'When you try your best but you don't succeed, When you get what you want but not what you need, When you feel so tired but you can't sleep, Stuck in reverse...'

"For these past three months, everyone at headquarters asked her if she was feeling fine. She felt fine. They said that she looked paler than usual. Lin rolled her eyes at them. Not when she woke up one day. She felt something was different.
"No... It's impossible... It's..." Lin was breathing heavy.

She stomped her barefoot against her floor again. She stood there wide-eyed.
That was how Lin felt earlier last week. Now Lin was sitting aboard a train towards Gaoling. Tenzin had tried to stop her but he hadn't been able to convince her, it only made her want to leave sooner. She let him embrace her say his goodbyes to her. She lied about having a lover. She had already given him a goodbye.

"Humph. Katara better have not told him or I disown her as well." She said crossing her arms in front of her chest. Lin had her own private cart. So she could do as she pleased in it. Lin looked out the window. She pursed her lips. It was dark out. Thanks to Tenzin, she had gotten on a late night train that was departing. She broke his heart but he had done the same. Now Lin was alone. Well... She wasn't entirely alone. Yet, she wasn't sure if they'd survive. Lin had been behaving risky lately. She did notice how her uniform had become a bit tighter. Lin had no idea. She'd been zoning in and out. When she finally took a break she noticed the extra heartbeats within her. She practically went into panic mode. Lin called the only person that she could think of, which was Katara. Katara came, and told her that indeed she was pregnant. Three months to be exact. Lin couldn't believe it. Katara couldn't either. Both knew that is was impossible for her to get pregnant. After her incident years ago, she wasn't able to bear a child. Lin leaned her head against the window. The look on Tenzin's face remained in her thoughts. 'You started this Tenzin. You can't keep Pema and me. So I decided to remove myself from the picture. Not just me...

Lin placed her hand on her stomach. She felt the tears in her eyes. She pushed them away. Katara told her not to stress herself. That she would go to Gaoling when she had time and not causing suspicions amongst those whom they both knew. Katara told Lin to tell Tenzin, that he had a right to know. Lin bit her lower lip. She didn't want to. What if they didn't survive, what if they died Tenzin's hope and her hope would have died too. What if they did survive? Would they have been earth bending children, air benders, or a non-bender? So many questions surged her when she found out.
Lin let out a sigh. It was best if she slept. She slept peacefully, in these three months she hasn't gotten a good's night rest in a while. She dreamt of two children running around her. One of her children earth bended whilst the other air bended. In her sleeping state she smiled.

'And the tears come streaming down your face, When you lose something you can't replace, When you love someone but it goes to waste, Could it be worse?...'

Lin woke up feeling thirsty and groggy. She looked out the window. It was still dark. She probably only got an hour of sleep. The disorientation of her body and mind irritated her. Lin hadn't been to Gaoling since her mother took her years before. Lin's grandparents always spoiled Lin. She never did become one of those prissy floozies. She was always headstrong; however, Tenzin made her feel like one of those floozies at times. Lin sighed. She was always headstrong. Her mother brought her up like that. Training her hard but she did love her very much even if she didn't show it to her through hugs and kisses like aunt Katara. Toph loved her very much. Lin suppressed a small smile. She stared out the window again. If her children came out healthy, she'd keep them faraway from Republic City. It isn't safe. Plus if anyone were to find out these two would be a number one target against her. She scowled. I can't abandon them. No, I won't. But one thing sure, they're not staying in Republic City. Not unless I, keep it safe for the time being for them." Lin said aloud. A slight shiver went through her body. Lin felt cold. She pulled her knees towards her chest. Curling herself in a ball. Trying to let the intoxication of sleep hit her again. Her eyes fluttered shut. The gentle push of the train didn't bother her. She didn't dream this time. She let sleep consume her.

'Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones and I will try to fix you...'

6 months later...

Lin had isolated herself from everyone. She stayed inside the Beifong mansion; she only left if it was necessary. Katara came by once a month. Lin had made it to the final trimester of her pregnancy. Katara would tell her how Tenzin was. How he missed reading about her in the papers. Lin scoffed at Katara's remarks. Lin was sitting on the couch drinking her tea peacefully when Katara had to ask her this.

