I'm sorry for not writing for so long. I was so busy with school work, I even forgot about December 2012 being Zutara month! So here's a fic for you guys. My friend gave me the inspiration therefore I dedicate this story to him. And credits for hihazuki, my beloved beta reader, for the awesome revision. (You've got to check out her stories, they're uh-mazing) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA.

Chapter 1 - Rendezvous

His eyes wandered the whole room. The chamber was pitch black, the dark edges on each corner emphasizing the night's presence and the few hours left until dawn. It reminded him of his impending need to sleep. Gazing at the ceiling, he took in the basking glow of the moonlight creeping in through the satin white curtains of the hotel room that billowed softly above him.

After a short while, he began to lose interest. Not feeling drowsy in the slightest, he tossed and turned and groaned and sighed. Yet none of these things helped him find his way to the slumber he so long desired.

He reached toward the side table and fumbled blindly for his watch.

01:47, he read silently, letting the watch slip through his fingers and land next to his pillow. Great, now how am I going to wake up in time for the meeting tomorrow morning? At such an ungodly hour, no less. He sighed dejectedly.

He had to admit; his sleeping schedule was messed up. No matter how many times he flew back and forth to Ba Sing Se, he always had to deal with his most loyal companion; insomnia. Damn jet lags and the blasted time difference.

He face-palmed and proceeded to hold himself up with an elbow, his hand buried in his tousled hair. It was his authentic pose that he always assumed when he was engaging in deep thought. Yes, retrospection was good. The more he reflected on past events, the more liable he was to falling asleep. Hopefully. He couldn't understand the logic in that, but it just was.

So he let his mind roam. He explored his keepsakes, mnemonic experiences, and nostalgic memorabilia. He racked his befuddled head for topics he could indulge in with hopes he would drift off eventually. The heavier the topic, the better. It would be too much for his brain to handle and it would shut down. Business? There was nothing related to business matters that he could dwell on. Yet. Counting sheep? That was old and ineffective. Whoever said that counting sheep would make you sleep had no validity whatsoever. He could never reach even just a hundred without breaking off in frustration.

His mind slowly floated to his uncle. His wise, prudential uncle, whom he looked up to. Whose words constantly bestowed enlightenment to all of his unanswered questions. What was going on in that discerning head of his? What would he be thinking about? Obviously he would think of jasmine tea, claiming how the aforementioned beverage never failed to lull him to slumber.

But he didn't like jasmine tea. What then? He frowned to himself. Wait. He remembered having this talk with Iroh before.

But scented tea calms your nerves.His uncle remarked when he avidly expressed his distaste for tea scented with dried jasmine blossoms. As they say, tea has natural fragrance, entered as an imperial tribute item; to which a tiny amount of borneo camphor is added; in order to change its fragrance.

He would launch into one of his trademark philosophical insights that never ceased to bore the active, young boy. He yawned. What mom normally makes me; chamomile with two spoons of honey. No more, no less. His younger self declared in self-satisfaction.

Why is it your favorite?

Because it soothes me, relaxes me.

And why does it specifically relaxes you?

Because it tastes just like her; sweet and compassionate. Every time I drink it, it makes me feel like I'm in her embrace.What happened right after that left a bittersweet pang in his heart. How his mother, upon hearing his innocent answer, reached for him and wrapped her warm arms around him, bringing him close to her warmth and heat.

He felt his throat hitch as he felt a single teardrop roll down his sensitive, scarred cheek and merge into the fabric of the pillow. Shit, he cursed inwardly. What a splendid way to fall asleep. Now I'm even more awake, and that won't do. Why? Why did I have to remember her? Anything but her...please...

Waves of mixed emotions crashed over him, teardrops slowly building into steady streams of liquid, a sob beginning to choke out of him. He couldn't stop it. He can't. The flood gate to his carefully guarded emotions were broken down like toy bricks the minute his mother came to mind.

He shifted to the side and buried his head as deeply as he could into the already drenched pillow, muffling his hiccups and cries, wishing that sleep would spare him and take him already.

But it didn't. The tears did nothing to make him feel drowsy in the slightest. It only made his longing for his mother even worse, the gap in his chest growing forcefully wider every second. His mother, and her delicious tea.

He craved for chamomile tea. Never mind if it wasn't made by his mother, he needed it to sleep. Although, it wasn't entirely false to say that he also wanted it partially to soothe the ache in his heart, to feed it with something familiar.

And so he decided.

Disgruntled, he got up and switched on the lights, blinding him for a few seconds. He had adjusted with the darkness too much that he wasn't ready for the burst of light that greeted him instantaneously. He scowled and trudged off to the bathroom to change.

The splash of cool water on his face felt refreshing. It completely wiped away the smudge and greasiness from his crying and heaviness. Staring at himself for a few seconds in the mirror, he briefly wondered if he really was looking at himself, and not someone else. The lack of sleep and crying truly altered his physical form.

Not caring less for his wildly matted, unkempt hair, he walked out of the bathroom and stepped into his jeans and favorite maroon sweater that was a little rugged around the edges, but comfortable all the same. He slipped into his sneakers and strode out of his room, not forgetting to take his card key along with him.

