more notes at the end. thanks to everyone who has reviewed thus far. this chapter was amazing to write and it flowed naturally which is how i prefer my stories to be written. there is a part in the middle which may have you guys thinking WTF! i will address this in the bottom notes

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Kya was surprised by how quite the town was. A phonograph could be heard playing soft orchestral music, but it was so peaceful that she couldn't tell if it was coming from the house next to her, or from a few blocks away.

Majority of Gaoling had chosen to remain relatively basic in terms of technology. There were no automobiles, or motorbikes and the factories still made everything by hand. She had to admit, it was extremely relaxing not to have the stresses of a city, such as triads, an active night life and political games.

The streets were made of earth and not asphalt which was common in most cities and towns, and it was softer on her feet which had blistered due to the constant walking.

Following the directions Toph had given her a few months ago, she came across a large estate where the proud Beifong family crest adorned solid three-meter-high steel gates. A tanned hand reached out to touch the raised steel when a voice interrupted her actions.

"Can I help you?"

Kya whirled around. A bald man with bushy white brows and a few missing teeth, who looked to be in his mid-seventies stood in front of her, a bucket of manure in one of his hands and a rake in the other. "I was hoping to go inside."

"I'm sorry miss, the property is off limits to guests."

"I'm uh- not a guest." Kya chose to bow, as is the custom in such an old school town I can't believe we sent Suyin here. "Kya Beifong, Lin Beifong's wife."

"No way is she married to you."

"She is, has been for nearly ten years."

The man eyed her suspiciously. "Lin Beifong isn't married." He said adamantly. "Poppy and Lao would have told me."

"I can assure you I am her wife. Call Suyin in Zaofu, she can vouch for me."

"Why wouldn't I call Captain Beifong?"

"Chief actually. She was promoted just over ten years ago. I take it you don't get any Republic City newspapers here."

"That still doesn't answer my question." The man put down the bucket and rake, becoming defensive. "Why wouldn't I call Lin, if she's your husband?"

Spirits, no wonder Lin never wanted to tell her grandparents if this is how the locals act.

"My wife would be busy at work, and I wouldn't want to interrupt her. Suyin would be able to validate my story, though she shouldn't need to, given that this is my home just as much as anyone in the Beifong family."

The old man puffed out his chest. "Wait 'ere."

Kya leaned against the gate and toed the ground with her foot. You promised yourself you wouldn't contact her. Just get on with your journey. Kya bowed her head. No, you promised Toph you'd call, at least you can get a hot bath out of it, and an actual bed for the first time in months. The waterbender was suddenly becoming aware of the aches and pains in her thirty-seven-year-old body. Sleeping on the floors of the swamp for four months hadn't helped either.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the man grumbling towards her. He punched an arm forward, metalbending the gates open. "Suyin wants you to call her when you go inside."

She gave him an offhanded two finger salute. "Will do." The gates closed behind her, allowing her a moment to take in the large mansion, a place she had only visited twice. Once when Poppy passed away and the second time being when Lao joined her a month later. Poppy had died peacefully in her sleep, and her husband died of a broken heart. Kya found it beautiful, even if Lin had taken it quite hard.

"Lin, Love?" Kya pushed open the bedroom door. Her wife was lying on her side, looking out the floor to ceiling window. "Lin?"

"You shouldn't be in here." The metalbender whispered through a shuddered breath. "If one of the servants see you in he-"

"They will see a friend comforting another friend." Kya locked the door and laid down behind Lin, pulling her flush against her body. "How are you holding up?"

"Pretty shit obviously. I'm just waiting for her to walk in and ask if I want to have tea."

"Why?"

"Toph would always dump us here during summer holidays when we were younger. Grandma Poppy always wanted a child she could spend time with. Suyin was too young and mum had run off when she was twelve, so she did everything she had wanted to do with Toph, with me. We didn't just sip tea, she also taught me how high society would do things. I was relieved when she confided in me that she never liked all the rules."

"Really?"

"Yeah. She was a bit boyish growing up, but when she met Grandpa Lao, she knew she had to fit in to his lifestyle or his family would never approve of their marriage. She used to play with the boys and make havoc for the Fire Nation in her hometown." Lin rolled over, and Kya adjusted so she was now propped up on an elbow above her, long brown hair had framed her face and the tips landed on the pillow. "I think she was secretly proud when Toph rebelled."

