Blueeyeddevil06, thank you for being my beta!

Chie leaned back in her chair. She was exhausted after reviewing the newest reports from the southern rural areas. There was a knock on the door, and she told them to come in.

Katara smiled at her, "Looks like you made it through them all."

"I did. I'm glad I love this job, or else pretentious reports would make my life miserable. It's not my favorite part; that's for sure." She then shrugged. "You can't like everything about what you do."

"So true. I wanted to talk to you. Zuko and I have been discussing things, and…" She sat in the chair across from Chie. "As much as I like the job, I need to transition. We were hoping I could promote you to my job. You could make your own hires. I just hope you're as good at hiring as I was. I have a fantastic assistant."

Chie looked at her and smiled, "I would love to take the job. Does that mean I get to keep Daiki too?" She teased.

Katara burst out laughing. "You know as well as I do that Zuko would never let him quit working for me. Sorry, he's my head guard."

"Fair enough. He likes working for you."

"I don't know why! I still rush into rooms. I think I'm going to make him go prematurely grey."

Chie shook her head, "It's your town visits that make him the most nervous. I don't know why. The people adore you. I can't believe how well they accepted a Waterbender."

"No one is more shocked than I am."

"Whatever the reason is, they adore you. I'm sure it helps that you love them back."

Katara shrugged, "They're easy to love. There was a time when I would have been horrified by that truth."

"A lot has changed since then. The world is at peace." Chie smiled. "People here are having children and not expecting to send them to war when they grow up. We have the first generation that isn't born into a world at war in one hundred years."

"It's weird to think about. It's just one more amazing thing in all of this."

Chie smiled, "And you found love with the one who should have been your greatest enemy."

"That I did. He's so wonderful to me." Katara blushed. "He adores me."

"As he should!" Chie then changed the subject. "Okay, so I'm taking on your job. What will you be doing?"

"Preparing for the wedding."

Chie squealed in delight.

Toph chuckled as she caught all of the guards by surprise. She hadn't told anyone she was coming, and she liked feeling the increased heart rates when she startled people.

She was a bit disappointed when Katara took it all in stride. She asked, "Where's lover boy? I'm surprised he's not with you."

"He's working." Again Katara was unfazed.

"It's disappointing that I can't rattle you anymore."

Katara chuckled, "I've been around you long enough to know your tactics."

"Fair enough. So, how is being the future Fire Lady?"

"Weird, to be honest. How have you been?"

"Oh no, no, no. You can't get out of it that easy. Spill. I want details."

"Why don't I bring you to a sitting room where we can have a private conversation. That and don't expect too many details. I'm not into kissing and telling."

Toph shook her head, "You forget I know it's not just kissing." She shuddered. "I know too much already. I don't want those details."

They sat in a sitting room, and Katara asked, "You know I'm glad you're here. What brings you, though?"

"A boat. After all, I'm friends with the Fire Lord, and the captain was more than willing to let me hitch a ride. "

"You know that's not what I mean." She refrained from rolling her eyes even though Toph couldn't see it.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Duckbullshit."

Toph sighed, and her shoulders sagged. "I need your advice, Sweetness."

Katara didn't take any offense. She knew Toph was prickly because she was feeling vulnerable asking for help. "You know I'd do anything I could for you."

"Yeah. Obviously. Or else I wouldn't be here. Please don't tell anyone - even Zuko."

"You know I don't like keeping secrets from him."

"It's about a guy I like."

Katara admitted that keeping that secret from him wouldn't be a breach of trust at all. "Okay. I won't tell anyone. I promise."

"It's Aang." Toph wasn't one to beat around the bush once she decided to do or say something. "I need your advice on him. I'm… interested in dating him."

Katara looked at her thoughtfully and smiled, "You'd be good together. Our problem was that I didn't speak up. Well, that and we weren't right for each other. You won't have that problem."

"No, I say what I want all the time. Would that be an issue for him?"

"You know how stubborn he is. You both are. Just discuss things and make sure you have the same goals and ideals. Once you get on the same page, you'll both be fighting for the same thing."

"But… you said he wasn't a good boyfriend."

"To me. One, I didn't tell him what I wanted. Two, we weren't even right for each other. He could probably be amazing to a woman he loves."

