Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

But if time is all I have
I'll waste it all on you

-"If Time Is All I Have" by James Blunt

"You know, Zuko, staring isn't going to do you any good," Iroh commented as he and his nephew wiped down the counter. "You should go talk to her."

Zuko snorted. "Oh yeah? And what would I say?"

"Just introduce yourself. But don't be too forward."

"Is 'I'm Zuko and you're my sister in a different world but technically it's the same thing so here I am' too forward?"

His uncle smacked him in the chest with the rag and gave him a pointed look. Zuko sighed.

As Iroh had said a week before, Azula was a regular at the Jasmine Dragon. Zuko hadn't been surprised at all when she and her two friends had walked through the door, for Iroh had "subtly" commented that he should clean the front counter at this certain time.

He had tried not to stare as she headed straight to the same table from a week before, the two other girls following. He then scrubbed the counter slowly, keeping an eye on the three as they ate their food and conversed. Iroh had eventually come around, smirking when he saw Zuko. He then grabbed a rag and came to stand next to his nephew.

Again as Zuko watched the girls, he couldn't help but marvel at how alike they were to their counterparts in his world. Azula was ever Azula, the leader of the pack. Mai, as far as he could tell, was still bored with her own existence. Zuko was quite relieved that none of the old feelings he had had for the girl came up, though he didn't know exactly why (but he did have a theory). And Ty Lee was herself. Bubbly, exuberant, and pink.

Seeing his sister with her friends in the restaurant reminded him of when they were younger. Azula was so happy and carefree when she was with her friends, much like she was now. But then they grew up. The competition started, though it was always Azula that would win in the end.

Azula laughed at something Ty Lee said, making the ends of Zuko's lips curl up into an almost- smile. He remembered when they used to be friends. They would play in the garden all day, laughing and just being happy. Zuko missed it. He wished things could be how they were before between him and his sister.

And here, right in front of him, was his chance. Should he take it?

Zuko very much doubted that Azula would react how Iroh had. His uncle had always been a very open minded person. She, however, would call him crazy.

Zuko sighed in frustration, scrubbing at a smudge.

"Why don't you get their bill?" Iroh suggested. "I'll take it from here," he said after Zuko gave him a questioning look. The older man winked.

Zuko looked back at the girls, nodding after a moment. He set his rag down in determination, took a deep breath, then began walking to their table. As he stood next to them Zuko cleared his throat. All of the girls quieted. Mai,who had been in the middle of a monotonous speech, glared daggers at him. Zuko swallowed.

"Are you all finished here?" he asked them, gesturing to their half empty plates.

"Clearly we-" Azula started in a clipped voice, but she stopped when she looked up at him. Her eyes widened.

"Yes. We are," she said a second later. Zuko watched as she fidgeted in her seat. Was Azula... uncomfortable? Nervous?

Ty Lee, who had started giggling the moment Zuko opened his mouth and spoke, said, "What's your name?"

Zuko paused from collecting the money on the table to point at his name tag.

"Oooh. Li. That's a nice name," he cooed.

"It's probably not even his real name," Azula cut in. She was now studying her nails, avoiding anyone's (especially Zuko's) gaze. "Uncle cares a lot about his servers' confidentiality and what not."

The two other girls looked at him expectantly.

"That's true," Zuko confessed. "My name is actually Zuko." He looked at Azula as he said it.

His sister didn't show any emotion. If she might have been confused, Zuko couldn't tell.

"Hey! That was your brother's-" Ty Lee started, only to be shot down by Mai's icy glare. "But it was," the girl pouted quietly. "And he kind of looks like your dad."

They were all quiet after Ty Lee's observation. Zuko swiftly collected the rest of the money, asking, "Is there anything else?"

Azula began to stand up. "No, that's all." When she was up with her chair pushed back in, she looked him in the eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly. She then nodded before tearing her eyes away from his and turning around. With that, his sister and her friends were gone.

Zuko cleaned the table, gathering the plates, glasses, and utensils on a tray. He walked back to the counter, filled with regret. Iroh, who had watched the whole exchange, followed him into the kitchen.

