-CHAPTER 10-

-OH COME ON ALREADY-

-SCORE: COLDPLAY X&Y ( I needed to get into a sappy mood)-

I'm glad some of you are enjoying this mad little rant of mine. I think I might have gotten buzzed off of the fumes in my lab, so I can't really tell if this chapter is sappy. To make up for it, I'll move the plot forward a little bit while I'm at it.

Katara leaned forward, "So why now? Why did you pick now to return?" There was tension in her voice, as if she were afraid to hear his answer.

Aang met her eyes but couldn't match her gaze. He turned wistful, "I don't know. I really don't. At first, I thought I needed a break from all the politics, but somewhere…deep down I knew I would see you. I guess I was just tired of running. Maybe I just needed to see a friendly face again."

Katara cupped his face in her hands and raised his gaze to hers. She leaned close and in a whisper she said, "Aang, you know that whatever you've done, whatever you will do, I will always be your friend…maybe more" She hesitated for a moment before going on, a blush growing in her cheeks. Her lips were so close to his, and his eyes shown with so much emotion. Katara leaned in and softly brushed his lips with hers. It lasted a brief moment before she pulled back. Aang wore a look of shock that made Katara avert her gaze. Without thinking Aang moved a hand to her cheek and turned her face towards his. His kiss was stronger, more masculine. All of the longing, all of the desire, all of the love came pouring forth as he pressed his lips into hers. She was so soft and sweet on his tongue, and made the most delightful noise as he moved to deepen their second kiss. (A/N: Cave of 2 lovers doesn't count)

As Aang finally came to realize what he had done, he felt a growing fear. Aang pulled back suddenly leaving a dreamy eyed Katara confused and pleading for a return of contact. Aang moved back and quickly stood up.

"Katara, I'm sorry I shouldn't have."

"But I wanted you to. I still want you to."

"Katara, I'm not the boy you once knew. I have done terrible, terrible things. Things I don't expect you forgive. I'm sorry." And with that her turned to the door.

He was already outside before Katara could completely grasp what just happened.

"Oh no he doesn't, not this time!"

Katara ran in quick pursuit and screamed him down.

"DON'T YOU DARE TAKE ANOTHER STEP!" Katara summoned a massive wall of ice before the fleeing avatar, taking him by surprise and almost knocking him square on his ass. He turned to see a fiery eyed water bender that looked none to happy with him.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE?!? AFTER 6 LONG YEARS, YOU COME OUT OF NOWHERE, SAVE MY LIFE, KISS ME AND RUN AWAY!

How dare you play with my emotions this way? What's it going to take for you to realize that I love you!"

Her tone softened as she backed a very frightened Aang to the wall she had just created.

"Why can't you let me in? Why do you have to be alone? I don't want to be just another person protected by the Avatar."

She had him up against the wall, on hand on his cheek and the other on his chest.

"Can't you understand how I've felt being alone for so long?"

Her arms went around his neck and she buried her face into his chest.

"Can't you understand that I'll never be happy without you?"

She broke into tears that Aang could feel though the fabric of his robe.

"Please don't leave me again…. Please"

Aang held her trembling form as she cried. He stroked her hair gently as he let her words sink in. Was he really causing her such pain? Could she really love him so deeply… as deeply as he loved her?

"I didn't know you felt that way… I hoped… but I never thought you could love me like I loved you."

Katara looked up and into his eyes.

"I love you Katara, I have loved you from the first day I met you, and will love you until my last breath. And if would have a miserable creature like me… I vow to never again leave your side. "

Katara searched the depths of his eyes but found no trace of deception. He really loved her, and they were finally together. She smiled. Aang wrapped his arms around her delicate waist and lifted her lips to his.

The kiss was long and deep, each breaking only to breathe before quickly finding one another again. When their passion abated, the two held each other enjoying the silence and the feeling of the person they loved. The sun had since set when Katara started to shiver. The night air was cold and Aang had just begun to realize it, seeing her body tremble. Quickly he heated the air around him.

Aang smiled, as she turned to him. "Being a fire bender has its perks"

Katara snuggled closer into Aang's chest. "You don't have anywhere to stay tonight." She said matter-of-factly. Aang cocked his head but noticed her tracing circles on his pack.

"No, I guess I never did find an inn."

Silence.

"Stay with me."

Katara kept her head down. Aang felt himself blush a deep crimson. "Katara….."

She turned to see his face. "Aang, stay with me."

Aang froze, but saw the look on Katara's face. There was so much love. He nodded with a smile and a grunt of acceptance.

Katara nuzzled her cheek against his chest. He would stay with her. He would be with her forever. He would hold her like this. She smiled.

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Let's just say that certain displays of affection took place at the end of this scene and leave it at that 

Alas, I didn't get to the plot but the next chapter…. Azula and domesticity.

Review! Suggest! Criticize!