Moving Forward, Moving Back


"Hmph…" Asami turned as her headache and dry mouth started to wake her. She soon realised she wasn't in her bedroom and sat up. In took her a while to figure out where she was. Bits and pieces from last night entered her head and she cringed. Things always looked worse in the harsh light of the morning.

"What have you done?" Asami asked herself as she saw the empty space next to her. She recalled how lust had raged through her body last night. After Korra had drifted off into a deep sleep, Asami couldn't calm herself down. She had laid awake for hours, feeling overheated, something she couldn't take care off while lying next to someone she barely knew. The whole ordeal freaked her out. It was clear that Korra had a strong effect on her and she wasn't sure how Korra felt about it.

With a grunt she slipped out of bed. She found her clothes neatly piled up on a chair. At least I still managed that. Asami thought as she changed into her outfit from yesterday. She didn't know if Korra was still around. Maybe she had felt awkward waking up next to Asami and had left early. This thought panicked Asami somewhat. However confused she felt about Korra, the thought of never seeing her again was worse.

Alright, time to face the music. She thought before opening the bedroom door.

A delicious smell was hitting Asami's nose as soon as she walked into the kitchen. Korra was standing by the stove, spatula in hand. Asami took a deep breath to gather the courage to say something. Korra looked relaxed and happy, but Asami still didn't know how she would react to her presence.

"Goo…" Before she could continue, Naga's barking interrupted her. The large dog ran up to Asami, demanding some attention.

"Naga, leave Asami alone!" Korra yelled as Asami bent down to pat Naga.

"Good morning Naga." Asami cooed, smiling despite herself as Naga licked the side of her face.

"Take a seat if you want some breakfast." Korra said while turning towards her guest.

"Sounds great." Asami said as she wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. She sat down at the small table, surprised to find a glass of water and another glass with orange juice in front of her. Korra walked over and put a plate on the table. The plate carried an omelette, eggs sunny side up and scrambled eggs.

"I didn't know how you wanted your eggs, so I made all the kinds I know." Korra said with a sheepish grin. Asami felt her heart melt. However she thought Korra would react to this morning, she hadn't thought of this.

"Korra, that's so sweet. But about last night…"

"Ha! I think we're both pretty bad at one-night stands." Korra laughed.

"Well… I don't know about that." Asami was really surprised by the lightness with which Korra handled this situation. "Look, I have to say this. I had a bad day yesterday and I wanted to blow off some steam." Asami started and saw disappoint flicker in Korra's blue eyes. "But that's not the only reason I went home with you!" Asami quickly corrected herself. "You are kind and good looking."

"Thanks…" Korra mumbled, turning slightly red which caused Asami to smile.

"You were right to stop us. I'm sorry if I made it weird."

"You didn't." Korra reassured her and Asami felt herself relax. "I like having you around…" A smile tucked at Asami's lips. She hadn't ruined whatever was between her and Korra by her drunk and rash behaviour last night.

"Scrambled eggs." Asami said sweetly.

"W-what?"

"I like my eggs scrambled."

"Oh, right! That, yes. Then I'll take the other ones." Korra said as she sat down as well, grabbing a toast from the basket in the middle of the table. Asami was in awe of Korra's appetite in the morning. She ate the toast and the omelette in no time and only slowed down a little when she started on the other eggs. Asami almost wanted to chuckle at the enthusiasm while she leisurely was eating her breakfast.

"I can make you some more if you want." Korra offered when Asami finished the scrambled eggs.

"No thank you. I had enough." Asami smiled. "Besides, aren't you going to be late for work?"

"Already keeping an eye on me, huh?" Korra teased.

"Well, I don't want you to get fired over the worse one-night stand ever." Asami teased back. Even though Korra had made the joke first, it still made her blush now Asami said it.

"I won't and I could say the same to you."

"I'm the head of my department. That comes with the bonus of flexible times."

"I wish I had that luxury." Korra complained, bringing the empty dishes to the sink. "I also wish I could give you a ride, but I don't own a car."

"Don't worry about it. I have parked my car close to the bar from last night. I need to pick it up anyway."

"Wow, you really do have time to spare in the morning." Korra grinned. Asami rolled her eyes as she helped clean up the table.

"Won't Naga get lonely when you go to work the whole day?" Asami wondered as Naga kept padding after Korra.

