A/N: Now, to get to the next plot point, and final stretch. Thankfully, nap time has working for me this holiday weekend. My 2 year old son usually sleeps 2.5 hours on a good day. I still need to work on the next couple chapters, so I'll post when I can. but I'm happy to report I was able to write a lot this weekend. Enjoy!
Chapter 27-Christmas
After Toph's birthday, life had been calm. Which had Zuko on edge a little. He knew it would be a while for Ozai to make his move after the failure at the tournament. Unfortunately, Zuko wasn't as patient as the rest of his family. The first day of Christmas break, Jun was waiting for him when he and Bato and the other agents returned from their run and she did not look happy. For as early as it was, Zuko was surprised to see her already up and dressed. It looked like she had been up for a while already.
"Shower and then we're going for a walk," she told him stiffly as Bato handed him a protein drink.
The scarred teen frowned, but nodded, downing the drink quickly. He hurried to the shower and returned to find Jun talking on the phone with another agent.
"Yeah, just a quick walk to the beach…. I know. Positions ready?" She turned and met Zuko's eyes, her black eyes guarded. "We're heading out. We may disappear from view by the rocks for a bit. Don't worry unless you get the signal... All right. Thanks, Sue."
Jun hung up the phone and took a deep breath, almost as if she needed to relax. "Ready?" she asked him.
Nyla looked up at them, but Jun gave her the 'stay' command. The dog just curled up again, looking like she would fall asleep at any moment.
Zuko could only nod in response to the agent. Jun was acting oddly, which was saying a lot for the agent. "What's going on?"
"Let's walk first. Come on."
She opened the door and started walking out and briskly towards the beach. Zuko frowned, followed her out and lengthened his stride until he was walking next to Jun, between her and the houses they passed. It was a beautiful crisp morning. The sun was out, not a cloud or a wisp of fog in sight as was so common this time of year, but Zuko could see his breath on occasion and frost on some of the roofs. He just shoved his hands into the pocket of his sweatshirt and stared straight ahead.
Once they were about halfway to the beach, Jun started speaking. She sounded stressed, even to Zuko.
"I'm taking you to the rock area where Toph likes. I grew up here, hanging out there often. I got some bad news this morning, and wanted you to hear it from me first."
"So why not just tell me?" Zuko asked, starting to scowl. "If you wait, it's usually to tell Toph and I at the same time." He tried to study Jun through side glances as they walked, but all he could tell was that she wasn't happy with a frown plastered on her face and stiff shoulders as she walked.
"True," Jun replied, not even turning to look at Zuko. "I need to calm down, and you may too. So, we're heading to the rocks. I haven't been in years and I feel like it'll help."
Zuko could only shrug and walked with Jun. He was curious as to what Jun had to say, but felt like he wasn't going to like it. When they reached the rock area, Jun walked around the rocks first, then backtracked to the opening. The beach was empty, the only sound was them walking through the sand and the waves hitting the beach. Zuko spotted a couple seagulls roosting on the sand, but no people.
"Feel anything?" she asked Zuko, meeting his eyes for the first time since they left his house.
"No," he replied, trying not to growl. If whatever Jun had to say had her on such a ragged edge, he knew like he was not going to like it.
Jun just nodded and started to climb, disappearing under the ledge to go into the cave that Toph had shown Zuko. He followed quickly. Entering the cave in the early morning light was...relaxing. He hadn't been here since the night of Homecoming. He had almost forgotten how beautiful and peaceful it was in the cave as light filtered in and made the rocks sparkle. Looking at Jun, he saw that it had a similar effect on the agent. She was standing in the middle of the cave, her face pointed towards the light entering with her eyes closed, breathing deeply.
After a minute, she opened her eyes and smirked at Zuko. "I was probably close to Toph's size the last time I was in here. I remember it being...bigger."
Zuko nodded. It was a bit tight, but not so much that it felt crowded.
"So, what's going on?"
Jun's smirk faltered and she frowned. "Would you prefer to be standing or sitting for the bad news?" she asked, gesturing to the rock that formed a ledge that Zuko had sat on with Toph.
"Standing."
Jun just nodded and took a seat. "Azula escaped, last night."
Zuko felt his jaw drop open, then he closed it, scowling. He really should have expected it.
