Nothing went so fast as the years that followed that night. Tenzin remembered holding her under that tree until the late hours of the night forced a yawn to escape her lips. He escorted her to her room, making sure to keep her soft, small hand twined with his. He stroked her hair as he kissed her goodnight. The months after that were spent in simple bliss. Long walks around the island were a daily occurrence. Stolen kisses were all they could manage for a while, only being able to sneak in some alone time after classes or in the still of the night. During the long days, he yearned for the feel of her soft lips on his. His hands would be twitching for the feel of her small hand in his, or maybe even the feel of her soft brown hair flowing and slipping in-between his fingers. He desired just the barest of touches with her to prove to himself she was real.

He had to leave behind the paradise of the island when he went into the city. The press had released the story of his and Lin's break-up. Thankfully he was able to hide Pema from the press and keep her out of his mess for the first few months. Everyone was in a frenzy to figure out why the golden couple of Republic City had parted. Lin had skillfully avoided Tenzin unless the confrontation was absolutely necessary. She had barely spoken a word to him, and if she did it was cold and curt. But he had to be patient. He wanted his friend back, but healing takes time. When he would finally take Oogi home to the island he would make sure to linger in the bison caves and talk to the single most beautiful girl in the world. She would roll her eyes when he insisted that he help clean Oogi.

"He just had a bath this morning, Master Tenzin. I doubt you got him that dirty." He soon got smarter. Before he would bring Oogi back to the caves he would thoroughly cake him in mud. She would smile knowingly and set to work. He would stand beside her and wash the bison fur. It was a complete mystery to him, but he just liked to see her work and he loved to help her work. It was a strange little mania that he loved to do almost everyday. He would subtly brush his hand against hers and reach around her to clean a spot she might have missed.

She never neglected the chance to be close to him. She would lean into him during her training and always walk a little closer to him on their way to meditation or to a meal. When they walked in step she would brush her hand against his letting him know that if they could show it publicly, she would be holding his hand right now. It was irritating that she couldn't lace her fingers with his and press her palm to his, but she knew that she would feel his hand around hers soon, when they were alone. Those were the best times. When they had time to themselves they would always find each other. Sometimes no words were spoken between them, just the comforting pressure of the other's lips on theirs. She loved being able to wrap her arms around him and hold him as close as humanly possible. They would talk for hours just soaking in one another.

But they could only maintain this perfect peace for so long. The acolytes had figured out about their relationship pretty early on. They tried their hardest to be discreet around the island, but apparently that was not their strong suit. The acolytes had accepted them and thought very little of it. Aang had hosted a small dinner with Pema, Tenzin, Katara and himself as a sort of 'meet the parents' dinner.' They got along just as they always had, and they were just splendid. Aang joked about his jealousy.

"How did you land her, Ten? You showed her the marble trick, didn't you? " Pema giggled and Tenzin even smiled at the humor. Aang leaned over to Pema, winking.

"He learned everything from his old man."

"That's not necessarily a good thing, dear," Katara quibbled.

But to the rest of the world, Tenzin was still supposed to be single and grieving over his and Lin's break-up. He had kept Pema out of the tabloids and he intended to keep it that way. He could just imagine what the press would do if they discovered he was involved with her. They would tear her apart. He thought he had done a good job of keeping their relationship a secret, but apparently not.

Soon after the suspicious arrest of an acolyte, the tabloids figured out what was going on. They had a field day with the whole story. How Pema had been his student and fallen head over heals for him. How he had encouraged the fancy and all but seduced her. And how he broke it off with Lin to be with the younger woman. The story of her arrest broke and everyone was just in a tizzy over the whole thing. How Lin arrested her out of jealousy and held her in the high security cell. The stories and rumors became more far fetched and horrible. Most of them cast Pema as the villain. When they would walk hand in hand down the street, you could hear the low whispers and horrid names they were calling her. She tried her best not to let it get to her and she always appeared as the icon of kindness, strength, and beauty to anyone who approached her, even the people who were calling her the despicable names. But sometimes she would just break down and hold him for support. Why did these people have to be so cruel. She was nothing but kind and caring. Why couldn't their relationship status just be privy to the people of the island? They held no judgement and accepted that Pema and Tenzin loved each other.

Soon the talk about them settled down and new gossip surfaced. The most disturbing news that was circulating was about Avatar Aang. He had gotten very ill and was having trouble tending to the worlds conflicts. Around the island he had taken to sleeping more and holding Katara's hand when ever he did gather the strength to get up. This was not strange, but you could tell that it was more for support to stand and move than out of affection. Aang passed away soon after that. Both of them couldn't recall the specific details of those days of grief. Pema remembered how that first night after Aang's passing Tenzin pleaded for her to stay with him. He couldn't face the night alone. The darkness might consume him if she wasn't there to fight it off. As he drifted off into slumber, a memory played out in front of his eyes. It was days before his father's passing and they were in the pavilion right after meditation. Their voices sounded distant as if they were at the end of a hall.

