Locked Up Abroad

Summary: Modern/AU - Down on her luck, Korra learns of a great opportunity to party on the beach, soak up some sun, and explore an exotic city, for free. With her girlfriend, Asami, enjoying the trip with her, she doesn't think the trip could go any better. Then, she is handed a small brown package... Korrasami

Chapter 1

"You know, you don't have to do this," Tenzin said gently. Korra slowly blinked before lifting her chin, shifting her gaze towards him. She frowned at the crinkles near his eyes, the worry lines that hijacked his laugh lines, his uncommonly used laugh lines, and the crevices around the corners of his lips, indicating a deep frown had been set. Even though he sported a bald head, she was sure that his black hair, as indicated in his goatee, would have easily turned grey from her actions.

"Yes, I do," she answered; her voice slow and steady. "Everyone out there needs to hear my story. My goal is to help at least one person."

"Okay." Tenzin placed a hand on her shoulder, and offered up a smile. Korra peered into his grey-blue eyes; instantly noticing that the warm and comforting spark that was usually present in the rare appearance of a smile, didn't reach his eyes. She placed her hand on top of his, giving it a ghost of a squeeze, before pulling it off of her shoulder. He cleared his throat in response, nodded once, and pulled the curtain to the side.

Korra winced as she emerged from backstage, the lights of the auditorium searing into her eyes. She blinked hard, giving herself time to adjust as polite applause broke out in the room. Steadying her breath, she marched across the stage over to the podium. She surveyed the cup of water, a box of tissues, and a small bowl of mints. As the applause faded into the rafters, she looked out at the room, refusing to offer them a smile.

"It is very easy to ruin your life," she began, her voice firm, her words strong and calculated. "All it takes is one decision, one action that sets off a chain of events. Things can spiral out of your control, in an instant. Most of the time, that deciding factor, that one item which causes you to throw caution to the wind…is money."

Korra swallowed hard. She looked out at the sea of blank faces, young and old, watching her with intent. She recognized those looks; the ones that were combined with a slight nose wrinkle. The looks of disgust and ridicule, of how someone thought to be trusted and held with high regard, was a shell of their former self.

"Let's face it. No matter what anyone says, money will change the way you think. It will change the way you view life, change the way you were raised, the way you respect yourself." The microphone screeched loudly with feedback. She waited patiently for the noise to die, glancing out at the audience, her eyes set firmly, her face filled with determination, her voice strong and powerful, filling every corner and empty space of the auditorium. "Money, in all circumstance, is a drug. Once you have a lot of it, you must have more. You crave it. You want to have a better life and money will get it for you."

"There is a saying: money can't buy happiness. Whoever agree with this, is a liar. Money can buy happiness, but only for a brief moment of time." Her throat seized up, her eyes stung, her hands began to shake. Korra glanced at the floor, squeezing her eyes tightly. She slammed her fist onto the podium, once more, the microphone screeched in protest. Pulling her lips into a thin line, she lifted her head, stared defiantly back at those who mocked her, glared at the people who chuckled at the tiny example of weakness, before taking a deep breath, and continuing.

"A few days ago I was released from the Capital City Prison in the Fire Nation. Many people being held there are war criminals, murders, sexual predators, and drug traffickers. Now, I can say with much shame and regret, that I fit in the latter category."

A soft murmur filled the room. Her knees locked, her head began to swim. Korra had just announced her biggest regret, to a room of people she didn't know. While not the first occurrence, the feeling hit her hard. The regret rolled around in her stomach, the embarrassment slammed into her cheeks, shame crashed loudly in her ears, knocking her off balance. Korra plucked the microphone out of the holder on the podium, her hands shaking, following the pattern of her rapidly beating heart. She slowly walked over to an empty seat sitting in the middle of the stage. Making herself as comfortable as possible, Korra planted both feet firmly onto the ground, leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and began with a trembling voice:

"I know what you're wondering: how can someone like me end up a drug trafficker? I didn't have a purpose in life. I didn't have a career goal. After graduating high school, I didn't have an urge to go to college, so I just found a job and started working, which quickly put me into a rut. I just wanted an out, an escape. Now, don't get me wrong. I was happy with my personal life. My parents are very loving, I have a second family here in the city, and the most amazing girlfriend in the entire world! Like I had previously mentioned, money is its own drug, and I was in desperate need of a high…"

.: Three Weeks Earlier :.

