"Fucking Spirits," Yachi muttered, her voice shaking. "I've never wished I could be blind before this moment."

Toph grimaced. The carnage in front of her was still gruesome, even without sight - not just from vibrations, but the stench, too. Who could have done this to another person? "I guess it's official, now," she said. "We've got a serial killer on our hands. No way this isn't connected to the other two." With a sigh, she left the room to seek out the man who had found the body. "Excuse me. Vero, was it?"

"Y-yes."

"Can you tell me what you do here?"

"I'm the j-janitor," he stammered in a weak voice. Toph could feel him trembling. "I come at night after everyone leaves and clean up. Sweep and mop floors, wash the windows, that sort of thing. Always lots of sawdust and stuff, you know?"

"What time did you get here tonight?"

"Seven."

"And what time did you find the body?"

His heart started beating erratically, but it could easily just be that he was traumatized. "Um…m-maybe fifteen minutes later."

"Do you recognize him?"

"I didn't really look that closely."

"Would you be willing to? We can cover everything but the face."

"I- I don't know. I don't th- think I can go back in there."

"Maybe in a few days you can take a look? We'll need you give a formal testimony. It would be really helpful for us to know if he's someone that works here or not."

"I don't really know the people that work here. You'd be better off asking someone else to look."

"Chief?" Yachi called. "A moment?"

"Just a sec." To Vero she said, "Alright. But we'll still need that testimony. Someone will follow-up in a couple of days, or you can come to Headquarters yourself." She went over to her lieutenant. "What is it?"

"The owner of the business just arrived. He's had a look, says it's one of his employees. This place shuts down at five every evening, so it must have been sometime after that."

"Five to seven. A two-hour window. It's something."

"Do you suspect our witness at all?"

"Eh. I don't think so. I'll grill him a little harder in a couple of days, once he's had a chance to calm down. Anyway, it doesn't seem likely that it would be anyone connected to this business, considering the other two murders."

Ten days later, there had been two more, both the same as the previous three. Toph's job now revolved around scouring the crime scenes and questioning anyone even remotely associated with them, her usual work piling up in the background. She was at work past midnight almost every night, returning a few hours later after a brief, restless sleep. The stress and exhaustion led to a nasty spat between her and Sokka and she didn't see him at all for several days.

New Year's came and went, Toph barely noticing. She made up with Sokka, though still barely saw him. During the day, most of his time was taken up helping the Council effectively communicate with the sorely unprepared and overwrought court system, which was, in many ways, still in its infancy. And every day, she expected to hear about another grisly murder.

"You got that updated profile yet?" she asked the lead detective on the case.

"Well, sort of. Besides what we already know, I'm pretty sure it's a woman."

"Really?"

"And a firebender."

"What makes you think that? We haven't found any burns on the victims. In fact, the injuries have been consistent with a non-bender."

"I know, but we've had a closer look at the crime scenes. There are unusual char marks at some of the points of entry, especially in locks."

"Well, if you're right, it certainly narrows it down."

"We'll catch the bitch," he growled. "It's only a matter of time before she slips up."

A few days later, Toph was called in to assist with an interrogation. They'd brought in a woman who had been skulking around the first crime scene. "Has she been questioned yet?" she asked in the observation room.

"Yeah, but she hasn't said a word."

"Describe her."

"Well...I think she's young. Twenties. But...her face is all scarred, so I could be mistaken. Black hair, dark eyes. She's about 5'7", small frame. Maybe 115-120 pounds. Dunno if she's a firebender, but she could easily be Fire Nation."

"She didn't resist arrest?"

"Not at all."

"Hm. Alright. I'll see what I can get out of her."

Toph sauntered inside alone, sitting down across from the woman. She didn't speak right away, trying to get a read on her. Steady breathing, even heart rate. That was unusual. Most people they brought in for questioning were at least a little nervous, even when they were innocent.

