A few days passed and Aang was still working on the Avatar State. Not that anyone minded; it gave them time to rest up and recuperate. Unfortunately, every time Zuko and Katara got a moment alone, Sokka did something to interrupt.

Finally, Zuko got fed up with it. Katara put something in her bag every night; Zuko would leave a note telling her to meet him somewhere Suki's voice wouldn't reach so he could talk to her. Like on Appa.

That morning, before Katara came in, Zuko dug out her handbag. He was about to put the note in it, but stopped when he saw one addressed to him.

Zuko, it read, I know you went through my bag, either before or after I told you. I had arranged the things in here in a certain way and they weren't like that that night. Knowing teenaged boys, I knew eventually you'd go back to see if anything new was in it or something.

I really need to talk to you, and soon. If you want, meet me at the western pagoda at ten the day you read this.

By the way, don't go through my stuff again. I'll freeze you in your bed.

Katara

Zuko had the distinct feeling that Katara knew what he was thinking, but let it slide. It was almost ten now…he could make it.

Hiding the bag again, Zuko set off at a run to get to Katara. With any luck, Sokka would be at the eastern end of the temple.

As he ran, he remembered his…dream, if you could call it that. It was more fantasy than dream, really.

Zuko was lying on his bed at the Fire Palace when Katara came in. She spotted him and went over. Zuko sat up, pulling Katara into his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he started to gently kiss her neck.

"Zuko…I missed you," Katara muttered, giving Zuko more access by moving her hair and cocking her head. "Remind me to never go to Omashu without you."

Zuko chuckled. "Of course. I don't know what I was thinking, letting you go." He started to recline, pulling Katara with him. The Waterbender giggled and started kissing Zuko's scar.

"There are perks to being separated from you for two months, though," she reminded him. Zuko growled and nipped her neck gently.

"No, there's not."

"Oh, I definitely think there is."

That was all Zuko cared to recall. The rest of it was…vividly satisfying, to say the least. If he hadn't woken up when he had, Zuko might have needed new sheets.

Katara was standing at a balcony, waiting. Dimly, Zuko remembered the story about how his uncle fell in love with his aunt. Aunt Li had been waiting for him at a balcony in the Fire Palace.

"About time you peeked," Katara teased. "I've been waiting here everyday for a week, since I told you the hiding place." Zuko rolled his eyes.

"Am I that predictable?" Katara giggled.

"No. I just know you too well." Katara smiled softly and took Zuko's arm. "I'm just glad Sokka is on the other side of the Temple right now. There is no way Suki could reach us, and if I do hear her voice, I'm ignoring her. Unless Sokka's half-killed himself or something…," she added as an afterthought.

Zuko smirked. "I think the quiet would be a nice change. And there would be more food." Katara laughed and swatted Zuko.

"That's cruel." They stood looking out over the balcony for a few moments. Finally, Zuko broke the peaceful quietness.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Katara nodded and starting gnawing on a strand of loose hair, a nervous habit.

"I…I, uh, I…I think I, um, oh, gods, this is embarrassing…" Katara trailed off. I hate hormones….

Zuko looked at her. He could tell she wanted to tell him something (and he thought he knew what), but she couldn't. "Does it have anything to do with what that guru said?" he asked gently. Katara snorted.

"If it wasn't for that guy, I never would have realized that I fell so hard," she said.

"Fell?" Zuko carefully coaxed her out. Katara nodded.

"'Fire cannot burn you'...It only burns when you fall in it." Katara let that part die out in her voice.

"You've lost me."

"I said fire only burns if you fall in it," Katara repeated. Zuko brought Katara closer.

"What about water? Can't it douse the fire?" he whispered.

"What if the water doesn't want to douse this fire? This fire is passionate, enchanting, powerful, warm, and different from most fires," Katara replied. "This water wants to let the fire burn and boil her away."

Zuko nodded. "What would happen if the fire didn't boil the water? Maybe the fire thinks the water is soothing, gentle, and beautiful. The fire might want to be doused by the water." He brushed Katara's face with his hand. She rested her head on his hand.

"Isn't this too soon?" she asked. Zuko recalled his dream and shook his head.

"How long have I been traveling with you?"

Katara paused. "Two months, give or take."

"How long have I known you? From the time we first really interacted to now."

"Seven months, maybe."

"That's almost a year. Katara, I…" Zuko couldn't say it; he was never very eloquent. He merely leaned down and kissed her.

It wasn't a long kiss, or a particularly sensual one. It the kind of kiss you expect your first kiss to be like, with the right person; it was simple, yet beautiful.

Ask Katara, though, and she'll tell you that Zuko's kiss lifted her so high, she thought Appa might have to come get her down. Ask Zuko, and he'll tell you the same thing.

When they parted, Katara fell into Zuko's embrace. Stroking her hair, Zuko murmured gently in her ear. "All I can say is this had better not be a dream," he whispered. "I might break something if it is." Katara giggled softly.

"Well, it doesn't feel like a dream, and I've had a lot of dreams concerning you," she admitted. Zuko smiled. Thank Agni. Katara continued.

"I'm almost afraid to go back. I don't want Sokka to come in and get all mad at me for kissing you." Zuko nodded and remained holding her against his chest.

Little did either teen know, Guru Pathik and Aang were watching. Aang was heartbroken at first, but then realized Katara had liked Zuko for a long time, since he had saved her from the Dai Li, more than likely. Nodding his approval, Aang turned to his Guru.

"I think I'm ready."

Viola! They've kissed, and Aang should be done with his chakra stuff in the morning.

Now, before people get all "How is Aang so accepting?!!?!?!?", I want to point out that he has been chakra-training for a week. He's gotten used to the idea that there is someone out there for everyone, and if anyone deserves a decent girlfriend, it's Zuko. (Basically, the first day or so of this version of the training consisted of figuring out which spirit guarded who and the paths of stars and fate being written in the stars.) Besides, he trusts Zuko and knows that he won't hurt Katara.

And I know I'll probably end up putting this in another chapter as Aang's explanation of his acceptance to Sokka, but pfft.