"Korra, no!" Asami slammed the door shut, as they stepped into the mansion. "She can't stay here!"

Korra took a few steps into the mansion foyer, but kept her distance. Asami was on a short fuse, and rightfully so. This entire situation had spiraled out of nowhere. Had there been any way to prepare for it, Korra would have done anything possible to not make this request, but they didn't have that kind of time. "Asami, please. I wouldn't ask if there were any other options. She's in my custody, so I can't just set her up in a hotel somewhere and leave her."

"Take her to Air Temple Island or something," Asami insisted. "You can stay with her over there."

"I already asked, but Tenzin doesn't want her anywhere near his family, or any of the other airbenders."

Asami huffed in frustration. "Can't she stay with Opal and Bolin? They get along, don't they?"

"Again, that wouldn't work, because I'm the one who has to keep an eye on her." Korra rubbed her forehead, attempting to knead away the growing headache pulsing in her skull. In the five years they'd been together, she couldn't remember any argument with Asami growing this heated. "There isn't enough room in their apartment for both of us. But we have a mansion."

"Korra, please." Asami leaned against a table near the winding staircase that led up to the second floor balcony. She pinched her fingers against her eyes, a deep sigh leaving her lips. "You can't ask me to do this. You know how I feel about her. Trying to move on while she's in prison is one thing, but letting her into our home? I can't do that."

Korra glanced towards the front door. Kuvira waited outside, still sitting in the car. Still waiting for somewhere, anywhere to accept her while she was in Republic City. With a soft breath, she turned back to Asami. "It's just for a few days, while we figure out a plan for the Red Lotus. She can stay in the guest wing. You won't even know she's here."

"How could I not know she's here? You're going to have to spend time with her, to check up on her or whatever. It's not like I won't notice that." Asami sat on the stairs, resting her arms against her knees. She stared at the hardwood floor beneath her, a glazed distance coming to her eyes. "I still think of my father whenever I see her. It's been five years, but it still hurts. And now seeing you two together, what great friends you are?" She pinched her eyes again, an attempt to subtly wipe away the tears starting to form. They only flowed harder, coiling around her fingers onto her cheeks. "That hurts. It was easy to ignore when you were visiting her in prison, or in the Spirit World. I didn't have to see it. At least then I could try to forget that you're so close with my father's murderer."

"Asami..." Korra eased out a gentle sigh and made her way over to the stairs. She sat next to Asami, but kept her gaze focused on the floor as well. "I'm sorry. I know how hard this must be for you."

Asami's gaze shifted towards her. "Do you?"

Korra flinched, turning to look into her girlfriend's eyes. A skeptical, anguished glint stared back. Spirits, how dumb could she be? Of course she couldn't know what Asami was going through right now, no matter how much she tried. With a deep breath, she let her head hang, returning her stare to the floor. "She's not the same person she was back then."

"I know." Asami lowered her face into her hands. "But that still doesn't change things for me. I've tried moving past it, I've tried forgiving her, but she's still the woman who killed my father."

Korra reached out a gentle hand, resting it on her girlfriend's knee. "I wouldn't ask if there was any other option, Asami, you know that."

Asami turned her head with a deep sigh. She sat there in silence, calming her breaths, before eventually pulling away and standing from her seat on the stairs. "She can stay in the guest wing, but that's it. I don't want to see her anywhere else in the house."

"Alright." Korra gave an appreciative nod. "I'll keep her there."

"You can go get her settled in or whatever," Asami muttered, as she began a slow trek up the winding stairs towards the second floor balcony. "I need a bath."

Korra stood up, watching Asami ascend the staircase. "I'll be right up when I'm done."

"Actually, I'd rather be alone right now, if that's alright."

"Oh. Sure, okay then." Korra's expression sank. Not that she should have been surprised. Kuvira being here had most certainly reopened old wounds for Asami, and having to allow her into their home no doubt tore those same wounds even deeper. With a heavy exhale, Korra made her way towards the front door.

"Alright, this is where you'll be staying for the next couple days," Korra said, opening the door. "I'd say it's not much, but..."

