So this fic originated on one of those dark, dreary, depressing rainy days, the kind when you sit on the couch wrapped in a blanket in front of the tv and remember the disappointing non-zutara ending of A:TLA. Anyway, it was that kind of day, and after watching the strange combination of You've Got Mail (great movie, go see it now) and the Avatar chibi short School-time Shipping, this is what happened.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of the affiliated characters. If I did, the ending would have made more sense because Katara would have ended up with the guy that jumped in front of a lightning bolt for her instead of ending up with the 12/112 year old bald monk. (But, hey, the world isn't perfect.)

Prologue

Katara sat on the edge of the dock at Zuko's family's beach house, her legs drawn to her chest, her head resting in the pillow she'd created by folding her arms on her knee caps. She didn't move or make a sound; she just let the tears roll down her cheeks as she looked out at the horizon, feeling the warmth of the setting sun on her face and the calming presence of water.

She wasn't really sure why she was crying. She'd gone and she'd come back, with nothing really happening in between. And yet, everything had changed. She sighed, accepting the fact that sometimes, she just needed to cry. She had let got of her anger, at him, the man who had taken her mother away.

And at Zuko.

Now thinking back, she realized that she'd faced the most hated man in her life with the former holder of that title by her side, supporting her every decision, no matter what it was.

She heard footsteps behind her, padding over the wooden planks of the dock. She hastily wiped away the residue of her tears, annoyed by another's presence. She'd been hoping to spend some time alone. She was in no way interested in Sokka or Aang butting in and interrogating her, then telling her how proud they were that she'd listened to them, because she hadn't. She'd come to the decision to spare that man on her own.

But it was neither of them doing any of those things. Instead, it was Zuko, who said nothing and sat down next her. After a while, she chanced a glance at him. He was looking at the sun, leaning back on his hands. She had a perfect side view of his face, the scarred side. She was suddenly transported back to the crystal catacombs in Ba Sing Se, when she'd touched the smooth, glossy skin and felt a strange connection between herself and the prince that she'd never considered to be remotely possible.

But there was no denying its existence now, especially when he turned his head to look back at her. His bright golden eyes gave her a questioning look. "What?"

"Thank you," she said quietly. "For everything. For following me and respecting my decisions." Zuko bit his lip to keep from smiling in the serious moment. Gratitude - that was good. Then she added, "Unlike Sokka and Aang."

"They were just worried about you," he said, trying to redeem them in her eyes, even though it was only his redemption he truly wanted.

"I know, but you never questioned me, not once."

He shrugged to hide the happiness he was couldn't help but feel. "This was something you needed to do for yourself. However you went about it was up to you. Though I kind of hoped you'd choose not to hurt him."

Katara looked down and let her feet swing, toes skimming the surface of the water. "I couldn't. Despite everything he'd done, I just couldn't hurt him." She sighed. "But I couldn't forgive him either. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive him." Zuko put a hand on her shoulder, and even though that very action would have made her flinch away twenty-four hours ago, it was fine now. More than fine now.

"That's okay, Katara," he said. "You deserve to finally be able to put this in the past. But he doesn't deserve your forgiveness."

"You do, though." Looking back up at him, she smiled. He was surprised at first, having not expected to receive that, and he let his hand fall from her shoulder. But he saw the honesty in her clear blue eyes, and he knew he finally had it: her trust. "I forgive you, Zuko."

She watched as his face broke out into a smile, an incandescent beam. She'd never before seen him that sincere or vulnerable or open, and she didn't want that look to ever leave his face. The knowledge that she'd been the cause of it was even more rewarding.

"I'm sorry I never showed how much I appreciated everything you did for us," she continued. "You tried to stop the assassin, you're teaching Aang, you got Suki and my dad out of prison." A blush tinted his cheeks at the praise. "And I never thanked you for saving my life when Azula attacked." She scooted closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder. "So, thank you." Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his lips were still turned up.

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