Chapter 18

"I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!" Sokka was yelling at the top of his lungs. He was pacing once again, frustrated and furious beyond all reason. "I knew Jet was evil from the start! His father had our mother killed! I loathe Jet and his dad both! I HOPE WE CATCH JET SO THEY CAN BOTH ROT IN JAIL!" Aang and his friends are sitting in Sokka's and Katara's backyard once again. Aang and Katara had explained what had happened at school. The couple had returned to History class, assuring Iroh that they were okay. Iroh had been a little reluctant, but had continued the lesson. Throughout the rest of the day, the young mind reading teens had stayed in constant communication until Suki and Sokka brought them home. After that, things had gone down from there.

Mai and Zuko were standing, him with his arms crossed and fuming while Mai played with her knives, her face blank but eyes raging like an inferno. Toph sat with her feet on the ground, wanting nothing more than to beat the living daylights out of Jet and anyone dumb enough to cross her path. Suki was watching her boyfriend, upset and angry, feeling like a failure for not helping Katara. As for Aang and Katara, they sat with their arms around one another, their nerves jangling. Aang still didn't tell them about his dream, the one where they were dead, the one that gave the final piece of the puzzle that helped Aang solve the mystery of his past.

Katara can still sense his turmoil and decided to broach the subject as Sokka continued his ranting. 'Are you going to tell me what happened earlier this morning, near dawn?'

Aang tensed, not wanting to admit his dream. It was still too much on his head and heart. He swallowed. 'I'm sorry, Katara. But I'm not ready yet. What happened this morning was too much. Let's just say it was pretty traumatic.'

'I know about that, Aang' she responded gently. 'But I would like to know the reason for it. All day you've been on high alert, and I'm really worried about you. I don't like seeing you so strained; so out of character. It's almost like you've aged more. It hurts me to see you like this. Please tell me what happened. Did you have a dream of some sort?'

Aang felt torn with himself. He wanted to confide in her and his other friends about his entrapment within his own mind. That dream was much more than that now; it was like a personification of his worst fear: losing his new found family. But there was a part of him that didn't want to scare them either. Even though they deserved to know the truth, he didn't want them any more worried than they were now. He hated keeping secrets; but if it meant protecting his friends, he would hold the secret with him to the grave. Aang shook his head. 'I just don't feel like talking about it. Maybe later, but not now. We have work to do. We have to stop the Black Mamba gang before they do more damage.'

Katara sighed, not liking the fact that Aang was hiding something from her. It must be more serious than she had thought. Aang keeping secrets from her has made her more determined than ever to find out what it was. She planned on staying the night at his place. She had already talked to her father while Aang had asked his uncle. They were both fine with it. Maybe then she could pry information out of her reluctant boyfriend.

Sokka yelled, "Couldn't we just call the police and have them deal with this? As much as I want to fight Jet, he and his crew of snakeheads seem too strong. Look at what they did to those people before stealing from them. Why can't we tell the cops about it and have them look at Jet's tattoo?"

"Because it's not enough," Zuko said calmly and everyone looked at him. He turned to face his companions. "We would need more proof before turning Jet in; otherwise the police wouldn't believe us. A tattoo is nothing. People get them all the time."

"But if his friends are part of this," Sokka insisted, "they would have the same tattoos, wouldn't they? It might be a way to identify the members of the gang."

Suki stood up and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. "That might be how they do it; but it's still not enough. Like Zuko said: people get tattoos all the time. Just because they might have the same ones, it doesn't confirm they are part of the same thing. Zuko's right; we need more proof." Sokka sighed through his nose and nodded.

Toph groaned. "Okay! We need more proof. But how are we going to get it? I have the feeling that Jet's on to us. It won't be long before he finds out about our training."

"You're right, Toph," Mai agreed, stopping her spinning knife. "Jet might be evil, but he's not stupid. If he hasn't figured out what we were doing now, he will soon."

