A/N: Hi Everyone! My first fanfic, woo! I hope it's not too terrible. Anyway, Linzin/Tenlin are my OTP. I LOVE them together. I hope that maybe in the next season they'll pair her up with Bumi or something. I just hate to see her by herself. :(
"I can feel the network of tunnels over there," said Lin Beifong as she led the group over to a large cave opening. They walked inside the spacious cavern. "Why are we going deeper into the cave?" asked Bolin as Korra, Lin, and Tenzin started to travel further into the dark expanse. "Bolin, it's a blizzard out there! Unless you want to freeze, I think we should rest in this cave for a while, far away from the freezing snow. And we're not even that far away from the entrance!" retorted Korra. "Besides," added Tenzin," the Equalists could still be tracking us. It might be best to lay low for a while." "I hardly doubt that, Tenzin. They wouldn't want to be caught in the blizzard any more than we do. Besides, they gave up looking for us a long time ago," scoffed Lin.
They had been traveling for nearly four days now to reach the city of Omashu for an important meeting between Tenzin and the EarthKingdom officials. Korra, of course, begged Tenzin if she could tag along and claimed it would be helpful for the Avatar to meet some important government figures. It took a lot of prodding but eventually a reluctant Tenzin agreed, knowing full well that if Korra went, the New Team Avatar would go as well. Fearing for Korra's safety, Tenzin requested the Police Force send some protection with them. Lin was quick to assemble an elite squad of earthbenders together including herself. She would never admit it but ever since Korra restored her bending, she developed some degrees of affection and trust towards the Avatar. They even sometimes had tea together and catch up on the latest news. Though it was never said aloud, both thought it was a little weird to have such a strong relationship with someone whose age was drastically different than their own. Nevertheless, Lin related to Korra because she saw so much of herself when she was young in Korra's youthful spirit while Korra admired the famed Earthbender and her strong, independent attitude.
It took the group about three days to sail the distance across the bitterly cold sea. When they docked on the snowy shores the afternoon of the third day, a group of Equalists attacked. Apparently, some people still felt a strong hatred towards benders even though their leader was gone and was a bender himself. Lin's forces, plus a little help from The New Team Avatar, managed to keep them at bay but their numbers were too great. Earthbending in the deep, powdery snow was proving to be difficult for the police force who have to bury their feet to get a good stance on the earth. The group would have to retreat through the now, fast falling snow. Lin pulled aside some of her most talented and loyal crew members to have them follow her while the others held off the chi blockers.
Lin led the way through the forest, making sure all the time, her group was still together. The snow blanketing the ground was making it very difficult to run through, though. "Korra, I need you to waterbend the snow away," said Lin when the snow was becoming too deep to run in. Korra obliged, bending the snow around them so it would fall back in place behind them and hopefully block off the Equalists. Still, their foes had the advantage of light snowmobiles that resembled their motorcycles quite well. Korra stopped to turn around and put up a large wall of ice to stop them but they easily tossed a few small, palm sized devices that exploded on impact, effectively shattering the wall. "Korra, run!" yelled Mako, casting a glance back at Korra. It was too late. Eight chi blockers had almost reached her when Korra began to pummel them with shards of ice and bursts of air. One Chi Blocker leapt off the snowmobile and delivered a series of pokes and jabs to her left arm and gave her a vicious kick to the stomach that sent her flying into a nearby tree.
The group had slowed down and started to rush back through the three foot snow to help Korra. Mako shot a clean blast of fire to melt some of the snow blocking the way to Korra. Tenzin threw them an extremely powerful gust of wind that knocked two of the men off of their snowmobiles and into trees, knocking them out. The others, however, managed to hang on, but not without being pushed back a good six yards. The officers bended solid pillars of rock into the air that caused a few chi blockers to be shot back towards the shore. With the ground being cleared, Lin bended the slab of rock where Korra was laying over to where the rest of the group waiting anxiously. Bolin and Asami helped Korra up as she tried to regain her footing. She recovered just enough for the group to start picking up the pace again while the chi blockers were starting to recover.
