A/N: Thank you everyone who read, reviewed and alerted. And a huge thanks again to my beta, DeepAzulaEyes. So, read, enjoy, and don't forget to review! I love hearing from you, and now…the fun begins.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar

Chapter 12

Toph smiled and waved goodbye to Katara after the junior had dropped her off and then made her way into her house. Her good mood instantly evaporated as she felt the tension in the living room and heard her dad and mom waiting for her.

"Toph, we need to talk to you," Lao said sternly.

"Fine, just let me put this away," Toph stated and moved towards her room.

"Now," Lao stated and Toph sighed again and started heading to one of the chairs facing her parents.

"Wait, what do you have there?" Jasmine asked politely.

"A dress, for homecoming," Toph said and her mother was instantly up and at her side as she sat in one of the recliners.

"Oh, this is one of my dresses," Jasmine said happily. "I made it with you in mind, and now you're going to wear it! Lao, this is so great! And, our daughter is going to a dance!"

"Jasmine, we need to discuss last night first," Lao said sternly, but not without compassion and Toph heard her mom nod and return to sit next to Lao. Toph waited and once her mother was seated, Lao turned to his daughter again. "Toph, what happened last night? Mr. Roku from across the street called shortly after Mr. Du-Moss called and both told different tales. Did that boy from across the street actually break Hahn's nose? If he did, I don't want you associating with him, he's dangerous. And why did you come home soaking wet last night?"

Toph frowned. "First of all, yes, Zuko did punch Hahn, but only because Hahn hit me first." She heard her dad gasp.

"Tell me everything that happened," Lao said with a touch of anger in his tone.

Toph nodded. "Zuko came over and Fong drove all of us over. We helped Sokka, Aang and Katara get things ready and then just hung out with friends as they arrived. Zuko and I danced and then…I had to use the restroom. When I came out, Hahn cornered me, acting weird and his breath stunk. He said we were meant for each other and I tried to push him away and he slapped me." Toph gently touched her cheek. It was still a little tender, but not sensitive enough for a bruise. "Well, Zuko pulled Hahn away from me before I could hit him and I heard him flip Hahn when the jerk tried to punch Zuko. I know Zuko did everything he could not to hurt Hahn, but ended up punching him. I was angry that I couldn't beat up the jerk that had dared to hit me and ran out, not realizing it was raining. Zuko came after me and called his uncle and we came home. That's it."

Toph frowned at her father again as she listened to his breathing. He was angry, but maybe not at her. She heard her mom lay a hand on Lao's hand and Lao took a deep breath.

"Thank you Toph, I'm going to call Mr. Du-Moss right now and make sure he knows the truth about his son," Lao said firmly before he got up. He stayed there for a second longer, and his tone was gentle when he spoke again. "Are you sure you're all right, Toph?"

"Yeah, I'm fine Dad," she said with a smile. "Oh, and I'm going with Zuko and our friends to homecoming."

Lao had nodded after she said she was fine, but stopped again at the mention of Zuko.

"Toph dear, why don't you go put your dress away while I talk with your father," Jasmine said softly and Toph nodded, hurrying to her room.

She stopped once she was in her room and shut the door before opening it a crack to hear her parents.

"Jasmine, I don't want her associating with that boy!" Lao said as he started walking towards the kitchen.

"Our little girl is growing up, and she's proven she can take care of herself. And this young man seems to care for her. Remember when we were kids," Jasmine said seductively as Toph heard her follow Lao. "We wouldn't take no for an answer either."

"Jasmine," Lao sighed. "That was different. Toph is blind, and frail, and…"

"And finally wants to wear a dress and look nice for a boy," Jasmine stated back. "And that's why she has a Hung Gar teacher, who, by the way, doesn't really teach her anymore."

"What?" Lao asked, confused.

"I've been checking in on them occasionally, and it seems Toph has been besting her teacher for over a year now. She needs a new challenge, and seems to be enjoying the martial arts club at school."

"That didn't stop her from being hit," Lao grumbled.

