Ummm…yeah, so I've neglected this little story. I want to, no need to, finish it! This chapter is a lot of fluffy goodness…just in time for the holidays.

Thanks for the reviews…you actually got me to keep working on this story.

I do NOT own the characters.

Speakeasy: Chapter 3

What did he mean, 'a night to remember'?

The meeting must have officially been broken by Jet's comment, because the Freedom Fighters all got up and left the room, discussing various shady and legitimate activities as they departed. Katara twisted her hands nervously. Never having been in a situation like this – a mysterious club, a boy she liked, the opportunity to smite some Fire Nation soldiers – it was enough to make a girl's head spin. Katara was so intent on her problems that didn't realize that her brother looked like he was going to explode.

"Sokka, are you—"

Sokka put up his hand, obviously not wanting to speak until they were in the relative seclusion of their shared room.

Once inside, Sokka burst out, "Why are we even considering this?! We need to get the hell out of here and head back to the airport!"

Aang and Karata looked at each other.

Katara angrily tucked one of her hair strands behind her ear, "I don't know about you Sokka, but I think this is a way to avenge Mom."

"What are you talking about?"

Karata really wasn't sure what she was talking about but she continued, "So far, we've always been on the run, well, what about taking a stand for once?!"

Aang nodded, "Seriously. I mean, the Freedom Fighters have only helped us, maybe we should think about returning the favor. Plus, what if there is going to be a fire? They need our help."

Sokka gathered up a thick wool coat, slung on a scarf, tucked his boomerang into his belt and headed out the door.

Karata asked angrily, "Just where do you think you are going?"

"I'm going to find out if what Jet wants us to do is legit."

His sister's blue eyes flashed, "We're supposed to be his guests tonight! Why are you questioning him?"

"Excuse me if I don't really feel like partying." The door slammed behind him.

With Sokka gone, the room seemed to shrink a little bit.

"I wonder what his problem is?" Katara mused aloud.

Aang prepared to mediate, sitting on the floor, "Perhaps you are both dealing with your mother's death in different ways, or maybe Sokka is threatened by Jet, either way I don't get his 'feeling.'"

"Pfft." The Water Tribe girl continued softly, "I'll leave you alone for awhile."

"Thanks Katara."

With hours to go until the party that evening, lots of pent up anger regarding her brother and his kind of crazy behavior and unresolved emotions towards the mysterious Jet, Katara knew she had to fill the time or she would go crazy. Wandering through the elaborate club, the petite waterbender found her way to a small patio that had a small natural spring running through it. It was a perfect spot to release some of her tension through waterbending.

She had been practicing for long enough to work up a sweat and had long ago removed her suit jacket when she felt someone watching her. Wiping her brow, she turned around, and asked, "Can I help you?"

A piece of straw flipped from one side to the other. "Here in the city, I don't get a chance to meet all that many benders. You're really talented."

"You sound as if you're surprised." Katara was a little disappointed. Has he just been flattering her up until now? Was it all an act?

Ignoring the comment, Jet unhooked his blades, slid down his suspenders, cracked his knuckles and said, "I haven't had a chance to spar today."

Katara smiled sweetly, "I'm sure one of the Fighters would be willing to help you with that."

"I want to fight you." The straw was still.

A current filled the small courtyard. Katara looked at what she was wearing. The navy suit that has seemed so cute this morning now seemed impossibly tight and she was tottering in the high stacked heels.

You're not going to back out of a fight on account of your wardrobe, are you?

Hardly.

Katara immediately put herself in an en garde stance. The Water Tribe girl had only recently committed herself to higher level water bending moves and hadn't fought anyone except Aang and her brother since obtaining a priceless scroll, and so was unprepared for the lighting quickness and agility that Jet seemed to possess. In the blink of an eye, he was at her side with the blades dangerously close to her neck. She gasped, tripped over her feet and fell over. Turning red, she was beyond mortified when Jet extended a hand to hoist her up.

"Thanks," she said, looking at the ground.

"You going to actually try this time? I'm not afraid to hit a girl, you know. The one time I tried sparring with Smellerbee and I didn't go all out, well, she almost castrated me."

Katara stifled a giggle, took a deep breath to calm her mind, kicked off her shoes and nodded seriously at Jet, "Ok, I'm ready."

The next hour passed quickly. Katara didn't even realize the passage of time until she quickly froze a puddle under Jet's feet when he was backing up to get traction. He slipped and ended up flat on his back. Katara used the moment to grab one of his swords. Victorious, she stood over him and asked, "Do you yield?"

Although Jet had won the majority of their duels that afternoon, he smiled up at her and said, "Let me think about it a moment."

When Katara realized he was using the moment to look up her skirt, she flushed and quickly stepped away.

Jet smiled and stood up, pulling out a battered pocket watch. With the straw twitching, he asked, "I've got to take care of a few things before the festivities this evening. See you tonight?"

Out of breath, Katara panted, "You bet."

As Katara worked through some cooling down excises, she wondered at Jet and 'their' situation.

Wait a minute, are you basing a relationship on an hour worth of sparring?

No, maybe, I don't know…

It's times like these when I really wish there was another girl traveling with us.

Walking back to her room, she thought that there was no way they could even have a relationship, because after she and Aang helped the Freedom Fighters, they would have to be on their way, intent on reaching the North Pole. Wistfully, Katara realized that in this war torn world, the thought of "settling down" with someone seemed next to impossible. The waterbender didn't resent traveling with the Avatar – Aang was her friend and after their weeks of travel, a comrade as well – but what if she, Sokka, and Aang teamed up with the Freedom Fighters and they all went to the North? Was it possible?

