Kya's perspective after leaving Lin's place. How will she handle that information?

Same day; Fall 146 AG

Kya made it back to the clinic, hands tightened in fists to stop them from shaking. As she passed the same receptionist she had earlier that day, she paused in front of her.

"I need to make notes in the patient's file, and I then have an urgent telephone call to make. I do not want to be disturbed. When I finish, I will let you know and will then see patients."

The receptionist smiled and nodded. "Yes, Master Kya. We've got it handled until you are done."

Kya returned the smile with a small one of her own. "Thank you."

She then proceeded into the back and through the doors that were for staff only. Kya found Tarlo's file, and took it from the drawer. She quickly found her office and unlocked it, before entering and shutting the door behind her. A shaky breath left her as she rested her forehead on the door before she locked it. Kya walked over to her desk and picked up the receiver, settling into her chair to begin the long task of calling Air Temple Island. In the meantime, she made notes in the young boys chart.

After what seemed like hours, with her anxious energy, finally she heard a familiar voice.

"Air Temple Island, Katara speaking."

'Shit, I didn't want to speak with Mom.' Kya took a breath before plastering a smile on her face, hoping it will help her voice seem happier than it is. "Mom! Hey, it's Kya."

She could hear her mother gasp from the other end. "Kya, dear, it is so nice to hear from you. Twice in one week at that! Everything okay?" Kya could hear the concern in her voice.

"Oh, yes, yes everything is fine." Kya said, grimacing at how fake her assurance sounded, but hoped her mother didn't catch it. "How is everything down there? Everyone doing okay?"

"Yes. We've actually had an interesting case come up that you may be interested in…"

Kya listened to her mother discuss a patient's symptoms and had to admit it piqued her interest. She also kept her mom talking for a bit so that she didn't seem suspicious when asking to speak with her dad. So when her mother finished after how they managed to heal the patient, Kya asked to speak with him.

"Mom, before I go, is Dad there? I have something I want to run by him." She said casually, or at least hoped she did.

"He should be. Give me a minute." Thankfully her mother was none the wiser to Kya's anxiety. There was some small blessing in the not super great connection that warped their voices. She could hear her mom set down the receiver and a faint yell of "Aang! Your daughter is on the telephone!" Kya couldn't help the snicker at her mother just yelling for him. Some things never changed.

"He's on his way sweetie." Katara said, coming back onto the line.

"Okay, thank you." Kya paused. "Before you go, I just want to say that I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Kya. More than you will ever know."

A tear trickled down her cheek and she held back a sniffle. Despite the warmth the reassurance of love gave her, it made her think of just how long Lin has gone without speaking to her own mother. Without being told that she was loved by her family.

After saying their goodbyes, Kya heard the receiver being moved on the other end before her fathers voice came on.

"Kya, my love, how are you?"

"Has Mom left the room yet?"

"Yes, what's up sweetie?"

Kya took a shuddering breath. "It's her."

"What?"

"It's her Dad. It's Lin. Spirits, I found her." She broke off into a sob - one of happiness, grief, and anxiety all in one.

She could hear her father gasp on the other side. "You… You found her?"

Kya nodded, despite him not being able to see. She sniffed, but a smile graced her face. "I did. And she confirmed who she was… Spirits Dad, I got to hug her."

She heard a little wet chuckle of disbelief. "I can be there soon to pick you bo-"

Kya interrupted him, the smile dropping from her face. "Dad, it's not going to be that easy." She paused to try and think of a way to word what she needed to tell him. "Lin… Lin told me she was taken by Yakone's men…"

"We suspected that Kya, but he doesn't have his bending anymore."

"Yes, but his nephew does. That sick bastard is married to her. He can… He can-"

"Please tell me you aren't telling me he can also bloodbend?" Kya's lack of response seemed to be enough of an answer for him, and for the first time in her 30 years she heard her father let out a string of curse words.

Kya filled her father in on everything Lin had told her. "Don't forget Dad, that there are 4 children involved, and Lin is pregnant too. We'll have to be very careful in how and when we do this."

