A/N You guys are amazing! Thank you SO MUCH for your reviews! Normally I would reply to them, but fanfiction has suddenly stopped working and won't send emails to me, no review alerts...no story updates O_O seriously annoying. Anyway, I have said more down the bottom. So go ahead and read now =D This chapter was seriosuly hard to write...I was very worried about it, so I hope it's OK... =S OOH yeah, and I'm very sorry to those who wanted tokka =( =( there were just a lot more for Sukka, so sukka it is I'M SORRY!

Read on...

Zuko and Sokka arrived back two days after they left. But, not in the war balloon…and in fact not alone.

Katara and Sokka's father, a girl whom Zoe had never met, though Sokka seemed attached to her, and some random, broad shouldered, intimidating man all arrived stepping out of a massive Fire Nation war ship.

Zuko shuffled subtly over to Zoe while Katara and Sokka hugged their father.

"I knew it wasn't just a fishing trip." Zoe hissed out of the corner of her mouth to Zuko. He smirked slightly, his cheeks flushing when he looked at her. Well, she didn't seem angry; did that mean she wasn't furious with him for kissing her?

"Always the perceptive one aren't you?" he whispered back.

Zoe gave him a strange look, "I don't think so." She said, and Zuko wasn't sure what she meant.

"Zoe!" said Katara suddenly, "We have someone for you to meet!" Zoe could tell this was half an excuse to get Zoe away from Zuko and she frowned. "This is Suki." She led the new girl over to her, "we met her a long time ago on Kioshi Island. Suki this is Zoe, There's…a bit of a long story behind how we met."

"Nice to meet you." Suki said pleasantly, holding out a hand. Zoe thought she was quite pretty; short brown hair, large grey eyes surrounded by heavy lashes and a lovely smile.

"Likewise." smiled Zoe, taking her hand and shaking it.

Zoe glanced at Zuko who was still by her side, a strange hungry look swimming inside his topaz iris's as he watched her. Zoe gulped. "Uuh, I assume you two have met?"

Suki laughed, "Yeah we have, though this isn't the first time." She glanced at Zuko, "though we won't go into that."

Zoe shook her head as Suki walked away back to Sokka, "What did you do to this time?" she sighed.

Zuko grimaced, but didn't get a chance to answer as Katara butted in, "he burnt down her village." She said nastily, shooting him a look.

Her tone struck a nerve with Zoe and her eyes narrowed. "Well, that's all in the past isn't it?" she said coolly causing Katara to glare at her. "Let's not bring it up again and all get a good night's sleep, hey?"

"Good idea…" said Zuko quickly, not wanting Zoe to start a fight on his behalf and he followed Zoe as she began to walk away. Katara opened her mouth to say something that neither of them found out as both Sokka and Aang stopped her before she could utter a sound.

"OK, I love Katara, really, I do. But, sometimes she can be just so…agh!" stormed Zoe once they were away from the rest of the group. She hadn't even registered the fact that she and Zuko were alone yet. In fact, she hadn't realised she'd led them away from their bed chambers instead of towards them.

"You don't have to defend me." said Zuko softly.

"I want to." snapped Zoe harshly, spinning around. "You shouldn't have to deal with that after all you've been through now. I trust you and she should too!"

Zuko sighed angrily, "I don't deserve this, I don't deserve you."

Zoe frowned. "I'll decide that."

Zuko looked at her and silence fell as their eyes locked. He took a nervous breath and looked away. "I want to…apologize for the other day." He said after a long silence.

Zoe looked down, her face flushing; she knew this would come up at some point. "Don't, please." She whispered. "I…get it. You…would rather forget it happened, I understand." Zuko stared at her, thrown and confused. "You're…engaged," she struggled to get the word out, "to Mai, I know…d-don't worry, we don't have to mention it again."

Zuko blinked. Engaged to...? What! Where had she ever gotten that idea from? "Wha…Zoe, why would you think that?" he demanded and Zoe gave him a hard look.

"I heard it all from Azula; don't bother trying to cover up for yourself." She said coolly, turning to walk away.

