Title: The Trophy Wife
Rating: M
Words: 2679
Fandom: The Legend of Korra
Characters/Pairings: Everyone; Amorra, Masami
Author's Note: I almost turned the angry "WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT?" replies into a drinking game. Almost. Anyway, now you get the thrilling conclusion.

Sometimes one must resort to good old fisticuffs to make your point, and owning up to the truth may be one of the hardest things you'll ever do.

A super huge thanks to my beta Relic who pointed out a plot hole that Optimus Prime could have driven through.

Amon sat his desk, papers spread in front of him, but they were of little consequence. He had more pressing matters on his mind, like if he'd still have Gui's support following the conversation they were about to have. A lot of consideration went into Korra's comment about how much easier his life would be if he didn't have to worry about the make-up for the scar, and after spending a few days coming up with pitiful excuses, he finally realized he'd just have to be honest.

Of course that didn't mean he had to like it.

With a sigh he glanced up at the clock and realized that Gui would appear at any time. Staring at the papers, he tried to concentrate on his work but was unable to. Finally there was sharp knocking on the door, followed by the squeaking of hinges. Looking up, he watched Gui close the door behind him.

"Amon," he said by way of greeting.

"Gui, thank you for coming. Please, sit," Amon said, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk.

"I was a little concerned by your note. What is it that you wanted to talk about?" Gui asked as he settled himself.

"There are going to be some changes coming up. I felt it best to adequately prepare you," Amon said slowly. "But first, there's something you really should know. I've always kept parts of my past and identity concealed for pragmatic reasons. It was never my intent to deceive you or betray your trust, but in the end I fear that I may have done so inadvertently."

Pushing the cowl of his tunic back, he watched as Gui's eyes widened. "You don't have to-"

"I do, Gui." Untying the mask, he pulled it away from his face and looked his friend in the eye. Gui's face was neutral, and aside from his eyes widening, showed no response. "Well?"

"No scarring."

"No, no scarring."

"Then why…?"

With a sigh, Amon pinched the bridge of his nose. "It was a common enough story. I've seen the scars on some of the recruits, and memories are long. There are still those that remember the horrors inflicted by the Fire Nation during the Hundred Years War. The decision to start wearing the mask was made when I realized that the benders I was attacking on my own might be able to identify me. The mask concealed my identity, but then it became a symbol for the movement. It became a rallying point, something that the oppressed could look to for hope."

"I understand that," Gui said with a half-smile. "I don't know why you felt the need to keep it from me, though."

"I was keeping it from everyone," Amon replied.

Gui looked thoughtful for a moment. "I suppose the Avatar knows?"

"Korra has been aware since our wedding night, yes."

"And she hasn't said anything?"

"She hasn't had a reason to. She keeps my secrets, just as I keep hers."

Gui snorted, but Amon chose to ignore it. "So, you have blue eyes. I always suspected that you were of Water Tribe descent."

"You could have guessed that based on my décor or penchant for Water Tribe cuisine," came the flat reply. "I was actually born in the Northern Water Tribe."

"I suppose that explains the betrothal necklace, then."

"It does."

"So why are you telling me all of this now?" Gui asked. "I thought you said that there were changes coming."

"Yes, about that. Chief Unalaq is in the city, as you may have heard. He expressed concerns over our holding former Councilman Tarrlok rather than turning him over to the police."

"As if the police could have done anything."

"That is beside the point, Gui. The point is Chief Unalaq, with the blessing of the council and the police force, has assigned a punishment for the former councilman. He is to start working under me effective immediately."

"What?" Gui said as he jumped to his feet. "That's ridiculous."

"You can't deny that we need someone who knows the ins and outs of the council. He has no power, he's merely there to consult with us and help up play the council in our favor."

"Why would Chief Unalaq do that?"

"After hearing of Tarrlok's crimes, the chief decided that it would be best for Tarrlok to see things from our point of view. I don't disagree with him."

"So that's it then? Some high and mighty bender from the Northern Water Tribe sails into town and suddenly you're rolling over to make him happy?"

"There's more to it than that, Gui. The situation is far more complex that either of us could have possibly imagined."

"Enlighten me, please, sir."

Amon's brow furrowed. "I can't help but notice the frequency in which you address me as sir, now. Is my name not good enough? Or rather, is it your way of showing displeasure with me, being cold and formal?"

"What does it matter? Just get on with it."

With a sigh, Amon continued. "Chief Unalaq is Korra's uncle."

"What?!"

