DISCLAIMER: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor am I in any way affiliated with Michael Dante DiMartino or Bryan Konietzko. This story is purely fan-made.

The next two days passed without major incident. Zuko hadn't mentioned the agent, so Katara didn't say anything on the subject either. However, she found herself becoming less and less hostile towards Zuko. In this cell, it didn't matter what he had done or why she was there in the first place. All that mattered was that they were here, so there was no point in fighting. Of course, Katara didn't speak a word about Aang, but occasionally semi-serious complaints about her brother would come into the conversation.

"You just wouldn't think it possible to get two fish hooks stuck in your thumb, would you?" Katara asked Zuko, who was in his usual leaning position, looking vaguely amused. "Well, my brother managed it. He couldn't hold a weapon for weeks afterwards." Katara smiled at the memory.

Zuko had watched her carefully when she was talking about her family. Although she complained about her brother, it was clear she loved him deeply. This sibling love was beyond Zuko, who had grown up with the sister from hell.

"You look after your brother a lot?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

Sure enough, Katara nodded, still smiling faintly.

"Yes. Back at the South Pole, my grandmother and I were responsible for the whole tribe. Yet Sokka seemed to think it was his duty to protect us."

"I remember." Zuko smirked. He doubted that the memory of the Water Tribe boy's attempt at fighting Zuko would ever fade from his mind; it was just too pathetic.

Katara coughed uncomfortably and looked away. It was little comments like this that reminded Katara of Zuko's heritage. In truth, she was beginning to like talking with Zuko, and didn't want to be reminded of how many times he had tried to capture Aang before. Part of her felt guilty for wanting to talk with Zuko, after all, how recently had he attacked her? She knew that she shouldn't ever talk to him again, but it was difficult not to.

Because he's the only person in this cell with me, Katara reassured herself. As soon as I get out of here, it's back to hating him. However, the longer Katara spent in this cell, the less likely this would become.

There was a few minutes of silence, in which Katara tried to think of something to say which wouldn't have anything to do with Aang or the Fire Nation or the war. Needless to say, she couldn't come up with anything. So, deciding it would be better to stay quiet than bring up a sore subject, Katara reached forward for her bowl of soup that had been dropped off earlier. She hadn't had the chance to pour the soup into her pouch yet, and she was hungry. Or thirsty. Or whatever this liquid was supposed to help with.

"You're not going to drink that, are you?" Zuko asked in a disapproving voice. Katara looked up and saw him, eyebrows raised at her.

"Why wouldn't I?" She asked, drawing the bowl closer to her. It scraped across the stone floor, giving off a high-pitched screech. Trying not to wince at the noise, Katara carried on moving the bowl. Zuko shrugged at her question, and gestured for her to continue. Lifting the bowl up to her mouth, Katara took a sip and began to choke at its taste. Swallowing it as fast as she could, she grimaced and quickly pushed the bowl away. Shuddering, she glanced back up to see Zuko looking incredibly smug.

"Told you." He said, his smirk widening. Katara narrowed her eyes.

"It wasn't that bad." She told him, refusing to let him think he was right, even though she wanted to be sick right now from that disgusting mixture they called soup.

"Oh yeah?" Zuko asked, sounding highly disbelieving. Of course, Katara couldn't blame him. She hadn't even convinced herself. "Prove it."

Drink the soup and risk choking again or let Zuko win? Katara deliberated, but only for a moment.

Cursing her pride, Katara lifted the bowl up to her lips again, prepared to drink the foul liquid for the second time in not even as many minutes. She was saved by the unexpected click of the lock and the door swinging open.

Oh thank Tui and La and all of the Gods that are watching right now, Katara silently thanked, hurriedly placing the bowl back down.

Mai stepped into the cell, sighing as she did. She narrowed her eyes as she noticed Zuko's smirk that was still directed at Katara. Seeing this, Katara looked away and stood up. Zuko followed suit, his smirk (but not his smugness) fading.

"I have to escort you to the bathroom." Mai told them, her upper lip curled in disgust, showing the amount of enthusiasm she had in her task. Nodding, Katara walked up to Mai first. This had been the trend for the past two days, and Zuko seemed not to have a problem with it.

