"Damnit, how does Pema do this?" Korra said, swatting at a ladle that bobbed wildly in the boiling broth. The aromas wafting through the room didn't exactly smell good, but at least were distinctly food-like, which could not be said for her previous attempts.

"How do I do what?" a gentle voice said from behind Korra, startling her. She spun around to see Pema leaning against the doorway, arms crossed with a slight smile on her face.

Korra glanced around, felt her cheeks heat up, and blurted out an apology.

"Don't worry, Ikki and Meelo are looking after Rohan," she said, then added with a chuckle, "and I know, I'm worried about that idea too." As she walked into the room, her nose wrinkled as she smelled the odors filling the kitchen. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but nothing has died in this room lately, has it?"

Korra hung her head. "That bad?"

"I wouldn't say it's bad, just, maybe, not good." She saw Korra's shoulders slump. "What prompted this? I thought you loved my food."

"I do!" Pema tilted her head to one side and watched Korra fidget under her eyes. Eventually, Korra seemed to wilt a little bit and continued, "I just wanted to make something for Asami with my own two hands."

"Ah, so that's what this is about."

"I can bend all four elements, but I can't even boil a simple pot of five-flavour soup," she batted the ladle again and sent it spinning around the rim of the pot.

"It's okay if not everything's perfect every single moment."

Korra reached out a hand and pulled some heat from the fire, lowering the pot to a mild simmer, feeling the warmth fill her body as she took a deep breath. "How are you so much better than me at this?"

Pema smiled and said, "I've had a bit more practice over the years." She raised an eyebrow and added in a wry tone, "And I don't just mean with cooking." Korra tilted her head to one side. "Tenzin and I have been married for a long time now and were together for a while before that. We've figured out how to make things go smoothly now, but that doesn't mean there weren't some growing pains at first." She gestured to some chairs, "Here, come sit with me for a moment." Korra sat down and Pema patted her on the shoulder. There was a pot of tea sitting on the table and Pema quietly poured the two of them cups of tea. Korra's first sip was a little cold. She could feel the heat prickling her hands as her firebending itched to jump out, but she wanted to warm the tea, not set it on fire, let alone the rest of the room.

Deep breath in, deep breath out, and warmth flowed from her palms into the ceramic mug. A crook in one finger set the liquid swirling, lifting a stray tea leaf off the bottom. She took another sip. A filling warmth rolled over her tongue and down her throat and she could feel warmth in her centre rising to match it.

"Mine next please," Pema said with a smile, nudging her mug closer to Korra. Already holding the heat, it took only a moment to warm Pema's tea. She took a sip, sighed contentedly, and looked back at Korra. "Feeling better now?" Korra nodded. "Like I was saying, you don't need to figure everything out all at once. And when you mess up, it's more important that you work on doing better next time than beating yourself up for what's already happened. But more than that, you shouldn't feel ashamed to ask for help. Neither Tenzin or I could have ever managed to raise the kids if we tried to do everything ourselves." Korra nodded again, although she still stared at her tea. "Let's start with something easy. I know your mom is a good cook, how did she learn to cook?"

"Well, she learned from my Gran-Gran."

"Do you think your dad loves her cooking any less because she didn't learn it herself?"

"Of course not! Dad loves mom's cooking!"

"And how did you learn to cook?"

"I helped my mom with the cooking sometimes, back when I lived in the White Lotus compound, but my Avatar training often got in the way, so I never really got the hang of it."

"Okay, and aren't your mom and dad still in town until the end of the trial?"

Korra looked up. "Yeah, I guess that's true."

"Do you think she'd mind a visit from her one and only daughter?"

"No, I guess not," Korra said, a smile returning to her face. "Thanks Pema, this has been a big help."

She stood up, then glanced back at the pot, now with some oddly coloured steam rising from it. "Don't worry, I'll take care of that," Pema said, shooing her out of the room with one hand.

She teetered back and forth under the wobbling pile of vegetables her mother had stacked up on their recent trip to the market. When Korra showed up at the apartment her parents were staying in during the trial, her mother leapt at the opportunity to deliver some 'emergency cooking,' and had dragged her to the nearby Southern Water Tribe market to stock up. "Is this really all necessary?" Korra said, peering out from behind a particularly rebellious rutabaga.

