Pema rolled over in her bed for what seemed the hundredth time. Her body was ready for sleep but her mind wouldn't shut up. Lin's shocking proposal had started a war in her head. On one hand, she thought she should've declined the offer outright. It was a stupid idea. Tenzin didn't love her, and a future together could only be filled with unhappiness. On the other hand, it was a childhood dream come to life. But she wasn't a child anymore. Spirits, she wasn't even a teenager anymore. She couldn't let fancy cloud her judgment.

She did want to help Tenzin though. She just didn't know how far she would go to do so.

Eventually, she tossed back her sheets and slipped on a robe. Some tea would calm everything down. Then maybe she could sleep.

To her surprise, Katara was already in the kitchen with a steeping pot of tea.

"What are you doing up so late?" Pema inquired, choosing to hover in the doorway instead of entering.

"I've been waiting for you, dear," Katara answered with a smile.

"What?"

"I knew there was something heaving weighing on you the moment you came back from your outing with Lin. I figured you'd need a listening ear sooner or later." Teasingly, she added, "I would've preferred sooner. You really seem to enjoy mulling on things."

Pema didn't smile back at the older woman. Nor did she move from the doorway.

"Well sit down. The sooner you let it out, the happier you'll be," Katara urged.

Reluctantly, Pema took a seat. She wasn't sure she wanted to tell Katara any of it. She was an interested party. Though, perhaps that was a good thing. At least she understood the circumstances.

Katara poured a cup for Pema and waited expectantly.

"Er, Lin asked me something at lunch. I don't know how to answer her," Pema said truthfully.

Katara answered only with a nod.

"She wants me to, um, marry Tenzin."

Katara's eyes widened and she cocked her head. "Goodness."

Pema shifted uncomfortably and fingered her teacup. "She says I'm Tenzin's chance for happiness."

"Well I say…" Katara said softly, stroking her chin. Pema waited, but Katara didn't offer any further comment. She just examined Pema with slightly narrowed eyes.

"So that's my problem," Pema said. "Thanks for the tea." She made to leave with her tea in tow, but Katara stopped her with a hand on her forearm.

"You don't think it's a good idea, then? You don't want to marry him?"

Pema frowned. "How could I possibly marry him knowing what I know?"

"What do you know?"

The young woman let out an exasperated sigh, more than a little upset. "For one thing, I know he doesn't love me. For another, I know they're sleeping together at this very moment. I can't put myself in the middle of that."

"You doubt Tenzin's ability to be faithful?"

"Absolutely. I mean, it's not just Tenzin. It's Lin too. As much as I love them both, I couldn't trust either of them to end their relationship. Well, you know what they're like. You know what's happened for the last two years."

"You're making assumptions based on the Lin and Tenzin you've observed in your time knowing them. From what you've seen, such assumptions make sense," Katara said thoughtfully. "But I've known them both their entire lives, and I'm coming to a different conclusion."

"I don't think that's very likely," Pema mumbled, raising her teacup to her lips.

"I'll have to help you come to my conclusion yourself, then, or at least a realization," Katara smiled. "Let me ask you a question. Who would it be easier to lie to: a stranger who you have no intention of liking or a good friend?"

"Obviously a stranger, but—"

"If Lin intended to continue having an intimate relationship with my son, would she bring you into it, based on your answer?"

"No, but—"

"She's finally realized that a life as the other woman would only bring her misery. And she told you her real intention." Katara gave Pema a look, inviting her to voice the intention.

"To…to make Tenzin happy," Pema said very softly. "Or rather for me to make Tenzin happy."

"By asking you, a person he loves or will soon grow to love, to marry him, Lin is letting Tenzin go."

Pema bit her bottom lip. "But how can you be certain?"

"Ask her yourself. I'm sure she'll be very forward with you," Katara encouraged.

"I'm still going to need time with this," Pema said, looking at her tea.

"Of course, dear," Katara nodded. She rose to leave Pema with her thoughts, but stopped in the doorway. "I'm by no means telling you to accept or decline. I just want you to understand Lin's reasoning."

Pema didn't come to a decision that night. Nor did she decide the next day. Each time she thought she had an answer, she'd meditate on it just long enough for doubt to creep in, and she'd have to start over. And there was a lot to think about.

It was pretty obvious that Lin was working behind Tenzin's back. This was the sort of decision that the two should make together. So even if Lin really was ready to give Tenzin up, who knew how Tenzin would react? Lin seemed certain he would love Pema, but it would be hard for him to love anyone if he was still intent on Lin.

Fortunately, Pema was able to take her mind off marriage and love most of the time. She helped Katara cook and clean. She spent time with the Air Acolytes. She'd already befriended many of the acolytes on her previous visits. She'd even considered taking the formal steps to becoming an acolyte herself. Though, now things were more complicated.

Perhaps it was a good thing Lin hadn't told Tenzin of her plans. Pema wasn't sure she'd ever feel comfortable in his presence if she rejected a proposal that came directly from him. Of course, if it came from him, she'd be less inclined to say no. It was best not to dwell on it, Pema decided. It made her anxious.

But she wasn't able to procrastinate for too long. Less than a week after Lin's proposal, Katara informed Pema that Lin and Tenzin were coming to dinner.