Mai glared at her, before pushing her out of the cell roughly. Katara managed to keep her balance and carried on walking, now used to this sort of treatment. She wasn't about to pretend she knew the route to the bathroom, even after three days this place was still a maze. It wasn't always Mai who would escort her to the bathroom. Yesterday it was the bubbly acrobat Ty Lee. This had been torture for Katara, who had been on the receiving end of Ty Lee's upbeat personality and non-stop questions. At least Mai, who seemed more and more depressed every time Katara saw her, did not talk at all to her. That did not mean that Katara couldn't try to talk to Mai.

"How long is Azula going to keep us down here?" Katara asked. Mai ignored her, but quickened her pace, shoving Katara's shoulder to make her go faster too. Gritting her teeth in annoyance, Katara's pace became swifter, and she found herself at the bathroom a lot quicker than she had anticipated. It was only when Katara entered this bathroom she discovered that this bathroom was different than the one she had previously been in. This bathroom had a basin and a mirror and - Katara noticed ecstatically - running water. After relieving herself, Katara ran the water over her face, relishing its cool caress over her skin. She realized that Mai probably didn't know that she had taken Katara to the wrong bathroom, after all it was only her first time on bathroom duty. Taking advantage of this, Katara swiftly poured away all of the cabbage soup and refilled her pouch to the brim with fresh water. Sipping the running water, Katara looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a mess and her face still had traces of dirt on it. Ashamed that she had walked around looking like this, Katara quickly adjusted her hair and wiped her face vigorously. Nodding in approval at her reflection, Katara bended all traces of water from her face and hair; if Mai discovered that there was a sink in here, she would figure out that Katara had refilled her pouch. After one last gulp of water, she decided that if she stayed in here any longer it would arouse suspicion.

Opening the door, Katara stepped out and almost walked straight into Mai.

"You took your time." Mai hissed suspiciously, glancing critically up and down at Katara. Feeling slightly self-conscious under Mai's glare, Katara began to walk away. Mai hurried to catch up with her, then caught her arm and began dragging Katara. Katara tugged her arm away, but kept pace with Mai.

"I can walk by myself, thanks." Katara told Mai icily.

"You'll do what I want you to peasant." Mai spat at her.

"It's bad enough when Zuko calls me that. Don't you start." Katara muttered, glancing up just in time to see Mai blush slightly at the mention of Zuko's name. Quickly looking back down, Katara tried not to smile.

Aww, someone has a crush on the Fire Prince. How sweet, Katara thought. Then, with an unexpected burst of venom: They deserve each other.

It took Katara the rest of the walk back to the cell to mull over Mai's feelings. Considering the only emotions she displayed were anger and boredom, Katara was surprised that Mai could feel such a complex emotion such as love.

Katara walked into the cell, took one look at Zuko and began to smirk uncontrollably. She sat down on her mattress and began examining her fingernails, unaware that Zuko and Mai were staring at her as though she had lost her mind. It was only when Mai left with Zuko that Katara stopped smirking.

Could we use her feelings to our advantage? Maybe get her to help us escape? She wondered, looking thoughtfully at the locked door. However, she quickly disposed of this thought. It was too cold, too cruel…

Too Fire Nation.

"What's her problem?" Zuko asked Mai as soon as they were out of earshot of the Waterbender. Mai shook her head, muttered something about not knowing and looked away. Zuko rolled his eyes.

Were all girls this weird? He wondered. Or is it just the ones I know?

"How far are you from getting the information from the peasant?" Mai asked suddenly, raising her head back up, but not quite meeting Zuko's eyes.

Zuko considered telling Mai the truth; that although he seemed to be having conversations with the Waterbender, he could still sense her hesitation when she talked to him, as though she was choosing her words carefully. At times she seemed afraid of him, but Zuko wrote this thought off. She had nothing to be afraid of.

Apart from she's trapped in a cell with a Fire Prince who tried to capture her friend and repeatedly attacked her? Not to mention she is currently defenceless and you're getting restless to Firebend again, an annoying voice pointed out.

Oh God, Zuko thought, resigned. You're back.

He hadn't missed this voice at all in its absence, and he had been suffering fewer headaches than normal.

Admit it. You missed me, the voice said, but Zuko ignored it.

He realized that Mai was looking up at him for an answer to her question. Zuko thought about it for a moment more, then answered.

"I'm getting there."