"No, but if Zuko hadn't stepped in, I'm sure the boy would have come away with worse than a broken nose," Jasmine said with a smile and a lot of pride in her tone, making Toph smile. At least her mom was coming to understand her.

Toph heard her dad sigh. "Fine, she can go to the dance with her friends, but I still don't like this boy."

"You don't have to," Jasmine said as she kissed her husband and they moved into the kitchen and Toph could no longer hear them. Knowing her mom was on her side, Toph started feeling better and hung the dress in her closet, smiling slightly as she felt the material. She hadn't worn a dress since she was little, and had even refused one for Halloween, but for homecoming, she knew she couldn't wear pants. And, Zuko would probably go crazy seeing her in a dress. She sighed and found her history book as she got onto her bed and started her homework, hoping Zuko was doing all right.

XXXXX

Zuko kept thinking of Toph and the dance as Iroh drove them to the nursing home. She had seemed ok with what he told her and had called him the night before, talking things over with him and had even told him she had gotten a dress for homecoming. He was shocked at that and asked her why since she obviously hated dresses and Toph had laughed at that. She had then told him she just felt like it and that she couldn't wear pants to homecoming. He felt better that he had told her about himself, but he was still apprehensive about his father showing up and ruining everything.

Iroh pulled into the parking lot and Zuko barely waited until his uncle had nodded the ok before he got out and hurried into the nursing home. He wanted to see his mom, and tell her what had happened. And maybe talk to her about his feelings for Toph. The scarred teen was impatient as Iroh talked with the receptionist before turning to his nephew.

"She's in the greenhouse," Iroh said with a smile. "Come Nephew, let us go and see her."

Zuko nodded and followed his uncle towards the back of the nursing home to a greenhouse that had been added on recently. There, he found his mother walking around and pruning some of the plants and roses. She turned and started smiling when she saw as Zuko hurried forward to embrace his mother.

"Oh, Zuko. I didn't expect to see you this soon," Ursa said as she clung to her son.

"I wanted to see you more and Uncle made it possible," Zuko stated as he hugged her back before he drew away to get a good look at her. She seemed better than when he had last been there and he was glad to see her up and moving around.

"Hello, Iroh," Ursa said with a smile as she looked past Zuko.

Zuko moved so that his uncle could embrace Ursa in a gentle hug and glanced around. Several security guards patrolled outside and two male nurses who looked like they could handle themselves were inside the greenhouse. The greenhouse itself was neat and comforting and Zuko recognized many herbs that his mother and uncle had grown in the past as well as many flowering plants. His attention turned back to his mother as Iroh escorted Ursa to a set of chairs around a small table. Zuko followed them and sat on the other side of his mother from Iroh.

"Well, I'm glad things are going so well," Ursa said to Iroh before she turned to Zuko. "And I heard you had some excitement as well. Are you all right? I don't want you to get in trouble again."

"I'm fine, Mom," Zuko told her. "He deserved it, and even though I know Toph could take care of herself, I couldn't see her get hurt."

Ursa nodded wisely and the three continued to talk for a while until Iroh left Zuko alone with his mother and he told her everything, kissing Toph and then telling the blind girl about himself. Ursa laid a hand on Zuko's as he finished and Zuko looked up into her brown eyes.

"I am so proud of you," she told him. "And I'm glad you told the young lady of your feelings. I hope I can meet her one day."

"Yeah, I think you would like her," Zuko said, but he noticed his mother getting tired. "We'll come by and visit again soon," Zuko said as he rose to hug his mother gently.

"Yes, and be careful, dear," Ursa said and Zuko saw worry in her eyes.

"I will - no fights if I can help it," he told her with a small smile.

Ursa nodded and rose, hugging Zuko again. "Well," she said with a smile, "I should be out of here soon. Take care of Iroh, he's not as young as he used to be. And he worries about you." Zuko nodded and Ursa smiled again. "And get back to that girl of yours. I can see you want to spend time with her." She kissed her son's cheek before letting him go, waving to him and Iroh before they left the greenhouse as Zuko saw a nurse go to help Ursa back to her room.

