A/N:A little sidenote about this last one. It was inspired by a Phineas and Ferb fan fiction by KickerAsh-one of the best writers I've seen on DA, and also the last part by Kutless, What Faith can Do. This is my favorite of the week. Enjoy and please Review to let me know what you've thought!
Day 7-Can you hear me?
Zuko coughed into his elbow as he walked to where he had said he would meet Toph. He reached into his pocket as the cough subsided and fingered the small box there. It had taken him six months to find the perfect one and another two to wait for it to be made the way he wanted. And it had taken all week to work up his courage to talk to Toph about it. Not that he was scared of it or Toph, but it was a huge step forward for both of them. And his sore throat and cough were only getting worse. If he didn't make his move then, he might not get another chance before Toph left for her last semester at college in five days. Another coughing fit struck him and he struggled to breathe as the fit lasted almost a minute. He took a few deep breaths after it passed and finally saw Toph walking towards him from across the street.
"You ok there, Sparky?" she asked with some genuine concern on her face.
"Yeah," Zuko gulped as he tried to take another deep breath. "Just a cough."
Toph gave him a small frown, as if she didn't quite believe him, but then she smiled and turned towards the setting. Zuko knew she couldn't see it, but she could smell it and hear it and feel it more than he ever could. They were standing under a gazebo next to the ice skating rink. This was where they had gone on their first date after Sokka's engagement party, where Zuko had gotten Toph to ice skate with him and where she had made him fall on his butt and laugh at himself. Skaters were still out on the ice, even this late in the season, and the pine trees surrounding the rink gave it a surreal setting, as if it had magically appeared there. The gazebo had Christmas lights strung all on it and around each post, and with the icicles hanging from the edges, made it look like a set from a Christmas musical. Zuko had unveiled his first love song to Toph here and she had sung it for him, more perfect than the star who had bought it and sung it for thousands. He felt another cough trying to make his way out and cleared his throat to get rid of it.
"I love this place," Toph breathed. She turned back to Zuko with a beautiful smile on her face. "Was there a reason you wanted to meet here? I don't think you should try and sing right now."
Zuko wanted to chuckle, but he knew that would lead to more coughing. He cleared his throat again to try and force the cough down, but his throat was feeling more restricted. Probably from his nerves.
"Toph," he started and had to clear his throat again. "Sorry, Toph…" he couldn't control himself as a fit of coughing overtook him and he bent over automatically as the coughing grew worse. He felt Toph's hand on his shoulder and tried to control his cough. "Toph…" he barked out. "I….lov…." he couldn't control the cough anymore. He kept coughing and he felt his airway close up and just struggled to breathe. He heard Toph cry out his name as he fell, still coughing and trying to just draw a breath.
"Hello," he heard Toph say "Yes, my boyfriend just collapsed. Send someone! Corner of 5th and Main at the skating rink. Hurry! He started coughing and can't stop. He's also gasping for air. No! I can't tell you if his face is blue! I'm blind, that's why! Just send someone ASAP!" There was a pause and then Toph's hand was on his shoulder as he felt the world fading to black and he continued to cough and not breathe. "Hang in there, Zuko. Paramedics are on their way."
He kept fading in and out, but tried to concentrate in Toph's voice as she talked with the 911 operator and him. He heard sirens and barely felt the paramedics pick him up and Toph arguing her way into the ambulance. Everything was silent for a while. He heard a few voices after that, but was just trying to gasp for some air, any air.
"Worst case….tonsillitis…Infection into throat….Emergency surgery…May have…..into larynx…..May never…speak again….."
His last thought before everything went black was that he prayed that it was all a bad dream. After a period of dreamless sleep, he started waking up, feeling like he was freezing and his throat hurt. He also heard voices again.
"Too soon to tell," a man whispered. "We were able to save his larynx and vocal cords, but they were damaged. We'll know more in a few days."
"What could have caused this?" That was Uncle, he was sure of it.
