Katara was on her phone, texting a friend who was interested is buying a pair of earrings, when she heard the unmistakable sound of her car coming into the driveway. Of course she knew it was Aang, since he had wanted to take a drive. Sokka wasn't home, nor is their father, so she was by herself. Aang had said that he wanted to get closure about what had happened in the alley, to let go of the demons that haunted him.

She could only hope he had started to release them from his mind.

The door opened, revealing the boy she liked, heart hammering in her throat. When his silver gaze met hers, Katara couldn't help but smile, which he returned. There was something different about him, though. It almost seemed like he was glowing. It was a beautiful thing to see on someone who had undergone a lot of stress in the past. Standing, she was about to ask if the drive had helped, but he strode over before she could, engulfing her in a warm hug that she felt all the way to her bones.

Shocked, she hugged back, though confused by Aang's actions. "I'm guessing the drive accomplished its purpose?" she finally managed to get out.

Aang leaned back, still holding her, and grinned even wider. "Better than expected." He took a deep breath and released her, only to grasp her hand. Tugging slightly, he said, " I want to show you something."

Curious, she followed him out the door.

When she saw someone else in her car, Katara was surprised. The man was sitting in the passenger seat, watching them. When Aang gestured to him, the man removed himself from the car and walked over. Only when he joined the teenagers did Aang speak. "Katara, this is Joshua Windstorm. Dad, this is Katara Rivers."

Joshua smiled charmingly, gray eyes sparkling in good humor shadowed by darkness. Katara smiled in return. "It's great to finally meet you, Mr. Windstorm," she said, sincere in her words, holding out a hand to shake.

Instead of shaking it, however, he grasped her fingers and placed a gentle kiss on the back. "The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Rivers."

Katara blushed, stunned. Despite what the man had been through, he seemed...chivalrous, in a way. Of course her heart belonged to his son, but it was clear where Aang got that aspect of his personality from.

Aang coughed, catching their attention. "Anyway," he said quickly, "Katara, I was hoping to use your car for a little while longer. There's one more reunion to-"

That was when another vehicle came to the lot, Sokka's truck, and him and Suki got out. When they beheld Mr. Windstorm, Suki's mouth dropped open in bewilderment. Sokka just looked confused.

Everyone was silent for a long moment, the tension thick, then Suki broke out of her trance with a cried, "Dad!" while running to hug the man.

Joshua hugged her back tightly after realizing who it was. "Hey, Baby Girl. It's been a long time."

Suki looked up at him as Sokka came over with a grin. "You must be Aang's dad."

He matched the grin, extending his hand. "Josh Windstorm. And you are?"

"Sokka Rivers, sir."

Josh raised his brows at Katara. "Brother?"

Katara rolled her eyes in good humor. "Unfortunately yes."

Sokka glared at her in annoyance. "Why do you always have to pick on me?"

Suki giggled, wrapping an arm around his waist. "Because you're too easy, sweetie."

He grumbled, "The things I do for love."

That got everyone to laugh, even him to grin. Aang turned back at her when everyone calmed. "Anyway, I want to bring Dad over to Mom's place, and I was wondering..." He trailed off, fidgeting.

Katara grabbed his hands, sensing the nervous energy emanating from his body. "What is it, Aang?" she asked gently.

He took a deep breath. "I want you to come with," he said quickly but clearly.

She was stunned. She wouldn't mind seeing his parents reunite, but at the same time, this seemed like something personal, a time for a family long separated to be together again.

"Shouldn't Suki go instead?" she asked, then, seeing the crestfallen expression on his face, hastily added, "It's not that I don't want to go, I do. But this seems more like a family matter, to me."

Suki chimed in. "Don't worry, Katara. Me and Dad can catch up later."

Josh smiled at his adopted daughter. "Absolutely, kiddo. Besides, I'd like to get to know you, Katara. Aang spoke pretty highly of you."

Aang blushed, looking embarrassed. "I may have mentioned you once or twice," he mumbled, scratching his neck.

"Or twelve times," his father muttered, making Katara giggle.

Aang stared at him in horror. "Dad!" he complained.

The man clapped his son on the shoulder. "Relax, I'm just teasing." He sighed blissfully, hugging the teenager. "It feels good to be a dad again."

Aang, hugging back, grumbled, "If I wasn't glad to have you back, I'd drop you right now."

Seeing them together like this made Katara's heart melt, but at the same time a lonely feeling encompassed it. Her hand reached up to her necklace, the one her mother had given before her death. It had been such a hard time for the family, but for Katara she had lost her role model, the one person she looked up to. Kya had been strong-willed but kind, looking to help others with her remedies, while working to support her family. The siblings had been younger, but they remember their mother. They missed her hugs.

