So...i realize this is a kinda rushed chapter. And the first time i posted it it was a bit messed up, so i fixed it a bit lol

I have my play this week so i really have NO TIME to write...or live for that matter lol. Im freaking out with getting all my lines and blocking perfect, and finishing touches on my costume and wat not. So wish me luck lol OH! and a new chapter will be up within 2-3 weeks. I havent had much time to write with all the final rehearsals and other work im doing for school.

And again, thanks so much for all your kind reviews and for sticking around with me hugs to all!!!!

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Chapter 3

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"I'm glad to see you are feeling better Avatar Aang." Shan stood at the head of the table in the small conference room. Aang smiled to him, nodding in thanks.

"Thank you. I had a great nurse." Aang side glanced to Katara, giving her hand a soft squeeze under the table. She smiled, blushing lightly. Shan chuckled knowingly and sat in his chair.

"Now then…I know this could be hard, but I need you both to tell me every detail of what happened on that entire day."

Back home, Suki and Sokka were in the backyard, play sparring and of course…flirting. Toph, who for the past few days had been making her way about the island, and had begun to make friends with a few of the other Kyoshians, made her way inside. When she had heard about Suki's and Sokka's reunion she couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of jealousy, and, was it hurt? She had opted to stay away from the infirmary as much as possible, returning only at night to eat and sleep. She sighed as she walked inside and to the backyard. She stopped, sensing Suki tackling Sokka from behind, knocking him to the ground. The two chuckled sheepishly and Sokka moved in to kiss her softly.

"Ugh! Can't you two just ever stop!?" Sokka and Suki's gazes snapped over to Toph,

"Toph?"

"Forget it!" She walked out the door, slamming it behind her. Sokka sighed, looking to Suki. He stood up, helping her to her feet.

"I'm gonna go talk to her…see what's up." Suki nodded and watched him as he walked back inside. Toph sat slumped over with her legs crossed, sitting on one of the large pillows that lay on the stone floor. It was to her advantage she was surrounded by her own element.

"Hey Toph."

"Go away Snoozles."

"What's wrong?" he stepped towards her, and though he probably wouldnt admit it he was a bit nervous.

"I said go away!" she slammed a hand down onto the rock, sending a pillar up at him. He jumped away, shocked at her sudden outburst. He steadied himself, catching the quiet sniffle that came from her.

"Are you…are you crying Toph?"

"No!" she scoffed, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Yes…you are. What's wrong?" He walked toward her, stopping a bit behind her. Toph huffed at his question.

"Her. It's you and her. Everywhere I turn, there you guys are. And it's not exactly like I can just turn my back to it and look away, now can I?" Sokka felt a tinge of guiltiness at what she had said.

"Toph.." He began to reach out to touch her shoulder, pulling back as she shrugged away.

"Just forget it Sokka…I'm just being stupid." She attempted to chuckle and stood, ready to leave. She felt a hand gently grab her arm and sat back down.

"No, you're not."

"I am Sokka. I am. I was stupid enough to think…" she stopped to inhale deeply "to think any one…like you…could ever like someone like me." she sighed, turning her head away from where she felt he was, resting her cheek on her knees as she brought them into her, wrapping her arms around her legs. She felt him sit down on the rock next to her. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Toph…"

"No."

"But Toph-"

"No!"

"Will you just listen to me?!" He stopped, shocked at his own outburst. He exhaled, looking to her. "You're wrong."

"What?" She turned her head toward him, her hazy eyes facing to him.

"You're wrong." His voice was softer now, gentler. He cleared his throat before continuing on. "You're a great person Toph. You're a great friend; you're loyal and funny, and strong and talented. And although you might not believe it, you're also really pretty."

"I-I am?" he nodded, smiling lightly at the pale blush that had found its way onto Toph's cheeks. The same pale blush she had been fighting from appearing. As he continued on he couldnt help but feel a light blush on his own cheeks.

"Yea…you are. And who knows…if you were a little older then, maybe…ya know? But I just want you to know that you are cared about. Okay?" He placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling lightly. She nodded, a smile stretching across her face. Her voice was soft, but not un-Toph like.

"Thanks Sokka." he nodded, standing up.

