People in the Fire Nation were very well mannered but even they could not help staring. They still had not fully adjusted to the sight of the Firelord walking the streets alongside the common citizenry but they were making an effort. The sight of the entire gang of them was a decidedly different story. A little boy was standing on the porch with his mother as they passed. He pointed at them before he was shooed inside.

"This is my favorite tea shop - next to mine, of course," Uncle Iroh was saying. Toph walked beside him, her arm hooked through his. Sokka and Zuko followed closely behind, joking about the elderly Earth Kingdom engineer who was heading up their current pet project.

"...and then he said, 'I don't understand these new fashions,'" Sokka said, hunching over and scowling, stroking his beard. Zuko let out a snort of laughter.

Aang and Katara brought up the rear of the group, hand in hand. Neither of them expected to escape work by coming here - in fact, they could not have justified being here for as long as they'd planned if their trip hadn't been to the Fire Nation capitol. It was probably even easier for people to reach them here than at home. Still, Katara was certainly finding their evenings relaxing. They were spending their free time with friends, at nice restaurants listening to Sokka gossip about their colleagues ("I mean, did he understand the OLD fashions?!"). It was a nice change of pace. They only had a couple of days left here and were taking full advantage of the time.

They were currently in one of the poorer, outer sections of the city - 'poorer' by the standards set here was a relative thing, of course - and the side streets were narrow and dimly lit, forcing them to walk two abreast. Katara felt a little self conscious; she had spent a significant amount of time in the Capitol since the end of the war but could not remember ever coming to this part of the city before. It was noisier here than she had expected, more boisterous. Although some of that could be put down to the festival undercurrent still running through the streets, Katara suspected this part of town was not quite as stuffy as the rest of the place.

They rounded a corner, Katara and Aang still walking in companionable silence. It was like the old days, a little; one of those rare moments when it was easy to forget their responsibilities and imagine this was their life, every night. She sighed contentedly and leaned into Aang to bump his shoulder affectionately as they walked, tilting her head a bit to smile up at him. He favored her with a sidelong glance and returned her smile, squeezing her hand gently.

The houses were being steadily replaced with shops. Uncle Iroh pointed out their destination at the end of the block. It was earlier in the evening that he suggested this outing - right after Mai's announcement that she would be staying in that night, complaining of being tired. In reality they all understood Mai had reached her limit of sociability and just wanted a quiet evening at home. Ty Lee and Suki stayed behind as well and Katara suspected they had crept off to the gym for some late night training the moment Sokka was out of sight.

Uncle Iroh led them around the back of the shop, to a secluded entrance off of an alley. A porch wrapped around the outside of the building and he mounted the steps to the door, where he knocked four times. As if she had been waiting for him, a teenage girl slid the door open and bowed.

"General Iroh!" She positively beamed at him, "It's so good to see you! My father has been complaining all night that no one in this town knows how to play Pai Sho. He must know you're here."

Iroh chuckled and turned to gesture to the group behind him, as if the Fire Lord himself needed an introduction, "This is my nephew and some of our very dear friends. Do you have a quiet room here in the back for us?"

She nodded and stepped back to make room for them to enter, "The room at the very end of the hall is open tonight, in fact. Last door on the right, as you know."

xXXx

The six of them spent a half hour in the suite sipping tea and chatting. They sat or knelt on the floor, crowded around the table together. Iroh wanted updates from everyone and it was easy enough for them to fill in gaps for each other since their day to day lives were so intertwined by politics, even across distances. He particularly wanted to hear about Toph and the progress she was making in training metalbenders, which was proving to be laborious.

It had been hard, being apart. After all the time spent together traveling and during the initial stages for the reunification, the fact that they'd been forced to scatter their little family was trying. Katara hoped they could all find a place in the city when it was finished, but the conversation between Toph and Uncle Iroh was putting a damper on this fantasy. Although they lived in the same city, Toph had been too busy to see him in the weeks leading up to his departure for the Fire Nation.

