((AN: I admit, I absolutely loved writing this chapter. I haven't written many birth scenes, but there's just something about them that gives off a lot of emotion and challenges me as a writer to emulate at least a fraction of what it's truly like. As one of the most momentous events in Kataang canon, as well, I only hoped that I captured the spirit of the excitement shared in everyone.

I also liked writing Aang's attitude towards Katara's labor anger. I remembered from the episode "The Headband" that even if he was insulted, he'd just joke back. He's -that- light-hearted. I doubt that he'd be all that depressed once he knew the reasoning behind her anger. Can't you just see him trying to make her laugh just a little through it? x3

A small note on Tenzin's name: According to the trivia on Avatar Wiki, the 14th Dalai Llama was named Tenzin Gyatso, the inspiration for Monk Gyatso in Avatar; while we don't really know the inspiration for Tenzin in the show itself, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that perhaps Aang indeed named his son after his beloved mentor. One never knows; it could simply be a shared inspiration. :3 Also, I'm only speculating on his appearance. LoK will probably reveal what he really looks like, hair and skin tone etc. x3

I hope you all enjoy! Once again, these are all Mike and Bryan's ideas, I only merely play with them. Also, for anyone slightly disturbed by birth scenes, there's little in the way of detail, but the warning's still there. x3 ))

It took Aang an agonizing few minutes to find the infirmary; he was relying on his scattered memory and directions from some of the other Fire Nation palace attendants. But once he managed to locate it, he wasted no time at all. He was repeating the servant's words over and over again in his mind, and over and over again, he answered in kind.

She needs me. I must find her…I must.

Once at the open door, he was greeted by two guardsmen who immediately allowed him entry. Aang stepped quickly into the large seating room and found Iroh standing by the closed doorway on the far side.

"What took you so long?" Iroh joked, noticing the rather swift way the Airbender made it inside.

Catching his breath with only relative ease, Aang straightened and performed a quick bow in greeting to the retired General. "Iroh. How is she?"

"Calm down, son, you'll hyperventilate. Katara is stable, thanks to the healers," the old Firebender answered truthfully. "It could be anywhere from now to a few hours before she actually starts giving birth. Fire Lady Mai and your Kyoshi Warrior friend are in there with her, but she will most likely feel much better with you by her side."

"Oh, good," replied Aang, letting out a quick sigh of relief. "Can I go in, then? Also, Sokka and the rest should be right behind me."

"Uh…make that waaay behind you, Twinkletoes," a familiar chiding voice called from outside. Stumbling in from the hall, exhausted from running to catch up to the frantic Airbender, was Toph with the others following (they'd lost Aang within the first few seconds, but thanks to her feet, she'd gauged his direction and led them up to the room without fail).

Iroh nodded to each in turn. "Ah, good; it seems Master Katara will have plenty of support. The rest of you will have to wait out here, though, unless she asks for someone in particular."

"That's no problem," Sokka wheezed as he flopped on the couch with his daughter sitting on his stomach. "As worried as I am about Katara, I have…kind of a bad history with being around women giving birth."

Toph snorted, taking the chair opposite him. "I'm still surprised that Suki didn't kill you for fainting when she gave birth to this little ball of energy," she motioned to Kimiye, whose curious eyes were fixated on some of the more colorful decorations on the walls.

"Hey, she forgave me," Sokka pointed out. "Katara probably wouldn't, though." The warrior looked up at Aang with a warm smile and motioned to the door with his head. "Now get in there and be with her already, man. We'll all be right out here."

"And I'll make sure nobody disturbs us," Zuko said with his arms crossed as he dismissed the remaining servants who weren't needed, only keeping a guard at each of the doorways. He gave the Avatar a sideways glance and a short smile. "Good luck."

Smiling back, the Airbender nodded wordlessly to each of his friends. As he turned to the door, he closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath to steady himself. Then, he willed his hand to push through the entryway.

"…Katara?" he spoke with a gulp as he looked inside, taking in the scene before him.

The infirmary wasn't too large a room, and whomever redecorated it had made sure that it was a comforting place to be. All of the usual warm Fire Nation hues colored the walls, though the bedsheets were left white. The windows were closed only just enough to let sunlight filter through, and several flickering lanterns on the walls and tables served to further banish any ominous shadows and left it with a comforting aura. Despite the presence of fire everywhere, the room was at a fair temperature.

