A/N: Sorry for the delay, everyone! Things have quieted down so this fic should be updated every 2 weeks. The hope is maybe more as I finally get settled in at home. As a reminder, yes, this fic will cover every episode of Avatar, it will be a long fic. Also, most of the story will be focused on the actors and little actual acting or stuff about the show. Thanks for the reviews!

With a fluttering of anticipation in his stomach, Aang tried to drive as calmly as he could. He had been in LA for two weeks, and this was the first time he would be hanging out with someone his own age in over a month. After finishing the 11th grade, Aang worked at the local animal shelter for three weeks before moving cross-country with his uncle. At the animal shelter, Aang was primarily working with people at least 10 years older than him. He didn't mind, but he longed to be able to not take life so seriously again. He turned up the volume of the song in the car as he coasted on the highway.

I see the color in your eyes

I see the images I own

I see more color in your eyes

Than the reflections from purple skies

Letting the lyrics flood his mind, Aang's thoughts turned to the person who he was about to meet. There was something about this girl, Katara, that had him wanting to spend every day with her. She was in his head more than he would like to admit. After they exchanged numbers earlier in the week, they somehow, much to Aang's excitement, became friends on snapchat. Over the past three days, Aang woke up and saw a new snap from her every day. Shiny, chocolate brown hair filling the pictures, illuminated by the bluest eyes he had ever seen. The pools of blue were piercing right through his heart. His GPS alerting him to the arrival of his destination shook him from these thoughts. He told himself he would only think of her as a friend. They were coworkers and he did not want to make anything awkward.

Aang parked his car and took his phone out as he began walking towards the front door. He noticed he was a little early, as they had agreed on 5pm but it was currently 4:50pm. Aang decided to go inside because at the very least he could snag a table for them. As he opened the door, the blue-eyed girl who he tried to keep out of his head was at the cash register ringing up a customer. Aang frowned as he tried to recall if Katara had mentioned that she worked here. With a sustained puzzled look on his face, Aang found an empty booth across from the counter she was working at. He swore to himself that she would have told him about working here, but she didn't for some reason. Hands waving rapidly in front of his face jolted him from this daze.

"You okay there, Aang? You've been zoned out for like 5 minutes," Katara laughed while taking a seat opposite Aang in the booth.

Aang blushed as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh! Yeah, I'm okay. Hey, I didn't know you worked here."

Katara groaned dramatically, "Unfortunately! Sunday is my last day and then I can be a full-time actor. Didn't think about mentioning it since I'm quitting soon. Is that what had you on your mind there?"

Aang quickly became flustered and stammered out what he hoped would be a convincing cover-up, "Uh, no! No. It was nothing really. Just...people watching."

Katara's eyes narrowed before speaking in a British accent, "Alright then, keep your secrets."

This made Aang feel relief as he laughed with Katara at her joke. The tension from his weirdness had been lifted, for which he was forever grateful. The recent brevity between them made the conversation flow more easily. After Katara vented about her job, she briefly left the booth to get an espresso for her and a chai latte for Aang.

"I couldn't remember if you were vegetarian or vegan so it has almond milk in it, I hope that's okay," Katara asked sheepishly as she sat down.

Aang beamed a big smile as he took the cup in his hands, "I'm vegetarian but almond milk is cool. Thank you for thinking of me!"

After a few moments and several full sips of their drinks between them, Aang became curious and turned to Katara.

"So, you have the same name as the character. Pretty big coincidence, huh?" Aang asked as he took another sip of his latte.

Katara smiled, "Actually, my name is pretty common in Water Tribe culture. Just like Sokka, my brother. He's going to play my brother on the show, too. Have you met him yet?"

Aang shook his head, "Not yet. I think we're supposed to meet Monday for the table read before shooting."

"Well, maybe you can meet him before then, he's supposed to come here later and give me a ride home," Katara paused before asking, "So, is Aang a common name in your culture?"

Aang smiled, "No, actually, and that's what's so weird. My parents basically created this name, I've never heard of anyone having it. And this character has the same name? Very strange."

Katara hummed in thought before speaking, "Strange...or fated?"

"Hmmm, that's an interesting thought, Katara. Do you believe in fate?" Aang asked with a raised eyebrow.

