Hey guys, here is another drabble. This one will probably not make you happy but I wanna get it out of my head.

I own nothing.

ZZ

Katara awoke at the sound of the train. She shifted to turn but was pinned between Zuko's strong arms, pulled completely against his body. Sighing softly she nuzzled deeper against his chest and thought about the night before. She had come over to spend a night drinking with her friend. She was supposed to sleep in the guest room, but now she woke up in his bed. She turned slightly to where she could see him, still sleeping deeply.

It had been late, and they hadn't drank that much, but Katara was warm, and decided to change into her bed clothes. That was mistake number one. Deep down she knew he would be attracted to her bed clothes; a T-shirt too big for her, red boxer shorts much too short for her, and black knee-high stockings.

She walked out of the guest room and across the living room, picking up her margarita daintily, knowing his eyes were on her every move. When she came to sit next to him on the couch, she purposefully sat too far away from him, causing him to shift nearer to her. She propped her legs on his lap, knowing full well it would tempt him to touch her, but she had made him promise not to touch her unless invited.

So he stared. He kept glancing at her face and letting his eyes drift down her body. She knew what he was thinking. Those eyes said it all. He still loved her, wanted her, needed her.

"What?" she finally asked.

"What, what?"

"What do you want?"

He turned his golden eyes on her. "I want to kiss you."

"That's not a good idea. We're supposed to be friends."

"I know."

"My stomach hurts," she said.

"Do you want Pepto Bismo? Antacid? Milk? Bread? Sprite?"

"No, I'm not sick. It hurts because I'm nervous."

"Why are you nervous?"

"Because I want you to kiss me."

"So how can we make the nerves go away?"

"I don't know." But she knew, and he knew she knew.

"I can kiss you. But I need permission."

And like she had a mere week before, she lost herself and gave him permission to kiss her.

If only it had stopped there, Katara thought groaning inwardly. But it hadn't.

Zuko kissed her once, twice, then several more times. Katara finally pulled away and feigned interest in the movies. Zuko stared at her contemplating until he remembered something. He reached for her hand and brought her long tanned fingers to his left ring finger. Using her fingers, he removed the ring he wore on that finger.

"What is it?" she asked.

"'What is it?' It's the ring you bought me for our anniversary. Look inside it."

On the inside were the words I love you. Katara sucked in her breath. This ring was over four years old.

"You've kept it?"

"I've gone back for it so many times, times when a lost ring should have been the last thing on my mind. I've lost every other ring I've ever owned except for that one."

Katara looked down at the ring and frowned. This wasn't how the night was supposed to go. Feelings and emotions weren't supposed to be present right now. She looked up at Zuko to tell him so, but he had that look in his eyes again.

That damn look Katara swore to herself, lying in Zuko's arms the next morning. That look that made her melt over and over and over.

When Katara saw that look, she leaned up to him, and he met her, kissing her hard. For the second time that night, Katara's sense left her and she kissed him again. When they pulled away again, Zuko commented on her scent again.

"I've always missed the way you smell, but I never forgot. I never forgot you, Tara, ever. You have no idea how much your being here means to me."

She kissed him again to avoid replying.

Finally she got the courage to say it. "I've missed the way you used to make me feel so safe."

"Used to?"

"I haven't had that feeling in years."

"Do you have it now?"

Katara knew she should have said no. Katara knew her heart wasn't safe. She knew she was risking her heart again, her future. But when Zuko was around, she always felt so protected. He would keep anything from touching her. But he hurt her so much, so many times.

But he was here, now, and Katara allowed that to be the only thing that mattered right now.

"Yes," she said.

And he kissed her again.

As he peppered kisses down her face, Katara ventured into dangerous territory.
"It's going to be so weird sleeping away from you tonight."

"You don't have to. I gave you the guest room as an option, I'd much rather have you in my room. If you want."

Katara looked him in the eyes. She wanted this, but it was wrong, so so wrong. She bit her lip in contemplation, and Zuko growled. That growl tickled her core and Katara resisted the urge to sit in his lap.

"I want."

Katara attempted a facepalm, but was blocked by Zuko tightening his arms around her. Geez, was he always this hot? Katara wished she could move away from Zuko while she thought about the night's events, but knowing she would leave quickly after he awoke, she scooted closer to him.

Zuko led her to his room and popped the unwatched movie into the DVD player. He led her to his bed and kissed her again.

She attempted stop things again.

"We're terrible at being friends, you know."

"I know." - kiss
"We shouldn't, we really ought not."

"I know." – kiss

"Stop."

"Yes, ma'm," and Zuko reluctantly pulled away.

"If we do this, it'll mean something to me."

"It'll mean something to me to."

"It'll mean I'm falling back in love with you."

"It'll mean I never stopped loving you."

Katara sighed again and looked at Zuko, still sleeping with his arms tight around her. Stupid boy making her dopamine levels all silly. Stupid love making her willing to do things she said she wouldn't do.

His eyes fluttered open.

"Morning," she said.

He grinned and pulled her even closer. "Mm, morning."

"Sleep well?"

"Yes, this bed felt so full last night. Full and happy. I want you in it always."

She looked away. "I don't think that's possible."

"I know, we still live too far apart. Though I could move closer."

"Maybe."

"You okay?"

Katara looked at him. She knew what she should say. That last night was a mistake. That it couldn't happen again. That they were just friends. That she had to go back to school. That when she graduated, she was leaving the state. That she didn't want him to come with her. That she wasn't herself when he was around. That she loved him still, and because of that, he was dangerous.

But could she? Could she say all of that?

"I have a meeting, in an hour. I should go."

"So soon?"

"I'm meeting with a professor about grad school."

"You can't reschedule?"

Katara knew she shouldn't, but he was so appealing. Bare-chested, hair tousled, pajama pants hanging loosely on his hips, lips swollen, eyes heavy-lidded. That small scar on his jaw caught the sunlight and sparked that feeling in her lower abdomen. Katara knew she shouldn't reschedule…but…

Three hours later they emerged from his bedroom for sustenance. He made her toast and eggs, and she watched him, wearing her bed clothes, but instead of her T-shirt and her boxers, she was wearing his.

When he finally walked her to her car and kissed her thoughtfully, reality finally hit her.

"Zuko, what happened last night…"

He stopped her with a kiss. "I know what you're gonna say. Break up with me tomorrow. Let me have tonight."

"We're not together for me to break up."

"You'll manage it, trust me."

"Tonight, then," she said.

"Thank you."

As Katara drove the 45 minutes to her apartment, she thought about having to say goodbye to her first love again. It wasn't fair that she had to do this all over again. She already sacrificed him once, and now he was back in her life all over again. It wasn't fair.

All she wanted this time was a friend. But when he was around, Katara couldn't think straight. Couldn't reason.

Couldn't catch her breath.

ZZ

Okay, hate me if you wish, I just really needed to get that out. I'll upload some Zutara fluff soon to mend all the broken hearts. =)