And on the bed closest to the door was Katara, carefully propped upright against the wall with her robes open over the swollen girth of her midsection. Two healers, easily recognized as from the Water Tribe due to their flowing blue outfits, were on either side of her and skillfully bending water on the skin over the womb. The silver-white glow of the Healing Touch served to ease the pain and stress, but it was quite evident that their patient was still in a world of discomfort. Suki was holding on to her left hand, and Mai sat on the adjacent bed watching with some amount of interest.

When Aang appeared, all eyes looked to him. The Waterbenders didn't stop their movements, but they did spare him respectful bows of the head. Mai waved, and Suki gave him a nod.

As for Katara…

Aang felt a jolt in his heart. His wife's features were flushed and slick with sweat, with quite a few strands of her dark hair out of place; as if she'd been through a fight. And it was only the beginning.

Katara, though briefly out of her pain, regarded him with very wide eyes and quivering lips. Her expression told him everything. She was bravely holding back her tears, showing glimmers of excitement for the impending baby and intense relief for his presence…but above all, she looked frightened. More so than he'd ever seen her. And right then he felt a surge of protectiveness within him.

"Aang…" she hoarsely breathed.

He practically jumped to her side and took a hold of her other hand. "I'm here, don't worry," he whispered comfortingly. The fingers of his free hand trembled as they caressed her moist face. "I won't leave you."

"I hope not…" she laughed weakly, eyes closing in comfort at his touch. "I'd have…to kill you."

"Quit talking and concentrate on your breathing," Suki softly ordered, before glancing up at her brother-in-law. "She's in-between labor pains at the moment, and doing well so far. We're glad you got here when you did."

"I came as fast as I could," the Airbender replied, his eyes still firmly locked on Katara. "Sokka and the others are in the waiting room too."

"Ah, good," Mai replied as she stood up. "I'll excuse myself, then. I believe I'll be of most use on the sidelines, rather than in here when it happens." Her eyes seemed as sharp as the daggers she wielded when they fell upon the Avatar, though her smile cut through the false harshness of the expression. "And call me back in when the baby gets here, alright?"

"No problem," Aang nodded with a smile back as the Fire Lady calmly made her exit.

Just then, one of the healers looked up toward Katara. "The baby is moving again, my lady," she informed. "Be ready for another contraction."

"Ohhh…" Katara whimpered, her wide eyes locking with Aang's as her breathing started to hitch. "I'm…I'm scared…I don't know if…I can take…much more…"

"You can," her husband insisted, cupping her face with his free hand. "I know you can. You're strong enough, Katara, more than strong. You'll be fine."

"Easy…for you to say!" she exclaimed, clenching her eyes shut. Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she fought back her discomfort, and her hand gripped Aang's with all of its strength. The healers continued their delicate work, banishing the pain wherever it appeared.

Aang felt like he was being torn apart himself, just by watching. It wasn't just sympathy pain that he was feeling; it was the pain that he shared with his spiritual other half, calling to him in need, just for his soothing comfort. And he couldn't dare break his word…he wouldn't leave Katara's side for the world.

"Can I push yet?" the prone Waterbender demanded in a slight growl to the healers.

"Not yet, my lady," answered one. Another of the physicians came around to her front. "We will let you know."

Katara let out a loud, pain-wrecked groan and sent a glare toward Aang. "When this is over, I'm going to make sure you never come near me again."

Despite the harshness of her words, her grip on his hand never faltered, and she kept him close instead of pushing him away. Remembering what Sokka had warned him of, Aang couldn't help but let his light-spirited side rise over the worry he was feeling. "That'd be pretty hard for me to do, considering how beautiful you are," he gently joked. Suki quirked an amused eyebrow at him.

Katara however didn't laugh. She kept a scowl on her face as it scrunched in pain and her body shivered. "Shut up, just shut up, you lecherous idiot…I'm serious, if you so much as touch me, I'll water-whip you right in the—AAAGH…"

Shaking his head with a small smile, the young Avatar said nothing more, but squeezed her hand right back.