"A virus. Again, it's the worst case I've ever seen. He's lucky to be alive. A couple hours to a day, or if he had been alone…well, he's a very lucky young man. He's a song writer?"
"And a very talented singer," Uncle said in a sad tone.
The other man grunted a sorrowful sound. "Like I said, it's too soon to tell, but his voice could be damaged, or even lost, forever."
Zuko tried to wake up more, to move, to ask what was going on, but it was starting to hurt so much more and he couldn't move. He heard movement and then a hand was on his arm.
"Steady there, young man," the unknown man said in a comforting tone. "It's too soon for you to wake up. You're body needs more rest. I'm going to give you something to sleep, to ease the pain. You can ask questions later, when you're truly awake. Just do not try to speak. You need to heal." A warmth entered Zuko's arm and then he slipped into dreamless slumber yet again.
He awoke again, but this time to a ray of sunlight warming his face, and something warm in his hand. He was still tired, but more like from sleeping too long, than weary. His throat ached, and he vaguely remembered the overheard conversation. He looked around the hospital room he was in and smiled softly when he found Toph sleeping in a chair next to his bed, her hand in his. The door creaked slightly as it opened and he saw Iroh pop his head in and surprise and joy lit the elder's face when he found Zuko awake. Iroh put a finger to his mouth and gestured to Toph. Zuko opened his mouth to ask something, but Iroh shook his head fiercely.
"No!" the elder hissed. "Doctor's orders, young man. You are not permitted to even try and talk."
Zuko frowned and looked over at Toph. Not able to talk? How was he going to communicate with Toph? Sure, she was more perceptive than anyone else he knew, but the only ways he knew to communicate non-verbally included gestures and writing, both of which Toph couldn't see.
Iroh must have seen his emotions on his face, for he patted Zuko's leg in a comforting way. "It will work out in the end, Nephew. Just have faith."
All Zuko could do was nod, still trying to figure out how he was going to communicate to Toph until he could speak again. Toph started stirring.
"Uncle? That you?" she mumbled sleepily before stretching, though her hand never left Zuko's.
"Yes, dear. I'm here. Good morning. You apparently bullied your way through yet again."
Zuko smiled as Toph grinned an evil grin. "Is Zuko awake yet?"
In response, Zuko squeezed her hand before bringing it to his lips to kiss it softly. A huge smile lit her face and eyes up and Zuko wanted so much to tell her how much she meant to him at that moment, but a well of sadness took him as he realized he couldn't.
Again, Iroh must have seen it for he smiled at Zuko. "Toph refused to leave your side and only did so the surgeons could work on you. Unfortunately she fell asleep while you were in surgery and did what she usually did when she found out you were out of surgery and in a room when she awoke and was told to leave. I'm sure you could guess at what Toph did."
Toph laughed. "I was NOT going to leave my boyfriend alone when he could not watch after himself. Who knows what those nurses could do while he was recovering? And I'm not going to let some pretty nurse steal him away from me!"
Iroh laughed his great belly laugh and Zuko smiled. He brought Toph's hand to his lips again, wanting and trying to tell her that could never happen. After years of knowing her as a tag along brat, to one of his best friends to the most beautiful and talented woman he had ever known who could actually love him as much as he loved her, he was not going to let her go any more than she would let him go. She apparently got the message, or part of it, for she started blushing.
"Thanks Sparky," she whispered before suddenly frowning and turning her head towards the door. Zuko followed her and saw two doctors and a nurse enter the room.
"Good morning, Mr. Agni," the older doctor said, a man with a pleasant smile and graying hair and glasses. Zuko recognized his voice from the some of the words he heard before his surgery and as the man who spoke with his uncle when he had first awoken. "And good morning to you Miss Bei Fong and Elder Mr. Agni. May I call you Zuko?" the doctor asked and Zuko nodded. The man gestured and the nurse came forward and handed a pad of paper and a pen to Zuko. "It's so we can communicate and you can ask whatever questions come to you. I'm Dr. Drake, and this is my associate, Dr. Boctor, one of the most talented surgeons I have the pleasure to work with. And this is Miss Song, your nurse," he said, gesturing to the young woman who had handed Zuko the paper. "She'll be on call if you need anything during the day. And Mr. Haru will be the nurse on call for you at night."