Zuko grabbed her shoulder, stopping her in her place. "I'm not engaged to anyone, Zoe." he said softly, his voice husky. Zoe turned her head slightly to look at the warm hand on her shoulder. "Mai and I…were together during…my time back in the Fire Nation," Zoe squeezed her eyes shut and looked away once more; she knew it. "But, it was mainly because she was there, and she didn't hate me. And…well, it's in a Prince's place to court a noble woman…" he muttered.

Zoe turned around and Zuko's hand slipped from her shoulder. She was frowning; confused. "Did…you love her?" she struggled to ask.

"I…tried to convince myself that I did." Admitted Zuko, "But…I do care about her… and she saved my life today."

Zoe's eyes widened in shock, "Oh." she said, "Well…that's…"

"She saved my life." cut in Zuko, "but you…you saved me. Countless times. You've always been there, even if I haven't realised it. You…" he cracked a small smile in the darkness, "bring out the best in me." His tone was almost teasing, as if to try and hide the fact that he was showing his sensitive side. Suddenly he frowned, seeming to think of something. "Well sometimes." He said seriously, "unless you push me up against a wall; then I can't control myself."

Zoe blushed and looked down, but was unable to stifle an embarrassed laugh. Zuko moved toward her and she looked at him, confusion clouding her silver eyes. "But, why are you…apologizing then?" she asked finally, unable to stop the words from tumbling out.

This confused Zuko greatly; wasn't that obvious? "Well…aren't you furious with me?"

Zoe backed up and leant against the wall; this was too confusing, what was he saying? What did he mean? "I…don't understand." she admitted, "why would you think I'd be angry with you?" She furrowed her brow and forced herself to look Zuko in the eye as he slowly came closer, "you….why did you kiss me if you didn't think I was Mai?"

Zuko stopped in his tracks, struggling not to laugh. "Zoe…" he said slowly, "your mind truly works in a bizarre way." Zoe managed to scowl at him for this, and then Zuko began to walk toward her again, coming closer and closer with each word. "I kissed you because it was you, and because I wanted to." He stopped, right in front of her now, "and…I'm sorry, because it was impulsive and I feel like I forced myself on you. I feel like…Jet." He mumbled ashamed.

He certainly didn't feel like Jet to her; he was far better than Jet. She blushed at this thought and looked away. Zuko smiled softly at her blush and raised a hand to gently caress her cheek.

Zoe felt a flutter in her stomach, her heart and she took a shaky breath. Zuko was all she could smell, could see, could feel. He was clogging her senses, surrounding her in everyway that she could barely think. His golden eyes swam in her vision and her heart thumped loudly in her chest, her ears. Then, like her nightmares his beautiful eyes turned cold, scowling, glaring at her with hate.

'I never wanted your love!'

Zoe squeezed her eyes shut, her heart clenching in pain and she looked away. Zuko, whose eyes were actually currently very tender, frowned in concern as he saw tears building up behind Zoe's lashes. "What…are you doing?" she whispered finally, pain coating her voice. Zuko took his hand away from her cheek and she immediately felt cold. He stepped back shamefully.

"I'm sorry." He said regretfully.

Zoe opened her eyes, looking at him full in the face, her silver eyes shining like little moons. "You said you didn't want my love." She whispered, her voice cracking, "So why are you doing this to me?" Zuko stared at her, he didn't realise his words still haunted her. "If you don't…I just….I can't-" Pain was building up in her chest and her eye's felt tight as hot tears were forced to remain inside them. Her throat was constricting, but she kept stuttering. What she was trying to say not even she was sure, but then suddenly warm arms were wrapped around her and she was crying into a comforting, solid chest.

Her hands gripped the front of Zuko's shirt and he felt tears prick at his own eyes. "I'm so sorry." He whispered into her hair, his voice rough, but soft. "I never meant any of what I said that day. It…wasn't me. If it were me I would have told you…." His voice cut off, his stomach twisting with regret and nervousness. Just say it. He hissed at himself, it's not that hard; just say it! "I would have told you…how I felt, how I still feel. I would have told you that I…I love you."

He had said it, the three words he had never told anyone, save his mother, in his life.

Zoe's tears had dried up; in fact she was standing quite still, her head against Zuko's chest, listening to his soft heart beat pound against her ear. Did he really just say what she thought he did? Or had her imagination finally outdone itself? She took in a breath, savouring Zuko's almost spicy sent. Then, she turned her head up to look at his eyes that were now full of worry.

