A/N:WARNING: the next couple chapters will mention abuse and torture. PG13. I know it gets dark, but there is always hope and light at the end. Reader discretion is advised. Critiques welcome. R&R please!

Chapter 28 Ransom

Iroh had run out of the family room where he had been playing Pai Sho with Mr. Jeong when Zuko had run out to find Bato in the kitchen.

"Nephew?" Iroh asked, taking in Zuko's haggard appearance and Bato's pale face. "What's wrong? What's happened?"

Zuko could only take a deep breath, trying to control his racing heart. He needed to know what happened. Thankfully, Bato nodded at him ebfore he turned to face Iroh. "There's been a car accident. Jun and the Bei Fong's are injured. Toph...Ozai just kidnapped her. I've got to make some calls. Excuse me." He immediately stood and walked out into the rear yard.

Just then, Zuko's phone rang. He saw that it was Jun and answered. "What happened?"

"Zuko, don't be angry," she started in a pained voice.

He could only growl and turn away from his uncle as he felt his anger rising. "What. happened?!"

"Still trying to figure most of it out," Jun gritted out. "Ow, watch that. Medics are on the way, but Sue and an officer are here, treating injuries and trying to keep Lao calm. Lao is pinned, and Jaz is injured. Leave it and tend to my cousin! Ow, I hope that isn't broken. The driver of the big rig that hit us is unconscious too."

"He... He has her," Zuko gritted out. It wasn't a question.

"Yeah," Jun sighed. "I didn't see it until it was too late. Neither did the other officers. We were in the middle of a jurisdiction transfer. Now we wait while the injured are treated and an investigation occurs to find out exactly what happened."

She paused, then continued in a sad voice. "Zuko, it could have been worse."

Zuko could only nod mutely. "What can I do?"

"Bato's already doing what he can. For now, stay inside, work out, heal that wrist. Did you hear anything else before your call with Toph ended?"

"Yeah, Azula has Toph's phone." Zuko heard sirens sound through the line

"Ok, that's good to know. I gotta go. Medics are here. I gotta help Jaz and Lao. Stay safe."

With that, Jun hung up on him. Zuko turned and saw his mother and Iroh looking at him in a sad way. When his eyes met Ursa's she rushed forwards to hug him. He could only hold onto his mother. It felt like the tournament all over again, but he felt emptier. He knew he couldn't do anything at that moment. He felt hollow, numb, useless. And then, like a fire being lit inside him, he started getting angry. He was getting furious.

"Thanks, Mom," he said as he felt himself get angrier, angry enough to hurt someone. "Excuse me." He escaped his mother's grasp, not seeing how hurt she or Iroh looked as he stormed off to the garage. There was just enough room around the punching bag for him to move. He felt the brace on his right hand and just turned his hands into fists. He glared at the punching bag until he saw Ozai's face. Then, he tried to kill the punching bag. Once his anger had burned itself out, he fell into the bag, crying. As he hung onto the punching bag, thoughts drifted through his mind. Why did his father hate him so much? Why did he want to hurt others? Especially his own family? Why involve others? Zuko just wanted the man to face him, without any collateral. When he thought about it more, he really just wanted a father; not a figure to fear.

Thankfully, no one had followed him into the garage and he grabbed a towel to clean himself up and wipe his face. He moved his right wrist around, stretching it. It felt alright, if a bit sore. Once he was sure he was ok, he made his way back into the house. He found Ursa and Iroh looking sad, along with Danny. Zuko sank into a chair in the family room, across from his family who were sitting on the couch. Iroh pushed a cup of tea towards Zuko and he took it, but held onto it as Bato came back into the house, hanging up from a call.

"Any news?" Ursa asked the agent. Zuko sat up straighter, his eyes on Bato.