"Don't worry, dear. Lin's not coming demanding an answer," Katara assured Pema in response to her stricken expression at this news. "She understands that it's a big decision and you have as long as you want to choose."

Nonetheless, Pema spent the rest of the day in a mental battle. She picked her answer as soon as she heard Lin and Tenzin's voices from elsewhere in the house. She wouldn't marry Tenzin. It was too complicated. After dinner, she'd pull Lin aside and tell her so.

It had been months since Pema had seen Tenzin. Even longer since she'd seen him happy. The sight of him took her breath away. Spirits, she mentally gaped. Had he always been that tall? He'd shed a few layers of his usual robes due to the summer heat so his muscular arms were very much visible. But what really made Pema swoon was his smile. It was so genuine and kind and made his cheekbones look even more attractive.

The only bad aspect of that glorious smile was that it wasn't for her. It was entirely for Lin. He smiled like that because he loved her so much. Even the simple way he held her close to him with a light hand around her waist, tenderly stroking his thumb back and forth, told Pema of Tenzin's devotion to Lin.

It made it easier for Pema to keep her resolve to decline marriage to him.

However, as the night progressed, Pema became less sure of her decision.

She'd forgotten how kind Tenzin was. Throughout the meal, he engaged her in conversation that was more than polite. His interest in her was as sincere as his smile.

It soon became obvious to Pema that Lin had arranged this visit simply to make Pema spend time with Tenzin. While Pema and Tenzin chatted, Lin and Katara pretended to be discussing something, but when they though neither were watching, they'd watch the pair with sad smiles. This annoyed Pema at first, but when she made a particularly amusing remark, Tenzin's laugh was enough to make her temporarily forget about Lin.

Still, she wasn't convinced until Tenzin rose to help his mother with the dishes and patted her shoulder as he passed.

"Lin," Pema said after clearing her throat. Lin met her gaze immediately and quirked an eyebrow. "Will you come with me? I have to talk to you."

Wordlessly, Lin followed Pema from the dining area. They didn't go far, but Pema was confident they wouldn't be interrupted. For a moment, they stared at each other in silence while Pema decided her answer once and for all. Her shoulder still tingled where Tenzin had touched her. "I'll marry him," she said quietly. "But I have one condition."

Lin nodded solemnly. "What is it?"

"I need your word, your utmost promise, that you will not continue a relationship with him. I understand that you'll need a while for things to end completely, but I need to know with a surety that by the time we're married, Tenzin will be faithful to me." Pema searched Lin's eyes as the older woman processed her words. "You can be friends. You'll always be friends. I won't act overly jealous. I just…You know what I'm asking."

"I give my word," Lin said clearly. She wholeheartedly meant it. "I will tell Tenzin the new plan, and pending his approval, he'll move back to Air Temple Island by the end of the week. You'll have a few months to properly court, you'll be married, and Tenzin will be yours to love and…and hold." Lin quickly turned her head away and blinked away a tear or two.

Pema approached her and grasped both of her hands. "I'm so sorry things have to be this way for you. You don't deserve it," she whispered earnestly.

Lin took a shuddering breath and attempted a laugh. "This is what needs to be done. I can't be selfish forever." She allowed Pema to embrace her. "Don't be too sad for me. Be happy for yourself. You'll be married soon, and you should be excited."

Pema blushed. "Married. Oh. Two years ago I thought I was ready, but now…" She let out a nervous giggle.

"Am I interrupting something?" Tenzin stood awkwardly in the doorway.

"No," Lin assured him, her face quickly arranged into an expressionless mask.

"Pema, my mother asked if you'll help with some pastries for tea. She says you're the best," Tenzin said. He still wore a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Of course," Pema said. She left quickly, resisting the urge to eavesdrop on whatever would happen next.

"Pema's getting married?" Tenzin asked quietly. He and Lin had stepped outside for privacy.

"She might be. It's really up to you," Lin answered, looking him in the eye without difficulty.

"Lin?" he asked apprehensively.

"I've found a way for you to avoid marrying a stranger," Lin said unabashedly. "Marry Pema."

Tenzin gawked. "Pema? But why would I—? I wasn't under the impression that she…" He trailed off hopelessly, unsure whether he should be angry or not.

"She loves you. She's loved you for longer than you can imagine," Lin said. Her voice wasn't raised, but it was brimming with emotion. "I'm certain you can love her too."

"I don't want to love her," Tenzin retorted, heart pounding. He didn't recognize the adrenaline rush as fear.

"You will!" Lin asserted. "It's the only way you can be happy!"

"But we're happy! You and me!" He held Lin tightly by the elbows, needing her near him. For once, Tenzin's voice was much louder than Lin's. The courtyard seemed to echo his words.

Lin sighed and bowed her head forward so her forehead rested on his chest. "Yes," she allowed quietly. "We are." She lifted her head up and stared at Tenzin with a furrowed brow. "But we won't be. It can't be us any longer."

And part of him knew she was right.

A/N: Sorry for another long delay. Holidays and whatnot. I'm starting to really worry about finishing this story. I've only got a little more than a month to be done with everything. That means a chapter a week at the least. More if I want to get the alternate ending done too.

Also, sorry if the end of this chapter seems messy/hurried/undeveloped. I really just threw it together for the sake of moving on.