"Of course…" he said quickly, "I understand if you don't…and can't feel the same way anymore…I just…I had to tell yo-"

Zoe held up a finger to his lips. "I'm just trying to work out if this is in my imagination or real life." She told him, her voice quite steady. Zuko's pounding heart skipped a beat and he felt the muscles around his mouth try to form a smile. He wasn't sure if that was a good idea yet. A strange look came into Zoe's eyes and Zuko felt her stand on her tippy toes, then her eyes fluttered shut and she pressed her lips softly to his.

Immediately, without need of hesitation Zuko's hands moved to Zoe's waist pulling her firmly to him. Then, her heart still beating with worry, she pulled apart, her breathing already speeding up. She knew love was never and could never be perfect, and she knew how fragile her heart was in the hands of Zuko, but it was too late to take it back. Though this thought struck her with fear, it also placed a happy smile on her face, her lips curling into a grin against Zuko's. "I've always loved you, Zuko." She whispered.

"Zoe?"

Zoe spun round out of Zuko's grasp, for a moment there she thought they were the only people on this planet. Teo and Haru were standing, shocked, in a doorway from the east. It was Haru who had spoken; Teo didn't seem capable of speaking. "Haru? Teo?" she said, her voice suddenly a little shaky. "Uh, we were just heading back to camp! What are you two doing here?"

Haru glanced at the pale faced boy beside him, "we were exploring." He explained, "Lost track of time again. Uh, what are you-"

"What?" said Zoe quickly, "come on, let's go. I'm sure the others are getting worried." She turned to look at Zuko, but his face was unreadable. She grabbed his hand and pulled him along with her.

She couldn't look at Teo's little face. Guilt welled up inside her like sickening rot and she swallowed painfully. They arrived back to camp to find everyone sleeping except for Katara who sat, beady eyed, on her sleeping bag. She noticed Zoe and Zuko's conjoined hands and her glare deepened while Zuko's hand tightened.

"Good night, Katara." Said Zoe firmly, then she turned and kissed Zuko on the cheek. "Goodnight, Zuko." She whispered, holding his gaze. That was until a sharp slap of water hit her around the back of her head. She spun round to Katara, her eyes like ice, but so were Katara's.

"Are you completely insane?" hissed Katara, obviously struggling not to raise her voice.

"I was about to ask you the same thing!" snapped Zoe, her eyes flashing. But, then Zuko moved to stand in front of her.

"Katara," he said, and Zoe could hear he was angry, but trying to contain it. "If you have to take you anger out on someone, at least let it be me, not your friend. You're hurting her by doing this."

Katara almost looked like she was baring her teeth. Zoe had never seen her so incensed. "Well you would know all about hurting her wouldn't you Zuko?" She hissed icily.

Zuko took his hand out of Zoe's, one pinching the bridge of his nose. "You don't need to remind me of what I've done-"

"Maybe not you, but I think Zoe needs reminding, seen as she seems to have completely forgo-"

"Stop!" cried Zoe angrily. Everyone around them stirred, Sokka rubbing his eyes blearily and sitting up saying, 'waz goin'on?' "If I can move past that Katara; then so can you." she took a steadying breath, "Goodnight." she said with a tone of finality.

And with that she sat down on her bed roll, diving under the covers, despite the fact that she was fully dressed.

"Nighty…night…" murmured Sokka, collapsing back into his sleeping bag.

After Zuko had moved to his bed, Zoe heard the distinct sound of someone shuffling and standing up. She peeked through her blankets and saw Katara walking off down the hall, her eyes glistening. Zoe's heart throbbed, but she didn't move; Katara had to realise some day that Zuko was part of their family now.

A/N So anyway... As a vague reply to all the reviews mixed together: Thank you very much for all the wonderful comments XD they all made my day, and I'm really glad you guys appreciate the fastish updates. I try...lol...Also thank you jack-vainglorious, I took your advice in my stead and tried to do it as much as I could! Stupid 'it' word...hard to get rid of...

hehe, to all of you again, I'm very glad you guys liked the kiss...

Now, anyway, big thanks and virtual hugs to you ALL! And aahh, what did you think of this chapter? =S I have to admit I'm worried about uploading it...so your opinions will be greatly appreciated! Ok...I'll press that little save button and go upload now...