Bato nodded. "Mrs. Bei Fong is being transferred to a hospital, but it doesn't seem critical. She's unconscious, but stable. Mr. Bei Fong has some sprains and cuts, and is being treated. He was pinned by the metal and airbag. He's ok, just angry. Jun has a sprained wrist, a bad bump on the head and some other cuts. Sue says it's a mild concussion, but Jun isn't letting them treat her yet. Preliminary investigation is that Ozai maneuvered a big rig and clipped the tail end so it would crash into the Bei Fong's car. Ozai and Azula then nabbed Toph and took off. The truck they used has already been found abandoned." Bato looked at Zuko, seeing the scarred teen get angry again and clench his hands into fists, though this time he was able to control it better. "I called for help. The director is sending the best negotiator we have."

"Besides my father, you mean," Zuko stated, scowling. "Ozai probably trained him."

"Actually, no, he didn't. Tenzin Appa came in from another agency, after Ozai went rogue. He's a good guy. I've worked with him on another assignment, one where we got the hostage back safe and sound. No casualties."

"Is he prepared to go up against another negotiator?" Iroh asked.

"Yeah, he's reviewing the old recordings from Ozai's contacts from the past on the flight here. He should be here in the morning. We'll do everything to get her back and get Ozai." Bato smiled at Zuko. "i know it's hard, but we have to wait a bit, ok?"

Zuko just nodded, before sighing. "I know. That's the hard part."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Toph was bound and gagged, but that didn't mean she couldn't listen. Thankfully she had the jacket on that Zuko and Jun had given her for Christmas. She heard water drops falling and smelled mold. It was somewhere dark and dank. She heard voices approach and listened.

"When do we make the call?" That voice was young and female, someone maybe around Katara's age.

"I make the call, and tomorrow. One of the parents was knocked unconscious. I'm sure he's been made aware. Waiting will cause suffering. Now, go see to the hostage." That voice was male, older, and made her skin crawl slightly.

Toph heard a man's footprints stalk off as the other person waited in silence. Then the door to where Toph was being held was opened and then slammed shut. The young woman she had heard stood for a moment near the door before she stalked over to Toph and took the gag off.

"Some food and water for you," she sneered.

"Kind of need my hands," Toph replied. She refused to show fear to these people. She knew who had taken her, who she was imprisoned with. She had fought and beaten the girl before her nearly two months before.

She heard the sounds of movement and then a blade was pressed against Toph's cheek for a moment.

"Try anything and you'll be hurt."

"You know my family won't like it if I'm hurt."

Azula chuckled, a dark, sinister chuckle with no warmth or true laughter in it at all. "They won't know until you're back. Only you will."

Toph nodded carefully and a handcuff was strapped to her right wrist and then she heard the click and felt the other cuff connected to the back of the chair she was tied to as it brushed against her side. Her ankles had each been tied to a leg of the chair when she was brought into the room. Once the handcuffs were secure and pulled on, Toph heard and felt the girl cut through the rope on her wrists. A plate was placed on her lap and she smelled a cold hamburger.

"Hand out," Azula ordered. Toph held her left hand out, palm up and a fast food childs cup was placed in her hand. Toph carefully brought it to her mouth, felt a straw and finally drank some water for the first time in hours. She lowered her hand after drinking half of the water to find her plate and carefully set the drink onto the plate before eating one knew Azula hadn't left the room, and listened carefully to the other girl. Occasionally she heard muttering, but the girl was mostly quiet. As Toph was finishing the last bites, Azula started speaking to her.

"You're not much of anything. Young, too. I don't get what he sees in you."

Toph shrugged as she popped the last bite into her mouth.

"What are you, anyways?" Azula continued. "Thirteen? Your parents are loaded, though."

After finally drinking the last of the water, Toph held out the plate with the cup to her captor.

"Fifteen, actually. What are you talking about? Are my parents ok?" Toph inwardly smirked though she tried to look concerned. Zuko had told her a lot about his sister. Not everything, of course, but she knew this was a game, and Toph was determined to win.

Azula huffed. "You're dating a guy who's seventeen, scarred, and he's going to pay for making us suffer." The girl took the plate and then placed it on a countertop by the door.

