card I sent you for your birthday?"

"I did," Azula confirmed. She stepped into the room and perched on the chair. "So, how did this happen?"

Zuko looked at his uncle, affronted on his behalf. Iroh smiled and motioned for him to speak up.

"It's...a long story," Zuko mumbled.

"And it's one I have heard many times," Iroh said. "I think I'll make a quick coffee run. Zuko can't have any right now, doctor's orders. But would you like one, Azula?"

"A large caramel latte with rice milk." She spared half a glance at Iroh. Again, Zuko felt a stab of annoyance through his chest. Or maybe it was the bullet wound. Either way, he seemed to be alone in the feeling.

"As you wish, my dear," he said. "I'm sure you two have some catching up to do." Iroh waved at the siblings and left with surprising speed.

"As subtle as ever," Azula commented when he'd gone.

"And as doting," Zuko said pointedly. Azula shrugged and examined her nails.

"Well, I guess it's a comfort to have someone's kids to spoil." Zuko's scowl was back.

"Why are you here ,Azula?" His sister glanced at him archly.

"My only brother gets shot and is surprised that I visit?" Azula pouted theatrically. "I was worried, Zuzu."

"First of all," Zuko said holding up first one finger."Stop calling me that." Then another. "Second, I've been in the hospital for three days, and you haven't even called."

"I said I was worried."Azula shrugged. "I didn't say I wasn't busy." Zuko snorted.

"Why are you here?" he asked again. Azula sighed and settled back into her chair.

"I came to make sure you're okay."

"Well, as you can see, I'm fine," Zuko said. He eyed his sister suspiciously. She had never visited him in the hospital. Not when he had his tonsils removed at twelve. Not when he had to be hospitalized with the flu. Not when he had been burnt in the fire that killed their mother. Zuko was sure there was something else going on.

"Honestly," Azula huffed. "You'd think I was the one who'd shot you." Zuko fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"Alright," he said. "I'm sorry. It's very nice of you to visit me with no ulterior motives." Azula sniffed haughtily.

"Thank you." She cleared her throat awkwardly and glanced around the room. "I see they gave you a private room. Good." Zuko grunted noncommittally. "You've been all over the news, you know. Hero cop saves co-ed, or 's caught Mai's eye."

"Great…" Zuko mumbled. Whether it was about the news coverage or Mai, he wasn't really sure. "She saved me, actually." Azula looked up at Zuko curiously.

"Did she?" she asked. "What happened in there anyway?" Zuko stared at Azula, trying to work out what, if anything, was her motive in asking. Then he sighed and shrugged.

"Like I said, it's a long story."

"I've got time." Zuko decided there was no real harm in Azula hearing the broader details, so he told her. As a reward, he got to see Azula genuinely enthralled in his story, something that hadn't happened since they were very young children. When he told her how Katara managed to get the best of Yon Rha and leave him comatose, she actually laughed.

"I'm impressed with this girl," she said. "The news coverage isn't doing her justice at all. They made her sound like some helpless damsel in distress."

"She's anything but that," Zuko snorted. "And after all this, I would never bet against her in a fight." Azula smirked at him.

"Interesting," she said. Zuko's guard was back up immediately.

"What?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. Azula shrugged.

"Oh, nothing," she replied in a tone that said it definitely wasn't nothing. But Zuko was feeling tired again. He needed to speak to his doctor about whatever pain medication he was on. He didn't like the constant battle to stay awake.

"Whatever," he muttered. The two settled into a silence that wasn't quite awkward, but not quite comfortable either.

"I did come here for another reason," Azula admitted. Zuko smirked at her.

"I knew it," he said. "What do you want, Azula?" She sat up straight and crossed her legs.

"To make you an offer," she told him.

"Offer…"Zuko scoffed. "Sure. Go ahead."

"I want you to come to work at Sozin," she said. "As a consultant." Zuko rolled his eyes. He wished he could get up and walk away, but he was still hooked up to several wires.

"I already have a job," he reminded her. "This hasn't changed my mind." Azula scowled at him.

"It's just a consulting gig," she said. "I'm not asking you to leave your precious police work forever. They're going to put you on leave anyway, aren't they? At least this way you won't be bored."

"Azula…"

"I'm offering you an executive salary for maybe six months of work!" Azula persisted. "You could afford to take that waitress somewhere really nice." Zuko sputtered.

"What?"

"Oh," Azula said, rolling her eyes. "Did I read that wrong? You only took a bullet for her."

"I'm a detective," Zuko drawled. "That's kind of my job."

"Yes, but she saved you, too. She took on an armed serial killer for you and stuck around to help you when she probably should have run. And I can tell you like her."

"How could you possibly tell anything about me? We barely speak." Azula didn't rise to the bait. She shrugged and settled into the chair.

