Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar

Happy 2009! Sorry I've not updated in a while, I've been in ATL without my PC so, yeah. Anyway this story takes place about a week after the last one. Enjoy.


The stars shown dimly over the well-lit streets of Ba Sing Se as the gang's carriage reached their Upper-ring apartment given to them as a bequest from the state during their first visit to the metropolis. Their house was of adequate size compared to the other elite homes of Ba Sing Se, but it suited the unpretentious teenagers well. It's Upper-ring contemporary design and yellow-tiled roof set it apart from the homogenous blue-tiled roof style of the rest of the city.

The group, with the vocalized exception of Toph, enjoyed living in the city for the time being. International post-war settlements were currently being held in the Earth Kingdom Palace, so Aang, being the Avatar, was expected to attend. The newly crowned Firelord Zuko also attended the talks as the sole representation of the Fire Nation (Iroh had declined when invited to the ceremony). Master Pakku and Chief Hakoda represented the interests of both the Water Tribes and the recently restored Earth King Kuei represented his kingdom along with the Council of Five and all the provincial governors.

Aang found the meetings unbearably dull and only entertained himself by mocking the more animated characters with Katara while everyone's attention was elsewhere. Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Suki were all invited to the talks as honorary warriors of the "Team Avatar". Katara and Sokka's status as children of Hakoda, Toph being a member of the Bei Fong family, and Suki's claim of leader of the Kyoshi Warriors, gave them necessary titles of importance. Sokka found the meetings fascinating and absorbed every word spoken, but Aang, Katara, Suki and Toph hated them. The meetings trapped them in a conference room for hours on end; Aang missed the outdoors and the feeling of wind whipping across his face as he glided through air. For now, though, he must endure the hours of boredom and save those wonderful thoughts for another time.

Aang was happy, anyway, that his friends would give up their freedom just to join him. Katara did not have to attend the talks; she did so to keep him company.

The driver opened the carriage door and the weary teenagers stumbled out onto the steps to the front door. Toph barreled through the entrance and collapsed in the floor of the common area, exhausted.

"I'm not going to a single other meeting!" she announced as the others filed through the door.

"No one is forcing you to go," Suki pointed out as she closed the front door behind her.

"Look Powderpuff, I'm tired and I don't need to hear-"

"Powderpuff?!"

"Relax Suki," Sokka said as he separated the two girls who were now in each others faces. "Toph has accepted you into the group if she gives you a nickname. You two are just on edge from lack of sleep."

"I guess I'll have to find a new nickname for you, Sokka. Meathead doesn't fully work anymore. Don't get me wrong, your still an idiot, but that full head of hair covers up you meat-filled skull," Toph smirked.

"Thanks Toph, you are just such a kind, spirited, wonderful person," Sokka said flatly.

"We should get some rest," Aang stated as he shuffled to his room.

The rest of the group followed, but Katara stopped and grabbed Aang's arm to pull him back into the common room. Sokka, who was walking beside Aang, looked back at them quizzically before turning to pull Suki into his bedroom. Katara smiled as he disappeared. She had been afraid that Sokka would not like her relationship with Aang, but he had surprised her by giving her his support. He'd told her in private: "Hey, if Aang make's you happy, then I'm happy. Personally, I think you couldn't have found a better guy."

She turned to look back at Aang. He smiled at her, waiting for an explanation of her sudden action. She became embarrassed.

"Hey Aang, I was wondering…" Katara trailed off as she looked away to a painting on the wall.

"What is it, Katara?" Aang asked.

"You know, there's not a meeting tomorrow and everyone else is…"

Aang got the gist of where she was going with her question and beat her to it. He had planned in advance to spend time with her the next time they had a free day, but he originally was going to wait and ask her tomorrow. She must be thinking the same thing.

"Yeah, everyone will be away. I've been thinking, maybe we could… do something together."

Katara burst into laughter. Aang was taken aback by her sudden outburst and looked at his feet in embarrassment. Had he said something wrong?

"Sorry," she said, wiping a tear from her eye. "That reminded me of Sokka's pick-up line he used on Princess Yue."

"What did he say?" asked Aang, grinning.

"He was trying to act cool and said 'I was thinking maybe we could do some activities together'." She said mockingly. They both broke into laughter.

Katara loved to see Aang laugh. His joy seemed magical to her. He was like a star that radiated happiness to everyone around him. He seemed to light up the room even now. How could anyone hold so much merriment inside of them?

"I would love to spend the day with you tomorrow, Aang!" Katara laughed.

He beamed at this and embraced her.

"We could go on a date to dinner." Aang suggested as he pulled away from the hug.

Katara's mouth fell open to his statement, shock silencing an immediate response from her. What did he say now?

"A date? Aang, that's a great idea! I'd love to!" she exclaimed gleefully.

"Really?! That's-," he began, but he was stopped by her lips smacking into his.

"I can't wait, but we need to go to sleep now. Night is half-way over," she said.

Aang agreed and they walked towards the hall. The dormitory wing of their house branched from the right side of the common room and formed a "T" shaped hallway. Sokka and Suki's room were the first two rooms. Toph's lay straight ahead and Aang and Katara's sat opposite of each other. Zuko and Mai were staying with Iroh due to the lack of space and because Zuko wished to spend time with his uncle.

Katara heard movement from inside Sokka's bedroom and was about to comment when the door to his room flew open. A scantily clad Suki stormed out and into her room, followed by an also scantily clad and distressed Sokka.

"Suki wait! It came out wrong; I didn't mean it that way! You're beautiful in your makeup too!" Sokka begged as he followed her into her room.

Aang and Katara exchanged looks and waited to hear what was going on. After a few minutes of hushed talk, the sound of kissing came from the dark room. Katara rolled her eyes and turned to hug Aang.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

How was it? Sorry for the semi-cliffhanger, I will update soon this time. So no throwing penguins, right (nervous laugh)?