Crossroads

AN: It's been a while since I don't post. I've been lazing it up... It's been fun, but I have to get busy again. Well, I wish that you like it. I promise to update more often now that summer vacation will start soon!

Toph

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon at the Earth Kingdom. After breakfast, Zuko announced to his friends that they would be unloading the ship at Port Providence. As soon as Toph was alone, she summoned her two friends and asked them to help her get ready. It was unusual for the earthbender to ask for help. She'd gotten used to doing things on her own, but today she wanted to change things up.

"I need your help," she whispered to Katara.

"Yes, in what?"

Toph bit her bottom lip and scratched her temple nervously. How was she going to explain to her friend that she wanted to become prettier for the Fire Lord? Katara and Suki exchanged questioning looks, as they waited for Toph's explanation.

"Er, I want to look nice for when we meet Iroh," she lied. "It's been years since he's seen me." she said, shrugging her narrow shoulders.

"Are you sure?" Katara said, raising a puzzled eyebrow at her blind friend.

"Is there a problem?" Toph snapped, placing her hand on her hip.

Suki stifle a laugh and remained quiet watching as her friends exchange words.

"No, there's no problem. We'll help you." Katara said nonchalant. "We just need you to trust us!"

"I trust you two idiots. If I didn't, I wouldn't be asking for your help," Toph said, rolling her eyes. "I'm going to take a quick bath," she said and sauntered to the bathroom in her cabin.

The girls giggled loudly when Toph locked the bathroom door. When the young earthbender was finished, she let her friends help her get dress. With Suki's aid, Toph managed to put on a beautiful gold and green dress that flowed as she moved. According to her two friends, she looked magnificent! She felt timid as Katara made her hair into a perfect coif. She felt her cheeks grow red at the thought of looking pretty for the Fire Lord. She was never one to worry about such trivial – as she called them – things as appearances, but lately, she'd wanted to look her best for the Fire Lord.

"Toph," Katara said in a flattering tone after she applied the last touches of Toph's makeup. "Wow, you look," she paused, admiring her friend, her hands flying to her mouth in surprise. "You look lovely. Almost like a doll if you were shorter!"

"Katara, please, don't exaggerate," she said, rolling her eyes. "I must look normal." She said nervously, silently hoping that she did look lovely for her firebender.

"Katara isn't lying," Suki said softly, sensing Toph's discomfort. "You look amazing and beautiful!"

Perhaps her goal of beautifying herself would finally pay off and Zuko would finally notice her. She knew that the Fire Lord was smitten with her, but was it enough to open her heart again to the chance of love? She gulped hard and slowly stood up from the vanity chair. Katara put on one last detail - an emerald-like stone necklace - on Toph and smiled contently in approval. Toph looked stunning – like a princess.

Toph's friends squealed in extols and commends. She didn't know how to take in all the compliments, she wasn't used to so much praises, but it did feel good. The girls talked some more before they were distracted by a soft knock on the door. "Who could it be?" Suki asked, standing up from the bed. She looked back at her friends and stared questioningly at Toph.

"It's Rae," she said.

"I'll open it," Suki said and marched to the door. She opened the door widely and moved aside to let the young child enter the room. Rae made a polite bow for the young Kyoshi warrior and smiled at her. "Hi, Rae," she said in a kind voice.

Rae was about to reply to her greeting, but the glorious view of his mother caught his attention. He forgot about the world – only she mattered. He grinned and quickly sauntered to her side.

"Hi, Rae!" Katara said, waving at her hand.

"Hello," he said absentmindedly, his gazed fixed on Toph. "Momma?"

"Yes," Toph nodded bashfully.

"Momma – you look beautiful. Wow! You look very beautiful."

"I do?" she asked, arching an eyebrow, one hand touching her face.

"Yes," he nodded, walking around his mother, inspecting her with regarding eyes. "You can be Zuko's princess!"

Suki chortled under her breath, Toph shot her an irritated look, and she trudged back to the bed after closing the door.

"Son, thank you for the compliments," Toph added. "But I'm not a princess,"

"You are to me and Zuko!" the child said, frowning. "He told me that you will be his lady!" Toph blushed at her son's words, but hid it behind her nonchalant expression.

"Speaking of the Fire Lord," she began.

"No, he doesn't want you to call him that," Rae interrupted, pouting at his mother's comment. "You call him Zuko!" he said sternly.

"Speaking of Zuko..." she corrected, the corners of her lips curving into a small smile. "Where is he? Is he back from his errands?"

"Not yet. Aang and Sokka are back. They brought berries and I ate with Momo and them." Rae shook his head and reached to touch his mother's silk dress.

"No, no!" Katara snapped when she noticed the child's berry-stained hands. "Your hands are dirty, young man. You'll ruin the silk."

