"Stay with me."

Pain shot through her heart as his voice pleaded with her. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "You know I can't. I want to..." She swallowed, regaining her voice. "We've all lost so much in this war. I have to help Sokka..." One look would do it. All it would take would be one glance into his golden gaze and she would crumble into his embrace and stay there for the rest of her life. She couldn't. Not now.

"Katara, please...I love you and you love me and...You can do nothing for him now. Suki...is gone. Why would he want you to see him suffer?" The beginning tears started to prick into her eyes. Don't look back. Just his hand on your wrist is making you crumble slowly...

"I want to stay...so much." A sob escaped her as she stared off into the distance where her brother and her two best friends loaded Appa for flying off to the North Pole. She saw her father sit within the saddle. The sun caught at his glistened face as he stared at his son. Sokka went with his chores without noticing his surroundings and looked up toward his sister with a blank expression as she stood on the steps of the palace. She pleaded with her eyes but her once loving brother stared back with a cold, blue gaze. "He's changed and he needs me...He may never be the same.." She dropped her gaze to her feet.

Zuko's thumb caressed her hand in small circles and her pulse jumped in her veins. "He has your father and Toph and Aang. He would be fine..." She heard him swallow as he walked closer to her. Desperation and sadness entered his voice. "Please don't let him take you away from me. Everything is taken from me!" He slowly turned her body toward him and her unshed tears broke free like a dam as she saw his shoes. "Look at me...?" She slowly shook her head.

"Katara. Look at me." Hardness came into his voice but she could hear the strain in it. She could tell he wasn't trying to cry. "I can't!" she wailed.

"Why? Why can't you just wish me goodbye, since your obviously leaving me?"

She shut her eyes tight as to stop the water from sliding down her cheeks but to no avail. "Because if I do then I won't want to leave. And I have to." Drawing in a shaky breath, she felt his finger under her chin and made no move to stop him. Eyes closed, she felt his breath on her face. "Open your eyes...I need to see your eyes."

She felt his warm hands hold her face in between them and the way his thumbs wiped away the tears. She slowly brought her lids up and away from her blue orbs to meet pools of gold. She smiled sadly. "See. Not so hard." His voice broke.

Slowly, he brought her into a strong hug and held her tightly for what seemed like eternity. "I can't convince you to stay?" His voice was muffled in her neck and she took into her heart the way his breath tickled her neck and set jolts of electricity into her lower back. Took in his spicy but sweet smell. She wouldn't have this for a long time...

She couldn't speak so she shook her head. He sighed shakily and held her tighter.

"Katara!"

No. Please give me more time...

She pulled away and looked into his eyes. They warmed her all over even on the coldest nights. As another sob shook her body she brought him close and kissed him with all she had. Her love, her apology. Everything. He nibbled on her lower lip and ran his hand through her hair and gave her waist a little squeeze. She pulled away, wishing she didn't have to. Giving him another tight hug she stepped out of it and brought her hands shakily to the clasp at the back of her neck. With a quiet snap, she had her mother's necklace in her hands and watched as Zuko's eyes widened when she placed it into his palm. "I'll be back for that. Please keep it safe." With a sad smile she stared into his eyes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "I love you."

Turning, she descended the steps of the Fire Nation palace as a free women but, in her heart, she knew she would be caged in this iron prison of sadness and longing until the new Fire Lord, her key, held her in his arms.

I made tiny changes. (:

Review, please!