a/n Surprise! It's an update! A day late too! (Did I mention I'm going to try to update every Sunday?)
Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed, favorited, and reviewed this story! You are the best!

I know last chapter ended with a bit of a surprise, so without further ado…

Chapter 38 ~Surprise~

-Katara-

She hadn't meant to blurt out her news, to surprise him like that. In fact, she almost didn't tell him. It was just so hard to believe. She had tried to count back the days, but it was difficult to figure out how long they'd been gone. The sunrises and sunsets all seemed to meld together. Of course, she wouldn't have realized how late it'd gotten until Yugoda's comments. It was Yugoda who had figured it out. She knew before Katara did and now, Zuko knew too.

He said nothing. His eyes were wide and his face pale. It scared her. Was he upset? Happy? She hoped for the latter, but she needed a definite answer.
"Say something," she whispered, "please." His mouth opened, but no words came out immediately.
"I…I…" he started to say, "Are you sure?" he finally asked.
"Yes," she breathed. Her heart was beating fast in her chest (but not deathly fast).
"Really?" he asked again. She searched his face for any sign as to what he was thinking, nothing. She couldn't speak this time, so she only nodded. It felt like ages before he reacted. "Oh Spirits! Agni! Katara, really?" if it wasn't for the widening smile on his face, she would have been worried, but he was smiling, beaming. His eyes were lit with excitement. His voice tinged with awe. She smiled weakly and began to cry. His hands went instantly to her face to wipe off her tears.
"Yes, Zuko, really," she confirmed through her tears.
"Oh, Katara," he half whispered and half moaned. Next thing she knew, his warm lips were firmly pressed against hers. From the kiss alone, she didn't need any other confirmation that he was happy. She felt him pour his love into this one connection they had.

When he finally broke off the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. They were both out of breath and panting. Her eyes were still closed, but she could feel him staring at her.
"I love you Katara," he whispered and she opened her eyes. Love. That's all she could see shining back at her. Pure. Love. Why had she ever doubted him? Of course, he'd be happy about the baby. Our baby. The words sounded strange in her head, but in a good way.
"I love you too Zuko," she said tearfully, "so much." He gently pulled her into his arms. His hands traced lazy patterns on her back as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Her dreams started happy as she imagined her future child with Zuko. She envisioned a baby boy who was the spitting image of his father. Everyone was happy and full of life. Then things took a dark twist. She dreamed of Zuko turning his back on their little family, Zuko walking away, and Zuko banishing them. Instead of being a crisp cheerful dream, it became full of distorted colors and sound. She awoke with a start and found herself alone in their moonlit room.
"Zuko?" she called out tentatively. There was no response. She slid out from under the furs and padded off looking for him.

The floor was cool underneath her bare feet. Once outside she felt the mountain wind caress her skin. It almost felt cold. She had grown used to the warmer weather. The bright moon bathed the temple in a pale light, so beautiful. She looked around and walked down some steps until she saw him sitting where Guru Pathik liked to meditate. From such a distance, she could just make out his form and shadow. She smiled, having successfully located him, and took off in his direction.

It reminded her of a very large tree stump, the way the earth protruded from the ground in a flat yet round manner. She was standing on the bridge that lead to the island-like meditation rock. She was eye-level with the platform and could clearly make out his posture. His muscles were taught full of anxiety and pain. Something was wrong.

-earlier-
-Zuko-

He could hardly believe what she was telling him. Was he really going to be a father? It seemed impossible. He had never imagined himself as a parent. Ever. But she spoke the truth and he was surprised how happy that made him. When she fell asleep in his arms, his mind was still racing.

Were they too young? They weren't even married yet. Was it horrible timing? What would Uncle say? Life is like used tealeaves. If you don't enjoy them while they are still hot, they will dry up and blow away. Zuko shook his head. No, Uncle would definitely not say that. Zuko wondered if all fathers-to-be felt what he was feeling. He wondered if Uncle had felt such a strange mixture of delight and fear. Then a thought hit him like Azula's lightning and his whole body went rigid. What kind of father could he possibly be with a man like Ozai as his own father?

A cold sweat started to run down his back and his heartbeat accelerated. Katara moaned in protest by his sudden change and he stilled. He stared down at the sleeping beauty in his arms and knew he had to get up before he woke her. She needed her sleep. So as gently as he could, he extracted her from his arms. He kissed her tenderly on the head before getting up and pulling on a robe.

