Title: Fighting for You
Pairings: ultimately Zutara
Rating: PG17/M
Warnings: Modern AU. Language, some violence, occasional citrus.

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.


Zuko had to admit her hand felt really good in his own. The brush of her knee against his and the way her head lolled onto his shoulder, the small talk pleasant, the silence golden, as they made the eight hour flight back to Ba Sing Se. Then Katara slid her hand under the shared blanket and stroked his inner thigh, meeting his gaze, and it took more strength than a hundred men to keep from taking her right then and there, settling instead for brief kisses and longing touches. The soft, warmth of her around him earlier that day had reignited the energy that he had suppressed for far too long. It was… nice. And he wanted more.

Hand in hand, like two sated lovers back from a holiday, they made their way through the busy terminal stopping at one of the overpriced kiosks for a bite to eat. Zuko was quick to notice how suddenly her demeanor changed once they passed the security area reserved for passengers only and entered the openness of baggage claim. She was stiff, as if on guard. He tried to take her hand again to reassure her, instead she slipped past him to grab her bag and his then silently made her way outside to wait for her driver to make their way through the traffic. Fumbling in her purse for a brief moment as if trying to extend their time together, Katara smiled and pulled out a pair of sunglasses, "You should have, what, a week or so off then back to training?"

"Yeah," Zuko answered, slightly puzzled, and getting more annoyed by the minute, at this change in her. Sighing, she nodded, "So Sokka should have the information for the next bout and I'll let you know all the details. Or I can let Jet know, whatever works for you I guess."

Just about ready to ask her what the hell her problem was her driver pulled up. She held out her hand and instinctively he took it pulling her a bit closer than he should have. Only when he moved to kiss her good-bye that she turned away from him, sliding the designer shades on. An equal surge of anger and abandonment filled him in that split second and he wanted to tell her to "fuck off".

"Too many eyes," she whispered, her gaze over the rim of the glasses turning towards the two men who stood by a newspaper stand trying desperately to be inconspicuous. She knew her men well enough to know full well they were watching them and there had been more. Not that she needed protection but he was still an outsider in their world and she was their princess. He understood and he too stiffened, trying to maintain propriety.

"When will I see you again?" Zuko asked, dipping his voice low as he waved away her driver and opened the door for her, seeing her shiver as his breath hit her ear. With more interest than he should have shown, he watched her tongue dart out to lick her lips.

"Soon." She smiled again at him up over the glasses and pulled the door closed leaving Zuko in the crowd of people clamoring in and out. The two goons approached him and nudged him in the shoulder. Thankfully his ride pulled up at the same time and Iroh cast a warning glare at the men from the driver's seat. The shorter of the two made some snide comment as Zuko slipped into the waiting car, slamming the door.

"A dangerous game you play with those people, nephew," Iroh chided checking his blind spot as he pulled away from the curb.

"I know. And you're late," Zuko breathed, Iroh answering with a shrug. Turning in the passenger seat, Zuko smiled, "Hey, sweetie."

"Hi, Daddy. Did you have fun? Did you win? Was it pretty there? I got an A on my math test. And it was hard! Did you bring me anything? " Liang beamed.

OoooOoooO

As she clicked through emails, entered in cryptic numbers onto spreadsheets to track the newest shipment of weapons they acquired earlier that week and all the other business aspects of her world, she caught herself smiling in that giddy kind of schoolgirl way. Thinking back she realized that Zuko was the reason. Remembering the smell of his skin, the feel of his hands all over her especially tangled in her hair, the taste of his lips, she shivered. To her surprise though, it wasn't just the sex. She liked spending time with him. And that kid of his made thoughts of one of her own pop up for the first time in her adult life. Happily she daydreamed, even humming softly to herself, until Sokka walked in, plopped himself in the guest chair on the opposite side of her desk, put his shoes on the edge of the desk and bit into the apple.

"Have fun in Omashu? You were late coming back home." he observed. Nothing got past him, though usually he kept it to himself.

"I had some things to finish up," she grinned nonchalantly back at him, smacking the sole of his shoe with her pen. "And get your feet off my desk."

"Something or someone?"

"Shut up Sokka. So what's going on? You don't usually come into my office unless something's wrong."

Sokka expertly tossed his apple core in the trash, instinctively lifting his arms in the air in victory when it made it in, then licked the remaining juices off his fingers. "Dad got word that there's some Nation folk poking their noses in our territory. Three chicks from the sound of it."

Katara leaned back in the chair, crossing her arms over her chest. "Has anyone watched them? Who are they? What are they doing?"

"No one knows," he shrugged, "Maybe your boy will know something. He's part of them."

"No he's not." The clipped words a bit more defensive than she planned.

"Not your boy or not part of them?" Sokka winked, half big brother teasing, half serious. Katara glared daggers at him. Her private life was none of his business. Lifting heavily from the chair, Sokka paused in the doorway running his hand through his hair. "Maybe you should ask him what he knows."

