Finally, I get to write a little Keisai POV. Enjoy!

Keisai stood in a state of disbelief, the words of the verdict still echoing in his ears and the sentence playing in his head on loop. …Execution by lethal injection, on the sixteenth of the next month…

"They acquitted you of more than half," he said flatly. "Kuvira, they—the only offenses the republic punishes capitally are murders and... really big stuff. They found you guilty of manslaughter and attempted homicide—"

"Keisai, the appeal," Baatar said. "You're going to, right?"

"Kuvira?" Keisai turned her face to his, concerned. "If you won't talk to me, can you at least talk to Baatar?"

"I'm fine," she said at last. "I'm just shell-shocked. This is what I was trying to mentally prepare myself for, but I suppose you're never really prepared for this sort of thing..."

"Go on," he said to Kuvira, "I'll catch up. Baatar, escort her to the side room. I don't think you want to brave the crowd of the press just yet…"

Baatar nodded, taking Kuvira's hand in his own and interlacing their fingers. "Do you think—"

"Don't talk to me, please," Keisai said sharply. "Just go, I'll catch up. I need a minute." Baatar cast a final pleading look his way before he directed Kuvira to the side room. She seemed composed enough, but Keisai had learned to distinguish between projected strength and genuine calm with her.

The room buzzed around him, his ears filled with the cacophony of camera shutters and shouted questions from reporters. The doors to the judges chambers thudded shut behind them, and he caught a glimpse of Zhang's face, his expression immeasurably satisfied. He didn't see Meilin anywhere, and the young barrister appeared to be pandering to the press, enjoying the newfound fame of being part of the winning legal team. Keisai leaned his weight against the chair back, trying to process the diametrically opposed verdict and sentencing. "Less than a month to appeal," he murmured to himself, bringing one hand to his face. For the first time, he realized how exhausted he was; it was similar to the battle fatigue he experienced when weeks of running on adrenaline finally subsided into normalcy and his body was allowed to crash. "Those bastards, rigged from start to finish..."

"Mr. Sabad, what do you hope to achieve by appealing the case?"

"Mr. Sabad, what is your opinion of the prosecution's winning strategy?"

"Mr. Sabad, how did you acquire—"

"Were you expecting the sentencing—"

"Why did you take on a case so unwinnable—"

"How did you-"

They peppered him with questions that pricked at his skin like a thousand needles, clogging his ears with infuriating grating voices and blinding him with unceasing camera flashes. Every sound was augmented by the shuffling of feet and the clamoring bodies as Lin's men tried to keep order in the courtroom, and Keisai dug his nails into the varnished wood of the chair, stopping when he realized he was causing it to smoke in his anger. "I'm not taking any questions," he barked, his angry outburst prompting a merciful bout of stillness in the courtroom. It started up again almost immediately but he tuned it out, returning his files to their place and pausing once he had finished his task, trying to collect his thoughts. "Where do I go from here?" he murmured, as if saying the words aloud would have a better result. "One month til the execution, limited appeal time…"

"May I have a moment?" Meilin had spoken, and he jumped in surprise.

"What do you want?" he asked distractedly. "Shouldn't you be with Zhang, taking questions from the rabid press about your victory?"

"It's not required," she said. "So, the trial is over."

"We're not finished," Keisai said sharply. "I don't care, there's no way to credibly sentence someone to death when she's been acquitted of thirty charges. If they had gone for life imprisonment I'd have a harder time appealing, but when you play with human life, you subject yourself to scrutiny. I'm gunning for yet another rematch, and if you and the tribunal think I won't be appealing this verdict—"

"Keisai, stop talking," Meilin said, surprising him as she used his name for the first time. "Calm down."

"You know, I don't think you quite understand the situation I'm in," he snapped. "I just encountered an abject failure, and potentially affected my relationship with my oldest friend, and probably am the reason a young woman will be fired, and all of this shouldn't have mattered but thanks to complete noncompliance that ought to have been circumvented…" He trailed off, shaking his head as his frustration made him incoherent. "Your fucking country has shitty administrators, and—"

"Stop insulting my country, and listen to me," she said, holding up a hand. "You're a bit of a flirt, wouldn't you say?"

Keisai groaned, running his hands through his hair and regarding her tiredly. "If even looking at you constitutes flirting now, I don't know what you expect of me—"

She colored prettily, but she was as composed as ever. "No, you were refreshingly professional, but you have a reputation. Can you live up to it?"

He frowned. "So… I'm afraid to ask you what I've been wanting to ask you for a while now, because I could be horribly off base…but in the event that I'm right, I don't really think now is the best time."

"I'm quite certain the aide you called to the stand can be coerced," she said, ignoring his words. "The one who looks about in her early thirties or late twenties, a petite woman, I think it was Bao—"

"Coerced?"

"You needed information," she said flatly. "You couldn't get it. She's a possible means to an end, and I saw the way she enjoyed your attention after she took the stand."

"Ah, her," Keisai nodded. "She's not really my type," he said as a slow grin spread over his face. "Meilin, are you helping the opposition? Are you encouraging sexist behavior?"