"You're due any day now; you've gone months without telling Tenzin. When do you plan on telling him?" Katara asked her on the verge of going hysterical. "I'll eventually tell him... Just, that now isn't the time. I want to see what type of benders they are. I can't just go to him and be like 'oh, yeah, I left because I was pregnant and here's our kids.'" Lin said as her anger was rising.
"I understand Lin but you need to tell him, he has the right to know." Katara said softly to Lin. "I think he lost that opportunity long ago." Lin retorted pouting her lips. Katara sighed and left Lin to think things over. It was a chilly night. There were a few signs of spring. Lin knew that Tenzin had a right to know but he has a new life to live up to. It's not right for him to just leave his wife and go with Lin. Lin would tell him when it was convenient for her.

Three days later…

"Oh Lin, they're beautiful." Katara gushed over her newly born grandchildren.
" M-hmm." Agreed Lin.
"What will you name my grandson and my granddaughter?" Katara asked.

"For my handsome little boy, I'll name him Jie and for my beautiful daughter I'll name her Mo Li." Lin said softly as she watched her two children sleep peacefully in her arms. Katara nodding in agreement understanding the meanings of the names.

"If you need me just call for me, I'll let you rest." Katara said. Lin nodded. Watching her two bundles of joy sleep peacefully. Lin lay her head and gently turned to her side. Watching her children closely as they slept without a worry to their lives. Lin let a small smile appear on her face before resting for a few minutes. Only to be awoken by soft giggles right beside her. Lin looked at the twins. Only to give them a smile in return.

"You two aren't fussy. I don't know if I should be happy or be sad at that fact." Lin told the both of them. All they did was gurgle spit and be amused by Lin. Katara had come into the room when Lin had finished feeding both children and had put them to sleep.
"Who would've thought, you're a natural Lin," Katara said amusingly at Lin's accomplishment. Lin shrugged but smiled. "When do you think I'll be able to tell what type of bender they are?" Lin asked.

"It depends dear. Not all babies are the same." Katara said.

"Yes but..." Lin began only to be cut off.

"You'll have to wait and see." Katara told her.
"The one thing I want you to do is call and tell Tenzin." She added walking out of her room.

Lin's face was red. She didn't want to tell Tenzin. This moment was hers only. It had fixed her in some sense. She didn't want to lose her one moment of happiness that would actually be there for her. Lin bit her lower lip. Lin looked at the telephone that was sitting around her bedside. Only looking at it, never did she make an attempt to pick it up and call. She only stared at it. As if it was the one thing that separated her and her happiness. She scowled and lifted it. Hearing the operator ask her where she would like to place her call. Lin told the operator where and connected her. Sitting there and listening to the soft static, waiting for someone to pick it up.

"Councilman Tenzin,"

Lin swallowed hard against the lump in her throat.
"Hello?"
"Tenzin..." Lin finally produced.
"Lin! Oh Lin... Is something the matter? Are you fine? When..."

"Tenzin, I'm fine, I called to ask how things are in Republic City." She said cutting him off from asking when she would be back.
"Things are decent, slightly in need of you." He said softly.
Lin placed her hand against her forehead. She let out a sigh.

"By decent you mean not as much criminal activity as it normally is or as in the opposite and that last bit... That sounds like something you would say." She hissed.
"Lin..." He said sighing.
A silence came upon them.
"Well, I guess I better get going, I don't want to make your bill or my bill to be too high. Goodbye, Tenzin," Lin said. Placing the receiver back into place only to hear the last bit that he rambled to say but was cut off.

'And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth...'

Lin sat there. Staying as quiet as possible. She stood up from the edge of her bed and walked over to the twins who were fast asleep without a care to the world around them. She let the tip of her fingers gently touch their pink cheeks. Small smiles appeared on their innocent faces. Lin's eyes started to moisten. Tenzin didn't need to know about them. Katara would lash out at her for not telling him. Lin wanted him to move on, even if it hurts her deep down. She needs to let him go. Yes, she'll remain enraged at knowing that he cheated but they had different ideals, now look, she was a mother.

'Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you, Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face I...'

One year later...

