Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Korra or Avatar the Last Airbender. I only own my own characters and ideas

Chapter Twenty- Seven: Parents

Lin's Pov

Lin sat at her desk doing paperwork when she heard a knock at the door. She waited for it to open but when it didn't, she instructed the person to enter. Her assistant chief entered her office, placing a few more files on her desk that would need to be looked over. She sighed as she went back to the paperwork in front of her, but she soon stopped and looked up. She smiled at the picture of her and Tenzin on their wedding day. She wondered if he was still happy in their marriage now that Khari wasn't around. Her attention moved to the picture of Mica and Meelo, making her smile a bit more. She looked where she had once had a picture of Khari before she looked down at one of her drawers. She had taken the picture down due to the fact people were asking about her. She took it down after she returned from their trip to Zaofu. She couldn't stand it being on her desk anymore. She pulled the drawer that she had been staring at open to find a letter from her sister. She wanted to throw it away, but something told her to keep it. She fought with herself constantly about opening it or throwing it away. She took a deep breath before she opened it. When she pulled out what was inside, she found a new picture of Khari. She was holding herself up with one hand like Lin had seen Aang and Tenzin do so many times. Khari had a staff in her other hand, making Lin laugh a bit.

"I think you should have been born an airbender. It sure looks like you would make a great one."

She wondered what if she never kicked Khari off the island that night. Would she still be like that? Would she still look like she would be a great airbender? She wondered how things would be different. She touched her stomach and secretly hoped maybe she would get the chance to train one of their children. That they would have another child that ended up an earthbender. She wouldn't openly tell Tenzin, but she wanted nothing more than another earthbender on the island. She was starting to feel lonely with all the airbenders. She wondered if she asked Khari to come home if she would. She sighed before she set the picture down and went back to her paperwork.

Tenzin's Pov

It had been a few weeks since he had returned from the Southern Water Tribe, but something felt off. He didn't know if it was because when he got home, he had to lie to Lin or because he left Khari behind. He heard the gavel smack against the table, drawing the council meeting to an end. He sat there for a few moments as he thought about trying to reason with Lin about bringing Khari home. He couldn't believe how much she had grown. He had missed it all because of stupid words and actions years ago. He felt a hand on his arm, bringing his attention back to what was going on. He saw Mala staring at him with a small smile on her face.

"You're thinking about her, aren't you?"

"How did you know?"

"You make this face whenever you think about her. It starts out happy but by the end it looks like someone grieving a family member. You miss her. Tell her Tenzin. When she lived in Zaofu and I visited she asked me if you ever talk about her. She asked if you and Lin showed any sign of missing her. She misses you but I think she wants you to say it first because she is scared to say it."

Tenzin stared at Mala as he thought about what happened when Khari called for help. She told him she loved him but not that she missed him. Was Mala, right? Was Khari waiting for him or Lin to tell her she was missed first. He thought the chances of her coming home. He wouldn't openly admit it, but he blamed Lin for Khari no longer being at the Island. He hated her for it some days. He stood and walked towards his office to be stopped by the city council page. He was handed a box with his name on it. He wondered what it could be, so he went to his office and shut the door behind him. He placed the box on his desk and tried to figure out who it came from, but it didn't say. When he opened the box, he found a note with his cape. He pulled the note out as he thought about the day, he left the cape with Khari. He ran his hand over the cape and wondered why she sent it back. Was she mad at him? Did it hurt too much to keep it? He didn't want to hurt her, but he understood there was a chance it could. He opened the note and took a deep breath as he read it.

Dear Daddy,

I want to return this to you. It is not mine to keep. While I like having it so can have a sense of the island again, I can't keep it. This is something you shared with Grandpa Aang and are currently sharing with my brothers. I can't take that from you. I did give you something for the baby though. Remember you have to call him Sir Momo like Uncle Sokka and Grandpa Aang did for me. Gran Gran fixed him up a bit better, but he is in there with your cape. I'm keeping my favorite blanket though. That blanket and I have been through a lot together. Plus, I like having it on my bed. It smells like the island, so it reminds me of the good times I had there. I love you Daddy. I hope you are happy and are doing well.

Love Khari

He thought about how Khari was calling her home the island. Did she not think that the island was her home anymore? She was always welcome back. He pulled his cape out and hung it on a coat rack in his office. He held the flying lemur stuffed animal in his hand. He chuckled as he thought about his father and uncle sitting in front of Khari with this stuffed toy telling her how Sir Momo would eat her fruit if she didn't. She would scream so loud before she shoved a few pieces in her mouth. He didn't even realize he was crying until the drops hit his hand. He wiped his face and got ready to leave for the day.