"They couldn't blatantly convict Kuvira after your defense with the entire world watching," Meilin said, ignoring his second question. "I don't know if the bill of attainder was really drafted, but if it was, it explains the outcome… acquittal of thirty charges is no small feat, and the death penalty for the war crimes they found her guilty of hardly warrant execution. Destruction of property? The Reunification order? Certainly a decade of incarceration, but nothing more… even attempted homicide would only earn her thirty years, with the spin you put on it. I'd bet money that there's a draft, and I do not gamble."

He regarded at her thoughtfully. "Why are you helping me?"

"Not you," she said too quickly, tone laced with hesitance. "I took on this case because I couldn't turn down this kind of opportunity, but victor's justice is a farce. I don't think a case like this should be prosecuted by the attorney general of the country holding the trial… Zhang's biases are unpardonable. I feel sick when I think of my role in this mess; a perfectly fine solution would have been a negotiated plea deal. That's the precedent, after all. And regardless of what I think of you, I do admire that you place upholding the law—"

"Technically, we're setting the precedent here," Keisai pointed out. "There's not really a standing example of real international law, you know? Because it's so novel and experimental."

"—before your own reputation as an attorney, when you're already dealing with family baggage," she pressed on, crossing her arms over her chest. "I flatter myself that I'm intelligent enough to understand a solid legal argument when I hear one, and you deserved a better outcome for her, even though you built your case entirely on technicalities. You might end up filing a spoliation case, if you think it's worth your while. After that closing statement, I can't help but find you and what you've done incredibly…."

Keisai bit back his instinct to offer up 'attractive' as a suggestion. "I'm listening."

"...laudable," she finished.

"Meilin, I could kiss you," he said squeezing her hand in both his own. "But I won't," he added hastily. "Thank you."

She took his hand, shaking it firmly. "It's no trouble." For a moment she looked as though she were about to say something else, but instead she nodded with finality, taking her briefcase and leaving the room. As she left, he looked down to see that she had pressed her business card into his hand, and he stood a bit longer before he slid it into his pocket. Feeling newly energized and with a determined set to his jaw Keisai walked through the doors, making his way straight to the Beifongs.

Suyin was crying. Baatar Sr. looked stricken, but he seemed reluctant to do much in the way of reassuring his wife, opting for an arm around her to let her cry on his shoulder. Keisai respected the man's refusal to coddle any of his family members, knowing enough of what Suyin had said after Kuvira's arrest. The woman had been calling for Kuvira's demise for years, and had even gone so far as to make an assassination attempt, but the weight of a death sentence evidently was having a profound effect on her. It made sense, the lawyer mused as he observed the siblings crowding around their older brother and the woman he loved, supportive but hesitant to infringe on their space. The kids had always spoken fondly of Kuvira —even Huan— and they had always seemed more upset with the ruined family dynamic than they did with the possibility of her release.

That possibility looked increasingly slim, of course.

Kuvira herself was still numb; she seemed in a state of disbelief. Baatar's arms encircled her, holding her against his chest, but her gaze was unfocused even as he spoke. He had no eyes for his parents and barely acknowledged his siblings, though he did free one arm to let Opal give them a hug; the entirety of his attention was on the woman who had filled the roles of lover, confidante, companion, and colleague over the course of his life. Keisai glanced away, the amount of concentrated emotion in that part of room striking him as incredibly awkward, despite how moving the scene was.

"Keisai," Su said, her voice thick as she wiped her eyes, "what do you think—"

"Sorry Su, but I don't want to talk to you right now," Keisai said shortly. He resisted the urge to make a cutting remark about Su finally getting what she wanted. He had never really been one to rub salt into an open wound.

"Can she—"

"Kuvira," Keisai said gently, ignoring Su altogether, "Kuvira, sweetheart, look at me."

She turned to him, her body still pressed against Baatar and her eyes betraying how her emotionless facade. There were no tears, but he could see damp spots on the front of Baatar's shirt and he knew that there would be little he could say to help. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice as stoic as ever. "I know you hoped it would end differently, but I appreciate all that you've done for me, and for him." The break in her voice was almost imperceptible. "Especially for him. I hope you know that I'm grateful-"

"There's still the appeal," Baatar said, looking at the lawyer, his eyes unabashedly wet behind his glasses. "Korra's livid, she's demanding an audience with the tribunal. She wants you to call her, she needs to know how much time you'll need before you're ready for it—"

"Shut up a second, man," Keisai said, patting his shoulder. "Kuvira," he said again, "I might have a lead. Please, try and hold it together until I get back to you on it, okay? You've trusted me with everything so far, you know I won't give you false hope."

"I'm tired, Keisai," Kuvira said at last. "I don't know what you expect to gain with an appeal before the same damn judges. If we have to, can't we discuss this later? I'm seriously questioning why I ever said I'd take whatever punishment the world sees fit, I should have known how that would also be thrown in my face in court—"

In his peripheral vision, Keisai could see Su steering her husband a short distance away from the scene. He thought he heard a muffled sob, and something that sounded suspiciously like "should never have said that to her." He tried to speak bracingly, having always felt out of place and out of his element in a grief-stricken setting. "Sweetheart, I know you're upset, but it could be worse."

She laughed mirthlessly. "I'm sorry, I forgot that it's really not that bad. What day did they schedule the execution on again? The sixteenth two months from now, isn't it? A shame they can't hurry it along, it would be like a birthday present for a special someone."

