"Ooh the baby's kicking. You want to feel?"

"Er... You know, I think I'm good."

"Oh, c'mon." Katara grabbed Toph's hand and placed it flat on the side of her bulging stomach. "Wait for it…"

After a moment there was a gentle thump against her palm. Toph inhaled sharply, the vibrations resolving into an unexpected mental image.

"Cool, huh?" Katara said.

"I– I can see it," Toph mused, a little mystified and a lot disturbed. She'd never used her seismic sense this way before.

"Oh, I didn't think of that!"

Toph kept her hand in place and focused, barely paying attention to whatever her friend was rambling on about while she waited for it to happen again. There had been an odd resonance; too much liquid. Blech. The image was weirdly distorted, but she'd had an idea and thought another kick might clear it up. The next one was stronger and resolved the picture.

"Heh. I've got some news for you," she said.

"What?"

"It's a boy."

"Really?! Are you sure?"

"Ohh yeah, I'm sure."

"Aang! Aang, come here!" Katara cried.

Mere seconds later, he bounded inside the house frantically. "What?! What's wrong?!"

"Toph says it's a boy!"

"What? Really?! You can tell?"

"Apparently," Toph replied dryly. "Who knew?" She rolled her eyes while the expectant parents gushed unbearably at each other. "Alright, alright, you're gonna make me sick. Sheesh."

"Oh, don't be such a buzzkill," Katara said.

"Where's Sokka?" Aang asked. "I gotta tell him!"

"I'm not sure," Katara said. "He might have gone into the city."

Toph gave the floor a mighty stomp, allowing her to see most of the Island clearly. "No, he's here. Down at the training grounds practicing drills with his sword."

Aang dashed outside, leaving the two women alone once again.

"Your range has really increased," Katara remarked. "How far can you see now?"

"Well, the sand here makes the edges fuzzy, but in the city, I can see maybe a ten-block radius if I really put some effort into it."

"Wow, seriously? I had no idea. That's pretty impressive."

"I'm the greatest earthbender in the world, Sugar Queen. Don't sound so surprised."

"I guess I don't really get to see you in action much, these days. We eat dinner together occasionally and that's about it, besides training with Riju and sparring with Aang."

"That kind of talk is dangerous. Next thing you know, there's going to be a vengeful Spirit coming out of the ocean. And you wouldn't even be able to help."

"I know you're joking, but I have been so paranoid lately that some big emergency is going to come up and Aang will have to go without me."

Toph could hear her voice quavering with barely restrained emotion. It was hard not to roll her eyes. "Well, anyway, you've only got a couple months left, right?"

Katara laughed bitterly. "You think I'm going to be able to go off on adventures with a newborn?" There was an edge of hysteria in her voice.

"Er, well, I guess not."

"I've become the useless member of the group! I can't even walk properly anymore!"

"Calm down, Sweetness. Good grief, if your husband saw you getting this worked up over nothing he'd scoop you up and put you in bed."

"Ugh, are you trying to infuriate me?"

"Oh, for fuck's sake," Toph muttered under her breath. "I'm going to go outside and let you cool down. I'm obviously not helping." She was out the door before Katara could respond, though she was sure she heard an annoyed huff. Normally, riling up her high-strung friend was one of life's joys, but right now she was just obnoxious. "Twinkle Toes, you need to go deal with your woman," Toph said when she'd found the guys.

"Huh? What's wrong with her?"

"She's driving me crazy. I can't handle the mood swings."

"Uh, yeah, try living with her. What's she upset about now?"

"She thinks she's useless because she waddles around everywhere. Or something along those lines."

"Oh, yeah, that's a pretty common one. Alright, I guess I should go calm her down."

Once he left, a brief but pained silence settled between Sokka and Toph. Things were still a little awkward when they were alone together.

"He's not the only one who has to put up with her insanity," Sokka said. "Makes me miss having somewhere else to crash."

Toph didn't have any idea how to respond to that. What exactly was he expecting her to say? Offer up her couch? Her bed?

"Er, sorry," he muttered. "I should have given that thought a once-over before letting it out of my mouth. I didn't mean anything by it."

"It's fine. I guess we're both still adjusting."

"Yeah."

Silence. Toph crossed her wrists behind her and rocked on her heels. Stay here, or go back up to the house? Tough call.

"So it's a boy, huh?" Sokka blurted.

"Oh, uh, yeah."

"You never cease to amaze and amuse me with your many talents."

"Hah. Well, keep it to yourself. The last thing I want is all the pregnant ladies of Republic City lining up outside my office."

