"When do you think they'll get here?"

"Hmm?"

"Zuko! Toph and Aang sent a message saying they were coming! Were you even listening at all when I told you about that?" She stopped brushing her hair and stared at him exasperatedly

"Oh, yeah! I was listening to that! I just didn't know that was what you were talking about!" He grinned

"Well I hope it's soon! I've missed them a lot. If only Sokka and Suki would come too. Then it'd be perfect." She sighed, and he couldn't resist going to kiss her on the forehead.

"Oh Katara. You really miss them don't you?"

She nodded

"I'm sorry that I fell madly in love with you and wouldn't let you go resume your old life." He grinned and she giggled

"Um, Zuko… I think it was the other way around. I fell madly in love with you!"

"Nope… well maybe both." This time he kissed her on the lips

They were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. Katara rolled her eyes and went to answer it. A servant was standing there with a pile of red robes.

"I'm here to help you get dressed, my lady…" the servant – Hitomi was her name – smiled brightly

"Thank you very much, but I am capable of dressing myself. I'll just take those," she lifted the pile of robes out of Hitomi's hands, "Thank you again!" She shut the door and turned back to Zuko

"My goodness, I can get dressed myself! I did it for sixteen years!" She shook her head in annoyance

"Katara, she's just trying to help! It's her job…"

"I know. I'm sorry!"

She pulled her soft blue nightgown off, (She could wear whatever she wanted to sleep in, but she had no such luck during the day) and slipped on the black under-dress. Over that went a harsh red robe. Even after three years of marriage and five years of living in the Fire Nation, she still wasn't used to their color palate. She didn't hate it like she used to, but it wasn't home to her yet.

Over the robe she fit a stiff gold collar. They had audiences today and she had to look the part of a formal Fire Lady.

"If Toph and Aang get here any time soon, can we blow off all your assignments?" Katara smiled pleadingly at Zuko

He shook his head sadly, "I have audiences today that have been booked for weeks. I have to keep them." He considered for a minute, "I guess you can miss them. If Toph and Aang get here."

She went and circled her arms around his waist, putting her head in that perfect place just below his chin. "I don't want to leave you stranded. They can entertain themselves for an afternoon."

He smiled and reached down to kiss her, but they were interrupted yet again by a knock.

"Darn women and their morning ministrations," He smiled to show he was kidding.

She swatted him playfully as she went to the door again.

"Now I'm here to do your hair, My Lady. I think you need me for that." Hitomi's words were said with amusement and gentle teasing, not harshness.

"Indeed I do! Come in," Katara opened the door wide, allowing Hitomi to slip in. The servant bowed slightly to Zuko and went into to the bathroom.

"I'll see you later," Zuko kissed Katara lightly, "Just come to the throne room when you're ready. We can eat breakfast in there."

"'Bye love. See you there." She smiled as she watched him walk out the door. Life was good.

"Lady Katara?" Hitomi's kind voice came from the bathroom, "I'm ready to do your hair."

Right! She went over to the bathroom and slipped into the comfortable chair, putting her hair over the back. Hitomi began brushing it, and even though Katara had already done it herself she didn't complain. It was relaxing.

That was, until she suddenly heaved. Putting her hand over her mouth in a futile gesture, she ran to the toilet. Hitomi held her hair out of the way as she lost her dinner from the night before.

"I'm sorry," She rasped once she was done, "I didn't mean to –"

"It wasn't in your control, My Lady! Look, I'm telling you, you need –"

"Hitomi, no… I know that isn't it." Katara moved towards the sink to get a glass of water

"Lady Katara, yes. My sister was throwing up just like that, every morning, and when she went to the doctor he said –"

"I know what he said Hitomi. You've told me five million times. Please, let me be, just this once? I'll call for the doctor when I want to, and not before!" She filled the glass with shaky hands, and ended up spilling it.

Hitomi sighed and took the glass from her hands, filling it deftly before giving it back.

"I'm sorry M'lady. I was- I'm sorry."

Katara spit the water back into the sink, cleansing her mouth.

"I'm sorry too, Hitomi. I didn't mean to be harsh. I just… don't feel well. Obviously."

The servant nodded sharply, and helped the Fire Lady back into her chair.

They stayed silent while Hitomi was doing Katara's hair. Usually they talked, discussed things, but today they were both too tired. This was why Katara, with her sharp bender's ears, could hear the two people approaching from far off down the hall.

"Ok, Monsieur Uptight, just show me to Katara's room! I don't care what 'appointments' she has."

"I apologize, Madame, I simply cannot do that!"

"Monsieur! I could bend you to Ba Sing Se and back and yet you're trying to stop me from getting to my friend's room? I was trying to keep this civilized, but if you want to go down that road…"

"No, Madame, that won't be necessary! I'll take you; it's just down this hallway."

There was a bit of silence in which Katara could hear faint footsteps, and then she heard the man's hesitant voice.

"My name is Lan. You can call me Lan. You don't need to, um, call me that other name."

Katara could practically see him shaking

"Um, no. Nicknames are my shtick, Monsieur!"

"But it's not my name! Where did you come up with that anyway? It's… it's a mockery of me!"

"Indeed, bucko! I mean come on; you speak in an accent of a language that isn't even spoken in this world! That's quite a characteristic! I like making nicknames off of blatantly obvious characteristics."

"But, Madame!"

"Nope. Is this the door, Monsieur Uptight? Hmm, that's a little long. Perhaps I'll shorten it to Mu," Katara nearly saw her nonchalant shrug, "Ah, well, we'll see. Thanks for the tour, Mu. Hmm, it works."

A knock was heard on the door. Hitomi slid Katara's hair piece in and went to get the door, but the Fire Lady was there first. She was flinging open the door and holding her arms out for Toph to run into.