After a few moments, her breathing stilled and the contraction stopped to give her another break from its torment upon her body. Her breath came out as a shaky sob. "I'm…such a mess…"

"Shh…Katara," Aang softly urged, refusing to let go of her. "Just breathe."

"You're doing fine," Suki pressed on, and then turned her gaze up to Aang. "I'm going to see if Sokka will help. Having her brother by her side might calm her down a bit more too."

"Oh, don't you leave," Katara quickly protested.

The Kyoshi Warrior smiled. "Relax; Aang's right here with you, and we're all right outside. I promise."

Hesitant, the Waterbender acquiesced with a nod and let her sister-in-law exit the room. Besides the doctors, it was herself and her soul mate. At the thought, instantly, she felt guilt washing over her rushing heart. She was holding only a small amount of resentment towards him for putting her in this pain, and dually hated feeling that way…but still he was there all the same, and she was afraid of what she'd say to him next.

"Aang," she whimpered, clenching her eyes shut. "Please…don't leave me…don't…"

"I won't," he insisted, looking down to her with sincerity. "I promise."

She kept her gaze away from him, and he felt the need again, to be as close as possible and to prove to her that he would be steadfast. Scrutinizing their surroundings for a moment, he spared a quick apology to the healers in briefly interrupting their work before coaxing her to sit up just a bit more.

Katara winced at the brief movement before finding herself leaning back again, this time right against the Airbender's chest. He sat behind her on the bed, back lying against the wall, legs steadying her on either side. He still clutched her right hand in his, and his other arm rested beneath hers. The back of his free hand could soothingly touch her face, and the entire position allowed her to rest her entire body upon his and her head back against his shoulder. She was relying on his strength to hold her up, and he in turn had her against him as tightly as possible…as protected as he could make her. Aang wanted to endure it all with her, and as she knew this, she relaxed. His heartbeat fluttered against her back, and his breath was a tranquil tone in her ear.

"You can do this," he murmured, caressing her face. "We can do this. For the baby."

She answered him with a low, painful whimper in her throat and a quick nod. Literally surrounded by him, his warmth and essence along with hers, Katara found her resolve returning. I can. I hope.

The healers suddenly paused. As one of them signaled the physician waiting for the delivery, the other turned to the waiting pair. "This is it, my lady! Get ready."

The pain came like a tide, and as it did, Katara's head fell back as she gave out a shrill moan. "Oh, Spirits take you, Aang!" she roared. "You and all of your other past lives…!"

He neither moved an inch nor relinquished his grip. But at her statement, he breathed a soft laugh on her face. "Gee, I think they take offense to that."

"AAAAANG…!"

Back in the waiting area, all was silent and tense. Not a person said a word, and some even tried to hold back their breathing as if it would ruin the thick haze of anticipation in the moment.

Sokka paced back and forth near the door, arms crossed and gaze to the ground. Suki sat on the couch watching him, with Kimiye having fallen asleep in her lap. Zuko and Mai were lying against each other on a chair, eyes open and alert, staring off thoughtfully into space. Iroh sat back and sipped at his tea, every so often glancing back to the door. And one of Toph's feet tapped rhythmically on the floor as she sprawled back on a pillow.

Finally, Sokka broke the silence with a loud groan. "This is absolutely nerve-wracking. I don't think I can just stand out here with my sister crying out in pain."

"Then go in, Boomerang Butt," Toph sighed. "You're annoying the rest of us anyway."

"But…I can't. She didn't ask for me." He slumped. "This is one of those times where I wonder if she even needs me at all."

"Sokka, you know that's not true," his wife gave him a reassuring smile. "You're her brother; you'll always be important to her. You knew when you were growing up and had to go your separate ways that this was coming…but at least you can always be there for her and your little nephew or niece, right?"

At the thought, the warrior smiled slowly. "Yeah…true."

It was then that Iroh came up and slipped a cup of tea in his hand. "And let me tell you from experience, my young friend. Next to having your own child, there isn't a happier feeling in the world than knowing you're about to become an uncle. Someone else for a child to love, and someone to come to in those times when he feels that he can come to nobody else."

Overhearing this, Zuko hung his head and discreetly smiled. Mai tightened her arms around him.

"Just be patient," Toph waved her hand. "Trust me; we're all worried right now. Not just you."