Lin was pouting. After a whole year Lin still didn't know if her kids were benders or not and what type of bender they were too. She and her kids were sitting in a grassy area in the courtyard of the mansion. "Jie, Mo Li, look." Lin made a small dent into the earth. A butterfly that was flying around them distracted her children. Lin sighed.
"You two find that more interesting than me making a dent in the ground." Lin said aloud pouting.
Lin observed her children. Her son and daughter looked much like her but they had a resemblance towards Tenzin as well. Her daughter had his grey eyes. She watched them very closely. Her daughter was getting frustrated with the butterfly and elevated herself with the earth beneath her. Lin was flabbergasted that her daughter elevated herself with the earth. Lin stood up and picked her up from her little earth stool.
"You... Cheeky lemur," Lin said to her daughter.
Lin suddenly remembered about her son and looked around for him. She found him standing around the tree in the courtyard. He was stomping the ground. He left indentations where he was standing. Lin lifted the boy off of his feet and put them beside each other.
""You're both earth benders." She said proudly pulling them into a tight hug.
Lin would come and go from Gaoling. She was taking care of Republic City and her children. It had been four years since she found out about their bending abilities. Lin was in her office. When she lifted up a paper that had been resting at the edge. Lin's eyes widened. She couldn't believe it. It took Tenzin five friggin years for him to impregnate his floozy.
"Humph" Lin scowled at the thought of them touching each other. Lin got up and said her goodbyes to her comrades. Little by little the criminal rate in Republic City was going up. It was worrying Lin very much but at least her children wouldn't be harmed by it. As Lin stepped out of headquarters she saw Tenzin and Katara standing there. Katara had a very bleak expression while Tenzin seemed to be agitated. Lin knew what was going to happen. She walked causally and walked slightly past them.
"Hello Lin." Katara said to her.
Tenzin was being super quiet.
"Hello." Lin replied. Crossing her arms against her chest.
Tenzin was looking pale now.
"I already know Tenzin. No need to worry." Lin told him.
She saw how he swallowed and let out a puff of air.
"Oh..." Was all he could produce.
"I'm kind of in a hurry here." Lin said biting her lip.
Lin turned on the ball of her heel. Stalking off. Only to be stopped by a gush of wind. She turned around to look at Tenzin once again but looked at Katara as well. Katara shook her head. She hadn't told him. Lin let out a sigh of relief but placed her attention back to Tenzin.
"Why have you been leaving the city so frequently?" He asked her.
Lin was taken aback and let out a chuckle as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Do I need to remind you that I'm a grown woman Tenzin? Or should I knock some sense into you? Take your pick." She asked him.
"Don't avoid my question Lin. It's for the council," he said looking away from her.
Lin pouted. He was lying. She didn't need her seismic sense to know that he was lying.
"Do you really want to know?" She asked playfully.
Tenzin looked at her.
"I've been leaving the city because I have a lover and let me tell you this; he's a pretty good guy, not just personality." Lin said turning around to walk away leaving a red faced Tenzin behind.
Lin had boarded the train. Pouting but enjoying the fact that she had embarrassed Tenzin.
Lin arrived to Gaoling; she was tired but wanted to see her kids. Jie and Mo Li were five now. They had come running to her as fast as they could.
"MOMMY" Both Jie and Mo Li said.
Jie, Mo Li what have I said about running inside the house." She said to them sternly.
"Sorry" Jie said to her looking down at his feet. She looked at her daughter. Who was pouting and had her arms crossed around her chest. She mumbled a sorry.
"What? I couldn't hear you Mo Li," Lin said to her going a bit closer to her.
Mo Li pouted more but smiled when her mother started to tickle her.
"Sorry" said Mo Li through giggles.
"That's what I thought." Lin said playfully.
Lin walked hand in hand with her children sitting down in the couch while the two of them pulled themselves up.
"Today at school we meet the princess," Jie said with a tint of blush in his cheeks.
Mo Li giggled." Yeah Jie here likes her."
"N-no I don't were just friends plus I'm too young." Jie said nervously.
Lin sat there in between the two.
"Yeah you do." Mo Li said mockingly.
"Uh-huh, how was everything in the city?" The young boy asked his mother.
Lin looked at him. "Busy and what's this of a princess?" She said to Jie wanting to know more.
The boy blushed more. Both Lin and Mo Li laughed. "It's not funny." Jie said on the verge of tears." Lin stopped her laughter.
"Oh, I know it isn't, have you told the princess you like her?" Lin said while pulling her son closer to her and shushing her daughters little giggles.
"Nooo... I want it to be special."
Lin was taken aback by her small son.
"You're right, why don't you wait when you're a young man." She told him. He looked up at her and smiled a somewhat tooth less smile.
Lin let out a chuckle.
"What about you?" She asked.
"Who me? WELL, there's this handsome looking man that I saw today." Mo Li said with a giggle.
"Did you now." Lin said letting a smile come out against her lips.
Her daughter nodded.
"Tomorrow when you're both done school, how about we train in our usual spot?" Lin asked her children.
They both gave each other a quick glance and nodded.
"We can't wait to show you what we can do." They both exclaimed excitedly.
As they made their way where most of the time they would train. There would be people here but they were doing their own thing. There was a riverbank to cool off or to get a drink. Lin knew of a spot where there was barely anybody to be in sight; however, on the other side there was a man with two children. A dark skinned boy who looked like he belonged to a water tribe and a young girl whose skin was comparable to porcelain and her long brown hair that fell gently. Lin didn't say a word. She minded her business, giving the man a quick turnover. He was well built. Handsome too. Lin cleared her throat and looked at her kids.
"Are you two ready?" She asked. The three across the riverbank mesmerized her kids. "T-t-that's the princess." Jie said nervously.
"And that's Mr. Mystery." Mo Li added.

