"Toph!" Katara squealed wrapping me up in a hug. "It's so good to see you! It's been so long!"

"You too, Sweetness," I laughed as she released me.

"Sifu," Aang grinned giving me a small bow. I punched him in the arm and hugged him.

"Cut the crap, Twinkletoes, you know you're happy to see me."

"I am," he laughed hugging me back. He straightened up and I tapped my toes, getting a good look at him. I let out a low whistles. "My, my, my, Avatar, you certainly have grown. It'd been almost two years since I'd seen him, he Had just begun building some serious muscles but now... Wow. He'd hit one last growth spurt and now was tall and equipped with lean, strong muscles. If I weren't blind I probably could have seen them through his Air Nomad robes.

"So how have you been?" Katara asked, Tugging me over to sit on the couch.

"I've been better," I quipped. I could practically feel her puzzlement. I waved my hand, "I'll explain later. Tell me about you."

She sighed happily. "It's been so wonderful, Toph." Sokka and Aang were already founded into a conversation about... Who knows what, guy stuff.

"Elaborate," I prompted.

"Aang has been so wonderful. He's so sweet and he's making such an effort to court me. He's following Water Tribe custom for La's sake. It means so much to me... And he's definitely impressing me," she said swiveling her head to look at Aang.

"Sounds like love to me," I laughed.

"It is, Toph. I'm so in love with him," she breathed. Gosh, she sounded so happy. And I was glad her life was falling into place so perfectly, it was more than I could hope for.

"So, when do you think he'll ask you to marry him?"

"Soon I hope," she said caressing her mothers necklace.

I smiled. "I bet he asks you before you leave."

"You really think so?" She asked hopefully.

"I'm pretty perceptive, or so I've been told."

"Enough about me what's been going on with you?"

I gulped. "Oh you know the usual... Kind of. Causing trouble no less. It's been great having my partner in crime back to help me out."

"He seems mellowed out. I wonder if you have anything to do with that."

"What do you mean?" I asked my heart speeding up.

"He seems... Peaceful...happy, like he's got something to be responsible for again."

"Again?"

"Yeah. I mean I'm sure all that truing to be Chief was a lot to handle but it never suited him you know? He's just not been quite the same since he and Suki broke up."

Suki!? Why on earth hadn't I once thought about her!? Last I knew they were still together and here I was, pining after Sokka like some live-sick teenager! I was such a horrible person!

"He always seemed to have a sense of belonging and then when they broke up, I don't know he seemed kind of... lack luster. But now," she smiled, "I'm seeing more of the old Sokka."

"Really?" I practically squeaked.

"Mmhmm. And it seems to be because of you. I think you're enjoying his company just as much as he's enjoying yours," she smirked.

"What makes you think that?"

"I'm pretty perceptive, or so I've been told." If I wasn't flabbergasted I might have sensed her wink.

"It's so nice to have you guys back," Aang said through a mouth full of rice, some hours later." Katara insisted she cook dinner for us and so here we were, all crammed around my little table. "I mean, it's almost like the good ol days, normal, I mean." I was suddenly very aware of the baby's heartbeat and I lost my appetite. I had to tell them, tonight. I was banking on Katara breaking the news to Aang so I wouldn't have to tell him directly... I hoped to spare both of us some awkwardness. I "suggested" Sokka take Aang to show him the creek. It took me jabbing in his ribs with my elbow to get it. That left Katara and I alone in the house.

Katara and I sat on my bed, her hands curled around a cup of hot tea. "It's so nice to have another girl to tlak to," Katara said. "I spend all my time with Aang, no that I'm complaining, but it's a welcome relief to talk to another woman other than Gran-Gran," she chuckled. I wrung my hands and nodded my head in acknowledgement that I had actually heard her. "What's on your mind, Toph?" Katara asked me softly.

"Everything." I let out a long breath and rubbed my face with both hands. "I- I didn't exactly call you guys up here for just a visit. I needed to tell you something...something I couldn't just send in a letter."

"What's going on?"

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh," Katara inhaled sharply, her fingers covering her mouth. "How? Who? I mean- Congratulations!"

"No, Katara, it's not some happy event."

"But, why? I mean, you're not married and all but...you are still single right?"

"Yes, I'm still not married. I didn't mean to get pregnant...it just sort of...happened."

