Chapter Text
“Good evening, Katara,” Jin greeted from her seat behind the desk. “You’re here early.”
Katara fought to keep the sunshine in her smile. “Hey! Yeah… early night at work for once.”
The lie slipped out far easier than Katara anticipated. “How’s he doing?”
“No change,” Jin’s smile looked as forced as Katara’s felt. “You doing another round tonight?”
“Yep.” The pewter blue ceramic bowl scraped across the counter. “Thanks.”
“Well,” Jin looked back down to the mountain of paperwork splayed across her station desk. It was more than usual. “May Tui and La guide your session tonight.”
The phrase didn’t feel as comforting tonight. Though perhaps losing her job two weeks early dampened her spirits more than she thought.
Hefting the heavy water basin into her arms, Katara moved down the quiet hospital hallway, the doors mostly wide open. A good sign for the other families that frequented the comatose wing. It meant that their loved ones healed and woke up.
If only Sokka could share their same luck… May Tui and La guide her session tonight, indeed.
“Katara,” Jin called, her footsteps quickly catching up to her at the doorway to Sokka’s room. “I’m…I hate giving this to you now…but…” she bit her lip and slid the envelope into the clear file holder next to his door. “I’ll put this here for you.”
The lump slowly forming in Katara’s throat grew. She dipped her head in acknowledgment before Jin hurried away.
Pushing open the heavy wood door, Katara murmured a soft hello to her big brother. He’d been moved since the previous evening, his shirt changed into a soft gray. The curtains in the eastern facing window had been drawn shut, as if the rising sun would disturb his slumber. She threw them open, letting the dusky evening light filter in. It was more artificial starlight than anything, the large office building across the street still housing a few late workers.
Clicking on the bedside lamp, she glanced down at his gaunt face.
“It’s been a real rough day today, Sokka,” she muttered. “The art antiquities got transferred to some museum in Ba Sing Se two whole weeks early, so Toph had to let me go.”
The bowl took up nearly the entire bedside tray.
“And Jin gave me your newest bill…and let me tell you, it could not come at a worse time for me.” She turned on the sink, sending a stream of water across the room and into the basin. “But it’s okay. I got this. I’ll pick up a side job or something…”
Moving back to his side, she ran her hands down the length of his body, fingers twitching with the sensation of life force, inches beneath her palms.
The corded phone trilled on the wall and Katara swore, startling.
“Not to mention,” she continued, her hand glowing as she cloaked it with water. “Dad suddenly has decided to have time to care about being a present father again, so he’s taken to calling.” She took the phone off the hook, slammed it against the receiver before letting it hang. “Repeatedly.”
The silence blanketed the room in an eerie sort of comfort.
Time to begin.
~0~
It was nearly ten by the time Katara made the twenty minute trek across Republic City and into the outskirts of old Cranefish Town. The run-down cobblestone pavers offered little distinction between sidewalks and street, and both were littered with enough potholes to serve as a hindrance to both pedestrians and drivers alike. Just that month she witnessed a satocycle swerve at the last moment to avoid a pothole large enough to send the driver flying off. He’d veered onto to the sidewalk so fast, the only thing saved her was her senses picking up the panic coursing through his body.
Needless to say, Cranefish Town and its neighboring area — Dragon Flats — were both neglected in both upkeep and safety. The Terra Triad members ran rampant in this part of town and while they’d left her alone, she hated every walk home down the dark streets.
Finally, mercifully, she made it to the small alleyway. Settled between a tea-shop and what claimed to be a laundry service sat her apartment entrance. The second-floor makeshift unit was outdated by years and the alley was filthy, but the price and the kind elderly landlord made it worth it.
The key stuck in the lock and she jiggled it around, making a mental note to see if she could find some solution for the slowly rusting metal. Eventually it gave way, and she stumbled inside, tossing her leather bag onto the small counter beside the wood stove. It toppled over, contents spilling out onto the chipped tile floor.
Katara swore, stooping down and gathering her things, one by one. A piece of white parchment stuck out from beneath her couch-bed on the other side of the front door. Sliding it out, she cursed again. The bill.
Before she could get too wrapped up in the train wreck that was her finances, her home phone rang.
Tentatively, she picked up the receiver, not saying a word.
“Kat?” Her best friend’s voice said from the other end. “You there?”