He felt drawn to what Toph nicknamed "the meditation ring of infinite wisdom." He sat down in the very center with his back to the rest of the temple and closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind. But as soon as his eyelids closed, all he could recall is the pain and suffering he had endured under Ozai. The voice in the back of his head that always told him he wasn't good enough, that he was worthless, that he was lucky to be born bounced through his mind. He felt the excruciating pain as half of his face seemed to melt off all over again. Uncle had once told him that it was lucky he had closed his eyes; otherwise, his left eye might have been permanently damaged. He never felt lucky. All he could think of at the time was his loss of honor. If he tried to concentrate on anything else, he would have been overwhelmed with the pain and be haunted by Ozai's laugh. That laughter seemed to echo through everything, the man behind it enjoying his child's suffering.

-present-

A small hand on his shoulder jolted his eyes open and his gaze quickly followed the hand up the arm and to its owner.
"Katara," he croaked his voice hoarse. He then realized there were tears on his face and he quickly wiped them away. He cleared his throat, "You should be asleep." She smiled softly down at him.
"So should you," she replied. He stood up slowly, but didn't turn to look at her. She needed him to be strong, so she couldn't see his torn up expression. Instead, he looked up at the moon shining down on them. It was so beautiful. He faintly remembered Sokka saying his girlfriend turned into the moon. She must've been something then. "Zuko?" she asked so softly he almost didn't hear her over the wind. He felt her hand return to his shoulder and he knew he had to look at her. Taking a deep breath, he turned and smiled weakly.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes," he answered quickly. Too quickly. She looked at him carefully and he knew she wasn't buying it. He took both of her hands in his and squeezed them gently. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said, slowly, carefully. Then he noticed the goosebumps on her bare arms and her slight shiver. He stepped back to quickly untie his robe and drape it around her shoulders.
"You shouldn't be out here in your condition. It's cold."
"I'm okay." She said, but he saw her hug the robe against her tighter, "It's you I'm worried about."
"I told you, I'm fi-"
"No, you're not. Something is bothering you. You're normally dead asleep by now, so something is on your mind. What is it?" she paused for a moment and her voice got quieter, "The baby?" she guessed. He closed his eyes and nodded slowly. He didn't want to admit it, how happy and horrified the surprise had made him, but he knew he should. He knew that she could help him sort through all of the turmoil he was experiencing; she'd done it before after all.

-Katara-

She tried not to let his confirmation hurt, but the immediate pang in her heart happened anyways. She didn't say anything, waiting for him to reopen his eyes and speak. When his eyes finally met hers, she read all the guilt he felt and immediately forgot her own hurt. There was so much torment in his eyes. The expression tore at her heart.
"I'm sorry," he whispered ashamed.
"It's okay," she reassured him quietly, but neither of them moved. She wasn't sure if a hug would make him feel better or worse, so she stayed where she was.
"No, it's not." his expression hardened, "I'm happy Katara, truly, I am."
"But?"
"But I'm scared." His admission surprised her. "I'm…I'm scared I'll be a bad father." No, Zuko. Never. She wanted to tell him that it was a ridiculous worry. He would never be…
"Like Ozai?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," he nodded, avoiding her gaze, "like Ozai." Her shoulders slumped. It made her sad to see how much faith Zuko lacked in himself. I thought we've been through this already… He needed to understand.
"Zuko," she said forcefully, causing him to look at her, "Listen to me. You. Are. Nothing. Like. Ozai." He opened his mouth to protest, but she continued, "You are going to be an amazing dad. Our child will never know the pain you went though and he will be loved deeply by both of us. Please don't worry about this anymore. I've already promised you once, but I'll say it again: I would never let you turn into your father. So please-" His strong embrace silenced her. She weakened in his arms and relished their warmth.
"What did I do to deserve you?" he whispered more to himself than to her.
"You are a good man Zuko. Never forget that." She answered emphatically. In response, he just squeezed her tighter.

They stood under the moonlight in each other's arms. As long as she was in his arms, she felt at home. She would have liked to stand there longer, but she was getting tired.
"Let's go back to bed." She suggested softly. He nodded against her and then immediately released her.
"Agni!" he exclaimed, "I shouldn't have been holding you so tight. Are you okay?" For some reason the panic in his voice made her laugh.
"I'm fine Zuko." She said smiling, "Never apologize for holding me close. Things might get a little awkward in a few months, but I'll always love your arms around me." He smiled too.
"When can we tell people?" he asked suddenly with excitement.
"Uhm…" she hadn't given it much thought yet, but it was a valid question. "Maybe after the wedding?" If they shared their news now… What would her father say?
"Oh, okay then," his disappointed expression was adorable.
"When did you have in mind?"
"Immediately," he answered automatically. She laughed. "But I see your point." He conceded, "All the more reason for a speedy wedding." Now he was smiling as well. "I've kept you out here long enough. Let's get you and Junior back inside."
"Zuko Junior?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"I was thinking more like Katara Junior." And they both laughed. While she was still laughing, he swooped her into his arms. "A baby girl just like her mother." He whispered. He was so unbelievably sweet. She wondered what she had done to deserve him.

