A/N: If you had read the drabble for this story, I will warn you that I made a few tweaks in it. Mainly Katara's encounter with Zuko and Mai. It shouldn't change much of the story line, though. Thanks again for reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender.

Steam flowed from the bathroom when Katara opened the door leading into the living space of her studio apartment, rubbing her face with the towel she used to dry her body while walking in the nude towards the bed Toph was generous enough to give her. She cracked her neck, relishing in the relief from her achy muscles before plopping on the bed to apply lotion to her skin.

Katara tied her thick, curly hair in a wet bun, sighing as she flopped flat on her back. A smile spread on her face at the feel of the pillow top heaven against her newly warm naked skin. She had worked a double shift due to Nima's daughter catching the flu. It did not bother her in the least because it meant extra on her paycheck next week. She even considered taking on a second job just to have extra savings.

Craning her neck back against the bed, Katara looked over at the alarm clock sitting on the other side on the night stand and reached her hand out to turn on the radio.

She sung along with the artist, lifting her right leg and pointing her toes towards the ceiling. She shifted her leg, observing the lines of the tribal tattoo on her outer thigh reaching from her knee to her hip that her dad had paid for on her twenty third birthday a few months back. It was a design of a koi fish reaching out to a crescent moon with its tail swung in front of it. She was giddy with excitement after going through several sessions to have it finished.

Sokka, seeing his sister receiving a tattoo, set out to get his own her last session only for the design he made to get turned down once the tattoo artist, as well as her and her father, finished snickering at his awful creation. In which he ended up settling for a traditional watertribe armband.

Bending her knee back to plant her foot on the bed, Katara closed her eyes. It had been a long day. Tomorrow she would be off work. She considered the possibility of using that time to either search for another job or laze a round.

The buzzing of her phone snapped Katara out of her thoughts. Sitting up, she crawled to the other side of the bed to the night stand to retrieve it.

"Hello?"

"Evenin', Sugar Queen, whatcha doin'?"

"I just got out the shower, getting ready for bed. Why? What's up?" She asked, walking to the dresser to pull out a large t-shirt to cover herself.

"A few friends and I were heading out tonight and since I know you're off tomorrow, I was wondering if you wanted to join us."

Katara groaned, she honestly wasn't in the mood for going anywhere. The sixteen hour shift she worked today was weighing down on her like concrete. At the same time, she did promise herself to make more friends while she lived in the city. She didn't want to revert back to being a secluded twenty something year old like she did living in the South Pole. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to socialize for a few hours. "Ugh, I suppose." She sighed, pulling the white tee on before bringing the cell back to her ear. "Where are we planning on going?"

"We can stop at one of the bars my parents own."

"So this is your way of going out without paying?"

"Well, why the hell not? I have to work and pay my own bills."

"You're an heiress, Toph, of course you work for the company you're being given."

"Yeah, that is pretty badass…Seriously, hurry up, I'll pick you up in an hour."

With that her friend hung up. Sniffing once, Katara went to the bathroom, turning on the exhaust fan to clear the steam. She walked back to her dresser to find an evening outfit. A lot of them were purchased during her time in college, so she prayed they still fit her considering she filled out more since then. They might not be up to date in fashion but she thought it was a waste to discard them in an effort to purchase new ones.

Settling on a navy sleeveless two-piece cocktail dress, Katara went back to the bathroom. She applied dark blue glittered eyeshadow, adding wings with liquid eyeliner and black cherry lipstick then tied her hair up in a high ponytail. After spraying on body mist she put on the dress. It was tighter than she remembered but it fit fine. It exposed her midriff and clung tight to her curves.

Just when Katara put on her black suede pumps, there was a knock on the door. "Coming," she called, throwing on silver bracelets and grabbing her purse and stumbling to the door. Man, it had been a while since she last wore heels.

Katara nearly jumped out of he skin at the sight of someone other than Toph standing at her door. "A-Aang!"

Aang blushed furiously at the sight of her attire. She had to clear her throat to bring him out of his stupor. "Oh, right. Toph sent me to get you. You ready."

"Yeah." She nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable with his scrutiny.

She took step out the door and stumbled, clinging onto Aang's sleeve to stop her fall. "Sorry." She murmured. Politely removing his hands from her waist where he caught her.

This time, Aang was red from his face to his neck. Katara wanted to smack a palm to her forehead. This didn't look good. "Let's, um, let's go, Aang."

"Y-yeah. Of course." He gulped. "You need help getting downstairs?"

She shook her head. "I'll be fine, I just need to get use to these." She chuckled nervously.

Katara waved to Toph when the they made it outside the building. She placed herself in the passenger's seat while Aang sat in the back.