"I think she would be proud of your rebellious nature too, if that's the case."

"Me? Rebellious? I could have sworn there was a time you guys referred to me as, No Nonsense Beifong."

Kya chuckled. "Yes, but could you imagine the look on her face if you told her you were married to the Avatar's daughter?"

"That's not rebellious, that's just me being me."

"Fair point." Kya lowered herself enough, so her lips brushed against Lin's as she spoke. "Do you regret not telling her about us?"

"No. I have such fond memories of her having fun with me. I'd hate for us to finish our relationship on bad terms, same goes for Grandpa Lao. I love them too much and they would see this is a disappointment."

"Oh." Kya made a move to pull away but a hand on her ribs pulled her down onto her wife's body.

"Their opinion doesn't matter to me. I would have loved to tell them regardless of their reaction, but while I was fearful of what would happen to my relationship with them, it would have been worse for Toph. They would have blamed her for us being together and not stopping it."

"Mm, I'm glad she didn't." Kya took charge and captured Lin's lips in her own. "Yes, very glad"

"We shouldn't, someone might walk past and see us."

"Let's fix that," Kya stood and closed the curtains, on her return, she stopped to pick up a small book on the nightstand and flipped it open. "Spirits, it's a photo album."

"Yeah, my grandparents bought one of the first cameras made. I was looking over the pictures before you came in."

Kya crawled back onto bed, coming to rest on Lin's shoulder so they could both see the pictures together. "They're so grainy but I can still see baby Lin in her cute little swimsuit. I don't think I've ever seen you smile like this."

"Enjoy it while you can. Mum never liked taking us to the beach but Grandma Poppy insisted. You can thank her for the swimming lessons."

"Didn't stop you from hating the beach though."

"I can't stand the sand. It gets everywhere."

"You're an earthbender."

"So?"

Kya turned the page, knowing she wasn't going to make any ground on the argument of the beach. "Oh look, it's all five of you. I never realised how much you look like your grandmother."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"It's good. Your grandmother is a fox."

Lin groaned. "Don't ever say that again."

"It's true! If she were sixty years younger and around when I was eighteen, spirits, I would have her in so many po-"

"Stop! That's like saying you want to sleep with my mother."

"Well, if Toph were forty years yo-"

Lin grabbed the pillow she was lying on and hit Kya in the head with it, knocking the album out of her hands. "Get out."

"I'd much rather have sex with you though!" Kya said with a laugh as Lin rolled on top of her, a less than pleased scowl on her face. "Oh, your bedroom eyes."

"Spirits, a woman dies and all you can think about is sex."

"Admit it, you want to laugh."

Lin thought for a moment. "I hate you."

"I love you too."

Kya smiled at the memory as she dumped her bag in the formal loungeroom. The furniture was very traditional of a prominent Earth Kingdom family. Low, wooden pieces, with thin cushions and various greens and golds. Kya had to admit, it was very well decorated, even if it was dated. Everything was unexpectedly clean and not a speck of dust was visible, which lead Kya to believe that the old man wasn't the only caretaker.

Wondering into the kitchen, Kya was relieved to find that the pantry was stocked with food that wouldn't perish anytime soon. Grabbing a bag of fire flakes, Lao's guilty pleasure, Kya plopped down onto the couch and dialled.

"Suyin Beifong speaking."

"Hiya kid."

"Kya, you do realise I'm now twenty-nine, right? And I have five children. I'm not much of a kid anymore."

"You'll always be a kid to me. Thanks for your help with the old man."

"Anytime, though, I don't understand why you didn't just call Lin."

"I thought she might be busy with work." A lie, but she didn't want to delve into her non-existent marriage right now.

"She has actually taken the day off today. Last day of school and Lin wanted to spend the time as a family before summer holidays."

"Oh, has she got anything planned?"

"For the holidays? Well, it's Lin, so~, work, work and more work. I think your brother has been assigned babysitting duties but with his own baby due soon, Lin may need to find an alternative."

"How uh- how is Lin?" Kya shoved a handful of fire flakes into her mouth, hoping the burn would stop her from shoving her foot in her mouth.

"You could call her and ask."

"I haven't talked to her since-"

"Since you left to find yourself? I hope you aren't still beating yourself up about leaving. I completely understand why you left. The whole family does and while Lin was hurt over the issue, she does understand. I hope you call her while in Gaoling, who knows when you may have an opportunity again."

