At least the restaurant was nice. She had heard a lot about this place, but could never find an excuse to stop by. The Jasmine Dragon was both elegant and welcoming all at once. Warm, golden light fixtures spilled light across the furniture and decor. Tall potted plants held blooming white flowers, and there was a trickling water feature installed by the the host station where she now waited.

Katara stood anxiously near the doorway, looking around for someone she had never met before. She felt a raw mix of emotions roiling inside of her. Nerves were definitely there near the top, but it was secondary to the frustration and dread she felt on top of that.

"Hi, just one?" Asked the woman behind the podium.

"Oh, I'm actually here to meet someone. I think there's a reservation?" Asked Katara uncertainly. The woman conferred with the book that rested on her podium for a moment before her eyes brightened with recognition.

"Ah, you must be Katara," she said, and Katara nodded in agreement. "Wonderful! Your date is already here, follow me."

Katara tried not to cringe at the mention of date. She followed the woman through the maze of seating, admiring the glass panels that separated the comfy looking booths. They showed depictions of dragons in frosted glass as they weaved in and out of mountainsides and clouds. Each one was unique.

She was led deeper into the restaurant until they came to a young man sitting alone in a booth. Katara poured mentally over the sparse details her parents had provided her about him. Her brain ran the calculations as he politely greeted her and pulled out her chair; the math added up to him being… fine. He was dressed sharply, with hair trim and neat, and sporting an expensive watch. His hand brushed against her back as she sat and it made her skin crawl.

"I hope you don't mind, but I ordered a drink for you," he said as he sat down. Katara actually did mind, but she smiled and thanked him instead. As he began to launch into a conversation - more of a lecture honestly- about brewing alcohol she zoned out. Her mind played over the events of just a few hours ago.

When she had gotten home from work, exhausted and wanting nothing more than a hot shower and a nap, her parents had practically descended upon her. Her tired mind had taken a moment to comprehend their excited babbling. It became horribly clear that they were telling her about a "really great boy" who was the "son of my coworker."

Worst of all she understood that he was single, and that this was a date.

Tonight.

It was not exactly a demand that her parents gave her, but it was clear that saying no was not really an option in this situation. Her parents were very concerned about her love life. She had been single for… a while. Not to mention now her older brother Sokka was recently married. He and his wife Suki were even starting to talk about having kids.

Katara couldn't have been more excited and happy for them, but her parents had begun to put extra pressure on her to find a partner of her own. They swore up and down it didn't matter who, as long as they made her happy. Though, it wouldn't hurt if whoever she found just also happened to be successful and established, and from a good family. Just like their friend's son, what a coincidence.

Katara came back to herself when the waiter appeared at the table with two drinks. One was a stout glass of amber liquid that the server put before her date. The other, a colorful and ridiculous concoction in a flared glass, was placed in front of her. She tried not to grimace, but she could still feel her nose crinkle with displeasure. The last thing she wanted right now was alcohol. She wanted to stay alert, and didn't want this guy to feel like he could do anything untoward with her.

Their waiter, seeing her face, paused for a moment. Katara looked up at him for the first time. There was a shade of concern on his face, but that didn't detract from how handsome he was. Thick, dark hair framed his sharp, yet somehow still soft face. His dark eyes held a gentle, kind glow, even the one that was surrounded by a rough looking scar. There was a moment, very brief, where their eyes met and Katara felt a jolt of something unnameable inside of her. She quickly looked away.

"Are you two ready to order?" Asked the handsome server. A small, silver name plate pinned to his chest read 'Zuko.'

"Oh, sorry," said her date with a chuckle. "We've been so busy talking I forgot to even look at the menu. I think we're gonna need a little time."

'Busy talking at me,' thought Katara with a withering glance to her ostentatious cocktail. "You know actually, I've heard that you guys have the best tea here. I'd love to try some."

"Some of our award winning tea?" Asked Zuko with a playful smirk. "Sure, what flavor?"

"Oh, I have no idea," said Katara realizing she hadn't thought this through. "Whatever you recommend."

"Can do," said Zuko, stuffing his notebook into his apron and taking his leave.

As he disappeared into the restaurant Katara settled into listen to her date prattle on about… oh god a yacht? Maybe she should consider the alcohol just to withstand this.


Zuko let out a long sigh as he rested his back against the wall in the kitchen. He glanced at the clock on the wall for the hundredth this shift. Just 30 minutes left; just a little longer until he was free. He could feel the exhaustion creep into every bone and aching muscle. Haru owed him for picking up his shift.

