I think this is the second last chapter. this story took me soo long to complete because of school and just because I had terrible writers block & I just didn't have time. but it's done so I'm probably uploading the rest of it soon. Thanks so much to everyone who has read/ been reading this story. You are all amazing. Review pleaseeee.

Chapter 34:

I wasn't sure how long I was in there. But after a few hours of however long it was, I stopped swearing. I stopping screaming and I stopped trying to beat the hell out of whoever spoke to me. Somewhere in that time span I also accepted the fact that our plan had failed. We had failed. I had failed. I had failed Katara.

Her name left scars on my heart whenever I thought about her. I had brought her all into this. It was my fault and now it was all over. For me. For us. For her. Tears of frustration filled my eyes and normally I would care, but I didn't give a damn anymore- about anything.

The tears welled up in my eyes and slid down my cheeks. I didn't even bother wiping them away. A soldier slid a tray of food under my cell door. It was just big enough for that. I laughed despite everything. How caring of my father. The contents of whatever was in the bowl, spilled a bit in my cell.

It didn't matter. The though of eating made me nauseous.

I ignored the pain in my body as I forced myself to look up at the soldier. I didn't recognize him. "Eat," He said, "You'll need the energy."

I wanted to ask him why I would need the energy. But I didn't really give two craps about why I needed any energy left when I was going to die anyways. He left without another word and I leaned back against the wall, giving my sore body something to lean on. I carefully examined all the dried blood on my hands and arms. Then traced my fingers over all the bruises. After all, there really was nothing better to do in here.

Every once in a while my thoughts would just slip back to Katara. I tried not to think about her but I couldn't help it. My mind hitched on all the small unnecessary 'should have done's'. I should have done so much for her. I should have never let her come. Because me? Maybe i deserved this. But Katara? She didn't deserve any of this. She deserved safety. Hell, she deserved far better than me.

I laughed dryly. I had never kissed her. I had never told her how much I loved her. I had never even told her I loved her. I shook my head and pressed it against the wall, it throbbed at the contact. I thought about the notes I had written to her just yesterday. Or whenever that was. What day was it anyways?

It didn't even matter. Nothing even mattered anymore. I though to the favour she had promised me. I inahaled deeply. The only favour I could think of was for her to hold it together. Somehow- someway, I had to get her out of here. I couldn't let her life end because of me.

I shut my eyes, making a crappy attempt of some mind reading. Hold on, I wanted to tell her, Don't give up, you'll be safe. Hopefully she just held on to her end of the bargain and did what I told. I sighed, realizing I was probably going insane.

A soldier walked by my cell and I grunted, he stopped and looked at me. I clawed my way towards the bars, "When is it?" I asked and then winced because of the pain talking caused. He stared at me blankly, "What?"

"When's the execution date?"

"Tomorrow," He said swiftly. He left without another word. I grasped the bars and looked out into the hall. I couldn't see much but a couple other empty cells and a soldier I never noticed stanidng by my cell. How thoughtful of him.

I pushed myself back into my cell. For some stupid reason, I thought I had longed than a day to live. I laughed again, it came out sounding like someone dying, maybe it was me. What difference did it make? Even I didn't know.

Somehow I fell asleep, or passed out. I couldn't tell the difference anymore. Someone was kicking at my head, not hard but considering all the past injuries it had been trhough, it was enough to give me a splitting headache. I groaned and two guards lifted me up. I swore as pain rocked my body.

"What the hell are you-"

"Shutup and walk."

I glared at the soldier as he stepped on my foot on purpose. Just for fun, I decided I was going to make the journey fun for the both of us. I dug my teeth into one of the soldier's arms and he swore and backhanded me across the face. White stars danced in my vision until I just decided to shut them.

Okay so maybe it wasn't that fun for me, but I didn't really care, "Don't tire yourself out, you're gonna need it for the walk up to the throne room." One of the soldiers said to me, his voice dry of any emotion.

They dragged me along and one of them shoved me forward and it jerked the wound in my shoulder. I swore but they just continued dragging me along. Somewhere in me I found the courage to smirk. I stood like a log suddenly and didn't move. The soldiers stumbled on their own feet as they glared down at me.

"Go to hell," One of them spat at me.