"Don't say that," Baatar said, his voice cracking. "No, she doesn't want that. It would ruin her birthday for her, I know my mother—"

"Sorry, that was cruel of me," Kuvira nodded. "I almost wish I had taken Korra up on her offer of helping me meditate into the spirit world, it might make it easier for this to sink in." She took a shuddery breath, and it seemed to calm her. "Death is better than life imprisonment," she said, her voice steadier. "You get a clean break, I won't be forced to waste away in a cell, our people will remember me as a martyr, at least in the major states—"

"Stop," Baatar said, stroking her hair and pulling her face to his chest. "Please stop, Kuvira. I can't listen to that now…"

"I'm fine," she said, sounding as if she hoped to convince herself. "A bit shellshocked, but fine. I expected something like this, it was stupid of me to ever get my hopes up."

"Good," Keisai said before Baatar could protest, "because if I get lucky you can be pleasantly surprised and that's infinitely better than having your hopes dashed. I'm going to handle some stuff, so stay tuned. Baatar, sack up and be a good boyfriend, I don't think I need to tell you how much your presence is needed right now." He patted her arm, his voice gentle when he spoke. "I'm not giving up yet, Kuvira," he said, and he was gone.

Kuvira waited until she and Baatar were alone in her cell before she leaned against him again, letting him support her weight as she fought to keep her breathing steady and hot tears made their way down her cheeks. She didn't know how long they sat that way, but when she spoke her voice was tired and frighteningly calm. "It's really over," she said at last. "He's never said 'if I get lucky' before."

o0o

"Lin, I know this is out of line," Keisai said, pausing with her on the steps of the legislature, "but do I look more or less attractive with the stubble?"

Lin stared. "Excuse me?"

"I've gotten mixed reviews," he said. "My girlfriend in the navy thought it made me look rugged, but my girlfriend in law school preferred me clean-shaven, and a really hot woman I met a few nights ago after a day in court seemed to like the stubble, and—"

"No, why the hell does it matter?" Lin snapped. "I thought you had plans for Kuvira's case, what does your facial hair have to do with it?"

"Korra," Keisai said, turning to the avatar, "does the facial hair make me sexier, or should I shave before we start this operation?"

Korra laughed. "I think you look great clean-shaven and with the beard." Lin snorted.

"If I were fifteen or so years older and hitting on you, would you find me attractive, Lin?" he snapped. "Or do I need to shave? This needs to be unanimous. I can't be smooth if I feel self-conscious about my facial hair."

Lin rolled her eyes. "You look just fine, kid. The giant ego is the real turn-off, if you want the truth."

"So you think the stubble makes me sexy," he said. "Thanks chief, you're the best. Ladies, it's time." He took the stairs two at a time, hurrying to the entrance.

"Why does this matter?" Lin demanded, following him. "Did you just want to hear me say that?"

Korra giggled. "Maybe he still likes you."

"Shhh," Keisai said, bringing a finger to Lin's lips and giving her his signature grin. "Just let it happen."

It took longer than they'd anticipated to find Bao, but a clever bit of seismic sense on Lin's part and vine tracking from Korra brought them to her with time to spare. Keisai strode forward, arranging his features into a look of despondency that instantly brightened once he caught the aide's eyes. "Bao? I thought I saw you back here."

"Keisai! I'm so sorry," Bao said, face reddening. "I heard about the verdict, I wish my testimony could have helped you more. Your closing argument was really amazing—"

"I think the lack of hard evidence didn't allow the judges to see that," Keisai said with a theatrical sigh. "It must have been an administrative error. Spoliation charges aren't something the state would get implicated in on this sort of case, I hope."

"Spoliation?"

"If it comes out that the state withheld evidence necessary to the case under Raiko's orders," Keisai said earnestly, taking her hand, "then anyone that helped with the legal noncompliance could get tangled up in a lawsuit. Bao, I don't want you implicated. I already feel bad for putting your job in jeopardy, making you testify like that… these sorts of leaks are political suicide for aides like you."

Bao looked from their hands to his face. "Oh no, everything is fine so far..."

"Listen," Korra said, planting her hands on her hips, "It's my job to make sure Kuvira gets fair sentencing under the law. If you can help us prove that Raiko has been underhanded about her case, then I can promise you job security. Keisai told me what happens to aides that spill government secrets, and after what you said in court it's just a matter of time. I might not be able to force a tribunal's decision, but there's only so far Raiko can push the avatar. He owes me way too much."

"I can't let you in without a warrant," Bao said helplessly. "Believe me, I do want to help—"

"That's where I come in," Lin said, stepping forward. "It was delayed in its issue as a matter of sabotage, if you ask me. I've never had a problem when I called in a favor before." She handed the document to the young woman, folding her arms over her chest.

Bao seemed to hesitate, and Keisai looked at her intently. "This case will change the course of history," he said. "You can be a part of this. Imagine yourself in fifteen years—when you're running for office, do you want to be the candidate implicated in a case of withheld evidence for the trial of the century? For the record," he added, winking, "even if that were the case, you'd have my vote."

She seemed to steel herself. "I'll let you in," she said at last, leading the way to the archives. The lawyer traded sly smiles with Korra and Lin, separating from them and poring over the different documents in the room. Korra found what they were looking for first, and he hurried over to help pull the files they needed.

