Fic for the third day of Zutara Week: FINISHED! :D

I must say, this is probably my favourite so far; finally some real Zutara-action!

I'm not really sure how I got the idea, I just couldn't let go of it...

And look, it's shorter than four pages - I'm proud! XD

I hope you like it!

*I don't own Avatar or any of its characters.

*EDIT: After reading a review, I realized I made a few mistakes considering Hakoda's military position. For example, he would be allowed to go home two weeks during his year away on a mission. If you find any other mistakes like this, please tell me (I don't know much about military stuff). Also, I realized that I didn't write it as though Katara or Zuko wore any helmets, which I suppose they should. But I guess the way I wrote it works, that they could be wearing helmets anyway? Please let me know if you think I should change it in the fic!

Motorcycle

Katara had always preferred to run.

Whenever she would feel too upset to stay still, she'd run. She felt like she had to keep moving.

Of course, if someone needed her, she would stay with them. That was one of her greatest principles; if someone needed her, she would never turn her back on them.

For example, when they had first gotten to know her mother had died, she had stayed with her brother and father until they both had fallen asleep. Then, she had sneaked down the stairs and out of the house. She had run all the way to the pier that lay on the other side of town, where her and her mother always used to sit down and have ice cream in the summer, hot chocolate in the winter.

Katara had gotten into trouble for running away that time though; she had only been eight years old and it had been an unusually cold November. Her father had been furious with her when they finally found her.

Then there was the day when her father had told her and her brother that his whole military division had been moved, and their whole family would have to leave their hometown; the place where Katara and Sokka had been born.

That was the only time Katara hadn't remembered to check if she was needed; she had just risen from the kitchen table and walked out into the summer heat and taken off. She had run around the whole town, stopping for a while at all her favourite places, including the pier. Then she had returned home, once she had calmed down and said goodbye to the only place she'd ever known, and just walked up the stairs to start packing.

Though, that had turned out well at last. Both her and Sokka had made friends in their new town. It was actually on the way to their new house that Katara had first seen Zuko, racing past them on his motorcycle. At the time, Katara had thought he was a lunatic; no sane person would purposely drive that fast. Her opinion on him had eventually grown to change though...

When Katara's father had told them that his division was to be shipped off to help in an ongoing civil war in some far corner of the world, Katara had at first been overwhelmed with sadness. Her and Sokka had spent most of the night sitting close to one another and comforting each other. That time she had let Sokka take care of her as much as she took care of him.

It wasn't until she had woken up the next morning beside her brother in his room, and the sadness had been replaced by anger, that she had left the house to run.

Yes, Katara had always liked running; it was a great way to let go of anger and a way to tune out sadness and pain. And it sure had helped her get through some of the toughest moments in her life.

"Do you trust me?" Zuko asked her over his shoulder.

"Um... that depends", she answered.

Zuko let out a short laughter. "Fair enough!" he shouted to the wind, and turned up the gas.

Katara screeched as the motorcycle's speed was at least doubled, and she tightened her grip around Zuko's abdomen. She was surprised the bike didn't take off into the sky.

She felt Zuko's laughter, rather than she heard it. She did hear a "Wohoo!" though.

Katara didn't have anything against motorcycles, actually it was rather thrilling just sitting on one. However, she just couldn't get used to the kind of speed Zuko preferred. She still kind of thought he was insane and that one day, he would drive himself to death. His reply to this was always just "That day, that sorrow."

Katara moved her head from resting against the back of his neck and peered over his shoulder. They were approaching the bridge that crossed the river running in a half circle around their town. Zuko was taking her to their secret hideout.

Katara pressed her forehead against his shoulder, a smile playing on her lips.

As soon as they had passed the bridge, Zuko started to slow down and left the main road, continuing down a small side road all surrounded by high trees. He hit the brakes when they reached the small opening beside the road that had become their place.

Zuko dismounted the bike stretched out his back. When he turned back to Katara, she crossed her arms across her chest and bored her eyes into his with a stony expression. "You speed junkie", she said in a cold voice.

As Zuko laughed at her comment, Katara's lips momentarily twitched before she could compose herself. Zuko didn't miss it and walked up to her.

"You have to learn how to drive properly", she said in the coldest tone she could muster.

Zuko reached up and brushed her lips with his thumb, knowing she could never resist that. "I am a good driver."

Katara stiffened at his touch and fought to maintain her cold expression. Giving up, a smile broke across her face and she caught his hand in hers. "It's not your ability to drive that's the problem. It's that you keep ignoring all the rules. You should count yourself lucky you've only gotten busted three times, and that Iroh was willing to pay the bails."

"Oh, but the rules are no fun! And for the record, I don't ignore all the rules – I've gotten a lot better at paying attention to them", Zuko claimed. "For you", he added and tilted his head to the side.

"Boot licker", Katara muttered. She would not fall for that one.

Zuko dramatically threw his hands up in the air and walked to the front of the vehicle. He knelt in front of the front wheel to check the new spokes he had installed only days ago.

Katara stood up from the passenger seat and watched Zuko. "This motorcycle really is your pride and joy, isn't it?"

Zuko looked up at her. "Sure as hell is", he replied and patted the driver's seat. "It's been with me during some of the most important moments of my life." Zuko rose and stood in front of her. Her eyebrows rose.

"The first time we met, for example", he said softly and offered a gentle smile as he stroked her cheek. "Do you remember?"

"Of course I remember – you almost killed Sokka", Katara snapped at him and attempted to turn around and walk away.