"What are you talking about?" Katara asked, puzzled.

"I met this guy and he asked me out for tea...and I went with him. Katara I didn't even- I didn't even know! I thought I could take care of myself. But- he-he drugged me...put something in my tea, I don't what it was but the next thing I know I'm being loaded into a wagon, and then he's kissing me and I didn't want it. I didn't want it!" I snarled putting my fists over my eyes. "And then I woke up in his house...or his room, its doesn't even matter. But I knew something was...wrong and then I put two and two together and realized I had been-"

"Raped," she breathed, cutting me off. "Toph, you-, we... I'm so sorry." She engulfed me in a hug and a few tears snuck out. I was trying so hard not t let my emotions get the better of me. I was healing now and I didnt want to bust open a scab by letting myself ball my eyes out. "Have you been...ok? I mean, Sokka's not making you feel weird or anything is he?"

"No, no, nothing like that," I sniffed, pulling away from her. "He's been amazing. An idiot sometimes, but amazing. If he hadn't shown up when he did, I don't know where I'd be right now."

"Good. Because if he was bothering you I would have frozen his butt to the ceiling." I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me; the mental image of Sokka with his backside glued to the ceiling was just too funny. "So have you been sick?"

"Yes," I moaned.

"You havent had any cramps or bleeding or anything right?"

"I've been fine," I shrugged.

"So you want me to check you out?" I nodded. I heard the water leaving the waterskin she had stashed somewhere other than on her person. There was a bell-like whistle and I could feel the cool water on my exposed flesh. I heard Katara laugh. "Just as healthy as an ostrich horse," she declared a moment later, send the water back into the skin. "But I wouldn't expect any less from a Bei Fong," she giggled.

"Good. At least I'm doing something right." A tense silence ensued.

"So I'm guessing you want me to tell Aang?"

I sighed. "If you could that would be great...it was hard enough telling Zuko."

"Zuko?"

"Yeah me and Sokka went to pay him a visit...we actually just got back yesterday."

"How's he doing anyway?" I shrugged. "Pretty good. Him and Mai seem happy and really that's all you can ask for in life."

"Iroh's been rubbing off on you hasn't he?"

"Probably," I laughed.

"So tell me all about this baby business!" She yipped like when we were teenagers.

"There's really not much to tell, I mean, you throw up, you pee a lot and that's about it."

"You probably havent felt it move yet have you?"

I shook my head. "No...but I can feel it's heartbeat."

"Really!? That's so exciting! So have you thought of any names?"

"No," I deadpanned. "I-" I paused, trying to think of a way to put this so she wouldn't have the same reaction Sokka did. "I think it's best for the baby is I let another family have him. I know I'm going to mess up and I can't do that to my kid, you know? Please understand-"

"It's ok, Toph. I'm be here for you whatever you do. I'm just glad you didn't go to a back-alley doctor and you... get rid of it. A lot of women get sick or die from that. mediocre doctors make stupid mistakes and can destroy a women's reproductive tract just by being... by being stupid!"

"Gee whiz, Sugar Queen," I said leaning back. "I didnt know bad doctors upset you so much."

"It's- it's just aggravating to see people pose as healers and then end up hurting someone." She let out an angry breath. "Anyways, I'll be cooking from now on to make sure you get everything you and the baby need. Well, that and to make sure you don't poison yourself," she giggled.

"Hey! I'm not that bad of a cook anymore!" I retaliated, punching her in the arm. All in good fun. She laughed and rubbed her arm.

"Ok, ok. I'm going to go get a bath," she said getting up. She stopped and turned in the doorway. "Oh and Toph?"

"Yeah?"

"A baby is always a joyous occasion, not matter what the circumstances."

"Thanks," I smiled.

Later into the night, Sokka and I were curled up in a corner of the couch while he read to me and Aang and Katara were sprawled out on the floor, the airbender playing with his girlfriends hair. I was pretty sure they were too preoccupied to even hear anything Sokka was reading. Which was just fine with me, this story was me and Sokka's thing. We lounged there for probably and hour and then all went to our own separate rooms.

