A:n/ Sorry I haven't updated in a while! Enjoy! Please REVIEW! Come on guys- I only have 11!

Zuko POV

'Hey.' A soft voice knocked me out of my thoughts.

Katara.

I mean water- bender.

I mean peasant.

Oh- flip.

'Hi.' I turned to a beaming face.

'Where have you been? You look far too happy.' I accused her gently. Honestly, I liked seeing her happy. She looked so pretty and- I mean…it made the plan flow so much easier.

'Iroh was teaching me to play Pai Sho, whilst instructing me how to tell the difference between bad tea and good tea. He really is friendly isn't he?' Katara grinned, obviously replaying her meeting with Uncle over in her head.

I gave her a rare grin. A real Zuko grin.

'Yeah. I'm glad you had a good time.' I said sounding almost genuine.

That's because it was genuine you idiot!

Oh-

'Thanks.' Katara's whisper was barely audible but it still knocked me out of my thoughts.

I was way too attached to this peasant.

'I'm going for a spar.' I said bluntly. I needed to clear my head- think things over. Without her beauty to distract me. She wasn't allowed above deck obviously- she'd tip the boat over. But, I did secretly desire her to spar with me in the sparring area on the first floor.

Katara nodded happily. 'I'll join you. You think the mighty Prince Zuko can defeat me?'

The corner of my lip curled. 'I'm sure he'll win it hands down.'

The next moment I was lying flat down on the wooden boards of the lower deck.

'Well, he certainly has his hands down. Although, he kinda got his ass kicked.' Katara leapt gracefully in front of me.

'Don't worry, I've got plenty more steam.' As I mentioned the word steam, the stuff actually poured from my mouth creating a very wah effect.

Katara's grin didn't falter. Did it ever?

'Well, I was just warming up myself.' She spotted a bathroom just beyond the limit of the area and quick as a flash shot out with a wave of water.

I hid my surprise and flung myself to the side and carefully aimed a fireball which she easily deflected. She impressed me with her fighting ability.

She felt cheeky enough to poke her little, pink tongue at me and did so.

I gritted my teeth. How I wanted to show this little peasant a lesson!

Yet, the Avatar was at stake here, I needed patience.

Damn it.

She twirled around me, making my head spin as my eyes tried to follow her. Then I saw a gap in her defences.

I feinted a fall, rolled on my side quickly and swung up behind her. She still had a very good chance with both arms free and a wave waiting at her command. I needed to do something quick!

In order to distract her I gave her a quick blistering kiss.

She froze, my intended plan.

'Yah!' I cried striking her with more force than I meant to.

Katara stumbled to the floor, only just managing to jerk her hands out in front of her.

She landed with a sickening crack.

I peeked down, the bone was definitely broken and I could smell the coppery scent of blood.

Urgh.

Is she okay?

Why would you care?

I need to!

You need to act like you care. There's a difference.

But, you wouldn't treat your enemies with such disrespect. Not when your own holds so much value to you.

Oh- shut up!

'Katara!' I heard myself say. Hastily, I ripped my shirt off to act as a make-shift sling.

She mumbled a few incoherent words but was otherwise very still.

That's when I saw crystalline tears peeking from the corner of her eyes.

Her mouth was set in a very determined line and her eyes were burning with a feverish fury.

'You idiot.' She snarled, her eyes were watering but the depth of cerulean wonder overcame my rage at her insult.

To be fair- she was hurt. And I did cheat.

Life's not fair, Zuko! Remember the Agni Kai- your father? Was that fair? You tried to protect those men, tried to do the honourable thing and yet you were the one who ended up being punished. Life is life- get over it!

Shut up! The Agni Kai is different. I have a choice- I don't have to be like my father. I can make a difference to people. I can choose the right thing.

You're a coward, Prince Zuko.

No- my name is Zuko. Just Zuko!

You're weak.

I'm Zuko. I'm hers.

'Hold on Katara.' I heard myself whisper to her limp form.

She had completely tensed up and was still giving me major evils.

I scooped her easily up and carried her to the healers- bridal style.

For a brief moment I could allow myself the luxury of what it might feel like- if I were not Prince Zuko.

If Katara and I were just what we really were. Just a boy and a girl.

If only...

'You idiot.' Came another angry whisper.

Even though she insisted on insulting me (weakly), she still snuggled up against my bare chest.

