Chapter 22

"You know, this almost made me forget about the Mamba gang. Do you really think we can stop them?"

"Of course I do. I promise that they will be stopped. I'm not going to let them hurt you, our friends, or any of these people. I swear it."

Smellerbee turned off the recorder. She, Longshot, Pipsqueak, The Duke, and Sneers were sitting around the table in her home as they listened to the recordings Smellerbee had taken the past two days. It was early morning, Sunday, and Jet was at the hideout getting the plan ready, which would be launched in a few days.

The gang sat in silence as their minds tried to comprehend what they had just heard. Even they could tell from the way Aang and Katara spoke that the couple was serious; about their love and about their determination to protect. Smellerbee sighed and leaned forward, linking her hands together. "Anyone can see how close these people are; especially Aang and Katara. Jet was wrong about them. They only want to protect people from getting hurt. We need to stop Jet from ruining these guys' friendships. And Jet lied to us. He said we would be helping people; but all we've ever done was kill. Sure we stopped a few burglars, but we also killed innocent people for money. We have to change our ways. Longshot agrees with me."

The silent boy nodded and rested a hand around her shoulders. Then he stared at his other friends hard, conveying what he was saying through his eyes. He hasn't said a word since his parents had died in a fire three years ago, and his old foster parents hadn't cared about him, so he had run away. When Jet had offered him a spot on the 'Freedom Fighters', which he knows is not the real name of the team, Longshot had taken the bait when Jet had told him they would be helping other people. But killing felt horrible, yet he didn't retaliate or complain. He needed the money, and shooting arrows was his talent.

The Duke, Pipsqueak, and Sneers looked at each other before conversing quietly, too low for the other teens to hear. She held her breath, feeling her heart trying to escape her rib cage. She hoped they got through to them. They had been here not very long. She was the oldest member, and she knew Jet better than anyone else here. Longshot was second to arrive, followed by Pipsqueak, Sneers, then The Duke.

Longshot kept his arm around her. What no one knew was that he liked Smellerbee; a lot, like I-will-jump-in-front-of-a-bullet like. He never told her though because one: he couldn't find his voice; two: he was scared of her rejecting him; and three: she could do so much better than him. She might be a tomboy, but he could see a fragile side to her. She rarely shows it, but it was there. She felt like she had to be brave for everyone, and he knew she always felt like something was wrong with this little company they were in. How could killing be helping people? Jet would tell them that they had been hired by someone to kill their enemies in business. Longshot always thought there was something fishy about that, because a few days later, the 'so-called hirer' would turn up dead the same way the others had died: by being poisoned.

He came out of his thoughts when Sneers cleared his throat. They had finished talking and was ready to give their statements. "I may not be the brightest of the group, but even I knew something was wrong with this industry. We talked, and we agree that there is absolutely no way to split them up. But there is something I'm worried about. If we switch sides, how can we keep Jet in the dark about it? He would know sooner or later."

"Yeah," Pipsqueak said in his deep voice. "But another thing that worries me is: if we do switch to good, how are we going to convince that Aang kid we're on his side?"

"There's also the rest of the Gaang we need to worry about," The Duke added. "Especially Katara. She's his girlfriend, although they seem closer than that. If the opportunity shows, she could fight us if she wanted to. The others would have her back. They could chase us away before we even had a chance to explain."

Smellerbee sighed. "We tell them the truth," she said.

"You mean lie," Sneers stated.

She shook her head. "No, Sneers. We tell them the truth. We have to warn them about Jet's plan. They have to know about our research, and they have to trust us if we want to keep their families and themselves alive." She lowered her voice and looked around, as if afraid of being overheard even though it was just them there. "I overheard Jet talking to one of higher members about striking the blind girl first, since she seems to be the most vulnerable.

