A/N: This one-shot is for fireandwaterr. I just want to thank you for always supporting this little story of mine! You never forget to review and I'm happy to know that someone enjoys reading this as much as i enjoy writing it. To me, that makes writing worth my time. I hope you like this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Stale air mix with Tabaco smoke made its way to my nose and creaking wood followed my every step while I made my way through the usual crowd. There, mingled sent of ale and sweat joined the previous unwelcomed sensations. Flickering deem lighting filled the place and the shadows casted by the crescent moon outside danced like ghosts. We had a full house that night so the tavern is more uncomfortable than ever. I dodge the drunkards who tried their grab on me while I delivered my ordered drinks. People from all walks of life came here to celebrate or forget and it's my job to bring them their preferred company.

"I need wine, lots and lots of it. Oh, just open me a tab, would ya? Thanks!" Another customer came and so I nodded and immediately fix the man's order as well as his tab. The more order I got, the more tip I get after all.

When I gave the man his requested drink, he just took it all in one go. Even though I've worked here for some time now, that still surprised me. I looked around and when i saw that my services weren't needed yet, I took the seat opposite him.

"Girlfriend?" I asked the stranger. He was a young man with an average face, bulky built and just the right height. He was just another guy in the crowd but he just looked so lost to me, I felt like I had to talk to him.

He just flicked his eyes at me but continued to drink like theirs no tomorrow so I babbled. "I'm Yin and I've been the barmaid here for years now. I used to work as a lady's maid but my mother got sick so I went back to my hometown to take care of her. My former employer found some other girl to work for them so they didn't hire me back. I walked and..."

"Lady, don't you have anything better to do?" He cut me off, almost slurring his words.

"No, actually." I told him honestly.

"Find someone else to bother then." He dismissed me, taking another hefty swig of his wine.

I planted myself firmly on the seat and crossed my arms. "You look like you need a person to talk to and I'm willing to listen so let me have it." My mother always said i was too curious for my own good and I'm really, really curious about this guy. I think he needed someone to listen to him and I know I could be that person. This is one way to break the monotony of my tiresome job and I'm willing to take it.

"Whoa, you looked like my mother for a moment there lady." He said, blinking down at me.

"I can be as stubborn as one." I replied smiling up at him.

"Fine, fine. Stay for all i care." He grumbled.

"So?" I asked after a beat.

"So, what?"

"Why are you drinking like the devil's after you?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm just curious." I shrugged helplessly.

"Hm."

"So? What is it?"

"It's Fire Lord Zuko okay?"

I raised my eyebrows at that. "You don't like the current Fire Lord?" I asked. It's not uncommon to hear that sentiment right now because of the things they said he had done and I've certainly heard a lot worse.

"No, no, I support em. It's just... Shome timesh i think e doesn't need us... y'know?" He told me, his hazy tawny eyes are now focused in my direction.

"Uh..." What can i say to that? I looked at his wine and i decided that he must have one too many. He doesn't look the bodyguard type, he's appearance is more of a village guy to me. "Why do you think that?" I decided to humor him.

"Like there was thish one time, we went to the Earth Kingdom and we got ambushed on our way there. Hish highness sent me to help some poor guy so I wasn't even there when an assassin tried to stab him. Thank Agni for his honed reflexes because he manage to avoid it and he captured the lowlife himshelf."

"That's good right? He was safe." I said placating the guy.

"Yeah... But, it'sh my job! I should be the one protecting him!" He slammed his hand on the cracked table angrily.

"Don't be too hard on yourself; I'm sure it's not your fault." I responded, trying to avoid a scene. The young man looks like he's really upset and he doesn't need unnecessary distractions right now.

"Maybe that one, but thish ish! His highness was having a meeting and someone tried to poison him. He noticed of course but he wash the only one. He commented that the tea shmelled funny so the herbalist checked and they found it. We, his guards just stood there, useless." He's staring intently on his empty glass so i touched his arm to give him some comfort.

"It's okay, he's okay." I murmured trying to sooth him.

"He moves sho quiet too; sometimes we didn't know he was there. I watched him with his dao and he's amazing with those thingsh. It's like he can take care of himshelf perfectly so why should I bother? I think I should quit... No, I'm sure of it." He made to stand but he faltered, his drinking finally made its effect known.

"Hey, hey, let's not be hasty. You should think about this first." I told the inebriated young man. I helped him on his seat again.

"No, I'm shure... I-I'll do it now... Just lem..." His head thump on the table and he ended up using his arms as pillows instead. Then, he snored loudly.

I sighed at the display and patted him sympathetically on the shoulder. Poor guy, it must have been a bad breakup.

A/N: So, what do you think? Please leave a review.