We don't have to smile.

We don't have to make friends.

It's so nice to meet you; let's never meet again.

We don't have to talk.

We don't have to dance.

"We Don't Have to Dance" by Andy Black

The bell above the door chimed, and Katara looked up from where she was counting the till at the register. Her eyes fell on a guy around her age with shaggy black hair and bright green eyes.

He took her in with an appreciative look as he loped easily across the room before he flashed her a good-natured grin. "How's it going?"

Katara's eyes flickered to the clock above the door. They were closing in five minutes. Zuko was in the office working on the schedule for Iroh. The shop had been dead for the last hour, and while Katara wouldn't have minded closing up early, Zuko insisted that they had to stay open no matter what.

"Boss's rules," he'd said, and Katara couldn't go against Iroh.

Katara looked back at the young man and put on her friendly customer-service smile. "We're just about to close, but we should be able to make you a tea of your choice. What can I get for you?"

Katara watched his eyes comb over her again. "You're new, aren't you?"

"Uh, pretty new." Katara studied the young man for a moment. "You must be a regular, I'm assuming."

"Something like that." His grin widened as he stuck his hand out to her. "I'm Rhett, by the way."

Katara looked down at his hand for a moment before she took it. She had gotten accustomed to the stream of regulars who came in during her and Zuko's shift over the last few weeks, but this guy was the first to shake her hand.

"I'm Katara," she said.

"That's a pretty name," Rhett purred at her, his hand still wrapped around hers. "It means...water droplet, right? In the Water Tribes?"

Katara had to admit it; she was impressed. "Um...yeah. Wow. How did you know that?"

Rhett let go of her hand and shrugged. "Let's just say I'm well versed in various cultures." He leaned on the counter with his forearms, further closing the distance between them. His eyes seemed to sparkle. "So, are you doing anything after you get off of work?"

A blush rose in her cheeks and Katara dropped his gaze. This regular was pretty cute, but there was no way she was going out with some guy she didn't even know. And Katara didn't even want to think about telling Zuko why she didn't need a ride home.

"Um—"

Rhett's eyes flickered behind her as she heard the door to the kitchen open up.

"I got everything taken care of back there, so if you're done up here we can lock up and head out—"

Katara looked over her shoulder at Zuko. He had stopped short when he saw Rhett. His eyes darted between the two of them and for a moment, no one said anything.

Then Rhett cracked a grin as he straightened up. "Hey, Zuko. How's it going?"

"Just fine, Rhett. What are you doing here?" Zuko came to stand next to Katara at the register, his brow creasing. He was close enough that she could smell his cologne and feel the heat of his body, and his stance was almost...protective? Katara didn't quite know what to make of it.

"I was just coming by to see if you wanted to head to the bar with me. It's been a while since we've done that, ya know?" Rhett smirked.

Katara looked between the two of them as her mouth dropped open in surprise. They knew each other? And well, apparently. Katara was shocked. Zuko had never mentioned him before.

"Can't tonight. I've got to take Katara home."

"Oh, is that so?" Rhett arched his brow at Katara. "Why don't you just tag along with us instead, Katara? C'mon, it'll be fun." His teeth flashed in a grin. "Have you ever been out drinking with Zuko? Believe it or not, the guy actually knows how to have a good time."

Katara appraised Zuko, who suddenly looked quite uncomfortable as he rocked on the balls of his feet.

"I'm sure Katara would like to get home. It's been a long day," Zuko gritted out.

Rhett turned to Katara and winked at her. "You look like a reasonable girl. Tell Zuko to quit using you as an excuse and let's get the hell out of here. I love the guy, but sometimes he can be such a buzzkill, ya know? Besides, who doesn't like to have some fun after work? What do you say?"

Katara snorted before she looked between the two of them. She didn't like being the swing vote, but if she was being honest with herself, she wouldn't mind seeing more of the interesting dynamic between Zuko and Rhett. And it was Friday night, she and Zuko had made it through their speech for Comm yesterday, and she hadn't had much of an opportunity to have fun since she got to Ba Sing Se. Really, there was no reason why she shouldn't.