"Thanks Su. Look, I'm really tired and could use a bath, I'll talk to you later."

"Alright, I won't nag you anymore. Stay safe, yeah?"

"I will." Kya hung up the phone then picked it up again. Taking a deep breath, she dialled the number she had dreaded dialling since Toph found her in the swamp. It rang a few times and just as Kya thought no one was home, it was answered.

"Beifong residence, Councilman Tenzin speaking." Voices could be heard in the background.

"Uncle Tenzin! We need you to cut the melon!"

"In a moment kids. Hello? Is anyone there?"

Kya's lips moved, but no words came out. Allowing the receiver to fall from her grasp, Kya pulled her knees to her chest and for the first time since leaving, she cried.

"Tenzin? Who is it?" Lin called.

Tenzin put the receiver back on the cradle and ran outside in his swimming trunks, to the table that had five children, his pregnant wife, sister in-law and mother seated in chairs, waiting for the melon to be sliced. "No one Lin." With practised experience, Tenzin managed to cut the melon into equal nineths. "Perfect."

Everyone took a slice and hoed into the fruit.

"Hey Kuvira, watch this." Finding a seed in her mouth, Korra moved it to her lips and spat it at the boy sitting across from her. It landed accurately between his eyes and stuck. "Ha!"

"Lin!" Mako cried in disgust and anger.

Without looking, Lin smacked Korra behind her ears. "Don't play with your food kid."

"I didn't!"

Another clipping behind the ears. "Don't lie either."

Katara chuckled as the little boy seated on her lap attempting to eat her piece of watermelon after scoffing down his own. "Spirits, you have some appetite. Sokka would be proud."

Lin handed the boy her own half-finished slice. "Manners Bolin. At least ask if she's done before taking it. Sorry Katara."

"Don't be. I'm just excited at having two grandsons now. That was the last thing I was expecting when coming to see you and Kuvira"

"Again, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I had a lot on my mind."

"Is that why you forgot I was coming as well?"

Lin absentmindedly rubbed the spot on the back of her head where her scar was hidden. "Part of it, yeah."

"You're not still having memory problems," Katara's brows furrowed with worry, "are you?"

"I forget things every now and then, though, you did tell me you were coming with Korra over four months ago, you couldn't expect me to remember that small detail."

"You're right. If you'd like, I can do a healing session once all the kids are in bed to make sure there are no residual side effects."

"Oh, I wouldn't want you to worn out if Pema goes into labour." Lin turned her gaze to the young woman who had her feet propped up in Tenzin's lap, enjoying a foot massage. "You look like you're ready to pop at any minute now."

"I'm still a few weeks away." Pema waved her off. "Besides, I could be in labour for hours before giving birth." Her face fell. "Or days."

Katara squeezed Lin's hand. "Let me have a look. What's the worst that can happen?"

"Death?"

"Really?" Katara deadpanned

"Okay." Lin relented. Bolin crawled off Katara's lap and into Lin's, figuring her bathered covered bosom was the best place for a nap.

"Mum, can we go back to the pool?"

"Yes Kuvira, no dunking though!"

The four kids ran off to the pool, leaving the adults to talk.

"Has the paperwork of their adoption officially gone through?" Katara asked Lin.

"It's going through the final stages. Tenzin has been a great help in getting it done."

Tenzin gave a nonchalant shrug. "I think we can all agree that this is the best place for the boys. You have been doing great work."

Lin looked down at the boy who was now lightly snoring in her arms. "I'm glad I went through with it."

"This life suits you Lin." Katara added. "It softens you and makes you appear a bit more… feminine."

Lin rolled her eyes. "Yes, because that's what I strive to be."

"You know what I meant."

"I do, thank you Katara, honestly. My officers noticed too. There is currently a stick that is sitting in the middle of the bullpen with my name on it. They claim it's the stick that used to be up my ass. I can thank Sayo for that one."

"Cop humour at its finest."

"Mhm. I'm amazed Tonraq and Senna allowed you to bring Korra to Republic City." Lin stated, wanting to change subjects.

"Yes, well with the tensions rising in the South, we decided this was a safer place, that and we were hoping you could teach her while she's here."

Lin groaned. "What about the master you had already?"

