Author's Note: Wow you guys almost 100 reviewsJ! That's amazing. I'm so glad you guys keep coming back for more. You readers are really great and I'm thankful to have you guys consistently coming back every day. I now present Chapter 13.

Chapter 13:

Katara came into work ready to get the job done quickly to go home. She had recently been apartment shopping with Suki and she found a nice one bedroom condo downtown that was affordable and she was absolutely in love with and couldn't wait to move in. It had been a full month of searching for the perfect place for her to live. The sooner she was done with work today the better. Katara came into the Agni Estate and there was Zuko parading around the place shirtless setting her hormones ablaze. She was starting to think that he was doing this on purpose. He had a towel around his neck and his abs were glistening wet. He must have been working out this morning. Maybe he needed to blow off some steam, hopefully it put him in a better mood than the one he had last time she was here. Katara went straight to the kitchen and began washing the dishes, walking right passed Zuko.

"Well good morning to you too Ms. Sapphire." Zuko said in a cheery tone, wiping his face with the white towel around his neck.

"Morning." Katara muttered so Zuko could barely hear her. Zuko stepped into the kitchen and stood next to Katara near the sink.

"I apologize for my behavior Katara. I didn't mean to come off as rude but I was having a rough day and I really didn't want you to be subjected to my miserable attitude. I'm still working on being less… angsty. I really do want to be your friend."

"You want to be my friend Zuko. Prove it otherwise don't talk to me anymore." Katara retorted, scrubbing a plate as hard as she could. Zuko grabbed Katara's wrists and spun her around to face him. Her heart was racing, his golden eyes pierced her blue ones.

"I promise you I will prove it to you Ms. Sapphire." Zuko smelled like salt, musk, and cinnamon. A scent that made Katara feel like her whole body was being stimulated. He was so close to her his body heat could be felt. The way he was looking at her was like he had so much more to say but didn't. The tension was killing her. Aang. Aang. Aang. Think of Aang. Zuko's so gorgeous.

"Mr. Agni." Katara said in a soft tone

"Yes?" Zuko questioned in a deep, arousing voice.

"I um need off this Saturday. I'm moving into a new apartment. Everything's set accept my bedroom. Apparently finding a nice bed is harder than you'd think." Phew, lucky she was able to string together that sentence. Was he trying to get her worked up on purpose? He swiftly let go of her wrist and backed up.

"Well, that could definitely be approved. Although Maya will miss you this weekend."

"She needs quality time with just her dad, Zuko. Plus Mai would be upset if she knew I was spending so much time with her, any mother would."

"If Mai is mad she isn't mad at you I promise that much. I tried to talk to her so I know for a fact she definitely has every reason to hate to me." Zuko's eyes got glassy, looking like he was about to cry.

"She doesn't hate you Zuko. Don't give up. I know it's painful to own up to what you did because you still care about her, but you have to reconcile with her for Maya." Katara put a hand on his shoulder, waiting for a tear to fall but it didn't. He was still holding it in.

"She still loves me. She's still in love with after all these years, after I did those horrible things to her. I can't bring myself to understand that and as much as I want to I can't love her back. I can't take her anger and her pain away."

"You don't have to be in love with her to help her heal. She just needs you to show that you've changed and that you're trying to do better. She needs to trust you again. Be 100% honest with her about everything."

"How can I ever tell the mother of my child that I've moved on and think I have feelings for another woman, that I don't want her anymore? I can't break her heart like that again. She said I was poison to her. If I say the wrong thing and hurt her again I may never see her or Maya again."

"Tell her the truth Zuko. After all these years she deserves the truth. If she truly loves you she won't take your daughter away. Tell her you've moved on and apologize for all the pain you've caused her. Let her cool off for a while. All you can do is hope she comes back ready to accept the new you and co-parent for Maya."

"Katara." Zuko brought Katara to his chest and nestled her head in his chest. The intimacy was so abrupt Katara didn't know what to do. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Katara could feel his heart beating against her ear, his breath shallow, and his chest muscles hard beneath her body. She listened to his steady heart beat and for just a moment their hearts beat in synch. She shut her eyes and relaxed against him. He just needed a hug, just needed someone to support him and Katara would be there for him whenever he needed it.

~/~

You know the thing about foreign, Italian sports cars? They don't hold very much as far as trunk space goes. Katara had to get a moving truck and have her dad and Sokka come with the remainder of her stuff in her car later on that day. Aang was there with Katara bright and early to help carry stuff up the stairs and aid the movers in getting in all the furniture into the apartment. By noon all the furniture was in the condo: the living room set, the dining room set, and a kitchen table. Aang helped Katara unpack boxes, while Katara paced back in forth.

