Hello everyone this is DC-Ram! I just wanted to thank everyone for their support for Unexpected Souvenirs. I also wanted to apologize for getting in this chapter so late I wanted to get this chapter in at the first of this month but there were delays. I hope you enjoy =)

Chapter Two

Katara was in the kitchen singing to herself as she was cooking breakfast for herself and her family. She looked up from the radish she was cutting when she began to hear raised voices. She recognized who it was and with a long sigh began counting backwards from five. When she hit zero Sokka swept into the room with a very green Toph in his arms. As though a fire had been lit under her shoes Katara began clearing away the pots and pans that were haphazardly scattered around the counter.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Your brother kidnapped me." Toph groaned. Katara glared pointedly at Sokka who rolled his eyes and shook his head as he set her down on the kitchen counter. He captured her face in his hands his cold touch soothed Toph's flushed cheeks making her let out a small sigh of relief.

"You've been vomiting all night I'm concerned that something is wrong. Remember it's not just you anymore." Sokka chided. Katara had to cover her mouth to stop herself from laughing at Toph's exasperated expression.

"I keep telling you its morning sickness. What do you want from me?" Toph snapped.

"I want you to stop vomiting." Sokka exclaimed. There was an outraged moment of silence as both women looked at him with expressions of outrage. He attempted to take back his words but all that came out was an incomprehensible jumble of sounds.

"If I could control it I'd do it on you right now." Toph snapped. Before Sokka could open his mouth to retort Katara placed her hand over his mouth.

"Alright you two break it up. Sokka step away and I will settle this once and for all." Katara said neutrally. Once her brother did as she asked Katara placed her hand on Toph's forehead held it there for a few seconds before placing it on her stomach.

"Yup you're pregnant." Katara confirmed.

"Oh really? I hadn't noticed." Toph said sarcastically.

"Toph has been sick all night, I don't understand how can it be morning sickness? Aren't you supposed to get sick in the morning hence the name?" Sokka asked. Toph tossed up her hands in defeat before she hopped off the kitchen counter to take a seat in a wooden stool next to him.

"Ugh men are you all so frustrating or is it just the ones I know? Morning sickness is just what some liar called it. Unfortunately you can get sick at any time at any place on any day or night." Katara explained. Sokka and Toph both groaned at the thought making Katara erupt into a fit of giggles.

"Yes just go ahead and laugh at my struggles. I'm going home I still have a guest room to clear out and turn into a nursery." Toph said sarcastically. The water bender smiled at her friend sympathetically.

"At least stay for breakfast then I can go over and help you." Katara offered. Toph smiled at her friend and shook her head.

"Thanks but no thanks Aang would kill me if he knew I was forcing you to do hard labor when you're so close to giving birth. Besides there are only a few dusty boxes and some old furniture that need to be sorted out or thrown away. Once I'm finished with that I'm just going to clear out all the dust and repaint the walls the paint in there is beginning to chip. I don't think I need to get furniture for the baby's room until I'm further along right?" Toph asked.

"Sounds about right although personally I'd hold off on painting the walls until you know the gender of the baby." Katara said logically.

"I thought about holding off too but here's the thing my lease says specifically that I can't repaint the walls unless it's the same color the walls were to begin with." Toph explained. Katara huffed before turning back to fixing breakfast.

"Well I guess it can't be helped. What about you Sokka are you staying for breakfast or are you just going to grab a change of clothes?" Katara asked. Sokka looked up at his sister sheepishly, he had practically been living at Toph's apartment ever since he got to Republic City.

"I'm just going to go change then I'm heading back with Toph." Sokka confirmed. Katara put her hands on her hips and shook her head.

"Sokka why don't you just take the rest of your stuff and go officially go live with Toph. I'm not mad nor am I trying to kick you out but let's face it you hate the vegetarian lifestyle, its closer to your office…" Toph cut her off.

"Wait a second don't I get a say in this!" She said. The siblings turned toward the earth bender who looked completely flustered at the suggestion.

"In a few months there is going to be a baby in my apartment this isn't a permeate solution. Where in spirits name are you going to sleep I only have one spare bedroom that is currently spoken for." Toph argued. Katara nodded reluctantly in agreement Toph had a point but Katara was getting tired of watching her brother scurry back and forth between houses like a thief.

"Alright, alright why not have a trial period? I'll live at Toph's apartment for one month and if things aren't working out than I'll start looking for my own place. Sound fair?" Sokka asked. Toph nodded reluctantly and Sokka stood up.

"Alright I'm going to go get my stuff this time try not to ditch me." He said. Toph smirked and waved him away. Katara watched how the two interacted with one another with great suspicion.

