Title: The Trophy Wife
Rating: M
Words: 3063
Fandom: The Legend of Korra
Characters/Pairings: Everyone; Amorra, Masami
Author's Note: Strangely enough I had most of this written out months ago (like, back in October) and very little changed between the initial plotting and first draft compared to what actually made it into this chapter. Part of this was that I always had a very clear vision of the ending, my biggest issue was steering the plot that way.

Asami has a spectacular rant at her father about the meaning of family and Noatak faces the reality that things like friendship are actually important.

As always a huge thanks to my beta Relic who is lovely and wonderful and also to my readers, who have made this worth while.

The next two weeks passed in a flurry of activity that left Korra feeling like she was living in a constant state of exhaustion. The presence of the United Forces did quite a bit to help bring Republic City back into line, but there were still skirmishes here and there that Korra would find herself racing off to help get under control alongside Lin and Iroh.

The young United Forces general had become a near constant fixture in her life, causing quite a bit of grumbling from her husband. Korra liked Iroh as a friend, and found it greatly amusing that her husband felt threatened by him. Iroh was unfailingly polite and honorable, and while some girls could go for that kind of thing, Korra wasn't one of them. Give her a life on the edge or give her death.

She was currently sitting in a small tea shop with Iroh, discussing the current state of the city. "It seems as though the worst of the damage has been repaired or there's a plan to get it repaired," Korra noted as she looked through some of the notes that Iroh had handed her when they first met up. "And I see that the salvaging efforts have been going well."

"The crews we hired, both benders and non-benders seem to be working together just fine," Iroh nodded. "I've been impressed with the results."

"Hey, no point in letting perfectly good materials go to waste," Korra shrugged.

"Well, I think that covers everything we were going to discuss," Iroh said as he motioned for the waitress.

"Hey, I can pay for my own tea," Korra protested.

"My grandfather would never let me hear the end of it if he learned I went to tea with the Avatar and didn't pick up the check," Iroh informed her with a half-smile. "It would be dishonorable."

"Well, I can't dishonor you," Korra replied with a smirk. "I guess you're picking up the tab, then."

After paying for tea and gathering their things, Iroh's sense of honor compelled him to escort her to the docks, where Korra would catch the ferry to Air Temple Island to meet with Lin and Tenzin. "You could come with me," she said, turning to him with a grin.

"Ah, I don't think that's such a good idea. The last time I ran into Noatak, he spent the entire time glaring at me," Iroh said with a shudder. "I think he might be jealous of our friendship."

"Why?" Korra asked with a frown. Not that she didn't have her suspicions, but the idea of her becoming romantically attached to the United Forces general was laughable.

"I don't know, to be honest," Iroh replied. "You'll have to ask him about that. What I do know is that if I accompany you to Air Temple Island I'm going to be glared at all evening."

"I'll put him in line," she promised. "Besides, you know Master Katara would love to see you."

At the mention of one of his grandfather's oldest and closest friend, Iroh felt his resolve wavering. He had nothing but respect for Noatak, but it was hard to be around a man who thought that he was making a move on his wife. Like he'd really try to woo Korra away from him – she was the reincarnation of his great-great-great-grandfather for crying out loud. It was weird to think about her like that. But she was a sweet girl and he liked her, and he enjoyed their budding friendship. That was it.

"Oh all right. But if your husband starts glaring at me, I expect you to put him in his place," Iroh said with a grin.

"Count on it," she answered.

They were quiet on the short trip to the island, both looking at the scenery and neither feeling the need to speak. In a lot of ways they were like siblings, a comfortable camaraderie that meant that they worked as a great team, but not without the occasional flare up here and there.

When they finally got to the family dining room, loud and happy chatter floated out to greet them. Iroh and Korra exchanged a look before grinning and entering. Noatak, Tenzin, and Lin were hunched over a map, while Tarrlok talked to Pema, Katara, and an older gentleman with his white hair pulled back in a traditional Fire Nation top knot.

"Evening everyone!" Korra said cheerfully.

Everyone turned to look at her, Noatak smiling when he saw her. Korra smiled at everyone at turn, only faltering for a moment when her gaze landed on the old man and the pale, pink scar that covered the left side of his face. She was struck with a sense of déjà vu, remembering dragons and a group hug that ended with being squashed by Appa. Blinking rapidly, Korra bowed. "It's an honor to meet you, Fire Lord Zuko."

Rising, he chuckled. "Goodness, I haven't been Fire Lord for quite some time now. Just Zuko is fine, Avatar Korra."

"Grandfather, what are you doing here?" Iroh asked with a bow.

"I received your message," Zuko said with a smile. "I was nearby so I thought I would drop by. It's been ages since I've seen Katara."

The old waterbender laughed. "Far too long, Zuko. How is it that you never made it down to the South Pole? I thought you'd want to meet the new Avatar."

"I knew I would meet her in time," he answered as he sat back down. "Iroh, sit down. I'd like to visit."

"Yes, Grandfather," Iroh replied as he dutifully plopped himself down next to Zuko.