"She's good at being on her own. The neighbour feeds her around midday. Although it would be nice for her to have some more space. I am actually thinking about moving to a small house with a little garden."

"Really? That sounds existing." Asami said as she moved her hand through the thick fur on Naga's back. The dog stood still, clearly enjoying the gesture.

"Yeah, I have some money saved up so…"

"I know a good realtor. He can show you the best offers." Korra chuckled.

"You know a lot of bigshots, don't you?" Asami straightened her back and shrugged her shoulders.

"Business is all about knowing the right people and keeping good contacts. He helped me with my apartment. I can give him a call."

"I thought you were an engineer and not an entrepreneur." Korra joked about Asami's know-it-all attitude. But her joke made Asami flinch, just for a second before she returned to her smile.

"I wasn't always an engineer. Anyway, the offer stands."

"Thanks. I already have some options, but I might pick you up on that." Korra answered, returning to the dishes.

After a fast clean up, Korra and Asami were off to start their days. They halted on the corner of the street.

"I have to go this way." Korra announced. She didn't know how to say goodbye or if she wanted to at all.

"I was thinking. We have to stop seeing each other like this." Asami said, looking at Korra with confidence.

"Stop seeing each other?" Korra asked, only picking up on the negative part of what Asami had said.

"I mean coincidentally meeting each other. Or actually, I mean to ask you on a date." Asami said, almost laughing at Korra's scared expression. She had to admit, she could have phrased that better.

"Really? I mean, sure! When?" Korra grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

"I have to go over my agenda. There are some things… I got your phone number from when you found my bag. How about I send you a message when I know more?"

"Sounds great!" Korra already felt giddy thinking about a future date.

"Okay, than I will see you around." Asami said. She stepped forward, lowering her head a little to get closer to Korra. Korra wore a dumbfounded expression on her face as Asami moved in. Due to the lack of reaction Asami moved to the side and pressed a soft kiss on Korra's cheek before moving away again.

"Have fun at work and call me if you want to contact that realtor!" Asami said as she started to walk away. Korra waved at her, finding the strength to move only after Asami had rounded a corner and was out of sight.


Mako groaned when he moved his shoulder into circles. He was working on his laptop, reading old articles about old crimes related to the triads that were terrorizing the city for years now. He knew he was off work till his arm was healed, but he was never the kind to do nothing.

"Hi!" Bolin called when he entered the house.

"Home already?" Mako asked without taking his eyes from the computer screen.

"The prof was sick, so the lecture this morning was cancelled. I brought doughnuts."

"Not a fan of doughnuts."

"But I am!" Bolin laughed as he let himself fall on the couch. "I also brought the mail. Want to hear what you got?"

"I'm working." Mako sighed, knowing that Bolin was going to read his mail anyway. He tried to read through the article while he heard Bolin tear a letter open.

"Awh, a get well card from Chief Beifong. 'Get well soon'." Bolin read out loud in an heavy voice, trying to mimic Lin Beifong. "These are bills, not going to read that. Another get well card I guess." More tearing of paper. "From Tu! It's a watermelon card!" Bolin waved the card into the air.

"Hmmm..." Mako said as he looked at it for a split second.

"And another card, popular guy." Bolin continued. Mako expected him to call out a name again and make a stupid joke, instead it remained quiet.

"Who is it from?" Mako asked.

"Uhm… I think you need to read this one yourself." Bolin walked up to Mako and handed him the card. He sighed, he wasn't in the mood for reading cards with the same pathetic message. He looked at the card anyway as Bolin moved back to the couch.

Dear Mako,

I read about your accident in the paper. I hope you are okay. Get well soon.

Asami

06-23741290

Mako had to read it a couple of times before he understood what the phone number meant.

"Are you going to call her?" Bolin asked hopeful.

"I don't know. Maybe." Mako said, pretending to return to his work. Instead his mind was with Asami. It had been three years without any contact. She was an emotional wound he didn't want to pry open.

"You have to call her."

"Bolin, not now."

"She was my friend too!" Mako looked up. Bolin looked at him with anger and disappointment.

"It's complicated."

"No it's not. You broke her heart and now she is finally reaching out to you. Call her." Mako looked back at the card on his desk. Bolin almost never forced him to do anything, but when he did he was usually right.

