A/N: This is the last chapter, I hope you like it.

To birdsofprey: I made a mistake ok but I don't appreciate you yelling at me for it.If you have something to say about my story then have the respect to say it nicely.

Chapter Twenty Four

Katara screamed in triumph as the Commander fell in defeat. Tears of joy ran down her face. The rocks that had imprisoned her and Sokka fell to the ground. Above her the black clouds rolled away to reveal a shining sun. The thunder died away. The giant Actu bird screeched in agony as the sunlight hit it and it fell to the ground, dead, and was washed away by the river.

"Aang!" Katara called, running to where he had fallen to the ground. "Aang!" She reached him and dropped to the ground beside him, grabbing his hand. "Aang, we did it! You did it! We've won!"

Aang opened his eyes. "Yeah." He said smiling. He was exhausted and he hurt everywhere but a rush of happiness filled him. He had done it. He had won.

"You saved the world Aang." Katara said quietly, smiling down at him. Suddenly she noticed his injuries and his hurt arm for the first time. "Aang! You're a mess! We've got to get you to the doctor! Sokka!" She turned and looked over her shoulder. Her brother rushed quickly over to her.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "Aang! You're alive!" He grinned at the sight of his young friend.

"Help me carry Aang up to the palace. We've got to get him to a doctor."

Sokka saw Aang's arm. "Wow. Does it hurt?" he asked, peering closer.

"Sokka!"

"Ok sorry!"

"It's ok guys. I can walk." Aang stood up and promptly fell over. Katara managed to catch him just before he hit the ground. "Ok maybe I can't." He said sheepishly. Just then Ojhon appeared beside.

"Congratulations young Avatar. Thanks to you, we can live in harmony again."

"I still have to sort out the rest of the fire nation though." Aang replied, "Hey, what happened to the other fire nation soldiers."

"The ones that were still alive have been taken as prisoners. My people are taking them to a secure location as we speak. They surrendered rather quickly after you defeated the Commander. As for the rest of the fire nation, we'll worry about them later. I believe that Prince Zuko is now in charge of the fire nation and perhaps he is willing to surrender his power. Only time will tell."

"Zuko!" Katara gasped. I had completely forgotten about him! A rush of emotions overwhelmed her. She couldn't bring herself to be angry with him any more, even after what he had done. After all, he had helped Aang in the end. Everything was so confusing. She looked around and felt an uneasiness feeling her when she didn't see him. Suddenly she realized that everyone was staring at her and she felt her cheeks grow warm. She turned slowly back around and looked at Aang. He was the only one that was not looking at her like she had lost her mind.

"Something happened between you and Zuko didn't it?" He asked quietly, thinking back to Avatar Roku's words.

Katara looked at the ground and nodded slightly. Sokka's mouth dropped. Aang just smiled. "It's ok Katara. If it hadn't been for you, we wouldn't have won in the end. He helped us when we needed him most."

Katara smiled gratefully at Aang and couldn't help laughing slightly at the site of Sokka's face.

"I am so confused!" Sokka sputtered finally. Everyone laughed.

Aang winced suddenly as another pain shot through his arm.

"There will by time for talking later." Said Ojhon firmly and he and Sokka lifted Aang from the ground, "Now we must get the Avatar to a doctor. By the way," He glanced over his shoulder at Katara as they started toward the palace, "I believe you will be grateful to know that your friend Prince Zuko is fine. He is being treated for a broken arm and will be released soon."

Katara sighed in relief.

One week later, Katara and Aang were walking across the grounds, talking about everything that had happened.

"I'm sorry I lied to you." Katara said.

"It's ok. I forgive you." Aang grinned at her. His injuries had healed significantly and the only sign that he had been hurt at all was a jagged scar on his arm where he had been burnt.

"I was just so confused," Katara continued, "I still am. I thought….I thought Zuko liked me." She looked at the ground. "But I guess I was wrong."

"I'm not so sure about that." Aang said seriously, "I think he's just confused too. After all, it's not ever day you fall in love with your enemy. I think he does like you. Maybe even loves you."

"Yes I do." A quiet came from behind the two and they turned in surprise to see Prince Zuko standing behind them, one arm bandaged tightly. His eyes on the ground, he walked over to where Aang was standing. Then, to Katara's surprise, he dropped to his knees in front of Aang, his head bowed.

