"Are you sure you don't want me to help?" Zuko asked from his comfortable rock seat.

"Yes," Katara said firmly, "No combat training while you're pregnant."

Zuko huffed. "The Fire Nation won't care if I'm pregnant and Aang really needs more Firebending practice."

"You can give him a lesson afterwards." Katara said.

"Fine." Zuko grumbled, settling back as Katara and Toph readied their stances.

Aang tied a blindfold around his eyes a little too enthusiastically for Zuko's taste. "Okay, I'm ready for some training." He took his stance and braced himself. He nimbly dodged out the way of rocks shooting up. He deflected Katara's water whip skilfully. He hurled a rock towards Toph. She caught it with an easy grin.

"Good job, Twinkle Toes. Visualize, then attack." She launched the rock back towards Aang. He tunnelled into the ground to avoid it and it slammed into Katara's stomach instead. Zuko winced as she fell with a grunt. Suddenly, he was very glad he wasn't fighting. His hand strayed to his bump protectively.

Katara clambered to her feet, scowling. "Maybe you should take your own advice, Toph."

Zuko winced as Toph snarked back, "Can't handle some dirt, Madam Fussy Britches?"

Katara's scowl deepened. A tidal wave rose up from the river behind her, flowing across the ground until it drenched Toph. "Oh, sorry, did I splash you, mud slug?"

A nervous whimper escaped Zuko's clenched jaw. He watched with wide eyes as Toph rock- surfed towards Katara, who was ice- surfing towards Toph. The two bridges collided, throwing both girls to the ground.

"Are we taking a break?" Aang asked innocently.

"Yes!" Zuko yelped.

Sokka jumped up from behind a rock and sprinted towards Aang. "Sneak attack!" He yelled.

Aang lazily Earthbended a rock up for the Alpha to crash into. "Sokka, sneak attacks don't work if you yell it out loud."

The bitter mix of angry Alpha and Beta scents drew Zuko's attention to where Toph and Katara were literally wrestling in the mud. He flinched again watching them.

"Hungry for a mud pie!" Toph grinned and kicked mud up into Katara's face.

Katara stumbled back as she wiped her eyes clear. "I'll give you a mud pie!"

She slapped Toph to the ground, only to be thrown away by a rock. She hit a cliff face and Toph ran at her.

"Uh, guys, I thought we were supposed to be training me?" Aang interrupted. Was he playing dumb or did he really not know what was going on?

Katara and Toph froze in place.

"Very well, pupil," Katara said sagely, "I believe we've had enough training today." With that she stalked away.

"While Katara cleans up, let's go and have some fun." Toph laughed.

Aang and Sokka cheered.

"You coming, Sparky?"

"Not today, Toph. My ankles are feeling a little sore. Maybe next time."

"Okay." Toph accepted his refusal with far less complaining than Zuko expected. Probably because he pulled the pregnancy card as an excuse. No one ever dared argue against it.

With a worn out sigh, he pulled himself slowly to his feet and went to curl up on Appa. After all that excitement, he needed a break. Maybe a nap. The baby kicked. Zuko laughed. "Guess you agree, huh?"

He was just settling down and finding a comfortable position when a freshly cleaned, still slightly irritated looking Katara walked over. "It's time for your check up." She said bluntly.

Zuko was very sure it wasn't but he wasn't going to argue with a grumpy Katara. Regretfully, he rolled onto his back and lifted his shirt. Katara kneeled beside him and coated his stomach with water. Zuko shut his eyes against the familiar warm glow. He winced slightly as she prodded firmly at his stomach. The baby kicked harshly in response.

"Sorry." Katara muttered.

"It's fine."

Katara sat back with a sigh, moving her hands away from Zuko's belly. "You're both perfectly healthy, but I want you to stay off your feet as much as possible to keep them from swelling."

"Is that bad?"

"It can be, but a little bit is normal. Right now, you're fine."

"Thank Agni for Waterbenders' healing."