Zuko nodded, and squeezed Toph's hand when he noticed her frowning at the mention of the female nurse.
"Now, I'm sure you're wondering what happened," Dr. Drake continued. Zuko nodded again. "You had a terrible throat infection. It went from your tonsils all the way down to your larynx. We had to remove your tonsils and some infected tissue from your throat. Also your larynx was damaged and some of the surrounding muscle had to be removed. This was an unusual and aggressive viral infection. You're a very lucky young man to have survived. And I hear this beautiful young lady was there when you collapsed. Her quick thinking and detailed observation, without the observing of course, got us to diagnose you quickly and into surgery immediately."
Iroh chuckled at the obvious blindness reference, but Toph was just quiet, which was unusual for her. Zuko digested all the information and quickly began writing. When finished, he held the pad up so the doctors could read it. (How long before I can speak? And sing? Songs are my career.)
Dr. Drake's face fell in sadness. "We just don't know yet. There was a lot of damage, A couple weeks at best, but with the amount of damage there was, it's hard to know for sure. More likely a few months to even a couple years. And singing? I'm not sure if you'll ever be able to sing like you once did. The body is a marvelous thing, but it can only handle so much at once. Zuko…you may never get your voice back."
Zuko saw Toph's mouth fall open in astonishment and then get angry. He was too startled to be angry, but the ferocity in her tone surprised him. "What are you talking about?!" She yelled at the doctor. "You said his larynx was only damaged! How can you say he will never sing again…or…or speak…"
Zuko pulled her hand towards him and she surprised him by turning to him and hugging him, her face buried in his chest. He heard her hiccup and felt some wetness through his thin hospital shirt and just rubbed her back with one hand. He didn't think this would hit her this hard, but apparently it had hit her as hard as it hit him. With his other hand, he quickly wrote on the pad. He handed it to his uncle when he was finished. He saw Iroh read it and then look at him with a sad smile.
"It says, 'tell her I'll find a way. Always have, especially with her at my side, pushing me on.'"
Toph chuckled against his chest and raised her head to meet him eye to eye. He smiled at her and pushed some hair away from her face and quickly wiped away a stray tear before planting a soft kiss on her forehead. He knew she hated people seeing her cry.
"Thanks, Sparky," she whispered before getting up and sitting in her chair again. She sent a glare towards the doctors, but sat civilly. "Forgive me, but I'm blind and Zuko has the best voice I've ever heard. Speech has always been our only and best form of communication. If…if he were to lose his voice permanently, it could kill his career and we wouldn't be able to communicate. But he's right," she said and gave a genuine smile to Zuko. "I will help him regain his voice. And I'll stay by his side."
A thought came to Zuko, but he knew he couldn't bring it up with the doctors standing there. He held out his hand towards his uncle and Iroh handed him the pad again. He wrote on it again and held it up to the doctors. (How long will I be here? How can I help myself heal?)
Dr. Drake smiled again, softly. "You'll need to stay a week. We'll be running blood tests every day to make sure the infection is gone. And Dr. Boctor will come in every other day to palpate, physically check, your throat to see if there are any changes. And the best thing you can do at this point is to take your meds, eat, or should I say drink, well and do not attempt to talk. At all. If you attempt to talk, you could strain the healing tissues and possibly tear them and damage them even more. The tissues are weak from the surgery and time and no use are the best medicines for them at this point. After you are discharged, we will have physical therapy set up for you and a schedule of rechecks."
Zuko nodded his understanding. This was going to stink. Not being able to sing was hard enough, but not even being able to talk? He needed to find a way to communicate with Toph.