"Aang's thrilled. I mean, I'm sure he would've been thrilled either way, but I think he likes knowing."

Gah, I'm so sick of talking about babies. "How's your training going?"

"Good. I spend a lot of time down here to get away from Katara. I wish you could see my muscles. You would be envious."

"Hey, I have muscles, too."

"What, those little twig arms?" He squeezed her bicep and she instantly flexed it. "Huh. Well, I stand corrected. You have bulked up a little. Not as much as me, of course, but that would be weird."

"For the record, I can see your muscles." And the urge to run her hands across them was unbearable at the moment. "But anyway, I need to get back to the station."

"What? It's seven o'clock."

"I know. I left early to come here but I've still got some stuff to do." It was little more than a convenient excuse to escape the Island. And the people on it.

"Workaholic."

"Muscles for brains."

"Deadeyes."

"Uncultured brute."

That continued for nearly another minute.

"Ok, ok," Sokka laughed. "I'm out. You win. My ego can't take anymore."

"You held your own pretty well for a while, there. But, while insulting you has been fun, I really do have to go. I'll see you later."

"Yeah. See ya."

As Toph walked away, down the hill towards the ferry, she wondered if things would ever be 'normal' between them. What was normal, though? Even before they'd gotten together, she had harbored that burning need for his affection. The difference now was that it was mutual, and that created tension. A wall of unspoken words and wants.

But it wasn't a road she wanted to go down again, because she knew where it led. The only option was to shove those feelings down, deep into the earth, and ignore them. Maybe one day they would go away.

‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›

Winding his arm back, Sokka paused for a moment to shift his feet, then threw his boomerang toward the sunset as hard as he could. In the fading light, he could barely make it out as it circled around, but this exercise was more muscle memory than anything.

He was deep in thought about Toph when Aang stalked outside and away from the house in the direction of his favorite meditation spot. The deep frown on his face distracted Sokka into nearly getting knocked out by his boomerang. With a quick snap, he reached out and caught it, then trotted inside the house.

"Something up with Aang?" he asked Katara, who was sitting on the couch with her legs outstretched, hands wandering across her huge belly.

She sighed sadly. "He just got a messenger hawk with bad news."

"What happened?"

"Bumi passed away."

"Oh...wow, that's awful."

"I know."

"He was pretty old, though. And hadn't he been kind of ill recently?"

"Yeah," Katara nodded. "But remember, he was the only person left that Aang knew from...back then."

"I guess so. It's too bad."

"Will you go talk to him? I don't want him to be out there alone with his dark thoughts."

"Maybe he wants to be alone."

"You don't know him like I do."

"Why don't you–" Sokka cut off when his sister gave him a critical look. "Never mind. I'll do it." On his way out, he passed Riju.

"Is it safe in there?"

"More or less." But as Sokka headed toward Aang, he caught a bit of conversation.

"Riju, why don't you go help Yuri with dinner?"

With a light laugh, Sokka escaped from the imminent domestic drama and approached something notably more serious.

Aang was perched on the edge of his favorite cliff in a lotus position, Momo crouched on his shoulder. "Did Katara send you?" he asked serenely.

"Yup." Sokka's answer brought a heavy sigh from Aang. "You don't have to talk if you don't want to, but I'm gonna stay out here for a bit so she doesn't yell at me." He sat down on the edge of the cliff a few feet away from his friend, legs dangling over the side.

Neither spoke for several minutes.

"Nice sunset, huh?" Sokka remarked finally.

"Yeah."

"Every time I look at the sunset or sunrise I think about a conversation I had with Toph a long time ago, not long after I met her. I think about how she's never seen one." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Aang give him a sideways look.

"Who is this therapy session for, again?"

"I thought you didn't want to talk about your thing?"

"What's there to talk about? I lost a dear friend. He was extremely old, and it was his time. I'm sad about it, of course, but it's hardly a tragedy."

Sokka just nodded sagely, not really knowing what to say.

"How are things with you and Toph?" Aang continued. "Since that's clearly what's on your mind."

Despite the fact that he'd been the one to bring it up, Sokka wasn't sure what to say. He honestly wasn't sure how much Aang knew of the subject, but figured it was safe to assume that it was quite a lot.

"Eh. You know. A little awkward. I– I think she might be over me."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

The answer surprised him, and gave him hope that he didn't really want. "What makes you say that?"

Aang shrugged. "Just my hunch."

"That's not very helpful."

"I seem to remember that I was supposed to stay out of this and you didn't want me to know anything..."

"That's not– You know how Katara is. She pushes and pushes until you give in. I was just mad that she broke my confidence."

