Whoa guess what, this chapter became so long I split it in two, so you get a nice little epilogue at the end guys. This was a tough one as I just didn't want to wrap up the story! Yet here you go, as good things come to an end. The strongest musical inspiration for this chapter was Imogen Heap's bittersweet and suitable song "Just for Now", and "I Hate This Part" by Pussycat Dolls. I hope it all isn't too rushed and most importantly believable.

(Why, last 10 minutes of the finale? WHY?) Anyways, "Viva la Tahorraaaaaaaa!"

The days down in the underground camps felt like a strange silent whirlwind.

You ate.

You slept.

And sat there waiting.

If not humming a tune to amuse yourself or talking the others out of bringing up the battle between Amon and Avatar Korra.

People would stop you mid-sentence to pick up the latest morsels of information the radio had to offer.

Since the hospitalization, Tahno didn't remember speaking so little in an interim.

Deliberately he formed the unseen bubble that would ward off his two friends, spending the hours huddled under a shabby makeshift tent, allowing his thoughts to swing from one end result to the next like a pendulum. In their neck of the woods, the lighting was poorer. So much so that other inhabitants took care to stray from any shadow in case a chi blocker sprung out to attack.

If the Equalists won, more benders out there would wind up like him. Souls suspended someplace in some state and in danger of forgetting why they were breathing. They could lose the drive to set goals, think of the future, and worse, lack the strength to perform the most menial tasks. Ultimately he'd see more and more himself in each other empty shell he walked past. The monster originally bred by Amon would rear its head eventually and reveal its full form, forcing him to his knees or even silencing him.

But if Korra won - this brought a tinge of colour to his face - that could open up a horizon of possibilities. Evenings coloured by new memories. Many more days where he didn't have to worry about looking over his shoulder, or shield his face with the daily papers when walking home. Etched in his mind was her kiss he'd received on the cheek, weeks and weeks ago. Surely she hadn't forgotten either. He realized its worth in these dark times. And he was going to let her know. The pull was stronger than ever, telling him to just give in. Only thereafter would he receive confirmation - was it love brimming over, or something else just as meaningful?

Then, as fast as messenger hawks flew, news had circulated about Korra's ability to airbend, Amon's true identity being that of a waterbender, and how he fled Republic City not being able to return lest he assume a new identity.

They could finally come out of hiding. Shaozu, ever his dorky self grabbed his friends by the shoulders while leaping in delight. Along with a large group of jovial men, the trio marched out into broad daylight.

It was hours later that another historical event was officially marked: Avatar Korra could give bending back to those who'd lost it. She had begun by returning the metalbending abilities of Lin Beifong, and was perfectly eager to return to the city to continue her work. Out in the streets that evening, new electric blue lights representing Korra's main element were strung along street lamps, boulevards and buildings. And in a singsong manner, almost everyone raised their hands, getting a chorus going. Their destination was the Pro-bending arena, and no one minded the walking distance.

"You nervous?" Shaozu asked, almost stepping ahead instead of keeping in line next to Ming.

"Nervous because of Korra?" the former earthbender looked appalled.

His friend hit him lightly, "Not ever! Are you nervous because…of what might come after we get our bending back? Hate mail, more threats…"

Tahno answered rather flatly, "We deal with whatever we have to deal with." The other two wondered why he was still so uptight. But it had freshly crossed his mind: this was a turning point. In retrospect, this golden gift he was to receive from Korra was the same one he spent at least four years squandering with impulse. It was as if an inaudible voice now hammered nails into his head, telling him that maybe, one had to be pure enough in heart to regain what was lost…

That was when Ming interrupted him. "It's great that you're giving that to her, by the way. Since the flowers won't suit her now." He looks to the unusual object Tahno is trying to hide.

"What? What are you going on about?"

"You think we wouldn't have guessed? Besides, we're perfectly fine with that." Ming tried to smirk. He offered a generous hand, "Let me handle it." The former waterbender yielded, surrendering the mystery gift. In the next minute Ming and Shaozu picked up where they left off a conversation ago.

But when they looked to their right, Tahno was gone. He had vanished in the opposite direction.

