After spending the next couple of days with Suki on Kyoshi Island; the two traveled together back up to Republic City.
Sokka yawned and stretched his limbs.
He looked over to his partner to find her missing. He gazed around the room, searching for her. "Suki?" He didn't receive a response. If she woke first, she normally waited until he was awake before getting up.
Lifting himself from the cot, he traveled up the stairs to find her.
His heart returned to a normal pace once seeing her at the edge of the ship, looking out at the sea, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
Walking over to her, Sokka slowly wound his arms around her waist - pulling her back into his chest. Taking a moment to look her over, he could see her face looking a bit green. "You feeling okay?" He asked sympathetically, brushing her hair away from her face.
"I'm just seasick, quit fussing over me." She said, finding herself leaning into him.
He rubbed her back and placed his chin against the top of her head. "We only have a couple more hours, love. But you should probably head back down to our cabin until then. I don't think staring at the waves is going to help you."
She made a noise that sounded much like a whine. Sokka almost laughed but knew better than to make fun. She leaned her head back to look up at him. "I'm sick of staying in the cabin too. You'd think I'd get used to traveling by boat eventually." She complained, closing her eyes - feeling a wave of nausea at a particularly large wave shifting the ship.
"You can't force yourself to un-sea sick. It doesn't work that way. Now come on and quit being stubborn." He said, grabbing her hand, encouraging her away from the edge. "-I'll stay with you until you feel like you can manage some lunch."
A frown found her face, and she stared at him pitifully. "I don't want you to spend the entire trip coddling me because I can't handle a little rocking from a boat." She walked with him despite her protest.
"Come on," He repeated, grabbing her other hand. "-You never let me take care of you. I'm quite enjoying the coddle-time."
She rolled her eyes and huffed a chuckle. "I'm sure I'm so attractive with my wrenching, and pasty skin. How are you managing to keep your paws off me?"
Feeling another harsher wave, Sokka stopped them to keep her steady. She ducked her head and held onto him. He subconsciously backed his feet away, just in case. He wasn't ready to lose another set of boots. She took a large breath and he knew he was in the clear. Wrapping her blanket around her shoulders tighter, he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Only you could make the color green look so good. Your nation would be proud."
"Not funny," Suki all-but whimpered. She tried to smile at his attempts to make her feel better, but her head was dizzy.
Leading her the rest of the way back down the stairs, he lay themselves back onto the cot and held her close to his chest, wrapping more furs around them. He rubbed the back of her neck, finding out - early on in their trip - that the distraction worked wonders on her nausea.
She sighed shakily and pressed herself closer to his chest, rubbing lazy circles on his torso to show her appreciation.
Sleep eventually found her. It made him feel proud that he was able to help her. He knew how much she hated feeling like a burden; she had confided such just a couple of days before. He had told her that if sea-sickness was the worse of their troubles, he'd gladly accept the challenge. That had settled her some, and she accepted his assistance more since then. Though she still had her streaks of stubborn-ness from time to time.
Even he had to admit the solid ground felt amazing under his feet; he could still feel the rocking aftershock in his head, so he could only imagine how Suki felt. He held her hand as they walked up the stairs to Aang and Katara's residence; she still seemed a bit wobbly.
At the offer of an ostrich-horse carriage, she had flat out refused. Thankfully, it wasn't unbearably cold out.
"Do you think we should have grabbed some moon peaches for Katara before coming?" Suki asked after a long period of silence.
Sokka snickered, looking her over before replying. He was happy to see she had some color back in her cheeks. "No no, trust me - after that incident, Aang planted a tree in their back yard the very next day."
"Poor thing," Suki said with a shake of her head.
He chuckled, "who? Aang or Katara?"
She smirked, holding his hand tighter and taking the stairs with a bit more skip in her step. Sokka grinned ear to ear and hopped the last few stairs - finally reaching the top.
Sokka never ceased to be amazed by Air Temple Island in all of its glory, but he watched Suki instead. This was her first time seeing the place, and she looked just as mesmerized as he had been the first time he came. He had to admit, it was gorgeous.
His sister and his brother-in-law finally came into view, and he waved enthusiastically. Sokka watched as Suki went over and hugged Katara, talking to her. He went over to Aang while the ladies chatted.
He looked exhausted.
Sokka asked, "how are you doing, bud?"
As chipper as always; Aang smiled, placing a hand behind his head. "Great! We have about a week or so before little Bumi or Kya arrives. Katara's definitely ready."
Patting his shoulder, Sokka tousled him around. "I know Katara's my sister, but you can tell me she's driving you crazy. I've known her my entire life. She's always been unbearable, so I can only imagine -"
Aang gave him a look and turned to his wife who was now glaring at her brother. "I can hear you, Sokka!"
Sokka winced, cowering behind Aang some. Suki was even giving him a look, though far less intimidating than his sister, he noted.
The next few hours flew by as they caught up. A fire had been lit, and they huddled around it, warm drinks nested in their grasps. They sat informally on the ground, and it honestly felt so refreshing.
