A/N: Hey all, another chapter for you. Hope you enjoy

I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender

CHAPTER 10

Katara stood in the backyard of her property, her body poised and ready. She wore a simple tank top and leggings, her hair tied back in a ponytail. "Ready when you are."

It had been three days since her release from the hospital and she had resigned herself to the reality that Jet was out there free after everything he had done. There was nothing she could do about it, and no use trying to fight it.

He would definitely try to get back with her she knew. He once told her that she was his lifeline. At the time, it made her feel special. Now looking back, she should've seen through the real meaning of his words--you are mine and mine only. Despite the security measures on her apartment, the constant fear for her safety still sat at the back of her mind. Jet was cunning and he always gets what he wants.

This meant she had to be ready for any confrontation with him. She was shocked that defensive combat was something she had never considered before.

After changing her number, she had to go through the tedious task of re-adding all her contacts and letting everyone know about the update. From friends and family to managers and business partners, it felt like a never-ending job. The whole process was so overwhelming that she felt like breaking down. And on top of that, she had to deal with the emotional weight of canceling her show.

The continuous ping of her phone brought her out of her musings and she resisted the urge to just throw it into a wall. With a groan, she put it on vibrate and tucked it into her leggings.

Katara knew exactly who it was. Toph Beifong. She didn't like ignoring her best friend, but she wasn't quite ready for the onslaught of questions from her about what she 'saw' in the hospital room with her and Aang. Katara suppressed a chuckle at her bodyguard's reaction to the intrusion. In short, she never knew his reflexes were so fast.

Although Toph was blind, Aang was unaware of her perceptiveness; so it didn't surprise Katara when he looked at her puzzled at Toph's statement. Katara quickly approached her friend and give her a warning squeeze. But the smirk on her face told Katara everything—She knew.

To her relief, Toph got the message and didn't mention anything about it right then and there. For the rest of Toph's stay, Aang stationed himself at the door, while the conversation went on normal. Meanwhile, Aang and Katara shared furtive glances at each other, the blush not leaving their faces.

In truth, Katara didn't mind her best friend knowing; she trusted Toph to keep her secret, and she really wanted someone to tell. She sent a quick voice message inviting her over for brunch, then handed her phone to the housekeeper for safekeeping.

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her arms raised defensively. Aang resisted the urge to laugh. "Someone's eager," he chuckled as he set up the area for their training.

He was wearing a gray rash guard and black shorts. Katara bit her lip, her heart racing at the sight of his abs clearly visible through the fabric.

"Like what you see?" Aang asked, smirking.

Caught staring, Katara blushed, "I, uh, I wasn't….looking at you, I was admiring the view behind you."

Aang turned around, puzzled. "The view behind me?"

"Yes, the sunrise," Katara said, pointing at the horizon where the sky was painted in brilliant hues of pink and gold. "It's beautiful." She cringed inwardly at her feeble attempt to lie.

"It is serene." He agreed. But, you know, you don't have to deny that you were admiring me."

Katara raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Oh, really? And what gives you that idea?"

"I can't blame you. I mean, have you seen me? He said flexing his muscles.

A shriek of laughter escaped her lips no matter how much she tried to hold it back. She shoved him playfully on the shoulder. "Meh, I'm not seeing much."

Aang smirked then leaned in until his lips are hovering just above her ears and whispered "Are you not seeing much or are you not seeing enough?"

Blushing furiously, Katara swallowed hard, feeling her throat tighten and go dry at his words. Damn, he's good.

Aang was definitely putting on a show of confidence. The sight of Katara had his heart doing somersaults. She was naturally beautiful the way her mocha skin seemed to glow in the sunlight, the tank top fitting her slender frame perfectly and the leggings that accentuated the curve of her hips.

He still found it hard to believe that she wanted to be with him. She was rich and beautiful after all and could get any guy she wanted. He wasn't complaining though; he would treat her like the princess she was.

Before he could process any of this further, he felt the gentle pressure of her lips against his own. Surprised at first, his instincts then took over, and he leaned in, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. Their heads tilted, finding the perfect angle as their lips moved together.