Katara looked up at Zuko. He was looking at her with an unreadable expression, and it was impossible to tell what Zuko really wanted to do.

"I mean, I wouldn't mind going out," Katara said at last.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Rhett grinned at both of them. Then he pointed at Zuko. "We gotta take your car though, man. I took the train."

Zuko growled in the back of his throat. He scowled down at Katara for a moment before he went around the counter and cut across the room, and Katara briefly wondered if she had made a mistake. He turned the sign to closed and locked the door before he came back over to them.

Katara finished her task and looked up at Zuko.

"Let's go," he huffed out as he took the bag of money to put it in the safe.

"I was thinking we could hit the White Lotus. It's been a while since we've been there." Rhett hopped over the counter and winked at Katara again. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest as she smiled. As if being seriously cute wasn't bad enough, Rhett had an attractive smile. It was almost as attractive as Zuko's...almost. "What do you say, Zuko?"

Zuko ducked into the kitchen on his way to the office, calling over his shoulder, "It's whatever, dude."

"Well, okay then." Rhett slipped past Katara, flashing her another grin. "He'll loosen up in a bit. I promise."

"Has he always been so uptight?" Katara joked.

"You have no idea."

Katara followed Rhett into the kitchen. Zuko came out from the office, his mouth set in a thin line. Rhett went over to him, still grinning cheekily.

"Just let me grab my purse from the break room," Katara said as she pointed down the narrow hallway.

She ducked into the breakroom and shrugged into her sweater before she grabbed her purse. Katara went back down the hallway toward the kitchen. She could hear the two of them talking, and even though she didn't like to eavesdrop, she couldn't help but pick up on a few snippets.

"..dude, she's hot. You tryna hit it?"

"For the love of Agni, Rhett. Is that all you think about?"

"Well, yeah. Is there anything wrong with that? Look man, it's not my fault you can't get laid. At least I'm asking before you make a move. You should be thanking me."

"Get a friggin' life, Rhett—"

"I mean, what else do you expect me to think? You have this gorgeous girl here with you probably all the time. And what are you trying to do? Not sleep with her, that's for sure."

Katara decided she had heard enough. Was that really how guys talked about girls when they weren't around? She popped out of the hallway and pasted a fake bright smile on her face.

"Are we ready to go?" she asked.

The two of them exchanged a look before Zuko's eyes fell on her. "Yeah, sure. Let's go."

They left the Jasmine Dragon, with Zuko locking up behind them. Rhett loped easily toward the Challenger, but Katara lingered back by Zuko.

"We don't have to go if you don't want to," Katara murmured to him. "Or if you don't want me to go, you can just take me home. I don't mind."

"No, it's not like that, Katara. It's just—" Zuko rubbed the back of his neck as they started for the car, which Rhett was now leaning against. "Rhett can get a little wild when he drinks. I'll probably end up babysitting him."

Katara snorted out a laugh. "How long have you guys been friends?"

"Since like, freshman or sophomore year. It's been a while." Zuko pressed the button on the key fob and the Challenger unlocked.

"I call shotgun!" Rhett whooped as he opened the door.

"You'll have to fight me for it," Katara quipped back.

Rhett gave her his cheeky grin as he leaned in and pulled the seat forward. "I'm just teasing. Of course the lady can sit up front." He climbed into the back and slid her seat back into place as he gestured toward it. "There you are, my lady."

Katara rolled her eyes as her lips twitched into an amused smile. Rhett was quite the personality. And the complete opposite of Zuko. How did the two of them become friends? Katara definitely wanted to know the story behind that.

She caught Zuko's eye as he shut her door. He rolled his eyes and shook his head before he strode across the front of the car and climbed behind the steering wheel. He turned the engine over and pulled away from the curb.

