Author's note Sorry on the delay of this chapter. I am not happy with it, but thought it key to moving the plot along. Since school started for my munchkins (yes - I'm too old to be writing fanfic) - I am going to try and update twice a week. Thanks to my loyal reader nerf-or-nothng . As always, reviews keep me motivated!! I lurve feedback.

The Fighters had a good set. Sokka and Lao showed up after the first two songs and joined Zuko and Toph at their table. Zuko fished in his pocket and brought out his clove cigarettes and flipped open the top. Toph grabbed his wrist before he could select one.

"No smoking in this bar. Local ordinance." Toph wrinkled her nose. "Besides it is a nasty habit."

Zuko smiled sheepishly, "It is more like an addiction." Sokka downed the rest of his beer and said

"C'mon, I'll show you where you can get lung cancer." Zuko followed him out a side door that was propped open with a rock and out to alley that was fenced in. Several other patrons were out, and with the sparsely lit darkness, they looked like demons with tiny glowing eyes. Zuko took out his box, selected a cigarette and then offered the box to Sokka. Sokka shrugged and smiled sheepishly while he pick one out, "Tumors all around." Zuko smiled wryly as he flicked open his lighter and held it up for Sokka. Sokka grabbed Zuko's wrist to steady the flame, lit his cigarette and exhaled. "So what do you thin of the Fighters?"

"They're ok."

"Just ok?"

"I'm not much into guitar rock. More into electronic work."

"You'll love Tangelos - Sasha spins the new stuff, and they throw in some classic funk and house." Sokka gestured. "We could head out early if you want."

"I don't want to interrupt anything." Zuko smirked at Sokka.

"Interrupt what?" Sokka's eyes narrowed.

"Whatever you are doing that causes you to abandon Toph. She was not happy to see 'Longshot'."

"What is that supposed to mean?!" Sokka got in Zuko's face. "I…"

"… don't want to fess up to sucking face with Lao?" Zuko finished for Sokka. He was delighted not to be the uncomfortable one for once.

"We are not!" Sokka sank against the wall and put his head on his hands. "I can't believe Toph told."

"I put it together on my own. She's pissed but didn't say much." Zuko stretched the truth a bit. Sokka looked so depressed, he added. "I am not about to say anything either."

"Really?" Sokka asked. Zuko nodded. "There isn't much - but it would really throw a wrench in school. It sucks to have a crush on a straight guy." Sokka stood up and smiled. "What about you? I hope you are having better luck."

"No. There is no one."

"That's too bad. Maybe when you know some more people. Suki and Toph are self-appointed matchmakers." Sokka clasped him on the shoulder. "Let's go inside. It looks like Bee is finishing up."

The line at Tangelos stretched out the door and around the corner. Zuko glanced at Sokka, expecting him to start complaining, but instead he was grinning an straightening his collar. Sokka reached his elbow and said in a low voice, "You are going to like this." Bee and Toph had reached the line and then walked around it, and right up to the impressive looking security guard. He had a bald head and huge big brown eyes, and the huge white tracksuit was blinding on the mountainous man.

"Good Evening Miss Bandit. Glad to see you here tonight." He put a hand out to stop Zuko. "Wait just a minute, sir."

"Sparky is with us, Flopsy!!" Toph reached out and grabbed Zuko's hand and guided him past the stunned bouncer and into the pounding club. They pushed past the bar and over to the DJ table. The DJ table was on a dais in the front of the room. Below it was a disco-style lighted dance-floor where lots of people bounced to house music. The bar and seating area was a slightly raised, so you could observe the dancers. A large man with fly-away white hair in a huge purple suit was talking to the DJ, a tall brown haired woman with a surprisingly familiar face. Sokka went over to clasp her hand.

"Sasha! Good to see you! Suki here tonight?" Sokka shook her hand so that her gold headband slid into her eyes. She pushed it back up and arched an eyebrow at him.

"Naw, Little Sister is tired of listening to me spin."

"She doesn't know what she's missing." Toph interrupted. "Hey, Mad Genius, how's it shakin'?" The man in the purple suit smiled. His right eye was colorless and much larger for his left, giving him a not quite sane appearance.

"I fell into a upholstery machine, but I'm fully recovered."

"Hah-hah! Good one, Bumi." Sokka snorted. He explained to his friends, "This is Sasha, one of Suki's numerous sisters and Bumi, the owner of Tangelos." Sasha nodded. Bumi ignored them.

"So, Blind Bandit, are you up to the challenge?" Bumi asked and rubbed his hands together.

"Anyone, anytime." Toph nodded her assent. She turned to the DJ Sasha. "What do you have that's old school?" Toph was soon lost in conversation with Sasha. Bumi turned, "You might as well dance before the Blind Bandit steals the floor." Sokka yelped with joy and moved out to the dance floor, looking more like a chicken trying to take flight then a dancer. Bee, Lao, and Zuko just stood there.

"I don't dance." Bee announced. Lao nodded his assent as did Zuko. It was too loud for conversation, so Zuko went to fight his way to the bar and get a drink. When making his way back, he was able to get a place at the rail that separated the dance floor from the seating area. Here he had a great view of the floor. Sokka was dancing enthusiastically, if spastically. He wasn't able to see Toph. As the song started to wind down, a spotlight lit up Sasha.

"Yo, yo, yo! Ladies and Gents, Your attention please. The champion has entered the building and we are ready to RUMBLE!!!!!!!" The crowd screamed approval. "The always gracious, but unorthodox King of the Tangelos, Bumi will extend honors and much cred to winners, who may challenge the champion. So clear the floor and let the first round in!"

Club goers were now mobbing the bar area, fighting for the best view of the floor. Zuko was glad he had a place at the rail already. Sokka came and managed to get beside him. Five people walked out to the floor. The music started again with a pounding beat, and the five started dancing. They were good - popping to the beat like robots, grinding, and looking like the walked out of the TV. They were each called to the center to do a little solo. One dancer managed a backflip and the crowd roared. At the end of the song, Sasha declared the winner by the volume of the screams. The black-flipper was the obvious winner. This went on for three more rounds, with a winner chosen from each "heat." Then all the winners were on the floor. Sasha came out and talked to each one.

"So we have Big Dawg Ray, Sozinitza, Mary Sue, and Steve. Are you ready to do battle with the people's champion?" Sasha asked. "She's here, - here to steal your glory, your honor, and your dance floor…the Blind Bandit!!!" The crowd went up in a cheer as Flopsy the bouncer came out of the VIP lounge with Toph perched on his shoulder. He walked up to dance floor and then did a circuit around before reverently placing Toph in the center. And the dance began.

With the strains of the P-Funk Allstars, Toph worked magic. She started popping - alternately moving like robot and then acting like she had no bones. She moon-walked and then switched to a more modern form of hip hop. Compared to her, the other dancers looked ungainly. During the solo, the guy who did the back flip broke in to some serious break dancing - spinning on his head. Then it was Toph's turn. She kept to modern hip hop, but interspersed it with old-school break dancing moves - hand stands that fell into spins and splits. The crowd screamed its delight. She was a clear winner.

Zuko let himself in very quietly to his house. His uncle was drowsing in his office chair. Zuko headed up stairs.

"How was it?" Iroh's voice drifted up. Zuko contemplated his answers for a minute, then walked downstairs and stuck his head around the banister. "It was nice."