Ren smiled, she had not enjoyed her day off, this however, she was going to enjoy immensely. She was in a large dojo, the bamboo mats gently flexed under her bare feet as she walked into the center of a large open room. She considered herself an expert with her swords, she considered herself an expert at hand to hand combat. Others would call her a master. She took a deep breath and brought her guard up, without her swords as weapons she had to be one. One by one her enemy joined her on the mats, their guards up as well. She looked at them, they were Kyoshi but they had donned heavy padded suits like pro benders wore leaving them anonymous. She counted ten of them, all with their guards up, all beginning to close in for the kill. She picked out the weakest one, a new recruit by the way she moved, and as an added bonus she'd made the mistake of getting too close. Ren leapt at her prey, grabbing the arm of the rookie, before she had time to react Ren slammed her foot into the rookie's helmet. Ren landed deftly on one foot, the rookie crashed to the ground unconscious. Alarm bells rang in Ren's head, she ducked and lashed out with her fist into an unarmored knee, she rolled away creating distance. Then immediately brought her knee down on the bent over target's head driving it into the mat. Eight.

Ren brought her guard back up and turned as two more targets rushed her. She blocked a right hook and a jab at her chest. The target on her right lashed out with her foot, she snatched it and yanked sending the target off balance. She then lashed out at the target's other leg bringing her slamming backwards onto the mat. The target from her left lashed out with a fist catching Ren in the stomach, she took the blow full force and rolled backwards. Immediately she was back to her feet springing forward into her opponent going for a low tackle. They rolled back Ren coming up on top straddling her target, out of the corner of her eye she saw a blur and lurched backwards. A strong downward's kick landed on the target beneath her. She rolled off the target onto her feet and launched a kick at her new opponent's helmet landing the blow. She watched as the target stumbled but somehow stayed standing. No mercy. She ran at her target, first swinging a kick into the ribs, then grabbing the helmeted head and slamming her knee into it. Five.

She was knocked sideways by a well landed kick, she rolled with the momentum her shoulder screaming at her. The next target was on top her her in a matter of seconds. Her sore neck and shoulder had to wait, She quickly fended off two head strikes. Her opponent had the advantage. She moved her head to dodge a punch but the hands went from fists to open hands in an instant and closed around her throat. She wrenched her body with all her might throwing her target off balance, she used the moment to lash out at the unarmored throat. She landed a light blow sending her target backwards in surprise. Ren was on her before she had time to realize what was happening, Ren grabbed her opponent's helmet and pulled it forwards then slammed it down into the mat. She immediately felt the next target drive a hard kick into her side missing her ribs. She landed on the mat with the wind knocked out of her. She brought her feet up and rolled backwards onto her knees and sprung to her feet. She almost collapsed running on half a breath of air. She fought her lungs and breathed deep. She sensed a kick coming towards her and blocked it, Ren ducked under it and shoved upwards, picking her opponent off the ground. She brought her slamming down hard on the mats knocking the wind and consciousness out of her. Payback's a bitch! Three left!

She bounced light on her feet as she saw all three of her opponents begin to close in, the three seemed more cautious than the rest. Ren smirked and charged confusing the three targets, She rammed the one in the center with all she had. Ren sent her flying backwards immediately she lashed out landing two quick jabs to the target on her left. She ducked under a punch from the target on her right, she snatched the arm and threw her legs up bringing them both down. Immediately she thrusted her hips against the outstretched elbow pining her opponent flat against the mat with her legs. A scream of pain meant it was working, seeing as this was only training she couldn't snap the arm. Instead she placed her feet on the neck and armpit of her target and yanked on her arm dislocating it with a satisfying pop. Ren was back on her feet to deliver a round house kick to the helmet of the target she had jabbed. She smiled as she heard the satisfying crack of the helmet's visor against her heel. The opponent she had rammed stumbled to her feet and squared up to Ren. Ren inhaled deeply just to taunt her. "I smell fear!" She rushed her opponent again, the target tried to get distance between them but made the fatal mistake of turning away. Ren shot forward and grabbed the back of her prey's helmet and pulled knocking her off balance. She then knocked her off her feet, quickly she drove a knee into the stomach of her opponent and finished her off with a strong punch to the head. Ren took a deep breath and stood up. Her prey laid around her in various states of conscious and pain, some managing to walk off the mat, the others limping. She straightened her gi and began to walk off the mat, before noticing Mako standing in the corner with his jaw on the floor. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello to you too." Mako went from amazed to a little annoyed. "I'm here to see the long range spears, Korra said they matched the weapon that killed the President." Ren walked off the mats and snatched a water bottle and towel that was waiting for her on the floor.

She took her time wiping the sweat off her forehead and taking a gulp of water. "Those will be in our armory, you'll need an escort, I'll be showered and ready in ten. Wait here." She didn't wait for a reply, she had never planned to see Mako again, foolish though it may have been. Him showing up out of the blue put her good mood into a spiral. She quickly made her way to the lockers, the endorphins from the fight quickly dissipating.

I

Asami stirred, she let out a yawn and rolled over, Korra laid next to her sound asleep, she watched for a moment. Usually Korra wasn't a heavy sleeper, murmuring, snoring, or tossing in her sleep. She had snuck out late last night, Asami didn't know why, and she didn't really care. All that mattered to her is that Korra was back where she belonged. Carefully she moved in close to her laying her head onto Korra's slowly rising chest. She could hear a steady and loud heart beat slowly thumping away, She smiled and closed her eyes hoping to get a few minutes more rest.