"Do you have a name?" Toph asked finally. No response. "Hm. You do realize that your silence just makes you look guilty, right? The least you could do is deny that you're a psychotic killer." Again, nothing. Either she was guilty as sin...or mentally ill. Well, maybe both. "I can do this all day," Toph lied.

And the woman...laughed. It was small, light noise, but it made Toph's blood run cold. She jerked to her feet, the chair falling over behind her with a jarring crash. She knew that laugh.

"I don't know…" Katara said dubiously. "I don't really see it."

"Her eyes are the wrong color," Aang said.

"I'm telling you guys," Toph insisted. "It's her. She could've done something to her eyes."

"So...she spoke to you?" Sokka asked. "That's why you think it's her?"

"Well...not exactly. She... She laughed."

"That's not much to go on," Aang said.

"Fine, don't believe me!" She threw her hands in the air angrily. "Get Zuko here. He'll know."

"Maybe we should," Katara said. "Just to be sure."

"You need to get her to at least say something," Aang said. "I'm not bringing Zuko all the way over here because you think she laughs like Azula."

"It fits, though, doesn't it?" Toph said. "She's a fucking psycho. A cold-blooded killer."

"But Azula would never have just let herself be arrested without a fight," Sokka said.

"Unless she wanted to be caught."

"What?" Aang said. "Why? That doesn't make sense. If she wanted to be caught, she would just say who she was."

"Maybe it's a game to her. She knows I can't do jack shit right now. I can't keep her here forever. Eventually, I'm going to have to let her go."

"So then what's the point of Zuko even coming?"

"Maybe if she sees him, she'll slip up."

Three days later, the woman still had yet to say anything. A letter had arrived from Zuko, who was intrigued and concerned, but said he was tied up with something and wouldn't be able to come for at least a week.

To make matters worse, Councilman Ludo came by the station to have a little chat with Toph. "I understand that you've been keeping a woman in custody for several days for loitering near a crime scene."

"You don't understand! I know who this woman is. I know she's the killer we've been looking for."

"Be that as it may, everyone is entitled to a fair trial. Either charge her with a crime and present your evidence, or let her go. You can't keep her here indefinitely based on a hunch."

Toph growled and practically threw him out of her office. "If she kills again," she yelled after him, "the blood is on your hands!"

They let her go the next morning. As she walked through the doors, she let out another little laugh. Toph nearly chased her down to strangle her. She was sure. She was so sure. And there was nothing she could do.

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"Come in," Toph said to the knocker, already knowing it was Sokka.

"Wow," he said. "You look like you could use a break. I was just coming to see if you wanted to grab some lunch."

"Ah… Sure. I guess." She grabbed her coat and followed him out of her office with a sigh.

"What's wrong?"

"Eh."

"Eh?"

"I'm just a little frustrated," she admitted.

"With what?"

"What do you think? This fucking job! Never in my life have I felt so limited by my blindness. It's like the universe managed to find the biggest 'fuck you, Toph Beifong' it could and then made me do it for a living."

"What are you talking about? This job is perfect for you. Metalbending and catching bad guys."

"In theory, yes. But in the last two weeks, since all that shit with Azula-"

"You don't even know for sure that it was her. And there haven't been any more murders."

"I know it was her," Toph snapped. "And while I'm glad no one else has been killed - yet - it doesn't change the fact that Ika and I have been drowning in paperwork because of it all. And I can't even just let her do it. She has to read everything to me, then I have to decide what to do, then she has to write it for me. Half the time I skip dinner because I'm so behind on it all. Honestly, I don't think she's going to last much longer."

"Hm..."

"What?"

"Well...you've gotten pretty good at writing your name."

"So I can sign shit. Big deal. What's that got to do with anything?"

"What if..."

"What?"

"I don't know, maybe it's a stupid idea."

"For fuck's sake, just say it," Toph said, exasperated.

"What if someone could make ink that has...you know...'bendables'? Then you could feel it with your fingers."

