Previously on Tea Time Love Affair…

Determined to make a new life for herself, Mei Lin sets up a pottery store in Ba Sing Se. Business is dismal and just as she is on the verge of losing it all she makes a new friend in Mushi; an older gentlemen opening a tea shop in the Upper Ring. As the two of them join together in friendship and business, Mei Lin doesn't realize that Mushi, and his nephew Lee, are hiding a terrible secret.

They are the banished general and prince from the Fire Nation.

Iroh is content to leave his former life behind and move forward. He is more than pleased when he makes the acquaintance of Mei Lin, a beautiful older woman who creates beauty through Earthbending. As he and Mei Lin draw closer, Iroh begins to forget what life was like before they met.

Meanwhile Zuko, grudgingly takes up the mantle of Lee. Although he loves his uncle, the young prince finds himself struggling to deal with the new life that was thrust upon him. Making things harder are the affections of a young woman named Jin who seems to care for "Lee" despite his temper and scar.

As the two men draw closer and closer to the women they find themselves faced with hard choices and decisions. Can they truly be happy with the life they are creating in Ba Sing Se? Or is their happiness just a drop in time?

The next day, Mei Lin arrived at the tea shop with what felt like hundreds of butterflies taking up residence in her stomach. While nothing more than a simple embrace had occurred between the two friends during their time in the garden, Mei knew that something had changed between her and Mushi. Nervously she touched a hand to her throat. It had been many years since she had experienced emotions like this and while she was terrified of where this all might lead she was ready to move forward.

Walking through the tea shop towards the spot in the back that housed her wares, Mei Lin saw Lee setting up the tables for the day's business. "Good morning Lee, I hope you and Jin had a pleasurable afternoon yesterday."

Lee looked at her, a small frown on his face. He dipped his head downwards before saying stiffly. "It was…nice."

By this time Mei Lin had come up beside him. Reaching up she touched his face, just below the scar and said gently, "It brings me happiness to see you enjoying your youth."

Looking embarrassed, Lee replied, "Uhhh…thanks."

Mei lowered her hand and looked around. Hesitantly she asked, "Has your Uncle arrived?"

"He went out to get some fresh flowers for the main display," Lee explained as he went back to setting up the tables.

Only slightly disappointed, Mei Lin nodded and walked to her section of the store.

Iroh arrived just as the shop was opening. Giving a friendly greeting to his workers and first customers, he placed the fresh blooms he carried into a large vase near the entrance and arranged them into an appealing display. Satisfied with the arrangement, he turned around and caught sight of Mei Lin seated at her counter. She held a small brush in one hand and a cup in the other one. Removing one of the flowers from the display, Iroh hurried towards the back of the store.

"Mei Lin….good morning."

The woman looked up in surprise and Iroh was pleased to see her face turn pink. She set the cup and brush down and replied, "Mushi! I wasn't expecting to see you so soon."

Chuckling Iroh admitted, "I do have a tendency to linger over the flowers at the market but when there is one more beautiful than those waiting for me here why should I tarry?"

"Mushi…I…." Mei Lin's voice trailed off as a crowd of people entered the store. She looked slightly disappointed but the expression was dismissed as she smiled. "It seems as though you had better leave and attend to your customers." The smile on her face widened when Iroh held out the flower in his hand to her.

Mei reached out and took it, their fingers brushing. Their eyes met and both of their faces grew hot. Iroh shifted his hand so that it would cover hers. "Would you honor me tonight with your presence…over a meal?"

As the morning shifted into the afternoon, Zuko's emotion shifted from annoyance to anger each time he caught sight of his uncle making eyes at the older woman who had invaded their life. What made it worse was the fact that Mei Lin seemed to greatly enjoy the attention his uncle sent her way. Suddenly desperate for a breath fresh of air, Zuko set his serving tray down and slipped outside. A cool breeze met his face and the young man let out a sigh of relief.

Folding his arms over his chest Zuko watched the people walking by the shop. What fools…he thought. There was a war going on right outside their precious walls but none of them seemed to care. He sighed and thought of Jin; she was the very definition of carefree. Absently touching his scar Zuko felt a deep sadness settle over him. There was no way that he and Jin would last. Whatever was between them was as fragile as the flowers his uncle had brought this morning. Beautiful for nothing more than a brief moment. Already they had begun to wilt.

Feeling depressed Zuko turned around to head back inside when a paper floated down and landed on his head. Scowling he reached up and snatched it off his head. Once it was front of his eyes, the young prince felt his breath catch. "It can't be…"

At the end of the day Mei Lin raised her arms up and stretched with a happy sigh. Today had been a most satisfying day. Several people had come over to inspect her wares and nearly all of them had bought something. One of them had even put in an order for an elaborate tea set to be given as a gift. Once she had counted the day's money and placed it into a small pocket on her tunic, Mei Lin made her way over to where Mushi was counting his earnings of the days. A quick glance showed that Lee had already left for the day.

