Chapter 25

Sacrifice

Asami had been captured by Earth Kingdom soldiers, crashed in the middle of the desert, chased by a giant creature trying to make her its next meal, and met one of the legendary members of Team Avatar, Lord Zuko, all in the span of 24 hours. And yet through all of that, she had managed to stay at least mostly calm and collected and do what needed to be done. All it apparently took to make her lose confidence was Mako's grandmother first confusing her as the Avatar and then commenting on how Mako should date either her or Korra. Maybe she could ask Bolin to bend a hole in the earth to swallow her up. What were friends for right?

Asami sighed as she tried to not remember how awkward that whole encounter had been as she focused on guarding Korra while she meditated. While some people might have been bored to just sit and watch someone meditate, Asami was fascinated. It was incredibly intriguing to her that Korra was able to enter another plane of existence through sheer force of concentration and will. Asami had meditated many times in her life but the only thing she had ever managed to do was steady her breathing and forget about the itch on her left shoulder that always seemed to crop up at the worst moment.

Korra was also interesting to watch as she meditated because she was so different. It wasn't just how relaxed she became. There also seemed to be a gentle hum in the air around her, as if power were gently radiating off her. Asami was embarrassed to admit that she was both intrigued and slightly intimidated by it.

Asami heard the distant roar of an engine and looked out to see the Captain and his crew had secured a vehicle and were heading off. As much trouble as they had caused her and Korra, she couldn't help but smile. They were good men, and she wished them a much calmer journey than they had had to the oasis.

The distraction had pulled her from her thoughts and she noticed the position of the sun indicated it was after noon. Korra had been meditating for over an hour but Asami continued to wait patiently. Determined to watch over her friend. She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them, glancing at Korra for a moment. Despite everything that was happening, a part of her couldn't stop wondering what it would be like to kiss Korra. She would never do it while Korra was meditating of course. But when all of this was over, maybe then. What would it be like? What would they be like together? There was just so much to wonder.

Asami was pulled from her musings by Korra coming back to herself. Grateful that her friend was alright and hadn't met any trouble in the spirit world, she looked at Korra expectantly.

"Did you find Zaheer?"

"No, he wasn't there. But there's someone I need to talk to," Korra told her with a smile on her face. Asami was amazed by how peaceful she looked despite the circumstances.

"What happened when you went to the spirit world?" she asked Korra.

"I met an old friend of mine there. Zuko's Uncle Iroh," Korra explained as she stood up and lead Asami out of the garden.

"Iroh? Really? Wow, he's a legend!" Asami exclaimed amazedly.

"He's an old friend and helped me when I was lost in the spirit world looking for Jinora. He gave me some really good advice then and made a good point this time as well. If anyone would know what I should do about Zaheer's demand, it would be Zuko. He knew Aang most of his life and even though I can't talk to Aang directly for his guidance, I can talk to Zuko. I'm going to go find him now, I'll be back in a little while Asami," Korra told her with a grin and then ran off before Asami could say anything.

Asami stood there stunned for a moment and tried not to let the feeling of ice cold fear in her stomach take her over. Korra wasn't actually considering giving herself up to Zaheer, was she?

The ride on the airship towards the Northern Air Temple was tense. As the group continued to talk over various plans of how to proceed with rescuing the airbenders, Korra had continued to stare out of the window of the airship. Her body was tense, but her face seemed resigned. Asami was dreading the moment she knew was coming. She knew Korra was going to take Zaheer up on his offer and give herself up. Korra just hadn't admitted it yet.

Korra had been avoiding her ever since they had lost contact with Tenzin. When they lost communication after Tenzin had confirmed that Zaheer had already arrived, everyone had sat stunned for barely a moment before erupting into action. Su was gathering her forces and directing them to the airship with Lin's assistance. Tonraq had rushed to check their weapon supplies along with the fuel and Mako along with Bolin had gone to gather their gear. Asami went to say something to Korra but before she could, Korra had leapt into action herself and rushed off after Lord Zuko, who had left towards his dragon presumably.

