Disclaimer: ATLA is property of VIACOM and Nickelodeon. No profit is made from this story.

Author's Notes: In case the length scared a few people off, I should clarify that this is by far my longest chapter - mainly because I was busy setting the scene and the mood. I also have a few more things about certain character's relationships, but I'll put them at the end of the chapter so as not to give anything away. Please review and comment.

Dawn was rapidly approaching; Zuko could see it from where he lay in his bed from the open window. The sky, once a deep, inky blue, was now paling to a soft grey, and slowly the stars had begun to fade. He could see long, golden fingers reaching up above the horizon, beginning to stroke the sky, caress it into the day.

Zuko rolled over onto his side, his eyes sweeping over the small Ba Sing Se apartment that, for the last week, was his home – their home. Just by surveying the room, you could tell exactly who slept where. Although the room was furnished in the same green, yellow, and white colours that were common for upper-class Earth Kingdom civilians, you would have to be more than blind to acknowledge that the room was clearly being shared by the Four Nations. On the floor by Aang's bed was his staff, a rough replica of an airbending monk that he had metalbended under Toph's careful tutelage, as well as his dusty-gold monk robes. On Katara's bedside table was a recently acquired waterbending scroll – thankfully, obtaining it had not involved an encounter with pirates or being tied to a tree for questioning – as well as her mother's necklace, and several little metal clips that she used to fasten her hair with in the morning. Sokka's corner of the room looked as if Sozin's Comet had made a second appearance and crashed right there – the only recognizable object was his brand-new boomerang, his love rivaled for it only by his feelings for Suki. Toph had been the only member of the group who hadn't wanted to sleep indoors, instead making herself comfortable outside, while Suki's bed looked as though it had just been made, although she was still asleep in it – nothing was out of place.

In only a matter of minutes, the sky had already become brighter and a clearer shade of blue – pale, yet already warm; preparing for the deep brilliant summer blue that was yet to come.

Across the room, Zuko heard someone stirring. There was the sound of soft bed sheets being kicked away, the quiet padding of footsteps across the room. He reopened his good eye, wondering who had the mental strength to drag themselves out of bed at this hour. Although nobody was admitting it, the truth was that each and every member of the team was exhausted, from the physical and emotional results of the battles they fought when Sozin's Comet fell.

Speaking – mentally, anyway – of emotions, Zuko felt especially sorry for Toph, who only days ago had confronted Sokka and told her about her previous feelings for him, in order for her to move on. The whole ordeal had been extremely painful for both parties involved, as well as those unfortunate enough to witness it. But Zuko's thoughts for Toph were abruptly cut short. He had twisted his neck up at an odd angle to find who the early riser was, and in doing so stretched an array of painfully stiff muscles down his neck and spine. Zuko swore, sitting up rapidly, reaching out to rub his sore neck. But his oath had woken Momo, who until then had been happily asleep on Aang's bed, who then screeched at the top of his lungs and jumped across several beds – and the bodies asleep in them – until finally he sat in Zuko's lap, green eyes peering curiously at him, chattering away.

'Ungh,' came a semi-conscious groan from Sokka, 'still sleeping … noise … bad…'

By now everyone in the apartment was awake, and glaring at Zuko was accusing eyes, with the exception of Aang, who wasn't really the accusing type, so instead looked blearily at Zuko.

'You're not going to believe me when I said 'the lemur did it' are you?'

*

It wasn't exactly cold outside the apartment, but there was a cool breeze blowing and no nice walls to ward it off. And Zuko wasn't exactly dressed for battling the elements, wearing only his pants – he having dived for the door before somebody did something to him that required healing from Katara, whom he doubted would oblige to the request. She had probably returned to bed, along with everyone else. Thankfully, the streets of Ba Sing Se were relatively empty, so nobody saw him half-dressed – because although the sun was rising, it was still early.

'Sparky.'

Zuko turned around to where Toph's earth-tent was. She was standing in front of it; hands on hips, dark hair swinging lose around her shoulders. He opened his mouth, about to speak, when a small cluster of rock all jammed together to make one small boulder slammed into him. Zuko, who had been sitting cross-legged at the time, grunted and fell forwards.

'What was that for?' he spluttered, spitting out chunks of earth from his mouth.

'That's for waking up everybody in the room and nearly giving them all heart attacks and waking me up!'

Zuko said nothing. Stupid winged lemurs, so damn jittery. What good are they?

