Katara paced back and forth across the slick crystal floor. She rubbed her eyes, her face flushed and hot from crying. She jumped as the ceiling cracked and opened above her.

"You've got company!" shouted one of the Dai Li.

To Katara's utter shock, Zuko hit the floor and lay groaning. He sat up meeting her eyes and Katara's face twisted into a grimace.

"You?" Katara snarled, "what are you doing here?"

Zuko said nothing, his face turned towards the wall.

"Why did they throw you in here? Oh wait, let me guess. It's a trap. So that when Aang shows up to help me, you can finally have him in your little fire nation clutches!" Katara ranted.

She could feel herself becoming hysterical. Instead of responding, Zuko's eyes looked dully at her, and then at the ground again. His silence enraged her.

"You're a terrible person! You know that? Always following us! Hunting the Avatar! Trying to capture the world's last hope for peace! But what do you care? You're the Lord's son. Spreading wards and violence and hatred is in your blood!" She taunted.

A muscle in his jaw was ticking and he spat at her furiously, "you don't know what you're talking about!"

Katara flushed with anger, "I don't? How dare you? You have no idea what this war has put me through!" Her legs started to tremble, and she collapsed on the cavern floor. "Me personally!"

She fumbled with her necklace, gripping it tightly. Tears burned her eyes as she fought to keep her voice steady, "the Fire Nation took my mother away from me." The words seemed to well up in her throat, threatening to choke her.

Katara heard Zuko inhale unsteadily. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, "that's something we have in common."

Katara jerked her head up, and stared at him. He was still tense, but his anger had faded. After a moment he ducked his head, his shaggy hair covering his face. Katara continued to watch him, the fight draining out of her bones with every breath.

She broke the silence softly, "I'm sorry I yelled at you before."

He didn't look at her as he spoke, "It doesn't matter."

She was restless with feeling, and rushed forward anyway, "it's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face."

Zuko looked at her. "My face? I see," he said rubbing stiffly at his scar.

"No, no," said Katara anxiously, walking towards him. "That's-that's not what I mean!"

Zuko waved her off. "It's okay. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark."

Katara stared at him. He sat, hunched on the ground in a dirty tea apron, looking less like a prince than he ever had before. She wasn't afraid of him, she felt bad. The solution came to her instantly, and she embraced it.

"Maybe you could be free of it," she said, considering the possibilities. The was a pool in the corner of the cavern, and she had the vial tucked beneath her shirt.

Zuko focused on her instantly. His golden eyes were wary, "what?"

"I have healing abilities," said Katara eagerly. Already she could feel the chill of the North Pole, the quiet that accompanied snowfall.

Zuko stepped away. "It's a scar" he muttered, 'it can't be healed."

Katara shook her head, undeterred. "this is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties, so I've been saving it for something important." She pressed closer to him, "I don't know if it would work, but…"

Slowly, hesitating, she reached up touched the edges of his scar with her fingertips. Under her delicate, exploratory touch Zuko's eyes fell shut.

"I'm willing to try," she said quietly, "if you want to."

Everything was still for a moment. Katara's touch felt like the ocean lapping, curling against his cheek. He breathed, "yes."

He opened his eyes, and Katara moved her hand. She was radiant with determination, but her words and movements were fluttering with nerves.

"Okay," said Katara. She looked at Zuko. He was watching her with a guarded expression. She could feel the energy in the room, shifting and cracking.

"Can you sit by the water," she asked, motioning him down.

He sat stiffly, cross-legged on the ground. Watching her, waiting.

She kneeled in front of him, reaching for his face. He twitched under her hands. The position was awkward, she knew that before long, her arms would tire.

"I have a better idea," she announced, "take off your apron, and give it to me."

He eyed her in confusion, but did as she said. Untying the apron and handing it to her.

Sitting comfortably behind him, Katara placed the apron in her lap.

"Put your head here," She said gesturing, "then my arms won't be tired."

He looked startled, and for an instant, she faltered. Here she was, asking the prince of the Fire Nation to lay his head in her lap. The person who chased her and her friends halfway across the world. But then her resolve strengthened, and she stared expectantly at him until he reluctantly followed her instructions.

"Close your eyes," She murmured, "I'm going to touch your face now." Gently, she ran her hands over his face, feeling the energy humming below his skin. She traced his features, learning the movements of his body. Blood and bones shifted beneath her touch.

She carefully pushed his hair back and examined the scar. It was the first time Katara had really looked at it. Angry, red skin stretched across the right side of his face, blurring his vision and misshaping his ear.