"You don't know how long I've waited for this moment," her mother called back, seeming to almost skip into the small kitchen, despite her own pile of ingredients. "You're always so busy, I'm worried you're just living on takeout noodles and fire flakes." She dumped her groceries on the counter, cornering a stray carrot that made a valiant break for the edge.

"Mom, you know I live with Tenzin's family, Pema wouldn't let me eat poorly if I wanted to!" Korra added her pile to the counter and brushed away a bead of sweat.

"Well, that's true, Pema's food is wonderful. But you won't be living there forever, what happens when you want to move out, get a place of your own?" She put a hand on Korra's shoulder. "Besides this will be fun, we don't get enough time to spend together anymore."

They organized all the ingredients and the pots they needed and as Senna set Korra to chop up some vegetables for the pot, Korra glanced over at her mother. "Mom, did you and Dad ever have any big fights when you first started dating?"

Senna laughed. "Have you met your father? Has he ever managed to go more than a few months of knowing someone without arguing with them? I think the only people who wonder why you're so stubborn are the people who haven't met your father." She glanced over at Korra. "Why do you ask all of a sudden?"

"Well," Korra started, then trailed off.

Senna stopped and put down the kitchen knife. "Did Asami and you have your first fight?" Korra nodded but didn't meet her gaze. She felt her mother's arm around her shoulders. "I know it feels overwhelming right now," she said, rubbing her shoulder, "but you'll get through it and once you do, you'll wonder why you were so worried in the first place." She took up her knife once again and used it to scoop some chopped roots into the pot. "What was it about? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but you know I'm always here for you sweetie. Pass the carrots please."

Korra looked down at her vegetables and shook her head. "I feel like I'm doing everything wrong."

"Nobody expects you to know the right thing to do every single time. Unless there's a lot you haven't told me, this is only your second relationship in your entire life. You've had a lot going on sweetie and haven't exactly had a normal life." Korra nodded but didn't reply. "When we realized you were the Avatar, your father and I knew that you weren't going to have a normal life. But struggling to figure out what it means to be in a relationship is normal. Everyone goes through it."

"Mom, did you date a lot before you met dad? How did you know he was the one?"

Senna blushed slightly. "I don't think that's any of your business young lady. As for knowing he was the one, it wasn't something I thought about right away. I just knew that I cared about him and wanted him to stay in my life, even when things were hard." She said with a shrug, then glanced over. "Besides, you're only 21, you don't need to have things figured out already. Raise the heat on the pot."

Korra reached out a hand and watched the fire grow as she pushed the heat from her body. The simmering broth rose to a bubbling boil. "But–"

"No buts, young lady. Besides, I remember you telling me that Lin tried to throw Pema in jail when Tenzin dumped her for her. You're just seeing the good parts in everyone's relationships." She picked up a chunk of meat and gently dropped it into the pot. "Now let me show you the secret to real Southern Water Tribe soup." She raised her arms and started to slow push and pull with her hands. Korra peered over the rim of the pot to see the broth twist and swirl around the meat. "Now you try."

She mimicked her mother's bending and watched the meat roll in the moving broth. "Like this?"

"Just be patient, these things take time," Senna said and looked at the soup. "Meat and relationships." She gestured for Korra to bend the water more gently. "You know you care about Asami, so just hold onto that for now." She raised her own arms and helped guide the water as it boiled.

Korra lowered her arms for a moment. "Thanks mom."

"Now, no breaks while cooking or this soup really will be unsavable."

"Miss Korra, it is good to see you. Miss Sato is upstairs in her office. Miss Sato seemed like something was bothering her when she arrived." The guard said as he opened the door to Asami's private elevator. Korra winced slightly at his words. "You're free to go upstairs," he said, then fixed her with a stern gaze, "but I better not find out that you're the cause of her distress."

"Yessir Lintong," Korra said, "I figured Asami might be hungry, so I brought her something to eat." She held up the bag she'd brought from her parent's apartment. He sniffed and gave an appreciative smile as he waved her inside.

