There are several stories written by several authors (including myself) trying to fill in the "gap" and explore how Aang and Katara got past the scene in Ember Island Players to the kiss in the final episode. I was intrigued by a scene in Rast's story, "The Price of Falling", where Zuko and Iroh work to help Katara and Aang realize their love for each other is mutual. This is another offering looking at that subject….

The Return

(Chapter 3)

Through the night, a young man continued his vigil, keeping watch over the young woman who was more of a sister than his own had ever been. As the young woman tossed fitfully in her sleep, her head upon a makeshift pillow, the fire prince had only half of his mind focused upon his watch. The other half was looking inward upon memories of what had been and hopes and fears of what might be.

A familiar, pale face, inscrutable to most everyone else, occupied the half of his mind that wasn't maintaining vigil. Various scenes replayed in his mind's eye, causing him to wonder what would happen once everyone was together again. Zuko knew the young waterbender beside him would be reunited with the one she loved. But what of him? He sighed, wondering if he, too, might be reunited with the girl he loved more dearly than life itself.

As he thought about the past several weeks, what had happened at Boiling Rock came to mind. Though she had declared he had broken her heart, she had come to his defense far more readily than he had any right to expect. His response had been to leave her to the not-so-tender mercies of his now defeated sibling. As he watched the horizon, Zuko saw the scene again. Mai stood impassively, her arms held by two guards, as Azula passed judgment on both her and Ty Lee. He found himself reaching out for the girl who was currently present only in his memory. His frustration at not being able to do anything to protect her rose like bile in his throat. The fact that he'd been unable to save her, even as he'd helped Sokka to save Hakoda and Suki, was like a knife in his side. He again watched the distance growing greater and greater as the gondola moved steadily away. His actions had enabled the escape to freedom for Sokka, Suki, Hakoda, Chit Sang, and Zuko, while the girl he loved was held in a less than loving embrace by a pair of guards.

A single tear escaped his golden eyes, then another, and another. A strangled whisper escaped his lips: "Mai, I'm sorry, Mai. Please forgive me. I'm sorry." The new Firelord frowned slightly as he returned to the present, wondering if he were worthy of such sacrificial love and devotion. The young man glanced at the sleeping figure next to him as she stirred in her sleep and cried out.

"Aang! Please come back," she pleaded. "I love you, Aang. Please…" She mumbled a little bit and returned to her fitful sleep once again.

Zuko went back to his watch and ruminations. Did Mai have such vivid nightmares? Was she being mistreated? Or had her uncle managed to give her some relief from the normal prison harassment by guards and prisoners? Had Mai given up her freedom because she still loved him, or had she done it on a whim? The man he had become doubted it was the latter. Mai had never been one to do something on a whim. While she was warm in her affections towards him, she had always been calculating and exact when committed to action. She knew what she was doing and what the results would be. He owed it to her that his first job, once he was crowned Firelord, was to search for her and get her released from prison. Then, he could ask her forgiveness and explain fully why he had made the decision to join Aang and his group of friends. He could only hope that she'd understand.

oooOooo

On an airship which was heading towards the Fire Nation capital, a young man dreamed as he tossed and turned in his sleep. In his dreams, he stood watching a ceremony, a sinking feeling in his chest. The bride was, of course, beautiful. The groom didn't know how lucky he was; no one could know that, except for the young man who was watching. He had always hoped it would be him up there, but that was not to be. His lot seemed to be to spend the rest of his life alone.

Every one of his friends had gone their own separate ways. Sokka and Suki had married and had children. Zuko and Mai were married. Toph was now the head of Bei Fong Enterprises and had many suitors from around the world vying for her hand. And Katara…It was her wedding he had just attended. She had married a rich young noble from the Earth Kingdom. He, himself, had once proposed to her, and she had let him down as easy as possible. He could still hear her talking to her brother, "Aang just asked me to marry him. He's a cute little guy, just like Momo. But he's not my type. He's too young, too immature, too much like a little brother." As she said this, he'd turned and quietly walked away, his heart heavy in his chest. Why had he ever thought he had a chance with her? She was beautiful, but he was just Aang. Yes, he was the Avatar, but all that meant was that he had a burden to carry. A burden, it seemed, that he would have to carry alone. He would have to be content with her friendship, if she could even bear to suffer his presence enough to offer that.