Aang stood up, a determined look on his face. "Then we better get started."

"Wait," Sokka said, raising his hands. "I agree about "getting more evidence"; but to repeat Toph's question: how are we going to get it? Jet's too smart; he'll know what we're doing before we could get a microchip on him."

Katara stood up with a smile, the first she has had all day since the incident. "Maybe we won't have to put one on him."

Suki turned to her friend. "What did you have in mind, Katara?" she asked curiously.

Katara turned to her. "What if we put a microchip on one of his members? Remember how they reacted at the party, when Jet ordered them to attack us, but they had seemed reluctant to do so?"

They thought about it a moment before Toph's voice said, "Now that you bring it up, Sweetness, I do remember them hesitating at the door. It was almost like they realized how crazy Snakehead is."

Suki nodded, frowning thoughtfully. "You're right. It seemed like they didn't have the utmost confidence in their leader."

Zuko nodded as well. "Not bad. But the question is: who should we place the chip on? It would have to be someone who seemed the most reluctant, or less brilliant of the gang."

Sokka crossed his arms, pursing his lips, thinking. "What about that big guy, Pipsqueak?" he asked. "He seems to use more brawn than brains."

Toph shook her head. "He might be dumb, sometimes, but he wasn't that reluctant to fight. It has to be someone else."

They all thought again, so far their minds coming up with blanks. Katara started twisting her hair around her finger, a sign when she was thinking hard. "Hmmm… What about the second heavyset guy? What was his name? It starts with an 'S'."

Aang ran his hand through his dark hair, thinking. "Um, is he short?" She nodded. Aang blinked. "You mean Sneers?"

Katara snapped her head up. "Yeah; that's it! He seemed the most reluctant of the group when you guys fought them. If we can get the chip on him, Sneers won't notice it."

Mai turned to Katara, reluctant admiration on her face. "That's a good idea, Katara. But there's a problem. As far as I can tell, Jet and his gang always seem to be together. How are we going to separate him from them to put the chip in place?"

Katara started playing with her hair, frowning. "I haven't thought that far yet," she admitted and smiled sheepishly.

Sokka rolled his eyes. "Looks like I'll have to come up with something, since I'm the 'plan guy'." Then he put on his thinking face and started pacing. No one said anything as he passed back and forth between them, occasionally mumbling to himself. Then he snapped his fingers. "I got it!" His friends turned to him. Sokka was grinning. "Okay, the idea itself might seem a bit strange, but I can guarantee it would work. Everyone knows I'm the 'food guy' too. And as such, I can identify someone who shares that particular interest. Huddle up, and I'll tell you what I have in mind." They did so, feeling a little ridiculous, and Sokka started relaying his plan. His friends looked at him like he was nuts; but they had to admit, the more they heard, the more they liked it.

By the time they broke up, everyone was grinning. "That's actually a great idea, Snoozles," Toph said, crossing her arms. "They'll never know what hit them."

Even Gloomy Mai had a small smirk. "I have to admit; it's ingenious." Everyone was putting their thoughts to the idea. Well, except Aang. He was watching his friends, a gentle smile on his face. They seemed almost excited about the plan. But then his smile faded as the dream replayed itself once again, tormenting him. There was another thing he feared; not saving his friends in time. The possibility of them dying was so great that Aang felt the air rush from his lungs. If that did happen, and he couldn't do anything to prevent it, it would kill him. He turned his head away from the scene of his friends as they conversed. Now that he thought about it, he was starting to wish they hadn't agreed to help him. If any of them were killed, he wouldn't know what to do.

Katara stopped smiling as she felt sorrow and helplessness surge through her. She looked over at Aang, and her heart broke. He almost looked to be in pain, his head turned away from them. The girl can feel what he was feeling, even though she didn't understand why. Why was he feeling this way? Frowning, Katara ducked her head, determination taking over again as she thought of ways to get Aang to talk to her.