"This," he breathed, "is perfect."

Korra frowned. "But we didn't find the act for Kuvira."

"Exactly, Korra." He tugged her back to where Lin was standing, the other files in hand. "Bao, I couldn't be more grateful. Do you still have my card?"

"Of course," she said eagerly. "Why…?"

"Are you free tonight?"

"That's enough," Lin said, seizing his arm and pulling him away. "Come on, kid."

"Call me," Keisai said easily as he was dragged away. "Or I'll call you, it's all the same."

"I thought you liked Meilin," Korra said curiously once they were outside again.

"I can't let this poor woman know that she was used," Keisai said. "It's much easier letting someone down after you've bought them drinks… Besides, she seems to be a fan. I can't be cruel to a fan."

"Well done, kid," Lin said, patting his shoulder. "But for the record, if I were twenty years younger, that little display wouldn't have worked with me."

"And that's why I would have made a serious effort with you, chief," Keisai said. "Easy wins are well and good, but an equal that can challenge you to a fair fight? That's what keeps a relationship interesting."

oOo

She answered on the first ring. "Hello?"

"Meilin," he said in a rush. "You're a genius."

"May I ask who is calling?"

He groaned. "This is Keisai, come on. You gave me your card."

"Oh, hello," she said. "What exactly prompted this compliment?"

"You are a gift from heaven," he said decisively.

She laughed, and the sound made him realize he had never actually seen her smile freely. "You took my suggestion?"

"And it worked beautifully," he said.

"I'm honestly surprised you didn't think of it first," Meilin said. "Anyway, I think I can leave you to it… I assume you'll file the appeal next week?"

"Yes," he said. "When I argue it before the tribunal, will you be there?"

"Naturally," she said. "I'm not one to pass up good entertainment."

"Ah." He paused, not knowing what to say and cast around for a way to prolong the call. "So.."

"You're probably very busy," she said.

"No, not really—"

"You ought to hang up and get to work on that appeal." She paused. "By the way, I haven't tried the new bar on seventh."

"Don't tell me to hang up!"

"Fine, then I'll hang up," she said. "Have a good evening," she added, and the line went dead.

Keisai stared at the dead receiver in his hand, and returned it to the hook. "Okay," he said quietly, "let's try someone else…"

He hadn't really expected Iroh to ignore him, but he still heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the familiar voice on the line. "Iroh? I'm so sorry I had to put you in that position, man. You know I didn't mean to—"

"Keisai, stop," Iroh said. "You did mean to, but you had a job to do. I can't blame you for that."

"I talked you into throwing your boss under the bus," Keisai said flatly. "I treated you like any other witness I needed a confession from. Raiko's a piece of shit, I don't want you court martialed for disclosing military se—"

"I said it's fine, Keisai," Iroh said, a thread of annoyance in his voice. "It was over a recording, you had access to it anyway."

"I know, but... we're talking nearly thirty years of friendship here. I pulled you out of open fire, you got me an executive pardon—"

"You were just trying to do the honorable thing for your client," Iroh said gently. "You were trying to give her the hearing she deserved. I can't be mad at you for that, although I was shocked by your court persona… I've never really watched you work. I can see now how you got her acquitted for thirty charges."

"Thanks, man." He felt the tightness in his throat begin to recede, and he forced a chuckle. "We'll get drinks after the appeal."

"You're already prepared to file it?" Iroh asked in disbelief. "How?"

"I have my ways, and I'll talk to you later. I'm glad we're still cool."

"You knew we would be," Iroh said kindly. "Good luck, Keisai." He hung up.

"Alright self," the lawyer said in a determined mutter. "Let's give these bastards yet another reason to remember the name."

o0o

"Baatar, stop," Keisai snapped, swatting him away. "This isn't your appeal."

Baatar sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll… be supportive in silence."

"That's more than enough," Kuvira said, squeezing his fingers. "Keisai—"

"Shut up," he said, standing as the formalities drew to a close, "I'm on." As he neared the bench, he glanced behind him. The gallery was decidedly less crowded as it had been during the trial, but it still took him a moment to find who he was looking for. "Your Honors," he began, "you'll find before you copies of the minutes from the Tripartite Meeting. I was unable to acquire them in time for the trial, because for whatever reason, the warrant wasn't issued until it was…" He paused delicately. "…too late."

"Mr. Sabad, the bench apologizes for the inconvenience you were caused, but your appeal indicates existence of a bill of attainder and accusations of spoliation," Misao said neutrally. "That's a very serious accusation to make of the United Republic government."

"I am aware," he said, "but I never make unsubstantiated accusations. Here's why the sentencing for my client was overzealous, unjust, and completely at odds with the verdict—because potentially deliberate administrative errors were made to ensure she would be put to death."

He paced in front of the bench, the adrenaline rush building as he settled back into his old rhythm. Nothing made him feel quite so alive as arguing a case he knew better than he knew himself, cutting down counterarguments that were weak hindrances to the outcome he wanted to achieve. He had always enjoyed the mental acrobatics his work demanded, but when he was irrefutably correct, his bearing grew almost confrontational and his tone almost scathing when the opposition refused to acknowledge it. Now, as he grasped at a second chance to win the case for Kuvira and Baatar, he dialed back his careless condescension towards the state; it was no longer about winning the trial, it was about ensuring a friend was spared a punishment she did not deserve.