"Are you ok with this?" Katara asked. Toph shrugged and rolled her shoulders in an attempt to rid herself of the stiff feeling at the base of her spine.

"I'll make it work somehow. Don't tell your brother but I like it when he's around just getting letters from him isn't enough." Toph said fondly. Katara sighed sadly and went around to embrace her friend.

"I still think you need to talk to him about your feelings." She chided. Katara had her suspicions that Toph harbored secret feelings for Sokka but she thought she was overthinking it so Katara never brought up the topic with either of them. The day that Aang, Katara, Zuko and Toph left the South Pole Katara's suspicions were magnified by the way Sokka and Toph embraced. They clung to each other as though something horrible would happen if they let go. When they finally released Toph threw her arms around Sokka one last time. He indulged her but the final hug was much shorter than the first. After that Toph was silent as they flew home her face betrayed nothing but boredom so Katara waited for them to make camp before she ambushed Toph.

"I knew I should never have told you about all this. Sokka's coming so let's change the subject." Toph sighed dejectedly. Katara nodded reluctantly before she returned to the small stove to salvage the remains of a burnt breakfast. A few seconds later the two women heard Sokka step into the kitchen.

"Toph, Aang told me to tell you that Commander Flynn is phoning for you. Apparently it's urgent." Sokka said. Toph lifted her face up in surprise. She hopped off the stool and ran towards Aang's study where Katara insisted he keep the phone. Sokka was staring off after her that he didn't see Katara slam a wooden spoon across the back of his head. The blow landed with a loud 'WHACK' making him yelp and clutch the back of his head in agony.

"What did you do that for?" He demanded.

"You're all a bunch of morons!" She declared. Sokka stared at her his mouth open flabbergasted. He backtracked trying to think of what he had done to merit such a painful blow however when nothing came to mind Sokka passed it off as pregnancy hormones and let it go.

When Toph rushed into Aang's office he got up from his chair and waited for her to sit down before he handed over the large ear piece over to her. Toph took it with a nod of thanks ignoring her former student as he sat on the desk.

"This is Chief Beifong." Toph said. She heard arguing on the other side of the line with a reluctant sigh Toph drummed her fingers on the desk waiting for someone to answer her.

"Chief I'm sorry to bug you on your day off but we have a big problem." Commander Flynn exclaimed. Toph pulled the ear piece away from her sensitive ear surprised at how loud her commander was being.

"Flynn just calm down and tell me what's wrong." Toph ordered.

"We just received death letters for the Avatar, Master Katara, their children, Firelord Zuko, Councilman Sokka and you Chief Beifong." He said. Toph felt as though someone had punched her in the stomach. She took a shaky breath before schooling her features into indifference.

"Is it hunting season already? Alright you know the drill I want protection details for each of the active members on the council. Also I want a safe house set up for with round the clock guards especially on the children and Master Katara who will go into labor any day now. Also contact the Fire Nation and warn them that Princess Izumi might be in danger. Let me guess these letters are coming from Azula Sympathizers correct?" Toph asked. She could feel Aang stiffen up next to her his erratic heartbeat was distracting her so she motioned for him to wait for out in the hallway.

"I believe so, each letter signed down with the usurpers. Which matches the previous death threats we've received before." Flynn muttered. Toph let out a frustrated sigh.

"I keep telling these stupid council members that this issue will never be resolved until I'm allowed to go outside my jurisdiction to hunt these guys down. Anyway let's not assume anything someone else could be orchestrating this and blaming it on Azula Sympathizers. Track down any lead you can find. Once everyone is secure I'll come down to the station and lead the hunt for the culprits." Toph murmured. She heard him shuffle some papers around on his desk before he answered her.

"Chief are you sure you want to take on this investigation given your condition?" Flynn asked bluntly. She raised an eyebrow leaned back and crossed her arms.

"Commander Flynn until I go into labor I am still the Chief of Police. Right now my friends are in danger so let's focus on our jobs and not on my condition." Toph snapped.

"Yes Chief. I'll see you in a bit just be careful." He said. She chuckled as he abruptly hung up the phone. Toph blew her bangs away from her nose before she stood up from Aang's desk. Aang stepped back into his office and shut the door behind him.

"More death threats, what's the plan?" Aang asked. While he knew the truth Toph still didn't want to tell her friend.

"Yes. Flynn is setting up a safe house for you and your family. Get them ready I'll keep guard until my officers show up." She ordered. Aang watched the face of his former teacher's expression. While to the casual observer the only expression on her face was boredom but Aang knew her well enough to see from the occasional twitch of the corner of her mouth, she was running over ideas in her head.