"Oh, you mean my boyfriend, Zuko? He's sweet. Hot body, too." Toph almost let a smile as she heard Azula hold back a gag at that. Toph shrugged and continued. "He never cared about my parents being rich. Why? What did he do to you? You didn't answer the question about my parents."

A sneer was in Azula's tone when she spoke next. "He destroyed my family, my chances of success. And then had me locked up."

Toph just shrugged again. "He doesn't talk much about his past, but from the little he has said, it was your father who destroyed everything."

Tpoh had been hearing Azula twitching, just like Zuko did when he was angry, or frustrated, then she stopped altogether for a few breaths. After a minute of silence, Azula stalked right up to Toph and Toph could feel the girls' breath on her face.

"You don't know anything about my family, and you never will. Be good and the cuffs stay on and the gag stays off. Your parents were alive, last I saw." With that, Azula stomped back to the door, opened it and slammed it shut again. Toph heard the click of a lock and finally relaxed. Now, she could take in her bearings and see what she could do.

She had heard the room was about 10 by 10 by the way the sound echoed. There were a few tables and countertops, probably bolted to the floors and/or walls. Her chair was in the middle of the room. It was sturdy and made of wood, probably oak. Kind of like a strong dining room chair. She felt herself with her free hand. Her pockets had been checked repeatedly. Her belt buckle was still on her, as was her necklace from Zuko, but nothing else. The pocket knife she had been keeping secret from everyone but her cousin was gone, as was her wallet and phone. She didn't know where she was being held, but she was sure Ozai was going to try and ransom her back to her parents. And they would pay for her, but at what price? Would she lose Zuko to be free? She would have to wait and see what happened. She had a weapon, if necessary, but it wasn't any good against handcuffs. She needed to be calm and think things through. After trying to feel around her chair for a half hour, Toph grew tired and decided to wait until the next morning. She was exhausted. She fell asleep in the chair, waiting to see what move her captors made first.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Zuko had paced and worked on his forms, unable to work on anything that he would have to sit still for. He heard an amber alert posted for Toph as Iroh and Bato had the news on the TV in the family room, but he refused to watch that. It would just make him worry more. Aang and then Sokka had called him once the amber alert was posted.

"Are you ok?" Aang had asked.

"No," Zuko replied shortly.

"And the Bei Fongs?"

Zuko sighed. Aang had been Toph's friend for years, and her parents liked the sophomore. "They're injured but ok."

"Was it…?"

"Yeah, Aang, it was," Zuko stated, cutting the younger boy off. He wouldn't say his father's name and didn't want to hear it at that moment or he would have to use the punching bag and he wasn't sure his wrist could handle another beating right then.

"Oh...well, if you need to talk, or anything, I'm here."

Zuko sighed again, running a hand through his hair. "I know, Aang. Thanks. We're waiting right now. Jun expects a ransom call."

"You know Mr. Bei Fong will pay anything for Toph," Aang said in a soft tone. Zuko just stayed silent. Yes, Lao would pay anything, but his father wanted Zuko to suffer, and this was part of it. "Well, I'm here if you need anything," Aang said. "Call me when you can, and when she's safe, ok?"

"All right, Thanks again, Aang."

Sokka's call started angry. But he soon calmed down and wanted Zuko to know he and Katara were there for them if he needed anything. Zuko had just said what he could, no more than he had told Aang, and Sokka and Katara had both told him to rest, that it would work out.

Zuko tried to eat, but couldn't eat much, his worry creating knots in his stomach. Finally, at 8, Jun called again.

"Put me on speaker for your family to hear," she started.

Zuko did so in the family room and saw Bato and Danny listening in as Nyla pressed herself against his leg.

"Hi everyone," Jun stated in a serious tone. "As you've heard, Toph has been kidnapped by Ozai. We have a negotiator, the best the FBI has ever had, flying in first thing in the morning. Jasmine is fine, just out of surgery. She has a mild concussion and had a bad break to her left leg, but the doctors say it should heal just fine. Lao has a sprained wrist and ankle, and some cuts, and is grumpier than usual. I got a few bumps and have a sprained wrist, but have had worse."

