Almost Lover

She stood on the dock and watched his ship leave. There was a sinking feeling in her chest, like all was lost.

"Please, don't leave." Her mind had screamed it so many times, but the words never found their way to her lips. And now, as she felt him being ripped away, she regretted not saying anything.

A month ago: They had been fighting again. Words so sharp they almost drew blood. "Why don't you go kiss your boyfriend?" He'd said, throwing his arm toward Aang. "You'd rather be doing that now." There was something in his voice when he said that, then. It wasn't anger, but more of a sadness.

Katara laughed in her mind. "Truth is," she muttered. "I'd rather argue with you than kiss anybody else."

Three weeks ago: The night was silent. With everybody sleeping soundly, she thought that she could cry in peace. She drew her knees up to her chest and hugged them tightly. She felt someone touch her bare shoulder where her sleeve had slipped down. Her eyes flicked to him, and breifly studied his face- tender and almost understanding- before wrapping her arms around him and letting her tears out.

Her skin prickled as she remembered his touch. It had been so warm, soothing.

Fifteen days ago: They sat together on the beach, watching the palmtrees sway; her hand placed nervously on top of his.

She touched her necklace lightly. Trying to look away from the ship, she found that she couldn't take her eyes away.

A week ago: She heard him laugh as he danced with her. They spun in circles in the living room. Suddenly, her foot caught the edge of the maroon rug that laid in the middle of the floor. They both fell onto the couch, faces within inches of each other. Neither of them could find the courage to close the gap the way they both wanted.

He stood on the deck of the ship, watching her. She could feel his eyes. She almost reached out to him, but withdrew her hand realizing that no amount of reaching could pull him back to her.

A day ago: She woke up in his arms after falling asleep with him on the couch. She'd given him a shy smile and a quiet "Good morning." It was a good thing that they always seemed to be the last ones to fall asleep and the first ones to wake. At least they could have some way of being in each other's presence.

Sokka called her name. Their ship was ready. She pretended not to hear him.

An hour ago: He handed her a small black box. Inside was a tiny crystal figurine of a rose. He had seen her looking at the roses in the garden. She hugged him tightly, trying not to cry; then she hit him. She had nothing to give him in return.

She turned her back to the ship leaving for the north, and borded her's, leaving for the south. Even if they traveled in two different directions, the earth was round, therefore, they would meet again. Or so she told herself.

Ten minutes ago: He held her face in his hands lovingly. She didn't want him to leave her. She never wanted him to leave her. He'd promised her that they would see each other again. Before she could open her mouth to say or do anything, he kissed her lips. "I have to go," he said, breaking away from her curtly. She wanted to grab him by the arm, ask him for more... but she didn't dare say a word. Instead, she just watched him go. And she kept watching.

Katara held the crystal rose in her hands gently. As she looked at it longingly, the box it was given to her in drew her attention. there was something else inside; a piece of parchment. In practiced script was written a single word: Almost. "Goodbye, Zuko." She whispered into her hand.

*&*&*&*&

Mkay, so the italicized are things that happened in the past that Katara is remembering. Yep. So. What didja think?? Review or I shall send my evil minions after you. They consist of Joe Jonas, the Palm Pre Lady, Mona Lisa, Stewie Griffin, and that creepy hobo that lives in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

We will find you.

~She Poe