"But he was wrong, because she can sense vibrations, even though Jet doesn't believe that. I do though, because back at the party, some of us had tried to sneak behind them, and she kept calling out where we were. She can sense us. I have a theory: since Toph can feel us when we move, maybe she can tell when we're lying or telling the truth by reading our heartbeats. Lying is out of the question. Besides, none of us are very good at it. We're average." A few snorts sounded at that truth. Just then her cellphone rang. She answered. "Hello?"

"Where are you guys?" Jet's voice demanded "You were supposed to be here half an hour ago!"

Smellerbee rolled her dark eyes. "We're at my place getting ready," she lied easily. "We'll be there soon."

"You better hurry up," he grumbled before cutting the connection off.

She sighed, putting the phone away. "Jet says we have to be there soon. He can't know about this meeting, okay?" There were nods of agreement around the table. "So, answer this: are we going to stay in the shadows as Jet kills them off, or are we going to do something to protect them?"

As the meeting was happening, the Gaang was at the park, watching as a few people threw Frisbees, balls, and other toys to their dogs, Aang and Appa being one of those ball groups. Everyone was wearing coats. It had gotten colder as the trees turned orange and red and brown. The colors were beautiful in the sunlight. Toph had had her feet in shoes, but they made her feel blinder than ever, so she had taken them off to feel the ground.

Katara had shook her head. "You're going to get sick if you don't wear them!" she scolded.

Toph scowled at her. "Who are you; my mother?" she had demanded sarcastically, folding her arms.

Katara had rolled her eyes with a sigh. "No need for the snarky comment. I'm just looking out for you."

Toph had softened a little at the sincerity in Katara's voice; but hid the fact with a snort. "I'm fine! As long as there isn't snow on the ground yet, I'll be okay." She had leaned closer then and whispered, "Besides, I'm keeping a lookout for Jet or any of his gang members. You never know when they might show up." Understanding had hit Katara, and had berated herself for not realizing that sooner.

Now they watched as Appa jumped on Aang with the ball in his maw. The boy laughed and took the ball out; then threw it when Appa jumped off and the dog bounded after it with a bark as Aang went over to his friends to rest. Katara sniffed at him when he sat next to her and smirked. "You smell like a dog again," she stated.

Aang grinned, red on his from either the cold, from playing, or both. "At least I'm wearing a coat this time instead of just a shirt."

Sokka, who had been eating a hot dog, choked, and food spewed out of his mouth as he pounded his chest. His friends looked at him as he regained his breath to gape at Aang and Katara. "What do you mean 'just a shirt?!" he yelled in a high pitched voice, still gasping a little. "What did you guys do?" He pointed at a wide eyed Aang. "You had better not have taken advantage of-OW!"

Suki had punched him hard in the shoulder, frowning. "Will you get a grip?!" she yelled, glaring at her nut of a boyfriend. "Honestly! What is wrong with you? Every time they say something, you jump to conclusions. You don't even know what Aang meant." She loved him to death and would do just about anything for him, but she wished he would think before he said something embarrasing.

Toph snorted, shaking her head. "Wow, Meat Head," she muttered. "You actually thought they… You know what, I'm not going to say it. But I am going to say this: get your head out of the gutter!"

Aang and Katara were deep red, knowing what the others were talking about and wishing they would stop. This was so embarrassing! They looked at each other, wondering what to do. She shrugged and turning to Sokka said, "Seriously, Sokky." There was some laughter when Katara said Sokka's old nickname from when they were children just learning speech. "Aang wasn't talking about that. He was refering to when he was playing with Appa yesterday. He didn't have a coat on like he does now, and when I told him he smelled like a dog again, he said that at least he was wearing a coat this time instead of just a shirt. He was fully clothed, you knucklehead!"

Sokka's gaping face burned and he turned his head while rubbing his neck. "Oh," he said in a small voice, embarrassed by his outburst and almost accusation. He really needed to think things through first before saying something that could mortify someone. He smiled sheepishly at Aang. "Sorry, man. I didn't mean to point fingers. It was my brotherly instincts kicking in again. I should have known you wouldn't do that to Katara, or any other girl for that matter." He held out his hand. "Are we cool?"