"Mushi, I'm going to head home now." Though her voice was soft, Mushi was startled and nearly dropped the coins he had been counting.

Mushi smiled at her. "Very well, if you give me a moment I can walk you home."

Mei Lin's insides felt warm and buttery. How lucky she had been to have a man such as Mushi stumble into her humble shop. Touching her hand to his arm she said, "Actually, I have an errand to run before I go home. I will see you tonight." Before he could protest, and before she could lose her nerve, Mei leaned forward and brushed her mouth against his cheek. Blushing she pulled away and gave him a small wave before hurrying away.

Iroh was in the living room area of his apartment deciding on which shoes to wear for his dinner with Mei Lin when Zuko walked in with a peculiar expression his face.

"Ahh Zuko; you have impeccable timing." Holding up one half of each pair of shoes Iroh continued, "Which of these shoes are a better match to what I am wearing? I do not wish to look foolish for tonight's dinner with Mei Lin."

Zuko's face tightened as he reached into his tunic and removed a sheet of paper. "The Avatar is here in Ba Sing Se." He said without preamble. Holding the paper, which Iroh could now see was a poster, Zuko continued softly, "And he's lost his bison."

Setting down the shoes Iroh took the paper from his nephew. Sure enough it was a notice requesting help in locating the Sky Bison known as Appa. With a calm he did not feel the older man said casually, "We have a chance for a new life here." When Zuko merely walked away to go near the window Iroh continued in a firmer tone, "If you start stirring up trouble we could lose all the good things that are happening for us."

At those words Zuko whipped around and shouted, "You mean that are happening for you! Haven't you thought that maybe I want more from life that living in a nice apartment and job serving tea?"

"There's nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity," Iroh protested. "I suggest you think about what it is that you want from your life…and why."

There was a brief moment of silence as Zuko turned back towards the window. Bitterly he replied, "I want my destiny."

At this statement Iroh said sharply, "What that means is up to you." His nephew let out a huff as he walked to his room and shut the door. After a moment Iroh looked down at his shoes and he said to himself, "I believe that I will go with this pair of shoes."

Thirty minutes later, Iroh stood outside of the home Mei was living in. He knocked on the door and when it opened, the Dragon of the West felt truly speechless for what felt like the first time in his life. Up until that point Iroh had never seen Mei outside of a simple tunic overlaying leggings. And her hair, while thick and beautiful was usually caught back in a low pony tail. Now however…Iroh wasn't sure where to focus his eyes. Mei had done her hair up in a qitou, one of the elaborate styles the ladies of Ba Sing Se's upper ring seemed to favor. Her tunic and leggings had been replaced with a beautiful cream, gold, and pale green robe. The barest hint of makeup touched her face.

When Iroh did not speak, Mei Lin cleared her throat and asked hesitantly, "A…are you alright Mushi?" she waved a hand at her outfit and looked embarrassed. "If you think it's too much then I will go and change."

Iroh reached out and captured her hand in his. "My dear, I have never seen anyone lovelier than you at this very moment." With that he tucked her hand in his arm and led her away.

Jin stood outside the door of Lee's house feeling hesitant. Something had changed between them during their parting the previous day; and it wasn't a good change. Trying to force her nerves down, Jin knocked on the door. Once. Twice. Three times. Just as she was giving up hope, the door swung open revealing a scowling Lee. The expression on his face softened as he realized it was her but the words he spoke her sharp, "What are you doing here?"

Blinking Jin replied, "What do you think? I came to visit you…I didn't have a chance to see you earlier."

There was a moment of silence before Lee sighed. Rubbing a hand over his hair he said awkwardly, "Look Jin…we should…I need to…"

If someone had told Jin that you could physically feel your heart break she would have laughed them off. But now, with the look on Lee's face and the words he was trying to speak, laughter was the last thing on the girl's mind. Trying to keep her face blank Jin said softly, "What is it Lee?"

"I can't be with you anymore," Lee blurted out. "I have a destiny t-that doesn't include this." He ended his statement by waving his hand between them, making it very clear what it was he meant by 'this'.

Of all the breakup lines Jin had been expecting, that had not been one of them. She wasn't his destiny? Her eyes filled with tears and she asked angrily, "What, now your uncle owns the best tea shop in the city and I'm not good enough for you anymore? I can't believe how…" she paused to swipe angrily at her tears. Lee opened his mouth to speak but Jin cut him off. "Fine, Lee. It's not my destiny to be with a rude, self centered, loser! I'm glad this finally over."