I smirked again and picked myself up, "Already there."

They shoved my forward again and this time when the pain hit me, I just sighed as I saw the doors to the throne room come into view. That was when I heard it, I heard Katara scream and I knew she was near me. The doors opened and I was shoved through once again. I struggled against their grips when I didn't see her.

I had to see her. I had to see her. I had to see her.

There was the sound of the other set of doors opening and they pushed Katara forward. I took her in. Her hair was messed and draped her shoulders. Her entire body shook and she was paler than I had ever seen her. A place under her eye was bruising badly and there was a large cut in the palm of her hand that was dripping blood. Despite everything, she had never looked more beautiful.

I didn't think twice as I lunged towards her. The soldiers also didn't think twice as they grabbed me and had me pinned to the ground. I didn't care about the pain. I didn't care about anything but Katara. I screamed and struggled as hard as I could, "I want to-" I was cut off with someone smacking me, "See her!" I finished.

I didn't notice my father was there until he spoke, "They have a minute." Whatever energy or whatever the hell it was pulsed through me and I shot towards her before she could eeven take a step towards me. I grabbed her and held her in my arms so tightly, I was afraid she would snap in half.

I inhaled the scent of her and I began kissing her. Kissing her everywhere, excluding her lips. I kissed every part of her face and the palm of her hand and her throat and i held her and I squeezed her. I grabbed both sides of her face, my breathing heavy and I stared into her eyes. I didn't care that the soldiers and father was watching us. I didn't care.

She looked up into my eyes and my insides collapsed. I pulled her hard against my chest until I could hear her heart beating next to mine. I repeated her name over and over again until my throat went dry. She didn't say anything until her sobs racked her frail body. I caught her tears with my lips and she began to shake.

I grabbed her face and leaned in close to her so our forehead's were pressed together. Her eyes lowered. "I love you," I said to her. I kissed her on the cheek, "I love you," I repeated myself over and over again. I kissed her on the forehead, "I love you," I kissed her on the nose, "I love you." I leaned in to kiss her on the lips but I was being pulled away from her.

I stopped struggling. I stopped screaming. I stopped swearing. I just watched Katara as she screamed my name over and over again. I looked away from her as father spoke, "It's a shame Zuko. You could have been so much." He nodded towards the soldiers and they led me towards the guillotine. I couldn't hear anything. Not the pounidng of my heart. Not the soldier speaking to me. Not Katara sobbing. Nothing.

I was pushed towards the guillotine, my knees folded beneath me and the soldiers held my shoulders as my head lowered into place. I held my breath. I shut my eyes. And then I heard it, a 'pang' as an arrow hit somewhere successfully. I opened my eyes just in time to see my father's body crumple lifeless with the arrow pinning through his neck. Katara was holding the bow.

There was the sound of the rope being released and I watched, in slow motion. As Katara sprinted over. The soldier fell next to me, lifeless and she knocked me out of place of the guillotine just as the blade fell. A large chunk of her dress chopped off but nothing else. She tackled me to the ground and then in an instant, she was being pulled off of me.

My gaze divereted for half a second as the large doors opened and our army sprinted in. Everyone was there. The kyoshi warriors, the army, Sokka, Suki, Aang. There were a few soldiers fighting, but the rest? They stood unsure of what to do. My heart sprung to life and I realized, We had won. It was over. If there was a better time to kiss her, I had no idea when the hell that was. I turned to her and then I saw it.

A soldier and the sharp blade of the dagger. I watched as it was shoved into Katara's back. She crumpled to the ground before I could catch her or do anything. A scream escape from my mouth, so loud, it rattled my spine and I pinned the soldier down through the neck with the dagger and I was holding Katara.

I held her in my arms. I held her. I held her. I held her.

I didn't know what I was doing or where the hell I was going, but I scooped her up in my arms and I sprinted. I sprinted out the room and out of whatever was left of the invasion. Some of the soldiers stopped fighting and I saw Sokka fall to his knees. I didn't care. There was a soldier sprinting after me. An arrow hit me right in my thigh. I didn't care.

I couldn't even feel the pain. The only thing I could feel was the blood seeping out of her back. Somehow I was in the nurse's wing and somehow they had taken Katara away from me and led me into another curtained area. I couldn't hear, feel or see anything as they forced me to sit down. A nurse spoke to me in a soft voice.

