Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA... yada... yada...yada...

Chapter 3

Four years have passed since the end of the war. Aang had disappeared for months after leaving the gaang behind. Reappearing briefly over the years to fulfill his duties as the Avatar. Dispelling rebel attacks, rebuilding the war torn nations, and assisting in any way he could. Never staying in one place for too long. He'd lost contact with most of the gaang, seeing Toph on occasion when he was in the Earth Kingdom. She had started an academy for Earthbenders in Gaoling and was proving to be a respected Sifu. Often having to turn students away due to lack of space to train them all.

He saw Zuko regularly at meetings of the Council of Four Nations, but usually avoided any direct contact with him. He was still hurt over losing Katara to him four years ago. He had heard that Katara was living on Kyoshi Island with Sokka and Suki. Who were married a couple of years ago, and had a one year old daughter named Kya. But he hadn't seen any of them since he left. He couldn't face her. He loved her, and it still hurt him as much as it did the day he left.

Aang had grown much over the last few years, and was considered to be quite good looking. His round boyish face was gone, replaced by thinner more chisled features and a sharp angular jaw line. He had let his hair grow a bit, but kept it well groomed. Mainly to conceal his arrows when hiding his true identity was necessary, but also because he knew she liked it. His body had changed as well. No longer the short wiry kid, but a muscular man of 16. Standing over 6 feet tall. Needless to say, he attracted a lot of attention wherever he went, but more so from the ladies. What girl wouldn't dream of being the wife of the handsome Avatar?

Katara sat on the beach watching the 3 year old toddler in front of her play in the sand with his shovel and pail. He was her world. She came to Kyoshi with Sokka and Suki soon after the war ended. When she found out she was pregnant with Tenzin. They knew it would be best, to spare the shame and embarrassment for her and her family. Being a pregnant single woman in the Southern Water Tribe would result in family disgrace, and she would be shunned. No man would marry a tarnished woman. It hurt to leave her father and Gran Gran, but they understood and respected her decision. Still proud of her and giving her unconditional love and support. It took quite some time for Sokka to calm down though. And a lot of arguing to keep him from hunting down 'The Avatar', which he now called Aang, and killing him for robbing his sister of her virtue. Being a husband and father has mellowed him out a bit, now.

They lived in a remote area of the island. Away from prying eyes so Tenzin could have as normal of a childhood as possible. They could only imagine what kind of chaos would erupt if people found out about the Avatar's son. Toph visited often when she needed a break from her students, and Zuko and Mai visited on a few occasions as well. Zuko had yet to ask Mai to marry him. He said it was because the time wasn't right, and he had too much to do with running the Fire Nation and with reparations after the war. But everyone knew it was because he was just plain scared.

As Katara watched Tenzin, her thoughts wandered back to the fatefull night that he was conceived. It was the night before the comet and Aang was alone on the beach. Contemplating his fate no doubt. She went to him to comfort him, to tell him everything would be alright. They clung to each other out of fear, or desperation, or both. The gentle caresses, the passionate kisses. They expressed their love for each other that night. Not with words, but with their lovemaking. She wasn't ashamed of what happened or ever regretted it. If it hadn't happened, she wouldn't have Tenzin. And she wouldn't give him up for anything in the world. He was a precocious child with ivory skin, black hair, brilliant grey eyes and a lot of energy. 'Just like his father' she thought and smiled.

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Toph asked as she plopped down on the sand next to Katara.

"Nothing really. Tenzin mostly." replied Katara.

"Like that's anything new." Toph said rolling her cloudy eyes.

A few minutes of silence passed. Toph flopped back on to the sand and began making sand angels, flapping her arms and legs back and forth. Katara turned to watch her friend and laughed out loud. 'Same old Toph' she thought.

"So... When are you gonna tell Twinkletoes about the little monster?" Toph asked, sitting back up. Nothing but love for the child in her words.

"I - " Katara started, when all of the sudden they heard -

"Aaaaah... aaaaaahhh... aaaaaaaahhhhh... chooooooooooooo!" and Tenzin shot about 10 feet into the air, then gently glided back to his previous place like a feather. Both girls' eyes were as wide as saucers, mouths agape.

"Katara, he's an - " Toph started.

"Airbender." Katara gasped, finishing for Toph.

"Sokka! Sokka! Come quick!" Toph shouted over her shoulder.

Sokka left his wife and daughter at the waters edge in a flash. Arriving quickly where the girls were sitting, and dropping in to his 'warrior' stance with boomerang in hand. "What? What?" Sokka yelled as his eyes darted around the beach for any sign of danger.

"The little monster's an airbender!" Toph exclaimed.

"Oh, is that all?" Sokka whined, sounding disappointed as he sat on the other side of Katara. Who was still speechless and appeared to be in shock. "WAIT! WHAT!?" He screamed, when the realization of what Toph said finally hit him.

"Tenzin... he's an airbender. He sneezed, and shot off like a rocket!" Toph explained.

"Just like Aang did when we first met him. Ah... good times... good times." Sokka replied, staring dreamily at the ocean. Breaking out of his reverie he shouted "Katara, do you know what this means?" Still no reply from the stunned waterbender. "It means that Aang isn't the last airbender anymore! We've gotta go find him and tell him!" He exclaimed as he began to rise. But a hand to his arm restrained him.

"NO!" Shouted Katara, looking panicked.

"Why not?" Sokka asked.

"Because... I'm not ready." She whimpered.

"Katara, come on! It's been 3 years! I only agreed to keep Tenzin a secret from Aang because I knew how much it hurt you when he left. It's time to tell him." Sokka said.

"I... I... can't." Katara replied, tears welling up in her eyes.

Toph had moved over to Tenzin and was kneeling beside him. Entertaining him with her sandbending while he watched in awe, giggling and clapping his hands. Giving the siblings some privacy.

"Katara. Think about it. Aang deserves to know he has a son, especially now. And Tenzin deserves a chance to know his father. How else will Tenzin learn airbending? Aang is the only one left. Well, I guess technically not anymore, since Tenzin's one too now, but... whatever. You get the point." Sokka said.

"But... but..." Katara started.

"No 'buts' Katara. Either you tell Aang, or I will." Sokka replied as he got up and walked up the beach toward his family.

Katara sat there for a few moments taking in what her brother had said, then got to her feet and walked over to her son, scooping him up in her arms. "Come on sweetie. Almost supper time." she cooed to her son, turning to walk back to the house against Tenzin's protest.

"He's right you know." Toph said to her friend.

"I know." Katara replied softly. She had a lot of serious thinking to do.