Zuko felt better as Iroh drove them back home, and his thoughts kept turning to Toph and what they could do that afternoon. Once they turned into their neighborhood, Zuko called Toph.

"Hey Sunshine," Toph said with a smile. "Wanna do something?"

"Yeah, any ideas?" Zuko asked, seeing his uncle smiling.

"Just get me out of this house," Toph stated.

Zuko smiled. "Ok, want to go downtown? Maybe get a smoothie?"

"Sure, you almost home?"

"Pulling into the driveway now."

"Ok, see you in a minute," Toph said and it sounded as if she was getting up.

"See you," Zuko stated and hung up, turning to frown at his uncle who was now grinning. "Anything wrong, Uncle?" Zuko almost growled.

"No, have fun and try not to be so protective this time," Iroh said as he stopped the car and got out, heading into the house.

Zuko sighed, but knew his uncle and mother approved of Toph. But that wouldn't stop Iroh from teasing him about it. The scarred teen turned and saw Toph hurrying out of her house with Sokka's leather jacket on over a tight green shirt and blue jeans. She was frowning, but started smiling when Zuko walked up to her.

"You ok?" he asked her.

"Yeah, my dad still doesn't like you," Toph sighed as they started walking. "But my mom does. She's trying to get me to tell her about you, but I told her the bare minimum. I did tell her about the kiss though."

Zuko nodded, and saw Toph blush. She turned and smiled sweetly up at him. "I've thought about it," she said softly. "And I want to continue what we started."

Zuko thought about when he had kissed her at the party, and felt his cheeks heat up as Toph blushed more. "You sure?" Zuko asked, trying to get rid of the knot in his stomach as well as the surge of elation.

"Yeah," Toph said and blushed more.

Neither could talk for a while and they both blushed whenever they looked at each other, unsure how to move onto the next step. They were interrupted from their awkwardness when Zuko saw Sokka and Suki hurrying towards them on Main Street.

"Toph! Zuko! Man, I'm glad to see you guys here," Sokka said as he stopped in front of them.

"What's wrong Snoozles?" Toph asked, her usual mischievous grin back as she faced Sokka.

"Katara told me about you guys coming to homecoming. Are you guys really going out?" Sokka asked, looking from Toph to Zuko and back again.

Zuko glanced at Toph, unsure how to answer Sokka and Toph looked uncertain as well.

"Sokka, relax," Suki said, elbowing her boyfriend in the ribs gently. "They don't know yet. It's kind of like when we started dating."

"Yeah, ok," Sokka said, looking dejected.

"Actually, we came to get some smoothies," Toph said, looking relieved. "Want to join us?"

"Love to," Suki said with a smile.

The four got the smoothies in silence and Toph took off the jacket she was wearing and handed it to Sokka before they sat at a table. "Here you go, Snoozles. Thanks for letting Sunshine use it on Friday."

"You sure, Toph?" Sokka asked as he took the jacket from her. "You get cold easier than I do."

"It's your jacket and I can practically hear your teeth chattering whenever a breeze comes this way," Toph said with a smirk.

"You're right," Suki said with a giggle. "He does get cold easily. Though he always seems nice and warm to me."

Zuko watched with a small smile as Suki cuddled up to her boyfriend after Sokka pulled his jacket on. The scarred teen glanced at Toph and saw her smiling in a long sleeve shirt. They relaxed more and talked about the party and Hahn getting punched. Sokka told them he had thrown the jerk out into the rain as soon as he could, though Hahn had protested.

"We never invited him. He snuck in by asking Song to the party," Sokka said with a frown.

"Poor Song, I hope she's ok," Toph said and Suki looked on with puzzlement. "Song's so shy and quiet. I know she would be ecstatic if any guy asked her out and Dumbass can be charming when he wants to be."

"Well, maybe we can get Chuck to ask her out," Sokka said with a smile. "I've been talking with him in Calculus and Physics, and it seems he really likes Song, but is too shy to ask her to homecoming."

