A/N:

Back so soon? Yup!

Part 2:

"Are you sure?" Kamishi asked her.

Nodding as she giggled, "I'm very sure, Kamishi. I waited a few weeks before telling you because I wanted to be a hundred percent sure."

Only two months into them trying for a baby and they were already expecting. He knew Katara mentioned quite a bit that her people tended to be very fertile but here was proof. He was having his third child with this little waterbender and he couldn't be more pleased. Now that she was pregnant, he'd let her know who he really was but not quite yet.

"How about you come stay at the fort with me? I discussed it already with the others and they said they'd allow it so long as you're with me." Kamishi told her. "I want you close since you're pregnant."

Katara wanted to tell him she'd love to but she felt it was best she returned home and prepared for the baby's arrival. She explained to Kamishi that she wanted to be home to have the baby and that she wanted him to come back with her. Kamishi was disappointed to hear this and tried to convince her to come with him but she refused, kissing his cheek.

"Why can't you just come with me? Shouldn't you want to be with the child's father?" Kamishi asked with a hint of annoyance. "What happened to penguin-otters for life or something?"

Giggling, Katara told him he could just come with her but Kamishi didn't want to go back to the South Pole. "Then I'll return with the baby."

Sighing, "I'll come visit you but not till you're further along." Kamishi relented.

"I'll see you then, Kamishi." Katara said as she reached to press her lips to his.

Ozai took her hand and pulled from his pocket, a ruby gold ring, slipping it on her ring finger. "I can't marry you but the least I can do is give you this."

Katara looked down at the ring and beamed up at him, "Thank you, Kamishi."

Ozai watched as the waterbender began packing her things and contemplated forcing her to stay. He could easily knock her out and tie her up, bringing her to the fort. However, she'd no doubt realize who he really was if she went to the fort and stayed there long enough. Maybe it was alright this way.

Seeing her off, Ozai kissed her passionately before letting her leave and when he returned to the fort, he was met by concerned advisors.

"Have you told her yet?"

"No." Ozai said simply. "I'll give it time."

"As you wish, your majesty."

Back home, Katara was surprised her father seemed so excited about the news of her pregnancy. She worried he'd be against her having a child out of wedlock but her father accepted she didn't want to marry, though planned to maintain a serious relationship with Kamishi, her child's father. This didn't sit well with Tonra as he felt Katara should have married before getting pregnant. He continued to pursue her despite her pregnancy by another man.

Eventually, a letter from the Fire Nation would reach the South Pole about former Fire Lord Ozai's escape and Katara would be summoned along with all her friends to the Fire Nation. Hakoda tried talking his daughter out of it but Katara insisted that she go as her life was in danger with the former Fire Lord out on the run.

Arriving in the Fire Nation, Katara saw the carriages waiting for her as her arrival was known by the Fire Lord. She climbed into the carriage and was off to the palace. There, she saw her friends all exiting the palace entrance to see her and were shocked to see her round belly. She was six months pregnant and her belly was visible from her petite form.

"Sis, I just saw you a few months ago! What happened?! Is it that Kamishi guy's?!" Sokka asked.

"Kamishi?" Aang raised a brow.

Katara nodded as she rubbed her belly, "yes, my boyfriend, his name is Kamishi."

"Boyfriend?!" Sokka growled. "You two didn't elope or something?!"

Rolling her eyes, "We chose not to get married. We like it this way."

"That son of a bitch!" Sokka hissed.

Suki patted his back as Aang chuckled.

"Seems like you've got yourself a firebender, Sugar Queen." Toph said. "Found you another Fire Nation man, I see."

"You can't see anything, Toph." Sokka pointed out.

Stumping his foot, "I can see enough to see you're stupid as ever, Snoozel. Did you forget I can feel with my feet? The chi of the baby, I can feel it is the chi of a firebender."

Sokka pouted as Katara beamed at her friends and rubbed her belly, "Yes, Kamishi is Fire Nation. He washed up on the shores in the South Pole a little over a year ago and I nursed him to health."

Toph smirked, "Ah, gave him the good ole fashion healer's treatment, I see."

Aang nudged her.

"I bet Sparky isn't going to be happy." Toph said.

"Toph, stop calling me that. We're adults now."

Everyone looked up to see Zuko in his Fire Lord garb approaching them from the further end of the hall and gathered around him. His gold eyes skimmed over all her friends with a smile until they landed on Katara. His gaze fell on her and looked down at her swollen belly with a questioning look.

"Hey Zuko, how ya been?" Sokka asked. "Mai not driving you crazy, is she?"

Zuko finally took his eyes off of Katara, who seemed to be more interested in the tapestry beside them. "No, she's been good to me and to the nation."

"Great to hear. When are you two going to have a kid already?" Aang chimed in.

Zuko averted his eyes from them, "Mai can't have children."

"Oh no." Aang said. "How are you going to have an heir?"

"Adoption most likely." Zuko swallowed. "Though the nobles want me to take concubines and consorts to sire an heir, I rather not go that route."

"But on a lighter note, Sugar Queen is pregnant, can you believe it?!" Toph said, trying to stir the shit pot to everyone's disapproval.

Katara said as she rubbed her belly, "It's not that big of a deal, Toph."

"It is." Zuko said in a light tone as he forced one of his awkward smiles. "I didn't know you had gotten married."

"I didn't." Katara told him. "Me and Kamishi decided that we didn't want anything traditional."

"Kamishi? So, he's Fire Nation?"

Katara nodded.

Everyone noticed the way Zuko was staring at Katara with some hurt at this.

"Umm…that's great." Zuko said with a somber tone. "I'm happy you're happy."

Katara nodded, somehow oblivious to the fact Zuko looked a bit less happy at what she informed him.

Clearing his throat and turning around, "Follow me, I'll show you all to the meeting room to discuss my father's escape."

In the meeting room, everyone was informed that Ozai had been discovered to have escaped recently, however, it seemed he had done so months before they realized he was gone. He had a decoy in his place to throw them off and after torturing him for information, they discovered he fled last winter. This caused everyone to think how he had gone missing for so long and what he could possibly be up to.

"So far the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation are being scouted for my father." Zuko stated. "The North and South Poles are unlikely to be places he'd hide due to his lack of bending and that a Fire Nation man of my father's size would be hard to miss."

"Size?" Katara tilted her head. "What is he? A Giant?"

"Sort of." Zuko said

"Yeah, he's like 6'4 kneeling." Sokka chuckled to his sister's dismay.

Zuko eyed him funny, "He's 6'4 total." he corrected. "Anyway, he would be a dead give away in the arctic. I doubt you all have seen any Fire Nation people there, have you?"

Toph smirked, "Didn't your boy toy, Kamishi, wash up in the South Pole last year, Katara?"

Katara rolled her eyes, "Kamishi is not Ozai. He knows who I am. I think if he was Ozai, he'd have tried to kill me as opposed to having a relationship with me."

Zuko agreed. "My father has an extreme prejudice against tribespeople after a waterbender named 'Hama' tried to kill him as a child."

The group burst out laughing. Apparently, Zuko didn't know they actually met the waterbender named Hama. They told him all about their encounter with her and how she taught Katara bloodbending. After this side conversation, Zuko told them that they would break for the time being until his council meetings are finished and regroup. In the meantime, their rooms would be the same as they were after the war ended. Even Katara's, who had a fabulous suite to herself. Zuko offered to help her to her room and she accepted.

"So…you're opting out of the traditional way of things?" Zuko said.

Nodding her head, "I want to get married but Kamishi, he's worried about how it will be perceived by his fellow nobles."

"He's a noble? Wow, so you'll be moving here to the Fire Nation someday."

Shrugging, "Maybe but he likes the Earth Kingdom so far. I think he just enjoys traveling. An adventurous type, I guess."

"Definitely adventurous if he washed up in the South Pole." Zuko chuckled. "I'm just glad it wasn't my father."

"Oh Tui and La, that would be awful." Katara giggled and leaned closer to Zuko.

The Fire Lord glanced down at Katara and a small smile formed on his lips, "I'm just glad to know you're doing better. I worried about you after the wedding. You left so abruptly."

Katara paused and glanced up at him with a slightly somber look, "Sorry, Zuko, it wasn't easy. I didn't want you to think that I hated you or anything. Being together was impossible but it didn't make it any easier having to break up. I'm just grateful we both have moved on."

"Sure, I'm glad too." Zuko said, looking away from her.

Reaching her chambers, Katara thanked Zuko for walking her to the door and she gave him a little peck on the cheek before retreating inside. Zuko sighed and placed his hand on the door as he wanted to knock to get her to talk to him longer but he advised himself against it.

In her chambers, Katara decided to send a message to Kamishi to let him know she was six months along and in the Fire Nation. She warned him of Ozai's escape and advised him to be careful if he was returning to the Fire Nation since he was a wanted noble. Folding the letter, Katara tied it with a blue ribbon and left her room to take it to the hawk tower to fly it to the Earth Kingdom.