Rhett leaned forward between their seats. "So, White Lotus?"

"You need to put your damn seatbelt on before you get me pulled over," Zuko snapped. "And I thought you said you wanted to go to the bar. The White Lotus is not a bar."

"What is it, then?" Katara asked.

"A club," Rhett answered."It's way better than a bar."

Zuko's jaw clenched as he glanced in the rearview mirror. "Dude, come on. Seatbelt."

"Fine, fine. If you insist." Rhett sat back. A moment later Katara heard the click of his seatbelt.

"A club, hm?" Katara inquired, arching her brow.

"You ever been to one?" Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rhett lean as close to her as the seat belt would allow him to.

"No, never." Sokka and Suki liked to go to raves, but that wasn't Katara's scene, and it wasn't exactly like a club anyway. "I've been wanting to go to one, but I haven't had the time."

"Well, let's pop that cherry then. Me and Zuko will show you a good time. Wait." Rhett leaned in again. "Are you even twenty-one?"

"No, she's not," Zuko gritted out.

"Well, that's a bummer," Rhett said. Katara turned back towards him, brow arched. He was smirking. "So does that mean she gets to be the designated driver?"

"Hell no," Zuko said. "You know better than that, Rhett. No one drives my car but me."

"Lame. Who's gonna get wasted with me now then?" Rhett griped. He thumped Zuko's arm playfully. "C'mon, man. Let Katara drive. I'm sure she's a good driver."

"Oh, I don't-I'm not—" Katara stammered as heat rose in her cheeks.

"Forget it, man," Zuko said. Katara gave him a grateful look. Zuko saw the look, and gave a nearly imperceptible nod. "You should've said something before we left. We could have taken the train or something."

"Hey, it was spur-of-the-moment. I didn't think it through. Don't get mad at me because you're lame.

Katara watched Zuko roll his eyes, and she stifled a laugh behind her hand as she looked out the window at Ba Sing Se passing by.

They were in an unfamiliar part of the city to Katara, and she took in the buildings and streets they passed. This part of the Lower Tier seemed to be a little nicer than the majority of it, almost as if it were struggling to gain a foothold in the city.

Zuko clearly knew where he was going and he guided the Challenger through the streets with the ease with which he always drove. Within twenty minutes, Zuko was pulling into the crowded parking lot of a nightclub. Katara could already hear the pulsating throb of the bass.

"Alright! Let's have some fun, kiddies." Rhett leaned forward between the seats again, teeth flashing in another smirk. His eyes combed over her. "Not exactly a club outfit, is it?"

Katara glanced down at her uniform shirt beneath her sweater and dark jeans. "I guess not." Her eyes lit up. "I think I've got an extra shirt in my bag. I'll go change into it after we get in."

"Speaking of which, if we ever want to get through the line, we should probably do that now," Zuko said.

"Right." Katara grabbed her bag.

Zuko got out of the car and came around to her side to open her door. Katara stepped out and shrugged her purse over her shoulder, grateful she had thrown an extra set of clothes in there before her swim practice earlier that week. Rhett climbed out after her.

"Well, aren't you just a gentleman?" he teased Zuko, who just rolled his eyes and slammed the door shut.

Then the three of them approached the club. Surprisingly, the line wasn't that long and they only stood outside for about twenty minutes before they finally passed through the doors. Rhett kept her entertained with anecdotes from their teen years, with Zuko rolling his eyes and huffing out irritated breaths before he relented enough to crack a smile and add a few comments of his own. Then they were in.

Inside it was hot and stuffy despite the cool breeze blowing through the air conditioner vents. The lighting was dim, accented by neon lights that flashed and pulsed along with the upbeat techno music. The room was lined with tables and booths, and the middle of the floor was a dance floor packed with bodies.

Katara, Zuko, and Rhett stood close to one another in the crowded line as they shuffled towards the no-nonsense looking bouncer who was checking IDs and stamping hands. She had never been to a club, but apparently, the movies weren't that far off. Katara dug her wallet out of her purse and removed her ID.