"Korra refuses to train with him. She said that you're her master. I'm not sure if that's Aang's sprit talking or if she just took a liking to you but we need someone to help her."

"Great, three kids I now get to train, along with the fifteen at the station." Lin looked over at the kids splashing around.

"Hey Asami! Watch this."

"Hey Asami, over here!"

Both Mako and Korra shouted at the young girl, who was happily sitting on the opposite edge of the pool with Kuvira, hoping to win her attention.

Korra managed to snake water around Mako's ankle and drag him into the pool, silencing him and allowing her to show off her large waterbending bomb, which had them all drenched.

"Wow Korra! That's a bigger splash than Tenzin's." Asami exclaimed, wiping the water from her eyes.

Korra blushed at the compliment. "Thanks! Master Katara taught me."

Mako resurfaced with a red face. "That was a dirty trick!"

Korra stuck her tongue at him. "You just suck."

"Come at me!"

Korra launched herself at the firebender and both wrestled in the shallow end, much to Kuvira's and Asami's annoyance.

"What's wrong with them?" Asami asked.

"I have no idea. I think they like each other."

"How long have they known each other?"

"An hour?"

Asami shook her head. "Kids."

"Yeah, kids." Kuvira nodded in agreement, even though Mako was a whole year older and Korra was a month older than her.

Kya groaned as she poured the cold water in the tub. She knew the town was old school but she didn't think that she would have to go out to the garden to physically pump the water she needed. The act reminded her how lucky she was that she was a waterbender and she didn't have to make multiple trips with a bucket or heat it on an open flame. She smiled to herself as she saw steam coming from the surface thanks to her bending.

Grasping the sides of the marble tub, she slowly lowered her body into the water, savouring the feeling of her muscles slowly releasing the tension held from the months of travel. When was the last time I had a hot bath? Looking at the various fragrances that adorned the edge of the tub, Kya frowned. Or soap. Frick! I haven't washed my hair properly in months! I probably smell like a swamp rat-skunk. I must admit, I miss the swamp benders. Those guys really know their way around a cooked spider-ant.

She allowed herself to smile at the memories of her time with the unconventional people. She was glad she met them, having managed to pick up some tips and tricks to improve her bending and her resourcefulness, not to mention her skills and making a loin cloth. Closing her eyes, Kya submerged her whole body under water. She felt like her body was weightless, it reminded her of the feeling from that vision months ago.

Her mind would often drift back in an effort to decipher what she was shown. It felt like she was missing information but she hadn't seen anything in months. Grabbing a bar of soap, Kya scrubbed her body clean. I think I could give Bumi a run for the title of hairiest sibling. If Lin could see me now, I bet she would hesitate to use her mouth. Shaking the thought from her mind, Kya finished washing her hair and got out of the tub after an hour of soaking.

Choosing to remain unclothed, thanks to the humidity of the incoming summer, Kya strolled over to a bookshelf and picked out a book that had no name on the spine. It was leather bound with gold trim. Opening the book to the title page, she soon realised that this was a journal, not a book.

"This looks good." Wondering out to the yard, Kya found a quiet place under the moonlight and began to read. The secret diary of Poppy Beifong. "If you wanted it to be secret, I wouldn't have kept it in a bookshelf, then again, hiding in plain sight can work." It had been years since I had seen Lin and she has changed so much. I find myself wishing I were more like her. Brave, strong and willing to follow my heart, regardless of my family's opinion.

Reading the morning papers was something Poppy had always found solace in. It was a time before the servants had woken and her husband was still in bed, that was until she had company joining her. "Morning Grandma Poppy."

"Good morning Suyin. Did you sleep well?"

"As well as one can in this boring town." Su fixed herself a bowl of wheat-bix and sat down at the table. Her eyes glanced over the papers her grandmother had in front of her. They were from all over the Earth Kingdom. Some were a couple of days old, given the time it would take to have them delivered, then she saw the RC Times with an image of Lin and Kya. It had been a few weeks since she had left the city and now everyone knew about Lin's scars, but it was clear the press wasn't told the story, as the title read, Lin Beifong in abusive relationship with Kya? Su quickly snatched the paper before her grandmother had a chance to read it, hoping to hide the title page.

"I've already read it." Poppy put down the paper she was reading and folded her hands on top of the table. "I take it from your reaction, the rumours are true about your sister's relationship."