On her way back to her suite, Katara saw Mai and bowed to her.

"There's no need, Lady Katara." Mai said in a gentle tone. "You are friends with my husband. I cannot ask you to bow to me."

Katara smiled at Mai, "I still want to be a respectful guest."

"Kind of you." Mai said as she looked over Katara and noticed her belly. But before she could comment on the water woman's obvious pregnancy, she noticed a red ruby ring on Katara's finger and her eyes widened. "Where'd you get that ring from?"

Glancing at her ring, Katara smiled. "Oh, my boyfriend, Kamishi, he gave it to me after we found out we were expecting."

Mai narrowed her eyes at it as she recognized the ring. "And his name is Kamishi?"

Katara nodded. "He washed up in the South Pole a year ago and we've been smitten with each other ever since. He's a nobleman from here."

Mai wasn't sure how a mere noble got his hands on a ring like that but she knew who originally had that ring. It was a ring she'd never forget. The former Fire Lord toyed with it on his finger whenever giving orders to Azula, her, and Ty Lee. It was a ring that even Zuko knew not to take away from him upon imprisonment. So how did Katara end up with it? Ozai couldn't have given it to some noble of his rebel forces could he? Or was Ozai the noble Katara was unknowingly seeing? Mai had many questions but whatever it was, Katara couldn't possibly know what she was wearing. She never met Ozai. At least not as Ozai.

"It's a lovely ring. I wish you well." Mai told her before strutting off.

Arriving at her husband's chambers, Mai saw Zuko was drinking and was honestly not as surprised as she should be. Zuko never drank. He made it his business to avoid drinking but with his friends and pregnant former lover here, she could understand he was under a lot of stress.

"Zuko, your waterbender is pregnant." Mai said.

Drinking his glass of fire whiskey, "I know."

"She's also wearing your father's ring."

Zuko spit out his drink.

"Yeah, she said something about some Fire Nation noble washed up a year ago in the South Pole and they've been involved ever since. He gave her that ring after they found out she was pregnant. I think Kamishi might be Ozai." Mai said.

"Impossible!" Zuko stood up. "My father is many things but Katara says the man knows who she is. My father would nev-"

"He would." Mai said. "Especially, if he knew your history with her. I say either Kamishi is working for your father or he is him. Regardless, you need to question her and try to see if she can lead us to him. That's your best strategy." Mai told him.

Zuko furrowed his brows at the possibility that his father was secretly the father of Katara's unborn child. It unnerved him to no end thinking of this possibility. Katara never met his father, so she could have believed him to be anybody. And if she was wearing his father's ring, then it definitely raised suspicions.

….

Finding Katara with their friends having lunch, Zuko took a seat at the head of the table with his wife sitting beside him and everyone greeted them. For the most part, everyone was catching up with each other about what was going on in their lives. Suki was home with kids, training new recruits while Sokka was here, Toph and Aang were finding more and more Air Nomad Acolytes, and Katara was preparing to have her first child with a man none of them had ever met.

"He must be a hot lover for Katara's heart to be beating so hard. Calm down, sugar queen." Toph chuckled.

Fanning herself, "Sorry, Toph, it's just Kamishi is a really good man. I can't wait for you all to meet him."

"How well do you know this Kamishi man?" Mai asked Katara. "What family does he belong to? I'm sure Zuko and I would be familiar with him."

Zuko shot Mai a look when Katara fumbled with this.

"Do you know his date of birth? Or his mother's maiden name? Has he married before and does he have children already? What are their names?" Mai went on to ask a series of questions and Katara fumbled to answer only the ones she had answers to. "Seems like you don't know enough to be having a child with the man."

Everyone watched as Katara got up and fled the room, all turning their attention to Mai.

"That was uncalled for." Sokka said.

Toph snorted in agreement, "Lighten up on Sugar Queen, will ya? She's been down and out for years after everyone settled down. She's happy. Why ruin that?"

"I'm just concerned." Mai said.

"Concerned? About what?" Aang asked.

"Nothing." Zuko hurried to say before looking at his wife. "Mai, come with me."

The next few days were trying for Katara as she burned up from the heat of the Fire Nation and the pregnancy of a firebender. She bended more and more ice to keep her cool but it did little to calm her down. A lot of her anxiety from Mai's questions had her going. Did she really know Kamishi as well as she thought she did? They did sort of rushed things. Even more, some of the most important things about him she didn't know. Katara felt like an idiot. However, this feeling soon passed when she received a letter from Kamishi telling her he was also in the Fire Nation. He asked that she keep it from her friends and told her to sneak out into the market to see him just before midnight.

Doing as his letter asked her, Katara snuck out the palace without anyone noticing and slipped out into the market district. Looking around with her dark red hoodie on, Katara's blue eyes skimmed the crowd for Kamishi and saw a man leaning against an alley with his arms folded. His hair was completely down with a lightly groomed beard. He was flashing a smirk at her and she beamed at him as she went to approach him.

"There's my beautiful waterbender." Ozai smirked.

Katara blushed as she pulled her hood off and revealed her very Fire Nation styled hairstyle. "I've missed you, Kamishi."

"I've missed you too, Katara." He said as he took her in his arms and kissed her on the lips.

The two pulled apart and Katara watched Kamishi look down at her belly, he smiled at her as he placed his hands on her belly.

"He's a firebender."

"He?" Ozai was surprised.

Nodding, "I'm able to determine his gender and chi. He has the chi of a firebender." Katara told him happily.

Ozai was delighted to hear this. Not only did she have a boy but it was a firebender. Meant he'd have an heir when he took back his throne. This waterbender was far more useful than he anticipated. She could heal, was an amazing lover, and was giving him the heir he needed to secure his line. Oh, she was perfect and didn't even know it.

"Come, spend a few hours with me. I'm staying not too far from here." Ozai took her hand and tugged her along with him.

Just before dawn, Zuko was standing by the entrance with his arms folded, leaning against a pillar. He saw Katara climbing the steps with her shoes in hands and raised a brow at her when she giggled at him.

"You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were being nosy." Katara said.

Zuko rolled his eyes, "I'm just making sure you're okay. You're a pregnant water woman wandering around the Fire Nation capital at night by yourself."

"I guess you're right."

"I saw it was a full moon. Figured you'd be restless. I didn't tell anyone else that you left."

"Thanks, Zuko."

The two strolled through the halls and Katara noticed Zuko put back up the old tapestries of the former Fire Lords.

"Figure it was best to acknowledge history rather than erase it." Zuko said.

Smiling at him, Katara looked around him as something caught her eyes and suddenly, her gaze widened. Her shoes fell from her hands and she looked utterly distraught at the sight before her. Zuko furrowed his brows and looked behind him to see a tapestry of his father.

"Wh-Who is th-that?" Katara's voice was unsteady as she approached the tapestry.

Zuko sighed, "My father. Fire Lord Ozai. Striking resemblance, huh?"

Katara swallowed hard, Oh no! Panic settled into her and she collapsed to the ground to Zuko's dismay.

…

Waking in the infirmary, Katara saw that Zuko was sitting by her side with his head lying on the edge of the bed.

"She's awake, Your majesty."

Zuko sat up and rubbed his eyes, looking to Katara. "Are you alr-"

"Zuko, I need to tell you something."

"What?" He seemed worried.

"I think I've met your father before." Katara said. "I think he's-

"Kamishi?" Zuko sighed. "Yes, Mai and I figured as much. She saw your ring and your story lines up with the time my father escaped. We think Kamishi is really my father."

Bursting into tears, "I didn't know! Zuko, I didn't- I would never-"

"It's fine, Katara." Zuko took her hand. "We'll get through this together. First, we need to find out where he is. Do you know?"

Sniffling as she wiped her tears away, Katara opened her mouth to tell Zuko but then it suddenly shut. How was she supposed to tell Zuko where his father was? If Kamishi was really Ozai, then that meant she had fallen in love with Ozai. Wasn't that betrayal? No! He betrayed me first! He lied!

Zuko saw Katara was about to freak out again and he quickly went to hug her tightly as she had a meltdown.

"It's okay, Kat."

"I don't know where he is Zuko. Last I saw him was in the Earth Kingdom a few months ago." Katara lied. "I'm sorry."

Patting her head, "It's okay, Kat. It's okay."

Later that day, Katara found she was alone and climbed out of bed. As she did, she decided she'd go confirm her suspicions. Maybe she was getting too worked up and wasn't thinking clearly but she had to know for sure. Kamishi, she loved him and he just so happened to be Ozai. She needed to talk to him. Get the truth from him.

Katara put on her cloak and left the palace while Zuko was away. Having made her way to the inn she had spent a few hours with Kami- Ozai, Katara saw two large men outside the inn and approached.

"I need to see Kamishi." Katara said.

The two men eyed her.

"We don't know any Kamishi."

