The sound of her gentle murmurs got my attention, alerting me to the fact that not only was she waking up but that I had somehow fallen asleep and all but curled up next to her. As her eyelids began to flutter open I was struck by the realization that I still had no idea what I was going to say to her.

Come on Lin just tell her the truth. Just tell her that you love her and that you want her to be your mate.

But no matter what I thought I couldn't bring myself to speak. All I could do was watch as she sat up yawned and smiled as she saw me.

"Lin!" in her excitement she pulled me into a hug making this moment even harder for me. As much as I wanted to bury myself in her embrace I reminded myself that we had a very important conversation to have.

"Uhh Kya I think we need to talk."

"Yeah we probably should." As she pulled back I focused wanting to do this right.

"First off I want to say I'm going to be there for you every step off the way."

"Oh that's good to hear." I could hear the disappointment in her voice but I wasn't done yet.

Now comes the hard part. Just tell her how you feel.

But as I looked into her eyes I felt like facing an army of criminals then deal with this embarrassment.

"And I want to say that I... like you... a lot. Like more then a friend but not in a sisterly way. Like the way two people... I really like you okay! and I really hope you feel the same" It was by far the most embarrassing thing I've ever said

Smooth Lin real smooth.

Kya said nothing for the longest time and just stared at me eyes a mix of confusion and shock before pushing me onto the bed and passionately kissing me.

"Finally! You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say that."

Wait, what?

"For a while there I was sure you just thought of me as a friend. Then on the vacation when we became more I was sure you thought the same. But on our last day when you didn't make me your mate I thought you didn't want me."

All I could do was sit there taking this in. All this time she had feelings for me and was just waiting for me to tell her. And when I didn't...

Oh Lin you're such an idiot. She must have been heartbroken, then to find out she was pregnant must have been devastating. Well no more of that. She's my mate and I'm going to tell her.

"Kya I'm sorry I wasn't more open with you, I wanted to tell you how I felt for a while but I thought you didn't want a relationship and only wanted to be free and travel."

"Really?"

"Yeah actually before you showed up I was actually on my way to track you down and tell you." We were both silent for a while the both started laughing realizing we were idiots.

Well you told her. Now just make it official.

All I would have to do was bite her leaving my mark on her neck. I started toward her neck but became confused when she stopped me.

"Lin as much as I'd like to have your mark I think it would be better wait and ease the both of us into this. I mean I've never been in a real relationship and now with a baby involved in would kind of feel forced you know what I mean?"

I kind of did. Kya didn't just to be mated and get it over with she wanted the closeness that came with it and even though we've known each other our whole lives our feelings for each other are rather new.

"So what do we do then?" For I was all out of ideas and had no experience in these kind of situations.

"Simple we go on dates, spend time together. You know start as girlfriends then when we both feel we're ready become mates."

"I can do that."

"Good." The moment was too good for either of us to pass up and we learned in and kicked off our new relationship with a kiss.

As we pulled back the window opened revealing Tenzin. It was a good thing that she had tinted windows or he would have just witnessed his sister and crush locking lips.

"Kya I heard you were back so I came to see how you were doing." then he noticed I was there and his attention focused on me.

"Lin! I didn't think we'd see each other until tonight. You came to check on Kya to I bet." If Kya wasn't secretly holding my hand I would have been aggravated and turned this moment into a violent one.

"Yeah."

It was clear from the way that he was tapping his fingers on the windows edge that he had something more to say but didn't know how to phrase it. A tell I'd learned long ago.

"So Lin I was wondering if" I was about to say no to whatever he was saying but Kya beat me to it in a more subtle way.

"Sorry little brother but Lin and I have some girl things we need to talk about so she'll have to get back to you later." she said moving to the window and shutting it and locking it for added seclusion.

I watched from the other side as Tenzin's darkened form walked away.

"Lin I know my brother is a bit thick headed sometimes but why was he looking like a love starved otterdog when he saw you?"

