Chapter 2 Aftermath

Toph sat silently at the kitchen table of Sokka and Suki's igloo with arms crossed over her chest. She and Suki were impatiently awaiting Sokka's arrival from the healing center where he had taken Katara. Suki sat directly across from the earth bender staring blankly in her direction. Her chin rested upon her hand and in the other hand she loosely gripped a full cup of tea. Both sat in silence as they contemplated the night's horrific events.

"What time is it," Toph's voice broke through the icy silence. Suki sighed and glanced over at the nearby clock.

"It's about two," Suki replied.

"In the afternoon," Toph questioned impatiently.

"Yeah," Suki replied. Toph sighed heavily and leaned back in her chair lethargically.

"What the hell is taking so long," the earth bender huffed.

"Relax Toph," Suki replied softly, "I'm sure Sokka will be back with news soon."

"Relax," Toph yelled in annoyance as she stood quickly from the wooden chair, "how can you tell me to relax when Katara is...is…" Toph's voice broke up as she spoke and tears began to stream down her pale cheeks. Suki quickly stood and wrapped her arms around the blind girl's shoulders.

"It's okay," Suki whispered, "I know that you're worried."

"It's not okay," Toph sobbed, "Katara tried to kill herself…how can you say that…it will never be okay again." Just then the door to the igloo flung open and Sokka rushed inside. Suki and Toph jumped at his entrance.

"What's going on," Toph demanded, "Is Katara okay?" Sokka didn't answer her right away; he was focused on his actions. He headed straight to his and Suki's room and began to pack a bag.

"Sokka," Toph yelled impatiently. Sokka looked up quickly as if he had been awakened from a daze.

"Is Katara okay," the earth bender implored. Sokka was caught off guard by the emotion in Toph's voice and the fear that emanated from her unseeing eyes.

"I...I'm sorry Toph," Sokka replied, "I uh…I just…" Sokka placed his hands on his sides and breathed in a much-needed breath of air.

"Katara is alive," he said solemnly. Both Toph and Suki sighed in relief.

"But she's not okay," Sokka said tearfully.

"What does that mean," Toph questioned. Sokka turned his attention back to his task.

"I mean she's not okay," Sokka yelled in an irritated tone, "she hasn't been okay all this time!" He suddenly punched the wall of the igloo in anger and frustration. Suki and Toph both winced at Sokka's sudden outburst.

"Sokka," Suki whispered as she made her way over to him, "everything is going to be okay, Katara is strong…she will get through this."

"See that's just it," Sokka replied, "she was strong…she was before the fire…now she's given up."

"Sokka," Suki pleaded, "I know you are upset"

"Upset," Sokka yelled, "upset…I'm a little more than upset…I just found my sister in a pool of blood because she tried to kill herself. It was bad enough losing my nephew and watching Katara and Aang completely fall apart, but to walk in and see her…like that…" his voice began to crack as tears began to fall from his eyes. Suki wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the cheek.

"It's just too much," Sokka sobbed, "I'm just so angry…I should have seen this…I'm her brother for spirit's sake…I should have known this was coming!"

"Sokka it's not your fault," Suki replied.

"She's my sister," Sokka continued. He slumped down upon his mattress and gripped the sides of his head with his hands. "Why didn't she talk to me…why didn't she come to me?" He rubbed his temples vigorously with his fingers. Suki sat down next to him and put a hand on his back.

"I just didn't think she would ever do something like this," Sokka sighed, "I was so stupid to think she was getting better…how could I be so damn stupid." Suki continued to rub Sokka's back in an attempt to comfort him.

"How could I think that she would ever be okay after losing Tenzin, and then…Aang." Sokka's voice became angry when he mentioned the avatar's name. He accepted that Aang was going through the grieving process in his own way, but he could not bring himself to forgive the Avatar for shutting Katara out of his life. In the end it was Katara who had ultimately decided to leave Aang. Though the decision was not an easy one for his sister to make; it came only after months of being pushed away by her husband at a time when she needed him most. Deep down Sokka could not help but to feel that Katara's attempted suicide was ultimately Aang's fault. Sokka stood quickly wiped the tears from his eyes and began to pack again.

"What is wrong with Katara," Toph's voice echoed into the bedroom. Sokka looked up at her sadly.