"I've got some ideas. Give me a little bit to try and arrange something. But I feel this must be something that Chief Mikom knows about. I will get in contact with him and arrange it. Just keep an eye on her, and if there is an emergency and you need to get her out, do it, and then call me."

"Yes, Dad."

"I love you, my sweet girl. We'll bring our little Lin home."

1.5 months later; Winter 147 AG

Kya paced back and forth in the snow on the front steps of the palace. Her father was supposed to arrive any minute now. She was feeling antsy about the whole thing. It had taken too long in her opinion for her father to get here, but according to him it was better to wait and plan out their moves. Plus he wanted the suspicion off Lin and Kya if Tulok heard about his uncle getting arrested before they apprehended him too.

So her father had made official arrangements with the Chief of the Northern Water Tribe to make a legitimate excuse as to why he was there.

Unfortunately Kya was not able to warn Lin what was happening since Tulok still attended any appointments Lin had. The one time Kya had gone to the house a few days after her original house call, Lin had begged her not to come to the house again. They couldn't talk anyways as the three other children had returned home by that point and the four were busy doing their schoolwork or playing in the living room. Kya quickly played off her being there as checking up on her little patient, before leaving.

She hoped that Lin heard that the Avatar was visiting and would be ready for anything that happened.

Finally Kya heard the grunt of an air bison above and looked up to see Appa approaching for a landing. When he did and her father airbent himself down, she flung herself into his arms.

"Dad!"

"Oh my little snowflake! It is so good to see you." He set her down and pulled back, putting a hand to her face. "We'll talk when we get to your place. First I believe Chief Mikom is expecting me, and I shouldn't keep our gracious host waiting. Shall we?" He held his arm out, and Kya placed her hand in the crook of his.

They made their way up the steps to the grand doors of the palace. They were greeted by an aide, who bowed to Aang and led them to the throne room.

Inside were the Chief and his family, as well as some of his council.

"Avatar Aang. Welcome back to the Northern Water Tribe." Chief Mikom said, standing and holding his arm out.

Aang stepped forward and grasped the man's forearm in the traditional greeting of the water tribes. "Chief Mikom, thank you for your generous hospitality."

The Chief motioned to his family behind him. "You must remember my wife, Niimi."

"Of course, you look as radiant as ever." Aang gave her a respectful bow, which she offered a smile and bow of her head in return.

"And these are our sons, Tonraq and Unalaq." Chief Mikom gestured first to the older and then to the younger.

Aang offered them a respectful bow as well. "I believe the last time I visited, Tonraq was a toddler." The boys offered bows back after their mother prodded them to. Aang smiled and gestured for Kya to come to his side. "This is my daughter, Kya. She has been working at one of your clinics in the city the last few months."

Chief Mikom offered her a bow, which Kya returned. "I thank you for helping our brothers and sisters, Master Healer Kya."

Kya half listened as her father and the Chief spoke over the next little bit over lunch. She glanced around and half froze when she recognized a familiar face amongst the Chief's council. She offered a small smile and turned back to her father. 'Shit. I didn't realize Tulok worked this closely with the Chief. I have a bad feeling about this.' She internally freaked out.

When the meeting finally concluded, Kya and her father left. When they made it to her apartment nearby, she started pacing.

"We have to go to Lin first."

"Kya, we talked about this, it's safer to -"

"No, you don't understand. Tulok was in the throne room today. He is one of the Chief's council members. I know for certain he recognized me. I fear Lin and the children's lives are at risk. I will not allow her to slip through our hands again."

Aang stood there in shock for a moment, colour quickly draining from his face. "Alright, we need to alert the Water Tribe Forces. At least Chief Mikom was aware of this, even if he didn't show it at today's meeting; we won't have to worry about displeasing him. But we'll have to act quickly to get Yakone right after we get Lin. We can't risk him catching onto us. Let's go."

They quickly turned and left right back out the door.

Will they make it to Lin in time?

Our tally for the baby's gender is currently
Girl - 6
Boy - 3 (One person had changed their vote from girl to boy in a DM)

If you haven't voted, me know what you would like to see the baby as. (Reminder that I already have the bending chosen)