Toph yawned loudly and went back into her earth-tent. Zuko sat up straight, wincing from the spasm of pain the action caused, pushing his shoulders back, testing to see where it hurt most – which was pretty much everywhere. Zuko knew that had had stretched his body's, and his bending's, limits the day he had fought Azula. Most of the physical pain was a result of being hit by the lightning, and hitting the ground at the angle he had. According to Iroh, he was lucky not to have snapped his neck or seriously broken anything. Apart from the scar, Zuko had only suffered cuts and bruises from being dragged across the ground. Compared to so, so many he had been very lucky.

Breathe deep. In and out. You've done this before, you can do it again. There was the usual hissing sound as Azula charged up her lightning.

There was a loud crack.

He saw the direction – the person – she had aimed it for.

No!

As much pain and agony he had suffered in the aftermath of that one-second decision, Zuko had never come to regret his actions. For regret, you had to understand what you had done and why. He doubted he would ever know why he had jumped in front of that lightning bolt for Katara. There hadn't been any time to think, all it had taken was two steps to his right and then he was writing in pain on the ground.

Zuko's eyes drifted shut. He was tired … he hadn't slept well last night. Or for that matter any night. It wouldn't be that bad to take a nap on the grass outside the apartment, would it? Surely Aang or someone who wasn't that mad at him for waking them all up, scratch that, it would be Aang, would come and wake him up before all of Ba Sing Se saw him. Zuko heard footsteps.

'I thought you'd want – might need this.'

The voice was unmistakable; it was Katara. Ignoring the pain that the action caused him, Zuko twisted his neck around so he could see her. She was carrying his clothes; he recognized their crimson and gold colouring.

'Your punishment is that you're not allowed your boots,' said Katara, looking faintly amused. 'It was Sokka's idea. You can collect them when we decide to let you in again.'

'Thanks,' said Zuko, standing up and taking the bundle from her, quickly slipping his clothes on. 'Are we going to the Jasmine Dragon?' Uncle didn't serve food at his tea shop, but often let them cook their food and eat there.

'No,' said Katara, 'yesterday Toph and I found a noodle place. They start serving early, so everyone's having breakfast there. You're welcome to come.'

It's good to hear that my exile doesn't exclude me from meal-time. 'Sorry,' said Zuko, 'I'm not that hungry. I think I'll visit Uncle instead.'

'Oh, okay. If you like I'll bring a bowl and bring some noodles back for you, in case you're hungry later. You'd be able to reheat them, right?'

'… Right,' said Zuko, surprised by Katara's generous offer. If he didn't know any better, he would have called it friendly, perhaps caring. But Zuko did know better.

Although their relationship had bordered on 'almost friends' since the battle with Azula – he supposed it was hard to wholeheartedly loathe somebody who took a bolt of lightning for you, if he looked at the situation from Katara's perspective – to Zuko it always seemed somewhat strained. It wasn't that Katara openly avoided him or deliberately broke off conversations – not that they participated in many to begin with – with him, he just got the feeling that him being around her made Katara uncomfortable. So, on the whole, he tried to stay out of her way.

But in this case, Zuko wasn't purposefully not joining the group for breakfast; he actually did need to speak to Uncle. Although he hadn't spoken to anybody apart from Iroh about this, he was eager to return home from the Fire Nation. Zuko didn't understand why Iroh had told him that he needed to rest – a man needs his rest – when he was needed most back home. But Iroh had persisted, even going as far as to rent the apartment out of his own purse, and eventually won. He always did. But it had been two weeks of serving tea at the Jasmine Dragon, and Zuko felt that he had neglected his country for far too long. He was the Fire Lord now; he shouldn't be serving tea and – before she had left – playing Pai Sho with Mai. He needed to start doing things; he needed to bring back a country that was now in ruins after a century of pouring all of their funds into the war effort. Just thinking about the paperwork involved was giving Zuko a headache.

Zuko had to admit, his uncle was a clever man. The apartment was only a few minute's walk from the Jasmine Dragon, barely one if you ran. After everyone had left for the noodle shop, he had gone to get his boots – while giving Momo a steely glare – and made his way to the Jasmine Dragon. As he walked in the front door, Zuko noted that it was a relatively slow morning, despite the tea shop's growing popularity. He looked around, scanning the room for –

'Nephew!'