"Okay, I'll give her a ring." He agreed, even though he wasn't sure he wanted to hear what Asami had to say.


Korra groaned as she tapped her fingers against the dashboard of the car. She and Opal were on a stakeout. They were outside Ping's house, hoping that he might lead them to Shin. Korra threw a quick glance at her phone, hoping for a message that wasn't there.

"So what's his name?" Opal asked as she put another gummy bear in her mouth.

"Who's name?"

"Of the person you so desperately want to contact you." Opal said with a victorious smile. Jeez, she really is observant. Korra noted. They were working together for a couple of days now and every day it astounded Korra how good Opal was at her job.

"It's not an he, it's a she." Korra said, wiping the smug smile of Opal's face.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to assume. What is her name?" She asked genuinely. Korra sighted. She didn't know if she wanted to talk about Asami, but she also needed to talk about her. "If you don't want to tell, then don't." Opal said as if she could read Korra's mind.

"She's just on my mind. We've been sending each other messages." Korra explained, looking out the window. Still no activity around the house.

"That sounds cute." Opal teased, knowing that 'cute' wasn't a term Korra wanted to be associated with. "How long have you two been dating?"

"You're very inquisitive today." Korra threw back with a glare.

"Do you have something better to do than answering my questions?" Opal asked.

"Fine, we haven't been dating. I don't know her for that long and I…" Korra stopped, not knowing if she actually wanted to voice her fear.

"And you? Come on, I might have some advice. At high school I solved all the boyfriend and girlfriend problems." Opal insisted.

"I have a feeling she's pulling away." Korra almost whispered. Opal nodded in sympathy.

"Why? Did she say so?"

"No, but we were about to go on this date and she still hasn't checked her agenda. I mean, she's a very busy person, but checking an agenda isn't that hard!" Korra said in frustration. It has been days now since she and Asami had their little sleepover and Asami kept dodging the question of going out on a real date. It made Korra think she wasn't really into it anymore. But just when Korra knew that Asami had lost interest, Asami would send a new message asking how her day was or telling her something funny that happened at work. It was so conflicting that it almost broke Korra down.

"Hey, take a gummy bear. It might cheer you up." Opal said, offering the bag of candy to Korra. Korra grumpily grabbed a red one and chewed slowly. "If you give me her name I can run a background check on her." Korra almost spat the bear out again.

"W-what!?"

"Happens all the time. When a guy is acting funny, I always run background check. I don't want someone who is after my family name or whatever ulterior motive they might have."

"I.. No, that's wrong…" Korra mumbled, knowing that will be a serious violation of Asami's privacy.

"I mean nothing too thorough. Just who her family is and things like her career, hobbies. Stuff you will find out anyway and if something doesn't add up, you will at least know." It might explain things. She's kind of secretive. Korra groaned, hating herself for even considering it.

"There's nothing wrong with levelling the playing field." Opal grinned.

"You are really evil." Korra remarked. She hasn't seen this devious side of Opal yet.

"Well, date a few bad apples and you become realistic. I'm done with kissing frogs." Korra snickered, feeling sorry for the guys that had tried to screw over Opal.

"So you won't infringe on her private life too much?" Korra asked cautiously.

"It's a superficial check. I have a friend who does this for the police department and I can tell him he doesn't have to dig deep. It just spares you some time."

"Well, if it's superficial... Her name is Asami Qadira." Korra bit her lip. She already felt regret for giving in to her curiosity despite her ethical objections.

"Asami Qadira." Opal repeated. "Sounds familiar." She added. Just when Korra wanted to respond to that the door of Ping's house opened. Ping walked towards his car with a younger boy beside him.

"Who's that?" Opal whispered as they carefully followed the pair with their eyes.

"I don't know, but the Triple Threads usually hire youngsters to sweep the streets for information." Korra said back, carefully revving up the engine of the car as Ping and the boy started to drive.

"Poor boy." Opal said back. She really hated it when criminal groups involved kids in their activities.


Asami turned a little in her seat. She was waiting for her first meeting with Wu Prince. Zhu Li would join them to make sure Asami was friendly. Varrick really wanted to use this guy's ideas for his campaign, why he did was beyond Asami.

