A/N Ah, the fanfiction I can get written when I have no internet J obviously I'm uploading when I have internet back, but I've got some traction going, you guys might be lucky and get an entire week of uploads...wouldn't that be nice. Birthday party chapter...and other things. J Enjoy guys and keep reviewing

Chapter 14

Zuko was thankful he was to be last in to the party. He had some time to cool off after Katara got him all flustered.

About an hour later, finally, Jeo came for him.

"Ready my Lord?"

"Lead the way Jeo." Zuko said, standing up and smoothing his tunic.

The men and Zuko's personal guards wound their way through the palace, coming to a stop outside the doors to the ballroom.

"If I may speak freely my Lord," Jeo questioned Zuko, who nodded, "Happy Birthday my Lord" he said, and gave a bigger smile than Zuko had ever seen from the man who had survived his father's rule, and his grandfather's. Aside from Iroh, Jeo was the next most constant male in his life.

"Thank you Jeo," he smiled back at the man, and turned to his guards, "You gentlemen are relieved, feel free to join the party, you too Jeo" Zuko turned back to the door, ready to knock lightly and alert the announcing guard he was there, when he spun back around and embraced Jeo in a tight hug, before quickly releasing him, and knocking.

He heard the three men line up behind him, and heard the guard inside announce. He could hear his friends and what remained of his family inside. When the doors opened, he heard the crowd, but all he could see was Katara.

Standing dead centre of the line before him, making sure she could be seen, she clapped along with the rest of the crowd, and though everyone was smiling and cheering, to Zuko, her smile shone brightest in a crowd of blurs. He had eyes for no other tonight.

The crowd quietened, and most of them went back to dancing or talking. Somehow, Zuko managed to lose sight of Katara, and made his way over to her brother, who was, to no surprise, by the food.

"Sokka" the Fire Lord spoke gently, knowing the warrior was quite stressed; however, even the softness of Zuko's voice caused him to jump

"Zuko, you scared the blubber out of me!"

"Sokka, you need to calm down!"

The friends began a back and forth conversation, bickering about scaring each other and calming down, and started to poke each other.

A small voice suddenly sounded in Zuko's left ear, "Oh mighty Fire Lord, you are such a child"

Katara had caught him off guard, and Zuko spun so fast to take her up in his arms, that he lost his balance, and nearly fell over backwards. Sokka caught him and pushed him back upright,

"I'll leave you two too it. Just give me the signal Zuko" the warrior said as he sauntered off, leaving the couple behind.

"A signal for what?"

"A secret. Hi" Zuko smiled down at Katara

"Uhuh, a secret. Involving you and my brother. This can't be good." goaded Katara

"Your lack of faith is disturbing"

"The last time you and Zuko kept secrets from any of us, I recall that you disappeared for a number of days, under the ruse of going for food, and just leaving with Appa, and arriving back with Suki and my father"

"See, that ended well!"

"If you don't count leading Azula straight to us at the Air Temple, and having to flee with our lives. Also, leaving with no warning was pretty rude."

"You had no problem doing that when we went to find the Southern Raiders."

"We were caught before we got anywhere so we had to give an explanation so that's all in the clear!" she spluttered

"You're cute when you get wound up" he smiled and caught her chin with his finger, and lent down to kiss her.

Their arms wound around each other and the kiss deepened. Again, Zuko felt like they were the only two in the room; he didn't care that it was probably not dignified for them to be kissing, he didn't care about anything but Katara in that moment...and a brief moment later, he cared about their nosy friends.

"Hey guys, if you could stop exchanging spit, you guys have to start the couples dance" Toph said, tapping Katara on the shoulder.

The couple looked at her and rolled their eyes, knowing she couldn't see and reprimand them, and then they made their way to the centre of the room.

Zuko's arms found her waist, and hers draped over his broad shoulders, her head resting close to his neck, as the music started. The couple swayed more than actual dancing, taking each other in and just enjoying the closeness.

After about 10 minutes, the music conductor appeared to have gotten bored, and began to shout "Switch partners!" at odd intervals.

Katara shared dances with her brother, Haru, The Duke, Pipsqueak, Teo, her father, Uncle Iroh, Aang and had now ended up dancing with Zuko's head of staff, Jeo, until mid spin, a hand tapped Jeo and asked to cut in.

Katara had expected Zuko, and fell straight into a curtsey, without looking at her new partner. When she stood up, she nearly fainted from shock.

A/N The twist that you guys will be getting was not planned. I was writing and it just flowed out. Plus, it's probably really obvious what Sokka is gonna do, but in case I wasn't obvious enough, he's going to propose. But will he get to ask his question? Well, you'll have to keep reading to find out. On another note, I thought about writing that moment with Zuko and Jeo a few chapters back, but now just seemed right. I love writing a softer side to Zuko.