"Are there any other questions?" Dr. Drake asked after a moment of silence. Zuko wrote out a quick (No) and the doctor nodded. "Well, if you need anything, ring the bell, and if you have any more questions, I'll check in tomorrow morning. Just write them down for me. Again, you are a very lucky young man. Never forget that."
Zuko saw the man's eyes flit towards the scar on the left side of his face and wanted to sigh. He waited silently with Toph while the doctors said their good-byes to Iroh. When Iroh returned, Zuko was scribbling quickly on the pad. He handed it to his uncle when he was finished.
"Toph, Zuko says you should still go to school and finish your degree. And that we need to think of a way up for you both to communicate to each other without a translator." Iroh smiled at that. "Yes, Nephew. I'm sure there are many things you two say to each other that others would not wish to hear, or things you would not want others to hear."
Zuko held out his hand for the pad again and quickly wrote a couple words on it before handing it back. "Ask Sokka for ideas. Hmm, good idea, Nephew."
Toph was just starting down at her lap, something very out of character for her. "Uncle?" she asked quietly. "Could you leave us for a moment?"
Iroh smiled wisely and nodded. "Of course my dear. I'll just be outside. I'll only rush in if I hear something being broken."
Toph smiled and nodded, and Zuko wondered what she was thinking and what she had to tell him in private. As soon as the door was closed, she turned and frowned at Zuko.
"All right, Sparky," she said with an edge to her tone that made Zuko wary. She was mad about something he had done, and he was pretty sure he knew what. "Tap once on the rail for yes, twice for no, got it?"
Zuko quickly tapped the rail once and Toph smiled. "What's the big idea spouting that stuff about me at your side and then making sure I leave you to finish school? Darn, that wasn't a yes or no question. Do you really want me to go back to school?"
Zuko tapped once and saw the hurt in her eyes. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away from him. "Do you want me to stay?" Zuko tapped once. He watched her and she seemed to be waiting. When a second tap didn't come, she sighed and sank into the chair. "This is going to stink, isn't it?"
Zuko tapped yes, and Toph chuckled. "Ok, how about this, if we can find a way to talk without you actually talking by the time my semester starts, I'll go. If not, I'll stay and bust your but until you can talk to me. Sound like a deal?" Zuko smiled as the spark that was normally in Toph's eyes seemed to have returned since they had heard he may never speak again. He tapped a yes to her and she grinned. "Ok, one day down, four more before I might leave. We better get thinking. But first, I'm starving, and I can practically hear your stomach growl from here. I'll go to the cafeteria and get some food after I call for yours and we can have breakfast before I call Sokka." Zuko tapped a yes again and let Toph call for his meal before a frown set in again. He had to find a way to talk to Toph again and tell her what he needed to, hopefully before she left. And he was determined for her to get back to school and finish her degree. But…he wanted to be with her, and he wanted her there, with him.
Toph had finally gone home at Zuko's and Iroh's urging. Zuko saw how stiff she was getting as the day went by, and how restless she was getting. Toph was never one for sitting in one place all day. He didn't want her to kiss him in case he still had some infection, so she kissed him on his cheek as a goodnight and Iroh waited with him until she had gone home.
"Still haven't asked her, hmm?" the elder asked with a twinkle in his eye after they were sure Toph was gone. Zuko just sent a quick glare his uncle's way before sadly shaking his head. "You were going to ask her the night you collapsed, weren't you?" Zuko simply nodded. He started writing and showed it to his uncle.
(How can I ask her when I can't even talk to her now? I thought it was a little sore throat. I HAVE to find a way to talk again. This is KILLING ME!)
Iroh just chuckled. "Faith, hope and love, Nephew. Those three things will see you through, and the strongest is love, which you already have. I have an idea; I just have to look into it more. Good night Nephew."