"Rock ink?"

"See, I said it was stupid. No! Wait! Metal ink!"

"Metal ink? Is that even possible?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe Satoru would know," Toph mused.

"Oh, here we go."

"Ugh. Sokka. Not this again. Do you know any other engineers that can pull off your wacky ideas? You know, you two would make a pretty good team if you could get over this ridiculous jealousy. And anyway it was your idea to go to him to make the armor!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Where do you want to eat?"

"I don't care."

"Pick something."

"You pick something," Toph countered, getting annoyed.

"Oh, for fuck's sake. Fine. How about that soup place we went to last week?"

"Soup? I'm going to need something a little heartier than that." That went on for another ten minutes, Toph shooting down every suggestion, until finally they just walked into a random restaurant. "I guess this is fine," she said.

"You are impossible, you know that?"

"It's one of my many charms. Let's just get takeout. I don't have a lot of time."

"Well maybe if you'd made up your mind sooner..."

Once they'd placed their order and sat down to wait, she found herself thinking about Sokka's idea. "Do you really think if someone could make metal ink, that I could read it?"

"I don't see why not."

"But how would I write? I'd just be all over the page."

"Well...maybe you could use special paper that has lines with metal ink. And then eventually you'd get good at it and maybe you wouldn't need it anymore."

"Hm. I guess."

Less than two weeks later, Toph's dire prediction regarding her assistant came true.

"Uh, hey, Toph?" Ika began tentatively. "Do you have a minute to talk?"

Uh-oh. This can't be good. "Sure. What's up?"

"Um. So...here's the thing. I really appreciate you being so patient with me lately-"

"Have I?" Toph said with a grimace. "I'm not so sure."

"Under the circumstances, you've done pretty well. But...anyway, it's all just getting a bit much for me."

"Yeah. I kinda figured. Guess I should start looking for a replacement. How much longer can you stick it out?"

"Actually, I've been interviewing people."

"Really?" Toph said, a little amused. "Secretly?"

"Well...I didn't want to stress you out. Anyway, I think I've found someone really great. Her name is Rinna. She used to work for the Mayor in Yu Dao, but quit when she got married and moved here. Now her kids are a little older and she's keen to find a long-term position. Do you want meet her?"

"Sure. Set up a meeting."

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"Ok, what's this one?"

Crouched in the dirt next to Sokka, Toph scanned the ground with her hand. "Um...house?"

"You're on a roll. Ok, what about…" He scratched in the dirt with his stick.

Toph frowned. She didn't recognize it. "I don't know."

"Heh. Just testing you. That's a new one. That says lunch. As in, let's go get some because I'm starving."

"Do you ever think about anything else besides food?"

"You know very well that I do," he laughed.

"You are a slave to your appetites."

"And you are no better."

She rolled her eyes. But yeah, he was right. "Hey, let's stop by the refinery. I want to see how Satoru's coming along with the ink. Might as well make the most of this rare morning off."

"Alright."

"You know," she began as they left the park, "being able to recognize symbols in the dirt will be completely different than feeling them with my fingers. I'll have to learn all over again."

"Well, yeah, but this is so you can learn to write them."

"Eh. I guess. I'm still not convinced I'll be able to do that in any useful capacity."

"Where's this insecurity coming from? You're the most confident, capable person I've ever met. You can do anything you want."

"Not true. I can't lavabend. Not usefully, anyway. I can't air- or water- or firebend. I can't steer an airship or throw a boomerang. I can't cook, nor do I have any desire to learn. I can sort of keep myself from drowning, but I'll never be comfortable in the water. I know my limits."

"Hm," he mused. "Maybe you're right. Maybe you should just give up."

Toph stopped walking and turned to him, shocked and hurt. "What?! How could you say that?"

Sokka laughed. "Spirits, you are so predictable."

"...What?"

"I was just trying to make a point. Of course I don't think you should give up. There is not a single doubt in my mind that you can do this." He picked up her hand and lightly kissed her fingers. "Stop trying to sabotage yourself."

