Korra smiled wryly, despite herself. "Last night we said a great many things. You said I was to do the thinking for both of us. Well, I've done a lot of it since then, and it all adds up to one thing: you're getting on that plane with Mako where you belong."

"But, Korra, no, I... I..." The tears were starting to well up. Asami pushed them down, trying to remind them both how strong she was.

"Now, you've got to listen to me!" Korra said firmly, holding Asami by the shoulders and looking directly into those green eyes. "You have any idea what you'd have to look forward to if you stayed here? Nine chances out of ten, we'd both wind up destroyed in this conflict. Isn't that true, Bolin?"

"Korra's right, Asami. It just isn't safe for you here."

"You're saying this only to make me go," Asami accused them both weakly.

Korra refused to let herself soften. "I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Mako. You're part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life." It seemed so strange that they had once fought over this boy, and now they wished they could just give him up for one another. Now Korra had to give them both up.

"But what about us?" Asami whispered.

"We'll always have Republic City."

"But I said I would never leave you."

Korra's eyes began to brim. "And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Asami, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that."

Asami bowed her head to hide her tears.

Korra saw them and felt the fondness flood her heart again. "Now, now..." She cupped Asami's head in her hand and tilted it back up, gazing at the lovely face one last time. "Here's looking at you kid." Korra kissed her softly. As Asami leaned in, Korra stepped back. She offered one brief smile before she turned and walked away. Asami started to break down, but Mako came over and caught her arm, trying to soothe her as they walked away to the plane together.