A/N: Yeah I totally trolled you guys last time. I am so sorry about that. Here is basically part two but I am going to call it a different chapter. Again, I am sorry. At least this one didn't take me long to post. Please remember to review! If I don't get a love note it makes me sad. T-T. Okay, back to where we left off! Disclaimer: Not mine. Copyright Bryke.

Aang held her close and she could feel herself wanting to start sobbing again.

"Please tell me what's wrong."

Her breath hitched in her throat as she pulled away from him, stifling a sob and looking him in the eyes. For a moment she just took him in. The sight of him, his arms around her, pinned against her front door with a look of concern on his face that made her want to confess everything. His eyes were that beautiful silver she loved so much and saw right through her, deep into her soul. Her grip on his robes tightened.

"Aang… what are we?" She asked softly. He was quiet but calm, trying to figure out the meaning behind such a simple question.

"Human? I'm sorry, I don't understand." He said with a look of discomfort on his face.

"No. I mean us. You and I. Am I your companion? Are you my boyfriend? Are we lovers?"

"Why are you asking this?"

"I need to know where we stand."

"Well, we're together. That part's pretty obvious. At least… it was to me." He said softly and she pushed away from him, holding her head in her hands.

"It is to me too, but how is my question." She said, frustrated.

"Do we have to label it? Is that important to you?"

"Is is unimportant to you?"

He sighed and walked over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Labeling is black and white. It doesn't give room for things to go from one thing to another seamlessly. I just feel that labeling what we have is hard because we don't really fit into any of the categories you've listed. Yes, we are together. We're friends… but not at the same time. I want to be with you… but being called your boyfriend seems a little immature for us. We're not really lovers because, well, we've never…" He cut himself off, blushing at where that sentence was going. She didn't seem amused.

"Katara, I don't know what I have done to make you so upset. Whatever I did, I am so sorry. I don't know where all of this is coming from."

"It's the flower." She said quietly and looked him in the eyes.

"Flower? The one I gave you over a week ago? Why is that bringing all of this up now? Did you not like it? I can buy you something else if you want…" He said, a little hurt.

"No Aang… It's what the flower means…"

It was dead silent. He didn't know what to say. He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck and she just stared him down. He looked away from her and fiddled with his robes. The tension was so thick. He looked at his shoes when he spoke.

"I didn't know you would find out… I'm sorry. I didn't meant to-…. If you don't…" He gulped and felt like he was being destroyed from the inside out. "I didn't-… If you don't feel the same way…" He couldn't finished his sentence. She could almost hear his heart breaking and shook her head furiously.

"No! It's not like that!" She said and took his face in her hands, his eyes meeting hers. She could see that his were filled with tears and she couldn't take it. "Aang… it's the opposite… I love that flower because of what it means… what it means for us…" She said, still afraid to say it. He smiled and pressed her hand to his face.

"Katara… When I look at you… You make me feel like I've been waiting my whole life just to meet you. I've mastered all four elements, brought balance to the world, connected with my past lives, yet I've felt incomplete and I never knew why. But the day I met you… that first night when we were out together, I knew why. After I brought you home, I felt sad. Like I wanted to stay here with you and never leave your side again. I kept Appa up all night talking about you to him, just ranting on and on about how amazing you are and how much I wanted to be with you. You make my life feel complete and I can't hide it. I don't care that we've known each other for the little time we have. I feel like I've known you my entire life and I was just waiting to find you again…"

"Aang…" Katara whispered, speechless. She had never had anything that romantic and genuine said to her in her life and she was unable to think of a response. Everything he said, she felt too. She felt like she needed him. In ways she had never needed anyone before. Like she had been standing on one leg her whole life and now he was there to help carry her home. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held herself close to him while one of his hands came up from her shoulders to cup her face, commanding her full attention.

"Katara… I love you." He said tenderly, his heart feeling like it was going to explode. He was in disbelief that he actually said it. He didn't avoid the subject, he just came out and said it. Instantly her lips were coming up to meet his in a long searing kiss, making both of their lips tingle. She pulled back and looked into his eyes.

