Chapter 38
White. All the person saw was white, brighter than anything they had ever seen, and strangely warm like a comforting hug. Where were they? Was this Heaven, the place where stories are told about? A magical place where good people go after fulfilling their lives, becoming immortal angels to watch over the mortals go about their daily lives? Then where was that strange beeping coming from? The person didn't know, but they didn't care. For once they felt at peace, like nothing could touch them, let alone harm them.
Was it their imagination, or was the light dimming as they watched? The person tried to call out for the peaceful light to come back, but they couldn't move, much less open their mouth. The beeping grew louder, a steady beat like that of a drum. Yet it also sounded like it was underwater. The person took a shaky breath and shuddered a little. The beeping became higher in pitch.
Then blue eyes opened before clamping shut again against the harsh white light above, the bulbs humming with energy. Blinking, the eyes becoming accustomed to the harsh light, the person looked around. At first everything was water like, as if the person was under the ocean. Their eyes adjusted quickly enough, however, and the person looked around again. They were in a hospital room. Machines were at work, pumping a kind of clear liquid into their veins. A clear tube ran under their nose, tiny airways pushed into their nostrils, making them itch. They tried to remember how they had gotten there, but their mind came up blank.
The blue eyes fell on a figure with dark brown almost black hair and pale skin. It was boy of sixteen, maybe a little older. He was asleep, his light snores faintly echoing around the room along with the heart monitor. That was where the beeping was coming from. It was oddly reassuring.
The person, a young female, flexed her hands and discovered that one of them was clasped tightly into one of the boy's hands, like he was afraid she would disappear if he let go. For the first time, the girl noticed a bandage wrapped tightly around his right hand, his free hand. He must have gotten hurt somehow. Then, out of curiosity, she looked down at her own wrists to see bandages wrapped around them.
She looked at the sleeping boy again. Dim memories sparked in her mind, making her head pound. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath; then looked at the boy again when the ache subsided. A name whispered in her mind. She concentrated on it until she heard the name. She remembered. The young woman knew who the person was. He was the only one to ever own her heart because it was his as well. They shared the same soul. Soul mates.
A gentle smile crossed her parched lips as she squeezed his hand and quietly said, "Aang."
The boy jumped slightly from hearing that name. It must be a dream, that angelic voice calling from the Heavens. The girl he loved was dead. There was no way she could have survived that ordeal. Blood. So much blood. And the power. So much of it that he had never felt before. But even that wasn't going to bring his girl, his heart, back.
The name was repeated and he groaned, moving his head. Was this some kind of torture? He took a deep breath and slowly lifted his head, expecting to see an ethereal Angel hovering over the body of his beloved. Gray eyes blinking, he stared into a pair of ocean eyes that had always captivated him since the day they had first met. The same ones he had fallen in love with. Eyes that held so much power yet a kind gentleness that understood what the person they looked at had gone through.
She was as beautiful as he remembered. She must be an Angel. No one can match this girl's beauty even if they tried to copy her looks. But then a beeping invaded his ears, causing him to look at the heart monitor with a curious frown. The line was beeping, triangles forming strong and true. He gasped lightly at the sight before looking at the girl laying before him. He swallowed thickly and said the one name that always stuck in his mind like a song.
"Katara?"
She smiled again. "Yes, Aang. It's me."
Tears of joy fell from his eyes as he smiled his usual happy grin before raising her hand to his mouth, pressing kisses all over it. Then he placed it on his cheek, never once letting it go. He started sobbing gently into her skin, relief flooding him in waves. She was alive. It was a miracle.
Aang Montauk looked into Katara Yatsunoma's eyes. He had been praying to the High Spirits to spare Katara. It wasn't her time yet. She was too young, too full of life.
He kissed her hand again. "Katara," he whispered like it was a prayer. "I... I was so afraid that you were going to... not make it. I thought you were going to die and leave everything and everyone. But I'm so relieved you're okay." Aang looked at her again, still hardly believing she was alright. "How do you feel?"
