Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Avatar. As a matter of fact, I don't even own the episodes on DVD! So there. And now I'm sad. :-(

So... this is my first fic for Avatar! I saw something about a Kataang raid, and thought I'd contribute this little drabble I wrote during class today (even if I am late for the party). I hope you enjoy it!

(And no, it doesn't have anything to do with a Christmas song...)

"Leave me ALONE!"

Katara's scream echoed in Aang's ears, but he did his best not to flinch, knowing it would only incense her further.

"Everything okay in there?" asked Toph from safely outside the small stone room.

"Of course not!" Katara yelled. Aang heard Toph's strangled cry as another wave of water assaulted her. A second later, she was coughing and calling weakly in again.

"It's up to you know, twinkle toes. I'm outta here."

Aang took a deep breath and mentally reached out to brace the stone walls. When Katara's hand began to squeeze his harder, he anticipated the coming wave. But despite his best efforts, water began to leak inside from the increasing cracks. For the sake of his wife, his hand, and their shelter, he hoped it would be over soon.

Katara went alarmingly silent, and Aang looked down at her in concern. Her mouth was open in a silent scream – her eyes wide with pain. He felt another wave approaching, but this one was different. It was a roiling, seething mass – large ice covered boulders left deep gouges in the ground as they drew closer. He looked anxiously at his wife's crimson face and began to worry that something was wrong.

When the wave hit, it obliterated the small shelter Toph had erected, and Aang quickly surrounded the room's occupants with a sphere of air – the rushing of the wind swallowing Katara's renewed cry of agony.

Once the wave receded, Aang dropped the shield. The deep stillness that covered the scene was broken a second later by a high-pitch wail, and he looked at the water tribe healer.

"It's a girl," the old woman said, carefully cleaning and wrapping the baby.

Katara squeezed his hand, but this time it was a tender, loving gesture, and Aang leaned over to kiss her.

"I love you," he whispered, resting his forehead on hers.

"I love you, too," she sighed.

"It didn't look like it a minute ago," Sokka chimed in as he waded toward them, Suki at his side. Toph followed a step behind, shaking herself off. All three were drenched.

Katara smiled at her family. "Sorry," she said contritely.

"Looks like my idea to move you away from the village was a good one after all," Sokka added, tilting his head to one side and banging on his ear. Suki was wringing out her hair, and Toph rolled around for a second in the mud before jumping up and bending the earth-mixed water from her clothes.

Katara looked at Aang. "And I'm sorry if I hurt you," she added, a flush creeping up on her cheeks.

"Don't worry," he said, running a hand through her sweat-soaked hair. "You didn't."

Her brow furrowed. "When I was taller than you I could always kick your butt."

He smiled. "Then I would say it's a good thing I've grown up in the past eight years."

Before Katara could reply, the healer stood, bringing a wrapped bundle to the new parents. Katara took the baby, her eyes filled with tears. Releasing Aang's hand long enough to wipe her cheeks, she smiled.

"What should we name her?"

Aang's mind flashed back to the first birth he had witnessed – the beautiful baby girl named Hope. He smiled at his daughter before looking in his wife's shining blue eyes.

"Joy," he said softly. "Her name is Joy."

"Joy," Katara echoed, kissing the baby's forehead. "That's perfect. Welcome to the world, Joy."