A/N: A huge thank you to everyone for being so patient with me. I did get a job (Yay!) at a doggie day-care and am currently looking for a second job. My husband is still out of work, but because he's union, he should have a job within a month or 2. And we're moving back to our hometown in a month. So, lots of stuff happening. Oh, also, my friend, Joel, won Extreme Home Makeover for his home and big cat rescue called Forever Wild. The episode will air in April, supposed to be episode 20. Lots of good things happening and hope you all are well
A huge, huge thanks to my wonderful betas, DeepAzulaEyes and AStormisBrewing, for all their help and getting the chapter back to me through their finals. Thank you soooo much! So, here's the next one, and I'll try and have the next one up sooner. Read, enjoy, and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: Don't own Avatar
Chapter 15
Toph woke to the warmth of sunlight on her face and she heard voices from the family room. Waking up more, she distinguished two female voices. Smiling, she jumped out of bed and ran to the family room, tackling the voice that was not her mother.
"Ooof, you've grown," Jun said before a smile entered her tone. "Though not so much that I can't call you Squirt."
"Hi, Aunt Jun," Toph said as Jun hugged her.
"Jun, I'll leave you two to discuss things," Jasmine said with a smile and gentle tone. "Toph, your father is gone all day, but we expect to see you for dinner. And mind your cousin."
"I will," Toph replied and both she and Jun waited until they heard the garage door close behind Jasmine.
"Ok, she's gone," Jun said with a wry tone. "Now, tell me about this boy."
Toph grinned. "First, why are you here? I knew you worked for the FBI, but never thought you'd get into the protection part of it. You were always a hunter, not a protector."
Toph heard Jun's breathing change and a frown was in her tone when she spoke. "I am, and I'm hunting Ozai as well as protecting you. Let's just say I have a grudge against your boyfriend's old man and his uncle is one of the best guys I've ever worked with. I owe Iroh a few favors, and I'm getting payback."
Toph started to ask for more information, but Jun beat her to it. "And you're not getting anything else out of me until I hear every detail about this guy. So, is he cute?"
Toph pouted, but then smiled. "You'll have to tell me, but I think he is."
Jun laughed and they talked, Toph telling Jun about how she had come to know Zuko and started liking him. She didn't want to tell Jun what Zuko had told her about his past, but Jun seemed to pick up on it and said she knew it.
"I read the report," Jun said with a frown and a touch of sadness, which Toph found surprising. "I knew Ursa quite well, and was saddened that so much had gone on for so long without anyone knowing. I even got one of the few copies of Zuko's testimony. You don't have to tell me what he told you. It's personal. Go on, I want to hear about your next kiss."
Toph scowled at Jun when her cousin's tone got smug, but continued. Once she finished with the events of the previous night, she stopped and studied Jun. Jun was her favorite family member. Jasmine's youngest cousin since both of Toph's parents were only children. But since Jun was close to Jasmine in age and they got along as sisters did, Toph just called Jun, 'Aunt'. Jun could beat people up, did things her own way, was independent, and made sure Toph knew how to take care of herself. Toph loved it. Jun was like the big sister she never had and Toph knew she could tell Jun anything. But Jun was now hiding something from her.
"This cave of yours, it's to the north of here, where the rocks start. Right?" Jun asked and Toph nodded. "I found it when I was your age," Jun said with a smile and Toph relaxed slightly.
"What do you have against Ozai?" Toph asked.
Jun's breathing changed again, but then she sighed. "Can't hind anything from you, can I, Squirt?"
Jun ruffled Toph's bangs, and Toph pushed the hand away with a smile. "Nope. Not many can."
"You might want to think about joining the FBI when you're older," Jun said with pride before her tone became serious. "I used to work with Ozai. I'd hunt em down, maybe capture the bad guys, and then he would interrogate and get their testimonies. And he was damn good, too." Toph was shocked to hear that Zuko's father had worked for the FBI, but continued to pay attention to Jun. "I never liked him, he always rubbed me the wrong way. Now I know it was for a good reason. He was a great agent, but he was too much of a perfectionist. He never liked his brother, who had a wonderful career in the army. I asked Iroh about it once, and apparently their father favored Iroh and his career choice while shunning Ozai. Looks like the sins of the father passed to the son. Iroh called me, and I got clearance to head down here and protect you from Ozai while my men search for him. Since he'll probably go after you and your boyfriend again, we'll be waiting. That means I go everywhere you go, so no sneaking off from me."