I

Korra woke up from the most peaceful sleep of her life, she blinked away her grogginess and noticed Asami sound asleep on her chest. Smiling she carefully placed her arm around her, stroking Asami's shoulder gently with her thumb. Korra thought back to the previous night, what she had done to Zaheer, she supposed she should've felt bad. But she hadn't felt so calm and relaxed in years. She took a slow breath and made a mental note to remember how this all felt, her girlfriend sleeping calmly in her arms, in an incredibly comfortable bed, with the sunlight spilling through the curtains. I wouldn't mind staying like this forever. She smiled and just as she closed her eyes Asami began to stir. "Morning"

Asami smiled and moved gently to kiss Korra's cheek. "Morning."

"Got any plans today?" Korra didn't move a muscle just wanting to hold Asami to her, safe and sound.

"Not really, just checking on Jade's progress on her prototype, she's almost done with the rebuild." Asami said returning her head to Korra's chest. She knew she had to ask. She just didn't want to. "Korra…"

Korra raised an eyebrow at the tone in Asami's voice. "Asami?"

"Where…where did you go last night?" Shit. "I just went out for a walk…"

"Korra, you know I love you right?" Asami asked not moving her head. "Of course…"

"Then why lie to me?" Asami heard Korra's heart pick up.

damn it… She knew she couldn't lie to her, but that didn't make the truth any easier. "Asami…I…" Korra took a deep breath. "I went to the spirit world to confront Zaheer."

Asami raised her head from Korra's chest and sat up. Her first instinct was to scold Korra for going alone, but she was in bed with her so if her and Zaheer had fought it ended in her favor. "And you found him?"

Korra looked down at her lap like a kid who got caught stealing. "Yeah," Korra looked at Asami's green eyes which were fixed on her. "He didn't escape, he was thrown into the Fog of Lost Souls by whoever is running the Red Lotus now."

Asami looked startled. "Seriously?"

Korra nodded. "I found him in the Fog, he gave me the name Koju for the man who's in charge and a safe house location." "He just gave up that information?" "He wanted to prove that he could help me, and the new leader threw him into a the Fog for eternity…" Korra shrugged, hoping Asami wouldn't ask what happened next. "Did you let him free?"
Korra blinked away tears, this is where she hates me. "No…"
Asami held Korra to her. "What did you do?"

A tear escaped from her eyes. "I blood bent him, I wanted to make him hurt Asami. Then I threw him back into the Fog." She grabbed her hand that was starting to shake as she felt Zaheer's pulse again. She had expected Asami to be horrified, to want her to leave and never speak to her again. Instead she felt the soft pressure of lips on the top of her head.

"He deserved much worse Korra. You had every right to do that to him."

"I just wanted him to feel some of the pain I felt." Korra's mind conjured up the sound of Zaheer's various joints and limbs popping as she twisted him like a towel being rung out. "I feel…relieved but I know I shouldn't and that makes me feel like a monster."

Asami stroked her girlfriend's head with her hand. "Korra you aren't a monster. You're human."

Korra sighed and held herself in Asami's embrace. I hope you're right.

I

Ren adjusted the coat of her dress uniform, it was a dark green uniform with a gold stripe down each arm. She hated it, but it was better than walking around in her armor all day. She put her hair up in a tight bun and sighed. Time to face him I suppose. She strolled out of the lockers and walked up to Mako who was enthralled by another Kyoshi training practice. It was a class of recruits going through basic sword techniques with bamboo training swords. She watched one who was merely going through the motions making sloppy mistakes. She had to stop herself before charging over and giving the rookie a crash course in advanced sword fighting. "Let's go."

Mako snapped out of his trance, watching the Kyoshi train was like watching an ancient ballet. He hadn't realized Ren had already taken off, who pissed her off? He nearly jogged to catch up to her. "I need to ask you a few questions about the weaponry."

Ren raised an eyebrow keeping her pace up as they moved down the hallway exiting the dojo. "Are the Kyoshi being investigated?"

"Uh-no," Not yet. "But it is suspicious that President Raiko was assassinated with a weapon that only the Kyoshi are known to have."

Ren briefly imagined turning and swinging a kick at Mako's head. "As you'll see once we get to the armory, they're not exactly high tech." Ren turned the corner and headed up a stair case jogging up the steps.

Mako's shoulders dropped as he saw the stairs and the pace that Ren was keeping. He followed after her eventually catching up. He wanted to keep it professional when he had first shown up to the Kyoshi HQ, but Ren's hostile demeanor and pace made his fuse short. "What's gotten into you?"

"You're ruining my good mood,"

"Me? I'm just doing my job." Mako said flying up the steps alongside Ren.

"Oh right, accusing my organization, showing up out of the blue, must've been just routine." Ren ripped up the last set of stairs and hooked a left down the hallway.

Mako's eye twitched at the nerve Ren had, but he stopped short when the hallway was completely different from the one He had just left. This one was carpeted and the walls were lined with photograph's in frames, there must've been hundreds. Even Ren had slowed, though she wasn't out of breath in the slightest she was definitely taking this hall slowly. As he followed Ren he clocked golden plaques with names inscribed on them. "…Are these all?"

"They're dead. Yes." Mako raised an eyebrow, but kept quiet out of respect, they eventually made it to the end of the hall where a statue of Kyoshi stood nearly hitting the ceiling. What? No giant door with a bunch of key codes and locks?

Ren lifted a photo that hung at the end of the wall revealing a key pad, she quickly typed in a code and hit enter. With a loud metal thud the statue began to separate down the middle sliding on hidden tracks to the sides of the hall. "We keep the LRS locked down with all the other dangerous weaponry."

Dangerous weaponry? The statue of Kyoshi finished sliding apart to reveal a large door with an old fashioned spinning dial. "What do you mean dangerous weaponry?"

Ren rolled her eyes and began to spin the dial turning it to several different numbers, at last she pushed her thumb against a part of the steel door. It unlocked with a solid thunk and retracted into the ceiling revealing a staircase leading into darkness. "Don't touch anything." Ren ordered and reached inside flicking a light switch.

