Tadaaa~ Here is the next chapter!

~Enjoy~

23

Trust

Katara's POV

"We are all very happy to hear that Mr. Azulon and Ms. South announce their engagement during the press conference!"

"I agree Tom, I knew there were some sparks going on between those two. But who knew that their families were close? This is going to be the wedding of the year!"

"I think everyone agrees with you Bethany. There have been countless posts on social media about the two. I honestly couldn't imagine anyone other than Katara South to be with Zuko Azulon."

"Oh how romantic! These two will definitely make this year's cutest couple. Now before we forget, its onto the weather with Kathy."

Zuko's hands rubbed my back comfortingly as we watched the news. The month had gone by smoothly. The press laid off our backs claiming that we deserved our 'honeymoon' period before talks of the wedding began. To be honest Zuko and I hadn't even discussed when we wanted the wedding. At the moment we just enjoyed the time we had together. My classes were slowing down now that summer was approaching, and I still needed to figure out if I wanted to take classes or work full time with Zuko. I sighed pushing stressful thoughts away and instead appreciated the feel of toned muscles beneath me.

Zuko laid on his back on the couch where I laid on top. My head resting just underneath his where I could hear the steady beat of his heart. His hand reached up to my hair, running his fingers through my locks and lulling me back into a dazed state. "What's wrong Kat?"

"Hmm just thinking. I like this peacefulness." I shifted my body so that I faced him head on. Looking down into those deep gold eyes of his. "I don't want to go in tomorrow."

Zuko smiled sadly, "I know but we need to finish our reports with the police so they can start an investigation with Jet. I don't want any surprises."

I rested my forehead against his, "I know. I just can't believe I have to go through this again."

"Well this time you're not alone." He murmured.

My heart swelled with love, he always made me feel so much better. I kissed his nose and moved to his cheek. His fingers weaved into my hair and brought me down for a soft kiss. The moment our lips touched my heart began pounding with excitement. Zuko pulled me closer, parting then licking my bottom lip. I opened my mouth gladly, enjoying the feeling of him dominating me. We parted for air, looking deeply into each other's eyes. With confidence I leaned back to kiss him once more, then began my travel to his jaw line, then his neck.

He groaned and lifted me up into a sitting position, breaking our contact as I straddled his waist. "Kat, no."

"Zuko…"

"I told you we should go slowly with this. There's no rush…" he said softly. Worry evident in his gold eyes. I sighed reluctantly and rested my head on his shoulder.

"I'm not a doll…We already discussed this Zuko. I'm not some fragile little girl who can't overcome her fears. It kind of hurts when you reject me like that."

His hand came up to cup my cheeks lovingly. "I'd never reject you. I..I just don't want it to be like this okay? I want to go slowly. We've rushed our relationship enough as it is."

"True I believe most couples don't date for 6 months and then announce their engagement to the whole city." I giggled.

Zuko chuckled deeply and continued the relaxing movement of his fingers through my hair. I felt incredibly comfortable, resting against him and his higher than normal body heat and the steady beat of his heart. "No, many people don't do that. Although I think us moving in together is normal at this point."

"True…I don't want to get up and finish packing though." I groaned. Zuko shook his head and looked around my apartment that was currently disheveled and an unorganized mess. Boxes of my belonging were packed up neatly and padded. But those boxes were everywhere. Really all we had left was the bigger things.

"Well we have to wait for Azula and Hahn to come with the truck anyways so we can rest for a bit."

"How far out are they?" I began tracing lazy patterns on his chest and waited patiently.

He reached over to the floor and picked up his phone, "Last time she texted me was 10 minutes ago saying they were 30 minutes out. So I guess we have a little bit more time to relax."

I just nodded and closed my eyes. Things were peaceful. Almost too peaceful.

Jet hadn't made any type of appearance in the last month and not that it was a bad thing. I just got the weird feeling that something bad was going to happen. I had sat down with Zuko and filed a report the day after the conference. Since then a few people had been with me at all times. Zuko would try and be with me as much as he possibly could in between work and my school. Azula never left my side until I got home safely and that someone was there. Zuko and my brother had set up camera's outside my apartment and some inside just to be sure when I wasn't home or I was alone. I hated the camera's though, and all the company I had. I liked being alone some days and I just wasn't able to get that under all this surveillance.