"Ready, Sugar Queen?" Toph smirked. "I didn't think you'd go all out on your outfit tonight."

Katara's brows shot up. "Think I overdressed?"

"Nah." That's when she took notice of Toph's outfit. She wore a dark green skater dress with ballet slippers and had her long black hair in a high messy bun, much like her original style. Katara thought Toph was more gorgeous than her friend believed. "Let's head out, Haru and the others are waiting."

Once Toph, pulled out of the complex's graveled parking lot, her and Katara discussed some of their recent happenings.

"I managed to make a deal with Phoenix Fashion Industries for a design I had in mind."

"Really?" It suddenly occurred to Katara that she wasn't aware of exactly what Toph did. "I didn't know your company dealt with fashion."

"Not until recently. After I graduated last year, I was placed to run the Beifong Merchandising Cooperation. We mostly deal with housewares and furniture. Knowing little about fashion, I sought the help of a childhood friend. His family actually owns the Phoenix Industries and we were able to work out a deal to display their designer attire and accessories in the various shopping towns we own in both here and the Earth Kingdom."

"Wow, I've never heard of them."

"Oh, they're like the riches, most powerful family next to mine. My father has dealt with the Phoenix family since before I was born."

"That's pretty amazing. What is it you do, Aang?" Katara asked, turning in her seat.

"I manage one of the departments in the cooperate office." He answered eagerly.

"Aang sees over the jewelry designs our company merchandises. He also plays buyer as well. He and a team either create or look for new designs to display in our shops."

"I love it." Aang chimed. "We recently accepted a design from an eleven-year-old boy from a small village. It's amazing what you can find from different walks of life."

Katara was stunned yet impressed at what the two did. "Is that how you two met?"

"Sort of. Me and Aang actually met at one of my dad's galas. Aang was already working for us and he ran into me almost spilling my drink on me. He caught it in time like some ballet dancer. That's why I call him Twinkletoes."

"Ugh, Toph, that was one time…"

"Well, I thought it was hilarious. After finding out he worked for me, I couldn't stop giving him shit, so we've been friends ever since."

Aang groaned much to Katara's amusement. "Well, I think it's sweet. Not a lot of people can handle Toph's abrasiveness." She winked to the younger girl.

Toph shrugs, unfazed by her friend calling her abrasive. "Can't deal, you know where you can shove it." She smirked, balling her fist.

They parked at a nearby garage and walked half a block to their destination. Katara's eyes widened in awe at the elegant interior once they walked into the bar. Modern music played in the background. The bar and the tables were all made from dark cheery wood and chandeliers hung high above displaying dim lighting.

The walls held pictures of apparent celebrities in black and white framed in gold. The atmosphere was high class yet laid back.

"There's Haru." Aang pointed at the other end of the bar.

A young man about their age waved to the group, gesturing for them to come over. He was among several other people. Two males and a female. "Hey, Toph, good to see you." Haru grinned.

"Eh, it's not so bad seeing your face either. Katara this is Haru." Toph pointed with her thumb. "This is Jin, Haru's girl." The petite girl waved at Katara with a sweet smile and she responded in kind. "And this is Teo and Jet."

Teo took Katara's hand and shook it and that's when she noticed he was in a wheelchair. "Nice to meet you, Katara. Toph's told us so much about you."

"Good things I hope." She laughed. She reached out a hand to the other gentleman named Jet. He jerked his head up instead of taking her hand at first and walked towards her too close for comfort.

"Sup." He grinned, reaching for her dangling hand and placing a kiss on top of it.

Aang narrowed his eyes at the encounter.

"Uh, hi." Katara forced a smile. She frowned once she caught a whiff of his strong cologne and darted her eyes in every direction but his face.

"Come, Sugar Queen, we're getting a drink." Toph called, standing at the bar next to Aang.

"Coming!" Katara cringed, gratefully making her way to her friends.

"What'll you have, Kat?" she asked.

"I'll just have water."

"Are you serious right now? We're out to have a good time, at least get one drink."

Katara was not anticipating on drinking. Not that she didn't like to, it was just that she was in unfamiliar territory and wasn't yet comfortable drinking in public. When she had before, it was because she resided in a small town where everyone knew everyone, and she didn't have to worry about getting taken advantage of. "I guess just one…Mojito for me."

"Good choice, Sugar Queen. Hey, Jee, a Mojito and a Fire Whiskey shooter with lime for me! And, oh, a Kirin beer for the lady over here." She pointed at Aang, who only shook his head at his friend's antics.

"So, Katara, what brings you to the Fire nation?" Jin asks, linking arms with Haru.

Katara thanked the bartender for the drink and took a sip. "Just a change of pace. Toph talked a lot about how she loved living here and so I made the decision to start fresh on my own. I like it so far, just not used to the heat being from the South Pole and all. Do you two live here?"