“Suki," Relief coursed through her. "It’s you.”
“Of course it’s me, silly! I was wondering what time you’d get home today! I thought maybe we could go down to the lantern festival tomorrow night at the park!” She chirped. “I know we’ve been so busy with work but surely we can find some time to get out of the house!”
“Yeah,” Katara tried.
“Yeah?” Suki echoed. “That was convincing. What’s going on, Kat?”
She sighed. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. Toph told me that the museum was sending their antiquities away early and —”
“And she had to let you go,” Suki finished. “Gosh, I’m sorry. Do you need anything? Anything I can do?”
“No, no it’s fine, I’m fine,” she said. “I’ll just pick up some shifts, I’m sure Toph has something she can get me.”
“Katara. You’re always ‘fine’. When are you gonna let someone help?”
“I got it handled.” Katara tossed the bill onto the small cocktail table at the foot of the couch-bed. The phone’s cord stretched as she crossed the room to open her dresser and pull out pajamas. “I’m going to go by the office in the morning to see if Toph has something. I know she’s been weirdly busy with meetings, so hopefully she will.”
“Okay,” Something clanked on the other end. “You talk to your dad?”
“No,” Her drawer rolled close. “He’s still trying and I’m still ignoring.”
“Maybe you should talk to him? You said you didn’t send back anything after his birthday card. He’s probably worried.”
“Now he’s worried. Where was that energy the last five years?” Her fist tightened around her pajama pants.
Suki sighed. “That’s fair, honestly.”
“So…” Katara tugged off her trousers, quickly pulling on the fleece pajama pants before the night chill could freeze her. “How was your day? Anything interesting?”
After a short conversation about the boy — no, the man — that was flirting with Suki and her excitement about the potential, her best friend yawned. “‘Kay Kat, I’m going to get some sleep, and you should too.”
“Good night, Suki.”
“Night.”
The phone clicked.
Katara leaned back onto the bed and glanced around her space. She suddenly felt thankful for the time she spent cleaning this morning. Her small stack of dishes sat clean on the bottom shelf, her few pairs of work clothes were washed and folded, and her floor swept. The only thing left...
She eyed the envelope.
Fishing out her necklace from beneath the collar of her shirt, she withdrew the small brass key and unlocked her wooden chest. Inside lay all her most valuable possessions: a delicately engraved piece of abalone — a gift from her Gran-Gran— her mother’s old betrothal necklace, a few figurines Sokka had carved, photographs from before the accident, a folder containing all of his medical records and a handful of other sentimental and useful items. Pulling out the tiger seal skin pouch buried beneath it all, she withdrew her savings from the month. Katara counted it once, then twice.
Twelve hundred yuan.
Sokka’s bill was three thousand… her rent… five hundred.
Not enough.
Definitely not enough — and there was no way she would touch the second envelope she kept saved in case of dire emergency. This was not that. This was just…just a hiccup.
She could get through this.
~0~
“Good morning, Katara,” Toph swaggered into the main room of the Beifong Security office. “I’m glad you saved me the displeasure of dealing with that damned telephone.”
She threw a wadded up food wrapper in the telephone’s general direction. The ball bounced right off the wall above it.
It never ceased to amaze her how a blind bender could be that precise.
Suki rolled her eyes and picked it up, tossing it into the garbage.
“I was hoping you’d have something new for me to start.” Katara said.
“Easy there, sweetness,” Toph moved around a desk to start shuffling through embossed folder tabs. “You know I keep you busy. And paid.”
Katara pressed her lips together and hummed in agreement.
“So,” Toph pulled out the folder, plopping it down on the desk. “If Suki did her job, this folder should be all the paperwork from the most recent requests.”
Katara moved toward it and Toph yanked it away.
“But this isn’t for you.” She moseyed over to the desk across the aisle, where the other office administrator usually sat. “An old friend sent me a personal request, asking for my best person. It’s not going to be put through the usual channels due to their…private nature.”
“Who is it?”
“Guess you’ll have to find out,” Toph flashed her a shit-eating grin. “Here’s the address.”
She shuffled around the piles of scrolls until Suki scooted forward, pressing the proper one into Toph’s hand. The owner harrumphed and flashed a scowl in her general direction.
“You’re welcome,” Suki said sarcastically.
“2100 Congress Lane.” Toph passed a hand through her mop of dark hair. “Don’t be late.”
