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

Author's note: I'm afraid this will be the last chapter rated T. The next chapter is about Aang and Katara's big night alone. So it will be pretty steamy. So I'm going to have to change the rating to M. I hope that's okay with everyone. If not, I'm sorry. It will take several days for the next chapter, because I want to be perfect. Thanks everyone! Hope you keep reading!

Chapter 24

Suki and Katara were just finishing with the dishes when Sokka and Aang came back in to the house.

" Well, you guys were gone long enough." Suki said. " What was that all about?" She asked curiously.

" Oh... nothing." Sokka said. Then walked over and gave Suki a kiss on the lips. " Come on, I need to talk to you about something." He added. Then picked Kya up out of her highchair and walked out of the kitchen with his wife.

" What did Sokka want to talk to you about, Aang?" Katara asked.

" He just wanted to apologize for not telling me about Tenzin, really." Aang replied.

" Oh... It sure took a long time for just that." Katara said skeptically.

" We talked about some other stuff, too." Aang said. " Nothing important." He added. " Where's Tenzin?" He asked, looking around.

" He went to play in our room for awhile." Katara replied casually.

" Katara, I asked Sokka if he and Suki could watch Tenzin for us tonight." Aang said. " All night." He added. " So you and I could spend some time together, alone." He finished.

" You did?" Katara asked, surprised. " What did he say?" She added.

" He said that they would." Aang replied, smiling.

" Really?" Katara asked. " Okay... What did you have in mind?" She added, grinning. Knowing exactly what he had in mind.

" Well, I'd like to spend the night at my place." Aang said. " If that's okay with you?" He added.

" Sure. When do you want to go?" Katara asked.

" I want to go over there this morning. By myself." Aang replied. " I have a few things I want to do before you come over." He added.

" Oh, yeah... Like what?" Katara asked curiously. Raising an eyebrow.

" Just some... stuff." Aang said, grinning. " I'll send for you around sundown. Okay?" He added.

" Okay... I guess." Katara said, smiling.

" I'll see you tonight, then." Aang said in a low, sexy voice. Then wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him roughly, kissing her passionately. Then, leaving her standing in the kitchen out of breath and speechless, as he walked out of the room.

" What did you want to talk to me about, Sokka?" Suki asked, as she put Kya down for her nap.

" I apologized to Aang this morning." Sokka said. " For not telling him about Tenzin sooner." He added.

" That was nice of you." Suki said sincerely. " I'm sure he really appreciated that." She added.

" He did." Sokka said. " He said he wants to marry Katara." He added. " So they can be a family. And I gave him my blessing." He finished.

" Oh, Sokka! That's wonderful!" Suki exclaimed. Clapping her hands together in front of her mouth, and jumping up and down lightly.

" I thought you'd think so." Sokka said, smiling widely. " Anyway... He asked me if we could keep Tenzin for them tonight. So they could go somewhere and spend some time together, alone." He added.

" And you said 'yes'." Suki said. " Right?" She asked curiously.

" Yes. Of course I did." Sokka replied. Annoyed that she would even ask.

" Good!" Suki exclaimed. " This is so exciting!" She added. Giggling and clapping her hands.

" Yeah... Yeah... Whatever." Sokka replied. Rolling his eyes.

When Aang arrived at his house, he went to the desk in his study and found a piece of parchment. Then sat down and started writing on it. When he was finished, he stood up and went to the kitchen. And handed the piece of parchment to the chef. " I'm having a special guest for dinner tonight." He told him. " And these are the things I want you to prepare for us." He added quickly. " And send someone out to get some candles for me. A couple dozen or so, should do." He continued, barely stopping to take a breath. " Then have someone arrange for a palanquin to pick her up at sundown. At the address I've written at the bottom of the parchment, and bring her back here." He added. " Oh, have them ask for Katara." He finished, smiling brightly.

" Of course,Master Avatar!" His chef said, then bowed deeply.

" Oh, and make sure that dinner is delivered to my room before she arrives." Aang said. " Then have Chuanli show her to my room when she gets here." He added. " And have him dismiss everyone for the night, after that." He finished, grinning.

" Certainly, Master Avatar." His chef replied smiling, bowing to him again.

