Model Behavior


Summary: Modern/AU. Korra thought it was an ordinary day of art class at Republic School for the Gifted. But then, the art model Asami Sato walked into the room... Korrasami


Chapter 24: Equalizer

Korra sighed hard, her arms were crossed, and she tapped her right foot impatiently as Asami spoke with the gentleman behind the desk. The two were at Republic City's PTSD & Rehabilitation House, trying to get permission to see Iroh, and yet every idea they came up with has come to a dead end, including Korra pretending to be married to him and pregnant with his child by stuffing a large watermelon underneath her shirt, which she snatched from a fruit stand outside of the building. While she was stumped as to why someone was selling fruit, that was out of season, in the middle of winter, she didn't dwell too much on it. The ruse was quickly discovered as the fruit ended up being very rotten, juice dripped down her tight abdomen, and the rancid smell wafted around the room.

Asami had received an email from Iroh after their altercation in the parking lot. He had checked himself into the rehabilitation center because of its reputation of having a good program. While he didn't necessarily need to move into the center, Iroh had thought his recovery would have been more beneficial if he were to give up 'outside influences'. While he didn't name it specifically, Asami had assumed he meant Rika but didn't press the topic. In fact, she never responded to the email, she just skimmed it before sending it to the Trash.

"Sir, it is very important that we see Iroh," Asami said with a gentle smile.

"As I told you before, you are not on the list," he answered gruffly.

The engineer glanced over her shoulder at Korra, slightly widening her eyes. The Avatar shrugged her shoulders and made a shooing motion with her hand, silently urging the girl to continue. Asami cleared her throat before facing the gentleman once more, biting her bottom lip. "But, sir, the city is at war and we kind of need his assistance."

"The city could be ripped apart by earthquakes for all I care," he said with bite. "I'm just doing my job."

"Do it," Korra hissed. Asami held up a finger, before looking over at the Avatar. Korra gave her a firm look before rolling her eyes. "Do it," she stressed

"Do what?" Asami mouthed back.

The darker girl rolled her eyes before reaching up and brushing one of her long wolftails away from her face with the back of her hand. She then proceeded to blink rapidly. Asami's eyebrows rose before she frowned at the Avatar. Taking a deep breath, she faced the man with a dazzling smile, and proceeded to roll her neck, flipping her dark hair in giant arc before coyly brushing a strand away from her cheek with her neck.

Normally, Asami's hair flip was able to catch anyone's attention. It helped get her out of numerous speeding tickets as well as being let off with a warning on any overdue library books at school. While it was most effective of young men around her age, she tried not to use it too often, unless it was needed in special circumstances. "I said, no," the man answered.

Korra pushed Asami to the side, quickly grabbing her by the elbow so as she wouldn't fall, but all the while glaring daggers at the man behind the desk. "Listen, I'm the Avatar, and we need to see him," she roared.

"I don't care who you are," he said. The man picked up the paper on the desk, holding it tightly in his right hand, before poking at it with the index finger on his left hand. Korra's right eye twitched with every strike to the paper. "Unless you are family or on his approved list, I can not let you come and in and change up his daily routine." With that, the man smacked the paper back onto the desk before crossing his arms.

"Okay, you leave me no choice." With that, Korra lifted two fingers and pressed them against her lips. Asami quickly covered her ears and took a few steps to the right, tensing up. The Avatar took a deep breath, before blowing hard against her fingers, causing a shrill whistle to fill the lobby. The gentleman watched her with an unimpressed expression, blinking slowly, and only moving to reach up and wiped a glob of Korra's spit off of his cheek.

"If you are finished…" he muttered.

The front doors burst open as Naga ran through, growling loudly, her jaw snapping. Korra grabbed the man by the collar, pulling him close to her face. Naga walked up to her owner and brushed her head against her side before narrowing her black eyes in the man's direction. Beads of sweat erupted on his forehead, trickling down his face and onto his collar.

"You were saying?" she asked, with an over-the-top smile.

"Sixth floor, second door on your right."