I thought so. Katara sighed. "Ozai, then."

The two men exchanged looks and then looked back at this pregnant water woman. This had to be their master's girlfriend. They opened the doors and Katara waltzed in, greeted by several armed men and the grin of her lover.

"Katara, what are you doing here?" Ozai asked her.

"We need to talk."

"Not now, I'm busy." Ozai told her.

"Ozai, please." Katara said, grabbing onto his clothes.

Ozai's eyes widened at her using his actual name and looked to his men before grabbing her and pulling her away with him to his rooms.

Upstairs in his rooms, Ozai shut the door and locked it. Turning around slowly, "So…you know who I am?"

Katara nodded as tears formed in her eyes, "I saw your portrait in the halls. It's undeniable who you are. Even some of the things you've told me make sense now."

"Well, now that you know, what's your plan?" Ozai asked cautiously.

"I don't know! I haven't a clue what to do! That's why I came here! Zuko is looking for you. He knows I'm involved with you." Katara said in a panicked tone as she had to take a seat while holding her belly. "That's why I hurried here. I needed to talk to you."

Ozai couldn't help but smile at her, "You did the right thing, Katara."

"I just need to know the truth, Ozai. Are you using me?" Katara asked, wearing a weary look on her face as she ran her hands along her belly.

Ozai made his way to her and crouched down in front of her, taking her hands in his. "No, I'm not using you."

"What am I supposed to do, Ozai? If I help you, I'd be betraying my friends. If I help them, I'd be betraying us. I don't know what I'm supposed to do." Katara cried.

Bringing her into his arms, "It's fine, Katara. Just pretend you know nothing for the night. Then in the morning, tell him you received a letter from me where to meet."

"But-"

"I won't be here. Just tell him I'm here. That way you're helping neither of us."

Katara slumped, "I-"

"In the end, I'm the father of your child, even if you help me a little, who can blame you?" Ozai's silver tongued skills came out. "I love you, Katara, and I know you love me. You wouldn't let anything happen to your child's father would you?"

"No but-"

"I want us to get married when this is all settled down." Ozai told her as he caressed her face. "Our child will be legitimate and succeed me when the time comes. You'll be my Fire Lady. Like the penguin-otters."

Sniffling, "Otter-penguins."

"You and me." Ozai wiped her tears away as he chuckled.

Katara wanted what he was telling her he'd give her but she knew the cost of it and it wasn't worth it. Zuko and her friends dying, she couldn't allow it.

"Ozai, please, I don't want you to do this. Why can't you just give it up and run away with me? Why must you have the throne? Zuko's doing a good job and there is peace. Please, no more discord." Katara pleaded with him.

Shushing her, "You don't have to like it, Katara, but it will happen. I don't expect you to aid me but you will not get in my way. Understood?" Ozai stood up. "I'll wait until the baby is born to make a move. You'll get our son out of the Fire Nation and I'll come for you when everything has been secured."

Katara shook her head, "Ozai, please-"

"Shhh, tell my son in the morning I was here. Just do this and worry about nothing else." Ozai told her as he patted her head. "You'll stay here till then."

Katar stood up to follow him as he went towards the door, "Ozai, don't do this!"

"There's nothing in this world that'll stop me from getting what I want, Katara. Nothing." Ozai said as he exited the room and slammed the door behind him.

Katara heard him order several men to guard all possible exits in the room. He clearly didn't want her leaving until he was ready to move out of this place. Sighing as she realized she made the wrong call, the waterbender paced around while rubbing her belly and sulked over this revelation that all this time she had been with Ozai, the tyrant.

It was only a few hours that Ozai was gone and when he returned, Katara was allowed to leave. He tried kissing her but she would go for none of that.

"You'll miss me, Katara. Might as well give me a kiss."

"Go to hell."

"I'll see you there, sweetheart."

Returning back to the palace, Katara saw Zuko and her brother speaking with guards. She hurried over to them and just as they saw her, they hurried to her first.

"Where have you been, Katara?!" Sokka yelled. "We've been worried about you!"

"Ozai, he-"

"I knew it! Where is he?!" Zuko demanded to know.

"An inn in the market district. I can take you there."

"No need. Sokka, take her to lay down and rest. I'll have my men swarm the place." Zuko said.

Sokka took his sister and helped her to her chambers. There, he helped her in a seat and asked for the servants to bring her a pitcher of water.

"Sis, let's talk. Zuko told me everything. Did you really not know?"

"Sokka, none of us knew. He was in the South Pole for months and we all thought his name was Kamishi. Dad even allowed him in the home with us and let him live with us. Hell, I slept with him! Look at me, I'm having his-" Katara's hand fell over her mouth in horror. "Sokka….I'm scared. He's planning something bad."

"I know, sis. Just calm down and think about the baby."

Katara nodded her head.

…..

Zuko was unable to locate his father but did manage to snag a few rebels of his father's rebel forces and brought them in for questioning. He was going to check on Katara when Mai stopped him, telling him that Sokka was with her but people had questions. Apparently, word got around that Katara was pregnant by the former Fire Lord. Zuko was outraged and hurried to begin a meeting to tackle the topic of Katara's unborn child's father. He confirmed that she was deceived by his father, who posed as a harmless nobleman, and proceeded to have an intimate relationship with her.

This upset many but for the most part, it intrigued some. All knew Fire Lady Mai was unable to have children but with Katara bearing the child of the same bloodline as Yong dynasty, there was potential for Zuko to have his heir.

"I doubt she will want to keep the child now, your majesty." A council member stated. "You must adopt the child."

Zuko didn't know about this. Katara was someone who had wanted to be a mother for years and only recently had the opportunity to make that a reality. He didn't want to steal that from her.

"Then perhaps, take her as a consort. We are all familiar with your previous relationship with her. It will not be a tedious task as it has been to get you to court the noblewoman of court."

The council had a point. Zuko felt that might be the best option. He and Katara did have a previous relationship. It might not be a bad thing to take her as his consort and adopt her son as his heir. That and maybe they could rekindle their relationship, maybe have children of their own together. He'd have to talk to Katara about it.

Going to see Katara, Zuko saw her brother and Aang just leaving her chambers with Toph. They let him know she had been feeling better and was trying to take it easy.

"I just want to discuss something briefly with her." Zuko told them.

As they let Zuko through to see Katara, the young Fire Lord entered his water friend's chambers and saw Katara sitting by the firepit watching the flames move while sipping tea.

"Kat? You alright?" He called to her.

Looking up from the flames and her tea, "Yes, I'm fine."

Coming to sit beside her, Zuko sighed. "I need to talk to you about something."

"What? Is it about your father? Did you find him?" Katara perked up.

Zuko shook his head, "No, I want to talk about your plans after you have the baby. What are you going to do and where are you going to go?"

"Well," Katara looked away from him. "I was going to just return home to raise him. I'll have my father and people to help cultivate him into a better man than his father was or is." Sighing as she shook her head. "But honestly, Zuko, I don't know. He's a firebender and should be around his own but I fear with your father on the run that he'll find us."

"You're afraid he'll come after you?" Zuko asked her.

Nodding, "Your father…he…he told me he wanted to marry me. Make me his Fire Lady. He also says we'll be like otter-penguins…mated for life."

Furrowing his brows, Zuko knew his father had issues but he didn't think his father would say something like that to Katara, especially given that he knew who she was. Maybe his father was using her. Or maybe years of captivity did that to him. Zuko didn't know but it didn't sound right like his father to say those things.

"He told me…that he loves me…."

"And you believe him?"

Katara shrugged. "I don't know, Zuko. Before I knew who he was, I loved him too and I sort of still do. It's not simple giving up those feelings, even knowing the truth now."

"I understand." Zuko patted her shoulder.

Looking to Zuko, "I wish I knew what to do. I want you to capture him but I don't want to be alone again like I was before he came."

"Alone? Katara, you have me. I'll always be here."

Shaking her head with a weak smile, "Not like I wanted you to be." A tear formed in her eyes. "You're married to Mai now."

Zuko took his thumb and wiped her tear away, "Katara, even with Mai as my wife, I still could be there for you. Just like you want me to be."

"Zu-"

"If you became my consort, I could look after you and adopt your son as my own. You don't have to sleep with me or anything like that. It could just be me looking out for a friend who was dishonored by my father."

Katara looked at Zuko and contemplated what he was telling her. There was some hope for a less lonely life. However, she wasn't exactly sure about becoming Zuko's consort. What would people think? But then again, people were going to think worse when they knew she had the child of the former Fire Lord.

"I need some time, Zuko." Katara told him. "To get pass your father."

"All the time you need, Kat, just let me know what you think when you're ready." Zuko got up and kissed her forehead.

….

Ozai was a bit annoyed. He had hoped Katara would join him on account that she loved him and he knew she did. That, and he was her child's father. He felt somewhat betrayed but tried not to think of it too much. Eventually, she'd be his again.

