Sokka found Toph sitting down at a table at their favorite diner. It wasn't far from where they lived and they would often meet there for breakfast, or dinner if they wanted. On this particular morning however Sokka had a good feeling about the day so far. When he entered the diner his face immediately lit up when he didn't see The Duke with Toph. He was glad he was finally able to spend some time with his best friend alone. Even Toph looked like she was in a particular good mood that morning, she must have been just as excited as him.

"Hey Toph," he said, "did you wait long?"

"No, I just got here," she replied.

Sokka sat down in a seat across from her and the two were quiet for a while. Once they placed their orders, Toph finally took a deep breath and smiled. "I wanted to meet you this morning because I have some news I didn't want to tell you over the phone."

Sokka smiled. "Well, it must be good news for you to be smiling."

"It is," she replied, "The Duke proposed to me last night. We're getting married."

When Sokka didn't respond right away she figured it was due to shock, so she continued; "We already set a date, it's eleven months from now. Now before you say anything, it won't be a big circus wedding, just close family and friends. I already asked Katara to be my Maid of Honor, and The Duke said it's okay for you to be the Best Man. The only thing I'm concerned about is my parents, you know they'll want to-"

"No."

Toph was so surprised by Sokka's sudden outburst she quickly fell silent. "What?"

"I can't do this, and I won't Toph. Look, you're my best friend and I'll do anything for you, but I will not have any part of this, and I will not be The Duke's Best Man."

"But this is important to me," Toph said, "Sokka I know you're not big on weddings, and neither am I, but this is my wedding. I would think of all people you'd be happy for me."

"Happy for what?! My best friend is about to make the biggest mistake of her life by marrying the biggest loser in the world! Oh yeah, I'm real happy-"

Toph silenced him by throwing her water in his face. "I'm outta here." She rose to her feet, grabbed her cane and made her way out the diner. Sokka put the money on the table and ran after her.

"Toph wait!" He caught up to her and grabbed her shoulder.

"Don't touch me," she warned darkly.

Sokka obeyed. "What? I'm not allowed to have an opinion? I should be able to say what's on my mind Toph, I should be able to point out your mistakes."

"How is marrying someone I love a mistake, Sokka? Tell me." She was angry, he could tell, but Sokka was far too upset to care anymore, or to stop himself.

"Well for one thing you and The Duke have only been dating for a year. How well do you even know this guy? For all you know he's just after your inheritance."

Even though she was blind, Sokka could tell by the expression on her face that he had gone too far.

"I see, so the only reason a guy could possibly be interested in me is because of my family's money."

"That's not what I'm saying Toph-"

"Then what are you saying? You know what? Why don't you say what this is really about," she countered, "you're just mad because Suki dumped you and you don't want me or anyone else to be happy."

"This has nothing to do with Suki-"

"Oh no, well eversince you two broke up you've been the biggest pain in the ass," Toph interrupted, "and you had it in for The Duke eversince he and I started dating, you never even gave him a chance."

"Yeah, well you hardly know the guy!"

"I know him a lot better than I know you. I would think my best friend would want me to be happy, and would want to be apart of my wedding, I guess I was wrong."

"I guess you were." The second Sokka's harsh words escaped his lips he regretted them, in all the years he's known Toph he's never seen her look so hurt.

"Go to hell." With that Toph stormed off, leaving Sokka alone on the side walk. It was the biggest fight they ever had, and it was also the last time they spoke to each other.

"Toph?"

Toph was ripped from her thoughts by Ty Lee, who had just entered her bedroom.

"Morning Toph," she said cheerfully, "you ready for your wedding day to begin?"

"I'm ready for it to be over with," she answered dryly, "why are you here so early?"

"Because I'm going to do your hair and make up."

Toph sighed. "Fine, just don't have me looking stupid."

"Trust me, when I'm through with you The Duke won't be able to keep his eyes off you, or his hands."

Toph forced a smile, but even Ty Lee could tell something was bothering her. "Are you alright, Toph?"

"I don't know, I guess I'm just thinking."

"About Sokka?"

She nodded.