"Do you want my advice?"

"Sure...why not?"

But before Aang could answer, they were interrupted by a pair of footsteps running toward them. "Urgent telegram, Avatar Aang," the man said, thrusting a piece of paper out.

"Thank you," Aang murmured, taking it.

Sokka watched his brow furrow as he read the message. "Something wrong?"

"Toph needs us. There's something happening in the Daiwan slums."

"What?! What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"I'll go tell Katara. Meet me at the stable."

Sokka hurried off, growing more worried by the second. "Come on, Appa, wake up. We've got places to be. Yeah, I know, I know. Let's go. Outside, big boy."

"I can walk on my own, Aang!" Katara's shrill voice sounded behind him. Aang made an annoyed sound and rushed forward to get Appa's saddle on.

"You're coming?" Sokka asked her incredulously. "Seriously?"

"Of course I'm coming! What if someone gets hurt?"

"She's staying on Appa!" Aang said firmly, scooping her up then lifting them both into the saddle.

"Yes, you've already told me that, and I agreed."

Sokka clambered up to sit next to his sister, her face already red from exertion. And probably a little from irritation. "C'mon, let's go!" he demanded.

"Yip yip!"

It only took a couple of minutes to reach the area, and it was immediately obvious that something big was going on. Several buildings were on fire. It reminded Sokka too much of the time Toph got hurt, making his worry flare.

"Go find somewhere safe to wait, buddy," Aang murmured to Appa once they touched down. "Keep her safe."

"I'll be fine, Aang. Just go."

With a roar, Appa flew off, and the two men ran towards the noise and smoke, Sokka drawing his sword. It was benders and non-benders fighting each other - a familiar sight in Republic City - stones flying and fire shooting in a dangerous dance with swords and knives; there were even a few waterbenders in the throng. On the periphery were dozens of officers in their shining metal armor, calling for order and shooting cables at anyone who came too close. But where was Toph?

That question was answered quickly when a flash of silver and gold zipped across Sokka's awareness. The impossibly lithe blind woman landed a little ways away and ran towards them.

"Nice of you to show up!" she yelled over the noise, earthbending a few brawlers out of her way.

"What are we meant to be doing?" Sokka asked, but then realized Aang was gone. "Ok, what am I meant to be doing?"

"I don't know!" she said, using her cables to separate a fire bender and a knife-wielder who were about to kill each other. "Whatever you want! I mainly wanted Aang here to put out the fires."

"Wow, thanks. That means so much," Sokka said with his back to her, keeping a lookout.

"I didn't mean it like that! Just– Oh, no you don't, you motherfucker!"

"What?"

But she was already gone, flinging herself through the air. Sokka spared a moment to wonder why he even bothered, coming back to reality with a snap when a firebender charged him. In the space of two heartbeats, the man was knocked unconscious by his boomerang, Sokka already leaping to catch it and chase after Toph. Unfortunately, the distraction had caused him to lose sight of her.

A slight rumble began beneath his feet, growing in intensity to the point of nearly knocking him - and everyone else - down. Every nearby building visibly wobbled, and for a moment Sokka thought they would all come tumbling down on top of him. Then Toph landed in the middle of the street with a loud crunch, scattering cobblestone in every direction, and thrust her arms outward, fists clenched.

Everything became very still for a moment, the buildings stabilizing. Her stance shifted with a deft twisting motion and the ground rippled out in a wave up and down the street, bringing everyone to their knees. Well, everyone except Sokka, whose little patch of ground remained unaffected.

"THAT'S FUCKING ENOUGH!" Toph bellowed. A metal cable shot from each hip and began encircling the nearest rioters, pushing them closer and closer together until they were shoulder to shoulder. They were not happy with this arrangement, and many tried to duck underneath and crawl away. In an instant, Toph withdrew her cables and pressed her palms downward. The ground beneath the rioters turned to something that looked almost like liquid, and they all sank up to their waists, stuck fast.

Sokka did what he could to help the rest of the officers cuff all of them. Toph was just standing there with a determined look on her face, jaw tense, sweat dripping down her temples. It took Sokka a few seconds to realize she was fighting to hold the earthbenders she'd caught. Otherwise, they might escape and attack those who were still stuck.

Nearly an hour went by before they got things calmed down and either arrest or chase off the people who were fighting.

"Luon!" Toph yelled, pacing around importantly. "Do a headcount and report any injuries! Nato, keep an eye on everyone and keep an eye out for stragglers! Yachi, coordinate with the search and rescue team! Everyone else, stay put until you've been tallied!" Once finished giving orders, she walked over to Sokka, wiping dirt and sweat off her forehead. "Have you seen Aang?"

