AN: Hello! I'm not dead in a ditch somewhere! I was traveling abroad throughout Europe for several months and like an idiot, I forgot to bring my laptop. So is my life. Anyways, I won't bore you with a long and boring AN, I know that you've all been dying to know what happens. So, without further ado, I give you, the second chapter.

Normal Point of View:

The sun had barely began to peek over the rim of crater that Caldera City nestled in when Zuko and Katara woke to abrupt knocking on the double doors to the Fire Lord's chamber. Zuko sat up with a start, his hair a wild mess while Katara slowly stirred, stretching her resting limbs before sitting up and running a hand through her wild curls.

"My lord! My lord it's happening!" a voice bellowed from the other side of the doors.

Zuko slowly crawled off the bed, putting one foot after another through slack leggings before reaching the door with a yawn. Pulling the door open slowly, his eyes adjusting to the sunlight starting to pour in from the hallway.

Yawning and rubbing one eye he focused his deluded mind on the scrambled servant before him, "What is it?"

The door was open wide enough for the servant to catch sight of a disheveled Katara, whose upper torso was uncovered as the silk sheets rested at her hips, a furious blush spreading over his cheeks.

"The baby, my lord," he gasped, bowing as to tear his eyes away from the uncovered woman, "Lady Bei Fong has been rushed to the infirmary. The baby is coming now!"

Zuko's eyes widened as he whipped his head back to Katara who had already flew off the bed and was dressing herself as quickly as possible. Slamming the door shut, Zuko darted to his closet and snatched a loose silk shirt and threw it on as both he and Katara bolted through the doorway and ran as fast as their feet could carry them towards the infirmary, the servant trailing after them. As they reached the alcove to the infirmary they found Aang pacing madly back and forth, arms crossed and his eyes frantically darting from the walls and ceiling to the doors where his wife lay just beyond.

"Aang!" Zuko and Katara cried out, startling the young nomad out of his thoughts.

Katara gave him a quick hug with a loving smile before disappearing behind the closed doors to join the mother in waiting.

Aang watched her go, hearing Toph's cries as the doors began to close and he paled, gripping hold of Zuko with such force the Fire Lord thought he'd bruise.

"Zuko, I don't know if I'm ready for this," he whispered raggedly, "I don't think I'm ready to be a father. I just discovered what sex was like…like two years ago! How am I suppose to raise a child when I don't even know what I'm—"

"Aang! Breath!" the Fire Lord demanded, switching their roles, "Listen," he shook the airbender briefly, "you're going to be a great father and Toph is going to be an amazing mother."

The airbender flushed, calming slightly under his friend's firm grip, "You think so?"

Zuko nodded reassuringly, "I know so. Now," walking him towards the small sofa across from the doorway, "just breath and relax. They'll call you in once the baby is delivered, ok?"

"Ok."

"I'm going to KILL HIM!" Toph bellowed loudly as she launched forward, hissing in pain as another contraction wracked her body. She fell back against the mattress with a resounding thud breathing with labored breaths. Sweat coated her forehead, her sightless eyes squinting in pain as her small hands roamed over her swollen belly as if to relieve the pain somehow.

Katara dabbed a small washcloth in the basin next to the bed before patting down Toph's forehead. Leaning forward, she blew softly on the pregnant woman's forehead, freezing the small traces of water there to keep her cool as she lunged forward once more, another contraction splitting through her body. Katara could only watch as the pain etched itself into Toph's features before coming back down against the mattress.

"Don't ever have children Sugar Queen, their such a pain," Toph mumbled, "and if Sparky even suggests it, cut off his manhood."

Katara couldn't contain the chuckle that emitted from her throat, again padding down Toph's forehead once more, "He would have to purpose first Toph," she quipped softly, reaching out to hold her friend's hand.

"Don't jinx yourself," Toph mumbled begrudgingly.

"Oh Toph, don't scare her away from happiness just because you're having a case of contractions!" Suki entered the room as well, coming round to the other side of Toph. She flashed Katara a soft smile before turning her attention back towards Toph as another contraction washed over her.

Katara, softly asked, "Where's Sokka?"

Suki chuckled, "He's out there trying to calm Aang down. I've never seen him so nervous. You'd think taking down Ozai all over again would calm his nerves."

