Summary: Katara of the Water Tribe; master waterbender, top of her class. Aang of the Air Nomads; the Avatar, best of the best. The benders become acquainted through a deadly mission... as enemies.

A/n: I am entering another contest! Whoo hoo! This time, it's Tang Si Ming-Yue's. Yep…

Rules/Requirements-
Theme: the characters are secret agents on a mission. (they can bend still, if you wish)
Pairing: kataang.
Must mention a side pairing
Can be AU
No slash or incest
Oneshot or multi-chaptered

Mhm, so I thought long and hard about my entry and this is what came out of it. (;

Disclaimer: I'd like to say I own the great show that is Avatar, but I do not.

Discover Exposure

Agents,

You have been selected for a possibly deadly mission. In the middle of the western ocean, an isolated island thrives. There a secretive plot has formed. A building holds a lethal vile of explosive fluids. If ever this is exposed to the air, a virus will spread rapidly and will most likely be unable to stop. You must withdraw this incurable disease from its hidden place on the island; otherwise, those who keep it there will open up its distress to the world. We need to prevent this from happening.

On this mission, a partner has been assigned, and obstacles will ensure. Be ready, prepare smart, and good luck.

Superior

L I N E H E R E

After reading her orders, Katara smiled. For three years, the young waterbender trained hard and earned her spot as one of the best. As her abilities developed more, so did her position in her superiors' eyes. They had been assigning her task after task, of course, she hadn't failed. It had been awhile since she had faced a deadly and lethal mission.

It was demanded that each and every piece of parchment describing a mission of high important was to be destroyed of, immediately. Now, Katara wasn't one to go against the rules, but these orders were apart of whom she was—they had formed her. Throughout the years, the girl had secretly kept the papers in a box, sitting under her bed. She tucked away her current mission, and began packing.

As always, Aang was prepared any type of mission. Whether it be deadly serious or just a quick trip half way across the continent. His entire life, the young Avatar had been sheltered in a secret agency. His skills—airbending, waterbending, earthbending, and firebending—developed into amazing talents. From the break of dawn to the silence of night, he was busy becoming the best of the best. This didn't stop him from having a social life. Everybody knew who he was, and he was content with the status he earned himself.

With a snap, he ignited the paper. In seconds, it became nothing but a small pile of ashes. Aang left no evidence of his missions; too risky. However, he had always brought back an item from his never ending string of duties. They reminded him of all the crazy adventures he had been on.

Under his messy pile of laundry, he removed the shifty floorboard and lifted a duffel bag from the hole. For a moment, he was going to open the bad of memories. An unexpected knock at the door stopped him. Aang stuffed the sack back into its hidden spot.

"Yes?"

The door opened and a head popped into view. "You are wanted in you're partner's quarters."

The airbender grinned. He thought for sure his accomplice would be equally as great as him. Only one person came to mind: Toph Beifong. He had never been associated with the young girl, but many stories were told amongst the building. From the urgency of the mission orders, he figured this was of prime importance. Only the best could do the job. Subconsciously, he packed his small bag with only the necessities.

"It's just down the hall; Ty Lee, you know her, yes?" the head closed the door without hearing the Avatar's response.

"Say what?"

L I N E H E R E

Not only had Katara's partner been someone she rarely saw, but he didn't even look qualified for the job. Her brother was more qualified, and that's saying something.

"Whatcha thinkin' 'bout?"

The kid startled her out her thoughts. He was a little guy, a few years younger than she was. He wore a helmet much too big for his head and the black uniform agents were ordered to wear. She looked down upon him where she stood in their submarine.

"This mission," she lied. Continuing to move their small vessel through the ocean, Katara push and pulled the water on the outside.

Their underwater boat was just big enough to fit its passengers. A bunk bed flipped down from a wall and a steering wheel sat at the head of the boat. A door leading outside was shut closed on the ceiling.

"What about this mission?" he questioned further.

"Just how dangerous it could be," she replied.

"Think we'll run into some trouble?"

Katara steered her eyes away from the ocean flowing past outside to her partner who was sitting on the top bunk. She didn't know why he was chosen for this mission. He didn't look like he was ready for this type of mission. Whatever the reason, it must have been good. Determination and anxiety burned in his eyes.

"Most definitely."

