hahaha! got ya'! she's not dead...not yet...don't forget we still have to figure out who she really is! oh, and exclaimation points rock! whoo hoo!

Prince Zuko stayed in his spot for another moment, not moving a muscle. Could it be? He was too late? It was over, the end of Aiori? His uncle slowly stood up and walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "NO!" Zuko ran over to Aiori and got down on his knees near the bed! He took her by the face and began to beg! "NO, Aiori, wake up!" he pleaded! "It's not over, you're not dead!" But she didn't move. Zuko bowed his head…and for the first time in a long time, a tear fell from his eye. "I failed." He said softly.

"I'm sorry Zuko." Iroh said as he wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. "But Aiori was terribly ill. You did the best you could." Zuko looked up and noticed the water pail on the desk. There was a stream coming from it that went into the air and formed a small ball that hovered in place.

"Uncle, SHE'S ALIVE!" Zuko cried out as he pointed out the water. "She's water bending! She's still alive!"

"Doctor!" Iroh called, "Take this plant and boil it in some tea immediately! Aiori is still alive! We still have some time!" and the doctor ran off with the flower and Iroh, leaving Zuko alone. He looked back down at Aiori's face and gently caressed her cheek. She wasn't gone.

"I'm so sorry, Aiori." He spoke. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that, and I shouldn't have left you. It's all my fault. I was just so mad that I wasn't thinking straight. But I promise I'll make it up to you." He paused, "I'm taking you back home."

The doctor ran in with the tea a little while after and slowly served it to Aiori. The whole ship was gathered outside her door, waiting to see if a miracle would take place that night. Zuko and Iroh stayed in the room and watched for any signs from Aiori. It seemed like forever, and Zuko began to pace back and forth in the room. When the moon had reached its peak in the sky, there was the sound of wolf howls from outside the window. Zuko ran over and looked out, and he saw that down on the shore was a pack of wolves, looking back up into the room. "Zuko, look!" Iroh called and Zuko ran over to the side of the bed. They watched in awe as Aiori's eyes began to flutter open! A huge smile crossed both their faces! Her eyes looked up and around the room. She groaned as she slightly turned her head to see Iroh and Zuko. "You made it." Iroh told Aiori with a heart warming smile. She turned and looked at Zuko and held out one shaky hand. He took it and sat down on the floor next to his uncle and stroked it. He watched as she mouthed the words "Thank You" to him and he nodded. "Well Prince Zuko, you're a hero. In just a matter of days, Aiori will be back to normal and her old self." Iroh stated and touched Aiori's forehead. "And her fever has already gone down. She is safe now." And he left the room to tell the others. From inside, Zuko could hear the crew begin to cheer from the good news.

"Welcome back." Zuko told her.

"I'm sorry." She actually spoke up, but still quietly.

"For what?"

"For freeing the Avatar." Zuko just sighed.

"I forgive you."

"Your uncle, he saw my emblem markings."

"What are you talking about?"

"On my left shoulder." She told him. He put a hand under her head and lifted her up gently. Then he turned her over, letting her face sink into his collarbone, and pulled down the strap of her dress on her shoulder. He saw some blue markings on her shoulder.

"What do they mean?" he asked.

"I'll tell you…when I'm stronger." And he sighed and hugged her. From outside the cracked door, his uncle Iroh smiled to himself.