'Tara?' Zuko gently nudged her shoulder, making her body rock slightly in his lap. She stirred a little a murmured a low 'mmhm…'

'We should head back. It's going to start growing dark soon.' Zuko peered up at the reddening sky, although the heat still burned down.

'Stay with me Zuko.'Katara lay on her back to peer up at her husband. 'Just us two. It's been so long I-… I miss you.' She smiled looking up to those amber eyes.

'Miss me? I'm always here?' Zuko chuckled softly, though the gleam in his eyes died down at her words. He cupped his hand around the far side of Katara's face. She nuzzled into his touch and brought her own hand up to catch his.

'I know, it's just… I miss… this. Being together… doing nothing in particular. I miss being able to talk about anything other than state business and debt.'

Zuko stretched back and lay his head back into the lush grass. His hands gently drifted away from her face and lingered about her shoulder. 'Me too. But-… Tara…I am the Fire Lord. I have responsibilities… I-'

'I know.'

He felt the pressure leave his lap as Katara shakily attempted the sit up. She curled up around her swollen bump, the fabric of her crimson dress stretched dangerously tight as she moved. It looked uncomfortable, negotiating weight and balance with pain. It looked a struggle.

'Hah!...' Katara creased, one hand flying to the belly. Zuko sprung up immediately and embraced her in his arms.

'I've got you…. I've got you.' He took a moment to survey her. 'What happened? Are you okay?...'

Katara nodded hurriedly, smiling back at him. 'I'm fine. Zuko I'm sorry.'

'Why on earth are you sorry? Agni Tara….'

'What I said. I want you to tell me about state affairs. I know it's your duty…' She leaned back and tantalised his lips gently into a tender kiss. 'And I will always be here to listen.'

Smiling, but without a word, Zuko carefully guided his strong arms beneath her bent knees, and lifted her bridal style. It was shaky and almost clumsy. Katara's pregnant belly cradled up against the soft silk of his informal robes, as she cuddled into his muscular torso. Her arms flung around his strong neck, she knew that he'd have to return to the dais tomorrow, but, selfishly, she wanted this moment to last, how she wanted them to be a couple again, without fire and ice dividing them.

The infirmary was deathly quiet. A few scurrying healers rattled along the corridors, checking in on wards and restocking their water supplies. Master Hao sat nervously in his office, staring out the scorched mark on the wall, he exhaled decisively and tacked a diagram of the workings of the elements over the tell-tale spot, securing it steadfast to the brick. He replayed the last hour over and over in his head, but it was no use, he had to make a choice.

'Will Fire Lady Katara live or die?... Will I be murdered as a traitor to Fong-Chow or as an enemy to the nation?...' He murmured incoherently under his breath. The elder man felt his heart racing beneath his chest, through his emerald green robes. He had no doubt that Fong-Chow would come through with his threats. A pang of pain shot through his arm, and clutching it desperately, he stumbled to his knees, sending reams of documents and trays of medical instruments clattering to the marble ground. The room span and blurred before him, when a small voice echoed through the office.

'Master Hao! Sifu what is wrong?!'

'Katara?'

'Hmmm?' Katara woke steadily and out stretched her palm against the smooth satin sheet, her hand danced over it as If sliding along an ice pool. Her blue eyes flickered open in surprise. She was lying in the royal bed chambers. The drapes were still open, cascading a soft orange glow across the room as the evening sun fell silently below the horizon. She glanced around the room, everything was just as regimental and ordered as it had always been, you would never have known of the chaos and dramatics of the past few days. She lay on her side, her belly gently resting on the crimson sheets that wrinkled around her. She felt a comforting warmth cradling her back, a soothing breeze of hot air brushed over her cheek as Zuko placed a careful kiss just beside her ear. He lay resting his head just behind hers on the pillow and ran his fingertips up and down the length of her arm.

'How are you feeling?' His voice was low, almost at a growl. A tingle spread down Katara's spine as his words tickled in her ear. She smiled,

'Fine…. How long was I asleep?'

'Not long. It's only just evening.'

Zuko sat up and combed through her hair with his fingers, almost absent-mindedly.

'I thought, if you felt up to it, we could sit for dinner with uncle soon… You haven't eaten at all today.'

'I'd like that.' Katara beamed to the air.

'I should check with Master Hao, but I don't see why not. I can look after you.' He brushed his hand along her hot cheek.