"No. Haru, Teo and I visit once in a while. Jet here moved to the Capital I think a couple years ago. Our parents work for the Beifongs."

"How long have you and Haru been together? You guys are certainly cute together."

A blush formed on both their cheeks. "We've been together since High School." Haru displayed a goofy grin. "We actually are engaged." Jin lifted her hand, showing off the simple princess cut diamond ring.

"Oh, wow, congratulations."

"What is it you do, Katara?" Jet asked once again walking up to her, brushing his arm against hers.

"Oh, I just work in a quaint flower shop on the outskirts of the city. It's decent but I like it."

Jet raised a brow. "I wouldn't take someone so beautiful for working in a flower shop. You seem well kept." Everyone stopped chatting with one another to stare at the two once they heard Jet's rude comment.

Katara frowned, offended that he would assume someone of her background was unkept. "What would make you think that?"

He shrugged, showing no expression to her defensive tone. "I don't meet a lot of people like you who are very attractive."

"Jet!" Jin exclaimed.

Out of reflex Katara threw the drink she held in his face and slammed the glass on the counter. "Then maybe you don't meet enough people to realize your perspective is fucking demeaning." He clenched his eyes shut, growling at the sudden liquid thrown in his face.

"Bitch!"

"Good, now you know never to talk to me again." Katara turned on her heels and stormed away.

"Fucking A, Jet, you asshat, what was that for?!" Toph stepped in, pushing the confused young man.

"I was trying to be nice! She didn't have to take the shit I said to heart."

The night breeze hit Katara's face as she slammed open the entrance door, striding out into the night in a hurry to get as far away from that prick as much as possible.

"Katara!" A voice called. A hand grasped her bicep and she found herself facing Aang. "Where are you going, it's dark."

"I'm sorry, Aang, I just want to go home. I can catch a bus from here."

"Please…don't leave. Or at least let Toph take you home. Don't let what Jet said bother you."

"It doesn't." she snapped unintentionally. "I'm also exhausted from a double shift. I'm a little on edge so I'm going to walk to the bus stop."

"I could join you." He offered, eyes filled with concern.

"No, I just want to be by myself. I'll text Toph when I get home. Thanks. Goodnight Aang."

He watched on as she wrapped her arms around herself and walked away.

The week went by like a blur. Katara dove herself into work and eventually the encounter with Jet faded in the far corners of her mind. She got up that morning looking forward to getting her first paycheck. After two days of rain, the sun finally broke through the gray clouds, causing the humidity to be a bit sticky that morning.

Katara made it to the shop, stuffing a grocery list in her pocket for when she'd have to stop at the store later that day. When she opened the door, Nami rushed past her with her head in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. The woman paid her no mind to Katara as she ran off down the sidewalk and out of sight. Katara had never seen her so frantic. What could have happened that she would run out of the store crying?

Walking towards the back of the shop, Katara searched for the owner hoping he would have the answer.

"You!" The owner jumped in front of Katara with a pointed finger. "You get out. You stole from my shop."

"What?" Katara exclaimed. She would never! "What are you talking about?"

"You and that other girl. Everything was fine until the both of you showed up. You need to leave now!"

"Whoa, hold it! Explain to me what the hell I did?"

"You stole! Get out!"

"That's bullshit!" she stomped her foot. "What proof do you have that I've taken a thing?"

"I know what is what. Leave, or I'll call the authorities."

Katara shook her head in disbelief. She would never steal from anyone, why would he suddenly accuse her? "What about the payment for my services."

"You get none." He smirked. That's when Katara thought it through. He was lying. The son of a bitch was lying! "Now get out! And never come back, you understand?"

She growled leaving the shop, looking at the owner one last time as her anger ignited. "Yeah, fuck you!" she yelled, slamming the front door with all her might.

Willing herself to calm down, she closed her eyes before opening them again and made her way amongst the crowd of the busy sidewalk. She couldn't believe that asshole screwed her out of her pay. Frustration clouded her mind at the way he accused her, on top of what she was going to do about paying her rent now.

This was a disaster. Just when things were moving at a great start, this all happens.

She considered calling Toph or even her dad but she came all this way, working hard for her keep. No, she would have to figure this out on her own.

Digging into the pocket of her skinny jeans, Katara managed to dig out a few bills. She shrugged, exhaling a deep sigh. It was at least enough to purchase a newspaper for job ads and maybe the bus back and forth to the local library so she could use the computers. She'd have to stop by the bank sometime today. The saving she had refused to touch would have to be used until she found another job.