"Oh, sorry," he said ashamed. "I didn't mean to," he paused and looked down at the floor.

"It's all right, Rae," Toph said, placing her hand on the child's head. "Go on and wash your hands. We should be disembarking the ship soon."

They waited for Rae to wash up and continued talking. When he was done, they gathered the remaining of their stuff and headed back to the ship's deck. Katara tried in vain to speak to the Avatar, but he disregarded her. Toph was curious to know what exactly happened between them, but she was far too busy worrying about other stuff.

"You look nice," Sokka said when he noticed the blind bender's change of appearance. "You finally look like a woman." He chuckled, only to be greeted by a plank of metal between his legs. He collapsed on the floor clutching at his groin squealing in pain.

"Serves you right," Toph said nonchalantly and continued walking to where the Avatar stood. They made friendly conversation, killing time, until Toph sensed him. Zuko was approaching them. She gulped several times, trying in vain to moisten her throat. She straightened her back and tried hard to seem aloof... Aang chuckled quietly when he notice the change in the earthbender. Toph waited for Aang's comment, but it never came. He didn't speak of it.

"The Fire Lord and his soldiers are here," Aang said confirming what she already knew.

"Oh, really," she tried to sound detached. "I didn't notice him."

"I see," he smiled knowingly. "Your bending is lacking,"

"Shut up, Twinkle Toes," she said, punching the Avatar's upper arm. He chuckled but said nothing.

"Hello, everyone," Zuko greeted, as he climbed the flight of stairs that led from the docks to the ship's deck. His soldiers followed closely after him, giving the Fire Lord enough room to move freely. Zuko paused, staring awkwardly at a southern water tribe warrior massaging his crotch.

"You don't want to know," Katara informed him and turned around, shaking her head. "You don't want to know."

"Hi, Zuko," Rae greeted his father with a hug.

"How are you, my prince?"

"I'm fine," Rae said contently. "Are we going to meet our uncle?"

"Soon," Zuko said, disheveling the child's hair. "Soon..."

"Okay," Rae said, taking a few steps back. "I'm going to play with Katara," he said and returned to Katara's side.

Zuko watched as he child ran to the waterbender's side and smiled at her. He loved watching his child playing happily. He began moving around, glancing back at Sokka who was still in a corner licking his wounds and Suki trying to comfort him. Katara and Rae walked near the balustrade, watching the seagulls flying merrily around the docks. He was about to ask for Toph, when his eyes caught sight of a pale green dress. Zuko's eyes focused on Toph's back. The skirt of her green dress flowed with the wind, making her look ethereal and so breathtaking. Her hair was pulled up in a traditional Earth Kingdom fashion. She looked beautiful. When she finally spun around, he forgot to breath.

"Toph?" Zuko asked surprised when he saw the gorgeous, pale bender standing near the doorway, the Avatar stood close to her. "Hi, Aang," he said uninterested.

"Hello, Zuko," Aang chuckled and moved away. "I'll leave you two to speak."

"Yeah, thanks," Zuko took a few steps closer to her and took in her beauty. "Wow, Toph. I don't know what to say," he laughed nervously. "You..."

"Um, hey," she said shyly, playing with her hands, her sightless eyes directed at the floor. "You don't have to say it. I know that I look hideous."

"Toph," he said appalled. "You don't look hideous. It's the opposite. You," he paused again, raking his brain for the correct word to describe how amazing she looked, but he couldn't find any that would allow him to express how breathtakingly beautiful she truly was to him. "Listen, Toph," he began, taking her hand and guided her to a distant corner where he could kiss her - away from their friends. His soldiers followed them, irritating the Fire Lord. "I need to have a private word with Ms. Bei Fong." He said over his shoulder. "You are all excused." Zuko excused his men, leaving them alone on the deck.

"Thank you, Lord Zuko," the soldier in charge said, bowing before the Fire Lord and ushered the rest of the soldiers to follow him.

Zuko guided Toph to a private area away from their friends and prying eyes. He studied the bender's profile and his heart did a somersault. He felt like a teenager in love. He moved ever so closely, until he was mere inches away from her lips. Toph swallowed loudly. For a minute, he thought that she was going to move away, but she remained cemented to her spot, wondering if he was going to kiss her.

"Zuko, why are we here?" she asked, smiling confused.

"I needed somewhere private where we can talk," he shrugged. Toph felt elated. Zuko's heartbeat skipped rapidly just from their proximity. He inhaled and exhaled softly, causing his heart beats to return to normal. She envied the fact that he knew how to compose himself around her, but she couldn't do so around him.

"You look beautiful," Zuko whispered in her ear, caressing her pale cheek with his large hand. "You... look amazing!" he said, as his eyes trailed down her body, settling on her curvaceous hips. "Toph, you are lovely." he paused, licking his thin lips. "Breathtaking," he muttered, a wicked smile on his lips.

