Chapter 12:

Zuko Agni was extremely irritated. He hated suits with ties and he definitely hated early business meetings. He'd much rather be in his office doing something productive, instead of sitting in his office waiting for some pathetic soul terribly pitch their half assed product to him. He could be trying to patch things out with Mai again, but unfortunately Zuko was painfully out voted by his board of directors, who had met with the potential investor yesterday. They insisted Zuko have a personal meeting with the young man since his product was supposed to be so revolutionary. Frankly, Zuko was in an awful mood so if this guy really wanted a contract he'd have to endure his wrath to get it. Zuko ran his hand through his black hair then straighten his tie. The clock read 10:28AM. The meeting was set for 10:30. Hopefully this guy was prompt because if he got here any later than 10:31 Zuko wasn't even going to waste his time. A knock came on the door. Ty Lee, his assistant came bouncing into the room.

"Mr. Agni, your 10:30 is here." Ty Lee said in a chipper tone with her breasts bouncing around in her tight black blouse. He has got to talk to that girl about proper work attire, but that would have to wait.

"Thank you. Send him in." Zuko said authoritatively, letting out a small sigh. He hated early Monday meetings with a fiery passion.

In walked a man who Zuko automatically didn't like. His aura was throwing him off and he hated that silly smile on his face. Something about this guy just made Zuko's stomach churn. Zuko stood up to give the young man a hand shake.

"An honest man gives a nice firm handshake." Zuko said as he shook Aang's hand. He scowled slightly. Any man with a weak hand shake Zuko didn't want to do business with. "Have a seat Mr. - I'm sorry your name has escaped me."

Aang took his seat with a nervous look on his face, "Good Morning Mr. Agni. My name is Aang Zephyr. Your board met with me yesterday and they were really impressed with my product, the Air Glider Delta."

"Well let's get one thing straight. If you want your product distributed I'm the one you have to impress Mr. Zephyr. I don't care what my board members said to you yesterday because my opinion is the only one that matters." Zuko asserted. "You have to understand I'm a very busy man so hopefully you aren't a complete waste of my time."

He could see Aang swallowing really hard. It was easier to make him squirm than he had originally thought.

"No, I mean yes I understand completely. Um, my product is the Air Glider Del-"

"I know what your product is already. I'd have to be living under a rock to not know about it. Plus you literally just said the name of your product. Please explain to me how my company could benefit from it?" Zuko interrupted. He cleared his throat and clasped his hands together on the desk. He could tell Aang was completely not prepared for that question.

"It would help the Agni brand. My product is used all over the country from recreational purposes to military combat situations. There's nothing associated with my product that could possibly hurt you company. I guarantee the turnover from sales will be worth it. Everyone wants to do something that was once believed to be not humanly possible. My glider brings human flight to homes all over the place. "Aang gave a smile and twisted a bit in his chair.

"Though impressive you have to understand the liability my company would have to accept if something went wrong. It may be too risky to endorse it."

"No, no. There are harnesses and there's a parachute built into the glider. If you're worried about someone falling it won't happen."

"There are also trees and buildings and other air crafts that could be a potential harm to people. Everyone doesn't have access to a large open space to fly these things and without proper training on how to use them I'm surprised no one has gotten hurt yet."

"That's not true. My girlfriend picked it up rather quickly."

"Well I'm hoping your girlfriend isn't as delusional as you. I'm NOT going to back something that I can see as being remotely dangerous. I'm sorry."

"That's not fair. I already signed a contract yesterday with your board. You guys can't back out and my girlfriend isn't delusional. Maybe if you had one you wouldn't be such a jerk!"

Zuko let out an amused laughed. "Calling the guy who holds your future in their hands a name is certainly not good business. Contract is null and void Mr. Zephyr. I didn't sign it so it has no legal standing. By the way what's your girlfriend's name? I bet she wouldn't think I was so much of a jerk."

"Katara would NEVER like a guy like you."

Was he serious right now? Unlikely. Katara, his employee, was this guy's girlfriend? He knew he hated his stupid ass smirk for some reason.

"Oh really? You know what I'll sign the contract Mr. Zephyr. Consider it a gift to a friend." Zuko said enthusiastically. Zuko quickly scribbled his signature on the bottom of the sheet and slid it back to Aang. Aang looked completely bewildered as he stared at the paper for a few seconds.

"Thank, thank you but I don't get it we aren't friends."

"No but your 'girlfriend' and I are. Now please leave my office. By the way ask her how she likes the car I bought her." Zuko spoke nonchalantly as he smirked at Aang. Sure, Katara was his girlfriend but spent all Saturday crying her eyes out over her ex to Zuko. He didn't want to believe him. Although the look on his face was absolutely priceless. Yea I bought your "girlfriend" something you could never afford, what are you going to do about it? He could pretty much feel the disdain Aang felt towards him as he grudgingly left the room. Sure, Aang probably had a lot to say to him, but Zuko didn't care. After all, he couldn't hate Zuko that much if he just signed a multi-million dollar deal with his company. Didn't change the fact that he didn't like Aang and probably never would. Zuko was satisfied he at least got to one up Aang, thanks to a strange coincidence. The car thing was a low blow but Aang wasn't going to tell Katara he was the one who bought the car because Aang was a Nice Guy. Zuko detested Nice Guys.

