I've been thinking a lot about the later stories. No matter how much I try to focus on this one and the chapters that link to the later stuff in this one I've thought about. My mind has not been playing nice these last few months. I still have chapters until almost the end of the year. I'm working on getting my mind in the right place. But in the meantime, please review for constructive criticism.

Chapter 8

Luke left the barracks area and headed to the medical center. All the while he thought about the conversation he just had. He felt bad for Korra and those with similar feelings like her. It couldn't have been easy for your parents to not understand you just because of who you love. And then to be afraid of what your friends and second family would think and do. Luke never thought about the stress of being in a same-sex relationship before. He always had other things to think and worry about. But now he was really thinking about it.

When he reached the entrance to the medical center, he stopped. He felt someone hurting inside. Not physically, but emotionally. He walked in slowly and looked to who was hurting and found it was Asami. She had her back to him with her legs hanging off the bed. Her shoulders were slumped, but she wasn't crying. He considered going over there and asking what was wrong, but the Force told him to wait for another time. So, instead, he walked over and tried to have his boots make as much sound as they could when they hit the metal floor.

She quickly turned around. There was no trace on her face that she was hurting and her feelings were buried deeply and quickly. But they were still there, if you knew what to look for. She nodded, "Master Skywalker."

He nodded as well, "Miss Sato." He noticed the look on her face, "Did I do something to upset you?"

She looked at him squarely in the eyes and said, "Yes." She left it at that.

"Can I ask why?"

"You can."

"Fine. What did I do to upset you? Because this isn't going to get us anywhere if we don't, at least, be content with each other." Luke felt like he was talking to a small child.

Asami sighed, "I guess I am being petty...but...something's off about you."

Luke furrowed his brow, "What do you mean?"

"You seem and seemed distracted."

"When? Now?"

"Yeah. Now and before when Pakmillu was telling you about Zuko, Katara and Sokka's injuries."

Luke thought about it, "Well, now I'm thinking about what I'm going to say to you and before…I don't know. Can you tell me what I was doing?"

"When you were over Zuko...you seemed...gone...not physically...but mentally. Then you walked over to Katara and you seemed happy. Then you walked over to Sokka and then you seemed almost...distraught. And you stood over this bed and you looked like you were going to run away. Why is that?"

Luke hadn't realized that he was doing that , "I-I was having a-an...interaction with someone I know to be dead." He said slowly, "And I was happy to feel her again and then she just...disappeared. So, I was going to run and find her." He thought about trying to go to her now but he didn't know where she was and Korra needed Asami right now. So he could wait.

"An 'interaction'?"

"Yeah. I'm a Force-user and I'm an empath and telepath among other things."

"What 'other things'?"

"Telekinesis, magnifying the senses, postcognition, precognition, healing abilities, lightning and countless others. I could be here for awhile just telling the abilities that I have used. Nevermind the abilities possible."

"And that is supposed to make me feel better about you...why? That Sith, Starkiller, he used his abilities to hurt people. What's to say you won't?"

"Because I've dedicated my life to help people. I've resurrected an entire culture and religion dedicated to helping people. And I've taken down people, the Sith, who use their power for evil."

"And what about that Sith that's here? Who's down there guarding him? Master Horn said that one of the three of you needed to guard him."

"I'm keeping watch of him." Luke said.

"How?"

"I can sense every move he makes. So far he's breathed two-hundred and six times and hasn't moved any other muscle."

"Only two-hundred and six? In what, an hour?"

"He's been meditating and healing from the stab wound I gave him. Two-hundred and seven times now." He said offhandedly.

Asami seemed satisfied and smiled a little, "Korra said she had a good feeling about you. I guess she's right." Luke felt love and pain wash over her without her face moving a muscle. Luke decided to leave that alone, too.

"Speaking of Korra, she needs to tell you something."

Now her face changed. It changed into a combination of happiness and...fear?, "So, she told you?"

"Yes, she ran into me, literally, and was very panicked and concerned."