Aang turned back to her, still slightly red in the face. "Well, do you want to go?"

Katara smiled, grabbing his hand, feeling the current course through stronger than ever. "I do." Then a thought occurred to her. "But what about dinner?" The sun was beginning to go down. Dinner was supposed to take place in just a few hours. The men were kind of hopeless in the kitchen. Another reason to miss her mom.

Sokka smirked. "Don't worry about us, Kat. We can order in tonight."

She made a face at him. She herself didn't care much for delivery, even though some of the foods they did occasionally order were good. Home cooked meals, they meant something to her; family and their closeness.

But for tonight, maybe a little drive-thru couldn't hurt. "I guess I can let it slip," she conceded.

Aang grinned, pulling her closer, and the heat from his body came into contact, making her skin tingle. "Then let's go!" he enthused.

The three of them went to Katara's car, piled in, and after waving off their respective sibling, Aang drove them where they needed to go.

(***)

It took a while for them to reach Linda's house, the sun just beginning to touch the horizon, but the chatter was amiable and pleasant. Aang still couldn't believe that he had both of his parents back, and they were about to reunite his mother and father. The lighthearted chatter started to wane, however, when Aang said, "We're almost there, Dad."

So far the man had grilled Katara about her habits, lifestyle, her favorite color, hobbies, things of that nature. He seemed impressed that she made jewelry as a side shop, saying he'd like to buy from after seeing the beaded bracelet on her wrist. First he had to get a job before anything else.

Josh's smile wavered, then dimmed, anxiousness overcoming his features. "Are you sure she hasn't been...you know?" he asked haltingly, as if the words left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Aang smirked. "Seeing someone else?" he finished, and his dad nodded. The smirk faded, sincerity pouring out from his next words. "Dad, Mom misses you. She told me there have been a couple of guys who wanted to date her, but from what she told me, she said to them that she was married. Mom doesn't see anyone else. When she sees you, I'm sure everything will be okay."

Aang believed his words, for sure, but even he couldn't help feeling a little anxious himself. He hoped fervently that his parents would get long, but there was always a chance that things could go wrong.

When he parked in his mother's driveway, they paused and exchanged glances. Josh took a deep breath. "No time like the present," he said with a small smile, using his favorite phrase.

Aang nodded, adding a cheerful grin. "Let's go."

They all got out, and Katara came very near to him. Impulsively he grabbed her hand, which helped him feel grounded as they walked up to Linda's door. Josh stood just behind them as Aang raised his free hand to knock. Then they waited as someone moved over to the door. Once it opened, Linda beamed, seeing the teenagers first. "Aang, Katara, my dear. It's good to see you. What brings you over tonight?"

Aang shared a glance with Katara, holding her hand tightly. "Hey, Mom. We wanted to introduce you to someone."

Linda raised her brows, green eyes curious. "Oh, and who would that be?"

With a little tug, feeling his heart pounding at what was about to happen, he pulled Katara to the side...

And revealed Josh.

His mother gave a little gasp of shock, both hands covering her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. The two adults stared at one another, both pale in befuddlement, wonder, and fear. Josh took a shallow breath. "Hi, Linda."

That was when hell broke loose.

Her pasty skin bloomed int red, and her eyes were angry slits. She slapped him across the face, hard. "You fucking jerk!" she yelled, hands balled into fists.

Aang, in all honesty, kind of expected her to go off like this, but it was still alarming watching it in play.

Linda continued her rant. "You leave a note, a NOTE, then disappear?! What in God's name were you thinking?!"

"Linda-" he tried but was cut off.

"NO!" she shouted, poking his chest roughly. "You have no right to talk!" Tears streamed down her face as the sobbing began. "Two years, Josh, two years I thought you were fucking dead! Now you turn up out of nowhere!" She started beating his chest with her fists. "I was in hell for those years, you moron! I still love you, but I hate you too, for making me go through that."

Linda then gripped his shirt, glaring up at him, breathing heavily. "Joshua Windstorm, I...I..."

That was when she kissed her long lost husband. Josh reciprocated fiercely, grabbing her waist with one hand and burying the other in her hair. He was crying too, Aang noticed in his numb state. His parents were sobbing and kissing, releasing their emotions into one tide.

Josh broke away repeatedly, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry sweetheart. I never meant to hurt you."

Linda finally slowed their kisses, then looked up at him, arms wrapped around his neck now. "I missed you, dammit," she blubbered before burying her face in his shirt, weeping uncontrollably. Josh held her close, tears gliding down his cheeks as he breathed shallowly.

He looked over at the teens and met Aang's gaze. The boy got the message loud and clear: His parents needed to be alone. Nodding, he turned to Katara, who looked dumbfounded at the turn of events. "Come on, let's take a walk." Still holding her hand, he led them away, onto the beach that was turning gold.