"She's catatonic," Sokka replied, "she won't respond to anyone…she just lays there staring at nothing. The healers said there is nothing we can do…but wait…and hope she will come out of it." Toph covered her mouth quickly in shock and heart ache.

"Oh Sokka," Suki cried tearfully.

"That's not all," Sokka went on as he glanced back and forth between the two women, "she is six months pregnant."

"What," both women exclaimed simultaneously. Sokka just nodded.

"The healer's confirmed it," he replied. Toph and Suki just gazed in Sokka's direction in shock.

"How is that even possible," Suki replied, "She isn't even showing."

"That's what I said," Sokka replied, "apparently she is carrying small…the healers also said the baby is smaller than normal. They are slightly concerned, they think Katara's stress along with not eating enough and not taking care of herself properly has affected the baby."

"Did she know," Suki cried, "did she know about the baby when she tried to take her own life?" Sokka shook his head.

"I have no idea," Sokka replied, "I assume no…but the only one who can answer that is Katara."

"Wait," Suki replied, "what about Aang…he can't possibly know."

"He doesn't deserve to know," Sokka yelled angrily, "that bastard; all of this is his fault!"

"Sokka," Suki replied in a shocked voice, "don't say that…it's not his fault…he didn't put the dagger in your sister's hand."

"He might as well have," Sokka spat, "If he hadn't turned his back on her…she wouldn't have given up."

"You can't put it all on Aang Sokka," Suki replied, "They pushed each other away in their grief...you know that."

Sokka sighed in frustration.

"I know," he sighed, " I know I just get defensive about Katara...I still feel like he should have tried harder. Sock turned and gazed sorrowfully up at his wife.

"I'm sorry," he sighed again, "I didn't mean to yell…I'm just so frustrated, angry, and…"

"Hurt," Suki finished his sentence. Sokka nodded sadly.

"It's so hard to see her like that," Sokka replied, "my beautiful sister…she used to be so strong…so confident…so happy…and now."

"I know it's easy to blame Aang," Suki replied, "but they are both going through the same thing…they are both grieving for their son…but Aang deserves to know about this…don't you see Sokka, this baby could be what gives them hope again, it could be what brings them back to each other." Sokka nodded in agreement.

"You are right," Sokka replied, "I know you are right...and I will try my best not to kick his ass when I see him."

"What," Suki questioned.

"I'm going to Ba-Sing-Se," Sokka replied unemotionally.

"Ba-Sing–Se," Suki replied in a questioning tone. Sokka nodded.

"I need to tell Aang what's going on," he replied, "I just hope I can convince him to come back with me."

"I'm going with you," Toph stated firmly from the doorway.

"When are you leaving," Suki asked.

"Tonight," Sokka replied, "I need you to stay here Suki…please…keep an eye on Katara." Suki nodded.

"Of course," she replied.

Aang had not left his room in days. He was drowning in his own personal hell. He could no longer bring himself to face the world. As the avatar, the world expected Aang to be calm and collected. He was expected to be a wise and enlightened teacher, a true master of all elements, and a benevolent and generous leader to all nations. It was a role Aang had never fully embraced until he met Katara. She had always seen great things in him, she had always believed in him. He gave her hope and she gave him comfort and companionship. But none of that mattered anymore. He had crushed every hope she ever had in him and let her down in the worst way imaginable. Now that she was gone he simply couldn't play the part of avatar any longer. He lay silently upon his mattress with eyes closed. Six months ago his life was perfect. He had everything that he had ever dreamed of, a wife whom he loved more than life itself and a beautiful son who was his pride and joy. Now there was nothing left. His mind flashed back to the day before he left for the peace rally in the Fire Nation, only a week before the tragic fire.

…

Aang busied himself loading Appa's saddle for his long journey to the Fire Nation capitol, where he was to help Fire Lord Zuko institute the final elements to the peace treaty. When he had finished packing he walked to the edge of the saddle and glanced down to see Katara sitting silently on the steps of the house with a hurt and worried expression upon her face. Aang frowned at the sight. He hated to see her so upset especially when he was leaving. He felt guilty about having to part with her on such bad terms. The two had argued the night before about this trip. He had insisted that after this last trip he would not have to leave as often anymore. To Katara that did not matter. Ever since he had begun work on the peace treaty, terrorism from the Ozai loyalists had escalated tenfold. Riots and protests broke out frequently and Aang was always called to break them up. As far as Aang was concerned, it was his duty as Avatar to stop the violence and to prevent another war from breaking out. Although he longed to be home with Katara and their son every day that he was gone, he knew it was a necessary evil to ensure a peaceful world; a world that Tenzin could grow up in without the threat of war.