"It's something that they've kept deliberately hidden, lest someone claim nepotism should Korra be asked to mediate something between the Northern Water Tribe and another nation and choose the Tribe."

"That's…"

"I feel that my choice in marrying her was the best case scenario. Should we have harmed her, we would have faced the Northern Water Tribe and her allies, claiming not only revenge for the loss of the Avatar, but the niece of the chief. We would have fallen to them eventually."

"It would have been personal."

"Extremely."

"So a need to impress your in-laws is why you agreed to the asinine suggestion of working with Tarrlok?"

"Well, I'm afraid it's more complex than that."

"Do enlighten me."

Amon opened his mouth, but stopped when there were a few raps on the door followed by it opening without waiting for his okay. "I've gone over these proposed laws, and as they stand now you're never going to get the council to back you…" Tarrlok looked up and noted the displeasure on his brother's face "Ah, I'll come back later."

"You're giving him run of the facility?" came the incredulous question. Gui looked positively thunderstruck.

"He's not dumb enough to try anything."

"How can you be so certain?"

"Because I know my brother. He's not going to cross me."

"Your…brother. Your brother?! Spirits, Amon, the former councilman is your brother?" Gui looked really angry now. Bracing himself, Amon prepared for the worst. He didn't have his kali sticks, but Gui could still throw a mean punch.

"Yes, Tarrlok is my younger brother."

He waited, watching the wheels turn in Gui's head as the missing puzzle pieces slipped into place. Tarrlok was a notoriously powerful bender, able to bloodbend without the aid of the full moon. That kind of power tended to be passed down family lines. As Tarrlok's older brother the chances of him being a bender as well were also extremely high. "You…you traitor!" Gui bellowed. "I dedicated my life to you! You're a bender, aren't you? Not just a waterbender, oh no, you're probably a bloodbender, just like him!"

Amon held his tongue. Saying anything wouldn't help his case, Gui would have to come to terms with the truth on his own.

"Your silence is conformation enough," Gui said through gritted teeth. His hands were balled into fists at his side. "The Revolution is a lie, isn't it? All of this time I thought you were just like us, but in fact you're just another bender, taking advantage of us!"

"I was never taking advantage of you. I helped you!"

"I think I'll come back later," Tarrlok said as he backed away towards the door.

"Tarrlok! Stay put!" Amon ordered. His brother flinched, but nodded his head. Turning his attention back to Gui, he continued. "Everything I have done was for the sake of the Revolution."

"The sake of the Revolution or just some mad grab for power?" Gui challenged.

"Gui, it was never like that!"

"I don't know why you think I would believe you anymore, sir," Gui spat.

Standing, Amon circled around his desk. "The Revolution was never about a power grab."

"But you had your own reasons for supporting us, didn't you? Some selfish desire you wished to have fulfilled and we were the perfect group of lackeys to do it for you!" With a yell he launched himself at Amon swinging at his face. Barely managing to lean back, Gui's fist grazed his nose. With a grunt, he put his arms up to block any blows. He wouldn't fight back, despite Gui trying to provoke him.

"Come on, Amon, if that's even your name!" Gui taunted.

"I'm not going to fight you, Gui," he replied as they stumbled into the hallway.

"Then you're a coward!"

"I am not a coward!"

"Then fight me!"

"No!"

They continued through the hallways, Amon refusing to strike out at Gui, trying only to dodge or deflect as many blows as he could. He wasn't really paying attention to where they were, only that he wouldn't be able to take much more. A door gave way behind him and he went stumbling back, stopping only when he landed against railing. Looking behind him he saw his chi blockers and Korra looking up at him and Gui in confusion. Gripping the bar, Amon flipped himself over it and landed on the floor below him, looking up at Gui with a frown.

"You still run?!"

"I never wanted to fight you!" He ignored the surprised gasps behind him. "Everything I've done was for the sake of the Revolution. Does that mean nothing to you?"

"That doesn't change that you're a liar!"

"Damn it, Gui!"

"You know what, forget you! I don't need you!" Gui turned on his heel and marched out of the room. Silence fell over the training room, the chi blockers looking at their leader in wonder. Blood was dripping from his nose, his lip was split, and it looked like he had the start of a black eye.

"Amon?" Meilan asked.

With a grunt he dropped to the floor, staring up the ceiling as his breath hitched painfully. "I'm fine."

"Hana, go get the medical bag!" Meilan ordered, and a young woman gave a quick salute and dashed off.

"You don't look surprised, Meilan," he murmured as she started to examine his wounds.

