Judgement

Chapter Twelve- Pain of Mind

Pain of mind is worse than pain of body.
-Latin Proverb

"So what did your men need to talk to you about?" Katara asked wondering why Zuko just stood there in the doorway.

"Nothing important. Don't worry." He said finally moving. He walked over to the wardrobe. There was something different about him but she couldn't figure out what.

"Is everything okay?" She questioned, bending her neck to try and see what he was getting.

"Would you wear something special tonight?" He never answered her question.

"It depends on what it is." She replied still trying to see.

Zuko pushed aside the clothes in the wardrobe and went to the back of it. He pulled a nightgown out on a hanger, covered in plastic. He turned around with it in his hand. Katara was awe stricken.

"Wow…" It was a very beautiful red silk nightgown. The red meant to represent fire, looked warm and gentile. The only design on it was a few flames outlined in stitching on the bottom of it. It was a little more revealing than her current nightgown, falling about two inches from her knees and it would show a little more of her chest. It wasn't to the point that she would be uncomfortable in it though. "You want me to wear that?" She asked as he walked forward to give it to her.

"It was my mother's." He told her. She looked up at him and let a smile cross her face.

"I'd be honored." She took the gown from him and he stepped out to let her change. "Wow." She sighed again.

When Zuko heard the knock on the door, he reentered. Katara stood by the bed, hair flowing over her shoulders in the traditional engagement Fire Lady's nightgown. She would make one hell of a Fire Lady.

She smiled and spun around slowly before asking how she looked. Zuko just nodded before going to the other side of the bed, following his normal routine to lay down. She quickly followed him.

"So what's the occasion?" Her voice floated through the darkness.

"Don't ask so many questions." He told her obviously not wanting to answer. He was in a bad mood but wasn't being mean which confused her.

"Goodnight." She offered cautiously.

"Night Tara." He whispered. She couldn't help but smile at him using that nickname again. She rolled away from him and closed her eyes.

Zuko groaned in his mind at his own weakness as he turned to her and threw his arms around her. He was not happy with what he knew.

This was going to be the last night that she allowed him to hold her. He knew it was over, everything. He was going to be her enemy again after tomorrow. She would realize that he wasn't worth anything, realize she didn't want him, that he really was just someone she should fight. Her stay with him would mean nothing to her.

Katara turned to face him and wrap her own arms around him. Her touch soothed and burned him at the same time. He tightened his grip like she was about to disappear in his arms. He felt her tighten her own hold on him and buried his face into her hair. He never wanted to let go of her.

She slowly fell asleep with a smile on her face. Zuko stayed awake, a sad look on his face. He gently placed a kiss on her forehead letting it linger for only a few seconds. He wouldn't allow himself to get swept away tonight. It would just cause him more pain, her too probably.

"I'm sorry." He whispered and pulled her closer to him, slowly falling into a restless sleep.

God it's short again! Bad news, the chapter after this is short too. Sorry! I'm trying to lengthen it. But good news is you get to find out for sure what Zuko's going to do about Aang and Katara. The story is coming to end soon though...Oh well... Review and until next time everyone! TTFN