“When are they expecting me?”
“The sooner the better. Come back to sign your contracts after today is over. Good luck."
~0~
Two stories of crisp white brick sat beneath deep red and gold eaves. A manicured front lawn sprawled between the building and the street, azalea bushes hugging the wrought iron gates.
2100.
It was the place.
A deep red flag loomed above her ominously, black insignia proudly flapping in the breeze. Katara looked again to the address on the brick marker beside the wrought iron gate.
Toph sent her to the Fire Nation embassy? The waterbender frowned as she pushed open the iron gates, hesitantly stepping onto the pristine pavers.
Two men stood at attention on either side of the massive wooden door.
“Good morning,” Katara greeted. “I’m here from Beifong Security?”
Neither said a word as they opened the doors for her.
Katara nodded in thanks before she scurried by them, only pausing in the front hallway once the doors shut behind her.
Adjusting her trousers, she checked her work uniform, mentally cataloging all the admittedly unnecessary components. Being a blue eyed, baby faced female meant she’d been laughed at more than once at a job. The assholes ended up frozen to the floor both times, but that was besides the point. So the taser…handcuffs…pepper-spray and boot knife all became apart of the security getup.
“Are you lost?” A dry voice asked.
Katara glanced up to find a girl not much older than herself staring expectantly at her. Despite their similar ages and heights, Katara felt like she’d been cornered by a teacher.
“No,” Katara said, far too indignantly. She dug into her coat pocket. “I’m from Beifong Security.”
She presented her business card with a flourish. The woman stared blankly at the card for a long second, before taking it from her.
“This way.”
Following her swift pace, the two woman entered the front office. Morning light filtered into the space from three large windows along the far wall, awakening the palette of deep reds, browns and sunny golds. A large circular desk dominated the center of the room, where an empty chair sat crookedly behind it.
“Someone’s here,” the woman tossed Katara’s business card onto the organized desktop, before turning to glance expectantly to the shorter girl, clad in pink, at the tea bar against the wall.
“Okay!” The girl chirped, braided ponytail swaying as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Thanks Mai! I’ll take it from here!”
Mai waved her hand dismissively before turning away without a word. When she was out of sight, the girl bounced over to Katara.
“Hi, I’m Katara. Toph Beifong sent me...” she started.
“Oh! It’s so nice to meet you, I’m Ty Lee!” Ty Lee bowed quickly before sashaying behind the desk. “I’m over all the logistics for the embassy! So any day-to-day planning, events, meetings…it’s all up to me to make sure he gets there on time!”
The waterbender frowned at the mention of he, though didn’t voice her confusion.
“And now,” Ty Lee continued, picking up a clipboard and clipping the business card to it. “I guess it’s your turn to make sure he gets there and back safely!”
Katara didn’t miss the curious appraising glance that followed.
“Though Ms. Beifong knows it’s for Fire Lord Zuko and not for his old uncle, right?”
Katara’s mind stalled.
“Now, now,” a rumbly voice came from across the room. An older man exited the doorway, his presence surprisingly imposing. “I may be old, but I surely am not helpless. You of all people, dear, should know looks can be deceiving.” The man shot her a wink.
“General Iroh!” Ty Lee’s cheeks flushed, matching her dress with comical perfection.
The general chuckled, eyes crinkling with mirth. It seemed to be an expression he made frequently, wrinkles disappearing within the smile.
“I am General Iroh,” A few steps had him close enough to reach out to shake Katara’s hand. “You must be Master Katara.”
“Uh-“ she started, surprised he knew her Master water bender status. “Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, General.”
“Ah, Iroh is fine,” he insisted.
Ty Lee bowed toward Iroh, and Katara wondered if she should do the same thing. Fire Nation cultural practices was an area her experience was sorely lacking. She suppressed an urge to kick herself for not paying more attention in those classes.
“You’ll have to excuse Ms. Ty Lee’s manners.” He joked, elbowing the girl before she could retreat back behind the desk. “I should have informed her on the time of your arrival. My apologies. All of this was a bit last minute.”
Katara smiled uncertainly, opting for a deep nod of her head.
“I’m afraid my nephew is not down here at the moment.” Iroh explained, ushering her towards the door he’d came out of along the back wall. “Though, it is probably for the best, seeing as how he likely won’t be too pleased I’ve hired someone to ensure his safety.”