Putting the crumpled bills back into her pocket, Katara set out for the bus stop, pulling a pair of headphones out of her purse and plugging them into her cell. She turned up the volume, drowning out the sounds of the noisy environment and lost herself to the music. It would take a half hour before the bus reached the library and the stop was a block away.

Katara wasn't going to let today's horrid events get to her. She was going to perk up, find a job and hopefully in a month or two, be able to buy a decent vehicle.

A smile tugged at her lips as she caught sight of the bus stop not too far ahead. She was almost there, eyes determined, when a warm hand grasped her elbow, spinning her around just as she noticed her bus park right at the corner twenty feet from her.

"Hey!" she yelled. Her headphones were pulled from her ears and a strong arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Hey, I said!" she spoke louder. She attempted to halt but the person still pulled her along. "What are you doing?"

Katara's eyes widened when she managed to glance at the features of the stranger that steered her away from her destination. He was tall, maybe a head taller than her, pale, dark haired and well groomed. He wore a dark red button up with rolled up sleeves and a black vest and dress pants. The Rolex he wore on the left wrist of the arm he had around her neck looked expensive. It was probably worth enough to pay off a year's worth of her rent. He had a scar on the left side of his face but it did little to deter from how incredibly handsome he was.

He tightened his hold on her, bringing her close enough for her to feel the full extent of his warmth. "Follow me." He whispered, his raspy voice turning Katara's legs to jelly and provoking a pool of heat to settle in her lower abdomen.

"Wha-what? Who are you?" She stammered, a blush gracing her cheeks.

"Just follow my lead and stay close." He responded, looking over his shoulder.

Katara's heart beat rapidly and her shoulders tensed. Was she in trouble? Damn it all to hell if she suddenly got mixed up with some criminal or something. "My bus…" she groaned, as she watched it drive off.

Before she could voice another complaint, his hand slid to the middle of her back, bringing her flush against him until they were chest to chest. His hand caressed her cheek, causing Katara to whimper softly and the heat stirring in her loins coursed through her body like a wave. She was ashamed by her reaction to this stranger's touch.

That's when his lips collided with hers. Katara jerked back in surprise, ready to tell him off when his mouth met hers again. Despite moaning her protest, her mind muddled, all senses enveloped by the taste of his lips, the warmth of his tongue brushing her closed mouth and the scent of his cologne, which she guessed was some type of spice.

Katara opened her mouth to say something but he somehow took that as a que to snake his tongue inside. She shuddered in surrender, melding her lips with his and shutting her eyes tight so she could focus on the way he kissed her skillfully. He placed a hand on the back of her neck and moved the other at the base of her spine and circled it with his thumb. Katara clung to his shirt as the weight in her nether regions became heavier.

What was she doing making out with a stranger in the middle of the sidewalk in broad daylight? Better yet, why was he making out with a stranger in the middle of the sidewalk in broad daylight?

Logic finally breaking through her fogged mind, Katara pushed him back, breaking the kiss and allowing some distance between them so she could gasp for air.

"What the fuck is this?" A female voice exclaimed. The couple snapped their heads in the same direction. The woman's dark eyes narrowing at the both of them. She was thin, tall and could almost pass for a super model. She wore a tight red dress that clung to her body and stopped mid-thigh.

The man grabbed a hold of Katara's shoulders, pulling her to him once again. "Mai! I can explain."

"Explain what? Is that your new girlfriend? She pointed at Katara, black heels tapping on the sidewalk concrete impatiently.

The man sighed, quite dramatically in Katara's opinion, and closed his eyes. "I didn't want you to find out like this. I'm so sorry."

The woman, Mai, scowled, flipping her long hair behind her and huffed. "That's it. We're through. You can kiss my ass goodbye because you'll never see it again." She turned to Katara, rolling her eyes. "Way to downgrade, Zuko. Good luck dealing with a dysfunctional prick, honey." With that, she spun around, striding away with her heels clinking in the distance.

The make out thief, apparently named Zuko, glanced at Katara with a side smirk. "Sorry. We broke up a month ago and she's been stalking me since."

Katara raised a brow. Well who could blame her? "I guess I understand but I would assume a lot of people wouldn't appreciate some random guy kissing them out of the blue."

He cocked his head, his smirk turning into a grin, "Why?" he chuckled. "Did you not appreciate it?"

Katara stammered, cheeks reddening at his reference before shutting her mouth and pursing her lips.

"Tell you what?" He leaned in, close enough that his warm breath brushed her ear. "Let me take you out to dinner sometime and I can show you my appreciation." His voice lowered at the last word. Zuko took her hand, shaking it gently then released it. He gave her one more look, observing her from head to toe before giving her a sly smirk and walking away without receiving an answer.

Katara watched him disappear in the crowd, stunned. She lifted the hand he shook, studying the business card he slipped in it.

Just who was that guy?