Zuko's hands shot out and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her back to him. "I told him I was sorry. Honestly, I didn't see him step out onto the road."

Katara's eyes met his and her expression softened.

"Then there's the first time we kissed", Zuko continued enumerating.

Katara raised an eyebrow. "No, I don't recall your motorcycle being part of that", she teased.

Zuko's smile turned into a mischievous smirk and he nodded. "Yes, it was there. I think it was something like this...", he trailed off as he backed Katara into the side of the bike. He then dipped his head and conquered her mouth with his.

Katara immediately answered his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. As his tongue caressed her lower lip, her legs gave in and she fell back onto the motorcycle.

Zuko's hands found her waist and hip, and he leaned down to have access to her lips as she practically lay on top of the bike now.

Katara's tongue found its way to his and taking a step closer towards the bike, Zuko's foot got caught on the kickstand. The imbalance was enough to trip him, and Katara with him, over the passenger seat and down to the ground beside the back wheel, Katara lying on top of him.

For a moment they just lay there, confused as to what had happened. Then they both burst out laughing. They untangled from each other and stood up.

"You probably should take me home now", Katara said with a sigh. "Before my dad starts to think you've abducted me."

Zuko laughed and pulled her close once more. "How he trusts me, that father of yours", he said.

Katara giggled and opened her mouth to reply, but was shut up as Zuko's mouth found hers again and he kissed her softly. They soon pulled apart and Zuko smiled down at her. "Let's go."

They both climbed onto the motorcycle and Zuko drove her home, without risking to break the road this time.

"I'm home", Katara called as she closed the door behind her and dropped her bag to the floor.

"Katara, come in here, please", she heard her father's voice coming from the kitchen. She frowned at the serious note in his voice.

"What is it, Dad?" she questioned and walked towards the kitchen.

Entering the room, Katara froze. Her dad was seated at the table, and next to him sat Sokka, currently staring intensely down at the dark wood with his brows furrowed deeply.

"Please sit." Hakoda gestured to the empty chair across from Sokka.

Katara slowly walked over to the table and sat down. She looked expectantly at her dad, waiting for him to tell her what was the matter.

"It's been two years since I last was sent on a bigger mission", he finally said.

The breath caught in Katara's throat. She started shaking her head. "No, no you can't...", she trailed off.

"I know it was hard the last time, but-"

"How long?" Katara interrupted him.

Hakoda looked her in the eyes, remorse visible in his own. "A year. Maybe one and a half."

The last time he had left, he had been gone for one year and three months. Katara and Sokka's Gran Gran had moved to their house to take care of them, and that was fine – she was great. But at that time, Katara and Sokka had felt completely lost without their dad. They had just moved to their new town, only two months ago, and they both had felt lonelier than ever. At least now, they had built lives here. It didn't make it feel any easier though.

Katara felt tears stinging at the back of her eyes. "A year", she repeated. "You expect us to go through this again? Sitting around, not knowing whether you're dead or still alive from one day to another, for a whole year?!"

Sokka suddenly rose from his chair, almost sending it tumbling to the floor, and walked out of the kitchen, slamming the door to his room shut behind him.

Katara turned back to her dad, who was looking at the now empty chair beside him with a frown. He then turned his head and met her gaze.

"Katara, if I had a choice, I would-"

"But you do, Dad", Katara interrupted him again, her voice loud and angry. "You do have a choice!"

Then she followed her brother's example and left the room. She continued down the corridor and stopped outside Sokka's room – she had to make sure he was alright. She knocked on the door twice and then entered the room.

Sokka sat on the floor next to his bed, his back leaning against the wall. "Not now, Katara", he said without looking up. "Just leave me alone."

Katara paused a second, before turning around and leaving the room. Out in the corridor, she ran a hand through her hair. She needed to get out of there.

She walked towards the front door, reaching for the door handle, but stopped herself before opening the door. Turning her head, she glanced at her bag lying on the floor. She picked it up and fished out her cell phone, then turned and left the house.

Walking down their driveway, she dialled the only number she had cared to learn by heart. It was strange; for the first time, she didn't feel like running. She didn't feel like being alone.

"Hello, my love", came Zuko's happy answer.

Katara ignored his charming greeting. "Zuko, it's my dad. He's leaving again. Can you come pick me up?"

She needed to say no more, Zuko had always understood her better than anyone. "I'll be there in ten minutes." Then he hung up.

Katara didn't want to think about how fast he'd be driving to get all the way to her house in ten minutes. Although, when he hit the brakes in front of her house, she found she didn't care anymore. She was too relieved to see him.

Zuko practically jumped off the motorcycle and ran to her with his arms open.

Katara crashed into his chest, letting him embrace her as tears rolled down her cheeks. He didn't need to say anything; he comforted her just by being there.

When they finally pulled apart, Zuko wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled softly down at her. "Where to, my lady?" he asked gently.

"I don't know", Katara said in a small voice. She thought about it for a minute, and then she knew where she wanted to go. "A pier."

Zuko nodded pensively. After a moment, his face lit up. "I know a good one", he said and took her hand, walking back to his bike. They both mounted it, and then they were on their way.

Right there, in that moment, with her arms curled around Zuko's body, hair flying in the wind and the warm light from the setting sun on her face, Katara felt complete. She could forget all about her worries and cares. She was moving – flying above the ground, with the person she loved. That was the only thing that mattered.

Katara had always preferred to run. But she supposed a motorcycle wasn't that bad either...