Katara took a breath and grimaced. There was a pain in her chest that throbbed like a second heartbeat. She looked at her boyfriend. "Okay, I guess. My chest hurts though."
Aang's face darkened as he lowered Katara's hand to the bed, still holding it. "What do you remember?" he asked gently.
Katara raised her stiff arm and scratched her head as the dim memories slowly came forth. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. Then began. "I-I remember waiting for you at our meeting spot for the date. Blacking out, then realized I was kidnapped. Held captive for two days by... Jet. Being tied down in the basement on my last day. He was going to wound me gravely, then leave until I died from blood loss." She gazed at him. "You came and fought Jet, almost lost, and I helped by Bending some kind of black liquid, knocking Jet into a wall."
"Oil," Aang quietly added. She was remembering. That had it's good and bad points. It was the bad points he feared most.
Katara nodded slowly. "Yes. Oil. I healed you after that, then we made out." He chuckled at that. That was definitely a great point. "As we were hugging, I looked over your shoulder, behind your back, sensing trouble, and Jet was about to stab you. I..." She swallowed, her chest throbbing at the memory of what happened next. "I-I pushed you out of the way. Then I felt cold steel sink into me, saw the blood flow, coloring a sea of gray. I couldn't breathe right. It was as if I was drowning in my own blood." Katara looked at him with serious eyes. "I was... dying, wasn't I?"
Aang swallowed while looking down. He didn't want to tell her of the horrors that plagued him. But she deserved to know the truth, especially after what had happened. Taking a deep breath, he looked into her eyes again and began. "It was worse than that. After you were stabbed, I had gone into a trance of some kind. My emotions were out of control; I didn't even feel it when he cut my hand open." He raised his bandaged hand. Katara gaped. Aang licked his lips, lowering his hand, and continued. "So I had thrown him into a wall using both of our elements, and he stayed there on the ground, not moving. I don't know how I did it, but I did do it. The power was unlike anything I had ever felt before. It was like being supercharged.
"I came out of it shortly after that, and landed right in your blood. I had never seen so much of it before. I felt sick with fatigue and worry. You were cold and pale, and your breath was like a rattle. It was horrible."
Tears leaked out from his eyes and he looked away, trying to stay in one piece. He could still picture it as if it was all happening again. The knife entering Katara's body was most vivid. Aang had thought she was going to die right then and there. It felt like a knife was doing the exact same thing to him. It tore Aang to shreds.
Once he knew he had control again he continued on. "I had tried to keep you awake after that. But eventually you passed out, although you were still alive, just barely. Men carried you upstairs and placed you in the ambulance, then you were rushed into the emergency room here. It was hours before the surgeon came out. He had said the knife had scraped your heart, and he didn't know if you were going to make it. After the surgery, your heart actually did stop beating a few times before giving you the clear. It happened three times.
"It was the third time that made everything go wrong. Your heart wouldn't start again, no matter how many times they put the machine to your chest. The heart monitor went flat, and... and..." He couldn't finish. He buried his head in his hands and wept. It was too much. Why? Must the world take everything that he had come to love? He remembered that resounding beep, straight and flat and so wrong. He was in the room when it had happened. That sound will haunt him forever.
He felt a gentle hand on his arm and jumped, his eyes going to Katara's face. She was frowning in concern as well as confusion. "But if that's true, then how am I alive right now?"
He sighed shakily, wiping the tears away again. Clearing his throat he answered, "Either you got really lucky, or the Spirits answered my prayers. Whichever one, all I care about is that you're still alive." A piece of hair was in her face, and he tucked it gently behind her ear, avoiding the air hose. "I thought I had lost you," he murmured, a lump clogging his throat. "I felt like dying when I heard that flat note. I couldn't live without you, and I really didn't want to try. I had no meaning in my life until you came." He grabbed her hand once more and brought his face close to hers. She could smell a little, and Aang's breath was minty. He stared into her ocean eyes. "I love you, Water Lily. Not even death could have stopped it. I don't want to lose you ever again."
