Korra couldn't sleep.

It had been only a few hours since her and Amon had talked but the conversation still replayed over and over in her mind. She wanted to go and comfort him. To say something, anything, that would be meaningful to him.

This couldn't be their last night out here together.

But Republic City needed her. She was the Avatar. It was her job. She had to put other people ahead of her selfish needs and wants.

….

Amon stood in the shadows, watching the Avatar. A few trees separated him from the clearing where they had made camp.

She lay resting against Naga, slowly rubbing her hand back and forth in the white fur as if in deep thought. She should be getting rest if she planned to leave in the morning. It didn't matter what Amon said to her though, she was too stubborn to listen.

He needed sleep. He hadn't rested in a few days. He just couldn't risk falling asleep and something happening to Korra.

Amon sighed and turned away. He had to let her go.

This was starting to get out of his control.

She was his enemy. They were complete opposites. They would never be. She would go back to Republic City and he would stay here. Forget about his men and the plans. They weren't even his plans.

That damn Lieutenant hated benders more than Amon's father. But he didn't have the guts to lead an army. It's why he used Amon as the front man.

Amon was tall and strong. He had battle wounds and good stories to back up the cause. Even his voice intimidated people. Everything about him screamed leader.

Everything that is except himself.

"Amon?" Korra's voice came from behind him.

Amon turned to see her standing only a few feet away. She had one of her hands placed on a tree as if she had just stepped from behind it. Naga's soft snores could be heard over the small breeze that blew the leaves up between them as Korra watched him.

"Yes?"

"Did you mean it? When you said we could stay out here?" Korra whispered.

A light snow began to fall, the tiny flakes swirled around Korra's face before melting on her clothes.

Amon didn't answer. He should tell her no. He should make her hate him. He just couldn't.

"What if we did?" Korra asked without waiting for an answer to the first question.

"You and I both no we can't." Amon replied.

Amon would have given anything at that moment for them to be different people in different lives without any responsibilities.

A cloud passed over the half moon casting them in its shadow. Amon could only make out Korra's blue eyes staring at him as if searching for answers.

The two stood in silence. The cloud passed and they were once again standing in the light of the moon.

Amon took a step towards her. He couldn't help himself. He knew he needed to distance himself from her but the current between them wouldn't allow him to.

He closed the distance between them and placed a hand on Korra's cheek. Neither of them looked away.

….

"What was the point in getting close to us? What was the point in lying to me?"

Asami ignored Mako as he yelled her.

She was starting to lose patience with the boy. He was so naive.

"Do you really not see?" Asami turned towards him after a few moments of silence.

Mako didn't reply.

"It wouldn't be enough to just defeat Amon. He needs to suffer for his crimes. The Equalists must pay." Asami kept her voice void of any emotion.

She smirked as she watched Mako struggle against the metal bonds.

"Then why turn on us?" He looked up at her. "We're fighting against him! We would have helped you!"

"Because that isn't good enough!" Asami lashed out at Mako with her metal ropes. She wrapped one around his throat and the other around his waist. She yanked on them causing Mako to fall forward.

Mako winced but did not cry out much to Asami's disappointment.

Asami drew back her ropes as Mako struggled to sit up.

"I want control. I want power. My father destroyed Future Industries in his lust for equality. It was my birthright to inherit the company but he had to run it into the ground. So, I decided why not just win all of Republic City? Damn the company. It was never enough anyways."

Asami turned away from Mako to look into the dark, reflecting on childhood memories.

"Amon had one thing right. This city needs to be cleansed of its impurity. But the impurity does not lie in benders as a whole. The impurity is in the fire benders that abuse their powers to cause fear and panic across Republic City. They kill and destroy all they come across.

"It's in their blood. The Hundred Year war almost reduced this world to ash. All because of a firebender. And now his decedents are ruining our city. Firebenders lack self-control."

Asami faced Mako. She could sense his fear. Fear was good. It gave her power.

"Even you, Mako. You abuse this gift that was given to you." She kneeled down in front of him. "You used it to steal and cheat your way to a better life."

Mako glared at her. She could feel the anger radiating from his entire body. Anger was even better than fear. It meant he still had some fight left in him.

He would get his fight soon enough.

Asami reached out and touched the cut on his face where her metal rope had hit him. "Such a shame." She whispered.

She stood quickly. "Guards, take him back to the cell with the others."

