Please keep reviewing and following this story. Time jumped a few years.

That day. She remembered that day. She remembered what Tenzin had said and how much it had hurt her. But the best thing from that day was what Bumi had said. I'm here for you. Lin usually wasn't one to confide her feelings with someone but he was different. He was her best friend and he understood her. Days passed and their friendship grew stronger. Bumi even let Lin practice throwing her metal knives at the apple on his head. Each day as she grew older and taller, her feelings for him grew too. But she had lost all hope for Bumi ever liking her as more than a friend. All he ever talked about was leaving the city.

"I'm going to join the United Forces."

"Why? I mean you'll be gone for-"

"It's only for three months at a time and its good pay. I can support myself and see the world."

Lin was practicing self-defense movements so she could use metal cords sooner than later. Her mother said she lacked self-defense movements, that Lin just fought. And of course, Lin knew it was true. She would walk into a trap sooner than later and be killed. Bumi was nice enough to go easy on her but he did take some massive hits earning himself a few scratches. Lin was blindfolded so she couldn't see how hurt Bumi was but she felt he was losing his breath. So, they decided to go inside and take a break. They were now sitting at the small table in the kitchen and were talking about Bumi's future.

"But you have a life here. You can't just leave!"

"I'll come back for the three months I'm off."

"But that's not the same. You're going to leave your family and me."

"Lin I said I would be back-"

"It won't be the same...that's all I'm saying."

"If you're afraid I'll drift away from you and everyone else, don't be."

Lin blushed slightly and smiled. But she soon tried to hide it when she felt someone walking into the kitchen.

"Hey Twinkle-toes."

"Remind me to tell your mother to stop calling me that. It's not manly."

Lin rolled her eyes and Bumi chuckled. Aang sat at the table with the two. He noticed Lin was feeling indifferent about something. He then turned his attention to his son who seemed rather elated. Aang was curious to know what was said before he walked in.

"You two can continue with your conversation...I didn't mean to interrupt."

"We were finished with our conversation Aang."

"Well...what were you talking about?"

"Oh I was telling Lin that I want to join the United Forces."

Aang took this as a shock. His eldest child wanting to leave his life behind and be put on the front where he could possibly die? Aang couldn't comprehend what would possess his son to want to do this. He then noticed Lin got up from the table and walked out. Aang turned back to his son who just shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll be back. And we are going to talk about this later with your mother."

"Okay but whatever you say will not change my mind."

Aang walked out of the kitchen and out into the yard. He tried to feel for Lin but he didn't feel her. Then he saw her. She was sitting up on the top the roof over the walkway. Aang jumped up unto the roof and walked over to Lin. He sat beside her in hope that she would turn her head towards him so he could read her eyes. Aang knew Lin wouldn't tell him what was wrong so he was going to stare into her eyes and learn what was wrong.

"I'm not going to turn around so you can read my eyes."

"I wasn't going to read your eyes. I just wanted to talk."

Lin turned her head around and looked at Aang. He wasn't looking at her but at the ground below. Lin could tell Aang was upset about something too. She let out a sigh and looked at the ground below.

"You don't want him to go do you?"

"Neither do you."

Lin looked up at Aang. He was smiling warmly at Lin.

"Your heartbeat gave it away. And when Bumi said he was talking about joining the United Forces you left. But I feel that you don't want him to leave because of something bigger, not just friendship."

Lin sighed. She had been found out. She figured if she had a chance she should at least talk to his father.

"Well-"

"You like my son don't you Lin?"

"Yes...very much."

"I figured..."

"How did you figure?"

"The way you admire him. The way you blush when someone mentions his name. No one else may notice but I notice. And...so does he."

Lin looked back to Aang. She hoped he would repeat what he said but he didn't. Instead he pointed to the ground. Lin looked down and noticed Bumi was standing there looking up at them. Lin smiled and stood up. Perhaps a little too fast. She fell backwards off the roof and she screamed. She would usually break her fall by bending the earth upward so she would only fall with minimal injuries if any at all. But this all happened so fast. She knew she was going to hit the ground. She closed her eyes and hoped for the best. Then she encountered something, but not the ground. It was softer and she didn't feel any pain. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Bumi's face so close to hers. His hair blew in the wind and his eyes were a calming almond brown. Lin touched his face.

"You saved me."

"I told you. I'm here for you."

Please review and follow. Thanks!