A/N: I know the songs in here have gotten a bad rap these past couple years, but I love the songs since I grew up with them and know their origins. And, I wrote this before any of the bad publicity and opinion started. Say what you will about the songs, but I wrote the fic and hope you enjoy it.
Day 6-Waiting
Zuko smiled as he heard the Christmas music as he walked up to the party. It had been too long since he had returned to his home town. But he wouldn't miss his best friends' engagement party for the world. And the chance to see the old gang. It had been two years since he had seen Katara and Aang, and four since he had seen Toph. Whenever he had come to visit Sokka, she had been away with her parents or, recently, at college or working. They had talked on the phone frequently over the past couple of years, but he wanted it to be a surprise that he was coming home tonight to see everyone.
"Zuko!" He heard someone cry out when he entered the door and was immediately engulfed in a fierce hug by his best friend. "Man, I didn't know if you would make it or not! I thought you wouldn't be able to make it till tomorrow!"
"I wanted to surprise you," Zuko replied while he happily returned the hug. He spotted Suki smiling at him over Sokka's shoulder and patted his best friend's back. "Sokka, getting hard to breathe, and I think your fiancé is getting jealous."
Sokka laughed as he let Zuko go, and moved out of the way so Suki could welcome Zuko. The scarred man hugged the young woman gently.
"It's so good to see you, Suki. My congratulations."
"Took him long enough," Suki said with a laugh as she withdrew. "And you long enough to get here! Sokka's been watching the door like a hawk."
"Whenever he can tear his eyes away from you," Katara said as she came upon the group. "Welcome home, Zuko. It's been too long."
Zuko turned and smiled at Katara. "Yes, too long," he replied as Katara hugged him. He let her go and was suddenly jumped on by behind.
"What happened Zuko?" he heard Aang say. "How come you were late?"
"Nice to see you too, Aang," Zuko said and chuckled as Aang let go and moved to stand next to Katara. "And my congratulations on getting Katara to go out with you. I was late because another verse to a song that I've been working on came to me. I had to write it down and fit it in."
"Ah yes, the budding songwriter," Sokka said with a sigh. "I've heard you've already sold a few hits."
"Yeah, they're great!" Katara said. "Why don't you ever sing them yourself?"
Zuko just shrugged. "No one wants to see a scarred man on stage. They want the pretty ones. Besides, their voices are better." He noticed some frowns, and, to change the subject, looked around quickly and found something missing. "By the way, where's Toph?"
"Oh, she's singing tonight as a gift to us and will be singing at the wedding too," Suki said. "She should be back on any minute now."
"And, speak of the devil," Sokka said with a grin as the band started playing a familiar tune. Zuko turned around and was stunned to see Toph come out from behind the curtain wearing a sea foam green twenties style dress that hugged every womanly curve she had, singing 'Santa Baby'. She swayed perfectly to the song, and Zuko couldn't tear his eyes away. The little girl he had grown up with had become a gorgeous woman with long black hair and curves and she obviously knew how to use them. She winked and waved as several young men near the front whistled at her. And her voice, it was just as beautiful as she was. She finished the song to roaring applause from the men in the group and smiled and curtsied.
"And now," she said to the audience, "I need some help for our next song. I'll be singing 'Baby, it's cold outside', and I need a partner. So, you handsome men out there, sing out a verse to me if you know the song. If your voice is not so good, I'll have my good friend, Sokka, give you a thumbs down and you have to stop singing. When he finds a good one, he'll give you a thumbs up and we'll continue until he says for you to stop. That sound all right with everyone?"
The crowd cheered and Suki pushed her fiancé to the stage. Toph just smiled and Zuko finally composed himself when Sokka elbowed him. "Better hear you," the newly engaged man whispered to his best friend before he made his way to the stage.
Toph smiled and laughed as Sokka said something to her before nodding to the band. They started up the music and Toph started singing.
"I really can't stay"
A young man with a high voice sang out (but baby it's cold outside.) Sokka instantly gave him a thumbs down and Zuko saw him sit dejected.
"I've got to go away"
Another sang out in a stutter, (but baby it's cold outside.) Sokka again gave a thumbs down as boos rang out. Zuko found himself mouthing the words to the song.
"This evening has been"
An older man sang, (been hoping that you'd drop in.) Sokka didn't give any response.
"So very nice"
The man continued, (I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)
"My mother will start worry"
(beautiful, what's your hurry) he continued, but he couldn't hit the proper note and Sokka gave him a thumbs down.
"My father will be pacing the floor"
Aang sang out in his high voice, (listen to the fireplace roar) Several people chuckled as Sokka gave him a glare and a no.
"So really I'd better scurry"
"Start singing," Katara hissed to him when no one sang out, though the whole room was singing in a low tone, (beautiful please don't hurry)
"but maybe just a half a drink more" Zuko was unsure if he should, but Suki, Katara and Sokka were all looking at him, gesturing for him to sing.
So, he did. (put some records on while I pour) Toph stared towards his voice, complete shock on her face as she sang the next line.
"the neighbors might faint"
Zuko smiled. (baby it's bad out there)
"say what's in this drink"
He was starting to enjoy himself and saw Sokka was giving him a double thumbs up. (no cabs to be had out there)
"I wish I knew how" Toph started relaxing and started smiling as she sang.
(your eyes are like starlight now) And it was true.
"to break this spell"
The crowd started clapping along, no longer singing with them, just enjoying the song.
(I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
Toph blushed. "I ought to say "no, no, no sir"
Zuko grinned and scooted forward as he sang (mind if I move in closer)
Toph must have heard it since she shrugged and smiled a sly smile. "at least I'm gonna say that I tried"
He started making his way to the stage as he sang. (what's the sense in hurtin' my pride)
"I really can't stay"
(oh baby don't hold out)
He reached the bottom of the stage as they both sang out "baby it's cold out-side"
Toph took a step away from him and towards the band, still smiling. "I simply must go"
Zuko took the first step up to the stage. (but baby it's cold outside)
"the answer is no"
(but baby it's cold outside)
"your welcome has been"
Every line of his brought him a step closer to Toph. (how lucky that you dropped in)
"so nice and warm"
(look out the window at that storm)
"my sister will be suspicious"
(gosh your lips look delicious) And now he was that he was closer, he had to agree with the song.
"my brother will be there at the door"
(waves upon the tropical shore)
"my maiden aunts mind is vicious"
(gosh your lips are delicious)
"but maybe just a cigarette more"
(never such a blizzard before)
"I've gotta get home"
(but baby you'd freeze out there)
"say lend me a coat"
(it's up to your knees out there)
"you've really been grand"
(I thrill when you touch my hand) He took her hand in his as he finally reached her and watched as her cheeks turned pink.
"but don't you see?"
(how can you do this thing to me?)
"there's bound to be talk tomorrow"
(think of my lifelong sorrow) He played out the part, going down to one knee.
Toph smiled down at him. "at least there will be plenty implied"
(if you got pneumonia and died) He stood, still holding her hand.
"i really can't stay"
(get over that old out) He pulled her close to him and wrapped an arm around her waist.
She smiled up at him as they sang the last couple lines together, their voices blending perfectly.
"baby it's cold
baby it's cold outside"
The crowd cheered and gave a standing ovation and Toph just smiled at Zuko. "Told you I'd grow up eventually," she said.
"And I didn't realize it until tonight, but I was waiting for you to grow up." He replied before pulling her into a kiss to the cheers of the crowd and the bewilderment of Sokka.