-Zuko-

He had kept many secrets before (being the Blue Spirit for one), but he wasn't sure how long he could keep this secret. Every time he caught Katara's eye he beamed. The sooner we get married, the better he thought, but then he sighed. He knew there were some things that needed straightening out first like his heart. Apparently Yugoda knew how to heal him and he wanted to be around with Katara for quite some while. That's why he was awake so early and on his way up to the tower to see Yugoda.

Around the next bend of the stairs, he was surprised to see Yugoda on her way down.
"Oh, you're Highness! I was just coming to get you," she said.
"Really?" he asked, worried, "What's wrong?"
"I think we've had a break through." She explained, "She" Yugoda gestured up the stairs where Azula was, "has been asking for you." Zuko gulped. He wasn't sure if this was as good as Yugoda thought.
"Okay, I guess I'll go up and see her then…" he said hesitantly and Yugoda nodded encouragingly.

He stood outside the door. Should he knock? Azula had been asking for him so he felt he should knock. Yet, she was also restrained so it wasn't like she was free or anything. But-
"Just come in ZuZu." She snapped from inside. She surprised him, but he entered anyways.

She was still positioned how he last saw her, except there was a large basin of water near the stool by her couch. Something Yugoda must have been using he thought. He went to sit on the stool as before.
"Good morning, ZuZu." She sneered. So far, he hadn't noticed any 'breakthrough.'
"Good morning, Azula." He replied curtly. "Why did you want to see me?"
"You said we still have our grandmother. I want to meet her."
"I…uh…" he was surprised and not prepared for her request.
"Oh shut your mouth ZuZu. It's not becoming of the Fire Lord. Now, can I meet her or not?" There was something off. Something wrong.
"Why?" he asked, suspiciously.
"Can't a girl want to see her grandmother?"
"Maybe some girls, but not you. Why do you want to meet her?"
"Why do you want to meet her ZuZu? You're looking for one last connection to Mom."
"Why should you care? You hated Mom."
"SHE HATED ME!" Azula screamed and rattled against her restraints. "Her Mother must be just the same. And this new kid." She added.
"No." Zuko said standing up. "I know what you want to do Azula. You will not hurt them."
"But that's what I do! I'm a monster! I only destroy! Why should they be happy when I am suffering? Our Grandmother raised the kind of person who would murder and then abandon her own children. I'm sure our dear baby brother has been taught the same. Just look at what kind of kids Mother raised. Murders. They're the reason why we should never have children of our own." Azula wasn't making much sense, but her last words stuck with Zuko.
"You're wrong Azula," he said calmly sitting back down. "We choose how to raise our children. Mom did the best that she could…with Ozai."
"Dad." She spat, "He's your Dad ZuZu whether you like it or not."
"That's not my point! There's no reason…why…" his voice faded. There's no reason why I wouldn't make a good father.
"No." she said surprised. "You didn't. She isn't." His silence was her confirmation. "Oh ZuZu."
"What Azula? Just say it." He was ready for the worst. He would remain calm.
"A bastard child." His control snapped. He leaped from the stool while fire shot out of his clenched fists.
"Don't ever say anything like that again." He said through gritted teeth inches away from her face. His vision had become clouded with red anger and he didn't notice that he had accidentally burned away the ropes holding Azula's straightjacket encased body to the couch.

-Azula-

What a fool she thought. It was too easy. With the ropes severed, she could start working her way out of the wretched jacket. He didn't even notice either. He was too busy seething in her face. She enjoyed his shocked expression as she wrenched herself upright, knocking him back.
"Surprise!" she shrieked as her arms broke free and she started conjuring her lightning. One direct hit. That's all it would take. She could do it. She would do it. There was no Katara here to save him now. He would die without marrying his 'true love.' He would die before holding his bastard child. All it would take was one shot of lightning and she'd be free. "Say 'goodbye' ZuZu." She cackled as she took aim and fired.

a/n Okay, I'm just going to come right out and apologize. I know this is one hell of a cliffhanger, but I couldn't resist. I decided to show Azula's point of view just to add that extra element of surprise (I probably will refrain from using her POV again). Torturous cliffhanger aside, what did you think? Let me know in a review and thanks for reading! :)