Hello this is the last (and longest) chapter.

some parts might seem wordy, but I really poured my heart and soul into this one. (I cried on the inside near the end)

I hope you like it.

My Hero

Katara and Zuko were walking over a tall grassy hill on their way back to camp.

Katara started talking. "Zuko, I had a lot of fun tonight. I wish it wasn't ending."

"It doesn't have to." He said warmly.

"What?" Katara asked curiously.

"It's a nice clear night. We could just lie on the grass and look at the stars"

Katara's heart flutters at the sound of this. "That sounds nice."

The moon had been full a few nights ago, but Katara could fell the power of the almost-full moon wash over her. Using this, Katara bent the water in the grass to flatten a small patch so they could be more comfortable lying down.

"Nice." Zuko said slightly impressed.

They lied down next to each other face-up at the sky. While Katara was looking at the stars, Zuko was looking at Katara, watching the stars twinkle in her eyes. Her alluring ocean blue eyes, he kept finding himself being pulled in by them all night. He saw her pupils moving towards him.

"What are you looking at?"

Zuko decided to be bold. "The stars look a lot better reflected in your eyes."

Katara laughed. "Your just full of surprises tonight. Aren't you?"

Katara thought back to all the 'times' they had tonight. The flower Zuko put in her hair (she reached up and brushed the pedals with her fingers), when she kissed him on the cheek, saving her from the fireworks, and him rescuing her from Lee and his thug friends. After all he did for her tonight, she feels she couldn't have thanked him enough.

Katara turned on her side to face Zuko.

"Hey Zuko."

This got his attention. Zuko turned on his side to face Katara like she did to him.

"Yeah Katara?"

"I just wanted to say thank you for everything, especially for what happened with that 'Lee' guy."

"Katara, that wasn't-"

"YES IT WAS!" Katara almost yelled.

Zuko looked a little surprised at Katara.

"It's just… I've been thinking about what would have happened if…if you weren't there… he would have…would have…" She couldn't finish, she was crying too hard. When Zuko saw this, his heart broke. He did the only thing he could do…he reached over and pulled Katara close to him. She buried her face in his shoulder, and cried till his shirt was soaked through. Zuko placed his other hand on the back of her head, running his fingers through her hair, trying to comfort her. Even after all his promises she was still hurting.

"I-I was so scared." Katara sobbed. "It took him all of two seconds to find me after we spilt up. Then you risked your life to save me."

"Katara." Zuko said softly, but she didn't pay any attention.

"If I hadn't made you mad, none of this would have happened."

"Katara." He said louder.

"I'm so sorry for what I said. I was stupid for saying that. Please forgive me." She starred to cry again…

"SHUT UP!" Zuko screamed in anger.

Katara pulled back to see Zuko grindding his teeth and squinting his eyes shut, he looked like he was in pain.

"YOU THINK YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE SCARED? YOU THINK THIS WAS ALL YOUR FAULT?" Zuko's voice calmed down. "Well it's not…it's mine."

"What are you talking about?" She was shocked and confused.

"Why do you think there was a weapons check? Why do you think that guard asked if you were with me? Remember when I said it was dangerous around here?"

Katara nodded, she couldn't figure out where this was going.

"Well I didn't tell you the whole story."

Katara and Zuko slid away so they weren't in contact. Katara waited for him to continue.

"I said these parts are dangerous, but I didn't say how dangerous. The reason this place is considered so dangerous it because of the rate of abductions. The fact Lee found you so quickly was no coincidence. If he got you, you wouldn't have just been…raped. "You would have been kidnapped...and sold."

Katara gasped, covering her mouth.

"And chances are me and the rest of us wouldn't be able to find you if that happened, and I would've lost some one else I cared about" Zuko's head sunk as he finished. "I shouldn't have gotten angry, because it meant putting you at risk." Zuko started gripping his scar. "I'm a monster."