Katara had been quite happily bending her newly acquired water around the cell when she heard the faint footsteps outside. Hurriedly, she bended the water back into its pouch then sealed the top. Trying to look as though she hadn't just been secretly Waterbending, Katara leant against the wall and examined her nails once more until the lock clicked and the door opened.

Zuko walked in and immediately threw her a suspicious glare. Taken aback momentarily, Katara was about to demand what his problem was when she remembered.

Zuko was probably taken to the same bathroom as me…which means he noticed the running water! Katara thought, trying not to let the panic she was feeling show on her face.

"Mai did you know that the bathrooms-" Zuko began, but then caught the Waterbender's pleading look on her face. Her eyes were wider than normal through panic, and she shook her head subtly at him. Zuko could take a hint. If he betrayed the Waterbender's secret, then she would definitely never trust him.

"…are really nice." He finished, lamely.

Nice? You couldn't have come up with something better? Oh I'm stuck with an idiot…the voice sighed.

The Waterbender breathed out (apparently she had been holding her breath) and became noticeably calmer.

"Well that's great." Mai said, expressionless. "I'll be sure to inform the Dai Li. I'm sure they'd love to know their cleaning efforts are appreciated."

Both Zuko and Katara stared at Mai and her sarcasm. Had Zuko ever heard Mai be sarcastic before? He racked his memories, but couldn't find any. Well, there's a first time for everything…

As if realizing her mistake, Mai turned on her heel and left the cell, shutting the cell door behind her with a loud clang.

As soon as she had gone, Katara turned to Zuko with grateful eyes.

"Thank you." She said, standing up.

"You're lucky she had no idea where she was going." Zuko told the girl, brushing off her apology completely. He felt bitter towards her for some reason, as though she shouldn't have dared to stock up on water.

Or maybe you're a little bit worried now she can defend herself? Or, possibly, attack you? Asked the voice, sounding superior. But Zuko knew

it wasn't that. He could beat the Waterbender with ease, he knew.

At one point in the fight, you had to save Azula from her, the voice pointed out. Maybe you could acknowledge that she might be at least powerful?

No. Zuko replied sternly. He would not allow some peasant to be stronger than him in anything, let alone fighting.

Katara couldn't help but feel annoyed that Zuko had brushed her off like that. She hadn't had to apologize; she could've just ignored him. But no. She apologized and he basically ignored her. But that was just Zuko. His moods changed faster than anyone Katara had ever known and to be honest she didn't know how to deal with it. So she just kept silent and sat back down. After all, at any point Zuko could change his mind and tell Mai about Katara's stash of water. After a moment of silence Katara decided to speak, to show how she felt about Zuko's ignorance.

"You know that Mai is into you, right?" She asked, trying not to let the malice in her voice show through.

Zuko looked up sharply and scowled. From what Katara could tell, he knew but didn't want to be reminded of it. Which of course could only mean that Katara reminded him of it.

"I mean, it's obvious from the way she looks at you." Katara continued, pretending to be oblivious to Zuko's glare.

"Why, because that's the same way the Avatar looks at you?" Zuko spat back, much to Katara's surprise.

Okay…what? She wondered. Opening her mouth to say something, she realized that there was nothing witty to say back to this. As evidenced by her next sentence of:

"What? No! He doesn't-"

Zuko raised his eyebrows at her, his anger dissipating at her obvious unawareness of the young Avatar's feelings for her.

"Doesn't he?" Zuko asked. "Come on. Even your blind friend can see it."

"Aang and I are just friends." Katara said coldly. "And I'm not going to sit here discussing that with you."

Zuko smirked, but nodded. "Fine."

"Fine." Katara agreed. She wouldn't allow anything Zuko said get to her; she wouldn't give him that satisfaction. But she couldn't stop thinking about what he said. Did Aang really like her? Gods, she hoped not. Aang was a part of her family, and she loved him like a brother.

After a few minutes, Katara leant against the wall again, going over Zuko's words in her mind. Troubled, she began to gnaw at her lip unconsciously. Soon, she tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth and stopped, unaware that Zuko was watching her.

"Do you do that every time you're worried?" He asked, genuinely interested. If she did, then it was a surprise that she still had any of her lips left.

"Only when the situation is this bad." Katara replied truthfully.

