Hi all! Apologies for the long wait. It's been a busy week as I've been trying to reorganize my schedule and work out some personal issues. Hopefully once I get done with all that, I'll be able to establish a more solid timetable and update regularly. Please enjoy and thank you all for the great reviews! They really make my day!

She didn't even know how long she had been out. She was feeling confused and lost, and she hated it. There were a thousand things going through her mind, but her thoughts always drifted back to him. After awakening from her slumber, she was absolutely sure he'd be there. She wanted to see his goofy smile when her eyes opened. She wanted to smell the scent of his cologne. She wanted to feel the warmth of his embrace. She wanted to hear his proclamations of love and shouts of joy at her return. But there was no fanfare. No welcoming party.

She woke up to an empty room, save for a very surprised nurse and a sea of flowers and balloons scattered across the area. She woke up, no family, no friends, no Aang patiently awaiting her arrival. It brought tears to her eyes, and yet she had no one to comfort her. The nurse simply offered her a tissue and checked on her vitals before announcing that she would alert her family. After three long months, much of which she didn't even remember, she was alone. She sat in her hospital bed for what felt like days, waiting for someone to finally come. Sighing, she got up to wash her face in the bathroom adjacent to her room. She had just turned off the sink and began drying off when she heard a great commotion outside. She slowly cracked the door, and she was ecstatic at the sight of them. After reuniting with her brother and friends, the rest of her family and friends filed in throughout the day to welcome her back.

She was desperate for answers. She wanted nothing more than to go home, to that comfortable familiarity. But as if to annoy her further, the hospital had insisted she stay another day so they could monitor her condition before releasing her. She reluctantly agreed after about an hour of butting heads with the doctor, but not without forcing Sokka and her friends to stay. She still hadn't gotten an answer to her question.

"Sokka, where's Aang?" she said as she impatiently waited for his response.

"Sis, please don't be mad." Sokka got on his knees and practically begged, giving her puppy eyes.

But it didn't work. Katara would only ever give in to one person's pleading eyes. She glared at Sokka once more, only getting more agitated with each passing second.

"I probably wouldn't be mad if you had just told me what's going on already, dunderhead! Now, where is Aang?!"

Sokka couldn't manage to get the words out of his mouth. He was quickly starting to realize the gravity of his fuck up. Although he had tried to protect Katara at the time, he was now thinking of how much he had hurt both her and Aang. He had been angry at Aang, but now he was mostly just angry with himself. In the process of trying to keep Katara safe, he put Aang in unimaginable danger. Because of him, he had left and gone off to war, despite working at the tank factory with Sokka. They had no reason to go to war, and they could both do their part while staying close to their loved ones. But now, Aang was probably going to die or already dead, and it was Sokka's fault to begin with.

Suki could see Sokka slowly falling apart inside, while Katara looked like her head was going to explode. Trying her best to mediate between the two siblings, she brought Sokka back to his feet and tried her best to comfort him, before sitting beside Katara on the hospital bed. There was no easy way to break the news to her. She grabbed Katara's hand and gently called her attention.

"There's no easy way to say this Katara, but Aang's gone. He left three months ago, in December."

Katara was trying hard not to cry, but to no avail. She gripped Suki's waist and began sobbing into her shirt. Her breathing was erratic, and she started to whimper. "Why…why would he leave me? Doesn't he know how much I need him?!"

"He kept blaming himself for the accident. He thought he didn't deserve you after what he did. Toph and I tried convincing him otherwise, but he had already made up his mind to go."

"Do you know where he is? He can't have gone far. I need to see him. Suki, please."

Toph spoke up from the seat in the corner of the room, her arms crossed and a somber expression across her face. "He joined the army, Sugar Queen. He's probably halfway across the world by now."

"What about the factory?! He could get himself killed for Spirits sake!"

"He kept telling us that it'd be better if you found someone else who could "take care of you better." He's been writing, and I think you'd understand better if you heard it from him. He felt really guilty after what happened."

"I'd rather have him here." Katara spoke softly into Suki's shoulder as she continued sobbing.

Suki felt immense sorrow for the distraught lovers. Katara was practically like a sister to her, and Aang was her best friend. She hated to see the way things had turned out between them. She knew Aang still loved her, but he was denying himself that love because of his own shame and guilt. Toph felt the same. Most people thought the worst of her due to her outspoken nature, often coming off as rude or brazen. But they gave her a chance. Even though she would never say it, she had come to care deeply for both of them. In their group, Katara was like the mother of the group, and even though she was always very strict, it was good to have someone to keep them on their toes. And Aang, well to put it mildly, Aang was the life of their little clique. He was always pushing each of them to try new things, without being too forceful, which they all appreciated. He would encourage them to be themselves and to do the things they loved. It was in his nature to make people happy, to prop them up when they were feeling down. And when it came to Katara, he was practically her world, like she was to him.

