Author's Note: And now the plot's gunna start thickening like old milk!
Disclaimer: I don… wait a minute... I already did this….
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was evening in Ba Sing Se. The streets were crowded with people out and about, enjoying the life and zest of the evening; a perfect cover for an incognito Fire Lord. Zuko slipped out of the palace easily enough; his experience as the Blue Spirit aiding him in avoiding detection. Donning some simple Earth Kingdom garb, he quickly left the upper ring. When he was far enough away from the oppressive silhouette of the royal palace, he relaxed his pace and allowed himself to slip into a bemused state of nostalgia. Wandering aimlessly around the lower ring, Zuko found himself remembering familiar locations, such as the old apartment complex he used to share with uncle Iroh.
Eventually, by pure coincidence or subconscious navigation, Zuko's aimless wandering brought him to a stop directly in front of the old run-down tea shop that he had worked in as a waiter. Zuko shook his head in disbelief. It had only been six months at the most since he had been here last, but it felt like a thousand years. Drawing his hood further over his face, Zuko strode into the old tea shop. As he looked around, the memories washed over him; Iroh's rise to fame, the grumpy manager, that crazy swordsman, Jet… that girl, Jin…
"Can I take your order, sir?"
Zuko jumped as the waitress's question jarred him out of his reverie. "A jasmine tea, please." He answered without looking up; angry at having been so easily startled.
"Right away, sir." The waitress replied, and hurried off to deliver the order.
A few moments passed, and Zuko gradually returned to his thoughts. That girl, Jin; she had definitely been something, alright. She had been nothing like Mai, more open and carefree than the gloomy girl had ever been. She affected him differently than Mai too. Around Mai, he was calm and in control of his emotions. Around Jin, however… suffice to say that he had probably never been more embraced in his life than he had been on that date. Zuko snorted as he remembered the juggling routine he had so disastrously attempted.
Just then, the waitress reappeared with his tea. "Here you go, sir. Careful, it's very hot."
"Thank you." Zuko responded, looking up in appreciation.
What he saw froze him dead in his seat.
There, standing in front of him, was the very girl that he'd been thinking about for the past five minutes. Standing right in front of him was Jin. The sound of a fallen cup of jasmine tea smashing into the floor filled the room.
"L-Lee?"
Her only answer was stunned silence.
"Oh my god, Lee!" She shouted, and enveloped him in a crushing hug. Zuko, too stunned to protest, hugged her back awkwardly.
"Oh, it's been so long! I was so worried! I thought that something had happened, or you got hurt, or…" Finally noticing his silence, she trailed off. "Is there something wrong, Lee?"
Zuko grimaced and gestured towards the multitude of customers that were now staring at them.
Jin nodded, "Oh, right. Privacy." Turning toward the back of the shop, she yelled out, "Hey boss, I'm taking my break now!" Then, grabbing Zuko by the hand, she led him out of the shop and into the street. As they walked down the lanes and alleys, Jin immediately resumed their conversation, "Sorry about drawing all that attention back there, it's just been so long since I saw you last. I was worried."
Zuko shook his head, "No, it's fine. You don't need to apologize." They continued on silently for a few moments. "I was worried about you too." Zuko finally blurted out, then immediately blushed and turned away.
Jin smiled, "Thank you, that's sweet. Things did get pretty bad after the Fire Nation invaded…" Zuko's posture took on a decidedly guilty tone "But after the Avatar overthrew the old Fire Lord, the soldiers and Dai Lee just sort of vanished." She finished.
"I'm glad you weren't hurt." Zuko said.
Jin responded by grasping his hand and walking closer to his side. Zuko stiffened briefly, but didn't pull away.
"I missed you." She said after a few moments of comfortable silence.
"… I missed you too." Zuko responded; and to his surprise, he meant it.
"So, what have you been up to all this time?" Jin asked.
Zuko winced, "It's…"
"Let me guess; it's complicated?" Jin finished for him.
Zuko sighed, "Yes. It's very, very complicated."
At this, Jin stopped walking and spun Zuko around to face her. "So explain it to me. Make it uncomplicated."
Zuko fidgeted awkwardly, "I don't really think that would be the best thing to do."
Jin raised an eyebrow, "Why not?"
"It just wouldn't."
Jin sighed, "Would it not be the best thing to do because I might get angry?"
Zuko flinched, "Look, let's just forget about…"
Jin continued, talking over him, "Do you think that I wouldn't understand your motives? That I'd be angry that you betrayed the city?"
Zuko froze. "… How long have you known?"
Jin's face remained impassive, "I've known for quite a while, Lee. Or should I say, Fire Lord Zuko."
"How?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"I'm not stupid. After the city fell, posters and pictures of our new masters were passed around so we would know who to bow down to. Imagine my surprise when I saw how similar the Prince of the Fire Nation looked to humble, tea shop Lee. I didn't want to believe it at first, but it just made so much sense; the made up past, the unfamiliarity with peasant life, and who could forget, the Firelight Fountain?"
Zuko scowled, "So, is this the part where you yell and shout and ask me how I could lie to you and betray the city, then call me a heartless monster and tell me never to speak to you again?"
