A/N: Okay, I'm really bored, so I had to write something. I'm probably going to turn this into a collection of oneshots once I get my other story done, so you can all look forward to that.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Avatar, and everyone should know that by now so why do we even have to do these freakin' disclaimers!

Katara knew she would never forget the battle at Ba Sing Se. It had required her to call upon all of her knowledge and skill as waterbender, and even that hadn't been enough to stop Zuko and his psycho sister, Azula. At least, she hadn't been fighting alone. Aang had been with her, fighting by her side just as he done all those times. But even he hadn't counted on all of those Dai Li agents showing up, at the worst time possible.

Then, Katara remembered forcing herself up, telling herself to keep fighting. She had fitted herself into the octopus form as she was surrounded by Dai Li agents. Then, there was a glow.

She saw Aang rise up, in the Avatar State. Katara had smiled, grateful, and proud of him for accomplishing what he thought was impossible.

Then there was the lightening.

It came so suddenly, Katara didn't even think Aang had seen it coming. He didn't even have a chance to scream.

Then, with horror and tears sliding down her face, Katara realized he was falling. She wasn't sure if he was dead or not, but if there was even the slightest chance he was alive, she was going to do something, anything.

Rage replacing horror, Katara created a tidal wave that propelled herself forward with an insane amount of speed and power. It knocked all of the objects and people in it's path away without mercy.

Katara had only just caught her best friend in time.

The wave disappeared, and Katara was left with nothing except Aang's motionless body in her arms. She gazed down at his face, her own face stained with tears. She was horror stricken, exhausted, and defenseless against Zuko and Azula who were approaching her, apparently unharmed from the tidal wave she had created. Watching them, Katara gripped Aang's body a little tighter.

I won't let them kill us, she thought resolutely, even though she was in no condition to keep fighting. I just can't…

A blast of fire came from out of nowhere, startling her. It was Zuko's uncle, Iroh. He appeared in front of Katara, standing between her and the Dai Li agents.

"You've got to get out of here," he had said commandingly, "I'll hold them off as long as I can!"

Katara had wasted no time in standing up from her kneeling position, slinging one of Aang's arms around her shoulders as she did so, and making her way to the waterfall that had been flowing and supplying her with all of the water she had fought with during the battle. Summoning a large stream of it, Katara wrapped it around her body and she propelled herself and Aang to the very top. Even then, they kept going until they were out of their enemy's sight.

Katara didn't know how long it really was, but it felt like she had been rising for eons before she saw a small shaft of sunlight appear ahead.

Hang on, Aang, she thought desperately, tightening her grip on him, We're almost there.

Between one moment and the next, Katara and her precious cargo had arrived back on the surface. They found themselves outside the palace. But before Katara had a chance to call out for them, her friends appeared in front her with Appa at the ready. Katara noticed the Earth King and his pet bear were on the bison's back as well.

"C'mon! Let's go!" Sokka shouted frantically. Katara scrambled up onto Appa's head before crying out, "Yip yip!" Appa took to the air, and Katara didn't relinquish her hold on Aang until she was sure they were all safe.

When Appa was high in the air, Sokka looked over the bison's shoulders to see his sister. He noticed her braid had come undone and was blowing in the breeze. There were several rips and tears in her clothing, and she looked exhausted from what must have been a hard battle.

But if his sister had looked bad, then Aang was the picture of misery. Sokka wasn't even sure what happened to him. All he knew was, the entire time she had been on Appa, Katara had refused to let go of Aang. Curious to know what had conspired underneath the city, Sokka spoke very softly, as if speaking any louder would have some kind of devastating effect.

"What happened?"

It was a simple question, yet it brought back all of the horrible events that had taken place back to Katara's mind. Against her will, she answered her brother just as softly. Her voice sounded hoarse and weak.

"Aang and I, we were fighting Azula and Zuko. At first we were winning, then the Dai Li came in, and-…There were so many of them, and Aang went into the Avatar State, then there was the lightening, and he was falling…" she trailed away.

