Title: Fighting for You
Pairings: ultimately Zutara
Rating: PG17/M
Warnings: Language, some violence, modern AU, some citrus. In fact, there is a lemon in this chapter.

Summary: Katara is the Princess of the SWT, a branch of The Tribe, a waterbending mafia based out of the North Pole, establishing themselves in Ba Sing Se. Zuko the banished prince of The Nation, a firebending syndicate, is involved in the amateur fight scene of Ba Sing Se. Katara's financial interests turn physical as they raise up in ranks but glory has a price when Zuko's past comes back.

OoooOoooO

"So, I heard you were single now?" her business associate commented, trying to be nonchalant as he mentally calculated the stack of bills inside the thick envelope Katara passed to him. Before leaving Omashu later in the day, Katara headed up north to some little Podunk town in the middle of, or what to her was, nowhere. Sokka, on his way home from a visit to the North Pole, waited for her in a diner where their designer threads clashed with the ripped vinyl seats and weary locals covered in dirt and grime. After a surprisingly delicious meal, they continued on to their rendezvous place to attend some family business. The morning after Zuko's fight, Toph, Jet and the crew headed back to Ba Sing Se. Katara insisted everyone go on ahead and she'd watch Zuko since he was still asleep by mid-morning when their flight was scheduled to leave.

She had met Sokka in a little diner on the outskirts there on his way back from the North Pole, to attend to some business where Toph, Jet and the crew had already headed back to Ba Sing Se while Zuko rested up a bit back at the hotel. He had taken a good beating the night before and sleep was his reward.

Under half-lidded eyes, she was aware of how he followed the sway of her hips in the tight skirt, high heeled boots crunching in the gravel as she sauntered over to him. "Haru," she smiled, patting him on the chest the manicured fingers toying with the buttons of his faux-military jacket, "You know I love you. You're the best but my personal life is not part of this deal."

He had been trying forever to get her attention but over the years of their dealings she had made it clear that she wasn't interested. Haru was right though. Katara had heard the rumor as well. How quickly things spread. Granted she had never quite considered herself coupled with Jet, it was easy for her to see why others would think that. Why, of all things, Zuko's face popped into her mind at just that moment, in a pool at night, nearly naked, that cautious little smile as he gazed at her in a way she had never been looked at before. The heat rose to her cheeks at the memory of the heat of his body so dangerously, deliciously close, the feel of that bulge pressing against the back of her thigh that could have offended her but didn't, the wide-eyed apprehension when she lead him to her bed, the comforting brush of his hand against hers as they laid together ignoring the noises next door. It had been the best sleep she had gotten in a long time.

"Hey, can't blame a guy for trying, right?" he laughed light-heartedly, kissing her offered cheek, thick black Fu Manchu-style mustache tickling her skin. Playfully she tugged at the strands that hung low on either side of his mouth, "When you getting rid of this thing? It's been years and it still looks weird on you."

He stuck out his chin defiantly, "I happen to like it. Surprisingly lots of chicks dig this look."

"I can just imagine," she teased, looping her arm into his, "Let's go see how the boys are doing." Following Haru from the parking lot to the shooting range where they heard the loud pops echoing against the rock walls. Sokka was having a fun time sampling their new merchandise with Haru's co-worker, Teo. His father, known for anonymities sake as The Mechanist, was the designer and Teo the salesman. A sweet and savvy young man, despite being in wheelchair, he traveled all over the world selling his father's brilliant designs to the highest bidders. Since The Tribe was his best customers, they always got first pick.

"Katara, you gotta try this bad boy out. It's freaking sweet," Sokka practically bounced up and down like a little child, offering the custom semi-automatic gun over to her.

"I had a couple of those Nation punks sniffing around for Dad's stuff, but I told them to kiss off," Teo explained, shifting into his wheelchair to make some minor adjustments to the weapon in his hand.

Putting on the protective ear and eyewear, years of training in weaponry, she carefully weighed the piece, noting that it was small enough to conceal, big enough to do some damage. Sighting the target down range and, flipping the safety off, the bullets met their target with a precision that impressed her to say the least. She let out a few more bursts until the clip was emptied. "Very nice. Tell your father he did wonderful," she agreed, pulling out the earplugs and carefully passing the weapon back to her brother. Glancing down at the name and number ringing through on her phone, she politely excused herself and headed to where her rental was parked. Phoning the caller back, she beamed in excitement at her personal acquisition, requesting the paperwork be couriered to her office for her signature when she got back into town. It was a hell of a deal and she hoped that it would be appreciated.

