A/N: A lot of stuff happening in this chapter; especially with Aku. We'll be seeing a different side to him here, and although he's most definitely a jerk, he wasn't always that way. We also have Mako and Korra's first public appearance as a 'couple' in five, long years! We really wanted something sweet for them in any case. Let us know what you think! Also, if you haven't already read it, please read our prequel to this fic which is called Backup Plan!
Chapter 11
Raiko's manor seemed imposing the way it was lit, its marble facade glowing in the moonlight as Aku approached.
"The man has done well for himself, dumb as he is," he thought not for the first time since he'd known the President.
Deciding to simply get it over with, he trudged up the elegant staircase that led to Raiko's private study, having been politely let in by his butler. The marble steps seemed to stretch endlessly, and he couldn't help but dread the dullness of his impending meeting with Raiko. Sighing, he continued his way to his destination.
"I've been expecting you, Aku," Raiko greeted as soon as he entered the room.
"I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long, Mr. President," Aku replied, trying very hard not to sound annoyed.
"So, what news?" Raiko asked. "Can I offer you something to drink?"
"We've made good progress, Mr. President," Aku began, accepting a glass. "The machine Lau made based on Varrick's design works wonders. We were able to get a bit of the fog after all."
"And the gas?" Raiko wondered, pouring himself an expensive looking drink before taking a seat behind his desk. "What about that?"
"It's coming along nicely, Sir. We should have a more potent version ready within a fortnight if everything goes according to plan."
"Excellent," said Raiko. "And you'll keep me updated on absolutely everything?"
"Yes," Aku lied, resisting the temptation to roll his eyes.
"Thank you," Raiko said, smiling. His smile soon faded into a frown, however. "This project can't take too long, Aku. That gas has to be ready in a fortnight. As it is, people are growing suspicious of my involvement in restoration efforts. I've slowed things down long enough as is."
"I'm aware, Mr. President," Aku answered. "But everything's going according to plan, so you needn't worry."
"There's no room for error."
Aku drained his glass and set it on the table with a resounding thunk.
"I'm aware. We'll have this gas ready in no time."
"Good. See to it that you do."
Aku nodded and politely excused himself before leaving the mansion to keep his next appointment.
"It's all very well for him to sit behind his desk and order us about as if he's king," Aku grumbled, hurrying to an upscale restaurant about three blocks from the President's estate. "I can't wait until this is done and I don't have to 'report' to him every week."
He told the First Lady as much when he finally met her in one of the private rooms in the restaurant. A seven course meal had already been laid out and she and Lau were just beginning to eat when Aku joined them.
"Just came from seeing Raiko?" Lau wondered, handing Aku a generous serving of roasted pig- chicken and a glass of sake.
"What did he want to know?" Buttercup asked, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.
Aku rolled his eyes. "The usual. We've been given a two week deadline; he says he can't hinder restoration efforts much longer than that."
Buttercup laughed. "Can't he? I'll see to it that he does."
"Thank you, ma'am," Aku said. "You've been most gracious."
The First Lady just smiled.
"What else needs to be done?" Lau demanded. "Now that the end is in sight, I can't wait to see how this all pans out."
"Well, there's still the matter of the police and the Avatar. We can't have them on our trail, so we'll have to come up with something better than utmost secrecy if we want this gas to be mass produced and distributed." Aku replied.
"What about Jian?" Buttercup asked.
Aku shrugged. "She's not exactly cooperating, but she's not stopping us either."
"Has she revealed anything at all about the armor or the sword?"
"No, ma'am. Nothing. But we'll find it soon. We just need one piece, after all. After we get our hands on one, it should lead us to the others."
Buttercup nodded.
"We'll also need a larger version of your machine, Lau," Aku said, glancing at his friend. "The small scale version isn't going to cut it. We need something that can siphon the fog until it's all gone."
"I have an elite team working on it as we speak," Lau said. "Anything else?"