"Jin, you don't understand…my honor is—"

Jin's mouth dropped open. "What are you saying Lee; that I'm ruining your honor?" At this the tears spilled over and she clapped her hand over her mouth. Lee made a move to touch her and she jerked backwards. "Don't touch me...it might ruin what's left of you." With those words, Jin turned around and left; her heart breaking with each footstep.

"I don't believe I've ever eaten a finer meal," Mei Lin admitted as she patted her mouth with a cloth napkin.

Mushi looked pleased as he pushed his plate away. "Then perhaps you should come over one evening for dinner; I have a delightful recipe for tuna shark."

Mei Lin looked down at her empty plate as she blushed. Mushi was incorrigible. But that was one of the things she enjoyed about him. Looking up she said softly, "I would enjoy that very much."

A few minutes later the couple exited the eatery. Mei Lin took Mushi's arm and the two of them walked slowly down the streets of Ba Sing Se. It was a warm evening and neither of them were in a rush to get to their respective homes. Neither of them spoke but Mei Lin didn't mind the silence. It was comfortable and it was enough just to be by Mushi's side. Mei stole a glance at her companion and was surprised to see that he looked very serious. Squeezing his arm she asked him, "Are you alright Mushi? This is the most serious I've ever seen you look."

Startled from his thoughts Mushi looked at her in surprise. He smiled slightly and patted her hand. "No, I am fine…I was merely thinking of Lee."

"How is he doing?" Mei asked. "He seemed rather down today."

Mushi sighed. "He is struggling with some issues. It pains me that I cannot do more for him in this difficult time."

The love that Mushi held for his nephew moved Mei Lin. She wished that she could do more than offer a sympathetic ear but as an outsider it wasn't her place. She slid her hand from the crook of Mushi's elbow down to his hand. Entwining their fingers Mei said simply, "With you beside him I am sure things will turn out well."

He squeezed her hand and looked as though he was going to say something when he gasped. "That shop has a Pai Sho board!"

The sight of the Pai Sho board erased all thoughts Iroh had in his mind. It had been weeks since his last game and now that he saw the board he would not rest until he had a chance to play. Immediately he changed directions, pulling Mei Lin behind him. They reached the table they found an older man sitting before it.

The man looked at them and grinned, "I see you're a fan of Pai Sho! Buy our Roast Duck Special and you'll get to play two games for free!" When Iroh gaped at him in surprise the man continued with a shrug, "Not interested in roast duck? Then a game costs seven silvers."

Mei Lin frowned. "I've never heard of anyone charging for Pai Sho before."

"That is because it is not done," Iroh said in disgust. "Let's get out of here."

As they walked away Mei Lin said, "I didn't know you were a fan of Pai Sho."

"That is because I have not had a chance to play it," Iroh replied sadly. "I am hoping that I will soon have enough money to purchase a Pai Sho table for the Jasmine Dragon."

There was a brief moment of silence before Mei Lin cleared her throat. "You seem to forget that your new friend is an Earth Bender who specializes in creating things." When Iroh looked at her blankly she continued with a laugh, "All you have to do is purchase a block of rock and I can make one for you. Or…" She paused to smile mischievously, "We can just clear a section of the floor and I can make it a permanent part of the shop. Then the only money you'd have to spend would be on paints and Pai Sho pieces."

Mei Lin suppressed a laugh as she and Mushi reentered the tea shop. It was amusing to see how invested he was in the game of Pai Sho. Mei Lin enjoyed the strategic game but if she had to choose a favorite past time it would be Earth Soccer. As a young child it had been something that she had played frequently with her friends in the village. Once she had gotten married the games had fallen away until she had Sheng; her son had loved the game as much as her.

A wave of grief rolled over Mei Lin as she walked beside Mushi through the shop. Every time she thought she was ready to put the past behind her something happened to bring Sheng to her mind. Mei brushed the thoughts aside as Mushi came to a stop and waved his arm. "What do you think about here?"

"I think it would look nice," Mei Lin said before pausing to lift and eyebrow. "If you didn't want any happy customers." At Mushi's disappointed expression she explained, "Unless you want a small sized Pai Sho board there wouldn't be room for your waiters to move around."

Mushi stroked his beard before sighing. "I believe that you are right...Though this is one moment where I wish you were not so."

Laughing slightly Mei Lin replied, "Perhaps it would be better to give the location some more thought." Taking his hand once more she continued, "Come, let us finish our walk."

Thirty minutes later the couple reached the door of Mei Lin's home. The older woman pulled her hand out of Iroh's and reached up to touch his face. Stroking his face she said huskily, "Thank you for a wonderful evening."

"The pleasure was all mine," Iroh said as he covered her hand with his. He turned his head so that his mouth brushed against Mei Lin's palm.