He went for the stairs and slid down on the banister, swung expertly on every turn, deeming that it was quicker and better. He couldn't wait to get outside and clear up his mind.

The night was silent as he went through the exit. A light breeze brushed over him and he inhaled deeply, appreciating the distinct essence of Ba Sing Se that it brought along.

He let his feet lead him to where he wanted-no, neededto be. He went through this route so many times that he didn't even need to think about where he should go; it was already memorized by his body. He weaved through back alleys and shortcuts until he reached a single shop distinguished from all the rest. Situated a little ways from the hotel he occupied, the tea shop radiated warmth and snugness, with a fragrance constantly drifting about that he became very accustomed with. The idiosyncratic aroma of his uncle, Jasmine Dragon, who also happened to run the emporium.

He smiled at the thought. His uncle was nothing short of resolute. Especially when it came to managing his business involving his métier. He was brought back to the times when they would work together in a small, run-down tea shop, where they only provided for the local community. Although their range of consumers were small, their profit was steady. They were doing what they had a passion for so long; infusing and brewing tea. Much to their surprise, fortuity came along the way. A wealthy businessman who was coincidentally in the area stopped by and offered them an expansion contract that allowed a broader range of consumers and augmenting their relatively closed business to the entirety of the Earth Kingdom. It seemed too good to be true; he couldn't help but break into a fit of laughter at the priceless expression his uncle conveyed to the offer. But he was happy. Happy that his uncle's long-standing dream would finally come true. All his efforts would bear fruit.

True enough, due to the generosity of the businessman, his uncle's business opened paths and opportunities like never before. He became more polished in technique and rose dramatically in profit, thus becoming a huge success. He was so much of a tour de force that none of his shops ever closed. He was open 24 hours daily to cater to the endless flow of customers.

Having the opportunity to open a tea shop here, in a city well-known for its love of herbs, was indeed very fortunate. And now here he was, in front of the reknowned building, where his uncle would most likely be inside, brewing his favorite recipes.

He inhaled softly before stepping inside the cozy shop, and was immediately greeted by a gentle tinkling of the bells by the entrance. Warm air gushed over him the second he stepped inside, eyes closed briefly.

Blinking, he captured the faint scents of assorted herbs aligned on the shelves that made up half of the room. Only inhaling the exotic fragrances mingling in the atmosphere made him feel right at home.

As usual, customers crowded the space the rather circumscribed shop provided. It was less spacious than his generally large and lavish house in the Fire Nation.

Weaving his way through the throng of people, he headed towards the table he usually occupied, one next to the second window on the left-hand side of the shop, but paused when he saw, much to his surprise, that a woman was occupying it.

She had her back faced to him, long auburn hair falling to her shoulders. Something gripped inside him, and he pursed his lips. He had nearly mistaken the woman for his mother. What made her different was that her locks were wavier, unlike Ursa's.

Pushing down a strange desire to run to her and curl his arms around her shoulders, he turned to another table diagonal to where she was and sat down, intending to observe this woman from head to toe, to ensure that she was indeed not his late beloved mother. Not many people could resemble his mother, after all. She was a rare case.

He hadn't realized that the longer he was staring at her, the more his head moved to her, albeit it was vague. He nearly jumped when the woman suddenly spoke up. "I can feel you staring, you know."

Making sure she wasn't talking to someone else, he looked sideways frantically before he managed to stutter out, "Um, who? You mean me?" A trace of guilt was laced in his tone.

Smiling, she looked over her shoulders at him. A smile so endearing and charming, full of compassion, it made his heart jolt.

So painfully like his mother's smile.

Yet hers had a distinct quality to it, a mesmerizing, heart-stopping smile. The kind that could make you forget you were even breathing, like time stopped in that infinitesimal moment.

He didn't realize it when she started talking. "Yeah, you. The one who's been staring at me in the last ten minutes." He quickly caught his breath as her voice snapped him back to reality.

Scratching his head and face downcast sheepishly, he replied. "Ah, sorry. It's just that...you kind of remind me of someone I used to know..."

If she was curious, she didn't show it. "Oh, well that's fine, really. What are you doing here alone in the middle of the night?"

"Just insomnia, I guess. Kind of looking for some fresh air too. I assume you're waiting for someone?"

Laughing lightly, she shook her head. "No, no. I just wandered here by accident. I'm a newcomer here, and I'm trying to get used to being in this town. I heard the tea served here is pretty good."

"Oh, it's not just good." He smirked, shifting to face her fully. "It's off the charts. You just can't find the right word to describe how positively transcendent the tea here is. I assure you; not a single customer has ever -and will ever- walk out of this place unsated."

Her laugh was magical. "I see. Since you seem to know so much about the beverages served here, I'm guessing you're a regular?"

"Not really. I try to come here as often as I can when I'm in town, though. And when I do, that's where I usually sit." He gestured in her direction.

"Oh! Um..." She looked lost, glancing from him to the table.

"Eh, but don't worry! You don't have to move!" He replied hastily when he noticed her starting to move. "Besides, it's not like the table's mine. Just stay there, it's totally fine."

