Katara woke up the next morning feeling much better mentally than she had in weeks. She couldn't believe it. Apparently breaking things off with Aang and discovering Zuko's mutual feelings, lifted weight off her shoulders she didn't know she had.
Sitting up in bed, she let out a happy sigh and climbed out of bed. She looked over to her sitting area and was surprised to see Zuko still sleeping on the sofa. The sun was just breaking over the horizon, but usually he was awake by that time. They had stayed up late talking though. Katara went over to the sofa and began to gently shake Zuko's shoulder to wake him. He jerked up awake as soon as she touched his shoulder. Katara jumped back when he sat up, surprised at his reaction. Zuko looked up at her in equal surprise until he realized where he was.
"Good morning?" Katara questioned cautiously. Zuko smiled at her.
"Good morning, love. Did I fall asleep on you last night?"
"Yes, though I'm surprised you are still here. I figured you would have gone back your own quarters at some point. And I am further surprised that the sun is up and you weren't." Katara explained as she sat down beside him on the sofa.
"Honestly, I haven't been sleeping well." Zuko sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I had better get back to my room before it discovered I am missing. I think I can safely say we don't want our friends to find out about us like this." Zuko rose to head over to the panel that opened to the secret tunnel. Katara followed him.
"About that, we are just keeping this to ourselves for now, correct?" She asked as he opened the panel. Zuko turned back to her.
"I believe it would be best. I just became Fire Lord and you just broke up with Aang. We can discuss it more when things settle down a bit more. Plus, I kind of like the idea of having a secret girlfriend for the time being. The tunnel will probably get a lot of use." Zuko tugged on her hand to pull him near her. "We have some time before we have to announce the pregnancy. Give Aang some time to adjust to not being together with you. I don't wish to be seen as your rebound guy anyways."
"If anything, Aang was the rebound guy." Katara commented. "I will see you at breakfast then." Zuko leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips. He didn't want to make the kiss too deep or go too fast this time with Katara. They had to make sure this was real. Not only for the Fire Nation, but for their future child as well. Zuko pulled back reluctantly.
"Breakfast then." Zuko turned into the tunnel and made his way back to his room. Luckily, no servants had entered his chambers yet that morning. He just changed his clothes and headed to the dining room where breakfast would soon be served.
Soon, everyone was gathered in the dining room and began eating breakfast. Katara was sitting next to Zuko and Aang was at the other end of the table, kind of glaring in Katara's direction. Sokka, Suki, and Toph were filling the seats in between. They all seemed oblivious to the tension coming from Aang. Katara ignored Aang's glaring and just chatted with Zuko and the others.
Finally after breakfast was almost over, Aang couldn't take Katara ignoring him anymore, loudly slid back his chair and stood up. Everyone immediately stopped talking and looked towards the avatar. Katara's complexion paled a bit when she saw the anger on Aang's own face.
"Is everything all right, Aang? Suki finally asked after several seconds of silence.
"No, but there is little I can do about it." Aang answered Suki's question, but never took his eyes off of Katara. She desperately want to grab Zuko's hand for support, but she just clenched her hands in her lap.
"What could possibly be wrong? The war is over. We are all happy and healthy." Sokka commented, totally oblivious to everything as usual.
"I have decided to leave for a while. Travel to the other nations to see where I can lend a hand." Aang announced. Sokka immediately looked over to his sister.
"You guys are leaving already? It's barely been a week since the war ended." Sokka complained. Katara looked at Aang, but he wasn't saying anything. So she squared her shoulders and answered her brother.
"I will not be accompanying Aang on his journey. I will staying here for the time being." Katara said truthfully.
"Why not?" Sokka asked, clearly confused. Katara sighed.
"Sokka, I will explain later. Right now, we should focus on making sure Aang has everything he need for his departure." Katara said forcefully and through gritted teeth.
