Chapter 17:

Because he DOESN'T deserve you!

Zuko's words echoed in her mind. Who was he to say that Aang isn't right for her? She was beyond confused. She just wanted to leave.

"You can stand there looking stupid all you want. I have the bill of sale, proving I was the one who purchased it. You can go back home to him after all is said and done but you'll find out I'm right. Ask him Katara. I'm sure he'll show his true colors to you soon enough."

"Why Zuko? Why would you buy me something so expensive? I didn't ask you to do that for me."

"Because I wanted to do something nice for you. You caught the bus all the way across town so late at night, even in the rain. I thought it would be easier and safer for you to come to and from work. You've been such a good employee and an even better friend."

"Friends don't buy friends $300,000 cars. That's insane."

"Well excuse me if I suck at being friends. I haven't had a single real relationship or friendship in my entire life. Mai barely counts as a relationship, considering I treated her like crap the whole time she was with me. The only way I know how to maintain any relationship with a woman is to throw money at her and have sex until I grow tired of her. Well, I haven't gotten tired of you. I just don't know how to deal with- how to do this. This friend thing, I mean." Zuko paused for a moment. "But I do know one thing Katara. I know a bad guy when I see one and your so called boyfriend is one of them. I care about you and I'm not going to allow anyone that I care about to be played. You have to believe me!"

"Let me tell you something. I appreciate the car, but you can't buy me out like one of those bimbos you're used to dealing with. You take it back. What I do in my relationship from here on out has absolutely nothing to do with you, Zuko so stop worrying about me."

"It's too late. The car is paid in full. Accept it as a token of gratitude. And I think you are far more important to me than any of the other women from my past. I thought you'd know that by now. You can believe what you want but being stubborn ultimately gets you nowhere. I'm off to work now. Please take the trash out and I mean that in both ways. Good bye."

Katara sighed. Not only was she confused about everything, she now had to confront her boyfriend about being both over bearing AND a liar.

~/~

Katara arrived at Aang's place that night. He opened the door and he definitely looked like he had been hit by a truck instead of a grown man's fist. He had a splint on covering his nose and around his eyes were large, swollen black circles. She was shocked to see how red his eyes were too. Zuko really did a number on him.

"Hi Katara." He said in a congested voice with his head hung low.

"Aang, you look… rough." Katara declared heading to Aang's couch to sit down. He sat down next to her looking completely dazed.

"After I went to the ER they re-broke my nose to get it straight again. My entire face has been killing me. They put me on pain medication. Excuse me if I'm out of it. I haven't taken the second pill yet." Aang sounded so sluggish. She didn't even want to have this conversation with him when he was obviously in pain and partially under the influence of drugs.

"You're quiet. Not like you. You came for a reason so let's talk." Aang paused for a moment, rubbing his temple. Where was she even going to start: with his sins or hers? "Before you say anything about the party, I'm soooooo sorry Katara. I embarrassed myself and you, all because my ego was bruised. Something about Agni just makes me feel the need to protect you, to prove myself."

Funny, Zuko had said almost the exact same thing but which one really was the bad man here.

"What did he say?"

"He insinuated something sexual going on between you and him. I, I lost it." Katara's face went bright red. She really didn't want to tell him that she did in fact do something sexual, though not with Zuko, with a man she didn't even know and would probably never meet again. "I feel like less of a man compared to him. Come on, the guy is rich, attractive, and is notorious for having beautiful women around him. He could have any woman he wants and I really don't want that to be you."

"Is that why you lied to me about the car? You felt the need to defend your masculinity or some bullshit."

"W-what?!"

"He told me the truth about buying the car. It's time for you to do the same. You seriously thought I would never find out! For God's sake he's my boss. It's not like I wouldn't see him again."

"It slipped out. I know it was wrong. I only said it because he was doing something I could never do for you. I was jealous. Plus he had just told me he wasn't endorsing my product. The car thing just made it worse, especially with the way he was rubbing it in my face. The only reason he accepted my glider is because of you, not because he had faith in my product. You know how embarrassed, how powerless I felt during that meeting. The only thing I had over him was you and even he had taken that from me. I lied to you and I'm sorry but it was the only way to have some sort of power over Zuko."

"Well too bad you thought lying was the best solution. I would've stayed with you no matter how many gifts he bought me. You're so insecure and you've been lying and trying to overcompensate because of it. I don't want to be with a man who isn't confident in himself or me."

"Katara, wait." Aang looked directly into Katara's eyes. "You are the woman of my dreams. You're perfect. I have loved you ever since high school, ever since the first time I saw you. In high school I didn't have a chance, I guess I still believe I'm the same guy you didn't give a second glance to in high school. I will do anything for you to stay Katara. To be honest I lied because I was scared to lose you; now that I have you I can't believe it. Please stay, I will spend every moment making sure I'm the man for you. I'll forget about Zuko and focus on making you happy. Do you think I got my nose broken for nothing? I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be the best for you."