"I can…" Aang was cut off by the door to his office flying open. Sokka came in with a giggling Bumi and Kya balanced under each arm. Aang smiled and knelt down so that his children could run into his arms.

"Hey you two Katara says that if the situation isn't life threatening to come and have breakfast." Sokka said. Toph turned her head towards Aang and crossed her arms in a silent order for him to talk to his wife and kids about the temporary move. Aang let out a reluctant sigh before turning to his kids.

"Come on you two we need to have a family meeting." Aang said. Bumi and Kya groaned their displeasure before marching out of the office leaving Sokka and Toph alone.

"What's going on?" Sokka asked. Toph explained what she knew quickly. She could feel Katara's heartbeat speed up anxiously making the young earth bender feel like a jerk for asking the family to move. Sokka could read all of this on her face and went up to hug her. Before he could get his arms around her Toph put a hand on his chest.

"Don't." She ordered.

"Why?" He whispered. Toph put her head down so that he wouldn't see her face. However she didn't try to remove her hand from his chest Toph told herself that this was because she could sense his vibrations much easier this way.

"Because I'll start to depend on you and…" She stopped herself from saying anymore. Sokka's face softened and he gently placed his hand over hers. She attempted to take her hand back but Sokka was having none of that he tightened his grip on her hand making her cheeks turn bright pink.

"And?" he prompted. Katara's nagging words rang in Toph's head she almost told Sokka everything right then and there. Before she could Toph remembered the situation they were in and kicked those fanciful thoughts away.

"And now is not the time for all of this sentimental nonsense I have a job to do." Toph snapped. She pulled her hand away with a jerk. She couldn't get out of Aang's office fast enough. Thankfully before Sokka could chase after her there was a knock on the door. Toph practically threw open the door only to face Flynn, Zuko and about ten of her best officers.

"Hey Chief is everyone ready?" Flynn asked. Toph shook her head and motioned for them to come in. Her officers got to work quickly securing any area that could be entered. Flynn, Zuko and Toph however moved into the kitchen where Aang, Katara and Sokka were conversing.

"Maybe I should take the kids to the South Pole until this is cleared up. Dad has been nagging at me to let Bumi and Kya visit more often." Katara suggested. Toph tilted her head to the side and scratched the back of her neck as she thought out that suggestion.

"That would be the most logical option but it's also the most predictable. The second you or your children aren't seen in public and Appa is seen flying south our assassins will put two and two together. Also because of those jurisdiction laws the council put on the police force I can't protect you in the South Pole. Even if I could the police force would be stretched out to thinly." Toph said methodically. The room was silent as the adults thought about a solution to keep the kids safe. It was Zuko who broke the eerie silence by clearing his throat.

"I know I shouldn't suggest this but what about if we take the kids to Kyoshi Island its home to some of the finest guardswomen in the world. I have no doubts they'd be safe there and it would give Toph a little extra manpower to conduct this investigation properly." Zuko suggested. Immediately all eyes were on Sokka. He bit down on his lip to keep himself from saying no as he thought about the safety of his family. Before he could answer Toph let out a frustrated huff.

"There is absolutely no need to call in other bodyguards or send anyone anywhere. I am confident my mental benders and I can keep this situation under control. To be completely honest I'm a little offended that we're even discussing this." Toph snapped. Katara was about to tell Toph that this discussion was in no ways a reflection on her competence as Chief of Police but Zuko spoke first.

"I am in no way questioning your ability to keep us safe however as you pointed out there are children involved…" Before Zuko could finish Sokka intervened.

"That's enough you two! This is getting us nowhere!" He snapped. The Firelord and the Chief of police shot each other one last glare before turning to face the others. Sokka shook his head angrily at the pair for their juvenile behavior.

"Sokka is right we don't even know how bad the situation is yet. Unless the situation escalates to the point where she can't handle it alone I don't think we need to involve anyone else." Aang said. While his tone was completely neutral it was clear that was to be the end of the discussion.

Toph had spent the next three days hunting the senders of the death threats down. While she managed to uncover several undercover Azula Sympathizer organizations. When each were interrogated no one admitted to sending those letters or having any knowledge of threats against any of her friends. Using her abilities Toph could see, despite her frustrations, all were telling the truth. She stayed up long hours with Commander Flynn hunting down any whisper of a lead. She didn't dare attempt to visit the safe house where her friends were staying, Toph told herself and anyone who asked it was because she didn't want to compromise their position but in actual fact she didn't want to face Sokka after that incident in Aang's office.

Finally when he couldn't ignore the dark circles under her eyes anymore Commander Flynn sent his boss to the couch in her office to nod off for a few minutes. However as Toph passed the breakroom the smell of sea food hit her nose causing her to bolt for the nearest bathroom.