"Thank you. Have a nice day." Korra released her grip on his shirt, causing him to fall forward and smack his chin onto the desk. She ordered for Naga to stay put, who wagged her tail happily in response before leering over at the man, and then followed Asami up the stairs.

"I cannot believe you made me flirt with him," Asami hissed.

"Oh, you're just mad that your powers of evil didn't work, for once," Korra sneered. "This is why you should perfect the puppy dog pout. Works with anyone." She half-smiled. The engineer rolled her eyes, remembering how the Avatar was able to get her to let her guard down and actually consider a vacation, albeit a small one, to travel to the South for the Summer Solstice Festival even though she'd still be working in a way; to try and negotiate a business deal with Varrick of Varrick Global Industries.

About halfway up their trip of six flights of stairs, Korra was gasping for air, and practically crawling on her hands and knees. "How…(pant)...are you…(pant)...still…(pant)...running?" she huffed.

"When I was younger and my dad took me to work, I used to run the stairs since I would be away from a gym for most of the day," Asami answered with a smile. She reached up and wiped at her forehead. "Come on, slowpoke," she taunted.

Korra growled in response, before pushing herself up. In a matter of seconds they two raced each other up the final three flights of stairs. The Avatar cheered weekly before collapsing to the ground at the landing as Asami came up right behind. "You…(pant)... go…(pant) ahead…I…will…(pant)...wait here…and…die!" she wheezed.

"When we start sparring together, remind me to make you run stairs." Asami chuckled as she heard Korra's loud groan while making her way over to Iroh's residency door. She paused outside of it, taking note of the empty white entrance. All of the other doors on the floor had a few handwritten notes, pictures, or cards taped to the front. She shook her head, before knocking twice on the door. Without listening for a response, she barged right in.

"Iroh, I need your….help…" she trailed off. Iroh quickly ripped the white towel from his head and glanced over at her, drips of water sliding down his face. Clad in a white towel across his lower body, he fully turned to face her, his ripped abdomen and bulging muscles glittering from his recent shower underneath the lighting.

"Are you alright?" he asked, tossing the towel from his hands onto his bed. "Is everything okay?"

"N-no," Asami answered quietly. She shook her head rapidly, hoping that her cheeks weren't turning as red as her clothing, before shifting her gaze up at him. "We need your help. Amon and the Equalists are taking over the city. You're the only one I know who has access to airships."

"I'm way ahead of you." Iroh held out his hand. She swallowed around the lump that rose in her chest before taking his hand. Silently cursing herself for her shaking hands, she followed him over to her closet. Keeping her eyes straight ahead, so as to not be distracted by his chiseled upper body, she looked on in fascination as he retrieved a small red and white walkie-talkie from a false panel in the wall. "We were supposed to have all of our items confiscated but I hid this on purpose. Just in case" He waved the walkie-talkie before tossing it over to her. Asami effortlessly caught it in the palm of her hand. "I already have a fleet arriving in the bay. They were to come by and pick me up from here, but it looks like I'll have a personal escort."

"Iroh-"

"I was talking about the Avatar." Asami couldn't help but deflate as he corrected her. "If anyone can get things done, it would be her." Iroh stood up straight, his shoulders square, and a look of determination set upon his features. "It would be my honor to fight alongside her in battle. My grandfather trusted the Avatar, so I should too." He softened and smiled. "And you, of course."

Asami looked him over twice, distracted by his physique the first time, to take note of his build. He had bags underneath his eyes, and yet they looked more bright and alert than she had seen in years. The last time was right before he had left to join the United Forces, back when they were happy, back before he saw the horrors of war.

It was then she remembered why she had fallen for him in the first place. It wasn't about his looks, but how he made her feel. After her mother died, she felt like an empty shell, at times looking for validation from her father who could hardly cast a glance in her direction. With him around, she felt like she belonged somewhere.

Now, when she looked into his eyes once more, Asami didn't find herself floored. Butterflies weren't playing tag in her stomach, her pulse was steady and calm. She saw a friend, something she was desperately looking for before meeting the Krew, but didn't realize she had always had. She had 'fallen in love' with him because he cared.

