All eyes were on Korra's departing form. Lin took the chance to slip through the back door and walk out of Katara's home, unnoticed and invisible. But one pair of eyes was following her, one unsure pair of exhausted eyes.

I'm sorry, but there's nothing else I can do…

Katara's words were reverberating in Lin's empty head as she let her feet carry her weary body towards the cliff side. About quater an hour later she stood at the edge of the cliff, facing the cold ocean, feeling the freezing breeze, mind numb and empty, unsure of where everything had lead her and where would she go from here.

"Chief Beifong, NO!" Someone let out a terrified scream. "Please Don't!"

Lin turned to find Pema sprinting towards her, hand outstretched and features terrified. Lin blinked as Pema closed the space between them in an alarming speed and grabbed her by upper arm to drag Lin backwards, which made both the women lose balance and fell on their backs.

Lin sat up as Pema kneed beside her, still keeping a tight hold to Lin's arm. Lin blinked again, face empty, yet eyes confused.

"What were you thinking?" Pema spat, giving Lin a little shake. "It's a sin, a sin I tell you. I realize how difficult it must be, but this?!"

Lin frowned. What is Pema ranting about? and most surprisingly, why? "wazgoingon?" Lin mumbled, trying to shrug off the younger woman's grasp. But Pema didn't let go.

"Think about what you are doing. You are one of the bravest people I know. This is beneath you! Is this the example you're going to set for Meelo? You are his hero!" Pema kept shaking Lin, with every word she practically yelled.

"Calm down, Pema!" Lin raised her voice. "And let go of me!"

"No!" Pema spat. "You are not going anywhere but coming with me to the house".

Lin was utterly confused. Why was Pema acting like this? Why was she ranting as if to make up for the last sixteen years' worth silence between them? And what on earth is she talking about? Was it a crime to find some solitude and grieve her loss in her own way?

Lin stood up. Pema did too. "I'd like it if you'd give me some space" Lin told Pema, stepping back few feet and freeing her arm from Pema's iron grip. "I need to do something by my own. Besides, should you be out here? Didn't Katara tell you to rest?"

"I'm going nowhere, Lin" Pema took a step forward. "If you don't go home with me, I'm calling reinforcements. I am not going to let you kill yourself."

Lin blinked, several times. She gestured her hand towards herself and then to the cliff, and made a jumping gesture, a break neck sign and gave Pema an inquisitive brow.

"Well?" Pema got hold to her armor again, just in case. "Weren't you?"

Lin found herself at a loss of words. The situation and circumstances were utterly irrational. Herself and Pema, in a middle of a dramatic conversation, in an unlikely time!

Lin breathed in several times before she spoke again. She didn't want to offend Pema, who at least took the trouble to worry about her.

"No." Lin said as calmly as possible. "If it helps to calm your nerves, I'll give you my word on that." She said, slowly pulling her arm out of Pema's grip. "I'm here for some lone time and I'd appreciate if you could help me with that."

Pema did not look convinced. However, she let go of Lin and took a few steps back.

"Please go home and rest" Lin said gesturing towards the direction of Katara's house. "I'll be fine."

Pema gave her an uncertain look. "It's freezing. I'm going to send someone to collect you in fifteen minutes." She said turning on her heels.

Lin stared in disbelief at Pema's departing form. "I'm not five, thank you very much." She said just loud enough for the other woman to hear. Pema neglected her.

Lin watched as Pema retreated towards the house, looking back at her several times as she did. The armor Lin wore came loose as soon as Pema disappeared around the corner. Lin pulled the latches those bound it together and let it fall off her torso leaving the earthbender shiver slightly on where she stood. Lin did not bother taking the boots off as she walked towards the cliff once again. The ocean beneath looked strangely calm and inviting. Lin breathed in deeply for several times before she leaped forward, diving head first to the deep blue mass, ready to embrace her tired self mercifully. Wind rushed past her entire self brushing away the stinging spread over her body from many cuts and bruises those were left neglected. In about 15 years, Lin was able to let it all go and smile with contentment.