Katara scoffed. "Thank Tui and La, more like. I really wish we had better options though. You really should be seen by an actual healer or a midwife. Injuries I can do, but if something goes wrong, I'm not sure I'm skilled enough to do anything."

"Yeah, but I can't risk being recognised. We'll just have to hope that nothing does go wrong. We'll just have to cross that bridge if we come to it."

Katara huffed. "You're way too reckless with your health, you know?"

"Yeah. Uncle mentioned it a couple of times." He did more than mention it and more often than a couple of times, but Zuko really didn't want to go into any detail about that. His eyes shut of their own accord. The lure of sleep was growing sweeter by the second.

Katara laughed. "You get some rest while I start on lunch."

"Alright." Zuko yawned as he curled up onto his side.

It was all too soon that he was roused by the loud ruckus of Sokka, Aang and Toph. He peeled his eyes open as they approached; laden with baskets and laughing uproariously.

"Where did you guys get the money to buy all this stuff?" Katara asked.

"Toph got us money," Aang replied, taking a large bite of an apple, "She scammed one of those guys in town who moves the shells around all sneaky like."

Katara frowned disapprovingly.

"She used Earthbending to win the game. Classic!" Sokka added.

"Ah, so she cheated." Katara said stiffly.

"Hey, I only cheated because he was cheating. I cheated a cheater. What's wrong with that?" Toph protested.

"I'm just saying this isn't something we should make a habit of doing." Katara said.

"Why?" Toph challenged. "Because it's fun and you hate fun?"

"I don't hate fun!" Katara grabbed Momo and plonked him on her head. "See? Fun."

Zuko wasn't sure where the humour was supposed to be. He settled himself in the circle, stretching his legs out. Momo slid off Katara's head with a thud and scampered away.

"Fire Nation punishments are pretty severe. If you get caught, it won't be pleasant." Zuko said.

Aang nodded and stood up, pulling his bandana up to show his arrow. "Katara, I'll personally make you an Avatar Promise that we won't make a habit of doing these scams."

Yeah, where had Zuko heard that before?

Over the next few days, Aang, Sokka and Toph were spending all day in town scamming. Zuko was getting more and more antsy about it. it would only be so long until they were caught. And once they were caught, their identities would be revealed and the Firelord would find them and then he'd kill them and everything would be over and-

No, no, no. Everything was under control. Definitely. Besides, Katara was getting irritated too.

"Guys, I think these scams have gone far enough. If you keep doing them, something bad is gonna happen." She declared when they returned from another one of their jaunts.

"Could you for once stop being such a sourpuss and just lighten up?" Toph groaned, tossing a coin to her.

Katara caught it with a scowl. "Oh, I'm sorry. You think I should be more like you? Like some wild child?"

"Yeah, maybe," Toph retorted, "Maybe then you'd see how great we have it."

How great they had it. How great they had it?! Was Toph suddenly deaf? Was she hearing the words coming out of her mouth? What exactly was so great about their situation?

"We're travelling around the world, making easy money, having fun, with no parents to tell us what to do."

Zuko shot to his feet. Angry tears were already scorching their way down his face. "And you think that's great?"

"Uh, yeah. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Because we're in the middle of a war, Toph! A war against my father! Who we are training Aang to kill! Because I am unmated and pregnant, and I can't even see a proper healer and have no way of taking care of a baby! Because I'm a criminal among my own people! Because my uncle is in prison and maybe dead and my father and sister hate me, and I can never go home!" Zuko screamed through the lump in his throat. His shoulders shuddered as sobs forced themselves from his throat. "So what exactly do I have that's so great?"

"Zuko, I-"

"Save it!" he snapped, storming away.

Distantly, he heard Katara yell at Toph, "Oh I see! You're acting like this because of your parents!"

He didn't care.

He didn't go far; just past some boulders where he'd have some privacy. He sank to the ground and drew his knees as close to his chest as he could. He sobbed into them loudly. He didn't have the will to hold back anymore. They all knew he was crying anyway, so what did it matter?