"One point, I confess, does worry me," Buttercup spoke, drumming her nails against her glass. "How can we ensure that the Avatar stays out of this? She's bound to notice any changes in the spirit world and especially the loss of the fog."
Lau looked thoughtful. He speared a piece of meat, popped it in his mouth, and chewed.
"We could always distract her or incapacitate her. I know there's plenty of men and women who resent her after she refused to restore their bending."
"No, that wouldn't work," Aku responded. "The distractions might, but not for very long. As for incapacitating her, well...that's half the reason why we made this gas in the first place. Amon, Unalaq, Zaheer...they all failed. It's up to us to succeed."
"We could take someone as leverage against her?" Lau suggested. "Or perhaps something?"
Buttercup snorted. "Like who? She's got friends in high places. You touch anyone she's connected with and that'll be the end. And besides, even if we do manage it, Aku won't have our help; he can't have it. If we're caught now, the whole thing will go up in smoke because Aku won't have enough men to stop all the Avatar's friends and you and I can't risk getting involved and implicated."
"She's right," Aku said, grimly. "The whole operation hinges on this gas and we need your funds and my team, so to speak, to make this happen."
"So, what other options do we have?" Lau wondered.
"Not many, I'd wager," Aku said, pensively.
"I think I can help," the First Lady said. "The problem with Amon and Zaheer, even Unalaq, was that they were too transparent. I think we can be a little more discreet than they were."
"You have a foolproof plan, madam?" Lau asked.
Buttercup nodded. "Yes."
"And that is...?"
Both Aku and Lau waited in anticipation. The president's wife laughed.
"I hope you gentlemen can dance because we're going to throw a ball."
Both men blinked.
"A ball?" They echoed.
Buttercup grinned in delight. "Oh, yes! The city needs funds anyway since so many unfortunate people were displaced after Kuvira's attack. So we're going to host a ball to 'raise funds.'"
"And this is going to help us?" Lau asked, staring at the First Lady as if she had sprouted a second head.
"Of course. Invites will go out, and naturally the Avatar will show up because of her position and during the ball, we can easily take care of her."
"But there are too many people," Aku said. "You know how these things are. Half the city shows up. We don't need that many eyes on us."
"They won't be on us," Buttercup promised. "At least, not on you two. If I fail to carry out our plan, then you two must have a go at it."
"And what is our plan?" Lau asked, feeling rather stupid.
The First Lady extracted a small, clear vial from her sleeve and placed it on the table.
"Shirshu poison?" Aku guessed.
Buttercup nodded. "You're well versed in your poisons. Yes, this is a lethal dose."
"Wouldn't that just cripple her though?" Lau demanded. "She's still a threat as long as she's moving."
"If this were diluted, perhaps. But this amount is more than enough to induce permanent paralysis. If we're lucky, we can freeze the Avatar cycle." Buttercup said, smiling.
"Freeze it?" Both men repeated.
"I'd assume so. She wouldn't die from it, but she wouldn't be able to lift a finger ever again. So, I'd assume until she dies naturally, the cycle won't continue."
"And how do you plan to administer this in a crowded ballroom?" Lau asked. "It'll be risky."
"Drink your sake, Mr. Lau," Buttercup commanded. Lau looked puzzled but took a sip all the same and then instantly froze. Three minutes passed before he could move again.
"You poisoned me!" Lau's voice sounded three octaves too high in his own ears.
Buttercup smiled again. "Does that answer your question?"
"I...but, how? I was with you the whole time. I saw you! How did you manage to slip it in?"
Buttercup's tinkling laugh echoed throughout the room and Aku shivered.
"That is a secret," she replied. "But, I hope I've put your mind at ease. I can administer the poison easily."
"Will I live?" Lau asked.
"Of course. I don't make it a habit of poisoning valuable business partners, Mr. Lau."
