When awoke I the first thing I noticed was the searing pain in my shoulder the second thing I noticed was that I was in a small hospital bed with Katara wrapping up my shoulder. I tried to sit up but she gently pushed me back down.

"Oh no you don't Lin. As you're doctor I'm not letting you out of this bed until I say so."

Many different questions flooded into my mind but my mouth settled on three. "How long, what happened and where's Kya?"

"You've been out for a bout twelve hours. Toph found Kya healing your shoulder in your yard and brought you here where I finished what she started. As for where she is now I sent here to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Normally I would have let here stay by your side by she's eating for two now and I won't have my first grandchild wasting away because of worry."

It probably took more than a small effort to get her to leave my side. My heart swelled with pride at that thought.

"And what of the intruders?"

"Toph took care of them last night. Last I heard she practically threw them into their cells as soon as they woke up."

Last night was still in pieces but I remembered that it wasn't me who took them out. But what bothered me the most was how Kya dealt with them.

Bloodbending, it was illegal in Republic City for obvious reasons and being caught using it was seven years in jail at a minimum. Which begged the question. How did Kya know how to do it?

As I was pondering that I caught a scent that was rapidly getting stronger along with the sounds of footsteps.

"I'll leave the rest to Kya." she said smiling as she left me alone. Seconds later I heard her talking.

"...Yes she's awake but I recommend." that was all she said before Kya burst into the room rushing over and embracing me with hugs and kisses.

"Lin you big idiot I was worried sick! When you collapsed I thought you were dying!" she said in between hugging and shaking me.

To say I was afraid would be an understatement. Both of her hands were firmly gripping my shoulders as she drove her point home.

"Your heart stopped twice as I was healing you, twice!" then the most horrible thing that could happen happened. Kya started crying.

"Do you have any idea what would happen if I lost you?" I did the only thing I could do and pulled her close using what strength I had comfort her.

"Kya please don't cry."

"But."

"No buts, now take a deep breath alright." she pulled back a bit and layed down beside me taking a series of deep breaths as she wiped her face.

"Sorry about that but I've been worried."

"Blame your hormones." she gave a small laugh before kissing me. As she pulled back I was reminded of my earlier thoughts and of the conversation we needed to have.

"Kya we need to talk about last night and please don't try to change the subject or lie. I need to hear the truth and you know why."

Her smile decreased but she nodded knowing full well that this conversation was bound to happen.

"Where you bloodbending?"

"Yes. I woke up to the sound of lighting and saw you clutching your shoulder and outnumbered. You were in danger and there were no sources of water so I did what I had to to save you."

"Kya."

"They lucky I didn't kill them. Nobody hurts you if I can help it." From the determination in her eyes I knew she was telling the truth. If it meant protecting me or our family she would have showed no mercy.

"Okay but where did you learn it? It's not exactly taught in schools."

"Funny story about that. You remember a few years ago when we were sixteen and there was this huge explosion of bloodbending attacks around the city."

"Yeah."

"Well being the curious and adventures kid that I was I wanted to learn it. The reports said that bloodbending is just another type of waterbending that could only be used during full moons so one night I trapped a lemer in a cage and practiced on it. Unfortunately the only thing I made it do was let out a horrible scream that gave me away to mom. She took one look and knew what I was doing. I got the worst lecture of my life along with six months of being grounded in my room."

I remember those months. Katara had said that Kya was busy and wouldn't be able to come out for some time. Now I know why.

"So anyway one full moon night mom tells me to follow her onto the bison and she takes me out to this wasteland where she tells me if I'm going to try something as reckless and dangerous as bloodbending then I should at least know what I'm doing and do it someplace without people."

"Katara taught you?" of all the possible teachers Katara wasn't even at the top of my list.

"Yeah but she made me promise and I mean really promise that I would only use it in a utterly desperate situation to protect myself or the ones I love. Honestly last night was the only time I've ever used it outside of training."

After hearing this I knew that there was only one thing to do.

"Just don't do it again alright." she looked at me clearly expecting some cop speech but simply nodded and took my hand in hers. I wasn't about to wreck the best thing that's ever happened to me because of my job.

As she layed next to me curled up against my side talking about what we'd do once we got out of here I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

she's the most beautiful person I've ever met and soon we'll have a family. My family, my child and my mate.

I decided then and there to do something.

"Kya I love you."

"I love you to Lin but I'm guessing theres more you want to say."

"I love you to much and I want every day to be just like this. You and me together."

"What are you saying?"

"I want you to be my mate officially. The world knows that we're dating but I want everyone to know that we belong only to each other. I want you to wear my mark."

She turns away and for a moment I was sure that I said to much. But as the seconds pass she slides her shirt down just enough to expose her neck and shoulders.

"Well what are you waiting for?" hearing those words and seeing her smiling face filled me with strength. I surged upright and after kissing her deeply sank my teeth into her neck biting down forever marking her as mine.

"Took you long enough. Now rest up for the second you get home you won't be getting any rest."

Hate to say it but there's only going to be one or two chapters left in this story.