PRELUDE PART THREE

Side by Side

"Zuko, you must return to the Fire Nation, so that when the Fire Lord falls, you can assume the throne and restore peace and order. But...Azula will be there, waiting for you."

Zuko looked at his uncle. He had never seen him so serious. Firelord Zuko. He took strength from his Uncle's faith in him.

"I can handle Azula."

"Not alone. You'll need help." Iroh warned him.

"You're right", Zuko nodded. Without a second thought, he turned to Katara who had been listening intently to their exchange, with a worried expression. "Katara, how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?"

"It would be my pleasure."

Katara was amazed at her lack of hesitation in deciding, her lack of surprise at his asking, and her lack of fear for what it entailed. All she knew was that they were a great team. When they fought together, she felt secure - secure that she was in control, secure that someone had unconditional faith in her, secure that she did not have to hold back her powers, and secure that she wouldn't have to worry about the other person. They flowed like an unhindered chi force. When they fought side by side, she felt her energy combine with his. They would fight as one. And they would be unstoppable.

Zuko was a little stunned at the quickness of her response. He had expected a moment of hesitation, some contemplation, at the prospect of her not being where Aang would have to face the Firelord. But she had responded to his question instantly. And she had never seemed more sure about anything.

Was she expecting me to ask her? Maybe even hoping for it? No, don't be stupid.

All Zuko knew was that when they fought together, he felt more confident in his abilities and bending than he had ever felt. He felt like his chi was at its peak. He could feel their energy combine and become unstoppable.

And more importantly, whatever was to happen when he faced Azula, he wanted Katara to be there. If he won, he wanted to share his victory with her. If he lost, he wanted to breath his last by her side. He didn't know if he would ever get such a chance after it all ended; where he could have her all to himself, even if just for a moment. This was his important moment of his life yet. And he wanted the girl he had come to respect, admire, and love right by his side.

With Azula in chains, Katara rushed to Zuko. She turned him over and saw where the lightning had hit him. The wound was deep and almost star-like. She gulped back her sobs and lowered her glowing hands on his tattered robes. She focussed all of her remaining energy on his wound. It was hard. The exhaustion of the fight combined with her misery on seeing Zuko get hit, made her hands tremble with fear. Her mind replayed the sight of him jumping in front of her and taking the lightning to his chest, over and over again. She closed her eyes and willed all her thoughts aside.

After a few seconds, she heard Zuko grimace and move. She kept her eyes closed for just a second longer, preparing herself to meet his gaze, to see his pain once more, to acknowledge what had just transpired. She collected herself and reeled in her overflowing emotions. As she opened her eyes she saw a half smiling half wincing Zuko looking at her.

"Thank you, Katara."

And just like that she came undone again. Her tears burst forth and her body shook in relief.

"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you."

She healed him just enough for him to stand up. His face betrayed no emotion as he faced Azula. She saw only a strong resolve and a readiness for what was to come. But in his eyes, there was so much more - the pain, the suffering, the compassion, the hurt, the sadness. All she wanted to do in the moment was wrap him in her embrace and shield him from everything. Hide him from what was soon to descend on him. Cling to him to be sure he was really still alive. Hold him and express her immense gratitude and sympathy.

All she could let herself do, though, was place her hand on his arm as they stood there, together, letting the reality sink in. After several minutes of silence, she wrapped her arms around herself, calming her shivers, soothing her nerves, grounding herself in her body so that she didn't drift away with her chaotic thoughts. She closed her eyes trying to center herself, when she felt warm hands on her shoulders.

"Katara…", Zuko looked at her unsure, almost childlike.

He didn't say anything else and seemed to be at a loss for words. She didn't have any words either. Neither was sure what to say to carry them ahead, and leave this moment behind. She tried smiling again only for more tears to come gushing forth.

Zuko's heart grew heavy and before he knew what he was doing, he pulled her into his embrace and wrapped his arms around her tighter with every sob. Katara was thankful for the human touch and held him firmly as well. She could feel his racing heartbeats, matching her own. She could feel his tears, joining her own. She could feel them calming down as every second passed them by.