Raising her arms, she carefully guided a stream of water from the pool. Zuko shivered when the water touched his skin. Encasing her hands in the water, Katara began exploring across the surface of the scar. She could feel the pent up energy, ugly and twisted beneath the scarred skin. Zuko's frown grew more pronounced, and his fists clenched, but he lay still, and his eyes did not open.

Poking and prodding softly, Katara pressed at the knots of energy, willing them to come undone. These were old hurts, buried deep. They had imprinted themselves on Zuko, changed the flow of his chi. She reached for his energy, pressed down into the tangles. In order to heal him, she would have to return circulation to the damaged areas.

He was still tense, trembling under her hands. She pulled back, releasing the pressure. Slowly, slowly she massaged the water into his skin, focusing on the surface. She smoothed the wrinkles in his forehead, and eased the tension around his mouth. He began to relax, and release the hard grip of his fists. She felt him soften into her, breathing steadily.

Closing her eyes, Katara breathed a prayer to the moon and sea, calling on Yué to lend her strength. She pulled the vial of spirit water from its place against her heart, and carefully drew the water out. It gleamed in the strange light of the cave. She could feel currents of energy running through her limbs, making her feel otherworldly. Laying her fingers against the center of Zuko's scar, Katara felt power buzzing at her fingertips, and pressed down.

Zuko threw his head back and gasped as Katara tumbled into scorching darkness. Terror and pain shook her to her core as she fought to keep her hand steady. She could feel tears running down her cheeks, her eyes gritty with heat and flames. Zuko was writhing underneath her, begging her to stop, but she couldn't. It was like her hands had melded in the heat to his burning skin.

Struggling to breath, Katara called out to the moon, the coolness of night, the peace in Yué's eyes. She reached for the damp salt of the ocean, the power of its depths. She searched for her own flowing chi that ran through her like winding river. She pulled Zuko towards her and doused both of them in the waters of her soul.

Relief washed over both of them, and Katara continued her work working through the tangles that burdened the boy beneath her. Reaching for his chi, she guided it with hers, until all his channels were unblocked.

She began to withdraw, feeling his skin stretch and heal under her care. Paying special care to his eye and ear, she manipulated his flesh into place. Almost in a trance she stroked her fingers over the new pink skin, settling the last of the spirit water into his skin. She ran her hands over her work, the soft arch of his brow where the beginnings of an eyebrow peeked through, his almond eye that she was sure would one day have long graceful lashes, the smooth, roundness of his cheek, and his ear, pink and delicate.

She sat back and stared at him in wonder. Exhaustion pulled at her eyelids, but she couldn't stop looking at him.

Zuko opened his eyes haltingly. He passed a hand over his eye in shock. The skin no longer pulled when he opened it, no longer blocked his view. He looked up and Katara was smiling at him. She was pale and drawn, but he was sure that he had never seen anything more amazing in his entire life.

"It's not perfect," she whispered, smiling all the same, "the pinkness might fade."

"Katara," he said in wonder. Before she could react to the use of her name, she was wrapped in a tight hug. Zuko held her like a lifeline, and tentatively she accepted, pressing close to him. They sat motionless for moments. Katara pulled away gently.

"Come see," she said.

Zuko bent over the clear pool and reverently touched his cheek. The hard, dull redness had been replaced with shiny, pink skin. His skin was tender to the touch, and he started. He had felt nothing in that area for years.

He looked at her suddenly. "Thank you," he said hoarsely, "thank you."

She nodded, closing her eyes and swaying unsteadily.

He gripped her gently. "Are you okay?" He asked. There was fear in his voice.

"Tired," she murmured drowsily, "healing is difficult." She was sure that she had never been this drained before. The energy in her veins was only faintly buzzing.

Zuko cradled her awkwardly against her. He was jittery. There was a rushing in his ears and a hot pounding in his head that rang joyfully. He was ready to fight, to breath fire from his lungs, to conjure lighting from the palms of his hands.

"I'll protect us," he said in a low tone, "don't worry."

Katara hummed, her eyes already closing. They flew open as a crash resounded around the cave and Zuko jerked towards the source of the noise. He flew to his feet, pulling Katara up on her unsteady legs.

"Aang!" cried Katara reaching for him. Aang raced to her side and embraced her tightly.

Zuko had the wind knocked out of him as Iroh barreled into his chest and hugged his nephew tightly. He looked over at Aang who was glaring at him defiantly while hugging Katara.

"Aang I knew you would come!" Katara said happily, clutching at him.

"Uncle, I don't understand," said Zuko in bewilderment, "what are you doing with the Avatar?"

"Saving you that's what" said Aang cooly.

Zuko stepped toward him angrily, but Iroh stopped him.

"Zuko, it's time we talked," said Iroh calmly.