"I love you too." She said with a smile, feeling light headed. Aang smiled the biggest smile she had ever seen and he wrapped his arms around her waist, picking her up and spinning her around a little before kissing her through smiles and her giggle. He gave her many pecks on the lips and then on the cheeks and then the nose until she was laughing, pushing him away.

"Stop it, you're rubbing all my makeup off."

"I don't care! You love me and I love you and everything is okay!" He said and picked her up again, just holding her in midair. She laughed and wrapped her arms around his head, holding him to her chest. He felt her heart beating fast through her robes and flesh and it matched his. After a while he put her back down and just held her to him, resting his head on hers. Then he got to thinking.

"Why would you be upset about this?" He asked into her hair, petting her soft mane with one hand.

"I was upset about a lot of things… I've been fighting my feelings for you… Sokka said some pretty nasty things about you so I had to defend you… and to top it off, it seems some of the Air Acolyte women are not happy about, well, us."

"What?" He asked, shocked.

"Apparently… they feel you should choose one of them to be with and not someone of my… background." That made him pull away from her, looking down to her.

"That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. I can't help who I fall in love with. And what's wrong with you? You're perfect." Butterflies went though both of their stomachs at the words he spoke, but they ignored their bliss momentarily.

"I'm a waterbender. I eat meat. I haven't devoted my life to learning about your culture and living like you live…" She said sadly.

"Katara, I wouldn't ask you to give up everything that makes you who you are. I love that you are different from me…"

"But it makes since and that's what hurts the most."

"What do you mean 'it makes since'? You agree? But you just said-"

"No, I don't agree! But I see their point, don't you?"

"No."

She sighed frustrated again.

"Aang, think about it. If we love each other, and plan on being together, where is that road going to lead eventually?"

He became very quiet and blushed, getting worked up over where this conversation had led. After a while of not saying anything she broke the silence.

"What if… because I'm a waterbender… I can't give you more airbenders?" She asked quietly.

He gulped and was a little embarrassed.

"We just got to the point where we can say 'I love you', and now we're talking about children? You completely skipped our own journey together, marriage, living together, and we haven't even had our second date yet." He said, a little overwhelmed.

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to scare you. It's just… I don't want to disappoint you… I don't want you to make the wrong choice." She said looked away from him, never feeling so exposed in her life.

"Why is it my choice that matters? What about you? Are you okay choosing me? I belong to the whole world. I have to be ready to go anywhere I am needed with little to no notice beforehand. My duty is not just bringing peace, but keeping it. Are you willing to throw everything away that you have just to be with me?" He asked her, hoping she would say yes because he didn't want to be without her, but also no because that kind of life isn't fair to her.

"Yes…" She said and looked back into his eyes. He was happy but concerned.

"What about the city? It needs you."

Katara shook her head and smiled softly.

"I'm not a councilmember anymore. The ferry proposal was my last act. They accepted and then I resigned."

"Just like that? Why?"

"I have a lot of reasons…" She said and he looked at her expectantly. She rolled her eyes and continued.

"Look… those few days where you didn't visit me, I did a lot of thinking. Mostly about us and where we were going." She said, fiddling with the front of his robes.

" And I realized that being with you was going to mean being at your side on every journey you go. So, yeah. I'm no longer Councilwoman Katara. Just… Katara."

"Still Princess Katara though." He said with a smile and she gave him a death glare.

"Ouch okay, just Katara." His smile faded.

"Never call me that again, Master Arrowhead."

He smiled again and he pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes and just holding her face in his hands, touching his nose to hers. She closed her eyes and just stayed there, letting their hearts beat slower and wrapping her arms around his neck again. They stayed that way, just standing in her living room and breathing in each other's scent when a knock came at the door. Katara sighed and tried to pulled away from Aang but he stopped her.

"Pretend to not be home." He asked her with a smile, giving her lips a soft kiss that made her knees quiver. She eventually broke free of his kiss, unwrapping her arms.