"How is Lin?"

"She's still not talking to me."

"She'll come around."

"I hope so. I never meant to hurt her. Its just-"

"I know, Ten." Aang paused, "Pema is a wonderful girl, Ten."

"I know." Aang's laugh was weak in comparison to his usual lively one. They sat in compatible silence and suddenly Aang began to cough; Horrid, sickly coughs.

"Father! We should go inside."

"No." Aang said firmly. "No, no, I'm fine. Tenzin just answer me one question." His voice was urgent. Tenzin nodded.

"Is she your forever girl?" Tenzin was taken aback by this question. What on earth did his father mean? It made no sense to him. But then he saw her face in his minds eye. He saw her smile and heard her laugh. His brain flooded with the reasons he loved her and his body warmed all over. He put those words to her face. 'Forever girl'. They fit together like a puzzle. It was as simple as that. She was his forever girl. His father was waiting for his answer. "Y-yes. I guess she is." A smile crept over his face and was mirrored in Aang's face.

"I just wanted to make sure you're happy, Ten."

The dream progressed into more memories of his father and the pure joy and strength he once held. As he slept, Tenzin would tighten his arms around the warm body of Pema. She would grieve with him every night and hold him to give him strength and sometimes to receive strength from him. One night, he had to stay late at a council meeting. It had been several months since Aang's passing, and Pema didn't feel as though she needed to comfort him anymore at night. Truth be told, she was mainly still sleeping in his bed at night because she liked the feeling of his arms around her body, and his warm breath on the crown of her head. But it had been a long meeting and she was dosing off. She couldn't wait up much longer so she went to her shared room with Jin and fell asleep in her own bed. Not long after she drifted off to sleep she was woken up again. Tenzin was kneeling by her head and stroking her cheek as she slept. "Tenzin, what are you doing here? Are you okay? Is everyone else okay?" She whispered after coming down from the shock. She didn't want to wake Jin. But him sneaking into her room this late in the night frightened her. Had something happened? His hand was still cupping her cheek. He didn't say anything. He just smiled and leaned toward her to capture her lips. Even in her current state, she melted into him when their lips met. It was gentle and lingering. He didn't want to lose the contact. He had tried desperately to fall asleep when he got home, but it was impossible. The bed was as cold as a glacier. Sure, he had spent nights without Pema since his father's death, but he wanted to feel her warm figure in his arms. He reluctantly parted his lips from hers.

"I didn't want to go to bed without saying goodnight."

"Tenzin." It was all she could think to say. His name just sounded too sweet and lovely on her lips. He actually preferred when she said it compared to when anyone else said it.

A groan sounded from the other bed and rude mumblings toward Pema were heard from Jin. They chuckled at Pema's poor roommate. "Well, goodnight Pema." He stood to leave, but she grasped his arm to stop him. Her eyes said it all, stay.

"Pema, I can't, the other acolytes might-"

"Please?" Her soft voice weakened his knees. "Well I-" They both looked over to the other bed and after a brief pause, "Well I don't care what you to do as long as I'm able to go back to sleep." They laughed quietly and Tenzin slipped into Pema's small bed holding her close to him.

Soon, those months turned into years and they clung to each other only forming a stronger bond. That's not to say it was perfect. They fought like all couples do. Their first quarrel scared Tenzin to death. He was afraid that they would head down the same road as Lin and him. But she promised him that that would not happen.

It didn't take very long for their kisses to become more demanding and their caresses more passionate. They waited a long time by any other standard, but some acolytes disapproved of their relations being intimate before marriage. But Tenzin knew that he would marry her. It wasn't as if it were a dream or a fantasy that was far off into the future. His life wouldn't take an unexpected turn like it did with his previous relationship. He was set on marrying her and raising a family with her. He remembers his first night with her in great detail. It was so natural to be with her in that way. It was gentle and the air was humid with raw passion and love. He woke up next to her just wishing the world would stop for him so he could gaze at her until time unraveled.