Are you kidding yourself?

Katara knew her momentary fantasy was impossible. Jet had worked hard for what he had here, in this place. He was obviously important and supported a number of different people. The brunette rolled over on her bed and hugged a pillow tight, wondering if there was some way that Aang could learn to stop time.

Just for one night…

Katara closed her eyes, exhausted from the intense fighting with Jet, vowing to herself that when she woke, that no matter what tomorrow was going to be about, tonight she would enjoy herself. With that final thought, she closed her eyes and promptly passed out…

Katara awoke to see Aang checking himself out in the mirror.

"Where's Sokka?" she mumbled.

"I don't know, but do you think this is too much?"

With the exception of spats on his shoes, Aang had pretty much dressed exactly like Longshot.

Although slightly worried at her brother's whereabouts, Katara smiled at the young man, "No, you look great. I guess I slept longer than I meant to. I'd better get ready, huh?"

"Yeah, I'll see you at the bar," Aang said with a happy smile on his face.

"I'll catch up with you soon."

"There was a bag that arrived for you. I left it in the wardrobe," Aang called on his way out the door.

Curious, Katara opened the large wooden door to find one of the most beautiful dresses she had ever seen hanging delicately from a hanger. It was midnight blue and in the height of fashion. Shorter than anything she had ever worn, the fringes on the dress seem to shimmer and sway like a river. There were silver heels to match and one small box that remained unopened. Katara opened the pink box and saw cream tissue paper. Digging through the paper, she pulled out a set of dainty garters and stockings and a delicate chemise. Katara immediately turned beet red. She had never received any sort of gift like this before. Stepping back to give herself some air, she noticed there was a note attached to the dress which read, "You won't have to spar in these tonight…"

Katara blushed harder. From she and Sokka's humble beginnings, she had never had anything like this. There hasn't been extra money, or ever a reason to get dressed up for anything. The Fire Nation had taken all that away…

Not tonight…

Tonight, Katara felt that her best retaliation would be to have an amazing time. In the bathroom, she had found cosmetics and had fun experimenting with the different looks.

You wouldn't be trying to delay going to the party tonight, would you?

No…

Then get out there…wouldn't want to keep him waiting, would you?

Not exactly…

Well, if you take any more time in here, I wouldn't be surprised if found another girl to spend the night with.

That thought was enough to send Katara scurrying towards the bar. Walking in, the scene was better than her wildest dreams. Everywhere she looked, people were having fun. A band was playing a hot swing tune, glasses were clinking, people were talking and laughing. All the guests were dressed to the nines.

"You belong here," a voice whispered in her ear.

Katara didn't have to turn around to know who was speaking to her. She recognized the same smell from yesterday evening. She asked hesitantly, "Me?"

"Yes. You and Aang could do a lot of good for these people."

"Really?" Katara resisted the urge to lean back into Jet's hard body.

"I promise. Now, do you dance?"

Katara froze. While there were many fun and exciting things that she missed about her homeland, she had to admit that she was utterly clueless when it came to the dancing styles and steps she saw taking place on the dance floor in front of her.

Jet put a comforting hand on her bare shoulder, "That's ok. I'm a good lead. Shall we have a drink first?"

"Of course…"

Katara allowed herself to be led to the polished wood of the bar. The bartender immediately focused on Jet, "What'll it be, Jet?"

"A bottle of champagne, our finest!"

"Only the best for you, huh Jet?"

Jet's eyes darkened as he looked at Katara, "Yes."

Katara's cheeks pinked and she was glad Jet was busy gathering the bottle and glasses. Still following Jet, they made their way to the VIP section, walked past a smiling Pipsqueak and sat down at a secluded table for two. Katara winked and blew on the bottle which was instantly ice cold.

Jet raised his eyebrows, "That's a nice party trick."

Popping the cork, Katara squealed and Jet poured two glasses. Raising the champagne flutes, he said, "To the future."

"To the future."

Katara didn't know if it was the combination of champagne she has been drinking or the jazz band or the dancing, but when she and Jet got to her door, with a lot more confidence than she actually felt, the brunette slowly removed the straw from Jet's mouth, ran it across her own lips and dropped it to the ground. Jet's brown eyes grew large for the briefest moment, then slowly closed. Under hooded lids, he asked quietly, "Are you going to give that back?"

"What do you think?" Katara blinked her ocean blue eyes innocently.

"Then, I think you're going to have to pay," he answered in a husky tone.

Jet's arm came up to lean on the wall beside her and his other hand he brought her in close. Dipping his head, the Captain of the Freedom Fighters kissed with a gentleness that surprised Katara. He pressed his lips to hers softly, taking his time until Katara felt his tongue urge her mouth open. From there things heated up quickly… Katara's hands went around Jet's neck and into the thick shock of dark brown hair. The hands that posessed all the dexterity during the sparring earlier today seemed never to be still over her body tonight. The Water Tribe girl had an unnatural need to feel Jet's skin underneath her hands. Still kissing him in the middle of the hallway, she slowly brought down the crisp white suspender straps, deliberately unbuttoned each of the buttons on his dark vest, taking time to caress his tight midsection. Going on instinct alone, she then untucked his shirt and ran her fingers over the hard, hot planes of his stomach. Whatever she was doing must've been the right thing, because she was rewarded with a groan from Jet that ended with her name.

"Katara!"

It wasn't Jet's voice that was calling.

AN: Whew! Hot stuff. Please review!

So one or two chapters more…and I think you know how this is going to end.