Chapter 8

Katara had stood there in horror as Zuko relayed his torn past to her. When the tears started, she couldn't hold back anymore. She quickly closed the distance between the two of them and wrapped him in her arms; now it was her turn to do the comforting. In response, he buried his face into her neck.

"Oh, Zuko, I'm so sorry I asked! I feel horrible!" she said, starting to feel tears in her own eyes. But she wouldn't let them fall, for she had to be strong for Zuko after he had been strong for her.

He just gave her a sad smile and said, "It's ok, Katara. You had a right to know. I shouldn't have been keeping secrets from you."

She hesitantly reached up and touched his scar. The skin was soft, but rough at the same time. She let her thumb feel underneath his eye, all the way to his ear. He closed his eyes and allowed her to do it.

She stopped and dropped her hand when she heard him sigh. "No, it's ok," he said taking back her hand. "It's just that, no one's ever touched my scar before. Everyone's always been repulsed by it. It feels strange, like it's something really intimate. But I'm glad you did." The last of Zuko's tears dried on his face, and she smiled.

"I'm glad I did too." Katara beamed up at him. "Because, personally, I think the scar makes you look sexy." She laughed at his sharp intake of breath, but was soon interrupted by his lips on hers. She smiled into the kiss and deepened it. He pushed her down onto his bed and laid on top of her, running his fingers through her hair. After a while of this, he rolled over to his back and she snuggled into him.

She laughed quietly. "So what was all that for?" she said, gently stroking his face.

He smiled, and said, "You called my scar sexy. That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. It turned me on," he shrugged.

Katara quiet laugh suddenly turned into full blown hysteria. She found her eyes tearing up because she was laughing so hard. She knew it was kind of ridiculous to be laughing this hard at a time like this, but she couldn't stop. It just felt so good to laugh freely, after three weeks of fear, that she never wanted to stop. Eventually her giggling subsided, and she looked over at Zuko to see him peering at her with a bewildered look on his face.

"I didn't think I was that funny…" he said, scratching the back of his neck.

Katara pulled his hand back down automatically and told him, "Well, it was a little funny, but once I started laughing I just couldn't stop. It felt too good."

He smiled and moved his other hand up to her face. "I'm glad you're happy," he told her. "Even if it's only because you turned me on," he added, smirking at her.

She whacked him lightly on the shoulder. "Hey, at least I did turn you on!"

Zuko laughed and agreed.

Eventually, they went back downstairs, knowing Katara had to see her family. She ran to hug Iroh goodbye. "Goodbye, Iroh. Thank you for everything."

He smiled that warm smile of his that no one could resist. "It has been my pleasure, Katara. You are welcome here any time, any day."

Zuko drove her home. After kissing him goodbye for more than a few seconds, she walked up towards her front door. All traces of fear and distrust had left her with Zuko's kisses and Iroh's hugs. Jet was gone, and she finally felt safe. She opened the door, preparing herself for even more love than she'd already received. Katara felt like the luckiest girl in the world.