Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA... yada... yada...yada...

Chapter 10

When Sokka returned to the house, he found the girls chattering in the living room, and the children asleep on the floor. There were bags full of dresses and accessories all around them. Apparently they had been shopping while he was gone.

"Hey baby." Suki said, smiling when her husband entered the room.

"Hey." Sokka replied, locking eyes with his wife. Then, he subtly jerked his head toward their room, and walked out. Silently telling her that they needed to talk. Suki followed a few minutes later, understanding his covert message. When she entered their room, Sokka closed the door behind her.

"So... Did you find Aang?" Suki asked. Barely able to contain her excitement.

"Yeah... He's going to come over to talk with Katara tonight. I told him we'd clear out to give them some privacy." Sokka replied.

"Did you tell him about Tenzin?" Suki asked, worried.

"No. I figured that Katara should be the one to tell him." Sokka answered. Much to Suki's relief.

"So, tell me what happened." Suki said eagerly. Then sat down cross legged on the bed.

"Well... First of all, it took me all day to find his house. The people around here are pretty tight lipped." Sokka said. "But finally someone recognized me, and told me how to get there." He added.

"Yeah, yeah... get to the good stuff." Suki said with anticipation.

Sokka just looked at her, somewhat annoyed. "Fine." He huffed. "Well... when I first got there, I didn't think the butler was going to let me see him. But Aang must have heard my voice, because he called my name and then came to the door." He told her.

"AND..." Suki said, encouraging him to continue.

"I punched him in the face." Sokka replied.

"WHAT?" Suki exclaimed in disbelief.

"I know... I know... I shouldn't have done it. But when I saw him, I just couldn't help myself." Sokka explained.

"What did he do then?" Suki asked, dumbfounded.

"He said he deserved it... Which he did." Sokka replied, matter-of-factly. "Then he invited me in." He added, smiling.

"So did you find out why he left?" Suki asked. Getting tired of the melodrama.

"Yeah... get this... He thought that Katara and Zuko were lovers. Because Katara went to help Zuko fight Azula, instead of being with him." Sokka explained. "And... he said that he saw them (making quotation marks in the air with his fingers) 'embracing', when we got back to the Fire Nation." He added. "He was jealous." He finished. Finally getting to the point.

"You're kidding! Seriously?" Sukki exclaimed incredulously.

"Seriously." Sokka said. "And... he stayed away all these years, because he thought they were together." He added.

"No way!" Sukki interjected.

"Way." Sokka answered.

"So, did you tell him they weren't?" Suki asked.

"I didn't have to... Zuko did." Sokka replied, smirking.

"When?" Suki asked curiously.

"Apparently, after the council meeting the other day, Zuko told Aang that he was getting married. And Aang assumed that he was marrying Katara!" Sokka told her, laughing hysterically. "But, eventually Zuko set things straight." He added, still laughing. "I'll bet he was pretty pissed off, though." He finished, as his laughter gradually ebbed.

"I'll bet he was." Suki said in agreement. "So, when is Aang coming over?" She asked.

"Some time tonight. So I'll have to figure out how we can all go out somewhere, without Katara." Sokka answered.

"Hmmmm... That won't be easy. Especially if we take Tenzin." Suki said. "We are taking Tenzin, aren't we?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I don't think Katara needs the added stress of having him to worry about." Sokka replied.

"But what if she tells Aang about Tenzin?" Suki wondered out loud. "You know Aang will want to meet him." She said. Answering her own question.

"Yeah, I know. But he'll just have to wait." Sokka replied. "They need to work out things between them, before he's added in to the equation." He added.

"Yeah. I guess you're right." Suki replied. "So how are we going to go out without Katara?" She asked.

"I haven't figured that out yet." Sokka replied.

After Sokka left, Aang thought about what he would say to Katara when he saw her. 'I just can't walk up to her and say - Hey, Katara... I'm sorry I thought you and Zuko were lovers and totally acted like an ass... ignoring you for the last four years.- ' He thought to himself. The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. 'What if she hates me? What if she just slams the door in my face and won't even talk to me? What am I going to wear?' He thought nervously. "Arrgh... Why did I tell Sokka I'd come over and talk to her tonight? I'm not ready." He said to himself, frustrated. Then buried his face in his hands.

After sitting there in silence for what seemed like hours, Aang got up and went to his room to bathe and get ready. He wanted to look nice when he saw Katara. As the tub filled, he got undressed. Wondering whether or not he should take a gift, or flowers. But decided against it, thinking it might seem a bit too presumptuous. "I guess I'll just tell her that I'm sorry." He said out loud, as he stepped in to the bathtub and lowered himself in to the warm water.

When Suki finally got Toph alone, she filled her in on what happened between Sokka and Aang earlier in the day. Then later, the three of them met on the balcony to formulate a plan for the evening. Once they all agreed, they went to find Katara, and set the plan in motion.

"Hey Katara, why don't we all go out for dinner tonight?" Sokka asked his sister, as he walked in to the kitchen. Suki and Toph following close behind.

"Sure, why not?" Katara replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"Well... Actually, Katara... I kind of wanted to talk to you about something tonight." Toph said. "Alone." She added.

"Oh... Well... Okay, Toph." Katara replied. "Why don't you guys take the kids, and go on without us." She said to Sokka and Suki. Wondering what Toph wanted to talk to her about.

"Okay." Sokka and Suki said simultaneously. Then quickly got the kids, and left in a hurry.

"So... What did you want to talk to me about, Toph?" Katara asked her blind friend, once they were alone.

"Well... it's kind of... personal." Toph replied, making it up as she went along. "It's about... Haru." She added. Trying to engage Katara in conversation, while she waited for Aang to arrive. As if on cue, they heard a knock on the front door. "I'll get it!" She shouted, as she raced to the front door.

A few seconds later, Katara heard the front door open, and Toph greeted their guest. "Hey Twinkletoes... Long time, no see... Ha! Get it?" She said, then laughed at her own joke. "I crack myself up." She added, snickering.

"Hi Toph. It's nice to see you." Aang said, smiling.

Katara froze. 'Did she say... Twinkletoes? No... It can't be!' she thought. Terrified, she walked in to the living room, and slowly turned toward the front door.

"I was wondering... is Katara home? I'd like to talk to her." Aang said. Then, over Toph's shoulder, he saw Katara walk in to the room and slowly turn to face him. Her eyes locked on his. Cerulean blue on glacier grey. Before he could speak, Katara swooned and then fainted. Her limp body collapsing toward the floor.

"Wow... I didn't see that coming." Toph remarked, as she watched Katara slowly float toward the floor.

"KATARA!" Aang shouted, as he quickly moved toward her. Knowing he wouldn't make it in time, he sent a cushion of air under her to soften her fall. Then ran to her, and knelt by her side. Cradling her head in his lap, he tenderly stroked her cheek with his thumb.

Toph watched them for a moment, as Aang gently caressed Katara's face with love. Then she smiled softly, and quietly stepped out the front door. Leaving Aang and Katara alone.

Dun... Dun... Dunnnnnnnnnnn...