I finally stopped crying some hours later. I let out a long breath and felt myself slipping into sleep.

My eyes snapped open as my stomach flipped. I swallowed hard and shut my throat up. I didn't want to get sick again. I hated it with every fiber of my being. But nature was stronger than my will. Nausea rolled under the curve of my ribs. I felt the bile coming and I sat up as quickly as I could without further upsetting my stomach. I got to my feet shakily and then I felt it coming, and coming fast. I abandoned my careful movements and darted to the toilet. I shoved Sokka aside and bolted into the bathroom. "Toph, I had to pee!" He whined.

I slumped over the toilet and my stomach clenched, forcing what little was in my body up my throat and into the water below me. I heaved again and then I felt cool hands on my neck and jaw. Sokka held my hair away from my face. My body lurched again. I knew it would be nothing but acid and dry heaves from this point on. "Oh, Toph," he mumbled sympathetically. The hand that was on my forehead left my skin and I felt him lean away from me. I felt so embarrassed, I must have been totally grossing him out. And it only made me feel all the more awful about myself. But then a cool damp cloth rested across my neck and I instantly felt the nausea recede a little. I wretched stomach acid and it burnt the back of my throat as it came up.

I tried to force down the next heave but it came anyways. Spit and vomit dripped from my bottom lip as I drew in a ragged breath. My body gave a few half lurches and I finally felt safe enough to let my butt rest back on my heels. Sokka brushed my hair back a little tighter into the ball he was holding it in at the nape of my neck. A bit of cold water from the rag trickled down my spine and I shivered. Strong fingers gripped my shoulder and he gave me a gentle, comforting squeeze. He helped me stand up on my shaky legs and I gripped the edge of the sink. I washed my mouth out and brushed. "Come on," he said slinging one of my arms over his shoulder. I tried to shake him off when he wrapped his arm around me.

"I'm not crippled you know," I protested.

"Just let me help you, Toph, you're sick."

"I know that," I mumbled. Once I was in bed he covered me up with the blankets and I couldn't help a relieved sigh leave my lips when I found I had settled into the warm spot he had been in moments ago. I pulled the blankets up over my nose and laid on my side. He pressed his palm against my forehead.

"You're not feverish," he said softly, slightly confused. "Maybe it was something we ate. But I don't feel sick," he trailed off. I remained silent. I closed my eyes and pretended to be falling asleep; maybe he would leave me alone. The detective side of him quickly showed itself and he rambled for a few more minutes, trying to deduce an explanation as to why I was had just puked my guts up.

I was thoroughly surprised when I woke up with the after sun on my face. I had gotten a few hours of totally peaceful sleep. I sat up and yawned arching my back, feeling the satisfying pops at the top of my back. "I made you breakfast." I jumped and found the meteor bracelet on my arm quiver, prepared to fling at my attacker.

"You could get killed doing that," I grumbled, "But thanks," I said a little more gently. I felt the bed depress at my hip and he placed a bowl in my hands.

"I thought you might be able to handle some rice, it should be easy on your stomach." I swallowed and felt it burn against the sore spot in my throat.

"You know you really don't have to do this, you're my guest, and I feel fine now anyways," I said as I chewed.

"Hey, it's the least I could do." We were quiet until I got down about three quarters of the bowl. It was the most I'd eaten in one sitting in a long time. I felt a little twinge of happiness about it.

"How about a walk down to the creek? Maybe you could get us some fresh fish Mr. Provider," I said punching him in the arm. I heard him chuckle.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I'll let you get ready," he said taking the bowl from me and leaving the room. I stood in front of my open dresser draw. How hadn't I noticed before? There was a little swell in the space just above my hips. I could feel it pushed tight against the fitted top I was wearing as an undershirt. I marveled at the little bump, running my palm over it. I wondered what was going on in there. I reached into my dresser and felt around for a light, flowy dress I had. It would hide the little protrusion for now. I knew I couldn't just tell Sokka I was getting fat because he knew I hadn't been eating much lately. But this way he wouldn't even notice. I slipped it on over my head and made sure everything felt straight and walked out into the living room where he was waiting for me at the door with a fishing spear in his hand.

The breeze rustled the hem of the dress around my ankles as we walked down to the creek together. I sat comfortably on the ground as I heard him slip off a rock and into the shallow water. But then after that he was silent, and even my sharp ears didn't pick him up. However, every time he shifted on the rock he was standing on I could feel him. I felt the tip of the spear hit the creek bed and with his shriek of triumph I knew he had gotten a fish. "This is the biggest fish I've ever seen!"

"Let me see then," I called. He hit the bank and I felt something large flopping around not far from my feet. "Not bad there, Chief," I smiled.

"Hey, my dad's still alive and well," he fired back. I smiled and shook my head.

"You know, I bet I could make some leechy bread and lemur tails and we would have a wonderful meal," he said. I could practically hear him drooling.

"Lemur tails? I've never hear of those before."

"You take a Gen Root stalk and roll it in powdered sugar and put a few stripes of chocolate around the top, and ba-da-bing, Lemur tails!"

"Sounds great," I smiled.