"Forget about him, if he was a real friend he would set aside his selfishness and be happy for you." Ty Lee could understand why Sokka didn't want to come to the wedding, but she did think it was wrong of him to not speak to Toph after all this time.

"I just can't believe Sokka hates The Duke so much that he won't even come to my wedding."

"You know," said Ty Lee, a little concerned, "for someone who's getting married you certainly don't seem very happy."

A frown marred Toph's face. "I guess I'm just nervous, I barely got any sleep last night," she sighed.

"You just have cold feet, that's normal, why don't you just relax and think about something funny."

Toph smiled. She appreciated what Ty Lee was trying to do, however, her advice wasn't very helpful. She just didn't understand, this was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, but all she wanted to do was hide in her room until it was over. It wasn't enough that she felt absolutely sick to her stomach, but she didn't even have her best friend to make things better. Toph thought about Sokka and the fight they had eleven months ago. What if Sokka is right? What if I am making a mistake by marrying The Duke? Years ago Toph used to be in love with Sokka, but she had given up on him ever returning her feelings. Sokka was her best friend, and she knew he would never feel for her like she did for him, and for a long time she excepted that.

"All done."

Toph jumped slightly as she was once again torn from her thoughts. "Huh?"

"I'm finished," Ty Lee replied.

Toph ran a hand through her hair. "I hope I don't look like some circus clown."

"Stop, you really do look beautiful Toph." Ty Lee took the younger woman's hands and placed them in her lap.

"Then why do I feel so stupid?"

"You're just nervous. I'm going to the kitchen to get some tea, do you want anything?"

Toph sighed. "Maybe just water."

Ty Lee nodded, despite knowing her friend didn't see it and left Toph's bedroom while closing the door behind her. In the meantime Toph stood up and ran a hand over her wedding dress. The fabric was soft, and felt delicate in her fingertips, it was her mother who suggested she wore something made of eyelet, although it was she who told the dress maker not to make anything so long she'll trip and fall on her way down the aisle.

Toph groaned. "This can't be normal," she said aloud. Her heart felt like it was beating out her chest, her palms were sweaty, it was a good thing she didn't eat anything that morning because she'd probably just throw it back up. She was supposed to be happy, but she wasn't, instead she felt sick and afraid. This can't just be cold feet, could it? Here she was an hour and a half away from marrying a great guy who loved her, in probably the most beautiful dress she's ever been in, but she wasn't happy, something was missing,... or someone.

As soon as her bedroom door opened she turned around, assuming it was Ty Lee back with her water. "That was quick Ty Lee," she said, "is it starting to get crazy out there?"

"Toph?"

She nearly jumped as soon as she heard his voice. "Sokka?" Immediately a warm smile spread across her face. "I can't believe it, you came."

"Of course I came-" Toph cut him off by wrapping he arms around him and pulling him into a warm hug. He returned it, and lightly ran his hand over her thick mane of hair. However, knowing what he came there to do, he gently pulled away.

"Toph, there's something I have- there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

Sokka gulped. He had rehearsed this in his head a million times last night, and earlier that morning, but now, looking at her, he just couldn't do it.

"Toph, you... you look so beautiful," he confessed softly.

Toph's face colored as she tried to keep herselft together. "Do I? Because I feel like a nervous wreck." She let out a nervous laugh, but soon grew curious. "I thought there was something you wanted to tell me? I hardly think you came here just to tell me I look beautiful."

Sokka swallowed the lump in his throat and rubbed the back of his neck with his shaky hand. "No- I mean yes, I do have something I want to tell you- but, you see Toph- the thing is-"

"Oh crap! Sorry Sokka, but can it wait?" Toph felt around for her cane. "the wedding starts in an hour in a half from now, and since you're here we can make you the Best Man instead of Aang."

"Toph, I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Why not? You're my best friend, I want you to be the Best Man, it should be you."

