Katara wouldn't admit to being bitterly jealous, not even to herself. So she hid behind expectations. She looked at Jet, sitting beside her. He had his arms draped over her shoulders. She convinced herself she was happy with this. It was easier than she thought it would be to play pretend. Pretending was in her job description, actually, so she couldn't be too surprised. Sokka was happy with her decision at least.

"What did you think about it, Katara?" Three pairs of eyes were on her. Sokka, Jet, and Suki. They were all hanging out at the local tea shop, as per usual.

"Oh, it um. It was great." Katara flushed. "What were we talking about again?"

"Dinosaurs landing on the moon," said Sokka sarcastically. "Jeez Katara you should pay more attention to your friends. It's a miracle we still hang out with you."

"Oh shut up." Katara kicked his leg under the table. "I was just thinking about that party that Ty Lee is throwing on Saturday. Are we going?"

"Well, duh." Jet smirked. "It would be a good time to get to know the competition. I hear the dirt munchers are going to be there." He shrugged. "Some of them anyway." Katara rolled her eyes at the crude nickname for the opposing team, the Badgers.

"Those moles think they're something else. I don't think we should waste our time on them." Sokka leaned back in his chair with one elbow resting on the back.

"I think it would be fun!" Suki chimed in. "I heard it's supposed to be a costume party and I had this really great idea to…" Katara was glad that the conversation was off her again and she happily listened to her friend prattle on about outfits and shoes. Personally, she wasn't sure she wanted to go. Her mission didn't have her away that night, but she almost wished it did. She sighed. She was so close to a breakthrough with intel on the rebellion. A party would help her unwind a bit. It would probably be good for her even. Okay she'd go, she decided.

"Suki, can you help me pick out something to wear? I can never decide on anything." Suki's eyes brightened.

"Yes! Oh lets go shopping! I have the perfect idea for what you should go as!" Suki's enthusiasm rolled off her in waves. "It's going to be perfect!"

Katara rolled her eyes. What was she going to do with her friend? "Let's go tomorrow after school. I've got some homework to catch up on tonight." She stood and gathered her drink and bag.

Jet scowled. "You always have homework to do." He grabbed Katara's wrist. "What's say you and I go somewhere to… talk?" His voice lowered at the last word suggestively. Katara tugged her wrist away and inwardly cringed. Jet had his charms, but he also had his sleaze.

Sokka hit him in the arm with the back of his hand. "Dude!"

Katara smile. "Sorry, but it's really important that I get this done. It's due tomorrow and Mr. Sozin never accepts late work." The lie came naturally. Though maybe it wasn't a complete lie. There really was an assignment due tomorrow. It was just already finished and ready to turn in. She needed a break from Jet and this was the perfect opportunity. "Bye guys!" Katara waved and then made her exit, breathing a sigh of relief.

`~.~_-_~.~'

Watching this video stream was starting to get old. Zuko has been sitting on his bed reading comics for the past three hours and Katara wasn't sure she could watch any more. Time for a break. Discarding her iPad on the bed beside her, she scanned her room, eyes landing on a small black bag. It was the makeup Suki had leant Katara and so far, she hadn't touched it. Katara didn't usually wear much makeup. Just some eyeliner and a touch of mascara. A natural look was what she was going for.

Thinking of the party on Saturday, a nudge pulled through her mind. She didn't want to just look natural for the party. She wanted to be breath-taking. If she was being honest with herself, she also wanted to look good in case Zuko showed up. There was nothing worse than letting your ex, if she could even call him that, see you all frumpy in the middle of a bunch of glamorous people. And they would be glamorous if Ty Lee had anything to do with it.

Snatching the bag off the desk chair, Katara went into the bathroom. She had to go back for her iPad to look up instructions on how to actually apply the makeup.

Fifteen minutes later and Katara was as frustrated as ever. Makeup had been applied, washed off and reapplied so many times, she worried her face was being rubbed raw. Scowling at the impossible beauty supplies, she gave up for the night. She would try again in the morning after her skin recovered from the abuse. Relieved to be done with it for the night, and a little embarrassed to be in such a frivolous thought process, Katara decided to check in on the subject.

She unlocked the iPad just in time to see him walking out of his room. Just the opportunity she'd been waiting on. There was no doubt that he was going out, especially dressed like that. Quickly and swiftly, Katara threw on some comfortable spy clothes, special Government Issue. Finally something that made her feel sane. Something that would make the world make sense again. She exited through the window to avoid any family loitering downstairs. This was the night Katara would either prove or disprove Zuko's innocence. Either way, she wouldn't leave anything to chance.