Every repressed tear and hormonal cry was suddenly surging out of him all at once. There was no stopping the emotional tidal wave. Honestly, Zuko didn't really want to. Uncle had always tried to get him to open up about his feelings. Zuko had always struggled, but now he was pregnant, he decided he should try harder to deal with his emotions better.

This included letting them out.

His sobs were just starting to slow down when heavy footsteps approached. Zuko looked up to Appa's face staring down at him. The bison licked him once, then flopped to the ground and cuddled up to Zuko affectionately.

"Hey, Zuko."

"Sokka? What are you doing here?"

Sokka sat down beside Zuko. "I came to make sure you were okay. You seem… pretty upset."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. It's the hormones. I'll be fine once I get it out of my system."

"You wanna talk about it?"

"What is there to talk about? I pretty much said it all out there."

"Well… if you ever do want to talk, I'm here, okay."

"Yeah, thanks Sokka." Zuko's hand rested on his bump. The baby thumped against his hand. "Can- can I try something?"

"Uh… sure?"

Zuko grabbed Sokka's hand, placing it on the spot the baby had just kicked. Sokka stared at him blankly.

Another thump.

Sokka's whole face lit up. A giddy laugh escaped his lips. "That's a baby!" he cheered. "You've got a real, live baby in there!"

"What did you think being pregnant meant?" Zuko snarked, but there was no heat to it: only fondness.

Sokka spluttered. "I know what being pregnant means! I just- it feels really real now, you know?"

Zuko ran a hand gently over his bump. "Yeah. I do." He sighed.

Sokka put an arm round his shoulders and pulled him close. Zuko leaned into the warmth gratefully. The only Alpha scent he'd ever found comforting before had been Uncle's; but Sokka smelled good. Calming. Subconsciously, he inhaled more of it.

"Hey, it's gonna be alright. We'll figure it out."

"Sokka, I'm going to give birth in less than 4 months."

"And we'll figure it out before then. You're one of us now, Zuko. We're gonna keep you safe."

Zuko gave a soft snort of mock amusement. "In the middle of a war? Safe isn't a luxury I have- any of us have."

"As safe as possible then."

Zuko yawned. "I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."

Somehow, while he'd been asleep, Appa had moved back to the main camp. Zuko huffed and closed his eye again, hoping to just go back to sleep.

Small footsteps shuffled over, and he knew it was Toph. She sat down beside him. Zuko could hear the jangle of coins.

"Hey, Sparky. Are you awake?" she muttered.

Zuko didn't move.

"That's fair. I wouldn't want to speak to me either. I was an insensitive jerk."

"Yeah, you were." Zuko yawned as he sat up.

Toph looked surprised that he was actually talking to her but relieved none the less. "I'm really sorry. Leaving my home was just so freeing for me. I can be the most powerful Earthbender in the world and make my own choices now and- I guess I just forgot that it isn't like that for everyone."

"No, it's not. Being here is freeing for me too, but I'm only here because I was banished for doing what I thought was right. I didn't get the choice to leave home. I was forced. And it's difficult to balance the two sometimes. I don't know whether to be glad I'm here, or cry that I can't go home."

"That makes sense. I need to do better at thinking about other people's feelings."

"So do I. what do you say we work on that together?"

Toph flung herself into his arms. He oofed as her weight tackled him, but he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close all the same.

"Thanks, Zuko."

"No problem."

"Can you help me count out the money I just got?"

Zuko sighed. "Sure."

They were only half way through the bag when Sokka strode over with a grim look on his face… and a messenger hawk perched on his shoulder?

"Toph, when I was in town, I found something you're not going to like." He dramatically unfurled a sheet of paper and held it out to her.

"Well it sounds like a sheet of paper, but I guess you're referring to what's on the sheet of paper."

"It's a wanted poster," Zuko groaned, "Of you."

"They've nick named you the Runaway." Sokka added.

