Zuko is a second-semester senior pretty much working for free in his uncle's crazy popular tea shop, and he has no idea what he wants to do with his life.

He's got a double major that can take him anywhere, but all anyone ever suggests is teaching. And Zuko doesn't want to do that.

Zuko is grateful for Katara in his life, as she's made things a little easier. Turns out the bald kid is some famous diplomat's son, so once he and his crew start frequenting the Jasmine Dragon, everyone else in the city tries to. Uncle is so excited he's thinking of opening a second branch, turning his shop into a franchise.

"That's what you can do."

"Do what?"

"Open up the second Jasmine Dragon. Perhaps the Jasmine Tiger, or the Ginger Dragon. You know tea well enough, even if it doesn't come naturally. You're a fair leader, economical without being stingy, and what's more, you care. So what if this isn't your passion. Maybe this will help fund your passion later. You'll find it."

Katara says it so simply, so without question, that Zuko feels himself fall half in love with her right there for her faith.

It also helps that his response was to lean over and kiss her, nevermind that they were at a corner table in the shop while he was on his break.

She hums in pleasure - and resolves to remind him of his worth more often.

Zuko's day is looking up. He returns to his shift a little giddy, after all a beautiful woman just expressed complete faith in him. Suddenly things don't seem so bad. He can handle this whole "future" thing, especially with both Uncle and Katara so determined to him succeed and sure he will.

That is when Azula walks in.

Zuko freezes.

She slowly runs her gaze over the crowd before stepping beyond the threshold. Of course, she is checking for threats, but manages to like she is one all the same.

When she meets his gaze over the counter, her casual smile becomes predatory.

"Zu-zu," she coos.

He stiffens, and then feels Katara's eyes snap to him.

Azula stalks up to the counter, but she looks off-balanced. She looks dangerous, as always, but less "predator" dangerous and more crazy dangerous. "I could never have imagined I'd see you here, of all places. Dead in a ditch maybe, or even locked up somewhere. But working? And basically a servant, too. Oh, this is precious. What will Father think? Oh I just have to tell him. You don't mind, do you? Of course not, it's Dad. Have to win his approval after all."

"Why are you here, Azula?" he asks, walking around from behind the counter.

"Well I was looking for a cup of tea, but now that I've found you, I don't know what to do with the rest of my afternoon."

"Oh I get it," Katara says suddenly, cutting in on the conversation. "See, he thinks I'm not paying attention, not putting things together. But I've got a head for details. And I get it now: Dad loved you; Mom loved him. What was terrifying, is that Mom was scared of you, and you wouldn't change, didn't care because you had Dad. Yet something must have happened where it looked like Dad could love Zuko, your brother could do something that ruined your position. So you tore him down without a second thought. He hasn't done anything in years to hurt you, but you'll still do what ever it takes to rip him apart even if Dad isn't there."

Azula's eyes flashed. "Oh, I see, the pretty little shop frequenter thinks that if she stands up to me, she can win the heart of the cute shop boy. I've got news for you honey, you've got no hope. Relationships don't start with grand gestures."

Katara laughed. She honestly laughed in Azula's face, and Zuko wondered when his girlfriend became more ballsy than him.

"See, it's funny you mention that, because I'm already in a committed relationship that did start with a grand gesture. Joke's on you, so go on. Walk out that door and relay every moment of this to Daddy. But when you do, make sure you mention that your brother's girlfriend kicked you out."

Azula just stares at Katara, and for a second Zuko thinks she'll so the smart thing and go tell their father everything. He and Uncle will have to move again, but the city's big enough that they can hide for one more semester. The Jasmine Dragon will be a loss though, but there's nothing to be done.

Then her eyes go glassy, and she's not really there.

"Azula?"

Her eyes snap back into focus, and she pulls a knife from somewhere.

Zuko doesn't hesitate. His years reviewing basics with Uncle have honed his reflexes well, and in the moment Katara takes to step back, Zuko has closed on his sister, minimizing the effect of the blade.

Of course, Azula was a prodigy in everything she does, so it takes all of his focus to keep up with her, keep her close, and keep the knife away from everything valuable to them both. It's easier this time, as Azula is clearly not alright, and so her movements are erratic but telegraphed. She lacks the finesse and control she usually has, but her blind skill make up for that loss.

Zuko's winning. He's actually holding his own and wearing out Azula. He starts seeing openings that aren't faked as she gets more desperate. He's about to knock her to the floor when she makes a leap to the side, towards Katara.

Anything planned goes out the window and leaps after her, grabbing Azula's legs to halt her jump. He is pretty much wrestling with her now until his sister is suddenly heavy on top of him and there's a sharp pain in the center of his chest. Involuntarily, he stops, and just marvels at how Azula falls over when a chair hits her on the head.

He hears Katara's voice in his ear, feels her hands flutter over his chest and through his hair.

"'s nice," he murmurs, as blackness takes over his vision.

He wakes up to Uncle asleep in the chair next to his bed. Only it's not his bed, but a hospital bed. Oh, and there's Katara, in another chair, with a look of worry on her face even in sleep.

He should fix that.

He starts to move, and is then violently remembered of what exactly happened to land him in the hospital. He falls back onto the bed, defeated and already exhausted.

There's more beeping, which wakes up Katara.

"You idiot," are the first words out of her mouth, and he must be on a lot of pain medication because it just makes him smile. "Do you need something? The nurses and I are here to get that for you. Stabbing victims don't have to fetch their own water."

She comes close enough for him to grab her hand.

"I might be high," he begins, and almost stops because of how weird that is, "but you should marry me."

She smiles, and replies, "Ask me again later, when you feel better."

"Okay."

And he falls back asleep.

When he wakes up a second time, Uncle is gone, but Katara is still there. She has a cup of tea now, and it smells so strongly of chamomile. She has her homework spread out over the parts of the bed he doesn't take up, and she's busy writing away.

"Hi," he rasps.

Katara jumps about half a foot in the air. "Hello to you, too. Are you awake now for sure? Or are you still high on shock, anesthetic, and pain meds?"

"I was high?"

She smiles, warmly. "You proposed four times with the opening line 'I may be high but...' It was an entertaining several hours."

"Where's Uncle?"

"Finding a replacement to run the store while we take care of you. You're going to have to rest for a long time, but luckily when Azula stabbed you she hit bone, not vital organs. Your rib cage did its job."

"Huh," is Zuko's response as he looks down at his chest. "Where is she?"

"In police custody. Your Uncle's cameras confirm the story, and she hasn't stopped screaming apparently. It's sad, more than anything." She pauses, clearly thinking something over, before she continues. "Your father is probably just going to pay for her to go to an institution."

Zuko nods as if he understands, and as if it's all okay. "I'd want chamomile, too, after all that."

She gives him the rest of her cup - as she also wants him to sleep more - and promises to be there doing homework for as long as possible. Visiting hours eventually end, of course and Katara goes home. But she's with him in the hospital, at home, and is the one to unwrap the bandages for the last time.

Her fingers brush over the star-shaped scar.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's history. Over and done. Besides, what's one more scar to me?"

Katara looks at him, and guilt rolls off her in waves. She'll realize she's not to blame eventually - he'll tell her more stories so she understands she did the right thing - but for now, Zuko will let it be, and just remind her in his every word and action she's worth it until she stops feeling responsible. After all, he wouldn't risk his life for just anyone, but it's not every day someone takes a knife in the chest for you. Katara can react however she wants to.

"Will you do me one more favor?"

"Of course. You're my favorite invalid."

He smiles. "Brew us a pot of jasmine tea?"