Sokka had even convinced Suki to sit in his lap and let her hair down.
Though the Earth kingdom was less strict about keeping their hair up, he thought to himself - mindlessly playing with Suki's freed mane. He ran his fingers across its length, watching the strands part. After seeing her hair short for so many years, it had taken him a while to get used to it. But now, he almost couldn't imagine it any other way.
He wouldn't admit - or openly do it, but he found that braiding her hair was quite the enjoyable past-time. He also found out that he was fairly good at it, though again - he wouldn't dare voice it.
"So, have you guys settled on a date yet?" Katara asked from her place on the bench. Aang sat beside her, rubbing her neck with one hand and holding his drink with the other. He looked to them curiously as well.
Sokka was confused by their question, but thankfully, Suki had been paying attention. "Not yet. We'll probably wait until after Sokka's settled in Republic City a bit more before deciding on a date. Though, if I have a say in the matter - I'd like a warmer wedding," she said, looking back at him for approval.
He smiled at her and kissed her temple. "Hey, what my lady wants - my lady gets. Summer wedding, it is."
Katara grinned, rubbing her stomach to soothe her rambunctious babe. "Well, when you figure it out, I'd love to help out. Sokka will be absolutely no help. I can guarantee it."
"Hey! I'm very good at planning stuff! Don't forget, I was the guy with the awesome plans back in the day!" He shouted indignantly; Suki winced as his volume pierced her ears.
His sister made a face. "Yeah, war plans. If it were up to you, the focal point of your wedding would be a vast display of weapons."
"What's wrong with that?! Suki loves weapons!"
"That doesn't mean -" Katara grimaced, curling at a sudden pain. Aang immediately shot up, checking on her. She rubbed his arm, looking up into his face. "I'm fine, sweetie. Just a kick."
"That seemed like more than a kick," Suki chimed in - a look of concern on her face.
Katara shook her head and straightened her back, looking to Suki. "I'm okay, I promise." She held onto Aang's hand, and found his eyes again. "-This baby is going to be a powerful bender someday. With kicks like this, I have no doubt about it," she said with a look of adoration, rubbing the place where her child was currently pressing against.
"Hey," Aang said with a bright smile. "-Why don't I go start us up something to eat? We could -"
"Avatar Aang, Avatar Aang!" A man shouted, running full speed in their direction - startling them. He had a piece of paper in his grasp, holding it above his head. "-A message from the chief of police! There's been an attack on the lower ring! She's asking for your assistance!"
Everyone was to their feet as the man bowed his head and landed in front of Aang, holding the paper out to him. Aang went to grab it, but it was ripped out of his grasp by Sokka.
He shook his head up to look at Aang. "It looks like it's the same guys from the dinner! We need to go! From the looks of it, Toph needs backup! And quick! ...I'm ready to give these low-lives a piece of my mind," he said with a deep growl. Anger boiled his blood; he was ready to take down these benders for what they had done.
"No! I need you and Suki to stay with Katara. I'll handle this, Sokka!"
"No, you need backup! I'm coming with you!"
"That wasn't a suggestion! I need you here!" Aang shot back, opening his glider and taking off toward the stable where Appa was.
Sokka was about to reach out and stop Aang to argue with him, but a firm hand grabbed his wrist and held him back. His cold glare was met with another; Suki locking eyes with him. "What do you think you're doing?"
Jerking his hand away, he glowered at Suki, "I'm not letting these guys get away again! I'm going; whether Aang likes it or not!" He sprinted off, ignoring Suki's calls.
Heaving a frustrated sigh, Suki looked to Katara for support. "I need to stop him."
"I'll be fine," she said reassuringly, encouraging her forward. "-Go and talk some sense into my brother before he does something stupid."
Grinding his teeth, he ran full-speed towards the stairs leading down to the docks. Anger filled him. Thoughts of malice raged in his mind. He didn't care. They had waited months for these dirt-bags to show up again, and Aang had thrown him off to the side-lines?! Not happening, Avatar.
A voice rang out behind him with an air of authority and confidence. "The avatar gave you an order! Now, stand down!"
He recognized the owner before even looking behind him. His fists balled. "I don't take orders from him! Or you!" He shouted, spinning to face her. "-What's wrong with you anyway?! I'd thought you'd want to take these guys out? They're the people who nearly killed you! I won't just cower away while these criminals are still drawing a breath! They need to face justice, and they won't with Aang in charge!"
"Aang and the police will take care of it, Sokka! And they'll do it the right way!" Suki shouted.
His mouth dropped, and his brows drew together. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Her shoulders drew back as she straightened her spine. "It means, you're letting revenge cloud your judgment! And I won't let you do something I know you will regret! I'm begging you - listen to me!"
He took a deep breath to keep himself from yelling at her, but his voice still held resentment. "You don't understand, I need to do this! I'm sorry, but you can't stop me." Turning his back to her, he started down the steps again. But his balance was thrown off as a glimmering fan dug into the stone centimeters from his boots. He stared at the piece of metal in shock before darting his head back to the woman.