Mighty cheers reverberated through the enormous space as Lin Beifong ascended the newly built podium. She progressed with a heartfelt speech, sending words of thanks first to the Avatar, followed by her subordinates the Metalbending police force for their efforts in keeping the peace that certainly weren't laid to waste. It was time for Korra to return the cops their bending abilities. The first was Saikon. His head hung low, unwilling to look Lin in the face given their history, but she didn't wish to pass a judging eye over him. Korra signaled for him with a light grin to approach her and kneel. When he finally stood up, expression going soft and childlike as emotion was flooding his countenance, and he shook her hand thoughtfully. A line of the other cops had long since formed behind him, as the officers made their way up the stage.

"Thank you, Avatar," each one bowed with a content smile after they regained their gifts. Such small brief gestures of appreciation could hold so much value, and Korra mentally gathered them like gems, never to be given up.

The queue shortened and shortened till there was no one left. Yet the arena was about as loud as it had been at the start, the citizens - benders and non-benders - seated together and eager to repair those broken bridges. Some Equalists who'd been maintaining their stances at the earlier rally had removed their masks, proceeding to mingle with people they then apologized to. But not all Amon's minions would just turn over a new leaf - some of these ex-Equalists' acquaintances had vanished almost immediately after their leader had exposed himself as that waterbender Noatak.

Such people were to be tracked down, questioned. Of course the council knew the mess wasn't about to be cleared overnight. What about Lightning Bolt Zolt and those other ex-benders who required scrutiny before the possibility of them regaining their bending should even spring into mind?

Tenzin did ponder this for the briefest moment, but he was occupied for now with standing by his pupil and overseeing the event alongside Lin. From where he stood near the back of the stage he eyed two rather frisky individuals being pushed through the crowd. There are a swarm of young girls forming a perimeter around them, leading them on somewhat forcibly. "Korra, I think there are two more people," the airbender informs her. Murmurs are whirring through the audience, quite the majority of it ringing of disapproval. It is Ming and Shaozu, Tahno's supposedly close companions who've been pushed up on stage, awkwardly taking their steps and turning behind several times to angrily face their fangirl army. The complaints in the crowd continue to swell and grow louder. It in fact builds up into what may be a furious anthem; even Chief Beifong's face is tensing up.

Korra's eyes are anxiously scouting every other corner or shadow - to find that secret friend. Nothing. Tides of a foreign feeling - guilt? - rose in her. She'd only remembered him now, because of that overpowering kiss she shared with Mako.

Shaozu sheepishly faces the Avatar at last, rubbing his light brown hair. "Hey, Korra." The water tribe girl observes the two men: there is little or no trace of two smirking and condescending Wolf Bats she remembers at the noodlery or arena. Undoubtedly she would forgive them. For an instant she is back on the Memorial Island on a dark night, looking up and into Amon's hollow eyes. This had also happened to the two victims standing before her now, only...the Equalist leader had stripped them of their inherent gifts. What Avatar in his or her right mind would leave them withering or at the mercy of the crueler side of the public?

"Before you do anything, there's something you need to know," Shaozu added. He smoothed some creases in his shirt and jacket. How odd, Korra thought jokingly, he is much like an evil 'twin' of Bolin's. To win these past rivals as friends would be an asset. What pricked at her mind once more was where was Tahno?

Ming seized the chance to speak, "We've been thinking -" His somber grey eyes were one shade darker all of a sudden. "- you don't have to return our bending if you feel it ain't right. We're only here because we were told to come. The Wolf Bats -"

Shaozu carried on, "- former Wolf Bats, have a reputation to repair."

Korra nodded slightly. As if by instinct she turned to Tenzin who was some feet away.

"Ultimately, it's your decision," uttered her mentor.

Without further ado Korra took Lin's place and adjusted the microphone. "Everyone, listen!" A brilliant shiver rattled her bones as it normally would; she was holding all these citizens in her palm this moment. "For those of you who know, these two members of the Wolf Bats may have cheated their way to victory in the Pro-bending matches. But I won't let anyone lose anything precious against their will. Whoever has a problem with them having their bending restored can take it up with me. Not them."

Getting each of her new friends down on one knee, white light emanated from her hands as she laid fingers on their foreheads and shoulders. The city hadn't witnessed, firsthand, an event this spiritual in at least a decade. Those nearer to the stage in particular, were rendered monosyllabic (if not speechless) hearing that mysterious, otherworldly hum while the Avatar performed the feat. Korra took the hand of each man and helped them back up. A smile curved up Ming's face as he successfully lifted one of the carved statues lining the edges of the stage. Shaozu burst into peals of jolly laughter after creating a thriving flame, cupped in the safety of his palms.