Rhett nudged her. "Don't worry. If you really want to drink, no one at the bar checks to see if you're underage."

"Oh. I uh, I don't really drink," Katara said. Her eyes fell on the dance floor. "But that looks like fun."

"You dance?" Rhett grinned at her.

Katara felt a blush rise in her cheeks. "Um, yeah. A little."

"Interesting."

She didn't miss the look Rhett shot Zuko over her head, and she was reminded of the conversation she had overheard back at the Jasmine Dragon. It was clear that Rhett was interested in her, and now he and Zuko were engaged in some weird guy thing where Rhett was...looking for Zuko's permission? Or something like that. Katara didn't really know, but she assumed it all tied back into that ridiculous thing her brother called the bro code.

She could almost roll her eyes about it. Wasn't she a grown woman who could decide for herself? Well, if you did have to choose, you'd probably pick Zuko, she thought to herself as they moved forward in line. The Bad Boy. She didn't know Rhett well, but she thought he might be more of a fun-loving goofball than anything else. Zuko was the complete opposite. But Rhett also seemed to have one thing on his mind, and Katara wasn't interested in that.

But as far as she could tell, Zuko wasn't interested in her like that, anyway. Sure, he seemed to enjoy casually flirting with her, and surprising her with trips up to the wall and cute little diners, but for the past week, he hadn't made any indication that he wanted something more.

They had sat through two days of speeches in Comm before presenting their own. Zuko had kept her entertained with whispered commentary as he critiqued their fellow classmates' confidence, flow, and demeanor. Katara had been enraptured more by his assessments than the speeches themselves. He was able to point out the flaws in their presentations, body language, speech patterns, and more, and Katara had soon found herself jotting down notes.

There might have been something though, during class yesterday when the last pair presented their speech. The girl had been a nervous wreck so her male partner had taken the lead and dove into a speech that nearly mirrored the one Katara had begun. It was about Sozin's Corp.

Katara had felt Zuko stiffen beside her. He had leaned closer until they were shoulder-to-shoulder as he had been whispering to her, and when she turned to look at him, she found his hands had curled into fists. He had lowered his head until his hair fell into his eyes so she couldn't quite make out his expression, but it wasn't hard to see that this wasn't easy for him.

She had felt bad for him. She could tell from their conversation on the wall that his family's company was a sore spot for him. She wanted to comfort him, so she did the only thing she could think to do: she had reached over and let her fingers brush over the back of his hand.

She hadn't allowed herself to linger in case the gesture was unwelcome, but she saw the way his eyes flickered to her before the corner of his lips pulled up into a grateful smile. Then he had returned his focus to the front of the classroom, and that had been that.

He hadn't talked about his family's company or the speeches at work last night, or tonight. And Katara wasn't sure what to make of it at all.

But she wasn't going to think about that now. She was at a club for the first time. She should be concentrating on having fun, something Suki always encouraged her to do. And she wasn't going to let either of the two guys who were with her get in the way of that.

Finally they were in front of the bouncer. The three of them showed their IDs and had their hands stamped with a white lotus that glowed under the ultraviolet lights. There was a brief silent standoff as the guys debated who would pay for Katara before she finally handed the bouncer a bill herself. She'd left her purse in Zuko's car, but had brought in her ID and a little bit of cash. Then the bouncer wrapped a black paper bracelet around Katara's wrist before he let them through.

"I'm hitting the bar. Who wants a shot?" Rhett asked.

Katara's eyes cut around the room. "I'm going to the ladies' room first. I'll meet you guys over there."

Rhett started for the bar, but Zuko caught her wrist before she went. He had to lean in to talk into her ear to be heard over the music.

"We don't have to stay long. As soon as you're ready to go, let me know."

Katara pulled back far enough to give him a smile. "Sure thing. Thanks, Zuko."