Katara stood on her tiptoes, her hands around his neck as the kiss deepened. She moaned softly when his tongue entered her mouth, exploring passionately. Aang felt his manhood grow at the sounds she was making and tensed up immediately. He hoped she hadn't noticed; the last thing he wanted was to scare her or send the wrong message. But she was so irresistibly steering him over the edge.

Aang broke the kiss abruptly, pulling back with a deep breath. "Tara, I…" he began, his voice a mix of apology and hesitation. He adjusted his shorts quickly when she wasn't looking.

Katara looked up at him with a surprised and curious expression. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," he said, offering a smile. "I just… I really enjoyed that."

A little too much. His inner voice taunted him.

"Being close to you like this." He murmured hugging her tightly, his chin resting on her head.

"Me too," she replied softly, a shy smile playing on her lips.

He held her close, breathing in the familiar scent of jasmine and peach that clung to her. In the short time he'd known her, she had come to mean so much to him. Now, he wanted to take things further; get to know her more. Summoning his courage, he decided to take a chance.

"Katara?"

"Yeah?" she murmured into his chest.

Aang felt his palms grow sweaty as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I was thinking... would you like to go on a date with me?"

Katara lifted her head to look at him, her cheeks flushed pink as she giggled. "Why are you so nervous, Aang?"

He chuckled, "You know, you're the only one who has that effect on me." He waited anxiously for her response. "So, what do you say?"

"I'd love that," she said, smiling. "Also, I'm flattered I have such an impact on you."

"Can you blame me?" Aang winked.

Katara blushed and averted her eyes as Aang smirked. There was the confident Aang she knew. "What about Saturday?" she asked. "I'll have my manager clear my schedule."

"Sounds good," Aang said, his heart soaring.

Katara felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of going on a date with Aang. She knew they would need to exercise caution in public, but she was ready to take this step with him.

"I'll be right back," he said, hoping Katara didn't catch on to his other 'problem,' "I just need to, uh, take care of something real quick."

"Don't be too long," Katara replied with a mischievous smile, bending over to perform her warm-up stretches right in his line of sight.

Aang suppressed a groan, his throat bobbing, as he tore his gaze away and retreated to the apartment.

Sokka's sneakers scuffed against the marble floor of his living room as he paced back and forth, his phone pressed tightly to his ear.

Jax, you saw him at the beach? Jet?" Sokka's voice was tight with barely suppressed rage. "You're sure it was him?"

Jax's voice crackled through the speaker, trying to sound calming despite the distance. "Yeah, Sokka, I'm sure. A few weeks back. He was just lounging there like he didn't have a care in the world; he and his cronies.

Sokka's hand clenched into a fist, his jaw set. "That bastard. He's got one coming for him. He won't get away this time."

Jax hesitated before speaking again, knowing that his next words would add fuel to the fire. "That's not all, one of my buddies was at this bar a few nights back and overheard Jet. The guy was bragging about how his girl is the singer Katara—your sister. He's saying they're still together."

Sokka stopped in his tracks, his blood boiling with rage. "What? That's a lie! Katara dumped his sorry ass two years ago! The dude's a psycho."

"I know, I know," Jax replied quickly. "He's full of it, but you know how he is. He likes to stir things up, making people think he's someone he's not. And dude, the attention he got after talking that crap was just nuts."

Sokka resumed his pacing, his steps faster and more erratic. "I should've finished off the job that night. I let him live to see another day, and now he's still out there, spreading lies and stirring things up about my sister. Next time, he won't be so lucky."

"Sokka, don't do anything rash," Jax warned. "We both know Jet's a manipulative bastard, but getting yourself into trouble won't do anyone any favors. Katara needs you to keep a cool head. It's not gonna look good for her if you go all Hulk mode. especially given her public image. Plus, think about the family rep, man.

Sokka stopped again, sinking into the plush leather of his couch. He ran a hand through his hair. He knew his friend was right. "I just can't stand it, bro. Every time I think about what he did to her, it makes my blood boil."

The sound of his doorbell ringing alerted Sokka and he made his way over to see who it was.

"I get it, man. But don't throw your life away for that scumbag, not worth it." Jax said.

