Zuko stared numbly at his tea cup while Dr. Jung tapped his thumb nervously against the wooden table. The doctor's apartment was on the outskirts of the upper ring, and its sparse furnishings indicated that he had not been there long—or did not plan on staying. After tonight's episode, Zuko decided once and for all that he could never trust the doctor's intentions. Although, he had to admit his appreciation for the apartment's solid walls.
Katara emerged from the one room—Dr. Jung's—where they had put an unconscious Ursa to bed. She poured herself a cup of tea, the doctor's trademark calming blend, and joined the other two at the table.
"All of her vitals are fine," Katara reported. "She's just like she was after…"
Zuko nodded. He knew. He used to dream about seeing his mother again, yet he never imagined it would be in a comatose state like he found her when he came back from Two Rivers. Then again, he also used to have nightmares that she was dead, and he would never see her again.
"After what?" Dr. Jung asked nonchalantly.
"After the stabbing," Katara answered automatically.
"The what!?" The doctor blanched.
"You didn't know? Spirits, I swear no one tells each other anything around here!"
"Where was she stabbed? I didn't see any scar. At least not a new one…"
Zuko let out a noise of disgust. "I'll leave you two to discuss the medical aspect of my mother's condition." He downed his tea in one gulp and then entered the room where Ursa lay sleeping.
"I healed her, that's why," Katara explained. "She was stabbed in your office, Dr. Jung. By her own brother. I can't believe you didn't know about it."
"My office? By Cheng? No… the other brother. She told me about him, Zukon… wow. Just when you thought Fire Nation family drama couldn't get any more—"
"I know what you mean," Katara cut him off. She didn't want to dwell on it too much, though. Whenever she thought about all the craziness in Zuko's family, it made her feel a little homesick. Of course, now there was drama afoot in her own family. What is going on with this Malina woman...
"How is he?" Dr. Jung interrupted her thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"Zuko. How has he been since… well, since I left, I guess. I don't get regular weekly updates anymore, so…"
"Oh. He's um, better, actually. He hasn't had any nightmares since…" Since you left, actually. Hmm. "Well, it's been a few weeks."
"That's great! I thought we might be on the verge of a breakthrough. I regretted having to leave. I really wanted to see him through."
Katara held the impression that the doctor had little to do with Zuko's recent progress. The way the absence of Dr. Jung coincided with the absence of Zuko's nightmares also struck her as… odd. Yet he looked so hopeful sitting before her now, asking for some confirmation of his own success. Perhaps Dr. Jung saw his efforts with Zuko as some sort of penance for what he did to Ursa. For all his faults, Katara knew that he genuinely cared.
"He's doing better. There's a lot weighing on him right now, but he carries it well. Ursa has been struggling lately, though. Lots of emotional breakdowns. She only had one session with Azula, and it didn't go well for either of them."
"Yes, she told me a little about that over dinner before we—ah…" Dr. Jung cleared his throat. "You two weren't spying on us, were you?"
"Of course, not! We were trying to get away from all the suffocating high court stuff and get some fresh air! Plus, we've been to the gardens before. I had planned on going back at some point during this visit."
"Ursa and I used to go there a lot, too. Back when we were working together. I mean, it was during the day, and nothing was going on between us. I don't really know what came over me tonight. Acting like an irresponsible teenager…"
"So, what exactly IS going on between you two?"
"I don't know, Katara. I know I should be helping her, trying to find a cure or something. But I just want to… spirits, it sounds so stupid. But I just love her. And I want her to know that she's loved. Truly loved. That I would never do anything to hurt her… that I didn't mean to—"
"I get it. I really do. And maybe loving her is helping her. Or maybe you should stop trying to help her and JUST love her. Like you said tonight, love her for who she is, inside and out. Don't try to fix her. Just be there for her."
"That makes sense, I guess. But it's so hard to see the one you love suffering without knowing what to do. I just want to make it all better."
"But you can't. Spirits, you even tried to make the past go away, and it still didn't work. Ursa told me once that when you love each other well, then love is all you need. Since she said that to me—as a Joo Dee, mind you—I've also learned that love is hard, but it is so, so worth it."