Jesus, he loves me and I cheated on him, Katara thought to herself. She couldn't bring herself to break up with him, not feeling this guilty and not when he took a sucker punch to the face. She was never going to speak or think about the fling she had with the Masked Man ever again. She had a good man in front of her, ready to give her the world. She'd be stupid to throw it away on some stranger.

"Let's start over Aang, but don't you ever lie to me again."

~/~

"You took him back after he lied to you? What the actual fuck?" Toph exclaimed over the phone. Katara was driving on her way to work when Toph had called to get a play by play.

"He did apologize and I feel terrible for cheating on him. He told me he loves me. What kind of person would I be if I left him when he was down?"

"A perfectly SANE human being. For a psych girl you sure are stupid when it comes to reading people. Did you tell him about the handsome stranger?"

"No and I'm not going to. You, me, and whoever it was that I slept with are the only people that know alright? Let's keep it that way and forget about that even happening."

"Easier said than done. Did you like it at least? I mean, was it worth it if you're really just going to forget about it?"

Katara remembered his hands all over her body, his warmth, and his sensual groans. Just thinking about it sent a shiver down her spine.

"It was amazing. The chemistry was like nothing I had ever felt before. He made me feel like all my nerves were on fire, but, but it's in the past now Toph. No matter how good the sex was it's not worth losing my boyfriend over."

"Who do you think it was? Think it was someone you knew? Oh my god! Katara, what if it was Jet or someone gross?"

"I've been with Jet before and trust me when I tell you he isn't that good. It doesn't matter who it is now anyway. He was a stranger and he will remain a stranger. I'll be at Zuko's soon-"

"WHAT IF YOU SLEPT WITH ZUKO?!"

Katara nearly swerved off the road. That just wasn't possible. Even if she had he would've told her something like that happened right? She wouldn't have minded it being him though, he was so hot. Enough, the man isn't Zuko or Jet. Hes a stranger and Katara would like for him to stay that way.

"That's disgusting Toph. Zuko would never be interested in doing that with me. Bye, Toph." Katara hung up abruptly and sighed. It was a new day Katara, a new and fresh beginning.

When she pulled up into the driveway she noticed a black BMV sitting in the driveway. Maybe Zuko had company or something? To her surprise it was none other than Mai Stone standing in front of the door, looking as if she was waiting for someone. Katara got out the car and walked up to the front with her key in hand. This was actually the first time she saw Mai in person and boy was she stunning. Her long, black wavy locks fell over her shoulders like waves. She had tawny gold eyes, pale skin and had legs for days. She had no problem showing off her MILF worthy body is her tight black pencil skirt and black bustier crop top. She hadn't even looked like she had a baby, just a sliver of her stomach was showing from the length of her crop top. Her stomach was completely flat. She was flawless with perfect skin and could obviously pass for a model. Not only was her beauty intimidating, her voice was even more intimidating when she opened her mouth to speak.

"Good Morning. I'm Mai, the mother of Zuko's child. It's nice to finally meet you and your name is?" Mai was surprising nice and invited. All Katara had heard from Zuko was that she was exceptionally difficult and all she had personally heard from Mai was her yelling at Zuko. Katara didn't know what to expect from the young woman in front of her.

"Uh Katara Sapphire. Nice to meet you too. Are you waiting for Zuko to let you in? I can-"

"Oh no honey, I'm here to talk to you Katara."

"I, I don't understand. I'm just Zuko's employee. Why would you want to talk to me?"

Mai chuckled softly, "Oh, 'employee' huh. I understand you've been spending time with my daughter and I just HAD to meet the woman who my daughter worships so much. Zuko's mess or whatever you call yourself doing here can wait. Come with me and we can have a little girls talk: woman to woman."

Katara's heart dropped to her stomach. Mai was obviously containing her dislike behind her Mac lipstick. That glare was enough to tell Katara that Mai didn't like her already. Katara had a bad feeling about this.

"I must say Zuko certainly does have good taste. I can see why he keeps you around." Mai stated looking at Katara's full body up and down. It was like Mai had just given her the visual equivalent of a strip search. This just wasn't happening right now. If there was any time to suddenly faint now was the time as the gorgeous brunette led her into her car. Why did Katara suddenly feel like she was being led into an extremely complicated yet beautiful spider web?

Author's Note: I apologize for being a day late. I had something to do today that kept me away from the computer. I will be back on schedule from now on. What do you guys think?

Until next time, Brie.