Author Note: Hellooo! I had some free time to write so here's the next chapter! Warning: This one is a quite angsty - which weirdly is one of my favorite themes to write.

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own any Avatar characters.

2 Days Before Katara's Departure

Katara was fighting - fighting for her life. Zuko and Azula were over powering her. She could not take them both. Not with all the water in the world. "Aang," she thought, "where are you? I need you!" She tried her very best, but they got the best of her. She fell, and hit her head - then everything went black.

She came back to find an army of Dai Li agents. She was surrounded. And so was Aang. She quickly bended an octopus in hopes that it would keep them at bay, but she knew she was out numbered. "We aren't going to survive this," she realized, looking over at Aang how also had Zuko and Azula to fend off. "There's so many. We won't get out of here."

But then, Aang did something strange. He bended the crystals around him. Was he hiding? No, Aang was far to brave to give up like that. And then it happened - a glow was coming from inside. Aang was going into the Avatar state. Did he master it? Katara hadn't gotten a chance to ask Aang yet. But she knew that glow! They did a have a chance after all!

And then, a loud bang, and Aang was rising up into the air. Katara looked up at him proudly. In the past, seeing Aang in the Avatar state was so scary. It always meant that Aang's anger, or emotions, were getting the better of him, and he was lashing out. But this time was different, he seemed calm. In control. And she felt an overwhelming relief. Aang would be powerful enough to get them out of there.

Another loud boom and a crackling sound of electricity. Before Katara could think, she saw Aang's body tensing as lightning shot through him. She wanted to scream his name, but she seemed to have lost all ability to make a noise. Aang was falling, falling quick.

Everything was happening in a blur now. She couldn't see very well as tears filled her eyes. She had already seen her mom, dead, lying on the floor of their home. She could not watch Aang die. Anger rose inside of her. This couldn't be happening. She thought it was over. She thought they would win. In her anger, she summoned the most powerful wave she possibly could. If Aang hit the ground, it was over. She wouldn't be able to heal him. She had to catch him. And, riding the wave of anger and rage, she did.

He was cold. Too cold. Katara didn't know how she was able to catch him, but there was enough adrenaline running through her body, she figured it helped her strength. He was limp and lifeless, eyes closed. She looked up as she held him, and saw Zuko and Azula walking towards her. No doubt to finish the job. She cried as she looked at Aang's unresponsive face, then up to face her fate. "This is it," she thought sadly. She and Aang would die together. She thought briefly of the fact that she never got to tell Aang how she truly felt - that she loved him. It was almost fitting that they would die together.

But then, something happened. A blast of fire. But it was aimed at Zuko and Azula, not her. She looked over, and saw Iroh jumping to action. "You've got to get out of here," he yelled, "I'll hold them off as long as I can!"

Katara knew she had one shot. She had to get Aang out of there. If he was somehow still alive, she was his only hope. "I've gotta get him out of here," she thought as she lifted him up, still shuddering at his limp weight, his head bobbing back and forth as she carried him to an opening in the ceiling. "Stay with me Aang, I'm getting you out of here."

She held on tightly as she made a stream of water. It seemed like ages before she saw a light nearing. They were reaching the surface. "Stay with me, Aang. Stay with me, please!" She didn't know if her pleading was too little too late. But she couldn't bring herself to believe that he was gone. Not after all they had been through, all the times they came close but were always able to escape.

Her mind raced as she reached the ground. She needed to find Sokka and Toph. She needed to get him on Appa so she could try to heal him. She had no idea where they were. She began to feel an uncontrollable sob making it's way from her stomach to her throat. She had no idea where to find her brother and friends, and didn't even know what to tell them. She laid Aang on the ground gently deciding to try to heal him right then and there. "I have the spirit water still. I have to try."

"Katara?" Sokka yelled as he flew in on Appa. They somehow found them. Katara thought for a moment to ask how he happened to find that one spot. But she couldn't seem to make out any words still. Sokka's face was full of worry and shock. "Katara, what happened?"

"Where's Aang?" Toph asked.

"He.. he," Katara blurted out in a alarmingly loud tone, "he went into the Avatar state to get us away from Azula and Zuko, and Azula..."

