Chapter One

"Here's the new file."

Mako looked up just in time to see Lin drop a stack of papers on his desk. He'd been going over some small cases recently, but this latest one promised to be more exciting than the strange disappearances that hadn't been accounted for. The funny thing was that those people turned up later. A little different, but otherwise unharmed. Probably some tasteless joke or hoax, Mako reasoned. Hopefully this case would be more exciting.

"Please tell me this is an actual case," Mako pleaded, reaching for the file. "I can't stand looking at another petty robbery case."

Lin gave a small smile. "This is up your alley, kid. Have fun."

"No briefing?" Mako wondered.

"You can read, can't you?"

Mako mumbled a yes and began the arduous task of reading the file. When he finished, he fixed Lin with a puzzled expression.

"I don't get it," Mako said, at length. "This is just like the last case."

"A bit," Lin agreed. "But, if you read closely, you'll notice that all the people mentioned in the file have connections to the some triad or other."

"I still don't get it," Mako said. "I thought this was an actual case. Not a string of petty robberies; I thought we were leaving those to different units."

"We are," Lin agreed. "But, there's something going on and I'm determined to get to the bottom of it. Raiko seems to think this matter isn't worth looking into, but…"

"You're going to look into it anyway," Mako guessed.

Lin gave a small smile. "Did you expect anything less?"

Mako shook his head.

"So," he wondered. "What's so special about this case that it needs our attention now?"

Lin shrugged. "How should I know? All of I'm certain of is, something is going on. Ever since Kuvira destroyed half the city, the police force has been too busy trying to restore order and balance to the city to really keep up on what these goons are doing. As of now, we've got most of the task force mobilized in the sectors that sustained the most damage and those are all areas well away from haunts these guys have been known to frequent."

"Oh. I think i get it," Mako said, deliberating for a moment. "With the forces concentrated on those areas, the triads would basically be able to operate the way they used to without worrying about us."

"Exactly," Lin said. She sounded a bit melancholy and Mako wondered why. "They could, if they wanted to, operate the way they used to. They could continue their petty turf wars, extort money, and all those silly things they did and honestly, at this point, we wouldn't be in much of a position to stop them. Not really, anyway. And, as foolish as they are, they aren't all stupid. They're probably aware of this. So, I want to know why they're busy stealing cloth and bits of scrap metal instead of doing what they normally do?"

"It is odd," Mako admitted.

"Korra tells me you're good with the triads."

Mako shrugged. "I ran some numbers for them back in the day," He said, casually. If he was expecting Lin to be surprised, she wasn't. "I'm not so sure how that can help."

"You'd know the triad hierarchy better than most of us. The Triple Threats are at the top, aren't they?"

Mako shrugged. "Something like that. Their hierarchy is a mess, so I couldn't really give you a definite answer, but the Triple Threats tend be more resourceful, so they have a better success rate when it comes to pulling heists and such. There isn't really one triad that's the most powerful or anything, but the Triple Threats are as close as it gets."

"This is exactly why I told that buffoon…" Lin paused and considered her wording before speaking again. "I told Raiko this was something worth looking into, but he refuses to listen. He thinks it's best to leave them alone, even after I told him this whole thing reeks of conspiracy. What happens if the Triple Threats shift their focus onto something else?"

"You mean all this odd stuff they're collecting?" Mako wondered, plucking a paper from the pile and scanning the contents. Lin nodded. "Depends on how ambitious the other triads are feeling, I guess. If they think they stand a chance, they'll make a bid for the Triple Threats' power."

Lin grimaced. "Thought so. You know, I have half a mind to just let your girlfriend deal with Raiko and convince the idiot to let me move officers from the portal to triad territory. This is the last thing we need."

Mako blushed and hoped Lin didn't see the way he flinched.

"Korra's not my girlfriend," he mumbled, wishing that was a lie. "And anyway, I still don't see why this is so important. I mean, why worry about this now?"

