A/N: I'm back with another chapter. I got two more reviews, thanks a lot guys. You really encourage me to continue. I'm still scrambling a bit for ideas on how to structure the story in terms of plotline. I know what I want, but it's the execution. I'm a writer in no way lol. I might need a beta reader, but I don't know how it works. Anyway, when it comes to that we will see. One more thing, I was debating whether to give Aang hair or not. I gotta say, I love him bald. Just let me know which you prefer and I'll edit it. Now, on to the story!

I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

CHAPTER 3

Knock, knock

"Come in" muttered a harsh voice from the other side of the door.

The tall, rough-looking young man stumbled into the room, his eyes narrowed at the man behind the desk.

"Is it done?" Asked the older man behind his unkept desk.

"Yeah, I saw it hit her" the young man said matter-of-factly. Although I didn't shot to kill."

"well, that should keep her out of commission for a while. Although you were too weak to get the job complete I see. Still, everything is falling into place; my daughter will take her rightful place at the top of the music charts, and both of us will get sweet revenge."

"I don't want to necessarily kill her, you know. I'm guessing you're missing the point. I need her back in my life. Don't forget that." The young man clenched his fist trying to suppress his anger.

"hmmph, Fine! But don't forget who you owe your allegiance to. Anyway, how are the shipments looking? Everything running smooth?" The man asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Yea, um smooth as can be." The young man said quickly.

"Good."

The man was furious. Ever since the Hopkinsons moved to Republic City, his family name was dissipating, and no one wanted to work with his daughter anymore in music. His baby girl was getting less and less music deals since Kya's daughter started her music career. There were old wounds between the Hopkinson's and his family which ran far and deep. He intended to get revenge for what was taken from him. It all started with that damned lottery winnings.

"Is there anything else you need?" The younger man asked impatiently.

The man didn't realize he was still there. "No, you are free to leave. Just ensure the jobs are handled properly then everyone gets paid. And make sure you are around when I summon you again. Now leave."

"Sure" the youngster grunted as he got up and walked nonchalantly out of the room.

The music boomed loudly in the club while Katara gyrated and drank another shot of tequila. Toph and her were dancing with each other. And they were getting stares. very hungry stares, especially Katara and Sokka didn't like it one bit. He couldn't believe his sister got him into this. Sneaking out to party the night away. Katara was sweet, but underneath she was a wild card, especially when she wanted to be rebellious to their mom when she couldn't have her way.

"At least she asked you to come Sokka, you know how she is about her freedom" shouted Suki over the music.

"Yeah, but she's just doing this to prove a point to mom" he retorted.

"And that is?"

"That she doesn't need a bodyguard, just my protection; don't get me wrong, I love her, but I can't be everywhere all the time". He sighed.

"I understand, but for now let's look at the upside of this" Suki said slyly.

"Mmmm?"

"Well, you did get to hang out with me," Suki said, smirking. "

"Can't argue with that" Sokka smiled pulling Suki up for a dance.

How he loved this girl so much. She didn't come from a wealthy family, but since he laid his eyes on her, it was love at first sight. he met her on one of his humanitarian campaigns and he fell hard. He was equally surprised and grateful that his parents accepted her.

He and Suki danced together to the pulse of the music while he was silently thinking of how to admit the L word to her. They had only been together for a month and didn't quite say it yet, but he knew how he felt. He decided that after that night he would let her know, he would not waste another minute. With that, he continued dancing while keeping a close eye out for his sister.

Katara was on cloud 9, she felt free not to mention very tipsy at this point. She couldn't remember how many shots she took, but before she knew it, she was leaning heavily on Toph.

"SugarQueen, remind me to never bring your ass out again. you can't hold your damn liquor" "Pfft, you know how many shots I had? And I'm still standing straight" Toph boasted.

"oh relax, we're here to have fun!" Katara shouted over the music while continuing to sway to the music eliciting catcalls from across the club.

In the corner of his eyes Sokka saw this and was furious. Before he could go over and teach the men a lesson, Suki held him back.

"Don't try to start trouble Sokka. I know you're looking out for her but it's just words. If they approach her or try to get physical, you can step in." "Please?" Suki pleaded.

