AN: I know some of you might've hoped for a continuation of the last part. Unfortunately, that's not what you're getting :) Final part will be up tomorrow.

The ferry to Air Temple Island felt long and ominous. It was just her and the lone captain of the boat as they made their way through the calm waters of Yue Bay. She didn't mention to anyone that she was heading to see Aang, but she knew better than anyone in the entire world that he needed someone right now.

Katara was visiting Republic City as a well deserved vacation from her duties in the Southern Water Tribe. She was greeted by her brother, Suki and Toph the moment she arrived and was overwhelmed with joy to see her friends after what felt like a lifetime. Immediately though, she recognized that one person she was looking to see wasn't present.

"Where's Aang?"

She could practically feel the awkwardness that erupted from everyone as they each stole a confused look at each other. Finally, her brother stepped up.

"He's been going through a pretty rough patch lately," he said solemnly. "Him and Yun split up."

While she knew Aang had to have been hurting from this break up, she couldn't help but be relieved that the two of them were no longer together. As nice and beautiful Yun was, the Air Acolyte always seemed far more overjoyed that she was dating the Avatar rather than Aang. Of course, Katara kept that to herself. Because of the complicated feelings for one another, neither would comment all that much when the other was in a relationship. At least that is what she always believed.

"I see." Aang had breakups in the past so the reaction Katara was getting from her friends was deeply concerning to her. "Has anyone been checking up on him?"

"He's a big boy Sugar Queen," Toph piped in her usual snarky tone. "He just needs a little alone time is all."

Katara nodded and correctly assumed that everyone took that as her saying she was going to give him the space that everyone thought he needed. But Katara knew that while that was what Aang wanted, it wasn't what he needed. So here she was alone on a ship heading to the most isolated place in the lively Republic City.

As soon as she stepped foot on the island, she could almost feel the negative energy that radiated off it almost as if the island had taken the personality of its owner. Although maybe that was just her own mind conjuring up some dramatic atmosphere as if she was watching a tragic play.

As she began walking towards the main temple where she expected him to be, she admired all the work that had been done since she last visited a year ago. It seemed like Air Temple Island was really turning to exactly what Aang had imagined when he first started discussing the plans he had for it with her all those years ago.

When she walked inside the temple one of the head monks saw her and immediately recognized exactly why she was here. He gave a little gesture indicating that Aang was in his office and she gave an appreciative nod and smile in return. In any other scenario, Katara wouldn't hesitate to barge right in, but she decided to play it safe and knock.

"Come in."

As expected, Aang didn't display any characteristics on the outside that indicated he was fresh off a breakup. He was deep in concentration looking over scrolls that Katara was sure were just a distraction. When he looked up he shot her his usual smile, but she could see that the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Did you just get in?"

"Yup," she replied and started walking over to him. "Everyone greeted me besides you so I figured I'd drop in and say hello."

"Sorry about that, I'm a bit busy as you can see."

She gave him a hum of acknowledgement and took a seat in the chair in the front of his desk. She knew him well enough by now that if she didn't cut to the chase that the subject of his breakup would never come in.

"I heard that you and Yun broke up."

The neutral demeanor that Aang had tried to put on had dissolved and his features became much more tense. "So much for stopping by to say hello," he said sarcastically.

"I wouldn't have had to if you showed up with the rest of our friends to greet me like we always do for each other," she fired back.

"I'm a bit down in the dumps off of a breakup so I wanted some time alone. Is that what you want to hear?" he snapped.

Katara fought off the urge to go toe to toe with him in a yelling match, instead opting to be the cool head in this discussion. "I know there's more to it than that Aang," she replied softly. "Just talk to me."

He chuckled darkly. "There's nothing to talk about. We broke up and that's that. You know what it's like."

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine." She stood up and tucked her chair in. "I think it would help though."

"She asked me if I loved her," Aang confessed just as Katara was about to open the door to leave. "She asked me if I loved her," he said again.

Katara turned to look at him and saw that the tension he had within him dissolved into a much more defeated posture and he was staring off into space. "And what did you say?" she asked from her spot next to the door.

"I said no." He let out a deep sigh. "I said no and she left."

Katara didn't know what to say to that. In her mind, this was probably what was best for both parties. She feared if she said that, it might upset him. So she instead simply retook her seat.

"I was with the girl for a year now and if she hadn't asked me that, we probably would have continued to date for who knows how long. She deserved better than me."

"This stuff is complicated," she reassured him. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself."

"I shouldn't?" he argued. "I wasted both of our time by going through the motions and not ending things earlier. Maybe there was someone out there for her that she missed out on because of me. Maybe I missed out on someone too."

It was clear to her who that someone was. The sudden reality that this could be the best moment to throw all the cards on the table in regards to how they felt for one another hit her and it hit her hard.

"Maybe you didn't," she offered softly. For this first time since he began talking in detail about the breakup, his eyes met hers. "Maybe she's-,"

"Avatar Aang!"

Katara nearly jumped out of her seat from the intrusion as she saw an Air Acolyte run into Aang's office.

"King Kuei has requested your presence immediately. There have been riots in Ba Sing Se that are starting to get out of hand."

"Thank you for delivering the message Yi, I'll head out right away."

The Acolyte nodded and left Aang and Katara alone once again.

"Sounds pretty serious," Katara concluded.

"It's probably not too bad. Kuei just likes to be extra cautious when it comes to these kinds of things. I should be on my way," he said and stood up. "Was there anything else you wanted to say before I leave?"

"It can wait."