"They should've been here by now," Korra said, for what was probably the tenth time in the last twenty minutes.
"I know," Asami patiently replied. It had become her automatic answer but this time she added, "Will you please stop pacing and sit down? I'm sure everything is fine."
Korra flashed her an annoyed look but didn't stop her pacing. She'd been wearing a hole in the living room floor for the last hour, ever since the time Kuvira and Nayuh were supposed to have arrived, had passed.
"But what if it isn't? What if Sim found out who Vira is and turned her in? What if the airship went down?" Her voice rose with worry as she spoke and Asami finally rose from her seat on the couch.
"I'm sure everything is fine," Asami repeated, "but if it'll make you feel better, I'll call Sim right now." She crossed over to the phone on the table in the corner and Korra followed her, standing close as Asami dialed Sim's number.
"Good evening, Captain," Asami said, once Sim picked up, "I'm glad I was able to catch you at home." She listened for a moment and Korra leaned even closer, trying to hear what Sim was saying. Asami gave her an irritated look but didn't try to push Korra away. "Well, the reason I'm calling is that I just wanted to make sure that everything went smoothly earlier, once you landed."
Korra could hear Sim speaking on the other end, but the moment she leaned in even closer to try and hear, Asami laid a firm hand on her arm and forced her to back up. Korra, even more irritated now, crossed her arms and glared at Asami.
"And you saw them get into the vehicle?" Asami asked, a worried frown forming on her face. Korra's heart dropped into her stomach and stayed there. I knew it. Something happened.
"Okay," Asami continued, "thank you Captain, I really appreciate it. No, I'm sure everything is fine. They're probably just stuck in traffic. Have a good evening and tell your wife that Korra and I said hello."
Korra was already halfway out of the room by the time Asami hung up the phone. "I'm going to grab my glider and search for them," she said over her shoulder. She half-expected Asami to protest, but she never got the chance, as the phone began ringing. Part of Korra wanted to stay and see who it was, but the other was urging her to leave.
She was at the front door when she heard Asami yelling her name. "Korra, wait!"
Korra already had her glider in her hand and huffed out a breath as she turned, seeing Asami racing down the hall towards her. "I need to do something, Asami…I can't just keep sitting here waiting."
"That was Mako," Asami said, slightly breathless as she reached Korra, "and you were right: something happened. They were in an accident on the way here. Mako said we need to get down to Republic City General as soon as we can."
Korra's eyes widened and she felt all the blood drain from her face. "Did he say how bad it was?"
Asami shook her head. "No…but it doesn't sound good."
"Okay, let's go," Korra replied. She leaned her glider against the wall again and together they ran through the house and down to the garage. Two minutes later, they were racing down the driveway, with Asami at the wheel.
Republic City's main hospital was located in the heart of the city, a solid thirty-minute drive, even without traffic. However, since Asami had been the one to redesign the infrastructure (again) after Kuvira had destroyed a large part of it, she knew the quickest and easiest way to get there.
Twenty minutes after they'd left the house, Asami whipped the custom satomobile into the parking lot. Mako was waiting for them outside and he quickly brought them up to speed as they followed him inside and into the lift.
"According to witnesses, the vehicle they were in was hit broadside at full speed. The other driver ran the light, never making an attempt to slow down. Which makes sense, given that he was three sheets to the wind drunk. Apparently, he'd just left the bar and no one thought to take his keys away from him."
Mako sighed and looked at Asami. "We've got him locked up now. I'm sorry Asami, but your driver, Samir…he didn't make it. That's why I got called in. We're looking at charging the other driver with manslaughter now. You know I'll do everything I can to make sure Samir gets justice for this."
"Thank you, Mako," Asami said, giving him a quick hug. "I know you will. And I appreciate you calling us as quickly as you did. What about Vira and Nayuh?"