"My lord, where are you going this time of night?" An advisor asked.

"Katara is in labor this night. I want to go see our son be born." Ozai stated.

"But my lord, it is dange-"

"I know how to cover myself! Nothing will stop me from being present for my son's birth!" Ozai shouted.

Katara was screaming her head off as she didn't realize how horribly painful this process of childbearing was. She feared she wouldn't make it and if she didn't, she would see to it that her child did. Zuko had decided to be at her side through this as her friends waited outside to meet the bundle of joy she'd bring into this world. She squeezed Zuko's hand and cried for him to make the pain go away.

"I'm sorry, Kat. I can't but I'm here with you." Zuko told her.

Katara screamed in more agony as the physician told her the crown of the baby was showing, it was time to push.

Outside the bedroom where Katara was giving birth, on the balcony, was Ozai. He wore a sleek black jumpsuit, the collar pulled up to his mouth to mask his identity. He peeked through the curtains to see Katara in distress in bed while his eldest son was at her side. This pissed him off but he reeled in his anger. These last few months, he feared Katara had moved back to being his son's woman. It bothered him. He'd need to find a way to speak to Katara without her alerting anyone that he was there.

"The baby is almost here, my lady. Keep pushing."

"I am!" Katara screamed and pushed until she could push no more.

The physician was delighted as the baby came out and he pulled the bundle of joy into his arms. The baby wailed a strong cry and every present could hear the pipes of the baby. Ozai was proud already. He had him his worthy son.

"It's a boy." The Physician said

Zuko beamed at the physician and looked back to Katara, "Kat, you did it!"

Katara weakly smiled, "Let me see him."

Zuko took the baby from the physician and brought him to Katara. The weakened waterbender reached for him and pulled him into her arms, beaming at him.

"Kazuka." Katara smiled at the baby. "My precious Kazuka."

"That's a good Fire Nation name."

Katara smiled at him, "He looks like his father." She said sweetly. "He's beautiful."

Zuko didn't say anything as he looked at the baby. He did in fact look like his father. Pale skin and a patch of black hair. However, his eyes were blue like Katara's. It made him wonder if the child would really be a firebender as Toph and Katara had said.

The physicians and Zuko eventually allowed Katara to rest. They took the baby into the next room to watch him through his first night. As she slept, the curtains from the balcony slipped open and Ozai crept inside. He made his way to Katara's bed and stood over her.

"Sweetheart." He nudged her a little.

Katara stirred a little but didn't wake.

Smirking, "Fine, I'll let you sleep. You did a good job tonight. I'll just leave this here and we'll talk soon." Ozai leaned down to kiss her forehead before leaving.

…

Katara woke the next morning to servants entering with trays of food and a change of clothes. She saw Zuko enter with them with her son in his arms and she beamed at him. It warmed her heart to have him in her life again. He had treated her no less than he did when they had been together and now that she had given birth to his baby brother, Katara felt she was going to be even more doted on.

"Mai came by in the night to help with the baby. She's all but obsessed with him." Zuko said as he took a seat beside Katara on the bed.

Giggling, "I'm surprised."

"You shouldn't. Mai has always admired your strength. She says she wouldn't know what to do in your position but she loves that you're so courageous." Zuko told her.

Katara smiled, "I'll have to thank Mai for the compliment, though, I'd have to disagree with her. I'm really just a coward."

"Why would you say that?" Zuko asked while rocking his baby brother in his arms.

Sighing, "I walked away from you to save myself the pain of all the ridicule. And your father, I doubt I can ever face him again. Even for the sake of our son."

Zuko sighed and brushed her hair as the servants set a tray in her lap. "When we capture him, I think it will be good to speak with him. He will no doubt want to see you."

"I doubt it."

Zuko pulled a necklace out of his pocket. "I found this on your nightstand last night. It's royal jewels from my grandmother. He was here and left them for you."

Katara looked at them, "He left them for me?"

Nodding, "I'll let you have them since it'd be more reason for him to attack me if I don't give them to you."

"I don't want them." Katara shut her eyes.

"Kat-"

"I fell in love with a man named Kamishi. Not Ozai." Katara sighed as she reopened her eyes. "I have to move past him because he is not real."

"It's not that simple, Katara."

"It can be." Katara told him with a hopeful smile. "Maybe I'll forget him when I become your consort."

Zuko's eyes widened.

"I think that's the best option for me and Kazuka. I might not be able to give you my heart as I have in the past, Zuko, but I'd still like to be by your side. If that's alright with you and Mai."

Feeling good hearing this, Zuko nodded. "I'll speak to her about it afterwards. In the meantime, I just want to stay here until you finish eating."

"Okay, Zuko." She smiled at him.

Weeks went by and Katara was accepted as Fire Lord Zuko's consort as well as her son being adopted by him. It was made global news that the former Fire Lord, disguised as someone else, had fathered her child. It was something they needed to be public so everyone would know that Kazuka was of the Yong Dynasty. Katara soon heard word of her father coming to the Fire Nation with Tonra and worried that her father would be angry with her for choosing the life of a concubine rather than becoming an honorable wife to an honorable man. Zuko tried consoling her but she was afraid to face her father. He knew along with everyone else who Kamishi really was.

As her father arrived, Katara was standing with Mai, who was holding Kazuka. Over the last few weeks, she and Mai got closer as friends. The two agreed they cared a great deal about Zuko and felt loved by him equally. While it had never been his desire to have a consort/concubine, he had willingly made the exception for the sake of his long time friend and former lover.

As a consort of the Fire Lord, Katara was treated even better than before by the staff and given access to many of the private quarters around the palace. She was dressed beautiful, second only to the Fire Lady, and she wore a hairpiece symbolizing her rank as consort. It was a crystalized flame hairpin that went through the gold band of her topknot, a few red crystal beads dangling from it. Along with the forehead markings of a harem lady, Katara was present in luxurious robes with her hair down in a topknot. She wore light makeup and a false nail of her new status under the reigning Fire Lord. Many commented on her beauty before but even more did so after she became Zuko's consort. Even so, Katara felt none of the confidence she should have.

What did rank or beauty matter to her? Nothing. She this felt heart broke and humiliated. She felt betrayed and she was angry because of it. Her heart ached every time she looked at her beautiful son and she could barely sleep, closing her eyes made him more visible in her mind.

Sighing as she felt grief in her father's arrival, Katara felt Mai place her hand on her arm and looked to the Fire Lady.

"You needn't fear. Zuko will not let anything happen to you." Mai said with a slight smile.

Smiling back, "You're right."

As her father ascended the steps with Tonra and Zuko, who met them at the docks, Katara felt her heart speed up. Zuko looked like he had a concerned look on his face and she worried her father might have said something to him to upset him. She watched her father's eyes lift up to her and widen.

"Katara!" Hakoda shouted as he hurried up the steps upon seeing her.

Katara was embraced tightly by her father.

"Katara, I've been so worried! I heard everything and I didn't know what to think! Tell me they're all lies."

Katara sighed and shook her head, "I'm sorry, dad. They're not."

Hakoda slumped a little as he pulled away from his daughter, "You don't need to be sorry, sweetheart. We were all fooled."

"Not me!" Tonra scoffed. "I knew something was wrong with that guy from the very beginning!"

Hakoda rolled his eyes, "Tonra, I brought you here as a witness to the account of Ozai being in the South Pole, not to cause my daughter more grief."

Katara smiled at this.

Tonra scoffed and folded his arms.

Hakoda's eyes shifted from his daughter to the gurgling baby in the arms of the Fire Lady. "Is that my- my grandson?"

Katara nodded.

Hakoda climbed up the steps completely as the Fire Lady handed him the baby.

"His name is Kazuka." Mai told him. "He's a very happy baby, if I do say so myself."

Katara watched her father coo at her son and look back at her, "He has your eyes."

"Surprisingly, he's a firebender." Katara told her father.

"The cutest firebender I've ever seen. Look at em." Hakoda raised his grandson up and Tonra snorted something about the baby looking like the former Fire Lord.

Katara and Zuko eyed him indifferently.

"Let's get inside everyone. I'll show you both to your rooms." Zuko said.

As everyone settled in, Hakoda was the first man other than the eunuchs and Fire Lord allowed in the harem to see his daughter. Zuko escorted the man there to see Katara in a more private setting. The chieftain wanted to speak to the two of them, Mai included. Sitting down to have tea and snacks, the three all clarified the situation of Katara being a consort of Zuko's.

"So, you're okay with this?" Hakoda asked Mai.

Nodding her head as she held the baby she had become attached to, "Zuko needs me to be Fire Lady and Katara to claim Kazuka as his heir. It's simple."

Hakoda raised a brow, "But surely, you understand what is implied to take place."

Mai shrugged, "He's still my husband and I'm his Fire Lady. I don't care what the two of them do. It's nice having Katara here. Less boring."