"I wouldn't sneak away from you," Toph told Jun with a wry smile. "Does Zuko know all this?"
"Want to find out?" Jun asked with a grin in her tone and Toph nodded eagerly. She hurried to the shower and got ready for the day. Soon they were walking across the street to Zuko's house.
XXXXX
Zuko continued to do forms and routines in the family room as he heard a knock sound on the door. People had come and gone all morning, so he didn't pay much attention to it. He had spent most of the morning straightening up the garage after the visit to the doctor so that they could move around in it more freely. Then he had moved on to help his uncle to clean up the house and prepare a bag in case they needed to leave at a moments notice before practicing in the house since the garage was now full. He heard Iroh go to the door and thought it was another of his uncle's friends until he saw Toph out of the corner of his eye.
"Hi," she said with a smile.
"Hi back, what are you doing here?" Zuko asked. "I thought your dad wouldn't let you near me again."
"My aunt wanted to check out the place," Toph said as a tall woman with dark hair and pale skin appeared behind her. Zuko studied the woman. He could definitely see the resemblance between her and Toph, though the woman was tall and lean and had several tattoos on her shoulders and arms as she wore a black tank top and black jeans. Her dark eyes traveled up and down Zuko and Zuko frowned at her.
"He is cute, but he frowns a lot. You sure you picked the right nickname for him, Squirt?"
"Absolutely," Toph said with a grin.
"I'll be talking with Iroh, so no funny stuff," the woman said as a smile tugged at her mouth. With that, she turned and left, her long black hair flying over her shoulder. Zuko sighed and glanced at Toph. She seemed to be studying him.
"Never thought your dad would let you out again," Zuko said as he walked over to grab a drink of water.
"He doesn't know," Toph said and when Zuko glanced back at her, he saw a smug look on her face before she sauntered up to him. He set the water down as Toph continued to smile up at him and he bent down to land a kiss on her lips. She instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Zuko thought it was a very nice continuation of where they had been interrupted the night before until they heard chairs moving and teacups clattering onto the table in the kitchen.
Toph pulled back and gave him a wry smile. "Guess we shouldn't get too carried away," she said and Zuko nodded.
"Yeah," Zuko sighed before he looked back at the family room. He had moved the couches and chairs out of the way so he could practice. Glancing back at Toph, he thought about what she had said earlier. "I though it was your cousin coming, not your aunt."
Toph grinned and moved to sit on the couch. "She is my cousin, actually my mom's cousin. But they're the same age, so I've always just called her Aunt Jun. My dad doesn't like her, she's part of the family that's crazy."
"Not as crazy as my family," Zuko sighed as he sank into a stance and started the forms his uncle had taught him that morning.
"Maybe not," Toph said, settling on the couch. "But crazy in a different way. Jun works for the FBI, and says she knew your old man." Zuko paused for a moment, startled, before he continued practicing. Toph must have heard it, because a smile was more evident in her tone when she continued. "Jun's always been a hunter, and takes down the bad guys, and said your dad used to interrogate them. She never liked him, but liked your uncle."
"Yeah, and Uncle's going to be flirting non-stop," Zuko muttered under his breath.
Toph just laughed lightly, obviously hearing Zuko and he smiled, relaxing more as he tried to pull off a difficult kick.
"Well, Jun's always been independent and stood up for herself. Her favorite family members have always been me and my great uncle, the craziest member of the family. Bumi Omashu."
Zuko stopped after landing and turned to stare at Toph. "The governor is your uncle?" he asked quietly.
"Yep, he's the oldest brother to my mom's mom, and Jun's mom too," Toph said with a grin. "Everyone calls him crazy, and he is, sometimes. But he's good at reading people and always makes things fair. He stands up for the people, unlike a lot of politicians."
"Yeah, my grandfather being one of them," Zuko sighed as he started the routine again. He saw Toph questioning him with her expression when he turned to do a jab and knew he had to explain. "My uncle's father was a senator, and I think my father wanted to follow his footsteps, but they never cared about the people, just the rich people and the people who would pay anything to get stuff done."