Korra groaned loudly as she glanced at the envelope in her hands. It was small, thin, and white, and carried the Republic City seal in the top right hand corner. She flipped the envelope over and ripped the seal off with her finger. Holding her breath, she pulled the letter out, scanning the wording before glancing over at the money amount printed at the bottom of the paper: 648.22 yuan.

She inhaled slowly, before tossing the envelope and letter onto the table. She snatched up another envelope, tore it open, and instantly looked down at the bottom of the letter.

128.32 yuan.

Like a machine, she picked up another envelope, ripped it open, read the yuan amount at the bottom, and tossed it aside before starting the cycle anew. Pick. Rip. Scan. Toss. Pick. Rip. Scan. Toss.

22.19 yuan.

50.29 yuan.

As she came to the final letter, Korra was so enraged she almost ripped the envelope in half before she double checked the seal in the top right hand corner: Republic City Health and Fitness. Her heat beat sped up as two paychecks fluttered into her palm. She forced her hands steady, before glancing over at the box which held the yuan amount.

592.21 yuan

204.13 yuan

"I only made 796.32 yuan this month?" Korra shouted, staring at the two forms of payment in her hands. "Damn it!" She threw the two checks onto the table before grabbing the envelopes and bills into her hands. Just as she was about to become a human shredder, a loud knock came on her door. With a huff, she stormed over and flung it open, starling the visitor.

"What do you want?" Korra growled as soon as she opened the door. Tahno paused, looked her up and down with a raised eyebrow, before taking a small step back. She winced as the light from a nearby window shined on his belt buckle, sending the bright reflection straight into her pupils.

"You look terrible," he commented.

"You say that to me every day," she reminded him.

"Well today, I especially mean it."

"Thanks," she answered dryly. Rolling her eyes, she held up the three envelopes held tightly in her first. "Things just aren't looking too good. I have a stack of bills to pay, and a job where I am basically making no money," she commented.

"I'm sorry to hear that." The corners of his lips pulled down slightly. If it weren't for the obvious plastic surgery work around his lips and his eyes, causing for the lack of movement in his face, she would have accepted his comments as sincere. "I was going to ask if you'd like to join me for a night out on the town, but you wouldn't be able to keep up."

"Where do you get all your money to spend?" Korra asked. "It seems as if you leave one week and then come back richer than ever. Spread the wealth," she said with a laugh. Only, she was partially joking, and completely hoping that Tahno would listen to her, for once, and give her the details. Her pulse raced with happiness when he looked over his shoulders before stepping past her into the apartment. Korra frowned as he motioned wildly for her to close the door. She pushed it closed with her hip before turning to face him. She threw the bills onto a nearby shelf before crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm in sales with someone in the Fire Nation," he announced, polishing one of the buttons on his jacket.

"That's it?" Korra scoffed. "If that is what is making you so jumpy then maybe you need a job that's at a slower pace," she chuckled. "Besides, how can you be in sales if you live here?" Korra commented. "This apartment building is okay, but we both know we could do better. At this point, you could do better."

"It throws people off," he muttered. Tahno straightened up, adjusting the sleeves of his jacket and searching for lint. "I do my business both here and in the Fire Nation. I get to travel to all of these great locations and just party it up." With every word, Korra's blue eyes seemed to grow wide with amazement, wonder, and jealous. Tahno's eyes glittered with satisfaction. "The best part of all," he leaned in close, pressing his lips to her ear, "is that it's for free!"

Korra gasped loudly. She had contemplated faking an air of cool, a look of someone who wasn't impressed, but she was. Everything just sounded like a dream. "You run a business in two locations and you get to travel for free?" She frowned and punched him in the shoulder. "Someone has to be paying for this. It is too good to be true."

Tahno glared harshly at her, before inspecting the area where she punched him. He sighed and pointed to a small tear. She looked down at her hand and smiled sheepishly, noticing the bright blue ring nestled on her ring finger. It was a past anniversary gift from Asami. She knew took it off. "I'm serious. I can get you in on the ground floor. You just go to a location in the Fire Nation, party for a week, and then come back and get paid," he explained.

Her blue eyes narrowed in a sharp glare. "What's the catch?" she demanded.

"Nothing." He shrugged. "Would I ever steer you wrong?"