Jin looked at Zuko seriously, "I used to want to do that. I used to be so angry at you that it was like my insides were on fire. But then I thought about it from your point of view, and I realized that you're not the bad person I thought you were. Yes, you lied to me, but telling the truth could have gotten you killed. True, you betrayed the city, but if I had to choose between my home and my family and a bunch of people I don't know, I would have chosen family too."
She slowly approached him until she was mere inches away, then raised her hand and cupped the side of his face, "I'm not going to pretend like I know what you went through, but I can understand why you made the choices you did and I won't hold them against you." She smiled, "Besides, you're here in Ba Sing Se making peace, aren't you? Only a good person would want that."
Zuko was speechless. He had fully expected to get the "Lee Treatment" from Jin, but she had defied every expectation. She was supposed to hate him for everything he'd done, but here she was forgiving him. Zuko didn't know what to say. So instead of talking, he simply pressed his lips to hers.
Neither of them knew how long they stood there in that deserted street, and in truth, neither of them really cared. Eventually they separated, but only slightly, and continued on their way. They walked and talked, sometimes laughing, sometimes silent, each content in the presence of the other. Soon, whether by blind luck or subconscious navigation, they would up standing in front of the very Firelight Fountain they had stood before so long ago. And, in yet another incredible feat of coincidence, the lamps were yet again unlit.
Jin adopted a look of obviously fake distress, "Oh, no! The lamps aren't lit! How very unfortunate! If only there was some way to light them!"
Zuko smirked and took a few steps forward. "Keep your eyes open this time." he called over his shoulder.
Shifting into a firebending stance, he took a few deep cleansing breaths. Then, with a complex series of hand motions, he ignited a small bird of flame. The firebird arced majestically from lamp to lamp, leaving a stream of glowing incandescence in its wake. In seconds all the lamps were lit and the fountain was just as beautiful as it was the first time they had been there.
Jin gaped in wonder at the impressive display of firebending. After a few moments of silence, she spoke up, "I can't believe you made me cover my eyes the first time." Zuko gave a short laugh. Grinning lightly, Jin strolled up to Zuko, "You've done me a favor; now let me repay you." With that the two shared their second kiss of the night, once again lost in the moment.
However, all good things must pass, and sooner than both of them wanted, Zuko realized that it was getting late, and his absence would surely be noticed back at the palace.
"What's wrong?" Jin asked, noticing his troubled look.
"I'm sorry, but I have to return to the palace. They've probably noticed I'm gone and I don't want to start an international incident."
As if noticing their class difference for the first time, Jin turned away blushing. "Yeah, you're right. You have responsibilities and it was stupid of me to interfere…"
But before she could leave, Zuko caught her hand. "No, wait."
She turned and gave him a questioning look.
Zuko hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "I had a really good time tonight; much better than if I would have stayed at the palace." At this Jin smiled. "So" Zuko continued, "It would be my pleasure if you were to accompany me to the peace negotiations tomorrow as my official guest."
Jin stared, "M-Me? At a royal peace conference?" she squeaked.
"If you don't want to, that's perfectly fine…" Zuko interjected quickly.
"Are you kidding!?!? I'd love to! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Zuko!" she shouted, enveloping him in another hug.
Zuko smiled and hugged her back, "I'll pick you up at noon tomorrow. Don't worry about what to wear; I'll have a servant go buy you something."
Jin smiled into his shoulder, "It's like I'm in a fairytale" she mumbled.
"I think I'm starting to feel the same way." Zuko replied.
Eventually, Jin ruefully pulled away. "Well, it is pretty late. And you, Mr. Fire Lord, have got to get back to the palace." Leaning forward, she placed a small kiss on his cheek, then turned and strolled off down the street.
Zuko raised a hand to his face and gently touched the cheek where he'd been kissed, allowing a soft smile to cross his face. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was back in the shadows, darting stealthily towards the palace. Within half an hour he had snuck into the palace, avoided the guards, and returned to his room. Smiling to himself, he slowly sank down onto the bed. Jin had been right, it was very late and sneaking past the royal defenses had left him so tired…
"Ah, I see you have returned Lord Zuko."
Zuko shot up and launched a burst of fire at the intruder who toppled over backwards to avoid the blast of flame. "Ohhh, my tailbone."
Zuko blanched, "Uncle?"
Iroh heaved himself off the floor, "Yes, Lord Zuko, how kind of you to recognize your poor old uncle."
Zuko bowed in shame, "My apologies uncle, you startled me."
Iroh shook his head, "No, I suppose it is good that you have such good defensive instincts. You may need them later." Iroh yawned and turned to go, "I was just popping in to check on you. Know that I know you are fine, I suppose I should return to bed, but first tell me Zuko, how was your night on the town?"
Zuko sat down on his bed and smiled, "It was nice."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note: Okay, this is pretty much my first shot at writing romance beyond appreciative gestures and smiles, so if any more experienced author wants to give me pointers, feel free to send me a P.M.
Review is love spelled backwards with the words R, E, I, and W taken out and replaced with L and O.