"She was homeward bound at last in broad daylight."

Sokka lifted his head stiffly. He had fallen asleep while watching his sister and trying to decide whether he should go or stay. He stretched a little as his train of thought came back to him. He frowned at himself because though he had pondered the problem for most of the night, he was no closer to a solution. His head and his heart continued to disagree. He sighed heavily. Perhaps he would ask Gran-gran and Aang what they thought. Gran-gran, at least, would understand his dilemma. He began to stand when he heard a soft sound. He looked to Katara instantly, praying the hope coursing through him would not be betrayed yet again.

"So… Sokka…" Katara's voice was hoarse, but she was struggling to open her eyes. Sokka felt tears in the corners of his eyes. He sat back down. One of his hands found one of Katara's of its own accord and squeezed.

"I'm here, I'm here." Katara murmured unintelligibly in return. Sokka's mouth curved into a smile as he noticed Katara's own seemed to be doing the same. Her eyes opened carefully. Sokka's waiting tears slipped from his eyes because they were the crystalline blue he remembered from his childhood. Katara smiled weakly and tried to return his squeeze.

"I… knew you… wouldn't leave me." Her words came out between halted pauses. Sokka was crying softly now, as he hasn't cried since their mother died, but he kept her hand firmly in his own.

"No, I'll never leave you." Sokka's gratitude flowered inside him; he wouldn't leave her, ever, he promised himself, and was endlessly thankful he hadn't already sent her away. His instincts with Katara had been overwhelmingly right and he resolved to never question them again.

"Don't…cry. I'm not… leaving." Sokka's laugh mingled with his tears and Katara kept smiling. "I…promise." Katara sighed contentedly and closed her eyes. Sokka thought she had more to say, but she was still exhausted. He thought perhaps she would drift off again, but her eyes opened again. "I'm so… proud… of you… and so… is mom." Sokka's smile drooped a little in surprise. He wasn't sure how Katara knew, but she was still smiling and her words carried such conviction that his smile grew larger as his tears tapered off.

"And I'm so proud of you, Katara, for fighting this. You're stronger than anyone I know." He squeezed her hand again and she nodded her head, her eyes closed once more. The smile remained on her lips and Sokka felt like crying again because she was okay, she was going to live, she wanted to live. A few minutes later and she hadn't moved. He thought she had fallen back asleep when he found her eyes on his face once more. He frowned though, because her smile had gone. "What's wrong? Are you cold?" Katara shook her head feebly before speaking.

"I'm sorry… for everything." She whispered. He could see a few tears glistening on her cheeks. He shushed her gently.

"It's okay. Everything's going to be okay. Just get better, huh?" Katara was smiling again.

"Mmh… I will." And then she did fall asleep, but she didn't let go of Sokka's hand, and nor did he let go of hers.