Korra frowned as roughly five scenarios flashed through her mind. They were all quickly chased away by fantasies of the beach, Asami in a bathing suit, delicious food, Asami in a bathing suit on the beach, the biggest suite money could buy, and Asami in a bathing suit…slowly emerging from the ocean….the salt water dripping down her sunkissed kiss, slipping down her cleavage, between her two soft pillowy breasts, right next to that birthmark just on the curve…

Tahno snapped his fingers by her right ear. Korra jumped, a light flush racing across her cheeks. She rubbed the back of her neck before loudly clearing her throat. "How much are we talking?"

"Well, since you'll be in on the ground floor…" Tahno reaching into his back pocket for an envelope. He flipped it open and pulled a decent bundle out before passing it over to her. Korra's hands shook as she pulled the stack of one-hundred dollar bills out, her lips moved as she silently counted.

"Tahno, this is almost ten-thousand yuan," she gasped.

"Your bills and worrying would be a thing of the past." He reached over and tapped the envelope in her hands as she replaced the money.

"Who is sending you on all of these trips?"

"My business partner," he answered, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I thought you were doing this yourself?"

Tahno nailed her with an annoyed look. Korra raised her hands defensively. "If I were making all of this money and then going on trips for free on my dime, I'd be broke. Don't worry, he's cool."

"How can I trust that if I never met him?" she demanded.

"So you're interested?" he asked.

Korra looked at the money in her hands once more, biting her bottom lip. She looked up at him, forcing herself to scan his tightly stretched face. Normally, she tried her hardest not to look him straight in the face ever since he had turned to plastic surgery. It also resulted in hysterics that would last for at least sixteen minutes. "…Just party?"

"Just party," Tahno repeated, nodding in confirmation. "How about this? You keep this here over night and then come and see me tomorrow with your answer," he suggested. He slapped her bicep, wincing in recoil, before pulling the door open and stepping into the hallway. Korra gripped the door handle, leaning up against the entryway, moving with the door as it slowly closed, continuing to look at the green paper in her hand.

"Hey," Asami cried, pushing up against the door. Korra looked over at her in confusion before apologizing profusely for almost closing the door on her. She stepped to the side, allowing her into the apartment. After the raven-haired girl shed her jacket, placed her purse on a chair, and kicked off her shoes, the darker girl greeted her with a quick kiss.

"Asami, I just heard about this great opportunity," she announced, placing the envelope on the coffee table.

"Really? Let's hear it." Asami smiled up at her. "What's got you so excited, sweetie?" Korra melted on the inside, her body physically matching the feeling as she floated onto the couch next to her girlfriend. That was something that drew her to the engineer, her dazzling smile that lit up any dull room, and her strong support. Asami was always eager to hear about every new opportunity or story from anyone. Even if there was something she didn't think sounded as great as it seemed or was apprehensive about, she would offer up support no matter what.

"How would you like to travel to the Fire Nation for one week and just relax on the beach and enjoy exotic cuisine?" Korra asked.

"That sounds fantastic!" Asami's green eyes widened in surprise. The darker girl felt warmth wash over her as she took in the pretty sight. She blinked when her girlfriend snapped her fingers in her face, laughing lightly. "What does that have to do with the opportunity you just heard about?"

Korra got up from her seat on the couch, placing her hands behind her back, rocking back and forth on her heels with a smug smile. "We would be able to do this…for free," she announced.

"Free?" the raven-haired girl repeated. She raised an eyrbow, a disbelieving smirk set upon her features. She crossed her arms over her chest and glanced at her girlfriend, motioning with her head to finish her sentence or to let her in on the joke. "A week's vacation in the Fire Nation for free?" she reiterated. "We don't have to pay for anything?"

"Not at all."

Asami's excitement instantly faded. Korra watched her bright green eyes slowly turn a shade darker with worry. "That sounds really strange, Korra. Who told you about this opportunity?"

"Tahno." The raven-haired girl groaned. Tahno and Asami didn't get along at all. Korra just barely tolerated him as a neighbor, but would go out for drinks with him every once in a while just to leave her problems behind. Asami always felt like he was a bad influence, and even though he hasn't given her a reason to doubt her as of late, she still had her reservations. She's never kept her disdain of Tahno a secret, so much that she is polite to is his face but the minute he leaves a room, or a door closes, she lets her frustrations known to everyone in the room, not even minding the fact that he cwas potentially still in earshot. "It's how he goes out partying all the time, and how he owns those great clothes." Korra snatched the envelope off of the table and opened it, holding it wide so Asami could see the contents that was nestle in it. "Look at this," she prompted.