"It might be important." She said walking around him to open the door. He turned to see who was visiting her as she opened the door, seeing two familiar faces push past her, drenched.

"Could you come to the door any slow-" He stopped mid sentence, seeing Aang standing there.

Sokka turned to her with a very displeased look as Zuko came to his side. Katara shut the door as thunder rolled, the only sound was water dripping from their outer robes.

"What is he doing here?" Sokka asked rather rudely.

"Yes, please Sokka, come in." She said and folded her arms, glaring at him.

"Sorry for barging in, It's really coming down out there." Zuko tried to ease the tension in the room. Katara turned to Zuko and gave him a friendly smile.

"Let me help you." She said and opened the door, turning back to Zuko and with a simple flick of her wrists pulled the water out of his hair and clothing, bending the stream of water out into the rain.

"Hey, what about me?" Sokka said, water dripping off his wolftail.

"What about you? Dry yourself off." She said and crossed her arms.

Aang, feeling the tension rise between the siblings, offered his services.

"Here, let me." He said softly and bent the water out of his clothes and hair, streaming it out the door just as Katara had done. She kicked the door closed and looked at the three men in her life, unsure of what to say. She knew she had to apologize but Sokka's attitude towards Aang was not appreciated. Zuko spoke first.

"Katara, I wanted to say goodbye properly before I left. I didn't want to leave things how we did at City Hall…" He said and looked to Sokka, then back to Katara.

"I know… I'm sorry I yelled at you. Both of you." She added slightly begrudgingly. "I just want everyone to stop worrying about me. I'm going to be okay."

"I know you will." Zuko said and looked to Aang. Aang nodded softly and Zuko turned back to Katara who came up to him and hugged him tightly. He hugged her and patted her head. "You're in good hands."

"I don't need to be in anyone's hands." She said and let go of him, giving him a smirk.

"I don't trust the hands you're in anyway." Sokka said, giving a pointed look to Aang.

"Sokka… what do I have to do to earn your trust?" He asked, practically begging.

"Nothing!" Katara said in his defense, walking over to Aang's side and holding his hand. "He will always think what he thinks of you. It doesn't matter to him that you want nothing but peace and balance in the world. Or that I trust you. And apparently Suki didn't knock any sense into him so forget about him."

"Katara, I mean it!" He said walking up to Aang and looking him in the eyes. "I know he is going to hurt you someday."

"Sokka… I love your sister. I swear I will never hurt her. " He said firmly and Katara was quick to pipe up.

"And I love him. And I can stand my own ground. I am not helpless."

Sokka and Zuko were silent. They had not been expecting such strong emotions to bloom between the two of them so quickly.

"You can't be serious." Sokka said and put his hands on his hips. Aang and Katara stayed quiet, Katara glaring at her brother. Zuko came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Sokka, keep calm." Zuko said roughly, a little surprised at where the conversation had gone.

"You barely know him! How can you love him?" Sokka asked, pointing to Aang.

"Sokka, I have had enough of this! I know him better than you think I do. We're together and we're going to be for a while. You just have to deal with it. I'm so ashamed of how you've been acting lately. You should trust my judgment." She firmly stated, tired of defending not only herself but Aang as well.

Sokka looked between them and she slipped her hand into his, affirming her love for him without words. The silence passed on before he sighed and dropped his arms.

"Alright, I give up. Do what you want. I've never been able to stop you anyway. But don't think I won't be keeping an eye on you." He said to Aang who just gave a respectful nod.

"Okay, now that that's over…" Zuko said and guided Sokka to the side so he could stand in front of the Avatar.

"It's been a while since we've seen each other, and now I'm going back to the fire nation. It doesn't seem as if I'll be part of your journey anymore…" Zuko said with a sad smile.

"Don't say that Zuko, you're starting to sound like Iroh." Aang said with a smile. Zuko chuckled.

"Sometimes I feel like an old man. Just without the wisdom and experience." He smiled and put his hands on his shoulders.