Air Temple Island Lin's Pov

Lin had finally gotten home from work, and she already had the acolytes in her face asking questions. She told them she needed to come home and not have them in her face right away. One of the older acolytes asked what they should make for the family dinner, but Lin's response was simply that she didn't care. Coming home to the island wasn't the same lately. She doesn't know if it is because she suspected Tenzin of having an affair or because she was the only earthbender here. She now started to see where Khari came from. Tenzin walked through the door an hour later, asking her how her day was before he kissed her. She didn't respond but she went to gather some things around the room that needed picked up. Meelo and Mica sprinted into the room, soon using their airbending. She took a deep breath as the two created a bigger mess. Meelo told Tenzin he wanted to show him something he learned today. Lin stood there as Meelo made a bigger mess.

"That's it! If you want to use your bending, do it outside or not at all. I'm so sick of this. You two make a mess then you don't clean or offer to help clean."

"Lin, they are just kids. They are going to make messes when they learn more about their bending. Her-"

"Khari was a child too. You constantly yelled at her about messes, and she was younger than the boys are. You know what I don't feel good. Clean this mess up so we can eat. Now!"

She walked away and left Tenzin and the boys to clean their mess. She started to stroll towards the spot she always found Khari when she was upset. When Lin got there, she removed the metal from the bottom of her armor. She smiled as she ran her feet across the ground. She was so busy enjoying the moment that she never noticed Tenzin come up behind her. She started to cry, making him run up to her. He had no clue what was wrong or what he was running up to, but he knew his wife needed him. He tried to wrap his arms around her, but she pushed him away. He gave her a concerned look as he took a step towards her. She pushed him again. He was finally able to hold her, and he started run one of his hands through her hair. He waited for her to tell him what was wrong. They two stood there for some time but she eventually opened up.

"Our family is holding on by a thread. Khari's gone. Our only children can only relate to you. I'm the only earthbender here. You and I have been focused on different things since that night. I feel like you are lying to me about something. Like you are hiding another woman. You left a few weeks ago and came home without your cape. You have gone on trips and don't tell me until last minute. The city council page no longer comes here. Why is that?"

"You think I'm cheating?!" he screamed as he shoved her away. "No, I didn't tell you where I was going because I had to hide it from you so you wouldn't get mad. I went to see Khari. You know our daughter. You remember her, right? I do and I miss her. Oh, spirits Lin, I miss her. She is smart and beautiful. She reminds me of you. MY cape? Khari had it. She grabbed it while she was asleep, and I didn't want to wake her just to take it. The city council page not coming around is because Khari was writing to me on exceedingly rare occasions or even your sister about Khari. I didn't want you to know. You act like she doesn't exist now that she isn't here. We don't have pictures of her anywhere. You took them all. We can't talk about her without a fight. She is gone and it is all your fault."

"You will not blame her being gone on me. I may have kicked her off the island, but I sure wasn't the reason she didn't feel loved. That was all you. She wasn't your ideal child, so you didn't want her. You wanted to try for another until we had an airbender. I wonder what you would have done if I didn't give you one airbender."

"I wanted her, and I still want her. I don't understand where everyone is getting this ridiculous idea that I wouldn't want her if she wasn't an airbender. I'm getting some things and I'll be staying somewhere else tonight."

"Where?"

"I don't know but I know one thing for sure. I do not want to spend the night on the island with you let alone share a bed with you. Make sure you don't kick our sons off the island tonight while I'm gone."

Lin smacked him across the face before she left, she couldn't believe he would say something so cold. She stormed by the boys and instructed them to go to their rooms. She went to her' and Tenzin's room and laid down on the bed. She faced the wall, hoping to fall asleep before he came in. She started to silently cry moments before he opened the door. She listened as he opened drawers but didn't say a word. She didn't want to fight anymore. She didn't even know if he was happy anymore. She hoped kept wishing he would leave soon but he seemed to be staying so long. She didn't know what he was doing but she didn't want to be around him anymore. She stood and went to leave but he had started to make his way for the door. She watched as he turned towards her, but she didn't want to hear anything he had to say. She felt his hand on her back and sensed that he had gotten closer. She soon felt his arm wrap around her stomach and his warm breath against the back of her neck. He kissed her neck, making her tilt her head a bit.

"Lin, I'm sorry. I crossed a line when I made the comment about kicking the boys off the island. I know like myself you still blame yourself about Khari and I should have never thrown that in your face. I think for tonight I'm going to stay somewhere so we can cool down."