Heart pounding, causing the machine to betray her, Katara raised her free arm weakly and touched his warm cheek, which was wet and red from crying. He almost flinched because her hand was so cold, but he didn't back away; just kept searching her gaze. Spirits she loved him. He was too perfect, so knowledgable about everything.
Words couldn't express her undying love, but she whispered them anyway. "Flowing Wind, you're... I can't even describe you. You've been through so much, and I'm amazed by your ability to stay calm. Yet there's a fierceness in you, a power no other can ever understand. Sometimes even I get confused about it. Your desire to protect is so strong, everyone can tell that you will fight for what's right; even if you died from it."
Katara breathed deeply, enjoying Aang's nearness. His strong earthly scent permeated her senses, giving her strength. Then she continued on. "I'm so proud of you, and I believe your Mom and Dad are just as proud. You did a lot for this world, protected it at all costs. You changed everyone around you. The world is grateful. I'm grateful."
Aang released a sigh and gently buried his face into Katara's neck, where her pulse beat with her lifeblood. It gave him strength, that beat. It told him that she was here, nothing was going to take her away now. The battle was over, and many lives were saved. They had fought with everything they had. Their friends were alive and well. Everyone was safe. The war was over. Peace had been restored.
He lifted his head. "You want to know what I want to do right now?" he asked with a smile.
Katara smiled back. "What?"
Aang brought his lips close to hers. Katara's trembled a little in response. "I really want to kiss you right now. Just to prove to myself that you're real and not a figment of my imagination. Will you let me?"
Katara licked her lips in anticipation. "I've never denied you before, so what makes you think I'll deny you now? Besides, I need it as much as you do. Kiss me."
Aang didn't wait a second longer but pressed his lips gently but firmly to hers, electricity running in his body. Katara's lips molded with his naturally, causing his heart to beat frantically. How he had missed this, and he knew his girlfriend had missed it too. Katara felt her body begin to warm up from the contact. The world once more fell away as the two continued to kiss. Breathing became a little hard, but for a completely different reason. Now this was pure Heaven.
She pulled away when she needed to breathe, and Aang let her, although he seemed a little disappointed. Katara had to smile. He smiled back and murmured, "It felt like a century since we did that. I missed it."
Katara rubbed her nose against his and said, "You're not the only one who feels that way." She giggled suddenly and he cocked an eyebrow curiously. "This reminds me of when you were in the hospital, and you had told me that you can't live without me. Looks like our roles were reversed." He didn't say anything, but he placed his forehead onto hers with a huge smile, remembering that time so long ago. They were quiet for a few minutes before Katara suddenly remembered something Aang had asked her from what felt like a different lifetime. She said, "Aang?"
"Hmm?" he asked, eyes still closed.
"My answer is yes."
He looked at her in confusion. "What?" he asked incomprehensibly. What was she talking about?
She smiled her slightly mischievous grin, happy to have caught him unawares. "Back at the dance, you had asked me to move in with you after high school. I'm giving you my answer. I would love to live with you."
Aang stared for a moment before remembering their conversation under the old tree on Katara's birthday. She had said she would think about it. Now she said yes. He just wanted to be sure she really wanted this. "Do you really want to? Are you positive about it?"
She kissed him gently, and he didn't need any more convincing evidence than that. When they broke apart she said, "Yes, Aang. I'm absolutely sure."
Aang sighed in relief and closed his eyes against her throat again. "Good," he said simply.
Katara frowned a little. "But I have to know: What happened to Jet?"
The dark eyed boy was sitting up in his bed, cradling his mending ribs. Three had been broken and one cracked. The doctors had commented how lucky he was. Few people can survive that kind of damage. But truth be told, Jet wished it had killed him. Regret seared his soul, guilt ate him alive like it was a living thing, and self hatred beat at him relentlessly.