"Katara, you're not bad for a… irresponsible teenager, you know that?"
Katara thought it was probably the first time she had ever seen Dr. Jung genuinely smile at her.
"It's getting pretty late. Or more like it's really early. Either way, you should be getting back before your uncle worries about you." Dr. Jung stood behind Zuko who was kneeling at his mother's bedside.
"As much as I don't want to, I guess it would be best to leave her here." Zuko spoke just above a whisper.
"You… don't trust me."
"Why would I?"
"I suppose that's fair, Zuko. I've not done anything to earn your trust. But I promise to take care of your mother. I'd give my life before I let anything happen to her."
"Is that how you felt when the Dai Li came to take her away? Or was she useless to you without her memories? Just like she was useless to my father then."
"Zuko, not a day goes by that I don't regret what happened. I won't make excuses. They threatened my life, and I was scared, yes. But they also promised a better life for her. It was better than the alternative. I could never send her back to your father."
"So, when she became a Joo Dee, she wasn't one of the ones who—"
"I don't think so. There were different classes of Joo Dees, so I think with her refined disposition, they would have put her in the top tier with a respectable position. And in all honesty, Zuko, the men who sought Joo Dees for exploitation would have found the scars... unattractive."
Zuko closed his eyes. "I had no idea they were that bad. What she must have gone though…"
"So, you didn't read the dream journal, I take it?"
"No. I was afraid I might… my father…"
"I wouldn't blame you."
"I told you I'm not a killer."
"I know. And you surprised me tonight. I thought the guard was a dead man. But you didn't even lose your temper. You might have to watch out for your girlfriend's temper though."
"Heh. Well, what she did was much more effective than you or me trying to talk the guard down. I probably shouldn't have let it go so far. Then my mother wouldn't be like this."
"She'll be fine. I didn't know about the stabbing, but I know why this happens. The brain gets overloaded, so the body shuts down for a little while to allow the brain to repair itself. Every night when we are sleeping, our brains are recovering from the day, sorting out information and rebuilding for the next day. It's why a person can go crazy from sleep deprivation. It also explains why we dream and also why it's important to get a handle on reoccurring nightmares. They're like festering wounds that can't heal. So, your mother's brain has forced itself into recovery mode. She should feel much better when she wakes up."
"She's not doing well overall, though. She's been very emotional and agitated lately. I don't know what to do."
"What worked for you?"
"Huh?"
"You seem to be doing better. You're not as angry, and Katara said you haven't had the nightmares for a while. What worked for you?"
"I honestly don't know. But even if I did… would it work for Mom, too? I used to think our experience was similar, but now I'm not so sure…"
"I don't know, either. I guess we just make sure she knows that we love her no matter what. Ozai never loved her like he should, and she seems to think she is unlovable. She knows you love her, but she feels such incredible guilt about what happened to you, that she won't allow herself to feel free in that love, either. I used to not put that much stock into love. It defies science, you know. That was before I started studying the brain… and consequently matters of the heart."
Zuko shifted so he could make eye contact with Dr. Jung. Molten gold met somber green. "I'm still not sure if I'm OK with it, but it's not my choice to make. I know that you love her, and if she loves you and chooses you, then please—"
"You have my word."
Katara yawned and slumped over the spread of tea and cookies in front of her. The dowager cleared her throat loudly, and Katara caught her disapproving glare as she straightened back up in her seat.
"Oh, sorry. Late night." Katara ignored the raised eyebrow the woman gave her and shrugged at Song instead. She would have preferred to sleep through the mid-morning bridal tea especially since it had been arranged by the dowager. However, she knew she was here to support Song—who looked absolutely miserable, the poor thing.
Suki and Malina soon entered the exquisitely decorated tea room and each headed for the vacant spots on either side of Katara.
"I don't believe we've officially met. Hi, I'm Malina." The auburn-haired woman bowed before taking her seat.
