Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or the song "As Long as He Needs Me" from Oliver, lyrics by Lionel Bart.

Author's Note: I've wanted to use this song ever since beginning this collection, but it didn't really come together until I saw the Season 3 trailer. This idea was inspired by Katara's line "I will never turn my back on people who need me!" though I don't use it in quite the same way. Another slightly depressing look at the early third season, it could be viewed as a companion to the last chapter.

As Long as He Needs Me

As long as he needs me,
Oh, yes, he does need me,
In spite of what you see,
I'm sure that he needs me.

Aang was pushing Katara away; there could be no doubt about it now. At first, she had told herself that he was just tired, or feeling guilty, or maybe the separation from his past lives was disconcerting him. While each of those reasons was probably true to some extent, it didn't explain his behavior completely.

After a couple of weeks, though, he'd had time to adjust to these things, yet he was still strangely distant. He refused to really talk to her about anything that had happened. It was like Serpent's Pass all over again, and it was getting harder and harder to tend to him the way she knew he needed.

Who else would love him still,
When they've been used so ill?
He knows I always will,
As long as he needs me.

The worst part was that Katara had finally figured out that she was in love with the Avatar. When she had held him in her arms, fearing that he was gone forever, it had hit her like an avalanche. She wanted so desperately for him to be alive, not just to save the world, but because she loved him and wanted a chance to tell him.

In fact, Katara had done just that, shortly after Aang woke up. That was the only thing to date that had caused any sort of reaction in him, but it was only a flicker too fast for her to seize upon. He had said he was sorry, and that was all. Katara had been hurt, then angry, and then just resigned. This wasn't really her Aang, and she had to hope that he would return to his body someday.

I miss him so much when he is gone,
But when he's near me, I don't let on.
The way I feel inside,
The love I've got to hide,
The hell! I've got my pride,
As long as he needs me.

Katara had been so sure that Aang was about to make a confession similar to hers before he and Sokka left her in Ba Sing Se. She'd always been able to read him so well, but now, there was nothing. Or maybe she'd never been that good at it, after all.

Katara fell into an almost constant depression. She hated being away from Aang, but it was painful to be close to him, too. Her solution was to stay strong and businesslike in front of him, as though her affections didn't matter, but she escaped periodically to express her bitter tears alone.

He doesn't say the things he should.
He acts the way he thinks he should.
But all the same, I'll play this game his way.

It was during one of these times that a hand on her shoulder startled her. She hadn't noticed her brother approaching.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly. It was a ridiculous question, but Katara nodded anyway. Sokka knelt beside her. "What's going on with you and Aang?"

"Nothing," she responded dully. This was the simple truth. In fact, it was kind of the problem. Everything they had been to each other, all of the moments they'd shared, seemed to be gone. Katara didn't know why Aang was shutting her out like this, but she could only imagine that he somehow thought this was how he needed to be. She wished she knew what that Guru had said to him.

As long as he needs me,
I know where I must be.
I'll cling on steadfastly,
As long as he needs me.

"Look, Katara, Toph and I can help out, here," Sokka went on. "We'd like to, actually. Aang doesn't really need healing anymore, and if it's just, you know, company and watching over him to make sure he's all right and stuff, we can do that."

"He needs me," answered Katara stubbornly. "I will never turn my back on people who need me."

"I'm not asking that. Just let us give you a break now and then."

His words actually made sense. Katara wasn't sure why she had this masochistic need to be near Aang when it was nothing but constant pain. Maybe she felt responsible for what had happened in the crystal caverns. After all, she had gotten herself captured, bringing Aang into the situation that had nearly killed him. At some level, she thought she deserved this.

As long as life is long,
I'll love him, right or wrong,
And somehow, I'll be strong,
As long as he needs me.

"Okay," Katara agreed, rising and wiping her face free of the tearstains. She settled her features back into their placid mask. "I'll tell you when to take over. I should get back to him now, though." She tried not to notice her brother's worried expression as she walked back over to where Aang was.

If this was her penance, she would pay it. After all, she still loved him, and she would do anything to help him. She had to believe that her Aang was still in there somewhere. She wanted to be there when he finally came back, which was probably the real reason she hung around. And when he was himself again, all this would be worth it. It had to be.

If you are lonely, then you will know,
When someone needs you, you love them so!
I won't betray his trust,
Though people say I must.
I've got to stay true just
As long as he needs me.

--

Author's Note: Sorry about posting two downers in a row. I'm planning another funny one next.

Review responses:

Snows Of Yester-Year: Oh, good; that's what I thought, too. I find it annoying when people just write Sokka and Toph liking each other out of the blue and without strings attached, kind of like having Toph and Aang suddenly interested in each other without dealing with Aang's love for Katara.

Aangs fangirl1214: Thank you! I'm glad you agreed with my take on it. Each time you fall in love sort of prepares you for the next time, I think, so thinking about the past doesn't necessarily take away from the present.

Wishing Only Wounds the Heart: I logged on to post a new chapter, and there were all these reviews from you! Annie, Get Your Gun is a really fun musical. I've only actually seen it once, summer stock theatre many years ago, but I have two versions of the soundtrack. There's some great music!