"Why not?" Lin challenged. "Nothing's happening at the portals, anyway. Raiko's a fool for stationing officers there. There's nothing we can do. If i were president, I'd…."

"Throw him off the nearest cliff?" Mako guessed.

Lin glared at him, but the mischievous glint in her eyes told him he wasn't far off.

"Something like that," She mumbled. "I can't disobey the president directly, but that doesn't mean I'm going to listen to someone like him. Not a soul is entering that portal; most people are too scared or too concerned trying to salvage their possessions and find someplace to live to really worry about the stupid portal. But, Raiko insists on stationing troops there. Meanwhile, the triads have the entire eastern sector at their disposal and if turf wars start now….well, we won't be in much of a position to handle it, as I said."

"So, you want me to do what exactly?"

"Investigate, detective. What else? I've been on this force for decades and I've seen enough triads come and go to know that they're only concerned about money and power. After thirty some-odd years, one triad moving away from that and focusing on imported goods of all things is…"

"Unorthodox?" Mako suggested.

"That and highly unusual. And while these guys are mostly pigheaded, a few of them have common sense and must have some reason behind it. I want to know their motive, but I don't necessarily want Raiko to know we're carrying out this investigation."

Mako frowned, his amber eyes glancing at the "DENIED" stamp Raiko had placed over Lin's request for extra troops in triad territory.

"Can he stop you from positioning people there?"

"Not really. I mean, he's got control over the military and such and his power does extend to my officers, but it stops there. Detectives are another matter. He's got no control over you…or the rookies, for that matter. So, technically speaking, he can't stop me from posting people there. It's just…"Lin sighed, sliding into a chair propped up in the corner and passing a hand over her face. "I'm in no mood to get into an argument with him and listen to him lecture me on the importance of keeping officers near the portal. And, I'd like to avoid using the rookies if I can."

"I'll look into this," Mako promised. "But, I'll need help."

Lin nodded. "Saikhan's also been assigned to his case. And there's a couple of rookies who're almost ready to formally join the force; this will be their first case, but I'm sure they'd be valuable assets; I think I can afford to let them work on this case. But, I can't have more than half a dozen rookies help you. The others are too young and inexperienced and if something goes wrong, I don't want to have to call their families and tell them the bad news."

"Half a dozen is more than enough," Mako said. "But, Saikhan? I thought you said Raiko ordered all officers to…"

Lin barked a laugh. "Well, maybe I told him Saikhan wasn't an officer."

"And he bought it?"

"He'd probably buy it if I told him I was the Earth Queen's daughter. It's not like he knows or cares about the officers. He just wants as many as possible to help keep the city safe." She grumbled. "His definition of safe needs a lot of work."

"I'm still curious about Saikhan though. Why him?"

Lin shrugged. "He's a good guy to have on the team. Pretty bright…most of the time, anyway. He'll be able to help. Besides, he shares my…let's call it opinion, of Raiko. He's been briefed and agrees this would make more sense looking into, than just having officers stationed in front of a spirit portal."

Mako was about to make another comment, but was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. He glanced up just in time to see Korra enter. The Avatar must've been in a good mood because she was smiling and her eyes were sparkling and Mako had to consciously fight the urge to just walk up to her and kiss her right there.

"Can I borrow Mako, Lin?"

"He's all yours, kid." She said, standing up.

If only she knew how true that was, Mako thought, sighing to himself.

"Bolin, Opal, and I were going to Narook's for dinner. Want to join us?"

Mako looked at the case file on his desk and sighed. "I should really get on this case."

"Go eat something, kid," Lin said. "Trying to solve this on an empty stomach won't help."

"Alright," he acquiesced. "See you tomorrow, Chief."

Lin nodded, ambling past them and muttering something about kids under her breath.

"Have a nice date," she called, not bothering to turn around as she walked down the corridor. "And detective?"

"Yeah?" Mako responded.

"You better report to work tomorrow, on time. No exceptions."

Korra blinked, somewhat confused, but Mako blushed crimson.

