Disclaimer: Don't own these shows!

The morning was quiet as Katara made breakfast. She had been worried since she woke up as Aang found Toph and Sokka nowhere to been seen. The avatar left at once on Appa to go and find the two, but that had been two hours ago. The waterbender was much worried about if they had gotten hurt as both were exceptional fighters. What she was more afraid of was what they would find once they had finally reached Lin. They had no clue who took Lin and what he was capable of doing.

The waterbender heard the door creak open and at once she rushed towards it. She found Aang and Sokka enter. Katara came up to them and hugged them tightly.

As she released them, she quickly asked, "Where are Toph and Lin?"

At the end of her question, the two Beifongs entered through the door. Lin was asleep in her mother's arms, the girl didn't weigh much. Katara made her way to Toph and hugged her and Lin.

"Is she hurt?" Katara questioned.

Toph replied, "She isn't doing too badly. She was even fighting. But there are the cuts and her ribs that need to be taken care of."

"Let's go into one of the rooms." The two women made their way to Toph's room. Lin was gently set down and she continued to sleep.

"She must be really tired." Katara had observed Lin's deep sleep.

Toph only sighed. "Well, she was stuck in a cell for several hours and the entire time she was figuring out how to metal bend. Then she fought and discovered a new use for my metal cables all in just a couple minutes. That would tire a kid out."

Katara started to heal Lin's ribs as she continued. "This girl is so strong. You should be proud."

"I am. So very much." Toph turned away. "But I hurt her again, Katara."

The waterbender jumped a bit at the use of her real name. "How so?"

"When we were escaping, Lin had discovered how to use my metal cables to swing around the room. She found a platform near a window where we could escape. She had gotten Sokka and was going to get me next. Once she took me off the ground, because my feet weren't on earth, I didn't know who had taken me and by instinct I fought back. Once we reached the platform, I shot my cable at Lin not realizing it was her that took me. I would have suffocated her if it weren't for Sokka."

Katara thought for a moment. After a few seconds, she spoke up. "Toph that was only an accident. I'm sure she understands."

"I'm probably the reason why her ribs are more broken. Again." Toph buried her face into her hands.

Katar quickly responded, "No. Stop thinking like that. Toph you are a great mother. What all these accidents prove is that you would do anything for your daughter and that you love her so much. I'm sure Lin thinks the same thing."

Toph walked over and put a hand on Katara's shoulder. "I hope so. Thanks."

The warm smile that emanated from Toph's face was all the thanks Katara needed.

Lin was immobilized as she watched her mother reach out for her. She tried moving her hands and arms but nothing would happen. As seconds past, the image of her mother started slowly fading. Lin tried yelling but she remained mute. Her mother was barely visible and Lin was finally able to move her arms and legs. But with one single movement, her mother vanished. Gone forever.

The young earthbender woke up jittery and heavily breathing. Sweat was dripping down her face as the dream had terrified her to the point of panic. Lin slowly reminded herself that she was at Air Temple Island with her mother and everyone else. She was no longer stuck in a cold, metal cell. Her breathing regulated and Lin was calm.

It was surprising to Lin that her experience being kidnapped would be so traumatizing to her. The entire time that she was imprisoned, she didn't feel scared for her life at all. She was even motivated to find an escape and ended up learning how to metal bend. Yet after she had left the place she was trapped in, Lin wanted never to go back. All the fear was starting to come out just now.

Lin sat up and turned so that she could stand up. Once she put her feet on the ground, however, she felt two figures approaching. Not wanting to deal with anyone right now, Lin jumped back into bed and left one foot on the ground just in case. She closed her eyes and listened.

"I just need to check on her one more time. Just to make sure." That was definitely her mother's voice.

A more masculine voice spoke next. "Toph, she is fine. She is just resting and maybe you should too." Sokka.

"Thanks for the concern, Snoozles, but I won't be able to sleep without knowing she is fine."

"She is fine! You've already checked on her like ten times in the past seven minutes." Mom would.

"I am not losing her again. And I am not going to hurt her again."

Lin could hear Sokka sigh. "That was an accident."

"I don't care." Oh mom. Always worrying.

A silence came over the two adults. Lin could sense that they were just outside the door. Lin wondered if her mother can hear her heartbeat.

Toph broke the silence. "Look, I'm just glad that I have one less thing on my mind. So if you don't mind." She moved her hands in the fashion of shooing him off.

"And what else is on your mind?"

Lin felt her mother's heartbeat speed up, surprisingly. Whatever was on her mind must be the thing that she and Sokka had been fighting about. Lin moved closer to the edge of the bed to get a better listen.

"Just…things." Toph said slightly nervous.

"Like us?" the water tribe warrior responded.

Knew it. Her mother's heart was beating rapidly now. Lin steadied her own heartbeat to evade her mother's feet and get caught listening.

"Maybe."

Sokka's voice was as sincere as it can possibly be. "We never did get to finish that conversation we were having. Look, Toph, I really mean what I say and I…"

"AAH!"

A loud thud came from within Lin's room and the two adults rushed into the room immediately. They found Lin on the floor rubbing her head.

"Care to explain, kiddo?" Toph asked while putting her hand on her hip.

"I'd rather not." Lin said still rubbing her head.

The three just laughed.

I did some fireworks yesterday! (: Sorry for the late chapter. Enjoy anyways!