"You think you're up for it?" I frowned.

"Sokka, I'm not flu-ish ok."

"Alright, alright, just checkin'."

I got up and picked the hem of my dress up and waded into the water until it came to my knees. It was cold but a nice shock all the same. I felt the sand shift under my feet. A sharp piece of shell found its way into the arch of my foot but it didn't hurt, my feet were much to tough. With years of practice I could see in sand almost as well when I was on solid ground so it was easy to tell when Sokka waded in after me barefoot. "Isn't the fish gonna get away?"

"Naw, he's dead."

"I see."

"So did you sleep well?" He asked awkwardly, his heart beating a little faster. That was interesting.

"Yeah, no bad dreams. Thanks, you know, for helping me out this morning...and for breakfast," I said rubbing the back of my neck.

"No problem, it's what friends are for right? To help eachother out." If only he would stay by my side when he found out...

"Yeah, definitely. Um...so, I mean we'll always be friends right?" I couldnt help but ask, the need to know was too painful not to ask

"Of course, Toph, we're best friends."

"Even if something really crazy happens?"

"Well yeah, like I said that's what friends are for." I could hear the confusion creeping into his voice.

"Even if I did something really bad?" I turned away from him because I could feel the tears starting to sting my eyes.

"Toph what are you getting at?" I didn't answer him. "Toph?" He put his hand on my shoulder and turned me to face him. "What's wrong?" He said. I felt him shift his weight onto both of his feet.

"I just don't want to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me. Why would you think that?"

"Because I- I'm-... I don't want to talk about it."

"Ok, Toph, I'm done. I'm done. You've been so messed up and I've only been here for a day! What is wrong?"

"I told you I don't want-"

"Stop putting me off. Monkey feathers woman! Just tell me what's going on; I'm not going to be mad at you!"

"You sure sound mad," I snapped.

"Because I'm worried!"

I took in a few steadying breaths. "I just can't right now, ok. I- I promise I'll tell you soon, I promise."

He let out a long, hissing sigh. "Alright… ok."

"I'm sorry. I just had to know you'd stick with me."

"Are you apologizing?" He asked in disbelief. I punched him in the arm.

"Yeah, get over it."

"There's the Toph I know," he smiled. "Come on, I'm starving and my feet are going numb."

I tried to elbow my way into the counter space and help him but he absolutely wouldn't have it so I resolved to sit at the kitchen table and wait. "You know you are my guest and I should be the one cooking."

"Last time you cooked-"

"Yeah I know, I know, you were sick for a week, but I've gotten better, trust me."

"Somehow, I can't convince my stomach to believe that." I rolled my eyes and kicked my feet up on the chair beside me. "So Aang decided he was going to go tiger-seal hunting," he said over the sizzling of something in the pan.

"I bet that was interesting."

"Oh yes and in more ways than one. Did you know that tiger-seal hunting can be considered an official courting gesture in the Southern Water Tribe?"

"Oh really now?" I said perking up.

"Absolutely. If the man brings back the kill to his girl it mean he wants to start formally courting her."

"And did Twinkletoes bring it back to Katara?"

"He did. Literally the whole village knew, it was the hot gossip for a week. You know you really should come visit, it's gotten a whole lot bigger. We even have some buildings like the ones at the North Pole now."

"Sounds like you guys are doing pretty well."

"We've got a lot of new families starting now. We're growing pretty quick. It's so much different than what I was used to growing up."

"I bet. So tell me more about Twinkletoes and Sugar Queen."

"Well, even better than the tiger-seal hunt, he made her a shawl made out of pelts. When a man makes a woman something out of pelts it means that he wants to provide for her. He even went and tracked the thing down, Toph! That's pretty serious!"

"What did he make it out of?"

"A caribou-lion. But I'll tell you one thing, he better not announce their engagement before I get back! Or by Appa, I'll have his head," Sokka barked slamming something against the counter. "Or better yet he shouldn't even ask her before he gets my permission face to face!"

I couldn't help but laugh at little at his antics. Even after all these years of growing up and maturing, he was still that goofy sixteen year old I knew so well. We talked about everything and nothing as he cooked. "Sokka this is delicious! I never knew you were such a good cook!" I said through a mouthful of fish.

"Well now that I'm out on my own it's not like I can rely on Katara for every meal," he chuckled. We finished eating and washed the dishes together. We settled down on the couch under a blanket and Sokka read to me from a book he had brought with him. It was relaxing and I was drifting off. I flinched when I felt myself being jostled. It felt like I was suspended and it made me panic for a second before I realized Sokka was holding me. He laid me down on my bed and tugged the covers over me.

A Few Hours Later-

I was sleeping peacefully, my foot having fallen off the edge of the low bed, just grazing the floor. My eyes shot open. Someone was in the room with me. I pressed my foot onto the floor. No. No! It was him! Jai Ling was in my room! I swung my other leg around to stand up but I was tackled backwards. He pinned my wrists together and I could feel his breath on my face. My heart started beating out of my chest, adrenaline heated my blood and made my head swim. "Hey Toph," he said softly. "How has my favorite girl been?"