"Well?" his uncle asked as Zuko set the tray down next to the sink rather forcefully. "How'd it go?"

Zuko sighed. "I didn't say anything, about me being..." he trailed off. "I just... I don't know how much time I have. I don't want to walk into her life only to be taken right out."

"Ah. I see," replied Iroh. "I do suppose that would be easier on both of you. What about your lady friend?"

Zuko ignored his uncle's suggestive look and the words lady friend. "Katara?" Iroh nodded.

"Well," Zuko said, looking away, "I'm not sure what I'm going to do. She doesn't know about me." Yet.

"There's only one piece of advice I can give you then," the older man said. Zuko looked back at his uncle, hoping for an idea of what to do.

"You don't know how much time you have left. So don't waste on just anything; waste it on what's important, what matters."

Zuko didn't have to wait long for Katara to arrive once he got to the apartment. He was fixing himself a snack when he heard the familiar jangle of the problematic door knob. He had looked up in surprise when the door swung open. She was way earlier than usual.

He listened as she hummed while taking off her coat. He knew that she would put it on the right hook, along with her scarf. She would then take off her messenger bag, hanging it on the middle hook. He knew that the song she was humming was one of her current favorites, a soft ballad with poetic lyrics.

As she came into the kitchen, he turned around and leaned against the counter. He was just about to take a bite of his sandwich when Katara said walked up to him and plucked it from his hand.

"Hey!" Zuko said, as she wrapped up his delectable creation and set it in the fridge. "I was going to eat that, you know."

"Not anymore," she said. "We're going out."

Zuko stared. "Out, as in..." He pointed to the window.

Katara rolled her eyes. "Uh huh."

"Don't you have work?"

She smiled. "Nope! I took off. It is friday night. And I intend to show you New York."

Zuko crossed his arms. "I've already seen New York."

Katara grinned like she knew some big secret. "Not on a friday night, you haven't."

He frowned.

"Come on. Lighten up," she said excitedly. "It'll be fun."

Zuko rolled his eyes, but moved to get his jacket anyway. With her, he just couldn't say no.

So, half an hour later, Zuko shivered against the cold despite being bundled up. He followed Katara down street after street, wondering where they were going. It wasn't very late, but the sun had already set. The only thing that lit the way were a few street lamps.

"Where are we going?" Zuko finally asked Katara, interrupting her humming. He glanced at her when she stayed silent. He was amazed at the fact that she didn't look cold at all.

"You'll see," she then answered with a smile.

And after turning another block, he did see. The sudden bright light of Times Square made his eyes squint. It took awhile for Zuko's eyes to adjust as they walked closer.

He vaguely remembered her praising the place last time they were there, saying it was better at night. Zuko agreed. Neon lights surrounded them, lighting up the sky. Flashing ads and massive crowds made his head spin, but Zuko strangely found that he liked it. It was exactly like the Fire Nation during its many festivals. It reminded him of home.

Home.

Zuko hadn't thought about the Fire Nation in a very long time. He should have been ashamed. What sort of prince was he? His nation should always come first. Would always come first.

` But here, in this world, none of it mattered. The comet, the throne...here, they were insignificant. Zuko would even admit that it felt good not having to carry such burdens, at least for a little while.

"Isn't it breathtaking?" Katara said as they both stared. Zuko turned his head to look at her. She had a serene smile on as she sighed contently. In her eyes he could see the reflections of the lights, making a rainbow out of her blue orbs.

"Yeah," Zuko said quietly. "It is."

Soon, they were being pushed by the masses of people. "I took the liberty of making dinner reservations," she said as they began to walk again. "But we still have a little while. What would you like to do?"

"Let's just walk around," Zuko responded. Katara only nodded and led them away.

Neither of them spoke as they strolled, but Zuko wanted to. He needed to tell her truth. He'd tried to find the courage to ever since he made up his mind as his uncle's restaurant. When he did gain the courage to tell her, something else always came up. She would have to leave, or her phone would ring... Zuko was pretty much at his wit's end. She had to know.