"That was one time," he grumbled. "And it wasn't my fault. She took my hat and wouldn't give it back, and…"

He trailed off, noticing Korra had caught on. He decided to keep quiet before he embarrassed himself further.

"Thanks, Chief." He grumbled as Lin's laughter echoed throughout the halls. Sighing in resignation, he slipped on his overcoat and gestured for Korra to follow. "Let's just get out of here."

Mako hadn't realized how late it was, but when he and Korra left that station, the sun had already set. The streets were fairly crowded as they walked to Narook's but Mako found he didn't mind it so much. It gave him an excuse to walk closer to Korra without embarrassing himself. The two mostly walked in silence. Mako had hoped they'd find something to talk about, but being with Korra again was as easy as it had always been (which is to say not easy at all). Still, he fell back into familiar patterns and the two walked in comfortable silence for most of their journey. At last, however, the silence between them became too much for Mako, so he tried for some small talk.

"So," he wondered. "What's Opal up to these days?" Being on the task force, he didn't get to see much of his brother's girlfriend. Usually, when Bolin dropped by, it was without Opal in tow.

Korra shrugged. "The usual, I guess. Tenzin's got her teaching now, I think. Suits her well."

"She and Bolin are going to meet us at Narook's?" Mako asked.

Korra tried not to think too hard about his choice of words, but she did like the sound of "us."
"Yeah." She replied, hoping she wasn't blushing. "Knowing Bolin, he's probably already there."

"And Asami?"

Korra smiled. "She's got a date of her own tonight. At Kwong's."

"With who?" Mako demanded. He couldn't recall any mention of someone.

Korra laughed. "Well, date is the wrong word. Business deal is more accuarate. Some stuffy, old guy., who's interested in some partnership or something, I don't know. But, she said this deal was pretty important, so I didn't bother her about an invitation. Future Industries is doing well again and I'm glad things are looking up for her. Figured I should probably let her enjoy her dinner and her success. I don't want to bother her."

You'd never bother anyone, Mako wanted to say. But, he kept his mouth shut.

"So…" Korra said, running a hand through her hair and trying to keep the wind from blowing it in her face. "Anything exciting happen at the station?"

"Lots of stuff," Mako replied. "This rookie, Sun, fell asleep at his desk. At 3:04, Yao got up to use the restroom. And Song spilled sake on her papers. Oh, and Lin sneezed four times once."

"Uh….:

Mako gave a small chuckle. "No, nothing exciting happened."

"Was that sarcasm, City Boy? Didn't know you had it in you," Korra teased.

Mako smiled, a real, genuine smile and Korra was pleased to note that the old Mako she knew (and loved, a little voice insisted) was still there.

"It's been a while since I've heard that nickname," He admitted, sounding a little wistful.

"I could call you City Boy from now on?" Korra offered, laughing.

"No, I'm good."

They lapsed into silence again, before Mako spoke.

"So, anything exciting happen with you?"

Korra shook her head. "No, not really."

Mako hoped she'd say something else, but Korra left it at that.

"Your hair grew a little longer," he blurted out, mentally berating himself as soon as that sentence passed his lips.

Korra chuckled. "I think you're the only one that noticed."

"I like it like that," the firebender offered.

"You do? You think it didn't look good before?"

Korra couldn't figure out why they were discussing this. She'd never really cared much about her appearance in regards to people's approval of it, but somehow, she wanted Mako's.

"You know what I think," the firebender mumbled softly, thankful the darkness hid his blush. Mako wished he was better at this relationship thing, that he could just look her in the eye and tell her she was beautiful no matter what, and that his feelings had never changed since the beginning. But he was never good with words. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't quite figure out what. Thankfully, though, he didn't have to. Korra saved him, by pointing out the obvious.

"Oh, look. We're at Narook's."

Wordlessly, Mako held open the door and waited for her to enter. Korra breezed past him and Mako followed her, wondering if he imagined the blush he saw on her face.

Maybe, he thought to himself, this wasn't such a bad idea. Maybe this dinner would turn out to be good, after all.