Lau breathed a sigh of relief as Buttercup laughed again. Aku felt butterflies rearing in his stomach. The First Lady's name, he realized, was a misnomer. He'd heard it said that buttercups were beautiful flowers, but he was beginning to think the President's wife was more like a flower from the white jade bush: all beauty at the surface, but nothing but thorns and poison underneath.
"Are you alright, Aku? You're as pale as a ghost." Buttercup said.
Aku stood up so fast his chair nearly toppled over. "Excuse me, madam, but it's getting late and I have some urgent matters to take care of. Excuse me."
Aku was gone before either Lau or Buttercup could say a word.
The streets were fairly empty as Aku rushed back to the base. Few people were out and Aku was grateful, because it meant less obstacles. He tore through the streets like a madman and didn't stop until he arrived at the rundown mansion by quay. He took the steps two at a time and hurried up to the attic where he'd stashed things he'd wanted to (but couldn't seem to) forget. One dusty trunk was tucked in a corner and Aku hastened towards it, unfastening the lock with tremblings fingers, and waiting with bated breath for the dust to clear as he did. When it finally cleared, he reached inside and pulled out the lone object in the trunk. Aku stared at it for a minute before doing something he hadn't done in a long, long time. For the first time since he'd left the Water Tribe, Aku cried until he had no tears to left shed.
"Stop fidgeting!"
"I can't help it! I feel like a monkey in this thing."
Asami bit back a curse as she poked herself with the pin for the seventh time.
"Why don't you ever buy yourself a dress?"
Korra looked at her like she was crazy. "I don't wear dresses. Why on earth would I buy one?"
"You'd probably feel less like a monkey if you bought your own dresses," Asami said. "There are dresses designed for comfort, you know?"
Korra blinked. "I'll keep that in mind. But thanks for the help."
"Better than spending my evening helping Meelo get dressed."
"He asked?"
"No, but Pema looked like she could use the help and as much as I wanted to help her, Meelo and Rohan are a handful. So you were my excuse."
"Gee, thanks."
Asami winked. "Anytime."
Someone knocked on the door and both Korra and Asami turned just in time to see Bolin stick his head in.
"Tenzin says we've got to leave in ten minutes if we want to make it to the gala in time. Also, you should avoid Lin at all costs."
"Why?"
"Mako said something about her being in a dress? I'm not sure."
"We'll keep that in mind." Korra said.
"If we've got ten minutes, I could probably do something with your hair," Asami mused, turning to Korra. "Maybe…"
"No!" The Avatar said, vehemently, shoving her friend out the door. "I draw the line at dresses. Thanks, Asami, but I think I can take it from here."
Asami and Bolin burst into laughter and, though they couldn't see, Korra smiled. It was nice to know some things hadn't changed.
When Mako had learned of the event from Korra, he'd been very surprised. But not as surprised as he'd been when she'd asked him to be her date. He really should've known better, knowing how forthcoming she'd been about her feelings for him when they'd first met six years ago. In any case, he was glad she'd asked, because he'd been wondering about how to approach the subject with her since she'd told him.
"What're you talking about?" she'd asked him when he'd joked about having to find a date. "Didn't you know you'd be coming with me?"
"Was I?" he'd asked her with a sly smile.
"Unless you'd rather go with someone else?" she'd asked with a hint of disappointment that made him regret his little jibe.
"Not at all," Mako had assured her quickly. "I'll meet you there at seven."
Now, as he fiddled with his blue cravat, he was reminded of the fact that this would be his first public appearance with Korra in five years. The press would obviously be there taking pictures of everyone who'd been invited. And Korra, being who she was, would obviously be spotted the minute she arrived.
"You've done this before," he kept telling himself, and it was true. They'd been out together to events like these all those years ago, and he really didn't care at all about what the press had to say about him, but he did care about how this would impact Korra.
The press had had a field day when she'd left for the Fire Nation alone two years ago… and for every one of the seven hundred and ten days she'd been away. The last thing Mako wanted to do was ruin her night by having the press ask pointless questions or let them jump to conclusions.
