Side 1

"Are you done yet?" Mako complained.

"Cover your ears. I can't go with you listening," Bolin whined.

Mako sighed but put his hands over his ears.

Suddenly, the door of the cell was ripped off its hinges with a metallic clang.

"Asami!"

Bolin's eyes widened in embarrassment, and he blushed with a little shriek. "A little privacy please!" He didn't hear anything after that. He was too busy struggling to cover himself up and get his pants situated.

Right when it occurred to him that Asami was no metalbender, he heard the last voice he ever wanted to join this situation. "Hate to break up your lover's reunion, but Korra's in trouble. Amon captured her."

Bolin thought he was going to die of mortification. Asami was one thing, Chief Bei Fong! He refused to make eye contact as he followed Mako and Asami out the door. He thought he was home-free when suddenly, the older woman pursed her lips and made a strange gesture with her fingers.

Zzzzzzp. His zipper flew shut. Bolin could hardly have turned a darker shade of red. He shrieked again and covered his crotch with both hands.

"Your fly was down," Lin explained, her expression deadpan.

"Thanks for catching that," Bolin replied abashedly. But as he followed the group out of police headquarters, he couldn't help but stare at the metalbender as she walked in front of him. And he couldn't help but notice how…uh…fit she was.

Korra ran off on Naga, leaving everyone at Katara's house feeling awkward and depressed. Bolin couldn't bear to be in the small hut anymore. The lack of good, solid earth was making him very uncomfortable, and the hushed small talk was putting him on edge. He went outside hoping he would come across some patch of dirt that wasn't covered by a hundred feet of snow and ice.

He had only gotten to the edge of the compound before he was stopped by a voice shouting his name. He was alarmed to see Lin Bei Fong striding towards him with a polar bear dog in tow.

"Do you know how to steer one of these things?" Lin asked as soon as she was within comfortable speaking distance.

"Ah, I think so. Just a little, uh, pulling on the reins. Why?" Bolin replied, very confused.

The older woman placed her hands on her hips and seemed to be having trouble forming an answer. Bolin had always thought that Bei Fong was steel, above emotion and confident, but up close he could see that she was just as human as anyone else. Her eyes seemed the slightest bit unfocused and her mouth was less a frown of disapproval and more a grimace of loss.

"I may not have my bending anymore, but I know exactly how you're feeling. The South Pole isn't…easy for earthbenders." Despite her broken demeanor, her tone was just as severe as usual. "I happen to know a great spot to feel the earth again."

"That'd be great!" Bolin exclaimed, throwing a fist in the air.

"Well get on. You'll have to drive, but I'll tell you where to go."

Bolin hopped on the polar bear dog and hesitantly offered his hand to Lin. She took it and heaved herself up as well, sitting behind him. He noticed—was that a tinge of disappointment?—that she held onto the back of the saddle for support instead of his waist.

Nonetheless, Bolin snapped the reins and shouted, "Go!" The polar bear dog seemed to sigh. "Uh. Please?" Nothing. Maybe this would work? He prodded the creature's sides with his heels. The polar bear dog took off like a shot. Bolin heard Lin gasp and felt her arms quickly grasp his middle.

"Sorry!" Bolin called over the rush of the wind.

Lin didn't reply, but was it his imagination or did the older woman tighten her grip around his waist and scoot closer?

The Council had decided to throw a ball to help build up morale after Amon's brief occupation of Republic City. After Korra had returned bending to all that had lost it.

Bolin thought the party would have been great if he wasn't without a date. Mako was dancing with Korra every song, and Asami was flirting with General Iroh. Bolin was an awkward fifth wheel.

He was refilling his glass at the punch bowl for the twentieth time when someone tapped his shoulder. He whirled around to find Lin Bei Fong standing behind him, her face unreadable. She was wearing her uniform as usual, but it was freshly polished, and she was wearing a gold sash for decoration.

"Uh, yes?" Bolin stuttered, totally caught off guard.