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"Guess what came while you were out!" Rinna said excitedly. In the couple of months since Toph had hired her, the woman had settled in nicely and proven to be an effective secretary. It was a welcome relief, especially with Sokka gone for the spring season. Rinna was doing a pretty good job of keeping her sane.

"What?"

"The first shipment of your special ink!"

"Oh, sweet. Have you opened it?"

"Yeah. It's already been passed out to everyone. I kept a case for us, of course. Want to try it out? I've transcribed a couple of old reports with it if you want to practice reading."

"I'm not that great at it yet," Toph said, rubbing the back of her neck. "Still learning basic symbols. Maybe I'll take them home. I've got two meetings and three interrogations lined up for this afternoon, then I've got those fisherman coming in to give their testimony about the body that washed up the other day. Remind me before I leave, though."

"Sure thing."

"Now...what time is it?"

"Ten minutes past noon. Have you eaten?"

"Nope," Toph sighed. "Doesn't look like I'll get to, either. I'm late for my meeting." She grabbed a handful of walnuts out of the jar on her desk (Rinna really was a gem) and hurried down the hall to the conference room. "What did I miss?" she asked, sitting down.

"Nothing. We didn't want to start without you," Councilwoman Riala said. "This is Ru Kan, a court representative."

"Pleasure," the man said. "Let's get started, shall we? I have a number of things I'd like to discuss, but the primary one is the still-at-large serial killer. I believe they were dubbed...'the Baytown Butcher'?"

"That's where the first murder took place," Toph said. "But the others were in random parts of the city. I'm not sure why that name stuck."

"Well, that's not really relevant. I'd like to discuss the ongoing case."

Toph pursed her lips. "What's there to discuss? We don't know where she is! There haven't been any more murders, anyway."

"In the months since the last one, have you made any progress?"

"Very little," she said through gritted teeth. "We don't have much to go on, especially since I was forced to release the best suspect we had."

"Public opinion regarding this case is not great at the moment," Riala said.

"Yes, I'm aware of that," Toph snapped. "The last press conference was a fucking nightmare."

"Perhaps there's something to be done to put people's minds at ease," Ru Kan suggested. "A task force, maybe?"

Toph let out a brash, hollow laugh. "A task force to do what? Randomly question every person that fits the profile? As if there's not enough tension with the firebending community. Besides, I definitely don't have the budget for that."

"You certainly don't," Riala said wearily. "The police force already takes up more than half of the entire city budget. We can't give you any more."

"Well," Ru Kan said flatly. "I guess just keep us updated with what you do have. This is a major safety issue for everyone in the city."

"You think I don't know that? I'm doing everything I can! But there is other crime, too, you know. I can't just ignore it."

"There's no need to be so defensive. I was simply stating a fact."

"Can we move on?" Toph asked. "We're just beating a dead ostrich horse here, and I don't have all day."

"Very well."

She didn't leave work until after seven, Rinna giving her a handful of reports as she breezed out the door. Maybe Katara can help me with them, she mused to herself as she headed to the ferry, rolling up the pages and shoving them into her pocket.

The sounds of a fierce argument reached her ears as she neared the house.

"...not a baby! Stop treating me like one! I'll go to bed when I want to go to bed!"

"Riju, for Spirits' sake, you know you are insufferably cranky when you stay up late. Just like you are right now!"

"It's not even late! And I'm not cranky!"

Toph was at the door now but didn't particularly wanting to go inside.

"If you're not cranky, then why are you yelling at me?"

"Because I'm tired of being treated like a baby! You're not my mom!" he screamed, stomping his foot.

Toph's bracelet suddenly shuddered on her arm. She ripped it off and flung the door open. "Riju, think fast!" she said, tossing the meteorite piece to him.

Katara gasped, then there was a long moment of silence. Toph could sense her bracelet hovering in the air. "I... I'm doing it!" Riju said, mystified. "I'm metalbending! I'm metalbending!"

