Gah!!! Please don't kill me for taking so long!!!!! I'm so sorry. I was slightly depressed because my Naruto fic only got one review, and… yeah. Anyway, you can all thank Torii Takahashi for kicking my butt to get this thing going again. For Mr. Average, I will try to add your idea into the story, and if not, I'll write a oneshot, just for you!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, because if I did, the drama would be ten times worse than it already is.

Katara sighed as she twirled around in front of the full-length mirror in her room. Her new Earth Kingdom robes consisted of a beautiful bodice of light jade, with the hems of the sleeves and the high collar rimmed in gold. Her skirt was made of fine silk the color of a darker jade, with intricate designs of birds and trees woven into the material. Her hair was piled atop her head in an attempt to break away from the usual braid and bun. Said hair was pinned in place by two jade combs inlaid with gold, compliments of Toph, who was sitting at the edge of Katara's bed, a dreamy look on her otherwise vacant face.

"You look especially happy, Toph. Is there something going on that I need to know about?" the Earth-Bender said nothing, only blushed as she fiddled with the bed's comforter.

"You look really pretty, Princess. I hope Jet realizes what he's got this time." Katara bit her lip.

"Sure, I guess," she murmured. In her heart, Katara realized that since getting to know the arrogant and solemn Lee, she had not only found a friend, but a new love. However, those hopes had been dashed by Jin, who undoubtedly had his heart wrapped around her little finger. The Water-Bender could only lament over what could have been. She glanced at the sundial that sat next to her window. It was nearing seven, and Jet would be arriving soon.

"Toph, would you hand me my shoes? They're right beside you." Toph grabbed the green slippers and held them out for her friend to take. Katara was just stepping into them when Aang came in, Momo trailing behind him, cheeks puffed with food of some sort. The Avatar sat beside Toph, who blushed furiously. Ever since yesterday, Toph could not help but feel a sense of giddiness whenever Aang was around.

"Wow, Katara! You look beautiful! I wish we all could go out tonight." The boy looked so sad and forlorn that Katara couldn't stop the mischievous words from tumbling past her lips.

"Why don't you and Toph go out? It's not like either of you has anything else to do." Aang and Toph immediately started in on a barrage of reasons why that would not be a good idea.

"Well, it would seem like we were going out-"

"I really don't need to go anywhere tonight-" Katara only laughed.

"Look, you two. If the restaurant is any good, we'll go as a family later this week. How about that?" Aang and Toph looked at each other and shrugged.

"Works for me."

"I'm game."

"Okay." The sound of knuckles rapping on wood filled the house, followed by Sokka's:

"I'LL GET IT!!!" Katara went to her bedside table and grabbed a small crystal bottle off of the varnished wood. She spritzed some of the blue liquid on her neck and wrists, and the smell of the ocean's breeze filled the room. She turned to her friends, straightened her shoulders, and smiled weakly.

"Wish me luck, guys."

"You'll have fun, princess. You always do."

"Yeah, Katara. Just go out and have a great time."

"Thanks, you two!" as the three walked down the stairs, they found Jet and Sokka sitting across from each other at the kitchen table. Sokka had his boomerang out, and was slowly sharpening the edge with a stone.

"…And so, when I was ten, I killed a lion-seal with one swing. This little puppy could easily cut off a limb… among other things." Jet's face paled visibly as he nervously chomped on his toothpick. He relaxed when he saw Katara standing in the doorway. He stood and rushed to her side.

"You look…stunning, Katara!" she blushed and then glared at her brother. He smirked and shrugged, but put his weapon away.

"Are you ready to go, beautiful?" Jet looked down at Katara with a smile. She smiled back.

"Sure am." She turned to her friends and brother. "See you guys later tonight."

When the two finally left the house, Jet revealed where he was taking her.

"Oh, it's just a little place off the main market square, called The Shining Star."

"It sounds wonderful."

"It is. It overlooks a vast lake and the rest of Ba Sing Sei."

Zuko waited impatiently as Jin finished preparing herself for the outing. He had been cooling his heels for the past fifteen minutes, having arrived early due to his Uncle's demand that he obey the rules of etiquette and get there a few minutes before the scheduled time. The young woman smiled as she appeared in the doorway.

"I'm ready. Sorry it took so long." Zuko only shook his head and offered his arm.

"Jin took it gratefully, and the two were off. They walked in compatible silence for a few moments, but Zuko could sense the underlying tension within his companion.

"What's bothering you, Jin?" he asked quietly. He had expected a stuttered answer, or perhaps none at all, but nothing could prepare him for what was coming next.

"Zuko… I really don't want to hurt you or anything, but I'm… kinda using you."

"Huh?" the Fire Prince could not quite understand what she was saying. Jin wasn't really interesting in resuming their short relationship? The girl bit her lip, but continued.

"I… I needed to get you to go out with me so I could make someone jealous." She gasped and spun towards him, her brown eyes wide and vulnerable. "You don't hate me, do you?" the young man shook his head.

"No, not really. Who is it that you're trying to nab? Anyone I know?" Jin blushed and ducked her head.