The person at the door was Suki and Sokka's mood was immediately lifted. He signaled for her to come in after planting a quick kiss on her lips.

Sokka nodded slowly, though Jax couldn't see it. "Yeah, okay. I hear you. But If he comes near my sister again…"

"We'll be ready," Jax interjected.

"Thanks, bro. Anyway, I gotta go."

"later."

Sokka pocketed his phone and made his way to where Suki was. He saw her sorting through some mail.

"You okay?" Suki asked, still going through the mail.

"Not really, it's the Jet thing". He said.

Suki's expression changed instantly as she looked at him "Well, I mean things will be different, she has someone there to protect her now."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Sokka sighed.

"I'm always right Sokka, remember that. She teased. "Look, I've got something that might cheer you up. Your response from Republic University came."

Sokka immediately became a ball of nerves. He swallowed hard, eyes darting to the envelope Suki held out.

"You… you check it. I can't," he said, his palms getting sweaty.

Suki nodded and carefully opened the envelope. Her eyes scanned the letter, and a wide smile spread across her face.

"You got in, Sokka! You're going to Republic University!"

Sokka's eyes widened in disbelief, "Suki, quit messing with me."

Suki rolled her eyes and handed him the acceptance letter. "See for yourself, Mr. skeptic. You're officially in!"

Sokka took the letter from her, scanning the words quickly. "I can't believe it… I actually got in!" he said, laughing. He pumped his fist in the air and lifted Suki into a hug, spinning her around.

He was glad for the chance to make his parents proud—especially his dad. Usually, he felt like he was in his sister's shadow, but now he could finally make his own mark.

Suki laughed with him, "See? Not everything is bad news. You deserve this, Sokka."

On the surface, Suki was thrilled for her boyfriend. Deep down, though, she was freaking out. She wanted to pursue a Master's in Combat Sports Coaching, but it was only offered at Ba Sing Se University. This meant being miles away from him for two years. She hadn't told him yet she had already applied or that she was struggling to pay her fee. She decided to lock these thoughts away for now, not wanting to dampen his excitement. She figured she could always talk to him about it later.

Sokka set Suki down and grabbed his coat. "Let's go see what my sister's up to."

"Ok, this technique is about redirecting your opponent's momentum." Aang said, "It's the Jiu Jitsu."

Katara wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling exhausted after their training session. Aang was good; disciplined and highly skilled. Katara on the other hand was a mess; fighting was not her thing. She wanted to laugh at the way Aang was encouraging her along the way, praising her for her many failed efforts, probably not wanting her to feel bad. The better part of the morning was spent with him showing her a series of basic yet powerful maneuvers, each designed to disarm and incapacitate. She tried and caught on to some of them, but she knew she was a long way off to even come close.

The Ji… What?" Katara asked, leaning over with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

Aang laughed "It's the Jiu Jitsu. It's a basic one, I promise."

She matched his laugh. "I heard you. Ok, let's see it."

With a nod, Aang stepped forward to the dummy. He grabbed its outstretched arm, using its simulated force to pivot and throw it off balance. With controlled movement, he guided the dummy into a submission hold, showcasing the effectiveness of the technique.

"Impressive. You make it seem so easy though." She said.

Aang grinned. "Thanks. It is, just don't overthink it. Now it's your turn. But let's try it with a real opponent this time. I'll come at you from behind, and you try to apply the technique."

Katara took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, let's do it."

Aang moved behind her, giving her a moment to prepare. "Ready?" he asked. He tried his best to ignore the feel of her soft body pressed against his.

"Ready," she confirmed.

Aang moved swiftly, wrapping one arm around her neck in a mock chokehold and locking her hands behind her back with his other arm. "Remember, use my momentum against me," he instructed.

Katara struggled initially, trying to remember the steps. She twisted her body but couldn't quite free herself. Aang's hold was firm, and she felt the pressure of the chokehold.

Katara gritted her teeth "I'm not getting it, your hold on me is too strong."

Aang let go of her and turned her to face him. "Hey, look at me," he said gently, cupping her cheeks. Katara met his gaze, her eyes reflecting her frustration. "You won't get it all right now and that's ok. Focus on your leg movements."