"Chief Beifong, Avatar Korra, and myself were granted access to the archives. We found the minutes of the Tripartite Meeting, which we've presented to you. As you know, Raiko and his cabinet blithely spoke of mass executions of Earth Empire soldiers—the number he proposed was thirty thousand. He proposed a policy of summary execution, and brought up the idea of an Act of Attainder to speed it along and get around those… pesky little legal obstacles that come with it.

"Prior to the Tripartite Meeting, there was a small council held to determine where to imprison my client. The topic of execution was brought up, and Master Tenzin was the only one to speak against executions for political purposes. He was not included in the Tripartite Meeting as a result, and the cabinet was able to freely discuss the execution of the Great Uniter without granting her access to a fair trial.

"The last documented use of an act of attainder was during the time of Firelord Sozin," Keisai continued. "Since this is the first documented attempt of such a bill in the republic, I would like to remind the bench that such an act of legislature damned my client before she stepped foot in the courtoom. The act declares a person or group guilty of the crime and plots out punishment without a trial at all. The original usage, and the usage under Sozin, was to nullify the defendant's right to life, civil rights notwithstanding. The violation of due process and the idea that behavior of specific persons could be rendered illegal through such an act made them taboo, as did the association with Sozin. In present day, such an act is blatantly wrong. I think the bench will agree with this assertion?"

Hotah nodded. "Proceed."

"It's on record that Raiko advocated this policy of an act of attainder," Keisai said angrily. "And the following events make this case look like a spoliation lawsuit ought to follow. There were drafts of the bill for Baatar as well as the actual piece of legislation, but only drafts were found for Kuvira. And yet Baatar walked free after my appeal to the mercy and fairness of the bench, in hopes that you'd avoid an international incident by sparing him. The act exists for Baatar, but it was ignored so he could walk free and reduce the Earth Kingdom's reasons for aggression or hostility. Kuvira's death sentence, after being cleared of thirty charges –first degree murder among them!—is ludicrous. There's only one way you could still sentence her to death even after multiple acquittals.

"It isn't unreasonable to assume that the state hid or destroyed evidence of the act of attainder condemning Kuvira to death," Keisai said. "Had I gained access to these pieces of legislation, a separate action could have been filed against the state of the United Republic. The president knows that. You know that. My esteemed opponent Attorney General Zhang knows that. To avoid a tort action from the defendants, they hid the evidence in consciousness of guilt. Your Honors, I know by the thirty acquittals that you found the case I built to be reasonable. You yourselves gave away the fact that spoliation did occur by still sentencing Kuvira to death.

"My client might not be able to file a tort action at this point in the legal process," the lawyer said softly. "But remember, our world is ever-shrinking. This trial is being broadcast all over the country, and the Earth Kingdom has access to the footage as well. The dealings of the republic are out in the open. The eyes of the world are upon you, and so I no longer entreat you—I demand that you determine the outcome of this appeal fairly. You spared Baatar to avoid a global war. Refuse Kuvira just treatment under the law after this?" Keisai laughed coldly. "I think a former dictator who expressed sincere regret on the stand and took down loyalist protesters will be the least of your concerns."

oOo

"How are you feeling?" Baatar asked the lawyer the next day as they waited for the verdict. The courtroom was packed again, the media having done a good job of sensationalizing Keisai's final appeal to the tribunal. Korra had insisted on sitting in on the judge's deliberation, leaving only when they had finished reviewing the evidence and were ready to discuss sentencing and a final decision.

"I made sure they didn't skip a thing," Korra had told the lawyer solemnly over drinks the night before. "We've done all we can do, I just hope it's enough."

"How am I feeling?" Keisai said in an undertone. "I'm feeling like making some heads roll if I don't hear the revised verdict and sentencing that I want to hear." The formalities concluded, and the clerk proceeded to read the tribunal's final word.

"For her actions, and for the administrative errors of the court—"

"How the fuck can they call what they've done administrative error?" Keisai muttered incredulously.

"—Kuvira of the Metal Clan is sentenced to ten years of contracted labor, to be overseen by Avatar Korra and United Forces officer—"

The court exploded into pandemonium, and no amount of calls for order could quell them enough for the rest of the sentence to be plainly heard. Keisai couldn't stop his grin from spreading as Baatar pulled Kuvira in for a kiss that made the cover of every tabloid in the United Republic, lifting her off the ground in his excitement and holding her up by one arm around her waist. His other hand was at her cheek as they pivoted on the spot, evidently in their own little world as the good news washed over them. "Easy, man," Keisai said, laughing as he nudged them both. "You're giving the reporters a field day." Both seemed oblivious to his admonition, and he looked to Meilin in the gallery, shrugging and giving her a helpless smile. She actually smiled back.

"Not here," Kuvira said as she broke away at last, her tone doing nothing to hide the incandescent smile that lit up her face. "Wait for me to come home."

"Home," he repeated, his eyes soft. "You're right, it'll be your first night out of prison."

"Yes," she said slowly. "Do you know what I've wanted to see, since the day we started talking again?"

"The vine attraction? It's been finished for a while."