Leaving her brother behind to finalize delivery and such, she made the three hour drive back to Omashu in just under two. While she was craving a nice massage from the hotel's expert masseuse, she first needed to have a "chat" with that stingy bastard that ran the arena. He had screwed her out of the normally hefty profits from Zuko's win last night and he needed to be taught that such a thing wasn't in his best interest. Lucky for her, getting in his office had been easy, his bodyguards thinking she was there for "other" business. The fat slob in a horrid designer knock-off suit and even more horrid comb-over was a major pushover without his burly bodyguards so getting her cut had been simpler than she originally bargained for. Of course the shot to the balls and flash of her adorable little handgun probably helped her a bit. Crumpled on the floor, she knelt down beside him, angling away so that he couldn't see up her skirt, gun resting on her thighs. "Are you going to screw me over again?" she asked sweetly. He whimpered a bit finally settling on a "no". Katara helped him up, coddling him a bit "Good. This was such a fantastic place that'd I'm sure you'd hate to lose our business, yes?" He agreed while spinning the dial of the safe so that he could get her money. Beaming at the victory as the stack of bills were placed in her hot little hand, she graciously thanked him again tucking the envelope in her black leather pea coat and left him cursing that "fucking waterbending bitch".

La above, she loved when things went this well. Now she could go get that full massage. She had earned it. Maybe she should ask Zuko if he'd like to join her. Maybe he'd say yes. Maybe he'd be naked under the towel. Maybe she'd get a nice view as he got on and off the table. Maybe it'd lead to more when the masseur would leave. That sent a nice little shiver through her. Now if only this stupid traffic in town would move quicker.

OoooOoooO

Humming to herself, she knocked on Zuko's door. Waiting patiently, and then frowning when he didn't answer in a reasonable amount of time. Knocking again, a little bit louder this time, and waiting again, arms crossed across her chest, he finally answered dressed in baggy sweatpants and a plain black t-shirt, looking a bit worse for wear. A large bruise had settled across his jaw, a cut along his eyebrow and lower lip. From the way he held his side as he led Katara into his hotel room, Katara could tell he was hurting. Furrowing her brow together, she grabbed him by the shirt and hauled him into the bathroom ordering him to sit on the toilet and take off his shirt. Plugging the sink, she filled the bowl with water then gloved her hand in the cool liquid. Mentally she winced when she saw the huge black and blue bruise formed across his ribs.

"What are you doing?" he questioned, hissing when she pressed against his tender flesh of his side then sighing as he felt the pain magically exit his body and into the water surrounding her palms.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she replied, a tone of sarcasm, going from injured part to injured part, his personal medic.

"I didn't know people could do that."

"Yeah well. It's one of my many talents. Now shut up so I can't focus."

He was truly a brave guy to sit so stoically as she mended flesh, muscle, and the occasional cracked bone. It was strange to her to help like this. Part of her enjoyed this ability to heal others, but the fighter in her overruled any desire to pursue that aspect of her bending. She could feel his curious eyes following her movements, her face, flicking away when she'd meet his gaze. His chin rested in her palm while her other hand pressed across the bridge of his nose, mending the final cut.

"Anywhere else?" she asked looking over her handy work, running her fingers over his pale, well-defined torso checking for further injuries. Katara had to admit it felt nice under her fingers, so she continued oblivious to the hitch in her breath and the way his eyes slid closed and face softened yet was smugly aware of the goosebumps she left in her wake. Trailing along his abs, up his chest with only the smallest black patch of hair in the center, loving the broadness of his shoulders and the way they hunched just slightly, the arms well let's just say she would love to be held by them again much like two nights ago. It was when her fingers returned to his face and brushed against his that scar that he finally stood knocking Katara off balance just slightly.

"No, I think you got all of it," Zuko answered trying to bring them back to earth, rolling his right shoulder then his left, then poking his side with several fingers, a sense of awe and wonder in his expression. "That's amazing."