Suki remembered what Katara was like before Aang. Though she had no shortage of men practically bending over backwards for her, none of them seemed to be quite right. They were either only interested in her for her looks, or were intimidated by her ferocity. Katara never needed a man, and she knew that all too well. What she wanted was someone who respected her, and treated her like an equal. Then came Aang. They were head over heels for each other from the moment they met, and if you asked anyone who knew them, it was rightly so. Suki noticed how happy Katara had seemed whenever Aang was around, well before they ever got together. Her face would light up and she was always as red as a tomato. And it appeared that she always had the same effect on Aang as well. When Toph joined the gang, she noticed it immediately. How their hearts were always going haywire at the sight of each other. It was no surprise to their friends that they eventually fell in love. They were like a match made in heaven.

Both girls feared how things would change now. How would Katara change? Aang too, when he returned. No, if he returned. Toph had sat beside them, offering her own form of comfort as well. The girls exchanged a knowing look, as if making some unspoken promise. However things turned out, they would be sure to take care of Katara, as Aang had asked. Though he didn't need to. They would do anything for their friend.

Katara finally regained her composure when she realized something. She sat up, thanked Suki and Toph, then turned to Sokka. "So, I know where THEY were during all this, but what about YOU, Sokka?"

Sokka gulped, feeling his muscles begin to tense as he made eye contact. He knew this would be hard, but he would rather be fighting a bear than face his sister's wrath. Slowly, he began to speak. He knew he had no way around this, so he told her the truth.

"I confronted Aang after the accident. I may have been used some rough words with him-"

Suki glared at him and cleared her throat. They both knew what really happened, and she was definitely not letting him weasel his way out of this.

"Okay, alright! I hurt him Katara, but I'm sorry! I was only thinking of you!"

"What exactly were you thinking about me, Sokka? Hm? Oh, maybe that I would've been better off without Aang? Well, I'm sorry to say you were so very wrong, my dear brother!" Katara was about ready to pounce at him when Suki and Toph held her back.

"Look at what you've done! Aang's probably going to get himself killed, and for what?! If you had stopped being the protective brother for one damn second, maybe he would've stayed! Maybe he would've been here, with me, and we could've worked things out together!"

Sokka knew she was right. He was being overprotective again, even though she had expressed many times that she didn't need it. I know, I know, she's already a grown woman. She can take care of herself, yada yada yada. He thought to himself. Back then, he could say with full confidence that he trusted Aang to be with her. But ever since the crash, his confidence in Aang began to waver. If he could be so irresponsible as to drive drunk, especially with Katara, how could he be trusted to take care of her in any other situation? He knew he shouldn't have intervened, but he didn't know what else to do.

"Please Katara, I'm sorry! Just tell me what I can do to make you forgive me!"

"What you can do is go. Suki and Toph can stay the night, but I just can't be around you right now."

Sokka tried to protest, but he knew it would do nothing except anger her further. He left without a word, leaving the three girls alone.

Suki went out to ask the nurse for a chair, while Toph pulled hers side to side with Katara's bed. They spent the night talking, mostly trying to keep Katara's mind off Aang. Toph was the first to fall asleep, followed by Suki, and lastly Katara. She finally allowed herself to rest, but not without thoughts of the man she loved.

Meanwhile in Germany

Aang was currently sitting atop Punisher, staring at the cloudy sky. It was gray, completely devoid of the once beautiful blue that had encompassed it. If he didn't know any better, mother nature was making a cruel joke of his life in the form of a lifeless sky. He tried to think a little more positively, shaking these thoughts from his mind. Do it for Suki and Toph, he told himself. In their letter, they had told him not to let it get to him too much, and to think of something warm and comfy to keep his spirits up. But lately, he hated to think of anything of the sort. The only warmth he wanted was from her embrace. The only comfort he wanted was his arms wrapped around her, his nose buried in her sweet-scented hair, their fingers intertwined as he whispered sweet nothings into her ears. He wanted the comfort of hearing her adorable giggle. But he could not help the thought that he didn't deserve any of these things he wanted so badly. That was exactly why he was here in the first place. To give her what she needed. Someone better. He didn't want to think about any of it, however. Even just thinking her name spelled disaster for him. He would fill with emotion, but could not let it out. He didn't want to fall apart in front of Zuko, or the men he had recently become acquainted with. He didn't want to be weak, and possibly end up getting them killed. So, he bottled up every feeling of sorrow, of self-hatred. He needed to watch their backs, since he had failed to watch hers. He'd be damned if he was going to be the reason for another loss, another life cut short.

He was pulled out of his thoughts as Sergeant Kelden spoke to him.

"Doing some thinking there, Aang?"

"You could say that sarge."