Lin looked back at the three that seemingly had been training for a good bit. You could see the sweat that was glistening off of the two. It just made the young girl more beautiful for her age. She was the same age as Lin's children. She looked at the young girl's form. It wasn't traditional earth bending. There were tints of it; Lin saw a mixture of earth bending and water bending. She looked from the young girl to the dark skinned boy. Their movements were as if they were one. Then her eyes adjusted to their teacher. Who seemed to be pleased with their form. Lin and her children admired the three for a good bit until the dark skinned boy sneezed causing some water to sway and making the connection break.
Their teacher frowned.
"Takim... Be careful. You start a tsunami with your sneezing." The man said.
"Sorry, I feel like I'm getting a cold." Takim said sniffing.
The princess giggled. "I think we should take a break. Shouldn't we master Kei?"
"Very well but Takim, stay far away from the river bank and Rui... Make sure he doesn't go near the water." Kei said walking off.
"All right, lover man!" She yelled giggling at the end.
"Umm... Aren't those two from your school?" Takim asked through a sniffle.
The princess turned around to look.
"They are, come on let's go say hi." Rui said cheerfully.
"I don't think we should." He said only to be pulled by the young girl. Takim made an ice bridge for them.
They were in the midst of showing their mother what they learnt when they stopped when the princesses voice greeted them.
"Hello, Jie and Mo Li," The princess said.
"Oh, sorry for interrupting. I'll leave then..." She said as she walked lightly back to her friend.
"No, we were done." Lin told the young girl.
Lin got a better look at the girl her eyes were a mixture of green and grey. The green in her eyes were more vivid.

"No, please, continue. We're on our break. We shouldn't be disturbing your training session." The young girl said.

"No, it's all right, if you like you can stay and watch." Lin told the girl

"Rui, I'll be heading back to see if he "came back." The dark skinned boy told her in a stuffy voice.
The young girl bit her lower lip.
"I'll go with you. You're sick. You never no. Something might pop out and get you. I would never forgive myself for that." The princess said with a tint of sarcasm and a light laugh at the end. Making the dark skinned boy blush.
"It was a pleasure meeting you... Miss..."

"Beifong," Lin added. The young girl wasn't affected by the mention of her name. She only smiled and bowed and retreated with her friend.
"Aw, man, I wanted her to see my skills," Jie said.
"To bad, it would've been nice," Mo Li said to her brother.
Lin chuckled at both of them.
"We're not done here you two." Lin told them.
As they continued their intense training, they noticed that the trio that arrived were starting to depart.
"Kei, I'm fine really." Takim told his mentor in a stuffy voice.
"You are not. Plus I can hear Aya's remarks of letting you train." His mentor replied.
"Can you two at least try to get along with each other, please" Rui said to the both of them.
"The man and the boy stared at each other. Both sigh a defeated sigh.