"Well," Mako thought as he surveyed himself in the mirror, "this is as good as it's going to get."
He drove to City Hall in his modest Satomobile and waited outside for his friends to arrive, having been told by his brother that he, Opal, Asami, and Korra had started from the Island with Tenzin's family and Korra's parents about a half hour ago. Knowing how long they'd take to get to the place on Oogi, Mako parked his car and got to the entrance just in time to watch them arrive.
Mako sighed and walked up to them, helping Katara who smiled at him graciously as she stepped off of the bison's tail.
"Thank you, young man," she said kindly. "But I'm far too old to be your date."
"What're you talking about? You don't look a day over eighty!" Mako joked, making her laugh.
Bolin and Opal hugged him in greeting just as Tonraq and Senna made their way towards their spot. Senna was glad to see him as usual. Her husband, on the other hand, seemed more upset than wary.
"I'll go get the bison settled in the stables," Jinora said as she guided Pepper, Juicy, and Oogi away, clearing the view so Mako could finally spot the person he wanted to see the most.
She was a vision in that red gown with beautiful designs embroidered all over in black thread. He smiled as he noticed she'd refused, true to form, to wear high heeled shoes. She'd always claimed they were murder. And when she turned to face the press, his jaw nearly dropped as he noticed her back covered only by the lace patterns of her gown.
Asami simply shook her head at Mako's stunned expression while Korra noticed him and chuckled. She walked over to him with the slightest hint of a blush when she nudged his chin to close his gaping mouth.
"Close your mouth, City Boy. You'll catch flies otherwise."
Mako stammered an apology, but Korra was secretly flattered.
"So I take it you enjoyed the view?" she asked him.
"Hard not to," Mako managed. He blushed suddenly, as if just realizing what he said. "I...I mean, you...um…."
"We're about to head in," Asami noted, watching as Tenzin's family ascended the stairs to take their place in the queue. "Try not to embarrass yourselves."
She and Opal laughed and Korra glared at them.
"If I go down, I'm taking you two with me," she teased.
"Won't take much effort," Opal admitted. "My mom sent me a beautiful dress, but I'm starting to understand why you complain so much."
"It's just a few hours," Asami promised. "Now, let's go. I want to get a seat by old Mrs. Shu. She's interested in some of my prototypes and if I can work with her…"
She trailed off, linking arms with Opal and Korra and dragging them up the steps.
"Well," Bolin said, following them up. "That's our cue."
Mako took a deep breath and then hurried up after his brother and friends.
Inside, it was bright and very noisy. It seemed as if half the city had turned up and there was still a steady stream of people trickling in. Most of those who had already gathered headed straight for the food and Mako was tempted to go get something to eat (Flameo Instant Noodles for lunch wasn't much of a hearty meal, even if it was delicious), but his friends were still milling about the entrance observing everything. The whole hall was lit up and beautifully decorated and even Mako could appreciate the beauty of it all. Several ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling and there were scented candles everywhere. Elegantly designed streamers adorned all the walls and giant posters depicting a newly rebuilt Republic City hung over the entrances. It seemed the President and his wife had put in a lot of effort to make this gala perfect. Mako hoped it paid off.
"That food sure does look good," Bolin piped up from somewhere on his left. "I could use some food."
"You're telling me," Mako replied. "I'm starving."
Korra, Opal, and Asami all exchanged looks as if to say, men and food.
"Go get your food," Opal ordered, laughing. "I'll save us a table."
Bolin made a beeline for the queue with Mako close behind. Korra made to follow them, but was stopped quickly.
"Hey, I need help holding down the fort," Opal complained. "We'll lose a table if it's just me."
"Ask Asami to help," Korra said. "She can..."
The words died in her throat as she noticed her friend weaving through the crowd with a stack of papers already in hand.
