Chapter 9

The day at the park really was the highlight for the Gang. Everything had been fun and exciting: just what they needed. But at the hour mark, the teenagers ended up staying a little longer than planned because Sokka had found another range for shooting targets. Everyone had shaken their heads when he had asked to stay.

"Aw, come on! This is the last range! I promise! Just a little longer? Please?" He was practically on his knees; who could resist a sight like that: on knees with a puppy dog expression and clasped hands? Finally the others sighed and agreed reluctantly.

"But if you make one more stop, and try to beg again, I will hit you so hard, your ancestors are going to be numb for a week," Toph had threatened. Let's just say she had a long day. She has had enough of being around strangers and feeling the vibrations coming from them. Toph did have fun though, so that was no worry.

Afterwards, the Gang went to Suki's van they had ridden in and headed over to her house. The building was a two story stone mansion-like house like most of the buildings around. There were plenty of guest rooms and bathrooms to accommodate anyone staying there. When the teens entered it, they were greeted by an older woman who looked a lot like Suki. She had the same auburn colored hair, same skin color; but the only difference was the eyes. While Suki's eyes are blue, the woman's eyes were brown. When she looked up, her eyes lit up.

"Suki!" She came over to hug her.

"Mom!" Suki said, struggling in her mother's grip. "You're embarrassing me in front of my friends. And I can't breathe!"

Her mom laughed, letting her go. "I'm sorry, dear. But I couldn't help it. It's been a while since you were home." She turned to the group. "Hello. I'm Mrs. Anderson. But you can call me Lin." Then she looked closely at the siblings. "Sokka? Katara? Is that you?" They nodded while smiling. Mrs. Anderson walked over to them for a hug. After they broke apart, she looked at Sokka first. Her eyes started tearing up. "Oh Sokka, you're looking more like your father every time I see you." Sokka puffed out his chest, causing everyone to laugh. Then she looked at Katara. "And you my dear." Katara looked confused for a moment before Lin said, "You look so much like your mother. You're absolutely beautiful."

Katara blushed. Aang walked over to her to put his arm around her waist. "I know she is," he said.

Lin looked at him with her chocolate keen eyes. "And who might you be, young man?" she asked kindly.

Before Aang could say anything Suki interrupted with, "Sorry mom. These are my friends. That's Aang. Katara's boyfriend." Aang nodded politely; then looked startled when Lin came to hug him. She smelled of freshly baked cookies; just like his mom used to. He immediately melted into her and felt his eyes prick. He blinked back tears. Suki continued the introductions. "This is Toph." Toph nodded respectfully. When Lin had a look of confusion, she turned to her daughter and gestures to her own eyes before pointing at Toph.

Before Suki could explain, Toph beat her to it. "I can see you pointing at me." Lin looked startled. Toph shrugged. "I can feel vibrations." Very blunt. That was Toph: not beating around the bush.

The woman shook her head slowly. "Oh. Well, that explains the 'no shoes' thing. Welcome Toph." And she went to hug her as well, even though the young girl looked a bit uncomfortable.

Suki cleared her throat. "Right. And this is Mai and Zuko. You should remember them. They used to hang out with us before moving to San Francisco."

If Lin became any brighter, she would have to replace the sun. "My, my. Look at you two. I haven't seen you for a long time." She hugged the couple as well. They used to hang out at Suki's place when Sokka and Katara were busy with their own affairs, and Lin became like a second mother to them.

She seated them at the mahogany table and asked them about their lives and school. No one knew how long they sat there, but it was as fun as everyone had hoped. Mrs. Anderson was great: she had a sense of humor, a kind heart, and a sweet nature. Aang and Toph could see why everyone had taken a liking to her. Lin did not have a mean bone in her body. And best of all, she made everyone feel comfortable and relaxed.

After catching up, Suki told her they'll be in her room. Lin nodded. "How about I make you some snacks?" Everyone nodded and she asked what they wanted.

"Meat!" Sokka immediately exclaimed. Everyone else shook their heads. Aang had a look of disgust.

Suki noticed and said, "A little fact about Aang: he's a vegetarian."

A look of understanding crossed Lin's face. She looked at him in sympathy. "Don't worry; I'll make sure there's fruit, too." He looked at her gratefully. After everyone chose what they wanted, Lin went into the kitchen while the Gang went upstairs.