Asami, not knowing what else to do but still wanting to be useful, had gone to speak with the airship captain to see if she was needed for anything. After speaking with him, and confirming that everything was in order, she met up with Su in the main room as everyone else was finishing boarding the airship, Korra the last of them. Asami noted how determined and melancholy her friend looked. She knew then that Korra was going to leave them. It was only a matter of time before she admitted it.

And so here they were, hours into their journey and Korra hadn't said a word, avoiding the main table and Asami with it.

"It doesn't matter. None of these ideas will work," Korra told them sadly after Bolin had finished explaining his rather terrible plan. "The second Zaheer realizes we're up to something, he'll wipe out the airbenders."

"And Opal is one of those airbenders. Believe me, I understand what's at stake," Su told her with a note a fear in her voice that Asami hadn't heard from the woman before.

"Then I think you'll agree. The only plan that will work is for me to give myself up." Korra said as she finally turned to face them. And there it was. Asami could only stare and noted that though she was speaking to the whole group, it was Asami that she was looking at as she said the words. The words that would change everything. Asami was the only one who wasn't surprised, the only one who didn't bother trying to talk Korra out of it though Lin and Tonraq tried.

"Korra, no…" Lin said.

"We'll figure out another way," Korra's father tried to reason with his daughter.

"I talked it over with Lord Zuko and I've given it a lot of thought. I have to do this."

Asami knew they couldn't stop Korra, couldn't change her mind. But she'd be damned if she wasn't going to at least try to convince Korra that she didn't have to do it alone.

"You can't expect us to just sit by and let Zaheer take you," Asami told her, almost pleadingly.

"The world has been out of balance for far too long. It needs the Air Nation back again. I can't let Zaheer destroy it and everyone we love. Help me save the airbenders, then you can worry about saving me." Korra told them, her face as determined as Asami had ever seen it. Asami knew she was right, knew she had to do this. But that didn't mean she had to like it.

"We're with you Korra." Tonraq told her and Asami could only nod in agreement as Su told her that whatever she needed, they were there for her.

Korra looked relieved for a bare moment before saying that she was going to go radio Zaheer and a look of sadness overtook her as she left.

Asami said nothing as Korra walked past her. She wanted to grab her friend and never let her go, to scream at her not to do this, not to leave, to not give herself up. But instead she just stood there and let Korra go to make the call to Zaheer that she knew she had to.

Korra was glad for the plan that Su had come up with. It was solid, and could really work. But she still worried. It wasn't that she was afraid for herself, or afraid of facing Zaheer. She worried that something was going to happen to the airbenders, that she was going to fail in saving them. She had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something was going to go wrong, she could feel it.

Korra had left everyone in the main room to continue planning and wandered the airship until she found the engine room. There wasn't anyone in there at the moment and the loud engines working to keep the ship afloat seemed to help Korra keep the overwhelming thoughts at bay. Everything was happening so fast…

She heard the door open and then close, then the sound of feet making their way towards her along the catwalk where she was leaning against the railing. She didn't need to look up to know it was Asami and she was proven correct when the older girl stood in front of her and leaned against the opposite railing.

They stayed like that for a few moments, with Asami staring at Korra and Korra staring at Asami's boots, before Asami signed and broke the silence between them.

"You're coming back." She stated softly, but with an edge to her voice that finally made Korra look up. She was surprised by how vulnerable her friend looked in that moment.

"You're coming back Korra. Say it." Asami told her and Korra tried to do as she asked but nothing came out. She was always so sure of herself but for some reason, that feeling in her stomach wouldn't let her speak. Would she be back?

"Korra, I know you. You're not afraid to face Zaheer, you're terrified you're going to lose the airbenders, of losing Tenzin and the children. You're scared it's going to be all your fault and that you're going to fail everyone. Stop it. Just stop it right now. I know you don't always have faith in yourself. Despite all that bravado you have, you're constantly second guessing yourself. But answer me this, do you trust me?" Asami asked her and the questioned startled Korra.