Hakoda scratched his head, "Well, if everyone is okay with this situation then I guess I have nothing to worry about."

Zuko grinned awkwardly as he sat between Katara and Mai while Hakoda was giving him a dirty look. He was just relieved when Hakoda wanted to rest from his journey and left them be.

"I think that went well." Mai said.

"I promise you, your father had less issues with my father than you did." Katara snorted in laughter.

Zuko rustled his shoulder length hair, "Your father looked like he wanted to put a bag over my head and beat me."

"Well, I'm going to lay down for a little bit too. It's a full moon coming and I want to be well rested before I lose sleep tonight." Katara told them.

Mai was glad to hear this as it would give her more time with the baby. She and Zuko left the harem together with Kazuka.

Taking a bubble bath, Katara soaked to relax herself a little more before resting. She needed to get a grip on everything. While things were going smoothly for now, she knew eventually Ozai would make an appearance and she worried what that might entail when it came time for him and Zuko to face each other.

"You could be bathing in rose petal and milk with honey but you won't join me. You wound me, Katara."

Katara abruptly stood from her bath to see Ozai leaning against the bathroom wall with his arms folded.

"Look at you, beautiful. Just had a baby and already you're going back to your original look. Lucky me." He stepped away from the wall and made his way to her.

Katara narrowed her eyes on him, "You shouldn't be here."

"Why not? This is my home."

"Oz-"

"I've missed you, Katara. Really, I have." Ozai offered his hand to her to help her out of the bathtub. "I came to see Kazuka be born. I wanted us to cherish the moment together but Zuko seemed to be there in my place."

Eyeing his hand, "Ozai, this could have all been avoided if you hadn't lied about who you were."

"Would you have come to my bedroom that night and ask me to have you if you knew who I was?" Ozai asked in a sneer.

"Of course not! I'd have told them to lock you up if I knew it were you! You're a monster! Evil and disgusting and I can't believe you tricked me into falling for you! Everything you've done is wicked and I can't wait for Zuko to lock you up again!"

Furrowing his brows as he retracted his hand, "You don't mean that."

"I do!"

Ozai snarled and raised his hand to slap her but stopped himself, his hand balling just at the side of her face. "I didn't trick you, Katara. Only thing I lied about was that my name was Kamishi. Everything else was real! I love you! Don't make me regret those words!"

Katara kneaded her brows at him, "Are you even capable of those words?"

"Of course I am! I wouldn't say them otherwise! I've never loved anyone the way I love you and I won't let my son win you over me!" Ozai growled. "You're my woman! I fathered Kazuka! And I'm taking back everything that is mine!"

Katara climbed out of the tub and hurried to grab her towel. "If you had come and told me you would give up your pointless vendetta. That you wanted me and Kazuka to run away with you, I'd drop everything, give up everything and run away with you…but you won't do that. The throne and revenge is too much to give up, isn't it?" She asked over her shoulder at him.

Ozai eyed her, "You want me to give up all that is rightfully mine just to run away?"

"I want you to give up vengeance for me! Prove you love me! Take me and let's run away with our son!"

"Kat-"

Sniffling in hurt, "You won't do it, will you?"

"Can't I have you and my throne, Katara?"

"No!" She said before walking out. "Leave before I call for the guards."

Ozai walked up to her and slammed the door shut, "I want a kiss before I go."

"No!"

"Then call the guards." He smirked.

Katara narrowed her eyes at him, "Don't do this, Ozai. Just leave."

"Just one kiss, Katara."

"Fine!"

Ozai smirked and cupped her face, before pressing his lips to hers. The two exchanged a simple kiss and as soon as they pulled apart ever so slightly, Ozai saw the way Katara looked at him and grinned.

"I want so badly to ravish you, my pretty little waterbender." Ozai grinned as he kissed her again.

Katara felt a bit breathless as she had almost forgotten that while he wasn't Kamishi and that Kamishi wasn't real, these hands, those lips, and his scent was all very real and she had longed for them many times when apart. She almost didn't want to let go. Maybe Kamishi wasn't real but Ozai was…he was very real and she wished he wasn't the monster she knew him to be. She wished he could prove her wrong and wipe away all her doubts. She'd love to embrace him as she had before, be swept up in his arms, and feel him inside her again. His handsome features were easy to get swept up in, hard to get past and she couldn't seem to get her eyes off of him.

"Ozai."

"Hmm?"

"Did you really mean it when you said that you loved me?" Katara asked him.

Ozai nodded and reached to caress her face, "I meant it. Everything I ever told you. I mean it. I wouldn't have said it otherwise."

Katara furrowed her brows, "Then let's leave and never come back."

Ozai sighed and shut his eyes, "That's not how this works. I promise when I do get back what I want, I won't hurt any of your friends and Zuko won't die. I just want was is mine. That is all."

Katara wanted to say could believe him. She wanted to say she was okay with what he was telling her but it was wrong and she had an acute sense of justice sometimes. Running away together, she was not above but usurping her friend and throwing the world back into chaos, she'd never stand for it. Ozai had to make a decision. It was her or the throne because he would never have both. She'd never allow it. Even if he had taken the throne back, she'd take her son and run forever. He would never have her if he did what he was planning.

"It's me or the throne, Ozai. You don't get to have both." Katara told him.

Narrowing his eyes at her, "That's what you think. I'll have whatever I want once I have my throne back and you will be mine."

"Guards!"

Ozai's eyes widened. "Katara, what are you d-"

"Guards! Ozai is here! Get Zuko! Get the Avatar!"

"Damn you, Katara!" Ozai hissed as he hurried to leave.

Katara glared at him. "You don't love me." She whispered to herself.

…

It was five years of constant attacks. The rebel regime had refused to let up and Fire Lord Zuko had no choice but to get his friends in the Fire Nation with him. He even sent his adoptive son, Kazuka, away from the palace as his mother had been attacked in her bed and nearly dragged off. Apparently, his father gave a kill order for everyone with the exception of Katara and Kazuka. He wanted the two brought to him and even put a bounty on their heads for capture. Zuko had to take extra measures for the sake of them both as well as his life. Kazuka was taken to an undisclosed location, escorted by the Avatar and Katara was not allowed to leave the palace for anything. Every time she did leave, rebels and even random mercenaries attacked her. It was beginning to wear on them but eventually, good prevailed and Ozai's location was discovered.

Finding him and his men in an abandoned fort in the Earth Kingdom, Zuko and his friends apprehended them all. When Ozai was brought in shackles to his new prison cell, Zuko allowed Katara visitation to his cell but she refused to see him. She didn't want to acknowledge the man anymore now that he was locked away. She ignored all requests he gave to see her. The world was once again at peace and he was no longer a threat, she wanted nothing to do with him.

"I'm not going to see him, Zuko." Katara said as she folded her arms over her chest in his office. "Like I keep saying, I loved Kamishi. Not your father. Why do you even want me to see him?"

"Because my father doesn't beg but he's begging to see you. Guards say he's been crying out for you at night." Zuko told her.

Katara furrowed her brows at this, "Your father is a sick man, Zuko. I won't entertain him."

Sighing, "I understand, Katara. But I just think it might do you some good."

Glaring at him, "And why would it?"

Awkwardly rubbing his neck, "Because you called me Kamishi the other day in the hall and you're still wearing the ring he gave you."

Katara blushed and looked away, "It's not like that, Zuko. I just-"

"Look, just go see him whenever you're ready but you should see him nonetheless."

Turning her nose up at this, Katara scoffed. "I can't be bothered." She said as she got up to leave.

Later that same week, Mai watched as Katara was teaching Kazuka how to write his name and discussed her relationships. Despite being Zuko's consort, Katara and the young Fire Lord had not been very romantic with one another. They simply maintained a friendship. Mai wondered why that way and had made Katara aware that she knew Zuko was open to having a more romantic relationship with her but Katara was clearly not over Ozai.

"It's been more than five years. Either you and Zuko are having sex and not telling anyone or you're doing it yourself." Toph pointed out.

Sipping her tea, Mai nodded.

"Me and Aang are always having sex." Toph said proudly. "And we're pretty damn good at it."

Katara covered her son's ears as she eyed the earthbender in disgust. "Toph, Kazuka is here!"

"So," Toph shrugged and picked her teeth. "How does he think he got here? You ain't no virgin, Sugar Queen."

Rolling her eyes, Katara told her son that they would go over more soon enough and sent him on with his caregiver. When he was gone, Katara looked between Toph and Mai. "I do just fine by myself. I don't need Zuko for that."

Mai placed her tea down, "Honestly, it would be great if you just used my husband instead. He's got an insatiable appetite and I'm too tired to satisfy him sometimes."

"So you want me to sleep with him to get him off your back?"

"Yes, that would be lovely." Mai said.