"Mmm, yes. I'm Katara. Nice to meet you." She didn't bow in return and again, felt the dowager's stare upon her.
"Likewise. Koda has told me so much about you." The woman's bright blue eyes sparkled as she spoke. Nobody in the south wore their hair short like Malina, however, Katara had to admit the style framed her angular face well. She was beautiful… yet so young.
"Koda?" Katara suppressed a laugh. The only way she could survive this encounter was to keep things light-hearted.
Malina blushed. "Well, I call him that sometimes. It seems more… I dunno, efficient?"
"Efficient? Because adding two more letters would make it such a mouthful to say…" Katara smirked.
"Excuse me, ladies," the dowager interrupted. "But it is time to begin. This is not just any tea, but a special tea for our dearly beloved bride, Song. Now, all of you here are not married or betrothed, and there's a reason for that. It is Earth Kingdom custom to determine the next person to be married. King Kuei and Song's wedding will be blessed by the promise of budding romance and loving bonds that may succeed them. So, drink up, ladies. True love is told among the tea leaves."
Malina let out a girlish giggle. "I've heard about this tradition. I've also heard that it tends to be true. It's not just superstition." She rubbed her hands together in a scheming fashion, and then lifted her tea cup to her lips.
Katara didn't really know what the tea had to do with anything, but she fought the urge to freeze Malina's right then and there. She saw Song roll her eyes from across the table. Katara raised her cup—and her eyebrow—in a mock toast to the bride. Hang in there, Song. This will soon be over.
Once everyone had finished their tea, they exchanged expectant smiles. Malina was the first to dump the tea leaves out onto her saucer. Everyone else then did the same. Just before Katara started poking at the wet lumps, the dowager shrieked, "Don't touch them! Now, who has the most?"
The dowager walked around the table, making contemplative noises as she eyed each person's plate. After making two full circles, she finally stopped behind Suki and placed her hands on the warrior's shoulders. "You, my dear, will be the next one to get married! Congratulations!"
Katara saw Malina slump in disappointment out of the corner of her eye. She didn't really want to entertain the idea that the northerner and her father were actually that serious. Besides, congratulations were in order. Sokka and Suki had been dating for nearly two years. She gave a sideways hug to her friend and squealed in delight. She'd always known they'd be sisters sooner or later.
The dowager offered a tight-lipped smile before pacing the room again. "Now, I have a special surprise for you all. Don't disturb your tea leaves, because a special guest has come to read your fortune for you!"
Katara's jaw dropped as Aunt Wu entered the room. Her own fortune from what seemed like ages ago rang loud and clear in her memory. I feel a great romance for you. The man you are going to marry. I can see that he's a very powerful bender. Of course, now Katara even had confirmation from Fire Sage Shyu's prophesy. She didn't know what she would ask the fortuneteller this time around. About her wedding? About her children?
As it turned out, it wasn't a question-and-answer type of thing. Aunt Wu apparently planned to read the future from the patterns in the tea leaves. She kept her voice just above a whisper, so Katara couldn't hear what she said to Song or the dowager, but she heard the prediction Aunt Wu gave to Malina.
"I sense deep love and devotion in you. But your relationships will be challenged by conflict between two great forces, and you must choose between the man you've known your entire life and the man you've only just met."
Malina nodded, her face downcast. Katara wondered who this other man was, assuming the newer one mentioned was her father. It was a strange fortune… it felt almost familiar to Katara, as if Aunt Wu could deliver the same words to her and have them ring true. She'd often struggled with the implication of leaving her home and family in the South Pole to unite with Zuko and consequently, the Fire Nation.
Aunt Wu's breathy voice shook her from her thoughts. "Ah, yes. We meet again, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. Or is it Fire Lady Katara now? Hmm?"
Katara raised an eyebrow in response.
"Not yet, I see. All in due time, I suppose," Aunt Wu continued. "Well, I don't have any proclamations about love for you today. Only that you will have to make a very difficult decision soon. You must decide between what you feel is right and what you know will work. And there will be lives at stake, perhaps even these lives will be in your hands. Decide wisely, Katara."
