Crossroads

AN: I didn't seek my beta-readers help for this chapter. It was long overdue. If it has mistakes, then, oh well! I do not care that much about it. Take care, use coats, mittens, earmuffs, scarfs and everything to stay warm. I'm sick with bronchitis and pneumonia, so I'm miserable. I still managed to find time to write. Let me know how you feel about it... be nice, though. Well, review, read, enjoy, criticize and have a healthier week than I am having.

Breakfast was starting to get tedious and filled with an awkward atmosphere that loomed over the dining table as they ate. Everyone around the table was quiet, except for the occasional 'hand me the salt', 'this food is tasty' comments and of course, Sokka's obnoxious chewing. His deficiency in eating propriety and etiquette and Suki's constant silent encouragement was really irritating the Fire Lord and his beloved guest; his son. He tried hard to concentrate on something else, but he couldn't. Sokka's lips smacked with gusto as he shoved more food in to his mouth, without giving him the time to enjoy the exquisite cuisine fit for a king.

Idiot, Zuko thought.

His plate was half-full and he wasn't really that hungry. He glanced over at his friends, his gaze stopping on Toph. He inhaled, but forgot to exhale. Her beauty was practically breath-taking. Toph was too beautiful to actually find the correct words to describe her. The moon would pale in comparison. He continued eyeing her, she looked tired. It probably had something to do with her lack of sleep. The entire night, he could feel his Toph's restlessness. She tossed and turned and occasionally touched his hand to make sure that he was near her.

My Toph looks tired. Wait; did I just call her my Toph? he thought surprised. He rather liked the sound of it.

He shook his head and reached for the fork, but got distracted by Sokka laughing at something funny that happened on the table next to them. The food from his mouth flew on all directions. Zuko gingerly ran a hand through the spasmodic muscle over his temple and tried to massage the frustration away. It was futile. He was seething.

Maybe if I run my hand through my hair, he paused, I might calm down. Why is this idiot ruining my morning? I shouldn't invite him. It should've been my son and my Toph. Ugh! There I go again calling her my Toph. He ran his hand through his hair and grimaced at the young warrior.

Rae, the young prince, scowled and shook his head disapprovingly at Sokka too. Even the child could tell the difference between good eating etiquette and lack of table manners. Toph had raised him properly. His Toph was the best.

There I go again, he thought uncomfortably. I don't like Toph like that. We are just friends… who happen to have a child together… I have to stop thinking about her… she doesn't like me like that.

His gaze was drawn to her lips and how the Fire Lord urged to touch them and kiss them.

Katara silently observed Zuko glancing at Toph. His face showed different expressions; he was probably having a mental struggle with himself and Toph was probably the cause of it. She laughed loudly, catching everyone's attention. She hid her laughter behind exaggerated, fake coughs.

"Here, drink this, Katara," Haru offered his glass of lemon-melon juice and she politely shook her head and continued smiling inwardly, as she carefully observed the interaction between Zuko and Toph. She could tell that the earthbender was aware of the Fire Lord staring at her. Toph was blushing; whatever was running through Zuko's mind, Toph was also thinking it too.

"Are you all right, Katara?" Rae asked worriedly, touching her wrist with his tiny hand and glanced at her with those ochre eyes. She nodded her head and gently tapped the tip of his nose with her slender finger.

"I'm fine, my prince," she said softly, causing the child to smile proudly."Thank you for caring."

"Okay," Rae beamed and continued eating his food, his eyes constantly drifting to the beautiful waterbender in a wistful expression.

She continued smiling, tilting her head ever so slightly, as she observed the Fire Lord with a dreamy expression on his face.

I wonder what you're thinking about, she thought curiously, Rae? Toph? Yes, definitely Toph!

She couldn't tell what the future would bring Toph and Zuko, but she surely wished them all the happiness in the world. They deserved each other. There just had to be a happy ending to their story. Katara knew how miserable Toph had been growing up with her family; she knew enough about Toph to understand why Toph acted the way she did. She only wanted her friend to be happy. She desperately wanted her friends to find happiness. Zuko and Toph had both experienced hardships and adversity growing up. Their family lives had been utter misery. It was time that they enjoy a content life; filled with joy, laughter, and peace.

Yeah, they do need a happy life, she thought solemnly.

She glanced at Rae staring attentively at her, a shy smile spread on his lips, as he continued to eat, his eyes never leaving her. Yes, Toph had definitely raised a perfect little prince. Rae would surely make an excellent addition to the Fire Nation. The young prince was being raised with excellent qualities; he was kind, compassionate, enthusiastic, thoughtful, well behaved and oh so caring towards everyone. She had to admit, the child had many strong characteristics that would enable him in the future to become an empathetic ruler.