"May I have this dance?" Lin asked, extending her hand slightly. "There are some things I'd like to discuss."

"Sure," Bolin answered, bemused. He took her hand, and they walked to the dance floor. His hands trembled with nerves as he placed one at her hip while she laid a firm hand on his shoulder. Bolin prayed he wouldn't stumble, and they were off, drifting in time with all the other dancing couples.

"I've been…impressed with you, Bolin," Lin began. "You're more than adequate at earthbending, and I think you have potential to be a hardy metalbender. If you're interested, I'll train you myself and make room for you on the police force."

Chief Lin Bei Fong would train him personally? "I don't know what to say," Bolin gaped. His heart sped up at the thought of the time he would be spending with this attractive woman…alone. And he'd be learning metalbending too!

"It's simple. Accept the offer or refuse it," Lin growled. "Though I suppose it's a big decision. You have your Pro-Bending to consider. And you will need to dedicate a lot of your time."

"No, I accept! It's terrific!" Bolin fawned.

"Settle down. We need to arrange a schedule."

Bolin's first lesson consisted of him trying to move a single coin. Lin kept telling him to feel the impurities in the metal, but he couldn't concentrate with her glaring at him. Nor could he concentrate when she turned her attention away from him to busy herself with other things.

After half an hour of eyeing him closely, she metalbent her uniform from her person, and began polishing it. Bolin's stomach flipflopped at the sight of her lean torso clad in nothing but a thick undershirt. He tried not to stare, but…wow.

He did not accomplish anything until Lin left the room to do who knows what. She was gone long enough for Bolin to concentrate sufficiently to send the coin skittering across the floor.

"Well done. Amazing what you can do when you actually think, isn't it."

Bolin shrieked and wheeled around. "Sorry," he squeaked, covering his mouth quickly. "I just didn't realize you were there…in this room."

"Hmmm."

Bolin made considerable progress the next few weeks, especially when he practiced at home. Lin had told him that today's lesson would be special. And he was all ashiver at the implications. He was dying to tell Mako about his exploits with Lin Bei Fong, but it was kinda hard when there weren't any exploits yet.

When he arrived, Lin directed him to a room he'd never seen before. Much to his surprise, it was full of…art. Sculptures to be precise.

"What's all this? Don't tell me the police spend all their free time doing arts and crafts," Bolin joked.

Lin's lip curled. "They don't," she snapped. "This is all my work."

Bolin blushed. "I didn't mean—"

"Can it. The point is that you're ready to move on to large pieces of metal. Bending and contorting instead of just moving." She led him to an unfinished sculpture that appeared to be four life-size but faceless figures in varying battle stances. "This is what I'm working on currently. It doesn't look like much now, but all it takes—" She closed her eyes and put her hand to one of the figure's faces. "—is a little time, effort—" The metal rippled under her touch and began to take the shape of facial features. "—and skill." When Lin removed her hand, the face was recognizable as Toph Bei Fong.

"Wow! That's some neat stuff!" Bolin leaned in to better appraise the workmanship. "What do I get to do?" he asked excitedly.

Lin pointed to a sheet of tin propped against the wall. "Do whatever you can think of to that. I'll continue working here."

Bolin trudged over to the tin. This couldn't be too hard. He made a horse stance in front of the metal and extended his arms. He twitched his wrists to the left. Instead of folding over as he intended, the entire piece just shifted to the side. He tried again. And again. And again. And again.

He was so engrossed in his failure that he didn't realize Lin was right behind him until she barked, "Close your eyes. You'll never get anywhere by looking at it. You have to feel it."

Bolin started, but closed his eyes as instructed. Then he raised his hands in the tin's general direction and flexed them, hoping the metal would crumple just a little. Nothing.

"Don't you pay attention? How are you supposed to feel the metal if you don't touch it?" Lin shoved him to his knees in front of the metal, then grabbed either of his hands with hers and forced his palms to the tin, her arms around each of his. She was kneeling behind him with her face right next to his, her chin resting on his shoulder.