"Yeah, Uncle Bumi's not like that," Toph said. "What are you planning to do today, anyways?"
"Stay inside and get better," Zuko answered.
"Ah, that's no fun," Toph whined. "Let's go see a movie. Mr. and Mrs. Smith is playing at the dollar theatre."
Zuko stopped again and looked at Toph. She seemed serious. "You know my father is just waiting to get one of us out in the open. We shouldn't go anywhere."
"Jun and Iroh will be there," Toph said with a small frown. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"Not when my father's in the same town," Zuko replied, frowning more.
Toph seemed to be thinking before a sly smile started tugging at the corner of her mouth. "How about a spar? I win, we go. You win, we stay here and you think of something to do."
Zuko stopped and thought about it. He and Toph were at about the same level, though it was hard to say who was better. Their styles were different, and though Toph had pinned him once, he had almost pinned her in the gym.
"Only if it's approved by Uncle as well," Zuko said. He hoped he could win, but the thought of going out with Toph sounded appealing as well, even if it would be chaperoned.
Toph smiled and moved to the center of the family room, sinking into a horse stance and facing Zuko.
"Anytime you're ready, Sunshine," she said with a smirk and Zuko smiled slightly.
He punched in with his left hand, and Toph blocked it. She turned and kicked towards his head, and he leaned back to avoid it. She looked a little shocked that he hadn't blocked it and he pressed his advantage, kicking low to try and take her feet out from under her. Toph stepped back and then forward, jabbing in towards Zuko's right side. He almost brought his right hand to block, but felt the cast and quickly grabbed her hand with his left, twisting it so that Toph would have to turn her back to him.
"Sneaky, sneaky," she said as she turned, but continued the revolution so that she was facing him again and grabbed his left arm with her other hand and then leaned backwards, trying to pull him down with her weight.
Zuko knew he was heavier than she was, but she was strong and was pulling him down. He kicked out and tripped her, causing her to fall onto her back and Zuko almost fell on top of her. He leaned to the side as he fell and Toph must have felt it, because she rolled so that she was on top of him when he landed, with his arm in a lock.
"I win," she said breathlessly as she smiled down at him. Zuko was caught by how beautiful she was, her face flushed and her hair coming loose and falling in a small curtain around her face.
"Yeah, you win," Zuko said and reached up with his right arm, pulling her down so that he could kiss her. His cast almost got caught in her hair, but she simply smiled and leaned down the rest of the way. He had just started to kiss her when a cough sounded from the entryway. Toph instantly sat up and was off of Zuko and Zuko saw her cheeks turning pink as Jun stared down at them with her arms crossed over her chest and she was tapping her foot. Zuko noticed she had a small smile tugging at her mouth as Toph held a hand out to Zuko. The scarred teen took it and used Toph to pull himself upright.
"You let her win," Jun stated.
"No, I'm injured. We're usually even," Zuko said, holding up his right arm to show Jun the cast.
"Believe whatever you want," Jun said with a shrug before she turned towards the kitchen. "Toph won, so they want to go to the dollar theatre. Up for a trip, Iroh?"
"Always, my dear," Iroh said in a flirty voice and Zuko groaned discreetly.
He watched as Jun nodded and pulled out her cell and was instantly on it, talking to someone. "Yeah, the dollar theatre down on Center. Have a team scout it out and be discreet. No, I will not have an escort. Just do it! Thanks, Bato." Jun then turned back to the teens and smiled. "We'll leave in ten minutes. That gives you enough time to clean up a bit," she said to Zuko.
He nodded and headed towards his room and changed out of his workout clothes. He glanced into his mirror before he left and saw the small cuts on his face from the glass as well as a small bruise forming on his temple where one of Ozai's jabs had barely hit. He knew he looked like a mess, but at least Toph didn't care. Quickly raking a hand through his hair, he grabbed his leather jacket and found Toph looking bored in the entryway as Jun and Iroh waited.
"…she should be here by tomorrow, though I know Lao probably won't stand to have her in his house," Jun was saying.
"She can stay here," Iroh said with a warm smile. "It's just across the street and you can come and check on her anytime."
"I know," Jun said with a frown. "I prefer her with me. She's only spent a few nights without me, and she'll be hyper when she sees me again."
"Who are they talking about?" Zuko whispered to Toph as he stopped next to her.