"What's wrong Katara? Aren't you excited about having your own place?" Aang asked using the box cutter to open up another box

"They lost my bed Aang. Where the hell am I going to sleep? And I don't get paid until next week. I already paid for it and the stupid movers lost it. Now I have a nightstand and dressers with no bed." Katara expressed extremely annoyed

Aang walked over to her and brushed her hair behind her ear. "It'll be fine Katara. You can get a new bed."

"Uggggh why did you buy me such a small car? I could've moved half this stuff myself if I had an SUV or something."

"Well, um, I thought you'd want something really nice. Besides, not having a bed isn't the end of the world. I could buy you a bed if you want."

"Aang, NO. You already bought me that expensive car. I could never accept another gift from you." Katara put her arms around his shoulders and Aang wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Well as soon as you do get a bed you should invite me over and let me try it out." Aang suggested kissing Katara passionately as he shoved her against a bare wall. He slowly went down and started putting soft kisses on her neck while making little circle on her lower back. Katara moaned quietly under his touch.

"Aaaang. We have to stop. My brother and dad will be here soon. Plus I think you're moving a little fast with the physical stuff." Katara said pushing Aang away. Lately Aang had been really touchy feely, especially when they were out together. He seemed way more possessive of her ever since he told her he bought her the car. Maybe he really liked her, but he was moving a little too fast for her taste.

"Fine, I'll stop and I'm sorry if you think I'm moving so fast. You're just so beautiful, Katara. I just want everyone to know that you're mine. I'm so happy to have you."

"Aang-"

"Helloooooo Baby Sister." Sokka walked into the apartment with Hakoda behind him. Both with boxes in their hands. Unfortunately Katara was still pinned to the walk by Aang, putting them in an awkward situation.

"Um are we interrupting?" Hakoda asked putting a box down in the living room.

"No, no Dad. We were just talking." Katara's face was bright red as she pushed Aang out of the way.

"Seriously Katara? You get your own place and move your boyfriend in on the very first day? Messy, messy." Sokka teased.

"Hello Mr. Sapphire. Hello Sokka. I was just helping Katara unpack some boxes." Aang said smirking

"Riiiight those boxes better be the only thing you're unpacking Aang." Hakoda stated with a serious tone. He shot a death glare to Aang. Aang only laughed, trying to not feel so uncomfortable.

Oh, Jesus. She was 24 years old and her Dad was still acting like a guard dog.

By 1PM she was all unpacked and mostly everything was set up accept the huge, gaping space in her bedroom where the bed was supposed to be. At least she had her own place now though. She could do what she wants in her space without her father's protective eye.

Sokka had left to go check on Suki, who was at home craving pickles with whipped cream, and took her father home with him. Leaving Aang in the apartment alone with Katara. Aang was setting up the flat screen television on the wall for her when she got a text from Toph.

Toph: You and Twinkle Toes consummate the apartment yet ;)? Found a bed?

Katara: NO! Stop it. Even if I wanted to I have no bed. Movers lost it.

Toph: How the hell do they lose an entire bed Katara? You can't be that dense.

Katara: What are you talking about? Movers lose things all the time.

Toph: …

Katara: What? What's the problem?

Just as Katara sent the final text the doorbell rang. Aang continued with the TV while she went to answer the door. Two big, brawny men were on the other side of the door.

"Katara Sapphire?" one of the men asked

"Yes? What are you guys doing here?"

"We're with Royal-Pedic. We are here to deliver a bed to you."

Yea, she definitely bought her bed for $500 at Value City on sale. What was this about?

"Um I didn't order that. Can you guys take it back?"

"We're sorry, Mr. Agni has paid in full. He's downstairs if you want to speak with him."

She was stunned. Zuko had orchestrated the bed thing and replaced her Value City Bed with a $5000 luxury bed. How could he possibly know she was missing a bed? TOPH! It was long overdue for Toph to die a slow painful death.

"Um, come and bring it in." Katara immediately pulled out her phone and texted Toph as the movers moved in the bedframe, box spring, mattress, and bed linens.

Katara: You told ZUKO I didn't have a bed.

Toph: I didn't teeeell him. He happened to go out the way to see if you needed anything for the new apartment. I just happened to mention that maybe you were in need of a bed the other day. He said you already mentioned something about your bedroom anyway so it isn't completely MY fault. Sorry not sorry.

"I told you your bed would come Babe." Aang said kissing her on the cheek.