He dug his nails so deep in his skin he began to draw blood. He was still gripping his scar when Katara reached over and pulled his hand away. She looked at the fresh wound he caused himself.

"Your not a monster."

Zuko looked away from her. "You said it yourself back at Ba Sing Se." He pulled his hand away from hers. "I was the face of the enemy."

"I was wrong to say that. Besides you've changed since Ba Sing Se. Your good now."

"Yeah, but if I had changed back then Aang wouldn't have almost be killed, the Earth Kingdom wouldn't have fallen, and this war would have been over already. Besides…if you didn't have to use that spirit water on Aang, you could've healed my scar. I guess this is what I get for betraying you."

Katara watch blood drip from his face. She bended her tears from Zuko shirt and brought them to her fingertips. They began to shine as she brought her hand to Zuko's fresh cut he gave himself. Zuko shut his eye when it reached his face. He felt a burning sensation from the salt in the tears, but then it was cooling and soothing. He realized this was Katara's healing ability. After she finished he felt where she had her hand. He could still feel the scar but the blood and wound was gone.

"I may have only been able to heal the cut, but first chance we get after the war, I'll take you to the North Pole for your scar."

Zuko finally looked up. "You'd do that for me?" He almost smiled but it turned back into a frown. "I don't deserve this."

Katara's heart hurt when he said this. Last time he said that she had acted so coldly.

"I don't deserve this."

"Yeah, no kidding."

Katara felt horrible for saying that. In fact, she said a lot of things to Zuko she felt sorry for. He had carried all this pain for three years, and she had been making it worse. She wanted to say sorry a thousand times over.

"Zuko." She placed a hand over his cheek. "You deserve much more than that."

She leaned in, and pressed her lips against his. After a second he kissed her back. Her lips were soft, and she tasted like a sweet ocean mist, other one of her goddess like qualities. He wrapped his arms around her tightly. She wrapped one arm over his shoulder to raise her up so they were level. The feelings they've been having all night had finally showed themselves. They cared for each other so deeply, that they didn't want to be without each other. And they both knew it.

The kiss must have lasted almost three minutes. Between this and how tight they were holding each other I doubt they could breath, but they didn't care, they wanted it to last. After they released, their heads fell to each other's shoulders, surprisingly not out of breath. Katara felt Zuko pull away slightly.

"NO!" She cried. "Don't leave me." She jerked him closer, fighting back tears. "I love you, Zuko."

"I love you, Katara." He said squeezing her tighter. "And I will always protect you."

"I know…" she lightly kissed his neck. "I know…"

They laid there holding each other. The thoughts of the dance came flooding back. How they felt about each other was the same as right now.

"I don't want this night to end." Zuko sighed.

"I'm not going to let it end." Katara said determined.

"Hm?"

"I don't care if I have to stay up all night, I'm making this night last as long as I can." She said stubbornly

"Then I'll stay up with you." They meant it.

Zuko laid on his back. Katara rested her head on his chest. She reached her arm over his chest and held on to him, not wanting to let go. She ran her other arm under his neck and grasped his shoulder. Zuko placed a hand on her waist wanting to pull her closer, even though that was physically impossible. His other hand ran over her hair (feeling the flower was still there) then held it at the back of her head.

True to their word they stayed like that for hours. Awake with closed eyes, they were only thinking about each other. They could feel their hearts beating in harmony, as one person, as one being. But for every tick of the clock their hearts ached for they knew that means time was growing shorter. Katara nuzzled Zuko's chest as he stroked her hair. Playing these games whittled away time they didn't want gone, but they knew it was inevitable, so they enjoyed it. They hated the sun now. Knowing they would have depart when morning came, made their hearts ache more, because, to the couple, the only thing more painful than not being together was the pain of separating once they were.

They both fell asleep just before dawn, smiling in each other's arms.

You know how I said this was the last part? I lied

there will be a short epilogue coming soon :-)

PS

check out my new oneshot 'Lunchroom Drama' It's Zutara too.