Chapter VIII of Trying Circumstances. Whew... I'm sorry about the wait. I have semester exams next week. ;;; Ugh...

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my words

(Trying Circumstances)

Chapter X (Discussions)

Aang's eyes opened to blackness. He blinked, and took in the scenery beyond Toph's black bun. He had a moment to realize that he was on a rock bed in a rock tent before Toph lifted her head from his chest and stood up.

Why was her head on my chest?

He pushed himself up on his elbows and realized that he was soaked through with sweat. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse.

"Toph, what ha- "

He was cut short as he tried to get out of his bed, but the minute his feet touched the ground, his knees bucked under his, admittedly slight, weight and he fell forward. Aang yelped in surprise as he crashed into Toph's legs and they tumbled into a pile in the dirt.

"Ow! Twinkletoes, you idiot!"

"Sorry! I'm sorry Toph, I didn't mean- "

"Shut up. Now for the second time, get off me."

Aang cringed, and then tried to disentangle his arms and legs from Toph's own. Toph muttered under her breath as they finally rose to their feet. Aang looked around expectantly. His orange robes were soaked through, as were his blankets. He had apparently been very sick.

But if I was sick… then where is Katar-

Aang was lifted off his feet as his thoughts were interrupted. Toph had seized his shirt and hauled him into the air. She was standing on a short stone pillar to compensate for their height differences, but her short, strong arms were holding up all of Aang's weight.

"Stop it!" Toph shook him to emphasize her point.

What the? Why… Toph? Are those… tears?

"Stop it, Twinkletoes, just… stop. Your heart cannot take that kind of strain again. You and your chakras. I heard it stop. Do you not understand? It stopped. You were going to die."

Aang stared at her in wide-eyed surprise. Her chest was heaving and a single tear had run down her cheek. Her face was contorted with anger, and maybe a little fear. Holding him, she was unable to wipe away the unshed moisture from her eyes.

Toph…

Aang was split between the desire to comfort Toph, who was, uncharacteristically, upset, and the need to know what was going on. He felt something in him shift, and the first impulse won out.

"Toph, why don't you put me down on the ground, we can make some tea, and you can catch me up on what's going on."

His response was good, because she dropped him and quickly wiped her eyes as the dust from her shortened pillar shielded her momentarily. Aang knew better than to try and discuss them with her, she might bury him alive again.

Last night… Toph, and-

"Hey! No bad thoughts! Come on Twinkletoes, I can read your heartbeat like an earthquake. Now get over here and help me make tea."

They made their way over to the fire and Aang had started to help her when he took a closer look at the teapot.

"Hey… that's not ours. Whose teapot- "

"Its Iroh's. He's joined us. Then they all left."

"… huh?"

Toph sighed, massaged her temples briefly, and started over.

"All right, Twinkletoes. I'll start from when you fell asleep, in my lap by the way. Not to happen again."

"Yes, Sifu To- "

"Don't interrupt. Anyway, you fell asleep; I kept Prince HotHead from having to kill Snoozles when Sokka was going to kill His Highness. Whatever. Then I brought you back to camp, stuffed you in your bedroll, and went to sleep."

"Why was Sokka going to kill Zuko and how did you prevent Zuko from killing him?"

"I kept Sokka from discovering… umm… his need to kill our favorite Prince. Don't interrupt. I woke up first this morning, and Iroh was here. Katara got up. Hey! No bad thoughts! She got Snoozles up, and I went to get you up… you heart… it was… messed up."

Toph averted her face from his gaze, and Aang frowned. Toph always faced everything head on. He waited a moment, and was about to say something when she continued.

"I called Iroh over; he examined you, and then brought us over to the fire for a lesson on chakras. He said that your Air Chakra, located in the heart, was blocked by grief. It can only be opened by love, yada yada. Then he told us how he knew where they imprisoned the invasion force, and the Kyoshi Warriors. They had to leave immediately in order to make this window of opportunity, and couldn't afford wait for you to wake up. So I was left behind to guard Sleeping Beauty, which would be you by the way, while they went off to save your friends."

Toph blew her bangs out of her face for a moment and gave a slight sigh.

Toph always likes to be in the thickest part of combat, I know that she wanted to go with everyone else. I guess that's why Kata-

His thoughts were interrupted when Toph shoved him to the ground one-armed.

"No bad thoughts. Anyway, then I got a wet rag to put on your forehead, you know, to help with that fever you were running. I was straightening your bedroll when your heart started doing all kinds of crazy stuff. You started mumbling and shifting in your sleep too."

Aang's thoughts traveled back to his dream, but didn't go too far before Toph flicked him on his temple.

"Ow!"

"No grief, no heart stopping while I'm with you for the next two days."

Aang's eyes widened. "Two days!"

Toph smiled with false cheer. "Yep! They won't be back until the noon the day after tomorrow... if they're successful"

Aang buried his head in his hands and moaned.

A/N: How'd ya like it? I didn't mean for this chapter to be so long, it was only supposed to be the first half/third of another chapter, but I liked writing Aang's reactions to what happened so far. Toph sure liked interrupting Aang this chapter, didn't she? She even interrupted his thoughts on several occasions. Next chapter is Taangy. Reviews make the world go round. D

Review, or I'll send Pirate!Appa and Pirate!Momo after you in your dreams! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!