She held a stance and her second fan in her hand - aiming it in his direction. "You'll have to get past me to get to that ferry," she threatened.
"Suki, I'm warning you. Stop."
Before he had time to react; she lept down and took him out at the knees with her shoulders. He hit the cobblestone platform below them - his eyes wide. His breath quickened and he rose to his feet, holding a stance in case she tried to knock him down again. "Suki! I said, stop!"
She instead came at him again, but he was able to block her attack this time. They went hand to hand for a good while before Suki hooked her leg around his, putting him back on his butt. His chest heaved as his temper rose. He lunged at her, but she was expecting it. Grabbing him by his elbows, she locked his arms behind his back and forced him down to his knees.
A growl bubbled in his throat as he stared down at the stone under him. "Last chance, Suki. Let me go!"
"Make me!"
Dipping his head, he rolled onto his back, forcing her over him. This was a move she had taught him herself, so he knew she would be able to counter it. She did, of course, landing on her hands and backflipping onto her feet. What she wasn't expecting though, was Sokka gathering her up by her legs and throwing her onto the grass. She landed on her back and stared up at him angrily - her chest rising and falling with exertion.
Her expression fell as he stared at her chest, looking horrified. She glanced down and saw that her top had parted just enough to see the dagged scar across her skin. She closed her eyes and sighed with understanding. He hadn't seen them yet; she hadn't even told him that they existed still.
Lifting herself off the ground; Suki neared him and met his gaze. She carefully pulled her top over so he could see the rest of it. The tail end of the scar on her chest disappeared into the top of her chest binding, but he was able to see it more clearly now. He turned away, closing his eyes as if unable to look at it.
Suki touched his chest, and pleaded, "Sokka? Look at me."
He kept his head down but covered her hand with his own. She took it as a sign that he was listening, so she kept speaking. "-It wasn't your fault that I got hurt."
He bit his lip and turned his head away. "Don't."
"No, you listen to me! It wasn't your fault! It was mine," she persisted, cupping his cheek and bringing him back. "I made the choice, Sokka. And I choose you."
He opened his eyes some and shook his head. "I wish you hadn't."
She sighed deeply, "I know. I'm sorry you had to witness to results of my actions, but I won't apologize for my decision. I would do it again." Suki took his hand and squeezed. "-You can't expect me to change that part of who I am. Just like you can't expect Aang to hand out your form of justice now."
She paused to check his expression before continuing. She placed his hand over her heart - just above her scar. "-Aang will make sure they pay for what they did, but you have to trust him. Just like he's trusting you. He didn't leave you behind because he thinks you can't handle yourself. He needs you here, to protect his family when he can't."
Sokka basked in her words a moment - letting them take root in his heart. He bit back tears and let his anger wash over him. With his hand still over her chest; he felt the soft rise and fall of her breath, calming him further. He looked at her. Her dark eyes saught his - a hopeful glint behind them. Guilt hit him like a wave.
He sighed, "I'm sorry, Suki. I shouldn't have -" she hugged him, effectively shutting him up - for which he was grateful.
"I love you, you idiot."
He smiled and pulled away to look at her. "Thank you, love."
"For what?"
The look of confusion on her face made him chuckle; he kissed her forehead before replying. "For putting in my place, even if I don't make it easy on you. For just being you; as irritating as you are sometimes, I wouldn't change a thing about you."
She pouted her lip at his final remark, but the start of a smirk gave her away.
Grabbing her face, he kissed her sullen lips and placed his hand back over her heart. "Thank you for being here. I don't know what I'd do without you."
She gave him a content smile. "Sokka, I-" a scream stopped the rest of her sentence and caused her smile to fade into worry.
"Katara!" Sokka bellowed, taking two stairs at a time. Suki wasn't far behind him.
Once they reached the main entrance of the temple, they found her. His and Suki's eyes widened at the sight of her. Suki rushed over to Katara who was currently doubled-over and took her weight. "Katara? What's wrong?"
"Another kick?" Sokka asked hopefully, rushing over to them - unsure of what to do.
Katara shook her head, whimpering, "I think my water just broke."
"What?!" Sokka screeched, his voice cracking. "-Aang said you have another week before you're supposed to have the baby!"
"Well, I don't think he's following the schedule!" Katara yelled back, her face burning red in anger.
"Sokka, help me get her inside!" Suki demanded.
Sokka nodded and gathered his sister up, following Suki without a word of protest. She rushed them to the couple's bedroom and started instructing Sokka, "go and get me some towels and warm water, then I need you to find Genki and send a message out to Aang."
"Wh-What do I write?! What about-"
Suki silenced him and rubbed his chest. "Sokka, calm down," she said sweetly. "-I need towels, water, and a message. Now go. I've got your sister."
He nodded. "Okay. Towels, water, message ...g-got it!"
Woo Hoo! My computer is working again! (praying it doesn't continue it's crap.) Lol. Only 1 more chapter to go, and I'll be posting it around noon tomorrow (eastern time). Again - all things computer-wise going well. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for y'all! God Bless!