Katara wanted to laugh. She remembered when her and Zuko were together in the woods during the war, how they'd look for any opportunity to get away to bump uglies. Then after he became Fire Lord, they were at it constantly until they broke up. She remembered just how Zuko couldn't get enough. His father was the same in that regard. Sighing to herself as she fell into a daze about both men and asked herself how she ended up like this.

"There she goes again. What's got your heart beating like that? Thinking about something?"

"My husband's cock. Maybe my father-in-law's too." Mai chuckled as Katara shot her a glare.

"You need to get laid, sweetness. You're daydreaming about past encounters."

"Look, I'm fine. Thanks for caring about my sexlife but bud out, okay? I'm perfectly fine."

Sipping her tea, Mai smirked. "You know the prison allows conjugal visits and I hear a certain prisoner keeps asking for you, wonder what he wants?"

Toph grinned at this, "Want kind of pussy did you throw papa Sparky? I heard he 'cries' for you."

Katara blushed and looked away from her friends.

A few days later, news reached Katara through Mai that Ozai had been taken to the infirmary wing of the prison for biting through his wrists. She gave into his demands to see him and went to treat his injuries as she couldn't bear to have him die on her account. Healing his wrists didn't take as long as she had thought and soon he woke to her by his bedside. His gold eyes perked up at her as soon as they registered it was her.

"Ka-

"Trying to kill yourself won't work a second time with me, Ozai. I will let you die next time you try that. So make sure you do it with the full intent to die." Katara told him coldly.

Sitting up, Ozai's messy hair fell to the side and his gold eyes remained focused on her. "I just want to see you again…why haven't you come until now? Why have I had to beg for you to come see me? Has Zuko not told you that I want to see you?"

"Oh, trust me, Ozai, the whole nation knows you want to see me." Katara spat. "You're humiliating yourself, you're humiliating me! They say you fell weak to some Water Tribe cunt! They talk of how I took down a tyrant with my pussy alone!"

Ozai shook his head, "I don't care. I just wanted to see you. Why haven't you come see me if you know? Do you not want to see me?"

Katara glared at him, "No, I don't want to see you."

A hurt look washed over Ozai's features as he spoke in a cracked voice, "Why not? I-I I haven't seen you in years! Don't you love me?!"

"I did but you put a price on your son and I's head and sent your goons to try and kill my friends." Katara told him. "How am I supposed to forgive you for that?"

"I just wanted what was mine, Katara, what was rightfully mine! How am I wrong for that?! It was all mine! My throne! My bending! My woman! My child! Stop demonizing me!"

Shaking her head as she stood up, "Ozai, you need to get serious help. Zuko says on the account of our past that he will see about a physician seeing you to treat you for any mental delusions you might possess. But I can't see you until you get better."

"Better?! I'm fine!" Ozai got out of the bed and bum rushed her up against the wall, pinning her. The guards came in and hit him repeatedly with a baton until he let go of her, crumbling to the ground.

Katara backed away to leave.

"Katara! No! Don't leave! Don't leave me!"

Her brows kneaded at the sight of him as she couldn't help but hate seeing him like this.

"KATARA!"

…..

Zuko worried about his father. After having a special physician go in to see his father, they pointed out the man had a strange obsession with Katara, who was described as a nurturing motherly woman by his father. Seemed to cause the physician to believe there was a lack of this throughout his father's life, leading him down the path he took. Katara was to him what no one else was. Kind and gentle and with his father back in prison, it seemed he couldn't cope.

"Is she here?!" Zuko watched his father rush to the bars of his cell upon getting up from his cot.

Zuko shook his head, "No, she's with Kazuka. He's taking his first firebending lessons."

"Then what the hell do you want?!" Ozai growled.

"I was going to take you to them." Zuko told him.

Ozai tilted his head at this.

Katara was surprised how naturally gifted her son was at firebending. Mai told her she should be so shocked as he came from a long line of elite firebenders. However, Katara had always worried that her being a waterbender would hold her son back some. But it seemed not to be the case.

"Good job, Kazuka!" Katara cheered for her son and received a scowl from his fire instructor for interrupting.

Katara awkwardly sat back down, "Sorry."

Mai smirked as she fanned herself and looked over to where she saw her husband approaching them with someone behind him. Her eyes widened for a second as she noticed the shackles on the man behind him and his messy long hair. She looked away and sipped her tea as she glanced at Katara to see if she noticed but she was so focused on her son.

"Katara!"

Mai saw Katara freeze up and turn her head rigidly at the sound of her name from that voice. The instructor turned his head to see the Fire Lord and the Fire Lord's father, his eyes widened. While Kazuka seemed to tilt his head.

Katara stood to her feet and went up to Zuko, "What is this?!"

"My father needs to see you and Kazuka. I got him out for the day."

Katara's eyes flared up like never before and she slapped Zuko dead across the face to everyone's surprise before storming off.

"My girl's still a feisty one." Ozai smirked.

"Shut up!" Zuko held his cheek.

Finding Katara hours later in the harem drinking on the steps of the floral garden scape, Zuko sighed and approached her.

"I'm sorry, Kat, I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine, Zuko. It's me that needs to apologize. I'm sorry about slapping you. That was uncalled for." Katara said as she poured herself some more sake.

Taking a seat beside her, "You should see my father, Katara."

"I know but…everytime I look at him, I keep wanting to think what could have been if I had decided differently. I don't like those thoughts." Katara admitted.

Zuko nodded, "I understand but you should see him. He's back in his cell and waiting to hear from you, please, go see him."

Katara agreed to go see Ozai and as soon as she entered his high security cell, she saw him stand from his cot and go to the bars dividing the room.

"Katara!"

"Ozai," Katara shook her head as she looked at him with a miserable look on her face. "What's wrong with you?! Why can't you leave me alone?!"

Furrowing his brows in hurt, "Why would I leave you alone? Who else is going to be gentle and kind to me as you had? You know I have no one. Why aren't you coming to see me when I ask for you?" Ozai demanded to know.

Her eyes widened as she saw tears in his eyes.

"I told you I love you! That's not a lie! Why would you ignore someone that loves you?!" Ozai hung his head against the bars as he gripped them in both hands. "Why'd you do this to me?! I'm not this kind of man! I'm not supposed to feel these things!"

"Ozai, I'm sor-"

"Then come see me! Please! That's all I'm asking!" Ozai looked at her and she saw tears glistening in his eyes.

"Fine." Katara said as she walked up to the bar and reached inside for his face, wiping his tears away with her thumb. "I'll come see you." She whispered.

A small smile pulled to his lips, "That's all I've wanted."

"If that were true, you wouldn't be in this cage, Ozai." Katara told him as she looked him over. "We would have found a quiet village to settle in, having our third child together, and enjoying a life of simplicity. We would be together and neither of us would be hurt like this."

"I'm sorry." He shut his eyes as she caressed his face.

"Can't turn back time now. I'll come to see you as much as you like. Just so it hurts less for us both, okay?" She sniffled.

Ozai nodded.

Katara patted his cheek, "Get some sleep, I'll be back in the morning with breakfast."

"You will?"

"Yes."

Just as she said, Katara returned in the morning with his breakfast that she made herself. Setting it down at the bars and sliding it under, Katara knelt by the bars. She waited for him to finish and when he did, she looked him over.

"I'll ask Zuko if I can take you out of this cell to bathe and groom you." Katara told him.

"Aren't you a good girl?"

"I'm just giving you what little you asked for." Katara told him. "How is your back sleeping on that cot?"

"Sore." He stretched.

"I'll see if I can make you more comfortable." Katara told him.

With permission from Zuko, Katara was able to have Ozai brought to her chambers in the harem and clean him up. She bathed him, trimmed his beard, and brushed his hair. When she clothed him in nicer material than his prison uniform, he caught her hand and held it to his bare chest.

"It's been more than 5 years since I last held you. Can I-"

"Not now, Ozai. I need to get you back to your cell." She told him.

Ozai sighed, "Zuko will allow it. He's told me as much."

"Zuko can't make me sleep with you, Ozai." Katara told him. "Besides, you're shackled. You can't even hold me properly."

"Wanna bet?"

Katara sucked her teeth, "Ozai, I'm not interested. Honestly, you have no idea the kind of distress you put me through all these years."

"I'm sor-"

"I don't want to hear it."

"Kat-"

Katara narrowed her eyes at him, "Ozai, I'm only doing this because it keeps you from making us both look like fools. Until one day it hurts you to see me as much as it hurts me to see you, I will be right here to look after you."

Ozai furrowed his brows, "So, you don't love me?"

"If I didn't love you, it wouldn't hurt this bad." Katara wiped a small tear from her eyes. "Now, come, we need to get back."

…

Zuko noticed Katara seemed exhausted from looking after his father. He waited till Kazuka was in his tutoring sessions before going to see Katara. There, he found the servants pouring her tea while she was dressed lightly for the hot weather. She was beautiful as always but kept to herself like she normally did and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing it intentionally.