They pursued again, this time managing to separate Mako and Asami, who were now running in a completely different direction. Mako was using his fire bending to melt the snow around them as he and Asami as they ran. The three officers Lin had tag along turned immediately and followed to protect them. "Mako!" cried Korra, turning around. "They'll be safe, there's no time to help them," shouted Bolin as he ran past Korra, grabbing her arm so she would follow. The Equalists were gaining and hot on their heels. Tenzin was driving sharp gusts of air into the snow to try to make a path. The snow was falling so thick; Lin could barely see anything in front of her. She put a solid foot to the frozen ground and barked," There's a hollow in the tree over there! Maybe we can hide in it."
Bolin and Korra followed Lin as Tenzin blasted away the snow with forceful bursts of air. When they got to the hollowed out tree, Korra used her good arm to bend some of the snow back into place; just enough to make it look like no one had ever been through there. The hollow was quite small, especially with a tall, broad man like Tenzin and a stocky guy like Bolin were crammed in there. "Great," huffed Lin as she and Korra squeezed in the hollow. "Well, you were the one who suggested we hide here," pointed out Bolin as he scooted over to try and make room for them. "It was the only place nearby. The only other place was a cave up the mountain. It would've taken too long to reach and the Chi Blockers would've caught up to us," retorted Lin. She couldn't help but notice that she was practically sitting on top of him. It was the closest proximity they had been with each other in a long time. She knew Tenzin realized this too, for he began to look uncomfortable. Lin thought it odd also that his heartbeat was increasing. He gave a small cough to clear his throat. It's not like she could help the tree was so small. She put on her infamous scowl, crossed her arms and peered outside into the constant falling snow. "I hope Mako and Asami are okay," sighed Korra. "Me, too," agreed Bolin. "And my men," added Lin quietly. Tenzin looked at the three of them and said," They'll be just fine. Most of the Equalists followed us anyway. Mako is a very capable bender and Asami is very intelligent and resourceful. And Lin, your officers are the finest the whole world has to offer. They'll pull through anything." Lin gave a soft smile at Tenzin's compliment.
They went silent for a few moments when they heard a steady rumbling noise coming from the distance. "Bolin, this isn't a time to be hungry," Korra said to Bolin. He responded with," Uhh, if you're hungry, you're hungry, okay? And that wasn't me…" Since Korra and Lin were blocking the front of the opening, they peered out into the thick blinding snow. What they spotted were several pairs of headlights coming faster and faster towards them. "It looks like they brought reinforcements. I don't think we can take that many of them," said Korra. "Lean back," Lin ordered her. Even sitting, Lin was a powerful bender. She leaned backwards into Tenzin, so she would have enough room for what she was about to do. She stomped her feet into the ground and bended the opening closed. "What have you done?! We're gonna suffocate and die in here! Either that or they'll spot the tree with an earth door on it and we'll be toast!" stressed Bolin, with his hands on either side of his face. "Shush," Lin silenced. "Would you rather they find us in the open?" "She's right," agreed Tenzin," No one will notice the door when they are busy looking for fleeing people." "Anyways, all the trees in this forest are so small I doubt they'll think to check any hollows," reassured Korra.