"Katara... is he dead?" Sokka asked with wide eyes.

Katara's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know, I don't. Azula shot him with lightning and I caught him before he hit the ground." Her voice was borderline hysterical at this moment. "I don't know if I got to him in time. Sokka, he's so cold and limp. I don't know if I can save him -" Katara's sentence was interrupted by the open sobs that had made there way out into the open.

Toph's eyes filled with tears as she listened to Katara's sobs. She remained silent. Too silent, Katara thought. If his heart was beating, she would have reassured her by now.

"We need to get out of here," Katara said with a break in her sobs. "They're going to come for us to try and finish the job. Help me get him on Appa."

Sokka quickly jumped down and helped Katara carry Aang up. Appa let out a loud, concerning groan. One that sent shivers down the spine of everyone near by.

"He can sense something is wrong with Aang," Toph said quietly.

"It's okay boy," Sokka reassured him as he grabbed the reigns. "We're gonna get him out of here. Yip Yip."

They were soaring through the sky now, all staring at Aang as he laid, still lifeless, still so cold. Katara came down to where the had put Aang. She quickly grabbed the little bottle of spirit water from around her neck. This was his only shot. She picked him up carefully so she could get access to the wound on his back. She said a little prayer and bended the water into Aang's back.

He didn't move. Nothing changed. He remained, still, eyes still closed, still cold.

"Aang please," Katara pleaded. But nothing happened.

"AANG! Come back, PLEASE! I NEED you!" Katara was in hysterics as she shouted, Aang's body still not responding.

"Katara..." Sokka said as he moved down to where Katara was, pulling her away from Aang. "Katara you did everything you could."

"NO!" Katara screamed as she bolted upright in her bed. Her sheets were wet from her cold sweat. Tears were streaming down her face as she got her bearings.

It was dark and quiet. It was a dream. A nightmare. A recurring one, but still a dream. Every year around this time, she would start having these nightmares again. It was worse this year, since they were spending the anniversary of that night in Ba Sing Se. She tried to bury the memories of what happened that night deep inside, but she still couldn't help it some times.

She placed her feet on the floor and ran her fingers through her hair. Quietly, she got up and walked out of her room. She just needed some fresh air and then would go back to bed. She opened the door to the back of their house where the stream was, to find another person sitting outside by it.

She was met with the very scar that caused the nightmares. Aang was sitting next to the stream, shirtless, knees tucked up in his arms. It seemed he too dealt with his own form of trauma from that night.

She sighed and wiped the tears from her cheeks as she slowly walked to the bay of the stream.

"Hey, sweetie," Aang looked up as he noticed Katara walking up to him. "You couldn't sleep?"

Katara gave a sad smile and sat down next to him. She placed a hand on his back, feeling the now small hole where the lightning had entered Aang's body. "No," she said quietly. "I don't sleep well this time of the year."

Aang nodded slightly and placed his hand in her free hand.

"Hey," he said as he grabbed her other hand gently, "I'm here. I'm never gonna leave you." He then moved her hand over to his chest, placing it right over his heart. "See? Feel that. It beats because of you, Katara."

"I know Aang," she whispered back to him. "That night was so scary. I thought I lost you. I don't know what I would have done if the spirit water wasn't enough."

A single tear rolled down Katara's cheek. Aang reached up and delicately wiped it from her cheek. He then adjusted his position, wrapping Katara into a warm embrace as they each took some deep breaths. "I'm having nightmares too. I keep seeing Azula's face, smirking, as she shoots lightning at me. It's why I can't sleep."

They both sat in silence for a while. They were facing the stream, with Katara leaning on Aang's chest. Aang's arms stayed wrapped around her. Neither felt the need to speak. There seemed to be an unspoken agreement to not say anything. They both sniffled here and there, fighting back tears constantly. Katara closed her eyes as she breathed in Aang. He had grown into such a strong, tall, handsome man. His presence soothed her. She reminded herself that he was there. He survived that night. No matter what her dreams were, reality was, he was alive and strong. A man who defeated the horrible Fire Lord Ozai at the mere age of thirteen. The last three years since were spent dealing with smaller issues, including Azula escaping from their grasps while they searched for her and Zuko's mom. Katara hated to admit it, but her nightmares were worse ever since Azula disappeared. A part of her felt she might search for Aang to finish the job and become the Fire Lord. And Katara didn't have spirit water any more.