"You should get dressed first," Asami answered.

"Asami," Iroh called out as she turned to leave. He licked his lips and let out a slow breath. "I really am sorry…about everything. I know I can't change things, but I just want you to know, it was the biggest mistake of my life, and I will work hard in the future, to get you to see me how I once was."

"I accept your apology." She raised her chin before turning on her heel and exiting the room. Korra looked up from her seat on the ground as the engineer walked towards her. Asami held out her hand, helping the Avatar to her feet. "He's coming with us."

"Are you okay?" Korra asked, placing a hand on the raven-haired girl's shoulder. "He didn't try anything?"

"He only tried to make amends and I accepted it. I can't keep dwelling in the past and the pain he caused me. It's time to move forward."

"Avatar Korra," Iroh called out as he walked up to them, dressed in his General attire. Asami would have asked how he was able to keep his uniform, but then remembered he had successfully hidden his walkie-talkie from the physicians at the rehab center. "I have been in contact with Commander Bumi. He is on his way with a backup fleet."

"Perfect. I've heard some of his stories. If we ever need a miracle, he'll be it." Korra nodded. Iroh reached out his right hand, before bowing low. Korra glanced at this open palm, and then over at Asami. The engineer half-smiled and blinked slowly, her green eyes filled with softness. The Avatar half-smiled in response before tightly gripping his hand and pumping it twice. She then clapped him on the arm. "You're okay."

"Coming from you, after what I've done, that's probably the best thing I've ever heard. I'm honored." Asami began running down the flight of stairs with Iroh right behind her. Korra groaned and rolled her eyes as they disappeared around the corner. She waved her arms in the air, creating a small vortex of air before forming it into a sphere. The Avatar jumped onto the air scooter and rode it all of the way down the stairs, sticking her tongue out as she passed Asami and Iroh on the way down.

"Okay, let's go," Korra shouted as the three ran outside into the winter air. Mako shifted over in the back seat as she jumped into the Sato Mobile. Iroh took the empty space in the back as Asami plopped herself down in the driver's seat.

Naga ran over to the car before skidding to a stop. Iroh leaned out of the way as the polar-bear dog stretched into the car and licked Korra alongside of her face. The Avatar nuzzled the animal's neck before placing a light kiss on the top of her head. "Naga, you should stay here. It's too dangerous."

"You too, Pabu," Bolin said, unzipping his jacket. The fire ferret poked his head up and instantly shivered in the cool air. He nipped the earthbender on the tip of his nose before jumping out of the satomobile and climbing up on the polar-bear dog's back. "Be safe."

A dark black truck zipped down the road, sending a wave of slush and ice towards the car. Iroh stood up in his seat and bent a wall of flame, quickly evaporating the wintery mix before it hit the car. "They're Equalists!" Mako announced.

"Follow them!" Korra ordered. She quickly reached up and pulled Iroh back into his seat as Asami sped off after them. She leaned over and popped open the glove box, keeping her eyes on the road. A pair of goggles fell out into Bolin's lap. She snatched them up before slipping them over her eyes, using her knees to keep the steering wheel as center as possible.

"Look out, Equalists!" Bolin shouted. "Team Avatar is coming to equalize you." Two motorcycles rode up alongside of the satomobile. Mako flicked his wrist and sent a burst of flame at the back tire to the motorcycle on his right. The Equalist riding the vehicle let out a loud scream as his motorcycle veered to the right, rolling down a flight of stairs and crashing into a wall outside of a below ground café.

The black van tore through an intersection as the last Equalist on the motorcycle japed an electric baton into the car towards Asami's head. She lurched to the right, covering her left hand with her ear, as Bolin punched a fist in the air. The ground underneath the motorcycle popped up, sending it airborne. Korra waved her arms in the air and caught the bike in midair, keeping it suspended high above the ground.