She turned and went to the bathroom. The line there seemed to be longer than the one outside the door, and for a moment, Katara nearly turned around to rejoin the guys at the bar. But then she realized that she actually had to pee, so she got in the back of the line with the other clubgoers.

She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Suki and Yue. She knew the drill. She trusted Zuko, but Katara knew that not everyone else was so trustworthy.

K Hey just wanted to let you know I'm out with Zuko and one of his friends at a club. I'll text you when I get home.

K Hey just wanted to tell you I'm at the White Lotus club in case I don't come home lol

Yue texted back first, then Suki.

Y Ok. I hope you have fun!

Followed shortly by two texts from Suki.

S Oooohhhhh.

S Also I know where you are. We have Share My Location, remember?

K Oh. Right. Well I'll text you later.

S Have fun!

Eventually, Katara made it into the bathroom. She went into a stall, relieved her bladder, then changed out of the green work shirt and into one of her favorite blouses. It was a navy-blue cold-shoulder top with a lace collar that hugged her curves. It wasn't really like what the other girls were wearing, but it was better than her work shirt.

Then Katara was back out in the club. The music was so loud she could feel it vibrating in her chest. People were dancing all around her, drinking and talking. She skirted the dancefloor, combing the bar for Zuko and Rhett.

She finally spotted them sitting at one end. Zuko was nursing a beer while Rhett was throwing back a shot. Neither of them had seen her yet, and Katara took a moment to observe them. Rhett was laughing and Zuko was scowling. Again, she marvelled at their strange friendship. She wondered how they had become friends in the first place.

Rhett saw her first, and she watched his eyes comb over her appreciatively. Zuko glanced over at her and did a quick doubletake. Then he dropped his gaze and took a sip of his beer.

"There you are," Rhett said as he walked around Zuko to her. "For a minute, we thought you ditched us." He flashed his smirk. "Now how about that dance?"

Katara glanced between him and Zuko, who was still nursing his beer. He didn't seem like he was going to protest it, and Katara really did want to dance, so she looked up at Rhett with a smile.

"Sure," she said. But then she pointed at him. "But no funny business, you hear me?"

His lips curled into a crooked smile and he held his hands up. "You got it, Katara." He looked back at Zuko. "Don't have too much fun without us."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure."

Rhett put his hand on the small of her back and guided her out onto the floor. The music was even louder there, and it was impossible to hear anything unless they leaned in close. The floor was crammed with sweaty, writhing bodies, and the two of them were pushed into close proximity.

Rhett was tall, well-built, with a charming smile and playful eyes. He smelled nice too, like mahogany. But while he was good-looking, Katara didn't feel any sort of spark towards him, no initial attraction whatsoever. It was the total opposite of how she felt towards a certain someone else.

Rhett kept his word though. He didn't lay a hand on her while they danced. One song melded into the next and Katara slowed down, feeling the sweat that was starting to dampen her skin. It was hot on the dance floor.

Katara leaned closer to Rhett. "How did you and Zuko meet? You guys are like, total opposites."

Rhett chuckled, his green eyes sparkling in the fluorescents. "We met back in high school when he was this broody, angsty teenager who hated the world."

Katara glanced over at Zuko. "And that's changed?"

He let out a hearty laugh. "Nah. Now he's a broody, angsty young adult who hates the world." Rhett smirked. "But he's a good guy. He's just...been through a lot."

"So I'm learning."

Rhett gave her another smile. "Did you guys meet at work? He's never told me about you."

"Funny, he's never mentioned you, either." Katara smirked at him. "We...met on campus. Then found out we worked together. It's been...interesting."

"Zuko's an interesting person, once you get past his rough exterior." Katara laughed. Rhett appraised her for a moment. "So, is there anything going on between the two of you? 'Cause if there is, and he didn't tell me, I'm gonna be very upset."

"Will you, though? Or does that mean I'm free game if there isn't?" Katara quipped, a humorous smile tugging at her lips.

