Katara watched Zuko and Mai out of the corner of her eye. It was disgusting…really really really disgusting. How could Zuko be so…for lack of a better word, fluffy?

Katara was disguised as a servant in the Fire Palace. What had started as a simple recon mission had snowballed into something worse.

She had planned on becoming a cleaning maid, finding stuff out, and getting back to the others. But Mai had seen her and requested she become a handmaiden. Azula granted her friend's wish and the next thing Katara knew, she was following Mai around, making sure she got whatever it was she ordered be brought to her. And whatever Zuko wanted.

It was bad enough she was working for part of the Evil Angels, as Toph affectionately called them, but to be working for Zuko? Sokka would never hear about this.

Katara supposed it was a miracle that Zuko hadn't recognized her and called her out.

Or Zuko was really as stupid as he acted.

"Ursa, go see what's taking the wine so long."

Katara bowed and ran off to tend to Mai's order, but not before seeing Zuko turn around…and his eye widen.

She was in the gardens that night when he found her.

"The Avatar is alive, isn't he?"

Inwardly, Katara screamed in anger. Outwardly, though, she turned to face Zuko, eyes down, using her Painted Lady voice.

"I wouldn't know, my prince. Lady Azula says you defeated him," she replied, striving to keep the venom from her voice.

"Don't give me that. I know you're not a Fire Nation handmaid," Zuko spat quietly. "I know you're the Waterbender Katara and I know you used that Spirit Water to heal the Avatar. Why are you here?"

Katara looked up at the prince. "Why do you think?" she asked. "It was supposed to be a reconnaissance mission, see how things are in the capital, and your girlfriend decides to make a handmaid out of me!" The Waterbender crossed her arms.

"I won't hurt you if you tell me where the Avatar is," Zuko replied coldly.

"You've already sent that bounty hunter with the freaky tattoo after us! Why ask me?"

"Because-" Zuko was cut off as guards rounded the corner. The prince grabbed Katara and stuffed her in the bushes against her protests.

"Prince Zuko, why are you out so late?" a guard asked.

"None of your business. Now, continue your rounds." Katara was surprised to hear the guards obey. She stood from the bushes as they left.

"Sounds like you got your honor back, Prince Zuko," she spat. "Now, why do you want Aang?"

"Because once Azula and my father realize he's still alive, I'll get another scar," he cried. "I have to kill him!"

Katara snorted. "No, you don't. You could have taken my offer. You could have listened to the old man. You could have realized Azula's a nut job." She paused, looking at the sky. Smirking, she turned away. Before she was completely gone, she called back.

"You could come with us when we break the old man out of that rotting cell."

My first "Not Obviously AU" oneshot! I'm getting hang of things again...

RnR!