"She doesn't waste time, does she?" Opal laughed, watching Asami follow an elderly lady, presumably Mrs. Shu, to a table, toting her blueprints. Korra laughed with her. "You go ahead. I'll ask Jinora or Kai for help. And bring me back some food!"
Korra winked and then made a dash for the Mako and Bolin, only to collide with Katara.
"Surely you can help a hungry old woman who's too short to see now, find the queue?" the old master teased.
Korra smiled. "I'd be happy to," she said, shoving aside some reporter who was trying to get their attention and eyeing the line. "This way."
They made it another twenty feet before they were thwarted yet again. At that point, Korra was ready to just airbend people away, but considering that it was the First Lady's personal attendant who stood before her, she figured it wouldn't look good.
"The First Lady would like to request an audience with you, ma'am," the attendant said, bowing so low he almost keeled over. "Might I bring her over?"
"Uh...sure?" Korra replied, blinking in confusion. She'd never once met the First Lady and she didn't really want to spend her whole evening surrounded by the President or his wife, but considering the number of eyes on her and the First Lady, Korra thought it would be wise just to go along with whatever the woman wanted. Accordingly, she found herself face to face with Buttercup Raiko just a few minutes later. The First Lady was all smiles and praise, but Korra couldn't take much of it seriously, since the woman looked like a dressed up piece of fruit in a garish bright yellow dress.
"It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Avatar Korra," she was saying. "I'm such a big fan."
Korra found that surprising since Raiko made it clear what he thought of her.
"And this charming lady is your…?"
"Grandmother," Katara supplied. Korra wondered why she lied but didn't say anything.
"Of course," Buttercup said, beaming. "I can see the family resemblance."
Korra tried not to laugh out loud, but it was difficult. There wasn't any resemblance at all, really, but the First Lady must've either been too dimwitted to notice or lying through her teeth; Korra wasn't sure which.
"You must come sit at our table and dine with us," Buttercup insisted. "I'm eager to hear about all your adventures."
Korra blanched, racking her brain for an excuse. The last thing she wanted was to sit next to this lady and the President; she couldn't be held accountable for her actions if she was forced to sit next to them. Thankfully, though, Katara seemed to have an excuse ready for her.
"With all due respect, ma'am, I was hoping my granddaughter could sit at my table with my children. It isn't often I get to spend time with them and my grandkids. And I know Korra misses her parents; I think she'd like to spend time with them."
Korra nodded eagerly.
"Very well," the First Lady sighed, looking disappointed. "But at least have a drink with me."
She waved her attendant over and he hurried forward with three glasses of something expensive that really just looked like water. He handed one to the First Lady and presented the other two to Katara and Korra. The Avatar looked like she just wanted to leave, so she reached for a glass as if to get this encounter over with, but Katara was quicker. In a well-rehearsed move, she made for the other glass at the same time and collided with the attendant. The remaining two glasses, contents and all, went up in the air before crashing to the ground, drenching the First Lady in the process.
"Oh, goodness," Katara said, while the First Lady spluttered. "How terribly clumsy of me. I'm so so sorry."
"Think nothing of it," Buttercup said, smiling and trying to keep her cool. "I...if you'll just excuse me. I'll go change."
She hurried away, her yellow banana-like dress clinging to her like a second skin.
"You did that on purpose." Korra said, grinning widely.
Katara kept a straight face. "I haven't got a clue what you're talking about."
Korra laughed loudly. "Not that I don't appreciate it, but why did you throw water on the First Lady and tell her you were my grandmother?"
"There's something off about that woman," Katara admitted. "And besides, someone was trying to poison you."
Korra's smile faded after that. "Excuse me?"
The old master gestured to the shattered glass on the floor. The liquid was already collecting at their feet and Korra hadn't thought much of it until Katara bent it up, off the floor. In a practiced motion, she separated the contents. Korra had assumed it was just a drink, but she was starting to understand what Katara meant.
"What is that?" She demanded, as Katara pulled a clear, less viscous liquid from the drink.