Katara simply shrugged letting the water out of the sink, "Like I said it's a gift. La knows I do a hell of a better job than Smellerbee, but don't tell her I said that."

In the mirror she watched him put his shirt back on, mentally frowning that she wouldn't have that nice view anymore then he left bathroom to start packing for the trip home. Standing in the doorway, a thought came to her. "You know when I first met you you said girls would come in to the locker room and ask you to sign their breasts."

Zuko paused folding the shirt to give a wistful smile at the memories. It was a great gig. "Yeah?"

Tilting her head down to hide her smirk, she continued. "What would you write?"

"You know, the usual. Thanks for being a fan, Love, Zuko."

"Love?" she teased, flopping on the bed beside his duffle bag.

"Yeah, well the girls would eat it up." La, she loved that little smile.

Licking her lips and looking him square in the eyes, she asked, "What would you write on mine?"

His eyebrow quirked, "Depends on where you'd want it written."

Moving from the bed to stand before him, Katara undid the top four buttons of her blouse pushing the material aside to give him plenty of room, hardly considering hiding the white lace bra beneath. Her hand ran across the top of her full breasts. "Here."

She saw him swallow thickly as if debating finally lifting his hand, extending a single finger allowing the tip of his finger to trace across her collarbone. "To Katara, thanks for all the support," his finger ran just above her bra, "You've been such a great fan." His finger trailed over the bra, intentionally or not, it brushed across her nipples causing her to shiver in the warm room, "I couldn't have come this far without you." He paused, again debating how far to take this, finally unbuttoning the last few buttons and yanked the material from her skirt, his entire hand ran across her belly down towards the edge of the skirt. "You mean a lot to me. Sincerely, Zuko Sozinaka."

"So you are a Sozinaka?" she wondered out loud. He simply nodded and ducked his head.

He rested his hands lightly on her hips, not wanting to be too forward given his minor confession. She already knew though. She had done her research before hiring him. And she sure as hell hadn't meant to take it this far. She wasn't supposed to want him like this but La above she needed him. Right here, right now.

"You know, if I had to sign your body," she began, pulling his shirt up and over his head with no protest whatsoever from this god before her, tossing it haphazardly on the bed. Her breathe caught in her throat as a finger trailed one letter at a time over his chest and down his belly, "D" over his clavicle, "I" over his heart, "T" at the top of his abs, "T" above his belly button, and finally the "O" circled around his navel. He was nearly crazy with want and so was she. Their eyes met again, questioning, seeking, answering, then lips lowered and angled and the next thing she knew, Katara was pressed against the mattress, his hands all over her, her hands all over him. His kisses were searing wet, playful yet demanding. She felt him fumbling to unbuckle her belt so she pushed away to help get rid of the annoying thing along with the skirt and hose leaving her in nothing but the bra and panties. Zuko's mouth devoured the softness of her belly, licking and nipping, shooting waves of desire throughout her core. Kissing his way up her body, against her neck through little kisses, he finally spoke. "You don't have any plans right?"

"I was going to get a massage but I think this is a better plan," she panted, nails clawing against his shoulders, body arching into his.

"Good. Because it's been awhile and I'd really like to take my time." His breath tickled, sending a whole new wave of sensations throughout her body. Katara tried desperately to come up with some kind of witty response but all she could get out was a feeble "m'kay."

She had seen this man fight, seen him brutalize opponent after opponent, she pictured that aggression here and now, that she would be at his mercy, but to her surprise it was quite the opposite. His kisses tender along the length of her skin, his touches soft despite the calluses, his weight pleasant like a heavy blanket of masculinity. It was as though she was a delicacy and he was starved. Then again so was she. With Jet, she had been the subservient, the one time in her daily life where she didn't have to be the boss, she could be that docile little thing her people wanted her to be. It only took a few moments to realize that with this man, this beautiful, scarred, compassionate man, that it was equal. For every length of skin Zuko kissed and caressed, she reciprocated much to his delight. They explored with fingers and tongues, lips and skin. Just when she had enough foreplay, she needed more, she demanded to be fucked.

"No condom," he breathed, looking earnestly up from between her legs, lips still moist from that wonderful orgasm he had just given her, kissing the tender flesh of her thighs.