Mei Lin sighed softly and took a step back, her hand dropping. A smile tugged at Iroh's lips when he realized how flustered she had become. He wanted nothing more than to draw Mei close to him and kiss her. But he couldn't…not yet. Mei Lin was a lovely woman but he was lying to her about his identity and unless he could come clean there was no way that Iroh could comfortably take their relationship to a further level. As Mei Lin closed her front door and he headed back towards his own home, Iroh wondered if he would ever be able to come clean about his identity. For a moment the older man felt anxious. Mei Lin had lost her family to this war. If she discovered he was Fire Nation and a high ranking military official….

Iroh sighed. It was a delicate situation, one that required much thought. By this time he had reached his apartment. The lights were off when he entered. Quietly he made his way to Zuko's room. Peering inside he could see the still form of his nephew lying on the pallet. The younger man had his arm flung over his face and was breathing deeply. A smile touched Iroh's lips and he left the boy to his dreams.

Zuko heard his Uncle's return to the apartment and feigned sleep when the door to his room opened. When his uncle left to his own room, Zuko sat up and the blanket fell away revealing a black outfit. From beneath his pillow he withdrew a familiar blue mask. Zuko stared down into the familiar features that would transform him from the banished prince into the Blue Spirit. With little hesitation he slid the mask over his face and tied into place.

Shifting off the pallet he lifted the padding and removed his two broadswords. Going to the door he pressed his ear against the door and almost smiled at the sound of his Uncle snoring; going out with Mei Lin must have worn him out. The Prince turned around and within a few moments he had exited the apartment through the window. Moving quickly through the streets, swords strapped to his back, Zuko soon found what he had been looking for. A solitary Dai Li agent. Even before Zuko had known about the missing sky bison, he had been keeping tabs on the military power in the city; he had to keep an eye on things even if his uncle wouldn't. The young man had quickly learned that the Dai Li had a way of making unpleasant things disappear from their city. If anyone had the Sky Bison it would be them.

Speeding up, Zuko crashed into Dai Li agent and snapped, "Out of my way skinny!" Without waiting, he continued onwards and turned into an alleyway. There he set up a scarecrow he had made earlier in the day while his Uncle had been goofing off with Mei Lin. Once the scarecrow was standing, Zuko jumped up and grabbed onto the edge of the roof of one of the buildings and pulled himself up. He didn't have to wait long; the Dai Li agent soon appeared and Zuko sneered as he watched the other man punch a hole in the chest and then knock the head off the scarecrow.

As the Dai Li agent stared in confusion at the straw that spilled forth from the scarecrow, Zuko jumped down and came up behind the man. Without hesitation he removed his swords and brought them around to touch the neck of the Dai Li. As the other man stiffened, Zuko growled, "If you don't want to end up like him…you'll do what I say."

By the time Zuko and the Dai Li agent reached the shores of Lake Laogai, the sun had already risen. The terrified agent used his earth bending to reveal the secret entrance. When he turned around to plead with Zuko to let him go, the prince hit him over the head with the hilt of his sword and then dragged the man's unconscious body behind some rocks. No need to alert anyone to his whereabouts. Zuko quickly entered the entrance to the Dai Li head quarters and couldn't help but feel impressed.

It was large, filled with large open rooms and winding walkways. Ir didn't take long for Zuko to find the bison; as he was walking he spotted a Dai Li agent pushing a large wheel barrow full of hay. The man disappeared into a doorway at the other end of the hallway and a few moments later reappeared with an empty wheelbarrow. Zuko tensed, ready to knock the man out if he came towards him but to his relief the man turned in the other direction muttering about smelly animals.

With a smile of triumph Zuko entered the room at the end of the hall and was rewarded with the sight of the chained sky bison. The creature looked up and Zuko couldn't help but ask coolly, "Expecting someone else?"

The avatar's bison rose to his feet and growled deep in his throat. Zuko took a step forward. "You're mine now."

Appa let out a roar as he jerked forward against the chains wrapped around his feet. The young prince could feel the sky bison's breath through the small eye and mouth openings on the mask and he winced; grateful that the mask protected him. As he took another step forward the door to the cell opened. Zuko whipped around, ready to battle when he felt his blood chill. Forgetting he wore the mask Zuko dropped his arms down to his side.

"Uncle?"

Dear Lord it's been forever and a day since I last updated this fic. The only reason I can offer you is life. The last three years have been rough as I've changed degrees, moved in with my brother, and now I am close to graduating! A few more months and then I'm free to enter the next stage of my life. This past Christmas I received the entire ATLA series on dvd and I knew that it was time to start work on this fic again. I hope you all enjoyed this update and I look forward to putting out the next chapter!

SIDE NOTE-I could have swore that I named Mei Lin's son in an earlier chapter but I honestly can't remember. So I gave him a new name now, if it causes confusion then sorry about that! Sheng is just gonna be his name from here on out. haha