Toph beamed at him. "See, I knew you could."

"You're late," he said, the elation suddenly gone from his voice. "You were supposed to be here hours ago to train. Now Katara says I have to go to bed."

Toph sighed regretfully. "I was super busy today." She laced her fingers together and pouted mockingly at her friend. "How 'bout it, Mom? One more hour? Pretty please?"

"Only if you stop acting like a weirdo."

"I make no promises."

"Well, go on then," Katara said with a sigh. "And Riju?"

"Yeah...?"

"I'm really proud of you. I know you've been trying to metalbend for a long time."

"Er...thanks. Now let's go, Sifu!" he grabbed Toph's wrist and started pulling her outside. "Before she changes her mind!"

"Good thinking," she laughed, hearing an exasperated sigh from Katara. "Ok," she continued once they were out in the yard. "Show me what you got."

Riju was quiet and still for a minute, then he sighed. "I can't do it."

"Yes, you can. You just did. Try again. Remember what we've talked about."

There was another long silence, followed by a happy, triumphant noise. He shoved the meteorite into her hand. It was now an amorphous blob, as far as Toph could tell.

"Told ya," she said. "What is it?"

"Er...it's you!"

"Is it?" she laughed.

"I wanna try with a coin now!"

Toph pulled one out of her belt purse and held it up. "Stinging Moth Wasp on the Hill."

They spent the next forty-five minutes running the drill, which consisted of him trying to swat the coin away without touching it, while also trying to climb a steep slab of rock that constantly shifted. He ended up flat on his back in the dirt, exhausted, before the hour was up.

"I think I'm ready to go to bed now," he said, panting.

"Here," she said, flicking the coin at him. "Keep it. Nice work."

"Sifu?" he said, sitting up.

"Hm?"

"Do you think, when I'm old enough, I can join the police?"

Toph didn't answer right away. "It's a hard job. Doesn't pay that well. And dangerous."

"I'm not scared."

"Heh. I know you're not," she said, amused. No, you're just scared of earthquakes and thunderstorms, but definitely not dangerous criminals. "Anyways, you've got more than a decade 'til you're old enough. Let's just work on your earth- and metalbending for now."

"I bet I'm the youngest metalbender in the world," he said, voice brimming with pride.

"Probably the youngest metalbender ever."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Michi was eight when she learned. Well, unless someone else is out there teaching kids how to metalbend. Who knows."

"When did you learn? How old were you?"

"Twelve."

"Really? That's old. Michi's not even twelve yet and she's really good!"

"Old?! Twelve is not old! And I didn't have anyone to teach me, either! I figured it out myself, even though everyone said it was impossible. Pfft. Who you calling old?"

"All grown-ups are old to me."

"You think twelve is grown up?"

"It must be. You fought in the war then, right?"

"Well..." Toph sighed. He kind of had a point. "No one should have to fight in a war that young. Or ever, for that matter. I definitely wasn't grown up, even if I sometimes thought I was."

"You don't look like you're training anymore," Katara said, coming outside.

"Oh no, she's found us," Toph deadpanned. "Better run."

"I'm too tired to run."

"You two think you're so funny," Katara said. "Come on. You're going to have to take a bath before you get in bed."

"I'd recommend doing what she says," Toph warned after he groaned. "Otherwise she'll make you wash your sheets in the morning. I'm speaking from experience, here."

"Yeah, I know. Ugh, fine. I'll take a bath. Sheesh." He went inside, Katara and Toph following slowly.

"He worships you, you know," Katara remarked. "That's why we were arguing. He was upset that you hadn't come."

"I came, didn't I?" Toph replied defensively. "Plus, if I hadn't been late, he wouldn't have figured out how to metalbend."

"Just wanted to point it out."

Toph sat down at the kitchen table and pulled her reports out, trying to smooth them flat.