Thankfully after a week of this Zuko asked me to just move in with him. He didn't want me to feel uncomfortable and apparently he had maximum security at his apartment complex which would make it incredibly hard for Jet to even attempt at getting inside. I agreed, all too happy to finally be with him more and move on in our relationship. I would have moved in with him even if I hadn't had a crazy stalker Ex. I wanted to be with Zuko as much as possible.

I felt my mind slowly ease away and I fell into a quiet slumber.

Zuko's POV

"Oh good you're here. Let's try and be quiet. Katara's fallen asleep." I said to Azula and Hahn who made their way inside the apartment.

"She needs to wake up, you want us to do all the work?" Azula moaned.

I rolled my eyes, "She hasn't been sleeping well these past few nights. It's been too quiet and she's getting anxious. I don't think she knows I've figured it out."

"I thought she looked a bit out of it lately." Hahn said suspiciously.

"True come to think of it she hasn't been her perky self lately. Fine, I guess we can let her sleep a bit longer. She hasn't had a nightmare yet?"

I shook my head looking over to the couch were I had left her to get her much needed sleep. "The only times I've ever seen her having her nightmares is when I just get here and she's been asleep. I think she gets them whenever she's alone."

"So nothing from the police yet?" Hahn asked.

We grabbed the bigger boxes and started hauling then into the truck. I felt the fire in my chest burn with anger. "No the fucking bastard hasn't left a trail. We can't find him and he doesn't have any family. Not only that but it looks like he is staying with someone but we don't know who. Since he's been released he's been on the move or something. We don't know his phone number or card number so they can't track him at all. They say their doing the best they can but I doubt it. I might have to take things upon myself."

"Zuzu don't do anything stupid! 'Tara would kill you if you tried to do anything by yourself."

"I know but the bastards smart. That or he's learned his lesson and he's leaving us alone." We took the last big box to the truck and started loading the smaller ones and getting the bigger furniture. "I need to at least find this fucker so we can get a new and longer restraining order on this ass or Katara won't be able to move on. It clearly scares the shit out of her."

"She's a big girl Zuko. She's not fragile." Azula mumbled.

"I still want to protect her! I don't want her to live like she has to look over her shoulder every day!" I growled. Sighing I ran my hands through my hair. "Sorry I didn't mean to get angry at you. I'm just tired of feeling like anything can happen to her. I'm scared to lose her."

"We know Zuko. Look she will be much safer living with you and we are all there whenever she needs us." Hahn said encouragingly. I smiled.

"Thanks Hahn."

We agreed to take a break and drink some water and wake Katara up to help with the rest and move it to my apartment. I walked to the couch and watched her stir lightly from her sleep. I sat down on the edge and woke her up softly, not wanting her to get angry at me. "Kat…come on nap times over."

Her blurry blue eyes opened slowly, taking in her surroundings before yawning and looking at me clearly. "How long was I asleep for?"

"Just about an hour, I figured you needed your sleep so we left you. We are almost done packing though and ready to head out."

She looked around and noticed that majority of the stuff was gone. Then her switch flipped. "ZUKO! Why didn't you wake me up when they got here? I should be helping it's my shit!"

"Katara you needed your sleep. I know you won't tell me but I know you're having nightmares. You were exhausted and I was worried."

She sighed shaking her head in disbelief. "I won't deny the nightmares but I still should've helped."

"Well then you can start helping now~ Good morning princess Katara how was your little nap?" Azula teased.

Katara rolled her eyes and got up to help pack the rest of her stuff away. "It was nice. I'm sorry I wasn't awake to help. Zuko should've woke me up."

"You don't have that much stuff so it's fine. Don't worry about it Katara." Hahn chuckled.

She sighed in relief. "Thanks you guys. This has certainly been easier with you two helping."

"Anything for my future sister in law~!" Azula cheered.

We finished packing all the stuff into the car and the truck and made our way towards my apartment building. Unloading everything and placing it inside. When we finally finished we all fell onto my soft carpet and sighed collectively.