Suki let out a giggle. "The mighty Blind Bandit, worried?"

"You're lucky you're holding a kid, or I'd show you just how 'mighty' I am, too," Toph snarked back.

"No Earthbending in the palace, Toph," Zuko said for about the millionth time.

She only snorted and continued to lazily recline on the pillow. The banter in the group started to cool off into small talk and then into silence again, heavy and full of anxiety, as one of their dearest friends started to give birth beyond a tightly-closed door.

Things weren't all that peaceful in the infirmary. Katara was breathing hard, and each exhalation was coupled with a scream. All the while, the healers worked carefully to comfort her, and the palace physician kept shooting instructions over the noise. "Alright, Master Katara, again. On three, I want you to push!"

"Again?" she roared. "The…the head should be there by now! AAH…! I don't trust this Fire Nation quack!"

"Katara, it's okay," Aang soothed, gripping her shoulders tightly and holding her close. "She's a midwife, and Zuko ordered her to be here. And you have Water Tribe doctors here who'll make sure things go right."

"Oh, right!" Katara growled, her eyes bloodshot as she attempted to open them. "You're all in on it!"

Ignoring the accusations, the physician held her steady. "I can see the head. Just a few pushes. On three, now. One…two…PUSH!"

The command went through to Katara's very instincts, and she did as instructed. Aang helped to hold her forward as she worked through every sickening, lurching, fiery spasm through her body in order to bring the child into the world, fighting with all of the will she had to spare.

She could barely feel what was going on, or hear what the doctors or her husband was saying. All of her thoughts directed her to push, push, and keep pushing.

And then…relief.

She gasped and fell backward, held tightly by Aang. Her heart thundered, drumming too loudly in her ears. The Waterbender panted heavily, eyes tightly shut, as exhaustion overcame her. The pain was leaving, ever so slowly.

And somewhere far off, a baby's shrill cry pierced the air.

"You did it," Aang whispered in her ear, his tone full of warmth.

Katara gave him a tired smile before succumbing to her exhaustion, closing her eyes for a few moments.

When the Waterbender awoke, only about five minutes later, her surroundings both looked and felt foggy. But her senses came back quickly enough, and as she lay unmoving, she remembered where she was and why she was suddenly feeling much lighter than before.

"Katara?"

A pale hand with a blue arrow painted upon it brushed over her face. She glanced back to notice Aang, still propping her up against him. He had on a soft, loving smile.

She took a deep breath to make sure she was still conscious, and smiled back. "Hey."

"Hey," he replied, nuzzling her head with his. "It's over."

Katara let out a shaky laugh after a second. "Yeah…it's over." Her eyes closed, and she simply let herself be drawn into the pure, unending devotion he had given her through the whole ordeal. He warmed her body and sent little chills over her skin with every comforting pass of his fingers. As the moment reminded her of her stress-induced behavior, she frowned. "I'm sorry, Aang. About what I said."

He shook his head. "It's okay. I knew it was the pain talking. I wasn't about to think you were serious about water-whipping me in the…well, wherever it was," he smirked.

His wife giggled, despite herself. "Well, that, and this morning. I…I didn't mean to make you think that I didn't need you. I needed you more than I knew."

Smiling, Aang simply held her close. "I knew that, too. It's our first baby, and we were both scared. And now we know what to expect next time."

"Heh, 'next time'?" Katara snickered, pulling away to give him a grimace. "You really want to put me through that again?"

"Well…" he sheepishly smiled and pecked her on the lips. "Only if you want more children with me."

Quirking an eyebrow, she grinned and kissed him back. "Tell you what…I'll let you know."

They both shared a quiet laugh as Katara found the strength to sit up once more. She looked around. "Where's the baby?" she inquired.

"Over here, my lady," one of the Water Tribe healers smiled as she came in from the cleaning room of the infirmary. In her arms, she held a tiny bundle wrapped in silver-and-blue cloth.

Katara's eyes widened, and instinctively she reached her arms out. Carefully, the healer handed it to the smiling parents and bowed deeply. "Congratulations, Master Katara, and Avatar Aang. You have a healthy boy."