Mako rolled his eyes as Ren turned his back to him, the lights slowly flickered on revealing a short concrete stair case leading to a large open room lined with shelves. As he walked down the steps, he saw why she said dangerous weaponry. The first four shelves were filled top to bottom with old Equalist weaponry, he frowned at a shelf of backpacks with metal batons holstered to the sides. The next four all shelves all held boxes labeled explosives. The next few shelves made him stop dead in his tracks as he saw dozens of steel and glass containers holding thick gnarled vines inside. "Where did you get those?"

"All of Kuvira's forces headed here for the invasion, leaving their weapon factories unguarded. We took what we could, and leveled the factories." If I find the dip shit who left those uncovered!

"You know Spirit Vine weaponry has been officially outlawed in all the four nations right?"

"What you'd rather have them siting under lock and key a few floors away from your desk guarded by a rookie making chump change?" Ren patted the steel container. "They're safer with us."

Mako was more pissed that she was probably right than about the horde of illegal weaponry. "I'll pretend I didn't see those." As soon as he finished the sentence he let out a sigh. "And why do you have those?"

Ren followed his pointed finger and looked at the pair of Mecha-suits. "Come on, even Asami has those."

Mako let his shoulder fall. "Just show me the weapons before I see something I can't ignore."

Ren waved him over to the shelf at the end, the long range spears were kept in long black tubes holding foam cases for the spears. "We have to keep them undamaged, if they get dented or bent they won't fly straight." Ren opened one up and let it slide out into her hand, she knocked away the foam and uncovered the long steel projectile. "Here it is."

Mako pulled out his notepad. "And when did the Kyoshi start making them?"

Ren sighed. "About five years ago, they were designed by a Kyoshi who died about three years ago. We have them made in the fire nation and shipped under close personal guard to each Group headquarters."

Mako scribbled it all down. "Only earth and water benders can use them?"

"Unless you could find a way to keep fire inside one." Mako tapped his pen to his lips.

"Know any one called Lok?"

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Not even a little bit."

Mako noted it. "Any Kyoshi who would have reason to assassinate the President?"

Ren snapped, she got in Mako's face painfully aware that it was a crime to assault a Police officer. "How Dare you! You come into our headquarters and ask me to escort you around then accuse my sisters of assassinating the President!"

Mako took a step back picturing in his mind Ren pulling the sparing partner's arm out of it's socket. "Calm down, I'm just asking questions that I have to ask!" "Let me answer them then! No Kyoshi killed the President. No Kyoshi ever would! Now get out." Ren had to make a mental effort not to punch him. Mako shook his head and raised his hands. "Fine," He stormed out of the armory leaving Ren behind. Ren let out a frustrated groan and punched the nearest shelf. Her day was not off to a good start.

I

Lin groaned and opened her eyes, not making a move, her whole body ached and seemed anchored to the bed. She raised her eyebrows at the tangled mass of grey hair laying face down on the pillow next to her. They hadn't partied like that since they were teenagers, they'd danced for hours, then at midnight the festival erupted with Water Tribe vodka loud music and a whole different vibe. She didn't even remember going back to the estate. She made the awful effort to roll to her side to check her alarm clock. She realized with a start that she wasn't in her room. SHIT! She sprung from the bed her body screaming at her, immediately realized she was completely naked. "Kya! Wake up!" Lin started looking frantically around the room for her armor and clothes. She wracked her brain for how she had gotten to the room, it was a small room with a large dresser and radio adjacent from their bed which was almost as nice as the one in their room at Asami's. She quickly found her underwear and clothes that reeked from the night before. "KYA!"

"hmmhph?" Kya mumbled into the pillow. "Where the fuck are we?" Lin almost yelled as she spotted the corner of her armor underneath the bed. Kya shook her head and rolled over. "Stop being…sho….lo" She hit the pillow again.

Lin scrambled for her shoes and picked up the phone on Kya's nightstand. "Hello?"

"Front desk, how may I help you?"

"What hotel is this?"

"Ma'am?"

"WHAT HOTEL IS THIS?"

"Uh-the Republic City Ember Continental, Ma'am."

Lin slammed the phone down. For fuck sake. I'm five miles away! "Lin I'm late!" Kya shrugged into her pillow. "Kya I've got to go, I'll call later!" Lin rushed out making a mental note of the room number and donning dark sunglasses as even the light in her hallway made her head throb. Fucking flameo. She stormed down the hallway and nearly knocked in the button for the elevator. Impatiently waiting for it, her memory of the night flittered back, she tried to stop herself from smiling but Kya and her hadn't had that much fun in years.

A sharp pain came from her kidneys, I'm too old for this shit. The elevator dinged and she stepped in, immediately slamming the lobby button. She smelled of Water Tribe vodka and sweat from dancing more than she had in her life. She sighed and checked her watch, it was almost ten, that's the council meeting and the detectives sitrep I've missed. Fantastic. When the elevator dinged she wanted to shove the doors open herself, but instead they moved apart and she marched into the lobby trying to leave as fast as possible.

"Mrs. Beifong!"

Lin's shoulder's tensed as she looked across the lobby and spotted a concierge waving at her from behind a large oak desk. She sighed and adjusted her course to the desk. "Yes."

"Are you checking out?"

Lin almost nodded but hesitated remembering the still possibly drunk Kya comatose in the bed. "Uh, best extend for another night."

"My pleasure," The concierge pulled out a large leather binder and ran his finger down the page he opened to. "With the newly wed's discount that'll be four hundred Yuans."

"Exfuckingcuse me?" Lin spewed. What the flameo did we do last night?

"Newly wed discount? You two were very insistent that it should apply."

Lin immediately checked her neck for a betrothal necklace, she felt nothing but bruises left by Kya's over zealous kissing. Oh thank fuck. "Look I'll pay the bill when I come back later okay?"