"What's that?" Katara asked.

"The first shipment of ink came in today. Rinna transcribed some reports for me to practice reading."

"Oh, that's exciting!"

"I guess," Toph shrugged.

"You guess?"

"It's not easy. Feeling the letters with the ink is a lot harder than in the dirt."

"You know, just because something doesn't come easily, it doesn't mean you can't be good at it. I know you're used to just being good at everything immediately. And don't look at me like that. It's a compliment."

"It sure as fuck didn't sound like one."

"C'mon," Katara sighed. "I'll help you."

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Lost in thought, Satoru almost didn't hear the knock. "Come in?" he said hesitantly, not entirely sure it wasn't his imagination. But the door opened, and in walked the last person he expected to see. "Sokka?"

"Uh...hey. Got a minute to talk?"

"Um. Yeah... Sure. What's up?" He couldn't possibly be here for any reason other than their mutual interest: Toph.

"I've got an idea I think you might be able to do something with," Sokka said after he'd sat down. "How well do you understand clock mechanisms?"

"Hm. Well, I'm not as familiar with the intricacies of clockwork as I am with, say, more robust machines, but I understand the concept and could probably backwards engineer one if I really wanted to."

"How small could a clock be made?"

"I'm not sure. I would probably have to pick the brain of a master clockmaker to answer that."

"Do you think one could be made small enough to fit on, say, a wrist band?"

Satoru had to think about it. It was an intriguing idea. In spite of his lingering resentment, he had to admit that Sokka had a keen mind. "That's pretty small. I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"

"Well, Toph has been complaining lately about constantly having to ask people what time it is."

And there it was. Of course this was about her. Satoru suppressed a sigh. Did he really want to help this guy make yet another thing for the woman he still loved but would never have, only for her to give Sokka most of the credit and thanks? But at the same time...if he could do something to make her happy, it was worth it.

"Can't she use her feet to read any clock that has metal hands?" he asked.

"No, she has to touch the face. She said the casings insulate against her reading them from a distance. Not to mention, there are no clocks when she's out in the city. I thought it would be really helpful for her to have something that she's got on her person at all times. If you don't think it's possible, at the very least, it would be nice for her to have one that she could put on her desk. Something with a metal casing instead of wood."

"Just out of curiosity, why did you come to me about this? Instead of talking to a clockmaker?"

"Well…" Sokka shifted around in his chair a little. "I thought it would be nice to do something special for her twentieth birthday. I want it to be a surprise, and I can't guarantee that some random guy I don't know wouldn't sell the the story to the tabloids for a quick buck. Plus…" A faintly embarrassed expression spread across his face. "I know they'd charge me an arm and a leg. I guess I figured…well, maybe you'd give me a discount, since it's her dad's company and all. Heh."

Satoru made a huge effort not to sigh. No, you think I'll give you a discount because I want to do something nice for her. And you're right, damn it. "I'll give it some thought and track down a clockmaker to see if it's doable."

"Great! Thanks! I'm going to be leaving for the South Pole soon, in the last week of summer, but can I come by in a few days to discuss the specifics?"

"Sure. I'll send you a telegram."

After Sokka left, Satoru found himself brooding about Toph. Were the two of them a couple? It was very unclear. He had never seen them act like one in public, and neither had said anything outright to that effect, but they were obviously close. Best friends. Was Sokka's situation similar to what his had been? Was he in love with her, sharing her bed, unaware that her feelings didn't have the same depth? Or did she love him, too?

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"What are you doing, Chief? I thought you were off duty tonight?"

"I am. I just like being prepared for anything when I'm out in the city, especially with big crowds like this."

The young officer laughed. "I can't stand to wear this fucking armor any longer than I have to."

"It's not that bad."

"After eight hours in the summer heat, it is. Like a fucking sauna."

"Heat doesn't really bother me. Now, cold… That's a different story."

"Ugh, I wish it was cold. Can't wait for a good autumn chill."

