Katara stood off to the side, watching her students practice. She tapped her foot impatiently, feeling horribly agitated. Everyone called it wedding jitters, but they couldn't begin to understand the depth of the pain she felt. At times, it was almost physical, and it kept her up at night. She bit back a yawn; it had been nearly two weeks since she'd gotten a full night's sleep.

"Enough," she barked at her students. "Terran, your forms are incredibly sloppy."

"But Master Katara—"

"No buts. I've got first years with better form."

Terran scowled and hung his head, grounding out a tense "yes, Master." She shouldn't be so mean to them. They'd all noticed the change in her. It wasn't fair to push her pain onto them.

"I'm sorry," Katara said. "I've been on edge lately."

"Lately? It's been more like a few months, sweetheart."

Katara turned at her fiancé's voice. By all standards, Aku was a fantastic catch. He might have been from the North, but he didn't seem to share the majority of their ridiculous, sexist ideals. He'd been one of the first to volunteer to stay in the South after the war. He respected Katara a great deal, even though she was a better bender than he was. He didn't even mind when she accepted his proposal, but rejected the necklace. That was a Northern tradition, she reminded him. He'd made the necklace into a bracelet instead, and she wore it every day.

When Aku came to her, she gave him her cheek to kiss, trying to ignore his questioning look. It felt like treason to kiss Aku while thinking about someone else. While thinking about failed promises and broken dreams. She took a shaky breath and pushed those thoughts from her mind.

"Class is dismissed early today," Katara said to her students. "Don't forget to practice your forms. I won't have any slopping displays at my wedding."

The students all bowed and headed out.

"Speaking of weddings," Aku said, taking her hand. "We're just waiting on the Fire Lord, right?"

Katara nodded as tears burned the corners of her eyes. For the longest, she'd put off actually inviting Zuko. They hadn't seen each other since his own wedding three years ago, and that had been the most painful thing she'd ever done. If it hadn't been for Sokka, she wouldn't have made it through. Poor Aku had tried to comfort her, but she could hardly tell him what was wrong. Absently, she wondered if Sokka would have to do the same for Zuko. Did he even feel the same way about her, still? Was it arrogant to assume he did?

"Katara?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Just Zuko. His ship should be arriving today. Not long from now."

She let Aku lead her away from the training arena and through the town. She was the Jewel of the South, the last Southern waterbender, and the whole village turned city was celebrating her. As they moved through the streets, people shouted their congratulations and well wishes, but Katara just felt hallow. This was treason, wasn't it? It was wrong. Aku didn't deserve a wife who wouldn't fully love him. He was a good man. He'd been nothing but kind and attentive. There were times she still didn't believe he was actually from the North, he was so different from everyone else.

"Are you sure you're ok?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice.

He pulled them off the main road and to a secluded side street. When he put his hands on her cheeks, Katara couldn't stop her tears. Aku had been so good to her, and there had been times—so many times—that she'd sought out and enjoyed his comfort. Spirits above, there were times when they were together that she actually believed she'd be able to feel again.

"Katara, you're not ok, no matter what you say."

Aku pulled her into a fierce, warm, comforting hug, and Katara clung to him. He always seemed to know when she wasn't ok, and he'd never asked, never demanded to know what was wrong. Spirits bless him, he didn't deserve what little she had to give him.

"I'll be ok," she said, her voice muffled against his chest. "I'm just scared."

"Me, too, Katara. Just…out of my mind."

He hugged her tighter, whispered that he loved her and kissed the top of her head.

"If you'll be by my side, though, I think I can do it."

Katara smiled at him through her tears. A little laugh bubbled to the surface, and it wasn't long before they were both dissolving into a fit of giggles. Her heart felt a little lighter when she was with him. Spirits preserve her, but he could make her happy.

"I guess that was a little cheesy, huh?"

Katara nodded as she led Aku back to the main road. She had a good life, here. She had her family, she was a teacher of both bending and healing, had helped rebuild the South, convinced some members of the North to defect. She was a respected diplomat and regularly travelled to other nations when Sokka and Suki couldn't. She was still Aang's teacher. She still had her friends.

The crowds in front of them gave startled yells as they jumped aside. Katara's heart clenched as she heard Sokka's excited voice.

"Zuko's here! Zuko's here!"

He tore through the masses on his way to the docks to greet his best friend. Trailing far behind and looking far more sane was Suki, shaking her head at her husband.

"I guess we should turn around?" Aku asked.

Katara put on a bright smile. She had a beautiful, fulfilling life in the South.

"Yeah, if for no other reason than to keep Sokka from having a heart attack."

She forced her feet to move, taking Aku's hand in hers and squeezing. She had a beautiful life here. Would she risk all of that? For what? What would be waiting for her if she did? Nothing. That's what.