Zuko scribbled out a quick (Good night Uncle) and lay down, thinking about Toph. When morning came, Zuko had a sentence written out for his nurse and his uncle and a page with ideas, many crossed out. Iroh arrived after his smoothie breakfast and had a book with him. Zuko showed him what he had written.
"You need your cell phone and a laptop? Why?"
(Some ideas I have. I need to run them by Sokka)
"I'm not sure if they'll permit those, Nephew."
(It's not like I'll make any noise with them) Zuko rolled his eyes when Iroh raised his eyebrow at reading that.
"Well, there's no harm in asking. Here, for you," Iroh stated with a proud smile as he handed the book to Zuko.
Zuko took it and found it be a book on Helen Keller. A page had been ear tagged and he opened the book to find the alphabet Anne Sullivan had taught the deaf and blind woman. The young man looked up at his uncle and found the elder beaming. "I've been reading it and it seems simple enough. I can help both you and Toph learn it. And we both know Toph will pick it up quickly."
Zuko nodded. (I'll try. Go and please ask about my cell and laptop.)
"I'll ask," Iroh stated just as the door opened.
"Ask what?" Dr. Drake asked as he entered the room and smiled at uncle and nephew.
"Zuko asked if he could have his cellphone and laptop to speak to a friend of his who is somewhat of a genius in thinking up things. He promises to be quiet with them," Iroh said with a wink to Zuko. All the young man could do was roll his eyes, but the Doctor apparently saw and chuckled.
"I'll have to check with the administrator, but I'm sure she'll allow it, considering your case. And this wouldn't be Sokka Nan, would it?"
Zuko nodded and Dr. Drake beamed. "It would be an honor if he could visit some time. One of his small inventions has helped me tremendously with knee surgeries." Zuko nodded again. "Well, any other questions, Zuko?" The young man merely shook his head and the doctor nodded again. "I'll stop by again in two days. Dr. Boctor will stop by tomorrow before lunch. If any questions come to you, feel free to ask him as well." Zuko nodded again and grinned when he saw Toph walk through the door just as the doctor was leaving.
Toph waited until she heard the door shut behind her and Zuko noticed she had a small backpack with her. "Well, any change in prognosis?" she asked expectantly.
"It's too soon, my dear. But we have some ideas. And you, how are you doing?" Iroh asked the young woman.
"Better, and I've got some ideas as well. Sokka said he'll try and stop by tomorrow, but is really busy right now with a deadline. So, you guys first."
Iroh told her about Zuko asking for his cell and laptop and Zuko explained through his uncle that he had heard of a program that could talk for people who couldn't talk themselves. Iroh explained the Helen Keller book and both young people started learning the alphabet, but Zuko found it difficult. Though the hand signs were different, he had trouble distinguishing between them and he knew it couldn't work over long distances. By the time lunch was finished, he was frustrated to the point that he had to stop for the day or he would hurt something. Toph laughed when Iroh had read the penned words. Toph was interested in the computer program and said she had a similar one she used for reading assignments at college and suggested having Sokka take a look at it. Zuko asked his uncle for a moment alone with Toph before she had to leave for a gig that night and kissed her hand once they were alone.
"I know Sparky," Toph sighed. "It's hard, but we'll get through this. Just hang in there, you'll get it. We just won't be able to use it on the phone." Zuko tapped a no and Toph smiled. "Oh, I almost forgot. Sokka did give me something to give to you." She reached into her bag and withdrew a book. "Yeah, I know, another book, but he didn't tell me what it's about. Well, maybe Uncle can tell me about it tomorrow." She reached over and kissed his cheek. "I'll be back tomorrow. And I will be kissing you before the week is out."
Zuko just squeezed her hand before she left and smiled as he watched her walk out. Only as Iroh walked back in did Zuko look down at the book Sokka had sent. And when he did, he started grinning. Sokka really was a genius. All Zuko had to do was learn a new language that wasn't too foreign.