"Of course,"

Lin rolled her eyes and stormed out of the hotel, the sun's warmth and light hitting her like a spotlight. The city was in full swing, traffic was buzzing by the hotel, She hailed a cab and lit a cigarette inhaling the smoke and nicotine like her life depended on it. She felt her neck again, she raised an eyebrow. Am I disappointed? A cab pulled up and she collapsed into the back seat. She reached up holding her hand on her neck a confused look on her face.

"Where you wanna go?"

"Police Headquarters." Lin said completely distracted, She felt totally shell shocked, she'd only ever considered marriage in a totally non serious way. The thought of Kya married to her made her confused. A few years ago she'd have laughed at the idea, completely implausible, but now? On the eve of her retirement after an incredible night with a woman she'd missed for years? She pictured presenting Kya with a betrothal necklace, then a wedding with all the Water Tribe traditions. She chewed on her lip. Don't be stupid…she'd never go for it…would she?

"You okay Miss?" Lin snapped out of her trance.

"I'm fine, thanks." She wasn't sure about that anymore. The cab pulled to a stop barely paying attention to what the fare was she paid and left the cab stepping back into the spotlight sun. She reached for her flask, Oh great, she gave it a shake hearing nothing inside she stowed it and headed up the stairs to Police HQ. She looked and felt like death, her head beginning to pound from dehydration, her mind wandering. She didn't acknowledge anyone on her way to the elevator, keeping her sunglasses on and her head down. Juuuuust make it to your office Lin. She waited in the elevator she had a mini heart attack as she realized her neck probably looked like a disaster. She pulled out a compact mirror, I've got to tell her to be a little more careful next time. She rolled her eyes. The elevator dinged and she saw the normal hum drum of the detectives' office. As well as her door at the far end of the office. Just a little farther. To her disbelief she managed to actually make it to her office, she shut the door behind her and leaned against it, bending the blinds shut with a swipe of her hands. With the blinds shut it was dark enough to take her sunglasses off without her eyes hurting. She shuffled over to the desk and collapsed into her chair. Immediately there was a knock at the door. Really? Really? "What?"

"Chief, I have somethings to discuss about the President's assassination…I brought coffee."

"Come in." Lin knew Mako's voice and wanted to shoo him away but coffee was too good to refuse.

Mako stepped through raising an eyebrow at the cave like darkness of Lin's office. "You doing alright?"

"Fine, coffee, now." Lin was face down on her desk with an arm extended for the cup.

Mako smirked and handed the cup to her, sitting down at the chair in front of the desk he opened a folder with his case notes. "Rough night?"

Lin leaned back in her chair and used her cables to open the bottom drawer of her desk pulling out a bottle of whisky. She poured it into the cup and offered Mako some. She shrugged when he waved it away. She took a sip and sighed, it was one of the best nights of my life. "I went to the Water Tribe festival."

Mako made a confused face. "You're not even from either of the Tribes?"

"Kya is," Lin shrugged fondly remembering Kya's drunken mumblings in the morning. Mako nodded, he knew the two older ladies had been staying at the Sato Estate but didn't figure them as the type to party to the break of dawn. He took a sip of coffee and finally noticed Lin's neck. He had to stop himself from spitting the coffee across the room, instead he coughed it all up.

Lin raised an eyebrow, it was almost like you could hear his mind click when he figured it out. Some detective you are. "Quit coughing all over my desk."

Mako held his hand over his mouth till the coffee was out. "Sorry Chief, just…uh…didn't really expect you and Kya."

Lin raised an eyebrow and a smile imagining what his reaction would be to finding out about Korra and Asami. "Don't tell anyone, not even Tenzin knows." She ordered, but realized Mako was still wide eyed and confused. "Hey!"

Mako shook his head. "I, uh-roger."

Lin rolled her eyes. "You had new information on the case?"

Mako looked down as his coffee spattered folder. "Right, I want to follow up more with the Kyoshi, they had the exact same weapon used to assassinate the President."

Lin considered the idea. "The Kyoshi are considered ambassadors for their native Island, it would be hard to get a warrant. And they're well armed."

"I noticed." Mako sighed. "I can do it without a warrant, maybe."

"Just don't get caught, or killed, any news on the Air bender from the hit squad?" Lin asked finishing off her coffee and already wanting more.

"Not really, chances are the he was from a town or village way out in the middle of no where." Mako shrugged and closed the folder.

Mako looked at his boss, though she was clearly hung over he could see something else was on her mind. "More coffee?"

Lin let her forehead hit the desk. "Yes please."

I

Ren hammered the keys on her typewriter one by one, she hated typing almost as she hated writing the long note as to why she'd dislocated a trainee's shoulder. Because the trainee exhibited a lack of courage, skill, physical ability, strength… Her thoughts trailed off because what she was actually writing was not anywhere near that harsh. There was a solid knock at her door. "ENTER." She said with zero enthusiasm, her day had been wreck first by Mako's appearance then by a trainee crying to her superior officers. She didn't even look up from her typewriter.

"Uh, are you busy?"

Ren snapped up from her seat almost knocking it over. "Avatar! Didn't expect you to visit here,"

Korra was a bit startled by Ren's excitement at her visit but she supposed it was a good sign. "I wanted to ask you about something."

"Fire away, our last outing was the most fun I'd had in ages." Mako immediately floated into her mind and was just as quickly shooed away.

Korra eyed the chair across from Ren's desk. "May I?"

"Of course," Ren sat back down at her desk and wished she had coffee or tea to offer.

Korra sat down and looked at the old Kyoshi armor hanging in a display across from Ren's desk. "Old school huh?"

"Our heritage forged the way for the KWG to expand into every nation in the world." Ren spewed a rehearsed and memorized line given to reporters and police.

Korra gazed at the armor. "Asami said you were the most successful private security agency in the world."

"Sure are,"

Korra was conflicted as to how to breach the subject she'd come to discuss. "From what I saw, you do more than security."

