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It took Aang all of three days to realize his colossal mistake.

He had been in flight mode the entire trip to the fledgling beginnings of Republic City. Aang didn't sleep for nearly three days even when Appa and Momo rested for the night. His mind was abuzz with thoughts. He couldn't grab on to one idea without a dozen others bothering him and he certainly couldn't put the whole hive to bed so he just sat up, day and night, thinking about nothing.

The only thing he was aware of was his overwhelming guilt and desperation. Zuko and Toph were visiting the city when he arrived and they were shocked to see him.

"Aren't you taking a break?" asked Zuko

"Yeah but I was going stir crazy." Aang said, "I needed to get back to work."

"Where are the twins, Twinkletoes?" asked Toph, "I thought you, Sokka, and Katara were not allowed by law of the universe to be separated?"

"Sokka's busy and so is Katara," he replied, turning away, "Tell me about this garment district you planned? How can we collect tariffs if it's so far away from the financial offices?"

They didn't buy that excuse but neither said anything. There was a police force to assemble, a council to appoint, and city plans to make. A hundred problems faced them every day. This lord refused to be pay taxes; that cobbler had bought his neighbors house but the neighbor wouldn't leave; this guy over here had stolen a hundred pounds of butter for some reason. It was exhausting, mentally and physically, and exactly what Aang wanted.

Aang threw himself into work and felt worse about it everyday. It left him little time to sleep or eat, let alone think. He was creating something for future generations but he wasn't capable of thinking about his own contribution to future generations. When the government offices closed, Aang could help with construction. Doing cleaning work and building was hard and painful enough to allow him to ignore his internal shame.

Every day was the same. He would wake up at Zuko's house, grab some food, go to government meetings, meet up with Toph, more meetings, then he'd have open office where anyone could come talk to him, then more meetings, then dinner, then construction work until he was too tired and would fall asleep quickly. He had no idea what he was heading for but he was getting there quickly.

So it went for nearly four months. Then Zuko and Toph threw a wrench in his plan.

"I'm going home to Mai and the Fire Nation." Zuko announced one night at dinner, "The regents we elected to help me are bickering about nothing again and maybe if I'm there they'll stop sending me letters every five seconds."

"I'm going too. I need to play pai sho with Iroh. He's been saying he's better than me again. I know right? Not even a possibility that that's true." Toph said, misreading his facial expression.

"What about the city? There's so much work to do."

"Not really. We've done a lot and I think now is a good time to see how it works without us. Plus it seems like everyone is going on vacation so why not join them?" said Zuko.

"You should go home, anyway." said Toph.

Aang looked up from his food. Toph and Zuko both had the same expression. "How long have you known?"

"A while," said Toph, "We wrote to the South Pole just after you arrived because we were suspicious. We almost didn't believe it. This isn't like you, you know? What's up, Twinkletoes?"

"You wouldn't understand," Aang said, "Neither of you have every gotten someone pregnant. You're completely helpless and unprepared."

"I had one of the worst fathers in history," Zuko said, "I wouldn't have been the man I am today if it hadn't been for my uncle. Kids need someone. No matter how ready you think you are or not, you need to be there."

"They'll have Sokka."

Zuko shook his head, "Sokka isn't you. I have my share of father issues and I know how this will end," Zuko left the room.

"You really want Sokka raising your kid?" Toph said.

"I'm confused, okay!" said Aang, "Why does everyone pretend like this is an easy situation?"

"Because it is! Go home Aang. You and Katara were meant for each, grossness and all."

Toph groaned at Aang's silent reply. She stood up, "You know, I wish I had a father who encouraged me to be spunky and loud, to be myself. Like you would," She punched his shoulder, "You better not be here when we get back, friend."

That night Aang wrote to Katara, then again every night after. He told her about everything. How he had see her body growing in what seemed like a second and been terrified. How he had only entertained selfish thoughts. How this felt like a greater weight than fighting the Fire Nation.

His first letter ended, "I'm sorry I always seem to run away."

She never responded and it was more than Aang could handle. Aang began floating through his own life. One night, while he was taking a break during construction duty, he found himself writing up a letter to the head of the White Lotus. Suddenly, a small hand ran up the arrow tattoo on his bare back and over his head, onto his forehead. Aang looked up into the muddy brown eyes of a toddler.

"Hey Kai," a familiar voice called, "Let's not - Hey! Little arrow dude!"

It was Chong the nomad. The man sat with Aang and the two reminisced. Chong was working on the construction project as well. He had just arrived in Republic City and the little boy, Kai, was his son. The talk eventually turned to Aang's current task.