Aang took a deep breath before facing his friends. The Gang became silent as he came toward them. "Well, if we want this to work, we'll need to start training now. We'll do Tai Chi next. It uses the most fluid motions and forms. I want everyone to follow my lead. If you need help, just let me know. Let's get started."

It was much like yesterday, which felt longer than a day, the only difference being that no one really got it but Suki and Katara. Suki took Karate, which uses some fluid movements. As Aang had expected, Katara was more graceful with this form of fighting. She had asked Aang to help her with a certain form he was trying to teach.

"Okay, Katara," Aang said. "The trick is using your core power. Like this." He grabbed her hips to align her position correctly, and they both blushed, but didn't deter from the lesson. He moved her hip from one side to the other. "You think you got it?" Aang asked. Katara nodded and Aang moved in front of her to take a stance. Katara started moving her arms gracefully around while moving her body in synchronization. Then she spun on her left foot, lifting her right one, and kicked Aang's arm. She didn't think there was much effort into it, but Aang grunted when he took the hit.

Katara gasped, covering her mouth as Aang winced and rubbed his arm. "Oh my Spirits! I am so sorry!" She came over to him and started lifting his sleeve. "Are you okay?"

Aang stopped her with a laugh. "Calm down; I'm okay. To be honest, I'm impressed. That was a strong kick. But you can't apologize after kicking an enemy. You have to refrain from doing it. You've seen how these people are; they'll kill you without hesitation. Understand?" He spoke gently, but there was authority in his voice too.

Katara nodded and Aang kissed her cheek before moving away to help Sokka.

Again they kept it until close to sunset before calling it a day. Sokka stayed home while Suki, Mai, and Zuko went home. Aang and Katara walked over to his house. When they got there, the physic teens noticed Gyatso sleeping on the chair near the fireplace. Appa was lying next to him on the floor, and he lifted his head when the door opened; then stood up as he recognized his owner and girlfriend. Aang bent down to eye level to pet him. The fluffy dog licked his nose and Aang laughed quietly, wiping off the slobber. Then he stood up and went over to the couch to grab a blanket before spreading it on his uncle. He tucked it in place before he kissed the withered cheek, and Katara's heart melted at the sight. She could see how much Aang cared about Gyatso, how much he loved him. She patted Appa's head softly before walking over to her soul mate and grabbed his hand. He squeezed it, gray eyes still on his uncle. Then he took a breath and lead Katara upstairs, Appa at their heels.

The couple sat on the bed after putting their backpacks down as Appa lied on the floor. Neither of them said anything, not even in their minds, for a long time. Then Katara took a breath and looked at Aang. "Tell me," she said softly. He didn't need to ask what she meant. Aang was more certain now about her knowing he had a dream. Turning his head away, he watched the sky as it slowly darkened, declaring another day over.

Aang sighed deeply. "I don't think you want to hear it. It's too painful."

Katara squeezed his hand. "I would rather feel your pain with you than have you endure it alone. Please, Aang," she practically begged when he refused to look at her. "This is killing me! I can't take watching you be this way. Please tell me what happened in your dream."

Aang felt conflicted again. He didn't know what to do; his heart was telling him to confide in his girlfriend, that he didn't have to go through this alone; but his brain was telling him to keep quiet, to protect her. Not knowing what to do, the teenage boy turned around and hugged her with all his might, feeling Katara hug him back. The warmth of her body, the beat of her heart against his chest, and her breathing did him in. The tears leaked out of his eyes. It didn't stop there. The tears turned into deep sobs.

Katara held onto him, more alarmed now. The nightmare must have really scared him to the point of being vulnerable. She felt her heart break. The girl can feel his sadness and anguish and helplessness as they poured out of her boyfriend. Rubbing her hand along his back, she started to say, "Can you ple-" before his lips crashed into hers. Katara went wide eyed, not sure what brought this on. His lips were soft but urgent, and they tasted like the salty tears as they trailed down Aang's face. It was almost as if he needed proof she was here.