Katara, however, was constantly on edge. Each time he left, Katara feared it would be the last time she would ever see him again. Her fears increased immensely since the birth of their son. The last thing she wanted was for her son to have to grow up without his father, the way she had without her mother. Every knock at the door caused her heart to freeze, as she feared that the person behind it would be a messenger come to tell her of her husband's demise. Recently the family had received a terrifying message that scared her beyond reason. It was a threatening letter sent by one of the terrorist groups. The letter warned that if Aang were to make an appearance at the peace rally there would be dire consequences…that innocent people would die and their blood would be on the Avatar's hands...they promised to make Aang suffer for ending the tyranny of Fire Lord Ozai. After receiving the threat Katara had begged him to stay.

Aang leapt down from the saddle and headed in her direction. She remained unmoved upon the steps of the house and refused to look in his direction.

"Katara," he called tenderly. She kept her eyes on the ground. "Katara," he repeated as he knelt before her. He gently took her hands in his and squeezed them tightly. She shivered at his touch but kept her eyes on the ground. Aang reached up and gently caressed her soft cheek.

"Katara please look at me," he said softly. Reluctantly she turned to him. Her eyes were watery and he could see that they were full of worry.

"Hey," he whispered, "I know you don't want me to go…but I promise you…everything will be okay."

"How can you promise that," Katara replied tearfully. "You can't promise something you can't control." Aang sighed heavily.

"Katara, please," he sighed, "Please don't do this."

"What," Katara cried as she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes, "don't worry about you?"

"No," Aang replied firmly, "don't let those damn terrorist's do this to you…don't you see, this is what they want. They want us to be afraid."

"I have good reason to be afraid, Aang," Katara replied. "That letter was a direct threat to you…to us…to our family." She turned away from him in frustration.

"What do you want me to do Katara?" Aang cried, "It's my duty to be there, this peace treaty is what we've all worked so hard for, what you and I fought the war for…if I give in to these empty threats the loyalists will see it as a sign of weakness…and things will only get worse."

"None of their threats have been empty so far," Katara replied tearfully. Aang dropped his eyes from hers and shook his head. She was right of course. In fact several attempts had already been made on his life since the early stages of the peace treaty.

"Listen," he replied softly, "I know you are worried…but I promise you…nothing will happen to me, even if they try something…the palace is already heavily guarded, there is no way the loyalists are getting anywhere near it." Katara nodded slowly. "I've hired guards for the house too," he continued, "you and Tenzin will be protected…I also hired a body-guard to follow you when you leave the house."

Katara remained silent but tears continued to stream down her olive toned cheeks. Aang gently wiped the tears from her face. He leaned closer to her resting his forehead against hers as he gazed into her deep blue eyes.

"There is nothing and nobody in this world that could ever stop me from coming home to you," Aang whispered, "I love you and Tenzin so much…I don't want to leave like this Katara." Katara gazed back at him she sighed softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you too Aang…so much," Katara replied, "I don't know what I would do without you…I don't want to find out." Aang nodded

"You won't ever have to," he smiled softly at her. He leaned slowly forward and kissed her. The two deepened the kiss allowing all the frustrations of their argument to melt away and became replaced by the passionate love between them. Slowly they broke from each other; they were slightly out of breath and gazed longingly into each others eyes.

"Where is Tenzin," Aang questioned suddenly. Katara smiled as she wiped the rest of her tears away.

"He is with Sokka and Suki," she replied, "they took him to the zoo…they will be back in about an hour."

"Well in that case," Aang stood quickly and swept her into his arms and smiled at her mischievously.

"Aang," she laughed, "what are you doing?" Aang leaned forward kissing her passionately once again.

"Oh," Katara replied with a flirtatious tone in her voice.

