Katalina's old Fire Nation house was still standing tall. The house looked as nice as it did when Katalina lived there, too. That was only the outside, though. She headed up the walkway. She stopped in front of the door, hesitating to knock on it. But she did anyway. And there was no answer. So instead she just walked right inside. It looked exactly the same, except now it was vacant. That was something she hadn't been expecting. Despite the emptiness, though, there wasn't a single speck of dust anywhere. She couldn't believe it. She thought she'd be coming back to yelling and sneers. Instead she came back to nothing. And she actually thought that that was worse. Still, she remained inside. She walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. She look around, remembering her life growing up in the house. A lost childhood since she had to grow up all too rapidly. Then she made her way upstairs. She passed her parents' old bedroom and went straight for her own. She opened the door and just stood there, staring into the room. Everything she had left behind had been burned; it was all destroyed. She shouldn't have been the least bit surprised, but it still hurt. So she stepped into her room and sat down on what was left of her old bed. Then her head dropped into her hands as she began to cry.

"Lina?" she then heard a male voice call. "Lina!"

She wiped the tears from her cheeks and made her way back downstairs where she found Zuko.

"There you are," he said when he saw her. "Were you actually able to get here at a time when your parents were out or did they just leave?"

"They're gone," she stated. "They moved out."

"How do you know?"

"Because everything is gone, Zuko." She shook her head. "Ugh, it's like they knew I was gonna be back and they didn't wanna see me that much."

"No, it's because you ended up being right and they probably don't wanna face that."

With her arms folded across her chest, she continued shaking her head, unable to hold back the fresh tears. Without saying anything else, he pulled her into him and held her close. She buried her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. And for a good while they stayed just like that.

"I'm sorry," she finally spoke up, practically choking on the words. "I don't know why I'm reacting like this."

"Because they were still your parents," he replied. "They were shitty people and that hurts." He dried her cheeks and brushed hair out of her face. "You're better than them, though."

She smiled sheepishly. "So," she sniffled, "how did the rest of the riots go?" she wondered.

"They went well," he answered. "Everyone listened to me and the leaders of each group spoke with me."

"Were you able to make any compromises?"

"Yeah, everything's pretty much set now."

She smiled more genuinely now. "See, Zuko? And you were so worried that you wouldn't know what to do. Everyone loves you. You're already twice the Fire Lord that Ozai ever was."

"Yeah, the rioters are actually throwing a part in my honour tomorrow night, as a matter of fact."

"No shit!" She laughed. "Look at that."

"So we'll need to stay another day or two," he then told her.

She nodded. "I think I can manage that."

"Do you think you could also manage being my date tomorrow night?"

"Date?" she repeated. "But isn't that gonna make them think even more that we're together?"

"Like I said, Lina, let them think what they want."

"Zuko—"

"Where do you wanna stay tonight?" he asked, cutting her off and changing the subject.

"I thought we would be staying at the palace," she figured, going along with the change.

"Right. Let's head back over there, then." They started walking back towards the palace. "Oh, and you can see Ozai tomorrow before we go to the party."

"Wait, what?"

"Visit him in prison," he clarified.

"I can do that?"

"I didn't mention that?"

"No! And you should have started with that!"

He laughed. "I'm sorry, I could've sworn I had said something about him."

She sighed, but also laughed. "Either way, I would love to see him before going to the party tomorrow."

"I figured as much."

The rest of walk was spent in silence. Katalina's gaze was turned down for most of it, as she wasn't very interested in her surroundings anymore.

"Here we are," Zuko announced once they arrived at the palace itself.

She looked up to see the forgotten home in front of her. "It looks smaller than I remember."

"You've only been gone for a few months, Lina. Why don't you remember pretty much anything?"

"Because once you were banished I stopped coming here. I had no reason to be here, after all."

"Oh," he replied. He thought for a moment. "C'mon."

They entered the palace. Katalina's head turned this way and that. "Nothing's changed, huh?"

"Nothing at all," he confirmed. "Where do you wanna sleep tonight?"

"Anywhere is fine with me," she replied. "The floor, the bed." She shrugged. "Wherever."

"Well, you're definitely not sleeping on the floor," he denied. "You can just stay in my bed."

"Where will you sleep, then?"

"I'll sleep on the floor."

"No, no, the Fire Lord deserves to sleep comfortable. Plus, I'm not gonna kick you out of your own bed."

"But you get irritable when you don't have a good night's rest."

An offended look popped on her face. "I do not!"

He laughed. "Yeah, you kinda do."

"Oh, shut up." She pushed him away from her, laughing a little. "How about we both sleep on the floor?" she then suggested. "It'll be just like the old days."

"Sounds good," he agreed. "And maybe tomorrow we can go on an adventure. But this time, try not to fall off the sides of any cliffs."

"You remember that?"

"How could I forget? I saved your life!" He laughed. "You should be thankful that I was there to catch you."

"I am thankful," she told him, smiling. "Trust me."

He smiled back. "So what are you gonna say to my father when you see him tomorrow?" he questioned, changing the subject.

She shrugged. "Haven't given it much thought yet."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"Well, you can wait outside the cell door or whatever. I wanna actually see the man alone, though. And before you even ask, yes, I am sure about that."

"All right, if you say so."

"I do say so."

"Hey, follow me." He then turned and started to the right side of the palace. "I wanna show you something."

Katalina did as he asked and followed him. "What is it you want to show me?" she asked once she caught up with him.

"You'll see when we get there."

"Why can't you just tell me?"

"Why can't you just wait?"

"Zuko, you very well know I don't like surprises," she reminded her. "Can you please just tell me?"

"Nope."

And that was that. So they continued down the wide hallway. They soon came to a set of doors.

"I know you haven't been here since I was banished," Zuko started, "but do these doors look familiar to you?"

She shrugged, shaking her head. "Not really, no."

"All right, well, come on." And he opened the doors…