He held her close, not wanting to ever let her go. When she didn't respond, Aang pulled away and swallowed, looking down, avoiding her beautiful eyes. "I'm sorry," he muttered, placing his head back on her shoulder.

Katara hugged him, still a little dazed by his stunt. "It's okay." She took a deep breath. "Now are you going to tell me what happened last night?" She felt him sigh before he mumbled something she couldn't make out. "What?" she asked.

Aang lifted his head fast, anger and sadness swamping him. "I said I lost you, okay?!" he practically yelled, making Katara flinch. Aang turned away from her, clamping his eyes shut and balling his hands into fists. "I lost all of you! You, Sokka, Suki, Toph, Mai, Zuko; all of you died, and there was nothing I could do to stop it! I was running away from a figure when I came to the alleyway where I was attacked back home. Then I heard a scream, and ran to the end of the alley. That's where I saw everyone. The others were on the ground, already dead. You were the last one. There was man there with a hypodermic syringe. He tried to give you a shot in the chest, where your heart was, but you were struggling too much. Then the man caught your arms and pinned them to your sides before grabbing the syringe again. He saw me, and kissed your cheek to mock me as you were pleading for me to help. I didn't move fast enough, and he gave the shot to you. I caught you as you fell, saw the light leave your eyes, and I knew you were dead. You were poisoned, Katara, along with our friends." He was breathing heavily, the dream hitting him again with more force than ever before. "I failed," he whispered, covering his face with his hands as the tears flowed. "I tried to help, but it was too late. I couldn't do anything."

Katara was stunned beyond all reason. That was very traumatic indeed. Her chest ached just imagining that part of his dream. Sorrow filled her whole being; not for herself, but for her soul mate. From what he had just told her, Aang felt that he will fail when the fight came. It felt like someone was driving a knife into her stomach, leaving her to drown in her own blood. She had to persuade him that he will not fail. Grabbing his shoulders, Katara turned Aang around before bringing him into her arms and rocking gently. Aang was shaking a lot, and she was concerned because he didn't react to her touch at first. His eyes were glassy with fear, like he was reliving that horror all over again. But slowly, his senses cleared, and he lifted shaking arms to wrap around her. When most of his trembling had stopped was when Katara broke the silence. "Aang? Are you with me?" She felt him nod slightly and she breathed a sigh of relief. So far, so good. "Okay. You need to listen very carefully. Nothing is going to happen to us. We're still here; I'm here. Our friends are not going anywhere. When the fighting starts, we'll be there. Once the fighting stops, we will still be there. Nothing is going to keep us apart; we've been through too much to back away now."

Aang lifted his head and started, "But what if-" before getting cut off by Katara's finger. He stared at her as she shook her head.

"You're supposed to be listening. Are you listening to what I'm saying, Aang?" She removed her finger and Aang swallowed before nodding. "Good. We're here, Aang. Nothing will happen to us. Do you know why?" He shook his head, still staring at her. "Because you brought us together. You gave us chance to be free, to be our true selves. Even Mai and Zuko are more open now, and they haven't known you long. Toph has shown respect to you, and from what I can tell, that's a very difficult feat to accomplish. Sokka has become a little wiser, although not lot at the whole 'meat ' thing." Aang gave a little snort, and Katara smiled, thinking it was a good sign. She hugged him close, getting a squeeze back. "I'm really proud of you, Aang. You've accomplished so much. And the fact is, we wouldn't be alive the way we are now."

Aang frowned, guilt running through him like a sword. "But you guys wouldn't be in this situation if I wasn't around. Sometimes… sometimes I think it would have been better if that man had killed me."

Katara looked at him sharply. "No! Don't ever think that. Aang, you need to stop this. If you had died then, what do think would've happened to me? It's selfish, I know; but if you had died, Jet would have taken me already, my friends wouldn't be this close together, and…" She started choking up. "And I wouldn't have found love," she finished in a whisper. "My soul mate."

