AN: Sorry if this seems rushed :/

I never thought I'd be so happy to show up on Zuko's doorstep. The guards on the long stone path up to the palace let us by, of course, knowing who we were, not thinking anything of it if we had an appointment or not.

Sokka's arm suddenly collided with my shoulders. I felt a flash of heat sweep in front of us, the sheer energy of it blew my bangs back. Only a split second later did I feel a pair of feet hit the ground with a throaty battle cry that could only be-

"Zuko!" I called, a big grin plastering itself on my face.

"Toph? Sokka? W-what are you guys doing here?" He asked.

"I guess we really could have sent him a letter," I mumbled, abashing both myself and Sokka.

"It's great to see you!" He said walking towards us and engulfing me in a hug.

"So what is this, your new thing now? Jumping off balconies?" I heard Sokka joke as he and Zuko hugged in that weird, complicated guy hug thing they did. It made sense that I couldn't see him when we first approached the palace if he was on a balcony and not on the ground.

"Just practicing," Zuko answered. "So what brings you all the way here, Toph?" He asked. I nearly choked on my own spit.

"Oh, you know...a visit?"

"Oh come on, Toph, you don't just visit just for the fun of it. What's the real reason you're here?" He asked leading us into the cool halls of the Fire Palace.

"No really, just a visit," I coughed.

"Well, whatever the reason I'm glad you're here. I haven't seen you in almost a year. Mai will be glad to see you." He led us into a living area that was exclusively his and Mai's. The Fire Lady was sitting comfortably on a red, plush cushion. In the middle of Sokka and I saying hello to her, General Iroh walked in.

"Iroh!" I exclaimed happily giving him a hug. I had missed my old friend dearly.

"Toph, it is wonderful to see you again! How are you?"

"I'm doing just fine, and you?"

"Just as well," he smiled. He greeted Sokka briefly and then he swept off to get us all tea.

"So how have things been shaping up around here?" I asked sitting down next to Sokka on a cushion.

"We've established some more multi-nation colonies, even some earthbenders have moved into the city."

We talked over tea for a long time. Zuko was in the middle of something about trade routes and I felt it. A little, steady flutter in my core. I gasped and almost dropped my tea. Sokka's head whipped around. "Are you ok?"

"Uh, yeah. Hey, I think I'm gonna take a potty break," I said awkwardly standing up. Mai gave me directions to the closest bathroom. I hurried down the hall and entered the huge bathroom, locking the door behind me. I just stood there, totally floored. I spread my toes on the stone and waited. It was faint and quiet, but so definitely there; a little heartbeat.

A smile crept across my face. How amazing was that? I put my hand on my abdomen and just reveled in what nature was capable of doing. A whole person was growing, unbeknownst to the world, in my womb. I lifted my tunic and felt at the little swell between my hips. I felt a niggling at the front of my mind. It was...attachment...love. I knew I loved this child from just a few days after I found out, but this was so much stronger. How was I going to let her be adopted? It had stayed my plan this entire time, and I kept it securely hidden from Sokka because he's probably have a fit about it. But now? No, no, letting him or her be adopted was the best thing I could do for it. I would mess up so bad at being a parent. I couldn't let this baby suffer for my own stupid actions.

No. Sokka told me not to blame myself for what happened to me, for the things Jai Ling had done. It had gotten a little easier over the weeks but I still couldn't help that black shadow that was always looming over me and tangling itself in my ribs and heart. The knock of the door nearly made me jump out of my skin. "Hey are you ok?" I flung the door open and jerked Sokka inside my the collar. I kicked the door shut and turned to face him.

"I felt the heartbeat!" I exclaimed in a whisper. I didn't sense him move at all and then his wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pressed me into him.

"That's awesome!" He whispered back. I could feel his lips curled into a grin against my neck. A smile to match was on my face. He pulled back and we snuck out of the bathroom and back to finish our tea. Zuko was called into a meeting and Mai went with him. Iroh opted to stay with us and show us our rooms, right across the hall from eachother. He showed Sokka to his room first and we left him to get settled and he showed me to my quarters. I got a good a look at it after padding around on the stone part of the floor. unfortunately most of it was carpeted but not thickly so I could still see pretty well.

"This is great, Iroh thankyou." He didn't answer and if I didn't know any better I would have thought he had left the room, but his heartbeat was still right where it had been. "In my years I have gained a fair amount of knowledge. And I can tell when one of my closest companions is not quite herself."

"Oh? Well, I hope she feels better," I quipped.

"You seemed flustered at tea today, is there anything you might want to share with me?"

"No."