Kuvira's breath caught in her throat. While the bedroom may have been intended only for guests, it was no less impressive than the rest of the Sato mansion. The room was enormous, with tall walls and enough floor space to perform an entire dance recital. A quick glance determined much of the furniture had been imported from some of the finest suppliers around the world. The deep red silk curtains in particular appeared to have come all the way from the Fire Nation, a distinct golden embroidery woven into the fabric. An elaborately stitched canopy shaded the bed, which looked large enough to comfortably fit five people. Enough space for a single person to completely lose herself amongst the dozens of pillows, and the thick satin sheets.

"It's amazing," Kuvira said, her gaze shifting in awe. She'd seen her fair share of luxury growing up in the Beifong estate, but the wealth displayed here in the Sato mansion put that to shame. A frown slowly creased across her face. In spite of her growing wonder, she couldn't fight the sinking pit in her stomach. "But are you sure there was nowhere else I could stay? I don't want to cause Asami anymore pain than I already have."

Korra sighed. "Yeah, I'm sure. It would be different if I didn't have to keep you in my custody at all times, but as that's the case, I have to stay with you. Since this is where I live, it made the most sense. Plus, since you're, well, you, no one else wanted to accept you, whether I'm there or not." She flinched at the end of her statement, offering an apologetic cringe. "Oh, that came out wrong. Sorry."

"No, it's fine," Kuvira said, with a simple shake of her head. "Believe me, I understand."

"Things can never be simple, huh?"

"Not when you've done the things I have." Kuvira sat at the edge of the bed, heaving a heavy sigh. She bounced a little, testing the mattress. Remarkably soft. "So, what's the plan, exactly?"

"Tomorrow I'll be meeting with the president to determine the best course of action," Korra explained. "Raiko already sent out a message to the other nations, so the Fire Lord, the Earth Prime Ministers, and the Chiefs of both Water Tribes should be able to prepare for any Red Lotus attack. In the meantime, I'm going to propose going after Zaheer directly, so maybe we can stop him before he has a chance to strike next."

Kuvira sat straighter, giving Korra a concerned gaze. "And will you be okay with that? I mean, since the last time you faced Zaheer..."

"It didn't go well for me, I know. Believe me." Korra's eyes sharpened with determination. "But I'll be ready for him this time. I've stopped dwelling on my past enemies, and learned to move on. He doesn't control me anymore, and I'm not afraid of him."

Kuvira nodded. "Well, whatever you decide, I'll be there for you. I have to go after Zaheer and the rest of the Red Lotus for what they did to Su, and to save my family."

Korra held a hand to Kuvira's shoulder, offering a smile. "It'll be good to have you. I know Lin already called and said she wanted to come. Kya, too. I'm sure others will want to join. If anything, it'll be a good reason to get the old Team Avatar back together for another world saving mission. With a few new additions, this time."

A renewed warmth filled Kuvira. She returned a gentle smile, and lifted her hand to join Korra's on her shoulder. "Thank you."

Korra's gaze shifted to their hands, held over each other. A distinct awkwardness descended over the room, before she pulled her hand away and cleared her throat. "Alright, well I'll let you have some space for a little bit. I should go play with Naga for a while, give her some exercise. I know I can trust you to stay here? I did promise Asami you wouldn't leave the guest wing."

"Oh, of course." Kuvira pulled her own hand away, clutching it in her lap. Unrelenting guilt and embarrassment boiled into her cheeks. Why had she gone and done that? Trying to hold Korra's hand? Stupid. Stupid, and far too intimate. "The last thing I want to do right now is cause any trouble. Actually, I think a nap sounds good. I haven't slept since two nights ago."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Get some rest, Kuvira. I think you've earned it." Korra stood in the entrance, holding the door partially open on her way out of the room. "I'll be by to check on you in a few hours. There's a bathroom just down the hall if you need it."

"Sounds good." Kuvira paused, a sudden thought lifting to the forefront of her mind. "Actually, I was hoping—would it be alright if I visit Anraq in the hospital later? I want to see how he's doing."

Korra smiled. "Sure, I'll take you there after dinner? We can go together. It'll be nice to catch up with him."