Aang released a shaky breath, bringing Katara closer. He felt her tears through his shirt. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean it like that. You're right; I wouldn't have found love either. I didn't really know what it was until I met you. That first day of school, the first time I looked into your eyes, I knew something was going to change. After getting to know you, and spending time with you, I realized on that first day I was in love with you. You're number one in my world; you always will be."

Katara's tears were cascading down. She took a breath. "I realized I fell in love with you after you brought me to class, after bringing me to the nurse. That was when I knew I couldn't live without you. My heart and soul had already been claimed the moment I saw your unique gray eyes, so young and yet so wise. I don't know what to do without you."

Aang looked at her and grabbed her cheek, wiping the tears away from her beautiful face. "I can't live without you either. Even spending that one night alone almost did me in, if it wasn't for Appa's company. He was there when I had my nightmare. After having it, I never want to be separated from you again. The pain of losing you, even in my mind, almost killed me." He placed his forehead on hers, his hair tickling her. "Promise me we will always be together. Promise?"

Katara stared straight into his beseeching eyes. "Even the Spirits couldn't keep me away." She was serious and sincere.

Aang smiled a big one and closed his eyes. 'Thank you' he murmured in his mind.

'Anything to make you happy' she murmured back. "I love you," she whispered aloud.

Aang brought his face closer to hers, his heart pounding when he saw the honesty of that love in her eyes. "I love you, Katara," he whispered back. Unable to stop himself, not that he wanted to, Aang kissed her deeply, her kissing back. He asked for entrance with his tongue and she gave it with a soft moan. Aang shivered when he felt her tongue. They were hugging each other so close there was no space between them whatsoever. Feeling it difficult to breathe after who knows how long, Katara broke the kiss; but Aang continued kissing her, starting with her jaw before moving to her neck. Katara gasped, feeling Aang attack a ticklish spot. He suckled gently, the pulse under his mouth beating as frantically as his own.

Katara lied down, bringing Aang with her. He disconnected his lips from her neck, back to her lips. Feeling bolder, Aang ran his hands across her flat stomach, hands under her shirt. Katara brought him closer, if possible. She felt her whole body tingle.

Katara removed his hands from her stomach. Aang looked at her, breathing heavily, confused before he felt Katara's hands try to lift his shirt. She looked at him as if asking permission and he nodded, sitting up. The girl followed him, and when they were upright, Aang lifted his arms as Katara took his shirt off. They are not going any farther than that; they just wanted to be as close as they can. She ran her hands over his smooth chest, both of their hearts pounding.

Aang stared at her. He had noticed that she wore a tank top under her T-shirt. Eyes on hers, he started lifting her shirt, taking care to keep her tank down. When she lifted her arms, that was enough invitation to pull the shirt over her head. Then he held her close, just wanting to feel her body against his. Katara placed her head in the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent of trees. They remained silent for a long time, comfortable in their bubble of peace.

Aang took a deep breath, inhaling her fruity scent before sighing. "Let's go to bed," he murmured at last. "We have school and training tomorrow. We'll need our strength."

Katara nodded. "Okay. Just let me get changed." Aang seemed reluctant to let her go; but he wanted her as comfortable as possible. He nodded and she got up, went over to her backpack, and grabbed her pajamas from inside. She had taken them while they were at the house.

When she came out of the bathroom wearing her blue silk PJ's, the couple lay down under the covers. Aang kissed her temple tenderly as he wrapped his arm around her middle, her back to his chest. Appa came over and jumped on the bed, close to their feet before closing his eyes and falling asleep. The couple chuckled, watching the dog sink deeper into slumber.

"Love you," Katara murmured, starting to slip into sleep.

Aang hugged her closer. "Love you more." Katara smiled, falling asleep. Aang closed his eyes as well, the darkness of sleep overtaking him. He felt more at peace for the first time in what felt like a century.