"Oh, thank you, Katara, for finally thinking of me." Aang said bitterly. Katara's eyes widened and she knew this could end very badly if she wasn't careful.
"What is that supposed to mean, Aang?" Sokka asked, still confused.
"Oh, for the love of LA and Tui, I broke things off with Aang yesterday. He is upset and I don't blame him, but I have my reasons." Katara informed the group.
"Ohhhhh." Sokka closed his mouth and didn't ask anymore questions. He seemed to understand now and wasn't surprised by it. "I am sorry to see you go, buddy, but I think we all can understand that you need some time."
"I don't want time! I want Katara!" Aang stomped his foot like the child he was. Katara didn't want to continue this conversation and her stomach was getting more queasy by the second. So she stood up slowly and calmly walked towards the entrance to the dining room.
"I will say my farewell to you now, Aang. I, again, apologize for the hurt I have caused you, but my decision stands. I wish you a safe journey." She bowed slightly and left. Suki and Toph hurried out after her. Zuko, who hadn't said a word during the whole exchange, stood as well and walked over to Aang.
"You are always welcome here. I, too, wish you a safe journey. Please take whatever supplies you may need for you, Appa, and Momo." Zuko said pleasantly. "I wish I could see you off, but I have duties to attend to." Zuko smiled at his young friend, but secretly he wanted to throttle him for making a scene so early in the day. Katara had not looked well when she had left the room and he wanted to check on her. Aang seemed to calm down at bit once the target of his anger had left his sight.
"Thank you, Zuko. I will be back soon." Aang replied as Sokka joined them.
"Sokka, I will see you later. Goodbye, Aang." And Zuko walked away.
Suki and Toph caught up to Katara as she reached her room.
"Katara, what just happened?" Suki demanded as she came to a stop. Katara inwardly sighed. She didn't want to have this conversation right now, but she saw no way out. So she just opened her door and signaled the girls to follow her inside.
"I'm assuming you had that difficult conversation with Aang then?" Toph asked once they were all settled in chairs.
"Yes." Katara said simply.
"What about Sparky?" Toph continued. Katara wanted to glare at her. She wasn't ready to share the rest of it with Suki or her brother. When she didn't answer right away, Suki spoke up.
"If this is something you don't want Sokka to know, you have my word he won't until you are ready." Suki told her. Katara knew the girl would try to keep her word, but it would only be a matter of time before Sokka would know something was up.
"To answer your question, Toph, Zuko does know and we are working things out." Katara answered.
"Knows that you love him?" Suki guessed.
"Yes, he knows that too."
"What else is there?" Suki was confused. "Am I missing something?"
"You know that thing that could happen if you and Snoozles weren't careful in places like the linen closet and the ocean?" Toph asked vaguely, winking at Katara.
"Careful about what? That would involve us both?" Suki's face contorted as she tried to work out what Toph meant. After a few minutes, she looked at Katara and her eyes widened.
"Katara, have you and Zuko done stuff together?" At Katara's nod, she continued. "And if you weren't careful, that would mean that you are pregnant! Are you pregnant?" Again, Katara just nodded. Suki squealed and jumped up to hug her. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you." Katara smiled at her friend. "Its still very early. I'm only a few weeks along."
"When did this happen? You didn't even like Zuko a few weeks ago." So Katara told Suki and Toph the whole story, not leaving anything out.
'So, Zuko and I just want to let things calm down with the nations and with Aang before we go public with our relationship and the baby." Katara explained. "I don't want Aang or Sokka to know just yet either."
"Are you going to marry Zuko?" Toph questioned.
"Yes, in the distant future." Katara replied. "All of this has happened in a matter days, I don't think I could handle planning a wedding right now. Zuko and I need time to ourselves before sharing our relationship with the world and with Aang. I can't imagine how he would react if he found out right."
"Ohh, yeah, that would be bad. Sokka wouldn't be much better." Suki agreed. "I won't say anything until you give permission."
"Thank you, Suki. I appreciate."