"Nyla," Toph whispered back. "She's Jun's partner and best friend. She's saved Jun's live plenty of times and she goes everywhere with her, but my dad doesn't like her."
Thoughts raced through Zuko's mind of who Nyla could be and the relationship between Nyla and Jun until Iroh's next comment reached his ears.
"You know she'll protect Zuko, he's good with animals. She's a border collie, right?" Iroh asked Jun.
"Yep, she's my baby," Jun said with a smile. "I think she's part shepherd, but I'll only leave her here if she is comfortable with both of you. Wouldn't want anyone to wake up with a dog on their chest, growling at them."
Iroh laughed and Zuko was both relieved and nervous. It was just a dog, though if Jun used the dog as a partner, it was also a trained attack dog. Jun smiled back at them and then Iroh was leading the way to the garage. When they entered, Jun stopped and grinned at Iroh.
"Didn't know you hijacked one of these old things," she said.
"Didn't have to, they gave it to me as a retirement present," Iroh said with a flirty smile that made Zuko want to cover his eyes and be blind like Toph.
Zuko just walked to the back and got in, sliding over to let Toph in as Jun walked around the car, admiring it and listing off features.
"Old Cadillac with bullet proof siding, bullet proof glass, tear resistant and armored tires, as well as a v8 hemi engine. Thought there were only five of these and they used them for high profile cases," Jun said as she made her way to the passenger side.
"They are, but this one had a bad transmission," Iroh said as he got into the car. "I got it fixed and then it was all mine."
"They're going to be like this all the time, aren't they," Toph said in a dull tone and Zuko nodded.
"At least for a while," he sighed quietly and scowled at his uncle as Iroh turned around to smile at them.
"Ah, don't be such a party pooper," Jun said to him. "We'll respect your time, just respect ours."
Zuko sighed again, causing Toph to giggle slightly. Thankfully Iroh started the car and was soon driving out of the neighborhood. Zuko kept glancing out the window, searching for anything that didn't belong as Jun and Iroh caught up, but he didn't see anything. A short time later, they arrived at the theatre and were soon watching the movie. Zuko kept glancing around occasionally, though as the movie continued, he relaxed and Toph leaned into his side as he draped an arm around her shoulder.
"Your uncle is enjoying himself," Toph murmured against his side as she turned so that she could lean into him better.
Zuko risked a quick glance back and saw Iroh smiling and Jun actually blushing slightly a few rows behind them. There weren't many people in the theatre and the last few rows were empty save for the couple and their chaperones. Zuko sighed as Iroh turned towards him and gave the scarred teen a triumphant smile.
"There's going to be no end to the madness now," Zuko muttered darkly.
"Like she said, respect their time as they respect ours. Now hush, the best part is coming," Toph said with a held back laugh.
Zuko just smiled and pulled Toph closer to him, enjoying the movie. They both enjoyed the movie and waited as the credits rolled.
"How many times have you actually seen that movie?" Zuko asked as Toph sat up and stretched.
She turned towards him with a grin and Zuko scowled, knowing he had gotten himself into trouble. "Zero," she said with a smirk. "But I've heard it eight times."
"Walked right into that one, didn't I," Zuko muttered and Toph just smiled sweetly and leaned over to kiss him quickly. He kissed her back, but stopped when he saw some familiar people standing up in the front of the theatre. They spotted him and Toph and smiled, waving at them.
"We were so worried," Katara said as she rushed forward to hug Toph. Zuko almost smiled as Toph gave a look as if she was tired of the mothering, but frowned as Sokka looked at him questioningly.
"I'm fine, Sugar Queen, and Sunshine is too. Relax," Toph sighed before finally stepping away from Katara. Zuko noticed Jun and Iroh walking towards the group and Toph brightened. "You guys remember my cousin, Jun?"
Sokka, Aang and Katara nodded, but Suki looked a little confused. "I thought Katara said it was your aunt coming," the red-haired girl said.
"I'm Toph's cousin," Jun answered. "She just calls me Aunt. Come on Squirt, let's get something to eat. That old Frostee Freeze still here?"
"No, it's a Cold Stone now," Aang said happily as he walked up to Katara and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Even better," Jun said with a grin. "Lead on."
