[AN] Oh my food loving peoples I'm so sorry at the delay (but I hope maybe you enjoyed some of the one shots in the meantime). We've got some more Noo Yawk action as we get ready for our EPIC THROWDOWN.

Enjoy!

Great White Fluff FoodTruckMasterNaga 3h
I think I might have to break up with you, San Francisco. It's not you it's me. And the PIZZA.
#IHEARTNY

They Call Me J-No NagaMinionTwo 2h
Don't even joke - I'm holding puppies hostage until you get home
#Puppies! #SFNY

This Is Alice HotMamaLoveTrucker 1h
FoodTruckMasterNaga NagaMinionTwo DON'T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE KORRA, YOU GET YO ASS HOME
#SFNY

—

Korra yawned as she accepted a large cup of coffee from Varrick's assistant, a young woman in a power suit with a very serious expression.

"Thank you," Asami murmured as she accepted her own cup. "This is a little fancier than the basement used for the last Food Fight you were in."

"I'll say."

They wandered around the huge studio, looking with curiosity at the beautifully laid out kitchen stations, the impressive assortment of lights and camera rigs, and the two sets of raised seating for the spectators and judges.

"Check this out," called Wu. He stood near a huge set of swinging doors that appeared to be backlit with blue neon.

"There's smoke machines behind there too," commented Simon from behind them. "Terribly gaudy, but that sort of thing plays well on television."

"Hey!" said Korra enthusiastically, throwing her arms around the older man. "Thank God you're here. We had to deal with Varrick all by ourselves at breakfast."

"I am sorry about that," Simon said grinning. "I trust he behaved himself?"

"Not really," said Asami, her eyes twinkling. "But any time he suggested any hypothetical changes we insisted he just talk to you. He finally gave up after his third cup of coffee."

Simon snickered. "Excellent, and yes, I received three pages of amendments when I walked in the door. I'm still reviewing it."

"Well, well, well, the monkey mob showed up," came a sarcastic voice from behind them. "Still slumming, Sato?"

Mario Costantino stood glaring at them with his arms crossed, flanked by a short, swarthy man with heavily tattooed arms and a tall, dark-haired woman who was clearly giving Asami an appreciative look.

Korra scowled and took one menacing step forward before she halted at Asami's gentle touch. She clenched her fists but stayed put. "Better a monkey than a pig, Costantino."

"Oh, how delicious," gloated Varrick as Costantino sputtered angrily. The flamboyant businessman was standing on the judges platform sipping espresso with his pinky sticking out. "If only the cameras were running now."

Simon's teeth were gritted but to his credit he kept his voice calm. "Each team was going to have dedicated time to review the facilities, Varrick, but I see you continue to have issues adhering to contractual agreements."

"My bad," said Varrick blandly, handing off his empty cup to his silent assistant standing behind him. "I must have gotten the times mixed up." He jumped off the platform and strolled over. "However, since we're all here we might as well get the introductions out of the way. Chef Korra, you know Chef Mario already." He blithely ignored the glares they both leveled at him. "His assistants are Chef Chen Wong and Chef Kuvira Beifong. Korra's assistants are Chef Asami Sato and Chef Wu Wong."

"Beifong?" Asami asked, her eyebrow raised. "Related to—"

"Yes, but we're… not close," Kuvira said with a certain finality.

Wu stared with ill-disguised hatred at Chen.

The tattooed man merely smirked. "Hello Cousin. Or shall we use our childhood nickname for you, eh, Wonang Fei?

Kuvira raised an eyebrow at this even as Wu's face darkened and his fists started to curl. Korra wrapped an arm around his shoulders as she whispered in his ear, "If I'm not allowed to start a brawl, you're not allowed to start a brawl."

Simon glanced at Wu with concern, then fixed Varrick with an angry glare. "So now I see why your memory is so forgetful, Mister Varrick. Your obsession with having dramatic side stories is going to cause problems."

Varrick seemed a little taken aback at the hostilities escalating so dramatically, but he quickly recovered. "Your point is taken as always, Mister Rafferty. Chef Mario, if I may escort your team to my office for the time being? I'm sure we have much to discuss." He shooed them out a side door, the door closing behind them with a reassuring click.

Simon blew out his breath and shook his head. "I swear that man is certifiably insane." He looked more closely at Wu. "Are you okay, son?"

Wu didn't respond immediately, then ran his hands through his hair before crossing his arms. "Loser."

"What?"

"My nickname. Wonang Fei. It means 'loser,' more or less." He stared at the far wall, lost in thought. "Even my mother called me that."

"Shit," Korra muttered. "Your mom is a piece of work." She grabbed his shoulders and shook him gently. "Wu, listen. You told me a couple of months ago you didn't want to inherit her stupid empire. Is that still true?"