She smiled, closing her eyes to block out the camera flashes as he hugged her again. "You know me so well."

"Okay you two," Keisai said. "Easy." He sputtered in surprise when Kuvira let go of Baatar to hug him, and he smiled over her head, taking care to keep his hands well above her waist. He still couldn't resist a wink at Baatar all the same.

"I can't thank you enough," she said frankly. "If someone had told me at the start of my imprisonment that I'd be represented by the greatest attorney in the four nations and the United Republic, I'd have called them deluded. If someone had told me that he'd go on to become the second-most important man in my life, I'd have laughed." She let go, returning to Baatar's side. "I think you've more than redeemed your family name. You've become a name."

"It wouldn't have happened if my favorite dictator and her boy toy hadn't overstepped their boundaries," he said, feeling dazed as her words sank in. 'You've become a name.' The moment was surreal, now that it had finally arrived. "So I guess I should be thanking you both, sweetheart."

"You would've managed it without us," Baatar said, clasping his hand. "But I also can't thank you enough." He smiled at Kuvira, open adoration in his face.

"That's neither here nor there," Keisai said. "Now listen, guys. This was the hard part, but your shit to deal with is far from over. You have sentences to work off, and a relationship to resume. I think you'll find it's a lot less easy to suspend the important issues –yes, Kuvira, I'm talking about what you did—and indiscriminately hook up now that you're back in the real world and there's no death risk for either of you. I'm pulling for you," he said, packing up his files, "so don't screw it up again."

"Why are you so invested in our relationship?" Kuvira said, smiling. "Shouldn't you be arranging a consolation prize for someone?"

"She's not too upset about the outcome," Keisai said easily, "but don't worry about me, I have plans. And I actually told Baatar why I care about the both of you getting back together on day one of my contract with him."

Baatar grinned as the lawyer's words came back to him. It didn't feel like nearly two years had passed. "You do it for the love?"

"Exactly, man," Keisai said, shooing them along as he turned to face the crowd of the press, exalted in his greatest triumph. "I do it for the love... of the game."

oOo

"You go on ahead," Baatar Sr. said. "I want to look at how you've wired the generator, if that's all right."

Baatar paused. "You're sure you don't want me to give you the rundown?"

"No, I'll be fine, you go ahead." He nodded to Kuvira and turned to Su as the younger couple walked away, Kuvira's gait light and graceful next to Baatar's more halting stride. "Look at them," he said to his wife in a low voice. As they retreated, Kuvira took both of Baatar's hands in her own, tugging him away to a more secluded nook in the vines before she allowed him to embrace her.

"What's there to see?" Su said. "They're talking."

"You're going to have to get over your grudge with her," her husband said gently. "I remember a time when seeing this would have made you very happy."

She sighed, leaning her head against her husband's shoulder, all pretense of not looking at the young couple completely gone. "I just don't want to see him hurt again."

"I know, dear." They watched as Kuvira steered their son even further out of their field of vision, her arms around his shoulders, sneaking in a quick kiss to the side of his jaw that bore the scar. "But I don't think she wants that either."

Su put her hand over her husband's. "No, I suppose she doesn't."

Kuvira felt as though she were in a dream, surrounded by the familiar strains of the strings ensemble and Baatar's hand at the small of her back. She smiled inwardly as she realized they must have looked as though they were exchanging sweet nothings. "Can they hear us?" she whispered. It couldn't have been more inaccurate.

"Doubtful," Baatar said. "Have I told you how happy I am yet?"

"Multiple times," she said, rolling her eyes. "I think they can see us."

"So?" He pulled her closer, smiling at her little stutter of surprise. "Mom and Dad know everything—"

"Even the table incident?"

"We kept it above the waist," he said dismissively. "But no, I didn't go into details… they already knew, anyway."

"I'm going to try and forget that," Kuvira said under her breath. "Arguably the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me.."

"I don't ever want to forget," he said, unable to keep from grinning. "You don't know how long I was waiting for you to let me in."

"So what do we do now?" she asked, tracing his scar with a finger. "Obviously we're under contract…"

"Write to one another every day?" he suggested. "Wire whenever possible?"

"No, that's a given," she said. "No, I meant what do we do… Will we get any say in where we're stationed? When does our trial in the empire begin?"

"Earth Kingdom," Baatar corrected her.

"No one's listening," she said. "They're giving us a wide berth."

"You're terrible," he said, kissing her forehead.

"After all of this, would you like to try again?" she asked him slowly, unable to bring herself to actually suggest another engagement. "Since the wait time is actually feasible for us both, I'm willing to wait if you are."

"I need to think," he said slowly. "I've been thinking about what Keisai said, and he's right. Before, I was just desperate to be with you, Kuvira. You don't know how agonizing it was to wake up every day and wonder if I'd be sentenced to a life without you—"

"Interesting way of referring to my death sentence," Kuvira observed drily, "but continue."

"I didn't really think about where we stood going forward, because it was easier to live in the present," he said. "We've only had a fraction of the talks we need to have before I can fully get over what you did, but I'm optimistic, and I'm glad that we have a chance to figure things out at length without the threat of your death hanging over us. I'm sure we can think of something… after all, we reunited a country in three years with minimal bloodshed."