"You and I have been through so much together. Since the day I found you in that iceberg, my life hasn't been the same. We've been on this incredible journey together. I've seen you go from a boy to a man, from an airbending prodigy to a fully realized avatar. And now, with this city finally settled and with this new nation in place… It's just time for us to part ways."

"Why does it sound like you are saying goodbye forever?" Aang asked softly, letting go of Katara's hand.

"I'm not. I just know that your new journey isn't going to come by my way any time soon. So for now, my friend, we say goodbye."

Aang pulled him into a strong hug and smiled sadly when they parted.

"Have a safe trip home. Say hello to Mai for me."

"Bye Zuko." Katara said and rushed in for another hug, making him laugh.

"Don't forget what I said. Come see me any time." Zuko said but looked from her to Aang. "If you have time." He amended, realizing her journey with him was just beginning with a smile. He turned to Sokka and held out his arm, as was the watertribe tradition. Sokka gripped his arm and they pulled each other into a quick man-hug, one very different from the hug between Aang and himself.

"Take care." Sokka said and Zuko pulled away, nodding and letting of of his arm. He walked to the door and opened it, giving them a wave goodbye before exiting out into the rain. Now it was just the three of them and Katara looked between Sokka and Aang, hoping for no more arguments. Sokka turned back to them and Katara took Aang's arm like a child, silently saying he wasn't going to come between them. He rolled his eyes and took a side step towards the door.

"I should be heading out too. Suki is probably wondering where I am."

"You guys get a house then, or are you staying at an inn?"

"We're looking still. We found one that's perfect and not too far from City Hall. I think it's the one. But yeah, for now we are staying at an inn downtown. Really classy place. I'll see you later… You." He said and pointed to Aang. "Take care of her."

"I will." Aang responded before Katara could protest that she didn't need to be taken care of. Sokka nodded and let himself out, closing the door behind him. When he was gone they both sighed and looked at each other, Aang giving her a smug smirk.

"What?" She asked and he just shook his head, pulling her into him and just holding her close.

"That could have gone much worse." He said into her hair.

"Just ignore him…" She said into his robes, wrapping her arms around him as the thunder boomed outside, lightning casting shadows throughout the house. Her arms tightened around him as an extremely loud crash of thunder echoed through the sky.

"Scared of storms?" He asked her softly. She nodded into his robes, a little ashamed that she, a 22 year old woman, still shook like a child every now and then at really bad storms.

"Me too…" He said and kissed her head, remembering the storm the night he ran away all those years ago. The night that he was overcome by the icy waters in that typhoon and the avatar state saved both him and Appa, freezing them in that iceberg. They held each other for a while before she looked up at him.

"What made you come over in the first place? Not that I mind, it's just… I know how busy you are."

"I don't know, something just didn't feel right. I can't explain it. It's probably some weird avatar thing." He said with a soft chuckle. She smiled and cupped his check.

"Well, I thank the spirits that you came… because I needed you."

At that moment another crackle of thunder and a flash of lightning came what sounded like right over her house, and suddenly there was darkness. Pitch black and everything that had been running on power was silent.

"Great." Katara said. "And I don't know where my spark rocks are…" She let go of him and walked around her furniture, knowing her tiny house like the back of her hand.

Aang instantly held a tiny flam in his hands that flooded her home with a warm glow.

"Don't need them. I'm here. Where are your candles?"

"In the bedroom, come with me." She said and he followed her voice around the corner and down the hall, standing in the doorway to her room. She was already on the floor on hands and knees, digging under her bed.

"Can you bring that little flame closer? I can barely see under here."

He came down and knelt beside her, the flame easily controlled in his hand.

"Better?"

She pulled out a few cylinders with wicks and smiled. "Yes, perfect. Good thing you're the avatar."

"Good thing I was here when the power went out." He laughed and they stood up together, her leading them down the hall. When they got to the living room she turned around and put one of the candle wicks into the flame, lighting it and setting it on the small table. She did so with the next two, placing one on the dining room table and one in the kitchen.