"Oh, that would be so romantic!" Suki said.

"Will you guys help?" Sokka asked Toph and Zuko.

"Sure, he's a good guy," Zuko said, remembering when the big guy had said he would stand behind Zuko if Jet went after him.

"Great!" Sokka said before he looked at his watch. "Ah, gotta go. We've got a movie to catch."

"See ya Snoozles, Fan Girl!" Toph said with a grin before she turned to Zuko. "So, where were we?"

He noticed her shivering after she took another sip of her smoothie and slipped his jacket off, placing it on her shoulders. "Sokka was right, you get cold easily. You can have mine until we get home."

She smiled and blushed and they talked about their pasts a bit until they finished their drinks. Once done, they started walking towards the beach. Toph had slipped her arms into the sleeves of Zuko's jacket and he thought the black leather looked good on her. They stopped at the railing and watched the sun start to set. He knew she was waiting on him. She had told him she was ok with everything and wanted to go further, but was letting him go at his own pace.

"I know this is going to sound childish," Zuko started hesitantly as they stared out towards the ocean, enjoying the warmth and slight breeze. "But, can I hold your hand?"

He looked over at Toph and saw her blush slightly, but she turned to him and smiled. "Yes," she said softly and held her hand out towards him. He smiled and took her hand in his, feeling better than he did when he had taken her hand in the costume shop. Her hand was so small, but it felt right to hold it. It just fit perfectly in his. He saw and felt her shiver slightly as a gust hit them and pulled her closer to him. Toph seemed surprised but cuddled into his side as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. It finally felt right. He had found a town where he could fit in and people who accepted him for who he was. And the girl who had made sure he adjusted and integrated herself into his life had accepted him for who he was and didn't care about his past. She had waited for him and he was happy she had let him in as he had let her in. And now, they were together, finally realizing their feelings for each other.

"So, are we going out?" Toph asked quietly as he held onto her, relaxing as she wrapped an arm around his waist.

"I guess we are," Zuko said with a smile. She turned her face towards him and he smiled before he leaned down to kiss her. He was surprised at how much passion was in her kiss and they lost themselves, going further until Zuko realized he had moved her against the railing and was making out with her in public.

"Sorry," he muttered when he stopped, realizing what was happening and where they were. "I usually don't do this."

"I know, you only had one girlfriend before and I haven't had any boyfriends," Toph said with a wry smile.

"Not that," Zuko said with a smile as he leaned his forehead against hers. "Public displays of affection."

"Yeah, you're more the quiet, conservative type," Toph said before she laughed lightly. "But, if you want, we can continue this somewhere more private."

Her voice dropped and got seductive and Zuko felt his hormones starting to gain control. All he wanted to do was kiss her again, but he knew he could control himself. "Yeah, but where?"

"Well, the rocks," she said, but seemed to feel him tense, sensing his uncertainty. "Or we could tone it down for now and watch a movie. My dad was leaving to take care of some business and should be gone."

"That sounds better," Zuko said and watched her smile. He liked that she could read him so well and yet, she never took advantage of it.

They walked back to her house, hand in hand and then just sat on her couch while Toph introduced him to anime. He found he liked the more mature animation and slowly they moved closer to each other until they were cuddling on the couch. Whenever Jasmine came out to check on them, Zuko jumped away from Toph, but as the evening wore on, he did it less and less. He stayed for dinner with Toph and her mom after texting his uncle that he would be staying and when he left for the night, Toph walked him to the door.

"I had a good time today," she said with a blush and shy smile.

"Yeah, me too," Zuko said as he smiled back at her. "I'm not looking forward to tomorrow, though."

"Please," Toph said with a wave of her hand. "They'll know what happened and no one will mess with you. Sweetness called me earlier and I'm sure the whole school knows what an asshole Dumbass is now."

"I guess that's all right, but Jet may still cause trouble," Zuko sighed.

"Then let me deal with him. Since you beat up Hahn, Jet's mine."

"Sounds good," Zuko said with a smile before he leaned closer to Toph. "Goodnight."