Katara took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay, I'll try."

He demonstrated the move again and she watched closely.

She was determined to get it right. She focused on what Aang had shown her with the dummy. First, she planted her feet firmly to establish her balance. Then, she shifted her weight to her left leg and twisted her torso sharply to the right, using her hips to add power to the movement. As she twisted, she ducked slightly to slip out of Aang's chokehold.

"See? Not so hard, right?" he said, grinning.

With a swift movement, she leaped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. He caught her easily around her thigh as she hugged him. Yeah, I did." She said beaming. Aang leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. "I knew you could do it."

Suddenly, Aang heard a faint clicking sound behind the fence and went on full alert. He gently lowered Katara to the ground, then spun around to shield her. "Who's there!?" he demanded, moving toward the source of the noise.

No answer.

"Aang, what is it?" Katara yelled. She hovered behind him as he scanned the area listening in closely to something.

"Shh," he placed a finger on his lips admonishing her to be quiet. "Stay behind me. I heard something."

Katara felt an unsettling fear lodged in her stomach as a million scenarios went through her head

Aang stopped suddenly and she bumped into him. Katara," he whispered, "go back to the armory and stay there. I need to check this out."

"There's no way I'm letting you chase after some weird sound without a gun or anything," Katara said folding her arms.

Aang suspected she would be stubborn about it, but he couldn't risk putting her in danger by letting her follow him. It was his job to protect her. That, and she meant everything to him. "Katara, come on," he said gently, touching her shoulders. "I know you're worried, but remember, I'm trained for this."

"I know… but I can't help worrying." One look in his grey eyes and she realized he wouldn't give in. It left her feeling foolish for doubting his abilities.

Time's running out, Katara. I have to go. Head straight to the armory and stay there until I get back," he said urgently, giving her a quick kiss on the forehead.

She nodded and hurried back. Aang watched until she disappeared behind the door, then he scaled the fence and made his way through the dense undergrowth.

After a while of walking, he reached a small clearing and stopped, crouching low. The area was still, the only sound of his own breathing and those of insects. He scanned the ground, looking for any signs of disturbance. A broken twig, a footprint, anything that might explain the noise he had heard. But nothing seemed amiss.

Aang got frustrated when he found nothing unusual. He had been certain that he heard something. He knew better than to dismiss his instincts. He moved to the edge of the clearing, continuing his search, his eyes darting back and forth. The underbrush was thick, making it difficult to see far ahead. He decided to walk a bit further just to be sure.

After what felt like hours of searching, which was just a few minutes, Aang decided it was time to head back. He couldn't leave Katara for too long in case it was all a distraction to get her alone. With one last look around, he turned back and made his way toward the fence.

As he approached the fence, his eyes caught something he had missed before—a set of footprints partially obscured by the grass. He knelt down, studying them closely. They were fresh, the edges of the prints still sharp. Someone had been here recently. Fuck

His heart raced as he traced the direction of the footprints with his eyes. They led towards the fence, then veered off into the undergrowth.

Aang's gaze shifted to the camera mounted on the fence. It was tilted at an odd angle, and its lens cracked. He reached up and carefully removed the device, turning it over in his hands. The casing was damaged as if someone had struck it with a blunt object. He cursed under his breath. This was deliberate.

The young man sat behind the table, counting a stack of bills with methodical precision. Across from him stood a nervous-looking man, shifting uneasily from foot to foot, his hands trembling slightly as he watched him handle the money.

"Yo, this ain't enough," the young man muttered, his voice low and gravelly, as he slammed the stack of bills onto the table.

The man flinched, his eyes widening in fear. "Jet, please, that's all I got right now. Just give me a little more time, I'll get the rest, I swear."

Jet's eyes narrowed, "Time? You think I got time to wait around for you to get your shit together?" He stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. "I ain't running no charity here."

"Please," the man pleaded, "Just a few more days, I promise I'll get it to you."

Jet's patience snapped. With a swift motion, he pulled a knife from his waistband and pointed it directly at the man's throat. "You think I'm playin'? You got twenty-four hours, or I'm gonna come find you myself."