Walking up to her patio, Zuko dismissed the servants and took a seat beside his consort. She poured him a drink and as soon as he tasted the liquor, he eyed her funny.

"Drinking at this time of day?" Zuko raised a brow.

Katara sipped her sake, "I need it to deal with your father, Zuko. He's not an easy man to deal with."

"I could have told you that." Zuko chuckled and drank with her.

The two continued conversing until they had emptied the sake jar and while Zuko was still somewhat sober, Katara had drank far more than him and was drunk.

"Need help to your room?" Zuko asked her.

Shaking her head, "I'm fine, Zuko." Katara got up and saw him stand with her, nervous she would fall.

Steadying herself against him as she tripped a little, Katara smiled up at him as she clung to his robes and looked up at him.

"Zuko."

"Yes, Kat?"

Smiling, "I'm sorry I haven't been a good consort to you. Mai told me you've been insatiable lately and I feel that's my fault. I'm sorry."

"Kat, that's not your fault." Zuko chuckled awkwardly. "You're my consort because I want to take care of you and Kazuka. Not because I want to sleep with you."

"So you don't want to sleep with me?" She tilted her head.

Zuko's face flushed and he looked away, "I mean, I haven't forgotten about our time together when I joined the gaang or the year we spent together when I thought you'd be my wife. But I'm not going to force you to-"

"You wouldn't be forcing anything, Zuko. I haven't forgotten us either." Katara told him.

Zuko noticed Katara trying to reach up to kiss him and he turned his head, "Maybe when you're not so drunk, Kat. I don't want this to turn into something you'll regret when you sober up."

Disappointed a little, Katara nodded, "Okay, Zuko."

The following day, Katara was sewing an outfit for Ozai, since Zuko wouldn't allow a tailor to enter his cell, when Mai decided to visit her. She had just come back from seeing Zuko and had plenty to say about her almost kiss with Zuko. Apparently, he told Mai that he had wanted to kiss her but the alcohol on her breath was distracting and he decided against it.

Sighing as she continued sewing, "I'd have had better luck with Ozai." Katara sighed.

Mai nodded, "Yes, he wouldn't turn you away."

Katara went onto the prison with lunch and the outfit she made Ozai. She saw he was waiting for her and perked up as soon as he saw her.

"I keep thinking one day you'll stop coming." Ozai told her.

Katara sat the tray down and slid it under the bars to him. "I'll let you know in advance when I won't be seeing you. Until then, don't worry too much."

Ozai didn't really like that comment but didn't say anything as he took his tray.

"I made you some more comfortable clothes to wear. Can you try them on and tell me if they fit?" Katara asked.

Setting his lunch on the table in his cell, Ozai turned to look at the three pairs of clothes she had slid under the cell bars. "You want me to undress, do you?" He smirked.

Rolling her eyes, "Just try them on."

Ozai didn't hesitate pulling his shirt from over his head and revealing his muscular physique, grinning wide as he saw Katara staring at him with a slightly intrigued gazed. Then, he pulled his pants off, showing off the large bulge in his loincloth. When the waterbender tried to turn her head with that flushed look on her face, Ozai asked her if he should take everything off.

"Stop toying with me, Ozai. Put the clothes on and see if they fit!" Katara got frustrated with him. "I don't have time for this."

"I think you do. You think I don't know Zuko won't sleep with you."

"Because his only desire is to take care of me and Kazuka, something you failed to do."

Ozai rolled his eyes, "Oh, shut up with that nonsense. I was about to give you the world. You're the one that opted out in order to be a concubine."

Narrowing her eyes at him, "Is that how you see it?"

Nodding his head, "Look, I'm just trying to make the most of our time here. I'll try on the clothes as soon as you strip too. I want to know if five years have been good to you."

Katara sighed and rolled her eyes. She really shouldn't but she sort of knew where this was going and honestly, she wasn't against it. Looking over her shoulders at the guards standing in the room, Katara shooed them out. They exchanged looks and left to guard outside the doors.

Ozai grinned, "There's my girl."

A few minutes later, Katara was naked on her knees by the bars getting throat fucked threw the bars as Ozai gripped the top of her hair. "Just like that, baby. Take me all the way in."

Katara's eyes rolled to the back of her throat as he pounded away at her mouth.

"Don't spill a drop, sweetheart." Ozai hissed threw his teeth and came down her throat.

Drinking it all, Katara saw Ozai was very satisfied with her performance and caressed her face.

"Get on all fours and back your ass into the bars." He commanded.

As she did this, she felt how hard Ozai still was just before he gripped her hips and plunged into her. He dug his fingers into her, enjoying every bit of her sobbing wet little cunt and growled lowly in arousal at seeing a bruise from the bars form on her ass. It didn't take much to get the waterbender to scream her head off, clawing the stone ground under her fingertips and just as she climaxed, he spilt into her, reaching completion with her.

"There, satisfied?" Ozai asked her.

Katara crawled away and collapsed on her side as her knees hurt. "You didn't have to be so rough."

"It's been some time, sweetheart. Those other whores didn't match your ability to satisfy me. Plus, I needed to punish you."

Katara steadied herself against the wall and got dressed, "I need to leave. I won't be back tomorrow. I'll send my maid."

"Wait! What, Kat-"

Katara fled the room.

Soaking in the tub, Katara mentally berated herself for giving into temptation and having sex with Ozai. It was probably the worst experience she had with him. There was no love in it. Even their first time was far more comforting than what they just did. It was purely lust and she could tell Ozai didn't love her. Not now at least. She was just the only person he had left to manipulate and she was mad that she let him manipulate her. What was she going to do?

Changing into a floral gown, Katara was about to go to bed and rest when she saw Zuko in her chambers, dropping off Kazuka. She went to thank him and he gave her a short remark in return.

"Is everything alright?" She asked him in confusion for his standoffish demeanor.

"I'm told you kicked the guards out of the cell today." Zuko tod her as Kazuka went onto his room. "What were you two talking about? If you were talking at all."

Furrowing her brows, "I-I I thought I could do that. You told me-"

"Funny, just the other day you were trying to kiss me. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't kiss you back." Zuko said scornfully before turning to storm off.

Katara was speechless.

The following day, Katara went to speak to Zuko in his office and he kicked her out. Days went on with Zuko giving Katara the cold shoulder and it only got worse as time went on. Eventually Katara had no choice but to go to Mai and ask for her help to douse Zuko's anger but it only seemed to get the Fire Lady into hot water as Zuko knew Mai was advocating for Katara.

Katara decided writing a letter was her best option to make Zuko understand her better since he refused to see her. She explained in her letter why she engaged Ozai in a sexual visit. That she had felt rejected by Zuko and that she hadn't thought she'd come to want to be embraced as badly as she had. So she subjected herself to the cruel cold pleasure of his father.

After writing this letter, Katara had the page boy deliver it to the Fire Lord and she decided to stay up late in wait of Zuko because she just knew he'd show up.

"Katara!" She heard her name angrily roll off the tongue of Zuko and perked up.

Leaving her lounge, Katara hurried off to greet him and was surprised to see him scowling at her.

Holding up the letter he received, "I did not reject you! I said when you were sober! But you sobered up and went to my father instead!"

Katara held her hands at her middle and averted her eyes, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I just thought after all these years you weren't-"

"Katara," Zuko shut his eyes and pinched his brows. "Do you know how often I think of what things used to be like between us? How pent up I get when I remember how we used to spend our nights together? It's not easy having you as my consort and feeling like I can't have you. You have no idea what I want to do with you but out of respect for our friendship I keep my distance."

Katara looked up at him, "I'm sorry, Zuko. I won't do it again."

"Damn right, you're not doing it again." Zuko glared at her. "I'm done holding back. Take me to your room. I'm spending the night."

Katara blushed and looked at his scowling features and how much he and his father looked alike. "Y-yes, your majesty."

Taking his hand, Katara led him to her room and turned to see him shut the door.

"I'll go put on some tea." Katara was about to walk off when Zuko caught her wrist.

"No need." He told her, yanking her into his arms. "We're going right to bed, Kat."

Blushing, "Zuko, I-"

"Shhh." He said before grabbing her jaw and inching down to kiss her.

Katara felt sparks the moment her lips and Zuko's lips met. She shivered as his hands raked down her nightgown and pulled at it as his lips began hungrily taking hers. Her arms reached up to wrap around her and hold him tight to her. He grabbed her and lifted her up, carrying her off to her bed where he tossed her.

Pulling at his own robes as his eyes never left her, Zuko saw Katara pull her nightgown from over her head and throw it aside. When he was down to his loincloth, Zuko began removing them just as Katara was kicking off her panties and spread her legs readily for him. He growled in the back of his throat and pounced her, pushing her down on the bed as he kissed her long and hard.

As they made out, Zuko pushed her thigh up and maneuvered himself inside of her, causing her back to arch and her lips to part with a moan.