Ren raised an eyebrow, she'd fought with Korra so she trusted her. "We're a flexible organization, rescue, capture, recovery of lost goods…asset denial."

"How flexible?"

Ren smiled deviously. "What do you have in mind?"

"I need to do something illegal, no one can find out, and we'll need to kill a few people."

Ren reclined in her chair and put her feet up on the desk. "Tell me more."

I

Lin sipped from her flask nursing away the hangover by bringing back the buzz. She thumbed away at the report lying on her desk unable to concentrate. She sighed, fuck it all, She stood up and walked to her office door and frowned. She stopped before opening it and bent her armor into a high collar to hide Kya's marks, she opened the door just enough to get her head through. "Himiko? Can you come here for a moment?"

"Moving!"

Lin rolled her eyes, Himiko was a hard worker but her enthusiasm was a little grating, especially when hungover. She sat down at her desk and waited for the brand new detective to rush into her office. I can't believe I'm doing this. She waited for her to sit down before fumbling with the question in her mind. "You're from the southern water tribe right?"

"Yes Chief, moved to republic city when I was thirteen."

Lin scratched her head, Himiko was a mousey woman, Lin was surprised she had survived two years as a beat cop. She looked at her neck, shit no necklace. "I need to ask you a question that'll be completely embarrassing, if it ever leaves this office I will track you down and make sure the case never gets solved."

"Uh…"

"What's the deal with the betrothal necklaces, and where do I buy one." Lin turned beet red as the sentence rushed from her.

"Oh…Uh Chief, usually the, uh man is supposed to give the betrothal—"

"I am aware of this." Lin glared.

"Okayyyy then," Himiko stammered. "Well betrothal necklaces are Water Tribe tradition, given as a sort of an engagement ring. Usually carved by hand and given to the person you want to marry." Her eyes went wide and moony. "Chief! Are you getting married?"

Lin scowled. "I just need to find a damn necklace or someone who can make one!" She was immediately silenced by a loud knock at her office door. Damn it. "Come in!"

"Good afternoon Lin,"

Lin's face went pale as Tenzin stepped into her office and she screamed internally, she looked at Himiko and pointed to the door. "Tenzin…what brings you here?" Howmuchdidyouhearhowmuchdidyouhearhowmuchdidyouhear!

"I'll let you know if I find any jewelers!"

Lin hurled her coffee mug at Himiko barely missing her on her way out. I am going to kill her. Lin pulled out her flask and looked at the bewildered Tenzin. "What are you looking at?"

"You're looking for a betrothal necklace?" Tenzin never looked so confused. Annnnd you heard everything. GREAT. Shit where do I even start with this one. "I uh…was thinking about it yeah."

Tenzin raised an eyebrow. "…You know its usually the gu—"

"I KNOW!" Lin fumed.

Tenzin looked like he had just hit a landmine. "Well, I'm happy for you regardless, I'm surprised you never brought anyone to the Island for dinner." Tenzin stroked his beard. "Or Varrick's wedding."

Becauseshewasalreadythere. Alarms screamed in Lin's head, she kept her mouth shut and shrugged.

"Lin, you've got to have the wedding on Air temple island! Varrick's was terrific, and the whole family enjoyed the party."

"I'll think about it, I'm not even sure if I'm going through with it, or if she'll" SHIT!

Tenzin raised an eyebrow. "Lin, that's awfully modern of you,"

Lin shrugged again. "She's a modern gal I suppose."

Tenzin stroked his beard. "I'm sure it'll be wonderful, how long have you known her?" He asked making himself comfortable in Himiko's old seat.

Oh you know, all my life, She briefly thought about slamming her head into her desk. "Look, let's just forget this whole conversation happened, what did you come here for?"

Tenzin rolled his eyes. "I've known you all my life, you're like a sister to me and now you're thinking about getting married? Work can wait."

SHITSHISHITSHITSHIT "Tenzin, I don't even want to talk about it anymore."

"Oh come on Lin!" He goaded.

"Look, you don't even—"

"Lin, even Pema will want to know, tell me!" Tenzin chided playfully.

"It's your sister." Lin answered bluntly, immediately wishing she hadn't.

"What?"

Lin slapped her forehead. "If you tell anyone I swear to your father I will finish what I started years ago and sink your island into the bay!"

"What?" Tenzin was completely pale as if he'd just been shot.

"Kya, me, together." Lin raised an unsympathetic eyebrow.

"…What?"