Katara thought maybe she and Malina had something in common on this front. Their fortunes were weighty, and it left her with a queasy feeling in her stomach. She hoped tea time would end soon so she could get some fresh air.
Aunt Wu then addressed Suki. "When you leave the Earth Kingdom Capital, you will be surprised to find where you end up next. Oh, and the wedding custom rings true for you, my dear. You will be the next to be married."
Katara saw Zuko later that afternoon when a procession of young men returned from a ceremonial bachelors' hunt. King Kuei carried a deer pig head tucked under his elbow. Haru had an eel snake draped across his shoulders. Katara crinkled her nose when she saw that Sokka had a boar head positioned on top of his own head. Zuko, however, wore a disgruntled expression and several cuts and scrapes. It must not have gone well for the firebender-turned-hunter.
"I don't want to talk about it," Zuko mumbled as he brushed past Katara.
"Well, at least let me heal you!" she called after him.
Sokka just shrugged. "I told him to go after the regular boar." He pointed at his unconventional headpiece. "But he insisted on challenging the boar-q-pine."
"He's probably just a sore loser," Katara said.
"Hey, yeah. What does the winner get?" Sokka turned to Kuei and held his arms out expectantly.
The Earth King cleared his throat. "Right. Well, whoever gets the biggest kill will be the next person to be married."
Katara clapped her hands together. "Oh, Sokka, that's so exciting because—" She didn't finish because her brother had gone into a state of shock with wide eyes, pale cheeks, and mouth agape.
"Hey Sokka!" Suki seemingly came out of nowhere. "How was the hunt?"
"Ba-da da um, ya, duh…" Sokka proved inept at forming words. Katara, Kuei, and Haru took the hint to leave the two of them alone.
Katara found Zuko in their room feigning sleep. She gloved her hands in water and began healing his wounds.
"It's probably considered invasive if not an intrusion on doctor-patient privilege if you don't at least ask first," he said with a smirk.
"I heard you had a run-in with a boar-q-pine."
"Well, I woulda had him except…oh, nevermind. I've never been that good at hunting. And Sokka, he's a natural. Must be a South Pole thing."
"Well, it's true that he didn't grow up in a palace, if that's what you mean." She smiled as she finished up the last cut on his arm.
He sighed. "I still want to go there someday. I would love to see where you guys grew up."
"Well, it might look a lot different now. This Malina person is heading up the reconstruction project and apparently she has my father wrapped around her little finger." Katara's eyes narrowed as she spoke.
"Yeah, I met her brother, Maliq, and he's working on the project, too. He complained about how unsophisticated the south is. How the barbaric tribal system is getting in the way of accomplishing anything. It sounded like something people in the Fire Nation would say… and in a way, it's worse. Aren't they supposed to be helping you?"
"Yes, one would think so," Katara said through gritted teeth. She really needed to talk to her father about all of this, she decided.
"Katara, maybe we really should schedule a trip to the South Pole soon." Zuko placed a warm hand over hers. "I was initially thinking for just personal reasons, but perhaps a more diplomatic purpose has presented itself."
She understood he was trying to comfort her, but she wasn't sure how exactly. "What do you mean?"
"I can talk to your father. We can arrange further trade agreements between the Fire Nation and the South Pole. You're the Ambassador, so you should be in on the conversations, too. We won't undermine what Maliq and Malina are doing, especially if your father values their input for um, certain non-political reasons. But, Katara, if the South Pole remains open to working with the other nations, then the North Pole won't have so much of a foothold."
"I guess that makes sense."
"I think Chief Hakoda will see reason. He won't allow the North too much control, I'm sure of it. And worldwide cooperation is the only hope we have of rebuilding and maintaining peace."
"Okay." Katara curled up next to him on the bed and tucked her head under his chin. She did feel better about what he was saying. He may not be the best hunter, but he was a damn good Fire Lord.
A/N: Alright, alright, like the Elvis song goes, "A little less conversation, a little more action please..." It's coming, I promise.
"A little more bite and a little less bark; a little less fight and a little more spark..."