"Ugh, I don't think my body has ever hurt this much before!" Azula whined.

"It's definitely much harder when you have to tug the boxes up stairs and across the hall. Why the hell are the elevators broke today of all days?" Hahn grunted.

We all chuckled at him and just relaxed on the floor listening to the music. "Well since everyone helped me out with moving how about I treat you all to dinner?" Katara said happily.

Azula cheered and leapt up from the floor. "That sounds amazing because I'm starving! Let me go home and shower because I smell horrible!" She laughed. Hahn chuckled with her.

"Really? I don't think you smell all that bad." He smirked, leaning down to her neck and obviously saying something to her ear that made her blush bright red. I groaned covering my ears and closing my eyes.

"Okay Okay time for you both to go! I don't want to see you two flirting please leave."

Katara laughed and poked me in the side. "Oh please like you have any right to say that when you do the same exact stuff in front of Sokka!"

"I have a new found respect for your brother. I understand how he feels now."

Hahn chuckled and lead Azula out the front who was still shocked by whatever he had said to her. "Alright Alright! Sorry about that Zuko! We will text you guys when we are ready. See you!"

They left quite quickly and I just groaned. "Seriously I don't think I will ever get used to seeing my sister like that."

"She's so cute! I'm so happy for her and Hahn. He'll treat her right."

"He better…"

"Zuko! Come on grumpy get off the floor and get ready. Go get in the shower, I need to find my box of clothes."

"Sure, I'm quicker anyways. I'll be out in 10."

"Okay."

Katara's POV

"Where did I put it?" I fumbled around the two boxes of clothes I had searching for the cute little black dress I had just bought. When I grabbed the box and turned it upside down all the clothes laid haphazardly on the floor and I continued to rummage through them.

"FOUND IT!" I pulled the dress from the pile and put it on the couch. I listened to the water run in the bathroom and blushed brightly. Zuko was in there showering…meaning he was naked…and..

"oh god this might have been a bad idea." I bit my lip trying to suppress the urge to take a peak. I knew Zuko wouldn't really care, but I didn't want him to know I was incredibly curious to see him naked. I mean we hadn't done anything! "Damnit."

I got up from the floor and walked to the bathroom door that was clearly locked. I chuckled thinking that he had purposely locked it and left before he knew I was there.

Just like he had said he was out in ten minutes, a pair of dark red shorts hung from his waist and the rest was uncovered. I had to make sure my mouth wasn't hanging open at the sight of his nicely toned body dripping wet. It was like a scene out of a movie, and with a body like his it was probably even better. I felt the blush crawl to my face as I grabbed my stuff and headed to the bathroom. Avoiding his eyes in embarrassment. He chuckled darkly and leaned against the bathroom door. "Do you like what you see?"

"I don't know, looks like a regular body to me. Nothing really to like per say." I lied.

He hummed deeply as I tied up my hair, still avoiding all eye contact. I felt him press behind me, arms trapping me between him and the bathroom counter. "Really… why won't you look at me then?"

I felt like a huge lump was stuck in my throat and I tried to swallow it down. I didn't dare look into his eyes because I knew I would probably attack him right then and there. Finding some courage and restraint I lifted my gaze to his in the mirror. He was looking directly at me with a snarky grin plastered onto his face. I scowled. "Fine your hot. You happy now?"

"Immensely so. I'll let you get a shower now." He left the bathroom with an increased ego and I angrily shut the bathroom door.

Urgh! He is such a tease! He says he won't do anything with me but continues to tempt me to make a move! Fine. Two can play at this game.

I smirked walking into the shower and making sure I was completely clean and shaved. Walking out I didn't bother to put on my clothes and instead grabbed a red towel from the rack and put on my best poker face. Wrapping it securely around my body I unlocked the bathroom door and made my way into the bedroom. Seeing him putting on his red button down shirt. I smirked and walked blatantly out of the bathroom like he had, feeling a little embarrassed by the fact that the towel stopped higher than mid thigh and I was wearing nothing underneath.

I felt Zuko across the room watching me as I walked into the living room 'looking' for my clothes. He leaned against the doorway and watched me stride over. I smirked with my back to him and bent down slowly as if to pick up a shirt then stopped just before I felt the towel move too far up and straightened out. I hear the sharp intake of breath and bit my tongue to stop myself from laughing and composed myself.

