Please R&R! I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 1

The fire nation palace. A place that housed the most accomplished royal family during the period of war with the likes of Sozan, Azulon and Ozai with his children and wife. Now however the only royal occupants of such a place were Firelord Zuko and his well mannered and indifferent wife Mai. It had only been two years since they put the tyrant that was the former Firelord Ozai to prison and ended the war that had reigned for a century. All looked peaceful and fruitful, that was until that faithful day when everything went straight to hell.

They all had a party last night to celebrate their freedom and friendship. It was a very active affair with everyone getting drunk to the point of unconsciousness, well except for Mai and Aang, both choosing to decline to such acts and opted to just converse instead. A lot of wild things happened last night and it made Aang a bit happy to be sober. He was walking through the halls of the palace, passing all the rooms he and his friends were to use during their stay. He had seen little of Katara last night but he decided to let it go because she was most probably having a good time with everyone and he didn't want to interrupt so he bid them goodnight and retired early to his sleeping quarters, when he woke up in his room expecting to see Katara he found himself opening his eyes to a vacant space on the king sized bed. So now here he was, walking through the place and checking room by room to see if maybe Katara decided to sleep on her own. He would've given up if it wasn't for his cheerful demeanor.

He looked through all his friends rooms, in one of them he caught Sokka and Suki making silent but passionate love on their bed much to his embarrassment but at least he was quiet enough not to be discovered by the two lovers, it would've been really bad for all of them if that were to happen, in another room he found Mai reading what appeared to be a scroll, He asked her why she wasn't with Zuko and she told him she slept alone because she didn't want to sleep with a stinky and drunk Firelord, he chuckled quietly at that and made his way to more rooms. He really had to give the person that designed this place props, It was really big! His journey to find Katara was becoming fruitless and Aang had to wonder if she was in any of these rooms at all. Maybe she went to the palace garden or the training ground. He made his way to the final and biggest room that was present, judging by the size of the double doors. He knew this was Zuko's room and since Mai didn't share the same bed as him last night then Aang knew he wouldn't be interrupting any intimate moments, maybe he'll annoy Zuko by waking him up so early in the morning.

He opened the twin doors carefully so as not to wake the room's occupant and when he looked at Zuko's bed his mischievous expression turned to that of horror and heartbreak. On the bed was Zuko but he wasn't alone for the other person was none other than the person he was looking for, Katara. He could've ruled out the possibility of anything happening between them last night but the blanket that was draped a little to the side did nothing to hide their naked bodies and Katara looked like she was enjoying herself if the way she snuggled even closer to Zuko was any indication. Aang felt anger at watching them but he couldn't pull his eyes away. He could've given in to his rage and lashed out but he knew that he wasn't the impulsive child that first came out of that ice burg all those years ago. He just stood there and thought to himself.

He loved Katara and he thought Katara loved him. In all honesty with all the rebuilding and the preparation they did to make the Fire Nation redeemable in the eyes of the other three nations they hadn't had a solid relationship that you could call intimate, sure they kissed on many occasions but that's all they ever did. His anger bubbled again at the thought of Zuko taking Katara's virginity but that was quickly squashed with his monk training in peace and understanding. He was different now. He never saw things in simple black and white, those days were long gone. Any other person in Aangs shoes wouldn't have even thought on anything and just attacked. These were his friends and although he felt betrayed beyond belief he couldn't help but think if this was what it was leading up to. All he ever thought when he was dating Katara was her happiness, even at the cost of his own. He would've never believed Katara to be the sort of person to cheat on him but the proof was here as clear as day. So maybe she did this because she was unsatisfied with their relationship, Aang didn't rule out that possibility at all. What should he do about this? Should he just wake them up and take out his anger? Should he just ignore Katara's and Zuko's very existence from now on? Should he just leave altogether and not look back? The answer was simple, it was impossible to do any of those things, he never had the knack for being a cold-hearted person and he doubted that would ever change. Just after he completed his inner turmoil and made his decision he saw Zuko stirring and then opening his eyes. He looked around groggily and that's when their eyes met.

"Aang?" Zuko asked sleepily, that's when he noticed he was naked and Katara was snuggled up to his chest with no clothes as well.

"Mmmm... Aang?" Katara asked as she woke up but she wasn't snuggled to Aang and once her mind had registered this she immediately pushed away from Zuko.

"Zuko? What's going on? Why are you naked?...WHY AM I NAKED!?" Katara questioned loudly.

"I-I... I've got a headache," Zuko said as he held his head, hangovers can be real a killer!

"*Sigh* Well I will admit that this wasn't what I was expecting when I came into your room," Aang said evenly with no visible emotion. He would cry his heart out later yes but right now he had something to do.