"And heaps of collateral damage," she reminded him. "But after that first verdict I don't feel as awful as I did about the expense I caused the city…"

"No, I understand," Baatar admitted. "I still can't believe that happened."

"I can," Kuvira said. "We've made a lot of enemies in the United Republic, the hurt feelings were justified."

"Still," he said, "the death penalty was so transparently excessive. I was disgusted-"

"Don't make me laugh," she muttered, a smirk teasing at the corners of her mouth. "Disgusted? You looked as though you were on the verge of a heart attack. I was disgusted by the way you couldn't keep it together after my second verdict and re-sentencing. Did you really need to kiss me in front of everyone? You couldn't wait?"

"No," he said, flushing. "I couldn't. At least made a lovely cover photo for the gossip rags, you can add it to your scrapbook."

"It's a wedding planner," she said, "and I have little use for it now. Besides, that picture was taken from the wrong angle, I can't use it."

"You know, when I said your right side was your good side, I didn't mean your beauty mark needs to be visible in every photo," he said, tapping her mole. "Not to imply that you have a bad side, of course."

"I know." They wandered through the attraction, fingers interlaced and her head resting on his shoulder.

"So," he said, releasing her hand to wrap his arm around her waist. "Is it bad that I had an idea that would have won us the war without resorting to illegal chemical weaponry on the battlefield? Picture this, Kuvira- individual weapons with a clip of ammunition fired at incredibly high velocities. The trigger would be automatic and the ammunition would be loaded on a ribbon. Your metalbenders have accuracy rivaling the yu yan archers, they could fire off a clip and cut down twenty men."

"That's brilliant," she said approvingly. "That's also strictly forbidden under your contract, and I'm not the commander anymore. Keep it to yourself, I doubt anyone will figure it out in the next four years.."

"It's so simple, I'm surprised no one has yet," he said thoughtfully. "What could I call it?"

"Don't," she said warningly.

"I'm joking." He glanced over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow when his and his father's eyes met. "They're still watching."

"Of course they are, they've never really seen us as a normal couple," she murmured. "So…" She hesitated, and in that moment she wasn't the self-assured woman who had more often than not told him their relationship could progress. "We will be trying to be a normal couple, won't we?"

He studied her curiously. "Why do you keep asking about what we are now?"

"You realize we have no political schemes, or weaponry manufacture, or in-uniform post-annexation parties, or scrimmages with bandits and state armies, or drill practice-" She paused. "I'm just… that was such a key element of our relationship, the more I think on it."

"There was more to us than all of that," Baatar said slowly, as if he needed to reassure himself. "I can live without it."

Kuvira reached for him, smiling at how well his hands fit around her own. "I knew you didn't care about the empire. That's the real reason you told me to retreat."

"That's not funny, Kuvira," he reproached her. "We've been through this."

"Last night, you held my promise to never hurt you again over my head long after it stopped being funny," she retorted. "But I'll stop since it bothers you."

"I wouldn't have needed to say that if you had bothered to file your nails," he muttered. "I won't be able to lie on my back for couple of nights. When was the last time you trimmed them?"

"I was in a wooden cell for sixteen months, they don't exactly give you access to nail clippers!" She glanced around, making sure her outburst had gone unnoticed. "You're inconsiderate too," she added, her voice at once teasing and accusatory. "I look like an abuse victim."

"That's hyperbolic."

"Maybe so," she conceded, "but would it hurt to be more careful? Unlike you, I haven't had the luxury of unrestricted caloric intake and weight room access, and you already know how easily I bruise."

"So keep the lights on, you know I'm practically blind," he suggested, laughing at the look she gave him. "Joking... mostly. I'll be more gentle next time, I'm sorry."

Opal sidled over. "Baatar, Kuvira," she said, "did you guys want to leave?"

Kuvira frowned. "No," she said, glancing at Baatar. "Why?"

"Mom is fine with continuing the tour without you both," Opal said. "She thought you seemed like you wanted to be alone-"

"Don't cut the family outing short on my behalf, Opal," Kuvira said, holding up her hands. "Baatar, I'll see you after you wrap up here-"

"No," Opal said, smiling first at her brother and then at Kuvira. "She thought you might enjoy being alone together, since you've been all over each other this entire time. What have you guys been talking about?"

Kuvira's eyebrows shot up, and she traded looks with Baatar. He had reddened slightly, but he smirked despite the awkwardness Opal's remark brought. "We've been discussing... the future," she said carefully.

"And Kuvira's nails," Baatar said, his laugh cut short when she metalbended a gag over his mouth; he pulled it off and rubbed his jaw gingerly. "You said you'd never hurt me again!"

"Opal doesn't need to hear this," Kuvira snapped, "and I doubt she wants to," she added, turning to Opal.

"Kuvira, I'm twenty-two," Opal said. "You've been out of the loop for a while, I'm not a kid anymore."

"I think I'll see you as seventeen forever," Kuvira said thoughtfully. "Be happy it isn't any younger."

"So, are you guys going to leave, or what?" Opal asked. "I already know what Baatar's vote is..."

"Su wants us to go?" Kuvira tried to keep her voice casual, but a little tremor snuck its way past her defenses, and Baatar to squeezed her fingers.

"We don't need to leave just yet, Opal," Baatar said. "We already had plenty of alone time after the appeals court adjourned, we want to spend more time with the family."