He had never felt like this before. It was almost scary. All his life, or the life after his mother had died, Jet only understood pain and anger. His father had wanted him to become what he had turned himself into: a monster. After everything, the killing, the stealing, not once had he ever felt remorse. What makes this time different? It was because of Katara. She had pushed Aang out of the way, using her own body as a kind of shield. Her love protected Aang. Now she was probably dead because Jet had been blind.
His thoughts were interrupted when a gentle knock came to his hospital room, and the door slowly opened to reveal On Ji. She stood there, biting her lip. Then said, "The doctor said you were awake. I thought I'd come and check on you." Jet didn't say anything; only looked away to hide his eyes. She shifted slightly before walking into the room, closing the door softly behind her. Approaching Jet she added, "You look better. Are you?"
Silence greeted her question, and On Ji sighed sadly before asking, "Is it okay if I sit down?" Jet remained silent but shrugged and gestured to one of the chairs vaguely. On Ji dragged it close to his bed and sat. They remained in an uncomfortable silence. The girl tried to make conversation, but the words died in her throat. Everything she had planned on saying seemed inadequate now.
She was about to finally say something when Jet's voice spoke. "I'm sorry." On Ji's brown eyes went wide with astonishment. She wasn't expecting an apology. She had expected anger, frustration, but I'm sorry? This was new. There was resentment and sorrow in his voice as he continued. "You were right. I should have stopped when you told me to. But I didn't listen, and now look what happened. You and the others probably hate me now. I don't blame you. I'm angry at myself too. All I've ever brought was pain and anguish. This whole thing is my fault."
She was about to say something when he interrupted. "Don't say anything. It's the truth." He still wouldn't look at her, but he had known her long enough to anticipate her moves. "You and our friends have tried to get me to stop. I just kept shrugging it off, thinking I didn't need to hear it. Now, because of the choices I made and the actions I took, Katara is probably dead. Before, killing someone never bothered me. With her, though, it was different."
A lump had formed in On Ji's throat, but she managed to whisper, "What made it different?"
Jet swallowed, his eyes suddenly stinging. Was he crying? He couldn't remember the last time tears came since his mother's funeral. He took a shaky breath. "It was because she was protecting Aang." Was there envy in his voice? It sounded like that to On Ji. He continued. "Katara pushed him as I was about to stab him in the back, and willingly took the blade for him. That was when I knew she truly loved him, loved him enough to sacrifice her life to save his." He clenched his hands and let the hot tears fall. "I regret what I did, On Ji. I wish I had listened in the first place, then none of this would've happened. I'm so sorry."
On Ji sat in amazed silence. Who was this person that had replaced the boy she knew? There was anger in him, that much was clear, but he wasn't directing it at her or anyone else. He was directing it at himself. The guilt and sorrow was real too. Not even a professional actor or actress could fake something like that. This Jet was so new, and On Ji felt proud of him for admitting his wrongdoings.
On Ji was too quiet. Jet waited for her to speak. But she didn't. He didn't blame her. She was probably thinking about them, and how she had made a mistake of becoming his girlfriend. No one would want to be with a monster like him. He took a deep breath and voiced the worst question for an answer he feared. "If you're going to break up with me, will you get over with?"
On Ji jerked in surprise. "What makes you think that?" she asked.
Jet sighed. "Because there's no way you can be with a murderer, On Ji. You are not one of them. You're so full of life, so young and mostly untainted. You did everything you could to bring peace. All I've done is cause panic. Why would anyone want to be with a monster like me? You can do better than that. You deserve someone who will protect and love you. You deserve no less. But I want you to know something. No matter what you choose, just remember that... I love you. There, I said it. I'm in love with you, On Ji, and nothing will ever change that. Okay. I said what I had to. You can end it now. Go ahead; I can take it."