She started to sound her usual smug self at that last comment, but then turned serious again. "He caught us at a weak moment. A traffic accident occurred behind us as the escort from the county we were heading to was delayed and the escort from the county we were leaving had to head home. Sue said there were quite a few emergency calls today in both counties, leaving the areas short staffed and hard pressed to give as much support as they had given on the way up. One of the officers stayed with us, but was cut off by Ozai's vehicle before he caused the accident. The driver of the big rig has been found to be innocent and is still unconscious with a severe concussion, but no other major injuries. The officer tried to chase down Ozai after he got Toph, but another accident was caused and he got stuck. Forensics are working on the vehicle that was abandoned, but no news from them yet. There were several stolen cars found in the area of the abandoned vehicle, so he had several different getaway cars and may have changed vehicles already. My boss doesn't want me to pass this information on just yet, but I know you're just as worried about Toph and her parents as the Bei Fongs are. We will get her back. Right now, it's just a waiting game. A mind trick to make you weak. Don't let him win.

Zuko, what did you hear on your phone after the accident. What's the last thing you heard?"

Zuko saw his uncle and mother turn towards him. He swallowed and faced the phone.

"I heard Azula, saying 'We'll call you later'."

"Did she say anything else?" Jun asked. "How did you know it was her?"

"Besides knowing her voice anywhere?" Zuko asked, scoffing. "She called me by her nickname for me."

He saw his mother and uncle actually smile at that as Jun asked, "And what is that?"

Zuko looked to his mother and uncle, pleading with his eyes. He did not want to say that name if he could help it. Iroh held back a laugh, but Ursa spoke for Zuko.

"Azula has always called him 'Zuzu'. She couldn't say the last part of his name when she was a toddler and it stuck."

Jun actually chuckled. "Well, we'll put the tracking information on your phone. Ozai and Azula are too smart to let us track them like we used to, but there's been new technology since Ozai went rogue. Tenzin is up to date on all the tech. He should be arriving sometime during your morning run."

"I'll be up for him, for when he arrives," Iroh stated calmly.

"Thanks, Iroh," Jun replied. "Until he gets there, try and get some rest. This is a mind game. You have to be stronger than him. For Toph."

Zuko just nodded, and saw his mother and uncle smile at him, trying to be supportive and encouraging.

"Thank you, Jun," Iroh stated. "Rest well and heal. Send the Bei Fong's our prayers. They may be upset, but they know this was never what we wanted."

"They know," Jun sighed. "They're just angry and sad. Well, doctors are coming back. I have to rest. Talk to you all in the morning/"

"Thank you, Jun," Iroh said again and then Zuko ended the call. HIs golden eyes were gentle as they bored into Zuko. "Nephew, I would suggest not using the punching bag again tonight. Maybe some wrist exercises and I have some tea that will help you rest."

Zuko just nodded and sat down next to his mother as Iroh left to brew the tea.

"You know Jun will do everything to get her back, to keep you both safe," Bato said, looking at Zuko intently.

Zuko met the man's eyes and tried to smile. "I know. And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone ever again." He felt his mother take his hand and squeeze it. Fearing Ozai was at an end. They WOULD stop him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Zuko came home from the run with Bato and Danny to find a man in his forties, bald with a well trimmed beard talking with Iroh and Roland. The man turned to him when he and Bato entered the house and smiled at him with kind grey eyes.

"Good morning," the man stated in a deep, calming voice. "You must be Zuko. I'm Tenzin."

"Hi," Zuko panted before he followed Bato to the kitchen where the agent was already pulling out the protein mix to make their drinks.

"Zuko will talk to you later," he heard Iroh telling the man. "I believe they've been running 5 miles for a while now. Every morning."

"No worries," Tenzin replied with a chuckle. "I remember those days. Sometimes fondly, sometimes not. We'll wait until they are rested and refreshed."

After walking slowly around the kitchen to cool down as he downed his protein. After the drink was finished, Zuko headed to the shower and returned to the family room to find Bato already cleaned up and Tenzin waiting for him with a laptop already open.