"Looks like water, doesn't it?"
"In the glass it did," Korra admitted. "But judging by how it looks now, I'm guessing it isn't."
"Shirshu poison," the old waterbender explained. "And a pretty concentrated, lethal dose at that. We used to use it in the old days for healing; it works as a sort of anesthetic. But never such a concentrated dose."
"How on earth could you tell?" Korra demanded.
Katara just shrugged. "Practice, I guess. It's thicker than water. You learn to identify it pretty quickly once you start handling it."
"So, you saved me."
"What else is new?" Katara teased. "Now, I do recall you mentioning something about food. Lead me to it, young lady! I'm certainly not getting any younger over here. "
Korra laughed and hugged her old mentor, before shoving aside more reporters (and grinning with satisfaction as one landed face first in a punch bowl) and making her way to the food with Katara in tow.
By the time both waterbenders had returned to their table. the others were already eating seconds. Neither of them mentioned the poison just yet, but Korra kept a careful eye on her food and her friends' in case they had been tampered with. Luckily, however, nothing happened and they were able to enjoy themselves for a couple of hours. Mako kept glancing at Korra but she didn't say anything or offer any explanations as to why she glared at his fruit or scrutinized Opal's dessert or stared at Asami's drink. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but he wasn't exactly sure how to broach the subject. And, unfortunately for him, he never got the chance to. Just as the dancing started (and just as Bolin hauled Opal to the dance floor and just as Mako himself was about to ask Korra), a weary looking Lin plopped down in Bolin's seat and nodded at him. Mako knew whatever was coming couldn't be good.
"You look tired, Lin," Katara noted. "Long day at work?"
"You wouldn't believe the half of it," Lin replied. "I could use a drink, or two dozen."
"I can believe that. I could use some dessert myself."
Despite how tired she looked, Lin offered to help Katara and both Korra and Mako watched In confusion as the Chief of Police hurried off to get get dessert and a drink for herself, even though Katara was fully capable of getting it herself.
"Well?" Katara demanded, eyeing the pair.
"Well what?" Korra asked, feeling rather stupid.
"Honestly, you two are something! And Sokka thought Aang and I were bad."
"Uh…" Mako said, very intelligently.
"Go dance," Katara said to Mako, laughing. "Hurry, before Lin comes back and starts working herself and you to the bone."
Mako glanced at Korra and opened his mouth to speak, but Korra beat him to it.
"Dance with me, City Boy," She ordered, hauling him to his feet and dragging him to the dance floor. Mako feigned indignation as he followed her, reveling in the feeling of holding her hand.
"Can't you ever just let me ask you first?" He demanded.
"Nope," Korra replied, stepping on his feet. Mako didn't even care that it hurt a bit. "I hope you know how to dance because I've got two left feet. Lead on, cool guy."
Mako laughed and complied. The band was playing a slow jazzy tune as they moved in sync. Bolin flashed them a wide smile when he noticed them, and Opal flashed them the thumbs up sign. The pair shook their heads,silently acknowledging that yes, it was no longer a secret, and that yes, they'd finally made a decision after waiting nearly two years.
"I actually feel relieved," Korra admitted to him.
"Me, too," Mako sighed and they continued dancing.
Once or twice, they could hear the snap of a camera's flash as it went off, and Mako worried about how this would make her look, and Korra noticed.
"Don't worry about them," she whispered so only he could hear. "It's just you and me right now. No one else."
Mako simply nodded and let the room fade around them as they danced together, forgetting about everyone else but Korra and the feel of her in his arms as they circled the floor, as if knowing each move beforehand. It occurred to him that this familiarity is what she'd felt when she'd told him they were meant for each other.
Suddenly, he had to ask. "Do you still mean it, Korra?"
"What?" she asked him.
"Do you still think we're meant for each other?"
Korra simply smiled. "Now more than ever."