After a few minutes' walk, they stopped, waves gently lapping at the shore. Katara broke the silence. "Well, that was..." She trailed off, thinking of the right word.

"Chaotic?" he supplied. "Unorthodox? Fulfilling?"

She laughed, squeezing his hand. "How about all the above?"

He shrugged. "Works for me." They grinned at each other before looking out. The setting sun was beautiful on this stretch of beach, the sand red and gold like priceless treasures. What was money when people could have a view like this? Taking a breath f the salty air, Aang thought about where they were and how they had gotten there. He had been a street rat before finding Katara and Sokka, had been a sex slave for two years before that.

Now he was free, or as free as one could be at the moment, but right then it felt like he could breathe properly. His parents were getting reacquainted, Azula was on the run, and he was home with friends and family.

But something was missing, and Aang knew just what it was.

Heart pounding in his throat, nerves tingling, he turned to Katara, who in turn looked at him. The golden red sun glittered in her bright blue eyes, shaming the beach in his opinion.

"What is it?" she asked, head tilting.

Taking a deep breath, he gathered his courage, grabbed her other hand, and began. "Watching my parents...it made me remember something." He cleared his throat. "Katara, there's something I want to tell you. I,uh...I like someone."

Her open expression clouded, shuttered, and a cold pit formed in his stomach as she removed her hands from his. "I see."

Feeling like an idiot and wishing he could smack himself, Aang tried again. "It's someone close to me. She's beautiful, smart, talented, and wonderful at what she does."

Katara's face was impassive, her voice monotone as she asked, "Who is she?" A look of understanding crossed her face, and for a moment Aang was hopeful that she figured it out, but then those hopes were dashed when she asked, "Is it that Jasmine girl? She looked pretty close to you, alright."

Her?! Seriously? A girl in his history class who preferred texting over books, she was someone who was used to getting what she wanted, and had made clear that Aang should be with her, no matter how many times he refused her company.

Aang grimaced in discomfort, running a hand through hi hair. "No, it's not her."

Now Katara looked confused. "Then who?"

This was his chance. It was now or never. "I'll give you some clues: she can create gorgeous designs, has the ability to cook like a chef, and has the most breathtaking blue eyes that I've ever seen on a girl."

A pregnant pause as they stared at one another, Katara gaping as she slowly comprehended what he was trying to say but scared to admit. He pressed his lips together, waiting, silently hoping but afraid. Would she accept what he was saying, or reject him?

"Me?" she finally whispered.

"You," he stated, never looking away.

"But...I'm nothing special, Aang. I'm just...me," she said lamely, blushing.

He smiled, grabbing her hand again. "Well, just you, here's why I believe you are special. You took me in, helped give me my strength back, showed me what life was like again, despite what had happened to me." His free hand, shaking slightly, reached up to hold her cheek. Love overflowed from his chest as she leaned into his palm. "You helped reopen my heart, Katara. I'm giving it to you, if you want it."

Katara looked up at him, eyes glittering with tears. She swallowed, then placed her own hand on his chest, where his heart was pounding. For her, and only she would be the one to have it.

After taking a shaky breath, she leaned in close. "I... That's a big thing, Aang. Are you sure?"

Placing his forehead against hers, eyes closed, shivering at the contact, he said, "I want that more than anything." Reopening them, he whispered, "Can I keep you?"

Katara grinned and chuckled. "Casper reference?"

Smiling, he said, "Yeah." He became serious, however, as he added, "But it's a real question, Katara. I want us, I want us together. But if you don't want to or if this is too fast, just tell me. You're still one of my best friends, no matter what."

Katara was quiet for a long time, her fingers playing with the neckline of his shirt. Aang was terrified that this was only going to go sour, that she didn't want what he did. It was her right to do as she pleased, to date or not to date. The choice was completely hers and no matter what she chose, he would always be there for her.

Finally, after a long time, she took a deep breath, leaned up, and breathed into his ear, "Kiss me, Aang."

Breath stuttering, he leaned back to stare at her. "Are you saying...?"

Katara nodded, holding him closer. "I am," she said quietly but strongly. "I want to be with you, too. For a while now, to be honest."

He leaned in before pausing. "I won't break your heart. I'll do everything in my power to uphold that promise." Aang meant every word. If she was willing to take a chance with him, he would do just about anything to protect her strong but beautiful heart.

She smiled gently at him, grasping his shoulders, lips mere inches from each other. "I trust you," she said softly as if it were the most obvious statement in the world. But it meant a lot to Aang.

So, right there, with the sun glowing on the horizon, Aang Windstorm leaned in and kissed the girl of his dreams, the most precious creature to have ever entered his life, Katara Rivers.