"Kat what are you doing?" He mumbled huskily.

"Looking for my dress, I thought I brought it in with me but I didn't see it when I got out. I'll have to go look again." I said calmly. I turned back to face him and noticed the lust in his eyes and did a little happy dance in my head. Haha! Take that Zuko!

I walked past him trying not to smirk and walked back towards the bathroom slowly. I wanted to make him squirm more but I wasn't sure how… I could always lose the towel… I bit my lip and loosened the towel just a bit and let it open slightly before I turned back towards the living room. "Opps forgot my makeup bag."

I really had, I saw it on the table and made my way towards it when I suddenly felt my back hit the soft sheets on his bed. I watched him lean over me. Hands at either side of my head trapping me beneath him. He smirked, "I know what you're doing Katara."

"Oh really? I'm looking for my stuff to be honest. You know moving kind of sucks. I took such great care into packing all my things but I can't find anything."

"You're trying to tempt me and I know you took that dress with you into the bathroom."

"See! I thought I did but I can't find it. Maybe you can go and find it for me since I happen to be blind and can't find the darn thing."

"Katara…" he warned. I smirked and watched him take in my appearance.

"Hmm, what's the matter Zuko do you like what you see?"

He smirked and chuckled lightly. "You're a vixen you know that? I'm trying so hard here not to just tear this flimsy little towel off your body and take you right here and now."

"You know…I'm not stopping you…." I said cautiously. I watched him go through conflicting emotions before he stood up and straightened his shirt.

"I know and it's worrying me. Be careful, tease me too much and I really will take you Katara."

I sighed, "I want you too but someone has to be Mr. Stubborn and convince himself that this isn't want I want. That's fine though because it's not like I have a say in the matter." I said bitterly. I walked to the bathroom and slammed it shut, getting ready and trying not to hit him in anger. I did my hair and looked around for my makeup bag when I noticed it wasn't in here. "Damnit I left it in the living room." I mumbled.

I walked outside and saw Zuko by the door with my bag in his hands. "Look Katara I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Well you did."

"Katara…"

"Is it really that bad? You want to marry me but you won't have sex with me? What the hell Zuko that doesn't even make any sense! I get it part of your reasoning but now you're just being ridiculous."

"Kat I don't want to argue over this. Listen to me okay I'll tell you why." He took my hands and led me to the bed, setting me down gently and sat next to me. I watched him with angry eyes not understanding what his problem was. "Katara I already told you this. It's not that I don't want to. Trust me I find it hard to contain myself especially when you pull little stunts like you just did. But I don't want to rush into this. I'm not saying you're weak but I'm not comfortable with it. How do you know that once we start you're not going to have some sort of reaction to the trauma? Do you really want to go through with that? You're on edge enough as it is with Jet around and the fact that the police can't find him. You have nightmares whenever I'm not around, and yet you want to partake in something that can become a trigger? I'm holding back because of that Katara. You're unsteady, and I don't want to push you into more pain than you've already been through."

I watched him with glazed eyes. How can you argue with that? He knows exactly what he's talking about and he's completely convinced that he's right. I sighed shaking my head slowly. "But this isn't fair Zuko. You're worried about my past I get it. I do but, I can't live like this. In constant fear that Jet might get me and do horrible things to me. I know he's out there but I want to live freely. Every time you say no it's like being reminded that Jet's made me weak and I hate it! I hate feeling like that. I want to forget about him and prove that I can move on regardless if he's out of jail or not!"

"Katara…" He reached out to pull me into a hug but I stood up avoiding him.

"Zuko. You're worries are appreciated, really. It makes me happy to know you care so much. But, I need you to see things from my side as well. I'm trying to move on and you won't let me."

The air hung heavy in silence and tension. I sighed walking back to the bathroom and finished getting ready for our dinner. Within thirty minutes we were on our way to the restaurant where Zula and Hahn were waiting for us. Neither Zuko or I spoke with each other and it was clear neither one of us was going to apologize for what we had said. I personally wasn't mad at him. Just disappointed that he wouldn't let go of his worries and trust me when I say I'll be okay. I glanced towards him in the car as we parked in the lot, studying his mood. Was he mad at me? I knew I was pretty blunt but…I didn't hurt his feelings did I? I watched him take a deep breath and smile.