Katara's head whipped to him when she heard his voice. She had already put the pieces together on what might have happend between her and the Firelord and what's worse was that the very person she loved was standing by the door, having discovered them it seemed.

"Aang," Katara uttered his name with such remorse and guilt that Aang had to struggle with keeping his emotions at bay.

"I don't really know what bought this up but I can only guess that I failed you Katara. You should have told me if you were unhappy, that's all I ever cared about, you happiness. I'm sorry that I didn't live up to your expectations Katara and Zuko I hope that well all can get through this one day," Aang said seriously.

"Oh Agni, Aang I'm so so-" Zuko didn't get a chance to finish because Katara had gotten down to her hands and knees and was now begging.

"Aang! I don't know what happened! We got drunk and... Aang please! I'm so sorry! I love you so much! I'd do anything for you! Oh Aang! Please don't leave me! I'm nothing without you! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!" Katara sobbed.

Aang looked down at her. He could see it in her eyes, her self loathing, her self-hatred, her remorse, her guilt, he could see all those things and it saddened him that things had to come to this. He couldn't stand seeing her in pain but he was in pain too. He helped her up to her feet but made sure to keep a bit of a distance which he'd never done before, Katara noticed and immediately started to wail.

"Have you cheated on me before?" Aang asked.

"I would never!" Katara shrieked.

"Until last night," Aang finished for her.

Katara could do nothing but stand in her nude form and watch as the man she loved created an even bigger distance from her.

"I'm sorry guys but I need a little time to adjust. Well I have to go now, meetings and all that. Uhh I guess its bye for now. I'll see you soon," Aang said as he left closing the double doors softly, but to Katara it might as well have been a loud bang.

"Oh God Zuko! What have we done!" Katara asked hysterically. She just didn't understand how this could possibly happend.

"I... I have to tell Mai. I'm so sorry for this Katara. I feel so ashamed," Zuko said remorsefully as he quickly got dressed and made his way to his wife.

Katara's emotions were in turmoil. She had slept with Zuko because she got drunk. What the hell was wrong with her!? How could she do this!? She cheated on the guy that only cared about HER wellbeing, HER happiness. How could she be such a... such a...

"A BITCH!" She screamed to the heavens in sorrow. She was less than filth for all she cared to do that to Aang. How could he possibly forgive her, better yet why didn't he scream and shout at her for doing that to him, lord only knew she deserved it and worse. She looked around and saw her scattered clothing. She was disgusted with herself but one thing was going through her mind right now, she needed Aang, she needed to find him and beg him to give her a another chance, she wouldn't stop until she got the man she loved to death back.

A day later.

Aang made his way through the mental institution. It was pretty weird to be here at first under the request of Zuko but he quickly grew accustomed to the surrounding. He would never forget that day that made him so determined to visit this place as much as possible.

Flashback.

"Thank you so much for coming Avatar. I'm sure with your help we can help Azula heal and find peace," said Doctor Zai with a sigh.

"I'm not sure how helpful I can be Doctor Zai. I'M not a doctor you know," Aang said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head.

"Maybe so but from what Firelord Zuko had told me I think you are perfect for this," Zai said confidently.

"If you say so. How is Azula anyway?" Aang asked curiously.

"To be honest? Her mental stability is horrible at best. She hasn't been responding well to the therapy and I fear it is coming to the point where it could be impossible to help her," Zai said sadly.

"Wow, It's that bad huh?" Aang said.

"I'm afraid s-" they were interrupted when the door swung open and a guard hurried in.

"Sir! The princess is out of it again!" the guard said frantically.

"Come we must hurry," Zai said urgently.

They quickly made their way to the room Azula was in and Aang watched in shock as Azula squirmed and screamed while being held by guards on a bed.

"Give her the drug," Zai said.

"But her body isn't responding positively to the solution. It's making things worse," one of the nurses.

"We have no other choice. Until something else can be done that is all we have," Zai said seriously.

"Wait," Aang said suddenly, surprising everyone including himself.

"What do you suggest Avatar?" Zai asked raising an eyebrow.

Aang didn't even think of an answer, he just didn't want any bad drugs to be given to Azula. Then a thought came to him and Aang prayed that it worked.

"Keep holding her," Aang said as he made his way to Azula, who's screams could be heard throughout the institute.

Aang looked at Azula for a little while and then put his hand on Azula forehead.

"Please work," Aang murmured. He was winging it and was hoping for something, anything good to come out of this but Azula continued to squirm and scream.

"What are you doing Avatar?" Zai asked confused by Aangs antics.