"I didn't know how much talking about the Avatar could upset you." Zuko said, as it became completely clear to him that she really had no idea how the young boy felt. It was obvious she didn't reciprocate these feelings, and Zuko did not want to be there when she told him.

"It isn't just Aang." Katara said, sighing. "It's everything." She turned her head away from Zuko and licked delicately at the small trickle of blood still coming from her lip.

"Life doesn't turn out the way you expect, does it?" Zuko asked in a quiet voice. Surprised, Katara looked back up. She had expected Zuko to tell her to stop being stupid, or something along those tactful lines. But she noticed Zuko tracing his scar when he uttered those words, and this both confused and saddened her.

"No." Katara replied. "It really doesn't. But if life went the way we all expected it to, then it'd just be-"

"Easy?" Zuko interrupted, his tone low.

Katara smiled and shook her head sadly. "I was going to say boring. But yes, I suppose it would be easy."

"Then maybe it would be better that way." Zuko muttered.

"What happens to us shapes who we are, Zuko." Katara told him gently. It seemed that they could have the best of conversations in unexpected places, if the catacombs had been anything to go by. Still, it was better than talking about Aang or any other touchy subject.

"I know." He replied, looking away. Katara was even more confused by this. She had never seen Zuko like this, looking so desolate and depressed.

"It's ironic, when I was young I used to wish that something interesting would happen. I used to hope every night before I went to sleep that something exciting would happen the next day." Katara sighed.

"Looks like your wish came true." Zuko told her, with no particular emotion behind his words.

Katara laughed bitterly. "Yeah, I guess it did. Because my mother dying, being chased halfway around the world and trying not to be killed on an almost daily basis was really exciting." She couldn't keep the biting sarcasm from her voice in this last line.

"I'm sorry about your mother." Zuko murmured unexpectedly.

Katara almost fell off the side of her mattress in shock. Never had she expected Zuko to apologize to her for anything, let alone anything as major as this. However, in attempt to keep her cool, she simply whispered: "Thank you." in return. Katara saw Zuko nod in the dim light, and he looked almost as surprised as she was at his apology.

Why did I just apologize?! Zuko asked himself frantically, I didn't kill her mother! She looks just as shocked as I do…dammit I shouldn't have said anything!

When the girl replied a soft "thank you" however, Zuko felt differently. Her eyes shimmered with something, something which Zuko could only guess was sadness.

Please, please don't cry, Zuko prayed. He didn't know how to handle crying girls, not having much experience with them in the past. To his immense relief, the girl began to smile instead. It was a sad smile, but a smile nonetheless. There was something in her smile that made Zuko almost feel like smiling too. I'm going insane, he decided. It was bound to happen one of these days.

Wanting to lighten the mood, he cast around for something to say. Noticing the pouch that he assumed carried her water, Zuko's eyes narrowed. He still wasn't sure if not telling Mai had been the right thing to do.

Noticing his gaze, the Waterbender smirked. "Don't worry, I won't drown you in your sleep." She teased.

"Like you could." Zuko replied, his quiet voice filled with confidence.

"Oh, I could." Katara assured him. "And it'd serve you right for making me drink that soup earlier."

"I thought you said that soup wasn't so bad." Zuko shot back.

Knowing she had been caught out, Katara laughed a little. "Well…maybe I lied."

"Maybe?" Zuko repeated, his eyebrows raised.

"Okay. I lied." Katara admitted, smiling. She lay down on her mattress and stretched out, noticing as she did that her side no longer hurt. It was good to know it hadn't been anything serious, otherwise she would've had to use her precious water to heal herself. Suddenly tired, Katara yawned sleepily and closed her eyes. She noticed the lights dimming and finally fading away around her and was grateful.

"I guess it isn't so bad here." Katara murmured, keeping her eyes shut. "You just have to ignore the food, the cold, the damp, the fact we're being kept prisoners and the décor."

"What about the company?" Zuko asked through the darkness. Katara thought for a moment then smiled a little.

"The company I can live with."

A/N:

Hey, I've got a maths exam tomorrow (panics) so I wrote this chapter to keep my mind off that. I suppose it's just a filler chapter, but I used it so that Zuko and Katara could talk some more. Hope you enjoyed anyway, thanks for the birthday wishes and the reviews. Oh, and please review this chapter :D