"Oh my, that's a lot of money!"

"It's not like you've never seen this much," Korra commented, a slight trace of bitterness was laced with each word; entwined with each letter. Asami exhaled sharply through her nose, instantly frowning. The darker girl slowly put the money back into the envelope, letting her sudden silence act as an apology.

Asami's father, Hiroshi Sato, ran the biggest industrial chain in Republic City, soon to be branching out into three other nations. He is one of the wealthiest men in the world, and had very limited contact with his daughter. After the passing of his wife, Yasuko, in an attempted robbery gone wrong, he spent a majority of his time working, and a small part of his time taking interested in his daughter. While she was being groomed to take over the company from him in a year, when she turned twenty-one, she was barely a second thought. The young engineer wasn't allowed to touch her bank account without his prior notice. It was to be saved for when she took over the company, in the meantime she was to receive an allowance every week.

His tight fist over her assets wasn't just a business decision but also a personal one. It wasn't because she resembled her late mother, but his old-fashioned ways while being stuck in a progressive moment of time. Not one to be religious, he was a stickler for appearance, and having his one, and only, next of kin be bisexual threatened to besmirch his empire. Of course, he remained tight lipped as she dated a small variety of men. It wasn't until Korra walked past the threshold of the Sato Mansion, Asami found herself in a nice (enough) one person apartment in the heart of Republic City.

"I didn't mean to upset you," Korra said gently. She walked over to her girlfriend, sitting down n front of her knees, before pulling her close, wrapping her arms around her waist. Resting her head right underneath Asami's chin, she pressed her ear to her chest listening to her heartbeat gradually slowing down. The mere mention of her father caused the taller girl to get worked up.

"It's okay," Asami said quietly. "If I were in your position, I would probably act the same way." Korra pulled away, but not before pressing a light kiss to the underside of Asami's chin, one of her favorite spots. The raven haired girl leaned back into the couch, eyeing the white envelope sitting on the coffee table. "Is all you have to do go and live carefree in the Fire Nation and then come back?" she murmured. Korra was seated on the ground, peeling off Asami's high heels before gently massaging the soles of her feet. Every day after her shift was complete at Future Industries, Asami would walk a few blocks to Korra's apartment where was met with food, relaxing conversation, and a nice foot rub from her very generous girlfriend.

"Yes!" Korra looked up at Asami with a bright smile, probably one of the brightest she had given in a long time. "Look, I can ask Tahno for more details-"

"No, it's okay." The raven haired girl waved a hand in the air. Korra gently placed Asami's right foot to the ground before picking up her left foot, massaging it. The engineer's eyelids fluttered as she relaxed into the cushions against her back. "I'll go with you the next time you talk to him."

Korra instantly dropped her foot. Asami pouted in response as the darker girl reclaimed the seat next to her. "I'm sure everything is fine," she said, her blue eyes piercing green. "I would never do anything to make you worry. Not on purpose, anyway."

Asami giggled into her palm before leaning over, pressing a light kiss to her girlfriend's cheek. Her smile widened when she noticed the light blush on her dark cheeks. "No, I want to do it too. I mean, sure, my dad is paying for my apartment and some odds and ends, but I can't live off of these allowances while also working at Future Industries." She rested her elbow on the back of the couch, propped her head up on her fist. She sighed hard, rolling her eyes. "If I'm working I should be paid accordingly, but he has his account wrapped around his finger. Hell, he has this entire city wrapped around his damn finger." Korra lovingly rubber her knee. "Anyway, I haven't had a day off from work in about six years, and I'd make some extra money at the same time."

"I thought you liked getting your hands dirty," Korra commented. She took Asami's hand and started to play with it, entwining their fingers.

"I do, but this amazing opportunity just came up. Before, I didn't really have a reason to take time off, and who would let this pass by?"

Korra let out a giant yell of excitement before jumping to her feet. She clapped her hands together before facing Asami with another big smile. "Let's go out to dinner and celebrate. Things are finally looking up for me…," she paused, a smirk making its way onto her face, "and I'll get to see you in a bikini all week."