"Are your eyes closed?" she snapped.

"Yes, ma'am," Bolin replied, squeezing them shut even tighter. He struggled to breathe normally, but he was sure she could feel his heart's erratic beating. She was wearing her uniform, and Bolin couldn't help but imagine her pressing her chest against him in nothing but her tanktop.

She forced him to splay his fingers by shoving hers between his. Then she stroked the metal with her fingertips. It made Bolin's palms sweat. With one hand, she drew her fingers together the best she could with Bolin's hand beneath hers. The metal groaned as it bunched together and dimpled with her motions. It now looked as if Lin had pulled a little mountain from the metal's surface.

"Did you feel that?" she asked, her breath tickling his cheek.

"I think so. Could you—could you do it again?" Bolin asked shakily.

Lin answered by flattening his palms against the metal again.

"Lin?" Tenzin's voiced called from the other side of the room near the door.

Bolin jumped, knocking his shoulder against Lin's jaw.

Lin growled but didn't move. "What do you want, Tenzin?"

The airbender navigated his way through the statues until he could see the two of them. "Oh. I guess if you're, um, busy, it can wait," he said with a cough.

Bolin was feeling extremely self-conscious. He was suddenly glad the metal of Lin's uniform separated her breasts from his back.

Lin however, was still hunched over him without a hint of embarrassment. She removed one hand from his to wave Tenzin away. "Obviously, I am busy. I'll be able to meet with you in my office in an hour."

Bolin practically held his breath until he heard the door close. Then Lin dug the heel of her palm in to his wrist, forcing the heel of his palm hard against the metal. He felt the metal give way to a small depression.

Lin pulled herself from his person in one fluid movement. "Now I want to see that entire sheet covered in mountains and valleys in forty-five minutes."

Practice of that variety continued for the next couple of weeks. The type or thickness of the metal would vary, and sometimes Lin would assign Bolin specific patterns, but mostly she left him to his own devices while she worked on her own statue. It was Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph each in their own unique fighting pose, but they were all connected by a ribbon of metal that weaved about their figures. Lin was currently busy with writing something along the length of this ribbon.

She always worked with her eyes shut, sometimes even employing a blindfold. Bolin was provided with a blindfold too, but he didn't wear it unless Lin was looking.

He had become much more comfortable with the older woman. He could ask her questions without stuttering, and he could handle her leaning over to inspect his work or guide his hands without getting sweaty palms. He was also becoming more and more attracted to her. They each worked in loose pants and tanks, so he was often able to admire her fit build without her noticing. He was growing confident in their relationship. In fact, sometimes he'd even strike up a casual conversation.

"Hey Lin," he called as he curled the edges of his metal sheet.

"Yes, Bolin?" Lin answered, not looking at him or pausing her work.

"I was thinking, maybe, we should, y'know, grab a drink after practice or something. We'll be getting done pretty late tonight," he gambled, talking rather quickly. "Then who knows. Maybe we can rock each other's worlds." He flinched slightly, thinking he had been too bold with that last crack.

"Mmmhmm," was all she said.

Wait…was that—did she just…moan?

Bolin quickly returned to his work, confused. He didn't speak for the rest of the lesson.

"We're starting metal cables next week," Lin informed him after she had called an end to their work. "To prepare, I'll be taking you to see the Water Bending Ballet tomorrow at 6:30. I know you spend a lot of time with water benders already, but these dancers really have a different technique quintessential to appropriately using the cables."

"Dancing? Okay. Sounds fun I guess." Bolin put his jacket on and picked up his bag. He had been a bit nervous for the practice session to end, but it seemed Bei Fong had forgotten his proposal for drinks. He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

Before he could leave, Lin stopped him with her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, kid, dress nice. It's the ballet after all." And she was on her way without another word.

Dress nice? Like a suit? He could handle that. It would make the evening rather…romantic. Who knew what would happen after the performance was over.

