For most of the day, Aang stayed in the Rivers' mini library to work on school stuff. Thanks to Suki, the beginning had been easy to start with. Hours flew by and before he knew it, it was lunch time. When Katara had come in to ask what he would like to eat, he had told her some of that fruit salad would be fine for right then. Still glued to the computer, he finished a piece of homework for History. It was only then that he stopped, tired but pleased. So far, the classes were the usual garden-variety types, though he was able to take an Art class just for fun. It would also help with getting a scholarship for college.
Taking a deep breath, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, feeling excitement in his heart. This was what he had been missing for the last two years. Something normal and educational. He was able to forget, at least for a while, about his past. It had been a relief to do something that no sex in it.
Frowning and biting his lip, he looked over at the bag that still held the pencils and paper which Sokka had dropped off. Standing, he walked over, took out the stuff, and unwrapped everything. Sitting at the small round table in the center of the room, Aang knew what he had to do.
His heart started pounding when he visualized the young woman who had tortured him, laughing like his anger and fear were something of a joke. Grabbing a sharpened pencil, willing his hands not to shake, Aang began drawing his tormentor.
(***)
By the time he was done, dinner was underway. His stomach growled, but he remained seated, staring at the cold eyes staring back at him. Gold in real color but dangerous when heated or freezing, they seemed to pierce his soul, as if he had the nerve to display her image. But that was ridiculous, he told himself. She didn't even know about his photographic memory. Now it was going to be her downfall. He was scared, terrified even, but as he gazed into the drawing's face, the will to live, the determination to do better, was stronger.
She had hurt and killed so many others. He remembered Violet, a young woman who'd had so much to live for, whose candle of life had been snuffed out too soon. The guilt was there, but the path to redemption was within distance, in justifying her true killer. He may have pulled the trigger, but the Mistress was the cause.
He didn't know how long he had sat there, but when a knock came to the door, Aang jumped, so intense in his thoughts that the sound was like a canon blast. Unable to understand why he was doing so, he flipped to the back of the book and started sketching something that had been on his mind.
Katara opened the door, her hair looser than before. "Dinner's ready," she said softly with a smile.
He looked up at her, guilt flashing through his gut before he dismissed it. He wasn't ready to show the drawing yet. It took a lot of courage to draw her, but Hakoda had said that when he was ready, Aang could divulge his information.
Taking a breath, he paused in his drawing to ask, "What are we having?"
"Spaghetti. But the meatballs are on the side, so no worries for you." She came into the room to peer at his drawing. "What are you sketching?" she asked curiously.
Aang felt his face flush red. It was a picture of Katara, but it was still in the beginning stages, so it was hard to discern. He closed the book, saying, "I'll show you when it's done, 'kay?"
Katara tilted her head and a rogue curl went into her face. Aang wanted to brush it away and hold that smooth tanned skin, for time to stop while he held her in his arms, to press his lips against hers...
No, bad thought, red zone! He couldn't think that way, nor did he dare hope that Katara would feel anything even remotely close to how he felt about her. Having only known her for a few days, Aang was nonetheless feeling like he could combust in flames every time she looked at him. Somehow, he understood her on a level that ran deeper than the mind.
Katara nodded, bringing him out of his thoughts as she tucked her hair back. "Okay, well, are you ready to eat?"
His growling stomach was answer enough as he packed his things and they left. He said, "Just give me a minute to put this in my room. I'll meet you there." He smiled at her, feeling as if a ton of concrete had lifted off his chest. She left while he went to the room, which was beginning to feel comforting. This did feel like home. For years he had lived in the opulent prison, wishing for his apartment, his parents, and his friends.
Now he had one, a home, with a family who took him in, treated his wounds, and fed him while knowing someone was most likely after him. Aang wasn't sure how to repay their kindness, but there was one thing he was going to do. Despite their need to provide him, Aang didn't want them to afford everything for him. He wanted to get a job, something to start off with. Maybe during dinner he could ask if they knew anywhere that was hiring.
When he entered the dining room, Katara handed him a plate and sat next to him. It made him blush, having her so close, but the warmth in her presence was reassuring, like sinking in a warm bath after a cold day. Come to think of it, that was how he had felt from the first time he saw her. Oh, man, he was in deep.
There was a bowl of shredded mozzarella and garlic bread which he added to his food and began to eat. If Katara took up the arts as a career, she should make culinary her second. The girl could really cook up a great meal.
It was a long time before anyone spoke, but that was okay. The silence was calm and comfortable, nothing like it had been in his prison. Here it was understanding, a silent testament to strength and love. It kind of reminded Aang of his home, a place where parents loved without price, helped without being overbearing.