"Why do you say that?"

"Didn't you read that paper?" she pointed out. "Doesn't it scream trouble to you?"

"Yeah!" he exclaimed. "But how long do you think we'll be there?"

Katara eyebrows twitched; okay, this kid is getting a little bit annoying.

"I don't know, The Duke," she explained. "We'll just have to find out."

"Are we there yet?"

The waterbender sighed, rowing their submarine in the direction of the hidden island.

L I N E H E R E

Aang, being taken by surprise, stood in awe at his partner's agility and flexibility. Sure, he had seen Ty Lee—laughing and making the most of the moment—once or twice, but never in action. From the second she opened the door to him to the preparation of their flight, a smile was permanently glued to her face.

She sat comfortably in the glider chair, making sure to keep it balanced. Her feet swung below her seat, and the glider itself shaded her from the sun's rays. Aang, however, had the pleasure of steering their plane through the sky and hiding it behind stray clouds. He stood one foot in front of the other, in the center of the orange glider, his arms flailing about bending the air.

"So, ever flown like this before?" he asked casually.

"Oh, yes, once!" she replied. He could hear her grin.

"Really? When?" The Avatar thought it was quite impossible to experience flying through the sky like they were now. Expect when he offered rides on Appa. It was a shame the fluffy beast wasn't here now, being too big and noticeable.

"Back in the Fire Nation, I became great friends with the princess, Azula," Ty Lee explained. "She would have hot air balloons ready for riding in a snap! But, I have to admit, this is waay faster than that."

"I've never been on a hot air balloon before," Aang replied. "Is it any different from riding Appa?"

"No, it's about the same," she told him. "Although there isn't a the warm, fuzzy fur to keep you, well, warm!"

The airbender smiled. He had a feeling that this mission was going to turn out great.

After the pair's sky trip, they landed inconspicuously in a forest on the island. The trees were planted near each other and towered into the sky. It took them awhile to find a big enough clearing. Attached the glider chair, there was a small bag of provisions. Ty Lee unpacked a tent and a two thin cots. Aang detached the chair and folded it up, then making his glider into his staff.

Before he knew it, his partner had pitched the tent and rolled out their sleeping bags. She bounced about the site, then flopped onto her make-shift bed.

"Whoa, you're fast!" Aang gawked.

"Thanks!" Ty Lee flashed him a grin.

The Avatar looked up into the sky, using his hand as a visor. The sun was still hanging. Surely they could not walk into a building on a secret mission in broad daylight. No, too dangerous. They were going to wait for the sun to set, and then make their first move. For the time being, Aang and the dozing off Ty Lee, rested up for what was going to be a long night.

L I N E H E R E

After long hours with a bored kid, Katara was relived to have finally reached their destination. She parked the small submarine behind a large boulder, and popped her head from out of the hatch. She looked out into the horizon where the sun was nearly falling behind, the sea's tide was soft hitting the egde of the boat and rock gently.

"What are you waiting for?" called The Duke from below, it was not obnoxious, more like curious.

Katara climbed out of the sub with her belongings and scanned the beach. It was small, concealed by the boulder and the vast amount of trees. She plopped out her light sleeping bag, then spilled herself ontop of it.

"So when we gonna leave? Huh?" Now, her partner sounded eager and hyperactive. "Huh, huh, huh?" An ear-to-ear grin was sprawled onto his face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Katara smiled. She had no clue how The Duke was gonna handle this mission, but she decided everything would turn out fine. Hopefully, he would not spazz when they stepped into the building, or be a slacker and leave all the work to her. Katara had a feeling that The Duke would be just the opposite.

Darkness enveloped the sky as the stars twinkled brightly. The moon would be their guide through the forest until the reached the probably heavly guarded building in the center of the island.

"Ready when you are."

L I N E H E R E

A/n: Yesh, I just had to include The Duke and Ty Lee! They are super kewal!

I know right now it's a bit boring and dull and slow-moving, but hopefully it gets better as the story moves along... There will be 3 or 4 chapters... Now I must finish them before April 30 comes along! TT

-pssst- Today, April 16, 2008, is my Avatar Anniversery! What that means is a year ago today, I decided to obsess over Avatar! Just thought you might like to know... Hehehe, I posted a fic on my Avatar Anniversery! (x