"You're not too hard to read," she informed him. "It'd be obvious to anyone." Zuko dropped his gaze to the stark white hospital sheets and scowled. His face was heating up to his chagrin.

"Whatever…" he grumbled. He dragged his hand across his cheek. He really needed a shave, he realized. "What does any of that have to do with me taking this job?"

"It's your chance to make enough money to take her someplace nice. Maybe an actual restaurant where they don't have placemats you can color on. Even if this girl doesn't turn out to be the one, you could have a nice nest egg."

"Azula, I'm not exactly hurting for money. I've got a trust fund, too. It's not as big as yours, but between that and my salary, I'm doing just fine. And I would never go out with another girl who likes me for money and connections. Remember how that turned out?" Azula shrugged carelessly.

"Mai can't help it," she said. "That's how she was raised. Not everyone can cut ties with their family and past as completely as you and Uncle." She sighed and wrapped her fingers tightly around the armrests. "Would you do it as a personal favor to me?" Zuko's brow shot up in surprise. Azula as a general rule never asked for favors.

"I'm listening," he prompted her.

"I'm firing Zhao," Azula told him quietly. That caught Zuko's attention.

"Really?" Azula nodded.

"It's going to cause some major waves, and piss off some people powerful enough to make trouble for me. I need you to help make this as smooth as possible. You're good with this kind of minutiae."

Zuko studied his sister for a long moment. She looked stressed beneath her cool exterior. Her posture was just a little too straight. Her face a bit sharper than normal, as if she hadn't been eating regularly. Was this, Zuko wondered, Zhao's effect on her?

"I'll help you," Zuko relented at last. Azula's head shot up. Zuko held up his hand. "I'm not finished. I have two conditions."

"What do you want?" Azula asked.

"First, I want you to bring the company above board," Zuko said. "I'll do an investigation on the shady suppliers Ozai and Zhao worked with. If they're dirty, you cut them loose."

"But that'll cut into the profits!" Azula protested. Zuko was firm though.

"Between the two of us we can find new suppliers. I'll make space in the budget if I have to."

"Alright, fine." Azula folded her arms and scowled. "What's your other condition?"

"No drinking while I'm working for you." Azula scoffed at that.

"Am I a child?" she snipped. "I can handle my liquor." Zuko folded his arms, unmovable.

"It's not like I'm asking you to give it up for good," he said. "Six months, tops. Right? You can go without a drink for that long." Azula glared at home for a long while

"Of course I can," she said coldly. "I don't appreciate you implying that I have a drinking problem."

"The last time we saw each other, you got drunk and passed out on my couch," Zuko reminded her. "If that was a one off, fine, but you've been pulling that since high school. You can't blame me if I'm concerned."

"You said yourself that we don't see each other often," Azula pointed out. "Those were one offs." Zuko shrugged.

"Then six months of mocktails and coffee will be a breeze," he said. "Those are my conditions. Take them or leave them." Azula scowled as she got up from the chair and crossed the room.

"Deal," she agreed. She stuck out her hand for Zuko to shake. "We'll figure out your start date once your out of...this place." Azula looked around the hospital room distastefully.

Azula stayed just long enough to accept her coffee from Iroh, and then with cool, but polite goodbye to her uncle and brother, she left less than an hour after she had arrived.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Zuko wound up staying just one more day in the hospital. He still hadn't called Katara, Iroh reminded him on the ride back to Zuko's home. He had insisted he didn't need to stay with Iroh, as his doctor hadn't enforced bedrest for his recovery.

"She understands, of course," Iroh said. "Still, it would be a nice gesture." Zuko agreed. Iroh had soon left him in his apartment, with enough pre-made food and tea to last him a year, and a promise to drop by in a few hours to check on him. When he was gone, Zuko plugged in his phone and called Katara. The phone rang straight through to voicemail, but the inbox was full. Zuko sighed and hung up. He hated leaving messages anyway. Besides, he reasoned, after everything, it would be better to see her in person. Iroh wouldn't be back until later, so he had time. That was how less than ten minutes after his uncle had gone, Zuko found himself in his car on his way to Katara's house.

Zuko regretted his choice the minute he knocked on the door. This was absolutely a mistake. A huge mistake. Katara hadn't actually wanted to see him. Of course she hadn't. Zuko couldn't blame her. After all, the last time she had seen him, she was being held captive by a crazed serial killer and he hadn't been able to rescue her. Had actually needed her to rescue him. All she had wanted was confirmation that he had survived the ordeal. But the door opened before he could retreat, and he was greeted by a man he only recognized by voice.

"Hey," Sokka greeted him, confused and a bit guarded. "Can I help you?" Zuko shifted uneasily on his feet. What had possessed him to come?

