Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA... yada... yada...yada...

Chapter 2

Zuko and Katara were exhausted. The battle against Azula was intense, and nearly killed Zuko. He had been shot in the chest by Azula's lightning, in a failed attempt to redirect it when he saw it was aimed for Katara. After she had defeated Azula, Katara rushed to his side and healed him.

"Thank you Katara." Zuko said, barely above a whisper.

"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you." she replied softly, with tears in her eyes.

Katara helped Zuko to his feet and they turned toward Azula. She was losing it. Blue flames erupted from her mouth as she wailed and writhed on the ground, her hands chained behind her back.

An hour later Katara was pacing back and forth in the courtyard, wringing her hands. "Why haven't we heard anything? Where could they be? What if something happened to them... to Aang? What if he lost?" she said, becoming hysterical. 'I can't lose him... not again! I love him!' she thought as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Zuko got up and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "Ssssshhhhh... They're going to be okay. Aang's going to win." he said softly in her ear, trying to calm her. Katara threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest, sobbing. He stroked her hair as he held her, and gently swayed back and forth. "Ssssshhhh... It's okay... It's okay." he said, still trying to soothe her.

Aang got up and walked to the front of the bridge, looking out the shattered glass of the warships' windows. Sadness filling his heart. 'She chose him... not me. I've lost her.' he thought, tears welling up in his eyes. Within minutes a faint outline of the cresent shaped island of the Fire Nation came in to view. Behind him Toph and Sokka were having some sort of argument about meat. As they got closer to the palace, Aang could see two figures standing in the courtyard below. Destruction all around them. They were locked in an embrace. It was Zuko and Katara. 'NO! THIS CAN"T BE HAPPENING!' he thought, with tears streaming down his face.

"Aang? Are you okay?" Suki asked. Looking at him concerned.

Aang turned away from her. Quickly trying to wipe the tears from his face, hoping she hadn't noticed. "Yeah... I'm just... tired." he choked out.

"Hey guys... we're here!" Suki shouted to the rest of the gaang.

"Yes! I'm starving!" Sokka shouted as he jumped up from his seat, nearly falling down. Toph busted out laughing.

Zuko and Katara didn't see the airship land. (Man... that is one quiet airship... lol) She had finally calmed down, but clung to Zuko for dear life. Suddenly, In the distance, they could hear someone shouting and turned toward the sound. Sokka was quickly hopping across the courtyard at them with his arms around Suki and Toph for support, dragging them along.

"Guys! Guys! You missed it! It was awesome!" Sokka yelled enthusiastically.

Katara ran to her brother and hugged him tightly, relief apparent on her face. "Sokka! You're alright! I'm so glad to see you! You too Suki... Toph!" she said, hugging each of them as well.

"Katara, you should have seen Aang! He was amazing! I've never seen anything like it! He did this whole energy bending thingy... and there was this bright light that shot into the sky!" Sokka blurted out, barely taking a breath.

As Sokka continued to rant, Katara looked back to the airship, beginning to worry. "Um... Sokka? Where is Aang?" she asked, looking concerned. Just then, she saw him coming out of the airship. He had on only his pants and she could see bruises and burns on his face, chest and arms. She threw her hand over her mouth to stiffle a gasp and began running towards him.

"Oh Aang! Are you okay?" she screamed as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely.

Aang winced in pain as she pulled him tighter. "Katara... I'm fine." he said flatly with his arms stiffly at sides, fists clenched tightly.

Katara felt him tense up as she held him, and pulled back slightly, looking in to his eyes. "Are you sure?" she asked, not completely convinced.

He forced a weak smile, then answered. "Yeah.. I'm just... tired. That's all." he said, averting his eyes.

A few seconds of silence passed, then Katara released him and stepped back, confused.

"I... um... should probably go find out what's going on in Ba Sing Se. With the Order of the White Lotus." Aang said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

"But you just got back." Katara replied, frowning.

"Yeah... well... they may need my help." he said reaching in to his pocket, pulling out his bison whistle and blowing on it.

"Oh... um... okay. I'll come with you." she said, smiling.

"NO!" he said, a bit to harshly. "I mean... you should stay here. Sokka's hurt and he needs you." he added quickly.

"But Aang..." she started.

Just then Appa appeared, and landed next to him. And he quickly airbended himself on to the bisons head. "Yip! Yip!" he shouted, and the bison took off toward the sky. He didn't look back, he couldn't. "Goodbye Katara. I hope you'll be happy." He said to himself, the tears beginning to stream down his face once again.