Katara had watched in horror as Zuko had stepped in front of her to take Azula's lightning strike that had been meant for her. After defeating Azula, she had done what she could for the new Fire Lord.

As she sat by his beside in the days since, she had finally had time to process all that had happened in the past few days. She knew three things for certain. One, she loved Zuko. Two, that the night weeks ago in Ba Sing Se, had resulted in a child, Zuko's child. Three, she was scared to tell Zuko the truth.

He had been in and out on consciousness as she worked to heal him. Everybody had been by to see Zuko and give her the good news of Aang's defeat.

Finally, after three days of fitful sleep, Zuko seemed to be resting comfortably. Now, as morning began to creep over the horizon and Katara stretched her aching muscles. She stood up from her chair at Zuko's bedside and rested her hand on his forehead, checking for fever. Finding none, Katara began to gather bandages and other supplies that had been used to help heal Zuko. She cleaned up the mess and felt safe enough to leave Zuko to rest in peace while she took care of some of her own needs.

An hour later, she went back to check on him and was surprised to see Zuko sitting up in bed with a breakfast tray in his lap.

"Well, this is unexpected." She said cheerfully as she entered the room. She had just come from having a light breakfast of toast and tea with Iroh. She was starting to have trouble keeping down her meals. As she ventured closer to Zuko's bed, the smell of bacon and eggs made her want to vomit. Stopping halfway between the door and the bed, she gestured to his breakfast and turned back to leave. "I will come back to change your bandages after you have finished."

"You don't have to leave, Katara. I would enjoy your company while I eat." Zuko said, stopping her exit. Katara inwardly groaned. The morning sickness had only just started plaguing her and she hadn't mastered how to deal with it yet. "Katara?" Zuko queried when she didn't move for several seconds. Katara turned back around and smiled at the Fire Lord.

"I really should let you eat in peace." Katara tried to protest. Trying to save herself the embarrassment of having to explain why she was vomiting. She then spotted the tea tray sitting on a nearby table. Iroh had brought it, no doubt. "But I will join you in a cup of tea." She noticed Zuko visibly relax and settle back against the pillows he was propped up by. Katara fixed herself a cup of tea and chose a chair close enough to the bed to not be rude, but far enough away to help keep her stomach under control.

"How are you feeling?" Katara asked, sipping her tea.

"Better. It's painful, but tolerable." Zuko answered.

"That will ease with more time and healing sessions."

"Well, we'd better get as many of those on as we can over the next couple of days. I'm being crowned in two days."

"But you shouldn't be out bed that soon!" Katara exclaimed angrily. "Zuko, you took a serious injury. You have to take the time to heal properly."

"I have already spoken to my advisors about that. The crowning ceremony will take place in two days, to give the country and world some needed stability. I will hold a proper celebration later and take some time to heal. Does that satisfy you?"

"No, but I can see it's all I'm going to get." Katara sighed. Zuko set aside his half-finished breakfast. "Would you like me change your bandages now?" At Zuko's nod, she moved forward to help him, hoping her stomach would behave.

It did, barely, but Zuko did look at her strangely a time or two.

"The healing is coming along nicely." Katara commented as she finished tying the fresh bandages. "I will be back later today to give you another healing session."

"Don't overwork yourself, Katara. You are looking tired. Did you sit with me all three days?"

"Yes. You were in a lot of pain and would wake screaming. I needed to be there to soothe your pain." Katara explained, a blush creeping to her cheeks. She looked away from Zuko until he grabbed her hand, making her look back at him.

"Thank you, Katara. I owe you a debt of gratitude." Katara's eyes widened at his claim.

"No, Zuko, you don't. If anyone owes a debt, it is me. I can never thank you enough for what you did that day." Katara responded quickly.

"Then let's just call it even. I saved your life, and you saved mine."

"If you wish, Zuko." But Katara knew that she could never repay him for saving the life of their unborn child.