CHAPTER 1

One big happy family

It's Opal's birthday and Bolin wants to throw a surprise party with the family, all of the family. This means getting the Chief of Police on board and Bolin knows just the man for the job.

"Why does it have to be me?!"

Mako rolled his eyes. In the short time that his little brother had joined the force as his partner - temporarily! - Mako had already begun to loathe his presence. Being a detective had been his thing. He enjoyed having time away from the usual team Avatar shenanigans; time away from always having to take care of Bolin and tolerate his antics. And even though he didn't want to admit it, time away from both his ex-girlfriends. He was still processing their news. But now, Bolin was here. At the station. All the time.

Mako groaned as he slid his hand down his face, wondering how his life had led him to this point. This moment right here, right now. Where he was being badgered by Bolin to go ask his boss if she would like to come to a surprise birthday party. Granted it was her niece's birthday and granted the Chief had been less of a 'Beifong' in the last several weeks, but why was he being dragged in the middle of all this! Opal was Bolin's girlfriend. Lin was Opal's aunt. Why was he in this picture at all!

"Mako, please!" Bolin widened his eyes as he pleaded.

"I want to make this a special birthday for Opal. It's her first birthday since we started dating! I just got her back after my stupidity with the whole Kuvira thing! And you know how much Opal misses her family ever since she joined the Air Nomads. We need to the bring the entire family together to surprise her. Imagine how awesome that would be! The entire family...together...all of us!"

"Again...why me? I'm not her family. She's your girlfriend and that", Mako pointed towards the Chief's office, " is your girlfriend's aunt."

"Okay, firstly", Bolin held up a finger. "Since Opal and me are together, you and her are family too."

"And secondly", he held up another finger and inched closer to his brother. His eyes scanned their surroundings to make sure no one was nearby.

"...you're the only one not scared of…", his voice reduced to a whisper, "...the Chief."

"What makes you think that?!" Mako grunted.

Bolin cleared his throat, held his hands behind his back, and began circling Mako's desk as if presenting a case in front of a jury.

"Back in Zaofu, you were the only one who willingly volunteered to knock on Chief Beifong's door when she had been asleep for almost sixteen hours after the dramatic showdown with Suyin. Even the Avatar was scared of disturbing a sleeping Beifong. But you just walked right up to the door and knocked and were all like 'uh Chief, you've been asleep for 16 hours. We just wanted to make sure you're okay.'"

"I do not sound like that." Mako rolled his eyes.

"Evidence #2", Bolin continued, dismissing Mako's comment and reversing his direction.

"Till date, you are the only officer who has grabbed Chief by the arms, shaken her like a pack of fireflakes...and lived to tell the tale."

"I was just frustrated with Prince Wu!"

"And she apologized to you for putting you in that situation", Bolin exclaimed as he leaned forward placing his hands on Mako's desk. His eyes narrowed and Mako could feel the climax of Bolin's speech coming on. Oh boy, here we go.

"All this just goes to show that you", Bolin pointed a dramatic finger in his direction, " are not just any officer.

"You", he gave a dramatic pause, "are what I would call Chief's 'friend'."

He paused and put a finger on his chin.

"Well I would use that word if I was talking about anyone else, but this is Lin Beifong so I don't know what word would be appropriate. Pet? Minion?"

"Stop talking about her like she is some freak of nature!" Mako stood up.

"Aha! This is exactly what I mean. You, my friend, are her friend. So as her friend, you should go to your friend, and be a good friend and ask her to…"

"Alright, alright", Mako groaned dropping his head in defeat.

"I'll do it. Just shut up."

"It's a short family trip, Lin."

"Tenzin, for the third time! You guys are a family. I get it. I understand you have to make time for them. I'll be fine, just go on the trip and quit bugging me so I can get back to work."

Tenzin frowned at Lin. She still wasn't following what he was trying to imply. He cleared his throat and tried again.

"What I mean, Lin, is you are family too."

Lin looked up at the calm face staring back at her. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, at a loss for words, unsure if she had heard him correctly.

"Wait, you mean...you want me to come on a trip with your family?"

"Technically, they're your family too now. I mean we are all part of the same family."

Tenzin grinned. He knew a scowl was coming and sure enough Lin's face contorted into a mixture of anger and disbelief.

"Tenzin', she growled. "Do you even realize what you are asking for?"