Zuko just sighed and frowned as Aang got cheerful and stood to follow everyone out of the theatre. Surprisingly, Toph held him back and he saw his uncle waiting as well.
"They're going to want to know," Toph said in a serious voice. Zuko nodded and pulled her close to him. He didn't know if he should, or even could, tell her friends what was going on. So many people were in danger, just from associating with him, he wondered if he should even tell the others the minimum.
"It is your choice, Nephew," Iroh said with a smile. "I know you are troubled by the thought of putting them in danger."
"Yeah," Zuko muttered and then glanced down at Toph. "Maybe, but not today."
"Your call," Toph said with a smile and Iroh nodded, passing them to follow Jun. Zuko found him and Toph nearly alone in the theatre and glanced down at Toph. She was so beautiful, he wondered why it had taken nearly a month to see it, for Katara to make Toph dress girly for him to see it. And she was too good for him.
"Not regretting anything, are you?" Toph asked as Iroh stopped at the door to the theatre and waited.
"No," Zuko whispered before he bent down to kiss her gently. He kept the kiss gentle and quick and soon they were joining the others in the Cold Stone. Smellerbee and Longshot were there, and seemed surprised to see Zuko. Smellerbee looked liked she wanted to ask questions, but more customers came in and she went to serve them as Longshot rang up Zuko and Toph's purchases. The quiet teen gave Zuko a long look and Zuko sighed, shaking his head.
"I can't tell you, sorry," he muttered and Longshot just smiled and nodded.
"Be safe," Longshot said in a quiet, deep voice that surprised Zuko and he nodded his thanks to the somber teen before grabbing his ice cream and heading outside. He noticed Toph studying him as she started eating her ice cream and he smiled.
"He's understanding," Zuko sighed as he sank onto a bench next to Toph. She just smiled.
"Yeah, he is," she whispered to him before turning to Sokka. "So, why are you all here?"
Sokka gave a penetrating glance to Zuko before turning to Toph. "Just hanging out. The whole school was buzzing about what had happened, but no one knows. Gonna fill us in?"
He turned to Zuko again and the scarred teen frowned. "Not now," Zuko muttered before taking a bite of ice cream.
Sokka frowned and was about to open his mouth when Jun spoke. "This isn't the best place. Besides, I have to get Toph back to her house in about a half hour. So, Aang, you and Katara finally hooked up?"
Zuko listened in as Jun kept the others off the subject of Zuko and the dance and was filled in on what had happened to them all in the past year. Soon, she was up and hurrying Toph and Zuko up and towards the parking lot. Zuko glanced back and saw Sokka frowning from still not knowing anything.
"I'll tell them a little," he told Toph quietly and Toph nodded.
"Hey Snoozles," she called out as she turned back to the group. "You guys should come over to my place tomorrow, and we'll watch some of the new anime I got."
"Sounds good, Toph. We'll be there," Sokka said, looking more relieved. He and the others waved goodbye to them and Toph smiled, seeming to be happier as they made their way to the car. Once they were driving again, Zuko turned to Jun.
"Your men need to be better. I spotted three of them," he told the FBI agent.
He noticed Jun's shoulders stiffen before she shrugged. She turned to give him a wry smile over her shoulder. "How can you know it's my men? Could have been your old man's."
"No," Zuko replied, frowning and seeing Toph and Iroh listening in patiently. "My father doesn't have any men, not after what he's done. They were trying to be stealthy, and act casual. They were all young, probably new to this. One was blond, about six feet and kept glancing at you. The second had dark hair and seemed a little nervous when he was ordering ice cream. Especially when I told Longshot that I couldn't tell him anything. And the third guy was better. Long brown hair, older, but I only caught one glimpse. They acted too professional, too much like agents."
Jun was scowling by the end, and Zuko almost smiled at how well he could see her men. He decided to push his luck. "And my father wouldn't be seen unless he wanted to be seen. I've only seen him twice in three years, and he wanted me to both times."
Jun nodded and pulled out her phone, talking, and then yelling, at the guy she had spoken to before. Toph took Zuko's hand in her own and when the scarred teen glanced at his girlfriend, he saw her smiling at him.
"When was the other time?" she asked him quietly as Jun continued to yell at her man.
