The next day Zuko wakes up bright and early as usual. He goes through his morning routine starting with a shower then some meditation. He writes some more on his papers then grabs some breakfast as he heads out the door. He always scheduled the appointments as early as he could so he could start the days on better notes.

He walks into her office again and it's become a familiar place at this point. He feels comfortable here and when he talks with Katara. She is sitting in her office drinking her morning tea. He noticed that it was a to-go cup from the Jasmin Dragon but decided not to comment on it.

"Morning Zuko. How's your week been?"

"It's been good just a lot of work but that's normal."

"How have the meditation practices been going?"

"They're nice I do them in the morning before I start my day."

"That's good to hear!" She smiled and sat her tea down. "Now what will the topic of today be. We've been going more in-depth with some topics, what is today's?"

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "I think I can talk more about my Father today."

Her smile fades slightly as she realizes how serious this meeting will be, "Alright then let's take it slow and we can start whenever you're ready."

His fingers are tapping again and he keeps trying to breathe at an even pace. "So...you remember how I kind of froze up when you mentioned my father in our first session?"

"Yes I remember and I am now fully stocked on smelling salts here." She tried to keep things on her side more lighthearted to keep him comfortable.

"Ok, so part of the reason for that is..." He could feel himself start to zone out but he does his best to push through it. "I was at that meeting...I spoke out...and he...he..." He could bring himself to talk about the scar he's not ready for that.

"You're doing well, Zuko. Take your time." She said calmly.

"He kicked me out." I'm not technically lying.

She couldn't hide the shock no matter how hard she tried, "Your father kicked you out because you spoke out against him?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry." She doesn't know what to say to that, and then she remembered what he said in their first session, "And you were thirteen?"

"Yeah..."

"And your uncle took you in?"

"Yeah."

She shakes her head and tries to comprehend everything. "I'm sorry I'm just trying to see the reasoning because that is no reason to kick a child out...not that there is ever a reason to kick a kid out."

"I shouldn't have said that."

"No, no you have every right to say what you said. It's just...ok so when you study you read papers and see documentaries. I guess it's just a bit harder when someone is really saying it to you."

"I get it, I'm trying to be a social worker remember?" Now it's his turn to make it more lighthearted.

"Yes I remember, how is that going by the way?"

"Not bad I got assigned to shadow a guy and the kid seems nice. He's a little nosy but what kid isn't."

"Oh?"

"Why he just keeps asking how I got my scar and I give him a different answer every time."

"Like what?"

"I told him that this is what happens when you don't eat your vegetables and that the sun got mad at me."

She laughed and he really liked her laugh. He noticed a different kind of nervous feeling in his stomach.

"Sorry, I shouldn't laugh during these."

"Don't be it was nice."

She hummed and when back to the original topic, "Ok, so you got kicked out and that memory can trigger you."

"Well, yes, and no, it's not that exact memory that triggers me but remember how my mom disappeared?"

She couldn't miss the weird redirect but went with it, "Yes?"

"So I've been wondering for a while if my father had a hand in it. I don't know if that makes me crazy or if something else but-"

"Whoa, Zuko breathe you're starting to sound panicked." She started guiding him though some light breathing exercises.

After he followed her lead and calmed down, "Sorry, just when a guy like that does this you your face you question-"

"I'm sorry what?"

"What?"

"Did you just say your father did that to your face?!"

He immediately went blank his tapping stopped and he had his thousand-yard stare again. This time Katara remained calmer than last time and went to her cabinet and grabbed some Jasmine tea and made him some. While it was brewing she grabbed a weighted blanket and placed it over him.

She gently placed the tea in his hands as he started to focus on her again, "So I'll take that as a yes."

"Um, yeah. Sorry."

"You don't need to apologize for that. It's a pretty normal reaction to trauma, and your's is a fairly calm reaction and pretty manageable when given the right equipment," She gestured to the tea and blanket.

"Thanks." His voice was very soft.

"It's my job you don't need to thank me." She smiled again and he felt that nervous feeling again.

He gave her a shy smile in return and she turned her head away and played with her hair over her shoulder.

That's when he realized it. Butterflies. This feeling was the start of a crush.

I can push through this. She's a great therapist, I'm not going to ruin that.

She cleared her throat and asked, "Is it ok if I asked how that happened?"

He pulled the tea closer to his chest along with the blanket.

"It's ok if you don't want to talk abo-"

"No, I need to. Maybe once I actually say it I can start to actually move on."

"Have you never talked about it before?"

"Not in detail and to no one but my uncle."

"Ok I won't push you to tell me but if you want to I am all ears."

He's still tapping his fingers and she is giving her best caring smile.

"So...the night after the meeting...he started yelling at me. My mom was gone already at that point and my sister was somewhere else. H-he started to threaten me...that if I ever spoke out again..." He took some deep breaths and Katara sat patiently.