Katara couldn't help but chuckle as well remembering the frantic pacing Aang had been partaking in when she and Zuko arrived at the infirmary.

A few moments passed and the contractions seemed to get closer and closer together before finally a nurse entered the room, "Miss Bei Fong?"

Toph, even in the pains of labor still had her smartass personality, "Who else would it be?!" she launched forward once again, Suki and Katara gripping her shoulders tightly before lowering her back down.

The nurse only smiled as she lifted the sheet over Toph's propped up legs before probing Toph's more sensitive area, "What are you doing?!" Toph demanded, "Touch me there again and I'll spin your head—"

"You're coming along beautifully Miss Bei Fong," the nurse commented as she removed her hand, "I'll be transporting you to the delivery room. Would you please be so kind as to notify the Avatar that his presence is required during the delivery?" and with that, the nurse carted away a screaming, cursing Toph leaving Katara and Suki in her wake.

"Aang, buddy, what part of breath did you not understand?" Sokka chided as Aang once again was pacing back and forth in the waiting room.

Katara and Suki stood in the doorway watching as both Zuko and Sokka tried to calm him down but it was nothing short of humorous. Their chuckling caught the attention of the three men stand there and a horrified look quickly overtook Aang's face. Darting to them with the speed only an airbender could muster he panicked, "Is it the baby? Toph is she alright? What's wrong?!"

Katara could only laugh as she patted Aang's shoulder, "She's going into delivery Aang."

"The nurse requested you to join them," Suki finished.

The airbender flushed momentarily before swallowing his fear, nodding and storming past the two girls and into the infirmary. The next time they would see him, he wouldn't be that boy found in the icebergs all those years ago. He would be a father and it was a welcoming idea to his friends.

Katara's Point of View:

I approached Zuko after Aang had disappeared into the infirmary and decided to nestle myself beside him on the couch as we awaited news of the child's birth. Sokka and Suki both sat in separate chairs as if to not warrant an awkward moment in the already settling silence. Though I was still unaware of what had happened between the two of them, it was obvious even to the blind that there were still unsettled feelings between the two. Neither spoke to the other unless forced into conversation by way of the group conversing. It was awkward to say the least and it was something I was bound to get to the bottom of. But for now, all of our attention would be on the newly acclaimed parents for the next several weeks, if not months to come. Zuko had told me a few days ago that Aang had approached him about remaining at the palace until Toph and the baby were stable enough to travel and Zuko had all but offered them permanent residency within the palace. I found it sweet, to say the least, but it was still hard to slip back into the life I had left so long ago. I found myself still short of words whenever we all gathered together to speak. The only three people I felt comfortable enough to talk with were my cousin, Nero and Zuko. My own brother didn't even make the list but it wasn't his fault. It was mine. I had left everything behind because I refused to conform to the idea of an arranged marriage. In doing so, I had left my best friend behind, Sokka.

Sighing, I rested my head against Zuko's shoulder as he and Sokka began to discuss political issues which were all but lost on me. Their words were but blurred noises fading in the background as my eyes were fixed on the infirmary doors. His warmth was intoxicating and deadly. It lulled me to sleep every time and now I could feel the weariness of sleep creeping into the back of my mind and I had almost lulled to sleep when I caught sight of Nero and Kyla entering the waiting room.

"Did we miss anything?" Kyla asked as she came to sit next to me.

I shook my head softly, pulling myself away from Zuko for a moment to discuss the latest with my cousin. From the corner of my eye I noticed Nero whispering something into Zuko's ear before slipping a scroll into his hand. The unrolling of the parchment caught my attention and I watched as Zuko's amber eyes scanned the scribbled words before he snapped the scroll shut and our eyes connected for the briefest moment. Concern etched into his features and I quickly yearned to know what was written on that scroll.

"What is it Zuko?" I heard Sokka ask him and for a moment his attention was drawn away from me. They leaned forward in their respective seats towards one another and whispered amongst themselves until Sokka drew back slowly, his eyes shifting to me and my curiosity only doubled.

Before I could ask what they were talking about the doors to the infirmary opened and out walked Aang with a small bundle in his arms swaddled in purple silk. We all abruptly stood, clamoring around the new father as he pulled the silk from the babe's face revealing a small, squishy face with bright emerald eyes.

"She has her mother's eyes," Aang whispered his finger wrapped up by four small ones.

