"Please, let me help you."

Katara stared at the boy kneeling before her, begging for forgiveness and offering his assistance, a look of humble honesty on his scarred face.

Part of her wanted to let him join the group, to forget the past and welcome a new beginning. But the rest of her, the part that was still broken from Ba Sing Se, refused to let him get close, for fear that he might hurt her again.

"Everyone deserves a second chance."

Her mother's words floated back to her. Katara had only been a child when she heard the phrase, and had agreed with it whole-heartedly, unaware of the horrendous things people could do. Now she was older and wiser and wondering if everyone really did deserve second chances. Could a person as awful as the prince of the Fire Nation really change?

Her mind drifted to their conversation in Ba Sing Se. He had seemed so nice, so… different. Maybe, deep inside, that side of him still existed. Maybe it always had, and it was just struggling to free itself.

Katara looked into Zuko's eye's, searching for a hint of cruelty or bad intentions. She saw nothing but gold, honesty, and apology.

"Okay," she said. "You can come with us."


Author's Notes: Once again, this was written before 312 was aired... Yeah, not very creative or original, but I kinda like it.

Tell me what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own 'Avatar' or any of its character.