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Chapter 4- A Meeting

Aang couldn't help but wonder about this new girl that had Nalia so obsessed. Jenny had spent the night at their house every night, Aang took them both to school every morning, and came home to them both playing in Nalia's room every day.

Normally, Aang wouldn't have minded. It was just that he nor Katara had ever heard from or seen Jenny's parents. Any time the question about her parents' approval of the situation came up, Jenny just quickly dismissed it saying "It's fine. I already asked them."

How could this girl's parents be so willing to let their daughter stay at a house with people that had never met? And for 6 consecutive days?

Aang began to start asking Jenny questions during dinner, concerned for her safety. But every time he asked a question, he got the same response. "It's fine. I already asked them."

He finally decided that it was not okay for Jenny to spend the night anymore unless he spoke with her parents. So Jenny stopped coming over. And Nalia's nightmares started to begin.

Aang couldn't help but notice the odd timing of these two incidents. The very day that Aang had told Jenny she couldn't spend the night unless she spoke to her parents, Nalia got her first nightmare.

It scared Aang. As Nalia's nightmares started becoming weekly, and more frequent, Aang got more and more suspicious of this little girl. He had not forgotten the intense hate-filled look she had given him the first night of their meeting. Was Jenny causing Nalia's bad dreams? Why would she do that?

Aang's concern as a parent grew overwhelming as he went up to Nalia's school this evening. Determined to get information about Jenny's parents so he could speak with them.

Aang walked up to the school, glider in hand, and met with Nalia and Jenny's teacher, Mrs. Claudia.

"Good evening, Mrs. Claudia. Thank you so much for meeting with me. I have some questions for you about my daughter and her new friend, Jenny."

"Ah, yes. The two really are inseparable" replied Mrs. Claudia honestly.

"Have you noticed anything…odd…about Jenny?" Aang asked suspiciously.

"Odd? How do you mean?"

"Like, have you overheard Jenny telling Nalia things that are frightening in any way?"

"No. That really does not sound like Jenny at all. Jenny really is a sweet and fun loving little girl."

"What about her parents? What do they do for a living? Have you seen them before?"

"Why yes, I have. All I know is that Jenny's Dad has his own business and they moved here to expand it. They seem like a very normal and very loving family. Why do you ask?"

Aang sighed. "It's just…I don't know…maybe it was a trick of the light…but why…I mean…Who's parents lets their child stay at a stranger's house for 6 days?" he rambled.

Mrs. Claudia looked at the desperate father sitting in front of her. "Well, to answer your question, maybe they didn't mind her spending the night at your house because you are the Avatar. I mean, if you defeated the Firelord to save the world to live in peace and prosperity for all eternity, I'm sure they felt they could trust you."

Aang just looked at the woman sitting in front of him. She had a point. "I guess" he sighed. This information still did not satisfy Aang, but he could tell that Mrs. Claudia had had enough of a day already. "Thank you for meeting with me. Mrs. Claudia." Aang smiled.

Mrs. Claudia glowed "not a problem Avatar Aang. I'm always here if you need any more help."

"Thanks, have a good night." Aang said as he walked out the doors of the school.

He really was being ridiculous. Accusing a 6-year old for his daughter's bad dreams. He didn't even know what the bad dreams were. And this girl had always been nice, and it seems her parents are normal. But there is still something about her that he doesn't trust. Something just does not sit right.

Aang continued to think about Nalia and Jenny on his flight home. These thoughts were consuming him until he made it to his house, and the smell of delicious food.

He walked through the door to see Katara reading Nalia a book in the living room. Nalia was sitting in Katara's lap, while Katara held a book out in front of both of them so they could both see the pictures.

Aang suddenly forgot everything about Jenny at the sight of his wife and child sitting beside the fireplace. The glow of the embers dancing on both of their skins.

Nalia immediately jumped from Katara's lap to Aang. "Daddy!" she screamed and gave him a hug.

Aang picked her up and held her as he walked to the living room. Katara was standing up, and he cupped her face with his hand as he pulled her close for a quick kiss. "Hey Katara." He simply said.

"Hey Aang" she replied. Blue meeting grey in a dazzling stare.

"Hey Mommy and Daddy. I'm starving. Can we eat now?" Nalia asked, causing them both to blush and look at her.

"Of course. Let's get to the kitchen" Aang sad, walking towards the kitchen.

They all sat down and started eating, as dinner was already on the table. "Why were you so late today, honey?" Katara asked, glancing over at Aang. "Nalia here wanted to wait until you came home to eat dinner. A few more minutes and she would have started without you."

Aang looked at Katara, not wanting to tell her the truth in front of their daughter. "Oh, you know, diplomats and such wanting to stay late to fix some stuff." He knew Katara knew that he wasn't telling the truth. "I'll tell you more about it later."

Katara looked satisfied. "Alright."

Aang then looked over at Nalia inhaling her food. "Nalia, what did I tell you about eating like Sokka?"

"She's past that, now she's eating like Toph." Katara laughed.

"Geez, I can't help it. Daddy, tell those dimplonats next time that you have a hungry little monster waiting for you when you get home so you gotta get home before she goes crazy!" Nalia said to her father. The family ate the rest of their dinner talking and laughing.

--

"You do realize that this mission can not fail. Am I right?"

"Yes sir."

"And that if you fail, we become exposed and our whole mission and group will be exposed and shut down."

"Yes sir."

"This is our final chance to redeem our fallen leader. This is the last chance to make the one responsible for our suffering hurt."

"I understand. This is our final chance to make the Avatar wish that Ozai had him dying a slow painful death the day of Sozin's Comet. And I am going to be the one to do it."