Thank you to my reviewers. I'm glad you like the story. Here's another chapter albeit a short one. Please read enjoy and review Thank you!

Oh and I don't own A:TLA.

Chapter 3: Conception

After a month and a half of waiting it was finally here. To say she was excited would be an understatement. Nervous – yes – but very excited. Yagoda had told her it could sometimes take a couple of tries before she actually conceived but Katara didn't care. She was going to the clinic and she was coming home with her pregnancy. She just knew it!

Zuko drove her to the clinic with a smile on his face. Her excitement reminded Zuko of when Katara had won her third gold medal. Partly from the satisfaction of how his plan was progressing so far and partly from observing Katara. He hoped it would happen after the first try. He didn't want Katara having second thoughts if it didn't work the first time. Getting there he got her door for her and hugged her when she got out of the car. "Ready to get knocked up?" he teased. Katara flushed a little but raised her chin up and said, "Let's do this!"

They got to Yagoda's office and took the seats she offered them. She greeted them with a warm smile and asked Zuko to follow a nurse to the private room where he would provide the semen sample. He joked as he was leaving "Hey Tara you could always come give me a hand." To which he got a mortified Katara hissing "Zuko!" at him with a glare. He left with a chuckle and was shown into a comfortable room with a flat screen TV and a DVD player. He noticed there were a couple of magazines as well. The nurse asked if he required assistance as she handed over a tiny cup with a lid. He looked at the middle-aged woman with mild horror and shook his head no. "Please buzz me in when you're done sir." With that she left Zuko to his own devices. He took a look at the cup and shook his head. They could have actually enjoyed making the baby naturally if only Katara would have relented for them to do it the good old-fashioned way. But then he was reduced to pornographic material and a little cup. He wouldn't be needing said materials though. He got himself comfortable and just drifted off into his favorite fantasy of himself and Katara in the shower…

Katara reclined on the chair with her legs up on the rests provided and felt a bit sheepish. She wondered which would have been more embarrassing. This, or having sex with Zuko. Then again, Zuko wasn't here to see her like this so this had to be better. And Yagoda had made sure she was comfortable. She had taken the sample the nurse brought over and prepared the syringe with the 'sean cat' attached and carried out the insemination 10minutes ago. She had 20minutes to wait before she could go home. In spite of the slight embarrassment at her current position she had a really good feeling about this. She couldn't wait till she could take the test! 'I could be carrying Zuko's baby any minute now!' Then she caught herself and amended 'My baby. Mine, silly.'

Soon the time was up and she got off the chair and got dressed and made her way to Yagoda's office where Zuko was waiting for her. When she saw him, she blushed but smiled widely at him and sat down. "So I'll see you in a month if nothing out of the ordinary happens." Yagoda smiled and said. "Good luck Katara." Katara beamed at her and said, "Thanks Yagoda. I'll see you." The older woman looked at Zuko and asked "Will I be seeing you as well, Zuko?" Zuko kept his eyes on Katara as he answered the older woman. "Definitely. Thank you Dr. Hahn." With warm farewells they took their leave. Katara turned to Zuko as soon as they got in the car, "'Definitely'? What are you talking about Zuko? You don't have to come to the clinic with me every time. I don't expect you to." He looked at her as he started the engine, "Tara I want to come with you. Would you rather I didn't? I'm still your best friend right? I just want to ok?" She looked over at him for a moment and seeing he wasn't joking said "Ok."

She asked Zuko to take her to the farm they got their vegetables and fruits for the café from so she could pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables. She felt like celebrating even though it wasn't yet confirmed she was pregnant. She had asked Toph and Aang over with the kids yesterday so she wanted to make some good vegetarian dishes as well since Aang was a vegetarian. Zuko obliged, anticipating a fun evening. It had been a while since he saw Toph and her husband. Toph was like a little sister to him. Considering the kind of relationship he had with his biological sister Azula, he would say she was the baby sister he never had. Aang was a good friend to him as well. The both trained at the same dojo. This was turning out to be a really good day. Seeing Katara so happy knowing he had contributed to it filled him with pride. If only she knew how much she loved her! 'But all in good time.' He thought to himself. They picked up the produce Katara wanted and headed home. He wouldn't let her carry a thing and that had Katara chuckling. "It's called pregnancy Zuko. It's not a disease. It's not even confirmed yet. Though I know I am pregnant!" He just smiled at her and said "I know Tara. I'm that good!" This earned him the usual jab in the rib, and they joked their way upstairs.

The evening went really well. Katara couldn't help noticing how good Zuko was with the twins. He played with them on the floor and let them climb all over him. And he looked like he genuinely enjoyed it. He even managed to hold the newborn quite well for a guy who hardly spent time with babies. She wondered how it was that she was seeing this side of Zuko for the first time. No wonder Toph had suggested him, if this was how good he was when he visited. They enjoyed the dinner Katara put together heartily and generally had a great time. The evening flew by and Toph and Aang had to leave. They made plans to all get together again as soon as was possible and took their leave. Zuko helped Katara clean up and sat on the couch with her after they were done.

"It's great to see you like this Tara." He casually put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her. Katara smiled up at him and sighed, "I thought this day wouldn't come Zuko. I can't wait to have it confirmed. But I have a really good feeling my baby is here finally. And it's thanks to your help Zuko. Thank you." With that she leaned up and placed a light peck on his cheek. Zuko couldn't believe how lucky he felt. It was just a peck for crying out loud. But he figured it was some sort of a building block. He would take whatever he could get. "Anytime Tara. Anything to make you happy." He said in his quiet raspy voice. They sat in companionable silence and enjoyed the Jazz music Katara had put on. Zuko could think of a number of things he'd rather be doing with Katara but didn't want to spoil things before it had began so he pecked her cheek good night and took himself off to bed – in his own apartment.

Katara took a shower, changed into PJs and got into bed later. She smiled to herself, imagining how Zuko would play with their baby like he had with the twins. She wondered how he would do with diaper changes though and chuckled quietly. Would he do feeding duty at night? 'Ok, how would he do night feeding detail considering he doesn't actually live with you Katara?' she chided herself. All the same she couldn't help daydreaming about how their life would be like after the baby was born till she actually drifted off to sleep. And she had a most pleasant dream indeed!