" Thanks!" Aang shouted back at him as he ran to his room. Then he grabbed some money and ran to his balcony with his glider, and threw it into the air. Diving to catch it as it snapped open, without stopping. He glided in to Ba Sing Se, and landed on the street where there was gap in the crowd. Then looked around for a shop where he could buy a few things that he needed for the evening. Finally, he found an expensive boutique that he thought would have just what he was looking for, and entered. " I'm looking for a silk sleeping robe and pants." He said to the attendant.

" Absolutely, Avatar Aang!" The attendant of the boutique said with a smile, then bowed deeply. " Right this way. I think I have something that you will find suitable." He added. Gesturing toward the back of the shop, and bowing again. A crowd was starting to slowly file into the boutique to see The Avatar, and the attendant looked at them and frowned. Then turned and followed after Aang. " Here. I think these would look splendid on you. If I do say so myself." He said, smiling. Holding up a chocolate colored sleeping robe, with matching pants.

" They're perfect!" Aang said, smilling brightly.

" Would you like to try them on?" The attendant asked him.

" Sure. Where?" Aang asked, looking around the shop.

" Follow me, Avatar Aang." The man said, smiling. Then led Aang to a dressing booth and opened the door for him.

" Thanks." Aang said, smiling. Then walked into the booth and closed the door behind him.

The boutique attendant stood outside the door, as if he were guarding it while Aang tried on the robe and pants. Frowning at the crowd in the front of the shop, then turning up his nose at them.

Aang looked at himself in the full length mirror on the wall, when he got the sleepwear on. Turning around and looking over his shoulder to see the back of them. Then changing back into his robes, when he was satisfied. 'I hope Katara likes these.' He thought. Then smiled, and exited the changing booth. " They're perfect. I'll take them." He said to the attendant, smiling.

" Wonderful!" The attendant exclaimed. " They're yours. Please, take them. It would be my honor." He added, bowing.

" Here, take this for them." Aang said, handing the man several gold coins.

" But Avatar Aang, I don't want payment for them. Please, I insist." The attendant said sincerely.

" No... I insist. I'm a paying customer, just like anyone else." Aang said, smiling.

" Thank you, Avatar Aang." The attendant said politely. Then placed the garments in a box, and handed it to Aang. Then bowed deeply to him.

" You're welcome." Aang said, bowing. Then made his way through the crowd and exited the shop. Finding a few other items that he needed, then walking back to the house. Since he couldn't fly back on his glider with all of his packages.

When Aang arrived at the house, he went to his room and placed the packages on the bed. Then opened them and removed the contents. Laying the sleeping robe and pants on his bed, and spreading the silk cloth that he bought for their dinner on the floor, and arranging several pillows around it. Then he heard a knock on his door. " Who is it?" Aang asked.

" It's Chuanli, Master Avatar." The man behind the door replied. " I have the candles that you requested." He added.

" Oh. Thanks, Chuanli." Aang said, when he opened the door. Taking the candles from him and closing the door behind him. Then he placed the candles around the room. Placing some of them on the night stands on each side of his bed, some in the window seat next to the balcony, and several around the cloth and pillows on the floor. Then he stepped back and smiled. Satisfied with the way everything looked. Then he headed in to the bathroom to bathe and get ready for the evening. And put on his silk sleeping robe and pants when he was finished, and a splash of cologne.

Katara played with Tenzin for a while, then told him that he was going to spend the night with Uncle Sokka, Aunt Suki, and Kya tonight, while she and daddy went out. Which Tenzin thought was absolutely delightful. He loved being with his uncle, aunt, and cousin. Although, he'd only spent one night away from his mother. When he stayed overnight at Iroh's. But, he didn't seem to be upset about it, one bit. Which kind of bothered Katara. She had only spent one night away from him, too. And she was going to miss him. But, she had promised Aang this night with him, alone. So, she gathered some of Tenzin's things and took them over to Sokka and Suki's room. And Suki just grinned at her. " Have fun tonight." She said, gigglling.

" I will." Katara replied, grinning. Then went back to her room to bathe and get ready. While Tenzin played for a while in their room.

When she finished bathing, she put on some special undergarments that she bought a long time ago, but never had any use for until now. And a beautiful gown on over them. Applied a touch of makeup, and some perfume. Then read a story to Tenzin and waited for Aang to send for her.