Rhett gave her a sheepish smile. "You caught me." He shrugged. "You seem like a cool chick, Katara. I'd like to get to know you some more."

"And you seem like a sweet guy, Rhett, but I'm not really interested in dating anyone right now." She offered him an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I'm new here, and I'm still settling in. I'm not really looking for anything serious."

Rhett leaned in closer and offered her a sultry smile. "It doesn't have to be serious."

"Rhett? Thanks, but no thanks." Katara held her hand up between them and stepped back. "Maybe we should go check on our broody friend."

Rhett gave her a regretful look. "Yeah, maybe we should."

Together, they made their way back to where Zuko was still sitting at the bar. He looked up at them, his mouth set in an unhappy line, as Rhett snagged the barstool next to him. Katara dropped onto the stool on Zuko's other side, a little sweaty and out of breath.

"Have fun?" Zuko asked wryly.

"Katara is a great dancer," Rhett said as he flagged down a bartender. He elbowed Zuko. "I bet she'd love to dance with you."

"I don't dance," Zuko griped.

"Aww, come on, what a load of—"

"Rhett."

He held his hands up. "Alright, alright. So, how about a shot instead?"

"One shot. I still have to drive," Zuko said.

"Yeah, yeah. Next time we're taking the train." The bartender came over, and Rhett ordered two shots of whiskey.

"I'll take a water," Katara told the bartender.

The bartender disappeared, and Rhett turned back to Zuko. "So, how's BSSU? Same stuff, different year?"

"Yeah, pretty much." Zuko snorted before he polished off his beer.

Katara leaned around him to look at Rhett. "You don't go to BSSU?"

"You kiddin'? They couldn't pay me to go there," Rhett said.

"What he means is that he dropped out last year, went on a year-long bender, and came back to work for his dad's company, sans degree," Zuko interjected.

Rhett looked mildly offended. "Hey, that was not a bender. I spent the year soul-searching, thank you very much."

"In the bottom of a tequila bottle."

"Technicalities." Rhett snorted and rolled his eyes. Then he looked over at Katara. "I tried to convince Zuko to join me. My dad offered him a position too, great benefits, good pay. But he wouldn't take it. He's set on getting that business degree."

"Nothing wrong with that," Zuko said, his voice terse.

"Just gotta stick it to your old man, huh?"

"Better than getting a handout," Zuko snapped. He stood up suddenly. "I'm gonna go get some air." Then he spun on his heel and started making his way through the crowd.

Katara arched a brow at Rhett, who shrugged sheepishly.

"Touchy subject," he said.

"Yeah. His dad owns a pretty big company from what Zuko's said," Katara murmured. "Sounds like they don't have the best relationship."

"They don't have one at all. Zuko hasn't talked to his dad since high school." Rhett pressed his lips together. "But I really shouldn't've said anything. I know how he gets." He huffed out a breath. "My problem is I don't know when to keep my big mouth shut."

The bartender came back and Rhett reached for his shot. Katara looked back over her shoulder and saw Zuko making his way towards the exit. She turned back to Rhett.

"I'm gonna go talk to him," she said.

Rhett gave her a knowing look. "Yeah, maybe you should." Then he smirked. "It'd be really messed up for him to get angry enough to leave us here, wouldn't he?"

Katara snorted. "It would probably just be you." She took a gulp of her water before she slid off of the stool. "If we're not back in ten minutes, we left without you."

"Tell him if he doesn't get back in here, I'm taking his shot."

Katara shook her head as she cut through the room, stepping around the people that crowded the floor. Finally, she was pushing out into the cooling night. She wrapped her arms around herself against the sudden chill as she headed for the parking lot.

She found Zuko leaning on the hood of the Challenger, face up towards the sky. Katara glimpsed upwards. The night sky was so different here than it was in the South Pole, or even Gaoling. Here, light pollution blotted out the stars and tinged the skies a dusty purple. In Gaoling, most of the stars shone through the light. And at the South Pole, it was like Katara could see every star.