Suki's room was well decorated: light green walls, a four poster bed in the center of the large room with drapes of many shades of green and gold. There was a bed side table next to it. A chest of drawers stood in the far left corner. A walk in closet was in the right wall. Like the dining room table, the door was made of shiny mahogany. The room smelled of fresh air and wildflowers. Behind the bed was a desk with a high tech looking computer. There was a huge window above it overlooking a pond and the woods. The drawers top had pictures and trinkets.

Everyone, save for Suki and Toph, gaped at the room. Even though Sokka, Katara, Zuko, and Mai had seen her room before in the past, the place still made them breathless.

Toph shrugged. "Why is everyone so silent? In my opinion, if you've seen one room, you've seen them all."

Sokka turned to her and shook his head. "It's time like these when I feel sorry for you."

She 'looked' at him sternly. "I would be careful if I were you. Just because I'm blind it doesn't mean I need pity. I don't need people feeling sorry for me." Toph looked almost murderous by the time she was finished. Sokka's eyes widened as he took a step back. Everyone laughed; even Toph had a smug look on her face.

Suki sat them down on the bed and they started talking about random stuff. Sokka, of course, had to pick on Aang.

"I mean, seriously, Aang! Meat is way better than vegetables. They don't have the qualities as meat does. It can be cooked to perfection as long as you know what you're adding. And the juices are second best." Aang looked a little green. Katara glared at her bonehead of a brother as Suki punched his arm. "OW!" he yelled, rubbing the spot where the fist connected. "What was that for? I was just stating the facts."

Suki punched him again. "You should learn to keep your comments to yourself. You know talking about things like that make Aang sick. Look at him! He's as green as fish scales." Everyone looked at the boy in question. Katara was rubbing his back as the other's looked at him in sympathy.

After a few minutes, Aang's color went back to normal. He took a deep breath before croaking, "I'm okay. I'll live."

Katara looked at him with concern. "Are you sure?" she asked. He nodded and grabbed her hand.

Mai was the first to break the silence. "That was gross." Her voice was monotonous, but it held a little disgust. "Can we talk about something that involves anything but meat?" Just then, Lin came through the door with a tray and placed it on the free space of the bed.

"I hope I did a good job. I've placed names on the dishes so there won't be any confusion." Then she looked at Aang and saw that was looking a little green. She was by his side immediately. "Aang, what's wrong?"

Aang had his head turned because Sokka had dug into his meaty snack. Katara stuck her tongue out. "My brother just talked about meat before you came in. It makes Aang sick when it's discussed."

Lin patted the boy's back. "Well we can't have that." She started lifting Aang off the bed to his feet. He was a little unsteady. "Come along, Aang. I know where you can go." She looked at Katara. "You too, dear. I have a feeling he'll need you." Katara got up at once and grabbed Aang's arm. Lin grabbed his plate, along with hers, and led them down the hall into one of the guest rooms. Lin turned on the light. It had a simple king sized bed, a desk, drawers, closet, and place was white and yellow with heavy oranges drapes on the windows.

She placed the food on the desk and told Aang, "Lie down, son. I'll be right back." She gave them both a warm smile before leaving the room. Aang lied down on the comfortable bed. Some of his skin color was normal, but he still looked a little sick. Katara made sure he was comfy before sitting down and smoothing his untamable hair. He smiled weakly, yet lovingly, at her. They didn't say anything; just stared into each other's eyes.

A few minutes later, Lin came back in with pills and water. She sat on Aang's other side. "Here, Aang. This should help your stomach calm down." He sat up and grabbed the medicine and put it in his mouth. The pills never worked with him; they tasted bad. After gulping the water and pills down, despite his churning stomach, Lin made him lie down and stay still for a few minutes while she went to check on the others.

After she softly closed the door behind her, Katara resumed massaging his head with her hand. Silence ringed in the room, forming a bubble of peace around them. Aang's stomach was starting to feel better now. There was color in his cheeks, and instead of green, his face held its normal peach color.

Lin came back in and sat down. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

Aang sat up and responded, "I feel great. Thank you, Mrs. Anderson."

She waved her hand. "No problem. And please; call me Lin. No need to be formal. We're family here." And she hugged him gently. Stunned again, Aang hugged her back. That same feeling of motherly love overtook him, and he couldn't hold the tears in this time.

