-Zuko-

He leaned against the wall, slid down.

Sighed.

Suki and Sokka had taken off somewhere, and Katara had gone after Aang, leaving Zuko and Toph to wait together.

Toph took a seat on the floor next to him, but he didn't look up.

"Everyone's getting so upset about their characters," Toph observed. "Even you seem more down than usual, and that's saying something!"

Considering his mood had been borderline cheerful just that morning, Zuko was a little offended.

"You don't get it. It's different for you. You get a muscly version of yourself, taking down ten bad guys at once, and making sassy remarks."

"Yeah, it's pretty great." Toph sighed happily.

"But for me," Zuko continued, his voice quieter, "it takes all the mistakes I've made in my life, and shoves them back in my face. My uncle… he's always been on my side, even when things were bad. He was there for me." His throat was threatening to close up, but now that he'd started, he couldn't stop. "He taught me so much, and how do I repay him? With a knife in his back. It's my greatest regret, and I may never get to redeem myself."

Toph scooted closer, her face uncharacteristically kind.

"You have redeemed yourself to your uncle. You don't realize it, but you have."

"How do you know?" Zuko asked.

"Because I once had a long conversation with the guy, and all he would talk about was you."

"Really?" Zuko felt a little rush of joy.

"Yeah, and it was kind of annoying," Toph replied frankly.

"Oh, sorry," Zuko muttered.

"But also very sweet," Toph smiled. "All your uncle wanted was for you to find your own path, and see the light. Now you're here with us. We forgave you - Katara more than forgave you." She winked. "He'd be proud."

Then she socked him in the shoulder. Hard.

"Ow!" Zuko stared at her, rubbing his arm. "What was that for?"

"That's how I show affection," Toph said with a sheepish grin. Lost for words, Zuko felt his face growing warm. How new it was to him, having friends like these. They cared about him. They believed in him. What would his life have been if he'd always had this? Who would he be?

"Your Zuko costume is pretty good," A small boy was suddenly speaking to him, dressed up like Aang. "But the scar's on the wrong side." He ran off.

"The scar is not on the wrong side!" Zuko bellowed after him. Toph laughed as he yanked his hood up sulkily.

"At least you weren't recognized," she said comfortingly. But Zuko wasn't comforted. Here he was, the actual prince of the Fire Nation, being told his own scar was on the wrong side. Infuriating.

"I'm gonna take a walk." Zuko stood. "You'll be okay here?"

Toph waved a hand and settled back against the wall.

Zuko wove through the crowds, hood up, itching for some fresh air. He'd seen a balcony on the way in, but just as he reached the curtained doorway, he heard voices.

"Aang, I don't know…" Katara was saying, her voice hesitant, careful. Zuko froze, heart pounding. Blood rushed to his face as a world of possible scenarios ran through his head. He thought about leaving. He thought about interrupting. But in the end, he just listened.

"Why don't you know?" Aang asked her with a slight edge of desperation. Zuko winced.

"Because, we're in the middle of a war, and we… we have other things to worry about!" Katara said defensively. "This isn't the right time."

More than anything, Zuko wanted to rush in and blurt out the truth. He realized that Katara was just saying what she could to appease Aang, but her words ran through him like a sword, hitting him right where it hurt the most.

"Well, when is the right time?" Aang was beginning to sound like a petulant child, and Zuko's mouth tightened with disdain. He isn't going to let this go.

"Aang… I'm sorry, but right now I'm just a little confused," Katara replied quietly. There was a moment of silence. Zuko stepped to the side of the doorway, just in case they were about to leave. He heard a slight rustle of movement, but not in his direction, and then Katara spoke again.

"I just said I was confused!" Katara exclaimed, her voice laden with shock and irritation. "…I'm going inside."

Zuko had the vague notion that he should go, before she saw him… but his mind was occupied with one burning desire. He had to know what happened. If Aang touched her…

Katara appeared through the doorway, paying no attention to her surroundings, clearly about to rush right past him. Zuko took a step forward.

"Gah!" Katara gasped, whipping around. "Z-" She quickly cut herself off and snagged his sleeve, dragging him down the hall. When they were a safe distance away, she released him, and they headed back towards the theater.

"Why were you following me?" Katara whispered furiously, casting a glance back the way they'd come.

"I wasn't. I was just taking a walk to clear my head, and I heard you." Zuko hesitated. She was mad, and he was in the wrong, but he had to know. "What happened?"

Katara flashed him a sideways look, unease written in her features. She didn't reply.

"Katara…" Zuko growled, struggling to rein in his temper. He cleared his throat, tried to make his voice softer. "Tell me. Please."

"It's nothing." Katara sped up, but he kept pace with her.

"If it's nothing, why did you sound so upset?" Zuko persisted.

"Can we talk about this later? We need to get back." Katara nodded towards where Toph, Sokka, and Suki were waiting for them. No sign of Aang yet.

"I won't forget," Zuko warned her, holding her gaze, trying not to get lost in it. Her mouth tightened, and he could have sworn that she looked nervous.

"I know."

Aang didn't return for a long time, well into the third act. Zuko didn't see him come in, but he did hear Aang slide into the row behind them, next to Sokka and Suki. Sokka ran through everything Aang had missed in a hushed voice. As far as Zuko could hear, Aang made no reply. The play had just moved on from the group traveling through the Fire Nation – including the part where Katara had masqueraded as the Painted Lady. Zuko was amused despite himself. Maybe he and Katara had more in common than he'd thought.

"Oh, look, the invasion's about to start!" Sokka whispered excitedly. The actresses playing Aang and Katara were standing on a submarine.

"I just wanted to let you know, Aang, that I'll always love you… like a brother!"