Things were just beginning to take a turn toward nostalgia when the shop owner entered and made off with Iroh, as predicted, for a game of Pai Sho.

None of them were in a particular hurry to leave, however, and stayed behind. Katara was a little disappointed at missing a chance to corner Uncle Iroh. All the same, she was content to relax lazily against Aang, his arm draped across her shoulders. Already started down the track of reminiscing, Sokka had just brought up Ember Island - which was safe and light enough territory where war heroes were concerned - when there was a knock at the door. Not the door they had entered, but the private en-suite door that lead out onto a patio with street access. Katara was the closest and stood to answer it.

A messenger stood outside. He bowed.

"I'm sorry to disturb you ma'am," he said, "I have a message for the Avatar."

Aang joined her at the door and the boy bowed again.

"Good evening, sir. The Earth Kingdom calls for an assembly of The Council of Nations tomorrow midday at the Palace. They extend a formal request for the presence of the Air Nomads."

"Thank you," Katara said. He gave a tight nod and jogged away, up the street.

Aang turned, glaring, to Zuko, "Did you know about this?"

Zuko sighed, "Yes. Obviously. It's MY Palace."

"Why are they asking us to meet NOW? They know it's terrible timing."

"It's because they know we're both here," Zuko said with a shrug, "You know how it is."

"But ALREADY?" Aang asked.

Katara crossed her arms over her chest, "What do you mean? The last Council meeting was months ago."

Aang massaged his temples, eyes pinched shut, "Yeah," he muttered.

"All right," Zuko said, standing, "Let's go. Sokka, come on."

"Where?" Aang asked irritably.

"To get a DRINK," Zuko replied. Sokka was on his feet instantly. Aang scowled.

"We're in a tea shop."

"We are going to a BAR where there is ALCOHOL," Zuko explained.

"But I don't even-"

"I don't care!" Zuko cut off Aang's protests and strode toward the door, catching his wrist in his hand as he went and pulling him forward. Sokka followed behind and gave Aang a shove, marching him along.

"Don't wait up, sis!" he called merrily over his shoulder. He closed the door behind them. Katara stared in stunned silence.

"What was THAT about?" she wondered aloud.

Toph gave a derisive scoff, "You mean Aang? He's just mad at the Council for requesting that you become an airbender babymaking machine."

"WHAT?"

Toph put her feet up on the table, "Yeah, he got a letter from them about a week ago asking when you two were going to start cranking out kids. He was pretty upset." She scratched her cheek, "It's probably what the Council meeting is about."

"They wouldn't...the last meeting was months ago!" she repeated, "It can't JUST be about - about that."

Toph shook her head, "The last meeting AANG was at was months ago. They've been meeting behind his back since then."

Katara felt sick, "Why didn't he TELL me?" she snapped, throwing her hands up, "And how do YOU know about all of this?"

"I just hear things!" Toph said defensively. She sat up and shrugged, "He probably doesn't want you to feel pressured. You know what a softie he is." When Katara didn't respond she added, "It's none of their business, anyway."

Katara pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezing her eyes shut, "I wish I could agree with you but it's the Council of Nations so it actually is." She opened her eyes and sat down across from Toph, chin in her hand.

"Why don't you just tell him you're pregnant so that he can stop freaking out?" Toph asked bluntly.

Katara gaped at her, open mouthed. She started to respond but the words stuck in her throat. She shook her head.

"How?" she finally managed.

Toph grinned, looking pleased with herself, "You're walking weird sometimes, like you're worried you're going to knock it loose or something. Suki did it for the first couple of weeks, too."

"You haven't said anything to anyone, have you?"

Toph waved her off, "Of course not. Like I said, it's between you two. I was kind of sorry I figured it out, actually. I would rather have found out from you guys." Katara smiled weakly. "So why haven't you told him?" she pressed.

Katara rested her forehead on her arms, folded on the tabletop. She groaned softly and her voice came out muffled.

"I don't know what to say."

"Just tell him. He'll be over the moon about it, you know he will. What's the problem?"