A weight falling on his legs woke him up and he smiled as Toph jumped off of him and moved to her chair beside him, but not before kissing his cheek.
"Morning, sleepyhead. You're usually the early riser. Rough night?"
Zuko slowly stretched, sitting up and Toph helped him adjust his pillows so he could sit comfortably. He tapped out a no quickly and almost knocked the book Sokka had sent off of the bed. He had been up late into the early morning hours reading it and most of it had finally clicked. He wanted to test it out, but he wasn't sure if he would get it right. He started tapping on the bed rail and watched Toph's face. Her face changed from puzzled to confused to shocked to almost teary. When he finished, she jumped at him and kissed his cheek soundly.
"Zuko! When did you learn Morse code?"
(Last night) he tapped out. (Still learning)
Toph laughed. "Well, it is different. But you caught on so quickly. How?"
(Like music) he tapped out, but wasn't sure if he could explain it that way. Toph didn't know music score. (Score. Like Morse, but different) He wasn't sure if that could explain it, but Toph nodded.
"Guess so. I don't know sheet music." She grinned as she waved a hand over her eyes. "Never had to learn it." Her eyes and face lit up suddenly. "This means we can talk over the phone! As long as we have a good connection, of course."
(Of course) Toph smiled at that and Zuko smiled with her. He needed to practice. It still took a while for him to tap out words since he wanted to make sure he wasn't making any mistakes. And he knew he would have to have something to tap against, but it was a way of communicating with Toph. Iroh arrived with breakfast and while Zuko drank his smoothie, Toph told Iroh what Zuko had learned in an excited tone.
"Well, that will save my poor arthritic hands from teaching you hand signs," Iroh chuckled.
(You don't have much arthritis) Zuko wrote to his uncle.
"Perhaps not as much as some my age, but it is definitely becoming more noticeable every winter. But you need to practice, Nephew. It's a wonder I didn't think of Morse code. I know it, though it's been many, many years since I have used it. Used it in the war, my dear. Was a communications expert at first before I started moving up the ranks."
Zuko rolled his eyes, but made every effort to use Morse code to communicate. He did mess up a few times, but Toph would stop him and make him repeat and gave him the correct sequence when he messed up a spelling.
(Why I have spellcheck) he said when she had corrected him for the third time.
Toph laughed at that, but stopped and Zuko looked towards the door to find the surgeon entering. The surgeon asked a few questions which Zuko wrote out the answers to, and palpated his throat. It was uncomfortable and in one spot, even painful. The doctor must have seen him grimace, for he stopped and wrote it on the chart.
"It is healing well," the doctor said in a slight Arabic accent when he had finished. "But your larynx is very tender. Absolutely no talking. But, some good news. The administrator has allowed the use of your phone and laptop, provided they are on silent." Zuko nodded eagerly. Once he had his cell, he could text Sokka and they could start working on the program together. "And some other good news. Your blood tests show tremendous improvement. You can go for a walk on the grounds if you choose, providing you are not alone. I would strongly caution against kissing the young lady as of yet. Your uncle can get some clothes for you, but I will warn you. You went through tremendous stress with the illness and your surgery. You will feel weak for a few days."
Zuko nodded again. It didn't matter if he would feel a little weak. He could get out into the sun. As soon as the surgeon left, Zuko tapped out a message. (Outside. Get me clothes)
Iroh looked a little puzzled, but Toph merely laughed. "Usually a guy's asking to get out of clothes, but you're asking to get into them?"
Zuko merely frowned. (Ha ha) Toph laughed again.
"Good thing I thought ahead. I brought some loose jeans and a t-shirt for you. Need help?"
