Hello fanfic readers now that we got all of that drama aside it's time to laugh a little. For those of you who have red BoomSokkalakka you are probably going to know how this ends. I will warn you there is a lot of suggestive language, so I may have to up it to teen. Keeping this A/N short and sweet because I am so not feeling well, but I was determine to get this published.

Now to answer your reviews

Alabaster86- Nothing irritates a baby more than having her nap interrupted. Thanks for the compliment :)

Private Fire-Yeah that part was a little tricky no. Zhao knows he's going to die and he's taking the time to mess with everyone's head the question is why is Zhao on earth? Teaser question I wasn't crazy about The Search stereotype that I was rather sad that they presented. It was important for me have Ursa and Ozai have a connection and love for each other. Hmm…I never thought about a Charles Dickens-esque Ozai redemption. I see a plot bunny. And let's just say my vivid dreams are going to be spawning new ideas.

Warlock2552- Zhao is definitely a snake in the grass and he has some concrete orders from his master who is keeping him alive. So this puzzle is slowly getting scattered but soon the pieces will come together.

This chapter is dedicated and inspired by the crazy writing shenanigans of EvilFuzzy9, hope I did a good job.

Eight more chapters' folks so let the story begin.

I do not own ATLA but I do own my vivid dreams.

Book 4: Air: Water and Fire is Air

A Not So Silent Night

Sokka the cosmic sword wielder and future chief of the Southern Water Tribe; was feeling out of place in this journey. Usually when he was alone, the women fawned over him, the guys would high five him. Vendors would give him free food, which he was surprised didn't make him gain weight. All it took was a pose here, a flex of a muscle there, unsheathing his loaner sword from Master Piandao, letting it catch the glint of the sun and people would be all over him. He felt special, but not in this group. Sure he could hold his own; but he was a miniature compared to the Avatar and his sister. Even Mai and Ty Lee were more efficient and better than he could ever be. OK, so maybe he overdid it by trying to prove his worth. Starting a fire when there were plenty of benders to do so, was a bit silly. Yelling 'BoomSokkalakka' after every accomplishment, was a touch over the top. Sokka, in fact, had a lot on his plate. There was the matter of the arrangement of him and Suki's child. Then there was the matter of his White Lotus membership with Piandao that he rarely cashed in on. Of course throw into the mix his deep feelings for Toph and trying to figure out how to work out things with Suki. He grabbed his hair almost pulling it out. This was too much to think about he needed rest. He laid his head down for some sleep; attempting to focus on other things. He nuzzled in his tent and pulled the blanket over his head and closed his eyes county pig sheep; fluffy piggy's one…two…three…four

His thoughts were interrupted by a moan. He looked around and lay back down, "Stupid brain playing tricks," He collapsed backward closing his eyes once more, "Sleepy, sleepy, one…two…three"

"OOOO," the woman expressed rather loudly.

OK, now his mind was being unfair. At first he thought the woman was wounded and then his ears perked up. He listened carefully; short painting breaths followed by a moan; Sokka slapped his forehead, Oh please not now, Yue and her tricks. Then he heard a bit of rustle in the bushes, "This is so not cool!"

Several yards away were a couple doing the 'wild monkey snake'. Sokka tried to ignore the sound and just mind his business; but the woman sounded so happy and her silky smooth voice and purring was driving him insane with lust. He covered his head with the pillow, trying to muffle the sound. He kept telling himself count the pig sheep. He was salivating heavily, feeling like a voyeur. He couldn't do it anymore; listening to this was cruel. Finally, sweating and aroused; he screamed, "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"

Ty Lee woke up her hair looking like a boarcupine. She smacked her lips and looked at an angry Sokka. She adjusted her sleepy eyes and immediately looked away, "Sokka"

"I'm going to find whoever they are and club them both!"

"Sokka"

"It's late for crying out loud; don't they know people are trying to sleep"

"Sokka"

Practically foaming from the mouth, he turned to the Pink Kyoshi, "What!"

Ty Lee held her hand in front of her face and with her other, pointed at the now rather snug pants of Sokka. The water tribesman followed her direction, noticing the offending bulge. He threw his hands up in the air. He stomped away, muttering something about people and icebergs and some other words that Ty Lee assumed were profanity. He went behind a bush and screamed as if his life were in danger and then came back soaked to the bone. Sokka hadn't realized there was an ice cold lake on the other side. Although certain protrusions were gone now; he was angrier than ever. Of course for a girl like Ty Lee who was trying to abstain and be unmarried; to see a man soaked to the bone with every single muscle showing and glistening was not helping matters; but Ty Lee calmed herself to get to the bottom of what was causing Sokka's outburst. "Are you ok?"

