A/n: Thanks guys for reviewing- always a help! Love you guys and keep updating me- pleaseeee? Thanx x :) I know this bit is a little complicated- but when you get into- it's quite good...I think? Haha- hope you do too! x

Katara POV

'Urrrggh!' I opened my eyes groggily. How long had it been? For a few short hours I was back with Sokka and Aang, riding Appa's creamy, furry back and laughing in the wind- the waves crashing beneath us.

Back to reality and I was surrounded by a different ocean.

Red.

Lots and lots and lots of it. That could only mean one thing...?

I was in a ginormous, king-sized bed with a satin headboard, and satin drapes. The Fire Nation were obviously big fans of red satin. I peeked down at my battered body, it seemed an age since I was captured in that cursed port! I still can't get over the fact that the Pirate King had that stupid parrot on his shoulder. I mean, it wasn't exactly original was it?

Oh and that Pig-head (Zuko) still has my mother's necklace. The Pig.

'Ah, Peasant- I see you have woken up. Took you a long time.' Zuko snorted at me, appearing suddenly from behind an elaborate, crimson curtain.

Hastily, I wrapped the thick, satin duvet, which I had only just realized smothered me, closer around my weary body.

I still had a little bit of my pride intact. That included not revealing my semi-naked body to the satanic Fire Prince.

'Cut the crap, Zuko. Tell me where I am and how long I've been here- NOW!'

He smirked at my irritation. 'Or what, peasant? You'll waterbend and force me to? I think not- in case you haven't noticed but you're in the Fire nation now. And you have been for about 3 days so there really isn't much chance of escape.' He folded his arms triumphantly.

It was my turn to grin. ' There might not be much chance of freedom- but I've just extracted all the information I wanted out of you anyway, so thanks.'

He scowled and kicked himself. He didn't look amused as he straightened up again- his pride wounded.

A few moments passed before either of us uttered a word. I scanned the room, looking for somehting. Anything.

Damn he was right! No water in sight. No way out. I'm destined to stay here like some prisoner of war- wait!

What was the traditional escape plan for female prisoners of war again?

Distract the guard and run!

Perhaps, if I could...

Oh-I don't think I can even think it!

God!...seduce (eeeewwwww!) Zuko- he might hesitate and in that split moment of weakness- I would be able to break free, back to assist Aang. I mean, my mother's necklace was incredibly important to me, but the fate of the world depended on Aang. I had to make sacrafices.

But for now- it was time to get down and...erm...dirty.

I leaned forwards to the tensed Prince and continued until he began to back away.

'Zuko, I've never really noticed how handsome you are...' I purred, slinking further still towards him and agonizingly slow- I placed my hand on his chest.

It was surprisingly muscular, but I masked my face- this was an escape plan- not a time to be checking out your old adversary!

'..K-Katara..' Zuko stammered. I could tell by the flush on his face and the way that he stiffened like a board of wood- that he was both incredibly embarrassed by this and incredibly turned on.

Forcibly moving my hand to slide further down, I swallowed the upcoming vomit that was threatening to come up from my stomach. This was the most degrading thing- something I would never have imagined myself doing and yet it wasn't as bad as I'd feared (if I had ever managed to conjure up such a disgusting and frankly disturbing fantasy).

Zuko shivered beneath my touch, his shaggy hair hung around his face and softened it. Without the sharp, cutting way his dragon-tail had stretched from his temples- his face actually looked humane. More compassionate.

I grasped a handful of his silky, ebony hair in my fist and crashed my lips down on his. Forcing myself to respond to his moving lips, I pressed myself against him.

He had quite an impressive physique, so if I closed my eyes and imagined that it wasn't (urrgh ZUKO!)-him- it was tolerable.

Then he started to move.

I froze as his large hands cupped my waist, and ran down the small of my back to rest on my buttocks.

He didn't notice, he just kept losing himself with out tongues and touching me, feeling me.

I couldn't move, not from disgust or even fear- no I was... comfortable.

His hands, so quick to deliver a deadly blow, were uncharacteristically gentle. Like he were caressing something precious.

I moaned at his skilfully quick fingers and I found myself actually enjoying the experience.

I was drowning in him, he was drowning in me.

We were together, like nothing around us existed, like nothing could tear us apart.

I felt such happiness, such pleasure at discovering this new man.

I felt ecstatic and safe, locked in Zuko's strong, gentle arms.

That it until I woke up.

