Here we are another chapter in. As usual I own only that which belongs to me, the OC's and plot.

7: Free

Two days had come, and gone yet there was still no signs of Mako waking up. Bolin had spent almost the entire time at his brother's bedside; only leaving to get some sleep at Opal's insistence. Korra visited multiple times a day, and Asami came with her once a day for a short visit to see how Mako was doing. There was little to no news about the near catastrophe that happened at future industries. Raiko's office and Asami's publicist had done a thorough job covering it up as a gas main explosion.

During that time both Jinora, and Kai had also returned to Republic city for a time. As soon as they got the news from Pema they'd quickly made their way to the hospital. They found Mako's room on the second floor with Bolin sitting quietly at his bedside.

"Hey Bolin" Jinora said quietly as they entered the room.

"Hey you guys what are you doing here?" Bolin asked as he looked up at them with a tired smile.

"We just got back. When mom told us what happened, we came to see how Mako was doing." Jinora said.

"Well she wanted to see how he was doing. I'm here, because he owes me twenty Yuans." Kai added.

Jinora quickly elbowed him in the side. Kai gave a pained grunt as his girlfriend glared at him.

"Sorry it's probably not a good time for jokes." Kai said with a sheepish grin as he rubbed his side. Bolin gave them a small smile.

"So what did the doctors say, do they know when he is supposed to wake up?" Jinora asked.

Bolin's smile quickly disappeared as he looked at Mako. "The doctors say that by all rights he should be dead." Bolin said as he turned to see the air benders stunned expressions. "As for him waking up it's more a matter of if, than when."

"Hey come on man don't talk like that" Kai said. "I thought you were supposed to be the optimistic one."

Bolin smiled at Kai's words. "It's a deal that Mako, and I made a long time ago. If I was the one in the hospital, he would have to be Mr. Optimism, but if it was him I need to be realistic."

"Kai is right Bolin. Mako is going to pull through, he always does." Jinora said as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

While Jinora did her best to reassure Bolin, Kai could only stare solemnly at the fire bender. Mako was deathly pale, so much so that you could see the blue veins beneath his skin. The doctors had him hooked up to IV's, a respirator, and a heart monitor that beeped steadily. If it weren't for that beeping, or the slight rise, and fall of his chest he would look exactly like a corpse. Though Kai would never admit it out loud, he looked up to Mako. The detective had inspired him to be so much more than he had been before. Seeing Mako like this was very unnerving.

"Has he shown any brain activity?" Jinora asked as she moved next to the bed.

"Just enough to show that he's still in there somewhere." Bolin answered.

Jinora closed her eyes, and reached out her hand. "Maybe I can help guide him out." The second she made contact with Mako her eyes shot open, and she ripped her hand away as though she'd been burned. Her eyes were opened wide, and she was now breathing rapidly as she clutched her hand to her chest.

"Jinora are you alright, what's wrong?" Kai asked worriedly.

"I need to see Korra right now." Jinora said quickly as she turned, and ran out of the room. Bolin and Kai looked at each other in confusion before the latter took off after her.

The second that Jinora was clear of the hospital she launched into the sky with a gust of wind. Using her air bending she glided swiftly over the buildings towards the Sato mansion. She was moving so swiftly that it was taking everything Kai had to catch up with her.

"Jinora what the hell is going on?" Kai called out as he came up behind her.

"We need to find Korra now!" was all she yelled back.

Korra was with Asami at her mansion. They were currently in the study playing a tense game of Pai Sho.

"And I win again." Asami declared with a bright smile.

"Oh come on." Korra said with a groan. "Best five out of nine." She challenged.

"If you insist" Asami said as they began resetting the pieces.

"You know I actually forgot how quiet this place is without Yin, and the clan around." Asami remarked.

"I bet the staff was relieved when they left to be Wu's personal quests back in Ba Sing Se." Korra said with a chuckle. "Have they heard about Mako yet?"

"I sent them a letter the day after" Asami said as silence settled between them.

"Do you want to share what's bothering you?" Asami finally asked.

Korra sighed as she looked up from the board, and into her girlfriend's eyes. "It just that you were messing around with spirit vines, and you didn't even tell me."

"Korra I wasn't messing around with them. I was studying them, and using them to for the city's benefit."

"It doesn't matter what you were doing with them. After what Kuvira did you know how dangerous they are. Mako is in a coma right now."

Asami's eyes hardened at the mention of Kuvira. "I am well aware of everything that monster did." She said coldly. "As for Mako..." she started, but her voice lost its edge, and she looked down in shame. "I never meant for anyone to get hurt, especially him."

Korra's eyes softened and she placed her hand on Asami's. "I know you had the best intentions at heart, and when Mako wakes up he'll understand to."

Asami looked up into Korra's blue eyes. "Are we okay then?"

Korra leaned forward, and kissed her reassuringly. "Yeah we're okay." She said leaning back. "Just no more secrets okay." Asami nodded, but she couldn't quite look her in the eyes.

Before Korra could inquire further Jinora burst into the room followed by an exhausted Kai.

"What are you guys doing here?" Asami asked as Jinora rushed over to Korra. The air bending girl placed both hands on either side of korra's head, and closed her eyes.

"Um Kai what exactly is going on?" Korra asked in confusion.

"Beats me; we were at the hospital visiting Mako when she just took off to find you." Kai explained when he finally caught his breath. After a moment Jinora opened her eyes, and stepped back with a scared look on her face.

"Jinora what is going on, what happened?" Korra said standing up.

Jinora just shook her head, and looked Korra in the eyes.

"He's free" she said quietly.

As always comments, and reviews are welcome. seriously please comment or review. I mean that is half the reason writers post stories on here. Anyway stay tuned for the next chapter.