Zuko opened the door of his bedchambers, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "What-" he woke up quickly when he saw the state I was in. "Katara? What's wrong?"

"My father…" was all I could get out before I collapsed into his arms.

Zuko pulled me into his room, and after closing the door, carried me to his bed. He laid me down and went to sit next to me, but I pulled him down with me so I could curl against his chest.

"What happened?" Zuko asked, holding me.

"He's so stupid!" I cried. "He survives the war, survives soldiers and prisons and battles… only to…" I dissolved into another fit of sobs.

When Zuko noticed the paper I was holding, he gently pried it from my hand. He was silent as read the letter from Sokka. "Pirates?" Zuko breathed. "What were pirates doing so far south?"

I shook my head and screamed into Zuko's pillow. Zuko tossed the letter aside and held me tightly. I cried myself to sleep in Zuko's arms that night, and the next three nights after that. I barely left his room, but Zuko never suggested I leave. He seemed to know before I did whether I was hungry or if I needed a bath to relax or if I just needed to be held while I cried. It was his turn to take care of me, and by the fifth day, I had worked through my grief.

I sighed as I opened the doors to the armoire. Fingering through the dressed, I settled on a gold, sleeveless dress that had blue and green koi fish embroidered along the hem. It wouldn't do for me to arrive to tea with the Fire Lord in my hospital tunic and pants.

After getting dressed, I sat down on the bed and looked around the room. Even after I found my apartment in the city, Iroh insisted on holding this room for me indefinitely. There was even had a little plaque on the door designating it as my room. The only time I actually slept here was after the summer solstice celebration, since that ran until the early hours of the morning and I never wanted to trek back to my apartment so late.

I had to admit, though, it was nice to have a separate space to keep all the dresses and outfits that were appropriate for the palace. I chuckled to myself at the thought of all the jokes Sokka would make about me, of all people, having a room whose only purpose was to house my fancy outfits.

It had been a few months since I'd written to Sokka. I made a mental note to write him a letter tonight. Suki should be due to have her baby any day now, if she hadn't already given birth.

Sighing, I got to my feet and made my way out of my room. A guard was waiting for me in the hallway, and I smiled at him as he motoined for me to follow him. I did so, and a few minutes later, he was opening the door to the Fire Lord's private chambers. Iroh and Zuko looked up at me from where they were sitting by the fireplace.

"Good evening, Master Katara," Iroh said as he and Zuko rose from their seats. Iroh nodded to the guard, who disappeared back out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

"Good evening, Fire Lord Iroh," I replied, bowing deeply until my chest was horizontal to the ground. "Good evening, Zuko."

"Please, Katara," Iroh sighed. "The guard is gone. There is no need for such formalities."

I smiled as I lifted from my bow. "Keeps my habits in check for when the guards are around," I said, and Iroh chuckled.

"Come, join us," Iroh said, motioning to the empty seat next to where Zuko had been sitting. "We've prepared a lovely brew of honeypeach tea for you."

"Sounds wonderful," I said, crossing the room and taking my seat. "Thank you," I said to Zuko as he served me.

The tea was sweet and not too hot, and I closed my eyes as I sipped from my teacup. Sighing, I held the warm cup in my hands and opened my eyes to smile at Iroh. "Perfectly brewed, as always Iroh."

Iroh smiled triumphantly, "Zuko was actually the one who brewed it."

I turned my smile to Zuko. "The hot leaf juice you've prepared for me is delicious," I said, and Zuko smirked.

"I'm glad my brewing skills have improved over the years," Zuko said.

Iroh nodded seriously, "As am I." We all laughed.

After that, we each shared updates on our lives. I told them about how the hospital received an influx of sick children recently, and that a trip to the affected neighborhood revealed a contaminated well. I was able to clean it, and there have been no new patients from that neighborhood. Zuko talked a bit about a project he's proposed to Minister Cho Bah, about restoring the Earth Kingdom temples in the Fire Nation colonies. Iroh shared his plans for the summer solstice ball.

Hours after I had arrived, Iroh sighed as he got to his feet. Zuko and I followed suit. "I think it is time for this old man to retire," Iroh said, patting his belly and smiling. "Thank you for joining us this evening, Katara."

"As always, it was a pleasure," I said, returning his smile. "I'm sorry it's been so long since I've visited."

"We are all busy," Iroh said, waving his hand dismissively. "Until next time. You two enjoy your evening."