He kissed her softly, and pulled away before it became too intense. She smiled and sighed when he pulled away.

"Yah, night, Sunshine," she replied.

He let her go and stepped back, turning to head home. Zuko glanced back once more and saw her sagging against her doorway with a content smile on her face before she got up and headed inside, closing the door behind her. He was glad she had decided to take it further and hurried home to finish the last of his homework.

XXXXX

Zuko was surprised at how smoothly the week went. As he walked to school with Toph on Monday, she had held his hand, and refused to let go when they had gotten closer to the school and he started seeing other people. Word had spread like wildfire about his breaking Hahn's nose and Hahn himself was absent, apparently staying home for the day, but had shown up on Tuesday and avoided Zuko and Toph at all costs. Gossip had spread about them, and it had taken Katara asking if they were officially going out for anyone to know the truth. Toph had just squeezed Zuko's hand at lunch on Monday before she told Katara they were and before the day was over, the whole school knew about it. Jet had almost caused trouble at lunch on Tuesday, trying to get close to Katara again and bad-mouthing Zuko, but Toph had merely stopped Jet before the spiky haired senior got close to their table. After a few whispered words from Toph, Zuko had watched as Jet became deathly pale and then turn to hurry back to his own table.

"What did you say to Jet?" Zuko asked Toph as they walked home from school that day.

"I told him that what you did to him and Hahn was child's play compared to what I would do to him if he made trouble for any of my friends. And that I would do it when he least expected it and no one but us would know exactly what had happened."

Zuko laughed lightly at that and the two became even closer throughout the week. The martial arts club went smoothly and Zuko even agreed to show some moves to Angie and the few who studied Northern Shaolin, although he did it grudgingly and only with a lot of prompting from Toph and Angie. Toph had kept smiling whenever she turned her head to him as she showed a lot of people some Hung Gar moves and he found himself smiling back whenever he spotted her. After the club meeting, he, Sokka, and Toph had pulled Chuck aside and talked to him about asking Song out. Sokka had been working on the big senior for the past couple of days in the classes the two shared and Zuko caught Chuck glancing towards Song who was talking with Jin and Katara.

"Pipsqueak, you better do it now," Toph told him as he hemmed and hawed. "She'll need to get a dress, and it'll be harder the longer you wait."

"You've liked her forever," Sokka said with a smile. "I know you watched her when we were with her in biology when we were sophomores. Now, go ask."

"But…" Chuck started, trying to protest.

"Look, Pipsqueak," Toph said as she frowned up at the big senior and poked him in the stomach, not able to reach his chest. "Sunshine was quiet and he asked me out. He's even taking me to homecoming though he doesn't like dances. Go. Ask."

"Really?" Chuck asked Zuko quietly.

"Yeah," Zuko shrugged and he saw Sokka smile.

"We'll be right behind you, buddy," Sokka told the big senior.

"Ok, ok," Chuck said and took a deep breath before he turned and walked over to Song.

Zuko watched as he talked with the girls, Jin giggling until Katara pulled her away so Song and Chuck could speak privately. Zuko could tell Chuck was nervous, but he knew the big guy had done it when Song's face lit up and she hugged Chuck in excitement. She hurried off to Katara and Jin and Chuck turned back to Zuko, Sokka and Toph, smiling a huge grin.

"She said yes," the big senior sighed.

"Great job, Pipsqueak!" Toph said, punching his arm lightly. "Now, Snoozles and Twinkles can tell you where to get a suit if you need one, but I gotta get going. Hama gave us a ton of work."

Chuck and Sokka had waved goodbye to Toph and Zuko and they walked home to study chemistry together and got most of it done before Toph got bored and started cuddling up to Zuko, distracting him from the work until they had started kissing and making out. Zuko had stopped when he heard her mom come home and they had just teased each other and tried to get the rest of chemistry done, but couldn't. Eventually Zuko had just gone home, since they both needed to get the work done. They talked just about every night on the phone, even after they spent hours together. As Friday and homecoming approached, Zuko started getting a little nervous.