"Okay, then can you take me to her? Because this really isn't the time for her to be panicking."

"Yes, I agree." Luke held out a hand to her. She eyed it like it was going to bite, "Last time you got up, you nearly collapsed." She reluctantly took it.

"What's that?" She pointed at his belt.

Luke pointed to his lightsaber "This?" She nodded, "This is a lightsaber. An elegant weapon, from a more civilized time. You've seen one when Starkiller used it against you."

"I've seen it before."

"I just said that Star-."

"No, I've seen that exact one before."

"Huh? How? When?"

"Um, over three years ago." Luke urged her to go on as they started walking towards the barracks, "By a man called Lars who saved me from a mugging."

"You're sure it was Lars?"

"Yeah, after he saved me he went to Air Temple Island for awhile, then he went with Korra to the South Pole and I don't remember seeing him again. Why?"

"Because my Aunt and Uncle's last name was Lars. And with him having a lightsaber…." He trailed off.

"He never turned it on. It was just a decorative object he said. He was a nomad."

"Hm, maybe." Luke pulled her to the side of the corridor as people walked by, "But I'll think about that later. I need to tell you about Korra right now."

"Why? What's wrong?" Asami seemed very worried now. It only reinforced his thoughts of the two of them.

"She was very panicked when she ran into me. When we talked she got herself into a panic attack."

"Just about what she thought about before?"

"Yes and more. Korra is very concerned about your opinion of her. I have a feeling that may be wrong but it's that her worst fear now is you rejecting her. I think she is so worried that you'll reject her that it affects her deeply. Even if she doesn't know it. I'm just warning you to be gentle with her."

She seemed insulted, "You think that I'm that insensitive?! That I would hurt her that way?! I-she-." Asami looked around and her voice was a whisper, "I love her! And I have for years! I would never see her get hurt if I could!"

"I know you love her. You two aren't subtle. And no, I don't think you're insensitive. I don't think you would hurt her on purpose. I'm just saying to take extra care with her right now. She's panicking about being in a same-sex relationship for the first time. And she needs you to just hear her out."

Asami took a deep breath and the anger flowed away, "I figured she would worry at some point about being in this relationship. I didn't think it would be so soon."

Luke felt awkward asking this question but he asked, "So, have you been in-?"

"Yes. You?"

"No. I only know of a couple of people who are in them and they aren't close friends. More like war buddies. I only know of two people who might know anything about it."

"So, why'd she go to you?"

Luke shrugged, "Because she doesn't know anyone else on this planet."

Asami started walking again and Luke led the way.

Luke was curious about something, "I know it's not my business, but how long have you two been together?"

She seemed uncomfortable about that, "Um, less than a week."

"Hm. And how long have you known each other?"

"Over three years."

"Ah, that makes sense now. Thank you." They walked the rest of the way in silence while dodging people going back and forth through the corridors. When they reached the door to where Korra was, Luke said, "Well, here it is."

"Thank you, Master Skywalker. I'm sorry that I didn't trust you before."

"You can call me Luke in private. And don't worry about it." He said as he waved his hand dismissively, "Why would you have trusted me?"

"You said before that you've pulled every string that you could to keep all of us from the prison. And you helped Korra now and before."

"Just doing my job. Now, go in there already! I can feel her anxiety and it's making me anxious!" Luke turned to leave, "Oh, before I go" He looked back at her, "The briefing will try to be in a half-hour, at least. If I'm in the medical center when you two leave then we'll go in together. But if not, then it's the first left down the corridor from the medical center."

"Thank you. We'll be there." He heard her say before the door opened and closed. Now, Luke thought, to wake those kids up and then we can know more about this time and theirs. Then, hopefully, find her.

Ever since Luke left, Korra paced the room while she tried to think of how to say what she needed to say to Asami. Korra had almost everything planned on what she was going to say when she heard voices outside the door. She went back to the bed she was on when Luke was there but didn't sit down. Korra couldn't tell what they were saying but she was getting worried. When the door opened, Korra saw Asami. Everything she had planned was gone from her mind. Even worse, Korra's mouth went dry and her throat started to hurt.