Aang slapped the older boy's palm and back of his hand before they clasped forearms. "Don't sweat it," he said grinning, Sokka grinning back.

They let go and Katara, raising an eyebrow, mentally said 'Really?'

Aang shrugged, and that was when Appa came up to him with the ball. The dog had been playing with some of the other canines in the park. He put the ball down and licked his muzzle before lying down, panting, happy from the fun. He chuckled as he patted Appa's fur. "I think someone's ready to go home," he said as Appa laid his head on his paws.

Zuko stretched his arms before standing, his friends following his lead. "Sounds good to me," he said. "Who wants to go over to my house? I know mom is making cookies right now to celebrate the fact that I'm living here now."

Sokka pumped his free arm in the air since the other was laying across Suki's shoulder. "Yes! I'm there!"

Everyone laughed as Aang and Toph looked confused. "What's so special about them?" he asked curiously, voicing what she was thinking.

Sokka placed his other arm around his shoulder. "Let's just say: you have not lived until you've tried Ursa's cookies. They actually melt in your mouth." He licked his lips as if remembering the times he ate some of those melting cookies. "They're amazing…"

His friends snickered at his dreamy expression. It was like he was imagining sitting at a table and stuffing his face, which was likely, since he was the 'food guy'. Aang got out from under his arm. "Okay," he drawled, backing away until he was next to his girlfriend. He turned to her. "Remind me to never invite him to parties again," he muttered.

Katara laughed and grabbed his hand. "Why? Because he ate all the treats from our parties for the last two days?"

Aang nodded as they started walking to the cars, Appa bounding after them. "I still can't believe how much the guy eats," he commented. "Even an elephant has more control."

"I heard that!" Sokka called from the front and the group laughed as they went into the cars.

Ursa looked young to be the mother of two children, and there was a childlike aura around her that made people feel giddy when she was around. Yet she was dignified as well, getting whatever was needed done.

The Gaang was sitting around the table, eating cookies and drinking milk. Sokka was right; the cookies do melt in their mouths. Aang felt like he was getting fat, but the cookies were too good to stop eating them. Even Toph looked like she about to fall asleep in contentment as she rubbed her belly. "Those were the best cookies ever," she said.

"Thank you, dear," Ursa said kindly. She was sitting by Zuko with Mai next to him. The woman looked around the table at all the happy faces, watching as Sokka and Aang continued eating cookies, the latter eating slowly while the former stuffed his face until his cheeks resembled a chipmunks. She chuckled. "I remember when Sokka and Katara were children. They used come over all the time for the cookies and to play games with Zuko. They were quite a trio."

Katara laughed. "I remember when Sokka would eat more than play. He acted like the food was more important than playing."

Sokka glared at her with his cheeks puffed up, causing everyone to chuckle and snort. He swallowed and brandished a cookie at her. "It's not my fault these cookies are addicting. Blame the baker." He pointed at Ursa, who was trying to look innocent but failing miserably when the smile broke out.

She shrugged. "It's not my fault. Maybe if you hadn't started eating them in the first place, you wouldn't be addicted." Her gold eyes danced with mirth.

Sokka scowled at her, biting yet another cookie. "If you hadn't made them smell so good, it wouldn't have happened," he muttered. That caused explosive laughter to erupt, making Sokka look a little miffed. He finished his cookie, drank the rest of his milk, and asked Zuko, "You wanna play wrestling?"

He shrugged, smirking. "Sure. If you don't mind losing."

Sokka stood up, mock anger on his face. "It's on now! Let's do this!" And the two of them went over to the big screen TV, leaving the laughter behind them.

Ursa shook her head. "He hasn't changed very much, did he?" she asked Katara.

The girl shook her head. "No, he hasn't," she answered. "He's still the 'meat and sarcasm guy'." They laughed. Then she snuggled under Aang's arm. "What should we do now? It's going to be a while before the guys are done playing their game."

Aang thought for a moment before suggesting, "How about King's Corner? That's always fun."