"Sweetness!" Toph's voice was muffled by Katara's robes, "I missed you!"

"I missed you too Toph! Very very much!"

Toph squirmed out of Katara's tight grasp and punched her on the arm, "Glad to see you, Fire Lady Katara!" she smirked

"Oh, alright, Toph. Don't you have a title too? I mean, 'Lady Avatar', or something like that? Wife of the Avatar, that's pretty special!"

Toph blushed, something that was rarely seen.

"Being wife of Aang is even more special."

"Toph! That's the sweetest, most thoughtful thing I think I've ever heard you say!"

"Well, I've grown up, sweetness! Anyway, if you ever tell anyone I said that, you're good as smashed!"

Katara laughed, "Oh, ok. Listen, I'm really, really sorry we couldn't make your wedding. Zuko… oh Toph, Zuko found his mother!"

"Really? That's incredible! Why didn't you send a message to us?"

"We don't want the news getting out until she can face the public," Toph's eyes grew stormy and Katara threw up her hands, "I know, I know, you're a great secret keeper, but people read our messages Toph! I had to tell you in person. She's pretty much worse for the wear and we want her to regain every ounce of strength before we throw her to the wolves. She's a resilient woman though; I think she'll be ok pretty soon."

"That's really great. I'm so happy for him!"

"Thanks! So where's Aang?" Katara peered past Toph into the dim hallway, though she knew he wasn't there.

"He's with Zuko, in the throne room. They sent me to get you. Come on, I have a surprise for the two of you!" Toph grabbed Katara's hand and started to pull her out of the door, but she wiggled out and faced Hitomi.

"Am I complete?"

Hitomi scanned her, and then nodded.

"Fantatious as always," She grinned

"Thanks Hitomi, you're the best a girl could get!"

"Indeed, m'lady!"

Katara nodded goodbye to the servant and let herself be dragged out by Toph.

"So, are you certain of her confidentiality?" Toph inclined her head back to Hitomi

Katara nodded emphatically, and then realized that Toph couldn't see her.

"Yes, very much so. Hitomi has become a great friend, though I'm afraid I don't treat her as one sometimes!"

Toph shrugged, "Cool!"

The girls raced through the halls and by the end Katara was feeling nauseous again.

"Just let me… catch my breath… before we go… in." She sat on a bench by the throne room door

"Man, have you just been lying around? You're really out of shape if that made you out of breath!" Toph kept a smirk on her face

"No, I've been bending, I practice every day! I don't know why I'm so out of breath! I'm ok now though." Katara stood up and the guards opened the large throne room doors for her and Toph.

"Thank you," she shot over her shoulder at the guards.

"Of course, My Lady," they promptly replied.

Her day was made infinitely better by the sight of Zuko's face.

"Katara!" He smiled blissfully and she smiled back, but kept her formal pace. When she finally reached the throne, he helped her to her chair and gave her a kiss, "I missed you"

"I missed you too," she replied

"You guys are disgusting," Toph rolled her eyes and Aang made barfing noises. This prompted a high five, which prompted a kiss.

"Oh yeah, we're disgusting!" Zuko raised his eyebrows and Katara stifled a giggle

"So Toph, about that surprise?"

"Oh yeah!" She stopped kissing Aang, "Guards, go ahead! Oh man, you guys are gonna flip!"

Katara wasn't sure about that, but the opening doors helped assuage her doubts. Whatever it was, it was something big.

"Ok, now you guys have to close your eyes!"

They complied. Katara heard nothing; no squeaky wheels from a cart, and no grunts of men who were carrying something heavy. After a few seconds she could hear footsteps, and then she heard a sneeze that was almost more familiar than the sound of her name.

Her eyes flew open the same time she squealed, "Sokka!"

She leapt off of the throne and into his arms and he chuckled.

"Hey sis! I missed you too!"

Greetings and embraces were exchanged and after a few minutes (and much loud talking) they settled into a familiar circle. Servants brought in enough breakfast for everyone, practically a grand feast.

"This is great, but your cooking is better!" Suki smiled sweetly at Katara

"Aw, thanks Suki! Although, I am so happy I don't have to cook for all of you anymore! Especially you!" She elbowed her brother who was sitting next to her and he shrugged,

"Hey, a boy has to eat! I needed to feed my ever-growing muscles!" He grinned

"Oh, please!" She rolled her eyes with exasperation

"Ah, family, together again!" Zuko laughed and slipped his arm lovingly around Katara.

"Speaking of that, I have another surprise for you guys!" Toph let a wicked grin overtake her face.

"What is it? I don't think you can top Sokka and Suki!" Katara smiled at the couple

"Oh, this will come pretty close!"

"Well?" Zuko made a hand motion for her to go on.

"Katara has two heartbeats!"

The Fire Royalty exchanged duplicate puzzled glances

"Excuse me?" Katara frowned

Toph smiled.

"You're pregnant, sweetness!"

(A/N) – I figure since this is a one-shot/drabble I can put my author's note here!

WOW I love love love this. SO much!

HA ok, so I got the idea for this when I was brushing my teeth the other night. I was just standing there calmly brushing my teeth, but I was bored so I was inventing conversations in my head. (This is something I do rather often. Should I be worried about my sanity? Naw, I quit worrying about that ages ago!) :D

SO ANYWAY I was dreaming up this conversation between Toph and some random weird lame servant butler guy, where she was saying how nicknames are her 'thang' and he had a French accent, and then she's all like 'what, French isn't even a language in avataria!'

WELL THEN I was thinking 'Hey, this would make an interesting one-shot!' so I sat down today and started writing, and it turned into this baby! Which happens to not be about Toph completely, but indirectly. Honestly, she is the only character I feel I can write and she's not completely OOC. I feel like I at least get close with her! I dunno why, I just do!

hope you liked it!