"Well, best not to think too much. We need our heads clear for the fight ahead, son. You just make sure you're ready for whatever them Nazi bastards throw at us."

"Yes, sir."

"I tell you what, I'm ready for a tussle, boys!" Grady exclaimed as he took a long pull from his cigarette.

"I feel bad for the sorry Kraut that fights you, Grady. The smell alone would kill off a whole battalion!"

They all laughed as Grady pulled Preacher into a headlock, prompting them to laugh even harder. Aang was taken aback at how easily these men could find something to laugh at in a place like this. But he figured that after all the fighting they'd seen, any distraction was more than welcome. He had heard stories of the 9th armored division, and the tank crew he had become a part of in particular. They came to be unofficially known as the "Phantom" division, for their part in the Ardennes offensive. Specifically, in the fight for Bastogne. Sergeant Kelden earned his name, "Wardaddy", as many quickly recognized his strange calm during battle and success in combat, as if he was a master of war. And promptly, his tank was dubbed "The Punisher", as it swiftly punished any and all Germans that came into its gun sights. They were forged by that cold winter struggle, and they emerged a hardened and well-functioning force of destruction. Aang was honored to be in the company of such warriors, and he hoped he could rise to the challenge of being their bow gunner.

They were driving along a dirt road. After two long weeks, they had finally secured the bridge at Remagen, and elements of the First Army Group began crossing into the heartlands of Germany.

Punisher had split off with a convoy of 10 shermans plus two companies of infantry. They were tasked with moving further East to assist in closing the Ruhr pocket while the rest of the 9th armored moved to support infantry divisions moving into Hurtgen forest. Aang was sitting in the gunner's seat, watching the nearby treeline in case of an ambush. He was looking out his periscope when all of a sudden, he saw a silhouette. He wrapped his finger around the trigger, ready to blast whatever it was he saw. He was ready to fire, but once he had his target lined up he hesitated. It was an old German man, probably in his 60s or 70s, holding a panzerfaust. He wasn't in uniform, but had an arm band wrapped around his sleeve. He was part of the Volkssturm, a militia created by Hitler in desperation as the Allies began closing in on Germany. He watched the older man, hoping he wouldn't fire.

"Don't do it. Don't you fucking do it, you son of a bitch." Aang whispered to himself. But evidently, he wasn't quiet enough as Wardaddy called out to him from the commander's seat.

"What do you see, boy? You see anything in those trees, you better fucking take 'em down!"

Thankfully, the man dropped the weapon and walked out slowly in front of the tank, sparing his life. Wardaddy popped out the top hatch and pointed his Thompson at the man.

"Hände, wo ich sie sehen kann, Opa." he said. "Hands where I can see them, grandpa."

The old man obliged, and slowly raised his hands in surrender. Wardaddy got down off the tank, slung his gun over his shoulder, and walked towards the newly captured prisoner. He reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, taking one for himself and handing one to the prisoner. He lit them both, and told the man to get on board the tank.

"Aang, get up here. There's an outpost a few miles from here. We'll drop him off and be on our merry way. You watch him till we get there."

"Yes sarge." Aang replied and sat next to the man on the back end of the sherman. Although he knew no German, he smiled at the prisoner, and offered him some rations and a sip from his canteen. He returned Aang's smile, and they sat and ate together, as if the war had stopped just for them to share this moment of peace.

Back Home

Katara awoke in the hospital the next morning. She was finally able to go home. Suki's chair was gone, so she assumed she had gone to fill out all the paperwork. Toph was still on the other side of the bed, snoring as loud as she always did. Katara felt a little bit better than the night before. Although she was admittedly still mad at Sokka, and Aang as well, she felt well-rested and decided that all the problems she was presented with yesterday could wait. Right now, she was focused on getting out of this bleak hospital. Another thing she had noticed upon waking up was that the room was practically empty. All the balloons and flowers in the room were now gone, as well as the cards left on the windowsill. Suki really was working hard to make sure everything was ready for her release. Katara was grateful that during tough times, Suki and Toph were always there for her. They could understand her emotions and her thoughts in a way that Sokka and Aang couldn't, though they did try their best, to their credit. Suki and the nurse came in to help her out, and Toph followed behind them slowly as she was still waking up. As they walked out into the parking lot, they thanked the nurse and headed towards Sokka's truck. Katara became annoyed at the sight of Sokka exiting from the driver's side, but sighed. Aang was always willing to forgive others, no matter how badly they messed up. And even though she was still very, very angry with her brother, she decided to take a page from her boyfriend's book and try to make peace.

Sokka instantly lit up at seeing her finally out of the hospital, but kept his distance, unsure of how he would be received.

Katara relented, and nodded for him to come closer. He grinned ear to ear, and sweeped her up in a tight hug. She couldn't help but laugh at this. Despite her current feelings, Sokka was always going to be her brother, and she could at least hear him out, given that she wasn't feeling so forgiving just yet.

