Why in Agni's name was he helping her, the Avatar's waterbending peasant? He tells himself that it isn't because her eyes seem to plead with him when she asks who he is and why he was there. It's not because her lips form every word perfectly. And it's definitely not because of the fact that he can feel her every curve and movement with her body pressed against his from their current hiding place.

No. He's doing this to get the Avatar and nothing more. Although that third reason was getting harder to ignore by the second

Her body was between him and the stone wall of the alley. Her small and delicate hands - how can a peasant's hands be so soft - were clutching at the fabric of his black shirt and her blue eyes filled with fear.

The angry voices were getting closer and the shadows of men stretching out in the moonlit street. He moved her farther into the shadows of the dark alley. he opened her mouth to speak, but he covered it with his hand before she could make a sound. She looked towards the street, her hands still in his shirt. Her mouth was hot on his already warm palm.

A silhouette entered the alley way, looking for the two teenagers. He pressed her closer to the wall and shielded her body from the man's searching gaze.

He focused on the girl in front of him. He eyes were wide with fear and trained on his face - er mask. Those deep eyes were looking at his mask. If she knew who he really was, she would probably run to the men who were chasing her.

Retreating footsteps signaled to the man's departure. The two stood there for a moment. In complete silence. His hand over her mouth and hers still in his shirt.

He let go of her mouth but stayed put, his body brushing hers. Without warning, her hands reached for his mask and pulled it up halfway, exposing his mouth. He closed his eyes as the cool night air touched his chin.

The next things started to blur together. Her lips on his, then her lips vanishing as soon as they appeared. Him giving her a proper kiss for some reason that's been long forgotten. A kiss fueled by adrenaline and something else that he didn't dare to identify. Her hands moved to the hair under his mask. One of his hands was in her hair, undoing her long braid; the other was braced against the wall, literally keeping himself from either lifting her up or crushing her.

His sudden need for air forced him to end their heated kiss. He pulled away from her. He pulled his mask back in place over his now swollen lips and backed away, studying her. She seemed as breathless as she felt, complete with a matching set of bruised lips. The girl looked beautiful with her eyes bright like that in the dark shadows.

It suddenly became too much for him. He had to escape before he did something else that he might later regret. She closed her eyes and he was the opportunity to leave. When she reopened her eyes, he was already gone. he watched her walk out of the alley and down the street to her house.

That nest morning, Zuko was surprised to see none other that the water tribe girl enter through the doors of the Jasmine Dragon - alone.

Remember to Smile :)

~Becca