"The light is about to change," Mako shouted as he pointed straight ahead. The engineer sat up straight, eyeing the black van and the distance between them and the satomobile. Glancing down at the speedometer, she applied more pressure to the accelerator. Korra looked ahead, slightly dropping her arms. The motorcycle landed on the ground with a low thud before gaining on them.

"I wonder if I can make this light," Asami pondered as the traffic light turned yellow.

"I don't think you can." Korra shook her head. The light had turned red, while on the opposite side of the road, the traffic signal turned green, prompting a large delivery truck to move through the intersection.

"I think I can." With that, she pressed her foot firmly onto the accelerator, propelling the car forward. All of the occupants in the car shouted in fear, cowering with their hands over their faces as they drove through an intersection, narrowly avoiding being t-boned by the delivery truck. Korra turned around and laughed in triumph as the other Equalist on the motorcycle tried to skid underneath the truck, getting wedged between the metal and the ground.

"You just ran a red light," Mako shouted.

"Not the time, bro," Bolin answered.

"We won't be able to catch them," Iroh announced.

"No, but we might be able to stop them," Korra said, standing up in her seat. "Bolin, help me make a ramp. Everyone, out," she ordered. Bolin nodded and stood up in his seat. Asami, Mako, and Iroh jumped out of the satomobile, performing summersaults to brace themselves against the fall. "Ready?" she shouted over the howling wind. "Go!"

Korra and Bolin pressed their feet into the seats of the satomobile, crouched low, and punched their firsts into the air. Two long strips of ground popped up in front of the vehicle, arching up into the air. The Avatar quickly grabbed Bolin around his waist and jumped out of the car, airbending them a cushion to the ground.

The satomobile roared loudly as it was pitched high into the air. The five teenagers watched in silence, their eyes following the path of the satomobile, as it struck the body of the van. A giant fireball rose up high into the air, before the resounding bang followed a few seconds later. Iroh helped Asami to her feet as everyone brushed themselves off.

Lin Beifong ran up to the group from a nearby building. Korra brightened when she spotted the older woman running in their direction. "Lin, you're okay," she cried. "All things considering…"

"I am for the time being. I wouldn't stop protecting this city, even without my bending," she explained. "I've been trying to help evacuate the city, but then some news crossed my desk." Lin glanced over at Asami out of the corner of her eye before turning to fully face her. The engineer pulled her goggles down off of her face, letting them rest around her neck. "Your father was broken out of jail."

"What?" Asami whispered.

"There's even worse news." Lin turned towards Korra and placed a hand on her shoulder. She took a deep breath, turning her head away. "Amon has Tenzin and his family held as captives." Korra's eyes widened and her jaw slowly dropped. "I sacrificed myself so that they would be able to escape, but I guess it didn't work."

Korra bit her bottom lip. She brushed Lin's hand off of her shoulder before gazing up at the sky. A fleet of airships slowly hovered over the city. The Avatar looked at the pillar of smoke rising up into the atmosphere, the black van in a heap of flames and metal. She scanned the street, taking in the sight of a once bustling and bumbling street, to the emptiness. Windows were boarded up, doors were left wide open, indicating a swift leave. She finally faced the group, her blue eyes narrow in determination.

"I think the best thing to do at this time is to split up," she announced. "Mako, why don't you come with me and help me take on Amon? You know firsthand what we're up against."

"Wouldn't know firsthand what we're up against?" Bolin interjected. "I was the one who was kidnapped, remember?"

"What?" Asami gasped.

"Long story; it occurred before you joined us," he answered with a shrug. "But I'm fine now. That's the important thing."

"Bolin, you need to go with Asami and help take out Amon's airship fleet," Korra barked. "If you can stop them on the ground then we won't have any problems in the air. "Besides," she said, placing a hand on the engineer's shoulder, "Asami knows how to work technical things like this, so she can be the second row of defense."

"I know how to fly planes as well," Iroh said, slowly raising his hand in the air. He quickly moved it to rub at the back of his head, whistling lightly when everyone turned in his direction.