It was quiet for a moment as I started to unpack my things. "If you sensed something concerning the safety of the Palace I should wish to be informed," he said, clearly only making up that excuse to get me to talk.

I sighed. "No it's nothing like that Iroh. But I'm sure you'll know soon enough." I mumbled the last part.

"What was that, dear?"

"Oh nothing," I smiled. "Thanks again, this room is really beautiful." And it was the truth it really was, at least from what I could tell.

"I look forward to seeing you at dinner," he said kindly before he left.

As evening fell Sokka and I headed down to dinner. It was surprisingly informal and comfortable. Later, Sokka and I headed to our respective rooms and went to bed. I laid there wondering just how I was going to tell Zuko about my predicament. I decided I wouldn't bring Sokka along with me. I didn't want to have to relive the whole thing in front of two people, even if Sokka was my anchor.

I just wanted to get it over with. I threw the blankets aside and crept out in the hallway. I managed to find Zuko's heartbeat...alone. That meant he wasnt asleep yet. I eventually found him in his study. I felt him jump a little when I opened the door. "Hey, what brings you here, Toph?" He greeted.

I didn't say anything and just started pacing back and forth in front of his big desk. I just needed to tell him, just get it over with and be the old Toph about it. Straightforward, no himhawing around, no beating around the bush. I paced for another few seconds. Oh just out with it Toph!

I stopped and stood in front of him. "Zuko," I breathed in. "I'm pregnant," I sighed. He didn't say anything for a second and then...he laughed?

"Ok, Toph, what's the real reason you're here?" He chuckled. I didn't say anything. "O-oh, Agni, you're serious aren't you?" I nodded. I felt the heat from the fireplace get a little hotter. "Well w-who's the father?" He blurted getting up and starting to pace himself. I collapsed down into a chair and put my forehead in my hand. "It's- oh my- it's Sokka isnt it?" He panted.

"What!? No!" I yelped, completely and totally flabbergasted. "What would even make you think- you know what, I don't even want to know."

"Than whose it!?" He yelped. I hung my head. "Toph?" He asked gently. I didn't want to cry in front of him but this was going to be the worst part.

"I- I was, um, raped." I wasnt exactly expecting a rush of heat and hearing a stack of papers catch on fire. I flinched and covered my face.

"How did this happen!?"

Oh, he hated me! I knew it, I knew it! Maybe I couldn't shake Sokka but this just proved everyone else was going to despise me! I wiped away a tear and sniffed. I felt him stop pacing and flop into a chair. " I'm the Fire Lord and I can't even protect my own friends," He sighed dejectadley. "I know people, I can get this taken care of, we can get him, just please tell me what happened, Toph. Let me help you."

"He put something in my tea and I guess I kind of passed out or something and then after that I woke up in his house or something and I finally realized what happened to me. I denied I was pregnant but when two months passed... I knew."

The less he knew the better.

"Where's Sokka?"

"Asleep."

"Alright. Just go back to bed and get some sleep ok," he said standing up to walk me to the door.

I nodded weakly and got up. But he stopped me and pressed me into a bone-crushing hug. I felt like his heavy robes might swallow me but I felt safe. Maybe he doesn't hate me. His hand held against the back of my head like I was a small child and in reality, I kind of felt like one. I hugged him back and then he gently pushed me out of his study. "Wait." I turned to face him. "What was his name? I mean..if you um, know," he said rubbing the back of his neck.

"Jai Ling." I headed back to my room, following Sokka's heartbeat because otherwise I would have been doomed. I crawled into bed and felt...better? I felt like a big weight had been lifted off my chest. I turned onto my side and closed my eyes.

"Good morning, Toph!" A cheery voice said yanking open the curtains. I gave Iroh a glare in the direction I thought he was in. "I'm over here, dear." I whipped my head around from where his voice came from. I heard him messing around with a teapot at a low table outside of my bedroom doorway. I groaned and kicked my feet over the edge of the bed.

Why now? I darted into the bathroom and yanked tub water on and commenced to barfing my guts up. I was really hoping Iroh couldn't hear over the running water. And then it occurred to me that he might think I was taking a bath and I couldn't just come right back out in five minutes like I had taken the worlds fastest bath. Oh well. He was just going to have to be left in the dark because I didn't feel like doing anything but going back to sleep after the cup of tea he was sure to force down my throat. I leaned over and wretched.

I sat down across from him at the low table and he poured me tea. I could literally feel the happy coming off him. Stupid Firebenders, always waking up at the buttcrack of dawn. And just how could he be so blamed happy this early? I mean COME ON! What could have POSSIBLY happened already to put him in such a good mood? I was actually pretty startled at my condescending thoughts. I hadn't really had much of a snarky pep in a while. It felt good.