Mako pursed his lips and Korra could tell he was trying to control his expression, for their sake. For all the attempts she'd made at trying to convince him that Kuvira wasn't the same as she used to be, he still refused to believe her.
"I'll let the doctor fill you in," he said, his tone flat. He didn't say any more and Korra knew better than to push him.
The rest of the ride up was silent. Once the lift opened, Mako led them down a small maze of hallways until they arrived outside one of the rooms that occupied the floor. The only time Korra had been in this place was when she'd had to make one of her many public appearances during its grand opening.
She'd toured it without patients and only now did she remember that there was an entire floor dedicated to the unique style of healing that the Water Tribes employed. Every other floor, including this one, used the more modern styles of healing; ones that involved machines and tubes and a coldness that drew a shiver up Korra's back.
"Where's the doctor?" Korra asked as she peered into the room Kuvira and Nayuh were currently lying in.
"Right here," Mako said. Korra turned around to find a middle-aged man standing next to him. With his white overcoat and glasses, he looked very much like what a doctor should look like, but Korra still regarded him somewhat warily. Despite all the evidence proving otherwise, she still didn't fully trust anyone that wasn't a healer from the Tribe.
"Doctor Kaneko," he said, thrusting his hand forward towards Korra. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Avatar Korra."
"Likewise," Korra replied, shaking the man's hand. Distrust or not, she knew she couldn't afford to be rude to the man who was literally holding her friends' lives in his hands. "Mako said you'd be able to bring us up to speed on their condition?" She gestured behind her, to the room.
"Of course," Kaneko said. "They were in pretty bad shape when they came in, but we were able to stabilize them. The detective here" –he motioned to Mako– "said they're from the Southern Water Tribe. Is that correct?"
"Yes," Korra answered, nodding, "they are. They were on their way to visit me and Asami."
"Well, I'm not sure if you're aware or not, but we do have an entire floor dedicated to those who wish to use the Water Tribes' form of healing."
"I'm aware," Korra said, "and if it's not too much trouble, I'd prefer it if they were transferred there. I know it's what they'd both want."
"Of course," Kaneko pleasantly replied. "I will have them moved down there immediately. Will you and your…" He trailed off and looked at Asami, unsure of what to make of their relationship. News of their wedding had made its way all around the world, but somehow, the doctor was still clueless.
"Wife," Korra filled in for him, "Asami is my wife and yes, we'll be staying. So long as it's okay with the healers."
"I don't foresee it being an issue," Kaneko said. "Wait here, and you'll be able to follow them down once the nurses get them prepped to be moved."
"Thank you," Korra said. She stole another glance into the room. "Actually, would it be okay if we stay with them while we wait?"
"Absolutely," Kaneko answered. He inclined his head at them both and took his leave. Mako looked like he'd rather be anywhere else, now that Korra and Asami were there, and he turned to them.
"If you two don't need anything else, I'm going to head back to the precinct and start on all the paperwork that needs to get done."
"No, I think we're good," Korra said, looking at Asami for confirmation.
Asami nodded. "Thanks again, for calling us. Let me know if there's anything you need from me for the investigation."
"Will do," Mako replied. He paused for a moment, then added, "Will you let me know when one or both of them wake up? I'd like to talk to them…for the investigation."
"Of course," Korra said. "I'll call you as soon as that happens."
"Thanks," Mako replied. He gave them both a small, friendly wave, then turned to go.
Korra pushed open the door to the room and walked in, Asami right behind her. Nayuh was lying in the bed closest to the door, with Kuvira a few feet away and to her right. Out of the two of them, it appeared as though Nayuh had gotten the worst of the damage. Her head was covered in bandages and her face looked puffy and swollen.
Only one of her arms was lying free of the blanket, which was pulled up to her armpits. The other, Korra could only assume, was either broken or otherwise damaged. And, judging by the unnatural lump underneath the blanket, lying flush against her body.
