This was originally a drabble . . . but then it got longer, and longer! Enjoy, and review!! Review like crazy!

Happy Ever After

Chapter One

The ship rolled amongst the crashing waves as the storm raged around the lone figure on the deck. Zuko looked up into the silver clouded sky, praying for lightning to strike. Hit me, hit me with all you've got . . . you've never held back before! He threw his arms wide as if to welcome a bolt, but they only struck the ocean nearby. Grant me my oblivion, strike me!

The only reply he got was the rumble of rolling thunder. His tears mixed with the rain on his face. How could he live, when the young woman of his dreams was dying because of him? How could he have thought that she'd stay out of the way? Zuko rammed his fists to his eyes and dropped to his knees. "Please, Agni, don't make me bear her blood on my hands. I'd take my own life! Oh, Agni, what have I done?!" all this was cried to the bubbling heavens in a raspy whimper. She was going to die unless they got to the docks soon, yet it was who knew how far away.

A hand on his shoulder caused him to look up, unashamed. Sokka stood there, his expression unreadable. "She's asking for you."

Zuko stood, nodded at the water tribe warrior and rushed below deck to his quarters, where Katara lay. Her chocolate skin was brilliantly accented by the red sheets around her. A white bandage wound around her shoulder and neck, hiding the burns. He walked to her side, dripping water in his wake.

Katara's eyes opened when Zuko sat beside her. Even glassy from fever, they were beautiful. And even in her pain, she greeted him with a smile. "Zuko," she whispered, laying her clammy hand on his warm one.

He swallowed past the lump in his throat and put on a brave smile, lest his quivering lips give away his fear. "I'm sorry, Katara." Unfamiliar words seemed to be doomed to come out his mouth as long as he loved this woman. "I - I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, and you got hurt because of it."

[flashback

Zuko could only watch in horror as Katara threw herself between the flames sprouting from his hands and her brother.

"Zuko, no!"

And then shut his eyes as she screamed, and when he opened them how she lay on the ground, moaning. One shoulder and part of her neck were blistered an angry red, and Zuko wanted to die because it was all his fault . . .

[end flashback

Katara squeezed his hand gently, then winced as it moved her shoulder. She licked her chapped lips and smiled again. "Yeah, it's your fault." She chuckled softly as Zuko's eyes widened. "But I don't blame you, Sokka's a real pain in the butt sometimes. I can't say I haven't smacked him around a few times."

Zuko smiled wistfully as he watched her draw breath, then winced at the ragged sound to it. "Katara . . ." he put one of his hands gently on her cheek and kissed the other softly, marveling at the fire under her skin. He wished with all his soul that it was the same coolness he was so used to.

Picking up a cloth from the basin of water beside her, he wrung it out, then lay it on her forehead. Katara closed her eyes, still smiling. "I'm not scared," he almost couldn't catch her whispered statement.

Zuko's startled eyes searched her face for some hint of humor, finding none as she continued, "I can't wait till I see my mom again, and I'll tell yours that you miss her."

"No, Katara, you'll be fine, it's just an infection! Don't talk like this, please . . . " His emotions were eating his insides with painful slowness. "You won't die, you can't." Zuko hated himself for the tremor in his voice.

Katara opened her eyes and locked gazes with Zuko's. Amber fire and cerulean ice caressed each other, neither coming to harm. Katara reached up with her good arm and, grabbing his shirt front, pulled him down to her waiting lips. "Keep it up, firefly, and you'll really get it." she mock-growled.

He pecked her lips again, then once more softly. "I can't lose you," he murmured, touching his forehead to hers.

"You won't," Katara replied in an equally soft voice. "I'll always be with you, Zuko."

Shadow: Aww . . .poor Zuzu!

Zuko::SMACK:: Do not call me ZUZU!

Shadow: Ow! What? I give you my pity and you hit me??

Zuko: So? You called me Zuzu! I hate that nickname!

Shadow: Be careful, Firefly, I may write you out of the story. ::glares::

Zuko: I don't care.

Shadow: I'll tell everyone your most jealously guarded secret::singsong voice::

Zuko::eyes bug:: What? No! Don't!

Shadow: Then apologize.

Zuko: Never, not if you screamed it to the media.

Shadow::deep breath::

Zuko: Wait! Fine . . . I'll do it.

Shadow::waiting::

Zuko::murmurs apology::

Shadow: So they can hear you, if you please!

Zuko: I'm sorry! There! I said it!

Shadow: Zuko talks to his half-dressed pictures of Katara!!

Zuko: Why, you little::hands light::

Shadow::runs:: And now, a short break!

Review please!! Save me from Zuko!