"Okay..." She said thoughtfully before patting a spot on her table. "Then why don't you join me?"

"No, I'm alright here."

"Oh, c'mon. I could use someone who's acquainted with this strange new town to enlighten me." She insisted, that alluring smile still stuck on her face. "What's the harm in getting to know each other? Please, be my guest. Unless you have a certain aversion to-"

"If you insist!" He cut in, ears slightly red, and quite loudly got up from his chair.

"Nephew!" A voice suddenly bellowed out from across the room. Before he could turn around and spot the caller, he was enveloped in a gigantic, suffocating bear hug.

"H-hey, Un-uncle…," he stuttered against the pressure and struggled to release his uncle's iron grip. "How-how are you...U-uncle Iroh...?"

Iroh chuckled heartily as he mercifully loosened his grasp. "I'm doing just magnificent! Fancy meeting you here!" It was then he noticed the mocha-skinned girl behind the boy, and raised an eyebrow. "Have you returned to continue your passion of tea-making...or a beautiful young lady such as this one?" He gestured to the blushing woman.

"Uncle!" He cried out, cheeks noticeably burning. "I am not!"

"Unfortunately Uncle, we've just acquainted ourselves," she smiled. "I don't think we'd have gone that far yet."

"Oh, well, that's too bad! I guess I'll go make your favorite now. That new waiter must have forgotten to fill in your order. Ho Jin!" He shouted, waving a hand at a teenage boy around eighteen in a green outfit that seemed to be the shop's uniform as he stalked away.

After a moment's silence, with the pair looking back at the elder as he left, the young man laughed nervously while hesitantly pulling out a chair slowly, his other hand scratching the back of his head meekly. "So sorry about that. He can be so...accommodating sometimes."

She laughed that wonderful laugh of hers. The thing was, it never got old. It was like music to his ears. "No, honestly! I thought that was really sweet."

"...If you say so."

"So you're his nephew, huh?"

He nodded.

"Then you must be Zuko!" She exclaimed with a peculiar hint of eagerness and quickly responded to his surprised expression at his slight popularity. She then folded her arms on her chest, leaning back against the chair, her eyes staring at him knowingly. "I keep hearing a lot about you."

"Oh my god!" He said, frustration clearly indicated in his tone. "He really needs to stop rambling on about me!"

Again, the heavenly tune. "You're even as grumpy as he said you'd be!"

He felt like flinging his shoe at a wall -or even better, someone's head. "What else did he tell you about me?"

"Oh! Well..." She lightly tapped her chin and pointed her gaze upward in thought. "He did say you were his favorite nephew...and that you're a CEO of the most substantial company in the Fire Nation."

He bit the insides of his cheeks to stop himself from grinning. He couldn't help it. He would usually be bothered about how his Uncle would spread their personal life story to everyone, especially him. Yet oddly this time, instead of feeling irritated beyond measure, he didn't mind. Deep in his heart, to be honest, he felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Confusion racked his entire mind. For what reason did he feel this way? Was it this girl? What kind of power did this girl have over him that made him feel this way? This unwanted knot in his chest? The feeling that he wanted her to actually know more about him, and him about her? Was it just because of her physical resemblance to his late mother? Or was it something else?

At a complete loss for words, he could only gaze up and catch her unwavering gaze -the bluest pool of orbs he had ever seen below the flickering delicate lashes that completed her eyes, making them look shaded, calm, hypnotizing. The twinkle in her eyes that never belied her genuine feelings. And her wavy, soft locks that framed her heart-shaped face perfectly, almost like he could reach out and touch them, letting the strands glide over his fingers...stunning.

He was barely able to tear his gaze away from her when his uncle patted his shoulder, awakening him from his prolonged trance.

"Your chamomile tea, Zuko?" The elderly man offered with a knowing smile.

He blinked rapidly at him before settling himself down on the table rather awkwardly. "Oh, ah...thank you, Uncle." For saving me in time and preventing myself from making a completely lovesick fool out of myself.

He nodded sagely, as if understanding his thoughts as well. "You are always very welcome. And you, Miss?" He turned to the seated lady. "Would you care for a refill?"

Glancing downwards, she smiled warmly at him. "Certainly. You have my gratitude." He lifted a teapot from his tray upon hearing her approval and poured a ginger-scented tea into her empty cup, heat going up in brilliant puffs of clouds.

"Nephew, how long will you be staying this time?"

"Until Friday," He answered casually while taking a sip of his own tea, having regained his composure. "Father sent me here to establish and finalize connections with a company we have signed a contract with."

"I see." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "So I take it you'll be branching out to Ba Sing Se?"

"If all goes well, then yes."

"Well then. That's all I need to know for today." He remarked as he headed back to where he came from. "Let me know if you need anything now, okay? And don't worry, I already reserved that table for the two of you for the next five days!" He said with a small wink before disappearing behind the counter and into the kitchen.

Easing the tension, Zuko turned back to her and cleared his throat reluctantly. "Okay... So now you know me. Would you give me the pleasure of getting to know you as well, Miss...?"

Her laugh rang in his ears like the best tune he had ever heard. "I thought you'd never ask!" She held out a hand. "I'm Katara."