Sleep, Don't Weep
by, Smeagol's girl

(A/N: A Zuko/Jin fic. No summary, just read if you want to know what happens. Rated T for violence, character deaths, and angst. I own nothing. Takes place the day after Zuko's sickness and gives him a few weeks before he and Iroh recieve the phony invite to the palace)

"Oh my son, look at what I've done/ I am learning still, learning still/ Know that I am learning still/ Oh my wife, you are my life/ I am burning still, burning still/ Know that I am burning for you still/ All, all, all of my life is for you/ And home, home's anywhere you are too/ So take this one fallen memory/ Simply... forgive me"
-Missy Higgins

Night had fallen and Zuko and Iroh went about closing the tea shop. "That was a good first day," Iroh remarked. "Plenty of customers."

"A lot of them from the old place," Zuko said with a grin. "They remember you." He yawned involuntarily and Iroh made a sound.

"Why don't you go off now. I'll finish up."

"Are you sure?" he asked, turning around.

"Yes. Go now, get some rest. You worked hard, Prince Zuko." Zuko smiled and nodded, putting his apron away and left, waving over his shoulder. Looking outside, he could tell it was a beautiful night... or perhaps he just felt exceptionally good this night. Either way he felt like wandering around a little, and he went off, knowing his uncle wouldn't mind if he was a few minutes late.

His mind was wandering a lot more lately, and he knew after his sickness something had freed him inside and he was able to drift off in different worlds now, no longer confined to thoughts of only hunting the avatar and regaining honor. He had all he needed here, and for once, he was greatful for it. Perhaps that was why everything seemed so good this day. Wandering off he passed the old tea shop and walked to the fountain in the center of town remembering his date with Jin.

The image of himself trying to juggle and dumping food all over himself flashed through his head and he grimaced, still feeling embarassed about it. He was just another in a long history of men to make a fool of himself in front of a girl.

Whatever happened to her, he wondered. After that she had shown up twice at the tea shop, and then stopped, perhaps too upset with him to be around him.

At the far end of the fountain he could see a shadow moving, and he watched for a minute, trying to see if it was someone he would recognize. From the looks of it, whomever it was, was trying to do the same. He stood still and slowly the figure moved around to see who he was. Once she stepped into the light, she took a quick step back and turned around. "I'm sorry!" she said suddenly. "I'll go."

"Jin?" asked Zuko, recognizing her. 'Speak of the devil,' his mind muttered. "You don't have to-"

"No," she said, glancing back at him. "I won't disturb you, Lee."

"You're not disturbing me," he said with a smile, remembering his nickname he'd used with her. "You can stay if you want. I know you like it here anyway." She had told him that on their 'date', so he knew she couldn't deny it. Turning and looking at him unsure she took a seat on the fountain's edge and looked out at the candles. "So..." muttered Zuko, scratching the back of his head. "How have you... uh... been?"

"Fine," she answered, not looking at him. "You?"

"Pretty good. Uncle and I opened up a new tea shop."

"I saw," she said, getting the courage to look at him slightly. "I almost dropped by today for a cup but I figured you'd be pretty busy... opening day and all..."

"It was a little crazy," Zuko chuckled. "He was thrilled though. He's earned it." Jin looked at him fully now.

"You're different," she muttered. "You're not the same guy I used to watch nervously from the back of a tea shop." Zuko shrugged.

"Now I'm the guy you stare at from the shadows at night," he muttered, and she laughed. "I'm not sure if that's better but-"

"I wasn't spying on you," she said, finally smiling. "So... you still juggle?"

"Just as great as last time," he answered, the embarassment coming back. "You still... got a big appetite... for a girl?"

"So I'm told," she giggled. "And that's just as flattering as before, by the way." He shrugged at that and she grinned. "So... is it still complicated?"

"What?"

"Last time when you left you just said, 'It's complicated.' Is it still?" He was unsure how to answer that so he looked at the ground nervously, shuffling his feet against the dirt. Jin's smile faded. "Oh," she muttered. Zuko looked up and saw her face.

"It was just too soon," he lied. "I mean... I've never dated, let alone had a girlfriend..."

"I kinda figured," she replied, glancing at the ground.

"But..." he said quickly, not wanting to upset her again. "I could always use a friend." He could feel a portion of his old self grimace. That was a line he never thought he'd use.

"I think I can do that," said Jin, looking up with a small smile. "Wanna hang out tomorrow then?"

"I'll be working all day with my uncle... everyday actually..." She started to frown again. "But I'm free evenings." Jin smiled and inside Zuko sighed with relief.

"Okay. I'll try to catch you sometime tomorrow then." She looked around and sighed. "It's getting late. I'd better go."

"Stop in for some tea sometime," he said and she nodded.

"I still have a coupon," she joked and stood up. She left, waving over her shoulder and he smiled. What he had said that morning was true. Things were looking up.