"Zuko," she said, her voice trembling when his hand ran down her arm. "I feel the same as always... so I must look the same as always." She said self-consciously. "I don't feel special." She lied.

"Nonsense," Zuko shook his head vigorously. "You've always look great, Toph. It's just that today..."

"Today?" Toph asked, lowering her head.

"You have," he began, gingerly lifting her chin, "always been special to me, but today," he trailed off and kissed the tip of her nose. A torrent of emotions ran down her spine. Her legs wobbled, but thankfully, the Fire Lord's arms steadied her. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

"Um, uhh, yeah," she said, hiding her embarrassment behind a forced smile. "I'm dizzy. The constant movement of the waves..."

"Hold on to me," he said, expertly wounding one are around her narrow waist. "Just hold on to me,"

His words held a deeper meaning. She wanted to believe him. "Thank you," she said courteously.

"Better?"

She nodded and allowed him to take her hand. He brought the palm of her hand against his lips and deposited a gentle kiss and then proceeded to kiss every finger of her hand, until she felt like she would melt. "You're so beautiful, Toph. Even the blush on your cheeks is beautiful. You have always been amazing to me." He said; his words were soft and so tender.

He pressed his body to hers; nuzzling his nose against the sensitive skin of her neck and left butterfly kisses along her jaw line. Toph looped her arms around his neck and felt the excitement building underneath his touch. He cupped her face and held it firmly, staring into her eyes. He silently wished that she could see him. He wanted to share aspect of his life with her. He wanted to show her the beauty of a world colored by his love for her!

"Agni," he said in a guttural voice, as he pecked the corners of her lips.

Toph gave him a chaste kiss on the lips and quickly pulled back. "I'm sorry."

He smiled and kissed her hungrily. "You taste wonderful." He said, a sinful smile on his lips. "If I continue kissing you," he kissed her lips, delving his tongue into her mouth. She flinched in surprise, flushing her body to his. Zuko placed a hand on the nape of her neck, steadying her lips on his. She moaned against his mouth, whimpering in sweet surrender, as their kiss intensified.

"We shouldn't," she whispered, but reached for his lips again, kissing him with demand.

"You are right," Zuko chuckled, as he kissed her hard.

"This isn't the place," she continued.

"You are right, Toph. If I continue kissing you, holding you, touching you," he paused and kissed her nose, forehead, and cheeks. "I'm going to loose control. I won't be able to hold back. I promised to take things one step at a time, until you are ready." He stepped back, feeling wretched for letting his passion escalate. "I'm sorry, Toph, if I have offended you."

"It's fine. You didn't offend me," she said softly, reaching for him and clutched at his robe.

She wasn't ready to let him go; Zuko could sense her discomfort. "You don't have to let me go, Toph." He said softly. "I'm here for you."

"I know. I... really don't want to let you go," she giggled nervously like a school girl. "We are both adult and there's a strong attraction between us and... You must know that I..."

"Yes, that is true, my lovely Toph, but I should not disrespect you. You are the mother of my child and my dearest friend. I shouldn't kiss you so heatedly in the open. I don't want to offend you. I promised to respect you," he stopped and stood straight, "I won't kiss you again – even if it kills me – without your permission."

"Thank you, Zuko, but you can kiss me... anytime you want..." she trailed off, mortified by her words.

"You want me to kiss you... anytime I want?" He blushed.

"Very much," she smiled.

"For the second time in my life, you, Toph Bei Fong, have made me the happiest man alive." Zuko smiled triumphantly, his eyes focused on her face.

"How?"

"You ask!"

"Yes,"

"You have given me the perfect son," he said, cupping her face in his hands and kissed her again. "You've given me permission to kiss you whenever I please. I love kissing you." He said, touching her upper arms and brought her closer to him. Toph hand laid flat on his chest. She waited impatiently for him to kiss her some more. "Can I kiss you?" he asked sinfully. She nodded grateful that she would feel the softness of his lips upon her again. She closed her eyes as she let her soul enjoy the feel of his warm body against her. He kissed her softly, tenderly, gingerly and passionately, to the point that his lips felt like feathers on hers. He reluctantly pulled away, studying her face. Toph's eyes were closed, her kissable lips were slightly parted; a vision of pure perfection.

"We should do this more often, Fire Lord," she muttered.

"I intend to, Toph," he said, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I promise to kiss you again... and again."

"I can't wait," she said, pulling away.

"What's wrong? Did I-"

"I heard them moving and unloading things from the boat..."