Toph snorted and the other four looked at her. "Yeah, if you weren't blind!" she said loudly before pulling out an MP3 Player. "You guys can play; I'm going to listen to some music. Have fun!" And she walked over to the armchair, plugged in her earphones, and played her music.

Ursa turned to the three remaining teenagers. "I'll get the cards. And while we're playing," she added standing up, "you and Aang can tell me how you two became a couple. And I would like to know more about you, Aang."

They stayed until it was close to sunset, and everyone decided to head home. Zuko stayed with his mom and said goodbye to Mai with a short but sweet kiss. She lived a few miles away, so it was going to be a little while before they saw each other again.

Sokka got to the shotgun seat of the van without going in while the rest of the Gaang got in, and called, "I'm going to get even the next time we play, Hot Head!" He had lost so many times he gave up counting.

Zuko laughed. "That will be the day Dinosaurs rule the world again!" he called back, eliciting laughter from the others. Sokka rolled his eyes, hopped in the front next to Suki, and she started down the road on the way home. They Gaang chatted about their childhoods and swamped funny stories; Aang even told them about the prank he and his old friends had done, everyone laughing so hard tears trailed down their cheeks. Well, except Mai. She wasn't the crying type; but she did have a little smirk on her face and was chuckling.

Toph was the loudest. She wiped her blind eyes and said, "Who knew you had it in you, Twinkle Toes? Even I'm impressed, and that's a hard challenge to accomplish. Have you ever thought about pranking again?"

Aang shrugged. "I don't think I can be that gutsy again." Then he smirked. "But it was worth it, because his face was priceless."

Sokka snorted. "But if you ever do go back to pranks, just don't prank me. I would be on you faster than you can say 'Lemurs'."

Aang looked confused. "Why would I say 'lemurs'?" he asked.

Sokka threw his hands up. "I don't know!" he exclaimed. "Maybe because you think it would be funny." He scowled out the window when yet more laughter sounded. "Never mind," he muttered.

Aang and Katara exchanged a glance and shrugged, not bothering to think about Sokka's cryptic words. "Well, anyway," Katara said. "I had fun. What about the rest of you?" There were words of agreements and Katara turned to Toph. "What did you think of Ursa, Toph?"

The Blind Bandit smirked. "I have to admit: she's pretty cool. She reminds me a little of Lin. They're both bubbly in some ways, though Lin is more so. They're both good cooks. And they're humerous. That's where the fun starts."

Aang nodded. "I agree," he said smiling. "Ursa is pretty unique." Then he frowned slightly, turning to Katara beside him. "But you want to know something? She reminds me a lot of my Mom."

Katara looked at him with a sad smile. "Mine too," she said quietly. "They both had that funny attitude, and the sweet nature." Aang nodded in agreement. He wished he could have met Katara's and Sokka's mother. Meeting their father was good and all, and he was glad Hakoda had given Aang his blessing; but the mother could be different. He started thinking about his parents: how his mother use to tuck him into bed at night and kiss his forehead when he was younger; the way his father use to play ball with him and crack jokes at the oddest times; how his mom used to run her hand through his hair when he was sad or worried or angry; the times his father left work to see him play on the school teams.

Tears started streaming down his face and he looked out of the window to keep from everyone else seeing them. The pain tugged at his heart, like a harpist strumming a cord, hard. Sometimes he couldn't even remember the smell of his Dad's grilled zucchini. It was the man's favorite food, and every Summer, Spring, and Fall, he would have a veggie barbeque. Aang remembered when his parents would be in the kitchen, cutting fruits and vegetables, then make salads and grill most of the vegetables. Then family and friends would sit around the fire pit and talk and laugh, swapping stories.

With his eyes closed, he could imagine it all happening again, and a small smile came to his face along with his tears. It was almost like a dream; so vivid and colorful. He could see his mothers face, short curly hair the color of melted chocolate that went a little beyond her shoulders, bright brown eyes, and peach complexion. His father had messy black hair, gray eyes, and was semi tanned with muscles. Aang could remember the way his dad had held him and his wife, as if they were the most precious beings in the world.

