Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender

1. Reunions Are Awkward and Bittersweet

A long sigh escaped Sokka's lips as he gazed out the window of his office. Springtime had just begun to blossom, and the weather that day was perfect, far too perfect to stay cooped up inside. What a day, he thought, I should be out shopping, or at home in my garden. The Councilman was ripped from his thoughts when his office phone echoed in his ears.

"Councilman Sokka here."

"Hey Sokka, it's me."

In an instant Sokka's face lit up. "Hey Toph! How's Republic City's esteemed Chief of Police doing?"

"She's fine, a little sleep deprived but what else is new, right?"

He chuckled. "I hear ya, so what's up?"

"I need a favor," she confessed, her tone becoming more serious. "Could you pick up Lin from school today? I'd do it myself, but I can already tell this is going to be one of those days where I'm going to wind up coming home late."

A sad smile appeared on Sokka's face. "No problem, so how is Lin?"

"She's fine," Toph sighed, "at least she pretends to be, she won't tell me otherwise."

The Coucilman's face fell. It had been exactly one year since Toph's estranged husband passed away. Everyone, including him was not only worried about Lin, but Toph as well. Of course he knew Toph was only trying to be strong for Lin's benefit, however, now it was as if his old friend wasn't feeling anything at all. Denial had become Toph's best friend, and apparently it has rubbed off on Lin too. Must be a family trait, he thought.

"...So you'll do it?" Toph asked after a moment of pause.

"Sure," he answered, "I'd be happy to."

"Great, just tell Lin I'll be home in time enough to make dinner."

"Only if you make enough for me," he teased.

A small laugh escaped the Chief's lips, which made Sokka feel good. "Sure thing, bye."

"See ya."

Sokka hung up the phone and immediately looked at the time. Lin would be getting out of school in two hours, and since her school was on the other side of town, that would be a half-hour ride on a carriage. In the end, the Councilman settled on walking since the weather was so nice. He quickly finished some paper work and took the rest of the day off.

The walk to Lin's school wasn't so bad. In fact, Sokka made it about ten minutes before school would let out, so he stood and waited with a few other parents who came early. During that time he thought of jokes, funny stories from his childhood, anything to cheer up the ten year old. Lin was going through a difficult time, her and her father were really close, and he knew her mother working another late night wouldn't help matters any. Unfortunately, since he was so deep in thought, he didn't notice two people approaching him, one of them was a woman in her late forties, her auburn hair resting on her shoulders, with her arm wrapped securely around her companion's waist. As soon as the woman set her eyes on the Councilman, she obviously had to say something.

"Sokka? Is that you?" the woman asked.

His eyes widened, he lost all thought and couldn't feel his legs. He knew that voice anywhere...

"Suki?"

A warm smile spread across her face. "It's so good to see you...you remember Jun, right?" She gestured to the man beside her.

Without realizing, a fake smile appeared on Sokka's face. "Oh how could I forget Jun," he said through gritted teeth. Jun stood at about an inch and a half taller than Sokka. He was tan, good looking, was very well built with broad muscular shoulders, and had a thick head full of wavy hair, the same color as his milk chocolate eyes. After all these years Jun still looked the same as the last time Sokka saw him, only this time he had clothes on.

"So what brings you two to Republic City?" Sokka asked, as if he really cared.

Jun responded by wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulders. "Well, Suki and I have been working so much lately, I thought we needed a change of scenery. You know I could never pass up a chance to visit Republic City."

"Yeah," Sokka mumbled, "it's great."

"I'll say," said Jun without looking at him, "it's where Suki and I first met." He lifted her chin and rubbed his nose against her's, which earned him a light punch from the woman. "Jun," she giggled.

Sokka was mortified. Why did the universe hate him so much to have his ex-wife and her husband show up and flaunt thier relationship in his face? What on earth did he do to deserve this? And why couldn't he just drop dead right now?

"So Sokka," said Suki, breaking the awkward tension. "Jun and I were headed to the tea shop down the street, how about you come along. It would be so nice to catch up."

His mind was racing. Think of something, ANYTHING! "Gee, I'd love to Suki, but I have to pick up my...my...daugther." He nearly whispered the last word.

Both Suki and Jun's jaw dropped. "Wow Sokka, I didn't know you were a father," Suki said, astonished.

Even Sokka's mouth was hung open, he couldn't believe he just said that, but it was too late to back down now. "YEP!" He nearly shouted, "she's my precious little Linny- ooh and there she is!" He ran to the girl as she exited the school building and picked her up in a bear hug. "Here she is! My sweet little girl! Come give your Daddy a big hug!"

Lin could only stare wide-eyed at her Uncle Sokka, and the two strangers standing behind him. Daddy? Did he just say he's my Daddy? " Hey, you're not my- mmph!"

"Lin." Sokka covered her mouth with his calloused hands. "You said you wanted to talk to me about something." He turned to Suki and Jun. "Could you excuse us a moment, we need some father- daughter time." The Councilman carried Lin aside so they were out of Suki and Jun's earshot. As soon as he placed the young earthbender back on the ground, she ripped his hand away from her mouth.

"Alright, who are those people and why did you tell them I'm your daughter?!" she shouted.

"Shh!" He placed a finger over his lips. "Look, you've got to help me out here Lin," he begged in a hushed tone, "that's my ex-wife Suki and her husband Jun"

Confusion struck the girl's face. "You used to be married, Uncle Sokka?"

"Shh! Yes, but we divorced two years before you were even born. She left me so she could be with Jun."

Lin processed the information and nodded. "Okay I get it, but what I don't get is why you told them I'm your daughter."

"I don't know OKAY!" he tried to lower his voice. "But I can't back down now." His eyes grew big. "Please Lin, you have to pretend to be my daughter, just for the afternoon."

"No."

"Please, I'll give you anything you want- anything."

This peaked Lin's interest. "Anything?"

He nodded. "Name it, and it's yours."

Lin used her mother's teachings, and knew he was being sincere. "Okay, I want to go to the Pro-bending Championship Match tomorrow night."

"But tomorrow's a school night."

"Then forget about me pretending to be your daughter." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Fine," he sighed. Toph will never let me hear the end of this.

"And," Lin continued, "I want one of your swords."

He gasped. "One of my swords, but you don't even know how to use it."

"Do you want my help or not?" she questioned.

"Alright, deal," he sighed as they shook hands. "You sure drive a hard bargain, kid."

"I am my mother's daughter," she smirked.

"That you are," the Councilman replied.

She laughed and Sokka was speechless, this was the first time he'd seen Lin laugh or smile since her father passed away. However, instead of dwelling on the subject, the two headed back to where Jun and Suki were standing. "Suki, Jun," said Sokka, "I'd like you to meet my daughter, Lin."

Lin smiled at the couple, which caused Suki to approach her and pinch the girl's cheeks. "Oh Sokka she's adorable, and what a lovely name."

"How old are you Miss Lin?" Jun asked.

"Ten."

"Wow, you're a big girl," Suki smiled.

"Not big enough unfortunately," she replied, which earned a laugh from the adults.

"She must be quite a handful," Jun said.

Sokka patted the girl on the head. "Oh she is, she's a real spit-fire."

"You guys have to have tea with us," Suki pleaded, "so we can catch up and get to know Lin."

"Sure, let's do it," cheered Sokka, who started to follow the couple, that is until Lin pulled on his sleeve to cease his movement.

"And I get to order whatever I want, no complaints." She whispered in his ear.

"Come on Lin," he groaned, "we already agreed on the terms."

"Do it or I'll march right over there and tell them the truth," she warned.

Sokka could only roll his eyes. "Alright, deal."

"Deal," she smirked.