"Fine," They both mumbled.
"Good. Why don't you carry him, "Rui said whilst walking past them only to stop and turn around and tilt her head to the side?
"Well, come on, I'm going to be late."
Their mentor carried the boy on his shoulders. "Why do we listen to her again?" The boy whispered to him. "Because she's the boss," He replied. "You know it!" She yelled over her "The three Beifongs watched in amusement. The only noise that came from them was the crunching of their feet. Until the princess asked a question.
"Hey Jung, you're going to...umm what's her faces place aren't you?" The young girl asked him.
"Lin started to ponder at the man's last name. 'No, its Kei Jung, the one who owns a dojo in Ba sing se.' Lin snorted. Only for the man in front of him to look at her through the corner of his eyes.
"Hello to you to, Beifong." He said to her in a cool smooth voice that wrung in the air between them.
"Oh, why if it isn't Jung, I thought it was an ostrich horse in front of me." Lin said sarcastically.
The children let out giggles. Not the princess. She remained subtle. Lin 'Hmm, she's not the prissy type all right, she's mature for her age.'
"Back, to your question Rui, as a matter of fact I am." He replied to the princess ignoring Lin's remark.
The young girl stopped walking and let her mentor walk in front of her. She had stopped to give the man a scowl. Lin watched ever so closely. So did her children.
"Rui, I already know why you're asking. My opinion won't change. The girl bit her lower lip.
"All right." Was all that she could produce. As they all made it to a fountain Kei and Takim left the girl here. Saying their goodbyes to her. "See ya around, Beifong." Jung said with a slight flick of his hand as he walked away with the young boy.
Lin scowled at him. Crossing her arms and placing her full attention at her children bombarding the poor girl with questions and invitations.
"You two, that's enough," Lin ordered the two to hush up.
"Sorry." They both said.
The young princess cleared her throat.
"I'll be leaving now, bye." She said with a wave to the three of them only to be smothered by a Black Panther cub.
"Jeez Crane who let you out?"
They all stood there with their mouths agape.
"Oh, don't worry, just my pet. Umm... Bye." She said stalking off with her pet.
"I thought she was getting eaten." Jie exclaimed. "It looked pretty normal to me, Jie you big worry wort." Mo Li told him.
Lin watched them, for a minute, it reminded her of Tenzin and her when they were children fighting and care free at that age.
"Mom? Is something wrong?" Her son questioned her.
Lin shook her head no.
"Then what?" Mo Li asked.
"It's just..." Lin couldn't find the words to tell her children.
"Nothing" Lin added quickly to avoid where the conversation was going.
Since they both learned to speak, they questioned about their father. Lin only gave a brief description about their father. Lin had been avoiding why he supposedly left them. She avoided a lot of their questions.
"Were you thinking about Dad?" Mo Li asked innocently as possible.
Lin stayed quiet. She didn't want to talk about Tenzin. He was busy with his floozy anyway. Lin was only part of his past. His whole past to be exact. Lin sighed.
"Somewhat," she replied.
Mo Li scrunched her nose.
"Liar,"
Lin pouted. "Says who?"
"Can you two stop it?" Jie exclaimed.
Lin and Mo Li looked at each other and pouted. Lin gave a small smile, Mo Li was much like her but her eyes were Tenzin's. Jie behaved and acted like Tenzin except there were times where he was like Lin. Mo Li continued to pout and looked in the opposite direction.
"One of these days, I might disappear, "Lin whispered into her daughter's ear.
Mo Li straightened herself. "What? Why? Don't disappear." Mo Li said while biting her lower lip and holding back her tears.
"Oh, I won't, I promise." Lin said bringing both of them towards her.
"How do you know that guy mom?" Jie questioned.
"I met him once, I never knew he'd remember my name." Replied Lin.
Her son nodded his head.
Lin was proud at their development. They were good at earth bending she was hoping to teach them metal bending but that would be years from now. Their dinner had been very subtle.
"How'd you and dad meet?" Jie asked.
Lin looked up at him; she cleared her throat and responded. "Well, we both met, when we were kids, our parents were friends."
"Cool," Mo Li said.
Jie fiddled with his food, looking at it intently.
"Why's he not with you?"
"Mo Li looked up at him, then glancing at her mom.
"Lin leaned back in her chair and let out a deep sigh.
"He... Got married with someone else." She told the both of them not making eye contact whatsoever.
"So, he abandoned us?" Mo Li said angrily.
Lin bit the inside of her cheek.
"More like abandoned me than you." Lin said calmly.