"Of-of course I do Asami. I trust you more than anyone." Korra told her, not at all surprised by the words that she had said, only that she had admitted them.

Asami took a step towards her then, and considering the lack of space it was all that was needed to bring her so close to Korra that she could feel Asami's soft breath on her skin. Asami reached down and took Korra's hand gently and stared at Korra fiercely.

"Then trust me right now when I tell you that . . No matter what happens, no matter how things go today, you're coming back. I don't care if I must come after you and fight every member of the stupid Red Lotus. You're coming back because I am not going to let anything happen to you. I won't, because…becau-"and before Asami could finish her sentence Korra rushed forward and closed the small gap between them by gently touching Asami's lips with her own in a soft kiss. Korra hadn't even meant to do it, hadn't thought about it. All she knew was that one moment Asami was taking her breath away with her words and then Korra was returning the favor.

The kiss was brief all things considered but it didn't feel that way to Korra. Time seemed to stretch and then still. Asami's lips were even softer than her skin, something Korra hadn't thought was possible. The moment they connected Korra felt as though every part of her body was on fire and under water all at once. It wasn't completely dissimilar to being in the Avatar state.

After only a few seconds, it was over. Asami hadn't even had a chance to respond. Korra broke away from Asami and made to moved backwards but Asami held her where she was and leaned forward slowly, gently moving the hand not holding Korra's up to softly touch the side of the Avatar's face. Asami's hands were warm and Korra found herself leaning into the hand that cradled her cheek just a little and closing her eyes to revel in the feel of it. It was then that Asami leaned forward further and kissed Korra, this time both girls less scared, less unsure, they both deepened the kiss and Korra found herself wrapping her free arm around Asami's waist. Feeling Asami against her as she kissed the engineer sent a thrill through her like nothing ever had before.

They broke apart again but neither of them moved from their position. Instead they just stared at each other in both shock and relief before Korra smiled gently at Asami.

"Asami, I'm coming back. I promise."

It was time to part ways. Korra to meet up with Zaheer and Asami to go with Mako and Bolin to rescue the airbenders. Asami had felt like she was in a daze since she and Korra had left the engine room. Kissing Korra was nothing like she had imagined it would be and instead was just so much more. Korra had promised to return and after a few moments more of just holding one another, they had broken apart and Korra had led them out of the engine room. Asami had nothing left to say. Korra had promised her and that was all she needed.

Now though, as the time came to finally leave to do their assigned tasks, Asami felt that cold feeling in her stomach again. Korra had promised her, and she trusted Korra and believed in her enough to know that the Avatar would do everything she could to come out of this safely. But still, she worried.

She stood with Korra, Mako and Bolin as they said their goodbyes. Korra gave her a quick but tight hug and she felt the promise in it before Korra stepped away to hug Mako as well. Asami noted that when Korra stepped away from Mako, she seemed lighter, as if some weight had been lifted from her shoulders and wondered about it. There was no jealousy in Asami's wonderings, it wasn't the time for that. Plus, after what had happened between them earlier, Asami knew better than to question Korra's feelings any longer.

Korra gave her one last glance, smiling softly before walking down the ramp to speak with her father as the airship took off again towards the temple. Asami prayed to every being who might be listening that all would be well. It had to be.

A/N: Not Dead. Nope, not dead at all. Definitely a longer delay that I anticipated but there was a promotion at work, a wedding (not mine), a puppy fostered, good feelings, bad feelings, worse feelings, better feelings, writers block, and just oh so much more. But I'm back! This is the second to last chapter for Season 3 and then we'll be on Season 4. I already have the next chapter outlined so it WILL be out this weekend. I had actually intended to merge this chapter with the next and have this be a whole lot longer but decided to break it up instead. I want the last chapter of season 3 to stand on it's own. Hope you guys enjoyed it! As always, thank you for reading and thank you to those who have followed, favorited and reviewed. You guys are amazing. :)