"Hello again," Tenzin said with a smile. "May I see your phone?"

Zuko just nodded and handed his phone to the agent. He watched as Tenzin plugged his phone into a contraption that looked like an ipod charger. The phone lit up and a program on the laptop beeped. After Tenzin pressed some buttons, he handed Zuko back the phone.

"We're all set. I'll do the same with Mr. Bei Fong's phone when we meet him later today. I expect the first call will actually go to him."

"That was it?" Zuko asked. "Will it track like that?"

Tenzin actually laughed. "Not quite. Your phone is now configured to the program, so that when a call comes in, it will automatically get redirected to the program for recording. I have to directly connect the phone to the laptop to track any calls."

Zuko felt his brows knit. "Does Lao...will he allow me to even be in the same room as him?"

Tenzin's smile faltered. "He may not have a choice. He will logically know that you are needed to have Toph returned. Hopefully, he will be able to control his emotions. A good father only wants to protect their children."

Zuko nodded, frowning. He did not have a good father. Tenzin must have seen him starting to scowl, for he stood and placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder.

"I'm sure Lao knows how much you care for Toph, and despise her captors. He'll understand, or I'll insist he know that you are necessary." Tenzin's tone was gentle until the end, and Zuko saw the agent's facial features turn to stone. He felt a little better, knowing Tenzin was on his side.

Tenzin sighed. "Once Bato and Danny are ready, we'll head to the hospital to meet Mr. Bei Fong. It is only about 20 minutes away from here. Get what you need, and perhaps something to help you pass the time. It may take awhile until the call comes in."

"Yeah, Jun said it was a waiting game. That's not something i'm good at."

Tenzin smiled kindly at him again. "Then maybe you can assist me. I need to catch up on what's occurred and a first hand account of what Ozai has done and what has happened since you have moved here will help me."

Zuko could only nod before he moved to grab his jacket and an old gameboy he kept for situations like these.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Toph woke to a blanket on her. It was cold, even in her jacket and under the thin blanket, but at least she wasn't shivering. She stretched slowly, as much as she could considering she was still bound to the chair, feeling many kinks and sore muscles. She heard footsteps coming her way and it sounded like Azula. The door opened and then shut, thankfully not slamming this time.

"Wake up," Azula stated dryly. "Breakfast."

Toph nodded, holding out her hand for the drink as she had done the night before. Azula placed a plate in her lap and the same cup she had used the night before in Toph's hand.

Toph drank the water, missing Iroh's tea desperately, and feeling even colder from the water. At least there wasn't ice in it. After drinking half of it, she set the cup down and felt a croissant on the plate. As Toph ate, Azula waited in silence. Only when she started on the last bite, did Azula start speaking.

"How many agents are around you on a daily basis?"

Toph shrugged as she chewed the last bite. "Do you mean my aunt? I know she works for the FBI, but she's just been staying with us for the holidays."

"There are others, probably staying with Zuko," Azula stated and it sounded as if she were scowling and maybe even gritting her teeth to Toph. Toph inwardly smiled and then shrugged again, making sure her face was expressionless as possible.

"I know his uncle has a friend staying over, but he doesn't talk about stuff like that."

Azula sighed. "Then, what do you talk about?"

"School, martial arts, jerks…" Toph grinned. "Well, when we aren't kissing."

She heard Azula make a gagging sound. A minute of silence ensued and the plate was picked up from Toph's lap. "I'll be back later," was all Azula said stiffly before stalking out. Toph let a breath out once she heard Azula's footsteps fade away. She knew she shouldn't push Azula too much, but playing innocent was her best move, at least until her owner father got the ransom call and demands. Toph just hoped it would only be Azula interrogating her. She wasn't sure what Ozai would do.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lao was not happy for Zuko to be in the hospital, but thankfully Tenzin had talked to the man first. Jun was still in her own room while Lao had been discharged, but refused to leave his wife's side as she was still asleep, even at 11 in the morning. Lao had informed Tenzin that she hadn't recovered from the surgery until late that night. Jasmine had woken around 3am only for more pain meds to be given and she had drifted back to sleep. Tenzin set up his laptop in Jun's room so they wouldn't need to intrude on Lao and his wife, but had connected Lao's phone to his program after introducing himself.