Toph suppressed a sigh. The rapidly ending summer only meant one thing to her: Sokka leaving.

"But anyway," the officer continued, "I guess I better get back to work before my boss writes me up."

"Yeah, you better. I hear she's a raging bitch."

He drifted away, chuckling, and she resumed her search for Sokka. The crowd parted around her as she walked, people whispering furtively when she passed. The attention never ceased to make her smile, especially on a day like this.

It was seven years ago today that the Hundred Year War ended. Unification Day, as it had come to be called. With each passing year, the celebration grew more elaborate. It was a fully-fledged holiday, now. Toph had made a point to not work late this evening. She had earned it, damnit.

A mixture of pleasant food smells and less pleasant city smells wafted through the air while music from a distant but loud band added to the murmur of the masses. The streets of downtown had been closed to carriage traffic for the occasion; she had only needed to walk out the front doors of Headquarters to enter the throng.

"There you are," Sokka said, off to her left. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Why are you still wearing your armor?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that? There are thousands of people here, drinking and partying. I might not be on duty, but I'm never completely off, either. Last thing I want is to be caught unprepared."

He slyly laced his fingers through hers as they walked, but she just cocked an eyebrow at him and pulled her hand away.

"You know better, Meathead," she said just loud enough for him to hear. Despite her aversion to public displays of affection, he never stopped trying. It had led to plenty of arguments.

"Can't blame a guy for trying," he replied wistfully. "I mean, I am leaving in a couple weeks.

Toph's jaw tightened; she didn't want to think about that. "C'mon, I'm starving. I missed lunch."

"Aye, aye, Captain."

"Excuse me? Captain?"

"Sorry. Chief. Please don't fire me, Boss Lady."

"Hm. You're on probation."

"Well, damn." He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I guess I'll just sleep on the Island tonight."

"You better fucking not."

He rested his arm on her shoulder as if he were using her to prop himself up while they strolled. It was such an innocent and platonic gesture that she didn't feel the need to shake him off this time. Besides, she wanted the physical contact just as much as he did. What she didn't want were cutesy, romantic gestures that put her in a box and made this more serious than it was.

"Two noodle bowls, please," Sokka said, stopping at a street cart.

"Sure thing. Here you go. No, no charge."

"Really? Thanks!"

"No, thank you."

"Man, being a famous hero is so great sometimes," Sokka said as they walked away, his mouth full of noodles. "Though...I doubt it was me he recognized."

"You never know. It's not like there are that many Southern Water Tribe members in Republic City. I'm sure you're more recognizable than you think."

"Not as recognizable as you. Especially in your armor."

"Is there anywhere to sit down?" Toph asked, searching herself but finding nothing.

"I don't think so."

"Hey! People!" she said, raising her voice a little. "Back up." She created a little table with two stools in the space that had cleared in front of them.

"I guess that works."

"Well? I've been on my feet all day. I spent most of it overseeing all the setup for this."

"That doesn't sound very police-y."

"You'd be surprised. There's a lot of planning that goes into it. Blocking off the streets, but in such a way that, if there's an emergency, we can get the wagons through. Making sure enough of the right officers are assigned to crowd control. That sort of thing."

"I guess it's better than doing paperwork," Sokka said.

"True."

"I hope you'll keep practicing your reading while I'm away. Oh, I have an idea! I'll take some metal ink with me and write my letters with it."

"Sure. I'll get you some tomorrow. Remind me in the morning before I leave."

"You won't let me hold your hand but you'll say shit like that surrounded by people?" he asked in a low voice.

Toph waved her hand dismissively. "Please. You know I don't give a fuck what they think."

"So then what's the problem?"

She sighed in frustration and got up. "Nothing. Just forget it. I'm going to get a drink."

"Get me one, too."

The signature scent of alcohol was easy to locate, and she was once again offered free goods. By the time she got back to the table, she'd already finished half of hers.

"Mm, what is this?" Sokka asked.