Iroh took a sip of his tea. "So my nephew tells me you are expecting," he grinned.

"Expecting what?"

"A baby of course!," he chuckled. I choked on my tea, nearly spitting all over him. So much for secrets. As if reading my thoughts he assured me Zuko had told no one else. "I'm so happy for you, Toph! A child is the most precious thing that can happen to a person, I would know," he chuckled, totally and miserably jolly. How could he be so positive?

"Well, ya know," I shrugged. "It wasnt exactly like I planned this."

"Yes," he said sadly, sighing. "I am not glad that happened to you. But the child must not bear the brunt of the shameful thing that man did."

"Of course, I don't blame the kid at all," I said taking a long drink.

"That is good. This baby will be just as special as any other child, and then some, simply because of his mother." I blushed, feeling my old friend smiling warmly at me. He always knew just what to say.

"Thankyou."

"I am simply stating the truth. Have you thought of any names?"

I shifted uncomfortably on the pillow I was sitting on. "Actually, no I havent." I let out a big sigh. "Don't tell anyone, but I was planning on finding the baby a better family than me, you know, adoption."

"What?" I heard Sokka's voice behind me. I spun around and put my palm on the floor.

"Sokka- I- you weren't supposed to find out this way!" I stuttered. He sliced his arm through the air in front of him.

"Yeah, I'm sure I wasnt," He spat turning around and leaving.

"Sokka, wait!" I called after him.

"Go after him," Iroh said. I got up and ran after my best friend. I could feel his angry foot steps as he walked down the hall.

"Wait a minute," I yelled. He ignored me. "Just stop." He kept walking. "Just listen to me, Sokka!" I demanded loudly. I felt him stop and turn around. I walked towards him and stood a few feet away. "I was going to tell you ok? I just wasn't ready yet." Before he could even open his mouth to say anything I cut him off. "We both know I'll make a horrible mother, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I don't even know how to hold a baby let alone feed one and put one to sleep, change one, I know nothing Sokka! I can't raise a kid! Let alone all by myself!"

"I'm sorry, Toph but back home when someone has a baby they don't want, we can't just give them away. This goes against everything I've known. I can't-" I cut him off, fuming.

"This is my baby and letting a great family adopt it is the best thing I can do for my child right now. If I can't do anything else but insure my kid will have a good stable life then by Tui and La, you will NOT stand in my way." He let out a long breath.

"I'm sorry. I just- I don't think it's a great idea," he said, his voice softening.

"But I feel this is the best thing I can do for this baby, Sokka. I have to make sure this new life won't get all screwed up by me. I'm gonna find some really great people and everything will be ok." I let my head hang and I sighed. "I don't know what else to do." He came and gave me a tight hug.

"I can't say I agree with you, Toph, but I'll be there for you whatever you decide to do."

"Thankyou," I said fisting my hands in the front of his tunic. "You've been so good to me, I don't deserve it, but you've stuck around anyways and I'm really grateful for that."

"It's what friends are for."

Sokka disappeared after that and I didn't see him for the rest of the day. I took that time to catch up on sleep and finish tea with Iroh later in the afternoon. We talked for a long time about everything from tea plants to platypus bears. I missed my best friend but I figured he might still be a little miffed at me I just didn't feel like fighting with him.

Night came and I fell asleep easily enough but I woke up some hours later feeling stuffy. I threw the blankets aside and moved to another spot on the massive bed. My lack of presence on the sheets made for a cool spot on the blankets. I groaned when I felt my fingers swelling from the heat. I needed to find Sokka. I picked out his heartbeat and followed it to Zuko's study. Why he would be in there, I had no idea but hen I walked in they rolled up a scroll they were looking at and shoved a few other various things into draws. "Oh hey, Toph," Sokka said innocently and slung his arm around my shoulders, steering me out of the room.

"What were you guys doing?"

"Oh you know just looking over trade routes and stuff." Well that was a lie. Oh well I guess.

"I couldn't sleep."

"I'll talk to you in the morning, Zuko, night," Sokka said over his shoulder.

"Good night guys," Zuko answered as Sokka led me out of the room. A thin layer of sweat coated my entire body now and I was sick and tired of being inside. I pushed his arm off of me and instantly felt a bit cooler. Sokka followed my lead as I made my way towards a small courtyard not too far away from our rooms. We sat side by side, or rather I laid there and he sat at my hip.

"You know if you're tired you can go back to bed," I offered, feeling guilty for depriving him of the sleep he so loved.

"No it's alright, I'm too wound up anyway."

