Lin was a fool for thinking that she would be able to have a taste of Tenzin and still let him go. He was true to his word, and seemed to have no regret at all in the renewal of their relationship. The next week had Tenzin finding any excuse to be at the police station. If he saw her, and he made sure he did even if it meant walking in circles through the corridors, he would steal her away to an abandoned hallway or alcove to share an illicit kiss. Their lunch breaks became dalliances at Lin's apartment. When they were together amongst people, Tenzin would keep the slightest breeze tickling the back of her neck as a sort of secret caress.

And Lin let him do it.

She was not an affectionate woman; it was another way she resembled her mother. But it was the first time since her mother passed away that she felt special…wanted. It made her happy.

One day they were sitting on her couch during a lunch break. Or rather, Lin was sitting and Tenzin massaging her shoulders. "One of our undercover cops received word that Cabbage Corp is providing Amon with supplies. Propaganda posters and such. And those blasted electric chi blockers."

"Will you raid their factories today or wait for more word?"

"Our guy was pretty confident. We'll hit 'em tomorrow morning."

Tenzin only hemmed in reply. His hands began wandering down her back.

Lin stiffened slightly, still unused to intimacy after so many years alone. "Tenzin," she began hesitantly. "Were—were you and Pema…unhappy? Is that why we are…here now?"

Tenzin sighed and walked around to sit beside her on the couch. It was obvious this change in topic was unwelcome. "Not at all. Pema and I have only ever had small disagreements."

Lin frowned, remembering the explosive arguments she and Tenzin had had over the course of their previous relationship. She realized now that they had mostly been instigated by her. "Then why?"

"I can't say. I thought I was over you, Lin. After our last fight, the one involving Pema, I was sure that I would never have feelings for you again. We both said terrible things." He pulled one of her hands into his grasp. "Then, the morning of the Pro Bending Championship, Korra said something that shattered the illusion I had made for myself."

"Oh really? The Avatar?" Lin was slightly amused by the idea. "What did she say?"

"I was trying to explain to her that we were totally done with our feelings for each other, and she said that you clearly were not. I realized then that I had made myself blind in regard to you. I watched you closely all night, trying to find any evidence that pointed to the contrary. And when you asked me to stay behind after the meeting…" He shrugged.

"Hmmm," Lin conceded as Tenzin gently kissed her hair. She wasn't done discussing this, but her break was nearly over. She stood up and metalbent her uniform back into place. "I might have to thank the Avatar next time I see her."

"I'm going to do it my way: outside the law," Lin growled, sitting up despite the agony in her back. Tenzin placed a concerned hand on her shoulder. She flinched involuntarily.

"I'm sorry," Tenzin murmured, quickly removing his hand.

Even with Korra, Mako, Bolin and Asami in the vicinity, Lin needed his touch. She felt so guilty, so helpless, so weak. "No, Tenzin. It's fine. Please hold me," she whispered. She was disgusted by how her voice shook and how damp her eyes suddenly became.

Tenzin sat beside her and gingerly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She took his other hand in both of hers and leaned into him. Their embrace was innocent enough to avoid suspicion from Korra and her friends, but it was sufficient to give Lin strength for her next step.

The healers at the hospital were able to clear away Lin's bruises easily enough. What they couldn't fix was her fatigue: mental or physical. That would have to fix itself with several days of rest.

Spirits, she was bored. She would've gotten up and walked away, but she begrudgingly accepted the need to rebuild her strength. To rescue her officers, she'd need to be at the top of her game.

Tenzin found an excuse to drop in almost every day. Most of his visiting time was spent discussing the state of the city and frustrations with the council. But he always left time to ravage her mouth.

On one occasion, Lin stopped a tender kiss from Tenzin and asked bluntly, "Where does Pema think you are?"

Tenzin was visibly taken aback, but didn't relinquish his gentle hold on the back of Lin's neck. "Pema knows I'm in the city. That is enough for her. She doesn't demand a detailed account of my daily activities." He leaned in to capture Lin's lips again, but she turned her head so he grazed her cheekbone instead.

"She doesn't know she should. She trusts you, Tenzin." Lin choked slightly on the words. "Oh, spirits, she trusts you!" She pulled away from his touch before adding, in a hushed voice, "I can't have you anymore."

"What brought this on?" Tenzin inquired, disbelieving.

"I've had a lot of time to think lately. And I have just felt so…wrong. You told me just the other day that you two were happy together. I'm selfishly ruining a perfectly good relationship, and I can't handle it anymore."

"That's—I'm sorry you feel this way. If you want to end our arrangement, I accept your decision," Tenzin sighed, rising from his seat beside her bed. "But I urge you to reconsider. I feel no shame in our relationship."

Lin turned back to glare at him. "Then you're a fool. You don't deserve Pema."

"You think I don't realize that? I don't deserve either of you."

Lin snorted. "You got that right."

Tenzin smiled before leaning to kiss her neck. "Then why do you let me do this?" he teased.

"Maybe I'm not as good as you think I am." Lin averted her gaze again.

The airbender pulled her face back to him with a gentle finger on her chin. "Impossible. You're perfect. And we're good together."

Lin gave a derisive laugh, and did not deny his kiss when he leaned to bestow it upon her. "Perhaps you're right."