Asami rearranged the pens on her desk out of boredom. Usually she would get herself a drink in these situations, she had a feeling that she needed it to deal with this Wu Prince. But ever since she stayed at Korra's she didn't feel the need to drink so often anymore. It was awkward at first to remember the encounter, but as time progressed, Asami only saw the positive things. How Korra's mouth had tasted, how her body had looked from above while Asami was straddling her. She could still feel the warm touch of her hands.

Asami coughed in her fist to stop her thoughts from drifting. However pleasant the memory, it scared the hell out of Asami as well. Why did Korra have such an effect on her? They barely knew each other and yet Korra had become the highlight of Asami's life already. Was it because everything else around Asami was so messed up? Was her mind and body just waiting for a random person to reach out and coincidentally that was Korra? That thought made Asami shiver. She liked to think of herself as someone with standards who doesn't get so easily swept off her feet.

With a grunt she took the little bottle from her desk and emptied it in her coffee. After a few sips from her drink someone knocked on her door.

"Come in!" Asami said, quickly popping a breath mint in her mouth.

"Asami, this is Wu Prince." Zhu Li and a thin man in green clothes and a crest in his brown hair walked into her office.

"Hello." Asami jumped up from her chair to greet her guests.

"Well h-e-l-l-o to you." The man said, grabbing Asami's hand as he gave it a sloppy kiss that made ever muscle in Asami's body recoil. Zhu Li gave her a stern look.

"Oh, an hand kiss. T-that doesn't happen very often anymore." Asami said with a forced smile.

"Wu Prince at your service my lady. The last gentlemen without limitations." Wu said winking at Asami.

"Right, Asami Qadira. Head of creative." Asami said professionally, trying not to roll her eyes. She gestured Wu and Zhu Li to the little corner of her office with some comfy chairs and a salon table. The drawings of the Hummingbird word sprawled out on the table.

"Ooooh! Is this my idea! How existing." Wu exclaimed, picking up some papers and shuffling through them. Asami coughed in her hand to make him stop. He totally just undid her whole carefully thought out system.

"Yes. There are early sketches based on what you had sent us. Then there are some more detailed drawings and some blueprints of different models depending on which direction you want to take the Hummingbird. Although now we might not know which sketches are which." The last little comment was said in a softer voice as Asami tried to rearrange her papers.

"Very professional! I can't wait to show my followers these nice pics!" Wu clapped in his hands.

"Varrick Global Industries wants secrecy around this project. You can't show anyone anything. It's in the contract." Zhu Li said.

"Secrecy. Like James Bond." Wu said, thinking the statement over. "I like it. I like it very much!" He decided.

"Good, so… Uhm… Since this is a new project and a new invention I have made some adjustments to distinguish it from an helicopter decorated as a bird. As you can see here I have placed to cabins upon each other, giving the device a more upright stance." Asami pointed out.

"Really!? That looks fantastic. I mean, I would have gone with an helicopter decorated as a bird, but this is something else. You, my sweet Asami, have the looks and the brains."

"Alright." Asami spoke through gritted teeth.

"I mean do you realise how radical it will look when I fly in with this thing on the first day of the elections!" Wu continued.

"Elections?" Asami asked.

"Yes, I'm going to run for president! The whole reason why I want something like this. A good entrance is half the votes." Now it all made sense to Asami. Wu was going to be a political figure and Varrick wanted a part of that political influence. Wu was probably also the only candidate crazy enough to spend fortunes on an overpriced parade horse.

"Good luck with that." Asami said with a small smile.

"Who needs luck when there are women like you!" Wu wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, you need all the luck you can get."

"So! Asami wanted to make the Hummingbird smaller and more agile in the air than a common helicopter." Zhu Li talked over Asami's remark. "That way it can be used on building sites, helping with the construction of tall buildings. That's how Varrick Global Industries wants to bring the Hummingbird on the market."

"Oooooh! This is so exiting! I'm the first inventor of my family." Wu squealed, a little too high for Asami's taste.

"That is very amazing." Asami deadpanned.

"I know. I'm the whole package. Charismatic, creative, opinionated. It's like evolution took a step forward, making me an human 2.0." Wu explained in all honesty. Asami looked at Zhu Li, asking with her eyes if she really had to play nice with this guy. However much Zhu Li wanted to tell her to suck it up, Wu's behaviour was wearing her down as well.