"I forgot about that," Zuko said, as he looked around the corner of the wall and saw his friends carrying their belongings off the boat. "We should go, then,"

"Okay,"

"You and Rae are riding with me in the carriage," Zuko said and linked his arm through her. "Let's go, Ms. Bei Fong.

"Yes," she beamed, letting the Fire Lord steer her. They walked through the metal deck and down the ramp that led to the docks. Toph's seismic vision was still hazy. The wooden docks provided enough vibrations to help her know her surroundings.

Zuko knew of her need to feel the ground. It was her vitality - her force and without it, she was completely blind. He hurried his steps, until they finally touched firm ground. "Ala! You can finally touch the earth," He said, slowly unlinking her arm from his.

She nodded contently. "I know. I can see again!"

Thirty minutes later, they'd finally disembarked the ship's crew and unloaded all their belongings. Zuko's servants helped carry everyone's belongings and placed them in different carriages that the Fire Lord had assigned.

It was a spectacular day for Toph. She was finally stepping on firm ground. She could feel the seismic vibrations from everyone around her. Her son played around, chasing dragonflies, as he waited for further instructions from his parents. Toph closed her eyes, enjoying the cool, sweet, earthy air that surrounded her. She inhaled deeply and held it in her lungs and slowly exhaled.

"I can finally see," she said to herself.

It was like a dream come true. Three weeks in a metal ship, being rocked and tossed around by the waves was enough to depress anyone. She spent most of the time in her bed, because she was constantly seasick. Thankfully, she had her friends and Zuko to watch over Rae and keep him entertained; since she could not care for him. Toph sighed, enveloped in her comfortable freedom. She thought about her renewed friendship with Katara. She was thankful of her new friendship with Suki too. The Kyoshi warrior was good company, but her mind was always elsewhere: on Sokka.

Toph truly enjoyed the little time that she had to spend with Suki too... It's just that she felt more at ease with Katara. They'd experienced so many things together in the past and shared so much, that it seems that Suki would never understand. Katara knew her very well and because she cared for Toph, she was constantly meddling in the earthbender's affair. This types of things made Katara dear to Toph. Toph's mother never cared for her the way Katara did . It was Katara's mother nature that she adored the most! They'd promised to forget the past and live for the moment. Toph really liked the idea of starting anew. She needed a trusting friend – and Katara was indeed that person.

"Rae," Zuko's husky voice caught Toph's attention. She turned at the sound of his voice. "You are riding with your mother and me."

"Yay," Rae shouted and ran toward his parents.

Like the perfect gentleman, Zuko helped Toph get in the carriage that was being pulled by two dragon moose. He carried Rae in his arm and without his servants' assistance, climbed inside. Rae talked excitedly and asked many questions about their journey, but eventually fell asleep on his father's chest.

"Zuko," Toph said softly after her son fell asleep.

"Hmm?" Zuko whispered, his eyes were closed and he was enjoying the rise and fall of his son's chest as the child breathed.

"Um, can I ask you a question?" she said uneasily. He reached one hand and touched her thigh.

"What is it?"

"It's about..." she trailed off and gnawed at her bottom lip. "Will you forgive your mother if you find her?"

"I think I will," he paused. "She must have a good explanation of why she left me..."

"Did she love you? Cared for you? Kissed you good night when you were a child?"

He stared quizzically at her. "She did," he responded. "She was a gentle woman. She was caring and loved me very much. That's why I was surprised when Azula told me that she'd left the palace." he said sadly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cau-"

"It's okay, Toph. I'm fine... But, why are you asking me all these questions?" he asked intrigued.

"Because," she sighed dramatically. "I know where we are," she paused and waited for the Fire Lord to speak. Zuko opened his eyes wider and stared at her. "We are a few miles away from Gaoling," she said explained nervously. "These are the lands where I ran away and the Badgermoles taught me how to earthbend. I can sense them around here,"

"Your parents," he said low. "They live a short distance from here..."

"I would..." she trailed off, a lone tear rolled down her porcelain cheek. "I would like," she fought to finish her sentence, but the invisible lump in her throat wouldn't allow her to speak.

Zuko adjusted his son on his other arm and scooted closer to Toph. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Say no more, Toph, I understand." Their foreheads touched and she could feel Zuko's soft breath tickling on her skin. "Say no more. I'll be with you. I promise. You won't be alone ever again."

She nodded, the smell of her salty tears mixed with Zuko's sandalwood and Rae's berry scent filled the inside of the carriage. Zuko wrapped his free arm around her and brought her closer to his chest. She fitted perfectly in his arms. He closed his eyes and made a wish. He wanted to remain closed to her. He never wanted to be alone again. He desperately needed the warmth of Toph's body next to him. He needed his son beside him. This was all that the Fire Lord desired... a family.

"Thank you," she muffled her cry against his chest. For the first time in a long time, Toph actually meant it!