(No) Toph shrugged and waited while Zuko carefully pulled the clothes on. He knew Toph couldn't peek, and though Iroh had turned his back, the young man knew his uncle would help if he needed anything. After what seemed like forever, he had the clothes on, and though tired, was ready to head outside. Toph walked beside him, hand in hand with him as he made his way outside and into the sunlight. Once there, he stopped and just closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun. After taking a deep breath, he glanced down at Toph and saw her doing the same thing. He quickly smiled and kissed her cheek, making her smile. She walked with him, finding things to tap on to talk to her, but he quickly grew tired and she had to help him down the last hallway and back to his room. He didn't even hear Toph and Iroh leave as he fell asleep, still in his jeans. He woke to darkness and a knock on his door. Sokka waved at him through the window in the door and then burst in with his cell and laptop.
"So, did the Morse code help?" Sokka asked.
(Yes)
Sokka grinned. "All right. Now, let's get working on this program." Zuko nodded and helped his best friend any way he could and went over ideas with him on paper as the night progressed until the nurse told Sokka that he had to go home for the night.
The days passed easily, with Sokka helping him tweak the program he had bought either in person, or through texting or instant messaging. Zuko continued to practice Morse code, and the doctors told him that he was improving at a good pace, but still, they didn't know if he would be able to speak again. His throat still hurt whenever Dr. Boctor palpated his throat at the larynx. All too soon, it was time for Toph to leave. She had finally agreed they had two ways of communicating and they would speak with each other every night. Sokka had adapted a program so that Zuko could text or instant message Toph and her computer would speak to her. The hospital would be discharging Zuko the next morning, but after Toph had already left for her flight. He had a clean bill of health, but another blood test was running just to be on the safe side. They had spent the day outside in the sun, and Zuko had just held his girlfriend as long as possible. She had promised to visit as often as she could, but her schedule was extremely busy, and that meant usually once a month at best. They did have spring break to look forward to, but Zuko knew he couldn't ask her his question yet. He wanted to be back on his feet again. Most of all, he wanted to be able to speak again. Night came upon them quickly and it was hard to say goodbye, especially after the past five days.
"Keep practicing. If you're going faster than me, that's a good thing," Toph said as they hugged in his hospital room.
(I will) he tapped out on her hairpiece.
Toph chuckled. "I'm expecting to hear any updates. The moment you can talk, you have to call me, got it?"
(Yes boss)
Toph was silent for a bit. "Zuko, I'm going to miss you. I love you so much. I can't wait to hear your voice again. Your music is good, but I want to hear you talk again. And don't think I haven't forgotten our interrupted date at the rink. I want a re-do."
Me too, he thought. (I love you too)
The door opened and Toph's mother stepped in, smiling. She had been patient, waiting thirty minutes while they said their good byes, but it was getting close to midnight and Toph's flight was at seven the next morning.
(I'll text you as soon as I leave here)
"Sounds like a plan." With that, she reached up and he bent down, meeting her in a long kiss. He noticed Mrs. Bei Fong sighing and leaving the room again, but this was the final goodbye. Toph eventually pulled away, knowing her mother would come into the room again, and Zuko let his hand trail down her arm and to her hand, just wanting to feel her as long as possible. Toph smiled once more at him from the door. "And don't stop writing. As soon as you have your voice back, I want to hear your ideas."
Zuko just smiled and stomped his heel down once, tapping a yes to Toph. She grinned and left, and Zuko hurried to the door and out and tapped out a message on the wall, knowing she would hear it.
(I love you)
Toph just turned back towards him and blew him a kiss. Once she was gone, he headed back to his room and stared at the pad of paper. An idea came to him and he started writing. He went home the next day and started his physical therapy. Thankfully all of his songs were doing well and he even sold two more based on his reputation, but, without the ability to speak, he couldn't try and pitch to other artists. He soon grew to hate physical therapy. It was grueling, exhausting and painful and had no results. After two months, he could only produce a low moan. He spoke with Toph every day, but it was getting harder to keep hoping. The third month mark since his surgery was quickly approaching, as was spring break, and he still couldn't speak. He went to his rechecks, took his meds, even had a couple MRI's done, but all said he was healing and it would take time. He needed to be patient. Well, he was getting tired of being patient. Toph seemed to be able to pick up on his frustration and had even mentioned leaving school for the semester to help him, but he refused. She needed to finish her degree. At least one of them should still be able to sing. She had laughed at that and told him he would sing again, but he hadn't commented on that. The week before spring break, she left him a message asking if he had any songs she could try out. Sokka had tweaked the program even more so that they could talk through the computer in real time. Zuko had written a few songs, but in the past he had always sung them, recorded and played them back many times to perfect them.