"Hi," he said hesitantly. "I'm-" Then Katara poked her head out of the kitchen.

"Zuko…" she gasped. Then to his- and her brother's- surprise, Katara flew across the room and threw her arms around his neck. Sokka blinked and fell back a few steps. Katara either didn't notice or care. Zuko was too stunned to react, but he managed to hug her back after a moment.

"Oh, you're alive," she whispered. "You're okay." She pulled back after a moment, but her arms were still draped over his shoulders, so he felt okay leaving his arms wrapped loosely around her waist.

"I'm fine," he assured her. Katara still scanned him, coming back to his eyes to look for...what Zuko wasn't sure.

"I wanted to visit you," she told him. "I tried. But they only let family in ICU." That had never seemed like a ridiculous rule to Zuko before, but now he questioned it. Had Katara been left in the dark for this whole time? No, he reminded himself. Iroh had been in touch with her. Still, he thought, he wouldn't have minded waking to find her keeping vigil at his bedside.

"They let me go today." Zuko wanted to smack himself in the forehead. She could see that. Why couldn't he think of anything intelligent to say to her? "I...I tried to call earlier, but there was no space in your voicemail…" Katara waved him off.

"I had to turn off the phone," she explained. "Reporters have been hounding me since I got home. I would have called you, but I wasn't sure if you were out of the hospital yet."

"Oh... yeah." Zuko made a note to call the local papers.

"I'm glad you're okay," Katara said with a smile. Then her eyes widened with horror and she jumped away from him. Zuko felt his face heat up, and an apology had already formed on his lips for holding on to her for so long, when she apologized first. "Did I hurt you?"

"Um...what?" Zuko asked shaking his head. Katara pointed to his chest, where the bullet had struck him.

"I just jumped on you," she explained. Her cheeks had darkened to a dusky red. "I didn't pull on any stitches or anything, did I?" Zuko almost laughed. He shook his head.

"I'm fine, honestly. A bit sore," he admitted, "but it's not your fault." Katara lifted her hand, as if she were going to lay it over the wound, but she dropped it quickly.

"I'm so glad you're alright," she whispered again. Zuko wished he could ignore Sokka standing off to the side, but he was all too aware of him watching the exchange with obvious interest.

"I …" he started, making a valiant effort to pretend they didn't have an audience. "I wanted to thank you. You saved my life." Katara stared up at him with her wide, impossibly blue eyes, and Zuko noticed tears. He nearly panicked. What had he done wrong?

"I should be thanking you," she told him. Zuko was stunned. He had failed to protect her, a point which the stitches and bruising on her face, and the handprints on her neck drove painfully home. Sure she had survived, but that was in large part due to her own quick thinking. He decided it wasn't worth arguing, so he shrugged and mumbled something non-committal. Katara took a step back and quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. She seemed to finally realized that Sokka was still there.

"We just ordered takeout," she said suddenly. "You should stay for lunch. Right, Sokka?" She turned to her brother for back up.

"Sure," he said. "Honestly, it's the least we can do." He turned and headed for the kitchen, casting a significant look at Zuko. "Anyway, I'm going fix myself a plate. Feel free to stick around."

"No, actually," Zuko declined somewhat reluctantly. "I...my uncle's expecting me soon. Um… well, he's expecting me to be at my place...he's dropping by. I just wanted to…" To what, Zuko asked himself. To see her? Tell her he was okay? Make sure she was okay? All were equally true. All were equally embarrassing now that he was actually facing her.

"Oh…" Katara nodded as if she understood. The look of relief had not left her face. Zuko heard Iroh's words from earlier echo in his mind. After all, the case was essentially closed.

Well, he thought. Why not?

"Would you...ah…," he stammered. He took a deep breath and tried again. "Wouldyouliketohavecoffeewithmesometime?"

It came out in a rush. Katara had to run it over in her mind a couple of times before she understood. Zuko very nearly ran off before she could respond. Fortunately for both of them, the still healing wound in his chest kept him from making any move so sudden. He had started to move backward, but Katara caught him by the hand.

"I know a really nice spot in midtown," she told him hopefully. Zuko blushed when she smiled.

"Sure!" he said just a bit too quickly. A bit too high pitched. He thought he heard a quiet laugh from the kitchen.

"You still have my number." It was less a question and more of an assumption on Katara's part. Zuko confirmed mutely. Oh! He hoped he was coming off more suave than he felt at the moment.

"I'll call you later," he promised. Katara's smile widened and warmed. Zuko wondered if he'd ever get tired of her smile. He didn't think he would, but he hoped he'd know her long enough to find out.

"Ahem!' Sokka cleared his throat reminding them that he was still there. "So are we feeding this guy or what?"