Katara turned her head and stared at her friend without saying anything for a moment. She hadn't vocalized this to anyone yet. These things were somehow always easier with Toph. Maybe it was her blindness that made her seem less judgmental and easier to be honest with, like whispering to someone in the dark. She sighed, cheek still pressed to her arm.

"I'm scared, Toph," she said, her voice low, "I love Aang, I want to have children with him. I've imagined it so many times. And now that it's actually happening...shouldn't I be so excited that I'm telling anyone who will listen?"

Toph shook her head, "I don't think so. You know everyone - really everyone - is going to be curious. I don't blame you for being nervous. Anyone would be." She leaned forward on her elbows. She was smiling but there was a little sadness in it, "You'll be a great mom, Katara. You took such good care of all of us when we were kids."

Katara smiled, "You used to tease me about that."

"Maybe I was jealous," Toph said, frowning, "You don't just act like that out of nowhere. You have to learn it from your own mom first." She smirked, "Besides, you have all of us. I would be delighted to imbue the next generation of Air Nomads with as many earthbender traits as I can."

Katara reached across the table and squeezed her friend's hand, "Thanks, Toph," she said.

"Don't mention it." She stood, brushing her hair from her face, "Let's get you back to the Palace so you can put your feet up or eat some pickles or whatever the hell it is pregnant ladies have to do."

xXXx

The Firelord, The Avatar and his Water Tribe Envoy walked into a bar. All conversation ceased for a moment. When it picked up again it was quieter. There was awkward laughter. A woman stood near the front door, talking in low tones to a young waitress. When she saw them she sent the girl away and smiled in their direction. Her hair was pulled up into a bun and elaborately decorated with pins and combs, greying at the temples.

"Lord Zuko," she bowed, clearly unsurprised to see him. She craned her neck to peer behind him and then looked to him again, her face theatrically pouty, "General Iroh isn't with you tonight!"

Zuko smiled, the source of their familiarity instantly exposed, "I brought The AVATAR, isn't that good enough?"

The woman dismissed this with a wave of her hand, "He's married, what do I want with him?" She gave a good natured smile, "If you gentlemen will follow me."

She led them to a small room in the back corner of the place, shielded with sliding screens. The dark table was inlaid with a blond wood lotus flower, the floor littered with soft, indigo pillows. They sat and the woman left them.

"The White Lotus?" Aang asked.

Zuko nodded, "Uncle told her it was all right if I used their table," he said, referring to the owner, "They've been coming here for ages, since her parents ran the place. I think she's related to Jeong Jeong somehow."

The woman returned with a tray. She set a teapot, a bottle of rice wine and three cups on the table.

"Let me know if you need anything else," she said. She gave another small bow and left again.

Sokka portioned out cups for himself and for Zuko. Aang stared at the steam rising out of the teapot, bending it back and forth with his index finger, chin on his fist.

"You're sulking like a child," Zuko admonished him.

Sokka stopped, cup midway to his mouth, "Can you hear yourself?" he asked. Aang smirked but Zuko ignored them both and continued.

"What are you going to tell them tomorrow?" he asked.

Sokka had already swallowed his drink, "He shouldn't have to tell them anything," he said.

Aang sat up, "Does EVERYONE know about this?" he asked, dismayed.

"Toph told me," Sokka replied with a shrug. Aang groaned. "You don't have to tell them anything," he repeated firmly.

"Don't encourage him," Zuko said. Sokka leaned back against a pillow. He gestured to Aang with his free hand.

"Look, he's winning brother-in-law points here," he held his hand up defensively, palm out, "I agree with him."

Zuko snorted, "You would. Katara is a grown woman. She doesn't need you looking out for her on this. She can make her own decisions." When Aang said nothing, Zuko sighed, frustration evident in his tone, "You've only been here a couple of days and this is already the second time I've had this conversation with you."

Aang frowned, "And now I know why. You could have told me they were going to request a meeting instead of letting them ambush me with it."

Zuko softened a bit but went on, "The Council can't FORCE you to do anything. Just tell them you appreciate their concern and we can move on with our lives."