On Ji stared at the back of his head, his words sinking deeply into her heart. Did she hear him right? Was he giving her his blessing for a better life? Did he just tell her that he loved her? Was it because of guilt, or something else. She had to know. "You love me?" she asked in a whisper.
Jet nodded. "Yes. I have loved you for a long time. I was willing to do anything to make a living for us. But I screwed that up. Don't let my words tie you down. Go out into the world and find what you're looking for. If it makes you happy, I'll be happy for you."
On Ji took a deep breath. He was giving her a chance to leave, to find a better life. It was time to tell him what she had been wanting to say all along. "Most people would say that breaking up with you would be the smartest thing to do."
Jet nodded. "They would be right."
She grabbed his free hand and stated, "But it would be the most stupidest move I could make."
Jet's dark eyes widened as he slowly looked at her for the first time since she came in. "No it wouldn't. It would be the best. There are so many guys out there that would fall for you in a heartbeat. They would worship the ground you walk on. You would be treated like a princess. Why would you want to stay with me after everything I've done? Don't make yourself feel like you have an obligation to me. I told you what I said because I wanted you to remember me. Why won't you break up with me?"
"Because I don't want to be treated like a princess. If I left you, no one would treat me like a person besides my friends. Another reason that I want to stay with you is because I know you had changed. I can see it in your eyes. They're not the black that I was used to seeing. Now they're the most beautiful chocolate brown I have ever seen, with tiny specks of gold." She touched his cheek, feeling light stubble, barely noticeable but still there. "Very few guys show their true emotions, Jet. Some of them only pretend to show one emotion when they feel something entirely different. You're not like that. The times we've spent together was proof enough that you feel what you say. That's why I'm staying with you, no matter what happens."
Jet could feel the tears come again, and closed his eyes against them. No one had ever told such wonderful things, had never touched him so deeply as On Ji had. His heart swelled with love. For a minute all his troubles were over, and it was just him and his girl. This was what being in love felt like. He loved her. But despite what she said, Jet had to make her see reason. Opening his eyes he said, "But after I heal, I'm going on trial, and they're going to lock me up. I don't know how long I'm going to be in there. What are going to do once I'm in the slammer?"
She shrugged. "I'm going to wait," she said simply.
Jet stared at her. "But I might be in there for years, maybe even for the rest of my life. How can you wait when you don't know how long I'll be gone, or if I ever come back?"
On Ji smiled. "I think you won't be in there for very long. You're a teenager, and teenagers make mistakes."
He frowned darkly. "Not the kind of mistakes I made."
She sighed, a little exasperated. "Jet, it happens. We can't change the past. But the future can be. You don't need to be a killer. You can change who you are and become a better person." She grabbed his face before he could look away in shame. She stared deeply into his now expressive eyes. "You won't be in jail for the rest of your life. I'm not leaving you like some piece of garbage. You've changed, but you're scared of it. That's normal. Everyone goes through it, both good and bad things come out of these decisions. You'll get used to it, but you have to let yourself feel." On Ji softened her voice. "Do you know why I'm telling you this?"
Jet swallowed and slowly shook his head as best he could with her hands still on his cheeks. She took a deep breath before lightly kissing him. Jet stiffened, not expecting it, but slowly relaxed and started kissing her back, eyes closing in content. Spirits he missed this, missed her, her warmth and love and understanding. He leaned forward, deepening the kiss a little, and gingerly wrapped his arm around her side, hand resting on the small of her back. The other still protected his ribs.
After a minute, On Ji broke away slowly and stared into eyes again. "That's why," she breathed. "It's because I love you. There's no one else for me. You saw me. The real me; not the perfect girl I pretend to be. By accepting who I was, you opened a part of me that was afraid to open up. All guys ever cared about was my body. They didn't bother to get to know me. But you did. At first I had been reluctant, my fears coming to me. But something told me it would be different with you, so I gave you a chance. Before I knew it, I was happy. You make me happy, Jet. Something I thought would never happen to me."