Wu finally met her gaze after a long moment. "Desperately true. I want nothing to do with any of it."

"Good, good. You also mentioned a cousin who would inherit if you didn't. Was that the guy?"

Wu's eyes narrowed. "Yes, that's him."

Korra shook him again. "Imagine this — we beat that team into a pulp. This makes your smug bastard of a cousin look bad. Maybe even bad enough that your mom wants to kiss and make up and leave things to you at which point you can tell her to piss up a rope." Korra grinned. "Tell me how awesome that scenario sounds."

Wu's smile was slow to arrive, but got there eventually. "It sounds amazing, actually."

Korra clapped him on the back. "Good man." She stepped back and watched in satisfaction as he stood straighter with a look of determination on this face. "So. We're gonna come back later and do a practice run, right?"

Simon nodded. "Yes, we're scheduled for three o'clock."

"Awesome!" Korra slid her arm around Asami's waist. "What say we call Vinnie? We can go putz around town and get some food."

Simon looked at them blankly. "Who's Vinnie?"

—

Simon's introduction to Vinnie went swimmingly and the older man sat happily in the passenger seat of Vinnie's SUV, enthralled with their driver's accent and encyclopedic knowledge of New York City.

"Okay yous guys, I gotta 'notha place you're gonna like," said Vinnie as they drove through Midtown Manhattan. "So sit back cause this will take a little while with all the freakin traffic."

"Where are we going?" asked Korra, intrigued.

"Queens."

"What are we eating?"

"Best dumplings in Noo Yawk."

"Isn't Chinatown in Manhattan?" Asami asked curiously.

Vinnie laughed. "Funny thing about that. In Noo Yawk the Chinese people live in more places than Chinatown."

Asami sputtered as Vinnie smirked at her. "Anyway, Manhattan has the best noodles. But for dumplings, we gotta go to Queens. Trust me, you gonna love it."

Korra sighed in contentment. "If it's anything like your pizza suggestion, I'm certainly to willing to have a little faith."

Next to her, Wu crossed his arms. "I don't know. As the token Chinese person I'm withholding judgement until tasting."

Forty-five minutes and many hard fought miles later, Vinnie eased his SUV into a magically available parking space near a large warehouse where huge crowds of people streamed back and forth through the entrance.

"This heah is the Golden Dragon Market," Simon announced. "We gotta go to the middle of it." As he ushered them inside they were met with a wall of sights, sounds and smells. The interior of the warehouse was a maze of tables and little stalls selling everything imaginable. As they made their way through the crowds Korra's jaw dropped as she saw a tiny old woman with a face that was mostly wrinkles sling a cured pig carcass that probably weighed as much as she did onto a table and start chopping at it with a cleaver.

"Damn," she muttered in awe.

Wu noticed where she was looking. "She sort of looks my grandmother. She was handy with a cleaver too. She apparently used to throw them at my grandfather when he was bothering her in the kitchen."

Korra shook her head. "The women in your family are fierce."

Wu rolled his eyes. "You have no idea."

A few turns later and Korra wasn't sure she'd ever find her way out again but Vinnie finally came to a halt before a rickety stall draped with faded red ribbons. Wrapped around the stall was a low counter and wooden stools, about half of which were occupied. Behind the counter two younger women worked feverishly, rolling out dough and assembling dumplings by hand. An older woman either loaded the assembled dumplings into a large bamboo steamer or dumped them into an even larger pot of boiling broth to cook. Vinnie waved at the women in greeting. To everyone's shock they waved back and started giggling.

"Vinnie! You bring your friends here!" called the older one manning the cooking station, smiling coquettishly. Then her expression hardened and she started shouting instructions in rapid Mandarin waving her hands at the people at her counter still huddled over their bowls. The customers obligingly all shifted seats to one side, freeing up enough stools that they could all sit down together.

"Nice," said Wu in appreciation. "She's old school."

"Come, come, sit," the woman ordered and they hurried to obey. "Welcome to Pudong Palace!"

"They're from San Francisco, Mrs. Lee," Vinnie winked. "Hadda bring 'em heah, of course."

"Good, good. We feed you! Especially you," she said sternly, looking at Wu. "You too skinny."

Asami bit her lip to hold back a laugh, but Korra chortled and poked Wu in the shoulder.

Bowls of dumplings started appearing in front of them, delightful mouthfuls of savory pork, beef, or lamb mixed with a egg, mushrooms, scallions, squash, and other ingredients even Korra had trouble identifying. Accompanying the bowls were delectable sauces and pots of jasmine tea in beautiful ceramic cups.

"Oh my God," Korra moaned, relishing the perfect chewiness of the wraps and intense flavors of the fillings.

