"Whenever I'm alone with you, you make me feel like I am home again." - Lovesong, The Cure

Northern Water Tribe

Sokka walked with an excited bounce in his step. Trudging alongside of him was his wife, Suki—who was twelve weeks pregnant and exhausted. His calloused hand held hers, and he led their way through the halls of the Northern Water Tribe base. Sokka had come to surprise his baby sister with a visit. He was all the more excited because they had wonderful, surprising news to share with her. She was the one last in the dark, and he couldn't wait to see the look on her face. Katara loved babies.

"The guards said Hahn's quarters were at the end of this hall," Sokka informed his wife, knowing very well that she was tired of being dragged by him. Yelling, "Knock, knock," Sokka pushed the large makeshift animal hid skin door to the side and immediately stopped in his tracks. Beside him, Suki let out a small gasp. His grip on Suki's hand tightened before he let go; taking a step forward with an accusing finger flying up.

"What in Spirits name is going on here?" He yelled, watching as Hahn jumped away from a short, choppy haired woman he had pinned to an icy wall. Surprise, shortly followed by anger quickly crossed Hahn's features as he looked at his intruders.

"Sokka…? What are you doing…here?" Hahn asked with his own voice equally as high. He raised his arms to indicate he was talking about not only his room, but the Northern Water Tribe. Hahn might not have been much taller than Sokka, but he was much more muscular. He crossed his arms over his chest as he squared his shoulders—trying to intimidate the fellow warrior.

"We're here to surprise Katara. Why isn't she here? Who is this woman, and why is she kissing a man who's taken?" Sokka inquired, unfazed by Hahn's threatening position. His tone of voice held a threat that did not go unnoticed by the other Water Tribe male.

"She did not come back with me. She's not due to arrive for another month. This-" he pointed to the blushing woman, "-is Kyo, my girlfriend."

"You two-timing…I knew I didn't like you! I didn't back when you were engaged to Yue, and not now when you were with my own sister. I kept my mouth shut because she seemed happier when she was around you, with her accident and all, but I knew you weren't good enough for her!" Sokka cried, outraged. He took another step forward, his hand subconsciously reaching for his sword at his side. Hahn eyed Sokka's hand placement before smirking.

"I guess you'll be thrilled to find out that we're engaged." Kyo gasped at Hahn, and Sokka seethed.

"Not if I can help it," Sokka hissed. "Come on, Suki, we need to head back to port. We're going to visit home." He grabbed ahold of his wife's hand and started to turn—only to feel Suki leave his grasp.

He watched in bewilderment as Suki strode forward, muttering something about a disgusting pig, and slapped Hahn hard across the face. Kyo let out another gasp—Sokka assumed that's the only thing she knew how to do—and a thick tension settled around the foursome. Hahn glared at her as he slowly turned to straighten his neck. He seemed to be contemplating whether or not to react as he rubbed his sore cheek.

"I think it would be best if you didn't return to the South Pole." Suki said, sending a warning glance to both silent Northern Tribe members. As she turned around, Sokka smiled as their hands locked.

"Thanks for doing what I should have."

Suki sent him a sideways glance. "No problem. I made sure it had enough impact for Katara as well."

"Good," he smiled, "I'm sure she will thank you as well."

His breath was warm on her face. Their bare bodies clung together like two pieces that were meant to be whole. His golden gaze locked her in and he smiled. Brushing loose tendrils of hair away from her face, Zuko leaned down and planted a soft, delicate kiss on her parted lips.

"I feel like this is the time, Kitten." He purred, nuzzling her neck. One kiss, one bite, one kiss, one bite.

"I hope so," she smiled. "If not, we can always do it again."

Zuko chuckled, lowering his head onto her bare chest. His disheveled raven hair tickled her tan skin and she suppressed the urge to yelp at the sensation.

"I don't think I'll last another round," he replied. "I used too much energy to try and keep up with you just this last time." She didn't have to look at him to know he was smirking. He was right; after all, she could be hard to keep up with at times. Zuko closed his eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat as she came down from her climax.

"I love you, Kitten."

"Not as much as I love you." She said, running the tip of her fingers down the back of his head. As she combed through his hair, she closed her eyes and they fell into a silent contentment.