"Katara," he started. "There's something I want to-"

He was cut off when she yelped and all of a sudden was being pushed into him. Hard. Someone must have run into her. Reflexively, he planted his hands on her waist to keep her from falling down. As she tried to steady herself, Zuko looked around for the culprit. He spied a figure in front of them, crashing into other people, clearly intoxicated. He scowled.

"Are you okay?" he turned his attention to Katara. Her back was pressed against his chest, hair tickling his face.

"I'm fine," she said, not moving. "Thank you," she added after. Then she sighed. "I wish some people would make better choices."

Her words hit Zuko like a ton of bricks. How many times had he made a choice that somehow hurt her? Too many, he decided. In his world, those words would have been directed to him.

He then realized his hands were still on her. He coughed and stepped away. They then continued with their walk, staying relatively close to the square. She took him to what she called 'Broadway,' clearly enjoying herself as they went into many shops. Zuko found that he was enjoying himself, too. All too soon, it seemed, they had to get back.

Katara navigated then back to the square, stopping at a restaurant on its border. They entered what was a very upscale place, much different from Iroh's quaint establishment. Katara checked in with the hostess, who then took them to their table. Zuko admired the modern place as they passed tables.

When they were seated, Zuko looked over the menu, eyebrows raising at the prices and the strange food choices. Katara must have seen this, because she said, "I know it's a little different than what you're used to, but trust me. It's all part of the full experience."

Zuko didn't say anything. In their silence, he began to think about telling her about himself. He had been cut off on the street, so now it was time for the second try.

"So, about what I was trying to say earlier-"

"Good evening, may I take your order?" said a waiter as he waltzed up to their table, notepad poised and ready.

Zuko growled quietly. Why was it so hard to be uninterrupted? He look at Katara, who gave him a what-can-you-do look and a shrug. Turning back to the waiter, she told him her order. Zuko did the same a moment later, voice laced with irritation.

The waiter left as quickly as he came. Zuko knew he needed to try again, and now they were alone.

But, Katara had started speaking just as he opened his mouth.

"So, I'm going to ask you a question, and I want you to be completely honest with me," she told him, eyes serious. Zuko nodded.

"Have you thought about contacting your family?"

Zukos eyes widened. Really, he should have known this would come up. As far as she was concerned, many if not most of his memory had come back.

"I respect that you don't want to share your new-found memories with me. I'm fine with that. But I feel like now that you remember, you should figure out what you're going to do next with your life," she said.

Zuko's heart began to race. Was she telling him to leave? And if she was, why did the thought of that cause a pain in his chest?

"I'm not saying that I don't like having you live with me," she continued. "It's actually quite nice to not be alone all the time. But..." she paused. "You had to have some sort of life, right? Did you go to school? Don't you want to see your family and friends?" She sighed and looked at him with pleading eyes. "I just don't understand."

Zuko looked down. "There are somethings I simply don't want to go back to."

"But there must be people who care about you Zuko," Katara replied. "What about them?"

He only shook his head. There weren't enough worth telling her them.

If she knew the truth, however, she would understand.

Their food eventually came, the tension between them thick as they ate in silence. Then they were done, Katara spoke.

"This place reminds me of home," she said quietly as she fingered the rim of her glass. Her voice had a certain hint of longing in it.

Zuko was confused. "The apartment doesn't look anything like this." It was true. Her living space was decorated with blues, whites, and purples. Much different from the black and silver interior of the restaurant.

Katara laughed a little. "Not my home here. Home home. I grew up in Minnesota. My mom had the house decorated just like this before she died. My dad never changed a thing once she was gone."

"Minnesota?" Zuko said, the word feeling strange as it rolled off of his tongue.

She nodded. "I loved it there. Winter there is probably my favorite thing about it, though. But, I had to leave. Living in a small town got old. I needed change. So, once I graduated I applied for college here in New York, and got in. My brother lives here too, so it works. I still get to see family.

"I miss it there, but I wouldn't trade it for the this life here in the city. I met Aang and Toph in college and we've been friends ever since. I'm in medical school, and now..." she trailed off and looked at him. "Here we are," she said.