Sokka's eyes widened and then his look changed to one of concern.

"Sounds like some fight," Toph spoke up. Her voice was sympathetic.

Katara nodded, agreeing with her.

"What are you going to do?" Sokka asked, looking at Aang. "I mean, is he…" the water tribe warrior couldn't bring himself to finish.

"I'm…going to try to heal him," Katara said quietly.

Very carefully, she leaned Aang against Appa's shoulders. Katara looked at him sadly, knowing it seemed very unlikely that he was alive. He hadn't moved or done anything to acknowledge her presence…

I still have to try, Katara thought. Aang couldn't die, he just couldn't.

Knowing normal bending water wasn't going to work, and knowing she didn't have any with her anyway, Katara reached for neck and took hold of the string that was connected to the amulet around her neck. She pulled it off over her head and uncorked the top before summoning the small amount of water contained within.

She could feel the worried looks of her friends and the Earth King and his bear as well as they watched, their tension mounting. Katara pulled Aang's body towards her so she could look at his back, where the lightening had struck him.

The burn itself was awful. The skin around it had been unmercifully scorched, and it was black. It looked twice as dark against Aang's pale skin.

Katara directed the water over his back before pressing it against the burn. When the glow faded away, the burn was still there, and Aang hadn't moved. With a small cry and tears filling her eyes, Katara held Aang closer, fearing the worst.

No, Katara's rebellious mind refused to believe it. Aang can't be dead, he can't be!

Then, there was a soft glow that she noticed, even with her eyes closed and a soft, pained groan. She recognized it immediately.

With a gasp of sheer joy, Katara pulled Aang away from her and looked at his face. Two warm, grey, half open eyes stared back at her and he managed a weak, but thankful smile. Katara could only smile back at him, cupping his left cheek in her hand and overwhelming happiness and relief written all over her face. For a moment, they simply gazed at each other, neither of their smiles fading before Katara pulled Aang into a warm, reassuring embrace. She heard him sigh softly and knew everything was okay, and always would be.

Katara wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, but it didn't really matter. However long it was later, she gently pulled Aang out of the embrace and placed him just so he was leaning against Appa's shoulders. He gazed up at her and she looked down at him, neither of them saying a word for a long time. Then, he broke the quiet.

"Katara." Aang said her name in a soft whisper that was just barely audible.

The waterbender tightened her grip on his shoulders, which she had been holding and answered just as quietly, "Yes Aang?"

"I need to tell you something," Aang continued. He knew he might never get a chance like this again. She had to know how he felt about her.

"I...I, uh…" he was cut off by a jaw splitting yawn. Katara noticed for the first time how tired he looked.

After a pause, Katara said with a soft smile, "You need some sleep. It's late."

"But.." Aang tried to argue weakly.

"Aang, please. Whatever you have to say can wait till morning," Katara interrupted. "You have to be exhausted. Besides, the only way you'll get better is if you rest. I'll be right here."

Aang blinked at her once before he asked in a whisper, "Promise?"

Katara sat down and pulled him gently into her lap before she answered, "I promise."

Without any further objections, Aang turned his head so that it was resting against her shoulder before finally allowing his eyes to close. A steady roaring filled his ears as the sweet darkness of deep sleep began to overwhelm him. To exhausted to fight it, Aang succumbed to the pull of sleep, although it was probably closer to passing out.

After a few minutes more, Katara heard the Earth King declare solemnly, "The Earth Kingdom…has fallen."

Looking down at Aang, whose body was warm and heavy with sleep, Katara thought, It's not over yet. Azula can still be beaten. And when we get back, she won't stand a chance. She gave Aang's body a soft squeeze as they flew over the city, knowing that not all hope was lost.

A/N: So? You like? Think I should write more oneshots? It won't continue this, but they'll be just more random stories by yours truly. R&R please!