The night was filled with Katara crying out in pleasure as Zuko gave her the tender love making she desired. It sent her over the edge and she came many times until Zuko finally reached his completion with her. She needed this. To be reminded that she was to be cherished and that her pleasure was equally as important.

The two panted curled up with one another, Katara holding him to her breasts as he clung to her.

"Zuko, I've missed you so much." Katara felt a well of emotions take over her. "You have no idea."

Zuko sighed, "I've missed you too, Kat. I'm just glad we are now together again."

"Me too." She cuddled into him.

The following morning the two bathed together and Katara held him close in the tub as they made love again. She hadn't felt this good in years and she didn't want it to ever end.

People had begun noticing that the Fire Lord was spending his evenings in the harem lately. It was hard to miss the rekindled chemistry between the Fire Lord and his only concubine, Consort Katara.

Oftentimes the Fire Lord will be caught holding Lady Katara's hand and even feeding her fruit or kissing on several occasions. Some caught the couple staring longingly in each other's eyes. They were clearly intimate with one another now and soon, it was announced that Lady Katara was pregnant. This news excited everyone close to the royal family except one person.

"That bitch!" Ozai screamed. "She doesn't come see me for months because she's busy fucking my son! That fucking whore! I'll rip that bastard child from her! And kill my pathetic son! They're not getting away with this!"

…

"Take it easy, Kat." Zuko told her as he helped her sit at the dining room table next to Mai.

"I'm fine, Zuko." Katara giggled.

Mai beamed a little, "Oh, let him help. He's excited. This is his first child."

Katara chuckled as Mai gave her more meat on her plate and asked her if she wanted something spicy or sweet. When Katara answered, she saw both Zuko and Mai perk up.

"What?"

"It sounds like you're having a girl." Mai said.

Katara saw Zuko was excited about this and smiled at him.

"I'm gonna have a baby sister?" Kazuka asked happily.

Zuko nodded, "It would seem that way. I'll have preparation put in place for the nursery."

Katara was happy to finally have a family of her own. With Zuko. She might not be his wife and Fire Lady but this was no less how she had wanted to be with him. She was happy and content. They were expecting their first child together and she couldn't be more happier.

As dinner ended and Mai told the two she'd tug Kazuka in bed, Zuko helped Katara to the harem.

"Zuko, my belly isn't even showing yet. You don't need to be so protective." Katara told him.

Zuko couldn't help it. It was his first child. Sure, he had been raising Kazuka as his own but he was his brother. He loved him dearly but eventually, he'd treat him as his brother rather than his son as he got older. But this, this would be his child. His little girl and he couldn't wait to be a dad. This was more exciting than he had ever thought.

"I'm just getting practice for when you do get bigger." Zuko grinned. "Mai's really excited too. She says if this one is anywhere as cute as Kazuka, she'd just melt."

"I believe her." Katara chuckled. "She was so cuddly with Kazuka."

Zuko kissed her on the lips when he got her to the bedroom and asked her if she wanted him to spend the night with her. She shook her head and told him to show Mai more affection as she was his Fire Lady. Kissing him again, Katara giggled as he whispered he'd come back if Mai wasn't in the mood to which she nodded.

As Katara was prepared by her servants to be bathed and clothed for bed, she ran her hand along her belly hoping for a healthy babe. She knew Mai and Zuko wanted a girl and she did too, but healthy was far more important. As she was helped into bed, Katara had the servants blow out the candles before leaving for the night. Just when she was about to drift off, she felt something large climb into her bed and hands wrap around her neck immediately. She tried to scream but it was no use, above her, like a monster in the grim moonlight was someone trying to snuff out her life.

"Scream and I swear to the gods I'll rip that bastard's child from your womb right now!" The cold vicious snarl of her attacker and she recognized the voice.

Katara wide eyes stared up at him in terror, "O-Ozai." She gasped. "No!"

Ozai growled at her, "You're my woman! Who told you to give yourself to Zuko?!"

"Oz-" Katara started choking as he squeezed her neck tighter.

"Shut up!" His voice cracked a little. "I'm not going to kill you. Just have you miscarry. Now go to sleep!"

Katara's vision darkened and just before felt Ozai's hands let go of her throat and connect as a fist into her stomach. He punched her repeatedly in the gut as she screamed and begged for him to stop. Right when he was about to hit her again, she saw Zuko enter and immediately into action. He lunged at his father, knocking him off of her, and sending him to the floor. Katara cried out in pain as she held her stomach and tried crawling out of bed to get away as the two men fought. She yelled for the guards and they came quickly to assist the Fire Lord in apprehending his father.

However, Ozai had knocked Zuko away and fought off the guards. Katara knew she'd have to step in if there was going to be any chance they were going to survive Ozai. As she got up, Katara nearly stumbled back to the floor as she felt blood running down her legs. Damn you, OZAI!

Beating one of the guards down, Ozai pulled out the guard's sword out and swung it at the others before setting his eyes on Zuko. "You impregnated my woman, boy! I'm going to kill you!"

Zuko winced and tried to get up as he saw his father running towards him and just when he saw his father swing the sword above his head, the man paused, gaping at him with wide eyes. Zuko watched his father fall to his knees and noticed Katara behind him, yanking out a sword. His eyes widened at this.

Tossing the sword aside, Katara breathed heavily as she dropped to the floor where his father was and crawled to him, tears in her eyes. "You bastard! How could you kill my child?!"

Ozai held his wound and looked to Katara in utter distress, "Y-you did this?" he asked before coughing up blood.

"I couldn't let you kill, Zuko." Katara cried and shook her head as she wept. "I couldn't let you."

As realization of his approaching death settled in, Ozai shut his eyes and took in a deep breath before exhaling. "Why couldn't you have just accepted me? Was I really so bad, Katara?"

Katara's face contorted in a somber frown, "I loved you but you wouldn't let vengeance go, Ozai! This is your fault!"

Opening his eyes at her, "I guess so…I'm ." He said before choking on blood as it came up. Katara watched in horror as he gurgled his blood and soon died right before her eyes. Zuko got up and quickly pulled her away from his father's body, trying to shield her from the sight.

"Come, let's get you ou-"

"I think I lost the baby, Zuko." Katara cried.

Zuko shut his eyes and gave himself a moment before he reopened them to pick her up. He carried her away and ordered the guards to take his father's body to the physician to prepare him for the funeral service.

Days after the funeral, Zuko spotted Katara sitting in her chambers holding the necklace Ozai had left behind for her as a gift and sighed somberly to herself. His father's death didn't come easy for her. She wept the entire time during his funeral and cried herself to sleep at night. He had barely seen her.

Knocking on the door as he let himself in, Zuko saw Katara look at him as he took a seat beside her and took her hand into his.

"I know you loved him even in the end. I'm sorry you had to-"

"I did love him and I would have run away with him if he let go of his mission to kill you and take back the throne." Katara sighed. "But your father wanted what he wanted, even if I was one of the things he wanted in his possession, I couldn't let him get what he wanted."

Zuko wiped her tears away.

"He was good to me when we were together. Very affectionate and loving. He made me feel special when I thought no one else would truly make me feel that way again. I felt like foolishly stupid girl all over again, falling faster than I could catch myself. Finding out his identity was a punch in the gut and then him refusing to let go of his vendetta hurt like hell too but nothing prepared me for when I had to…I didn't want to, Zuko, but I couldn't let him kill you too. He already took our baby from me. I couldn't let you be next."

Caressing her face, Zuko kissed her face and wiped her tears away again. "It's okay, Kat. It's alright. You did what you felt was right and my father, he couldn't come to reason. It's not your fault."

Katara burst into tears as she clung onto Zuko, "I miss him so much already, Zuko! I just want him to come back!"

Zuko patted her head as she slumped in his lap. He knew Katara was having it rough but he didn't realize it was this bad. He wondered what it would have been like for her if his father had just run away with her and lived a normal life with her. His father forced her to do what she didn't want to do for the greater good. It was his own fault she had to run him through. Now, she was hear with the guilt of having to kill the man she loved. It was tragic and all their friends had wanted to show they understood by sending her their condolences but she refused to see them as she was torn up inside and didn't know exactly how she was supposed to take it all in. He didn't blame her. His father was Kazuka's father after all and she confessed that she did love him, even in the end.

Rubbing her back, "It'll be alright, Kat. It won't always hurt like this soon enough."

And as time went on, it hurt less to think about it as she moved on with Zuko. They'd go onto have two children together and raised them together with Fire Lady Mai. It wasn't all Katara had expected it to be but they were happy. She was happy and that's what mattered most to her. It was her only regret that she couldn't sway Ozai to settle for just her and their son, Kazuka. That she wasn't enough for him to let go of the past and move forward with her. She just hoped if she ever met him again in their next life that he would lead a less vengeful one and choose her like she wanted to choose him.

The End!

…..

A/N: Writing my next story now. Thank you all for reading. Please give more Suggestions.