Jet bit his lip, struck speechless for once. She wasn't lying, and he believed her. But there was one more thing to consider: her future. "But what about your dreams? The home you want, kids? What about that? Don't you want them?"
On Ji shook her head. "Not unless I have you to share those dreams with. I can't imagine having those things with anyone else. Don't you want kids?" The truth was, he did. He wanted to have kids with her so bad it hurt. He wanted a son and daughter. They would all live in a mansion of stone, with an indoor pool with glass windows allowing the sun in. That was his dream, but Jet kept it to himself, buried deep, thinking it was impossible.
But looking at the young woman before him, hope that his dream might come true blossomed like a rose opening under the sun. She could help him make those impossible dreams come true. All he had to do was believe. He turned his head and kissed her palm softly. "Yes," he murmured endearingly before looking into her eyes once more with open love. "That's what I want. When we're older and have better control over our lives. That would make me the happiest man alive to have a home and family with you. Will you help me?"
She smiled, showing her white teeth. "Of course I will. I'm with you every step of the way." The smile turned mischievous. "But you do know you'll have to marry me, right?"
Jet groaned in mock distress. "Great. Another detail to worry about. Thanks a lot!"
She laughed and hugged him. Unfortunately she had wrapped her arms around his waist, and pain shot up his healing side, making him yelp and grit his teeth. She moved back quickly with a look of horror and concern. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"
Jet swallowed and managed a small grin through the pain. "Don't freak out. I'm okay. It's still a bit tender, that's all. Aang sure did number on me, didn't he?" he joked.
On Ji giggled. "He sure did. That's what happens when you play with fire. You end up getting burned." She sobered. "He was the one who told us about the battle, you know. He had said he felt bad after hurting you like that. He had started feeling guilty about it while Katara was in surgery."
He sighed. Jet felt bad for putting Aang in pain, both physical and emotional. If Jet had just talked to the guy instead of endangering him, maybe things would have worked out better. They could have been friends. Aang and Katara had tried to help him, and what does he do? Turns around and kills one of them. Jet would understand if Aang held a grudge against him.
His face must have betrayed his thoughts because On Ji said, "I don't think Aang will hold a grudge against you. He doesn't strike me as that kind of person. He'll forgive, Jet. I know it."
He smiled sadly and grabbed her hand. "I hope so. I've said some things to him, and I would like a chance to apologize for doing the things I've done."
She squeezed his hand. "You'll get a chance." She grabbed his cheek with her free hand. "But for now, let's think about us. Things are peaceful now. Let's keep it that way."
Jet nodded. "Sounds like plan. I love you, On Ji."
On Ji brought herself a little closer. "I love you too, Jet. Just one more question. Do you think we're soul mates?"
Jet stared into her eyes, thinking of her question. There had always been something else that pulled him to her, something even deeper than the heart. Now that he thought about it, Jet started thinking about what he knew about soul mates. The soul always yearned for its other half, pulling at the body and urging it to search for it. When Jet met On Ji that very first day, something in him had clicked, merging them together without his knowing, binding them forever.
Now, he was positive about what had happened that day. Looking into On Ji's eyes he said thickly, "Yes."
She smiled. "Then you had felt it that day we met?" Knowing what she meant, he nodded, and tears formed in her irises. "Glad I wasn't going crazy. We really are made for each other."
"I know," Jet said softly. "I believe it now." Then he kissed her deeply, feeling whole, new, and loved for the first time in years.
Did you guys really think I was going to let Katara die? Yeah, right. That's as much true as Zutara happening. Hello! Kataang is CANNON! No I wouldn't kill her off. What kind of Kataanger do you think I am? Anyway, this was extremely long. How did you like it? How was the scene with Jet and On Ji? Decent, I hope. I'm going to do one more chapter and *drum roll* an epilogue! Keep your eyes open!