Toph's face lit up. "A wanted poster? That's so great! The Runaway. I love my new nickname. Is there a picture of me? Does it look good?"

Zuko and Sokka stared at the amateur scribbled portrait.

"Well, yeah, actually, it does look pretty good." Sokka said.

Zuko groaned. "That is not the point. This is really bad. Wanted criminals get really harsh punishments when they're caught."

"Relax, Sparky. I won't get caught. It's fine."

"Toph you're missing the point," Sokka said, "Maybe Katara was right. These scams are drawing too much attention to us."

"Don't be such a worry wart like your sister. Think of it this way. Now you have plenty of money to help with the invasion plan."

"Well, that is true. I had this idea of making armour for Appa."

Appa peeled an eye open and growled lowly.

Toph handed Sokka some coins. "Here's a little extra so you can get yourself a nice map of the Fire Nation." She paused before offering him the bag. "You know what, make it an atlas."

"I do like expensive atlases." He said, taking the bag.

"Sokka!" Zuko hissed.

"Of course you do," Toph continued, "And that's why this wanted poster is going to stay our little secret." She said, snatching it from his hand and tucking it into her tunic, before stalking away.

Sokka shot Zuko a conflicted look but sighed in defeat.

Aang and Katara emerged from the lagoon. Katara sighed in despair on seeing the hawk. "Sokka, tell me you didn't buy a bird."

"Not just a bird. A messenger bird. Now we can send messages all over the world, even to Gran- Gran."

"Wow, how does that work?" Aang asked eagerly.

"Hm," Sokka frowned, "Uh, I never actually thought about that. Hawky, Gran- Gran, South Pole. "

The hawk squawked and didn't move.

"I think he gets it."

Zuko huffed. "Messenger hawks are intelligent birds, but you actually have to train them. He doesn't know where the South Pole is because he hasn't been trained to go there."

"Oh."

Momo leapt onto Aang's shoulder and hissed angrily. He clawed at the hawk and dived for him. They swirled around Sokka's head, hissing and screeching furiously.

"Hawky, make nice! Bad Hawky!"

Eventually the two separated and Sokka and his bird disappeared. Zuko just shrugged and went to help Katara with dinner. They were having to use more and more Fire Nation ingredients and the Waterbender wanted Zuko's help in getting them right.

She scowled when Sokka and Toph returned- both carrying large bags. Zuko retreated away next to Aang.

"Well, look who decided to join us. Where have you two been? Of scamming again?"

"Yes, we were." Toph replied stiffly.

"And I suppose you don't think what you're doing is dangerous at all?"

"No, I don't."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Well, then, what's this?" Katara asked, pulling out the wanted poster. Terrific.

"I don't know! I mean, seriously, what's with you people? I'm blind!"

"It's a wanted poster of you; the Runaway. Is that what you're called now? Are you proud of this?"

"Where did you get that?"

"It doesn't matter where I got it. The fact is-"

"You went through my stuff! You had no right."

Zuko muffled a whimper into his clenched teeth, shuffling backwards towards Appa. The arguing was making him nervous and the strong scents were making him nauseous. He really hoped Toph and Katara would just get over themselves so at least he could have some peace and quiet.

"Your stuff was messy, and I was just straightening up and I happened to stumble across it."

"That's a lie! You're lying, Katara." Toph jabbed a finger towards the other girl.

Katara batted Toph's hand away. "Fine, it's a lie, but you've been so out of control lately, I knew something was up. I knew you were hiding something, and you were."

Zuko's chest lurched as all he could suddenly see was Azula taunting him- searching and searching until she found something to hurt him with and never letting him catch her until it was too late.

Toph snatched the poster and threw it to the ground. She turned to storm away.

"Don't you walk away from me while I'm talking to you." Katara snapped.

"Oh, really, mum?" Toph snarked, "Or what are you going to do? Send me to my room?"

"I wish I could."

"Well, you can't, because you're not my mum and you're not their mum."