I was pushed down onto the hospital bed and I dind't even feel anything as one of the nurse's pulled out the arrow. They stitched the wound or did whatever the hell they did. I didn't care. I was up on my feet and nurses were yelling at me.

"Where is she? Where is Katara?" I was screaming and sprinting down and ripping the curtains away. A nurse ran after me, yelling something I couldn't make out but I stopped dead in my tracks as I pulled back another curtain.

Katara was lying on the bed, a nurse beside her. She was turned on her back which was bare. The nurse abesntly wiped the blood away form her back with a washcloth. My voice shook as I held out my hand, "Let me."

The nurse looked up at me and then at the nurse behind me, "Let him." The nurse behind me said and the nurse handed me the washcloth. I rolled up my sleeves and stood beside Katara. Her eyes were closed, if I didn't see all the blood, I could imagine she was sleeping. I gently wet the washcloth in warm water and wiped at her back.

The cloth turned from white to red in seconds. I winced as I dipped it in water again and wiped at her back. I carefully avoided the wound and wiped around it. I wished so badly she didn't have to go through this. I would do anything to be in her place. The nurse's watched me as I continued wiping. They soon came and each grabbed another wahscloth, wiping off all the blood.

The nurse looked at me, "Keep pressure to the wound, I'll be right back." I nodded and gently held the cloth to her wound. The nurse came up behind me, "I said keep pressure."

I looked at her, wide eyed, "It going to hurt."

She gave me a look and I pressed down slightly harder on the wound, gritting my teeth. The nurse returned a few moments later, with a stitching set. I shuddered remembering watching Katara get stiches before.

The nurse asked me to step away and I did as I was told, but I stepped to the side so I had full view of what she was doing to Katara. The nurse looked at me and then pressed the needle into her wound. I cringed but didn't look away.

She stitched up the wound within minutes and then she stepped aside. I stared at Katara's back. A shudder rolled through me and I watched as her back rose and fell with her breathing. Her breathing was short and stuttering and I sat beside her on the chair for the rest of the night. I didn't sleep a wink. I counted every time her chest rose and fell.

Morning rolled over and I watched as the sunshine shone on her face. The nurses came to check on her every once in a while, making me step out when they took of the top of her dress to wipe her back with antibacterial.

But for the most part, they let me alone with her. When night came they forced me to leave the room again and I ran into Sokka. He spoke to me but I didn't even bother. I told her he wasn't allowed to come in. He told me something about what had happened in the invasion. I knew we had won. I didn't care.

If we had won and Katara didn't wake up, it would all be useless. He introduced me to Katara's sisters. My conversation with them was very brief and choppy. The nurse finally ushered all of them except for me out of the room. I spent then next night watching her again. I counted again.

Somwhere in the middle of the night, a nurse handed me a blanket. She was insane if she thought I could actually go to sleep. I spent the night imagining what I would do when she opened her eyes. How I would react. What I would do. What I would say. I didn't come to one logical answer.

I let my thoughts drift away from Katara. Where was mother? She was alive? Where she was, I was afriad now I'd never know. Surely father had to tell someone the truth, but who? I leaned back in my chair, and Azula? Where had she gone? It seemed strange that I felt a pinch in my heart for her.

However she was, she was still my sister. Had father banished her too? I doubted that. Coldness sweeped through me, was she still here? For some reason, I doubted that too. She must have wanted to be part of my suffering if she was stil here. I sighed as I leaned back in my chair.

I really had no family left. I looked over at Katara, her eyes shut and I stared at her hand. It was strange. I stared at it and felt a racing in my heart. It wasn't just any hand. It was her left hand. There was something so beautiful about looking at it and I found it strange that I was even thinking about it like a time like this.

It wasn't really her hand...more like what went on her left hand. Or what could go on it. I leaned back in my chair and massaged my temples. I knew Katara was my only future. I wanted to spend every living minute that I had left with her. I wanted her to be my family. There was nothing certain in my future but Katara.

But marriage? I had always been afraid of it. But would it make a difference? I loved her. Spirits, I loved her so much and I knew I was ready to marry her. I knew I was always ready to marry her, especially for the fact that I knew there was a certain ring mother had once given me upstairs in my room that belonged on her left hand.