Kuvira wasn't in much better shape, but her face was less swollen than Nayuh's at least. Numerous cuts and abrasions covered the right side of her face and neck, and while the blanket covering her was also pulled up high on her chest, neither one of her arms was visible. And the longer Korra watched her, the more it seemed like her breathing was shallow and irregular.
There was also a small tube that snaked around her face and attached to her nose. It looked so uncomfortable and out of place that Korra had to stop herself from walking over and removing it. The doctor said they're stable, Korra reminded herself, and they're about to get into the healing pools. They're going to be okay.
"This is all my fault," Asami said quietly, as she walked up to the foot of Nayuh's bed.
"Hey," Korra said, her tone gentle, "don't think like that." She walked up next to Asami and put her arm around her waist. "Neither one of us could've predicted this. The important thing is that they're still alive and they're going to be okay."
"I hope so," Asami said. She leaned over and rested her head on Korra's shoulder. Korra pressed a kiss to the top of her head and gave her a small squeeze.
"I know so," Korra said, trying to put as much reassurance in her voice as she could. Not only for Asami but for herself as well. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen Kuvira in this situation before, but seeing Nayuh–who, for better or worse, Korra considered to be damn near invincible–was upsetting.
The door opened again and a few young women walked in, who Korra could only assume were the nurses that Kaneko had spoken of. One of them walked right up to Korra and Asami, while the other two busied themselves around the two beds.
"The doctor said we're moving them down to the Water Tribe floor, is that correct?" the woman asked, her voice all business.
"Yes," Korra answered. "Is it, uh, safe to move them? They don't look so good…"
"Oh yes," the woman answered, "they'll be fine." She gave Korra a questioning look. "Did the doctor not go over their injuries with you?"
"No, he didn't," Korra answered, a little sullenly. Maybe her initial distrust of him had been warranted. And she didn't miss the vaguely annoyed sigh the nurse let out.
"Well, we had to sedate them both," she started, then she pointed to Nayuh. "She has pretty significant head trauma…we won't know until the swelling goes down how much damage was actually done. Also, a broken arm, in multiple places, along with broken ribs…plus all the other minor damage that comes with being violently thrown from a moving vehicle."
Korra couldn't help but wince as the nurse described all of Nayuh's injuries. "Actually," the nurse continued, seeing Korra's reaction, "all things considered, it could've been a lot worse, had they been wearing their seatbelts. The fact that they weren't, probably saved their lives. Normally, that's not the case, but this time, it was."
Asami and Korra shared a look and Korra knew she was probably thinking the same thing: neither Kuvira nor Nayuh were used to riding in satomobiles, so the fact that they'd neglected to put their seatbelts on wasn't surprising. Thank the spirits for their ignorance.
"As for her," the nurse said, motioning to Kuvira, "her head trauma was minimal, but the entire right side of her body took most of the damage. Broken ribs, broken clavicle–" Korra gave her a confused look and the nurse clarified: "Collarbone." Korra nodded and the nurse continued, "And a collapsed lung."
"Collapsed lung?" Asami worriedly asked. "What exactly does that mean?"
The nurse looked thoughtful for a moment. "Think of your lungs as two balloons. What happens when something sharp punctures a balloon?"
Asami suddenly looked annoyed, even though the nurse wasn't purposefully trying to talk down to her. "It pops…everyone knows that." Then her eyes widened. "You mean…that's what happened to her lung?"
The nurse nodded. "Basically. When her ribs broke, one of them punctured her right lung, causing it to deflate, just like a balloon. Unless the healers downstairs can fix it in their own special way, she'll have to stay on oxygen, like she is now, until it fully heals."
Korra and Asami shared another look, this time a worried one. Their friends were extremely lucky to be alive. The nurse took Korra and Asami's silence to mean that they had no more questions for her, and she turned her attention to directing the other two nurses.
It didn't take long for the three of them to finish getting Kuvira and Nayuh ready to be moved, and a few minutes later, Korra and Asami were trailing after them, down the hall and into another, larger lift. It could accommodate both of the beds which, much to Korra's surprise, were actually on wheels.
