"Katara…" Zuko whispered to her. After they had left Aang, Zuko took Katara to his private quarters. He had meant to say a few things to her, but before anything came out she went to his arms and they sat there for a bit. Zuko would have given anything to stay there with her like this…ignoring the war, ignoring his uncle's cautions…but they heard the shout that the capital was in sight, and he still had things to say.

"Katara," he said again, a little louder. "We need to talk." Not saying anything, she positioned herself so she could look into his face but still be enveloped in his arms. He looked down into her eyes, for a moment hypnotized by her wide gaze of trust, innocence, and strength. She blinked, waiting for him to keep talking.

"Now, before we get to the capital, Aang and your brother will go up with the beast…"

"Appa," she said. Zuko didn't like the bison very much, so had deliberately not learned it's name.

"Yes…Appa. They will go up and act as though they were following us and now unsure of what to do. Meanwhile, you will come with as my captive while Bree, Ronan, Uncle, and I go to see my father." He stopped to swallow against the sudden dryness in his throat. "The Fire Lord will put you in a prison. I'm not worried about him torturing or killing you because you are a nobility and can be used to barter with in negotiations."

She snuggled closer to him and nodded.

"My Uncle has contacts that have caught wind of a secret rebellious force inside the capital itself. For a long time, a year, I think, he's been in contact with the force. They are ready to overthrow my father at any given time. The final battle will come down to me and my father, but my uncle says this force is huge and will help us greatly. He will get them ready while I take Bree and Ronan to their aunt's. My men have been warned that something is going to happen, and if I should fail they may be accused of associated with a traitor and will be tried as such. They will be give some money to leave the capital if they so wish. If I fail, you will leave as soon as you can, and take your brother with you. Aang has said he will stay to finish if I cannot." He fell silent, thoughts of what would happen to the world if he failed were pushing their way through his head.

"This isn't what you wanted to talk about," Katara said. Besides Iroh, she was the only one who dared interrupt his thoughts. "I know all this already, this was said at the briefing." She sat up and moved out of his embrace to stand up and look at him. "What is on your mind, Prince?"

Zuko smiled. She only used his title when she was being serious. "Yes, I know you know the plans and what is going to happen if I fail. But there hasn't been much discussion if I succeed. Sure, I'll take the throne. But what next? I'll need all the soldiers to swear to me, I'll call them home. My seat will be very unstable. I'll have many cousins, uncles…even my own sister and her loyalties…trying to kill me."

"Ah…that doesn't sound like the type of throne I would like to sit on."

"Me neither…there are a few ways I can secure it under me, but there is one that will ultimately make it mine. Even if there are still plots to kill me, I will be well protected."

Katara put her hands on her hips. "And what's that?"

"Find a wife with a strong noble standing. She needs to be strong to help me rule and bare me sons. Daughters will work to, but sons have a strong position in the government…what?" Katara suddenly looked very sad.

"You are right. I never thought about that. You will need to marry a girl from the Fire Nation to keep your throne strong…"

Zuko laughed. "Katara…"

"No, Zuko. I understand. If you succeed, we won't be able to be together."

"Will you close your mouth and listen to me?" Zuko said, still laughing. "Ok, maybe I'm going about this the wrong way…yeah, I guess marrying a girl from my nation would be a strong decision. But I'm inheriting a land that has been the cause of a world war for 100 years. A stronger decision would be to marry a strong princess from a different nation…you know, as a sign of unification. And…well…" he suddenly was very nervous. Zuko wiped his sweaty palms on him lap and started again.

"Uncle's told me that even though you are from a poor tribe, you are a princess if by name and birth only. And…you, you're strong, I've seen you fight. I've seen your courage…and I would be honored if you were beside me on my throne." The last part came out in a rush and for a minute he wasn't sure if Katara had understood. She stood there looking at him, then her eyes grew bigger and a small smile came across her face.

"Are you…are you asking my hand in marriage?"

"Yes," he said. "Well…actually, I'm asking you if you would want to. If you do, I have to go to your brother and ask him, because he's technically still the male that is in charge of you…unless we found your father, then I'd have to go to him…" He realized he was babbling. A silence fell over them, each looking into the others eyes, trying to read their future. Suddenly, a knock came on the door.

"Zuko?" Iroh called. "We are close. Katara should come say good-bye to Aang and Sokka."

"Yes, Uncle. We'll be right up," he answered back, not taking his eyes off the woman he loved.

"I know it's…sudden. But…I would like to know before I leave…before it all begins," he said to her as he stood up. She walked to him and put her arms around his shoulders.

"I couldn't imagine having any other prince as my husband," she said with a smile. He leaned in for one last kiss before they walked back to reality.

"Sokka, grab that bag there. No…the one by the…ugh!" Aang yelled down from atop Appa. They were getting ready to leave and Aang wasn't in the best of moods.

"I'll just get it myself," he said irritably, jumping from the bison's back.

"Good, I didn't want to get it for a crabby jerk like you anyway. What's gotten into you?" Sokka asked as he finished sharpening his boomerang and sheethed it again.

"Nothing…I am just nervous, I guess. This is it…I mean, this is what we've been striving for. This battle. I don't even know how to properly earth bend yet. It doesn't seem like this is the right time." He only told Sokka half of what was bothering him. Katara and Zuko had been down below for an hour, and as each minute passed Aang could feel his hatred turn to black rock in his chest.

Sokka nodded seriously. "I know. I am afraid too."

"You…your afraid?" Sokka never admitted his fears. If he was talking like this, Aang had plently of reason to be afraid as well.

"Yeah…well…I mean, I wish Katara wasn't here. I'm more afraid of losing her. Mother is dead, I have no idea where my father is, Gran-Gran…I am assuming is ok. If I lose her..." he trailed off, and gave a shudder. He smiled at Aang. "Ah, just ignore me. No… I have a good feeling about this."

Aang was going to say something when he noticed Katara, Zuko, and the children walk over.

"We all know what is supposed to…going to…happen?" Zuko asked. Everyone nodded, Aang not looking up. "Alright…this is it. Sokka, Aang…good luck. May we meet again." He held out his hand to Sokka who took it in a strong grip and clapped him on the shoulder.

"No good-bye's now, Prince. That brings bad luck. We will meet again, by dusk tomorrow." Sokka turned and gathered his sister in a bear hug. "And you…you…" He found that no brotherly words of wisdom came.

"I love you, Sokka," Katara said into his chest.

"I love you too, Kat," he used her childhood nickname. They let go.

"Ronan, take care of your sister…she will be your world when you both get older. Bree...be kind to him," he addressed the kids and then climbed up on Appa. Katara watched her brother, then turned to Aang.

"Aang…"

Dispite his feelings now, he rushed to her with a hug. "I'll see you in a few,"

She leaned to his ear. "Remember, Sokka loves you. I love you."

He pulled away from her and looked in her eyes. He had a feeling that this was it, it was now or never. "Katara…I…"

"Zuko, they must leave now!" Iroh came running across the deck, shouting. "We are getting in range of sight!"

Katara turned back to Aang. "You must go, quickly." She kissed his check.

He could do nothing but nod,stifflyshake Zuko's hand,and airlift himself up to the saddle.

"Yip, yip!" Sokka yelled. Aang was going to turn to watch Katara leave, but she shouted up to them, "Don't look back! Never look back!"

He stayed facing forward, and whispered to himself as one tear fell.

"I love you, Katara."