I was in a smaller, sized bed but it was still extremely comfortable. The room was again, a vision of scarlet and terribly ugly to the eye- for a waterbender at any rate.

'Ah, peasant- you are awake! Good, today I feel just in the mood for an interrogation.' Zuko smiled wickedly at me, cruelty held in his gaze. So different from the vulnerable, sensitive man in my dream. I wish I was back in it.

'I'm glad that I am good entertainment for you!' I spat back.

Surprise crossed his face.

'What did you say?' He jumped a little. He couldn't be nervous of me? A tinge of pink ran along his pronounced cheek bones. His dragon - tail still very much strung, tightly up. I preferred it down- like in my dream.

Or was it a fantasy?

God, no matter- all this weird I-Don't-Hate-Zuko's-Gut's-thoughts were creeping me out.

Then I thought of the implications of my previous words.

Oh, I understood now.

'Not like that- you moron!' I snapped, forgetting who I was speaking to.

He quickly reminded me.

'Owwww!' I screeched as his fist snatched my braids, furiously yanking at it.

'This is not the only form of torture I can devise!' Zuko shook his fist, only as it was attached to my head- my head lolled around also.

'Urggg! Get OFF ME!' I properly screamed, releasing my rage onto the Prince.

He ignored me obviously.

Instead he bent down and captured my lips with his own.

I sat rooted to my spot, waiting for the kiss to finish.

It didn't.

It just carried on, his lips were softer than in my dream and he seemed more lustful, more handsome.

I gave a slight whimper. I didn't know whether I liked this.

He broke off at the sound. 'Did I hurt you?' Genuine concern flashed in his eyes.

I shook my head, unable to speak.

What the hell had just happened?

As if he could read my mind, he placed his face slowly as not to alarm me, inches from my own.

'You're so beautiful, Katara.' His golden eyes twinkled warmly down at me. I started in surprise- what on Earth?

I didn't know how to escape this.

I didn't know if I wanted to.

It was like my dream, only now-I was the one who had no control.

'...Z-Zuko...' I stammered just as the Dream-Zuko had.

He loosened his grip on my hair, and started to move his tongue against my own. It was like a bizzare case of Deja Vu.

I pressed myself to his chest as I had done in the dream.

For the first time, he paused, before quickly carrying on with approval at my willingness.

We felt our bodies entwining and for ten blissful minutes we basked in one another's embrace.

Until I slapped him.

'Jeesh- what was that for?' Zuko protested, I ignored how wonderfully sweet and totally kissable his lips looked.

'For making me forget who you are!' I yelled. He was my enemy!

We weren't supposed to be kissing- that's not how it works!

Then I remembered my original plan.

He looked astonished as a foxy glint entered my eyes again.

'Never mind, as you said- there's no way of escape. You're so strong, I couldn't possible fight you. I may as well give up.' I sighed dramatically.

Stroke his ego- that's what men like. Well, according to the gossip of the tribe. Back when I used to have friends anyway.

'I'm glad you've accepted things. I wouldn't have had it this way if there was an alternative. I really didn't like hurting you Katara.' Zuko said softly, he wouldn't meet my gaze.

He was probably ashamed of what he'd done.

Could I forgive him?

After the war if Aang won?

Well, if I was going to stick to my plan of 'loving' him- I had to at least pretend to.

I just had to be careful and not actually let my heart get in the way.

Zuko POV

She was unlike what I had expected. I'd expected defiance perhaps, or maybe anguish at being torn apart from her friends.

I hadn't expected her to respond like that.

Uncle Iroh had made it clear that I should keep this 'courting' to the minimum. It was the kindest form of interrogation there was.

If I can get her to love me, I won't have to hurt her for answers.

If I can get her to love me, at least then I won't feel so guilty.

But why do I feel so guilty?

I need to defeat the Avatar. I need to gain my father's respect.

I need to reclaim my honor.

That's more important than the stirrings of a feeling I don't believe in, isn't it?

I glanced down at Katara, who had fallen asleep on my shoulder and was snoring softly away.

I felt a little tug in my chest.

I wouldn't expect her to forgive me.

But in those few moments of her embrace- I felt something strange.

I felt care for someone else.

With Katara, I could be the Zuko I wanted to be.

Not the fierce Prince whose merciless cruelty was famed throught the nations.

Not the Tyrant- father shaped me to be.

I could just be Zuko-

And that terrified me.