"He won't know anything Sokka. He's not part of it."

"You and I both know, once in, always in. He'll never not be part of it. I'll talk to Suki though. See if her people can put some extra eyes on them. Find out what they're doing here. Hopefully it's nothing but better safe than sorry." With that he was gone, leaving Katara to stew in this information. Didn't it figure? Just when things were going along great something had to come and screw it all up. Maybe these girls were nothing. Hookers sent to test the waters of Ba Sing Se so to speak? Her gut told her otherwise. She knew from listening to her father and those above her that The Nation was looking to expand. Unfortunately they would be stepping on territory long established and well earned and she'd be damned if they got past her.

Maybe a visit with the firebender was in order. The thought made her shiver in anticipation.

OoooOoooO

He had been back less than a week and thanks to Katara's healing back at the hotel in Omashu, his "recovery time" was spent being a regular dad, like before all this fighting nonsense. Only that the large paychecks made extracurricular activities easier to come by. Like the tsungi horn lessons Liang insisted on, and ballet, and naturally the new bike and latest Barbie set, and, short of the ostrich-pony she asked for, Zuko was more than happy to give her these things. They had gone to a nice daddy-daughter dinner at her favorite restaurant earlier in that evening and were curled up on the couch watching the movie they rented eating ice cream. About half way through the movie, in mid-scoop, there was a knock on the door. Liang practically slammed her bowl on the coffee table and bounded to the door. "It's Katara!" she happily exclaimed, yanking the Water Tribe woman by the hand to join them in the living room.

It had been days since he had seen her, having spoken to her on the phone only twice since their return home, and as much as he hated to admit it but he missed her. Yes, the sex had been great, but he missed that closeness to another body, the feel of a feminine form next to him, and seeing her smile. He couldn't get enough of that smile. And there it was now as she apologized for not calling before coming over, "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by."

Zuko knew she was lying- there was no reason whatsoever for her to be in the Lower Ring- but he didn't care. He rose from the couch, grabbing his bowl and Liang's to put in the sink offering Katara a bowl as well to which she declined. She looked fabulous as always, pencil skirt, button-down shirt opened at the top exposing her collar. He couldn't help but remember the way that skin smelled and tasted and what it had led to before. Liang skipped back to the living room announcing to Katara that she needed to stay and watch the movie with them, "If Dad doesn't mind?"

Katara turned to Zuko and when he was sure Liang wasn't watching he leaned in to sneak a kiss to which Katara gladly returned. "I'd love to watch the movie."

Once the movie was over, Liang insisted they watch another one which after less than half an hour she was snoring softly against her father's side. Maneuvering out from under her, Zuko lifted her up and carried her to bed. Softly closing the bedroom door behind him, he saw Katara's legs tucked under her and a humored look on her face.

"What?"

"Nothing," she smiled. He must have had a look that encouraged her though because she snorted out a laugh. "It's just, you know, in public you're kind of this hard ass and here… you're not. It's kind of sweet."

"Yeah, well, I've got more years of doing this than fighting." Katara murmured an "hmm" and snuggled close to him. Instinctively he put his arm around her and before he could stop the words, they spilled out. "I'm glad you came over."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." If that look she gave him didn't beg for him to kiss her then he was rustier than he thought. Tilting his head, he met her lips. He felt her smile against him, meeting his kiss with her own, then crawling onto his lap. Like a pair of horny teenagers, they make out on the couch, his hand crawling up the sides of her shirt to play with her breasts over her bra. Her fingernails lightly scraped across his scalp sending electricity down to the tips of his toes. Her hips swirled and ground against the bulge straining his jeans and he moaned into her kiss with each rotation. He wanted her so bad and he whispered this against the spot between her neck and ear.

"Where's your bedroom?" she husked back through little pants as he suckled on her earlobe.

"We're on it." Zuko feels her pull away slightly to give him a strange look. "It's only a one-bedroom and Liang got the room."

Katara arched her eyebrow as if not believing him then shrugged. "Are you busy tomorrow?"

"I don't think so. Liang's off tomorrow from school and I don't have to see Toph till Tuesday. Why?"

"Because I have a surprise for you."

"I don't like surprises."

"Yeah, well, you'll like this one. Trust me." She smiled again at him and glanced around the room. "How quiet can you be?"

Zuko coughed out a laugh, "Not tonight. I don't want Liang walking in. Sorry." It had happened before and when she was little it was easy to lie. Now it would be a little more challenging. Leaning up, he kissed that pout right off Katara's face. "You're not used to being told 'no' are you?"

Katara giggled wrapping her arms back around his neck, "It's been a while. Now kiss me, you fool." He didn't have to be asked twice.

OoooOoooO

"Where are we going?" Liang's nose pressed against the Lexus' window, watching an opulent world open up. Houses bigger than their entire apartment complex back home, wealth oozing from every pore of this neighborhood. For Zuko, while it had been a long time, he knew this world. Part of him glad to be back in it, feeling it was due to him for his rich bloodline. The other part worried.