"Planning for the next Avatar? No offense but you're kind of young to be worrying about dying."

"But what if she needs me? I can't abandon her. I want her to grow up happy and safe. No one made a plan for me and I want her to have a good support system."

"Her? How do you know the next Avatar is going to be a her?"

"I don't" Aang stuttered. It was too late though.

"You're not talking about the next Avatar, are you?" Chong said, "Whatever happened to that Water Tribe chick you hung out with? You two seemed like a pair."

Maybe it was the lonely days and nights or the endless shame or the rumination but the comment was too much. Aang finally broke down and told Chong the entire story.

The young Avatar finally looked in the old nomad's eyes. There was no judgement or ill will there. The older man just put a hand on Aang's shoulder. Aang said, "Is it worth all the lost adventures?"

"Yup," Chong said, "No travel would be fun alone. Having a little one isn't the end, little arrow dude. It's the beginning. And hey, if it gets too crazy, leave the kid with Sokka! I'm sure he'd be cool with that."

Go back? It was a frightening idea but Aang couldn't let it go. He assumed he had lost it by leaving, like he'd lost his people and he'd nearly lost the war by disappearing. Was he really able to be a father? Chong let his son eat four cakes for dinner and let the kids stay up until midnight but the boy seemed happy and in love with his dad. If Chong could do it, could Aang?

Could he really return and start anew? Aang missed Katara so much it hurt. He missed Sokka too. He missed having a home with a family. Why had he even left?

Staying made Aang so depressed it hurt. Returning made Aang terrified but the very idea gave him the first good night of sleep he'd had in months.

That night Aang had a dream. Avatar Roku came to him. The two Avatars were outside a hut in the Southern Water Tribe. Before them, Aang could see himself, Katara, and Sokka. Sokka was grilling some jerky while Katara and Aang were peeling some vegetables. Sokka was laughing at a funny story he'd just told and Aang and Katara were sneaking kisses.

Aang remembered the scene. It had been Sokka's birthday. They had been having a big celebration. It had been about a month before Aang had run away.

Aang looked at his past life and found the old spirit was already looking at him. "What should I do?" Aang asked Roku.

"Go home Aang. It will be the best decision you ever made. Little girls are a blessing."

"Huh?"

"Your woman is carrying your daughter. Now go back to them."

When Aang woke the next morning, he wasn't expecting a baby anymore. He was expecting a daughter.

His entire outlook changed. In his head, where thoughts of sleepless nights and lost years was breed, new ideas emerged. A little girl with Katara's dark skin and hair and his grey eyes. A helpless creature who would nap on his chest and cry for him when he was away. He imagined holding her as she took her first steps, watching her sleep, taking her on rides on Appa.

She would call him Daddy.

That unknown creature occupied his entire life. When a women or girl would tell him her name, he would think, 'Oh that might be a nice for her' or 'Never that!'. He studied the hair of little girls wondering how their parents got it that way. Mostly, he thought about playing with her.

The unborn child grew in his mind. Maybe she would be independent and loving like Katara. Perhaps she would be mischievous and sweet like Aang. She might be sarcastic and brave like Sokka. Would she like visiting Republic City to see her Aunt Toph or her Uncle Zuko? Would she be a bender? Would she love animals? Would she love Aang?

He began carving something in his spare time, not knowing what it was. He daydreamed for so long, Toph returned.

"Dammit Twinkletoes! What are you still doing here?"

"I met Roku," he said, not looking up from his carving work, "I'm having a girl."

"Well, not if you don't go back to Katara, you wouldn't."

"How?" he said, "I ran away when she told me she was pregnant. How would she ever get past that?"

"You want to go back Twinkletoes! I know you do! Look at what your making!"

He looked, at the small circular piece. It was an engagement necklace.

"Katara's a smart girl so don't try to be wise or philosophical or any of the spiritual crap you usually pull. Just take full accountability. Get down on your knees and beg. And look pathetic. That face you have now will definitely work."

"Bu-"

"The only time failure is certain is when you don't try."

He looked into her eyes. She smiled in his direction.

"But what if - "

"Oh for crying out loud," Toph replied. She bended the earth under him so he was forced to his feet. "Go!" She bended the earth so he took steps. "Come on now. Don't make me push you all the way back to the South Pole," she pushed him with a clump of dirt. Aang called for Appa and fly off before Toph could crush him.

"Thanks Toph!"

"Anytime!"