"I….was wrong." He said quietly and Katara could tell how hard it was for him to say this, "The fire nation has been wrong all along. I have pursued you for years, trying to capture you. I am glad that I failed or none of us would be here. I turn myself over to your mercy Avatar."

Aang looked at him for a minute. Here was his enemy, who had caused him so many problems in the past. He could kill him right there if he wished. But all he felt was compassion toward the older boy and a feeling that he might turn out to be a friend.

"I accept your apology." He held out his hand to Zuko. "You helped us win against the Commander. Thanks."

Zuko looked at him in surprise for a moment then slowly took Aang's hand. Aang pulled him to his feet and grinned. "Who knows? We might need your help some time in the future. You are older than me after all."

Zuko smiled slightly. "Thank you Avatar….Aang." He glanced at Katara. She held his gaze but didn't smile. She still remembered the painful things he had last said to her. Aang glanced at Katara, back at Zuko, then back at Katara again. He cleared his throat.

"Um…I think I need to go….do something somewhere else." He turned and walked away quickly.

Zuko walked slowly over to Katara. He looked at the ground then back up at her. "Katara," he said slowly but it was as far as he got. As there eyes met, the feelings of loneliness and hurt and even longing that they hadn't known were there swelled to the surface and suddenly they found themselves embraced in a passionate kiss. Katara closed her eyes, remembering how good it felt to have his arms around her. They were completely lost in the moment.

Finally they broke apart. Zuko reached out and gently took Katara's hand. "Can we go somewhere and talk?" He asked.

"Alright." Katara answered, still not smiling. They walked in silence across the grounds and into the forest. They walked until they reached a clearing where Zuko finally stopped.

"Katara, I'm not that good with words." He began hesitantly, "But I want you to know that I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry. I did the one thing I said I would never do. I hurt you." He began to talk faster, "You told me that Commander Zhao was evil and I didn't listen. I was just so sure that no one could ever truly like me I failed to see the truth and I turned away. I wish I could take it back. But all I can do is tell you how sorry I am. I will never doubt you again."

"And am I still a water bending wretch?" Katara asked coldly.

Zuko winced slightly. "I didn't mean that. I was angry, confused. I would never think of you that way. I'm sorry Katara." He looked up at her. "I missed you."

Katara felt her anger melt away and she smiled a real smile for the first time in many days. "I missed you too." She said quietly and they were lost again in another embrace that seemed to go on forever.

Epilogue

Two days later they were all gathered together outside. Katara had had the idea to go on a picnic and everyone had agreed eagerly. Now that they had finished eating, they sat in contented silence watching the sun set. Uncle Iroh glanced at his nephew and Katara and smiled slightly. I suppose true love is the only thing that could get through to him.

Aang began talking to Ojhon, the new Commander, about their plans for the next day. After Commander Zhao's defeat, most of the fire nation had given up willingly, but there were still some fire nation rebels, ones who refused to come quietly, who had to be rounded up. Together, Aang and Commander Ojhon had found volunteers and were planning to leave the next morning to capture the rebels. Aang was eager to get started. It was time that he visited the tribes of the world and began to bring back a long needed peace between them.

Sokka sat munching on a chicken leg in complete bliss. He had been ecstatic to find out that one of the volunteers had been none other than Shiane, the young warrior girl that had helped him and Aang at the beginning of their journey. Now Sokka was also going along with her the next day and more than once Katara had spotted him and Shiane sneaking off into the forest at night, though Sokka didn't know this.

"Come on." Zuko tugged on Katara's hand and pulled her up. "I want to show you something."

Katara followed him through the woods until they emerged at the top of a giant cliff.

"Look."

Katara looked out over the cliff and gasped at the breathtaking view. The river wound its way through the forest far below them and it sparkled in the light. It was so beautiful that Katara stared at it, mesmerized. Zuko reached out and gently pulled her towards him. She smiled and rested her head against his chest.

"I love you." He whispered softly.

Katara looked out over the valley. "I love you to." She whispered back and they kissed as the last rays of the setting sun washed across their faces. So this is what true love feels like. Katara thought to herself, I've never been happier in my life.

The End

A/N: Well there you have it folks! I hoped you liked it. Ironically enough my computers working now…..after the stories finished! Lol