"This will be the first time the whole gang has been together in three years," Suki said, catching up to them. "Wow. It's like we're only getting together for weddings." Suki sounded sad. They'd all become so close during the war, and it really was a shame that they couldn't get together more often.

That didn't tempter the anxiety at seeing him again.

All too soon, they were at the docks, watching servants unload the ship. Sokka was impatiently tapping his foot, and then there was Iroh greeting them all with hugs. Katara couldn't hear his words over her heart thudding in her ears. She almost felt faint. Aku put his arm around her waist as Aang and Toph joined them. Nothing truly seemed to be sinking in. She was too focused on trying not to embarrass herself, to not hurt her fiancé's feelings. Aku was a good man. She had a beautiful life in the South. The servants had finally stopped coming off the ship, and Katara caught herself trying not to let out that sigh of relief. Her hands tingled.

"He wouldn't miss your wedding, would he?" Aang asked, sounding a little disappointed. "We were all going to hang out."

"No, Iroh said. "He was just a little behind the ship, last I saw him. Having a joy ride."

Iroh had barely finished his sentence when there was a loud roar that brought all movement on the docks to a halt.

"That bastard…" Sokka mumbled, looking incredibly jealous.

A gust of wind hit them all as the great read beast beat its wings and slowed for the descent. As the beast landed behind them, Aang gave an excited squeal, but all Katara could see was the man perched atop, his eyes bright, his cheeks slightly pink, the hood of his deep red parka not on his head, where it should be. His smile was genuinely happy as he hopped of the beast's neck, then turned to the excited woman who was sitting behind him. She giggled as he put his hands around her waist, effortlessly lifting her down, her hands resting on his shoulders. It wasn't until she started soothing back Zuko's hair, readjusting his crown, that Katara felt the pangs of jealousy. He was married. He was out of her reach.

"Aren't you going to say hi?"

Aku's voice snapped her out of her haze, and Katara hated that she blushed. She was getting married in two days. They were both different people. She didn't still long for him. She didn't.

Slowly, she walked over to join the others, trying to focus on their voices. Sokka was raving about Zuko's dragon, saying he could have mentioned what the surprise was in his letters, and Aang was past the point of words, just mumbling excitedly as he touched the beast. Poor Toph was trying to get Aang to calm down before he started to hyperventilate. Zuko briefly recounted how he'd received a letter from the Sun Warriors and had gone to visit them, returning with the egg. Druk, the dragon's name was. Suki made Sokka promise that he wouldn't try to get some dangerous animal as a pet, but no one believed that he wouldn't at least try.

Katara stood back from them all, and when she looked toward Druk, who was handling the commotion quite well, her eyes fell on Luli. Zuko's wife. The woman was beautiful. Tall, slim, eyes like molten gold. She had a piercing gaze, and she watched Katara briefly before smiling at her and dipping down into a deep curtsey. Giving Katara permission. Katara felt foolish and a little scared. She and Zuko were nothing more than friends. There was nothing between them.

Slowly, she stepped forward and the moment Zuko's eyes fell on her, the rest of the world disappeared. He bowed low to her, deeper than Luli had, that stupid cocky smile on his face. A smile she'd come to know so well, one that she'd been afraid she'd never see again.

"And there's our beautiful bride."

His voice was incredibly sad and he pulled her into a hug, crushing her against him. Katara wrapped her arms around his middle and breathed in everything that was Zuko. The smell of the salty air clung to him, but beneath that, she could smell the cinnamon of his favorite dessert, the sweet smell of the wood oil he used on his weapons. He rested his scarred cheek on top of her head, and it was the hardest thing in the world not to reach up and caress the rough flesh, to run her fingers over his brow bone. To kiss his eye.

"Hey," Auki said with a light laugh. "Don't take all of my hugs."

Too soon, Zuko was holding her at arm's length. His smile was large and warm as he looked at her.

"Spirits, I missed you."

Katara's heart stopped and she could barely breathe, sure that her smile looked strained.

Luli's light, airy laugh brought Katara painfully to the present.

"You should see him whenever he gets a letter," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He gets so excited. It's cute."

Katara bit the inside of her cheek. She hated that he blushed at her words. She hated that some other woman made him blush.

She did her best to avoid him until after the ceremony. She'd busied herself so much that by the time he came to stand next to her to watch the Southern lights, she was too tired to care. She swirled the arctic brandy in her cup, feeling inebriated enough to smile at him. Zuko raised his cup to her with a sad smile as he leaned on the balcony railing. Below them, people were still celebrating in the streets, toasting the Jewel of the South. They were very proud of her, and Katara knew she should be happy, but she just felt drained and empty.

"Don't worry," Zuko said. "The feeling will start to return in a few days. Or whenever people calm down."

Katara chuckled bitterly. "How did you know?"

"I've always known. Since Yon Rha, I've always known."

His voice was quiet. The mask was finally gone.

"Was it hard for you to watch today?"