"Where's everyone else?" Korra asked as she sat down next to Iroh. She noticed that Noatak's eyes narrowed a little and that his jaw clenched, but he didn't say anything.

"They're still out," Lin answered, "but they'll be back soon."

Rather than joining in a conversation, Korra listened to the conversations around her and waited for her friends to return. When they finally walked in half an hour later, they sat down at the table, Bolin going so far as to put his head down on the table and let out a groan of frustration.

"Long day, huh?" Korra asked, patting him on the back.

"The longest," he grumbled.

"No luck?" Lin asked.

"None, and I've checked every place I can think of," Asami sighed as she ran her hand through her hair. "And this is after we've checked the possible locations that Noatak gave us."

"Is there anywhere you haven't checked? Someplace that you might have initially over looked?" Irok asked.

"Like where?" Mako asked. "The Sato mansion?"

The entire room fell silent, until Asami spoke. "You know, now that I think about it, we haven't checked there. Sure, the police cleared it out, but I didn't think there were posted guards on the property."

"You think he's back at the mansion?" Lin asked. "Why would he go back there?"

"If you think about it, it's the perfect spot," Noatak answered. "You searched the premises when Korra first told you her suspicions that he was an Equalist sympathizer. Afterwards you seized anything you deemed to be of value and then locked it up. That does not change the fact that it is his home and I know that there is more than one way in and out of the mansion."

Asami looked disturbed by the information, but no one was sure if it was because it was logically the one place he could be or if it was because Noatak had admitted that he'd been sneaking in and out of the Sato mansion for years.

"We'll go investigate it tomorrow," Korra said.

"I'll go with you," Iroh said. "I'll bring a few of my men – I've heard that the Sato property is quite expansive."

"That would be great," she answered. "We can meet up at the ferry dock tomorrow morning."

Dinner was filled with laughter as Zuko and Katara reminisced, telling of their adventures with Avatar Aang. There was an odd sense of familiarity to the tales, like something niggling at the back of Korra's mind. She supposed in a way they were her memories, too. It made her feel a little better to hear about all of the mishaps from Aang's early years, that despite his ultimate successes, he still made mistakes.

When they all parted ways that evening, they arranged to meet at the ferry dock at ten to come up with the plan of attack.

The next morning Korra, Noatak, and Tarrlok arrived at the docks, well before anyone else. Noatak was pacing, his brow furrowed in thought. Tarrlok leaned against the satomobile, watching his brother.

"Noatak, will you stop?"

Pausing, Noatak looked at Tarrlok, who was giving him an irritable glare. "Sorry. Just…thinking."

"I am aware of that, but you need to calm down. Pacing back and forth isn't going to make them magically show up."

"I'm just wondering where they are, that's all."

Korra kept her eyes fixed on Air Temple Island, noting that ferry had just left. "Hey, Tenzin and the others will be here in about fifteen minutes."

"Good, now we just have to wait on the police and the United Forces," Noatak mumbled as he went back to pacing.

Realizing it was futile to ask his brother to stop pacing, Tarrlok turned his attention to his sister-in-law. "Correct me if I'm wrong," he said smoothly, "but you seem to be a lot more confident."

She shrugged. "I don't know, I guess it's been nice to hear that people think I'm doing well as the Avatar."

"Is that all?" Tarrlok asked with an arched brow.

"Well, I guess it was nice to hear Master Katara and Lord Zuko talking about Aang last night," she answered with a small smile. "To find out that he made mistakes and wasn't always this perfect Avatar made me realize that for me to be perfect right now isn't even practical. I am who I am, and that's all I need to be."

With a sigh, Tarrlok looked up at the sky. "I never did apologize for calling you a half-baked Aatar, did I?"

"No, I don't think you did."

"Then I am sorry," he said quietly. "I was angry with you for leaving the task force, and treated you unfairly."

"It's fine," she said, putting her hand on his shoulder and squeezing. "We're good now, right?"

Before he could talk himself out of it, Tarrlok reached over and pulled her into a hug. "I wish things had been different for us," he murmured softly. "I wish we had a better start, maybe as friends we could have accomplished so much more."

Looking over Tarrlok's shoulder and seeing that Noatak had stopped pacing and was watching them, Korra tried to show that she didn't know that Tarrlok was going to do this. He raised his eyebrows and then shrugged before continuing his pacing.

"Uh…yeah, I guess," she said as she pushed him away. Smoothing her clothes she shifted uncomfortably. "Anyway, we're doing okay now, right, so in the end everything has worked out."

Korra was saved from any further awkwardness by the rumbles of the police trucks. Soon Lin and her people joined them, Lin taking her time to talk to Noatak about the various points of entry on the Sato estate. A few minutes later they were joined by the United Forces and the group from Air Temple Island. Korra greeted her friends, noting that Asami was a little more pale than usual, but otherwise appeared to be fine.

"Let's do this," Korra said when Lin had relayed the plan that she and Noatak had come up with while waiting.