"But I DON'T appreciate it," Aang replied, unable to keep the petulance out of his voice, "I know I'm the last airbender. I'm the only airbender living at an AIR TEMPLE. I don't need them to remind me."

Zuko shook his head, "Just be a proper politician this one time and LIE. Tell them what they want to hear. It's just one sentence, it doesn't matter if it's sincere or not. No one cares."

"I care," Aang muttered.

Silence fell between them. Sokka fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable. Zuko looked down at the table, frowning. Aang took the empty cup from the center of the table, more to have something to do with his hands than anything else. Finally he addressed Sokka.

"How did you and Suki decide when to start having kids?"

Sokka scratched his head, "Honestly, it kind of just happened. We both knew we wanted to at some point but we didn't really talk about when."

Aang looked to Zuko who shook his head.

"You don't want my advice, I'm the Firelord. Mai and I barely even discussed it. As far as my advisers were concerned, the sooner we had children the better. They say public morale is better when there's an heir to the throne." he took a sip of his rice wine, "Besides, is there EVER going to be a good time? For any of us?"

Aang looked down at his empty teacup, rolling it idly between his hands. He sighed.

"Are you guys nervous? About raising kids?" Before they could respond he added, "I mean, you both have people you can go to if you need advice. I never even knew my parents but even if I had..." his brows knit together in frustration, "I never really had a dad. I don't know if I know how to BE one."

"You've taken good care of Momo!" Sokka offered hopefully.

"Momo eats bugs," Zuko deadpanned. He turned to Aang, "Listen, no one really knows how to do this." He gestured to his face, "It's not like I had a great example, either. I think it's pretty safe to say we're all worried we're going to screw it up. But if it makes you feel any better you can borrow my Uncle if you need to. He's given me great advice so far." He slid his cup toward Sokka for a refill, "Thanks for warning me to hide Mai's daggers when her water broke, by the way."

Sokka poured his drink, "Yeah, you only need to make that mistake once."

xXXx

Katara woke and wasn't sure why. She was momentarily disoriented until she remembered they were in the guest wing at Zuko's palace. Aang was pulling back the blankets to get into bed. She rolled over as he stretched out beside her.

"Sorry," he whispered, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's all right," she replied.

He slid his arm across her waist and they lay there together in darkness. Katara was about to fade into sleep again when he whispered her name.

"Hmmm?"

He didn't speak again for a moment and she wondered if he was asleep already. Finally he said, "I love you."

Slightly more awake now and sensing something in his tone she whispered, "Is everything okay?"

He kissed her on the forehead, avoiding answering.

"Something is bothering you," she said quietly.

He nodded, "Yeah, but it's nothing. Politics. Don't worry about it, go back to sleep."

"I always worry about you," she murmured, stifling a yawn, "It's my job."

She could hear him smiling when he replied, "You can have time off when you're unconscious."

"Thanks, boss," she mumbled, "Sokka didn't drink too much, did he?"

"Funny you should ask," he drawled, now sounding a bit sleepy himself.

Katara groaned, rolling her eyes even though he couldn't see, "Zuko shouldn't be allowed to pick up the check."

Now he was yawning, "You can thank the White Lotus, actually. I don't think it would have mattered much either way. They're celebrating, I don't think anyone could blame them."

She spoke without thinking, "I hope they didn't bore you too much with New Dad Talk." As soon as this sentence left her mouth she regretted it. He took a moment to respond.

"No," he finally said, his voice quiet. Knowing what she now knew about his irritation over the Council she felt even more guilty keeping her pregnancy from him. She opened her mouth to tell him, closed it again. The moment passed. She scooted closer to him and kissed him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness and she could see the outline of his face. This question dovetailed so closely to her own thoughts that she wondered at it, wondered if he knew. Toph was his earthbending teacher, after all. She licked her lips.

"I'm fine."

He dragged his fingertips down her spine and traced circles idly on the small of her back. She laughed when she realized why he was really asking.

"Am I that transparent?" he asked.

"Only to me," she reassured him.