"Hey." Katara stopped beside him.

Zuko looked up at her, his face creased into a scowl. He relaxed his expression when he saw her.

"Hey." He huffed out a breath and looked away from her. "Sorry about that. Rhett just has a...way of managing to say all the wrong things."

"He told me." Katara walked in front of the hood of the car and sat beside him. "We can go, if you want."

Zuko sighed heavily. "Yeah, that might be best. I'm not in the mood for this."

"Are you ever?" Katara teased, hoping to lighten the mood.

Zuko looked at her sharply, his brow creasing again, but when he saw her light smile, his lips quirked up into a smile of their own.

"Sometimes," Zuko quipped back.

He stood up, and Katara did too. The wind picked up, and Katara felt goosebumps crawl over her skin. She rubbed her palms against her arms.

"Are you cold?" She looked up and found him frowning down at her.

"I'm fine. It's hot in there, anyway."

She and Zuko crossed the parking lot. They cut the line, which earned them some protests that Zuko quickly silenced with a scathing look. They showed their stamps to the bouncer, who waved them through. They found Rhett chatting up a pretty redhead at the bar, obviously moving on from Katara.

"Hmph. Typical," Zuko snorted as they approached him. "He isn't going anywhere."

Rhett looked up and spotted them, offering a nod. "Hey, guys. What're you up to?"

"Taking off," Zuko said. He glanced between Rhett and the woman. "Do you want a ride?"

Rhett flashed a grin at the girl he was flirting with. "Nah, I think I'll stay here a while. You guys go ahead and take off. I'll see you later, Zuko."

"Yeah, later."

Zuko turned back towards the door and Katara followed him. They made their way back to the Challenger, and Zuko unlocked the doors before he opened Katara's for her. Katara sat down and waited for Zuko to get in.

He slid into the seat beside her and leaned his head against the headrest as he let out a sigh. Then he looked over at her.

"Sorry," he said.

Katara frowned. "For what?"

Zuko exhaled again as he looked out the windshield. "For letting Rhett drag you out here and for getting pissed off."

"Hey, I had a lot of fun." He glanced over at her and she smiled reassuringly. "I haven't had much of an opportunity to explore the city." Katara frowned thoughtfully. "Except for with you. You know, like the wall, and that diner."

Zuko quirked his brow at her. "Seriously?" He turned the engine on and reversed out of the parking spot. "You need to get out more."

Katara snorted. "When do I have time? Between classes, work, and swim practice, I barely have time to sleep."

"It's all about priorities." Zuko pulled out of the parking lot and started towards the Upper Ring. "You live in the biggest city in the world, and it's by far the coolest city, and you don't want to go out and explore it?"

"Of course I do, but I also have a pretty busy schedule." Katara gave him a pointed look. "And how often do you go out and have fun? You have a full class schedule and you work just as much as I do."

"Are you kidding? You met my roommate. I'm only at my dorm to sleep." Zuko smirked crookedly at her.

"So what kind of things do you go out and do when you're not in class, not at work, and not sleeping?" Katara asked.

"Well, it seems I give a lot of rides to you." His smirk widened.

Katara felt a blush rise in her cheeks as she let out an indignant sound. "Hey, if I recall correctly, you're the one who insisted on giving me a ride in the first place. And then you offered. I don't think I've actually asked for a ride once."

"True, true...but you haven't turned one down yet." He glanced over at her again. "I can't believe you moved to the biggest city in the world without a car. Sure, there's the trains, but they take forever."

Katara looked out the window. "I don't drive."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I have my license, but I just...don't." Her blush deepened.

"Why?"

Katara peeked over at him. He was watching the road, but his eyes flickered over to her. Katara let out a breath. "I don't know. I just never really felt the need to. We just rode our bikes when we were kids, then when Sokka turned sixteen he got his license and...I just always rode with him." She shrugged.