"Thank you. I guess we're indebted to you," Ming shook Korra's hand, beckoning to his pal to do the same.

Tenzin was fingering his beard, stepping closer to talk. His brows knit together, "This isn't all of you. Your former Captain - where is he?"

"Yeah…about that…," Shaozu dragged on, brown eyes looking away almost innocently. "Tahno said he'd be here."

Second after second passed, and Korra finished with a deep sigh, "Seems like he's a no-show."

More explanations came her way after the ceremony wrapped up, when she could very shortly catch up with the two in the entrance hall of the arena after practically chatting with everybody else. Telling Mako and Bolin to wait for her, she skittered over to the other side of the room for the discussion.

"He wanted to give you this," Ming said, unexpectedly. Hidden within his lengthy-looking coat was a pocket large enough to store the scroll and protective enough to cushion it. He decided he'd forget about handing it over surreptitiously. Apparently Tahno had held on the flowers - the initial plan - for so long that the lilies were waning. Instead he wanted to give her the most prized painting he owned - and the first he ever bought on his own. It was a customized print, displaying the symbol of water intelligently woven with abstract forms of animals from the North and South poles. Korra received the parchment and unraveled it, recognising the beasts within moments of taking in the gold, black and blue brush strokes shaping them.

"He says it reminded him who he was, and he paid a lot of money to get it commissioned back then. Now he wants you to have it," Ming explained. A renowned painter from the Northern Water Tribe was the mastermind behind the work.

"It's beautiful. Thanks," was all the Avatar could mouth out. But to have this framed up proudly in her room was nowhere near the same as seeing him face and face. I may've kissed him on the cheek, her inner voice snaps suddenly, flashing to the dinner table at a restaurant. But I only like him as a friend. It doesn't stop her from accusing herself in the world's smallest voice that she might just be selfish.

Shaozu interjected, "He wasn't at home when we tried getting him to come. I doubt he'd be there now either." Korra looked away temporarily to think, eyes narrowed as she sifted through the actions she'd possibly take. There was a late night gala at City Hall to follow right after this; what if she could slip out as she so skillfully could? Tenzin might be able to deduce she was only making sure Tahno was alright, and perhaps he'd even tell the White Lotus guards they need not search for her...

"Okay, Naga. Let's see if you can track him down."

The scroll was removed from the storage pack behind her polar bear dog's saddle. Was Naga nearly as capable of finding him as a shirshu? The beast ran her nose along the paper carefully, while her human companion rubbed the short fur between her eyes. They were a good distance away from City Hall, where traffic was fairly light and no one really bothered why she was missing the gala. Korra had only popped about three scrumptious pieces of sweet and sour turtleduck into her mouth before disappearing from the grand ballroom. Mako and Bolin would know about all the unspoken reasons later. She disliked the cameras and microphones people would thrust in her face anyway, for they would've cornered her not five meat slices into her meal.

Now, Naga lifted her muzzle to make comparisons between the parchment and the surrounding air. She started off in the southwest direction, combing through nooks and crannies till the Avatar lost count.

Soon they wound up by the extravagantly lit Silk Road Bridge, where Korra could overlook the ocean another time and look into the eyes of her predecessor's statue. Additional electric blue lights had been fixed on the bridge, bearing the Water Tribe's emblem with the other three elements circling it. These were symbolic of her victory today, rewarding her with a warm fuzzy feeling within. But the heart of the matter in her thoughts was the slim chance that they would stumble upon him in the flesh. Naga had not stopped following her nose, still diligently at work to carry out the task assigned. Her speed had slowed but the Avatar didn't mind. As long as there was an end to the trail she believes she's picked up. The faraway chime of the clock on the Memorial Island wafted on the gentle wind currents. What was it, seven…eight o' clock? The darkened sky was dotted with fast-moving clusters of cirrus.

Naga led her down a good number of steep steps by one of the piers down below, the flights wide enough for the polar bear dog's body to slip through with ease. The area had small patches of ivory-coloured sand that were of little use for a comfortable sit-down.

They ground to a halt, just as Naga gave a yip of satisfaction. "You, girl, are second to none," grinned Korra.

There he was. But her heartbeat was already racing more than it should.

"I finally got Amon for you," she wanted to sing it out as she sauntered right behind him. But there was no reaction.

"Though...he kind of got away after I exposed him," she finally added.

He was crouched with knees up to his chin, and she heard his reply ghosting so softly on the air:

"The point still goes to you, at least."