Zuko looked at their selection of teas as he tried to decide what that cute customer had wanted. He wondered, idly, just what her deal was. Something in the back of his mind was nagging at him that he knew her. However, he was certain he did not know the guy she was with, and from her discomfort he was curious if she knew him either. She didn't look particularly happy about the drink he ordered for her at least.

"What is on your mind, nephew?" Questioned his uncle Iroh from the other side of the counter. His jovial uncle was slicing some cakes for the display case.

"Just trying to pick out a flavor of tea for a customer," said Zuko with a dismissive shrug. "She didn't really give me anything to work with."

"Any nephew of mine should be able to simply look at a customer and know what tea they want," said Iroh with a touch of indignation, though Zuko couldn't tell the sincerity of it. Iroh picked up a few plates of cake, balancing them with practiced ease. "Tell me which table and I'll take a peek."

"Uncle-" Zuko began in protest, but was interrupted.

"Uh-bup-bup. Just tell me the table and I'll take a quick look and I can tell you exactly what tea they want."

"Fine. Table F-6," said Zuko throwing his hands up in defeat. His uncle winked at him before slipping out of the kitchen. Zuko's eyes drifted back to the clock. Well at least it was less than 30 minutes now.

A few minutes later Iroh returned. He wore a self satisfied smile as he returned to his work.

"Rose tea," he said simply.

"There were two people at that table," mumbled Zuko as he scooped some rose tea from the glass jars. Iroh sniffed.

"Zuko, I think we both know you're talking about the young lady at the table," he said. Zuko froze for a moment.

"Stop messing with me, Uncle," said Zuko hotly, feeling warmth spread across his cheeks. His uncle just laughed as Zuko grumpily prepared the tea.

He left the kitchen and delivered the tea to the girl. She gave him a smile that made his heart skip for a moment before he remembered his customer service and smiled back at her. He took down their order, noting that the woman had chosen his favorite noodle dish and that the man had ordered the most expensive steak on the menu.

As he checked in with this other tables he wracked his brain. He had to know her from somewhere, but where? He'd like to think he wouldn't forget a girl as pretty as her.

When he returned to the kitchen he heard a sound coming from the short hallway near the door. It was just outside the bathroom, but still it was usually pretty quiet space. Curious, Zuko doubled back to the hallway and peered down it. To his surprise he saw the girl from F-6.

Her back was to him, and she pressed her phone against her ear. Her other hand was wrapped around the phone in an attempt to retain the sound. Zuko pulled himself away from the hall, trying to remain hidden, but also unable to prevent himself from listening in further.

"Seriously, Yue, you've got to get me out of here," said the girl in a hurried, hushed voice. Zuko's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "No he- yeah it's not that bad, but- … no Yue, I just-"

Zuko could hear her pacing back and forth as her thoughts came out in interrupted bursts. He wished he knew what the other girl, Yue, was saying. Wait Yue? Hang on, he did know a Yue once. What were the chances they knew the same Yue from his first school? Was that just wishful thinking?

"I don't want to be rude and just leave, but I don't think I can stomach a whole date," said the girl pleadingly. Yue didn't seem to offer the response she was looking for because the girl heaved a great sigh. "Yeah, you're right. One date won't kill me."

Zuko heard the sounds of the girl ending her phone call and walking down the hall toward him. He scrambled into the kitchen as quickly as he could, hoping that she hadn't seen him. He pressed himself against the wall, and out of sight of anyone passing by the doors.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," said Iroh as he watched Zuko's mad dash into the kitchen. Zuko scoweled at him and looked at the clock. Less than 5 minutes left? Nice.

"I think that girl from F-6 is not enjoying her date," said Zuko with a shrug, hoping to play off his entrance. Iroh's eyebrows quirked up and his eyes glittered with the humor from some joke Zuko didn't get.

"Their orders are ready," Iroh said and indicated the steaming dishes. "Be careful which tray you take then on, Zuko. One of them is… unreliable." Iroh gave him a wink.

"Uncle?" Asked Zuko, confused but understanding his uncle meant something a bit more.

"You're out in a couple minutes. Deliver this tray and call it a night," said Iroh. "And if something should happen, well then I'll take care of it. You'll be home by then anyway." Zuko gathered up the plates and put them on a tarnished metal tray.

"Just between us?" Asked Zuko, cautiously optimistic.

"Just between us," confirmed Iroh with a nod. "Just try not to hurt him. Physically."