"Not lately."

She stomped the ground. "This way."

Sokka followed, walking quickly to keep up with her. "So, what was this all about, anyway? Gang-related?"

"Well," she began wearily, "we're still collecting intel but it looks like the residents of this neighborhood might have gotten wind of some rezoning that's been planned. It's always been split down the middle: benders on one side, non-benders on the other. I always keep officers in the area to settle disputes that arise. With the new zoning, that's all going to change. The officers here were attacked and called for backup, then it just spiraled out of control." Aang was up ahead, bending water from a nearby well to put out a fire. "I got a bone to pick with you, Twinkle Toes!" Toph said, striding over aggressively.

"Huh?" Aang asked, turning his head toward her.

"I understand that I have you to thank for having my budget slashed to bits."

Aang frowned at her, though he didn't stop what he was doing. "Toph-"

"Do you have any idea how many officers I'm going to have to lay off?! Never mind having to deal with old, worn-out equipment. How the fuck am I supposed to do my job properly?"

"Toph–"

"You're the one who pushed me into this job in the first place, you know. And now I'm trying to do everything I c–"

"TOPH! Would you let me talk for a second?"

She snapped her mouth shut and crossed her arms. Sokka decided to keep well back...just in case. He'd seen that face enough times to be relieved it wasn't being directed at him. There was a part of him that was annoyed on Aang's behalf. His friend was going through something and didn't deserve this much grief from her, especially after rushing to her aid without a moment's hesitation.

"If you're referring to the Council reallocating some city funds to other projects, bear in mind that it's not my decision. I merely came to them with some suggestions. Has it occurred to you that maybe there are alternatives to a constant police presence for some of the issues that plague this city?"

"Your hippy-dippy, 'let's all hold hands and meditate around a campfire' mentality isn't going to keep benders and non-benders away from each other's throats, and it's definitely not going to stop the gangs from taking over this city. If I don't have enough manpower to keep officers on the streets, I can't do anything."

"Not all of the crime is gang-related, Toph! You need to look at the bigger picture."

"Bigger pic- Are you fucking kidding me?! That's what I do all day long: look at the bigger picture! Scanning every corner of this goddamn hellhole of a city to try and figure out how to keep it from imploding."

"I'm talking about the poverty, the inequality, the lack of education. These are social problems, not police problems. I know you have your hands full, but a lot of the force's time is taken up with petty crime, which can be solved by fixing the social issues."

"But why does it have to come out of my budget!"

"Because your budget is most of the budget! There's nowhere else to take it from!"

Toph threw her hands in the air. "Ugh. I can't deal with you right now." She started to stalk past Sokka, but he grabbed her arm.

"Wait."

"What?" Her irritation shifted to him, as he had fully expected.

He led her a little ways away. "Look, I know you're annoyed," he said softly, "but can you maybe go easy on him today? He just got some really bad news right before we came here."

"What?" Her expression softened a little, eyebrows furrowing.

"His old friend, Bumi, passed away."

Toph's face fell. It was a more dramatic response than Sokka had been expecting. "Didn't think that tough old geezer would ever kick the bucket," she muttered. "We never got our rematch. He was the only earthbender that ever put up a real fight." She looked so despondent that he impulsively pulled her into a hug, but she immediately tensed and he regretted the gesture. "What was that for?" she asked.

"I dunno. You seemed upset."

"I'm fine, Meathead. Just a little bummed. Anyway, I don't have time to stand around and chat. I've got to get back to my officers."

But instead of walking back the way they'd come, she approached Aang and exchanged some quiet words with him, culminating in him giving her shoulder a friendly squeeze. Did Sokka's eyes deceive him, or was that a penitent look on her face? Had Toph Beifong apologized for harsh words?

Sokka approached Aang once she was gone, a pressing question still lingering in his mind. "You said earlier that you had some advice for me."

Aang gave him a dry smile. "Toph...is a wild boar-q-pine." Somehow, that was all he needed to say, Sokka understanding exactly what he meant.

‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›‹¤›

Despite the lingering soreness that remained even after two self-healing sessions, Katara was eager to be on her feet, restless and absolutely overflowing with the maternal compulsion to do something.

"You should be resting," Aang admonished.

"No, I should be taking care of our son," she said, leaning over the bassinet with a broad smile, gazing down at the peaceful face. Her eyes roved over every inch of him – again – taking in the wispy dark hair, the perfectly round cheeks, the tiny stubby fingers.

"He's asleep. He doesn't need anything right now. C'mon, Katara. You literally gave birth a couple hours ago. Don't most women rest for a few days?"