Lin and Katara looked at him in concern before Lin voiced it. "What's the matter? Is it your stomach again?" She checked his forehead and face. Everything seemed normal.

Aang shook his head. "I'm sorry. I-it..." He cleared his throat; wiped his face and took a breath. "It's a long story. It's just that-" He stopped again and looked down, not sure if he should say more.

But Lin was not having it. She gently but firmly grasped his chin and tilted his face up. She smiled with motherly warmth. "You can tell me," she said gently. "You have no reason to not trust me. But if it's uncomfortable for you, you don't have to."

Aang was torn. He wanted to tell this woman what had happened to him. But at the same time, he wanted to keep this between him and Katara. He looked at her. She nodded encouragement. And that was how Aang told his story. When he was done, Lin sat there in horrified silence. Aang had his head down, tears leaving trails on his cheeks. Katara had her arms around him as he wept.

Then Aang felt a hand on his shoulder and looked into Lin's tear stained face. She searched his sorrow filled eyes; then brought him into her arms, letting more tears fall. He sobbed onto her shoulder. Katara watched, her heart broken by this scene that played out before her. Lin looked at her then. She reached an arm out to her and Katara scrambled into the embrace, letting her tears go as well. They sat like that for a long time, sharing tears and heartbreak. Then Lin took a deep breath and looked at each of them in turn. She rubbed her hands on their heads, realizing they had been forced to grow up faster than they should have been.

Then she said, "I am so sorry, Aang." Aang looked at her to see understanding and sadness in her eyes and face. "I know how you feel. My own mother was killed when I was 10 in a hit and run. My father committed suicide a couple years later. I have lived with my aunt and uncle since then, until I was old enough to be on my own." Tears fell from her face again. "My uncle died a few years ago; but my aunt is still very much alive. Only in her seventies as I recall." She chuckled suddenly. "I remember telling her on my most recent visit, 'You get any older, the dead will be jealous.' And she said 'Well, the dead had better be prepared when I 'do' get there.' I think you should meet her some time; you would like her." The teens listened intently, eyes as big as saucers. They were surprised to hear this, especially Katara. She knew they had died. But she never knew how they did. Aang was shocked because he had always thought no one but Katara understood, let alone wanted to. Lin continued. "You see, Aang; you are not the only one who has gone through this kind of thing, and you won't be the last either. There are some people who wish their parents dead. But you have to remember this: not everyone has amazing parents, or grandparents, or whatever." She ran her hand through their hair again. "I know what it's like to grow up faster than you were meant to. You two have grown up faster than most people. But I want you to promise me something."

They both looked at her expectantly. "Keep your child's heart aflame. Never let go of love and fun. Just be kids as often as you can. You only have one life: use it well."

Katara and Aang smiled at her before hugging the woman again. Even after all the stuff they found out about her, what she had been through, the teens could tell she didn't let it stop her from living her life. They released from the hug. "Well, now that that's done, thank God, why don't you eat your snacks? Good thing I covered them with plastic, because if I remember right, Sokka is a messy eater." They laughed hard, knowing it's true. When it comes to food, there was no stopping him from devouring it. Afterwards, they knew, Sokka would sleep until the next day. When the laughing died down at last, Lin turned to Aang. "How's your stomach? Think you could get some food down?" In answer, his stomach growled, causing some more laughter to erupt. Lin got up and brought their food to them before kissing their foreheads and leaving.

Aang and Katara smiled at each other before opening the food. They ate quietly for a few moments, looking at each other occasionally, blush, then look away with giggles. Then Aang said, "That was unexpected. But it was nice too."

Katara nodded in agreement. "It's nice to bond with others. But to tell the truth, I didn't know about how her parents had passed away. This was the first time she had talked about it. Mom might've known." At Aang's confused look, Katara explained. "When they were kids, Lin and mom were best friends. They used to hang out every day before Lin moved. They had kept in contact until mom passed away. They even used to have vacations sometimes. Lin's practically family; she and mom were like sisters. When Lin found out about mom's death, she bought a couple flight tickets for the funeral. And it wasn't until six months before school that we moved here. Lin and Suki decided to come with us because they couldn't bear to be apart from us again."

