Hi everyone! I want to start out this post by apologizing for being late. In my defense an appendicitis is a real hindrance to the writing process. Second I truly from the bottom of my heart for all the support and I really hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Eleven: Getting Closer

Azula flipped through the pages of her book with a disinterested sigh. For a hospital that was considered one of the best in the Fire Nation they sure need to update their reading material, in her opinion. She tossed the book away when she heard a brick slide out of place over by the side of the wall across from her.

Careful not to attract the attention of the orderlies outside the door Azula crept over to the wall coming face to face with the only person on this earth she trusted.

"What news from the outside world, Hyousuke?" She asked eagerly.

He smiled at her raising Azula's hopes for good news. "My spies report that the earth bender has been taken care of. We are amassing in Republic city to take out the water tribe siblings. All I need is your agreement."

"Excellent." Azula glanced behind her when she heard a knock on her door. Her eyes widened in alarm but she turned back to her friend quickly. "Take care of them. Be careful the next time you come back. I'm sure they're already suspicious of me."

Hyousuke didn't say anything more as he sealed off the hole allowing Azula to deal with the orderlies outside the door.

…

The room was dark with the exception of the lamp that had been lit by the bed side. Although it took his eyes a moment to adjust Sokka could see Toph clearly. She looked so pale and frail as she rested against the wall. Her hair had been taken down from its usual bun and now hung limply around her.

He jumped in surprise when she spoke. "I look that bad?"

"Nah." Sokka tried to reassure her as he took a seat in the chair next to her bed. "I've seen worse."

Toph snorted and turned her face away from him causing her hair to create a barrier between them. "I can tell your lying."

Sokka reached toward her but then stopped himself as he recalled their last encounter. He let his hand drop against his leg. He leaned forward bracing his elbows on his legs as the Water Tribesman thought how best to broach the million questions he had.

"You just scared me." He admitted. "When I got word I thought my heart was going to stop."

Toph blew her bangs out of her face as she absorbed that piece of information. She could tell that he was telling the truth this time. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, I'm just glad you're both alright." He muttered. Sokka tensed as he asked the question that was weighing on his mind. "You are ok, right?"

She held out her hand to him, causing Sokka to raise an eyebrow. Silently, he took her hand in his. Toph guided their joined hands to rest over the top of her growing belly. When he felt the baby start to kick Sokka flopped forward in relief.

"Thank the spirits for that." He sighed. He turned his head up to look at his friend and tried not to smile too much as Toph began to trace patterns on his forehead. "So are you going to tell me what's wrong with you?"

"Apparently it was low blood sugar that caused me to pass out and the pain was from Braxton Hicks." Toph muttered nonchalantly. Sokka furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, but he didn't dare move. He found that her touch was soothing to him.

"Braxton Hicks?" He prompted.

Toph shrugged. "They're contractions. Katara told me it's the body's way of preparing for the delivery."

"That's good right?" Sokka asked. "It means everything is normal. Although when Katara was pregnant I don't remember her having any fainting spells."

Sokka realized that was the wrong thing to say when Toph took her hand away to massage her temples. He sat up straight and waited for her to elaborate. However she didn't try to explain. Instead Toph sat back against the headrest and placed both hands on her stomach. On occasion she twitched from the baby kicking too hard.

"I didn't faint." She said after a moment. When Sokka made a skeptic noise, Toph groaned in irritation. She began to twist a strand of hair between her fingers as she thought. "I can't even pronounce the name of whatever condition Izu and Katara diagnosed me with."

She made a face in an attempt to recall what Katara explained to her. "Preeclampsia I think, but don't quote me on it. The summary of it is that I have high blood pressure and if I'm not careful I could end up seriously hurting myself or the baby."

Suddenly a look of realization came over Sokka's face. "That would explain why Katara told me not to stress you."

"No stress, lots of water, bed rest, and no red meat under any circumstances." She confirmed. To lighten the situation Sokka pretended to gasp in horror at the last part. For once he felt a sense of relief when Toph whacked him on the shoulder. They both laughed before Sokka spotted a large bottle of water on the nightstand right next to the lamp. He took it and frowned when he saw it was filled practically to the brim.

Sokka shook his head as he handed the bottle to her. "What are you going to do about work? It's not exactly a stress free environment."

"I fought so hard to get reinstated that I don't really want to think about it." She sighed. Toph took a sip of water before continuing. "When I got back on the beat it was great. Almost like I had some sort of purpose again." She could feel Sokka radiating his disapproval. Toph raised a hand to keep him from interrupting her before she continued. "Still I'm not completely unreasonable. I don't have much of a choice tomorrow I'll talk with Flynn to see if we can coordinate until I can fulfil my obligations as Chief of Police."

Sokka sighed and nodded in agreement. "About what happened in your office…"

She stopped him by placing two fingers over his mouth. "We're cool Sokka. As friends we'll always been cool."

"As partners?" He prompted.

Toph made a face. "Don't push it. I'm not mad…anymore. Still what you did was completely unprofessional."

"Alright I won't push." He put his hands up and stood up to go. "I'll let you get some sleep."

As he turned away from the earth bender Sokka felt a hand grab onto the back of his shirt. He spun around with raised eyebrows. Although the room was still very dim Sokka could have sworn that his best friend was blushing.

"Would you stay?" Toph mumbled. Sokka had to strain to hear her as she spoke. "I don't want to be alone right now."

'This girl is going to be the death of me' Sokka thought. Still unable to deny her anything at this point he sat down on the edge of her bed and began unlacing his boots. When he managed to kick them off he turned back to Toph.

"Scoot over." He ordered. Toph gave him a look but began to scoot away from him. Sokka pulled back the covers and climbed in with her. He lifted his arm so that she could settle herself more comfortably beside him.

The pair were so absorbed in themselves that neither noticed the sound of the front door unlatching.