"Why Uncle?" demanded Zuko. He was looking desperately at Katara who was collapsed against Aang

"You're not the man you used to be Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good." Iroh gazed steadily at his nephew, his eyes flickering the the newly healed skin.

Suddenly Iroh was thrown back as crystals encased his body. Zuko yelled in fright and Katara staggered back pulling Aang with her.

"I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle," sneered Azula, "but Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor."

"Release him immediately," roared Zuko. The sight of Azula made his blood boil.

"It's not too late for you Zuko," Azula cooed, "you can still redeem yourself."

"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you," Iroh implored Zuko.

Azula laughed. "Why don't you let him decide, Uncle? I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day, this glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have Father's love. You will have everything you want."

Zuko's head swam as Azula's words tugged at his heart.

He could hear his uncle pleading, "Zuko, I am begging you. Look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want."

Gesturing carelessly, Azula's cruel smirk widened, "you are free to choose."

For an instant he considered, his arms falling to his sides.

It was Katara's pained gasp of "Zuko!" that propelled him into action. At the sound of her shout, Azula's features became nasty and twisted, as she pulled back to release a bolt of lightning at the waterbender. Zuko's attack was unexpected and he crashed into Azula's chest knocking the wind out of her.

"You!" Azula screamed in rage, sending a wall of fire rushing towards her brother, "how dare you! Filthy traitor!"

Azula was powerful, but she was no match for him today. Zuko had never felt stronger. He countered every attack, pushing her deeper into the catacombs.

Behind them, Aang was breaking away the crystals that held Iroh, freeing the old man.

"Run!" bellowed Zuko, "I'll hold her off!"

As he spoke, Azula shifted focus. He realized her target too late as she destroyed the exit to the cave, scattering the group and sending rocks everywhere.

Katara had fallen and was struggling to get up as Azula turned her attention to her. Zuko moved but he wasn't fast enough. As the lighting left her fingertips, Katara rose to her knees throwing a water whip at Azula.

It struck Katara right between the ribs, throwing her body against the walls of the cave. Azula's mouth parted the tiniest bit. Zuko felt the world tilt as if in slow motion. Aang's scream reverberated off the stone and there was a blinding light that burst through his eyes and mouth that faltered and went out.

And then Sokka and Toph were there. Azula had vanished and the cave was collapsing around them. Aang was limp. Sokka seized him, lifting the tiny body into his arms. Dust filled the air, obscuring everyone's sight. Zuko stumbled over to where Katara lay and picked her up. The followed Toph's directions through the darkness, avoiding the debris crumbling around them. They burst into the sunlight, coughing and shaking.

"Appa, yip yip!" screamed Sokka his voice hoarse. He threw Aang in the saddle, Toph scrambling after. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes widening upon seeing Zuko holding Katara.

"Get in," he yelled reaching for Katara. Zuko helped lift her in and joined them in the saddle. He reacher for Iroh, and his uncle gripped his hand with an indeterminable look in his eye. Then he broke away stepping back. "Uncle!" yelled Zuko, but it was too late. Sokka smacked the reins and they burst into the air, Appa rolling to avoid projectiles thrown by the Dai Li.

"Get us out of here," roared Sokka, as they sailed into cloud cover. Zuko held Katara tightly staring in shock at the ground where they had left his uncle.

He looked up and Sokka and Toph were staring at him, chests heaving, eyes watering. Aang was stirring already blearily blinking open his eyes, but Katara was limp.

"My sister," Sokka said in a low tone gazing at her.

Zuko placed her down in the saddle, cradling her head with his palm. Already her skin was cooling. A desperate cry was wrenching itself from Sokka's chest. He crouched down, pressing his hand against his sister's heart. Motionless they waited. Zuko was frozen. Tears were leaking down Toph's cheeks.

Sokka let out a howl and clutched desperately at the singed edges of Katara's dress. He collapsed against her and sobbed. Toph pressed herself in the corner of the saddle shaking, her hands pressed over her ears. Aang stared blankly, he attempted to move towards them and collapsed. Zuko didn't realize he was crying until he touched his face. A low moan was coming from Sokka's throat as he cradled Katara.

They dropped suddenly and hurtled towards the ground. Appa crashed to the ground and collapsed. Without thinking Zuko pushed himself on the ground and began vomiting. He shook and cried, wishing he was anywhere but here, anyone but himself.

Toph staggered off, crawling away in the dirt. Zuko could still hear Sokka crying. There was a stream trickling past and Zuko pushed himself forward until he could submerge his face. He pulled himself out of the water gasping and laid his head in the mud. He stared blankly, until the edges of his vision began to blur and he could no longer hear anything.