"Aang," Katara said to break the silence, "where do you think Azula is?"

Aang sighed. Katara understood that Aang was thinking the same thing. "Not anywhere near here."

"But what if she comes after you again?"

"I've learned a lot since that night, Katara," Aang reassured her. "I know how to redirect lightning now. I'll be prepared."

Aang's voice still had a hint of fear in it. It was only natural of him to fear her coming after him again. "Katara, there's something I should tell you. I've kept it inside ever since that night, afraid to talk about it. But you should know."

"What is it, Aang?"

"I don't remember much about that night. I've had flashbacks, but they were short. But there's one thing I do remember." Aang closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I remember getting into the Avatar state. It felt unlike it had been before; I was aware of what was happening. I could feel myself reaching the ceiling, I could see you. But.." Aang paused before he kept speaking.

"Aang, you don't have to tell me if you're not ready."

"No, Katara. Talking about it might help me. The truth is.. I.. I remember what it felt like."

Katara lifted her head at this statement. Looking at Aang's face, but he continued to look out over the stream.

"I remember that feeling, when her lightning hit me. The electricity running through me. It was only for a second before everything went black. The next thing I knew, was opening my eyes to see your face." Aang paused for a minute. Katara didn't say anything. She wanted to let him talk it out. "Sometimes, in my dreams, I relive that moment. I feel the electricity in my body. And now... now that she's out there.. it scares me more than I like to say."

Katara kissed Aang's cheek. "I won't let it happen again. I can't. I don't think I could handle watching something like that happen to you again. But some times the fear eats me alive."

The two adjusted their position so they were now face to face. "Aang... maybe I should stay here. The anniversary of that night is coming up. We might need each other to get through it."

Aang shook his head. "No, Katara. You need to go. I'll be fine. Besides, we are far away from where Azula escaped. I highly doubt she could get here."

"Are you sure, sweetie?"

"Yes. Your dad needs you. I'll be okay, I promise."

Katara placed her hand on Aang's beating heart and took a deep breath. The steady rhythm always soothed her. A reminder of what she accomplished. A reminder that he was alive and well. Aang kissed her on the top of her head. "Hey, I love you, you know?"

"I love you, too."

Katara wrapped her arms around Aang, feeling the rough scar on his back. That scar was a reminder of what they had been through - and it reminded her of what they had accomplished. Aang gently reached a hand on her face as their eyes met, locked into each other. Tears were still streaming down Katara's face.

"What's wrong, sweetie?"

Katara closed her eyes. "You are my world. You have been, for a long time. The thought of losing you.. coming as close as we did... I don't think I could keep going."

A quick kiss followed this statement. It was sweet and loving, yet passionate at the same time. "You are my world too, Katara. I'm going to be okay. You are too. We came close once; and I'm not going to let it happen again. I can't put you through that much pain again. Just the thought makes me.. makes me-"

Katara cut him off with a longer, more intense kiss. It was soft and sincere, yet fiery. Full of passion, they embraced with intensity. Neither would let go - as if they were scared to grow apart.

Eventually, they split for air, keeping their noses in contact, eyes closed. "I'm sorry, Katara."

"For what?"

"For not seeing that was going to happen. For putting you in danger; for scarring your memory with that image of me... dying."

"It's not your fault, Aang. It's Azula's fault for striking you in the back."

The two stood up, hands grasped "We should go back to bed," Katara suggested. "The sun will rise soon. And I need to pack tomorrow, so I can't sleep the day away."

"You're right," Aang agreed as he gave Katara one more kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight, sweetie."

Author Note: Okkkaaayyy, so I've always felt Aang should have had some kind of PTSD from that night in Ba Sing Se. I feel like Aang and Katara can feed off of each other's energies - both of them having trauma and feeling scared it could happen again - but both also being able to sooth the other. None of the other members of Team Avatar were there to actually witness it - so I feel Katara, especially since she loved Aang so much, would have a much harder time healing from that night.

Next chapter will be light hearted again, I promise! Thanks for reading, guys!