Asami sighed as the sea breeze whipped her hair. He had abandoned her. Maybe not intentionally. And it was never Korra's intention to steal him away. But…she should've seen the signs. Maybe it was something about being teammates. She didn't know.

All she knew was that Mako didn't look at her the same way, and he looked at Korra the way he used to look at her. She tightened her grip on knees.

"Relationship troubles?" The voice of the gruff chief sliced through her thoughts.

Asami laughed. "I guess. Mako…"

"I get it. Tenzin and I were like that, once."

"Once?"

"A long time ago." Lin stared out at the lights of Republic City. "It was a different time. Korra wasn't around. Aang was."

"Did it change your relationship with Aang? Breaking up with Tenzin?" Asami blushed and averted her gaze. "I guess I shouldn't have asked that."

Lin laughed. "It's alright." She sighed. "Tenzin and I were too different. We had different paths in mind. We were too different."

"Too different." Asami mused. "I just…I wished he could've at least told me, instead of me having to find out on my own."

"From his brother." Lin raised her eyebrow. "Bolin's not exactly…silent."

Asami laughed. "I guess."

Lin touched Asami's knees. "If Mako doesn't realize what he has here, then he's an idiot."

Asami sighed. "But I'm nothing compared to the Avatar."

Lin pursed her lips. "I suppose. But you did stand up for yourself."

"Maybe."

"You're a strong girl, Asami. I would've had you on the metalbending cops if you were…well, and earthbender."

"I know." Asami blew her breath over knees. "What is it about benders? Like, why is everyone attracted to them? I lost all of my previous boyfriends to benders. Why this one too?"

Lin shrugged. "I can tell you that no bender has ever asked for me, other than Tenzin, of course, but other than that…"

"It's annoying. Having the person you love stolen from you."

"I'm sure Korra and Mako didn't mean it." Lin said.

"Side with them, will you." Asami grumbled.

"Asami, I'm not siding with anyone. If there's anyone's side I should be on, it would be on yours. Mako treated you unfairly."

"Maybe we should just break up. I mean, we're in the middle of a war."

"Relationships are always complicated things."

"Too complicated."

"Why did you turn against your father?" Lin asked, changing the subject.

Asami sighed. "My mom…she was…forgiving. She loved us, and…well, it's easy to blame someone, isn't it? That's why I went to pro-bending, to see all the firebenders get knocked out. Eventually, it kinda…grew on me, and I became a fan. My dad, he always seemed to have moved on. I had no idea that he never actually did.

"The robbery was horrible. My dad and I were out racing when they destroyed our home. Afterwards, my dad fired all the benders that worked for us. He made sure I knew how to protect myself. After what happened to mom…"

"I lost my mother too." Lin revealed. "It was a while ago of course, and she fought like a hero."

"Who was it against?"

"Amon." Asami's eyes widened at what Lin said. "It was before he'd become a threat. My mother wasn't as young as she used to be and…Well, things happen."

"I miss my dad." Asami confessed. "But then I wonder if I knew him at all."

"Loving your father is not a crime. He's your family. You did the right thing though. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you."

Asami nodded. "We should go back." They both stood up at the same time.

"Take care, Asami." Lin said. She walked away towards the temple, leaving Asami on her own again.