A/N: Let me just start by saying how much I love each and every one of you who follow this story. I'm battling myself right now because we just finished the first and biggest arc of the story and I'm not sure which arc to throw next at you people, be it the final arc or a third arc besides the final and the first. So for now, I am going in one direction to keep things moving along because there are little things that need to be addressed. I'm keeping it teen rated, but things get just a little steamy because let's face it, they are young adults. Sorry for the long intro, hope it made sense.

Once they were out of Aang's home, he lead the way to the dining hall. They could smell the delicious food before they even walked through the doors. When they did slide the door open, every Acolyte on the island was present and seated at their own little tables. Over by the open kitchen the food was ready, but no one was eating. Katara looked up at the clock and it was a quarter after six. She assumes that their time to eat was six, so why had they not eaten or even begun, she questioned.

"I'm sorry I took so long everyone. Thank you for waiting." Aang said loud enough for everyone to hear, but not shouting. Everyone was then quiet and bowed their heads, Aang letting go of Katara's hands and putting them together in front of him, bowing his own head. Katara took the hint and bowed her head, folding her hands in front of her.

"We want to thank the spirits for the bountiful meal we are about to have. We are so very thankful that we have come together today safely to enjoy each other's company and to learn from one another. We ask that you please continue to bless our efforts as we reestablish a culture almost lost and forgotten. May the spirits be with all of us here as we endeavor to do what is right and what is best for this world." Aang finished and lowered his hands. There was an air of silence that was soon broken by people standing up and lining up by the kitchen to get their meal. Katara felt so out of place. She tugged on his arm.

"Does this happen at every meal?" She asked softly as he turned to her.

"Yes. We all need to be very spiritual in order for there to be airbenders again." He said with a soft smile. He looked at her and looked around. She stuck out. Everyone was wearing yellow and orange and she was in blue. Her hair was down while all the woman had their hair in buns or braids. Everyone in the room was as pale as he was, and she was in deep contrast with her beautiful olive skin tone. He felt that she didn't quite feel at home.

"I guess I have a lot to learn." She said softly as he led her into the line forming by the kitchen.

"Don't worry. You don't have to learn if you don't want to." He said with a smile took her hand.

They followed the line near the back and grabbed bowls when it was their turn, grabbing rice and topping it with a variety of steamed vegetables and meat free sauces ranging from spicy to sweet. When they had gotten their food Aang led them to their table which was essentially a place in the floor dug out and table filling the hole so you could sit on the edge of the hole. They sat and the Acolytes didn't join them at their little table, leaving them alone. When Katara looked around no one was staring, but when she did catch someone's eyes they merely smiled to her and went about their business. This put her at ease, knowing that the other Acolytes did not mind her company. With a soft sigh she was able to relax and eat her dinner. They ate in silence, Katara actually enjoying the air nomad food more than she had expected. Eventually the dining hall began to clear out and the area around them was empty. She felt she could speak freely.

"Something on your mind?" He asked and he put down his chopsticks, taking a swig of tea.

"You know me well." She said with a soft smile. He nodded and put down his cup.

"I do. Yet I still need to know you more… you know, you can say anything here. They know you are important to me."

"I know, but this is a private matter." She said softly.

"What is it?"

"It's about that kiss earlier." She said quietly. He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"About that… I said I'm sorry. My emotions were running really high and I kind of lost control."

"I know, and you don't have to be sorry."

"I don't?"

"No. It's just raised a question in my mind." She said and looked around, seeing hardly any Acolytes around. Aang leaned forward, waiting for her question.

"How often do you find yourself… holding back?" She asked with a small blush on her face.

"Frequently." He said and looked down at the table, folding his hands together. "I'm sorry, does that bother you?"

"No, just know that you are not alone…" She said and looked down at her lap, watching her fists on her legs. Aang blushed deeper but had a smug grin on his face.

"I knew it." He said. She looked up and met his eyes, seeing his face was as red as hers.

"Knew what?" She asked a little like a child.

"Remember when I stayed the night a week ago? Because you asked me to?"

"I remember waking up and you were there. But yes, what is your point?"

"You said, well moaned really, my name."

"Oh no…" She said and looked down, holding her face in her hands.

"And not just once either." He said with a smug grin. "Care to tell me what you were dreaming about?"

She, with her face redder than the crimson sash around Aang's middle, got up with her bowl and chopsticks, walking over to the sink and putting the objects in their proper places. Aang got up and followed her example, putting the dishes in the sink but she walked away from him, exiting the dining hall and going behind the temple towards the mediation pavilion.

"Katara!" He said following her. She stopped as she came to the farthest edge of the pavilion., leaning on the edge and looking out over the bay. Aang came up behind her, the sun setting behind them.

"Hey, why'd you run away?" He asked, stepping closer to her. She hesitated and took a deep breath.

"Because it's such a beautiful evening. I just wanted to be outside…" She said and turned to him, leaning against the railing.

"Okay… but you didn't answer my question."

"I really don't want to." She said and folded her arms across her chest.

"Why? I won't be mad."

"It's not about you being upset, it's about me being… embarrassed."

Aang came up to her and put his arms on either side of her on the railing, trapping her with a smile on his face.

"You think you're the only one who dreams?" He said with a blush on his face.

She looked up into his eyes and they were a darker shade of gray, like iron. She unfolded her arms and put them on his chest, leaning back as far as she could against the railing.

"No…" She said softly as he stared into her darkened eyes. His face was inches from hers, both of their faces deep red.