They rode down a few floors, then the doors opened and Korra automatically inhaled deeply, feeling her body relax slightly at the very familiar smell. She hadn't even realized, until right this second, that the healing huts she'd spent her entire life in had such a unique smell, most likely due to the water. If it hadn't been for the stark and sterile environment of the previous floor, she'd never have noticed.
The nurses wheeled Kuvira and Nayuh down the hall a little ways, before stopping in front of one of the doors. Korra relaxed even more when she saw the Water Tribe healer motion for them to come inside. They may not have been in the South or in a healing hut, but whoever had planned the design and layout of the rooms down here clearly had that in mind.
As soon as they stepped inside, Korra felt at home, which told her she'd made the right decision for her friends. Even despite Kuvira's fear of the water, Korra knew she'd appreciate waking up in the comfortable familiarity of a pseudo-healing hut, rather than a cold bed, attached to a bunch of machines.
The nurses helped the healers carefully get Kuvira and Nayuh out of the beds and into the two healing pools that were set up side-by-side. Korra and Asami stood off to the side and out of the way as information about the patients' conditions was exchanged; then the nurses left and one of the healers came over to the two of them, introducing herself as Kanna.
"Are you family or friends?" she asked.
"Friends," Korra answered, "their families are still in the South. They were just here to visit." She looked a little uncomfortable. "Is it okay if we stay? We won't get in your way, I promise, it's just…" She trailed off and looked at Kuvira. "It's just that, um, she's kind of terrified of the water, and if she wakes up and doesn't see a familiar face, she's going to freak out."
Kanna nodded. "Of course, you can hang out as long as you want. There's a cafeteria one floor down, if you get hungry, too." She walked over to the side of Kuvira's pool, and Korra saw that the other healer was already hard at work, standing next to Nayuh's. "If you want, you can have a seat at the foot of the pool…although, given her injuries and the fact that she was sedated, it'll probably be a while before she wakes up."
Korra looked at Asami, who nodded her approval. "I'm going to see if I can make some phone calls," Asami said, in a low voice. "Samir's family needs to know what happened and I have no idea if anyone told them yet or not. Plus, I should probably call the head attorney and let him know about the pending investigation."
"Okay," Korra said. She leaned in and gave Asami a quick kiss on her cheek. "You're coming back though, right?"
"Of course," Asami replied. "I'm not going to let you sit here alone the entire night. Do you want me to bring food back?"
Korra flashed her a grateful smile. "You know me too well."
Asami gave her a quick kiss goodbye and left. Korra walked to the foot of Kuvira's pool and sat down, resting her chin on her hands. The familiarity of the scene was unnerving, and she tried to remember that this wasn't the same as the last time she'd sat like this, waiting on Kuvira to wake up. The fact that it wasn't Nayuh standing there, doing the healing, made that more than apparent.
Her gaze drifted to Nayuh, whose entire body was submerged, except for her face. Korra knew that the only reason she wasn't sinking all the way in, was due to the healer's bending. A testament to how talented she was. Korra knew, from experience, that it was no easy task.
Korra watched her work, idly wondering if it had been Katara who had taught her. She considered asking but decided against it. Nayuh needed the healer's attention more than Korra needed conversation.
The hours passed by slowly. Asami eventually returned, bringing with her one of Korra's favorite comfort foods: fried arctic hen and seaweed noodles. They ate quietly, not wanting to disturb Kanna and the other healer. Asami dozed off for a little while after they ate, taking Korra's place once she woke up, so she could try and sleep a little.
Two new healers were in the room by the time Korra woke up, having replaced Kanna and her co-worker once their shift was over. "Any change?" Korra asked Asami, as she took a seat next to her at the foot of Kuvira's pool.