Mako kissed her then, not caring about the thousands of people watching, or even that her parents were watching… All he knew that he felt happier than he'd been in a long time.
The illusion of them being alone in the room was shattered the instant they heard people clapping, making them realize that they'd moved the crowd around them to make a space for themselves. Katara had a knowing smile while Senna simply couldn't look happier. Mako looked at Tonraq, who seemed to be smiling in resignation, knowing what his daughter would say if he ever tried to broach the subject with her.
"He'll come around," Korra told him. "He actually likes you. He just doesn't want you to forget who's boss."
"I thought you were," he joked.
"Exactly!" Korra said with a wink, making him laugh.
His feet only grew more tired as the night wore on, but the music was lively, Korra was in his arms, and he was having fun. The rest, he realized, didn't matter.
Buttercup Raiko hurried up the stairs to one of the rooms on the third floor. She thanked the spirits she'd had the foresight to bring a change of clothes. She'd spent more time than she cared to admit in her wet dress and it was high time she got out of it. So she took the stairs two at a time, until she arrived at her makeshift "dressing room" on the third floor. It was someone's office, but her attendants had laid her spare dresses out there and propped up a small mirror with her makeup utensils splayed out in front. The First Lady hurriedly slipped out of one dress and into the other and then touched up her makeup. She had just finished when someone knocked on the door and she rushed to open it, peeking out to make sure that no one could spot Aku and Lau as they entered the room.
"What happened?" Lau asked, looking nervous. "I take it the plan failed?"
Buttercup reached for a vial from the pocket of her ruined dress and held it up for them to see.
"Ruined," she said, bitterly. "That old woman somehow managed it; she spilled the whole thing. That was the last I had."
"Aku and I still have our doses." Lau said. "We could…"
"It's no use. The Avatar will know by now. Not enough to pin anything on me, but she'll be on her guard. Stupid, old woman."
Aku looked equal parts amazed and shocked. "You don't know who she is?"
"Why should I care about the Avatar's grandmother?" Buttercup demanded.
"Grandmother? That's Master Katara. She's a waterbender, one of the best. You shouldn't have done anything in her presence."
"Oh, dear." Lau muttered, unhelpfully.
Buttercup glared at Aku. "I'll do what I please, when I please. Anyway, it would have worked if that idiot hadn't tripped."
"You can't seriously believe it was an accident," Aku retorted. "Katara knows, probably." He cursed liberally. "We should have waited until she was alone."
"She's never alone," Buttercup snapped. "I saw a chance and I took it. It didn't work, so we'll have to try something else."
"We'll think of something," Lau said, resolutely. "For now, the gala is still going on, so let's enjoy our evening before we head back to the drawing board."
He grinned and hurried back down to the party. Buttercup made to follow him, but Aku stopped her. He closed the door and stood in front of it, staring at her with a less than pleased expression. That might have been enough to frighten some women, but Buttercup Raiko wasn't the least bit frightened.
"Something wrong?" She wondered, arching an eyebrow.
"You knew," Aku accused, sounding bitter. "You knew the whole time and yet you kept silent."
"Honestly, Aku, can't you ever talk properly? I know a lot of things. What, exactly, are you referring to?"
"You know what I'm talking about," he said, walking forward so he was but two steps away from her. "You knew and yet you never said a word. All this time…"
Buttercup just blinked. "And did you want me to say anything?"
"It would have been nice," Aku said, through gritted teeth. "Do you know how much I worried? Do you know what I went through?"
"No," Buttercup said, honestly. "I did my best to forget. You should too."
She stepped around him and headed for the door, but Aku stopped her once again.
"I can't let you leave," He said, standing in front of her.
Buttercup's hand tightened on the vial in her pocket. Aku's eyes gleamed with something, but she couldn't make out what. She didn't know what he thought of her, but even now, she wasn't defenseless.
"And why not?" Buttercup demanded.
Aku gave her a sad smile and, just as the orchestra below struck up a love song, he kissed her.