Zuko carried a tray of tea through the shop. He didn't much care for serving tea. But he got to spend time with Uncle and Kara, since they all three had jobs in the shop now. And that was worth something, at least.

Zuko had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach.

He looked around, frowning. No... it couldn't be. He was just being paranoid. But it couldn't hurt to warn Uncle and Kara. He walked up to where they stood at the counter, laughing about something.

"Uncle, we have a problem. I think one of the customers is on to us. Don't look now, but there is a girl over there at the corner table. I think she knows we're Fire Nation."

Both Uncle and Kara turned to look, and Zuko growled. "Didn't I say don't look?!"

Uncle frowned. "You're right, Zuko. I've seen that girl in here a lot. Seems to me she has quite a little crush on you."

Zuko stood up straighter, surprised. "What?!"

On the other side of Uncle, Kara echoed the word.

"Thank you for the tea." Zuko whirled around to see the girl standing at the counter.

Zuko took her coins and turned away, but she spoke again.

"What's your name?"

Zuko took a deep breath and turned around. "My name's Lee. We just moved here."

"Hi Lee, my name's Jin. Thank you and, well, I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime."

Zuko just stared at her. He had no idea what to say. But that was okay, because Uncle spoke for him.

"He'd love to!"

"Great! I'll meet you in front of the shop at sundown."

Then she left, leaving Zuko wondering what by Agni had just happened.

Uncle was grinning like a crazy person, and he put an arm around Zuko.

Zuko frowned at him, but turned when Kara slammed down the tray she was holding. "I'm going for a walk."

She left her apron on the counter and walked out. Zuko stared after her. "What?"

Uncle shook his head. "Women."

But Zuko was worried. And he got even more worried as the afternoon progressed... and Kara didn't return.

**__**

I'm sitting on a roof a couple of blocks from our apartment. I've been here for hours. It feels like days.

I can't believe I was jealous of that girl. Zuko isn't mine! Even though he is technically my husband, he doesn't belong to me. Sure, we're friends, and I like him. Way too much.

But he doesn't like me that way, obviously.

I'm not going to get in his way. If he likes that Jin girl and wants to spend time with her, trust her with all our secrets, that's his business. And I'm not going to get in the way, because it isn't any of my business.

It never was.

And it never will be.

I curl into myself, wrapping my arms around my knees. I watch the sun set over the refugee district of Ba Sing Se, and I promise myself that I will not let whatever I feel for Zuko get in the way of his being happy.

Because that's all that matters.

That he's happy.

The light leeches from the sky slowly, until nothing but paper lantern glows and bright stars are left.

I'll meet you in front of the shop at sundown.

Unbidden, Jin's voice rushes through my head.

And before I know it, all of my promises have flown out the window and I'm moving down the drainpipe, off the roof, and across the street.

I run, and don't stop running until I'm hidden in the shadows across from our apartment. I feel horrible. I shouldn't be doing this.

But I don't feel horrible enough to stop.

Zuko opens the door and steps out- he's wearing an Earth Kingdom suit and he looks good in it. But he's done something with his hair... and I have to stifle laughter.

He walks into the middle of the street and stands there, and my body shakes uncontrollably with giggles.

He's glaring at the world in that way he has, a sharp frown on his face. And he is so cute I just want to go rumple his hair and kiss him- no!

And then the rest of my good mood vanishes, because Jin appears. And I remember that he doesn't look this way for me. Just for her.

"Hey. Well, look at you. You look so cute!" She reaches up and rumples his hair. I growl.

He bats her hand away. "It took my uncle ten minutes to do my hair!" She just smiles and links her arm with his. And they walk away.

I'm not proud of it.

But I follow them.

They walk through the marketplace, and I slink through, dodging people. I don't take my eyes off of them.

Who does she think she is, cuddling up to my husband? I'll- I'll- I don't know what I'll do, but it won't end well for Jin.

They sit down in a restaurant. I settle in to watch. Zuko pushes his food around on his plate as Jin tries to make conversation.

Good, Zuko, ignore her! Be rude! I know you can do it! Scare her off! You know you don't really like this idiot girl!

"So. How do you like the city so far?"

"It's okay."

"What do you like to do for fun?"

"Nothing."

A waiter steps up to their table. "Excuse me, sir. Would you and your girlfriend care for dessert?"

My fists are clenched so hard that I'm afraid I'll start bleeding soon.

Zuko slams a fist down on the table. "She is not my girlfriend!" He says it loud, and the restaurant quiets for a moment. Zuko glares at the world some more. I grin.

Jin slurps her noodles. She inhales them. Weird.

Zuko looks uncomfortable. "You... have... quite an appetite for a girl."

"Um... thanks?"

Zuko twiddles his thumbs. Jin looks down. I huff into the night air. Stupid little husband-stealer.

"So, Lee. Where were you and your uncle living before you came here?"

"Umm... Well, we've been traveling around... for a long time."

"Oh. Why were you traveling so much?"

"We were uh... part of this traveling circus."

I snort. Way to go, hotshot. The traveling circus excuse always works.

"Really? What did you do- wait, let me guess." She thinks for a moment. Then she points at him. "You juggled!"

I raise my arms in the air in a what? gesture. Juggled? Where did she pull that from? Zuko can't juggle.

He glares at her. "Yes. I juggled." Can't she hear the sarcasm in his voice? How can he like her over me? She doesn't even know him!

"I've always wanted to learn how to juggle. Can you show me something?"

She holds up a bunch of pouches. Wait- she wants him to juggle? I almost laugh.

That is, I almost laugh... until Zuko takes them from her. And juggles them.

Well... he tries. I'll give him that. And the sight of broken pottery in his hair is kind of charming... if he were showing off for me. Not her!

"I haven't practiced for awhile."

"It's all right. Hey, I wanna show you one of my favorite places in the city."

They leave the restaurant behind, and Jin leads him through streets that get darker and darker. I follow them, intent on breaking my own heart. Sometimes I hate myself.

She starts running, pulling him along with her.

"I'm so excited for you to see the firelight fountain! The lamps make the water sparkle and reflect in the pool in the most beautiful way!"

They run into an open courtyard, and I follow, always follow. There's a fountain in it, surrounded by tall things that I guess are lamps.

She stops. "I can't believe it! They aren't lit."

She looks so sad that I can't help but smile. But then Zuko does something unthinkable. He looks over at her. "Close your eyes. And don't peek!"

Zuko walks to the middle of the courtyard and gets into a stance. And then he lights the lamps.

With firebending.

Is he crazy? This is what got Iroh in trouble in the first place! He's insane! I mean, if it was for me, it'd be sweet.

But he's risking everything for some random girl he doesn't even-

I stop, because... isn't that what he did for me?

It hits me then, just like that. This is who Zuko is. He helps people. He can't stand to see people sad. That's why I'm so drawn to him- because deep down, Zuko is kind. Zuko is a good person, and he loves people even when he's hating the world.

No wonder I love him.

I gasp and step back. Did I just think that? But I know that I did. And I know, too, that it's true.

I love Zuko.

And he is firebending, risking it all, for someone else.

He is having fun... with someone who is not me.

I can't watch anymore- I turn and run into the darkness. And I don't stop running for a long, long time.

_________________

Heh heh I'm so evil.... but you guys love me anyway, right? (platonically, of course!) :D

COMMENT and vote, guys! Please! :D

I'm thinking of entering this in the Wattys once it's finished... what think you? Yes, no, maybe so? TELL ME!!

OOh and also, if you like medival lit or think you might, you need to check out RobThier's story the Robber Knight: http://www.wattpad.com/story/4840559-the-robber-knight

It's awesome!

-Eon