Bolin buttoned the jacket on the only suit he owned in his little Air Temple room. It was a gift from Asami when Tarrlok had thrown the gala for Korra. It seemed like such a long time ago, but it was actually only several months. When he finished, he scooped up Pabu and set him on the bed.

"Who's gonna get some tonight?" Bolin cooed at the fire ferret.

Pabu cocked his head to the side and blinked.

Bolin grabbed Pabu's paws and waved them in the air. "You are, Bolin! You're one lucky guy!" he said in his high-pitched Pabu voice.

"What are you talking about?" Mako slid the door open, and stared at his brother with a raised eyebrow.

"Just talking over my evening plans with Pabu," Bolin said coolly, brushing a bit of fur from his shoulder.

"I thought you were going to the ballet with Chief Bei Fong," Mako pointed out.

"Exactly. And then I'm gonna get lucky afterwards," Bolin bragged. "Picture it. Me, Lin, all dressed up. A romantic ballet performance followed by a stroll under the stars. She'll be all over me."

"You're crazy," Mako scoffed. "Why would she want any of your 'action,' Bolin?"

"Oh the Chief digs me. I'm sure of it. She's all over me during our metalbending lessons."

"Whatever." Mako began to shut the door.

"No! Really! I'll prove it," Bolin protested.

"How?"

"I'll bring back a token."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"Um…A hickey. Or…uh…her panties!"

"Ew! Bolin, why would I want you to bring me her underwear?" Mako gagged.

"Proof. It's gonna happen, so be jealous."

Mako rolled his eyes and shut the door.

Bolin was surprised to find that he showed up before Bei Fong. She finally arrived wearing a long coat over something that was decidedly not her uniform. Bolin wasn't sure what it was exactly because of the coat, but he could see she was wearing flats and leggings instead of baggy pants and boots.

"So, what? You show up to a formal ball in your police duds, but you get all fancy for the ballet?" he teased.

Lin smirked. "I happen to like the ballet. Now let's get going. We don't want to be late."

They walked the few blocks to the performance hall in silence. Bolin spent most of the walk resisting the urge to grab her hand…or her butt.

The internal struggle continued when they took their seats and Lin's jacket came off. Her gown was dark green and hugged her curvy figure pleasantly. Bolin had to fight to remove his gaze from the hint of cleavage visible. His hands began to sweat on the armrest, and he itched to place a hand on her thigh.

Fortunately, the ballet began and the performance was so incredible, there was no room in his head for thoughts of the woman sitting beside him.

After the performance, Bolin raved about the technique, the spectacle, the beauty of it all. He was so enthusiastic, Lin walked with him all the way to the pier where he would take a ferry back to Air Temple Island.

"I can totally see how that relates to metalbending," he said as they walked, talking with his hands as much as words. "The way they made that water whoosh and pssshhh and fwooh!"

Lin almost laughed. "Very descriptive, kid. That's exactly what they did. Fwooh."

Bolin stopped walking so he could let out a belly laugh. When he did so, he noticed how perfect Lin looked, even in the yellow light of the street lamps. Her jacket was back on, but it couldn't conceal her wonderful hips, especially as she strode ahead of him.

Before he could stop himself, Bolin rushed up, grabbed Lin's shoulders and planted his lips on hers. The next thing he knew, he was on his butt, bleeding profusely from the nose.

"What?" Lin raged. "Are you—Did it ever—NO!" She pulled him up roughly by the collar and gave him a shove toward the pier. "Go home!"

Bolin didn't have to be told twice. Heartbroken and bewildered, he dashed off to the ferry.

Mako's door slid open as Bolin trudged past his brother's room. "Where's your token, Bo?" he smirked.

Bolin turned around so Mako could clearly see his broken nose and said nothing.

Mako tried to cover his laughter with his hand, but he couldn't help himself. "I hate to say I told you so, but, man! I guess you shouldn't mess with Chief Bei Fong."