Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.

Chapter Six

Toph awoke the next morning to the sound of insistent knocking at her door. "Who is it?" she called groggily.

"It's Zuko," came the reply.

She debated getting out of bed to answer the door, but decided it took less effort to metalbend the lock open. She heard it click, then pulled the covers tighter around her ears.

"Are you going to sleep all day?" Zuko asked as he entered the room. "The sun's been up for three hours already and we're making port. Come on deck; you've got to see this."

Toph groaned. "I am not going to see anything, Sparky," she answered irritably. "When will you people learn?"

"You know what I mean, Toph," Zuko replied as he sat on the edge of her bed. "It's a beautiful morning. Come out on deck and have breakfast with me."

How could he be such a morning person? she wondered. Why was he so darned happy in the first place? Then she remembered the night before and her stomach did a flip. "Okay, okay," she answered. "Get out of here and I'll get dressed."

"You've got ten minutes," he stated firmly as he walked to the doorway.

"Send Ling in for me, will you?" she asked, grateful that her maid had agreed to come along.

Zuko must have pulled Ling away from her own breakfast because when the girl came through the door a couple of minutes later, she was still eating the last of her toasted bread. However, Ling was a miracle worker and actually had Toph ready, complete with warm shawl, to meet Zuko on the deck almost within his time limit.

The table was set in the warm sunshine, sheltered from the wind, which was still cool in the mornings even though spring was well underway.

"Did you sleep well?" Zuko asked politely as he seated her at the table.

"Yes, fine," she lied. "How about you?"

"Pretty well," he answered. "I dreamed about the fight with Azula," he continued matter-of-factly.

"Don't even go there," she replied. "That was horrible. I don't want to think about it."

"Can I just say one thing?" he asked. She nodded and he continued, "I never thanked you for saving my life that day. I don't think I realized until last night that you did."

"Sparky, I must have saved your life five times that day," Toph sighed, shivering at the memory. It had been awful.

"What are you talking about? I don't remember that," he replied.

"Of course you don't," she answered. Despite her unwillingness to remember, she found herself recounting the story.

Iroh had wept openly as he washed Azula's blood off Zuko's face, then placed him on the earthen floor with blankets over him to keep him warm. He'd lay there on the floor of the cavern, so still and unmoving. Toph had wanted him to be in direct contact with the earth, and she'd sat with her hands pressed to the ground on either side of his prone body, listening, feeling, seeing with all her concentration.

The damage from Azula's lightning had been extensive. Despite Katara's initial healing, ever so often Zuko's heart fluttered like a trapped butterfly and stopped. Each time, her own heart would lurch in fear and she'd call Katara. Each time, Katara's healing waters would bring him back from the edge.

All that day and through the night, she stayed with him. She didn't sleep; she didn't eat; she knew that no one else would know he was in trouble until it was too late. It wasn't until his heart had settled into a strong predictable rhythm again that she felt secure enough to let Iroh take over the watch.

"I was so scared, Sparky," she finished. "I felt you die over and over again."

Zuko moved to kneel by her chair. "Thank you," he said. "Thank you for my life."

She reached out to hold him, tangling her fingers in his hair. She forced herself not to cry. It just felt good to have him there. Then she kissed him on top of the head. "No topknot?" she asked, ruffling his hair lightly.

"I don't do ceremony unless absolutely necessary," he laughed. "I had too many years of freedom to give it all up."

"So we're just two ordinary people on an ordinary vacation," she said doubtfully.

"That's the plan," he said, pulling her to her feet.

Noises from the deck attracted his attention and he called out to the captain. "How long until we dock?"

"Within the hour, Prince Zuko," came the reply from the bridge.

He looked at Toph. "Can you get ready for an adventure in an hour?" he asked doubtfully.

"I'm ready now," she answered. He looked at her silk dress and dainty shoes.

"You're not ready for the adventure I have in mind," he replied, escorting her back to her stateroom.

He was watching the men tie off to the dock when she returned to the deck.

"Is this better?" she asked, one hand perched on her hip. She even managed to make adventuring clothes look good.

"I can't believe you had boots with you," he said.

"I am always prepared for any eventuality," she answered smartly.

They walked down to the dock where Zuko gave parting orders to the ship's captain before heading into town, a small fishing village. They were met by a local official who bowed so low, his topknot nearly touched the ground.

"Prince Zuko, it is such an honor to have you visit our humble village," he enthused. "My name is Shen. I am happy to offer my services to you and Miss Bei Fong during your stay on Lost Island. Where do you wish to begin your tour? We are very interested in your highness' opinion of our new fish processing facility."

Zuko could feel Toph give his arm a little squeeze in protest. "Perhaps later," Zuko answered diplomatically. "Right now, I am interested in taking an excursion into the gan forest."

"Yes, Shen," Toph interjected airily. "We have heard that it is one of the natural wonders of the Fire Nation."

"Certainly, certainly!" cried Shen in pride.

A short while later found Zuko and Toph in an open conveyance pulled by a pair of zebramules down a heavily wooded path.

"I am so bored," said Toph with a groan.

"Shen said the forest begins a few miles down this road. We should be getting there shortly. Just be patient," Zuko chided with a smile.

"I don't know what's so special about a forest anyway," she continued. "You've seen one bunch of trees, you've seen them all."

"Maybe so," Zuko replied. "I don't know exactly what you see when you look at a tree."

"Well, when I first began bending, all I could tell was that there was a tree and the rough extent of the roots in the ground. As I got better, I could also tell the size of the tree, especially if there was a wind," she explained. "Some trees have a high mineral content. Those are really interesting because they contain earth throughout. They are easier to see."

They rounded a bend in the road and Zuko slowed the zebramules to a walk. "I have to wonder what you'll think of these," he said, looking around in amazement.