…

He sat up quickly and clutching his head in his hands as if in sudden pain. It was not the first time he had relived the last happy moments that they had shared, the last time they smiled, the last time he held her, the last time they had made love. Even those last happy moments were overshadowed by the darkness of what was to come. It angered him greatly that he had been so blind, so stupid. He should have known; all the attempts the loyalists had made on his life had failed. This time they had clearly devised a different plan; their goal was to take Aang down, not necessarily to kill him. Aang was strong, one of the strongest and most powerful Avatar's the world had ever known but even he had a weakness. The loyalist's knew this and rather than try to directly harm him and failing again, they had decided to hit him where it would hold the most resonance, where it would harm him mentally, spiritually and emotionally. They targeted his family. He should have known this…he should have taken better steps to prevent the tragedy and to protect his family. He should have never left them alone knowing of the threats that had been made. For this blunder Aang had since been paralyzed with immense guilt and anger toward himself. It was his fault that his family had been attacked…it was his fault that Tenzin was dead.

After the loss of his son Aang broke down. Putting his duties before his family had resulted in his only son's untimely death and so he completely turned his back on the world. He simply could not do it anymore. What good was he as the Avatar? How could he help the world, when he couldn't even help his own family? He remained secluded, often refusing to leave even his room let alone the house. He refused to eat despite the servant's insistence. He had completely let himself go; he would not bend, he stopped shaving his head and face and took little pride in appearances. The Avatar was truly a broken man. Often the spirits of either Yue or Roku would attempt to converse with him but he always refused to acknowledge their presence. He remained angry with the spirits, he could not forgive them for the fate bestowed upon him and his loved ones.

A loud knock at his bedroom door suddenly interrupted Aang's thoughts. He looked up weakly but remained motionless. The knock came again, this time louder and more urgent.

"Aang I know you are in there…please open the door." Aang looked up briefly once more. He recognized the voice on the other side but he could not bring himself to move.

"I can see you Aang," another familiar voice broke through the silence, "get your butt off that mattress and answer the damn door…this is important for Spirit's sake!"

On the other side of the door Toph and Sokka stood anxiously in the hall.

"He's not going to answer the door," Toph huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest, "he won't even get out of bed…he's not even attempting to try!"

"Great," Sokka sighed sarcastically. Sokka turned his attention back to the door. "Aang," he said firmly, "Aang open the damn door!" He looked back over at Toph. She shook her head.

"Damn it Aang," Sokka yelled, "we are not leaving until you open the door."

"Ugh…talking sure as heck isn't going to work," Toph stated in annoyance. She pushed Sokka aside and stepped up to the door. She slammed her foot to the stone floor and instantly they heard things smashing to the floor on the other side of the door.

"What the hell did you just do Toph," Sokka questioned.

"I made Aang get out of bed," she replied in a matter of fact tone.

"Well that's great Toph," he replied in annoyance, "now you've made him angry…he is really going to answer the door now."

"He's not angry," Toph replied, "he's mostly confused…but your are right, he still isn't going to answer the door."

"Great, now what," Sokka exclaimed.

"Oh for crying out loud," she sighed, "step aside Snoozles…earth bender coming through." She lept into her earth bending stance, she took a deep breath and then slammed her hands forcefully into the earthen wall. In one swift motion she ripped a hole in the wall next to the wooden door. She then stepped aside and waved Sokka on. "After you Snoozles," she smirked.

The two ducked into the room to find Aang sitting upon the floor where he had landed thanks to Toph. He glared at them as they entered but quickly looked away from them. Sokka could not help but notice the state of Aang's appearance. The Avatar looked like hell, his head and face remained unshaven, his clothes were disheveled and looked like he had not changed them in days. He had also lost a considerable amount of weight causing his robes to hang loosely from his thin frame. Aang no longer resembled the man that he was. He was a mere shell of the great and powerful Avatar that he once had been. Aang was in worse shape than Sokka had expected. Sokka glanced over at Toph and then back at Aang.

"Aang," Sokka called out. Aang did not move or even so much as glance back in Sokka and Toph's direction. He continued to sit cross-legged upon the ground clutching a picture tightly in his hand.

"Aang," Sokka repeated, "Aang I need you to listen to me."

"What are you doing here," Aang questioned dryly. Sokka stood directly in front of Aang and stared down at him.

"Something's happened," Sokka replied firmly, "we need you to come to the South Pole with us."

"Why," Aang mumbled.

"Why," Sokka breathed angrily, "Why…you're seriously asking me why?"

"Sokka," Toph interrupted. She touched his arm to remind him to not lose his temper. Sokka sighed in frustration as he glared down at his brother-in-law.

"Because," Sokka replied through gritted teeth, "Katara needs you…she needs you now more than ever."

*To Be Continued.