I

Korra banked her glider into her usual flight pattern above the Sato Estate, slowly bringing it around to aim at her and Asami's balcony. She caught the last breeze of the late afternoon and landed deftly on the railing to her room. "Asami?" She hopped off the railing and moved through the curtains, wondering where her lover was. She placed her glider in the corner of the room and called out again. "Asami?" She furrowed her brow. Where has she disappeared to? Korra headed out of the room into the long hallway heading towards the main stairs. She strolled down the hall almost as familiar with the estate as her home back with the Souther Water Tribe. She took the steps quickly, her boots making a soft thud on each step. "Asami?" She turned and headed to the kitchen, she sighed as she found it equally empty. She headed down the hall to the library, where else could she be? She opened the door to the library and it to her dismay was empty as well. She walked to the window and opened it, she looked around the yard and raised an eyebrow. "HELP!" She yelled and watched as three Kyoshi instantly came running. "Calm down, just trying to get your attention!" She could see the disappointment in one of them as she reluctantly sheathed her sword. "How may we serve you Avatar?"
"Have you guys seen Asami?"
"Mrs. Sato is in the garage, the only ones unaccounted for are Mrs. Beifong and Kya." The lead Kyoshi answered.
Korra raised an eyebrow, if anyone could handle themselves it was Kya and Lin, but she did wonder where they had been all day. She made her way to the foyer and exited the estate, crossing the lawn she saw that the Kyoshi were already hidden again. The garage was built after the estate, across from the race track making it a quick walk from both. She stepped from the lawn onto the concrete driveway and immediately saw Asami. The large open garage had housed everything from race cars to mechasuits, now it held a new Sato speedster. Korra had watched it being built with Asami at the factory to Asami's exact specifications. Instead of paint it wore nothing but bare metal, the windshield was little more than a small piece of glass in front of each seat, this was built for speed. Asami was underneath on a crawler, the sound of a ratchet echoing in the empty garage. "Hey sweetie,"
The ratcheting stopped and Asami rolled out from underneath. "Hey sweetie," She smiled and grabbed a rag to clean her hands careful to clean her bad hand very gently. Korra sat down next to her on the creeper, She smiled watching Asami. "Hows your hand?"
"Still stiff and painful, but I can use a wrench if I'm careful," Asami scooted the crawler back and leaned against the door of the Sato mobile next to Korra. "How'd the meeting with Ren go?" "Good, she's agreed to help if it's out of police jurisdiction." Korra lied. "That's great, have you talked to Lin yet?"
"No, I thought she'd be back by now, I haven't seen her all day." Korra said honestly, she had yet to figure out how to keep Zaheer's intel secret. "That's odd, especially this close to her retirement, I'm surprised her and Kya aren't already hanging around the wine cellar." Asami laughed. Korra smiled. "They definitely do love their wine," Asami reached her arm around Korra. "I'm glad your back."
Korra nuzzled into Asami's embrace. "Oh?"
Asami took Korra's hand in hers. "Do you think we'll live to be as old as them?"
Korra looked at Asami's hand and hers, she thumbed her favorite scar on Asami's good hand, a long mark Asami had attributed to their attack on the Northern Spirit portal. While it wasn't Korra's favorite time in her life, Asami flying into battle with Mako and Bolin on the wings of her plane painted an incredible picture. She kissed the scar and leaned back against the Sato mobile. "We will." She said with growing uncertainty, she was the Avatar, and in the last decade been nearly killed too many times to count. Asami was right up there with her in the near death incidents. Her heart picked up a beat, but she tried to push the thought out of her mind, they were here now, and that was enough.

I

"SAN!"

Mako jumped up in his seat at his desk, he looked around the office in a panic, Just a dream Mako, cool it. He gave the radio operator a nod of acknowledgement, and took a deep breath. Its just a dream.

"Mako, whatcha reading?"

The hair on the back of his neck stood on end, he'd heard that voice before, so long ago. Slowly like he was being held hostage, he looked to his right, his heart began to race in his chest. Just out of the corner of his eye he could see a child just standing there. He moved his head just a touch, and the figure moved with it staying just outside his peripherals. He instantly spun around and brought a blade of fire up ready to attack. But there was no one there.

"Detective, you okay?"

Mako turned and saw the radio operator looking at him like he was crazy. "Uh, yeah, just…just a bad dream."

"The cot in the break room's open if you want to rack out."

Mako shrugged and picked his chair back up, he sat down and looked at the report he was supposed to be typing before he nodded off. He began to type but immediately felt it again, someone was watching him. There's no one there Mako, just calm down. He checked his peripherals again, and took a deep breath see? Nothing.

"Mako? Where's dad?"

He shot from his desk like he'd launched from a spring, He turned around and saw his little brother standing behind him. Just the same as the day he'd described to Arjan, only this time Bolin was crying. He's not here. His crying little brother looked at him.

"Mako? Why didn't you protect them?"

Mako tried backed up but immediately hit his desk. "I…I tried…"

"It's your fault Mako!" His brother shouted.

"No…" Mako could feel tears burn down his cheeks. "No!" Mako turned and vaulted over his desk running for the door. Sprinting past a bewildered radio operator leaving the empty office in seconds.

I

Ren had spent the day finishing her report and planning the Avatar's operation, when she had fought alongside Korra she had hoped it wouldn't be the last time. When Korra had explained the goal of their mission she realized it was exactly the type of work she'd joined the Kyoshi for. She'd spent the rest of the day combing over high altitude airship photography of the area that the operation was supposed to take place. The operation was simple in itself, however what made it challenging was the need for extreme secrecy. She walked down the street illuminated by street lamps as she imagined the possibilities and outcomes of the operation. She could've taken her Satocycle but she had chosen to leave it at work and enjoy the cool night air instead. As she neared the steps to her apartment she saw him. "Mako?" Here to accuse us again no doubt.

Mako turned his head and immediately placed it back between his hands, he had run here in a panic that hadn't faded just yet. "Ren…"

"Mako, what are you doing here?" Ren kept her distance but faced him as he sat on the steps.

"They won't leave me alone…"

"What are you talking about?" She asked growing concerned, she was angry at him earlier but the desperation in his voice alarmed her.

"I can't stop remembering everything…" Mako said from between his arms.

Oh… "Did you talk to Arjan?"

"He didn't help, it only got worse!" Mako was crying again.

Ren frowned in sympathy,"Come inside." she instructed and gently grabbed his arm to guide him into her apartment building. She wondered how long he'd been out there and just how long he'd been breaking down. She could hear his stressed breathing as she unlocked the door to her apartment and pulled him inside. "Sit down, I'll get you some water."

Mako flopped down on the couch resuming his curled up posture, only moving when Ren handed him a glass of water.

Ren sat across from him. "You went to Arjan?"

Mako took a sip and wiped the tears from his face. "He didn't help, I told him about my parents dying, and now I can't get it out of my head." Mako held his head in his hands again. "I keep seeing my little brother…he's blaming me."

He's worse than I thought… "What did Arjan say?"

"I didn't stick around to hear him out, I couldn't keep thinking about it,"

Ren put her arm around Mako. "It'll be okay Mako, look whatever happened it's not your fault. You should've stayed the full session, he would've helped."

"I should've been able to save him."

