Disclaimer: Don't own Avatar, but sure like having fun with the characters!

Chapter One

It had been seven years since the fall of Fire Lord Ozai and five years since he'd seen her. When the door servant announced her, Prince Zuko looked up from his work expecting a completely different person than the one who entered the door.

"Miss Toph Bei Fong," the servant intoned solemnly. But the lady who entered the room was not the Toph he'd traveled with and fought beside. She stood only a couple of inches taller, her hair was still dark, her eyes still pale, her dress still green, but after that all similarities ended.

Toph of old favored an unkempt mess of hair and workable dress in earthy green. This Toph clearly showed her upbringing as the privileged child of the Bei Fong family. She'd grown into a beauty.

"You're wearing shoes," were the first words that came out of his mouth. He mentally kicked himself.

"It's good to see you too, Sparky," came Toph's reply. She smiled as he stepped forward to give her a big, welcoming hug.

"I apologize for my poor manners," Zuko said, breaking the hug to give her an exaggerated bow. "How was the trip, Miss Bei Fong? Did you leave your honorable parents in good health? Would you like a cup of tea after your journey?"

She laughed again and hit him in the arm. He was glad to see the old Toph was still there underneath the layer of loveliness. "Fine, yes, and yes," she answered as he took her arm to escort her to the sofa that sat beneath the large picture window of his office in the Fire Palace.

"You look wonderful," Zuko began as he poured her a cup of tea.

"Thanks," she answered dryly, then took an appreciative sip of her tea. "Jasmine! Still Fire Lord Iroh's favorite?"

"Always," he replied. "So, what's with the shoes?"

"You would not believe the work Haru and Teo have been doing in their earth workshop," she said, lifting her foot to show off the charming, fashionable little shoe she wore. "The soles are both flexible and made of earth materials. I can see through them as easily as you can see through a window—or so I've been told."

"I can't believe my little Toph has grown into such a lady," Zuko teased. "I thought you'd be barefoot forever."

"Well, I've done the sheltered, obedient child thing and I've done the rebellious, earthbending warrior thing. Now, I'm experimenting with something new--the fashionable diplomat who can still kick your butt any day of the week," she answered.

At the mention of the word diplomat, he was reminded that Toph was not there for a personal visit, but rather served as one of the new ambassadors to the Fire Nation from the Earth Kingdom. Personal pleasantries aside, they began discussing the current trade and diplomatic issues that faced them.

"I'm not sure how well negotiations will go on the new agricultural agreements," Toph said seriously. "There are a number of representatives on the agricultural council who still demand additional reparations for damages done to crops, fields, and forests."

Zuko sighed and rubbed his face. Peace was very hard work at times. "Toph, I'm doing all I can. The demands they make are just unreasonable," he began in frustration. Suddenly all their warm camaraderie seemed to drown in a sea of politics. He got up from the sofa and walked to his desk intending to fish out the documents in question.

He then felt a hand on his arm. "Hey, Sparky, calm down. There's no reason to get in a twist about it right now. We've got months to settle all this. Let's concentrate on catching up first, okay?" Toph's voice was a little deeper and more mature, but her words still cut right through the crap, as she liked to say.

This time Toph led him to the sofa. "Has it been that rough, Zuko?" she asked with concern. "Katara and Aang led me to believe that you were doing well."

"They were being very generous," Zuko replied. Katara and Aang had spent their post-war time going between the different nations from their home base at the Western Air Temple. Consequently, they spent a good deal of time as guests of the Fire Lord and his heir. "When did you see them last?"

"They came through Omashu about three months ago. It was little Bumi's first trip into the outside world," Toph laughed.

"I haven't had a chance to meet him yet," Zuko stated. "Katara was very pregnant the last time I saw her."

"You know, I always meant to ask you something," Toph began. She placed her tea cup carefully on the table before her, then turned to face Zuko directly. "I always thought that there might be something between you and Katara. You know, one of those love/hate kind of things."

Zuko laughed. "I won't deny the attraction, but when it came down to it, I just didn't want to be mothered that much, I guess. Plus, she and Aang always had something that went far deeper than friendship. I'm glad Aang finally grew up enough to handle it."

"Good," Toph answered. "I'm glad to hear your heart wasn't broken. Goodness knows Sokka broke mine," she concluded dramatically, pressing her wrist to her forehead in an excess of melodrama.

"And how is the meat and sarcasm guy these days? Still splitting his time between the Southern Water Tribe and Kyoshi Island?" Zuko asked.

"Nah, he and Suki finally just decided to settle on the southernmost tip of the Earth Kingdom. I believe Sokka has amassed a fairly large fishing fleet. He and The Duke are now shrimpcrab captains of industry," Toph explained with a smile. "He and Suki have two kids now. You'll never believe what he named their daughter though."

Zuko hazarded a guess, "Yue?"

"Wrong! Suki just couldn't go there. He actually named his daughter Zutara after his sister and his best man," Toph giggled.

Zuko couldn't contain the laughter that burst out of him. He didn't know when he'd heard anything any funnier. Trust Sokka to have the last word on an issue. "I wondered why Sokka's letters always referred to her 'the girl'. I really need to pay them a visit, I guess," he sighed, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

Suddenly serious, Toph took his hand. "Why haven't you come to see us, Zuko? Everybody has missed you. Granted you never were the life of the party, but it just wasn't the same having gatherings without you," she stated sadly.

Zuko looked at her, amazed anew at the way she'd changed. And not changed all at the same time. The last of the sunlight shone in on her face through the window, highlighting her flawless complexion and shining in her dark hair. For the first time, he noticed that she'd grown up in other ways as well, as the soft green dress she wore hugged the curves of a woman's body.

"I don't know," he made himself answer her. "Uncle isn't as young as he used to be. He depends on me for a good bit of the day to day running of things. Plus, I was never sure just how much I would be wanted. I certainly didn't want to intrude."

Toph reached over to touch his face. "How can you say that?" she asked softly. "How can you think that? Sparky, you nearly died defending us. How can you think for a second you aren't one of us?"

Zuko closed his eyes and put his hand over hers, pressing it into his cheek, savoring the coolness and softness of it. "When did my little Toph grow up?" he murmured. "Where did all this sweetness come from?"

"Don't you go patronizing me, your royal highness," she chided, but gently. "I'm not going to take much more of this 'little Toph' business. Sweet little Toph might have to push you around the ring tomorrow in training just to be sure you haven't lost your edge."

"I'm counting on it," Zuko answered. "Do your worst."

AN: This story is in response to a request made for more of my semi-crack Zuko x Toph pairing. Hey, and if you don't think Haru and Teo could singlehandedly discover carbon fiber or something like that for shoe soles, you are just underestimating them:)

If you like it, review so I'll know to continue. This is the first multi-parter I ever had any desire to do. It will not run very long and will contain substantial amounts of character-driven fluff. I like fluff.