"Asami will update you on all the important steps we're taking to make this Hummingbird become reality." Zhu Li declared as she stood up. Asami followed suit and soon Wu was preparing to leave as well.

"I look forward to the exchange. And if you want to make it more personal…"

"I'm sorry, it's business policy to not date customers." Asami interjected with a smile.

"Awh. Alright, star crossed lovers we should remain!" Wu said dramatically as he gave Asami another hand kiss. After that he was led out of the office by Zhu Li.

"Oh my freaking God." Asami said out loud when she was sure she was alone again. Whatever her expectations of Wu Prince were, he was way worse. She grabbed her cup with cold coffee infused with whiskey. With Wu running for president there was no way out of this crazy project. The only thing she could do was make the Hummingbird practical and useful so that it wasn't a total waste of money and time.

"To life being great." Asami toasted with herself before emptying her cup in three big gulps when her phone started to ring. What now? Asami wondered if the world could just leave her alone for one second. She looked at the display and didn't recognize the number. She still picked up.

"Asami speaking."

"Hi Asami. It's Mako. You wanted to talk?" Asami's blood froze, but she forced herself to regain her capacity to talk.

"I need to speak to you."


"We pulled your file, this isn't your first contact with the police." Iroh said sternly as the youngster kept staring at him without any emotion. "Petty theft. That's a long way from working for the Triple Threads." After Opal and Korra had tailed Ping, they got a good photograph of him and the boy. With the picture they found the boy and called him in for questioning.

"I still don't know what you want to ask me." The boy said when a silence fell.

"What do you do for the Triple Threads?" Korra asked. The boy shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Korra pointed to the picture of him and Ping.

"I think you do." She snarled.

"Listen Kai, these men are up to no good. You are still young and can get away from this." Iroh explained calmly, but Kai didn't look impressed.

"Get away from this? You must be joking. Where does a kid like me go? Have you been in an orphanage lately? It's a mess! The way I see it is that he is paying me so I can get away from this city." Korra swallowed. She didn't want to get emotionally invested in the boy, but she also knew that the streets of Republic City were a harsh place to life. However much she loved this city, it had fatal flaws. Not being able to house every poor and orphaned child was one of them.

"Whatever he is paying you, it's not worth it." Iroh tried again.

"I don't talk to cops." Kai decided. "You can't hold me here for walking down a street with a man. You have nothing." This was true, but Iroh wanted to take the chance to talk some sense in the boy.

"Associating yourself with criminals can become a felony." Iroh informed Kai before he stood up. Korra followed him out the interrogation room. When they stepped out they were greeted by Opal.

"And?"

"He didn't cave." Korra said with a bad feeling in her stomach. Even though Kai had made a bad decision by working for the Triple Threads, his critique on the city was right.

"Triads pay kids to roam the streets and gather information. He must have been doing that. If only he would tell us what he knew." Iroh mumbled in thought.

"We can't keep him here, but we could tail him." Opal chimed in.

"No use. Too expensive and we could get him in serious trouble if the Triple Threads discover he is being followed. I don't want to have his death on my conscious." Iroh said.

"Right, so back to the drawing board." Opal sighed. She really hoped that Kai was their ticket to the Agni Kai.

"We will get there." Iroh sighed.


Asami was late on purpose. She had agreed to meet Mako in a nearby café around four o'clock and it was half past four now. She didn't want to get stood up by him. If she couldn't see him sit in the café from the window, than she would move on.

As she approached the café she saw Mako almost immediately. He hadn't changed a bit. His hair was the same length and he still wore the red scarf from his dad. The only difference was his arm hanging in a sling. It made Asami's heart pound louder as she entered the establishment. Old emotions, good and bad surged through her veins.

"Hi there." She said, happy that her voice came out right. Mako looked up and smiled.

"Asami, wow. You haven't changed one bit." He said with surprise in his voice. Asami sat down across from him as a waitress came to get her order.

"An expresso please." The waitress nodded and left again.

"You're off the tea?" Mako asked with a knowing smile.

"When days get crazy, yes." Asami answered, slightly alarmed by how easy it was to feel comfortable around Mako again.

"So you wanted to talk?" Mako asked, taking a sip from his water.

"Yes, I need closure."


Thanks for reading :)