Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.

song of a free heart: First of all, I just wanted to say that the reason I left all the periods out of your username is because for some reason, when I type it out, FF deletes it once it's published. Sorry for the inconvenience. Secondly, I'm glad I made you smile! That was my goal :)

Rainproof Coyote: I've been there too, and it's no walk in the park. Airports in general seem to be pretty hectic for whatever reason. :P

NollasBlack: Lu Ten rocks.

MagicalBender: Usually I hate cliches, but this just had to be done :)

anonymous: Glad you liked it! And yes, I seem to have a knack for writing modern time drabbles, so there will be more to come!

Zuko snapped.

"Just leave, Katara! Go! I don't love you, I never did, and I never will!" He took several aggressive steps forward until she was backed up against the door. He loomed over her. "Stop pining after me and making a fool of yourself! Don't you realize that I don't want you?! Where did your dignity go? Since when did Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe go following me around like a lost puppy?! Go back to Aang, at least he loved you back!"

She gaped for a moment, just staring at him in shock. Her chest heaved once, and then fury blinded her eyes. With angry tears forming, she glared harshly. "You think I don't know that?!" She screamed, still against the door. "You think I didn't already consider going to Aang? I chased you around because I can't go back to Aang! Do you know how guilty I feel every time I look at his face and see the hope planted there? The hope I am forced to feed him every single day of my life?! I followed you around because I thought that maybe, in the slightest chance, that you might feel something back for me! I chased you around because at least with you I felt something real, even if it wasn't returned! It's not like I was asking for marriage, Zuko. The least you could've done was humor me until this crush weared off, or at the very minimal let me down easy. But obviously I saw something different in you, because you didn't have the decency to even do that. No. You insult me, disgrace me, and treat me like a pest. I thought you had more respect for me than that."

She swiped frustratedly at the tears streaking down her face. She shoved him away from her and yanked the door open. But before exiting, she stopped in the doorway, turning halfway to him.

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for paying too much attention to you. I didn't mean to offend you." She took a shuddering breath. "Obviously I wasn't acting mature enough for you, so I apologize. But please know that next time, you won't be let off the hook that easy for speaking to me in such a demeaning manner. I'm not some sort of titanium, Zuko. I can get hurt too."

She strode out, not bothering to take another glance back. The door to his office slammed shut.

Zuko let out an exhausted, defeated sigh, collapsing into a chair. This wasn't fair, not to her, not to him, and not to Aang, but he knew he had done the right thing. He wouldn't allow her to be held back by him. She was much to good for him anyways. Anyone could see the potential greatness inside her, and he didn't want to be the one to hinder her.

I'm so sorry, Katara. I didn't want to hurt you. Maybe, if we lived a different life, if our world was different, I would be able to love you back. But it isn't, and for that, I'm sorry. Please understand. Don't take Aang's love for granted. Eventually, you'll learn to love him. Eventually, this heartache will go away.

Author's Note: Sorry for the depressing one, but it's been one of those days, and I'm in one of those moods...

This one was sort of a break from all the modern day ones, but the next drabble may be another AU kind of setting. I promise it'll be a lot better than this one, plus I'll try and update sometime this week.

Peace out.

MI3