"I know," Jun sighed. "They were transferring her to another facility. They should have used more precaution. She is too much like her father."
Zuko could only nod. "Anyone hurt?"
"Just the agent that was taking her out. Knocked unconscious and he'll be speaking in a higher pitch for a week. It looks like she knocked him out at a doorway, between checkpoints. Then broke her cuffs on the door jam. She grabbed his ID and escaped through another exit then a hole in the fence. It doesn't appear like she had help...but I suspect she did, at least at the fence."
"The hole wasn't there earlier, and she didn't have any tools, did she," Zuko stated flatly.
"Correct," Jun replied before sighing again, looking tired. "She's your sister. I thought you should know first."
Zuko pondered the information. He took a deep breath. "I guess this means they may make a move sooner rather than later."
Jun nodded slowly. "That was my thought. I don't want to alarm Lao, but I want you to be extra cautious while Toph and I are away. I'll call up extra support while we're away, but Piandoa can only give so much extra support here. Stay inside when possible. Enjoy the time with your mom and uncle."
"And keep running in the mornings, hoping to draw him out," Zuko stated grimly, meeting Jun's eyes with determination.
"Yes. Bato says you're a natural. More so than Roland or even Danny could ever be. You may be able to keep up with Bato one day. He runs marathons for fun." Jun was starting to get her sarcastic tone back and shuddered at the last comment, making Zuko smile slightly.
"Anything else you want to pass on?"
"Nope," Jun replied with a smirk. "Bato's ready to take you to your doctor Monday to finally get that cast off."
"Finally," Zuko sighed, relieved. He had learned to live with the cast, but he couldn't wait to get it off. It was getting itchy, and starting to smell. He was trying to keep that under control, knowing how sensitive Toph's senses were. He knew he would have to be careful with his wrist, but at least he wouldn't have a cast anymore that caught on everything.
Jun just chuckled before leading the way out. "Are you going to tell Toph?" Zuko asked Jun as they walked back to his house.
"I think you should," Jun replied.
Zuko just shrugged. He had a couple more days to spend with his girlfriend before she and her family headed north for their Christmas.
"Did you get the things I ordered?" Zuko asked after a minute of walking in silence.
Jun chuckled. "Yes, and I placed them in the drawer you told me about. It's sweet of you to get Bato a gift. Even if it is a little...unusual."
Zuko shrugged. "He's a great guy and works hard, and my mom really likes him."
Jun just laughed. "As long as you're ok with it. They can't take it any further than it is now until this assignment is over. It's good to see him looking at dating again. He's been too work oriented the past couple years."
Zuko just let a small smile out as they walked past the last couple houses. Shopping was harder since he couldn't leave the house unless under guard, but he was glad Jun was able to help him get gifts for his friends and family. That thought turned into thinking of his sister and his smile disappeared into a scowl again. Why couldn't Azula just act...normal? Or at least not like a psychopath?
They entered his house to Ursa and Iroh sharing a pot of tea. Ursa turned to smile at Zuko but the smile faltered when she met her son's eyes.
"What's wrong?" Ursa asked.
Zuko glanced at Jun who just gestured towards his mom. "Azula escaped," He replied, scowling. "Jun just told me."
"How?" Iroh asked, concern showing on his aged face.
"Knocked out the agent escorting her, took his ID, then ran out and through a hole in the fence," Jun stated. "Got any more tea?"
Iroh just nodded and got up to get another cup. Ursa looked conflicted. "Maybe I can talk to her, if she calls…"
"No, Mom, she's crazy. She can't be talked down," Zuko stated, grabbing a glass for some water.
"Zuko! That's not nice to say about your sister," Ursa replied, starting to get angry.
"Unfortunately, Ursa, he is correct," Iroh sighed as he sat and started to pour some tea for Jun. "Azula has seen several psychologists since you and Zuko were injured and she has been diagnosed as a sociopath by all of them. She lacks empathy."
"And Dad made her that way," Zuko replied, still scowling. "He's the only one she cares for."
"Well, she's still my daughter, and your sister!"
"Calm down, Ursa," Jun stated, sinking into a chair as Iroh handed her a cup of tea. "If she is caught, I'll make sure you can talk to her. You may be able to reach her...eventually. Once Ozai is caught."