I awoke early the next morning, nervous to know if Katara had told Aang anything. I got my answer when felt feet pounding down the hallway and wind whooshing through robes. Aang let out a whoop and wrapped me up so tight in his arms, Sokka had to pry him off me. "I'm so-! I! You-! Just wow!" He grinned, totally busting with excitement. I couldnt help but laugh. He was still that goofy kid I met 10 years ago. "Don't worry about a thing, Toph! Your Avatar is here to protect you and spoil you and-"

"Shut up before you make any promises you're going to regret," Katara chuckled as she walked into the kitchen. I knew she had told him the whole story...otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned protecting me. He knew I took offense at that...even though now I wasnt really sure I could take care of myself. "We're going to run into town to get some stuff for our stay."

"You're staying?" I blurted.

"Of course we are! I want to be here when the first Team Avatar baby is born!" Aang chirped. I blushed, feeling so very loved in that moment.

"Well then- get out of here!" I shooed. I wasn't about to let them know my mushy feelings. Those were for Sokka's ears only. I grabbed Sokka's wrist and dragged him out the door.

"Where are we going?"

"To see Appa. I missed the giant hairball... and just where is Momo for the love of Agni?"

"Aang said something about him flying off when they passed the Southern Air Temple."

"And they didnt stop him?"

"I guess... he said there were other lemurs there...no the flying kind of course but Aang mentioned Katara spotting one that looked like a girl lemur."

"Aw! Momo found a girlfriend!" It was just so cute, I couldn't help myself. "There you are! How are doing Appa!" I said as I rounded the corner of my house, throwing myself onto his big nose. He groaned pleasantly in response and licked me. Sokka and I visited with him for a while and we said goodbye and headed down to the creek.

It was quiet between us, but comfortably so. I flinched when he fingers brushed the back of mine and quickly pressed my palm into my thigh, hoping I didnt make him feel awkward. For some reason the walk down to the little stream seemed to be taking forever, probably because after we touched, I was hyper aware of him being only inches from me. I inhaled a sharp, silent gasp when his fingers suddenly interlaced with mine. I could feel his heart pounding viciously under his palm. "Is- is this ok?" He asked nervously. I breathed in and breathed out, trying to get myself together. He was holding my hand. Sokka was holding my hand! I felt his calloused skin start to slip past my own when I came to and tightened my fingers around his.

"Yeah. This is ok," I breathed. His heart rate spiked and then started to slow a little. This was so... so new! All through my hand and even up my arm a little ways, pinpricks and pleasant tingles crawled in my blood. It was so wonderful, breathtakingly wonderful to have his large, strong fingers wrapped around my hand and in between my fingers. His skin was cool, but mine was on fire. Probably from the blush that was sure to be covering my whole body. My little digits seemed to fit perfectly between his and I felt... safe. Like really safe. His skin was rough and dry, evidence of years of practicing weaponry. My skin was much the same, but much softer. I had my fair share of falls and spills being an earthbender, but I don't think my hands would be as worn as his were. I dared to move my thumb a little and found a large dip. A scar.

I wondered if maybe my own hands were more riddled than his with old cuts and scraped from jagged rocks. We sat down at the creeks edge and listened to the trickling water for a for minutes before my curiosity got the better of me. I twisted so I was sitting in front of him, out knees just touching. I pulled my hand from his and when before he could reclaim his hand in what he was sure to think of as rejection, I pulled his left hand into my lap and ran my fingers over his palm.

I could feel the lines in his palm. I almost massaged his hand as I flitted my fingertips over his skin, searching for scars. There were only minor scratches here and once I explored that side of his calloused hands I turned it over to feel the back. Here was where the scars were. I felt the so subtle dips in his skin where a soft line resided. There was another, just at the base of his wrist, it was long and thin and I would have missed it had my fingers not be so sensitive to touch. I found countless more, some large, some small and barley detected. Then I found a deep, jagged one across two of his knuckles. The soft skin on the scar was somehow different than the others. It felt as though it had never really healed correctly. But that was ok because I don't think any of us would ever heal correctly from the war.

I could imagine every possibility that had caused these scars. The tip of a spear grazing his clneched hand. The blade of a sword slicing across his fingers. And I smiled imagining the less heroic ways he could have been marred. A fishook...maybe even two. A misplaced step and ice rushing up to meet his hands as he fell. But then I remebered my own scarred hands and while mine were from the very earth I bent, his were so undeniabley battle scars. He had become a warrior that summer.