Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or the song "Someone Like You" from Jekyll & Hyde, by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse.

Author's Note: Kataang was the winner, with two votes. Most of you chose not to vote. This is a solo in the show, but I used it sort of as a duet here.

Someone Like You

I peer through windows, watch life go by,
Dream of tomorrow and wonder why.

Life at the South Pole was pretty mundane. As far as Katara could tell, one day was much like another. Sometimes, she felt like real life was going on out there in the rest of the world, leaving her and the rest of her village behind. Even her father and the other warriors were getting to take part in important events. Katara knew that she probably shouldn't be looking at getting involved in the war as something exciting to do, but on the other hand, she just couldn't help being a little, well, bored with her life.

Maybe that was why she had gone fishing that day with Sokka; it was something different and got her out of the village. All things considered, she was very glad she had been there. Finding Aang had definitely changed Katara's life in many ways. His simple admonition, "You still are a kid," really struck her. Perhaps she had left childhood behind a little too soon, throwing herself into chores to avoid thinking about how lonely she was. Just in the first two days of knowing him, Aang had shown Katara that there was still fun to be found in everyday life, if you knew where to look, and had taught her to face her fears.

The past is holding me,
Keeping life at bay.
I wander lost in yesterday.
Wanting to fly, scared to try.

Even so, Katara had been hesitant when Aang first offered to take her to the North Pole to learn waterbending. Her initial reaction was excitement. He'd seemed so confident and so willing to accept her as a traveling companion that his eagerness was contagious.

Naturally, it sounded like an absolute dream. Katara knew she could never reach her potential as a waterbender unless she found a teacher, not to mention the draw of seeing the world and the opportunity to fly. This euphoria, however, was quickly replaced by trepidation. She'd never left home before, and to travel halfway across the world with someone she'd just met? There was so much uncertainty involved, and there were dangers associated with the fact that there was still a war going on. Katara had immediately trusted Aang, but still, it was a big decision.

Somewhat ironically, it was Katara who brought up the idea again, angry with her brother for banishing Aang, and it was Aang who told her not to put him above her family. Upon reflection, she realized that he was right. She would eventually discover that he usually was, a fact that sometimes annoyed her. In any case, it was never a good idea to make a decision in anger.

But if someone like you found someone like me,
Then suddenly, nothing would ever be the same.
My heart would take wing,
And I'd feel so alive,
If someone like you found me.

Of course, when Aang turned out to be the Avatar and saved their village by giving himself up to the Fire Nation, all of the factors in the equation changed. Not only did it seem obvious that she had to go and help him, but Sokka and Gran-Gran finally saw things her way, too.

So Sokka and Katara had thrown their lot in with Aang's, and a new world opened in front of Katara, one she'd scarcely even dreamed of. Her heart pounded with an unfamiliar emotion, and her mind filled with thoughts of exotic places to see and new people to meet. As Aang spread out his map and planned the next steps of their journey, Katara thought she had never felt quite so alive.

So many secrets I long to share.
All I have needed is someone there

Aang kept secrets. It was simply a fact of life, like the fact that he loved Katara. First, he had kept the secret about being the Avatar. After that, he withheld the circumstances that had led to him being trapped inside that iceberg. He wanted to tell Katara everything, but her opinion was so important to him that he couldn't bear the thought of disappointing her. She had so much faith in him. Surely she would at least be disappointed if she knew what he held back; at the worst, she might despise him. He didn't think he'd be able to live with that.

Eventually, the guilt over leaving his people to die had begun to weigh on Aang, causing frequent nightmares. Katara wanted him to talk about it, but that only made him feel worse. Finally, when that old fisherman had accused Aang of running away, it was the last straw, and Aang had fled. By the time Katara caught up with him, Aang had realized that he couldn't go on allowing her to blindly defend him without knowing the truth. So everything had come spilling out.

To help me see a world I've never seen before,
A love to open every door,
To set me free so I can soar.