Deciding now was the time to tell, Aang took a deep breath. "I was thinking of looking for a job," he announced.
The other three occupants stared as if he had grown a second head. "A job, son?" Hakoda asked.
Feeling his face flushed but determined to act on his desires, Aang met his gaze head on. "Yes. I want to be able to support myself and help you guys out." It was the truth, a swell as the fact that he needed to do something during the day besides schoolwork, love it thought he did. It would be nice to get some things eh would need for himself instead of leeching off this kind, small family.
Katara smiled and touched his hand, electrical tingles lighting his nerves. "What did you have in mind?" she asked.
Aang cleared his throat. "That was what I wanted to ask you guys, actually." He turned to the others. "Is there anywhere close I could go to?"
Sokka and his father looked deep in thought for a about a minute as they ate; then Sokka said, "Well, there is a book shop that's hiring." He shrugged casually, though Aang could tell that there were a million other things he would rather do. "You could inquire about that."
A bookstore? Well, he did like to read, and it would be a good place to start. Maybe they were looking for someone to organize books or work the counter. Hopefully, he wouldn't be such a sick looking person when he went in. This could help make him up. He would never know unless he tried, and if he couldn't get the job, there were surely others. He needed to find his place in this world as well as help out. Aang nodded slowly but surely. "I'll give it a go," he said, taking of bite of spaghetti.
Hakoda smiled at him, warmth in his eyes. It looked a lot like pride. "They're open tomorrow until five p.m. The sooner you start somewhere, the better you will be."
Aang couldn't argue with that, so after the meal and thanking once more for the food, he showered, brushed his teeth, and got into bed, for once not thinking about the mistress. Tomorrow he would go into the store and he prayed things worked out but willing to try again somewhere else. Having taken off the wrapping that Katara had put on, he found that his ribs didn't hurt as much. Still tender but not unbearable.
He yawned, laying on his back and closing his eyes. The last image in his mind was that of ocean blue eyes that calmed his soul.
(***)
Hakoda wished them a good day before heading to the station. Katara decided to drive since she also had her license. Her car was slightly newer than Sokka's, a Mazda in dark blue. Sokka was heading over to Suki's for the day, so it would just be Aang and Katara. The thought had his heart pounding, but he tried to remain casual about it.
Once they were in the car and on the road, Katara spoke. "The bookstore isn't very far from where we live. By bike it takes maybe twenty minutes. Less in the car, closer to ten. Maybe some time down the road we could you a permit then a license, huh?" She smiled at him before focusing once more on driving.
It sounded great to him. With his memory, the tests wouldn't be hard. "You know, I haven't thought about that in years. Kind of hard to think about anything while...down there." Images form his time there started to surface, but he pushed the down resolutely. Aang had to push himself on. That place had no room for his new life now. He shook his head and grinned. "Anyway, I'd like to drive."
Katara looked concerned for a moment before she smiled, seemingly happy that he was pushing himself forward rather than falling back. "That's good, because I know just the place to go whenever your ready."
Happy to spend the time with her he said, "Awesome! I'll have to study after this visit. And I'll have to look up the rules for driving in this state."
She chuckled, grinning as they stopped at a red light. "It's really not hard that hard, Aang."
He tapped his head teasingly. "Photographic memory, Katara. It comes in handy."
"Good, then no trouble," she teased back, grinning wider.
It wasn't long before they reached the shop and as they entered, the smell of fresh books came his nose. Aang took a deep sniff of the stuff and felt his heart calming. Being in the car with Katara was great and they had a good time, but he needed to get his head together to avoid embarrassing himself. He had no idea what he was going to do. The more time he spent with her, the more involved his heart became, and he had to keep a cool head lest she find out about his growing feelings.
A young man with blond hair, gray eyes, and a tan looked up from marking newly arrived books and smiled, a little flirtatiously, at Katara. The looked made Aang's git clench, but he reminded himself that Katara was free to see whomever she wanted. There was no claim to on his part. However, knowing she could handle herself, that didn't stop the protective feelings from raging through his body.
The guy appeared to be in his early twenties and his hair was cut short in a type of faux hawk. Shaved on the back but longer on top and sides. When they reached the counter, the guy came around it, grabbed Katara's hand and lightly placed a kiss on he knuckles. The sight made Aang feel a hot pressure in his chest. It took a moment or him to realize what it was: Jealousy.
"Lovely as always, Katara," the guy said, grinning widely. He had a a voice that was light, with a hint of bass to it. He was good looking, and that made the feeling in Aang's chest hotter. Maybe coming here had been a bad idea.