She had a few moments to think as the elevator rattled up the floors to Asami's office. With her mother's help, she'd managed to cook some palatable five-flavour soup. She started rehearsing what she wanted to say under her breath, tripping over words as changed her mind about how to phrase it. The floor shuddered under her feet as the elevator halted and the doors slowly opened. Korra stepped into Asami's office, seeing her girlfriend huddled over a stack of papers at her desk.

"Oh, hey Korra," Asami said. "You're later than I expected."

"Oh yeah." Immediately, every word that Korra had planned fled her head. She held up the bag, "I brought some soup. I thought you might be hungry."

"Thanks," Asami glanced down at the papers. "Can you set everything out on the table by the couch? I'll be over in just a minute."

Korra set the bag down on the table and carefully pulled out two bowls and a larger jar with the soup. A moment of firebending reheated the soup, which she portioned out for herself and Asami. Then, she sat and waited. Asami remained hunched over her work, paying little attention to Korra. The seconds stretched on. She felt a question rising to lips but bit it back, steadfastly choosing to wait patiently until Asami was ready. A hand on one bowl, then the other, kept the soup warm. With all the words swirling around in her head, the few minutes felt like an eternity. But finally, Asami laid down a sheet of paper and glanced over at Korra. She gave her a tired smile and joined Korra on the couch.

Her brow furrowed as she looked at the bowls. "These don't look like takeout."

And with that, the words started to spill out uncontrollably. "I wanted to make you something myself, but I never really learned to cook. I was going to try anyway. My first few batches weren't really edible and even the last one I tried by myself probably wouldn't have been very good. But I went to see my mom and she helped me make this and I wanted to bring you it as a surprise and you'd enjoy it and then I'd say I'm sorry and–"

"Woah, slow down Korra. What are you saying sorry for?"

Korra took a deep breath. Stepping in front of a beam of pure spirit energy wasn't nearly as nerve-wracking as this. "I wanted to apologize because I feel like I haven't been a really good girlfriend lately. There's been so much going on and whenever I've gotten frustrated, I feel like I've taken it out on you. And none of it is your fault, but I'm hurting you because I can't deal with it myself."

"Korra," Asami said and glanced down at her lap, putting a hand on Korra's shoulder, "you don't have to apologize for that. I know things are hard right now."

"But I do have to apologize for it." Korra looked away. "I guess you didn't see too much of this firsthand, but this was exactly why Mako and I broke up. I was frustrated about the problems with the Northern Water Tribe, and my dad, and my uncle, and I kept taking out my frustration on Mako. I was making everything about myself and didn't even stop to think how he might feel. Before I knew it, I was blaming him for problems he wasn't even involved with. And I didn't know what I was doing back then and I still have no idea what I'm doing in a relationship, but I don't want us to end up the way that Mako and I did."

Korra could hear the muted rattling of the pipes in the walls as she waited for Asami to reply. "That's a lot to hear at once," Asami started, "I don't know what to say to all that."

"You don't need to say anything." Korra turned back to face Asami and took Asami's hand in hers. "I just wanted you to know that I'm going to try harder. I want to be the kind of girlfriend who deserves someone like you."

"Korra," Asami said, squeezing Korra's hand, "you." She paused, glancing away before meeting Korra's eyes once more. "You're so strong, but I just wish you'd let your friends help you sometimes."

Korra blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Whenever there's someone to fight, you're completely willing to bring us along as backup. Remember when Kuvira attacked the city? We all helped take down the Colossus. Or when Wu got kidnapped by some of her goons? We all tracked him down together. But when it comes to any sort of personal issues or emotional burdens, you always try to do everything by yourself." Korra opened her mouth to reply but snapped it back shut as Asami went on. "You shut us all out when you left for the South Pole. I kept writing letters to you. I was trying desperately to get you to let me in. Do you even know how it feels to wait two years for a reply? Then, you don't even tell anyone and disappear again." Asami's voice hadn't risen but her tone grew sharper and sharper as she continued, "And now it's happening again. You're trying to solve all these problems with Kuvira's trial, and the Earth Kingdom, and Raiko, all by yourself. You're the most amazing person I've ever met Korra but even you can't do this all by yourself. If you'd just trust me as much as you do when we're fighting some Earth Empire thugs or Red Lotus lunatics, I could help, but if you won't let me in there's nothing I can do."

