The clatter drew her from the beach, well that and the angry exclamation. She had been lying in the sun, feeling the last rays of it on her feet and face as it sank below the horizon. She then rose from the beach, stretched and headed for the beach house while scratching herself in an inappropriate place. She made her way upstairs and found Zuko picking up a bunch of scrolls and books that had fallen.

"Whatcha doin', Zukes?" she asked.

"I was trying to find something to read," Zuko said. "Zukes is the best name you can come up for me?"

"I'll try out some more tall, dark and stinky."

"I... urgh... nevermind."

"Anything good?"

"I don't know, a few things that look kind of interesting. Though I don't really think I want to spend my last moments by reading a history of the first empire."

"Sounds boring."

"Yes, it does."

Zuko looked at a few more books and put them back. He looked at one and smiled.

"Lee and the Five Dragons, this is one of my favorites," Zuko said putting the last of the books back.

"Ooh, that was one of my favorites too, my mom used to read it to me when I was little," Toph said excitedly.

"I'll let you borrow it when I'm done with it."

"Gee, thanks, Zuko."

Zuko made his way down to his room and laid down on his bed. He opened the book and began reading. It was then that a thought occurred to him and he slapped his forehead and let out a grumble of annoyance.

"Stupid!" he said.

He got up, grabbed the book and went running from the room.

Toph lay in her bed with her face turned against the door. She had to admit that there were some downsides to having hearing as good as hers. Mostly at night when was trying to sleep and everything seemed to be magnified in the stillness of the world. Especially now that Suki had joined the group and she could hear kissy sounds coming from Sokka's room. Gross.

But she did feel someone coming running down the hall. Her door slid open and closed and Zuko plopped down next to her. He was breathing hard. He took a few moments to catch his breath, lit the candle that had been put out when Katara had left a few hours ago and began.

"Chapter 1," he read. "I came across the bridge without incident..."

Toph closed her eyes and smiled.