I shivered at the contact of her body, she was a waterbender- so her skin was cool. Like ice.

Was it wrong to think that is felt good?

My own fiery skin hasn't been cooled by anyone's touch except Uncle's. And his body temperature is identical to my own.

Nobody else would dare to touch the Prince- and here this peasant was, practically embracing me.

But you let her, you made the choice to carry her.

Shut up!

I sighed at my own inward battle.

It never used to be like this. There was a single goal-

Capture the Avatar-= reclaim honor.

That was it.

Now Katara had to come and...mess it all up.

Katara whimpered slightly as I gingerly made my way down below deck. I tried to move her as little as possible but it was impossible not to jostle her a little.

The healer got straight in with the problem.

'Okay, your highness. It is a messy break, the bone has splintered- the blood is just where the bone has penetrated the skin. She may take at least a few weeks to heal without assistance. Of course, water benders have healing powers- so if you chose to allow her access to water...'

I nodded in understanding. I couldn't take her above deck- not yet.

I didn't know how she would react if I gave her a little lee-way or freedom.

I couldn't keep her chained but, I could monitor the amount of water that she got access to.

'After you've finished dressing it, take her to my chambers.' I ordered the woman.

'Your chambers, your highness?' She asked astounded.

Normally, I would have beaten her for such audacity to question my order- however I didn't want to upset Katara, who was in pain and more than a little stressed.

I couldn't explain the impact of her presence. It was like she made me...calm.

Water cools fire- until there is nothing left.

Would there be anything left of me when she was finished?

Did I want there to be?

Katara POV

Oh that son of a-

I won't say it. Mother always told me that etiquette can be used by anybody. That no one is worth bad-mouthing. It is a waste of time and energy.

Damn I wish I could though.

Think of the plan, Katara.

God, this should be so much harder!

So why do I find myself melting in his arms?

The fire in my arm is burning and I can barely feel the trickle of blood that runs to the crook of my elbow.

Then Zuko just had to come. Just had to be a gentleman.

Just had to help me.

Why didn't he let me suffer?

The unselfish monster.

Now, I'm not even making sense!

Isn't this what I wanted? For Zuko to finally be humane?

Not if it jeopardizes my plan, I can't grow attached to him. I can't be attracted-

God- I am seriously screwed up.

3 days ago, I would have gladly watch Zuko die for what he has done to my people, to my family.

Then he just had to show a nice side of him.

Typical men- just when you think you've got them all figured out-they always go and surprise you.

He had ripped off his shirt and I remember him holding me against his naked chest. He was so warm, so strong and his muscles...oh, how many times did he train to get those kind of muscles?

Zuko's abs were freaky and majorly sexy.

I mean- eww. Gross. Zuko. Sexy. In the same sentence!

What is wrong with me?

I blame it on the kiss.

It took me completely out of the blue and for some godforsaken reason- I don't want it to stop. Goodness knows what insanity was rushing through my mind when I actually wanted him to continue.

Then he saw the weak thing I am and promptly whacked me to the floor.

Finally, something I could hate him about- but NO, the stupid idiot has to go and apologize.

Then I feel my stupid heart go all soppy and before I know it- I've already forgiven him.

For making me a cripple.

'I'm so sorry. I swear I didn't mean to hurt you, Katara. I-I shouldn't have cheated- it was wrong and I deserve every insult you throw at me. How can I make you forgive me?' The words sounded odd and foreign coming from Zuko's mouth. They sounded...nice.

I fluttered my eyelashes- okay so I was laying it on a bit think but come on- the guy was practically on his knees!

'Umm.' I moaned for effect.

'Does it hurt?' Zuko's face was filled with concern.

'.I...I guess there is something you could do for me...' I mumbled weakly.

'Anything.' He shot back right away. Then he added for good measure

'Within reason of course- I couldn't release you or anything.' He blushed.

I nodded, making a hurt face and pretending to release a groan of pain.

His face was inches from mine.

His eyes were so beautiful, so golden so...

'Kiss me, Zuko.'

What?

What the hell did I just ask for?

Zuko's brow furrowed in confusion.

Then his lips pressed gently on mine.

Oh God.

I was hungry for it- why?

Why wasn't he pulling away?

Or for God's sake- why wasn't I pulling away?

I was forgetting everything, Aang, Sokka...

Zuko.

Zuko

Zuko, why oh why couldn't you have just stayed evil?

Why did you have to make me love you?