Zuko nodded, taking a long sip of his drink. "I know how you felt watching me. But I like that Southern weddings always have so much booze. Helps to numb things."

"You didn't overdo it, did you? I don't want…"

Katara stopped herself. His wellbeing wasn't her concern anymore. He wasn't her responsibility. He had never been her responsibility. But Zuko only had a smile for her, his head tilted to the side and nothing but love in his eyes. Katara felt her cheeks heating and tried not to think back to all the times he'd given her that same look. She was a married woman. He didn't belong to her.

"I want you to be happy," he said, covering her hand with his. "Sometimes I don't know if I really mourn for the relationship that couldn't be, or if I can't help thinking about everything that could have been."

She watched him run his hands over his face and sigh.

"I mean, maybe things would have worked out, but I guess I wasn't willing to risk it. Your happiness."

Katara shrugged. "I would have been happy with you."

"I don't know. I don't know…"

"I had the sane thought, you know. Wondering if I was just caught up in what could have been."

Maybe that truly was the problem. She'd spent too much time fantasizing about what they could have shared. In her mind, she'd imagined nothing but endless happy days and passionate night. Zuko was right, though. If she was being realistic, there was a good chance that she wouldn't have been happy.

"I did love you, you know," she whispered.

"That's good." Zuko nodded sagely. "I still love you. I always will. You've been too important in my life for me to ever let that go."

"You don't think you were important in my life?"

Zuko turned to face her, looking confused. He licked his lips. Katara closed her eyes and turned away from him.

"I don't want to lose you," she said, "but I don't know if we can remain friends."

"I'm not going to leave you. It's not like we see each other often, anyway."

Katara shuddered when he placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her around.

"On my honor, on my title, on my nation," he bowed low, a little unsteady, "you have my word."

Katara looked past him to Luli standing in the doorway, her face unreadable. Katara cleared her throat and tried to get him to stand, aware that she was blushing. She desperately hoped that Luli hadn't heard anything.

"We'll all keep in touch," Katara hurriedly said. "Don't be so dramatic."

She nearly screamed when Zuko grabbed her face and leaned in, knowing that his wife was watching, and praying to the spirits that Zuko wouldn't do something foolish.

"This is important," he said. "All of us. I'd hate to lose you. I need you guys."

Luli softly sighed Zuko's name, and he let go of Katara's face, taking a few steps away from her. Luli grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze, smiling lovingly at him.

"Normally, he'd never admit just how much he misses all of you," she said, turning to Katara. "I know he probably won't say it, but he really feels isolated. We're not free to travel much."

Katara nodded as she wrapped her arms around herself. She was suddenly cold.

"I'm going to find Aku," Katara said. "Make sure he gets to bed and drinks lots of water so he won't have a hangover in the morning."

"Thank you, Master Katara, but I know how to take care of my husband."

Luli's voice was a little cold as she placed her hand on Zuko's unscarred cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch, but when he opened his eyes, he was looking at Katara. As she left the Fire Lord and his Fire Lady, she heard Zuko apologizing for getting drunk and leaving her. Luli replied that she was in good company, so she didn't mind. His voice was soft when he spoke to her.

When they said goodbye, they hugged tightly, the smiles never leaving their faces. Everyone expected them to be happy. This was a joyous occasion. For just a moment, Katara forgot herself, and she touched Zuko's scarred cheek. She rubbed her thumb over the rough edges, traced his brow bone, followed the shape of his ear. He remained still under her touch, much the same way he had frozen when she first touched his scar in the crystal catacombs under Ba Sing Se. She waited for a desperate longing in her heart, or some feeling deep in the pit of her stomach to tell her what she should do. When there was no more scar to touch, Katara gave in to a deep sigh and turned to face her family.

"Don't worry," Zuko said, resting his hand on her shoulder. "We'll see each other again."

Katara stamped her foot as she wiped a tear from her eyes.

"I promised I wouldn't cry."

Aku stepped forward and Katara went to him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she sobbed. Aku rubbed her back, chuckling.

"Spirits above, Katara."

"I know, I know…"

She pulled away from him and looked into his blue eyes. There was a flutter in the pit of her stomach as the word husband floated through her mind. Slowly, she turned to Zuko. He stood with his arm around Luli's waist.

"I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you guys in my life." She sniffled. "We've been though too much to let our friendship go."

In the end, did it matter what their feelings were? Did it matter whether she would always think about what she and Zuko could have been? Wasn't the important thing that they were both happy? Because she was happy. She'd just gotten married.

She was happy.

A/N: To be quite honest, I'm not really sure why I decided to write this since it's nothing but pain :/ At least this one doesn't hurt as much as the others. If they'd never had the chance to start the relationship, I think they'd be able to get to a place where they could be happy without each other and come to truly love their spouses. For me, though, there is no universe where the Gaang doesn't remain friends and keep in contact, so I like to believe that they're still too important to each other to truly let go.