I told Zuko to bus Jin's table, which he didn't argue with. Jin drank her tea quickly, and I could see her growing nervous as she walked up the register. I nudged Zuko to bus Jin's table quickly, which, surprisingly, he didn't object to. I heard Uncle shuffling from the kitchen to the front of the house. I walked slowly to take an order from a customer behind Jin as she stood in line to pay. As I passed her, I whispered, "Good luck!".

I had to ask the woman ordering to repeat herself twice because I could not focus on her while I saw Jin moving towards Zuko. I scribbled it down, and hurried to eavesdrop.

"So Li, I've been hoping…would you like to meet me for dinner tonight?" Jin said, hurriedly. I stood a few feet behind her where she couldn't hear me, but Zuko could see me, and nodded my head and mouthed "Yes!" furiously to Zuko. I prayed he could understand me. Thankfully, Uncle stepped in after Zuko stood motionless for a few seconds and said for him, "He would love to go!"

All three of us sighed. Jin smiled and asked, "I'll meet you outside the shop at 7?"

"Yeah, that'd be great," Zuko said slowly.

Before Jin could turn around to go outside, I scurried out front to meet her. When she came out, she was full of smiles. We hugged and squealed a bit; she was finally as excited as I was!

"You did it, girl! I told you could do it! You'll have lots of fun tonight," I exclaimed.

She sighed and blushed. "That was so scary! Any suggestions for tonight?" she asked, sincerely.

I thought before answering. "Li doesn't go outside of his comfort zone very often and he'll be trying to stay there all night. Just take care of him, try and make him feel comfortable."

"Alright, I can do that," Jin said as she turned to leave. "Thanks again, Sing!"

"Not a problem, Jin," I said as I waved. "Oh Jin!"

"What?"

"Please forgive him if he does anything stupid tonight. This kind of thing doesn't happen to him often," I told her, knowing Zuko.

"Alright, I'm a pretty forgiving person anyways!" she cried as she turned the corner and waved one last time. I smiled excitedly, and walked back into the shop, winking at Uncle when our eyes met.

We closed up shop at six, and hurried to our apartment next door. Uncle had me draw a bath for Zuko, and find fresh, clean clothes for him while he bathed. When Zuko was done, Uncle forced him down into a chair and began fixing his hair, which was growing longer during our stay. Ten minutes later, I heard Zuko stand up and head towards his room, where I was waiting for him. I peeked out to see him, and almost cried when I saw the prince: his hair was parted and slicked back tight against his head. I closed the door after him so Uncle couldn't hear me laughing.

"What? It took Uncle ten minutes to do this to me!" Zuko cried.

I chuckled, and remarked, "Well, it'll take me two seconds to fix it." I walked over to him, and rubbed my hand roughly through his hair, mussing it up terribly. "There, much better," I concluded as I adjusted a few stray hairs. "Now, put this on, and come back in so I can double check you before you leave."

"Double check me?" he asked, taking the clothes.

"Yes, now go change!" I ushered him. Normally, Zuko wouldn't take this kind of attitude from me, but he was utterly confused and willing to take any advice he could get. He returned and sat on the bed, not sure of what to expect next.

I started from head to toe. His hair was fine, his face was clean, but I gave him a touch of lip balm.

"Just in case," I muttered, gently smearing it across his bottom lip.

"In case of what?" he asked, totally mystified.

I giggled. "In case she kisses you! You don't want to be caught with dry, chapped lips; that's not something a prince should be remembered for." I finished, and continued my checklist in my head. While I made adjustments here and there, he asked simple questions:

"What if I say something stupid and embarrass myself?"

"Zuko, Jin doesn't care if you act stupid or do something wrong. That's why she likes you: you're human, and you make mistakes," I said calmly.

"And what if I don't know what to say?"

I sighed. "Well, don't talk about yourself too much. You're in disguise anyways. Ask about her, and her family and life in Ba Sing Se and such. She'll help the conversations along, I'm sure."

He scooted to the back of the bed, and leaned against the wall. "I've never been on a date before," he said quietly. "Hell, no one's ever even liked me before," he added quietly. "I guess I'm just nervous."

I smiled, feeling sorry for him, and knowing his pain having grown up with him. "If there's one, there will be others," I said, trying to encourage him without getting his hopes up too high.

Uncle yelled from the kitchen, "Sing! Zuko! It's almost seven!"

"Alright, I think you're ready Master," I said proudly, admiring my handy work.

"Should I wait outside?" he asked anxiously.

"I think that'd be a good idea," Uncle said without noticing his hair. Zuko stood outside our wide front window so he could still listen to Uncle and I talking to him. We both offered tips of advice as we thought of them, mostly Uncle contributed seeing as how I had less experience than even Zuko. Then, after a few minutes, I spotted Jin coming from down the road. She wore a beautiful long, white dress with red flowers and one to match in her hair tucked behind her ear. We wished Zuko good luck, and ducked down so Jin couldn't see us.

The rest of the night was just a waiting game; nobody wanted to go to bed before he came home. Uncle just brewed pot after pot of tea. Thankfully, not long after nine, Zuko marched inside straight to his room without saying a word.