Surprisingly, Katara had understood, and it had been a great relief to let go of that burden. Aang had been so grateful that he hadn't even paused to wonder why she was so accepting.

As they continued their travels, Aang continued to look to Katara for many things. Although he was the one who had traveled the world before, she helped him learn to live in this new reality shaped by 100 years of warfare. Her encouragement not only taught him new bending skills but also opened him to the possibilities of being the Avatar. Instead of resenting his identity, he learned to find hope in it. Katara wanted Aang to realize his full potential, and for her sake, he wanted that, too.

If someone like you found someone like me,
Suddenly, nothing would ever be the same.
There'd be a new way to live,
A new life to love,
If someone like you found me.

Over the course of time, Aang had many reasons to be happy that Katara had found him. Of course, there was the obvious thing that he wouldn't have been in time to save the world if she hadn't freed him when she had. Besides that, she was vibrant and beautiful and a good friend. He loved her, and no matter how things turned out, he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Thanks to Katara, the guilt and anxiety Aang had felt over his past and the apparent impossibility of the tasks that lay before him had been replaced with optimism and determination. As long as she was with him, he could find happiness in life, and he was constantly looking for ways to repay her for that.

Now, Aang had only one secret left, and he was hoping to tell her, as soon as the right opportunity presented itself.

Oh, if someone like you found someone like me,
Suddenly, nothing would ever be the same.
My heart would take wing,
And I'd feel so alive,
If someone like you loved me,
Loved me, loved me.

One day, while Aang and Katara were waterbending, they were having trouble concentrating. Although they didn't know it, their thoughts were following similar patterns.

I think I love him, thought Katara. Not just as a brother or friend, but something more.

Should I tell her? thought Aang, heart racing.

If only he loved me back, thought Katara, wondering if there was a chance.

If only she loved me back, thought Aang sadly, thinking it must be impossible. The pair looked longingly at each other, and their eyes met.

I don't want to lose our friendship, they thought at the same time.

When the time is right, he thought.

He has so much to think about now, she thought.

And though they smiled at one another, they said nothing.

--

Member of the Boomeraang Squad: charleegirl, Jesus.Lives, Liselle129, Strix Moonwing, Avatarwolf, MormonMaiden, libowiekitty, Snows of Yester-Year, La Vixen de Amor, chocolatecoveredbananacheese, Aangy, and honorary member SnakeEyes16

Author's Note: Yeah, they chickened out! I'm not exactly sure when this could have happened. Right before The Cave of Two Lovers, maybe? I didn't want to resolve it because I wanted it to fit into canon, so I'm sorry if anyone was expecting that. I did have trouble with the ending. This was about the third version, and I feel it's the best.

Vanille Strawberry: I'm glad. Fluff is the best way to start any day!

Snows Of Yester-Year: Maybe a little, but I thought I wrote Zuko fairly consistent with the way he was at the end of Bitter Work, railing at the heavens. And he did get pretty up close and personal with Katara in The Waterbending Scroll, so that part's not impossible. Good luck with the SATs!

TTAvatarfan: Ah, yes, it's nice to know that a lot of people want to see me finish Destiny's Call, so they don't want to wish anything horrible on me yet. Look at the bright side – the school year's almost over! I'm still trying to get this stupid form in so I can officially get my degree.:-P

Let's Just Say I Loath It All: Zutara isn't my thing either, but it worked with the song, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Now no one can say I never tried it!

Justcallmewolfy: LOL. I think that last chapter is going to stand on its own, so I'm not planning (currently) anything along the lines of your suggestion. Besides, I'd have to find a song to go with it.

GeorgiaPeaches: The Yue one will be next, since it's already about half written.

redskin122004: As you probably already know by now, I did check out the new chapter. Glad you're doing better.

libowiekitty: Thanks! You won!

xcgirl08: Thank you for your understanding, but don't expect any more Zutara from me.