Suddenly, it seemed as if she could hear her own heartbeat in her ears—the pounding growing louder with every passing second.

Katara opened her eyes to realize that it was not her heartbeat that she was hearing, but that someone was knocking on her door. In her inappropriately dressed state, she pulled the blanket up to her chin and yelled for them to enter. A second later, Zuko's dark head of hair came into view. Cheeks flushing, she offered a slight smile and watched as he leaned against the wall near the foot of her bed.

"Good morning," he greeted. "I've been informed that we shall be docking within the next hour, but I figured I'd wake you since breakfast is ready."

Holding tightly onto her blanket, Katara slowly sat up in her bed. If he isn't fazed by the dream, neither should I be, Katara scolded. She gave Zuko a once-over and furrowed her brows slightly.

"Good morning yourself," she responded. "You seem like you have been awake for a while." At this, he smiled.

"I rise with the sun and all that…" he trailed off as he inspected her more closely. "You're not properly dressed, are you?" It was Zuko's turn for the tinted cheeks as they fell into a momentary silence. Looking down at her lap, she shook her head.

"No," she blushed. "It got fairly hot in here last night, so I stripped off my clothes in a fit of frustration." She eyed the clothes in the middle of her floor. Zuko seemed highly entertained by his lack of observation.

"Here I am making small talk when all you probably want to do is get dressed," he said, laughing as he pushed off the wall. He leaned down, picking up the scattered articles of clothing, and set them on her bed. Their eyes connected, and Katara felt herself being locked in—just like her dream—and she thanked him. "I'll be waiting outside if you'd like to join me for food. I came to escort you to breakfast."

"I guess I shouldn't keep you waiting, then." She said as she smiled, watching him retreat from her room. Once she heard the door clink shut, she let the blanket drop to her waist and she stretched her arms above her head. Sighing, she braced herself for the day ahead of them, and the atmosphere that would surround them. She knew better than to think that they would talk about the dream—or connect the parts—of the dream they had last night. He seemed enough like a gentleman to know better, and she certainly was not going to bring it up.

"What's it like to rule your own nation?" Katara asked, setting down her chopsticks. She looked up at her companion, who was being eerily silent as they sat at a small, round table. Her question seemed to snap him out of his reverie, however, because he looked up at her respectfully before answering.

"It's challenging," he replied. "At first, I had a lot of recuperating to do since I had to clean up my father's mess. People were wary of my ruling, since I was the youngest to take the throne, but they have slowly warmed up to me. It's exhausting, but rewarding once things are on the right track. Although, I probably wouldn't be doing as well as I am if it weren't for my uncle." Zuko laughed as he picked up his cup of tea and took a small sip. Katara smiled.

"Your uncle is a very wise man. I wish I had someone like him the first few months after my coma," Katara admitted. She picked up her chopsticks, idly playing with the komodo sausage mixed in with her bowl of rice. "I felt like giving up a lot."

"I remember Sokka's letters," Zuko shared. "He was really worried about you. Said you cried a lot, or disappeared for hours at a time. He constantly begged for me to come down and visit you, but I couldn't at that time. My country…" he trailed off, a slight frown appearing as he stared down at his tea cup.

"You have the biggest responsibility out of anybody I know," Katara defended. "I understand completely. On top of the emotional pain…I can't even imagine. I'm sorry."

"You have no reason to be sorry, Katara. I'm the one who should apologize. I wanted to be there for you, but I just…couldn't."

"Isn't that what we are here for?" Katara asked, offering a smile. "A fresh start, remember? I'll put the two year time span behind me if you will."

"I can try." Zuko muttered honestly.

"You strike me as the type that can't get over something until you feel as though you've made up for your mistake," Katara let her chopstick fall onto the table with a clank as she placed a hand on top of Zuko's. "Would it help if I said that you were forgiven? All I want is to start over."

Katara felt her breath hitch as Zuko's golden eyes bored into her blue ones. His rough thumb rubbed against hers and he seemed physically pained. Frowning, Katara let silence engulf them as she thought about what else she could say. Zuko was stubborn - that much she knew. There was nothing she could say to make him suddenly forgot about something he regretted so deeply. She assumed her features matched his as she felt defeat wash over her.

"All I want is to start over, too."