Su looked away. "Mum said I'm not allowed to talk about it."

"Suyin, I'm not upset. If it's true, I'm proud Lin is doing something for herself for once. She deserves happiness."

"What about Grandpa Lao?"

"I would never tell him and he hates reading anything that doesn't have profit numbers. Is she happy?"

Su smirked. "As far as I could tell, yeah. It's hard to read her at times with that damn scowl, but whenever Kya was in the room, she would smile. It's like she has two personalities. Cop Lin, and Domestic Lin. It's funny to watch."

"I'm glad. I hope she gains the courage to tell me one day."

"Good luck with that. They were together for two years and I only found out because Katara saw them fuc-"

"Don't finish that sentence." Poppy looked disgusted as to the words that were about to escape her youngest granddaughter's mouth.

I was shocked at the language my young granddaughter was about to use, I am only glad I was able to stop her from finishing the sentence.

Lin, if you ever find this journal, I want you to know that I am proud of you and I'm sorry you couldn't tell me, I suppose that it is my own fault for portraying an outward nature of closed mindfulness. I love you.

Kya was surprised to say the least at this recent development that she continued to read until she felt the air beginning to chill and her eye lids becoming heavy. Closing the journal, Kya entered the home through the loungeroom. She frowned at the phone. I shouldn't disrespect Poppy's home like this. Picking up the receiver, Kya was about to put it down when she heard something on the other end. Holding it up to her ear, it was the two people she least expected to hear on the other line.

"The kids are all asleep," Lin walked into the loungeroom in her usual duds, "where do you want me?"

"I thought we could share a cup of tea first." Katara brought over two cups and a teapot into the loungeroom and set them down on the coffee table. "The mind is a tricky thing to heal. It's extremely complex and not all healers are able to do it without having a negative effect. I once tried it on an old friend to restore his memories but all he remembered was the bad, never the good."

Lin joined Katara on the couch and took a cup filled with the hot beverage. "It smells nice."

"It's to help you relax. The less thoughts you have running through that head of yours, the better."

"Alcohol has the same effect." Lin mumbled out before taking a sip. "There is one thing that has been nagging at me since you showed up on my doorstep. After our last disagreement, why would you want to visit?"

"Well, my granddaughter is here for starters, that and I don't want things to be awkward between us. I know I'm an old lady now, but I'm still learning and having Korra around me so much, she reminds me of my youth when everything used to be simple. I guess I'm trying to simplify my views and go with the flow."

"Hmm, that kid does have that influence on people. I see Aang in her. Even if she is as rough as guts."

"Aang could be the same way when we were kids. All he wanted to do was have fun, Korra's the same way."

"Are you sure this tea isn't the drowsy kind?" Lin asked with a yawn, placing the now empty cup down on the table.

"Trade secret." Katara stood and walked behind the couch. Water from her pouch quickly encased her hands and she guided Lin's head to lie back. "Close your eyes and relax."

Katara's face became blurry and voice hollow as Lin's eyes drifted shut.

The first day of school had Lin so excited. Her mother had dropped her off and she was keen to learn how to read so she could do it for her mother, the Chief. That was until someone next to her told her, her shirt was inside out. He didn't mean for it to be so loud as other children started to point it out to her too.

"My mother dressed me!" Lin tried to retort.

"Is she blind!?" The boy shouted, and received a few laughs.

"Yeah! She's Toph Beifong!" Lin had said it as though it meant something but the boy laughed.

"My dad says cops in Republic City are weak."

"They're not!"

Apparently this wasn't the consensus amongst the children as they all began to take his side.

"Chan." The teacher called. "Take your seat please."

"How are you doing Lin?"

"Fine. It's just school."

"Spirits, I didn't realise this injury was so old. The accident with the terrorists must have aggravated it. I need to go a bit deeper. Are you sure you're okay?"

Lin's brow twitched slightly. "Yeah."

First day of school was tough for the young bender as everywhere she went on the yard, other children avoided her like the plague. "Hey Lin!"

Lin turned on her heel. "Hi Kya."

"How do you like school?" She frowned when her young friend shrugged. "Have you made any friends?" A shake of the head. Kya grabbed her hand and tugged her along to a few girls playing with each other's hair. "Hey guys, this is my friend Lin. She's going to hang with us."

"Kya, she's a preppy. They're like babies."