I inhaled deeply as I looked over at her and laced my fingers through her left hand. It fit perfectly in mine. Despite everything, I smiled. I leaned over and brushed my lips over her forehead, "I love you Sapphire." I whispered quietly before leaning back in my seat.

When the next morning rolled over, my lack of sleep caught up to me. When I looked in the mirror. I looked worse than hell. My face was still scarred and bruised in a number of places. My body still ached like hell in- well everywhere. I was still 'injured' and the nurses insisted on helping me get new bandages every so often. The pain had dulled to a numbing throb.

I took a shower because I desperatley needed one. I let the warm water pound against my back and neck and my thoughts drifted back to Katara's left hand. We were young- we were still so young. But I loved her and I would love her twenty years from now, thirty years from now, forty years from now. I would love her until we laid in a grave side-by-side.

I forced myself out of the shower until my brain went even more wack-o then it already was. I sat down next to Katara. A nurse walked up to me, "You look horrible."

I ran my fingers through my hair, "I know."

"You need to get some rest, we'll take care of her Prince Zuko." I was surprised she still called me Prince Zuko, "Don't worry." She finished.

I sighed and ran my hands down my face, "I can't sleep." I said.

She looked at me, "You need to."

I shook my head, "I can't sleep knowing that I might miss her waking up," I looked up at the nurse. Her eyes softened and she gave me a watery smile. She slowly sat down next to me.

"She's lucky to have you, you know that?" She said to me. She sighed and I hoped she wouldn't start telling me one of her own sob stories. She placed her hand on my arm, "You need to get some rest, I promise I'll wake you if something happens."

She stood up, "By the way, I doubt she would want to wake up looking at that," She pointed at my face. I rolled my eyes and grabbed the blanket she had folded next to me.

She gave me a strange look, "You're gonna sleep there? On the chair?"

I gave her a look, "I'm going to sleep. I am not going to leave her side."

She looked at me in awe and left without another word, closing the curtains. Heat rushed to my cheeks as she did as if me sleeping was something I needed to do in privacy. I looked at Katara and smirked, definatley one day it would be.

I found it hard to sleep but I caught about four hours in and out before I finally actually woke up. I spent the rest of the day watching her chest rise and fall until I was practically shoved out of the room so the nurse's could clean her back with antibacterial. In that short time I rushed up the stars and turned the knob to my room.

It seemed strange how empty the entire estate seemed without father here. My room hadn't changed, not that I was expecting it to change but it seemed empty. I didn't take time for sightseeing. I grabbed the ring from inside my nightstand and shoved it in my pocket. I knew I was getting my hopes up far too high, but I felt having the ring with me would make me less nervous.

When I walked back down to the nurse's room, I ran into Aang. I looked at him, but didn't say anything. We were never that close. But I knew he had a hell of a lot to do with how things worked out, "Thank you," I ended up saying awkwardly.

Aang looked at me and then shrugged, "It was nothing."

I sighed and looked over at Toph who walked over to Aang and laced her hands with his. I smirked, remembering his crush on Katara, but didn't say anything. Part of me was glad he had someone now. They were good for each other- in a weird crazy kind of way.

Aang looked at me seriously, "How is she?" He asked quietly and I could tell he still had a soft spot for Katara. I didn't really mind- surprisingly.

"She's...still uncoscious. From all the blood loss and stress and just the overall trauma of everything that happened, but she's doing...good, I guess." I told Aang. I didn't wait for his response. I gave both him and Toph a small smile and walked back into Katara's curtained room.

The nurse was still wiping her back with antibacterial, she didn't turn around as she spoke, "You're not supposed to be here Prince Zuko."

I sighed, "I've already seen her-" I stopped myself, feeling heat rush to my face, "The first day, when she first came here-" I said. "Never before that," I swallowed.

I didn't need to look at the nurse to know she was smiling, "Please step out, Prince Zuko."

I held up my hands, "Fine, whatever."

I waited outside, tapping my foot until the nurse said it was okay for me to come back in. She was flipped onto her back again so I could see her face. The nurse left and I stared down at her face. A strand of her ran over her face. I gently pulled it back.