Zuko held her gaze. Here eyes bore into his own like she was trying to tell him something. Then, the waiter came back with their bill, effectively making them break contact.

Katara wouldn't let him see the bill, saying that it was 'her treat' but Zuko refused to let her pay all of his. He took out his wallet and set down money that he had earned working at the Jasmine Dragon. Who would have ever guessed that the Prince Zuko would be paying for something with money he earned himself?

She grumbled, but didn't fight him. When he saw her smile a moment later, he wondered if she was proud of him. This was the person she was helping him become, right? Who made money and could sufficiently care for themselves?

Which meant her work was done. She didn't have to help him anymore. He didn't need it. Zuko wondered if she knew this, and what it meant for them.

As they left the restaurant and made their way back to the apartment, Zuko stopped to take a long look of the city. He didn't know if he would ever see it again. Deep down, he hoped he would.

They didn't speak as they walked. Katara had no expression on her face, making Zuko wish he knew what she was thinking.

What he was thinking was that he had to tell her the truth. Every step they took, he opened his mouth only to close it. Why was he hesitating? Why couldn't he do it? As they entered the apartment and made their way up the stairs his only thought process was she needs to know she needs to know she needs-

He saw her foot slip before Katara could register what was happening. He grabbed her waist and pulled her back as she fell forward, trying to stop her from falling on her face. Zuko ended up pulling too hard, causing Katara to fall back into him.

"Are you all right?" Zuko asked as he held onto Katara, trying to help her steady herself. The action felt awfully familiar.

"I'm fine," she breathed. He felt her breath on his face, realizing how close they were.

Katara didn't back away while Zuko didn't let go of his hold on her, and as she looked up at him with that same searching gaze from before Zuko did the craziest thing he'd ever done.

He cupped Katara's cheek, leaned down and kissed her.

It was gentle and sweet, everything that she was. Zuko could taste the chocolate from her dessert on her lips. When they separated and his eyes met hers again they were shining, like she'd found exactly what she had been looking for. Before Zuko knew it, her lips were on his again. She grabbed onto his jacket and deepened the kiss as he tightened his hold on her waist.

They parted again once the need for air made their lungs burn. Zuko lowered his forehead against hers as his heart beat erratically. Her cheeks were red, making Zuko realize that his were probably the same way.

Taking Katara's hand, he led her back up the stairs and to the door. Katara fished for her key in her purse. When she found it and stuck it in the key hole, the door refused to budge.

As he waited for her to open the door, Zuko, who didn't care that his sanity was plummeting, ran his hands down her arms and pressed her back into his chest. His warm breath against her neck made her hands shake. After another long moment she managed to unlock it and the door swung open.

She pulled him inside and quickly closed the door again, not bothering to turn on any lights as her arms went around his neck to grip his raven locks. He pushed her back against the closed door, lips trailing down her jaw line. She made a soft noise in the back of her throat, encouraging him.

Zuko's mind was filled with her and her only as he kissed her cheeks, eyelids, forehead and mouth. He didn't know why this was happening, but he didn't question it. Holding her like this felt so right.

It was becoming unbearably warm for both of them in their jackets. Zuko lips didn't leave hers as he took off her scarf and coat and let them fall to the floor, not bothering to put them on their hooks. She did the same for him, unbuttoning his jacket quickly and throwing it somewhere by the couch. After a long kiss, Katara pushed him away and took his hand and led him into her bedroom, the door shutting tightly behind them.

Later, as Katara's fingers slowly ran along Zuko's chest, she looked up at him and whispered, "No."

"No?" he questioned, rubbing her bare arm. The blanket rustled as he moved his head to gaze into her eyes.

"In the park that one day you asked me if I regretted helping you. The answer is no, I don't," she said quietly. "Finding you was..." she trailed off. They both knew she didn't need to finish the sentence to understand what she was saying.

Zuko didn't reply. He only kissed Katara on the forehead and pulled her as close as she could be.

A/N: Thanks for reading!