"Oh, this isn't any preppy. She and I have been friends for years."

"So?"

Kya was taken aback by her friend's reaction. "You don't want her to play with us?"

"Kya, I can play on my own." Lin pleaded, not wanting to be a burden.

"No, you won't. Come on, we'll play together."

Lin didn't realise it at the time, but this was Kya's first sacrifice.

"How are you holding up Lin?"

"Yeah."

Katara had barely heard the word, it was so quiet.

"Lin?"

"Beifong is a loner a loner a loner, she will always be a loner wherever she may go. She's out to die alone, alone, alone, she's out to die alone because she is a loser a loser a loser."

The chant continued in the classroom. Lin would never give them the satisfaction. She would not cry, she would not tattle, she won't give them anything. Her jaw clenched as her body shook with pent up anger.

She looked to the teacher who she hoped would say something but the teacher was too busy playing the daily crossword puzzle. Ignore them Beifong, they're the losers, they will amount to nothing. So much for year ten being the year that everyone grows up and gets along.

The chanting continued well into lunch by a few boys but this was different, they had rocks. "Leave me alone Chan!"

"Woah, Beifong grew some balls." The fifteen-year-old mocked in a surprised tone. "Why don't you show us what big balls you have. Why don't you and I go out? I could show you a good time." He got close to her so that her body was obscured from view, completely eclipsed by his larger form. He leaned in close so his breath was felt on her face and he slid a hand across the top of her waist band. "Do you want this?"

Lin was shocked the act having paralysed her. She had never had anyone come so close to her in this manner and it frightened her. His fingers started to undo the drawstring of her pants and just as she felt him play with the top of her underpants, something clicked and she threw a fist out, resulting in the wall behind her colliding with him in the chest.

"Oh fuck! Chan! Are you alright?" One of the boys asked.

"Fuck her up!" Chan shouted.

Lin curled in a ball as rocks pelted her. The boys came closer and slammed a rock over and over again until it suddenly stopped. Opening her eyes, she found herself staring into beautiful blue iris'. "Kya?"

Katara began to worry as she watched Lin began to perspire heavily, and the pupils underneath eyelids dart around sporadically. "Lin? Can you hear me?" Stopping her movements with the water, Katara quickly circled around the couch and forced one of the eyelids open to find it completely dilated and unresponsive. "Lin, if you can hear me, raise a finger." Nothing.

Pushing the coffee table out of the way, Katara lowered Lin down on the ground and pressed a hand to Lin's stomach, waiting for it to rise, which is did. "Thank the spirits. Lin, if you can hear me, you need to open your eyes and it will all be over. Lin. Lin. Can yo-"

"-U hear me Lin?"

"Huh? Sorry K-"

"What are you sorry for!?" Kya took off her outer shirt and placed it on the back of Lin's head. "You're bleeding, let's grab some water and fix you up."

They wandered to the girl's bathroom that not many knew about, due to it's hidden location under a staircase. "What are you doing here Kya? You graduated last year."

Kya shrugged. "We've always hung out at lunch time since you started school, it felt weird being home and not eating with you. Looks like you needed some saving anyway. What was that about?"

"Nothing."

"Lin."

"I said it was nothing. Drop it Kya."

Kya sighed as she placed unpractised healing hands to the young woman's head. "Fine. But I can't be your guardian forever."

"Whatever."

Katara watched in panic as Lin's chest would constrict then relax. Water searched Lin's body for the source of the distress Lin was going through but came up empty when there was no glow. Lifting up the tank top Lin was wearing, Katara sliced through the bindings, hoping that would ease her breathing.

Lin looked away from Chan who was leaning up against a shop front, glaring in their general direction. "What was that?"

"My parents are going out of town this weekend. I was thinking, maybe you would want to come over? I could make dinner and perhaps we could play Pai Sho?"

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

Tenzin rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Maybe?"

"Umm, sure. Yeah, okay?"

"Okay?"

Lin sighed. "Yeah, Okay."

You'll always be alone. You'll never find someone to love you, you're weak. Show us a smile. The words replayed themselves through her mind as she pushed open the door to Air Temple Island's family home. Tenzin had set up the table with two candles and the best cutlery he could find, which wasn't that great, given worldly possessions wasn't apart of Air Nomad culture. "I made a fruit tart for dese-" Tenzin was silenced when Lin grabbed his collar and kissed him.