After a short conversation detailing Fire Lord Zuko’s day-to-day life when he lived out of the embassy, Katara was provided with traveling routes, a map of the embassy, keys, and details on his most recent assassination attempt.
“Do you think the assassination attempt was directed from inside Republic City or from your nation?” Katara inquired, flipping her way through the documents.
Iroh leaned back in his chair, folding his hands across his stomach.
“It is hard to say.” He mused. “There are many in both nations that would like to see my nephew dead. Despite the Great War nearly a decade ago, many still cling to the old ways.” The general stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I can have Ty Lee reach out to the police, have them send over their files from the case.”
Katara hummed in agreement.
“Master Katara,” Iroh started.
She met his amber eyes curiously.
“Do not let my nephew’s… temperament sway your judgement too quickly. If Ms. Beifong sent you, I am certain you are the perfect person for this position.”
Katara smiled reassuringly. “I appreciate the tip.”
He inclined his head. “My nephew is upstairs in his office. I…I will have Ty Lee show you the way.”
Ty Lee seemed almost nervous, leading Katara up the stairs and down the hall, pausing outside a set of double doors.
Did the Fire Lord know she was coming?
Ty Lee rapped on the door before opening it, simultaneously ushering Katara inside with an outstretched arm.
“Zu— Fire Lord Zuko,” Ty Lee corrected. “This is Katara. She’s from Beifong Security. Your uncle hired her for you.”
The man seated behind the desk stared blankly at the both of them, his scarred eye nearly a slit. Katara resisted the urge to stare back— not at the scar, but at the way his jaw was clenched, the tension in his shoulders. The way his black hair was half tied up, the golden flame headpiece glittering in the light. He too, wasn't much older than her.
She’d seen him before — in pictures — but never in person. Never expected his presence to be so intense. Never expected to find him handsome.
When she looked back, Ty Lee was nearly jogging down the hallway. Katara turned to face the Fire Lord properly. His heartbeat was elevated— she immediately knew it was from anger.
Definitely didn’t know to expect her, then.
She kept her expression neutral, clasping her hands behind her.
“You can go.” he muttered.
Katara blinked, unable to keep her brows from furrowing. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t need a bodyguard,” He said flatly. “My uncle means well, but he worries too much. You can go.”
She didn’t budge. “With all due respect,” she paused on the next word, unsure which was proper. “Fire Lord — sir — there was an attempt on your life last week, from directly within your guard.”
“And I’m still here,” his eyes flicked up to hers.
“One person can’t watch every angle, especially when you can’t trust your own people like you once did.”
His jaw tightened. Katara felt his pulse spike.
“I’ve been handling threats to my life since I was thirteen. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I’m not your babysitter.”
“You look like someone Toph strapped a knife to and called it a day.” He raised his good brow. “You’re a waterbender? And a healer, I’m guessing? That’s great for after the threat is gone, but not much help when someone’s actually trying to kill me.”
“I’m not just a healer, Fire Lord. And if you think waterbending is just for that, you clearly haven’t fought anyone from the Southern Tribe.” Her nostrils flared. “Not that there’s many of us left.”
His expression shifted, shoulders going rigid.
The Southern Tribe comment was a dig, and a dangerous one. She knew it was his father who’d ordered the near genocide of her people, and that he’d spent the majority of his reign trying undo mistakes just like that. But right now, she didn’t care. She was a fighter, and a damned good one. She’d made sure of it after what happened to Sokka. Her inexperience back then is what had put him in the hospital in the first place.
“You’re right,” he said softly. “ I haven’t. My father made sure of that.”
The admission caught her off-guard. She’d half expected him to throw her from his office at that comment, but instead he was acknowledging it.
“Then spar with me.” She said. “Let me prove to you that I’m not all talk.”
It was his turn to be surprised now. He frowned, studying her. “In hand-to-hand, or bending?”
“Both,” she crossed her arms across her chest. “You have better things to do?”
He smirked. “Fine. There’s a training courtyard out back.”
The Fire Lord stood, moving around the desk with more grace than she’d anticipated. He was taller than she’d expected too — nearly a head. Katara followed him out the office and down the hall, to another set of stairs leading down.
She challenged the Fire Lord to a duel.
And now, she was going to have to win.