"I wondered, but whatever your reasons, they are yours alone," she said softly. "Though I can't figure out why you'd want to hide that handsome face of yours."

At that point, Korra let out a rather irritated snort. "Kyohei, toss me your canteen."

"Uh, sure," he said as he complied.

Twisting off the cap, she bent the water out of it and wrapped it around her hand like a glove. "Excuse me," she said as she none too gently nudged Meilan out of the way.

"Don't touch him!" Meilan snapped.

"I'm a trained healer!" Korra snapped back. "Plus, he's my husband. Step. Away." He chuckled and then hissed in pain. She rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, you've probably got a few cracked ribs, too."

"Yes."

She didn't bother asking him how he knew. "You need to take your tunic off. The healing works better against the skin."

"If I must."

While he slowly undid the buttons on his tunic, Korra began to heal the wounds on his face. "You're lucky that your nose isn't broken," she scolded.

"You have a lot of experience with broken noses?"

"Let's just say that it's a good thing Master Katara was living in the compound with me," she snickered.

"And how many times did you break your nose?"

"We lost count after the fifth time."

"I feel like I should be surprised by that," he mused. "Okay, my tunic is undone. You'll have to pull my shirt up, though. I can't seem to find the strength."

Korra tsked softly as she used her free hand to tug his shirt free from his trousers. Purple bruises were forming on his torso. "You didn't fight back at all?"

"He wanted me to. He expected me to."

"So you just had to prove him wrong, didn't you?" she sighed. "Sometimes, as brilliant as you are, you're kind of an idiot."

He merely grunted at her.

"Just be glad that I'm a master healer."

"Oh ye high and mighty Avatar, I am most relieved that you are here to tend to my wounds," he snarked at her.

She responded by poking one of his bruises. He growled in pain and glared at her, but she merely glared back. "Hey, without my healing abilities, you'd be laid up for a few weeks with these injuries. You'll only be out of commission for a few days."

"Joy."

"I will freeze you to the ceiling if you keep that up," she warned.

"You don't have nearly enough water for that," he smirked.

"Right now I don't. There is always later."

"Ah, well yes. Later.

"Is he all right?" a voice cut in. Korra looked up to see Tarrlok standing over them.

"Sir!" Meilan gasped, ready to attack if given the order.

"It's fine, I'm fine," Amon said as Korra finished tending to his wounds, motioning with one hand for the chi blockers to stand down. That didn't stop them from dubiously eyeing Tarrlok, though.

"He's not fine. He has a black eye, a split lip, and probably five broken ribs," Korra corrected.

"You're an idiot," Tarrlok sighed. "You should have defended yourself."

"I did."

"You should have fought back. I know you could have beaten him."

"That was never the point, Tarrlok."

"Um, not to butt in, but has he always been like this?" Korra asked as she bent the water back into Kyohei's canteen.

Tarrlok smiled. "When we were kids-"

"Finish that sentence, Tarrlok, and I will make your life hell."

"Too late, dear brother, too late."

By now the chi blockers were all whispering amongst themselves. Amon chose to ignore them for the time being, instead checking himself over to see how well Korra had healed him. He hadn't realized that she'd had healing training until now. He should have realized that she would have learned the skills, simply because she was the Avatar.

"Tarrlok, help me up."

With a sigh, Tarrlok grabbed his brother's hand and pulled him to his feet. "Can you walk?"

"Of course I can."

Tarrlok gave him a look, but said nothing.

"Amon, are you okay?" Meilan asked. She clutched the medical bag in her hands, ready to spring into action should he request it.

"Yes, Korra's done an excellent job of healing me," he answered. The swelling had already gone down, and aside from some light bruising, he looked as if he hadn't just walked away from a brawl.

"You know, should you need anything else, I would be more than willing to come to your assistance." The undertone of the words wasn't lost on either Amon or Korra. Meilan obviously liked what she saw and wanted it, despite Amon already being married.

Korra growled at Meilan. "If he needs anything else, I'll take care of it. I am his wife, after all."

Meilan sneered at her.

Before they could start fighting, though, Amon grabbed Korra's shoulder and pulled her back against him. He wrapped his arms around her upper body and held her tight. "Let's go back to our room. I think I need a nap."

Relaxing in his hold, she released the breath she didn't know she was holding. "All right. But you'll have to let me go first."

He kissed her cheek before he released her. She grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together and walked out of the room with him. However, she did manage to send a nasty glare in Meilan's direction before the door closed behind her.

Amon didn't need any other woman but her, and spirits have mercy on the poor fool who thought that she could compete with the Avatar.