"NO!"

Ty Lee winced at hearing this and proceeded on, "What's bothering you?"

"You mean you didn't hear it?"

"All I heard was you?"

"There was a couple doing…you know…it"

Ty Lee tiled her head slightly and then blushed at his understanding,"Oh…you mean…'love acrobatics'"

Sokka scratched his head, "What? Oh yeah that, yes, there were people doing...that."

"I thought I heard people doing that; but I just assumed I was dreaming. You know when your celibate and haven't had a boyfriend in never; it's pretty rough."

"Tell me about it. Anyway, who does stuff like that at this hour?"

"Aww poor Sokka you miss Suki. No need to get bent out of shape and besides they stopped."

"Well I wasn't missing Suki; but thanks Ty Lee for opening that wound. I'm going to bed."

Sokka began another rant and opened his tent dramatically, so he rested his head to sleep. Ty Lee shrugged her shoulders and went to lie back down. Before she could do that; Sokka went searching around camp frantically.

"What is it now?"

"Where are the others?"

Ty Lee laid an adorable finger on her cute chin, "Come to think of it, I don't know."

Sokka bit his bottom lip nervously, "So it could have been any of them; please don't let it be my baby sis."

"Well it couldn't have been Toph; so, that leaves Katara and Aang, Zuko and Mai and Azula and Judel."

"It better be the others or I will end the Avatar cycle," said Sokka punching his hand

There was a rustle in the bushes and out stepped Zuko and Mai holding hands. Sokka took a sigh of relief and Ty Lee smiled the widest she's ever smiled before. Mai looked at her friend confused.

"What were you two doing?" Ty Lee said suggestively

"We took a walk together and talked; we couldn't sleep."

Sokka nudged Zuko impishly, "Come on guys you're a married couple. Zuko you did tell me, once you have fire, it's your only desire."

Mai pinched the bridge of her nose and Zuko turned to his wife, "I told you I heard something!"

"It sounded like a wolf-bobcat calling its mate to me," said Mai nonchalantly.

"Wait, if it wasn't you guys; who was it?"

Judel walked casually out of the bushes and was met with looks of 'I know what you did', with the exception of Zuko, who was bordering on nausea. "Now I don't want to know."

Sokka jabbed an accusatory finger at Judel's chest, "Hey buddy; you and your wife's 'hunting game' woke me up."

"Hunting game? I was getting my wife some lemon-berries and water; she was a bit dehydrated for my liking."

Sokka raised a skeptical brow, "Sure,' fetching fruit'. My councilmen have used that excuse before just so that could do the 'dirty dance of love'. You married the woman who always lies; it's a matter of time before she rubs off on you."

Judel sneered at Sokka and stood in his face unwavering, "You watch your mouth about my wife or I will turn you to ash where you stand!"

Sokka puffed up his chest, "If you and your wife quit doing the 'nasty saber tooth moose-lion' while us people are trying to sleep; I wouldn't have a problem with you."

"Back off buddy!"

Suddenly, Azula came through the bushes, giggling, nearly tripping. Judel caught her fall. Azula smiled at him euphorically, "My loyal and faithful husband to the rescue."

Judel looked at his wife concerned, "Darling are you all right?"

She laid a palm to his face and rubbed her chin against his. "Oh my dear, I've never been so wrong, the world, I can see it in all of its beautiful colors and it's all thanks to some mushrooms I found."

Sokka grinned from ear to ear and held his hand out to the Firelord, "HA! Pay up Zuko!"

"Is that appropriate right now?"

"You said I was going to be the one to eat strange things, guess you never suspected Azula; you owe me!"

"One cannot owe unless they first pay the price of life," she quoted with a drug induced intelligence

"Is someone going to help me fix this?" said Judel desperate for help.

"Things cannot be fixed, unless they discover what has been broken," Azula wiggled his nose, causing him to sigh.