Ren could barely hear Mako talk. "Save who?"

"It was my job to protect him, and I failed, he died because I wasn't fast enough."

Ren sighed and rubbed her hand across Mako's back, she'd been there before many times. Days and nights spent wondering if she had just been a few seconds faster, just a little stronger, just a little better would it have made the difference. Would it have saved the lives she put in danger? "Mako, you can't think like that,"

"I couldn't do anything!" Mako yelled. "Nothing! I couldn't stop the spear, I couldn't stop him from getting hit, I couldn't even stop his bleeding."

Ren held onto him as he sobbed. "It's okay…it's okay." She didn't know how long Mako would be like this, she didn't care because she would stay with him as long as it took. She knew exactly how it felt to be breaking down alone and she wasn't about to let him go through it on his own.

I

Kya sat up on the bed reading the paper through a discreet pair of glasses, she'd spent the day sleeping off her hangover and lounging around the hotel room. She hated getting old, if she had done what she did last night two decades ago she'd have been out on the town again already. However the ability to lounge the day away and relax was not something to go unappreciated. She adjusted her robe and tossed the paper down on the bed, it was all election coverage which she hadn't ever cared about. There was a gentle knock on the door. "Room service!"

She smiled, she'd recognize Lin's voice anywhere, immediately she traipsed across the room and opened the door. Her smile got even wider, Lin was standing there with a bottle of champagne and glasses for the pair of them. "I don't remember ordering desert" She gave Lin a wink.

Lin blushed a deeper than blood red, she tried to think of something funny but it all short circuited somewhere between her mouth and brain. Say something you dolt! "Hey beautiful," that'll work.

Kya waved her in taking the bottle of champagne. "You know me too well."

"I figured you'd appreciate it," Lin bent her armor off letting it clank onto the floor and flopped down on the bed. "I don't know how you do it, I'm still felling the hangover"

"A long bath and a long day laying around in a robe helped," Lin smiled and brought her arm up covering her eyes from the lights in the room, she yawned as Kya popped the cork on the champagne.

"You know that was complementary right?"

Kya laughed. "We're not cheap drunks are we? How much did is this room costing?" Undeterred she poured a generous amount into both glasses.

"With the newly wed discount?"

"The what?" …did we elope?

"Funny right? Seems drunk Kya and Lin were very insistent." Lin sat up trying to gauge Kya's reaction, please be happy please be happy please be happy.

"Makes you think doesn't it." Kya sipped her champagne and handed Lin hers.

Was that happy? She took a sip of the champagne as her brain ran itself in circles trying to analyze Kya's reaction. "About?"

Kya joined Lin on the bed. "What it would be like if we were married."

Okay so she isn't not happy? Lin took a long sip making sure her mouth wouldn't screw the whole conversation up.

"You know, last night was…amazing." Kya carefully held her glass as she laid down on the bed.

"It was…Kya?" Lin's brain froze in its tracks.

Kya gently cupped Lin's chin in her hands and kissed her. "Yes?"

"I love you…" Kya smiled and kissed Lin again, as well as lounging she'd spent the day reeling from the realization as to just how much Lin meant to her.

"I love you too Lin,"

I

Korra kept low to the ground, it was covered in snow that clung to her white parka, she was used to the cold but she had never felt so warm. She had hiked for what felt like hours, starting before dawn and ending up crawling through sunrise, she'd only just made it to the top of the hill. Now she could see it, a small log cabin nestled against a cliff side. Based on the Kyoshi's intel, it was the Red Lotus' safe house that Zaheer had told her about. Their approach had to be as covert as possible. Her and Ren had flown about five miles away from the cabin and walked the rest of the way, ending in a crawl. Korra could just make out the rising smoke from the chimney, the house was full of prey. She cautiously moved her head to one side so she could look behind her, Ren was crawling up slowly beside her. "How long till your teams in position?"

Ren kept her voice as whisper quiet as Korra's. "They already are."

Korra returned her gaze to the cliff side behind the cabin as three human silhouettes appeared on top. They didn't need to hide considering they were above the cabin. She raised an eyebrow as all three silhouettes jumped off the cliffside. They fell fast at first but they slowed their descent and began walking down the near vertical cliff side. "How are they doing that?"

"Cables similar to the police force." Ren answered watching her team at work earning a slight feeling of pride. They were half way down the cliffside in minutes, she'd planned every detail and so far it was working.

Korra's heart beat picked up as the Kyoshi neared the cabin, like spiders descending on a web ready to retrieve their food. Ren had briefed her on the plan, and it was about to be her turn to work. The Kyoshi on the cliff side reached for the gas grenades they'd brought down the cliffside. Ren had spent hours planning how to neutralize an entire cabins worth of people, she'd gone with a shock an awe approach. Korra smiled as she saw the Kyoshi throw the grenades down the chimney of the cabin. A loud echoing series of explosions seconds after and the cabin's windows began to fill with smoke. Patience Korra… She gritted her teeth.

Suddenly the front door of the cabin burst open and a figure ran out before collapsing on all fours coughing hard. Not yet. Slowly four more figures stumbled out. NOW Korra bent the earth beneath her and shot herself into the air, in seconds she crashed down within striking distance of the five Lotus. They didn't even get a chance to fight. She could feel each of their hearts beating around her, she could feel them as she brought her hands up and squeezed. On command they stopped coughing and cried out in pain as their bodies were wrenched from their control. Korra brought her hands up and they followed, their bodies shaking under her control, they hovered around her.

Ren was almost too shocked to act, her team was there within seconds, she began to run to the group closing the distance quickly. "Cuff them."

Korra brought them down onto the snow almost gently, just letting the feeling of five heart beats under her command course through her. She let the Kyoshi cuff their hands behind their backs but kept them under her firm grip. She took a deep breath and slowly let them go once they'd been cuffed. They immediately fell face first onto the snow and resumed coughing. "Nice work."

