Author's Note: Thank you to the two people who reviewed last chapter, I-Am-My-Own-Biggest-Mystery and KnivesAndPens13. Come on guys, I know there's more than two people out there reading, so make sure that if you're one of them, you're leaving a review at the end of the chapter! Reviews make authors feel happy and encourage us to keep writing. If you're a penmonkey yourself, surely you understand. If you're not, just try to. I enjoy writing this story a lot more than I'd intended to when it started out, so please show me that you enjoy reading it.

Anyway, on with the show!

Chapter 14

Ba Sing Se seemed to be humming quietly with the life that existed during school hours. Katara weaved through the sea of bodies without looking into the faces of anyone who passed her by. Somewhere behind her, Zuko followed less seamlessly, trying to catch up.

"Katara, wait," he called out when he was close enough. "Katara, that's not what I meant when I said that."

"Really?" she said doubtfully, without slowing down. "Then what did you mean, Zuko? Tell me that."

He grabbed her by the arm. "I meant that it didn't mean anything between Jin and I. Not to me, anyway."

She pulled her arm away from him. "Then why would you do it?"

"She kissed me! Not the other way around. And hey, what was I meant to do?" He finally caught up with her properly and pulled himself around in front of her, forcing her to stop. "Katara, I left her straight afterwards. I didn't mean for it to happen."

"So what about last night then?" she asked, defensively.

Zuko felt himself blushing. "Last night meant a lot. I did mean it. And I liked it. And I'd like it to happen again some time." She stood with her hands on her hips. "I didn't leave you right after it happened last night, Katara. My uncle didn't set us up on a date in an attempt to help me socialize with girls; I did that part myself, because I wanted to."

Before she could answer, a deep voice called out. "Hey, shouldn't you kids be in school?" They both gave a start as a uniformed man approached them.

"Sorry, Sir," Katara said bowing. "We're running a little late. We were just on our way."

"A little?" the man repeated sarcastically. "You've missed your whole first class by now. I'm afraid I'll have to escourt you the rest of the way to make sure you're not wagging."

They knew better than to argue with a policeman. Heads down, they started walking silently towards the school. The man followed them closely and neither of them spoke a word to each other or to him. The school building was dauntingly quiet as they approached. After signing in at the office, the policeman left them alone and they moved off to their respective classes. Just after the bell for lunch sounded, the PA system called their names with Ms Joo Dee's voice to the front office again.

"Ah, how nice of you to join us today," she greeted them. Zuko leaned against a wall, head bowed. Katara stood with her arms crossed over her chest and looked daringly at the teacher.

Mr Long Feng appeared. "Nice of you, but unfortunately, you were very late. What is your explanation for this?"

"We slept in," Zuko grunted without thinking.

Ms Joo Dee gasped. "I find this highly inappropriate. I do not wish to become involved in the personal lives of my students, but I cannot accept this as an excuse. The way in which you conduct yourselves outside of school should not have a negative impact on your education."

"Yeah, we get it," Katara snapped. "We don't need the lecture. Look, we showed up as soon as we could and we're sorry we were so late. What more do you want from us?"

If it weren't for the Botox, Ms Joo Dee would have been glaring. In her inability, Mr Long Feng did so for her. "Your attitude is inappropriate, Katara," he said. "You should apologize to Ms Joo Dee for speaking to her like that."

Katara clenched her fists and opened her mouth to argue, but Zuko put a hand on her shoulder and she controlled herself.

"I'm waiting, Katara," Ms Joo Dee said impatiently. When the girl still did not apologize, Ms Joo Dee cleared her throat. "There appears to be something missing from the confiscation box in my office, Katara."

She felt herself stiffen. "What might that be?" she said airily.

"Your sketch book." Ms Joo Dee stepped up to her and grinned right into her face. "I believe you stole it."

Katara frowned, trying not to give herself away. Her lips trembled in an attempt to find words, but before she could push them out, Zuko cut across her. "You mean you lost it," he said. "Would it be so hard to admit?"

Both teachers rounded on him. "How dare you!"

"And as for inappropriate," he continued. "I'm pretty sure fucking in your office is worse than either one of us being late, or the content of the sketchbook."