"None that I can tell," Asami said, "although I did overhear Kanna and the other healer say that they were optimistic about them waking up within the next few hours. Or at least, Kanna thought Vira would. She said Nayuh might be a little slower, due to the head injuries."
Korra nodded. "That's good to hear. I really hope Vira doesn't freak out too much, once she does. She seemed pretty calm in the bending arena's pool. But, she was also awake the whole time."
"I'm sure, as soon as she sees you, she'll realize everything is okay," Asami soothingly said. She reached over and twined her fingers through Korra's. "Have you thought about calling your dad or Nayuh's parents at all?"
"No," Korra said, shaking her head, "I was kind of waiting to see what the healers have to say. I don't want to worry Kia and Tarrak for no reason. If it's more serious than we think, then I'll call them. If I have to, I'll ask Tenzin to borrow Oogie and I'll fly down to get them myself."
"Whatever you think is best," Asami said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. They fell quiet again, watching the healer's work.
Korra had no idea how much more time had passed before she noticed that Kuvira was starting to twitch in the water. She looked at the healer standing on the side of Kuvira's pool. "Is she getting ready to wake up?"
The healer nodded. "I think so. She's been getting stronger over the last hour, once the damage to her lung was healed."
Korra breathed a sigh of relief at the news. She turned to the other healer, standing by Nayuh's pool. "How's she doing?"
"Much better as well," the healer replied, "although, it'll still be a while before she wakes up. It's taken a while for the swelling in her brain to go down. It's down now, but I don't want her to wake up too soon, so I'm having to go slower than I would like."
"Thank you both," Korra sincerely said. "I really, really appreciate all the work you and the rest of the healers do here."
Nayuh's healer smiled and inclined her head slightly. "That's what we're here for. And, getting a chance to talk to the Avatar doesn't hurt, either. I hear you're a healer as well, taught by Katara herself."
Korra returned her smile. "I am, but not nearly as skilled as you are. And she did teach me. She also taught Nayuh." She gestured to the pool and saw the healer's eyes go a little wide.
"I thought she looked a little familiar," the healer said. "I'm from the South too...I think she was a few years ahead of me in training."
"Small world," Korra said, and the healer nodded her agreement, before returning her attention to her work. Korra looked over and smiled at Asami, relaxing even more. Knowing that at least one of the healers working on her friends had been taught by the best of the best, made her feel infinitely better.
Suddenly, she heard a loud gasp. Her head whipped towards Kuvira's pool and Korra saw that her friend's eyes were open and wildly darting around in a panic. Despite her multitude of injuries, Kuvira tried to quickly sit up, most likely in an attempt to get out of the water. Korra knew that if she didn't intervene, then Kuvira was going to either hurt herself or the healer in her panic.
"Vira," she said loudly and as soothingly as she could, waving her hand to get Kuvira's attention, "it's okay, you're safe." Kuvira looked at her, staring hard and breathing heavily. Korra knew she was trying to come to terms with where she was and what was happening. She'd been there before herself, more than once. The flashbacks, when they happened, were very real.
Korra got to her feet and hurried over to the side of the pool opposite the healer (and made sure to block Nayuh from Kuvira's view, so she wouldn't freak out even more), repeating "it's okay…you're safe" as she went. She knelt down and breathed deeply, mimicking the deep breathing patterns she'd taught Kuvira a long time ago, to help her calm down whenever a flashback or a nightmare would strike.
Finally, Kuvira got the hint and, still keeping her eyes on Korra, started mirroring her breathing. When it had finally slowed and she calmed down, she winced in pain and leaned against the back of the pool.
"Korra," she said weakly, "where am I?" She looked over and finally noticed Asami, still seated at the foot of the pool and looking concerned. "What happened?"
"You're at Republic City's main hospital," Korra answered. Kuvira felt her eyes go wide as Korra continued. "You were in an accident on the way to our house."
