The gang landed in Ba Sing Se shortly after twilight. It was easy sailing, but a storm seemed to be falling in behind them. Appa didn't like landing in the city, but who could blame him? After his experience here no one was going to blame him. They were going to the Jasmine Dragon to visit Iroh. They were surprised to find he wasn't there.

"I'm sorry, he left two days ago, something urgent he said." The current caretaker explained to them. "Feel free to stay, he should be returning soon, he really does love his shop, never before have I seen a man with such passion for tea." Aang thanked him and they looked at each other curiously. Where could he have possibly gone? Bumi would have told them if it was related to the White Lotus. Maybe just a good will mission to the fire nation. His family was there after all. It didn't matter. They settled into a house put aside by the Earth King. They had already spoken to the Earth King and he offered them a special house in the richest part of the city whenever they came. Best of all, no Ju Dee.

It was quiet for the night until a hawk spread the silence of the night with a cry. It was Sokka's, who took it and slipped away into his room. He closed his door quickly, and lit a candle. He smiled looking down at the scroll. She had replied so quickly. It made his heart swim.

Dear Sokka,

It is so nice to hear from you. We are very busy here on Kyoshi Island, Ty Lee is teaching us a lot of disabling maneuvers, and she is completely in love with using the fans as weapons. She really seems to be enjoying herself. I miss you. I didn't want to return home, but with the war over, we need to start teaching the new generation. I will try to make my way soon to see you, but it may not be for awhile. I can't wait to see the South Pole! Don't forget about me.

Love,

Suki

Sokka smiled at it, she still cared, he hadn't lost her, not yet. He wanted to convince her to come and stay, but he knew she was stubborn. He didn't want to leave his sister yet, and dad would actually be home to stay. He wasn't going to miss that, not for a moment. Maybe after it seemed normal he would leave…but he wasn't sure, he would need to think about that, think about it long and hard. He took a deep breath and took out a piece of parchment. It was now time to reply to her.

Aang approached Katara, who was sitting down with a water bending scroll, gently stroking a lock of her hair. He sat down across from her and looked at her very seriously. She looked up at him, grasping the length of hair. "What is it Aang?" She asked slightly concerned.

"Tell me about your dream Katara." He said to her. She looked away from him and stood up, rolling the scroll. "Aang, it doesn't matter okay." She said, walking away. He was on his feet and caught her arm. "Please Katara…just talk to me. I want to help." She sighed and couldn't stop the tears from coming to her eyes. There was a long pause and she finally spoke.

"Every dream I have…I lose you…" She said, still not looking at him. "They are never the same…something terrible happens and…and I can't save you." Aang didn't speak, he walked over and embraced her. She turned around and buried her face in his chest sobbing. "I almost lost you once, and when you disappeared before the comet…I expected the worst…I can't stand it Aang, I can't lose you. I just…can't." Her last word was a whisper, and Aang didn't speak. His eyes were closed, leaning into her head.

"You saved me once Katara…" He began slowly. "And I'm not going anywhere." He took a deep breath. "I have had dreams of losing you, with nothing I could do about it." He told her. "When I wake up, I know it was a dream, and I get to see you again."

"It's not the same." She said, looking up to him and pulling away. "You didn't watch me die, fall motionless to the ground. It haunts me Aang, it really does."

"Come with me Katara, and let me show you something." He said, taking her by the hand and heading towards the door.

They were on Appa, just Katara and Aang, flying towards the outer wall. "Where are we going Aang?"

"Outside the city." He told her. "It needs to be away from people."

The moon was halved tonight, giving half a glow to the world around them. It wasn't long before the left the tall walls of Ba Sing Se, and went into the uninhabited country around it.

"Yip yip Appa, this is good." They landed in a clearing with a large river, mostly rock. As Katara slipped off Appa he flew off a ways into the forest.

"Uh Aang…where's Appa going?" She asked him.

"I told him to graze as soon as we landed."

"What's this about Aang."

"Remember how I was, when I entered the Avatar state? Unable to control it? It's different now…I can control it.

"I don't understand why…"

"Shh…just watch."

Aang took a deep breath, his eyes and tattoos glowing momentarily. He summoned a tornado to lift him up before earth bending the ground, it jutting up into shapes undeterminable from the ground level, as water balled from the lake in tremendous amounts, as that happened he summoned fire, sending it towards one of the monuments he had made, and the water towards another, freezing it as it landed. Slowly Aang returned to the ground, causing the tornado to go into the fourth column he had made. He turned and looked at her.

"I can call about the power at will now, no more defensive state. I won't be in the kind of danger Azula put me in because…I am in control of myself, and I didn't have to let go of you as I'd feared. I'm a new person now." He said looking at her. "Please stop worrying. For me." She took a deep breath.

"I'll try." There was a pause between them.

"So what did you do…?"

"I'll show you. Appa come here!" The sky bison bounded over and licked him, Aang laughed as he was knocked over. He helped Katara up and then leapt into the air, floaty as usual. "Yip yip!" Into the air they soared, in small circles. Once they got a good distance above the trees, to where it was making them look miniscule Aang smiled. "Look down." Below them there were the symbols of the four nations. Each with their respective elements. Ice encasing the water, fire burning, and even the tornado still spinning. "Doesn't take much with the Avatar state." He said. "Appa take us to the house, I'm not going to fly you." He climbed off the Bison's head as he changed direction, sitting in the saddle next to Katara whom snuggled into him. It would be a pleasant trip back.