"Thank you." They both whispered almost simultaneously.

Katara giggled and lifted her head off his chest. Zuko sighed and prepared for her to pull out of the hug. Much to his surprise and relief, she didn't.

"You did it."

"We did it", he added.

Katara's face dropped and her eyes wandered off into the distance.

"What do you think is happening...there."

Zuko wanted to hold her face in his hands, drop words of comfort on her, plant buds of hope all over her face, and tell her everything would be okay. But all he could mumble was,

"I don't know."

'I hope Aang is…"

"He will fulfil his destiny."

"Destiny is our friend today", Katara whispered remembering Iroh's words.

"Yes it is", Zuko replied and then a sudden pain shot through his body.

"Zuko!" Katara stepped back to prop him up and see what was wrong.

She saw him clutching his body and squirming in pain.

"We need to get you to a room. You need to lie down and get a proper healing session."

Zuko managed a nod and leaned on Katara, whose arms circled behind his back. He led her to his room and opened the door.

"So...this is your room", Katara wondered out loud as they stepped in and made their way to his bed.

"Uh...yeah."

"We could fit ten huts in this!"

"Oh...uh…"

"Lie down."

Zuko complied. Katara sat by his side and began pulling his tattered burnt clothes off.

"Who would have thought a water tribe peasant would be in the Firelord's room taking his clothes off."

Zuko felt his face heat up and he devolved into a fit of coughs. Katara laughed and shook her head.

"Oh, Zuko! You're so easy."

Zuko eventually settled down again and grinned at her laughing face. His heart began racing as it began to sink. He was in love with her. It was as simple as that.

"It's good to know that you still remember how to smile", Katara placed a hand on his cheek and leaned in closer.

"It's good to know you still remember how to laugh", Zuko held her hand in place.

"Alright, let's see what you've gotten yourself into."

She pulled on her water glove and moved her hands all over his torso slowly. Zuko saw a frown spread across her face. He took the liberty to keep staring at her as long as her eyes remained focussed on the wounds. He couldn't help but feel glad that she was here with him, and that they had this one, possibly last, chance at being alone. His eyes snapped away as she turned to him.

"Zuko...it's going to be a long night", she sighed.

"It can't be that bad", Zuko tried speaking casually. "At least it's shaped like a star, unlike this…", he pointed to his face.

"Ha ha, very funny", Katara grumbled and began her healing.

When Katara woke up, it was nearly dawn. She had felt a stirring beside her. It was Zuko. She rubbed her eyes and lifted her head. She had dozed off by his bedside, her hand on his chest, his hand on hers.

He rises with the sun.

She groaned and sat up, feeling every crank and click of her stiff body as she straightened up.

"You should lie down", Zuko whispered as he sat up. "You can sleep here if you want. I'm going to freshen up and...deal with things."

"Not so fast, Sparky", Katara pushed him back down. "You need more time. The others should be on their way here soon."

They both glanced at each other, realizing the assumptions she had just made as she uttered those words. They still hadn't heard anything from Aang or Sokka.

"No, I'm feeling fine. It's just a small…"

Zuko was interrupted mid sentence as a clump of brown, soft, damp hair smashed into his face. Katara had flung herself over him and was now hugging him tightly.

"Zuko…", she whispered in between soft sobs.

"Katara! What's the matter?" Zuko was alarmed and his hands found their way behind her back and head.

She said nothing for several minutes and Zuko just held her against his chest, waiting anxiously. A million thoughts ran through his head.

Did she know something about Aang that he didn't? Had something else happened over the night? Was she injured? Did he say something stupid in his sleep? Did Ozai hurt Aang? Was Sokka okay? Did Toph make it out?

"I'm so glad you're okay. I was so scared", she pulled back and sat facing him.

She felt his warm fingers wipe her tears.

"You're the best healer, Katara. I know you would never let anything happen to me." He froze in surprise at the intimacy of the sentence. "I mean...I didn't mean…"

"You're right", Katara smiled and held his hands in hers. "I am the best."

She leaned forward and pressed her lips into his cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I would never let anything happen to you", she whispered in his ear before laying him back down and resuming the healing.