He didn't enjoy working at the tea shop, not at first anyway. He found the work tedious and the customers were loud and obnoxious. When they got the better tea shop things changed, and Zuko wondered if life was finally looking up. And then she showed up.

She sat in a table in the corner with her lemur on her shoulder. He wanted to tell her to take that thing out of there, but that would have meant approaching her. He was a fugitive so he didn't want to be seen, especially not by Katara, a known ally of the Avatar. So he hung back, helping the other tables before Uncle approached him with a pot of tea and two cups. He handed it to Zuko and motioned to Katara.

"Uncle, she is a friend of the Avatar, she could report us and we would lose everything," Zuko said under his breath.

"Nephew, if there is one thing I know it is that tea can help mend any relationship. This is a particularly soothing blend, she will enjoy it. Go, take a break and have tea with her."

Zuko was forced to walk toward Katara when Iroh gave him a gentle nudge. He set the tea pot down and then two cups.

"Oh, I only need one-" Katara started to say but stopped when she caught sight of his scar.

"You! What are you doing here?" she said, loud enough for a few customers to looks at them.

"Be quiet, I'm a fugitive, I don't need any excess attention drawn to myself. And Uncle said we should drink his special tea."

Katara raised an eyebrow at him as he poured two cups and passed her one. She took it and then sniffed it cautiously. Momo sniffed it too, and then deciding it was safe leapt into the chair next to Katara and curled up.

"Just because you bring me tea doesn't make up for all of the time you spent chasing and attacking us."

"I know, if there was anyway I could make amends for what I've done I would do it. I hope this can prove as a start to show that I have changed."

At first it was awkward but eventually they started talking about the Earth Kingdom, and how different it was from anything they had ever seen in the world. He realized that he loved to hear her laugh, and he loved it more when she laughed at something he said.

"I should really get back to work, I'm not supposed to take such long breaks," Zuko said after more than an hour. He stood up and Katara reached out to grab his hand.

"If I came by again tomorrow, could we have tea again?"

He nodded, too stunned to say anything and then started to clear the table. Before she left he went up to her again.

"Please, don't tell anyone you saw me."

"It will be our secret."

When she walked away he watched her leave with Momo sitting on her shoulder chattering away. He had never felt so happy.

The next day Zuko kept hoping she would return, but as the day wore on he realized she was never coming back. She had gotten back home and realized what a mistake she had made. His mood became more sour until Iroh motioned toward the table in the back corner.

There she was, sitting in the same spot, but this time without Momo. Zuko took the tea his Uncle offered and went to sit down across from Katara again.

"I was worried you wouldn't come," he confessed as he poured their tea.

"I promised I would, only something terrible would keep me away."

Zuko smiled at her, and she correctly assumed it had been years since he had ever responded to someone so sincerely.

It was close to closing time and when Zuko got up to help clean Iroh refused any help and insisted he take Katara out. Katara smiled at Iroh who returned it warmly and then ushered them out of the tea shop.

"So where does your friends think you are?"

"I just said I needed to go out. We don't always spend every minute together," she said almost defensively.

"Would you like to get some dinner?"

"Yes, that sounds great."

After dinner Zuko offered to walk her home and she agreed, though she purposefully lead them on a rather longer route than necessary.

"Zuko, I had a really nice time tonight, and I'd like to keep seeing you, as much as possible." They were a few houses away from hers - she didn't want to take him directly to theirs in case someone saw them.

At those words his heart fell, he realized she was too ashamed to admit to her friends she had been out with her. He was about to nod and wish her a goodnight when she grabbed his hand and pulled his closer. Then they were kissing and the entire world melted away; one hand settled at her waist and the other in her hair. She pressed herself completely against him and moaned when he nibbled on her lower lip.

When they broke apart a few minutes later both of them were breathing heavy and their lisp were red. She blushed and he found himself wanting to take her somewhere and find out just what they could get up to tonight.

"That was…" she trailed off and he nodded in agreement. And then his arms were around her again, she fit so perfectly in his arms it seemed wrong not to find out what noises she made when he kissed her neck and face.

"I really should get back, before they come looking for me." Zuko could see the confliction in her eyes, and he knew his mirrored hers. He wanted to stay here with Katara forever, but knew that if Aang or Sokka were to find him they would not treat him with kindness, especially if he was pressed against Katara.

"Goodnight Zuko, I'll try and stop by for tea tomorrow," Katara said after one final kiss.

He watched her go knowing that he may not see her again for a while. All he could do was hope that when their paths did cross again they would be friendly and get to resume their relationship where they left off.

A/N: I love happy Zuko, he's just the cutest!