"I want to have sex."

Tenzin looked down at his friend. "Oh? I u-"

"We don't have to if you don't want t-"

"I want to. I just wasn't expecting it so soon." Tenzin lead her to his bedroom.

Both teens stood in the middle of the room with goose bumps, not from anticipation, but fear.

Lin removed her top, and Tenzin followed suit with the removal of his own shirt. Neither dared to look anywhere than the other's face, that was until they were standing fully naked and Lin chanced a glance downward. "Oh."

"Oh?" Tenzin felt his confidence, even though it was weak to begin with, start to fade away.

"Sorry, it's just, not what I expected."

"Is it too small? Bumi said it was average."

"No no, it's um, straight as an arrow." Lin could have noosed herself right then and there. "It's, er, bigger than I thought it would be. It's nice."

"Thank you…" Tenzin looked to her body. "Your breasts are nice. They're bigger than I thought they would be."

Lin looked away with a blush. "I bind them tight so they don't… bounce, when I bend."

"Can I?"

Lin stepped closer to him and grabbed his hand, placing it on top of one her breasts.

"It feels nice, soft."

Lin stood on her toes and kissed Tenzin. He dropped his hands to her waist and she jumped slightly to wrap her legs around his waist, trusting him to catch her. He walked her over to the bed and placed her down in the middle, then grabbed a pillow for her to rest on, then settled between her legs.

He tentatively trailed a hand down her body and between her folds, then back up to her chest to play with a nipple to test how it responded to different movements. He reached back down again, as though he were searching for something but never entering her. His hand came back up and reached into his dresser's drawer.

"What's that?" Lin asked.

Tenzin held up a small tube. "It's lube. Bumi got it for me as a joke. I uh, I read up on sex and it said that you should use it… if the woman wasn't… wet, enough."

"Oh." Lin watched as Tenzin put a small amount onto his fingers and applied it to her. She had to admit, the sensation was nice but she was starting to second guess herself.

Just as he was poised to enter her, he looked up to her for permission.

Lin looked away and he rolled off her. "I'm sorry, I thought I was ready."

"Lin, you have nothing to apologise for. To be honest, I'm glad you don't want to, I was scared myself."

"And here I was, thinking that all boys wanted sex."

"Oh, we do. I have thought about this moment for months but if you didn't say yes, I wouldn't have gone through with it."

"You wanted me to say yes?"

"Of course. Consent is key, otherwise it's assault."

Lin rolled onto her side and placed a kiss to his chest. "You're the best of them."

"Of who?"

"Never mind. Do you mind if I sleep over?"

"Of course."

"Thanks." Lin got off the bed and put her clothes back on. "I'm just going to go for a walk to clear my head."

"I'll just lay here until, it goes down."

Lin felt bad for leaving her best friend in that state but there wasn't much she could do. Finding herself in the comfort of the evening's sun, she kept her eyes down cast as she walked around aimlessly.

"How was it?"

Lin's heart jumped at the voice. "Kya? What are you doing here?"

"I live here? So can my little brother preform?"

Lin shook her head. "What are you on about?"

Kya jabbed a thumb to an open window roughly fifteen meters away. I came behind here to smoke a cigarette, those damn acolytes can be so judgemental, when I saw you two starting to undress. You were still in your underwear so don't worry, I didn't see you naked."

"Then why are you still here?"

"To stop anyone looking through the window. Think of me as your sex guardian."

"My sex guardian?" Lin cocked an eyebrow. "That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard and my sister is Su."

"So, how was the sex?"

Lin looked away. "I chicken-ducked out in the last second."

"Oh?" Feeling the young bender's discomfort. Kya slid down the wall and patted the spot next to her, which Lin gratefully accepted. "Talk to me."

"I thought it was what I wanted. I thought I could prove to myself that I wouldn't grow up old and alone if I had Tenzin. I love him, I truly love him, but when I saw him naked and about to… enter me, for lack of a better word, I don't know, it just didn't turn me on."

"Maybe you're not into guys."

Lin laughed. "Of course I'm into guys. What else is there? Animals?"

"No," Kya looked dead ahead, "women."

This took Lin by surprise. "Women?"

Katara was relieved when Lin's body started to relax and she let out a moan? What the? Katara watched as a faint blush crossed Lin's features for a split second before being replaced with a scowl.