"But he loves you."

"Not the way I want to be loved. Not even close to how Zuko loves me. We were both compromising." She smiled at Toph. "I think you could be amazing together. You'd balance each other."

"You think we'd work?"

"I do."

"Thanks. Now I have to figure out how to ask him."

"You'll both be here for the wedding," Katara pointed out.

"Oh yeah," she said sarcastically. "Ask him out at his ex's wedding. Talk about romance!"

Katara burst out laughing. "Okay. Maybe that's a bad idea. You should go to his next Summit with him. Spend time with him and flirt a bit."

"I don't know how to do that! How do you flirt?"

"I don't think it's the best idea to ask me. I'm his ex. You should ask Chie."

"Who?"

Katara smiled big, "You'll like her. She's my friend here. Her betrothed is, Daiki, my bodyguard. You met him briefly after that whole Mai thing."

"Where is Mai, by the way?"

"Prison still. Zuko thinks he should have had her killed. I disagree."

Toph shook her head. "I don't know if he's wrong. When will she stop wanting you dead? It's not like she's going to marry someone powerful to compensate now."

"True. I just don't want -"

"Get over it, Sweetness. Not everyone is going to love you. Let Zuko do his job and protect you."

"It's weird to let someone watch out for me."

"How did you handle it when Aang did?"

Katara let out a huge sigh, "He didn't. I'm strong enough to watch out for myself." She then smiled. "Although Zuko points out that it's his privilege and not his duty."

Toph made a disgusted face. "You two are sickening." She then cracked a smile, "It's kinda sweet, though. I hope I'm loved like that someday."

"Me too," she agreed. "I hope everyone is. It's incredible." She got a sappy look on her face.

Toph groaned. "I can't even see, and I know what your face looks like. Why is Sparky working right now?"

"He wanted to give us time to hang out. Also, I wanted to ask you something. Will you be a bridesmaid? I would love to have you stand up with me."

"Of course, Sugar." She then started cackling. "Please tell me Zuko isn't planning on asking Aang to be a groomsman."

Katara blushed, "He is. I know it's weird now, but it will be nice to have had him there in twenty years. Plus, politically, it shows that there are no hard feelings."

"Politics!" Toph spat out. "I hate them."

"Well, if you're going to marry the Avatar -"

"Don't get ahead of yourself there. I don't even know if he wants to date me."

"Before you date him, you need to decide what you're comfortable with. Are you okay with the politics associated with being his wife?"

Toph flopped on her back on the couch. "I have no clue! I'll think about it. To be fair, there will be fewer politics than you have to deal with."

"No kidding!" She laughed lightly. "It's so worth it, though. He's amazing. I never dreamed I could be this in love or this loved." She looked at Toph. "I want the same for you. I'll do anything I can to help you."

Toph shrugged, "I think I just need advice. After all, I'm not one to stay passive."

"No. You sure aren't, Blind Bandit."

"Nope!" She sat up. "I know what I'm going to do. Thanks for the advice."

"And what's that?"

"You said it, I'm The Blind Bandit, and I fight for what I want. I'm going just to kiss him. I'll know pretty quickly what his feelings are."

Katara laughed, "That's so perfect! Go for it."

Katara made it to the council meeting before Zuko did. As she sat down and set her things on the table, councilwoman Nami asked her, "It must be nice to have Toph here?"

"It is. I missed seeing her. I was so excited she showed up unexpectedly."

"I heard the captain of the ship heard she was your friend and offered to bring her. Not that we'd expect otherwise. We take care of our own here."

She blushed, "I've been so happy to be considered a part of the Fire Nation."

"Ha! I bet there was a time you thought you'd never say that."

"True. But now I've met the people I used to be afraid of."

"It's funny how much Ozai was afraid of you. Not that you aren't to be feared, but you're not our destruction. Although, no offense, he would have hated you."

"He hates his son. It won't offend me."

"He was a monster. The only surprise after his defeat was how capable Zuko is. We're happy to have him as our Fire Lord." Her eyes grew wide, and she said, "Oh, and before I forget, my daughter was hoping you'd be able to come for her birthday. We're going to keep it small, but she always loves seeing you."

"I'd be happy to come."