Slowly, Katara unwrapped some of the cloth to see the sleeping child's face, with Aang looking over her shoulder. In his facial features, he very much resembled the Avatar; the sprig of hair on his head even had a familiar black-brown color. He was neither as pale as his father, nor as dark as his mother…his skin tone seemed to fall between them both.

The Airbender sniffed and wiped a small tear from his eye. "He's…wow. He's beautiful, Katara."

"Mm…a handsome little thing," she cooed, brushing her finger over his tiny face. "Just like his dad."

Aang blushed at the words and reached his hand around, cradling his head in his palm and running his thumb over the short strands of hair. "We have a son. It's too incredible." He turned his gaze lovingly back to his wife and kissed her forehead. "I love you."

"I love you more," Katara answered sincerely, turning around and gently handing the baby to his father to hold. "So…do you want to name him?"

"Me?" Aang blinked, smiling widely as he looked between his wife and son.

"Sure," she smiled. "You never know; he could be an Airbender, so he could have an Air Nomad name. And anyway, it seems like the thing to do, having the Avatar name our firstborn."

"Heh, it's appropriate at least," Aang chuckled before looking down at the small life in his arms, brushing his index finger over his cheek. The baby reflexively reached a tiny hand up to grasp his finger.

"…Tenzin," he said at last.

"Tenzin?" Katara echoed, trying the name for herself.

Aang nodded. "It's an honorable Air Nomad name; one of the more famous monks in our history had it." He smiled. "Besides, he kinda looks like a Tenzin."

The Waterbender gazed lovingly between her husband and son, two of the most important men in her life. "I guess he does. Tenzin it is," Katara affirmed, beaming.

Little more than minutely aware of the world around him, Tenzin continued to sleep soundly in the warmth of his blankets and bathed in the bonding energies of his parents.

After a few moments, the healer politely interrupted. "May I ask your friends to come in now?"

Aang shared a glance with Katara before the two nodded their affirmation. Bowing, she went to the door and lightly called out. They could hear excited shuffling on the outside, and not a few seconds later, every member of their close family lined themselves at the door and peered in, Sokka at the forefront.

His eyes were wide as they fell on Katara and Aang, the two closest people in his life next to his parents, and the bundle they held between them. "Aw…"

"Hey, everybody," Aang smiled widely, carefully indicating the baby. "Meet our son, Tenzin."

"Son?" Toph echoed in quiet excitement. "Yep, I knew it was gonna be a boy. My Earthbending sight is never wrong."

"Tenzin, huh?" Sokka smiled as he peered down at his new nephew, trying hard not to gush out loud. "Heh…you didn't think to name him after his uncle?"

Katara lightly slapped his shoulder. "He's our baby, Sokka. And it's Aang's honor to name him first."

"Yeah, I figured," he grinned and reached down to tickle him. "Lookit you, little guy…all ready to see the world?"

Suki and Kimiye came up beside him, the latter just tilting her head in curiosity at the child that she'd eventually come to know as her cousin. "He's so cute," the Kyoshi Warrior beamed. "And he looks just like Aang."

"There's a bit of Katara in the nose, I think," Sokka hummed. "But, I dunno. He's still pretty squishy."

"Hey, that's the Avatar's kid you're talking about," Aang mock-warned.

The group shared a giggle. The final people to come into the room were Zuko, Mai, and Iroh, and their smiles were as wide as the others had when they set eyes on the baby.

"Eight years ago I'd have never seen this happening; me welcoming the Avatar into the palace and letting him and his wife have a baby here," Zuko pointed out, his emotion evident in his normally-rough voice. "And now…look where we are. Congratulations, Aang…Katara."

"Indeed," Iroh beamed. "This is a day that will be forever etched in history, and in our hearts."

Mai leaned in to whisper to Zuko, her eyes never leaving the small form. "I think I'm liking the idea of a baby a little bit more, now."

"Welcome to the world, Mini-Twinkletoes," Toph grinned.

As their friends and family surrounded the young couple, they shared a long, loving look into each other's eyes before letting it fall back onto the child between them. This tiny bundle of life, born of their love and destined to live in a time of peace, didn't know just what destiny had in store. The world was large, and he had so much to learn. But Aang and Katara welcomed the future completely, wherever it would take them.

And in their shared gaze, they had a singular thought.

This is what we fought for.