Katara pulls up the drive way and turns off the car. She turns to Zuko and Liang. "Welcome home."

"What?" Zuko is more than puzzled.

Katara pulled her keys from the ignition and opened the door with father and daughter following after her as she made her way to the finely crafted front door.

"It's got five bedrooms, four and half baths, three car garage. Bonus room upstairs that would be perfect for an exercise room. Swimming pool," she began listing off all the amenities of the house as if she were a real estate agent, heels clicking against the fine hard wood floors, sliding her sunglasses up into her hair and setting her Louis Vuittan bag on the granite countertop. She ran her hand over the fine black leather sofa, "I took the liberty of furnishing it for you. I wasn't quite sure if it was your style or not but I have an arrangement with the furniture showroom so we can always exchange if you don't like it. Sokka insisted on the 52" plasma TV and all the other electronic stuffs and the pool table and something about a man cave. Personally, I don't see the point, but he's a guy and he says all men must have things like that."

She turned to face a stunned Zuko. Liang was already racing from room to room "oohing" and "aahing" over everything. "Why?" he asked.

"Because that ratty apartment of yours is hardly adequate for parties and social engagements fitting a man of your status now."

"I don't party."

"Well, you don't have a choice. You have to schmooze with the best of them if you want to keep on rising. Plus I'd like to have a nice comfy bed to share with you when I sleep over. That futon killed my back."

Zuko approached Katara and lightly rested his hand on hers. "Thank you." His words hardly above a whisper. He lowered his head and was a breath away from her lips. The sensible side of her brain was kicked to the curb as she rose to meet him halfway.

"Dad! I have a purple bedroom! And a chandelier! It's awesome."

Katara's eyes shifted around the room finally settling in his. She knew that look. It was the same one she recalled from years earlier. "Yeah, well," she swallowed thickly, and then patted him on the cheek. "I can't have my star living in poverty. Now let's check out the rest of the place."

Later that night, after having initiated his king-sized bed curled against his side playing with his fingers that rested on his chest.

"You know, growing up we didn't have much. We lived in a place kind of like where you used to live. Except there was four of us. Dad was just starting out in the organization and I guess he pissed off the wrong person or people or whatever because they came after us."

"Who?"

"The Nation." He stiffened against her and she felt it because she pulled away and sat up on her elbow to look down at him. Her expression softened to something he couldn't quite describe. Not pity, not humor, almost… understanding. "I know that's where you come from. I know those are your people-"

"They are not my people," he interrupted, a bit more brusquely than he intended. She simply smiled the comment away and continued snuggling back into his side, "I know. Maybe not anymore, but once in, always in right? It's how it is and there's not a La-damned thing we can do about that other than live as best we can, use who we need to use, and hope that it doesn't hurt the people we care about."

His fingers ran along her bicep and his eyes bored into the ceiling. He could tell that there was more that she wanted to say but was having a hard time figuring out how to say it.

"Zuko," she sighed heavily, "There's a rumor that a couple Nation groups have infiltrated the city."

"Who?" Instantly he was on guard. Again.

"We don't know. Sokka is keeping tabs on them and having Suki do the same." He saw her bite her lip. For the first time in the nearly year he had known her, she seemed nervous. "If you knew anything, you'd tell me right?"

Zuko tilted his head and narrowed his good eye at her, "You think I'm part of them don't you?"

"I never said that."

"But that's what you think." He pushed away from her and headed for the bathroom.

"I never said that," she repeated, slipping on his t-shirt and following him. "It's just we need to know why they're here, what they want, and I guess I figured since you were part of them, you'd know."

"I don't have a fucking clue, okay. They can all go to hell for all I care. And if they knew I was here, well, let's just say it'll be a really bad day for everyone."

He could see the wheels turning in her head trying to figure him out. "What happened?"

Zuko gripped the edge of the bathroom counter tight. For too many years he had pushed that part of his history away. Now if her intel was right and Nation people were here it was only a matter of time before they found him. It was all Katara's fault. He'd been thinking with his dick and not his head. He should have said no, to the fighting, to the rise in social status, to the publicity, to her. Just like Uncle always said, he never thought things through.

He felt her gentle hand touch his shoulder and slowly he turned to meet her gaze in the mirror. She looked distressed and it killed him a little bit that he had caused it. She repeated herself. "I know about the bounty even though it's so old now that most people have forgotten about it. What happened? I can help you. Please, let me help you."

For a split second he almost believed her. He'd been alone scraping by in this world, keeping everyone at arms length, even his beloved Uncle, then she pressed her fingers against his scar and he believed her. Falling into her open arms, he began.

"I was 12…"


AN: Thanks to everyone for reviewing, and faving and following despite my spotty updates to this thing. Hopefully I can find my muse to get it finished off.