Asami closed her eyes as she chewed. "Fantastic," she mumbled around her chopsticks.

Wu and Simon said nothing, their attention wholly focused on their meal. Vinnie grinned as he watched them, winking at Mrs. Lee.

Finally even Korra's huge appetite was sated and she leaned back with a happy groan. "You're going to have to carry me out of here," she murmured to Asami, who snorted.

"I don't think I can walk, let alone carry you out," the dark-haired chef replied, rubbing her stomach gingerly.

Simon clutched his cup of tea desperately. "Oh, why did you let me eat so much," he moaned.

Vinnie laughed. "So, am I two for two on food?"

"This is some of the best food I have ever eaten," said Asami seriously, turning to the women who continued to churn out dumplings to the endless stream of hungry customers. "Thank you so much."

Mrs. Lee grinned and spoke over her shoulder at the other two women in Mandarin.

One of the other women said something back which caused Wu to start giggling. He replied in the same language, gesturing with his hands and nodding in response to the questions they posed him. They they turned and bowed to Asami to her surprise. She raised an eyebrow and looked at Wu for an explanation.

"These women are sisters. That woman is Fang, and she said you looked familiar. Her sister Jie agreed then asked if you were the great Asami Sato. Apparently their Uncle is a businessman who often eats at the Grill and gave them one of your cookbooks as a present. They are very honored by your compliment."

To the delight of the three women, Asami stood and returned their bow. Jie shyly rummaged below the counter and produced a carefully wrapped copy of The Sato Grill Cookbook that she handed to Asami with a pen and a hopeful expression. Asami smiled warmly and signed the book, conscripting Wu to help her personalize it with precise Chinese calligraphy. The women practically swooned and Asami blushed.

"Aww, check you out, my little rock star," Korra teased.

"Quiet, you," Asami whispered, her cheeks pink with embarrassment.

Simon huffed quietly as he checked his watch. "As much as the thought of stuffing myself back into the car does not appeal, we should be heading back to the studio." He glanced at Vinnie. "I hope the traffic isn't too bad."

"I'll get you back on time, no problem," promised Vinnie. "Even if I have to break out my Uzi."

They all stared at him.

"Your what?" Wu finally squeaked.

Vinnie cracked up. "Aw, man. Yous guys are too easy."

—

Korra and Asami relaxed on their suite's balcony, cuddled together on a lounge chair under a blanket. Their weeks of work in the Sato Grill kitchen ensured that they were still comfortably efficient working together despite the newness of the studio kitchen, and their practice session had gone well. Asami ran her hand through Korra's tousled locks and frowned. The mocha-skinned chef was too quiet for her liking.

"You're tense," Asami murmured against Korra's ear. "You're worried about something."

Her warm breath made Korra shiver and she snuggled more firmly into Asami's embrace. She didn't answer immediately, then sighed. "I'm nervous. I don't care if I lose. Well," she amended. "I care, and I will totally hate it if I lose and probably pout for days, but it would still just be annoying."

"But?" Asami prodded as Korra hesitated again.

"I'm worried what will happen to you and Wu if we lose," Korra blurted. She sat up and and started pacing across the flagstones. "I mean, you're Asami Freakin' Sato! I already feel like you being my sous chef is bad enough. And Wu, his family sucks and now he's having to deal with it instead of just having fun. If we lose to that asshole—" She slumped miserably against the railing. "I don't want anything bad to happen to your reputation."

Korra was not expecting the smack she felt on the back of her head and blinked in shock at the determined expression on Asami's face.

"I can manage my own reputation," Asami said fiercely. "You're not allowed to start wallowing in negativity now, when I know for a fact you're one of the most optimistic people I've ever met." She grabbed Korra's hands and squeezed. "Wu has become a totally new person since you took him under your wing and tomorrow isn't going to change that even if we lose, because he'll have all of us supporting him and he knows that. And I—," Asami bit her lip and blushed hard. "I would lose a hundred competitions if it meant you were still in my life."

Korra grinned and tugged on Asami's hands, bringing their bodies flush against each other. "You would, huh? And here I thought you were smart."

"Shut up," Asami growled as Korra nipped playfully at her jaw. "I'm very smart."

"You think so?"

"I know so. After all, I managed to land the hottest chef in the country, and I do mean hot." Korra gasped when Asami's hands slid under her shirt and caressed her skin.

Korra rumbled a laugh. "And I landed the biggest nerd."

"Better a smart nerd than big dork," Asami replied with a hiss as Korra's nails raked across her lower back.

"Well then take me to bed, Chef Smartypants," Korra husked against Asami's throat. "I think we need to work out some more tension."

NOTES: Next up - the mother of all Food Fights, and a surprise visit from unexpected guests...