Speak of the Devil, Zuko Agni was right in front of them.

"Katara, what is HE doing here?" Aang looked like he was about to punch a wall as Zuko nonchalantly walked in with his hands in his pockets.

"Hello, Ms. Sapphire. I heard you were in need of a bed. You've been such a worker and friend. I figured I could give you something you really needed."

Katara was absolutely dumbfounded. How did this happen so fast? She couldn't even get a word in edge wise without the two men going back and forth.

"Your boss bought you a bed! How inappropriate is that? Katara, tell them to take it back!"

"Well unless you want your girlfriend sleeping on the floor I wouldn't recommend that. By the way it's nice seeing you again Mr. Zephyr after our little meeting."

That was it she was going to pass out. She didn't even know what to say.

"Katara! Tell him and his bed to go. You don't need it. I can take care of you just fine."

"Well, that's a nice car outside you have Ms. Sapphire. Whoever bought that for you must really care?" Zuko said sarcastically.

"That's right I do care about my girlfriend. I only want the best for her." Aang stated putting his hand around a mute Katara's shoulder

"Oh really? Is that so?" Zuko only chuckled. What was funny? Did Zuko know something she didn't? "I really do hope you enjoy being in the bed I bought you. Trust me, there's no catch involved. I'm just being a considerate friend but I'll be leaving now. See you at work Ms. Sapphire."

Zuko made his leave and shut the door behind him. There was nothing she could do now. He was gone, the bed was already here, and Zuko WAS becoming her friend after all. Although she could completely understand Aang's frustration, even though it seemed like something else entirely different was bothering him.

"I'm sorry Aang. I had no idea he was going to do that for me. I didn't know but please calm down. It's not like I'm going to hop into the bed with him or anything. He's just my boss. Come on, sit down. Be calm." Katara led Aang to the living room couch. She could tell he was still furious.

"You might as well be in bed with him. What kind of gesture is it if a man buys a bed for a woman? He wants to sleep with you Katara. He did this on purpose. He is a total scum bag. You saw him all over the news didn't you? He's a playboy and he wants to play you next."

"Zuko is my boss! Maybe he wants to be nice to me because I've been doing a good job and he's not the same guy that's been all over the media Aang. Just let it go. The bed is already here. Let's just cuddle."

"What man buys a woman he hasn't slept with a brand new bed?"

"Obviously Zuko Agni. I have NEVER had sex with him. Besides just minutes ago you offered to buy me the same thing and we haven't done anything. Pot calling the kettle black much."

"Yea, well that doesn't mean you don't want to do anything with him. Besides, I am a NICE GUY Katara. That's why I offered to buy you that, that's why I bought you that car. Zuko has no respect for women at all. I am obviously the one who has the good intentions here."

"What is WRONG with you? I'm with you for a reason. Stop being so insecure. So what if he bought me a bed I'm still with you Aang."

"Because a guy like him doesn't buy you things just to be nice. There's always a purpose."

"I don't want to argue with you. If you want to take the bed back, take your stupid car back Aang. I don't get how you can be angry at him for buying me something when that car was way more expensive."

"Because he's…he's different okay. He doesn't care about you like I care."

"And what the car represents you caring? Well I'm not something to be won or bought Aang. If Zuko shakes you up so much don't date me anymore. You're throwing a temper tantrum like a little kid. I'm not quitting my job and I'm not taking a perfectly new bed back. So you can continue to be insecure all you want. Zuko is still going to be my boss AND my friend. Get over it or leave."

Aang's whole demeanor immediately changed. "I'm sorry. I guess I just feel like he's competing with me or something. He's Zuko Agni. What man wouldn't be intimidated by him? I'm just scared you're going to run off with him."

"I'm not going anywhere Aang. I promise. Plus, there's no competition involved he has a new girlfriend."

Katara thought back to what he said Friday: How can I ever tell the mother of my child that I've moved on and think I have feelings for another woman, that I don't want her anymore? Unless she qualified as a contender Zuko certainly wasn't referring to her. Just the other day he was ordering her away from him. Zuko HAD to be talking about someone else. He was Zuko Freaking Agni; he could have any woman he wanted. It isn't farfetched to believe he had met someone.

"Katara, I'm really sorry. I'll work on being more secure in our relationship. I really want this to work."

"I do too Aang." They couple leaned in for a kiss. Whether Zuko had a girlfriend or not, the only man she was worried about right now was kissing her like they wouldn't make it to the next morning sunrise.

Author's Note: Any thoughts or comments?