"Very well," Ursa stated, still obviously angry. "Excuse me." She left quickly, heading to her room.
Iroh sighed. "This may complicate things. Ursa was hoping to visit Azula this week."
Zuko shrugged. "I know Mom wants to think the best of her, but...Azula only wants one person's attention."
"Do you think he had a hand in this?" Iroh asked, eyes narrowing as he looked from Zuko to Jun.
"Evidence doesn't point towards it, but I suspect so," Jun replied.
"I think he'll move sooner rather than later," Zuko stated. He felt like he was ready for anything his father could throw at him. He knew he wouldn't know for sure until it happened, but the agents were ready and he was improving daily. Getting the cast off on Monday would be a big help.
Iroh just sighed again. "I'll talk to Ursa later. We'll be cautious this next week. Azula escaped the morning of the homecoming dance. Jun, be careful as well."
"I will, Iroh," Jun replied firmly. "I was not happy about a slip of a girl taking advantage of the agency. Considering her past and parentage, there should have been more agents on her."
Iroh merely nodded wisely. Zuko and Jun's phones went off almost simultaneously.
"Hi, Toph," Zuko answered, recognizing the ringtone. "Yeah, I'll be over shortly."
"All right," Jun replied, finishing her drink before looking up from her phone and the text she had received. "Let's go see the Squirt."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Toph was being impatient. She knew this as she readjusted her position, again. The weekend had gone well, even with Zuko telling her Saturday morning that his crazy sister had escaped, probably with the aid of his father. Now, it was Monday morning, and it was almost noon. Zuko's appointment had been at 9 to get his cast off, followed by x-rays and possibly physical therapy. She was leaving Friday morning with her parents, but her mom was making her pack most of her clothes early. They had agreed to exchange gifts that day as Zuko had said Jun and Bato were helping him pick up his gift for her while he was at the doctor office. Since the tournament, they had been almost on complete lock down. No excursions except for school and absolutely necessary things like doctor visits. They had agreed to meet with their friends the weekend after she got back from her family, before they went back to school. Hakoda had surprised his children with a trip to Hawaii and Aang was helping Gyatso at a special museum event the first week prior to Christmas, so the weekend before school started was going to be the best for everyone to be together at the same time. Toph frowned. Unless the crazy part of Zuko's family messed that up.
She sighed and turned up the volume a little for the TV. Her usual go-to anime wasn't helping her. She just wanted to be with her boyfriend, or out and about. When the episode was about half-way through, she heard and felt her phone ring. With a grin, she muted the TV and answered.
"Hey Sunshine, are you heading back?"
"Yeah, sorry it took so long. PT was exhausting. I'm going to be sore, so no sparring just yet."
Toph laughed. "No prob. Fong is here. Have you had lunch or should he make some?"
She heard Fong pause as he was starting to walk towards her from the kitchen and she smiled. He couldn't sneak up on her, and she knew his routine.
"Lunch at your house. Jun doesn't like that PT took so long."
"All right, see you soon."
"See you," Zuko said with a smile in his tone before he hung up.
Fong cleared his throat behind Toph as she hung up.
"How many are joining us today, miss?"
"Probably best to have it for four," Toph replied. "Sounds like Jun and Bato will be hungry too. Thank you, Fong."
"Always, miss," Fong replied with a smile. After he left, she headed to her room to get Zuko's gift. Toph grinned as she felt the rectangular box. She hoped Zuko would like it. Her mom had helped her get it together after her birthday. Toph un-muted the anime, but was even more restless as she waited for Zuko to get back.
As the end song ran for the episode, Toph heard the tires of Jun's car in her driveway. She wanted to bound up and meet Zuko at the door, but waited impatiently for Fong to open the door before bringing out a tray of sandwiches for the two agents and two teens. Toph fidgeted as she heard Jun set down a box onto the coffee table before they all ate lunch. Zuko seemed to be starving, and was silent but gave her a quick kiss before they tucked into lunch. Once everyone had finished, Toph set her present into Zuko's lap.
"Merry Christmas, Sunshine," she said with a grin.
She heard and felt her boyfriend pause for a moment before he unwrapped the box. Then it was open and he took out the item. He stayed silent for a while, just staring at it.