"How's Toph?" Kyla asked, starring down at the little bundle in his arms.

He sighed softly, passing the child over to my awaiting arms and watched momentarily as the baby squirmed. His hand ran down his face as he leaned against the wall his eyes never wavering from his daughter.

"Lin," Aang said, "that's her name. Toph wanted to name our first daughter, Lin."

A lone tear slid down his cheek as he smiled softly, "Aang…" Kyla asked cautiously the others noticing how he avoided her prior question, "how is Toph fairing?"

His eyes trailed from the baby to Kyla and he bellowed softly, "How's Toph? She's fine! Great! She hates me, she wants to cut off my manhood and do other horrid things to me and, and I just witnessed birth and I NEVER want to witness it again! Toph is going to be fine, but me! I'm scarred for life!" he slowly slid down the wall, tears streaming down his face and we couldn't help but laugh at his disarray.

Again our moment was interrupted when a servant approached Zuko, bowing low before stating softly, "Sir, King Kui has sent a message that requires your urgent attention," and with that he handed Zuko yet another scroll. I bounced the babe in my arms soothingly as I watched Zuko carefully and I couldn't help but wonder why he was receiving so many messages this early in the day. His eyes scanned the parchment and a ragged sigh escaped his lips.

"Zuko," I cooed softly, approaching him as he sank into the couch, "what is it?"

He sighed, running a hand through his mop and simply handed the scroll over to me. I read it once, my eyes disbelieving the content and reread it again for verification that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me. I turned abruptly to Aang, my hand shaking as I slowly placed the scroll in his outstretched hand and watched as horror took over his face.

"When did this happen?" he demanded, standing upright and all humor vanished.

Zuko glanced up at him, "A few nights ago…" he began, "I received word from my uncle late last night about the incident and planned on telling both you and Toph today."

Aang's eyes were like maelstroms as he approached Zuko, "You knew?! You knew and you said nothing!"

Zuko erupted from his seat, "I planned on telling you both this morning in private. But that was before I was abruptly awoken with news of the child coming. I didn't want to risk the birth with such news! I didn't want to endanger Toph or the baby's safety!"

"You should have come to me last night and told me! I could have done something!"

Nero, for the first time spoke from his position against the wall, "What could you have done Avatar? The Bei Fongs were already lost to you, long before the letter arrived. What could anyone have done?"

Aang looked down at the scroll, his hands wrapping tightly around the parchment before he launched it towards the wall adjacent to him, "What am I going to tell Toph?"

I watched as Kyla wrapped an arm around Aang, whispering to him softly before he simply crumbled into a pile of tears and mournful moans. She looked up at us, her eyes pleading and I knew we needed to give him some space. It was the only thing any of us could do for him at the moment.

"Nero," I commanded, "take Lin to her mother. Inform her that we will come visit her soon. But for now, let us leave Aang to care for Toph in her time of loss." And with that I handed the child over to him and watched thoughtfully as he entered the infirmary.

"If you need anything at all Aang," Zuko began, "please do not hesitate to ask."

Aang only nodded as his head was buried into Kyla's shoulder and I knew it was time for us to leave. Carefully I reached towards Zuko, slipping my hand into his before walking out of the waiting room and into one of the near by gardens with both Sokka and Suki in tow.

For what seemed like hours we sat there in silence, none of us willing to break the fragile barrier. In one day hope had been born, only to diminish in a single moment. Questions wracked my brain as I tried to understand our current situation. Who would attack Toph's parents? What statement were they trying to make in doing so and who in La's name could have done such a travesty?

"We need to find out who did this," Suki said softly, breaking the silence finally.

I nodded, "Nero, Kyla and I can leave this evening. It shouldn't take us long to reach Ba Sing Se. We'll get in touch with our contacts there and see if we can't find any indication as to who could of done this."

"No," Sokka stated, "you cannot leave again. You just came back to us," he pleaded softly, "Toph will need you, we all will."

I smiled softly, reaching across the distance and brushed his loose hair from his face, "Sokka," I whispered, "it won't be forever."

"You saw what that letter said. The Bei Fongs bodies still haven't been recovered. The culprits won't let anyone near the bodies. King Kui sent his best men to retrieve them and even they were taken out with such ease that Kui fears any retaliation will result in death."