Zuko, Aang and Sokka exchanged nervous, bewildered looks. Zuko reluctantly squeezed between them. Their scents were calm and comforting, a soothing distraction from the chaos they were being forced to watch.

"I never said I was." Katara protested.

"No, but you certainly act like it," Toph shot back, "You think it's your job to boss everyone around, but it's not. You're just a regular kid like the rest of us, so stop acting like you can tell me what to do. I can do whatever I want!"

"I don't act that way. Sokka do I act motherly?"

Sokka startled next to him so hard that Zuko flinched as well.

"Hey, I'm staying out of this one." The male Alpha shrugged.

"What do you think, Aang?" Katara asked, "Do I act like a mum?"

"Well, I…" Aang mumbled, rubbing at his yes.

"Stop rubbing your eye and speak clearly when you talk."

"Yes ma'am."

"Zuko?"

The Omega startled as Katara rounded on him.

"Yeah, You do." He stammered.

Both Aang and Sokka looked at him in horror.

"I- I do not! Why would you think that?"

"Well-"

"You're looking pale. Have you eaten today?"

"You watched me eat breakfast and lunch-"

"You need to take an extra serving of lunch and go and lie down."

Zuko didn't have the chance to protest before Toph was shouting, "I can't be around you right now!" and storming away.

"Well, I can't be around you!" Katara yelled after her and strode away in the opposite direction.

The hawk squawked.

"I know, Hawky. Why can't they just get along?"

The sun was dipping low in the sky. Zuko stretched out to try and soak up the last of Agni's rays. He needed every amount of comfort he could get to make it through all the tension bubbling in the camp.

Toph and Katara sat at opposite sides, backs turned resolutely to each other. There was no end in sight to their fight.

"Hey, Aang, Zuko, you want to test out my messenger hawk with me? I've got an idea."

"No thanks." Zuko mumbled absently.

"Sure." Aang said.

He leaned in and Sokka whispered to him. "I'm gonna send a note to Katara and say it's from Toph, who wants to apologize. Then everyone will be friends again."

Zuko sighed. That would work so well.

"I got to say, Sokka, you continue to impress me with your ideas."

Was Aang being serious? Yes, he was. Ladies and gentlemen, the world's only hope for peace.

"Eh, it's a gift." Sokka shrugged. He started writing out a note with a self-satisfied smile. "'Dear Katara, sorry for everything. Your friend, Toph.'"

"It isn't going to work." Zuko chimed in as Sokka rolled the note up and slotted it into the hawk's pouch.

"Watch and learn, Zuko, watch and learn."

With yet another squawk, the hawk flew from Sokka's arm to Katara. Aang and Sokka exchanged grins.

"I know this is from you, Sokka!" Katara yelled, "Toph can't write! Ugh, you're all driving me crazy!" And there she went, storming off again.

"I told you it wouldn't work."

"I can't believe we forgot the fact that Toph can't write." Aang groaned.

"Yep, we're idiots." Sokka grumbled.

"I guess plan B is we send a note to Toph pretending it's from Katara." Aang said.

Zuko sighed loudly. "I doubt you'll have any better luck with that."

"Oh right."

"Sorry, Hawky," Sokka said, "Looks like I'm gonna have to do this without your help."

Zuko was pretty sure the hawk didn't care.

He watched as Sokka took Toph over to a more secluded ledge to talk.

"Do you think he can get them to stop fighting?" he asked Aang.

Aang nodded enthusiastically. "No one knows Katara better than Sokka. He'll have this sorted in no time."

"He'd better. There is only so much of this I can deal with."

"Oh yeah. Are you feeling better?"

"I'm fine, Aang. I just have a sensitive nose and a weak stomach, thanks to this little annoyance." He patted his belly gently for emphasis.

"How is the baby doing?"

"Would you like to feel it?"

"Yes please!"

Smiling to himself at Aang's sheer joy, Zuko placed the Airbender's hand on the side of his belly. Immediately, the baby kicked into action, jabbing Aang's hand.