I heard a little blub from the koi fish pond. They must be eating little bugs off the surface or something. I put my hands behind my head and sighed. I was reveling in the cool air and brisk breeze, it made me feel so much for comfortable and my fingers had deflated. "It feel so good out here," I sighed in total contentment.

In all the silence and with the earth so close to my body, I could so easily pick out the little heartbeat in my womb. It was easy to tell apart from Sokka's and the turtle-ducks that were nesting on the other side of the courtyard. It was so simply because it's rhythm was so...different. It was faster than mine and Sokka's but it wasn't steady. It sped up and slowed down at different intervals. I was worried about it but chalked the irregularity of it up as the baby being awake and not snoozing. Could they even do that? Sleep in the womb? I twitched my nose and brushed it off. There was so much I didn't know already.

How much was it going to hurt? Oh geez, I hadn't really put much thought into it considering everything that had been going on in the last few weeks but now... I almost groaned but shut my throat up stubbornly. I could handle anything, it couldn't be that bad right? Well, there was that one time when Katara had to help deliver that baby on our way to Omashu. That poor woman sounded like a badgermole had bit her...and then gotten trampled by a moose lion. Well that certainly had to be because she wasn't an earthbender right? I was the worlds greatest wasn't I? By Appa and Momo I was! I could certainly handle a few muscle cramps, it would be nothing compared to being slammed around and beaten senseless in all our travels. Right? Right.

I heard a little snore from Sokka, I hadn't even realized he'd laid down. Liar. He was tired. I then began to ponder about where I would be giving birth. I would like it to be at my house with Katara and Katara only. Aang and Sokka could just wait outside for all I cared. I trusted my waterbending friend to take good care of me, that is if she didn't totally hate me after I told her.

Well, Zuko, of all people, had hugged me. Wasn't that a good sign? I mean Mr. Doom and Gloom wasnt exactly a touch-feely kind of guy (at least that I knew of) and we had known each other for the shortest amount of time so did that mean Katara and Aang would be ok with it too? It must. I felt a warm cozy feeling settle in my chest. Maybe things wouldn't turn out so awful after all. I smiled a little at that. I felt my mind beginning to drift off and reality and the things of the dream world began to converge.

"You feeling ok?" Jai Ling asked. I could hear myself answering but it only really sounded like mumbled. I heard my teacup fall from my hands and clatter onto the ground with a glassy ping. My head slumped forward. I was so tired. I tried to fight it to continue talking with Jai Ling but I had never felt so exhausted in my entire life. My lids were falling shut and I couldn't hardly make a coherent sentence. He scooped me up under my shoulders and knees. My head fell back involuntarily. "Perfect," he muttered. Somehow I hadn't heard him, but I had known what he said. I couldn't feel my legs through my dazed state and they hung limply over his arm. He was carrying me somewhere, but where were we going? Maybe he was taking me home, but...he didn't know where I lived so that wasn't it.

"What?" I rasped trying to make sense of anything and everything that was going on.

"Shh. Don't worry, just go to sleep." I forced my eyes to stay open as best I could. I may not have been totally blind in his arms under normal circumstances, but I couldn't make any clear sense of the subtle vibrations coming through his chest from his foot falls. I was laid down on something hard...I heard an animal snort...ah it must be a wagon of some sort. I felt something warm and soft touch my lips. I was nearly gone now I couldn't tell up from down anymore. In fact, everything was spinning. Was he kissing me? He was! What!? I hadn't agreed to this! I felt like something was very wrong here, but I couldn't even force my body to react, to push him away. I couldn't do anything, I was helpless.

I woke up screaming and sweating and panting like I had just run to Ba Sing Se and back. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to still my quaking body. I felt so horrible, so blind. "It's ok, just a dream ok?" Sokka's gentle coos reached my reeling brain and I was able to grasp onto reality. I was cold now, and whether or not the goosebumps were from the chilly air, I couldn't tell. I drew in a sharp, ragged breath and launched myself into Sokka's arms. He cradled me against his chest as I locked my fists in his tunic front. "I remember, Sokka! It was so awful, I remember!" I cried. "It wasnt a dream this time," I sobbed. I felt like my bones were going to shatter if I didn't stop shaking, but I was just so scared. And I hated it. I hated myself for being such a coward. No stop it. Sokka told you not to. I tried to grasp onto my dream, but at the same time I was trying to banish it from my memory. I didn't want to remember, even just that small token of what happened that night. I didn't want it. "I felt so helpless, so alone. He kissed me and I was scared, something was so wrong!"

"Relax, it's going to be alright. I'm right here, you're not alone, you're totally safe now ok? I wont let anything get you."