"Hi, Jason, it's nice to see you too, you big flirt," she teased, smiling at him, and Aang looked away, taking deep breaths as casually as possible.
Jason laughed, leaning against the counter. "You know me too well." It was then he glanced at Aang, and there was a look of curiosity in his light eyes. "Who's this?" he asked kindly.
Katara moved over to Aang and grabbed his hand, pulling his forward. The warmth of her skin against his sent tingles up his arm. He hoped he wasn't blushing too much, though he feared you could fry an egg on his face. "This is my friend, Aang. He's new to town."
Jason grinned and held out his hand for Aang to shake, though he was loathe to do it despite how nice the guy seemed. But he steeled his nerves and shook hands. Jason's grip was sturdy, but still kind of scary, considering how many male clients Aang had before. While shaking hands Jason said, "Welcome to our home, Aang. My name is Jason Volt."
"Uh, yeah, glad to meet you, Jason." He released the hand, hopefully not too fast, but by the way Jason raised his brow, the attempt was futile. Aang looked around, some interest coming back into his system. "Nice store," he added politely.
It was a nice place. There was open area amid the bookshelves where guests could check out the hardcovers and paperbacks before buying, with a glass coffee table in the center. The redwood shelves gleamed under the domed lights. Here there was a small counter that held coffee, creamers, tea bags, hot water, and sugar. Coffee sounded really good right then.
Jason smiled, though he stilled looked puzzled somewhat. "Thanks. So what are you looking for, exactly? Maybe I can be of service."
Aang looked back at him, Forcing his nerves to hit the deck and stay there. "I was actually looking for a job. My friend, Sokka, told me about this place."
Jason moved a piece of hair away from his eyes. "Yeah, we're hiring. You're in luck, actually: My boss is in the back room, sorting her numbers." He made a face that was comical. "She can keep them, too. I'd rather sort books."
Aang felt a chuckle in his chest but swallowed it down. He was unsure about the guy, though he did seem to have a sense of humor that most people probably find cute. The feeling of wariness wouldn't let up, though, until he decided Jason was the kind of person not to take advantage of the defenseless.
Jason smiled again. "I'll go get her and an application. Hang tight, will you?" Then he was gone, leaving the other teenagers behind.
Katara chuckled, crossing her arms and shaking her head. "Jason is something else, isn't he?" She grinned at Aang, but he when he smiled back, his stomach felt hollow. What if they liked each other? No matter ho many times he told himself it wasn't his business, Aang couldn't help but feel as if his balance was off.
Trying to be casual about it he asked, "Have you two ever been together?" Or plan to? he added silently.
At that she laughed outright. "Jason? Are you kidding me?" Still giggling, she shook her head. "No, no, we're just friends. He's flirtatious like that with every girl he meets, but he's already with someone. He's twenty three years old and happily engaged."
Since he had been so focused on the flirting, it never occurred to him to look for an engagement ring. Or any ring for that matter. The pressure in his chest lessened, knowing she was being honest, but some of his bitterness remained. Marriage; it was something that seemed like a dream, a wonderful dream, back when he was fifteen before the kidnapping. But now it seemed impossibly out of reach. Aang doubted he would ever be a groom.
His expression must have showed some of that pain and bitterness because Katara had stopped laughing, concern creasing her brow. "Hey, what's wrong?" She touched his arm...
Cold laughter echoed in his ear as the beating took his breath, then he was shoved onto the bed, naked, bruises forming on his already battered form. The mistress said, "No one will want you now, boy. No one but us..."
Aang came out of the vision and jumped back, breath coming in fast. It had been a while since visions like that popped up, but this one...it was painful because it was true. No one would want him in that way. He was thin and scarred and bruised in places he hadn't thought could bruise before. The memories were there, soaked in anger and darkness, leaving him in the blackness of his thoughts.
Unable to calm his breathing down, he looked at Katara, and that was when the door to the back opened, Jason came in, followed by a shorter woman with graying brown hair. Her green eyes sparkled merrily. In her pale hands was an application.
They hadn't noticed Aang in his anxiety, so, with a huge effort, Aang pushed his mind away from that place and focused on the present. He needed a job and, damn it, he wasn't going to let that bitch stop him. That same determination came to him again and flushed out his attack, but it drained him. Katara seemed to understand what had happened and gave him an encouraging but sad smile. Taking a deep breath, he returned it with a smaller one of his own.
By that time the woman and Jason had reached them. He said, "Aang, this is Mrs. Teresa Nolan. She runs this place."