Reluctantly, Sokka nodded. But not without glaring at the men and making cut throat gesture at them.

Katara continued to enjoy herself. After being treated like a child for the past week, and continually supervised after the incident, Katara has had enough of it. So, when her very wild friend texted her about going to the new club that opened, Katara was all for it. She dressed in her most scandalous outfit, blackmailed her brother into coming for the sake of Suki of course, and snuck out.

One more night of freedom before that damn bodyguard arrives. She needed it. The paparazzi were plastered at every corner outside the club snapping pictures as they entered, probably fabricating the craziest of stories that maybe in the morning she might regret. But for tonight, just one night, she gets to be free.

"Mr. Jackson, congratulations on qualifying for the job, as you know it wasn't an easy requirement. I had to get only the best for my only daughter."

Kya smiled at the young man, confident he would fit the role of Katara's bodyguard nicely based on his credentials and level of fitness.

"Thank you, ma'am," replied Aang, shaking her hand firmly while rubbing the back of his head "I'll try my best".

Something about the woman intimidated him. The level of protectiveness she had for her daughter was astounding. He didn't live too long in Republic City, and so couldn't place who her daughter was.

"Oh, please call me Kya now, and can you start tomorrow?"

"Sure". Replied Aang.

"Ok if that is all, Kya started "yo……."

THUD!

A loud noise was heard on the upper floor as well as hushed voices. Kya was curious about who would be making those noises so early in the morning. Thinking it may be Katara in her music studio, she decided to investigate. After what she received this morning, she was still shaken up so decided to hire the bodyguard sooner rather than later.

"Please wait here Mr. Jackson," said Kya.

"Just Aang is fine, and sure".

Kya sped upstairs, her stiletto heels banging as she went. Aang felt a bit weird after a while like he was intruding. Not wanting to just leave, he retired to the coach.

Suddenly, a shouting match was heard from upstairs. Aang shamelessly tried to eavesdrop and make out what was being said. He didn't have to do that for long, however, as he heard the voices getting louder.

He slumped down onto the couch trying to hide himself as best he could. Well, this is awkward he thought to himself.

"I expected better from you! Really? Sneaking out? Coming back here in the morning? And Sokka, I am so disappointed in you for not looking out for your sister!" Kya argued. Sokka hung his head.

"I tried to tell her" Sokka said raising his hand in defense.

Katara shot a glare at her brother and a 'you-know-you-wanted-to-go-to-see-Suki' look before turning back to her mom.

"That's the point mom, I don't need someone always looking out for me. You treat me like a child!" Katara bellowed with tears in her eyes.

She was still a bit tipsy and knew she might regret her words later. But right now, she was furious about her invasion of privacy. Deep down she knew her career would require her to be protected eventually, but she never thought it would require 24/7 protection in a flash. She went from a simple rich girl to practically a celebrity overnight, and the security changes were proving to be too much for her. Yes they had chauffeurs that acted as bodyguards on a daily basis due to their status, but in her irrational mind and naive way of thinking, Katara felt her friends were enough.

"I wouldn't have to treat you like a child if only you'd stop acting like one Katara!"

At this point, Kya was on the verge of tears. Willing her daughter to understand her position. Knowing that Katara would not be so easy to persuade about the seriousness of the situation, she resorted to the last thing she didn't want to do.

"You know why I'm acting all protective and paranoid as you put it? Besides someone playing target practice with my only daughter, I also found this in the mail this morning, look!"

Kya had a small, crumpled note in her hand waving it in the air. Before Katara could take it, Sokka scrambled it and read it with trembling fingers. His face turned white as he continued to read.

Hey Kat

Nice show you put on the other night. Watch your back bitch because am watching your every move. Next time, the bullet will do more than just cause damage.

Sokka was speechless. He dropped the note and Katara picked it up and read, her eyes widening. She looked at her mom with fearful eyes. If she had to admit, she felt extreme fear for the first time. At first, she thought the gunshot was something random. Now she knew for sure she was being targeted.

"Sis, mom is right. You would need to be careful now, I can't look out for you all the time. It's getting serious now". Sokka tried reasoning with his sister.