Katara took a deep breath before looking intensely into Aang's grey eyes with a small smile, "Yes. I think we're exactly where we're meant to be."

Aang opened his mouth to speak but was left with no words that came to mind. This notion just stated by Katara left him with a deep sense of thoughtfulness. Who was she? He grew up Buddhist, and thus believed in karma, not fate. Aang was taught that everything that happens is a consequence of some action, not fate. He couldn't help wonder, was there some action in this life or his past life that brought him to LA? He didn't believe in coincidences, so there had to be some reason he was now sitting across from the most fascinating person he has ever met, in a city that was already changing his life.

Looking back at Katara, the jumbled thoughts in Aang's mind slowly untangled. His heart skipped a beat as her eyes met his. Being from Seattle, he had known many Water Tribe people, but none like her. His heart raced the longer he stared, unable to look away. Their intense moment was interrupted by the sound of a very loud guy at their table. Katara and Aang jumped in their seats as their attention was turned to the man standing between them.

"Kataraaaaaa! Your boss is pretending to not know me again. Can you get me a cappuccino? On the house? Pretty please?" The man pleaded with puppy dog eyes as he sat down closely next to Katara. Aang could only assume that was Katara's brother. He vaguely recognized him from the audition, but they never spoke.

Katara sighed in exasperation, "Ugh, Sokka, fine! I'm so glad I'm quitting. Move!"

Sokka yelped in pain as Katara shoved him out of the booth to make her way to the counter. Now on the floor and red in the face, Sokka looked up at Aang with a scowl. He had been so focused on getting his drink that he failed to notice his sister was sitting with an unfamiliar boy, alone. Aang outstretched his hand, to which Sokka took, bringing him up from the ground.

Sokka dusted himself off before returning a scowl to Aang. Sitting across the booth from the mystery boy, Sokka decided to give him a talking to. He cleared his throat and deepened his voice, "Now, I don't know who you are or how I didn't know about this, but I have a few rules for dating my sister. Number one-"

Aang cringed and cut off Sokka immediately, waving his hands in the air apologetically, "Oh no, we're not dating! We're co-stars. I'm Aang, playing the role of Aang in Avatar: The Last Airbender. We were going to run some lines."

Sokka's eyebrow raised but he then relaxed at hearing about this harmless interaction. "Ohhh, oh man. That's so good to know. The last guy she dated didn't listen to me and let's just say he knows to never come around Katara again."

Aang nervously laughed before beaming at Katara returning to the table. He couldn't help chuckle at the playfulness between her and her brother. Even though they would soon be coworkers, he felt close to the siblings already. After settling back into the booth, Katara pulled out two copies of her script, handing one to Aang. They ran lines for the first episode together for the next few hours, stopping to share stories about their jobs and memories of school.

After finishing the last line of the script, the group decided to end the night. Without missing a beat, Aang takes all of the cups off the table, swiftly walking over to the counter with the siblings following him. He gently places the cups in the bin with other dishes before turning around to see Katara and Sokka staring at him inquisitively. Confused, Aang asks as they head towards the exit, "What? Did I do it wrong?"

Katara giggled and turned to Aang, "No, you did it perfectly actually. I've worked here for two years and not once has Sokka ever offered to bus the table. Never even cleaned his own dishes."

Sokka interjected, offended, "Hey! You always get to it before I do. Not fair. I would help, but you're just so good at it."

The bickering between the siblings continued as they walked outside, finally reaching the parking lot. Aang smiled the whole time, never wanting to get into conflict but enjoying the way the siblings interacted with Mondayother. Aang could tell they loved each other, even if they wouldn't admit it. Clearing his throat to get their attention, Aang spoke, "Uh, hey guys, I'm gonna head home. Thanks for this, I haven't had a chance to hang out like this in a long time. I'll see you both monday. Sokka, it was nice meeting you!"

Sokka and Katara stopped and turned towards Aang immediately. Sokka reached his hand out to shake Aang's hand, "Nice to meet you too. Sorry about giving you the fifth degree at first. You're a cool dude, see you Monday!"

Katara twirled her hair in her fingers as Aang looked her in the eye, "Uh, yeah, it was great to hang out with you, too! Drive safe, I'll see you Monday."