"Here Chief this will settle your stomach a little bit. Its ginger root tea, my ex-wife drank this stuff by the bucket load when she was pregnant with my son." Commander Flynn said. Toph recalled Katara drinking the same thing whenever she had morning sickness so she assumed it was safe to drink. She took the mug with a nod of thanks and lifted it up to her lips. Toph paused to inhale the aroma before taking a curious sip.

"Ahh this is really good. I didn't know you were married." Toph muttered. She got up from the couch only to have a pair of hands stop her halfway.

"Give yourself a bit of a break Chief. Not sleeping for three nights in a row is probably bad for the child. My ex-wife and I divorced long before you ever came to work for the police department. Changing the subject though do you mind if I ask you a very personal question?" Flynn muttered. Toph groaned and put and arm over her eyes.

"If you feel you must." She sighed reluctantly.

"Do you honestly think this is the best way to capture the culprits? I mean the streets of Republic City have never been this crime free in a long time but don't you think we're driving our assassins to wait until we're so worn out it will be child's play to kill our targets." Flynn asked bluntly. The young earth bender snorted as she adjusted the pillow underneath her.

"You have no boundaries do you Commander?" Toph retorted sarcastically.

"Absolutely none." He replied. Flynn barely had time to dodge the pillow that came flying for his face. Thinking she wasn't going to answer his question Flynn scrambled to find another topic of conversation but when Toph suddenly sat up he held his tongue.

"That's it!" Toph muttered. Before Flynn could think of ask Toph punched him in the shoulder. He grunted in pain and rubbed his shoulder glaring at his boss who closed and locked the door to her office. The pair conversed in hushed whispers for an hour and a half before Toph exited her offices.

"Alright back to the underground. Do you want to come with me or would you rather go relieve Captain Takahashi?" Toph prompted. Flynn mulled that thought over in his head as he absently continued to rub his shoulder.

"I'll go relieve Takahashi. The poor guy isn't used to being around kids. Is there anything you want me to do before I go?" Flynn prompted. Toph bent off her armor revealing just the tiniest hint of a baby bump before she shrugged on the black jacket. Shouldn't she be showing more at nine and a half weeks, he thought with concern.

"Nah if anything happens I'm going to be expanding my search to down town. If I don't find anything than I'll head east." Toph said. She chugged the rest of the tea Flynn had made for her before she walked out of her office.

"Chief for heaven's sake take someone with you!" Flynn called. Toph spun on her heel and flashed him her biggest smile.

"I'm going undercover and none of you stiffs can pull off the innocent bystander act." She said. Flynn rolled his eyes and crossed his arms as he watched her leave.

Flynn whistled a merry little tune as he walked up the steps to his house ignoring the snickers he got from the officers lounging on his front porch. Due to the fact that large groups of officers could always be seen entering and leaving his house on a normal day it made Flynn's house the ideal safe house. Flynn barely opened the door before running into Takahashi.

"You look horrible." Flynn pointed out bluntly. The lower ranking officer rubbed his eyes before shaking his head.

"Beware the female minor. She appears to be all sweet and innocent but she's tricky." Takahashi warned under his breath. Flynn looked at the Captains serious expression and burst out laughing.

"For heaven's sake pull yourself together they're two kids for spirits sake. Anyway the Chief sent me over to relieve you." Flynn said. He didn't need to explain any further the second Flynn said the word relieve Takahashi was out the door.

"Oh Commander Flynn welcome home." Katara said kindly. Flynn smiled at the water bender as he took off his hat and coat.

"Thank you, I hope you all have settled in ok?" Flynn said. The master water bender beamed at the older man for all his hospitality.

"Oh yes you have a lovely home. Bumi and Kya are going crazy over all the toys in their rooms. Captain Takahashi has been running back and forth after the two of them all day. You didn't have to set those out for the kids." Katara said.

"Those toys were getting lonely anyway. My children have outgrown all their toys but I don't have the heart to throw them out." Flynn laughed. She motioned for the weary Commander to come into the kitchen where the heavenly smell of dinner awaited him.

"I hope we didn't ruin things for your wife and children?" Katara asked. She put a plate in front of him Flynn nodded at her in gratitude before digging in.

"Trust me you're not ruining anything for anyone. Other than myself no one else lives in this old shed." Flynn said lightly. The young water bender was about to offer her sympathies to the older commander when she heard an ear slitting crash and the loud angry voices of her children. Katara let out a loud weary sigh and began to run toward the sound while Flynn sent out a discreet vibration. Sensing there was no danger he turned back to his dinner.

