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Things have spiralled wildly out of Katara's control. It seemed like such a good idea at the time - it really did.

But now?

It's all happened so fast and it's got so big. She doesn't know how to stop this. But people are getting hurt.

As long as Sokka doesn't find out ... things might be okay.

She's sitting out the front of the farmhouse, a huddled lump against a tree, tears tracking through the dust on her face. It's been a couple of days since she's washed or brushed her hair. Oddly enough, she's practically glowing with health.

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Suki isn't stupid. She saw the tears, the mask can't change that.

"Katara..."

Her tone is gentle, not accusatory. She's a friend.

"I'm fine," Katara insists, looking away stubbornly. "Fine fine FINE. Okay?"

That was just a bit too adamant. Suki frowns now.

"Okay. Sorry for asking."

She's a little dismayed to be locked out, but she's not going to push the issue. She sinks to her knees and schools the worry off her face.

"I've missed you around here recently. Where have you been?"

"Just around."

Katara is sullen and silent. Suki is too sharp; it worries her.

nobody can find out. nobody!

"You just haven't been looking."

Oh, but she has! Not to the point of actually hunting, but Suki has checked around the farm quite thoroughly on more than one occasion.

"I..." She checks herself. "No. Not very hard. I've been working a lot."

She shows Katara a relaxed smile and continues conversationally.

"What have you been up to?"

"Just being around."

don't be friends with her can't be friends not now not any more too dangerous she'll know she'll tell sokka

"Practicing."

"Yeah?"

For what it's worth, Suki doesn't seem to be acting with any suspicion at this point. Her manner is a perfect blend of casual and amiable. How can you not be friends with her?!

"How's that going?" she follows up, still smiling.

"Are you getting all your old moves back?"

"Slowly," Katara says, picking at a blade of grass. "I wish it was happening faster." She's sad again.

The grass wilts in her hands.

"Don't feel bad. You were a ghost for a long time," Suki consoles. "Dinah taught me a new move last week and I still can't get it. The trick is not to get frustrated. Everything will click."

The Kyoshi's eyes drop to the blade of grass, and her reassuring smile fades somewhat.

"Did you do that on purpose?"

Katara bites her lip, looking at the dead grass, and shakes her head. "I can't get control!"

"Oh."

After a sympathetic wince, Suki hangs her head.

"I was wondering." Her voice becomes very quiet. "Oliver and I found a meadow a little way from the farm. The plants and grass were all dead and the ground was really really dry, sort of like what happened when you were bringing yourself back."

She attempts to make eye contact to show Katara her sincerity.

"I haven't told anyone. I didn't even tell Oliver that I thought it might have been you. I just said I'd report it to Mel."

For a brief moment she looks a bit conflicted, but it passes.

"I won't though, if you don't want me to."

Katara's eyes are wide and scared when she meets Suki's, fingers twitching in the grass with nervousness.

"I'm - I'm trying so hard," she whispers, and a tear slides out of one eye. "Please don't ... please don't tell them, I'm ... I just want to get everything to - to be okay again, and I don't want Sokka to worry..."

Suki's heart wrenches at the sight of the tear, and all the spirit drains from her face.

"Oh, Katara," she sighs. "I won't tell anyone. I promise."

There's a lot more emotion in her voice now. She reaches out tentatively, wanting to comfort her friend with something more than words: a reassuring hand at least, but ideally a hug.

"Is there anything else I can do to help? Please let me if there is."

Katara's fingers are warm, alive - and she's just as willing for the hug as Suki is, desperate for comfort.

"I'll figure it out," she promises, sniffing and trying to get her voice under control. "I will. But ... but ... thank you."

When she sees that Katara is not resistant, Suki gently embraces her.

"Welcome," she says.

"Maybe if I trained with you we could figure it out together? I'm not very good with waterbending forms, but I do know a few of them."

Katara nods hopefully, hugging her friend tight.

no no no this is such a bad idea. but okay pretend for now. pretend. you can do this.

"I'm not sure if I'm up to it now, but it'd be really good if we could train together. Thank you, Suki."

Suki withdraws, leaving her hands on Katara's shoulders. There's a wobbly smile on her face.

"Yeah. We can do this," she asserts. "Everything will be okay once you get control again."

It's all about positive thinking with Suki. She uses her sleeve to wipe the most recent tear streak off her friend's cheek.

"I think we should do something fun right now though. Get you cheered up a bit."

Katara smiles weakly, squeezing Suki's hand on her shoulder. "I'm pretty tired, Suki. But thanks. Really."

Reading between the lines, Suki gives a sad but accepting nod. She just doesn't want to leave Katara on her own right now. Not in this miserable state.

"How about some food?" she suggests. "I can go to the kitchen and make us some sandwiches and we can have a little picnic right here. You don't even have to move."

"I'm fine, Suki," the Water girl says, getting to her feet, a little huffy. "You don't have to mother me."

Katara doesn't deserve it anyway.

"Just ... just leave me alone, okay?"

Suki bows her head, then grudgingly gets her feet. She tried. And she'll try again. Just not right now.

"Okay," she says. "Sorry, Katara. I wasn't meaning to mother. You're a friend. I just care about you, is all."

After delivering a watery parting smile, the Kyoshi starts heading off towards the bunker.

"I'll be around if you need anything," she adds over her shoulder.

Katara sniffles.

But not until Suki's gone.

And then she stops, because that's a waste of water and she needs every bit, damn it - damn it!

Well, she doesn't need friends, anyway. They'll just make life hard. She's not interested.

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