"Tahno?" Korra drops the volume, calling him after the pause.

The arched figure in front of her didn't budge, shrouded in shadows, seated by the calming waves. Her hand fell on his shoulder, "Hey, chump. Why didn't you show up?"

It takes time for him to snap back to reality, then speak. "I'm scared in case you didn't notice, Uhvatar," he muttered woodenly.

"Of regaining your bending?" she sits down but her hip isn't brushing his. I know Mako's the one. It's a palpable feeling - when I kissed him I swore I felt our lives being mapped out…

His voice was dark and rich, "That they'd do the same things to me afterward, only worse."

She muttered, lightly but staying focused, "Just because you took the easy route to win the Pro-bending finals, doesn't mean you now make life harder than you can handle." Attempting to make eye contact, her head juts out a little to grab his attention, "We both know this is what you want." How it came out sounded like cracks in stone, but could not be truer. "Look. If you can't protect yourself, I will. Ming and Shaozu will. They've been looking for you too."

Korra could at last see them: more tears. And he had cried too the last time they met. No more tearbending, Tahno. She stepped in front of him despite obstructing the view of Aang's statue. His brows break into a frown - he is feeling a little more than put off - but her fingers are already perched on his forehead and shoulder. He experiences a tingling that he finds hauntingly familiar, but by then he is more than overjoyed knowing what to anticipate. Korra begins.

The glow sends pulses of warmth through his skin. It feels as though a network of disconnected branches has been reconstructed inside him. Streams. Rivers. A skeletal frame of bare bones of memories was taking shape again. He is five years old, using a water whip as a lasso. He is nine, and flying - creating his first successful water vortex that propels him into the air. And sixteen, unleashing the uppercut that landed the White Falls Wolf Bats in the championship finals. As he opens his eyes, the pair of fiery blue jewels he beholds is something he is sure he wants to win over.

Drawing grand arcs with both arms, he found his footing, motioned and called to the waves, succeeding in sending them up in elegant ribbon-like splashes.

"Thank you, Korra," he rushes to hug her. She bears the scent of salt; the ocean, and his element. It has become part of him again, and when he links all these together he sees the invisible cord joining him to the Avatar. "Looks like I now owe you a hundred times as much," the moonlight carves out his features for her to see. She has a look painted on her face that he hasn't yet deciphered, but he surmises that perhaps she's had a long exhausting day. The time was ripe: he leaned forward with his lips softening. Gushing water tore down the dams in his thoughts, leaving one hope that she'd accept -

"…I can't."

He has to stop. Her firm hand is resisting, brought up against his chest. Tahno felt the strength in her wrist as he curled his fingers around it. Korra sighed and looked only downward, "Mako and I…we've patched things up."

An unknown duration of time elapses. "There's no need to apologize, then," he replies, upon collecting himself fully. He clears his throat to hide the last of the…disappointment. He goes for it anyway: tilting his head at just the perfect angle, he leaves a kiss on the ridge of her cheekbone. He feels its very slight edge, before letting go at last. It was of utmost importance, that she got the message. He is happy enough to smile in a childish simper. "Remember my invitation for you to come visit? It still stands." Does she even remember I handed her my address?

"Just so you know, I haven't forgotten about it," Korra places the prints of her hands closer to the sides of his neck than his shoulders. The blood is about to boil, sending waves of heat through her. Quickly she says, "The painting you gave me is beautiful, by the way." She wanted to brush aside the hair that was all tangled up over his right temple. Something had stopped her. What appears like the faintest mottled flush is snaking up his neck - or is it? This was an unspoken nod to the fact that actually, Mako and her didn't have it all patched up…No! I can't hurt two more people the way I've hurt Bolin!

The crisp breeze was beginning to pick up. Since there wasn't much to carry on with here, he would start the walk home. He concluded at last, "Glad you like it. Have a nice night." Then he turned to Naga behind them, eyeing her in a friendly manner, and left them listening to more music offered by the waves. Get me out of here.

Tahno is rejuvenated with familiar power and control. With no one watching, he bent more streams of cool liquid during those last steps running parallel to the shore. He left the large bubbles suspended above his hands, similar to nursing a cup of tea. Minutes later he climbed some steps; the street up ahead was about six blocks away from the apartment. Now what he had to do away with was any icy streak of pride. And do away with creeping doubts - that she may not choose to come.

And he cannot help it. What could have been?