"H-hi." Korra managed to get out. Never before had she been this afraid that she couldn't even talk. This was a different type of fear, not the life-threatening type. It was similar to the fear she had with Mako that one time but far worse. She supposed that Luke was right and that this was real.

"Hi." Asami said. She went over to Korra, grabbed her hands and pulled her to sit down on the bunk, "Luke told me you're ready to talk. I won't pressure you into anything. Luke said you had a panic attack just talking to him. Whatever you need to say, I'm here. And I always will be."

Korra's vision got blurry but she refused to let them spillover. Asami always knew how to make her feel better and calm her down. Why didn't I just go to her first? Why couldn't I just say this earlier? Korra thought. Korra took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for being here. Even though I pushed you away."

Asami went and hugged her, "Always." Asami pulled away after they sat there awhile, "So, what is it you wanted to tell me?" She said when Korra didn't speak.

Asami held Korra at arm's length when she looked down and said, "I know this isn't the time or place to say this and please don't be upset when I say this-."

"Why would I be upset by anything you say?" Asami asked, interrupting Korra.

"I don't know." Korra admitted, "Maybe you don't feel the same way. Maybe you'll think I'm weird or worse-."

"Do you think that I'm shallow?"

"Wha-? No, no! Of course not!" Korra hastened to say as she looked up, "I'm just new to this! And I don't want to screw this up like with Mako."

"I think I know where this is going." said Asami, "So, please, just say it."

Korra was very afraid that Asami was going to turn her down. But she had gone this far, "Asami," She looked into Korra's eyes, "I-I think I love you." Korra waited for what felt like forever for Asami to respond. She hadn't moved except to lower her hands from Korra's arms. Then, all of a sudden, Asami beamed and crashed her lips onto Korra's. Her eyes shot open in surprise. Korra hadn't been expecting that response. Asami wrapped her arms around Korra's neck to deepen the kiss. Korra closed her eyes and enjoyed it.

Asami pulled back, after another eternity passed by for both of them, to catch their breath, "S-sorry!" Asami breathed, "You don't know how long I've wanted for you to say that!" She pulled Korra into a hug and whispered into her ear, "I love you, too! For so long!" Korra beamed with her, and now did her tears spillover. Korra couldn't believe it, Asami loved her! She loved her!

Now, Korra pulled back from the hug. Asami giggled when she saw Korra's tears, which just made her blush, while both of them were still beaming. Asami reached with a hand and brushed Korra's tears away with her thumb. Along with her fears, like always. Now Korra couldn't understand why she hadn't said this earlier when she thought it. But considering both of their reactions, it would've been pretty embarrassing to be a beaming and crying mess. But then again, for Asami, Korra would do anything.

Asami pulled Korra into her chest for another hug and Korra just let it happen. She listened to Asami's heartbeat. It was going fast. Korra felt her own. It was also going fast. Asami started laughing a little which confused Korra. She tried to pull away to ask but Asami's grip just tightened. So Korra asked into Asami's chest, "What's so funny?"

"You...me...us. This whole situation. And the fact that it seems Luke foresaw all this."

"Huh? Why bring up Luke now?! It's like bringing up my parents or Tenzin and Pema now. It just feels...awkward."

"Sorry, you're right. Don't bring up fifty-somethings when we're having a moment."

Korra just giggled, which was strange for her, "Well, you brought it up and ruined the moment, so, spit it out." Korra tried to wiggle out of her grasp to see her face to talk to her, but Asami didn't budge.

"Stop wiggling!" Asami ordered and Korra stopped, but pouted, "Now don't pout about it!"

"I'm not pouting!"

"Korra. I can feel you. I know you. You're pouting."

Korra smiled and whined, "I just wanted to see your beautiful face!"

Asami chuckled and replied, "That's not going to work. So I'll just talk about the fifty-something Luke."