Kuvira pursed her lips. "So you speak for both of us now?"

"Did you want to leave?"

She smiled. "No. Opal, call the boys over, your brother told me about this next passage when he first constructed it..."

They wandered through the darkened pathway, the lights jutting out from the laced vines along the walls and threading through the ropy ceiling vines like the night sky. The passage opened into a pavilion cut from the vines on a raised tile platform, with directed growth forming the pillars and railing and ceramic light fixtures creating spangled shards of purple light that illuminated the heart of the attraction. "Whoa," Wei said.

"Damn," Wing agreed. "Baatar, this is awesome."

Kuvira smiled ruefully. "It looks even more wonderful in person. I feel bad for making you direct your imagination to destructive ends... without me, you were inspired to make infinitely more beautiful designs."

"You're wrong," he said, exchanging a knowing smile with Huan. "You inspired this part of the attraction. You remember the pavilion."

She shrugged, the wonder in her eyes betraying her nonchalance. "Overkill, but thank you."

"Well?"

Su looked at her husband questioningly as they moved in for a closer look, still a ways away from the others. "What?"

"Are you ready to give up yet?"

Su compressed her mouth into a thin line as she observed her children and Kuvira meandering through the tunnel. In the glow from the spirit lights, it was hard to tell which was the outsider and which were her own. "I don't know if I ever will be."

Her husband chuckled, and as he put his arm around her she couldn't help but notice how seamlessly her son's silhouette meshed with Kuvira's. Su idly interlaced her fingers with her husband's, and as Kuvira and Baatar stepped into a patch of light, she realized with a pang that Kuvira's face was the most open and unguarded that she'd ever seen it, her eyes wide and her mouth in a delighted smile as she turned from the intricate ceiling wiring to Baatar, evidently asking a question about the science behind it. He brushed a loose piece of hair behind her ear as he answered, his eyes soft, and Su looked away feeling as though she had no right to watch.

"I don't think anything we say about it will have any impact, dear," her husband said. "Even if she had been executed, I doubt he'd look at any other woman the way he looks at her."

"I want him to be happy," Su protested, "and I'm glad he finally is, but does it have to be Kuvira? There are so many options, he just needs to get out more-"

"He might not like the comparison," Baatar Sr. said, "but Junior and I... well, I'd say we have good taste –though mine is better- and when you've found what suits you, why look around any longer?"

"You can't possibly approve," she said.

"No," he confessed. "Not after everything that's happened, but Junior's the one who ultimately has to decide if Kuvira's worth his self-respect, and I think he made that call a while ago. Still, it seems a shame to force them apart. They remind me of us, when I first showed you my design for Zaofu."

"Yes," Su said hesitantly. "I'm just-"

Her words were cut off as Kuvira hurried over, dragging Baatar behind her, and for a moment Su saw the little girl with the large green eyes and braid tugging along her reluctant but delighted son once more. "Suyin," Kuvira said, "Baatar Senior, I think you need to see this."

Baatar rolled his eyes. "Kuvira, please." The smile she gave him was a combination of affection, amusement, and sly intent, and Su could've sworn she saw her son's eyes dilate at the expression. "It isn't anything important," he told them.

"It looks wonderful," Kuvira insisted. "Come along, everyone." She led them back to the spot where they had left his siblings, and stopped as they entered the clearing made from woven vines. "Do you recognize it?" she said, turning to Su. "It's modeled after your meteor garden in Zaofu."

The floor had been paved in cut-stone tiles, with sectioned-off areas of vine growth. The lights were spaced along the ground, lighting the path for the tourists from bottom up, but as they progressed through the attraction they branched out, protruding from pillar-like vines or lighting up artfully stacked glass fixtures fused together to form more artistic shapes. The whole area was lit with a clean, violet-white glow. "I am very impressed," Huan said, nodding to his brother. "You actually yielded to form over function."

"It was from memory, so it's not completely accurate," Baatar began, rubbing behind his head awkwardly. "I put my own spin on it, and the ceiling fixture structure obviously is my own-"

"It's perfect." Su looked at Kuvira, surprised that they had spoken in tandem, and nodded. "It's perfect, Junior. Don't change a thing." Kuvira twisted her mouth into an odd expression, and allowed Baatar to lead her further along the path while his siblings followed at length. "Don't say it," Su said to her husband, a warning in her voice.

"I wasn't going to say anything." They watched the younger couple wander deeper into the vines, the details fading out until they were little more than black silhouettes, linked at the arms and their faces almost always turned to one another. Under the cool glow of the spirit lights their silhouettes seemed inseparable, a visual representation of them finally being truly reunited.

A/N: Stay tuned, because there's an epilogue! And BIG news—I've talked about my next big LoK fic being a multichapter with focus on the Krew with some of y'all. I've talked about a big Baavira-centered multichapter with others. Guys, it's not just any multichapter, it's an Ironclad sequel! The first chapter of Unorthodox will debut on the same day the epilogue to Ironclad is released. In other words, SOON.

If anyone has any questions about Keisai's final legal scene, hit the tumblr with your asks. I'll be doing a final expose after the epilogue goes up.

Y'all knew I wouldn't really let Baavira down, right? ;) LEMME HEAR IT.