"Fair enough. Me? I couldn't wait to drive. Got my license on my sixteenth birthday."

"Well, you're an excellent driver." Katara peered over at him. "And I really did have a good time tonight. Rhett is...fun."

"He's also a shameless womanizer."

Katara snorted out a laugh. "Yeah, I had to let him down gently."

"Sorry about that, too. I didn't know he was going to drop by the shop." Zuko's mouth twisted. "He also doesn't know how to send a text, apparently."

"I'm serious. I didn't mind. I had a lot of fun."

Zuko's eyes flickered to her. "I'm glad."

They made it back to the campus. Zuko parked outside of her dorm and walked her to the door. Katara lingered for a moment, offering Zuko a shy smile.

"I hope you had at least kind of a good time," she said to him.

The corner of his lips tugged up. "Yeah. It was nice. Some parts were better than others." His eyes seemed to smolder and heat bloomed in her cheeks. "Have a good night, Katara."

"You too, Zuko. Try not to kill Chan, okay? I can't bum rides if you're in jail."

He snorted out a laugh. "Alright, I'll try. But no promises."

The next night Katara was in her dorm working on a paper for her political history class when her brother video called her. Katara answered it and propped her phone up on the desk so she could keep working.

"Hey, sis, what are you up to?" Sokka was in his dorm room. She would recognize the white-painted bricks anywhere, let alone the Avicii poster taped to the wall behind him.

"Homework." She looked up at him. "You?"

"Just got done with a late hockey practice. Coach is riding us even harder than last year." His hair was damp from a shower and he toweled it dry. "Dad called me."

"Oh?"

Katara had heard from their dad earlier that week. Their conversation had been stilted. Katara knew what his job demanded of him, knew that it required long stays from home, but she still harbored bitter feelings because of it. When everything had hit the fan last year, she had wanted nothing more than to cry in her dad's arms, but he hadn't been there.

"How did that go?" Katara asked.

"He's coming home soon."

That got her attention. Her fingers froze over the keyboard. "What? When?"

"It's just for the weekend, but he'll be home two weeks from now." Sokka grinned at her. "Do you want me to come pick you up?"

Katara frowned. "He's going to Gaoling? Shouldn't he be going home to see Gran-Gran?"

Sokka shrugged. "He says he'll see her next time. He told me he's gonna try to come home for the Winter Solstice."

"Oh."

Sokka frowned at her. "Oh? You sound so excited, Tara."

"I am," Katara said defensively. She hadn't seen their dad in almost eight months. Of course she wanted to see him. "I'd love it if you picked me up, Sokka."

Sokka smiled at her, but she could see the worry in his eyes. "You don't have to tell him anything about you-know-who if you don't want to."

"I know." Katara drummed her fingers on the tabletop. "So when are you going to pick me up?"

"Well, given the drive time, I thought I'd come get you on Friday. I probably won't get in until the evening, but then we can just drive back to Gaoling and catch a few Z's before we have to pick Dad up at the airport. I'll bring Suki so we can take turns driving."

"Okay, sounds good. I'll see you then."

"See you then." He hesitated. "Wait. How are things going? Suki told me your manager at that tea shop is kind of a jerk-wad. Do I need to come and put the beat down on him?"

Katara chuckled, rolling her eyes. "No, it's fine now. We reached a mutual understanding. Who knows? Maybe you'll meet him when you come and get me."

"Wait, he's not your boyfriend or anything, is he?" Sokka popped his knuckles threateningly. "Do I have to come give him the big-brother spiel?"

Katara blushed furiously. "He is not my boyfriend." She scowled at him. "He's a...friend. We have a class together."

"Hmph. Well, you let me know if I need to come beat him up, okay?"

"Will do, big brother. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Once she was off the phone, Katara finished up her paper before she got ready for bed. Once she was under her duvet, she stared up at her ceiling as an excited smile creased her face. No matter what sort of negative feelings she might have felt about her dad, Katara was looking forward to seeing him.