Asami ran her tongue down the inside of her left cheek, smiling. "If we even leave the hotel room." She winked.

"I have always wanted to have real sex on the beach," Korra said, tapping her a finger to her chin. The raven-haired girl reached out and playfully swatted her girlfriend on the leg. "Hey, I don't want it to be that stupid drink. How was I supposed to know it had the same name?"

Asami threw her head back and laughed loudly at the memory. The two had gone out for drinks with their two friends, Mako and Bolin, one night to celebrate their two-year anniversary. Korra turned so red when she was told the real meaning behind the name of the drink, it was as if she had received a sunburn from the dark lighting in the bar. She had to endure constant jokes about it for a few weeks at Bolin's insistence, not that she didn't deserve it. It was perfect payback after the time Korra had accidentally burned off Bolin's eyebrows from a prank involving a firework. "You should have seen your face," she panted, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

"Well excuse me for living in a sheltered community as a child." Korra crossed her arms over her chest, growling in faux anger. "Now, do you want to go out and get something to eat or just stay here and watch me pack for the best vacation we will both ever have?" she asked.

"How about we order something, and you sit here and watch me pack for you, since we both know it'll eventually end up that way," Asami countered. The one thing she had grown custom to while dating Korra was that she was a terrible packer. The girl would wait until the last minute to gather up items for a trip, throw them haphazardly into any bag she found, and live out of the bag for the entire duration of the trip, only upon reaching her destination, realizing that she had forgotten to pack a few crucial items like pajamas or underwear.

"Well, it would actually give me an excuse to stare at your ass." Korra rapidly raised her eyebrows.

"As if you ever need an excuse," Asami answered. "That's more of a compliment for myself than pointing out that you have a problem," she added cheekily. Korra laughed, taking a small step forward before holding her hand out; her girlfriend instantly placed her palm in Korra's dark hand. Korra then placed a light kiss to the back of her hand, her wrist, and her arm, slowly moving up, peppering light kisses against the pale skin she could find, before pressing her lips against ruby red ones.

"I love you," Korra said, her voice filled with compassion.

"I love you," Asami whispered, pressing her forehead against Korra's. She gently nuzzled the darker girl's face with her nose.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"We're going on vacation!" Korra shouted, scooping Asami up in her arms. The raven-haired girl laughed wildly, as she was spun in circles. She tilted her head back, allowing her long hair to float freely. Eventually Korra slowed down, wracked with laughter as she stumbled from a lack of balance. She collapsed onto the couch, with her girlfriend still in her arms. Asami rested her head on Korra's shoulder, snuggling into her warmth. "This is going to be the best vacation ever."

.: Present Day :.

"I wasn't thinking about the questions I didn't ask," Korra said, shrugging her shoulders. "If I were smart, I would have demanded to hear about every single detail about his trips and the funding." She paused, running a hand over her mouth. Her blue eyes looked over to the wings of the stage, glancing at Tenzin. He nodded once. She returned the gesture before bringing the microphone back to her lips. Her breathing echoed around the room; quiet chirps emerged from behind her lips as she started, and quickly stopped, forming a new sentence. Korra breathed sharply through her nose, inhaling the distinct smells of dust, gum, and coffee, before quietly exhaling. "I wanted to ask questions about everything…but I didn't. I was young, I was in love, and I was tired. Not physically, but mentally tired of everything going wrong. I just wanted to give my girl something special, and being paid for it at the same time is a dream job."

"But most importantly, I was stupid. In that moment, I was the stupidest son of a bitch on the entire planet, because I was looking for a short term fix to a long term problem." Korra's hand gripped the microphone tighter, her palm with her exertion. Her words started to come out like rapid fire, shooting the audience with its intensity. "Listen, you may be valedictorian, you may graduate with honors, you may win a the Peace Prize, you may achieve a job with a six figure salary within two years, you may marry the man or woman of your dreams….but you can still be the stupidest person on the planet, just from making one life changing mistake."

"I didn't learn this lesson the hard way. I learned it…the severe way."

AN: So this is based off of the show, Locked Up Abroad (or Banged Up Abroad, depending on where you live) and it is my first time writing something with this subject matter which is why it is Rated M. I decided to write this, not only because I got inspiration from the show, but to also work on my description, especially with emotion, and to work on my writing style. I wanted to write something darker and gritter than all of the fluff I usually write. This way, I can expand on my writing style and range.