"What?" They both said. "He doesn't know about us then?" Jie said softly.
Lin looked at him; he was very much like Tenzin. What was she saying, they both were like him. It pained her to see their expressions about Tenzin not knowing.
"So who's the floozy that took him away, I'll give her a piece of my mind." Mo Li retorted.
Lin chuckled. "I tried. It doesn't matter anymore; he's long gone now."
"It does matter..." Jie softly spoke. Getting out of his chair and going to his room.
Lin furrowed her eyebrows in concern.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to him." Mo Li told her mother as she got out of her chair and went towards her brother's bedroom.
Lin gathered the plates and washed them. She walked by her son's room. Listening for any sign of noise from him. There were soft giggles and sniffling. Lin left them alone. As much as she wanted to smother them. She'd rather let their minds and hearts decide for themselves.
Lin had gotten herself ready for bed. She was reading a book that she had gotten a while back, she wanted to finish it, and she heard her bedroom door open. She looked up from her book to see her children staring at her. The phone began to ring at the time she was going to say something to them. She let out an irritated sigh.
"Beifong," Lin answered stoically.
"Lin, thank the spirits you answered."
The entire colour that had been in her face went away.
"Councilman, what do I have the privilege of receiving a call from you,"
"Lin, please..."
"Councilman, if you don't tell me what it is you called for, I might as well hang up now." Lin hissed.
Her children climbed in to her bed. Looking at her, wondering who was calling their mother at this time.
"Fine, if you'd like me to be a little more blunt with you, you have to cut your little rendezvous short. There are serious issues a foot. Saikhan said he had this in a bag with some of your skilled officers but... He and those officers haven't surfaced since last night."
"What? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Lin pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I would have but again, I didn't want to ruin your rendezvous"
"Lin heard the jealousy in Tenzin's voice. Lin looked at her children.
"Mom is everything all right" Mo Li asked. Tenzin must have heard her.
"Mom?"
"Uh... Look, I'll be there as soon as I take care of things around here. Councilman, I think you're hearing things. Goodbye." Lin hanged up.
Lin looked at her children.
"Everything's fine." Lin reassured her daughter. Jie sat there quietly. Lin pulled him towards her.
"Now tell me, why are you two not in bed?"
"I couldn't go to sleep," Jie said.
"Me neither." Mo Li said.
Lin bit her lower lip.
"I might as well let you two sleep in here then,"
"But..."
"And, I won't be coming as frequently as I have." Lin told them.
Both of them snuggled closer to her.
"You'll still come right?" Jie hid his face in Lin's side.
"Mo Li hiding under the covers.
Lin let out a sigh.
"I don't know, I have to limit myself, I'm needed in Republic City, and I know you two need me too..."
"Then stay." Lin heard the muffled voice from under the covers.
"I can't leave my job, Mo Li."
"Then we'll go with you." Jie muffled.
Lin felt heartbroken seeing her children behave like this. She pulled the covers off of Mo Li and pulled Jie out.
"Look, as much as I want you two to come with me, you just can't, it's too dangerous, and I don't want anything to happen to you two, you're both my life." Lin said.
"Both children looked as if they wanted to cry but held it back.
"Promise us you won't get hurt." They said in unison.
"I promise," Lin said with a smile.
"Now, let's go to bed." She added.
Lin waited until both Jie and Mo Li were asleep. Lin lay between them. It hurt her very much to leave them. She didn't want to but it was for their sake. She wanted them to be in Republic City with her but she wanted it to be safe for them. Until that day comes, they could be together. Her children were her light and strength. They were what had fixed her but were a reminder of the love Tenzin and she had. Did Lin regret them, no, did she want to go and kill Tenzin for being an idiot, most of the time. Plus they were earth benders, Tenzin would've been disappointed. Yet, he'd probably adore the fact that they were his children.
"Lin lay there listening to the soft breathing of her children, tomorrow; she'd be back in her city, and trying to fix their idiotic mistakes. Lin sighed. As sleep finally took over her body.
Her children were being reluctant in letting her go. She tried everything to let them go. Lin was leaving them in good hands.
"Can we at least go to the station with you?" Mo Li said as she was wrapped around Lin's left leg.
"Please?" The other said on her other leg. Lin crossed her arms over her chest.