"You keep staring at me like that and I'm going to think something's wrong."

"I…I haven't made you mad at me have I?"

He cracked a smile and walked out of the car, leaving my question unanswered. I felt my heart beat wildly in my chest. Shit! I had totally made him mad. I reached over for my seatbelt and took it off with quivering hands. I suddenly didn't want to go to dinner. I just wanted to go home and sleep it all away and hope he would be in a better mood in the morning. I reached to open my door when it opened and Zuko held out his hand.

I wasn't quite sure what he was playing at but he wouldn't be nice to me if he was mad would he? I took his hand and he pulled me gracefully out from the car, closing it gently behind me. I bit my lip scared to look and see what expression he wore on his face. "Katara?"

I held back a tear and turned to face him. "Whoa why are you crying? What's wrong?"

"I…You…you're mad at me. I..I didn't mean to make you angry!" I struggled to say between tears. Zuko sighed wrapping his arms around me and pulling me tightly against his chest.

"I'm not mad at you Kat. I was in deep thought. About what you said. I never meant to make you feel like you would never move on. I'm just so worried about you I miss those things. I didn't realize I was making you miserable."

I continued to hold back my tears and looked up to his eyes, drinking in the warmth of his gaze. "You make me very happy Zuko! I love you very much…but it makes me feel like you don't want me the more you push me away. I told you again and again that I would be okay but you don't trust me. That's what hurts me. You won't trust me when I say I'll be alright…"

"I know, and I feel really bad about that. I hadn't thought about it like that until you said something. So I'll trust you. I don't want to upset you anymore."

I immediately stopped crying and watched him smirk at my sudden realization. "You…you won't?"

"No."

"So….." I said awkwardly. Zuko backed me up against the car and leaned down to my face kissing my cheek gently.

"So?" He mumbled against my skin.

"So..uhm…we….." I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I fumbled around to ask my question. Zuko chuckled and kissed me swiftly. We parted much too quickly for my own liking as he backed away. He took my hand and lead us to the entrance of the restaurant looking smug.

"So after all that begging for me to yield and make love to you, you can't even say it when I confirm that I'll finally listen to you?" He teased.

If I could blush any more then I would have, especially with the rate my heart was beating widely in my chest. I suddenly felt hyper aware of everything, the nerves, the excitement, that tiny coiling in my core that made my insides pulse. I looked down avoiding his gaze knowing that he could feel my erratic heartbeat from my hands.

We walked inside and had the waiter take us to the table where Azula and Hahn were waiting for us. I couldn't calm down. My palms were beginning to sweat and I was terrified to look at Zuko. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse Zuko leaned to my ear and I stifled a gasp. "Katara, if you continue to act so irresistibly adorable I'll take you right here in this restaurant. So please, try and not tempt me during dinner."

I looked at Zuko and watched the dark gold coloring of his lust filled eyes and nearly moaned outright at the sight. Oh the things he made me feel. I nodded weakly and watched him breathe a sigh of relief as we reached the table.

Wow this one was a bit longer than the last ahahah~ Okay so I have the votes!

For the weekly update I had 2 people

and for the every day there was 3 so it was suuupppeeerr close

So I made the executive decision to post every other day :3 that way both sides can be satisfied! If thats alright with you all of course!~
Feel free to fight me on this hahaah I will listen!

So yeah that was another chapter! And guess what?

Next chapter has LEMON!

That's right, lemon is coming up so if you dont like reading that then I guess that sucks ahahah! Just kidding I will underline the smexy parts and you can skip it. I think its majority of the chapter but I can't really remember.

Anyways drama is coming up as well as the smex so keep reading!

Let me know your thoughts and views down in the Reviews and dont forget to follow this story and my page!

***ALSO I AM UPLOADING ANOTHER ZUTARA. JUST A QUICK ONE SHOT SO GO CHECK IT OUT! ITS CALLED NO ESCAPE HEHEHEH***

Ciao!

Rae