Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, I just do mean things to the character.

There had been no thought involved, just pure instincts. All he knew was that he couldn't let that lightning hit Katara, no matter what. There was no time to redirect it, but he didn't care. His Uncle's words rang through his head: "You must not let the lightning pass through your heart, for the damage could be deadly."

As the bolt of pure energy hit his chest, he knew the words were true. He collapsed, lightning coursing through his body, blinding him with pain. His only thought was the hope that Katara would get away from Azula, leave him and save herself.

With the sounds of fighting around him, he could tell she was trying to take on his crazy sister. 'Damnit, Katara,' he thought. 'Why are you taking on a firebender during a comet, especially Azula?'

Suddenly the noises stopped, and he said a prayer to any god that would listen that Katara was safe. And then she was there, above him, bending water from her skin to heal him.

Zuko could feel it, though. This was no spirit water, and his heart had taken a direct hit. He tried to open his mouth to tell her not to waster her strength, but his body wouldn't respond.

"Zuko you fool," Katara said angrily. "What were you thinking, taking that shot? I…I would've dodged it." They both knew she was lying. "Damnit, don't you dare leave me."

She would heal him. She had to. She'd save him like he saved her.

He couldn't die. He just couldn't. Not when she'd just forgiven him. Not when she'd finally gotten to know their once-enemy. Not when she'd discovered his amazing strength, when she'd learned to call him friend, when she'd realized she wanted even more…

"Come on, Zuko," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "I'm gonna save you."

Her body slumped over his as he continued to not respond to her healing. Completely drained, she only had the energy to cry and plead with him.

Somehow, Zuko found the strength to lift his arm to her cheek and whisper, "You have saved me." She showed him kindness in Ba Sing Se; she forgave him, even after all his betrayals; she fought side by side with him, refusing to abandon him.

"Thank you," he whispered, putting all his emotion behind his words. 'I love you.' He couldn't say it out loud; he had no energy left, and he wanted her to live on and be happy, even if it was with Aang.

"Oh, Zuko." Katara shifted to put her hands around Zuko's face, holding him gently. "Zuko, I love you. You." His lips turned up in a faint smile, and she leaned in to kiss him. She poured out all her love, her passion, as their lips met. For that brief moment, Zuko kissed her back, and they both forgot where they were, in that tiny piece of heaven.

Then his body went slack, and everything rushed back to Katara. Azula's maniacal laughter. The raindrops beginning to fall. The hard ground beneath her.

"Zuko!" She screamed, clinging to him, kissing his motionless face again and again.

And the rain continued to fall.