"Jet was here, yes?" she rolled away to the nightstand opening the drawer. Good ol' predictable Jet. Granted she tried to suppress the wave of anger that he had slept with another woman here, but with Zuko leaning back on his heels wiping at his mouth, sweatpants looking about ready to burst open where they tented, she couldn't complain. Between two fingers she lifted the little foil square and waved it to Zuko. Leaning forward while pushing her back, he slid his hand up her arm and grabbed the condom from her fingers all the while kissing her. Enjoying the mix of him and her in his mouth, Katara finally broke away. "Problem solved."

She expected him to strip completely naked, throw on the rubber, and fuck her senseless. Instead, he questioned if this was what she really wanted. "What do you mean? If I didn't I wouldn't be here, silly."

"No, I mean… with us. You're kind of my boss and I have a kid and Jet and we're not dating or anything and I don't like the idea of just sleeping with you. I'm not a one night stand kind of guy."

"It's not night," Katara joked, wrapping her arms around his neck and trying to pull him back on top of her. Zuko pulled away and gave her that look that said now was not the time to joke around. Sitting up across the bed from him, she pulled her knees to her chest. "Sorry. Look, Zuko. I really do like you. I think you're sweet and nice and one hell of a fighter who makes me lots of money. You have the sweetest kid I've ever met and while I never thought of doing the whole "mom" thing I do when I'm around her. Yeah, maybe it's not appropriate of us to be doing this but like I said, I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to. I have a feeling you're the same way. I don't want to take advantage of you and I don't want you to feel obligated. If you don't want to do this, we don't have to. I'm sorry if I made you- umph." It was his turn to glomp her much as she had done in the pool. Frenzy as the remaining bits of clothing were removed amid wet, hot kisses, a moment of pulling away, the rubber rolled on that thick pale member, and with a gasp he slid inside her. She loved the way he held her just so, the way he kissed wherever he could reach, the heated way he met her gaze. It had never felt this way before. This was more than just the physical and they both knew it and it shocked them both. Flipping onto her stomach to distract from the intimacy, she offered herself to him. Clutching those two round cheeks he dove in, hard then slow, fast then soft, reaching around to tease the bud at the top of her mound or roll those chocolate nipples between his fingers. A beautiful string of obscenities escaped her mouth as she raised so close to peaking. Feeling from the way his grip tightened on her backside, she thought he would come with her, instead he ordered her to turn around. "I want to see you." Those little words sent such a thrill throughout her that she gladly obeyed. Within moments, the divine rocking, testing and angling to find that perfect spot until she arched into him, clutching at those broad shoulders, digging in tight to keep from losing herself completely. His body, hot and heavy, rubbing against her breasts, his grunts and groans muted by the spot between her neck and shoulder suckled on just so that sent her spiraling in time to him pulsing within.

The outside world ceased to exist. Just their breaths tickling sensitive flesh, the erotic scent from their union heavy in the air. Light kisses and touches entranced and soothed. Only this moment until his cell phone ringing finally broke the spell. "Sorry I gotta get that," he groaned, rising from the bed to answer it. Katara smiled like a Cheshire cat, practically purring, as she watched that fine bare ass walk across the room then frowned when he yanked on underwear and then jeans. Granted he had the right idea and she twisted from the bed and searched for her clothing scattered about the floor. She was pretty sure it was getting late and she knew they needed to get to the airport to catch their flight home. It'd kind of be fun to take a regular plane like normal people rather than the APPA-6, the best private plane model available. But first, a much needed shower then home they go.

Soaping up, she heard the bathroom door open, the glass door slide, and that sultry voice ask if he could join. "Of course," she replied offering the washcloth and her breasts. Grabbing it, he ran it gently across her skin then it was Katara's turn, healing any stray injuries she missed earlier or new ones created back in the bed. Washing each other off in silence, he finally wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her in close. The hard body of his curved around her soft one so nicely.

"This changes things doesn't it?"

"Only if you want it to," she blushed despite herself. He must have liked that because he tilted her head up and kissed her again. How on earth anyone could get sick of those kisses was beyond her. That Jin chick must have been an idiot. Between that awesome little girl and this incredible man,

"Yeah, I think I do." The simple words a whisper, almost a confession, and her heart sang for the first time in years. Katara had avoided "family" for so long fearful from what had happened to her own but she knew Zuko had been hurt too. Maybe this was redemption for both of them.