The man recoiled, his face pale with terror. "No, no, please! I need more time, just a few days, I beg you!"

Jet's expression darkened. He grabbed the man by the collar, yanking him close so their faces were inches apart. "You ain't listening," he growled, pressing the cold blade against the man's skin, just enough to draw a thin line of blood. "Twenty-four hours, or you're done."

The man whimpered, his body shaking with fear. "I can't, Jet, please!"

"Jet, back off. This ain't worth it." Smellerbee said, stepping into the house.

Jet's eyes flickered to her with irritation, but he didn't lower the knife. "Stay out of this, Smellerbee. This punk needs to learn a lesson."

Smellerbee stepped up closer, her eyes narrowed at Jet, "You kill him now, you lose your money and attract heat. Let him go. Give him a week."

A slither of sweat rolled down the man's face as he awaited his fate.

Jet hesitated, his grip on the man's collar tightening for a moment before he finally released him with a hard shove. "Fine. You got one week, and that's it. If you don't have my money by then, I'll make you wish you were never born."

The man stumbled back, clutching his throat where a thin line of blood trickled down. "Thank you, thank you!" he stammered, backing away towards the door.

Jet watched him with cold eyes as he scrambled out of the house. Once the man was gone, Jet slammed the knife onto the table, the blade embedding itself into the wood with a dull thud.

"He's lucky you showed up," Jet muttered glaring at Smellerbee. "I would've ended him. But now, you're gonna come up with an excuse why we don't have the boss man's fucking money."

Smellerbee crossed her arms, "You need to keep your head straight. We don't need any more problems right now. Unless you wanna go straight back to that hole you came from.

Jet grunted, yanking the knife out of the table and shoving it back into his waistband. "Yeah, yeah. Just make sure he pays up. I don't wanna see his face again unless he's got my money."

Smellerbee nodded, her eyes flicking to the door where the man had fled. "He'll pay, Jet. He knows what's at stake."

Jet sank back into his chair, lighting a cigarette. "He better," he muttered, exhaling a plume of smoke. "He damn well better."

"Jet, listen to me. You gotta calm down. This whole angry, intimidating act ain't gonna get your girl back."

Jet's brows furrowed as he took a drag from his cigarette, "Am listening."

Smellerbee knew better than to push too much when it came to this specific topic, so she trod lightly. "All the threats are not gonna work. Her family would have you back behind bars before you could spell your name."

Jet shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "I don't need your pity, Bee," he snapped, "I know what I'm doing."

Do you, Jet? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're letting your obsession with Katara cloud your judgment. We can't afford to go back to that life. You know no one gave a shit about us. We gotta stick together and stop having trouble chasing us.

Obsession? You think I'm obsessed?" he scoffed, a dangerous edge creeping into his voice. "I just know what I want, and I'm not gonna let anyone get in my way. I want her back. You're either in on this with me, or you're not. But if you're not, then you gotta stay out of it completely."

Smellerbee raised her hand in a gesture of defeat. She knew arguing with Jet about this was pointless.

Just then, the door swung open and Duke stumbled in, slightly out of breath.

"What took you so long?" Jet snapped.

Yeah, Duke, what's going on?" Smellerbee added, eyeing him closely.

Duke didn't say anything. Instead, he walked over to the table and slapped down a stack of photographs in front of Jet. Afterward, he slumped down in the couch, sweaty and tired.

Jet's eyes scanned the photos, his expression shifting rapidly from confusion to shock, then to an intense, seething rage. He grabbed one of the pictures, crumpling it in his fist, his knuckles white with anger. He threw it across the table, and without a word, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

"Jet, wait!" Smellerbee called after him, but he was gone. She was confused; she turned to the Duke for answers, but saw that he was sound asleep.

Smellerbee headed to the table and picked up the crumbled photograph. As she smoothed it out, her eyes widened. The image showed Katara lip-locked with the bodyguard they heard her parents hired for her. Then she looked over the others; multiple shots: of them laughing, touching, clearly in a position of intimacy.

"Shit shit shit"

A/N: Thanks to everyone who is reading my story. Your reviews mean a lot so please keep them coming :)

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