Tears began to course down his face again as he considered all the rest of his days, empty of love, devoid of companionship. The only people who would come around would be those who wanted something. None of them would really know him, nor would they care. All they wanted was their problems solved, and he was the problem solver. There was no one who cared about him as a person, someone with dreams, and fears, and all of the other trappings that made him human. He had once thought she might care for him that way, but he knew now that his fate didn't include being loved or being able to give his love. That being the case, it would be better to just allow himself to fade away. While he thought about this, his heartbeat began to slow, as if he were entering his meditative state.

"Aang"

Who was calling his name?

"Aang"

He looked around and saw he was in the spirit world. Why was he there?

"Aang" the voice called again. Then he saw who it was. Roku!

"Aang, come. I have something to show and to tell you."

The words were scarcely finished before Roku strode purposely away from Aang. The young airbender rose and followed, catching up quickly, though Roku's stride was longer.

"Do you remember I told you 'love is hard when you are young?'"

"Yeah, and I said you didn't have to tell me twice."

"I would like you to look at our shared past again." Saying this, Roku parted the sands of time, and Aang again saw Roku as a young man, falling flat on his face, trying to catch Tah Min's attention. He saw Roku trying to talk to Tah Min, only to become so tongue-tied he could hardly speak. Finally, there was Roku asking Tah Min to marry him, followed by the wedding itself, all over again.

Tears began forming in Aang's eyes as he watched this. It seemed to him, at first, that Roku was rubbing salt into the raw wounds of his heart. Then, as if a voice of reason broke through to him, he realized that it would be totally unlike Roku to do so. "Why are you showing me all of this, Roku?"

"Aang, do you remember what Avatar Yangchen told you about why the Avatar MUST be born among men and live a life as a human rather than an all-powerful spirit?"

"Yes, she said we, er, I have to experience all the emotions and the life of a normal human in order to be the wise Avatar I am meant to be."

"Exactly. That is why every Avatar loves and marries that one person who helps them attain balance within themselves."

"So, do you mean that I will marry someday? But, Roku, I don't want to marry anyone else but Katara. I love her. I can't tear that love out of myself. I couldn't even do it for Guru Pathik when he was teaching me to open my chakras. How can I do it now?"

"Aang, no one is asking you to lose your love of Katara. Just know that true love wins out in the end."

Roku faded away as he spoke the last sentence, leaving the final words echoing behind him, and Aang began to wake up. His tears were still fresh on his face, but there was something new in his heart, something he had almost lost completely. Hope, to fuel the flame of his love.

oooOooo

As night began to give way to day, Zuko felt a new energy course through his body. He arose from his half slumber and looked to the East. The sun was calling to him. Standing and facing the East as the first rays of the sun began showing above the horizon, he went through his morning ritual. A new day - in fact, a new age - had begun.

Closing his eyes, he felt the renewed energy coursing through his body. All his thoughts and concerns of the previous night began to quiet as his internal fire was renewed. Taking several deep breaths, he opened his eyes, then opened them even further. In the distance he could see a single black dot approaching. As it neared, it became apparent it was a single war balloon. There was no question in his mind as to who was in the balloon. Had there been more than one, it would have been his father. However, with only one balloon, it could only be… He glanced towards Katara, finding that she had awakened and was greeting the new day in her own way.

oooOooo

While the soon-to-be Firelord was answering the call of the sun, Katara began stirring, too. She did not look as though she had rested well, which was indeed the truth. Her sleep had been restless, and it showed in her tearstained face.

Brushing her hair, she considered the day ahead. Today she would discover whether Aang was coming back. Today she would be able to let him know of her love for him and her deep regret for her words and actions. She just hoped it wasn't too late.

Many thanks to my Beta, Liselle129. Ma'am, as always, your assistance has made this story what it is.

To those fans who are reading this story, I am sorry about being so late in posting this chapter. Between writer's block and work (especially work) I have struggled to present something worthy of your attention and readership.