"My program will alert me when Toph's phone calls, no matter where you are. Please come here immediately so we can try and track the call."

Lao had only nodded and scowled at Zuko before returning to Jasmine's side, limping with a crutch for his sprained ankle. Jun had sighed after Lao left. "Just when I thought we were starting to get you on his good side, Ozai pulls this stunt."

Zuko sighed and pulled out his gameboy. "He never liked me anyways, and he shouldn't. I just bring pain."

Jun threw a pillow at him, which he avoided easily. "That is not true, and you know it!"

Tenzin just started laughing. "Children, please. Jun, you need rest or they won't discharge you. A concussion will not help you in the days to come. Zuko, he's just upset at what has happened, and that is not true. Ozai is the one who caused this, not you."

Jun and Zuko just nodded their acceptance and Jun turned on her TV and Zuko pulled out the gameboy. After an hour of Tenzin working on his laptop, it started to ring, like a phone. Jun turned off her TV and Zuko paused his game.

"Call incoming," was all Tenzin said, sounding serious. Lao rushed in a moment later, looking wide eyed, and helpless. Tenzin just gave him a calm smile and held out his hand for the phone. Lao gave it to him and Tenzin easily connected it to a cable before handing it back to Lao.

"Treat it like a business meeting. Be calm, have it on speakerphone, and ask for proof of life."

Lao nodded, took a deep breath, and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

Zuko heard Oza on the other line.

"Lao Bei Fong, I presume?"

"Yes. What do you want?"

"Now, now, time for that later. I have something you want returned to you."

"Yes, is Toph ok? I want to hear her."

"Speak!" Ozai stated. Then Toph's voice came on, distant, but clear.

"Dad? You there?"

"I'm here, sweetie, hang on…"

"Quiet," Ozai demanded. "I'll text my demands. And then I'll call with the directions for the transfer tomorrow. Goodbye."

"No! Wait…." Zuko could only watch as Lao fell to his knees as the line went dead. Zuko looked at Lao, wanting to help him, but he didn't know what to do. Thankfully, Tenzin took control again and took the phone from Lao's hands before helping him up.

"You did great. We have proof that she's ok. He knows protocol. He will keep the calls short. My program got a 5 mile radius of where he could be. The next call will pinpoint him better. Texts help, but not as much as phone calls. Lao, it's a chess game."

"But that's my daughter…"

"I know. Everyone in this room cares for her deeply. You most of all. You are her father. She needs you to be strong right now so she can be strong."

Lao just nodded and turned to look at Jun who was trying to give him a supportive smile before turning to Zuko. Lao sighed.

"I don't suppose you know what he'll do?" Lao asked Zuko.

Zuko shrugged. "No. He wants me to suffer, which this waiting is doing. But he wants me and my mom dead. He'll probably want us to trade ourselves for Toph." Zuko watched Lao's face harden. "I'll trade myself. He won't hurt her. He knows she's his ticket to freedom."

Lao sighed and went to sit at the foot of Jun's bed. "Ursa isn't strong enough for this, is she?"

"No more than Jaz is right now," Jun said softly. "But if it's Ursa he wants, I'm close enough in build to her that I can pass, with a makeover. Lao, we WILL get Toph back."

Lao just nodded. "I'll head back to my wife then. Will the texts come here?"

"Yes," Tenzin replied with a kind smile. "I'll be reviewing the audio from the call for any clues. But first, let me help you back to your room. You forgot the crutch."

Lao just nodded again before leaving. Tenzin then looked to Zuko. "Can you assist me when I return? And then we'll continue our conversation from the car ride while we wait for the text to arrive."

Zuko nodded before taking the chair next to the laptop so he could hear the audio better.