Before she could reply, a knock sounded at the door. Normally breakfast was served individually, and people ate in their own rooms, but Zuko had specifically requested their trays be brought into a room on the ship that was used as an office. Calling for them to enter, Commander Jee, a burly gray-haired man entered the chambers.

"Excuse me for the interruption, Lord Zuko, but we have docked." The older man informed. Katara felt her stomach knot uncomfortably as she realized she had no idea what was to happen to them now. Nodding, Zuko thanked the man.

"Send for our belongings to be brought up to the deck. We will be up shortly. You're dismissed."

"Yes, Lord Zuko." Commander Jee said before bowing and taking his leave.

"How will we know where to go?" Katara asked once they were alone. Zuko titled his head back as he finished off the last of his tea.

"Uncle informed me that he sent a hawk to someone here in the village. They will approach us at the fountain. That is where we are to go," He explained as he stood up from the table. He cracked either side of his neck before looking down at his ex-love. "Are you ready?"

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Katara admitted, standing up and cracking her own joints. After she finished, Zuko moved to the door and held out his hand. With a smile, she accepted.

Katara stared up at the gigantic fountain of fire.

As soon as they stepped off the docks, she realized how the town came about its name. She felt beats of sweat forming at her hairline as she shielded her eyes from the bright, blazing sun. The middle of the town was empty, minus a few villagers coming and going through the town square. She watched Zuko fidget with his sash as they waited for their guide.

"Why would the Fire Nation have a fountain of fire when it's so naturally hot?" Katara asked, taking a few steps backward. She immediately felt a little less hot.

"This used to be where Fire Lord Ozai's statue stood, but once he was defeated, I had it destroyed." Zuko explained, sending her a sideways glance.

"You couldn't just put a normal fountain?" She joked, smirking.

He shrugged. "The island is called Fire Fountain City. It seemed like it defeated the purpose."

"Understandable," Katara admitted. "Do we really have to stand next to it, though? It's already blazing outside." Zuko smirked as she placed even more space between herself and the fountain.

"I'm used to it," he explained. "You're from the South Pole. Nobody is expecting you to like the Fire Nation's climate."

"Fire Lord Zuko," A soft, velvety voice spoke from behind the two of them. Katara jumped, whirling around to see who said his name. Next to her, Zuko froze. "Welcome to Fire Fountain City."

"Mom..?" Zuko whimpered.

Katara went to study Zuko's reaction when she was suddenly overcome with a strong sense of déjà vu. Closing her eyes, a flash of green catacombs, Zuko sporting a short haircut, and a time-spotting moment of her placing her hand on his scar entered her mind.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"I don't? How dare you! You have no idea what this war has put me through. Me personally. The Fire Nation took my mother away from me."

"I'm sorry. That's something we have in common."

"Mom?" Katara whispered. "I thought you said that the Fire Nation took your mother away from you, too." Zuko tore his eyes away from the woman before them and studied Katara with a furrowed brow.

"They did. How did you-" He was cut off.

"In the literal sense," the woman cut in. Katara focused her gaze on a beautiful raven-haired woman with bright yellow eyes. "You must be Katara. I'm Ursa, Zuko's mother, and your personal guide." Ursa held out her hand.

Katara, dumbstruck, reached out and shook the woman's hand.

A/N: Ursa? What the? I'm including her because it'll be nice for her to be around at the end of the story. I came up with a small back story, too, so we'll learn about that sometime soon. This might not be a happy reunion (right off the bat) like a lot of other fics because unlike a lot of people, I have a small problem with Ursa. Zuko will display that, though. He's just going to be...wary of his mother at first, I'll say. Anyways! Thanks for reading! Reviews are cool.

FYI #1: Zutara week on Sunday! I'll be focusing most of my creative energy on that, so if this isn't update until like Wednesday / Thursday, that's why. I'll be posting the prompts here so if you want to read them, that's cool!

FYI #2: For those of you that are not on Tumblr, a Korra poster from Comic-Con was revealed and it's of Older!Gaang. If you watch Legend of Korra, you know we were able to see flashbacks of Sokka, Toph, and Aang. But here we see Zuko and Katara, too! I went kind of crazy when I saw Zuko. I've been waiting to see him, and not in his 80's. He looks damn good, haha. You can PM me if you would like a link to the picture since I don't know how else to show you, ha!