The caravan of vehicles headed towards the Sato property made several people stop and stare, wondering what could possibly be going on. Korra had passed on riding in the satomobile with Noatak and Tarrlok, instead riding up with Asami and the boys. The atmosphere was tense, everyone very aware of how hard it had to be for the Sato heiress to keep it together.

"Hey, Asami, are you going to be okay?" Korra finally asked as they turned up the long driveway.

"I'll be fine," Asami answered through gritted teeth. "He has to face what he's done."

"No matter what, we'll be by your side," Mako assured her. "You're not alone."

"Thanks," she answered, smiling slightly. "I'll feel better when I know he's in police custody."

Asami kept her cool, ticking off possible places her father might be as they worked their way through the house. The United Forces troops and the police were combing over the outbuildings and grounds, leaving the actual house to Korra and the others. The first floor had been cleared, the group fanning out to check all of the sitting rooms, dining rooms, the solarium, and the kitchen. From there they headed upstairs.

"So, any insights as to where he might be?" Noatak asked as he opened a door that led to the ladies powder room.

"I have a hunch," Asami said, walking down the hall. "Given everything that's happened, I'm almost certain I know where he is."

Lin shrugged and followed, signaling that others should follow. Up another flight of stairs they came upon family bedrooms, the door to one cracked open. Asami stopped, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "It was the bedroom they shared," she whispered. "The room my mother died in."

"You think he's in there?" Tenzin asked.

"I know he's in there," Asami replied. "Come on, it's now or never."

She walked with purpose, back straight and chin up, and strode into the room. The room was dark, stale air assaulting their noses along with the scent of an unwashed body and alcohol. Hiroshi was sitting in the middle of the room, staring at a painting of a woman on the wall. She was lovely, with an oval face and wavy black hair, bright green eyes smiling out from the canvas.

Asami stepped forward. "Dad?" she called softly.

He jerked, but didn't turn. "I remember that day so clearly," he rambled. "We were asleep, I thought we were safe. The doors and windows were locked, we had various security measures in place, but it wasn't enough. I failed to keep my family safe, so I decided that I would get my revenge."

"That can't be right," Asami protested. "I can't believe that Mom would have wanted that, for you to attack innocent people in her name. You've forgotten what she was like, how full of love she was and how much she cared for everyone. Your heart has become so cold that no amount of love or affection reaches you anymore. You're not the father I remember!"

She blinked back tears, but kept talking. "All I want is for us to be a family again, but I don't know if that's possible. I don't know if I can ever forgive you for what you've done, for hurting my friends."

Hiroshi goggled at her for a moment before he opened his mouth to cut in, but Asami wasn't having any of it. She was on a roll.

"I want you to know that I have a new family now. A family that's filled with love and acceptance, and yes some of them are benders but I don't care! I love them all equally. And until you can let go of the hatred in your heart, we can never be a family." With a sharp nod she turned on her heel and marched out of the room, Mako right behind her.

Bolin glared at Hiroshi. "Mr. Sato, you are a terrible father!" he declared before following after his brother.

Korra and Noatak exchanged a wary glance, but said nothing. Korra bit her lower lip, determining how to handle the drunk and disheveled man in front of her.

Hiroshi sneered at her. "Are you going to kill me?"

"No," she answered, her voice surprisingly even despite her inner turmoil. "That would break Asami's heart, and if you ask me, it's been broken enough."

"Bah!"

"She misses her father. All she wants is for you to be a loving family again."

"Love is for the weak!"

Noatak stepped forward, shaking his head. "No, love is what keeps us strong. You've let anger and resentment build up within you until you forgot how to love. I once thought that I didn't need love, but it turns out it saved me from my own darkness."

"Then you are a fool."

"Well then, who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?"

Hiroshi's drunken mind couldn't keep up, so he settled on scowling at his former leader. "The Avatar has ruined you."

"No, Hiroshi. The Avatar saved me. She let me remember who I was, who I was supposed to be, before I was warped into a deranged caricature of myself by my father. I shudder to think about what my future would be like if she hadn't married me."

Stepping to stand next to her husband, Korra grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze. She stared Hiroshi down. "Perhaps you'll rediscover yourself. Goodness knows that you'll have plenty of time while you're in prison."

With a nod in Lin's direction, she watched passively as Hiroshi was handcuffed and led out of the room.

Turning towards Noatak, Korra cocked her head at him. "Kind of cheesy, isn't it? Being saved by love and all that?"

"I wouldn't say that," Noatak said as he put his hand on the small of her back and gently pushed her towards the door. "Your friendship saved me. Your willingness to put aside your fears and get to know me did far more than you loving me. I don't think I realized how much I needed a friend."

Korra looked her eyes. "You're an idiot," she said as she nudged him in the side with her elbow.

He leaned down a placed a kiss on her cheek. "Though I have to admit, I'm still in awe of the fact that you actually love me."

"Yeah, well, who knew that under that creepy mask was a total softy who enjoys classical literature, soap operas on the radio, and dancing?"

"I think it fits well with my man of mystery air, don't you think?"

"You're so weird."