Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA... yada... yada... yada...

Chapter 4

Aang suddenly awoke and bolted upright in his bed. The sweat covering his body glistened in the moonlight shining through the window. He had another nightmare. It was always the same. Katara and Zuko embracing, kissing passionately, flames erupting all around them. Katara begins screaming his name. Begging for him to save her with tears streaming down her face, the flames closing in around her. Then Ozai's looming face appears over the scene. Looking down at him as he desperately tries to reach Katara, mocking him, saying "Even with all the power in the world, you are still weak." Then Ozai appears before him and places a thumb and forefinger on his forehead, the other hand the same on his chest. Forcing him to his knees as Ozai's chi overpowers him. His soul blackening, turning evil, he turns to Katara and snaps her neck with his bare hands. Aang shuddered and threw his legs over the edge of the bed. It would be daylight soon, so he might as well get up and get ready. He had a big meeting with the Council of Four Nations today, at the palace in Ba Sing Se. Leaving the comfort of his room, he walked toward the kitchen of the home he stayed in while in the Earth Kingdom.

Entering the kitchen he was startled by a young maid. "Master Avatar, would you like for me to make your breakfast?" She said, bowing her head.

'Don't they ever sleep?' Aang thought to himself, then replied. "Um... No thank you. I think I'd just like to be alone."

"Of course Master Avatar." She said bowing deeply as she exited the room.

'I really wish they would quit calling me that.' Aang thought as he grabbed a cup and poured some tea in to it. He sat at the table watching the sunrise through an open window. Sipping his tea, thinking about the upcoming meeting. 'Zuko will be there.' He thought, brow furrowing. He knew he couldn't avoid him forever. Especially since he was so involved with the post-war reparations. "I'll just have to face him and get it over with." He said to himself as he rose and headed back to his room to prepare for the day.

When he arrived at the palace and entered the meeting room, everyone was already seated. Aang noticed that his seat was at the head of the table to the right of Earth King Kuei, who had resumed the throne after the war. Zuko was seated on his other side. 'Great.' He thought. Everyone stood when he entered. Zuko nodded and smiled at him as he took his seat, then sat down next to him. Aang looked around the room, seeing many familiar faces. General Iroh, King Bumi, Master Pakku, Chief Arnook, Master Piandao, Master Jeong Jeong, and Chief Hakoda to name a few. 'Chief Hakoda... Katara's father.' Aang cringed at the thought of facing him. Surely Hakoda would be angry with him for leaving like that, with no explanation.

"Let the meeting of the Council of Four Nations begin." Kuei stated, then took his seat.

The meeting was long, and boring. Aang was having trouble paying attention, and found himself daydreaming often. Zuko nudged his side with his elbow, bringing him back to reality. He noticed everyone was staring at him, apparently waiting for his response.

"Um... I'm sorry. Could you repeat that, please?" Aang said, blushing slightly.

"I was inquiring about the state of the Air Nomads. Have you been able to locate any remaining airbenders?" Kuei asked, looking a bit annoyed.

"Um... No. I haven't. But I haven't stopped searching for them." Aang replied sheepishly, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"Have you any ideas on how to restore the Air Nomad population? Perhaps taking a wife and bearing children?" Kuei asked, raising an eyebrow.

At that moment, Aang locked eyes with Hakoda. He was obviously glaring at him.

"Huh? Um... No. I haven't really thought about it." Aang said quickly looking back at Kuei, his blush deepening.

"Well, young Avatar, I suggest you think about the matter. You are of marrying age, and without the Air Nomads the Avatar cycle will be broken." Kuei replied, the rest of the council nodding in agreement. Then Kuei stood and addressed the council. "If there are no more topics in need of discussion, this meeting is adjourned." He said, waiting to see if anyone wished to object. Then exited.

Aang quickly left the room, with Zuko on his heels.

"Aang, wait!" Zuko yelled.

Aang stopped and turned toward him, trying to smile, but failing miserably.

"How have you been? I haven't seen you for a while." Zuko asked, catching up with him.

"Oh... pretty good. You know... busy. Avatar stuff. You?" Aang replied nervously.

"I'm doing well, thanks. Hey listen, I have some important news and I wanted you to be one of the first people I told." Zuko said, grinning.

"What is it?" Aang asked curiously.

"I'm getting married!" Zuko exclaimed, his smile widening.

"Huh? Oh... Um... congratulations." Aang replied, not so enthusiastically.

"Thanks!" Zuko said with excitement.

The airbender looked down at his feet, trying to think of a way to get out of this awkward situation.

"What's wrong, Aang? I thought you'd be happy for me. Instead, you look like a baby moose lion just ate Momo." Zuko said, disappointed.

"Nothing's wrong. I'm happy for you Zuko." Aang replied flatly, forcing a smile.

Aang turned and started walking, Zuko falling in beside him.

"I wanted to get married right away. But Mai wants to have a proper wedding. Which takes months to plan, apparently." Zuko said, trying to keep up with Aang.

"Hmmm... Yeah. I guess." Aang said, then stopped dead in his tracks.

"What?" Zuko asked.

"Did you just say that you were marrying Mai?" Aang asked, looking confused.

"Yeah. Who else would I be marrying?" Zuko replied, looking a bit confused as well.

"It's just that... I thought... you and Katara... I saw you... together... when I came back from the battle four years ago." Aang said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Huh? Me and Katara?" Zuko asked, now obviously confused.

"Yeah. You were embracing... like... lovers." Aang said, quickly looking away.

"LOVERS?!" Zuko exclaimed.

Aang just stood there, dumbfounded. Not quite sure what to think about Zuko's sudden outburst.

"For your information AVATAR, I was consoling her! She was about to have a nervous breakdown worrying about YOU!" Zuko yelled, poking his finger in to Aangs chest, obviously irritated.

Aang was speechless. Zuko looked at him. He looked like he'd just lost his best friend. Which wasn't too far from the truth.

"I love Mai, Aang. Always have, always will. Katara and I are just friends." Zuko said.

"What is wrong with me?" Aang finally replied, looking dejected.

"Wait a minute... Don't tell me... THAT'S why you left in such a hurry without saying goodbye?" Zuko yelled angrily at Aang. "Because you thought we were LOVERS?!" he added, infuriated. "Katara loved you! You idiot!" he continued, exasperated. Turning his back to Aang, he thrusted his hand out in front of him, violently releasing a ferocious blast of fire. "You're lucky that wasn't aimed at your head!" He finished, turning to face Aang once again.

"Zuko... I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking." Aang replied sincerely, looking in to his friends eyes, silently pleading for his forgiveness. Then, his eyes suddenly opened wide. A look of sheer terror appeared on his face. "Katara..." He whispered, as he realized what she must have gone through after he left. Agony in his voice.'We made love, then I just left. How could I do that to her?' He silently scolded himself. "Zuko, I've got to find Katara and try to explain!" He wailed, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Yes you do." Was all Zuko said as he turned and walked away, leaving the airbender to wallow in his sorrow alone.