"Would you like more juice, Rae?" Katara asked kindly, when she saw that Sokka was eyeing the almost-empty pitcher that the server had placed in the middle of their table.

"No," he answered, shaking his head, "thank you," he said, curling his knees beneath him to boost himself to reach his fruit bowl better. "Momma, Sokka might drink all the juice, do you want some?" He asked, turning to face his mother's direction and glanced apprehensively at her.

"No, son, I'm fine," she muttered.

"Are you sure, Toph?" Zuko asked. He noticed that his child's mother hadn't touched her food. She barely ate and to be quite honest, she looked like she was troubled. She continued stabbing her dessert with the knife; her head hung low.

"No, thank you," Toph said blasé, tilting her head towards the sound of his voice.

"Is the food not to your liking?" Zuko asked concerned. "I can ask the chef to prepare you something else, Toph."

"The food is delicious," Toph lied.

"Liar," Zuko said indignantly. "You barely ate."

"I did eat." Toph sighed. "I'm just not that hungry…" she trailed off and placed the knife and fork beside the fruit bowl and casually reached for a napkin and dabbed her mouth clean. "I'm a little tired. I didn't get much sleep last night. Would it be all right if I go back to my room?"

"Um, I can walk you there," Zuko said.

"No, I can walk myself there. Can you keep an eye on Rae for a few hours…?" She asked politely.

"You don't want me to go with you, Momma?" Rae asked with concern.

"No, you can stay with Zuko," Toph said. "I just need to go to the inn room and change out of these clothes, take a power nap and then, I'll come back to get you…" she said, touching her dress. "Rae, be a good boy and pay attention to the Fire Lord. He knows what's best for you."

"Okay, Mom… I will," Rae said, his eyes darting back and forth from the Fire Lord and resting inquisitively on his mother. "Will you be all right without me? I can massage your hair."

"Of course, I'll be fine. I'm just a bit sleepy," she grinned, scooting the chair back and stood up. "I haven't been feeling too well… since we departed Song village." She faked a cough and sighed dramatically. She didn't want to be rude and tell her friends that she just wanted to be left alone. The last few nights had been too stressful for her. And the night before, hell, she could barely close her eyes. Having the Fire Lord beside her was pure punishment to her heart. There were times that she just wanted to hold him, kiss him, and confess how she felt about him.

"I can go with you," Zuko offered and quickly got to his feet. "I can walk you to the inn, Toph."

Ugh, idiot, Toph thought briskly, I'm trying to get as far away from you as possible.

"Me too," Rae whispered worriedly and hopped off the chair and sauntered over to the other side of the table, next to his mother. "I'll go too."

"No, I'll be fine… I might come down with some nasty case of the flu," Toph lied.

I just need time by myself, she thought.

"I'll take care of her. I should go instead," Katara suggested.

"I'll be fine." Toph said through clenched teeth, glancing at Katara's direction. "I just want to rest for a little while." She said, reaching to touch Rae's head. She gently ran her hand down to his smooth cheeks and tenderly clasped his chin and raised the child's face to look at her. "Stay with the Fire Lord, Rae. You two can spend some time together, without me to interfere."

"You don't interfere, Toph. You are always welcome. Remember, we are a family…"

Toph rolled her sightless eyes at Zuko's comment. "Rae," she said, ignoring the erratic beats of her heart and knelt in front of her son. "I'll be back soon. If you are worried, you can come with me. I don't mind having you with me… I just feel that it would be better if you get to spend time with your father. Why don't I do this? I'll have the innkeeper wake me up in two hours, and after my nap, we can meet at the plaza, by the fountain." She said, caressing her son's cheek with her index finger. "What do you think?"

"Um," Rae looked at her and cupped her face in his tiny hands. He kissed her nose and rested his forehead against his. "Okay, but only if you'll be all right? I'm worried about you, Mom." He said, his tone filled with concern.

"I think Toph needs time away from everyone," Katara said knowingly, and stood up. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and inhaled.

"Thank you," Toph said, exhaling in relief. "Finally, someone underst-"

"I'll go with her and keep her company," Katara said, self-satisfied, when she saw Toph's frustrated look. She then turned on her heels and walked around the table, until she was standing next to the Fire Lord. "I'll take care of her, Zuko. You don't have to worry." She said, placing a hand on the Fire Lord's shoulder. "Enjoy your time with your son."

"Thank you," Zuko said gratefully. "I'll feel much better knowing that she's with you, Katara."