"As long as you let go." She said gingerly.

"Yay!" They both screamed out.

As they were exiting the mansion, they saw the young princess helping and elderly woman. "Oh my, what a kind young girl you are. Here take these." The old woman gave the princess a few pieces of candy." No, please keep it," Rui said sweetly with a smile. She was young but she expressed herself like a grown woman .The old woman smiled and made her way inside the shop.
"The young princess sighed in relief.
"The things I do to please my elders." She said aloud not realizing that Lin and her children were watching her.

"HEY RUI!" Mo Li yelled.

Rui jumped back.

"Jeez, Mo Li, you scared me,"

"Whatcha' doing?" Mo Li asked.

"Helping out, by the way what time is it?" She said.
"Uh, 10, why?" Jie replied. "Oh no... I should be making my way now." Rui exclaimed.
"Where to?" Lin questioned. "I have to go see one of my mentors... I should go now; I seem to be taking your time. Have a nice trip and take care Miss Beifong." Rui said as she ran off in the opposite direction.

"Wait, how'd she know that I was leaving?" Lin asked aloud.

Her kids shrugged. They said goodbye to each other. Lin felt lonely. The warmth that her kids had given her was still fresh.

…

When Lin arrived in Republic City, she made a beeline for headquarters. The place was in shambles, papers flying everywhere. Lin whistled loudly. Everyone stopped. It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. She gave her orders out clearly and swiftly.
"You, give me a follow up of this mission." She orders an officer. "Well, an eyewitness stated at 7:00 that there was suspicious activity going on in the dragon flats, and that it may have been a meeting. It was also said that the Red Monsoon triads are up to it." The officer reported.

"Why is it that they have not returned then?" Lin retorted. Her officer was shaking. She sighed.

"Gather some skilled men, we'll move out." Lin said turning on the heel of her foot. They arrived swiftly to the location. It was too easy. The air wasn't right. Lin raised her arm to halt her men. Lin used her seismic sense to see if her men were here. Lin saw outlined figures. A giant group to be exact. Lin spilt her men up. She wanted to do this with much care as possible. She glanced at the men that were beside her. She gave her indication to when to go. Lin earth bended the door harshly. Causing it to go far inside the home. Her officers ran inside to check the place out. Lin and her few men that were inside made their way down the basement. That's when all hell broke loose. A sharp slice of water came inches away from Lin's face. Little to Lin's awareness there was a young boy. Lin barked at her men. To get that boy out of here, it wasn't safe.

Lin earth bended a wall in front of the boy, Lin pushed the wall with all her might towards her hidden attacker. It knocked whomever it was over. Lin turned her attention to the boy. Who was curled up eyes closed shut tightly. Out of nowhere, another water bender attacked her. Lin tried dodging it but it was a failed attempt. The water bender had turned the water into an ice shard that seemingly pierced through her armour it hadn't pierced anything vital but Lin was bleeding. Lin retracted her metal cables and pulled the perpetrator out slamming him hard against the other side of the room. Lin placed pressure against her wound. Saikhan and the group that had been kidnapped were out cold. The officers gathered the perpetrators and led them out. Lin leaned against a wall. She removed her hand from her wound. The blood covered her whole hand.

"We need medical attention for the chief, stat."

Lin heard those words but everything was muffled her vision was blurring, the one thing Lin thought of was of the young boy in here. It made her think about her children. Lin felt her head pound harshly. She didn't feel the pain from her wound, she felt numb, and it had been a while since she felt that way. Lin blacked out before hearing a faint but familiar voice.

"I'll always be with you..."

'Tears stream down your face I promise you I will learn from my mistakes Tears stream down your face Lights will guide you home And ignite your bones And I will try to fix you...'