I sat down next to her. I continued counting her breaths until my eyes began shutting again. They snapped right back open when her breaths became coming out in rasps. I held my breath, unsure of what was happening. I stood up, about to call the nurses when her eyes opened.

I slowly turned all the way around, to make sure it was real. I fell down to my knees next to her bed. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't breathe. Spirits, I could not breathe. Her lips moved but no sound came out. I couldn't control myself. There was enough space on the bed so I could ease myself next to her.

She didn't look at me as I lied down next to her, her eyes stared up at the ceiling. My hands and entire body trembled as I pressed my lips to her forehead. I was afraid if I touched her anywhere else, she would shatter into pieces. I tried to calm my erratic breathing and my trembling body. I leaned down and burshed my lips over her cheek. I needed her to look at me. "Katara..." I whispered against the skin on her temple.

She slowly moved her head, she touched oe side of my face and our eyes met. My feet felt like they been knocked out form underneath me, it was a good thing I was lying down. She stared at me, into my eyes and I stared right back, into her sapphire eyes I had missed looking into for so long. She suddenly wrapped an arm around my back and pushed me against her.

A shudder rolled down my spine. I carefully placed a kiss on her forehead. Feeling her heart race next to mine made my heart do all kinds of different things. I kissed her neck and my lips dragged down along her collarbone. I dragged my lips across my jawline and continued kissed her neck. She shook slightly. I leaned in and kissed here ear and traced a line with my lips from her ear to her neck. My entire body was on fire.

She pressed me harder against her. I brushed my lips lips across her forehead and then kissed her ear again and traced her ear with my lips. A moan escaped from her lips. I inahaled sharply. A firesy desire ran through my body. I kissed her faster and more passionately. She dug her nails into my back, eliminating the space between us. I placed my hand on her waist as I continued kissing her softly, exploring her neck and collarbone carefully. I wanted to memorize every thing about her. She grabbed my arms and pulled me.

I slowly lifted my head, breathing heavily. A crooked smile on my lips as I looked down at her. Spirits, she was so beautiful. I could stare at her for the rest of my life. "Zuko…" She mumbled and she pushed me down against her again. I didn't kiss her, I just wrapped her in my arms. She wriggled away from me, "Zuko…"

I looked deeply into her eyes and cupped her cheek. I brushed my fingers across her lips and stared hungrily at them. She kissed my finger and I groaned and placed my head in the space between her shoulder and head. She shook me away, "Please…" She whispered.

I combed my fingers through her hair, "Not while you're in pain, Sapphire." I said quietly. She relazed in my arms and every time she breathed, blinked or shifted was like a breath of fresh air again and again. I held her for so long, I lost count. Neither of us speaking. Neither of us really moving. I was hers and she was mine. And that was all that mattered.

After however long it was, she finally spoke. Her voice was hoarse, from all the screaming. I winced as she spoke, imagining all of the horrible things she had been through. I wasn't sure how I would ever make up for every bruise she had on he. Every scar that had been left on her and every wound that had been caused by me. But I would make it up, someway, somehow.

"Where am I…?" She asked quietly.

I laced my fingers with the fingers on her left hand, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, "In the infirmary," I said and shifted so I could stare straight into her eyes, "Do you remember anything?"

She nodded and then moved and the pain that filled her face sliced through my heart. She clutched my shirt and fisted up the material in her hand as she gritted her teeth. I inahaled deeply as she looked up at me.

I looked at her, "After you fell…I took you straight to the infirmary. I don't know what happened. Katara, I was terrified. I was so terrified that you wouldn't wake up," My voice broke as I looked into her eyes, "I have never been terrified but spirits- Katara," I inahaled heavily and kissed her hand, "You saved my life, and I-" I shook my head, "I would never forgive myself...I don't know what would have happened if you didn't wake up."

She looked at me with wide eyes, "Christ, I love you so much Katara."

Her gaze softened and she touched my cheek. She was silent for a moment, "I love you too." She replied quietly.

My heart raced, "Say it again." I said quietly.

Her eyes lowered, "I love you Zuko. I love you so much."

I inhaled sharply and pressed my lips to her forehead, "You have no idea what that just did to me."