Yue had not really been as helpful as Katara hoped she would be. Though she probably should have known better than to assume her friend would have some perfect, magical solution. Katara would just have to stick this date out, and hopefully get home as soon as possible. Her parents expected her to stay out for a while, and with the way this guy talked that probably wouldn't be difficult.

She saw Zuko approaching their table, hefting a trap with their food. She tried not to look at the way his muscles flexed. The tray wasn't even very heavy, so she wondered just how big his muscles must actually be.

As he got closer to the table, he seemed suddenly to trip on the carpet. Katara watched in alarm as the contents of the tray toppled and sloshed off the side and dump directly onto her date, pooling in his lap. Noodles, steak, potatoes, vegetables and more splattered against him.

Her date yelped in surprise, frozen with shock. His white dress shirt was already staining, and his sleek black pants were soaked from the soup. He looked between her and Zuko frantically. Katara realized gratefully that none of it had landed on her.

"Oh, my gosh," said Zuko, his voice sounding surprised, but almost a little forced. "I am so sorry. You should clean up in the bathroom."

Her date looked down at his drenched clothing, and back up at the waiter. Zuko handed him a towel from his apron and pointed to the bathroom. Katara watched her date snatch the towel from him and rush away to the bathroom.

"Are you okay?" Asked Zuko quietly once her date was out of earshot. Katara looked up at him, surprised he was still here.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said. Zuko's hand rubbed the back of his neck and he gave her a shy, apologetic smile.

"Sorry to ruin your dinner. It just seemed like you weren't having a good time. If you want to get out of here I can help you sneak out," said Zuko. Katara blinked before it sunk in that she had been offered her excuse to leave without consequence. She jumped to her feet and laughed.

"Could you maybe put my tea in a to-go cup?" Asked Katara as she yanked her jacket on. "I can see why you've won awards, it's delicious. Only if that's not too much trouble."

"Yeah, I can do that. Hang out by the door and I'll meet you there as fast as I can so you can run away," Exclaimed Zuko before grabbing her cup and bolting for the kitchen.


Zuko practically threw himself into the kitchen, trying not to spill the tea. He began frantically searching for cups before realizing his uncle stood before him holding a to-go cup and a small to-go bag.He had his huge, friendly grin painted on his face. Iroh handed the items to Zuko and took the half-full teacup from him.

"Uncle, what is this?" Asked Zuko.

"The young lady's order. I'm afraid I might have made the first one wrong," said Iroh with a knowing smile. He turned the cup and took a sip. "And a fresh cup of rose tea. On the house. Now, go bring our customer her order."

"Thank you, Uncle," said Zuko with a laugh.


Katara waited by the door, glancing around nervously to see if her date would show up. She was itchy with impatience when finally Zuko appeared before her with a bag and cup in his hands and a hoodie slung haphazardly over his arm. He made a shooing motion with his arms.

"Go, go, go," he said with a low, contagious laugh. Katara giggled as she held the door open for them and they both dashed out of the building. They made it a short distance down the street before skidding to a stop, laughing and panting.

"These are for you," said Zuko holding out the food to her.

"What's in the bag?" Asked Katara skeptically. It dawned on her that she was now alone with this stranger, without the comfort of a public business around her. Even if he was cute.

"Oh, the chef… made a mistake with your soup so he made it again. I packed it up for you," said Zuko. Katara took the bag and cup from him with a smile.

"Thank god, I was so bummed when I thought I wasn't going to get to eat that."

"Well it is the best noodle dish. Actually it's my favorite dish."

"Then I'm extra glad you grabbed this for me," said Katara. She took a sip of the tea. It was light and delicious and she felt it blaze a warm path down her throat and chest. "Thank you. You really saved me tonight. I'm Katara, by the way."

"You're welcome, Katara," said Zuko. Some quick emotion passed across his face, and his eyes seemed to regard her a bit more intently. "I could be wrong, but I think we went to school together? When we were younger that is, I switched schools later on."

Katara regarded him more closely. He did seem familiar. Maybe she knew him before he was scarred?

"I think so? I feel like I remember a Zuko," She said and Zuko smiled.

"I was kind of a shy kid. I remember you. Anyway, I'm glad I could save you from your date. I should probably start heading home, and let you do the same," he said awkwardly. His hand found the back of his neck again. Katara bit her lip and considered something for a moment.

"Wait!" She said, a little more loud than she meant. "Actually, my parents are expecting me to be out for a while. So I can't go home yet, and I don't really have anywhere else to go. Do you want to, maybe, find somewhere I could eat this?"