"I'm sure you are," she said.

"We'll meet by the fountain in two hours. Katara," he said, veering to face her. "Please, take care of her."

"I will," she said, inclining her head. "Let's go, Toph. You need to rest. You have dark circles under your eyes," Katara added, as she escorted Toph out of the restaurant. They walked in silence, trudging down the opposite direction of the restaurant, until they reached the inn. They were greeted by the innkeeper. Toph asked him to wake her up in two hours, and he kindly agreed. They were a few meters away from their room when Katara finally broke the silence. "What's going on, Toph?"

"Nothing, Sugar Queen," Toph snapped, walking down the familiar hallway.

"Sugar Queen?" Katara said haughtily, stopped on her tracks, and placed her hand on her hip. "I've not heard that name in a long time."

"Then get used to it. I'm irritated and you might hear it a lot," Toph said curtly and stood in front of the door.

"Oh, I forgot to ask Suki for the key," Katara said absentmindedly.

Toph shrugged and with a swift movement of her hand, the metal knob unhinged, unlocking the door, causing it to open with a loud creaking noise.

The moment her body touched the futon, she closed her eyes, removed her shoes, and pretended to be asleep. She heard Katara closing the door and cautiously sitting beside her. Toph didn't feel like talking. Sugar Queen probably wanted to know what transpired between the Fire Lord and her the previous night. And to be honest, nothing really did happen. They talked and talked some more, but that was it. Oh, yeah, he also told her about his knowledge of the kisses she'd stolen from him. How mortifying!

"I know that you aren't asleep," Katara breathed and sat on the futon next to Toph. "What has you so angry, Toph?"

Right now? You! Toph thought irritated.

Toph didn't reply, but did turn on her stomach and placed the pillow above her head. "Come on, Toph. Why are you so livid?"

"I can't sleep on a mattress. I need the floor!" Toph complaint and threw the pillow at her friend. Katara quickly caught it and pressed it to her chest and sighed.

"Why are you in such a foul mood?"

"Fine, I'm up." Toph said, raising her hands in surrender.

"What's bothering you?"

"Everything,"

"What exactly?"

"You,"

"Liar! Come on, Toph, tell me what the heck is up with you."

"Fine… I'm angry at you,"

"I already know that, Toph,"

"What happened between you and Zuko? Did you sleep with him?"

"Yes and I'm pregnant again," Toph said crossly, causing the waterbender to gasp. "I'm lying. Sheesh, you're so gullible," she said frustrated. "I told Zuko- I told him that Rae and I are moving to the Fire Nation."

"Wasn't that a little too abruptly? Did you have enough time to plan something so serious in one night?" she asked, her blue eyes stared sympathetically at her friend.

"It'll make Rae happy," Toph said, propping her elbow on the mattress. "He needs to be near his father."

"And what about you? Do you also need to be near Zuko too?" Katara added. Toph glared at her, but nodded. "How do you feel about him? Will you be happy too?"

"I don't count, Katara," she said and sat up. "My happiness isn't important. Rae is the only thing that matters. Zuko will be a great father to my son and he will make Rae happy. That's all I care about."

"I don't have any doubt about it," she paused and gingerly touched Toph's hand. "I know that Zuko will be an excellent father. I can tell you that just by looking at the way he interacted with Rae, Zuko will be a great father…" she trailed off.

"I don't have any doubts," Toph confided. "I know this is the right decision. I thought about it must of the night… I'm sure that it will be for the best. Rae needed this."

"I can't contest with you on what's right for your son, Toph. You are his mother and you know what's right for him. What I'm worried about is you. Will you be happy? Will you feel safe in the Fire Nation?"

"I told you already, I don't matter in all this. Rae's happiness is the only thing that I care about. But honestly, I'm still a bit scared of having Azula lurking around my son's life,"

"Azula? Why? You don't fear anyone…"

"I'm just scared for my child's welfare. I don't want any harm to fall upon him. If she tries to hurt my Rae, I'll take her down permanently." She said seriously.

"You sure can," Katara chuckled. "She's not that scary anymore."

"What do you mean by that?" Toph asked intrigued.

"Azula's son has mellowed her. He's just like Haru… Kion is sweet, kind and your son reminds me of him a lot. I don't know what Haru saw in her. How those two got together and conceived such a normal looking kid is beyond me. Haru and Kion are so… so sweet." Katara admitted, her cheeks blushing softly.

Toph could sense Katara's heart rhythm increasing. She had an idea why, but she didn't want to make her friend feel embarrassed. Or maybe she did. "Do you like Haru, Katara?" Toph asked.