When he finished Flynn began washing the dishes that were piled haphazardly in the sink. The sounds of plates being stacked neatly in the sink drew Sokka's attention. He wandered into the kitchen to see the Commander whistling as he worked.

"Alright Flynn what's going on we haven't seen or heard from Toph in three days." He demanded. Flynn let out a loud sigh and he stacked the last plate in the right side of the sink.

"I'm the wrong person to be..." Sokka cut him off.

"Don't give me that you spend the most time with her." He pointed out. Not wanting to be the go between with the oblivious couple Flynn decided it would be best to be as vague as possible. He picked up a dish rag and began drying the plates just so he would have something to do with his hands.

"She doesn't want to compromise your position. She knows better than anyone a single misstep and all the effort we've been putting forth to keep everyone safe goes down the drain." He said neutrally. Sokka groaned in frustration.

"Can't I go down to the station and help? I often helped Toph with her investigations before I left for the South Pole." Sokka pointed out. Flynn sighed and put down the dish rag.

"I'm aware. However Chief Beifong has a lot on her shoulders right now the biggest way you can help her is to just stay put. For all her rough and tough exterior Toph loves all of you with her entire heart." Flynn said reassuringly. The Councilman sighed in defeat and nodded reluctantly he acknowledged the Commanders advice.

"You know if you ever get tired of being a police officer you'd make a great Councilman." Sokka pointed out. Flynn snorted before he could retort the phone in his kitchen started to shriek obnoxiously. The Commander started to dry his soggy hands to go and answer it but Sokka beat him to the phone. With a huff of disapproval Flynn turned his back on Sokka and began to put away the plates he had finished cleaning. He paid no attention to the conversation the Councilman was having so Flynn didn't notice when he hung up.

"This is all your fault!" Sokka roared. The Commander nearly dropped the plate he was holding as he spun around toward the younger man. His bellow attracted his sister, brother in law and friend to Sokka's side like a moths to a flame.

"Just sit tight what a load of crap! She is gone because of you!" Sokka roared. Everyone in the room froze at that last statement. Katara felt tears well up in her eyes she shook her head in denial.

"She isn't…" Sokka cut his sister off.

"No she isn't dead the Captain that took the call demanded they give proof of life. Those bastards are keeping her alive but in exchange we have to release Azula from the mental institution." Sokka explained quickly. There was a unified sigh of relief from everyone.

"I'd better get down to the station than…" Sokka interrupted Flynn with an angry snarl. Katara tried to stop her brother from being so harsh but Aang silently stopped her with a shake of his head.

"Oh no you don't. I'm leading this investigation." He declared.

Toph let out a groggy moan and rubbed the back of her skull. She double checked that everything was functioning properly before she shakily stood up. Her senses were completely cut off due to the fact that she was in a wooden box. She took a deep breath and listened in an attempt to discern at least part of her surroundings.

The sound of fast rushing water could be heard bellow her. She assumed it was some sort of river, however she also heard drops of water hitting stone. An underground cave of some sort Toph assumed. She reached around her and felt the box was made out of wood which didn't particularly surprise her.

The young earth bender let out a small sneeze and instinctively covered her bare arms. Toph vaguely remembered her captors stripping her and checking her over for anything that could be used against them. They had torn everything off her with the exception of her breast bindings and underwear.

"The bastards even took my headband and pins." Toph muttered. She ran her hands through her stinging scalp as she recalled how violently they hand torn through her hair. She slammed her foot down on the ground double checking that the cause of her baby bump was still safe and sound. When she felt a tiny heartbeat Toph let out a sigh of relief.

"We're sympathizers with Azula not monsters. It wouldn't be honorable to harm a pregnant woman." A deep masculine voice called out. From the echo Toph couldn't exactly pinpoint where the owner of the voice was coming from she could only assume it was somewhere down below her.

"You must not have known Azula then. She could have killed ten thousand pregnant women if it meant getting her way." Toph snorted.

"That's a lie spun by you and your friends to besmirch her name so that he incapable brother could take the throne!" The man snapped. She sighed and sat down on the wooden floor as she let out another sneeze. She heard a reluctant sigh and the moving of earth before she felt someone toss a blanket at her.

"Why in spirits name are you keeping me alive. Your letters said you were going to kill all the usurpers." Toph asked. She wrapped the scratchy blanket around her shoulders. While it wasn't much but it kept the chills at bay.

"Our leader realized that if we had a hostage we'd be able to negotiate for our rightful Firelord's release." He said. Toph burst out laughing and shook her head.

"It won't work. All you managed to do was piss off four of the greatest people I know."