"He said I didn't believe him...so he took a blow torch...to prove himself." He couldn't look at her. He knew she was shocked and hurt for him.

"He really did that?"

"Yeah...My uncle came by later that night and saw me on the floor passed out. He took me to the hospital."

"How was any child left in his custody?"

"He's rich and knows the best worst lawyers. He completely disowned me and got rid of any documentation claiming me. As far as the law thinks I am my Uncle's son."

"Well, he seems like a much better father figure than your biological one."

"He is."

"This was good. I'm glad to see that you are able to talk about your scar now. With some work, we can even lessen the triggers."

"That sounds great."

"It is."

They're smiling at each other, and both of them have butterflies in their stomach that they try and shake away.

They have a few more sessions and Katara now has a favorite client. Which she should NOT have. She can't exactly talk to anyone about it, but unfortunately for her, her co-worker is very observant.

"Oh, dear," Yue says after Zuko leaves.

"What?"

"You're face is screaming cute boy alert."

"It's not like that," she crosses her arms.

"I would hope not but you have eyes don't you? He's a very attractive man."

She's glaring at Yue's smirk, "Whether or not I find him attractive doesn't matter. He is a client and I need to help him."

"And you will help him, either with your degree or in other ways."

"Yue!" She was shocked at what was implied.

"Katara he's making great progress and he's definitely one of the ones who won't always need a therapist."

"I know but what you are implying is crossing so many boundaries."

"I'm not saying you should date him when he's a client but who knows what the future holds." She smiled.

"If these feelings grow it wouldn't be right for me to continue to be his therapist. I wouldn't be able to help him without getting emotionally involved."

"And what's the worst that could happen if he does get a new therapist? You two part ways forever and don't see each other again?"

"Yue..."

"But that is the actual worst outcome. The best is that he is a great guy who stays in your life and makes you happy."

"Yue at most this is a crush. I can get over it. I don't want him to go through the stress of finding another therapist."

"Whatever you say Katara, but if you ever need to chat my office is just down the hall." She smiled and left.

Katara was sure she could get over this crush. She was positive.

Zuko's feelings have only gotten stronger with the appointments.

"Guys I don't know what to do."

"I say just tell her."

"Toph that is the worst idea in the world."

"I know but imagine the drama."

"Seriously Toph, she's great at her job and I feel comfortable talking to her. I don't want to find a new therapist again and have to go through my tragic back story again." Momo is now in Zuko's lap trying to comfort him.

"Ok dude I don't know what to tell you. You're right having a relationship with your therapist is all kinds of bad, but what about when you're done?" Sokka added.

He did decide to tell Sokka and Suki he was in therapy, well it's more like Toph mentioned it while they were there and he just had to tell them but they've been really respectful and haven't asked anything about it unless he brought it up.

"No offense but I don't see myself not needing therapy anytime soon."

"Maybe if we set him up with your sister he'll forget about the therapist." Suki joked to Sokka.

"There is NO way I am setting up my baby sister with him!"

They laughed at his overreaction.

"Sparky in all realness wouldn't talking to your uncle be better than talking to us."

"Probably but Momo is here and he's a big help."

Toph shakes her head and calls Momo back to her, "Go talk to your uncle."

He gets up and looks at his watch, "Fine, besides I'm going to his place tonight for dinner and need to head out anyway."

He and Iroh had a lovely meal. As Zuko helped cleaning up the dishes he heard his uncle, "Nephew you've been quieter than usual lately what's on your mind?"

"Uncle, I think I need some advice."

"I am always willing to give you advice dear nephew." He smiled and sat back at the table and gestured for him to join.

"So, you remember my therapist?"

"Miss Katara, yes she seems like a lovely person."

"Well, I think I might be getting feelings for her."

"Oh?"

"She's really nice and so comfortable to be around. She shares a bit of her life with me as I share mine. And I know that she's just doing her job but I don't know. Every time I make her laugh I feel so happy and we both had to grow up too fast. I don't understand why I'm like this." He doesn't really know how to put his emotions into words.

"The heart is a complicated thing Zuko. It very often will go against common sense and logic, but that will never stop the heart from loving and caring. You are a very caring person nephew. And while trying to pursue a romantic relationship with Miss Katara is not a good idea now, you don't know what the future holds, and you can change therapists if you start to get uncomfortable with her."

"That's the thing Uncle. I don't think I can be uncomfortable around her. I've told her about everything at this point. She has never judged me for my actions, she helped me and now I'm better than I have been in a long time. I don't want another therapist."

Just before Iroh was about to respond they heard a noise from his bedroom. Zuko grabbed a kitchen knife and ushers his uncle behind him.

"My my Zuzu. How noble."