"An accident…" Kuvira repeated, as her sluggish brain tried to recall the last thing she remembered. They landed in Republic City…got into the satomobile…drove through the city, admiring how much more modern it looked than Harbor City…then…
"Nayuh!" Kuvira exclaimed, as her memory came rushing back. The headlights, the sound of metal crunching, flying through the air, seeing Nayuh's bloodied face…
"Where's Nayuh?" She tried sitting up again, but her body instantly protested and she laid back with a loud groan. "Korra, please tell me she's okay…" The mere thought that Nayuh had possibly been taken away from her forever, physically took her breath away.
"She's right over there," Korra said, her tone giving no indication that Kuvira had anything to worry about. She moved over slightly and Kuvira could now see that there was another healing pool in the room they were in (or was it a hut? It certainly looked like a healing hut). Another healer stood on the side of that pool, giving Kuvira a reassuring smile once she caught her eye.
"She's going to be okay," Korra went on, "just like you are. She's not awake yet though…she had damage to her brain that's taking a little longer to heal."
"But, she's going to be okay?" Kuvira asked in a small voice, not quite willing to believe what Korra was saying was true.
Korra looked over at Nayuh's healer for confirmation, and Kuvira followed her gaze. The healer nodded, then said, "She's going to be just fine. Her injuries will take a while to fully heal, just like yours, but her condition is no longer critical."
Kuvira audibly breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed fully against the pool. Now that she was no longer panicked, she could feel the warm pull of the healing water, and she leaned into the sensation. Nayuh's okay. I'm okay. This is just a minor setback for this trip.
"Do you remember anything about the accident?" Korra's question pulled Kuvira from her thoughts and she looked over at her, shaking her head.
"Not really…it happened so fast. One minute we were fine, and the next…" She shuddered. "Were you guys able to find out what happened?"
Korra exchanged a look with Asami, which told Kuvira that they knew exactly what had happened. "It was a drunk driver, "Korra said, turning back to Kuvira. "He ran the light, so it wasn't your fault at all. He's in custody now and Mako said they're going to charge him with manslaughter because Samir was killed."
Kuvira's eyes went wide at the news. She looked at Asami. "I'm so sorry…he seemed like a really nice man."
"He was," Asami replied, a sad smile forming on her lips, "but Mako has promised me that the other driver will be brought to justice for his death."
"I hope so," Kuvira said, just barely keeping the sneer off her face at the mention of Mako's name.
"And speaking of Mako," Korra said, "he said he'd like to talk to you and Nayuh about what happened, once you're awake. If you're up for talking, that is."
This time, Kuvira did allow herself to frown. "Sure, but I don't know how much help I'll be. Like I already told you, I don't remember much."
"I know, but I'm sure every little bit will help with the investigation," Korra said, getting to her feet. Kuvira idly nodded. As much as she disliked Mako, she wanted to see justice served for Samir's death. She may not have known the man, but he'd just been doing his job. Having his life taken by such a selfish act didn't sit right with her at all.
"I'll go call him right now," Korra said. She looked between Kuvira and Asami. "Do either one of you want anything while I'm out?"
Kuvira shook her head no, and Asami did the same. Korra shrugged and bent over to give Asami a kiss, before leaving the room. Kuvira met Asami's gaze and they looked at each other for a few moments, before Kuvira gave her a small smile.
"Sorry I'm late, boss…I promise it won't happen again."
Asami's neutral expression faded into a genuine smile and she laughed lightly. "I guess I can let it slide," she playfully replied, "just this once." Then the playfulness was gone. "I'm really glad you both are okay."
"Me too," Kuvira quietly replied. She looked up at the healer currently working on her. "Thank you."
The healer inclined her head slightly but didn't break her movements. "You're welcome." A hint of a smile played on her lips as she met Kuvira's eyes. "I would say, welcome to Republic City, but after this, I'm sure you're ready to go back home."
Kuvira chuckled. "As long as I don't have to ride in another satomobile–" she turned to Asami and added, "No offense."