She placed her hand on the back of his neck, gently running her thumb back and forth. She pulled away with tears in her eyes. She took her armor off and placed it in the closet before she shut herself in the bathroom. She turned the water on to the shower, letting it get to the perfect temperature. She tried to calm down with a warm shower, but something kept bothering her. She soon heard the door to the bathroom open, making her sigh before she opened the curtain a bit. She expected to see Tenzin, but she was surprised when she didn't see anything. She poked her head out a bit and called out for Tenzin but received no response. She shrugged before she went back to her shower, but she heard another noise in the bathroom. She turned the water off and reached out for her towel. After wrapping herself in a towel pulled the curtain back and almost screamed. She knew her eyes were playing tricks on her. This was what she deserved for being a terrible mother. She saw a vision of Khari right after she had come home from the prison. She stared at her bloody wrist and how thin she had gotten. She started to cry as she reached out and the vision disappeared.

Tenzin's Pov

He made his way to the ferry and thought about where he could stay for the night. If he stayed at a hotel, it would be in the papers by morning. It would be the talk of the city. He knew his mother would know within a few days. He didn't want her to worry about anything. It was a minor fight and he thought that maybe for the night they needed some time. He was almost at the docks when he heard his name. It wasn't Lin or one of the children so he turned to see what could be so important. He saw a young acolyte running in his direction. He sighed as he thought about how he hasn't done anything with them since they had found out Lin was pregnant again. He had asked Mica to do his teachings to the extent of his knowledge for some time. He didn't realize how long it had become though. When the acolyte was in front of him, he tried not to get short with her.

"Master Tenzin, will you not be doing our teaching again? It has been some time since you have done one. Are you alright?" the young woman asked.

"Yes Pema, I am fine. I have just been very busy. Mica is capable to do these teachings, or I wouldn't let him do them. You must remember I am on the council, a father of three soon to be four and my mother was just ill. I will do a teaching when I am able."

"Three? I thought you only have two. I have never seen a third child around the temple."

"Pema, not all my children were born airbenders. My oldest child was born an earthbender like my wife. Her name is Khari. She doesn't live here because she likes to travel. I just recently went to visit her. Now I must go."

With that Tenzin turned and left Pema standing there. He didn't understand why the woman cared so much who taught the lesson. In his opinion it didn't matter who taught it as long as it was taught. He didn't think he should have to explain why he wasn't teaching them right now either. He just wanted to rest and try to work on things with Lin tomorrow. As he climbed on the ferry he started to think more about where he was going to stay for the night. He finally decided he would stay in his office. Everyone would just assume he worked all night. When he finally arrived at the city, he strolled the streets for some time but turned when he thought he heard her. He thought Khari had finally come home. When he didn't see her, he thought maybe he was tired and should get some sleep. When he finally got to the office, he opened the door but left the light off. After he shut the door, he made his way for his desk. He grabbed his picture of Khari smiling while she was in his arms off his desk. He started to cry as he stared at the picture more. He looked up at the phone for a moment before he looked at the clock. He wondered if she would still be up at this time. He didn't know when she went to bed. He didn't know much of anything about her. He looked up at the phone for a moment before he looked at the clock. He wondered if she would still be up at this time. He didn't know when she went to bed. He didn't know much of anything about her. He reached for the phone but pulled back a bit. He finally gained the courage to call her. He listened to it ring until he finally heard a soldier pick up. He didn't understand why he always had to talk to them and why at least one person in his family that lived in the Southern Water Tribe couldn't own a phone.

"Hello, this is Councilman Tenzin. I would like to speak to my daughter, Khari Beifong please."

The soldier told him that he would get Khari. Tenzin stared at the picture of Khari again as he waited to hear her voice. He wondered if he could convince her to come home. He didn't understand what was taking so long. She ran for everything else he didn't understand why she wouldn't run for this. He heard a click on the other side, so he thought he was about to talk to Khari, but he wasn't."

"You thought I was her, didn't you? She doesn't want to talk to you. She asked me to tell you instead of one of the soldiers I'm with. Tenzin, tell me what are you doing here? You have sucked as a father for the last twelve years, why try now?" Iroh asked.

"I miss her. It takes everything I have to not come get her while she is visiting my mother and just bring her home. I know she would be unhappy and that's why I don't do it. Do I wish she was an airbender? Of course, I would have loved to teach her like my father taught me. I would have loved to see her get her arrow tattoos. I just-"

"That's the thing Tenzin, you wish for her to be something she isn't. You wish for the one part of herself that she loves to not exist. She is an earthbender. A perfect, beautiful, smart, talented earthbender. She hates herself some days because of you. She wants nothing but to make you proud, but she thinks the only way to do that is being an airbender."