'That's a lot to take in' was what Aang thought. "That's something new," was what he said.

Katara shrugged. "It's a lot to take in," she said like she had heard his thoughts. Aang secretly wondered if she could now, then pushed the idea away as Katara continued. "I remember when we started hanging around with Suki. Me, her and Sokka clicked right away. We were best friends."

Aang was still confused. "But how long were you guys friends before she moved?"

Katara thought about it for a moment. "Until I was about six years old. Suki and her mom left a year later before coming back for the funeral a year after that. That was when they decided to stay with us. And after some discussion, Lin and Suki moved up here with us six months before school started."

Things were becoming clearer about this family tree. And Aang suddenly felt honored because he was part of it too. Katara, Sokka and Hakoda had accepted him straightaway; Mai and Zuko became more than friends: more like relatives; and Lin had called him 'son' even though they were supposed to be strangers toward each other. He had a family, and he wanted to do something to stay a part if it. Then an idea hit him like a ton of bricks. "When's your birthday?" he asked suddenly.

Katara looked a little surprised but answered anyway. "Next Saturday. Why?" Today was Saturday; that gave him a week to find the perfect present for his girl.

He shrugged. "I was curious. I have to know when my girlfriend's birthday is." He bumped her shoulder lightly. But Katara could see through that act like glass. There was a twinkle in his eye that usually meant an idea had formed.

Instead of pointing this fact out she said, "Well. If you have to know mine, it's only fair that I know yours too."

Aang laughed. "You have a good point. Well, my birthday is a day before yours."

Katara gaped. "What?!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Aang shrugged. "I didn't think it was important. I'm not big about parties in my honor."

Katara just stared at him before slowly shaking her head. "You are one interesting case." Aang laughed. She continued. "Well then, what do you want to do?"

He shook his head. "Oh no. Not me. We're only thinking about you. What do you want to do?" Then Aang noticed how close their faces were and suddenly felt nervous. No matter how many times they kissed and cuddled, it always felt like the first. He wanted to kiss her so badly it hurt.

But he shoved the idea, or tried to, out of his head as she said, "You're not getting out of this so easily." She saw that he looked a little nervous, and an idea popped into her head. She moved closer to him. "I'm going to ask again: what do you want for your birthday?"

Having her so close made it hard for Aang to think. He tried to respond. Nothing came out. Clearing his throat he tried again. "I uh...I want..." His voice trailed off. 'Smooth, Aang; real smooth.'

Katara was enjoying her little teasing game even though she wanted to kiss him senseless. "Yes, Aang?" she asked quietly, placing her hands on his chest. She could feel his rapid heartbeat match her own.

Aang swallowed loudly before saying, "I want to spend time with you. You're all I need. All I want."

Katara smiled lovingly at him, her blue eyes sparkling. "Then the feelings mutual. I can't imagine a better way to spend my birthday." Then unable to hold back any longer, she kissed him. Aang responded eagerly, licking her lower lip to gain entrance as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. All they were aware of was the sound of their breathing, the feel of their bodies pressed together, and the rhythmic pounding of their hearts as one.

Katara moved her hands under Aang's shirt, feeling his warm chest. Aang groaned into her mouth and tightened his grip while laying them down so she was on top. They broke apart for air; after a few seconds Aang started kissing her neck. Katara moaned. He found a spot that made her gasp and he starting suckling there, right under her ear.

By now they were both hot and starting to sweat, but the couple didn't take much notice. Aang flipped them over so he was the one on top. He kissed her deeply and lovingly. They were enjoying this, to say the least. Katara released herself from the kiss and started nibbling on his neck like he did her. Aang was breathing hard, and the feel of her lips on his skin made him tingle all over.

They don't know how long they kept it up. It could have been hours; it could have been days. But when they finally did stop, they lay in each other's arms, exhausted.

After a few minutes of silence, Aang turned to the love of his life. "I love you Katara," he said sincerely.

She turned to smile at him. "I love you Aang," she replied lovingly, touching his cheek. He closed his eyes and kissed her sweetly and gently. They broke apart and just cuddled. The bliss was so endearing they didn't want it to stop.

But it did, for downstairs came the loudest shriek they had ever heard. It was Suki, who shouted, "Aang! Katara! Get down here! You need to see this! It's about my dad!"