"Well, now what? I was going to make dinner, but I'm not opening up the ice box… I want everything to stay cold."

Aang thought for a moment.

"Our second date."

"Hmm?"

"Let's have our second date. Right now."

"Aang, it's pouring outside. I can waterbend, but I really don't want to go anywhere in this storm, even if I can stay dry." She said.

"Not a problem. I'll make you dinner. Remember, I'm a great cook?" He said with a smug grin on his face.

"Really, have it here?"

"Why not? It's dry, warm, it's just us, and we can relax and just be ourselves. So, what do you say?" He said with his most charming smile that made her heart absolutely melt. He could have been asking her to earthbend and she would have said yes to that face.

"Okay then, date night it is. But I'm not sure you'll find anything to cook in my kitchen… It's not exactly vegetarian friendly."

"I found food at the northern watertribe during my time there. Trust me, I know what I'm doing." He chuckled and walked passed her, going straight to the kitchen.

She laughed to herself. The all mighty Avatar was here, said he loved her, and was in her kitchen right now making her dinner. This situation was bizarre and she had to laugh, what else could she do? She sat patiently at her little table in the dining room, watching him rummage about, cook, walk back and forth, and just look so focused for some time. She was happy, just watching him. And he was so concentrated, not wanting to disappoint her. She was quiet, holding back her remarks of how completely adorable he was and if he needed any help. After about thirty minutes of waiting, he brought her a plate and a bowl, setting the same for himself. In the steaming, bowls, she recognized seaweed noodles in some type of broth but the plate was a dish she didn't recognize. It was rice for sure, but had things in it she didn't know were even in her kitchen. There was a pale green sauce over the rice and what looked like water chestnuts.

"It looks delicious Aang, thank you so much." She said with a smile as he sat across from her, the small table making them very close together. He reached out to her.

"Take my hand." he asked tenderly with a smile and she slipped her hand into his, feeling his warm and gentle touch. He bowed his head and closed his eyes speaking softly.

"We want to thank the Spirits for presenting this meal before us. For keeping us safe and guiding us down our pathways of life to find each other. We ask that you continue to guide us through our life trials and help us keep peace and balance in the world." He ended and let go of her hand, smiling to her.

"Dig in."

She was weary of the green-covered rice, but took a bite anyway, giving a little squeak when she tasted it.

"It's so… sweet!"

"It's a special sauce I invented. It uses dried seaweed flour, melon juice, sugar, water and a few other spices." He said with a smile, eating his noodles first.

"You're kind of a show off." She said with a smile, putting more rice into her mouth.

"Only for you." He said and gave her a cheeky wink, making her giggle.

The rest of the dinner was fairly quiet besides the rolling thunder and flashes of lightning. When their meal was over, Katara insisted on clearing the table for them. He nodded upon her insistence and followed her into the kitchen.

She filled the sink with water and soap, tossing the dirty pans bowls and plates into the sink and turning to him.

"Aren't you going to do those."

"When you leave."

"Is it time for me to go?"

"I don't want you to… but look at the time." She said and pointed to the clock on the wall. It was nearly ten at night, the storm still raging.

"I understand. It's not like I can't see you tomorrow."

She nodded and came over to him, wrapping her arms around him.

"You may be a little bit of a show of, but you really are an amazing cook."

He smiled and put his hand under her chin, lifting her up to meet his lips. Their kiss was soft at first. Loving, lips pressing lightly against each other's. but soon Aang pressed her further, turning their kiss into a long, breathtaking encounter, leaving both of them flushed, wanting more. When they did separate, their hearts were racing and they just smiled. he kissed her on the forehead and gave her a tight hug.

"I need to go."

She let go of him and walked him to her door, opening it as a flash of lightning lit up the sky.

"Be careful…"

"I will. I love you Katara…" He said and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek.

"I love you too."

He smiled and headed out into the rain as she watched him until she couldn't see him anymore. She closed the door and smiled to herself. It had been a perfect second date.