Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.

Author's note: This is the first of my own chapters. While I intend to follow the general outline given by .Lady.Meister, I am fleshing it out in my own style and changing a few details. I am trying to preserve the general mood and flavor of the original work.

Confusing

Aang got as far as their campsite before he changed his mind. It occurred to him that he had left Katara, alone and injured, among strangers. Besides, Zuko was still after Aang, as far as he knew. What if he tracked them to the village and found Katara? The thought of Zuko finding her while she was defenseless was like an iron grip around Aang's heart. He checked on Appa and Momo, picked up a few supplies and spare clothing, and returned to the doctor's office, where he tiredly seated himself once more. Shortly, the assistant came into the waiting room, looking harried.

"Oh, you're back!" She exclaimed. "Good. Your friend's awake. She's been asking for you."

Aang leapt up anxiously and followed the woman into the operating room. The assistant then left them alone. Katara's damaged clothing had been removed, and she was covered only by a light blanket. Her bandaged face was pale under her dark skin, and Aang swallowed at how vulnerable she looked. Hearing him enter, Katara turned her head to see him.

"Aang," she said softly.

"I'm here, Katara," he said. He quickly put down the things he'd brought and crossed the room. He took her hand gently. His voice remained soft but took on a darker tone. "Don't worry; I'll get back at Zuko for doing this to you."

"No," Katara whispered, bringing Aang up short. Certainly, he would do – or not do – whatever she asked, but he didn't understand. He looked at her questioningly.

"Azula," she explained. It took all of Aang's self-control to not grip her hand more tightly in his renewed burst of anger.

"I'll go after her, then," he promised.

Katara nodded slightly.

"Water," she requested. Aang looked around and saw a pitcher standing on the counter behind him. He reluctantly released her hand to go and get it. When she held out her hands, he realized what she wanted and was surprised he hadn't thought of it himself. Naturally, she could heal herself, at least partially. He bent some of the water over to her. Katara held it between her hands, making it glow. Then she gestured for him to pull back the cover.

"Katara," he said, uncomfortable with this. She didn't speak but merely looked at him pleadingly. He couldn't refuse her, so he obediently went to her and drew back the blanket. The blood rushed to his face at the thought of her body, but it drained away again at the sight of all the bandaging, some of it already soaking through. Knowing that she needed skin contact, he gingerly pulled away some of the cloth coverings, leaving her chest bound. Katara spread the healing water across her stomach, closing the wounds and causing them to fade.

"What are you doing?" exclaimed the doctor, who had just walked in. Aang started, a little guiltily.

"She's a Waterbender," he explained quickly. "She can heal herself."

"Oh," the doctor said absently, gazing amazedly at the results of Katara's work.

"My face," Katara said then, a little more strongly than before. She tried to sit up, but Aang rushed to prevent her. He gently removed the bandage over the cut on her face and gave her more water to heal it. The doctor looked on in silence as the gash closed and faded, leaving only a thin, white scar.

"Incredible," he murmured at last. "Why didn't she just do that before?"

"She has to be conscious," Aang pointed out. "And it takes a certain amount of strength."

Even as he spoke, Katara relaxed back into the table and allowed her eyes to drift shut. Aang covered her body again and looked at her in concern. Water-healing couldn't do much about broken bones or internal bleeding, and it couldn't help her replenish the blood she had lost. Whatever he decided to do, she needed rest and care. He looked back to the doctor.

"I have…something I need to do," Aang said determinedly. "I might be gone several days. Can I give you some money and leave you with her?"

"Of course. We can agree on a fair price when you get back."

Aang was surprised that he wouldn't want some payment in advance, but before he could question the doctor about it, he had left the room again.

"Katara, there's something I need to tell you," Aang said softly, taking her hand once more. "Even if you can't hear me, I want to say that…I love you."

With that, he kissed her gently on her newly-healed cheek and began to leave. When he rose up, her pale blue eyes regarded him steadily. He gasped, realizing that she had heard his confession.

"Aang," she whispered. "Come closer."

Aang obeyed, leaning over her once more. To his surprise, Katara raised her head slightly and pulled him to her, touching her lips to his. It was brief and gentle, but the emotion expressed in this first kiss was enough to make Aang's knees feel weak. When Katara released him, a mysterious smile played around her mouth.

"I love you, too," she said. "Now go get her."

Aang nodded his agreement to her. Although torn between thoughts of love and revenge, he knew he had to stop Azula. Besides, he had his orders from the only authority that mattered.

Author's Note: Well, how did I do? I did make some assumptions about water-healing, which I find fascinating. I hope that we'll learn more about it in the series. It may be some time before I get the next chapter posted. I intend to have some action, which is not necessarily my strong suit. In the meantime, reviews would be appreciated!