"Thank you, Korra."

"You're welcome." The Avatar gave a departing wave, and pulled the door closed. "Have a good nap."

"Ugh, did we really have to go with the whole cliché underground hideout?" Aoi lounged on her seat, staring up at the stalactites and glowing green crystals on the cave ceiling above. "It's so dank down here. Can't really say I'm a big fan of caves." She looked to Avan, who sat stiff against the rocky wall. "I imagine you're right at home, Avan. You Dai Li were all about skulking around in the dark, isn't that right?"

The former Dai Li commander hummed a gruff breath. "I'm accustomed to working below ground, yes. Doesn't mean I prefer it. Just part of the job."

"Right, right. If your job is being as creepy as possible," Aoi stated, with a roll of her eyes. "At least they did always follow orders well."

Avan shifted a glare towards her. "And what would you know about the Dai Li, girl?"

"Would you both shut up?" Yuruk groaned, sinking back against his chair with his palm held to his forehead. "Spirits, you two know how to be annoying."

"Everyone, silence." Zaheer floated into view, hovering in midair with his legs folded in the lotus position. "We're here to discuss our next course of action, not bicker."

"I'm just saying, you could have picked a better location. At least Zaofu had some class." Aoi looked up at Zaheer with a growing frown. "By the way, do you have any idea how creepy your whole floating routine is?"

Zaheer meet her look with a frown of his own. "Our work in Zaofu is done, and now we must move on."

"So, where are we going next?" Yuruk asked. "Water Tribe? I'd really love to take another trip up North and finish what I started with those twin brats."

"No, we'll be dealing with the Earth Republic next," Zaheer explained. "They have three prime ministers—one stationed in Ba Sing Se, one in Omashu, and another in the state of Yi. Such a system is bound to collapse eventually, and the people will suffer when it does. It's up to us to liberate them before that happens."

"Three targets?" Yuruk turned his head and spit on the floor of the cave. "Certainly makes things more difficult. Or at least time consuming."

"Oh must you do that?" Aoi said, glaring at the waterbender's glob of spit on the floor. "We have to walk there."

Yuruk shrugged. "Whatever."

Zaheer cleared his throat, refocusing attention on him. "Under normal circumstances, Yuruk would be correct. However, there is something that will make things much easier for us."

Aoi lounged deeper against her seat, arms stretching out tiredly. With a yawn, she asked, "And what might that be? You have some philosophical gibberish to talk them to death?"

Zaheer closed his eyes and exhaled deep to calm himself. If ever there were anyone more grating than Aoi, he'd yet to meet them. "In one week's time, the United Earth Republic will be having its annual council summit meeting. All three prime ministers, as well as their special advisers, will be gathering in the state house at Ba Sing Se. The nation's entire governing body will be gathered together in a single room for twelve hours. More than enough time to take out every last one of them."

Aoi pursed her lips. "My, that is convenient. Of course, that means we're going to have to infiltrate the heart of the largest city in the world, and this time we won't have any secret tunnels to get us inside. Not to mention it's sure to be much more heavily guarded than Zaofu. This will be during broad daylight, after all, and I can't imagine they'll have lax security for their 'entire governing body'. We'll need a plan."

"And we have a week to form one," Zaheer replied. "That's why we're here now."

Yuruk folded his arms. "Heh, so we have to come up with a way to get into the center of Ba Sing Se, past thousands of elite Earth Republic guards, eliminate an entire roomful of government officials, and get back out in one piece. Did I leave anything out?"

Avan offered an affirmative grunt from his position against the wall. He hadn't so much as budged since the meeting began. "I believe that about covers it."

"Well then," Yuruk said, growing a grin across his face, "sounds like a party."

Zaheer nodded. "If we're done with questions, we should begin planning. We have much to—"

"I have a question." Aoi sat straight and raised her hand. Her lips curled into a smirk. "Quick one, I promise."

Zaheer exhaled a long, steady breath. "Yes, Aoi?"

"When are we going to the Fire Nation?"

"I haven't yet decided on that," he said. "Why does it matter?"