Sokka's mind was racing. This was definitely not going the way he planned. He had to get Toph somewhere alone, away from all this wedding talk where he could openly tell her how he feels. As Toph had her back to him, searching for her cane, Sokka noticed a white handkerchief on the arm of a chair, as soon as he saw it, an idea entered his mind. No, I can't do that, that's crazy, and it's wrong. He watched Toph again, her back still facing him. But it would give us the alone time I need. Sokka had to act fast before he could change his mind, he grabbed the handkerchief and slowly made his way to his best friend, who was completely unaware of what he was up to.

"Toph, I hope you can forgive me," he said."

She still had her back to him, even after she had finally found her cane. "For what, Sokka? The fight we had months ago? I already have."

"Not for that, for this." He quickly wrapped his arm around her as he placed the fabric over her nose and mouth. Her struggling soon ceased as she fainted in his arms. Sokka gently layed her in her bed and immediately felt guilty.

"What have I done?" He said aloud. However, he knew there was no turning back now. He ripped Toph's sheets and rolled her onto her back to tie her hands together. He did the same to her feet to so he could carry her easier. Sokka's heart began to pound in his chest when he heard the knob on Toph's door turn.

Shit! What if that's Toph's parents? Or worse, The Duke?

Sokka quickly hid behind Toph's door when it opened.

"Toph." It was Ty Lee. "I'm back with your water." The Bridesmaid stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her friend tied up and unconscious on her bed.

"Toph?! Oh my God! What- mmph!"

Sokka silenced her by covering her mouth and nose with the same handkerchief he used on Toph, as soon as she was out, her tied her up the same as he did with Toph, only with her he ripped another piece of Toph's sheets and wrapped it around Ty Lee's mouth.

When Ty Lee came to, she slowly opened her eyes to see Sokka putting her in Toph's closet.

"I'm really sorry for doing this to you," Sokka admitted, "I promise I'll make it up to you somehow." With that he closed the door to Toph's closet, leaving Ty Lee to bang against it with her body. As soon as that was taken care of, Sokka draped the still unconscious Toph over his shoulder and left Toph's bedroom, closing the door behind him. With everyone preoccupied with preparing for the ceremony, it was easy for Sokka to sneak out the back door with Toph. As soon as he placed her in the back seat of his car, he untied her and put the seat belt on her. Once she was safe in his car he looked around one last time, then he strapped himself into the driver's seat and quickly drove off, away from the Bei Fong Estate.

(***)

Katara, Aang, and Hakoda were walking down the hall leading to Toph's room, each of them with gifts for the bride to be. Katara was the one to open her bedroom door.

"Hey Toph," she said cheerfully, "it's me, Aang, and my Dad, we've got some presents for you." As soon as she looked inside she was shocked find the room empty. "Toph?"

"Maybe she's in the bathroom," Aang suggested.

Katara nodded. "Maybe."

Hakoda looked around. "Do you two hear something?"

"Hear what?" Katara asked.

"It sounds like... banging."

Aang and Katara searched the room, following the sound of the strange knocking. "It's coming from Toph's closet," Aang pointed out.

Katara put her hand on the knob of the closet door. "Toph? Did you lock yourself in your closet?" As soon as she opened the door she, Aang, and Hakoda were shocked to see it was none other than Ty Lee, bound and gaged in Toph's closet.

"Ty Lee!" They said in unison.

Katara quickly untied her friend. "Oh my God, what happened? Where's Toph?"

As soon as Katara untied the ripped fabric around Ty Lee's mouth, she spoke. "It all happened so fast," she replied, "I was bringing Toph some water, and the next thing I know he comes out of nowhere and shoves me into the closet."

"Who did?" Aang asked.

"Wait," Katara joined in, "but where's Toph?"

"He took her."

"Who did?" Aang and Katara asked in unison.

"Sokka."

A/N: So here's chapter two, I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I do! To all the Sokka fans, I made chapter one so short because I wanted to show how Sokka didn't intend to abduct Toph, he really just wanted to tell her how he feels, but in a moment of panic and desperation he ended up,... you know. So no, he's not some psycho guy who abducts women. For the ones who review, follow, and favorite my story- thank you, you make me glad I decided to publish this story. Until next time...

Free-Spirited Dreamer