Waving for a few moments, the siblings and Aang parted ways.

Tuesday

On the chilly, dark morning, Aang stepped into the trailer on the lot. As he entered, he saw a familiar pale guy in a makeup chair getting a grotesque, red scar painted on his left eye. Aang sat down in a chair with his name on it and waited for his makeup artist to arrive. He recognized the pale guy as Zuko, whose character had the same name. There was an intensity to him that made him perfect for the role, Aang thought.

"Hi! Zuko, right? We met yesterday at the table read," Aang said with a smile and a wave.

Zuko looked in Aang's direction, unable to move much because of the makeup being applied, but responded warmly. "Yeah, Aang, right? That's a cool name, never heard it before. You ready to become bald?"

Aang laughed at his makeup artist started applying a bald cap over his hair. "Oh yeah, can't wait! I hope I don't look like Cousin It." They both shared a laugh that was quickly interrupted by Sokka walking in the trailer. Sokka sat down in his chair to get his hair put up in a wolf's tail and shaved on the sides of his head. Sokka closely looked at the poster for the show on the wall and then looked back at Zuko.

"Hey, man, isn't your scar on the wrong side?" Sokka asked.

Zuko stood up and yelled in a booming voice, "It's not on the wrong side!"

Sokka held his hands up defensively, "Whoah, man, okay. Chill, it just looked wrong is all." Sokka squinted at the poster and realized that he was looking at Zuko's reflection. "Oh! I was looking in the mirror. Nevermind, disregard my statement. Sorry."

Zuko sat down slowly, apologizing to his makeup person profusely. Aang took a mental note of Zuko's fists remaining clenched throughout the rest of the makeup process. Even though there was much intensity within the Zuko, Aang hoped that they could eventually be friends.

6pm, Later That Day

"Alright...quiet everybody. And...action!" the director called.

Katara and Aang were in costumes on a stage that was surrounded by fake ice and snow on the ground.

Katara: Aang?

Aang chased imaginary penguins while laughing. "Hey, come on little guy. Wanna go sledding?" He jumped at the air, but the imaginary penguin evaded his attempt, and Aang belly-flopped into the artificial snow. He turned on his back and quickly erected himself with his airbending, which was helped by being pulled up by the effects crew. Katara walked up beside him. Aang chuckled, "I have a way with animals."

In front of the set, Sokka watched the scene unfold between Aang and Katara. "Wow, they look pretty good together," Sokka said to himself. Sipping his coffee, he beamed while continuing to watch them act in the scene.

The director yelled from her chair, "Cut! Great job. We're done for the day."

Sokka stood up expecting his sister to walk away from the stage immediately. But what he didn't expect was for Aang to continue flapping around like a penguin and to see his sister giggling like a school girl. Sokka groaned as he finished his coffee. The flirting continued for a few minutes, after which Sokka knew he needed to put a stop to it. "Hey, Katara! We have to pick up dinner, remember? Mom and Dad are waiting."

Katara's smile faded as she turned her attention to Aang with her head hung low, "Oh. Sorry, Aang. I do have to go. This is the most fun on a job I've ever had. You're really a good actor! I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Aang frowns slightly but quickly recovers a smile, "Oh, yeah, I need to go to makeup and then I have to get home, too. I'm glad our first day was good. You're a great actor, too. Have a good night."

Sokka sees Katara wave goodbye and begin to walk towards him. Sokka bitterly greets his sister. "Took you long enough." Katara's joyful mood was now gone and replaced with annoyance. "Shut up, Sokka! I was having fun, or did you forget what fun is?"

Sokka scoffed as he pushed the door open to the parking lot, "Don't catch feels okay? I'm not trying to be a third wheel at my job with your little boyfriend!"

Katara tensed her shoulders as she scowled at her brother, "He's not my-"

Sokka apologetically waved his hands before opening the car door, "Okay, whatever, you know what I mean. Keep it professional." Katara gets in the car and closes the door. As the car pulls out into the street, Katara looks out the window wistfully as she tries but fails to keep the image of Aang out of her mind.

A/N: The song Aang is listening to is Take My Time/Rifles by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Next chapter will be more Katara focused and surrounding the episode The Avatar Returns.