Katara and Aang were holding hands giggling; as they came behind the trees. Katara's clothes were muddy and her hair was matted with twigs and leaves. As they arrived on the scene, unaware of what had happened earlier, Sokka gasped loudly, pointing an accusatory hand at the couple, "Tell me it's not true!"

Katara and Aang looked at each other perplexed. Sokka rushed to Katara's side, shoving Aang and checking her whole body for any injuries. "It's ok baby sis; you let big brother handle it."

"What?" said Katara unsure of her brother's worries

"How could you Aang; I trusted you. You gave me your word that you would never harm my sister. You just couldn't help yourself, you fiend."

"I don't know what you mean?" said Aang defensively

"You and my sister had premaritals!"

Azula began picking the petals off of a flower, one by one, "Ah love and marriage is the greatest bond between man and woman; such commitment, such symbolism."

"Is Azula ok?" said Aang concerned.

"Don't you change the subject! How could you do the...the...the 'Avatar State' with her?"

"I didn't do that with Katara!"

"I thought monks took a vow to never harm others; but I suppose if you break one vow, then fornication isn't far behind. What did you think that you could just waterbend the evidence away?"

"First of all, that's disgusting and second, I would never dishonor Katara by doing such a thing."

"Oh yeah then why are you and my sister covered in mud?"

"Well this is going to sound crazy; but both of us couldn't sleep; so we decided to do take a walk. We did stop to kiss."

"Aha!"

Katara slapped him on the back of the head, "Let him finish!"

"Like I said we snuck a kiss; but then a bug crawled on Katara and she screamed for me to get it off. I tried to catch her and then I tried to tackle the bug; but I wind up tackling her instead. The next then I knew we were rolling down the hill and I asked her if she was ok and then we started laughing about it."

Sokka narrowed his eyes at his friend, "You're right that does sound crazy."

"They say that the fire nation princess is crazy and she is...crazy for mushrooms," said Azula wide eyed clapping her hands

"Tui and La," Judel facepalmed.

"That's it Aang! I challenge you to a duel; no bending, just swords, for my sisters honor."

"Sokka I'm not going to fight you."

"What you're afraid you'll lose?"

"No, I think we should resolve this in a peaceful way. Friends don't fight each other."

"Oh we're not friends, not after what you did to my poor sister."

Katara, fuming, held an orb of water in her hand, "That's it; I have had it with you!"

"Katara don't, you'll just make things worse"

"I don't care!" Katara froze Sokka to the ground, "You know what your problem is; your bitter because your afraid to see anyone happy."

"What? That's ridiculous"

"You and I both know that's true. Why can't you just get over yourself and think about my happiness for a change?"

"Not if Aang disrespected you."

"Will you stop it already? Aang loves me and gives me the respect I deserve, unlike you, who always treats me like a baby."

"I miss my baby; Momma's coming Xiourong"

Katara looked on Azula with pity and glanced at Judel. "When I'm done with Sokka; I promise to help you."

"Someone needs to help you; because you have seriously got some screws loose."

"Some couple was getting their screws loose in the forest whooo!" Azula said raising her arms and falling.

Mai in one of her rare moments chuckled, "Can we keep this version of Azula I kinda like it."

"It isn't funny; she's really messed up," said Zuko annoyed.

Mai this time rolled her eyes, "If the tables were turned; she would never let you live it down."

"Well I'm not my sister."

"You can say that again," she mumbled.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Mai confronted him headstrong, "Say what you will about Azula; but when I was with her, I had fun. You're always treating me like porcelain, like I'm going to break any moment."

"It's just with everything that's happened—"

"And that's another thing, how are we supposed to move on; if you keep bringing things up with no resolution?"

"So is this what you want; to go back to arguing and us never getting along?"

The Pink Kyoshi stood between her friends, "Guys, hey guys, why don't you just take it easy?"

"STAY OUT OF THIS TY LEE!" they shouted in unison.

"That is it! I'm so sick of people turning on me, when I'm trying to help. I don't like fighting you guys; but you know what, I'm not going to take bullying."

"In case you haven't noticed Ty we're a married couple and this is our business."

Mai smacked Zuko's hand, "Don't talk to her like that!"