"You're welcome." He looked at her, "so…we okay?" she nodded and he smiled,

"Good." He chuckled, turning to walk back outside. Toph felt him walk off and rested her chin on her knees, smiling still. Yes…she would be okay.

"So it's settled then. We shall work to recruit an army to go against the fire lord. A week before the comet is to arrive we will move in."

"And we'll try to sneak in and save Iroh. He's the only one who can help us." Katara nodded. Aang stood up, bowing in respect,

"Thank you for meeting with us Shan. But I think I need to go lie down." Shan smiled lightly, nodding.

"Of course Aang, you need your rest." Aang nodded and turned, Katara following him out. Once they made it outside she looked to him, squeezing his hand gently.

"Hey…you okay?" He stayed silent a moment, looking down to the ground.

"I don't know, I just…" he stopped walking and Katara stopped next to him, looking to him worriedly.

"What?"

"What if it doesn't work?" he looked to her with the same expression her own eyes held.

"Aang, it's going to. You've got everyone behind you. You've got the Kyoshians, and once we get some recruits you'll have even more people. And you've got all your friends. You've got Sokka and Toph and Suki…. and me." She smiled to him. He returned her smile and hugged her, whispering into her ear.

"Thanks Katara." The two held each other for a few peaceful moments before Katara slowly pulled back, gripping his hand.

"Come on, lets get back home and tell everyone else the plan."

An uncomfortable silence lulled over them as Sokka squeezed Suki's hand lightly, looking around the group. They sat around a dining table, the only two missing where the King and Bosco. Shan had asked to speak with him personally. After Katara and Aang had nervously told Sokka, Suki and Toph no one said a word. After a few seconds, which seemed like hours of eternity to everyone, Aang's soft and worried voice broke through.

"It's going to be a long trip guys. Long…and hard."

"But as long as we're together, we'll be fine." Katara's eyes looked around, hopeful and slightly questioning. Aang smiled to her, nodding. No one said anything else and Sokka stood up, sighing, wearing the same heaviness on his shoulders that they all did.

"I'll go load up Appa. We leave in the morning." He turned, leaving the rest in the room. Suki looked from Katara to Aang before standing up, hurrying out of the room and down the hall. She emerged a few minutes later, walking up behind Sokka. She stopped, watching him as he threw up another sleeping back and dropped her own to the ground. He turned at the sound, seeing her standing there.

"Suki?"

"I'm coming with you." Her voice was strong, confident. Sokka stepped forward.

"What? No. I can't let you Suki. I wont." He gripped her hand with his before bringing one of his hands to cup her cheek. Her eyes looked into his, placing a hand on top of his.

"I want to. I'm not letting you do this without me."

"No Suki. I can't risk you getting hurt or worse. I won't." He moved his second hand to her other cheek, looking into her eyes as he stepped even closer, almost whispering. "I wont."

"Sokka." She took his hands, bringing them down off her face to squeeze them. "I'm not about to let you go off with out me. I'm coming whether you like it or not. We're in this together." She looked into his eyes, a small smile reaching her lips. He returned her gaze and after a short moment chuckled. She smiled lightly, bringing her own hand to his cheek and the two moved in slowly to share in a kiss. Sokka pulled back after a moment, leaning his forehead against Suki's and smiled,

"You're very persistent." She smiled

"Its what I'm good at." The two chuckled before moving on to finish loading Appa and then meet everyone else back inside. Later that evening the small family sat around a table, sharing in a dinner. What would normally be a happy, talkative dinner was quiet, morose. Only a few comments were murmured as the dinner passed on, ending with an even quieter tea.

"Guys?…" Aang's nervous voice broke through the silence. "We're going to be okay… right?"

"'Course we are Twinkle Toes. Nothing to fear." Toph sat back, resting her feet on the table as she sipped at the tea.

"Toph's right. We can't let our fears get the best of us. Besides, as tough as it might get, we've still got each other. We're a big, happy family and that's what counts. We're here for each other. Right?" Suki had turned her gaze to each person around the table before stopping on Sokka, hoping her words had at least reached someone. Sokka smiled ever so lightly and nodded,

"Exactly. To family." He raised his cup, as did the rest and they toasted, sipping down the sweet liquid. Even after they retired to bed, safe in their dreams, uneasiness continued to loom over them.