"So, what is it?" Jun asked. Toph heard Zuko running his fingers over the addition she had added to the bottom before handing it to Jun. Then, he was kissing her, softly, yet with sincerity. It was a long kiss and she loved it, kissing her boyfriend back.
"Wow, Toph, this is cute," Jun said with a smirk. Toph just ignored her cousin, enjoying Zuko just kissing her. "Ok, breathe, you two."
"Thank you," Zuko breathed once they separated. "What does the bottom say? I've been trying to learn…"
Toph smiled and kissed him again quickly. "It says 'Never give up without a fight' in braille. It's kind of my personal motto, and it seems like it suits you."
Zuko actually chuckled. "Yeah, it does fit you...and me, i guess. Thank you. Who took the photo? That frame is nice, but I don't recall anyone snapping photos of us."
"That would be Jaz and I, thank you," Jun said with a smirk in her tone as she handed the picture frame to Bato. "Jaz and I are amateur photographers. We got a couple shots of you two since the tournament and Jaz liked that one best. I think it's a good one and actually shows you laughing."
"That's just because Toph was tickling me at the time," Zuko stated, trying to sound indignant, but failing. "Thank you, Toph. I love it."
Toph beamed. She was so happy that he liked her gift. Her mom had picked out the frame, saying it was a dark cherry wood, and Toph had carefully glued on the metal beads to make the braille sentence, leaving the photo to her mother and Jun. She would never be able to appreciate a photo, but she knew Zuko would. It was a photo of the two of them, Zuko laughing along with Toph as she tickled him on the couch. Her mother had told her that it was difficult to see Zuko's scar in the photo and would be a reminder of good times when they couldn't be together.
"Ok, your turn, Squirt," Jun stated, picking up the box she had brought in and dropping it onto Toph's lap.
""It's from Jun and I," Zuko stated, and it sounded like he was almost grinning.
Toph was curious and tore through the wrapping paper. When she opened the box, she stopped and inhaled. She loved the smell of leather. Gently feeling in the box, she found a leather jacket with a soft chamois insert. She pulled it on and found it was the perfect size for her; not too long in the sleeve or waist. It was not restrictive, but very warm and cozy. She pulled a sleeve to her nose and inhaled again. The smell was great and comforting.
"You need something warm when you head up north," Zuko said with a smile in his tone.
"Thank you," Toph stated, then tackled her cousin in a hug, catching the agent by surprise.
""You're welcome, Squirt," Jun said between laughs and hugs. "I'll teach you how to treat and care for it. It's water resistant but shouldn't get soaked." Toph just grinned as Jun laughed before the agents left the couple to their own devices. Toph turned to her boyfriend once the TV was on again.
"Can I feel your wrist?" she asked gently. Toph heard Zuko's hair moving against his shirt as he nodded.
"Yeah, just be careful and don't move it around too much. Doctors said to be careful. It's sore from PT."
Toph just smiled and scooted closer to Zuko, carefully feeling where his right arm was. She was surprised to find a soft splint on it, made of material and velcro straps. A slight smell came from his wrist, but she also smelled a lot of soap as if he had washed it multiple times. Toph let a smile come to her face as she explored the area. She had been smelling a foul odor coming from his cast the past 2 weeks, though he tried to keep it clean and had even taken to pouring some of the essential oils SmellerBee had used at her birthday celebration into the cast. She was glad the cast was off, but was surprised to find a new splint. Zuko must have seen her look of surprise and how she was exploring the splint because he sighed.
"Yeah, it's a brace usually given to patients with carpal tunnel. It makes sure I don't move my wrist too much as it heals. I have exercises, but the mobility is pretty limited right now."
"When will it be back to normal?" Toph asked.
"Doctors said 2 months, but PT said maybe in 6 weeks. I have to be careful not to stress it too much, or it could break again or sprain easily. Maybe we could do a light spar when you get home?"
Toph just laughed. "Nope! Not until you're out of that splint."
Zuko just sighed. Toph just cuddled into his side more, playing with the velcro lightly. "At least it doesn't smell anymore."