Mrs. Nolan smiled at him kindly. "Welcome, my boy," she said, her tone warm. Her eyes looked him over and he flushed, wondering what she saw. Probably a too pale, sickly looking teenager. But he didn't feel scared in her presence. If anything, his heart rate started calming the moment she spoke. Instinctively, he knew she was a safe person.
"Thank you, ma'am," he said politely, feeling most of his unease melting away.
"You seem like a nice and respectful young man." Mrs. Nolan nudged Jason with a smirk. "Someone should take that lesson," she added teasingly.
He rolled his eyes in good humor and flashed a a simple silver ring. "Last I check, Felicia likes my manners."
She sighed in faux disappointment. "What my niece sees in you I will never know," she moaned, though her eyes were twinkling merrily. "She could have married a doctor."
Jason pouted, though Aang could tell he was suppressing a smile. "Yeah, yeah, like we haven't heard that before."
Vision completely forgotten, Aang laughed, and Katara chuckled along. These two were pretty funny; and it helped relieve the rest of his anxiety like the sun breaking through the clouds. Mrs. Nolan grinned at him. "Now, Aang, you were looking for a job, correct?"
He grinned back, completely at ease. "Yes, ma'am."
She wave her hand imperiously. "Please, Teresa will do." She held out the application, once page, double-sided. "The process is very simple, my dear. Just fill this out and I will look it over when you're done. You can do it here or at home. It's your choice."
Choice. Such a simple word but with a large meaning. He hadn't had any choice when he was taken. There were no options, Nothing to give him hope of freedom. But here, this woman whom he just met, was giving him a choice. It might seem stupid to most people, but to someone like him, it was a big deal. He took a deep breath and said, "I'll do it here, Teresa."
She seemed to pleased when he called her by her given name because she positively beamed. "Alright, then! You can use the open area there, Aang. Would you like something to drink?"
Aang thought for a moment before replying. "Some water would be nice, if you don't mind."
Her smile was warm. "Not a problem at all." She shooed him away and he walked over to do the application. A moment later a plastic cup of water was set before him. He gave his thanks, took a sip, then began.
(***)
It didn't take long before they left the bookstore smiling, because after Teresa had looked over his application, she interviewed him and, with the consensus of Jason, who turned out to be the manager, Aang now had a new job.
It was simple, just label and sort books as they come in, but with the business being as popular as it was, Teresa was willing to pay him $15 an hour part-time. That worked for him just fine, especially since she knew he was being home-schooled at the moment. Excitement thrummed in his veins and the grin just wouldn't go away. He couldn't believe his luck; next week he would start his first job.
Teresa said she would introduce him to a couple of other people working there then, since they don't start until a little later in the morning, but that was okay. Right now, with Katara at his side, the sun shined brighter, and his nerves were calm. Once they were on the way to get ice to celebrate, Aang couldn't contain his glee. "I can't believe it!" he exclaimed excitedly. "I'll be working at somewhere I actually like and with people who seem to like me."
She laughed loudly, grinning broadly at the road. "I had a feeling they were going to like you, Aang." Her hand left the wheel and enclosed around his as they stopped at a red light. She looked across at him. "I'm really proud of you."
The sincerity in her voice made tears brim his eyes, but he blinked them back, too happy to want to cry. "I have you guys to thank," he said, feeling the truth in his words.
Katara blushed bashfully as they started forward again. "I don't know about that."
"Katara, I mean it," he replied seriously. "If Sokka hadn't found me, I would probably still be on the streets right now. If you hadn't sheltered me, I would be starving. Without Suki, I never would have found friends again."
They were silent for a while and Aang wondered if he had said too much. Did his feelings come out in his tone? Was she thinking about his words? Did Katara believe them?
It wasn't until they reached an ice cream parlor that she spoke. "Aang, as long as you have hope, and believe in us, we'll be by your side for life. Remember? We're family and we will fight for you." She reached over to touch his shoulder. "You don't need to thank us for that; we're in this together. Alright?"
Aang lifted a hand and covered hers, never wanting her touch to stop sending pleasant tingles on contact. He wanted her in his life for so many reasons, one being that she was his friend, one of few he could rely on when something went sour. She was his hope, and Sokka as well as Suki lending him strength.
Treasure didn't mean gold or jewels in his mind. To him, the most valuable thing was trust, a keepsake that kept hope alive. No matter how bad things got, at least Aang knew he wasn't alone. Not anymore.
He gave her a hand a strong squeeze, smiled, and said, "I know. I'll remember."
And he would not forget.