….

"Korra..." Amon's whisper sent a chill down Korra's spine. Would she ever get use to that deep and beautiful voice?

Korra reached up and took off Amon's mask. The moon's soft light enhanced the scars on Amon's face. She traced each scar with her fingertips. She touched the scar on his lips last. Amon parted his lips at her touch and she felt his warm breath on her skin.

"May I?" Amon asked as he lightly touched Korra's lips with his thumb.

Korra could only nod in response. She struggled to keep her breathing even.

The moment their lips touched, the electrical current felt as if it would burst between them.

Korra parted her lips inviting Amon's tongue to dance with her own. Amon wrapped his arms around Korra and crushed her body into his.

Memories flashed within Korra's mind.

Tarrlok grabbing her by the throat, holding her against him.

No. Amon was here. He was the one holding her. Amon wouldn't force her to do anything.

Tarrlok's cold hands running up and down her body, smearing her sweat across her own skin.

Amon's hands were warm and comforting. They didn't try to hurt her.

Tarrlok kissing her throat. His teeth bit into her neck.

Amon's lips were soft. They didn't try to dominate her.

Tarrlok grabbing her by the waist as he forced his way inside.

"Stop!" Korra screamed as she broke the kiss.

….

The thick door opened, blinding all those inside the cell, as another figure was forced in.

"Mako?" It must have been the Earthbender boy who spoke up.

The Lieutenant sat in a dark corner by himself. He wanted to stay as far away from the benders as possible.

"Yeah. It's me." A horse voice responded.

"What happened?" The ex cop spoke from the Lieutenant's right.

"Asami is their leader."

He heard a choirs of soft gasps as the truth was revealed.

"But I thought she was against her father?"The Earthbender's voice was full of confusion.

The Lieutenant rolled his eyes. They were all so slow. When Asami had turned on him, it didn't take him very long to put the pieces together.

"She is. She's leading a group of metal 're not with the Equalists or Republic City." The boy continued to explain all that Asami had told him.

"We need to get out of here and find the Avatar." The metalbender was the first to speak. "The pure metal walls aren't very thick. I can try to bend the earth behind them but it will be difficult."

"I can try and melt the metal. At least enough for you to break through the wall with the rocks." The firebender replied.

"It's worth a shot."

….

"Korra… I'm so sorry." Amon reached out to comfort her but Korra wouldn't even let him touch her.

"No. It's not your fault! Just give me a second." Korra's eyes closed as if she was trying to shut everything out, even him.

He knew it had been a bad idea. Amon filled with a rage so strong he almost lashed out at the nearest tree. If he ever saw Tarrlok again, he would make him suffer.

But he didn't want to scare Korra. He had to remain calm.

"Please, just tell me what you're thinking. Let me help." Amon whispered, taking a small step towards Korra.

"I just can't- These memories-" Korra tried to speak.

Amon slowly approached her. He held his arms open, inviting her. Korra closed the distance and allowed him to wrap his arms around her.

They stood there in silence for a few minutes.

"Amon, will you-" Korra broke off again.

"Anything. What is it? Tell me what you need." Amon replied.

"Well, what if you and I-" Korra broke off.

Amon tried to pull away to see what emotion was playing across her face. Korra only held on tighter, keeping him in place.

"I mean, he was the only man I've been with but it wasn't my choice." Korra finished.

Amon tensed. He could tell where she was going with this.

"I have a choice now." Korra continued. "I don't want my only memory to be of him." Korra looked up at Amon. The blue oceans were swimming with unanswered questions.

"Korra, do you even know what you're asking of me?" Amon sighed. This girl really would be his doom.

"Please?" Her voice was just a whisper.

"I can't." Amon began.

Korra's eyes filled with hurt and rejection.

"It's not because I don't want to. Spirits know how much I want to." He reassured her.

"I just can't do that to you. If you can't even kiss me for more than twenty seconds then how will you be able to do that?" Amon asked.

"Because this is my choice. I want to. If I can get past these flashbacks, I'll be able to replace those bad memories with good ones." Korra grabbed onto the front of Amon's jacket.

"Do you even realize how insane that sounds?" Amon's voice raised.

Korra responded by placing her lips on his. Amon's reaction was instantaneous.

He crushed her body into his. He felt her heart racing along with his own.

Korra would be his undoing.