"Right before we left witness protection," Zuko told Toph quietly. He remembered it vividly. They had been in a place for three months and the agents were starting to become relaxed since Ozai hadn't shown. Azula had just been placed in the special school, so she wasn't a problem and Zuko felt like he could start having a normal life again. He remembered walking to the agent's car after school and had seen his father casually leaning against a tree in the park across the street. He had hurried to the car and told the agent what he had seen, but when they looked again, Ozai was gone. They had hurried to Iroh and had asked for more agents, but they wouldn't get there until morning. Iroh had taken the initiative and moved him and Zuko that night and the scarred teen had found out later that Ozai had broken into the house the next morning and killed one of the agents. Iroh had then set up his network of friends and they had continued to move.
Toph squeezed his hand and brought Zuko back to himself. "How old were you then?" she asked.
"Fourteen," Zuko sighed. "It was nearly a year after he had scarred me and my mother."
Toph just nodded and kept her hand in his for the rest of the car ride. When they got back to Zuko's house, the older man Zuko had spotted once was there, next to a large kennel. Now that Zuko could get a better look, he noticed the man had some grey hairs, but he was tall, tan, and well built, though he was more wiry than muscle-y. His blue eyes were guarded, and he had a scar on his arm that looked like a burn, but Zuko could only see the scar at the wrist where the shirt ended. The man smiled at them, but his smile disappeared when Jun got out of the car. She turned back to Zuko.
"This one of the men you spotted?"
"Yeah, but just once. I wasn't completely sure with him, but he paused too long," Zuko stated.
Jun nodded and went to the kennel, immediately opening it and a medium sized dog came out. It was definitely a collie, shepherd mix. Brown and black coloring with the collie's face, but was between a collie and shepherd in size. The dog was immediately licking Jun who was enjoying it and then the dog was running to Toph and Zuko. The scarred teen braced himself for an attack, but the dog just jumped onto Toph, gave her a lick on the face to which she laughed before backing off to stare down Zuko. He just stared back and after a minute of silence from the onlookers, the dog opened its mouth to pant with a dog smile and sniffed Zuko's hand before licking it. He relaxed and pet the dog's head.
"Good, she likes you," Jun said. "Now, come on, everyone inside."
The teens nodded, and went inside, but Zuko noticed the man stopping Jun with a few words that he couldn't make out. The dog rushed ahead of him and he could hear someone else greeting the dog, but stopped short when he saw three people in the family room. The one greeting the dog stood slowly, and Zuko rushed forward to help her before he hugged her tightly.
"I'm glad to see you too, Zuko," Ursa said quietly, but fondly.
Zuko nodded, and helped hold his mother up as Jun and Iroh came in, followed by the man. "Mom, this is my girlfriend, Toph Bei Fong," Zuko said, gesturing to Toph.
"Come here, dear," Ursa said to Toph and Zuko smiled slightly at Toph's look of surprise when Ursa pulled the blind girl into a hug.
"Ah, family reunions can be so sweet," Jun said. "I have to take Toph home. Zuko, this is Bato, head of my team," she said, referring to the blue-eyed man who had been outside. "He'll be here, as well as Matt and Danny there. And of course Nyla, since she likes you." Jun reached down to pet Nyla's head since the dog had retreated to her side. "I'm right across the street, and I'll be over in the morning to check on things. Bato, you know who you need to talk to."
The blue-eyed man nodded and Toph hugged Zuko tightly before smiling at him. "Remember, tomorrow is anime at my place. I'll call you later."
Zuko just nodded, aware that everyone was watching him hug Toph goodbye. He let her go quickly and watched her leave as Bato spoke to the other agents in the room. The men all left as Iroh helped Ursa to the couch and Zuko went to sit next to his mother, Nyla moving to sit near him.
"I thought you'd be somewhere safer," Zuko said to his mother, concerned about her being at his house, even though he was glad she was there.
"I am," Ursa said quietly. "Jun's the best they've got and I've known her for years. Bato, too. Don't worry so much, there are plenty of people here to watch over us. Now, tell me about this dance."
Zuko sighed, but started telling his mom about what had happened since he last saw her, including the dance the night before. He was glad she was there, finally free of the hospital. But he was worried at the same time. Everyone he cared about was now in the same place. He knew it would be easier for the FBI to guard, but it would also make it easier for his father to destroy them all.