His uncle had taken his suit in to be cleaned, and Toph and Katara had made plans to get ready at Katara's house with Suki. Iroh would then drive Zuko and Aang there and then take part of the group to the dance while Sokka drove the rest. As happy as Zuko was, he was starting to feel a sense of foreboding. As if something was going to come and ruin his happiness. Friday came and school moved smoothly until the end. Toph hugged him goodbye before she hurried with Sokka to the blue-eyed senior's car to meet Katara and Zuko started walking home slowly. He had already bought Toph's corsage, a white rose on a bed of leaves and baby's breath and his uncle was picking it up then. Toph had told him her dress was green, but wouldn't give him any other details, saying he had to wait to be surprised. He was so busy thinking about Toph and that night, he didn't see the girl ahead of him until he almost ran into her.

"Hi Zuko," she said dully.

"Mai?" he asked, surprised as he finally took notice of her. "What are you doing here?"

He started to glance around, but didn't see anyone else. They were only a block away from the school, and it was still visible from where they stood.

"You know, you're uncle should really stop using family names," Mai said in her monotone, though Zuko thought she was looking sad.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Zuko asked her, his temper starting to get the better of him.

She just looked into his eyes, sighed, and he knew she was sad. "I visited Azula two days ago. She said she knew where you were. I did some research and found your school. I came to warn you. Your dad is probably on his way."

Zuko was shocked and merely stared at Mai as she walked up to him and placed a hand on his cheek. "I know we'll never work it out, and I heard you have a new girlfriend now, but I still care for you. I don't want to see you get hurt. Get out of here, Zuko. Please."

Zuko nodded absently, still at a loss for words and Mai smiled slightly and turned to her car, a black Jetta. "I won't bother you anymore," she told him. "Be careful, Zuko."

Zuko nodded again, his fists clenching as he thought over what Mai had told him as he watched her pull away. His sister and therefore his father knew where he was and the madman would probably show up soon to ruin his life again. Once Mai was gone, Zuko started running, taking odd turns and running through backyards and alleys on his way home, making sure no one could follow him. He entered his house through the back door to a surprised Iroh.

"Nephew? Is something wrong?" Iroh asked him.

"I just saw Mai," Zuko stated. "She warned me my father is coming."

He closed the blinds and turned to watch Iroh deep in thought. Iroh looked up to study Zuko and sighed. "I can make a few calls and we can leave tonight. It is your decision, Zuko. I know you like living here and care deeply for Toph. Do you wish to stay, or do you want to move again?"

Zuko thought over everything that had happened to him. No matter where he moved, whether back East, Midwest, or a few hours away from his old home on the West coast, his father always found him. He had finally found a place that he could call home and a girlfriend he cared more for than anyone outside of his family, or at least part of his family. And Toph was waiting for him to go to homecoming. He could run, as he had always done, and continue to run, but for how long? When would his father be caught and brought to justice?

His thoughts turned to Toph. She had run from him and Hahn after the party, but only because she couldn't fight. She always chose to stand up for what she believed in, not letting stupid boys or what others looked at as a weakness to stop her. Zuko's instincts were at war within him. He wanted to run, but he also wanted to fight the man who had ruined his life. He looked up into his uncle's eyes and saw Iroh calm and collected, waiting on Zuko's decision. Iroh had always supported him, no matter what, and would continue to support him. But Iroh had aged in the three years since they had started running and it was starting to show. And Iroh had taught him how to fight smart, not just fight like his father did. Taking a deep breath, Zuko started to smile.

"I'm staying. I'm not going to let him ruin my life any more," he told his uncle.

Iroh nodded and smiled broadly, clasping Zuko on the shoulder. "Very good, Nephew. I need to make a few calls, to alert my friends to the trouble. Get ready, and then I will drive you to your lady."

Zuko nodded and hurried to the shower, glad that he had decided to stay. His adrenaline was still running, telling him to either fight or take flight, but he was firm in his belief that this time, fight was the correct decision.