"Now, Lin, I know…"

"Zip it, airhead. I'm not coming."

"Is it because of the children?"

Lin shot him a stern look.

"You know exactly who it is because of."

Tenzin sighed.

"But you and Pema seem to be on such good terms…"

"That is because she spends most of her time in the Eastern Air Temple and visits Air temple Island for a couple of weeks every few months. Did it ever occur to you that there was a reason for that?"

"Yes, I know that. But we have been separated for more than three years now. And you and I..."

"Are you really telling me that it won't be awkward for your ex-wife to be on a trip with your current…", Lin trailed off not sure on what word to use next.

Tenzin's grin became wider and he beamed at her obvious lack of words.

"Go on...my current what?" Tenzin teased.

"Oh, shut it" Lin felt her face heat up. "You know what I'm trying to say. I don't think she'd be comfortable."

"If that's your only excuse, then you have no excuse. Because the only way the awkwardness will reduce over time is by spending more time together...as one family."

"Listen, councilman...", her teeth gritted over the last word, "there is no way you are going to convince me…".

A knock on the door interrupted the ever increasing flow of fury emanating from her lips.

"Uh..Chief. May I come in?"

Before Lin could calm herself, Tenzin replied out loud.

"Yes, come in."

Mako felt the tension in the air as soon as he entered. His eyes moved between Tenzin's relaxed smile and Lin's obvious hostility.

Great, perfect timing. I'm going to kill Bolin if I lose this job over his precious surprise.

"I'm going to take your leave for now, Lin." Tenzin stood up and bowed with a smirk.

"This is not over, yet", he added with a whisper.

Lin grunted and straightened herself in her chair, relaxing her near feral posture. Mako stepped aside as the a smug looking Tenzin made his out of the office.

"What is it, detective?" Lin's tone was surprisingly calm. Mako looked at her warily, unable to read her mood.

"Come, have a seat", she sighed. "You just saved me from a very unpleasant chat."

Mako exhaled and dropped his shoulders as he sat down.

Not too bad a timing after all.

"What is with everyone and family today!?"

Lin's voice boomed at Mako as he imperceptibly lowered his head at his gross miscalculation.

"Chief...I…"

"So let me get this straight", she tilted her head rolling her eyes at Mako. "You and your brother want me to drop everything for a weekend getaway...to a secret location...to surprise Opal?"

Lin heard Mako let out a long pathetic sigh and returned her gaze to him. Suddenly, she realized Mako was just as miserable as she was. He was taking no pleasure in this plan and had most likely been dragged into this as unwillingly as she would be if Tenzin got his way about the family trip. She let out a chuckle and then a full fledged laugh. Mako's eyes widened in confusion.

"Let me guess...he said something about 'one big happy family' to get you to help him, didn't he?"

Mako felt a wave of relief and relaxed his shoulders.

"That's why you're the Chief, Chief."

"Okay, tell me again...what this whole nonsense is about."

"Bolin wants to do something special for Opal's birthday. He said she misses her family a lot ever since she joined the air nation. So he thinks it would be a nice idea to get everyone in her family together for her birthday."

"Apparently, that includes me too", he added grumpily.

For a brief second, Lin felt a smile tugging at her lips. As much as the clown of an earthbender annoyed her, he loved Opal and this thoughtful gesture warmed her heart. He truly cared about her niece.

"Alright, so what does he need from us?"

"We just need to show up, Chief. Bolin has informed everyone else."

"And why is it that you are the one informing me instead of the master planner."

Mako hesitated but then shrugged his shoulders and muttered.

"Because he's scared of you."

"And you are not?"

Mako bit his lips and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I...umm...not more than I am of seeing Bolin sad", he blurted out much to his own surprise.

Lin raised an eyebrow as she considered his words. She nodded almost as if in approval.

"Alright. I'll be there."

A/N:

So this is my first attempt at my own story! Thank you to everyone who liked, followed, commented and dm'd me for my previous posts! It's been real encouraging and satisfying. I never knew the fandom community is so warm, welcoming and fun!

I'm amazed at how many stories had been lying dormant in my mind. Only now have I realized just how much of the world I have imbibed unknowingly!

Just a note- I have referenced the 'Turf wars' graphic novel, released after LoK ended, where Bolin joined the force.

Thanks for the continued support and I hope more and more of you reach out with suggestions, feedback, and words of encouragement.