He had dozed off, reliving the happy memories of him and his parents. A hand was shaking his shoulder and a sweet angelic voice was saying, "Aang, sweetie; wake up. We're home." The boy cracked his eyes open with a soft groan, and saw Katara's beautiful face staring at him. He blinked multiple times and looked around. They were in front of Gyatso's home, and Suki was waiting for him to get out. He looked at Katara, asking a question with his mind and she nodded. "Dad and Gyatso says it's okay." She also had Aang's home phone number in case she couldn't reach him on his cell.

Aang nodded, and said their goodbyes as they got out of the car. When they got in, Appa ran to his master, jumped up on his hind legs, and licked his face. Aang laughed, and asked Katara when Appa was off, "Where's Gyatso?" Normally the old man would be sitting by the fireplace as he waited for his nephew to return. But he wasn't there; no sounds were made except for the dog's panting.

Katara touched his arm when she could sense an underlining worry in Aang's curious emotion. "He told me he had to go to the market. He should he back in about an hour."

Aang licked his lips as he tried to push some of the worry away from his mind. Gyatso was fine, he would be safe as long as the Gaang remained together. He took a deep breath and grabbed Katara's hand before, grinning, asked, "Want to play a game?"

She read his mind and smirked. "You'll never find me," she said in a sing song voice.

Letting go of her hand, Aang walked to the wall and turned away from her. "Then you better find a good hiding spot. I used to be the champ at Hide 'N Seek." And started counting to thirty.

After the game, Aang winning by hiding the longest, they settled down in the living room. Gyatso had come home in the middle of the game, making Aang's worry go away for now, and had retreated to his room to read after putting the groceries away. Aang and Katara sat on the comfortable couch, her accusing him of cheating. "Admit it!" Katara said, poking his chest playfully. "Gyatso told you I was hiding in his room."

Aang shook his head, amused rather than offended. "I'm telling you, Katara. Gyatso didn't say anything. You were in his room way before he got home."

"But I told him I was in his room when I saw him enter from my hiding spot to be respectful. Then five minutes later you show up, and found me."

He rolled his gray eyes. "And I'm telling you: he didn't tell me. He knows the rules of the game. I'm not a cheater; never had been. Besides, would I ever lie to you?" His eyes had a hint of seriousness in the otherwise playful sparkle, and she swallowed. Maybe she was going too far. Aang had never lied to her. Keeping some secrets in order to protect her and their friends was a different story. He was too kinded hearted to hurt anyone.

But she said, "You did go into my head without asking or telling me about until after showing Momo."

He smiled sheepishly, giving a nervous chuckle while rubbing his neck. "Okay, you have a point. Although, I did tell you, and technically, I didn't lie. I only kept quiet until you got him."

Katara pursed her lips before shrugging. "Fair enough." Then she cuddled into him, feeling his chest rise and fall evenly. He held her close to him. Then she asked, "What do you want to do now?"

Before Aang could answer, about to suggest music before bed, a knock sounded on the front door, startling them. It was almost ten o'clock. Who would come at this late hour? They looked at one another with confusion as a second knock sounded, then both stood up and went to it.

Gyatso was asleep already, and Aang hoped that the knocks hadn't awakened him. His nerves were tingling again, but he had no idea why. Katara sensed it and grabbed his hand. Then Aang placed his free hand on the doorknob and turned it. Releasing his breath he opened the door; then froze in shock as Katara gasped, looking at the people on the otherside of the doorway; people he had not expected to see.

Yay! You got to see Ursa. I wanted her in the story, and now she is. Anyway, Aang had a flashback about tue old times when his parents were still alive. It touched me to be honest, and I nearly cried. I enjoy writing scenes like that. Now, here's a question: at the end of the chapter, who was on the other side of the door when Aang opened it? Find out in the next chapter.