On her twenty-third birthday, he took her to the city of Ba Sing Se. She insisted on just a quiet dinner on the island, but he had bigger plans that he refused to change. She was ignorant of the real meaning of this night. First, they went to dinner where he made sure she got the best home cooked Earth Kingdom meal in all of the nations. After dinner, she thanked him for a great birthday and headed for Oogi. He just shook his head and took her hand directing her to the streets. They walked by the moonlight greeting every pleasant person who flashed them a smile. Hand in hand they finally reached their destination. Tenzin smiled as her eyes lit up with joy. They were standing on the edge of a square. In the center was a band and all around the band were Earth Kingdom people dancing and singing to folk songs. Tenzin secretly had taken up dance lessons with his mother for Earth Kingdom folk songs. However he didn't know the current one that was being played. He gestured to the people sitting around the edged saying they should do the same. The whole square was alight with the glow of lanterns and the twinkle of stars. Pema happily chatted to Tenzin, telling him of a time when her mother and father would dance to these songs and teach her the steps. Tenzin's ears perked up when a song finally came on that he recognized from his lessons. He squeezed her hand and led her into the ring of people dancing. She joked that he would look foolish not knowing the steps, but he surprised her with his knowledgeable footwork.

"You learned the dance for me?" Her words were coated with delight. Pema looked into the steely grey of his eyes. This man was amazing. He was full of surprises tonight, and had already done so much for her.

Many songs later Tenzin began to feel the weight in his pocket become more prominent. He needed to do it now or he would loose his nerves. Her head was resting on his shoulder as they swayed to the slow beat of the song. He gave a nod to the singer of the band in the middle of the square. The singer winked and raised his voice to the crowd. "We're gonna pick it up a bit here folks. I know ya'll know this one, so please join right in. Lads, grab a lady and ladies, go coax some young lad to dance. Don't be shy, don't be shy." The beat picked up and the music became animated.

"Oh! I love this song!" Pema exclaimed.

"Really? What's the name of it?" Tenzin asked. He knew the name and he knew it was one of her favorite songs. When she was doing something out in the garden she would sing it beneath her breath.

"Oh, it's called Marie's Wedding and it's one of my favorites." Her face fell ever so slightly. "Do you know the steps?" "I'll catch on dear." She smiled brightly and had them join the line of couples facing each other in preparation for the song to start. The instruments played absent of the lyrics and everyone started to dance. They went through a few cycles of the dance still with no lyrics. Pema laughed a hearty laugh they were n the thick of the group and never did their eyes loose contacted.

"You little hogmonkey! You do know this song, Ten." She laughed lightly.

"I do and I think you might have gotten the name of it wrong."

"Did not." She insisted.

"Did too." Tenzin responded with a laugh. The lyrics started up as they began another cycle of the dance

Step we gaily, on we go

Heel for heel and toe for toe

Arm in arm and row on row

All for Pema's wedding

Her head snapped in the direction of the band. And then back to Tenzin. "Ten what is this?"

"What are you talking about, dear?" She gave him a suspicious look and then shook herself. She probably thought that she just heard the singer wrong, but then the first verse came up.

Over hillways up and down

Myrtle green and bracken brown

Past the shielings through the town

All for sake of Pema

Her eyes flicked to the band again. And Tenzin couldn't help himself. "I told you, you got the name wrong. She opened and closed her mouth, still very confused as to what was going on.

Red her cheeks as rowans are

Bright her eyes as any star

Fairest of them all by far

Is our darling Pema

Oh plenty herring, plenty meal

Plenty peat to fill her creel

Plenty bonny bairns as well

That's the toast for Pema

As the dance ended, all of the partners came together and locked their hands. Tenzin pulled her close and held her hand in his. He kissed it and lowered to one knee. The confusion that previously was on her face was replaced with shock. "Pema, I love you. I-I want to be- would you- I" he sighed at his fail attempt to be smooth. Pema giggled a watery laugh. She was crying. She was crying because she was too happy for words. She kneeled down in front of him and cupped his face in her hand. He looked into her eyes and said in a pleading voice. "Please, marry me."

She nodded and let out a soft, "Yes."

Two years later he held his child, his little girl, his Jinora. How beautiful she was, he could not say. She was to precious and perfect for words. It was love at first sight, and there was no way that this love would fade. They held their child in-between them.

"Tenzin, we made this. Can you believe it?"

"Well, you did all the hard work. I just get to take all the credit." She laughed lightly so she wouldn't wake the sleeping child. "Well, you have a lot of work coming your way with her, babies aren't easy." Tenzin grinned. "I have more work than you know darling, because I don't just want this one, I want more." They both smiled at the very thought.

Hey you guys here it is the last of it. i hoped you enjoyed following Pema and Tenzin. But i'm not completely done. i am always open to writing more, maybe some oneshots or a more indepth story on a scene or idea you liked during this series. Pm anytime you want with ideas for stories, and i'll see if i can make them be more than just a headcanon. seriously i'm taking any suggestions. i will forever be grateful to the wonderful and beautiful FooFooCuddlyWHAT for being the best beta in this universe and all universes parallel. Thanks you guys and as always please please please please please please please please please PLEASE review

lots of love

Tonksiegirl