Korra groaned, "I thought you didn't like Luke!"

"We had an understanding. But Luke said that we weren't subtle about feelings toward each other and he knew that I loved you."

"Okay...your point?"

"My point is, if he knew about us for just meeting us today, then what about the people back home?"

"Well, we know that Aang and the old Team Avatar know about us."

"Yeah, but what about everyone else? Like Mako and Bolin-."

"-And Tenzin and Pema-."

"-Yeah, and Lars, too."

Korra furrowed her brow at that, "Why do you bring him up?"

"Because Luke kind of reminds me of him."

"Yeah, kinda like a mixture of Tenzin and Lars."

"Yeah, and then there's that thing he has on his belt. He calls it a lightsaber. But I swear that I've seen Lars have the same exact one on his belt. And now that I think about it, their robes and cloak are similar to each other, too."

"I've only ever seen him wear the Air Acolyte robes before. Well, and Southern Water Tribe clothes when we were down there. When'd you see him wear those?"

Asami loosened her grip on Korra so that she could get out if she wanted, but now, Korra was comfy, "When I first meet him, it was before you were even in Republic City. He saved me from some Triple Threats that were harassing me."

"Huh, neither of you mentioned that before."

"Yeah, after he saved me, I offered him a bite to eat at Yuang's diner, since it was closest. He then admitted he didn't have a place to stay for the night and I offered him a room at my house. Next morning he went to talk to Tenzin about becoming an Air Acolyte. The next time I saw him was when I moved onto Air Temple Island after…." She trailed off and Korra just wrapped her arms around her and said nothing. Korra knew what was happening, even if she didn't know exactly how it felt. After a little while of them sitting there like that, Asami continued, "And you know what happened from there."

"Yeah." Korra whispered into Asami's chest. Korra pulled back to arm's length again but kept her hands touching Asami, "You know," She started hesitantly, "If it ever gets too bad for you...you could go to Luke. He lost his wife to murder about five years ago. He might know more about this than I do."

"You-you do fine."

"For now, maybe. Just... keep it in mind while we're here."

"I will." Asami took a deep breath then said, "Come on. Let's stop with these 'feelings'," She air quoted with her fingers, "And go to that briefing. Luke said that it would happen in about a half-hour from when I got in. I think it's been passed a half-hour."

"Yeah, sure." They both got up and headed to the door while holding hands. They went through the hallways with Asami leading the way while Korra was behind her, still holding her hand.

When they reached a door with a guard by it, Asami stopped and said, "I guess they're already in."

They tried to enter but the guard stopped them, "No one enters the briefing room once it's in session."

"But we're invited." Korra said.

"Names?" The human man said.

"Korra and Asami."

"Last names?"

"Uh-I don't have-."

"Sato." Asami said. Korra looked at her dumbfounded. She just glanced over and winked.

"You're late." He said, "Come on in." He stepped aside and let them in. When they walked inside, Korra saw only a few people she recognized. To her right and in the back was the creature named Chewie and some other man leaning against the wall next to him. To the right of Chewie was a white and blue-domed machine of some kind. Next to that was a golden human-looking machine to the right of the other one. In the middle seating, were a bunch of people Korra didn't recognize and a bunch of species Korra didn't recognize. The only one she recognized was a man from the same species as Pakmillu. There also were people that were blue with some color and had some static go through them every once in a while. Korra had no idea what they were.

But in the front seating was the old Team Avatar. In the front stood Luke, Corran, Jaina and some other man who might be 'the General'. When Luke noticed them, he ushered them over, "Korra, Asami," He said when they reached him, "Glad you could make it." He seemed to notice their hands and smiled but pointed and said, "Your seats are right there." They went to their seats and sat down. Korra was to the right of Katara and Asami was at the end.

Katara leaned over and whispered, "Nice to see you two are alright."

"It's good to see that you are as well." Korra whispered back.

Katara was going to whisper something. But was interrupted, when the man who might be the General said, "Hello everyone. And welcome."