"What are you reliving Lin?" Katara grabbed a cool damp cloth a pressed it to the metalbender's forehead.

Lin couldn't help but watch as her girlfriend, dressed in medic gear, climbed into the back of an undercover medic van which was to be stationed a block away from the action.

"Come on rookie, don't want to be late for your first raid." Lin looked to her team's lieutenant and followed him into a RCPD van. The man growled as he attempted to close the door. "Damn Cabbage Corp! More like Crapage Corp. Ha! Got it."

An officer tapped the wall that separated them from the driver and the van started to move.

"Alright rookies, you are to provide support only. We are going to be running alongside the metalbending squad so you can see how they operate as a unit. Everyone here is a metalbender cop in the making and I want you to all act like one. That means, no police brutality, no bribes, no slacking, and above or else, no fuck ups. Basically, do your damn jobs."

"ETA three minutes." The driver called out, his voice slightly muffled.

Lin's foot bounced up and down at a frantic pace, gaining the lieutenant's attention.

"Nervous rookie?"

"Excited, sir."

"Don't let that excitement get the better of you. I've seen it make people not think and they end up hurt or dead."

"Yes sir, I'll try sir."

"The raid is going down, we're late!" The driver shouted.

"Alright, remember, we're back up. Help where you can."

The back doors burst open after the lieutenant tried twice to use the handle and gave up, instead opting to kick it open.

Lin's senses heightened at the scene playing out in front of her. Steel, earth, fire and water all flew throughout the docks as triads attempted to better the more organised officers. Lin had her arms raised in anticipation for what was to come. They were close enough that they could jump in and help when needed, but far enough the majority of the attacks were not directed their way.

Lin's eyes scoured the battle grounds. The officers were standing their grounds and it looked like it was nearly over until one bright triad member tried to get the drop on a lone metalbender near the edge of the dock. Without hesitating, Lin ran forward and launched a cable at him.

The offender jumped, reached for the large body of water he had at his disposal and wrapped it around her, dragging her steel covered body into the murky water. Lin was so disorientated from the sudden impact of the water, she didn't know which way was up and which way was down. The water was so black, she couldn't see the bubbles escaping her lips. She tried kicking but she didn't move in any direction as her armour weighed her down.

Lin didn't know where to start. Take her boots off first, or her chest plate? Maybe the gauntlets? Lin tried to lift the chest plate from her body but the lack of concentration meant that the metal wasn't coming off the way it went on. Panic was starting to set in as she used her metalbending to tear away at the steel.

Katara watched on as Lin's body began to fit as though she were having a seizure. She pushed everything out of the way so Lin wouldn't hurt herself. The seizure lasted two minutes then stopped. Silence.

"Mum!"

Katara's head whipped around at the voice, thinking it was one of the children.

"Mum!"

She heard it again. Katara looked to the phone on the side table to find the receiver wasn't placed in the cradle correctly. "Hello?" The waterbender asked.

"Sprits mum, what's happening?"

"Oh Kya, I was trying to help with her memory and now she's unconscious."

"Is she breathing?"

"Yes, but she's burning up."

"What you need to do is apply pressure using waterbending to her heart, it'll shock her into consciousness."

Katara hovered next to her side and followed Kya's instruction.

"Hey babe, time to wake up.."

Lin opened her eyes to find a waterbender, her waterbender staring down at her. "Kya?"

"Welcome back to the world of the living officer." Kya gave her a toothy smile. "Thought I'd lost you for a moment there."

"You're all wet."

"So are you."

Lin attempted to sit up. Her lieutenant was quickly by her side to help. "I saw what you did there Beifong. It didn't work but you did save your fellow officer which is a commendable act. Nearly as commendable as your friend jumping in to pull your steel ass out of the water."

Lin looked to Kya. "Girlfriend, actually. Thanks for being there for me."

"Always."

Lin's eyes blew open at pressure on her chest. "Katara?"

Notes:

that small Linzin, be you all weren't expecting that! i wanted to display the depth of Lin's and Tenzin's relationship and show what school was like for Lin, this will be brought up again as i plan on a school reunion at a later date.

this was my take on Lin's metamorphosis that she originally had in the show, hope i did all right.

And sorry about the cliff. i'm really keen to know what you guys thought on this chapter.