Ms Joo Dee's face turned bright red in an instant and she turned away, mortified. Katara had to stifle a laugh. Mr Long Feng, on the other hand, was just as bewildered, but not as speechless. "How dare you!" Zuko hardly flinched as Mr Long Feng raised an arm as if to strike him. Katara gasped and prepared to lunge forward. But the blow never came. The two men stared each other down until Mr Long Feng lowered his arm. "Detention after school," he said venomously. "Both of you." He left them with that and they found themselves suddenly alone.

"You shouldn't have done that," Katara said quietly.

He shook his head. "Why not? They were being assholes to you."

She gave a short laugh. "Thanks."

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked, rubbing his arm.

Katara shook her head. "No. I'm sorry. I just got caught up in what you said and didn't stop to think. I overreacted."

"Don't be sorry," he said, stepping towards her. "It's not your fault. I probably would have reacted the same if it was the other way around."

She shrugged. "Probably. I'm still sorry."

Zuko shook his head. "Don't be." His arms snaked around her waist and he pulled her closer, planting a light kiss on her lips. The sound of footsteps announced approaching teachers, and the pair quickly stepped apart. "Let's go."

Within seconds of leaving the front office, Katara heard someone hiss her name. She turned to find Suki. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Oh…" Katara fumbled. "Right."

"Yes, right, you have no idea how hard it was for me to lie to your brother about who you'd gone out with and where you were while I was worried sick! I thought you were going to come back home."

"I had meant to, but we… kinda got deterred. It started raining and we just ran back to his place instead," Katara said, indicating over her shoulder.

Suki glared at him. "I tried calling you. Why didn't you answer?"

"My phone's dead. Sorry… I really had meant to come home though!"

"It's my fault," Zuko said. "I got us lost in the park after dinner and we kinda didn't find our way out until it was really late and raining. I figured my place was closer…"

Suki huffed. "Whatever. I guess I can see that you are safe. Can you please be a little more communicative next time?"

Katara smiled awkwardly and nodded. "What did you tell Sokka?"

"I told him you were out with a friend and when you didn't come home, I told him that I thought you'd been saying something about a sleepover… Katara, I was freaking out! Please, never do that to me again…"

Katara could help giggling. "Sorry, Suki."

"And you," she said, pointing to Zuko. "You treat this girl with respect, you hear? I've got my eye on you…"

Zuko put his hands up defensively. "I hear. I think she could probably kick my ass if I tired anything she didn't like."

"Damn right," Katara smirked, elbowing him in the ribs.

Suki frowned, considering Zuko for a moment. Katara's heart plummeted to her stomach as she realized that Suki had worked it out. "Katara… is he…?" She didn't finish her sentence, but a the question was obvious. A silent tension enveloped them for a moment as Suki stared at him. Katara looked between them, panic building up inside of her.

"My father is dead to me," Zuko said suddenly. "But yes, Ozai is my father."

Suki's face was expressionless for a moment and Katara waited anxiously for her reaction. "Katara…"

"Suki, please, don't say anything to Sokka yet."

She hesitated. "Fine," she said. "But you had better tell him soon. I can't keep this up much longer, especially now that I know this. No offence, Zuko, but I'm not sure I trust you, knowing who you are."

He frowned but nodded. "That's understandable."

She turned back to Katara. "I hope you know what you're doing. I'll see you after the home bell. Sokka and I are going out with a few people for something small to eat before we go home. Wanna come?"

Katara smiled guiltily. "I can't. I have detention."

"Again?" Suki sighed. "What for this time?"

"Being late this morning. He's got one too."

Suki shook her head. "Good job, guys." She gave a short laugh. "I'll see you when you're home then, Katara."

She nodded. "See you."

Author's Note: I think Katara can just be glad that Suki is a pretty cool person, because Sokka would totally freak out if he knew what the hell was going on. I see that Ms Joo Dee and Mr Long Feng aren't denying Zuko's daring accusation. Though, Mr Long Feng, I think your reaction was a little rash. What did you think, my dear readers?

Please be kind and leave a review if you've read the chapter. I would like at least three reviews, or there will not be an update. Come on, impress me. You sure knocked my socks off last time I asked. Do it again. I'll reward you with another chapter and more Zutara goodness! I promise! Review!