3-Katara's Surprise

Katara returned to the palace, awaiting the moment that she could take off the formal robes and get into something more comfortable. The hallway was dark when she first stepped inside; her eyes had to adjust from the bright sunlight of the gardens to the dim lighting in the hallways.

The palace was so large, it was a wonder that she could remember where everything was. But then there had been a time when she had spent a year here. After the war, none of them really wanted to separate and return to their old lives. They had come to see each other as family, and they were embracing the fact that they were still alive and together.

The halls she walked through now were filled with memories that she would never forget, not even when she was older when her mind started to slip. She turned a corner into the wing with the guest bed chambers, immediately walking into the room that she had stayed in previously. It almost felt like her second home.

She stripped off her blue dress revealing the white bindings underneath. It felt good to be rid of the thing. After fighting for so many years, she felt too constrained within a dress, so unable to move. Her body felt relieved when she slipped on her normal attire.

She wandered over to the mirror, checking her appearance. Her face was clear; she had shed no tears, which surprised her. She was never that close to Mai, but seeing Zuko made her heart break. He was so strong at the funeral, hiding his emotions but she could see how hard this was for him. If she ever lost Aang…

A knock at the door startled her, made her jump. Before she could answer, it creaked open and a bald head peeked through.

"Katara?"

"Aang!"

She moved quickly to the door, almost ran, opening it for him. A moment later his strong arms were wrapped around hers in a blissful hug. She loved this man, no doubt. And she knew it would always be this way. They broke away from the hug and just stared at each other. She always felt lost in his grey eyes. He was simply wonderful, inside and out.

These past five years have matured him; he was now taller than her. She found it odd that she had to look up to him, to stand on her tiptoes to kiss him. But odd as it was, she loved it. She loved the larger muscles he formed from constant trainings and fighting, and yet his soul was still pure. As he once said, he was still just a simple monk.

Her lips craved the feel of his; not standing the separation anymore she grabbed the front of his robes and kissed him, deeply. She wanted all of him. But as she expected, a moment later he broke off the kiss, cheeks reddened, a small grin on his face.

"How are you Katara?"

"What are you doing here so early?" she asked, answering his question with another question.

"I wanted to be here in time for the funeral. Guess I didn't make it," his long arms were still wrapped tightly around her. At least he didn't let her go. She didn't want him to; not yet. She hardly got to see him these days. He was always off on some mission; he was the Avatar, it was his duty. But she missed him, deeply missed him.

"It's okay. You were close; it just ended a couple hours ago."

"How was it?" His smile was gone now, replaced with a solemn expression.

"It was beautiful. Zuko did an excellent job planning the ceremony."

"I thought you planned it."

"I just helped, all the ideas were Zuko's. He had found things that he knew Mai would like. He did a great job."

"That's good." He rested his head on Katara's shoulder, in just the right spot. She leaned against him, loving the feel of him.

"I missed you," he whispered into her neck.

"I missed you too," she whispered back. They were so close there was no need to speak in a normal tone. Something was different though, she could feel it. He was holding her longer, tighter. She didn't mind, but it wasn't normal.

"What's wrong Aang?"

He sighed, knowing he couldn't keep anything from her.

"I have to leave in two days."

"What?" Katara snapped her head away from, making him pull away too from the abrupt motion. She looked at him, a frown crossing her face. Sad grey eyes told her it was true.

"I have another mission. Resistance in the Earth Kingdom, meetings, and a few decisions they want the avatar's opinion on."

Katara swallowed. How could he just leave her? He just got here. It had already been weeks since they last saw each other. She knew dating the avatar would come with a cost. But it was going too far. How could things possibly get farther between them if they could never be together?

Her eyes showed her thoughts completely, Aang's face turned apologetic.

"I'm sorry Katara."

"Can't I go with you?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Why not?"

"If you got hurt, doing a mission that I was supposed to be doing, I…I couldn't live with myself. I could live without you. This is my job."

"That's not fair Aang. We have always been together, we protected each other during the war!" Katara's tone grew, as well as her eyes, as if they were trying to convince Aang to his very soul.

"Did you forget that I am a master waterbender?"

"Of course not, I love that about you, it's just…" Aang released her. He couldn't look into her face anymore. The guilt was consuming him.

"Just please stay here, Katara. From the message, these guys sound really dangerous."

Katara watched him as he paced the tiny room, not agreeing nor objecting to his request. This wasn't the first time he had done this. She couldn't understand why he wouldn't take her with him. What was he so afraid of? But then, there were many things she didn't understand. And she didn't feel like pursuing this issue anymore. She stayed over by the door, holding her arms.

If only they were married. Then he couldn't keep her away. It would be just as much her duty as it was his to protect the four nations. But she didn't see that in the near future. She loved him. But things were …slipping. Every time she brought up the subject of marriage, Aang dismissed it, or changed the subject. Did he love her enough to want to marry her? She had always thought so, but she was starting to have doubts.

Aang noticed Katara's lack of response, but he didn't push her. She could be stubborn; if he pushed too far, she would find a way to come anyway. Aang just nodded and walked over to the bed, sitting down at the edge. He stared at the wall, the corner, apparently lost in his own head.

"What's wrong, Aang?" Katara asked, joining him on the bed. She placed a small hand on his back, the back that contained the tattoos that made him who he was, a master airbender.

"I'm tired."

She gazed at him. He looked exhausted. His eyes weren't as bright, his body a little hunched over.

She rubbed his back softly, making him close his eyes.

"You should rest," she said in a tone just a notch above a whisper.

"I will. But I need something."

She looked curiously, waiting.

"Lay with me?"

She smiled. She knew he wanted nothing more but to fall asleep with her. The sexual tension was building so much between them over the years, but still, they had done nothing to relieve it. Another reason why she wanted to marry him. She couldn't wait to take all of him, for that final moment of blissful pleasure. But for tonight, she could wait.

They lay back on the bed together, Aang wrapping an arm around Katara's waist. She held his hand lovingly. She could tell that within moments, Aang was fast asleep. She drifted off, the smooth rhythmic breathing in her ear lulling her to sleep.