"His… his name is Jet." Zuko stopped and did a double take.

"Jet?!" Jin seemed to sink into herself.

"Yes," she mumbled. Zuko stood there for a moment, trying to work things over in his brain.

"So, you like Jet, huh? Well, I never saw that one coming." Jin looked up, surprised.

"You're not upset with me?"

"No, I guess not. So, where was it that you wanted to go?" Jin's face lit up as she took his hand, nearly dragging him down the road.

"It's called The Shining Star! It's a great place with a great view!"

"Great..." Zuko mumbled.

Jet seated Katara before slowly seating himself. He picked up a menu and opened it, fully engrossed in its contents. Katara took that time to look around and take in all of the beautiful sights and smells of the little restaurant. The place had open windows with a deck that overlooked a large lake that sat at the edge of the Upper Housing District. The restaurant was small but lively, with lanterns hung all around, people seated and talking quietly, and soft music playing in the background. The girl picked up her menu and perused the contents, looking for anything good.

It was then that Zuko and Jin walked in.

Zuko and Jin were seated not far from Katara and Jet, and it just so happened that Zuko faced the other couple. He knew then that it would be a long evening. Jin nudged him gently, and then nodded at the couple, as if he hadn't already seen them.

"They look good together, don't they, Lee?" Zuko growled, thinking just the opposite. Jin only sighed and picked up her menu. Zuko opened his for lack of better things to do, but his eyes stayed trained on the table that sat catty-corner to his and Jin's. Jet had begun to talk to Katara, and something he said made her laugh. Zuko felt himself grow jealous, thinking that it should be he sitting with her. The young man didn't realize it, but he had just stamped Katara as "his", and what was his, he kept and guarded closely.

Katara had noticed Lee and Jin, and a sadness settled over her heart. It would not be easy for her to ignore them, but to ask to be moved was rude. There was no getting out of this one. She turned to Jet as he put his menu down.

"You know, the light compliments your hair, making you look like a vision." She laughed.

"Jet, that is the corniest thing I've ever heard!" he looked shocked, but smiled.

"So I needed to say something to get your mind off grumpy over there."

"You noticed?"

"Of course. A guy like me notices everything. I can't afford not to." Katara took Jet's hand and squeezed it. She could have sworn that at that moment, a growl permeated the night air.

"Jet, in all seriousness, you really need to be more careful with how you take care of yourself. I don't want you to get hurt." Jet looked at Katara, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Perhaps I need a young woman to take care of me. I need you, Katara."

"Jet, I don't think it's going to work between us. You know how important it is for me to help Aang. Maybe when this is all over…"

"I'll wait for you, Katara." Katara smiled sadly.

The night progressed nicely, but Katara finally could no longer stand Lee's eyes boring holes into her back. It seemed that he was purposefully taunting her. Every time she glanced at him, he was either staring daggers at her or paying attention to Jin. She looked over at Jet, who was scarfing down the recently arrived food.

"Jet, I need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back." He nodded, got up and pulled her chair out. She thanked him and quickly made her way to the bathroom, not noticing that Lee got up as well. She rushed into the women's bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror.

"How did I ever get myself into this mess? Why can't life ever be fair?" she shook her head, took a deep breath and walked out the door, straight into Lee's chesty. She jumped back, aghast.

"Lee!" he gripped her shoulders and pulled her into the bathroom corridor, away from the prying eyes of the other patrons.

"Why are you hanging around with that jerk? I thought you had beeter taste than that!" she jerked herself away from him, furious.

"You have no right to speak bad about Jet, Lee. He's my friend, and I'll go out with him if I want. You can't order me around." Lee smiled unkindly.

"You are my employee and I have a sense of duty to you. That boy is nothing but trouble, and if you insist on being with him, you may be finding yourself another job!" Katara didn't even think before slapping him hard across the cheek.

What came next should have been no surprise. Lee grabbed her shoulders and forced him to her, taking her lips with his. His tongue slipped inside her mouth to foray there, and his arms contracted slowly. Katara felt her knees buckle as she gripped his shoulders for support. His lips were demanding, and she found that she could not help but answer back, and was soon kissing him back with the same abandon as he. Her tongue parried with his, fusing their mouths together even tighter. Only the sound of breaking glass and angry shots tore them apart. Lee held her to the wall as he glanced around the corner. Several Fire Nation men had stumbled in, drunk and angry. They were causing trouble, and Zuko knew that if he didn't act fast, things could turn ugly. He turned back to Katara and shook her.

"Go home, Katara. These men mean business." She stared at him through passion glazed eyes, and he could not help but steal another kiss and as wrenching himself from her.

"Go home." He said gently before disappearing down the hall. Katara looked around, finally hearing the horrible noises coming from the main room. She peaked around to see none other than the Blue Spirit fighting the drunk Fire Nation men, slowly but surely knocking each of them out. Her eyes furrowed as she looked for Lee, but could not find him. A touch on her shoulder caused her to gasp, but it was only Jet.

"Come," he said, "We're getting out of here."