"I'm so glad you're finally out of there! Dad and Gran Gran and Pakku missed you since they weren't able to come yesterday! And me too. I'm sorry about all this."

"Sokka, I am still mad at you, but you're my brother. I'll find it in my heart to forgive you some day. But we've got a looong way to go."

"I'll spend the next 50 years doing whatever you ask if that's what it'll take you to forgive me. Anything you want."

"It'll take a lot more than just a few favors and gestures, but there is one thing you can do for me."

"What's that, sis?"

"Forgive Aang. I know he never meant for any of this to happen, and even I'm not holding it against him. Though he won't be off the hook so easily for leaving me."

Sokka looked down at his feet and smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, sorry about that."

"You better be! But hey, you'll have the rest of our lives to make up for it, starting today. Let's grab something to eat, you're paying."

Sokka could do nothing but oblige. He helped her up into the truck, and the four of them enjoyed a light lunch before heading home. As he pulled into their driveway, Suki asked Katara if she would be alright. Katara nodded, and waved them off from the front door as they drove over to their house next door. She walked into the living room, and instantly she was bombarded by a mess of fur and paws.

"Appa! Momo! It's so good to see you!" She laughed as they continued to lick her face. She wiped herself off and looked around. The place was still as clean as the last time she had seen it, but it felt much emptier. Sighing, she removed her shoes and jacket, dropping onto the couch. Even though it had been three months since he left, his scent still lingered about the house. It made her eyes well up, but she quickly wiped them and tried to stay strong, mostly for herself. As she turned her head towards the coffee table, she noticed a wrapped cloth with something inside it, and a letter next to it. Gasping she quickly sat up and grabbed at the letter, not wasting any time in opening it. It was from Aang.

Dear Katara,

By the time you read this, I'll be long gone. I told Suki I would write and that it was up to her to show you, but this isn't one of those letters. I wrote this especially for you, and left it in our home for when you returned. I know what you must think of me right now. But I never wanted to leave you. After Sokka confronted me, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for what I let happen to you. Seeing you in that hospital bed broke my heart, and it hurt even more knowing it was my fault. I wanted to tell you how happy you made me, and that I hope I could have given you half of what you gave to me. My decision to leave is for your sake. Though it hurts me to no end, I hope you'll find a man who can take care of you better than I did. Someone who'll have your back and look out for you when you need it. I don't know if I'll ever make it back, so the house, along with Appa and Momo, are yours. Well, they always have been. Anyways, next to this letter I left something I know is very dear to you.

Katara stopped reading to unravel the cloth, and she slapped her hand over her mouth, trying to silence her own whimpers.

Your mother's necklace. Somehow, it came undone and fell off your neck in the accident. I took it with me because I know that it's all you have left of her, and I didn't want it to be destroyed with the wreckage. I know it's probably stupid to write you a letter instead of staying and sorting this out myself, but I can't bear it. I feel like I might hurt you again just being around you, and I won't let that happen. I wish you all the love and happiness in the world, though you deserve much more than what the world can offer.

Yours Always,

Aang

Katara began to sob uncontrollably. She began wailing into a pillow on a couch, while Appa and Momo climbed up next to her for comfort. She laid there for about an hour before finally getting up. She fed the two animals, then went into their bedroom to change and shower. She stepped under the warm waters, hoping it would wash away the tears and the heartache. Unfortunately, life doesn't always work that way.

Ashley Barbosa: Whoa! From what I've heard, you're quite a famous Kataang reviewer. Thank you for your review. As for Aang and Zuko, I make no promises. We'll just have to see how they fare!

TheLastSoulBender: Ah it's been two weeks since I last updated! Apologies! Rest assured I'll be more frequent with updates from here on out, no worries. Thanks for the review!

anayeli12: Yes, cliffhangers! Something we'll see more of in future chapters, just to keep you all hooked.

one sad kataang writer: Aha you're right! I was planning to release chapter 3 on the D-day anniversary, but from now on I'll try to commit to a more scheduled timetable. As for the chain of command, I'll try to be more accurate if it ever comes up again. Lack of research has been one of my weaknesses, but I'm surely going to work on improving that to make this story as good as possible!

TheQuietReader23: Yes, Sokka finally receives a wakeup call! He definitely isn't mad at Aang completely at this point, but he'll still have some things to work out. And Katara waking up so early on will have a purpose in later chapters, I promise. We'll see how they figure this whole thing out as the story progresses, and I will try to let the conflict linger a bit more in future rather than just resolving everything in 2-3 chapters. And thank you for the detailed reviews, love the input!

Thank you to the one guest reviewer so far, and to everyone who has read and viewed the story. You motivate me to write this and I appreciate all of you kind strangers!