He hesitated to send her any of his new songs. They had been inspired by his struggle of the past few months, and by Toph. He had poured his heart and soul into them, but in the end, he knew Toph already owned those.
(All right, here's one you can try) he texted and then sent the song. He waited while Toph listened and then she started singing. He stopped her a few times and asked her to adjust the pitch or tone in a few places, but a few small adjustments were all that were needed. When she sang it for the third and final time, Zuko felt his eyes getting moist. It was more beautiful than he had thought it would be. And it was about his struggle and his hope for getting his voice back and so much more.
"Zuko? You there? That…that was beautiful!"
(More beautiful than you know) he typed back with a smile.
"I think you need to keep hearing it, Zuko. You're getting better, even if you don't think so. Don't give up hope yet."
He heard the encouragement in her voice and her love for him and all he could do was nod. (I won't. Sing it once more and I'll record it)
"Ok, ready?"
(Go) He recorded the song and the next day made copies and sent them to several labels he worked with. Over the next few days, he got over a dozen calls asking for the rights to the song. He was amazed. He had to have Suki come over and call the record labels back, making sure he got to choose the artist. Several also wanted to make a contract with the woman who sang the song and Zuko smiled, knowing Toph would be glad to hear that. Two days until Toph came back for spring break, he had finally made a choice and sold the song for more than he had ever sold a song for. But he had another physical therapy session before Toph got home as well. It would be the last one until she went back to school, but he still dreaded it. When he got there, he was surprised to find a new therapist trying a different technique. The therapist gave him new exercises and told him not to attempt to speak until his throat didn't feel sore after the exercises. He agreed and left sore, but more hopeful. It was a different type of sore, like after he worked out, rather than over extending himself.
Toph came home and he picked her up from the airport, still a little sore from his exercises, but the soreness was going away faster every day. They enjoyed every day together, and on the Friday before she had to go back, Zuko did his exercises in the morning as he usually did, but didn't feel the least bit sore. Surprised, he decided to put his throat to the test. Grinning, he grabbed the box and texted Toph to meet him for breakfast at their favorite bakery.
They enjoyed breakfast and then Zuko led her through the park to the gazebo. No ice skating rink was there in the spring, but a small pond with geese and ducks and lilies. Toph instantly knew where they were.
"Zuko?" she asked a little apprehensive. "Why are we here?"
(re-do) he tapped out and reached out for her hand. She smiled as he took it and twirled her into his embrace. He leaned down close to her ear and smiled.
"Toph?" he whispered in the barest of whispers, but it was all he could manage. "Can you hear me?"
He felt her cling to him suddenly. "Yes, yes! I can!"
"I would do this on my knees, but think this is best," he whispered into her ear, feeling his throat getting a little dry. He knew he only had a few words left that day, and he meant to use them well. Pulling out the box, he flipped it open with a finger and placed it into her hand. "Will you marry me?"
Toph pulled away from him and he saw tears in her eyes as she fingered the diamond ring surrounded by emeralds. Then she jumped onto him, kissing him soundly.
"Of course yes! After all I've been through with you….you were going to ask me that day….weren't you?"
Zuko didn't feel he could speak anymore, his throat was getting sore, so he just tapped a yes and Toph smiled. She just walked up to him and pulled him into a deep kiss. "Faith, hope and love, and the greatest is love," she said when she pulled away to let Zuko place the ring on her finger. All Zuko could do was agree as he kissed her again.