Tenzin dropped the phone as Iroh called his name. Was that what Khari really thought? That the only way she could make him proud was by being something she isn't. He shook his head before he found the phone and hung up on Iroh. He didn't want to hear anymore. He knew it wasn't lies. Iroh had always thought about Khari. He turned his attention to the picture he had of Lin and himself sitting on his desk. Maybe Kya was right, he told himself. Maybe asking Lin to settle down and have a family was the wrong choice. She loved the children, but he wondered if she did it because she had to. Lin was like Toph, and children was not what either woman wanted. Tenzin threw the picture at the wall as he thought about how this all could have been prevented. He could have tried to stay home with Lin and the children more. He could have taken his father's advice when he was told Khari showed interest in the Air Nation. He was so frustrated with the thought everything could be different that he couldn't sleep. He started on some of the paperwork he had left earlier in the day. The next morning, he felt someone touch his hand, making him jump awake. He saw Mala standing in his office with a concerned look. She had his picture he threw in her hand. He looked up at the clock and figured Lin should be at her office by now. He took his picture from Mala before he left. He went to a small market area he and Lin loved going to when they were Khari's age. He got two cupcakes and two cups of tea. He thanked the merchant before he started to walk towards the Police Headquarters. When he entered, he ran into Saikhan. Saikhan was always a huge help to both he and Lin when they needed it.

"Hello Saikhan, is Lin in yet? I left a bit earlier than usual and didn't want to disturb her this morning."

"Oh, Councilman Tenzin um yes, she has been here for about an hour. I must warn you though she is not in the best mood this morning. I think all the sitting behind the desk is getting to her."

Tenzin chuckled as he made his way back to Lin's office with their breakfast. He could only imagine how she is with only going out once every so often. He knocked on the door, waiting for a response. When he didn't get one, he opened the door to see her staring at a picture. He smiled at her as he quietly entered the room. He placed their breakfast on her desk and went to see what picture she was looking at. He froze when he saw that it was a picture of Khari. It had to be from when she lived it Zaofu.

"I miss her Tenzin. I want to go get her. You know where she is, so we are going to get her."

"No, Lin. I miss her too, but we can't she wouldn't be happy if we made her come home. I tried to call her, and she doesn't even want to talk to us. So, for now we wait until she wants to come home."

"I don't know how long I can wait. I feel alone."

"Nonsense. I'm here with you and so are the boys. The last time I checked no matter where you go that baby goes so you are most certainly not alone. I brought you your favorite tea and cupcakes. Let's have breakfast before I am called back to the office."

Lin laughed as she grabbed her cup of tea and cupcake. He started to run his hand up and down her back slowly before he moved up to her neck. She moved her head up a bit and he started to kiss her neck. She turned her chair around to face him, making take his cape off. She stood up and started to kiss him and he took his hand through her hair.

"Tenzin, my office door isn't locked."

"Hey chief... oh my spirits I'm so sorry. I should have knocked. I'm going to leave now," an officer said before running off.

"I believe this happened when you were pregnant with Khari too. You weren't chief yet, but your mother placed you in charge for a few weeks and this same thing happened. It was nice to relive a good memory we had that could remind us of her."

"As long as I don't have to relive that labor again. Out of all our children I swear that child was the hardest. Tenzin are you sure we can't just go get her. Things could be so different. She and I could train every day. You could teach her about the Air Nation. She would be one of the most eligible bachelorettes in Republic City when she gets older. She would make an amazing Chief of Police. Please Tenzin, she should know we want her home."

"We can't Lin. I called and Iroh told me that she said she doesn't want to talk to us. It hurt her to say it, so she had him do it. Oh, and she isn't eligible for anything. I'm pretty sure that spot has already been taken by the man every girl wants to be with around their age group. You and I know being Chief of Police for Republic City is not what Khari wants. We don't know what she wants but we know one thing and that is that Khari doesn't want that. I'm sorry Lin. I miss her too."

(Author's Note: First, I'd like to say I bounced this idea off with ThePlatinumLotus so thank you for that. I wanted everyone to see how Lin and Tenzin are handling Khari's absence. We always seethe story in her point of view. so I wanted to do it in their point of view. Yes, we saw what Lin thought about Tenzin coming home without cape. We also got to meet Pema. As you can see, she does have her crush on Tenzin, but it is one sided. I hope everyone liked the chapter. Reviews are always appreciated.)