Okay Lin you knew this conversation would happen sooner or later. Just tell the truth.

But when I saw the look on her face I was instantly worried. Her face showed anger which I expected, but there was also worry and jealously mixed in. All that combined with her pregnancy hormones made a lethal combination.

"He came by the house earlier today wanting me to give him a second chance. And I in the middle of a detached emotional state said we would hang out but only if It was Su and I. It wasn't until after he left and Su snapped me out of it did I realized I missed you."

"Well I'm not about to let my little brother steal you away from me so I'm coming on this little adventure as well." her tone made it clear she wasn't asking permission and wasn't about to be persuaded otherwise.

I can't tell if that makes it more or less awkward. I mean eventually he's going to find out but I made it perfectly clear that just friends is all we're ever going to be.

With that decided we started preparing. Over the years Kya had accumulated a massive amount of clothes which completely dwarfed my three outfits. And as she started changing it became clear that right now provide the perfect opportunity for her to force me into every outfit she had no matter if I wanted to or not.

"Lin."

"No."

"You know you're going to." the outfit she had in hands wasn't to awful. A long flowing black dress that stopped just short of my knees leaving my arms completely bare. But I was stubborn especially when it came to what I wore. It was no secret that my entire wardrobe consisted of my armor, a tank top for when I was off duty and a fancy suit when the occasion called for some class.

"I'm not wearing that. It's just so... so."

"Lin it's a dress and one of the more modest ones I own. Now please put in on I haven't seen you in a dress since we were kids playing with Izumi at the palace."

Yeah when she accidentally lit it on fire when we were playing tag.

"Fine but only if I can make some adjustments." She sat down completely enthralled as I shed my clothes and slipped it over my shoulders and looked into her mirror. Kya and I weren't really different in our sizes so it fit rather well.

"Wow, Lin I know you might not think so but you're really beautiful in that." I couldn't hide the blush as I inwardly agreed with her. But I remembered that it wasn't going to be just the two of us.

So after looking through her wardrobe I found a white long sleeved shirt I slipped on under my dress along with a pair of black pants.

"Lin I've decided. From now on when you're off duty you can only wear clothes I approve."

"Why?!"

"Because you look too good to hide behind armor." She might have tried to sound sweet but I could hear the lust behind those words.

"As long as my stomach and legs aren't visible it's fine." which would cut out half the things she had in mind.

Pushing me aside she choose her outfit for the night which consisted of more water tribe formal gear. A blue skirt and top leaving the arms open.

"Well come on we still have to head back to your house and pick up Su."

I was actually surprised that I'd forgotten about her. I remembered she'd be there but other than that my mind had blanked.

"Yeah good idea." as we left her room we ran into Katara who took one look at us and smiled.

"Kya I need to speak with Lin for a moment. Don't worry it's nothing major just a little advice." Kya looked at me clearly worried but continued on down to the docks.

"Lin we may have a slight problem with Tenzin." my hands instantly clenched knowing this would only make it worse.

"What's wrong?"

"I went to talk to him after you left to kind of gauge how strongly he feels about you."

"And?" But one look and I knew the answer.

"I'm afraid he's made up his mind and like Aang he won't change it unless it's made completely and utterly clear. And I'm sorry to say, going by past experience it won't end well."

Katara once told me that Aang had only lost it twice in his lifetime. The first was when he found it we was the last airbender and nearly destroyed the temple in his anguish, which to me was completely understandable. The second was when he found out his bison had been stolen. So going by those two things Tenzin's reaction would be bad but not as bad. Knowing him he'd send everything around him flying then run home and meditate for three days straight.

But whatever reaction he had at least eventually he'd get over it like an adult and hopefully not completely hate us.

"Don't worry I won't break his heart outright but I am going to make sure he knows I'm taken." with that said I moved past her and headed down to the docks where my future mate was waiting.