She stared up at me again, "The invasion...?"

I sighed and stroked her cheek, "I- I don't really know. But it was bad, Katara…so many people were injured…But soon the soldiers surrendered and many of them agreed to leave, some stayed and became a part of our army…the riots soon died down after they found out what happened. The King is dead…" I said, testing the words on my tongue.

"I'm the rightful heir to the throne," I finished.

She swallowed before she spoke, "But... Azula?"

"We don't know where she is…as for my mother…her location is unknown as well…" My throat dried up a bit. I closed my eyes, trying to collect myself. It was over. The King was dead and now Katara and I would rule together, if everything went as planned. I looked up at Zuko. "How is…everyone?"

I searched her eyes, "Many of our soldiers were injured. Katara…" I shuddered and just leaned in close to her. She buried her head in my chest and held herself there for a long time, "Zuko…my family? I- I saw them before-"

I slowly propped myself up on my elbow, "You can wait…if you want. Should I bring them in now, or later?"

She shifted so I could see her face fully, "Now." She told me. I leaned in to her and kissed her forehead again, "I love you." I needed her to know how much I loved her. It hurt to leave her as I walked. The nurses were watching me, amused expressions on their faces.

I rolled my eyes, "I guess I don't need to share the good news?"

"Oh we heard everything Prince Zuko."

Heat fanned my face and I sighed and left the infirmary. Suprisingly, everyone was already outside. Sokka and Suki. Toph and Aang. Katara's three sisters. Some of the Kyoshi warriors and some of the soldiers. Everyone was there. I cleared my throat and all eyes were on me, "She's awake."

Excited murmurs overtook me, I held up my hand, "Only family first. Don't- don't overwhelm her, she just woke up and-" I was cut off by a bunch of people racing into the infirmary. So much for that. I followed behind everyone.

I stood behind as I watched everyone meet her seperatley. First her sisters then Sokka and Suki. Then Aang and Toph. And then all the seperate soldiers and kyoshi warriors. I noticed Jet wasn't one of them. I wasn't sure if he died or not, but I was so glad he wasn't here.

Katara looked up at me, standing at the back of the room watching the show. She met my gaze and I winked at her. She bit down on her lip and my mind filled with the crazy thoughts again. I would need a cold shower with every encounter with Katara from here onwards by the looks of it.

I stood at the back watching Katara for the rest of the day. It was really enough for me, just watching her. But every once in a while, she winced and bit back a groan of pain. It hit me right in the chest and I knew I had to make this all up to her. My gaze drifted from her left hand and then back up to her smile and the weight in my pocket seemed heavier.

Suddenly a little girl- Katara's youngest sister ran up to me. I gave her a confused look as she rocked back on her heels, "Are you Zuko." She said my name as if it was a new toy she could break. I suddenly understood and looked at Katara, who stared back at me with a horrified look in her eyes.

My lips tilted up, this should be interesting. I turned my attention back to her, "Yes I am, and who are you?"

"Laura, I'm Katara's sister," She said. I held back my laugh. She didn't really look like Katara, her eyes were brown and her face much more angular than Katara's. But then she laughed and I broke into a grin.

"Do you love my sister?" She asked me.

I looked at her and then smiled nervously, "Yes-I-Yes." I nodded.

She smirked, "When are you proposing to her?"

Heat rushed up to my face, "What-how do you-does Katara-What?" I stuttered. Laura just smiled, "I promise I won't tell her, when are you doing it though? Can I see the ring? Is it expensive? Will Katara live here with you? Oh! Will we live here too?" She bombarded me with questions.

"She's really pretty, isn't she? My sister?"

I smiled, "Yeah, she is." I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling uncomfortable talking about Katara with her little sister like this.

"So will you share a room with her?" Her eyes lit up, "And a bed?"

I raised an eyebrow and smirked. Most definatley I would share a bed with her. I looked up at her and she was staring directly at me. I stared at her. The new Queen. I laughed at the same time as she did and we both looked away. I felt heat rushing into my face as I looked down at her left hand, "I need your help with something, can you help me?" I asked Laura.

Her eyes lit up. That was all the confirmation I needed. I watched as Katara winced and then eased herself back onto the bed. I would make this up to her. I would.