"What is it this time?" Sokka said, meeting Toph's tired look with a concerned scowl.

"I can't even..." Toph started, then shook her head. "I give my daughters all the freedom in the world, yet they can't do anything good with it."

"They had another fight?"

"Worse. Su was involved in some nasty business, Lin tried to arrest her and... and got wounded."

"Wounded? Is she okay?" Sokka asked quickly, almost getting to his feet. Toph sighed and shrugged, seating herself on the ground opposite him.

"She'll have scars. I'm more worried about how this'll affect us as a family, though. I had to cover it all up, but... Lin's angry, and she's got every right to be."

Sokka looked at her, frowning, then nodded. "You're wondering if it was the right thing to do."

"Hell no," Toph snorted in reply. "I'm saying it's all I could do. I hate not being in control of a situation, you know that."

"Alright, alright," Sokka answered, putting his hands up in mock defense, before leaning back and waiting for her to speak again. The silence stretched on for a few moments, then Toph sighed and shook her head.

"I don't know how to deal with this, Sokka. I really don't."

"You helped end the Hundred Year War, but you can't handle a couple of kids?" Sokka teased, prompting Toph to punch him in the arm.

"The difference is during the war I could solve all my problems by earthbending them away," she retorted. "Just imagine the headlines if I tried that little trick on the girls."

"You could write a book – The Badgermole Way of Motherhood."

"Sure. Lonely motherhood."

"Listen, I'm sorry I'm not there to help you, but-"

"But what? You left."

"I had to."

"Oh yeah?" Toph snarled, getting to her feet. "No one else could've dealt with those problems? No one else in the entire world could've helped the Water Tribe? No, no, Sokka had to leave and deal with it?"

"It was my duty!"

"NO! Supporting your family was your duty! Being there for Su and Lin! Being there for me!" she shouted, so angry now that she could not stand still. Only sheer willpower kept her from cracking open the ground beneath them with her earthbending. Sokka on the other hand just sat there on the ground, staring at her, hugging his legs.

"I was going to come back," he said, finally, "and I begged you to come with me." Toph, exhausted, gave a loud sigh and slumped down on the ground again. Tears ran from the corners of her eyes, leaving wet streaks across her cheeks.

"I should've," she replied, her voice cracking. "I should've, but I was too stubborn, and you were too stubborn, and... Damn it! I should've gone with you and dragged you back once you were done."

Sokka put a hand on her shoulder and, when she didn't pull away, dragged her closer. She felt his arms enveloping her, as they had so many times before. Closing her eyes – not that it made much difference for her – she leaned back into it, losing herself in the feeling.

"It's okay," he said, finally.

"I'm sending Su to live with my parents, for now. Hopefully, it'll help a bit with the tension."

"Yeah."

"Aang and Katara'll help out a bit, as always. They may be able to give her a ride there on Appa, or something."

"See," Sokka said, smiling. "It'll be fine. Even without my help."

Toph smiled and shook her head, abruptly getting to her feet. "No it won't," she replied, letting her fingers caress the cool, smooth headstone she had been talking to. Dew moistened her fingers. A lone tear dripped from her chin. "It'll never be okay again, but... Thanks for saying it will."