When she finished, Asami was almost panting from exertion. "Is that really how you feel?" Korra said quietly.

"Well, yes. I love you but I sometimes feel like you don't trust me." She froze, eyes widening as her brain caught up to her words.

Korra also froze as she stared at Asami and Asami stared back. "Did you just say you love me?" she stammered. Asami looked away, casting her eyes down at her hands. "I love you too." Korra could feel her body tense up as the words left her mouth. They sat on the couch and the seconds passed in silence.

Finally, Asami smiled. "I'm glad you do."

Korra felt her shoulders relax and she smiled back. "Me too. And I promise I'll try not to bottle things up as much."

"That means a lot. Honestly, I think we both need to work on that," Asami said with a crooked smile, "I'd already resolved to hide how I was feeling until after this trial business was over. But clearly that wasn't a good idea if it was already bothering me." Korra gave her a guilty smile. "And if I'm being honest with myself, it wouldn't end with the trial. Once that's done, I know you're going to want to go to the Earth Kingdom and help with the reconstruction, and the Republic City elections are coming up soon and I doubt you can avoid getting caught up in that, knowing Raiko. Not to mention, there's probably some crazy person bent on killing the Avatar, who'll be coming around any day now."

Korra covered her face with her hands. "Why did you have to remind me about Raiko?" she said in mock horror, making Asami laugh.

"I know the idea of Republic City politics is scarier to you than the possibility of actually dying, but I'll have your back. I wouldn't have made it this far without knowing how to play that game."

Korra looked up, her tone turning serious. "I know you will," she said, then broke into a smile, "I don't think they'll need me at the courthouse until tomorrow evening for Kuvira's verdict and sentencing. Why don't we spend the day together, just the two of us?"

"That sounds great," Asami replied, a warm smile on her face. She glanced at the bowls on the table and added in a mischievous tone, "But if you're going to ask me to endure Korra's home cooking, could I at least ask you to warm it up again?"

"As you wish, my dear Miss Sato," Korra said, miming an extravagant bow before bursting into giggles. "You probably are in more danger from my cooking than the people trying to kill me."

Asami likewise devolved into laughter. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

Mako jerked upright as he woke from a hazy dream, splashing the water that the medic was using to heal him all over himself. He glanced around. In his dream, he'd been sleeping in his old bed at the pro-bending arena, but he was clearly on a cot in a hastily constructed police tent. The medic, a Water Tribe girl around his own age, stumbled back, startled by his sudden reverie. Pushing away the cobwebs of sleep, recent events came rushing back.

He tried to push himself up from the bed but a stabbing pain in his head slowed him. "Oh no you don't," the medic said, regaining her bearings as training kicked in, "you took quite the knock on your head when that building collapsed. You're not going anywhere until I say so."

"You don't understand, I've got a job to do," he said, trying to push himself up again.

"Oh, I understand you quite well," she said, pushing him firmly back onto the cot with one hand. "You think you're the first soldier boy to end up flat on his back?"

"Alright," Mako said, sighing, "if you won't let me leave this cot, can you at least do me a favour?"

She started gathering the water, pulling it from his torn and dirty shirt and grimacing as she saw the dirt come with it. "I could be persuaded."

"Can you get me a radio line with headquarters, I have a very important message for the chief."

"Why don't you just tell me the message and I'll pass it along."

He shook his head, ignoring the dull ache and the feeling that his brains were rattling around in his head. "I have to give this report myself, it's too important to trust to anyone else. Even you," he trailed off, realizing he didn't know her name. She wasn't a medic he'd met in basic training or at police HQ.

She pointed at herself. "Imona."

"Right, Imona. You're going to have to believe me that this message is important."

She bent the water back into a pouch at her hip, then crossed her arms. "I'll make you a deal. I'll get you a radio to call HQ if you promise to stay in this cot until I clear you to go. No trying to run off and be a hero the first chance you get, deal?"

Mako relaxed back onto the cot. "Deal."