Tenzin was painfully aware that Lin was so closely confined that she was pressing into him. Korra and Bolin didn't seem to notice. Being best friends, there's no such thing as bubble space. But it was a different story for Tenzin and Lin. It had been so long since Tenzin had held her lithe body in his arms. He had always missed her since the day he left but he never knew he still carried such strong feelings for her until she sacrificed herself for his family. Tenzin felt like he was being torn in half, watching her jump off Oogi. It was then he realized he never wanted to let her out of his sight again. It wasn't like he was cheating or anything. He reasoned that he just wanted to keep an old friend safe. But deep inside, he knew it was more than that. He loved Pema and his wonderful children, but he had always wondered what if Lin and him had stayed together. How different would his life be? The close proximity allowed her scent to waft over to Tenzin. She smelled like jasmine, grass, and the earth she bends. She was so close all he needed to do was reach out his arm…
They were stuck in that hollow for close to twenty minutes when Korra asked, "Hey, why can't we just make a cave under the hollow?" Tenzin snapped out of his daze. "Well, for one, there isn't enough room to get a strong enough stance to make a hollow. There's only enough room to do simple stuff," said Bolin as a matter of factly. "Maybe for you, I bet Lin could do it. We could always give it a try," said Korra, a little bit put out. "I think they have left anyways," said Lin, with a satisfactory smirk. She bent a little hole in her earthen door and stared into the white expanse. When the coast was clear she bended the door down all the way and stepped out into the winter wonderland, stretching her legs. Although it was a bit awkward cuddled up close to Tenzin, he was very warm. She felt his heartbeat speed up and breathing was shortened, like he was nervous. It gave her small butterflies to think that maybe, just maybe, he still liked her, too. Pull it together, Bei Fong, growled Lin at herself. Tenzin was married with four kids, maybe even another on the way. They couldn't have the same relationship they did years ago. Both of them had responsibilities to take care of and uphold she realized, sadly.
"Boy, it feels great to be out of there!" exclaimed Bolin. Tenzin and Korra nodded and agreed. "What do we do now?" asked Korra. "Should we find Mako, Asami, and the other Earthbenders, or keep heading on our way to Omashu? " "I think we should find a place to shelter until this storm blows over," said Tenzin, who was already covered in a light dusting of snow. Lin agreed pointing out there would be no way to find them tonight. Dusk was approaching and they quickly agreed to find shelter. The snow was deep, about three feet or more, so they couldn't sleep outside. They definitely couldn't sleep in the hollow. "How's your arm Korra?" asked Lin. Korra shook her head," It can't bend yet." "Tenzin," said Lin," can you clear a small piece of ground for me?" Tenzin nodded and blew away the snow in a small area that has piled up. Lin slammed her foot to the Earth, which resonated back with information. "I don't detect people, but I sense the cave I was talking about earlier. It seems to be connected with many tunnels," she stated. "Lead the way," said Bolin," I'm freezing."
They reached the top of the mountain and beheld the yawning mouth of a gigantic cave. By then, it was almost dark out and Korra had regained full usage of her arm. They traveled deeper into the cave. "Do you think you can start a fire?" asked Tenzin, who was obviously cold but didn't admit that. "No," Korra said apologetically," to firebend, you need heat and I am freezing at the moment." "What about you, Lin? Can you feel anything in the tunnel that might help us?" Tenzin asked, putting a hand on her metal clad shoulder. The metal was so cold, it almost felt like it was burning. "Are you getting too cold? Do you need to warm up?" asked Tenzin, more concerned. Lin turned to him and smirked, which caused him to turn red. "Relax, Tenzin. I thought airbenders were supposed to have a calm and level head," said Lin, halfway teasingly. "I…um… well, I—, "he started to say. Lin gave another small smirk and cut him off by saying," The tunnels seem to be shifting and moving. Something is down there and moving them." She wore a concentrated mask and was clearly puzzled by what could cause shifting of massive tunnels. Korra and Bolin gave each other a startled look. Tenzin's eyes brightened. "I know these caves!" he exclaimed, suddenly excited. Korra, Bolin, and Lin glanced at each other. "These caves lead to the city of Omashu," he continued. Lin settled down and leaned against the cave wall saying, "We might as well hear the story." "So, we're just gonna stay the night in this cave…" asked an unsure Bolin. Korra gave a swift glance to the furious snowstorm outside and said," Yeah, I'm good here." "Well, it's still freezing in here," pointed out Bolin. "Until we find someone to help us, I suggest we huddle for warmth," instructed Tenzin. "That sounds really cliché," said Bolin trying to hold back a laugh. "Yeah, c'mon, Tenzin, I've warmed up a little, I can make us a fire," said Korra.