~/~

Katara was currently still in the driveway of her house. She was sitting in the new car with the keys in her hand, still not believing this was hers. This was more than Katara could ever have asked for. This car, it was just too much for her to handle. That note was left with it was exceptionally non-platonic. Maybe Aang had given it to her? Regardless she had to take this back. She couldn't accept something like this from anyone with a catch being attached.

At the Agni Estate Katara did her usual cleaning routine, until Zuko came in around noon abnormally angry at something. He slammed the door behind him and tossed both his suit jacket and brief case right now to the door. He stomped upstairs without a single word to Katara. Here's the return of Zuko Buttface. Katara followed him upstairs, concerned about what had happened. Maybe he had a bad day at work or something.

"Mr. Agni, did you have a bad day? Do you need me to do anything for you to help? I can make you a meal if you want."

"How about you just leave?" Zuko delivered in a crass tone. So one minute they're having an intimate conversation about their exes and the next she's being shunned. She was beginning to get real annoyed with his mood swings.

"I just wanted to see if you needed anything. You seem frustrated."

"I AM frustrated Ms. Sapphire. Now I'm getting frustrated with you so take the hint and go."

"Um no. I'm not leaving. I know you had a pissy day or whatever but don't take it out on me. I didn't do anything. I thought we were working on being friends."

"I don't NEED a friend right now."

"Well what is it that you need? I'm here to help you."

"I NEED, I need for you to leave right now for the rest of the day. You'll still be paid. Do whatever you want. Just leave." His words stung a little bit. Why was he acting this way? This was beyond him just having a bad day. Something else was going on.

"Fine. I'll go but next time I come back don't expect me to be so friendly Mr. Agni." She retorted making her exit.

~/~

Katara clicked the unlocked button to her new car and got in. She let out a frustrated scream inside. She was so annoyed with him. He wasn't making her job any easier to do with his mixed signals. Zuko seriously needed to grow some man balls and get that stick out of his ass. Katara pulled out her phone and shot a text to Aang.

Katara: Hey, got off work early. You said you'd tell me all about the meeting. Meet me Jasmine Dragon?

Aang: Sure. I wanted to see you anyway.

Katara arrived at the Jasmine Dragon at 1PM. Aang was already seated at a table in the center of the restaurant.

"Hi, Aang." Katara said in an inviting voice.

"Hi." Aang said smiling. Katara couldn't help but stare at his suit. She loved a man in a well fitted suit. Aang was no exception, although something about Zuko in a dark black suit just made her feel a little more worked up than Aang did. She did NOT just compare Aang to Zuko, the guy who just yelled at her for absolutely no reason. Katara looked at Aang, trying to take her mind off Zuko. Definitely working.

"Why hello Ms. Katara. It's nice to have my favorite customer back." Iroh, the nice old man who own the shop, spoke. He always spoke to Katara whenever she was there for lunch. She had been coming here for a couple years now and every time Iroh offered her warm hospitality.

"Hi Iroh. I'm glad to see you too. Last time I came you weren't here." Katara smiled at Iroh, whose beard had grown longer since the last time she saw him.

"Yes, yes I had a family engagement. I'll be here to stay though. Would you like your usual?"

"Yes, of course."

"And for your handsome friend?"

"Um just a green tea please." Aang quickly stated. Iroh walked away to put in their order.

"How was your meeting?" Katara asked curiously.

Aang's eyes widened. He looked like a deer in the headlights when Katara asked him that. Maybe it didn't go well? Aang cleared his throat then stroked his facial hair.

"It was fine. Agni signed the contract." Aang uttered quickly with no enthusiasm what so ever.

"That's great!" Katara exclaimed. "You don't seem too excited though."

Aang grimaced a bit then gave Katara a soft smile. "I'm happy. It was just… an early meeting. Agni really liked the gliders. He said it would be no harm to endorse them. "

Their order came only moments later. Katara was actually more excited about Aang's new deal than the tea and food. They finished there meal than Aang thought it was a nice idea to take a walk in the park. The sun was shining, a slight breeze was blowing, and the flowers and trees were in full bloom. The twosome sat on a secluded park bench. Aang took the opportunity to put his arm around Katara.

"Katara, you know I like you right? I really hope you enjoyed the gift I bought you." Aang whispered into her ear.

"YOU! You bought that car for me! Aang you have to take it back." Katara protested.

Aang grabbed her hand and leaned in a little closer, "I bought that for you to prove how serious I am about you. I know I wasn't an option in high school but Katara you are the girl of my dreams. You deserve the best. The car is only the beginning of all the wonderful things I could give you."

"Aang." Katara muttered blushing bright red. "What's the catch? No one gives someone a $300,000 car without needing to do something in return. We only had one date after all."

"You just let me show you just how happy I can make you. More happy than you could ever be with another guy." Aang leaned in a little closer.

She noticed the mole on his cheek, the passion in his eyes. She wanted to give Aang a chance. She was longing, begging for him to show her the fire she ignited in him. Before Katara knew it Aang was kissing her like he never wanted to stop, kissing her like she was the only thing that mattered. He cupped onto her face and in a split second their lips were moving together. This only made her desire for him stronger. It had been sooo long since she had been kissed she had forgotten for a moment what it was like to have a whole conversation without even speaking. They pulled away from each other, Katara was panting from the short yet heated moment.

"So do these other gifts include being extremely turned on?"

Aang just laughed and kissed her one more time.

Author's Note: I'm pretty sure Zuko just needs to punch Aang the face at this point. What do you guys think?