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

Chapter 22

When the trio arrived at the house, everyone else was already in bed. So they went straight to the bedroom to get settled in.

" Um... Katara? Where is Tenzin going to sleep tonight?" Aang asked curiously.

" I guess we can make him a pallet on the floor again." Katara replied casually.

" Are you sure you're okay with that?" Aang asked concerned. " Is he okay with that?" He added. " I feel like I've, kind of, displaced him or something." He finished. Feeling a bit guilty.

" I'm fine with it, Aang." Katara replied. Trying to reassure him. " And as for Tenzin... Why don't we ask him?" She added, smiling. " Tenzin, how do you feel about sleeping on the pallet next to the bed for awhile?" She asked her son. " So we can make room for daddy in the bed with momma." She added.

" Okay." Tenzin replied, smiling. Then grabbed his bath toys and went to get ready for his bath.

" Well... I guess you have your answer." Katara said, smiling.

" I guess I do." Aang replied, smiling.

" I need to give Tenzin a bath before he goes to bed. So, in the mean time, make yourself comfortable." Katara said.

" Can I do it?" Aang asked.

" What? Give Tenzin his bath?" Katara asked.

" Yeah. I mean... I never got to do any of that stuff... before." Aang said awkwardly.

" Sure. Why not?" Katara replied with a smile. " Just so you know, he likes to play for a while before you wash him." She added. " And he has bath toys that he likes to play with. And I usually waterbend a little to entertain him a bit. And -" She explained, before Aang cut her off.

" I think I've got it now, Katara." Aang said, chuckling.

" Oh... Okay." Katara said. Not sure what to do with herself, since she's always been the one to give Tenzin his bath. " I guess I'll just... relax or something for awhile, then." She added, awkwardly.

" Okay. You deserve a break." Aang said, smiling. Then went in to the bathroom to start Tenzin's bath. He turned on the water and checked the temperature as it filled the tub. Then started to help Tenzin get undressed.

" Where's momma?" Tenzin asked curiously.

" She's resting. I thought I'd help you with your bath tonight." Aang explained. " Is that okay?" He asked.

" I guess so." Tenzin replied, shrugging his shoulders. Then let Aang help him get undressed and place him in the tub.

The two of them had a blast, having a mock naval battle. With plenty of waterbending and airbending special effects. Aang added a small amout of firebending if one of the ships 'exploded' for dramatic effect. And finally, two hours later, they exited the bathroom laughing.

" Well, that took long enough." Katara replied, annoyed. Feeling a bit jealous that Tenzin was having so much fun with Aang.

" Oh, sorry." Aang said, smiling. Sensing a hint of resentment in her voice. Then he finished airbending Tenzin dry, which Tenzin thought was way better than a towel, then helped him put on his pajamas.

Tenzin settled down on the pallet that his mother had made for him. Then begged Aang to tell him a story about The Avatar's adventures. Which Aang was happy to oblige. Not taking long for Tenzin to fall fast asleep.

Aang sat on the edge of the bed and got undressed. Feeling a bit awkward that Katara was watching him. Then pulled back the covers and slid in to bed next to her. Katara was being unusually quiet, and Aang knew that something was bothering her. " Katara, are you upset about something?" He asked.

" No. Why would you think that?" Katara replied, indifferently.

" Please, Katara. I know something's bothering you." Aang said. " Talk to me, don't shut me out." He added sincerely.

" It's just that... I don't know... I guess I'm a little... jealous." Katara replied.

" Jealous?" Aang queried. " Why?" He added.

" Well, for a long time now, it's just been me and Tenzin." Katara explained. " And now... I guess I feel like he would rather be with you." She added. Feeling a bit ashamed of herself for feeling that way.

" Oh. I see." Aang replied. Not sure what to say. Knowing that anything he said would probably make things worse. So he thought about it for several minutes, trying to find the right words.

" I know I shouldn't feel that way." Katara said apologetically.

" No... it's okay for you to feel that way." Aang said. " I understand why you do." He added sincerely.

" Really? You do?" Katara asked curiously. " I'm not sure that I even understand why I feel that way." She added.

" Think about it, Katara. I'm like a shiny new toy to Tenzin." Aang explained. " And you're, kind of like, the old favorite toy. Not that I'm saying you're old or anything." He added. " But, Tenzin is playing with the new toy, instead of the one he always played with before. And that toy feels, sort of, left out." He continued. " Not that he likes the new toy any better... It's just something new, and different. But once the novelty wears off, he'll miss his favorite toy. The one that he has always relied on... and has always been there for him." He finished. And they both pondered the thought for a minute.

" That didn't make a bit of sense, did it?" Aang asked, laughing.

" Well... Sort of." Katara replied, giggling. " No... Not really." She added, laughing.

Causing Aang to laugh harder. " What I'm trying to say is... You will always be Tenzin's favorite toy." He explained, when the laughter subsided. " He will always come to you when he's hurt, or sad, or excited..." He added. " Because you are his mother. And nothing will ever change that. And it's okay to be jealous of him paying attention to someone else. Because you've never really had to share him with anyone before." He finished. Hoping that he was better able to explain it to her this time.

" Okay... I see what you're saying." Katara replied sincerely, smiling softly. " Thanks, Aang." She said. " I'll try not to be too jealous of you." She added, laughing.

" You're welcome. And I'll try not to be so incredibly awesome, so you won't be jealous." Aang replied laughing.

Katara couldn't help but laugh. " You are incredibly awesome, you know." She said seductively.

" Oh, yeah?" Aang asked, teasingly. Cocking an eyebrow.

" Yeah. And incredibly handsome... and incredibly sexy... and incredibly -" Katara started.

" Horny." Aang finished for her, laughing.

" Hmmm... Maybe I'll just have to do something about that." Katara said in a soft, sexy voice. Then smiled seductively at him.

" I'm okay with that." Aang said excitedly.

Then Katara rolled over against him and slowly placed hot, open-mouthed kisses down the side of his neck. Stopping to trace small circles with her tongue, then slowly trail kisses back up to his ear and sucking on his earlobe. Causing Aang to moan with pleasure. While her fingertips lightly traced down his abdomen. Slowly, down and around his navel. Then along the trail of dark hair below his navel. Then Aang sucked in a deep breath and his hand snapped up and grabbed her wrist. Taking her by surprise.

" What's wrong?" Katara asked, concerned.

" Is this gonna lead to something... or should I just go to the bathroom now?" Aang asked, then chuckled softly.

Katara busted out laughing. But, quickly stiffled her laughter so she wouldn't wake Tenzin up. " Well... if you can be really quiet..." She whispered, smiling seductively.

Aang nodded his head eagerly. Then laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. Releasing his hold on her wrist. And Katara picked up where she left off. Finally finding out what that trail of dark hair led to.