I retracted my hand quickly, "Do you really think me incapable to defend myself? I'll have you know brother that I have survived these last few years strictly on my own. When have I given you any indication that I would slip up and accept such fate? I recall being right under your nose for months in the Fire Nation and my identity eluded you. I think I can handle a few assassins."

He grunted before crossing his arms, "They aren't even alive, Katara. What is the point in leaving right this moment?"

My blood boiled, "Kui's letter did not indicate in either of the Bei Fongs being alive or deceased. Their bodies are bound together like prisoners. If there is even the slightest chance that they could be alive I need to take the risk. I need to save them."

Sokka stood abruptly, "And you'll be gone again! For La knows how long!"

I stood just as quickly, "What is wrong with you?! These are our friend's parents! The grandparents of the babe that I just held in my arms. I know I am heartless Sokka, but I would never of imagined such behavior from you!"

He sighed, turning away from Zuko, Suki and myself, "People change Katara. It's been years since we've spoken and abandonment changes a person."

"Sokka, what are you really angry about?" Suki demanded, glaring at her former lover with such animosity that it startled me momentarily.

He whirled around on us with something fierce and I almost backed away startled, almost, "You want to know what I'm angry about? Fine! I'm angry that you left Katara! I'm angry that you couldn't come to me and believe in my abilities to try and change dad's mind! I'm angry that you abandoned me—all of us just because you couldn't live with the idea of doing something that went against your own will. Do you think that life is about doing whatever the hell we want? NO! It's about making sacrifices for the whole of the world to better it! We KNEW what we were getting ourselves into by ending the war. We KNEW what was at stake and still you RAN! Like a coward you ran! The Katara I knew would have put aside her pride and wants to do whatever it took to save the fragile peace that we all," he gestured wildly the four of us, "worked so hard for. I put aside my love for Suki to come here to the Fire Nation to help Zuko. I turned down dad's offer to become Chief, which I am rightfully the heir to the throne, to help the Fire Nation and a friend. You know why? Because that is what our lives are going to be like. Sacrificing our own happiness to secure the peace and happiness of the world. And where were you all this time hmm? You were out playing assassin! Great, awesome! And what has that gotten you?!"

I stood there for a moment, utterly dumbfounded. Sokka in all our years had never once spoken to me like that and I couldn't muster any words at the moment to try and counter what he said. He was right after all in so many different aspects but I couldn't admit that to him.

"You mean to tell me that you abandoned our relationship for this?" Suki hissed, standing abruptly, "You told me it was because our lives were on two different paths, that we were leading two very different lives. If this is what you had left our relationship for Sokka, I would have understood! I would have made it work!"

Sokka sighed, "How Suki? You were busy training new warriors for Kyoshi. You were busy working out diplomatic trade routes with the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes and you were trying to dissuade your village from neglecting the Fire Nation."

"And you think that I would have told you off all because of how busy I was? You talk about being selfish and not giving someone a chance Sokka, well, if you ask me, you and Katara are exactly alike but with highly different circumstances." And with that Suki stormed from the garden only to have her presence replaced by Kyla and Nero.

Nero smirked as he sat down on the stone bench that Suki previously occupied, "It seems we missed quite the performance Kyla."

My cousin smacked his arm, sending him a glare that wiped the smirk clean off his face and I couldn't help but smirk in return. Before another word was spoken between Sokka and myself, I turned to Kyla and Nero, "Pack your things. We leave for Ba Sing Se this evening." The duo simply nodded their heads before exiting the garden and I began to follow.

"If you're so hell bent on doing this then fine," Sokka hissed, "but make sure that you're back in three weeks after playing hero."

I scoffed, "Thank you for your permission, General Sokka," I snapped, curtly bowing to him in a mocking fashion, "and why are you giving me a time constraint?"

"Katara," it was Zuko who finally interrupted our sibling banter, "in three weeks, your father will be arriving."

I blanched for the first time in years, my eyes wide as saucers, "My father?"

Oh boy, first fight and it wasn't between Katara and Zuko...what? I know this chapter had a lot going on it in, but there is a reason! Toph had the baby, Lin, yeah! Katara's dad is coming, we finally know more about the Bei Fong's situation and Katara is leaving...AGAIN! This sequel is going to be more action packed than its prequel. Hope you're all ready. Fasten your seatbelts!