Soon everyone was embroiled in an argument. It was so loud you couldn't decipher anything; it was just pure noise. This of course was disturbing the beauty sleep of one earth bender. Like a dormant monster, she snapped her eyes open and gritted her teeth. There was only one way to deal with this. Toph pounded her fist on the ground, causing it to shake and wave. This action knocked Sokka out of his ice shackles, making him fall backward and hit him in the head with a rock; not enough to hurt him; but enough to make him quiet. Toph stomped out from her sleep, hair in a messy braid, bags under her sightless eyes and the look of anger like was intent to kill. "WILL YOU PEOPLE SHUT UP I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!"

"But Aang—"

"Zip it Sokka! I have a lot of major earthbending to do tomorrow and I need my rest."

"But—"

Toph glared in Sokka's direction and he let out an eep, clasping his hands over his mouth. "Everybody needs to stop arguing over all this silly stuff."

Aang stepped forward, "That's what I was trying to do."

"Sit tight twinkle toes I got this. All of this arguing is going on because every single one of you has a secret you're hiding. I suggest you be open and honest and close your yaps so I can get shut eye!"

"Secrets; I knew it! Aang I'm going to kill you for taking my sisters precious jewel!"

"Knock it off Sokka! They're not doing anything wrong, their married"

Now it was time for Toph to cover her mouth in embarrassment. She carelessly blurted out something she promised she wouldn't. It was out in the open; what choices did she have? Toph felt the rapid heartbeat of Katara and her rising blood pressure; she was in trouble.

The water tribesman eyes shrank in shock; he looked to Aang, "Is…is that true, you guys are…"

"Yes Sokka," confessed Aang, "I didn't want to lie; but we just wanted to have something small and to ourselves. We never get time alone and it just sort of happened. That's why I could never dishonor Katara; we made a commitment."

He patted Aang on the back, offering his hand, "Hey, can you forgive me for accusing you?"

Aang shook his hand, "I already did."

"Welcome to the family Aang"

"Thanks," Aang smiled

Toph only wished things went that smoothly for her. She could feel the heat irradiating from Katara; she confronted Toph head on. "Oh so you like blabbing other peoples stuff ehh?"

"Look sugar queen I—"

"Why don't we tell yours and see how you like it," she said devilishly.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Hey Sokka bet you would like to know that Toph—"

"I'm warning you!"

"Has always—"

"Katara!"

"Toph has always been in love with you."

The normally stoic benders heart sank. She felt numb, small and hurt that Katara could be so careless with such precious information. She was even more embarrassed as she felt her cheeks flush into a bright red as she ran off, leaving a trail of tears. Sokka followed close behind.

"Toph wait up."

Aang regarded his wife with harshness, "Katara that was uncalled for! I've never been so disappointed with you in my life."

"Aang I—"

That did it now, she felt like garbage. In her voyage to get revenge, she isolated her husband. Katara ran to him, she had to make this up.

Azula with eyes glazed over whispered to her husband, "Judel my love. I have a secret."

"I'm sure you do dear," he patronized.

"Ty Lee let's have a party for the new baby."

The acrobat stumbled nervously, "OH…sure we'll have a party for Xiourong; I'm sure Zuko won't mind."

"No, no I'm going to be an aunty."

"Umm Azula you're being insensitive," said Ty Lee with as much conviction as she could gather.

"The water man asked me to give someone life and I said my Zuzu and Mai-Mai because they're so sad," she said with misty eyes.

Mai dropped her hands to her side in disbelief, "Water man, you mean Zhao. You're the reason why I'm—"

"Pregnant, "Zuko finished, "We're having a baby. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to worry. I could have this baby and—"

Zuko held Mai's hands and kissed them tenderly, "You're my wife Mai. Whatever challenges that happen; we'll face it together. If things come down to…that, you can take comfort in the fact that what we share is beautiful and because of our bond; I won't ever let anything happen to you."

"Aww," Ty Lee sighed with hearts in her eyes.

"Sappy and unrealistic, that's my husband," she joked.

Just then, Iroh entered the scene and Azula immediately tackled him with a tight hug, "You've been Uncle naughty pants"

Judel peeled her off of Iroh, "Ok that's enough of that; we're going to find Katara and fix you before you embarrass yourself anymore."

"Let us be free my husband and shed these clothes that hold us back."

Azula touches her finger at Judel's shirt and nothing happens. Judel winces and takes a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness you can't bend," he said shaking his head carrying her away.

"Do I want to even know?" queried Iroh.

"Uncle was it you…the one who was—"

The old Dragon of the West rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Well I suppose there's no use in hiding it. We have been seeing each other for some time now. I suppose she put a bounty on my heart."