- Zuko turned around, before being bowled over by an enthusiastic embrace. Amused, he concentrated on staring at the wall, focusing on ignoring the looks he was getting from the few customers that were seated. He wondered if they recognized him – oh well, he would have to get used to people staring.

'Uncle? Can we talk in the back room? It will be only a few minutes.'

'Of course,' said Iroh with a smile. 'Are the Avatar and his friends joining us this morning?'

'Not today, Uncle,' said Zuko as the two walked to the back room; 'they're having noodles.'

'Well when you return home, you must tell them that they must come here tomorrow, because I am a very jealous man – and all the publicity I get when the Avatar has his breakfast here really brings in the gold coins!' said Iroh happily. 'I've been able to buy some excellent woodwinds for my one-man band, at a bargain price too!'

Zuko just shook his head; Iroh was one shrewd businessman. By now they were in the back room – it was very small, with two chairs and an old, disused Pai Sho table in the corner. Zuko swore he could see spider-mouse cobwebs.

'So, Nephew, what is it you needed to speak so urgently to me about?'

Zuko swallowed. 'Uncle, I know you wanted me to stay in Ba Sing Se another week –'

Iroh frowned, pursing his lips.

'– But I need to go back to the Fire Nation. Tomorrow.'

Iroh slammed his fist down on the Pai Sho table, making Zuko jump. 'You are just a child!' he roared. 'You are a child who was hit by lightning – you would have died if not for Miss Katara's healing! And even if a man was lucky enough to survive an injury like yours, he would spend months recuperating at home! You are a child who took full advantage of Sozin's Comet's power, power that is not a child's to hold! You – need – to – rest!'

Zuko felt as if he had been punched in the stomach. 'Uncle, don't you understand?' his voice sounded pathetically small in comparison to Iroh's deep one. 'I'm the Fire Lord now, the Fire Nation needs me. I have to go home.'

'The Fire Nation can wait,' rumbled Iroh, 'for my son to heal before he charges off to lead a country that is on the brink of destroying itself.'

'Which is exactly why I have to go home now!' cried Zuko, exasperated. 'There's no time for waiting for my body to fix itself, it can do that back home –'

'Home?' bellowed Iroh. 'Home is not the nation you are born in; surely you are not blind enough to believe that! Home is when you are with your family, friends, and loved ones, no matter which nation you are in!'

Zuko paused, thinking of the days at the Western Air Temple, Ember Island. Camping in tents at night and sitting around fires to stay warm. Earning their trust, and finally their respect. He realized the truth in his uncle's words – home had been with them.

'Home has to wait for now,' he said quietly, 'I have to leave. I have responsibilities as Fire Lord I can't ignore.'

Iroh's face softened. 'You must forgive an old man for being too cautious about his son's wellbeing, I let my feelings for you cloud my judgment – I apologize for calling you a child, Prin –' Iroh stopped, smiling, 'Fire Lord Zuko.'

'Apology accepted,' said Zuko.

'I can arrange for you to leave by tomorrow afternoon, unless you have other plans for traveling,' said Iroh. Zuko could see that his uncle was trying to keep his face blank. He wished they could go together.

Zuko knew that Aang would fly him to the Fire Nation on Appa if he asked, but he also knew that Aang could be spared for a few days – he would probably enjoy having some extra time with Katara.

'If you could arrange transport for me, I would appreciate it,' said Zuko.

There was the sound of people talking loudly, and a panicked expression suddenly crossed Iroh's face. 'Nephew, I fear that the customers will start rioting if I do not start serving them tea now!'

Zuko realized just how long they had been in the back room. 'I'm sorry I kept you, Uncle. I should be going, too.'

Zuko opened the door, preparing to leave the Jasmine Dragon, when he walked straight into someone. Katara, holding a bowl of noodles. From the burning anger in her eyes, Zuko knew that she had heard everything.

'You. Outside. Now.'

Extra Note: I feel the need to explain Katara's attitude to toward Zuko in case a few readers are confused. Here it goes ...

Throughout the first ATLA season, Katara and Zuko are mortal enemies, and the same goes throught season two as well - with the exception of COD, when we see the two begin to trust each other. By mid season three when Zuko joing the gang, Katara is still - for lack of a better word - hostile towards Zuko. Even after he earns her trust in TSR, viewers didn't really get to see them have much interaction alone. After the series finale, you can be sure that they're friends. And I can see Katara doing the exact same thing for Aang - she's just being friendly.

*Phew* Sorry that took so long.