Katara knew they were right, but her stubborn and independent nature sometimes won out.

"Look, it's just a stupid note, probably a prank or something. I need to sleep." Said Katara nonchalantly. "And by the way, I am moving out". She said walking away.

"Katara, we've had enough of your behavior" her dad chimed in as he walked into the hallway. "You can move out, don't get me wrong. but it will be under our conditions, or we will have no other choice but to cut you off indefinitely."

Katara knew her dad was serious at that point and stopped in her tracks. She couldn't afford to lose funding now when she was starting her music career. She enjoyed making music. She groaned.

"So…. what are these conditions?" Katara asked irritably, already having a feeling she knew what it was.

"Well, we hired you your own personal bodyguard as we've discussed. He is skilled and the best in his field and he will be moving in with you. He is actually downstairs right now as we speak."

Katara was enraged. "You WHAT!? And to live with me?! Uh!"

"So who is paying for this bodyguard dad? Because I am now starting out and I don't see myself wasting money like that."

"Don't worry, his payment will be taken care of by your mom and I. He is to protect you with his life. We had him sign some documents to that effect." Her dad answered.

"And Katara, remember your promise to me the morning of the incident" Kya looked at her pleadingly.

Katara's features instantly softened at her mother's words. She slumped in defeat "Fine, Let's just get this over with."

She would let this slide she thought, but she won't let the 'bodyguard' off so easily, whom she thought was some stuck up, old, arrogant prick, as she always stereotyped them to be.

With that, Katara flew down the stairs. I can't believe this is happening to me. Katara pouted all the way down the stairs. A live in body guard? Seriously? The family followed downstairs in silence.

Aang heard the voices getting closer and knew it was too late to make a run for it even if he wanted to.

Kya motioned the family to the living room and signaled for Aang to come around. He got up from the cushion gracefully and faced the family.

When Katara turned to face him, her breathing hitched and the mouth trashing she wanted to unleash on him was abandoned as the words died in her throat.

The young man in front of her was strikingly handsome in a charming sort of way it rendered her speechless. He was in his early twenties, towering over her, about 6 feet with his hands tucked deftly into the of pocket of his neatly tailored-suit which showed off his lithe and well-toned body. He was fair, almost pale with a bald head, stormy grey eyes, deep and expressive, and a dangerously enticing smile. But those eyes. Kind eyes. She was engrossed in them. For a minute she forgot that she was upset. There was something about him that made her a bit breathless. She didn't know whether to feel insecure or annoyed by that sudden revelation. He sported a friendly lopsided smile which helped to soften his slightly intimidating aura.

Aang was also looking straight at her, their eyes locked on each other. Time stood still, and for a moment it was just the two of them. He was caught off guard by her beauty. He had met a lot of pretty women, but this girl was gorgeous. Her mocha skin tone was exotic to him. Her chocolate curls cascading down her back and around her shoulders and best of all those deep blue piercing eyes that stared into his soul.

Come on Aang, keep it together. He tried to look away, but couldn't.

They didn't know how long they had been staring at each other. It could have been hours.

Kya, Hakoda, and Sokka were just looking and waiting for the two of them to come out of their trance.

Sokka decided to break their reverie, "What happened sis? Cat got your tongue?" He teased.

That did it. They both blinked and Katara looked away blushing furiously.

Aang stepped forward offering her his hand "I'm Aang Jackson your new bodyguard, nice to finally meet you" he smiled warmly, his eyes never leaving hers.

Review Responses:

Ashley Barbosa: I am extremely happy I got a review from you Ashley. You are a die-hard fan, I see you reviewing almost all Kataang fics. Thank you, yes I got the idea from a Whitney Houston movie. Thank you for your feedback on how I can make it better. I went through most of the fics of the authors you suggested, and I understood what you mean. Yes, they are legendary authors that I look up to. I'm glad it's better to read now. I also see what you mean about the rating. I decided to rate it M just to be safe. I'm new to this so thank you for the heads up.

CoyoteLemon: OMG, I cannot believe you reviewed my story! Let me just say that your writing is spectacular. I'm glad you are enjoying it so far.