"You're dating June," spoke Mai

"Suddenly I'm feeling dizzy and sick," Zuko belched nearly vomiting.

"There, there now daddy; let's get you some rest."

"Daddy? Ugh, too many life changes," he drawled as Mai escorted them to his tent.

Ty Lee and Iroh stared at each other awkwardly. Both smiling, she tried to strike a conversation, "So, is this June going to be joining us?"

"No actually she won't sadly that is why I said my farewells," he said clearing his throat.

"You mean—"

"Well…yes"

Both of them looked away, yeah, this was not something any of them wanted to discuss. Leaving the mess of a conversation behind, they bade each other a good night and went in their respective sleeping quarters.

Following Toph didn't take much effort. All he had to do is follow the trail of rising boulders, rolling hills and hidden pits. Eventually, he got to the mighty mother earth. She was pacing and stomping on the ground. She was grumbling and crying all at the same time, "Wait till I get a hold of her. I'm going to pound her into next week. Where does she get off?"

"Hey Toph I want to talk to you."

Toph wiped her face and flung rocks in every direction, which Sokka ducked. She continued her rant, "I was stupid to ever share anything with her. I never thought I was going to suffer the wrath of Grudgtara. When I see her she's going to be so swallowed into the earth. I mean she should have told you instead of hiding stuff and Aang is a terrible liar. I know I haven't always been on the up and up but what she did I would never—"

She was stopped by a hug from Sokka. How did he know that this is what she needed? She never thought it would feel this way. He was so close; his scent that of wilderness and whale jerky. She wanted to hug him back; but her pride wouldn't let her. She shoved him aside. "What's up with you Snoozles: why are you acting so nutty lately?"

"I've been trying to deny this for so long and I think it's time you knew the truth."

Toph raised her brow and begin to walk away. She didn't want to hear what she had to say, she couldn't take anymore humiliation, "I don't have time for this!"

"Toph I know you love me."

That stopped her in her tracks, just for a brief moment, she blew her bangs out of her sightless eyes, "What! That's ridiculous! I must have hit you with that rock harder than I thought."

"It's okay that you feel that way; because, I love you too."

"Stop playing games with my mind."

"I promise you; I'm very serious"

Toph smiled and crossed her arms, "Well this blows."

"Gee thanks," he said disappointed.

"No, I mean, I thought I could just hide in the shadows of my feelings and never say how I feel because, you know, you and Suki and your thing for Yue."

"Actually Suki and me have been broken up for a year. And Yue she's my first love; but I'm not too hung up on her anymore; that's why I was ready to move on. At least I thought."

"Why what's wrong?"

"I moved on with the wrong woman. Sure Suki and I had chemistry and a connection. Things moved so fast and it felt so empty after a while. Then when you and I would have our mini adventures; I felt so alive with you and happy and when you're gone; I think about you. It's kind of annoying."

"Yeah it is. Just when we confess our love; we can't do anything about it. You got a kid on the way, I'm getting married."

Sokka grabbed Toph's arm and pulled her close, "Tonight we could pretend."

"Whoa, whoa I'm not that kind of girl," she elbowed him anxiously, voice cracking girlishly.

Sokka only embraced her more his lips grazing her ear, "I know. Maybe Zuko's sappiness is rubbing off on me; but tonight, I just want to hold you."

"Yeah and what if you get excited? I'm very beautiful and hard to resist; whatever that means."

"I can control myself. I'll just think about something gross."

"Like Katara and Aang doing the 'dirty dragon's dance'."

Sokka scrunched his nose in disgust, "Well I really didn't want to picture that; but that will do."

Toph made a rock tent for two and laid down on the ground, moon shining on her. His Toph looked so celestial tonight, "C'mon lover boy lets go to sleep."

"Right behind you my goddess," he purred.

Sokka positioned himself behind Toph. He cradled her in his arms. This felt so right. They were picturesque as he kissed her cheek lovingly, which garnished a blush from Toph. She entwined hers hands with his and placed her head in the crook of his arm. "You know," she began, "for the record we would have made a great couple."

"Yeah we sure would have. Together, we would have been Tokka the awesome!"

Toph kissed his hand chastely and playfully poked him in the stomach, "Goodnight meathead."

"Goodnight Toph."