"Oh, no reason," she replied, with a simple shrug. "I just have some unfinished business I need to take care of over there, so I'd very much like to participate when the Red Lotus decides to take out the Fire Lord."

Yuruk raised an eyebrow at her. "What kind of 'unfinished business' does a teenage girl have? What, you get dumped by some boy?"

Aoi's brow twitched, firing a glare so intense that had she been able to create flames with her eyes, she would have incinerated the man. "If someone were foolish enough to try that with me, I wouldn't have any unfinished business with them, because I'd have dealt them right then! I don't tolerate that kind of betrayal!"

"The Fire Nation will wait, for now," Zaheer urged, steering the conversation back on track. "We'll worry about it after we've taken down the United Earth Republic, when we plan where to go next."

Aoi calmed herself, and refocused on the Red Lotus leader. "Well, if you like, you could always send me there myself and I could—"

"I said the Fire Nation will wait." Zaheer's gaze narrowed. "Or was that not clear?"

The girl's demeanor shifted, lips twisting into a deep frown. "Oh no, perfectly clear."

"Good, I don't want to hear about it again." He met her glare with equal intensity, not looking away until she finally backed down with an irritated grumble. "Now, if no one else has any questions, we have work to do."

Raiko held his chin against his folded hands, staring across his desk at the two women sitting on the other side. "Does she have to be here for this?"

Korra glanced at Kuvira sitting next to her. "Well, you are the one who told me to stick with her at all times, right? So, yeah, she kind of does."

"I..." Raiko furrowed his brow, a flustered breath coughing from his throat. "Very well."

"I won't give you any trouble, Mr. President," Kuvira said. "You have my word."

"For what your word is worth, anyway," President Raiko muttered. He leaned against his chair, arms crossing over his chest. "Now, have you come up with some kind of plan yet?"

"For the most part," Korra explained. "Since the Red Lotus is apparently bigger and more powerful than ever, we need to go after them as soon as possible. If we sit back and wait for them to show up again, we risk putting the safety of more world leaders at stake. They've already proven they can break into the safest city in the world with little trouble. Zaheer has to be stopped before he has a chance to strike again."

"And how exactly do you propose to do that?" Raiko asked. "It's not as though he's out in the open, flaunting his presence. You've no idea where Zaheer is, or how many Red Lotus there are. They could be anywhere."

Kuvira raised a hand, garnering the president's attention. "While that's true, we do know what their next target is. My friend, Anraq—the guard who came with me from Zaofu—overheard Zaheer speaking with one of his members. They plan to go after the prime ministers of the United Earth Republic." She looked to Korra. "That's where we need to go. With any luck, we can intercept Zaheer before he can take out one of the prime minsters, or at least capture a Red Lotus member and try to acquire some information. Like where my family is being held."

Raiko tapped his fingers against the desk, thinking over her words. "I'm actually inclined to agree with that. I'll alert the prime minsters that they should travel with extra security, and that the Avatar will be on her way to help. Should I assume you'll be putting together a team to go with you?"

Korra grinned. "Well, what would the Avatar be without her team?"

"I imagine she'd still be the Avatar," he replied, with an unamused glance.

"Okay, that was rhetorical," Korra muttered, raising an annoyed eyebrow at him. "In any case, yes, I'll be taking a team. The more the better—we'll be needing all the help we can get. Kuvira's already stated her desire to go after the Red Lotus, so she'll be coming."

Kuvira gave the president a firm nod. "I promise to do everything in my power to assist the Avatar in taking down Zaheer and the Red Lotus. They still have my family, and I need to get them back."

"As long as you don't cause any trouble," Raiko said. His gaze lingered on her, cautious, as if half-expecting the former dictator to attack him at any moment. "And that you realize this bit of freedom you have now is still only temporary. After this whole mess is over with, you're going back to prison."

"Yes, I understand."

"Good." Raiko refocused his attention on Korra. "In that case, I find your plan acceptable, Avatar Korra. You may leave whenever you're ready."

"We'll be leaving as soon as possible, hopefully within the next couple days." Korra stood from her seat, and turned to Kuvira. "In the meantime, we have a team to put together."