"I've had dreams… I'll tell you, if you tell me." He said softly, his overwhelming charm being extremely persuasive. Katara's heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest. She closed her eyes and shook her head. She didn't want to have this conversation. She opened her eyes and was trapped in his gaze once again.

"I'd rather keep it to myself." She said meekly.

"It can't be that bad." He said with a pleading smile.

"It's really graphic and personal." She said and looked down.

"You can spare me the details."

She shook her head again.

"Would you rather I go first?" He asked and lifted an eyebrow.

"I'd rather we not have this conversation at all."

"Why? Where do you think our relationship is headed?"

"I know what you're saying, but having dreams about it and actually… are two completely separate things. What if we go too far and we ruin what we have?"

"Katara. Nothing in this world could ever make me stop loving you."

She smiled and moved her hands up his chest to wrap around his neck.

"And nothing could make me stop loving you." She said softly and stared up into his eyes, wanting to look away but she couldn't.

"I dream of us being together. Alone. In a bed-"

"Who's bed?"

"Does it matter?" She said, frustrated that he interrupted her.

"No, sorry."

She signed softly and continued.

"Sometimes you are just holding me. Sometimes we're talking." She stopped for a second, hesitating. She tried to look away from him but she just couldn't. She was sure he could feel her pulse racing."Sometimes we don't have clothes on…"

"I have those dreams too. And as much as I want them to come true, I just don't feel it's the right time." He said softly but with a smile.

"Me either, that's why I didn't want to have this discussion. I didn't want you to think I was pressuring you."

"You're not. And we needed to talk about this. It's part of our relationship."

"So, when do you think the right time will be?" She asked. He thought for a moment before responding.

"I'm sure we'll both know when it's time. As long as we both agree, just like we both agree that now is not the right time."

"But, there's plenty of other things we can do while we wait." The words slipped out before she could really think about what she was saying. She bit her bottom lip and he just gave a chuckle.

"I suppose there is. Just don't feel you have to go out of your comfort zone to please me. I'm fine with just kissing." He said and leaned down to let his lips gently brush against hers.

"Yes but there is all kinds of kissing…" She whispered against his lips.

"Are you speaking from experience or intuition."

"Not from experience, I promise."

He smiled and pressed a quick peck on her lips.

"Good, then you can't tell me I'm a bad kisser."

"Aang, you are an amazing kisser."

"Let's test that theory." He said in a husky tone and closed his eyes, pressing her lips to his. She happily accepted his lips crashing down on hers, the warmth from his lips making her insides melt. She closed her eyed and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him in. He took his hands off the rails and wound them around her waist, holding her close to him. She was the first to advance, slipping her tongue passed her lips and along his bottom lip. He shivered at the sensation but parted his lips to accept her, feeling like he was floating when their tongues met. They twisted around each other slowly, neither fighting for dominance, just enjoying the taste and feel fully unlike last time. Eventually Katara had to come up for air and broke contact, breathing shallow breaths, her pupils dilated. She wanted to dive back in for more but held herself back, taking things slowly. She smiled and so did he.

"Yes, you are the best kisser around. Positively." She said and touched her nose to his.

"It's a two person job. You have no idea how badly my dreams are going to torture me tonight after this…" He said and bit his lip.

"Mine too." She said and gave him a soft peck on the lips. She looked around and the sun had set. "Do you think you could take me home with Appa? He's much faster."

"Sure, come on." he said and laced his fingers with hers, his other hand digging into his robed for the whistle. they met the giant bison in the plaza, swiftly climbing aboard only to find that Amhi was right at Appa's side, ready to take flight.

"Those two have become completely inseparable." Katara said with a smile on her face.

"Yeah. They have each other. They need each other." He said looking to her and knowing where his thoughts were going. She smiled and looped her arms around his as they took flight, soaring across the bay and ending up at her door in no time. She unlocked the door and emptied her mail box, finding an ivory envelope addressed to her.

"What's that?

"I don't know, come in and see." She said and walked into her house, turning the living room light on. She opened the envelop and read the card.

"Ohh!" She said and held it to her chest.

"What? What is it?"

"It's a wedding invitation!" She said handing it to him.

"From who?"

"Sokka and Suki! The date is a month from now. Oh wow! She must be so busy! I wonder how they are going to do it!"

"What do you mean?" He asked, looking up from the ivory card.

"Well, they live here, in the United Republic so I don't think it will be a traditional watertribe event. Nor an earth kingdom event. Maybe it will be a mix of both? I don't know, it's so exciting!"

Aang smiled.

"So you like weddings, huh?"

"I just love love to be honest. Anything to promote love after the horrible cruel world we have had to endure makes me happy."

Aang nodded and looked at the invitation.

"Sounds nice. I hope you have fun."

"Oh don't be silly, you're coming too."

"I am?"

"Yes, look at the bottom. You'll be my plus one. Unless… you don't want to go…"

"No no! I do, it's just… Sokka and I are not on the best terms right now."

"Don't worry. They knew who my plus one would be. I'm sure everything will be fine."

"If you say so."

"I do." She said and took the invitation from him, setting it on the little table. She turned and gave him a kiss, just a brush along the lips.

"I love you."

"I will always love you." He said breathlessly, kissing her deeper. She let the kiss get the better of her, her pulse rushing and her knees weak. He broke contact before their tongues could touch again, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Good night."

"Good night, Aang." She said as he slipped out of her door. She smiled to herself and locked the door, turning off the light and walking back to her bedroom. She decided it was too late to take a bath so she just changed into her night gown, slipping under the covers and dreaming of her and Aang together.