Aang decided to close his eyes and concentrate. He didn't know what he was trying to visualise but then he felt something. He focused on whatever that thing was and he could feel himself slowly accessing the Avatar state but not to the extent of pure power but more of subtle control.

Zai watched Aang carefully trying to figure out what the Avatar was planning. He saw Aang's arrow tattoo's starting to glow faintly and knew he was going into the Avatar state.

"Avatar I hope you not planning to destroy this place along with us," Zai said seriously.

"Shhhh," Aang said still in concentration.

Zai noticed that Azula had stopped screaming and her signs of discomfort turned to those of calmness. He also noticed that she had opened her eyes and was staring quietly at the Avatar, she wasn't struggling or shouting in anger.

"I think that should do it. I'm not really sure," Aang said as he opened his gray eyes and stared into Azula's golden ones.

"The Firelord was correct. You are just the person we needed," Zai smiled.

"Uhh thanks," Aang blushed at the praise.

Azula was still looking at him. There wasn't any malice or hatred in her eyes, more on the lines of confusion and curiousity. Aang smiled at her, confusing her further. Wasn't he supposed to hate her? She tried to kill him on many occasions. Why was he smiling kindly at her? She felt so calm right now, more than she had in the few months she had been in this place. What did he do to her? He didn't use any drugs, he just touched her head and that's all it took?

Aang knew that Azula was weary of him, they were enemies after all, well not anymore he hoped. He never liked violence to begin with so he didn't have any anger for the princess. He knew it would take a while for them to even begin to trust each other but he hoped things would work out in the long run. He was going to help her, for Zuko's sake and her own, just one session wasn't going to be enough. If he could help her change for the better than this was definitely worth it.

"You know I think I'll take the job," Aang said to Zai.

Flashback end.

It took a long time, more then a year and a half to be exact but they finally were able to converse with each other on equal terms, although Azula still considered herself a little higher than he'd like. Coming to terms with her inner demons and horrid past was in no means an easy matter but Aang kept helping her through it at every step of the way, earning her trust but not fully. She still couldn't fully trust people without questioning their motives or intentions, Mai and Ty lee really did a number on her psyche when they betrayed her to save their friends. Her mother was a huge unapproachable subject altogether, Azula would clamp up and withdraw into herself when 'That woman' was ever mentioned. Aang truly hoped he could get through the girl so she can find peace with herself because even if Zuko had betrayed him he was still determined to mend the broken family.

"Hey Azula," Aang said as he opened the door and walked into Azula's room and saw Azula sitting on the floor, beside her bed, working on something.

"Aang," Azula greeted back while she worked on a painting.

"How are you doing?" Aang asked as he took a seat next to her and watched as she painted an ocean.

"To be honest? Everything has been pretty well and with you?" Azula said as she turned to look at him.

"Good," Aang tried to be cheerful but one look from Azula and he knew she saw straight through him.

"I thought we agreed to be honest with each other," Azula said eyeing him.

"I know," Aang said.

"What happened?" Azula asked with a hint of worry for him, that hint was all it took to remind Aang that this wasn't the same Azula that tried to kill him but he still didn't feel like talking about it.

" I don't feel like talking about it right now if that's okay with you," Aang said and hoped Azula wouldn't pry any further.

"When you're ready," Was all she said.

Aang sighed in relief and noticed a minuscule tug on Azula's lips. She was smirking at him and then it clicked.

"Not funny Azula," Aang said.

"Oh come on Aang. Your discomfort is a bit humorous especially when you pull a face," Azula replied.

Aang rolled his eyes and pouted.

"Sometimes you can be real annoying you know that?" Aang said while pouting.

"That's the face I was looking for," Azula snickered quietly.

Aang rolled his eyes again but he had a smile on his face this time. Azula always surprised him with the way she acted eversince they developed something akin to friendship. He knew she did everything deliberately to make sure that he didn't feel gloomy and he was grateful for that. These weren't just therapy sessions anymore, just two people hanging out and enjoying each others company.

Azula regained herself and continued to work on her painting and talking to Aang. She felt proud of her efforts to lift his spirits from his depression even though she didn't know what the cause was. She would admit that she disliked him greatly in the beginning and she put him through hell in her past therapy meetings, attacking him, cursing him but he would always come back and use his power to ease her mind as much as possible. It started off roughly but she began to trust him. He was the reason she didn't cling to anger and hatred but to more calmer and more beneficial emotions that conveyed tranquility, hell he was the reason she started painting. He was a good person but that didn't mean he was invincible. She hoped she would get what was bothering him soon but right now she decided to focus on their time together.

An:Next chapter is coming soon. I do not own Avatar.R&R!