Aang laughed in delight. "That's so cool! Do you get to feel this all the time?"

Zuko nodded. "Morning, noon and night. It's pretty annoying at night though."

"Yeah, I can't imagine trying to sleep with a baby kicking my insides all the time."

"It is hard. Now, let's finish dinner. I'm starving."

The sun was starting to go down by the time Sokka and Toph returned. Zuko just hoped they could eat soon. He'd been keeping the meal warm for a while now and he was quickly learning that keeping a pregnant Omega from eating was not a good idea.

Katara walked out to meet them. "Hi, Toph. Um, I want to-"

"Katara, stop," Toph interrupted, "You don't have to apologise. I was the one being stupid. These scams are out of control and I'm done with them."

"Actually," Katara grinned, "I wasn't going to apologise. I was gonna say, I want to pull a scam with you."

Zuko audibly groaned.

"What? You want to pull a scam?"

"Not just any scam. The ultimate scam. What do you say, Toph? Just me and you, one last go. You in?"

"You know I'm in. Now what's this idea of yours?"

Zuko was Done. Absolutely Done. He glanced at Sokka and Aang lying uselessly on the ground and rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'm going to eat if anyone wants to join me."

That woke them up.

"Do you guys think this scam of theirs should be taking so long?" Aang asked, pacing worriedly.

"I was just wondering the same thing." Sokka said.

"I think we should go and find them." Zuko said.

"Aang and I will go, you stay here." Sokka said.

Zuko groaned. "I'm not helpless you know."

"Zuko, I said we would keep you safe. That means no going looking for fights. Besides, I need someone to make sure Hawky and Momo behave and you're the best person for the job."

"Ugh. Fine. Go and find the others. And don't do anything stupid."

As soon as Sokka and Aang were out of sight, Hawky and Momo were hissing and growling at each other. One roar from Appa had them both still and quiet.

"Thanks Appa."

Appa rumbled lowly. Zuko made himself comfortable against his fluffy side. "Do you think they'll be alright?"

Appa huffed softly.

"Yeah, I'm sure it's nothing they can't handle. Katara and Toph are strong. Plus, Aang and Sokka will find them and back them up if they need it. They'll be fine."

He winced as the baby struck his insides painfully. "Easy, Firefly. I didn't mean to upset you," he murmured gently, "They're going to be fine. I promise."

Appa nuzzled him protectively. Momo scampered over and chittered at Zuko's belly. Zuko laughed and petted the lemur's head. "It's just the baby, Momo. It's fine."

If only Zuko could convince himself of that.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Zuko rambled as he hovered over his companions. Damn his newfound maternal instincts.

"We're fine, Zuko." Katara assured.

"What happened?"

"Combustion Man trapped me and Katara in wooden cell while he attacked Aang and Sokka." Toph replied.

"Who?"

"The assassin. With the metal arm who shoots fire from his brain." Aang said.

"That's- that's not his name."

"Yeah, but it fits so well." Sokka shrugged.

Zuko sighed. "Whatever. If he's here, then we did to leave now."

The camp was quickly packed up and ready to go. Zuko didn't protest Sokka helping him into Appa's saddle. He just wanted to get as far away from that assassin- whatever his name was- as possible.

They flew until nightfall. Once they landed, he collapsed exhaustedly onto Appa's tail. He really couldn't be bothered to care about Katara's 'everyone helps unload' rule. He was way too tired for that.

A warm weight settled in beside him. Zuko didn't have to open his eyes to realise it was Toph.

"Zuko… what happened to your mum? You never talk about her."

Zuko stiffened.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"No, it's fine. The truth is, I don't know. She loved me and when I was a child, she offered her life in exchange for mine. I don't know where she is now."

"Oh. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay. Now go to sleep."

Toph snuggled against Zuko's side, draping herself against Zuko's belly. Zuko shrugged to himself and rested his arm around her shoulders. If his lips twitched upwards, that was no one's business but his own.