Zuko and I bowed to Iroh before leaving his personal chambers. Zuko waved off the guard who tried to follow us. After turning the corner, Zuko offered me his elbow. I slid my hand into the crook of his elbow and leaned into his side as we walked. Without discussion, we headed towards the gardens. The moon was only half full, but it was a cloudless night, allowing the moon's light to illuminate the royal gardens.

"Uncle said that he told you," Zuko said, breaking the silence. He had guided us to the turtleduck pond, and we sat down on a bench facing the water. I didn't let go of Zuko's arm, and he made no indication that suggested he wanted me to let go.

I nodded. "How do you feel about it?"

"Uncle is ready to open his tea shop in Ba Sing Se," Zuko said, chuckling to himself.

"Yes, but are you sure you're ready to become Fire Lord?"

"It's my birthright."

I frowned up at Zuko. When he didn't look back at me, I gently cupped his cheek in my free hand and turned his face to me.

"Zuko, do you want to be Fire Lord?" I asked.

Zuko was quiet for a long time, before he closed his eyes and shook his head. "But I will do it," he said. He covered my hand with his and turned his head to kiss my palm. Mothflies fluttered in my stomach. "It's my duty."

My breath caught in my throat when Zuko laced our fingers and pulled my hand away from his face just enough so he could kiss the inside of my wrist. When he opened his eyes and looked at me, his eyes seemed to glow.

"Katara," Zuko murmured against my wrist. "Can I kiss you?"

I wanted to say this was a surprising turn of events, but I'd be lying. Ever since the night I showed up at Zuko's chambers, after learning of Dad's death, something between us had changed. We hugged and held hands a lot, and no matter how many days would pass between my visits to the palace after I left to work at the royal hospital, we'd pick up conversations right where we left off. Sometimes we'd spend entire afternoons together, just sitting by the turtleduck pond in pleasant silence.

As I got busier at the hospital, and Zuko took on more responsibilities within the council, we saw each other less often, I found myself yearning to speak to him. And at some point, when I did get the chance to see him, I realized I had started searching for excuses to touch him. I had a suspicion that Zuko had similar feelings for me, but I was too afraid to ever bring it up. Why risk ruining the wonderful friendship we had?

"Yes," I breathed, realizing I had yet to answer him.

The kiss was soft and hesitant on both our parts, but when Zuko pulled away, I grabbed his face and pulled him in for another kiss. I gasped when Zuko pulled me up into his lap, but then I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as he held my waist. When we broke apart again, both of us were breathing heavily. I could feel Zuko's hands trembling against my waist.

"Are you okay?" I asked, pressing my forehead against his. Zuko closed his eyes and nodded, a goofy grin spreading across his mouth. I smiled and hugged his head, not caring that I was smushing his cheek against my breasts.

"What does this mean for us, Zuko?" I asked after a few moments. I released his head so I could rest my head on his shoulder.

"I don't know," Zuko sighed. His hands slid down my legs, hooking behind my knees so he could pull my body closer to him. I could feel his heart pounding in his chest, matching the pace of my own heart. "Do you want to be Fire Lady?"

I sat up, my jaw dropping open. "Zuko, was that a proposal?"

Even in the dark I could see Zuko's good cheek flush. "I guess?"

"I-" I shut my mouth and looked away, my chest tightening nervously. "I don't know if I want that."

"I understand," Zuko said, kissing my chest right below my necklace.

"Until you become Fire Lord, though," I looked back at Zuko. "Can we just… see where this takes us?"

"I'd like that," Zuko said, smiling.

"Do you want to keep this quiet?" I asked, leaning my head on his shoulder again.

"No," Zuko said. "I've started receiving marriage proposals. I don't want to pretend to entertain them while exploring a relationship with you."

"Is that… will you be allowed to "explore a relationship" with me?"

"Legally? Yes. Iroh has changed the laws to allow international marriages in the Fire Nation. Technically I'm free to court a woman from any nation. Politically?" Zuko sighed. "I don't know. The council will have a field day. "

We were quiet again. I didn't want to think about all the possible trouble we were bringing upon ourselves. At least, not tonight. I'd worry about all that tomorrow.

"Will you stay at the palace tonight?" Zuko asked quietly.

"I really should get home. I have to work early tomorrow." I lifted my head and tucked a loose strand of his hair back into his bun. "But I could stop by for tea again tomorrow?" I suggested.

Zuko nodded and placed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "I'd like that."