"I don't know. Some kind of cocktail. Good though."

"Very boozy."

"Don't let me have any more of these," Toph said after draining her glass. "Or I'll be drunk as a skunk-bear."

"Hurry up and finish eating. The fireworks will be starting soon."

"Hm? So what?"

"I want to get a good view."

Toph sighed; she wasn't a fan of fireworks. But he was, so she didn't say anything. They sat there in silence for a few minutes while they ate, the music rising and falling with the voices around them.

"Alright, c'mon, let's go," he said when they'd both finished. "I want to show you something."

She followed him wordlessly through the crowd, though it quickly became clear where they were headed. "Headquarters? What could you possibly have to show me in there?"

"Just follow me."

"What, are you hoping to live out some kind of fantasy in here?" she asked once they were inside, admittedly not entirely opposed to the idea.

"Well. I mean...I wasn't. But I am now."

Toph rolled her eyes. "What did you want to show me?"

"You'll see."

"Will I, though?" she joked.

He led her toward the staircase. Up and up they went, eventually reaching the roof access. There was a small viewing platform, hidden from the crowd below by roof architecture.

"You ever been up here?" Sokka asked.

"No." She stomped her foot on the stone, creating a vibration that shot through the bones of the building, spreading like roots into the city around them. It hummed with life and movement.

"What do you see?"

"Everything."

She lifted her arms and removed her armor. Up here, there was no danger. Only Sokka. He pulled her in, lifting her chin to kiss her, and soft sigh escaped her lips. Somehow, it never got old, never stopped making her stomach flutter and squirm. She was on the verge of untying his belt when the music surged below them.

He drew back from the kiss and took one of her hands. "Dance with me. I missed out at Katara and Aang's wedding."

Head buzzing pleasantly from that rather strong drink, she was unable to deny such a rational-sounding request. It was a cheerful but rather slow song they moved to, so Toph had little trouble keeping up. He seemed to know what he was doing, anyway, which came as a bit of a surprise.

After a little while she asked, "If you wanted to dance then, why didn't you say something?"

"I guess I just wasn't in the right frame of mind." He paused for a moment. "Besides, I would've embarrassed myself. I've picked up some skills since then."

"I was wondering about that. When did you learn how to do this?"

Whatever answer he may have been planning to give her was lost when the song ended. On the final note, a high-pitched noise shot through the air, followed by a massive boom. She pressed herself flat against his chest instinctively, a half-second away from bending a protective wall around them. Sokka laughed lightly at her reaction.

"I hate fireworks," she muttered into his shirt. For some reason, he was digging around in his pocket. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"I brought something for you."

Before she could get too curious, he reached up to her face and gently put something into her ears, softening the offensive noises. That simple but incredibly considerate gesture was what finally did it. All of her stubborn denial shattered and fell away, exploding like the sky above them. What remained was so painfully obvious, it was baffling how she had been so blind to it for so long: She was utterly, hopelessly, relentlessly in love with this man. She had been all along - seven years to the day, in fact.

So many lies she had told herself, trying to deny it. She didn't want to be in love. She had seen how it could destroy a person, how much it could hurt. And it already hurt so much. "I don't want you to go," she whispered miserably.

"Are you saying you'll miss me?" His voice was muffled but the words were still clear to her keen ears.

"Obviously." It was all so stupid. What was she doing? When had this become so serious? She didn't want him to go, but maybe that meant that it was good that he was. A chance to step back, take a breath, sift through what she was feeling and what she wanted.

"I'll be back before you know it," Sokka said, interrupting her thoughts, "just in time for your birthday. And I think it'll be a really great one, this year."

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A/N: Gawd, I just can't get enough of them. In case you couldn't tell, I get so wrapped up in sappy Tokka fluff that sometimes I forget to write actual 'story'. I'm not sorry.

This chapter concludes 'Part 1: Terrible Teens'. Up next: the Roaring Twenties!