"There's a park a few streets over," said Zuko, smiling and pointing over his shoulder. As he flexed his arm to point Katara felt her heart pound and her cheeks heat.

"That sounds great. Lead the way," said Katara. "Also you're not, like, a serial killer or something, right?" Zuko laughed, loud and surprised but she found it was a sound she instantly wanted to hear more.

"I don't know how I could convince you I'm not," said Zuko laughing. "But, there is a pretty good ice cream place there. Maybe I could get you dessert? I don't think serial killers buy ice cream."

"Oh yes a well known," said Katara rolling her eyes and laughing.

"I'll take that a yes to my offer," said Zuko. "Follow me."


The evening, and now night had been surreal for Zuko. Hours had slipped away like minutes with her. They had spent a surprising amount of time in the park just chatting. She was enthusiastic about how much she enjoyed the tea and soup. He had almost wanted to roll his eyes, but she was so genuine and endearing that he leaned in to listen more. He had always liked the way she talked about things she cared about.

Katara. Hearing her name brought it all back. He could kick himself for forgetting her name. He had been right about how he knew her. He had he gone to school with Katara and Yue, back before he moved in with Uncle Iroh. Not only had he gone to school with her, he had had a huge crush on her.

They never had classes together, or even lunch periods, but he had seen and heard her from afar. She was in the school plays, and was the leader of multiple clubs. He would watch from the doorways as she gave passionate speeches, and he tried to clap the loudest during her performances.

He hadn't even thought about her over the past few years. He had accepted long ago, after he moved, that she was a part of his past and it was best if she stayed there. He had never even talked to her before. Yet, here she was with him and he was buying her ice cream. It was truly surreal.

As night overtook the day, they walked sluggishly down the street that leas to her home. The sun had set and the street lights lit their path in golden splotches. She looked even prettier in the moonlight, if that was possible. Far too soon they found themselves standing at the end of her driveway. They stood in a comfortable, shy silence for a moment.

"I had a nice time," said Katara, tucking her hair behind her ear. She looked up at Zuko, dark eyelashes framing her deep eyes. Zuko felt his stomach flip.

"Y-yeah, me too," he stammered. "Do you think we stayed out late enough for your parents to believe you?"

"More than enough. For tonight anyway," Katara laughed. "Tomorrow they're going to be asking me what happened tonight. And, in that case… are you busy tomorrow? I could really use an excuse to get out of the house."

Zuko laughed in surprise, feeling that same stomach flip. She clasped her hands in front of her in mock pleading, a comical pout on her face. He had a shift at the restaurant tomorrow, but Haru did owe him for today…

"Not busy at all," said Zuko. Katara beamed at him.

"Then it's a date," she said. Zuko felt himself blushing. "Goodnight, Zuko."

"Goodnight, Katara," said Zuko. He turned to leave, but felt her hand suddenly catch his sleeve. He turned back to her and she bit her lip for a moment. He wondered if she was okay and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, I just needed to do this before you leave and I lose my courage." She closed the distance, leaning upward until her lips met his.

Zuko nearly stumbled in surprise, but forced himself to steady. His eyes closed, feeling her soft lips against his own. His fingers flexed for a moment before he slowly, and carefully reached out to touch her. His hand gently cupped her face as he kissed her, and he felt her head lean into his touch.

They stayed there for a long moment, locked in a tentative embrace. She smelled like an ocean breeze. Her fingers clutched his sleeve, pulling him down and closer. Their kiss Their kiss deepened. Zuko felt jolts of electricity, blooming and sparking with each breath and each press of their lips.

Slowly, laboriously they parted. His hand stayed holding her face. Their eyes met again, this time unabashed. He looked deeply into her blue eyes, the lights sparkling in her gaze.

"I'm sorry if that was too forward," said Katara with an awkward laugh.

Zuko adjusted so that she released her grip on his sleeve, and he clasped that hand. He leaned down and kissed her again. He felt her tense for must a moment before melting into the kiss. Her hand squeezed his and he brushed his thumb gently on her cheek. That same electricity burned and blazed with each heart beat.

"So, see you tomorrow?" Asked Zuko as he pulled away from her to breathe. Katara took another step closer and kissed him again.


A/N: There wasn't an awesome way to work it into the fic, but Katara's parents were a little pissed at first… then they met Zuko and fell in love with him too. Now they're hounding the couple for a wedding date