She gathered twigs lying on the ground and fashioned them into three bundles. "Why did you do that?" asked Bolin. "So that I can start one, and the others can be used to keep it going," replied Korra. She tried to produce a spark. "Korra, I think you're still too cold," reasoned Tenzin. She tried again and again but could not start a fire. "I don't get it!" she exclaimed. "Mako was melting the snow with fire when we were running." "He was probably warm from running," said Bolin. Then he added," Plus he also carries around a lighter just for emergencies." She sighed, exhausted and defeated. Korra trudged over to Lin and sat down next to her.
Lin bended off her ice cold uniform revealing a white tank top with baggy brown pants that she wore under her uniform that tightened and stopped just below her knees. Korra sat down next to her so they were shoulder to shoulder while Bolin hunkered down by to Korra. Tenzin gave an incredulous look at Lin. "What?!" asked Lin. "Why did you wear that out here? It's freezing!" he exclaimed. "Hey, take it easy air-head! I thought we were going straight to Omashu, and this is comfortable. It's what I normally wear under it," she brazenly defended. "I'll be fine just for tonight." Korra and Bolin just watched on amused. It was rare to get to see Tenzin all worked up. "Doesn't the metal get warm inside when you move around? Why don't you just keep it on?" asked Bolin, which earned him a confounded stare. "I'm not moving anymore," Lin explained, as she rolled her eyes. Bolin can be such a blockhead sometimes. "Some earthbender you are," she muttered to herself. Korra sniggered at the comment.
Lin unpinned her hair and let it fall loosely over her shoulders. They fell the same way back when she used to be coal black. Soft, wavy curls that were well tended for that framed her face beautifully. Tenzin hadn't known she had grown it out so long. She usually keeps it neatly pinned so the metal cables in the back of her uniform don't snag it. He sighed, what he wouldn't give to run his fingers through her silky tresses. Tenzin removed his orange shawl. "Take it," he said to Lin, with an almost pleading tone in his voice. She hated to admit it, but she was getting cold. "Thanks," she mumbled and she took it and put it around her shoulders. "Wow, that looks like a big orange tent on you," laughed Bolin. Korra punched him in the arm saying," Better than freezing to death, Bolin!" The shawl did look somewhat baggy around Lin's feminine shoulders and svelte physique. Tenzin hid a grin as he sat down next to her.
She crossed her arms over her stomach when he sat down and allowed their shoulders to firmly press together. Both of them relished the warmth that the other gave.
From then on, the group of four listened in the dark of night to Tenzin's story of how Aang, Sokka, Katara, and a group of EarthKingdom nomads traveled through these very tunnels to reach the city of Omashu. The group offered small interjections here and there. "Of course! Badgermoles! I should've known. It seemed so familiar," exclaimed Lin. "The Cave of Two Lovers, that's so romantic!" squealed Korra, who wasn't much of a girly girl but had a soft spot for certain romantic stories. "I thought it had its name carved on both entrances," said Bolin. "The snow was so thick we probably didn't see it," considered Korra. Near the end of the story, Tenzin started to fumble with his words. "It seems I have forgotten the last part of the story," he said rather sheepishly. "Really?! Really, you don't remember your father's stories? Now we'll never know how they made it out of the cave and what happened to Sokka and the EarthKingdom nomads!" Korra said, exasperated. "I think we should try to get some sleep now anyway. We have a long way to travel tomorrow," said Lin. Korra and Bolin were out in a matter of minutes, but Lin was a little apprehensive sleeping next to Tenzin. And he felt the same way. They haven't shared a bed in nearly twenty years, and having to be in such close quarters for warmth, it was pretty much the same thing. She was so tired, though, so she tilted her head back against the cave wall and tried to get some sleep.