Zuko just laughed before they settled in to relax with some movies running.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Toph left early Christmas Eve, calling him once she was on the road as her parents had actually started the trip while Zuko was on his run with Bato and the other male agents. Sue had gone with Jun as backup, staying in hotel rooms and coordinating with the local police as they travelled. Jun had to look like she was just a relative traveling with the Bei Fongs for the family to not worry, or that was how both Toph and Jun had put it. Zuko smiled and relaxed as he enjoyed Christmas with his family. They even had a tree this year! Most years, he and Iroh had done without as they were usually on the move or ready to go at a moment's notice. Ursa and Bato were acting like shy teenagers and Iroh and Zuko constantly made the two sit together as they opened gifts or ate Christmas dinner. Zuko received some new clothes from his mom, a set of running shoes made for running long distances from his uncle and some protein mix and water bottles from the agents. Ursa and Iroh had invited the agents to eat with them as they had done on Thanksgiving. The agents and several police stopped by throughout the day and even brought some dishes to share. Zuko had gotten a new tea blend he had seen online for his uncle, a necklace for Ursa, similar to the one he had given Toph, but with a garnet instead, and had gotten Bato a special lotion. Bato had looked at him quizzically when he opened it.
"Eczema lotion?" Bato asked Zuko in surprise.
"It's actually great for scars too, especially burn scars," Zuko said, looking towards Bato's left arm.
Bato looked shocked for a moment, then smiled. "Thank you, Zuko," he said simply. After dinner, Ursa had to lie down as the day had tired her out and Bato helped Zuko with the dishes.
"I've been meaning to ask you something," Bato said as he was handed dishes to place in the dishwasher.
"Yeah?" Zuko asked after a minute of silence from the agent. Bato seemed hesitant, something that Zuko hadn't seen in the agent before.
"Is it ok, if I ask your mother out? After we catch…?"
Zuko smiled softly. "After you catch my father, Ozai? Yes. My mom likes you, and she needs to be happy."
Zuko watched the agent out of the corner of his eye and chuckled softly at how shocked Bato looked.
"You're ok with your mother dating? And dating me?" Bato asked as Zuko handed him the last dish.
"Yeah," Zuko shrugged. "Like I said, she likes you, and you seem to care for her. More than he ever could. Besides, filing for divorce was the first thing she did once she was able to sign her name again. Ozai has no legal hold over her, or any of us for that matter. Uncle Iroh's my legal guardian, so long as my mom is in poor health. Now that she's out of the home, they're co-guardians of my sister and myself until we're 18. I'm glad she was able to get out of there before I turn 18."
Zuko turned inward, starting to frown as he thought about all the hardship his mother had gone through the past couple years, and throughout his life and probably before. Bato clapped him on the shoulder and Zuko turned to see Bato grinning at him.
"You've all done an amazing job," Bato said. "Both you and Ursa. Thanks. I'll ask her out on an official date once this is all done. I'm not allowed to until then."
Zuko smiled, nodding. "Yeah, Jun mentioned something to that effect. Good luck with my mom, she may not seem like it, but she can be quite fierce when needed."
Bato just chuckled. "I figured, watching you. You have a lot of her in you. Thanks again. I'm going to do my rounds."
Zuko just nodded as Bato left. The agent's words made him happy. He was glad there was someone who saw more of his mother than his father in him for days passed, with almost no change. Toph called him every night, and sounded frustrated most nights, especially when she was staying with her grandparents. The runs went smoothly and they made it to 5 miles the day after Christmas. That was also the day that the agents were tested.
As they neared the halfway mark, Zuko felt eyes on him and a sense of dread. The same feeling he had Thanksgiving morning and every day his father had been in a bad mood while growing up. Bato must have felt it as well, or seen Zuko twitching for he called out the command.
"Down!" Zuko went down, next to an old Mercedes parked on the street, Bato and Danny next to him. Roland was 10 feet behind them and went down next to an old truck. Bato glanced at Zuko. "See anything?"
"No, just a feeling," Zuko replied. Bato nodded.
"I thought I caught a glimpse of movement from the rooftop northeast of us. Then you twitched."
Zuko merely nodded in reply. Bato looked to Roland. "Call Piandoa. Then go with Danny to the alley across the way. I'll stay with Zuko here."
Roland already had his phone out and was calling the police. Then he and Danny ran back about 20 yards to a box truck parked in front of a business before darting across the street and into the alley.
"Will they be ok?" Zuko asked, breathing heavily from the run and sudden stop.