"I healed myself. I'm fine. I just like looking at him, ok?"

"So do I. But can you at least sit while you do it?"

"You're sure Toph got our message?" she asked, ignoring him.

"She's probably out at the moment. I'm sure she'll come as soon as she gets it."

"Actually, she already got it," Toph's voice said behind them. "I went home to change first. Congrats, by the way," she added, coming into the room. "Shouldn't you be resting or something?"

"I keep trying to tell her that, but she won't listen."

"Oh, will you two give it a rest? I'm fine." She leaned forward and lifted her baby into her arms. "Toph, meet your nephew, Bumi."

Toph grinned. "Bumi? Great choice."

"It seemed fitting," Aang said.

"Yeah," Toph agreed. "It is. Though I doubt he'll be an earthbender. Too bad."

"I don't think that's even possible," Katara laughed.

Toph reached out and put her hand on Bumi's chest. "Hey, kid. Uh...nice to meet you."

"You want to hold him?"

A frantic look appeared on her face and she pulled her hand away, taking a step back. "Uh...that's ok."

"Oh, c'mon. Here, just put your arms up."

"Katara, I–"

But Katara wasn't taking no for an answer. She held her child out, gently pressing him against her reluctant friend's midsection. Toph's arms awkwardly came up to support his weight. It was hard not to laugh at the sight.

"Have you never held a baby before?" Katara asked, readjusting Toph's arms to a more natural position.

"When exactly would I have had a reason to do that?"

Katara couldn't help but chuckle at her worried expression, glancing at Aang who was barely containing his amusement. "Relax, Toph. Just make sure you keep his head supported, that's the most important thing."

Bumi made a small noise, rousing a little, and Toph's brow furrowed. "Great, he already doesn't like me."

"He's fine, just waking up."

Toph continued to stand there, tense and awkward.

"Why don't you try sitting down?" Katara suggested.

Toph muttered something unintelligible under her breath and shuffled over to a nearby chair, sitting very slowly and cautiously. Katara stifled another laugh, but her idea seemed to be a good one because her friend did appear to be relaxing ever so slightly. After a few moments, Toph even brought one of her hands up to his face, tracing her fingers lightly over his features with a thoughtful expression.

"See?" Katara said. "Not so bad, huh?"

"Well, at least there's less worry of dropping him now." Bumi's tiny hand latched onto her finger. "You've got a good grip there, kid."

Katara couldn't help but beam at her best friend holding her baby. Toph rarely showed her softer side to anyone but Sokka – and not even him, these days. The whole situation was regrettable, but she couldn't help but wish for a day in the future when they would resolve their issues and maybe even settle down and have children of their own. It wasn't totally outside the realm of possibility; they'd already split up and gotten back together once. And the way they'd gone at it for more than two years, it seemed a small miracle that a baby hadn't happened already.

"Oh, you made it," Sokka said, spotting Toph from the hall. He grinned at the sight of her sitting with Bumi in her arms, his little hand gripping her finger. "And I see Katara wasted no time inducting you."

"I was given no choice. It was either hold him or drop him."

"Yes, I can see you're suffering immensely," he joked.

"He's alright, I guess. At least he's not crying. Katara, you better take him back the second any noises or smells start coming out of him. And stop laughing at me!" she added, somehow managing to glare at all three of them.

Sokka couldn't remember seeing her ever hold a baby. "Did you lose your baby-holding virginity today?"

Aang snorted, Katara choked down a laugh, and Toph scowled. But there was something else in her eyes that sobered him up and he suddenly regretted making the joke.

"Ha-ha, you all think you're so funny," Toph grumped.

"You roast the rest of us constantly," Katara said. "Don't dish it out if you can't take it."

She just rolled her eyes. A faint gurgle came from Bumi and a concerned frown pulled her brows down. "I think I'm ready for you to take him back."

"Alright," Katara relented, scooping her child up.

Visibly relieved, Toph relaxed back into the chair with a sigh.

"You look tired," Sokka said.

"Long day."

In the months that had passed, he had missed a lot about what the two of them had shared. He missed her earthy scent, her mischievous lips, the way her hair was just...everywhere. He missed her small but strong arms around his neck and her warm breath in his ear. But more than any of that, he missed her openness. Toph Beifong didn't open up to a lot of people, and there had been plenty of times that even he had failed to crack her.

But...with the way things were now, he was lucky to get more than five words in a row out of her. And it wasn't even that she was being cold towards him. There was no chill in her attitude when she spoke, no hint of resentment. There was just the distance between them.