Asami raised her hands in front of her. "None taken. But, I hate to break it to you…in order to get back to our house, you'll have to, once you and Nayuh are released."
Kuvira's face fell. The thought of getting into another satomobile and riding through the city made her stomach turn. "Don't worry," Asami added, "I know the fastest and easiest way to get there…since I designed the roads and all."
Kuvira rolled her eyes slightly, in a teasing manner. "So humble."
"Hey," Asami said, giving her a small, but knowing smile, "if the infrastructure hadn't been destroyed several times in the last decade, I wouldn't have had to design and redesign it."
Kuvira pursed her lips but said nothing. It was a subtle jab, one the healers would likely never pick up on, but it still stung. Which Kuvira knew was the entire point. "Speaking of being released," Kuvira said instead, looking again at her healer, "when do you suppose that might happen?"
"Well, since you're awake now, it'll all depend on how you feel once I decide you're ready to get out of the pool."
"And, when will you decide that?" Kuvira asked her.
"Fairly soon," the healer replied and she left it at that. Her demeanor reminded Kuvira of Nayuh and she instantly knew better than to push her any farther.
Asami sat with Kuvira and made small talk while they waited on Korra to return. The mood in the room, even among the healers, was light. Kuvira had the sense that her waking up had something to do with it.
"Alright," Korra said when she finally walked back into the room, "Mako said he'll be here in a little bit." She looked at Kuvira. "He said it shouldn't take too long."
"Okay," Kuvira replied. She truly had no idea what she was going to tell Mako, and the idea of speaking to him for even a few minutes left a bad taste in her mouth. The only good thing about the entire situation was that Nayuh wasn't awake yet. Spirits help him if she was. Kuvira knew she needed to convince him that trying to question Nayuh wasn't a good idea. At all.
Mako still hadn't arrived by the time Kuvira's healer had deemed her ready to get out of the pool. With some help from the healer and Korra, Kuvira managed to, very shakily, get to her feet in the water.
"How are you feeling?" the healer asked her.
"Like a truck hit me," Kuvira replied, then she smirked. "I guess that's about accurate though."
Everyone chuckled but Kuvira knew the healer needed more details than that. She'd worked with Nayuh (and been with her) long enough to know how to answer that question.
"I think I can walk, but my chest and back really, really hurt," she said. She looked down at her right arm, currently immobile and bound to her body. "And that, of course. As long as I don't make any sudden movements, I think it's okay."
The healer nodded. "You'll need follow-up treatments for a while, to ensure it heals correctly. As well as for your ribs and lung. But, I think, for now, you're free to get out and relax. Before you leave, you'll need to make sure you schedule the follow-up appointments, so don't forget."
"I won't, I promise," Kuvira said. She let out a small snort and nodded towards Nayuh. "She won't let me forget."
"Truer words have never been spoken," Korra added, laughing. "We won't let you forget either."
Kuvira smiled up at her and grabbed the hand Korra was offering for assistance, slowly climbing out of the pool. All things considered, she felt pretty good. Not nearly as broken as she had after her stint under Lake Laogai, that's for sure.
The healer was bending the rest of the water off of her when Mako finally walked into the room. And he wasn't alone. An entire contingent of Republic City police officer's trailed behind him and Kuvira froze when she saw them. Her brain tried to warn her about what was happening, but her heart didn't want to believe it.
Korra had a very different reaction to the sudden presence of an entire squad of officers filling up the rather small space. "What the hell Mako?" Korra said, looking annoyed as she crossed her arms. "Did you need to bring the entire station down just for a few questions?"
Mako leveled a hard look at her, then handed her a sheet of paper. As Korra opened it, Mako turned to Kuvira, his expression one of sheer hatred. No, Kuvira thought, this can't be happening. She glanced at Nayuh, who was mercifully still not awake.
"Kuvira Beifong," Mako stated, "you're under arrest."
