Not so long. A collection of ideas I had. The next chapter is a lot more together.

As always, characters by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, Story by Me.

*12/7/13* I'm still at it. It's slow going because I'm working on editing this, writing The Fire Lord's Loss, and They Met on the Internet not to mention my regular life. I'll finish it all though, just stay with me.

Invention

After a couple of days Zuko was on his way back to the Fire Nation. Toph asked Ty Lee to go to her house and get it ready for when she and Lin came home. Once again Momo accompanied Ty Lee. When Toph's parents left, Ty Lee would send him with the message so that the earth bender would know that it was okay to bring her baby home.

Two months passed before Momo came back to Air Temple Island with letter in hand. In that time Toph got the hang of taking care of Lin almost independently. Sokka spent a majority of his time on the island, only going into the city for work or to get clothes and meat to take back with him. He and Toph had resumed a seemingly platonic relationship, but on occasion Katara would catch a glance from Sokka or a hug or a brush of a hand and that lead to Tenzin's first word.

His mother had taken to saying something that Sokka used to scream as a teenager. Imagine everyone's surprise when the baby boy looked at his uncle one day and yelled, "Oogies!"

Aang and Katara's own personal life took a back seat. They had two extra adults, two hyperactive kids, a crawler and a newborn all under one roof. With Toph around they couldn't have privacy in the house because she knew every movement made and there were very little hiding places on the island because there were Air Acolytes everywhere. Katara was extremely happy when she saw Momo flying toward her.

She took the letter from him and , with him on her shoulder, gathered the adults so she could read the letter

Hi guys,

The Beifongs finally went back to Gaoling. I thought they would never leave. Tell Toph that her mother left lots and lots of clothes and toys for Lin. She won't have to buy anything for her for a couple of years. Also tell her that her Lieutenant said that he can't wait for her to come back to work. He says they all miss her.

Teo came by the other day. He said he has a new invention and he wants you guys to help him test it. I let him use one of the empty rooms to set everything up. Zuko is on the way. He should be here tomorrow. Teo wants Sokka and Zuko to bring their weapons and Toph to wear her uniform. He said for Katara and Aang to dress "regular", whatever that means. Teo and I will be waiting when you get here.

Ty Lee

"Since when do we have to dress a certain way for a new invention?", Toph asked, rocking Lin in her arms.

"Maybe it's some kind of weapon that he wants to test.", Sokka answered, "He did say that he wanted me and Zuko to bring ours and he wants you in your gear."

"He'd better not have a weapon set up in my house.", Toph snapped.

"I'm sure he wouldn't do that.", Aang assured.

The next morning everyone prepared to go to Toph's house in Republic City. Toph, Lin and Sokka took his boat while Aang and his family took Appa.

Of course Appa arrived first. Ty Lee came running into the back yard to greet them and Teo wheeled out not too far behind. "Hey guys.", he said as he approached Appa. They all greeted each other and Katara introduced Teo to Tenzin.

While Teo gave the kids rides around the yard, Momo swooped in and planted himself on Aang's shoulder. Aang petted him and told him how much he was missed on the island. Ty Lee took Katara inside to show her the massive bedroom/nursery.

"Wow, this is gigantic.", Katara said, trying to take it all in.

"Yes it is. Toph asked one of her officers to come and take down the walls on both sides of her bedroom, this use to be three rooms."

"Look at all this. Toph's mother bought every baby thing there ever was."

"She went to a store everyday she was here. When I first arrived the place was already full of toys."

"So do you have the room across the hall?", Katara asked.

"Nope," the Kyoshi Warrior said proudly, "Toph gave me the whole upstairs. She said she only needs me to be with Lin when she has to work. It's like a whole other house up there.

"I think she'll need you more than that."

"I know that, and you know that. I'll be here when she needs me."

Sokka, Toph and Lin arrived just in time to see Zuko walking down his ship's plank with his daughter on his shoulders. As they approached each other the fearless little girl stood on her father's shoulders and did a summersault into Sokka's waiting arms, "Uncle Sokka!", she said as she squeezed his neck as tight as she could.

"Nobody makes an entrance like you Ursa.", he chocked out. She released her grip.

"Auntie Toph, Hi. Is that the baby? I want to see her."

"Calm down Sparky Jr, Here she is.", she held Lin so that Ursa could see.

"Ooooo", the little girl marveled, but it was short lived. She turned to Sokka, "Where's Kya?"

He laughed, "She's at Toph's. Let's go, I'm sure she'll be excited to see you."

Sokka was right. Kya saw them coming and took off running. When her best friend saw her, she did the same. As Kya ran past her mother, she drew water from Katara's pouch without stopping. The two girls were about ten feet away from each other when they both launched themselves into the air, Kya with water and Ursa with flame. They embraced when the met in the middle. The two little girls giggled as they held onto each other and Ursa eased them to the ground with fire bending. Then they sat crossed legged in front of each other and held their hands a few inches apart. Ursa held a tiny flames in her palms and Kya had water in hers. They covered themselves in a fog of steam.

As the air cleared Kya said, "You came! I didn't know you were coming!"

"I couldn't miss my best friend's birthday, now could I?", the little Fire Nation princess answered.

"Yay! We can spend the day on the beach.", she turned to her mother, "Can't we Mom? Is that okay?"

"It's fine, you don't turn eight every day."

"Well," Teo said, "I think it's time to see my new invention."

Teo led everyone into the room where he had set up.

"Um, Teo," Sokka started, "a huge map of the world isn't exactly a new invention."

Teo laughed, "No Sokka, that's just the back drop.", he pulled what looked like a box with lights and a scope attached, "This is the invention. I call it a camera."

"Camera?", Aang said, studying the contraption, "What does it do?"

"It takes photographs. They're like paintings, only more detailed and accurate."

"Really?", Katara asked. Teo pulled out a thick piece of paper and handed it to her, "Wow. That's amazing."

They gathered around Katara and looked at the picture. Everyone was astonished to see a perfect image of Ty Lee. Toph said, "Yeah, this all sounds great, but what does any of this have to do with me?"

"I want a photograph of you guys, for prosperity."

They looked around and smiled. Zuko spoke, "Okay Teo, what do we need to do?"

"Just step in front of the map and pose…After Toph gets ready of course."

Ty Lee came in with Toph's gear and laid it on the floor. The metal bender stretched out her hands and bent her gear onto her body. Then Katara held her hand and led her to the center of the map, right between the North and South Poles. Katara stood to her right and Aang placed his arm around his wife's waist and she rested her hand on his back. Zuko was next to take his place. He stood to Toph's left, followed by Sokka, one hand on his sword, the other on Zuko's shoulder. The Fire Lord crossed his arms and gave a little smirk. Momo, still on Aang's shoulder, wrapped his tail around the monk and Toph pointed her finger, looking as threatening as she could.

"That's perfect!", Teo yelled and Aang, Katara and Sokka smiled at him right as he pushed the button. There was a loud click and a huge flash of light that sent Momo flying away. "Okay! I got it!.", he said enthused.