"Same to you…" Ren said almost awestruck. "Search the house." She nodded to two of the Kyoshi.

Korra looked at the five Red Lotus members, you wouldn't know it by looking at them, three men and two women. All of them belong to me now. She steadied her hand as it began to shake. "How long do we have?"

"As long as you need." Ren said eyeing the terrorists as their coughing subsides.

"Find anything?" Ren asked the returning Kyoshi, her shoulders dropped as she saw them drag a crate with the KWG logo on the side. "They did use our spears…"

"We also found a pile of documents and maps, collected them for analysis later." Ren nodded and turned her attention to Korra who was staring at one of the terrorists like a wolf looking at a piece of meat.

Even for Ren it was unsettling. "I need to know how they stole our spears."

Korra dropped the hood of her parka and let the cold mountain air hit her face as she kept her eyes locked on the Red Lotus in front of her. He was a built like a boxer but seemed to exude an aura of upper class and sophistication, his black hair was kept slicked back but Korra's bending had disturbed it. She took a deep breath and singled out his heart beat in her hands, she raised her hand and squeezed bringing him up in the air with a sickening choking noise from his throat. "You're going to answer my questions, as I ask them, do you understand?" She moved her hand slightly forcing his head forward then back. "Good."

Korra drove him into the snow at her feet, instantly grabbing him by the hair and pulling him up to face her. "Where did you get the weapons?"

He man felt like he'd had his very breath squeezed from his body, he had no expectation of making it off the mountain alive. "You won't get anything from me,"

Korra raised an eyebrow and grabbed his heart beat once more squeezing harder and bringing her hands apart making his body twist on itself. "You sure about that?"

For the first time in a long long time, Ren was scared.

Korra waited till the man turned a blue and released him before grabbing him by the hair again. "TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT THE WEAPONS!"

He spoke between ragged breath from bruised lungs. "I…hope…it hurt, when he poisoned you."

Korra's hands twitched controlling his heart beat as her body filled with rage. Without another word she reached her hands wide and brought the group of Red lotus sliding towards each other each making attempts to scream. She moved her arms and dragged them about like rag dolls so they face the man who'd refused to answer her. She released them and slowly walked alongside them. "I want you all to watch."

She looked at the man again and reached out for his heart grabbing it with both hands. I hope it was worth it. She brought him above the group and began to twist, he contorted painfully, and she allowed him to scream. Ren's eyes went wide as Korra moved her arms and the man obeyed. She almost felt like she should stop her. Korra waited till she felt his arms pop as they twisted on themselves, she held him there as he screamed and brought one hand down. She could feel him beginning to break. She raised her hand again and pulled hard. With one blood curdling scream the man snapped, limbs bent in half his spine twisted apart in Korra's grasp. She dropped his corpse in the snow which slowly began to turn red. She looked at the four remaining Red Lotus, one in particular was shaking in fear. She was between the two other remaining Red Lotus, and seemingly the most innocent looking. Korra knelt in front of her and looked into her eyes. "Same question."

"We got them from-"

"No! Don't tell her any-"

Korra stopped the sentence as it left Red Lotus member to her right's mouth with a flick of her wrist he collapsed dead on the snow. She looked at the woman's bright blue eyes which were now filled with tears. "You were saying?"

"We-we have someone on the inside, they arranged a crate of them to fall off the books."

Korra felt zero sympathy as the woman began to sob. "See? Wasn't so hard was it. Ren anything else?"

Ren snapped out of it, she was terrified by the Avatar in her midst. "Who do they have on the inside?" Her fear lapsed into rage as she realized that one of her sisters was a traitor.

Korra nodded her head in Ren's direction. "You heard her."

"I…I don't know!" The woman screamed.

"That's a shame." Korra said and began to raise her hand.

"No! Wait! please! Her name is Lok, that's all I know I swear!"

Korra smiled. "Good." She turned her attention to the other woman kneeling next to the one sobbing. This one was different, though Korra could feel the heart beat racing inside her, she wasn't visibly afraid. "And you? Do you have any information?"

"Not for a monster like you."

Korra simply smiled and stood up, slowly raising her arms bringing the two Red Lotus into the air with them. She could feel the trembling terror inside them, their hearts raced and their bodies shook as they realized they were about to die. Korra moved her fingers feeling the blood coursing inside their hearts. She closed her fists squeezing the blood from their hearts.

Ren steadied her self as her entire body recoiled at the screams of the two women. What is wrong with her? Her voice was shaking as she watched Korra drop the corpses on the snow in front of her. "We'll find the mole, don't worry,"

Korra was barely listening, simply concentrated on the gleam of blood in the snow at her feet. "And them?"

Ren cleared her throat. "We just need to put them back in the cabin, the cliff will take care of the rest."

Korra raised all five corpses in the air, she'd never bent a dead body before, it wasn't the same however. No pulse, no feeling of pleasure as the heart beats quickened under her grasp. She aimed them all at the door and tossed them through the air like garbage bags. She turned to Ren.

Ren avoided her eye contact and nodded at her Kyoshi, who held detonators in the hands, She turned and began to walk away trying to keep Korra far away from her.

Korra followed on a cloud of bliss, five less Red Lotus in the world, she steadied her hand again as it shook. She was getting the hang of blood bending, and beginning to enjoy it throughly. She watched as the three Kyoshi who'd climbed down the cliffside armed the detonators and fired them. Korra turned and watched the middle of the cliffside explode with a deafening crack. As the smoke cleared the cliffside began to fall, giant chunks of rock crashing down one after another onto the cabin. Burying it underneath tons of solid rock, Korra let out a satisfied sigh and turned as the rock began to pile up. Just like nothing was ever here.

I

sorry for the delay, burned all the midnight oil trying to get this written and edited on time so I hope you all enjoy it, please review and subscribe!