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to neglect you," Korra apologized. "I just don't know you…aside from…you know…attacking Asami…" she trailed off before turning over in Bolin's direction. "So, good luck!"

"I won't let you down Korra," Bolin saluted. Korra smiled and nodded back in response.

"Lin, you stay here in the city. Your metalbending police force can continue to help those who want to evacuate. No one knows these streets like you do."

"You sure know how to take charge, kid," Lin said, the corners of her lips twitching. "Even if you are the Avatar."

"Before you go, I'm curious about something." Korra crossed her arms over her chest, cocking her head to the side.

"Make it fast," she ordered.

"How do you hold down so many jobs?"

"I don't. I hold down one." Lin placed her hands on her hips, resting all of her weight to one side. She raised an eyebrow, frowning hard. "Since you arrived in Republic City and damaged three buildings-"

"By accident!"

"The Equalist threat was rising so Tenzin convinced me to watch over you while you attended school," she continued as if she weren't interrupted. "Kind of like the few members of the White Lotus were doing in the past few weeks. Being the PE teacher, a criminology instructor, and head of campus security kept me around."

"How do you have the time?" Bolin wondered.

"You make time when it's necessary." She raised a hand and rubbed her glabella with her thumb, sighing hard. She tapped her foot, before pointing up at the sky as a few airships hovered low along the skyline.

"And you didn't mind spending all of that time with Tenzin?" Korra pressed.

"Why would she?" Asami wondered. Lin groaned loudly, throwing her hands up in the air.

"Right, I keep forgetting that you're still a bit new." Bolin snapped his fingers. "Korra spread it around campus that Tenzin and Lin used to date," he announced. Asami's eyes widened as he eyebrows rose.

"Are we done here?" the chief of police snapped.

"Thank you for your help, Lin," Korra half-smiled. "I owe you one."

"All of you do, kid," she pointed out. "Be careful."

The darker girl rolled her eyes in response before shaking Lin's hand. The older woman punched her lightly on the arm before running off down the street. The Avatar let out a deep sigh, rubbing the back of her neck. "Will you be okay?" Korra asked, turning towards Asami. "This is different for you. We're just stopping a monster. You'd be stopping family," she pointed out.

"My father is a monster," Asami said dryly. "There is no difference." She reached into the waistband of her skirt and pulled out the electric glove. "It's time to take down my father. Once and for all." She slipped her hand into the electric glove, clenching her fists and activating the electricity feature. Her green eyes flashed darkly as she watched the current crackle in the palm of her hand.

"Are you ready, to do what is necessary, if and when the time comes?"

"No," she admitted with a sardonic laugh, "but I don't have a choice."

"Yes, you do," Korra insisted. "You always have a choice. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. It only matters if you think your choice is right or wrong."

"I'm ready to go, if you are." Mako stepped forward. Korra nodded in his direction. He then turned and walked over to Bolin. Grabbing his younger brother's hand, he pulled him in close into a one-armed hug. "Be careful, bro."

"You too, bro," Bolin answered. He then turned towards Korra and gave her a big hug around the middle. "Don't do anything stupid," he warned.

"I make no promises," she laughed, ruffling his hair. Once her feet touched the ground, she picked him up in her own bone crushing hug.

"Take care, Asami," Mako said gently, pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry things messed up between us. I want you to know how much I care about you."

"I care about you too," she answered sincerely. "Now, get back safe and in once piece or Kiyoko will have my head. It's always the quiet ones," she joked.

"Everything will be okay," Korra said as she stepped up for a hug. "Take care of Bolin."

"Should you be telling him to worry about me?" the engineer asked, wrapping her arms lightly around Korra's waist. She breathed deeply and closed her eyes, lingering in her soft touch before pulling away.

"No, I think you can handle yourself. At least, that's what you told me." Korra lightly punched Asami on the arm before half-smiling. "Now, let's go kick some Equalist ass!"


AN: Many, many thanks to my beta, Rubiks. Wow, only one more chapter until we're at the halfway point!

Next chapter title: New Year's Eve