"Yeah," Bato replied, frowning as he peered up and through the car's windows. "They know what they're doing." A moment later, two police cars rolled through the street, going opposite directions. Zuko saw one of the officers had spotted them behind the car and Bato gestured towards where he had seen movement. The officer who had spotted him nodded, and clicked on his radio. The police cars passed each other and then Bato's phone beeped with a message.
Bato pulled his phone out and nodded. "The rooftop is clear. 4 officers are with our guys, checking all the areas. Once we get the all clear, we'll head back home."
Zuko could only nod. This day didn't feel as bad as Thanksgiving had, but he still felt nervous. Nothing moved except an occasional car passing on the street, usually a police car. Another couple of minutes passed and then Bato's phone rang. "Bato. Hi Bengie. All clear? ...Thanks. Can you have a couple cars patrol the area as we run back?... Hehe, yeah, I know Roland's out of shape. Don't worry, We're hitting 5 miles today and Zuko's keeping pace well... Thanks, Benjie. See you later for a debrief." Bato took a deep breath and turned to Zuko as he hung up his phone, looking not as serious as he had been. "We'll wait for the guys to get back and then we'll run home. Good instincts. What did you see, or feel?"
Zuko shrugged. "I felt like I was being watched, and the feeling...it was like every day he was in a bad mood. And when he was close…" Zuko shuddered as he remembered having the same feeling the day he had received his scar.
Bato just nodded. "I get it." They waited another minute until Roland and Danny returned and then ran home. Zuko stayed inside and on his computer as several officers came to speak with Bato and discuss what had occurred and what could be done better. Zuko relayed what had happened to Toph that night on the phone.
"So it's working?" Toph asked.
"Maybe," Zuko sighed. "I didn't spot him, but Bato thinks he saw a glimpse. I just felt him."
"Wow, are you a jedi or something?"
Zuko actually chuckled at that. "No, I can't levitate objects"
"Well, hang in there, We're leaving tomorrow for Sacramento. Finally."
"I will, running has been good. I'm actually enjoying the running."
"Well, don't expect me to join you anytime soon."
Zuko had laughed and then changed the subject until she had to say goodbye for the night. The days ran on, but no other sightings or signs of Ozai came up. Zuko had talked with Aang and Sokka over the phone a couple of times, but was starting to miss Toph more and more as it got close to New Years. Toph was coming home on the 30th. Toph called him around noon on the 30th.
"Hi, how are you and your family doing?" Toph asked after he picked up.
Zuko smiled slightly. He heard how tired she was in her tone, though it seemed like she was trying to smile.
"Good," he replied simply, trying to maintain the smile that had come when he heard Toph's ringtone. "You ok?"
"Yeah, finally on our way home," she sighed, sounding relieved.
"How far away do you think you are?" He wanted to see her. It had been almost a week and he had missed her more and more each day she was gone, even though they spoke every day.
"Tired. About an hour away. Dad left super early. I think Uncle Bumi was bugging him."
"Then you and Jun can come over as soon as you get here."
"I'd like that," Toph replied, and he was happy to hear more of a real smile in her tone. "Yeah, Uncle Bumi was fun, but, well...relatives can be relatives."
Zuko chuckled. "I miss you."
"Me too...hey!"
Zuko could only listen as he heard cursing and crashing sounds and then yells. "Toph?" he asked, concerned. "Are you ok?"
"No!" Lao's voice came through the phone after the crashing sounds ended. It sounded pained and angry.
"Sunshine….!" Toph screamed.
"Ozai! Let her go…" That was Jun's voice, from inside the car, and pained as well, maybe barely conscious," Zuko could only grip his phone harder as he heard more car sounds, then a door slammed and sounds of struggling.
"We'll call you later, Zuzu," a voice sounded clearly through the phone before it hung up on him. Zuko could only stand and stare blankly ahead as he continued to hold onto his phone for dear life. That was Azula. Azula had spoken through Toph's phone. That meant…
"Shit!" Zuko yelled. "Bato!" He ran out of his room, past Nyla napping at the foot of his bed to find the agent and found Bato at the kitchen table looking at his own phone, and looking pale. Gold eyes met blue and they both knew what had happened. Zuko's father had taken Toph.