"Why do you ask that?" Katara said, her voice a pitch higher than normal. "I don't know what –"

"I can tell that you are lying." Toph said triumphantly, her mood lightening at the expense of her friend's misery. "I always knew that there was something going on between you two, but then, you surprised us with dating the Avatar. And I still question myself how the hell did that happened?"

"Haru and I are friends," Katara said lividly. "I just happen to think that his son is cute – that's all! And you shouldn't be talking about stuff like that."

"Yeah, sure," Toph teased. "So, I think he feels the same way about you, Katara."

"Really?"

Toph nodded. "I can sense his heart beats grow hectic whenever you are near him. I can without a doubt tell you that he also likes you."

"For real? I mean, no, Toph!" she said, pulling at her hair. "He's a son with Azula. With Azula of all people, Toph."

"So?" Toph said indifferently. "And I have a son with Zuko."

"Yes, but you and Zuko have some unreadable energy cursing through that unites you two. Haru and I-"

"You are so dramatic, Katara. Yes, there might be this strange, unreadable energy cursing through us, but that doesn't mean that we are going to get married."

"You never know,"

"Oh, please, I don't believe in fairy tales, Katara."

"You should,"

"Whatever," Toph said, narrowing her eyes. Katara's words stroke a nerve. "Anyways, from what I've heard from Zuko, Azula and Haru are done. Finite. End. The only thing that ties them together is their son. And I'm certain that Haru doesn't feel anything for the Crazula."

"No, I would never- Ugh, let's change the subject," she huffed.

"Fine, but only if you cease asking me questions about Zuko."

"Okay, but tell me, Toph," Katara began. "Why do you want to move to the Fire Nation so suddenly? Why return there after you ran away… why go back?"

"I wanted distance from Zuko." She said nonchalantly, curling her legs close to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "I guess that you can never run from the past. It always catches up with you. Rae's presence constantly reminded me of Zuko. It'll always be the same whether I stay at Song village or move to the Fire Nation. Also, Rae needs his father. I've denied my son too much. He needs the protection of the Fire Lord."

"Yeah," Katara nodded. "Do you love him?"

"Of course, idiot, I love my son."

"Not him," Katara said frustrated. "I meant Zuko!"

"Excuse me?" Toph asked, in a fit of coughs. "Are you asking me if I love the Fire Lord's son? Of course I do!"

"Don't turn the subject on your son… I was asking about Zuko. Do you love him? Are you willing to be next to him… pretending that there's nothing between you two? Are you going to ignore all that sexual tension that comes out of you two? I can feel it from a mile away! Can you really pretend that you feel nothing for him?"

"Katara," Toph said rudely. "I don't love him."

"Sure,"

"I really don't,"

"Yeah, right,"

"Katara! Why don't you go and bother Sokka or Suki? Just go and make out with Haru. Do something dirty for once."

"No, I wouldn't do that!"

"You're such a prude,"

"I'm not a prude!"

"Just go and leave me alone, Katara," Toph said aggravated. "I'm sleepy."

"I'm trying to understand why you would sacrifice your happiness!"

"My only happiness is knowing that Rae is happy. He is the only thing that matters to me. If you can't understand this, then I suggest that you just shut up and leave me the hell alone. I know what I'm doing. You live your life and I'll live mine. Rae's happiness is my priority and Zuko agrees with me. We are going to act like two civilized adults around each other for the sake of our son. That's the bottom line!" she shouted, got up and walked to the bathroom.

An hour later, Toph was out of the bathroom, smelling like Panda Lilies and roses. She had changed and felt a bit better. She was about to apologize to Katara, when she noticed that her friend wasn't there.

"Zuko?" she asked surprised.

"I was worried about you." He said in his husky tone. "Katara told me that you were a bit angry."

"And you still came in?" She asked, arching her eyebrow. He chuckled and nodded, aware that she could sense his movements. "You really don't value your life, do you?"

"I wanted to talk… we agreed to talk after breakfast." He said solemnly. He patted the futon and she reluctantly marched towards him. "Seat. We have a lot to talk about." He said softly, reaching for her hand and gently pulled her down, until she was sitting beside him.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" she asked, pushing her bangs away from her eyes.

"About us," Zuko answered seriously, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"What about us?" she said nervously, when she felt his breath tickling her cheek. He was too close to her. She could barely think. She pushed him away and cleared her throat. "If we are going to talk about something, then let it be about our son." She said rudely; hiding her uncertainty behind harsh words.

Zuko nodded. "And we will talk about our son… but not now. We have to talk about us. I need to talk about us." He said frustrated.

She gulped and slowly nodded.