"I wouldn't want it any other way!" The other actress replied cheerfully.

Ouch. Zuko glanced at Katara. Her eyes were downturned, focused on the corner of the room rather than the stage. Is that what happened?

Zuko winced as the actor playing him came onto the scene, showing him joining the group for the invasion. He'd actually been busy confronting his father, at the time.

"I guess that's it!" Sokka stood and stretched. "The play's caught up to the present now."

"Sit down, the play's not over," Suki whispered.

"But it has to be over… unless…" Sokka widened his eyes dramatically. "This is the future!"

Suki rolled her eyes. The scene had changed, and onstage was a man who was clearly supposed to be the Fire Lord. Ozai. His father.

Zuko burned with anger, refusing to watch as the actor made a dramatic speech about the power of the comet, and the soon-to-be unstoppable force of the Fire Nation. Then "Azula" entered, warning that Zuko and Aang had broken into the palace – they came onto the scene moments later, splitting up to fight Azula and his father.

In stunned horror, Zuko watched his fake sister defeat his fake self. It was a terrifying example of what could very possibly be his future. What if he couldn't beat Azula? What if the time came, and she killed him before he could even put up a fight? It was his worst nightmare, only this time he was awake.

He became aware of the others, staring at him with concern, but he avoided their eyes. The scene changed again, revealing Aang and Ozai, facing each other.

"So, you have mastered all four elements?" Ozai asked in an oily tone.

"Yeah, and now you're going down!" The actress playing Aang replied in a bright, bubbly voice.

"No, it is you who is going down!" The actor stood. "You see, you are too late! The comet is already here, and I am unstoppable!" He boomed the last three words, raising his arms. Streaming red ribbons served as jets of flame, and as the actress playing Aang "flew" into the air, trying to get close enough to fight, he smote her down.

It had to be just as difficult for Aang to see his own defeat, but Zuko didn't dare turn. If Aang was upset with Katara because of the play, where did that leave him?

"The world… is… mine!" Ozai declared triumphantly, a Fire Nation flag unfurling behind him. Azula stood at his side. The audience was cheering wildly, stamping their feet and clapping as the curtain dropped.

Their group sat as if glued to their seats. Zuko looked at them and saw his own dismay reflected in their faces, as if seeing their downfall played out somehow made it true.

It doesn't, though. Zuko thought rebelliously, standing and turning his back on the stage. They filed out along with the crowd. I'll fight to my last breath to make sure of it.

Nobody seemed to have anything to say, once they were outside. Zuko started walking, not knowing what else to do, and they fell in behind him.

"That… wasn't a good play." Zuko stated the obvious.

"I'll say," Aang replied grumpily.

"No kidding," Katara agreed.

"Horrible." Even Toph's good humor had soured.

"You said it," Suki chimed in.

"But the effects were decent!" Sokka acknowledged brightly. Zuko wanted to laugh, but he could practically feel Aang's breath on his neck. Or maybe it was just his guilty conscience.

Either way, he was relieved to see the house appear around the curve, and even more relieved when everyone split up. Aang disappeared into his bedroom immediately. Sokka and Suki headed towards the kitchen, Katara tagging along, leaving Toph with Zuko in the hallway.

Zuko suddenly remembered the way they'd left things, before the play.

"What was going on with you and Suki and Sokka earlier?" Zuko asked Toph abruptly. She raised her eyebrows.

"I don't know how, but Sokka knew something was up. And then you and Katara walked in…" Toph trailed off. "He might have made the connection."

"Oh, great." Zuko sighed. As distressing as that news was, he couldn't concentrate on it much. He was itching to get Katara alone.

"Quit worrying." Toph smacked his arm.

"Will you stop that?!"

"I'll admit, that play was not good for group morale." Toph scowled. "But nothing's changed. We're still gonna kick Fire Nation butt."

Zuko smiled despite himself.

"Except yours, of course."

"Thank you," Zuko said with mock sincerity.

"Although Aang might." Toph tapped her finger against her chin, smirking.

"Okay, look-" Zuko straightened, about to point a furious finger at her, then stopped. Could he really argue?

"I'm going to bed," he grumbled. It would be a while before he could sneak off and find Katara, anyway.

"Sweet dreams, Spice King!"

"Ugh," Zuko muttered, entering his room and falling backwards into bed. It was quiet. Dark, with a little moonlight filtering through. He rubbed his hands over his face, as if he could massage away the stress of the day. The year. His whole life.

Tonight especially, his worries beckoned, demanding his attention. Lining up, one after another.

His father had to die for this war to end. His cold, cruel, merciless father. Zuko wanted Ozai to die, and that was a problem in itself. Killing shouldn't be the solution. His life had shown him that, over and over.

And here was Aang, the only person possible for the job, a pacifist! What were the odds? But how else could they win? Everyone seemed to agree – Fire Lord Ozai had to go. There was no middle ground. It was us or them. Good versus evil.

Then there was Azula, who so desperately wanted to kill him. Knowing her, she had a good shot of succeeding. Could he kill her if his life depended on it? His little sister?

Uncle had said she needed to go down before, but he wasn't here. He was gone, not knowing how sorry Zuko was, how much he missed him. Zuko longed for the day he could see him again.

Mai was in prison because of him, while he fell for someone else. It was unforgivable, and he'd done it anyway.

Aang desperately loved Katara. It hurt and poked and tore at Zuko when he wasn't ready for it, when he least expected it. They were going to hurt Aang, and he didn't deserve that. No matter his faults.

But Katara wanted him. She looked at him and saw someone worthwhile. Despite the uncertainty of their future together, Zuko had that.

Just no guarantee of the future existing for any of them, period.

Sweet dreams. Right.